Difference between revisions of "The Search For Ice Cream: Coastal Chaos"

Latest revision as of 08:41, 13 October 2012

The Search For Ice Cream: Coastal Chaos
Date of Scene:	06 October 2012
Location:	Costa Del Sol
Synopsis:	The Twilight Detective Agency is on the case, hunting down the stolen pieces of the famous Sea Salt Ice Cream recipe! However, nothing worthwhile in life is easy, and the EEEEEEEEEEVIL Magica DeSpell will not allow the recipe pieces to be taken so simply. She has plans of her own... One of the pieces is found off the coast of the beach resort of Costa Del Sol, but the search will be dangerous (and Scrooge is footing expenses). The TDA has sent out a call for adventuers, mercenaries, and do-gooders to help secure that recipe... And the forces of Darkness might be interested in interfering as well. Come on down to Costa Del Sol, one and all! The water's fine. Mwahahahahaha...
Cast of Characters:	Raiya Fujihara, Vara Toruv, Will Sherman, Mercade Alexander, Tifa Lockhart, Kaze, Avira, Maira, Squall Leonhart
Tinyplot:	The Pursuit of Ice Cream

Mercade Alexander has posed:
The sunny beach resort of Costa Del Sol is a wonderful and pleasant place. There are cafes and a hotel (reasonable rates!) and even a couple condos. Everything goes to Shinra, of course, and all of the products are supplied by the innovative and friendly Shinra Electric Company, but when you're the only game in town, everyone plays by your rules.

At one particular seaside cafe, a female anthropomorphic duck sits, dressed in black and with long black hair. She is currently reading a menu, paging through it. "I do not know who made these menus! There has to be something I will want here..."

Under one elbow, pinned to the table in this manner, is a torn sheet of paper. "Perhaps some ice cream? Ho ho ho ho ho! That Scrooge McDuck will never know what hit him..."

Little does she know that the Laws of Sympathy are working against her at this exact moment, and a large group of mercenaries, detectives, soldiers, and innocent hobo bystanders are in the area, approaching to this conflux of destiny.

Tifa Lockhart has posed:
Tifa Lockhart was actually wandering town for a different reason entirely. She wasn't part of the 'search group' for the torn pages, but apparently coincidences happen often around her. The first time was when she was about to strike the deal to sell those ice cream pops to people in Goug from her bar. And now... well...

She was in Costa, again, to look at wares and maybe get a swimsuit. Last time she was here, she got distracted by a spar by a large muscled man in speedoes... That might be why she's looking around as she walks, actually <.< >.> She doesn't really want to run into that guy again, not after... Well anyway.

She's found a nice two pieces to wear at least, but she isn't sure she wants to buy it, she's going around the different shops for now, which will quite possibly bring her closeby the 'sitting duck' (pun intended, if not relevant here). She's barely seen the duck mistress last time though, but its not like she would miss a anthoduck like that either.

If she was looking in that direction at least.

Squall Leonhart has posed:
I'll be here...

Why...?

be waiting...

I'll...

I'll be waiting... here...

For what?

... I don't know, Squall. Because I don't have anything to do today. Because you owe me lunch at Saheed's Falafel stand. Take your pick--

Squall Leonhart takes a sharp gasp as consciousness kicks back into his tired, battered body.

This is a mistake, because the 17-year old youth is perfectly face down in the wet, salt-soaked sands of Costa Del Sol, having just now washed up on shore.

Immediately, the SeeD rolls over, and the equivalent force of seven trucks kicks in as his nerves and mind catch up. His leather outfit is absolutely waterlogged and quite possibly stench-laden by now, both through the long hours of Prison Life, dried and caked blood both from battle and torture, and through having to Cross Through The Worlds right about now.

"... where..."

(Is this... Heaven...? Am I ... Am I dead?)

Three seconds later, his ears hit jaunty mariachi music and the hoots of a crowd doing the Limbo, his nose is punctured by the smell of supermarket-produce sausage links over a nearby grill, and some over-excited beach-going child stepping over his face and running past without so much as a 'sorry, mister!'

(... Heaven can't be this cheap ... ... I HOPE Heaven isn't this cheap...)

Maira has posed:
"Mmm. It does not look very ruined to me..." not like her home. That was truly gone. "But yes, I want to see all the places I can," she assures Faruja. She's hoping to find where she belongs. Traverse Town...it could never really be home. It was a place in-between. A place for refugees.

Backtrack.

"You'll bring me a hat!? Really!?!?!" she asks, her excitement ridiculous. Indeed, she spring forward and hugs Faruja fiercely.

Then, hearing Zeke mention he might be willing to take her out on a run when his business was concluded, she graces him with a rambunctious hug next. "Oh yes! I can do wind!" she assures him, letting go and stepping back. "Watch!" she says, an orb of light beginning to glow within her forearm. She gestures toward the water and raises her hand, whispering an incantation as the wind sucks up the water and whirls it, forming a small water spout.

Maira has posed:
Maira, the innocent (almost) hobo bystander, is wishing she had a bathing suit. Then again, her last attempt to learn to swim hadn't exactly gone well. Perhaps she should really wait until someone is around to teach her. That said, she is most certainly enjoying the weather in a pink t-shirt and pair of denim cutoffs. Sadly, this is one of her nicest outfits.

Now, she's taking a perfectly lovely stroll along the beach when she sees some guy just...laying in the sand like a drunk get stepped on by a kid.

Having been the victim of careless children yesterday, Maira runs on over and looks down at the stranger with wide amber eyes. "Heeey....are you okay?"

Will Sherman has posed:
Will Sherman, man of a thousand talents, and KING OF THE HOBOS, said after the theft of the ice cream, that...well, it has a trail. After doing some wonky shit, he tied it to his own sight, before starting a search with the rest of the TDA. It's been a hard week or so, but Will finally saw something.

Coming into Costa Del Sol, he stops the people with him.

"It's here." he says, looking towards the rest of them.

Will follows the string...coming closer to the duck, leading whoever joined the TDA, to beat the crap out of her and hopefully take the thing back.

Avira has posed:
For once, Avira is actually here for business. Today there will be no buying of drinks or extortion of drinks from guys who have previously promised drinks. Being precariously low on funds for /reals/ now meant that sort of frivolity was on hold. Marks at the moment were not really cutting it to cover travel feels, especially when Avira only got 10 percent of the total payout.

Resorting to non-Mark sources of money lead her to the job board in Traverse Town. Track down a few scraps of paper with an ice cream recipe on it? Sure, sounds easy. Avira will TAKE THE CASE. Except she learns that the Twlight Detective Agency is already working it. FINE. She knows Mercade. As Aviras are wont to do, she forcefully joins their party for this one.

"That is some crazy paper travelling." Avira mutters, her arms crossed, as she follows behind Will. "How the heck did you do that, by the way?"

Squall Leonhart has posed:
Squall Leonhart doesn't, exactly, look better right now. His scar is kind of muddied by the footprint in the middle of on his face, even, as he coughs up salt water and sand and Lord knows what else Seifer's made him drink (kyaa) while he was in Prison.

First instinct: "Yes..." he groans weakly, as some measure of reserved strength starts to kick into his limbs. God, that sniper bullet really hurts... is it even still in his shoulder?

Immediately, he goes to sit up, and assess his surroundings; his hair is sopping wet and grimy from everything of the elements he's been exposed to.

You could say that he is no less a Hobo than the other Hobos presenting at this beach.

"... where am I?" he asks.

(What the hell happened...? I was... in Prison? And-- ... where is this, Dollet? No, not pretentious enough... I don't see a baguette stand for miles from here.)

Kaze has posed:
Costa Del Sol appears to be a haven for misfits and vagabonds of all stripes. The bright and cheery atmosphere, however, means that most of the scum that frequent the place are lurking in plain sight. Brightly-colored floral-print shirts, barely-concealing bathing suits, mirrored sunglasses that hide the eyes to the soul. Paradise, for some.

For some.

The dark-clothed man moving along the street near the cafe stands out like a sore thumb in a box full of toes. His shaggy red hair and the glint of something gold are the only real variance in color he has. He moves along with the pedestrians without causing a fuss, only occasionally getting strange looks from the natives and the visitors. Nobody has given him any trouble, yet.

The man looks up to the clear blue sky for a moment, the sun glinting off the one lens set into his broken sunglasses. He frowns, the expression mostly hidden by his high collar. Too clear. No sign of him. Where next?

Raiya Fujihara has posed:
Fate can be strange in the way it weaves its various strands together. Costa de Sol is a place that a warrior like Raiya Fujihara should only rarely be drawn to with its frivolity and wanton excesses. And yet, the Wutai samurai has been drawn back here for a second time in only a week. The travelling warrior is no closer to her goal as she was the last time she passed through, but perhaps fate will be kind to her and push her in the right direction once more.

The woman in the circular straw hat aimlessly wanders close to a certain seaside cafe where a certain duck is located. Raiya is rather parched due to the current clime and could surely use a drink. As of so far, the samurai has no knowledge whatsover of what is going on behind the scene with this investigation of sorts. She is simply just a thirsty wanderer looking for some liquid libation.

Mercade Alexander has posed:
Appearing next to Squall is a man in a trenchcoat, who gives Squall a hand up. "Are you okay there?" He smiles, giving a two-fingered salute of greeting. "You're in Costa Del Sol. Sorry for the trouble, but if you're not feeling well, we should get you back out of the way here, because there's about to be some trouble." He gestures towards the safety of the totally reasonably-price(pfffthahahahaha) condos.

At the approach of the Hobo King, Avira, and the others actively seeking her, a raven hanging out on top of one of those condos croaks out. At that, the duck-woman looks up over the edge of the menu at the approaching group, her eyes narrowing dangerously. With a quick motion, she picks up the page in her hand and looks them over. "What do you think you are doing? Do you even know who I am? MAGICA DESPELL, the most powerful sorceress in Duckberg! It would not be /wise/ to mess with me!" She backs away from the table, warningly as a waiter brings out a large ice cream sundae and puts it on the table, not giving a damn. That's just how things roll in Costa Del Sol.

Tifa Lockhart has posed:
Tifa Lockhart peeks through the door into the bar nearby. Its a rather huge building in the middle of the seaside town after all. And... its a bar, might as well scope out the competition as well. But she doesn't want to enter, she's not here for drinking after all. She hmms, but turns around after a few seconds. It might be grimy in the slums, but she still prefers her own place to this tourist trap.

She wonders over to the next row of swimsuits, put on display by street vendors. Those are clearly overpriced, but she looks at designs still, maybe something will catch her eye.

On the subject of catching her eye, she ends up glancing toward the cafe nearby as well. The first thing that comes in view is that wutai warrior she crosses in this place before, but didn't really get time to talk or anything with, before the hobo martial artist gave her a challenge. The second one, which Raiya stands between herself and it, is the anthroduck... She knows that one, she's seen it before... Its that one that's controlling heartless and stole the recipe which is her ticket to mroe munnies!

Tifa decides to put the shopping aside for now, and tightens her gloves, and points at the duck (which incidentedly ends up pointing at Raiya as well) "Give that back to me! That's my profit!"

Maira has posed:
The young woman tilts her head slightly to the side, a smile appearing. So she isn't the only person who occasionally wakes up in the middle of nowhere disoriented and confused? Yay! Wait. This seems an inappropriate thing to find joy in.

Oh well!

Maira extends a hand to the man, offering to help him to his feet. "It is called Costa De Sol. It is kind of a resort town owned by a big company called Shinra," she informs him giving him another look over. "You don't really look alright...do you need a potion or anything? Because I totally have one in my pocket," she informs him, sounding sincere. The look on his face is triggering something in her. Empathy? Memory? Yes, she can recall waking up in Traverse Town, having no clue where she was or what had happened.

Congratulations Squall! You have been selected to be looked after by Maira. Good luck! You are going to need it.

Of course, half way through her tangled thoughts another man appears and helps Squall up. "Oh, hiya--wait, trouble? Not again!" she says, her voice half-despair, half-annoyance. Can she go anywhere without getting into trouble!?

Grumbling, Maira pulls the potion out of her pocket and places it in Squall's hand. "Guh, drink this."

Will Sherman has posed:
Hobo lad looks back towards Avira.

"I see fate." he says, and looks back towards Magica. "Sup, I'm The King of the Hobos, and you stole something from my kingdom." he says, his face into a carefree smile. "So I am here, with the backing of McDuck to take it back...and frankly my dear? Don't care. Give it back, or we do it the hard way."

"Oh and if you thought yourself safe before...well, we /Did/ find you." he says with a grin. "So please, the recipe please."

Squall Leonhart has posed:
(...Costa Del Sol?)

The offer does sound very tempting -- especially as Squall catches sight of the condos Mercade gestures towards, because just about anything approaching accomodation is, surely, a grand notch better than 'a hexagonal Prison block with a backed up toilet' and 'face down in the sand'.

The SeeD grabs both Mercade and Maira's hands and weakly gets up to his feet; that he can probably stand at all might be tantamount to some measure of dogged persistence.

"...trouble?"

(... ShinRa? Company... resort town...)

He gets a Potion shoved in his hand, and stares down at it. -That-, at least, is conveniently familiar. "T-thanks," and does just that.

(... they make Potion in Fruity Tutty flavor here too? ... Squee.)

There is, of course, no trace of visible squee in Squall's deadpan, tired face. Nope. None at all.

Avira has posed:
"...that's it?" Avira seems disappointed at the response. That did not sound like a learnable tracking skill right there. Speaking of fate, suddenly several things converge at once. Magica starts to get defensive. Avira is going to comment on it but instead, something /else/ catches her attention.

Tifa. Avira recognizes her! She's the martial artist that fought Sabin here. Unfortunately-"Hey, are you horning in on our job?" Avira demands, slowly growing ticked off, "We got here first, you know. It's /our/ profit." Honestly, she didn't want to pick a fight with this woman, whom she knows is a very capable fighter. On the other hand, she was not going to stand to be pushed out of the reward on this one.

Something else catches her eye that distracts her even further from both Magica and now Tifa. A strange, red-haired man that sticks out amongst the locals here quite strikingly. Unusual, yes, but that red hair...those weird glasses. Suddenly, Avira's not paying all that much attention to anything else except for Kaze. ".../him/...it has to be." she rumbles quietly.

Vara Toruv has posed:
With the sun shining brightly over head, the breeze coming in from the sea, and the warm sands underfoot... It's no suprise that someone's walking around in a heavy overcoat with an all-encompassing black hood drawn over their head. Not showing an inch of bare skin, the figure walks across the beach, drawing a few bemused looks, before crossing over to Squall, Mercade, and Maira. Glancing at them for a second, they step in front, pushing black-gloved hands out of their sleeves, and flexing their fingers.

A quiet, young female voice says, "You'd better follow your own advice... Whoever you are."

Raiya Fujihara has posed:
With such a heavy ShinRa influence here in Costa del Sol, this would normally be an ill-opportune spot for someone from Wutai like Raiya. But, it is also the ShinRa presence here that protects the same samurai from Wutai ninjas. The bottom line is that Raiya would get along just fine as long as she does not draw too much attention to herself. And then Tifa points at her (more or less) and demands that she return something to her. Uh oh. So much for the whole low profile thing.

Even her wide brimmed hat does not fully conceal the surprise on Raiya's face as she turns to face her accuser. There is also much buzz around her talking about recipes and other strange things that simply confuse the blonde samurai as she regards just who is directing this towards her. Huh, it is that martial artist from the other day. Thinking still thet she is the accused, Raiya places a hand against herself and replies in a calm voice, "I believe you have mistaken my for someone else. The only possession of mine of any worth is my blade and that is something that I shall not part lightly with." Her sheathed katana does look rathe fancy as does the sheath itself that it is housed in. But then more people are talking about profits to be gained which only serves to confuse the poor Wutai warrior even further. She ends up not saying anything else, but she does place a hand on the back of her neck as she tries to make sense of this current...ahem...situation.

Maira has posed:
Maira looks back to Mercade then, her eyes widening with recognition. "Oh! Hey! You are that guy I found under the tree! Glad you are alright. That's a relief," she tells him, smiling widely. How strange, that she would meet him here again. Despite there being a great many worlds...she guesses it's a small world after all.

.......

Saved from that line of thought, Maira looks to Vara with questions brewing in her eyes. That's a really nice coat. Must be so very warm on a winter night in the snow. "Pretty..." she comments.

Her gaze wonders now, following the sounds of commotion, where a duck with dark hair is apparently making a scene and a few others are arguing about profits or something?

Maira leans toward Squall, her eyes comically wide, "I have no idea what is going on," she confesses. "Looks like there might be a fight though. Did the potion help? Can you fight? I can help protect you," she informs him. The cute thing is she seems to believe she can do it.

Mercade Alexander has posed:
The mysterious man, who Maira might remember as 'the guy who got smashed into a tree in Manhattan', chuckles. "Anyway, we better get moving before..."

Magica looks surprised. "You? A scruffy little wastrel like you has the Sight? This is a grand jest!" Tifa's arrival as well, causes her to hop back again. "You think you can just threaten a powerful sorceress? I will show you what happens to those who underestimate me!" She turns to the ocean and begins incanting words of power. The sunny sky begins darkening, a horrible storm brewing as the ocean churns. "You want sea salt? Magica DeSpell will give you fools SEA SALT! Rise, Kraken!"

There is a terrifying roar as a black void drips into the ocean, spreading like inky black water as dark tentacles breach the surface. Chaos erupts on the beach as the massive form of a giant monsterous Heartless squid rises, the massive Heartless crest emblazoned upon it as the tentacles begin to reach in hungrily for the shore.

Mercade's expression goes flat. "Welp. It happened. If you're not going to shoot the monster, hurry up to shelter! Get back!"

Magica DeSpell laughs, and her raven swoops down and picks up the sundae, flying as Magica begins booking it. "Have fun with the octopus, kiddies!" Magica taunts.

==============================================================================

- THE KRAKEN HAS APPEARED -

BEWARE! IT IS THE KILLER! DO NOT DIE!

==============================================================================

Tifa Lockhart has posed:
Tifa Lockhart looks over to Avira "No, I just want that page to get back to that Mr Duck with a top hat so I can start getting ice cream to sell too!" She's not trying to steal anyone's job really, just wants the results to happen >_<

Kaze has posed:
Kaze doesn't notice the stare. He's still looking up, gazing into the sky. The sea breeze ruffles his high-necked poncho, seeming to draw him back into a state of alertness. He looks down the beach, out to sea, staring at the surface of the water instead of the sky above. He looks past the gathering and the familiar figures of the King of the Hobos and his be-coated companion, not caring about any of that or any of them. He doesn't even seem to see Avira; he's looking down the shore with a curious intensity.

The Kraken appears. Citizens and vacation-goers scatter, running screaming in every direction as soon as they realize the monster is there. Kaze is a rock in this particular storm, appearing either unsurprised or unimpressed. They go around him, giving him plenty of space and letting him stand between them and the monster reaching for tender human morsels.

Kaze doesn't make any move to go for his weapon -- if he even has one. He watches, and waits. Something feels...

Will Sherman has posed:
Will blinks as she...

"THE KRACKEN!" he says, always wanting to say that...but it too large...

The sight is a terrible thing to have as he holds his head for a moment...seeing a heartless was like looking directly at static...only a million times worse for him. He grunts, and shrugs at Avira, before he closes his eyes...he starts reaching out to effect the strings of fate...

Specifically, making certain strings stronger. Specifically...

Deidra is his friend, and he can't see Mercade, but Avira is right next to him. Her string is strengthened.

Tifa Lockhart has posed:
Tifa Lockhart jumps up over Raiya as the krakken comes into view. Whatever that is, its not friendly, and that duck called upon it apparently too, so she can 2+2 easily enough in this case.

Jumping toward the water, she opens things up with a series of quick punches, testing the defenses of the monster at first. She wants to see how tough it is first.

Squall Leonhart has posed:
(... what--)

There's nary a moment of respite or even ability to collect himself before the very gigantic Heartless Squid rises from out within the ocean. In one brief moment, he recognizes that symbol.

It's the same one that the creatures from back before the Prison collapsed has.(... no idea what's going on here. Alright... what have I got--)

He pauses internally, suddenly very cross.

(... that's the last time I let Irvine have the lionshare of the GFs just because he's 'lonely'... alright, alright, enough complaining...)

"... don't worry," is all the SeeD says, before he extends his hand. He's wet, and broken... but, the Odine Junction System should still work.

He reaches for a small panel on the underside of his glove, and crackling bursts of paramagic start to flow and enhance his very limbs' movements; in one swift movement, he's leapt off the horrible footing of the sandy beaches of Costa Del Sol and onto something far, far more tactically beneficial.

"Quetzalcoatl!"

The SeeD's racing off in the skies on the back of a massive lime-green thunderbird, the Guardian Force coalescing from its resting place within the Feymarch by way of a swift lightning bolt crashing down in front of him; he isn't going to care about getting in close to a creature like this.

The junctioned Paramagic in his limbs do their work, as he synthesizes aetheric energy into existence; with but a brief flick of his wrist, he's led his own assault on the kraken with several large shards of ice leading to a siphoning Draw, finished off with a thunderous ball of electrocuting energy from his GF keeping him aloft.

Raiya Fujihara has posed:
Raiya looks surprised first when she realizes that Tifa is not addressing her, and then doubly so when a KRAKEN is conjured out of nowhere. The samurai turns to regard the beast with a hand on the hilt of her katana. Tch. A Heartless. "Martial Artist. I know your strength. Help..." Raiya trails off as Tifa jumps OVER her to get at the kraken. Seeing that words are merely a waste of time, Raiya dashes off after Tifa and towards the Kraken herself. Drawing near, she plants her feet down firmly and draws her katana fully out. The blade is held above her head as she waits for the kraken to make the first move.

Ranged combat is not the Wutai warrior's forte and she merely bides her time for now. Once the kraken swings at something or someone, then she will strike at the Heartless. Then it will be time to see if Wutai blades can lop of monstrous Heartless limbs.

Avira has posed:
Perhaps rudely, Avira doesn't look at Tifa right away when she tries to respond, obviously getting riled up over...well, something else completely unrelated to Magica or Tifa. That ends quite quickly though because the scarred woman does not make any moves towards Kaze, finally realizing that Tifa's talking to her. "Oh if that's so then-Whoah!"

Magica splits, leaving a gigantic Heartless crawling up the beach in her wake. Avira actually seems...frozen for a moment, unsure what to do. Afraid even. Sucking in a breath through her nose, she reaches back and grasps the odd handle to her weapon and slides it from its sheath. At first glance, it is a strange, tri-cornered serrated sword. Upon closer inspection, it looks an awful lot like a straightened human spine dipped in metal.

"Here goes nothing." She doesn't charge in, choosing to remain back and hopefully out of range of its slimy appendages. Blue circles of light appear around her feet and she holds up her left hand, a similar blue light dancing across her spread palm. She gestures rapidly, as if tracing out letters in the air, flicking her fingers at random points. Which each flick of the finger, a small burst of ice crystals pepper the monsters skin.

Vara Toruv has posed:
Staring at the Heartless Kraken, the cloaked figure clenches her fists, as her eyes shine a fain blue under her hood. "Heartless, all the way here...?" she asks rhetorically, and crosses along the beach. Stepping in behind the arrayed fighters, she doesn't make any threatening gestures. Instead, she just seems to stand, arms at her side, as she locks... 'eyes' with the Kraken. A faint green mist begins to swirl around her hands, as Vara just... waits, from all appearences.

Maira has posed:
--And then every eye in the area turns to look at the kraken the sorceress just summoned from the turquoise tropical depths. That wasn't exactly what she'd been expecting, which Maira quickly chides herself for. Every time lately it is a giant monster of some kind! She has no right to be surprised anymore! This one is some giant squid-like thing, which is leading her to wonder if once they defeat it they can feast on calimari. Probably not. It looks like a Heartless. Can't eat those. Which is really a pity because they are just everywhere!

Maira looks to Squall, nodding some. Right, sure, of course he can take care of himself! Just how great of care quickly becomes evident to her. With eyes wide as tea-saucers she watches him summon his Guardian Force and ride it off the sand into the air. From there, he begins to pelt the beast with magic. Jealous! "Uuugh take me with next time!" she calls.

Tongue darting out to moisten her lips, she looks to Vara and Mercade, blinking. They are not running. She's certainly not going to run. Taking a deep breath, Maira ignites.

The hands that rest by her side burst to life and burn like torches, the flames licking at her skin without seeming to burn. The flame is green-ish. She then sweeps her right hand around herself, Vara, and Mercade, the magic shooting forth to form a protective circle around them. Judging by the trademark glow of her magic, Vara at least would know Maira is a materia user.

"Alright...at least there aren't so many trees this time?" she says, smiling to Mercade.

Mercade Alexander has posed:
The Kraken comes under magical and martial assault! The Kraken is bombarded by ice and lightning as Tifa pummels into the thick flesh of the creature. It roars in pain, even if the tough flesh seems only lightly damaged from the initial assault. This thing looks like some kind of sea-tank.

As such, The Kraken seems to give no damns. The tentacles writhe, the dark lengths lashing out not with raw bludgeoning force this time, but with jagged, chitinous piercing tips like harpoons. They have murder on their mind, and their mind on the murder. The Kraken doesn't look like it cares that most people are preparing for the onslaught.

Meanwhile, Mercade looks at the monster and at the retreating Magica DeSpell, who is bailing with the objective. "I'll be... right back." He says, as he goes running. A moment later, Magica gets bowled over in a rolling tackle from Mercade. "NOT SO FAST!" Mercade yells. "Yoink!" He pulls the recipe fragment from her hand...

And then he gets a stilleto heel to the face right in the middle of victory. "MMMPH!" He falls backwards, releasing the recipe... And it gets caught by the storm winds, flying out to the ocean! Magica looks agog at it for a moment, before a tentacle reaches out and snags the paper, drawing it in.

Magica cackles. "Kill them and bring that back to me, dearie! Kill them all!" She turns, opening a pool of darkness, and walks into it, the raven carrying the sundae with them.

WITHOUT PAYING.

Will Sherman has posed:
The tentacle slams down...for some reason not able to get out of the way. Will Trips on sand, stumbling, before smashed face first into the dirt. Grunting, he jumps back to his feet, moving like a monk, as he considers the opponet.

He runs to one of the tentacles, aiming to strike it with all of his might...

And at it's fate string, aiming to not sever, but trying to wither it. Aiming for heartless strings were...weird because they were such a tangled mess...they also respond horribly to it, not unlike a certain weapon.

Will falls back, trying to stay lose as he does this.

Tifa Lockhart has posed:
Tifa Lockhart shows that last time she wasn't all just luck against Sabin either, jumping backward as the tentacle lashes at her. It manages to hit, but the barmistress anticipated it as well, and ends up using her legs to absorb the attack, and then uses that momentum to launch herself upward, and back toward it "Give back that paper!" She leaps at the tentacle, ready to pound it, using her body weight on the way down to crush it and release the paper (hopefully).

Vara Toruv has posed:
When the Kraken sends tenticle 'Spears' at the group, Vara attempts to evade the attacks... But is caught by one of the lunging points, and groans from the impact. Skidding backwards in the sand, she clutches at the impact, steadying herself.

Stepping brisky back into position, the woman raises her hands, and is immediatly ringed with a circle of green flame on the ground, as magic swells up from the world below her feet. Gathering it around her hands, she twirls around on the sands, and thrusts a hand to the skies above the creature.

For a second, the skies darken. Faint light flashes within the magically-summoned stormclouds, before there's an almighty, earsplitting *KRAK-BOOM*

And another.

And ANOTHER.

Three bolts of lightning in succession fire out from the cloud, streaking towards the Kraken below!

Avira has posed:
Something just felt rather...odd to her, all the sudden, Avira realizes. She cannot tell exactly what changed, but some part of her just -knows- that Will was responsible. The scarred woman glances over to the hobo king curiously for a few seconds, but doesn't otherwise say anything. Magic, maybe? But That World didn't have it, right?

Squinting, she sees their Objective get snagged by Mercade, though his victory is only fleeting as he's promptly kicked in the face, releasing the recipe to the KRAKEN. Much as she would enjoy saying something snappy and sarcastic about that, Avira's already busy trying to avoid the piercing jabs of the far-too-many tentacles splaying themselves out on the beach. She seems to be fairing well until one of them slams into her, the armored breastplate she wears preventing it from being a much more dire blow. She actually seems stunned for a moment, otherwise she'd be flailing madly at the appendage. It actually works in her favor, giving her the time to really strike back.

Her still magic-charged left hand joins her right holding the grip to the spine. With both hands, she slams the weapon downward onto the tentacle, hitting not with the serrated blade, but with the extremly thickened guard. Immediately after that strike, ice magic shoots up the length of the Spine, enshrouding it in a thick coat of ice. With an involuntary shout, the weapon is repeatedly smashed against the offending tentacle.

Raiya Fujihara has posed:
Raiya was thankfully ready for the Krakens quick strike thanks to her preparation moments before. The piercing blow looks as if it is about to slam into the samurai when she quickly side steps at the last moment. This gives her the opportune moment to bring her katana from over her head down onto the advancing tentacle. Her first strike is a brutal one, but she soon follow up with some equally savage cuts. It seems the blonde swordswoman is indeed quite intent on removing at least one of the tentacles with that sword of hers.

Squall Leonhart has posed:
(Shi--)

The Guardian Force's tight turn results in a slowdown of its reaction times, and the Kraken's tendrils fire onward at that time to, conveniently, ignore the giant thunderbird and instead smack the summoner riding it, in the face, three times.

Squall Leonhart's face can take a lot of punishment, it seems.

(Right... this isn't like any kind of monster -- what is that symbol on it? ...No time to ask questions.)

Quetzalcoatl faithfully makes a large strafing run as the SeeD beckons for it. It does, after all, come from the sea of his soul. And, in some bizarre fashion that Squall's probably forgotten about, the bird is probably Future-Him from the Past.

Now, it must be said that amongst SeeD cadets, Squall Leonhart isn't actually very strong, nor is he very fast, or even durable. What he is... is remarkably resourceful.

He slips a hand of five cards from his hands, and wordlessly thrusts them forward in deadly formation towards the Kraken. Depicted upon their face-sides are illustrations of various kinds of monsters... in this case, Bombs, and Mother Bombs.

"Refine! Card Modification!"

With another flick of his wrist, the Junction System crackles as laces of magic flow through his very arms; from range, it draws the innate essence within each of the cards, and they metamorphose on the spot into... bomb spirits.

Fresh, explosive bomb spirits, which fly on down to explode onto the Kraken's face.

Maira has posed:
The tentacle that lashes toward Mara and Vara is likely to get a little toasty when it reaches in for them. The protective circle absorbs some of the damage they would have taken--which is good, because that HURTS.

Maira gasps when she is tentacle-slapped with spiky harpoons, several puncture wounds appearing on her skin to quickly well with blood. The blonde looks down to see the crimson droplets grow rapidly, transfixed for a moment by the sight. Watching your blood flow so freely is a surreal experience.

Luckily, Uist is there to snap her out of it with a frigid hand on her shoulder. She looks back toward her unseen friend and nods to him in understanding. "That thing...that thing looks real nasty...think its worth it..." she comments, digging into her pocket for another potion. A HiEther. She gulps it down and tosses the bottle at the monster, just to add insult to what she hopes is about to be injury.

Suddenly, Maira lights up like the bloody sun.

She rears back and then begins to hurl fire at the kraken. The first strike forms what appears to be a hammer of fire that smashes down like judgement from the heavens. The second, a condensed ball of flame that seems to bloom when it reaches the Kraken, aiming for the eyes. The third? Well, that's just gravy.

Then, Maira looks to Vara, noting her lightning. Ou! Another mage! Maira's grin is so large it is practically maniacal.

Kaze has posed:
The tentacles hit the shore like jagged, fleshy harpoons. One slams into the building next to him, sending rubble falling from above. He raises his right arm, swinging it upwards as if to shield himself --

-- there's a gleam of something golden, a cylinder affixed to his arm, briefly visible in the sunlight --

-- and then disappears beneath the ruin that spills into the street. The wood, glass and concrete starts to settle, a cloud of dust drifting off of the now-shorter building. Bits of debris tumble off of it. The man in the dark cloak, with the odd object affixed to his arm, is nowhere to be found.

Suddenly, the rubble just starts to disappear. A muffled sound, something like a gunshot, comes from beneath it. Grains of pulverized stonework puffs into the air, and the debris covering the spot the strange man was just standing in just starts to evaporate like it was hit with sufficient force to just annihilate it.

The man stands from the rubble, wielding a bright red weapon of curious design in his left hand. It looks like an oversized pistol with a shotgun grip, two barrels with a solid portion between them arranged on top of one another rather than side by side. He swings it towards the Kraken without a word, staring down the barrel with an expression of disinterest and mild annoyance.

He starts firing. The shots have a somewhat odd pitch, higher than normal but devilishly loud even still. He fires, over and over, sending rounds downrange without care for who is between him and it.

Mercade Alexander has posed:
The Kraken appears to be continues to be made of tank. The Fateweaving powers of Will Sherman impact the Heartless, but slide off of it as if it is hard for him to get a grip on such a horrible aberration's nature. Raiya finds their attack similarly stopped as the chitinous armor blocks the shining blade of the swordswoman with a flash of gleaming sparks. Maira's strikes slam down upon the Kraken, whom submerges to avoid the terrible brunt of the flame, creating massive gouts of salty steam air.

But then the ongoing assault begins to make a major mark. Tifa hammers in her classic fashion, pounding the hell out of the massive Heartless, while Deidra lays down a variety of weakening hexes upon the creature. This makes it wide open for the massive Bomb assault to smash down upon the Kraken, the distraction giving Squall the opening he needed... And then the sky opens, the massive storm tearing open to shower down a host of destructive lightning bolts. Each one blasts into the Kraken, causing horrible cascading lightning damage upon it! As it roils with pain, Avira follows up with her chilling assault, and Kaze unleashes a deadly barrage of gunfire.

The Kraken, continued to beset upon by massive force, does something unexpected.

It calls in reinforcements! The maw of the Kraken opens wide, and a swarm of ghostly Heartless pirates roil outwards. They would look almost silly and amusing if they weren't trying to kill you. Their ghostly cutlasses lash out, leaving contrails of dark power behind them as they assault the forces arrayed before them! They implode quickly when attacked, however, showing that the true threat is certainly still THE KRAKEN.

Tifa Lockhart has posed:
Tifa Lockhart sees the swarm of pirates rushing toward her. After her last attack, she jumps backward, bouncing on top of one of the pirates's head. While it's konked like that, she lands behind it on the beach, kicking the dazed heartless into the others that were moving toward her. That sends the trio rolling back, striking them down bowling style, as she turns back toward the huge krakken again "Looks like you haven't gotten enough yet, huh."

But yet she uses this turn to work herself up to the next part, charging herself up with magical energies, a green aura surrounding her.

Raiya Fujihara has posed:
Raiya Fujihara finds her blade stuck harmlessly in the tentacle of the Kraken when suddenly HEARTLESS GHOST PIRATES attack. Ruh Roh. Placing a sandal against where her katana is stuck, the samurai pulls her blade free, but it almost instantly pressed by an attacking pirate. Her blade blocks the first few strikes, but one of the cutlass' cuts a gash on her arm, tearing once where there used to be kimono. The swordswoman grits her teeth, before lashing out with her katant towards the pirates. Her blows seems to be favor speed versus power, but in the end...a sharp katana is a sharp katana....hopefully.

Hopefully the others continue to have better luck than Raiya.

Will Sherman has posed:
Will can't seem to shape the fate very well...he dances back, ducking...

And then rolling to the right. The attack lands where he would have been, but luckily he seemed to not be there...somehow?

Reguardless, He's back on his feet, and dives in for it again, trying to simply do this one thing at a time...

Aiming to try and leap onto the monster and punch it right in the right eye, before jumping off, aiming to run down a tentacle for his next part.

Avira has posed:
After landing that last hit on that tentacle, Avira quite wisely backs the hell away from it. "MERCADE!" she calls out across the beach, "ARE YOU STILL CONSCIOUS?" She's looking around rapidly now, taking stock of just how many people actually engaged the monster, ensuring that nobody else was lingering around that was incapable of defending themselves. Her gaze immediately lands on Kaze, who is now sporting a wicked-looking gun, which Avira watches with suspicion. That gun sounded /odd/.

Suddenly, beset upon by a trio of smaller Heartless, Avira actually panics a little. One on one or many versus one, she could handle. But three on one with the odds against her? No good, no good at all. She obviously can't dodge them all and winds up taking some kind of spined fist in the stomach that makes her physically ill.

Backing away, Avira actually runs for cover, clutching the spot where she was hit with one hand. A dull blue glow is interred from her hand as she calls upon a technique taught to her by her clanmates.

Vara Toruv has posed:
With a sudden wave of Heartless pirates mobbing the beach, Vara finds herself without Crowd Control, or a bodyguard. Forced to fend for herself, she attempt to weave out of the Pirate's attacks, but catches a blow on her arm.

Wincing, the faceless Black Mage shrugs it off eventually, and with another raised hand, the green flames appear around her once more.

First, magic whips out to attack the Pirate, draining the creature's lifeforce and drawing back to herself.

Then, with another twirling, dancelike gesture, she aims her magic at the Kraken, invoking a curse to break its defenses... in some way, at least.

With that done, she drops her arm, and lets out a held breath, panting a little as she slumps.

Maira has posed:
Oh, right. It can just...go under water to avoid her fire magic. Well, doesn't she feel silly?

She feels especially silly as a saber toting little Heartless saunters through her protective circle and swings his sword at her. It catches her right in her unprotected thigh and proceeds to bleed horribly.

Maira's vision swims. This was more than just blood loss. The wound seems to hurt far more than it should. It is a source of burning pain without relief. Tears welling in her eyes, Maira punts the Heartless away from her, then reaches down to put her hands over the wound that rapidly gushes. Her breath escapes in a hiss through her teeth.

Maira feels Uist's cool embrace, her eyes closing for a moment. For a fraction of a second a vague, incorporeal form can be seen holding Maira before there is nothing but a glowing white mist that infuses her body. The bleeding slows considerably as Maira catches her breath, listening to the din of battle that surrounds her.

Squall Leonhart has posed:
Squall's junctioned Scan spells catch wind of the incoming Pirate Heartless quite quickly - and his HUD-overlayed sights analyse them for what they are: weak, but numerous, and swift.

"There's that mark again... they certainly have a centralised organisation," Squall utters to himself, to the quiet, agreeing noise of Quetzalcoatl before him.

He fires off several more explosive cards -- Bug Bite cards that coalesce into quick, rending claws... but they miss, as the Pirates crash in and implode against him, forcing the SeeD to make a nose-dive landing on his Guardian Force.

(Where'd my gunblade even go...?)

He peers about, perhaps hoping to even find it floating about in the water somewhere. He wouldn't, however, be terribly surprised if it was just flat out gone...

In the meanwhile comes another Paramagic salvo from the resourceful SeeD - this time, a shattering blast of nigh-nuclear fire and several accompanying minor magics comes screeching from his fingertips as he tries to just cut through the chafe and go straight for the -- well -- 'Heart' of the Heartless.

Kaze has posed:
Pirates emerge to aid the Kraken. The Heartless surge up the beach, coming at the defenders of the pastel resort with murderous intent. Kaze keeps firing on the Kraken even as they approach. It isn't until it is apparent that a fair amount of them are coming for him that Kaze actually changes targets. His gun dips, the cacophony of released firepower pausing for just a moment.

Kaze's points his weapon at the closest of the pirates and starts firing again. The first shot stops it in its tracks, blasting a huge, ragged hole in the Heartless. The second blows it apart like it did the rubble he was under, the darkness the creature is comprised of just torn apart like old, thin fabric. It disappears, and the second soon joins it. And the third. The fourth...

Kaze's fusillade does not pause for any longer than it takes him to switch targets. He eventually turns the gun back on the Kraken itself, firing a shot into the water right in front of it that goes off like a depth charge had been set off beneath it.

Mercade Alexander has posed:
Mercade calls back, "I'M NOT DEAD YET!" from the side. He sits up, looking at the horrific creature again, and grimaces, pulling out a pair of pistols, laying down cover fire as he tries to help beat back the ghost pirate horde. "KEEP FIGHTING!" He yells. "I'LL BACK YOU GUYS UP!"

Meanwhile, the steel of Wutai seems to be having trouble battling the Heartless... Or perhaps the samurai is weak vs. Pirate. One must consult the resistance tables for this. The pirate trio parries the brunt of the attack from Raiya with their bodies, vaporizing without letting her deal much damage to the true threat. Will hammers into the massive Kraken, dancing along the tentacles in a horrible quicktime event as he begins to feel the tides turning in his favor. Deidra blasts the pirates with ice, the chill waves lashing out past them to strike the Kraken as well, causing it some amount of pain. Vara rips otu the lifeforce of the ghost pirate, getting a small amount of rejuvination from the small amount of animating force and blasting straight into the Kraken once more. Kaze impressively murders ghosts with the power of GUN, turning his weapon upon the monstrosity and unleashing a burst of destructive gunfire. Squall manages to also succeed where Maira was not, taking advantage of an open moment to bombard the Kraken with a massive fusillade of burning force. Maybe calimari /will/ be on the menu tonight.

The Kraken has apparently had enough of this crap. With a roaring surge, the Kraken rushes forward, charging the shore with a colossal crash! There is an impact as it smashes onto the beach, the mass of tentacles writhing out and lashing onto the area with those horrible jagged tentacle-spears. But now it's at close range, so now it leverages its full, terrible power to annihilate everything around it!

Will Sherman has posed:
Then there was the ground.

Will hits it hard, rolling and falling to his side. Slowly, he grunts, trying to recollect his senses...Everything is a blur for those first few moments...

Then he see's a thread connected to him stat to waver. He slowly stands up, aiming to reach for it...if he can...just..reach over and...

Hobo Lad litterally rips the poison out of Avira, and throws it on the ground.

That just happened.

Squall Leonhart has posed:
A glint of familiar silver, -finally-, catches Squall's eyes.

(There!)

His descent is perilous, and indeed, the Kraken charges on ahead and just about throws him off straight up into the air on a bed of horrible tentacle-spears; blood flows freely and stains Squall's white shirt as even the Protect-junctioned barriers crumple and fail at the strength of this assault.

"K-kghh..."

The Bird of Paradise, however, cuts swiftly across the clear-blue waters of Costa Del Sol's beach with a landing banked along the boughs of its wings, buying the SeeD just enough time to land ontop it as it looks towards him... and nods.

"Aura."

Smash cut to Squall's gloved hand grabbing the lacquered black hilt of his gunblade.

A shimmering burst of power runs straight through Squall's entire body as the entire Odine Junction System goes into overdrive -- a straight consequence of running the enhancing magics through the entire device; it's going to probably choke and go out of commission soon, but it's just long enough for Squall to deal what he needs to...

"Let's go, Quetzalcoatl...!"

The GF flies onward and brings its master forward, once more -- and this time, Squall takes a massive leap, on whirls of wind, the contraptions bound to his boots powering his rise through Aero-junctioned paramagic.

Squall's furious assault comes in the blink of an eye, as his very arms exude a faint red aura where the device has enhanced him with strength. Slash after slash, the Gunblade's discharge shells recoil away only in conversion to bring his next attack faster, as the SeeD cuts across the Heartless Kraken's head, finally landing on the other end to perform a Finishing Blow...

...one that does not involve his gunblade, it seems.

"You are mine," Squall intones, as he extends both his hands -- to entrap the Kraken in a spherical force of metamorphosing paramagic and asks the important question...

...can the Heartless be turned into Cards?

Raiya Fujihara has posed:
It seems that the Fate have decided to smile cruelly on Raiya this day. Her sword thrusts are once against deflected which negates her assault altogether. Another setback, but how could anything get worse? Oh right, there is that raging kraken to deal with. The kraken decides to politely remind the unlucky samurai of its presence by bumrushing the shoreline. This time Raiya is not prepared at all for such an attack and is brutally speared by one of the tentacles. The impact of the blow causes Raiya to crumple breifly before getting back up on her feet. She can't give up that easily even if it is her destiny to die fighting Heartless. The purple and black clad samurai readjusts her grip on her katana quickly as she launches herself at the nearest intruding tentacle. Her katana first whizzes through the air, then followed up by a strike by the hilt of her katant, and finally ends with a two-handed swipe at the retreating tentacle.

Tifa Lockhart has posed:
Tifa Lockhart got hit that time... even the dextly avoiding martial arts/barmaid can't evade everything can she? While attempting to dodge and roll out of the way of the 'pointy things', but one manages to catch her off guard and pierces right through the side of her stomach. That hurts now, and will even more in the morning, most likely. She falls back staggering, but not out for the count either, holding a hand against her side.

She has more willpower than just rolling down and waiting for death to take her away at any rate, she's going to go down fighting. "Oh you're going to pay for that one too." She starts a stumblign run, but ignoring the pain she goes right at the krakken, going for some hard hits of her own. Hard punches, followed by a flashy sommersault and ending with a sweep kick, using those strong legs to put down the pain in return on the krakken...

Maira has posed:
The sound of gunshots brings a bizarre wave of nostalgia for Maira. It did not seem that firearms were as popular in other worlds as they were in her own. "Ah...sounds like home," she mumbles.

Then, before she can even straighten, the Kraken charges the shore, tentacles flailing like a damn pinwheel of doom. Maira doesn't even have time to scream. She flies through the air, smacked hard by a spiked tentacle. She crashes into a palm tree, her spine making an extremely alarming 'crack'. That sound becomes the whole of her being.

The young mage lays there for a time, looking broken. It cannot be clear that she will ever move again. Yet...somehow...

She gasps, her eyes snapping open as her entire body lights with flame. Her eyes move out toward the Heartless. She watches as Squall wields some sort of blade to spectacular effect, raging with a battle-fury. She needs to move. She's angry. This keeps happening, over and over...."If the world is too dark...set it aflame..."

The fire that consumes her spreads into the air, somehow forming into the resemblance of a large, humanoid figure with what appears to be great wings of flame. The creatures mouth opens to bellow a earth-shaking roar as it rushes to throw itself at the rampaging tentacled abomination like a berserking warrior.

Avira has posed:
"ALRIGHT!" Avira shouts from her frantic running around conductive to pirate-dodging. It seems to be working for now, enabling her to stay ahead of the Heartless-but at the same time, it's doing nothing for that strange festering wound they inflicted. Poison, she realizes as she weaves around a tree.

So occupied, she remains unaware of the Kraken hauling itself up onto the beach until it is a little too late when it occurs to her that the roar she just heard was a little too close. A tentacle spear pierces her back, penetrating through her much to her endless surprise. Staring down at the sharpened spear emerging from her gut, she shrieks as she is suddenly lifted into the air, yanked backwards. Drawn up to a height that her panicked mind cannot fathom at the moment, Avira is violently shaken loose of the tentacle and plummets to the ground.

She hits the sand face down and lies prone for a few seconds. Her shoulders shift and the grip on her spine reasserts itself. That poison in her gut still burns, but seconds later it is ripped away. For a few moments, it looks like she's about to get back up again, but instead she collapses face first against the sand.

Vara Toruv has posed:
Staring wide-eyed at the Kraken as it lunges forwards, all Vara can do is try to run, as she's run through by one of the Kraken's tentacles. Dropping to the ground, she fumbles in her cloak, drinking a handfull of vials, as she collapses along the beach, panting just enough to show she's... by some definition, OK.

Kaze has posed:
The Kraken closes, rushing up onto the shore. Kaze wanted it out of the water, but he didn't expect it to beach itself. The Heartless sea monster attacks again with those tentacles, tendrils covered in chitinous spines whipping this way and that. He tracks them, firing on them as they come in, shooting them out of the air before they can get close. It is in this way he keeps the worst of them at bay, the oddly-pitched gun knocking them back rather than simply blasting them to pieces.

He doesn't get all of them, though. One slips past his screen of fire, a barbed harpoon shooting out of the sand and through the cloud of dust. He spots it a second too late, the monochromatic natural weapon coming at him like a speeding bullet. He starts to turn, to react and shoot it down --

The tentacle hits him in the chest, right under his billowing poncho. It opposite his heart, digging into flesh. It punches right through him, in through his front and out his back, skewering him on the tip and propelling him backwards out of his zone of calm, unrelenting firepower and back into the chaos. It waves him around in the air like a ragged puppet, or some grisly flag.

The Kraken's tentacle flicks, flinging him aside, down to the sandy shore. It sends his limp body skidding into a row of beach chairs, abandoned by their former occupants as soon as the Heartless arrived. The pile of wood, brightly-colored fabric and skewered stranger comes to a halt some distance further along, the chairs dashed against the sea wall at the edge of the beach.

The man's poncho settles around him and atop him. He's sprawled out on his left side, the red firearm held in a death-grip in one hand. Next to him, on his right arm, the golden cylinder rests, a curious orb like a gemstone or Materia glimmering with an inner light.

Then, against all odds, he twitches. His leg slowly starts to curl beneath him, moving like it was submerged in molasses rather than shaking like the last spasms of a dying man. He doesn't rise; not yet, at least.

Mercade Alexander has posed:
Even now, the Kraken is exposed. Once it hit the beach, there is no longer anywhere for it to run. Squall's furious assault pounds down in to the Kraken, slashing open gaping wounds that boil with black power. Unfortunately for him, the Card Command fails as it is not the killing blow. Better luck next time, Space Cowboy. Raiya's flashing blade, in the depths of despair, turns, flashing brightly as she cleaves into the creature, striking with deadly force as she pierces the creatures' defenses. It reels, several massive tentacles cloven in the overwhelming attack. Tifa smashes into the Kraken, launching the titanic beast into the air with her mastery of Zangan Style MArtial Arts, sending the HEartless hanging there.

It rallies when Maira unleashes her incredible fiery assault, summoning up a massive wave to intersect the flames, creating another huge burst of steam... And then Deidra slams into it with magical power, causing it to descend, crashing into the ground moments before a huge burning bolt of energy spears down from the sky, transfixing it. With a roar, the Kraken begins to fray, disintegrating as it dissolves into nothingness, releasing a series of lights straight into the sky.

Finally, the storm breaks, leaving Mercade flattened into the sand, as well as the recipe page, fluttering on the sand next to it. Somehow it survived the huge battle completely unharmed.

Will Sherman has posed:
Will looks over at the passed out Avira...

"Well...at least she won't DIE..." he says, and walks over to Mercade, He kicks him a few times to wake him up, shrugs, and reaches slowly for the Recipe.

"I hate that duck."

Squall Leonhart has posed:
One thing's certain to Squall... He's not in his world anymore.

All of these people -- so casually flinging attacks, and spells like they were nothing... what sorts of backgrounds, and training have they received? It's quite the dangerous situation, in terms of a SeeD's train of thought - the number of unknown factors have risen by quite a magnitude.

The SeeD lands gently at the beach as he returns, from where the Kraken is now dispatched. He frowns as he reaches for several more cards -- a Mesmerize, to turn into regenerative magics... and done.

Hyne almighty, he's exhausted.

Maira has posed:
Maira isn't quite conscious enough to notice that her last attack fizzled once more. Indeed, she wouldn't even remember having done it. It was Uist's doing. If nothing else, her ghostly companion had learned something very valuable during this encounter. Something paramount.

Maira still lays, her clothing burning off her form as she simmers like a hot coal, limp in the sand. She can't feel anything, which is more terrifying than pain.

Surely she can use a healing spell? With the breath of a spirit at her cheek, Maira whispers and the materia she holds sparks to life just enough for a Cura spell to wash over her.

THEN, there is pain. Maira clenches her teeth, afraid to move.

Tifa Lockhart has posed:
Tifa Lockhart lands after the sommersault attack, which apparently launched the huge krakken upward, for the others to finish it off. She phews, still holding her pierced stomach. Its not too serious, but its still a hole. She shakes her head, dragging her feet a bit along the sand as she walks back toward the rest "Did we get the page at least?" She didn't get to see it during the fight, too focused on it.

She's getting more and more annoyed with that duck and those heartless too.

Will Sherman has posed:
"Got it!" Will says, unless someone contests that, "Also, someone throw Water on Mercade's head. He likes it when pretty ladies do it I think."

Avira has posed:
A solid minute passes before Avira makes any move to get up again. An involuntary groan of pain escapes her and she moves, slowly pulling herself up onto her knees. Her grip leaves her "sword" completely and she looks around blearily. The Kraken was obviously gone and she still felt like she was in a lot of pain. "...dunno..." she murmurs to nobody in particular and reaches down for one of the pouches strapped to her belt. From it, she withdraws a flask. It looks like the kind of flask that'd be used for hard liquor. It's true contents? Potion. Avira takes a swig.

Another noise of unpleasantry escapes her and she elects to sit there, not moving all that much. She hasn't even gone through the trouble of putting the Spine away.

She does look towards Kaze again. He seemed dangerous...but not Heartless Kraken or World-Destroying dangerous. Right now, though, Avira was in no condition to approach him with violence. ...or approach much at all. "Sounds like we got it, then. Good to hear.."

Raiya Fujihara has posed:
Raiya's blade finally strikes true and removes several tentacles from the Kraken thanks to Squall opening up the monster's defenses for her. The tentacles fall to the ground, the others duel the deathblow to the kraken, and thus no follow through bladework is required of the samurai. What a pain these Heartless summoners are! They are all nearly as bad as those traitors who run Wutai now, making pacts with such vile creatures. She promptly flicks Kraken ooze off her katana with a turn of her wrist, twirls her blade, and finall sheathes her weapon. The warrior now looks out over the resort town turned battlefield to see how other fare from the combat. Her injuries plague her yes, but they won't kill her. Raiya wants to first ensure that no one present suffers that fate.

And then there is all this talk about a recipe.

"This battle was fought...over a recipe?" Raiya asks of no one in particular before placing her palm onto her forehead. This world truly is the World of Ruin.

Squall Leonhart has posed:
"..."

Squall peers at these people, gathered.

(ansi+grey48,They don't even flinch or bat an eyelid, like it's just... commonplace to them...))

He walks towards the girl who first gave him the Potion, gesturing lightly towards her in a manner that might be appreciative. He frowns for a moment, and checks the chamber on his Gunblade, which starts coughing up all sorts of seaweed and saltwater. That's going to be a repair job that he's going to want to forget later...

"... what was that creature, if you know?" He asks of -- well, just about anyone in the area, if they are close enough.

Will Sherman has posed:
"Ice cream is important." Will says, "Also, I don't think evil understands things like...approprate response to problems." he says, as Squall speaks up. He gives the guy a once over...strange...multiple strings? Then again, he summoned things...but still, odd.

"Heartless."

Vara Toruv has posed:
As the Heartless vanishes, Vara gets to her feet, and looks around at the assembled crowds. Seeing Maira on the ground, she walks over to her, flicking out a cellphone from a pocket in her robes.

"Command... This is 3rd... 3rd Class Vara Toruv. Heartless incursion at Costa Del Sol. One summoner. No... No casualties so far. Looks like she got spooked and ran while they covered for her." she says, as she walks over to Maira.

Maira has posed:
Everything hurts, but she's got to move. Wincing, she manages to sit up then slowly pull herself to her feet with the aid of the tree that had broken her back not long ago. Magic sure is something.

Maira limps toward the group, coming to stand beside Squall. At his gesture, she responds with a smile even though she looks dead on her feet. "Mmhmm. Heartless...that's the first Heartless you've seen?" she asks, disbelief evident. Must be that his world had not been touched by them yet...but then... "How did you get here?"

Alerted to Vara's presence by her footsteps, Maira turns toward her, her eyes unable to mask her pain. "Hiya...glad you're alright...fellow...magic user...o-oh, names would be good....yeah? I'm Maira," she informs not only Vara, but the others as well.

Squall Leonhart has posed:
(Heartless?)

With his latest bout of Metal Gear Thought Bubbles completed, Squall nods tiredly towards Will, looking behind him as the last vestiges of his Guardian Force disappear into flakey motes of errant, processed paramagic.

"This... isn't the first time you've encountered them, I can tell."

(Where is everyone else, I wonder... for that matter, where is Balamb Garden?)

Tifa Lockhart has posed:
Tifa Lockhart looks over to Raiya, still holding her stomach, her side is pretty torn up after all "Its an ice cream recipe. It sounds silly, but its very popular, and it helps lift the spirits of people, considering how chaotic things are right now, its important to keeps spirits up for everyone." She explains it out. she kinows too well, considering that's what she's doing as a barmaid too.

Squall Leonhart has posed:
('Magic user'... yes, they all used magic... but I can't see any Para-Magic devices on them...)

"..." Squall thinks for a moment, adopting that classic arms-folded thinking pose. The answer, really, is 'I fell through a hole through the world', but that just sounds a little bit too far-fetched, even what he's just encountered just now, and the facts laid out before him.

(Let this be one of those stupid 'Laguna' dreams, please... did Zell spike my drink again?)

"I... fell through a dark hole in the ground," Squall winds up admitting in the end.

Will Sherman has posed:
Oddly, Will seems to be acting a bit older than he normally is when talking to Squall. Nevermind he looks like he's seventeen.

"Little bit, yeah. I guess you just got dropped in huh? Well, they don't all come that strong...most of them are pretty weak...but those with a strong darkness can summon and control them...powerful ones too." He says, shrugging, "I dont know much about them other then they shouldn't be."

Raiya Fujihara has posed:
Raiya finally remove her palm from her forehead with a slight sigh. This sighing motion causes her to wince in pain and the samurai places a hand against where the Kraken's last blow landed. Perhaps she should wear a breastplate like she used to in the old days. That would have saved her a lot of pain right now, but she -should- have been faster. That was where her strength truly lied.

Tifa's explanation of Raiya's question draws a grateful if not slow nod from samurai. Her mind does not want to accept this simple truth, but why would this martial artist lie to her about such a thing. And so, Raiya lets her hand drop from her wound and attempts to stand straight like the proud warrior she is. "Then I hope it was worth it. Levity in dark times like these are both rare and wished for." A slight pause as Raiya's mind works slowly to piece things together. "Noble Martial Artist, I witnessed your struggle against your fellow martial artist, but I never asked your name."

Vara Toruv has posed:
Vara nods to Maira, as she quickly says, "Don't leave... Don't even move. Medics'll be here soon." Walking over to Squall, she reaches over to tap him on the shoulder, and look him eye-to-glowing-circle-thing. "Hey, listen. If you've just arrived, then we need to talk. I'm with Shinra. You're not in trouble, but you /don't/ want to go wandering about clueless. I need to handle a few things, then we can talk. OK?"

Tifa Lockhart has posed:
Tifa Lockhart salutes Raiya with one hand, offering a soft smile, even hurt she stays kind and upbeat "I'm Tifa Lockhart, no need for 'noble martial artists' stuff, really. I'm just a barmaid in Midgar, or Goug, whatever you want to call it now."

Will Sherman has posed:
Will look sat Vara, "Let the guy rest, geeze, and if he wants to wonder off, then that's his problem." he says, hand on hip and placing the recipe away.

Maira has posed:
Maira frowns gently. Yup, Squall had just been dumped here and dropped right into a battle with a powerful Heartless. Filled with sympathy, she reaches out to put a hand on his elbow and give it a comforting squeeze. "Something like that happened to me....I can show you to Traverse Town. Its a place where you can stay. Lot of refugees there," she informs him.

Of course, then Vara speaks up as well. Maira's eyes widen. "You are with Shinra!? Then...then you're from my world?" she asks, excitement building.

She winces then. Oh goodness, excitement hurts!

"Nice to meet you all..." she says, then gives Squall a little poke. "Do you have a name? ....And who was that who was shooting? I know I heard gunfire..."

Avira has posed:
Eventually, Avira manages to stand, weapon returned to it's custom-sized sheath at the small of her back. As she stumbles about on the beach, one of her hands reaches down her collar to tug at something around her neck-a string, by the looks of it. From beneath her breastplate, a strange little necklace supporting a small tied bag comes out. Avira gives this necklace a long, baleful look before letting go of it to bounce against her chest.

Still a bit shellshocked by everything, she wanders over to Will, Squall, and Maira. Maira...mentions gunfire and Avira quickly whirls around to point at Kaze. "It was /that guy/. Maybe you should go over and ask him. I can't, really. He...uh...gives me the creeps."

Raiya Fujihara has posed:
Staying upbeat in spite of everything is indeed a noble quality, and it also reinforced Tifa's philosophy over the ice cream recipe retrieval. This cohesion allows Raiya to levy some trust in Tifa even though she is still a stranger mostly. "A pleasure to meet you, Tifa." The blonde samurai raises a hand and places it against herself. "I am Raiya Fujihara. But please, call me Raiya." Another pause. "You said you work at a bar, how intriguing? Is it close? I am quite thirsty."

Kaze has posed:
Kaze is still in a heap post-impaling. He's moving very, very slightly further down the shore. He still has the gun; it has not left his grip.

He'll need a minute, maybe.

Tifa Lockhart has posed:
Tifa Lockhart shakes the offered hand with a smile "Not really close by, its in Goug as I said, you need to use the ship to Junon and travels north east from there to reach it. Its called the Seventh Heaven, if you want to drop by, anytime. I was here to do some shopping, I'm always checking for drinks and other things to serve in the bar. Which is why I was chasing that ice cream, I have a deal to sell some once trreived.

Mercade Alexander has posed:
Finally, there is a groan from Mercade, as he sits bolt upright. "I'M STILL NOT DEAD YET!"

Someone might get the feeling he does this reasonably frequently. He then suddenly rubs his temples. "Oh God. Did someone get the plate on that kraken? Jesus Christ my head hurts." He grumbles as he stands up, and looks over the gathered people. "Will, Deidra, I'm seeing a lot of confused faces here. And collateral damage. But mostly confused people."

Squall Leonhart has posed:
Squall steps back a little when Maira reaches forward with her hand -- whoa, no touchy, apparently.

(Shinra... that's at least two, from 'the same world'? This is starting to sound rather... I'd better not use my real name here.)

"Leon," Squall answers in turn, with a quiet nod towards Maira's question of his name.

Will Sherman has posed:
Will hands Mercade the part of the recipe.

"No, life apparently thinks you haven't suffered enough." he says in a sideways glance to his friend.

Vara Toruv has posed:
Turning to Maira briefly, she says, "Look, you're just going to hurt yourself." But Maira's excitement elicits a sigh, as she reaches into her pockets, and pulls out another two large vials of liquid, both with prominent 'Hi-P' labels, handing them to the girl. "Drink these, OK? They'll take care of the worst of it. If you're from Midgar or Junon, Maira, I can take you back."

Turning back to Leon, she lets out a small sigh at the divide in her attention, and says, "Look. This isn't the best place for a proper answer, but if you *came* here, then you, and everyone you know, is in trouble." Anticipating a question, she adds, "Not from me, or anyone here, but from a group of creatures called the Heartless."

Taking a deep breath, the girl's tired voice strains to be heard above the crowd, as she continues, "Now, I know you're probably feeling a bit nervous, Leon, Maira, but I'm here to help. So... I'm asking you to trust me. OK?"

Mercade Alexander has posed:
"True enough, Deidra. I'm just glad everyone's okay." He looks at the recipe piece and smiles. "Awesome, good work Will!" He pockets it and waves his hands. "Hey everyone! Gather around, I need to get your names and stuff so I know who should be getting part of this reward!"

Maira has posed:
Maira blinks in surprise as Squall steps away from her offer of comfort. Flushing a deep red, Maira looks down. If she knew better, she wouldn't take it personally. But she doesn't. "I--okay...Leon. Well, if you want to go to Traverse, let me know and I can show you," she says, making a study of her feet.

Looking at to the sound of Avira's voice, the young woman blinks before her eyes travel toward Kaze. "Oh! I should go heal him!" she exclaims, only to have some hipotions shoved at her. Blinking, she looks to Vara and smiles. "Oh, thanks...wait--take me back? No no...its lost to darkness...I fled..." assumably for her life.

Maira drinks the potions then, which do a great deal to restore her. "I'm going to go help that guy. Be right back..."

With that, she limps off toward Kaze. Slowly. But she gets there, so no complaining. "Um, if you can hear me, I'm just going to heal you...thought I dunno if I can get this big thing out," she says, her frown coloring her voice. Well, here goes nothing! Her materia begins to glow as she casts a cure spell on Kaze. She doesn't hear the part of there being a reward.

Will Sherman has posed:
Will looks to Avira, frowning, "Sorry, I couldn't get to you in time. The poison was a bit faster than I could tear it out of you." he says, noting the stuff on the ground.

"But you didn't die."

Vara Toruv has posed:
Vara lets out another tired sigh at Maira's retreat. "It's. Not. Lost. Midgar was heavily damaged, but a good part of the city is still intact. Same with Junon."

Will Sherman has posed:
Will quips to Vara, "She's not listening to you." he says, "Maybe you should use a diagram or a picture. Or you know, shiny things."

Avira has posed:
"TRY TO GET HIS NAAAAAAME!" Avira calls after Maira. Sighing in relief after the fire mage runs off, the scarred woman rubs her back, wincing as she still feels the huge hole in her armoring where the Kraken ran her through. "Ugh, that's going to leave a mark." At least it wouldn't be a readily visible one, unlike the older ones decorating her face.

On that related note, she does take notice of Leon's own scar upon his face.

Will approaches her, apologetic over the healing. Avira laughs nervously, "It's...it's alright, it's my fault for getting hit in the first place. I...really should have done better than that but...but I really haven't fought off large groups like that before. It really messed me up back there."

Raiya Fujihara has posed:
Raiya's major vice is that she does like to enjoy a good drink now and then. Her inquiry over this bar's location causes Raiya's spirits to soar and then come crashing back down. That's right. She had already said she worked in Goug/Midgar. A careless misobservation. "If only I could. But, there would be....difficulties for me to go to such a place. I would have to use the utmost discretion." She would be going to the den of evil afterall.

Squall Leonhart has posed:
(... everyone's throwing 'Darkness' around like-- what does that even mean...? Oh no, someone turned the lights out... beep boop, Squall logic to the rescue.)

Maira's dashed off to go help Kaze before he can even answer -- not that Squall answers often anyhow, so he turns his gaze back to Vara and gestures quietly, with a question posed more towards the immediate vicinity, "Alright... Let me ask this question, then... have you heard of a place called 'Balamb'?"

Tifa Lockhart has posed:
Tifa Lockhart nods "That's alright, whenever you come in the area then, hm?" she smiles again, wincing a little at a bit of a movement in her side "Its not the best place around, but its one place I can offer smiles to people needing them."

Mercade Alexander has posed:
Mercade Alexander sighs. No one seems to be interested in the reward. "I don't really feel right about these guys going and doing this to help everyone and getting nothing for it." Mercade says to Deidra. "Go mingle and see if you can talk to them and see what's up." He walks over to Avira, then. "Are you all right, Avira? Looks like everything is so far, so good. One more piece and everyhing will be perfect."

Kaze has posed:
Kaze has a spar of kraken-bone (cartilage, maybe) harpoon-tentacle lodged in his chest. It's narrow and spined, looking particularly terrible to remove. Maira comes over, and Kaze's visible eye snaps open, flicking over to look at her. He releases his firearm, lifting his left hand to the jagged piece, gripping it, and without preamble or complaint, pulls it right out of his chest.

The healing spell goes off right as he does it. He doesn't bleed; the wound doesn't actually look very bad, now that she's close enough to look at it, though it is a strange sight. The hole in his shirt is far bigger than the shard he removed, the skin revealed by it looking pinkish and new. If it was that big, and if it had only been a couple of minutes since it happened, he'd have to have healed himself somehow. The question is, of course, how did he do that with a hole that size clear through his torso?

Kaze sits up. He picks up his gun without looking at it, dropping it into a holster at his side. He watches Maira, most of his expression unreadable, shrouded by hair or collar.

Vara Toruv has posed:
Vara looks back to Leon. The hood dips a little as she nods, staggering a little as she does, and her blue eyes look him over more carefully. "I know of a Balamb Garden. From what I know, it's the headquarters of the mercenary corps known as SeeD..."

She trails off, and her hand dissappears under her hood, as she seemingly rubs her chin before coughing a few times. "You're a SeeD? It's still intact, and there's still a sizable force there."

Avira has posed:
"Eheh..actually no, that really hurt back there." Avira confides quietly in Mercade, "I think I'm gonna have to rest tomorrow after that. I mean, if I can join you to get the last paper, I'll sure try." There's a grimace on the woman's face, as if she's really trying to hide just how unpleasant she was still feeling. Maybe she ought to beg a heal out of that mage girl too. "But hey, it at least felt good giving you guys a hand. I...uh..."

She looks guilty as she asks this, "...I still get a little cut of the reward, right? I don't have all that much for funds right now." Her words seem to slur a little, a strange inflection slipping in.

Maira has posed:
When Kaze's eyes snap open and he reaches for the spine, she leaps back with a cry of surprise, even as her healing spell releases. She watches in awe as he grips it and rips it out of his flesh without complaint.

Well, she can guess why Avira thought he was creepy!

Maira doesn't think he's creepy though. Maira doesn't understand creepy. Maira just thinks its totally AWESOME. "Whoooa," she says, stepping forward again. She smiles then. "I guess you are alright then. Good. I'm Maira. Nice gun," she says, eyes flickering briefly to the weapon. "Want to come join us over there," she says, gesturing over her shoulder with her thumb.

Squall Leonhart has posed:
(Oh sweet merciful Hyne -YES-, please let my room be intact...)

"It's also home to a lot of civilians," Squall explains in turn, with a little gesture. He's not really going to be able to explain away his affiliations, but... well, lying is easy when you've got the world's most practiced poker face in the world.

"Do you have directions to Balamb Garden, then?"

Mercade Alexander has posed:
Mercade blinks as if he hears something odd. "Hah. You sounded like you could fit right in back in Brooklyn for a minute there. But yeah, don't worry about it. You're going to get a cut. Go relax, you look like you took a beating. Can't heal if you're still running around."

He looks over at the others present, and rubs his chin. What are they up to...

Vara Toruv has posed:
The look in those two glowing blue circles shows how unimpressed she is at the deception. "And they issue *them* Summons as well?" she asks, before raising a hand. "Look. You're not in any trouble for being here. Board a ship to Luca, and you should be able to find overland transport to Balamb from there. I'd offer transport myself, but I've got to report in. Also..." she glances over to Maira, and sighs. "... Our own people have to come first."

Kaze has posed:
Kaze stares for a moment longer. He pulls himself to his feet, swaying when he gets there for just a moment. He feels like he should say something. His mind is racing. He remembers --

-- what, exactly?

"..." Kaze starts towards the bigger group. He has to go past them to get off the beach either way. Maybe Maira had an effect; maybe not.

Avira has posed:
"Uhhhh...sounded like what now?" Avira looks a little shocked all the sudden. Shocked and slightly distressed. Clearly the pain was getting to her at this time. "Whew. Thanks...again, sorry to be a pain about it. Times are kinda tough right now, y'know? I'm gonna find a place to sit."

Numbly, she stumbles over to a discarded beach chair and claims it as her own.

Squall Leonhart has posed:
(... well, technically, yeah... I mean, I've had mine since what, six? Do you even know how awesome a giant lizard that turns monsters into CARDS was at six?)

Squall quietly nods, with a bit of a shrug, and then says, "I think I can manage." Find a ship, board it to... 'Luca', and hoof it over to Balamb. Alright...

"Thanks. See you around," is Squall's -- Leon's -- somewhat abrupt reply as he peers on over towards the nearest instance of a dock, and then zoom, he is off.

Tifa Lockhart has posed:
Tifa Lockhart drags herself away from the beach a bit, looking to rest, and something to bandage her wound as well, so she doesn't bleed out at least. She'll live, but it's still painful obviously. Well, there goes another attempt at getting a swimsuit ruined today, but at least one page was retrieved.

Vara Toruv has posed:
Vara Toruv says, "Indeed. I doubt such a massive quantity of potent moonshine would even give someone as brave and mighty as yourself even a /buzz/.""

Difference between revisions of "The Search For Ice Cream: Coastal Chaos"

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+:'''[[Mercade Alexander]] has posed:'''<br><span></span>The sunny beach resort of Costa Del Sol is a wonderful and pleasant place. There are cafes and a hotel (reasonable rates!) and even a couple condos. Everything goes to Shinra, of course, and all of the products are supplied by the innovative and friendly Shinra Electric Company, but when you're the only game in town, everyone plays by your rules. <br /><br />At one particular seaside cafe, a female anthropomorphic duck sits, dressed in black and with long black hair. She is currently reading a menu, paging through it. "I do not know who made these menus! There has to be something I will want here..." <br /><br />Under one elbow, pinned to the table in this manner, is a torn sheet of paper. "Perhaps some ice cream? Ho ho ho ho ho! That Scrooge McDuck will never know what hit him..."<br /><br />Little does she know that the Laws of Sympathy are working against her at this exact moment, and a large group of mercenaries, detectives, soldiers, and innocent hobo bystanders are in the area, approaching to this conflux of destiny.
+:'''[[Tifa Lockhart]] has posed:'''<br><span></span>Tifa Lockhart was actually wandering town for a different reason entirely. She wasn't part of the 'search group' for the torn pages, but apparently coincidences happen often around her. The first time was when she was about to strike the deal to sell those ice cream pops to people in Goug from her bar. And now... well...<br /><br />She was in Costa, again, to look at wares and maybe get a swimsuit. Last time she was here, she got distracted by a spar by a large muscled man in speedoes... That might be why she's looking around as she walks, actually <.< >.> She doesn't really want to run into that guy again, not after... Well anyway.<br /><br />She's found a nice two pieces to wear at least, but she isn't sure she wants to buy it, she's going around the different shops for now, which will quite possibly bring her closeby the 'sitting duck' (pun intended, if not relevant here). She's barely seen the duck mistress last time though, but its not like she would miss a anthoduck like that either. <br /><br />If she was looking in that direction at least.
+:'''[[Squall Leonhart]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> <span style="color:grey48">I'll be here...<br /><br /> Why...?<br /><br /> be waiting...<br /><br /> I'll...<br /><br /> I'll be waiting... here...<br /><br /> For what?<br /><br /> ... I don't know, Squall. Because I don't have anything to do today. Because you owe me lunch at Saheed's Falafel stand. Take your pick--</span><br /><br /> Squall Leonhart takes a sharp gasp as consciousness kicks back into his tired, battered body.<br /><br /> This is a mistake, because the 17-year old youth is perfectly face down in the wet, salt-soaked sands of Costa Del Sol, having just now washed up on shore.<br /><br /> Immediately, the SeeD rolls over, and the equivalent force of seven trucks kicks in as his nerves and mind catch up. His leather outfit is absolutely waterlogged and quite possibly stench-laden by now, both through the long hours of Prison Life, dried and caked blood both from battle and torture, and through having to Cross Through The Worlds right about now.<br /><br /> "... where..."<br /><br /> (<span style="color:grey48">Is this... Heaven...? Am I ... Am I dead?</span>)<br /><br /> Three seconds later, his ears hit jaunty mariachi music and the hoots of a crowd doing the Limbo, his nose is punctured by the smell of supermarket-produce sausage links over a nearby grill, and some over-excited beach-going child stepping over his face and running past without so much as a 'sorry, mister!'<br /><br /> (<span style="color:grey48">... Heaven can't be this cheap ... ... I HOPE Heaven isn't this cheap...</span>)
+:'''[[Maira]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> "Mmm. It does not look very ruined to me..." not like her home. That was truly gone. "But yes, I want to see all the places I can," she assures Faruja. She's hoping to find where she belongs. Traverse Town...it could never really be home. It was a place in-between. A place for refugees. <br /><br /> Backtrack. <br /><br /> "You'll bring me a hat!? Really!?!?!" she asks, her excitement ridiculous. Indeed, she spring forward and hugs Faruja fiercely. <br /><br /> Then, hearing Zeke mention he might be willing to take her out on a run when his business was concluded, she graces him with a rambunctious hug next. "Oh yes! I can do wind!" she assures him, letting go and stepping back. "Watch!" she says, an orb of light beginning to glow within her forearm. She gestures toward the water and raises her hand, whispering an incantation as the wind sucks up the water and whirls it, forming a small water spout.
+:'''[[Maira]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> Maira, the innocent (almost) hobo bystander, is wishing she had a bathing suit. Then again, her last attempt to learn to swim hadn't exactly gone well. Perhaps she should really wait until someone is around to teach her. That said, she is most certainly enjoying the weather in a pink t-shirt and pair of denim cutoffs. Sadly, this is one of her nicest outfits. <br /><br /> Now, she's taking a perfectly lovely stroll along the beach when she sees some guy just...laying in the sand like a drunk get stepped on by a kid. <br /><br /> Having been the victim of careless children yesterday, Maira runs on over and looks down at the stranger with wide amber eyes. "Heeey....are you okay?"
+:'''[[Will Sherman]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> Will Sherman, man of a thousand talents, and KING OF THE HOBOS, said after the theft of the ice cream, that...well, it has a trail. After doing some wonky shit, he tied it to his own sight, before starting a search with the rest of the TDA. It's been a hard week or so, but Will finally saw something. <br /><br /> Coming into Costa Del Sol, he stops the people with him. <br /><br /> "It's here." he says, looking towards the rest of them. <br /><br /> Will follows the string...coming closer to the duck, leading whoever joined the TDA, to beat the crap out of her and hopefully take the thing back.
+:'''[[Avira]] has posed:'''<br><span></span>For once, Avira is actually here for business. Today there will be no buying of drinks or extortion of drinks from guys who have previously promised drinks. Being precariously low on funds for /reals/ now meant that sort of frivolity was on hold. Marks at the moment were not really cutting it to cover travel feels, especially when Avira only got 10 percent of the total payout. <br /><br />Resorting to non-Mark sources of money lead her to the job board in Traverse Town. Track down a few scraps of paper with an ice cream recipe on it? Sure, sounds easy. Avira will TAKE THE CASE. Except she learns that the Twlight Detective Agency is already working it. FINE. She knows Mercade. As Aviras are wont to do, she forcefully joins their party for this one. <br /><br />"That is some crazy paper travelling." Avira mutters, her arms crossed, as she follows behind Will. "How the heck did you do that, by the way?"
+:'''[[Squall Leonhart]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> Squall Leonhart doesn't, exactly, look better right now. His scar is kind of muddied by the footprint in the middle of on his face, even, as he coughs up salt water and sand and Lord knows what else Seifer's made him drink (kyaa) while he was in Prison.<br /><br /> First instinct: "Yes..." he groans weakly, as some measure of reserved strength starts to kick into his limbs. God, that sniper bullet really hurts... is it even still in his shoulder?<br /><br /> Immediately, he goes to sit up, and assess his surroundings; his hair is sopping wet and grimy from everything of the elements he's been exposed to.<br /><br /> You could say that he is no less a Hobo than the other Hobos presenting at this beach.<br /><br /> "... where am I?" he asks.<br /><br /> (<span style="color:grey48">What the hell happened...? I was... in Prison? And-- ... where is this, Dollet? No, not pretentious enough... I don't see a baguette stand for miles from here.</span>)
+:'''[[Kaze]] has posed:'''<br><span></span>Costa Del Sol appears to be a haven for misfits and vagabonds of all stripes. The bright and cheery atmosphere, however, means that most of the scum that frequent the place are lurking in plain sight. Brightly-colored floral-print shirts, barely-concealing bathing suits, mirrored sunglasses that hide the eyes to the soul. Paradise, for some.<br /><br />For some.<br /><br />The dark-clothed man moving along the street near the cafe stands out like a sore thumb in a box full of toes. His shaggy red hair and the glint of something gold are the only real variance in color he has. He moves along with the pedestrians without causing a fuss, only occasionally getting strange looks from the natives and the visitors. Nobody has given him any trouble, yet.<br /><br />The man looks up to the clear blue sky for a moment, the sun glinting off the one lens set into his broken sunglasses. He frowns, the expression mostly hidden by his high collar. Too clear. No sign of him. Where next?
+:'''[[Raiya Fujihara]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> Fate can be strange in the way it weaves its various strands together. Costa de Sol is a place that a warrior like Raiya Fujihara should only rarely be drawn to with its frivolity and wanton excesses. And yet, the Wutai samurai has been drawn back here for a second time in only a week. The travelling warrior is no closer to her goal as she was the last time she passed through, but perhaps fate will be kind to her and push her in the right direction once more. <br /><br /> The woman in the circular straw hat aimlessly wanders close to a certain seaside cafe where a certain duck is located. Raiya is rather parched due to the current clime and could surely use a drink. As of so far, the samurai has no knowledge whatsover of what is going on behind the scene with this investigation of sorts. She is simply just a thirsty wanderer looking for some liquid libation.
+:'''[[Mercade Alexander]] has posed:'''<br><span></span>Appearing next to Squall is a man in a trenchcoat, who gives Squall a hand up. "Are you okay there?" He smiles, giving a two-fingered salute of greeting. "You're in Costa Del Sol. Sorry for the trouble, but if you're not feeling well, we should get you back out of the way here, because there's about to be some trouble." He gestures towards the safety of the totally reasonably-price(pfffthahahahaha) condos. <br /><br />At the approach of the Hobo King, Avira, and the others actively seeking her, a raven hanging out on top of one of those condos croaks out. At that, the duck-woman looks up over the edge of the menu at the approaching group, her eyes narrowing dangerously. With a quick motion, she picks up the page in her hand and looks them over. "What do you think you are doing? Do you even know who I am? MAGICA DESPELL, the most powerful sorceress in Duckberg! It would not be /wise/ to mess with me!" She backs away from the table, warningly as a waiter brings out a large ice cream sundae and puts it on the table, not giving a damn. That's just how things roll in Costa Del Sol.
+:'''[[Tifa Lockhart]] has posed:'''<br><span></span>Tifa Lockhart peeks through the door into the bar nearby. Its a rather huge building in the middle of the seaside town after all. And... its a bar, might as well scope out the competition as well. But she doesn't want to enter, she's not here for drinking after all. She hmms, but turns around after a few seconds. It might be grimy in the slums, but she still prefers her own place to this tourist trap.<br /><br />She wonders over to the next row of swimsuits, put on display by street vendors. Those are clearly overpriced, but she looks at designs still, maybe something will catch her eye.<br /><br />On the subject of catching her eye, she ends up glancing toward the cafe nearby as well. The first thing that comes in view is that wutai warrior she crosses in this place before, but didn't really get time to talk or anything with, before the hobo martial artist gave her a challenge. The second one, which Raiya stands between herself and it, is the anthroduck... She knows that one, she's seen it before... Its that one that's controlling heartless and stole the recipe which is her ticket to mroe munnies!<br /><br />Tifa decides to put the shopping aside for now, and tightens her gloves, and points at the duck (which incidentedly ends up pointing at Raiya as well) "Give that back to me! That's my profit!"
+:'''[[Maira]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> The young woman tilts her head slightly to the side, a smile appearing. So she isn't the only person who occasionally wakes up in the middle of nowhere disoriented and confused? Yay! Wait. This seems an inappropriate thing to find joy in. <br /><br /> Oh well! <br /><br /> Maira extends a hand to the man, offering to help him to his feet. "It is called Costa De Sol. It is kind of a resort town owned by a big company called Shinra," she informs him giving him another look over. "You don't really look alright...do you need a potion or anything? Because I totally have one in my pocket," she informs him, sounding sincere. The look on his face is triggering something in her. Empathy? Memory? Yes, she can recall waking up in Traverse Town, having no clue where she was or what had happened. <br /><br /> Congratulations Squall! You have been selected to be looked after by Maira. Good luck! You are going to need it. <br /><br /> Of course, half way through her tangled thoughts another man appears and helps Squall up. "Oh, hiya--wait, trouble? Not again!" she says, her voice half-despair, half-annoyance. Can she go anywhere without getting into trouble!? <br /><br /> Grumbling, Maira pulls the potion out of her pocket and places it in Squall's hand. "Guh, drink this."
+:'''[[Will Sherman]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> Hobo lad looks back towards Avira. <br /><br /> "I see fate." he says, and looks back towards Magica. "Sup, I'm The King of the Hobos, and you stole something from my kingdom." he says, his face into a carefree smile. "So I am here, with the backing of McDuck to take it back...and frankly my dear? Don't care. Give it back, or we do it the hard way." <br /><br /> "Oh and if you thought yourself safe before...well, we /Did/ find you." he says with a grin. "So please, the recipe please."
+:'''[[Squall Leonhart]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> (<span style="color:grey48">...Costa Del Sol?</span>)<br /><br /> The offer does sound very tempting -- especially as Squall catches sight of the condos Mercade gestures towards, because just about anything approaching accomodation is, surely, a grand notch better than 'a hexagonal Prison block with a backed up toilet' and 'face down in the sand'.<br /><br /> The SeeD grabs both Mercade and Maira's hands and weakly gets up to his feet; that he can probably stand at all might be tantamount to some measure of dogged persistence. <br /><br /> "...trouble?"<br /><br /> (<span style="color:grey48">... ShinRa? Company... resort town...</span>)<br /><br /> He gets a Potion shoved in his hand, and stares down at it. -That-, at least, is conveniently familiar. "T-thanks," and does just that.<br /><br /> (<span style="color:grey48">... they make Potion in Fruity Tutty flavor here too? ... Squee.</span>)<br /><br /> There is, of course, no trace of visible squee in Squall's deadpan, tired face. Nope. None at all.
+:'''[[Avira]] has posed:'''<br><span></span>"...that's it?" Avira seems disappointed at the response. That did not sound like a learnable tracking skill right there. Speaking of fate, suddenly several things converge at once. Magica starts to get defensive. Avira is going to comment on it but instead, something /else/ catches her attention. <br /><br />Tifa. Avira recognizes her! She's the martial artist that fought Sabin here. Unfortunately-"Hey, are you horning in on our job?" Avira demands, slowly growing ticked off, "We got here first, you know. It's /our/ profit." Honestly, she didn't want to pick a fight with this woman, whom she knows is a very capable fighter. On the other hand, she was not going to stand to be pushed out of the reward on this one. <br /><br />Something else catches her eye that distracts her even further from both Magica and now Tifa. A strange, red-haired man that sticks out amongst the locals here quite strikingly. Unusual, yes, but that red hair...those weird glasses. Suddenly, Avira's not paying all that much attention to anything else except for Kaze. ".../him/...it has to be." she rumbles quietly.
+:'''[[Vara Toruv]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> With the sun shining brightly over head, the breeze coming in from the sea, and the warm sands underfoot... It's no suprise that someone's walking around in a heavy overcoat with an all-encompassing black hood drawn over their head. Not showing an inch of bare skin, the figure walks across the beach, drawing a few bemused looks, before crossing over to Squall, Mercade, and Maira. Glancing at them for a second, they step in front, pushing black-gloved hands out of their sleeves, and flexing their fingers.<br /><br /> A quiet, young female voice says, "You'd better follow your own advice... Whoever you are."
+:'''[[Raiya Fujihara]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> With such a heavy ShinRa influence here in Costa del Sol, this would normally be an ill-opportune spot for someone from Wutai like Raiya. But, it is also the ShinRa presence here that protects the same samurai from Wutai ninjas. The bottom line is that Raiya would get along just fine as long as she does not draw too much attention to herself. And then Tifa points at her (more or less) and demands that she return something to her. Uh oh. So much for the whole low profile thing.<br /><br /> Even her wide brimmed hat does not fully conceal the surprise on Raiya's face as she turns to face her accuser. There is also much buzz around her talking about recipes and other strange things that simply confuse the blonde samurai as she regards just who is directing this towards her. Huh, it is that martial artist from the other day. Thinking still thet she is the accused, Raiya places a hand against herself and replies in a calm voice, "I believe you have mistaken my for someone else. The only possession of mine of any worth is my blade and that is something that I shall not part lightly with." Her sheathed katana does look rathe fancy as does the sheath itself that it is housed in. But then more people are talking about profits to be gained which only serves to confuse the poor Wutai warrior even further. She ends up not saying anything else, but she does place a hand on the back of her neck as she tries to make sense of this current...ahem...situation.
+:'''[[Maira]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> Maira looks back to Mercade then, her eyes widening with recognition. "Oh! Hey! You are that guy I found under the tree! Glad you are alright. That's a relief," she tells him, smiling widely. How strange, that she would meet him here again. Despite there being a great many worlds...she guesses it's a small world after all. <br /><br /> ....... <br /><br /> Saved from that line of thought, Maira looks to Vara with questions brewing in her eyes. That's a really nice coat. Must be so very warm on a winter night in the snow. "Pretty..." she comments. <br /><br /> Her gaze wonders now, following the sounds of commotion, where a duck with dark hair is apparently making a scene and a few others are arguing about profits or something? <br /><br /> Maira leans toward Squall, her eyes comically wide, "I have no idea what is going on," she confesses. "Looks like there might be a fight though. Did the potion help? Can you fight? I can help protect you," she informs him. The cute thing is she seems to believe she can do it.
+:'''[[Mercade Alexander]] has posed:'''<br><span></span>The mysterious man, who Maira might remember as 'the guy who got smashed into a tree in Manhattan', chuckles. "Anyway, we better get moving before..."<br /><br />Magica looks surprised. "You? A scruffy little wastrel like you has the Sight? This is a grand jest!" Tifa's arrival as well, causes her to hop back again. "You think you can just threaten a powerful sorceress? I will show you what happens to those who underestimate me!" She turns to the ocean and begins incanting words of power. The sunny sky begins darkening, a horrible storm brewing as the ocean churns. "You want sea salt? Magica DeSpell will give you fools SEA SALT! Rise, Kraken!" <br /><br />There is a terrifying roar as a black void drips into the ocean, spreading like inky black water as dark tentacles breach the surface. Chaos erupts on the beach as the massive form of a giant monsterous Heartless squid rises, the massive Heartless crest emblazoned upon it as the tentacles begin to reach in hungrily for the shore. <br /><br />Mercade's expression goes flat. "Welp. It happened. If you're not going to shoot the monster, hurry up to shelter! Get back!" <br /><br />Magica DeSpell laughs, and her raven swoops down and picks up the sundae, flying as Magica begins booking it. "Have fun with the octopus, kiddies!" Magica taunts.<br /><br /><span class=" bold_fg_x bg_n hx">==============================================================================</span><br /><br /> <span class=" bold_fg_w bg_n hw">- <span class="underline bold_fg_w bg_n huw">THE KRAKEN HAS APPEARED</span> -</span> <br /><br /> <span class=" bold_fg_r bg_n hr">BEWARE! IT IS THE KILLER! DO NOT DIE!</span> <br /><br /><span class=" bold_fg_x bg_n hx">==============================================================================</span>
+:'''[[Tifa Lockhart]] has posed:'''<br><span></span>Tifa Lockhart looks over to Avira "No, I just want that page to get back to that Mr Duck with a top hat so I can start getting ice cream to sell too!" She's not trying to steal anyone's job really, just wants the results to happen >_<
+:'''[[Kaze]] has posed:'''<br><span></span>Kaze doesn't notice the stare. He's still looking up, gazing into the sky. The sea breeze ruffles his high-necked poncho, seeming to draw him back into a state of alertness. He looks down the beach, out to sea, staring at the surface of the water instead of the sky above. He looks past the gathering and the familiar figures of the King of the Hobos and his be-coated companion, not caring about any of that or any of them. He doesn't even seem to see Avira; he's looking down the shore with a curious intensity.<br /><br />The Kraken appears. Citizens and vacation-goers scatter, running screaming in every direction as soon as they realize the monster is there. Kaze is a rock in this particular storm, appearing either unsurprised or unimpressed. They go around him, giving him plenty of space and letting him stand between them and the monster reaching for tender human morsels.<br /><br />Kaze doesn't make any move to go for his weapon -- if he even has one. He watches, and waits. Something feels...
+:'''[[Will Sherman]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> Will blinks as she... <br /><br /> "THE KRACKEN!" he says, always wanting to say that...but it too large... <br /><br /> The sight is a terrible thing to have as he holds his head for a moment...seeing a heartless was like looking directly at static...only a million times worse for him. He grunts, and shrugs at Avira, before he closes his eyes...he starts reaching out to effect the strings of fate... <br /><br /> Specifically, making certain strings stronger. Specifically... <br /><br /> Deidra is his friend, and he can't see Mercade, but Avira is right next to him. Her string is strengthened.
+:'''[[Tifa Lockhart]] has posed:'''<br><span></span>Tifa Lockhart jumps up over Raiya as the krakken comes into view. Whatever that is, its not friendly, and that duck called upon it apparently too, so she can 2+2 easily enough in this case. <br /><br /> Jumping toward the water, she opens things up with a series of quick punches, testing the defenses of the monster at first. She wants to see how tough it is first.
+:'''[[Squall Leonhart]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> (<span style="color:grey48">... what--</span>)<br /><br /> There's nary a moment of respite or even ability to collect himself before the very gigantic Heartless Squid rises from out within the ocean. In one brief moment, he recognizes that symbol.<br /><br /> It's the same one that the creatures from back before the Prison collapsed has.(<span style="color:grey48">... no idea what's going on here. Alright... what have I got--</span>)<br /><br /> He pauses internally, suddenly very cross.<br /><br /> (<span style="color:grey48">... that's the last time I let Irvine have the lionshare of the GFs just because he's 'lonely'... alright, alright, enough complaining...</span>)<br /><br /> "... don't worry," is all the SeeD says, before he extends his hand. He's wet, and broken... but, the Odine Junction System should still work. <br /><br /> He reaches for a small panel on the underside of his glove, and crackling bursts of paramagic start to flow and enhance his very limbs' movements; in one swift movement, he's leapt off the horrible footing of the sandy beaches of Costa Del Sol and onto something far, far more tactically beneficial.<br /><br /> "Quetzalcoatl!"<br /><br /> The SeeD's racing off in the skies on the back of a massive lime-green thunderbird, the Guardian Force coalescing from its resting place within the Feymarch by way of a swift lightning bolt crashing down in front of him; he isn't going to care about getting in close to a creature like this.<br /><br /> The junctioned Paramagic in his limbs do their work, as he synthesizes aetheric energy into existence; with but a brief flick of his wrist, he's led his own assault on the kraken with several large shards of ice leading to a siphoning Draw, finished off with a thunderous ball of electrocuting energy from his GF keeping him aloft.
+:'''[[Raiya Fujihara]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> Raiya looks surprised first when she realizes that Tifa is not addressing her, and then doubly so when a KRAKEN is conjured out of nowhere. The samurai turns to regard the beast with a hand on the hilt of her katana. Tch. A Heartless. "Martial Artist. I know your strength. Help..." Raiya trails off as Tifa jumps OVER her to get at the kraken. Seeing that words are merely a waste of time, Raiya dashes off after Tifa and towards the Kraken herself. Drawing near, she plants her feet down firmly and draws her katana fully out. The blade is held above her head as she waits for the kraken to make the first move.<br /><br /> Ranged combat is not the Wutai warrior's forte and she merely bides her time for now. Once the kraken swings at something or someone, then she will strike at the Heartless. Then it will be time to see if Wutai blades can lop of monstrous Heartless limbs.
+:'''[[Avira]] has posed:'''<br><span></span>Perhaps rudely, Avira doesn't look at Tifa right away when she tries to respond, obviously getting riled up over...well, something else completely unrelated to Magica or Tifa. That ends quite quickly though because the scarred woman does not make any moves towards Kaze, finally realizing that Tifa's talking to her. "Oh if that's so then-Whoah!" <br /><br />Magica splits, leaving a gigantic Heartless crawling up the beach in her wake. Avira actually seems...frozen for a moment, unsure what to do. Afraid even. Sucking in a breath through her nose, she reaches back and grasps the odd handle to her weapon and slides it from its sheath. At first glance, it is a strange, tri-cornered serrated sword. Upon closer inspection, it looks an awful lot like a straightened human spine dipped in metal. <br /><br />"Here goes nothing." She doesn't charge in, choosing to remain back and hopefully out of range of its slimy appendages. Blue circles of light appear around her feet and she holds up her left hand, a similar blue light dancing across her spread palm. She gestures rapidly, as if tracing out letters in the air, flicking her fingers at random points. Which each flick of the finger, a small burst of ice crystals pepper the monsters skin.
+:'''[[Vara Toruv]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> Staring at the Heartless Kraken, the cloaked figure clenches her fists, as her eyes shine a fain blue under her hood. "Heartless, all the way here...?" she asks rhetorically, and crosses along the beach. Stepping in behind the arrayed fighters, she doesn't make any threatening gestures. Instead, she just seems to stand, arms at her side, as she locks... 'eyes' with the Kraken. A faint green mist begins to swirl around her hands, as Vara just... waits, from all appearences.
+:'''[[Maira]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> --And then every eye in the area turns to look at the kraken the sorceress just summoned from the turquoise tropical depths. That wasn't exactly what she'd been expecting, which Maira quickly chides herself for. Every time lately it is a giant monster of some kind! She has no right to be surprised anymore! This one is some giant squid-like thing, which is leading her to wonder if once they defeat it they can feast on calimari. Probably not. It looks like a Heartless. Can't eat those. Which is really a pity because they are just everywhere! <br /><br /> Maira looks to Squall, nodding some. Right, sure, of course he can take care of himself! Just how great of care quickly becomes evident to her. With eyes wide as tea-saucers she watches him summon his Guardian Force and ride it off the sand into the air. From there, he begins to pelt the beast with magic. Jealous! "Uuugh take me with next time!" she calls. <br /><br /> Tongue darting out to moisten her lips, she looks to Vara and Mercade, blinking. They are not running. She's certainly not going to run. Taking a deep breath, Maira ignites. <br /><br /> The hands that rest by her side burst to life and burn like torches, the flames licking at her skin without seeming to burn. The flame is green-ish. She then sweeps her right hand around herself, Vara, and Mercade, the magic shooting forth to form a protective circle around them. Judging by the trademark glow of her magic, Vara at least would know Maira is a materia user.<br /><br /> "Alright...at least there aren't so many trees this time?" she says, smiling to Mercade.
+:'''[[Mercade Alexander]] has posed:'''<br><span></span>The Kraken comes under magical and martial assault! The Kraken is bombarded by ice and lightning as Tifa pummels into the thick flesh of the creature. It roars in pain, even if the tough flesh seems only lightly damaged from the initial assault. This thing looks like some kind of sea-tank. <br /><br />As such, The Kraken seems to give no damns. The tentacles writhe, the dark lengths lashing out not with raw bludgeoning force this time, but with jagged, chitinous piercing tips like harpoons. They have murder on their mind, and their mind on the murder. The Kraken doesn't look like it cares that most people are preparing for the onslaught.<br /><br />Meanwhile, Mercade looks at the monster and at the retreating Magica DeSpell, who is bailing with the objective. "I'll be... right back." He says, as he goes running. A moment later, Magica gets bowled over in a rolling tackle from Mercade. "NOT SO FAST!" Mercade yells. "Yoink!" He pulls the recipe fragment from her hand... <br /><br />And then he gets a stilleto heel to the face right in the middle of victory. "MMMPH!" He falls backwards, releasing the recipe... And it gets caught by the storm winds, flying out to the ocean! Magica looks agog at it for a moment, before a tentacle reaches out and snags the paper, drawing it in. <br /><br />Magica cackles. "Kill them and bring that back to me, dearie! Kill them all!" She turns, opening a pool of darkness, and walks into it, the raven carrying the sundae with them. <br /><br />WITHOUT PAYING.
+:'''[[Will Sherman]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> The tentacle slams down...for some reason not able to get out of the way. Will Trips on sand, stumbling, before smashed face first into the dirt. Grunting, he jumps back to his feet, moving like a monk, as he considers the opponet. <br /><br /> He runs to one of the tentacles, aiming to strike it with all of his might... <br /><br /> And at it's fate string, aiming to not sever, but trying to wither it. Aiming for heartless strings were...weird because they were such a tangled mess...they also respond horribly to it, not unlike a certain weapon. <br /><br /> Will falls back, trying to stay lose as he does this.
+:'''[[Tifa Lockhart]] has posed:'''<br><span></span>Tifa Lockhart shows that last time she wasn't all just luck against Sabin either, jumping backward as the tentacle lashes at her. It manages to hit, but the barmistress anticipated it as well, and ends up using her legs to absorb the attack, and then uses that momentum to launch herself upward, and back toward it "Give back that paper!" She leaps at the tentacle, ready to pound it, using her body weight on the way down to crush it and release the paper (hopefully).
+:'''[[Vara Toruv]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> When the Kraken sends tenticle 'Spears' at the group, Vara attempts to evade the attacks... But is caught by one of the lunging points, and groans from the impact. Skidding backwards in the sand, she clutches at the impact, steadying herself. <br /><br /> Stepping brisky back into position, the woman raises her hands, and is immediatly ringed with a circle of green flame on the ground, as magic swells up from the world below her feet. Gathering it around her hands, she twirls around on the sands, and thrusts a hand to the skies above the creature.<br /><br /> For a second, the skies darken. Faint light flashes within the magically-summoned stormclouds, before there's an almighty, earsplitting <span class=" bold_fg_y bg_n hy">*KRAK-BOOM*</span><br /><br /> And another.<br /><br /> And ANOTHER.<br /><br /> Three bolts of lightning in succession fire out from the cloud, streaking towards the Kraken below!
+:'''[[Avira]] has posed:'''<br><span></span>Something just felt rather...odd to her, all the sudden, Avira realizes. She cannot tell exactly what changed, but some part of her just -knows- that Will was responsible. The scarred woman glances over to the hobo king curiously for a few seconds, but doesn't otherwise say anything. Magic, maybe? But That World didn't have it, right? <br /><br />Squinting, she sees their Objective get snagged by Mercade, though his victory is only fleeting as he's promptly kicked in the face, releasing the recipe to the KRAKEN. Much as she would enjoy saying something snappy and sarcastic about that, Avira's already busy trying to avoid the piercing jabs of the far-too-many tentacles splaying themselves out on the beach. She seems to be fairing well until one of them slams into her, the armored breastplate she wears preventing it from being a much more dire blow. She actually seems stunned for a moment, otherwise she'd be flailing madly at the appendage. It actually works in her favor, giving her the time to really strike back. <br /><br />Her still magic-charged left hand joins her right holding the grip to the spine. With both hands, she slams the weapon downward onto the tentacle, hitting not with the serrated blade, but with the extremly thickened guard. Immediately after that strike, ice magic shoots up the length of the Spine, enshrouding it in a thick coat of ice. With an involuntary shout, the weapon is repeatedly smashed against the offending tentacle.
+:'''[[Raiya Fujihara]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> Raiya was thankfully ready for the Krakens quick strike thanks to her preparation moments before. The piercing blow looks as if it is about to slam into the samurai when she quickly side steps at the last moment. This gives her the opportune moment to bring her katana from over her head down onto the advancing tentacle. Her first strike is a brutal one, but she soon follow up with some equally savage cuts. It seems the blonde swordswoman is indeed quite intent on removing at least one of the tentacles with that sword of hers.
+:'''[[Squall Leonhart]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> (<span style="color:grey48">Shi--</span>)<br /><br /> The Guardian Force's tight turn results in a slowdown of its reaction times, and the Kraken's tendrils fire onward at that time to, conveniently, ignore the giant thunderbird and instead smack the summoner riding it, in the face, three times.<br /><br /> Squall Leonhart's face can take a lot of punishment, it seems.<br /><br /> (<span style="color:grey48">Right... this isn't like any kind of monster -- what is that symbol on it? ...No time to ask questions.</span>)<br /><br /> Quetzalcoatl faithfully makes a large strafing run as the SeeD beckons for it. It does, after all, come from the sea of his soul. And, in some bizarre fashion that Squall's probably forgotten about, the bird is probably Future-Him from the Past.<br /><br /> Now, it must be said that amongst SeeD cadets, Squall Leonhart isn't actually very strong, nor is he very fast, or even durable. What he is... is remarkably resourceful.<br /><br /> He slips a hand of five cards from his hands, and wordlessly thrusts them forward in deadly formation towards the Kraken. Depicted upon their face-sides are illustrations of various kinds of monsters... in this case, Bombs, and Mother Bombs.<br /><br /> "Refine! Card Modification!"<br /><br /> With another flick of his wrist, the Junction System crackles as laces of magic flow through his very arms; from range, it draws the innate essence within each of the cards, and they metamorphose on the spot into... bomb spirits.<br /><br /> Fresh, explosive bomb spirits, which fly on down to explode onto the Kraken's face.
+:'''[[Maira]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> The tentacle that lashes toward Mara and Vara is likely to get a little toasty when it reaches in for them. The protective circle absorbs some of the damage they would have taken--which is good, because that HURTS. <br /><br /> Maira gasps when she is tentacle-slapped with spiky harpoons, several puncture wounds appearing on her skin to quickly well with blood. The blonde looks down to see the crimson droplets grow rapidly, transfixed for a moment by the sight. Watching your blood flow so freely is a surreal experience. <br /><br /> Luckily, Uist is there to snap her out of it with a frigid hand on her shoulder. She looks back toward her unseen friend and nods to him in understanding. "That thing...that thing looks real nasty...think its worth it..." she comments, digging into her pocket for another potion. A HiEther. She gulps it down and tosses the bottle at the monster, just to add insult to what she hopes is about to be injury. <br /><br /> Suddenly, Maira lights up like the bloody sun. <br /><br /> She rears back and then begins to hurl fire at the kraken. The first strike forms what appears to be a hammer of fire that smashes down like judgement from the heavens. The second, a condensed ball of flame that seems to bloom when it reaches the Kraken, aiming for the eyes. The third? Well, that's just gravy. <br /><br /> Then, Maira looks to Vara, noting her lightning. Ou! Another mage! Maira's grin is so large it is practically maniacal.
+:'''[[Kaze]] has posed:'''<br><span></span>The tentacles hit the shore like jagged, fleshy harpoons. One slams into the building next to him, sending rubble falling from above. He raises his right arm, swinging it upwards as if to shield himself --<br /><br />-- there's a gleam of something <span style="color:gold3">golden</span>, a cylinder affixed to his arm, briefly visible in the sunlight --<br /><br />-- and then disappears beneath the ruin that spills into the street. The wood, glass and concrete starts to settle, a cloud of dust drifting off of the now-shorter building. Bits of debris tumble off of it. The man in the dark cloak, with the odd object affixed to his arm, is nowhere to be found.<br /><br />Suddenly, the rubble just starts to disappear. A muffled sound, something like a gunshot, comes from beneath it. Grains of pulverized stonework puffs into the air, and the debris covering the spot the strange man was just standing in just starts to evaporate like it was hit with sufficient force to just annihilate it.<br /><br />The man stands from the rubble, wielding a bright red weapon of curious design in his left hand. It looks like an oversized pistol with a shotgun grip, two barrels with a solid portion between them arranged on top of one another rather than side by side. He swings it towards the Kraken without a word, staring down the barrel with an expression of disinterest and mild annoyance.<br /><br />He starts firing. The shots have a somewhat odd pitch, higher than normal but devilishly loud even still. He fires, over and over, sending rounds downrange without care for who is between him and it.
+:'''[[Mercade Alexander]] has posed:'''<br><span></span>The Kraken appears to be continues to be made of tank. The Fateweaving powers of Will Sherman impact the Heartless, but slide off of it as if it is hard for him to get a grip on such a horrible aberration's nature. Raiya finds their attack similarly stopped as the chitinous armor blocks the shining blade of the swordswoman with a flash of gleaming sparks. Maira's strikes slam down upon the Kraken, whom submerges to avoid the terrible brunt of the flame, creating massive gouts of salty steam air.<br /><br />But then the ongoing assault begins to make a major mark. Tifa hammers in her classic fashion, pounding the hell out of the massive Heartless, while Deidra lays down a variety of weakening hexes upon the creature. This makes it wide open for the massive Bomb assault to smash down upon the Kraken, the distraction giving Squall the opening he needed... And then the sky opens, the massive storm tearing open to shower down a host of destructive lightning bolts. Each one blasts into the Kraken, causing horrible cascading lightning damage upon it! As it roils with pain, Avira follows up with her chilling assault, and Kaze unleashes a deadly barrage of gunfire.<br /><br />The Kraken, continued to beset upon by massive force, does something unexpected. <br /><br />It calls in reinforcements! The maw of the Kraken opens wide, and a swarm of ghostly Heartless pirates roil outwards. They would look almost silly and amusing if they weren't trying to kill you. Their ghostly cutlasses lash out, leaving contrails of dark power behind them as they assault the forces arrayed before them! They implode quickly when attacked, however, showing that the true threat is certainly still THE KRAKEN.
+:'''[[Tifa Lockhart]] has posed:'''<br><span></span>Tifa Lockhart sees the swarm of pirates rushing toward her. After her last attack, she jumps backward, bouncing on top of one of the pirates's head. While it's konked like that, she lands behind it on the beach, kicking the dazed heartless into the others that were moving toward her. That sends the trio rolling back, striking them down bowling style, as she turns back toward the huge krakken again "Looks like you haven't gotten enough yet, huh."<br /><br />But yet she uses this turn to work herself up to the next part, charging herself up with magical energies, a green aura surrounding her.
+:'''[[Raiya Fujihara]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> Raiya Fujihara finds her blade stuck harmlessly in the tentacle of the Kraken when suddenly HEARTLESS GHOST PIRATES attack. Ruh Roh. Placing a sandal against where her katana is stuck, the samurai pulls her blade free, but it almost instantly pressed by an attacking pirate. Her blade blocks the first few strikes, but one of the cutlass' cuts a gash on her arm, tearing once where there used to be kimono. The swordswoman grits her teeth, before lashing out with her katant towards the pirates. Her blows seems to be favor speed versus power, but in the end...a sharp katana is a sharp katana....hopefully.<br /><br /> Hopefully the others continue to have better luck than Raiya.
+:'''[[Will Sherman]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> Will can't seem to shape the fate very well...he dances back, ducking... <br /><br /> And then rolling to the right. The attack lands where he would have been, but luckily he seemed to not be there...somehow? <br /><br /> Reguardless, He's back on his feet, and dives in for it again, trying to simply do this one thing at a time... <br /><br /> Aiming to try and leap onto the monster and punch it right in the right eye, before jumping off, aiming to run down a tentacle for his next part.
+:'''[[Avira]] has posed:'''<br><span></span>After landing that last hit on that tentacle, Avira quite wisely backs the hell away from it. "MERCADE!" she calls out across the beach, "ARE YOU STILL CONSCIOUS?" She's looking around rapidly now, taking stock of just how many people actually engaged the monster, ensuring that nobody else was lingering around that was incapable of defending themselves. Her gaze immediately lands on Kaze, who is now sporting a wicked-looking gun, which Avira watches with suspicion. That gun sounded /odd/. <br /><br />Suddenly, beset upon by a trio of smaller Heartless, Avira actually panics a little. One on one or many versus one, she could handle. But three on one with the odds against her? No good, no good at all. She obviously can't dodge them all and winds up taking some kind of spined fist in the stomach that makes her physically ill. <br /><br />Backing away, Avira actually runs for cover, clutching the spot where she was hit with one hand. A dull blue glow is interred from her hand as she calls upon a technique taught to her by her clanmates.
+:'''[[Vara Toruv]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> With a sudden wave of Heartless pirates mobbing the beach, Vara finds herself without Crowd Control, or a bodyguard. Forced to fend for herself, she attempt to weave out of the Pirate's attacks, but catches a blow on her arm. <br /><br /> Wincing, the faceless Black Mage shrugs it off eventually, and with another raised hand, the green flames appear around her once more. <br /><br /> First, magic whips out to attack the Pirate, draining the creature's lifeforce and drawing back to herself. <br /><br /> Then, with another twirling, dancelike gesture, she aims her magic at the Kraken, invoking a curse to break its defenses... in some way, at least. <br /><br /> With that done, she drops her arm, and lets out a held breath, panting a little as she slumps.
+:'''[[Maira]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> Oh, right. It can just...go under water to avoid her fire magic. Well, doesn't she feel silly? <br /><br /> She feels especially silly as a saber toting little Heartless saunters through her protective circle and swings his sword at her. It catches her right in her unprotected thigh and proceeds to bleed horribly. <br /><br /> Maira's vision swims. This was more than just blood loss. The wound seems to hurt far more than it should. It is a source of burning pain without relief. Tears welling in her eyes, Maira punts the Heartless away from her, then reaches down to put her hands over the wound that rapidly gushes. Her breath escapes in a hiss through her teeth. <br /><br /> Maira feels Uist's cool embrace, her eyes closing for a moment. For a fraction of a second a vague, incorporeal form can be seen holding Maira before there is nothing but a glowing white mist that infuses her body. The bleeding slows considerably as Maira catches her breath, listening to the din of battle that surrounds her.
+:'''[[Squall Leonhart]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> Squall's junctioned Scan spells catch wind of the incoming Pirate Heartless quite quickly - and his HUD-overlayed sights analyse them for what they are: weak, but numerous, and swift. <br /><br /> "There's that mark again... they certainly have a centralised organisation," Squall utters to himself, to the quiet, agreeing noise of Quetzalcoatl before him. <br /><br /> He fires off several more explosive cards -- Bug Bite cards that coalesce into quick, rending claws... but they miss, as the Pirates crash in and implode against him, forcing the SeeD to make a nose-dive landing on his Guardian Force.<br /><br /> (<span style="color:grey48">Where'd my gunblade even go...?</span>)<br /><br /> He peers about, perhaps hoping to even find it floating about in the water somewhere. He wouldn't, however, be terribly surprised if it was just flat out gone...<br /><br /> In the meanwhile comes another Paramagic salvo from the resourceful SeeD - this time, a shattering blast of nigh-nuclear fire and several accompanying minor magics comes screeching from his fingertips as he tries to just cut through the chafe and go straight for the -- well -- 'Heart' of the Heartless.
+:'''[[Kaze]] has posed:'''<br><span></span>Pirates emerge to aid the Kraken. The Heartless surge up the beach, coming at the defenders of the pastel resort with murderous intent. Kaze keeps firing on the Kraken even as they approach. It isn't until it is apparent that a fair amount of them are coming for him that Kaze actually changes targets. His gun dips, the cacophony of released firepower pausing for just a moment.<br /><br />Kaze's points his weapon at the closest of the pirates and starts firing again. The first shot stops it in its tracks, blasting a huge, ragged hole in the Heartless. The second blows it apart like it did the rubble he was under, the darkness the creature is comprised of just torn apart like old, thin fabric. It disappears, and the second soon joins it. And the third. The fourth...<br /><br />Kaze's fusillade does not pause for any longer than it takes him to switch targets. He eventually turns the gun back on the Kraken itself, firing a shot into the water right in front of it that goes off like a depth charge had been set off beneath it.
+:'''[[Mercade Alexander]] has posed:'''<br><span></span>Mercade calls back, "I'M NOT DEAD YET!" from the side. He sits up, looking at the horrific creature again, and grimaces, pulling out a pair of pistols, laying down cover fire as he tries to help beat back the ghost pirate horde. "KEEP FIGHTING!" He yells. "I'LL BACK YOU GUYS UP!" <br /><br />Meanwhile, the steel of Wutai seems to be having trouble battling the Heartless... Or perhaps the samurai is weak vs. Pirate. One must consult the resistance tables for this. The pirate trio parries the brunt of the attack from Raiya with their bodies, vaporizing without letting her deal much damage to the true threat. Will hammers into the massive Kraken, dancing along the tentacles in a horrible quicktime event as he begins to feel the tides turning in his favor. Deidra blasts the pirates with ice, the chill waves lashing out past them to strike the Kraken as well, causing it some amount of pain. Vara rips otu the lifeforce of the ghost pirate, getting a small amount of rejuvination from the small amount of animating force and blasting straight into the Kraken once more. Kaze impressively murders ghosts with the power of GUN, turning his weapon upon the monstrosity and unleashing a burst of destructive gunfire. Squall manages to also succeed where Maira was not, taking advantage of an open moment to bombard the Kraken with a massive fusillade of burning force. Maybe calimari /will/ be on the menu tonight. <br /><br />The Kraken has apparently had enough of this crap. With a roaring surge, the Kraken rushes forward, charging the shore with a colossal crash! There is an impact as it smashes onto the beach, the mass of tentacles writhing out and lashing onto the area with those horrible jagged tentacle-spears. But now it's at close range, so now it leverages its full, terrible power to annihilate everything around it!
+:'''[[Will Sherman]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> Then there was the ground. <br /><br /> Will hits it hard, rolling and falling to his side. Slowly, he grunts, trying to recollect his senses...Everything is a blur for those first few moments... <br /><br /> Then he see's a thread connected to him stat to waver. He slowly stands up, aiming to reach for it...if he can...just..reach over and... <br /><br /> Hobo Lad litterally rips the poison out of Avira, and throws it on the ground. <br /><br /> That just happened.
+:'''[[Squall Leonhart]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> A glint of familiar silver, -finally-, catches Squall's eyes. <br /><br /> (<span style="color:grey48">There!</span>)<br /><br /> His descent is perilous, and indeed, the Kraken charges on ahead and just about throws him off straight up into the air on a bed of horrible tentacle-spears; blood flows freely and stains Squall's white shirt as even the Protect-junctioned barriers crumple and fail at the strength of this assault.<br /><br /> "K-kghh..."<br /><br /> The Bird of Paradise, however, cuts swiftly across the clear-blue waters of Costa Del Sol's beach with a landing banked along the boughs of its wings, buying the SeeD just enough time to land ontop it as it looks towards him... and nods.<br /><br /> "Aura."<br /><br /> Smash cut to Squall's gloved hand grabbing the lacquered black hilt of his gunblade.<br /><br /> A shimmering burst of power runs straight through Squall's entire body as the entire Odine Junction System goes into overdrive -- a straight consequence of running the enhancing magics through the entire device; it's going to probably choke and go out of commission soon, but it's just long enough for Squall to deal what he needs to...<br /><br /> "Let's go, Quetzalcoatl...!"<br /><br /> The GF flies onward and brings its master forward, once more -- and this time, Squall takes a massive leap, on whirls of wind, the contraptions bound to his boots powering his rise through Aero-junctioned paramagic.<br /><br /> Squall's furious assault comes in the blink of an eye, as his very arms exude a faint red aura where the device has enhanced him with strength. Slash after slash, the Gunblade's discharge shells recoil away only in conversion to bring his next attack faster, as the SeeD cuts across the Heartless Kraken's head, finally landing on the other end to perform a Finishing Blow...<br /><br /> ...one that does not involve his gunblade, it seems.<br /><br /> "You are mine," Squall intones, as he extends both his hands -- to entrap the Kraken in a spherical force of metamorphosing paramagic and asks the important question...<br /><br /> ...can the Heartless be turned into Cards?
+:'''[[Raiya Fujihara]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> It seems that the Fate have decided to smile cruelly on Raiya this day. Her sword thrusts are once against deflected which negates her assault altogether. Another setback, but how could anything get worse? Oh right, there is that raging kraken to deal with. The kraken decides to politely remind the unlucky samurai of its presence by bumrushing the shoreline. This time Raiya is not prepared at all for such an attack and is brutally speared by one of the tentacles. The impact of the blow causes Raiya to crumple breifly before getting back up on her feet. She can't give up that easily even if it is her destiny to die fighting Heartless. The purple and black clad samurai readjusts her grip on her katana quickly as she launches herself at the nearest intruding tentacle. Her katana first whizzes through the air, then followed up by a strike by the hilt of her katant, and finally ends with a two-handed swipe at the retreating tentacle.
+:'''[[Tifa Lockhart]] has posed:'''<br><span></span>Tifa Lockhart got hit that time... even the dextly avoiding martial arts/barmaid can't evade everything can she? While attempting to dodge and roll out of the way of the 'pointy things', but one manages to catch her off guard and pierces right through the side of her stomach. That hurts now, and will even more in the morning, most likely. She falls back staggering, but not out for the count either, holding a hand against her side.<br /><br />She has more willpower than just rolling down and waiting for death to take her away at any rate, she's going to go down fighting. "Oh you're going to pay for that one too." She starts a stumblign run, but ignoring the pain she goes right at the krakken, going for some hard hits of her own. Hard punches, followed by a flashy sommersault and ending with a sweep kick, using those strong legs to put down the pain in return on the krakken...
+:'''[[Maira]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> The sound of gunshots brings a bizarre wave of nostalgia for Maira. It did not seem that firearms were as popular in other worlds as they were in her own. "Ah...sounds like home," she mumbles. <br /><br /> Then, before she can even straighten, the Kraken charges the shore, tentacles flailing like a damn pinwheel of doom. Maira doesn't even have time to scream. She flies through the air, smacked hard by a spiked tentacle. She crashes into a palm tree, her spine making an extremely alarming 'crack'. That sound becomes the whole of her being. <br /><br /> The young mage lays there for a time, looking broken. It cannot be clear that she will ever move again. Yet...somehow...<br /><br /> She gasps, her eyes snapping open as her entire body lights with flame. Her eyes move out toward the Heartless. She watches as Squall wields some sort of blade to spectacular effect, raging with a battle-fury. She needs to move. She's angry. This keeps happening, over and over...."If the world is too dark...set it aflame..." <br /><br /> The fire that consumes her spreads into the air, somehow forming into the resemblance of a large, humanoid figure with what appears to be great wings of flame. The creatures mouth opens to bellow a earth-shaking roar as it rushes to throw itself at the rampaging tentacled abomination like a berserking warrior.
+:'''[[Avira]] has posed:'''<br><span></span>"ALRIGHT!" Avira shouts from her frantic running around conductive to pirate-dodging. It seems to be working for now, enabling her to stay ahead of the Heartless-but at the same time, it's doing nothing for that strange festering wound they inflicted. Poison, she realizes as she weaves around a tree. <br /><br />So occupied, she remains unaware of the Kraken hauling itself up onto the beach until it is a little too late when it occurs to her that the roar she just heard was a little too close. A tentacle spear pierces her back, penetrating through her much to her endless surprise. Staring down at the sharpened spear emerging from her gut, she shrieks as she is suddenly lifted into the air, yanked backwards. Drawn up to a height that her panicked mind cannot fathom at the moment, Avira is violently shaken loose of the tentacle and plummets to the ground. <br /><br />She hits the sand face down and lies prone for a few seconds. Her shoulders shift and the grip on her spine reasserts itself. That poison in her gut still burns, but seconds later it is ripped away. For a few moments, it looks like she's about to get back up again, but instead she collapses face first against the sand.
+:'''[[Vara Toruv]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> Staring wide-eyed at the Kraken as it lunges forwards, all Vara can do is try to run, as she's run through by one of the Kraken's tentacles. Dropping to the ground, she fumbles in her cloak, drinking a handfull of vials, as she collapses along the beach, panting just enough to show she's... by some definition, OK.
+:'''[[Kaze]] has posed:'''<br><span></span>The Kraken closes, rushing up onto the shore. Kaze wanted it out of the water, but he didn't expect it to beach itself. The Heartless sea monster attacks again with those tentacles, tendrils covered in chitinous spines whipping this way and that. He tracks them, firing on them as they come in, shooting them out of the air before they can get close. It is in this way he keeps the worst of them at bay, the oddly-pitched gun knocking them back rather than simply blasting them to pieces.<br /><br />He doesn't get all of them, though. One slips past his screen of fire, a barbed harpoon shooting out of the sand and through the cloud of dust. He spots it a second too late, the monochromatic natural weapon coming at him like a speeding bullet. He starts to turn, to react and shoot it down --<br /><br />The tentacle hits him in the chest, right under his billowing poncho. It opposite his heart, digging into flesh. It punches right through him, in through his front and out his back, skewering him on the tip and propelling him backwards out of his zone of calm, unrelenting firepower and back into the chaos. It waves him around in the air like a ragged puppet, or some grisly flag.<br /><br />The Kraken's tentacle flicks, flinging him aside, down to the sandy shore. It sends his limp body skidding into a row of beach chairs, abandoned by their former occupants as soon as the Heartless arrived. The pile of wood, brightly-colored fabric and skewered stranger comes to a halt some distance further along, the chairs dashed against the sea wall at the edge of the beach.<br /><br />The man's poncho settles around him and atop him. He's sprawled out on his left side, the red firearm held in a death-grip in one hand. Next to him, on his right arm, the <span style="color:gold3">golden</span> cylinder rests, a curious orb like a gemstone or Materia glimmering with an inner light.<br /><br />Then, against all odds, he twitches. His leg slowly starts to curl beneath him, moving like it was submerged in molasses rather than shaking like the last spasms of a dying man. He doesn't rise; not yet, at least.
+:'''[[Mercade Alexander]] has posed:'''<br><span></span>Even now, the Kraken is exposed. Once it hit the beach, there is no longer anywhere for it to run. Squall's furious assault pounds down in to the Kraken, slashing open gaping wounds that boil with black power. Unfortunately for him, the Card Command fails as it is not the killing blow. Better luck next time, Space Cowboy. Raiya's flashing blade, in the depths of despair, turns, flashing brightly as she cleaves into the creature, striking with deadly force as she pierces the creatures' defenses. It reels, several massive tentacles cloven in the overwhelming attack. Tifa smashes into the Kraken, launching the titanic beast into the air with her mastery of Zangan Style MArtial Arts, sending the HEartless hanging there. <br /><br />It rallies when Maira unleashes her incredible fiery assault, summoning up a massive wave to intersect the flames, creating another huge burst of steam... And then Deidra slams into it with magical power, causing it to descend, crashing into the ground moments before a huge burning bolt of energy spears down from the sky, transfixing it. With a roar, the Kraken begins to fray, disintegrating as it dissolves into nothingness, releasing a series of lights straight into the sky. <br /><br />Finally, the storm breaks, leaving Mercade flattened into the sand, as well as the recipe page, fluttering on the sand next to it. Somehow it survived the huge battle completely unharmed.
+:'''[[Will Sherman]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> Will looks over at the passed out Avira... <br /><br /> "Well...at least she won't DIE..." he says, and walks over to Mercade, He kicks him a few times to wake him up, shrugs, and reaches slowly for the Recipe. <br /><br /> "I hate that duck."
+:'''[[Squall Leonhart]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> One thing's certain to Squall... He's not in his world anymore.<br /><br /> All of these people -- so casually flinging attacks, and spells like they were nothing... what sorts of backgrounds, and training have they received? It's quite the dangerous situation, in terms of a SeeD's train of thought - the number of unknown factors have risen by quite a magnitude.<br /><br /> The SeeD lands gently at the beach as he returns, from where the Kraken is now dispatched. He frowns as he reaches for several more cards -- a Mesmerize, to turn into regenerative magics... and done. <br /><br /> Hyne almighty, he's exhausted.
+:'''[[Maira]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> Maira isn't quite conscious enough to notice that her last attack fizzled once more. Indeed, she wouldn't even remember having done it. It was Uist's doing. If nothing else, her ghostly companion had learned something very valuable during this encounter. Something paramount. <br /><br /> Maira still lays, her clothing burning off her form as she simmers like a hot coal, limp in the sand. She can't feel anything, which is more terrifying than pain. <br /><br /> Surely she can use a healing spell? With the breath of a spirit at her cheek, Maira whispers and the materia she holds sparks to life just enough for a Cura spell to wash over her. <br /><br /> THEN, there is pain. Maira clenches her teeth, afraid to move.
+:'''[[Tifa Lockhart]] has posed:'''<br><span></span>Tifa Lockhart lands after the sommersault attack, which apparently launched the huge krakken upward, for the others to finish it off. She phews, still holding her pierced stomach. Its not too serious, but its still a hole. She shakes her head, dragging her feet a bit along the sand as she walks back toward the rest "Did we get the page at least?" She didn't get to see it during the fight, too focused on it.<br /><br />She's getting more and more annoyed with that duck and those heartless too.
+:'''[[Will Sherman]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> "Got it!" Will says, unless someone contests that, "Also, someone throw Water on Mercade's head. He likes it when pretty ladies do it I think."
+:'''[[Avira]] has posed:'''<br><span></span>A solid minute passes before Avira makes any move to get up again. An involuntary groan of pain escapes her and she moves, slowly pulling herself up onto her knees. Her grip leaves her "sword" completely and she looks around blearily. The Kraken was obviously gone and she still felt like she was in a lot of pain. "...dunno..." she murmurs to nobody in particular and reaches down for one of the pouches strapped to her belt. From it, she withdraws a flask. It looks like the kind of flask that'd be used for hard liquor. It's true contents? Potion. Avira takes a swig. <br /> <br />Another noise of unpleasantry escapes her and she elects to sit there, not moving all that much. She hasn't even gone through the trouble of putting the Spine away. <br /> <br />She does look towards Kaze again. He seemed dangerous...but not Heartless Kraken or World-Destroying dangerous. Right now, though, Avira was in no condition to approach him with violence. ...or approach much at all. "Sounds like we got it, then. Good to hear.."
+:'''[[Raiya Fujihara]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> Raiya's blade finally strikes true and removes several tentacles from the Kraken thanks to Squall opening up the monster's defenses for her. The tentacles fall to the ground, the others duel the deathblow to the kraken, and thus no follow through bladework is required of the samurai. What a pain these Heartless summoners are! They are all nearly as bad as those traitors who run Wutai now, making pacts with such vile creatures. She promptly flicks Kraken ooze off her katana with a turn of her wrist, twirls her blade, and finall sheathes her weapon. The warrior now looks out over the resort town turned battlefield to see how other fare from the combat. Her injuries plague her yes, but they won't kill her. Raiya wants to first ensure that no one present suffers that fate.<br /><br />And then there is all this talk about a recipe.<br /><br />"This battle was fought...over a recipe?" Raiya asks of no one in particular before placing her palm onto her forehead. This world truly is the World of Ruin.
+:'''[[Squall Leonhart]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> "..."<br /><br /> Squall peers at these people, gathered. <br /><br /> (ansi+grey48,They don't even flinch or bat an eyelid, like it's just... commonplace to them...))<br /><br /> He walks towards the girl who first gave him the Potion, gesturing lightly towards her in a manner that might be appreciative. He frowns for a moment, and checks the chamber on his Gunblade, which starts coughing up all sorts of seaweed and saltwater. That's going to be a repair job that he's going to want to forget later...<br /><br /> "... what was that creature, if you know?" He asks of -- well, just about anyone in the area, if they are close enough.
+:'''[[Will Sherman]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> "Ice cream is important." Will says, "Also, I don't think evil understands things like...approprate response to problems." he says, as Squall speaks up. He gives the guy a once over...strange...multiple strings? Then again, he summoned things...but still, odd. <br /><br /> "Heartless."
+:'''[[Vara Toruv]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> As the Heartless vanishes, Vara gets to her feet, and looks around at the assembled crowds. Seeing Maira on the ground, she walks over to her, flicking out a cellphone from a pocket in her robes. <br /><br /> "Command... This is 3rd... 3rd Class Vara Toruv. Heartless incursion at Costa Del Sol. One summoner. No... No casualties so far. Looks like she got spooked and ran while they covered for her." she says, as she walks over to Maira.
+:'''[[Maira]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> Everything hurts, but she's got to move. Wincing, she manages to sit up then slowly pull herself to her feet with the aid of the tree that had broken her back not long ago. Magic sure is something. <br /><br /> Maira limps toward the group, coming to stand beside Squall. At his gesture, she responds with a smile even though she looks dead on her feet. "Mmhmm. Heartless...that's the first Heartless you've seen?" she asks, disbelief evident. Must be that his world had not been touched by them yet...but then... "How did you get here?" <br /><br /> Alerted to Vara's presence by her footsteps, Maira turns toward her, her eyes unable to mask her pain. "Hiya...glad you're alright...fellow...magic user...o-oh, names would be good....yeah? I'm Maira," she informs not only Vara, but the others as well.
+:'''[[Squall Leonhart]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> (<span style="color:grey48">Heartless?</span>)<br /><br /> With his latest bout of Metal Gear Thought Bubbles completed, Squall nods tiredly towards Will, looking behind him as the last vestiges of his Guardian Force disappear into flakey motes of errant, processed paramagic. <br /><br /> "This... isn't the first time you've encountered them, I can tell."<br /><br /> (<span style="color:grey48">Where is everyone else, I wonder... for that matter, where is Balamb Garden?</span>)
+:'''[[Tifa Lockhart]] has posed:'''<br><span></span>Tifa Lockhart looks over to Raiya, still holding her stomach, her side is pretty torn up after all "Its an ice cream recipe. It sounds silly, but its very popular, and it helps lift the spirits of people, considering how chaotic things are right now, its important to keeps spirits up for everyone." She explains it out. she kinows too well, considering that's what she's doing as a barmaid too.
+:'''[[Squall Leonhart]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> (<span style="color:grey48">'Magic user'... yes, they all used magic... but I can't see any Para-Magic devices on them...</span>)<br /><br /> "..." Squall thinks for a moment, adopting that classic arms-folded thinking pose. The answer, really, is 'I fell through a hole through the world', but that just sounds a little bit too far-fetched, even what he's just encountered just now, and the facts laid out before him.<br /><br /> (<span style="color:grey48">Let this be one of those stupid 'Laguna' dreams, please... did Zell spike my drink again?</span>)<br /><br /> "I... fell through a dark hole in the ground," Squall winds up admitting in the end.
+:'''[[Will Sherman]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> Oddly, Will seems to be acting a bit older than he normally is when talking to Squall. Nevermind he looks like he's seventeen. <br /><br /> "Little bit, yeah. I guess you just got dropped in huh? Well, they don't all come that strong...most of them are pretty weak...but those with a strong darkness can summon and control them...powerful ones too." He says, shrugging, "I dont know much about them other then they shouldn't be."
+:'''[[Raiya Fujihara]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> Raiya finally remove her palm from her forehead with a slight sigh. This sighing motion causes her to wince in pain and the samurai places a hand against where the Kraken's last blow landed. Perhaps she should wear a breastplate like she used to in the old days. That would have saved her a lot of pain right now, but she -should- have been faster. That was where her strength truly lied.<br /><br /> Tifa's explanation of Raiya's question draws a grateful if not slow nod from samurai. Her mind does not want to accept this simple truth, but why would this martial artist lie to her about such a thing. And so, Raiya lets her hand drop from her wound and attempts to stand straight like the proud warrior she is. "Then I hope it was worth it. Levity in dark times like these are both rare and wished for." A slight pause as Raiya's mind works slowly to piece things together. "Noble Martial Artist, I witnessed your struggle against your fellow martial artist, but I never asked your name."
+:'''[[Vara Toruv]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> Vara nods to Maira, as she quickly says, "Don't leave... Don't even move. Medics'll be here soon." Walking over to Squall, she reaches over to tap him on the shoulder, and look him eye-to-glowing-circle-thing. "Hey, listen. If you've just arrived, then we need to talk. I'm with Shinra. You're not in trouble, but you /don't/ want to go wandering about clueless. I need to handle a few things, then we can talk. OK?"
+:'''[[Tifa Lockhart]] has posed:'''<br><span></span>Tifa Lockhart salutes Raiya with one hand, offering a soft smile, even hurt she stays kind and upbeat "I'm Tifa Lockhart, no need for 'noble martial artists' stuff, really. I'm just a barmaid in Midgar, or Goug, whatever you want to call it now."
+:'''[[Will Sherman]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> Will look sat Vara, "Let the guy rest, geeze, and if he wants to wonder off, then that's his problem." he says, hand on hip and placing the recipe away.
+:'''[[Maira]] has posed:'''<br><span></span>Maira frowns gently. Yup, Squall had just been dumped here and dropped right into a battle with a powerful Heartless. Filled with sympathy, she reaches out to put a hand on his elbow and give it a comforting squeeze. "Something like that happened to me....I can show you to Traverse Town. Its a place where you can stay. Lot of refugees there," she informs him. <br /><br /> Of course, then Vara speaks up as well. Maira's eyes widen. "You are with Shinra!? Then...then you're from my world?" she asks, excitement building. <br /><br /> She winces then. Oh goodness, excitement hurts! <br /><br /> "Nice to meet you all..." she says, then gives Squall a little poke. "Do you have a name? ....And who was that who was shooting? I know I heard gunfire..."
+:'''[[Avira]] has posed:'''<br><span></span>Eventually, Avira manages to stand, weapon returned to it's custom-sized sheath at the small of her back. As she stumbles about on the beach, one of her hands reaches down her collar to tug at something around her neck-a string, by the looks of it. From beneath her breastplate, a strange little necklace supporting a small tied bag comes out. Avira gives this necklace a long, baleful look before letting go of it to bounce against her chest. <br /><br />Still a bit shellshocked by everything, she wanders over to Will, Squall, and Maira. Maira...mentions gunfire and Avira quickly whirls around to point at Kaze. "It was /that guy/. Maybe you should go over and ask him. I can't, really. He...uh...gives me the creeps."
+:'''[[Raiya Fujihara]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> Staying upbeat in spite of everything is indeed a noble quality, and it also reinforced Tifa's philosophy over the ice cream recipe retrieval. This cohesion allows Raiya to levy some trust in Tifa even though she is still a stranger mostly. "A pleasure to meet you, Tifa." The blonde samurai raises a hand and places it against herself. "I am Raiya Fujihara. But please, call me Raiya." Another pause. "You said you work at a bar, how intriguing? Is it close? I am quite thirsty."
+:'''[[Kaze]] has posed:'''<br><span></span>Kaze is still in a heap post-impaling. He's moving very, very slightly further down the shore. He still has the gun; it has not left his grip.<br /><br />He'll need a minute, maybe.
+:'''[[Tifa Lockhart]] has posed:'''<br><span></span>Tifa Lockhart shakes the offered hand with a smile "Not really close by, its in Goug as I said, you need to use the ship to Junon and travels north east from there to reach it. Its called the Seventh Heaven, if you want to drop by, anytime. I was here to do some shopping, I'm always checking for drinks and other things to serve in the bar. Which is why I was chasing that ice cream, I have a deal to sell some once trreived.
+:'''[[Mercade Alexander]] has posed:'''<br><span></span>Finally, there is a groan from Mercade, as he sits bolt upright. "I'M STILL NOT DEAD YET!" <br /><br />Someone might get the feeling he does this reasonably frequently. He then suddenly rubs his temples. "Oh God. Did someone get the plate on that kraken? Jesus Christ my head hurts." He grumbles as he stands up, and looks over the gathered people. "Will, Deidra, I'm seeing a lot of confused faces here. And collateral damage. But mostly confused people."
+:'''[[Squall Leonhart]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> Squall steps back a little when Maira reaches forward with her hand -- whoa, no touchy, apparently. <br /><br /> (<span style="color:grey48">Shinra... that's at least two, from 'the same world'? This is starting to sound rather... I'd better not use my real name here.</span>)<br /><br /> "Leon," Squall answers in turn, with a quiet nod towards Maira's question of his name.
+:'''[[Will Sherman]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> Will hands Mercade the part of the recipe. <br /><br /> "No, life apparently thinks you haven't suffered enough." he says in a sideways glance to his friend.
+:'''[[Vara Toruv]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> Turning to Maira briefly, she says, "Look, you're just going to hurt yourself." But Maira's excitement elicits a sigh, as she reaches into her pockets, and pulls out another two large vials of liquid, both with prominent 'Hi-P' labels, handing them to the girl. "Drink these, OK? They'll take care of the worst of it. If you're from Midgar or Junon, Maira, I can take you back."<br /><br /> Turning back to Leon, she lets out a small sigh at the divide in her attention, and says, "Look. This isn't the best place for a proper answer, but if you *came* here, then you, and everyone you know, is in trouble." Anticipating a question, she adds, "Not from me, or anyone here, but from a group of creatures called the Heartless."<br /><br /> Taking a deep breath, the girl's tired voice strains to be heard above the crowd, as she continues, "Now, I know you're probably feeling a bit nervous, Leon, Maira, but I'm here to help. So... I'm asking you to trust me. OK?"
+:'''[[Mercade Alexander]] has posed:'''<br><span></span>"True enough, Deidra. I'm just glad everyone's okay." He looks at the recipe piece and smiles. "Awesome, good work Will!" He pockets it and waves his hands. "Hey everyone! Gather around, I need to get your names and stuff so I know who should be getting part of this reward!"
+:'''[[Maira]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> Maira blinks in surprise as Squall steps away from her offer of comfort. Flushing a deep red, Maira looks down. If she knew better, she wouldn't take it personally. But she doesn't. "I--okay...Leon. Well, if you want to go to Traverse, let me know and I can show you," she says, making a study of her feet. <br /><br /> Looking at to the sound of Avira's voice, the young woman blinks before her eyes travel toward Kaze. "Oh! I should go heal him!" she exclaims, only to have some hipotions shoved at her. Blinking, she looks to Vara and smiles. "Oh, thanks...wait--take me back? No no...its lost to darkness...I fled..." assumably for her life. <br /><br /> Maira drinks the potions then, which do a great deal to restore her. "I'm going to go help that guy. Be right back..." <br /><br /> With that, she limps off toward Kaze. Slowly. But she gets there, so no complaining. "Um, if you can hear me, I'm just going to heal you...thought I dunno if I can get this big thing out," she says, her frown coloring her voice. Well, here goes nothing! Her materia begins to glow as she casts a cure spell on Kaze. She doesn't hear the part of there being a reward.
+:'''[[Will Sherman]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> Will looks to Avira, frowning, "Sorry, I couldn't get to you in time. The poison was a bit faster than I could tear it out of you." he says, noting the stuff on the ground. <br /><br /> "But you didn't die."
+:'''[[Vara Toruv]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> Vara lets out another tired sigh at Maira's retreat. "It's. Not. Lost. Midgar was heavily damaged, but a good part of the city is still intact. Same with Junon."
+:'''[[Will Sherman]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> Will quips to Vara, "She's not listening to you." he says, "Maybe you should use a diagram or a picture. Or you know, shiny things."
+:'''[[Avira]] has posed:'''<br><span></span>"TRY TO GET HIS NAAAAAAME!" Avira calls after Maira. Sighing in relief after the fire mage runs off, the scarred woman rubs her back, wincing as she still feels the huge hole in her armoring where the Kraken ran her through. "Ugh, that's going to leave a mark." At least it wouldn't be a readily visible one, unlike the older ones decorating her face. <br /><br />On that related note, she does take notice of Leon's own scar upon his face. <br /><br />Will approaches her, apologetic over the healing. Avira laughs nervously, "It's...it's alright, it's my fault for getting hit in the first place. I...really should have done better than that but...but I really haven't fought off large groups like that before. It really messed me up back there."
+:'''[[Raiya Fujihara]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> Raiya's major vice is that she does like to enjoy a good drink now and then. Her inquiry over this bar's location causes Raiya's spirits to soar and then come crashing back down. That's right. She had already said she worked in Goug/Midgar. A careless misobservation. "If only I could. But, there would be....difficulties for me to go to such a place. I would have to use the utmost discretion." She would be going to the den of evil afterall.
+:'''[[Squall Leonhart]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> (<span style="color:grey48">... everyone's throwing 'Darkness' around like-- what does that even mean...? Oh no, someone turned the lights out... beep boop, Squall logic to the rescue.</span>)<br /><br /> Maira's dashed off to go help Kaze before he can even answer -- not that Squall answers often anyhow, so he turns his gaze back to Vara and gestures quietly, with a question posed more towards the immediate vicinity, "Alright... Let me ask this question, then... have you heard of a place called 'Balamb'?"
+:'''[[Tifa Lockhart]] has posed:'''<br><span></span>Tifa Lockhart nods "That's alright, whenever you come in the area then, hm?" she smiles again, wincing a little at a bit of a movement in her side "Its not the best place around, but its one place I can offer smiles to people needing them."
+:'''[[Mercade Alexander]] has posed:'''<br><span></span>Mercade Alexander sighs. No one seems to be interested in the reward. "I don't really feel right about these guys going and doing this to help everyone and getting nothing for it." Mercade says to Deidra. "Go mingle and see if you can talk to them and see what's up." He walks over to Avira, then. "Are you all right, Avira? Looks like everything is so far, so good. One more piece and everyhing will be perfect."
+:'''[[Kaze]] has posed:'''<br><span></span>Kaze has a spar of kraken-bone (cartilage, maybe) harpoon-tentacle lodged in his chest. It's narrow and spined, looking particularly terrible to remove. Maira comes over, and Kaze's visible eye snaps open, flicking over to look at her. He releases his firearm, lifting his left hand to the jagged piece, gripping it, and without preamble or complaint, pulls it right out of his chest.<br /><br />The healing spell goes off right as he does it. He doesn't bleed; the wound doesn't actually look very bad, now that she's close enough to look at it, though it is a strange sight. The hole in his shirt is far bigger than the shard he removed, the skin revealed by it looking pinkish and new. If it was that big, and if it had only been a couple of minutes since it happened, he'd have to have healed himself somehow. The question is, of course, how did he do that with a hole that size clear through his torso?<br /><br />Kaze sits up. He picks up his gun without looking at it, dropping it into a holster at his side. He watches Maira, most of his expression unreadable, shrouded by hair or collar.
+:'''[[Vara Toruv]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> Vara looks back to Leon. The hood dips a little as she nods, staggering a little as she does, and her blue eyes look him over more carefully. "I know of a Balamb Garden. From what I know, it's the headquarters of the mercenary corps known as SeeD..."<br /><br /> She trails off, and her hand dissappears under her hood, as she seemingly rubs her chin before coughing a few times. "You're a SeeD? It's still intact, and there's still a sizable force there."
+:'''[[Avira]] has posed:'''<br><span></span>"Eheh..actually no, that really hurt back there." Avira confides quietly in Mercade, "I think I'm gonna have to rest tomorrow after that. I mean, if I can join you to get the last paper, I'll sure try." There's a grimace on the woman's face, as if she's really trying to hide just how unpleasant she was still feeling. Maybe she ought to beg a heal out of that mage girl too. "But hey, it at least felt good giving you guys a hand. I...uh..." <br /> <br />She looks guilty as she asks this, "...I still get a little cut of the reward, right? I don't have all that much for funds right now." Her words seem to slur a little, a strange inflection slipping in.
+:'''[[Maira]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> When Kaze's eyes snap open and he reaches for the spine, she leaps back with a cry of surprise, even as her healing spell releases. She watches in awe as he grips it and rips it out of his flesh without complaint. <br /><br /> Well, she can guess why Avira thought he was creepy! <br /><br /> Maira doesn't think he's creepy though. Maira doesn't understand creepy. Maira just thinks its totally AWESOME. "Whoooa," she says, stepping forward again. She smiles then. "I guess you are alright then. Good. I'm Maira. Nice gun," she says, eyes flickering briefly to the weapon. "Want to come join us over there," she says, gesturing over her shoulder with her thumb.
+:'''[[Squall Leonhart]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> (<span style="color:grey48">Oh sweet merciful Hyne -YES-, please let my room be intact...</span>)<br /><br /> "It's also home to a lot of civilians," Squall explains in turn, with a little gesture. He's not really going to be able to explain away his affiliations, but... well, lying is easy when you've got the world's most practiced poker face in the world.<br /><br /> "Do you have directions to Balamb Garden, then?"
+:'''[[Mercade Alexander]] has posed:'''<br><span></span>Mercade blinks as if he hears something odd. "Hah. You sounded like you could fit right in back in Brooklyn for a minute there. But yeah, don't worry about it. You're going to get a cut. Go relax, you look like you took a beating. Can't heal if you're still running around." <br /><br />He looks over at the others present, and rubs his chin. What are they up to...
+:'''[[Vara Toruv]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> The look in those two glowing blue circles shows how unimpressed she is at the deception. "And they issue *them* Summons as well?" she asks, before raising a hand. "Look. You're not in any trouble for being here. Board a ship to Luca, and you should be able to find overland transport to Balamb from there. I'd offer transport myself, but I've got to report in. Also..." she glances over to Maira, and sighs. "... Our own people have to come first."
+:'''[[Kaze]] has posed:'''<br><span></span>Kaze stares for a moment longer. He pulls himself to his feet, swaying when he gets there for just a moment. He feels like he should say something. His mind is racing. He remembers --<br /><br />-- what, exactly?<br /><br />"..." Kaze starts towards the bigger group. He has to go past them to get off the beach either way. Maybe Maira had an effect; maybe not.
+:'''[[Avira]] has posed:'''<br><span></span>"Uhhhh...sounded like what now?" Avira looks a little shocked all the sudden. Shocked and slightly distressed. Clearly the pain was getting to her at this time. "Whew. Thanks...again, sorry to be a pain about it. Times are kinda tough right now, y'know? I'm gonna find a place to sit." <br /> <br />Numbly, she stumbles over to a discarded beach chair and claims it as her own.
+:'''[[Squall Leonhart]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> (<span style="color:grey48">... well, technically, yeah... I mean, I've had mine since what, six? Do you even know how awesome a giant lizard that turns monsters into CARDS was at six?</span>)<br /><br /> Squall quietly nods, with a bit of a shrug, and then says, "I think I can manage." Find a ship, board it to... 'Luca', and hoof it over to Balamb. Alright...<br /><br /> "Thanks. See you around," is Squall's -- Leon's -- somewhat abrupt reply as he peers on over towards the nearest instance of a dock, and then zoom, he is off.
+:'''[[Tifa Lockhart]] has posed:'''<br><span></span>Tifa Lockhart drags herself away from the beach a bit, looking to rest, and something to bandage her wound as well, so she doesn't bleed out at least. She'll live, but it's still painful obviously. Well, there goes another attempt at getting a swimsuit ruined today, but at least one page was retrieved.
+:'''[[Vara Toruv]] has posed:'''<br><span></span>Vara Toruv says, "Indeed. I doubt such a massive quantity of potent moonshine would even give someone as brave and mighty as yourself even a /buzz/.""