Test 2.

[azumods]

WILLPOWER The chamber at the back of the cave is not unlike the one before it - it's large and oppressively dark, with shallow pools of water puddled on the floor. However, it isn't entirely impossible to see; off in a far corner of the cavern, there's a dim light shining pale blue, the soft glow pulsing steadily like it's keeping time, like a heartbeat. It's likely, however, that you're not going to get a good look at whatever is causing it before a voice rings out from the entrance behind you, immediately setting the Spiritombs off with loud, ringing shrieks that indicate over half a thousand souls aren't pleased with what seems to be happening here, and as the words register, you'll realize it's probably for good reason. "In the name of Team Galactic, I'm going to have to ask you all to leave. The Guardian is rightfully ours." It's immediately obvious that at the very least, the voice doesn't belong to Saturn - it's higher-pitched, belonging to a woman from the sound of it. Turning to face the source will reveal a woman in full Galactic grunt uniform; she seems young in the face and she's rather short, though she's built as though she's likely strong for her size. While she's clearly here to do a task, her eyes are noticeably just as devoid of spirit as the others that you've seen - she's just as heavily brainwashed as the rest. The Spiritombs you've encountered will do their jobs; they'll protect the Lake Guardian physically, promptly proceeding to get between it and...well, everyone else here. They aren't going to back down until the perceived threat is dealt with; they really, really don't like Team Galactic. What happens now is up to you.

Comments

[heritrix]

[Oh my god.]

You do that at office parties?? The first thing that comes to mind when I think of that is a bunch of nerds with pocket protector, but if that's how it is, then wow. Corporate really is cutthroat!

[That's probably not appropriate so she's trying not to sound like she approves, but what the fuck, those parties sound like a riot and kind of fun?? Are these demon office parties, or normal ones?]

[hyruglyphics]

[ She doesn't have enough warrior's pride to be overly sad at her loss as a loss, though she is shaken at how easily Saturn could have killed them all if he wanted, learned through this battle. She was right to tell Michael off on that idea of throwing Cat Janet, she realizes. She smiles though, and holds her hands over her chest ]

Thank you!

[hyruglyphics]

[ . . . She actually said it! Oh...! ]

Thank you for telling me! My name is Zelda, and it is a - it is good to meet you!

[ The real you? Or maybe something approaching it. ]

[semistableman]

[Something in Bucky's gaze, which has been pretty stony the entire time, softens a little.]

Mine's Bucky.

[eudaimonikos]

[Distantly, the peanut gallery, I am so sorry:]

You should visit your dad!

[anythingforyou]

[...If Camilla minds any, she's certainly not saying it? Holy shit, if anything her eyes are almost kind of lighting up--it might not be proper on her end either, but have a hug? Have a hug.]

Of course you did. You fought with everything you have, after all!

[azumods]

[It will in fact do fairly well - not nearly enough to take the Breloom out, because the discrepancy in experience and training is going to prove to be A Problem, but the hit is a good one- ]

Stone Edge.

[...The mushroom raptor is not going to be kind to your bird, either, it looks like.]

[discutio]

Good work, Zelda. You did an excellent job.

[azumods]

...Good to meet you, too.

[She seems a little distant still, but there's...something, maybe.]

1/2

[heritrix]

Hmm.

[Rin pretends to be considering longer than she actually is. She's the one who told Zelda she couldn't lose, after all—even if that was just for a pep talk, she has to act like those words were still full of meaning.]

2/2

[heritrix]

[But after tapping her chin once, she offers Zelda a warm smile.]

It's clear how much stronger than us she is, now. You three did well holding out as long as you did. Saber would be proud.

[hyruglyphics]

[ But is she being smothered in Camilla's boobs yet is this fucking fire emblem memes.

Either way, she laughs a little more into it, and she nods, ]

We did! We did everything we could!

[ And it was still not even at all good enough - but .. it seems it did accomplish what she hoped for. ]

[azumods]

...It's good to meet you.

[She's. Awkward. And still really distant-seeming. But the name is better than nothing.]

[azumods]

[....]

You know my dad?

[hyruglyphics]

[ She smiles for Ignis, surprisingly tired as the adrenaline wears off. Even if she didn't personally do fighting, the implication here was-

But she says, upbeat. ]

Thank you, Ignis.

[enjoymyatelier]

[he claps politely! It’s not sarcastic, like she still lost but he thought things were well done.]

You did very well, Zelda, especially for the type disadvantages you were facing.

[hyruglyphics]

[ . . . You know what, she is going to hug Camilla and stuff but time to risk it-

Handshake offer ]

[discutio]

[He shook his head slightly, smiling.]

No--thank you for working so hard.

[niceoppai]

"May," huh.

[Chelsea's eyes widen before she shakes her head.]

Thanks for fighting our people? Sorry, uh, I'm not really sure what you say after a battle here.

[eudaimonikos]

Oh, even the fanciest parties have to have a little violence, or it's not even a party!

[it's a demon office party]

[anythingforyou]

[NO, WE ARE NOT GOING THAT FAR INTO THE MEME-IVERSE, GOOD LORD]

And you're going to continue to get better. I'm sure of it.

[because zelda has good people beside her and also the guidance of the murdercrew]

[hyruglyphics]

[ For a brief moment, she is actually worried Rin will be critical. But... Rin's been nothing but sweet so far. Perhaps a little analytical at times, but sweet. And when Rin assures her, telling her Saber would be proud, she smiles back, and she nods. ]

I am glad you think so.

[azumods]

[She'll kind of...blink a little at that, but...

...accepting...handshake???

...accepting handshake!! Her grip is really firm, none of this limp bullshit, either.]

[eudaimonikos]

Liam? Yeah, he's cool, we're kinda buddies.

[He broke into his house and hung out with him for a while!]

[azumods]

Oh, it's...

[How do you...even.]

It's how we used to do things here. There hasn't been much need for it lately.