ALL-GAME EVENT: The Assault on Balamb

[wrmods]

[2100. Balamb has settled into position some time ago, and life continues on as normal. Galbadia Garden has mobilized, in that it's broken free of its moorings and converted to aerial mode, but the structure remains otherwise motionless. The strategy of preventing their antagonist from moving seems to be working just fine --]

[Without warning, alarm, or seeming plausibility, a sword of perhaps thirty stories height and sufficient width to do the job transfixes the mobile mercenary facility. The point plunges through the roof, just barely missing the cockpit, but smashing through a weapons classroom on the second floor and the cafeteria on the first before bursting out the bottom of the facility. It hits the ground, penetrates, and sinks who knows how far deep before friction overcomes mass. The sword stops, leaving only a profoundly deep and disquieting humming as it continues to vibrate with the force of the descent.]

[Balamb's motive engines whine and screech as the helmsman attempts to move the facility, but only a horrific rending sounds as more of the structure crumbles. All the engines can do is shove the building into the sword, not move the weapon.]

[All is horrified silence.]

[In that moment, Galbadia Garden completes the motion it had begun just as the sword descended, and strikes. By flying transport and by motorcycle jumps, troops cross the gap between the two Gardens, while on the first floor, a massive deployment tube crashes through the wall of the garage and troops pour in.]

[It's going to be one of those days.]

Comments

[rewritethis]

[Even on the opposite side of the Garden, the tremors from the impact are violent enough that the entire library visibly shudders. All around it, the usual hush of the place is broken by the creak of shelves, the muffled thump of displaced books, the not so distant wail of struggling engines - but none of those are anything compared to the all-enveloping thrum, more of a solid presence than a noise, lasting considerably longer than the echoes of the initial thunderous crash.

Something isn't right about this. It doesn't take a genius to realise it long before the second crash and the sound of marching feet unsettlingly close by join the cacophony. But here he is anyway, holding the bookshelf in front of him mid-topple at arm's length, digging both of his heels into the floor.]

That's... no earthquake...

[Gritting his teeth, he gives the shelf one more almighty shove. It wobbles ominously for a second or two, a few more volumes sliding off of it in the process, but finally settles back onto its base. One problem down. Plenty more to go.

He steps away from it, looking around - how many people are left in here? - and raises his voice.] Is everyone okay?

[thumbsize]

[ Thumbelina is pinned by a shelf (thankfully a smaller shelf than the ones that had carried the heavier tomes, but there's a break in her leg, and it really hurts. She winces, a tiny tear running down her cheek. ]

I -- I can't move this!

[rewritethis]

[He's next to her before she's finished calling out, crouching down to grip the underside of the bookshelf and lever it up - but then his eyes narrow. Those footsteps aren't getting any quieter, and on the edge of hearing, they're starting to mix with a few noises he really doesn't like the sound of. If they come in here...

Change of plan. No time to explain, either.

He reaches over, grabs the few books that weren't already dislodged when the shelf fell and hastily tosses them over his shoulder, neither knowing nor especially caring if anyone is in the way. Once the shelf looks more or less empty, he claps his hands once and presses them to its side. It instantly glows a fierce blue, spitting out crackling sparks in all directions. By the time he scrambles to his feet a few seconds later, there's only a rectangular block of solid wood sitting where it used to be, just to the side of the girl's leg.

Then he strides off without another glance at her, waving to get the attention of any library staff or users who haven't yet fled. There aren't a whole lot of them.]

What're you waiting for? Barricade the damn door! Someone's injured in here!

[Why doesn't he do it himself? Because, barring any further interruptions, he intends to head out into the gunfire. Obviously. Where else is he going to go?]

[marearcana]

[The attack was quite unexpected for Twilight, but she remains relatively level-headed, having bubbled herself to avoid injury.]

I'm fine!

[rewritethis]

[He looks round at the sound of her voice. A flicker of curiosity registers in his expression for a second when he sees the bubble. Not really the best time to ask about that, though.]

Do you know what that was? [He may sound a little more brusque than normal, but it's unintentional. There's always a chance it could be magical, right? Which is to say, a chance that someone around here has a plan for this... because Ed sure as hell doesn't.]

[marearcana]

[She speaks more quickly than usual for the moment, but immediately dispels the shield.]

No idea. Let's not worry about that, though, what if other people are hurt?

[rewritethis]

Yeah, you're right.

[He glances around, but honestly, most of the obvious casualties in here are books. He's more concerned about what he can't yet see...]

Or another idea: any chance that fancy magic of yours could make itself useful and take a look outside? Because I don't like that sound, whatever it is.

[marearcana]

[So, a scrying+projection spell is it? On it. Soon enough, a flat white surface nearby is projecting the events of the battle outside. It looks like it might be difficult to keep the spell up and hold conversation at the same time.]

[rewritethis]

[One hell of a lot is already going on outside, almost too much to absorb straight away - but one aspect immediately catches his eye and won't let go.] Soldiers...? [Uncharacteristically, his voice quavers a little, for just a moment. This takes him back to a place he wanted to leave behind...

His expression hardens, almost contorting. No time for screwing around.] We need to get people out of here. What can you do?

[guidethesun]

[ Eugene has to crawl out from where a bookshelf toppled against his reception booth at the library's front -- thankfully it hit the siding of the booth, and missed Eugene's head by an inch. He swats dirt from his pants front and cocks his head toward the sound of Ed's voice. ]

Hey!

[ He waves his arm. ] No casualties over here, thank god.

[rewritethis]

[Frown.] I wouldn't thank him just yet. [If the impossible happens and Ed turns out to be wrong, there could always be aftershocks. If he's right... well, who the hell knows?

Who's this guy, anyway? If he works here and doesn't look obviously out of the ordinary, he's probably a native, right?]

Does this happen a lot?

[guidethesun]

I wouldn't know. I'm still trying to understand this place with Blondie. And--ho! Bookshelf alert!

[ He dashes forward and grabs hold of a tilting shelf, books raining to the floor. ] Little help?

[rewritethis]

[Not a native, then? Well, it's not really the biggest issue at the moment...

He sprints over, trying not to step on too many books, and plants both of his hands on the shelf below the one the man is currently holding up, supporting it easily.]

Count of three? [He's not waiting for an answer, though.] Three, two, one -

[He shoves. A lot harder than is probably wise, to be honest.]

[guidethesun]

Three! What are--whoa!

[ Eugene has to slam himself against the bookshelf on his end to keep it from tilting back the opposite direction. Pain shoots in his arm -- oww -- but at least the shelf is back in order. He slumps to the side, rubbing his sore shoulder. ]

Okay! You have muscle, obviously.

[rewritethis]

[Poking his head round the side of the shelf, Ed responds to this in much the same way as he would if informed he had teeth or breathed oxygen - with a mildly irritated but mostly blank stare.

But he's more surprised at the guy showing signs of pain.] You sure there weren't any casualties just then?

[guidethesun]

[ Actually, yes. His arm really hurts, but Eugene can't let Ed know. Who knows. The kid might tell him to go to the infirmary or stand down. And Eugene can't do that. He's too concerned with Rapunzel. Where is she? Is she okay? Is she injured?

He shakes his head, ceasing rubbing his aching shoulder muscle. ]

No casualties. We should get the students out of here. These shelves don't look exactly earthquake-friendly.

just atmosphere; unlikely to reply

[wrnpcs]

[There's a group of around twelve people rushing from the cafeteria to the training center's secret area. Upon closer inspection, it's the cafeteria workers carrying the hotdog stock, and some cadets (and one or two SeeDs) protecting them.]

Don't let the enemy get the hotdogs!

OPEN TO ALL!

[eggplantallergy]

[Gakupo isn't sure what's going on, but his ears can't take this level of screeching metal on metal. It's pretty painful to his sensitive ears. He regrets not wearing his ear coverings. He covers his ears with both hands.

What he can hear well is the fact that cadets (and a few SeeDs, what even...) want to save the damn hot dogs. Of course he glares at them.]

You're...kidding me! [He doesn't have much time to reprimand them as he sees someone very unfamiliar come into the cafeteria. That definitely is not their army.

With ears still covered, he ducks under a table, taking out some tissue he had in his pocket to plug his ears with. Once done, Gakupo hurls a Blizzaga spell at the floor, hoping to trip up the intruder. It works quite well as more poured inside.

Gakupo: 1. Galbadia: who even knows, really.

He could still use some help. They'll get up soon, surely, and he has no weapons.]

Re: OPEN TO ALL!

[fotlenke]

Do you always act so logically in a fight?

[ Sigyn appears next to him, ducked under the table in her warrior garb. She has a handbag across her side, filled with potent, hastily prepared charms. Her father's dagger is sharpened, in a sheath at her hip. ]

[eggplantallergy]

[asdfghjkl where did she come from.

Gakupo is surprised by her sudden appearance, but is glad for it. Her attire is very fitting for the environment, so it leads to his own question.]

Do you always appear ready for battle? [Because all that looks like it took a while to put on. Did she sleep in it?

He looks over to the recovering enemies, frowning. They couldn't quite get their footing yet, but the ice will melt soon.] It was only meant to slow them down a bit while I think of a strategy.

[fotlenke]

A warrior of Vanaheim is always prepared!

[ Sigyn pops up a bit to peek over the table. The enemy is fallen, but Gakupo is right. It looks only temporary. They'll be back on their feet, ready to attack once they get their bearings. She ducks back down behind the table, a grin on her features. ]

I have not had such fun since I knocked out Asgard's gate keepers with rotten apples.

[ She puts a kiss on Gakupo's lips - ] Wait here, my knight. [ - and then leaps over the table, drawing her dagger. ] First one to rise from the floor shall receive the honor of doing battle with the granddaughter of Njord!

[eggplantallergy]

[Gakupo grins at the statement.] If only we had some now!

[He looks over the edge of the table as well. Maybe he could duck out through a side door to get his sword before they recovered--

Those thoughts are halted at a kiss, and before he could even react, Sigyn had disappeared. Gakupo looks left and right before looking over the table and sees her standing before the guards.

What the hell just happened.

In truth, it would be best for her to do battle than him, since he's without weapons and not carrying that many spells on hand. But...ow, his ego...]

How am I a knight?

[fotlenke]

[ The enemy rises and does so attack. Sigyn unsheathes her dagger and takes out one enemy with a direct cut across the midsection. One fallen, several dozen more to go, she lifts a hand, glowing with blue energy and unleashes a confusion spell that sets the enemy into a brief stumble.

She then lets out a battle cry and charges, swinging her dagger about, giving lacerations and fatal cuts as far as the eye can see! ]

If only Mother could witness my victory!

[eggplantallergy]

[The fight is amazing to behold, and Gakupo is in awe at her performance. He does make a mental note to not piss her off down the line. That battle cry is very...attractive, though.

He isn't one to sit out, though. Gakupo springs up and steals a weapon to use from their enemy. Luckily it's something similar to a sword. He engages a few of the soldiers, merely knocking them out instead of killing them. He'd rather not take a life is he could help it.

Once done, Gakupo joins her, gauging the few that are left.]

Well fought.

[fotlenke]

[ The enemy defeated (and few who are unconscious), Sign flicks away the blood from her dagger's blade and then sheathes her weapon. There is blood upon her armor and features, but the glow of battle is still fresh on her skin. ] Worthy opponents. They fought honorably.

[ She whirls about on her heel and throws her arms about Gakupo's neck, raising herself on her tip-toes. ] You were magnificent!

[eggplantallergy]

That they did. [The intruders doubled back, taking along their survivors. Gakupo relaxes a bit, looking to Sigyn with a smile.]

I'd say the same, but it isn't quite enough. [He wipes away some blood from her brow.] How lucky am I to have such a warrior at my side.

[fotlenke]

[ Sigyn doesn't give the retreating enemies so much as a glance. ]

You are so sweet. [ She closing her eyes when he brushes his hand against her brow. Then opens her eyes and takes a kiss. When she comes up for air, she laughs and embraces him tightly. ]

[eggplantallergy]

[A celebratory kiss he can get behind, and so he does. He embraces her as well, smiling. This moment is one he doesn't want to interrupt, but once their embrace ends, he pulls back a bit.]

We're probably not the only ones under attack, but I'll need to head back to my room for my sword. Are you going to accompany me?

[Totally not an innuendo for anything more than that.]

[fotlenke]

[ She nuzzles his cheek and giggles. ] You tease. You just want to watch my backside as I cut a bloody path of bodies to your dorm.

[eggplantallergy]

N-No, that's not what I meant! [Pauses] However...is that likely to happen?

[He's not going to back down on an opportunity like that!]

The backside watching, not the bloody trail of bodies. [Just had to clarify that part.]

[fotlenke]

[ She smirks. ]

If the horde is not smart. Would they attempt to break into our rooms?

[eggplantallergy]

[Gakupo thinks that over.]

I'm sure they would have a hard enough time dealing with whomever is outside the dorms first, let alone dealing with getting in.

[fotlenke]

[ She nods, starting to head towards the dorms. ]

That will give us some time, then.

[eggplantallergy]

Hopefully enough time. [He walks briskly, and being a bit tall, his strides are elongated. Gakupo just wants to help out as soon as possible.]

[fotlenke]

[ more enemies ahead. Sigyn draws her dagger. ] Remind me to say a prayer to my mother after this battle. [ She leaps forwards and begins the take-down. ]

[eggplantallergy]

[MEANWHILE. Gakupo stops and tumbles to the side, picking up a few rocks and hurling them at enemies. From time to time he gets pretty distracted while watching Sigyn fight, but a few missed spells thrust his way his attention is back onto the battle.]

[fotlenke]

[ several dead and half-dead enemies later... ]

Would these be your quarters up these stairs?

[eggplantallergy]

[There is still an armful of rocks Gakupo is carrying before he looks around. There's a nod and he walks towards the stairs, rocks in tow. At the top of the stairs, he stops and clings to a wall before peeking around a corner, making sure the coast is clear. It seems that the enemy hasn't gotten this far yet. He continues walking towards his room and opens the door with a key.

His room is pretty minimalistic, and against the head of his bed is Miburi, awaiting his return. Gakupo smiles and places the rocks down onto the floor in order to make quick strides to his weapon.]

Now we're ready.

[fotlenke]

[ There's too much to fend off for Sigyn to take a peek inside the room. She stays at the bottom of the stairs, watchful for the enemy. ]

Good, because this way they come, Gakupo.

[eggplantallergy]

[He blinks before dashing to the door, stopping just before it and peeking around the corner. A few more soldiers are indeed coming their way. Gakupo steps out and withdraws his sword from its cover, creating a ring as the musical metal rubs against it.]

Let them come. [He readies himself in a defensive stance with his weapon.]