limacharlie | public channel

[ With the Ringmaster cutting off the kidnappee’s radios, it seems as good a time as any to use them again -- particularly since some particularly concerning developments have come to light. ]

As you’ve probably heard, some of our people got kidnapped at CY-Ren’s concert. [ If Lambert sounds incredibly reluctant to talk about this, it’s because he is. ] She’s also apparently managed to turn some -- maybe all of them -- into Harbingers like her.

[ Rita, on the other hand, shows no hesitation as she barrels ahead into an explanation. ]

For those not aware, Guardians and Harbingers both draw power from something called a 'Spark'... a physical manifestation of one's greatest passion or desire. For Harbingers, that passion has been inverted and twisted to serve the purpose of the Void... to destroy all living things. In other words, they've been brainwashed, and with their Sparks awakened, they're also incredibly powerful.

And now they’re using those powers to… [ Lambert pauses again. This is the part that sounds really stupid to him: ] … cause trouble around the city. Funny thing is, can’t say we’ve seen CY-Ren around at all. Can’t be a coincidence.

...Right. I don't know what their goal is, but maybe they can tell us, if we manage to recapture them. There has to be a way to get them back to normal, too.

As they are now, they're too strong to take down with normal means, but we have one new tool at our disposal. Through some sort of awakening, some among us are now able to manifest our own Sparks and fight back using the power of Creation. This should give us the edge we need to beat the Harbingers... and CY-Ren.

[ ‘Some sort’ of awakening is one way to put it. To wrap it up before this goes on too long, Lambert finishes: ]

But first we need to know how many of us there actually are. So speak up. That goes for anyone who’s run into the Harbingers too -- if we can figure out their movements or catch one of them, maybe we can figure out what this next ‘concert’ of hers is going to do this time.

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Hmm... [Rita cups her chin with one hand while holding the book in the other. For its large size, she doesn't seem to have any trouble with its weight.]

I wouldn't rule it out. But doing the same thing again and again would be boring, wouldn't it?

Yeah... [Spontaneity and being able to wow your audience are key to performances, of course! But this isn't a performance, this is Yuya getting his butt beat for a third time.

But really, does he has any better ideas?] I guess if you think that's the best way, I'm ready?

All right, here we go!

[There's a lively glint in Rita's eyes as she allows the book to hover and holds a hand above it, willing it to flip to the desired page. A simple attack, not too powerful, not too hard to block... There must be one.

The pages stop turning, and intuitively, Rita knows she's found what she's looking for.]

Take this! Feral Strike!

[The name of the attack, too, just seems to come to her. As she calls it out, the book turns around to show Yuya its pages, but this time, there's an otherworldly ripple in the paper's surface, and as if reaching out of a vortex, an enormous cat paw reaches out and swipes at him, claws outstretched. Whether or not its first strike connects, it'll pull back and attempt a second one immediately after.]

[Yuya holds the wand up, ready. At least, he thinks he's ready, but when the paw bursts out from the book all he manages to do is yelp and block it with the actual wand.

He takes a step back, watching the paw warily as it pulls back and trying to think of a solution as quickly as possible. The problem of course being that Yuya's not a physical fighter, and he's blatantly out of his element. But the pressure's on and he has to go with the first possible idea that comes to him.]

Uh, uh--[He waves the wand to produce a larger green bubble that bursts into a gooey substance all over the cat paw when it connects.]

[The paw, covered in the strange substance, makes a few sharp flicking motions, as if trying to shake the goo off.

Rita walks around to squint at the mystery goo.]

What the hell is that?

I don't know. [He creeps a little closer to get a look himself. The goo isn't coming off at all woth the flicking, sticking firm. The consistency is almost gum like, if more loose ands melty in consistency.] I tried to make something that would stop it from scratching anything.

[Namely, himself.]

Hmm...

Did it work?

[That question ought to serve as a warning, though her casual tone may make it unclear.

Whether Yuya anticipates it or not, the paw reaches out for another swipe at him.]

I think--[Yuya raises his wand to block it again, because if it didn't he's still not interested in getting scratched. Some of the goo ends up sticking to it.] I think so? It can't get it off, right?

Hmm... I guess not.

[The cat paw pulls back into the book, disappearing. The page returns to normal.]

I suppose that technique could have its uses... even if it looks kind of lame. [That's about as close as she'll get to complimenting the goo-splatter technique. Maybe he'll show her something more interesting if she ups the ante with a stronger attack spell...] Ready for more?

[Yuya's expression sours immediately.] I don't see how it's any worse than a book that produces cat paws.

[Whine whine, it's all ridiculous. He's not ashamed of being silly, but she won't let him own it. He takes a few steps back and waves his wand in emphasis.] Throw whatever you want at me, I can take it!

[There's the slightest frown when that criticism gets turned back around at her, but Rita lights up at the invitation to throw another attack at him. She takes a jump back too, her book floating along beside her, always staying within arm's reach.]

Whatever I want, huh? [Rita can't help but smirk at that. She looks almost gleeful as she holds out a hand and silently commands her book to seek out a new page.] I hope you know what that means.

Arise! Entwining Inferno!

[Again, the book tilts to face Yuya, but this time, three streams of fire burst forth from the open pages, twisting around in a braid-like pattern as they shoot toward Yuya.]

[Yuya should really reconsider baiting Rita, who is not shy about throwing around fire.

Since this is a test of his Guardian abilities, Yuya holds back the urge to use his shield. Instead he holds the wand firmly and waves it slower, producing a very larger bubble.

That just about bursts on impact, not strong enough to hold back the barreling fire past the initial burst. He tumbles backwards to dodge the flames as they, presumably, explode in his face.]

[Using bubbles for defense? Interesting... or it would be, if it worked better. As it is, Rita just frowns at Yuya as the ribbons of flame sail over him, twist together, and dissipate into smoke.]

Hey dummy, is that what you're going to do when an enemy attacks you like that?

I'd use my shield. [Yuya grumbles as he sits up.] But we're supposed to be practicing what our Sparks can do, right?

[Maybe he should have accepted Gon's help as a familiar... if only to have someone else's brain besides his own.]

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