Raindrop Valkyrie

"Awww, you do care~"She said giggling. But, in an instant she got serious. She squared her body in anticipation while breathing in a short sharp breath to center herself. She held her spear, the shaft lying against the small of her back. A stance as if she was about to pounce forward."You're right though; However, I know this is still a battle. I promise, you'll be safe. I'll protect you so long as you're in my charge. I've not lost sight of that. Perhaps, I got a bit carried away. I apologize. Now, I do what I do best. Crack skulls." She cracked her knuckles upon saying this. It wasn't really all that effective wearing gauntlets and all, but the motion was still understood even if it didn't serve any purpose. She focused her energy towards analyzing the foes. Watching for tells in their movement. She hoped to be prepared for their advance and that she would be able to turn their blades. She'd end them. It was her job, and she had a unit to protect. Her focus now became a single point. One that she'd drive through the hearts of their foes.

"HA! Of course.~ You're safe so long as I'm around. It's my job after all." Meredith made a large motion with her free arm. Pointing with her thumb to her chest, her arm at a 90 degree angle. It was quite a silly display, and rather over the top for how Meredith portrayed herself before this mission. Perhaps, she was coming into her own, adn starting to grow with the unit. Maybe it was jsut the adrenline rush that was still carrying her. Regardless, she was full of energy to the point she seemed almost like a different person. Though, it was really just her true self starting to peek around the corner. "I take pride in my work, and I won't let you down." She reassured Luka. She'd have said the same to the other back line fighters and support but none of them were really close enough. She didn't really consider Klaren backline at this point as he'd probably be insulted at the notion. Not that she really cared how he felt. "and you're cute so, why not?" she added looking back at him and winking from seemingly nowhere. Luka wasn't really sure if she was teasing him or what she was up to. Just that it wasn't much like their first battle. She was a lot more relaxed and loose. It was most certainly just her messing around with her allies. Perhaps her way of riling him up a bit for the upcoming fight. There was a strange breather between now and then, so perhaps she was just filling the time while she was preparing for the enemy attack.

"Hmmm, you have a sweet spot for me, Luka? Find you dancing for me nearly every time I turn around. The others are going to get jealous you give me so much special treatment.~" Meredith teased the poor Dancer. Maybe now wasn't the time, but clearly she was in a good mood. She exuded confidence from nearly every pore. Perhaps it was just that blow that filled every fiber of her with brimming energy, but who wouldn't be this way after a display like that? She stood poised and ready, just waiting for more enemies to approach so she could shatter them just like that hapless solider. They'd probably be more weary of her with their approaches after that. Though that's if Klaren's "Curse of Swords" didn't draw all the weapons in the area directly towards him. Yes, she was callin' it that now. It was a boon and yet, she couldn't help but feel a little sorry for him. Maybe it's why his mind was so perverse and he found pleasure in pain. Because he life was only full of it... and rather than break entirely, he decided to just revel in the pain instead. "Regardless, thank you. I can use this spare time to patch myself up a bit. I'm not too badly hurt but, it'll be good to catch my breath and treat some of these minor wounds before the next wave of foes arrive. I'll do my best to keep you and the others safe. It's my duty." Uses Vulnerary.

((I'm almost 100% certain he meant Solider 1 since we were talking about how he'd probably just pick them off since I left them at 1 HP.))

Luka pretty much can handle it so that Ecquis can get out and heal himself. ((Honestly, we need to keep my health up as well. I get +2 DMG and +2 Def against mounted Units, so Meredith can really put a number on a lot of the foes in this map if y'all keep her up.))

"Klarenfilia, you're quite the strange one. It seems as if weapons are just drawn to you. Perhaps I should thank you, but... Don't flatter yourself. You're reckless... might just be what I need right now though." Meredith said gritting her teeth. She wasn't much fond of the Monk, but she had to admit, at least to herself, he was useful to have around. Something about the man just drew all attention. She was almost certain it'd get him killed one of these days. Nearly 100% certain. Some curse to bear. Though she saw how he acted, he enjoyed the pain. Perhaps, it was no curse. It was probably a blessing to him. However she had a job to do, and didn't have time to focus on this particular thought at the moment. "Ecquis, you better help me hold the line. I'm counting on you. May that spear land true. Morgan, you make sure he keeps hitting. " she addressed the Wyvern Rider who was next to her. Felt strange fighting rank and file with a spear wielder who wasn't on her level this time, but it'd work out. She knew of it. It was a pretty sad line, just two, but she rather have something than just be on her own in this. "HAVE AT THEE!!!" she shouted bearing down on one of the soldiers. that attacked Klaren. Attack Solider 1 ((Spear Wall Activates. +1 DMG [Ecquis is adjacent.]))

I'd know But ooooooooooooooo, lookin' nice lol.

Luna, Alleyway. "I'd snap his arm off before he could even move." the beast said. It voice was clearly Bom's, though it did sound much harsher through that of a snout. She released her grip on him and sent him plummeting to the ground. It was only a short distance, but the landing still wouldn't be pleasant. She backed off, going over to the shadows. She blended within becoming nearly invisible other than her eyes. Her light reflective eyes. Two ghostly pinpoints of flat colour as they reflected the light that was there outward. Luna was actually doing it on purpose and stood directly where she needed to to make her eyes do that. She wanted the man to know 100% that running away, wasn't an open.

They saw the 4x Rock weakness and were like "Na braaaah."

tfw when you actually... literally just asked how crits work and you get one right after. Clearly it's cause I was about to, and jsut needed to to know how so I could jsut go out and do it. #CritLord

~~Notus will typcially pick that stuff up. Just a thing he does Lex LOL~~ Also, I was more referring to the people after you that all dogpiled right away than you Lex, so... that one doesn't really apply to ya.

Luna, Nightmare Beast Form. The feral creature's mouth turned up in a wicked smile as it saw the prey run towards it. It had to be the target. He was fleeing from something. She jetted forward and grabbed him around his midriff and slammed him against the wall. It made a loud thud. "Who are you?" Luna said, trying to see if the man was still coherent enough to speak. She would make damn sure he'd not try anything either. Her rib like extrusions popped off her chest with a sickening release of air. It sounded like when one cracked their knuckles... only about seven times louder. She manipulated them by making them crack and move back in forth in an unnerving pattern. They lightly touched the man, juuuust scrapping his body. The tips of the protrusions, felt deadly sharp, like that of a needle, only much bigger. It was clear they could easily pierce skin, and probably crush bone if they were used as weaponry. She figured her allies would be giving chance so she held him in place until they arrived and they could more properly either question him. If he tried to get away though, she'd not hesitate to end his miserable life. ((as a note, I took initiative here because Luna caught him off guard, clearly as it was described and I figured she'd be fast enough to grab him without him getting away in such a situation in such a small area. If it ain't cool jut lemme know~))

"You feeling okay Luka? You look... Different. Na... It's probably just the battle getting to me." Meredith said as she watched the dancer perform. She was glad for it, it meant she could continue on the momentum she already had. She rushed forward hoping to help end the the miserable life that was the next target. "Aim true." she said addressing the archer before she loosed her arrow. "And, stay behind me. I'll keep you from harm." she said now addressing both Hoshiko and Luka. She dropped back after tasting blood to cover her allies. Advancing now with this many enemy troops was suicide. It was the best course of action to protect the backline rather than over commit to the offensive. Even if she was still on a rush from that first blow. Move to X4.

A fever pitch resounded through the area as Meredith's spear pierced metal. A tone that could would send shivers down the spine of any solider, the tone that said your armour failed it's precious job. If it wasn't enough... Next came the next most crippling sound on the battlefield, the sound of crunching bone. The cracking of ribs and other important structural bones. They shattered and gave way under the mighty thrust, dust before the iron capped weapon. A fountain of red released as a response. The wonderful reward of a swift kill. It splashed her face lightly and clung to her armour. The paint of a warrior's triumph. A strange satisfaction one got from being covered in the blood of their foes. Perhaps, she shouldn't admit that... but it felt good in the moment. She reveled in it for but a second, the quick but bitter end. She hoped it hadn't hurt too much. However, remorse for one's foes was best saved for off the battlefield. She would adhere to that. Meredith kicked the corpse clinging to her spear. It fell to the ground, landing with a wet dull thud. Nothing but a lifeless marionette with cut strings. "WHO'S NEXT?!" Meredith shouted, daring the rest of the soldiers to come after her. She slammed her Lance across the breastplate of her armour with a crashing force to met the ferocity of her wail. She stood staring down the forces arrayed in front of her. What would they do after such as display? She hoped piss their drawers. Though she hoped they were more disciplined than that. It'd not be much fun later on if they were that weak willed.

~~How do Crits even work...?~~

Not a moments respite. Better that way, one didn't get rusty. Meredith this time didn't see time to wait, she wanted to get in the thick to tie up the enemy as soon as possible. It wasn't her typical style so, this probably wouldn't go amazingly but, she figured it better than waiting for the rest of her force to mobilize. "I'm going in, form up around me when you get the chance!" With that the red haired woman bolted towards the other unengaged mercenary, brandishing her spear, ready to give him a swift blow. Move to X5, Attack Merc 2. (( In Service of Others Activates, - 2 DMG.))

lol yea I'm not trying to be a party pooper, and I know hwo easy it can be to get carried away and want your character to do cool shit too! But, sometimes we need to chill out, relax, and wait for replies. lol. Just watch for your opportunity. ((and like you can totally attack some of them cockatrice or something. Those little feelers are going to not be fun if they pile up.)) or have them obverse something or get their thoughts on the current goin's on. But yea at times, gotta let the host reply before you pile more onto the "resolve" pile.

I know posting is fun and this is about to sound... really anti-climactic and weird, but... y'all in the fight scene really need to slooooow down and chillax a bit. You need to give Notus some time to breathe and actually reply. Like, more and more pending actions just are getting tied on and it's getting to the point that any reaction from him will have to magically catch-up somehow... all of your attacks past Lexi's are just assuming hers worked. You... don't know that it has yet so how are you continuing it exaaaactly? Just relax a little. from a host's prespective there is such a thing as too much posting, and when all that stuff is coming at you at once it can be suuuuper hard to keep track of. Because one action is hard enough... when the players start layering them on top of each other in quick succession it becomes nigh impossible for them to do anything since you just are taking control out of their hands by ramming so many actions down their throat that they can't possibly react to them all.

Luna followed Lucy at a distance. Not wanting to worry the woman but also taking the time to gather some information about the city layout during the intervening time. She noticed the sound too, though she didn't think much of it, it was Lucille's actions and concern that made her take it more seriously. So, she followed at a bit of a distance. That was until noticing Jorgen stopping her. "Figures... I should just go on ahead since I can get there quickly. I can get there even faster as the Nightmare Beast... but my group may think I'm an enemy, that and I don't have any idea of this is a genuine threat or not. However, Lucille seems to think so. It's got to be. I don't take her as the type to lightly assess anything. I trust her instinct. Considering I've felt it for myself I know that it's sound. If this is a serious threat, i need to meet it with serious firepower, best time for a debut then any other I suppose." Luckily, the transformation was the one she knew the most by heart. After all, the Nightmare Beast was the form she considered hers above all others. It was not even second nature to her, it was first nature. It still took some time, but she could do it faster than any other full transformation. Her form grew and lengthened. She stood upright again and became 8 ft tall. Her features became long and gaunt, though she didn't look sickly at all. Sinew rippled all over her form. Tight cords of feral muscle that exploded with energy. On her head, 2 antlers, like that of a stag stuck out with a glorious span. bone like protrusions covered her stomach and one much like a skull covered her face. Her lupine features from the the dog form she was just in sharpen, losing the round edges of domestication, replaces with the feral sharpness of nature. She signaled Lucille by manipulating her aura again. A warbling in the fabric of it would signal that at least she was up to something. The emotion felt over the bond should help provide context. It was time to go to war. She sped towards the area in which the she had identified the sound coming from earlier. It was a tad fuzzy by she could remember where it was. It'd take a bit until she reached it as she had to stick to back alleys to avoid being seen, but, she had a line there. Soon to emerge from the dark. ((as a note, she'd be in range where the Cocktrice would probably sense her. Even magical beasts get an uncanny sense from her, since she can easily transform into them as well, she's sorta like... a super supernatural creature lol.))

I mean i suppose it helps that at least one of the people are "attached" to Lucille now. ((that name is... still odd for me by the way. keep having to not try and spell it Lucielle since that's the spelling I'm used to cause of my Grandmother that had it like that.)) So, at least that makes finding Luna not... impossible. ((since it would be for them otherwise seeing as they have no idea she can transform.)) though yea Lucy would stick out pretty heavily cause... bear and all.

I mean a gunshot's sound doesn't really carry throughout an entire city... ((not to mention just natural sound muffling it from busy areas etc...)) so I doubt it was heard by many unless they were rather close and even then they'd have to correctly identify it was a gunshot lol. Soooo, probably worse honestly.

Lucille and Co., Luna, alleyway... cause yea still here. "A sentiment I highly agree with. Knowing the layout of one's surroundings... very helpful. Considering that was the task I was doing before, well running into you, getting back to it shouldn't be too difficult." Those rumors and gossip did have their place, it wasn't for Luna to search. People skills... weren't exactly one of her best qualities. She was rather skilled at it, except from the perspective of deflecting and keeping much about herself unknown while getting information. Other forms of it she was rather awful at... and she hated having to deal with a lot of people for a long amount of time. So, best that others take the wild goose chase while she did something productive. "Here, let me give you the sections I already traced so we don't need to backtrack. We'll save time that way." She fired the memories of the alleys up to this point over the link. Hopefully they were usable to Lucy as much as the ones from her animal companions. It'd be a different level of view since it was from that of a dog, but it should still be usable hopefully. "Should we split up to cover more ground? Or stick together? It's easy for me to stick with you of all people seeing as you've already got quite the herd following you so I doubt people would notice me much more than they would if I was on my own to be frank. It's up to you really. I can handle myself if I get into any trouble and I'm more than sure you can as well. However, having a hidden ally such as myself can be a rather huge boon. Most here won't be sensitive to my aura, and even if they were they'd have no idea it was from me. They'd be more likely to think they are just having a shitty day and that's why they feel weird."