intro ♚ may

[boardmaster]

WELCOME TO Caissa

We’ve all had those dreams: you wake up on a table, to blurry, ominous images and the certainty that you are absolutely buck-naked in a room full of strangers. This is not quite it.

Instead, you come awake to the sun on your face. The soft burble of water nearby. The hustle and bustle of a busy street and the faint, fortifying smell of bread. You open your eyes and there’s no one there at your bedside, but there is what appears to be the end of the world happening just beyond your window.

There’s a crack in the world across the sky, the “sun” is the totally unnatural light spilling from that crack straight into your eyes, and someone’s left a neatly pressed and folded uniform at the foot of the bed that isn’t yours. Somewhere in the room, there’s a strange clatter like beads, the click of claws on the floor.

Something’s in here with you.

Also, you are naked.

WARNING: Contains death and related graphic descriptions.

ONE ♟ P.S. I Love You

It's a perfectly ordinary morning in Caissa. Enprise’s two suns peer over the horizon and smack into your face through the large bay window. At half past six in the morning, the floor nanny’s built-in alarm goes off and plays Prime Minister Teddy’s hit song Love Me Like Your Doughnuts. Once everyone in their rooms is up and awake, this mechanical pigeon announces that letters and small packages have been delivered to every Hero’s personal box in the mailroom. Yes, even you, Naked Newcomer! These letters are from the Heroes’ many fans all over Blanc. No matter who you are, there are small tokens of appreciation attached to the letters: these may include candies shaped like stars, chocolates with a surprise gooey center, or even a can of rainbow beans for those not fond of sweets.

Letters for veteran Heroes are full of praise and gratitude for the success of the naval battle at Graupera. New Heroes receive mail that express support towards their future endeavors as the Blanc military’s most formidable task force. That’s not all the letters contain, however; the citizens also plead for our Heroes’ help with new problems that have arisen in the fields surrounding Caissa. However, the details the letters provide are scant and vague. The fans seem more concerned with recent damage caused by some unknown entity. There is a 15-page narrative of how a man built this beautiful house for his lovely, sweet wife who did nothing wrong, but nothing about why the house is in shambles now. A market on the outskirts of Caissa lost 30,000 colle’s worth of food, but the writer neglects to explain what happened to the food. All you know is that this person stayed up all week taking inventory and now it has gone to waste.

Sharing letters with each other might give you a clue on where to start your investigations and figure out which areas were hit the hardest. Or you can talk about how cute your adoring fans are. One way or another, you’ll have to get tongues wagging to make any progress. Unfortunately, Blanc isn’t going to save itself and from the sound of it, this problem is bigger than expected...

TWO ♟ Distant Howling

After pooling information, the new objective is clear: to investigate the damages. The vast, vibrant fields around Caissa seem a good place to start. They are mostly empty, but here or there you will see some people from nearby smaller villages and farms. The villagers will admit to having seen threatening shadows move over the fields and having heard harsh, high-pitched howling. They are willing to point Heroes toward possible shadow sightings, but are otherwise reluctant to act as guides. They are simple townsfolk who wish to return to their quiet lifestyle.

You may come up with small settlements (e.g. villages, farms, inns, taverns, etc.) as they are considered minor locations.

Heroes will soon discover that some of the smaller villages have been burned down entirely. The smell of ash and charred wood is thick in the air, though some buildings are also smashed as as though by something large and heavy. Nearby trees which haven’t been uprooted or knocked over are scorched and their blackened branches crackle ominously in the breeze. There are large marks dug deep into the ground and—is that a cow? Heroes will find tagged fruit cows scattered everywhere, scared, confused and mooing sadly next to their dead fruit cow friends. Fruit cows are usually found in Gresser, how strange...

A couple of days’ worth of exploration may help you realize that whatever is terrorizing Blanc doesn’t only devour hapless animals. While trying to navigate the numerous backcountry roads and farmlands, Heroes may stumble upon some gruesome clues: a charred limb—or what’s left of it; teeth, half-eaten ribcages, melted jewelry, and other smaller bits; the less fortunate may actually trip over a corpse staring unseeingly into the sky. It has been gutted, half-roasted, and seems to have lain in the sun for some time; and if someone is brave enough to roll the body onto its stomach, they may discover claw marks on its back. The victim must have tried to flee from something.

The amount of damage grows the more our Heroes travel south. What could be awaiting them?

THREE ♟ Breath of Fire

Let’s put the clues together. Fire? Check. Claw marks? Check. Large shadows seemingly from something flying overhead? Check and check. Congratulations, Blanc, you are suffering from a dragon plague.

It will take several days for the Heroes to locate the source of the rumors. The dragons seem to have taken up residence in the hilly area near Caissa, where the slopes grow steeper and then drop suddenly off into cliffs. The beasts are quite willing to greet guests warmly: there’s nothing like a burst of dragonfire and a deafening screech to brighten your day.

The only warning you’ll get before they launch themselves into the air and at Heroes is the sound of trees bursting beneath their claws. Beware: a single swipe can cause some serious damage and their fire breath, fast, frequent and garnished with the occasional, boiling hot drop of saliva, is nothing you want to stick around for. The dragons cannot be reasoned with, nor can they be tamed. A queen’s Charm magic WILL NOT work. Should someone try and reach out with their senses to see if the dragons are somehow hurting, they will only feel something alien and terrible.

Heroes aren't the only ones suffering under the dragons’ claws, unfortunately. Scattered around the area are a few small and isolated farms, and the animals and the farmers are easy prey and unlikely to flee in time. Heroes will want to intervene before the dragons can devour and destroy. If they are too late, they will need to provide support. Put out fires, heal the injured, catch panicked cows before they become pot roast! The dragons might be coming around for another attack, so it would be a good time to test barriers and other damage control skills.

To make matters worse, Blanc’s weather has decided that now is the perfect time for a hailstorm. It’s barely anything at first, beginning with small kernels the size of corn here and there to wet the grass and ruin your footing. Then it becomes much larger and greater in number. Dragons are not exempt from this hailhole: large enough pieces may rip holes in their wings! Heroes may want to use this to their advantage; additionally, casting ice and wind spells will suddenly become a lot easier, and the dragons will struggle to navigate in the stormy weather, forcing them to land more often. Better get up on that dragon’s back!

In the end, survivors of the dragon horde let out one last, collective shriek before they turn southward. The battle has been won, but the war is just beginning: the dragons have only been chased away. Their nest seems to be elsewhere and that is a worrying prospect. Dragons aren’t native to Blanc, which can only mean one thing…

Meanwhile, a new job opening has appeared at Gresser. At least you finally know what to do with all those fruit cows.

INFO ♟ Welcome!

Welcome to Crosscheck's May intro log! For any further questions, please see the FAQ or reach us at the Contact Us page. Have fun!

Also by request, here are some Player Endorsements that may be of interest!

Heaven's Feel: Looking for something else to do? In the mood for more light-hearted mingling? Check out Heaven’s Feel, Caissa’s first heroic matchmaking service! Opening week is going on now.

Training Notice: This training notice is located on the bulletin board. You might want to take a look.

Comments

HALL OF GLORY

[boardmaster]

[Toplevels for individual room interaction at the Hall of Glory may go here.]

K206

[medicament]

[Upon her awakening, Luna opens her eyes abruptly, but doesn't get up quite yet. Instead, she's just lying in the bed, not moving and looking up. How come she's awake? She did a really bad thing, didn't she? Not obeying orders is unforgivable and she knows that very well.

She always knew.

Still, sunbeams warm her face up in a nice way. Staying here is a really nice idea, but she can't stay here, not when Sigma—

No, wait. It's impossible for the sunbeams to reach the warehouse she was in, that much should be clear. And when she finally realizes it, Luna sits up on her bed, letting the comforter slip down on her legs, leaving her chest bare. Oh well.]

W-Where...am I?

[Her next question after having a look around the room would be "And what is this mess?", but in the end she keeps it to herself.]

Is anybody here?

Irisviel von Einzbern | Fate/

[soulshift]

P.S. I LOVE YOU
[ As a homunculus with just about an understanding of human norms, Irisviel doesn't find it unusual that she awoke naked in a strange place. In fact, a problem. She was more concerned about being somewhere completely new, away from Fuyuki City more than the fact she'd been completely stripped.

Was her life in danger again? Why was she being called to fight? The mana in this world didn't feel right, like something was off. Was this the effect of a Noble Phantasm, a Reality Marble? No, this felt completely different to that.

But there was too much going on, too much to process so when she heard that she had some sort of delivery in the mail room - she steps out into the corridor and starts walking towards the mailroom, completely oblivious to the fact that she probably should put some clothes on. ]

DISTANT HOWLS
[ Irisviel - now with clothes - stands in the middle of a razed farm, looking sadly at the razed landscape. She left one war and headed straight to another, it seemed. But there was no lack of new places to explore and new things to see, which despite being in a dangerous territory - her curiosity was winning over everything else. Sure she was soothing the cows, but she also wanted to get to know them better.

So Irisviel, is going round looking at all the tagged fruit cows and trying to make out their names plus the kind of milk they produced. The train of cows are following her with no qualms, but it's a matter of finding a safe place for them.

When she spots someone, she waves over to them with great enthusiasm as if trying to draw their attention. ]

Hello! Where would these cows go?

on...e....

[ateaist]

[While Nobunaga finds no issue with nudity, she is thankfully actually dressed in the given uniform unlike Irisviel. Even so, it means that when she comes across the familiar looking homunculus she raises her arm high in greeting, hand clutching the mail that had been delivered.]

We meet again! It's good to see you looking well, Irisviel.

[lol]

Nobunaga Oda | Fate/

[ateaist]

one.

[Settling in fairly well all things considered, Nobunaga is the very picture of someone right at home already. She emerges from her room in the given uniform, opting instead for pants over the skirt and donning the hat if only for her love of hats. It isn't her own uniform (which she'd made herself, adding an extra layer of personal fondness to it) but it's a fine substitute in the meantime.

With the received letter still in one hand, she approaches whoever she comes across, priority being given to those in uniform as well. Ultimately though, if she's not engaged with someone already, the next person she sees is being stopped and having the letter briefly flashed in front of them regardless of their attire.]

Have you heard anything about this? Something about a destroyed house and missing stock. I'd thought mention of the cause would be of more importance, but all I'm seeing so far is a fair amount of sob story...

two.

[Nobunaga's freshly arrived to the scene of a destroyed settlement, otherwise abandoned now except for anyone else trying to investigate the scene. She'd asked specifically to be shown where the commotion had come from so she could look into the site itself; a source was the best place to start.]

You there. [Yes, looking to the source of that voice will confirm you're the one being called to.] I'm going to investigate. Come with me.

[In the event you're either taken aback by some small stranger trying to give orders (granted, she does carry herself very well in giving them, despite her stature) or perhaps more likely going to ignore her, don't think she won't approach and pull some arms to get people following. She's set herself on this.]

two

[babbylon]

[You are pulling on the grand arm of the King of Heroes, Nobunaga. Do mind yourself.

Gilgamesh huffs a little in contempt, shaking off the short woman and fixing her with a glare. He was investigating well enough on his own, thank you very much, he didn't need some uppity dwarf bellowing orders in his ear. So he bellows right back and makes it clear just who the commander of this operation is:]

You dare accost a King?! Know your place!

[Unfortunately, Gilgamesh doesn't know hers. She seemed vaguely familiar, and yet...]

Kaede | Elfen Lied | OTA

[long_live_the_queen]

1. I know how to read, thanks

[Kaede's presence in the Hall of Glory had been a rare thing following the battle at Graupera and especially when the staff kept pestering her to help clean up the place. Again. She'd ended up wrestling some colossal dog creature for them last time, fuck that noise. She'd even turned on her heel right in a servant's face.

She had more important things to do, like study the new weapon at her wrist or the reason she woke up to Naoki excitedly dancing circles on her face and the subsequent summons and new badge that went with it. Or playing fetch with her dog.

But, today, she was here! Leaning against a stone wall, idly nibbling on the last of the chocolates she'd gotten in the mail, and with a sheaf of those frustratingly vague distress letters in her hand. And she was voluntarily making and sustaining eye contact, and initiating conversation! Initially with anyone she even distantly recognized, and then anyone at all.

Hey. [Her voice is about as unfriendly and neutral as usual, though.] Find anything in the mail?

2. Oh look, a dead guy

[She'd known death before. The horrible, the bloody, the inexcusably messy, and now the charred and burnt. A few days after the search had taken her from frustratingly obscure letters to scorched fields and abandoned roads—and her rented horse became increasingly nervous until Kaede just gave up on even attempting to stay on its back, leading it along by its reins instead.

When she practically tripped over a particularly gruesome and definitely human corpse, the horse very nearly lost its mind—and bolted with rolling white eyes, tearing the reins out of her hands. Even through the heavy gloves Kaede wore against her axe's fire that hurt, and furthermore-]

Someone catch that!

[It was going to be a long walk back to the nearest village on foot, ugh.]

3. Aggro Control and You 101

[So. Dragon. Rain. Hail, more importantly.

And the only thing that seemed willing to answer her right now was fire.

Wonderful.

There were three of the damned things circling around the hill she was on, now that she had attracted their attention to her and away from the farms below. Three.

This might not end terribly well without some help.]

3

[baka_jyanai]

-And help came in the form of a speeding, blue fairy, using a dipped valley to create a ramp for her ice skating, launching herself into the sky and casting forth a barrier of cold around her, drawing in the nearby hail. It'd be impressive... if a swat from one of the dragons' tails sent her rocketing back into the ground with a heavy thud.-

Kojirou/Assassin | Fate/

[hiryugaeshi]

2

[ Kojirou picks something that probably used to be a man's leg out of the ground as he treks through what used to be a small farming village, and flakes of charcoal crumble away from that simple exertion. A poor fool who has been turned to little more than fertiliser, and he's just one out of many. ]

It seems the people here have found themselves in a spot of bad luck. [ Understatement of the century, Kojirou. But perhaps that's just how he deals with things. ]

I've seen this before. Fire hotter than any forge, and claws like scythes. I never thought I'd revisit Orleans, but it seems we must.

[ At least he seems to know what's going on, as he turns to his travelling companion. ]

I hope you like fighting reptiles. I thought the last dungeon had enough of them, but this is on another level altogether.

3: THE SAVIOUR OF BLANC

Dragons. I thought so.

[ Yes, okay, Kojirou, but you're standing in the middle of an open plain with a flight of dragons very angry at you. Being correct shouldn't be of much comfort here.

It shouldn't, but it is. If anyone is watching him from the front, they might even see his expression twist into a rare grin. ]

And with this weather, it seems even the heavens are my ally. Let us go hunting, shall we? I believe their claws and scales are incredibly valuable.

[ That one, he learnt from his Master. ]

2

[ateaist]

[While she can't exactly comment on any of his experiences here, she can at least relate to...........

Well, actually, no she can't. Her holy grail stunt that involved barging into their organization uninvited didn't happen until after Okeanos, so although she's heard mention of Orleans, she didn't experience it.

Dragons, though...]

...that's likely to pose more of a challenge here than our usual fare, I'd imagine.

[He's used to just fighting things with a sword. She's...used to having 3000 guns at her disposal.]

Lapis Fathalla | Original

[oneirism]

A ♛ P.S. I LOVE YOU

[Lapis was not expecting to receive fanmail or anything like that. So it's kinda weird to find letters praising her - though it's still appreciated, and the chocolate attached even more so.

But it's the letters asking for help that really catch her attention.

It's worrying, to read about all this damage - of houses being burnt down, of food getting stolen, of things just being ruined and destroyed. But it sounds too... random, to be an attack by Noir. But an animal couldn't cause that much damage, could it? She still isn't too sure about what kind of creatures exist here, after all.

So with her letters in hand, she approaches any other fellow Heroes who have their letters do, stalking up to them with a blunt:]

... What kind of letters did you get? [Her main concern are the ones about damages, but she'll still happily listen to any gushing about fans.]

B ♛ BREATH OF FIRE

[This entire situation sucks.

They spend all those days investigating, and it's angry, violent dragons. And Lapis was on her own when she went to investigate - so of course she would get surrounded and attacked. Of course. But she needed to protect those farmers - she couldn't just wait until someone else came along, it would be too late then.

But all she has are her illusions, and trying to stay in one spot to cast while dragons swarm in isn't the best idea. At least her stockings let her quickly jump away, but the gashes on her arm burn, and the side of her back where it caught some fire burns even more.

It's fine, though. She can handle this. Her hand presses against her injured arm to stem the bleeding, and she's able to just use her other hand enough to wave her ribbons - summoning a wind that forces the dragons back. At least now the dragons are all focused on her, rather than the farmers.

Though she might need some help, since she's certain the blood loss is what's causing the increasing dizziness.]

placeholder - A!

[impulsives]

[ There's a slight raising of eyebrow at the prompt, but either ways Shinn's going to answer her anyways. Considering he hasn't got to the letters talking about the damage. ]

Eh, it's... one of those books those two guys were talking about earlier.

[ the adult ones, considering Shinn's face is slightly tinged with red right now. ]

Luna | Zero Escape

[medicament]

one;

[The pigeon has shown her the way to the mailroom sometime before, during the tour for the newcomers. It also has mentioned letters and packages waiting for the heroes there.

That's the reason why Luna's peeking from behind the slightly opened door and then walks in carefully, just like being even a bit louder would bother someone inside. Among many boxes, she finally finds the one that belongs to her and opens it by simply touching the small door. A few letters inside the box are truly a surprise. What is that pile of papers, though?

She decides to go back to it later and opens the first letter, hoping to find an explanation to why she woke up here or at the very least some clues. Is it her another "mission"? Being sent here on purpose would make sense, but there's nothing she can be fully sure of. Even though the contents of the letter doesn't explain anything at all, these words of encouragement from a stranger makes her smile softly as she continues reading. The next one even contains a small packet of star-shaped candies, which makes her smile even wider. Even if it's just a mistake and it's meant to someone else entirely, it's still really nice.

The time to check that pile of papers finally comes; it's the longest letter inside (or more like a prologue to a lengthy novel, really), but it doesn't mean she's going to leave it be. Quite the opposite, actually. Somewhere in the middle of reading it, Luna stops and sniffles.]

T-This is just too sad.

[Does she plan to go through all of this eventually? Yes, definitely.]

two;

[It's been already a few days after they began the investigation and the clues they stumble upon with her partner are pointing to something morbid. The first one was the limb which was burnt to that extent that they could hardly tell whether it had belonged to a man or a woman. It was getting even worse with every new finding, but Luna remained calm at all times—sadness kept lingering in her eyes and voice, especially if they found another evidence of something terrible that has been going on.

While walking along the road, Luna notices someone lying on the ground in the distance and turns to her companion.]

They might need help...!

[Sadly, it's too late for that person, but they're about to learn that.]

three;

[As the dragon begin their intrusion, Luna finds herself in the middle of the village under attack, trying to speak to the people scattered around and panicking. It doesn't as well as she hoped, though.]

P-Please...don't run around! It's making things worse!

[It's obvious that speaking to so many people is somewhat of a challenge to her, but she has to do it—there's no other way to make the situation at least a bit better.]

I-I'll do my best to heal the injured!

[She's not telling them that she's just a newbie on purpose...however, no one seems to be listening to her, anyway. Actually, when she's in the middle of the sentence, someone starts shouting about the end of the world.]

Excuse me...could you help me? I'm not even sure what should I do, I just want them all to get to safety.

[Some help will be truly appreciated.]

two;

[ateaist]

[For someone who's lived a life of bloodshed and matured on the battlefield, picking up on whether a body was merely someone injured or dead altogether became second nature. She could tell there was nothing to salvage of this person, yet...

She rests a hand on Luna's shoulder, urging her forward gently.]

Go on.

Yukari Takeba | Persona 3

[couldntpullthetrigger]

[2]

[Death is not a new concept to Yukari. Hell, she's watched someone get murdered before; that doesn't make it easy, but it might make it a little less concerning to swallow. Blood drips from the walls during the Dark Hour, and the whole air reeks with the coppery tang of it.

However, none of that really compares to the devastation she walks into in the small town. It's different when the blood is coming from the mangled remains of humans, large animals, and other creatures littering the landscape.

So she steadfastly keeps her nose in the map and the approximately four or so letters she's been perusing ever since the sight started to make her sick to her stomach. So much so that she doesn't even see the person she bowls right into-] Ah! O-oh, sorry!

[3]

[Argus has had a bit of a tough time flying, but a sudden tailwind pushes the eagle past Yukari, and it blazes past with a screech of warning.

She doesn't need it, though. The looming shadows against the dark clouds are warning enough, and from within it bursts the massive form of a dragon.

The hail starts soon after that, and she can hear the dragon's snarls of pain from her position.

She raises her bow, and an arrow sparks to life in a pink-white blaze between her hands as she draws it. The first arrow flies wide, but with the buffeting winds, she's not exactly surprised. It's when the next three of four veer off course she gets a little frustrated.] Ugh, come on, wind, work with me! [She's never missed her wind affinity more than she does now. She misses being able to move it, push, pull, call it to bear at one or multiple points, and, when faced with even the most raging typhoon, she can stand firm against it. Now, she doesn't feel that affinity; she can't feel the lightness, the symbol of freedom, lifting her metaphorical wings.

Luckily, the dragon seems to be struggling against the wind and hail just as much, as the gales push it around in the air, and the icy stones rip holes through the membranes of its wings. It's still baring down, but slowly, and losing a lot of altitude, quickly. If she's lucky, she can make it crash, she just needs to... hit it... first...

But though she's trying to punch more holes in the wings, something else starts happening. Slowly, her arrows gain more and more on-target, until, eventually, one buries itself in the dragon's eye. It screams in pain, and plummets down the last bit of altitude until it crashes heavily into the ground. Yukari doesn't wait for it to move again, and looses arrows as fast as she can draw the bow, ignoring the ache in her fingers - all of which bury themselves in the dragon's head, even the last one which chases the whipping neck around until it lands true.

Blind, the dragon's maw opens, and the roar of dragon fire sounds. It looks like it's trying to sweep the whole area in flame, but just as soon as the mouth opens, another three or four arrows lodge themselves against the top of its jaw, into its throat, and as soon as the dragon fire hits the open wounds, it screams again, thrashing about, and the gout of flames stops prematurely, giving Yukari some time to move.

So a King may have just disabled a dragon, but it's still angry, and it's now willing to just start thrashing and randomly attacking everywhere.

What's more, there are more dragons en-route, obviously drawn by the anguished screams of the downed beast.

She's doing well!

But she's about to... end up in a bad situation.

Help her put down her first dragon?]

Two

[stonefree]

[Jolyne had definitely seen quite a few gruesome deaths during her short time in prison. However, that didn't stop her from feeling sick from the sight of it. From exploding bodies to seeing someone being ran over, she suddenly felt sick just from being reminded of it.

As she walked around the village, it was difficult to remain calm and cool. She could feel herself throwing up from how gross everything was. Still, she had to persist in search of whatever was creating such horrors?

Although, when she suddenly felt someone bumping into her?]

Don't worry about it! I didn't see you either, you don't have to apologize.

Akito/Agito Wanijima | Air Gear

[sky_sharkling]

One

[Well, of all the things they were expecting, this was probably not high on the list. At least waking up in a bed was alright, but with nothing on and no eyepatch? Problem.

At least there's the uniform nearby, which he'll be getting changed into quite quickly. And apparently there's also...mail. Huh. The 'adoring fans' are sort of creepy, considering he's new, but the apparent issue...that's unusual. Akito figures he may as well find out what's going on, if they're supposedly going to be doing something about it, and thankfully his other is alright with letting this, because with no eyepatch to block control, this is going to get confusing fast.

With two of them though, walking and reading at the same time isn't that hard. Anyone who notices the teen might quickly realise mis-matched eyes seem to be not entirely focused on the same place, left scanning the pages while right keeps an eye on where they're going. It makes for blurry vision at times, but sometimes one had to deal]

Two

[Fruit cows. This world is strange.

That doesn't stop Akito though. Aside from examining some of the weirdness around, including the burned and clawed remnants of some of the creature's friends, he's gently patting one of the few beasts he's found alive in this area, one of the hardest hit he's seen so far. It follows him as he explores the remains of the town uneasily]

Sssh, it's okay. Once Agito says we're done, I'll find somewhere that you can hide from...whatever it is causing this, okay? You'll be alright. [He hopes. Whatever is causing this damage is nasty. Is there anywhere that's safe, when they seem to be relatively close to the source of all this?]

Three

...fucking dragons. Really? [Three guesses who is not ready to deal with this.

'Agito, maybe...instead of dealing with the dragons, we could help the town?'

His other half's words make his roll his eye. Only Akito] Going anywhere near those fucking things is a stupid idea, especially with the weak excuse for AT these things are. [He glances at the weapon he's been given, so similar yet not. Mana...he's barely learned to work them since they got here.

Interrupt the apparent one-sided conversation? Or drag him off to help anyway]

One

[stonefree]

[At this point, all Jolyne wanted to do was figure out a way to get out of here and fast. Sure, there might be a war going on and while she didn't mind helping people out, she had other plans in mind.

When she got a letters from her adoring fans, she immediately raised an eyebrow here and there. Whoever wrote this letter sure was vague, weren't they? And with little to no information, she had no choice but to ask around. As soon as she put some clothes, one of the first thing she did was to look around for anyone who might have gotten the same letter she did!

So when she spotted someone nearby, she decided to strike up a conversation!] Hey there! You know anything about what's going on? Because I sure don't!

ICHIGO HITOFURI | that sword webgame

[1523]

ONE
[ The amount of gifts that keep on giving is amusing him to no end. Sure there are a lot of the embarrassing one (Ichigo just blushes tremendously before he rids of them), but the one that showed their supports over the heroes really make good confidence boosters.

Although such mood-making letter quickly comes into a halt when he's finally against one of the more important request... Which comes in whooping fifteen pages. Damn son, this is such a handful shit. ]

Uh... Who could've possibly wrote this one...? When is the part about her wife is going to an end...?

[ No offense to the said person, of course. Having cute waifu who dindu nuffin is ok and all but man... ]

TWO
[ The rupturing flames... The uncontrollable heat...

Aah....... the flames, everything! Everything hit too close to home!

Ichigo thought he could handle this. He totally though he could. But in the end, there's just... something too ethereal to prevent him from advancing toward the burned settlement further in. Every time he tried to lift a leg to move, his mind would immediately be filled with the image of the fiery castle of Osaka where everything was buried unceremoniously and Ichigo would lose every little strength that he had. He would come into a halt and if it was worse enough, the blue haired swordsman would lose his balance and fell to his knee.

He can't do this.

But he has to.

Anybody around the said settlement would probably notice him trying to fight the trauma, leaning against one of the almost-broken wooden pillar with one of his palm against his own face as if he's in a total pain. He clearly needs a help even to either walk away or walk past the place. ]

WILDCARD
[ #WildcardLivesMatter. Go for it. ]

two

[accordance]

[ There's suddenly a dark shadow over Ichigo. If he looks up, he would see Lord Light standing before him, his wings fully manifested to block out the sight of the fires ahead of them. He doesn't move them now, but he's perfectly able of gusting a little if it's necessary.

But from the way Ichigo is looking, it's more of a status ailment than anything else. ]

Can you move? I can help you get to somewhere cooler.

[ Maybe it's the fumes, but he can't confirm nor deny that possibility. ]

Allen Walker | D.Gray-man

[likethelight]

ONE A | FIRST FLOOR KING

[ So we're... not going to get so far as letters. And missions. And all that.

Not yet. First.. ] !

WAHH—HAH!? [ ???!

Because this morning... this morning in front of King 110 after that (BOY? GIRL? ??!) screech there is a very loud and resounding CLONG! that can only be... well, no one is likely to recognize what it sounds like to throw a mechanical pigeon against a wall, but it's that. Before a white-haired teenage boy flings the door open with an equally loud crash.

A very naked teenage boy.

BECAUSE COME BLOODY ON. WHO WAKES UP WITHOUT CLOTHES IN A STRANGE PLACE AND JUST ACCEPTS IT. YESTERDAY HE WAS IN LONDON PUTTING ON A CLOWN COSTUME FOR a pence here and there to get by CHILDREN. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS PLACE AND WHERE IS IT/HE. THIS INN IS BOLLOCKS. THIS IS WHY HE HATES STAYING IN THE RED LIGHT DISTRICT.

Wait, speaking of— ]

Ah, Tim...? [ The boy straightens suddenly, suddenly quite... calm and normal-seeming, looking around and behind him.

And forgetting he's clutching the bedsheets quite tightly around his waist. His... very naked waist. Which is where an incredibly large and ugly scar ends, one that seems like someone tried to saw him in half from the shoulder down and mostly succeeded. There's also the pretty strangely tattooed and... red (plated??!) left arm. And another scar in his stomach that seems like someone... gutted him? What did this kid go through...

He seems to forgotten that though and is looking around in a borderline huffy impatience that slowly becomes... um..

The Oh Shit factor. ]

...hello?

ONE B | MAILROOM

[ Later on he can be found sucking somewhat sulkily on a candy in the mailroom. Uniformed now, a golden... marble? with wings? sitting atop his head after his white hair's been pulled back in a short ponytail, and leaning against a wall he reads through his mail.

And the letters. The very long letters. Ah...

Over a few minutes, his expression smooths from sulking to very smooth and quiet. Serious. Oh..

Allen swallows the candy then and touches the golden golem on his head reflexively. Like a small, reassuring sort of pat and it buzzes its wings in response. ]

... Okay. [ It's very soft, spoken to himself but if anyone were to catch his expression it's anything but okay. Flickering by quickly, conflicted, moved, but... Heavy. Guilty.

So very guilty.

And he taps the golem again, smiling in a small and stretched sort of way. ]

Alright then— [ He stops short, like he was about to say a name but doesn't.

"Tim." ] ...

[ His eyes hood. ] Mm. Sorry.


THREE

[ Anyone who's been around Allen up until this point would have known him to be... well, pretty oddly calm for someone very new. Asking questions, a soft heart and empathetic towards the carnage in the countryside when they got to it, but handling it with a straightforward earnesty like it's something he's done many times before. Missions. Death. Lives left upset in the wake of it and trying to give them comfort and answers even if they have none.

Anyone seeing him interact with the farmers might find it weird he's so warm and genuinely kind with them. Like he's been doing this forever—or is very good at feigning that familiarity if it means he can reassure someone.

But now, when they've traveled further and the skies have finally descended, the wind beginning to scream...

...behind the wings of dragons?!

Dragons are real? ]

Look out! [ Whoever you are he's tackled you now, a slim but very solid mass ploughing into your backside. Right before any protests or further things Allen might have said would be drowned out by the fireball that flies past them in an understated foom and scours the ground, whipping their hair. ]

1 - Hey Roomie

[drawmecute]

*As far as alarm clocks go, white haired boys running the hell out of the room screaming and entirely confused definitely qualifies as a good one. Lola's not exactly gotten a chance to put on her face, or comb her bed head, or have her coffee...*

Maybe you'd like to put on your clothes..?

*She's peeking out of their door and offering him his uniform. She's... not dressed enough to get on with her day, but she's modest at least in her tank top and loose fitting pants. Both in shades of purple.*

Because I'd really like it if you'd, um, get dressed. This is embarrassing. People will talk!

Makoto Sako | Devil Survivor 2

[dilemmic]

( two; )

[ The easiest way to understand the situation on the ground is to do your own legwork - that much hasn't changed despite the radical shift in scenery for her. To external observers, Makoto doesn't seem to make a lot of effort in creating rapport with the villagers -- she does seem to be trying to understand the scale of the destruction, but empathy-wise...well, there's only so much empathy to be generated when her questions are frank, short and mostly to-the-point.

Of course, this is only the first village.

If you're around when she reaches the third village...well. The place doesn't look pretty, let's get that straight: Charred ashes of have-been storehouses and shops, houses that stand empty and smoking with unstable structures, and most telling, the lack of people. A few scavengers are poking through the rubble but there's not much to be found, judging by their downcast expressions.

But what's that? She stops. ]

Look, at your feet.

( three; )

[ Running straight into a nest of dragons is foolish, and Makoto Sako hopes you aren't foolish enough for that. Or maybe you are, which is why you're with her and scouting out the cliffs. Maybe the both of you are flat on your stomachs. Or inspecting a burned tree (look at that shade of ashy black, such skill!). Shenanigans, basically.

There's a tall shadow yonder, but is it a dragon shadow? Inquiring minds wish to know. ]

2!!

[hoasen]

[Vietnam, despite usually being much more quiet, had an easy time talking to the villagers only because of her background in politics. They needed that, and a bit of comfort, before they were able to find some information.

So she was directed to this charred village almost instantly. But she hasn't had time to investigate yet when a fellow Hero (one she has not seen before) stops.]

My feet? [She looks downwards. Whatever she discovers, it is still just...bleak.]

Hajime Hinata | Dangan Ronpa 2

[ahogay]

1-A

[After freaking out about waking up in yet another new place, putting on his new uniform and going about the introductory tour, Hinata makes his way to the mail room to check out the letters and packages that he supposedly received. How can he even have mail when he literally just got here? How did anyone know he was going to be here? This just keeps getting weirder and weirder by the minute.

He sits down in the parlor with his pile of mail and slowly reads through each letter, his expression rather grim for someone who's going through heart-warming fanmail. Not only that, his face is slightly pale and his hands are clearly gripping the paper more tightly than is necessary. Eventually, he mutters to himself what he's been thinking since the tour.]

Me? A Hero? What a sick joke...

[He doesn't deserve any of this at all.]

1-B

[Once he's managed to clear his mind, Hinata notices that some of these letters seem to suggest that there's trouble lurking behind the scenes of this place. The fact that they took the time to ask a total newbie for help must mean that they're pretty desperate, but... what is he supposed to do about it? Hinata doesn't know anything about this place yet, and if there's going to be fighting involved then he has an incredibly high chance of failure. He doesn't know enough about the situation yet to make a decision for sure, though, so maybe he should ask around and see if anything else knows anything. He can handle that much, at least.

So, he approaches the closest person he can find, which just so happens to be you.]

Hey, did you get any vague letters about houses and markets being destroyed too?

2

[As Hinata cautiously explores a small village way south of Caissa, he stares in horror at the charred, smashed up buildings that surround him. This is the first time he's ever seen this kind of destruction... such despair... As he approaches one of the buildings, he doesn't pay enough attention to the ground and ends up tripping over something. He quickly lifts himself up and looks behind him to see what it was--]

Ugh!

[He can immediately feel his stomach sinking. It's a corpse. A corpse that's been so mutilated that it can't even be identified, but judging by the hair and clothes, it's most likely a woman. Hinata didn't think he'd ever be fazed by dead bodies again after his experience on Jabberwock Island, but the bodies he saw there were much fresher and could still easily be identified. This woman... her entire body is charred like the buildings, though her face got it so bad that it barely even looks like a face anymore, and her body's even been gutted like someone was eating her internal organs. To think that this thing was once a living, breathing person like him...

Hinata slowly climbs back to his feet, his face full of despair as he stares down at the body.]

This is... beyond brutal...!

[With this and the huge claw marks in the ground and on various trees, he just can't believe that humans could have caused this. Just who or what could have done something like this?]

2!

[hoasen]

[She was just a fair distance away, looking at the remains of the village. There was just...nothing left.

It was then she heard the voice that she immediately darts around what was left of a building, and sees him standing there.]

Yes...it seems so...unnatural.

[Even though this entire world is just unnatural. But to level a village!]

Aisha Clanclan | Outlaw Star

[herplaceinthesun]

One

[After the requisite screaming upset at being naked in a strange place, Aisha settles into the idea of being a Hero quickly? Why? Because it's obvious that if these people needed someone to help with their war, she'd be called and chosen. A Ctarl-Ctarl would be of great assistance to anyone, and someone like her...

(It wasn't if she was going to see home for a long time either way, after all)

The letters and gifts don't hurt. In fact, they distract her from the growing worry that something's wrong with her, that she's weaker. She doesn't have to fight to know that something's not quite right with her body, and it bothers her more than being whisked off here ever could. Her irritation comes out in the way she moves around the Hall, donning the uniform and holding a particularly thick letter up.]

Did this farmer ever actually say what happened to his damn house besides how sad his wife is about it?

[She gets his wife is beautiful and pure, but dang man.]

Two

[It takes a few days to get any real info out of people, but eventually she hitchhikes her way to a village on the outskirts of Cassia. It's a skill she's happy translates here, but soon enough she's frowning. There isn't much left of this place at all, a house here, a few trees there.

She's never seen a residential place hit so hard, and it isn't easy to swallow. People like this, just living their lives, deserved to be safe.

Aisha's eyes shut as she says a few words over the village, but soon enough they're flying open. You see, there's definitely at least one survivor of the fruit cow variety. And it's decided that the end of this hero's hair was worth a taste.]

Hey! Let go of that!

Three

[Oddly enough, she's excited. Eager, even.

Dragons? A hailstorm? The worst escort mission ever in the form of random fruit cows running around? It was pretty perfect, and this is something she knows she can deal with for the most part. Not alone, not anymore, but even in her state right now this was what suited her best. Granted, she couldn't exactly punch a dragon while standing on the ground.

Grinning, she points to the sky, the awe-inspiring creatures in flight.]

Is there any way you can get them down? Or Aisha further up?

Three

[drawmecute]

*Lola was terrified! She thought the sea battle was bad but dragons were worse, and hail was worse than rain. Generally she wanted to hide... on the other hand, the little airhead was aware that she possessed a rather unique helpful skill here. So, that in mind...*

No way! I could maybe get up there myself. But not if I tried to drag anyone along with me...

*Lola looked around for anything that might... ahah! Lola ran over to grab a long rope, and started tying one end into a loop she eyeballed at maybe being able to wrap around something of the dragon.*

Can Aisha climb?

*Also Lola was trying to figure out when the fuzzy catgirl was not something that bothered her. Cause really that should bother her right now.*

Illidan Stormrage | Warcraft

[betrayer]

[ Not even the light from two suns can stir Illidan from his slumber. His vision is darker than it has ever been and for the moment, he finds peace within said darkness. Not that it lasts for long. Harmony should be denied to men like him and so it is with the rest of his keen senses picking up on his foreign surroundings. He's naked (who dared to do that to him?) and there's something present in the room with him.

Rather than reach out to attack it, he works on getting his body upright and seated on the bed. Whatever else is present will make their intentions known to him soon enough. Anyone brave enough to peek into K102 will be treated to quite the sight of a naked demon with large horns and ripped wings. ]

    ◅ONE: ENTER ONE EX-RAID BOSS▹
[ Illidan isn't down for the count long. His "nanny" fills in the details he walks around the residence hall in just pants. Honestly, it was difficult enough getting those on over his enormous hooves and why bother with a shirt when he has wings that won't fit underneath it? He won't be caught embarrassed with fabric tangled in his horns.

Plus there are more important things to concern himself with rather than his attire.

The mechanical creature goes on to describe the implants he received courtesy of his benefactors and how he'll grow used to them in time. There are no shortcuts, it insists, but Illidan knows there will always be a quicker path to greatness. Someone (he) will discover it with time. They stop by the armory and that's the end of the tour, Illidan left with a stick that he's meant to call a weapon and with far more questions than he set off with. Not to mention a handful of letters he can't read.

If you missed him wandering the hallways during the newbie tour, he's certainly right here with glowing orbs for eyes (and no fabric wrapped around so enjoy seeing the empty sockets where his eyes used to be) and a fistful of letters crumpling up under his claws. ]


    ◅TWO: EXPLORATION▹
[ Whether he traveled here alone or with a group, Illidan's quick to pick up things even without his sight. He's never been one to be helpless and in this world he would prove his worth to superficial caretakers who believe in his strength. After all, the sooner he gains their favor, the sooner he can cut them down and use their mangled corpses as stepping stones to the next.

He would show them that it was unwise to pluck a man (demon) from his goals.

Using the stick (with an ironic enough name) to get around, he pauses and to any who are nearby announces the obvious before it can be seen. ] Fire, or what remains of it.

[ The demonic looking guy is probably very familiar with the smell of fire. ]

one

[umberly]

[ My grandma, what big eyes you have there.

Or, in this case, there are no eyes at all. Kavi has been watching Illidan make his way around the Hall of Glory silently, eyes tracking the imposing from of the newcomer. He has seen some truly extraordinary people arrive in Blanc, to serve as Heroes, but this... The horns. The wings. The impression he gives off.

It reminds him of home. Of the stifling darkness he's grown so used to. Of the distance screeches echoing in the distance.

And Kavi might be intimidated (and truthfully, he is) if it weren't for the crumpled letters clutched in one of Illidan's hands. ]

Need a hand with the letters?

Maki Nishikino | Love Live!

[cutiepanther]

♚ One: P.S. I Love Idol Hell

[ Back home, Maki was only just getting used to receiving fan mail at all. It had started off small, seeing how she was just one of nine members of an idol group out of a small no-name high school in Akihabara, Tokyo. Only after they finally became internationally famous with their performance in New York City did the letter and things really start to roll in. Soon she saw herself with her friends up on giant posters and billboards all around Akiba, creating perhaps the most surreal moment of her entire life!

So to see it again, addressed to Maki and piling up in the mailroom is almost a daily occurrence now. She's been going out of her way to help in every town she ended up in, healing when she could, passing out bottles of healing potions she's been working on getting better at, sometimes even putting on impromptu performances in the Airy when she travels by airship. It's not that she's ever wanted to be famous, but she can't seem to avoid it much either...

The problem really becomes apparent when Maki opens her mailbox and ends up trying to catch the avalanche of letters and small package, letting out a weak cry and she's knocked down, nearly drowning. ]

Kyaa!!

♚ Two: Distant Howling Festa

[ Seeing how she's now a King, having been promoted recently, Maki decided that she would try to take on a few more jobs, rather than spending all her time in the library studying. That said, she still makes sure to check in with her not dad friend Lord Light, working on her healing technique whenever she can. After a night in a small tavern (where they wouldn't let her go to sleep after singing "Aishiteru Banzai" three times, Maki headed out with another hero to a nearby town, Southwell-by-the-sea.

She had heard rumors that the town may have been a little worse for the wear.. but no one could say exactly why.

The first thing Maki and her partner would have noticed as they walked an old, windy dirt road together was the smell. Something like burnt popcorn filling the air.

Just as they reach over the last hill, they can see down at the bottom of the slope was is not a town at all. But a burned crater that threatens to overwhelm them with the strong scent of char and ash. ]

Oh my god... what... what happened...

♚ Three: Breath of Summer Colored Fire

[ How could they fight a dragon?! The beast had landed with a giant gust of wind right in front of her, there in the farm closest to Southwell-by-the-sea just over another hill. The dragon had come for the livestock here, and was met with Heroes instead. It attacked as soon as Maki had arrived, giving her just enough time to catch up to the Heroes who had been tracking it ahead of her. It had landed in an already burning field in front of Maki and the others, staring them down, blowing out embers with a huff from its snout. ]

W-What do we do?!

[ Her voice felt heavy, like it could barely squeak out of her throat. She had fought a few things in her time as a Hero here... but this... was something completely different!

That's when the dragon took a great breath in... and Maki knew what was going to happen.

What she didn't know was that as a King now, her mana signature attracted the ire of things like dragons. Which was why it let loose a cone of fire right where the poor redhead girl stood frozen in terror. ]

One

[long_live_the_queen]

[Kaede had been busy systematically opening each package she'd gotten in the mail, ostensibly checking each small cluster of chocolates for poison or explosives. In reality she was just eating one from each box, because yes she was going to be That Person.

Someone else walking into the mailroom initially went mostly unnoticed—until a mountain of paper falls on them. Kaede leaned around the corner to look, and...couldn't help chuckling. A rare noise, from her.]

Problems?

sakura ♟ fire emblem: fates

[passtave]

one. anyway, here's wonderwall

a. [ Dutifully following the instructions left for her, Sakura wanders down the hallway in search of the mailroom, anxiously tugging at her new uniform. It's not a style she's used to wearing, which is just making her feel more on edge about this whole business...

Ah! The mailroom. As soon as it's in sight, her hedgehog carrier suddenly kamikazes off of her and zips down the hallway as fast as his little hedgehog legs can take him, which is... surprisingly fast. He weaves in and out of any Hero feet that might happen to be in the way. ]

W-Wait! B-Brother Hedgehog! [ Is that really his name? In any case, Sakura rushes after her carrier, so intent that she collides bodily into... you. ] A-Ah! I'm sorry!

b. [ After reading through all of the letters in her mailbox, Sakura doesn't know... what to do. She's too shy to approach anyone else about what they've received, and right now she doesn't know if she could muster up the courage to do it anyway. This is just... too much... these people here obviously need help, which is why they've called so many Heroes like her in the first place. She's not much of a Hero, though... someone like one of her brothers or sisters would be better suited for this. Why did they pick her...?

Thinking about her siblings makes her teary-eyed, and not for the first time since she woke up. She's been trying to be brave and hold back her tears, which was easier in all of the bustle and confusion of finding herself in a new world. But it hits her hard now that she's suddenly very alone... she's never been separated from her family like this... her retainers... everything she's ever known...

She hustles out of the mailroom, sniffling softly and clutching her gifts to her chest. Blindly, she looks for a quiet spot before her emotions overtake her in front of so many people—and tucks herself away in an empty stretch of hallway, pulling her knees up to her chest as she starts to cry in earnest.

Do you know what to do with a small crying girl? Or maybe you didn't ask for this and just tripped over her instead. ]

two. sad mooing

[ As a healer in the war against Nohr, Sakura has seen her fair share of death and destruction—everything she's found on this investigation, horrifying at it is, is something she's used to. Still, just because this isn't new to her doesn't mean she isn't affected—deeply. Even though she pushes on, seeing all of these broken homes and lifeless bodies is breaking her compassionate heart. How horrible... these people didn't deserve this... to lose their lives and livelihoods... their families...

Finally, she comes across a lone fruit cow making distressed noises over the charred body of another fruit cow, and that's when it gets to be too much. This poor animal... she reaches out and strokes the poor cow's face with a trembling hand. ]

I'm s-sorry, Miss Cow... your friend, and all of these people... [ What kind of weirdo comforts a cow? This weirdo right here. ]

three. [wilhelm scream]

[ There really isn't much for her to do except stay behind and help the villagers. She can't heal anymore, and they gave her a weapon that she's never used before in her life... it's making her feel more useless than ever, but at least getting everyone to safety is something.

She's ushering a family out of their home when a giant dragon suddenly lands a stone's throw away, shaking the ground under her feet. No! The dragon is too close... and the family is moving too slowly, burdened by their belongings and frightened livestock. She has to do something! ]

Please, keep running!

[ She stops and turns towards the dragon, squaring her shoulders. If she could distract it long enough for the family to escape... suddenly, the dragon breathes out a huge plume of fire, and she scurries out of the way with a yelp. Straightening, she takes her chakrams in hand and throws one at the dragon, the toss a little awkward and... too short. The chakram hits the ground in front of the dragon and stays there, and Sakura cries out in distress.

Someone please help her... ]

1 B

[drawmecute]

*So some small ball of emotions and great hair just nearly ran Lola over on her way out the mail room. But... she didn't look rude, or sick... and she didn't need to fix her hair. Clearly. So it had Lola's interest. Hope you don't mind being followed.*

...You okay?

*Lola should leave well enough alone, but she needed friends. Friends with great hair. And this girl needed help, and Lola could at least try to help, right?*

Korra | Legend of Korra

[probending]

[TWO. Korra, Ace Detective]

[Korra isn't very good at the softer parts of investigation, so she decides to head into the field to look for clues. Obviously something has happened to make the villagers so distraught. When she sees the damage firsthand, she can hardly believe it; there is something big and hungry here, maybe a lot of somethings, and she might not be able to take them down alone.

She can be found investigating in the daytime, walking over the land and inspecting claw marks, herding cows back to minor villages yet untouched... And then she starts finding the dead. She buries them and says the prayers herself. It's unforgiving and stomach-twisting work, but someone needs to remember these people.]

[THREE. How to Train Your Dragon]

[Remember that part about not taking on big angry hungry things by herself? Too bad. She's a queen now, and she's feeling more like her old self. Korra's on the front line because of course she is. When she learns the dragons can't be reasoned with even with her Avatarness, it's time to do it the Korra way.

A dragon roars at her through the hail. She roars back. It's that kind of day.

It takes the right amount of timing, an ice spell, and jumping off a rocky outcropping-- but she makes it onto a large dragon's back, and proceeds to pin its wings using her gauntlets. The dragon can't fly when it's being bothered like that. It's gonna crash!

She shouts a warning to anyone below.] Watch out!

[And then suplexes the dragon into the dirt.]

2, holds hands sparkles at etc

[convictionary]

[She buries, we'll say he...arrives on the scene shortly after she starts saying her prayers, having been stalled trying to catch a calf down the road and was in the process of taking the little one back to the closest village, and he ambles into the general area, about to call out something to the hero he sees over there and- oh. Oh.

...he considered just leaving. He found himself joining in with saying a prayer himself (a quick one, a dirty one, one under his breath) from afar, prepared to just leave as quietly as he had come. But that was when the calf started loudly mooing before he could shush her.

Moooooooo.]

...sorry. [He wasn't sure if he was apologizing for interrupting, for the fact that it seemed like Korra had done all of this work herself, or for the fact there was dead in the first place.]

sakura haruno | naruto | ota!

[mitotic]

one.

[ Sakura wakes up in a mood, and it's not a good one.

It's the stuff of bad cliché, waking up naked in a bed you don't recognize, something Sakura's never had the misfortune of experiencing before, and the weird squawking mechanical bird nearly pays dearly for it except that she doesn't have anything but a pillow to throw at it, and it manages to fly out of the way in time anyway. It does nothing to improve Sakura's mood, because she now she has nothing to stuff over her ears to ignore the song.

Really, there was no side of the bed to wake up on but the wrong one, given the circumstances. When Sakura makes her way down to the mail room, she's wearing the red undershirt, pants, sandals, and a scowl. Good morning, Caissa.

By some small miracle, the first letter Sakura tears open in her irritation has chocolate. Normally, she wouldn't trust the food in some strange place, but normally she also has easy access to healing chakra to burn off poisons and drugs and she hasn't yet fully comprehended its absence. The crawl through the temple is little more than a dream to her, but her irritation is entirely real, and if there's one sure-fire cure-all for crankiness it's chocolate. So if you catch her after she's finished that off, you'll find her in a marginally better mood.

Expressions of gratitude and adoration when she hasn't actually done anything except apparently gotten lost in some time-space jutsu are easily glanced over. What Sakura's really looking for is information, clues about what's really going on, maybe the seam in reality that reveals this all as some kind of bizarre genjutsu. What she finds instead are seemingly nonsensical complaints. ]

Is he saying he was robbed, or...? [ This letter almost makes it sound like the merchant who wrote it merely misplaced all the wares in his storehouse, but that can't possibly be it, can it? ]

two.

[ She'd had her suspicions, but when Sakura comes across the first newly blackened ruins of what was once a small farm town she knows this is a good deal more serious than the letters made this situation out to be. It must have been at least a day or so since the fire was set, because it's torn through all the fuel it could find and died down by the time she finds it, little more than the epilogue of smoke remains of what caused it in the first place. Without looking away, she addresses whoever it is that happened to have stumbled upon this too. ]

We should look for survivors.

[ By the set of her mouth, she knows how futile it will be, but if there's even the slightest chance she can't turn away.

Or maybe you find her later, crouched over a mangled body. If any other hero is too squeamish to approach it, she's not: it's hard to imagine much more gruesome images than this, but Sakura's seen it, and as a medic it's been her duty to perform more autopsies than she cares to keep track of. Still, this definitely ranks up there in some of the worst conditions she's ever seen a corpse in. ]

She's been dead for days.

two

[showsnopiety]

[The air stinks of smoke and decay. It's a great time to be around, really; it made her glad that she was wearing boots, instead of her usual slip on shoes for battle. Otherwise she wouldn't get the smell out of them for days.

Nonetheless, Caren is not squeamish. Instead her gaze is distant, her gaze going over the body. She steps closer, before she squats to get more details.]

Yes. The decomposition seems to be well along. But the way that the body is...

[She frowns, looking it over the ribs-or what's left of them.]

Bitten, then burnt?

Namazuo Toushirou | Touken Ranbu | OTA

[catfishtail]

[One]
[Namazuo doesn't seem to be too fazed by all the tokens of appreciation he's gotten, especially since a lot of it seems to be candy. He munches on it happily while reading the letters, apparently not really absorbing what's actually written in them. Though when reading the 15-page letter, he does look a little confused.] Well, it's nice that he built that house for her...but what does that have to do with us?

[And then he becomes distracted by candy.] This is all so good! I wish someone had sent dango, too...

[Two]
[Namazuo, however, is fazed by the fire. Very much fazed.

He doesn't deal well with fire. It takes him back to that fateful time at Osaka Castle, when everything around him and Ichigo was burning. That was really all he could remember of that night, since the burns he'd sustained caused him to lose some memories, but the few memories he has are enough to frighten him.

There's no trace of the happy-go-lucky Namazuo here. Especially when he sees the fruit cows, and how the surviving ones crowd around their dead companions. Namazuo doesn't speak or move as he watches them--he can't do anything except tremble and barely manage to stand upright. In any other situation he'd try to help as much as he could, but that doesn't seem to be happening with him right now.]

one

[daijoubou]

( While she isn't able to get clear look of the letter in entirety, she is able to get through the most important part of the letter... Which is not important at all. Everything seems to be about his wife? )

Um... He probably want us to know about his love for her? Or maybe there's something that Haruna misses about it.

( Although when she notices the sweets and how Namazuo seems to be completely busy in devouring them- )

Ah, is it okay for us to eat them?

( Because she got a lot with those candies herself. )

Tyrnen | Original Character

[path_to_the_world]

[ONE: P.S. I LOVE YOU]

[The mail was starting to get out of hand, as well as the random trinkets that were being sent. He wasn't sure what to do with any of it anymore. At first he had saved them all out of politeness, but now... now he was just throwing them away instantly. Maybe he should look at it first, but he really just didn't have the time anymore. In the trash they all went, as well as the pleas for help. Maybe someone else is looking for clues and will think to ask about letters delivered today?]

I don't even know what to do with all of these anymore....

[TWO: DISTANT HOWLING]

[He had a bad feeling about all of this, such widespread destruction, and it was only getting worse and worse. Couldn't he quit this? There were other people far more suited then him for the job....

He combed through the ruins of this particular village, trying to get any insight as to what might have happened, though not really knowing where to start it's half hearted. Something did catch his eye across a field though, something glittering in the sun light.]

I wonder what that-

Ah!

[His words were cut short as he tripped over something and fell, turning to see what it was however just caused him to scream louder. The sight before him was just awful, in fact it made him throw up right then and there.]

[THREE: BREATH OF FIRE]

[Dragons... what a terrible thought. And not only was it an issue with dragons, but Tyrnen was now quite close to them. What was he suppose to do? He couldn't do anything on his own. Why was he even here? He should have abandoned everything the moment it was discovered as a dragon problem.

While others fought he kept himself out of sight. Anything he could cast that would do any reasonable damage would just take way too long, he would probably be killed before it could go off properly.]

This was a mistake, it was a huge mistake!

1

[convictionary]

Take the things worth something and trash all the rest?

[Although he seems to be actually reading the letters...]

Listen to this. [Ahem.] Seeing you stride from the dock, triumphant, caused a shiver in my timber and a shiver in my soul. My darling hero, I wish to know more about your heroics...

CLOSED to Sion, H/Alle and Adra

[buildyourworld]

Breath of Fire

[ Getting information about dragons is the easy part, tracking them, not so much. Even so, being chased by dragons is certainly not the first thing Tieria is expecting upon arriving to the outskirt of one dragons infested village, especially not by the fire-breathing variety! It's a good thing he's proficient in Parkour or he would be done for by now. Even so, he's mindful of where he's running the dragon to, not wanting it to charge either of the Kings with them.

At this moment, he wishes he wore those darn heels ( but who in their right mind would wear heels into hills and forest?! ) as he swerves to avoid becoming barbeque dragon food. ]

Hallelujah!!! Get this damn dragon off me!!!

[hackles]

[ This day trip had gone poorly. And by poorly, he means up shit creek at an alarming speed. Dragons! Easy to say, harder to catch. So-so to outrun. Granted, this particular storm of teeth and claws is pretty focused on his partner, which is working to his advantage. He figured the order would come sooner or later, and has spent the last few minutes sprinting with the help of Malakim's speed boost to get a good lead on it. From below, he leaps at an awning, catching one of its support beams and swinging himself up. Another rooftop, a balcony ledge, up, up, aaaand... ]

Haha! Two words!

[ Things Hallelujah has not done: kick a dragon in the face. Things Hallelujah wants to say he's done: kick a dragon in the face. ]

Eat this.

[ His boot heel catches the ledge of the roof he's been following the dragon from, and he vaults off at an angle, grinning wildly. A beat of the dragon's wings blows his hair back in the moment before he smashes straight into the creature's head. It bellows, twisting in a fit of fury. Gravity follows suit, a shimmering, inelegant mass of fuck right off, and Hallelujah sends the both of them careening down into the streets below.

Now, to keep it that way. ]

Patricia Watson | Skullgirls | All welcome!

[eyegotcha]

Part I-I: Taking a Wrong Turn at Albuquerque

[Finally, the morning is underway. Naked bedroom freakout? Check. Pummeling her room thoroughly? Double check! Actually getting dressed and taking her tour of some new mysterious world? Get that squared away. With her checklist filled out, Patricia can finally get things under control and ticking along smoothly.

Well, as smooth as a girl can get with new prosthetics in some wannabe Neverland.]

We got real Einsteins here! Give the blind gal a map! What a swell idea! Buncha baloney...

[No one can miss her. Like some clumsy middle school science project, the cyborg clambers through the halls with her triple-jointed arms held stiffly to her sides, even then just barely keeping her bronze-tipped fingers from scraping the floor wherever she goes. Her legs stomp inadvertently, heavy-footed and awkward. To pair it all off, she often takes a wrong turn straight into a random passerby or get mixed up into walking down a dead-end, nearly taking a cartoonish spill down the stairs, or any number of silly antics. Just getting to the mail room itself is an adventure and a half.]

Stupid weirdo magic-land... Can't even bothah t' build their halls like a normal person. [Her evident grumbling punctuates clumsy metallic thuds into random objects as she finally rounds one corner towards the main lobby. Sure, maybe a reasonable, calm girl would have tried to focus on how to get through here decently (hand on the wall, trying to focus that weird energy stuff, asking someone... the possibilities were endless!), but Peacock is far too irrational to do that. Instead, she makes things worse, puffing herself up and strong-arming right through a tight corner.

Unsurprisingly, someone bashes right into the shoulder joint of her arm, releasing a frightening hiss of steam as one of the pipes misplaced and causing the newcomer to leap back and grit her metal teeth right at the unseen pedestrian. This was a bad day to be at this corner.]

Could'ya maybe watch where yer steppin', pal!? You're lucky I don't sock ya one for gettin' in my way!

Part I-II: For Me? You Shouldn't Have!

[Getting to the mail room was enough to peter out what little patience Peacock had this morning. Though, that's not saying much; anything was enough for her. So is it any surprise she treats her letters so flippantly? She doesn't even get why she was getting mail! It wasn't like she knew anyone here.

So whoever comes to the mailing room will be treated to the unbecoming sight of Peacock sitting next to her box, ripping open envelopes to check for any goodies and tossing the actual useful notes to the side. She still hadn't learned to "see" around her, yet, and rather than actually take the time to peruse these obviously important notes, she decides to just take it easy for today.

The look on her face lights up as she found a small box of chocolates in one, feeling around the surface of one savory treat and licking it cautiously. Once she confirms that, yep, it certainly is chocolate, she pops it right into her mouth and grinds it to a goopy mush with metal chompers, beaming a messy grin at her own triumph.]

Ain't that sweet? I got fans already! [She boasts to no one in particular, turning her head to anyone nearby with a quirk of one brow.] 'Ey! You got anything good? I'll trade ya some borin' candles if ya got some treats! [Maybe she should have been asking about the letters themselves...]

Part II: He's dead, Jim.

[Sure, her start here had been rocky, and it took her some time to find out what was actually going on in this place, but Peacock was darn eager to get out and about on the hunt for anything that promised action and entertainment! Once she learned of the mysteries around Caissa, it was only a matter of time before she was prowling the countrysides and fields of Caissa, Painsaw hanging limply at her hip and head tilted to the side with an excited grin splitting her face.

Stopping at a small village, the girl huffs in a long breath through her nose, then sighs out the smoky air with a quick nod.] I love th' smell a' burnin' in the mornin'. [Cheesy lines aside, the redhead focuses her mana as simplistically as she had been practicing, trying to get a 'view' of how this scene looked. Her newfound sight is rudimentary at best, and can only be focused for minuscule periods of time, but to her, that's better than stumbling around the countryside blind!

Probably wasn't enough to be wandering alone, but... Since when has she cared for caution?

Approaching a charred field, Peacock lets out a loud, sinking whistle as she glances out to the wide former pastures, featuring dead and dying cows of all different flavors and tones. Honestly, it was pitiable, but Peacock tries to keep her detachment throughout the ordeal.] Yikes. Looks like someone wanted a little steak, eh, Avery?

[Peacock glances cheekily to her carrier, though her smile uncharacteristically drops as she approaches the farm itself, replacing with a more serious look as she kneels down next to a fallen cow and pokes it unhelpfully with one extended finger.] You'd think there's a bonafide Dagonian steakhouse nearby. Though even they got bettah cookin' standards than... this [Lifting up a detached bit of bone from the eviscerated cow, Peacock sticks out her tongue with a 'Blech', dropping the piece of livestock unceremoniously and continuing to scour for clues, her focus causing her to lose track of if anyone approached her.]

Part III: Lemme at 'im!

[There's an old Dagonian saying that went along the lines of: Only idiots run headfirst into a dragon's maw. Something like that; Peacock never really paid attention to those old-timey adages. Though, maybe she should have, seeing as how the overly eager girl is marching out in stormy weather, blind as a bat, grinning like some game player with an assured victory. She's fought plenty of baddies in the past! Mafias, Eldritch Terrors, the Skullgirl herself! Why should she be afraid of a winged lizard?

Well, maybe because she still hasn't figured out how her weapon works, and her powers are all but kaputt.

But still, heading out bravely to near certain defeat is Patricia Watson, hand gripping onto her Painsaw as she smiles expectantly, feet wide apart like some cheesy Western Shootout. The wind howls, picking up with force that could've knocked the girl over had her balance with her prosthetics hadn't improved. In the distance, a shrieking roar approaches the farm field Peacock had plotted out for ambush, sworn to protect the pitiful cows, if for nothing else than the excuse to wrassle her own winged terror!]

Here comes trouble! [The girl laughs eagerly as she raises her chainsaw to the air, pulling at the engine with a triumphant rip of the cord.] Come n' get some, you ovah-sized gecko! I ain't afraid a'--

[Oh no.

Peacock's head snaps up to her chainsaw, pulling at the cord once more. Once. Twice... Three times...? She had been s used to having a stocked armory of everything she needs... She never thought the darn thing wouldn't work! She keeps ripping and pulling at the cord, lowering the weapon and holding it precariously with her metal feet as she tries anything to get this to work.

And then... the dragon lands right in front of her and the livestock.] Aw, crap. [An understatement, as the beast takes in a deep breath, enough for Peacock to drop her useless weapon and turn tail, shamelessly running as fast as she can on her heavy legs away from the inferno the dragon blew out. If anyone is in her path, they'd be met by her flailing form heading right for them.] Get outta here! C'mon, stupid! Head for the hills!

3

[hiryugaeshi]

I believe dragons live in hills. You may want to consider the oceans instead, but I'd recommend just taking them down. [ Kojirou points out most helpfully as Peacock runs past him, a most amused expression on his face. Honestly, lady, there are better things to do than simply running away.

He can afford to be calm: The fireball's not coming for him, and he's staying safely out of the immediate range of the dragon breath - for now at least. Of course, he'd be calm anyway, but that's another matter altogether. ]

Besides, you've left your weapon behind. Shouldn't you go retrieve it before leaving, at least?

[ He draws his Knight's flag from its resting place on his back, planting it into the ground with a nice slam, the ice from the hailstorm turning into a makeshift barrier against the flames as he finally steps forward. ]

No matter, I'll get it back for you. Just try not to die.

One | Drakengard 3

[querella]

I

[ It wasn't the book she had ordered... well, it was, and more. That much was evident as One looked over the items that had been sent to her this morning. Letters were stacked on the lovingly wrapped tome she had ordered. Letters and small stacks of sweets. There are even other books, smaller and far more decorative. For a moment she is left to ponder if she ordered those as well, which might be the case considering her thirst for knowledge of this world had, occasionally, had her nearly missing curfew because she was reading.

The Holy Dragon let out a loud, noisy chirp, bright eyes gazing up at One with such hope. Her carrier awaited the sweets she was bound to set aside. His claws clicked with each little step he took. He moved in tight circles around One, watching her sift through her mail.

Vibrant crimson eyes studying the nearly twenty page letter she had recieved, a thin golden brow raising in consideration. One glanced away from the letter to her companion for just a moment before returning to the letter in hand. She carefully folded the letter closed, setting it back on the stack of mail, and picked up the many bundles. With arms full, One began her trek back to her room. ]

II

[ Wasn't this a sight to see? All at once familiar, and yet entirely different. The scent of death, of burned flesh filled her nose as she crouched near a corpse. Gloved fingers hovered over the charred remains of an elderly man's shoulder. Crimson eyes swept over the expanse of the man's wounds. Taken in the torn entrails, the damaged limbs - at least those that remained. With some care she gripped the man's shoulder and turned him onto his stomach. It was then that she truly paused. Her skin growing pale. The claw marks reminded her vaguely of the the lizardmen she had faced, along side her two Assassin companions. But the burns... reminded her of dragon fire. Of Gabriella.

The beautiful purple dragon, her magenta claws and golden rings. Her snappy comebacks. Before... before... ]

I believe, [ a pause. ] I may know what has happened here.

[ Would it be that hard to conceive? They could be facing horrific overgrown lizards, or worse, dragons? Possibly wyverns, of course. Either way, One would have to be far more careful now. ]

III

[ Dragons. Of course. It had to be dragons, the mortal enemy of all Intoners. Of the Flower that helped to create them.

And they weren't like Gabriella, or Michael. Mikhail.

The knight stared up at the monstrous entities for a moment. She knew, to an extent, how to kill a dragon. It was as you would kill any other beast, after all, but the matter was how to close the distance. Her weapon could be used to her advantage, if she could get close enough. As a knight, she was incredibly strong, but she did have quite the restriction on her weapon. The chain's length was a mere four feet, and the blade itself was three feet wide. She would have to time her attacks just so. ]

IV

[ Choose your own adventure. ]

II - we can lead up to III if you'd like

[dualitea]

[ Henry lagged behind One while they investigated. He had taken a detour to look through the charred house, to see if there were any survivors - but no, there was none.

It weighed in on his conscience, but Edward merely gloated. Gloated at how weak the people were to die, and how weak he was to be unable to do something about it. ]

You have a guess, Lady One?

[ She seems much more informed than he is about this, but he also has his suspicions. Especially after Orleans. ]

Natasha Romanova/Black Widow | OTA

[meanballerina]

1. Gathering information (Hall of Glory)

[Natasha tears through her mail more out of a desire to keep her room neat than any real interest in what well wishes the people have for her. Alright, she might be a little interested...if only because she's of the mind that no information is wasted information.

The letters asking for help intrigue her the most though. But it's clear that the ones she's gotten are only telling her half the story. That's no good. She needs the colle, but she's not going to walk into a mission (and yes, she thinks of everything as a "mission," even this whole...hero thing.) without a better idea of what's waiting.

All of which means that, whoever you are, as long as you're somewhere in the Hall of Glory, you might get a redheaded teenager marching up to you and asking, without so much as a greeting:]

Did you get any letters from outside Caissa asking for help? What did they say?

3. Herding cows (Gresser)

[Natasha's training, while extensive, was pretty light on what to do when faced with frightened, recalcitrant cows. "Fruit cows", even. Whatever "fruit cows" means.

After tracking down the poor beasts, she stops a good way away from them, wary of how...big...they are. She looks over at whoever took this job with her, more to buy time than anything else.]

So. We found them. Any ideas how to get them home?

1!!

[hoasen]

[Hey, instant work isn't a problem at all, considering that this seems to happen a lot.]

I did. One was saying how their entire house disappeared after they returned from a trip. What about yours?