In this tranquil valley where one could only hear the wind rustling the leaves of nearby trees under a bright blue sky, the only movement that disturbed this lazy afternoon was that of a small furried squirrel running about. It's inquisitive nose pointing left then right ad it's quick legs brought it further and further on his dire search for food. Up and down trees, accross hills and under bushes until it stopped behind a particularily weirdly shaped hill near an old ruin. Atop the hill was a small tree bearing exactly what the critter had been looking for: berries.
Atop the hill it climbed and, quickly enough, it started making the small fruits fall down the bush. Happy as can be, the squirrel decided to eat some right now. As it did so, a sudden rumble made it stop and look around but there was nothing. However, suddenly, a second rumble of the earth took it by surprise. Shook, it jumped right off the hill. yet, as it did so the small critter came face to face with something unexpected.
A great eye. It's iris was golden as the sun and a vertical lizard-like pupil was enough to make the squirrel drop it's food and scurry away. Suddenly, the once tranquil landscape came to life. The earth bent and cracked and the roots of the tree atop the hill snapped as it seemed to come to life and rise up. Once the dust and earth settled down, in place of the hill stood what seemed like an actual Dragon. Almost as soon as it had stood up though, a flash of light and fire erupted and the dragon changed from to that a pale skinned woman that immediately took as loud yawn, as if nothing had just happened.
"Huh? Where are the others? Wait... did I fall asleep? Aww... Shizuka'll be annoyed again."
Just as the girl let out a sigh, wings appeared from her lower back and in one great jump, she took flight.
Golden horns sprout from Tomi's locks of blond hair. Her eyes, the color of wealth, betray her origins as a Gold Dragon. The era of great flying scaly lizards is long gone, and nowadays, people encounter Tomi in the guise of a pale-skinned, medium-sized monster girl with a formidable tail covered in iron-strong scales. Most of the time, she prefers minimal clothing or, to be precise, lazy attire, opting for a veil or loose clothing. However, if necessity arises, Tomi dons golden scale-like armor over her arms, legs, shoulders, and chest, leaving her belly area exposed. This armor seems to appear at will, most similar to the pair of dragon wings that seamlessly materialize and disappear from her lower back.
Personality Tomi embodies laziness, finding solace in the embrace of sleep and activities that demand minimal effort. While the majority of dragons exude an arrogant air toward others, Tomi predominantly adopts an uninterested stance in most matters — except when it comes to treasures and what she deems significant. Despite the potential perception of arrogance stemming from her indifferent approach, it doesn't imply any malicious intent. Rather, it is an inherent aspect of her nature, for dragons are fundamentally guided by instinct more than many other monsters.
Abilities
Dragon Wings - Tomi has seemingly no wings, but can make them appear or disappear from her lower back and take flight if necessary. An ability born from dragon natural abilities mixed with a bit of magic.
Inferno - No surprises here to anyone who's ever stepped outside or read a book - as other members of her species, Tomi has access to her fire breathing ability. Whether in human or dragon form, her breath seem to have the same destructive power. However it also takes a toll on Tomi, making her very tired...like most other actions she does.
Immense Strength - Perhaps less spread among all species of dragons, Tomi is incredibly strong physically. All dragons are strong and intelligent, but Tomi - or perhaps gold dragons, as she never met another - has access to incredible strength when she feels like putting effort into it.
Dragon Form - As most people are probably aware of due to their original power levels, dragons have not completely fallen under the spell of the New Demon Lord. That is to say, they retained the ability to temporarily change back to their dragon form from before the new Demon Lord took over. This is not often used, unless in dire danger or to carry treasures - any treasures - back to their lair with ease.
Background Tomi was born as a dragon monster girl. The first few years of her life were spent with what she guessed was her mother, but ended up quickly being left on her own as was probably custom for Gold Dragons. With the instincts kicking in, she did not struggle that much to carve a place for herself in the wilderness. Life was incredibly lonely, but she actually did not mind it at all and was content with her lot, not even imagining for a second that there could be more to life than this - which was, living as an absolute Ruler of the Earth on anything inside her immediate territory.
Indeed, for it is possible for a dragon to never meet, or mate, with a human male for their whole life contrary to some other monsters. One day, though, Tomi learned of the fate that would befall her if that was to happen and did not exactly enjoy the fact. That is exactly why she made the trip. One day, after she had killed off a few would-be dragon slayers, the still alive 'intellectual' of the group threatened her by telling her what would happen if she was to stay around here all her life. Tomi did not believe at first, and set out to do some research which included books, libraries and maybe even speaking to other dragon monster girls. Sadly - or not, depending on your position on this whole monster girl business - what the man had said was true. Annoyed but determined, Tomi left her territory to seek a mate. Not anyone would do, though, as it would have to be a worthy human male that stroke her fancy.
Her travels and goal were what led her, one way or another, to Shizuyama Island.
Quote: And here I was having such a nice, long nap... what is all this then? Are you the ones I - is that an icicle?
While not laughing as they were making their mad dash to locations unknown through the night, Sayuri still found herself smiling as they finally stopped and everyone was catching their breath. The smile turned into a laugh that accompanied Suna. Though Homura and herself may condone Suna's earlier act - and though many at their age would deny it - they were still kids after all.
They had landed in a place that was not made for young adults, some might argue. Others would tell you that young adults were the number one customers of such a place, and that's just the nature of youth. However, the trio of friends were not here to take advantage of all this district's businesses - only the food, apparently.
Sayuri, having her own idea of where that coin purse came from, shook her head at the invitation, "No, thanks. I shouldn't be surprised this is your go-to place, Nonsuch, shouldn't I?" she'd add, with a sigh. Suna definitely, didn't answer to the usual criteria of a shining hero fighting for light and hope. The blond girl walked beside the vending machine, laying her back against it while the two others were making their transactions.
"Isn't it beautiful??" Sayui would answer to Homura's question first part, about the town. "I grew up here, pretty much. It's generally peaceful, and it looks great in the spring! But it has its flaws...and you saw some of them tonight." Kaeru's voice lost its usual peppy tone as the subject turned to the dark girls' club.
"The Depression Club. Or Detention Club, as they like to call their little therapy group. They are like us... or at least they were, but for some reason all of them decided to give up trying to make this world better and are in it only for themselves. They are led by the biggest Scrooge of them all, Schrade. Real name Rei Ishiko - we met a couple of times through our families business. A real downer night or day."
For the first time since Homura met Sayuri, her expression turned sour and her true feelings towards those that had fallen was made all too apparent, the voice even gaining some tinge of hate. Suna would not have seen Kaeru or Sayuri with such an expression often, either. "They still fight the Miseria, but make no mistake - they are not our friends. As far as I'm concerned, they are worse than the Miseria itself. Were you to tell me they are part of the reason why so much of it show up around here, I wouldn't be surprised one bit."
Sayuri's smile remained even though her eyes shifted to that of a confused person listening to Homura's logic about the recent events. It made sense the girl felt that way, but she had no idea that the Detention Club existed. Sayuri could only imagine the level of confusion she was in. She actually felt bad for the new arrival. Having faced what Sayuri deemed the darkest part of Hibusa town.
"...What?" the girl mumbled before motioning with both hands to stop, agitating them frantically as she answered; "No, no, no you got it all wrong! They started the fight... besides, you helped! You took some of them away, didn't you? You and Suna here--" as Sayuri was saying Suna's name and pointed to her was the exact moment the glass broke. Sayuri's stare went to the glass, then back at Suna with a Why? expression.
Both Sayuri and Homura had a near identical reaction. Sayuri's echoed Homura. "Yeah - you can't do that?!" but to no avail. Their friend was already making her escape. The blond girl turned to some of the friends she came in with, who gave her back an amused look and motioned for her to go.Aww...Damnit!. She then followed suit to Homura, herself chasing Suna.
"You bet your ass I will! Get back here - we spoke about this already!"
Some passed between Kaeru being able to escape the Depression Club members and her arriving into the mountain surrounding the town where she was supposed to find Homura. She was now sitting down on a rock, surrounded by croacking frogs, looking bored with her head resting onto her fist - just like her evening had begun. Neither the new girl nor any of Shrade's cronies were anywhere to be found, although some of her amphibians friends with kisses markings had a story to tell about that.
Kaeru had a laugh with them, taking in the serenity and calmness of the forest's night air before standing up, stretching, and getting a move on. Her friends dispersing in the surrounding woods.
--------------------------------
Sayuri would later arrive in the arcade herself - certainly not out of coincidence - and accompanied. Surrounded by a few of her friends she ran into while coming here, they entered while talking, laughing and just generally having a good time before Sayuri bid them to wait a moment as she spotted some old friends she just had to get back in touch with. The bright eyed girl then walked up to sad looking untransformed Nonsuch and their possible new friend. Compared to her hammer-wielding counterpart, Sayuri all colors and smiles. Her bright blond hair were complemented by brightly colored ribbons that matched her clothing's accessories. She approached the duo with a genuine happy air about her that was a perfect antithesis to Suna's more gloomy air.
"Heeey!" she immediately took Suna in her arms as if they had known each other forever. Although not having necessarily been close friends in their everyday life, they certainly had much in common considering their extra curricular activities. As did they with Lycoris.
"So sorry we were separated !" she said to Homura, although also appropriate for Nonsuch considering what happened earlier... before her eyes fell onto the machine they were gathered in front of and it suddenly hit Sayuri...
Himea deflected Bakegama's spear with her own scepter while stepping aside. So, the wanna-be victorian noble knew the basics of hand to hand battle - which, by all accounts, shouldn't have been surprising considering both of them were summoners and that Kaeru would probably soon show off her own hand to hand capacity. Or she should have liked to, but she instead had to duck out of the way of an incoming projectile aiming for her that looked like...a hat?
She saw what probably was Himea's partner land close by, which would most likely complicate things. "You girls like to talk, but can you even back it up?"
Things then happened in quick succession.
When Shatterscape landed behind Bakegama, her metal gauntlets were struck aside by a shield of unknown origin to Kaeru - she couldn't worry about it for now, though. Having spotted the gauntlet wielding magical girl chasing, and seeing this new opening from an unexpected ally, Kaeru waited at just the right moment to channel her magic and jump up to launch herself over the shield and begin her attack. At the same time Bakegama, not easily fooled it seemed, thrusted his two-forked spear downward, trying to catch Himea's scepter into the ground all while using it's Gong shield to slam into Shatterscape and push her backward. It's tongue emerged and rose into the skies where it reached it's master and, in a whip-like fashion, sent Kaeru flying. The frog maiden crashed feet first into the would be attacking Bishop, probably sending it crashing and slide across the floor, Kaeru herself riding it for a few meters before she was about to make another move, but...
Bonk
"What the...?"
The world narrowed down to just the girl standing now before Sayuri. She held a violin, which was probably just used to hit her with.
"...Who are you?"
“I promise it’s nothing personal. I just needed to get your attention! I believe you’re in danger, and kind of surrounded. I could help you, you know and make this a fairer fight!”
Sayuri looked at Willow for a solid second, head to feet and back again. Did she see her hanging out with Rei...? Possibly. One thing was for certain; staying here any longer was bad news. With Nonsuch nowhere in sight and the new girl Sayuri needed to reach soon, she was hopelessly outnumbered. This violinist help, while dubious at best, at least gave Kaeru a good opportunity at making a clean exit and sparing her near certain harm.
"Sounds cute and all - but I'm not much of a musician myself you see? My friend, however..."
Just then, the Yokai frog took what seemed like a deep breath and unleashed an attack in the form of an impossibly loud croaking sound that was meant to disrupt the girls nearest to him. It was so loud and abrupt, it would push them back and force them to cover their ears for a second, allowing Kaeru to mount back onto her summon, Bakegama taking a leap backward and out of harm's way at first...
"Thank you all for the exercise. Someone has entered my domain and I need to see to my guests so I'll leave you to your club's activities now. See ya around!"
...then it launched itself into the skies so she'd leave the same way she arrived, leaving not only Himea's scepter stuck into the ground beneath the spear, but also a cheeky memento in the form of a Frog atop her head, lazily croaking. How did it even got there?!
Enough distractions. Rei was right about one thing; the mountains were hers. Evil eye wasn't the only ones with spies at her disposition, and at least one pair of small, bulging eyes were stuck onto Homura, hidden nearby.
Yui immediately regretted stepping forward and speaking out loud - as she knew she would. However, she was now enough of an adult to realize sometimes it was necessary to put yourself in such uncomfortable situation...and yet.
"W-what?" she said as if pulled back from within the confines of her own wandering mind. Her world focus was taken from the fairy and locked onto Izumi. "What are you s-saying, Nōno-san?! No, of course not! That would be r-ridiculous..." she said, and then lower and lower as kept speaking more for herself then her peers; "...It would make no sense, right? And b-beside, it was so long ago a-and... it wasn't for that long, so... ᵃⁿᵈ ᶦᵗ ʷᵃˢ ᶦⁿ ᵃⁿᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ᵗᵒʷⁿ ᵃⁿʸʷᵃʸ..."
But that is beyond the point! Right? If there is one student at risk - or anyone really - and we may be able to do something about it, then is it not our duty to try? As you all so well said already... isn't it our duty as teachers?!
Yes. The mentally prepared sentence was perfect. it explained Yui's deep down emotions with conviction and certainty. Surely, it would demonstrate, at least, she stood right there beside her colleagues.
"But t-that--" her trembling voice barely made it past that before Izumi answered with a firm 'I'm in.' An incredulous Yui looked at her for a second before composing herself. In truth, Izumi said exactly what Yui wanted - albeit in a much shorter and to the point format. Still, she briefly turned to Amber.
"Thank you, Bianchi-sama!" she said in a short breath after hearing her propose to take her shift. it was probably answered by a thumbs up or something of the sort without Amber ever even looking up. It did not matter that Amber knew exactly nothing of what was happening and being discussed; she suggested to help, so Yui thanked her automatically before turning back to the matter at hand.
As she did so, her heat skipped a beat as she moved in trying to protect the Fairy with her hands from an axe wielding Andrew. "W-wait please n-no!" she said as if her hands would even stop the axe from reaching the fairy. When she opened her eye she was met by Andrew probably giving her a puzzled look before saying his piece. "Oh..."
Just as surprised she turned to Hata, their resident senior and Geography teacher whom Yui respected accordingly. "A-are you sure?" It wasn't that she didn't want to take the offer, but... more likely, Yui was worried due to Hata's age. Warranted or not.
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BrokenPromise
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