Escape from The Circus of Windows [RP thread] (ON HIATUS)

[Gist]

Escape from Le Cirque des Fénètres

The Circus of Windows is an odd place, one that is filled with amazing wonders and grotesque monuments. The performers here range far and wide in terms of uniqueness, nerve, charisma, and talent. They tempt people into releasing their pent-up doubts and to let their inner selves run wild. It's a fun place to go vent and have fun. However, the one thing that they hide is the fact this circus is only a disguise. A ruse. A scam. The Church has placed world-class demon hunters who have vowed to seek to the ends of the earth to find and eradicate any and all scents of heresy. One could call this overzealous, but another would call this enthusiasm. Yet the dark seeds of temptation have been planted in four of the performers. Can they resist the call from the carnal sins of the flesh, or will they revel and burn in ecstasy?

Looking in upon our performers, we see that a show is just about to begin. They step out from the darkness and face the enemies in the bright spotlights... Will they prevail once again in front of our crowd? No one knows; let's see!

Chapter 0-S - A Stellar Performance

Location: Les Cages des Animeaux (Antechamber/Training Arena)

Atmosphere: Expectancy: Light Damage Output is increased by 10%. Critical hit rates for all units are increased by 3%.

Music: Blinded by Light


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } A
{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } B
{ } { } {C} { } { } { } {C} { } { } C
{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } D
{ } { } { } {1} {2} {3} { } { } { } E
{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } F
{ } { } {C} { } { } { } {C} { } { } G
{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } H
{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } I
1---2---3--4--5---6--7---8---9

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Enemy Side:

Spoiler:

Legend: [spoiler]]{ }pty Cell

{C} - Column
--- Con: 9/10
--- Trigger Command: Knock!

[Masquerade]

Cornelia starts in A1.

Such a perfect guise. That was all Cornelia could think as she took her place in the arena. It would be a performance to showcase their abilities, all of which typically made the crowds go wild. But it was never about entertainment, no. Masquerading as mere circus performers, Cornelia and her compatriots were seeking out dissent amongst the people. The Church was intent on halting the infection of heresy that seeped into the land and threatened the very organization. Regardless, it was only natural that they would do their best to keep their cover. The illusionist gazed about, looking over the stands and the enemies that stood before her with her crimson eyes. She twirled about, and with a bit of sleight of hand, produced a large tome seemingly from nowhere, opening it and allowing the pages to flutter about as she held a hand out towards the foes. It was called an entrance.

"To please the crowd, such a fallacious endeavor," Cornelia muttered to herself with a genuine smile playing about her soft lips. "But oh how fallacy happens to be my specialty. It doesn't always take magic to weave illusion," she chimed, readying herself for the "performance." Her appearance would be the cue for the others to start emerging from the darkness of the sidelines to join the fray. In all the time that she had taken this task upon herself, or rather had the opportunity presented to her by the Church, not once had she ever missed a beat. And she wasn't about to start now.

[Xenosaga]

Silently, Mikaga stepped out into the light with a solemn face. His blue eyes were dark with melancholy and guilt, they always were, as he gazed out at the stage. There were three that would be their foes, three they needed to defeat to move on. Mikaga released a soft sigh, eyes downcast, and his shoulders slumped. His free hand reached up to grasp his opposite arm in what could be seen as a shy motion, shrinking into himself just a bit.

His blade gleamed in the light, ancient markings clearly seen. They seemed to pulse for a brief moment before returning to their dull state. Mikaga parted his mouth as if to speak, to maybe say something to his companions. But then, red lips pressed back together without a word spoken and Mikaga swallowed. White teeth bit into his bottom lip and he shuffled his feet. His hand's grip tightened and loosened at random intervals around his sword's hilt.

In the end, he continued to be as quiet as a mouse.

[Mikaga] starts at [F-9].

[Silver]

Isadora starts at I1!

The whip wrapped round her arm felt unpleasantly tight as she shuffled into position once more. It seemed each time they put on one of these "shows" it squeezed her more, as if to silently remind her of their mission. Isadora did not relax as it unraveled from around her and snapped at the ground–she could still feel its grip on her, and remained utterly indifferent outwardly. More enemies for them to defeat meant another chance for they themselves to sink into the heresy corrupting the world. And that was not a pleasant ideal.

"I will not falter," she stated mentally, cracking her whip once more before reigning it in. The subjects they were forced to deal with did not seem all that impressive, but she knew better than to judge appearances. Appearances often hid true potential from the naked eye, as a result getting a lock on them would prove useful. Isadora nodded mentally and took a quick breath. "Let's dance..."

[Kurio]

Lilliana starts at cell A-4

Along the side of the stage, an open lid coffin. Within the coffin, a young woman. Her skin was ghastly pale, her eyes were closed shut, and her entire body lay motionless in the coffin, resting peacefully in a dark blue dress. Most would assume that she was dead after just one look, however those who have been to the show before know better. The young woman within the coffin opened her eyes not long after the other three had made their entrance onto the stage and slowly lifted herself up to a standing position. Then as if on cue the moment the young woman took her first step out of the coffin a myriad of rose petals showered from the ceiling, which was then followed by a single rose that landed in front of the young woman. She bent down to pick up the flower and took a moment to appreciate its beauty before turning around and tossing it to the audience.

With that done the young woman turned toward the center of the stage. "Shall we begin?"

[Gist]

((Credit to Eeboo for updating for me. Props to him. <3))

Chapter 0-S - A Stellar Performance

Location: Les Cages des Animeaux (Antechamber/Training Arena)

Atmosphere: Expectancy: Light Damage Output is increased by 10%. Critical hit rates for all units are increased by 3%.

Music: Blinded by Light


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


{C} { } { } {L} { } { } { } { } { } A
{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } B
{ } { } {C} { } { } { } {C} { } { } C
{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } D
{ } { } { } {1} {2} {3} { } { } { } E
{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } {M} F
{ } { } {C} { } { } { } {C} { } { } G
{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } H
{I} { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } I
-1---2---3---4---5---6---7---8---9-


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ally Side:

Spoiler:

Enemy Side:

Spoiler:

Legend:

Spoiler:

~Ally Phase I~

[Silver]

Isadora
Hp: 20/20
Mp: 20/20
Atk: 4
Def: 2
Int: 4
Spr: 3
Crit: 2%
Evade: 5%
Move: 3 Cells
X-Gauge: 0/15

Isadora uses Preparation on A001! Libra effect!

"Begin." Isa muttered, eyes locking in on the enemy closest to her. Mana rushed to her eyes in response and she saw past the basic appearance and deep into the workings of her target. She closed her eyes, taking a breath, and let the information just sink in before cracking her whip twice. "Very well..." she answered calmly, taking a few steps forward warily.

Isadora moves to F1!

Isadora
Hp: 20/20
Mp: 12/20
Atk: 4
Def: 2
Int: 4
Spr: 3
Crit: 2%
Evade: 5%
Move: 3 Cells
X-Gauge: 0/15

[Xenosaga]

Were they starting? Mikaga glanced around, his eyes flickering over the stage, his nervousness so clear it seemed to jitter the air. Isadora had moved but not yet the others and Mikaga was hesitant to start, not until they went as well. He was standing far from the rest, the furthest in fact. Then again, he hadn't wanted to get in anyone's way when the fight actually started. He didn't want to make anyone mad.

Still, standing around doing nothing wasn't going to make them happy either. He had to do something so as not to become a deadweight. Quietly, he shuffled over a little bit, not wanting to get too close to the things in the center but also wanting to do something that would be useful to his . . . allies? Companions? Maybe even friends? Mikaga didn't want to push too far with his labeling. They might feel offended.

[Mikaga] moves to [E-9].

With his free hand, he had removed it from his swordarm a moment ago, Mikaga raised it palm facing upward and breathed to calm himself. With a bit of focus, he brought into existence a small orb of fire, the tendrils flickering weakly. Swallowing, he leaned forward a bit and gently blew at it, coaxing it to grow until it could fit right in his hand. It hovered over his palm, burning dimly until round outlines blinked. The flame then yawned, mouth opening wide to reveal its inner blue fire.

"Go," Mikaga urged in a whisper and the flame garbled something, its face rolling a full circle. Mikaga bit back a laugh at whatever was said but did give the wisp a tiny smile. Satisfied with this, the wisp hopped off, bouncing across the floor over to the nearest mannequin. It then took a giant leap, smashing into what might have been the thing's face and exploded softly. It then fell off, gave the mannequin a Look, before bouncing away into nonexistence.

[Mikaga] casts Fire Wisp on [A003]. 3 Fire INT DMG. Chance of Burn.
MP: 9/15

[Masquerade]

Cornelia moves to C1.

It was time to start. With all of her fellow "performers" taking their place, it didn't take long for them to leap into action. Cornelia herself waltzed elegantly along the periphery of the area, choosing to keep her distance. Though the mannequins weren't that much of a threat to her well-being, she wasn't particularly keen on real pain. Targeting one of the beings, she flipped through her tome and directed her hand towards it. A large glyph in the shape of an eye appeared before it, and throughout the area a loud shattering sound could be heard. The illusion she weaved would make it seem as though all time had come to a standstill in the eyes of the mannequin.

Looking around, she noticed her compatriots were being rather quiet for this to be a raucous circus performance. Perhaps that added a bit of mystique to the entirety of the thing. This made her smirk in glee. She was quite fond of enigmas and mystery. Perhaps that's why demon hunting had resonated so strongly with her. Defeating the source of sin and desecration? Exploring what lies beyond the grasp of the Church? No, she would not fall into temptation, but she would learn. Holding her book closely to her chest, feeling her breasts squeeze against it, she let out a sigh. How greatly she wished she could dig into her pocket for a piece of chocolate right now. Oh how unprofessional of me that would be, she mused gently in her mind, keeping that aloof smile upon her face. She waited in the distance, thinking of what illusion she should induce next.

Cornelia casts Moment on A001! [Chance of Stop]

MP: 21/30

[Kurio]

Lilliana moves to cell B-5

The show had finally begun and the others jumped right in. Figuratively speaking of course as they all kept their distance. One of her allies, Cornelia, had already began working her magic on the doll she had originally intended to target. Best not steal her place under the spotlight for now. Lilliana moved to face the doll in the center and held her arms open in front of her. The mannequin's body began to crack in several locations and a thick mist seeped from those cracks. The mist, a deep crimson color, wasted no time in floating toward Lilliana, enveloping her in a translucent crimson cloud. Not long afterwards the cloud disappeared, perhaps it dissipated or perhaps Lilliana absorbed it along with whatever she stole from the doll with that cloud, into her own body.

Lilliana uses Extortion on A002. Reduces ATK and INT by 20%. Drains the reduced amount as DEF and SPR
MP: 19/30

[Gist]

((Credit to Eeboo for updating my grid. He's so awesome! |D))

The crowd cheered as the performers started to wheel in on the blessed dolls... They thrived on violence and anger, which they were not allowed to express outside of the Circus. Every time they saw an opposing motion, the crowd just went berserk. It was as if they were possessed by a spirit of battle. A few of them sat still in the crowd; they were sponsoring the performers by hiding various trinkets within item bags concealed at the top of the four columns. Would the performers find these gifts to them? No one knows...

Chapter 0-S - A Stellar Performance

Location: Les Cages des Animeaux (Antechamber/Training Arena)

Atmosphere: Expectancy: Light Damage Output is increased by 10%. Critical hit rates for all units are increased by 3%.

Party Limit: 4/4

Music: Blinded by Light


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Libra Effect on A001!

A001: Blessed Mannequin
Vulnerable: Fire, Dark, ATK
Resist: Light, INT

A003 takes 1 Fire INT Damage! A003 is vulnerable to the Fire element and resistant to INT damage! The two are nulled.

HP: 14/15

A003 is Burned for three turns!

Chance of Stop on A003

A003 evades Stop...

A002 is affected by Extortion! A002 gains an emblem with [-20% ATK, -20% INT] for three turns!

Lilliana's S-Ability activates! Lilliana gains an emblem with [+20% DEF, +20% SPR] for three turns!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

X-Gauge Update!

Lilliana - 11/4 X-Levels Acquired! /////|/////|/////

Cornelia - 11/4 X-Levels Acquired! /////|/////|/////

Mikaga - 11/4 X-Levels Acquired! /////|/////|/////

Isadora - 11/4 X-Levels Acquired! /////|/////|/////

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } A
{ } { } { } { } {L} { } { } { } { } B
{C} { } {C} { } { } { } {C} { } { } C
{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } D
{ } { } { } {1} {2} {3} { } { } {M} E
{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } F
{I} { } {C} { } { } { } {C} { } { } G
{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } H
{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } I
-1---2---3---4---5---6---7---8---9-


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~Enemy Phase I~

A001 moves to F3! (E4-E3-F3)

A001 uses Flash on Isadora! (Use Counter: 1/2)

Isadora evades Flash...

A002 moves to C5! (E5-D5-C5)

A002 uses Flail! 100% Light ATK damage to all surrounding cells! 4 Light Damage to Lilliana! (MP: 8/15)

Lilliana takes 1 Light damage! (HP: 14/15)

A003 moves to F7! (E6-F6-F7)

A003 uses Flail! There are no surrounding Enemy Units... (MP: 8/15)

Trigger command: Knock! has been activated!

A Bag falls to G8!

A003 takes 2 Burn Damage! (HP: 12/15) The output is doubled because of Fire weakness!

A003 takes 2 Burn Damge! (HP: 10/15)

A003's Burn has two turns left...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } A
{ } { } { } { } {L} { } { } { } { } B
{C} { } {C} { } {2} { } {C} { } { } C
{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } D
{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } {M} E
{ } { } {1} { } { } { } {3} { } { } F
{I} { } {C} { } { } { } {C} {B} { } G
{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } H
{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } I
-1---2---3---4---5---6---7---8---9-


Ally Side:

Spoiler:

Enemy Side:

Spoiler:

Legend:

Spoiler:

~Ally Phase II~

[Kurio]

Lilliana uses Road Tax on A002. Inflicts Rupture
MP: 11/30

Her curse was working, the doll's attack barely hurt her. A smirk came across her lips and she removed her knife from its sheath, twirling it in her hand as she circled around the doll as if it were a real person, a victim for her to drain the very essence of. Placing a hand under the head of the mannequin she lifted its head and with a swift movement of her arm thrust the knife deep into the doll. Pulling her weapon out of the doll she watched more red mist seep out of the wound she made. Even if they didn't bleed her attacks would still be effective.

Lilliana moves to cell B-7

[Xenosaga]

What was he supposed to do now?

Mikaga stiffened in place, wide blue eyes flickering from the bag that had fallen to the floor to the burning mannequin flailing in place. His fingers were twitching, his empty hand jerking slightly in the direction of the bag while his swordarm itched to strike the mannequin down. What was he supposed to do? Which option would his-his allies want him to take? Should he get the bag? Or should he slay their enemy and leave them with only two to deal with? But what if the bag contained something that would be useful to them?

He bit his lip, feeling panic and bile rising up in his throat. His breathing was coming out faster as his vision grew watery. He really, really hated making choices. Peeking past his bangs to look at the others, he swallowed down the acid seeming to burn his lungs and breathed shallowly. The mannequins didn't look very durable. His fire spell was doing a lot of damage to it. He could probably leave it alone for a bit. It would probably be okay for him to get the bag. He could always try explaining? Maybe they would listen. He really hoped they listened. Cautiously, he moved to the side, following the edge of the stage.

[Mikaga] moves to [G-9].

Eying the mannequin cautiously, Mikaga hesitated. Part of his mind was still snapping at him to attack but he had already moved to where the bag was. It would be a waste not to pick it up and see what was inside. It couldn't be bad. Could it? Oh no, what if there was something inside that wasn't good for them. Mikaga was sure his face had just gone a sickly pale white. He didn't want to think about it. They would all hate him and again, he would ruin everything. He always ruined everything. He didn't want to ruin everything.

Shuddering in what seemed like pain, and he was in pain but not physically, Mikaga carefully bent down and grabbed the bag. He hesitated for another second and then squeezed his eyes shut. With a sharp intake of breath, he jerked the bag open. A moment passed where Mikaga held his breath. Another moment later, he opened his eyes to see what exactly was inside. Silently, he hoped it was something good.

He really hoped it was.

[Mikaga] opens [Bag] on [G-8].

[Silver]

Isa quickly shielded her eyes as the mannequin prepared its rather obvious attack on her–having just looked into its workings, there was little chance it would surprise her now. When the blast of light faded from existence, the Observer stood painfully still, lowering her hand and directing a pointed look at the foe. All at once she viewed its weak points, scrutinizing every joint and cranny with the harshest severity–having no fire or dark based attacks, she supposed beating the damn thing into submission would have to do. "Very well," she muttered, suddenly breaking her position to charge the thing head on.

Isadora moves to F2!

No sooner was she in position did she begin her attack: the whip snapped through the air, landing, from Isa's perspective, a genuine hit on the outer frame. Another crack of the whip and it was back at her side, wrapped tightly around her arm as she took on a more evasive stance. "Come." she commanded, although her peripherals locked in on Cornelia, who's spell had previously failed. "It can't possibly avoid fate twice." she added in a lighter, friendlier tone.

Isadora attacks A001! 4 Atk Damage! Damage is increased due to Weakness!

[Masquerade]

Cornelia casts Moment on A001! [Chance of Stop]

MP: 12/30

Having evaded her illusion, Cornelia became quite taken aback. What her spells lacked in damaging capacity, they made up for with their debilitating effects. Surely there had been times where the illusion failed to stick, but this was a terrible way to start off the performance. "Oh this isn't unheard of. Perhaps I will have better luck with this one," Cornelia chimed whimsically in response to Isadora. It was a nice piece of encouragement, and with a flick of her wrist, the eye-shaped glyph appeared in front of the mannequin after which a loud shattering sound resounded through the area. This time she put more of her focus into the spell, hoping for the illusion to be properly woven this time. Before she must not have been connected like she should have.

"I just have to remember to keep my mind off the chocolate and the performance," the illusionist uttered to herself, still completely in a lighthearted mood. None of the events so far of the performance had set her aback. The only course of action was to try once more. How droll though. She really needed to master the other spells she was working on. Soon. Oh it would certainly add to the value of my performances, she thought enthusiastically, keeping her outward appearance reflecting her persona as the aloof enigma, despite her not being a complex woman.

Cornelia waits.

[Gist]

Chapter 0-S - A Stellar Performance
Location: Les Cages des Animeaux (Antechamber/Training Arena)
Atmosphere: Expectancy: Light Damage Output is increased by 10%. Critical hit rates for all units are increased by 3%.
Party Limit: 4/4
Music: Blinded by Light

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mikaga openss Bag on G8!
3x Potion
1x Hi-Potion
1x Holy Water
21 Gold
Chance of Stop on A001!
A001 is Stopped!
A001 takes 4 ATK damage!
A001 is vulnerable to ATK damage!
A001 takes 3 ATK damage! (HP: 12/15)
A001's Stop has 3 turns left...
A002 is affected by Road Tax!
A002 is Ruptured!
A002's Rupture has 3 turns left...
A003's Burn has 2 turns left...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
X-Gauge Update!
Lilliana - 11/4 X-Levels Acquired! //////|/////|/////
Cornelia - 1 X-Level Acquired! //////|/////|/////
Mikaga - 1/2 X-Levels Acquired! /////|/////|/////
Isadora - 11/4 X-Levels Acquired! /////|/////|/////
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } A
{ } { } { } { } { } { } {L} { } { } B
{C} { } {C} { } {2} { } {C} { } { } C
{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } D
{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } E
{ } {I} {1} { } { } { } {3} { } { } F
{ } { } {C} { } { } { } {C} { } {M} G
{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } H
{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } I
-1---2---3---4---5---6---7---8---9-

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~Enemy Phase II~
A001 is Stopped!
A001's Stop has 2 turns left...
A002 uses Flash against Lilliana! Chance of Blind!
Lilliana is Blinded! (Use Counter: 1/2)
Lilliana's Blind has 3 turns left...
A002 waits...
A002's Extortion has 1 turn left...
Lilliana's S-Ability has 1 turn left...
A002's Rupture has 2 turns left...
A003 moves to F9! (F7-F8-F9)
A003 attacks Mikaga for 5 ATK damage!
Mikaga takes 2 ATK damage! (HP: 23/25)
A003 takes 2 Burn Damage! (HP: 8/15) The output is doubled because of Fire weakness!
A003 takes 2 Burn Damge! (HP: 6/15)
A003's Burn has one turn left...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } A
{ } { } { } { } { } { } {L} { } { } B
{C} { } {C} { } {2} { } {C} { } { } C
{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } D
{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } E
{ } {I} {1} { } { } { } { } { } {3} F
{ } { } {C} { } { } { } {C} { } {M} G
{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } H
{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } I
-1---2---3---4---5---6---7---8---9-


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ally Side:

Spoiler:

Enemy Side:

Spoiler:

Legend:

Spoiler:

~Ally Phase III~

[Xenosaga]

To say Mikaga was surprised was an understatement. He was shocked. And then, he was worried. Was it really alright for him to take all of this? There was so much! He hadn't really expected more than one item and here was five and some money! But, it was useful. Mikaga silently closed the bag and put it away. He wondered what else there was.

Unfortunately, he didn't have time to wonder. The mannequin he had burned was now attacking him and, though it didn't hurt as much as he thought it would, he wasn't going to allow the thing to keep hurting him. This wasn't his body and the real owner would be furious if he found out it was damaged. The thought made Mikaga shudder in fear. Quickly, he struck the mannequin.

[Mikaga] attacks [A003]. 5 ATK DMG.

The burn would be able to finish it off. For now, it would probably be best for him to keep looking for items. They really would be useful in the long run and Mikaga had faith in his companions. The things were resilient but thankfully, they were also weak. Sending one last look at the finished mannequin, Mikaga dashed away toward the nearest pillar.

[Mikaga] moves to [E-8].

[Silver]

Isadora attacks A001! 4 Atk Damage! Damage is increased due to Weakness!

Isa frowned as her attack did little to sufficiently damage the mannequin. The thing was weak to physical strikes, but even then it would take forever for her to knock the damn thing down. "The show must go on, I suppose." she muttered and cracked her whip at her side once more. The Observer pulled her whip back and lashed the thing again, frown still etched into her visage. "Hope the crowd's ready for a long one..."

[Masquerade]

Cornelia casts Delirium on A002! [Chance of Confusion][Chance of Addle]

MP: 1/30

Now there we go!  Cornelia beamed as she realized that the mannequin had indeed been absorbed into her illusion, for it now remained frozen in place as if time itself were frozen.  She realized that the illusion was certainly not permanent, though she wasn't apt to waste time anyway.  Nonchalantly gazing ahead towards a different mannequin, she flipped the pages of her tome to a different page, still smiling.  Waving a hand at her new target mannequin, she weaved a different illusion, a bunch of polychromatic eyes flashing in and out of existence around its head.  By the end of her spell, the thing would supposedly not know left from right.

"Oh, the delights of illusion," Cornelia mused to herself gently, hugging her tome to her chest.  This performance business certainly beat secretary work despite the danger involved.  She looked around at her fellow compatriots and hoped that they would end things soon.  Wouldn't want the audience to fall asleep.

Cornelia waits.

[Kurio]

Lilliana moves to cell B-5

Odd, the doll shouldn't be smart enough to stay still considering that it, after all, was a doll. It shouldn't possess the intelligence nor the knowledge to realize what the wound she gave it would do. And after a flash of light Lilliana felt a bit disoriented, everything in her vision seemed a bit less clear to her. She managed to stumble back to the doll since it didn't seem to want to come to her. Taking her knife she made an attempted thrust at the doll, though though her blurred vision she wasn't quite sure if she hit or not.

Lilliana attacks A001. 5 ATK Dmg. Restores damage done as HP

[Gist]

Chapter 0-S - A Stellar Performance
Location: Les Cages des Animeaux (Antechamber/Training Arena)
Atmosphere: Expectancy: Light Damage Output is increased by 10%. Critical hit rates for all units are increased by 3%.
Party Limit: 4/4
Music: Blinded by Light

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mikaga attacks A003 for 5 ATK damage!
A003 is vulnerable to ATK damage!
A003 takes 4 damage! [HP: 2/15]
A003 is critical!
Isadora attacks A001 for 4 ATK damage!
A001 is vulnerable to ATK damage!
A001 takes 3 damage! [HP: 7/15]
Cornelia casts Delirium on A002! Chance of Confusion and Addle!
A002 is Confused and Addled!
Lilliana attacks A002 for 5 ATK damage!
A002 is vulnerable to ATK damage!
A002 takes 4 damage! [HP: 5/15]
A002 is critical!
Lilliana absorbs damage dealt this way as HP! [HP: 15/15]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
X-Gauge Update!
Lilliana - 11/4 X-Levels Acquired! /////|/////|/////
Cornelia - 1 X-Level Acquired! /////|/////|/////
Mikaga - 11/4 X-Levels Acquired! /////|/////|/////
Isadora - 1 X-Level Acquired! /////|/////|/////
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } A
{ } { } { } { } {L} { } { } { } { } B
{C} { } {C} { } {2} { } {C} { } { } C
{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } D
{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } {M} { } E
{ } {I} {1} { } { } { } { } { } {3} F
{ } { } {C} { } { } { } {C} { } { } G
{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } H
{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } I
-1---2---3---4---5---6---7---8---9-

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~Enemy Phase III~
A001 is Stopped!
A001's Stop has 1 turn left...
A002 attacks Lilliana for 5 ATK damage!
Lilliana takes 3 damage! [HP: 17/20]
A002 moves to E5! [C5-D5-E5]
A002 takes 1 Rupture damage! [HP: 4/15]
A002 is alleviated of Extortion...
Lilliana is alleviated of her S-Ability...
A002's Rupture has 1 turn left...
A003 moves to E9! (F9-E9)
A003 attacks Mikaga for 5 ATK damage!
Mikaga takes 2 ATK damage! (HP: 21/25)
A003 takes 2 Burn Damage! (HP: 0/15) The output is doubled because of Fire weakness!
A003 takes 2 Burn Damge! (HP: -2/15)
A003 is killed!
A003's Burn is alleviated...
A003's S-Ability activates!
A003 is revived with 33% Max HP and is afflicted with Stop for 1 turn!
A003's Stop has 1 turn left!
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{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } A
{ } { } { } { } {L} { } { } { } { } B
{C} { } {C} { } { } { } {C} { } { } C
{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } D
{ } { } { } { } {2} { } { } {M} {3} E
{ } {I} {1} { } { } { } { } { } { } F
{ } { } {C} { } { } { } {C} { } { } G
{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } H
{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } I
-1---2---3---4---5---6---7---8---9-


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Ally Side:

Spoiler:

Enemy Side:

Spoiler:

Legend:

Spoiler:

~Ally Phase IV~

[Masquerade]

Cornelia moves to E1.

Cornelia attacks A001! 5 Dmg! (INT)

"Another one! My, how joyous!" Cornelia exclaimed as she realized that the doll had sunk even further into delusion due to her spells. Now this was the way to make things exciting. The beaming look upon her face slowly faded, however, as she realized the mannequins were a bit more sturdy than she imagined. The fatal blows dealt to them...weren't as fatal as they could have been. The ability to rise from that sort of fall? Now that's no fun, Cornelia pouted as she thought. This was terrible. Whoever crafted the mannequins had done a great job at making them durable, but there was only so much hurt they could dish out as a collective in order to counteract that durability. It was approaching ridiculous levels. They had a crowd to entertain after all!

Glissading downwards along the edge of the arena, Cornelia opened her tome, a dark sphere appearing above the open pages. A sharp, malevolent glare was shot towards her intended target, and with a wave of her hand, she sent the orb of energy flying towards the mannequin. "This isn't good...so much for showmanship." Cornelia's grip on her tome tightened as she snapped it shut quickly, contemplating her next action, not like she had many choices on what to do at this moment. All of her mana had been expended casting her previous spells.

What to do...what to do...?

[Xenosaga]

It revived? Mikaga jerked back as if struck, his eyes wide and startled. He hadn't been expecting that. This just made the battle even longer and harder than it had seemed in the beginning. Biting down on his bottom lip, Mikaga contemplated his next course of action. He could ignore the mannequin and keep going for the bags or get rid of it first.

He peeked out at the rest of the group, hoping to catch an inkling as to what they were thinking. Cornelia and Isadora didn't look too pleased at the current situation. He couldn't really tell what Lilliana was feeling. Looking back at the frozen mannequin, Mikaga breathed out. They probably didn't want the battle to last forever. It would be better for him to try and get rid of at least one.

Mikaga was rather thankful that, because of its revival, the magical construct was stuck in place. It made it easier to land a blow. He thought about continuing the action but he didn't have much mana left in his reserves. Best to restrain himself for just a while longer.

[Mikaga] attacks [A003]. 5 ATK DMG.

[Silver]

Isadora attacks 4 Atk Damage! Damage is increased due to Weakness!

She grimaced.

To say that Isa was not pleased with the current situation was an understatement. In fact, she was so far past displeased that for the briefest of moments she considered dropping the show and just exiting the ring. Especially after noticing one of the damn mannequins revive–these things were unfortunately durable and it was starting to get to her. But she did not lose her temper, nor did she exit the stage. She merely snapped her whip at the thing again and brushed some fallen hair from her face.

Toiling would have to do.

[Kurio]

Lilliana moves to cell D-5

Ah now it was moving. No matter how tough it's made to be it seemed to be on the verge of falling apart. Though one of the previous dolls that did get taken apart somehow reassembled themselves. It made Lilliana wonder that if the church was able to mass produce these kinds of expendable soldiers why didn't they just use these things to hunt. Ah it wasn't her job to question the church though, only to follow its orders. She pursued the doll and once again thrust her knife into it.

Lilliana attacks A002. 5 ATK Dmg

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