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[@NarayanK] [@Write] 

[color=00aeef][i]Cheeky Mistralian[/i][/color].

Bianca’s little trick with the clutch was funny. And clever. It might have been an issue, in fact, if Port’s arrival hadn’t made her pick it back up a few minutes later. The bell was his friend, for once. Saved him from having to figure out how to move it. 

Still, Port leading them to another room? Not a signal for fun times ahead.

That was his focus as he picked up his shield and filed out of the room, and his gut instinct was not wrong. Not even a little bit. The name was on the tip of his tongue before Port ever said it, but he uttered it under his breath anyway; [color=00aeef][i]Dionaea[/i][/color]. It was bigger than his house. The beast must have been three stories tall, give or take half a story. And its height was not even the most impressive aspect. Its dozens of tentacles gave it a sheer [i]volume[/i] that was hard to appreciate from a book; a textbook couldn’t convey the way the limbs moved, sinuous and powerful, around that central trunk. Port had defanged it in the literal sense, but it was [i]not[/i] harmless. A Riesen was a Riesen, and after his last experience Ben wasn’t taking chances. He’d never seen a Dionaea before, Redwood wasn’t the right environment before. They were more familiar with its root-laying cousin the Datura. 

It wasn’t anything like a Manticore, it was much too alien for that. It wasn’t particularly like Vlitra, either. But that feeling was the same. The three Riesens all inspired that touch of fear, that awe at the power implied and demonstrated. The Manticore’s [i]hate[/i] and ferocity, even faced with its own demise. Spiteful enough to bring down a roof just to kill one or two foes, and strong enough to do it. The ancient implacability Vlitra had shown to generation after generation.

He wasn’t sure where this one fit yet. What would stand out in his memory. But for the first time that fear came with a certain confidence; he’d killed a Riesen last week, Bastille and Jumpercable. They weren’t immortal.

The ground all but shook with Joyous Guard’s impact, the tower shield propped up on one hand while he drew his tonfa from its rack. They merged into Caletfwlch seamlessly at his bidding, its familiar weight reaffirming his confidence. This was doable. Joyous Guard was going to get a hell of a maiden fight.

Satisfied his weapons were in order, he shot Sangue a grin and a shrug. 

[color=00aeef]”Guess we’re not going to be bored.”[/color] 

What to [i]do[/i] about this thing was another matter entirely. Cutting the trunk would kill it, but the tentacles weren’t going to let anyone close. Not without cutting through them first, at least. Which he could do, but anyone who got close was bound to get the attention of the rest. Deinamig would help… But he’d used everything on Friday, and he’d need that reservoir [i]again[/i] in a few days. That was one resource he’d have to try and go without if he could. There wasn’t a whole lot to block, either… Joyous Guard’s shield might not be the most useful…

See how it fought. Then worry about it.

[color=00aeef]”Hey, Nuit,”[/color] He piped up cheerfully, cocking his head a little in her direction. Sure, he’d only met the Faunus girl today but she seemed like a good sort. Working with her’d help make her feel welcome. [color=00aeef]”I’ll probably have its attention pretty quick. If it gets hairy, drop behind me. Sangue, you too. We’re gonna need to cut our way towards its trunk. I can take a few hits if it gets a little pissy.”

“Who’s ready for some fun?[/color]