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Akiko's mind seemed to wander for just a few minutes as she took in just everything that happened. Almost like reality glitched for her and her brain just... turned off for a moment. For a brief second she was concerned before everything just kind of fell back into place. Probably some side effect of cards or something, maybe just a needed minute of rest from all the, simply put, bullshit that was going on. Regardless, she shook her head to clear her mind, just about the same time as Castle spoke back up.

[color=red][ Mistress, is everything alright. ][/color] Its voice was curt, just as before. In a quick response, Akiko nodded to the ghostly cat spirit before she stepped forward more into the room with Ami, seemingly back in her old ways.

Standing in the room were a vampire countess, another being incredibly similar to the other adventurers of the Tower, Ami, herself, and Kanbaru. Weird about Kanbaru, though, since she remembered her going in seemingly another direction from Akiko and Ami earlier. Regardless, the bard bowed towards the countess, biding a pleasant arrival, before she stood back. [color=hotpink]"Good day, Countess. Garou directed us here."[/color] As she stood, she watched the room quietly and kept tabs on the - that was a weird reaction to looking at Kanbaru. Did that woman know her, too? Interesting...

[quote=Newcomer][color=ed145b]"Friendly faces, all around. Mmhm..."[/color] She plays it off like nothing happened, and resumes her focus on Victorie. [color=ed145b]"So, any questions?"[/color][/quote]
[color=hotpink]"Yes, friendly faces indeed."[/color] Akiko met the statement of the new face in this Tower with her own, stepping forward calmly towards the center of the room, bearing such confidence that she wore a slight smirk on her face. Overconfidence was an insidious killer, but she was hardly overconfident. If this fight was anything similar to the others, she had faith she'd be fine.

[quote=Victoire][color=crimson]"Well well, seems like your work has been made easier, Miss Exorcist,"[/color] Victoire said as a fanged grin came to her face. [color=crimson]"In fact, it seems like all of you are after the same thing. If that's the case, why don't you fight between yourselves and find out who's the real thief here, huh? I don't care who wins as long as I recover what rightfully belongs to me."[/color][/quote]
Oh. So that's how this was going to go?

After a soft red [color=ed1c24]flash[/color] from Castle, Akiko at least managed to gather a name for the figures she was facing. [color=hotpink]"With all due respect, Lady Victoire, at least allow us to get to know each other before subjecting us to combat."[/color] Akiko smiled, turning to face Riku. [color=hotpink]"Akiko Miazaki, travelling poet and fortune teller. I believe you are Riku, the Exorcist, Royal-turned-Adventurer? If the scarf from you mother means anything, then clearly you must've had some hangups on leaving home, right?"[/color] Ok, that last part about the scarf was a bold guess, but judging from Riku's reaction she could tell if it was true in any regard or not. Besides, intros were out of the way! Huzzah!

[color=hotpink]"Looks like we got properly introduced to eachother now, correct? Well, allow me to be the one to warn you that, while I might be a pacifist in actions, you won't be getting me to leave this room if I have anything to say about it."[/color] Castle gloomily manifested behind Akiko, though only Kanbaru and any active Serei could see it (unless Victoire had the ability, as well.) [color=hotpink]"So I suggest to you that maybe you leave this situation to us, hm? Better yet, maybe we can work something out. I do happen to have an idea of what the culprits look like, after all~."[/color]