thenearshore | 23 - Crazy Cat Shuffle

[Ironically, Zelda doesn't take nearly as much offense to that comment as Caster does. Using some kind of decoy could work, if the decoy can outrun the creatures reliably. She's just not so sure she can.

Caster's idea is the one that gets a bigger reaction out of her.]

... You can create weapons?

[Though there's a slightly odd lilt to this question, like she somehow knew that already, or is putting 2 + 2 together in some unknown equation. That desolate valley of blades would certainly gain a new context if that were the case.

But, focus. She needs to focus. She shakes her head.]

Regardless, you will not fight as effectively if your attention is divided between hunting the creatures and defending a third party.

[stupid men why won't you just listen to her for hylia's sake--]

Yes, I do. [That tone doesn't go unnoticed. Archer looks at her sharply. Perhaps she had seen someone else with similar skill.]

That entirely depends on the third party and their skills. If you wish to join us I can create a weapon of your choice. If not, then we should at least escort you to your temple. [because priorities.]

She's really skilled, you know.

[ There are princesses and princesses who can kick your ass. Zelda fits into the second type. Caster's very well aware she's able to take care of herself - so if she does decide to join them he won't oppose at all. ]

You are truly obstinate men.

[But Wisdom's child knows when she is outnumbered. She sighs a long suffering sigh, shaking her head before looking back to Archer with a level stare.

Ask her no questions and she'll tell you no lies.]

My greatest strengths lie in my magic and unarmed combat. Thus if I am to carry a weapon it should be something lightweight and versatile, especially so if I am to be used as bait. Something I can wield with one hand would likely be best.

[there is too much long range dps in this party what are y'all doing]

[Archer isn't going to ask, though, he's not into trying to find out other's secrets. He listens to Zelda's requests and nods.]

Do you have a preference for a specific kind of weapon, or can it be any dagger or short sword?

[The funfact is that both Archer and his god prefer close combat despite being long range specialists. Call it a habit.]

[ Three ranged DPS, that will absolutely punch you in the face, if they have to? Still, it would be good to have some serious tank here. ]

What a party we got here. From my side of things, I can offer a small performance boost.

[ Hastening rune on the shoe soles, strengthening one for fists. The usual ]

Performance... boost?

[U n s u r e. But she shakes her head again.]

No, no. I have no preference. My skill with it is not going to be masterful regardless, so as long as I can lift it, that will have to do.

[And, admittedly, she is a bit curious to see what kind of weapon Archer will craft for her if she doesn't give him specific instructions.]

Caster means runes, spells that help you move faster or hit harder. [Archer gives a short explanation noticing her confusion.

He extends one hand palm upwards and murmurs the incantation.]

Trace On.

[In a burst of blueish light appear two swords.] If you throw one while still wielding the other it will return to your hand.

[ Archer... you... hopeless dumbass. Caster gets a sudden, very strong urge to facepalm like he never facepalmed before ]

Sword makes sense, but did you miss the part when she was talking about one-handed weapons.

[ Not about dual-wielding twin swords. You could make ONE sword. But no, of course not, you have to be over the top. Why are you even showing off, it's not your job here. ]

Carrying two blades kind of make impossible having a free off-hand.

[oh no is the wingman overstepping his bounds, is there going to be a duel for the princess' hand--]

... I can see the intent, I think. I could throw one, use my magic, and then catch it, but... I think perhaps that might be adding too many variables to an already risky situation.

[She... smiles a little? At least? He tried and that's what counts??]

They are lovely blades, but perhaps we need to think even simpler.

[This is a honest mistake, he's too used to those swords. Archer is trying to find a simpler blade, one that he has copied for himself.]

My apologies. I'm too used to those swords.

[Twin swords vanish and the light fluidly changes shape, solidifying into a simple dagger.]

[ Wingman is a troll, that makes him sort of unpredictable to use.

Magic for long distance, shanking for something that sneaks up close- yeah, sound strategy. Caster whips out the druid start out of thin air- that weapon on itself won't be much of use when they face the ayakashi - he'll need something else then, something reasonable if Archer is going to try and arm two people at once - but just for focusing the magic, it will do. ]

You can give me that sword- [ There is not even a sigh of disappointment to that decision - they don't have time for complaining. Besides he gets the gist that blades are somehow the easiest variation of weapons provided, then he turns to Zelda ] -let me handle the frontlines, princess.

[ Much chivalry, only it wasn't yet invented in that form in his times, and- ]

I'll keep them a good target for you. [ He adds with a grin. Sure he will help and save a comrade in battle, because that's what they are now. They both got a history of being trained my shadow-related mentor figures, so it's going to be interesting. ]

[Zelda pushes herself up from her seat as the twin blades shift and coalesce into a single sword. A quiet hiss of pain escapes her as she does; she's not looking forward to seeing the bruise left on her side by the ayakashi's ambush, but-- she's had worse. She's already reaching out to take the offered blade when Caster speaks up, and she

s q u i n t s

at him.]

No...? You are going to be the only one of us who will be able to kill the things. If one of us is going to be drawing their ire and attempting to create openings for the other, it should be the one unable to land a fatal strike even if they try.

[And to punctuate that statement, she grabs the hilt of Archer's projected sword, as if to say 'if you want it then come and take it'.

... Thank the Powers That Be that they are largely invisible to the mortals trying to have a relaxing day at the park. And the cops. There sure are some weapons being tossed about right now that they would not be pleased to see.]

Edited (I can type) 2017-12-17 21:39 (UTC)

[From the way Zelda holds the sword Archer knows she's used to handle weapons. He listens to their exchange quietly and speaks when she finishes.]

Princess is right, Caster. [his point made, he then turns to Zelda.] Can you teleport us all back?

[Sure, they can stay and argue for some time while the ayakashi are wreaking havoc, or they may simply check how well the strategy works.]

Ha..? [ Now he's getting squints. And blade pointed at him as a Final Argument, Do Not Argue!!! Ah, sure, he knows when he's outnumbered. He wouldn't be outnumbered in the first place if Archer didn't decide to immediately switch side...! But a side of the stubborn princess is a good side to be on. And since he'd rather be on that side too, instead providing pointless arguing he raises his hand in defeat ]

...fine. That's how we're going to roll then. [ Strategy changes on battlefield in blink of an eye, so who knows what happens- but to cut short any kind of more annoying Archer being Archer he calls this bastard of a shinki into vessel form ] Come, Kyūki

[ One day he will try to beat ayakashi to death with the pendant, but it's not this day. ]

Ready to go on your order, princess.

[oh okay bye archer, thanks for the assist earlier...

Zelda blinks as she's all of a sudden treated as the leader of this operation, when not five minutes ago she was advocating for being left behind, but. Okay. Sure.]

Very well. If there are no other preparations to be made, then...

[She takes Caster's hand into her own, closes her eyes, and--

--in the next moment, they're back on that dusty road in the Heavens. The holy mist Archer's arrows kicked up has dissipated by now, unfortunately, but the giant cat ayakashi remains, peering into the windows and doors of abandoned temples, sniffing and searching for its next meal.

It doesn't seem to have noticed them yet...

Battle... START!]

[Archer knows his role is finished the moment Caster calls his vessel name and he vanishes turning into jewelled pendant. He can simply watch the battle and warn if anything sudden happens.]

'Trace On.' [a familiar inantation and green spear materializes before Caster.]

[ When you wave a blade and disagree with the official strategy, giving a better one, doesn't matter if you wanted out like 3 minutes ago... not to mention, too bad he's used to listening royalty's orders. ]

Tch, I told you to give me a sword. [ But then someone has to go and exert himself for bonus points. At least it means Caster gets some bonus points too for showing off some neat spear tricks.

That's like, his entire life in one sentence. ]

Get ready, they're coming.[ He grabs the makeshift spear - no more complaining - and lunges forward to meet the first of those annoyances. Since these two opted for a frontal assault, it means the royal bait's role is to divide their attention, right? ]

[Zelda says nothing once they've touched down on the Far Shore. Because it's easy - so very, very easy - to slip back into the mindset of the lonely warrior she once was, the "survivor of the Sheikah" who relied on no one save herself to fight her battles for her. Caster's voice is some distant, far off sound in that moment-- something as irrelevant to her as the singing of birds or blowing of the wind.

Her grip on her projected sword tightens, and then she's dashing forward ahead of Caster, swiping her blade across the back of the creature's legs as she passes by it during its investigation of an upper window of an abandoned structure. Slicing across such points would surely leave a normal beast incapable of movement, at least temporarily, but the ayakashi merely roars in pain - a monstrous, demonic sound that echoes against the stonework around them - and spins around to face its attacker.

Before it can lunge forward to attack her, Zelda lifts her off-hand, and another blast of golden light erupts from it, hitting the creature square in the face, blinding it momentarily.

Safe to say she has the role of "distraction" soundly handled.]

[Archer keeps an eye on both of them, focusing both on analysing their fighting styles and the movements of ayakashi. He can as well keep himself useful in another way of he can't take physical part in battle.

The sole size of the creature and its agility makes it a threat. He's been watching each time they got into battle to gauge its possible weak points and attack patterns, as well as any informations he's able to gather.]

'Line!'

[A borderline appears between Zelda and ayakashi, blocking a possible attack. While a cutting line makes it possible to notice the source of attack, the defensive one doesn't, so he may as well use it.]

[ How long has he been here, for a month? It's longer than some Spirits get summoned for, and the weird - scary? - part is that he's starting to attune to those plains of Heavens. There is a sense of wrongness from the presence of those creatures here, he's really getting in the mindset that they shouldn't be here.

All more reasons to cut this short- or stab it short, in this particular case.

Right now his focus is to get shit done quickly with -his- ayakashi here, but he can't help and glance curiously from a corner of his eye, at the magical spectacle Zelda is doing. Imagining how much fun it would be if she had her shinki here as well-- or maybe not, that's a distraction and nearly earns him getting hit.

Caster dodges the next swing with a bark of laughter, short and coarse- he's so close he only needs to extend his hand to write an Ansuz rune right on the ayakahi's massive torso. The fire explosion cannot damage it, but it can confuse, and oh- well, anger it. He slides under the creature and delivers his own blow, driving the projected spear through the ayakashi.

Once, twice, dodge- easier now since it's weakened-, spin the makeshift spear for pure flourish while flanking then repeat from the start. Like hunting a boar, or maybe fighting off a bear rather...

Bear is a better comparison, given how fast it is, and how far it can throw with just one hit, even close to death-throes- ooops. The sudden flight, and sting of blight was not planned, but is hardly a problem- ]

[... And very suddenly she is thrown back into the present situation of having a companion to fight beside.

Hardly a problem, her ass--]

Caster!

[She cries out as he's thrown, immediately rushing to put herself between him and the beast as he recovers. Damn it, she knew she wasn't going to good enough to keep the thing's attention, but she let herself be talked into this anyway...

The ayakashi charges at the pair of gods, but Zelda forces herself to stand her ground. Frontal assaults like this are the exact opposite of her usual style, but-- there are some points of the body that cannot be trained and strengthened no matter if it is a man or beast, Impa taught her. The eyes are one, as she targeted before. The underside of the jaw is another, and as the creature closes in, mouth opened wide to take a bite of Hyrule's Princess, she ducks, and drives her blade up and through its head. But she doesn't have the physical strength for that alone to stop it in its tracks. To that end, she channels her magic through her sword, bathing it in a golden holy light that burns the ayakashi from the inside out. Still not enough to kill it, of course - though it certainly does not appreciate these proceedings, no sir - which is why she calls out with just a hint of irritation--]

What are you doing? Rend it!

[Someone is not impressed with the unnecessary flourishes...]

[Archer tenses the moment ayakashi sends Caster flying. He knows it's not anything serious, but it irks him that he can't do anything in moments like that.]

'Caster, stop showing off!'

[He casts another borderline, shielding both Caster and princess.]

[ Princess was doing a great job, actually, it was just certain someone who decided to stall and have fun for shit and giggles. You can tell him not to show-off as much as you want Archer, but is he going to listen...?

Not that he would acknowledge it in any fashion. But he's not happy to see Zelda jump in his defense- People get thrown around all the time in battle, that's normal, that's expected, it's nothing serious- to him of course. But not everyone is so careless as he is, about dangerous situations. He did not expect to get her worried and jumping in front of him to defend- that rarely happens.

She doesn't even get to finish saying the word "rend" and he's striking the ayakashi, spear driving through it viciously for the last time, and soon the creature is no longer ]

And it's done. [ He might be sure, in that cocky confidence of his, that he had full control over the battlefield. He might be- but he's not ungrateful, so instead of focusing on that, he's quick to give a praise ] Your magic is truly impressive, princess. That was a wicked move.

[ Combining melee weapon strike with magic that is. He rests the spear on the crook of his neck, knowing well it's soon going to disappear ]

[And it's done. The weight bearing down on her sword vanishes - the stench of blight assaulting her senses evaporates. She allows herself a sigh to release the tension in her muscles before acknowledging Caster's praise.]

I should be thankful the blade stood up to the strain, given all the pressure it was under. Archer, you may take your sword back, now.

[He can hear her, surely, even if she can't hear him. She turns away from the pair, her voice... unnaturally even in a way that suggests she's forcing it to remain so.]

I intend to return to my temple. Clearly the decoy strategy we discussed is not necessary, so I shall take my leave, as I should have done in the beginning. Please ensure that you cleanse that blight before you seek out any more prey.

[Yeah... you done fucked up, Cu.]

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