There was something to be said about the intelligence of jumping out into the rushing winds and then rendering yourself more weightless than a slip of paper. In ordinary circumstances, after all, one would have been blown back immediately, flung into the sky by the wind before being dashed against the asphalt six seconds after.

However, while the laws of aerodynamics would have told one story, the illogic of magic allowed for another, and in that brief instance, rather than be sent so far back it would have been impossible for Tetrad to rejoin the fight again, the esper shot forwards thirty feet instead, Pit Boss releasing a stream of cards towards the mounted gun.

She heard from on high the clattering of dice.

But Tetrad would not have time to marvel at the results before the Patriot caught up from behind her, Lenny reaching out with a hand to secure Tetrad and giving her the stability needed to swing herself into the rear passenger seats of the cramped vehicle…just in time to feel the explosion of gunpowder of gasoline shake through their bones, the opposing vehicle exploding in a fireball of destruction that sent it somersaulting overhead the Patriot and smashing into the asphalt…ten, fifty, now a hundred meters away. Perhaps exposing your engine and then placing a shitton of gunpowder there as well wasn’t the smartest idea.

Regardless of the intelligence of those involved, however, all that remained was the armored truck itself, continuing along. The only question, really, was how to approach it without causing it to crash and turn the Maverick esper inside into scrambled eggs. And then there was that other issue…

The radio crackled, and a voice sounded out.

[b]“Got you in sight. ETA 12 seconds. Hold tight, Tinderbox.”[/b]

And, if Tetrad turned to look behind, she could see it, the black silhouette standing out against the green of the treeline and the blue of the sky.

A helicopter was inbound

[hr]
[sub][@SilverPaw][@Majoras End][/sub]
[i]*Ding!*[/i]

While the three debated, the elevator rose, opening up to unveil a small, cramped space that looked like it was just large enough to fit four people, shoulder-to-shoulder. There were only three buttons inside: one to close the door, one to hold the door, and one to call for help. Fluorescent lighting sparked off the stainless steel walls, and there was the near-overwhelming smell of sanitizer present, that sharp, sterile stench cutting ever more deeply due to the contrast with the warm aromas that otherwise pervaded the Aspiria Refuge.

It wasn’t sufficient, however, to completely mask the other smell that laid beneath. Leroux was familiar with it. She was, after all, the one who had been most exposed to it. The smell of blood, like a rusted scalpel pressed against the tip of her nose.

Time continued to pass. The elevator’s doors remained opened. Whatever was happening above or below would continue on with no respect for what the three agents wished. So, once again, the question posed itself.

What would they do?

[hr]

[sub][@The World][@Ponn][@ERode][/sub]

By the time Klava yanked the table cover out of the way, the rodent woman was already airborne, flying through the air fist first. But with some quick thinking, Klava turned the table into a projectile. The snowball smacked into the table, shoving it up into the squirrel and carrying her into the air. With a grunt, she was moved clear out of the way, and Klava was able to arrive.

But she wouldn’t have much time to assess the situation. An acorn, barely perceivable in its position by a chair, erupted into a ploom of smoke. The dust hadn’t cleared before the rodent woman hooked the chair on one of her tonfas and swung it in Klava’s direction, fully intent on following it up with a barrage of strikes.

[b]”I cashew off guard!”[/b]

Sofron was pouring lead in Marrie and Ashley's direction, but neither esper were willing to remain on the defensive Ashley’s shield was a bit on the small side, and it was just a matter of time before Sofron’s bullets broke through the wall. The party downstairs was too loud for most to hear the gunfire, and what those in the bar might think wasn’t a concern for the espers. 

Ashley aimed her wand at Sofron, who moved his shotgun towards her exposed arm. At this range, the rounds he was using were potent enough to sever limbs. But the  projectiles would be scattered on Marrie’s arrival. Mundane weapons were a bane to most espers, but the shotgun’s low rate of fire was just the sort of thing Marrie’s melody could deal with. With a projectile and a chained knife incoming, Sofron gave up his position and dove over the counter and into the kitchen.

But physical weapons were never Sofron’s most dangerous feature. It was his magic.

The flaming skull screamed its way towards the espers. It was far too potent for Marrie’s melody and ended up striking her. Only it passed through her like a specter without having any noticeable effects. Ashley would also be unable to get out of the way. It passed right through her shield, harmlessly flying out the other side into the wall behind her. But the wall was where it finally decided to activate. On impact, the burning skull sent rippling flames along the wall. The skull itself turned around to face the espers and grew, until it was tall enough to swallow a man.

Or act as a portal.

The skull opened its mouth again, but instead of a scream, thousands of gallons of  water spilled in behind Ashley. She was knocked off of her feet and washed forward, between the counters  that seperated the kitchen and lobby. Marrie wouldn't have much time before she was swept up too.

[color=0099a6]Baleful barrier!"[/color]

Sofron swung his hand at a nearby toaster. This did two things. First, it triggered a touch melody that created a row of burning skulls that ran down the counter top in both directions, walling off Sofron and closing off either side of the isle. The second thing it did was shove the toaster towards the conductive saltwater that Ashley and Marrie were being washed away in.

Typically salt water isn’t too dangerous because it is more conductive than the human body, and will dissipate in the wide ocean before it becomes a problem for the people bathing in it. But if you replace the ocean with a smaller tub of saltwater, the human body becomes a much more attractive conduit for the electrons trying to escape the water. Not fatal on its own, But with Sofron present, it wouldn’t have to be.

[i](Huh, maybe I need a map for this fight after all.)[/i]