"Understood." Dawn left Hudie with that final affirmation, offering a salute in much the same manner as the rest. She turned to leave, and with eyes drawn across those shaded Ascendancy members lined along the walls, a silent farewell to the nameless. She hurried off with a brisk pace, arms swinging with her sprint to catch up to Leena and FanFan.
She met up and slowed to their pace, having barely broken a sweat. Though Rachel had assured her of Leena's loyalty, she couldn't help but give the diminutive girl a sharp once-over from the side. Nevertheless, Dawn opened up and extended a hand first to Leena as they walked.
"Dawn Astraea, as I'm sure you've realized," she introduced, "Leena and FanFan. I hope for us to work well together," she said before extending another hand for FanFan; she hoped the girl would give her the dignity of not returning the grip with her robotic arm. She wasted no time in planning.
"Which U-type are we headed for first? Or are we to split up evenly?"
Leena and FanFan were waiting at the teleporters when Dawn arrived. Leena was sitting crosslegged, balancing a throwing knife on her finger, while FanFan was sitting on her mechanical arms like a seat, sipping tea from a teacup and plate set. “Ah, if it isn’t the greenhorn,” FanFan spoke up, and Leena stood up. “About time; we were about to go on without you.” After Dawn introduced herself and stated her intentions, Leena scoffed, and gave the quickest of handshakes before swatting the hand away. “Yeah yeah, whatever.” FanFan on the other hand was pleased by the courtesy Dawn showed, and curtsied after the handshake. “A pleasure to make your acquaintance.” Then, Dawn’s back was suddenly slapped by her giant arm, and she giggled. “But playtime is over. Now we shall proceed with the work.” The two took their positions in the teleporter, and Leena summoned her weapons; a pair of red and blue katanas that left traces as they were unsheathed. “We’re going for the U-type codenamed “Siren”. While they’re all causing collateral damage, that one is our current top priority. Any questions?”
Dawn doubled over as the hand impacted her. She didn’t complain about the gesture, but her cough and reservation said everything she wanted to about it. A hand absently reached around to pat softly at her back as she spoke, clearing her throat. “I’m assuming the U-type was aptly named, and is the one performing the concert?” she asked. Dawn followed suit, stepping into the teleporter without hesitation. She would have summoned her weapon if not for the ramped space; she would save that for when they reached the outside.
Leena nodded silently, while FanFan leaned forward, using her entire body to “nod” while balancing with her mecharms. “Yep yep! We have some agents dealing with the summoner, and a third squad is also going to strike at the third U-type. Anyway, it’s time! DLF is a GO!” And so the three of them felt weightless for a few seconds as they were teleported.
The next moment, they were at a rooftop nearby the one where the lich was performing her song. Before Dawn managed to get her bearings, Leena had already started running. “Do what you can, but stay out of my way, rookie!” She shouted behind her. FanFan giggled. “Show your stuff, greenhorn.” And with that, she sent her mecharms to grab the edge of the rooftop while she walked back until they were stretched as far as they could, before launching herself slingshot-style. “Concert’s over!” Leena shouted, and came in with a super fast whirlwind slash, followed by FanFan slamming her mecharms together in a hammer-like maneuver.
Dawn’s form erupted in a fountain of light, and when it subsided, her body was encased in blue and white armor, white mechanical wings stretching out to the side. Her sword slipped through a crack in reality, and was swiftly snatched with a hand. Dawn Astraea, no… “Justice” was here not merely to destroy the wicked, but to prove herself.
She broke into a sprint off the side of the building, and as her heels left the concrete, a jet of flame rocketed outwards, propelling her through the air. Out of range, her sword folded and creased, morphing into a tall staff with a angrily-glowing red jewel at its center. With hands raised high, she charged a spear of flame, firing it squarely for the so-called “Siren”.
Specialization: [ODDBALL][BLOOD] Annabelle manipulates blood -plain and simple. Drawing it in whipping strands, or flinging it as a crystallized shard, her element is used in much the same way as a Water specialist would. Fortunately for other magical girls and monsters, it seems her purview is limited only to blood which she can see, or her own; she won't be crushing someone's organs simply by looking at them. However, an interesting quality of it is her ability to draw strength from allies who verbally agree to the action, as if welcoming a vampire into their home.
By sacrificing her own health, Anne can bolster her manipulation of blood itself, be it her own or another's. She has never had to test the depths she can take it, but Anne assumes she could put herself on death's door to weave incredibly powerful magicks.
Weapon: [Melee/Ranged - "Red Clouds"] Annabelle's weapon "Red Clouds", appears to any eye as a mere greatsword, but hides within its many folds the ability to transform into a massive arcane firearm -and not in the way you might expect. Red Clouds' power draws upon Anne's own, and that means through her blood. Rather than hosting a menagerie of complex machinery beneath, it holds a reservoir of blood which can at any time burst from its cage and envelop the weapon, turning it into the crystalline red form of a large-caliber cannon.
Transforming is not its only ability, however, and the blood she supplies to Red Clouds can also simply increase the cutting strength of the weapon. Coupled with her Third Eye Power, the mere striking of this weapon upon her foes can instantly reveal useful bits of information to her about the target.
Power: [THIRD EYE] [Utterances of the Crawling Blood] At the temporary expense of her health, Annabelle can saturate the battlefield with nigh-on invisible strands of her blood. Intangible to physical touch, they serve as a kind of arcane, pervasive measurement device which relays all kinds of information to her. From the heart rate of another entity, to the merest increase in magical power, Anne can maintain an incredible level of awareness in the area. One would be hard-pressed to try striking with the intent of being undetected or unexpected. Outside of battle, a weave of these strands is held close to her body. It's power range is diminished in this form, but requires next to no effort for her to maintain.
Perks: [Enhanced Sustenance] - Anne's specialization has trained her body, physically, to be adept in manipulating her own physiology. Her cells run more efficiently, to the point where they both require and spend less energy to do the same things another magical girl would. Useful as it is in a tight and prolonged situation, Anne nevertheless has three meals a day more often than not, and isn't wanting for more. Sometimes you just like to eat, right? [Dual Weapon] - Unusual transformative properties allow her weapon to morph into a fully-functional arcane firearm. [Absolute Direction] - The details of how Anne manages to have such a keen sense for where things are around the city is a closely-kept secret. Regardless of the medium, Anne can be relied on to search for particular objects or people, so long as it's something she understands, of course. [Interdimensional Home] - A well-designed and furnished apartment that Anne likes to call the "Strifeless". She has only one rule for guests; leave behind your troubles before stepping inside. There are plenty of places to crash on, despite it being only a studio. A wall is dedicated to candid photographs she has taken with other friendly magical girls. [Hammerspace Handbag] - Worn as a sidebag, Anne keeps a number of small but useful items for nay occasion. [Ally - 'Big Sis'] - Anne's superior, the experienced magical girl known to her only as "Big Sis", serves as her connection to the deepest, darkest corners of the US government. She is the one who freed her from the shackles of a life serving the Puchuu, and gave her the opportunity to fight for humanity itself. While warm and smiling, Anne is sure that Big Sis hides a lot of skeletons in her closet. [Blood Magic] - Anne's specialization allows her to fuel her magic with her own blood, not just with another's. In fact, she is most potent when sacrificing her own health in battle.
Benefits: [Free agent] - Anne's prime directive is the protection and preservation of innocent human lives. To this end, she has free reign in determining how to best go about doing this, plus or minus some suggestions by her superior. [Supplier] - With the Us government !behind her, Anne can secure almost anything mundane in nature, provided she can convince her superior that it's necessary. Five-star meals every night are unlikely to pass.
Drawbacks: [Alone] - ...But not quite. With the tiny backing of a half-unsanctioned US military body behind her, she is far more alone than those magical girls under the thumb of greater forces, but no less a part of something bigger than herself.
Fighting Style: Annabelle is fast and unrelenting -the nature of her magic is like a ticking clock, and in that doomed nature does she fight with every fiber. As her vitality is drained, things must end quickly before her initial advantage is diminished by a conversely disadvantaged healthiness. Her strikes are brutal, direct, always aiming to thoroughly destroy the target before it can test her dwindling stamina. Close-quarters or at a range, the ferocity of her attacks is never different. Blood is thick, and in the quality her comparisons to water are similarly shifted. Where someone of more graceful design would flow like a river through the battlefield, Annabelle is like a mudslide, rolling over anything and everything, but flowing through nonetheless. To call her a brute would be a mistake -even a mudslide is difficult to avoid if it's already upon you.
Personality: Perhaps reflecting her mission statement, Annabelle is a congenial young lady who loves other people. Making friends is not merely a boon to completing her duty as a NEXT agent, but is what she genuinely loves to do regardless. Her preponderance of smiles and quicker-than-most comfort with hugging makes her someone that is difficult to hate unless you're a grump. Generous and kind to anyone who can muster a measure of respect and friendliness back to her, Annabelle is also a great ally to have, rarely turning down a plea for help. In turn, those she calls friends receive only her utmost effort... and her utmost violence.
Against evil, or anything that would do harm to the innocent, she is merciless and cruel, savoring in the quashing of things that would disrupt the otherwise warm life she seeks for herself and society at large. To her, monsters and evil-doers deserve nothing but to be turned into a river of flesh sailing down its own blood into the sewer drains. Betrayal is, unfortunately, something she would call 'evil', and one would be careful not to do such a thing to her. It wouldn't be inaccurate to call her a yandere whose obsession clings to friends, rather than a lover.
History: It was a cold afternoon. The park was empty. No one was willing to go out and play, or jog, or eat when the weather was so dreary. Annabelle was out, though. Tucked away in a warm coat, she felt the nip in her thighs dressed in her shorts and thighighs, but didn't seem to mind. Her chin was buried into the collar of the coat, her hands in the pockets.
She was simply traveling from a friend's house back home, unable to get a ride back. There, on the hill, was an odd sight. It looked as if someone had left their stuffed toy beneath a tree, sitting alongside what looked like a... sword. Perhaps one of those foam *ERF toys? The weird structure of it certainly looked comical enough, like a movie prop for some Kamen-type show.
Anne walked up cautiously to the thing, more curious about the weapon than the stuffed animal. But as she reached for it... the toy's head turned to look up at her. She jerked back.
"Aha. Well that was certainly quick. I didn't need to look long. You girls just drop right into our laps like it's destiny. It is destiny, isn't it?" It spoke. At least, she heard it. The small creature's mouth did not move, but she heard it. Anne looked around, thinking at first that this thing was simply stuffed with a walkie-talkie. It turned and walked closer to Anne in a fashion unbecoming of the usual crappy toys she's seen in commercials. It walked... like it was a living breathing thing.
"Tell me, Annabelle, have you ever wanted to have superpowers? To fight real bad guys?"
She was taken aback and speechless. Her hands had long since been removed from her pockets, and were now vaguely shielding herself from the strangeness.
"What kind of robot is this?" she asked to herself.
"Oh, I'm no robot. I'm very real, actually. I'm a puchuu, here to make you a magical girl. Or perhaps... you're here to become one."
"I'm not sure what you mean. Is this part of a TV show?" she asked, still defiant of the supernatural nature of the scene.
"My my. What a bother. Always so oblivious. I suppose it's not your fault. Let's not beat around the bush. I have a magical weapon here without an owner, and it needs to be put into the right hands to fight against evil!"
Anne's eyes followed to the sword. It looked... suddenly quite deadly and genuinely sharp then. Too real to be a toy.
"You want me... to be like one of those anime girls, all cutesy and magical?" she hummed.
"Now you're catching on. It's easy! All you have to do is pick it up, and you'll be well on your way to an amazing adventure."
She was still skeptical, but the bizarre appearance of this little creature, the brazenness with which it spoke, and the dichotomy of the sword all told her this was either a strange choice of reality TV theme, or it was... the truth. Anne approached the sword and hesitated for a few seconds before lifting it up. The blade slid out of the dirt, clean as a whistle. It was heavy, and then it became lighter. It almost felt... weightless, and yet the solid build betrayed that feeling. Cold hard steel.
"What am I suppo-" Anne stopped short as she turned back to the puchuu. Without a sound, a tall girl with long, blonde braids was standing there. In her clenched fist was the small white creature, strangled worse than any creature had the right to survive from. She was smiling at Anne, uncaring of the mangled furball she so violently crushed.
Were the woman instead a more intimidating man, she might have been more inclined to lift her new weapon up, but she was instead perplexed.
"Hello, Annabelle. Nice to meet you. I'm glad I caught you in time," the young lady said. She was dressed in a kind of modified military uniform, looking halfway between a race queen and an officer. Unceremoniously she threw her hand up, tossing the white creature aside before manifesting a handgun out of thin air. Three well-placed shots pelted the creature in its oversized head before it could even hit the ground. It exploded, but there was neither blood nor gore. It fell limply onto the grass.
"Don't worry about that thing. It was never your friend. How about you listen to a fellow human instead?" The woman smiled more warmly than anyone had ever smiled at Annabelle before. She was inviting. She wanted to trust her.
Name: Valentine Achill Age: 18 Gender: Female Appearance: Character Sheet
Specialization: [DARKNESS] Valentine's specialization is an all-out offense on her victim's senses and courage. If Darkness is an element used to achieve stealth, then Valentine is so potent in its effects that the very nature of it spread from her own body into the surrounding world. Valentine does not skulk about, dancing from shadow to shadow, she makes everything shadow. Valentine can cause entire rooms to become a void of blackness, or lay curses upon specific individuals to cast them into blindness. Even worse, the realms she creates come chock full of horrors -malignant, skittering monstrosities that give no quarter to the prey stuck in their void.
Weapon: [Ranged - "The Wretched"] A bulky revolver of pure chrome. Utilizing the weapon requires preparation, as is not especially effective for prolonged battles. Valentine can compress her mana into pre-made shells for the gun, but can only fit nine shots into the revolving barrel. Limited in immediately available shots, it makes up for the drawback with utterly devastating firepower.
Power: [TENTACLES] [Razorbath] Unfortunately for others, Valentines writhing tentacles aren't the smooth kind -they're the barbed wire kind. Though they are unlikely to be used as useful extra arms for picking up items or grapple-hooking her to higher spots, they are effective as additional weapons. Razor sharp and flexible, even passing glances by the wires are enough to savage their targets. Woeth be the victim who is snared head to toe in their violence.
Perks: [Sorcery] - Even before becoming a magical girl, Valentine was already unraveling the secrets hidden within reality. It was unfortunate for that said dabbling ended with her own unintended, current predicament. [Flexibility] - Perhaps it is because of the horrific nature of her powers that Valentine quickly found her body to be capable of easily freaking others out with her uncanny flexibility. [Healing Artifact] - A reminder of the power that Big Sis has over her, the artifact contains the imprisoned Horror which had initially give her the powers of a magical girl. Now relegated to the status of a mere utility trinket, Valentine can channel mana into it to forcibly draw out a healing aura from the horror. [Fated] - Valentine can't even begin to understand her task, but she could feel it in the back of her head when the horror first spoke with her. Perhaps it is because the thing is now imprisoned that she can't quite get a grip on what her destiny was supposed to be. [Gifted] - Normally the Darkness element is known to be a domain of stealth and debuffs, but Valentine has managed to channel the nature of fear into the shadows, spawning horrible creatures to assail her enemies within the blackness. [Ally] - Big Sis is Valentine's 'ally' if only because she gives her things and tells her what to do. Valentine knows what lies behind the government official's eyes, and it is not something she truly wants to serve. Nevertheless, she begrudgingly follows orders, never mind that she was given no other choice. [Familiar] - A black doberman dog named "Maskim". Capable of shifting into a human form for short periods of time.
Benefits: [Free agent] - Valentine has been leashed into aiding the US government, though Big Sis will claim it is for humanity as a whole. To this end, anything beneficial to that mission is free for Valentine to take up, though she is still under a stern thumb. [Supplier] - With the US government !behind her, Valentine can secure almost anything mundane in nature, provided she can convince her superior that it's necessary. A million bucks is probably not on the table of options.
Drawbacks: [Alone] - ...But not quite. With the comparatively tiny backing of a half-unsanctioned US military body behind her, she is far more alone than those magical girls under the thumb of greater forces, but no less a part of something bigger than herself.
Fighting Style: Rather than relying on skill or strength, Valentine relies on casting her targets into a state wherein they are unable to fight back. Once her target is just right -just the right amount of lost, just the right amount of unaware, just the right amount of inundated- Valentine strikes with focused, powerful attacks. Before and after, she is evasive and defensive, always waiting for the right moment. Face-to-face, she is less than capable, and so Valentine actively avoids such confrontations. If she cannot avoid it, she uses everything in her arsenal to break combat and reset.
Personality: Short of temper and patience, Valentine is quick to lash out, and difficult to make friends with. she appears as the kind of young woman who clearly doesn't want to make friends, or else finds it very hard to muster the will to... or perhaps its a lack of courage. If one is around her long enough, they can clue in on her jumpy nature. Despite her specialization, Valentine is easily startled by things she doesn't immediately expect. The veil of toughness collapses during horror movies, or when spooked by hiding individuals looking to prank her.
Valentine definitely tries to hide this part of her, and a few well-placed but undeserved punches usually serves her well in dissuading what few friends she has from trying to pull something on her again. Though she protests a lot, and seems lazy, ultimately a good kick or urging can get her onto her feet. She hates staying in one place for long, anyways.
History: If she had it her own way, she'd just be a sorceress. If she had it her own way, she'd still be learning whatever the hell she wanted. If she had her own way... she wouldn't be tossed about this stormy underworld.
Valentine was once a simply curious, and perhaps devilish young lady who had both a profusion of time and the lack of sense to stay out of trouble, which she spent on diving into that which normal humans weren't supposed to. For her efforts and flagrance, Valentine was rewarded with servitude under a Horror, turning her into a magical girl pawn to be used for whatever alien means her 'patron' prescribed. She nevertheless considered herself fortunate that this was her fate, as opposed to a sudden loss of sanity or life to the cosmic entity.
But even that change in lifestyle was not enough, it seemed, and the universe saw it fit to throw her further astray with a much closer-to-home entity in the form of the US government, and a woman whose eyes never truly looked as friendly as they tried to seem.
Another magical girl by the name of 'Big Sis' approached Valentine and dictated the ultimatum; join her group, or be hunted down for her status as the servant of an evil entity. What an option. Of course, Valentine couldn't complain if but in that she now had to serve such a scary lady and the government, of all things, but ultimately she couldn't care less who it was. It wasn't as if she was living a free life anyways.
Valentine joined the NEXT Shadow Unit begrudgingly. Parts of being a servant to the horror -namely being able to work alone- still appealed to her. The horror that once pulled her strings was summarily 'taken care of' as Big Sis described it, and Valentine did not question things when a strangely familiar sensation came to her after Big Sis placed a peculiar artifact into her hands one day. That was the end of that chapter.
Emergency start [Ally] and [Sorcery] chosen as Emergency start perks, allowing me to shift naturally-rolled Sorcery perk to opposite table, thus gaining [Familiar] as well.
Name: CODENAME "Mats" Age: 15 Gender: Female Appearance: Mats is a plain young girl that seems to value a certain amount of practicality to her appearance. Though fond of her long hair, her style and upkeep elsewhere often trails behind. Mats is frequently dusty and a tad tired-looking, though it is often the case that this results from hard work in her waking hours, rather than any lack of sleep. She does not dress herself in anything more than the military jacket, skirt, scarf, and leggings of her once normal life; indeed, these items seem to be the sole extent of her wardrobe.
Specialization: [ODDBALL][WAR] Being an Oddball, Mats' magical specialization takes on a peculiar and varied nature. As a magician of "War" her powers range from the summoning of phantasmal soldiers to fight alongside her, to passive effects like resisting fear and instilling panic in others. She maintains a constant communication and understanding of the movements and intentions of those she calls 'allies', allowing her to better coordinate with them, even if they themselves are not aware of the connection. Her magic grows in power when faced with increasing numbers; the more the bad guys, the more her magic rises to the occasion. For all its ability to fight, Mats can also serve as a defender, creating solid barriers, smokescreens, and able to enhance the range of other magical girls who utilize ranged effects. In this regard, she can be considered a kind of "Forward Support" fighter.
Weapon: [Ranged - Assault Rifle] Mats' weapon, an otherwise unassuming firearm modeled after the prolific M4, fires magical bullets with a seemingly bottomless magazine, though usage does drain her mana resource like any other arcane weapon. It, however, is incredibly efficient at churning out firepower, being rapid, fast, and continual. It is weaker in strength than other single-shot tools used by similar magical girls, but makes up for it in requiring less of her energy, and churning out a lot more shots.
Power: [BARRAGE] [Combined Arms - The Steeled Blood of Man] Mats signature style revolves around the summoning and commanding of ghostly soldiers, armed with magical firearms of their own. Individually fragile, they serve their purpose by being extremely efficient, smart, and numerous. Mats excels at fighting large groups, and is likely the best person to call when an infestation of lowly creatures needs to be taken care of.
Perks: [Ally - 'Big Sis'] - Mat's superior, the experienced magical girl known to her only as "Big Sis", serves as her connection to the deepest, darkest corners of the US government. She is the one who freed her from the shackles of a life serving the Puchuu, and gave her the opportunity to fight for humanity itself. While warm and smiling, Mats is sure that Big Sis hides a lot of skeletons in her closet. [Enhanced Transformation] - Mats transformation is unstylish and sober. Civilian to magical girl in a flash; no need for all the fancy maneuvers. When it's time to fight, there's no time for frivolousness. [Natural Aging] - A boon, a drawback? Mat's isn't sure of this quite yet. She certainly enjoys being 15 with so much freedom, but also wonders if she wouldn't hate staying that way after some time. [Enhanced Outfit] - Unlike the fancy frills and body-tight plastics of other magical girls, Mats' uniform serves its purpose, and serves it well. [Closure] - As one in her position, she had to sever all ties with the normal world. The US government, fortunately or unfortunately, was easily able to take care of this for her.
Benefits: [Free agent] - Mats' prime directive is the protection and preservation of innocent human lives. To this end, she has free reign in determining how to best go about doing this, plus or minus some suggestions by her superior. [Supplier] - With the Us government !behind her, Mat's can secure almost anything mundane in nature, provided she can convince her superior that it's necessary. Five-star meals every night are unlikely to pass.
Drawbacks: [Alone] - ...But not quite. With the tiny backing of a half-unsanctioned US military body behind her, she is far more alone than those magical girls under the thumb of greater forces, but no less a part of something bigger than herself.
Fighting Style: Mat's brand of war is focused and guided, rather than the oftentimes messy and wide flipside of war. Mats' prefers to take down single targets using focused orders from large numbers. Rather than being one who blasts the enemy with a single, mighty beam, she would have many sources converge fire upon them. Orders to her ghostly allies will have them take up positions, aiding one another and the commander herself. Her attacks are tactical, quick, and bewildering. She does not fight a fair fight, and certainly not face-to-face. A dark building, rife with hiding spots and vantage points is her favorite place to fight the enemy. Indeed, this is why Mats is far more likely to fight insidious monsters than daytime kaiju.
Personality: Mat's is an unassuming person, often quiet unless spoken to, and speaks with a plain, neutral tone more often than not. She appears unflappable and difficult to rouse. One might even call her sleepy. She likes to make friends, and is determined and willing to get down and dirty at the drop of a hat; despite her lethargic and sometimes oblivious demeanor, she is actually quite aware of her surroundings and what is being said.
An excellent party member, she can always be depended on to follow through, through rain or shine. Mats' will make a promise she can't necessarily keep, if only because she believes trying her best counts as keeping the promise.
History: It was a cold afternoon. The park was empty. No one was willing to go out and play, or jog, or eat when the weather was so dreary. Mats' was out, though. Tucked away in her warm coat, she felt the nip in her legs dressed in her skirt and leggings, but didn't seem to mind. Her chin was buried into the collar of the coat, her hands in the pockets.
She was simply traveling from a friend's house back home, unable to get a ride back. There, on the hill, was an odd sight. It looked as if someone had left their stuffed toy beneath a tree, sitting alongside what looked like a... gun. Perhaps an airsoft rifle? No one could be so bold as to leave a real firearm in the middle of a Penrose park.
Mat's walked up cautiously to the thing, more curious about the weapon than the stuffed animal. But as she reached for it... the toy's head turned to look up at her. Mat's jerked back.
Aha. Well that was certainly quick. I didn't need to look long. You girls just drop right into our laps like it's destiny. It is destiny, isn't it? It spoke. At least, she heard it. The small creature's mouth did not move, but she heard it. Mat's looked around, thinking at first that this thing was simply stuffed with a walkie-talkie. It turned and walked closer to Mats in a fashion unbecoming of the usual crappy toys she's seen in commercials. It walked... like it was a living breathing thing.
Tell me, ■■■■■■■■, have you ever wanted to have superpowers? To fight real bad guys?
Mats was taken aback and speechless. Her hands had long since been removed from her pockets, and were now vaguely shielding herself from the strangeness.
"What kind of robot is this?" she asked to herself.
Oh, I'm no robot. I'm very real, actually. I'm a puchuu, here to make you a magical girl. Or perhaps... you're here to become one.
"I'm not sure what you mean. Is this part of a TV show?" she asked, still defiant of the supernatural nature of the scene.
My my. What a bother. Always so oblivious. I suppose it's not your fault. Let's not beat around the bush. I have a magical weapon here without an owner, and it needs to be put into the right hands to fight against evil!
Mat's eyes followed to the gun. It looked... suddenly quite deadly and real then. Too real to be a toy.
"You want me... to be like one of those anime girls, all cutesy and magical? With a... gun?" she hummed.
Now you're catching on. It's easy! All you have to do is pick it up, and you'll be well on your way to an amazing adventure.
Mats' was still skeptical, but the bizarre appearance of this little creature, the brazenness with which it spoke, and the dichotomy of the gun all told her this was either a strange choice of reality TV theme, or it was... the truth. Mat's approached the gun and hesitated for a few seconds before lifting it up. The barrel slid out of the dirt, clean as a whistle. It was heavy, and then it became lighter. It almost felt... weightless, and yet the solid build betrayed that feeling. Cold hard steel.
"What am I suppo-" Mats' stopped short as she turned back to the puchuu. Without a sound, a tall girl with long, blonde braids was standing there. In her clenched fist was the small white creature, strangled worse than any creature had the right to survive from. She was smiling at Mats', uncaring of the mangled furball she so violently crushed.
Were the woman instead a more intimidating man, she might have been more inclined to lift her new weapon up, but she was instead perplexed.
"Hello, ■■■■■■■■. Nice to meet you. I'm glad I caught you in time," the young lady said. She was dressed in a kind of modified military uniform, looking halfway between a race queen and an officer. Unceremoniously she threw her hand up, tossing the white creature aside before manifesting a handgun out of thin air. Three well-placed shots pelted the creature in its oversized head before it could even hit the ground. It exploded, but there was neither blood nor gore. It fell limply onto the grass.
"Don't worry about that thing. It was never your friend. How about you listen to a fellow human instead?" The woman smiled more warmly than anyone had ever smiled at Mats' before. She was inviting. She wanted to trust her.
As Rachel stood, Dawn lowered her arm. The great white sword dissipated in a flurry of motes, careful not to let it fall upon the desk or Rachel's feet, for that matter. Dawn took a step back, honoring her superior's space and letting the rest speak. Their calmness did not make her feel embarrassed in the slightest; if it was anyone's job to react strongly first, it was her.
"I can only presume she was brought aboard by Alicia prior to the incidents incriminating her," Dawn commented about Rebecca, folding her arms behind her back. The answer was irrelevant given the room's inclination to forgive Rebecca regardless, and so Dawn began for the door to follow after Fanfan and Leena. She stopped short with a half-turn, curious of the rising commotion. She wandered to Elora and Tsuki's side, watching over their shoulders at the debauchery on-screen. How a monster-girl could be both so clownish and bold. As Tsuki smashed the screen, Dawn leaned back. Fun was over.
"Shall I continue with Leena and Fanfan?" Dawn asked, "Or shall I help with tracking Vi-chan down? I will not protest either task."
New faces. Unknown names. Hidden powers, and secrets greater still.
Dawn could sense as much in that war room. The sixteen-summers young lady sat with her hands folded neatly upon crossed limbs. She exuded a reserved demeanor, perhaps shy, but in truth simply contemplative and diligent. She was taking in as much information as she could. There were but a few names and faces she had already met with in the Ascendancy since the short days she moved to Penrose. Most here she would need to accost later, to say nothing of the multitude of bodies that were keeping to the shadows around them.
She, however, was given a seat at the table. That was a good sign.
Names were tossed around. Sylvia. Alicia. Deserters. Heretics. She'd been briefed beforehand about the nature of the leader of Penrose's Beacon Branch. Their disappearance. Their tolerance of corruption. As much as she wished herself to directly intervene on the Ascendancy's behalf to root it out, Hudie's words dissuaded her from outright offering to handle things.
The mention of her own name sparked a glimmer in her otherwise passive eyes. Protocol. She certainly preferred things to abide by protocol. This Rachel girl was clearly joking in the way that indicated protocol wasn't always followed, something Dawn would have scorned were it not for her acute awareness of a simple fact:
Young girls with magic powers rarely followed guidelines.
Dawn sighed, shrugging her shoulders at Rachel and Hudie.
"Perhaps some context would be pertinent?" she suggested, eyes wandering to the door where Leena and FanFan had exited, "What is this unspoken quality of Leena you're throwing around? Should I be concerned about her whilst aiding her?" Speaking about another Ascendancy member as if they were a potential threat seemed all too natural for Dawn in this environment. There was, after all, no mercy for the wicked or useless. In that darkened room, in that short moment, Dawn had learned a great deal of how things would operate here.
She had no fear -she would never fall short of expectations.
A tingling in her senses drew Dawn's ear aside to the door, and moments later at the sound of someone new entering the room she stood suddenly; she knew the meaning behind this sense. In the gloom she could discern a male figure bearing a cane and pristine white clothing. There was no mistaking that style.
Aurelio, one of Sylvia's underlings.
Dawn threw an open palm out, facing it downwards. As she lifted the arm, a bright white light cut into reality before it, and slowly a massive weapon slipped through the cracks. She drew the handle with a rip, pulling her arcane sword fully out, taking care not to swipe at Rachel sitting beside her. The breadth of the weapon whooshed through the cold air as it pointed towards Aurelio threateningly.
"You should know you are not welcome here," she growled.
Name: Dawn Astraea Age: 16 Gender: Female Appearance: Dawn is a tall girl, standing at 5-foot-7 even at 16 years of age. With pure white hair and stern blue eyes she is a spitting image of the heavenly warden, both beautiful and frightening in tandem. Pride and apathy to judgement (who would have the right to judge her?) lend to a posture and wardrobe that reflect sensibility and normalcy. This, however, does not at all extend to her attire when transformed, becoming suddenly bodacious and brazen. "Deception does not befit a warrior of my quality." ...or so she says.
Specialization: [FIRE] No element represents the aims of justice more readily than that of fire. Cleansing infernos sweep aside the wicked and enact punishment upon the guilty. Dawn wields fire as both a representation and a tool to enact the virtues that her Patron requires of her. Merciless flame strikes precisely upon its target. Where agents of chaos would use fire in wide swathes, attacking with reckless abandon, Dawn's use of the element is focused and dedicated. She attacks with elementally-enhanced melee strikes to compound her similarly ferocious physical strength, and auras of heat to melt those who would strike her.
Weapon: [Mystic/Melee - Transforming Sword] Dawn's weapon serves both as the temple and the inquisition. In the form of a stave, she can exert her magical strength from afar, bringing down pillars of flame upon those deserving. As a sword, she may meet the enemy in brutal close combat.
Power: [KILLING BLOW] [Seven-fold Image of Fated Damnation] Before the presence of Dawn's ultimate magic, none deemed unjust can avoid punishment. As a halo of fire expands behind her, a great aura of heat spreads across the battlefield, striking all who look upon her. None are spared save those Dawn deems righteous and without sin. Even those who Dawn has not personally examined -ones she is unfamiliar with- will fall victim to the instantaneous combustion wrought upon their bodies. Resistance will only further the punishment.
Perks: [DUAL WEAPON] - A transforming weapon of JUSTICE. [AWARENESS] - Dawn has an acute sense for that which slinks and scurries. The wretched and perverse cannot escape her. [HEALING ARTIFACT] - Dawn's armor is, itself, a medium for healing. However, as one who extols justice and not charity or kindness, it is an effect reserved for herself, and cannot be used to aid others. [A WAY OUT] - The Beacon is aware of the complexities of justice, especially in as imperfect a thing as human society. They have been merciful to Dawn in offering her the choice to forgo her duties should she find her choices unbearable. It comes at the ultimate price, however... [ENHANCED SUSTENANCE] - The righteous do not tire. The forces of evil are many, and often do not have the same drawbacks as a mortal human. Dawn must be greater, if she is to meet them in power.
[LEITMOTIF - PLATINUM COIN] - Unique Move "Unified Vision; Assault of the Heavenly Host" Once per battle, Dawn can utilize her signature move, summoning an array of flaming swords and spears which act independently of her will. In a sense they are independent spirits, capable of their own decision-making and rational thought. She can communicate with them telepathically to offer suggestions, but they are want to act on their own more often than not. Still, they serve as powerful allies, working towards the same goal that they were initially summoned for. These weapons have physical bodies and can be clashed with, but apply magical properties to their strikes rather than mortal wounds.
Benefits: [Perfect Life] - Dawn was multiply-blessed by the Beacon in giving her new parents. Having lost her original parents, being given a new lease on life with a family was wonderful enough, but to be given such perfect ones was a miracle. [Spark] - Corrupting justice is the greatest irony. Dawn is unbelievably strong in defending against corrupting forces to her mind and body. [Physical Prowess] - Dragon slayer, demon vanquisher, inquisitor, punisher; Dawn has been gifted with the power necessary to crush those who would loom over the weak.
Drawbacks: [Vow of Justice] - Dawn extols the virtue of justice, ensuring all that she does reprimands and punishes those who would deceive, harm, and corrupt. In this she must be lawful and good herself. A difficult prospect for someone in the midst of so much chaos. [Excommunication] - As a virtue of justice, failing the baseline rules set forth by the Beacon would have her failing in every way imaginable.
Fighting Style: Unrelenting, merciless, pitiless. Dawn fights with the very fury of the heavens, never ceasing in her assault upon the enemy. To draw back or dampen her rage would be tantamount to forgiveness. When she is not slashing away in close-quarters, she is blasting her foes with unending magic-casts. Her style does not lend well to prolonged fights; indeed, she is adapted to ending things as early as possible, expending as much energy as she can from the very start to keep the opponent(s) off-balance, and to never let them regain their composure. No matter how weak the enemy, she always attacks them with the same ferocity as with the strong.
Personality: Severe, extreme, tireless. Dawn in a school uniform is but a light version of her magical-girl self. Though she conducts herself with a more mundane composure when not on the battlefield, she is nevertheless quite the party-pooper when it comes to doing things kids her age might want to be doing. Rambunctiousness is not in her vocabulary, and everything she does very much hinges on a single question: "What would my parents think?" In this, she is also an incredible student and athlete, filling her time where possible with virtuous and productive activities.
Friendship is difficult for her, ultimately welcome to relationships but, for obvious reasons, finding few who can stand up to her personality. So long as those around her are behaved, Dawn is otherwise a simply stern girl, perfectly capable of having fun and enjoying herself.
She believes herself fortunate enough to have taken a vow which she so firmly believes in; had she not been put into the shoes of a magical girl, she was adamant in pursuing a career in law and, ultimately, becoming a judge. Her obsession with justice being something others may find worrisome is often lost on her; in very few cases does she concede that maybe, just maybe, she's going a little overboard.
History: Dawn was an orphan, but not one who would let statistics and likelihoods govern her future. Even as a lonely child she was bull-headed and forceful, getting what she wanted through willpower and hard work. She broke past the shackles of an underprivileged life to be a star student throughout her education, and continues to be so in high school.
On an orphanage field trip to the west coast, Dawn encountered the strange jewel that would change her life. A crystalline blue rock, sharply cut and translucent, transformed into a suit of armor that was once the property of The Beacon. Aware of its existence, and tied to it spiritually, the Beacon opted to let her keep it, and employed her as one of their exalted in turn. She would be a figure of virtuous justice, propped upon magical fires, and defeat the enemies of the Beacon, both human and monstrous alike.
Upon her return to her home city, she was miraculously adopted by two loving parents and lives with them happily by day, moonlighting as a terrifying force against evil. She was originally living outside of Penrose, but has since moved there recently after requests by the Beacon Ascendancy to bolster their forces. She is unfamiliar with the environment and notable faces of Penrose, but is confident and excited to be a part of their mission.
Name: Dawn Astraea Age: 16 Gender: Female Appearance: Dawn is a tall girl, standing at 5-foot-7 even at 16 years of age. With pure white hair and stern blue eyes she is a spitting image of the heavenly warden, both beautiful and frightening in tandem. Pride and apathy to judgement (who would have the right to judge her?) lend to a posture and wardrobe that reflect sensibility and normalcy. This, however, does not at all extend to her attire when transformed, becoming suddenly bodacious and brazen. "Deception does not befit a warrior of my quality." ...or so she says.
Specialization: [FIRE] No element represents the aims of justice more readily than that of fire. Cleansing infernos sweep aside the wicked and enact punishment upon the guilty. Dawn wields fire as both a representation and a tool to enact the virtues that her Patron requires of her. Merciless flame strikes precisely upon its target. Where agents of chaos would use fire in wide swathes, attacking with reckless abandon, Dawn's use of the element is focused and dedicated. She attacks with elementally-enhanced melee strikes to compound her similarly ferocious physical strength, and auras of heat to melt those who would strike her.
Weapon: [Mystic/Melee - Transforming Sword] Dawn's weapon serves both as the temple and the inquisition. In the form of a stave, she can exert her magical strength from afar, bringing down pillars of flame upon those deserving. As a sword, she may meet the enemy in brutal close combat.
Power: [KILLING BLOW] [Seven-fold Image of Fated Damnation] Before the presence of Dawn's ultimate magic, none deemed unjust can avoid punishment. As a halo of fire expands behind her, a great aura of heat spreads across the battlefield, striking all who look upon her. None are spared save those Dawn deems righteous and without sin. Even those who Dawn has not personally examined -ones she is unfamiliar with- will fall victim to the instantaneous combustion wrought upon their bodies. Resistance will only further the punishment.
Perks: [DUAL WEAPON] - A transforming weapon of JUSTICE. [AWARENESS] - Dawn has an acute sense for that which slinks and scurries. The wretched and perverse cannot escape her. [HEALING ARTIFACT] - Dawn's armor is, itself, a medium for healing. However, as one who extols justice and not charity or kindness, it is an effect reserved for herself, and cannot be used to aid others. [A WAY OUT] - The Beacon is aware of the complexities of justice, especially in as imperfect a thing as human society. They have been merciful to Dawn in offering her the choice to forgo her duties should she find her choices unbearable. It comes at the ultimate price, however... [ENHANCED SUSTENANCE] - The righteous do not tire. The forces of evil are many, and often do not have the same drawbacks as a mortal human. Dawn must be greater, if she is to meet them in power.
Benefits: [Perfect Life] - Dawn was multiply-blessed by the Beacon in giving her new parents. Having lost her original parents, being given a new lease on life with a family was wonderful enough, but to be given such perfect ones was a miracle. [Spark] - Corrupting justice is the greatest irony. Dawn is unbelievably strong in defending against corrupting forces to her mind and body. [Physical Prowess] - Dragon slayer, demon vanquisher, inquisitor, punisher; Dawn has been gifted with the power necessary to crush those who would loom over the weak.
Drawbacks: [Vow of Justice] - Dawn extols the virtue of justice, ensuring all that she does reprimands and punishes those who would deceive, harm, and corrupt. In this she must be lawful and good herself. A difficult prospect for someone in the midst of so much chaos. [Excommunication] - As a virtue of justice, failing the baseline rules set forth by the Beacon would have her failing in every way imaginable.
Fighting Style: Unrelenting, merciless, pitiless. Dawn fights with the very fury of the heavens, never ceasing in her assault upon the enemy. To draw back or dampen her rage would be tantamount to forgiveness. When she is not slashing away in close-quarters, she is blasting her foes with unending magic-casts. Her style does not lend well to prolonged fights; indeed, she is adapted to ending things as early as possible, expending as much energy as she can from the very start to keep the opponent(s) off-balance, and to never let them regain their composure. No matter how weak the enemy, she always attacks them with the same ferocity as with the strong.
Personality: Severe, extreme, tireless. Dawn in a school uniform is but a light version of her magical-girl self. Though she conducts herself with a more mundane composure when not on the battlefield, she is nevertheless quite the party-pooper when it comes to doing things kids her age might want to be doing. Rambunctiousness is not in her vocabulary, and everything she does very much hinges on a single question: "What would my parents think?" In this, she is also an incredible student and athlete, filling her time where possible with virtuous and productive activities.
Friendship is difficult for her, ultimately welcome to relationships but, for obvious reasons, finding few who can stand up to her personality. So long as those around her are behaved, Dawn is otherwise a simply stern girl, perfectly capable of having fun and enjoying herself.
She believes herself fortunate enough to have taken a vow which she so firmly believes in; had she not been put into the shoes of a magical girl, she was adamant in pursuing a career in law and, ultimately, becoming a judge. Her obsession with justice being something others may find worrisome is often lost on her; in very few cases does she concede that maybe, just maybe, she's going a little overboard.
History: Dawn was an orphan, but not one who would let statistics and likelihoods govern her future. Even as a lonely child she was bull-headed and forceful, getting what she wanted through willpower and hard work. She broke past the shackles of an underprivileged life to be a star student throughout her education, and continues to be so in high school.
On an orphanage field trip to the west coast, Dawn encountered the strange jewel that would change her life. A crystalline blue rock, sharply cut and translucent, transformed into a suit of armor that was once the property of The Beacon. Aware of its existence, and tied to it spiritually, the Beacon opted to let her keep it, and employed her as one of their exalted in turn. She would be a figure of virtuous justice, propped upon magical fires, and defeat the enemies of the Beacon, both human and monstrous alike.
Upon her return to Penrose, she was miraculously adopted by two loving parents and lives with them happily by day, moonlighting as a terrifying force against evil.
Well, that wasn't entirely true, but it certainly seemed to be the case lately. It had to have been weeks since she called up Suzume or Kento for more than an idle text, but she wasn't just yet about to break that lull. Her night was spent disobeying the apartment's rules disallowing smoking on the balcony, a tradition she'd long figured out wasn't going to actually get her in trouble considering her neighbors' total lack of care.
After a simple meal, only half home-cooked, she went to bed, somewhat peaceful after her unusual encounter that day. Shaking things up, it felt, had given Mana a measure of happiness.
--------------------------------------
If it were any other street, Mana might have given the benefit of the doubt that a group of thugs' yelling and posturing was just their way of scaring a proprietor out of billing them for a large meal, but here on Niimura...?
Mana kept to herself as she strode slowly towards the verbally assaulted shopkeep, maintaining a speed slow enough that the thugs would have left in time, but not so slow it seemed she was merely watching them. A hand slipped into her hoodie front pouch, and out came a deftly lifted cigarette which she popped between her lips. Cops liked to keep smokers staying in designated areas, but they wouldn't bother her here. That her scene was able to loiter on Niimura all these years was evidence enough of that.
The man who owned the storefront there had long since gone, his business failed and replaced with the next cheap house of merchandise. She didn't know the shopkeep's name, but carried herself as if she might as well have. She knew this place like the back of her hand, even as the placards on the front of the buildings came and went.
"What was that all about?" she asked of the storekeep, her voice a tad muffled by the cigarette planted in her mouth. It bounced as her lips moved, casting tiny bits of ash onto the ground.
Mana blinked. What an equally odd name for a girl. She found herself appraising Kiwa, as if judging how likely it was for her to be stalked by someone. Given her athleticism, perhaps it was the case someone had become infatuated with success and popularity, but that was just imagination.
"Stalked hm..." Mana nodded, "Any idea by who?" she asked. Something caught in her throat, and her eyes turned to apology as she shook her head. "Ah, well I don't mean to pry or anything. Not like I'm a detective. But uh... Well this is all just a really odd situation. Probably more weird than you even know. Maybe... maybe it's important? The identity of your stalker that is." Mana considered all that was lining up in just the recent few days. It... couldn't have all been mere coincidence, right? Mana certainly wasn't immediately thinking that Kouta was stalking her for looking like Hanami but...
She couldn't deny it was in the back of her mind.
"And about that girl. Ahmya. Has anything seemed... strange about her? Anything at all?"
Forina was all for justice and mercy, but she understood just as well that being the ones to exact mercy was merely kicking the bucket down the road. However many soldiers these bandits had already slain was enough to sentence them to hanging or beheading, and all their mercy here would not change that.
And she was sure as hell not going to waste time pleading to the king to spare their lives either.
The knightess clicked her tongue before pulling out a cloth and wiping down her blade. After sheathing it, she followed Fanilly's orders and set to further securing the prisoners, moving them wherever it was they'd decided to start collecting them. All tied up, exhausted, and many wounded, Forina wasn't overtly worried that two or three soldiers could keep a good watch, but then again, the king's men had already died before to their blades.
She was inclined to go on ahead of the Captain, for fear that any traps laid out just before the bandit camp would meet the same oblivious fervor. She could preemptively stop it if she were ahead, or simply spring the trap itself with foresight of its nature. Seeing these pitiful fighters left Forina feeling confident that the coming assault would be similarly one-sided.
"We should make sure to check the bandits supplies for anything important stolen," Forina said to Fanilly, "Before we set to burning it down."
[center][youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEBNruYiLXM[/youtube]
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[i][color=#e60000]Call me:[/color][/i] Asuras
[i][color=#e60000]I like:[/color][/i] Urban Fantasy, High Fantasy, Anime Aesthetics
[i][color=#e60000]I play:[/color][/i] Anything. Mostly women.
I have a long history of GM'ing, perhaps even more than playing. I like art, and I commission a lot. D&D is my life right now.
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<div style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><div class="bb-center"><iframe src="//youtube.com/embed/yEBNruYiLXM?theme=dark" frameborder="0" width="496" height="279" allowfullscreen></iframe><br><br><hr class="bb-hr"><br><br><span class="bb-i"><font color="#e60000">Call me:</font></span> Asuras<br><br><span class="bb-i"><font color="#e60000">I like:</font></span> Urban Fantasy, High Fantasy, Anime Aesthetics<br><br><span class="bb-i"><font color="#e60000">I play:</font></span> Anything. Mostly women.<br><br>I have a long history of GM'ing, perhaps even more than playing. I like art, and I commission a lot. D&D is my life right now.</div></div>
Haha
