Stronger than Weak [Mod]

[Ariane Ivers]

_{We play Truth or Dare 'til we're black and blue}

Ever since she had gone into the outer circle, Ariane had been overcome with a sense of wanderlust.  It was a desire to learn more about what exactly was going on, the suspicion that the radiation leak being a load of crock growing more and more.  That bird that night was definitely not normal, and while one could argue it was mutated from the radiation, she wasn't buying it.  After all, the Cerynitian Hind dispatched it easily, and from what little she could remember of that night it didn't even leave a corpse behind.  Then there was the matter of trying to figure out just what the Hind was.  Even now she could feel it... her, in the back of her mind, waiting.  The word 'Persona' sat heavy in her head, but still, what did that mean?  She was tempted to search it up online, but a part of her was worried about what she would find.  

Instead, she found herself back in the area that was supposed to be unlivable, hands in the pockets of her jacket.  There didn't seem to be anyone here, which of course did make sense.  Still, a part of her expected someone to be here.  Military, thieves, something.  She had a sneaking suspicion the severe lack of life had to do with whatever it was she saw that night, and hoped she could at least get some answers.

Her head turned to look at the large museum, sad to see it abandoned.  All that history, the art, lost to this dead area. A heavy sigh left her lips, the redhead feeling quite melancholy at the thought of it.  It would have been a nice place to explore had it not been stuck in this fog filled nightmare area.  Just as she started to turn away to continue her walk, something caught her eye through the door.  Narrowing her eyes, she waited for a moment.  Were here eyes playing tricks on here?  It was possible, sure.  But from what she saw that first night she doubted it.  It wasn't as though she had any real plans that night other than wandering, and was it really trespassing if the place was abandoned?

Well.  Probably.  There wasn't anyone there to catch her though, so why not?

Hands still in her pockets she changed direction towards the seemingly empty museum, walking through the suspiciously unlocked doors.  She looked around at all the paintings, a part of her disappointed she didn't take the time to come here in the daylight before it turned to heck.  If it was in this off limits area though, there was a distinct possibility she would find answers.  And if not, there was at least the chance she could take her frustration out on something.  She was ready this time.

[Erithania]

Beware the creativity.

Abstract Turret

Skills
Twin Shot
Assault Dive
Agi

Null: Fire
Weakness: Ice

[Ariane Ivers]

While she was here, Ariane glanced through the paintings on the walls.  Whatever she thought she saw through the glass doors was nowhere to be found, so she decided she may as well make a trip out of it.  The paintings really were pretty, even some of the more abstract ones.  There was always something about art that just made her wish she had time to waste looking at it for hours.  Sure, it would've been nicer to do in the daylight, but with this fog seeing them in any sort of natural light was out of the question.  The dark, muggy atmosphere was the best lighting she would get to look at the paintings.

As she walked down the rows, there was one ahead that caught her eyes.  It was peculiar, and almost seemed to move as she got closer to it.  When she approached, she could see it appeared to be a tank of some sort, set on a normal looking background that seemed very out of place.  The closer she got, the more the perspective seemed to change, until she walked in front of it.  She saw a girl appear in the painting and she jumped in surprise for a split second until what she was seeing sunk into place.  It was a mirror, not a painting.  Her eyes settled on the 'subject' of the 'painting' as she realized what it was, while it turned it's gun to face her.  

Spinning in place with her fists at the ready, Anne stared down the shadow.  As she thought earlier--she was ready this time.  That strange shifting feeling in her head told her the Hind was ready too, but that didn't mean they should get too cocky.  If a bird could make her bleed, this giant tank could do a heck of a lot more.  There was a momentary standoff as the two watched each other--well, Anne watched, the tank tanked--before the end of the tank's gun glowed red.  

Anne's breath inhaled in a hiss as her eyes narrowed, arms close to her sides.  It looked like fire, and that didn't bode well one bit.  She needed to get an attack in quick, and there was no way she'd be able to duck in and hit it before it got that shot off.  'Cery, I think it's time you come out to play'.  That power from before surged through her, and as she felt that place in her head break she also felt the Hind floating over her.  'So it seems.'  Left arm kept tight at her side, Anne reached out with her right toward the tank.  "Bufu!" As she yelled the spell whose name came unbidden, she clenched her green-wrapped hand to emphasize her point.  The Cerynitian Hind's movements mirrored that of her master, red eyes glowing blue as ice surrounded the tank.  That breath Anne had taken in earlier was released quickly.  She hadn't noticed she was holding it, but the rush of relief that her attack hit before the tank released the fire was palpable.  

Better yet, even though her foe used her weakness, it seemed she held it's own.  It collapsed, the sound of gears churning as it tried to right itself.  This was her chance--even though it had a steel plated body, she had faith in her skill.  Her feet shifted below her, changing her stance as she charged the fumbling foe.  Jabbing forward with her left fist, she grabbed the barrel of it's gun with her right.  Fluidly going from the jab she took her left hand and grabbed further down the barrel, shifting her weight to flip the shadow.  Or, try to, at least.  It proved to be much heavier than a human, and rather than flip it across the room Anne managed to throw it a bit off to the side.  

She wasn't overly disappointed--she had a feeling it would be too heavy to really pull that off, but hey, she tried.  The Cerynitian Hind stood over her still, mimicking Anne's battle ready pose with one of her own.  The weakened Shadow turned it's gun toward them again, smoke now pouring from where her quickly bruising fist had connected earlier.  It glowed red once more and she scowled, holding her right hand out again.  "Bu--" Just as she started to close her fist, the cannon fired, apparently realizing it didn't have quite as much time to charge up as it would like.  The redhead's eyes widened as she saw the fire, trying to move to the right to avoid the attack.  She really, really hated fire.

It was almost successful--at least she didn't get hit by the full brunt of the attack.  Her arm, however, wasn't quite as lucky.  The denim jacket looked quite singed, and the wraps around her hand still smoldered.  Flinching, she held her arm with the other, the burning through her jacket excruciating.  The turret re-aimed itself at her, glowing once more.  Oh no, no way.  Jerking her arm outward she spoke as fast as she could muster one more time.  "BUFU."  The Hind clenched her fist, eyes glowing once more as the tank disintegrated.  Holding her arm close to herself, Anne took just a moment to see if the tank left anything behind that may answer any of her questions.  She highly, highly doubted it, but hey.  Worth a check see.

Finally, with one last glance around the floor of the museum Anne turned towards the door.  That was enough excitement for one day, thanks.  She'd take her wounds home and tend to them for the time being.  The Hind lowered her weapon, glancing once more towards her person before disappearing.  It may only have been one foe, but for their first independent excursion, Anne was quite proud of herself.  She had a feeling she'd need to buy a new jacket, though.

[ChromaticTruthsayer]

Success!

You defeated the enemy!
You also found: Medicine