spellbinders | [WORLD ONE

Entry tags:

[WORLD ONE | UVI ATTACK]

Who: The Uvi and coven members
Where: In and around the city land of Aimintas
When: Day 32 & 33
Open/Closed: Open to All

For coven members who haven't been in Aimintas very long, the panic of the Palai the past few days may seem like overkill. The day goes by rather quietly and Aimintas looks like a ghost town throughout the morning and most of the afternoon. Not one Palai can be seen, with shops closed and the roads virtually empty, aside from coven members.

It isn't until the sky is turning a nice shade of pink that things begin. Observant people who may be gazing up at the ocean will see the very small dots in the sky that begin to approach at a very quick speed. If you're outside, you may get to see the Uvi up close -- but perhaps not for very long.

The Uvi have rubbery bones, and they hit the dirt in a curled up position, unrolling themselves and leaping up on long, scaled legs. The shortest Uvi might come in at five feet tall, but most range from six to seven. They're lithe and gilled -- you may think they want to rely on stealth, but the sound coming out of their gills is very loud and raspy. There's no way you can't hear them coming as the ominous and rapid noise follows them everywhere.

Some of them are walking around empty handed, eyes scanning and striding up to buildings, banging on the outside and observing the inside of the house as much as they possibly can. Others are carrying large, bleached tools made of fish bone and teeth. Some look like long blades, while others look like long axes. These are used for cutting into doors and other violent tasks they feel the need to complete.

Whether the Uvi visiting turns into a brawl or a blood bath, eventually the Uvi will return to the ocean with Palai bodies in tow. At around 4 AM, the Uvi begin to shriek, some making noises that are too high pitched for most ears to hear. From the sky, large flying fish descend from the sky and find their masters.

The Palai are hoisted onto the back of these creatures and they take off, flying back into the ocean.

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9S!

[ 9s reacts quicker than jude does, but as soon as he's moving, so is jude. they both have quick reflexes, but jude can't match an android. ]

We're caved in!

[ he sees 9s' sword clash against the uvi once, and then twice. it doesn't seem to do too much damage — natural armor indeed. ]

Aqua Protection!

[ a defensive arte. suddenly, three small water spheres surround 9s. after that... jude closes his eyes and begins summoning the mana to cast flare bomb, an arte that will shoot a jet of flame to (hopefully) penetrate the uvi's defense when it explodes on contact. it's a powerful arte, one jude uses sparingly. ]

Just back me up! Don't let him come near me while I'm casting! And be careful. I don't want you getting caught in the line of fire.

[It's enough to make 9S halt for a beat, staring at what appear to be bubbles hovering around him. He realizes quickly that it must be magic, but he's never seen defensive spheres quite like this before. Usually ones of this size were being hurled at him rapid-fire by enemies, and they did damage.

His blade may not have hit home the first time, but 9S is accustomed to defeating foes with far more durable armor than this. Usually he'd have hacking to beleaguer such opponents, but that doesn't mean that he's content to sit back and let Jude do all of the work.

If his spells take time though...that means diversionary tactics would work best]

Understood-

[9S circles around, only to rush the enemy from behind, getting perhaps too close for his unit type. Still, he takes that opportunity to unleash a flurry of strikes with his weapon again, moving his arms to direct it rather than wielding the blade directly. With a screech, the Uvi wheels on him and brings its spear crashing down.

But before it hits him, 9S flips nimbly away, afterimages flowering out around him. The Uvi is, at least for a moment, diverted by these, attacking them only to stumble through open air]

Edited 2017-08-24 00:42 (UTC)

[ jude is awed by 9s' speed and precision, wide eyes unable to keep up with his lightning fast movements.

and he said he wasn't a combat unit? jude can't even imagine 2b in a fight if this is 9s.

seconds later, jude's arte is ready, and he shouts at 9s one last time before dispelling it. ]

9S, look out! Flare Bomb!

[ and then there's a sharp stream of fire in the blink of an eye and a small explosion that hits what's left of the uvi's defense, burning it to the core. the magic seems to do the job; the uvi is reacting with a terrible, ear-shattering shriek. jude subconsciously scrunches his eyes shut until the noise dies down. his mana is dangerously close to being drained, so there's not much more he can do. he shouts out one final order to 9s, jude's sharp voice echoing across the confined walls. ]

Go ahead! Finish it off!

Edited (WHAT IS WORDING) 2017-08-25 03:42 (UTC)

[This two-pronged attack comes with an air of familiarity, for all that 9S is only used to having ever coordinated attacks with 2B. It's been a long time since he'd combined forces with anyone but Pod 153, who at times felt more of an extension of himself than a separate entity despite the reality that their thoughts were separate. 9S only reflects on it briefly.

And it's only because it occurs to him just how long it has been]

Right-

[In the next instant he's swept his wandering thoughts aside, guiding his weapon with another gesture. His sword strikes the same place it had weakened with previous attacks, this time stabbing instead of slashing. Between cuts and burns, the blade plunges in with little resistance, cleaving through the Uvi's torso with savage efficiency.

From what data he's gathered in this encounter, and some educated guesses, 9S isn't surprised when the Uvi staggers, blood bubbling from the corners of its mouth. The angle at which his blade sank in assured that multiple vital organs would be punched through, and massive internal damage would be the result. The Uvi's legs buckle, abruptly unable to support the creature's weight, and it collapses.

9S' weapon flickers back into place behind him without ceremony]

... Glad that's over.

[ jude releases a heavy sigh of relief, dusting himself off and making his way over to 9s' side. ]

You okay? No injuries?

[ never mind that 1. jude wouldn't know how to treat an android's injuries and 2. 9s can perform his own maintenance, he's turning his arm over in his hand just to make sure. because he's jude, and that's what jude does. ]

Looking good. We made a pretty good team back there, huh?

[ jude offers him a weary smile. between the extensive healing and the battle, that sort of took the wind out of his sails. ]

[It's a curious thing, seeing Jude inspect him for injuries. 9S can only watch this process and wonder at it, for all that he thinks such concern is unnecessary. Even so, his core programming ensures that he's nevertheless comforted by it]

The enemy didn't exactly have a chance to hit me.

[He's accustomed to opponents that had him scrambling. Comparatively speaking, these Uvi don't seem like they're in the same field at all. Of course, he can't be sure that this one is representative of them all. Even among YoRHa there are those who are more powerful than others, so he isn't going to assume his is the worst they'll see]

It looks like the building took some structural damage. [9S kicks fallen support beams with his boot, though he hasn't stopped watching Jude, for one simple reason] Aaaand it seems like maybe you could use a breather.

[Well, not even maybe, but he's softening his assertion into a suggestion]

Edited 2017-08-25 07:02 (UTC)

Haah... Okay, maybe you're right. I'll give.

[ with another sigh, jude slumps down, back to the wall, eyes fluttering closed. he didn't realize quite how drained he was until 9s brought him back to reality.

he doesn't open his eyes when he speaks, rolling his shoulders. the opportunity to take some time to recharge is greatly appreciated. ]

So, the collapse... are we stuck in here, or do you see a way out?

[9S lifts a hand to tap at the air, holographic screens springing to life in front of him. He hums thoughtfully as he looks them over, briefly reviewing the data displayed there before he's flicking them away and out of sight]

The collapse here affected the entrance we used... But I think I can make an opening.

[He's just not going to explain to Jude what exactly that entails. Knowing that the buildings are largely wrought of stone, they have very few options available to them. And although Jude treated the injured, they still should get them out of here as soon as possible]

...Wait here, I'll look into it.

[And without waiting for a reply, 9S ducks through an opening in the wall just barely large enough for him to get through]

How are you planning on—

[ aaand he's gone. all jude can do now is wait, anxiety gnawing at his chest. he knows he should just trust 9s, but... ]

[Trust might be a strong word.

Especially since the low blare of a warning siren cuts through the still air. Through the gap in the wall, Jude may be able to see 9S standing close to the rubble blocking the building's main entrance, holographic warning signs blazing to livid red life all around him as he clutches his head.

Words hang in the air in front of him:

∎ SELF-DESTRUCT SYSTEM ACTIVATED ∎

His body shakes as the warning signs become more numerous, and he shouts before an explosion engulfs him. This is accompanied by another helpful message as he drops to the ground like a discarded rag-doll.

∎ DETONATION ∎

...At least the rubble is cleared in the blast]

Edited 2017-08-25 07:31 (UTC)

[ the very second jude hears the explosion, he's up and moving in the blink of an eye, rushing toward the area 9s had wandered off to. what he sees is one android collapsed in a pile of dirt and rubble. there's smoke surrounding him, so much it's practically engulfing him. ]

9S? 9S! What did you—

[ jude stumbles over his words, torn between worry and anger. mostly worry, but 9s' recklessness... how could he care that little about what happens to him? how could he go to such extreme lengths? ]

We would have found another way out! How could you do this to yourself? Do you have any idea how reckless that was? Honestly—

[ jude's voice is unsteady, hands shaking as he turns 9s over to assess the damage. the thought that he has no idea what to do frightens him. he cradles 9s in his arms, looking him up and down with wide eyes, grey clouds of smoke still surrounding them. ]

9S.

[ jude takes a deep breath: inhale, exhale. he needs to be calm. ]

Never do that again.

[The degree of alarm surprises him. 9S would understand if his self-destruct function would have caused structural collapse or collateral damage, as it would if one made the mistake of using it while on the Bunker (who would even do such a thing?) but this is another matter entirely. The building being made of stone, he could be sure that the base structure would remain intact: he'd made sure of it.

He has to imagine he's twice as heavy as Jude himself is, which leaves him wondering for a moment just how much weight humans can support, or if he's getting hurt in the process. That second possibility is enough to make him lurch upright, the motion as abrupt as it is unsteady, lest he somehow harm Jude.

That would be unacceptable in a way that enduring damage himself simply isn't]

There wasn't another exit...and those Palai have lost a lot of blood. [In contrast to present company, 9S is a little too calm, a little too matter-of-fact] We didn't have time.

[And in the end, that's what it comes down to. This was the most efficient and most assured route to take.

9S casts a glance around. It may not be clear to Jude what he's looking for, but when a YoRHa unit such as himself uses that function, they tend to lose a little bit of clothing. In his case, his shorts, and just as with his glove he's keen to retrieve them]

[ jude closes his eyes and searches for an appropriate response, because 9s' just isn't good enough for him. there's always another way. there's always another way that doesn't involve self-destructing.

but he knows his words will just fall on deaf ears, and when he opens his eyes, 9s is looking for something. ]

What are you...

[ oh. his shorts. they're missing.

jude would laugh in any other situation. seriously, just. any other. instead, he heaves a sigh and crawls over to the nearby space to grab them. ]

Here. Think these are yours.

[9S' movements are necessarily unsteady whenever a self-destruct is warranted, and so he's grateful that he doesn't have to limp over to get them. At the same time he feels a bit guilty that Jude's left handling that task for him, small as it is, because the last thing he wants to do is burden any human when he's supposed to be the one helping them]

Thanks. [At the least he can express his gratitude, weary smile on his face] I mean, not that I mind being without them, but...

[His uniform's simply not complete without his shorts, and without Pod 153 around, it's not like he can change into a new uniform as conveniently as he used to be able to. Pod 042 was surely equipped with a dress module as well, but he doesn't want to bother 2B with that during a battle like this]

No problem. Listen, give yourself some time to recuperate, and when you're up and walking, we'll grab the Palai and get out of here. We accomplished what we came here to do. I'd consider it a success.

[ a pause. jude speaks in a hesitant voice. ]

... Hey, Nines?

They should live, at least...

[And he's collected valuable unit data on the enemy, which is always a plus.

The hesitation gives him pause, studying Jude's features before he responds]

...Sometimes measures you'll find unpleasant are necessary. You'll have to remember that units like me and 2B are accustomed to this sort of thing. It's not the same as it is for a human.

[Did he guess right?]

[ ... he guessed right. ]

Listen, just...

Next time, when you're going to jump into danger and self-destruct, mind giving a guy a little heads up first?

[ he doesn't think he's asking much here. ]

[Does Jude think he'd self-destruct while he's nearby?

Because that's...really the most awful thought]

...I wouldn't ever risk harming you.

[He might've guessed right the once, but this time...]

I know you wouldn't. Of course I do. That's, uh, not what I meant.

Advance warning would be necessary if you'd be endangered, wouldn't it?

[Explain to him the flaw in his logic, doc]

Well, yes, but—

What I'm trying to say is that you really freaked me out there. I thought you were in danger, and I'd really appreciate it if you just... didn't startle me like that.

Oh...

[That stab of guilt is very real right now]

I'm sorry I worried you over nothing.

[Ah yes, overheating his systems in order to cause an explosion: nothing at all]

That sort of thing isn't lethal like a black box reaction would be, but damage to the area would be prohibitively extensive, not to mention in a world like this it'd cause fatalities... and 2B and I don't have any backup bodies...

[ jude can read the guilt, practically feel it radiating off of him in waves, and he instantly regrets his choice of words. he should have realized that 9s might take it the wrong way. damn. ]

That's not what I was trying to get at. It's not nothing. Not to me. Hearing an explanation helps, but... all I'm asking is that you be a little more careful.

[ jude rests a hand on his back that he hopes is reassuring, and tries a smile. it's small, but it's there. ]

Okay?

[It's difficult to see where he had gone wrong, having ensured that Jude and the Palai were a safe distance away with a stone wall serving as a barrier between them. Maybe it's another case of applying human standards to him...

He doubts he'll ever acclimate to such a thing, especially when his core programming rails against such indulgent treatment. Even so, it's another case in which Jude simply proves himself too kind]

I'll...try to give you advance warning.

[Is that even what he's asking for? 9S can only guess]

[ jude breathes a long sigh of relief, and then he smiles, warm and genuine. ]

That's all I ever wanted.

[ he stands up and dusts himself off. he'll have to wash his lab coat... there are stains coloring the white material everywhere. ]

Come on. No point wasting any more time around here. Can you stand?

[ jude extends out a hand for 9s to pull himself up with. he doesn't think twice about the gesture. ]

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deem - 2017-08-26 07:34 (UTC) - Expand

this is prob a good place to stop

talim - 2017-08-26 07:37 (UTC) - Expand

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