Expedition (Mirror Kata Edition)

[Jent]

"This isn't right at all. The weather here, without Ana, should be fairly temperate. If I've researched correctly, this should be a sub-tropical island chain..."

The old man hardly bat an eye whilst she spoke. Not that he ignore the young Knight, far from it. Devon's thoughts simply flowed at heightened speed while taking in the words told to him. The wooden cane in his right hand traced along the frozen ground, going along paths of deep concentration. It etched lines of glowing magic to recreate Senka's map for himself. Three-dimensional geography and noted landmarks sprung up from his handiwork.

"Instead we have blowing snow and sub zero temperatures. We didn't accidentally land at one of the poles, did we? Is this a magical phenomenon?"

"Northern latitudes, though not quite there at the pole," he clarified, not displaying a shred of emotion. "This is an unnatural formation. Volcanic activity normally would have maintained higher temperatures in this specific region, with heat slowly warming up throughout the island chain's waters. Yet this land is locked into a micro tundra. Caused by that central tower. Do not stare at it."

[Swix]

"I'm... so sorry, Tox" Mina said, genuinely meaning it after hearing her fellow Knights story. What an awful ordeal to go through, she wished she could hug Tox without fear of her toxins from her weeping getting on her armour. So she did the next best thing-and hugged her Dragon form with her own Dragon form in the Astral Plane. It would not look like she had done anything to those who couldn't see, but nevertheless Tox would know. Mina smiled softly at her. "You did very well. Very well indeed"

Next up was the more important bit-making sure everyone stayed alive and ok. ~Everyone, we need to set up camp as far away from this tower as possible to lessen its effects, especially on those least able to handle it. Oh, and someone find Tom some warm clothes and wood for a fire, would you?~ This mental message was sent to all, coming from Mina, it pierced through everyone on the islands mind without any need for a link. "Come on, let's get you further away from this terrible place" Mina said to Tox, offering a hand as she saw hers were gloved. "At least as far as we possibly can"

Meanwhile, the more talented and advanced of Minas students had already scouted out tge furthest area away and were already beginning to set up the camp that would hold their supplies and allow them to properly plan. A welcoming fire already burned merrily.

[TheDarkPsycho]

Tom accepted Senka's blanket graciously, being sure to thank her as he wrapped it around himself. He had never ventured to the mirror verses, so had no clue what the others were talking about - but somehow a warmer Mirror kata did make a sort of sense to him. However, this seemed more like the Kata he knew than a tropical one.

"Mina,...", Tom spoke up again, "You should know I've lost what protection I had against this....As a human, I should be especially susceptible whatever is going on. I can already feel it - something defintely feels not right."

This was not the position he wanted to be in, being the one hindering the team rather than helping it. But at this point it couldn't be helped - he was here now. Might as well lay all the cards on the table...

[BoltAscendent]

"...Thanks...I'll keep watch. I'm starting to get used to it, even if it scratches at my mind...I'm tough. So...I'll...be ok, as long as you're here." She flashed a smile, focusing and changing herself back to her draconic self. The company of others was helping her a good bit. She wasn't alone, she had people. All that time alone, thinking she would be alone until she died...that was all behind her. But for now...

"Someone should give Tom a quick ride over so we can establish defenses. I should be able to, if need be."

[Coolpikaaa]

"Camp? We are staying? Why?" Senka asked, watching the people move back and forth. That was... a very good question. "The snow is piling up, the temperature is plunging, and this tower is effecting us all negatively. The longer we stay here, the more insane we will become. Plus, Tox and Tom are both crippled."

"What is our incentive to staying here all at? We should return home and regroup with the other team, and return when we are prepared. No one is in any danger here except our own people." She explained.

[Swix]

Mina smiled and nodded to Tox "If you want to, Tox, and you're sure. I'd prefer to know you're one hundred percent good, though I won't force you"

Mina then walked back over to Senka, Devon and Tom. "We're making a camp because Tom and yourself are going to need heat pretty quickly-and some of the Knights here would rather not get changed into their winter gear out in the open like a bunch of animals" she then paused, before speaking again "But you're right, the longer we stay here the more likely it is for us to go insane. So the most vulnerable should leave first. That would be yourself and Tom, since you possess no mental defences at all. And I'm pretty sure he's not crippled and perfectly able to speak for himself"

Mina was literally only setting up a camp for warmth and privacy for those who needed to get changed into warmer clothes. It wasn't meant for a week or even a few days.

"I'm certain that travelling between dimensions and planets has taken absolutely no effort at all on others parts"

Yes, that was snarky. But Senka had Just showed how little the KoI thought of the Dragon Knights, if [i/] Senka truly represented all of the other Knights collective ideals. She was willing to bet it was not.

[TheDarkPsycho]

Something inside Tom snapped between being called a cripple and listening to the two competing Knights argue....and Sergeant Johnson came out to play.

"Shut up you two! Arguing like this is pointless, and endangers the mission. If I had the authority I'd strip you of your ranks and send you both to scrub the Latrines for the day. As it is, we are here and we still have a mission to accomplish. What we should do is find a place to setup a base camp, and then take an honest look at our supplies and situation with a mind towards completing the mission. I've got some light rations, and my leg is nearly fully charged - as I was prepared to go out on patrol - and I have another battery pack for it. So physically I can last two days, longer if you have someone who can charge whatever this thing uses as energy.

Our two main concerns now is dealing with the mental attack and dealing with the cold. If we can find a cave that would give us cover from attack, and should help block out both of those problems. As such we should be sending out scouts to try to find one."

[Jent]

Devon glanced at the two Knights standing by each other. Both of different orders, each believing major issues about the other woman (and potentially extension to the rest of their group). It did require a genius to tell that Mina and Senka would warm up from the heated exchange. Well, until Tom threw his dice into the mix. The old Zduhać hadn't signed up to deal with petty arguments.

His job was for expedition itself. Procuring a glowing sphere of amber from a jacket pocket, Devon flung the shimmering orb into the shore nearby. Why embrace nautical puns if not going to bring his own ship?

A massive longship emerged out from the icy waters, partially beached along the sand. There were obvious nordic design built into it, along with baltic touches. The magically sea-faring vessel held about two stories in the center. Certainly enough room for the entire expedition force in their humanoid forms, as well spares for guests. Other quarters held additional rations and space for folk to load some of the supplies on deck.

[Coolpikaaa]

Senka glared at Mina when she implied that her and Tom were defenseless. How very rude. The Knight was still struggling to come to terms with how someone as nasty as Mina could exist, especially in times of crisis.

Instead, she took a breath and distanced herself, standing with Devon.

"That's a very nice ship. It will serve us well... since we seem to want to stay." She had an extra note of inflection on that sentence. "Did you design it yourself?"

She looked at Tom. Arguing? She hadn't said a word back to Mina. Maybe he was already losing his mind?

"... I agree, Tom. Maybe we can use Devon's ship as a base of operations and take stock?"

[Jent]

"Had spare time while watching over Altima and her group. Odd trees growing on that Ana fragment are surprising lightweight and resilient."

Devon quietly watched some of the group start to reorganize their supplies and base of operations on the boat. Despite the thorough search so far on the island, no other beings would be spotted apart from themselves. Just a cold, barren wasteland. Some of the old buildings did have non-curse provisions and gear. Butcher shops had stocks of meat kept in a still functioning freezer (even though the cold outside likely would keep it chill). Various small shops kept garments, largely for more temperate climates, though some winter gear was among the selection. Even weapons at an armory only were covered in dust. Some people definitely used to live here... but all were gone.

[Swix]

Minas eyes glowed orange, inside a fire burned with the head of her normal Dragon form lost in the sea of the blaze. She closed them and took a deep breath. Calm, Mina, a Dragon Knight was calm. She opened them again and they returned to silver. Why did she even bother trying to make the self-righteous egotistical and undisciplined so-called Knights of Insanity representative try to understand that what she was asking for was rhe equivalent of spitting in the faces of everyone who'd worked so hard to make this expedition happen? She wondered why Tom thought threatening them like that was going to work, clearly it had made absolutely no impression upon Senka in the past, so why use it now?

However, Mina bowed shortly after she took the breath and spoke up again. "I apologise. Clearly my affinity with Fire Dragons and my personal issues have overridden my judgement" Not like Senka was ever going to apologise, at least Mina knew when to swallow her pride. She looked over to the longboat. "That will help greatly, we can move away for a time and plan better, with a proper discussion" Rather than secondguessing each other constantly in the field.

Suddenly the Dragon Knight drew her sword, she wasn't about to attack them, surely? "A door in front of a cave we thought magically sealed has opened. Everyone should get on the boat, quickly! My Knights are reporting a hostile Fire Demon has emerged and is attacking them. I can withstand fire and the mental onslaught quite well. I will stall it" With that the leader of the Dragon Knights ran towards the threat.

[Jent]

The old man preferred to not delve into details over every aspect. Normally he find joy in it, but Devon's thoughts were elsewhere. Making sure everyone reported back together to plan things out. Perhaps setting sail to investigate nearby islands?-

Well, that idea was short lived.

The Zduhać glared towards at the disturbance. So something was hiding here after all. Devon quickly grabbed the arm of one of the younger Dragon Knight's before they went to the ship. "Watch my body," was all he said before passing out. This type of enemy wouldn't be wise to fight in the flesh. Instead, his soul projected itself free from the mortal vessel. That same aura madness shimmered around Devon, resonating in sync with his own powers. Luckily the aura around the blue draconic like form didn't affect those next to his spirit.

[BoltAscendent]

Tox blinked. "Oh for the love of...All right. I'll do my thing too..."

The tired looking knight tore her gloves off before rushing in to deal with it as best she could. If she's going to be a walking hazard, she might as well be a useful one!

[TheDarkPsycho]

::Tom reacted almost on instinct, throwing the blanket off himself, crouching down, and bringing up his rifle in the direction Mina was facing::

Soldier, fall back, we'll deal with this together ::he yelled after Tox, before rushing off to follow her in::

[Coolpikaaa]

"This is... You've got to be kidding, right?" Senka whirled about, gearing the Dragon Knight barking orders. A fire demon? Why!? Where?! This day was maddening!

With a heavy sigh she drew her sword, giving chase to the Dragons. She wasn't going to be left out.