WAR ♞ MARCH ON CENTRAL WEST PLATEAU

[boardmaster]

MARCH ON CENTRAL WEST PLATEAU
20 AUGUST (GLADIA) 2016

The quiet, seemingly unremarkable town of Friedgood doesn't seem like a prime target for a Noir attack. Ask any outsider what a Friedgood local's favorite activity might be, and they’ll likely respond "I don't know, digging?" They're not wrong: Friedgood's primary industry comes from the excavation of precious stones and minerals in the nearby mountain ranges and volcanoes. Those who don't make their living from mining most likely still enjoy digging, as the town is a hot destination for archeologists from the school of Pigeonsblood looking to uncover the ancient secrets of Gammon.

More important than shiny rocks, however, is Friedgood's strategic location within the country, specifically the checkpoint known as Platform 42 and 5/8ths. It forms a stark contrast to the sleepy town it resides in. This bustling travel hub is known as the "Gateway to Gammon", and boasts fast transport to almost anywhere in the kingdom. Security is tight here, with grim-faced Gammon soldiers working around the clock to ensure that criminal activity doesn't stand a chance. Keep your contraband at home — an infraction will cost you heavy jail time. Friedgood is also the only town with a road providing access to Grantebrycge, Gammon's illustrious University town.

By conquering Friedgood, Noir hopes for universal access to all of Gammon.

On the 20th of Gladia, amidst strong winds and persistent thunderstorms, Heroes will arrive to the Central West Plateau. Even surrounded by tall mountain ranges and ominous volcanoes, its ancient wall is truly a daunting sight. A marvel even by modern construction standards, it was built over 300 years ago to defend against hostile nomadic tribes, and remains as strong and sturdy as the day it was built. It also provides an important environmental buffer to the people of Friedgood — the wall is resistant to lava.

Basic info on the war can be found here. All OOC questions about the event may be directed to the thread below.

ONE ♙ The War of Three Armies
It’s time to head to the battle, Hero. You may be walking, riding a mount - your own, or a borrowed spider or boar - or hitching a ride from someone else. It’s a miserable trek to the plateau, but at least you’re not alone. Once you arrive, Verdoni is there to greet you, accompanied by another Gammonian, the commander of this battle.

Pinta [ so god damned salty about not being a naval tactician and assigned to ships ] Ah, yes, the vaunted Heroes I’ve heard so much about. The name is Pinta, ah... naval tactician to Gammon’s armed forces. Ask why and I’ll show you a bloody hell. Anyway, welcome to the Central West Plateau! During ancient times, the volcanoes were said to be a wall of flame that protected Gammon. But if that stopped the Othellians, I suppose I wouldn’t be here, ahaha! Now, with them dormant, we must instead rely upon our steel and our wall. It’s strong enough to protect Gammon even if every volcano in the area were to erupt all at once! At least that’s what the locals say. They didn’t sound too dodgy, but... moving on! If you have any questions, our men will be glad to explain; show you how the cannons work, where the traps are and whatnot. Again, this really isn’t my expertise—oh! Our wizards have been creative as of late. We’ve these wind platforms that will fling those Noirs up, up, up! Into the air! Try not to get caught in them, yeah? Our navy will take care of our seas. They’re an outstanding lot, they are. All we need to do is focus! Gammon shall not sink here!

You’ll then be handed a magical bracelet. The miners use it protect them from toxic air, so this is a precaution; should you need it, it should last for the duration of the battle. Now all you have to do is wait and prepare for the battle. Acquaint yourself with the battleground: explore the Defense Wall and see what traps there are. It may give you some ideas of your own. There are also war cannons aligned on the top wall and within its interior. Otherwise, check your supplies or rest and collect yourself for what will come. Your mount may also want attention.


TWO ♙ Fellowship of the Bling
Initially cloaked by thick fumes of sulfur, ozone and the dreary overcast of the storm, the Noir battalion finally arrives. Their general, Spicy Spice, steps, nay, struts forward.

	Why is it that every time I come around, that Cochrane Bridge wants to go down? [ ADJUSTS HER WORLD CUP BRA ] They can’t keep that wall up forever.
Let’s make this a quick one, so we can get out of this smelly rain! [ gets ready to fire her gun in the air when she remembers something ] And don’t forget, target their puny pathetic healers, first. [ raises gun high above her head, signaling for the attack with a BANG! ]

On her cue, the Noir Vanguard rushes forward with a fearsome war cry, followed soon after by the Rearguard.

ENEMY ♟ Mounted Noir Soldier
Weak against None	Strong against Fire	Immune to None
These soldiers gallop onto the battlefield with their imposing GOLDHORN GOAT mounts. These are bigger and stronger than the average goat, and their golden horns tend to ABSORB SPELLS directed at their riders. Some spells in a soldier’s arsenal: GRISTRELKI sets fire to the rain — literally. It converts the rain in the sky into a barrage of fireballs. Pray your umbrella’s fireproof! With the PLAMEVODA spell, they can turn hot water (i.e. those from geysers) into bubbling hot lava. When combined with a strong cooling spell, the spell can trap you in rock… That is, if the lava doesn’t kill you first! DVIZHE SMERTI is a dangerous spell that paralyzes its target, rendering them unable to even speak or blink. This can be cured with mana exchange. Hurry before Noir strikes with a rain of fire!Of course, the soldiers are capable of HEALING SPELLS to assist their injured allies and mounts. The VANGUARD is lead by an impressive wall of massive shield units, armed with various melee weapons: swords, maces, and daunting battle axes. Herd them into the traps around the battlefield to render them immobile! The REARGUARD, armed with bows and arrows, will try to overwhelm the HEROIC VANGUARD. HEROIC DEFENSE back them up with long-ranged attacks and the cannons! If they get close enough to the wall, the Rearguard will relentlessly attack the Defense! Both units are under strict orders to prioritize an attack on the HEROIC SUPPORT. If they see any Hero or Gammonian soldiers helping each other or performing rescues on the battlefield, they will give chase IMMEDIATELY. DROPS: Shield with Noir Emblem, Flame Staff, Assorted Non-Magical Weapons, Golden Goat Horns, Lava Lamp

In the heat of battle, you will feel the ground beneath you shake and tremble. In a turn of events neither side could have predicted, a dormant volcano in the distance erupts, raining down fire and scorched earth on the area. More alarming, however, is how the resulting earthquake sets off powerful, white-hot geysers on the battlefield. Stay alert! To make matters worse, the approaching lava makes Noir’s fire spells even more deadly, and Noir shows no signs of letting up on their assault.

Spicy Spice You think a little bad weather is going to stop us? Don't make me laugh. [ laughs anyway, then falls into a coughing fit ] Urghh, damn these fumes — Oh whatever, Send in the riders!

THREE ♙ The Desolation of Noir
Undeterred by the eruptions, the geysers, or the bad weather, they’ve called in their aerial units, fierce griffon riders who’re trying to fly over the wall and into Friedgood. Don’t let them pass! Make use of your resources and shoot them down: Heroes with long ranged weapons or magic will find their skills useful here. Learned how to fire a cannon? Now’s your chance! If not, protect your allies, Hero and Gammonian, as they line up their shots.

ENEMY ♟ Noir Griffon Rider
Weak against None	Strong against Fire, Lightning	Immune to Wind
For the first time, Heroes will witness firsthand how Noir’s legendary griffon riders—often called masters of the skies—live up to their name. A griffon’s powerful wings not only lets them soar at great heights; they can whip up terrifying BEAMS OF LIGHTNING. Griffon riders are armed with JAVELINS which they can also throw and cast the same spells as their counterparts on land. However, they share a closer bond with their griffon mounts. Upon losing their master, the griffons will go BERSERK and proceed to kill everything in sight. If a Hero gets caught in a griffon’s talons, the creature will drop them into their boiling demise at either a GEYSER or VOLCANO. DROPS: Mount Treats, Riding Gloves, Noir Lance, Harness, Griffon Feathers, Griffon Talon

The lava is fast approaching and Noir can no longer take the heat. The griffon riders are maintaining their assault, but the rest of their army is falling back to escape. Time for you to retreat too before Gammonian soldiers seal the wall and you’re trapped on the plateau side. Fried Heroes ain’t Fried Good.

• Defense, continue shooting at any enemy target in range! Be attentive and aid your allies as they retreat back to the wall. Do not fear, you have the advantage.
• Vanguard, fall back! Watch the skies for any griffon riders on the way to the wall. Once you arrive, take down enemies who try to breach. Letting even one enemy pass could spell disaster.
• Support, grab the wounded and check the wall’s condition! Any damages should be repaired immediately to prevent the lava from entering Friedgood.

FOUR ♙ There and Back Again
The wall closes, sealing the lava and ending the battle. Hopefully no one got left behind.

Spicy Spice Now I'm wishing that I didn't wear these shoes (I hate heels). Better get up out my face! [ trips on her way out ] Oh shit!

Catch your breath, Hero. You won. First, check up on everyone and heal your wounds. If you borrowed a mount you might want to take the time to say farewell, since the trip back to Friedgood means you’ll be parting soon.

The people of Friedgood are grateful. They know what would have happened if you lost. There’s no time for fancy parties. They’re pulling out whatever they can find for a makeshift street party right then and there.

You can find bowls of Splotched Richard - a dessert pudding - and Bangers and Mash. If you’re in the mood for something strong you can get pints of Guileless or Pale Noir, maybe a Lasker Train Bomb if you can find someone who’s willing to mix it. Or perhaps you fancy a CreamAle, the favored drink of Grantebrycge.

You’re welcome to stay out and party as long as you like - the party is for you, after all! In fact, the people will respect you more if you get drunk and pass out on the side of the street. But for Heroes who’re tired from the war, you’re always welcome to stagger into the Bollox Inn for a room, free of charge.

Comments

i went with: how wildcard can i get

[acknowledges]

[There's chaos, and then there's a battle. There are so many people around him that Naruto can feel the energy and camaraderie thrumming through the crowd. They're focused on different tasks, as individuals and for their respective units- but Naruto finds that just like back home, people are aware of one another; they're looking out for each other. It isn't friendship, it's something else.

As part of the vanguard Naruto is trying get as much attention as possible. His voice carries, he challenges a number of Noir soldiers at a time- he tries to stay light on his feet and knows that he has people to help him out if it gets bad enough. He is, in fact, so focused on the clash of one body to another that he misses the moment things take a turn. One poor, unfortunate goat is re-purposed- no longer a mount, he's used as a battering ram. (wink wonk) He has no idea where it comes from, but that's because he's distracted by the soldier in front of him cutting to the left. Naruto turns around just in time to get punched in the face by a flying goat and go flying in turn.

Thanks for breaking his fall Bolin. You've really got his back. (wink wonk)]

[sediments]

[ It's not exactly a great time during this fight, but considering that Bolin hasn't seen anyone impaled and bleed to death so far, he's doing all right. The Gammonian soldiers are incredibly cooperative as well, and it's the type of camaraderie that helps to lift the earthbender's spirits in a fight.

Knocking one of the enemy soldiers out with a swift hit from his shield, he's helping one of their fellows up and sending him on his way when Naruto comes slamming into him from the side. There hadn't even been time to catch sight of the boy sailing through the air, when the space around them is already populating by flaming raindrops and spitting geysers.

Needless to say the impact sends them both sprawling onto the ground, the wind knocked right out of Bolin, to the point that he wheezes a little in an attempt to get some air back into his lungs. ]

Naruto?

[ It's not the first time that they've lounged around together, but this isn't really the time or place, especially when that goat isn't done with them.

At least this time however, the thundering sound of the goat's hooves hitting the ground gives Bolin a bit of warning, his eyes going wide before he grabs the younger man and rolls them both out of the goat's path with a yelp. ]

[acknowledges]

[His nose is broken, but somehow not as badly as his pride.

They hit the earth so hard that he's momentarily dazed, blinking blearily against the blood trickling onto his lashes from somewhere near his brow. He can't actually figure out which way is up and which way is down. Is he laying on the ground? What even happened? At least he landed somewhere with a friend- oh hey, is that-]

Bolin?

[It's all he gets out, because then the world is rolling again. Bolin- (he assumes it's Bolin. It sounds like Bolin even if he hasn't seen him yet) grabs hold of him and Naruto gets a mouthful of dust before they're pitching to one side. It hurts, but not enough to make him down for the count. Mostly he's just really, really confused. His fingers spasm on the meat of his biceps, an attempt to ground himself even just a little. It's a testament to just how out of it he is that Naruto doesn't sound outraged when he opens his mouth.]

What the hell was that?

[sediments]

[ Coming into a crouching position from the roll, Bolin keeps his gaze focused on the goat before glancing down at Naruto before back at the goat.

And then he does a double take and grimaces because that is not a pretty sight. It reorganizes his priorities, and when the goat charges at them again, this time Bolin reacts with something a little more aggressive, one hand holding Naruto, and the other pushing out to cast gravity magic that flings both the beast and its rider away. ]

It was a goat, did you make it angry or something?

[ He grins a little, helping Naruto up, though his concern bubbles through - ] Can you see straight right now? Get on my back, we need to get somewhere less chaotic.

[ Because the goat isn't their only problem, and it'll struggle back to its feet eventually.

i was hoping you'd leave that typo. alas.

[acknowledges]

Why would I make a goat angry?

[Naruto is legitimately confused. He's trying to figure this out while trying to figure out why his nose hurts so bad that it's throbbing in his face- wait- is it crooked? Is his face on crooked???]

I thought the goats were our friends.

Oh maybe that was the pigs.

[Poor little guy is on the ground over there and everything. He reaches out for Bolin's arm, uses it to steady himself and waves the offer away.]

I c'n walk, you should save it'attebayo.

I'll follow you.

why are you like this

[sediments]

[ Naruto??

The more the boy talks, the more concern Bolin feels. Naruto's rambling about goats and pigs being their friends like this is the Disney special of Hell on Earth. There's just not a lot of cover that the earthbender can take them to, never mind that the other boy hadn't even answered his question regarding whether or not he could see straight.

Time for some executive action. ]

You're not walking anywhere—hold on.

[ It's easy to pick the blonde up; Naruto's got a lot of muscle to add to his weight, but he's still no challenge to Bolin. He manages to catch the eye of another soldier, and there's as many allies around them as enemies, and he doesn't feel any guilt asking for a moment of cover as he drags his friend away, finding a spot free of both lava and geysers so that he can really focus on Naruto. ]

Okay, now seriously answer me, can you see clearly?

you're just lucky i guess

[acknowledges]

[He isn't rambling! He has serious concerns! He doesn't even really remember getting smacked by the goat but that's mostly because it had been a blur of movement and the pain that followed. Naruto lifts an arm and pushes his face into the crook of his elbow, an attempt to wipe the blood and dirt off his eyes- it smears across the side of his face instead.

He's just about to argue What do you mean I'm not walking anywhere? when he's hauled entirely off of his feet. There's a moment of surprise not just because he's lifted off the ground but because he's still trying to gain his bearings. He'd been focused on a few different enemies, he needs to get back out there.

Naruto's brows crease. He tries again to wipe the blood back so he can focus. Mostly its the throbbing in his whole face, it feels crooked.]

Well, it's a little blurry, but that's 'cause this stuff keeps getting in my eyes.

[His head shakes.]

But I'm a rook and I got this cloak. I'll be okay, it just hurts right now.
That dragon fell on me one time, remember?

ok...

[sediments]

[ There's less visible skin on Naruto's face now than blood and ash, and for a second it's jarring, as though he's just pulled him out of a disaster. It's almost as though they're fighting two different battles, with Bolin more or less in one piece despite some bruises and shallow cuts. (It's more luck than skill.) ]

Yeah, it's blood.

[ Bolin doesn't sound all that impressed, going still before a small splash of water dumps over Naruto's head, and Bolin rubs a hand over the other boy's face to help clear away the blood and dirt, giving him a better idea of what the situation is. ]

And I wouldn't exactly use that as an example of success! [ He frowns more aggressively at Naruto, gaze shifting to meet his eyes before turning to his nose. ] You went nutso after that.

Anyway. [ He wants to explain himself clearly in case Naruto is still struggling with the uptake. ] I'm going to set your nose. Don't freak out.

[acknowledges]

Set it where?

[He's not used to Bolin frowning at him so much. He knows he crashed into the guy and all and that must have hurt, but it wasn't as if he did it on purpose- Bolin has to know that much at least. He wasn't causing problems all on his own, it was just an accident.

The water makes his lashes stick together and cuts a path through the dirt caking his skin- it's worse at his temples and throat, where sweat had collected every cloud of dust he'd run through- but that was all part of the fight as far as Naruto had been concerned. He'd worry about cleaning up after, when they aren't dodging spells and lava and when he's washing his clothes for seventy years instead. Still, Bolin is rubbing his face so Naruto might as well help if it'll make his friend feel better- ouch. It's really tender right in the middle. He must have a big big bruise.]

Ano- I'm really okay Bolin. I'm sorry for hitting you I didn't really see where I was gonna land'attebayo.

[sediments]

It's okay.

[ He's only half-aware of what Naruto is apologizing for anyway, and he must be really out of it if he's so unaware of the situation on his face. But Bolin's going to get it under control, because he's a good friend. ]

Hold still.

[ The instruction comes as he grips Naruto's jaw, almost entirely sure that the other boy won't listen. He raises the other hand to Naruto's nose, frowning a little as he reaches out, grabbing the bridge of the nose and moving swiftly to set it back so that it's no longer crooked. He has nothing to hold it in place, and it doesn't matter anyway as he focuses carefully to create magic in the space of contact, a healing spell pouring over the bruised area to bend the bone.

He just hadn't wanted to heal it all crooked. ]

How's that?

[acknowledges]

[Naruto isn't really out of it so much as he's an extreme example of someone with the I'll Just Walk It Off mentality. He's too busy trying to look at whatever it is Bolin is doing to his face- grabbing his jaw. Is there something on his face?? It hurts but he'll just heal when all this is over, it's not a big-]

OW!

[Which comes first, the pop or the pain. It makes Naruto's eyes sting and he jolts backwards immediately- his expression has it seem like he's been tricked somehow.]

It! [He's going to yell that it hurts. But it hurt before. And now it's... well it's sore but]

Actually... it's not so bad.

[sediments]

[ Bolin grins, letting one hand drop to squeeze Naruto's shoulder. ]

See? You just need to trust me.

[ The ground is trembling as he stands up, but he doesn't stumble, turning his head instead to catch two of the giant goats in the distance, rider and beast alike terrorizing opposing soldiers. His gaze snags on the way that one the men falls, the hooves of the giant creature destroying muscle and bone under its weight.

With an exhale, he turns back to Naruto. ]

Did you break any other bones? Stop acting tough. I'll start grabbing you if you lie.

[acknowledges]

What's that supposed to- [He already trusts you he's just never had someone karate chop his face before?? Naruto's reaching up to touch it tentatively- it's still really sore and swollen. It still feels all bruised and tender, but at least it isn't pain spiking across his face every time the wind blows.

His voice trails off when the pair of goats go by, the shouts and cries he can barely hear from here. That's where they should be. Adrenaline throbs in his veins.

Naruto grabs hold of Bolin's wrist and starts running towards the scene.]

C'mon!

[sediments]

You didn't— [ Well, it's self-evident now, given that Naruto appears to be running just fine, so Bolin shifts his focus.

He brings his shield out, working with his other weapon to move the material under his control, making it narrower, sharper along the edges before he swings it out with a punch of his fist. The aim is for the flanks and legs of the beasts; the weapon jerking back and forth until, snagging as the goats move, they're roars ringing louder than the men they'd crushed and garnering the attention of their riders.

Bolin's not sure how long it'll take for the riders to determine the source of the assault, but it doesn't matter too much as the pair of them close in on the scene, the goats now considerably slower under the weight of their injuries. Which is fine for Bolin, he doesn't like the look of those horns anyway. ]

[acknowledges]

[It's hard for something as simple as a break to register to him, in the grand scheme of things. Naruto has been stabbed, cut, set on fire, had his neck broken, been electrocuted- what's a broken nose in the face of all that? Or even a broken arm for that matter. It's more than just the years of relying on the nine-tailed fox to keep him alive, or his unusual healing abilities. He's used to taking a hit- to having to take hit after hit after hit because the fight won't stop until someone stops moving.

He lets go of Bolin's wrist somewhere between where they'd been standing and the guys that're waiting for them. He's peripherally aware of Bolin's weapon moving ahead of them, snagging around the legs of the goats charging in their direction and slowing them down in the process. Maybe magic doesn't work on the mounts, but that's why Naruto reaches for the riders- he pulls hard, using his understanding of gravity yank them out of their saddles, hurtling them straight at he and Bolin.]

[sediments]

[ Naruto's right next to him when he casts the magic, but Bolin's focus is entirely on the disc that his shield has become. It doesn't work on autopilot, and he needs to keep his attention on it to keep it moving.

He doesn't notice the incoming bodies at first, though it's rather difficult not to catch sight of two, yelling soldiers and Bolin yanks his shield back toward himself to have something to protect himself with but there's no way it'll come back fast enough and ]

Hrgh—

[ He catches at least one of the soldiers with his own body, sending the both of them sprawling back into the dried earth. ]

[acknowledges]

Eh- [It hasn't occurred to him that Bolin wouldn't see it coming. He plants his feet and meets the incoming soldier with the hilt of his short blade braced against his shoulder- impaling him the moment they connect. It's another beat before he registers that Bolin isn't actually still standing beside him, flinging his weapon around.

He realizes what he's done only when he sees the two of them sprawled out on the ground and his eyes widen with shock. In a comical wax-on-wax off moment, the same soldier that he'd thrown onto Bolin is yanked back with gravity magic once more and hurtled in the opposite direction.] EH?

Bolin! Are you okay?

[sediments]

[ He exhales a little roughly once the weight is gone, coughing to regain his breath before he's pushing himself up. The wind's been knocked out of him, but he's not particularly dazed by the hit, feeling urgent and hurt, eyes frantically searching for his shield and pulling it back to his hold once he's got it in his sights.

Naruto's questions registers but he doesn't answer, his heartbeat is unnaturally quick and his actions are panicked; almost jittery when he sees the soldier that had tackled him. There's blood not too far from them, from the other soldier that Naruto had cut down; fire in the sky and the explosion of geysers in the distance.

He's spooked.

His shield swings out hard under his control, smashing hard against the remains soldier's head to knock him right unconscious as he struggles to regain his balance, drawing blood.

That's it. That's both of them, and Bolin's drawing quick breaths as he searches for others. ]

[acknowledges]

Hey-

[It's a little wobbly at first, threaded with confusion as Bolin climbs to his feet and flings his shield back out. There's a smear of blood across Naruto's chest, from the soldier he'd just impaled, and it looks almost black in the waning light. He reaches for his friend's arm without really knowing what he's going to do- he's just worried, he's just trying to check on him. Naruto knows what it's like to suddenly be thrown off center in a fight. It's the almost shaken quality to him, the quick and shallow breaths he takes that tightens his gut. It's hard not to remember Bolin's face on the train, when everything had gone wrong.

His grip is firm, grounding, a band just above the earthbender's elbow.]

Hey, Bolin.

[sediments]

[ He just hasn't seen anything like this. It's not as though there hadn't been war and violence in the Four Nations—on the streets of Republic City even, but those guys weren't so bad. Even the Triads were just trying to survive out there. They wouldn't draw out executions, or come up with new and creative ways to kill their enemies. Those were things that existed, but distantly, seemed unreal.

Naruto's hand on his elbow draws his attention immediately, and there's still adrenaline pumping so fiercely in his blood but he thinks that his thoughts are becoming more rational, conscious enough to know that he should calm down. ]

Oh, hey—

[ And his hand goes out to Naruto's chest, fingertips brushing the fabric of his shirt as healing magic lights up between them on instinct. He'd been training since the train. ]

[acknowledges]

[The thing that makes every fight different is intent. A struggle for survival is more desperate than an act of greed and neither one is as ruthless as a desire for conquest. He remembers being twelve and recognizing that for the first time- coming face to face with a fight no one could be talked out of, with people resolved to die for their cause and with his own unwillingness to surrender in turn.

Bolin's fingers a spread over his chest like the points of a star and he feels more than sees the healing magic pass through his body. Naruto doesn't let go. Instead he just holds them both there for a moment, watching his friend's face, voice soft but no less solid- guiding a ship back into a dock.]

You with me?
[What do you need instead of are you okay, because he isn't. Naruto knows him well enough to know that.]

[sediments]

[ He’s never thought, I don’t want to fight anymore. He’d never even wanted to think it. Fighting is normal for him: something that had become normal to him ever since he’d been orphaned, but those were petty fights; squabbles and skirmishes that he could laugh about. (At least, in Bolin’s young mind. The narrative would likely be different if you asked Mako.)

It’s not like fighting the Equalists, Unalaq, and the Red Lotus hadn’t gotten his blood pumping with both fear and urgency, but it wasn’t fear like this. There was something in him that had always felt unstoppable back home; he always felt protected somehow. Suffering, really suffering, seemed unfathomable. Everything would always be all right, surely. They were the good guys.

He doesn’t think it now either. Even if he’s tired, he doesn’t. They’ve got to protect this town, and he can’t leave the others to shed blood without him. But he does wish it wasn’t like this.

Naruto’s so level-headed in front of him. ]

Yeah. It’s fine, just got caught off guard. [ He ducks his head, frowning out of frustration. ] We shouldn’t stand around for too long.

[acknowledges]

[It's the most painful, and also the most important thing that Naruto has learned from all the people he's seen and the things he's done. Whether it was fighting other teams from Konoha for scrolls to qualify for an exam, or fighting the man that killed his master, or fighting a man that wanted to remake the world- everyone always believes they're the good guys. They always have a reason for what they're doing, something that's important enough to live and die for- an idea, a creed, someone special, pride, home, peace. It can be heartbreaking to look that resolve in the face and recognize that sometimes there can't be a compromise.

But it can be reassuring too. To remember that no matter what, people really aren't that different from one another. As long as that exists- there's hope.

Naruto puts an arm around Bolin's shoulders, it's sudden and firm and without warning. A shuffle of feet, and a powerful hug. He means it, not just to reassure or to distract, but because hugging Bolin is what he wants to do right now. Because it's abrupt and solid and real. Because like this he can hear his friend breathing and feel the rise and fall of his chest against his own.]

Don't give up.

[I know it's hard. But things will change.]

[sediments]

[ He doesn't really see that coming. Because this are drastic right now, dangerous and unpredictable. They shouldn't be allowed to stand like this without being targeted—that can't just be Bolin's worried thinking. But Naruto makes it happen, because Bolin is learning that he's unstoppable force.

(With more experience than Bolin can even comprehend, though he just reaps the benefits of having Naruto as a comforting presence.)

It helps. It helps and he feels calmer then: calm, and so grateful to have an ally; so thankful to Naruto for being patient when they're so short on time, and they need to remain focused. ]

Yeah. [ He smiles, warm despite his worries. ] I would never!

[ They need to focus, but Bolin still takes a moment to squeeze Naruto in return, regardless of any injury sustained, he's fierce with his embrace in return before he pulls away, gripping his shield again and feeling more steady where he stands. ]

I'm good.

[acknowledges]

[It isn't meant to linger because they can't, and though people are quick to call Naruto an optimist, he's acutely aware of what it means to take a risk on the battlefield. Diverting his attention, even for a few seconds, could spell disaster- but this is important too. He'd seen the look on Bolin's face, like he was getting lost in the space between his head and his heart, between himself and other people.

His palm slaps between the man's shoulder blades, an encouraging clap in the moment before they pull away. It's about solidarity, not comfort- letting Bolin he wasn't alone in the way he was feeling even if they didn't know how to make things better, how to solve this world's problems in a way that didn't end in blood and more blood. Sometimes, in Naruto's experience at least, all you need is to know that someone else is standing there with you. The echoing squeeze leaves him warm and full, thrumming with their connection even as they break it.]

Where do you gotta go?

[It's hard to know if the scene is more or less chaotic- there's so much smoke.]

I can cover you.