Nanaya

Iris Ascendis

@Sifr@ERode@Estylwen@Psyker Landshark

CAMPUS GROUNDS, FOREST

Thwack.

The sound of impact against flesh rang out as Hildegunde's bullet pierced through the shadowy chest of the beast. It didn't seem to react to this, and its exterior showed no signs of damage - or so it appeared, at least, until blood trickled through the hazy coating of the wolf. Its grey orbs studied this for a moment, bearing its fangs as it acknowledged the liquid life exiting its torso, before turning its attention upward towards Otis. Dashing to the side closer to Hildegunde to avoid the Strigidae's bullet, it stopped in its tracks to look away when the flash of light struck, growling. Reacting with split second timing, it burst into pursuit the moment the flash had faded enough to give way to vision once more, galloping towards Hildegunde to swing its blade at her while once more firing black arrows from its torso towards Otis that seemed partially coated in blood from its wound.

"Surrender? Escape? Hah! The fleeting reverie of youth is surely the sweetest salvation. Green gills breed ills."

Were Otis to defend against the arrows, he would find them breaking apart against his barrier with some kind of dark liquid beginning to burn at his barrier like some kind of acid. If he dodged, he would find this same process occur to the first thing that the arrows would hit instead, coating parts of the surrounding area in a dark acidic substance.

The beast would continue to hungrily pursue Hildegunde with slashes of its blade and swipes of its claws as its blood leaked onto the soil. It hadn't seemed to register its own impending danger should others acknowledge the beacon, entirely focused on its prey as it pursued the hunter and shot at the owl.

---

@AThousandCurses

CAMPUS GROUNDS, LEYLINE ATTUNEMENT ZONE

"My thoughts on 'em? Well, er..."

Emelie turned to observe the duo's standoff against the Leuvalt heir, trying and failing to conceal and remove a look of pity and concern for Chunji in the process from his story. She gazed at each of them for a moment, furrowing her brow, before returning her attention towards Chunji. The pitiable look was still there, but she cocked a half-smile to further hide it, since it appeared her fellow occultist had no intention of acknowledging it for the traumatic experience it was. Indeed, a diversion of the topic proved the best course of action, most likely. She wasn't a therapist.

"We've been acquainted, if ye could call it tha'. A minor kerfuffle here or there, but nothin' to where I can say anythin' special, o' course. Lotsa special folk here, can't remember every gosh dang one, y'know? But..."

Trailing off, one hand gripping her cane tighter, she looked off towards the situation between them once more.

"Wish I could be more like 'em, I think. Walkin' up to the big weight-thrower himself and pokin' noses. It'd be nice to have the courage to poke noses."

After another moment, it all happened so fast that it nearly made Emelie's head spin. The activation of an ethos and the duo taking flight caused shrieks and screams to appear from nearby students in the clusters gathered, including a few of Valen's own semi-circle, observing them shoot into the distance to another part of campus further north. Some whispered about disrespectful delinquents skipping the ceremony, while others gazed on in concern as if wondering if an emergency came up. For Emelie's part, she hyperventilated for a moment on uneasy legs before returning to regular breath, a hand on her chest as if to steady her very heart. She'd turn to Chunji, pale as a sheet.

"Speakin' of, what was tha' all about?! Your friends got summin' goin' on that requires that blitzin' speed? I near took a tumble!"

She leaned on her cane and sighed, concern once more taking over her features. Nearby, another student among a group could be seen taking to the skies, albeit with a much softer exit to avoid startling others around him, and began flying in the direction that Iraleth and Ciara had hurtled towards. He was much slower, however. If Chunji had spared a gaze, Rio could also be seen nearby walking away from the ceremony grounds, though not in the same direction as the airborne students.

Iris Ascendis

Man, it hasn't even felt that long since it started. That's crazy.

Iris Ascendis

@Sifr@ERode

CAMPUS GROUNDS, FOREST

Obsidian death met sturdy rock an instant before impact with its original target, leaving Chloe kneeling with her eyes nearly bulging out of her sockets and with breathing soon to become closer to hyperventilation. The moment death was avoided, Hildegunde in front of her, Chloe's arms fell to her sides, the swirling wall of wind dissipating immediately as her eyes began to fall shut. It was in the next moment that Otis arrived, and as she was shoved inside the doorway, her last utterance before disappearing to the other side was a meek, "My apologies..."

A snarl emerged from the bushes across from the owl and hunter, as the sound of metal scraping and dragging across dirt and twigs echoed out from inside the bushes where it hid. "I suppose there isn't much else for it, then," the being muttered, its uneven rasp contemplative. "Too much noise now, to where children drop from the sky. Annoying!"

Bursting out of the bushes was a shadowy canine with what appeared to be a longsword attached to its tail - or perhaps it simply was its tail. It was featureless, cloaked in shadowy mist in the shape of a wolf, apart from the grey wisps that functioned as eyes. It leapt over the earthen barrier and descended quickly towards Hildegunde, its blade-tail aiming to cleave into her with downward force. At the same time as its direct attack towards the hunter, more of those dark arrows would loose themselves from the creature's stomach, firing off towards Otis.

---

@AThousandCurses@Estylwen@Psyker Landshark

CAMPUS GROUNDS, LEYLINE ATTUNEMENT ZONE

"Oho?"

That was the only sound that escaped Valen's mouth as events transpired, his steely ember glare continuing to focus towards Ciara. Ozhiah, off to the side, had reached into his left pants' pocket in a blink as the girl raised her sword, but stopped upon seeing that things had not progressed further. He grit his teeth as if he were personally insulted by the threat, though said nothing and soon stood at ease. The Leuvalt heir, for his part, scoffed with a soft exhale through his nose as Ciara finished. "For one of your ilk, I would advise a search for inner peace. With the turmoil that plagues you, plain as day, your blade would not manage to strike true towards those that serve me, much less myself. Your sword is a construct of plastic, when held with hesitancy. You stand as a slave to emotion."

The scarlet noble would use one hand to run through his hair, and the other to raise towards Ozhiah and others that grouped around him, and in doing so, quell the building frustration upon their faces upon Ciara's actions and Iraleth's comments. Then, his burning irises set upon the paladin. "When the time comes when you are deemed worthy, I will allow any number of my inferiors to face my power simultaneously, such that their combined efforts produce the miracle of equality. Thankfully, you will all have an agonizingly long time to strategize and ponder on such things. Perhaps, even, post-graduation - well into our professional years."

This statement would result in some chuckles from those around him, and a small clap and chortle from Ozhiah, mouthing the word 'splendid' a few paces behind Valen. The Leuvalt would not seem to take any kind of satisfaction in this, ignoring their existences and merely waiting for them to be silent before waving his hand outwardly in dismissal towards Ciara and Iraleth. "Now, I trust that concludes our business at this ceremony. You must understand that I value the final moments of preparation more than anything else. I bestow upon you both my blessing to take leave."

Close by, Emelie's eyes narrowed in concern as Chunji spoke of recent events. She didn't comment on much of it apart from nervous chuckles, perhaps not even expecting the boy to elaborate in any real capacity in the first place. This troubled look faded, however, when the topic took a hard turn towards the leylines running through Wingram. "Mmmmm..." Finger to chin as she stared at the ground, then at the sky, then at Chunji, taking many beats to figure out what to say. As she leaned on her cane, her eyes drifted once more towards the ground near the pillar.

"Sour. The whole dang thing comes off as sour. An' I don't mean the good kind that's all gummy 'n gooey like those weird little alchemical candies in the capital. Sour like... expired milk or maggoty cheese. Somethin' about it just comes off as weird, y'know? I know Strigari Academy's got a similar kinda leyline convergence set up like this, buuuut... I dunno, I ain't quite able ta explain it."

A shrug and a shudder betray some level of discomfort, her body turning away from the pillar. Eager to change the subject, she immediately latched onto Chunji's other question.

"Yeah, an' the primal leyline just wasn't callin' for me either, truth be told. I guess it just ain't for us, huh? Couple o' occultists, us! Hehe."

The pale girl turned to fully face Chunji, her expression brightening. She pointed her cane at Chunji's feet and looked at him curiously, tension from the prior topic removed. "And if that's what the two o' us are, I s'pose an exchange of superstitions is in order, just for fun. In your life, from what you recall, have you ever accidentally worn your socks inside out?"

If he would respond, she would continue, explaining, "In the village I grew up in, they always said that everybody is born on the right path for themselves. But the moment they wear their socks inside out, they'll inevitably take a wrong turn on their fated path, 'n stray towards a worse life. An' the more they wore their socks wrong, the worse their future would get, an' the farther from the best version o' themselves they'd become."

She'd giggle and shrug, exclaiming, "And as a result, so many people that I knew growin' up would just stick to sandals or go barefoot! Buncha weirdos, I swear. Love 'em, though. How 'bout you?"

Iris Ascendis

Next round in the morning!

Iris Ascendis

@Sifr What's your status lookin' like at the moment?

Iris Ascendis

@Estylwen

From Ozhiah she would see a murky grey, closer to the average but somewhat aligned towards dark. From Valen, she would behold an absolute abyssal blackness fit to dwarf perhaps most she had ever laid eyes on, in terms of alignment towards darkness.

Iris Ascendis

I post with the power of cough syrup and Pepsi to strengthen me.

Iris Ascendis

@Sifr

CAMPUS GROUNDS, FOREST

Chloe at first froze, but began to move when she saw Hildegunde's concern for her. She was lagging behind, clearly not as physically fit as perhaps anyone else in their class, and struggled to sprint in the torn dress that was quickly becoming closer to dirty rags. Even so, she ran, continuing to shout for the pursuer to stop. Eventually, it began to fire these arrows towards the frill-elf as well, which were only just barely dodged or would only graze her Personal Barrier as she fled. It was unclear how, but the creature appeared to be able to loose the arrows at each of the two girls simultaneously, growing in speed as the chase continued. It snapped and snarled hungrily from under the cover of bushes and trees as it gained speed, its breath quickening with adrenaline. "Succumb," it would growl, as a new volley of arrows launched forth.

This particular volley broke through Chloe's already diminished defenses, cutting through her barrier and slashing at her ankles. "Aghhh," she would screech as she tumbled to the cobblestone ground, focusing her Personal Barrier almost fully into her hands as she defended against yet another volley of arrows that seemed to now focus on her far more than Hildegunde. "I'm sorry, Rio... and..."

Her eyes would begin to close as her barrier weakened, breaking piece by piece to the arrows as cuts and burns began to appear upon Chloe's skin - the signs of rebound becoming all too apparent with her last burst in an attempt to survive. The next volley would be on its way shortly, this time fully focused on the half conscious half-elf.

---

@AThousandCurses@Estylwen@Psyker Landshark@ERode

CAMPUS GROUNDS, LEYLINE ATTUNEMENT ZONE

The awkward shuffling of feet and avoidance of gaze from those gathered near Valen spoke more than any response ever could. A few muttered weak defenses here or there, before from the gathering, a projectile of spit splattered on the concrete near Iraleth's feet. Stepping out in front of Valen to stare at Iraleth and Ciara was a pale boy in raggedy clothing, with dull eyes that rarely seemed to blink. Valen's expression remained neutral as he took in the words of those who approached him, only briefly looking over at the gi-clad boy who stepped in.

"Leuvalt casted pearls before swine - to most, and to you. While you saw cruelty or murderous intent, we few who dared accept our fate would bear witness to true genius. It was all but a test in the end, and Leuvalt of course never intended to end anyone's life. I suppose only some could see that, though," the unblinking boy would finally speak in monotone, the others behind him seeming to devolve into a mixture of uncertain head nods and reluctant compliance. "All with the perception to see such things differently than they appear will find the spark of ambition, you see. It can sometimes require the flames of certain death to see what one lives for."

With neither acknowledgement or agreeance of his defender's words, Valen would turn his head back between Ciara and Iraleth slowly, then place a hand upon the grey one's shoulder. "That is enough, Ozhiah. Not all can understand, nor should they be expected to. While true glory can only be obtained by those who lead, those like them - those that follow and cling to the conventional - may still find a lesser shine to give their existences meaning. It is no more pitiable, in the end, than watching a domesticated animal live and die in their enclosure."

Ozhiah would step to the side with a nod, pacing backwards with his hands clasped behind his back while facing the pair he had preached to.

"It matters not what I enjoy, all I meet eventually grow dim in my shadow or lose themselves in the dark world it creates for them. While unfortunate to admit, all exist under my thumb from birth," Valen would continue as he shifted from one foot to another, crossing his arms as he stared into Ciara. "It would be best that you both take heed in such truths for the future, as there will be no hesitation should we find ourselves opposed. The humiliation will be far less, would you accept your place in the hierarchy."

Nearby, Chunji would hear the sound of slower footsteps and clashing of wood against stone from behind. Emelie would limp over to him with the same brittle oak cane, looking sickly as ever with a smile much to the contrary. "Checking out the leylines early, huh? I getcha, I'm the same. It's nice to get acquainted with yer surroundings sooner 'n later," she would muse, following a joyful sigh as she stared over at nearby ongoings. "But still, sometimes ye gotta see what's goin' on right in front of ye, right? Take a gander o'er there, look at those wee kittens puffin' their fur like issa war of the worlds."

With her cane, she would direct Chunji towards the scene of Valen engaged with Iraleth and Ciara, chuckling as she took it in. "Can't say I know where they get their energy from. Youth, I s'pose. How 'bout you? Any grand rivalries like they're all wafflin' about? How's your first day in Compact 3 treatin' ye?"

From Otis' Adapa, he would hear an odd notification sound - as if his Adapa were defending against a foreign essence that then proceeded to rip through the baseline defenses, allowing a message through from someone who was not properly added as a contact. It simply read, "The two are in danger along the forest path. Best find them quick, dear Seeker."

As soon as the message was received and acknowledged, it would erase itself just as quickly, with the sound of crackling static overtaking as it did so.

Iris Ascendis

Came down with a really tiring allergy/flu combo that's been keeping me low energy, but I'll try to get something out later tonight.

Iris Ascendis

Next round tomorrow morning!