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[[Trying to catch up to other posts, so if there are discrepancies, please tell me and I'll edit this to fix.]]

Amelia adjusted her gauntlets, wiggling the fingers of her free hand. It was almost odd, wearing this much armor; if she moved too quickly, the metal plates clanked against each other. It would do little for stealth. But it would provide more protection, especially to her arms and legs. You can kill a soldier with a good strike to the gut, but in a way, it was even worse to cripple one. A crippled soldier was no better than a dead soldier, anyway.

"Thank you, Alihi. And please, don't worry." Amelia smiled, twirled her Javelin in her hands like a baton, taking full care not to hit anyone. She rather liked spinning things around in her hands. No wonder Nils liked to dance about when he played the flute; it was just more fun that way. "We'll take care of ourselves. If anything goes wrong, we'll send the fastest one back to get help."

Amelia's eyes turned to Sue. Her expression softened, a smile on her face. "We'd like the help. We're not looking for stealth; we're looking for defense. The more aid we have, the better off we'll be. And if we find multiple people at once, we'll need the aid."

She thought for a minute, looking over to Victoria. "You'll have to keep yourself open to move about quickly. If we knock someone out, we won't be able to guarantee they stay out very long. But we're bound to have someone fleet of foot in any group, so as long as we have that, you can hitch a ride with someo--"

Amelia groaned as Melethia ran off. "She's going to get herself killed...! Why the hell is she so determined to go off on her own? Stupid..." Amelia rattled off a few choice words in frustration. That dragoness, so hard-headed. I could say the same for myself. Shut up, me.

Her eyes briefly turned to Ninian, standing in the corner. She studied her, then walked over, making a motion to Kishuna, Sue, and Rhys to wait for a moment. "Ninian... if Sue would let you ride behind her, would you come help us? We're bound to run into Nils... and I'd feel better with your dances to keep us spirited." Amelia smiled warmly, putting a hand on Ninian's bare shoulder. Just because she couldn't fight didn't mean she had to stay back on the sidelines, right?

Blossom had stayed quietly in the kitchen until she heard something outside, though she couldn't determine what it was. It was enough to garner the small Mercenary's attention, though, so she hopped to her feet, scarf fluttering behind her as she rushed to the door, opening it wide. There, before the mansion, was what certainly looked like one of the members of Eyris' Guard, rather roughed up. Well, he was covered in dirt and his clothes were rumpled, and there was at least one noticeable gash across his uniform; had he gotten into a skirmish, or was this from fleeing?

It wasn't until he bent over to catch his breath, sucking air into his lungs, that Blossom realized something rather important. Someone else might've called it trivial, but to her, this was of the utmost significance.

I think I'm taller than him.

"Yeah! Mister Knight here is right. Where are the other Guard members? Did they get turned? How'd you get outta there without any injuries? You look kinda roughed up, though," Blossom spat out all at once, deciding that asking all the questions at once was the best way to get them all done with. Then he could talk more however he needed to. Logic! "What kind of help do you need? Us all to charge in and attack, or to infiltrate the castle, or what? I think some people have left already, but I'm not sure."

[[...Pfffft I've turned into Kurai. xD]]

Ed came into the main room to see a strange lack of people. Perplexed, she turned to the front door and walked outside, glancing around. She still had yet to find her sword (perhaps she had overlooked it, she hoped she hadn't) but when she found people gathered she merely stood there, dumbfounded.

There was this reeeeaaaally short guy who looked like he'd marched into hell and back, and then the other guys she didn't recognize, except for Blossom. But Ed was a little confused and couldn't really say anything at the time.

Ninian frowned. She wanted to go after Nils, but if Sue was going after Rei or Tibarn, there was a chance she'd miss her brother is she went with them. However, if her dancing skills were requested, then she could hardly refuse her friends.

"I . . . I will . . . stay here, with Miss Alihi," she told Amelia, looking to the tactician and back. "I will keep her company, and Amara will still be here, too," she added, remembering the tactician's young daughter. "I can watch her if need be."

Alihi hesitated. Did she really want help with Abel? Not really. But she also knew it would be rather stupid if she went on her own. Heck, she might not even survive if she went on her own and he didn't hesitate.
But still, she couldn't say "yes". "... I'll think about it, Bartre." She replied with a small nod.

She then turned to Ninian. "Are you sure? I'll be fine on my own, and I'm sure you're concerned about Nils... Chances are that he'd be with or nearby Rei. At least, that's what I believe."

Arashe watched the groups slowly leave, everyone preparing for battle. "Well, I guess it's time for me to-"

"I... I will... stay here, with Miss Alihi."

It was the woman from before, Ninian, opting out of the fight. "Miss Ninian, if I may." He walked over, interrupting the conversation. "I would be pleasured if you would grant us your company. There are still many here who can fight, like that giant reptile, or the green cloaked girl. Things will be fine here, so come with us."

(I can imagine Amelia and Evil!Rei kung fu fighting : D
"You insult my honor.. You must die!") When Aran reached his room, he found his armor hung up on the wall as always. He wouldn't need all of it, just the important parts. Helmet, gauntlets, greaves, shield.. Yup, all here

After a while, he had his armor ready and grabbed a steel lance as he left the room and headed back down the stairs. If they needed backup, or if the house got attacked, he'd be there to help.

Large fixed Ghis with a sharp glare even as he continued to pant. "Chickenwire... turned. Clang... is dead." His gaze sharpened. "I don't know what happened to the Captain. He told me to get out, and... I can squeeze myself into tight places okay. Got away by hiding, then ran here." Nonetheless, he'd been careful to tear his shirt so that it exposed the wound he had received from Clang's sword.

Even as he attempted to look exhausted, Large was having trouble concealing the jittery energy coursing through his body, so he sat down, eyeing Blossom incredulously for a moment.

He did look a bit alarmed when she revealed that people had already left. "What!?" Realizing this was perhaps a bit suspicious, he added, "They have no idea what they're up against! It's... it's hell, reached up and spread through the city! Even the Hawk King was turned! And so many of the Guard..." He looked away for a moment, then suddenly seemed to remember his manners-- all an act. He looked up at Blossom for a moment and stood, brushing himself off.

"I am Sergeant Alric Matsu of the Eyris Castle Guard. Call me Large." He pursed his lips and made a calculated pause, then gestured toward the door as he started for it. "Do you mind? I really need some water."

Oh damnit please tell me she didn't leave with the book already...

Large stepped inside and listened for kitchen-y sounds, then turned the corner into it. He recognized a few-- Ayra, Sue, and Amelia, notably. Hopefully, they wouldn't question his intentions. After all, he came through the barrier!

Of course he did! ... Right?


Ganon smiled, waving off the compliment. "Oh, thank you," he murmured, his tail wagging a bit as he turned. "I suppose I should make my way down to the kitchen... See what I can do to help." He smiled again, then turned and flicked out his tongue. Follow the scent to find your way back, Ganon! Round the corner... and straight... and there's the living room, aha! He poked his head around the corner, tail waving slowly as he listened to the active conversation.