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[Not too long after the fall of the Lady's Good Men, UG members receive a video mail.]
Um...hello, everyone in the Unity Group.
...It has been some time since my last call to you, but the Foundation has been spread thin over the last few months. I also know that all of you have been having troubles of your own.
But today, I am sending this message as an invitation.
Among the members of the Foundation, there is an occasion held for members to celebrate their coming-of-age. On the date stated in this message is when my own takes place...
Normally, it would be a festive event with many attendees. But not this year.
So, the Foundation has agreed to open its doors to you...if you decide to come. This does not happen very often, and...I sincerely hope that you will be able to make it.
[She bows at the camera, and then looks around awkwardly for a while, before moving to turn it off.]
1. (Mingle/reactions - Frontdated to hours before the next mission)
[The Gloster Foundation HQ is located in the center of a vast woodland estate - nearly a half an hour's drive on a cobblestone path from the only road that connects to it. It is a compound of impressive-sized, linked buildings, all with a gothic, medieval look, complete with towers and tall walls.
At the center of these buildings is a mansion - the Administrative Building - in front of which a fleet of very expensive vehicles are parked.
For those of you who chose to accept Seta's invitation, it's pretty clear from the moment you arrive that if there's supposed to be some kind of celebration, you don't see anything related to it at first. Even the guards, who are all wearing dark blue long coats as uniforms, aren't saying anything beyond guiding you to the hall where you're supposed to be, if you need it.
In this hall however, there are a few 'people' already waiting, and dressed for the occasion. Their genders and apparent age differ, but one thing they share in common is white/silver hair. Of course, you'll get curious looks, some glares, and some complete aversions with your presence.
Probably worth noting that the event is moments away from starting, and Seta is nowhere in sight.]
---
2. (Actual prompt)
[Should you actually choose to explore nearby (the guards don't stop anyone), you'll discover the reason for the former UG member's absence. There is some rattling coming from an open store-room...
In this small room, a Seta dressed in a long, white, and almost bridal dress, is crouched down while reading a book, and she doesn't even realize you're there.]
This is impossible...how do I memorize it all in time...? Did they give me this so late on purpose...?
What should I do...?
---
3. (Locked to one doge)
[Despite some notable hiccups, the ceremony was completed.
But, while others enjoy themselves, Seta is contacted by one particular wolf-Kijin to meet alone, and finds herself wandering through corridors in the Administrative Building that she has never been in before.
She eventually (after getting lost) ends up in a vast, circular chamber that lies underground, where her red-clad acquaintance awaits...]
...Astara?
Um...hello, everyone in the Unity Group.
...It has been some time since my last call to you, but the Foundation has been spread thin over the last few months. I also know that all of you have been having troubles of your own.
But today, I am sending this message as an invitation.
Among the members of the Foundation, there is an occasion held for members to celebrate their coming-of-age. On the date stated in this message is when my own takes place...
Normally, it would be a festive event with many attendees. But not this year.
So, the Foundation has agreed to open its doors to you...if you decide to come. This does not happen very often, and...I sincerely hope that you will be able to make it.
[She bows at the camera, and then looks around awkwardly for a while, before moving to turn it off.]
1. (Mingle/reactions - Frontdated to hours before the next mission)
[The Gloster Foundation HQ is located in the center of a vast woodland estate - nearly a half an hour's drive on a cobblestone path from the only road that connects to it. It is a compound of impressive-sized, linked buildings, all with a gothic, medieval look, complete with towers and tall walls.
At the center of these buildings is a mansion - the Administrative Building - in front of which a fleet of very expensive vehicles are parked.
For those of you who chose to accept Seta's invitation, it's pretty clear from the moment you arrive that if there's supposed to be some kind of celebration, you don't see anything related to it at first. Even the guards, who are all wearing dark blue long coats as uniforms, aren't saying anything beyond guiding you to the hall where you're supposed to be, if you need it.
In this hall however, there are a few 'people' already waiting, and dressed for the occasion. Their genders and apparent age differ, but one thing they share in common is white/silver hair. Of course, you'll get curious looks, some glares, and some complete aversions with your presence.
Probably worth noting that the event is moments away from starting, and Seta is nowhere in sight.]
---
2. (Actual prompt)
[Should you actually choose to explore nearby (the guards don't stop anyone), you'll discover the reason for the former UG member's absence. There is some rattling coming from an open store-room...
In this small room, a Seta dressed in a long, white, and almost bridal dress, is crouched down while reading a book, and she doesn't even realize you're there.]
This is impossible...how do I memorize it all in time...? Did they give me this so late on purpose...?
What should I do...?
---
3. (Locked to one doge)
[Despite some notable hiccups, the ceremony was completed.
But, while others enjoy themselves, Seta is contacted by one particular wolf-Kijin to meet alone, and finds herself wandering through corridors in the Administrative Building that she has never been in before.
She eventually (after getting lost) ends up in a vast, circular chamber that lies underground, where her red-clad acquaintance awaits...]
...Astara?
Tags:
From:
no subject
Somehow, Astara managed to handspring back into a standing position before she stabbed her broadsword into the ground and slowed her momentum down to a complete stop. Her grip on her broadsword is then switched to a reverse grip as a vortex of wind began to swirl around the blade. An instant later Astara began to swing at the air in front of her, releasing several large blades of wind towards Seta.]
From:
no subject
[The razor wind barrage is met by blasts of intense flame as Seta manifests, draws and swings the longer of the two Kazan blades in a single, fluid movement! The forces collide in a sizable explosion, forming a crater in the center of the room.
But not wasting time, Seta goes on the offensive. She draws her remaining handgun, Merlot, with her free hand, and fires through the smoke. More bullets scream toward Astara!]
From:
no subject
From:
1/2
[Seta does try to defend herself - by attempting to cut that round apart. Sadly, being mentally occupied by how badly she's performing is enough of a distraction that she can't even raise the weapon in time.
There's a brief detonation as the blazing round makes contact with Seta's hand. The result isn't pretty: although Merlot is thrown away and hits the ground, said hand is gone.]
From:
2/2
[What happens next seems to be done on impulse. With a wide swing of her blade, she fires a much larger wave of flame in Astara's direction. Not a very wise thing to do, because...]
From:
Looks like you could use a hand
From:
Booooo
In its wake are a smoldering swath, black smoke, and dust rising from the remains of the statues.
Looks like you did it, Astara...or did you?]
From:
no subject
Of course, Astara knew very well how durable Kijin were and was keeping an eye on where Seta would have impacted into the wall. She knew better than to assume that she did enough to stop Seta.]
From:
1/2
As she approaches at a relaxed pace, one of her eyes glows a golden-red. It seems that a number of her injuries are already gone, but part of her face and body are still composed of a jet-black substance.]
From:
2/2
...You leave me no choice.
I hoped that I would not have to, but now...
[After sheathing her sword, Seta takes up a side-on stance: arms raised at an angle, feet slightly spaced. This happens as the familiar shape of RB's on-foot form, a pair of gauntlets and greaves, manifests around her forearms and legs. What's unusual, is that Kazan hasn't been dismissed as it normally would be - the blade is still there in its sheath on her waist!]
From:
no subject
[That definitely was not normal, even for a Kijin with the ability to absorb the souls of high-class Kijin. Still, Astara maintained her composure. Even with another weapon out, she was confident that she could deal with Seta. If Seta's display of power was supposed to scare her it has failed.]
You should have just stayed down Seta.
[Astara holstered the two handguns before she drew her broadsword and tossed the weapon at her opponent. She quickly followed up behind the sword, drawing the stolen handguns and rapidly firing to unleash a storm of bullets that somehow traveled around the incoming sword.]
From:
no subject
[The sword and bullets tear through the air - but that's just about all they do. Without warning, Seta vanishes in a blur - briefly turning herself into light, similar to the lightning of Ilnaha - and re-emerges in the air behind Astara.]
Ha!
[She descends toward the red-clad Kijin in an abrupt but powerful dive-kick that leaves a blinding white trail in the air. Whatever connects with her foot will be subjected to a concussive explosion of light!]
From:
no subject
[Even being a Kijin, it was hard for Astara to follow Seta's movement. She only managed to figure out her location from the small battle cry, turning just in time to see the overpowered divekick coming down at her. At the very last moment she attempted to jump away but it's a bit too late, she avoided the kick itself but the explosion sent her flying towards the ceiling of the room. The floor beneath them is in ruins from the attack, Astara herself is rattled severely from the explosion of light.
The wolf in human clothing slammed into the ceiling and the entire structure began to fall apart. This was the first real hit that Seta landed and Astara definitely was feeling it. Despite that, she wastes no time in kicking herself off of it to send herself soaring back down towards Seta. The two pistols were drawn again and Astara started firing rapidly, unleashing what could only be described as a rain storm of bullets down towards Seta before she drew her sword again and came crashing down with a huge overhead slash. ]
From:
no subject
[Seta attempts to step back to avoid the shots, but having just landed that divekick, she can't dodge completely. A number of bullets rip into her - and then comes the overhead slash...which she doesn't manage to do much about, even when she's facing it head-on.
Astara's weapon leaves a bloody gash in Seta's abdomen, and while the latter is still standing, the force of the blow causes her to slide backwards. But the fight is far from over, as Seta reaches for the handle of Kazan.]
Hm!
[She retaliates for the overhead slash by dashing forward at incredible speed- past Astara - and leaving a cluster of black razor wind in her wake to engulf her foe, all while the blade isn't even visibly drawn!]
From:
no subject
When she finally catches up to Seta her body is covered in wounds, a large amount of her blood was now on the floor. Still, she just needed one opening and Seta had left her back exposed with that attack. Both blades are ignited in flames before they are swung out in an X.]
From:
no subject
This time, she re-appears off to Astara's right, and in the distance. Without wasting time, she draws back her fist, which is charged with dark energy, and then throws it forward like a punch. This is done three times in succession - each time releasing a single explosive black sphere toward Astara!]
From:
no subject
[Thankfully, Astara was able to spot Seta before she was completely blindsided by her attack. Both of her remaining swords were tossed out at the first two spheres as they made their approach.. As for the last sphere, she again throws caution to the wind and makes an attempt to break through it. The Kijin took to the air and crashed through the sphere with her own blazing divekick. All three detonated at the same time, causing further damage to the entire chamber. Astara emerged from the smoke caused by their explosion and slammed her fist down in front of Seta as she landed. Flames erupted around the two, she was making sure that Seta could not escape again to make another counterattack from a distance while also using the flames as yet another attack.
With a single glance anyone would be able to see that she was not in good shape. Deep burns were now covering her body. Astara's attempt to trap Seta reeked more of desperation as her breathing grew heavier. ]
From:
1/2
[Astara will probably be relieved that Seta does not escape this time, being pushed on the defensive by the flames. With parts of her body being set ablaze, it's quite the excruciating experience.
However...]
From:
2/2
[Instead of defending further, Seta almost mirrors Astara and drives her fist into the damaged floor. A sphere of light surrounds her body for a short moment, and then detonates in a concussive blast. As well, several geysers of light surge out dangerously across the ground around her!
That's not the end of it though, because as this happens: a crown of blades made of solidified light also descend upon Astara rapidly from above!]
From:
no subject
Even with the blades pierced through her and blood pouring out of her body Astara did not budge. She did not take a single step back. She stepped forward, an immense amount of heat building up around her right arm. The space around it seemed to be distorting and...the only thing Astara does with it is rise up with an uppercut aimed squarely at Seta's chest, she threw all of her remaining strength into it, even kicking off of what remained of the floor to drive the fist as far as she could.]
RRAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
From:
no subject
[Seta's only means of defense given the injuries she's sustained is to concentrate energy in that one spot. Otherwise, the effects of an attack like that would be crippling even to her.
Astara's blow is nonetheless devastating - pushing the two upwards and through the chamber's ceiling...with Seta being practically crushed between supercharged fist and whatever lies in its way!
Where they eventually end up...is the large welcoming area just outside the event hall.
A barely conscious and badly injured Seta is thrown across the floor like a ragdoll, only coming to a stop when she collides with one of the walls.]
Astara...
[In spite of that, she tries to get back on her feet as more footsteps are heard. No doubt the ceremony's guests and the guards are already on the way...!]
From:
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Just...a bit...longer.
[She's still holding one of Seta's handguns, waiting and hoping for a certain someone to show up. Even if she looked like the villain here she did not care. She had to stop him from draining the souls of her people for his own use. Her expression turns sour quickly when she spots Seta getting back up.]
Seta...please...just stay down.
Please...
[She was trying to plead with her friend. If Seta just stayed down she wouldn't have any problems.]
From:
no subject
[Not that Seta has much of a choice here.
What little strength she has is spent, and she collapses within seconds...]