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Messages - MonsterManic

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16
Plot Zone / Re: The even softer reboot [Plot Signup]
« on: July 24, 2022, 06:54:12 PM »
I'd like to go back and improve on some of my earlier characters and how I write them, so I'll submit Tina Allan for this too.

17
Beacon Academy / Re: Guilt, Acceptance and Overcoming [COMPLETE]
« on: May 22, 2021, 10:11:07 AM »
The expression on Anna's face was so bright it may as well have been a light bulb. This time, Setsuna grinned openly, partially in pride of having made Anna show her more expressive side and partially for having his gratefulness reciprocated. It felt good to get things off his chest, especially to people who weren't his family.

Sitting up and swinging his legs to get off his bed, he reached for his sword and shield propped against the wall, brushing off the dust which served as a testament to how long he'd been depressed and moody for. "I'll stop you from your books no longer, Anna - time to catch up on missed practice!" Setsuna called, slinging his armaments onto his back and heading for the door with a smile on his face and a renewed spring in his step.

Time to get back to work.

18
Beacon Academy / Re: Guilt, Acceptance and Overcoming [CLOSED]
« on: May 07, 2021, 01:39:44 AM »
As the reddish-pink color suffused Anna's cheeks, Setsuna made a mental note to keep this memory safely stored away - for it was rare to see her react emotionally beyond the usual half-smiles and blank stares that had become commonplace between the group. "Don't mention it - you should be recognized for what you've done for us all this time."

Lying back on his bed, he stretched and sighed contently, making sure not to kick Anna off in the process. That would definitely turn her smile upside down. "Well, I'm glad you appreciated what I had to say, and I absolutely meant every word of it. Thanks for being here for me - for us."

19
Beacon Academy / Re: Guilt, Acceptance and Overcoming [CLOSED]
« on: May 02, 2021, 09:43:16 AM »
Setsuna initially laughed off Anna's first criticism, joking "Well, I'm not the one without two giant shields, you all are more likely to get injured than I am." But as she continued, his expression turned from light-hearted to troubled as he pondered what Anna had said. By-the-book - leading to panic in unknown situations. Am I more inflexible than I realize? And if so, how does that affect my performance on the field? Listening to the end of what Anna had to say about him, he winced a little before recovering. "Yeah, seems like the whole 'high expectations' thing runs in the family. I guess we do beat ourselves up a bit more than is healthy," referring to him and his sister.

He was engrossed in his worries enough that, when he snapped out of it after noticing the silence, he found himself staring back into Anna's distant gaze. "Well, I don't claim to be an expert at judging people's character, but as you wish..." A moment of relative quiet descends on the room as Setsuna consolidates his thoughts, interrupted occasionally by the chirping of birds outside the window in a way so as to not make the silence awkward, before he speaks up. "You're like a cautious animal... hesitant and shy at first like any other, but with extended contact you warm up to the people you know and trust. When you do, however, your positives shine through - caring, knowledgeable, sensitive, loyal - traits that make me glad that we're in a team together. You tend to try and de-escalate things when tensions are high and relations are strained between everyone, and while it doesn't always work out, just know that I am always grateful for you being there to help."

20
Beacon Academy / Re: Guilt, Acceptance and Overcoming [CLOSED]
« on: April 22, 2021, 09:43:34 AM »
A quiet chuckle escaped Setsuna's mouth as Anna backpedaled from her earlier statements. It seemed they were both on the same track on how they thought their other teammates would react, which was good - basically reassured him that there wouldn't be any drastically different reaction out of them. Not that it made the thought of Calen mercilessly taking the piss out of him any less frustrating, but at least he'd feel better knowing Anna understood how he felt.

"It's good to know we think similarly. I'll probably need to talk to both of them individually and give them an apology for how I've been acting all this time..." he sighed, already anticipating the awkward conversation between him and Teddy, as well as everything flying over Calen's head. Even though they'd been through thick and thin together, he still found himself wishing that they could get along just that bit better. But to do that, they'd need to fix Calen's tone, and it wasn't like he hadn't tried.

"Well, since you've basically hit the spot for both of 'em, tell me how I act and behave. Well...when I'm not being a emotional wreck, at least." Setsuna asked Anna, genuinely curious about how she viewed him as a person and as a leader. "I promise I won't take offense, so be as blunt as you want."

21
Beacon Academy / Re: Guilt, Acceptance and Overcoming [CLOSED]
« on: April 08, 2021, 07:38:39 AM »
Since Anna didn't immediately go back to burying her head in her stack of newly acquired books, Setsuna figured she was still willing to help him work through his mental issues. She never struck him as anyone particularly adept at wielding vocabulary - that was Calen's role - but whatever the case she had still saved him from potentially dealing with his own guilt for weeks on end. He couldn't begin to imagine where he'd be currently if it wasn't Anna who walked through that door earlier.

Speaking of his teammates... "Hey Anna, I know you said you don't blame me, and I'm really grateful for that, but to be frank..." He scratched his head and wondered how to put his next thoughts into words. "I'm really lucky that it was you that saw me first and not the other two, and speaking of them, uh..." The usually outspoken boy was once again at a loss for words, this time because he didn't know how to proceed without offending the people he was about to mention. "I'm mainly concerned about Calen, he'll probably spend the next few weeks stabbing me in the back at my expense. Teddy probably doesn't care? Maybe?" Setsuna concluded, unable to really predict how Teddy would react simply due to a lack of conversation.

22
Beacon Academy / Re: Guilt, Acceptance and Overcoming [CLOSED]
« on: March 30, 2021, 09:22:30 AM »
After hearing Anna's words of reassurance, the lingering ghosts of doubt in Setsuna's head finally dissipated. All this time there were thoughts swirling in the back of his mind, covered by the recollections but still nagging at his conscience: What does my team think of me now? After all I've done to try and bring the team together, was it all for naught? Finally, finally, his worries were put to rest. If nothing else, Anna accepted him for his failures and even encouraged him to overcome it.

Fully breaking down now, he leant into Anna's embrace, returning the tender hug with one of his own and letting his head rest again on the girl's shoulder. The closeness would have made him mildly uncomfortable but this time he paid no heed, savoring the warmth that was a welcome contrast from the cold darkness of his thoughts prior. This went on for a brief while before Setsuna let go and sat back up straight, letting out a long sigh of relief. "From the bottom of my heart, Anna, thank you." he murmured, looking slightly bashful. "I really needed to hear that."


23
Beacon Academy / Re: Guilt, Acceptance and Overcoming [CLOSED]
« on: March 29, 2021, 04:46:04 AM »
Several long seconds pass before Setsuna makes any sign of having registered his teammate's actions, slowly and very tentatively letting his head rest on Anna's shoulder. Still, it's nearly another half minute before any other movement is coerced out of the boy, the stored tension gradually leaving his body and finally letting him relax properly for the first time since their crash.

When next Setsuna speaks - albeit very softly, a lot of the ragged edge has left his voice, replaced with what could be described as astonishment accompanied with a touch of hope. "Y-you don't...blame me?" he asked, raising his gaze to meet Anna's. "Even after I went half i-insane?" The boy visibly trembled but still he continued. "Even when I couldn't do my duty and lead the team as I should have?"

24
Beacon Academy / Re: Guilt, Acceptance and Overcoming [CLOSED]
« on: March 18, 2021, 05:07:44 AM »
Curling his legs up to make room once Setsuna realized Anna was gonna sit on his bed, he looked up and flinched at his teammate's direct yet distant stare, the unfocused irises seemingly staring past his own and into his head. This was probably the first time he'd ever made direct, lasting eye contact with Anna, the girl usually keeping her eyes either shut or down toward whatever reading material she had on hand. It unnerved him to no end, and if Anna used her semblance at any point it would be written all over Setsuna's face.

Regardless, he tried to consolidate his jumbled and chaotic thoughts, looking away from Anna and down toward his lap. Unbeknownst to him, his hands had subconsciously moved from gripping his head to squeezing each other, red with the amount of pressure he was exerting. With an effort, he separated the two and sighed, wondering where or how to start. "It's the last mission we did." He suddenly blurted out, getting the inspiration (or courage?) out of nowhere.

"I can't get it out of my head, its been several days since we came back and the nurses said the psychedelic effects had worn off but they just keep replaying over and over, the voices taunting, screaming at me and all the things I could have done to prevent it but didn't and everything the team had to endure because of the choices I made and - and I - I -" His voice stuttered and broke, leaving him lost for words after the dam holding his pent-up guilt collapsed. Mentally exhausted, his body slumped and head fell forward, short curls of hair obscuring his now shut eyes.

25
Beacon Academy / Re: Guilt, Acceptance and Overcoming [CLOSED]
« on: March 10, 2021, 03:58:36 AM »
Well, at least Anna couldn't actually see the state he was in. Yes, she had her Semblance, but Setsuna would take any reprieve at this point.

He watched from his bed as his teammate slowly crossed the room with her very tall pile of books threatening to fall over. Under normal circumstances, he'd have already offered to help as soon as she entered, but in his current condition it couldn't have been further from his mind. Something Anna must have picked up herself since she came over and asked how he was doing, instead of immediately burying herself in her books.

More to convince himself than Anna, Setsuna gave a clearly strained smile and a weak "Could be better...but I'll be alright." Yeah, no, that sounded like one of those insincere apologies you'd get from some rude person on the street. Anyone could tell he was struggling at this point. He really didn't want Anna to have to deal with something that was basically his own fault though, so he tried to force his mind into less of a mental wreck. Also didn't work - his head immediately started replaying the same events over again, which made him clutch the sides of his head in a futile effort to make it stop.

"Dammit..." he gritted out, eyes squeezed shut as he shook his head. "...Ok, maybe I'm not so good..."

26
Beacon Academy / Guilt, Acceptance and Overcoming [COMPLETE]
« on: March 05, 2021, 09:30:46 AM »
It was another usual Sunday at Beacon. The sun shone, the skies were clear, the birds were cheerfully singing their tunes.

Which left the boy sitting on his bed looking miserable entirely out of place.

The dorm was empty save for him, leaving the room eerily still and quiet. Theodore was probably working a shift at the bartenders, Anna most likely at the library. Calen...well, Calen could be anywhere, but the further away the better. After their last mission in that ruined, abandoned city, it was better that no one was actually here to witness his condition.

Sighing despondently, the boy fell backwards onto his bed, staring blankly at the plain ceiling. In his mind, the events kept replaying themselves - specifically highlighting the moments where he'd failed at his duty - and there were certainly plenty of them too. Part of him felt like it was the hallucinogenic plants still at work, but the medical staff had assured him that it'd worked its way out of his system already. So, it was just him. Him and his failures.

He was about to turn over and submit himself to more of his nightmares - daymares? - when the dorm door creaked open softly, accompanied by the light patter of footsteps. Mentally groaning, Setsuna sat upright to see which one of his teammates would get to see his sorry figure. "Oh. Hey, Anna."

27
The Vale Region / Re: The Seven Stances of the Sword [CLOSED]
« on: September 04, 2019, 04:50:19 PM »
The people around Alfyn and the Beacon students immediately scatter as the acrobat begins hurtling over the top of their heads like a rubber bouncy ball, with some of them instinctively half-drawing weapons at the shots confirming Camelia's suspicions that the crowd was made up of more than a few Hunters. As Toast bounced all over the place, his shots drew the attention of more and more spectators, many of which were cheering and clapping at the sudden performance. Despite the audience and noise, Toast's attention doesn't falter, and he lands gracefully on the floor to loud applause from the now fairly large crowd. Some even toss coins his way, clearly pleased with his performance.

Over the din of hands clapping, Alfyn's laugh booms loudly over the noise. "Hafta' admit that ain't wha' ah expected when ah told ya to 'tell me what ya can do', but as the sayin' goes it's better ta speak wit' actions over words, ey?" The tour guide chuckles, resuming his path forward as the crowd parts to let the group past. "Next time ya wanna pull a stunt of that caliber, gimme a heads-up. Dun think firin' pistols into a crowd's gonna go as well each time ya do it.". Saying that loud enough that other people could hear them, Alfyn glanced around apologetically as if saying a silent "sorry" for his charge's behaviour.

"Anyway, after that showstopper from Baguette 'ere, figure I can't be too surprised at much else. Ya got anythin' ya wanna show us, miss, or ya the silent type a' gal?"

28
Beacon Academy / Re: Meet and Beat [Team CASA][Closed]
« on: August 29, 2019, 06:34:55 AM »
Still in shock and confusion over what she just saw, Jocelyn reached one slightly shaking hand into her first aid pack, the other hand tightly grasping the body of Hyacinth, eventually withdrawing a Electric Dust crystal used to power the mini-defibrillator she had stored in the same pack. Rather than throw it at Azure or use it as a weapon, Jocelyn instead channeled her Aura through the Dust crystal - which with no outlet for the current to go through, just discharged the shock through herself for a few seconds. If her teammates weren't occupied, maybe they could see her body crackle and convulse from the voltage.

Whimpering from the pain, Jocelyn staggered backwards and just barely caught herself by using Hyacinth as a pole for support, but the shock had its intended effect - the images in her mind had cleared away, only leaving her slightly numb. Now free to snipe away since Azure had kindly decided to leave the healer alone, she unloaded her entire magazine on Azure as more of cover fire rather than precision sniping.

Jocelyn's Combat Log:
  ● Aura: [████████--] 91% (6% from electric shock)
  ● 0/7 bullets in mag (6 shots of 4% each at Azure, poorly aimed)

29
The Vale Region / Re: The Seven Stances of the Sword [CLOSED]
« on: August 23, 2019, 05:58:04 PM »
"Shade, huh? I been ther' befor', an' tha' explains th' goggles an' bandanna, huh?" Alfyn grins, unfazed by the two student's rejections to top their equipment off. "Can't say it's th' most hospitabl' of places, but th' heat ther' makes this 'ere climb seem a casual jaunt. Ya should 'ave absolutely no problemo with this on' then, Croissant." He grins and turns to walk off the platform, waving one hand as to beckon the students to follow.

The town of Sleipnir, while fairly impressive when viewed from above, was nothing out of the ordinary on terra firma. All of the houses basically had the same color scheme and possibly layout, so nothing really stood out or would catch either student's eye. What was strange was the number of people on the streets, far more than would be expected from a village this size, let alone this far from any other major civilisation. Not only that, but the students' Aura detection would sense unlocked Auras like them. Lots of Aura users. Not at the level of a combat academy, but once again, far more than the usual number of Hunters that would be situated in remote villages.

"Ya'll in for th' long haul 'ere, so ah figure it's best to get ta know ya better. Anythin' ya wanna tell ol' Alfyn or each other, b'fore we start stabbin' ourselves in a fight all accidental? Dunno 'bout ya but ah don't feel like dyin' ta teamkill." the tour guide remarks in his strong, rough accent, seemingly oblivious of the masses of people.

30
After checking the first dozen or so obstacles that could potentially conceal some sort of threat or a clue of what the silence indicated, Setsuna gave up on checking every nook and cranny, instead choosing to just walk in silence around the town eventually leading to some sort of trail. The sound of their footwear thudding off the floor gave way to flowing water on rocks which was oddly welcome as it was something other than silence and was naturally generated. Because of said silence, the duo were able to hear it from further than they normally would.

"Sure, Teddy." Setsuna replied, leading the way down the trail to the river. As expected there was basically nothing different that separated it from another river, no clues or anything that would help fix the tower. Dropping to his knees Setsuna leant forward to cup some water in his palms and splashed it on his face, hoping the refreshing sensation would help him refocus.

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