Active [On the Border of the See and Widersia, as Far South of Clockhaven as the River Goes] - The Devil's Favorite Holiday

[Irihi]

Miiya Aether
in
"Want to Know Why"​

Mentions: Mephisto

Giovanna was spotlighted in dimmer blue while Miiya stood in her own pool of limelight, blinded to everyone save the patron painted as [?] a skeleton. It seemed as if there were only two people existing in the universe of the stage. Into that darkness, into the starless space between their two tiny planets of light Miiya’s voice rang out in a reedy clarion call.

“Want to know why I made the deal I did?
Want to know why my wings are clipped?
Want to know why I bruise so easily,
Or how I learned to cover it with makeup and deceit?
I’ve lived in shadows, where I didn’t belong,
Held my breath too long, but I’ve stayed strong.
So here I stand, in your light, in your space,
And now you ask me, with that look on your face...
​

As she sang, the birdgirl took a few steps forward, now pointed toward Giovanna, now toward the nonexistent audience, and now to the skeletal band. It was her turn to pull the strings she could. With a gesture and a louvering of her feathers that ran from shoulder to wingtip, she motioned and a dim red light came up, illuminating a chorus line of backup singers; all in similar--though simpler and less ornate--garb and paint as the patron of the diamond district.

But you want to know why?
Why I’ve fallen, why I’ve lied?
Why I fight when I can’t fly,
Why I scream at the empty sky.
Want to know why?
I’ve been broken, but I survived.
I’ve learned to crawl before I rise,​

Her first verse had been reedy and wavering, but even so, Miiya knew she was killing it. She was setting the tone, leading the chorus, and transporting Giovanna and the audience along with her (hopefully).

Want to know why I hit so hard?
Want to know why I sometimes lose control?
Why I tear through the night with no guard,
Shattering silence, never letting go?
I didn’t choose to live this way,
But the choices were made, and I won’t obey.
I’ll bite, I’ll burn, I’ll leave a mark,
This is the woman who learned how to spark.​

Yes! Slay! Miiya counseled herself, a little fang showing in a smile that was halfway a snarl as she led the chorus again and this time advanced on Giovanna.


The patron of the Diamond district conveyed how unimpressed she was with Miiya’s performance with every nonvocal cue at her disposal. It was kinda breathtaking. Miiya wasn’t sure if she was dancing to her doom here, but she sure as hell was enjoying putting on the show now, as the last verse turned the question on the dismissive patron of Diamonds.

I want to know why your first thought is money,
Why my deal makes you feel so uneasy?
​

Miiya stuck a theatrical finger in Giovanna’s face, and the patron’s response was poetry. There was not so much as a blink or a twitch of her painted features as she raised a hand, yet the utter contempt that radiated from her as she deigned to give Miiya a copa turn, guiding her into a cross-body lead, with Giovanna as the lead.

You can’t stand that I’m standing here,
Not begging, not scared, but holding this fear.
I’ve been beneath you, ignored, unseen,
But now I’m the one who’s chasing this dream.​

With the change in direction came a change in lead of the salsa as Giovanna and Miiya danced, seamlessly trading lead and follower roles with the music. There wasn’t even a bridge, Miiya kept on singing, amazed that the way her and the patron’s steps wove kept her prodigious pipes pointed out into the darkness beyond their now-intermingled spotlights.

So tell me, what do you see in my eyes?
I’m the storm you never saw rise.​

The chorus came stronger this time, and Miiya had her hands full with the salsa, the song, and trying to catch enough breath to belt out her lyrics over the rising latin band and skeletal singers.

But you want to know why?
Why I’ve fallen, why I’ve lied?
Why I fight when I can’t fly,
Why I scream at the empty sky.
Want to know why?
I’ve been broken, but I survived.
I’ve learned to crawl before I rise,
Now look at me, and wonder why.​

Miiya hit the outro again, loud, clear, and holding the note even as she executed a spin-out, Miiya’s wings snapping out and framing the pair with a backdrop of feather and steel.

“Now look at me, and wonder why.”
She breathed. ​

Patron and cryptid patronized froze, still maintaining connection. Miiya felt the long shadow retreat from her right hand--where Giovanna’s skeletal fingers held her fast. Would it disappear completely? Would it manifest from her left hand as a darkness in the limelight?

 

[Mephisto]

---

Giovanna Fontana

Patron of the Diamonds District in Red Haven

| Elvario | Spoiled Bread | Irihi |

#e70c97
​

---

Giovanna found herself immediately transfixed by the doll. Their pronunciation of the Holy Spirit was charming, to say the least. She immediately knelt down and started to address Zahrah's hair, fashioning it into works of art. She skillfully managed to create something from paintings or sculptures that she recreated at nauseum, never once capturing the beauty that ensnared her heart for the first time. She grew less fascinated by these things, things of less meaning than the original.

She felt like she had insulted their creators somehow, and gave up a long time ago. Her tired, pale hands - permanently painted with a cartoonish visage of the bones underneath - worked in tandem with her words as she stitched loose threads, adjusted the Satan Claus costume to be more aesthetically pleasing, and even wiped off some smudges from Zahrah's adorable face. She even gave them a pair of horns to wear on the top of their head!

"Italiana~"

She rose to her feet and the sight of the skeletal pattern continuing along her skin became more apparent.

"No, I can't teach you dolce tesoro, I'm sorry,"

The more titles Zahrah mentioned, the more Giovanna felt something in her heart resembling pride or happiness. She felt like the little doll was more than just a thing full of cotton. She barely registered the question about Count Krampula - and she scoffed loudly, immediately frowning.

"He's a rogue Cryptid that pops up around the holidays, leeching off the magic of happiness and joy and creating emotionless slaves. He does it to lobby against certain events so he can gain power and prestige through the most abhorrent process in the world... bureaucracy,"

She shivered.

"I'm guessing Mephisto put you up to hunting him down without telling you anything, hm? That's just par for the course," she rolled her eyes... only to immediately go back to fawning over Zahrah.

"But you can be Mall Satan for however long you want!"

They nommed her finger and her stern façade completely melted away. She had to purse her lips together to keep the tear budding in her eye from falling. After the first phase of her song, she didn't think twice about hugging Zahrah and felt a wave of emotion wash away all the stress of the holiday season thanks to their impossibly amazing ability to embrace another creature. She was about to say something but then Meredy continued with her own portion of the musical occasion.

It was obvious she wanted the spotlight, and Giovanna obliged by gesturing for it to move onto her. The notes were initially intrusive and wrong, but that's when she found her own rhythm. It became less of a statement of rebellion and more her own addition to the song itself. Giovanna didn't so much as blink as she approached, understanding all too well how it felt to be overshadowed and forgotten. She could empathize with the feeling of being trapped somewhere.

Therefore, she did nothing but support Meredy through her silence. The words came out methodically and precise, matching the new surgical tone of the music. It felt sharp and intense, matching Meredy's scowl. She had so much to say, but such a small window of opportunity. The lyrics she belted out echoed raw defiance.

Giovanna tilted his head curiously at her once she was finished.

Upon the conclusion to her inclusion, Meredy conjured a table for four in the center of the stage. The Patron was surprised upon noticing that Count Krampula's head had become little more than a lighting fixture for the occasion.

"Owowowow!! Hot! Hot! Hot!!" he shouted and screamed, but Giovanna slid a finger through the air and shut his mouth.

He wriggled around in pain, grumbling and groaning but unable to interrupt them again. The painted skeletons instinctively pulled the chairs out for the four to sit down, thought Miiya remained standing. She had something of her own to say, but for the moment Giovanna and Meredy spoke together.

"You're a delightful addition to this evening, Ms. Cainbell, and I would never dare to imply otherwise," she smiled warmly. "I apologize. The stress of the season has gotten under my skin. Mephisto simply finds that... funny,"

The warm smile became sarcastic once she thought about the devilish trickster again.

"That is a fine idea. While it's true that Count Krampula is a usual nuisance this time of year, Mephisto has seen fit to exasperate the situation and include you three for reasons I dare not try to understand,"

She viciously jabbed Count Krampula's wriggling head-lump with a sharp finger, driving it into his flesh and bone as her nail caused it to sizzle and crack. The Cryptid howled in muffled agony.

"This... maiale... no, that is an insult to pigs! This eretico has broken his contract with Tobias Munroe, seeking more power than he's worth! I should kill him now,"

She pulled her finger from his skull, leaving a cauterized hole where it once seared through the worms and meat.

"But - alas - I cannot," she remarked with a shrug.

"He's already hidden his heart somewhere underneath Red Haven. Someone always finds one or the other, you rotten spazzatura, but you always weasel your way out of getting caught,"

She stood again. She had a feeling that she had to. Miiya still didn't take her seat, and when the light washed over both of them she knew exactly the reason why fate told her to address the Aerial properly. This would be the stage they would take together.

Giovanna braced herself for Miiya's solo. It was beautiful, howling for freedom amidst something terrible. She committed a sin too great to admit for the moment. They were still strangers to each other, but perhaps that would fade with time. The Patron watched as she suffered, bringing her soul and blood both to a boil. The painted skeletons accompanied her just as they did for all who sang upon the stage. Yet this time it seemed different.

Giovanna was frustrated and stressed to the point of breaking. Meredy wanted to prove herself to her contemporaries. Miiya churned with anxiety and a desire to be accepted - not used.

The Patron nodded along with her. She felt the biting remark about her thinking only about money. When the Aerial finished her number with a brilliant unfurling of her wings against the spotlight, Giovanna extended her hand and grasped Miiya's. The Long Shadow shied away into a distant corner.

"When I look into your eyes I don't see a spark
I don't see a fire
I don't see the dark

When I look into your eyes I see a little girl
I see her hurting
I see her spurning the world

She learned a very long time ago
That it's okay to hide
But, bambina, you have so much to show

Your wings were made for you
Not for anyone else
So fly as only you can do"
​

She turned towards center stage and included them in more of her theatrics, the painted skeletons playing a monumental orchestration to the climax of the symphony.

"Red Haven is a tangled web
Of haunting desire
It flows and ebbs

So much happens in so little time
I do apologize
The fault is all mine

I stood before you condemning your worth
And now I know
There's nothing I'd want more on this Earth

Than to sit down... and enjoy a Devil's Day with you~!"
​

Giovanna held her hands towards the center of the table, gesturing for them to finally take their seats and -

---

| Metty |
​

---

From beyond time and space, through a random portal that opened up above the table, an emaciated dragon woman plopped onto the arrangement and shattered it on impact. Miiya would immediately recognize her as Stormbreaker.

Mephisto peered in from the other side of the interdimensional gateway and cascaded his fingers towards Giovanna.

"Yoohoo~! Mon cher~"

Giovanna's mood instantly soured and the stage, along with the lights and painted skeletons, started to fade away - though not like an illusion. They were hurriedly trying to clean everything up before the inevitable -

"BASTARDO!!"

There it was.

Thus began a truly awe-inspiring tirade of insults and curses upon Mephisto that he just stuck his tongue out slyly at. He didn't care. She could stay mad and he wouldn't change. She could die and he didn't have the capacity to empathize.

"Well, I wish I could stay and chat more but I have more Devil's Day cheer to spread... toodles~!"

With that, he vanished without a trace - except for the puff of red smoke that he left behind - and the five were left with a broken table and a crowd of concerned civilians surrounding them. Giovanna pinched the bridge of her nose and stamped her foot, cleaning up the rest of the musical and its remaining decorations.

Except for a small piece of confetti, which one of her painted skeleton minions picked up and scurried away with.

All in all... it went much better than expected.

---

 

[Irihi]

Miiya Aether

​

Mentions: Mephisto
Elvario Spoiled Bread Metty

Well, that’s a relief. Miiya clung to that thought--that she wasn’t about to get shot or stabbed or turned into a skeleton minion--because Giovanna’s song was a little… more… than she wanted to deal with at that moment. Can’t dance with your eyes closed and ears plugged she thought wistfully as the patron of Diamonds mercifully changed gears and ended their musical numbers with an invitation to tea.


The ambient lighting came up, the spotlights vanished, and now it was just a mundane tea party with madrina.


Until motherfretting Mephisto, that was. “Wha… wait… S-storm-- !!” Miiya had just folded her wings and settled from the balls of her feet, when the crash of a falling body shattering teacups and scattering flatware caused her to jump and her wings to twitch back out to quarter-extension.


One hand covering her mouth, one hand outstretched to catch herself and vault atop the table, Miiya lunged forward with a wingbeat. Her gusty flap caused the fringe of Giovanna’s hat to dance and her skirts to skirl about her, adding dramatic effect to the string of toe-curling curses she was rifling at the sharp-toothed interloper.

Miiya skidded to a stop on her knees next to Stormbreaker. “Yfrett! Storm!! What happened!??” She cried, aghast. The birdgirl quickly searched the draconian for signs of life, her face white, her hands shaking.

Miiya had not seen Stormbreaker since their time together in Azuran, but the draconian’s emaciated features were unmistakable. How and why her old friend and partner had appeared here were inconsequential to Miiya, because Stormbreaker--the most powerful protector Miiya had ever known--looked…She can’t be dead! She can’t be!

A sob escaped the birdgirl as she caught the faintest rise and fall of the prostrate woman’s chest. Stormbreaker was a mess--battered, emaciated, covered in bruises, cuts, sores and signs of abuse and torture--but she was alive. “Oh, Arashi!” Miiya bent over her, holding Stormbreaker’s head in her lap, and crying unrestrainedly as she smoothed the draconian’s hair above her swollen and blackened eyes. “What have they done to you?!”

I have to get her off the table! The thought jagged through Miiya. The memory of what Mephisto had done to Marek was still fresh and raw in the Aerial’s mind. The fact that the cannibalistic demon had dropped her friend upon the table, like an uncooked side of beef, was not lost on Miiya. “Hang on, Essbee!” Miiya shifted Stormbreaker, wedging her arms under the woman. It was no easy lift, despite Miiya’s horrified realization; she’s so thin! . Stormbreaker might be near half her former weight, but she still outmassed and outsized the diminutive birdgirl. Even so, distress and fear lent power to Miiya’s arms, legs, and back as she strained to get SB off the table.

Backing up awkwardly, with the limp draconian cradled in her arms, Miiya tried not to jostle the battered woman as she turned away from the wrecked tea party. “Help me!” She said to anyone and everyone--but focused particularly on Giovanna--with quiet tearful desperation.

 

[Metty]

Stormbreaker​

Commissioned Art by Feerocomics. Art credit is here.

Real Name: Arashi Sato
Height: 6"3
Titles: Human, Draconian, Puppet

Spoiler: Titles

Racial:
Human - Normal human, plain and featureless. A blank slate full of potential.
Draconian - Humans with dragon heritage descended from the dragonborn. The bloodline is heavily diluted, leaving their appearance mostly human, but it grants them superior physical abilities, superhuman healing, magical aptitude, and, more rarely, partial draconic transformation.

Society - General:
Puppet - Character was just a means to an end for grander or more influential figures. Whether by choice or by design, they dance to the whims of others. Character is more easily manipulated by others. Character is less responsible for the wrongs they commit.

Stats:
Strength | B Grade
Precision | F Grade
Intelligence | D Grade
Vitality | B Grade
Speed | D Grade

Abilities Active: N/A - will be spoilered if ability
Abilities Used: N/A - will be spoilered if ability
Passives: Regeneration | F Grade | 6 Posts
Possessions:
Color: #824ca3 | Link to Sheet

Spoiler

Equipment:

• Magic Catalyst [Organ] | E Grade | 28 Points
  • Stormbreaker's magic catalyst is an extra organ inside her body that allows her to produce the element she chooses, in this case, fire for now.
• Heavy Iron Armor | F Grade | 7 Points
  • Iron Armor. Includes a helmet to protect her identity.
• Natural Weapon [Fists] | F Grade | 14 Points
  • Since she likes punching I made this.
• Iron Greatsword | F Grade | 7 Points

The last thing she remembered was getting yeeted through the portal by that demon guy. Mephisto. That bastard who turned her small and yeeted through that portal. At least it was better than staying with that bastard, Amon. She didn't get much choice to go after his research or find out what he was doing. She had spent all of her energy trying to kill him. Only her hatred kept her conscious until Mephisto knocked her out.

Stormbreaker's whole body was in agony as she woke up. Her vision was blurry as she tried to figure out what she was. It seemed like she was in some sort of room. Then she heard a familiar voice. It sounded... like... Miiya? Was Stormbreaker dead and in some sort of heaven? Surely not. Surely she couldn't have died yet. Then she felt herself being lifted, and her vision sharpened, revealing her armor and sword nearby, which seemed gigantic compared to her emaciated form. She had lost a lot of weight because of that torture and abuse that mad scientist had put her through. It was intentional to keep her from fighting back.

"... Miiya?" Stormbreaker asked as her vision came back, noticing the bird woman holding her. Stormbreaker, with all her strength, hugged the bird lady. She didn't have much strength to like get out of her arms nor really argue with her whatsoever. And then Stormbreaker cried. She wasn't really an emotional woman as such, but she was in such a state from all her wounds and abuse she just wanted to cry again.

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry. I... I... I wanted to get stronger to protect you. Those bastards in the western empire, those mad scientists experimented on me instead and they got rid of my ability to sleep. I'm sorry... I missed you too, Miiya." Stormbreaker sobbed harder, hugging into the bird lady. "That demon saved my life... I... I didn't know what else to do. I would have died... otherwise."

Stormbreaker didn't flinch as Miiya moved her and picked her up, she sat in Miiya's arms limply. She just held onto her best friend all the while. Miiya was the only comforting thing right now, and she needed her friend. She needed Miiya to feel better. "Please help me... Miiya." Stormbreaker asked her politely as she cried.

Spoiled Bread Irihi Mephisto Elvario

 

[Elvario]

Zahrah Fiore
[

Spoiler: Full Image & Source

From: https://www.zerochan.net/3034810

Languages: Common | <Beastial> | {Sylvan} | [Terran] | %Analog% | #Abyssal#
Mentions: Mephisto | Miiya Irihi | Meredy Spoiled Bread

Zahrah was surprised by Meredy's post-modern jazz take on all the harmonies they'd been singing in. “Wow, those are some really out there funky harmonies, miss cane-carrying red-haired, cloak-wearing miss!” They realised they didn't know Meredy's name, so a description would have to do. “Very modern and jazzy!” They'd compliment.

Sadly enough, they'd have to shake their head. “I'm sorry though, I can't drink tea. It'll just get my insides all soggy, mushy and gross.” The ever-troublesome nature of being a living plushy. A total lack of enjoying food and drink, something that seemed to bring others so much happiness.

As for the introductions... They would be going trhough their usual spiel again. “Nice to meet you, miss Cainbell! I'm Zahrah Fiore, a researcher of happinesses, Construct, Living Doll, Possessed Plush, Redcliffe Contributor, Hero of Ravenswood Village, Saviour Of Shiku No Mura, Simple, Mile High Club of Happiness Member, Convict Converter, Solution Seeker, Bird Post, Loved by Outcasts, Happiness Stuffing, Understudy and an up and coming Seamtress, Actor, Singer, Dancer, Spoken Worder and Tin Whistler!” Seeing how Meredy also mentioned being a daughter of someone, Zahrah would add “I was made by my mommy, Sophia Smith! She's also from Ryken, though I haven't seen her in a really long time!”

They'd listen to Miiya's solo and if they had tear ducts, they might've shed a tear. So sad. They were the first to break out in applause, their cotton hands crashing into one another with a surprisingly lack of sound, but not due to lack of trying. “That was great! Did you write all that yourself? You really should perform that on a bigger state! I bet the emotions it'll invoke in people really brings the type of sadness that eventually becomes happiness!”

They did not mind having their hair played with, as they instead focussed on the words spoken to them by granny. “Ah! Je ne parlais vous Italiana!” They corrected themselves in the wrong language. Then again, that only brought the point across some more.

“Dolce Tesoro? Is that a type of food?” It sounded like it'd be a type of chocolate, perhaps. “A Cryptid, what's that? Wait, leeching off of happiness? How horrible! Is it another reverse pet?” That was indeed terrible news. Just having one type of reverse pet was already horrible, after all, but having even more of them would be truly awful.

“Oh, oh, I know that one! Bureaucracy is really bad for happiness!” They would nod. In their long and extensive research, that was one of the predominant happiness killers for sure. Seeing how they didn't even know who Krampula was, they didn't think they were sent out to hunt him, so they just shrugged.

On the topic of being Mall Satan, however, they'd look around. “I don't think there's anyone to bring happiness from being Mall Satan left here, so I guess I can stop. Unless it makes you happy?” In truth, they cared nothing about the role, they just wanted to make folk happy, though there was a distinct lack of such folk right now.

They didn't mind being hugged. They were [Soft] and a [Plush Golem] for a reason. Being hugged was part of what helped them make others happy in the bestest ways! They'd just hug back, wrapping their arms around Giovanna.

Upon hearing Giovanna mention stress, they'd nod sagely. “Yes, yes. Stress is very bad for happiness.” Luckily, they knew something anti-stress. “I've heard pinching my cheeks helps against stress!” They'd say, as they'd turn the other cheek.

“Erotic?” They misheard Giovanna saying 'eretico' as they'd gotten a tad confused, perhaps even a tad scared. If the woman was into torturing random heads without bodies, that was slightly concerning. Not a good way to obtain happiness for sure.

“Oh, hiding ones heart? That sounds like a fairy tale!” What else did it remind them off? “Or a horcrux!” They'd forgotten where they'd heard about that last bit of terminology from.

They were just getting to enjoy the old lady's song, when someone appeared and plopped a dragon-woman down onto the table. That was pretty wild. Wait, since when were there civilians around them again? How odd. They probably missed them during the last few minutes? Ah well.

Curiously looking at the dragon woman, as apparently the musical had ended, they saw the bird rushing over. The dragon didn't seem to be in a great shape, which the bird also caught onto. It also seemed like that situation was truly bad for happiness. How horrible!

That said, they were a tad conflicted. It seemed the dragon woman and bird girl hugging was something they shouldn't interrupted. That might be bad for happiness. Yet the bird girl had ask for someone to help them and they certainly knew only one way to do so. To help or not to help? Which would be better for happiness? A very, very tough and intricate calculation needed to be made.

So... the bird might be more sad if they didn't help. Yet the dragon seemed to want to be helped by the bird. Yet the bird couldn't help and asked for others to help. So... if they helped the bird by helping the dragon, they would help the bird help the dragon and by helping the bird by helping the dragon they would help make the bird happy and if the bird was happy, the dragon would be happy? So helping would make both happy! Yes, yes! They should definitely interfere.

Having reached the most scientific conclusion possible, they'd rush over to Miiya and Stormbreaker. “Don't worry!” They'd state, as they would stretch out their arms far and long to wrap the both of them into a [Hug it Better].

Hug it Better – Healing B, Elasticity E, Energised B, Empathy B, Insight B. - Character gives a hug that's mending both emotional and physical wounds. - Grade Be – 3 Post Cooldown.

As they would feel the cotton construct wrap their arms around them, they'd feel a certain warmth spreading through them, one capable of slowly yet steadily ridding them of their wounds and possibly soothing their mental state of mind whilst at it. “There, there, it'll all be fine, there, there~” They'd state to calm the both of them.

 

[Spoiled Bread]

Meredy Cainbell

---

"Your response is very... tame, ma'am. Can't say I don't appreciate that in this situation though." Meredy commented with a mix of curiosity and suspicion, by 'tame' she meant was understanding as she expected the patron to try squeezing them further, growing in a highly meritocratic noble family made her wary on everything and everyone. It almost made her feels bad for insulting her right on her face.

Almost.

Unfortunately Meredy was a rather naughty kid with little to no sympathy for others. Even Satan would immediately agree to give her coal as present every years.

Taking her seat back, the girl silently enjoyed the bird girl's performances and basked on the doll's compliments. She couldn't help but amused by the construct's chipper attitude. They're like a... dog, a joyful pink dog.

"I see you really likes your titles, Children of Smith. Your existence has been noted." She nodded at Zahrah, and made a mental note to look for more information about this Sophia Smith later.

Unfortunately the tea party, and her table, was short-lived as Mephisto suddenly appeared through a portal and dropped a figure on the table and shattered it. As Miiya and Zahrah rushed towards the figure and Giovanna was in a verbal fight with Mephisto, Meredy simply watched in amusement as if she's watching a theatrical live performance. She finished her last cup of tea, dusted her cloak off all the debris before finally addressing the new twist in front of her.

"You look awful, draconian." She said while looking at Stormbreaker with a curious gaze. Opening her pocket dimension, this time she pulled out several foods from it and put it on the floor next to the Stormbreaker. Meat pie, whole roasted chicken, tart cake, water and a few more.

"Eat. Regain what you've lost." She said before returning back to her seat. Seemingly interested to see what the trio would do next.​

 

[Mephisto]

---

Giovanna Fontana

Patron of the Diamonds District in Red Haven

| Elvario | Spoiled Bread | Irihi | Metty |

#e70c97
​

---

"Help me!"

"Please..."

"Aiutami!"

"Per favore..."

"Dio, per favore salvami!!"

The voices struck something deeper than they could ever know. The Patron's heart shuddered in terror. Her limbs locked into place. Her eyes went dim, her face and the skeletal paint embedded within growing pale. She had precious seconds. She had no time, but she had to remember.

The screaming returned to her. The wailing of the dying, pleading against being included with the dead. She inhaled sharply through her nose. All she could smell was blood. All she could taste was her own sweat. Her face burned with tears she could not cry.

Giovanna moved on an instinct she didn't know she had. She forgot it, once upon a time. She didn't say anything, immediately ripping a piece of her luxurious dress to clean and bind a major wound on Stormbreaker's thigh. She conjured a basin of warm water, reaching for it without thinking. She didn't know it wasn't there. It appeared on a whim. Her hands kept tearing pieces of her dress. She washed Stormbreaker's face.

She didn't even recognize the woman. All she saw was a patient brought to her. She kept cleaning the blood and grime from her face, not even realizing that some of it wasn't even her own. It didn't matter. She assessed minor cuts as insignificant. Major bleeding was kept to a minimum. She turned on her heels to get more water. Again, she conjured things without thinking or knowing why. She handed the basin to a skeleton who didn't know what to do with it. She brought a fresh one out of thin air, but stopped.

Zahrah was already hugging Stormbreaker and Miiya, bringing the situation down to a dull murmur of activity. Giovanna came back, mentally solidifying herself as being here, in Red Haven, and not... wherever her mind wandered.

She gasped for air. She didn't breathe much during that encounter with her darker imagination. Did it really exist only in her thoughts? She sighed and clutched her chest.

"Mia signora," the skeleton chimed in, still holding the basin full of dirtied water. "What am I supposed to be doing with this?"

Giovanna flicked her hand, sending it into the ether with a whisper of red smoke.

"Niente," she huffed.

She disregarded the state of her dress and brushed it back into place, her very motions causing the seams to come back together and the detailed fabric to stitch itself in a hastened regenerative fashion. She noticed the concerned glances of the crowd gathering around the plaza and quickly rolled her eyes before putting on a smile.

"Hello, my friends! Thank you for enjoying our rendition of the classic Devil's Day story of The Three Satan's Helpers. Make sure to come back tomorrow to see more,"

"Um... why are there four, then?" one of the men protested.

"That's our interpretation of their pet dragon Tiamat. Of course, you remember Tiamat's iconic red nose as she lights the flight path for Satan's sleigh?"

The crowd mumbled with approval and fascinated acceptance of the strange happenings.

"We're going to take our leave, but please continue having fun - and happy Devil's Day~!"

She cascaded her fingers and clapped her hands, transporting herself and all of her new acquaintances to her penthouse suite overlooking the Diamonds District. The lights were like stars, mapping the streets like a bioluminescent circulatory system. The apartment Giovanna lived in was the apex of luxury, with enough classical charm to be reminiscent of the early 20th Century. The most obvious part of the living arrangement was the enormous kitchen, fitted with custom-made Widersian imports designed to fit right in with the rest of the ornamentation.

"Please... make yourselves at home," she grumbled as the food and drink Meredy summoned fell on surgically-summoned plates and coasters.

They were gathered around a dining table, set adjacent to the living area overlooking the majority of Red Haven. Giovanna massaged her forehead and walked into the kitchen proper, her long dress following her but never fully touching the ground. She set the stove to boil some water.

"So, Miiya, anyone else you're expecting to fall out of the sky today? While we're at it, that bastard Mephisto is responsible for this one showing up too! I am... extremely concerned for all of you,"

---

 

[Metty]

Stormbreaker​

Commissioned Art by Feerocomics. Art credit is here.

Real Name: Arashi Sato
Height: 6"3
Titles: Human, Draconian, Puppet

Spoiler: Titles

Racial:
Human - Normal human, plain and featureless. A blank slate full of potential.
Draconian - Humans with dragon heritage descended from the dragonborn. The bloodline is heavily diluted, leaving their appearance mostly human, but it grants them superior physical abilities, superhuman healing, magical aptitude, and, more rarely, partial draconic transformation.

Society - General:
Puppet - Character was just a means to an end for grander or more influential figures. Whether by choice or by design, they dance to the whims of others. Character is more easily manipulated by others. Character is less responsible for the wrongs they commit.

Stats:
Strength | B Grade
Precision | F Grade
Intelligence | D Grade
Vitality | B Grade
Speed | D Grade

Abilities Active: N/A - will be spoilered if ability
Abilities Used: N/A - will be spoilered if ability
Passives: Regeneration | F Grade | 6 Posts
Possessions:
Color: #824ca3 | Link to Sheet

Spoiler

Equipment:

• Magic Catalyst [Organ] | E Grade | 28 Points
  • Stormbreaker's magic catalyst is an extra organ inside her body that allows her to produce the element she chooses, in this case, fire for now.
• Heavy Iron Armor | F Grade | 7 Points
  • Iron Armor. Includes a helmet to protect her identity.
• Natural Weapon [Fists] | F Grade | 14 Points
  • Since she likes punching I made this.
• Iron Greatsword | F Grade | 7 Points

Stormbreaker continued hugging Miiya hard, as she didn't really flinch. It was at least hot water, at least unlike the cold relentless showers and cleaning she got. She made no effort to move or look elsewhere, as her body was too weak to do so. Stormbreaker didn't notice how she got multiple wounds all over her body because of the way she splattered on the table on the table and the fact she had killed that scientist. That bastard who hurt her and many others... yet she hadn't had the chance to fully uncover his research. Whatever he was working on, at least.

Stormbreaker never really noticed her wounds until people pointed them out or she looked down on them. She always pushed past the pain regardless, even if she had pretty severe injuries, so it didn't really bother her. Not to mention she probably needed a change of clothes. This lady... didn't have to do this. Yet she did. Why?

"Thank you, lady..." Stormbreaker tried to speak as loud as possible. But she found it hard to talk because of the torture and abuse she was put through. She wanted to sleep, sleep so much.

Zaharah, who hugged them both. The construct was... soft. Too soft. It felt like a warm blanket she used to sleep with back in her home. It was comforting, it made her feel of home. Then it felt warm and her body felt like it was healing. Healing... this felt like a relief off her chest. Her wounds healed fully, and she didn't quite feel as sad anymore. She felt... better. More like her previous self. More like the person she was previous to being experimented on.

Stormbreaker kept hugging onto Miiya, as she was fully healed by the construct and she couldn't help but feel tears of joy. She felt much better. Maybe she could get onto her feet now. But the only thing it couldn't heal was well... her weight as she was about half of her default weight. Would she even fit into her armor now? Probably not. She'd probably have to gain a ton of weight just to get back into it and make it fit her body.

Stormbreaker got herself out of her arms and onto her feet, grabbing Miiya's arm to stand up correctly as she got her feet onto the ground. Stormbreaker glanced across at the Miiya as she stood up. "Miiya, you've grown haven't you? You look... much older than when I last saw you." Stormbreaker said, gripping firmly on Miiya's arm as she tried to push herself up. Her legs were quite shaky as she hadn't really been using them for a while due to not having the strength to really stand up fully. The only time she stood up was to kill that guy. It was all adrenaline from that point previously.

Stormbreaker stood a long deep breath, as she got back to being herself. It felt like her body all right, but what had just occurred just lingered in her mind. Something she would have trouble dealing with a while. She needed to find a way to get rid of it before it started disturbing her sleep again. At the very least, she could hopefully sleep again. After this, she'd want a long damn sleep in a good bed. That scars won't go away overnight. I feel hopeless for not being there and I instead got obsessed with trying to protect others the best I could. I needed that strength to do so. But... maybe... just maybe this isn't the correct way of doing it.

"Thank you Miiya, I appreciate it." Stormbreaker said, before giving the bird lady a hug. "I'm... sorry too for leaving you. I should have never done so. It's my fault for abandoning you. I'm sorry Miiya. I just wanted to get stronger to protect you and everybody else." She hugged Miiya tighter, not wanting to let her go. She had missed Miiya so much. "I'll be there this time. I promise."

Stormbreaker let go of the hug. I'm sorry too for not being there. I wish I was. I need to be there now. I can't keep running from this. I'm a coward for running away from Miiya. I don't know if I can forgive myself for doing so. She walked over to where her belongings were.

She inspected them before fitting most of her armor piece into her backpack, minus her helmet and sword. She at least put her chestplate on. It was massive on her due to how big she was when she originally used it. Helmet in hand as she put her backpack on. Stormbreaker went to go pick up her sword, inspecting it as she sheathed onto the sheath she had on her back. Could use some more work added to it. Maybe I can develop some combat style or fighting style with this. Fire added to added to it could work. There is that one black knight with from that video game I liked. He was really fucking cool with that fire sword as he protected the five realms with it.

Stormbreaker didn't notice the teleporting because she was heavily hyper-focused until someone teleported her into a penthouse suite. She made a nod and bow to the construct who helped her as a sign of respect and a thank you, at least. She glanced around the room. Some sort of penthouse? Seems old. Very old, compared to what I'm used to. Stuff looks dated. I can't complain, however. At least it looks better than Mephisto.

"Penthouse suite? You must be someone powerful to afford such a thing." Stormbreaker questioned, raising an eyebrow and looking over to where she was. It seemed interesting where she was, even if she didn't quite get where she was in all of this. "I should really introduce myself, in the meantime. I'm Stormbreaker, or... if you want an actual human name, I prefer if you call me Sato at the moment. Arashi is my first name technically, but I don't... really like being called that. We call each other last names in my culture. I hail from Japan in Earth originally previously being teleported here after death. Or if you want where in the world I actually came from, it was Paizu Mountains in the Republic." Partly it's because I called my daughter that name in my old world. I'm not fully used to being called that name yet.

Stormbreaker looked along at Meredy and nodded. "Draconian would be the correct term, yes. Unlike Miiya over here who calls me... so many names. It's amusing. We've been friends for a while. Hadn't seen her in years, though until now." Not that I enjoy some of the weird dragon names, but I can tolerate it if it's Miiya. She's the only one allowed to call me names.

Stormbreaker took her seat at the table, opting to sit beside Miiya whenever she took her seat. "Speaking of which, lady or... Mrs, if I may ask, what's your name? And the rest of you, of course. Are you any of you isekaiers or from another world like I am? I'd very much be interested in your stories. I'm... a hero of sorts. Or well... used to be." She glanced over at the others. Fluffy construct lady, mage looking lady and the powerful woman. Interesting bunch. I want to know them better.

Stormbreaker raised an eyebrow again at the Mephisto comment. That bastard? The demon guy? "If he shows up again, I'm punching him for putting me through a damn portal. He deserves that much. Fucking bastard could given me motion sickness. Damn Mephisto. Not to mention he's an old geezer or... old fashioned. He's.. rather.. annoying with his singing, I'll tell you that much. What part of we don't have fucking time for this, does that idiot not understand? Life or death situation and he puts... on a show."

Stormbreaker looked like a person who had received the present of her dreams, the ways her eyes lit up the second she saw... food on the table. The draconian put her helmet down on the ground and just looked actually excited for the first time in her life since her capture. God, she hoped this was real and not some illusion made to shatter her mind completely. That had happened before in anime she had watched or was it a tv show or movie?

Stormbreaker had to restrain herself. She at least had manners at the very least. Eating wildly was rude. She had enough knowledge to at least eat normally. Granted, she'd normally eat food with chopsticks or the odd occasion, a fork and knife. Usually it wasn't around people either. She'd eat by herself most of the time, but if there's one thing she's learned, she asks permission around people she doesn't know. "You... don't mind if I start right or do you want me to wait?" She asked politely.

Mephisto Irihi Spoiled Bread Elvario

 

[Elvario]

Zahrah Fiore
[

Spoiler: Full Image & Source

From: https://www.zerochan.net/3034810

Languages: Common | <Beastial> | {Sylvan} | [Terran] | %Analog% | #Abyssal#
Mentions: Mephisto | Miiya Irihi | Meredy Spoiled Bread

They tilted their head at Meredy's chosen title for them. 'Children of Smith' was certainly out there. Their existence being noted was probably a good thing? “Yours is also pleasantly noted!” They'd cheerfully reply to Meredy in kind.

The dragon lady they'd hugged better didn't seem to acknowledge their existence verbally, leaving it at just a nod and a bow, but that was alright. So long as said dragon lady was happy again, which she seemed to be, Zahrah's job was done. They'd let go and retreat again, leaving her and the bird girl alone.

It seemed the lady-who's-name-they-totally-hadn't-forgotten... had they even been told it? Anyhow, the lady was quick to spin up a story about what'd happened. They'd clap their hands. It was pretty good for happiness to wrap-up events in such a manner. Yep, far better than leaving them confusing and chaotic. “Bye bye and happy Devil's Day!!!” They would join in at the greeting bit, cheering and waving as they suddenly were teleported.

However, the task given to them next was a gravely difficult one indeed. “Make myself at home..?” What a complicated task. How did organic beings do that? The first thing that came to mind was pooping on the toilet. The best way to know someone felt at home somewhere, was if they felt comfortable enough to poop on the toilet. Yet Zahrah didn't so such things, so they couldn't use that technique to fulfil the lady's request to make themselves at home.

Of course, pulling open someone's fridge and drinking milk straight out of the jar, bottle or carton, was also a good way to make oneself feel at home. Yet again, Zahrah didn't eat or drink, so it was yet another way they couldn't comply with the request.

They debated undressing for a bit, as that seemed like it'd be a 'feel at home' type of thing to do, yet, well, something told them that doing such a thing would just ruin the magic instead.

What else? Sleeping in someone's bed? Hmmm. They weren't tired, ever, as they were resilient against fatigue. Faking it would probably not work with a woman so powerful and talented.

Putting on their television? Right. There didn't seem to be any televisions in this setting. Come to think of it, what was there? They looked around. A big fancy looking kitchen. An equally big dining table. Ugh. That didn't help at all.

If they had tear ducts, they might've started tearing up. “I'm sorry miss...” They name finally came back to them. “.. Fontana. I'm afraid I don't know how to make myself at home.” They surrendered, their voice filled with utter defeat. To fail at such a normally simple request so catastrophically? They weren't worth their own happiness research.

At long last, the dragon lady was able to distract them a little. “Oh! I know Japan. That's where part of me was developed back on Earth! It's always been wild how Japanese culture seems bad for Japanese happiness, but good for happiness elsewhere!” That was one of the main things they recalled on that front.

“Hero? Oh! Those are also good for happiness! I'm a Happiness Researcher! I was...” They tried to recall, but couldn't. Some bugs had likely crept in, or it was memory that hadn't transferred over well from their databanks. “Doing similar stuff back on earth!” That they did recall. They were coded to do such things, after all.

 

[Irihi]

Miiya Aether
​

Mentions: Mephisto Elvario Metty Spoiled Bread

Miiya bit back her own sobs as Stormbreaker rallied, telling the birdgirl a little of what had happened to her and asking for help. “Of course, EssBee…” She said, returning the emaciated woman’s embrace.


Then there were stretchy soft arms wrapping the pair of them and Zahrah was intoning comforting words. More than just words, it seemed, for the magic of her healing hug was erasing Stormbreaker’s cuts and bruises. Miiya could feel her own exhaustion, distress and fear abate at the [plush golem’s] voice.


Miiya liked this. It was really nice; like being wrapped in a warm glowing blanket after shivering in the dark of a cold damp room. The Aerial woman closed her eyes and unfolded her whole wing, returning Zahrah’s embrace with a feathery hug even as she continued to hold Stormbreaker.


Then there were refreshments, provided by the gunslinger. Ooh! Miiya liked this too! Her bad feelings had been abated by Zahrah’s actions and she found Meredy’s presence less disquieting than before. “Storm, d’ya think yew can eat something?” Miiya asked, starting to unravel her hug and release the healed woman.


“Essbee, you didn’t leave me.” Miiya replied, sticking close to the draconian. “I’m fine. I-I’ve been good. I can take care of myself--yew helped see to that.” She asserted as Stormbreaker apologized. Did she see Dauntless? Miiya felt a sickening chill, but she shook it off. There was no world in which the Aerial would put any blame on Stormbreaker for her pinioning. That had happened long after the two had parted ways. Miiya wasn’t sure exactly why SB was apologizing to her, but she got the message that the heroine still felt responsible for Miiya, in some way, and that part of her hero kick centered around the birdgirl. “I can take care of myself.” she repeated, and punched SB gently on the arm as the woman stood on wobbly legs. “Unlike a certain draconian, I know…” she tried to make her joke as light as her friendly shoulder tap. Miiya hoped that Zahrah’s magic, Giovanna’s largess, and Meredy’s provisions would help SB put her recent traumas behind her.


“Eat! Yer half-starved! Don’t worry,” Miiya turned toward the others, pretending she was preparing to fight. ”I’ll hold ‘em off for ya, Essbee!” She growled, playfully, using a line from their crime-fighting days to joke that she would stop anyone who tried to interfere with Stormbreaker’s meal.


Leaving the draconian to her meal--always a safer prospect to be clear of a dragon taking her repast--Miiya took a few steps over to Zahrah and patted the plush golem. “I think it’s just a turn of phrase, Zahrah; she just wants us to relax.” Miiya tried to explain as the construct stammered out a despairing apology to Giovanna.


The birdgirl finally took a moment to look around at the place to which they had been transported. “Wow! These are some fancy digs, Ms Fontana!” Miiya exclaimed, marveling at the sweeping vista of the nighttime city. She walked over to the giant mullioned window and looked out at the city. Giovanna lived in one of the highest towers in Diamonds--a landmark Miiya had often used for taking her bearing during her aerial deliveries and other aviation around Red Haven. She had flown higher than the tower before, but it was nice to be able to look down from such great heights without the strain of keeping herself aloft.


Turning away from the window, Miiya observed the spacious high-ceilinged penthouse and its luxurious furniture. Giovanna had said to make themselves at home. Despite Miiya’s reassurances, Zahrah was still looking a little confused, so Miiya offered a suggestion. “You could try sitting down, or lounging on one of the couches,” she said sotto voce. In truth, Miiya was pretty tired from their performances, and she would have liked to drape herself over the furniture--but she wanted someone else to go first.


Thanks to her mother--and maybe despite herself--Miiya had a deep and broad education. Though she sometimes acted the part--maybe as a little rebellion against her parent--she had never thought of herself as a street urchin. That did not mean that others’ hadn’t treated her as such. Poor was poor, in many people’s eyes. It didn’t matter how “rich in spirit” you were. If Giovanna was one to judge people by their appearance--and from her own immaculate coiffure, that seemed possible--Miiya wasn’t going to reinforce her judgement by being the first fretter to flippantly flop face first on the fancy furnishings.


“I don’t know.” Miiya said honestly. “I’m not the one in control.” She admitted, when Giovanna asked if Mephisto was going to further disrupt their evening. Miiya looked at the floor. She thought she could feel Stormbreaker’s eyes on her, along with Giovanna’s attention. It was a little like being caught with your hand in the cookie jar by both mother and grandma at the same time. Miiya had never known any of her grandparents and Sen was more likely to sprout horns and turn purple than to have something so ridiculously decadent as a cookie jar, so the feeling was something a little new to Miiya. She toed the polished wooden floor. “He… helped me when I needed it. I’m not sure what would have--where I’d be if he hadn’t.


Imprisoned or dead. Miiya would’ve been one of those and Marek the other. Maybe. Because of Mephisto, Marek was meat and Miiya was… here. The birdgirl’s lips disappeared as she looked up, her face set with worry. “I’m okay. I can handle him.” She asserted, more to convince herself than Giovanna or Stormbreaker. It’s just a business deal. I mean, I’m getting good-paying gigs and he hasn’t asked me to do anything weird (besides the worm thing) so it’s going to be okay… Miiya thought to herself as she searched Giovanna’s and Stormbreaker’s expressions.


...right?

 

[Spoiled Bread]

Meredy Cainbell

---

"Stuff yourself full, draconian." Meredy seemed content to just watch from her seat, keeping herself still even when the entire group was teleported into the patron's penthouse. Though she did leaned forward slightly when Stormbreaker asked the others about being from another world.

"Hmm? Isekaier? Never heard of it." She casually lied. "Do tell us more about your world, what makes it so different from here? Are you planning to go back?"

Seemingly expecting to hear something interesting, Meredy moved her chair around to give her more comfortable position, though she stopped when she felts like her shoes just hit something squishy. Looking down to the floor, she found something that she had almost forgot existing... Count Krampula's shambling head.

Meredy let out a horrified shriek as if she just stepped on a bear trap. She instinctively kicked the head away as hard as she can, sending the head crashing into the nearby wall. Shuddering in complete disgust, Meredy didn't stop cursing the head as she threw away her shoes and conjured a new ones to replace it. Along with the shoes she also pulled out a large glass jar full of strawberry jam.

"You are so unimportant I forgot you exist there, Mr. Worm. Pardon my ignorance. Time to put you back in place, I guess." She said at the cryptid with some sort of murderous gaze on her eyes. She dumped the strawberry jam on the cake in front of Stormbreaker and approached the worms head. She wanted to put the head into the jar, but she also didn't want to touch the worm. Frantically looking around, her gaze fell on Zahrah as she pointed at her with the jar.

"P-Pinkie, go put that worm goop into this jar!"​