[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/5r7OTIh.png[/img] [b][color=Aquamarine]wordcount:[/color][/b] 3045 (+5)(+12) [b][color=Aquamarine]Midna: level 9[/color][/b] EXP: [color=Aquamarine]///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////[/color]/(89/90) [b][color=Aquamarine]Location:[/color][/b] Suoh [color=Aquamarine]Warp Charges:[/color] 2 (+1 from fight reward) [hider=warp locations] Virgin Victory teleport room Top of the Split mountain Outside the Convent of Our Lady of the Charred Visage Tostarena Town [/hider] [/center] [center] [color=f49ac2]Sakura Level 9: 28/90[/color] [color=fff200]Karin Level 5: 12/50[/color] Location: Suoh Word Count: 3045 Points Gained: 5 +12 New EXP Balance--- [color=f49ac2]Sakura Level 9: 45/90 [/color] [indent][color=fff200]Karin Level 5: 29/50 [/color][/indent] (pending) + [/center] As Sakura got caught up with the others over the radio, Midna opened her shadow hand to unveiled the results of her mass crushing of the Other spirits: [hider=You have acquired:] [b]Light Jelly[/b] x3 [i]A sweet, orange-flavored drinkable jelly that restores one-third of the consumer's life[/i] [b]Kins[/b] x700 [i]A theoretical currency used in transactions involving psychic tech. Slightly more valuable than the standard zenny[/i] [b][url=https://i.imgur.com/5b10POc.png]Mannequin Hand[/url][/b] [i]It serves no obvious purpose, but something about that pointing finger is oddly suggestive of some greater mystery[/i] [b]Rummy-type Suppression[/b] x4 [i]A bundle of Other data generated by Arahabaki. The right information can be valuable indeed. By rights it belongs to the one who disposed of the Other, but the right tradesman can use it to make equipment and cosmetics[/i] [b]Pool-type Suppression[/b] x3 [b]Pendu-type Suppression[/b] x5 [b][url=https://i.imgur.com/wouMWRC.png]Baki Doll[/url][/b] [i]A small, rotund figure of the Suoh city mascot, named after the city computer Arahabaki. Its head can be twisted off to fit something inside, and if it's put on top of someone's head, it won't fall off no matter how much that person moves[/i] [b][url=https://i.imgur.com/ROCGefO.png]Darwin%27s Danger Shield[/url][/b] [i]Prevents the wearer from catching on fire, and decreases the amount of direct damage taken from flames by 50%[/i] [/hider] [color=Aquamarine]”So… mysterious liquid”[/color] Minda picked up a little bottle of orange liquid, popped the cork, and gave it a sniff. [color=Aquamarine]”hmm, orangy”[/color] she commented, before adding [color=Aquamarine]”but still mysterious”[/color] to attempt to convince her dry mouth, violence having worked up a bit of a thirst. Fortunately she still had some of the survival rations, and so she stopped the bottle, stashed them, and retrieved some water bottles in their place. [color=Aquamarine]”Drink?”[/color] she asked the other two, before she herself unscrewed the cap of hers and began to sip away at it while examining the other items. Karin raised her eyebrows at Midna, interrupted from her studying the lose collection of miscellaneous items on the ground. [color=fff200]”Ah. I would be much obliged, thank you.” [/color] She responded, taking a refreshing drink of water. Hydration was very important. [color=fff200]”I only wish there was an easier way to identify these treasures and any properties they may have. Right now it just looks like a bunch of merchandise. What is that, some type of physical representation of data?”[/color] She said, pointing at the Suppression. [color=fff200]”The mysterious orangy liquid is most likely magical, and the shield may be, too. It’s all a bit silly. I’m glad I can rely on my fists.”[/color] She said. [color=Aquamarine]”There was a lady back in one of the Al Mamoon who could identify stuff, and while we can’t go back there, I don’t have a portal and I’m not sure we’d be welcome, hopefully there might be something like that in this town as well. Only question is: where?”[/color] Midna replied, as she gave the crocodile shield a poke, unsure if it would be any better than her current one… and also finding it odd that the straps looked much too big for arms. As for the comment about relying on firsts, Midna could see her point, but she did have a suggestion [color=Aquamarine]”You might still want to keep an eye out for clothes and such though. This is magic”[/color] she patted her pauldron [color=Aquamarine]”as is this bandana and these beads … though i should probably get them identified as well now that I think about it”[/color] Karin nodded, conceding the point. [color=fff200]”Special clothing would undoubtedly be useful without slowing me down. Though again, I…”[/color] She squinted at Midna. [color=fff200]”I would not just be putting random garbage- err, attire, rather- I find on my person. Both for practical and aesthetic reasons.”[/color] She said, clearing her throat. Her adventurer’s outfit was much more practical than her noble outfit but despite the pockets, the muted colors, and the sleeveless look, it was undeniably very sleek. Something a rich person would wear while out on a hiking trip. Midna had another look at the items, and then tapped most of them to store them in the twilight ream. The only ones she didn’t were the money, which she offered to the other two as a fair split of the spoils, and the doll. That she gave an examin and then, after finding it oddly easy to balance, carefully used her shadow hand to balance it on top of Sakrau’s head while the young woman was talking on the radio. Sakura had been listening intently to Peach’s response, thus she did not notice her new hat. Now she knew where Princess Peach was! [color=f49ac2]”Got it, Peach-san! Be there soon, over!”[/color] She responded, pleased that her idea was being used by the LEADER of the Seekers of Light! The freakin’ Mario Princess! [color=f49ac2]”We have an [i]in[/i] with the Sep- the Septentrion. Which are the people in charge, right? So our plan is working! Now we just need to meet up with Peach-san. We’re looking for Anistar Gym, with the big purple roof, close to Main Street. Should be an easy enough find if we get on the roofs.”[/color] Sakura said with a nod. The doll on her head didn’t seem to budge an inch. Karin smirked, not even trying to conceal her amusement. Sakura smiled back. Karin gave Sakura her divvy of the money and pocketed her own. [color=fff200]”Well then. Princess Midna, Miss Sakura. Shall we be on our way? There is no time to lose. I want to meet this Sep- this Sep-ten-trion as soon as possible, my word, what a word they’ve chosen. ”[/color] [color=f49ac2]”Wish I knew what it meant. That might give us a clue. What’s it in English- September? Maybe there’s seven of them?”[/color] Sakura theorized. [color=fff200]”It’s a deliberately obtuse word, chosen most likely to make themselves seem smarter rather than any kind of practical reason. It does indeed have to do with the number seven, and also, I believe, the ‘northern regions.’”[/color] Karin said, recalling her extensive private education. [color=f49ac2]”I bet it would annoy you.”[/color] Sakura said teasingly. [color=f49ac2]”You have the longest attack names ever. Everyone knows exactly what your attacks are! What’s that elbow hit called? ‘Koka Tenshinchu: Sumeragi?’”[/color] Sakura recited the complicated attack name with air quotes. [color=fff200]”Indeed. You’ve really got me there, Sakura.”[/color] Karin said, conceding the rib and avoiding looking at the little doll on Sakura’s head. Midna’s one visible eye was looking anywhere but, in a way that was frankly suspicious in its own way, and her own amusement at the prank had made paying attention to all the details a little tricky, though she at least did not miss a chance to get in on the ribbing. [color=Aquamarine]”To be fair, it's only descriptive if you know whichever language that is. I certainly have no idea what it means, other than the fact that I can get a stab in before you finish shouting that”[/color] she joked, before having a think and asking [color=Aquamarine]”Wait, so is naming attacks a normal thing where you are from? Question. Why?”[/color] while drifting up towards the roof to get that gym spotting on. [color=fff200]”I don’t shout it every time, but the technique being named makes it easier to learn. It’s why we name things.”[/color] Karin said, talking to Midna. As she drifted up, Karin joined her by attaching a grapple hook to the roof and walking at leisurely pace up the wall. Sakura knelt down for about a second and just jumped a storey and a half into the air. Karin watched as she passed her and stifled a surprised comment. Sakura bent over the edge of the roof as Karin approached and smiled, briefly rubbing her finger under her own nose. [color=f49ac2]”Learned that one from Kazama Akira herself.”[/color] Sakura says, dusting off her hands. [color=fff200]”Regardless.”[/color] Karin said. [color=fff200]”I’d like to see someone counter a move based on the attack name once the fist has already struck true. It’s no different from shouting or letting out air to focus your energy as you attack. Similar to a Kiai.”[/color] Karin said. [color=fff200]”Kanzuki-Ryu only has long attack names because the martial art is so deep and varied that it simply necessitates it.”[/color] Karin said. [color=f49ac2]”Right…”[/color] Sakura said. [color=f49ac2]”It is fun to come up with attack names though!”[/color] [color=Aquamarine]”I mainly just hit things … but I guess I can see your point. Easier to plan ahead if the attacks have names instead of going ’and then I'll hit them with that lighting beam thing i can do’ I suppose”[/color] Midna admitted, now thinking about attack names in the back of her head. [color=f49ac2]”Somethin’ like that! Easier to teach other people, too. Rather than just: ‘Elbow Thing’ or “Fireball thing.’ Though I guess if you use ‘em consistently enough, those are attack names, too.”[/color] She mused, and Midna had to give a little laugh to that even as she mentally conceded the point. Sakura held her hand over her eyebrows and looked for the purple roof. [color=f49ac2]”Anyone see anything?[/color] [color=Aquamarine]”I’ll be honest, my eyes are not the best in the light. Growing up in a world of perpetual twilight will do that to a girl”[/color] the princess admitted while squinting out over the sea of buildings [color=fff200]”Understandable. Fortunately, I’ve located it on my side.”[/color] Karin said, pointing out the steep purple roof. Sakura turned and followed her index finger. [color=fff200]”It isn’t that far away, we can be there shortly. Shall we?”[/color] Karin said. With that she fired a line across the street. Sakura immediately hopped on and started balancing on the tiny little string. [color=fff200]”What on-”[/color] [color=f49ac2]”Shh shh shh, hold on, this is cool.”[/color] Sakura said, wobbling from side to side with her arms extended. She slowly started walking across. Karin stood there with her arm extended, supporting Sakura’s weight and tapping her shoe impatiently. [color=f49ac2]”Oookay, nevermind, this is a long time and I’m gonna fall.”[/color] Sakura admitted, still wobbling with her arms out. [color=fff200]”Obviously!”[/color] Karin said, detaching the hook and letting Sakura fall. She landed on her feet with a heavy thud and stumbled a few steps to get her feet underneath her. [color=fff200]”Now that you’re down there, I’ll race you both.”[/color] Karin said confidently, zipping across the street with her grapple hook for real this time. [color=Aquamarine]”Yeah no you’re going to lose that”[/color] Midna said, stepping into a shadow and then stepping out of one on the opposite building (specifically a ventilation unit, not that she knew what that was) a blink of an eye later. That point made, however, she wasn’t going to actually ruin the fun, and so she called over [color=Aquamarine]”But i’ll make it a fair race and not just shadow hop all the way there”[/color] as she summoned her her wolfos to ride an then taunting [color=Aquamarine]” So let’s see if you can beat this mutt instead?”[/color] before kicking her heels to its sides and setting off at a scamper across the rooftops, periodically dismounting to warp ahead and guide its leaps like she had Link during their whole adventure. [color=fff200]”What was that?”[/color] Karin said, skidding across the roof, transitioning into a flip, and then firing away, pulling herself quickly. Sakura watched them both go and with a brief cry of dismay, started sprinting at street level. [color=fff200]”Perhaps you can teleport into my shadow, Princess. Most people are used to living there!”[/color] Karin taunted, finding a good rhythm as she sailed through the air and across the next street like an acrobat. [color=Aquamarine]”I spent like a month chilling in the hero of time’s one, so sorry, you'd be second best at the very least”[/color] Midna retorted as she guided her pet across the rooftops before calling back [color=Aquamarine]”Not that I’d complain about being able to watch you while you do all the work for me mind, so you know what, maybe I’ll take you up on that some time”[/color] It wasn't exactly the worst strategy either, having a second fighter to spring out when a foe least expected it, she mused … but only after having made the comment entirely to tease the noble lady. Karin couldn’t respond because she was too busy showing off. She quick-fired a line to either side of an alleyway and caught it with a hand, spinning around it like a trapeze artist. With a graceful loop she landed on top of it, posed, and fell forward to transition into a swing. [color=fff200]”My coattails are long enough for everyone.”[/color] Karin said. She flew out of the swing and landed in a handstand. Then she walked in said handstand to the edge of the roof, fell, and zipped across to the other side. She arrived at the purple rooftop, most likely losing to the mutt if Midna played seriously, because Karin got caught up in the show of it all. [color=fff200]”Hmm. My mistake.”[/color] Midna was 100% not taking this seriously, because the banter was fun, and her ego was not on the line at all, so it was a close thing indeed and the poor hound just lost by a single daring leap. The princess tisk tisked the wolfos, but wasn't so self centered as to not acknowledge her own participation in the loss so that was all it got criticism wise. Sakura arrived at the scene third for certain, and she had used some of money to buy a souvenir from a street vendor. [color=f49ac2]”Good race- hey, look what I got!”[/color] It was a second Baki doll. [color=f49ac2]”Isn’t he cute? It’s Baki-chan! My friend Jimmy-san started up his own line of cute dolls, and it reminded me of that.”[/color] She said, still clueless to the one on her head. Though she did wonder why the vendor saw fit to give her a discount. Midna, for her part, had to purse and bite both her lips and cover her mouth in attempt to hide her laughter, before getting a hold of herself and suggesting [color=Aquamarine]”you should start a collection”[/color] [color=f49ac2]”Maybe I will! I bet there’s lots of cool stuff to find in this world.”[/color] Sakura said, looking intently at the doll. She unzipped her jacket and put it next to the radio in the inside pockets, before zipping it back up. [color=fff200]”I see our fellows!”[/color] Karin said, eager to rejoin with the others and move on. It was only a matter of time until Sakura discovered the doll, of course. Mainly because when she was confused she often scratched her rubbed her head, and she was often confused in Karin’s opinion. Or someone may immediately point it out to her. Either way. [color=fff200]”It seems some of them are heading into this very building.”[/color] Karin leaned over the edge. With a single step she delicately dropped from the roof and onto the ground. Sakura was already wanting to head inside, but she didn’t want to miss out on the Seekers’ conversation. [color=f49ac2]”Hey everyone! It’s us! We got here. That was crazy, huh? Those monsters are weird. What are we talking about?”[/color] She asked, crossing her arms and looking to try and pay some attention. [color=Aquamarine]”Nothing we couldn’t handle of course, why, we saved a whole bunker”[/color] Minda said, just a tad gloatingly, before adding, a bit more humbly while gesturing to the two street fighters, [color=Aquamarine]”or, well, these two did and I helped clear out the trash”[/color] Karin nodded graciously, her posture straight. [color=fff200]”If anyone learned anything useful or strange, please do fill us in. Sakura learned that if the Others take enough damage, a light bulb-esque weak spot is revealed.”[/color] [color=Aquamarine]”also, if you crush their spirits, you can sometimes get some ‘data’ out of some of them which, well, I have no idea how to use, but maybe someone else can? We know they know about fusion, but maybe this crushed stuff”[/color] she summoned some buddy rummy data [color=Aquamarine]”could be useful to them when it comes to learning about where they come from?”[/color] Minda was not so sure about this, so she also added [color=Aquamarine]”also it is either that, mildly interesting stuff, or money, so i’d give it a go either way if I was you”[/color] as a way of instructing the newbies among them to the worth of crushing spirits, particularly when these, which where producing comparatively useful stuff compared to some of the trash they’d sometimes gotten before.