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IC Inbox [Songerein]
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Hm. Might be for the best in the end. These hedges don't like being disturbed. [Speaking from experience?]
We'll worry if the path suddenly decides to end. [At the moment, it seems to be a straighter path than the last one they went down.]
We'll worry if the path suddenly decides to end. [At the moment, it seems to be a straighter path than the last one they went down.]
[ It's a feat that's definitely worth cheering for! Nevertheless, it's not Susato has everything memorized, so they're just going to have to wing it and make do. Beyond her martial arts that she only ever used for self defense, she's not exactly the outdoorsy, active type, so she is already starting to feel the burn in her chest and her arms.
And speaking of burn, they seem to be coming up on a thick, heavily forested area! Can they even get through there...? ]
L, Like that?!
[ Susato frees up one of her hands, preparing for anything. And as if that wasn't enough, suddenly branches of all shapes and sizes come protruding down on either side of them, as if actively trying to impede their progress. She doesn't think. She just closes her eyes, reaching for that inner fire as she always has, and starts to take aim as she releases small wisps of fire to clear their way.
It's a bumpy ride! In some cases, the branches don't burn fast enough, and she has to start using the oar to wack them out of the way as they barrel through. ]
And speaking of burn, they seem to be coming up on a thick, heavily forested area! Can they even get through there...? ]
L, Like that?!
[ Susato frees up one of her hands, preparing for anything. And as if that wasn't enough, suddenly branches of all shapes and sizes come protruding down on either side of them, as if actively trying to impede their progress. She doesn't think. She just closes her eyes, reaching for that inner fire as she always has, and starts to take aim as she releases small wisps of fire to clear their way.
It's a bumpy ride! In some cases, the branches don't burn fast enough, and she has to start using the oar to wack them out of the way as they barrel through. ]
[Right, Toby might have ended making more of a mess of things. Gina's determined to solve this anyway!]
I ain't gonna worry even then! [She responds with determination.] That'll just mean we'll 'ave to go back an' pick a different one. We'll figure this out, you'll see! [Her optimistic energy builds!]
I ain't gonna worry even then! [She responds with determination.] That'll just mean we'll 'ave to go back an' pick a different one. We'll figure this out, you'll see! [Her optimistic energy builds!]
Like those...! [She gulps and looks on with dread as the trees branches stand in their way!]
Get yer branches away from us, ya bleedin' trees! Stick to the land, not the water!
[In any case, she watches in wonder as Susato releases those wisps and clears some of the branches! She grins at her partner's ability.]
There ya go, Sooze! You're doin' great! I ain't never been so proud to see someone throwin' fire around!
[She says with a laugh. She does what she can to try to keep the boat going at full speed no matter what - slowing down occasionally only to wack some of the branches with her oar herself!]
Get yer branches away from us, ya bleedin' trees! Stick to the land, not the water!
[In any case, she watches in wonder as Susato releases those wisps and clears some of the branches! She grins at her partner's ability.]
There ya go, Sooze! You're doin' great! I ain't never been so proud to see someone throwin' fire around!
[She says with a laugh. She does what she can to try to keep the boat going at full speed no matter what - slowing down occasionally only to wack some of the branches with her oar herself!]
[The maze seems to sense there's not any shortage of confidence between. For when they turn a corner, they'll see the walls will eventually come to an end on the far side. Couldn't help but have a relieved smile on his face.]
I think we actually did figure it out. [The question is, will their costumes go away once they get out?]
I think we actually did figure it out. [The question is, will their costumes go away once they get out?]
[ Something of a celebratory noise escapes from her mouth, and she might have held up her oar in triumph as they make it through. That slowed them down for sure, but they don't give up! She takes a moment to regard their surroundings once more, looking ahead of them to see what else they have left, and it doesn't look like much at all.
There are more flags to indicate the finish line, similar to what was at the start. Better not linger! She wipes off some sweat off her forehead.
If there are any scratches on her skin, or damage to her clothes, or the boat, she'll worry about it later. ]
Almost!
[ And then, after one last nasty surprise in the form of a whirlpool that felt more like a giant drain, Susato has to release off another ball of fire with force, trying to use the momentum to jet them in the opposite way and out of its pull.
They cross the finish line soon after to much cheering and clapping! Some of it might've even been her own. Phew! ]
There are more flags to indicate the finish line, similar to what was at the start. Better not linger! She wipes off some sweat off her forehead.
If there are any scratches on her skin, or damage to her clothes, or the boat, she'll worry about it later. ]
Almost!
[ And then, after one last nasty surprise in the form of a whirlpool that felt more like a giant drain, Susato has to release off another ball of fire with force, trying to use the momentum to jet them in the opposite way and out of its pull.
They cross the finish line soon after to much cheering and clapping! Some of it might've even been her own. Phew! ]
Not too bad at all.
[Although they've definitely spoken too soon, because as soon as Tifa finishes saying it, the cave gives a mighty roar that shakes the walls that dust begins to fall on their heads. Already, Tifa's gut is telling her that this is probably what she was expecting...]
We need to move...
[And then, the stair under her feet begins to crumble.]
Now!
[Although they've definitely spoken too soon, because as soon as Tifa finishes saying it, the cave gives a mighty roar that shakes the walls that dust begins to fall on their heads. Already, Tifa's gut is telling her that this is probably what she was expecting...]
We need to move...
[And then, the stair under her feet begins to crumble.]
Now!
I wonder if they'll be laughing when they lose!! We should get them!
[ Now he's all fired up and ready to go. Alphen likes to get competitive and he doesn't ease up easily so he'll be trying his best to take on the loosey goose.]
Today's the day their reign of terror ends!
[ For all his bold claims he just fails magnificently. The goose is still loose. ]
[ Now he's all fired up and ready to go. Alphen likes to get competitive and he doesn't ease up easily so he'll be trying his best to take on the loosey goose.]
Today's the day their reign of terror ends!
[ For all his bold claims he just fails magnificently. The goose is still loose. ]
[Van Zieks certainly isn't great at teamwork in the first place, let alone with a colleague he has yet to collaborate with. The man shakes his head, letting out a frustrated sigh of his own.]
Perhaps with some luck it shall encounter someone more capable of apprehending it. ... Or destroying it.
[What a mess!! He glances at his shoulder, still stained with gooey chocolate, and his sword, which he's not going to be able to sheathe until he gets the frozen candy off.]
Perhaps with some luck it shall encounter someone more capable of apprehending it. ... Or destroying it.
[What a mess!! He glances at his shoulder, still stained with gooey chocolate, and his sword, which he's not going to be able to sheathe until he gets the frozen candy off.]
[Gina keeps her eyes on the goal! Once they're clear, she puts their all into full speed ahead! She's focused, but with a daredevil smile on her face all the same.
There's one last setback in the form of that sneaky extra whirlpool, which fills Gina with frustration, but that turns to wonder as Susato propels them to safety! And once they hit that finish line, she's elated! Some extra flowers sprout up around them as she raises a fist with joy.]
Oi!! We did it!!
[She looks at Susato with her brightest grin, placing a hand at her shoulder.]
See, Sooze? We made it! An' I couldn't've done it without ya!
[They seem to have ultimately fallen short of the record, but still enough to receive a consolation prize?]
There's one last setback in the form of that sneaky extra whirlpool, which fills Gina with frustration, but that turns to wonder as Susato propels them to safety! And once they hit that finish line, she's elated! Some extra flowers sprout up around them as she raises a fist with joy.]
Oi!! We did it!!
[She looks at Susato with her brightest grin, placing a hand at her shoulder.]
See, Sooze? We made it! An' I couldn't've done it without ya!
[They seem to have ultimately fallen short of the record, but still enough to receive a consolation prize?]
Cor!! [Gina exclaims, her pride quickly turning to panic as the sound around them shifts.]
Don't gotta tell me twice!
[Frantically, Gina starts to run down the stairs! ...Except that's particularly difficult in this gown. It won't be long before she trips over herself and starts to fall over - while risking dropping the lamp at the same time!]
Don't gotta tell me twice!
[Frantically, Gina starts to run down the stairs! ...Except that's particularly difficult in this gown. It won't be long before she trips over herself and starts to fall over - while risking dropping the lamp at the same time!]
They won't be! 'Cause their goose'll be cooked alright!!
[It's fun to join in on the trash talk! But unfortunately, it doesn't seem to be leading anywhere productive. So she shakes her head at Alphen's failed try.]
Oi, yer doin' it all wrong! Lemme 'ave another go at it now!
[With that, she fiercely tries throwing two in a row! But again, the goose evades.]
[It's fun to join in on the trash talk! But unfortunately, it doesn't seem to be leading anywhere productive. So she shakes her head at Alphen's failed try.]
Oi, yer doin' it all wrong! Lemme 'ave another go at it now!
[With that, she fiercely tries throwing two in a row! But again, the goose evades.]
It shoulda been us.
[She remarks sulkily as she crosses her arms and makes a face. She's feeling a bit disappointed with herself right now.]
Leavin' the dirty work to someone else, that ain't the way a great inspector goes about things. I gotta keep chasin' that cove down 'til I get 'im good.
[She remarks sulkily as she crosses her arms and makes a face. She's feeling a bit disappointed with herself right now.]
Leavin' the dirty work to someone else, that ain't the way a great inspector goes about things. I gotta keep chasin' that cove down 'til I get 'im good.
Really? Oh! You're right.
[He will also sigh at his failed attempt and then shake his head with Gina. ]
That was a good try. I can tell you gave it everything you got. I never thought we'd have this much trouble with it. Even with both of us attempting it's still hard to overcome.
[This goose is being rather obtuse. ]
[He will also sigh at his failed attempt and then shake his head with Gina. ]
That was a good try. I can tell you gave it everything you got. I never thought we'd have this much trouble with it. Even with both of us attempting it's still hard to overcome.
[This goose is being rather obtuse. ]
[ They're likely soaking wet, and Susato absolutely is not paying any attention at all to the time they recorded, not until they've been informed that they get to pick a consolation prize. She had nearly forgotten about that! Truthfully, she thinks Gina would have done just as well with another partner, or on her own, given how resourceful she is, but she won't argue. ]
Th, That was fun! Let's go see what prizes we can choose!
[ Susato glances at Gina and the hand on her shoulder. The petals on her sakura hairpin start to glow, and they don't even have to go far. A short distance away, they're treated towards what looks like a veritable wall of plush animals. At the bottom are larger ones, as big as the girls themselves,but a little higher up are the ones they get to choose from.
All of them are smaller than Toby and roughly the size of their hands (perhaps a little larger, and all of them seem to be food-themed.
Susato is tempted by the cats, but already seems to have locked on to something that makes her think of her homeland: takonyaki! ]
Th, That was fun! Let's go see what prizes we can choose!
[ Susato glances at Gina and the hand on her shoulder. The petals on her sakura hairpin start to glow, and they don't even have to go far. A short distance away, they're treated towards what looks like a veritable wall of plush animals. At the bottom are larger ones, as big as the girls themselves,but a little higher up are the ones they get to choose from.
All of them are smaller than Toby and roughly the size of their hands (perhaps a little larger, and all of them seem to be food-themed.
Susato is tempted by the cats, but already seems to have locked on to something that makes her think of her homeland: takonyaki! ]
That's the problem, innit! [She gives a frustrated sigh.]
The both of us're givin' it our all! So why ain't it workin'?! It's like it wants us to be all worked up!
[A beat. She blinks as something dawns on her.]
'Old on there. What if does want us to be all worked up?!
The both of us're givin' it our all! So why ain't it workin'?! It's like it wants us to be all worked up!
[A beat. She blinks as something dawns on her.]
'Old on there. What if does want us to be all worked up?!
[It's possible that she could have, but Gina isn't considering that. Rather, it feels like Susato's fire was invaluable in saving them a lot of time. And, it's possible that the victory feels better completed with a friend.
Her excitement multiplies as the prizes are brought up! Sure, they might not be number one, but she feels accomplished nonetheless! She scarpers over to check out the prizes! They're cutesier than she's used to, but... she can't say she hates them. After carefully picking them over, she ends up grabbing one representing french fries. It might not be fish and chips, but it'll do! She tucks it carefully under her arm as she looks towards Susato's selection.]
Oi, Sooze! Wot'd ya get here?
Her excitement multiplies as the prizes are brought up! Sure, they might not be number one, but she feels accomplished nonetheless! She scarpers over to check out the prizes! They're cutesier than she's used to, but... she can't say she hates them. After carefully picking them over, she ends up grabbing one representing french fries. It might not be fish and chips, but it'll do! She tucks it carefully under her arm as she looks towards Susato's selection.]
Oi, Sooze! Wot'd ya get here?
[ Susato turns, holding what looks like a cutesy octopus in her hands. The detail is pretty impressive for a festival prize; there are adorable little paw pads stitched onto the flip side of each of its tentacles. ]
It's takoyaki, look. [ She grins, bobbing the plush up and down and side to side as she regards Gina's new cat. ] What about yours? ...Chips?
[ Kitty. ]
Do we need to win you a fish next?
It's takoyaki, look. [ She grins, bobbing the plush up and down and side to side as she regards Gina's new cat. ] What about yours? ...Chips?
[ Kitty. ]
Do we need to win you a fish next?
Ta... taka... [She's probably not getting it out. But there's no denying that it looks like an adorable creature - with a tasty-looking top! She tugs idly on a tentacle.]
...Yeah. Not bad at all.
[And she grins at Susato's suggestion.]
That'd complete the set now, wouldn't it? Guess that'll be me next goal!
...Yeah. Not bad at all.
[And she grins at Susato's suggestion.]
That'd complete the set now, wouldn't it? Guess that'll be me next goal!
[Tifa manages to catch her when she stumbles, although they can't linger for long, because the crumbling stairs wait for no one, chasing them as they run.
She takes the lamp from Gina so that the poor girl can worry more about her dress, but this time, it's Tifa who trips on a crumbled corner of one of the steps and slips off completely, grabbing onto it at the last second to save herself the tumble all the way down.]
Just keep running! I'll meet you at the bottom.
She takes the lamp from Gina so that the poor girl can worry more about her dress, but this time, it's Tifa who trips on a crumbled corner of one of the steps and slips off completely, grabbing onto it at the last second to save herself the tumble all the way down.]
Just keep running! I'll meet you at the bottom.
[ ...Gina has no idea what that is. Susato's eyes widen a bit, as if to say this must be rectified, but that's something she'll worry about another day. A pang of guilt fills her chest as it hits her how much Gina must really miss Inspector Gregson, but she will share in that excitement.
And she'll offer Gina the takonyaki plush to hold for a while, after that idle tug. ]
They can all be friends. Toby, too. Do you think he'll like them?
And she'll offer Gina the takonyaki plush to hold for a while, after that idle tug. ]
They can all be friends. Toby, too. Do you think he'll like them?
[With that save, Gina keeps moving! Along the way, she tears some more pieces of the dress to help her move. If only she was wearing just those trousers underneath to begin with, this would be a lot easier!
But when Tifa falls, Gina stops.]
No way, I ain't leavin' ya behind! [She'll try to grab onto a hand to help her up! Leaving someone behind, even when they seem cool and capable, doesn't sit well with Gina at all.]
But when Tifa falls, Gina stops.]
No way, I ain't leavin' ya behind! [She'll try to grab onto a hand to help her up! Leaving someone behind, even when they seem cool and capable, doesn't sit well with Gina at all.]
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