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

[rollin]

[ Yata gasps. The sudden hug paints his face red and he has to stop to remember how to breathe long after she lets go. WHAT!!! Asuna likes physical contact, but it catches him off guard when she initiates. He turns his head to address her from behind, he never quite makes eye contact. He isn't even trying. TOO SHY. ]

Yeah... U-um. Which one you want?

[avantguard]

[ Remember when he thought she didn't like physical touch? It was true, then. Yata and Asuna have been holding hands, clinging to each other when they were scared, and exchanging mana. She can't hate physical touch with him when they do it so much.

But now that their souls are lighter from the confessions lessening the weight on their hearts, Asuna initiates.

There's a small shrug and she raises a finger to her chin. ]

That depends. What flavor are you getting?

[rollin]

[ Yata might be shy, but don't mistake him for someone averse to showing affection. He places himself by her side and they start walking. Milkshakes? He'll just get the usual. ]

Mm... [ With a smile as he faces her: ] Vanilla!

[avantguard]

[ She grins back. ]

I'll get chocolate, then. So we get both.

[ VANILLA AND CHOCOLATE. SHARING. This is the norm.

Out of their little hidden area, the view to Capablanca's shore is finally visible. Asuna jogs over to the edge of the boat and grasps the railing, face brightening like it did when she first saw the gondolas. ]

Woooow!

[ She's breathless at all the lights and then looks behind her at Yata again. ]

That's Capablanca, isn't it? I've never seen it like this!

[rollin]

[ WAIT, IT'S NOT NORMAL—

All is forgotted when golden Capablanca comes into view. Yata's not too far behind, even leaning over the railing as he watches the aurora emanating from the city with bright eyes. He's seen Tokyo from above, but never from the horizon like this. Now that he's sharing the moment with Asuna, he enjoys the spectacle much, much more. ]

Woah! That's awesome... Like something out of a postcard! [ He faces her. ] Let's take a picture!

1/2

[avantguard]

[ SHARING MILKSHAKES COUPLES DO THIS

Ahhh, they're a couple.

Sure, the view of Capablanca looking more like a light show than a city is beautiful. The lights reflecting on the calmer waters of the ocean make it look like it's glittering endlessly.

But, as she had expected, seeing Yata smile is more important. Asuna leans over too, crossing her arms on the wood and propping her chin on them and smiling to herself as she watches him. Didn't she say something about postcards to him before? ]

[avantguard]

[ Her smile fades when he looks at her. Don't let Yata catch you staring like a CREEP ASUNA ]

A picture? [ She blinks and lifts her head a little. ]

You brought a camera?

[rollin]

Nah, but it's somethin' I found out Ember could do.

[ As if on cue, Ember flies from a higher point on the ship and perches next to Asuna. With his eyes, he projects a picture of Asuna in Caissa—the very same shot Yata wanted to frame. Then, he flips to a picture of Yata and Asuna eating taiyaki with the ice cream lady laughing mischievously in the background. Then, to a picture of them with their fairy friend after their trip to get honey. ]

He can't keep a lotta pictures, but... Carriers are great. Now we'll never forget anything. Maybe Mochi can do somethin' like this, too.

[avantguard]

Oh, Ember...

[ Asuna progressively gets more red as Ember shows her picture after picture. She's bashful but she also... really likes these pictures. Especially the one with Feuil.

Before reaching out to touch it, her hand pulls back. Saying goodbye to Feuil WAS SO DIFFICULT. She didn't want to but they had to. ]

Can you have Ember send them to Mochi? And also...

[ She cross her arms, flushed. ]

I want a picture of you since you kept the one of me on the gondola. [ MOCHI COME HERE ]

[rollin]

[ IT JUST HAPPENED TO BE THERE!! No, that's not true. As Ember and Mochi trade pictures, she tells him she wants a picture of him and he feels his cheeks grow hot again. ]

Ah... W-well, that sounds fair... [ He pouts and starts pushing and pulling himself as he grips the rails. He's had his picture taken many times, but knowing it'll be one only Asuna will cherish makes him shy. It has to be a good picture, then. ]

[avantguard]

[ Asuna crouches down to pick up Mochi, holding in her arms before stepping back for a good angle. Getting Yata in with a picture of Capablanca in the background would be perfect. While holding Mochi with one arm, the other hand makes a circle and she looks through it at Yata ─ similar to the shot he had framed.

But she pauses because she doesn't want it to be staged. The other ones weren't.

Instead, she whispers something to Mochi before setting her back down and she bounds off. Asuna smiles, pleased, before rejoining him at the railing. ]

I won't take one now. [ A small reassurance before she keeps staring out to sea. ]

You know, seeing it like this, I can almost forget this is a different world. It doesn't matter as much...

[rollin]

[ He's confused when she doesn't take the photo, but he doesn't think much of it. He looks back at the sea, where the auroras seem to shine and flicker over the horizon. He grins with her as he watches her smile, then the city before them. He's glad they were able to protect Capablanca, but more than anything, he's happy that she can be with him right now. ]

...Yeah. [ His smile gets tighter. Being in a different world doesn't matter as much to her when she's dissatisfied with it, but how can he tell her he doesn't feel the same? ] It's brighter than Tokyo...

[avantguard]

>[ Mochi TAKES THE PIC while he's grinning with her, at her. Asuna just instructed her to take a picture while he's smiling but if he's smiling at her... IT'S STILL GOOD.

Tokyo. She still wants to go back but with Yata next to her she kind of forgets why. This isn't her home. Yata's insight on what makes a home a home, her family home isn't that either. Her smile slowly fades. ]

Can I tell you something?

[ Actually, of course she could. They promised to talk to each other if something was bothering them. It's still hard, sometimes. Especially for the moments that will make her seem weak. She doesn't want to be weak when Yata calls her strong. ]

I still want to go home, but the home I'm thinking of isn't lively or warm like you said.

[rollin]

[ He can forget when he's with Asuna, too. But there are things he can't afford to forget. How to live. How to fight. Home... ]

Then why d'you wanna go?

[ Yata took what he wanted and left what he didn't. That's how he'd always lived—freely, without restraint. That's how Mikoto lived. Why can't she? ]

[avantguard]

[ She sighs quietly before shuffling closer, letting her arm brush his. Just that contact makes her feel a little warmer, a little braver. ]

Because... remember what I said? The thing most important to me is staying myself. The me that first got here has always been fighting to go back home. If I change that now, I won't be myself.

[ But what if that's not the most important thing anymore? She knows she and Yata aren't from the same Earth. Even so, she couldn't help herself. Yata should be happy and she can't avoid him, or anyone, just because it's going to hurt later.

So, she has to live fully now. Shooting him a side-glance, she shuffles closer again until her side presses to his. ]

But while I'm here, I'm not going to shy away from things that could make me happy in this world.

[rollin]

[ Deep breaths, deep breaths. Asuna's braver, but Yata can't will himself to calm down in her presence. With her, he's a mess. But he's never felt this comfortable with anyone else, either. Unlike with most girls, he doesn't shy away, only sputtering before choosing to stare at the light show. ]

Staying yourself is important, but just 'cause you change parts of yourself don't mean you stop being you. Like... From being afraid, you get bolder. From being weak, you grow stronger. And that's still you.

[ He ducks his head, a faint blush appearing on his cheeks. ]

I couldn't talk to girls, but I could say those words to you.

[avantguard]

[ Incredibly insightful. She furrows her brow. She was afraid, but she grew bolder. She was weak, but she forced herself to get stronger. She still is. And she still feels like herself. Maybe he's right. She changed those parts of herself to survive and to be able to fight and do her best.

That's who Asuna was in Japan, that's who she is here.

And Yata, too. He said talking to girls was difficult and he didn't know how and yet he's next to her, giving her important insight. Although, it is amidst a blush. ]

That's because you're getting more bold.

[ Her elbow nudges his side. ]

It's like you say though, that's not a bad thing. A shy Yata-kun or a bold Yata-kun, they're both you. I'll stay with you, either way. After all, the shy you was able to tell me he loved me. And the bold you can give me important advice like this.

[ Both just Yata. ]

[rollin]

[ He nudges back. ]

Aaah, you're making me blush!

[ But he says it with a smile. She'll stay with him either way, huh? ]

... Who I am now wouldn't be the same without you. All this time, I've been relying on Homra. Then I came to this world and suddenly, they weren't there anymore. I didn't know what to do. But you took my hand and helped me stand, like you told me to keep fighting. You saved me that day...

[ Resting on the rails, he buries his head in his arms. ]

Ugh, this is embarrassing.

[avantguard]

[ There's a soft laugh about the blushing first, one that gradually fades. Was she that important to Yata? Just by reaching out to him and telling him to fight. For a moment then, she saw herself. She didn't know what to do either when she was first brought here. Yata wasn't her, though. No matter how many times he says what's on her mind.

He's not her but it's better this way. He's able to say what's on his mind and because of that she can talk to him openly like this. She wonders if she would, if Yata hadn't come to find her and apologize. Even if he laments about how embarrassing it is right after.

While he's buries his head, she gently lays her head on his shoulder for the first time. She's done it with Haruna, and she curled up against Setsuna too like a child, but it's the first time she's shown this kind of affection for Yata.

She's glad she found him that day. ]

Keep standing, and keep standing next to me so we can both fight together.

[rollin]

[ He's getting bolder, but it's because she always makes the first move. She remembers what he said about firsts, doesn't she? When he shyly lays his head against her own, it's the first time he's shown this kind of affection for anybody. He might have not been as unhappy as she, but he doesn't need to be in order to understand her. He has his own demons too, yet she accepts and saves him. Is it because they're so similar? ]

Yeah.

[ No. It's because they have a connection—a bond thicker than blood.

He doesn't know a lot about love, but he knows she's important. It's why he keeps his chin up and feet firm on the ground. ]

I'll stay by your side.