Aug 03rd--Defense/back-up for those who stayed in Aquares Ixen [OPEN]

[deadlyvu]

Who: Lydia Deetz deadlyvu and anyone interested. [Open to all]
Where: Aquares Ixen, near the Crystal of Fire
What: Not every Hero is eager or willing to go to the Calm Plains and show-down. Doesn't mean they want to do their part any less...
When: August 03rd
Warnings: none yet?



While the rain likely wasn't helping those on the Calm Plains, it was only slightly making things harder for those in the city. Most people stayed indoors--which for those Heroes who'd stayed behind meant less likely for civilian casualties. Hopefully.

Lydia had still wanted to do her part, even if she wasn't primarily a fighter. Not that she wouldn't fight if she had to--but self-defense was a different thing than seeking it out. So she'd made up flyers, and Betel-Po had been fluttering with all speed and haste and delivering them to all Heroes by hand. Nanami's moogle had been enlisted to help too, besides spreading word of mouth.

"Meet at the Crystal of Fire at [time]. We might need to be the last line of defense." Was the brief headline, with an explanation below.

Lydia waited near the Crystal, hood to her cloak up. She was ignoring the rain as best she could, and had her rapier and dagger handy, and was hoping others would show up. Betel-Po huddled in his rain-coat, grumbling and trying to not yawn. But he was determined to help see this through too--show Biggs and everyone else who doubted them being Heroes. He knew his companion worked hard!



[Lydia is rocking maxed out Vampire, with a dark cloak covering her. She also has Ghostbuster at 6 months, although that might be less useful.]

Comments

[nomorecowbell]

Nanami was looking less certain. She had her Illusionist and Summoner jobs equipped, had a rain cloak and hat, and a sword and dagger herself -- Nanami was a pretty damn good fencer, even if she was one of the weaker ones from the Student Council back home. Hari, her moogle, had elected to come along and handle things like managing the umbrella.

She doesn't want to be needed here, but she also doesn't like the idea of coming out in the rain all day for no reason.

"We should have met at the Observatory. We could see her coming." Would she hit the Crystal, or just try to kill people because a few Heroes stayed home?

[deadlyvu]

Lydia shrugged under her cloak. "I kind of thought the Crystal would make a better choice, symbolically." Slightly sheepish, but then she hadn't counted on the weather either.

"I'm hoping we won't meet her at all." Sad, but determined to do this.

[has_been_faking]

[Ed paced around in the driving rain in front of the crystal, huddled up in a raincoat. He was never much of a fighter, and some Job slapped on him with a few combat skills in its arsenal wasn't going to change that. He was worried about the safety of the other Heroes as much as he was worried about the battle coming his way. But, he still turned out to protect the crystal anyway, since he'd feel too guilty if he stayed behind in his shop while everyone else risked their lives.

In his round of pacing, he stops near Lydia once, trying to hold still for a few moments.]

I wish there was a way of getting in touch with the rest of them. To find out how it's going, you know? Waiting like this is pretty nerve wracking.

[21stcenturyguy]

[Santa's not about to leave his roommate hanging. They can lurk beside the Crystal together. His skillset isn't great for offensive attacks, but he can screw with enemies and delay them long enough for the others to make an escape. He figures the last line of defense is probably where he belongs.

He's got his Time Mage jacket on, with the hood drawn up to protect his hair from the rain. He's not especially happy to be out in the rain, but if it's what he's gotta do, he'll keep his complaining to a minimum.]

So, C-C, we gotta plan of attack if we need it, or are we just gonna go wild if the bigass mech-monster shows up?

[deadlyvu]

[Lydia would offer her hand to shake, but it was a bit too wet for that. She still nodded in greeting and turned her head up to meet and face the newcomer. Careful of her cloak though, she didn't want to get rain down her neck more than she already was.]

Yes. I'm kind of hoping that 'no news' is good news though.

[Betel-Po just snorted from his position next to her. "No news is boring kupo..." But his heart wasn't in the complaint.]

[deadlyvu]

[Lydia was surprised Santa showed up. Pleased, but surprised. She know any of the Heroes who do come, aren't the best for combat--neither is she. As a matter of fact, she did have a plan of sorts.

Still nervous, but she would do her best. Giving a confident smirk up at her housemate.]

Actually Kringle, I have a lose plan...

[Pointing, she indicated one or two of the soldiers nearby. Sephiroth's troops. It was only about 20, but it was better than nothing. She didn't think the older Hero had known her plan, but she was glad he was thinking along similar lines.]

We'll have only minimal warning, I think, that things are about to go down if they are. For now, I'm going with a 'no news is good news' plan.

[Her addendum to this was if needed, send Betel-Po out to scout and see what looked likely. He'd grumbled about this, but agreed--as much as Lydia could scout and move fast in bat-form too, she was kind of the main coordinator of this, so had to stay at the Crystal.]

We get a sense things are heading our way, they [Indicating the soldiers] are going to start evacuating citizens. We help with that first; I won't judge anyone who wants to leave but...

[There's a breath, and she's even more determined looking up at him.]

We didn't ask to be given this role, for this world--but we should at least try to live up to it. So even if we run, we do so while helping others escape. Those of us who don't want to do that, well... we go wild and do whatever we have to, to buy time for the escape.

[It's not the best plan, and she's open to suggestions, but it is a plan. One based on the idea that those who were here probably weren't fighters. Knowing they'd be facing nearly impossible odds, considering they weren't fighters.

Ultimately she was going to stay and fight, no matter what.]

[21stcenturyguy]

[Santa jabs a thumb at his time mage jacket.]

Hey, don't worry. Buyin' time is just about the only thing I can do. Dunno if that kinda spell'll work on a giant robot, but I'll give it a try.

[It's not like he's gonna run away and leave the kid alone against the monster. That's not how he rolls. If nothin' else, the two of them can hold the line and sass the Weapon to death.]

[deadlyvu]

[Careful there Santa, or she's gonna start believing your sister when she wrote about him actually being a nice guy.]

I don't think it's entirely just a robot, if I understood some of the notes and discussions right. It's partially organic, and kind of defense for the planet?

[She shrugged, still determined and trying to be optimistic.]

I do know it has to have a pilot--if we can get to them, and it'll probably be Palitutu, then your magic will affect that.

[sullenstallion]

Hey.

[It might be raining, but when you're so used to the cold like Dylas, he doesn't bother to bundle up. He's just wearing a light jacket to cover some of his scars and not letting the rain bother him at all. Dylas really thinks he shouldn't be here, convinced that he's just going to lower morale, but he'll pretend like he's walking by and just happened to see Ed.]

I was, uh. Taking a walk. What's all this?

[That might be easier to believe if he weren't carrying a bag with him. It looks like he's prepared for a wait.]

[deadlyvu]

[Lydia blinked at the newcomer. He wouldn't have been out of place in the Neitherworld, which of course didn't bother her at all.]


Hi! We're...kind of the last line of defense. If the encounter with Palitutu on the calm plains goes badly.

[Okay, it sounded kind of dumb--but Lydia was still determined.]

[has_been_faking]

[Before he could answer Lydia, Dylas approached. Ed gave him a wan smile.]

Yeah. We're the B-squad, I guess. The others are out dealing with Palitutu and the WEAPON right about now. I just wish I knew how they were doing out there. Where're you headed?

[Since Dylas is carrying a bag and all.]

[sullenstallion]

Who's the runt?

[Dylas isn't trying to be rude, he just is by instinct. He doesn't mean anything by it, but it's how he chooses to acknowledge Lydia.]

Oh. Uh. I was just...heading back...? These are some old healing potions I bought a while ago, forgot to pick them up from the inn I'd been staying at.

[... ... ...the receipt is marked for today, though, so hopefully no one digs through his bag (or tugs on his jacket, that would be awful).]

If we're all the way out here, are we the B squad, or the Z squad? Do you, uh, think you might need an extra hand? I've got nothing better to do.

[deadlyvu]

[Lydia is trying very hard to NOT take offense at the 'runt' comment. Okay, so she was still small for a 15 year old. Did EVERYONE have to bring it up?

Instead she did her best to get a friendly grin.]

Not all of us are suited to be on the front-lines, and hopefully we won't be needed. Even though none of us asked for it though, we're still Heroes of Light--and this city has suffered enough for us. We should at least try and not make it worse.

[21stcenturyguy]

[The picture Santa has in his head for the weapon is still Mecha-Godzilla, no matter what people tell him about it. He can only hope it has kickass retro sound effects when it's rampaging.]

Yeah, ok. If there's a human...esque mad scientist bitch in there, we can take her down. She's the thing's weak point. [And it would only take the smallest of small bombs to take her out, if they could just get up to where she was.]

[deadlyvu]

[Don't think he's fully grasped the scale of this thing, or of Palitutu either. Lydia is just gonna shrug--he'll learn, or not.]

Getting to her is going to be the tricky part, if we do have to do this. She's likely to be in the machine, and not very exposed.

[lostwisdom]

[A moogle fluttered over to the crowd of heroes, as if scanning the considerably smaller crowd than the one that left the city for someone.]

Kupo... I hope she gets here soon.

[Fussing with his green satchel strap, he flies over to one of the nearest Heroes.]

Excuse me, but you haven't seen my hero Ellana, have you? Black hair, kind of short for a fully-grown elezen, kupo? She said for me to meet her here last eve.

[nomorecowbell]

"... Yeah, me neither. If everyone else can't stop her, I can't imagine what we will do."

Assuming she was meeting everyone else and not just attacking the city again because a few Heroes actually didn't trust her to keep her end of her threat.

[nomorecowbell]

Most of the actual fighters went to fight this thing. If it avoids them, we need to call them back while we get people out of the way. I can contact them.

[She's not sure how they'd get back, beyond whoever can teleport. And if the WEAPON curb stomped most of the heroes and then went to finish off the rear guard? Nanami would rather not thing about that choice at all.]

[nomorecowbell]

My Job gives me telepathy, but I don't want to distract them now.

[That and she really doesn't want to know if they are losing. Better not to live in dread.]

[21stcenturyguy]

Well, yeah, but she can't stay in there forever, right? I'm betting it ain't got food and plumbing and shit in there. So there has to be a way for Palitutu to get out, which means there's a way for the Heroes to get in. Doors never go in just one direction.

[He may not have super battle prowess, but he's clever. If there's a way in, he's banking on the fact that he'll be able to find it.]

[21stcenturyguy]

You think Palitutu would play it like that? It's kind of a dick move.

[He shrugs, not convinced.] I think if she went to the trouble of getting everyone out there, she'll just wipe 'em out, rather than dodgin' 'em.

[deadlyvu]

"We'll manage." Lydia responded, determined. She had to keep up her spirit, and everyone else's. "We can run if we need to, but we can also encourage others to leave." Much more quietly, Lydia taking a deep breath before she spoke. "I know I'll be staying and fighting as much as I can."

[deadlyvu]

[Lydia wasn't exactly disagreeing with him. Just pointing out the first obstacle. He didn't have a bad plan, provided they stayed alive long enough to implement it.]

So what you're saying is I should play distraction while you find a way into it?

[Clever is good. Lydia is clever herself.]

[deadlyvu]

[Lydia blinked, but offered a smile. Betel-Po offered a wave and bob of his head, with a 'yo kupo.']

Elezen? I don't think so yet. But I'll be here.

[Either until they found out that the Heroes won, or if they lost. If they lost, the Weapon would likely come for them.]

I'm Lydia, it's nice to meet you.

[has_been_faking]

[Ed gives Dylas a nod.]

B squad, Z squad, does it matter? We're it as far as defense goes. We'd certainly welcome more, though. Especially anyone who knows how to fight, to make up for me dragging the group down. Let's just hope it doesn't even come to that.