Soldiers of Light Discussion 1

[Raiden]

Wow, haven't made one of these in a while.

ANYWAY, sorry about that all. Had hoped to have it up earlier today, but I work until 7:30 on Mondays (I work whenever my clients are available, which for the older autistic children means when they get out of school), and then run an Exalted Dragonblooded game afterwards. I had figured I would just make the thread while I was GMing, but things got pretty crazy in the Heptagram so...yeah.

ANYWAY 2.0, the thread is up. Feel free to gather at your appointed spots and do the customary introduction post.

[Krylo]

Dragonbloods.

Pah.

Usurpers and pretenders to the throne of creation, whose decadence only fails to match their true master's because of their incompetence.

[Overcast]

We should lock them all in shackles so they may carry us upon our massive golden palanquins.

[Arhra]

Nay, step forth in terror and splendor, and when they fall upon their knees in fear and adoration, scatter them to the deepest wilderness. Have them toil for a thousand years to carve new lands out of the madness past the world's edge. Then they might properly display their contrition and work toward a Creation worthy of the Solars' glory.

[Raiden]

I prefer Solars and Lunars, but the people wanted a Social Dragonblooded game. So they got one. Gives me something to do while I set up the Dresden Files RPG I'm running set in the US Badlands.

[Arhra]

This just in: Leer completely adorable. More at ten.

[PhoenixFlame]

Kurama, despite his player's love for exalted, hasn't learned how to treat with gods. 10 points from Gryffindor.

Leer still adorable. Best minion.

[Overcast]

Aidas has many concepts in him, tact is not exactly one of them.

[Sithdarth]

Finally an excuse to creep everyone out. (Also, I apologize for any weirdness I've been awake for 32 hours doing SCIENCE!)

[Steel Shadow]

Why does my life always go to heel when these things start? Geeze, I should stop signing up for them. Oh well, to late now.

[Dracorion]

Sorry it took me a while, but finally I bring you the Imara we all deserved, but not the one we needed.

[Astral Harmony]

What does Team Kurama need of her? Should she have some Pokemon?

[Steel Shadow]

Imara brings a vital element to any party: someone for bad things to happen to who deserves it.

[Dracorion]

Now that's just mean, Imara didn't deserve any of what happened to her.

[PhoenixFlame]

That's what you think, anyway.

[Dracorion]

Man, I could go into a whole spiel about how people who challenge demon gods to duels and other people who release said demon gods from jail are more deserving of having bad things happen to them.

Mind, Imara did ask for a couple of the things that happened but that doesn't mean she deserved 'em.

[Red Mage Black]

Imara brings a vital element to any party: someone for bad things to happen to who deserves it.

Now that's just mean, Imara didn't deserve any of what happened to her.

That's what you think, anyway.

Yeah, who do you think absorbed the brunt of all the horrible things that happened? It wasn't Imara, I can tell you that. Getting turned into a Ice Sidhe is not what I'd call a horrible development. (At least she fulfills the role of our Cirno.)

[Krylo]

Imara brings a vital element to any party: someone for bad things to happen to who deserves it.

Emphasis added for RMB.

[Arhra]

I would like to register a complaint.

I do not think the working conditions are fair between the forces of Good and Evil.

For example, the forces of Good have been provided tea, while the forces of Evil had to bring their own. I do not think Lord Talkatz will be providing dinner either. Also Kurama's house has chairs, while Talkatz's castle only has one. While I would not imagine asking Lord Talkatz to give up his seat, I think it should be noted.

[Krylo]

I would like to register a complaint.

I do not think the working conditions are fair between the forces of Good and Evil.

For example, the forces of Good have been provided tea, while the forces of Evil had to bring their own. I do not think Lord Talkatz will be providing dinner either. Also Kurama's house has chairs, while Talkatz's castle only has one. While I would not imagine asking Lord Talkatz to give up his seat, I think it should be noted.
You should unionize.

[PhoenixFlame]

For example, the forces of Good have been provided tea, while the forces of Evil had to bring their own. I do not think Lord Talkatz will be providing dinner either. Also Kurama's house has chairs, while Talkatz's castle only has one. While I would not imagine asking Lord Talkatz to give up his seat, I think it should be noted.

I should hope not. The same people who use chairs probably wear their shoes indoors. The nerve.

[Steel Shadow]

Requesting we reorganize into Team Manners and Team Thug.

[Red Mage Black]

I should hope not. The same people who use chairs probably wear their shoes indoors. The nerve.

Good thing Leer never wears shoes then. He's good no matter where he goes. He has the awful habit of tracking dirt though.

[Raiden]

I would like to register a complaint.

I do not think the working conditions are fair between the forces of Good and Evil.

For example, the forces of Good have been provided tea, while the forces of Evil had to bring their own. I do not think Lord Talkatz will be providing dinner either. Also Kurama's house has chairs, while Talkatz's castle only has one. While I would not imagine asking Lord Talkatz to give up his seat, I think it should be noted.

Please place all complaints in the complaint box.

Be sure that your complaint is written in Print (no cursive), that you write legibly, and that your name and the names of any kin or loved ones be included at the top. The form on the back of any precious belongings or pets is optional to fill out, though will ensure a more immediate response to your complaint.


Also, waiting on a message from IC before posting.

[Overcast]

Aww, but Aidas's thuggishness is best contrasted by Zellish manners, Imarian crassness, or Nanakoan hopefullness.

[Inbred Chocobo]

Also, waiting on a message from IC before posting.

I've replied to this said message so now Raiden doesn't have an excuse.

[PyrosNine]

Pyros will appear when the time is right for Team Manners trips over him. Pyros has never been in Team Light from the beginning, and he's not gonna start now! Except for that one sequel with the time loop, and that doesn't count.

I imagine team thug does not have chairs simply because you can't kneel before TalkatZod in a chair. Otherwise it'd be awkward.

[PhoenixFlame]

Our lord and saviour must prove who he is, after all. His appearances do not impress much.

[Astral Harmony]

And the Academy Award for Most Overembellished Acting goes to...

[Arhra]

You should unionize.
Now there's an idea.

I should hope not. The same people who use chairs probably wear their shoes indoors. The nerve.
It's simply dreadful, isn't it? There's some terrible people out there.

[Red Mage Black]

Everyone will get an annoying honorific. Everyone.

[lazy man]

So there's at least one thing not scared or intimidated by Mr. Grumpy Demon Lord. I think it still needs to learn the concepts of "personal space" though.

Also, I expect awkward staring contests to be its main fighting style from now on. It only seems appropriate.

[Astral Harmony]

Also, I expect awkward staring contests to be its main fighting style from now on. It only seems appropriate.

No, that fighting style only belongs to high school girls. Anime hath dictated it so.

[Raiden]

So there's at least one thing not scared or intimidated by Mr. Grumpy Demon Lord.

One does not simply try to intimidate a conglomeration of angry, vengeful, desperate souls. It's like calling out Twitter or 4chan. It just doesn't work and it wastes everyone's time.

[PhoenixFlame]

You're supposed to answer questions when asked, Kurama. Not say other, random things.

Now, suffer for your mistakes!

[Red Mage Black]

One does not simply try to intimidate a conglomeration of angry, vengeful, desperate souls. It's like calling out Twitter or 4chan. It just doesn't work and it wastes everyone's time.

On that note, Tumblr can replace Twitter as well. (And 9gag and Reddit... and so on and so forth.)

[Overcast]

Aidas finds this course of action agreeable.

---------- Post added at 11:16 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:08 AM ----------

It's easy to be polite when you never open your smart mouth Zel.

[Steel Shadow]

Silence is golden, Aidas.

But while I would not expect a member of Team Thug to understand every subtlety of diplomacy, surely you can see the logic of respecting the voice and will of Talkatz as much as one would respect the crippling eyes of death?

[Overcast]

In your position he'd still be unsure what he is really getting out of this and would already be plotting some way to sabotage the rebirth so he'd have leverage over death itself.

But sure, for caution's sake he'd only be somewhat unsettling. Which is the best anyone can ask for.

[Sithdarth]

Blind monk dislikes violence.

Also, I assumed given that Izuna probably wasn't expecting it that Akira could interject himself and block the blow. I'm also not sure about the exact placement of everyone so I stayed generic.

[PhoenixFlame]

It's perfectly reasonable. I'm just surprised he managed to determine where to block, seeing as it was deliberately meant to threaten two entirely separate zones. (Thrust to XII -> Strike at II)

[Sithdarth]

I've kind of envisioned Akira's second sight operating as a kind of really crappy byakugan that has limited range and can only see ki/spirit energy. I also assumed that ki in this setting works something like it's described to work in many eastern martial arts. Meaning that even if you're not specifically channeling energy your movements do cause changes in the ki flow in your body.

Also, I was kind of thinking the timing was that he got there just as the naginata changed direction as he is human and you did have a head start. Basically he got there slightly after where you left off with the turn and just barely in time.

[Steel Shadow]

To be fair even I'm not sure what Zel's getting out of this. Maybe... major magical power and a good library? You know her and books.

As for planning for the sudden yet inevitable betrayal, two possible plans in the works, probably many more as the journey begins. It can be her hobby to pass the time.

[Overcast]

Quickly Arhra, support Zel as the leader then take position as her Vizer.

[PhoenixFlame]

Yeah, that makes sense.

Zel's clearly getting the chance to blow stuff up, which is more than she ever got during Anima.

[Steel Shadow]

Sounds like a good setup!

Zel was being responsible in Anima. Here she doesn't have to do that!

... Yeah, the horrendous trail of destruction was us being responsible. It's horrifying.

[PhoenixFlame]

... Yeah, the horrendous trail of destruction was us being responsible. It's horrifying.

Anima's a game where when you specialize "Destruction Magic", you friggin' get destruction. I mean, god, what were you expecting, Steel?

You could've been anything, but no, you chose to be the end of flesh.

[Steel Shadow]

Hey hey, destruction magic only came in at the end. We spent 20 games in a place I could barely even use the stuff.

It just has a high score 'cus it was really effective at the end.

[Overcast]

Hey come on Nanako, even Bruce Lee could tell you in combat you have to fully dedicate. Body, mind, and lungs, why else would he make such powerful noises when every he smacked someone?

[Red Mage Black]

Note: Half-Cat form doesn't work for cat form tricks.

And Aidas is a dirty cheater.

[Inbred Chocobo]

As the new commander of Team Evil (By right of I said so) I now declare the team is now "Team Awesome and better than Team diapers in every way shape or form."

[Arhra]

Actually, given that the forces of evil are participating in a democratic process to elect a leader while the forces of good have resorted to brawling to prove who is really boss, I suspect we may have Team DEMOCRACY and Team ANARCHY.

God help us all.

[Overcast]

We already know who our leader is supposed to be. We are simply conducting a quality assurance test.

[Astral Harmony]

We already know who our leader is supposed to be. We are simply conducting a quality assurance test.

That's Team Democracy's job. To expand on this, when we find you and when we kill test you, then you will have your assurance that you were or were not qualified for Team Anarchy. And to top it all off, Kurama wouldn't even have to pay for us as QA experts.

[Steel Shadow]

Honestly, did any of you people vote for Kurama? Seems to me he's in power mainly because of family ties and the weapons he has - weapons of mass devastation against the free demon people! A dictatorship!

As the proponents of the right and just way of living, we're gonna have to help you embrace democracy. For your own good. You'll thank us!

[Krylo]

So Team Evil is America?

. . . Sounds about right.

[Raiden]

Actually, given that the forces of evil are participating in a democratic process to elect a leader while the forces of good have resorted to brawling to prove who is really boss, I suspect we may have Team DEMOCRACY and Team ANARCHY.

God help us all.

Usually by now the Team Light/Team Dark PvP fighting would have started, which means the PMs of people complaining about the PvP would have started. That hasn't happened yet. So...I'm chalking this up as a win so far.

[Overcast]

Behold! Cackling Ball technique!

[Steel Shadow]

Well while we wait, how about I try out this Bookworm ability of mine! Raiden, what fun facts would a wandering scholar have learned about these fascinating sounding locations?

... Also if Aidas is using the Dragon slaying technique, people should probably take cover.

[Raiden]

Figure that's enough for the duel, since the rest of that side has been sitting around twiddling thumbs.

Steel: I'll PM you details so the facts can come from a PC and not just me reading from my notes.

[Overcast]

Aidas is now ready to make his attempt. No more flowery movements, just raw and unbridled POWER! Which is how he does things really.

[Krylo]

I have no idea what that attack is actually doing.

Other than lightning.

[Astral Harmony]

I... think he's shooting lightning bolts from just about anywhere on his body and staff... which may or may not be in spherical form and have random sound effects.

[Arhra]

Actually on the subject of transportation, how is Team Anarchy getting around?

I don't mind wandering around on foot but things are going to be a bit problematic if one side's much faster or much slower than the other.

[Steel Shadow]

We're villains. Off screen teleportation. It's the only way to go.

Also: Aidas v Kurama?
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7ceERPc3pyw

[Overcast]

The ball was kinda a flashbang, everything else is pretty much just lightning, even the new ball is lightning.

[Krylo]

Aidas v Kurama?
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7ceERPc3pyw

I figure more like:
Pk4AiCnMqpg

Because Aidas is 100% the kind of guy to yell "UNLIMITED POWER!" while zapping someone out a window.

[PhoenixFlame]

And so I reveal what I am. Shock, horror.

Nanako was right Aidas, why must you interfereeeeeeee?

[Steel Shadow]

I figure more like:
Pk4AiCnMqpg

I would argue, but

Because Aidas is 100% the kind of guy to yell "UNLIMITED POWER!" while zapping someone out a window.

cannot be defeated.

[PyrosNine]

"UNLIMITED POWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH"


"Tch....well, there goes my peaceful fishing spot."

[Raiden]

Then along came Pyros.

[Overcast]

Scores of fish float to the surface, "Quick, gather them before the fuzz arrive."

[Sithdarth]

Poking the unstable ball of lightning seems like an awesome idea! :dance:

[Krylo]

Nanako: Asking the important questions

[Raiden]

Sorry for the silence over the weekend. Kept meaning to post but work was a special layer of stressful.

(Without too many details, the father of a client had decided months ago he couldn't handle raising an autistic child and moved to another town after divorcing client's mother. Said client is having daily breakdowns about his dad not loving him, which causes a lot of physical aggression.)

So yeah, kind of killed a lot of my creativity.

Team Dark? I'll leave it up to you guys how you want to transport yourselves around the country. If you can't decide/want me to make something up for you I can, I just figured you lot would prefer...I dunno. Something of your own make. Like a giant pumpkin. Or a bat. Something evil looking.

[Overcast]

The staff is him. Someone pick up the staff.

---------- Post added at 05:44 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:39 AM ----------

Note to Kurama, please do not touch the fluffy tail.

[Steel Shadow]

Team Dark? I'll leave it up to you guys how you want to transport yourselves around the country. If you can't decide/want me to make something up for you I can, I just figured you lot would prefer...I dunno. Something of your own make. Like a giant pumpkin. Or a bat. Something evil looking.

I voted for a giant Demon Cat steed, but Arhra did not approve.

Perhaps if you give us permission for it to be Kaiju size?

[PhoenixFlame]

Note to Kurama, please do not touch the fluffy tail.

Once you touch fluffy tail, forever will it dominate your destiny.

[Astral Harmony]

I was gonna have Shizuka utilize good ol' fashioned ninja speed which would be super fast but not ridiculously so, allowing her to cover about, oh I dunno, 100 miles a day as long as she has no distractions other than eating, sleeping, or visiting the little demoness's room. Perfect for when Team Light needs filler episodes for recovery.

[Arhra]

I voted for a giant Demon Cat steed, but Arhra did not approve.

Perhaps if you give us permission for it to be Kaiju size?

I am a priestess, not a bus, nya!!!

Also it's a little tricky to change back.

[lazy man]

I am a priestess, not a bus, nya!!!

Also it's a little tricky to change back.

But traveling via http://i1240.photobucket.com/albums/gg482/jlang095/catbus_zps4864ba67.jpg would totally make everyone else jealous!

And who needs to change back when you're CATBUS! Just run anyone who mocks you over!

[PhoenixFlame]

Of course buses, having not been invented yet, are tricky to transform into even for those who can.

Speaking of transforming, I'm unclear on it myself with the whole two abilities but demons-get-their-related-concepts thing. Technically, as a Kitsune I should be able to transform into nearly anything (Only Tanuki are better) with a specific tell ('cause of that), excepting certain male forms because of the yang chi requirement. Most/all demons have multiple forms anyway as they DME from incorporeal or are chimerics.

[Arhra]

Clearly you just can't get the right sort of leaves these days.

Welp, looks like riding the cat is our best starter option so far.

[Red Mage Black]

Of course buses, having not been invented yet, are tricky to transform into even for those who can.

Speaking of transforming, I'm unclear on it myself with the whole two abilities but demons-get-their-related-concepts thing. Technically, as a Kitsune I should be able to transform into nearly anything (Only Tanuki are better) with a specific tell ('cause of that), excepting certain male forms because of the yang chi requirement. Most/all demons have multiple forms anyway as they DME from incorporeal or are chimerics.

Speaking of Tanuki, I was going to play one until I remembered that whole "I've got big balls" thing they have going on and no one wants to have that burned into their memories.

Both that and I'm sure Izuna wouldn't associate with a yokai whose testicles are bigger than his head.

[Raiden]

So that direction is given, Team Light will be heading towards a larger City along the route to the West. The name of this city, you ask? Why it's [Insert Name Here] in my notes.

So yeah. I'll come up with one.

Figure it'll be a nice place for the groups to first come across each other without having the plot of the locations mingling it up.

[Krylo]

Let's go to Edo! And have a side plot where we meet a foreigner and show him around town for money, and get involved in a unagi eating contest and perhaps a play.

---------- Post added at 04:10 AM ---------- Previous post was at 04:04 AM ----------

The Play is how team evil finds us.

---------- Post added at 04:10 AM ---------- Previous post was at 04:10 AM ----------

Team Evil also has their own side plots involving Kagi, an Opium Den, and a prostitute aiming to steal his stuff.

---------- Post added at 04:11 AM ---------- Previous post was at 04:10 AM ----------

Also they try to sabotage the play Ultros style.

[Inbred Chocobo]

Hush you, Kagi only goes to Opium dens for the atmosphere. Amd she isn't a prostitue, she was merely someone who enjoyed Kagi's company, and his wallet.

[Arhra]

But traveling via http://i1240.photobucket.com/albums/gg482/jlang095/catbus_zps4864ba67.jpg would totally make everyone else jealous!

And who needs to change back when you're CATBUS! Just run anyone who mocks you over!
I'll do my best!

While I remember to mention it, I'm amazed how quickly that duel with Zel and Kagi wrapped up. I look away for one day and BAM, everything happens.

[Inbred Chocobo]

Yeah, Steel and I worked out a lot of the details via PM, what you guys saw there was the finished product, which I have to say was probably one of the best fights I've rped in a while.

[Arhra]

The moral of the story is anything can be improved by conspiracy.

[Steel Shadow]

Welp, looks like riding the cat is our best starter option so far.

Well I would have one of my familiars utilize shape shifting to give us something like a Dragon mount, but I don't think Raiden'd allow it.

[PhoenixFlame]

Well I would have one of my familiars utilize shape shifting to give us something like a Dragon mount, but I don't think Raiden'd allow it.

You and your presence 75+ soul-faeries.

It's less culture, Raiden, and more that she's a kitsune (Read: Eastern Succubus) and tries to rectify her yang deficiency at any opportunity. I shouldn't have to explain what I mean.

[Astral Harmony]

For some reason, I look to Sengoku Basara for japanese character themes. Can't imagine why.

Shizuka's Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugbVFUXB8Fs)
Chizuru's Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MG8thxepaY)

Oh, and Chizuru isn't Shizuka's sister, Chocobo-kun. Aside from Saki and Shizuka's relation of mother and daughter respectively, all Kimonos are entirely unrelated. Do you think I should create a character sheet for her even though she's not going to be fighting?

[PhoenixFlame]

The kimonos multiply despite assurances to the contrary. I assume they propagate by narrative mitosis.

I feel we have been outdone by a clever ruse.

[Inbred Chocobo]

The kimonos multiply despite assurances to the contrary. I assume they propagate by narrative mitosis.

I feel we have been outdone by a clever ruse.

Well if Chizuru would just play along, then Kagi would be reproducing too. Also, I assure you, your kimonos are confusing enough that I (and by extension Kagi) have no idea what relationship you have with her.

[Astral Harmony]

Shizuka: "But all I ever wanted was to be the leader of the largest and sexiest all-female sentai force since Sailor Moon."

[Red Mage Black]

It seems as if Team Dark has the upper hand on RP right now. Team Light needs to fix some pacing issues, since the former is already about to move out. Though you crazy kids in Team Dark need to understand the cliche of the heroes always being fashionably late.

[Astral Harmony]

Fashionably late to what, exactly? All we did was prostrate ourselves before Talkatz, collect extremely vague information on the three plot devices, introduce the Officer In Charge Of Fanservice and then watch Zelenha and Kagi beat the crap out of each other (on Pay Per View). And that last part might actually make us better good guys than Team Light when you kinda sorta maybe think about it.

[Steel Shadow]

Battle was done against the forces of evil. Twice over, in fact! While Team Good has so far ganged up on the champion of justice, and no snacks have been served. Team Evil is well ahead on this saving the world thing!

[Raiden]

It seems as if Team Dark has the upper hand on RP right now. Team Light needs to fix some pacing issues, since the former is already about to move out.

Yeah, I'll give members of Team Light today to get in posts, and then I'll get them all moving along. Because I can.

[Red Mage Black]

A good question for Izuna is that why would you need mortals when you have a perfectly willing minion, but I'm not sure how it works between spirits exactly.

Fashionably late to what, exactly? All we did was prostrate ourselves before Talkatz, collect extremely vague information on the three plot devices, introduce the Officer In Charge Of Fanservice and then watch Zelenha and Kagi beat the crap out of each other (on Pay Per View). And that last part might actually make us better good guys than Team Light when you kinda sorta maybe think about it.

Battle was done against the forces of evil. Twice over, in fact! While Team Good has so far ganged up on the champion of justice, and no snacks have been served. Team Evil is well ahead on this saving the world thing!

Everyone knows Alas- Aidas isn't on anyone's side exactly. Just where he gets to have the most fun. Leer is just there to be cute and mildly irritating. Izuna is meant to be the fan service, with Nanako as the quirky martial artist and then we have the blind samurai whom we're not sure what else he can do yet.

I'm not sure testing the Champion's ability would actually count as evil though. I mean, if you wanted to make sure your chosen one is the real deal and not some pretender that happened upon the ultimate good weapon.

At least one of us doesn't really care and just wants to follow their bestest friend around.

Yeah, I'll give members of Team Light today to get in posts, and then I'll get them all moving along. Because I can.

Sleeping on the roof will be had. That or in the rafters. (If this place has any.)

[Steel Shadow]

I'm not sure testing the Champion's ability would actually count as evil though. I mean, if you wanted to make sure your chosen one is the real deal and not some pretender that happened upon the ultimate good weapon.

Right, so when we want to take a shot at that, you'll all stay out of it, right?

[Red Mage Black]

I think you're twisting my words to your advantage, but I see through your ruse. It's Heaven's responsibility to test the Chosen One's strength, but testing your mettle against people who actually want you dead is something that should be done, too. (Not that the agents of Heaven aren't going to try to kill you, but it's not malicious intent.)

I forgot Imara in my last post, but I can't think of her benefit besides being the one to soak all the punishment.

[Astral Harmony]

It's Heaven's responsibility to test the Chosen One's strength, but testing your mettle against people who actually want you dead is something that should be done, too.

I'm not sure if this is an official trope, but my guess on JRPG boss fights is that a third is used to fight allies of the main villain (Team Evil, Weapon Altmas, etc.), another third is against guardians or whatever to whom you must prove your worth, and the final third is reserved for when you just happen upon unalligned giant monsters or other freaks of nature with circumstances preventing you from avoiding bloody confrontation. So I agree with this so far.

[Overcast]

Aidas is in staff form, as such he won't be talkitive until we move along. Also he isn't out here for fun, he has fun fighting but that is just a bonus. He's out here because he gave his word to a young girl long ago. He kept it as he watched her age, watched her die, watched her children do the same. With heavy heart he remembers the few who cared for him as a true friend and will do anything in their memory.

[Sithdarth]

I really can't justify carrying two walking sticks. That would just be absurd.

then we have the blind samurai whom we're not sure what else he can do yet.

Well we definitely know that he's really bad at actually being blind and convincing anyone to do anything.

[Overcast]

It isn't his fault, Aidas just doesn't respond well to people not being clear and forward with their intent. His poutfulness abhors when some one tries to manipulate his emotions. If he'd gone with pure reason like he figured wouldn't work(and not smacked the demon) Aidas'd totally just mutter and get some food.

[Arhra]

Looks like Team Rocket's blasting off again!

[PhoenixFlame]

Ugh, been busy. Will read thread sometime today.

[Raiden]

Don't recall if I gave the city a different name originally. Tired. Long weekend. The name has been changed!

[Astral Harmony]

I'm gonna see what Zelenha does before I post.

[Steel Shadow]

I will get on that as soon as I stop being annoyed that it ate my last post.

[lazy man]

I'll write up a post later tonight, sorry bout the inactivity Evil folks. Not that my character has much impact yet, but hey, such is the way things have rolled.

[Astral Harmony]

Chizuru will likely hold down the fort and do some "housewife" things like preparing dinner, baths, fixing Kagi's clothes and at least getting rid of some of the house's filth. Besides, her bustline pretty much classifies as inhuman so I don't think she'll get into the city unchallenged. And Kami knows how many guys will hit her up.

Shizuka herself doesn't have a good ability to detect Raigaki and so unless she and Kurama are walking the streets at the same time, she won't be able to find him. Chizuru isn't good at detecting Raigaki either, to be honest. I assume that since Raigaki is... I'm guessing it's a magical sword, that the magically-inclined demons amongst us would have a higher sensitivity to whatever power it gives off. That would be Zelenha and Masumi, right?

[Steel Shadow]

There. Much better. And detecting the sword is surly just a matter of wandering around until the protagonists and the antagonists bump into one another on the street, yes?

[lazy man]

And now Team Evil has a handy dandy walky talky... spirity... thingy. Yuurei can't really fight while doing it, but now Team Rocket is even more of a hit squad than before!

Also I half expect Kagi to abuse it to hit on the women even more and look crazier than before while doing it.

[Steel Shadow]

Zel: *Drags Shizuka back* Ohhh no y'don't. I need your fanservice skills to get us a good deal on our Evilmobile. Gaijin mountain Witches get terrible rates.

[Astral Harmony]

Shizuka: "But if you leave it up to Kagi to do all the shopping, he's only going to spend it on blackjack and hookers. Blackjack hasn't even be invented yet, but somehow he's going to blow a lot of money on it."

[Inbred Chocobo]

Shizuka: "But if you leave it up to Kagi to do all the shopping, he's only going to spend it on blackjack and hookers. Blackjack hasn't even be invented yet, but somehow he's going to blow a lot of money on it."

I'm going to get my own Team Evil.

With BlackJack, and Hookers.

[Astral Harmony]

I have a feeling your version of Team Evil would be somewhat akin to the A-Team. Make a lot of money on a mission like killing Shizuka's father and then spending it all on something that was basically a huge waste.

Shizuka: "You spent the money you made from assassinating my father on a prize goat?!"
Kagi: "That goat paid for itself in the first six weeks!"

[Arhra]

I just remembered: it's lucky Yuurei can hide himself. Otherwise he might have had to stay behind to help with the chores or Masumi might have been all 'GHOST MAN GET IN MY POUCH'.

[Krylo]

SO, I looked up how much 3 koban is.

Uh, Raiden, did you mean to give us each the rough equivalent of $3000?

From wikipedia on Koban:
"The koban (??? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Installing_Japanese_character_sets)) was a Japanese (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan) oval gold coin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gold_coin) in Edo period (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edo_period) feudal Japan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feudal_Japan), equal to one ry? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_ry%C5%8D), another early Japanese monetary unit. It was a central part of Tokugawa coinage (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokugawa_coinage)."

From Wikipedia on Ryo:
Modern conversion

These fluctuations in the gold content of the koban over time, as well as differences in the cost of living between various points in the Edo period and in modern times make any attempt to relate the value of one ry? in terms of modern currency very difficult. Japanese middle school textbooks often state that one ry? was approximately equivalent to 100,000 Yen at the start of the Edo period, and around 3000-4000 Yen at the end of the Edo period. On the other hand, the Currency Museum of the Bank of Japan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Currency_Museum_of_the_Bank_of_Japan) states that one ry? had a nominal value equivalent 300,000-400,000 Yen, but was worth only 120,000-130,000 Yen in practice, or 40,000 Yen in terms of rice.

So, roughly 100,000 Yen, a lot more, nominally, but a lot less in rice. We'll cut off the extra 20-30k because you know, why not just use a nice round number.

So let's just toss that into Google money conversion to see the relative worth of one Koban in USD.

100000 Japanese Yen equals
983.5740 US Dollar

That means we each have $3000, Raiden. Do you know how fat I'm going to get? Do you?

You're mad.

[Arhra]

That means we each have $3000, Raiden. Do you know how fat I'm going to get? Do you?

You're mad.
Think of it as a chance to add sumo wrestling to Nanako's repertoire of fighting styles.

It takes a lot of guts to be a martial arts genius!

[Astral Harmony]

I always kinda guesstimated that a yen was somewhat less in value to a penny after watching a lotta anime. Like, 5000 yen was somewhat less than $50.

[Krylo]

I always kinda guesstimated that a yen was somewhat less in value to a penny after watching a lotta anime. Like, 5000 yen was somewhat less than $50.

Well, the yen actually gained a lot of strength compared to the US dollar (or rather the US dollar lost some) in the last few years, but right now it's still about 1 yen = 0.98 cents. So a 2 thousandths of a cent less than a penny.

5,000 yen is, therefore $49.20

But really, $2952 was close enough to $3000 that I didn't really feel the need to be that specific.

[PhoenixFlame]

Historically, and recently, the Yen has been quite strong. However it tanked horribly around WW2 and afterwards, and maybe a bit before that. It's since recovered.

Nanako, let's go crash the local economy!

[Steel Shadow]

Masumi, Kagi, your job, no, your duty, is now clear. Go play with Izuna and Nanako at the fighting ring! Take all their precious monies!

[Astral Harmony]

See if you can convince Kurama to bet his Raigaki on the fight. We can end this RP before the first serious exchange of smackies and then go out for celebratory churros.

[Steel Shadow]

The perfect plan!

[Overcast]

Kurama should bet Aidas, let the demon play DOUBLE AGENT.

[Arhra]

How can firewood act as a double agent?

[Krylo]

How can firewood act as a double agent?
By being both fire AND wood.

[Raiden]

SO, I looked up how much 3 koban is.

Uh, Raiden, did you mean to give us each the rough equivalent of $3000?

From wikipedia on Koban:
"The koban (??? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Installing_Japanese_character_sets)) was a Japanese (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan) oval gold coin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gold_coin) in Edo period (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edo_period) feudal Japan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feudal_Japan), equal to one ry? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_ry%C5%8D), another early Japanese monetary unit. It was a central part of Tokugawa coinage (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokugawa_coinage)."

From Wikipedia on Ryo:
Modern conversion

These fluctuations in the gold content of the koban over time, as well as differences in the cost of living between various points in the Edo period and in modern times make any attempt to relate the value of one ry? in terms of modern currency very difficult. Japanese middle school textbooks often state that one ry? was approximately equivalent to 100,000 Yen at the start of the Edo period, and around 3000-4000 Yen at the end of the Edo period. On the other hand, the Currency Museum of the Bank of Japan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Currency_Museum_of_the_Bank_of_Japan) states that one ry? had a nominal value equivalent 300,000-400,000 Yen, but was worth only 120,000-130,000 Yen in practice, or 40,000 Yen in terms of rice.

So, roughly 100,000 Yen, a lot more, nominally, but a lot less in rice. We'll cut off the extra 20-30k because you know, why not just use a nice round number.

So let's just toss that into Google money conversion to see the relative worth of one Koban in USD.

100000 Japanese Yen equals
983.5740 US Dollar

That means we each have $3000, Raiden. Do you know how fat I'm going to get? Do you?

You're mad.

I wanted japanese money, so I picked the one with the easiest name to spell.

I mean...yes. I gave you all a crapload of money!

That for the sake of this RP, means you have roughly $200. Which you need to spend on supplies for the coming week.

[Overcast]

You must forget the last few times Alastor used fire.

[Steel Shadow]

Was... was that our first forest? Because if so you are not allowed anywhere near fire ever again.

Pyros I'll put you in charge of enforcing that!

[Overcast]

Lets see the forest, the ghost forest, the magnamata forest, when he slagged the exhaust system in the bug cave. The zombie house. He didn't use it often, but man when he did.

[Krylo]

First forest was more the ruins blowing up. I think Alastor 'merely' blew out the entrance for us.

Also you forgot SUMMONING A VOLCANO IN MY FRONT LAWN

[PyrosNine]

I'll put out a restraining order, promptly. I'll just make a sad kitten face, say he's been standing around me creepily, may have burned down a few forests, and also he did all the previous things not wearing pants.

Then he'll have to stay like, 50 feet away from fire and things that can make fire for a term of at least 4 years. And a court mandated order to wear pants.

[Overcast]

Aidas will counteroffer with his horrifying visage, and claim that the person claiming this is a cat and thus not capable of qualifying for rights.

Nor indeed for making anyone wear pants.

Also I believe that Volcano was a constructive choice in the decor.

[Astral Harmony]

I'm glad we're dealing with Aidas and not Alastor, then. If Alastor was around, the Mizuno Clan could make the terrible mistake of hiring him for an interior decorating job.

Not only is it bad enough that he works without wearing pants, but his active volcano is fucking up the feng shui.

Keeping him 50 feet away from things associated with fire might be a bit much, though since... y'know... air is a vital component of any flame.

[PhoenixFlame]

Also I believe that Volcano was a constructive choice in the decor.

To be honest it was a frantic attempt to fix a problem that couldn't really be fixed.

On the other hand, you did take people's attention away from the god of darkness and betrayal and towards the more pressing problem of there being a volcano in the front yard.

[Dracorion]

Indeed, when Imara inevitable gets drunk and starts wrecking the town's things by drunkenly stumbling into them, it will be nice to have Aidastor around to provide a convenient volcano distraction.

[Red Mage Black]

This is a great "inb4 Miu" moment for Imara, where Nanako reveals that shes been trained to counter attacks from the side and the back and Imara gets tossed through a building. If Nanako's history is any indicator, it'll most likely be through a door. A big heavy one.

[Inbred Chocobo]

Now my posts have colors, because I realized it would make reading what Kagi said easier.

[Sithdarth]

That's kind of what I imagine what that might be like. I may or may not be channeling Daredevil as part of my character gestalt.

[Arhra]

Masumi is totally going to get Zel in a kimono too if she can manage it.

Maybe she'll even buy something for Kagi.

Team DEMOCRACY shall be renowned for their snappy dressing!

[Astral Harmony]

As well as our unmatched dance choreography. We of Team Fabulocracy are nothing if not thorough and shall not consider it a true victory over Team Anarchy until we have, to quote the vernacular, 'styled all over their balls'.

...

Let me go ahead and stop Kagi preemptively by saying the dance choreography will not involve stripper poles. No, not even if he uses one himself. Now let's strut away fabulously.

[Inbred Chocobo]

But team sissies have all kinds of staffs and poles to dance with! It would be like a way to celebrate our victory!

[PhoenixFlame]

I considered skipping straight to the fun part, but we have to have our anime meal-gorging scene first, right?

[Overcast]

Aidas is crawling up inside you like a warm kitten Kagi.

[Arhra]

As well as our unmatched dance choreography. We of Team Fabulocracy are nothing if not thorough and shall not consider it a true victory over Team Anarchy until we have, to quote the vernacular, 'styled all over their balls'.
A superior display of wealth and status can cause the morale and equipment of your enemies to degrade.

Sun Tzu said that, and I think he knows what he's talking about with fashion.

What do you suppose the chances are that Masumi happened to choose the same restaurant as Izuna?

[Overcast]

As a side note Aidas is disappointed we have not taken a more Aladdin style entrance.

---------- Post added at 10:40 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:18 AM ----------

Zelhana, master of swordsmanship, brilliant lorekeeper, practiced mage, can't use chopsticks.

[Arhra]

She's going to use the chopsticks!

Also Chizuru is now 'the fat one' to Masumi.

[Steel Shadow]

Team Democracy now attempts the impossible! Hero points get!

[Sithdarth]

I thought Krylo had me beat there for a second but I got him by a whole 72 words. :dance: Feels like I'm finally settling in.

Also, I vote that if we get some sort of awesome vehicle out of this that Akira is named as the navigator/helmsman/driver. He is clearly the best candidate for the job.

[Krylo]

He is clearly the best candidate for the job.

Clearly. (http://imgur.com/gallery/i74A5)

[Sithdarth]

Oh man I totally forgot about Blinkin.

And now I just want to watch Men in Tights again. Good thing Netflix exists.

[Overcast]

Akira always assumes so much evil of Aidas, he doesn't know if anything would have happened if he'd taken the staff.

[Astral Harmony]

Also Chizuru is now 'the fat one' to Masumi.

Chizuru: "Bitch, you jus' jealous o' my swagger."

[Arhra]

Masumi'd normally eat that swagger but sadly she is not allowed to, a concept that is causing her some mental duress. She just needs some time to adjust, and maybe to eat a few people.

Also, Kurama's ignoring sidequests? What is he doing?! He'll be horribly under-leveled when he gets to the final boss if he does that!

[Astral Harmony]

Also, Kurama's ignoring sidequests? What is he doing?! He'll be horribly under-leveled when he gets to the final boss if he does that!

Agreed. In order to achieve Ending A which is to strike down the final boss without getting his friends killed and winning the girl (most likely Zelenha), he has to finish all of the sidequests so that the people of the land imbue the Raigaki with their faith and all that other sugary rainbow BS when he arrives at the bottom of the final dungeon. It's like Kurama's never been in a JRPG before.

I bet he'll even miss out on the super secret optional character, Amat. The joke is that it's actually Tama his ancestor who got rip-roaringly drunk one night celebrating the day he slew Talkatz a millenium ago and staggered into a time rift and winds up in the current day. You're not going to get the best ending without Amat, man!

[Raiden]

Well in response to that, I'll say there's two reasons.

The first reason is that Kurama in this RP won't be as "Everyone's only here to support my story" as he was in the past games. Kurama's an NPC, not a GMPC. The story is how people want it to go, while he just leads that group.

Second thing is, he's not ignoring sidequests. His statement is an ironic foreshadowing of Kagi heading to the exact same building they're at.

IT'S SUBTLETY. MAYBE. I DUNNO.

[Arhra]

Action through inaction? Devious!

I guess we'll need to fast-track lunch, shopping, kami wooing, etc, then.

[Sithdarth]

Raiden's subtly has inspired me to attempt some of my own. At least I feel it makes my character seem a bit less two dimensional. Also, I can totally explain it away as like echolocation or guessing. Very very lucky guessing.

[Raiden]

http://www.bromygod.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/bibi-and-the-bomb-meme-bro-my-god-092812-03.jpg

Also, I'm in the process of moving to an apartment in another city, so if I'm posting slow...that's why.

Yeah.

Also FF14 has my soul, but that's another story.

[Overcast]

The team has split into subdivision SUBTLE and subdivision FACEPUNCH. Be wary Team Democracy, as I hear FACEPUNCH is prone to certain actions.

[Red Mage Black]

If you could call Al/Aidas subtle. Nanako takes time to destroy everything in the room. Meanwhile, Al/Aidas only needs to blink or flick his wrist and the city is up in flames.

[Overcast]

Hey he has totally been keeping it low key. The metal man didn't even feel him crawl inside his body, save for that single moment.

[Arhra]

Oh I just wanted to check before I write a post: Is Imara hiding the fact that she is a dog at all?

Seeing demons and all.

[Dracorion]

She is not.

[Arhra]

Halfway through writing this post while I was looking up appearances, I realised I could probably just have pointed at the good restaurant group, shouted 'Witch!' and let the lynch mob do the rest.

EDIT: Except for Nanako. Everyone's fine with Nanako.

[Red Mage Black]

Kitsune are actually suppose to be a good sign. Nekomata on the other hand... are not. It wouldn't be the first time Leer was chased out of a village though. The "I'm going to curse you unless you feed me" trick doesn't work everywhere.

[Arhra]

Since there was a lot of older stories about kitsune, they got grouped into the servants of Inari, and the field foxes who are much more mischievous or even malevolent.

(Still no kumiho though I guess?)

Leer'd been right for all his usual denseness, and she was a Nekomata too judging by the looks of it, not quite the same sort as he.
Ack, sorry I should have been clearer. Masumi looks completely human, but with an uncommon eye colour. I commented on Leer because of the coincidence they're nekomata with similar eye colours.

Her eyes do go slitted if her disguise slips, but generally she's also got problems with tails and ears popping out at that point.

[Sithdarth]

I don't know how I've done this twice in a row but at my post per page setting I've ended up starting the new page.

Side Note: If we get something electrically powered for transport than Aidas is totally pulling battery duty. We'll just replace the batteries with the staff and we'll never have to worry about running out of power.

[PhoenixFlame]

Ack, sorry I should have been clearer. Masumi looks completely human, but with an uncommon eye colour. I commented on Leer because of the coincidence they're nekomata with similar eye colours.

Bleh, alright. I'll delete my post or something, as I have no idea how to react right now.

[Arhra]

OK, hopefully responding to Leer should give you more of a platform to build off.

That's right, Team Good. I know you're secretly evil!

[PhoenixFlame]

Well, I didn't want to do this until much later, but I'm not allowed to disguise myself after eating Tofu, so... Yeah.

IDBeholdKyubimode

[Red Mage Black]

By the way, spot on in that post, Izuna. Professional fool, indeed. Too bad any game involving Al, Imara, Nanako and Zel must require sudden evacuation of towns and cities.

[Arhra]

"We must fight the demons!" Izuna yelled.

"No, kitsune. You are the demons." Masumi said.

And then Izuna was really angry.

"Foolish priestess! You expected to find a fox but instead you fight a GOD!"

Izuna had become a super saiyan!

I was wondering if that was maybe too long a monologue not to give Izuna an opportunity to interrupt but ah well, bad guy introduction monologue privileges?

Alas I am going to be away until Friday, so just a heads-up.

Also, Leer: never change.

[Overcast]

I do hope her smile at least includes sharp teeth, talking that haughtily or evilly deserves a sharp smile.

[Krylo]

Things not to do around Nanako:

Monologue.

Ruin food.

[Steel Shadow]

Nanako, I know we taught you better than that. Is this how it's going to be? I leave home and suddenly you're off interrupting people again? Al, are you even keeping an eye on her at all?!?

In other news, post made by Krylo, Arhra and myself agreeing on how things would go, and then them foisting all the work off on me.

[Overcast]

I have no time. I am attempting to seduce young samurai with promises of power.

[Raiden]

Sorry I've been quiet, moving is a bitch. Will be finished moving today so I'll focus on the game tonight.

Though it looks like you've done well with the story bites anyway!

[Red Mage Black]

Hell, we don't even NEED Al around for stuff to start blowing up. Yet a table is nothing, the building would have been the right style.

[Steel Shadow]

We'll get to that shortly, don't worry.

---------- Post added 06-17-2014 at 05:33 PM ---------- Previous post was 06-16-2014 at 09:44 PM ----------

So, uh. All I had at work today was my notebook, so I just spent the day working on a post.

I might... might have gone just a touch overboard.

... In my defense, fucking 9-tailed Kitsune.

But there you go RMB, building taken care of.

[Steel Shadow]

Imara vs. Shizuka, huh? This should be interesting!

[Red Mage Black]

So, basically... she's going to need Nanako's help... again?

[Dracorion]

Well she's, like, the only enemy around and Imara was first out the door and first on her feet thanks to her speed.

And someone's gotta pay for destroying perfectly good booze for no reason.

What I'm saying is all you Democrats are monsters.

[Steel Shadow]

Now now, Imara's pretty damn powerful in Inu-form. Plus she can fly. Ninja Vs. Wolf-girl should sell plenty of tickets! Nanako can wait for Arhra to get back so Masumi can come play.

[Dracorion]

I didn't include flying or firefists or icefists or electricityfists or ki energy armor or ki healing or several other things in this Imara's list of powers, because I didn't want to make her too powerful. She also probably can't run at 1 mile per second.

Of course, Zel just turned a building and the surrounding street into a fireball, so maybe I'll amend things.

[Steel Shadow]

Huh, for some reason I thought flight had been one of your two powers. My mistake!

... And I want to reiterate this, 9-tailed kitsune.

Plus c'mon, Zel just did the magical equivalent of lighting a match. It wasn't that big a thing...

[Dracorion]

I don't think any amount of alcohol can blow up that hard.

Also, pfft, if Izuna weren't on her team, Imara would happily beat her up.

[Steel Shadow]

Depends on the amount and the purity. It's pretty flammable as things go, and pressure plus blah blah blah and yeah I did research and it maybe can. So I did hedge and added magic to make it more definite, yeah. Still! It was just fuel and a spark directed properly really. This is well below Rachel levels.

[Dracorion]

I'll choose to believe that your research does in fact prove that booze can blow the roof off a building from the basement.

[Steel Shadow]

There's some fascinating stuff out there! Taking into consideration the time period this is set in and the standards such things are produced at, and some of the more lethal news stories about attempts at home grown distilleries, yeah, it probably can.

But I'm not a physicist. So when someone who knows better says otherwise, wizard did it.

[Dracorion]

And Imara's weak to fire, and she's been drinking fuel, oh my!

Fortunately she's barely drunk today and she doesn't spill without being at least tipsy.

[PhoenixFlame]

This is well below Rachel levels.

There are fusion bombs below those levels, what are you even getting at?

Also, there's a good reason bottles are sealed to be airtight, which is kind of how alcohol works in the first place. No air, no fire, no boom.

[Steel Shadow]

Which became much less of an issue when most of those bottles shattered or broke during the preceding round as described! Plus, again, the time period. Manufacturing just wasn't as uniform quality as it is today, though this is a fairly weak argument.

[Astral Harmony]

Let's just agree that there was some really amazing stuff down in that cellar. Like wine that can function the same as semtex or something without the need of a blasting cap. It could even have a kickass tagline for advertisement, like "If you're not on fire, you're not really living."

[Dracorion]

A team-up?! Between Democrats and Anarchists? Oh my, there may be hope for society yet!

[Steel Shadow]

It has been pointed out my posts are getting ridiculously long. So to help, a summary:

Zel does stuff!

[Overcast]

Aidas is gathering his essence, by stealing it from others.

[Raiden]

I'm gonna be heading to London this week on business (convention, ahoy!). I'll be checking in when I can but can't guarantee internet at all times.

So Sithdarth and Overcast? You guys get to duke it out with Kagi. I figure we'll say Kurama...spectated? So laid back Kurama.

[Arhra]

Enjoy London, Raiden!

Because that post was words words words, here's the cliff notes version:

Masumi has been hiding in the restaurant because being on fire is something that happens to other people as far as she's concerned.
While she was hiding, she befriended the fire.
She employed advanced magic bellows technology to hopefully blow Izuna a good distance away from Zel.
She then shot seven swords at Izuna and raised the dead because she's a magical catgirl necromancer priestess with fire powers who septuple wields swords.
The dead are just lying there so far. Look out, next person to charge Masumi.
Masumi finally stopped being in lurk mode so she's set her aura to spookybutt. It's frightening the townspeople and maybe gave a shock to the ki-sensitives.
She wasn't happy that Shizuka almost brought the place down on top of her.
Don't believe in yourself Shizuka, believe in the cat who believes she might strangle you if you don't cut someone soon.
Finally, Masumi revealed she's such good friends with the fire, she's planning to show it around town. So yeah, fire tornado. It's fighting Nanako and trying to eat the next shop.
Aggggh catching up is painful.

EDIT: Speaking of which
There's some fascinating stuff out there! Taking into consideration the time period this is set in and the standards such things are produced at, and some of the more lethal news stories about attempts at home grown distilleries, yeah, it probably can.

But I'm not a physicist. So when someone who knows better says otherwise, wizard did it.
I chalked it up to action movie physics myself. You know, like how tossing a match into something potentially flammable will make it catch on fire, freezing something will make it shatter when you kick it and how a car will burst into flames and then explode if it runs into anything. Anything.

A team-up?! Between Democrats and Anarchists? Oh my, there may be hope for society yet!
NO, I WON'T STAND FOR THIS.

[Dracorion]

The car doesn't even need to hit anything. Simply skidding out of control in an empty road and overturning is enough to elicit an explosion if the plot demands.

Safe trip Raiden!

[Overcast]

In an effort to make sure we are certain to take up all the time Raiden is away, MORE MOUTH NOISES.

Aidas is ready to seduce you with promises of chaos and war.

[Dracorion]

I'm sure this is preferable to Imara's Donkey Kong impression.

[Steel Shadow]

Let's try to summarize for viewers just tuning in!

This round:

Masumi makes an explosive entrance!

Nanako makes an even more explosive entrance!

Imara makes a passionate plea for sanity! She's ignored.

Shizuka makes a plea for helping people! She might prefer to have been ignored.

Izuna uses Flash step, but finds herself blown away!

Zelenha uses Destroy Inhibitions! On a succubus. Just as a bunch of strong male guardsmen come running in. Uh. Is this show on past the watershed?

[Dracorion]

Dammit Zel, there's minors present!

[Steel Shadow]

I'm EVIL! When are you people getting that?

[Dracorion]

Evil or not doesn't mean you can't have principles! Otherwise we'd all have blown up the world by now.

[Steel Shadow]

Make love not war?

... Well now I feel dirty.

[Red Mage Black]

I'm sort of wondering if following Shizuka isn't such a good idea and wondering if I should just pair him up with someone who is the exact opposite of himself in size, aka Kagi, but since Aidas is already there, it's her or his fellow nekomata Masumi. I only thought Shizuka was a better idea based on the fact that both are martially focused.

[Astral Harmony]

Shizuka goes into an overspirited "with great power comes great responsibility" rant. It's getting to the point that even I might root for Leer to kick her ass.

[Red Mage Black]

If there's anything scarier than a world destroying demon, it's Nee-chan's disapproval. We shall nickname Leer... THE FOOL. Also, AB, I believe the better theme song for when the whole fight started was Ballroom Blitz.

[Overcast]

FOOL, we reserve Ballroom Blitz specifically when you pick Nanako and Aidas as tag team partners in a massive dance hall or bar.

[Astral Harmony]

I have no time for ballrooms and blitzing. I have to go meet the Wind Kami so he can make Shizuka's spider sense tingle.

[Inbred Chocobo]

Overcast clear some space in your Private Message Box.

[Overcast]

All clear. Sorry about that I don't get many so I hardly even pay attention to my limit.

---------- Post added at 02:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:20 AM ----------

TO: Nanako
Halp
-Aidas

[Steel Shadow]

I've missed Al. He is the best.

---------- Post added at 10:39 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:33 PM ----------

Though you didn't do the Zoidberg thing. Do the Zoidberg thing.

[Overcast]

It is done.

[Steel Shadow]

And the thread gets just a little bit better.

[Sithdarth]

Team subtly strikes again.

[Arhra]

I think I should point out that Zel specifically told Shizuka to make sure she wasn't followed and she's already on thin ice as far as Zel and Masumi are concerned. It's making her look like a liability to them.

Shizuka should think really carefully about what she does next and how she justifies what she's done. I can't speak for Zel but if it goes badly, it's a definite possibility Masumi would decide to get rid of her.

I've missed Al. He is the best.

---------- Post added at 10:39 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:33 PM ----------

Though you didn't do the Zoidberg thing. Do the Zoidberg thing.
A SHAMEFUL DISPLAY! HOW DISHONOURABLE!

[Astral Harmony]

Shizuka isn't going to let Leer follow her all the way to this 'destination' as Zelenha said it, even if it means fighting the little cat bastard off. And as far as Shizuka's concerned, Zelenha and Masumi are far more of a liability to the mission than herself.

They didn't wait until confirmation of Kurama's position, they decided to straight-up go to blows without considering the possibility that they might've walked into a fight they couldn't win, and they didn't consider the possibility of antagonizing a whole city of able fighters with their overkill display while ruining any chance they might've had of accomplishing other equally important objectives like a more permanent method of transportation. Masumi seemed to be looking so forward to pimping Shizuka out so why did she obliterate perhaps her only opportunity to do so?

In Shizuka's opinion, Zelenha and Masumi have brought this colossal failure upon themselves by not being able to keep it in their pants, and if this is how Zelenha and Masumi are going to continue operating, then all Shizuka is going to do is deliver the magical airboards that we're going to get, grab Chizuru, and see if she can acquire the Raigaki on her own. Viva Team Cooler Heads Prevail.

[Steel Shadow]

That wasn't really what happened though, was it? Arhra can speak for Masumi, Zel just responded to being attacked. Know what jeopardizes your chances of getting anything done the best? Dying. And despite saying how clearly Zel and Masumi have fucked it all up and oh no no one will help us now, Shizuka is the only one that's actually fought the guard head on.

In fact all that -might- have been seen of Zel? Really? Her getting attacked by Izuna, whose attacks did way more collateral damage than Zel's (aside from the explosion, but again, that didn't happen where people could see it) - actually, on the street Zel might not have done any collateral damage at all.

Nanako wins on the most collateral, though it was probably nonlethal.

Make no mistake, Zel didn't want that fight to happen, but accepted it when it did. It was a good chance to study the other team, at the very least.

---------- Post added at 04:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:14 PM ----------

Also, you're rushing ahead a bit. Everyone was supposed to meet up at the kami tower, but we're still in battle because a key player became unexpectedly busy. But since Raiden wants to get involved, we can probably assume Masumi and Zel will make it? Maybe with a limp.

---------- Post added at 04:44 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:17 PM ----------


A SHAMEFUL DISPLAY! HOW DISHONOURABLE!

Expecting Al to do the honorable thing if it's blatantly not in his interests is not knowing Al.

[Astral Harmony]

Honestly, dude, I could barely follow that fight at all. So my apologies for assuming that you guys did the most damage of it.

And I had no idea that the Air Kami's home was the destination Zelenha was even talking about. And I don't know why it would be the destination. And while I can maybe understand Zelenha and Masumi meeting up there, I don't see why everyone else has to be there. I mean, Kagi and Yuurei, too?

I'll just delete my previous post and see what I can figure out. Shizuka probably won't make it to the tower at all, though. Even with the Kusabi, she wouldn't be able to drive off Leer.

Edit: Damn, too late. Guess I'll play it by ear.

[Steel Shadow]

Don't worry about it, but when Zel said split and meet at the destination, she just meant the three of them, Shizuka, Masumi and herself, meeting at the tower. After all, it was the place they were all headed together, ultimately. The Wind Kami has what we came for! Plus Zel wants that air magic, it's useful stuff.

Kagi has his own stuff to deal with, and Yuurei is with us all, in our hearts!

[Astral Harmony]

If it's any compensation, Shizuka will be cosplaying for all present.

[Red Mage Black]

Leer is officially stealing Nanako's thunder for this part. The whole wanting to be friends thing. So, is he the lazy shounen hero and Nanako the quirky martial arts girl?

[Overcast]

The sudden name change caused my eyes to flicker and say, wait what's happening.

[Astral Harmony]

Oh nuffin'. Just trying to find my true self and all.

By the way, Leer hasn't just worn down Shizuka's patience in him. He's personally and deeply insulted her and the Mizuno way of life and war. Expect her to say as much and to play for keeps.

Though she'll probably be killed in this fight. She has no durable sword or apples, just a guardsman's tanto.

[Dracorion]

Yeah, the rest of us need to step it up.

If the team pet gets the first kill we'll never live it down.

[Red Mage Black]

Leer doesn't want to kill her though. At most he'll force her retreat, either back to her teammates or back to Makai to lick her wounds. Letting her get back to Zel though is a really bad idea. Considering the healer is on their side is a bad thing. If she really wanted to die, she'd need to personally force him into it.

[Arhra]

Shizuka isn't going to let Leer follow her all the way to this 'destination' as Zelenha said it, even if it means fighting the little cat bastard off. And as far as Shizuka's concerned, Zelenha and Masumi are far more of a liability to the mission than herself.

They didn't wait until confirmation of Kurama's position, they decided to straight-up go to blows without considering the possibility that they might've walked into a fight they couldn't win, and they didn't consider the possibility of antagonizing a whole city of able fighters with their overkill display while ruining any chance they might've had of accomplishing other equally important objectives like a more permanent method of transportation. Masumi seemed to be looking so forward to pimping Shizuka out so why did she obliterate perhaps her only opportunity to do so?

In Shizuka's opinion, Zelenha and Masumi have brought this colossal failure upon themselves by not being able to keep it in their pants, and if this is how Zelenha and Masumi are going to continue operating, then all Shizuka is going to do is deliver the magical airboards that we're going to get, grab Chizuru, and see if she can acquire the Raigaki on her own. Viva Team Cooler Heads Prevail.
Basically, Masumi is a terrible person so I thought I'd better give some warning she might be terrible in Shizuka's direction soon because unexpected terribleness is terrible.

On the priorities side, Masumi loved the idea of getting a magic cloud by giving a ninja a makeover, but killing takes priority. Plus she's the type to think she can have her cake and eat it too.

She went over to the good team's table to figure out what their deal was. She then discovered they'd succeeded beyond their wildest dreams in finding some of Kurama's followers, so she decided to try and nip things in the bud by killing them right then and there. It's easy to win a race when all the other runners are dead.

Fast travel options come and go, but the opportunity to wipe out half the opposition in one fell swoop doesn't happen often.

Remember, the evil team is the chosen champions of a demon emperor, so they're pretty skilled!

Behind the scenes, people were itching for some action so I thought I'd oblige. I think the collateral damage of anarchy equals or may even exceed the damage caused by democracy.

Now Masumi is put out with Shizuka because once the violence started, Shizuka didn't commit to it at all. Having half the backup you were expecting to have is not a pleasant surprise.

She's also a sadistic demon cat who eats people, so she doesn't work through her issues in a healthy way if she doesn't want to play at being nice any more. It's not a good idea to get on her bad side even if things are her fault.

It'll be interesting to see if Zel takes Masumi to task for starting a fight unilaterally come to think of it.

By the way, Leer hasn't just worn down Shizuka's patience in him. He's personally and deeply insulted her and the Mizuno way of life and war. Expect her to say as much and to play for keeps.

Though she'll probably be killed in this fight. She has no durable sword or apples, just a guardsman's tanto.
Ah but the laws of team match-ups says the five guys on the bad side are an approximate match for the eight guys on the good side. That does suggest a higher level of personal competence.

The villains of a story usually start off being able to beat the crap out of the heroes too. So Shizuka's disadvantaged currently, but that just means she's lost some of her edge.

Kick the cat! Bite him! Spray water at him! Create distractions! Use dirty ninja tricks! If all else fails, shout 'Halp, I am under attack!' and see if this paranoid city does anything to assist the young woman being brutally attacked by a cat monster!

[Steel Shadow]

Use the Moe-Moe bullet!

(Throw Chizuru at him)

[Red Mage Black]

Arhra, I actually think that's quite the opposite. The recurring bad guys theme usually means they get their asses handed to them time and time again, but once in a while they get the upper hand. You guys really should have pulled a Team Rocket with this one. Leer would have been the easiest to fool out of them since he doesn't do ki sensing as actively as Izuna does and they probably could have cheated him out of the money Kurama gave them.

Also, on another note, I'm not so sure how high the stairs go and whether or not there's an actual advantage to being at the top of them. With a large tower, I was certain there'd be a lot of steps.

[Steel Shadow]

Arhra, I actually think that's quite the opposite. The recurring bad guys theme usually means they get their asses handed to them time and time again, but once in a while they get the upper hand. You guys really should have pulled a Team Rocket with this one. Leer would have been the easiest to fool out of them since he doesn't do ki sensing as actively as Izuna does and they probably could have cheated him out of the money Kurama gave them.


Well, it's debatable where the line is drawn really, but what your talking about here is really more for an episodic adventure series with no major overarching plot, where the 'Bad guys' appear every episode and almost every episode's plot is wrapped up by the credits. Because Pokemon and Power Rangers would be awfully depressing shows if pluck and friendship weren't enough to win the day, every day, right?

On the other hand, there's shows which do have a defined plot that drives the show. These don't have 'Bad guys' per se, they have 'Villains'. Villains rarely 'get their asses handed to them', because then they wouldn't be a threat. And when the real driving force behind the show is the conflict and the battles, there needs to be a legitimate threat to contrast the heroes, or there's no tension at all. They may not always win the episode, but there's certainly a chance they will, especially if it's an important issue, and it's very rare that their plans are impacted in any meaningful way whatever happens, at least until the season finale (and even then...) Did Azula get kicked about by Aang for three seasons? Was Fate arrested after her first outing?

Hell, even for the first type, Team Rocket was a scary threat in their first episode. It's the villains job to give the heroes a scare after all!

Plus the fact that there's eight of you and four of us (well, five, but Yuurei spends most of his time as our handy spirit phone) means that the law of Narrative Numbers is on our side!

Astral Bushido Heaven Armor! Shizuka Mizuno! You are the finest warrior of your entire clan! And you are a single ninja! THE LAW OF INVERSE NINJA IS ON YOUR SIDE!

You can totally win this fight.

[lazy man]

(well, five, but Yuurei spends most of his time as our handy spirit phone)

And so he shall remain until I can figure out who the hell to help: Shizuka or Kagi. I really don't know right now, honestly.

Quick! Draw straws!

[Red Mage Black]

Go ahead and help Shizuka if you like. You might have a tougher time around Kagi and Akira though, as it has to do with ki shenanigans. Knew I should have gone with a technician instead of a Fighter.

[Astral Harmony]

Or let Shizuka die and give Chizuru a chance to be a regular on the show.

But I very much do like the idea of the Moe-Moe Drill...Moe-Moe Cannon...Moe-Moepult? I shall have to remember to make scenes where Shizuka and Chizuru practice this move on the sidelines.

And honestly, now that Leer has pissed off Shizuka and made her want to just proove Team Anarchy wrong, she's going to be a lot more proactive in battle if she just so happens to survive this and be less of a bitch. Who knows? Masumi and Zelenha might have to keep Shizuka from starting shit up in here one day.

As for why Shizuka wasn't so eager to fight the last time? Well, the Mizuno Clan is based on spider demons so that kinda makes her a bug type, doesn't it? Bugs don't like fire.

Shizuka: "Ariados!"

[Red Mage Black]

There's only so many non-lethal disabling attacks he can make.

[PhoenixFlame]

ugh, I just got assigned night shift recently, and it's been really mentally fatiguing. Sorry about that. With a sleep schedule like this, it's unlikely I'll be able to do anything again, ever.

Trying to catch up, but been really @_@ about this fight in general for some reason. Sol tells me my style of posting for forums is 'wrong', and I'm being too micro.

I believe that might be the case. In any case, gonna try to do something.

Edit: Ugh, nevermind. Too much to catch up on. Arhra's post doing thirty different things just really threw off my appetite all at once. Sorry.

[Steel Shadow]

I didn't say wrong, I said I didn't expect it. You have a perfectly reasonable style. Hold on, let me see if I can sum up the important stuff.

[Krylo]

Shizuka put out the fire.

Imara did nothing.

Masumi entered and threw seven sentient swords and also wind at Izuna (some attacks went off) yelled at Shizuka, and rekindled the fire.

Masumi then told the fire to attack Nanako. Nanako responded with Inazuma Kick and put out the fire harder.

Zelenha decided this was all SUM BULLSHIT and cast 'Destroy Inhibitions' at Izuna in hopes of distracting her and then tried to flee.

Shizuka left followed by Leer.

Current standing:

Zelenha is heading for an alley, Masumi is standing near the completely destroyed restaurant. Imara is kinda near Masumi doing nothing, and Nanako is walking from the ruins suggesting she wants more fighting but is pretty tired.

Izuna is probably afflicted by even more destruction of her inhibitions than she already had, and Zel is kinda hoping she gets distracted by a guardsman.

Arhra, Steel, and I are kinda waiting to see if Izuna lets Zel run off before deciding what to do.

[Dracorion]

Hopefully Izuna rolls well on her Psychic resistance.

Also, Imara is calling for peace while doing her best Donkey Kong impression and throwing a barrel of fish at the nekomata. The girl one. No, not the kitsune.

She'll actually punch things next time, I promise.

[lazy man]

And so Yuurei finally does a thing. Hard to believe, but it was apparently possible!

Also Shizuka and Masumi are left out of the group call now. I swear, that spirit phone is so buggy. The manufacturer should take a look at it.

[Steel Shadow]

So now I can only call Kagi? Goddamn that guy never picks up his phone...

[Arhra]

Edit: Ugh, nevermind. Too much to catch up on. Arhra's post doing thirty different things just really threw off my appetite all at once. Sorry.
It was a little unfortunate having to glue the equivalent of about three posts together to properly cover reactions and what Masumi had been up to while I was away.

It didn't really help that Masumi's designed to spam attacks to control an area and fight multiple people at once. I had a feeling the evil team would be outnumbered. The idea is she's a real pain to go against because she can just keep constantly attacking with swords, fire, prayer slips and zombies to pin people down.

Arhra, I actually think that's quite the opposite. The recurring bad guys theme usually means they get their asses handed to them time and time again, but once in a while they get the upper hand. You guys really should have pulled a Team Rocket with this one. Leer would have been the easiest to fool out of them since he doesn't do ki sensing as actively as Izuna does and they probably could have cheated him out of the money Kurama gave them.
Steel's example of Aang and Azula is a good comparison. This is the heroes' journey, so they grow as people. A final confrontation is satisfying because the hero is finally in a position to end it once and for all.

This isn't to say that the villains are going to stomp all over the heroes, but they do need to provide a convincing threat.

So now I can only call Kagi? Goddamn that guy never picks up his phone...
Have you considered smoke signals?!