Tales of the Lion: a Tales RP

[Xernuht]

Cristian: Ah, of course. Inspector Keide, Major Kronquist, may I introduce Liezelotte Kaplan, daughter of Reinhard and Eliza Kaplan of the Baticulan nobility.

Lizzy quickly stops and curtseys.

Cristian: Lizzy, these are soon-to-be Major Matteo Kronquist and... well, I only know her last name, but this is Inspector Keide.
Lizzy: It's a pleasure to meet you both. I think you have done a most excellent job preparing the Academy for the banquet.

[ArgyleNinja]

Matteo: Pleased to make your acquaintance, Milady.
Keide:Congratulations on making it past round one.

[Xernuht]

Lizzy: The same to you, Inspector. Oh, Cristian, my father wishes to speak with you if you have the time.
Cristian: Of course. If you'll excuse me, I'll see you all on the dance floor.

Cristian bows politely before hurrying off to Reinhard's table.

[ArgyleNinja]

Matteo:Nice girl.
Keide:A tad too formal, but I agree.
Matteo:Well, let's see who's left...We got rid of Nybeth, Cristian's friend got disqualified. I don't think we should have much trouble now. They were two of the better dancers here.
Announcer:Attention, please! The second round will be starting shortly, so if all contestants could please make their way back to the floor, we'll begin momentarily.

*A minute of quickened conversation and shuffling later, everyone is back on the dance floor*

Announcer:Thank you. Now, the second round of the competition shall begi--
???:Excuse me, but I have an announcement!

*Everyone turns toward the direction of the voice. A figure stands in the doorway, a mask obscuring his face. He is holding Nybeth by the collar of his dinner jacket, a blade across his throat*

???:Good evening, one and all. I am Liam. It is a pleasure to make everyone's acquaintance, though I do wish it were under more pleasant circumstances. You see, I and my companions...*snaps fingers, and several dark-clothed guards appear from the edges of the room, corralling the dancers into the middle of the room*...are taking over this little event. Anyone of you thinks he or she will try to be a hero, you get shot. You try to escape, you get shot.
Nybeth:Unhand me, lowborn cretin!

*Liam tosses Nybeth away and pulls out a small fontech pistol, shooting Nybeth in the kneecap. Nybeth falls to the floor, screaming in pain*

Liam: Oh, and I won't tolerate any of this class-segregation bullshit either. Now, you will see my men take some of you out of the bunch. Don't think of it much. However, acknowledge that any attempt at resistance will be met with swift and brutal correction.

*Matteo and Keide huddle closer, whispering to eachother*

Matteo:What does this nutjob think he's doing?
Keide:Considering the efficiency with which he managed to replace the guards with his men, I'd say he's not so much of a nutjob.
Matteo:True...

*Meanwhile, Liam is still making announcements*

Liam:Those of you in the Academy will be asked to relinquish your weaponry. Resistance is ill-advised.
???:NO! Let me go! MATTEO!

*Matteo turns to see Danica being dragged away, her weapon already in the possession of another guard*

Matteo:Son of a...

*Matteo quickly and quietly cuts through the crowd, but before he can reach his sister Dyne comes out of nowhere and cuts the man down*

Dyne:Luca, RUN!

[Xernuht]

*Before the interruption*

Cristian and Lizzy return to Reinhard's table, where the Kaplans are enjoying their 3rd (Eliza) and 6th (Reinhard) round of drinks.

Cristian: You asked for me, Reinhard?
Reinhard: Ah, yes, Cristian. I'm glad to see you both make it to the next round. I'm surprised, though. Some of the better dancers got eliminated first.
Cristian: Must be a lucky evening for me, then.
Reinhard: Indeed. Well, I wish you both the best of luck in the second round.
Cristian: Thank you, sir. Although I could use a drink.

As the four of them sit for a drink...

Announcer:Thank you. Now, the second round of the competition shall begi--
???:Excuse me, but I have an announcement! Good evening, one and all. I am Liam. It is a pleasure to make everyone's acquaintance, though I do wish it were under more pleasant circumstances. You see, I and my companions...

At this point, two 'guards' with a sword and fon-tech rifle close in on the table, forcing everyone to the centre of the room. Reinhard manages to pick up Eliza before they are forced from the table.

Liam: ...are taking over this little event. Anyone of you thinks he or she will try to be a hero, you get shot. You try to escape, you get shot.

Cristian: Like hell...

As Cristian reaches into his uniform for one of his pistols, Liam drops Nybeth and shoots him in the knee.

Liam: Oh, and I won't tolerate any of this class-segregation bullshit either. Now, you will see my men take some of you out of the bunch. Don't think of it much. However, acknowledge that any attempt at resistance will be met with swift and brutal correction.

Cristian: Damn. Everyone, keep close.
Reinhard: Funny, I was about to say the same.
Lizzy: What do we do?
Cristian: Nothing. We wait.

Liam:Those of you in the Academy will be asked to relinquish your weaponry. Resistance is ill-advised.
???:NO! Let me go! MATTEO!

Cristian looks over the crowd to see Danica getting dragged away from the crowd, having already been disarmed. The 'guard with the sword points his blade at Cristian.

'Guard': You there, hand over your weapons now.
Cristian: Damnit!

As Cristian prepares to hand over his pistols, there's a loud commotion as Dyne runs over and cuts down the guard taking Danica with Luca's sword. As Luca rushes in to grab Danica, Dyne passes the sword back.

Dyne: Luca, RUN!
Luca: Roger!

Luca quickly retrieves Danica's staff and passes it to her, while moving to get her out of the building. At the same time, the air around Dyne warps with a green aura...

Dyne: Spirit of the sky, weigh your judgement upon the backs of these sinners... GOD'S BREA-

Before Dyne could finish, an arc of light crossed the hall and struck him hard in the shoulder. With a loud cry of pain, Dyne hit the floor.

Liam: Now, now, I gave you ample warning.

Cristian: Screw it.

Spinning his left-hand pistol into place, Cristian planted a shot right in the center of the man's chest. As the rifle wielder noticed the attack, Cristian fired the right-hand pistol, scoring a stunning blow to her head. As the other guards moved in on the attack, Cristian quickly muttered Barrier's incantation, raising the shield about five feet wide and eleven feet tall just before Liam could land a shot on him or any of the Kaplans.

Cristian: How DARE you hurt him!

[ArgyleNinja]

*Matteo takes advantage of the ruckus to knock two of the assailants's heads in and pound his fists together, causing his bracelets to morph into a pair of black gauntlets with silver knuckles and joint guards. Beside him, Keide draws her weapon, a thicker-than-usual katana with a billhooked tip*

Matteo:I suppose now's as good a time as any to test my judgement under fire. Danica! Get the nobles out of here! Luca, go get Nemean General Gainsborough and Bahamut General Riordan!
Luca:Understod, sir!
Matteo:Cristian, how's Dyne doing?

[Xernuht]

Cristian: I can't tell, but it doesn't seem good if he's still down. Dyne's tough.

Cristian lunges through the crowd, shoving a few people out of the way as numerous fon-tech firearms take shots primarily at the students and staff, who seem to be mobilizing rather quickly.

Cristian: Almost there... Holy power, come to me... First AGH!

Within a few meters of his fallen friend, Cristian's concentration broke as a small throwing knife struck him in the shoulder. Turning to face his new opponent, he saw a 'guard' with a sword in his right hand, and another knife in his left, which was pulled back, ready to throw the blade. Before that could happen, however, the 'guard' careened forward as a large concussive blast struck him square in the back.

Kensington: Are you okay, Cristian?
Cristian: I'm fine. Holy power, come to me... First Aid!

As Cristian pulled the knife from his arm, a small golden light wrapped around the wound, closing it before too much blood could leak out. Restarting the incantation under the protection of Kensington, Cristian managed to patch up Dyne's wound.

Cristian: Come on, get up.
Dyne: urrrrgh... That hurt. Wait, Danica!
Cristian: We know where Luca's going to take her. We need to focus on protecting the civilians.
Kensington: Agreed. Wait, Cristian!

Not long after ensuring his friend's life was no longer in immediate danger, Cristian rushed back to the Kaplans, only to find a pair of newly-arrived 'guards' unconscious and bleeding, with Lizzy and Reinhard both wielding swords. Lizzy's dress had a large tear down the side, allowing for enhanced agility in the constricting clothes, while also showing she was wearing flat-soled boots instead of heels. Eliza was on the ground, panicking slightly.

Cristian: Everyone okay?
Reinhard: We're fine.
Lizzy: Woulda been nice if you told us you were gonna run off on us.
Cristian: Sorry. We need to get you three out of here.
Reinhard: Not likely, boy. These hooligans will pay for ruining this wonderful party.
Lizzy: Damn straight. They owe me a new dress.
Cristian: *sigh* Then at least get Eliza out of here, Reinhard. Lizzy, if you really want to fight, cover me while I go and make sure Nybeth isn't going to die.
Reinhard: Very well. Come, dear.

Sheathing his sword, Reinhard picks up Eliza, making a beeline for the main exit, which appeared to have been opened during the opening engagements. As they do so, Cristian throws a quick signal to Dyne, who begins making his way to the stage.

Lizzy: I can't believe we're about to help Nybeth.
Cristian: I can't believe I'm letting you help me. Let's go.

[ArgyleNinja]

*Matteo charges at a 'guard' wielding a pair of swords and takes him out with a flying jump kick, only to be intercepted by another 'guard', this one wearing a pair of armored gloves and greaves*

Matteo:A fellow martial-artist, I see. Fine then. Gale Bullet!

*Matteo surrounds his fists with wind energy and punches at the enemy quicky, creating little orbs of wind that knock the enemy back a few feet back with each impact, before finishing with a double fist thrust that sends him flying into a column*

[Xernuht]

Cristian and Lizzy continue their rush for the main stage, when two 'guards', one with a staff, one with a spear, bar their path. Cristian quickly throws out a couple shots, but they both deflect them with extreme ease. Cursing under his breath, Cristian closes the distance, hoping their skills don't work at point-blank, when...

Lizzy: Azure Edge!

An aqua-colored energy blast rips through the air, slamming into the spear-wielder's chest, causing him to fall over. Lizzy then runs past Cristian, charging at the staff-wielder. As they lunge out at Lizzy, hoping to maximize the range of their weapon, Lizzy leaps over the staff with a quick flip, bringing the sword down over the staff-wielder's head. The 'guard' pulls the staff back in time to put it in a position to block the attack...

Lizzy: Destruction Field!

... until Lizzy's sword connected with the staff, releasing a small explosion that shattered the staff in the center, sending the 'guard' stumbling back. Cristian took the opportunity to quickly shoot the 'guard', knocking him out.

Cristian: Nice moves.
Lizzy: Thanks. Wish I had my sword, though.

As they chatted, the spear-wielder got back on his feet and rushed at Lizzy. Cristian opened fire, once again seeing his shots deflected. Just as the 'guard' was about to get within striking distance, his spear split apart in three places as Cristian let loose with large crimson bullets. Cristian closed the distance, and with a quick backflip kick to the enemy's jaw, the 'guard' was sprawled out on the floor.

Lizzy: Hey!
Cristian: What?
Lizzy: You didn't call your attacks!
Cristian: Can you imagine chaining long combinations of bullets, shouting something for each bullet type? I'd wreck my throat.
Lizzy: I suppose... still seems unfair.

[ArgyleNinja]

*Matteo comes across an enemy dual-wielding hand-axes the size of large frying pans. The enemy takes a swing with his weapons, but Matteo parried and hits him in the face. Matteo then sees a guard sneaking up on Cristian's group, and throws the stunned axe-wielder at him, sending them both skidding into the empty bandstand*

Matteo:Two birds, one stone.