Insidious Insects (18 ) : In the first week of July, the area around the tree is just buzzing. The call of the cicadas is loud and droning, and it’s constant. You start to hear it all over town, too. All sorts of insects seem attracted to the strange pods, and it’s not uncommon to find nearly any species curiously investigating. If you listen closely, you notice something else strange–it’s not just the bugs that you see making the familiar call of the cicada. It seems like it’s coming from inside the pods, too. Any pod that wasn’t leaking sap suddenly begins to snap open, and giant cicadas, crawl out. Their full wingspan can reach up to a foot and they’re hungry–and angry. It seems like the pods that were leaking sap were slowly rotting, but the ones that didn’t leak were being eaten from the inside out–and now that the cicadas have run out of food, they’re out for anything they can find. Though there are several notable differences between these insects and the common cicadas, their low, chirping wail makes them easy to find–as well as the fact that they spit acid. These bugs are incredibly hostile and will attack indiscriminately, powered or unpowered, human or alien, day or night. They have a protective shell that makes them easy to crush but they’re hardly the most menacing foe you’ve faced–but if they reproduce, you could be in some real trouble. Better to crush them now before they become Destiny City’s next invasive species
Illyria's gaze tracked upwards. The tree that she gazed up on with a fond expression still carried plenty of wishes. That was a good thing. It had been a fairly quiet day at the Star Festival grounds so far and Illyria was glad for the respite. She hadn't been coming here everyday but at times it felt like the hustle and bustle of the residents of Destiny City always seemed to slow down just a little during the annual festival. For now Illyria was keeping up all appearances of just being your average feline out for a stroll but the papers that fluttered in the slight breeze made her constantly check on them. It'd been not too long ago that she had come here intent on granting someone else's wish and upon completion of the wish, there'd been a sense of contentment that had washed over the Mauvian. Perhaps it was because of the company she'd been with as they worked as a team to fulfil a wish but it was also just an honest day's work.
The only stain on what should have been a relaxing day was a rather obnoxious sound in the distance of something sounding like a mix between a chirping sound and a wail. Illyria's ears flicked to try to pinpoint where the source was coming from before idly beginning to lick at her paw. It currently didn't seem to be anything right now than a mere annoying sound that she'd have to try and ignore.
xMiddyglow
so ... one of the insects is on it's way to the area that the festival is being held. I think, from what I'm reading that the tree that the pods are from isn't on the festival grounds. I can also play the insect if you need me too.
Posted: Sat Jun 17, 2023 5:11 am
tefla
Issy was out of her element she was lost from her family they had come to the star festival together and she had somehow lost them in the crowd. She frowned there was no reason to panic she told herself if she stayed where she was they would find her it was the only logical answer. Too bad she didn't know where she was either. She looked around it wasn't dark so she would be alright. She heard a noise and she turned in that direction. It was nothing she thought, she was a realistic and logical sort. She wasn't worried about a squirrel which was what it had to be.
Issy had only been living in Destiny City for a few weeks now, she didn't really know anything about the weird goings on just yet.
Illyria hadn't been idle for too long underneath the tree that she had paused to scope out. People came and went, adding wishes to the tree and taking some away with them in order to grant. It made Illyria's heart soar. Hopefully others would have their wishes granted in a timely manner. Instead of lingering too long in one spot the small cat began to wander through the crowds, only stopping if someone expressed admiration to her before progressing on their way. Finally the Mauvian sighed before taking a pathway that led away from the Festival grounds. The sun was starting to trek westward as it always did when it set and it was high time that she, Illyria, needed to figure out what her plan for the evening was. More than likely she would find herself relaxing on Orah's patio space, or inside even if she was lucky. Most times though she liked being outside on the patio, unless the weather wasn't right.
Almost as soon as she thought about heading towards Orah's place did her ears swivel to catch a much louder chirping/wailing sound before she paused. That sounded way too close to the festival grounds for comfort and so Illyria did her best to track where it was coming from before she spotted movement just off the path that she was following. Oh, this wouldn't do. She crouched down to observe the teenager before feeling all of her fur rise. Something was very close, something that wasn't giving off "friendly" vibes.
(I'm just winging it here with a cicada attacker)
The thing was hungry. Ravenous. Starving. All the nutrition it'd supped on while cocooned was gone. It'd chewed its way through the shelled pod that contained it before flying off into a world unknown. All it knew is that it was still hungry for more food, and things better not get in its way of obtaining food. Letting out it's wailing cry did the flying insect stoop to dive at a young child, spitting acid at it before trying to rise back into the air to ready for a second attack.
Middyglow
cicada says "tag, you're it" to Isa
Posted: Mon Jun 19, 2023 6:49 am
tefla
Issy gasped when a giant bug swooped down at her, she ducked and frowned how could a bug possibly be that big? Maybe she was mistaken and it was actually a bird that much be it. She didn't believe in magical things she was a realistic sort of girl. She however was smart enough to dodge the weird thing no matter what it was. She looked around for a stick so she could defend herself from the animal. She expected it to come at her again. She squared her shoulders and reached for the stick to her left so she could defend herself. She wasn't about to let this creature hurt her even if it was a part of nature. She had the right to defend herself after all.
There was something not sitting quite right about this situation. Illyria was quite focused on just getting the child to safety and away from the flying insect which she could possibly deal with herself if necessary but why did it feel like there was something off about the child. The feeling that washed over the Mauvian was figuratively one of familiarity with just enough difference to make her pause and consider things. Although there was no such time for that to happen. Watching as the insect dived for the girl she was now watching Illyria's hackles rose once more before she chanced blowing her cover.
She still wasn't sure what she was feeling but she couldn't just stand by and watch as a child was killed right in front of her. Risking the cover that she had found Illyria rose to all four paws before pitching her voice to speak over the din the creature was making, "child, if you value your life, run! I got this."
Illyria's spoken statement caused the creature to turn towards her and shoot something towards her which she was able to mostly dodge but some droplets did splatter along her back. In the midst of battle though it was ignored. She needed to get the civilian out of here first, and then figure out if her laser beam could act as the world's best fly-swatter.
Just because someone didn't believe in something, it didn't make it any less real. The insect let out it's low wail/chirp cry again before hovering just out of reach of the human's weapon of choice. What it didn't see slinking up from behind was in the form of a young cat who's gaze never left the girl. But when a voice broke the tension in the air the creature spun around releasing a burst of acid towards the animal. It's attention then returned to the stick-wielding human before also spraying acid in that direction.
Middyglow
Posted: Mon Jun 19, 2023 6:47 pm
tefla
Issy looked over her shoulder talking cat, she must be dreaming it would also explain the bug that was chasing her. She ran as the cat instructed but she also considered stopping so she would be hit and therefor she would make up. "I don't have to listen to you dream cat, you can't get hurt in dreams." She stopped and turned around so the shock would wake her up and she would be back in her own bed safe and sound. Issy was burned on her arm by the acid. She cried out. "Hey you aren't supposed to be hurt in dreams!!" She sounded offended by the idea.
If the situation wasn't so dangerous maybe Illyria would have been amused at the name that this unknown child had given to her. However that was not the case. Even as the civilian started to run away did Illyria prepare herself for a battle only to groan out in frustration when the girl stopped and spun around. Dashing to the girl's feet did Illyria puff out all her fur, trying to look bigger than she was before inhaling deeply. Her laser beam was looking more desirable with every passing second.
Her gaze tracked the insects moves before she found a moment to speak again, "I'm not a dream cat, and you aren't dreaming. If you don't move soon that bug's gonna come after you again. And I won't be able to-"
Illyria broke off mid-sentence as something seemed to resonate within her. The feeling was coming from this child behind her. It was almost like what she felt with Meissa and Takamizawa, just ... different. Illyria spent one last precious second in realization to what might be happening before she turned around to fire her forehead star laser at the insect. The beam was now necessary, even if it drained her to use it. Even though she felt like she'd just run a marathon in a few seconds did Illyria concentrate fiercely before a strange looking pen appeared before her. Nudging it towards the girl she spoke quickly, yet clearly.
"Look, I don't have time to explain but you can help me fight this creature. Take the pen, hold it up and say "Mabella Power, Make-up" ... but hurry. That creature can't get away."
The creature had hit the child ... and the feline but both still seemed to be standing tall. That would have to change. It was still so very hungry. Starving. As it moved to swoop down at the child again, a beam of light struck it, sending it tumbling out of the air and onto the ground. It lay stunned; limbs twitching. Its wings were smouldering. It was down, but not out. Not yet.
Middyglow
Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2023 5:52 am
tefla
Issy didn't know what this cat was talking about none of this made sense but she did as she was told anyway, "Fine I'll play your game cat." She said in a grumpy tone "But only to prove you are crazy." She said firmly "Mabelle Power Make up!!" She yelled holding up the pen expecting nothing to happen since she wasn't a magical girl from some anime. That wasn't what was meant to be since she transformed into Mabelle. She blinked looking down at her outfit still not believing. She glared at the cat. "How did you do that??" She then looked at the bug still coming at them and attempted to hit it with the pen. "What is this thing!!??" She yelled "Mutant bug!!" She yelled at it.
At least her instincts were correct. Illyria was glad for that. But now she had a new charge to try and guide and mould into something impressive. Her gaze took in the newly awakened Mabella before she winced as the child ran at the bug when her henshin pen. Best to correct the girl on the proper respect that one needed to show the device that allowed them to transform.
"Yes, it's a mutant bug. I didn't do anything. The power has been inside you since you were born. You just needed someone like me to unlock it," Illyria winced again before she caught sight of the insect moving around just a little bit more.
"Look I know you don't believe me and you think this is a dream, but it's very very real and very dangerous too. Maybe try using another object to use to attack with. A stick or a rock or something. Or if you feel you can't win, then run away. But please ... just concentrate for a moment. There might be a phrase that is just yearning to be spoken, listen and repeat it and you might be surprised by the results."
The beam had hurt it. The attack of being struck by a pen-like object was adding to the discomfort the insect was feeling. But rage was soon overriding everything. These two would forfeit their lives - as soon as it could move ... and with a speed that surprised it, it eyed its targets before attempting to dig into the ground. It'd surprise them from below.
xxMiddyglow
Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2023 6:06 am
tefla
Mabelle listened to what the cat said, she was a realist but she wasn't stupid, she had been hurt, so this couldn't be a dream so she had to go with it and figure it out later. "Chilling n**!!" She cried out. A spectral ermine appeared and bit the bug. With that Mabelle picked up a stick and started to hit the bug. She hoped it would stun the bug long enough that they would be able to get away. "Come on let's get out of here!!" She cried out to the cat.
Quote:
Sailor Scout Attack: Chilling n**
A spectral ermine appears and bites her enemy causing a small amount of numbing effect that lasts about 15 secs. Range 5 feet. The effect numbs the area making it feel as if the area has fallen asleep, which may make the area hard to use. 3 uses
Well, at least this senshi could take a little bit of direction, that was of the good. Illyria had to wonder though what would be needed next for the child to thrive and succeed in the war she'd been inadvertently drawn into. The cat, as Mabella had labelled her, groaned before realizing how difficult it was going to be to try and teach this new senshi all the ins and outs of what it meant to be a magical girl. Illyria's gaze locked onto Mabella's form as she chased after the child, just glad to have left the encounter in one piece, but still feeling enervated from having to have needed to use her laser.
Something sparkled on the ground in front of her and Illyria paused only momentarily to stop and scoop the charm up before continuing to pelt after Mabella.
It hadn't moved fast enough. Something was summoned that charged at it, bit it, and then made it feel disjointed. That feeling was soon forgotten as the child ran up to its body before smashing the protective shell it had with a stick of all things. Perhaps the prey it had sought out had been more than it could have handled on its own. Perhaps its kin would have more success.
Even as its prey ran off did the insect feel the effect of the multiple strikes take their toll. The creature rolled onto its side, legs curling in towards its body, and perished.
xMiddyglow
fin?
Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2023 1:28 pm
tefla
Mabella saw one of the ground as well and she reached down and picked it up. She sighed out and smiled at the cat who had saved her giving her the direction she needed to not get hurt badly by the mutant bug. "Thanks." She said "I better get back to my family before they worry about me." She turned back into Issy and got ready to go.
