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Character: Tohru
Stage: Expert
Current lvl: 60
Luck: 52
Creature:
x1 Diamond Mara: Level 40, LUK ≥ ???
x2 Dark Mage Mara: Level 40, LUK ≥ ???
x2 Crafter Mara: Level 40, LUK ≥ ???
x1 Metal Mara: Level 30, LUK ≥ ???
x3 Rock Mara: Level 25, LUK ≥ ???
x1 Vispiri Swarm Lvl 57, LUK ≥ 43

Sucess Rate: For Diamond: 71-100
For Dark Mage: 51-100
For Crafter: 31-100
For Metal: 21-100
For Rock: 11-100
For Vispiri: 6-100
Rolled 36, 43, 55, 8, 18, 50, 13, 71, 11, 24
Battle outcome: x5 Wins
40 x 3 = 120 + 25 = 145 + 57 +=
362

Left over Exp Bin: 20/60 --> 7/66 with 6 lvls gained! (Lvl 66)
LUK: 52 --> 53 (1 Victories in Range - Vispiri)
Luck loss count: 0/3 --> 0/3

x10 Moon Stone
x2 Small Hammer
x55 Shattered Granite
x3 Oozing Poison Gland
x10 Arcanite Stone
x20 Obsidian
x19 Copper Bar
x5 Diamonds

After their last adventure, Cela only barely roused herself enough to get them back into town. She leaned against Tohru's shoulder, wrapping her arms about him to keep the Kiandri from trying to stray away from her, or maybe she genuinely needed the support. He wasn't sure. Not that he would've left her alone at this point, anyway. Cela had done a lot for him in the past day. The only day that they'd even known each other. The very least he could do was see to it that the drowsy girl returned safely to her friends.

Despite her state, the Ysali did seem to have someplace specific in mind that she was headed toward, which was a relief to Tohru, otherwise he didn't know what he'd do with her. Speaking of people he didn't know what to do with... What was he going to do with himself? He couldn't afford to stay in an inn in the town, and it was far too late and dark for him to try and make his way to Kasen's house. Nevermind the fact that it would be incredibly rude of him to barge in on his brother with no warning...

Cela tugged at the back of his shirt, lurching him from his thoughts. "Here. This is one of Zera's houses," she murmured, halting in her steps and nudging against him until he turned to face the flat wooden front of one of the buildings nested along in the street. The Kiandri glanced wearily down the road. It didn't really look like a house... Besides, he'd thought most of these buildings were stores, anyway. He'd passed them often enough when he was younger.

Cela was half asleep. She probably had no idea what she was talking about. "Are you sure...?" He asked hesitantly. She released him, and Tohru flinched as he realized he'd probably just insulted the cheery woman by questioning her. His mother never would've allowed him to get away with that.

But rather than assault him, Cela reached down to a pouch she had laced about her hip. She fumbled to get it open, then rummaged around inside. Tohru distinctly thought her heard the sounds of keys clinking together. When her hand emerged, it held one key with a paper tag popping off the end of it (to identify it, maybe?). Sure enough, when she stuck the key in the lock of the door, it swung upon, and she trounced into the dark house.

Tohru lingered behind, peeking in curiously as she sauntered ahead. Her high heeled shoes went off, kicked carelessly across the hard floor. And then her gaze was back on Tohru. "Hurry up and get in before the bugs do," she demanded, reaching for his arm.

The Dovaa male leaned just out of her reach, feeling an extra jab of weariness as he gazed into the blackness just beyond the ray of light at the entryway. His mother had told him stories about little children who went to their friends houses only to find that they'd been deceived by alleged 'friends.' Rather than a happy sleepover, the children's bodies were cut up and the parts sold on the black market. Or they were taken hostage until their families could pay. Or perhaps they were sold alive to whoever had use for a child. Very disturbing tales for a six-year-old to hear right before bedtime.

But then, Tohru was hardly a child anymore, and Cela had shown him virtually no ill-will at all. He green orbs were questioning as she stared out at him, waiting for him to come in so she could shut the door and go to bed, probably. With a gulp to steel himself, the Kiandri stepped forward past the threshold and carefully slipped off his shoes before standing uncertainly in front of the now significantly shorter girl.

She shut the door then fumbled about to find a light. When the dim lamp flickered on, Tohru could've really believed he was in a small warehouse, rather than someone's home. Literally the entire home was open, devoid of walls except the ones leading to the outside. No kitchen, no living room no designated bedroom, no restroom. Boxes and crates lined the walls and protruded out into the walking space. Maybe he was about to be killed here. And then shipped somewhere else.

Cela didn't share his reservations.

She strode ahead and flopped face first onto a mattress that was tucked neatly against the back wall. It had sheets, pillows, and blankets. It simply lacked a frame. Tohru tried very hard to keep his appendages tucked against himself. When he didn't move from in front of the door, the Ysali beckoned. "C'mon, then. You need sleep too." This really was turning into the strangest encounter he'd ever had with anyone in his entire life. Slowly, he picked his way across the room toward her, desperately wishing he'd kept his shoes.

She tugged him down, where he sat rigidly and fearfully. If Cela noticed, she didn't care. She snuggled up as close to the wall as she could get and promptly passed out. Tohru didn't move. At some point, he became positive that something else was in the house. Something that would only see him if he moved, made a sound, or breathed. Every time Cela snorted in her sleep, another tremor of terror rolled down his spine. The only lighting was the lamp from the corner, and even that was blocked out by a few boxes in the way. He was half-temped to run for the door. There was so much crap crowding the floor that he assumed whatever else was here would trip over it as much as he would. But that would mean leaving Cela... She could be in on it. But she may not be. She seemed too trusting to think that something would attack her in her sleep.

All Tohru could do was sit and stand watch until the morning....

He wasn't sure at what point he started to doze, but sometime during the night, he'd gone from sitting up straight to slumped over of his side. Tohru even vaguely thought he remembered doing that himself. But eventually, his eyes shut, and they didn't open against until morning light was streaming through the window.

The first thing the Kiandri very acutely noticed, was that someone was touching him. The only reason he was awake enough to realize it, was because two blackened feet were dangling over his shoulder and into his face. Literally draped across him like he was some sort of towel rack. What was worse was that there was another pair trapping his legs. Two people. When he'd fallen asleep there'd been one. His body tensed. Nothing hurt. This appeared to be the room he'd fallen asleep in. His throat was tight and his breathing hitched. What should he do? Stay until the feet moved? Scream? try to leave without them noticing?

That last one.

That last one could work.

Tohru still lingered right at the edge of the bed, so all he'd have to do was slip off and onto the floor... Slowly, Tohru coaxed his muscles to roll, as discretely as possible, until gravity captured him and he plummeted twelve inches to the floor with a high-pitched grunt of alarm.

"Hush." The Kiandri nearly shrieked at the sound of the voice he wasn't prepared for. "You'll wake them."

His golden gaze shot toward one of the only two windows at the front of the house. He wasn't sure if he should be relieved, or concerned, or just solidly confused. "Vega?" His voice came out a whisper. Quickly, he rose to his feet, dusting himself off as he did. He glanced hesitantly back to where he'd been slipping moments before. He recognized Cela. She was still nudged against the wall. And the familiar form of Zera was next to her, arms splayed out like she had all the space in the world. It was the other two Tohru didn't recognize, the two that had been touching him. Black feathered wings, patches of pale skin and dark skin. They had to be twins. Hybrid twins that were- were... Well, he couldn't tell what gender they were! But one of them twitched, and it sent Tohru scrambling away, back toward the door and Vega.

She grinned. Grinned in such a way that only familiar friends shared with each other. "You look like you could use some breakfast."

Anything to escape that house.

It took Tohru a while to realize that they were actually headed away from the shops, despite the promise for breakfast. A piece of him wanted to question it, but the larger, more dominant part of his mind reminded him that he needed to keep his mouth closed if he didn't want to bit hit by this large woman. Still, he couldn't help but cast a glance over his shoulder as they left the last of the buildings behind.

It didn't go unnoticed by Vega. "Oh, right. I bet little Dovaa don't hunt for their food. Especially not little thief Dovaa."

Tohru flushed, his steps faltering a bit. A thief...? Why would she think-? Oh, right. Zera had called him one just yesterday (gods, that seemed like forever ago now), after she'd seen his pile of orbs. It hadn't been something he really cared about at the time, and even now it didn't seem like something he should make a fuss over. They thought he was a thief and they let him into their house, so... That was okay, wasn't it?

He didn't argue, instead opting to just follow silently behind her while she 'hunted.' She didn't have much to say either. Maybe she was 'concentrating,' or something. Tohru didn't know. He didn't do much hunting. Ever.

They loomed closer to the mountains. That had to be where Vega was headed. They must be too close to port right now to hunt anything she wanted to eat. She strolled along, hardly seeming to care if Tohru was there or not. But after a bit, she shoved her arm in front of him to halt his steps. "Do you hear that?" When he answered with only quiet inquisitiveness, she quirked a brow at him. "Your observation skills aren't very good, for a thief." When he only glanced down, she shrugged. "Whatever. Sounds like it could be interesting. But keep your wits about you until we see exactly what it is."

Then she crept closer.

Tohru would've probably rather done just about anything else. If he listened closely enough, the sounds seemed to be something like metal being scraped with nails. Obviously, he wanted no part of that. But Vega did, and he wasn't going to ditch her like he had with... He wasn't going to ditch her, period. He slunk up near her as she took cover behind a small rock outcropping. Peeking over it, a swarm of battling creatures came into view.

Tohru instantly recognized the Mara. The lights had been dim last night, so even when fighting right in their faces (or lack there of) he hadn't gotten too good a look. Even that glimpse was enough to solidify his notions of what these creatures were though, with their rocky bodies floating above the ground atop a swirl of colored magic...

Cela was right. These monsters didn't deserve existence, yet they took it from others. Even now, they invaded the home of... Well, Tohru was uncertain of what they high-pitched bug-like creatures were, but they weren't happy about seeing Mara either! The two groups battled ferociously. Earth magic was slung about, crushing the smaller insectoids, while the swarm dove for the legless monstrosities, cracking rocks with the help of sharp stingers. Despite the sheer numbers of the swarm, the bugs were fading quickly.

Vega shook her head. "I bet the vispiri wouldn't have left the mountains if they defeated the mara," she muttered. "But those creatures will head into port unless they're stopped." To the Kiandri's deep surprise, she stood straight up. "I don't usually like to get involved in these things, but if it's necessary..."

His mouth popped open to argue as the husky woman pulled a set of thick, bronzed gauntlets from her pack. She pulled them on as Tohru whispered, "We can probably just leave... They'll finish each other off..."

Vega tutted and shook her head. "They won't. But I will. Stay behind if you like. Watch out for debris." With one last grin, she hopped over the rocks and landed on the other side. Tohru couldn't help but peer out at her as she charged into the mess with no sound of warning.

An instant before she connected with the very solid body of the first Mara, Tohru winced. She was going to punch it, with nothing but a gauntlet to shield her knuckles from colliding with a boulder. There was no way this was going to turn out well for-

A harsh 'crack' pierced the air, not unlike the sound of Tohru's magic splintering something. The Kiandri gazed in shock as the woman's arm crashed through the rock body of a mara. She ripped it free, then sent another pummeling blow at the creature. Somewhere amongst ruble of freeing her arm from the remains a second time, she selected a stone and tossed it into the air. Another two Mara dove toward her, most of the vispiri already forgotten. The stone plummeted down, and with a well aimed blow, she slammed her fist into it, shattering the one stone into an infinite number of pieces and pelting the two Mara with a barrage of high-speed projectiles.

Tohru gaped. She was just an Orderite. She didn't have magic on her side, and shouldn't posses any degree of super human strength. But she had her gloves. Vega's arms moved like a blur. She wasn't fast on her feet, but her punches were quick, precise, and generally got the job done in one, maybe two blows. The Kiandri stared at her fists. Stared at them for as many seconds as he dared. Mechanical, now that he looked at them closely. Obviously Orderite-made, which didn't come as a surprise, seeing as Vega was one. But they were more than just gauntlets. That much he learned as he watched rocks crumble beneath her shots.

They were different. Tohru tipped his head. In fact, it was almost like Vega's fist wasn't coming into contact with her targets at all. The force of her blows was literally something extra being shoved from her fist at just the right time to do the most damage. When it had the most momentum...

Golden orbs blinked slowly. So... he just needed force. He didn't actually need to shock anyone with his magic. He just needed to use it on himself as a little push. A push to get enough power behind a physical attack to burst through these rocks. He nervously passed his tongue across his bottom lip. That shouldn't be hard. If he cast his magic backward, that would propel him forward and...

"Nuh!" Vega grunted as a Mara behind her grabbed her wrist, lifted her from the ground and threw her into a cluster of crumbled rocks. This one had magic. And if Tohru didn't act, it would crush her beneath the weight of all the Mara she'd just destroyed. It wasn't right for him to allow that. he'd already thought of how he could help, so... So he should, right?

She would die if he didn't.

With a gulp, Tohru pulled himself over the rocks and started running. He hadn't realized how little space there actually was between him and the mara until the burst of magic he sent down cannoned him forward to within an inch of the monster. He'd thought he knew what he was doing, but his feet had hardly left the ground before he became distinctly aware that he was going to fall, that his body had genuinely not been prepared for the burst. But he still had to punch the mara, like Vega had, so it wouldn't crush her.

Of course, just one extra jet wasn't enough. Everything happened in the span of a second. He took off, he raised his arm, another burst, Vega may have shouted, "Don't!" somewhere in there, his bare knuckles collided with metal, things shattered. Lots of things. He toppled forward onto the metal carcass as the last ball of shining magic zipped away.

He lay there for only a moment, but after the speed of events that just transpired, it felt like forever. And then Vega was there, her fingers hovering over him like she wanted to touch him but was too afraid to do so. "Oh, sweetheart. Oh, oh," she winced. "Okay, okay, be careful. Don't move too much..."

He shifted his head to stare at her. he had no idea what she was talking about. He felt nothing. Nothing except- His shoulder shifted, the one he'd attacked with, set ablaze at the faint movement, so much so that he was shocked beyond even vocalizing his agony. His lips merely popped open and he stared gapingly at the woman. Only hesitantly did he glance to his arm. He'd probably shattered every bone in it. Even his knuckles were scrape bare of skin, a thick red ooze sliding down over his thumb.

He turned his shocked expression on her. "I know, I know," she rumbled, slinking to his other side. "We'll have to get you back to port so Cela can help you..." Once he was on his feet, the whimpers came more easily, as did the salty streams that slipped down his cheeks. Vega gingerly guided him. "Don't think I don't realize what you were trying to do. I appreciate the flattery, but this kind of precisely exact combat is hard to master! It takes practice! You can't just go punching through metal before you know what you're doing." Tohru tried not to sob aloud as his every step jostled his arm and sent waves of burning cinders through his veins.

"Just hang on for a bit longer. Cela will know what to do. And then we can practice more with this! I'm kind of excited about it, really. With your magic capabilities, you shouldn't need to waste time designing anything, and I think-"

She probably went on, but Tohru couldn't find it in himself to listen about punching things when he could scarcely move.

(3085/3000)

((And Other Mara Loot:
First 2= Rock, last = Metal)