Purigare (Sess, MK)

[MKR]

The crew cheered as the monstrous blimp sank, its army crumbling with it. Heavy damage had been sustained but none of them had sunk below the waves, which in and of itself was a godsent. Still a force like this could not retake Orphan, of this the captain was well aware. They needed simply put more men for that, the princess fighting with just those Antibodies to back her up while something to be admired was not going to cut it and while the incoming fleet was better equipped should the whale kings return that was a pressing concern.

The dark dirge ceased playing in the back of Louise's mind as the shock coursed through her, the flesh on her antibody beginning to condense under the pressure. It was in this moment that she recalled Dahlia warning her about just something like this. Forgotten in the heat of the moment but in this moment of consequences the memory was clear. About as clear as the mistake she had made by enabling such a strategy.

Her gaze directed up at the Baronz saw two things that her adversary seemed to miss in the moment, first the passing of the Gran Cher now carrying a girl in its hand and the second being the incoming shadow that fell down on them before Corvo realized as even in this moment of pain she bore witness to a miracle cast in the clouds. She needed to get out, out of the way and out of the grasp of Corvo. The latter starting a monologue only to have to stop herself when the remains of the monstrous blimp came crashing down on her. On them, in that last moment Louise was freed from the grasp of Corvo and behind her, erupting from the waves she saw the Gran Cher.

The yellow Gran Cher now dragged along by the descending leg began to peel itself off of it.
"Just a bit more, then we'll be safe!" she declared to her own Gran Cher, she felt it pull at her. Not in another direction but with a suggestion. "The barrier? Okay." Her confusion lasted only a mere moment, she trusted her Gran Cher as it trusted her and so the chakra field lit up as the yellow Gran Cher hit water, amidst the parting done by the rock striking it. Creating a deep gulf as water displaced, amidst it the Gran Cher peeled itself off its own barrier used to keep the crashing waves parted the raw bludgeoning power of the water not allowed past it. Instead a shower of the reflected light dashed between the droplets.

The yellow Gran Cher, bludgeoned and beaten rose above the waves as they collided together, a gout of water erupting upwards blocking its escape from the damning scenario from one person in particular. The Baron, and though the curtain of water lasted but a moment a moment was all she needed to disappear and reappear besides the ships.
"Your highness!" The captain called out, seeing the state of the Gran Cher that returned last. Sliding gracelessly onto the runway leading out of the Hadrian's wall. Already several of the returned Gran Chers were pulling it closer to true safety.

"I want every medic we have ready to receiver her highness and those saved by her!" The captain declared. Still the stark white Antibody remained, if it pursued them they would need to rely on the angel to save them.

 

[Hitura Rael]

Color bled from Raldon's face at the sight of the massive hole he had put into the enemy unit. The thing twisting and contorting, writhing in pain, and SCREAMING before exploding into a shower of gore and armor. Elen had escaped and while part of him was relieved, he was disappointed. The chunks that rained upon the Xephon as it ascended clattered harmlessly off the sound barrier protecting the white angel. But those below did not have the same grace.

He watched, helpless, as the massive remains fell into the ocean and upheaved the placid water below into a roaring, raging wave. He could do nothing about it for the poor people on shore that would have to face down the consequences of his actions. There was nothing he could do for the people in the immediate vicinity either. Somehow, luckily, the yellow child sized machine split the wave and protected itself and those in it's path. But where did the white one go...

Raldon frowned at himself, he hated the idea of stepping into this fight. It wasn't his business, they were away from Bobby and not stressing the creature out anymore. But he owed them one. If it hadn't been for their ships... He'd be captured or worse. Rah moved to stay near the yellow Gran Cher, close enough to intercept the white one if it popped up. Rah may have the same problem Raldon did in a room, but that also meant size alone was enough to intimidate most reasonable individuals. "There's been enough fighting and bloodshed today. There's more important things than going at each other's throats, isn't there?" Rah turned it's head just enough to glance to Orphan.

 

[Nemesis]

Fiji Jupiter
Hanging Gardens

​

In the Hanging Gardens of the Mu, Elen re-materialized in a flash of light... and exhaled. Birds twittered in the trees. Sun shone down on the trees that dotted pavilion, wrought with beautiful brickwork and statuary that, sometimes, seemed to follow visitors with their gaze.

"Hey."

The figure of Tasha emerged, shoulders sunk low, a haggard look in her eyes. Elen blinked slowly, surprised at her appearance.

"...I must confess, I was expecting to hear you gloating." She said, folding her arms.

"How did things go on your end?"

Tasha's lips curled back into a snarl, and there was a thud as her fist slammed into a nearby tree, causing it to shake. For once, it wasn't directed at her opposite number. Elen waited in patient silence for the Mulian minister to regain her temper.

"...I underestimated the black one." She said finally, voice so low as to almost be a whisper as she hung her head.

The sight of the dark Xephon ripping apart her Dolem like it was nothing with its bare hands flashed before her eyes... and she slammed them shut, as if trying to force the memory of her humiliation out.

"The fault is mine, and mine alone. Sounds like you didn't do so hot either?"

Elen just smiled at the curiously appropriate phrasing, and tented her fingers, causing a raised eyebrow from Tasha. If there was something she'd come to respect about the strategic advisor, it was that she was anything but impatient.

"Oh, I wouldn't say that..." Laughed the Mulian, as a smirk crept up her features...

---

Meanwhile...

"ELEVEN! Pick up the pace, rookie!"



"H-hai... I mean, yes my Lord!"

Yasuko Fukase, Petty Officer in the Britannian Navy, gulped and clung desperately to the ropes now dangling down the side of the Britannian vessel, a metal cradle between the two of them. Her legs shook as she gripped the railing, moving to the surface of the vessel. A pair of pliars in her hand, she picked at a particularly large piece of debris wedged in its surface... and pulled it free with a grunt, dropping it into the bucket at her feet.

It had been two hours since the attack, and no sign of pursuit force from the Reclaimers. She, and the other luckless newbies still finding their sea-legs, had been given the task of inspecting the ship's hull and plugging any potential leaks.

She slathered the self-sealing gel in place over the crack, and moved to the next one to repeat the process.

Even if Princess Louise was kind, she thought, it hadn't made much of a difference for the likes of her. Wherever she went, she was still an "Eleven" before anything else. First to start, last to leave. Always given the lousiest jobs. The most dangerous positions.

But, what else could she do? Whatever she faced her was worse elsewhere. Just being able to afford food was reason enough. Now, if she could only attract the attention of some noble...

Some handsome gentleman who could whisk her away from all of this misery...

Her fingers slipped on the pliers, and something went ping from the side of the vessel. Something that glimmered in the air - and she dove, catching it between her fingers before it rolled off the edge.

Breathing hard, she pulled the curious object close to her, opening her fingers to examine it... and gasped.

A beautiful crystal. Deep blue, like a snowflake, rested in her palms. Supremely delicate and light, yet firm to the touch. It reflected the light from above, casting reflections on her palms that were like the waves of the ocean.

It was the most beautiful thing she'd ever seen in her entire life.

"YASUKO! GET TO WORK!"

As the voice of her superior bellowed from above, she quickly stowed her prize away in her coat. Her heart pounded with excitement, as what felt like the first smile in a long time graced her features.

Sometimes, good things really did happen to good people.

...

"After all... I've only just begun."​

 

[MKR]

Medical personnel was in motion to ensure that all who made it back were stable, and that those who needed more care were given it. The bunks on the ships converted into extensions of the medical ward as those who could move were sent to give aid. Raldon would indeed receive the physical check up he requested, though the doctors were taking particularly long on one issue. As he waited for the results to get back to him a blonde woman arrived in the room he was sent to to wait, her arm in a brace as the fluid suit with its big shoulders was pushed through the door opening.

The red eyes of the woman looked at him, making sure he was both awake and in fact human, before closing the door behind her for privacy.
"Allow me first, to state the depth of my gratitude." She began, formally "Without you or your angelic machine we would not have escaped that strange blimp, let alone witness its defeat." A machine like that, that guardian angel. She had never seen it, let alone heard of anything similar. Yet here it was, and inside a boy half a decade younger than her at the very least.
She expected some mature demigod to walk out of the confines of that machine, if anyone did at all for all they could have known it was simply an alive fourty meter giant but instead their savior was a, granted exotic, boy. Still she had to stand firm, even as she knew many of those in her care were being treated mere meters away. A meeting with the precipice of life and death much closer than it would have liked to have been.

"I, Louise li Britannia, am in your debt for this." She continued, "For saving the citizens of Area 12 caught within Orphan from those statues and for protecting myself. How can I repay this debt?"

 

[Hitura Rael]

Tension eased from Raldon's shoulders. The white machine did not pursue the others. He did not know if it was Rah's imposing size and display of apparent power that dissuaded the pilot or if they actually agreed with him. He chose to believe in the pilot, that they didn't want to hurt anyone else. After all, how could any one be good if you believed in the negatives of them? Rah moved to Orphan and gave it a gentle stroke, "You be safe, I don't know when we can visit again. Take care, my friend." At least the debris of the fight didn't stick too badly to the shell or do much damage. It was a tough lil crab.

Rah gave a nod to the Baron, then turned to follow with the retreating ships. Raldon knew it was a bad idea, they could capture him or hurt him, try to steal away RahXephon, or who knew what else. But the worst thing was he'd attracted the unwanted attention of his pursuers to them. He wouldn't be able to stay long... for their safety. Crowds gathered as Rah landed on deck. They seemed... shocked... when Raldon was the one to emerge from the mech. How could he blame them? An unwashed teenager stood where no doubt they had thought some glorious hero should stand. He stuttered only slightly when he asked after the medical bay. His English was so damn rusty...

Thankfully, they obliged. And while the medic lingered he settled in to doze off. Perhaps he could further indebt himself by asking for a shower and some clean clothes... He was almost out when a woman stepped in to the room. He sat up quietly, rubbing his eyes with the heel of his palm. She sure said a lot of words. He sat quietly for a long moment to process things. Yeah, he had nothing. This day was overwhelming. But debt? They saved him, how could they owe him a debt? If anything HE owed THEM.

"You don't owe anything. Your ships saved me." He glanced down at his lap after speaking. If he could blush, he would. Or if he was blushing he wouldn't know. "Uh... but... it would be a kindness if... I could get cleaned up and something to wear?"

 

[MKR]

Louise relaxed as the boy spoke up, well compared to her he was still a giant, cleaning and clothes. That was much less than she had expected it seemed they truly had been aided out of the kindness of his heart. "Of course. I'll see what we have on board, otherwise anything you could want for clothes can be arranged when we arrive in Area 10." She answered. "They'll be here for you to choose between by the time you'll return. As for showers, simply ask any of the soldiers and they'll direct you to any that are free."

"If anything else comes to mind, do not hesitate to ask. While you remain with us you are a honored guest and whatever you ask for will be provided." She answered as she turned to leave once more. Once more leaving Raldon to himself, if he followed her instructions the showers were indeed easy to find, fortunately undamaged during the assault. And regardless of how long it took him by the time he'd return to the room provided to him the bed he had been resting on now had a few options for him to get dressed in at his leisure.

First would be something the Britannians had in all shapes and sized and enough to spare, plain unassuming garments a dull metallic grey in color. Though the armored plating was missing the jumpsuit was the same as the garments of the Britannian infantry. Even if the things that made it military were missing, not quite as readily offered to the boy savior.

Secondly a more bizarre option, clothing similar to what the Princess had worm when she arrived earlier. A tight pilot suit with surprisingly big shoulders now thoroughly appropriated by Britannia the fluid suit was nevertheless presented as an option.

Lastly, and somewhat more normal. Clothing unfortunately half a size too small, probably belonging to one of the soldiers willingly? forfeiting them or unable to claim them anymore. A simple T shirt and some pants that wouldn't quite fit the runaway but it wasn't like he couldn't get in them either.

 

[Hitura Rael]

"It doesn't have to be fancy or anything." He scratched the back of his head, "Thank you." He fidgeted with his fingers, staring down at them. He had no idea what else to do and it was rude to stare, especially at pretty girls. Honored guest? That was an odd thing to treat him as. "Thank you..." He bit the bottom of his lip and berated himself. Dumb idiot, forgot to introduce yourself. He hopped up quickly to extend a hand to Louise, then quickly put his hand back at his side after seeing how dirty it was. Probably smelled like fish guts too... When was the last time he actually SMELLED the odor of fish? He was definitely around it far too much. "My name's Raldon."

Once she left, he grumbled and rubbed his face again. "Way to embarrass yourself, Raldon." He sighed and made his way out to find the showers with the help of some soldiers. He took a long time in there, scrubbing everything clean, waiting until the water rinsed off of him clean to get out. His body felt like jelly by the time he got back to his room. He was so tired... He did not take much time to pick out clothing. The T-shirt fit fine enough... He was pretty sure he could fit those pants. He didn't feel comfortable in their military uniform. Well, whatever worked. He could survive in it. Worst case was he popped a seam and people got a show. Not like he was shy. Once he dressed, he laid on his temporary bed and fell straight asleep.