[center][img]https://txt.1001fonts.net/img/txt/dHRmLjk2LmNiNWViNS5RV3RwYTI4LjA/otaku-rant.regular.png[/img][/center][hr] Akiko rose from the water with tendrils wrapping around her, all returning to almost where her head and hair met but with a little bit of give, just in time to catch the back end of the group's conversation, though she certainly didn't have much of anything to weigh in with. Adorning her was the lagoon's algae dangling from her shoulders and it seemed her body was already acquainted to this environment the group was in, ever changing to reflect that she was giving an attempt to blend in, likely for her betterment. [color=hotpink]"Interesting that we're all here in the same area. I second Kanbaru's idea for sticking together."[/color] Akiko strode along the surface of the water towards the shore, though she didn't immediately return to the land and rather hung around in the shallow water. [color=hotpink]"So... where's the threat that's always immedi- crab's coming, get ready!"[/color] Castle manifested behind Akiko as she spoke, turning to face the newly-rising crab and standing on guard. Even if her disguise was convincing, clearly this monster wasn't going to take kindly to something the same size as these interlopers and so near to them. She needed to act here, and if anyone cared to tell, the glowing red light from her chest was indicative of some sort of change of heart. Her arms reached out, fists clamping and her attempt at taking the beast's blood captive with the Red Relic, hopefully proving her efforts to be effective. Her goals were to make it restrained for her allies to take it down. That being said, she probably needed to light the fire under their asses. [color=hotpink]"Oi, bluey! You're an apex predator, right? Get going with the killer whale instinct!"[/color] Akiko shouted to Kanbaru, hoping it'd do something to get her fighting so they all didn't get demolished. [color=red][ Do you wish for me to get closer? ][/color] Castle asked it's user, before the user shook her head. [color=hotpink]"No. For now, just stay close in case we need to keep safe."[/color] A moment passed before Akiko spoke to herself, musing as her grip tightened. [color=hotpink]"Y'know, I'm starting to think I can amount more to just knights and a kingdom..."[/color]