TITAL 2: Why did It Take Me So Long To Do This?

Aleri cast Esuna on Starblade to stop him from losing any more health before using a weak Cure spell on him, keeping his eyes trained on Fifeyux. "Maybe if we could get her into proper restraints, we could take her to the hospital. We could get her a transfusion for the blood she's lost, if magic won't work for that."

He stood up, refusing to lower his guard. This could be a sign of success, but it could also be a ploy.

<Funny story, actually: we're in this situation BECAUSE of that last fight with the BEAST. We beat it down so hard it lost its physical form temporarily, and retreated into the basement, and you know what happened from there... I only know this because I'm four pages from being caught up in the archive.>

< I know and this is the great part, it was NOT planned that way by me and Admin, it just happened naturally >

Diryax: I don't like the idea of restraining her but it's probably for the best. As for the blood transfusion *gulp* we may have a small problem there....

Lei smirks and butts in. "You need someone to hold it off or distract it for a few? I can handle that if you'd like."

Kazuya shook his head. "That won't be necessary," he said. "I have just the thing. Nekomata!" he said, summoning the demon yet again. "Paral Eyes."

The demon purred and its eyes flashed at Fifeyux, paralyzing her <Hopefully.>

Starblade: Thanks... uh... wow, this is awkward, I don't even know your name...

Aleri: Well, I dunno yours either, so we're even. Let's fix that. *Stands properly and faces Starblade* My name is Aleri. Yours?

Starblade: Starblade, pleased to meet you.

"She's Wutai so she's got some strange blood typing doesn't she?" Minato voiced his concern as he stepped away from the ninja.

"And we still have to exorcize the Beast..." He spoke with a slant to his mouth.

Diryax: There is the whole beast thing too....and yea she does, but fortunately I know a match....unfortunately *looks at the front door a look of concern on her face* It's Xerna.

-Meanwhile in Port Royal-

Xerna: *sitting on the docks skipping rocks out over the water a depressed look on her face*

Minato: We'll have to track her down then. We don't have a second option.

------------------Niflheim---------------

The winter wind's cold embrace was all that greeted the group as the soldiers mysteriously vanished.

"How strange..." Xavier mused in concern.

TWill trudged onward.

Meanwhile, Julie was on a nearby roof. She seemed nervous. She had just gained the ability of flight, and this was all a new concept to her. She deeply inhaled, took a few steps back, got to a quick speed...

And began to fly.

A mixture of silicone and metal fell from her arms, attatching to her hips.
"So this is what flying feels like... How it looks..." She smiles, and looks at her hand,which became a silenced M27 sniper rifle. Her smile reduced to a small frown, as the reality of war came back to her senses. But for the time being, she decided to enjoy the view.

Diryax : Well she seems to have stopped moving for now..but I'm not entirely sure if it's due to Paral Eyes. So just to ere on the side of caution *materializes Rose whip and makes it grow longer and longer, then wraps it around Fifeyux* Hopefully that will hold her just in case while we get her to the hospital first. Then someone who isn't me has to track down Xerna, I'm probably the LAST person she wants to see right now.

Aleri: I'd go, but she probably hates me plenty, too. Hmm... *Thinks back to when he first came to the House* ...I don't blame her, either. I was an egotist of the worst sort. Still, I'll give it a shot. *Opens a nearby window and jumps out, closing it behind him*

*Aleri leaps onto the roof, extending his senses to try and locate Xerna.*

-Port Royal-

Xerna: *still skipping rocks on the docks* *sighs* It's not fair...why does she get to be so....HAPPY......when I'm.....so....miserable  *chunks a rock straight down into the water creating a loud plunk noise*

*Aleri emerges from an LC a good twenty feet behind her.*

Aleri: ... *Hesitates, trying to read the atmosphere*

Xerna: *sighs and blows a tuft of hair out of her face* What do YOU want?

Aleri: I don't know what I want. Sounds like you're in the same boat. (...Wait, what the hell did I just say? Ugh, I think I'm acting like my old self again...) Never mind that. There's something we need your help with, and... it concerns you, personally.

Xerna: Whatever it is, if it involves Diry in any way....even so much as SEEING her....you can forget it. *skips a rock across the water  a surprisingly long distance*

Aleri: ...It's not about her. It's about Fifeyux.

Xerna: I don't care...whatever mom's gotten herself into she can get herself out of it I'm sure.

Aleri: *Harsher now, less willing to compromise* So you don't care? You'll just stand around and mope about your loss while everything else crumbles around you!? The world doesn't turn only for you!

Xerna: *stands and stomps up to Aleri* Loss? What do you know about LOSS? I lost my father when I was born and had to grow up never knowing him...then when I finally manage to reconnect with him....he's taken away from me again!!! And Diry has to go and act like it's NOTHING to her...Do you have even the slightest idea the amount of pain that caused me?? *tears forming in her eyes, throws herself into a hug with Aleri and puts her head into his shoulder*

Aleri: *Does his best to mask his startled reaction, pausing for a moment before returning the hug, using a calmer voice* ...I've never had that experience. I've lost my home and family, but it wasn't as harsh as your case. ...But I do know that your sister is just putting on a brave face, to try and keep it together. No matter how much you lose, the world will keep on spinning. You don't want to lose your mother, too, do you? It's too hard to face everything on your own, and you of all people know that.

Xerna:*wipes her eyes with a sleeve* Whatever mom's gotten herself into is THAT serious huh?

Aleri: *Laughs nervously* Weeeeeell... er, let's put it this way. You know how the BEAST can't really die, and when you beat it to pieces, it loses its physical form and drifts into the basement?