pawnstorm | WAR ♞ BATTLE OF GRAUPERA

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WAR ♞ BATTLE OF GRAUPERA

BATTLE OF GRAUPERA
16 APRIL (LATHYRA) 2016

It is a dark and stormy night; the rain falls in torrents, except at occasional intervals, when it is checked by a violent gust of wind —

Not exactly. The rain is still light, but the suns are well below the horizon when the Airy leaves Graupera, setting the stage for Blanc and Noir’s first battle in two hundred years. The weatherman says showers will turn into storms later in the evening, but he doesn’t warn for the milky fog that will soon blanket Capablancan seas. The light from your ships, the lighthouse and the fortress walls serve as our Heroes’ only guide...

The same sleeping bat with sugar powdered around the corners of its mouth hangs from one of the ship’s masts until Commander Lisbrand arrives.

Lisbrand
As I’m sure you’re all aware, Noir intends to take us by sea: Capablanca is a key strategic location for launching an attack on the coast. Should Noir capture Graupera, there’s no telling how far they’ll advance with their next move. You will be fighting not just to defend Capablanca, but Caissa as well.

I trust you will all perform as well during the battle as you did during preparations. Blanc’s fleet will be standing by to absorb the task force into its ranks; I expect you’ve all completed what naval training was available to you at this point. [ a swift but beady eye is cast over the recruits ] You will need every last bit of it.

[ picks up a pen and chucks it with deadly precision at the bat on the ceiling. ]

Verdoni
[ immediately casts a wing forward to deflect the dangerous pen on time. then, he drops to the floor and transforms, wiping his mouth with his handkerchief. it’s warm. ]

I suppose I need not remind you all of the weather conditions. Noir will enter Blanc territory with the storm, so brace yourselves. I will not lie — Noir has a significant advantage over us in this weather. Expect them to turn the elements in their favor and use lightning, water, and wind magic against you, your crew, and your ship.

As most of you here will recall, Noir does not fight fair. They will use every tactic in and out of the book in order to destroy anything that stands in their way. It might do you well to remain alert at all times and to prepare for any scenario. So long as each Hero’s crew focuses on protecting their respective ship, you should be able to hinder their advance. Should the worst come to pass, retreat to the nearest allied ship or make your way to the shoreline to reinforce the last line of defense.

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

ONE ♙ Preparation

Only fools rush into battle! In preparing for war, the first step should always be protecting yourself. As such, Heroes will need to mount barrier generators that convert distilled water into large spherical barriers of pure mana on all ships. They will also need to calibrate the ones installed at Fort Graupera. Be sure to stock water by the barrel. When the enemy’s artillery fire hits these mana barriers, the blows as well as any shrapnel will be dispersed and dissipate in the air. Use them wisely; while the barrier is active, the ship will be unable to move and nothing can enter or leave the barrier. The ships also need to be stocked with ammunition, healing supplies such as potions, spare parts and other materials for repairs on the water. No one wants a leaky ship, right?

Once that’s done, get to know your teammates! Meet up with them at your assigned ship and use this time to get acquainted with each other's strengths and weaknesses, discuss plans, and figure out the roles assigned to you. The knowledge might come in handy in the coming hours…

All Heroes assigned to a crew are required to fight on the deck. The soldiers won’t be pleased to discover someone hiding in the ship’s hold. You can be a cabin boy or girl and run supplies, but they'll expect them by the truckload! Nobody gets to slack off in war! If you are not assigned to a crew, discuss your battle plans with your allies to tighten the shoreline defense. Those participating in the naval battle will need your assistance to secure Graupera!

TWO ♙ Sailing Into the Storm

Heh, blind as a bat and wet as a rat — that’s them. Wait, what do you mean the Airy's gone already? I bet Lei ran off because he needed to wax his chest. Fine! I got time to spare, so I’m going to kill the rest of you. I can’t wait to see the looks on your faces when I plunge right in...

A ♙ As predicted by Secretary Verdoni, by the time Noir’s fleet is in range, the weather has changed. Heavy fog reduces visiblity to near-zero, and rushing without stumbling is a feat for the brave thanks the mixture of rain and seawater washing over every deck. Thunder rolls in the distance, a messenger of the double-pronged storm advancing on Blanc. Roaring gusts of wind rip and tear at clothes, Carriers, and you! Watch out! Lightweights and those not exercising caution are likely to be blown right overboard.

Especially once Noir starts firing. Wind and lightning whip through the fog and both Coxswains and Heroes on Graupera proper will need to aim and time their barriers just right. Call it too soon and you waste precious resources; miscalculate and the ship and/or the fortress may take damage! If the barrier generator runs out of power, Quartermasters will need to replenish its water supply! But if the machine takes direct damage, it has a chance of exploding in a shower of fire and dangerous ricocheting parts, drastically decreasing your ship’s defense and maybe even knocking holes in the hull! Protect your ship to protect the fortress; the Blanc army can only put out so many fires. Should your ship take a hit, it’s also the Quartermaster's duty to respond accordingly lest the craft turn into a flaming monstrosity. Gunner’s Mates, return enemy fire with cannons and other long-range weapons available in your ship’s arsenal! The mana cannons in particular deal heavy damage, but they drain equally large amounts of mana. There’s no time to wait for your mana to replenish in the middle of a storm, so grab the nearest Hero for some up close and personal refueling!

If you don’t, Noir mages will take this opportunity to gather mana and send spells of tidal waves. And if your barrier’s down by then? Say goodbye to your ship and pray that you remember those swimming lessons. Your allies on land should be able to assist you once you reach the shore. Go ahead and join the shoreline defense; your shipwreck has probably left them with a few more holes in their defense and a few more fires to put out, anyway.

B ♟ The two forces clash! The noise is deafening as shouts from both sides mix with howling of the wind and the crashing of waves. Now that the armies are going head to head, Noir soldiers make use of their landing bridges to board Blanc’s ships! Noir mages simply use water magic to surf or wind magic to jump and do the same. But boarding is when Noir soldiers are vulnerable; make use of your resources and home turf advantage to take them down! They’re not the only ones who can take advantage of nature’s blessings.

Enemy soldiers who successfully board will begin to destroy anything they see. Should the ship be successfully hijacked, Blanc’s soldiers and the Heroes may have no choice but to jump into dangerous waters. Chance of survival is slim: waters are rough and ships are constantly rocking. It’s more than likely you'll be crushed between them or beneath them, Noir soldiers and mages will be taking potshots at you, and the strong currents are sure drag everyone into the depths. Once you’re in the water, you’re as good as dead. You are going to need some help.

ENEMY ♟ Noir Soldier
Weak against None	Strong against Lightning	Immune to None
When these soldiers cry “PERUN!”, run. When they cry “PERUNIKA!”, run faster. These battle cries mean you're about to be zapped by A FEW THOUSAND VOLTS OF LIGHTNING BOLT! The clues and advice left by our surfer friend Antonio, the mayor’s cute butler Charles, and the notorious assassin Black Lightning might help you out here — draw LIGHTNING WARD SYMBOLS to protect you and your allies from lightning damage. WARDS DRAWN BY KINGS are most effective. During battle, you will hear these mages utter other spells you might want to keep in mind: “VELES” is a support spell that summons streams of water. Whoever drinks it will receive a vodka-flavored MAGICAL BOOST! Soldiers like to make a game out of it at parties. “VELESIA” is an offensive water spell that INEBRIATES ITS TARGETS UPON CONTACT. The water it summons possesses a faint alcoholic aroma. It also tastes like vodka. “STRIBOG” is a wind spell that summons a powerful wyvern-shaped whirlwind that can hurl people overboard, destroy ship structures, and even send ships off course!

Noir’s bridges were a good idea, but ideas are meant to be stolen. Use them to move to an ally’s ship if your fellow Heroes and soldiers are in need of support, especially if Heroes have been knocked out or hurled off. The injured can be transported to safety on the backup ship, but beware of Noir soldiers chasing you down! They're as persistent as a rash.

THREE ♙ Crashing Against the Shores
To those who remained on the island or returned from sea, the battle is nothing but alarming lights and frightening shouts in the distance. But that doesn’t mean you can relax. Enemy projectiles that fly past the ships will shake parts of the fortress, and any Noir magic that gets past the naval defense will set any kind of material on fire or blow out chunks of wall, armaments, and you. Use water to make short work of any fires, and remember to reinforce damaged areas, or the fortress will suffer.

Distressed cries fill the air; those watching the naval battle closely will notice crewmembers who have fallen into the ocean. Neither Hero nor Blanc soldier is safe. While they have managed to get away from the main battle, they are now weak, disoriented, and require assistance. Row out in rescue boats to collect and heal the soldiers and your fellow Heroes before they turn into casualties. You may need their help later!

Allies aren’t the only ones reaching the shoreline. Some Noir ships will break through Blanc’s naval formation. If the fortress’ weapons don't take them down, then it’s up to you to take care of the rest. Noir soldiers will disembark and fight Heroes on the shore. Defeat them, destroy their weapons and seize their ships before they lay siege to the fortress! Blanc will thank you for these finely captured contributions to the war effort.

Noir General...?
Huh! I just let you rats win! If I didn’t, there’d be no way to find Lei and punch him in the chest later! Give him my kind regards! AND TELL HIM I HIT ON HIS HOT GIRLFRIEND. I think they’re still dating. My intel said they were — [ his voice fades out as the Noir fleet retreats ]

FOUR ♙ Triumph Over the Seas
The thunder of the storm and the blasts of cannons filled the air with deep, resounding booms throughout the battle, but what cuts through the noise is the eruption of roaring cheers from the army that seems to shake the world of Enprise — Blanc has won its first official victory over Noir. The world will know of their triumph. Capablanca celebrates once news reaches the shore; as our Heroes look toward the resort city, they see an entirely different sort of sea — the lights of the city pushing back the night. First in little specks, then in a brilliant flood of color that paints an aurora in the sky: warm, real and bright.

It’s time to go home, Heroes! Or at the very least, back to Capablanca. Dock your ships and then put those sea legs back on dry land. You will be greeted with much enthusiasm from the citizens of the city. Hugs, cheek kisses, more hugs, hand kisses; some even brought pen and paper and are earnestly asking for your autograph. A few forego the paper and make you sign something else entirely. Children swarm in, tugging on uniforms for attention.

The recognition doesn’t end there. As a reward, hotel and resort owners start inviting heroes to stay at their establishments for a few days. For free. Continental breakfast included. Don’t abuse their hospitality or your reputation might suffer. And the freebies don't stop there. Locals also seem to have taken their hero worship to the next level. Small gifts will be given to their favorites. They contain things like pasta, pastries, good luck charms, potions, and even jewelry for Heroes they really like. Someone might even get a “special coupon” for La Coniglietta, a cabaret renowned for its racy shows and voluptuous wererabbit performers and staff.

If you prefer to spend your nights in well-deserved peace and quiet, then you’re always welcome to your new room at the completed Fort Graupera. Time to rest on your laurels, Heroes.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Wait. Wait. Why does she get the feeling now that Yata didn't mean as friends. He meant the "or."

Can she salvage this? Why is he so confusing?! But she has too much pride to take back what she said. Besides, Yata is asking her if she wants to kiss more. ]

Wha─

[ That's what a recharge is for, right? Friends don't kiss like they did by the cannon -- his mouth tugging at hers and his hands pulling her in closer. Lifting her pendant up, she looks at the empty crystal. Back on her own boat, it had saved her and knowing that Yata was helping her without him even realizing made her heart thrash.

It's thrashing now. ]

Yes. Charge me. I-it...

[ This is something they agreed on out of necessity. Out of comfort. To exchange mana with anyone else is out of the question, and to mana exchange any other way won't be out of convenience. They've done it before. It isn't that hard.

Why does he struggle?

He takes a tentative step closer, then leans in, slowly, hesitantly, as if scared of the unknown — a seemingly unfounded fear when they're both so willing. ]

I...

[ He raises his hands, about to pull her close, but decides against it and brings his them back. His nervousness draws out a huge breath as his heart beats like a war drum still beating long after the battle. ]

I-I dunno how to do this right.

[ His mind tends to go places whenever they do. Their kisses were emergencies, never natural, no matter how perfectly their lips seemed to fit. ]

Edited (icon) 2016-05-03 09:18 (UTC)

[ It shouldn't be that hard but they're still new. Every other kiss had been a thing she didn't have time to really think about. It had been fast and had purpose. It made her head spin until she was dizzy. It left her blank-minded but still wanting more. The first time, she didn't understand it.

Now she does.

Asuna inhales quickly when he moves closer but doesn't pull back or push him away. This has purpose too, but it's less necessary. It doesn't have to be now but it is. Just before she can close her eyes, he's speaking. ]

... I don't know either.

[ With Yata, she can admit a lot of things she would keep to herself. He's opened up to her and so she trusts him. Someone she trusts the most. It's quiet back here and Asuna keeps it silent with her whispers. She had seen him try and reach for her and although she hesitates too, grabbing his hand is the easiest thing she's done. ]

But I don't think it has to be.

[ And, taking a deep breath, a new bold Asuna kisses his squishy cheek. Just that fills her crystal with a drop of their mana as she pulls back and looks at the ground, shy. ]

Edited (at least i didn't type thirsty instead of thirty) 2016-05-03 09:38 (UTC)

[ His body freezes, his face burns, and all that comes out of his mouth is incoherent sputtering. ]

Ah! Wh-wh— I— Huh? Y-you... You! I... Asu...

[ He's a mess. CHEEK KISS!!! ]

[ Yata's embarrassment? Makes her embarrassed and she stares harder at the ground. How can he sputter over a kiss on his cheek when he had crushed his mouth to hers not that long ago? ]

It charged!

[ She holds up the pendant, to point it out. ]

See? So, it doesn't have to be perfectly right...

[ Yata can sputter because he can finally think and stay in the moment. He leans in to inspect the pendant and surely enough, there's a red and silver speck at the tip of the pendant, sparkling amid the murky fog. ]

Oh.

[ And then it hits him — it's them. ]

[ He grabs her by the shoulders. ]

Let's do it for real.

[ He leans in and she kind of holds her breath a little when he does give the pendant a once over. Asuna can't help but look down too so their foreheads nearly touch.

Since Asuna is focusing on the pendant, she's not expecting hands to clamp down on her shoulders. She goes still, slowly raising her eyes to his.

As opposed to her cheek kiss not being real?! Ah, no. She gets what he means without him saying anything.

Biting her lip, she nods mutely. It's to recharge the pendant, just in case she's in trouble again. It's not because kissing Yata is a thrill. Definitely not because their lips mold too perfectly. She didn't think of that. ]

[ By kissing her, he's saving them. That's how he's given this urge some reason. It's born from a desire to protect, and no one can tell him otherwise. In a sense, he's right; protecting Asuna has been his priority since his arrival. But that's only half the truth. He wants to feel it again: the rush that he gets when their lips touch, and the warmth that washes over him when they share mana. It's during mana exchange when he can make himself fully, truly believe they've already gone beyond friendship without ever sacrificing what they have.

Third time's the charm. He takes in a deep breath, and as he pulls her close, he places this next kiss right on her lips, chaste, soft and sure. ]

[ It's to recharge the pendant, she told herself. But recharging a pendant doesn't require Asuna's hands to touch Yata's still squishy cheeks with the tips of her fingers when his lips meet hers. It's much more gentle but it makes her heart throb just as much as the others.

No, it's beating harder.

Asuna pulls back again after a couple of seconds, eyes searching his face as her louder exhales warm his lips. Another drop in her pendant, a little bit bigger. His fan girls had called him cute, Asuna admitted to herself that he was. But posted against him and seeing his face so close he isn't just cute...

She holds his face and leans in. Four. This one is even shorter than the third, but the fifth has Asuna lingering much longer. ]

[ The fifth has him cupping her face, nipping her lips, and catching his breath by the time it ends. The same warmth and excitement coursed through his body in spite of their innocence, but Yata figures they aren't innocent at all. Friends don't kiss. Not like this.

As their lips part, he presses his forehead to hers. ]

Was that enough?

[ His eyes are still closed, as if he doesn't want to know. ]

Edited 2016-05-03 17:50 (UTC)

[ It's a slow parting, perhaps like old friends. Unlike Yata, she opens her eyes slowly with her cheeks flushed as she exhales carefully. Her entire body feels warm, even though her hair is still wet from the rain. And the thrill? It's there in the nonstop pounding in her chest.

One hand leaves his face to lift the pendant but her forehead remains against his; the red and silver mana inside gleams back at her, reflecting light in her eyes. ]

... Mm.

[ She shouldn't feel disappointed. Their pendant is the way it should be again. ]

Look.

[ His eyes open and the pendant is filled to the brim once more, its radiant glow hitting their faces with a bright shine. ]

Oh... [ He smiles softly at the crystal, then at her. How could Blanc refuse to use something so beautiful? ] I hope you never have to use it. But... if you do, I hope it protects you.

[ A part of her melts when he smiles at her like that and she can't stop her own fond smile. She's been here for months now and instead of Asuna aching and missing home more, she finds herself thinking of it less. And she realizes something shortly after, especially when Yata hopes for her safety. ]

I won't have to. You said you would protect me, didn't you?

[ She closes her eyes again and clasps the collection of mana in her palm tightly. ]

And you don't need it either because I'll protect you.

[ Yata looks at the deck when he realizes something, too. No, that's not right. He's known it for a while. ]

Hey... Asuna.

D-do you have someone you like?

Wha─

[ First reaction? To say it's none of his business, but it actually IS. Her face is heating up either way.

On the other hand, how has he not realized? ]

... Why?

Edited (yells about things) 2016-05-04 09:03 (UTC)

[ He startles, nearly breaking in a cold sweat. That's none of her business either! But it is. And he's at odds with trying to come up with an excuse. ]

'Cause... um... m-maybe I know someone who likes you.

[ She blinks a few times.

Someone who likes her? She furrows her brow, pulling back to look at him. ]

They can tell me themselves, can't they?

[ Her hand grasps the pendant tightly. ]

Um... He's shy.

[ He pouts, glancing up for just a second to meet her eyes. ]

But you're right. He can't hide anymore.

[ Asuna inhales sharply.

Shy? Like Yata? No, maybe he knows someone else that's shy. That likes her. ]

Yata-kun...

Remember... [ He closes his eyes. ] Remember when I said I was happy to be your friend?

Edited 2016-05-04 10:53 (UTC)

[ Why did he close his eyes? Now that he does though, Asuna is free to study his face. From his pouting to his red cheeks. To his sharper eyes and rougher features that soften when he smiles. ]

Yes, when you followed me to Polgar.

[ OPENS HIS EYES ]

I didn't follow you! I just happened to be there!

[ When he yells like he did in Polgar, she smiles at him. ]

I'm just kidding. But I'm glad you happened to be there.

[ His gaze returns to the floor as his cheeks grow hot. She just knows all his buttons, doesn't she? ]

Yeah, well... Anyway.

That was a lie.

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LMFOAJFJ

KICKS THINGS OVER

1/2

hehehe...

this denial......

sTOP BEING TSUN

IT HARD

they thirsty tho

me2

ah, I thought you were going to edit. /tags so you don't

OLD FRIENDS

not friends

only if the friend comes after boy or girl

well then

they can be old friends too tho

oh

how long can we drag this out

for as long as painfully possible

guts self

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