event: break-in

[mayfield_mods]

[Anyone who drops by the dairy between the hours of three PM and five PM on Tuesday will find that the door's been unlocked. Even though the door's shut, there's a strange humming sound coming from inside the building.

Careful if you want to try to peek inside, though. You may not like what you find.]

Comments

[punch_illusions_get_harem]

[ Touma is staring at the front of the dairy from across the street. He feels like he should do something; that he HAS to do something... but what good is going to come of him going in there? Unlike before, he doesn't have a handy guide who knows magic and alchemy and important things like that. Obnoxious partner that Stiyl was, without him, he would have probably never survived the incident at the cram school.

So he just stands there, watching others as they converge on the opportunity to investigate this place. He's dressed warmly, but plainly. He's unarmed. His hands aren't even out of his pockets.

But there's a focus present on his face that is unlike any look he's shown in some time. Touma Kamijou will go inside. He just needs to stamp down that sensation that's making the back of his neck tingle is all. Maybe someone just needs to snap him out of it... ]

So I heard you needed ridiculously OP fire mage with red hair

[enpatsushakugannouchite]

[ A little girl with flame red hair and burning eyes stands beside Touma. She may look mildly familiar. ]

You're pretty stupid, but you're pretty brave too. That's admirable. I'll watch your back.

[ Oh, she's carrying a sword as big as Kaori wields. Hey, it's like getting both of them to help at once! ]

Oh, and call me Shana.

[punch_illusions_get_harem]

[ Touma didn't look at the source of the voice, a sigh halfway out of his lips when she started talking. But he couldn't argue with her on that. ] You say that like I'm looking for any kind of support. Or that I'm—

[ Mouth agape, head turned toward her, he just sort of stares on for a while. Was he going to say something else?

Oh yes. Because she introduced herself. ] ...I'm Touma.

[enpatsushakugannouchite]

All right then Touma. Let's get in there and see if it is the same as it was last year.

[punch_illusions_get_harem]

Wait a second. Before we get ahead of ourselves, why don't you tell me if this is your final form, or if I should expect some kind of future further metamorphosis from you. [ Because, well, this was almost a complete makeover from their first meeting, and he's just supposed to accept it like that? A joke was about the only way to smooth over his surprise. ]

[enpatsushakugannouchite]

I can grow wings of fire, but they're pretty useless in a confined space.

[punch_illusions_get_harem]

[ Wings of fire.

What is his life?

Touma rubs at his neck. ] Good point, I guess. Just keep that sword of yours a good distance from me, and we'll be cool. [ For her safety more than his, really, though he has this mild anxious feeling just looking at the size of that blade. Yes, it's intimidating, even in the hands of someone so small, but that isn't it.

Jerking his head toward the dairy. ] I'm ready.

[heartmaestro]

[Have a voice from behind.]

Hello, Touma-kun. Are you going inside?

[punch_illusions_get_harem]

[ He casts a look over his shoulder. ] I was thinking about it. I've got no idea what to expect, which isn't enough to stop me, but... [ Looking forward again, he regards the facility's calm exterior. ] It'd be nice.

[heartmaestro]

...as am I.

[There's a pause, and a very quiet but shrill clinking sound eminates from somewhere on her person--like sharp metal scraping against sharp metal.] Admittedly, I'm not very confident it will go well from what I've heard, but...

Fear of the unknown is one of a human's natural instincts that it must conquer.

[punch_illusions_get_harem]

[ Okay, now he turns and gives her a surprised look. ] You said you're not confident, but you still sound sure of yourself. Which is it? This isn't the kind of situation you approach half-cocked.

[heartmaestro]

[She gives a weary-looking smile.]

I must not be too sure. I cannot overestimate myself. I'm a normal human girl, without any extensive training or even basic self-defense.

But at the same time, going in there with the mindset of "I will not accomplish anything" would be counterproductive. I would have no reason to go in the first place.

[punch_illusions_get_harem]

You can't underestimate yourself, either, Kotomi. You're smart and you know when to escape danger when it becomes too much. I think you know that you'll only be putting yourself in a bad position if you went in there alone, and I don't think I could — no, I know that I am not the kind of guy who would let that happen.

[vedaandme]

Feeling hesitant?

[Tieria had to admit, he was, too. He knew nothing about this dairy, and trying to run in there without being prepared wasn't on the top of his list. So, he didn't blame the kid next to him for waiting.]

What do you know about that place?

[punch_illusions_get_harem]

[ A voice he doesn't recognize. Touma shrugs a shoulder. ] Just thought I'd see who was going in, first. I don't know much except that the milkman is just one of those guys I got told never to mess with.

Got to admit. It's a tempting opening, right now.

[vedaandme]

It is.

Do you believe like the others that there are answers in there about this place?

[punch_illusions_get_harem]

Right now I think it's the only option we've got. [ Which is both noncommittal and determined all at once. ]

[vedaandme]

The 'adults' here were warning us off of it. [Which Tieria clearly was unhappy about.]

Are you going in?

[punch_illusions_get_harem]

I think so. I'm just waiting to see who else shows up. I can peg a couple of people who'd be the type to investigate. [ And he'd ask "and you?" but there is the care taken around everyone he doesn't recognize immediately. ]

[guardiandragon]

[Magic? Alchemy? I'm the girl with the gun.

She approaches from behind, Winchester M1887 slung casually over one shoulder.]

You ready for this?

[punch_illusions_get_harem]

As I'll ever be.

[ Touma turns partway and stops at the sight of her. ] Do I want to know how you learned to use a shotgun? [ He thought to ask last time but, well, they were kind of busy. ]

[guardiandragon]

Picked it up on the fly, I guess. I've been practicing on and off since Thanksgiving, so I'm probably a better shot than back then, not that it's saying much. Still, if we run into anything, I'm better equipped for it this way.

[A pause, as she gives him a once over.] What about you? I'm confident I can handle myself unarmed, but I'm obviously not about to go in there relying on punches and kicks. You sure you're good to go?

[punch_illusions_get_harem]

[ As if to answer her question, he holds out his hands. ] Let me see that for a second.

[guardiandragon]

[She hands it over by the weapon's stock, one eyebrow raised in concern.]

Careful, now. Mind the trigger.

[punch_illusions_get_harem]

[ He nods, turning in a direction away from her as he holds the shotgun up. Then turns it over. Then holds it very awkwardly. It isn't the weight that bothers him, but once he tries to look over the barrel and spends a minute adjusting his grip on it several times he realizes something and lowers it. ] ...I have no idea what I'm doing. [ Turning it over, he hands it back to her. ] That's why I don't have a gun, I guess. [ No instincts to him implies no memories. ]