[ action ] - It's hunt time!

[magitekrune.livejournal.com]

[This is one of those very rare times where Celes is caught off-guard. Moreover, she's not paying quite enough attention to what's around her as she pulls out her Sky Phone to check the network. She, Terra, and Setzer are in the Sunleth Waterscape and she's starting to get bored with it. Or maybe she's still restless. She's not really sure.

It's about then that the stupid Spherimorph makes its appearance as a giant water pillar that stomps viciously on her. The Sky Phone is knocked out of her hands. Celes ignores the phone as she picks herself back up and goes in for a shot.]

All right, this is it! Runic!

[Time to see which element the thing blasts off with when she hits it with her sword. Her blade bites into it, giving her the feeling of slicing into thick jelly, and the Spherimorph immediately counters with Fira, which Celes' blade absorbs. She smirks.]

Terra! It's weak to ice!

[At least for now, it is.]

Comments

[heavenslament.livejournal.com]

[Terra barely has time to acknowledge the newcomer, focused as she is on the immediate battle. When then Spherimorph is healed, she charges magical energy into her arms. A moment later, she spins and whips out her arms to fire several crescent-shaped bands of energy at their opponent.]

[wanderlusting.livejournal.com]

[Setzer offered a slight nod to Balthier in return. His own weapons being somewhat more naturally aligned to keeping a decent range he figures he can afford at least that much courtesy.]

I wouldn't say no to it.

[He follows this up with yet another trio of rainbow flares of light. It's what works, after all, more or less. Naturally, the Spherimorph counters with yet another blast of magic which is then promptly reflected back.]

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

There's a good sport. [He offered Setzer a tip of the head in thanks.] Now, what harm could an extra pair of hands possibly do? [He quickly went about exchanging his standard shots for the specialty elemental ones he had stored in the pack at his hip, offering Celes a hand up once his left hand was free, using the other to take careful aim and fire.]

/back for good now!

[magitekrune.livejournal.com]

[Celes was not pleased that she had to be helped up like a mere commoner as she downed a potion, but that seemed to be this man's aim. Knowing it wasn't a battle she wanted to fight just yet, she accepted his help, frowning. His voice...? It sounded familiar.]

They're only harm if they're in the way. [Meaning, he'd better not get in the way.]

Runic. [She manages to activate her special ability again just as the Spherimorph counters at Balthier. Her sword rises a little and absorbs the spell, giving her a little more energy. She then channels that energy into Stock Break. Combined with Terra's earlier attack, the giant blob is starting to look a bit damaged.]

I think it's weakening! Hold together! It'll go down soon!

[heavenslament.livejournal.com]

[Terra reverts into her more human-seeing green-haired form, nodding to that. Checking with Libra to see what element it's weak to now, Terra then sends a Firaga at the creature. The result significantly damages it, though that doesn't stop the Spherimorph from turning into a pillar to stop her.]

[wanderlusting.livejournal.com]

[Setzer lips quirk into the faint echo of a smile at Celes' first comment. He can't imagine that Balthier's going to get in the way, but neither does he feel quite like saying as much to her.

The second comment, on the other hand, gets a proper nod, and yet again he turns to his slots. It might be a somewhat repetitive way dealing with things, he mused, as the bright lights of Prismatic Flash came up again, but no one could really deny that it worked.]

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

[Balthier makes an effort to keep from rolling his eyes at Celes' comment, following Setzer's lead and holding his tongue for the time being as they focus on bringing the Spherimorph itself to a halt. He fires another shot into the creature's gelatinous body, squinting one eye as the bullet at first appears to be harmlessly lodged inside of it, then smirking as the shell erupts and causes a small-scale explosion inside of the beast. Not enough to bring it to its knees, so to speak, but certainly enough to cause damage. Not to mention a fine spray of blue slime in their direction. Well. At least it was effective, if messy.]

[magitekrune.livejournal.com]

[Her group seemed to be doing well. Balthier's method of explosion was, she had to admit despite her pride, effective. A few more blasts and the Spherimorph dropped, fizzling out and seeping into the ground. Celes was just glad it had stopped, though she didn't let her guard down until she'd kicked around the area where it had fallen.]

Looks like that's the last of it.

[Coming back to the group, her eyes dart towards Balthier. Be polite, Celes.]

...Thanks for your help.

[wanderlusting.livejournal.com]

[All things considered, he could probably have done without the spray of slime. But it gets them closer to defeating it, so he doesn't complain. If it works, it works.

Once it's properly dead, he offers a nod of thanks to Balthier.]

[heavenslament.livejournal.com]

[As the Spherimorph is defeated, Terra relaxes and then casts a round of healing magic for all who need it. She then nods to Balthier.]

Yes, thank you. That creature was difficult, and it was good to have some help.

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

My pleasure. [He offers the group a brief bow, little more than a quick bend at the waist.] You must have been here some time. That creature was resilient, if nothing else.

[He glances between the two ladies present. He recognizes Terra from the network, though they've never met in person, which means the blonde must be Celes. Being so much less willing to chat than she had been during their first conversation, it would have been difficult to tell from voice alone.] Nicely done. I admit, I'm a bit disappointed that you beat me here, but I wouldn't have fared well on my own. Not even with the fon Ronsenburgs for aid. [Where were the two of them, anyway? They must have decided to stay aboard the Strahl.] Not much magic to be had among us.

[He inclines his head towards Setzer with a smile.] It's good to see you again, friend.

[magitekrune.livejournal.com]

We were. I wouldn't have been in such a compromising position if we hadn't been wearing it down already.

[Celes' eyes glance between Setzer and Balthier. She's pretty sure she knows who this is and her irritation towards him grows. Still, she'll be polite and introduce herself.]

So you know Setzer. This is Terra. And I'm General Celes Chere.

[She doesn't give her full former title often and it's usually only when she wants to intimidate someone. Is it working, Balthier?]

[wanderlusting.livejournal.com]

[Setzer nods at the comment about them knowing each other.]

I can't call our first meeting the most auspicious of ways to meet, but you'd be quite correct all the same.

[heavenslament.livejournal.com]

[Terra is suddenly a bit self-conscious, realizing that Balthier saw her as an Esper. She hangs back, though manages a smile as she doesn't want to be rude.]

Hello. It's nice to meet you. Thanks for helping us.

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

[Balthier offers both Terra and Celes a pleasant smile, nodding as they are introduced. If he's at all intimidated by Celes and her title, it doesn't show.] A pleasure to meet the both of you in person. I was happy to give what little help I could offer.

[He did see Terra in Esper form, but refrains from commenting. From her body-language alone, one can see that she's sensitive about it. A fascinating power, to be sure, but that's a discussion for another day.]

[He looks towards Setzer.] Life has been treating you well since Memoria, I hope?

[magitekrune.livejournal.com]

[Celes remains silent for now, just watching Balthier while hanging protectively close to Terra. So this is the man she spoke with on the phones. This meeting is proving quite different from that one.]

[wanderlusting.livejournal.com]

[Setzer, for his part, is watching Celes out of the corner of his eye. It's mostly curiosity, and seeing what he can of what she thinks of Balthier.]

I can't complain, now that we're not being pulled around by forces that seem determined to show us at our worst.

[heavenslament.livejournal.com]

[Terra, not certain what to say, just observes. She notices Celes' reaction to Balthier, and darts her friend a curious glance, but questions will probably have to wait for later.]

That foe was...difficult. I hope there aren't a lot more of its like around.

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

I should hope not. If there are, then I'd say the bounty posted should be much higher. [He smirks, raising an eyebrow as he surveys those assembled.] I do hope the prize is worth the trouble, the one seemed particularly irritating.

[magitekrune.livejournal.com]

We'll find out when we get back, I suppose.

[She's watching Balthier now. Is he going to want part of that bounty or not? She still can't figure him out.]

[wanderlusting.livejournal.com]

[Setzer, for one, wouldn't be entirely surprised. After all, he did have a hand in putting an end to to the creature.]

As the lady says.

[heavenslament.livejournal.com]

Right....

Shall we, then?

[She doesn't see much point in lingering, unless they want to attract more trouble.]

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

[Balthier offered the three of them another bow, this one rather more formal than the first.]

I'm afraid this where we part ways, then. I've my own ship and passengers to tend to, and you did beat me to the mark quite fairly. [He smiles quite deliberately in Celes' direction at that.] Do enjoy your bounty, then.

[magitekrune.livejournal.com]

[That gets an eyebrow raise. Terra's got a point about leaving soon, but she's surprised Balthier doesn't seem to want part of the bounty.]

You did help us.

[Which is the only real admission he'll get right now.]

[wanderlusting.livejournal.com]

[Setzer just raises an eyebrow as if to ask 'well'? He won't blame Balthier for not taking a cut, but if the option's there, perhaps...?]

[heavenslament.livejournal.com]

[Terra herself is a little surprised and she pauses.]

Are you sure...? It's only fair to share with you.

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

[The pirate shakes his head.]

I appreciate the offer, but that wasn't our original bargain. I got here second, my cut is forfeit. Besides, Celes accepted the hunt well before our challenge. The bounty was earned fairly; it would be rather uncouth for me to demand any part of it, all things considered.

[magitekrune.livejournal.com]

If you're sure.

[She's honestly surprised and it shows. Most people she knows would have wanted a share in it.]

Thanks again for your help. We'd better get out of here before more things show up.

[wanderlusting.livejournal.com]

[Setzer offers one last nod to Balthier, in thanks.]

Lead the way then, and we'll be off.