photonicfighter | Chapter 6

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Chapter 6 - A Loss, A Gain

[Phone, backdated to November 1st]

This is a call for anyone who knows Aurica Nestmile. As of this morning, she...

She's been droned, and if the information that I've been given is correct, it's not temporary.

[There's an uncomfortable, pained pause.]

I'm sorry.

We'll take good care of her.

-------

[Action A - 458 Stone Street, Morning, November 16th]

[The days had been dreary ones for Dakki, after Aurica's droning. Chen and Gat were still fine company, and she was very much thankful for them. But Aurica was someone that she had promised to protect and care for. And she had been unable to do that. The town had made it impossible. The injustice of Mayfield had become much more clear, and it was weighing on her much more heavily.

Still, she could be cheered up. And she was somewhat cheered to see that there was a package in the mail for her. It was a small box, as tall as it was wide. Somehow, she knew it wouldn't be her body... hadn't Gat gotten his back on a card? But if it was still hers, that was still something. She placed it down on the kitchen table, broke the packing tape with a knife, and then flipped open the lid.]

It's...? Oh, hey!

[It was a deactivated photon saber, which looked to be no more than a foot-long handle. Dakki held it up and turned it about, then smiled as she saw the spot engraved with her name. Making sure the kitchen was clear, she held it at the ready and powered it on. A brilliant green-white blade of solid light grew from the hilt. Three small photon stabilizers floated free and orbited around the base of the sword. This was a proper weapon.

The day was suddenly looking much more cheerful.]

[Action B - Park, Morning and Afternoon]

[Like a child with a new toy, Dakki very much wants to show off her regained weapon. It was under the pretense of "needing practice", as all of her training sessions over the last few months were with conventional weapons with conventional weapon balances... but practice probably didn't necessitate that much joyful "hah!"ing and "huwah!". Or that many acrobatic leaps.]

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Dakki...

[A poignant pause.]

I'm sorry. Are you going to be okay?

[There's a brief pause before Dakki answers. When she speaks, her voice is soft and careful.]

I'll be fine, Nina. Some things can't be helped.

I've been here, before.

No. They can't be.

[She hates admitting that. She likes to think there's always something they can't do against Mayfield, but the truth is that there isn't.]

I understand. But I'm still here if you need to talk. I don't mean to pry, but you are my friend.

Whether we're here, or we're home...

[She sighs, and shifts the phone's receiver to her other ear.]

Thank you. But I think I'll be fine. I just need some time.

Mmm? [It sounds like there's a story there, but Nina isn't sure if she should push.] Yes. I think I know what you mean.

I understand. Let me know when you're ready to have a good time. I'd be happy to take you out for a little bit too, and you wouldn't have to talk about it, if you don't want to!

Edited 2011-11-19 01:13 (UTC)

Well... well, er... [Darn it, where are the right words?] I can only speak for myself, about... at...

...

[She sighs, this time with faint frustration. And she's quick to move along, and give a little laugh, and force some amusement into her voice.]

...what sort of good time should we have? Can we have a good time, here? The last "good time" I was hauled off to, I think we were almost kicked out of the bar!

Would you like a practice partner?

[Settling back from a swing, Dakki turns to Sanguinius, beaming.]

I would love a practice partner.

I would be happy to oblige then. It'll be just as useful to me as it will be to you.

We need to stay sharp, here! And I need to get used to using this thing, again!

[She takes a careful, defensive stance.]

...Keep in mind that I'm not armored, though.

You will not come to harm. I promise that.

[He draws his red bladed sword, which is large, even for him, and holds it out with one hand.]

On ancient Terra, I do believe they used to say En Garde at this time.

[Oh, what a beautiful sword he has... she smiles and makes a soft, admiring little vocalization. This is going to be a hard test of her ability, isn't it?

That's great!]

En Garde, then!

[And she lunges forwards from her defensive pose, taking wide, strong swing at him as she does.]

[He twists his weapon to black the blow and push it aside. Thankfully, his own weapon was specially made by his brother. Otherwise, parrying any kind of energy weapon would have been a dangerous prospect and leaving him left with a sword in two separate parts.]

[It was a fine block, and Dakki had expected it. The swords meet and her photon saber's hum deepens in pitch during those moments of contact. It's light remains solid and steady.

She slashes again, from the opposite direction, expecting that to be deflected, too... and then she lunges, pressing the attack.]

[He keeps up his defense, his large body moving faster than his size would suggest. He's sure to keep his wings out of the way, to make sure no stray strike snares in them.]

[Such speed! She's wondering just how he manages it. Movement of his wings? Reflexes so fast that he simply knows how to move? Photonic enhancement? Questions to ask after the fight, maybe.

The attack continues to be pressed. She's relentless in her strikes, if somewhat held back. This is only practice, after all, she doesn't want to genuinely hurt him. She intends for him to block, or for his armor(?) to absorb any unblocked blows.]

...fantastic!

[Coming to harm himself wasn't an issue in his mind. He was up and running after having both of his legs shattered after two days. When the Emperor makes generically modified test tube babies, he's apparently pretty serious about it.]

You yourself are more than what was expected also. You would stand on a battlefield well, I believe.

[If you're gonna engineer awesome soldiers, you might as well engineer the most awesome soldiers possible.

More than expected? Dakki had to wonder just what he had expected, but a compliment was a compliment, and her pride was obvious.]

Thank you! I was built for battle.

[And with that statement, she swings again! But this time it's more purposeful, she's obviously concentrating on something... and there's a sudden burst of white light moments before her strike prepares to hit home. The sword would slice, but it would be followed immediately by a burst of kinetic force designed to knock a foe over.

...she's reasonably sure that'll make him wobble. He's pretty stable-looking.]

...I had better stand well on a battlefield!

(Speaking of fine company, here's the aforementioned cat who's happily been walking on all four of her feet without strings. ~~Suck on that, Pinocchio!~~

Like Dakki, Chen too is saddened by Aurica's new found dronehood and has been restlessly walking around the house all day as a result. It's only when she sees Dakki and a...greenish light? Okay, wait a minute. Chen casually hops back into the house to inquire.

What do you have there, Dakki? It looks pretty~

Ah! Chen! It's a photon saber! Careful, don't get too close...

[Dakki is handling it with considerable care. She doesn't want to wing any of the furniture with it, or they'll need to replace the furniture...]

It's a high-quality one, too. I had just bought this, right before I wound up here. [She grins wider, suddenly, a fun realization hitting her.] I hadn't even had the chance to field-test it!

Photon? Does photon mean pretty in Gurhal?

(Chen's pretty much technologically advanced enough to know that putting water in a pot over a fire will make it boil.)

How'd you manage to get it back?

Photons are a particle. They... [Wait, no, maybe it was time to dumb this down a bit...] ...they're a kind of energy, where I come from. And people can use it to power technology!

[Oh dear, Chen seemed a little too fascinated with it... Dakki deactivates the saber, and the glow dies away. Best not to have the kitty try to swipe at it.]

This is a very dangerous weapon. I shouldn't have it turned on when I'm in the house...

It came in the mail! When the town gives us things back, it sends it by mail. You... oh, you haven't been checking the mail, have you, Chen? What if you've got something back and it's just waiting for you?!

[This is a very alarming thought!]

(Probably for the best that the weapon was deactivated; pretty things catch her attention easily.)

Oh, so that energy's the sort of stuff that you use for your magic? That's like what danmaku is made of!

(That is very alarming! Mail for Chen!? That's like a present! Yay presents for kitty!)

The mailbox is too high up for me. Did I get something in the mail!? I wanna knoooooow! I wonder if they can fit kotatsu in that mailbox...can they!?

[And it is very, very pretty, with its bright colors and little floaty bits...]

Something like that, I think. Danmaku? Is that the kind of magic where you're from?

[With the matter of her saber settled, she pops it into nano-storage. Woosh, it disappears safely. Then she starts for the living room, where she's been keeping the mail piled.]

I don't remember seeing anything. But I could have missed it. [She laughs.] A kotatsu... that's a kind of table, right? I think they have those on Neudaiz... And I think the town would put it in a big box for you, and leave it on the doorstep.

(Kitty nod. )

Mhmm. It's how everyone battles in Gensokyo! There's lots of pretty bullets flying in pretty patterns and spellcards that make extra pretty patterns! I don't know how they would mail that to me, though.

Yes, they're so warm and comfortable and are great to sleep on! I guess they didn't send it, but they might have sent something else!

(~~Oh, how fun it will be when she regains that~~~)

That sounds lovely. And interesting. I'd like to see it, when they send it back to you! They'd probably give you a card in an envelope with "danmaku" on it. Or maybe a box full of little shiny pellets...?

[She laughs and shakes her head, and starts picking through the mail pile.]

A warm place to sleep is always welcome. I wonder what they'll send you back first, though...?

I hope they send it back to me soon. I don't like being so defenseless.

(Fun fact: one of Chen's spells involve throwing eggs. Easter Chen. Think about it.)

I think I want my powers back first; I'm used to being in cat form, but not so much being unable to fight.

Especially somewhere like here. I don't blame you in the least.

...that's... [Dakki frowns. What Chen said has made her think. As badly as she wants her real body back, having proper equipment might do her more good in the immediate future.]

That's a very good point. It's better to be able to fight. You're right.

[Don't mind this adult troll turned human, she's just going to sit and watch for a bit until Dakki stops for a moment]

You're very skilled, were you trained in combat from an early age?

[This particular break was to work a kink out of her shoulder. Ugh, organic muscles could be so unpredictable...

Oh? Someone was there? She turned her head to confirm it, smiled at the woman, then turned herself the rest of the way around.]

Ah, thank you! I was built for combat, actually. Programmed with the knowledge. Although I've had a lot of practice. [She puffs up a bit with pride.] Are you a fighter, too?

[Dolorosa would have to agree, these bodies are rather weak, too squishy for her liking]

[She nods a bit, even if she doesn't fully understand what she said]

While I cannot say I was built for combat nor would I say I'm a fighter, I've had my fair share of experience in defending myself and others from attacks. Do you believe I will be making use of this knowledge during my stay here?

[Dakki's answer is immediate.] Yes. You absolutely will. This town is only pleasant-seeming to lull us into a false sense of security.

[Her expression then softens, as does her voice. She extinguishes her blade, and walks closer.]

You must be new to Mayfield. I don't suppose I could have your name? I'm Dakki Sigal. I've been here for a few months.

I am Dolorosa, I have only been here for a few days I believe. Or maybe over a week, the days seem to blend together.

What should I expect?

Nice to meet you, Dolorosa. [She punctuates that with a nod.]

Time does get away from a person, here. The days are mostly the same... until the town springs something on us. I'd expect the possibility of violence. And the possibility of having your perceptions messed with. This town can "drone" any one of us, possibly at any time. As.... as an example, on one of my first days here, my best friend was turned into a drone and made to attack me.

I see, so one should be prepared for violence at all time. That's unfortunate, I was hoping to finally be in a place where I didn't have to watch my every step and be wary of everyone I meet. How do you know if someone is droned, is it an obvious change in demeanor? Besides them attacking, I mean.

It's a pity, yeah. It is what it is. Prisoners don't get to pick their cages, hmm?

You'll develop an eye for "drones" after a while. Most are harmless. They're passive. They won't even fight back if you hurt them. They're cheerful, and they insist that this is the best town, the best place. They... speak a certain way. It took me a while to really notice it.

How do they speak?

They... hm.

[Her brow furrows, as she gives that some thought. Then she clears her throat, and speaks.]

What a beautiful day! Oh, Mrs. Dolorosa, don't forget to bring a pie to the school's bake sale!

[Then, another cough.]

...sometimes, the content will tip you off. The town likes to think women are only good for baking pies and raising children. Hmph.

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Chapter 6 - A Loss, A Gain

Phone! (Backdated!)

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Regain post awaaaaaaaaaay~

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B (Sorry I'm a little late in tagging back!)

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