IN THE FOREST OF THE LOST

[beathollow]

it's all too perfect.

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[idealitas]

[ Yi Sang will heal Celeste, Izou, and Richard with a Media, and in the spirit of everyone... ]

This bitch needs to shut up.

[beathollow]

Argenti's Psio is... completely blocked. In the back of his mind he'll see a vision- Mafuyu and Snow White, trying to defend herself from the encroaching shadow on the stage, but nothing works- nothing works-!!! Help, someone-

Fray leaps into action with this sword... which means he's close enough to see the wicked smile split the Queen's face before suddenly, she's holding The Marionette in front of her to take the hit instead. The Marionette cries out in agony.

Eli does catch her off guard with magic, and she grunts, letting the Marionette slump back down. Keen eyes can see that she's trembling.

Look what you've done... The Queen says- and there's a honey-sweet thickness to her tone that makes you want to believe it is your fault.

She raises her scepter and swings it with the burning force of Vicious Swing, missing Aubrey, McGillis, Haruka, Argenti, Fray and Yi Sang. Consequently, she hits Eli (19), Celeste (15), Soujuurou (13), Jesse (17), Izou (13), Yoon (14), and Arven (14).

After this, she casts BUG, hitting McGillis, Eli, Soujuurou, Jesse, and Argenti with PARANOIA.

Those hit with Bug must roll a d3.

1. They are consumed with paranoia and anxiety, and are unable to attack this round.
2. They attack blindly and with disadvantage.
3. They perceive allies as enemies and traitors, and will attack them instead.

Bug can be cleansed with either cleansing spell, or the Music Box, but a residual unease remains afterward.

[moodwrecker]

[What the hell is this, consequences for their actions?]

Mafuyu!

[Shit, okay... Well, she'll cast Media to try to heal herself, Eli, Yoon, and Mafuyu herself.]

[strawsandals]

Thank you!

[beautifulknight]

[ Argenti's eyes widen at the vision of Mafuyu and Snow White - and then what happens afterwards, a bead of sweat sliding down his face as Mafuyu is struck right then and there instead of the Queen by Fray.

How dirty for the creature to pull such a move!! ]

You...!

[ The Knight of Beauty's expression darkens in the Queen's direction, but before he can do much about it, he feels himself awash with paranoia and anxiety, face turning white with how pale it is. He shakes, and falls to one knee.

He can hear his own thoughts turn against him. What was he doing again...? Who is he to stand here and think he can do anything when he himself had been corrupted before? Won't he just hurt Mafuyu if he attacks? Hasn't he already harmed her enough?

So...what can someone like him do...? ]

[bloodweapon]

[Fray certainly wasn't expecting that, and he can't manage to stop the sword before it's crashing into the marionette. Ouch. Sorry, Mafuyu...

He backs up to cast Energy Shower on Argenti, Jesse, and McGillis instead, since this is clearly not going to be a battle he can handle with his usual methods.]

[beautifulknight]

...My thanks, dear Fray.

Who would have known that the being would have stooped so low?

[ Should have expected it, but still. He finds himself irritated by it nonetheless.

But very thankful for his boyfriend's well-timed clears. ]

[bloodweapon]

Think nothing of it. We need your strength, Argenti.

[Though how exactly we're going to get by the Mafushield is another question entirely... Hopefully Izou's plan works!]

[privatedomicile]

Oh, you bitch—

[And then Jesse immediately gest an onslaught of smacked with a scepter and hit with Bug.] Jesus, what the hell is wrong with this broad?!

[He fires his gun in panic, somehow managing to hit just barely (12.)]

[supherb]

[She...she used her own child as a shield. Arven can barely comprehend what he's seeing...until a wicked fury escapes his mouth.]

You monster!!!

[His rage leads him to completely miss that incoming attack coming his way. Ow. Mabosstiff barks as he picks himself back up, and he rests a hand atop the Pokemon's head.]

'm okay, bud. I'm not gonna let her win.

[He needs to start doing his job, though. It's time to be on cleansing duty.]

C'mon, Hestia!

[The motherly persona emerges from a pillar of flame, regarding the queen before unleashing Energy Shower to cleanse Eli and Soujuurou of their paranoia.]

[emptyself]

[ he owes you one arven! once he’s cleared, he whips his head at the queen, still looking somewhat worse for wear. ]

STOP MESSING WITH MY THOUGHTS!

[ the little dragon is learning to roar! ]

[supherb]

[Let's gooooo.]

You tell her!!

[fullmoonmutt]

Arven! Thanks!

[ Good job. He saved Eli from attacking someone else, phew. ]

[vogelfrei]

[ Well. Bug hits and McGillis suddenly looks at everyone around him with very different eyes. ]

You think you can slide into my good graces with all that talk of bonds? Let my guard down like that?

[ Though his words are angry, they don't seem to be directed at anybody in particular. He's talking from a real fear, but it doesn't have a genuine direction. When he attacks, it's pretty much at random... which means Haruka is hit with a Giant Slice (17). ]

[townmusician]

[being sliced by someone a over a foot taller than you is a hate crime, i'm pretty sure]

Wh—

[He was expecting the brainwashing to rear it's ugly head again, but come on! Why's he got to get caught in the crossfire?! That hit is pretty significant, too, and Haruka stumbles back. He doesn't stop to heal himself, though, the Little Mermaid floating behind him and blowing angry, fiery bubbles that... don't anything (1......).]

Why do you have to hit so hard when your brain's getting fucked with? That fucking hurt...!

[emptyself]

Ahah—!

[ a broken laugh escapes soujuurou as the feeling of paranoia washes over him like sludge in his blood. a cornered animal is more susceptible to foolish attacks and struggles, and this young man is no different.

he lunges, trying to attack, but heavens knows what he sees, because it doesn’t land (2). ]

[goei]

Yi Sang, Celeste, c'mere!

[Assuming they answer his call, Izou explained in a hushed tone his plan to "IF WE ALL RUSH IN AT ONCE, ONE OF US CAN GRAB MAFUYU WHILE THE OTHER TWO DISTRACT HER" which.... maybe will work???

Izou and Yi Sang on distraction duty, barging in like he's going to tackle her because that seems more baffling than attacking properly. (12)]

Yeah look what we've done! And we're gonna keep doin' it til you give up, ya broad!!!

[cirquedesang]

[He will absolutely be down for this plan, Izou, don't worry--!

And while Izou and Yi Sang rush in, he'll mutter a quiet apology to Mafuyu before firing an Admit One (12) at the marionette. It'll do a little bit of curse damage, but he's hoping the silks will be able to yoink her out of the queen's arms so he can catch her.]

[idealitas]

[ You know what,

Because this roll is ass (4...), he's not gonna be a successful as Izou with a tackle here. I'm also not risking my shitty luck while also on autopilot... So!

Yi Sang will discreetly hand off Mafuyu's Heart to Izou or Celeste. Either can give it back to him later, but for now have the MacGuffin for now. ]

[strawsandals]

Tch-!

[ Annoying. He won't strike, though; he'll use Media on Jesse, Soujuurou, Arven and himself. ]

[supherb]

I owe you one, Yoon!

[ledbythewind]

[Richard is just going to toss out a Media for Eli, Celeste, Izou and himself, since Yoon took care of the others!]

[fullmoonmutt]

[ A heal! ]

Thanks, Snooty!

[ He doesn't remember Richard's name, sorry. ]

[fullmoonmutt]

[ Paranoia! Before Eli can turn and attack anyone else (2), Arven hits him with an Energy Shower. What...? He pauses, confused momentarily, left feeling uncertain thanks to the remaining unease.

But he has had a chance to see what's going on after the initial attack. Fray attacked physically, only to be blocked. His spell went through, though. Well, Eli's low on ranged magic, which means he refocuses on a different target: the glass coffin.

The Queen already cracked it so thoughtlessly... and so Eli goes after the coffin, only his punch to it doesn't do much this round (6). ]

...tch. Damn it.

[beathollow]

The Queen gasps and smacks Izou away, affronted-

You BRUTE. Get back!

... But their plan works, and the Marionette is back within the team's custody while Jesse manages to shoot the Queen! The Party will feel an increase in their defense. ... The heals help her deal with the pain, as well.

The Queen wails. Mafuyu! Come back!

... But the fight's not over, either.

The Queen casts Brain Jack, inflicting Brainwash upon Haruka, Izou, Aubrey, Yoon, Richard, and Yi Sang.

Yi Sang immediately tries to steal back the Marionette and manages to get her in his grasp (14).

Bring her back to me and crush them all! The Queen orders, before casting Atomic Flare against Argenti... landing a Super Effective Critical Hit (20).