[hider=A Dear Old Friend] [i][u]Spring Zone - Streets[/u][/i] [img]https://i.imgur.com/Ptx5uRI.png[/img] Drake: So, any idea on where are we going? [img]https://i.imgur.com/rbdGm1u.png[/img] Rayla: Well, I'm heading back home to change to my student uniform, then head to the Guild. [img]https://i.imgur.com/SDlGc68.png[/img] Drake: Why there? [img]https://i.imgur.com/Qq6RqqA.png[/img] Rayla: They made me an offer...Which I refused at first. But now, I believe it's about time to change my mind. [img]https://i.imgur.com/1dYVtwD.png[/img] Drake: Is that so? Huh? Drake saw someone familiar leaving a convenience store. [img]https://i.imgur.com/0IH7YnC.png[/img] Drake: Ah, it's Nicholas! HEY! [img]https://i.imgur.com/TVhRGqn.png[/img] Nicholas: Hm? [img]https://i.imgur.com/Ptx5uRI.png[/img] Drake: What's up! [img]https://i.imgur.com/kFgNKoJ.png[/img] Nicholas: Hi Drake. Almost didn't recognize you without that hat. [img]https://i.imgur.com/OngNkm8.png[/img] Nicholas: Wait, I thought your brother was going to keep you locked forever. Did you escape or something? [img]https://i.imgur.com/3pWFCxd.png[/img] Drake: Well, alot happened today. Rayla's with me. [img]https://i.imgur.com/slqNc42.png[/img] Rayla: Hello. Been a while, hasn't it? [img]https://i.imgur.com/dSLizDB.png[/img] Nicholas: Indeed it was. Nice seeing you again Rayla. [img]https://i.imgur.com/KLCj2EX.png[/img] Rayla: I would love to do some catch up, but I'm busy at the moment. [img]https://i.imgur.com/kFgNKoJ.png[/img] Nicholas: Wait, don't leave just yet. [img]https://i.imgur.com/eLqTRoQ.png[/img] Rayla: Hm? Nicholas heads back inside the store. A minute later, he comes out with someone. [img]https://i.imgur.com/4E1lvOn.png[/img] Rayla: !!! [img]https://i.imgur.com/Et9DVLG.png[/img] Drake: No Way! [img]https://i.imgur.com/VjFttTY.png[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/8CKVbRJ.png[/img] Karina: Huh? Are those... [img]https://i.imgur.com/WTfo0hd.png[/img] Nicholas: Yep. Rayla and Drake, in the flesh. [img]https://i.imgur.com/TkNmCKh.png[/img] Karina: I...didn't expect on meeting them now... [img]https://i.imgur.com/B5sHXGj.png[/img] Karina: W-well...nice seeing- [img]https://i.imgur.com/KFcjaCP.png[/img] Rayla: You moron! Music: [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-rOxA6o0zo]Walhall[/url] Before she could say more, Rayla hugged Karina. Feeling a very cold sensation from her friends's body, as if winter had arrived early. [img]https://i.imgur.com/RN3roNt.png[/img] Rayla: What are you doing out here? You should be at home. [img]https://i.imgur.com/TVhRGqn.png[/img] Nicholas: (Had a feeling she would be on the verge of tears.) [img]https://i.imgur.com/CcxNgZ4.png[/img] Karina: Well...This is the first time my powers had stabilized in years so...I decided to take this opportunity to see the sun again. [img]https://i.imgur.com/3tmTLtb.png[/img] Rayla: Are you really sure about this? [img]https://i.imgur.com/jpXDSNx.png[/img] Karina: Absolutely. Anyway, you shouldn't hug me for too long or you'll catch a cold. [img]https://i.imgur.com/CPNqZPD.png[/img] Rayla: *sniff* Right... Rayla released Karina and started wiping off her own tears. Karina had a strange condition for an Ancestor Mage. Her magic was highly unstable, herself and others are always at risk. If her powers went completely out of control, It would freeze everything around her, including herself. Ice generated by her powers wouldn't dissapear if she stopped focusing on it, so in the event of her powers going berserk, it was certain that she wouldn't be able to free herself from her own prison. Her condition started a little bit after the Civil War ended, being forced to stay isolated while struggling to control herself. Being one of her closest friends, Rayla always worried about Karina everyday, not forgeting the days they've spent together. [img]https://i.imgur.com/zsa0Mgh.png[/img] Karina: Seems like you've been using that jacket I gave you. [img]https://i.imgur.com/rbdGm1u.png[/img] Rayla: For quite while, yes... [img]https://i.imgur.com/ctY1ByH.png[/img] Karina: It indeed has seen better days. Maybe it's about time I give you another one. [img]https://i.imgur.com/re5P00e.png[/img] Rayla: T-There's no need to. This one is fine. (This jacket was originally going to be hers, but she sent it to me as a gift...Even though it's supposed to keep her warmed up.) [img]https://i.imgur.com/KO51bTd.png[/img] Karina: Don't be shy. I'll even make sure it matches your skirt, I'm sure you're going to love it. Oh, and I almost didn't recognize you without that hat Drake. [img]https://i.imgur.com/Ptx5uRI.png[/img] Drake: I have a feeling I'll be getting this a lot. [img]https://i.imgur.com/yRsmL1T.png[/img] Karina: Yeah, going to take a while to get used to it. [img]https://i.imgur.com/GV0FDBk.png[/img] Drake: The times are changing...just like we are. [img]https://i.imgur.com/lP4rSY3.png[/img] Karina: I can tell by your faces that you're going through a rough path...And also that you're planning to tackle it at full force. [img]https://i.imgur.com/OHDMFj7.png[/img] Rayla: That's right. We're going to bring back peace to this city, no matter how hard it seems. [img]https://i.imgur.com/IcrFkaI.png[/img] Drake: You'll be able to live without having to worry about using your powers. [img]https://i.imgur.com/B5sHXGj.png[/img] Karina: I've been hearing stuff about how Rayla wouldn't help protect the city, but I'm relived that this isn't the case anymore. Of course, I wish I could help...But obviously, I can't do that without risking my powers from going out of control so...All I can do is to wish you a succesful journey. The Platinum Brothers then, starts walking away. Karina says one last thing before she's far away. [img]https://i.imgur.com/hBwm7FX.png[/img] Karina: Tell Auror I said hi, and that the unluckiest day of his life is coming. [img]https://i.imgur.com/4E1lvOn.png[/img] Rayla: Huh? (Why him?) [img]https://i.imgur.com/m4UPdjj.png[/img] Karina: I'm sure you know the answer to that. [img]https://i.imgur.com/CPNqZPD.png[/img] Rayla: ... [img]https://i.imgur.com/cYoMIH9.png[/img] Drake: Bye Nicholas! Bye Karin! It was nice seeing you two again. [img]https://i.imgur.com/PAeiQud.png[/img] Rayla: (Indeed it was...) But then, Karina says one more thing. [img]https://i.imgur.com/tSiD63R.png[/img] Karina: Oh, and you're not a kid anymore, so you get rid of those twin tails. [img]https://i.imgur.com/OHDMFj7.png[/img] Rayla: Shut it! I'm not doing that. [img]https://i.imgur.com/j7mNumE.png[/img] Karina: One day for sure. **walks away** Rayla's mind was at peace, seeing that her old friend was doing well after all these years of worrying about her. [img]https://i.imgur.com/5EJvrwC.png[/img] Rayla: The last time I've got some news from her was when I received this jacket. Her condition was really bad at the time. She couldn't write the letter so she had someone do it instead. [img]https://i.imgur.com/8bKzW0Y.png[/img] Drake: Oh, so you got a letter too? [img]https://i.imgur.com/rbdGm1u.png[/img] Rayla: That's right. I'm sure she sent a bunch of those for almost everyone she knew...After all, we were worrying for her for a while now. [img]https://i.imgur.com/QRbO8cZ.png[/img] Drake: Rayla, we'll definitively save this city. There'll be no turning back on this one. Rayla nods as they resume their walk towards Rayla's home. Walking at a faster pace to make up for lost time. [/hider] [i][u]Summer Area - Ryokan Tsurugiya Inn[/u][/i] Music: [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpuxRV3PMjE]Curiosity[/url] [img]https://i.imgur.com/O6u3TXe.png[/img] Marcia: Looks who's here again. [img]https://i.imgur.com/OL8WbE2.png[/img] Nero: Sup! [img]https://i.imgur.com/MGU1hHS.png[/img] Chizuru: Morning Miss Comet and Mister Nero. You're here to talk with Sister Bell's group, right? [img]https://i.imgur.com/EbM3zj8.png[/img] Marcia: You got it. [img]https://i.imgur.com/26Lugkh.png[/img] Chizuru: Very well then. I'll have one of the maids call for her. Nero sits by a nearby chair and picks a magazine to distract himself, meanwhile, Marcia is at the counter, staring at Chizuru. [img]https://i.imgur.com/MGU1hHS.png[/img] Chizuru: Why won't you sit down as well? This won't take long. [img]https://i.imgur.com/PYdmR4U.png[/img] Marcia: I would but...that thing from yesterday is still bugging the hell out of me. [img]https://i.imgur.com/d8zKcHX.png[/img] Chizuru: Hm? [img]https://i.imgur.com/WB8CYrC.png[/img] Marcia: Y'know. The fact that you didn't as much bat an eye to that kid's arm... [img]https://i.imgur.com/KJMq9Sk.png[/img] Chizuru: What do you want me to do? Not everyone feels like they should express their reactions. [img]https://i.imgur.com/mmTPmWG.png[/img] Marcia: It was the fact that you treated it so casually that is annoying me. [img]https://i.imgur.com/qj5XVNB.png[/img] Chizuru: M-Maybe because I have nerves of steel? Seeing how the city is so dangerous, I might as well get used to whatever strange events might happen. [img]https://i.imgur.com/kPnSzAO.png[/img] Marcia: ... [img]https://i.imgur.com/26Lugkh.png[/img] Chizuru: W-What? [img]https://i.imgur.com/WB8CYrC.png[/img] Marcia: Madam Kashiwagi...are you actually... Before Marcia could complete her question, something grabbed her from behind. [img]https://i.imgur.com/lcWbikV.png[/img] Marcia: Eh? May I help you? [img]https://i.imgur.com/0f2Zqoe.png[/img] ???: No bothering the innkeeper while she's at work. Now sod off!!! [img]https://i.imgur.com/dkuq7rd.png[/img] Marcia: ZEEEEEEEE!!! [url=https://youtu.be/AvVsyD6lTJQ?t=231]Marcia gets thrown away[/url], landing near Nero, who just sighs without looking at her. [img]https://i.imgur.com/K8NkHgg.png[/img] Nero: I told you not to bother with this. [img]https://i.imgur.com/VReoYSx.png[/img] Marcia: But I'm curious... [img]https://i.imgur.com/daLf5Vp.png[/img] ???: Have you ever heard of the saying "curiosity killed the cat?" [img]https://i.imgur.com/KJMq9Sk.png[/img] Chizuru: ...This was a bit... [img]https://i.imgur.com/N94QYMG.png[/img] ???: Had to make sure you wouldn't dice her apart after she mentioned the M-Word. [img]https://i.imgur.com/hPSNYR9.png[/img] Marcia: Fine, I'll stop... (For now, The least I want right now is fight with the locals.) [img]https://i.imgur.com/iUsfUYA.png[/img] ???: You better. (Well, guess something good did come out of the school's cancellation.) [img]https://i.imgur.com/79dAvCp.png[/img] Sister Bell: We're he- [img]https://i.imgur.com/WZD6HDg.png[/img] Sister Bell: Um... [img]https://i.imgur.com/O6u3TXe.png[/img] Marcia: I dropped a coin and it rolled under Nero's chair. [img]https://i.imgur.com/N94QYMG.png[/img] Azusa: Sure you did. [img]https://i.imgur.com/RIUpyFD.png[/img] Haken: Haven't seen you before. Do you mind an introduction? [img]https://i.imgur.com/Eh7tsLR.png[/img] Azusa Kashiwagi: (So Chizuru wasn't kidding when she mentioned a nun and a cowboy where staying here.) I'm Azusa Kashiwagi, Chizuru's younger sister. You don't see me very much because I'm mostly at school, or at the kitchen, making sure Chizuru doesn't take a step inside it. [img]https://i.imgur.com/MGU1hHS.png[/img] Chizuru: hehehehe... [img]https://i.imgur.com/0f2Zqoe.png[/img] Azusa: Don't "hehehehe..." me! It's a serious matter. [img]https://i.imgur.com/ITlzcJb.png[/img] Chizuru: Hmph... [img]https://i.imgur.com/OL8WbE2.png[/img] Nero: Seems like you two are very close as a family. [img]https://i.imgur.com/79dAvCp.png[/img] Sister Bell: Indeed. [img]https://i.imgur.com/LCQdhns.png[/img] Marcia: Well, enough lollygaging, let's start with the "talk." [img]https://i.imgur.com/5xnBhEz.png[/img] Sister Bell: Alri- [img]https://i.imgur.com/WB8CYrC.png[/img] Marcia: In private. This is not something I should be telling just anyone. [img]https://i.imgur.com/RJqaGjM.png[/img] Sister Bell: Oh... [img]https://i.imgur.com/Q7UtpZX.png[/img] Nero: I better be fully awake for this. Catch ya later. [img]https://i.imgur.com/pGQWyOj.png[/img] Azusa: Yeah, later! The group heads to Sister Bell's room. Azusa leans on the counter while looking at them. [img]https://i.imgur.com/SFn5HQY.png[/img] Azusa: That's quite the group indeed. I'm guessing that girl in black and white is on to our secret huh? [img]https://i.imgur.com/d8zKcHX.png[/img] Chizuru: Seems like it. [img]https://i.imgur.com/iUsfUYA.png[/img] Azusa: I guess it makes sense, seeing who she's walking with. A nun, A cowboy with a weird looking gun, a guy wearing a stylish coat and a demonic looking arm...I'm sure at this point that she got an eye for the supernatural. [img]https://i.imgur.com/xOPEr3P.png[/img] Chizuru: ...Any suggestions? [img]https://i.imgur.com/UzvsxY9.png[/img] Azusa: She's going to find out eventually, so be open and tell her to keep it a secret. It's less stressful this way... [img]https://i.imgur.com/d8zKcHX.png[/img] Chizuru: Might as well. Next time she asks me about it, I'll talk to her in private. [img]https://i.imgur.com/pGQWyOj.png[/img] Azusa: Great. With that settled, I'm going to unwind at Winter District. [img]https://i.imgur.com/KJMq9Sk.png[/img] Chizuru: Before you go, see if you can find this person on your way there. Chizuru hands Azusa a photo of Fear Mace. [img]https://i.imgur.com/d8zKcHX.png[/img] Chizuru: She's also with that group. Her name is Fear Maze Rozenkrantz. Tell her that Miss Comet has arrived. [img]https://i.imgur.com/Eh7tsLR.png[/img] Azusa: Gotcha! I'll be on the lookout then. [i][u]Fon Ventorian Mansion - Main Hall[/u][/i] [img]https://i.imgur.com/fwPIKRQ.png[/img] Marilee: Indeed. As long as you keep our little alliance a secret, you can do whatever you want. In fact, we do have an assignment for your group. [img]https://i.imgur.com/mOBgfpn.png[/img] Barry: You see, a while ago, we discovered the location of a secret base that belongs to the Mysterious Group...aka, The DUST Pharmaceutics Organization. Recently though, we've found out that they have more than one base, so we're not sure if this is their main base. Either way, that place might have some Psychic Users in need of rescuing. [img]https://i.imgur.com/lwFAZpX.png[/img] Marilee: And that's where your group enters. While some members of the resistance will attack head on, you'll infiltrate the place while they're busy with us and find their computer room, since that's the place where they keep not only valuable info, but also a Self-Destruct mechanism. [img]https://i.imgur.com/kXWToDV.png[/img] Barry: Any questions? [i][u]Fleeting Memories School - Entrance[/u][/i] [img]https://i.imgur.com/M6VXARk.png[/img] Hinamori: ... [img]https://i.imgur.com/Gu8njHG.png[/img] Himika: No need to worry. One day, you'll be as energetic as me and Vivi. [img]https://i.imgur.com/CoiSkRL.png[/img] Hinamori: Let's not go that far. [img]https://i.imgur.com/HskQPV2.png[/img] Himika: We need to go as far as possible! [img]https://i.imgur.com/rl62MkX.png[/img] Theo: Hehehe. [img]https://i.imgur.com/ADY2TvW.png[/img] Hinamori: Well then, let's continue the tour. [img]https://i.imgur.com/4LSVdxN.png[/img] Theo: On it. Theo's group head towards the school's building as well, with Theo being on the lookout for Masaru as they traversed the corridors.