[center][color=7bcdc8][h3]Vivian[/h3][/color][/center]
[hr][@AzureKnight](VRA), [@Rezod92]
It was good that no blood needed to be shed today, especially since Vivian was sure that this man was more than just idle rumors and boasting. He hadn't let his guard down even once, to the extent he sensed their invisibile comrade nearb-

Wait.

[color=7bcdc8][b]"...Being honest, I thought it was only Varã and I here. Whoever's there, might as well give up the ghost. The ronin has your number,"[/b][/color] Vivian said, encouraging Zeta to come out of hiding since there wasn't much point. The clairvoyant ronin say through all, it seemed. 

Vivian didn't like to acknowledge her lack of foresight, but really, who would have suspected they'd be tailed by another monster? Not letting it phase her too badly, Vivian would just focus on answering Kazenosuke's questions. After she scooted just a bit away from the ronin to make sure he wasn't close enough to be drained by her aura. [color=7bcdc8][b]"Takeshi's father is a noble of great importance, so I imagine even the Varjans wouldn't just execute him outright. Political puppets are always vital to a good drama after all. As for the army...I imagine they were slaughtered to the last, to prove a point. Otherwise, we wouldn't be necessary."[/b][/color] Having given her sufficiently hopeless summary of the situation, Vivian would then add: [color=7bcdc8][b]"But, between us and the allies Takeshi hopes he can count on, they're expecting that taking a port will be sufficient for landing aid. I'd tell you where our headquarters are, but you haven't agreed to help yet." [/b][/color]

Standing, Vivian would give Kazenosuke some warming room, stepping forward a few steps. [color=7bcdc8][b]"Speaking purely from a position of numbers, we can't even fight a warband with how many we have. I've never had someone I can call a friend, but...in the stories I've played part in, a bond between two can overcome virtually anything this world has to offer. Perhaps, the bond you and Takeshi share is one such instance. Oh and, don't worry about yokai, I imagine we'll all leave once this conflict concludes. For whatever comfort that is, at least."[/b][/color]
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[center][color=fdc68a][h3]Matsuri[/h3][/color][/center]
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It was already close to dark, and Matsuri was starting to think that this search was beyond her. ...Who was she kidding, trying to find ninjas when her expertise was in making fireworks!? [color=fdc68a][b]"This is hopeless..."[/b][/color] she muttered under her breath, before she heard a heavy footstep crack a twig nearby. Hurriedly, Matsuri would hide behind a few bushes, peeking out as the armed and armored soldiers came bearing torches. ...It looked like someone else was combing the forest. 

These had to be Varjans, given how their armor and robes looked foreign to what Matsuri had seen of the island's people. She didn't stand a chance against one of these warriors, and the robed people were giving her the creeps. Turning tail and running would be best while they didn't see her but...those shinobi were out here somewhere. And trained soldiers were way more likely to find them than Matsuri was. Working up her courage, Matsuri would don her festival mask and hold a hand out before her. Concentrating her energy, a ball of fireworks would appear from seemingly nothing, the heft of it tested by Matsuri as she tossed it up and down. [color=fdc68a][i]"One surprise shot...and then, the Kyuubi Buster when they're isolated,"[/i][/color] the inari confirmed mentally, before removing he bamboo cannon and leveling it. [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uxc3iWFMBk]She wouldn't have much time, but...this should make for one hell of a distraction[/url], and potentially let the hiding shinboi have enough of an opening to escape.

With the faintest hiss masked by a distant illusion of rustling, Matsuri's Never-Ending-Starry Night would fly in the midst of the crowd, the inari letting loose a loud clap just before detonation. Once the flash started and the dome of light engulfed the group, Matsuri would make herself scarce, working up the energy for her Kyuubi Buster as she ran. [color=fdc68a][i]"Can't lead them back to the temple, so...time to have them waste time!"[/i][/color] she thought, concentrating her energy one an illusion of herself in an obvious hiding spot, that, when they approached, would quickly bolt away. Matsuri hadn't especially pushed the limits of her new state of monsterhood, but already felt herself moving a lot faster than she ever had, and wasn't even tired after searching all day. Maybe, just maybe, she stood a chance at an endurance battle in a location she'd spent all day searching every nook and cranny of.

[color=fdc68a][i]"This yokai magic stuff is hard but...just you watch papa, I'm gonna keep everyone safe!"[/i][/color]