[Mari]

Perhaps it was Rider's big heart, or perhaps some of that famous old adrenaline magic, but Rider turned out to be capable of not only carrying the injured student but managed to burst into something resembling a jog with Raffine in arms. It helped that Raffine was keeping very still, for one reason or another. Rider moves too quickly for whatever was stalking them to get a drop on her, but Schezo ...

Schezo catches a glimpse of light reflecting off the eyes of a predator not far off. The glance lasted only a moment before the light vanished, seeming to imply that the creature had shifted positions. It seemed that this enemy was waiting for a better opportunity to strike.

((You may continue your advancement and/or perception rolls))

Escape Progress
24 / 115

[TheSpatialWeeg]

Rider couldn't believe she was managing to hold Raffine with such ease. Either she was stronger than she thought, or her classmate was extremely light. She stopped for a brief moment and turned to acknowledge Schezo lagging a bit behind.

"U-um, M-mr. Schezo, are you okay over there...?"

g2d|puohp_1d20-1(Rider's Escape roll.)

Despite her worry with her ally, Rider kept going. Raffine took priority.1d20-1

[Rina]

Notably, there's a bit of a gap between Rider and Schezo. What's going on?

"I sensed something, but they seem to have fled for now. My wary eyes must have interrupted their surprise attack."

Escape Roll: mpghJyTVp_1d20
Perception Roll: p_1d20+4

Oh boy...Schezo might be losing his nerve here or getting a bit rash on his usual actions. He is incredibly wary of what's around, perhaps overly so. This state could be making him slower than he needs to be, but it's understandable why. If he's down for the count, what will Rider do?

Damage: 26%

Status: Normal

1d20·1d20+4

[Mari]

Rider was, of course, making pretty amazing strides considering she was carrying someone heavier than her. ...Raffine might've lost a bit of weight between starving and being dehydrated, though. Just a little. It was more than likely the adrenaline however, that handy dandy super fuel. Who knew when it might run out and the weight might start slowing her down, however? On the bright side, Raffine was still being nice, still and wieldy.

Schezo ... was having a much worse time. The sound of scuffling feet would draw his attention as he ran, the wizard turning around just in time to catch what appeared to be a large cat stalking them. The massive beast was just on the edge of Schezo's vision. Just one more moment and it would have had the drop on him. It quickly retreated back into the darkness upon being spotted, however.

((You're making good progress. Continue.))

Escape Progress
52 / 115

[TheSpatialWeeg]

Rider didn't knew exactly why was Schezo taking so long to reach her. Was he tired? She knew he was constantly checking what was behind him, but...something told her that would he not speed himself up, something terrible would ensue. Fear once again kicked in. Were they being watched on...?

"M-Mr. Schezo, p-please pick up the pace...!!"

9|9rl2DBp_1d20-1(Rider's escape roll.)

Her body began overflowing with adrenaline (magic? magic adrenaline?) as she started to run faster and faster. She needed to get Raffine to safety, and she needed to get her to safety NOW. But...she couldn't leave her partner behind...Rider was torn. She knew something would get to jump on them if they'd dilly-dally any longer, but...Schezo was the most capable in fights...what could she do without him...?

"W-why am I so weak...?" she chided herself.1d20-1

[Rina]

"I'm trying...!"

Escape Roll: DM0TZlVsp_1d20
Perception Roll: p_1d20+4

"Gah!"

Unfortunately, in an attempt to pick up his pace, Schezo tripped on something and falls flat on his face. And the dirt on his face is making it hard to see. How he manages to keep a high and mighty image with his poor luck is beyond comprehension. Schezo's cursed, no doubt about it. A blunder because of him is bound to happen.

Damage: 26% 

Status: Normal

1d20·1d20+4

[Mari]

In spite of Rider frankly embarrassing Schezo with her shenanigans, it didn't seem to be enough to motivate him not to hilariously mess up. As fate would have it, Schezo went down and the terrifying shuffle of the familiar beast from earlier would greet Schezo's ears moments before the cat pounced. Metalic claws immediately dug into Schezo's back, shredding his outfit as the large cat robot attacked!

((Schezo! Robo kitty is mauling you! It's quite terrible, and unfortunately cannot be dodged or bubble shielded because it got the drop on you and constitutes a grapple. You take 30% damage.))

The lion then went on to emit a loud roar! It would do little more to intimidate Schezo any more than it's terrible attack already had, but Rider on the other hand stood something to lose.

((Rider! ...The lion is attempting to intimidate you! Roll 14+ INT to resist its intimidate check! IF you fail, you suffer a -2 to your attacks and attempts to free Schezo from his grapple.))

((Schezo and Rider! You may both attempt to break the lion's grapple. Roll 14+ Strength to push the cat off. Once you are free, or if your name is Rider and you are already free, you may choose to fight the lion or simply run away by resuming your normal dex rolls.))

Escape Progress
74 / 115

Infected Robotic Lion
150 HP

[TheSpatialWeeg]

Rider wasn't sure on what to think of the fact that the Dark Wizard tripped. Then again, she wouldn't have enough time to think about it, as her previous thoughts came into fruition. A giant metal lion pounced at Schezo, and well, let's just say that scared Rider out of her wits due to how sudden the lion emerged and toyed with Schezo.

The lion roared loudly...for some odd reason. Was it trying to intimidate her...?

CAIbhgoop_1d20+1(Rider's Intimidation check.)

Unfortunately for the mechanical menace, the attempt fell short. In fact, the attempt kind of destroyed Rider's initial impressions of the monstrous mecha. Granted, it was still kind of scary, but it wasn't as...spooky as she first saw it. But now she had a huge problem on her hands. Schezo was imprisoned by that mecha lion, but they needed to get Raffine out of any danger. What would she do? What could she do? Rider was in no condition to fight and babysit Raffine at the same time! Eventually...she took a deep breath.

"I-I'm so sorry...Mr. Schezo, b-but...I need to get her to safety...! I'm r-really sorry...!!"

p_1d20-1(Rider's Escape Roll.)

Taking a quiet step back, she held Raffine tight and began to make a run for it. While she clearly regretted leaving Schezo behind, Raffine needed to be taken to safety, and her heart knew that her classmate took priority.

---

Rider
0%

1d20+1·1d20-1

[Rina]

A piercing pain stung on his back as he got savagely pounced on, but he refused to scream in pain. Whether it's iron will or pride, he doesn't want anything to do with this atrociously bad luck and just wants out. Now.

Schezo's Struggle: rc3cIByyp_1d20

...but he isn't gonna get that. Schezo just yelled at Rider, ripping into her for doing this to him, and he's just about good as done if she doesn't do anything.

"CONFOUND IT! Don't you dare leave me to die to this wretched beast! Why am I the scapegoat for everything!? This very action makes you no better than everyone else that I've met!!"

...What am I rambling about? There's no way she'd hear me out. They're all the same. They agree to allow me to accompany them, but it all leads to abandonment. I only have myself to rely on, and I have no need for companions!

A rune circle began to glow from where's pinned down on, and also under the lion. He didn't care if this is a waste. His ability to care has been thrown out the window and he just wants to escape with his life. And in just the blink of an eye, Schezo's managed to slip past from under the beast and strike down at it with blinding fury, thanks to magic and a bit of his rage. And the coup de grace, his dark magic to top it all off.


"AREIADO SPECIAL!"
(Schezo's Ultimate; Does 50%)

(Get out of there, Schezo!) p_1d20
(Perception Roll) p_1d20+4

Those injuries made it hard for him to catch up, but he kept an eye on the surroundings, and the lion to make sure it won't be pouncing on him again. He's had enough of everything. He's SO done with all these hapless shenanigans.

Damage: 56%

Status: Normal

1d20·1d20·1d20+4

[Mari]

Oh how cruel it was, to place that poor nine year old in a position where she had to make such a difficult choice. To weigh the lives of her compatriots and choose which one needed to be saved more--what sort of cruel writer would make her do such a thing? ...Oh whoops. Disregard that.

Schezo's attack was enough to blow the lion off of him, a rather impressive feat for magic. The lion was so startled by this massive surge of power that it did not immediately attack Schezo again, lingering on the outskirts of his vision as it tried to figure out what had just happened.

Meanwhile, Rider's choice was not in vain. She managed to cover a good distance and the edge of Emerald Coast was now in sight. All they had to do was get past the home stretch and they'd be home free--or at least free of this nightmarish place. It wasn't clear if the lion would stop hunting them once they escaped, but it would at least be light enough that it wouldn't be able to catch them by surprise if it kept up the chase.

((Rider, Schezo... Things are getting easy now. Roll 7+ Dex to escape! If you somehow fail that, roll 14+ Perception to avoid the inevitable.))

Escape Progress
101 / 115

Infected Robotic Lion
100 HP

[TheSpatialWeeg]

Rider quickly managed to hit the homestretch, thankfully. There was no other beast in sight, so it seemed to be the end of it. They could finally get out of that cursed beach!

...Well, they as in Raffine and herself.

Hearing Schezo's words managed to sink deep within her soul. However, instead of feeling guilty as the Dark Wizard probably planned, she felt all that bottled anger coming back, only amplified and ready to explode. Did he...did he just tried to make her feel bad for ensuring the safety of someone who needed the utmost care at this point?!

Oh, that does it. All respect and sympathy she had for him was out of the window with that singular sentence.

Rider turned her head to look at Schezo, a scowl on her face alongside a glare that shot a bazillion daggers. She soon turned her gaze away from him. Rider wasn’t even going to even grace Schezo with eye-to-eye contact. while she talked. He didn't deserve being looked at.

“Excuse me, Mr. Schezo? How do you expect for me to help you while I am carrying someone in grave conditions? I never wanted you to become a scapegoat, I never wanted to choose. However...what you just said…I am not having any of that. You do not know me, okay? I wanted to save you, but I would put Raffine at risk! Do you think this is easy? It isn’t. I thought you could easily escape due to your experience and how powerful you seemed to be! ...Then again, you probably won’t hear me anymore.”

w|eB_mmAp_1d20-1(Rider's Final Escape Roll.)

"Arrivederci." With those words, Rider sped up. At that point, she no longer cared about Schezo's well-being. For her, the only one who mattered in this mission right now was Raffine. It isn't too late for an apology, though there's doubts on whether Schezo would even try to do so.1d20-1

[Rina]

ibz0lsKkp_1d20 (A decent Escape Roll when it doesn't even matter! YAY! *obvious sarcasm*)

Schezo finally caught up...but he's too tired to even try and argue his way and attempts to set things straight. If he can even do that. Curse his nonexistent tact and social skills!

"No...no it isn't easy. Since when have I considered life to be easy? Nothing about my life easy. Don't be quick assume I make it easy because I'm older and wiser. My life has been filled with only but misfortune, abandonment and isolation. I........................................apologize for my lack of tact, but unless you have the patience to hear me out on my so-called sob story on why I reacted as thus, an apology as simple as 'I'm sorry.' I feel is empty."

He tries to shrug it off, but what just happened to him didn't sit well with him at all. Never mind that he got out with his life. It was particularly sensitive to him, but he never really explained why because no one bothered to ask.1d20

[Mari]

In spite of their argument Schezo and Rider both managed to breach the eternal shadow of Emerald Coast, emerging into the light once more. They would be able to see movement on the border of the darkness, the lion pacing back and forth for a moment as it considered whether to continue its chase. However, this was a creature that hadn't observed the light in a long time. It seemed afraid to leave. Perhaps it didn't know how to function outside of the cover of the shadows.

Any which way, they were free. The lion did not pursue them. Raffine was ... still oddly cooperative with being held. One had to wonder how aware she was of the conversation going on. It was, of course, imperitive that she be brought back to the life sphere so that her body would have a chance to recover. At this point, it already wasn't clear if she'd recover at all. There was always she'd already passed the point of return and would only get worse--but that was just pessimistic, wasn't it?

MISSION COMPLETE

((You may post your exit post whenever you're ready.))

[TheSpatialWeeg]

...Well, that was certainly not what she expected. Schezo apologizing, and that quickly? That took Rider by surprise. Thankfully for the Dark Wizard, the small girl was...extremely quick to forgive people, and he was no actual exception.

"...Okay then, Mr. Schezo. I forgive you. I feel like...I should be sorry as well for assuming things on my own accord...I feel like I should listen to your story, but...someone needs to check up on Raffine...and I...I feel like I should keep an eye out for her...s-so...we could try to arrange some time to talk about this. That is...if you want to..."

The small girl held Raffine tight and began making her way towards the Life Sphere. It was a long walk, however she could manage.

"I'll drop by your apartment once she's all right, then we can talk...okay? Bye~!"

Rider waved at Schezo before continuing to walk towards the Life Sphere.

((End of Presence))

[Rina]

"............Sure."

..........her innocent kindness has no bounds. I never truly got to maintain that when I was still in magic school.

He is genuinely not used to having forgiveness and kindness given to him like that. With the deed done, Schezo, too, parted for the Life Sphere...but felt the need to get himself checked before hitting the apartment complex. He got beat up in there pretty badly, and that scar on his back definitely needs to be looked at. Not having a healing spell sure is biting him pretty hard.

((Schezo has left the scene.))