thestormishere | ☈ strike #09 (video / action)

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☈ strike #09 (video / action)

[ Lightning looks particularly tired today, although even with it obvious that she's got her journal open, she's clearly not looking at it- something that might explain why she doesn't seem to notice that she's 'recording' herself. ]

I'm not tired.

[ She seems pretty frustrated, too. After a moment, she literally tosses the journal aside- the image spins wildly... and yet keeps going even after it lands. A view of Lightning's legs strolling away can be seen, and then Aerith, standing a short distance away and fiddling with the staff in her hands. Lightning stops next to her, hand on hip, but their conversation - if any - is seemingly too low to be caught.

They're in the battledome, and anyone who happens to be around out there or tuning in curiously will quickly see that what they're doing doesn't seem very interesting: like many others, preparing for the draft by fighting simulated Third Party combatants. Lightning takes point, wielding her gunblade with practiced ease as Aerith calls on the magic of the Filial spirits, firing jets of water and following up with her staff. Those familiar with spirit energy may also recognize that she's gathering and is close to unleashing it, a very faint glow of light around her body.

Eventually the last soldier collapses, the body fading away, and Aerith turns to Lightning. There's a slash on her arm, bloodied but shallow, but the brunette doesn't pay it mind for the moment, looking at Lightning with an earnest expression. ] All right, I'm ready.

Right... [ Lightning seems at once determined and uneasy as she folds her gunblade and slams it into its holster, shifting in place. Aerith pauses, then holds her staff in front of her, concentrating with her brow furrowed. The energy goes out from her, surrounding Lightning and surging forward as beams of light-- going specifically for her chest, from which a different glow starts to appear: bright blue, seemingly shining from a small but elaborate something beneath her sleeveless tunic...

But almost immediately after that, it's obvious that something is extremely wrong. The lights flare, almost seeming to clash, and what looks like it should be a magical healing of some sort causes Lightning to suddenly stagger back as if struck, pressing a hand into her chest.

And as if that wasn't enough, the pink-haired girl screams in pain. The sound abruptly cuts off just as the glow fades, Lightning wavers where she stands, and then just collapses, straight down with zero effort to catch herself- not a good sign, considering the former soldier could probably do that in her sleep.

OOC: Both video and action open! ]

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[ It's a little unlikely Lightning will be doing much of anything for the rest of the day, considering the extent of her reaction to trying to seal the magical Brand that has a hold on her soul and body. As soon as she's back to speed with a working mind again, however, she seems to realize it's possible that incident could have been seen- she casts a glance up towards the second floor, her jaw clenched, even though it's impossible to see anything from the simulation side. ]

[For a second he thinks he's been spotted, then he realizes better. He smirks and glances down at Babe.]

I think we might be in trouble.

--Light? [Aerith's not exactly about to leave Light alone like this, so guess who's still hanging around? She looks up at the "mirror" too, an unhappy look crossing her face as she realizes what Lightning must be thinking.] Maybe there's no one up there...

[She hopes. And no one came to help her with Lightning, so... who could be up there?]

... Maybe.

[ It really shows that Lightning isn't anywhere near steady, but she manages to stand, at least. As far as she's concerned, though, they're done here. Show's over. With what she brought with her gathered up, she fully intends to just go home ~~and wait for the start of the final blow~~. If Jack wants to run into them on the way out or something, however... ]

[Seeing the way she's walking, it's clear she's weak. Much as he thinks Aerith, she's a tiny little thing. So Jack ends up strolling on down the stairs. He'll be waiting outside the chamber doors when they exit, leaning against the wall.]

That must have been some workout.

Jack? [Aerith's a tiny little thing. She's also a fairly smart one, and the fact that he was waiting for them makes her purse her lips. She's rather wound up from what happened.] I wouldn't call it a workout. How long were you here?

[And if he did see them, why didn't he help earlier? Yes, he's not a healer--and he knows Aerith is--but--having someone else there might have made things easier.]

[ Lightning's eyes narrow when she sees Jack-- that's the one guy she talked to briefly the other day on the journals, isn't it? Aerith recognizing him by name pretty much confirms it. Right now though, she's pretty much the weakest she's... pretty much ever been and, needless to say, she isn't really in the mood to be messing around with other people. She just frowns and stares at him, letting Aerith's question stand. ]

[He has good reasoning for not helping, really. For instance, the fact you can't interrupt a scenario in progress. And also because he saw no need to, even if he could. But he'll stick with the first one.]

Long enough. It looks like one you should be avoiding the fighting.

[Prompting Aerith to step forward and answer the comment obviously directed to Lightning.]

We're done for today. You'll have to take any fighting we do later up with the Malnosso! [Wry? Oh yes. If they hadn't been drafted, they probably wouldn't even be in the dome today.]

[ Lightning's mouth settles into a line, her chin lowering. Both Jack's comment and Aerith's protection annoy her a little. ]

Looks can be deceiving. [ And from the way she is now, you could probably argue for making a comment like that just from seeing her here, but on the other hand... ]

Whatever you saw, just forget it.

[Oh dear, two lovely ladies upset at him? Story of his life.]

All I'm saying is, if you're in no position to fight, you need to stay back with the civvies. You don't send an injured man out on the field, not unless you're unconcerned over him dying. [That might be the 'captain' in him talking.]

[She looks back at Lightning. Just what is she planning to do during the fight with things as they stand?]

[ "Unconcerned over dying..."

Lightning tenses, very slightly, continuing to just stare at Jack past Aerith without looking at her. If it sounds like there's a touch of bitterness in her voice amidst the low, level defensiveness, it's... not imagined. She's got a rough plan, yes, and it's not a happy one. ]

There's no reason for you to be concerned about it; I'll be fine again in time for the 'draft.'

Suit yourself.

[He crosses his arms and stares off towards where his dumb little cow thing is slowly making its way down the stairs.]

Just see you don't get someone else hurt trying to play at hero. [Because that doesn't always work out for you. That little bastard Pinocchio tried to do that. Got his head lopped off by his so called 'brothers'.]

[Any other time and Aerith might be distracted with the cow and Is It Cute Or Not. But Lightning's set gaze worries her.]

Jack, please stop. No one's trying to be a hero here.

[ ... It's a little late for that kind of sentiment anyway; people are going to get hurt no matter what Lightning does at this point, courtesy of the Malnosso. However, if she's got a chance at taking down as many enemies as she can before that...? She's not trying to be a 'hero' here, but as far as she sees it she doesn't really have a choice. A guy that really kind of annoys her isn't going to be very effective in dissuading her. ]

Thanks for the advice... I'll keep it in mind.

Fine, fine. Whatever.

[He shrugs. It's not like he'll be losing any sleep over this, no matter how it falls into place.]

So, need any help back? I'm heading back to the pad anyway.

No. [ Stubborn as hell, Lightning answers immediately, before Aerith gets the chance to interject anything of her own- she'll crawl home before accepting help from this guy in a way that means he (or his... weird blue pre-hamburger there) would probably have to touch her. ]

[For now, Aerith's certainly taking her cues from Lightning--part of it is guilt for what's just happened, but the other part is worry over conflict of any sort. She doesn't know if the brand is more sensitive to emotion now and she is certainly not testing that with aggravation.] Thanks, but we'll get home all right. [She moves to walk past him, though not before looking to see if Light needs any support already...]

Whatever. No skin off my back. [He starts walking away, ahead of them. He glances over his shoulder at Babe.]

Oi, Grover. Let's move it.

[Not that he's bothering to see if the cow will follow him home. ~~It might just follow the girls instead.~~ He's out the door and on his way. Not that this is a forgotten matter or anything. He'll be keeping an eye out for these two in the coming battle.]

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☈ strike #09 (video / action)

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just switching order a little :)

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