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Vanilla Cryptid generated a random number between
1 and 3 ...
3!
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 Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2011 12:38 pm
Ruria couldn't help but admire her opponent as he seemed to shrug off her spell, and revert so casually back to his guitar as if this was something he did twenty times a day. The sluggishness around her legs was gone, but replaced with a sweltering, blistering heat that hit her hard. She nearly crumpled under the intense waves of heat, but she was a fighter, that much she had engraved upon herself.
Slowly, she regained her posture, and her hands clasped together in a peculiar gesture in front of her, her fingers interlocked. An ominous sounding chant pervaded her lips, and her eyes stayed upon Orpheus, unblinking and staring daggers at him. She respected his ability, but she did not want to lose. Not easily, at least. She kept chanting the arcana, and wisps of The Black Death appeared, a dark aura of pain and destruction. It lunged forward once, pelting Orpheus directly, then again, hard waves of darkness, despair and death emanating into those it touched. Two times were all that Ruria could manage before she had to take a breath from the chanting, overwhelmed by the remaining heat on the stage. Still, she scrambled back into a confident posture, regardless she felt herself caving in.
4/5
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Face your demons generated a random number between
1 and 3 ...
3!
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Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2011 12:41 pm
He hadn't really shrugged off the spell. He hurt in all kinds of places, and playing stung. But it wasn't that it had scared him, per se; he was used to disturbing illusions of all kinds, so even the spirit rush wasn't too frightening. Still, if that was this witchling's casual first attack, he shuddered to think at what other kinds of creepy spells she had in her arsenal.
Like the one she was beginning. It was ....definitely creepy. And chanting was one thing he knew very well. He studied all forms of musical magic, including the voice as a weapon. His was too harsh to achieve the effect Ruria was now accomplishing, and the pain of the Black Death lashed him. Far worse than the spirits had been. He felt it hit him once, and then with a resounding sorrow, he felt like fighting back would be useless-- until her voice was interrupted. It was a good thing that she had been interrupted by the heat. Orpheus was upset with himself that he had forgotten to tune it out; it was hard, though, something that dark. And it wasn't one of his own spells. In his music, it was so familiar that it became easy to tune out, but this strange song did not belong to him.
It was also a good thing that the despair he had just felt could fuel the second half of his spell. Again, he plucked at the guitar strings, producing the same frantic, hot sound he had before the attack. But it sounded tired, and less excited; the Black Death had clearly affected him.
Better than the sweltering heat of passion, Orpheus understood the cold. The winter seasons, when heat had not just left, but been drained out of the landscape. And so as he very shortly into resuming the heat song, it took a sinister turn, and sucked the sweltering heat away from the stage. There was a brief moment of respite before frost started to cover the stage. It was not an ice-element frost, but an illusory product of ghost fire. A fire that chilled and seared as it spread. And so the dueling stage grew cold, frosty. And a ghostly flame floated towards Ruria from Orpheus' mouth, which had opened and produced a sound perhaps like the wind in an empty room, or some sort of eerie sigh. The ghost flame was new to him. It approached her, perhaps close enough to singe or at least make her uncomfortable.
--That would be five blows, wouldn't it? Orpheus, sure that he had achieved his goal, slowed in his playing. He didn't want to seriously hurt the witchling; it was just a summer festival, after all.
[[Hits Dealt: 6/5
Hits Taken: 3/5]]
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Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2011 1:08 pm
Ruria, still recovering from the heat, looked up only just in time to see the ghost fire assaulting her. She tried to move, but was a hair too late, and it hit her, toppling her onto her rear on the stage. She had been defeated, but the duel had been...excitingly fun, and her sudden interest within the activity piqued evermore. She had been gifted a wonderful opponent who began the challenge with the magic she was least productive against, and the challenge alone thrilled her.
She stood up casually, dusting herself off with a look of one inconvenienced by a dusty wind rather than one who had been assaulted to the ground by frosty ghost fires, and flipped her long hair back over her shoulder before giving Orpheus a polite curtsy. "It was lovely to engage you in the art of magical combat,"
she said, offering her hand and a polite smile. Any temper she had during the match had dissolved. "We must do this again in the future. I'll be victorious the next time~"
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Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2011 1:14 pm
Miusa lifted the soundstick to her mouth again as she spoke. "Congratulations to Orpheus," she began. "Who showed good grasp of auditory magic. Very wonderful show!" she applauded, casting an approving smile in his direction, before speaking again. "There will be a bit of a break between our final duel, and after that, the Lichbone will appear for our evening fireworks~"
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Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2011 1:17 pm
Burn, with an inside flame.
Orpheus grinned widely, swung his guitar over his shoulder onto his back again. "Hey, it was great, and I bet you'll kick my a** next time. With magic as promising as that... You're one creepy chick, though, I've gotta say." It was a compliment, really, and he reached out one hand to shake hers in return. "I look forward to our rematch."
For now, though, Orpheus was drained. He hadn't become a witch all too long ago, and in fact was pretty much newly graduated as he could be. So he bowed to her, waved, and said, "I'm starving," as he led himself off the stage. He didn't get far. Was that the dark witch who had been watching him? His stomach grumbled after that intense fight.
He heard Miusa congratulate him, and announce that later there would be fireworks. He perked up a little, hearing that; he had recently discovered he loved alchemy and explosions.
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Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2011 1:22 pm
It happened once a year, in the middle of summer a festival in the town around the academy, and Shea had managed to not be busy that very day. How wonderfully exciting, thought the woman as she trailed into the area near all the excitement of the dueling stage. Oh dueling ! .. Shea peered around not really seeing anyone she knew which was a tad disappointing but that didn't dampen her spirits any, swaying to her own slow rhythm she made her way into the crowd with her familiar close by her side. Pausing to take in the duel that was just starting. "Oh Koray look, just in time..." Her tone was soft and sweet though showing her clear amusement to be able to watch the newly graduated witches duel.
The familiar at her side only snorted, turning his gaze around the area and noting a rather, odd male near a tree. The ever suspicious familiar bristled at him slightly before turning his attention back to Shea, rubbing against her leg. Shea was to busy watching to pay much attention to the familiar, her vibrant blue eyes widen as she takes in all the moves of the fighters. Ouch she thought watching the poor girl cover her ears, the boy was very good, not that the girl was doing bad it just seemed like faith was smiling more on the orange headed competitor. Amused by the ghost that were called up she smiled a rather flattering smile while watching, attention captured on both their bodies for the moment. Koray's annoyed hiss caused her to look down the familiar was having his tail pulled by one of the ghostly little creatures the pink haired youth had summoned, the sight caused Shea to burst into soft giggles moving a hand to cover her mouth as she did.
Once the battle was over the witch took up her hands and clapped for them both after the winner was announced, they had done a superb job. Both of them, Orpheus familiar name. At the mention of fireworks her eyes danced in delight, looking back to Koray she smiled a lovely smile. "Shall we go for some snacks, then find a good spot for gazing at the fireworks?" The marble colored cat simply nodded in agreement to her plan. Not yet moving she peered around from her spot, taking in each booth nearby first. Maybe just a drink for herself as she wasn't really all that hungry, oh she could play a game!.. Though it wasn't much fun to play alone and Koray was all thumbs when it came to playing with her, though she had to admit he had an impressive hammer shifting ability that came in handy for the ring the bell game.
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Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2011 1:39 pm
Salem, upon watching Orpheus win, decided there could be no other alternative to the outcome of that battle, not with so divine an instrument as what the boy held. Credit needed to be given where it was due, surely, but Salem knew that Orpheus owed much to the raw power of the tool he held. It never once occurred to Salem that the instrument was readily available at a great many stores not only in the castle town of Makai, but in every city, nor did he realize that he was approaching something like reverence for the simple six-string.
As Orpheus turned from his opponent, apparently in good graces (which made no sense to Salem, but they were humans, what to expect?), Salem stood, still cloaked in the shade of the tree. He must have cut quite the eerie figure, standing seperate from the festive crowds, not moving, not speaking, just... standing. Staring from the eye that still rested in its socket. When Salem had finally caught Orpheus' attention, he beckoned the boy with his right hand, one manicured claw curling towards him, the eye-sigul glinting hungrily despite itself.
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Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2011 1:53 pm
He felt very ... strange. Looking at the witch who stared at him. And the witch beckoned him over. Orpheus barely noticed Shea as he passed, since she was so much further away. As he walked towards the dark witch, Orpheus waved idly at Shea and kept on going, with a mumbled, "Hey kitty," to her familiar.
There was something off about the stranger. Orpheus wondered at what it could be. It wasn't so much that his appearance bothered him (though he did look rather abnormal), it was more that Orpheus felt unsettled by him. He wasn't sure why. Orpheus attributed it to his exhaustion at having over-spent himself in the duel.
"Never seen you before," Orpheus said, with a grin and a wave. "What's up?"
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Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2011 2:13 pm
Salem watched Orpheus approach, the faintest traces of a smile touching his lips as the boy absent-mindedly glanced past an Ars Lilium and her familiar without so much as a second look. He liked that a great deal, because it meant that Orpheus was caught in the glammer of Salem, at least to some extent, and was gravitating towards him, same as most Salem called to found themselves so apt to do.
Salem saw, deep in Orpheus' eyes, though, the disturbance he was causing, the uneasiness. Careful, always careful.
“No, no, never seen me around, I'm not FROM around, you see,” Salem grinned, offering his bare hand again, willing the magicked eye that lay upon to be still and ordinary with the closest thing to anger Salem was capable of feeling. “I'm here to see the festivities, though, always fascinating.” He glanced down to the guitar Orpheus held, admiring it now that it was so close to him. “That was some duel, indeed. And that is some instrument.”
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Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2011 2:47 pm
Miusa flicked her creamy-white hair over her shoulder as she left the stage, heels clicking against the stone of the street. Her eyes shifted to where the winner of the duel, Orpheus, had gone, and thus to the witch he spoke to. A Majin.... Her gaze lingered on him for a moment. It was something that had always been with her since that day....that day long, long ago. A majin heart beat differently than a human's, and she could hear it. Feel it. Still, even then, she couldn't justly tell what their intentions were, and it was not up to her to punish or reward. Ever since that day, long, long ago, she had a severe disinterest in the meddling of affairs, futures, and fates. She'd teach what she knew, well...Some of what she knew, and that was her purpose for now.
As long as things continued the way they were, it would be alright, she supposed. The teacher sat upon a bench, still idly watching those who lingered around the dueling stage. At least she would get to see the Lichbone tonight. It always brought some form of joy to see the gargantuan creature playing atop the towers.
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Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2011 3:04 pm
Cyrus Colombe strolled among the festivities. He walked with a slightly quickened pace, having just realized he was late for the duels. And knowing how rough some students could be, he made it a habit of being present in case things got out of hand. It was his duty, after all, him being the Academy Nurse and teacher of the healing arts. His dove, Syracuse, perched patiently on his shoulder, flapping her wings frantically now and then to keep balance. She'd scold him along the way, saying it would be his fault if anyone was hurt and he wasn't there. But Cyrus simply nodded, his brown ponytail whipping behind him.
As he reached the stage, he managed to catch the end of a duel. Pushing up this thin glasses, he smiled to see that both students seemed unharmed. But to be sure, he waved at the both of them to make sure they knew where he was. Sticking near the dueling stage, he spotted his friend and colleague, Miusa, and took a seat next to her on the bench.
"I'm...sorry I'm late," he chuckled, running his fingers through the loose hair that had fallen over his face. He then clasped his hands together on his lap and leaned his head back a little, feeling tense. "How was the duel? It looks like no one got hurt this year." he said, trying desperately to spark a conversation with her. Syracuse rolled her eyes at Cyrus, as best as a bird could. She could always see right through the boy, but silently settled down on his shoulder. At least he was sitting still..
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Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2011 3:27 pm
Miusa started a bit, drawn from her innermost thoughts to the present. She greeted Cyrus with a smile, tilting her head to one side in a familiar greeting. "Don't fret, nobody lost an eye this year at least." She crossed a leg over a knee, leaning back and basking in the remnants of the setting sun. As the light went down, the lights of the festivities grew; a welcome and inviting atmosphere for any summer's night. "They learn quicker these days, I think." she nodded towards some of the dueling participants and their friends. "So, any plans for tonight? Got some lucky lady to take around the festival? Huhuhu~" For all her talents, Miusa had never been one to read people's innermost intentions very well. Where it might have been apparent to the other staff (and even some students) that Cyrus liked her in a special way, the idea had never once flickered into her thoughts that he, or anybody for that matter, looked at her that way.
Still, she enjoyed the man's company, and she reached a finger over to scritch his familiar behind the neck, cautious about being pecked. Again.
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Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2011 3:43 pm
Cyrus rubbed a hand over his five-o-clock shadow, musing about how it felt much like sandpaper. "At least there's that" he chuckled, remembering a few...less fortunate years in dueling. "But then again, that's not always a good thing. Soon they'll be outsmarting us, and then we'll have our hands full." she said, daring a glance at her.
At the mentioning of plans and a "lucky lady", Cyrus began to fidget, rubbing his neck and palming his knees. "Well, uh, only if she..uhh...doesn't have any plans. You know..." he muttered, looking everywhere but at Miusa. It was still apparent that she didn't know of his feelings, and he didn't want to bombard her with 'you-are-my-lucky-lady-please-spend-the-festival-with-me-i-love-you'..
Syracuse ruffled her feathers at how awkward the boy was. Well, he was a boy to her. And while Miusa was a nice girl, the dove was always iffy on being petted as if she were some sort of pet. But tonight was a special night for everyone, and decided to spare the rod and spoil the child. As old as that child might be...
"W-what about you, are you going to watch the Lichbone fireworks with anyone in particular?" he said, looking at her with slight hope in his blue eyes.
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Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2011 4:10 pm
Miusa withdrew her hand from the haughty little dove, gazing off into the distance for a moment as she collected the bulk of her hair in front of her, twirling it through her hands childishly. "Hm, no, I don't think so. Just me, a bottle of fresh nectar from the Cat's Flask, and an unacceptably large amount of festival food. We're talking massive....like, I will-be-obese-tomorrow-massive." she snickered at her own joke, but her stomach grumbled impatiently, threatening to make truth out of her jest.
Miusa flicked her golden gaze back towards Cyrus, studying him unblinkingly. At times like these, small inklings would infiltrate her immediate thoughts, but always, unfailingly be distracted by something mundane. "You...." She reached over, putting a soft, open-palmed hand to his cheek for a moment, almost tenderly. "You need a better razor, I think. You could sand furniture on your chin." She gave a friendly pat to his cheek, before laughing softly.
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Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2011 4:18 pm
Orpheus was unsettled by Salem no matter what he did. However, once the Witch mentioned his instrument, Orpheus' reservations evaporated. "Yeah, it's my best friend. And my parents. And my siblings. All in one," he said, laughing. "That's why I made sure to keep it safe, even when those weird spirits were attacking me. I'm not sure I want to keep fighting with it, though."
Although he couldn't vocalize it, he was beginning to notice he didn't need it. It just helped him focus. The songs he played weren't the real magic. He just needed the guitar until he was stronger, because he believed he did. Orpheus didn't understand that, yet. Besides, his magic was still changing; he had only just graduated from student to witch in the first place. That ghost fire was new, he had acquired the feel for it while rooting for ingredients in the Grave of Fairies. And he liked it. Still, there was something not quite right about it. So he would have to study more.
In secret, of course, lest he destroy his careful slacker image. "Do you play anything?" He asked, "I wanted to start a band here. I miss the one I had back home."
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