EVENT #10: AND MERELY PLAYERS

[thestarknows]

By now, entering a Disturbance is familiar. That isn't a good thing -- the way that it takes that extra effort, like pushing your hand through molasses; like a wavering mirage that almost pushes back against your gaze. It's a sign of someone in distress.

But after entering the Slumbering City, the Dreamers have made their way into this newest Disturbance. And then, they've pushed onward... and everyone finds themselves on a long path through darkness, lit only by stage lights.








Welcome to Junna Hoshimi's Disturbance event! To recap from previous events and the monthly post, Disturbances are surreal and dangerous dreamscapes that draw directly on the struggles, fears and emotions of a single character, similar to the TV world dungeons in Persona 4 or the Heartscapes in Blue Reflection Second Light. They're unique among Outlying Locations in that they vanish once resolved and incubate extremely powerful enemies at their core who must be defeated to save the person at its heart – in this instance, Junna Hoshimi.

Using the descriptions in the log below, you may freely top level and have characters explore and investigate as you please! The descriptions given in this log are to give direction and progression to the events but please feel free to play around within the bounds of what's established as much as you like. Characters wishing to investigate and uncover additional hints and lore nuggets at the heart of the dungeon should indicate they are investigating in the comment header of their top level. Pinging Tex on Discord may also help in case his emails and notifications act up.

To clear the event and prevent a negative outcome on the plot that will effect both the Dream Sphere and Yumemigaoka, characters must clear both the Mid-Tier and Boss Combat Encounters by the OOC deadline of March 3rd.

SUNSET BOULEVARD

Upon entering the dream, all Dreamers will first find themselves walking down a long path through darkness, lit only by stoplights. In the way of a dream, though, at its end, it turns into the front of Promised Morning Academy at sunset.

The building is lit up by sunset, with weather that suggests it is spring. It seems almost pleasant... but there is a buzz of tension in the air. It should be the time that people have left for the day, but there are lights on inside the school. There are murmurs, stressed and worried, but wordless. Sunset -- the time people should have left and gone home, but are still working -- never seems to end.

In that light, it isn't such a pleasant image. Still, this is a place where Dreamers can return to, to rest, coordinate, and take a breather before exploring further.

The way forward is the double doors, leading into the school. They are larger than they should be, more imposing that the ones in real life, and heavier to push open.

♫ halation - Revue Starlight OST



!

SCHOOL DAZE

Upon entering, the Dreamers find themselves in a warped, endless version of Promised Morning's first floor. The hallway stretches out east-to-west, but there is a subtle curve to it. And if someone walks the full length of the hallway, it loops back around, leaving them trapped.

The Dreamers aren't alone here. There are shadowy figures, like silhouettes, wearing the uniforms of Promised Morning. Each are carrying large stacks of paper.

⧖ HAZARD ALERT: If someone touches them, they seem to fuzz and not quite feel real. But each of them will put stacks of paper that are quite real into an unwitting Dreamer's hands. So many papers, in fact, that a Dreamer could be literally weighed down by them.

After escaping the shadowy students, Dreamers can pass countless class rooms and clubrooms. Each of them has a locked door. It might feel hopeless, until a freight elevator is found at the end. There is a large, blinking red light and one button. The only way to progress is to go down.

!

THE ONLY WAY DOWN

The freight elevator is not a comfortable ride down. The floor is made of steel, patterned to give some grip. There are no buttons to control it. Once the down button is pressed, all a Dreamer can do is ride it down to the bottom. And the railing on each side is woefully inadequate from a safety perspective: it's only a three foot high steel bar.

Which means, from the darkness, something can jump onto it.

⧖ HAZARD ALERT: Torments begin to leap from the shadows, onto the 12 by 12 foot elevator platform. The Torments, initially, are only a Shadowy outline... but they respond to the Dreamers on the platform. A Dreamer with an idol theme finds them looking like crazed fans; a Dreamer with a sword finds ones carrying axes; a Dreamer with a ninja motif finds their foes include ones carrying katanas. The Torments are easily dispatched, but they keep coming in waves -- until the elevator reaches the bottom.

When it does, there is a ding. The door opens... revealing a hallway.

!

BEHIND THE SCENES FEATURETTE

The elevator lets out in a darkly lit hallway. Just a short distance away is a large set of double doors, underneath a sign that declares it to be the "MAIN STAGE." And yet, try as someone might, that door will not open. It seems that the only way to get onto the main stage is through hard work.

The hallway connects to many others. There are more hallways in this backstage area than any real theater could ever have. And there are doorways here, too, and each has a poster next to it, depicting a play or a movie. There isn't another door that clearly leads to the main stage... which means Dreamers will need to search the rooms.

The poster outside of each room gives an idea of its contents. Inside, there are people hard at work. Like before, in the school level, they are shadowy silhouettes of students. The shadowy students are engaged in some work based on the movie or play poster outside.

⧖ HAZARD ALERT #1: In this room, four silhouettes are hurriedly building props and backgrounds for a play. Wooden cut-outs of trees and houses that need to be built; organizing a closet full of costumes; painting details onto paper backdrops of a sky and a town. The work isn't done, and the silhouettes are in a panic about this. Dreamers who enter the room have tools pushed into their hands to help -- until the work is finished. If the Dreamers try to leave, they begin to screech and scream, and eventually attack with shadowed claws. The work will never stop, though. The props need to be put out of their sight or the silhouettes defeated.

⧖ HAZARD ALERT #2: Only one silhouette is inside here. A high school student, by the look of her. She cannot speak, but she mimics going through a play by herself. When Dreamers enter, she thrusts a script to them. Then, she tries to get them to act out Act 3, Scene 1 of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. The silhouette wants to play the part of Caesar. If they act it out, the silhouette will want to do it again. She can either be defeated in a fight, or made to play another role, which will stop the performance.

Once the Dreamers have time to thoroughly search the room with the silhouette that wishes to portray Caesar. There is a poster of Yonezawa's Last Paycheck, a movie that came out in April, on the wall. The other materials in here strictly apply to Julius Caesar, with posters of past performances and props related to it.

Pulling down the poster of Yonezawa's Last Paycheck reveals a door. Opening it leads to a hallway, dark, but with the bright lights of a main stage up ahead.

!

TO SHINE ON THE MAIN STAGE

The doorway leads onward, until the Dreamers emerge onto the main stage. It is a massive, circular stage, but there is a raised circular platform at the center. Rich red curtains have fallen entirely across the elevated platform and hide whatever is behind. One set of steep stairs leads up to it.

But, it couldn't be as simple as approaching the stairs.

First, a bright stage light shines down, and falls into the audience. The chairs there are empty. There is only one living thing there, though it is not a person. It is a massive giraffe, with brilliant green eyes, a pink ribbon, and and a disaffected expression.



The giraffe bellows in a baritone, masculine voice: "To be a Dreamer is to be a performer! To struggle endlessly! To be a light that shines upon the people! I... UNDERSTAND!"

All around the stage, props and stage equipment rises up. Wooden walls, stairwells, and platforms create a maze. Each Dreamer is locked within them, separated from their fellows by a maze of different theater settings: from cut-outs of castle walls, Western towns, modern cities, cut-outs of trees, and backdrops of stars and nebulae.

Up high, though, a four point golden star lowers. The stage light vanishes from the giraffe. The golden star shines brilliantly -- and then at its center, a giant eye blinks, and opens to look down. This is a powerful Nightmare, though it is far out of reach.

⧖ HAZARD ALERT: Navigating the maze -- whether while fighting the Star Nightmare or not -- is a complex matter. First, a powerful orchestral soundtrack fires up (accompanying vocals optional). Stairs and platforms rise up, to provide backdrops ranging from historical dramas to science fiction. These include pyrotechnics and water effects -- which can dazzle, though they can't hurt. Stage lights shine down and blind, sometimes at inopportune moments. Getting to the center of the stage requires navigating through these rising and lowering themed platforms.

But, additionally, the Star Nightmare causes illusions. Sometimes, Dreamers who encounter each other will see one another as powerful Torment, illusions altering their perceptions of each other and their attacks. They can fight each in the midst of the maze, but if they realize that they're fighting a friend, it will stop.

If you need a visual, this fight from Revue Starlight gives an idea of the shenanigans at work:


Watch on YouTube


Dreamers caught here are also able to battle against the Star Nightmare as a Mid-Boss Encounter.

At the end of the maze are stairs, which lead up to the central platform. The stairs are long and steep, and the curtains have yet to rise. But now, the only way to go is up.

!

POSITION ZERO

Those who find their way through the maze and make their way up to the stairs come to where the red curtains are. Once the first Dreamers reach them, the left up. The circular platform has Junna standing at the center, raising a hand up to shield her eyes.

Because every stage light here is shining directly onto her, which blinds her from seeing them. From up here, those stage lights can almost be reached.

They keep shining on Junna, as an elevator platform begins to lower her downward -- as an elevator. The stage lights all turn away, and shine down onto the Dreamers. They threaten to blind them.

Not everyone can go down after Junna. But it might be best to say some final remarks -- especially as Torments are beginning to move up the stairs. Those who descend will need to be protected.

And those who jump down after Junna hear a deep baritone voice bellow up, from below: "I UNDERSTAND."

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Comments

[traceofeffort]

[Rhodonite's tension is through the roof, perhaps unsurprisingly. She's jittery, short, and snippy; the bags under her eyes have translated into the Dream. But as they push through the Dream wall, her gaze is sharp, her bass drawn. She's only dazzled by the lights for a moment as she dashes forward, caution thrown to the wind even if she knows Junna isn't going to be just inside the entrance.]

[A | elevator]
[Only the fact that Rhodonite doesn't know how far down the shaft goes keeps her from vaulting the railing and trying to slide down the wall. It looks like even that may not stop her forever, given her darting glances at the rail, but for the moment, she paces... until the first shadow jumps in. It seems to shimmer for a moment, then settles back into a form with gauntlets. Then another, with an imposing broadsword. And then a third, but this one doesn't seem to be holding a weapon at all. As one, all of them turn to Rhodonite and just stare. Waiting. Accusing. Finally, as she opens her mouth and takes a step forward, the unarmed one speaks in a warbling, anonymous tone-]

"You can't save her. You can't even save yourself."

[Lisa falters, stumbling, catching herself quickly but realizing she's already on the back foot, the other two staring in toward her, as she hurriedly starts to strum out a few chords. Face turning ugly, her words come out in a snarl.]

Like hell I can't. And either way, you aren't going to stop me!

[B | backstage]
[Most of these productions are things Lisa's never heard of, so while she pokes her head inside doors to see what's going on, she doesn't stay most of the time. A few are plays and movies she and Junna saw together for Lisa's journal, and she actually steps into those rooms to see what's going on; she has a sewing needle and thread pushed into her hands for her trouble in one, and she does help repair a costume with flowing cotton and lace before she realizes she'll be here forever, hangs it up carefully, and then quietly rolls the rack behind another backdrop. Does she have enough cover to get out of the room after that without having to forcibly shut down the production?

The more dangerous one... she hasn't seen it, but she's pretty sure she's heard Junna mention Julius Caesar before, and when she's handed the script - sees half a dozen daggers, sitting on a small table beside her, glinting dangerously and looking very, very real - she recognizes one of the most iconic scenes in theater. She looks around; does she have enough hands to do it properly, or is she going to play multiple roles? This might be something that actually needs to be done to move them forward, and while she's no thespian, a combination of going to plays and close contact with theater kid Junna have imparted a little bit of knowledge. And yet-]

I can't play half a dozen people, even holding the script and with fewer lines added together than Caesar-san... hey, take at least one of these roles, and we'll pass the script around, and one of those- [indicating the blades-] for when the time comes? [Her tone is hard, briefly.] Be ready for anything, though.

[C | main stage]
[She's right there. She's got to be on that platform, she can see the staircase to it, but no, there's so much stuff in the way. She wants, so much, to smash it all and charge the stairs. But there's no way the Disturbance - a manifestation of everything Junna's worried about - will let even Lisa smash through her defenses, to say nothing of Mister Asshole Giraffe over there. So she's going to have to do it the hard way, and while she's in a bad way, she's not quite ready to take this all-out and assume nothing's going to happen to her. So, starting to play something simple but with presence that she can sing to, she moves forward as quickly as she can, dealing with the spotlight and the pyrotechnics for a while before she gives up and shapes a shield into glasses with faint pink lenses, slipping the vibrant red frames over her ears and willing them to stay in place, faint pulsing at the edges of her vision in time with her own music helping her to stay focused over the overwhelming backbeat, lights, and smoke. That's not to say she doesn't stumble - as platforms, props, and even a damn boulder pop up into her path, she has to be careful, and she trips more than once.

That's to say nothing of the Torments. There are normal ones here and she does her best to fend them off by herself, sometimes with a sharp, snapping kick, sometimes with shots, and sometimes with her bass itself... but then there are the weirdly strong ones. They're alone - and sometimes they even turn to help her get rid of any extra small fry, or to disable some kind of distraction - but she's already fought a jerk with a scythe and darkness powers that got her in the leg; a jerk with fire powers that she had to get really creative not to get badly hurt by, but singed off a lock of hair from the right side of her head along with the hem of her dress; and then That Jerk that picked up what looked like a futuristic pistol from a stage and shot her with a laser in that same spot on her right side she keeps getting hit in--!!]

Shit! Every time- ow, ow, owww!

[The sharp scream is loud enough to be heard in other rooms, and forces her to stop for a bit; her vision swims, but it's not enough damage to kick her out, even if Karen's going to hear about it in the morning. After a moment's time behind a shield to force herself to her feet, she keeps pressing on, with a nasty wound and a hole in her dress. Where's everyone else, though...? She's seen unusually few other Dreamers.

Anyone encountering Dreamer Rhodonite in the maze of props and backdrops risks instead seeing a Torment resembling a young woman of about twenty with literally-flaming red hair tied back into a ponytail and an electric guitar in a vibrant, shining purple, with a rose motif on the neck; she's wearing a stage costume in black and gold with purple rose accents and thigh-high leather boots, and a small tophat atop her head. Her voice is ethereal, in the way of something that isn't quite real but seems real enough to comprehend, and as she starts to strum out a rock song with a blasting beat, she moves, darting around and throwing sharp, blue roses with her magic, deflecting incoming attacks with precise barriers before dropping them to maintain the assault. It's impossible to take your eyes off her - she commands attention, not through beauty or a perfect performance but through sheer presence. But she's not much in close combat; if you can get in and hit hard and fast, she's easy enough to get a clean hit on. She seems to favor her right side; a hit to her torso there will stop her cold.]

[D | to zero]
[The moment she comes to the top of the stairs and sees Junna, there behind the curtain where they all knew they'd eventually find her, Lisa sucks in a breath, coming to a dead stop and staring, one hand reaching out like she could just... touch her. Make sure she's not seeing things, ground herself, hug Junna tight and never let go. She's here - she's here, she's whole, she's... probably not able to hear them if the rest of these damned Disturbances are any indication, but they made it in time and they can still do something. After a second, Rhodonite falls to her knees and starts sobbing into her hands as her bass evaporates, tension lifting from her form. It's... it's going to be okay. They'll make it okay, like they always do.

But. There's always a but. And as she hears the platform starts to descend even through her own hiccups, she knows what she has to do.

After a minute or two to let her emotions out, she slowly stands up, scrubs at her eyes with her forearm, and sighs raggedly, affection coming to her tone as her gaze tracks the platform descending to the depths with her most precious person.]

Okay. It took us a little while, but... we're coming, Junna. It's not time for your curtain call yet. So... don't give up. [Raising her voice, shouting after her-] Don't give up!! [Then, spinning on her heel as footfalls begin to build in volume up the stairs, trying and failing to keep her voice steady, not meeting anyone's gaze as the crowd of Dreamers assembles-] I c-can't go after her. Not like this. I'd just lose it again down there. So I... I'll protect you from here, with everything I am. Please- [Lisa's voice cracks, as she draws her bass again from the air-] please save Junna.

[Light forming a pick between her fingers, she initially misses her strings, nerves and emotion getting to her. But she takes a slow, shaky breath, and lets it out slowly, seeming to center herself. She's not just playing for herself, now. Her second attempt brings a distinct, low tone, along with memories that help to guide her hands, the now-familiar red dome in front of her. It'll be a bit before she can clear her throat enough to manage lyrics, but she'll get there, staying in the intro as she stands with her back turned to her girlfriend disappearing into the abyss.]

[X | Promised Morning courtyard; wildcard and progression]
[Somehow, it's like this place is locked in time; Lisa feels like she's going to drown in exam stress despite having already gotten her diploma, on top of the normal stress she's feeling from the situation. She'll be found here between runs, preferring to spend as much time as possible in the Disturbance so she can go again as soon as she's ready and won't be without backup; the space is influencing her, and even though her hair is the pale pink of Rhodonite, her dress yields to her Promised Morning uniform, like she never left, and her Sandglass bass is in her usual gig bag. Her mood alternates wildly: sometimes she's anxious and ready to charge in without another word, peering in the windows on the first floor like they're going to give her information; sometimes she's on a bench by the gardens, cognition bringing phone to hand as she scrolls through pictures of herself and Junna and tries not to cry; sometimes she's sitting on the grass on a blanket under a big, flowering sakura tree, knees pulled up to her chest, rocking side to side. But she's never calm. Whenever someone passes, her eyes lock on them, seeming to wait to be asked to come along. Or if she's okay, but. That's rather obvious, she supposes.

By the 23rd, the bags under her eyes are more pronounced, and her movements are slower. She's pushing herself too hard, but she certainly doesn't care. She's even snippier, and less responsive to conversation. She's prone to wandering off by herself into the Disturbance proper, and to joining groups that don't want her present; she'll eventually take no for an answer, but she's even more stubborn than usual. By the 28th, something's clearly changed; her eyes are clearer, and she's... maybe not exactly calmer, but she's more focused and despairing less. She's also a little more open and approachable, if you need to ask her about what the hell's going on or want to check on her.]

((As noted elsewhere, Lisa is not in a good mental state; be prepared for discussions of bad parenting (not just in Junna's case), referenced homophobia, and Lisa specifically spiraling badly, which I'll warn for as appropriate. Have questions or want to plot something specific? Grab me at eternities, on the Discord server, or on the CR meme. Also ping me if you want Torment!Rhodonite to swing by a main stage maze thread, or to be one of the jerks she ran into!))

[determinationtofist]

[ The sound of Lisa's cries are what instantly draw Hibiki towards her. Hibiki's a dummy, but she's not stupid. Hibiki's had to watch her get worse and worse as the disturbance dragged on, but unable to find the right words to say... she was also unable to stop her from continuing onward.

It's harder for Hibiki to find the right words this time. She... can't really even begin to imagine what it must be like for her right now. She can only wonder if she'd be the same if it had been her own beloved trapped here. It's a pain that she can't even begin to understand... so different from the pain that had once trapped Hibiki herself.

But even then... she still can't stop herself from running to her anyway. Except when she turns the corner... ]

Rhodo-chan...! Eh...?

[ Her guard goes up at the sight of a Torment in the image of Rhodonite instead. As for what Rhodonite sees and hears... well, it's unfortunately something very familiar, albeit less… intense. At least compared to how it was as a Night Terror. ]

[traceofeffort]

[Man, That Jerk was really a pain to deal with... Rhodonite's seen better days, but if she's left more or less alone, she'll be able to keep going for a while longer and try to scout ahead. There's a lot of debris in this maze, and-

The low growl gets her attention first, followed by the scampering footfalls. But when the figure she's hearing comes around the corner, her bass already up and a shield hastily thrown out, Lisa's blood runs cold, and she wonders if this is where her luck runs out. She doesn't know where this place found a Torment in the particular shape of Hibiki's Night Terror - even if the presence is very clearly not strong enough to be the genuine article again - but it took four of them and a lot of luck to beat it the last time. Should she try and talk to it again, or just...?

No. The decision was made for her when That Jerk shot her; if it jumps her, she's done for. Besides, this is just delaying her. Junna's waiting for her, further ahead. She has to press on. So to test it and see how much of its former strength this thing has, Rhodonite fires off a volley of bolts at it, carefully keeping her shield between it and her, backing up a tiny bit. It. It's just a Torment...... right? Right!?]

[determinationtofist]

[ …Is it bad that, on some level, there’s a part of Hibiki that’s… kind of in awe? Her danger sense triggered, so it must be a Torment… she wouldn’t be getting attacked otherwise, and she’s had to deal with a few Torments already with… familiar abilities.

But even if it’s a Torment, it looks just like her, doesn’t it? But she looks so confident, so commanding… and that dress… ]

Kh…!

[ She ducks away from the first part of (what she sees as) the blue rose volley before rapidly punching away the rest. Crap, she can’t let herself get distracted like that! Both because this is a fight and because, well… Miku would get upset with her for getting distracted like that.

Still, if it’s anything like the real Rhodonite, she knows her weaknesses…! She dashes at Rhodonite in a zigzag pattern to avoid her shots, using her fists to block the shots that do reach her. ]

[traceofeffort]

[Hibiki, any other day she'd be happy to have you looking respectfully, but focus, before Rhodonite accidentally hurts you-

It's no big surprise when the shadow punches away most of the bolts. Most Dreamers can do that. But it lets her know that she's not dealing with something mindless - she's going to have to fight for her life. So it's a small moment's focus to cue up the rest of her abilities: mentally she shapes her next shield to spread wide but thin, to protect more of her even if it'll shatter from one solid blow, and to pull the Torment's attention in case she comes up with something and needs a distraction. And from there she's... on her own. Can she use something else in the room? The laser pistol's an option, but if she gets shot with that thing again she might actually die of shock, and thus she needs to make absolutely certain Hibiki's shadow doesn't find it. It's a space-themed set, with a starry backdrop, mostly-designed command consoles, and some other bits and bobs...

-wait, first problem first. Should she use that, or should she save it for a more impactful occasion...? No, if she gets herself sent home now, it won't matter if she has new powers. Gotta let her in closer first, though, and on a hard note, she projects a paper-thin barrier, like a sheet of pale-red paper in the air. Then she hops lightly onto one of the pieces of the set, throwing a couple more bolts, balancing her weight on her back heel. Wait for it...]

[determinationtofist]

[ Would it even be accidentally in this case? Unknowingly, perhaps, but there's definitely intent going on right now! In Hibiki's eyes, each of Rhodonite's actions are done with an air of pure confidence, singing a song with no hesitation, like she can handle anything and everything... ]

HAH!!

[ Hibiki's claws tear through her barrier Hibiki's fist tears through the first barrier like Rhodonite expects, and as she jumps away to another part of the set and fires more of those roses, a few bolts hit home, but the rest are swiped smacked out of the air as Hibiki turns to pursue her again. She leaps toward Rhodonite once again...! ]

Wildcard

[greaterspeed]

[Sonic's only been a part of one Disturbance up to this point and he can't help but wonder if they're all school related or if it's just because it's been school girls at the center of them thus far. Gotta give Japan credit though; it's living up to international expectations in that regard!

Thing is that Sonic approaches Dreams the same way he approaches life; sometimes a person just needs a good, strong nudge in the right direction to get to where they need to go. He's under no illusion that he's not meant to be the hero who saves the day, not when he spots the manic and desperate energy that some of the people in the Disturbance was showing. And, for better or for worse, one person in particular stands out.

He'd watched her fraying apart in the Waking World too. Seeing it happening here in the middle of someone else also having a breakdown seems just plain unfair.

So Sonic eventually decides to take matters into his own hands, deliberately interrupting her progress in little ways to start - luring silhouettes to her, dashing past her, getting Rhodonite caught up in his fights or other, innocuous things - before he tosses aside all pretenses and just confronts her before she can enter the maze.

The room with the lone silhouette practicing Julius Caesar is nowhere to be found, though the smile on Sonic's face says everything that Rhodonite probably needs to know]

Yo! [he gives her his usual casual salute before initiating... Small talk?] You know... I've only been in one of these before. Y'know, if I wasn't homeschooled already, I'd probably start considering it!

[yet if she tries to walk past him, Sonic simply moves over to block Rhodonite's progress. He must have chosen this room so she knows it was him and not just some random Torment, which seems rather mean spirited of him, but Sonic's never been one for subterfuge. She can be angry at him, he doesn't mind. This? This is more important]

[traceofeffort]

[It's a day or two before Rhodonite notices she's being sabotaged, just a little. This is partly because whoever's doing it starts small, and partly because she's in a little bit of a fog. Going nonstop... should make her feel better, like she's accomplishing something, like she's making progress. Instead she feels like she's wearing lead heels, and her fingers don't quite move the way she wants them to. But she notices when there are too many Torments a couple times, and she definitely notices the blue blur shooting past her before she can get where she's trying to go, especially when it has Torments chasing it and they get interested in her instead - and he's far enough away she can't even fade into the background anymore. Little things, but they add up, and add to her frustration. Why are they doing this? Isn't she already stressing out enough without someone else adding things on top? Why, why, why why whywhy-

Now, though. Now she knows exactly who it is, because he's standing right in front of her. Sonic... this is Nikki, right? Nikki, who's told her before he takes things at his own pace, and more importantly, that she needs to learn how to ask for help. This is probably him forcing the issue, yet...]

One what? One school? Or one Disturbance? Or one situation where someone important to you is missing?

[Her tone is irritated; Lisa and Junna being an item is damn near the worst kept secret in the entire Dreamer Union, so he should know she's not in the mood for this, as she tries to shift so she can make a break for it, even as he apparently matches her motions to keep her blocked off. Why is he doing this? Rhodonite shakes her head, slightly wild hair cascading everywhere.]

I. I have to get to Caesar-chan. I have to... let me through. [Firm, but not quite an order.]

[greaterspeed]

Disturbance! [he replies cheerfully] Though 'school' works as an answer too, now that I'm thinking about it.

[he tilts his head in a curious gesture and doesn't acknowledge the last point. This isn't about him and it's sort of more than obvious for her]

Do I? You're looking pretty beat up and all those Torments back there are small fry. What do you think is going to happen if I just let you through?

[She has every right to be upset, but she also can't keep going like this. If she doesn't tap out soon, go get some actual rest and maybe a square meal, she's going to be putting herself at risk in the Dream Sphere... Though-]

... You should go home. [Sonic tilts his chin up as he says it, like it's not obvious what he meant]

[traceofeffort]

[Hey, it's possible, though vanishingly unlikely, Nikki and Junna are super close and Lisa's just somehow never heard it. But no, she knows it's unlikely too. So she pushes it out of her mind, and focuses on the roadblock in front of her.]

I'm going to fight until I can't fight anymore. Then I'm going to keep fighting anyway.

[It's stupid. But right now, that's what she's depending on to keep her moving. If she stops, if she has to plan, if she tries to rest, she's just going to drop. And so when Sonic proposes the admittedly-correct decision, her temper flares, even as her voice thickens.]

My home is trapped in here! I don't... I don't want to go back to my empty apartment. There's nothing waiting for me there. Let me through.

[This is maybe more than is polite to let on about her relationship with Junna, but... screw it. Maybe if she makes him understand how important it is, he'll let her go-]

[greaterspeed]

See... [he scratches the back of his head, hedgehog ears twitching slightly with the gesture] That's kinda the problem.

[Sonic's smile softens a little. For someone who has such an adventurous spirit, 'home' can be literally anywhere, an abstract concept that's as vast as the skies themselves. But that's sort of hard to explain and definitely not for everyone. Least of all for someone who seems so lonely.

Still. He gets this too.

The younger Dreamer steps forward, and in a blink closes the distance between them, green eyes staring straight into Rhodonite's, the brief pause the only warning she gets before he strikes, intending to knock her away from the door, back the way she came]

D

[darcangel]

[ Rhodonite....no, Lisa....! She is making a very difficult decision, but a noble one. La Pucelle is not sure how well she could raise her own sword against, say, her angel. She has no right to do so.

So on her way down to Junna, she stops. Looks the bassist in the eyes. Her heart longs to offer Lisa some comfort, but the best thing she can do right now is reassure the other girl, is it not....? To not interrupt her strength, her decision. To not compromise it. And to take on the burden in her stead. That is what a commander is for.

She salutes with her sword. ]

I do so swear. By my banner, and the name of God.

[traceofeffort]

[For her few other faults - she adores Jeanne-chan, she does, but the holy knight thing makes her really hard to understand sometimes - the girl is honest, straightforward, and loyal. All of those are things she appreciates, and right now, all of those things are being directed at her, and Lisa couldn't be more blessed to have them. Her emotions are running haywire right now, and she must be quite a sight with her red-rimmed eyes still with the bags under them, but... she doesn't look away. Rhodonite smiles warmly for maybe the first time in two weeks, and nods.]

We're never promised victory. But... I'll share your faith, today. I'm- I'm counting on you, La Pu- mm, Jeannette. Bring her home. [Her voice only breaks a little this time.] Come home safe yourself, too.

[darcangel]

The same to you, Lisa. Protect yourself, and your heart.

[ NOOOO BEATING YOURSELF UP OVER ANY PORTION OF THIS! NONE. SHE WILL HAVE ZERO OF THAT DO YOU HEAR HER.

She walks to the edge, pauses. Murmurs a prayer, and Rhodonite might feel a warm glow within herself, like someone is gently hugging her soul, reminding her that she can do this, not to give up, that she's believed in and valued.

Some people, Chaosbringer, summon giant turtles. La Pucelle summons warm fuzzies. ]

I am off.

[traceofeffort]

My heart is down there. But... you have my word. Junna won't have to cry over me when she gets back.

[Well. She will. But not for that reason.

Lisa opens her mouth to say something else, before she feels... something. Foreign magic, sure, but beyond that, it's like someone bottled the feeling of someone stroking her hair and telling her things will be okay for fifteen minutes, and she took a straight shot of that? Sonic beating her up helped her mood a lot, but this is... a sorely needed pick-me-up. Rhodonite's expression visibly lightens, and as the confusion clears, her grin is honest, if a little tired.]

Thank you. And... take care.

[darcangel]

[ She nods, her lips forming something that might be "Merci". Then it's over the edge she drops. Just. Stepping. And down she goes.

Joan of Arc has this worrying disregard for heights. ]

D

[hanategami]

[A part of Maihime wants to jump down. She wants to do more to help directly. She gets it, the themes of pressure and strife that this place has showcased, and the thought of someone else dealing with something like that hurts. She wants to help Junna, even if she doesn't really know her.

...the other part wants to help Lisa. The other part wins by a mile.

So Maihime walks up the stairs, gaze set on Rhodonite. Carefully, her ribbon stretches out, briefly waving itself in front of the other so that she knows she's there, then gently wraps around her waist, as if trying to comfort her in some way. Maihime herself isn't far behind, and if Rhodonite were to look at her, she would try to give a reassuring smile - as would Temari, right next to her as always.

She's not sure what exactly to say, but...hopefully, the purpose behind the gesture still comes through clearly.]

[traceofeffort]

[The ribbon catches her attention first, and her expression... eases, just a little. Maihime's got her back, huh? The gentle hug, such as it is, is enough to help her calm down a little more, and she smiles as the girl finally reaches the top of the staircase, Temari beside her.]

Thanks, Nadeshiko-chan. I'm... well, I'm not okay. But you already knew that. So I'm- [A slow, shuddering breath.] I'm glad you're here for me, yeah? And I'm happy you and Temari-chan seem to be in good shape.

[hanategami]

[Even before she speaks, it's obvious from expression and posture alone how much of a toll all of this has taken on Lisa; had she tried to deny any of it, Nadeshiko certainly would have pushed back against that denial.

But she didn't, and Maihime feels all the more relieved for it, honestly, that she isn't hiding it.]

I did all I could to ensure I would be. [Which, well, wasn't exactly easy, but stuff like this never was.]

We both did. [Temari chimes in, and floats a bit closer to Rhodonite, gently patting her on the face in a reassuring manner. She might be small, but hey, she has her own ways of giving comfort.] So, whatever might happen next...we'll be here, by your side, and ready for it.

[And judging from the distant sounds of Torments beginning to reach & ascend the stairs, "whatever" might be showing itself pretty soon.]

[traceofeffort]

[Temari's additional reassurance makes Lisa's smile turn a little more honest, even if she still doesn't entirely feel it. She'll... get there. Probably. Eventually. Lisa pats Temari's head in return, unsure how to thank her without accidentally shoving her half a meter away.]

More ready than I am. I feel... wrung out. I'll manage, though. We've got a job to do, yeah?

[Her exhaustion - emotional, physical, and spiritual - shows in her voice. But she's upbeat, which is a welcome change from the days prior. She glances at the stairs, faintly vibrating with the crowd coming up.]

My powers aren't suited to a big crowd, but... I have to try.

A

[reluctants]

[ Just when the beings start to advance on Rhodonite, there seems to be help - even if it's help coming from a surprising angle. Because there's no one there on the freight elevator with her, yet there's pink balls of energy flying at the Rhodonite-shaped shadows from.. above?

A moment later the attack is followed up by a shriek, and if Rhodonite looks up, she may see a familiar face falling from the sky. Thankfully it's not full on falling, because Prisma's little pigtails are moving back and forth rapidly, seeming to flow her fall to a point where it's more like she's just gliding down towards the elevator. ]

I-- I didn't realize it already left! [ She shrieks - sounding a little panicked, but at least she does seem like she has things.. kind of under control as she's moving downwards..? ] What are those?! A-Are you okay, Rhodonite-san?!

[ S-She's still coming down, hold on! Prisma is at least raising her wand again, like she's ready to attack again if need be to help the other out. ]

[traceofeffort]

[As the pink orbs come in, Rhodonite scrambles to secure her footing again, bringing her shield up before she chances a look to the sky to find... huh. Not the Dreamer she would have expected, but beggars can't be choosers, and besides that, after Lisa's own speech to her some months ago she's happy for an object lesson. Or, well. Definitely not happy, but it'll drive home the point better than crying into Illya's sleeve. Suiting her current feelings, she leads with the easy answer-]

I'm definitely not okay, Prisma-chan, but not in a way anyone's going to be able to fix right now. I think they're Torments, though. Nasty Torments, but Torments all the same.

[She shoots at the one with the knuckles dead in front of her, hoping to make sure Prisma has a clear spot to land without having to create one (and risk blasting Rhodonite in the process). She doesn't do much real damage with the wild shots, but it's enough to open some space.]

[reluctants]

They're Torments?!

[ Well, technically it's the only thing that would make sense.. What else would appear in this space, if not Torments? But Prisma still looks a little bit freaked out as she moves down, thankfully finding a relatively clear space to land on.

She raises her wand, and as the star on top of it glows, it summons a weird-looking little guy. An aggressive little guy too, since it immediately moves over towards the Torment with the broadsword, staring to swing its own smaller sword at it.

It doesn't seem too powerful, but it does seem to hurt the Torments enough to be able to draw their attention for now. Just long enough for Prisma to call out: ]

W-Why do they kind of look like people with weapons?!

[ Usually the Torments are weirder than that, right? ]

[traceofeffort]

[Rhodonite notices the little thing Prisma summons as she lands - an angry little guy with a heavy-looking rock sword - and doesn't immediately worry much about it; it does seem to be doing work, but if it's going to act on its own, she doesn't need to devote too much brainpower to it. Instead she devotes a little more to active cover fire, shooting at the one with the gauntlets again - and why isn't the last one moving? - and a bit more brainpower to answering Illya.]

I think it gives us opponents that counter us. I'm really bad at fighting up close, so it's a Torment with gauntlets and a Torment with a sword. But... [Her voice falters.] I think they're also supposed to be things we think we're going to have a hard time dealing with.

[She risks a moment to glance at Prisma; the younger girl looks a little frazzled, but determined, and that's enough right now.]

I'm going to try and help you fight them, but I'm really not very good on offense. I'll keep you safe, though, no matter what.

[reluctants]

[ Her mouth opens and closes a few times. ]

Well, I'm-- I'm also not that good with any combat that's up close.. [ Granted, her.. summon, or familiar, or whatever it is, since Prisma hasn't figured it out herself.. at least he's helping with it a little bit. But she knows he isn't all that strong. He's more just a helpful distraction while she fights.

Maybe that's why she breathes in, saying: ]

But I'll try!

[ She has to, right? There's no other choice. Rhodonite said before that she's kind of scared about Dreamer stuff, so Prisma has to do her best here. She has to step up, even though it's scary.

(Is that why the Torments only reflect Rhodonite's fears, because Prisma finds everything scary, so they don't need to get specific? Or is it because she was here first?

.. no time to think about it, she figures.)

Instead Prisma quickly fires off more of her energy blasts at the one with the gauntlets. ]

I'll take that one out first-- The other one is distracted, and the third one isn't doing anything! Maybe it can't even attack without a weapon..! [ So that makes the one with the gauntlets the biggest danger right now. The first thing they have to deal with. ]