Active [Ryke - The City of Azuran] - Shady Characters

[Irihi]

[Ryke - The City of Azuran] - Shady Characters

Conditions: Late Summer - Warm days and cool nights. Fair dry weather just before the harvest.

RP Details:
Duration estimate: 1 in-rp night. <1 IRL month
Posting frequency: Daily-ish
Goals: Introduce OC's to one-another and set up a subsequent training RP.

The Also-Ran Tavern, a play on the name of it’s host city--Azuran, lives two different lives. Located on the edge of one of Azuran’s bustling commercial districts, the Tavern serves the upstanding citizenry and merchants during the day and into the hours of the eventide meal. After dark, however, the Also-Ran plays host to the seedier denizens of the Azuran underworld. While it is not a gathering place for hardened criminals, the nighttime crowds are certainly edgier than the daytime clientele. Dining and drinking gives way to card sharking and drinking, the kitchen closes and the evening waitstaff are much less welcoming and much more on-guard than the daytime employees.

Miiya Aether

​

​

Miiya was having a great night--or she had been having a great night, at least. The afternoon crowd of the Also-Ran had been reasonably large and generous. They’d laughed at her comedy bits, applauded when she finished her sets, and tossed a decent amount of coin her way.


By the end of the supper rush, Miiya had been ready to call it a night, but the shift change at the bar had poured her a hard cider, the tips had been getting better as the night deepened, and she ended up doing a whole ‘nother set as she nursed the drink. The Aerial girl was a lightweight, and even the weak spike to the cider had put her a little off her guard.


Now she was in it. After her last set, the performer had been closing up her Erhu case and gathering her things, when a chorus of protests erupted around her. A group of local heavies had been on a hot streak as gambling and drinking replaced dining with the rougher evening crowd. They had convinced themselves that the youthful musician was the key to their good fortune, and had “encouraged” her to stick around.


Miiya had the distinct impression it was not an offer she could refuse.


”Now blow on ‘em, girl!” Miiya grimaced and looked at the florid faces gathered around the table where the game of craps was underway. Hesitantly, she leaned forward and blew on the ham fist holding the dice. Ugh. Is this really fun for them? She thought to herself as she shrank back while the two gangs roared at the rolling dice. Thinking to use the distraction as her chance to finally duck out, she found her way blocked by another one of the large men in cheap suits.


“Here, gotcha a drink, missy!” As the mafioso shoved a tankard in her direction, the table behind exploded with whoops and groans. The group that had adopted Miiya as their good luck charm had won yet another roll and were celebrating, while their rivals sat around silently glowering at the traitorous dice.


“Yeah, no, I’m good.” Miiya declined the drink and turned away from the blocked escape route. “Woa!” She deftly dodged the winner of the last round as he stumbled toward her, looking like he wanted to put her “tip” from the winnings somewhere that was not simply in her hand. She snatched the Rykes from him with a curt word of “thanks.” and wove her way around to the other side of the winning crew, making a mental note to steer clear of that guy.


This wasn’t Miiya’s first rodeo in a seedy tavern, but she was no cocktail hostess, nor was she comfortable playing the part. I mean, it’s a LOT of money, she thought to herself, checking the pile of coin in her instrument case. When people got drunk and started gambling, the Rykes flowed like water. She’d made more in an hour of basically just standing around than she had in a whole afternoon of performing.


Maybe on a different night in a different place with a different crowd, she might have been more willing to stick around. Tonight, though, she was tired, worried, and really just wanted to call it quits. She didn’t know the Also-Ran well enough to be sure of herself here. The little voice in her head warning her it was time to fly had been getting more and more strident. Ever since she had been separated from Cahron in Otenzel, she’d been careful to listen to that voice. She might have made a bit less coin from being overcautious, but she’d also not run afoul of other buskers, the authorities, or any criminal elements thanks to it.


Until tonight, that was. But it’s okay. I’m okay. She told herself. There’s a lot of people around. Most of these guys are just friendly. No need to panic. Don’t make a scene. Just wait them out, she told herself. This crew of mafioso--or whatever they were--weren’t really interested in her. Once they were a few more drinks down, or on the next big win, she’d be able to slip away, she was sure.


She stuffed the Rykes in her Erhu case and managed, this time, to get the strap around her shoulders. All she needed now was a good distraction, and she’d make her escape.

Summary;

Miiya is trapped as a “good luck charm” for the winners in a game of craps between members of two gangs. She is waiting for an opportunity to quietly duck out.

Tension between the winners and losers in the gambling game are rising, fueled by alcohol and feelings of being cheated out of their money.

Metty

 

[Irihi]

Miiya Aether

The Aerial girl wasn’t able to dodge the mafioso for long. While the others were more-or-less ambivalent to her presence, Mister Winner--as she derisively thought of him--was uncomfortably focused on her; insisting that she be “tipped” for every game that went their way, whether it was he or his friends throwing the dice. Earlier in the night, Miiya had been kinda enthusiastic about the money and the edgy fun of hanging around the shady characters. However, now she was just creeped out, and feeling hands on her feathers didn’t improve her disposition.

“Dude, I told you! Don’t touch the wings! she growled, whirling, as Mister Winner tapped her on the radiale. “Look, I’m outta here.” She finally decided.

”Aw, don’t be like that, birdie! I’m up again in a minute, and I’ma need my good-luck charm on my arm!” He replied, trying to put an arm around Miiya.
“Frett no! Miiya said, ducking away and bumping into another of the man’s friends. “Sorry.” She mumbled, darkly.

”Ah, leave the girl alone, Fonny.” The mafioso said. ”She wants ta leave; let her go.” He waved a dismissive hand.

Mister Winner’s expression darkened, but--looking at his buddies, he could see that their patience with his pursuit of the Aerial was wearing thin. ”Fine… but first--” Abruptly he grabbed Miiya’s wrist. ”Thassa lotta tips I gave ya.” His expression turned ugly. ”You kin leave, Birdie, after you gimme one of them feathers… fer luck.”

Miiya’s face went white as Mister Winner managed to catch her wrist. It wasn’t the first time she’d been asked for a feather. Grounders often thought they were like hairs; easily plucked out. The truth was that they--especially the primaries--were more like fingernails. Pulling one out was not just excruciatingly painful--it also had deeper meaning in Aerial culture. Miiya decided to give Mister Winner an abridged explanation of all this.

“I’ll have that drink, now.” Miiya said, snatching one--likely not the same one that had been offered to her earlier--with her free hand. In one smooth motion, she dashed the contents in “Fonny’s” face and with a “Frett yew! wrenched her hand free from the sputtering man’s grasp, and rabbited for the door.

Miiya didn’t look back. She could tell from the yell of outrage and roars of laughter that Mister Winner was not nearly as amused at her response as were his friends.

For his part, Fonny stumbled back, tripped over a chair, and ended up sprawled on the floor, coughing and sputtering with soggy impotent fury. His friends helped him up, gave him a handful of napkins with which to dry off, and convinced him not to go chasing after the girl and embarrassing himself further.

In the upset no one noticed the three men that quietly slipped away from the craps table.
OutsideMiiya burst through the door and into the nighttime streets of Azuran. She headed away from the tavern at a trot, hurrying, but not wanting to look like she was hurrying. She wanted to put enough space between herself and the tavern that she could take flight if Fonny decided to give chase. Miiya wasn’t willing to risk taking off if she didn’t have to. While the eagle-eyed Aerial’s vision was excellent in daylight, her low-light vision was very poor. Nighttime flights over empty lands were hazardous. Flying in the city at night was a sure way to break a wing or worse; clipping a guywire or other invisible obstacle.

MuggersThe three men who had left the gambling table, at the same time as Miiya, slipped out a side-door of the Also-Ran. Marking their target’s direction, they jogged down a side-alley that ran parallel to the main street, picking up a fourth shadowy figure as they moved. The group held a hushed conversation as they followed the Aerial, splitting up and moving down side-streets to set a trap for their quarry.

As Miiya rounded a bend in the street, she came into a poorly-lit area bracketed by taller buildings pressing close to the narrowed road. Ahead, behind, and to each side of her, shadowy figures emerged from dark alleyways. “Yew made some good coin tonight, huh, girlie?” The person in front of her said with a humorless chuckle. “Got lucky at our expense,” they said. ”Now hand it over, nice and quiet!”

The person standing in front of Miiya pulled something from his cloak; a short blade gleamed in the dimness. ”Don’t think about tryin’ ta fly off, neither. We’ve got a bow trained on yeh; I’d hate ta see yeh lose a wing over a few Rykes.” They warned.

It would be difficult to tell in the darkness, but it did seem like the person in the alleway to Miiya’s left held something larger than a club or a blade--it could have been a small crossbow. The muggers behind and to her right, if they were armed, had not displayed any weapons, but considering how outnumbered the Aerial was, it seemed there was no need.

Summary;
Miiya leaves the tavern. She is followed by patrons who lost money at the craps table. They are attempting to rob her to make up for some of their losses.

Details: The muggers are 3 men and a woman. The woman is 20 feet to Miiya’s left, and is aiming a crossbow at her. The men behind and to Miiya’s right are about 10 feet from her and are not visibly armed. The leader demanding money is in front of Miiya, about six feet away, and is displaying a knife.

Metty

 

[Metty]

Stormbreaker
Stormbreaker was enjoying some time to herself after her recent adventure and getting tortured. She had wandered around Ryke in the hopes of at least getting some rest after multiple days of walking. Thankfully she had managed to get rid of the stain that covered her scarf and armor for the time being. What she didn't expect was more trouble, the hero had enough of that lately because of the last ordeal. She walked down the alleyways, dodging the local bars and others at this time of night.

She walked down, noticing a nearby tavern, what she didn't expect was a group of 4 people looking like their mugging someone. Great. Just my luck. My shitty luck always finds people in need. Not that's an issue, just talk about timing. At least nobody will have to die again. I hope. She walked up right behind the crossbow lady, noticing how she was continuing to aim the crossbow at the girl.

Stormbreaker surrounded her left fist in fire, using [Napalm Explosion: Fist Impact], and threw it directly at the crossbow's woman's jaw, hoping to knock her out in 1 punch and intimidate the others in the process. She took one glance at the other two and activated [Intimidation Tactics], glaring at them directly.

"I'm Stormbreaker. I suggest you give up before I break your arms and body and send you into the ground for harassing innocents. Leave her alone." Came the booming voice of her, she was pissed.

Spoiler: Skills

• Napalm Explosion: Fist Impact | [Explosive Fire Affinity F], [Magic Affinity E], [Natural Weaponry [Fists] | E Grade | 1 Post Cooldown
  • The user launches explosive fire directly punching the foe.
• [Intimidation Tactics] | [Perception F], [Intimidation F], [Interrogation F] | F Grade | 0 Post Cooldown
  • The user intimidates the foe and interrogates them.

Irihi

 

[Irihi]

Miiya Aether
​

​

“Frett!” Miiya squeaked, surprised by the sudden appearance of four shadowy figures. She considered, and then quickly dismissed the idea of screaming for help, taking off, or running. This was not a great part of town, it was unlikely the guard would be nearby--and she had a mistrust of city guardsmen ever since Otenzel. She was surrounded, and the leader was too close to be sure she could loft without him catching her. Also crossbows and guywires in the dark.

“Oh, so instead of robbing the gang that took your money, you come after me, huh?” She said, bitterly. “The easy target. Big man, yew are.” She meant it to come out biting, but instead her voice cracked. She was so upset, and not just because she was being mugged. “Yfrett this!” Miiya said as she pulled out her coin purse.

This was so unfair! She’d been poked and pinched all yfretting evening; had her wings touched, her feathers yanked. She just kept making wrong decisions; she should have left with the dinner crowd. She should have thought more about her surroundings ahead and thought less about those arflines back at the bar. She shouldn’t be crying; she should be tougher. She should be able to hold it together.

But she was and she wasn’t. She couldn’t. Things had been going so well since Cahron was blown away, she had just gotten her confidence back--and now this night happened. And I just crumble. She thought, teeth gritted.

Her tears, her distress, they were not at all fake.

Unlike the jingling “coins” in the purse she tossed at the knifeman’s feet. Those were fake. They were a decoy. He was supposed to bend over and grab them.

And get a knee to the face as Miiya rushed him with a combo attack. Someone was screaming, but they were too far away for Miiya to care. The tears were gone now--or at least they had been squeezed out by anger. She grabbed for the man’s hair, trying to yank his face down to meet her rising knee. If she’d been feeling charitable, she would have linked smashing his nose with something other than a kick to the groin.

But she wasn’t feeling charitable.

Muggers
The crossbow-wielding woman attempted to block Stormbreaker’s attack with her weapon, but she was badly outmatched by the powerful fighter. Her crossbow exploded into flames and was knocked away as Stormbreaker’s explosive fiery fist blasted right through her defenses and she fell to the ground, knocked senseless.

The knife-wielding leader did not fall off the turnip cart yesterday. He’d seen the decoy trick before, but having a jinging bag of possible money land precisely on your feet and spill its gold-painted contents across them would be enough to distract almost anyone. He looked down, just for a split-second, but that was enough to catch a knee to the face. The light armor under his cloak, and a speedy reaction, saved him from debilitating injury.

Or, at least, it would have if a powerful kick to the nethers had not taken the rest of the fight right out of him.
…

Had the Aerial girl been alone, the tide might have turned. One-on-one without surprise, Miiya was well outmatched by the robbers. She was small, unarmored, and unlikely to win an [un]fair fight with any of the three remaining thugs. Except there were now only two still capable of fighting.

And Miiya wasn’t alone. There was a monstrous dark figure beating the robber’s ranged backup to the ground. The two other thugs, thinking their leader to have the little bird well in-hand, rushed at Stormbreaker, to aid their beleaguered colleague. The shouted intimidation didn’t work at range, but--close up--both thugs noticed just how big, angry, and dragonesque this erstwile hero was.

Rather than a combined attack, as one, the two robbers skidded to a stop and reversed course, fleeing the roaring dragon lady.

Spoiler: actions

OOC: This will be quasi-narrative with reference to advanced rules, because I need the practice. Please point out my mistakes spoilered here or on the discord discussion.

Stormbreaker: HP 5/5, Heavy Armor? 1/1? (Just repeating for my own clarification)
Action1: Natural Weapons F, Napalm Explosion E, Strength B (1+2+5=8)
Action 2: Intimidate F - Character Grade D

Crossbow Woman: HP 2/2, no armor.
Crossbow Action1: Counter Stormbreaker: Crossbow E, Snapshot Ability E, Precision E (2+2+2=6v8)
Crossbow Action 2&3: KO’d
HP 0/2 (KO’d)

Miiya: HP 2/2, no armor
Action1: Fake Coin Toss to Kifeman: Precision C - Character Grade E
Action2: Attack Knifeman: Natural Weapons F, Combo Attack F, Strength E (1+1+2=3)
Action 2: Linked +1, total 4
Natural Weapons 1/1, HP 2/2

Leader (Knifeman): HP 2/2 Armor E 2/2
Leader Action 1: Resist Fake Coin Toss - Street Sense E - Character Grade E (Failed)
Leader Action 2: Surprise Attacked - KO
Leader Action 3: (KO’d)
HP 0/2 Armor 0/2 (Damage from nutcracker Surprise Attack) (KO’d)

Thug2: HP ?? Armor ??
Action1: Run F at Stormbreaker
Action 2: Resist Intimidation F - Street Sense F (Failed)
Action 3: Run F from Stormbreaker

Thug3: HP ?? Armor ??
Action1: Run F at Stormbreaker
Action 2: Resist Intimidation F - St
reet Sense F (Failed)
Action 2: Run F from Stormbreaker

Metty

 

[Metty]

Stormbreaker
Stormbreaker's attack did more than enough or so she thought. Her strength alone knocked the crossbow woman to the ground, her collapsing as she failed to block the attack. Stormbreaker was amused on how her attack did that much damage as she had a great deal of strength. One down. Got to deal with the rest. She looked over at how the bird girl was dealing with the other three, surprised at how she dealt with one of them easily. The other two however... decided to run directly at her, trying to attack her straight on. It wasn't until she used her intimidation that she scared the crap out of them and they ran.

That... was disappointing. I've faced villains with more confidence and they didn't even run. She thought to herself, as she glanced as they ran off. Stormbreaker went to go and approach the bird lady, hoping she was okay after it all. "Are you alright? I'm sorry about back there, I don't like seeing people being harassed like that." She asked.

Irihi

 

[Irihi]

Miiya Aether

​

​

Miiya felt a jag of vindictive joy as knifeman went down. She was more than a little shocked she had pulled off that surprise attack, but there were more robbers around, and she was pretty sure she was about to get pincushioned by a crossbow. “YAH! Take THAT, arfline!!” She crowed. Might as well savor her victory while she could.

It still wasn’t safe to fly, but taking out knife guy had at least given Miiya an escape route. She was just about to make a run for it when she noticed there were fewer shadowy figures coming for her than she expected. In fact, there was only one, and while she was large and intimidating, she didn’t act, or talk, like a robber.

Miiya backed up as Stormbreaker approached, but she lowered her guard as the tall dragonet apologized. “Um… that’s okay?” She said, confused. Now that she had a second to take it all in, Miiya noticed the prone figure of the crossbow-wielder and her smoldering weapon, as well as the other two fleeing muggers. “Th-thanks for yer help,” she decided. This large helmed woman in heavy armor must be an ally. Miiya was relieved, and her relief made her talkative.

“I don’t think I could’ve fought them all off, alone,” she opined. “But I sure got the…” she paused a moment to give knifeman another kick, to encourage him to stay down. “...drop on this arfline!” Miiya couldn’t help the note of pride that crept into her voice. “How’d yew beat those other three so fast? Who are yew? Why’d yew help me?” Stormbreaker had already answered that last question, but it seemed appropriate to ask--in case she expected a reward or somesuch.

“I’m Miiya; Miiya Aether.” The Aerial girl introduced herself, sticking out a hand. Whether Stormbreaker shook it or not, she would continue her somewhat stream-of-consciousness chatter. “I was headed home when these guys tried to jump me--gosh, I’m lucky you were around!”

“D’ya wanna come with me--doubt I’ll get mugged twice in one night, but I am sure I won’t with yew around.” She grinned. “Oh, yeah, what should we do about these two? I guess I should talk to the guard, but… I’m not a big fan of cops.” She rattled on, eyeing knifeman and considering if giving him another kick would be as satisfying as the first two she’d given him.

She decided against it. This big crusader woman was right there and Miiya probably ought to suppress her mean streak and petty vindictiveness when trying to make friends.

Muggers
The two remaining robbers ducked around a corner and slowed their panicked flight since it seemed like the armored woman wasn’t giving chase. They held a hushed conference about what to do about their fallen compatriots. One wanted to forget the whole affair and leave their friends to the mercy of the birdgirl and her unexpected ally. There was no way she was carrying enough coin to justify getting backup and attacking her again.

The other would-be mugger argued that they ought to go get the rest of the gang, or at least enough of them to run the two women off. ”If we leave em and they call the city guard, it’ll be our necks on the line as well!”

Summary;
Miiya cautiously greets Stormbreaker but quickly warms up to her and starts peppering her with questions.
The Muggers decide if they should get help for their fallen comrades.
Dice: 1-2: They slink off and hope for the best.
3-6: They rally the gang and return.

 

[Irihi]

Muggers

Deciding that they couldn’t leave their fellows to the mercy of their erstwhile victim and her unexpected savior, the two men dashed back to the Also-Ran, where four of their dissatisfied compatriots were hanging about, grumbling about the losses they had taken rolling bones in the tavern. “Help us, lads! Rory an’ Mitch been beaten by a couple of nasty slags--they’re down just up the alleyway there! C’mon!”


The exhortations of the two men were enough to motivate the four to join them and the group jogged back toward the scene of the aborted mugging. “One of ‘em’s huge--and she’s in full armor with a helm; t’other’s got wings and she’s a sneaky little bitch so watch yourselves!” One of the original muggers related, when asked how they were beaten by just two people.


The six men were armed with clubs, saps, and truncheons. If they had blades on them, they were not openly evident. They were not trying to be stealthy. Miiya and Stormbreaker would have plenty of warning as the sound of angry voices and heavy footfalls reached them.

Summary;

A gang of six men are approaching Miiya and Stormbreaker.

 

[Metty]

Stormbreaker
Stormbreaker gave a sigh of relief as she realized the bird woman was fine at the very least. It was a good thing she was, otherwise there would been more getting people getting beaten up. She should of chased after the goons and given them a beating though. She had a feeling they'd be like the criminals she had dealt with in her previous life and ran away to get backup, a pain that she easily dealt with usually within two seconds using her fire quirk.

"I'm Stormbreaker. I'm a hero. At least I was in my previous life, but that doesn't matter too much here." She said. "I just punched the shit out that crossbow woman. Nice to meet you." She folded her arms. "If you'd like me to protect you I could do that. I don't think they'd be stupid enough after I intimidated them."

"We could tie them up and talk to the guard later about it, but I'm not too concerned about these two. We should maybe steal their stuff so they don't wake up back up again." She says as she went to check their bodies. "Let's see if they have anything useful on them that we could use." She checks them over and activates [Danger Sense] to same sure anything is out of the blue.

Her danger sense does activate when she hears angry voices and footsteps walking down the alleyway and she turns around, pulling out her sword and getting in a fighting stance. "We've got trouble."

Spoiler: Abilities

[Danger Sense] | [Sixth Sense F - Danger] | F Grade | 0 Post Cooldown
The user activates their intuition to make sure everything is alright and nothing is out of the blue.

Irihi

 

[Irihi]

Miiya Aether
​

The Aeros girl felt a little thrill louver her feathers when Stormbreaker introduced herself as a ‘hero’ and offered to protect Miiya. Protect? Miiya’s family had only ever tried and failed to do that. Now this stranger in her armored getup had stepped in and stopped her from being robbed.

Miiya did a double-take when Stormbreaker suggested robbing the defeated muggers. What kind of hero robs the people they beat up? She wondered. The kind I like! She decided, smiling viciously, still riding the high of having landed a lucky knock-out on the knifeman and enjoying the unaccustomed feeling of power. She wasted no time in searching the pockets of the fallen man.

It felt weird, and kinda wrong. Miiya wasn’t a robber or a thief, and she didn’t like touching people she beat up--unless it was with a closed fist. Still, she persisted, because Stormbreaker was watching, and she didn’t want to seem like a weakling.

That lasted only until the sounds of angry voices reached them--before they could fully rifle the robbers’ pockets and persons. Miiya’s eyes grew wide as Stormbreaker spoke a warning and then drew her sword. This person does not frett around! She thought to herself.

Miiya wasn’t sure she wanted to stick around to see what kind of backup the muggers, who had fled, were bringing with them. Had she been alone, or had Stormbreaker not been adamant about fighting, Miiya certainly would have fled. But seeing the heavily armed and armored dragonet preparing to do battle shored up Miiya’s resolve.

She was sick of running and hiding. The memory of her knee connecting with the mugger’s face was so satisfying. Miiya’s feathers louvered with excitement. The truth was that she liked to hurt people fight; she was nothing like her pacifist brother--hitting made her forget feel strong, it let the hurt out made the fear go away.

But she had to be smart about it, even with Stormbreaker’s aid, there was no guarantee they weren’t about to get swarmed by more arflines than they could handle. “I’ma hide and jump ‘em on yer signal.” She said to her erstwhile ally.

I’ll hide and ambush them if it looks like we can win. She thought to herself. Otherwise, I’m going to run away go for help. Miiya scampered over into the dark shadows of a nearby alleyway, where she judged she’d be behind any gang that confronted Stormbreaker. Hopefully they were not organized enough, or they didn’t bring enough people with them to secure the whole street.

Loot;
Kifeman has light armor (F), a dagger (F), about a hundred Rykes, and knuckle dusters (F) on him.

Crossbow has fifty Rykes, a quiver of crossbow bolts, and a small knife on her.

Muggers
The gang came into sight and stopped short of Stormbreaker. They were spread out, but not in any sort of tactical formation. The four newcomers looked a little leery of the swordswoman, but by the way they stood, they seemed a few sheets to the wind. It looked like they had plenty of liquid courage in them.

The two muggers, who had fled, stood foremost and closest to Stormbreaker. ”Oh, did that little feathered c*nt abandon yew? Smart; anybody who messes with the Southies gets their ass beat, bitch!” Stormbreaker’s size, sword, and armor were intimidating, but the size of the group behind him gave the speaker courage to challenge the dragonet.

Even so, the gang members were not warriors; rather than seize the initiative and immediately attack en masse, they wasted their chance trying to intimidate the fighter they faced.

Summary;
OOC:
Six gang members confront Stormbreaker. Four are drunk (-1 debuff to all stats).

Thug 1
Action 1: Intimidate F, Character Grade E on Stormbreaker (Fails - no ranged skill)
Action 2: Distraction (no grade) on Stormbreaker. (Fails - no ranged skill)
OOC: Stormbreaker doesn’t need to waste actions resisting failed abilities.

Thug 2
Action 1: Moves into melee range to Stormbreaker’s left.

Thug 3 (drunk debuff)
Action 1: Moves into melee range to Stormbreaker’s right.

Thugs 4-6 (drunk debuff) hang back

Metty

 

[Metty]

Stormbreaker
Stormbreaker grabbed the dagger out of the knifeman's inventory, opting to hide it elsewhere on her person for now, it'd be useful later after all. She turned her attention fully to the people in front of her, noting Miiya's words. She now knew what the winged warrior was doing overall regarding the situation and hoped it would only well in her favor. She glared them up and down, looking at how pathetic they looked truly.

"What's wrong? Lacking in the winning department? So much that you have to gang up on me to satisfy what your doing? You don't scare me nor do you look much like a challenge." The dragon woman glared at them directly, getting into much more of a fighting stance. "You can be the damn king for all I care. You hurt innocents and you will be beaten up by my hand."

Stormbreaker surrounds her sword in fire [Draconic Flame: Flame Sword] and swings at the foe to her left, opting to attempt to at least defeat them with a singular swing. She then moves closer to the other one, glaring at them completely using [Intimidation Tactics] in an effort to scare them off. "Now, birdlady!"

TLDR
Stormbreaker swung her sword made out of fire, targeted the one to her left. She then moved to the one nearest her right and intimidated them. She then shouted for help from Miiya.

Spoiler: Abilities Used

• Draconic Flame: Flame Sword | [Magic Affinity E], [Explosive Fire Affinity F], [Iron Greatsword F] | E Grade | 1 Post Cooldown
  • Allows the user to surround sword in fire and swing at the foe.
• [Intimidation Tactics] | [Perception F], [Intimidation F], [Interrogation F] | F Grade | 0 Post Cooldown
  • The user intimidates the foe and interrogates them.

Irihi

 

[Irihi]

Miiya Aether
​

Miiya was intimidated by the size of the group that arrived, looking ready to bust heads. They all seemed twice her size, angry, and armed. What am I doing? She thought to herself, shrinking deeper into the shadows as the gang and Stormbreaker bandied words. Then the dragon lady ignited her sword and joined battle, calling for Miiya’s aid.

The Aeros was on the knife-edge of indecision until that second, ready to break and run, abandoning her erstwhile ally. But something sparked in Miiya; the memory of how powerful she had felt when she surprised the mugger and knocked him to the ground. That feeling--and knowing someone was depending on her for once in her life, stiffened her spine and launched her toward the backs of the men ganging up on Stormbreaker.

Miiya was quiet, her light footfalls making almost no noise on the cobblestone street as she crossed the space between her hiding place and the rearmost thugs. She didn’t cry out or make any more noise than necessary as she rushed in and delivered a stomping kick to the back of one man’s knee. If he crumpled, as expected, her elbow would be there to meet the back of his head as he fell in a [combo attack] .

Trying to press her advantage, Miiya used the momentum of her second strike to drive a [thunderpunch] into the temple of her next adversary, hoping that darkness, drunkenness, or just plain old luck would help her hit two stones with one bird.

Muggers
The gangster Stormbreaker attacked managed to get his club up in the way of the firesword attack. There was a tremendous blast as the two weapons collided and the man was sent flying, his armor bearing the brunt of the explosion and the thug landing ten feet away in a smoldering heap. Though heavily injured, he struggled back to his feet, nonetheless and charged back into the fray despite Stormbreaker’s intimidating strength, size, weapons, and techniques. He hadn’t joined the gang because he was a clever coward.

The drunken thug to Stormbreaker’s side attacked with a yell, joined by his inebriated compatriot who charged her in a frontal attack. Both swung their weapons at the dragon lady with little skill or strength, but their teamwork would make the attack slightly harder to counter.

A fourth recruit from the tavern crowd had his knees taken out from behind by Miiya. As he fell, the birdgirl’s elbow connected with his face, propelling him to the street, where his skull struck stone with a sickening crack. Loose-limbed drunkenness would not save him from this lucky strike, and he lay dead on the pavement, blood seeping from his mortal injury.

The fifth thug--one of the two original muggers--cried out in anger and distress as his fellow went down. Alerted to the threat from behind, he got his truncheon up into guard position and deflected Miiya’s punch. The birdgirl’s fist crunched as it struck the hard wood of the baton, and she would be unable to use it to continue the fight. “YOU KILLED KENNY, YOU BITCH!! YER GONNA PAY FOR THAT!!” He yelled furiously, reversing his truncheon and preparing to beat the Aerial to a pulp.

The sixth drunken thug, not wholly cognizant of what was going on, but figuring he should knock some heads, chose the closest target--Miiya. One of his fellows was down in a sneaky attack, and another was on the defensive. Lurching drunkenly toward the girl, he swung a sap at her without much skill or power.

Spoiler: actions

Action List;
Miiya:
Action1: Run into battle. (Move ~30 feet)
Action2: Combo Attack F Thug 3 - Natural Weapons F + Combo Attack F + Strength E - Cooldown: 0 (Energized F) (Effect 4)
Action3: Thunderpunch F Thug 4 - Natural Weapons F + Thunderpunch F + Strength E - Cooldown: 0 (Energized F) (Effect 4)

Thug 1:
Action1: Counter Stormbreaker’s Attack F: Club E - Street Fighting F - Strength D - Cooldown: 0
Result: (6V8 - 2 damage) Armor: 0/1 HP: 1/2 - Knocked back 5 feet.
Action2: Resist intimidate E: EvE success.
Action3: Move back into range of Stormbreaker

Thug 2: (Drunk Debuff)
Action 1: Resist intimidate E(D): DvE success + Liquid Courage.
Action 2: Attack Stormbreaker H - Sap E + Street Fighting F(H) + Strength D(E) - Cooldown: 1
Action 2: Attack Stormbreaker F - (+1 Effectiveness) - Cooldown 0 - Fails: Not Energized
(Effectiveness: 4)

Thug 3: (Drunk Debuff)
Action 1: Surprise Attacked by Miiya: 4 points of damage.
Result: 0/1 Armor, -2/1 HP - Dead.

Thug 4:
Action1: Counter Miiya’s Attack F - Club E - Street Fighting F - Strength D - Cooldown: 0
Result: (6V4 - 2 damage to Miiya’s Natural Weapons) Armor: 1/1 HP: 2/2
Action 2: Get Angry (Can’t attack - not energized)
Action 3: Threaten Miiya (Can’t attack - not energized)

Thug 5: (Drunk Debuff)
Action 1: Stumble toward Miiya
Action 2: Attack Miiya H - Sap E - Street Fighting F(H) - Strength D(E) - Cooldown: 0 (Effectiveness: 4)
Action 3: Get angry

Thug 6 (Drunk Debuff):
Action1: Drunken Charge at Stormbreaker
Action2: Attack Stormbreaker H - Sap E - Street Fighting F(H) - Strength D(E) - Cooldown: 0 (Teaming; +1 Effectiveness)
Action3: Resist Intimidate (Success - Liquid Courage)

Summary:
Miiya has 1 incoming attack of effectiveness 4.
Stormbreaker has 1 incoming combined attack of effectiveness 4+1 = 5

Metty

 

[Metty]

Stormbreaker
Stormbreaker thought about her choices when they went to attack her once more. She could attack them yet again, but what good would that too? She needed to be smart about this and figure out a way to defeat them and not hopefully die in the process. Stormbreaker noticed the oncoming attack of the two thugs and used [Draconic Speed] to dodge out of the way, she dropped her sword and used her free hand to grab Thug 2 by the neck, applying pressure to it in hopes they would back off.

This wasn't a very heroic move whatsoever, nor was it one that she liked to do often. It was cowardly, but it at least got villains and criminals to drop their guard. Many would surrender within seconds because of it. She was intimidating no matter what universe she was in. She glared at the two directly as she grabbed their friends throat. "Back off. Now. Surrender and this guy lives. If you don't. He dies. Simple as. I won't hesitate to kill all of you in cold blood." Was the threat that came from her. Would she do it? No. She doesn't like to kill if needed.

Irihi

Spoiler: Abilities

• Draconic Speed | [Fast F] | F Grade | 0 Post Cooldown
  • Allows the user to dodge critical damage.

 

[Irihi]

Miiya Aether

​

​

Miiya screamed with pain as her knuckles cracked against the truncheon. She was only just able to close her guard enough not to be knocked out by the counter-strike from her opponent--deflecting the blow with a forearm, but still taking a solid shot to the head. She stumbled backward. There wasn’t time for her to be shocked or surprised by the unexpected success of her sneak attack; she was now fighting for her life against two larger, stronger adversaries. Jamming her good hand into the knuckle-dusters she’d taken from the downed thug, she tried to defend herself.

The second gangster was inebriated, but still stronger than she. Using her injured hand as a backup guard, she turned aside a drunken swing of a sap with her armored knuckles. She tried to bring a side kick down on the drunk’s knee, but missed.

Miiya knew she wouldn’t last long with 2-on-1 odds and a broken hand. She darted under another swing of the second assailant’s sap and rabbited, running toward Stormbreaker--her only hope. Miiya wasn’t fast enough to takeoff without being struck down, and there was still the issue of night flight.

“Help! Stormbreaker!” She cried, as she darted over to the armored dragonet--just in time to see Stormbreaker grab on of the thugs by the throat and use him as a hostage. Holy shu, she’s strong! Miiya thought to herself as she skidded to a stop next to her larger ally.

Muggers
The injured sober ganster stopped his charge, and--in fact--all the attackers froze as the armored beastwoman caught and lifted one of their compatriots by the throat. ”Hold up, boys!” The thug who had been fighting Miiya called. ”A’right, a’right, put ‘im down and we’ll talk.”

Miiya Aether
“YFRETT TALKING!!” Miiya cradled her battered hand and tried to blink away the glow worms swimming in her vision. She took a deep breath. “GUARDS!! HELP!! HEEELP!! GUARDS!! She screamed at the top of her lungs. The girl had a set of pipes to match her impressive Aerial lung capacity, and her shrieks were likely loud enough to make Stormbreaker wince.

Muggers
The two sober gangsters exchanged looks while their compatriots wavered. There was no way to shut that bird up while she was near the armored dragonet. Her screams seemed loud enough to wake the dead, and if the city guard were not already on their way--even in this part of town--screaming bloody murder like that wasn’t going to go ignored for long. The gangsters hastened to get their injured (and dead) compatriots up and start dragging them away from the scene.

Spoiler: actions

Action List;
Miiya:
Action1: Counter F Thug 5 - Knuckle Duster (E(F)) + Combo Attack F + Strength E - Cooldown: 0 (Energized F) (Effect 4) 4v4 - stalemate, HP 1/2
Action2: Flee to Stormbreaker (Move 30’)
Action3: Flee to Stormbreaker (Move 30’)
Gangsters:
1/2/3: Collect their injured and dead.

Spoiler: actions

Metty

 

[Metty]

Stormbreaker
Stormbreaker looked over at the bird lady before letting go of the guy she was holding. She noticed the fact that she yelled to get the guard's attention. Good idea, but what the hell were they gonna do about the dead body nearby? How were they gonna explain it to the guards? She'd probably get told off for killing somebody. That's what happened to that Ice Guy she put into a coma for a while. Stormbreaker stepped back as she cleared the dust and crime off her clothes from the fighting, sheathing her sword and looking at the bird lady directly. The mobsters were cowards, she'd chase after them if she could, but she needed to take care of Miiya first.

She went to go check on Miiya directly, opting to go and check her wounds. She picked up the bird lady, opting to carry her. She carefully did so, making sure she didn't hurt her in any shape or form. "Okay, we're going to get you healed. Don't freak out okay?" Stormbreaker said, walking through the town to get to a healer.

Irihi

 

[Irihi]

Miiya Aether

Metty​

​

Miiya piped down as the gangsters retreated and Stormbreaker hushed her. “A-are yew sure they’re not coming back?” Miiya looked nervously after the retreating gangsters. “Do yew think that guys gonna be o-okay? He hit awfully h--OOP!.” Miiya fretting that maybe she hit the mugger a little too hard was interrupted by suddenly being scooped off her feet by the large armored woman.

“Um… o-okay…” Miiya stammered, looking up at the helmed woman. She was light, she knew, and not much of lift for someone as big and strong as Stormbreaker, but it was her hand that was hurt, not her legs. Miiya shifted a little so that her wings weren’t being quite so squashed, and felt the arms holding her tighten to keep from dropping her.

She swallowed and tried not to be weirded out. Miiya hadn’t been carried like this… Ever. she thought. Maybe long ago when she’d been a fledgling and Sen hadn’t been so--no, Ma had always been harsh, but sometimes--when Miiya was very sick, or very hurt, her steely mother might have carried her to a healer like this. Carefully, hurriedly; worriedly.

Nope There was no way not to feel weird being carried by this strange lady. She wasn’t Stormbreakers kid, or friend, or… whatever, so Miiya tried to focus on something else. Her hand hurt a lot. She might have killed really hurt that guy. Why’d they have to try to rob her? She wasn’t rich.

Easy target.

Miiya circled back to how bad this reversal of fortune had made her feel. She had thought she was okay going it alone. She’d been away from home for more than a year now, by herself for a couple months, and Cah had gone it alone right from the start, way younger than she had.

Settle down. You’re okay.

Cah had been robbed too. Heck, they’d both been mugged together, and her older brother had used it as a “teaching moment;” what to do, what not to do. Don’t fight. Run. Nothing you own is worth killing or dying or even being hurt for.

Stormbreaker would feel the girl in her arms curl up a little tighter, tucking in her chin so that the tears on her face were hidden beneath her short-cropped hair. No, frett that, Cah! It hurts when people take stuff from you. It hurts even when they just think they can. I bet nobody tries taking shu from this lady. She thought, gritting her teeth and squeezing her eyes shut. Or I bet she makes them regret it when they do.

…

There were healers who worked at night. They were not cheap, but Miiya’s hand hurt a lot. If she had been by herself, she might have tried to tough it out until morning to save a few Rykes, but she wanted to talk to Stormbreaker, and thought that the woman might just vanish into the night if she didn’t pull herself together and get herself seen to.

It didn’t take long, and it didn’t hurt much. Miiya had a lot of experience healing on the cheap. ie; without magic. ”And magic is yfretting awesome! she chirped as they left the healer’s place. She’d almost just done her hand and skipped out on a full-body restoration, but she’d gotten clubbed pretty good, and she didn’t want to look like a poor battered waif in front of Stormbreaker. So now she was good as new, and trying not to think about how much lighter her purse was. “Hey, thanks for staying with me!” She paused, “Oh yeah! A-and saving… my life. I wouldn’ta…” Miiya suddenly found herself a little tongue-tied.

At some point Stormbreaker had doffed her helm and was now standing with it under her arm, in her badass armor with that wicked flame sword on her back. God, she’s so cool! Miiya felt a flush climbing her neck. “Yew like, fire-punched through a crossbow! She tried starting again. “I wish I could punch like that!” Jeeze, don’t overdo it! Be cool, too. She thought to herself. “I mean, you are kinda slow; did you see me take on those two guys at once?”

Really, are you insulting her and bragging about getting beat up now? Miiya fished for a moment, for something that wasn’t too insulting, braggadocious, or fangirlish. “Hey, I know! Maybe we could, like, train together. Ya know; give each other tips and stuff?” She suggested.

And, since she’d stuffed down all the bad thoughts while at the healer’s, what bubbled to the surface now in her stream-of-consciousness banter--as usual--was her stomach. “I’m yfretting starving! How about yew? Wanna grab a late dessert or early breakfast or whatever, and talk? Along with that suggestion, Miiya hit Stormbreaker with a hopeful smile that would be hard to say no to.

Summary;
Miiya gets carried to the healer and tries (unsuccessfully) not to cry.
When she’s feeling better, she fangirls out a little over Stormbreaker.
Then she suggests food and punching.

 

[Metty]

Stormbreaker
"They won't be coming back. I assure you, they won't." Stormbreaker assured the bird woman as she walked down the streets, holding her in her arms. She hadn't really picked anybody like this since her old hero job. She had to save civilians like this from incidents. They were pretty afraid of her at times because of it. She made sure to stay with Miiya as she was getting healed, as she didn't want the kid to be jumped yet again by thugs.

Stormbreaker took off her helmet eventually, revealed her face, which had a scar on the right side of her face, the same scar she got pre-isekai. The same scar that stayed with her, throughout it all, as a reminder that she failed. "Me? Slow? I'm lucky I was able to do that. I was able to maybe cause a 5km explosion of fire in my previous life. This... just feels weak." She said, sighing. "I was much stronger then. I feel weakened."

Stormbreaker raised an eyebrow as Miiya said train. ".... Train? Me? Train somebody else? I have no idea where to even begin. I've never been good at teaching others. But maybe I could try. I tried to train my daughter... but that didn't go well. Although you do have potential..." When Miiya suggested food, the dragon's mood changed immediately, her gaining a smalll smile on her face. "... I could go for a whole meal right now. I need something. Can't train on an empty stomach."

Irihi

 

[Irihi]

Miiya Aether
​

Miiya grinned and motioned for Stormbreaker to follow her. “So yer Isikai, huh? I’ve only met a few people from other worlds.” She shook her head as she walked. “Yew don’t seem weak to me.”

It was not far to the place Miiya had in mind--an all-night “breakfast” shop that served food the dragon would likely find reminiscent of dim sum. Miiya grabbed a menu--which was really just a grid of dishes and their prices, and started marking it up, writing numbers next to the items she wanted. It didn’t seem like Stormbreaker had been to this shop before, and Miiya figured she was used to a different kind of dining, so she took the lead.

The Aerial girl was happy to be good at something--even if that something was just ordering food. She pointed out some of the dishes on display--like meat buns that had not yet been steamed, fried dough, and dense little cakes--while describing other dishes that the cooks would assemble from their grills and woks. “The radish cakes are fretting amazing--do yew like spicy stuff? I love it--you’ll have to get a few of yer own if you want it mild, cuz I bury mine in red pepper sauce!” Taking about food was second only to eating it, in Miiya’s opinion, and she prattled on at great length and depth about how good the various dishes were. “And yew have GOT to try their breakfast sandwiches--the ones with egg, mayonnaise, ham and meat floss are A-MAZE-ING! The Aerial was actually drooling a little over her own descriptions, as well as the smell wafting from the bubbling pots and sizzling cooktops.

The shop had the kitchen up front with seating in the back. It was just stools and wobbly tables with pots of ginger, soy sauce, teriyaki, and hot sauce, but Miiya was here for the food, not the atmosphere.

The individual dishes were cheap, but Miiya had a massive appetite, so she ran right through what was left--after the healer--of her night’s take. It was a little painful for the parsimonious girl to see her entire night’s coin emptied out, but--hey--could be worse! She told herself. Those gangsters could be enjoying it while I’m laying beaten in the gutter.

She wasn’t going to let that thought dampen her mood, and banished it by ordering two extra radish cakes and another round of soup dumplings. The kitchen was prepared for an early-morning rush, so though Miiya’s massive order stressed them a little earlier than expected, the cooks went to it with a will, churning out thin egg-and-bacon wraps, fried dough “twins”, steamed buns stuffed with pork and cabbage, and everything else the girl ordered. ”You’re okay to share--like eat “family style”, right? Miiya asked Stormbreaker, far too late, as she carried a stack of food-filled bamboo steaming racks to an empty table.

The Aerial girl then set to breakfast with a will. She seemed to eat like a literal bird, packing in a very significant portion of her own bodyweight as she devoured everything in sight, and even ordered a bit more. “Aw! Yer a mom!? Tell me about yer daughter! Miiya said around a mouthful of food at one point.

The Aerial seemed to have the unique ability of not needing to breathe, because when food wasn’t going in, words were coming out. Eating made Miiya happy, and being happy made her talkative. She shared a little of her own history--telling Stormbreaker about growing up in Ryke (the fun parts, at least), about her mother, Sen, and about her older barding brother, Cahron. She revealed that she had been on the road since she was fifteen and gave enough background that stormbreaker could guess she was currently somewhere in the realm of sixteen-seventeen.

Miiya stacked empty dishes and then emptied stacked dishes while helping Stombreaker navigate some of the more esoteric items she had ordered.

Eventually, after consuming what--Stormbreaker would likely consider--a concerning amount of food--did this girl have a pocket dimension inside of her or something?--Miiya announced that she was: “probably okay… for now. I mean, if yew don’t want the rest of your dumplings, I can finish them, but I’m mostly full.”
She announced, patting her stomach.

Summary;
Miiya takes Stormbreaker to breakfast

Metty

 

[Metty]

Stormbreaker
"Met a few people from other worlds? Your telling me, there's others?" Stormbreaker said, raising an eyebrow at Miiya as she walked. Others? Like me? I've heard of the isekai thing where only one person gets transported, but multiple people? This place seems more like an place where everybody gets Isekai'd to.

Stormbreaker was no stranger to places like this, as they were plentiful back where she came from. Between the ramen shops and other restaurants, there was plenty of stuff like back home. She was no stranger to go food either. She generally had somebody go and get takeout for her or whatever, she did mostly eat pizza. Stormbreaker only smiled when Miiya said about spicy stuff. "... Is that mild? Mild spicy stuff isn't my thing. I eat heavily spicy stuff like it's no issue." Stormbreaker took the menu and noted down a few more things that she wanted to eat. Stormbreaker was a heavy eater like Miiya is, hell she was even worse.

"Honestly, I'm not fussy about food. I'll eat whatever." She had plenty of coin from stealing from that people that captured her before, more than enough to repair her armor, for lodging and for food. Stormbreaker did order more grilled meat, some takoyaki, omurice and other asian style dishes because she was hungry.

Stormbreaker began to chow down on the food, getting looks from the workers nearby, who raised eyebrows at the amount of food that was being eaten. They eyed up the two in particular, people probably thought she was weird with how fast she was eating. "I had a daughter pre-isekai. 14 year old. Didn't get along with her very well. Some... villains killed her before going after me and killing me. I baited some villains into fighting me. I presume they went after my entire family and murdered whoever was left and then I ended up here."

Stormbreaker said, drinking what seems to be cold tea. "Then I woke up here. Couldn't really manifest magic very well or anything. Family wasn't happy at me so they kicked me out. If we're being technical, I'm 51, cause I died when I'm 36 and I'm 25 now."

"...So your just a kid. Why are you out in the wild like this? It's no place for kids. Granted, where I'm from is much safer. I protect the weak. It's my job because I saw my family die because of some power crazed madman. Nothing more to it than that."

Stormbreaker seemed almost offended when Miiya said to take her dumplings. She went to eat the rest, covering them in intensely hot spicy sauce. "Those are mine." The dragon said in such a tone that it was like stealing her hoard, except it was just food. She was extremely protective of food.

Irihi

 

[Irihi]

Miiya Aether
​

​

“Well, I met this one Elf who had a lot of prosthetics. She said she was from a world with a lot more technology and less magic--this was right before Cahron got blown away by a typhoon.” Miiya was not making a lot of sense as she skipped around topics like StormBreaker would know what she was talking about. “That’s my brother--I’ll get to more about him later. Anyway, this elf, she stayed with me during the storm and told me more about Isikai.” Miiya said. ”I mean, I had heard of people remembering past lives and stuff--Ma believes we all reincarnate, and that the Buddahs remember because they’re reach enlightenment, but I don’t think she thinks Buddahs punch people,” Miiya grinned at StormBreaker, “so don’t expect her to worship yew anytime soon. I don’t remember my past lives, if I had any, so I guess I’m not Isikai.

Miiya went on to chatter throughout the meal, giving herself a little knuckle to the forehead when Stormbreaker revealed she loved spicy food. “Oh, yeah, doi; I would be the one who asks a dragon if something is too hot for them, right?”

When Stormbreaker talked about her family being killed, Miiya sobered. ”Oh… thats…” Horrible. Awful. There weren’t words, so she quieted down for a bit while Stormbreaker talked about her own past. Miiya ate in silence for a little while after.

Though only a little while, her chattering was somewhat irrepressible. I’m kinda scared to ask, but… what Stormbreaker had said wasn’t really clear to the girl. ”Um… which family kicked yew out? And why were they unhappy with yew?” Miiya didn’t see how Stormbreaker’s old-world family could be mad at her for… what had happened to them, and she didn’t see any reason why her new Isikai family would be upset. As far as the girl was concerned, the huge dragon lady was just the bee’s knees.

“Omigod! Yer fifty-one!” Miiya laughed. ”Shu, Gram-Gram, maybe we shouldn’t train together; I don’t want you to break a hip! She teased.

”I’m ah…” Miiya wasn’t really sure how to answer Stormbreaker’s question, so she decided to start at the end and work her way back. ”I’ve only been by myself since my brother, Cahron, blew away--like maybe a month. We got caught in a storm in Otenzel and he went flying to rescue some fishermen--pretty sure he was just showing off for that Elf I told you about,” Miiya explained. “Anyway, it got too windy to land, so he had to fly it out…” Miiya quieted a little and bit her lip, her gaze getting a little distant. ”I’m… I’m sure he’s okay though--Cahron’s a really strong flyer; he’s a waverider and he told me how to fly out big storms. I… couldn’t go with him because I can’t stay aloft as long as he can.” She rallied, shaking her head to dispel any worries. “Anyway, I figure he got blown East with the storm, so that’s why I’m here--heading East: If we got separated we’re supposed to check the post boards in each town and leave messages for each other before we move on. I’ve been looking for his messages, or playbills, or… anything. I haven’t found anything yet but, knowing my brother, he’s probably shacked up with some tart somewhere, singing sappy love songs and eating bonbons instead of doing his job; looking for his poor lost sister.” Miiya said, pausing to maul another steamed curry bun.

“Anyway, I’m not as lazy as him, so I’m out here working my tail off.” She went on to talk a little bit about busking markets and performing in taverns. “I’m getting better, but sometimes it’s tough to be a solo act, ya know? I’m not scared of heights like some of you grounders, and I don’t have to follow roads during the day. So, sometimes I can get a courier job or do some tree or roof work.

Miiya’s stream-of-consciousness chatter continued to stay more-or-less on-track and she described her year of traveling with her bard brother before she traced her history back home to Ryken. She talked a little about her strict mother, Sen, their sad little flat in the slums near The Underbelly, the tavern where her mother was a hostess and her “uncles” that ran the place. It would be obvious to Stormbreaker that Miiya was describing small-time criminals that were not blood relations to the Aerial.

“Anyway, things were sure different then! Studying every night in the back of the Rising Sun while Ma worked until…” Miiya’s chatter seemed to lose its vigor. “...until, um, it wasn’t… until I had to stay home, and… then” She had been on such a roll, that she rolled right into a topic before thinking about it--before even thinking about if she wanted to think about it.

I don’t.

She looked up at Stormbreaker, then back down at the spoon in her hand. “I don’t…” She set the spoon back in the congee and looked at the farthest point in the corner of the shop’s ceiling. Her lips disappeared, then she swallowed and blinked. She didn’t want to talk any more. She didn’t want to eat any more. But she had just left the story hanging. That led to questions. Under the table, the girl’s hands twisted together as she wrung them.

“It’s not… really… safer, at home,” she said, finally. “Um… excuse me a sec, okay?” Miiya stood up so quickly that her stool nearly overturned.

The shop had a bathroom, but it was really gross. Still, Miiya wasn’t exactly spoiled for choices of places to flee, and she needed a moment to figure out how to keep it together. At least the bathroom had soap, so she could wash her hands before she bit down on her index finger, clenching her jaw until the knuckle cracked. Stupid.

Just change the subject. It’s okay. She’s not gonna ask, and it’s okay if she does, just change the subject. She couldn’t stay in here long. And it was fine. It had been more than a year.

It was fine.

Miiya went back to the counter for more food to buy Stormbreaker and herself some time a treat. She returned with fried dough rings dusted with sugar and her face dusted with a big smile. “Betcha didn’t have these in yer old world!” Miiya said, setting down the plate of donuts. “They are yfretting AWESOME, try one!”

Summary;
Miiya talks a lot and eats more.
She pauses when she thinks on some bad memories.

 

[Metty]

Stormbreaker
"... An elf in a technological world. How... interesting. That feels slightly familiar." Stormbreaker said, thinking her thoughts outload. "I'm not sure if this is possible, but at times, it feels like I'm a different person. Like I have these ocassional flashes of different memories altogether. Except it's like another me? Not sure if two people with the same name can Isekai... but it's certainly an interesting theory."

Stormbreaker didn't react more to what she said until Miiya asked about her family. "My ones in this world. Thought I was too weak for our tribe, so they kicked me out. My siblings and other relatives looked at me like I was the black sheep of the family. Didn't have enough potential in their eyes. They wanted somebody strong enough to be a legendary hero. I didn't get that... far. Let alone I barely got past the combat trials without dying. They kicked me out after I barely survived and I've been on my own since I was like... 12. Just barely surviving, mainly been in cities taking jobs to just to get enough to eat and sleep and some equipment." Stormbreaker said, taking more curry buns as she ate that and drank some apple juice.

Stormbreaker sighed when Miiya said she was old. "I'm old in theory. Not in this body. I haven't aged that much. People with dragon blood tend to age slower anyways and so I found out I'm more close to a dragon that I realize. More like full blooded dragon just in human form."

Stormbreaker listened, raising an eyebrow. That doesn't sound right. Stormbreaker then noticed the girl's weird behavior. Sore topic. Happens alot when it came to hero work. People were scared to talk about abusive family members or whatever. Stormbreaker knew enough about behavior to know that it was a bad topic to bring back up but it felt like this kid was in alot of trouble with somebody else, not ideal situation to be in.

When Miiya came back with the donut... Stormbreaker just didn't react the way Miiya was probably hoping her to react. ".... That's an sugar donut. I ate those all the time back home. Well, there was different flavors including one maybe with blueberries. I don't know if you have those here. Or even any sort of fruit that's the same." She said taking one. "I missed these. I missed having food from my home." She bit into it, her face lighting up as she did so. "It tastes even better than I remember."

Irihi

 

[Irihi]

Miiya Aether

​

​

Miiya was relieved that StormBreaker didn’t press her on the topic of home. It wasn’t something she discussed with casual acquaintances. “Huh, well I guess that makes sense; other worlds probably fry cake and bread in oil too.” She was a little disappointed that donuts were not a new food to Stormbreaker, but these donuts were different from the usual; being a bit chewier and a little less sweet than the usual cake or flour donuts. Miiya preferred them and was glad to hear Stormbreaker approved of them. “Anyway, there’s lots of different kinds, and I bet you can find the blueberry type somewhere in the city,” she postulated.

“Your tribe must be crazy strong if they kicked you out!” Miiya exclaimed. “I’ve never met anyone who can knock somebody out with just one punch! I wish I was that strong, but I’m not sure I can get there without magic. I think this is about as big as I get.” She louvered her feathers. “That’s okay, though; If I got much bigger, I wouldn’t be able to fly.”

Speaking of bigger, Miiya was looking a little thicker than she had before their early breakfast. ”Whoo. I’m feeling better now,” she said. “Seems like we can both eat pretty good. It’s tough to afford our kinda appetites, huh? Do you metabolize food quick, or does it slow you down? We Aerials turn it into… well, us, pretty fast. I guess it didn’t do cave-birds any good to be stuck on the ground after a big meal. Seems like some grounders are different; I know regular humans like to take a nap after what they consider a big meal. How about you?”

Miiya didn’t want to take a nap, even though she had been up all night. She wanted to hang out more with Stormbreaker and maybe do some sparring, if they could find a suitable place. “Hang on a sec; I’m gonna run next door and get an affogato from the drink shop next door. You want one? It’s ice cream drowned in espresso. It’s, like, the perfect dessert.” She grinned a little sheepishly. “For… um breakfast.”

Summary;

Miiya chats with Stormbreaker.

She offers to go bring them back desserts