Imperial Misconduct [COMPLETED]

[Arleen Reinhart]

"Nnngh..."

The bed I was sleeping on... felt soft, yet... it felt damp too. I grasped at the surface, feeling my fingers seep into it slightly, covering then in a coat of... something. I sat up, opening my eyes and frowning at my hand. It was dirt. Somehow, I had ended up sleeping on dirt...

"Ok, you've got to be kidding me."

I stood up, running my hands through my hair, brushing out any grass or leaves or whatever gunk had gotten in it. I was in a forest, and I had no idea how I got here or where it was. It was undoubtedly an uninhabited place; the brush was grown high and everything had been allowed to form naturally. However, the area I was actually standing in now was different. It was clear of any plants except grass, and had been matted down like a mattress.

As I looked around, I spotted the things I was looking for. Two, oddly structured pistols, Yakusai and Nayami, were laying on the ground, along with a blue Beret. I walked over and picked the weapons up, clipping them onto either hip before I picked up the Beret. Had I fallen to this place? Just what was going on?

I held the beret with my mouth while I pulled my hair up in a bun-like fashion before securing the hat on my head. While I was able to keep the majority of my hair out of my eyes this way, some of my bangs still escaped from the cap. Many of the men I lead into battle had never seen my hair down. if they did, they probably wouldn't have regarded me as their superior.

I scanned the area again, the hair on the back of my neck suddenly standing up, a chill sent down my spine. There was rustling in the bushes around me and the sounds of heavy hooves. When the beasts emerged from the brush, a tinge of dread filled my heart.

There were four of them, all of them twice- no, three times my size. They were Chimeras; not an easy foe to beat even when there was only one. I pulled Yakusai and Nayami off my hips and held them down at my sides; eyeing the creatures. They had me surrounded; there was no escape.

So I simply took aim at one and fired.

They were slow movin creatures, so they certainly couldn't dodge a bullet, and at this range, I wouldn't miss. The shot connected and the beast recoiled slightly from the shock and replied to me with a enraged roar.

I heard one of them charging from behind and wheeled around to face it, but I was too slow. The beast's fist slammed into me, sending me into the air. The attack knocked the wind out of me, but it would take more than that to beat me.

I twisted in the air, recovering from the blow and landing in a crouched position. Then I felt the air crawling around me. One of them intended to use Thundara?

I braced for it, but that didn't help. I felt the surge shoot through my body, stiffening my limbs and nulling my nerves. At the end of that second, I took aim at the perpetrator, lining the barrel of Nayami up with it and firing.

Again, the bullet hit, but it didn't do much.

The same chimera from before charged me again, it's arm swinging like a wrecking ball. Not this time.

I flipped into the air backwards over it, aiming both barrels down on it and firing into it's head. Both bullets connected, sending it stumbling forward.

I hit the ground and sprung back up into a standing position, Nayami and Yakusai at the ready. They were eyeing me, warily. "Who said a monster can't be intelligent?" I remarked out loud. They probably couldn't understand what I said, but they would tell what it implied by the small smile that spread on my lips.

That arrogance was a mistake. A chimera that had been sitting aside fired off its Thundara, which scorched through my body like a small fire for a moment. That's all that was needed.

I felt the heat of the flame before it actually hit me and tried to side-step it. But I failed.

The flame slammed into my back, scorching the area it hit and throwing me to the ground. It hurt. It hurt alot.

I stood from the ground slowly, regaining my composure. "I might not win this fight..." I thought, my heart being seized by an angry fear.

"So what was all your work for if it ends like this, Arleen?"

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Arleen's Health and Ability Usage

[HP=55/100]

• Double Cut (Double Shot) - The user is allowed an additional regular attack (2 post cooldown)
  
  
• Hat Trick - The user is allowed two additional regular attacks. [Must Know Double Cut]
  
  
• Counterattack - Upon being attacked, the user will counter, dealing 5 HP damage
  
  
• Evade & Counter - Dodge a single physical based attack and counter, dealing 10 HP damage. [Must know Counterattack; DOES NOT AFFECT SPELLS] (2 post cooldown)
  
  
• Momentum - Every time a physical attack lands successfully the attacker is granted an attack power boost of 10%. No higher than a 100% bonus may be achieved through this ability, and if an attack misses or is blocked the bonus resets to 0% (20% power boost.)

[/blockquote][/li][/ul]

Chimeras' Health and Abilities

Chimera1
[HP=50/60]

Double Cut - The user is alowed and additional regular attack(2 post cooldown)

Chimera2
[HP=55/60]

Thundara - A stronger thunder element spell, it deals 10 HP damage to a single enemy and 5 HP damage to surrounding enemies (2 post cooldown)

Chimera3
[HP=55/60]

Thundara - A stronger thunder element spell, it deals 10 HP damage to a single enemy and 5 HP damage to surrounding enemies (2 post cooldown)

Chimera4
[HP=60/60]

Meggido Flame - User launches a extremely hot ball of flame at the target for 20 HP damage.[Fiend Skill ONLY](3 post cooldown)

[Maria Traydor]

[BDH Moment, Go!]

Why Maria Traydor would take interest in a forest at all was irrelevant. Why she was here was also fairly irrelevant for the time being, the point was she arrived when she did. The blue haired woman heard gunshots, and that usually meant someone was in trouble. She was correct in this assumption, as well; following the general direction of the sound, she eventually came upon a clearing with several Chimera surrounding a blond woman in a soldier's uniform... from what looked like Cocoon, no less. Interesting, but not something to focus on at the moment. Maria touched her gun to her forehead for just a second before letting a shot of bright green energy fly and hit the unsuspecting fourth Chimera.

She made a small hop forward into the clearing, gripping the Novasurge in both hands in preparation of the fight. "If you're injured, you might want to fall back. I can handle this."


-----------------------------
__________________________________________________
Maria Traydor
[Surge of Destruction]
Utilizes ranged attacks and status effects to offset a lack of healing abilities.

[hp=100/100]

[Damage sent: 0, Venom inflicted on Chimera 4]

• Reflect - A spell that creates a mirror like barrier on one target, any Magick that is cast upon the target will be reflected to another target opposing said target. Lasts 2 posts
  
  
• Toxin – A spell that poisons an enemy with a thick green substance, inflicting them with the Venom abnormality.
  

[Cooldowns:]
Toxin - 4
Reflect - 3

[Arleen Reinhart]

"If you're injured, you might want to fall back. I can handle this." The voice was soft, if determined and came from outside the ring.

I scanned and spotted its owner immediately; a woman, wielding what looked like a... pistol? I frowned at the weapon. It looked like a gun, but I didn't understand the mechanics behind it, so I had no room to speculate.

I regained my posture, ignoring the small burning sensation in my back and studying the Chimeras. "Hm. So you say, but I must decline the falling back option; as a soldier I won't retreat."

"I'll be more than happy to accept your assistance though." I admitted shamefully.

I spotted the Chimera that had punished me before by the marks on it's head where I'd shot it. "Focus and take 'em down!"

I took aim at it and fired 3 times, all the shots connecting, which sent it rearing back in pain. The world became tinged with a blue aura and everything became sharper.

I felt the air crawl and braced myself for the impact. Again, the sensation of my body being scorched inside out last only a moment before I located the perpetrator.

I took aim and fired a round at it in revenge. I was getting used to the feeling, but recovering from it was still hard. The Chimera that had remained untouched by me charged the Woman, apparently intending to crush her with his fist. "I hope she can back up her words..." I thought nervously. It was already a bad situation, and it could go either way at this point.

I heard the familiar sound of a Chimera charging from behind and braced for the giant's fist. It slammed into me and sent me skidding across the ground, but I had managed to keep myself from being sent into the air by successfully bracing for it.

Then the moment came again.

I felt the heat from another Flame before it actually hit, but this time, I slid the to the ground. The flame passed over me, missing this time and crashing into a tree, scorching it black.

The same Chimera which had hit me before charged me again, successfully landing its blow and sending me into the air. This fight was going badly. If this kept up, it would end in defeat.

"Guh!"

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Arleen's Health and Ability Usage

[HP=35/100]

• Double Cut (Double Shot) - The user is allowed an additional regular attack (1 post cooldown)
  
  
• Hat Trick - The user is allowed two additional regular attacks. [Must Know Double Cut] (3 post cooldown)
  
  
• Counterattack - Upon being attacked, the user will counter, dealing 5 HP damage (1 post cooldown)
  
  
• Evade & Counter - Dodge a single physical based attack and counter, dealing 10 HP damage. [Must know Counterattack; DOES NOT AFFECT SPELLS] (1 post cooldown)
  
  
• Momentum - Every time a physical attack lands successfully the attacker is granted an attack power boost of 10%. No higher than a 100% bonus may be achieved through this ability, and if an attack misses or is blocked the bonus resets to 0% (60% power boost.)

[/blockquote][/li][/ul]

Chimeras' Health and Abilities

Chimera1
[HP=25/60]

Double Cut - The user is alowed and additional regular attack(1 post cooldown)

Thundara - A stronger thunder element spell, it deals 10 HP damage to a single enemy and 5 HP damage to surrounding enemies (1 post cooldown)

Chimera2
[HP=55/60]

Thundara - A stronger thunder element spell, it deals 10 HP damage to a single enemy and 5 HP damage to surrounding enemies (1 post cooldown)

Meggido Flame - User launches a extremely hot ball of flame at the target for 20 HP damage.[Fiend Skill ONLY](3 post cooldown)

Chimera3
[HP=55/60]

Double Cut - The user is alowed and additional regular attack (2 post cooldown)

Thundara - A stronger thunder element spell, it deals 10 HP damage to a single enemy and 5 HP damage to surrounding enemies (1 post cooldown)

Chimera4 - Afflicted by Toxin (Post till damage: 1)
[HP=60/60]

Meggido Flame - User launches a extremely hot ball of flame at the target for 20 HP damage.[Fiend Skill ONLY](2 post cooldown)

[Auric]

First Aid
... then kick-ass.

I know it's not exactly very mercenary to intervene and offer aid quite freely, but honestly? I'm not your average mercenary. Actually, I do insist on being a Hero for Hire for a reason; it's got nothing to do with sounding up myself or some kind of rubbish like that, but... really, it fits the bill. Okay, I admit... calling myself a hero does sound kind of arrogant but on the plus side, you'll never actually catch me saying it out loud. Getting back to it... I do visit Gran Pulse a lot. Most people don't really understand why and it's hard to explain it to people who grow up in their little bubble universe but if you care enough to know? I'll tell you. Gran Pulse is a land where everything is simple. Everyday is a struggle to survive and every night is one where you look for the best spot to sleep without some of the local wildlife paying you a very unfriendly visit. Now you might not think that's very assuring but... there's a constant to it.

You can count on every day being just as simple. Normal, even. Does that sound appealing?

---

It was true. He much preferred being here than out in most parts of the world. It was, after all... as close as it got to home. Home was a little different but he wasn't about to pine about what he couldn't have. He'd landed in his shuttle a few hours ago; his partner had her own business to attend to and since she didn't say he wasn't going to ask. Even when he knew she'd tell him if he did... it's just that he preferred to avoid certain topics. Especially when it came to home. So, it kept things simpler... not that it mattered since he already knew, but... it was a nice sentiment. But while she attended to her business he had to figure out how he was going to pass the time... and while he would have normally just stayed on his airship in high orbit, cloaked... he couldn't resist what he considered a small walk in the land he knew and loved.

"Bloody tourists..." he sighed, hearing gunfire in the distance. Frowning to himself, he could already imagine what must have been going on... someone pulling out a gun of some sort, trying to fend off some beasts and all the while stirring the attention of other predators that might be in the area. Still, he wasn't about to let someone just simply turn into some beast's next meal.... he figured he may as well offer them some help and give them a quick warning. If they fail to listen, well... that was their fault. So, launching himself forward he took off in the direction of the disturbance... cutting a corner or two as he took advantage of his innate knowledge of the lay of the land...

It was a dire fight. Much as both Maria and Arleen could have been strong, he wasn't sure if both were actually adequately capable of dealing with pure numbers. Observing them closely, he had hung back to make sure no other factors that might come into play would escalate the situation... at least for the short term it wouldn't have done if more beasts showed up. Why? Only fools rush in, after all... and even aid, when rendered, should be done with a clear head... and having a clear head meant having a plan. He stood up, the high branches of a thick tree supported his weight as magic stirred within his frame.

He leaped forward and slammed his fist into the ground; the nearby trees and monsters alike turning to ice as the heat of his exhale made itself prominent. He turned towards Arleen and opened his fist; white magic leaving his finger tips as he knew it would relieve some of her pain. "There's no shame in retreat. But the whole point of falling back is to make ready for round two." They had a moment's pause; and he'd take it to give a few pointers. The ice magic having neutralized the scent in the air; or at least dulling it momentarily to deter other beasts from immediately entering the fray. "Let's finish up here, shall we?"

---

Battle Report

[hp=150/150]

Actions:

Freeze [Chimera1,2,3,4] - Regena [Arleen]

Freeze - A strong Spell that inflicts 25 HP damage to a single target and 20 HP damage to all other enemies in combat, also inflicting Freeze on the target of the spell. - 8 Post cooldown

Regena - A spell that heals a single target for a moderate amount of health over time [ 10 HP per turn ]. Lasts 5 posts - 6 post cooldown

Passive Abilities:
Area Barrier - Physical and Magical Defense is boosted by 50% and the rest of your party gains a 30% Physical and Magical Defense boost.

Divine Spirit – All white magic spells heal by 5 more HP than usual (E.g. 15 to 20).

Entwine – All white magic spells will automatically grant the same effect upon the caster (Not applicable to Raise) When considering multiple effects, apply the best one once to the caster.

Bad Time – Increases the post duration of all Debuffs on the enemy party by two posts.

Damage Output
Auric +Regena effect, 5 posts
Arleen +15 HP (10+5) +Regena effect, 5 posts
Chimera1 -25 HP +Frozen status effect, 4 posts +KO
Chimera2 -20 HP
Chimera3 -20 HP
Chimera4 -20 HP

[Arleen Reinhart]

I felt the temperature drop slightly in the surroundings before I watched the Chimeras being assaulted by ice, and as I looked around to spot the source, felt the effects of the white magic the man had performed before I spotted him.

"There's no shame in retreat. But the whole point of falling back is to make ready for round two."

I frowned at the man disdainfully. While his advice was logical, I just couldn't accept it. The only people who needed to retreat were those who were not well-prepared before their detriment started. If they weren't prepared from the start, then they obviously shouldn't have gotten themselves in that situation.

Regardless of his advice, the man had used a strong spell: The chimera I had been focusing on taking down before was now dead; a frozen statue in the clearing. Quite out of place in the forest, but natural at the same time. The other three Chimeras seemed to have taken a good deal of damage, but were still standing.

"Let's finish up here, shall we?"

The man's confident tone made me smile slightly: maybe even excitedly. This man was strong. There was no doubt he was strong. He has been able to take out one of the Chimeras and damage the rest, as well as heal her like it was nothing. It made her excited to see if she'd get a bigger glimpse at his strength.

"Yes!" I replied, a smile spreading on my lips.

I took a vengeful aim at the Chimera that had wounded me earlier and fired, both bullet connecting. It jerked back from the impact, but didn't stagger, the answer I got from it was a hissing roar.

The air crawled again and another bolt scorched through me, although I had become used to it, I probably would never recover from it quickly, though. The other two Chimera seemed quite angry with the way the man had attacked them, and both were charging him, arms balled up like miniature wrecking balls.

I just focused on the one Chimera before me; The man could take care of himself. Afterall, he had come to help me.


-----------------------------------------------------

Arleen's Health and Ability Usage

[HP=40/100]

• Double Cut (Double Shot) - The user is allowed an additional regular attack (0 post cooldown)
  
  
• Hat Trick - The user is allowed two additional regular attacks. [Must Know Double Cut] (2 post cooldown)
  
  
• Counterattack - Upon being attacked, the user will counter, dealing 5 HP damage (0 post cooldown)
  
  
• Evade & Counter - Dodge a single physical based attack and counter, dealing 10 HP damage. [Must know Counterattack; DOES NOT AFFECT SPELLS](0 post cooldown)
  
  
• Momentum - Every time a physical attack lands successfully the attacker is granted an attack power boost of 10%. No higher than a 100% bonus may be achieved through this ability, and if an attack misses or is blocked the bonus resets to 0% (80% power boost.)

[/blockquote][/li][/ul]



Chimeras' Health and Abilities

Chimera1 - KO'ed
[HP=0/60]

Chimera2
[HP=35/60]

Thundara - A stronger thunder element spell, it deals 10 HP damage to a single enemy and 5 HP damage to surrounding enemies (0 post cooldown)

Meggido Flame - User launches a extremely hot ball of flame at the target for 20 HP damage.[Fiend Skill ONLY](2 post cooldown)

Chimera3
[HP=35/60]

Double Cut - The user is alowed and additional regular attack (1 post cooldown)

Thundara - A stronger thunder element spell, it deals 10 HP damage to a single enemy and 5 HP damage to surrounding enemies (0 post cooldown)

Chimera4
[HP=23/60]

Thundara - A stronger thunder element spell, it deals 10 HP damage to a single enemy and 5 HP damage to surrounding enemies (2 post cooldown)

Meggido Flame - User launches a extremely hot ball of flame at the target for 20 HP damage.[Fiend Skill ONLY](1 post cooldown)

[Auric]

Most soldiers had that very same sort of pride ingrained within them; where to lose a single step to the enemy was some inconceivable idea. But to retreat and to run away from battle were two very different things; a wise tactician knew the outcome of a battle long before it even happened... it's why wars were won in advance and two armies spent so much time trying to either change or maintain that specific outcome. Even so, Auric had grown up in a culture that favored mobility over a static defense... after all, trying to whether an onslaught of beasts that were physically superior to you in ever way and outnumbered you ten to one? The ferocity of a solid charge was your only viable hope.

But what it came down to was whether or not a soldier can stand their ground when it really counts. Discipline maintains that you stay in the fight even when it'll cost you your life. To flee was to break out of formation in fear of death; that was another thing entirely. Still, in this case? He only had to keep the pressure off his new companion. His healing magic would keep her in the fight and alive long enough for him to put the Chimera down and properly address her wounds. With luck, she'll contribute -- but in the end it didn't matter. As two of the beasts switched their attentions to him, he already knew what to expect. He wasn't stranger to any of the beasts on Gran Pulse. Still, he raised his guard; the magic he could barely feel as it cracked against him, while the flames flying his way were shrugged off with a wave, the back of his hand only slightly singed. A fraction of the damage it could have been.

Still, he felt its sting. The pain, minute as it was, flowed within him as he fed that vengeance into the magical energy that swelled towards his fists. The wind howled all around them and before the beasts took notice he opened his palms and directed his magical fury, a swathing barrage of violent gusts, tearing them apart with wind shear alone. But the two Chimera that had come to face him were not his only victims... for the one that Arleen currently fought would have surely been felled; caught in the blast, it wouldn't escape his work.

---

Battle Report

[hp=140/150]

Actions:

Aerora [Chimera2,3,4]

Aerora – A stronger spell, this deals 15 HP Wind damage to all enemies - 3 post cooldown

Passive Abilities:
Ravage - The damage dealt by Ruin, and Ruinga is doubled and any members in your party that cast black magick get a 10% spell power boost.

Counter – Doubles the base damage of your first attack immediately after suffering damage from an opponent.

Area Barrier - Physical and Magical Defense is boosted by 50% and the rest of your party gains a 30% Physical and Magical Defense boost.

Runic Focus – Increases the damage dealt by all black magic spells by 30%

Vengeance - Decreases the cooldown of all black magick spells by one post.

Regena - Heals 15 HP per turn. Lasts 5 posts.

Damage Output
Chimera2 -36 HP (15*2.4)
Chimera3 -36 HP (15*2.4)
Chimera4 -36 HP (15*2.4)

[Arleen Reinhart]

I felt the rise in the man's magic before it was released. He took both of the Chimera's attacks like it was nothing... and channeled it into a counter.

No, it was a counter, it was just plain slaughter. The Chimeras were all ripped apart by the attack, the wind acting like blades. IT wasn't a pleasant death to suffer, but I didn't hold any sympathy for them. They attacked me, after all.

I corrected my posture, standing up straight and holstering Yakusai and Nayami on my hips. He made it look so easy... who was he?

I sighed slightly and turned to face the man, smiling. "I'm glad someone as strong as you showed up.. otherwise, I probably would be a meal for them right now." The words came out warm; thankful even. This was a situation that I'd never been in before. It was probably sheer luck that he showed up to help me... and that he was so strong.

I checked my body mentally as the adrenaline wore off, feeling the aches and the pains from the punishment I'd taken. In my few encounters with such beasts, I had had soldiers helping me, and I rarely took any blows.

However, my body ached all over. I hadn't been hit all over, but the pain resonated throughout me. In a few moments, my knees almost gave out from the surge of pain up my back. I had been hit by one of the beast's Flame attacks, and in the fighting, apparently the adrenaline had supressed the burning sensation from it.

Now, however, the pain was rampant, and almost made me collapse to the ground from it. I wrapped my arms around my abdomen, leaning forward slightly, gasping. It wouldn't have been so bad if my uniform had a back to it... but as things were, there was no use dwelling on that. "N-Nn!'

[Auric]

The battle was won. Chimera were fierce opponents but what made them truly dangerous was how numerous they were... and their ability to work together. Ordinarily, anything aggressive enough to be as powerful were usually territorial and so their numbers remained thin. Still, it goes to show that when it comes to survival, coming together increased your odds more than simply going it all on your own. Even for beasts. As the magic within him settled itself, the power left the air as his cold-blooded fury was replaced with a warm calm. He knew he could be scary when he brought down a whole lot of wrath, but on the battlefield that had always served as an example for those he fought with.

But such a time was over; what remained was what came afterward... and despite his timely rescue, Arleen wasn't without her injuries. He saw her tense before almost dropping to her knees and he quickly came over, the ice beneath his feet allowing him to slide seamlessly across as he stopped at her side, holding her up by her shoulder as he supported her weight. "Easy, easy..." he soothed, trying to put her mind at peace and calm her down. Wounds during battle were always met with adrenaline... it dulled the pain and kept you up during the fight. It enabled the body to maintain consciousness too, at least long enough until it had run its course or the danger had passed.

He checked her for injuries. His eyes dropping to her abdomen to where her hands had come to cling. Naturally, there wasn't anything serious there, but when he looked behind her he could finally see it... and no wonder. He'd seen her get hit before and should have thought better to check it first. The burn had seared into her back but as he watched the edge of her wound, he could see his magic slowly healing her marred flesh. "Mm." he mused, giving it a cool blow to test her stimuli. "Looks like you'll be fine... you're lucky Chimera aren't poisonous, otherwise this would hurt a lot more." he observed, sighing at the fact that his medical supplies were back on his ship. He hadn't actually needed to use it; not on lands where he was familiar.

"Stings, I know." he sympathized, knowing how much it hurt. But he tried to make light, it was his brand of bedside manner. "Well I can't fix it any better than it's mending itself, but I can try to find something for the pain. In the mean time, we should probably be moving from here... don't want anymore uninvited guests now, do we?"

[Arleen Reinhart]

"Easy, easy..." The man's voice seeped in through the pain, taking my focus off it. I felt his arm take some of the weight off my legs, but couldn't do anything. It burned like hellfire, there was no other way to describe it.

I more so assumed from his movements around me than knew that he was checking for the wound, and in only a moment he had found it. I felt the wind brush across my back and supressed a scream from the fire it lit. "Looks like you'll be fine... you're lucky Chimera aren't poisonous, otherwise this would hurt a lot more." I laughed morbidly at the thought inside my head, for lack of ability to actually do it.

"Stings, I know." Was he sympathizing with me? THe man had been hit by the same type of attack, yet it hardly scratched him. He was so much stronger than me, he could've taken those beasts alone, easily. It was a frustrating realization, but one I could neither deny nor scrutinize.

"Well I can't fix it any better than it's mending itself, but I can try to find something for the pain. In the mean time, we should probably be moving from here... don't want anymore uninvited guests now, do we?" I straightened out my posture as much as I could, slowly of course. The wound burned, but I had gotten as used to it as one could to what seemed like a third degree burn.

"That's a... welcoming prospect..." I replied, supressing as much of the strain in my voice as I could. It was disgraceful, to be seen so weak, but it couldn't be helped. I knew there were those out there who were stronger than me well before this situation, I just never imagined I'd owe such a person my life.

It was a disgraceful situation indeed.

[Auric]

Auric didn't suffer from the same weaknesses as others. Physical frailty was not something to thought of as overly negative... in fact, the frail, knowing their own weaknesses used alternative means and methods to face those who would otherwise defeat them. Still, you never know what'll happen in your lot of life; things don't always work out the way you think let alone the way you want it to. Still, as he supported her weight, he aided her in moving away from their site, even as she straightened her posture, he wondered briefly if he'd just throw her over his shoulder and just march on away. Of course, that would be a little demeaning since they'd just met... but you know? He could little afford to really put her through the pain of walking to safety all on her own.

Besides, giving her something to laugh to would dull the pain... old trick he'd learned, tickling someone tended to override the sensation of crippling pain. So naturally, he did the next best thing -- placing his arm across her shoulders and bending down to pick her up off her feet. "Oh, alright, you big baby. No complaints? Good." he snickered, shaking his head, half tempted to nuzzle his face into her belly and give her the koochi-koo treatment. But as tempting as it were, it was a little inappropriate. For now? Words would suffice. "Do I need to tickle you? It'd relieve the pain, you know." he joked, mock-selling the idea as he gave a sweeping step to slide across the ice his magic had formed across the otherwise uneven ground.

"Seriously. I'll do it." he threatened with a smile and a smirk, his finger jerking as if to tickle her leg. He wanted to make her laugh if only for a bit to break the ice, so to speak... that and the reprieve from pain would have been great. Still, he had said he could give her something to dull the pain, right? Much as he could go make a salve or take her back to his shuttle to go back to his airship, humor was a more immediate form of relief. And she wasn't one to be dead to a bit of comedy, if he was any judge...

[Arleen Reinhart]

"Uwa?!" Before I knew what was happening, my feet were off the ground and I could feel myself suspended in the air, the man's arms holding me. The feeling brought a rush of embarressment that flourished bright red on my face.

"Oh, alright, you big baby. No complaints? Good." Was he meaning to embarress me? Was he doing this on purpose to distract me fom the pain? If he was, he certainly succeeded.

"Do I need to tickle you? It'd relieve the pain, you know." Wait a minute... what? "Seriously. I'll do it." He was being serious? What the hell was going on?!

"N-n-no! I'm fine, really!" The words were spoken quickly and it was obvious I was flustered. This man was messing with me, he had to be. "Wha-wha-wha-what does he think he's doing?!" His finger had brushed my leg oddly and it sent another wave of heat into my face.

"I-I'm a soldier you know, I can walk if it's just something like this!" I protested to him. This was humiliating, just utterly humiliating. My self-respect as a Major was slowly declining.

So humiliating...

[Auric]

Well, it distracted her. That much was for sure. It was amusing for him to see how flustered she got under his care, probably didn't even notice that they were moving away from her original site as he traversed through the forested location, passing by the area he'd originally entered the scene. You wouldn't think to know what the body was capable of... and the mind. But such things like pain could be good -- constant reminders that you were still alive, sometimes... it was a relief to feel that unpleasant sensation. But when your mortality was secure it was just an annoyance... a hindrance to your capacity to focus. Pain was an illusion of the body as was despair an illusion of the mind.

But it was always heartwarming to see that he could still put off the otherwise tough soldier-types. All that discipline crumbled when you threatened to get all cuddly. Of course he'd noticed she was wearing what resembled mostly a Guardian Corps uniform; he wasn't oblivious to culture. Although she did have a short skirt, he was actually thinking to himself why every woman he'd run into in the past week had much the same quality when it came to that article of clothing. Not that he was complaining though, after all when he thought long on it, the shorter they were the less restriction they imposed on movement. Of course, to any one of a certain breed? That's not the first idea that comes to mind.

"Are you sure?" he asked again, grinning widely as he entertained the thought. Of course, having fun was always great no matter what you did. It made life that much more bearable during the tough times. But he wiggled his fingers against her leg again as if to enforce his point. She wasn't trying overly hard to break free, mind you. "Really, it's no trouble at all" he went on chuckling. Oh, of course she was a soldier. Pride. Bravado. You know, all those things... but when confronted with something that didn't actually require being tough? She turned to goo. "I could put you down, if you prefer." he offered in ultimatum, stopping temporarily before dropping his legs as for a moment her body left his grip only for him to catch her again.

Would this have been embarassing?

Yeah, I think so...

[Arleen Reinhart]

"Are you sure?" I frowned up at him, my face still bright red. He was enjoying this. He was doing all this just to get me flustered, and he was ENJOYING it!!

"Really, it's no trouble at all" What was with this guy? Was he trying to make me look like a fool? How disgraceful, to be made fun of by a person I hadn't even met before now! If my squad got word of this, I'd neve be able to stand in front of the as their leader again!

"I could put you down, if you prefer." I gritted my teeth in frustration at his remark. He was mocking me, just flat out mocking me. We both knew that if he put me down it would only slow the trek and put us at more risk of being attacked by other wandering predators. He was obviously testing me.

He dropped close to the ground, and the sudden short free-fall starled me, but made up my mind. Without a word, I slid out of his arms to stand. My back was on fire again, but I ignored it and walked as if it didn't bother me at all, although I gritted my teeth the whole while. "Are you going to lead the way?" I asked, a faint remnant of the blush I'd had before remained. Letting him see me so weak was a mistake.

I just had to make sure it didn't happen again.

[Auric]

It was only a matter of time before she'd actually try to show her bravado. And why not now? Of course, his teasing had only made her conscious as to her requirements; despite getting her mind off the pain, that pride had actually just turned into a reminder that she was wounded and in a way defeated the point. Part of him was tempted to just skip to it and tickle her on the spot; have that tough soldier exterior crumble before the hilarity of the soft, oversensitive awkward touches that was called tickling. But if anyone knew anything about Auric, it was how good-natured he really was. Despite all the tough guy he could be, his ability to think little of the most serious situations was something that he passed on to others... and there was something inspiring about laughing in the face of danger.

Or just appreciating the small moments you have with others. Auric had always liked to be full of life; to him, his time was spent filling his life with cheerful memories. So it was only normal for him to have a wide smile on his face... they were little more than strangers, not even knowing each other's names and yet here he was poking her even as he aided with her injury. Standing up straight, he folded his arms. Other than his tank top, the bandage on his arm was the only thing notable on his torso. "Well, I could..." he replied, his grin still prominent as he made motions to progress from whence he came. "Are you sure you're okay to be moving, though?" he asked again, thumbing at his jaw line.

He was subconsciously thinking of what he might find that would give her some temporary pain relief. As could be expected, there were many kinds of flora on Gran Pulse and just as many medicines that could be made from its extracts. It required a skilled botanist to even begin to think of how to use them all. Even then, it was a bit of a far stretch.. but right now? He was just tempted to stroke her back and see if she could remain standing with pride as she did. "Mmm... now, where was I going again?" he asked himself out loud, naturally a ploy. Delaying himself as he mock-pondered where he truly was.

[Arleen Reinhart]

"Well, I could..." My heart flared up in anger at his casual remark, and I glared at him, frowning deeply. "Is this man a sadist?" I wondered a moment, disbelieving. I turned full round to face him, waiting. The burn flared everytime I moved, and at first it made me want to cringe, but now, I could handle it for the most part. It would definitely make moving through the forest a precarious job, as anything that touch it might send a burst of pain through my back, but it was a sacrifice of pride.

"Are you sure you're okay to be moving, though?" I narrowed my eyes at him in impatient anger. "Of course not. However, I refuse to be carried." It was probably more than obvious I was getting mad, very fast. Under normal circumstances, I wouldn't have been so easy to anger, but with a burning sensation constantly eating at the nerves on my back, I wanted to get where we were going as soon as possible so I could lay down and rest. The more time spent on my feet, the more the wound would ache and throb later.

"Mmm... now, where was I going again?"

Before I knew what I was doing, I was moving, my right fist balled up and aimed at the man's head. IT probably would've connected, if not for the surge that crippled my senses following the daredevil motion. My back lit up like someone has poured fuel on it and lit the flame, the pain easily collapsing my legs and instantly making me regret the movement. I sat on the ground, bent forward with my fingers digging into the earth, all the muscles in my body tensed, desparately trying to distract myself from the pain. Through it all, furious tears welled up and blurred my vision.

Why was I so pathetic? Normally such creatures as I'd nearly died against wouldn't have been much of a problem, regardless of getting wounded. The only reason I was still alive was that this stranger of a man, and apparent delinquent was excptionally strong, and just happened to decide to save me. It was so frustrating!

Just what in the heck was going on?