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Post by treemoonflower on May 22, 2018 18:43:34 GMT -5
FKJ wonders for a moment then asks."Who makes these bounties? Shurley it's possible to be selective about the one you take."
"Besides I'm really not much of a gardener or medic, cant speak for my friends though. I am all for you getting back on the horse again but this time how about you let me pick. I have a few ideas."
OOG: FKJ is wondering if the governing system itself is corrupt and if so could recruit more allies to take it down threw finding bounties. Maybe even Na'zier or Noah but really his plan is to come up with supplies somehow while out hunting and see what he can about these bounties.
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Post by Frederic Bourgault-Christie on May 22, 2018 19:57:03 GMT -5
Benatar says, "It depends. But ones like the ones given to you are from the President himself, or the Silvers that work for him. They're serious shit. They'll capture people if they get them. I've never heard anything bad. I've never heard anything good either".
Benatar nods at the suggestion. She seems to be okay with you doing the scouting and vetting.
OOG: It's absolutely a reasonable thought.
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Post by treemoonflower on May 22, 2018 21:27:44 GMT -5
"Well then it's settled we will go threw the proper channels and pick our mark very carefully. Although I suggest someone else arranging the meeting what with my bounty being so high i'm pretty sure I would stick out like a sore thumb."
"Benatar what is the typical process of getting these bounties? Would it be safer to go through the silvers and when can we get started?"
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Post by Frederic Bourgault-Christie on May 22, 2018 23:20:44 GMT -5
Benatar says, "Typically, you listen to a radio or go to a bounty board, tavern or mercenary outfit. They usually have them there. And hell no you shouldn't talk to the Silvers. Even I don't want to. Don't want that attention".
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Post by treemoonflower on May 22, 2018 23:38:22 GMT -5
"Well then I guess we're off whenever we get saddled up to the closest tavern or bounty board never been one for radios... I feel they distort my voice to much and I hate it."
"Take what we need we may not be back here very soon, you never know what could happen."
FKJ stands up and yells "Thus begins French Kiwi Juice's Strange Outings part 2."
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Post by Frederic Bourgault-Christie on May 22, 2018 23:53:44 GMT -5
Benatar says, "Hold up, spaz. It's getting close to evening, and ain't no one heading out there. I'll go and try to help Alan and his crew get set up for the night, along with Day and Dale, and then we'll turn in and get a start in the morning. And I don't care if you don't like the radio, I'll check it first".
Balst goes out with Benatar, Day and Dale. Alan and the rest seem to be akin to Ben the Soldier: okay, at least for now, with just sitting there. Balst manages to whip together some hallucinogens from a little bit of rye and some fungus, and they spend the night in a kind of religious exaltation under the watch of Metallic Sloth. The desert's heat makes this like a rite of passage.
After that, Benatar adjusts a large 1980s-style boombox radio with an extended antenna. She thwacks it a little and says, "I'm hearing something. Dale?!" Dale comes in and says, "What, sweetie? We gotta go to bed soon. You know the drill". She says, "Bounty station. Now". Dale sighs, takes out a screwdriver, and adjusts some cables, plugging it into an antenna on the roof.
After a little bit, a bulletin comes through. "This is Silver hel-Azal", a thick, smooth, radio-friendly voice rings out. It is to-the-point and slightly brusque, but still clear and, possibly, reassuring to those with more trust. "The Hyenan monster-man Riesenrad has been reported near Mavis City. Do not engage, do not attack. The bounty is G$1,000,000; however, we do not recommend anyone besides Silvers and registered deputies engage".
Benatar is aghast. Dale sits down, wondering to tell everyone else. The broadcast continues. "For those who are not aware: Riesenrad has been known to kill and consume Bete Noires. He is considered to be a 4 of Hearts level threat".
Benatar immediately explains, as the broadcast sets to loop with promises of more information, "The four levels of threat are Clubs, Spade, Diamond and Heart. There's only a few things that have ever taken out a Heart-level threat: hel-Azal, the Red Rider, Prince Corwyn, Morris Cee, Marvel Woman, and Liberty Justice".
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Post by treemoonflower on May 23, 2018 17:31:10 GMT -5
FKJ yawns,"I don't know guys maybe we hit up the next one i'm not really feeling it."
Looking around the party he gauges the responses and weighs his options."While the money is tempting we would probably be competing with the local silvers and I don't want to be anywhere near those guys. Also don't you start thinking i'm backing down out of fear because i'm not. Truth be told my body is itching to take on this so called power house but in this foreign land with unknown combatants I feel caution is our best bet."
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Post by Frederic Bourgault-Christie on May 23, 2018 18:14:33 GMT -5
Balst says, "Master Juice, I don't know if we can trust the local constables, either to get here in time to help what we think may be a safe city for now. And while I certainly admire that discretion is the greater part of valor, I also think that we need to get some real answers, and that may involve going up to the top".
Alluria seems to once again be uncertain. It's obvious that she is used to her music and her charm, not so much the vagaries of survival.
Benatar remains quiet for a moment. She's feeling out the situation.
As the two female voices remain quiet, Balst himself palpably quiets, looking at both of them.
Alluria finally breaks the silence when she offers, "If we meet a Silver, or someone else who may show up to fight such a monster as this Riesenrad... We may get a fight, but we may also get some answers. I have a good feeling about engaging with him. Also, as dangerous as he is, we have at least one advantage. This world doesn't seem to have many people who understand your bardic magic, my powers, or Balst's psionics". Benatar nods in confirmation to that. While FKJ can tell that Benatar isn't as much a world traveler as would perhaps be ideal to trust her assessment of the world, it does seem taccurate so far.
Benatar herself finally says, "May not have a choice either way. Mavis City is close. If Hyena Boy is hungry after snacking on a city, we might be next. And if we lose even what few cities we have left... there's less traders, there's less supplies. You guys had a G$500,000 bounty on each of you".
Balst says, "I refuse to let a city of people be torn apart by a mad predator. Even if we can't defeat him, Master Juice, we can certainly lead him away from the city, or help an evacuation, until any legitimate authorities arrive. And if the authorities are there, we have a chance to observe them, and learn more".
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Post by treemoonflower on May 23, 2018 18:47:39 GMT -5
FKJ shoots up out of his seat "YES, that's what I like to hear from my compatriots. I was only kidding about that cautious malarkey. I'm so happy your all on board(girlish shriek) this is gonna be so fun!" FKJ breaks into a little dance "Yes Yes Yes" then he busts into a backflip "Full throttle all the time, your going down hyena boy. Fuck yeah woooooaaaahh!"
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Post by Frederic Bourgault-Christie on May 23, 2018 18:57:54 GMT -5
Balst gives FKJ an assessing look. It seems as if Balst's time with Arkhe, similarly a very optimistic and fearless person, has made him curious as to the actual feelings under the bravado. Benatar says, "Ugh. I'm not looking forward to this. This ain't a school trip for me, kid. I'm... just trying not to die". She keeps her face looking forward.
Balst does add, "We do need to approach this with some degree of gravitas, Master Juice. Our supplies are limited. And I do not want to endanger Madame Collins. We'll need a plan for reconnaissance".
Benatar says, "I still need to get some food in me and still need to patch up a little. You guys may be able to see at night, but I'm not gonna fight with nightvision or Cycle Goggles. I gotta turn in".
Balst goes to meditate and Alluria leaps into a boombox, asking it to be kept on and low.
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Post by treemoonflower on May 23, 2018 20:12:19 GMT -5
Fkj is a little perturbed by the kid comment. "Madam that hurt. I too am not willing to die yet or anytime soon for that matter, but if I am to die it will be with a smile on my face and joyful laughter in my heart. My advice to you is never forget the watchful eye of fate can blink out your fire at any time no matter what you do."
With that fkj turns his nose up and struts away into a dark corner mumbling to himself lost in thought.
As fkj sits there he starts to try to approach the coming fight from every angle he can think of. Obviously its all foreign to him but he so desperately wants benatar to succeed in this. Not just for the money and security but for her wellbeing.To Fkj she has been so starved for anything good and fun in her life that she is constantly seeking silver linings.Never creating or feeling safe with anything good everything a constant struggle forcing her to keep up her barriers at all times.
FKJ's main goal of the coming fight isn't to win but to have benatar finally enjoy living in the face of danger and even death. He knows it will always be close to her anyway...sadly
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Post by Frederic Bourgault-Christie on May 23, 2018 20:17:38 GMT -5
"Gotta be a little more afraid when you got kids depending on you", Benatar responds, though she does so quietly enough to indicate that she thinks FKJ has a point.
As Benatar finishes what she's doing, Dale comes up to FKJ. He hands him a beer bottle. "Don't have too many of these, but you've earned it", he says, as he opens himself one. "Bennie seems to have really warmed up to you". He laughs at the idea (and possibly at FKJ's reaction) and says "No, really, this is her feeling pretty good". Dale seems to be feeling out FKJ's feelings about Benatar. "She said you guys would probably be going out tomorrow. I appreciate the help. Just... don't let her hopes raise too much, huh?" Dale seems to have many worries, and a little bit of hope, about FKJ's efforts and relations to his wife.
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Post by treemoonflower on May 23, 2018 20:56:57 GMT -5
In a very solemn tone "Well Dale if this is her happy then she's in desperate need uplifting. I see it in all of you, you may feel hungry from time to time but it's your emotional states that truly need nourishing. Look I get it this world will eat you alive if you let it,quite literally i've been told, but that isn't an excuse. Everyone struggles and eventually dies, but when you have absolutely nothing at least you can smile and laugh about it."
"I know this lecture sounds like a huge preachy drag but I'm dead serious. It should never be hard to crack a joke.. or at the very least just a smile."
Fkj turns to Dale all emotion devoid on his face."Tomorrow nothing will happen to Bennie of this you have my word."
Then after a little pause he perks right up. "OK now that that is out of the way let's drink this to our domes and unwind what do you say buddy!"
(fkj hopes this drink with a friend helps but cant stop thinking of the next sunrise and what is to come. He wakes up not knowing when he went to bed only that he fell asleep completely lost in thought for the first time in a long time.)
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Post by Frederic Bourgault-Christie on May 23, 2018 21:19:28 GMT -5
Dale nods. "Things are tough. But we have some good days too. Just... not that easy, y'know. It's like you get stretched thin and... you know, it takes time to come back together". When FKJ offers his word, he laughs and says, "I'll drink to that. Cheers". He clinks his bottle and finishes it.
When the topic of kids comes up, Dale is quiet. He doesn't seem comfortable talking about why he and Benatar haven't had children. He does talk about the kids: the one boy (Daytona and Maggie's kid) who has a real artistic talent but doesn't seem to be comfortable hunting yet and how worried they are, the girl (Rale and Annie) who is very quiet but is very good at math, and the ratty boy (Hal) who's becoming more and more aggressive and wanting to hunt more and more often.
After some drinking and quiet interaction, he goes to the bathroom and locks the door, seeming not to come out for some time.
FKJ's eyes trace along a frame that he doesn't think he saw before. The frame is a nice black wood, seemingly not painted, and inside is a near-perfect mirror. The Wheel begins to move forward, seemingly detecting danger, as the room seems to extend and warp. It's sort of like falling, then stopping suddenly as if the fall never happened. FKJ is now in the room, but clearly everything is reversed in its orientation.
Walking down the hallway, to FKJ's right instead of his left, there is a shape. It slowly approaches, red claws framing the hallway, three curved mirrors connected to three spindly, flexible, black hose-like necks in turn connected to a similarly black and hose-like humanoid body.
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Post by treemoonflower on May 23, 2018 21:38:20 GMT -5
Raising his guard only slightly he proclaims" Oh Bennie you shouldn't waste your energy before tomorrow especially on something as silly as a prank,although I do definitely admire your gusto this does look great I mean look at the details. That thing is truly disgusting especially those long tube things. Spectacular!"
As the wheel sets Fkj keeps going along with it until the thing gets within spitting distance. He understands the potential danger but has resigned not to throw the first punch and see this play out.
OOG: ITS AN ENEMY STAND!
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Post by Frederic Bourgault-Christie on May 23, 2018 22:33:19 GMT -5
FKJ can see a reflection of himself in the curved mirrors. He is standing in the midst of a great group, making a sudden pose, and then there are the beginnings of chortles, and guffaws. The people circle around him like stars circle around someone in a cartoon struck by an anvil, like a kaleidoscope of flashing colors and faces, and then all rush away from him, leaving home alone in a great, vast, flat mirrored surface.
A thick rumble, something like a "Guhora-guhora-guhora", echoes through the hallway. "No need to clown, Master Juice", the monster utters. "The show is over here. The dancing shoes can be placed in your closet. Melt your saxophone for slag. You need not lie to me like you do to them. You see that this world is beyond anything you can do. You're not the hero here. You're a wanderer, and I can help you go home".
OOG: THIS IS THE WORK OF AN ENEMY STAND!
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Post by treemoonflower on May 23, 2018 23:05:41 GMT -5
wheel of fortune applies the swords debuff on this foe
"I'm not a hero anywhere, But you know that dont you... Gerome from accounting!(fkj points in a direction) "Or is this the work of you debra!(different direction) I told you that your music was trash and you have haunted me ever since and i'm sick of it!"
"This ends here Debra! On guard you wench!"
FKJ and wheel of fortune in tandem start to emit a spooky aura
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Post by Frederic Bourgault-Christie on May 23, 2018 23:10:39 GMT -5
The Wheel turns in the creature's mirrors. "Oh, ho, going to try to make me less damaging, are you?" FKJ feels himself and the Wheel both affected by a similar effect, as their fists feel weaker. The Spooky Aura locks onto the creature. "I guess I'll have to fight first before you listen", it says as it reaches its hand out and smashes FKJ and the Wheel of Fortune together against the fridge. The motion is so fast that even the Wheel's blocking doesn't seem to matter much. The red claws squeeze in. "Ready to listen now, Jerome?"
OOG: FKJ is at 50%, and Wheel of Fortune is at 70%, of health.
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Post by treemoonflower on May 23, 2018 23:31:52 GMT -5
FKJ coughs back "I see your one of those silly mirror stands oh Debra you do have trick now don't you. You haven't changed one bit." He starts to reason something then wonders.
"Fine Debra confess your love to me and lets move past this."
(FKJ reasons that things will get reversed and while he isn't above punching himself in the head he thinks that's more like plan F. for now while this thing talks he weighs his options of either conjure the sound of glass shattering-idk how to type that- or have him and the wheel pair into an otto's irresistable dance reasoning he can out dance anything if it gets bounced back.
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Post by Frederic Bourgault-Christie on May 23, 2018 23:46:10 GMT -5
"Not a Stand", the thing explains. "Unlike the trash in this little rat hole, I won't lie to you. I'm what these simpering scum call a Bete Noire. Did precious Bennie tell you that her husband must inject those analgesic alkaloids? That she's been keeping that from these other survivors? And that's just what I reflected in a few moments".
The thing relaxes the pressure for a moment. "Don't think of anything else... well, none of it was funny, but if you try to shatter this glass, you'll regret it. And not just because I can crush your windpipe and your ribs". It continues. "If you want to go home? All you have to do is give up. Flee these people and your Stand will take you back. Maybe even your friends too".
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Post by treemoonflower on May 24, 2018 0:00:25 GMT -5
"But what's in it for you Debra even if I do go with you why offer this to me and why now? Are you scared that me being here might prove too much for you and you catty little group? Or are you convinced that I'm going to get to the bottom of what's going on here, or both?
"While it's true normally I would take up this offer in a heartbeat you didn't even laugh at my jokes so why should I trust you I doubt you even know how to smile.. pfft. I'm going to need some convincing then I'll get back to you kid."
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Post by Frederic Bourgault-Christie on May 24, 2018 0:10:10 GMT -5
"None of your business, Stand User", it replies. "Maybe we just don't like your face".
The creature puts FKJ down and turns around. As it walks toward the hallway, it says, "Not a problem, then. Just need to walk out and see what else I can do. Think Bennie can take me and protect Dale when she just gets woken up? Can't promise she lives if you leave, but I can promise I won't kill her right now".
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Post by treemoonflower on May 24, 2018 0:20:09 GMT -5
Fkj quickly dusts himself off and fixes his collar then does a quick boxer series of steps side to side before blasting his theme song and proclaiming,"Damn it Debra why cant this just be between you and me! You've always been so jealous of my friends just drop it already. Their just trying to live life to the fullest anyway. Here I'll help you learn through the universal language of salsa!"
Fkj starts into a flurry of steps and moves, pouring his whole heart into while the creatures back is turned hoping to snare the creature in his heart pumping rhythm.(otto's irresistible dance)
"Your not going anywhere till you agree that this next glorious bout of violence will take place on the battlefield not your sorry excuse for a vanity collection. No more tricks!"
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Post by Frederic Bourgault-Christie on May 29, 2018 20:25:55 GMT -5
The creature's leg begins to twitch. It makes a surprising set of moves, its odd legs flexing like pipe cleaners... Until it becomes clear that it's messing with FKJ. FKJ's legs also begin to tap... but he incorporates the dance into his own motions. "I made you one deal, Stand User. Run or I kill everyone".
The Bete Noire then moves to go to the bathroom to jump through the mirror or sink in there. But as it does so, a voice rings out. It is a feminine voice, surprisingly hoarse yet slightly soft, with a Russian accent. "But now, oh Lord, you are our father, we are the clay, and you are the potter; we all formed of your hand". Suddenly, charging down the hall is a form even taller than the Bete Noire. In fact, it takes up the entire hallway. It's hard to pin down precisely what it is: it is vaguely humanoid, yet somewhat amorphous, and yet there are seemingly well-defined circuits and mechanical components to it. It's fundamentally a golem, and a powerful gust takes it down the hallway, punching the Bete Noire in one of its three mirrors. The mirror dents, and the creature is thrown down the hall, where Wheel of Fortune is able to take an attack of opportunity and punch it back to the new opponent.
The Bete Noire hisses. "Nightbane. Interloping across the Mirrorwall". It sees that the situation is getting worse and tries to fight past FKJ and Wheel of Fortune, but FKJ's new dancing motion and the Stand let them keep him away, passively fighting and actually coming away from the exchange evenly.
FKJ's turn.
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Post by treemoonflower on May 30, 2018 19:12:25 GMT -5
"Is that you Greg? You always come to help out just in time Ha Ha Ha!"
FKJ casts hold monster while slowly ending his dance.
The wheel of fortune throws the wheel in a buzz saw attack while swords is still active. then resets the wheel.
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Post by Frederic Bourgault-Christie on May 30, 2018 19:52:35 GMT -5
FKJ weaves his magic, combining it expertly with his Stand powers and Hamon, managing to Hold the creature. The Wheel of Fortune then takes the wheel and throws it, swords appearing from it, slashing the Bete Noire. Its mirrors are scratched and it is pushed against the wall, still partially paralyzed.
Apparently, despite being physically paralyzed and partially held, it can still act. The three mirrors partially reflect into each other, and those reflections of reflections seem to sink and deepen, becoming a kind of deep black tunnel, a kaleidoscopic spatial drop. And then the creature makes a horrible motion, seemingly a result of its own energy pushing it apart, and it is as if space itself extended repeatedly and folded. Both FKJ and his new ally are slammed into walls themselves. FKJ and his Stand both manage to roll with the impact well, but the Nightbane's golem form makes this kind of sickening wet thud.
At the end of its turn, the strands of red energy and the music keeping the creature at bay warp, and something like a hideous sideways smile opens up in the center of its three necks. It attempts to reflect a Hold effect onto FKJ and the Nightbane, but fails to transform the effect, such that neither FKJ nor the Nightbane count as monsters, and the Spooky effect created by FKJ's earlier action keeps the Hold from going further out.
Faintly, as if echoing from within a room crowded by furniture and stale air, FKJ hears a lulling song. "Master Juice? What was that noise?" Alluria seems to have noticed something, and is slowly looking for him. It's clear that she doesn't realize there's trouble yet, but even if the monster escapes, it will no longer have the element of surprise.
The Nightbane, now speaking in an androgynous and booming almost-monotone, says, "Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one's youth". Her chest opens up to reveal a chest cannon, with six smaller barrels around a center one. The smaller barrels begin to spin and fire, slightly-cruciform flechettes filling the air, while the central cannon begins to glow with a white light. However, even with the increased accuracy, the Bete Noire manages to leap around the room, vaguely warping space with its reflective abilities to avoid being struck. It breezes past the efforts of the Wheel of Fortune to stop it.
It is FKJ's turn again. The Bete Noire is still clearly attempting to enter into the physical world and keep his two opponents stranded here, and the Hold effect has now worn off.
The wheel lands on Cups. FKJ can choose to buff him, or the Nightbane, and may choose to increase Endurance, max health, health regen or stamina regen.
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Post by treemoonflower on May 30, 2018 20:36:26 GMT -5
Fkj chooses to increase his own endurance.
Immediately upon hearing Alluria's voice he starts shouting "Drunken Sailor" as loud as he can (Very Loud). In the midst of the song he begins to weave the sound of water crashing against glass as well glass shattering. He starts to manifest the physical impact sounds together into a force of noise hellbent on making things shatter. Then unleashes it hoping to send it towards the mirrors.
The wheel will go to body block one of the mirrors and ready a flurry of blows should the bete noire come close.
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Post by Frederic Bourgault-Christie on May 30, 2018 20:57:57 GMT -5
FKJ feels himself, for the moment at least, become tougher and more durable. It's especially noteworthy given his already reduced physical capabilities as a result of being in this world.
The Bete Noire's head shakes slightly. "Thank goodness I don't have your ears", it hisses. "What an atonal mess". Remarkably, the Bete Noire seems be caught off guard enough to forget that FKJ had a plan to harm the creature in place: a shattering attack. Unfortunately, as the sound comes toward him, it directs its three mirrors together. Creating a kind of acoustic reflection zone, the sound is altered then directed back at FKJ. Stopping its motion does put it in the path of the cruciform flechettes... but unfortunately one of them seems to be sent back into the Nightbane. There is a sound of jamming, sort of like if a car made out of wet clay managed to backfire, and the Nightbane has substantial internal tearing. The Wheel moves to the sink, the only obvious place that can create a mirrored surface, but it gets blown back by the shockwave sent out by the amplified and reflected sounds. FKJ is doing quite badly: his saxophone is dented and his lungs are nearly collapsed. His enhanced Endurance is keeping him alive, but only just. The Wheel is better off. The Nightbane is damaged severely as well.
The Bete Noire walks over to the now-vacant sink, keeping the Wheel of Fortune down with a kick from its floppy hose-like legs. It turns on the water and smiles. "I have a Bennie to..." But as it looks in, it seems puzzled. Then it hears a low sound, one that is shaking the entire room and is obviously making the water in the sink too disturbed to be a valid reflective surface. The Bete Noire makes a furious roar of frustration. It charges in at the Nightbane, its claws becoming sharp and jagged. FKJ realizes that the Nightbane had formed deep speakers in its body to have that effect. Unfortunately, it is costing her. The Bete Noire tears through pieces and pieces of the new (apparent) ally, clay and chunks of circuity and metal alike flying off. Some pieces coat the Bete Noire, then detonate, apparently some kind of ablative coating. "Neat trick", it hisses in faux admiration barely masking utterly tempestuous rage.
Alluria seems to still not be quite sure what is happening. Once again, FKJ barely hears above all of the commotion a voice that is ringing out (clearly focused and directed to try to avoid waking up their hosts), "Master Juice, is that you? Why are you singing again?" However, Alluria's voice is now joined by Balst. There is a sing-songy call that continues, but FKJ can tell from subtle aspects of the cadence of the speech that Balst and Alluria have formed a plan, and are trying to mask this from whatever hidden enemy. While Balst and Alluria clearly cannot enter the arena this turn, there is an upside: FKJ and the Nightbane and Stand are all affected by an aura that is increasing their health by about 6.5% of their health per turn. This trickle helps keep them alive for now.
The Bete Noire has torn out the speakers of the Nightbane. The sound has stopped. The Nightbane clearly wants to keep the creature from leaving. First, clay builds around the top of the creature, then explodes outwards as a kind of balloon. The Bete Noire manages to leap back, but as it does so, it seems that parts of it, and parts of the environment, have absorbed into the Nightbane. The woman then says, "Always fear the celestial chorus", and a powerful Darksong rockets back out. Faint micro-cracks are appearing in the mirrors but it doesn't seem as if the thing is truly being harmed just yet. However, the Darksong, while not stunning the creature, is slowing it down and seeming to mesmerize it, challenging its concentration. The Nightbane keeps her position, holding her move action for reaction, ready to either protect FKJ, block the sink or block the bathroom.
FKJ's turn. He is at 34% of his health. He also feels an invisible weight on his leg. For now, FKJ thinks it is beneficial: he is feeling his lungs slowly heal, and he is also feeling a surge of adrenaline and focus.
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Post by treemoonflower on May 31, 2018 0:35:03 GMT -5
"That's quite a song you got there Greg didn't know you had it in you!"
Fkj attempts to harmonize with the dark song as best he can. Getting a little fed up on his own he starts to slip into dark hamon as well.
Fkj reasons that the noise should keep the sink rippled and while the creature is hopefully subdued he sends Wheel of fortune to just pummel the guy as best he can.
Fkj is prepared as a last ditch effort to use the world should the bete noire make another move torwards the mirrors.
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Post by Frederic Bourgault-Christie on May 31, 2018 19:02:40 GMT -5
As French looks inwards, preparing to change how he draws his breath, his mind offers him reminiscences of his path thus far.
He recalls Sergei talking about his time in the Nightlands. "Different sun there, too, not just lava seas, you assholes", he was saying to K'Zit and Jerlock and others.
Daytona's voice fills his head. "Boy, you may got a gift for Cycle. You got the right shoulders and hips for it... he Cycle makes it like this. It's like looking at everything as this whole single moment, like stopping thinking about the world like the film only runs forward and thinking like it's in the projector".
He has a brief vision of what he thinks may be an event yet to pass, where a man wearing a red motorcycle helmet tells him, "Control your blood flow. Focus on your heart".
And then there's Benatar's voice. What was originally the voice of an adversary, now the voice of a friend. "That's... that's why there's a bounty on you. What kind of Cycle is that?!"
French realizes that, as he draws in from the more universal power of the Dark Hamon, his heart has to beat faster and more smoothly to keep the small particles and energy flowing. He has to view himself as a field echoing through time.
Though his lungs are still injured, French no longer feels the limitation of the Ripple. He understands that, as long as he can maintain his blood flow, he will be imbued with a sense of the cycle.
Instead of using the now-dented saxophone, he simply sings, harmonizing with it. The sound redoubles and echoes, and the creature's smaller strains in its mirrors are becoming full cracks.
The Wheel of Fortune now engages with the monster directly, black shadowy pulses coming from it, a power earned from a demon matching another demon. The monster's strange fighting style with its flopping limbs and almost cartoon-like motion makes landing blows difficult, but it no longer seems to have an edge in raw power.
The Bete Noire stretches its arms out to push the Wheel away from it. When it has a moment, it lines up two of its mirrors and makes a strange stretching hop, looking like an elongated and almost two-dimensional version of itself as it rushes for the bathroom. However, the Nightbane, who comes from a land of mirrors, expects this. A grappling hook fires, and then it too is barreling toward the room. The Bete Noire starts to enter the mirror, but when the Nightbane's reflection is in the way it cannot, and the Nightbane pulls it out, holding it with its golem body.
The Nightbane attempts to use the Talent Misery Loves Company. It attempts to share and transfer its wounds onto the Bete Noire. Once again, it looks into the mirror and prevents this, causing the Nightbane and it to be locked into a path of pain. Amazingly, the Nightbane itself seems to be able to tolerate having a chunk of it inside torn apart again, even beyond its biomechanical dulling.
Then the door oddly swings open the other direction. As if they had just appeared from inside, Balst, Alluria and Benatar walk through. "You truly do seem to attract the most vile, Master Juice", Balst notes. Balst then clearly tries to ascertain the situation as rapidly as possible. "I'm assuming it is the Bete Noire with the mirrors and not this other creature that is our opponent?" The Nightbane replies, "I have no quarrel with you, kin of domovoi. May Christ be with you". "Ah", Balst replies.
Balst clearly has limited energy and had to use some of it to form an astral connection with this small pocket mirror tangent. However, there is something going on already that can help. Combining with Metallic Sloth, he takes the declining pain from FKJ and the Nightbane and tries to pump it into the Bete Noire. While the Bete Noire does not reverse it, it does not seem particularly pained. Still, FKJ is now able to focus more effectively, and the Nightbane is also able to redouble her grip. Next, Balst takes Krans and works it around one of the creature's necks, attempting to pin it against the door while stretching himself along the hallway. But the flexible nature of the neck works against him, even with the legendary craftsmanship of his weapon. For his move, he moves small astral hands into FKJ's body, reshaping his lungs. FKJ is up to 40% and his lungs are almost totally healed.
Alluria instantly uses All In One on the Nightbane, allowing the Nightbane to benefit from her Synergy and Heart of Tarrasque. She Tethers to FKJ, pulling him and the Wheel closer. She activates Guardian Greaves as a swift, instantly sharing the benefits three times between the Nightbane and FKJ, restoring some of their health and energy as well as removing the remaining status effects. For FKJ, that means no more Otto's, the lungs are treated as fully healed, and so forth. She then activates Essence Link as her standard, draining life from the Bete Noire to further heal the Nightbane. For her move, she puts up Illusory Veil, blocking the mirror and damaging the Bete Noire, keeping it pinned in. At the end of all of her shenanigans, FKJ and the Stand are closer, the Bete Noire is flanked on two sides, and FKJ is up to 74% health and has all of his energy.
Benatar feels off a little. She whispers, "What have you done to Strange People, you bastard?!" The Bete Noire replies, "Why don't you conjure it and find out, Bennie?" Benatar does not do so. Instead, she takes a wrench and begins to beat in the creature's mirrors. She actually manages to shatter a chunk of one of them, pieces falling to the ground and turning into a vapor.
The Nightbane growls, "That vapor... it is still their essence. They are not killed when they are put into that state. Did you encounter one before?!"
FKJ's turn.
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