the just master thief!

Still with the offer to aid she wanted to attempt to pick something for herself first, test the waters on this creative adventure. The dragon tapped her chin for a moment and then with a flash of inspiration picked a garland that matched but contrasted the one picked up by her new friend.

White and blue looked nicely put together, surely white and red did the same!

...Ah, right! "Sorry, sorry! I musta lost my manners between here and there!" She chuckles nervously, rubbing the back of her neck. "Divine Dragon, huh...? That's quite the title..." The concept of a divine dragon wasn't entirely foreign, but to hear someone call themself that so confidently...

her joy ends precisely the moment she watches zihark go down. "i'm going to help him!" she shouts to her teammates before she makes a mad dash for his body on the ground. he seemed to still be conscious, if she just made it in time....!

Unknown Hero 4/10HP hits Veyle 6/10HP with Chrysaor. [Roll: 19+4; -2HP; Veyle 4/10HP]

Veyle 4/10HP hits Unknown Hero 4/10HP with Luce.[Roll: 12 ; -2HP ] Unknown Hero 2/10HP

 Unknown Hero 2/10HP hits Veyle 4/10HP with Chrysaor. [Roll: 4+4; -2HP; Veyle 2/10HP]

Lone-Wolf Blade 10/10HP hits Veyle 2/10HP with Helswath and uses Focused Strike. [Roll: 20+13; -2HP] Veyle 0/10HP

but the phantoms they face seem to have different plans for her. she gasps as the hero makes a beeline for her, striking her hard once more with his sword. she stumbles backward but stays on her feet. no..! she was the only one capable of getting her ally back up on his feet! "agh.... just leave me alone!" she shouts, firing off another luce in frustration. it does little to stop him. phantom stumbles yet comes back stronger than before.

"eek!" she covers her face with her arms, thrown to the ground by the second strike. there is little fight left in her, and the myrmidon with terrifying defense ends even that with a single punch to the gut.

one lingering thought is left before her world goes dark. if she had allowed herself to depend on the ability of making corrupted, would this fight have turned out differently...?

Veyle has been defeated!

“Alright— I can do this!” She remembers the promise she made to Veyle to take down the shadow of Kris, and though she hadn’t fulfilled it last turn…she would make sure to avenge her to some degree before the fight was over!

[Resonance activates! -1HP, Patty 8.5/10HP] [Aureola activates! -1HP, Patty 7.5/10HP] Patty 7.5/10HP hits Unknown Hero 8/10HP with Aureola [Roll: 14; -4HP, Unknown Hero 4/10HP] [Lifetaker activates! +2HP, Patty 9.5/10HP] [Resonance activates! -1HP, Patty 8.5/10HP] [Aureola activates! -1HP, Patty 7.5/10HP] Patty 7.5/10HP hits Unknown Hero 4/10HP with Aureola [Roll:9; -4HP, Unknown Hero 0/10HP] [Lifetaker activates! +2HP, Patty 9.5/10HP] Unknown Hero has been defeated!

She bites back a pained groan as her arm burns. Her tome is slowly sucking away at whatever force she has left, but it results in the power to take down one of her enemies at the very least. “Sorry, Kris— hope ya never find out ‘bout this one.”

Lone-Wolf Blade 10/10HP hits Patty 9.5/10HP with Helswath [ Roll: 8 + 4 = 12 ; 5 - 2 def = -3HP ] Patty 6.5/10HP [Resonance activates! -2HP, Patty 4.5/10HP] [Aureola activates! -2HP, Patty 2.5/10HP] Patty 3.5/10HP hits and hits Lone-Wolf Blade 10/10HP with Aureola [ Roll: 7, 14 ; 2 + 4 = 6 - 6 res, 2 + 4 = 6 - 6 res = -0HP ; -0HP ] Lone-Wolf Blade 10/10HP

Now that everyone else had been defeated there was no one else around to tank the hits, leaving her the only target for the swordsman’s blade. Even her attacks feel as if they do little to him, the burning in her arm slowly spreading throughout her body without any sign of relief.

But at least it was over for now—

Willful Princess uses Refresh on Lone-Wolf Blade, Lone-Wolf Blade can go again

"...Seriously, Miranda?"

Lone-Wolf Blade 10/10HP hits Patty 2.5/10HP with Helswath [ Roll: 20 + 4 = 24 ; 5 - 2 def = -3HP ] Patty 0/10HP [Miracle activates! Patty 0.5/10HP]

“A-ah—!” The final hit leaves her legs weak, falling to her knees as her vision begins to blur. There’s no hope left for her to survive this battle just like all the ones before…but at the very least she wouldn’t give the mysterious man or Miranda the satisfaction of being her end.

[Aureola activates! -1HP, Patty 0/10HP]

There’s barely a spark that leaves her fingertips as she feels herself growing more and more faint, body falling forward and onto the ground without any resistance.

‘Ha…I’m goin’ out on my own terms, at least…’

Unknown Hero 10/10HP hits Veyle 10/10HP with Chrysaor and uses Rubens. [Roll: 9+4; -2HP; Veyle 8/10HP]

the armor she'd been outfitted with does well to mitigate much of the damage, but the hero before her's strength is unbelievable. she winces, stepping back and trying her best to fight back.

Veyle 8/10HP hits Unknown Hero 10/10HP with Luce [ Roll: 10 ; -2HP ] Unknown Hero 8/10HP

Unknown Hero 10/10HP hits Veyle 8/10HP with Chrysaor. [Roll: 16+4; -2HP; Veyle 6/10HP]

the spell she manages to get out is rather pathetic in comparison to what she'd done helping zihark, and the hero does not stop there. " ah...!" veyle yelps again as the blade's strike lands true on her once more. it's all she can do to try and run away from him. she won't be able to do much against him...!

emblem marth had always talked about how important his friends were to him in his victory against his enemies, and as veyle retreats to patty's side she wonders if his friends were like this phantom hero, holding this unfathomable strength to them.

Veyle 8/10HP heals Patty 1/10HP with Recover [ Roll: 6 ; +4HP ] Patty 5/10HP

"patty, can i ask you to try to defeat him...?" veyle's voice comes uncertainly as she lays her hands on the girls shoulders, healing what she can of the wounds patty has suffered thus far. it's not much at all. "but uhm, please be careful if you do. he's really strong."

When Veyle runs up to her she gives her a smile, though it's much more strained than before. "Thank ya, Veyle...you're a real life saver, ya know that?" Her request is simple in theory, but given what happened last round...she's not too sure.

Still, her grin widens, giving the Princess a thumbs up. "Got it! I'll do my very best for ya since ya saved my life back there!"

[ Renewal activates! Patty 5/10HP recovers + 2HP ] Patty 7/10HP [Resonance activates! -1HP, Patty 6/10HP] [Aureola activates! -1HP, Patty 5/10HP] Patty 5/10HP hits Unknown Hero 10/10HP with Aureola [Roll: 6; -4HP] Unknown Hero 6/10HP [Lifetaker activates! +2HP, Patty 7/10HP] [Resonance activates! -1HP, Patty 6/10HP] [Aureola activates! -1HP, Patty 5/10HP] Patty 5/10HP barely hits Unknown Hero 6/10HP with Aureola [ Roll: 5 ; -3HP ] Unknown Hero 3/10HP [Lifetaker activates! +1.5HP, Patty 6.5/10HP]

"Ah-- I actually landed it!" Why are you acting so surprised...? Her excitement fades for a moment, nodding towards the shadow and whispering under her breath. "Sorry, Kris..."

"...?" veyle notices the look of distress on zihark's face with a single glance his way, noting the tense body language. something here was giving him trouble. her gaze falls to where zihark looks and she sucks in a break. the dark magic that radiates from the phantom, though unfamiliar is still... nostalgic.

like she is looking into the eyes of her past self who was only able to condemn her fell blood. it's uncomfortable. still, she naturally raises a hand to help zihark— because he needs it.

Dual Assist activates! [Roll: 18] Veyle 10/10 HP critically hits Sorrowful Prince 10/10 HP with Luce [Roll: 18 - 4 = 14; -2 HP; Sorrowful Prince 8/10 HP]

the spell that follows is light magic, which startles her backwards with wide eyes. it is one thing to use white magic to heal others, but to use it to hurt...? it does not feel right. the spell safely hits its target before zihark lands his own powerful strike.

Veyle 10/10HP rolls to summon Invoke Battalion [ Roll: 3; Fail! ]

pressing her hands to her chest. something else rumbles in her chest, a spell waiting to be used. a frown tugs at her lips, brow furrowed and hands clenched tight into fists. was she given the ability to create corrupted in this illusionary realm? because that's certainly what it felt like.

no, she didn't want to. i don't want to rely on that power.

Even if she knows they aren't real, the sight of a shadow of her friend taking such a beating makes her skin crawl. 'It ain't real...it's fine,' is what she keeps telling herself, raising her tome in his direction.

The spell leaves the tip of her fingers as she thinks for just a moment too long. Thinks of their moments together, having fun and playing cards, smiling--

Resonance activates! -1HP, Patty 9/10HP Aureola activates! -1HP, Patty 8/10HP Patty 8/10HP misses Sorrowful Prince 1.5/10HP with Aureola [Roll: 3; -0HP, Sorrowful Prince 1.5/10HP] Resonance activates! -1HP, Patty 7/10HP Aureola activates! -1HP, Patty 6/10HP Patty 6/10HP misses Sorrowful Prince 1.5/10HP with Aureola [Roll: 3; -0HP, Sorrowful Prince 1.5/10HP]

She misses. Horribly.

It's embarrassing, thinking so highly of something that is mocking her friend, but it wasn't as simple as she thought it would be. Maybe she's getting soft, no longer the girl having fun on the battlefield. 'Ah, that's...annoyin'.'

Sorrowful Prince 1.5/10HP hits Patty 6/10HP with Hrungnir [Roll: 6+8= 14; -2.5HP, Patty 3.5/10HP] Sorrowful Prince 1.5/10HP hits Patty 3.5/10HP [Roll: 3+8= 11; 2.5HP, Patty 1/10HP]

"That-- hurts!" And it seemed like the shadows didn't hold the same kind of remorse. "I dunno if this is lookin' too good for me already...but I'll do my best, alright?"

Either way, he doesn't have it, and he feels nothing but weakness coursing through his muscles. Weakness that shouldn't have been there. He can't even move to dodge as an attack rains down onto him from above, their stupid foe cackling at him all the while.

Winner Takes All bounces! Mad Hatter 25/25 HP crits Zihark 2.5/10 HP with Winner Takes All [ Roll: 19 ; 4-1 = -3HP; Zihark 0/10 HP]

He kneels, breath caught in his throat. He can't stand being weak, he can't stand not being to move while watching his allies get beat into a pulp while he cannot do a thing to help them.

"I... I'm sorry..." He manages to mumble out as he lays back against the floor, fight drained from him, "That I was not able to do more... I'm sorry."

ZIHARK IS DEFEATED!

Deciding that it counted enough as an opinion, the mercenary righted herself and took a wide step forwards to swing her instrument right as the madman's side.

Maddest Hatter 23.5/25HP misses Farina 3.5/10HP with Raise the Stakes [Roll: 3-4= -1; -0HP] Farina 3.5/10HP hits Maddest Hatter 23.5/25HP with Valaura [Roll 14; 1.5-2=0; Maddest Hatter 1,5/25HP*] Teahouse Distribution does not activate! [Roll: 2]  Maddest Hatter 23.5/25HP is inflicted with Toxic Poison.

Once again, she might as well have been hitting a wall. To make matters worse, the projectile somehow bounced off something behind her and struck her deep in the side, causing her to stumble forwards in a moment of pain and right into the madman's open palm, it seemed.

Farina took a moment to glare back up at the hatted madman and his widening grin and tried to ignore the glowing hum of energy building up in the madman's palm.

Maddest Hatter 23.5/25HP critically hits Farina 3.5/10HP with Raise the Stakes [Roll: 14-4= 10; -6HP] Miracle! Farina 0.5/10HP Outnumbered! Maddest Hatter 23.5/25 HP critically hits Farina 0.5/10HP with Winner Takes All! [Roll: 14-4= 10; -5HP] Farina 0/10HP

"Cheater. I hate you. I really really do." That was all she'd managed to growl out before she was engulfed by the light that emerged from the madman's palm.

Well, at least she'd gone down swinging. At least, that counted for something, right?

Farina has been defeated!

Even though Farina manages to dodge an attack or two, she's eventually taken down just like Veyle and Zihark were-- and soon it would be her turn. There was no one else to share the damage, all the remaining chips flying in her direction.

Winner Takes All bounces! Maddest Hatter misses Patty 4/10HP with Winner Takes All [Roll: 6; -0HP] Patty 4/10HP Winner Takes All bounces! Maddest Hatter critically hits Patty 4/10HP with Winner Takes All [Roll: 18; -4HP] Patty 0/10HP

She manages to dodge one, looking almost proud of herself before she's overcast by a shadow. There was no chance to fight back anymore...the fight was coming to an end.

"Guess my luck's run out, huh...? No fair...I was really hopin' for a nice clean fight, ya know. Tch...what a bust."

The chips are down, and everything goes black.

Farina 3.5/10HP is inflicted with Broken Heart and cannot act. Winner Takes All bounces! Mad Hatter 25/25HP misses Farina 3.5/10HP with Winner Takes All [ Roll: 5 -4 = 1 ; -0HP ] Farina 3.5/10HP Winner Takes All bounces! Mad Hatter 25/25HP misses Farina 3.5/10HP with Winner Takes All [ Roll: 6 -4 = 2 ; -0HP ] Farina 3.5/10HP

By some miracle, she'd managed to survive that show. As the dust cleared and she could finally move again, Farina took a careful glance around and looked over the carnage. Yikes, looked like more than one of them was out of it. This wasn't good. She could only see one of them still struggling to get back on her feet, a blonde wielding a sword and an axe.

Farina 3.5/10HP heals Patty 2.5/10HP with Recover [Roll: 7, +4HP healed] Patty 6.5/10HP

'Augh-- I'm glad I didn't get into hobbies like that at least...'

Mad Hatter 25/25HP misses Patty 7/10HP with Winner Takes All [ Roll: 1 + 4 = 5 ; -0HP ] Patty 7/10HP Winner Takes All bounces! Mad Hatter 25/25HP crits Patty 7/10HP [ Roll: 12 + 4 = 16 ; 4+1.5-1= -4.5HP ] Patty 2.5/10HP

The assault ends with only two left standing. As exhausted as it is, she still manages to find a smile for Farina. "Y-yeah-- I can! Thanks for patchin' me up, by the way!" Her body still felt a bit stiff, admittedly, but not enough to stop her entirely. "Mhmm-- we'll make 'em regret everythin'!" Feigned confidence could come true if you believed hard enough, after all!

Patty 6.5/10HP barely hits Maddest Hatter 25/25HP with Khanda [Roll: 3; -1.5HP] Maddest Hatter 23.5/25HP Maddest Hatter 23.5/25HP misses Patty 6.5/10HP with Raise the Stakes [Roll: 2; -0HP] Patty 6.5/10HP Maddest Hatter 23.5/25HP hits Patty 6.5/10HP with Raise the Stakes [Roll: 12; -2.5HP] Patty 4/10HP

"...No good--" It wasn't enough, barely even leaving a scratch unlike the last time she attacked. Maybe if the others were still up they could do this, but like this...

"H-hey--! Farina, watch out!"

The strange crazy hatter hits Zihark, and he hits it back. Such is the lay of the lance in battle. A dance of swords and fists, metal against metal until one reigned victorious and the other lay in the dirt. Zihark sorely hoped that at the end of this, it would be their enemy that was defeated and not him.

Things only go downhill from there.

As his hit collides with the enemy's body, the being stops for a moment, only to rise again - much to Zihark's chagrin - and invite them all to a... party? Like what he had done earlier, but this time, the invitation was extended to all of them.

The Grandest Party activates! Mad Hatter 25/25HP invites Dordice A, Dordice B, Dordice C, Dordice D, Farina 10/10HP,Zihark 6/10HP, Patty 10/10HP and Veyle 10/10HP  to the table. Mad Hatter takes 7! [Roll: 7, 2]

Well, might as well roll the dice then. He steps forward, gently pushing on one of the many sided die, only to hear a loud sound of failure as a one pops up above the die. It seemed like he had lost then, how unfortunate.

Zihark 6/10HP rolls to hit Dordice B. [Roll: 3, Hit] [Roll: 1] The Hatter 25/25HP wins and hits Zihark 6/10HP with Tea Time’s Over. [Roll: 11; 3-1=-2HP; Zihark 4/10HP]  Zihark 4/10HP is inflicted with Cornucopia (-4 speed, moves last in Player Phase) for one full round. [Roll: 1] Zihark 4/10HP is unable to act for one turn and is inflicted with -1.5 Defense, -1.5 Resistance, and -4 Avoid for the next combat instance.

The creature laughs, launching an attack at the swordsman, as if in punishment for failing to roll high enough. As soon as it hits, his movements feel sluggish, the strength drained from his body. His sword slips from his hand, clattering to the ground.

He can't remember the last time he felt this weak, taken advantage of. Which is exactly what their foe does, using his lack of strength to strike against him. A coward's way out, to attack someone who could not even feel their own limbs anymore.

Winner Takes All bounces! Mad Hatter 25/25HP barely hits Zihark 4/10HP with Winner Takes All. [Roll: 5+4 = 9; 1+1.5-1=-1.5HP; Zihark 2.5/10HP]

Why can't he move? It feels pathetic, to just be unable to do anything, forced to just stand there while pain was rained down upon him. He hates it. He hates feeling weak.

Zihark 2.5/10HP is inflicted with Broken Heart and cannot act.

And then the party started.

She watched as everyone took their turn rolling the dice, and one by one they all seemed to fail. “H-hey, guys? This uh— this ain’t really funny, ya know—“ but soon it would be her turn, stepping up to hit one of the dice, and—!

Patty 10/10HP rolls to hit Dordice C. [Roll: 19, crit] [Roll: 1] The Hatter 25/25 HP wins and hits Patty 10/10 HP with Tea Time’s Over. [Roll: 1; 3HP; Patty 7/10 HP] ; Patty 7/10 HP is not inflicted with Cornucopia. [Roll: 2]

Patty 7/10 HP is unable to act for one turn and is inflicted with -1.5 Defense, -1.5 Resistance, and -4 Avoid for the next combat instance.

“H-huh!?” Just like the others she loses the ability to move her body, letting out grunts and groans as she tries her hardest to do anything. “C-c’mon— MOVE!” Yet nothing happens.

All she can do is stand there and watch as everyone is bombarded by his attacks.

Patty 7/10HP is inflicted with Broken Heart and cannot act.

Mad Hatter 25/25HP misses Patty 7/10HP with Winner Takes All [ Roll: 1 + 4 = 5 ; -0HP ] Patty 7/10HP

There’s nothing she can do when the chips begin to fall. He’s gone all in— and it’s clear by now that it’s hardly a bluff on his end. Even a single miss meant nothing when there was more to come.

Without much of a moment to rest, they are thrust straight from one battle into the next, clothes and weapons changing in what seemed like an instant. Zihark is rather pleased to see that his self inflicted scar has all but disappeared from his arm as well. A sword, luckily, still inhabits his hand, a familiar coat fluttering out behind him.

He doesn't get a chance to even observe their new foe before he's being singled out, called forward to do some sort of... challenge? Didn't seem like he had much of a choice to not participate though, their new foe gesturing for him to whack at one of two large dice.

"Ah, hell; why not?" He lifts his sword, striking it against the die, a large 9 popping up in the air above it once it stops rolling. Their foe takes a bow, seemingly admitting defeat. Soooo... had he won?

Certainly looked like that was the case. Well then, might as well use this chance while he was so close to their enemy to get a few good strikes in.

Quick as a bolt, he gets in one solid slice, and then another, their humanoid foe unable to do anything against him. It felt good, to have a modicum of his strength back after their last fight. In fact, one could even say that he felt strong than ever.

Zihark 10/10 HP hits Maddest Hatter 25/25 HP* with Wo Dao (Break)  [Roll: 3 + 2 = 5; -5 HP; Maddest Hatter 20/25 HP*] Pursuit activates! [Roll: 5 + 3 = 8] Zihark 10/10 HP critically hits Maddest Hatter 20/25 HP* with Wo Dao [Roll: 16 + 2 = 18; -10 HP; Maddest Hatter 10/25 HP*] Maddest Hatter 10/25 HP* is broken and cannot counterattack!

He chuckles softly to himself, "Not very strong; are you, eh? Looks like this will be over quickly."

“Huh— a tea party?” While most of these fights felt out of this world, this one felt like it was straight out of a book she read as a kid. Everything seemed to have a mind of its own, all at the command of the hatter sat at the centre of the table. She can only watch as Zihark is ‘invited’, though it seems to work in his favour at the very least.

Patty readies her sword once he finishes his attack, noticing how the hatter seems almost unable to move. “Oooh, good job! Ya really showed ‘em who’s boss! I hope I can follow that up!”

Patty 10/10HP hits Maddest Hatter 10/25HP* with Khanda [ Roll: 15 - 2 = 13 ; -3.5HP ; Maddest Hatter 6.5/25HP* ]

Maddest Hatter 6.5/25HP* is broken and cannot counterattack! Maddest Hatter recovers from Break!

“Whew— wasn’t as hard of a hit, but it looks like we’re gettin’ somewhere!” She flashes her teammates a grin and a thumbs up. “Normally I think a tea party is fun, but this one ain’t my style!” Not to mention she didn’t really like tea all that much— usually she would just drink whatever it was they had at the orphanage. “Be careful, Veyle! I think it’s gonna attack again!”

“Good Child” A 0.5/6HP hits Farina 7/10HP with Cockleshells [ Roll: 4 + 2 = 6 ; 2 - 1 res = -1HP ] Farina 6/10HP Farina 6/10 HP misses “Good Child” A 0.5/6HP with Strapping Lance [Roll: 8-4=4, -0HP, “Good Child” A 0.5/6HP]

A glancing flash that she'd barely managed to deflect with a swing of her spear. A swing that turned into a thrust that, slightly blinded by the flash, she'd only barely miss the 'kid' by the skin of her teeth.

The 'kid' quickly took off after that. "Heeey! Get back here!", Farina shouted out, chasing after the 'kid' in hot pursuit. She'll teach it a lesson even if she had to chase it halfway across the arena!

Farina 4/10 HP misses “Good Child” A 0.5/6HP with Strapping Lance [Roll: 2 - 4 = -2, -0HP, “Good Child” A 0.5/6HP] “Good Child” A 0.5/6HP misses Farina 4/10HP with Silver Bells [ Roll: 4, -0HP, Farina 4/10HP]

Patty quickly tries to ignore the way her face burns as she flashes her a grin. “Micaiah— I really appreciate it! You take care of yourself too, alright?”

Whatever they had was soon interrupted by a gang of children looking to beat her up.

“Good Child” A 0.5/6HP misses Patty 4/10HP with Cockleshells [ Roll: 10 - 7 = 3; -0HP] Patty 4/10HP Patty 4/10HP hits “Good Child” A 0.5/6HP with Blessed Lance [ Roll: 7 - 1 = 6 ; -1.5HP ] “Good Child A” 0/6HP “Good Child A” has been defeated! “Naughty Child” B 6/6HP steals Patty’s Dragon Mask with Got Your Tail [ Roll: 20 - 3 = 17 ] im so sorry patty “Good Child” C 6/6HP hits Patty 4/10HP with Cockleshells [ Roll: 19 - 7 = 12 ; -1HP ] Patty 3/10HP (I forgot to copy and paste omen heal)

It looked like most of Micaiah’s work had been wasted in the blink of an eye, and not only that… that brat actually managed to steal from her! It was beyond insulting— she didn’t even deserve to call herself a thief anymore! She thinks of raising her weapon to fight back…only to remember Micaiah’s words.

She turns her attention to the newly spawned monster instead, the one she already knows can’t hit her even if it tried.

[ Blessed Lance activates! +1HP Patty 5/10HP ] Patty 5/10HP critically hits Hetero-Sapien B 8//8HP with Blessed Lance [Roll: 7; -3HP, Hetero-Sapien B 5/8HP] Hetero-Sapien B cannot counter attack.

“Alright— this is officially gettin’ on my nerves! I’m usually pretty good with kids and all, but this is the last straw!”

Well, if they wanted to 'play', she'd be more than happy to oblige them! Just as soon as Patty swooped by landing a swift hit against the 'child did Farina follow-up with a few steps forwards, closing the distance and a downward swing of her spear.

Farina 7/10 HP hits “Good” Child A 1.5/6 HP with Strapping Lance. [Roll: 13-4 = 9, -1.5HP, “Good” Child A 0/6HP] “Good Child” A has been defeated!

"Ya know, I'm normally pretty good with kids when they ain't trynna kill me."

Selkiesheen activates! [Roll: 1, Patty is targeted] “Good Child” C 6/6HP misses Patty 8/10HP with Cockleshells [ Roll: 9 - 7 = 2 ; -0HP, Patty 8/10HP ] Patty counterattack Selkiesheen activates! [Roll: 1, Patty is targeted] Naughty Child B 6/6HP misses Patty 8/10HP with Got Your Tail [ Roll: 2 - 5 = -3 ; Nothing is stolen ]

Patty manages to dodge all of their attacks effortlessly once more, especially thankful to not get stolen from. The embarrassment of being a thief and somehow being a victim of your own craft...it was devastating! There just wasn't any coming back from that kinda stuff! "Alright, it's lookin' like they really aren't givin' up, huh? That's fine-- guess we just gotta survive!"

[ Blessed Lance activates! +1HP Patty 7/10HP ]Patty 7/10HP critically hits Hetero-sapien B 8/8HP with Blessed Lance [ Roll: 5 + 1 = 6 ; -3HP ] Hetero-sapien B 5/8HP Hetero-sapien B cannot counterattack!

Once again the sound of flesh searing causes her to cringe, (almost) unable to enjoy her performance. "Augh...hey, Veyle!" She turns to the Princess with a grin, pointing towards the enemy she had just struck. "Sure you can take care of 'em now, right? Show 'em who's boss!"

It had become routine now, knocking them down but they had more but than first appeared.

Micaiah has already put away her Mire tome away and feels the familiar Faith magic come to her hand; nearly as in tune as her own Sacrifice at this point. Her eyes stray to the young girl Veyle whom she had smiled at earlier but just then Zihark's swing goes wide.

She has never seen him miss before. Not before this place.

Micaiah would have run to his side if he were not already at hers, children leering with delight as they see their prey walk backward; she almost goes to cover him but instead hushes her own inner thoughts and listens to his words.

"Of course. You followed your heart then, I've never faulted you."

Micaiah (7/10 HP) rolls to heal Zihark with Heal.  [Roll: 17; good heal! +4 HP, Zihark 10/12]

Emboldened and confident at least in this act, Micaiah wills the Faith from her hand to undo the damage of the worst of Zihark's wounds. She worried about the poison he'd mentioned earlier, and even more the state of the bunker... but first, it was time to see to the others.

Guess they could just consider this round target practice for now!

That bad feeling doesn't fully go away, though the whispers have considerably quieted down since their last barrage. "Do ya think they'll stop anytime soon? My poor pegasus is gonna get tired at this rate!" ...Could it actually grow tired in a place like this? She wasn't quite sure.

Patty 8/10HP hits “Good Child” A 3/6HP with Blessed Lance [Roll: 15-1= 14; -1.5HP, “Good Child” A 1.5/6HP] “Good Child” A 1.5/6HP misses Patty 8/10HP with Silver Bells [Roll: 6-11= -5; -0HP, Patty 8/10HP]

She zips across the battlefield in a flash, landing a quick hit against the 'child' while easily avoiding whatever counter they had planned. Once the pegasus lands on solid ground once more, she leans over to give it another pet. "I'll do my best to distract 'em, so don't worry guys!"

Omen activates! [Roll: 2; -2 HP to everyone, Farine 8/10]

The cause of it seemed to the new arrival of this strange vaguely-humanoid thing that had just arrived and simply standing there. Menacingly. Not even twitching as the others struck at it. "Huh, you're right. This thing really doesn't react.", she mercenary remarked before grinning menacingly. She didn't know why it wasn't moving but she wasn't about to look a gift pegasus in the mouth!

"Alright, then! Batter up!" Gripping her spear tightly with both hands, she then proceeded to swing her spear at the thing as though she was swinging a bat. Why not? She was probably going to knock it right, anyway~! Why not a little style while she did it?

Farina 10/10 HP misses “Hetero-sapien A 2/8 HP with Strapping Lance. [Roll: 4, -0HP, “Hetero-sapien A 2/8 HP]

She really should have taken that lesson about substance over style to heart. Turns out she'd completely misjudged the distance somewhere. The only thing she'd ended up knocking was herself as her own momentum sent her spinning right around and around in a huge circle and only halting when she'd found enough purchase with her feet to send her crashing down onto the ground in a huge faceplant instead. To add insult to insult, her shield (that she could have sworn she'd thrown away in a completely different direction) came back with a soft thump on the ground beside her and only narrowly missed bonking her on the ground. "Okay, you win this one.", came a disgruntled, somewhat muffled voice from somewhere on the ground. "But I will have my revenge!!!" Huh, she didn't know when she'd become this dramatic.

An omen of what was to come.

Omen activates! [Roll: 2; -2 HP to everyone, Patty 7/10HP] Bunker Counter goes up by 2! [Counter: 2/10]

Something was telling her that they needed to end this quickly no matter how healthy they were.

She watches as they all take their turns once more, the grip around her lance suddenly much more tense, yet her smile never falters. Another enemy is left nearly hanging on for dear life-- a perfect target leftover for her! "Sorry!" She calls out to Farina, her pegasus taking flight towards the Hetero-sapien. "But I'll be takin' the glory once again!"

[ Blessed Lance activates! +1HP Patty7/10HP ] Patty 8/10HP crits Hetero-sapien A 2/8HP with Blessed Lance [ Roll: 4, -3HP, Hetero-sapien A 0/8HP] Hetero-sapien A has been defeated!

This time it goes much more smoothly-- no surprise attacks or misses! Her holy lance connects with it's flesh, the searing sound not going unnoticed. It's...gross, honestly.

"There-- another one down! Heh, maybe I should use one of these more often!"

fell princess draws a breath in, willing herself to calm despite the toxic air and the presence of emblem micaiah. she can do this. she will get stronger. no stage fright here. no siree.

clenching her fists, her body alerts first at the warning that the man with gray hair warns about (human? she can't tell- his aura is all mixed up– it must be the magic of this exercise messing with her head.) then at micaiah’s opening.

Veyle 10/10 HP hits and hits “Naughty Child” A 4.5/6 HP with Shielding Art [Rolls: 17-2= 15, 15-2=13; -2 HP, -2 HP, “Naughty Child” A 0.5/6]

a poisoned blade? her fell blood would be enough to fight it, she just has to be confident. “don’t worry, i can handle it!!” veyle calls out to the man that had originally warned of it. there are no more words further on her end as she dashes towards the enemy.

a straight one-two hook capitalizes perfectly on the opening emblem micaiah allowed her, the child stumbling backwards and almost collapsing. she would feel terrible about this if it were reality–

“Naughty Child” A 0.5/6 HP hits Veyle 10/10 HP with Carving Knife [Roll: 15+2=17; -1 HP, Veyle 9/10] Bonus Hit [Roll: 3, no bonus hit] Roll for Poison [Roll: 2, no poison]

a thought that allows an opening on her enemy’s side. “ah!” she steps back in surprise as the dagger is suddenly lunged at her, grazing the side of her stomach for a wound that is hardly anything at all. she'd walk it off.

Though this was definitely lower stakes than the stealing...

Well, the good news was it seemed like they were taking pretty good care of the first enemy at least! Veyle leaves it staggering, in perfect position for her to swoop in and become the hero of this little fairy tale! "Good job, Veyle! Lemme finish 'em off!"

Three Blind Mice Activates! “Naughty Child” A 0.5/6HP critically hits Patty 10/10HP with Carving Knife [Roll: 19-7= 17; -2HP, Patty 8/10HP] Bonus Hit [Roll: 3, no bonus hit] Roll for Poison [Roll: 1, Minor Poison]

"H-huh!?" Despite how injured it was it managed to get the upper hand, striking her first and hard at that. "H-hey! I respect the last stand, but-- it ain't good to show off!"

Patty 8/10HP hits “Naught Child” A 0.5/6HP with Blessed Lance [Roll: 9+1= 10; -1.5HP, 0/10HP] “Naughty Child” A has been defeated!

"Heh-- see? No one likes a show off!" She said, showing off.

It wasn't that Cynthia hated cooking, or that she was terrible at it necessarily. She was used to making edible food, back when it was her and her friends in a future no one would ever know, when supplies were low and who could find spices fancier than wild onion?

And, well, faced with food ingredients, she was a little lost. She looked at the carrots in front of her, large and bright and full of life. Huh. She grabbed a knife to chop it, but the darn thing was tougher than it looked. The carrot split, the two pieces flinging across the board.

"Sorry, Patty!" She raised her hands in submission. "I'm not used to vegetables so big!"

She's on the farther end of the counter preparing the meat for today's meal when she heard the loud sound of the knife hitting the cutting board, orange flying in her vision as she looks up. "Bragi-- are you alright!?" Only when she saw her raise her hand did she let go of the breath she had been holding in, sighing. "It's fine-- just be careful, alright?"

...It felt weird being the one saying that, considering she's gotten herself cut more times than she could count in the past.

"Ya probably need a sharper knife if you're gonna cut somethin' tough like a carrot! But-- hey, do they got bad harvests where you're from, then?" It was something Patty could empathize with. It wasn't as if there was much in Conote to begin with, but living in the orphanage meant working with whatever she could get her hands on, stolen or not.

“Afternoon, Lady Patty!” Forde ambles into the sewing club’s room one fine day after class, and smiles at the girl who’s already there.

As a child, Forde saw sewing as something that was done out of necessity - to patch up torn clothes and the like. He’d had to learn how, for him and his brother’s sake, but it was only recently he’d started appreciating the artistry of it.

Sewing club was the closest Forde could find to an art club (and he couldn’t be bothered to set one up himself). Everyone was very welcoming, and he’d been taught this delightful thing called cross-stitch, which involved sewing individual squares in a grid pattern. 

(Technically, what Forde was doing was tent-stitch, but who was counting?)

Sitting down next to Patty, Forde took out his sketchbook, opening it to the most recent page. “I saw a wonderful tapestry the other day, a whole garden full of flowers. So I sketched a couple of the flowers to see if I could recreate them.” Forde threads his needle (and it only took him 6 attempts!)

(By the way, can you call it a tapestry if it’s cross/tent-stitch? Or is that something subtly different?) 

“What are you working on? Looks good.”

Patty is quick to look over at his notebook, head tilted as she looks over the sketch, quickly enamored by the design. "Oh-- this is so pretty! But, hey-- you're real good at sketchin', huh? Bet'cha could draw just 'bout anything!"

Okay, maybe that was...a bit of an exaggeration, but she really meant it!