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Armallo asks, "Who are these uglies?"
That name. It really pissed Mona off. Scratching at her arms. She looks at Yoshiko with a sour face. 

"I know I escaped it. Now I'm here breathing. Waiting for the day we march on her home.  That will be the day I return the favor tenfold. " 

Mona looks to Orion. Giving him a look of worry. She could feel herself slipping already. Twisted spite crawling into her headspace. 

" But how am I now?  I couldn't be better serving in this wonderful Machine.  "


(Mona M Lockway)

He didn't know why, he felt somewhat awkward if not on edge with this situation. The look of worry Mona gave him a bad idea of how strong Taiyang is, and now, he was worried too.

Raising a hand, he put it on Mona's shoulders, a whisper coming from him before he lowered his hand and stared straight at the Yoshiko. "Yes, she's doing great, would you mind if we were on our way now, got some stuff to do." He tries to simply cut the conversation so they can leave.
(Orion Izar)

A woman covered in some soot and sweat, with only a mild shine to her mithril prosthetic traverses from the northern Therian mountains. Her ruby hues settling on the bridge, occupied by Barsburgian personnel. In particular, her eyes fall on two uniformed personas conversing with whom she assumed to be a mere wanderer.

She didn't say anything, instead, her eyes simply held on to them...
Filled with spite, a visage twisted in disgust.
Alas, that fear had managed to transform into something more potent.

She heard a voice, younger... Disembodied from the scene she fixated upon, and answered without acknowledging it with her gander.
"They're Barsburgian." she answered.

"Surprisingly enough, they're not trying to enforce a tax or rob wanderers today. It seems they tend to pick and choose when they do."
Where did -that- bravado come from? Perhaps, these individuals didn't look as menacing as the others she'd faced?
--or enough encounters had left her soured from the reoccurring theme of fear for the regime?
(Selena Nokamata)

"March on her home..?"

Yoshiko tilted her head and cocked a bro. It was definitely not something Yoshiko was expecting to hear. Especially in that tone of voice.

"Not entirely smart to say that to someone who protects said home... Let's not forget that you have the mana of an occultist.. Unless you were cleansed?" she inquired, but she looks at Orion for a moment before switching back to Mona.

"... I see. Well, I suppose that means you're doing fine."

Yoshiko shrugs and begins to step to the side whilst her eyes were closed. "Of course, do as you want. Oh, I do have one question.

Who is after me? I was told your people are... I do not like the fact that people are after me without reason." Yoshiko acknowledges Selena but doesn't say anything towards them for now.
(Yoshiko Taiyang)

Yoshiko Taiyang drops Joy's Beginning.

Yoshiko Taiyang picks up Joy's Beginning.

Mona grits her teeth. 'Let's not forget that you have the mana of an occultist.. ' That statement. It was the sort of thing she hated the most. Clenching her fist. Mona and her copper hues  spill ire  in Yoshikos direction.

" No. I wasn't cleansed. In fact. I was taken in because I was an occultist. I was able to show I was worthy by showing them how weak Phillip Ras Petrakis by making him armless.  So yes. Let's not forget that I have the mana of an occultists.  Because in my eyes there is nothing wrong with that."

Such a long tangent. She was riled up easy. Taking a breath. Mona grabs unto Orions sleeve. Trying to keep herself from blowing up completely in such a short span of time.

" I can't answer that. "

A simple response given before she shuts her mouth for the time being.
(Mona M Lockway)

Frowning, he really disliked the words directed at Mona almost as much as the Lockway herself, he just hated when other people didn't get the respect they were due, but he stopped himself from saying anything rude when his friend spoke for herself and grabbed his sleeve.

"There is nothing wrong with her, so I would appreciate if you kept your opinion on occultism to yourself. The Empire saw the potential which you and others couldn't." He shrugs.

Knowing that some people were unlikely to get satisfied with a simple response, he added some to it. "As for someone being after you, do understand that people are likely to confuse the actions of some to be the actions of all. Maybe it's just some soldier who has a grudge against you, and because he had our uniform, people would immediately assume we are all wanting you."

"Now then, shall we go?" With a small smile, he looks at Mona.
(Orion Izar)

A disagreement?
Surely, it wasn't a battle of magics, though given the mention of someone having their arms removed? It was likely that tempers were flaring...
Then again, the urge to approach was suppressed by...

Funny enough, common sense.

Her metallic arm flexed and shuddered under the strain she put it through, tightening a fist that'd draw blood if it were organic. All with her ire fixated own the uniformed duo.

They were still close to Osrona and reinforcements could be just around the corner...
But then again, perhaps she could at least send them off with a message? Could she even take them on? That ugly face of terror crawled from within the depths of her psyche to taunt her, planting doubts in her head.

"If a soldier has a grudge on anyone and is able to get away with their transgressions..." she called out to the two, drawing attention to herself.
The woman's eyes gleamed of a shining crimson, embodying her surmounting fury.
"--especially behind the aegis that is your machine? That crime stains your entire cause!"

Her heart was pounding, but this time, she stood strong... Finally warming herself up to actively rage... Rage against the machine.
A step towards the two, and she cast out her right arm, drawing forth a light conjured of her metaphysical elements -- they coalesced into a cylindrical construct, soon subsiding to reveal a rifle once-shrouded in an illusionary veil.

Selena tugged at it to wield it properly, seemingly preparing herself for conflict. Unprovoked? No, it was payback -- even if it wasn't against the ones in particular she sought to retaliate against, this was a start for her.

(Selena Nokamata)

Yoshiko doesn't say much even when they spoke. Of course, she'd reply but she wanted them to finish before she spoke her mind.

Especially towards Mona. Philip had been someone who she was discussing to get back. "Oh.." The Kitsune turned back towards Mona and rose her brow once again. This got a bit interesting especially with that information. Now she really debated if she would let them go or not.

"You made him.. armless? Is that what I heard. So if I put the puzzle pieces together, you are the reason he was captured in the first place? You took him in... After saying that. Do you really think I would've let you continue on with your day?

And with still being an occulist, I have every reason to block your path.."

Yoshiko's form begins to glow a bit more brightly than usually. She wasn't going to persist the fact that Mona had been an occultist, but now that she had blatantly said that she isthe reason Philip isn't with them now, or that's what she assumed. She'd stay.

"The potential of Occultism is vile and morbid. Only one person I can accept who holds such because they have followed a nullified path.

You.. however. Well, maybe I can take you to them.

But I also was told that I am specifically being targeted. I will only assume that I am being chased after. But no, you shall not go now..."

Yoshiko looked ready to capture if she needed to. She didn't really fight unless provoked but this was one of this moments where she was. She glanced at Selena for a moment. "You may do whatever you like, dear.."
(Yoshiko Taiyang)
She was close. But far from right. Mona didn't capture him. However before she can even respond to that. She moves her sight to Selena. Her copper hues giving her a contorted stare. 

" You are being foolish. Utterly so. Do not get involved. "\

A simple warning. Before the seemingly silent Mona brings that invasive glance back to Yoshiko. 

"I didn't take him in. I did defeat him however prior to him being captured.  Somebody else had that honor.  They had the honor of breaking somebody who believes in such greater forces more then I did. I guess you can say I'm jealous."

Monas grip on Orion's sleeve weakens before both of her hands now rest on her hat. Pushing it down with force as the vegetation beneath her feet begins to perish. 

" But. This power isn't vile or morbid.  Whatever stars or silly deity you believe in fear it.  This power makes me more human then most and...You wont be taking me to that Rella woman. Nor anybody else."

Suddenly. Mona's body begins to shimmer a wild  azure . With a blast of light. She becomes a vivid blue flame. Her magical circuits tearing themselves to shreds while her mastery of the occult keeps an influx of power coming through. 

"  I wont let you tread on me. Step any closer and I'll bite back. "
(Mona M Lockway)
A frown slowly formed on his face as his head lowered slightly, his steely gaze darting in between the Taiyang and the Nokamata. Why had things turned out like this? So annoying.

Well, talks were tried to be had, but in the emd, it seems that it was not meant to be.

Without hesitation, his hand reached for his gun. "Too slow." Is what he comments on as he was ready to pull the trigger the moment Selena formed her gun, his own already trained on her. "Stand down."

This situation was impossible to get out of, and he could only hope him and his friend could do this without suffering any kind of loss. There was some worry in the back of his mind for Mona. This wasn't good.

He was pretty fast and could attempt to run, but to mess with a comrade, a friend specially, meant they would be messing with him as well.

Though his gun was ready to shoot towards Selena, he wouldn't hesitate to turn and shoot Yoshiko should she step closer to Mona. She had already been warned.
(Orion Izar)

He jerks awake to the sound of footsteps and threats and soon, as magic fills the air, the corporal is forward. Their gun is pulled off from their backside and held forward, the barrel of it aimed directly at Selena and while hostilities take hold, he takes it upon himself to fire the first shot. To potentially take one of the fighters out of the fray.

Lightning travels down fingertips and a blast of searing-blue-hot electricity fires directly at the Nokamata.

"Watch where you point that thing," he reprimands.

"I'll be over in a second, corporals," he tells his comrades. For now, he'd cover their rear.
(Cosmas)

'Too slow'
She fastened her hold on her weapon, debating on how things were going to play out.
How was she going to properly engage from this position? Her crimson eyes flared, and the air felt... Off...

Was it colder? Was there movement around the woman? No, likely a figment of the imagination... Or an illusionist attempting to conduct tricks.
Interestingly enough, she was idling there for a decent amount of time, only building to the tension -- seemingly pondering on whether or not t--

A bolt of lightning pierced her chest, summoned forth from Cosmas to cackle on its way through her body. Her image flexed and façade gaped for an expression of shock. It was as though her breath was robbed from her body in an instant...

A battle likely to be tense and extensive? Abruptly stamped out...
An easy win!

'I'll be over in--' The man wouldn't be allowed to finish their sentence.
"Hmph… Did you really..."

Did... Her body... Just speak?
With a gaping hole in her chest? Still smoking from the lightning shot!

"--Think... It'd be..." It further warped at its figure, head twisted to an impossible degree with eyes settled upon Cosmas.
"That easy?" Her voice warped with flanger, and cackled with a metallic static tone to her vocals: This... Was not Selena.
A gun shot rung out for Cosmas ears, ripping up soil by his right foot.

Turning his head in that direction would reveal, that the odd movement taking place around the previously established stature of Selena was the true individual, casting an illusionary veil assumedly to close the distance on an unsuspecting Orion, now forced into action by Cosmas prematurely.

The transparent veil faded to reveal her true position, already admist a charge to flank at the man...
The pierced conjuration of Selena's injury filled itself back up, undone by Selena's metaphysical charm -- doubleteaming at them via the metaphysical.
(Selena Nokamata)
An easy win it seemed. Lightning streaks out from the barrel of his gun, piercing the chest of Selena and putting them in the ground with swift and relative ease.

Except reality was not quite that easy. A gun shot breaks the silence and earth upheveals the ground near his feet and as he looks he finds the real Selena behind him. Now surrounded by both copies, one real, one fake, the corporal has to move fast to discern which is real.

They move their gun, wielding it like some sort of sword almost as they dart forward. Blasts of electricity crack from the barrel of their weapon, and ionizing lightning causing the air to screech. Blasts of magitech-infused energy leave the barrel, colliding upon Selena's form and launching them back.

"Eh. Not bad," he says, rather nonchalant as he moves forward.
(Cosmas)

"Nngh…"
She strained herself, pushing herself up from the ground...
She was put down and already winded -- just who was this guy?
What else was there to expect from a member of the Barsburg military?

"D- Damn... He's a lot stronger than I thought..." she grumbled to herself, still likely more audible than she'd think.
"Can't let myself go down like this though..." she glared up at the man as she stumbled on her way back up to her feet.

She needed a plan and fast... But what?

Her hands tightened on her gun, funneling her essence through it to activate the runic inscriptions upon it - time to stop treating it per its intention for something outside of the box.
An eerie sapphire glow took to her person... Another trick up her sleeve?

The metaphysical domain had many attributes she could manipulate, one of which being...
Space around her seemed to condense, shifting and shaping despite its faceless façade. A sheath of gleaming alabaster soon swathed it all, unveiling... Levitating blades? Their tips trained upon Cosmas...
Surely, the blades were naught but illusions... Yet, there was another layer applied to these.

"It may not be true steel... But it'll feel and cut like it." she threatened, kicking herself off for a full charge, conjurations well in tow.
The illusionary veil she clung to tightly to melded her physical form into a flurry of faint afterimages, breaking apart her true position as she grew closer - a feeble attempt to reign in close.

One by one, pseudo-blades dived from above, each intent on skewering at the barsburgian persona... Or at least, distracting them.
(Selena Nokamata)
Blades come, naught but illusions but ones made of magic that began to cut and tear away at the corporal as he dashes around. They pierce even the fine layers of his thick Barsburg uniform and leave cuts of red that show underneath.

And yet, the battle is down to the last hair. She begins to gain ground as electricity fizzles out around the Barsburg officer. A final step and he dashes forth, planting that thick black leather boot of Barsburg origin into the ground which gives him room to pivot and shift, sending the vast brunt of his gun through the air to launch Selena back and through the air -- and unfortunately away so he can not capture her.

Part of that failure probably due to his own injuries.

"I'll ask you your story next time," he mutters. The gun is swung back underarm and he moves on back to his other officers who were combatting some kitsune in the backdrop.
(Cosmas)

Batted away, she grunted...
The last thing she needed was to be pinned down.
Thus, image... after image... after image of her person fizzed into reality, one by one appearing to obscure the position of the true Selena.

He spoke, but their glares implied a lack of care for anything he had to say... Without much further ado, they'd all scatter, each image of Selena taking off in its own separate direction - totaling in what looked like seven replicants.

Two sprinted for the mountain, back from where she came...
Another three towards the other barsburgians westbound, one towards the bridge... likely in Osrona's direction and a final one sprinting south for the treeline.

If one had any intentions on tracking them, it was ultimately up to a game of chance as to which one would be the real one.

Despite the escape, the woman's voice spoke, disembodied from the images for Cosmas' ears.

"Next time, I'll have your machine torn of another cog..."

From induced fear of the Empire, to frustration, to fury... The coward had finally been forcibly transformed into a rebel with a cause.

Pink pedals crawl from the battleground, with the mild scent of citrus carried amidst the implicit breeze: a final calling card of the magi that faced off against Cosmas on this day.
(Selena Nokamata)

Hmph. There's almost amusement in that response, yet it shows not upon the Barsburgian's face. Another cog he was, another gear. Aimless, faceless it seemed. The pink pedals are stomped on as he makes his way off, not bothering to try and track the countless after images of Selena that scatter to the distance.

Another day it seemed. He made an enemy.
(Cosmas)