WAR ♞ BATTLE OF GRAUPERA

[boardmaster]

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.

Comments

not friends

[rollin]

[ 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?

only if the friend comes after boy or girl

[avantguard]

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?

well then

[rollin]

[ 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.

they can be old friends too tho

[avantguard]

[ 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. ]

oh

[rollin]

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.

how long can we drag this out

[avantguard]

[ Asuna inhales sharply.

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

Yata-kun...

for as long as painfully possible

[rollin]

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

guts self

[avantguard]

[ 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.

[rollin]

[ OPENS HIS EYES ]

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

[avantguard]

[ 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.

[rollin]

[ 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.

[avantguard]

[ It got him to fluster once, she figured it would probably do it again. Only this time he didn't say how UNWORRIED he was about her. Just to say that he wanted to make sure she didn't find any more drug candy and nothing bad happened to her.

Wanting to take care of her.

And now he's saying being glad that he's her friend was a lie. Her smile drops quickly. ]

What? [ CALL 911 HER HEART HAS STOPPED ]

[rollin]

[ The next moment has her pinned against the wall. ]

I mean I don't wanna be friends anymore!

[rollin]

[ There's a pause as he studies her features and contains his emotions, but all he can do is let his expression crumble into something more vulnerable. ]

Who are we kidding? How can I do all these things with you and call you a friend? And why are you okay with it? It doesn't make sense! I'm such an idiot...

I shoulda said I loved you from the start.

[avantguard]

[ Asuna winces when she's pinned, looking up at him with wide eyes. When Yata said that his best friend betrayed him and left him behind, she couldn't really understand. Now, for a brief moment, she does.

The only time she's known this pain was when her grandparents died. When her first teddy bear was ruined. But this is a hundred-- no, a million times more painful.

Then she's angry, hurt. She opens her mouth to tell him off for leading her on, for using her for mana (even if she told him to), but she hesitates at his expression. Her mouth shuts and she listens.

He brings up something she's been thinking of herself. That's not the surprising part. Often, they thought about the same things or had similar thoughts. Except, Asuna didn't think of it so black and white. Just because they do "those things" doesn't mean they can't be friends. She's okay with it because he is her friend. And because─

Asuna has a peek of how Yata sees the world. Very defined. Although she agrees, on some level, that she doesn't want to be "just friends" forever. Not with the way he makes her feel.

The surprising part?]

You love me?

[ Yata loves her. From the start. Her face gets red, his confession making her embarrassed and giddy at the same time. Like their first kiss (while Yata was conscious), it doesn't follow any preconceived story lines and it certainly isn't fairy tale romance. And yet, Asuna's heart is still doing flips like she had imagined.

No, actually, it's not that surprising. ]

Idiot...

[ She can barely speak but she says it, breathless. That realization she had? How badly she wants to see him keep smiling like that, like she would climb any mountain or take on any dungeon monster for it, and what it means. Calling him an idiot, like she did when they met the very first time in their room, isn't a good way to bring back that smile but she can't help it.

Yata pins her but she grabs at his clothes, ducking her head as her shouts are directed at the deck. She shouldn't be shouting. ]

Don't say you don't want to be friends when you love me! We can still be friends! I want to keep being your friend, too. I don't want to lose you.

[ Her face plants on his chest and instead of grabbing at him, she wraps her arms around his shoulders and her words are muffled but still coherent. ]

What would I do? When I love you...

screeches why did we do this

[rollin]

[ When he told her what he meant, his knees trembled. If she hadn't spoken up, they still would be. She had been so frightened, so angry in her silence. Betrayal—he knows what that feels like. On the inside, he berates himself; he's an idiot for letting her even think he was walking away from everything. It's now or never, and Yata chooses what he should have done long ago.

But he's never heard Asuna shout like that. Not at him. He's paralyzed for a moment, his shaking voice and the pain in his throat quelled by words he didn't think she'd say. Not now. Not ever. Not when they've just won. After all, there's no way her words could have made her any happier.

Yet they do. His heart beats three, four times faster, and he hides his wide smile in her hair. This feeling has been with him from the moment she took his hand, but it's only now that they affirm it. And now that they know? Their souls couldn't be lighter.

He won't leave her. He won't betray her. He made this decision from the start, too. He remembers her loneliness, reminded of his own, and hugs her back tightly. ]

Then what were we holding back for? Haha, dummy! [ He chuckles. ] Oh man, I thought you'd run away... But don't worry, I ain't going anywhere. I promise.

they're TOO INTENSE

[avantguard]

[ "Dummy" causes Asuna to beat on his chest gently, even though she had just called him an idiot a moment ago. But it's entirely possible they are both dumb idiots. She's known Yata for almost two months. It kind of feels like a lifetime. Maybe it's because she's so far from home. Maybe it's because her life is so different from how it had been in Japan. Is it too fast to fall in love? In the storybooks, sometimes it was love at first sight. She's not sure if it was love but it was something when she found her new roommate. It was like little sparks exploding in her mind, of familiarity and fire.

More than anybody else.

Her relationship with Yata was unlike any other relationship she had ─ in this world or her own. He was more childish than her in some aspects, he was more mature than her in others. She remembers him crying over his weakness, reminded of herself, and vows that the strength she acquires from now on won't just be used for Blanc but for Yata. Of Yata who approached her in Polgar to apologize for his bad behavior, who rode with her on her first gondola, who's had her back and been there when she needed someone even if she didn't know she did. Who opened up to her and taught her it was okay to open herself up a little more too.

Is it too fast to fall in love? No. It seems inevitable. Who wouldn't fall in love with Yata? Still rude, loud, sensitive, shy, and kind...

She clutches to the back of his coat and nods against him. He can't leave because there's too much she wants to know about him. Too much she wants to say to him. ]

Mm.

[ But right now, she's okay with just holding onto him, rubbing her face against his shoulder. ]

I want to stay mana exchange partners with you, too. I want to stay friends and mana exchange partners and teammates.

[ EVERYTHING. She's spoiled. ]

they're CRAZY KIDS

[rollin]

[ Asuna is his hero in Palamede, his friend in Polgar, his first kiss in Capablanca, but more than anything, she is his sun. A light that encourages him to rise up. A light that guides him back home. No, that's not right... Hasn't she been his home all along?

She wants to stay friends, but he wants so much more than that, too. The next thing he says is a whisper. ]

...B. B-boyfriend.

[ He wants to learn more about her. He wants to tell her so many things. He wants to protect her. He wants to live for her. Live with her. ]

Iwannabeyourboyfriend.

YEAH but cute

[avantguard]

[ Skip the middleground and get married.

She smiles against him with a flush to her cheeks when she hears what he wants, keeping her face there so she hides her glee like he did when Asuna said she loved him. Just for a little bit. It's nerve wracking for her too but she knows what to do.

With a deep breath, she pulls away to look him in the eye. Her heart has landed up in her throat and she can feel every inch of her skin grow sensitive to the cold winds. And yet, calm settles over her too now that she knows. That she can dedicate herself to a person and a purpose. ]

Yes. [ She cups his face like he did to her earlier and that vow she made her herself is louder in her heart. A Knight dedicates themselves to a cause. Now she can really be a Knight.

Speaking of: ]

Congratulations, Yata-kun. Your rank has been promoted to Boyfriend.

[ That's not a real rank. Asuna you're a nerd ]

cinnamon rolls

[rollin]

[ A CUTE NERD

Cold winds? Yata doesn't feel them at all. He's too flushed, too nervous, too happy to sense anything else but Asuna. But dedicating himself to her is a promise he made to himself from the start. And with an acceptance like that? He'd be more than willing to see it to the end. His heart soars, and he has to fight the urge to jump for joy. ]

AAAAAH! You're so cute, dammit!

[ Overcome with happiness, he wraps his arms around her tightly, sweeps her off her feet and spins her around. ]

I LOVE MY GIRLFRIEND!

[ shut up yata ]

TOO PURE FOR THIS WORLD

[avantguard]

[ DON'T SHUT UP YATA

Why yelling?! It's not the first time Yata has called her cute but she still gets red as she stares at him in surprise. That's not the kind of reaction she was expecting but it's not a bad one.

She yelps when she's picked up and spun around, gripping his shoulders for balance. She's never seen him so happy.

Being her boyfriend made him that happy? Loving her? If he keeps spinning her, she giggles happily too. He doesn't know now but she'll tell him later. In Japan, her only sense of worth was in how much she succeeded and excelled and how hard she worked. With Yata being so happy now, over Asuna being his girlfriend, she feels like... he's given her something very, very important.

Boyfriend. Yata is her boyfriend. And the whole crew knows now that he's shouted it that loudly...

There's something she wants to say as he stops spinning her. She's a little out of breath and flushed. ]

Those girls were right. You're cute, too.

they did no wrong

[rollin]

[ In Japan, his home was Homra. Here, it's Asuna. In a world where he has no one but himself, Asuna's also given him something important. ]

Eh? Cu...

[ Their feet are both on the ground as he tucks his chin and leans back. He's more embarrassed that he was called cute than when he shouted a declaration of love at the top of his lungs. ]

I-I'm not cute. ... Guys like it more when you call them cool!

[avantguard]

[ When he tucks his chin because of how shy he is, that just proves it. Although she'll miss being spun around. That was as fun as being on a Gondola with Yata.

She tries not to smile wryly. How could she forget Yata and his machismo? Of course he wouldn't want to be called cute. He is, anyway. Her smile isn't wry but it is a little exasperated before she has an idea. ]

You're cute, cool, and kind. It's the three "kuh" words.

[ HAH. She chuckles, confident. ]

[rollin]

I don't wanna be cute. [ He pouts even harder, inevitably making himself cuter. ] But I want more "kuh" words.

[ He furrows his brows as he looks up in thought. ]

I'll give you "n" words. Noble, nice... Knight...

[avantguard]

[ Asuna tries to think of more "kuh" words for him before he decides on "n" for her. He's making a game of it and her expression softens until he reaches Knight.

Ah. Now she's near pouting. ]

I'm not a Knight.

[ Looks at her Pawn badge and plays with it before she sighs, stepping back to lean against the wall he had pinned her to. ]