[center][h2]Anne Mayer[/h2][h3]Aventon - Southern Gate[/h3][/center]
[i]"Hi, do mind if I join the supervising?"[/i]

Anne glanced up, and greeted the Knight Witch with a small smile. "I wouldn't object to it. An extra pair of eyes would actually be very handy for something like this." She trusted the small woman well enough, and the fact that she'd worked with Frankenstein before was a point in her favor... Disregarding [i]whatever it was[/i] that had happened with the cows. [i]If we're talking about going overboard, that would be the number-one example, wouldn't it?[/i]

Together with Lewa (provided he agreed to come along), they made their way down to the battlefield at the south end of the village, and positioned themselves at the front of the watching crowds. Once the combatants were in position, the duels began—and Anne's prior assumptions were abruptly bowled over by the events that actually transpired.

For one thing, these mercenaries were absolute [i]chumps[/i]. As she watched the brawler struggle against Mokou's attacks, it was all she could do not to clutch her own head in frustration. [i]Right there. An obvious gap in her attacks. Come on, what's with that footwork? Are you[/i] trying [i]to get hit? You're too predictable, she's leading you straight into a trap—and there it is. Damnit, were you even paying attention during basic training??[/i] She felt a tug at her coat, and turned her head to find Alvin and Millie looking up at her expectantly. Was she going to fight too, they wondered? Anne could only muster up a shaky laugh. "Er, I think that might be considered bullying at this point..."

Frankenstein's match was proof enough of that. To Anne's surprise, the construct girl exhibited an admirable amount of restraint, using only the bare minimum of force to finish off her opponent. [i]Guess there's no need to worry about her for now...[/i] Her gaze drifted over to Joker, who was actually struggling for a little bit before he brought out his Paranormal Power. [i]Some basic combat training, but he relies too much on his abilities.[/i] At least he seemed to have decent control: she could tell that he'd held himself back from inflicting any serious injuries.

Out of everyone, Youmu impressed her the most. Honed movements, accurate predictions, and perfect discipline even with a wooden blade. Back where Anne came from, she'd already qualify as a Knight, and probably make quite a name for herself taking down high-rank Beasts. Sanae, though... She was elusive, but her attacks seemed more showy than effective. At least until she held up her stick, and conjured up—[i]another[/i] strange young woman? 

...Just how many of these people were there??

Unfortunately, she had no time to stand there and deal with the massive implications of what had just happened. Murderous intent radiated out from the newcomer, darker and heavier than even the miasma she summoned around her. Everyone's eyes were fixed on the escalating crisis, and the enormous snakes that reared up out of the ground—but anyone paying close attention might see Anne subtly lean forward, and hear the earth [i]crack[/i] open beneath her feet.

[i][u]<Suppressor off. Limiter release, level one.>[/u][/i]

A gust of wind. The Knight vanished from mortal sight.

At the same moment Sanae threw herself in the serpents' path, something blew past behind her, sweeping up the mercenary caster before any harm could befall her. A cloud of dust kicked up to one side, and there was Anne, skidding to a halt with the young mage held tightly in her arms.

"I've got you." She'd had to restrict her acceleration to avoid hurting anyone along the way, but Sanae's intervention had bought her enough time to safely grab her target. Even so, she was breathing heavily, her veins bulging out against the side of her neck from the blood pressure forced through them. Slowly, carefully, she set the mercenary down, positioned so that Anne stood between her and any further attacks.

"If you don't mind... I think we'd better call this one a draw."

Thankfully, Sanae seemed to have things handled by now. Rather than ask any questions or try to intervene further, Anne waited and watched, happy with any outcome that didn't demand more exertion on her part.