[WORLD ONE | UVI ATTACK]

[spellbindmods]

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. A ▢ If your character is wandering the streets, whether of their own ignorance or because they're part of the team trying to protect/negotiate with the Palai, they're very likely to run into one of the Uvi. While left to their own devices they'll only be focused on sniffing out Palai, but they're committed to going after anything they see alive and moving. If your character confronts the Uvi, they better be prepared for an attack. B ▢ Alternatively, maybe your character is caught outside and ill-equipped to handle the Uvi. Running is an option! ...But they better be able to run fast. Maybe your character gets lucky enough to run into someone who can help them, but they'd best hope they find each other fast. C ▢ Your character may also be committed to love and justice, fighting the forces of evil with good. It's very unlikely that Palai blood goes unspilled tonight, but your character may be able to prevent it as much as possible. Just be warned: if they confront the Uvi who are trying to break into a Palai house, they're going to be in for a fight. D ▢ Other characters may already be hiding, whether in the coven house or with Palai in their own homes. They'll hear the Uvi's harsh, gasping breathing before they see them, but if they do hear that raspy noise, they'd better be quick thinkers. 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. E ▢ If your character is committed to defeating the Uvi, they may want to try and target the large fish they'll be flying out of. It's possible to kill them in the air, but watch where they fall. They're incredibly large -- larger than the sharks and bigger fish that have fallen out of the sky before. They can also be killed on the ground, but you'll also have to do with their protective Uvi owners. F ▢ Maybe your character is more into the idea of following the Uvi back home. It's possible! Once the Uvi breach the ocean, they swim fast through the dark water for miles and miles. The journey is treacherous, and some may stop the trek to attack in the water where they're more at home. If your character makes it to their lair, they'll find that it's a dense wad of seaweed that stays static in the ocean. The Uvi are used to the toxicity of the leaves, but trying to enter means touching these leaves that leave large, skin-melting welts as they grow and burst. G ▢ Wildcard! How will your character handle this violent and volatile situation.

Comments

[rootandbranch]

b
[Geir's been in and out of the sky all evening, but it doesn't make sense for him to just fly forever, and by happenstance, he's still on a nearby rooftop when the Uvi start descending. if you want a very large dragon to notice you and help out, now's the time to get his attention, before he takes off to start fighting in the sky. just because he's big doesn't mean there isn't a lot he can do on the ground -- quite the opposite. he quickly surveys the ground to see if he can spot anyone in trouble before doing anything else!]


e
[Dirk made a good call. while the Uvi's rubbery bones allowed them to fall fast enough that Geir can't really do much to stop them from descending after all, he's still very well suited to one aspect of this fight: killing some enormous flying death fish. in the end, he doesn't concern himself with the Uvi themselves so much as their mounts, who are more in his size range and easier to target; he relentlessly rips and tearing at the fishes' fins midair, while his venomous fangs leave them gaping in agony and falling from the sky. dazzling magic from his summoner keeps the fish blind, not recognizing what's flying at them until it's too late to avoid Geir's claws. he'll jump on any opportunities that distractions from below give him, too, if you want to help with that!]

Ha! That'll teach you! Why are these jerks even flying?!

[he does try to grab them and toss them aside as they fall, so they don't hit anything important... but as a dragon with very little understanding of the concept of "city" in the first place, his aim, attention span, and understanding of what's important in an unfamiliar environment isn't always the best. duck and cover! or maybe you're fighting some Uvi who could use a fish barrage and you WANT to bring the rain?]


g
[Geir is more focused on keeping the fish from landing to help their Uvi riders, but as a few of them start to take off again, he can at least slow them down for those who are following the Uvi back. Vern (riding on his back) is still helping him out with his light magic, and with Geir swooping over them from his higher vantage point, bright flashes of light will hurt the fishes' eyes and force them to pause or turn back towards the ground again. this is a great time for those on the ground to bring some fish down for themselves, or for those on the recon team to catch up! do you have any specific targets for him?]

If you're going to go after these guys, just do it!

[teratias]

A
[Waver had offered to act as a look out in all of this, but nothing more. In truth, he couldn't pinpoint why he even offered. Rider would have, probably, and that was why Waver did too.

At least, that was the explanation Waver had settled on while he waited for something to happen. His little outpost was towards the north, and he was on the ground, neck staring up, up, up. He knew who was nearest to him as well. He had tried to arrange for that.

When the sky goes pink, Waver stirs, getting up and onto his feet, as he had been sitting up until this point. The dots approach and then...

...There's the sound of landing. That's it. Waver summons up his smoke magic as quickly as he can, and sends up three towering plumes of smoke in quick succession.]

I have some landed in the north. I'll send up two more sets of smoke signals, but then I'm gone.

G
After the whole thing was said and done, Waver could only look out onto the city streets with a tired, stunned look to him. There was little comparison to his past experiences here - Caster's lair was something disturbing unto itself - but there was still death everywhere. For all the planning, all the attempts, for...everything.

He breathed out, exhausted, barely processing the massive flying fish that a few coven members had managed to down. His goal was to get back to the coven's temporary dwelling and to get a greater sense of what had happened in the widest possible terms.

[actus]

c - never see it coming

[ if there's nothing that upsets akira more than senseless violence, it's when people try to take advantage of others. and the uvi hunting the palai has stricken a nerve. it's far too similar to the shitty adults back home. it's far too similar to the pain his friends had to endure. while not exactly the same, being hunted was similar to being an outcast - society placed a stigma on you without your input and you were left to pick up the pieces.

so while he hasn't really gotten to know the palai that well, he can't stand by and watch them die. he can't let someone take advantage of these otherwise peaceful people. it's not fair. even if negotiations hadn't gone well, even if the palai weren't seeing things eye-to-eye with the coven, it didn't matter. these people were still victims.

so here he is, stupidly coming at one of the uvi that's wandering too close to a door. he hasn't summoned any persona yet, and is instead relying on the sharp blade in his hand to knick the uvi's shoulder. just as a warning, as a back-off. this won't end well. ]

Little help over here -- ? [ towards you, of course! he means come help fight!!! please stop him? ]

d - downtrodden

[ ... attacking the uvi was, as to be expected, not the best idea. while the coven was strong, they were certainly not as large a number of the invasive species. and they were an unknown variable. even with what the coven members were told about the uvi, it wasn't enough to truly prepare them for facing them head-on.

which means one (1) protagonist may have gotten the shit beat out of him. even healing from his persona didn't exactly do the trick. he's sitting in one of the safe houses, essentially licking his wounds. there's a few cuts and scrapes littering his body, his trench coat tattered and discarded beside him. his arms are still bloody and there are purpling bruises on his face and arms. ]

...Ah. It's still stinging. [ he frowns, poking one of the darker bruises along his forearm. for once, he's devoid of jokes and good humor. his ego is bruised and he's a bit downtrodden at the fact that they couldn't stop them. ]

wildcard

[ alternatively, ping me on plurk @ intrepidly for an individual prompt, or feel free to go wild here! i'm really down for anything. akira won't be following the uvi, unfortunately. he's too banged up to go get tangled in seaweed. ]

d

[mapsio]

[It did seem that fighting the Uvi may have been a little out of their hands. Haru was tired— but that was to be expected. Right? Between using her barrier powers (and getting frustrated that they kept getting weaker) and using her Persona... she wanted nothing more than to wipe away the blood, sweat, and bruises she had received from this fight.

When she spots Akira, she's removing her hat and coming to join him.]

Are you hurt badly anywhere?

[Of course that is her first thought. It's never herself. It never will be.]

[mapsio]

c - fighting the good fight

[As much as Haru thinks that two forces fighting with each other will get them nowhere... she won't stand for the Uvi going after Palai or the members of the coven alike!

If she finds a Palai in trouble, she will protect them. The same goes for her fellow coven members. First she brings up a barrier, and if someone happens to be paying enough attention... Haru is using the blunt end of her axe in an attempt to not harm the Uvi too much either. Knocking the Uvi away a few feet, and in some instances even scaring them off.

Though she won't always be this lucky. As it turns out, attacking the Uvi only make them a lot more angrier than they might have been before. If anyone is nearby she's going to shout for a little bit of assistance.]

If you could lend a hand, please!

[Alternatively, a member of the coven may catch her summoning this creature. Using an array of offensive and defensive skills with it. Though she only uses this when a group of the Uvi have her backed into a corner and she needs something to scare them away.

Pro-tip: Don't try to stop them when they're in a group. ]

d - you can't help everyone.

[After a tiring time of protecting the Palai (and not completely succeeding), Haru is going to take herself around to the place where the Coven members are staying. She will be on the look out for anyone that looks like they may need some minimal first aid.]

Are you hurt anywhere?

[Her gentle and even tone calls out to anyone she finds around. She doesn't have healing...but she can at least try.

If she couldn't help all of the Palai, then at least let her help her fellow coven members.]

Wildcard!

[Do you want to plot something different? Please feel free to hit me up @ megaevolve ! I'm open to just about anything.]

d

[secrowtary]

[ Hibiki can't believe his eyes when he approaches him. Sure, it's not the first time he sees someone covered in bruises and scratches, but it's different now—it's Akira who's sitting in front of him, after all. Before speaking up, he'll carefully examine the injuries from where he's standing. They're mostly mild ones from what he can see, but the number of them simply frightens Hibiki. He taps his foot a few times, his piercing gaze directed at the wounded boy. ]

Akira Kurusu.

[ Not even trying to hide how angry he is. ]

[actus]

I've been through worse.

[ see: the interrogation rooms. the cops hadn't been kind to him and he was surprised none of his ribs broke that fine evening. still, this doesn't feel good and he feels guilty. he hates that he wasn't strong enough. it sucks. ]

... You okay?

[ because he cares more about haru than his own well-being right now. ]

[actus]

[ if he thought he was going to get out of this without a lecture, he was dead-wrong. deep down, he knew he had been reckless, stupid, childish, but he just couldn't. still, he tries not to wince, almost feeling the palpable rage. ]

... Ah.

[ he flicks his gaze away, unable to meet his gaze. ]

You should see the other guy.

[ that's what he's going with. ]

[secrowtary]

I don't care about the other guy.

[ Strict and right to the point, that's Hibiki for you. Also, maybe it wasn't the best idea to go with that, Akira, because he sure turns his back on Akira and storms off. Just like that. ]

[secrowtary]

[ If Akira thinks that's it...he's gravely mistaken. No longer than ten minutes later, Hibiki walks up to him, carrying a first aid kit. One should be enough...he hopes so. ]

Don't move and leave it to me.

[actus]

[ you know, he wouldn't blame him if that was it. he actually is convinced he's pissed off and is going to have to mend that bridge later. so it's (kind of) a surprise when he returns with the first aid kit. akira hasn't moved at all. ]

That's...

[ he looks away again, hand reaching up to playing with his bangs. ]

... I'm not used to losing. I couldn't just sit around.

[secrowtary]

Now you'll have to sit around until I'm done with you.

[ So harsh. But that's the only way he can keep himself in check, actually. When he left Akira alone, he couldn't help tears trailing down his cheeks. ]

Tell me how it went.

[ In the meantime, he'll tend to the scratches and cuts first, cleaning them with the utmost care. It's not the first time he's doing it, and—he glares at Akira briefly—definitely not the last.]

[actus]

[ how do you think it went? ]

... Not the best. I'm not used to enemies like that.

[ it's quieter, his gaze still locked on the floor. ] Or without a team. I forgot how it was fighting alone.

c

[secrowtary]

[ There's no way he would ignore this kind of a request, especially with so many enraged Uvi around. ]

Understood.

[ He'll sneak up on them from behind to keep their attention away from Haru and the Palai she's protecting. His options are pretty limited with his weapon being just a few knives, but the taunt is working surprisingly well as they're focused on catching him now, instead of attacking the larger group. ]

I'll hold them off for a while. Please guide the Palai to safety in the meantime, I'll join you as fast as I only can.

[secrowtary]

[ At least Hibiki realizes he's not getting a story out of him at this point. It doesn't matter all that much now, though. Trying to be delicate for the most part while cleaning the injuries, Hibiki presses the gauze harder against his skin here and there like he wanted to remind him how reckless of him that was. ]

And yet you fought. Of course.

[ He's still irritated (to put it mildly) but at the same time, it's just...Akira isn't a person to sit it out without doing anything, Hibiki knows that much. But this unpleasant sensation when he wipes blood off his arms, he doesn't want to experience it ever again.

What he wants and what is going to happen in the future may be two different things, though. ]

Are you absolutely sure that you're not seriously hurt? Perhaps I should look for a healer.

[actus]

[ hibiki.... ]

I'll be fine, I promise. [ he hesitates, wincing occasionally when the disinfectant stings when it grazes a particularly deep gash. one day he'll learn. this isn't the metaverse - the rules are slightly different here. ]

Did I ever tell you about the time I was interrogated? The cops kinda drugged me and beat the crap out of me trying to get a confession.

[ almost got shot in the head, too, goes completely unsaid. he shrugs. ] I heal quickly.

[secrowtary]

You'd better keep that promise, Akira. [ He's at his limit. His voice is trembling already, and his mention of an interrogation isn't helping. Actually...

It never hurt so much. His heart, that is. It's not just an unpleasant feeling at this point, it's something far, far worse. Hibiki bites his lower lip, trying to remain calm. It's so difficult, though. Better keep it to short commands, that way he won't tear up. ]

Idiot. Take your shirt off.

[actus]

[ he really wants to make a joke about that command but it dies in his throat. clearly he had underestimated the impact it'd have on hibiki if he got hurt. it was foolish to think he'd get through that scuffle without cuts and bruises. ]

Mm. [ quietly, he hooks his arms across his front and peels off the dirty and slightly tattered shirt. ]

Really, it's just a flesh wound.

[secrowtary]

And this is just a disinfectant.

[ Being poured over the wounds mercilessly, no less. If Akira hisses, Hibiki won't pay much attention to it, just keep cleaning the scratches he revealed by removing his shirt. ]

You'll tell me more about that interrogation later. [ Hibiki makes it clear that he doesn't want to hear any objections. ] And if I'll get my hands on a sewing kit, I'll fix your clothes as well.

[actus]

[ he supposes he earned this for charging into battle foolishly. that whole heart over mind issue. he's definitely wincing at the stinging. ]

You sew? [ he'll focus on that instead of the wounds. seems easier. seems less likely to upset hibiki. ] Thats cute.

[secrowtary]

[ The change of a subject is appreciated as it helps him calm down just a little, as Akira thought. It's not a good idea to tend to someone's wounds while being that agitated...at this rate, the disinfectant will be gone in no time. ]

I do. [ That remark even makes his cheeks flush, despite the situation. ] It doesn't take much to damage clothes, especially when you're going to battle. Or, maybe I should say, especially when you're going to battle alone and unprepared.

[ Ouch. He's referring to you, Akira. ]

[actus]

[ wow you're savage. but he won't deny that he deserves this. he's a fool after all. ]

Ah... thankfully I usually wear hoodies. [ and not dashingly attractive thief clothing. go figure. ]

... I'm sorry, by the way. Not for doing it, but for not telling you and trying to fight on my own.

[secrowtary]

[ He'd argue with the not dashingly attractive part if he had the chance.

But once he hears an apology, Hibiki's attitude changes. He'll even sneak a soft kiss on the cheek while cleaning the wounds. The good news is that it shouldn't take long. The bad news...

...actually, there's no bad news because Hibiki managed to obtain the best band aids around. ]

Apology accepted. Please, next time don't hesitate to ask for help...either me or your friends. I heal pretty quick as well.

THOSE BANDAIDS

[actus]

[ his manliness. it's all gone now. thanks hibiki. ]

I know. It ... [ he hates making excuses. really, he should be accountable for his own actions. it's just hard to shake the feeling. ]

There wasn't much time. It was more a reflex. [ to save someone he means. ]

♥

[secrowtary]

[ You're welcome, Akira. ]

That's just how you are. A good person. [ It's a smile from Hibiki, finally. ] Now I feel a little bad about being so indelicate but you had to learn your lesson.