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[@PaulHaynek]

The miko gave her response by attacking the ronin with an enchanted ofuda. Ayu deflected the attack before it reached him, and he had taken note of her nōdachi. The fact that she could wield such a long blade efficiently was impressive. 

She too did her best to diffuse the situation, but she had no greater luck.

Of course she didn’t believe his words.

Of course she would call him little more than a deceiver.

Of course she would choose to engage in combat rather than listen to reason. It was always the godsdamn same here.

He’s already heard all too much about this land’s relationship with yōkai, he did so from Kyōkō-sama even before the taskforce members had gathered. Even so, seeing the way these people acted while their real enemy continued to kill and pillage, it frustrated Shizuka. It was ridiculous to presume that a people would up and throw away their lifelong ideals, but did they have no sense of time and circumstance?

He noticed that the other survivors had gathered around to join in the skirmish, throwing more enchanted seals at Sam and Valeriya. They quickly countered and began engaging them. He was especially worried about Sam, but unfortunately he couldn't focus on him right now.

He turned his attention to the maiden in front of him, his expression a combination of frustration and somberness.

[color=0072bc]”Your prejudice blinds you to the truth. Were the yōkai the ones who slaughtered your allies on the beach in cold blood? Were they the ones who even now continue to murder your people and take your lands as their own? If fighting is the only thing that will make you see reason, then so be it.” [/color]

Shizuka quickly gathered chi around his hand, and an icy wind began emanating from it. Holding out his hand in front of the approaching miko, he fired a barrage of sleet at his foe. This was mainly to deal with the ofuda coated in magical flames that floated around her. He would then phase above her head, sword already drawn. 

The first technique he used was Mizore, the second one he would use would be Kogarashi - a vertical spinning attack. His goal wasn’t to kill her, of course, just to immobile her with the shock of force and freezing energy generated by his combination attack. Unless she had an unforeseen counter. 

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[@Restalaan] [@FrogRFlowR]

It seems their words reached the dame warrior, as she removed her weapon's blade from Hinami's neck. Hinami made a small gruff when pushed by the blunt end of the naginata, however, which Atsuha took slight offense to.

Her attitude quickly changed, though, after hearing the tragic tale of how her clan was decimated by assassins before they could assist the fight at Sanjo Beach. That would explain the intense sorrow she saw in her eyes earlier. The one particular part in her story where she explained that not even her little sister survived the attack, that one hit close to home. 

[color=9e0b0f]"Sorae-san, I-I'm so sorry. Thank the gods that you survived, but the rest of your family… I…I am at a loss for words."[/color] Atsuha said.

Before she could continue, however, Tomi apparently thought that now would be a good time to throw a temper tantrum. She let loose a powerful burst of flame breath that completely destroyed the ruins of a nearby building. The dragon then in her own way cosigned with Hinami and Skarsneek and opted to drop the hostilities so that a proper discussion could be held. [color=9e0b0f][i]Why say that after destroying a structure?[/i][/color] She thought. Sorae didn’t seem to mind, however, and began leading them towards the estate. It annoyed Atsuha that Tomi seemed to be more concerned with taking a nap than actually taking heed of the situation. 

[color=9e0b0f]“What’s your problem?! You could’ve burned down the entire forest doing that! If you're so damn determined to take a nap, then go to sleep already! The adults can have an intelligent discussion in peace at that point!”[/color] Although her outrage may have very well staved off any attackers, the needless disregard for the environment was something the spider was not on board with. 

[color=7bcdc8]“Nee-san, let’s not fight. There’s more pressing matters to address.”[/color] Hinami said, attempting to calm her sister. 

Upon following her to her room, Skarsneek asked Sorae if she had any insight as to why traitors would attack her clan or who sent the assassins. Atsuha saw that the goblin was sitting where he could quickly defend her and her sister should anything happen. While she appreciated the gesture, she was more worried about him.