[f09-pp] "hell is other people." - jean-paul sartre

[NIGHT 0]

<<f09-phoenix.>>

by bistro’s orders, she was going there. and damn, she was not at all interested in returning, at all.

to the ninth floor they had to go, with her broker’s promise that the trip would be worth the effort. funny, because nothing was worth the effort of attending the mountain top, to slay the same damn thing that had given her a nightmare ages and ages ago. still, if it was for the greater good, then perhaps it was worth some amount of effort. night never truly believed her thoughts, but she was ultimately there, weapon in hand, staring up towards the sky as the sun burned down upon the horizon.

she could see the red bird circling the sky. graceful? she wouldn’t have called it that. despicable, she imagined the creature, almost taunting – they couldn’t exactly come back to life after death in this game. in truth, all it was was a grim reminder.

[ lv. 142  ->   l. 32 / p. 110 ] NIGHT | HP: 1080/1080 | EN: 146/146 | DMG: 20 | ACC: 7 | EVA: 6 | BH+HB: 106 | AA | VAMP-D: 136 | TAUNT | Stealth Rating: 6 Spoiler notes. for distribution: Creme Brulee (3) | ACC 2 Spoiler equipped Cosmic Devourer+1  ABS. ACC, ACC III infinity.  EVA III, ACC pretense. HB II, VAMP-D II   battle-ready inventory Teleport Crystal (3) | TELEPORT Imugi's Inspiration (5) | MASS HP RECOVERY skills. Spoiler mod count: 5/7 2HSS | RANK 5/5 focus, stamina, precision shift: aoe CLOTH ARMOR | RANK 5/5 athletics, nimble COMBAT MASTERY: DMG | RANK 3/3 BATTLE HEALING | RANK 5/5 emergency recovery ENERGIST QUICK CHANGE CHARGE SCOUTING FAMILIAR EXTENDED MOD LIMIT extra SURVIVAL CONCENTRATION HIDING untraceable, vanish, surprise attack-t buffs. Spoiler statue BIALAS | TAUNT consumables   Liquor of Light (1) | DAMAGE III  Crème Brûlée (1) | ACCURACY II  Smores (1) | EVASION II  Breakfast Fry (1) | PROTEIN III filling paragon Lv. 5 | Gain additional col equivalent to 15% of EXP earned in that thread. Lv. 10 | +1 LD to looting. arts. Spoiler en cost matches multiplier unless stated otherwise. shift underlined. ST | x12 -> x15 | x20 AOE | x15 -> x18 TECH-A | x12 | STUN | 13EN TECH-B | x12 | DELAY TECH-D | x12 | SHATTER TECH-F | x8 | AOE STUN  TECH-G | x12 | BURN misc. Spoiler Dimensional Backpack, Item Stash | +2 Battle-Ready Inventory Slots. Well Rested | -1 EN for the first three expenditures of each combat.  Relaxed | +(5 * Tier) HP per out-of-combat post. Full energy restoration occurs after two turns out of combat. Squeaky Clean | -25% DoT damage taken from the first DoT applied to this player in a thread. Skylight: Searching | +1 Expertise to declared utility skill. Cooldown of 30 days to reassign. Multipurpose | +1 LD/Prosperity/Stealth/Detection to one post per thread. Can be applied after a roll. Filling | +1 T1 slot to a food consumed by this player in a thread. Can exceed Cook enhancement caps. Col Deposit | +5% col from loot-minimum mobs, +10% col from treasure chests. gathering Greenhouse | +2 G.EXP, +1 CD&LD to gathering attempts. Familiar: Profession | +2 G.EXP Demeter's Cornucopia | +1 CD to gathering attempts.

 

 

Edited July 16, 2023 by NIGHT

[Basuke 0]

but basuke was bent on understanding otherwise.

phoenix? cool bird, okay! there was some reason why night had decided to tag him along, telling him to show up for the cool sights – not that he minded! traveling around the castle was his thing, after all! and he wondered briefly about who the person he was supposed to fill in for was. night said he wouldn’t have to do anything; their plan was to take down the bird. and all basuke could think about on his way over was shit, how do i take pictures again?

there was the thick scent of smoke, and to a trained dirt-otologist, the smell of minerals, the very same that smiggle v loved to sniff out, if it had a nose. but while basuke was in awe, taking in the sights of what was essentially a hell landscape, he heard a voice unlike night’s hollering about one matter or another. so whatever seemed to be the problem?

Lv: 19 | Basuke | HP: 380/380 | EN: 56/56 | ACC: 6 | EVA: 3 | DMG: 15 | BURN: 12 | BLIGHT: 12 Spoiler equipment. Tri-Hexagon Metal Pin +3 ACC Supreme Yeezyz Pen Ultim8 Shoez +3 EVA Rhona's Needle BLIGHT (12), BLD (12) battle-ready inventory. Teleport Crystal (1) consumed. Creme Brulee (1) | ACC 2 skills. Spoiler mods: 3/5 Straight Sword R5 stamina, precision, ferocity Combat Mastery: DMG R3 Cloth Armor R5

 

Edited July 16, 2023 by Basuke

[Demian 0]

“why do you have to be here, out of all–”

and demian but scowled back. because he hadn’t exactly the time to pick a fight with another player. was the call from bistro a joke? he turned over to what appeared to be their tag along, and whoever the short-stack was but all calm and smiles about the situation. 

big whoop. 

“never let yourself be turned in for hire,” he muttered, before shutting up and greeting the stranger with a folded arm and a wave. it was best to maintain courtesy, unlike whoever bistro’s contact was acting like. 

“what’s up with night?” the boy asked with a point. cut to the woman kicking the dirt in frustration.

all demian could come up as a response was, “is that her name?”

“... you don’t know her?”

“i only know we’re supposed to be hunting a field boss today,” he clarified, tepid. “and that’s that.”

“oh.”

the stranger’s head turned from night towards demian, and he broke into a grin again, from confusion. “i’m basuke. nice to meet you!”

“... likewise.”

Lv. 11 | DEMIAN | HP: 220/220 | EN: 40/40 | DMG: 13 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 1 | MIT: 12 | REGEN: 1 Spoiler equipment. Torres Special DMG 3 Enduring Stand MIT (12), REGEN (5) bauble. ACC 2, EVA 1 battle-ready inventory. Teleport Crystal (1) consumed. Creme Brulee (1) | ACC 2 skills. Spoiler Straight Sword R5 stamina, precision, ferocity Combat Mastery: DMG R3

 

Edited July 16, 2023 by Demian

[Nian 0]

huh? what the heck was going on over there?

look. whoever those nobodies above me are, their stories are unimportant. disgusting for you to even think about considering their words. look to nian instead, who was but traveling the wastes in search of something a little more interesting to hunt for. and upon hearing about some degenerates about to head out to confront some boss or another – it didn’t matter to her, nor their party size! it was easy to gank them, not pvp wise, but on items. and given that all she had to do was ambush the field boss, that was exactly what she was intending to do.

so she lounged around a little more. wasn’t in her nature to pretend to do so as emperor, but this regular “silence and eavesdropping” tactic meant much for the woman’s capability to gather information. and if only she had her own ninja squad – that would’ve been apt! she wouldn’t need to have done so much on her own after all. but they say if you needed a job done well, do it yourself.

[[ N I A N ]]  Lv. 15 | NIAN | HP: 300/300| EN: 48/48 | DMG: 16 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 1 | MIT: 36 | LD: 3 Spoiler  equipment  Heaven's Decree +2 ACC +1 EVA STR-v2 + 6 DMG Red Omamori + 3 LD  br.inventory  Teleport Crystals (3) Cold Brew Coffee (5) | HP RECOVERY III | [link] Golden Key (3) Chocolate Truffles [+4 EN/ea] (5)  consumed  Creme Brulee (1) | ACC 2  skills  Spoiler CLAWS | RANK 5/5 stamina, precision, ferocity aoe shift  COMBAT MASTERY: MIT | RANK 3/3

 

[Demian 0]

(which was exactly the reason why, despite having the group together, night was also one of the individuals who needed to show up. demian had it figured out, after a brief understanding. their tier four player was bistro’s lucky break.)

after a brief introduction with bauske, and upon realizing the truth, he shook his head, discouraged, just as night finally recovered from a brief bout of not-sure-what’s-wrong-with-her-actually. she had glanced towards basuke, and her demeanor seemed to normalize, until she noticed demian staring back at her with an absent motive.

that, somehow, made their star player feel worse.

“ugh,” night had snapped back, “fine,” before she swung her sword over her shoulder and started to head off into the wastes herself. which left demian and his new acquaintance (what kind of a name was basuke?) to catch up at their own pace, and he was not remiss of the stalker following their every step. running on fours? he could do that too.

but he wouldn’t, and neither did basuke. when they reached the top of mount kazan, right before the phoenix, night had slowed down in time for demian to pull out his weapon and call for basuke to follow through.

Spoiler

ID213267 | bd6+5-2 = 9 | -> TECH-F vs Phoenix | [x]

16 * 8 = 128 DMG
128 - 50 = 78 DMG

8+2-2 = 8 EN

---

Phoenix | HP: 872/975 | MIT: 50 | DMG: 90 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 2 | MD9+: 150DMG, T2 BURN AOE | [HP = 0; HP -> 225, DMG -> 90] | STUNNED

Demian | HP: 220/220 | EN: 32/40 | DMG: 13 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 1 | MIT: 12 | REGEN: 5
Basuke | HP: 380/380 | EN: 56/56 | DMG: 15 | ACC: 6 | EVA: 3 | BLI/BURN: 12
Nian | HP: 300/300 | EN: 48/48 | DMG: 16 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 1 | MIT: 36 | LD: 3
NIGHT | HP: 1080/1080 | EN: 146/146 | DMG: 20 | ACC: 7 | EVA: 6 | BH+HB: 106 | AA | VAMP-D: 136 | TAUNT

 

Edited July 16, 2023 by Demian

[Basuke 0]

in reality, it went something more like:

against a bright light that came from the phoenix’s path, trailing along in a circle atop the mountain, night’s figure, shadowed, had stopped, in time for demian to have reached out and pull his sword from nowhere, and for her to have heard, “hey! bistro said we’d get to go first, night!”

to which, his best friend looked over her shoulder with an exasperated look, and a defiant statement paired with a growl – “i know.”

“great, thanks,” demian returned, to give basuke a look, too. he was all cool with his scarf, and helpful, the way he lunged forward towards the phoenix at the very same time it came down into attacking range, beating back basuke with the flap of its wings. if it wanted to roost, demian wouldn’t let it.

“basuke, get a hit in before it’s too late!”

and he wouldn’t understand why, but basuke definitely wanted to follow. “okay!”

Spoiler

ID213268 | bd8 | -> ST-I vs Phoenix | [x]

12 * 12 = 144 DMG
144 - 50 = 94 DMG

12-2 = 10 EN

---

Phoenix | HP: 803/975 | MIT: 50 | DMG: 90 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 2 | MD9+: 150DMG, T2 BURN AOE | [HP = 0; HP -> 225, DMG -> 90] | STUNNED

Demian | HP: 220/220 | EN: 32/40 | DMG: 13 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 1 | MIT: 12 | REGEN: 5
Basuke | HP: 380/380 | EN: 46/56 | DMG: 15 | ACC: 6 | EVA: 3 | BLI/BURN: 12
Nian | HP: 300/300 | EN: 48/48 | DMG: 16 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 1 | MIT: 36 | LD: 3
NIGHT | HP: 1080/1080 | EN: 146/146 | DMG: 20 | ACC: 7 | EVA: 6 | BH+HB: 106 | AA | VAMP-D: 136 | TAUNT

 

Edited July 16, 2023 by Basuke

[Nian 0]

good. it appeared that she was unseen. and based off the conversation, nian considered their plan fast.

the hag in full tracksuit must’ve been their tank, or a last attacker. because she had her weapon ready – and it seemed like she should’ve started striking first, but her stare up towards the phoenix allowed the two boys that followed after her to catch up and get a hit in before she did.

so, eager, nian darted after the brat boy in supreme, on his heels for a strike at the bird right after he’d landed a hit in with his stick of a weapon. and behind her, she could hear the other disgrace in rags yelling out a, “hey! basuke, behind you!”

well, it didn’t matter if she was finally noticed. because so long as she got her strike in, she’d get something free out of the whole ordeal. instead, she but bounced away to a different part of the arena, leaving the trio of hooligans behind.

Spoiler

ID213269 | bd10 | -> AOE-I vs Phoenix | [x]

(16+2) * 15 = 270 DMG
270 - 50 = 228 DMG

15+2-2 = 15 EN

---

Phoenix | HP: 583/975 | MIT: 50 | DMG: 90 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 2 | MD9+: 150DMG, T2 BURN AOE | [HP = 0; HP -> 225, DMG -> 90] | STUNNED

[1] Demian | HP: 220/220 | EN: 32/40 | DMG: 13 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 1 | MIT: 12 | REGEN: 5
[1] Basuke | HP: 380/380 | EN: 46/56 | DMG: 15 | ACC: 6 | EVA: 3 | BLI/BURN: 12
[2] Nian | HP: 300/300 | EN: 33/48 | DMG: 16 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 1 | MIT: 36 | LD: 3
[0] NIGHT | HP: 1080/1080 | EN: 146/146 | DMG: 20 | ACC: 7 | EVA: 6 | BH+HB: 106 | AA | VAMP-D: 136 | TAUNT

 

Edited July 16, 2023 by Nian

[NIGHT 0]

oh come on, what now?!

night was already having one of the worst days ever. go kill the phoenix again. see day’s favourite chef again. his food wasn’t even that great! how did bistro manage to send him – and now basuke was getting tailed – and almost killed – by some random stranger in pursuit of his stupid behind!

except basuke was safe, if a little disoriented. leave it up to mister hero to run into the fight and pull her friend out of it – just as she was getting ready to understand the situation at hand proper.

with a huff, she let her sword do the talking for her instead. she wasn’t trying her best to get the last hit in, but with the tier lock enforced, she just might – a cut across the phoenix’s entire body and she was expecting a hit in from the bird itself. then – oh right they had to switch which meant–

Spoiler

ID213270 | bd8 | -> AOE-I vs Phoenix | [x]

20 * 15 = 300 DMG
300 - 50 = 250 DMG

15+2-2 = 15 EN

---

Phoenix | HP: 333/975 | MIT: 50 | DMG: 90 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 2 | MD9+: 150DMG, T2 BURN AOE | [HP = 0; HP -> 225, DMG -> 90] | STUNNED

[1] Demian | HP: 220/220 | EN: 32/40 | DMG: 13 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 1 | MIT: 12 | REGEN: 5
[1] Basuke | HP: 380/380 | EN: 46/56 | DMG: 15 | ACC: 6 | EVA: 3 | BLI/BURN: 12
[2] Nian | HP: 300/300 | EN: 33/48 | DMG: 16 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 1 | MIT: 36 | LD: 3
[2] NIGHT | HP: 1080/1080 | EN: 131/146 | DMG: 20 | ACC: 7 | EVA: 6 | BH+HB: 106 | AA | VAMP-D: 136 | TAUNT

 

Edited July 16, 2023 by NIGHT

[Demian 0]

at their switch, demian pulled night in, with a growl and a ferocious stare. “i am not responsible for what happens here, no matter what bistro tells you.”

and he was certain that night was about to bark back, but in the heat of the moment, he was much more comfortable in losing himself in the fight. in the back, night had stumbled over to basuke, who had rushed over to ask the situation – and hell if demian knew. he was just here to play extra body and slay a beast, and the role of a weapon was the only thing he was familiar with.

so he let himself be a warrior of darkness.

the phoenix had let out a scorch of embers, a small fireball that branded the earth before itself with cinders, to the tune of a nearby vent’s sudden hissing. demian pushed away the environment, to sink his greatsword in, tip-first, before pulling away from the avian’s chest, sliding behind the enemy – if only to be on alert for their sudden ambusher from before.

Spoiler

ID213271 | bd7+5-2 = 11 | -> AOE-I vs Phoenix | [x]

13 * 12 = 156 DMG
156 - 50 = 106 DMG

12-2 = 10 EN

---

Phoenix | HP: 227/975 | MIT: 50 | DMG: 90 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 2 | MD9+: 150DMG, T2 BURN AOE | [HP = 0; HP -> 225, DMG -> 90] | STUNNED

[2] Demian | HP: 220/220 | EN: 22/40 | DMG: 13 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 1 | MIT: 12 | REGEN: 5
[1] Basuke | HP: 380/380 | EN: 46/56 | DMG: 15 | ACC: 6 | EVA: 3 | BLI/BURN: 12
[2] Nian | HP: 300/300 | EN: 33/48 | DMG: 16 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 1 | MIT: 36 | LD: 3
[2] NIGHT | HP: 1080/1080 | EN: 131/146 | DMG: 20 | ACC: 7 | EVA: 6 | BH+HB: 106 | AA | VAMP-D: 136 | TAUNT

 

Edited July 16, 2023 by Demian

[Basuke 0]

“what was that? did you see what happened earlier?”

and night had to stammer back a disappointing, “i don’t know, but that definitely wasn’t part of the plan!”

neither was basuke’s pause in the fight, apparently, as night pushed him forward with a hurried “go!”. and he knew she would have his back, if push came to shove – he didn’t really need to be doing much of anything, after all. she’d told him that, and he’d believed her.

with the way demian was looking over his shoulder as basuke charged forth, however, he wondered if he could rest easy with both of them present. his party – makeshift or otherwise – seemed capable, but there was some sort of additional conflict he had to take into account, too. and then there was–

“it’s that shadow!”

he was nearing the phoenix, the boss in his trajectory, and he wove past a peck attack and retaliated with his needle’s own. and yet, despite having to pay attention, basuke’s eyes were upon the unknown element, jumping over a ledge and diving for the bird themselves.

Spoiler

ID213271 | bd1 | [x]

-2+2 = 0 EN

---

Phoenix | HP: 227/975 | MIT: 50 | DMG: 90 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 2 | MD9+: 150DMG, T2 BURN AOE | [HP = 0; HP -> 225, DMG -> 90]

[2] Demian | HP: 220/220 | EN: 22/40 | DMG: 13 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 1 | MIT: 12 | REGEN: 5
[1] Basuke | HP: 380/380 | EN: 46/56 | DMG: 15 | ACC: 6 | EVA: 3 | BLI/BURN: 12
[2] Nian | HP: 300/300 | EN: 33/48 | DMG: 16 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 1 | MIT: 36 | LD: 3
[2] NIGHT | HP: 1080/1080 | EN: 131/146 | DMG: 20 | ACC: 7 | EVA: 6 | BH+HB: 106 | AA | VAMP-D: 136 | TAUNT

 

Edited July 16, 2023 by Basuke

[Nian 0]

they couldn’t even handle a stupid bird alone?! there was no telling if she’d get the loot if she went out of range! damn these commoners, they should all go to hell if they were going to be so slow about it!

(and the only sane voice at the back of her mind went even if they were already there?)

to hell with sanity and the appropriate idea. better to teach these wimps a lesson in being efficient, with nian leaping out from the mountainside to tackle the bird’s back, grabbing onto its feathers and hounding it to agitation. with a claw sunk into its neck, she was wondering how close it was to its death. and she didn’t have to think twice to check its health bar, floating off to the side.

was it close? she suppose it was a little hard to tell, in between the flames, and she hadn’t noticed the phoenix reeling before her to prepare for a counter attack–

Spoiler

ID213273 | bd7+5-2 = 11 | -> AOE-II vs Phoenix | [x]

16 * 18 = 288 DMG
288 - 50 = 238 DMG

18+2-2 = 18 EN

---

Phoenix | HP: 225/975 | MIT: 50 | DMG: 90 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 2 | MD9+: 150DMG, T2 BURN AOE | [HP = 0; HP -> 225, DMG -> 90] | STUNNED

[2] Demian | HP: 220/220 | EN: 22/40 | DMG: 13 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 1 | MIT: 12 | REGEN: 5
[1] Basuke | HP: 380/380 | EN: 46/56 | DMG: 15 | ACC: 6 | EVA: 3 | BLI/BURN: 12
[3] Nian | HP: 300/300 | EN: 15/48 | DMG: 16 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 1 | MIT: 36 | LD: 3
[2] NIGHT | HP: 1080/1080 | EN: 131/146 | DMG: 20 | ACC: 7 | EVA: 6 | BH+HB: 106 | AA | VAMP-D: 136 | TAUNT

 

Edited July 16, 2023 by Nian

[NIGHT 0]

so in came night, frustrated and annoyed, with her hand on her blade’s handle at the ready – she was told that the phoenix would resurrect in time. was it preparing to do so already? with all the chaos, it was difficult to get a look at the health bar– so she unleashed an attack before the situation could get any worse. it paid off; the shudder of the phoenix was enough to send their ganker for a whirl, and as it dissipated into the ether, the perpetrator fell upon the ground with a disgraceful thud.

and she was the first to get a look at who had done it. night hovered over the strange form of human and part machine, the large claws looking awfully homely and, yet, grotesque. who was this player? forgetting that she was best suited for the task, it was demian instead who paced over for a talk.

Spoiler

ID213274 | bd3+7-2 = 8 | -> AOE-II vs Phoenix | [x]

20 * 18 = 360 DMG
360 - 50 = 310 DMG

18+2-2 = 18 EN

---

Phoenix | HP: 225/975 | MIT: 50 | DMG: 90 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 2 | MD9+: 150DMG, T2 BURN AOE | [HP = 0; HP -> 225, DMG -> 90] | STUNNED

[2] Demian | HP: 220/220 | EN: 22/40 | DMG: 13 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 1 | MIT: 12 | REGEN: 5
[1] Basuke | HP: 380/380 | EN: 46/56 | DMG: 15 | ACC: 6 | EVA: 3 | BLI/BURN: 12
[3] Nian | HP: 300/300 | EN: 15/48 | DMG: 16 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 1 | MIT: 36 | LD: 3
[4] NIGHT | HP: 1080/1080 | EN: 113/146 | DMG: 20 | ACC: 7 | EVA: 6 | BH+HB: 106 | AA | VAMP-D: 136 | TAUNT

 

Edited July 16, 2023 by NIGHT

[Demian 0]

you’re kidding. whoever jumped over him and onto the phoenix had not only done so to, what looked like, steal their kill, but all the same they had decided a single nick wasn’t enough. so it made sense that he was going to get some answers by picking up the fallen body by the cloak they had worn, only–

“hey! that’s my hair–”

oops. he’d grabbed the wrong thing. and so much for not being responsible, because night was going to get to be off the hook now that he had taken charge in place of bistro. coming face to face with a random girl was the most annoying thing he had to deal with today, and he had to deal with the original of his most devoted friend.

demian cocked his head from one side to another, as he examined the player. “what exactly is the meaning of this? who are you, anyway?”

Edited July 16, 2023 by Demian

[Basuke 0]

“like hell you’re in any position to barter with me, you filthy lowlife!”

“lowlife? that’s no way to speak to somebody you’d just met; do you not have any manners?”

“that’s not the way you’d speak to a king, either! put me down!!” 

basuke noticed the lines of agony growing on demian’s face, and tilted his head, turning to night for answers instead. night, on the other hand, did not have any – and neither did it seem that she wanted to. instead, she pulled open her inventory instead, as the two beside them were bickering. “did you get the item?”

oh, right. that was what he came here to do, so he checked his interface as well. “oh! yeah, i think i did!”

“cool.” she closed it quick and gave basuke a curt nod. “you can hand it over. and maybe you can go see bistro one day for some repayment. i’ll send you her contact information.”

“thanks!”

[NIGHT 0]

and now was the question of whatever in the world they would do with the stranger that had just appeared. in total honesty, night couldn’t be bothered with trying to handle another player right now, and it seemed as though demian was having the time of his life trying to play sensibilities with whoever this nutjob was. ganking? that was so… no, she couldn’t remember how long it had been since they were trapped in her. but all she had to do was step closer and brandish her blade, and it was apparent that she was regaining control of the situation.

demian’s words rang at the back of her mind, and she knew she would have one over him in this regard, at the very least.

“look,” she put forward, with the edge of cosmic devourer set to the chin of her company, forcing the brat to look up towards her. “i’m not interested in dealing with you today. but i need you to know that you’re at a disadvantage against me before the rest of the party here.”

[Nian 0]

well, as their “leader” was monologuing, nian was able to read the room.

the guy with the purple hair turned sour at the woman’s latest comment. and it seemed, as though, that the boy behind them was the most clueless of them all. that, and the woman wasn’t apparently threatening, at all. nian had seen worse. nian had been worse.

“all i’m asking from you is the consumable you just got, and we’ll even escort you back to the main settlement, just in case you need a safe way back.”

so she snarled, even as her captor reluctantly backed his companion up. but the monarch – their monarch wasn’t able to proclaim her title without being just a tiny bit resourceful and knowledgable, after all. nian summoned a teleport crystal quicker than either participant of her hostage situation could react. “drop dead.”

with a tap of the crystal upon the ground, nian vanished, making her getaway safe and sound.

[Basuke 0]

“... what.”

whoever that was… they were smart, night had to give them that. and demian’s shocked image faded into a look of greater irritance once he realized how they were played – there was something about him that gave the aura of anger, that he should’ve known better, having done it himself.

or she could’ve been reading too much into his expression. so night preferred to look to basuke, who was trying his best to pretend as though he had no part in this situation, despite being a key witness to the threat. she placed a hand on his shoulder.

“well, if she ever puts up a wanted poster for me, it was nice knowing you, basuke. will you come to our aid as our attorney?”

“... what’s an attorney?”

“... like a lawyer who defends the party assumed guilty in a court of law?”

why was demian deciding to take part in their conversation, again?

basuke’s eyes lit up as he smacked the side of his fist against his palm. “oh, i get it! like ace!”

[NIGHT 0]

“who?”

“ace,” he reiterated, feeling proud of knowing something his peers seemed not to know. “like ace attorney. that’s his name, isn’t it?”

and it took demian a little longer to react, even though he’d hoped to make the man laugh. instead, that reaction came from night’s snort instead, her hand covering her mouth, looking towards the distance and trying her best not to show her emotions. “basuke,” night finally mentioned, with a sly smile. “his name is phoenix wright. he’s an ace attorney because he’s the best at his job.”

basuke turned to demian, just to see if he knew it. and his acquaintance nodded, slow, almost as though he’d expected basuke to have known better.

dammit, nevermind. though to be just as fair, neither did he know. “oh okay,” he returned, taking the L under his stride. as night started to tread down the mountain, so did basuke follow, and behind them, demian. “so what’s a court of law?”

[NIGHT 0]

maybe she would have to let demian take the responsibility over her own call, after all, grudge aside. because she was in no position to be lecturing someone about a judicial system when she could barely recall what had gone into one while she was still in her own body, rather than stuck inside a video game. instead, demian had offered to take basuke back to the teleporter instead, which was apt, because she believed that they both had teleport crystals in the same manner that their mystery stranger did. why not take them instead?

night put that aside though, focusing on the items she’d received from both of them. bistro would want the rest of the lot, she figured. and while she hated the ninth, it was a great excuse to go hunting just a little more, just to blow some steam off. she could really use it after the long day she’d had.

[NIGHT 0]

bistro: so how did it go?  
bistro: if you’re lying, i’ll know. demian already sent a report back to me.

night is typing…

bistro: just kidding.

night: it is so hard to know when you’re just kidding  
night: but yeah there was a stranger who tried to get an extra consumable from us through an almost last hit or something real big balls move

bistro is typing…

night: its okay i got it under control though  
night: just let me know if i’m wanted anywhere or whatever  
night: i’m allergic to witch hunts u know

bistro: demian never said anything about this.

night is typing…

night: well what did he say

bistro: he just said everything was alright

night: ?? he went back with basuke  
night: to yogan after we fought the phoenix

bistro: sorry, who’s basuke?

night is typing…

night: bro i think demian is lying to you?????  
night: and if you’re gonna confront him about it can u tell him im better than him :)

(bistro is now offline.)