Xinnidy

"Eh... hm." It wasn't the feedback that Esther was expecting, but it's not like Cheryl was wrong. "I... just wanted to prove it. I thought, if they put me through all that, then I should be able to beat the battlefield. Why would they do that otherwise, eh..." The words weren't flowing that easy, but with Cheryl's comment, it felt more important to try and vomit her thoughts out, even if it was hard and unusual to Esther. "Mmm, maybe I will. All my sims were solo so far. Guess that wouldn't work out with what happened over there." Esther was still looking at the floor, hesitanting to stare at Cheryl, grabbing at the hem of her skirt. "I... haven't really reached out to any of the other pilots. Even the guy that messaged me kind of did it at random, on his own. I don't really, uh, know where to start."

Things were getting louder, the sound of flapping wings in the distance was evident. "Tch. We need to move faster, they'll try to overwhelm us." Owen readied his blade, striking at the nearest unfortunate man, some collector... affiliated with Kazran. "Whether you're securing his goods or have ill intent, you chose a poor time to show up." Owen to (26,26) fight thief 2 with lordly rapier. "Haah... better now. Hrr!" With deep breaths, Üllr continued charging onward. Couldn't afford to play too safe if he wanted to help! Üllr to (24,26), punch pirate 6 with gauntlets. "Haaah... thank you, Lady Cassandra~. It sure isn't a nice hit to take, ow..." Whining about his wounds, Chris hopped back onto his platform. "Well, time for a bit of a trick shot. Can't let their healers run around!" Chris hold, mount, shoot flamespate at priest 1.

"Uggh..." Groaning, Üllr managed to come to conscience again, slowly getting to his feet through pained grunts. "Thank you. Sorry about that." He spoke briefly, avoiding gaze with the healer, self conscious over his blunder. "I'll be more careful." He definitely felt more sore after that one. He didn't want to exercise more caution, but it was probably needed. Üllr to (24, 23), equip chakrams.

"NNnnghhH!!! Owww! How rude! Ughhhhhh..." Chris was bracing for impact with runes, but he hadn't considered his opponent swinging a pure weapon around. He was still standing, but left reeling even after the blow was softened. "Horrible! How dare you! Ugh..." Still well enough to fire a spell in response, Chris felt it was right to dispose of this dangerous henchman himself. Chris stays put, elflux fighter 3. "Hmmm, that's enough of those reinforcements for now... but all that noise means it's not over, best to press on." And hopefully Cass is being cautious enough... Owen to (26,25).

"Uuugh..." Having taken one too many blows, Üllr lost his footing, and quickly his consciousness had faded. His pain tolerance was big, but not enough to will his body to respond after too much numbness set in. Rather, he was feeling cold, and his vision faded white. Without another sound, he found himself on the floor. "Tch." Owen knew that wasn't going to be good for morale, raising his voice. "Eyes on the enemies, the healers will handle him." Luckily, this wave of foes seemed handled quickly, leaving a horseman in sight. "Really? Taking your horse indoors? How rude." Owen to (27,21), attack cav 7 with lordly rapier. "Miaou... looks like that side has it handled. Still have enemies on the way from all sides, my my. Suppose I'll keep onwards." Platform in tow, Chris remained with tome out, expecting much unfun frontline combat. Chris to (18,26), choke the point.

"Hrr!" That javelin was making its wound felt. A vulnerary could only help so much... Üllr wouldn't mind some healing magic, but that never seemed to work too well on him, for some reason. "Haaahh..." Deep breaths, then, the pain could wait for later, with all these enemies in front of him. Left jab, then crushing right. Üllr to (25,19), punch soldier 10 (with knuckles).

"!" Noticing the movement along the bridge, Raz's movements became jumpier, gliding down the trees quickly. "Get a quick move, we'll have to punch through, there's a chance the knights noticed." She readied her bow, "More fliers in the sky too, keep following Rivane." Raz to (10,14).

"Boy, what a bold move..." Owen drew his rapier, moving ahead as the mercenaries pushed through the wave of soldiers. "I may not be built for a life of combat, but a bout of swords is well within my abilities." Owen to (24,20), attack merc 8 with lordly rapier "Mmm, I appear to have reached the current frontline." Snarking at himself, Christopher slowed the engine, slowly hopping off the platform. "Well, I'm not about to waste my ammo on these guys, blech. Manual labor it is... have at you!" Chris to (16,23), dismount, cast elflux on lance armor 4

"Hmm..." Iskra still seemed pretty insular, all things considered. From her perspective, things still hadn't changed, which was unfortunately not wrong, what she needed was a healthier perspective. Seemed like, more than Bonner's words, a break well-spent would do her well. "Maybe indeed, just don't feel like you have to tackle it all at once. While we're on break, it might be worth looking at what you missed." Bonner felt it was best not to impose, much as Alrenne's concern was valid, his skill at handling this had its limits. Nothing to be done but slowly learn what ailed Iskra. "They've got some record stores by the civilian complex, you could put some of that salary you've been assigned to use." A little nudge here and there would be the most appropriate, he believed in Iskra's ability to find her first step --couldn't be taking those in her stead, after all. "Eh... no, the captain didn't reprimand me. I did feel judged by one member... well, rather, I guess we've been jabbing at each other's performance for a bit, and she clearly came off better this mission... nobody else. The guy that messaged me didn't bring it up, appreciated that. And the person who I challenged in the simulation is just some shut-in dweeb. Got my number and talked shit when I came back in a busted up machine..." And then she lost to her, were the words following in Esther's mind, leaving her quiet and pensive. "I don't know about her. I'm embarrassed by the way I just yelled at them, but I'm also a bit pissed off when I think about their messages. I don't feel like reaching out right now... but I think I left my jacket in the sims and she grabbed it, so I'll ask it back later." A low energy chuckle escaped, Esther looking down to her knees. "Everybody back at the lab had been expecting my results, I could feel that every day, so when I got to the ship having finally aced my sims, I thought I was going to do just as well. It's, not as easy when there's people throwing my mind off."

"Hup!" Rising his blade to divert his assailant's, Owen stepped back and riposted, watching his sister both charge ahead boldly despite her wounds and then think better of it. "Mm." Not much time was afforded to it with a foe right in front of him, but another of the Tigers came his way to strike him from the back. "Unfortunately, too many men are showing up, best to not use that passage and circumvent around." "I fight." Another voice interjected, Üllr was tending the last of his wounds and moved forward to the intersection between hallways, blocking the narrow passage. Surprised, Owen stared at the short brawler for a moment. "Uh. Are you sure? It's best to draw them in, you're much too ahead--" "No. I fight. Can't all come at once from here." Chakrams ready once more, Üllr adopted his fighting stance. "...Well, let me provide you some backup, then. Here, take care of your wounds with this." Owen holds, equip wind edge. Üllr to (22,18), trade scythe knuckles for owen's vuln, vuln up. "Doors open, nice. Wonder what that fella's doing there... not one of them for sure. Alright, turn back and let us handle it, moving on, moving on..." Chris continued kicking the platform into high gear, no threat quite in range still. Chris to (16,21)

"Cassandra!" Seeing his sister take a blow, Owen rushed forward. "Haah... take care for now, that's not a wound to take lightly. You did well enough that I can take it from here." And onwards he should go... there were visible issues. One healer had noted their presence. "Time to advance, this light cavalry isn't fit for such close quarters combat. We can press on." Owen to 22,17, attack merc 4 if Tasha misses. "Let me go first." Despite Lani's readiness for the job, Üllr was eager to press on. One of the cavalrymen had advanced close enough where he could dash in and punch, and no horse was going to make things awkward for him. "Hraaah!" Üllr to 23,15, strike light cav 4 w/ chakrams. "Mrrr... ok, I think I've worked out the kinks on the wheels now that the stairs are past." Finishing tinkering with the wheels, Chris managed to raise the platform's humble top speed. "Ah... I can see people through that... hm, doesn't sense as friendly. Perhaps, if I fire over like that..." Chris to 15,17, arrowspate aimed at archer 2

"Heh... goodness, not one of them standing. Good to know your training keeps you one step ahead." Owen almost felt improper after his sister's display... well, surely he'd be able to help more going forward. "More of them up ahead, as always, let's hope there's a chance to better reconvene the groups further ahead! Owen to (22,12). "Hrrr...." The pure weapons were annoying, and now Üllr was lagging behind. Of course, as soon as the mercenaries were dealt with, he made a dash to make up for time. Üllr to (23,10). "Aaaand I hit the mark! Hah~, even indoor, this platform is functional, I knew I could do it. And now--to guide it through a narrow hallway. Pourquoi..." Facing the consequences of his actions, Chris continued to drive the siege platform forwards. Christopher to (14,13). "Ugh! What's going on?!" Giovanna was clutching her head in frustration, "If only... if only Sylm was here. That bastard..." On top of her issues resulting from the pirates' damage to the keep and their equipment, having barely the time to mourn Sylmaria's mission was taking a toll on her wellbeing. "I can't believe this pretentious clown..." Fumbling through the reports was a doomer attempt, with her mind clouded. Still, confined to an office to sort inventory for their march towards Eslcas was the only thing she could do at this point, begrudgingly so. "What am I even doing... this man..." She clutched a stack to paper, finally sorting them after double checking, her grip becoming a bit too hard, enough to crumple the edges. "...No. He's a bastard, but what can I even do?" She ended up fighting with her own thoughts. This was his land, his rules. The best she could do was vanish without a trace, but in the position she was... "Maybe..." Her thoughts wandered to her friend, losing focus on the text she was reviewing. Maybe I should meet Sylmaria on the other side. I don't have a reason to stay from the frontlines right now. She flinched, dropping the stack on the table. "NNn, no, that won't help, you idiot..." She mumbled under her breath.

"Gh!!" Üllr moved to avoid the worst of the spear, realizing how dangerous its tip was just in time, and managed to punch his way to some distance from the soldier. What followed was Cin handling the soldier, with some help from the winged thief. "Thanks." He was planning to move ahead, with that target dealt with, but there was still danger ahead --monster weapons, as expected. He'd go after one, but two fighters tagteaming him with the things was too much for his chances. "Tch." For now, treating this new wound was the wisest option. Üllr to (25,7), use a vulnerary. "Oh sister, do mind to block their swings, alright?" Watching her choice of weapon, Owen wasn't terribly concerned. Seemed like she was prepared for swordfighter with monster blades. "Bold as you are, focus on the parrying first." He knew she had what it takes. Still... if it was a matter of two on one, he could bother to assist his sibling. Owen to 20,9. "Easy, eeeeeasy there... a thousand curses on who made these stairs..." Muttering and mumbling, Christopher managed to lower the platform without lasting damage, the wheels finally finding even ground. He hurried to adjust the installed weapon as he passed by the hallway, spotting a mark. "A-Alright, I trained for this! Erm, clear some space, set the mark, go go go!" Getting the many moving parts to work faster than to his magic, he fired the flaming bolt at an arc, much like an arrow, with little slowing down. "Whew! Ahhh, time to collect the data~..." Chris to (13,10), fire flamespate at merc 4.

"Right." Esther followed Cheryl inside, eyes darting around the room as she entered, taking a moment to notice the appropriate seat for herself. It was a notable shift in atmosphere from the rest of the medical office, distracting, but not in a bad way. "Uh... I had a pretty bad day. Not just first live combat, but I also had an argument with... somebody who's not a pilot in the ship. I ended up blowing up at her far more than I should, really." It was rougher than Esther thought, struggling to find her words, to convey them properly. "I'm failing. Compared to what I've been through, to every surgery and simulation and everything... I lived, but my mech was roughed up a lot this fight, and then I lost on the sims to somebody who wasn't even a pilot, and..." Esther took a moment to calm herself before it just all spilled out incoherently, grabbing the arms of her seat. "It's awful. I almost lost my day being miserable if it weren't for another pilot messaging me. Everything I've been through just feels.... worthless." She bit her lip. "Okay. Thank you." Manners first, as Bonner allowed himself inside at Iskra's acceptance. It seemed to hit her as hard as he expected... but there wasn't a better way to go about this, was there? To let her wallow in self-doubt while the rest of the group hesitated to contact would've been the perfect concoction for a distracted mind on the field, the loss of the one thing she'd still value, whether she knew it or not. Bonner let Iskra become as comfortable as she could for it, somewhat expected the impromptu psych session. Best to figure out her situation first. "I'm not the best to tell you the nature of your power, honestly, but if you need any help, know that you're not alone." He offered an awkward smile, "It might surprise you, but I used to work on music myself. Part of a band. It was only after they disbanded that I ended up in the army, really. Still, it's not exactly an easy place to find fate bringing you to. In your case, the value you because there are things only you can do... that's beyond my understanding and rank to influence, sorry to say, but if I may..." Rather than finding a seat, Bonner stood awkwardly by the center of her room, not wanting to impose. "That feeling, after taking a life, is not a feeling anyone should pride in getting used to. It's a mark that you're still human. Even the most self-righteous zealots come back scarred after taking many lives, whether they act it or keep it all in." "A smart soldier wants for peacetime, for their job to be preventing conflict, and not engaging in it, but we're not the ones making the big decisions, at the end of the day... What I mean to say is, what you feel is very normal, and though I can't offer help on your powers and what comes with that, I can offer advice in this lifestyle you've been thrown here. Your mileage may vary, of course, but..." He paused, thinking where to go from there. Too many suggestions could fall into negative influencing by those in the top brass invested in Newtypes like Iskra, but surely she could avoid giving the game away, so long as she could get over this... "There's many ways to walk this life, some without abandoning your former one entirely."

"Eh...? Yes, I'm one of the pilots. Uh, nice to meet you." The nurse had an exotic appearance --not too uncommon these days, but enough to distract as the brain processed they were real. "Mm, that's right, I came here for a psych appointment." She barely processed Fumie's flirt as it was, assuming it to merely be an information of her field as a nurse. "Thanks, ah--Bye." And there she went, leaving Esther with Cheryl, whom she walked towards. "Good to meet you, doc. I'm, uh, still figuring this out as a first time." She walked towards the psych, noticing the drastic difference in professionalism. It was nice to see the doctor was trying her best to calm Esther's nerves. "Mm, thank you. I had a bad day yesterday, so I thought about the program they offered to pilots... never been to a normal psych checkup, though." "Just checking up --if you don't mind." Bonner figured there was no point not being forward, he just had to avoid being overwhelming. "Being a pilot is a lot of pressure as it is, so I figured a little sorting tallk could help. With earlier being our first live combat, I figured I should at least offer." And a pause, to not be overwhelming. "But don't hesitate to say no if it is not a good time."