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Captian Lavendulan - western path

It had been one hell of a climb up the cliff. Some had found it more difficult than others and those that did were incredibly vocal about their frustrations and displeasure as they struggled their way to the top. Apparently, there was one, if not two, casulties; however, Lavendulan had been ahead of them and did not see what had happened.

Her only mild irritation was that both Lopezite and Wolframite had been split into different teams. Out of everyone that had signed up for this mission they were the two she had trusted the most and if s**t hit the fan they would have her back as she would have theirs. Perhaps dividing them would prove to be a useful lesson and teach her the importance of not relying so heavily on what's familiar and learn to trust other comrades or Generals in charge.

When finally they had reached the top and been given permission to rest for a moment, Laven pulled out her tablet to re-read Lopezite's last message to her. Proud of you for signing up. I look forward to seeing what you bring to your team. If we wind up apart, take care of yourself. I’ll keep an eye out for you. I have the utmost faith in you, Lav. She smiled at his kind words and decided, while she had a few minutes to spare, to send him a message back.



Even with so many agents, Lavendulan was under no illusion as to the number of things that could go wrong. Youma weren't the only things they needed to be careful of. Each step into the Rift carried them further from the exit and without the ability to teleport Laven worried that there may be more casualties before they found this illusive youma.

Without realizing it, icy blue eyes had been staring almost blankly at the easter path. Something about it reminded her of the foggy forest with that yeti-like monster and she had to wonder if there was any connection or if this was all just a coincidence. Her musing, however, was interrupted when the commanding voice of one of the leading Generals (Jet) began to give their next instructions.

Eventually, he got to her name and when he asked if he'd pronounced it correctly Laven simply nodded her head.

Only when he was done speaking did she get up and walk over to where Aqua had been standing. The blonde-haired, purple-eyed General regarded her with a steady stare that felt like he was either sizing her up or promising a swift punishment if she somehow ******** things up. Either way, it seemed that he was not impressed by what he saw, or displeased to have her as part of his group when he essentially ignored her and instead turned his attention to the other lieutenants.

Either way, she ignored the look for now and addressed Aqua as any other lower-ranked officer should. "General," Laven bowed as an overly formal way of greeting. Although she had no idea why Jet had assumed she had more Rift experience and was more fitted to join the group that would travel along the western path, Laven wasn't inclined to openly question the decision and give Aqua reason to send her down the precariously narrow path instead.

Lieutenant Roselite - eastern path

Roselite almost followed Reidite. He seemed helpful and friendly; out here, Roselite could use more of that. But the other Lieutenant was being made to go with Aquamarine, and Roselite knew he wouldn’t fare well under the blond General’s command. If the briefing was any indication, Aquamarine had a bit of a temper.

Knowing nothing about General Chalcanthite wouldn’t have stopped Roselite from joining that group if the path they were to follow wasn’t so narrow and thick with mist. Roselite didn’t trust himself not to fall to his death going that way.

Which left Jet.

Carnallite said Jet seemed decent, and she didn’t often praise people. From Roselite’s own observations, Jet was dedicated and determined; most importantly, he didn’t snarl and curse and glare at people (unless he simply had no reason to right now).

So Roselite decided to go with him, along the eastern path. As he scuttled nearer to his chosen General, Roselite offered a timid smile to the youma who was told to accompany them (Maikoh), hoping he was at least partially successful at disguising how scared out of his mind he was.

Youma Maikoh - eastern path

Most had made it safely up, though Maikoh wasn't entirely convinced it was her concern if they didn't. Maybe it was unfortunate for the humans, who had one less number among them for protection, but humans were a disease, anyway. It was hard to be too offended by one less of them. As long as her pup wasn't among the departed, the rest were irrelevant.

Maikoh blinked down at the girl that approached her. A tiny thing, though most were when compared to the youma's towering eight feet. Still, it was hard to be offended by the praise.

Her chest puffed, all teeth displayed in a predatory smile. "If it were me who could choose, all would join as I am. The claws are the least of Metallia's gifts to me for my commitment to her cause." She flexed her fingers, perky ears twitching and tail swaying in a motion that betrayed her delight. "But there are ever opportunities to improve yourself. What's your name, girl?"

But there was little time to respond. Now that everyone had gathered and had an opportunity to survey their surroundings, those in charge devised their strategy. She had no opinion on which path to take. The most important thing was that she be nearby for her pups if they needed her. Maikoh's sheer size enabled her to herd Janggunite first, even though his tail lashed, and he impulsively bared his teeth at her for her presumptuousness in pushing him around.

He would get over it. They were better off near.

Oh, and the girl. It would be a shame to lose her. "I will take this one," Maikoh added, using a long arm to draw the pink-haired lieutenant (Leifite) after a nervous-looking blond boy (Roselite) and toward Jet. "Come, darlings. Maikoh will protect you," she cooed in a voice that was a clear imitation of reassuring.

a-disgruntled-dragon

NO PRESSURE to follow Maikoh if you don't wanna!

Sunshine Alouette

Guine

Half-Youma Lieutenant Janggunite - eastern path

If he cared enough to choose (and it had been presented to him as if he had a choice), Janggunite thought he may have preferred to go with Lavendulan. They had only spoken fleetingly, but it was obvious even in those few moments that she had a better grasp on the types of things they dealt with and the latent abilities they had. He already felt a bizarre and unwarranted kinship with her, and among those here, he wanted to stay near her-

But Maikoh's frame was before him before he even had a chance to move. His long tail swept the ground in agitated coils, petals thwaping lightly on the ground as an irritated hiss tore from his throat.

He spared a quick glance around his youma, and it felt like it was very suddenly in his nature to make as much of a scene as necessary to get what he wanted. But it didn't quite... feel right to think that way. He had never been a tantrum-thrower, even in his youth, and it was with some uncomfortable degree of uncertainty and restraint and confusion that the frills along his cheeks settled and he fell more silently into place beside his youma.

She seemed pleased by the quiet acceptance, and he decided it wasn't important enough to ague about. What did the selected path really matter, anyway. If he died, he died, right?

There was no reason to make a hassle out of nothing. Janggunite exhaled a tired sigh and pinned scrutinizing, slitted rose eyes on the other two lieutenants nearby.

Shanyume

Lieutenant Nobleite - western path

None of the paths seemed particularly appealing to Nobleite. No good ideas or bad ideas. They were all splitting up, anyway, so might as well just go with whatever was closest. The majority of those splitting off seemed to be headed with General Jet down the eastern path, so... With a tiny tip of his head, he scootched his weight toward the western path, where General Aquamarine and Lavendulan were standing with another lieutenant.

"I'll go with you too, if that's alright," he offered.

If he took a minute to actually survey the choices and try and figure out logically if one would be better than the other- But that implied there was any logic in this place. He stood by that it probably didn't matter the path, and hopefully they'd be able to meet up as a group again before too long, even if it did seem like these three trails went in different directions...

Lt Leifite - 50 HP - 1d6+2 - Eastern Path

The reverence that Maikoh spoke about Metallia's gifts to her, and how she puffed up actually brought a little smile to Leifite's face. This agent of chaos had completely devoted her life to Metallia and Chaos. She'd gone the extra mile to prove her devotion. That was all Leifite wanted and more, though perhaps without the hooves.

"I admire your dedication Maikoh. I am Leifite," she replied just before the Generals began directing people here and there. One long arm circled her shoulders and Leifite was pleased to see Maikoh herd her and a few others under her care. "I will gladly come with you, Maikoh."

With that, they entered the eastern path.



----

Haymitch - HP 50 - 1d6 - Center Path

"Haymitch! At your service!" he said happily, tail flicking back and forth. He bounded up onto Lionel's shoulder with ease as General Jet started to dole out orders. "Here, General Jet!" He waved his hat in the air with a paw.

Central path, got it. Haymitch looked at Lionel and the other corrupts. "Come with me to the central path? I don't really wanna loose you all..." he asked of the corrupt senshi, though ultimately it was up to them about where they went. He hoped at least Lionel would come with them.

General Aquamarine - still walking the western path

“We’re already leaving!” Aquamarine shouted after Lavendulan, turning to glare at her retreating back.

Who did she think she was, not even waiting for permission? They couldn’t afford to dawdle around, wasting valuable time, chit-chatting with one another and exchanging gifts.

Under his breath, Aquamarine ranted, “You all had every opportunity to talk before we left. Half of you couldn’t ******** shut up and listen at the briefing, talking between yourselves like we were on a ******** picnic. Don’t think I didn’t see who wasn’t paying attention.”

At least Reidite followed orders — probably grudgingly, but obedience was obedience even if it was done under duress. Another Lieutenant that joined them (Nobelite) didn’t seem terrible, though there was plenty of time for him to prove otherwise.

Aquamarine paused in his glaring to give him a long, considering look that was nonetheless half a glare (as was his way), then shrugged and continued to walk along the path, starting up the incline. (If they had to climb anything again, he was going to be furious.)

“If you can respect the chain of command better than her, maybe I’ll put in a good word for you with Axinite. Come on, we’re not standing around waiting. We have a job to do.”

Central Path

It must have been nerves, or a trick of the light, or a trick of the Rift — Eveite saw nothing of note in the mists. Lavendulan, however, might've seen something during her daydream.

Eastern Path

Quote:

The safest of the options, the eastern path's terrain proved both wide and easily traversable. The rocks that formed it were mostly steady, obsidian slabs so sturdy that they could cut into the mountain half on the other side, if the bisected Scar ever came together again. It differed slightly from the unknown violet rock that they oft found throughout the Rift, though there was little reason to question their welcome support.

As they walked on, the forerunners would be able to see the silhouette of a youma in the distance. A squat thing, rounded, perhaps toad-like. They heard nothing from it, however, and upon aproach, the thing turned and sprang ahead into the mists.

Where the path joined up with the mountain half, the astute would notice variably-sized holes in the cliff face, not unlike those that the Interrogation team entered. The occasional pair of eyes stared out, though these were far fewer in number than any the Combat team found. What few there were seemed inert, or reticent, or unbothered by their presence.

But that wasn't always so — a pair of arms darted out from one of the nearest holes, reaching for a pair of the passersby (Jet and Janggungite).

Quote:

The prompt pertains to: Jet, Janggungite.
Instructions: Roll 1d10. If you roll 6-10, your character dodges the hands or escapes their clutches. If you roll 1-5, wait for Blue's post. Captains receive +1 to their roll, Generals receive +2.

Whimsical Blue

You know what to do heart

Central Path

Quote:

While the path was thin, precarious by look and by its zigzagged pattern, the rocky surface was otherwise sturdy. Even without decent visibility, the three would be able to navigate the treacherous path so long as they took their time and secured their footing. The cat, of course, only had to worry about his senshi's footing, and about when to jump off if Lionel took a header.

Luckily, Lionel did not take a header.

Chalcanthite did. But that wasn't his fault — the spatters of mucus underfoot migrated when he stepped in one. Darted straight off the path and wrapped around to the underside. Chalcanthite, however, could not slither and dart as the youma could.

No, Chalcanthite was a human, and humans were really only good at falling when it came to heights. He would have to hope that the Combat team was looking out for him.

infinities

Titanite has an opportunity to direct her youma (Quetzacoatl to save Chalcanthite from a nasty fall. Doing so will expend 50 of the youma's HP, but will rescue the good General from some hefty damage. It's up to you! OOCly Chalcanthite will survive either way.
If you choose to do this, simply make note of it in Titanite's thread (Combat).

Western Path

Quote:

Aquamarine's group surely fared better than the others, right? Their path was no closer to either side, and it was wide enough that none of its occupants, however clumsy, should have to worry about the ground falling out beneath them. No part of that path appeared youma-infested, so they had only to contend with their own balance. The path sloped upward, carried them higher, and — curiously enough — as they neared its zenith, the mist leveled out.

By the time they crested the top, they viewed the Rift's veined, bleeding sky in perfect clarity. They saw the tops of the reaching cliffs, scathing at the starless atmosphere like teeth. And, most importantly, they saw that the mists dropped off further ahead. They dropped off abruptly. An experienced estimate would say that they had another hundred yards to go, assuming that none of them got lost in the latticed paths before then.

Their path dipped back into the mists. It ran precariously close to a youma, however —it did not sleep, but the bat-like thing was dormant. No movement, no breathing, no intelligence to its dull, ruby-eyed stare. It hung upside-down from a path that folded over top of theirs.

Quote:

Youma Radon
HP: 4000/4000
Ability: Sonar — Radon can pinpoint the location of anything it hears.

Characters may choose to deal with the bat youma or go help the others. If you try to sneak past the bat youma, roll 1d10. 10 or higher successfully passes the youma without attracting its attention. Captains get +1 to their rolls. Generals get +2 to their rolls.

Quote:

Rope was close, but it does not provide support! The correct answer was a twig.
There's no penalty to missing an AR prompt!

Quote:

AR Opportunity: Shanyume
What to do: Your prompt is round and shiny. Helpful thing, the purveyor of opportunity. Easier access into the unknown.
Take a picture of something round and shiny that you think matches the flavor text and quote me in your next post. Spoiler the picture of something round and shiny. You can consult with other players to try to determine what your prompt refers to.
If you do not have a camera or cannot participate, think of something round and shiny and type that thing into Google. Click I'm Feeling Lucky and link the image you receive in your next post.

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ssbrosb

eveite

shanyume

lavendulan

a-disgruntled-dragon

leifite, haymitch

sunshine alouette

aqua, roselite

guine

jet, reidite

indigo_plateau

janggungite, nobleite, maikoh

noir songbird

ilse, lionel, lilith

genovianprince

thorite

sara draconia

chalcanthite