[PQ] get your fated share

"If I can't move the heavens above, I will move Hell" Sah nodded. "Sounds like a solid strategy. Bonnie and I will head for the other team's flag while Smitty just acts as a decoy and annoyance from the shadows." Taking a final glance at his team, Sah grinned. "Let's get started." Grabbing his short sword and already beginning to channel a bit of his lightning to his fingertips, Sah charged towards the other flag. The lighting was subtle and it's sole purpose was to add just a small distraction upon landing a hit. He focused on Clyde as his primary target as he wasn't sure if he could counteract Hotaru. If they could take out the guards, even temporarily, they would have a higher chance of capturing the flag. Sah is charging for the flag with his short sword and little bit of lightning (mostly as a minor taser). He's targeting Clyde.  Bonnie is also charging and Smitty is playing decoy/ annoyance. sah There stood the wolf in the winter wind Full of fearsome might There stood the wolf in the winter wind King of the winter night. -Tim Vallie

remember that you can't save everyone

remember that you have to try

The Sword stood from atop his hill perch, completely, utterly amused by the proceedings. Maybe because this was an opportunity to showcase everyone’s skills. Maybe because they could easily inveigle, strategize, and carry on as a team. Maybe he really wanted to see Smitty do something other than laze around. Regardless, it was an opportunity for everyone to build upon their strengths, and weaknesses – and he waited to see if fortune favored the bold, if plots and schemes prevailed, or if something else would come afoot.

Here’s what happened:

Team Red’s application, on the whole, should’ve worked wonders. While Aisha and Burt maintained their defensive maneuvers, in came Noah – polar bear convictions and all. Had Noah not rolled a 20, they would’ve done exceptionally well. So despite Aisha’s waving sword, dangerously close to the bear’s form, and Burt’s streamlined water directly to the hunter’s face, Noah’s massive body collided directly into the pillar.

With such weight and impact, the stone wobbled, the flag shifting slightly at the top.

And for once, Smitty actually committed to his role. A distraction, he placed his foot out directly in the sneaky Bilbi’s pathway. “Got one over here!” By way of mentioning, as Bilbi fell to his knees in a snarl. Could Smitty have tagged the fellow guard out himself? Sure. Did he roll high enough for it? No.

Team Blue’s Clyde had an opportunity, and he was a man on a mission. He too charged towards Sah, but he lacked the ability to not be crushed by a tasering display and a very successful dice roll. The man crumpled immediately, and Deimos announced over the boom of movements and motions. “Clyde from Team Blue out!” Once the man had recovered, albeit wobbly, he was forced to hasten to the ‘jail’ portion of Team Red, where he could wait to be released or stay there until the end of the game.

Hotaru and Ernie would find themselves on defense, with a very capable Bonnie (and a glance of disappointment – maybe a snarl towards the fallen Clyde) charging in.

--

Team Red:
Aisha and Burt rolled well, but couldn’t stop Noah from hitting the pillar. Noah has moved the flag a little along the pillar. Noah is firmly in Red territory.

Smitty tripped Bilbi, and announced this, but in true Smitty fashion, did nothing else.

Sah has charged Clyde and completely taken him out. Sah is now in Blue territory.

Bonnie is charging into Blue territory.


Team Blue:
Noah was hit in the face with basic Water from Burt, but hit the pillar regardless.

Bilbi has tripped over his own god damn feet, but hasn’t been tagged out yet because Smitty is equally useless.

Clyde was taken out and is in the Red ‘jail zone’. He is available to be taken back if anyone wants to bother.

Hotaru and Ernie’s defenses do not dissuade Bonnie from coming in.

out for vengeance

DEIMOS

wears down my bones but they're not broken

There was no flying assault, the blue team came in from the ground, which suited Aisha just fine. So she stayed in her human form, wielding her blade and watching the polar bear as he charged their way. She glanced to Burt as he prepared to blast his water, hosing the bear down. With Noah so focused on the flag at the top of the column, Aisha charged in against his side, attempting to nail him in the side with her pommel and through him off course.

But he was too focused, too brutish, and he slammed into the pillar. Aisha glanced up at the flag, distracted by the way it shifted and wobbled, but satisfied when it wasn't dissuaded from the top. Her eyes snapped to Smitty as he announced that he'd gotten someone, Sah too had completely obliterated Clyde, who was headed to their jail. She would've been prouder if Smitty had fully committed, taken one for the team and actually tagged Bilbi out, but she barked an order to Burt to go help the ascended with their intruder.

Noah was her opponent now, discarding her sword next to the pillar she burst into the blazing furs of the leopard, growling at the polar bear and swiping out at his front legs, hoping pull him off balance and to the ground.

---

Aisha shifts into her leopard form to better combat Noah and try to get him out! She tells Burt to go help Smitty deal with Bilbi.

AISHA

"If I can't move the heavens above, I will move Hell" Sah only spent half a second making sure that Clyde was ok before continuing his charge. He hadn't been sure how damaging the shock would be and was glad to see it had only been mildly damaging. Making his way into blue territory, he targeted Ernie. But given his opponent's fire abilities, he mad sure to keep a bit of distance between them, only jumping in close to land a hit when there was an opening.  And as for hits, he still had his sword and lightning active. Sah had already determined Hotaru to be the biggest threat, and if they could take Ernie out, then he and Bonnie could double team her. As he fought Ernie, he made sure to keep Hotaru in his sights to dodge if he needed to. Sah is continuing his charge, this time targeting Ernie. He's being careful to avoid any possible fire, getting in close when there's an opening. He is also trying to keep an eye on Hotaru so that he can dodge if needed.  He's trying to take out Ernie so that he and Bonnie can double team Hotaru. sah There stood the wolf in the winter wind Full of fearsome might There stood the wolf in the winter wind King of the winter night. -Tim Vallie

NOAH

The massive, white bear was left mostly unchallenged in his initial charge. Despite the water that splashed his face, and the sword that swiped towards his side, the bear lifted his hefty body and pounded against the pillar that held their flag. He felt the pillar shift and give way beneath his great paws, and satisfaction rung through his muscles, the anticipation of the game vibrating in his bones.

While his success was only monumental in a moment, it still felt like a success. From the corner of his eye he watched as Aisha turned from stony warrior to fierce jungle cat. She came hurling towards him, and Noah knew he needed to move his body as quickly as he could. As claws that he knew to be dangerous swiped towards his body, he got smaller and smaller until he was attempting to scale up the tilted pillar in his lynx form. It was his best attempt at a skin that could light a candle to her's.

The hunter hissed as a paw swiped up towards him, but he tried desperately to reach the flag flickering above him.

---

Noah shifts into his lynx form and tries to climb up the pillar and away from Aisha's claws!

And if you drink the water,
It might just stop the pain

Hotaru

angels would damn themselves for me

Noah is more than accomplished in his task, but Hotaru is unsurprised that the other two on their team are...less than successful. At least Smitty was stupid enough to announce himself, and without further preamble Hotaru aims a strike of lightning at his shoulder farthest from his heart, hoping to hit him and give Bilbi time to get up and run. "Get to Noah!" she shouts, before summarily dismissing the two from her mind. There are more pressing matters - like Sah and Bonnie.

She'd have to simply hope for the best with Noah's efforts. In the meantime, she backtracks to keep space between herself and the Red team members, deflecting bracer held aloft even as she calls on more lightning. Her mastery is useful for accuracy, and though the power behind the bolts are weakened for this game, she lets them strike the ground threateningly around them. Using the disarray as a distraction for when she shoots a bolt directly at Bonnie, and then lunges to tag her while she's stunned if it works.

- - -

Hotaru shoots a bolt of lightning at Smitty to try and give Bilbi a chance to tag him in return, and then commands him to try and back up Noah.

She then calls down lightning to strike the ground between her, Ernie, and Sah/Bonnie. Using the distraction she shoots a bolt at Bonnie and tries to tag her.

remember that you can't save everyone

remember that you have to try

Well, well, well, what an interesting turn of events.

Noah’s polar bear form noticeably shrunk into his lynx predilections, which could’ve been exceedingly clever, scratching and clawing his way up the pillar, had Aisha not been right there. The leopard proved to have the better launch, subsequently tagging the hunter out before he could get much further up. All his efforts no longer mattered, and off he had to go towards the jail zone. At least Noah could hang out with Clyde and await rescue.

Sah, based on his prior accolades, probably should’ve been able to take out Ernie. Unfortunately, both of them simultaneously do very poorly, and each attack missed – Ernie’s fireball striking the snow and hissing out of existence. Sah’s efforts were likely largely impacted by Hotaru’s range of electricity, and no lightning can hinge or hit at any other opponent. A stalemate, truly, and he remained firmly in enemy territory.

Then there was Burt and Smitty. No one expected much from Smitty, proving once more how utterly useless he was in many factions, for this time the Ascended tripped over a root, sending him sprawling, and nowhere near Bilbi. Would Burt be successful? Also a hard pass – the energy and assault sent by Hotaru wired around and stunned him into place.

Which meant Bilbi could be off and running, given a second chance – dashing, dashing, dashing towards the pillar. Would he be capable of fending off the defenders? Would he get farther than his predecessor?

And of course, we can’t forget Bonnie. A star in her own making, growling and seething her way into the fold of the Blue Team’s arena, she was not dissuaded by the electrical current snapping around. She leapt, she dodged, and then she saw the flag – curled underneath thorns. What a perfect opportunity for a snake attuned! The bright woman shifted, and eagerly wound her way towards the bracken.

--

Team Red:
Aisha has taken Noah out!

Smiity tripped over a root. No one is surprised. Burt was distracted by Hotaru’s electricity, allowing Bilbi to continue into their territory.

Sah is still deep in blue territory, and missed his attack on Ernie.

Bonnie was an absolute star, and couldn’t be dissuaded from Hotaru’s electricity. She has shifted into a snake to try and grab Team Blue’s flag!


Team Blue:
Noah has been taken out, and has joined Clyde in the ‘help me’ jail-land.

Hotaru’s defenses have worked well – curbing Sah and Burt, and allowing Bilbi an opportunity to snag.

Ernie has missed his launch on Sah.

Bilbi has taken off towards Team Red’s stone pillar. How is he going to get the flag?

out for vengeance

DEIMOS

i wanna break the rules with you

Aisha's first paw missed the polar bear, for he shifted to something smaller. Aisha hadn't known about Noah's lynx skin, but she didn't let curiosity or surprise give her pause. She wriggled, tail lashing behind her, and launched herself at the smaller cat as it began to claw it's way up the pillar. Her pounce was timed well, she grabbed Noah and pulled him off and to the ground. Tag, she purred down their bond playfully, sending him on his way before returning to the rest of the field.

Smitty was on the ground, but that was no surprise. Burt was crackling with static, probably from Hotaru. Somewhere on the other side Aisha spotted Sah, untagged and still moving forwards. Bonnie's limber frame was out of sight, but that was good, Nice Bon Bon, Aisha sent through the attuned bond, assuming that her friend would be mingling somewhere in there.

The problem at hand was Bilbi, headed towards Aisha and the pillar. The crafty accepted was quick, acrobatic, and Aisha wouldn't underestimate him. She shifted back to her human form, grabbing her sword and calling out to her teammates, "Burt with me, Smitty go guard the jail," from there she'd stay guarding the pillar, waiting for the water wielding abandoned to join her, and for Bilbi to make his move.

---

Aisha tells Burt to help her stop Bilbi on defense! She also tells Smitty to go stand by the jail to tag out anyone who might come try and get Noah and Clyde free!

oh you, you set my soul alight

AISHA

Hotaru

angels would damn themselves for me

Hotaru is understandably exasperated by her foolish teammates, but at least her own magic is masterful enough to come to her aid, and she doesn't hide the bloodthirsty smile as Burt is struck dumb by her bolt. "Bilbi go!" She'd prefer if he can free Noah, but she'll take anyone at this point. All she can do is send a long-distance arc of lightning to try and dissuade Aisha and her teammate from taking him out, hoping to clear a path for him to the jail before Smitty can get there.

Bonnie, however, is far more slippery - literally. As she shifts, Hotaru turns her attention from Sah and Bilbi to the woman alone. Lunging forward towards the flag, she lets static electricity coat her hands, and tries to grab for the snake without a care for how odd it may look. Hopefully Ernie will be able to handle Sah for half a damn second - though Hotaru isn't holding out much hope. So long as she can tag Bonnie and get her into their own jail in the meantime.

- - -

Hotaru sends a long distance bolt towards Aisha and Smitty to try and clear the way for Bilbi.

She then coats her hands in static electricity and tries to grab Bonnie's snake form directly to tag her out and stop her from reaching the flag.

NOAH

Ernie tries to take his shot: he lunges forward at the once-wolf, reaching out with his fist to land a hard punch on Sah's shoulder to both bruise and tag him out. Bibli, once so focused on the pillar, skids and reels as Aisha swings a sword towards him. He turns quickly, sharp and acroatic, towards where the jail was just a few paces away.

Noah, taken out by Aisha, trots over toward the jail. Shifting back into his human form, he paces back and forth. His his jaw set, he watched as Bilbi changed trajectory to attempt to come to his aid. The hunter crouched some, ready to run, and extended his fingers out towards his comrade. Clyde danced next to Noah, bouncing up and down like a rabbit. He yelled and waved his arms, bumping against the prepared hunter. Noah growled at him, low and visceral, as Bilbi quickly reached out in an attempt to smack Noah's hand. Should he be successful, the hunter's body aimed to dart back toward his lines.

---

Ernie lungs at Sah and tries to punch him to take him out. Bibli attempts to free Noah, and if he is successful Noah takes off back toward his territory safely.

And if you drink the water,
It might just stop the pain

"If I can't move the heavens above, I will move Hell" Sah grit his teeth when his attack failed. It was clear that lightning would not be of use in blue territory. Switching tactics but not missing a beat, he went for Ernie again. Sah did his best to get in close while dodging, and attempted to slam into Ernie's chest with the hilt of his sword to knock the breath out of him. If that lands, he'll put his sword to Ernie's chest and/or neck to tag him out.  He noticed that Hotaru was going for Bonnie and cursed, hoping that he could take Ernie out quickly and go help his teammate. Sah is going after Ernie again, attempting to take him down by getting in close (while still dodging any attacks if he can) and slamming the hilt of his sword into Ernie to tag him out. He's hoping to get him out quickly so that he can help Bonnie. sah There stood the wolf in the winter wind Full of fearsome might There stood the wolf in the winter wind King of the winter night. -Tim Vallie

remember that you can't save everyone

remember that you have to try

Depending on tactics, skills, fortune, and sometimes sheer, dumb luck, tides of war, of battles, and games had a way of changing, altering. Team Blue had been looking rather ragtag with two of its members taken out, but –

For once, Aisha and Burt’s efforts were in vain. It could’ve been Ru’s electricity, lighting the field, distracting them from their efforts. It could’ve been barking orders at Smitty, who was a complete, utter distraction at the best of times. But they couldn’t stop, couldn't cease, couldn't desist, Bilbi’s sneaky, mighty charge, his call to his arms from his brethren in their makeshift jail.

The impact would be massive – as Smitty’s piss poor attempts at guarding (honestly, a bit of a saunter over, perhaps fearful Bilbi’s aggression would’ve taken him completely out – if Smitty’s own team didn’t rip him apart later it’d be a shock to all) – permitted Bilbi to tag Noah back into the game. They could both run back to Blue territory with no fault.

And what about Bonnie? Sah’s efforts to save and defend her from the Valkyrie ceased to matter, as they were thwarted by Ernie – though the slam of his hilt ensured Ernie was down for the count. Another marched into the Red’s jail, and Team Blue was back to three.

However, there was also the case of Bonnie. Bonnie who’d slithered, who’d slunk, who’d made it right there, flag nearly in her grasp. And then Hotaru’s hands clasped over scales, and it was done, over, the mission diminished. Bonnie too would be sent to jail.

So what would they do now? All forerunners for flags had been wiped out. Did they need new strategies? New plans?

--

Team Red:
Aisha and Burt cannot stop Bilbi.

Smitty is useless and allows Bilbi to go by and free Noah.

Sah has taken out Ernie!

Bonnie has been taken out by Hotaru!


Team Blue:
Bilbi has freed Noah and he is once again back in Blue territory.

Ernie has been taken out by Sah!

Hotaru has taken out Bonnie!

Jail Updates:
In Red Jail: Clyde, Ernie
In Blue Jail: Bonnie

out for vengeance

DEIMOS

i wanna break the rules with you

So worried about the flag, and for what? Aisha watched the man change direction, his sneaky  ass juking them out and heading for the jail, for Noah's outstretched arm. Aisha bristled, barked at Smitty to hurry up, but of course the ascended was useless once more. Aisha slowed to a jog when she realized it was in vain, throwing out a pfft, flick of her wrist and roll of her eyes.

She moved back to where Burt stood by the flag as the two left the jail. At least Clyde was still stuck, oh and here came another. Sah had managed to take Ernie out, maybe this time Smitty could actually defend their makeshift prison. Their last flag runner was caught, beautiful Bonnie the snake tagged out and sent to jail. That left them four against three, new tactics were in order.

With Smitty guarding the jail and Aisha on the flag, she patted Burt's arm, "Go try and get Bonnie out if you can, or just help Sah," she sent him on his way. She could've gone instead, but the heat of the battle had left her feeling very protective and glued to her niche. The red flag would stay up on it's pillar, Aisha would see to it.

---

Aisha stays on flag defense, Smitty defends the jail, and Burt goes into blue territory to help Sah/follow his direction.

oh you, you set my soul alight

AISHA

NOAH

Noah and Bibli both moved back into their territory with little pomp and circumstance. No one chased after Bilbi, though he was ripe for tagging despite Noah's freedom. New plans circulated in Noah's mind as he trotted towards Hotaru.

While the hunter was not admitting defeat, not in the slightest, he was wise enough to know when the strategy needed adjusting. Now was that time. He had been capture and the enemy flag still stay in position. Aisha's shifts matched his, so they needed to throw in someone that didn't - Hotaru. Her magic would work well against the leopardess, Noah thought, especially if the honey-eyed woman continued to hold her sword.

Wordlessly, he jutted his head toward the direction of the other team's flag, up on the pillar, before bursting forth again as a polar bear. He turned and lowered his center of gravity, jaws opening to release a thunderous roar -- a threat to any who choose to step in his path.

---

Noah moves in to defend their flag as a polar bear so that Hotaru and Bilbi can move to offense.

And if you drink the water,
It might just stop the pain