rokubiraijuu

For the first time in as long as can be remembered, Beatrix is quiet. Subdued, even. She seems overwhelmed, eyes darting over everything in sight and expression tense. She barely even seems to notice her impromptu allies around her. Opus... Maybe the sword at her hip feels a little heavier than usual. Or maybe she's just imagining things, making up nonsense in her stress. Nothing feels right. She's nowhere near as confident and hopeful as she thought she would be, stepping onto these shores. Shouldn't this be exciting, for her to finally be here? But she surprises herself; usually intrepid and adventurous, no obstacle standing in her way too great to dull her temerity, this time she only feels uncertainty. "So close to the Opus court..."

(...) Cheat Sheet:

Naomi's blast of light magic sends the archer into a stunned retreat as well. [ ENEMY PHASE ] Knight 1 to P12 and attacks Kris. Armor clanking, the guard takes a strike at Kris, managing to land a blow despite her agility. Though she tries to strike back, her knife only glances off the metal. Soldier 5 to Q15 and attack Kerr. Kerr manages to evade the incoming attack and retaliate with a sound one of his own. Soldier 2 to R14, attack Kerr. Another spearman tries his hand and has better luck, dueling Kerr at close range. Knight 3 to S15. Futch to Q16, attack Dulcie with Hatchet, Canto to T16. From over the mountaintop, a shadow descends in the shape of a large white dragon. A single hatchet blow drops Dulcibella to the dirt. Fighter 8 to S16. Merc 6 to R17. Fighter 7 to T12. Knight 2 to U12. Merc 5 to U13. Knight 4 to X14. Archer 7 to X15. Soldier 6 to W15. [ ALLIED PHASE ] The beginning of this mock battle hadn't been too difficult, but it seemed Futch and his men were really putting on the pressure now. It's now or never. Move to R13, attack Soldier 2, Canto to R10. Turn 10 [ PLAYER PHASE ] Argos recovers 2 HP. Cheat Sheet:

(...) Kris' attack manages to spook the horse enough that it bolts, rider still attached. A ways further south, Dulcibella's arrow strikes another horseman, forcing him to retreat. Cheat Sheet:

A swift follow-up from Michi leaves the horseman even worse for wear. Cheat Sheet:

"Ah—?" Gabriel draws up short at the sight of the lion tamer, though by all accounts it seemed inaccurate to call her that, somehow. In these ten years, he's come to realize just how fortunate he and his troupe are. Benediche is no saint, but there are too many accounts of lion tamers with far crueler, even sadistic, tastes for him not to count his blessings all the same. Some in the troupe have warned him never to trust a lion tamer, no matter how nice, just like slaves would never trust a master, no matter how kind. But Benediche once came from the same world as them, and that had to count for something, didn't it? He chooses to believe so. "Oh, sure." Hm... as soon as her back is turned and he follows behind her, he can't help but frown. Had he done something wrong? Her tone hadn't seemed particularly severe. He supposes he'll find out soon enough. As soon as they step into her office and he takes a few seconds to find someplace to stand amidst what bit of floor space remains in the cramped, musty space far too small to call a room, he braces himself internally for whatever might come, eyes large and curious. "Is there something going on?"

Ceridwen and Ynddi descend on the horseman. Her lance deals a sizable blow to the man, who manages to get past her reach and retaliate with a smaller one of his own. Cheat Sheet:

(...) Cheat Sheet:

Rhian's bolt clips the cavalier, injuring him. A blast of Fallon's dark magic heavily winds the other horseman. Cheat Sheet:

[ TRAINEE LEVEL 3 ] Verden

[ ENEMY PHASE ] Cav 7 to O15 and attack Dulcibella, Canto to P15. Riding up from the east, the lance horseman takes a strike at the archer. Cav 8 to P12 and attack Argos, Canto to P13. The next horseman seems as if he's going to go after the axeman, but instead rides past him to strike at the injured Argos instead. Caught off guard, he misses his counterstrike. Cav 6 to P12 and attack Argos. The last remaining horseman follows up on his partner's blow, bringing Argos to his knees. Archer 3 to T11 and attack Kerr. An archer takes a potshot at Kerr from a distance. Soldier 2 to S11 and attack Kerr. A spearman comes in to try his hand, but both he and Kerr seem off their mark, spears glancing off each other. "Sir, behind the hills! It's the Guard!" "Well, good to see they made it this far." Retrieving his axe from its place on Bright's side, Futch takes the reins in the other. "Come on, buddy. Time to go." The rare albino dragon unfurls his wings and gives a low screeching cry before lifting into the air. "All perimeter units, forward! Don't hold back!" Archer 6 to R14 and attack Michi. The archer rushes forward, but his footing is unsteady in the rocky hillslope and he eats a spell for his effort. Knight 1 to R13. Soldier 5 to S13. Futch to S16. Fighter 7 to W13. Knight 2 to X13. Merc 5 to X14. Knight 3 to T16. Fighter 8 to T17. Merc 6 to U17. Knight 4 to X18. Soldier 6 to W19. Archer 7 to X19. [ ALLIED PHASE ] "Dragon's teeth... Don't let your guards down, everyone, and hang in there!" Move to T10 and attack Archer 3, Canto to R10. Turn 9 [ PLAYER PHASE ] Cheat Sheet:

Michi sends a fireball the way of the horseman, startling his mount, which rears up and neighs loudly. Cheat Sheet:

Johanna frowns slightly and looks down. "Well, to be honest..." She seems like she's about to say something, but instead lifts her head back up to look out over the battlefield. Her words trail off. Now isn't the time or place for this, and whether she likes it or not, she is the acting commander here now. That comes with stipulations all its own. She puts what she hopes is a reassuring smile back on. "Anyway, I appreciate it, but Johanna's fine. I wouldn't ask any of the others to call me by a title, either."

"Ceridwen! You.. don't have to call me that," she says with a little laugh. "Just 'Johanna' is fine." She can't help but feel a little weird and alienated by 'ma'am', especially since she's not much older than the junior rider, if she remembers right. And of all the people in this new Guard, in many ways Ceridwen is closest to what she's familiar and comfortable with. "Don't put so much distance between us, okay?"

Sweat, old cedar, and a particular, unidentifiable odor that an old coworker of his had called 'the stink of fucking exhaustion that's always in this kind of work' surround him as he eases himself onto a bench in one of the storage rooms where they made and held props and other paraphernalia used for shows. A quiet, heavy breath leaves him, and he closes his eyes to rest them for a brief moment. Outside, the others are taking their few minutes of respite to get a drink of water or exchange the same complaints about their backbreaking work schedule that everyone knew and lived. He has to admit that these limited minutes of quiet, away from the activity and — often — chaos of his work help keep him on his feet the long hours from dawn until well past sundown. He and the others have spent since sunrise in glamour, just like the day before, and countless ones before that. His own small abilities to alter minutiae of appearance have been stretched to their limit and then some, and the drain is wearing at his mind and body. And then there was the issue with the costuming that had surfaced this afternoon, and everyone had been in a panic at the realization that they would have to put in an order for new apparel. Unfortunately, where that kind of managerial, financial strain came into this industry, panic often turned quickly to desperation and anger. Explosive arguments within the troupe weren't uncommon... Rubbing his temples, Gabriel wished, not for the first time, that he were able to do something to help other than try and diffuse people's tempers. If his magic was strong enough that he could alter an individual's entire appearance, from head to toe! Wouldn't that be something. There would be no need for costuming worries at all. The ringing of the bell distracts him from getting lost in his own daydreams of grandeur, which is likely for the best, as he's been told before he's liable to venture too far into the land of romantic ideals, a place ironically unsuited for someone in his line of work. For all the fantasies and dreams that magicians project for the public... or maybe it is because of that very nature of his work that makes him so inclined to fancy. Voices from the hallway outside signal the reluctant assembly of the other troupe members, and he pushes to his feet again, ignoring the way the world pitches a little about him, stars sprinkling the edges of his vision. He'd best get going too, though with the troupe morale at the low that it is currently, he can't imagine they'll make much more headway into their rehearsal today. Pulling his mask back over his face and adjusting the cool black fabric over his eyes, he steps out to rejoin the others.

Fallon fires off a blast of dark magic at the archer. The moment allows Michi to duck in to deliver the finishing blow, forcing the archer to retreat. [ ENEMY PHASE ] Cav 7 to R14. Cav 8 to S13. Cav 5 to S10. Cav 6 to S12. Soldier 2 to U11. Archer 3 to X11. [ ALLIED PHASE ] "Here they come." Johanna sits up straighter in her saddle, this time taking a bit more time to look around and gauge her options despite the impulse telling her that the most helpful thing would be to strike hard and fast at the nearest enemy to lighten the burden on her allies. Many before had told her that's not always the case, but she supposes old habits die hard. There are archers close by, too, so she can't afford to just charge in like last time. "I'll hold off up north." Move to R10 and attack Cav 5, Canto to Q11. TURN 8 [ PLAYER PHASE ] Argos heals 2 HP. Cheat Sheet:

She looks down at him again, surprised that he'd remembered something she'd said. I said that? Even though she knows the words came out of her mouth, they sounded like something someone else, someone much more impressive, would've said. But she smiles, a little sheepish to be told this by those she's supposed to lead. "...Right." She turns to look back out over the hills so that he might not see her uncertainty. Those in command need to be strong and certain, or risk losing the faith of their men. Would you follow a commander who did not seem sure of themselves? No, she wouldn't. "Thank you again. You're Kerr, right? I can hear another unit of horsemen approaching. We should get ready to meet them."

Though she's a little ways away, Johanna, keeping on the lookout for any other approaching enemies, doesn't miss the brief interaction between Fallon and the... girl. The little light mage... what's her name? She's too far -- and the wind is blowing in the other direction -- to hear what's being said, but the body language and look of concern on Fallon's face is enough. Suddenly, what small guilt she'd felt at blanking on the girl's name is eclipsed by something sharp and intangible in her stomach. Johanna quickly looks away, bewildered and annoyed by... what she'd seen? Her instinctive reaction? Thankfully, a nearby voice distracts her, followed shortly by something coming at her face. She catches it out of sheer reflex, and blinks down at the spearman. "Oh! ...Thank you." It's hard to tell if his tone was intended to be a little derisive or merely blithe, but something about its jauntiness is appreciated in that moment. "I guess I should stop being so reckless." To parrot Fallon's words.

(...) Cheat Sheet:

Argos bests yet another axeman, downing him with two swift blows. Cheat Sheet:

Kris' knife sails out of nowhere and strikes the fighter. Without giving the axeman the chance to recover, an arrow from Dulcibella's bow knocks him to the ground. Cheat Sheet:

Despite his inexperience, Seymore is able to get the hit in on the soldier, who quickly retreats. Cheat Sheet:

"Hmph! Futch gave me permission to be here, you know," Sharon insists, firmly confident of the rightness of her actions and neglecting to mention any role she might have had in contribution to said 'permission'. "What kind of Dragon Knight just sits around counting clouds when there's a fight going on? You know the Captain's watching." The two exchange blows, and Sharon staggers slightly, but regains her footing and levels the most fearsome look at Ceridwen that her fifteen years can summon. "Try that again, I dare you!" Rhian's arrow strikes the fighter, denting his armor. Fallon's admonishment draws Johanna up short, and some of the wind leaves her sails, replaced with mild embarrassment. It... it hadn't been so bad. I dodged the arrows and came out fine. But behind the half-hearted indignation, she knows he's right. He usually was. "You don't need to worry about me," she replies, keeping her voice as calm as she can. 'Anymore' goes unsaid. Cheat Sheet:

A final attack from Michi brings the fighter down, and he retreats to tend to his injuries. [ ENEMY PHASE ] Archer 5 to O15 and attacks Johanna. The archer thinks he has this in the bag, but in his eagerness, forgets to focus. His arrow sails over Idriss' head. Archer 4 to N16 and attacks Johanna. The second archer moves to make up for his partner's blunder, but Idriss is now on the alert, and barely swings out of the way of the attack, emitting a growl of warning. Fighter 5 to K13 and attacks Rhian. The axe comes down on Rhian's armor, clanging loudly upon impact. Soldier 3 to L14 and attacks Rhian. The injured spearman follows up with another blow. Fighter 6 to M15 and attacks Seymore. The two axemen exchange blows, each coming away a little dazed. "Huh?" She looks up and sees Ceridwen in front of her with an amused expression, which makes her pout with displeasure. "What do you mean?? I've got just as much right to be here as you! You only just finished your apprenticeship anyway!" Sharon to N15 and attacks Argos. She launches her javelin at the swordsman, striking him head-on. Cav 7 to U12. Cav 8 to V11. Cav 5 to V10. Cav 6 to W11. [ ALLIED PHASE ] Sitting up straighter on his dragon's back, Joshua peers at the scene down below, letting out a firm huff at the sight. "What are you doing, Johanna? Rushing in recklessly like that forces your men to their deaths." A deep rumble sounds from beneath him, followed by a restless shift of scales. "Mm. I know it has been long since we've seen battle, friend. But it is out of the question." He looks back out over the sloping hills and trees below. "She was lucky this time, and only that." "Hm. It looks like you will have to try harder than that to catch me!" Feeding off his rider's enthusiasm, Idriss gives a loud bellow before lifting into the air and barreling himself and rider at the archer. Johanna to O14, attacks Archer 5, Cantos to P12. The bowman that had gotten ahead of himself pays for his zeal, and is forced to retreat. Turn 7 [ PLAYER PHASE ] Argos recovers 2 HP. Cheat Sheet:

Rhian's arrow strikes head on. A blast of light magic from Naomi renders the swordsman unconscious. Cheat Sheet: