[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/T41FCGy.png[/img] [color=cfff04]”Let’s touch butts!”[/color] [color=888888]— Tonya “Mac” Murphy[/color] [hider=Tonya “Mac” Murphy] [b]Age: 24/11 | Gender: Female/Female | Illusion, Gravity Body | Power of Friendship, Regeneration, Third Eye | Moirai Coercion, Soul Jar, Martial Training, True Sight, Parasite, Gifted, Awareness, Mystic Artifact Magical Overload, Paragon, Blessing, Gifted Item | Monster Form, Big Brother, Arrogance, Vendetta Redirected Magic, Second Specialization | Non-Standard Limbs, Destroyer[/b] STR: 05 | AGI: 04 | VIT: 05 | MAG: 03 | LCK: 03 STR: 10 | AGI: 08 | VIT: 11 | MAG: 17 | LCK: 05 Earnings this post: KEIJO!!!!!!!!! 1 gold Total: 6 Gold, 111 Silver, 120 Bronze [/hider][/center] After person-watching for a few days, Mac plopped down to watch the Keijo tournament. The concept was silly, but she refrained from passing judgment on it too soon. At the very least, it was a sport that could only really be played by magical girls as anyone else would get a sore backside and chest to boot. It was kind of amusing, in that “so bad it’s good” kind of ways. This was when Veronica decided to show up next to her. It was hard not to notice the woman emerging from her shadow. [color=#bd71e8]“Well? Learn anything interesting?”[/color] Veronica was using some kind of shadow magic to obscure them. [color=cfff04]”Nothing pertaining to our kidnapper, no.”[/color] [color=#bd71e8]“You seemed to know a lot about them before they showed up.”[/color] [color=cfff04]”I...”[/color] Mac ran her hand down her face. She should have known this was going to happen, but it was the only way she could ensure that she entered Dan’s dimension without detection. All the same, she wasn’t sure if it was safe to tell Veronica about herself yet. Veronica was on the hunt for more magical girls, and she didn’t want word getting out that she could see the future. Though she needed to tell Veronica something. [color=cfff04]”My patron is quite knowledgeable on matters of the future. ”[/color] [color=#bd71e8]“Then I am glad to be on their side.”[/color] At the moment, the Keijo arena was empty. It looked like it would be an hour or so before the next set. [color=#bd71e8]“Do you believe that you can get to know someone by fighting them?”[/color] Mac tipped her head side to side. [color=cfff04]”I think you can learn a different side of someone by seeing how they fight, yes. ”[/color] [color=#bd71e8]“A far more real side to them than what they pretend to be, I’d say.”[/color] Veronica held her hands over her chest. [color=#bd71e8]“You can learn things about someone that can’t be faked. Things their own family members will never know. You’ll never know everything about someone until you fight them at least once.”[/color] She grabbed Mac by the hand. [color=#bd71e8]“Let’s get a round in before the tournament resumes.”[/color] [color=cfff04]”H-hey! Hold on a second!”[/color] But Veronica didn’t. There were still a few magical girls around, but it looked like Dan was prepping for the rest of the tourney matches. Once they got onto the center island, Mac jerked her hand out of Veronica’s. [color=cfff04]”I’m trying to stay hidden!”[/color] [color=#bd71e8]“And you are. No one has any idea we’re playing.”[/color] The coin broker chuckled.. [color=#bd71e8]”I know better than to force answers out of a potential ally, but you must be a little interested in participating in a match if you’re watching.”[/color] She wasn’t wrong. One of the reasons why Mac watched people so closely was because they lived lives that she could not. While it wasn’t every day a dolphin locked you up in a special dimension to have a vacation, the joys of mundane life were no longer ones she could enjoy. Even simple things like hanging out with a group of friends that didn’t spend 100% of their time scheming and talking about kid shit was near impossible to find. But Playing Keijo was something that she very much wanted to try.[color=cfff04]”Alright, let’s-”[/color] And then in the blink of an eye, Veronica’s ass smashed into her face. Mac hurdled backwards and landed in the water. [color=#bd71e8]”Oh? Did I go too fast? I thought you were ready.”[/color] Veronica placed her hands on her hips. [color=#bd71e8]”We can try as many times as you’d like.”[/color] Mac’s head floated out of the water, looking wet and miserable. If there was one good thing about her and Veronica’s hidden nature, it was that nobody got to see her lose so quickly. All the same… [color=cfff04]”Yea, let’s try that again.”[/color] [hr] Moments after Tetrad began to leave, a certain fire-spec magical girl approached her. [color=turquoise]“Oh, that was a great watch! Did you have fun, Tetrad?”[/color] the girl asked. She had been enjoying the competition so far, but wasn’t sure she herself would join. Emily felt she would probably not be too good at the game, and she wasn’t dissatisfied with being a spectator for this particular sport. With a sigh, Tetrad curled the corners of her lips into a smile. [color=75c159]”I think Keijo is the type of thing that’s better for spectating.”[/color] Tetrad patted Emily on the back. [color=75c159]”Do you plan on watching anymore, or have you had enough?”[/color] [color=turquoise]“Oh, is that so?”[/color] Emily concluded that if Tetrad thought such, then maybe she shouldn’t join. And though she certainly enjoyed watching, she wouldn’t mind doing something else, too. Plus, hanging out with Tetrad sounded really fun, and she felt she should do so since they were going to be partners, however brief, once they could reach the nefarious villain of that ghoul plot from earlier. [color=turquoise]“I’ve seen enough to sate my curiosity.”[/color] she answered, smiling. [color=turquoise]“What did you plan on doing? There’s so much stuff to do on this island that I can’t really figure out what I should start with.”[/color] [color=75c159]”Hmmm.”[/color] Tetrad held her chin. [color=75c159]”I wouldn’t mind a change of pace.”[/color] She placed a hand on her stomach and took another deep breath. [color=75c159]”Why don’t we go fishing?”[/color] [color=turquoise]“Fishing?”[/color] Emily tilted her head to the side. That was something she had never really had the chance to do. It looked rather involved and slow, but each activity was a chance to grow. Besides, maybe it’d turn out to be fun? [color=turquoise]“I never fished before but I’d love to try!”[/color] she smiled. [color=turquoise]“Are you good at it?”[/color] Tetrad chuckled. [color=75c159]”Oh yea, I’m what people in the know call a pro.”[/color] [hr] It didn’t take Tetrad and Emily long to prepare to go fishing. Emily got the boat, and Tetrad got the fishing lines and a cooler. In no time at all they were out on the water. [color=75c159]”Alright. So before we do anything, we need to make sure the cooler is emptied of everything but the ice.”[/color] She flipped open the cooler, only to reveal a dozen or so drinks. Every kind of soda you could want was inside. [color=75c159]”Whoa! We’ve got our work cut out for us!”[/color] Tetrad reached into the ice chest and picked up a glass bottle. [color=75c159]”It’s okay, we’ve got time. We should probably drink these so that we don’t go over the boat’s weight limit with our haul of fish.”[/color] She sat down on the edge of the boat and started drinking. Emily wondered if it was healthy to drink this much soda in such a small amount of time, but she was not one to waste things. [color=turquoise]“Then I’ll take... “[/color] she glanced into the chest. Unsurprisingly, it contained exactly the soda she wanted. [color=turquoise]“...this one first.”[/color] she produced a bottle of M.D Spice from the chest. Sitting across from Tetrad, she opened the bottle and took a quick chug, nearly burping in the process. Thankfully, she did not embarrass herself in front of Tetrad, but would probably be keeping the pace on the slow side from now on. The flame girl simply took in the atmosphere for a few moments, remaining silent as she worked on her soda. She was eager to experience all kinds of things with her many sisters on the island, but something simple and relaxed was very nice too. From what she knew of it, a lot of fishing was just waiting to get a bite. It probably wouldn’t be too different from right now. And that was perfectly fine for her. [color=turquoise]“Hmm~”[/color] Emily seemed rather content. Being able to relax, to not have to worry about fighting. Emily couldn’t ask for anything better. [color=turquoise]“Hey, Tetrad… do you have any specific dreams or wishes?”[/color] [color=75c159]”Nah.”[/color] Tetrad said right away. [color=75c159]”I think my earliest dream was to become an astronaut or some shit like that. Then my parents started nagging me about getting a-”[/color] She made air quotes while holding her can. [color=75c159]”Real job.”[/color] She took another sip. [color=75c159]”Once I got my own place, I was kind of occupied with just surviving. I dunno, does that count as a dream? Surviving?”[/color] [color=turquoise]“It’s not exactly the same, but my parents had a similar reaction when my sis told them she wanted to be a police officer.”[/color] she gave a soft laugh as she recalled the memory. [color=turquoise]“Anyways, I think ‘surviving’ is a dream everyone has, so it’s not exactly what I was talking about. My idea is something that’s a bit more personal. A goal you’ll try to achieve, no matter what, even if it might not be possible.”[/color] she clarified, swirling what little remained of her M.D Spice in the bottle. She quickly finished with a swig. [color=turquoise]“In a way, this island is the dream I’m reaching for.”[/color] [color=75c159]”Heh, this whole situation does have ‘Emily’ written all over it.”[/color] Tetrad reached for a second drink, and froze. She curled her lips into her mouth before bringing the drink to her side. [color=75c159]”Emily, that’s a german name, isn’t it?”[/color] She popped the can open. [color=75c159]”I’m not sure how good your history is, but you probably know a bit about Nazi Germany. They used painful torture tequniques. Unless your name happened to be Hanns Scharff. His methods used no form of physical torture.He was kind to his prisoners, and was known for taking them on walks through the woods, and made sure they got any medical care they needed. They even ate better food most of the time. Essentially, he acted like a good friend.”[/color] Tetrad turned her body sideways to face the bow of the boat. [color=75c159]”He was so successful with his interrogation techniques that he was asked to assist other interrogators frequently. After the war, the americans had him teach them his techniques, which they still use today. He was given immigrant status and did some shit with mosaics.”[/color] she held her can to her lips. [color=75c159]”Short version is, we’re all prisoners here. We’re just choosing not to leave because Dan’s treating us right and flexing on the people who don’t cooperate. Even Hanns threatened to turn prisoners over to the Gestapo if they didn’t cooperate.”[/color] It was likely for the best Emily did not mention her ineptitude when it came to history class, which may or may not have been caused by her fascination with comics and manga when she was younger. [color=turquoise]“Ahaha, is that the case? I’m not sure if that’s more brilliant than it is manipulative.”[/color] she commented, but remained silent throughout the rest of Tetrad’s lecture, a strong familiarity with where the conversation was headed. Seemed Tetrad had the same idea about this place and their situation. [color=turquoise]“Yes, you’re absolutely right.”[/color] she agreed, setting her bottle down and retrieving another, opening it with a quick ‘pop’. Emily was going to get around to that very same point, too. Part of the reason why she added, ‘in a way’ to her statement was because as great as it seemed, the truth was that they weren’t really being given much of a choice to be here. And the dream Emily was reaching for was one where people consented to the peace, rather than being threatened into it. [color=turquoise]“I understand what situation we’re in… or well, at least as much as I can right now, but regardless, this sort of atmosphere is part of what I seek to make reality.”[/color] she set her bottle to the side for the time being. [color=turquoise]“A peaceful world where nobody is worried about when the next tragedy will occur.”[/color] she smiled. [color=turquoise]“A very ignorant, idealistic wish, but the one I have been working towards for a while now. The futility of such a dream certainly never escaped me, but I’ve always persevere anyways. But.. having been introduced to this particular… environment, I’m beginning to think that might not be true.”[/color] Emily’s gaze turned to Tetrad, an innocent look in her eyes. [color=turquoise]“I think Dan may be onto something here.”[/color] [color=75c159]”Nah, Dan didn’t do anything special.”[/color] Tetrad set down her can and picked up a fishing line. [color=75c159]”All Dan did was separate us all from the stuff we were fighting about. I’m sure all of that crap is still going on.”[/color] Tetrad pulled a can of gummie worms out from her shirt-thing and proceeded to bait her hook. [color=75c159]”Like the necromancer we were hunting. Do you think he’s on vacation too? Because if all the magical girls are here...”[/color] [color=turquoise]"Geh..."[/color] Emily grimaced and almost knocked her drink over, having forgotten about it momentarily. But that was something she desperately wanted to not have to think about. In an ideal scenario, they were all locked in some alternate dimension where time flowed at a different pace than normal, so that even if they stayed her for months on end, when they left it'd only be like an hour or so. But perhaps she had watched more than her share of anime. [color=turquoise]"...That is going to make it hard for me to sit down and relax."[/color] she sighed. [color=turquoise]"I'll have to question that dolphin on this subject soon... but that might be pointless since I wouldn't be able to tell if he were lying."[/color] ...maybe it was best to trick herself into forgetting about the outside world until they were able to secure a way back. Otherwise she would die of worry. [color=turquoise]"A-aah, well, anyways... that's some strange-looking bait you are using, isn't it?"[/color] she'd been carefully observing Tetrad's actions since she had no clue what she was doing herself and decided against potentially screwing things up. She wasn’t confident at all about any of this fishing stuff… but she could swear that you were supposed to use worms for bait. [color=turquoise][i]Wait, now that I think about it.[/i][/color] The image of placing a worm on the hook and throwing it out to sea came to her mind. It was... not pleasant. [i][color=turquoise]Eww[/color][/i] Tetrad grinned. [color=75c159]”You would think so, but isn’t it strange that fish eat worms in the first place? It’s certainly nothing they normally come in contact with.”[/color] The gambler pulled the worm over the hook until about half of it was on. Then she pinched off the rest and tossed it into her mouth. [color=75c159]”Real worms do have the advantage of wiggling on the hook, but fish aren’t just interested in moving prey. The big mouthed bass back home absolutely hate rainbow eels. They eat bass eggs and destroy their nests. The mere sight of one is enough to drive a Bass into a frenzy.”[/color] She pointed at the hook. [color=75c159]”So the red and yellow ones kind of look like rainbow eels to a bass. I don’t know how well it’s going to work on saltwater fish, but I thought it might be fun to try.”[/color] She cast out her line. [color=75c159]”Some people use yarn, marshmallows, instant noodles, anything can be a bait if it works.”[/color] [color=turquoise]“A-ah, that’s nice to know…”[/color] It was very brief, but for a moment Emily had forgotten the nature of the worm Tetrad had just devoured so she found her stomach feeling uneasy. Thankfully, this was not the case and Emily found her cheeks reddening slightly in embarrassment at herself. She retrieved her unfinished drink and began sipping on that to occupy herself for the time being. [color=turquoise]“So then fish just eat whatever looks tasty?”[/color] she asked Tetrad. [color=turquoise]“Though I guess that goes for any animal. That does remind me though… I don’t think I’ve eaten much fish.”[/color] Emily could only distinctly remember cheap fish sticks her mother would buy her at the store, and maybe salmon once or twice. Otherwise, her family had a preference for chicken or beef. Emily decided to look into the sea, and suddenly seemed to become really focused at the task, though only for a short while. Done with whatever she was doing, she gave a slight pout. [color=turquoise]“Mmm, water sucks.”[/color] [color=75c159]”What do you mean ‘water sucks?’”[/color] Emily tore her eyes away from the water, looking to Tetrad. [color=turquoise]“Oh. I was hoping I could see where the fish were, but the water kinda messes with my vision, so I couldn’t.”[/color] she smiled. [color=turquoise]“I suppose that makes sense though. Water isn’t the same as air.”[/color] Emily appreciated she had found this out during a fishing trip and not when it could potentially harm her. She wasn’t exactly sure what kind of situation would require her to try to look through water, but now if she was in such a place, she would know how it’d turn out. [color=75c159]”Well, no biggie.I’m not sure we want to eat these fish. Skinning them is kind of a chore anyway. I just like catching and releasing them.”[/color] Tetrad placed a hand on her hip, still holding the rod. [color=turquoise]“Catch and release?”[/color] she frowned. [color=turquoise]“Isn’t that a bit cruel though?”[/color] [color=75c159]”If done correctly, the fish won’t suffer much. The hooks I’m using are rounded to prevent them from puncturing their gut or gills, and they don’t have any barbs on them. It also helps if you keep them underwater for as long as possible. And if we do hook one really good, then maybe we will eat it.”[/color] Tetrad watched her line rest in the water. Nothing had bitten yet. [color=75c159]”You lived a pretty sheltered life growing up, huh? Bet you follow PETA pretty closely.”[/color] She chuckled. Emily fervently shook her head in denial of the accusation. [color=turquoise]“I most certainly am not!”[/color] her expression betrayed a genuine feeling of offense to the statement, in the form of another cute pout. [color=turquoise]“Hmph, I’ve been called many things, you know. But likening me to [i]them[/i] is a whole different thing.”[/color] She didn’t stop there. [color=turquoise]“Do I come off as someone who is out of touch and spiteful to anything and everything human? I assure you I would absolutely never publicly try to disparage someone so kind, cool, and loving as Steve Erwin! Nor could I see myself ruining a man’s life because he took a selfie with Naruto! A bunch of hypocrites they are, too! Stealing pets and then putting them to sleep, acting like they’re saving animals ...! Gawsh!”[/color] Emily took a few seconds to breathe, then finally realized how heated she’d gotten, a dash of red staining her cheeks. [color=turquoise]“O-oh, um, no. Anyway, I just don’t like seeing any--- um, I don’t like seeing innocent things in pain, is all.”[/color] Tetrad, very slowly, drew back the fishing rod. [color=75c159]”Riiiiight.”[/color] She placed the pole in the boat and folded her arms. [color=75c159]”I guess that Keijo match where I was butt thrown, butt slammed, and subsequently had to [s]REDACTED[/s] underwater doesn’t count as innocent things getting hurt. You seemed to enjoy that.”[/color] [color=turquoise]“Butt!”[/color] Emily raised her finger in protest. [color=turquoise]“Those were the risks associated when you become a challenger! Fair’s fair!”[/color] she smiled. [color=turquoise]“Like it or not, that is what you signed up for! A lifeguard should never complain about getting wet, after all.”[/color] Tetrad rolled her eyes before shoving her hand into the bag of gummie worms. [color=75c159]” Whatever, guess we’ll just eat since the salt water fish don’t seem to like them.”[/color] She shoved a wad of worms in her mouth, probably too many to chew. But that didn’t stop her from trying. Emily wasn’t interested in having any of the gummies Tetrad was eating, the thought of a real worm still on her mind when she looked at them. It’d be impossible for her to stomach those things currently. Though she did intently watch Tetrad’s battle with the gummies in her mouth, hopeful that the magical girl won out in the end. Thankfully, however, were that not the case, Emily was here if the heimlich maneuver was necessary, but she hoped it wouldn’t come to that. Instead, she looked for the unfinished bottle of soda she had and returned to sipping. Ah, she could honestly live off of M.D Spice if she were given the opportunity to, but alas, the world was cruel. With no immediate stimulus to occupy her unless Tetrad suddenly started to choke, Emily’s mind started to drift to a recent subject. She found her gaze sliding down to her rear end. [color=turquoise]“It’s probably for the best I don’t participate in that event.”[/color] she sighed, finding herself rather lacking in a certain department. Tetrad’s lower jaw quivered, before snapping shut like the maw of some nightmarish creature. Gummy head and worm tails fell to the ground as Tetrad finished swallowing what was left in her mouth. It seemed that she could not be beaten so easily. [color=75c159]”If it was all about the size of your body, I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t have been defeated so easily.. I mean, just check me out. I know at least three girls who are jealous of this bod and I didn’t meet any of them before today. Everybody’s hiding their boyfriends from me.”[/color] She chuckled darkly. [color=75c159]”Honestly, I think you would be pretty good at it. Fire magic has a lot of utility uses, and if you’re sadistic enough to enjoy watching the sport, you should probably try playing it.”[/color] Tetrad threw her hands behind herself. [color=75c159]”I’d join you, but I’m already in a team.”[/color] Tetrad had got Emily to begin thinking about joining a keijo match even if she had earlier given her the impression it wasn’t too fun. Of course Emily was more self conscious about her looks compared to others, like Tetrad, but it was true that those weren't exactly important in the game. She'd still love the confidence that came with such a sexy bod, however. [color=turquoise]"I wonder if there's anyone left I could group with or if I'd have to go solo? I suppose it wouldn't hurt to try, in any case."[/color] Plus, she thought, maybe it would be enjoyable to meet Tetrad in a match. [color=75c159]”Really? Well, you can do whatever.”[/color] Tetrad stood up and walked towards the back of the boat. [color=75c159]”The tournament has already started, so you don’t have a lot of time to find a partner.”[/color] She pushed a button on the electric start motor before sitting down next to it. [color=75c159]”Since we’re not fishing, there’s no reason to stay out here any longer anyway.”[/color] [color=turquoise]“Yeah, that’s true.”[/color] It wasn’t long before the two once again reached the shore, with Emily hopping off the small boat. She turned around and bowed to Tetrad. [color=turquoise]“Even if the fish didn’t seem to like us, I really enjoyed getting to spend some time with you, Tetrad. Thanks.”[/color] she glanced behind her. [color=turquoise]“I guess I should go see if there’s anyone left I can pair with, so I’ll be going on ahead. I’ll see you when we clash!”[/color] Emily then darted off in search of her partner.