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+---- Thread: [SWE] The Punchiest Pool Party (/showthread.php?tid=11439)
RE: The Punchiest Pool Party - Theea - 06-04-2025
Well. I wanted excitement right?
Fuck.
The hair along my arms rises, and not from the heat. Frey manifests like a fever dream, tangling Pierce in vines so visceral I can smell the sap. Vox is suddenly there too, threatening hugs like a predator might threaten peace—sweetly, but with teeth underneath. Someone fires an arrow. Deimos vanishes into thin air. And a girl going after Flora is gone after by what feels like half the party, one of them holding a Vi's rose. Sohalia?
The panic doesn’t hit like a wave. It hits like a thousand broken thoughts, all trying to scream over each other. I lose track of the drink in my hand. Somewhere between Frey showing up and the arrow’s flight, my dagger has found its way to my palm. Muscle memory, mom would say. Not quick enough, she’d add.
This kind of chaos? My parents would have thrived here. Daggers in both hands, calm smirk on, already two steps ahead of the disaster. I have no idea what I’m supposed to do. My heart’s rattling around in my chest like it wants to escape my ribs.
Pierce is free—he hits someone. Someone is yelling for the rest of the party-goers, the civilians, to get to the safety of the city.
And that’s when it clicks. They mean me. I really, really probably should, but I’ve never known anyone in my family to run.
I spot him through the noise— Ronin , unmistakable, impossible to miss with those unfurling wings. He’s guiding people out, voice calm and commanding. I shove through the crowd. [say]“Ronin!”[/say] My voice comes out too sharp, edged in nerves. [say]“How do I help?”[/say]
RE: The Punchiest Pool Party - Vesper - 06-04-2025
Vesper doesn’t wait for the panic to fully ripple—he feels it before the shouts rise, before the knives start flying. It cuts through the humid air like a sharp change in current, something instinctual and electric. The moment Frey’s power blooms through the scene like a flower blooming too fast, too violently, he’s already shifting in the water.
His eyes catch on Jack, the smuggler lingering like a stormcloud too far off to smell the rain from, and that’s all the confirmation he needs. Whatever plan is going down, it’s happening now—and it’s not their fight. A ripple of shadows slithers like black water from beneath the floatie, nudging at Nova and Calypso with firm but careful insistence. [say]"Out,"[/say] Vesper mutters, low and sharp as salt. [say]"This ain’t our brand of chaos."[/say]
He slides into the water with practiced ease, already guiding them away from the centre of the fray. [say]"You two are made of starlight, not shrapnel. Let’s keep it that way."[/say]
As they step out onto the sand, he glances once more toward the thrashing scene—figures moving like storm surge, radiant power clashing with steel. His eyes find Colt where she’s tangled around Thorn like the wildfire she is, and a rare thing flickers behind his gaze: relief. She’s not alone. She’s fighting, but not alone.
Still, the shadows at Vesper’s back are alive and ready, flicking like a threatened serpent’s tail as he herds his sisters farther down the beach, away from the violence blooming behind them.
Vesp tries to herd Caly and Nova the fuck out.
RE: The Punchiest Pool Party - Talyson - 06-04-2025
Tal had not wanted excitement, but it seemed like excitement was coming at him.
Or at least, at the demigod he was standing next to, but Alys had moved away to help those fleeing the party and fuck if Tal was going to let some big purple bruiser pile onto his leader.
"Hey! Get offa my Archon, meathead!" he hollered at Pierce like a terrier yapping at a bulldog. He reached into the pocket of his oversized swim trunks and pulling out a Dagger of his own before lunging forward to aid Sunjata. The Family man was too close for comfort so Tal had to go for a regular old slash with the physical blade before ducking back to try and avoid the inevitable retaliation.
Type: Grey | Style: Offensive | Level: Mastered
Special Delivery Dagger | A carefully crafted dagger veined with crimson markings, decorated with the foot of a blink hare. Upon making a stabbing motion in the air, the dagger may damage a target up to 30ft away from the user.
Type: Dark | Style: Offensive | Level: Mastered
Honed by Nightmares | A curious silvery coating covers the Special Delivery Dagger. Causes extra physical damage at an Mastered level.
Type: Light | Style: Other | Level: Upgraded
Lucky you | A wishbone earring blessed by Mort, that when worn grants +7 luck. Must be included in all PQ/PQ+/KQ/DROP posts to be counted.
Regional Score bonus: +1 in all shrine visits, drops, PQ+s, KQs, etc. (You must post this at the bottom of any post where a +1 should be included). Residents cannot be cursed at shrines in this region.
RE: The Punchiest Pool Party - Remi - 06-04-2025
Remi sees the daggers hit—one, then another from Sunjata, then Melita’s arrow whistling into place like punctuation. He doesn’t flinch, though his jaw tightens as he re-evaluates the chaos. This isn’t a solo op anymore between the Sword and Doubletake. It’s a dogpile.
Which means his half-measures aren’t going to cut it.
He doesn’t risk shouting for Deimos. Doesn’t dare step in closer. But as Flora shouts for the recall and the bindings snap off Pierce’s limbs with a sound that makes the hairs along Remi’s arms lift, the Bastion closes his eyes and breathes.
This was supposed to be stealthy, he thinks grimly—and then lets go of the idea entirely.
He turns his head toward all those nearby, and calls out clearly, voice low but cutting like a cold current. [say]"If you’re near me, you won't be hurt. Just don’t drift too far to the sides."[/say] It's too late for Sunjata (this round, anyway), but Remi can make sure it doesn't happen again, by backing up the same distance Pierce had advanced forward.
With that, he raises his hands, one still glowing faintly with the tether to Deimos. His magic surges outward like a net of invisible thread, catching those within range and weaving a protective shell through their bodies. Not a shield—something far more personal. If Pierce’s fists land, the pain won’t spread through them, it will slam into Remi instead.
Remi backs up the same amount Pierce had come forward to stay out of his range and casts:
Magic: Spread Thin | Can soak the damage cast at all allies within 60ft. Cannot use any other actions.
Type: Light | Rank: Mastered
Regional Score bonus: +15 in all shrine visits, drops, PQ+s, KQs, etc. (You must post this at the bottom of any post where a +15 should be included). Residents cannot be cursed at shrines in this region.
RE: The Punchiest Pool Party - Jack - 06-04-2025
From the outskirts, Jack watches as shit goes down, Vesper and his sisters decide to wisely get the fuck out of dodge, and Flora stands there being super, super seen by everyone in the surrounding area. Here's perhaps where the captain does something dumb, but hear him out. It's only for a second, and it'll be fine.
As Flora darts in to try and pick up the recall charm that Deimos has (hopefully!) dropped, Jack sets off across the sand to meet her. [say]"I think you forgot somethin', love,"[/say] he hisses as he skids to a stop, the words low enough just for her. Reaching out to catch her hand, he finds the invisibility ring on her finger, and twists.
[say]"Now, don't do anythin' I wouldn't."[/say] Which - honestly - should involve fucking off out of there as well. Which Jack does a moment later, his fingers brushing the compass tattoo on his wrist. A second later, he's gone; vanished onto The Ark.
Jack gets pissed off that Flora has forgotten she can be invisible, twists her invisibility ring for her, and uses his compass tattoo to GTFO!
Type: Grey | Style: Other | Level: Basic
Invisibility Ring | A gorgeous, copper-gold ring that, when worn, renders the wearer invisible.
Type: Grey | Style: Other | Level: Basic
Compass Rose Tattoo | A celestial tattoo on Jack's inner wrist that will teleport him to his cabin on the Ark. Range: within the same board.
RE: The Punchiest Pool Party - Dantalion - 06-04-2025
Letting out a sigh of relief as he sees Astaroth turn towards him, whilst some part of Danta might feel a little guilty at letting the rest of Caido - apparently, because that's what it fucking feels like - take care of the action without them, there's also such a thing as too many chefs in the kitchen. And he won't lie - whatever the fuck is happening within range of the bodybuilder with a bad temper has him a little rattled.
[say]"Come on - this isn't a circus I want to be a part of,"[/say] he mutters to Asta, tail sweeping low at his heels, his hand reaching out to catch the butcher's so they can high tail it out of there. As soon as he feels like he's able to do so, the Maverick switches out feet for feathers and wings, taking to the air and trusting Asta to also engage with a much faster shift.
Danta out!
RE: The Punchiest Pool Party - Deimos - 06-04-2025
There was one small, tiny inkling of relief as the dagger sunk into Pierce’s flesh. A slight glimmer of triumph.
But Deimos knew better. This wasn’t the end all, be all. Far from it. More moments had to be successful for all of this to go right.
Calm and composed in all the layers of chaos, he watched a dagger go sailing by him. Noah’s foot connecting with Thalassa nearby. Sunjata managing to get in there, snag his own blood. There were other sparse instances lacquered and layered in between, but his concentration remained solely on Vox and Pierce, binding and breaking away, and then –
Flora yelling some instruction. Eyes narrowing, he snagged into his pockets, yielded the recall charm, and hurled it in her direction. Thereafter, he turned quickly, moving over a few yards, and hurled another dagger, striving for Pierce's back once more, hoping for the same result as last time.
--
[say]Remaining invisible, Deimos chucks the recall charm in Flora’s direction for her to grab, runs a few yards, and then throws another dagger at Pierce’s back.
Giving Flora:
Type: Grey | Style: Offensive | Level: Mastered
Deadly Recall | Can recall 1, or 2, or 3 of her feathers to her hand, within a range of 30ft. Recalled daggers do 1/2 damage when recalled.
Then everything else XD:
Type: Grey | Style: Offensive | Level: Mastered
Deadly Plumage | Three iridescent feathers capable of being used as projectiles. Razor sharp.
Type: Dark | Style: Offensive | Level: Mastered
Star Poison | A poisonous coating on each of the Deadly Plumage daggers that adds mastered damage on the initial hit.
Type: Light | Style: Other | Level: Basic
Lucky you | A ring that when worn grants +3 luck. Must be included in all PQ/PQ+/KQ/DROP posts to be counted.
Type: Light | Style: Other | Level: Upgraded
Lucky Ring | A ring that when worn grants +5 luck. Must be included in all PQ/PQ+/KQ/DROP posts to be counted.
Type: Light | Style: Other | Level: Mastered
Gambler's Gloves | A pair of supple leather gloves, seemingly innocuous. Doubles the user's Luck stat.
Type: Grey | Style: Other | Level: Upgraded
Invisibility Cloak | Ornate, detailed cloak, that when worn, renders up to two individuals (or a rider on a horse) invisible.
Regional Score bonus: +11 in all shrine visits, drops, PQ+s, KQs, etc. (You must post this at the bottom of any post where a +11 should be included). Residents cannot be cursed at shrines in this region.[/say]
RE: The Punchiest Pool Party - Ronin - 06-04-2025
Busy directing people away from the chaos while trying to keep an eye on the fight unfolding in the background, Ronin risks a glance across to Remi just long enough to catch his eye. [say]Be safe,[/say] he tells him through the bond. Pierce might not be able to kill him forever, and the Bastion won't go down easy, but this is arguably the closest to something terrible happening that they've been in a long while.
In the meantime, as
Ronin directs
RE: The Punchiest Pool Party - Melita - 06-04-2025
The little moment of fire made it all worth it to the Honeybee. Piercing Pierce, if you will. But the other results, especially Sunjata’s, made her cringe – because she wasn’t certain she could do much else for him.
Talyson marching in made her roll her eyes, but it was the opportunity she’d have to take. [say]“All right, we’re fucking out of here,”[/say] she motioned to Iskra, immediately starting to run for the Firecracker. She’d wait for him there, before unfurling the sails, intending to get them out of the hellhole. Hopefully, maybe, someone else would be able to grab the elemental arrow, perhaps now coated in blood, for the sanctity of elsewhere.
--
[say]Melita tells Iskra to head for the Firecracker, and once he hops on, they’re flying out![/say]
RE: The Punchiest Pool Party - Sunjata - 06-04-2025
Oh this is bad.
This is very bad.
Any quiet relief that the blade has sunk in, immediately vanishes when Pierce breaks free and storms toward him. There’s hardly any moment to react before the punches come in a blur and he’s reminded of all of those times back in Korofi in the underground, in those boxing rings set up to do their illegal gambling.
Something cracks in him, he’s sure, and while he’d love nothing more than to take the brawler on, he’s here for one reason only. His jaw grits together through the pain when he gives some kind of direction. “[say]Get the arrow, Tal.[/say]” He wheezes, clumsily reaching out to try and steal his blade from Pierce’s body and withdraws, trying to get out of the fight and range of the horrifying nightmare that’s the brawler.
Sunjata tries to grab the blade where it’s lodged into Pierce and will try to move out of range from Pierce's attack.
Regional Score bonus: +1 in all shrine visits, drops, PQ+s, KQs, etc. (You must post this at the bottom of any post where a +1 should be included). Residents cannot be cursed at shrines in this region.
RE: The Punchiest Pool Party - Nova - 06-04-2025
Squeezing Calypso's hand a little tighter, she skips to the water's edge. [say]"I'm okay, but I don't want to be over there."[/say] Then the mischievous smile is on her face, and water is arcing over Vespy's head.
When she resurfaces with a giggle, her hair sticks to the side of her head for barely a moment, her air and water magic working in tandem to reconfigure her elegant curls and their pastel coloring. Her eyes dart around as she listens to Vesper explain the weird feeling she'd gotten earlier. She doesn't see anything different, but she knows what she felt and she trusts Vespy. Which means she has no plans of going anywhere near that area again.
Her head spins to look at her brother, prepared to argue until she sees the oh-so-serious look on his face that she knows not to mess with (unless she wants to be unceremoniously dragged away). Before the whiny words 'I guess' can join the annoyed eye roll, people are yelling and the world is exploding around them. She ducks instinctually before the thrill of excitement has her eyes darting more, taking everything in with chaotic delight.
Nova looks over her shoulder when Vespy's loyal shadows guide them away, a small pout on her lips as she tries to catch sight of all the drama. [say]"Can we at least stay and watch from a distance?"[/say] Because she's pretty sure she just saw someone get stabbed and there's some sort of fun pile-on going off to the side. Distracted, she adds, [say]"I promise we won't jump in."[/say]
RE: The Punchiest Pool Party - Thalassa - 06-04-2025
It's not really a surprise that her dagger misses, but she props her head on her hand with a small puff of disappointment. Her eyes watch as daggers and arrows begin to appear over Pierce's body. She might have been worried if he didn't snap, obviously more annoyed than hurt. It stretches her smile a little further, excited to see what retribution he may have in store for everyone.
But then she has her own problems - particularly a kick heading right for her face that comes seemingly out of nowhere.
With a vile curse, she turns her head just in time to avoid getting a foot to the nose. Unfortunately, it still slams against her cheek and eye, throwing her backwards into the water with a small grunt and a striking of flint. Anger flares, strong and thick in her veins despite the lack of magic. Slipping a little farther into the water, Thal lets out a growling scream of rage that directs her thrown dagger right at the man's back.
Thalassa attacks Noah's back with her Flametouch Dagger (1) by screaming/singing it back to her!
Type: Dark | Style: Offensive | Level: Basic
Flametouch Daggers | A pair of obsidian daggers licked with crimson along the blade edge. On hit, the daggers become wreathed in flame.
Type: Grey | Style: Other | Level: Basic
Oral Charm | A small charm inlaid on the hilt of the Flametouch Daggers that allows one to be controlled via singing, within a range of 10 ft. Controlling a dagger takes an action to complete.
Regional Score bonus: +5 in all shrine visits, drops, PQ+s, KQs, etc. (You must post this at the bottom of any post where a +5 should be included). Residents cannot be cursed at shrines in this region.
RE: The Punchiest Pool Party - Kaisel - 06-04-2025
He only manages to catch a faceful of sand, grimacing as the grains spray around him, the feeling awful especially when not expecting it. He'd told Flora once how much he dislikes it, and now he's certain he'll be finding it in his ears and his hair for weeks after this, the herpes of Torchline. Twisting around in the panic to try again, to catch Noe before it's too late, he sees Sohalia's success just before Liam is upon him, fist slapping into his side with more force than he remembers from last time he and the ex-dragoon had thrown punches. [say]"Ooffph"[/say] Kaisel wheezes, scrunching around the impact as he pushes away with his arms, trying to create distance so he can stand.
[say]"What the fuck Liam!"[/say] he snarls, bouncing to his feet, one hand clutching his side where a bruise will set in, his other wiping sand from the corner of his mouth as he spits. His eyes flash from Liam to Maea, uncertain and wary. He doesn't know either of them well, but he doesn't have time for this fuckery. [say]"Noe, Koa, Soh, let's get the fuck out!"[/say] He can vaguely see more chaos unfolding, specifically the fact that Pierce is now Django unchained.
So he starts edging away, back towards the direction of Torchline's safety barrier of Haulani, but he won't leave without his family.
Kaisel yells at Liam and starts to back away towards Haulani, waiting to leave with Soh, Noe, and Koa.
RE: The Punchiest Pool Party - Iskra - 06-04-2025
Looks like mischief would careen into full blown mayhem as schemes seem to come to fruition beyond them. Shouting, running, stabbing, it's all a complete mess that Iskra is left simply gawking at. Untrained, accustomed to the solitude of forests, too drunk to remember much of the recent war much less assist with it, he has not often seen such battle forays except on snowball fields, and those one are always much lower stakes.
Melita wastes no time diving into action though, her arrow ringing true, her ferocity something worth watching. As she steps back, her shot complete though, it rattles him free of his onlooker status. [say]"Couldn't agree more,"[/say] he mutters, running after her and climbing up into the safety of the Firecracker. Maybe one day he'd have the bravery an the skill to be in that chaos, but for now, it was enough to be this close to it, to be here with her as she tested the limits of what she could manage.
Iskra jumps on the Firecracker with Melita and they leave!