Cram Week [Player Plot]

[tiredcharmer]

Who: The Heroes of Light
When: January 15-22
Where: The Great McGard Library
What: The hunt for Alexander's Temple takes an unexpected turn into college cramming territory.
Warnings/Notes: The combat threads will go up as soon as the introduction as finished, as that should wrap up fairly quickly.

Comments

[wind_in_my_ears]

Klonoa, switching to White Mage, goes ahead and takes a support role this time. He's never really cooked all that much, but he can appreciate a good meal. Still, there's a certain point where reading through cookbooks just gets to be too much, and he's just about reached his limit when that book starts to be a welcome relief to his diminishing senses.

"Think this one might be it? It.. kind of looks like it, right?"

[topgun_textiles]

Oh my god he was so fucking tired of looking at books. His head hurts. But when Klonoa spoke up he pushed his own failed findings back into their proper places before he headed over, dusted off his hands.

"Lemme see..."

A quick look. This idiot will pick it up. "Hey, yeah, didn't that ghost-book talk about bangaa?"

[tiredcharmer]

As soon as Kanji picks up the book, it flies out of its hands in a similar manner to the Tantarian. But instead of giving snarky dialogue, it upends itself, shaking out a hedgehog-like creature taller than even Papyrus. It quickly hides behind a tribal mask that covers its whole face, then... plays a sweet, melodic tune on its [Moon Flute].

The song nestles into the ears of Papyrus, Cor, Kanji, and Kuja, burrowing into their minds, twisting, twisting... until there's only one thing left. One order. One command. Protect Page 256 at all costs.

Which, of course, means disposing of these intruders to its abode as quickly as possible.

[songbird_slayer]

"Oh! ...Well, there's your answer, dear."

The book shuddered to life and spat out a spiny thing. Her staff at the ready, Madhuri hopped back and began to conjure a Protect spell over the party. Up the defenses, that's the ticket...

But the flute went to lips and began to play a tune. She couldn't get the order to block their ears in quick enough, and her eyebrows warily knit toward the rest of the group.

"...Fellas...?"

[topgun_textiles]

"Oh, shit-!" He couldn't scramble for the book fast enough. The creature came out and he grabbed that greatsword, cozies at the ready for the sheer cold that billowed from the blade and hilt.

"I'll grab 'im!" Tanks gotta tank! He geared up to prepare a self-buff, get everything all set up...

Then the music started. Okay, annoying. He'll just work on knocking the instrument out of the hedgehog's hands, and then they could just get... get started...

Get started on guard duty. Right. Makes sense. His grip tightened on the hilt, and Kanji stood rigid. When he turned, it was one smooth, calculated movement. He needed to protect Page 256 at all costs, or he was gonna let people down again.

"...The hell're you assholes doin' here? GET LOST!" The Ground Shaker spread outward in a shockwave, scattering dust and debris. With it came a blast of cold and dark magic, courtesy of the Black Ice Greatsword... to the party.

Gunslinger Active -> Boost P. Def A, Boost M. Def. B

[pishirogane]

"Well, this might be a problem..."

She doesn't know what to make of the small creature, but it seemed to have some of their party affected - Kanji included. That wouldn't do... His Ground Shaker wouldn't do either, but at least Madhuri had cast Protect prior. It helped keep her up, and this might be unfortunate, but if they wanted to get in her way of aiming for that flute and the hedgehog... thing, so be it.

It was time to give the Maltese Falcons a try, the ice-embed weapons not loaded with their special ammo, but it wasn't needed at this time. Perhaps a reload after she goes Trigger Happy on the target, the ghostly figure of Shiva at her side throwing a Ice Veil over the gunslinger.

[whirluendo_of_puns]

Patches was getting all set to give the big hedgehog a practical lesson in Eidolon lore -- only to yelp in surprise when Kanji abruptly turned around and attacked. His Glacier Cloak protected him from the worst of the ice magic, but the unexpected shockwave pushed him off his feet and made him land painfully on his butt.

"H-Hey hey hey, Kanji-kun! What's the big idea!?"

[immortalmarshal]

Cor immediately fall into a ready stance, hand already on the hilt of his blade, as soon as the book started to drop that strange hedgehog creature from its pages. "Stay on your guard, everyone. We dont know what...this..."

His voice trails off, though, as that strange song burrows its way into his mind. There was s brief moment where he thought something about it felt wrong...but then he straightens up as he turns towards the others, a very focused look on his face.

"...the 'big idea' for you all to leave this place. Especially if you wish to live." Out comes the tablet, and a clear switch from Red Mage to Ninja. Someone better move quickly before he reaches for the Smokescreen...

[acapriciousreaper]

It's... odd, almost, how Kuja's demeanor changes. How he straightens slightly, levitating off the floor as he turns to face the others. His fellow 'defenders' are soundly ignored. "I really must thank you all for your assistance."
Amusement dances in his eyes, as he calls up the magic, a ball of blue-white light that forms in one hand. Others join it, and he begins to rise into the air, sneering.

"As much as I'd love to continue to entertain you, Alexander awaits... and I don't see myself content sharing the rewards. Oh, but such tragedy! The valiant heroes, slain in the quest- why, it's almost enough to move one to tears-" he laughs, then, and the orbs gather into a single, brilliantly-glowing conflagration, sent spinning into the midst of the rabble in front of him, a [Seraphic Star] detonating with holy fire.

"-almost."


Active Job: Angel of Death
Phys. Power: E
Mag. Power: SS
Attack Pot: A
Healing Pot: B
Phys. Def: C
Mag. Def: B
Speed: A

Seraphic Star: Extreme Holy damage to up to 5 targets.

[wind_in_my_ears]

Klonoa yelps and nearly falls backwards as the shockwave blasts over him. His hat is now askew, and then Kuja does... that.

Klonoa shields his eyes from the lightshow by pulling the brim down over them as the Wind Ring transforms into a Wind Shield. Whatever happens, at least he'll be well prepared to run in and stop something dangerous. They can't just let everyone get beat up like this.

[songbird_slayer]

"Okay, the bulk of our firepower's gone bonkers... that's fi-" Then the ground shook, erupted outward and knocked the party into action. Madhuri stumbled back on her heels, but couldn't stop that little bubble of anger at her core.

But this time, she wouldn't fight it from clawing briefly to the surface.

"That's enough-" She snapped, and raised a finger to Kanji. From beneath him a pillar of flame erupted in a reactionary Hellish Rebuke. She was satisfied with that howl of surprise and pain.

"That's not going to hold him. Focus-" Her eyes flashed to Cor.

"He's reaching for something, shut it down!" But that's all she could manage before Kuja, too, joined in on the 'fun' (and kind of nailed that line too, can she admit being impressed even if it was the worst time??), and everything was a blinding storm.

She grit her teeth through it and raised her staff, casting Medica on the party. Not the chunkiest recovery, but she needed to get things started before they fell out of her control.

"Then... focus... on the charmer! I'll work on cleansing...!"

[tiredcharmer]

The charmer in question hangs behind the line of its defenders, continuing to play its [Moon Flute]... and healing Kanji, Kuja, Cor, and Papyrus for 10% health.

[einspine]

"NYEH HEH HEH!!! THAT'S NOT GOING TO WORK! I, THE GREAT PAPYRUS, SHALL DEFEND THIS BOOK WITH MY LIFE!"

So says the skeleton before he launches a Bone Barrage at the rest of the party, his fellow charmed combatants notwithstanding. While the damage is light, Uendo will find the troublesome bones have left him stunned for the next round.

He'll apologize profusely later. Right now, his charmed state leaves him a bit out of sorts.

Just imagine Dark Messenger being cut off by a record scratch and suddenly BONETROUSLE

[acapriciousreaper]

There's a twinge of annoyance when Papyrus... interrupts. He takes to the skies, using the massive shelves as impromptu cover. "Must you shriek so incessantly? The stage has room for only one lead, you stupid bag of bones-"

He gestures like a conductor, conjuring a series of [Flare] orbs around Madhuri. If she's going to undo his work by throwing around healing magic, he'll just have to put a stop to that.

[whirluendo_of_puns]

Patches was going to try summoning Ramuh is hopes of paralyzing Cor for a bit but then--

BONK.

--a bone smacks him in the face and now all he can see is stars and little dancing chocobos.

"Ow ow ow ow... Anyone else wanna... throw me a bone please...?"

[songbird_slayer]

A bonk and she snapped a look to Papyrus. Oh no, him too...!

Her jaw set, and the focus crystal begins to gleam. She worked up an Esuna and cast it upon the skeleton. "Sweetheart, that's enough. Come on back-"

But it was too much at once. The orbs began to form around her. She suddenly was acutely aware of the rule to take out the healer first, and that was... her.

[topgun_textiles]

"'Might be', huh?" He grinned. Bones rained down upon the group, that obnoxious healer was on lock thanks to Kuja, and Cor was gearing up. That just left the detective who seemed to be trying to take shots at his charge.

"Ya might be right," he chuckled, and entered a Berserk in mid-lunge toward Naoto, sword brought to bear for a swing.

[tiredcharmer]

Thanks to Madhuri's efforts, Papyrus is cleansed of Page 256's charm for the round--but the [Moon Flue] continues to play, and Papyrus will be under its spell next round unless Madhuri refreshes the Esuna.

[pishirogane]

She just narrowly avoids the bone barrage, reloading her gun, causing Concentration to go into effect. However, it does leave her open for Kanji's attack. Berserk state was no good; he wouldn't listen if she tried talking to him right now.

... And it looked like that sword nicked the thermos with his tea in it. At least it wasn't his favorite canister.

"Kanji-kun, I will use other methods to remove you from battle if needed!" But for now, she was still going to wholly ignore his attempt to delay her - her target was still that flute. Get in the way if they wanted, but utilizing Ricochet with Trigger Happy this time, she would get that instrument.

Though, Kanji might not enjoy the Egi appearance of Ifrit releasing a Little Inferno at his face.

[einspine]

Papyrus blinks rapidly. What just happened? That was... not what he expected, and once realization sets in, his eyes go all googly. "OH NO!!! DID I HURT YOU? I'M SO SORRY, EVERYONE!!!"

But. But!!! No matter. Seizing this opportunity, he turns to the enemy and uses Blue Attack in the hopes that its playing will temporarily halt. It may only stun for a turn, but at least it's something, right?

[acapriciousreaper]

"And the shrieking buffoon has turned double-agent. Hands up, any who're surprised? Nobody? Well then. Time to test an old theory. I don't think I ever found out if you were undead, Papyrus."

A single orb of brilliant blue light, a [Seraphim] spell sent careening directly at Papyrus' face.

[songbird_slayer]

"Welcome back, Pap. Keep on that flute nonsense and stay sharp. Ser Naoto seems to be having a lover's quarrel at the mo'..."

Prioritize support! She would take the moment to gamble and cast a Cure on Patches.

"We need a lockdown on Kuja!"

[topgun_textiles]

A flash of light, and a spray of fire engulfed him from the teeny-tiny Ifrit. So cute... but so not what he needed right now.

"Fuck OFF-" He swung again, this time for the egi, the source of this current burst of rage. An obnoxious fly to get out of the way to get at that chatty gunslinger.

"Hide behind your pets, will ya!?"

[pishirogane]

Too bad for Kanji, his attack phased right through the ghostly Ifrit, and there was a glint in Naoto's eye.

She would apologize for it later, but swinging around to sharply strike him across the face with the back of her hand, a sore cheek would be worth it. "Snap out of it, Kanji-kun!"

[tiredcharmer]

Naoto's bullet strikes true, lifting the spell of the [Moon Flute] for a turn while it scrambles to recover! But before it can even get close, Papyrus's Blue Attack stuns it, giving the party another turn to whale on the monster before it recovers.