2012-08-30 - The Hound of Inaba: Chapter One

THE HOUND OF INABA: Chapter One
Featuring, in order of appearance: Shion Katsuragi, Michiru Fukase, Yu Narukami, Aigis, Miyuu Noboriyama, Ryota Kishi, Yoh Yamagatani, Matsuri Sakakibashi, Yosuke Hanamura, Yuzuriha Hatsumi, Mikano Makino, Enoha Koinose, Aika Nakamura, Kanji Tatsumi, and Tohru Adachi as The Hound
IC Date: September 22, 2011
OOC Date: August 30, 2012
Location: A field, Inaba
Summary: A mysterious Shadow has besieged the community -- can our heroes withstand it?! (Yes)

It's gripped the local news in Inaba for days now: headlines like WILD DOG STRIKES AGAIN - POLICE BAFFLED. Theories abound, mostly centered around what kind of animal it could be, with popular opinion leaning toward a thought-to-be-extinct wolf... or a group of wolves, considering the damage done.

Just past Inaba town lines is a small college campus made out of a converted farm. An arts school, it combines the prestige of community college with the education of a Bob Ross video. Opinion is low, and enrollment is lower: 150 students, which is apparently still enough to keep the remote, tiny campus open, especially since most of them commute. Farms border it on all sides.

Evidence thus far known to the public: the attacks have all occurred in the farms bordering the school. Livestock -- shredded by jaws, partially eaten, left to rot. The farmers are spooked and angry. The students are just scared, moreso by claw marks found on the outside of the dormitory building, as if something had tried to dig its way in.

Last night, the first human victim was found. News outlets from outside Inaba reported it, too: a man, one of the neighboring farmers out to hunt the 'wolf,' chewed to death by some kind of huge animal with big, sharp teeth. Lurid websites sneaked out pictures of the gruesome crime scene, and the mangled body bore out the reports that something had managed to not just eat the man, but burn him alive in the process. Obviously, no newspaper would dare accuse the situation of being remotely supernatural...

And yet, amongst the community of people in tune with such matters, that's exactly what it looks like. Such that Tohru Adachi, ace detective, even made a few telephone calls he shouldn't have, to some of his teenage detective allies -- asking for help dealing with the matter. "This needs to be dealt with," went one such call, "but my girlfriend's gone missing and I have to focus there." And thus were the KDA and SEES issued hunting permits, in spirit if not law.

The media is always so nice about its leaks, and paints the police so very well. Detective Katsuragi is frankly annoyed by the pictures being leaked, as people coming in to chat about it will only cause unrest and possibly danger as people go look into it on their own, thrill-seekers putting themselves at risk... Or, of course, this little school will begin to have its own issues.

Not that some of these private investigators wouldn't actually be helpful, given the bizarre circumstances of the case, but there are more reckless kids than there are reckless kids with the power of Persona.

Still, close enough to being 'her town' to put it under her purview even without Department 4, these attacks can't be tolerated. If it is unnatural, she's better equipped to take care of it. If it isn't... Well, worth the risk.

So, one of the first on the scene actually sort of belongs here, dressed in her usual suit and coming without fellow police backup.

Michiru Fukase had been loitering around and reading a magazine while putting off cooking dinner, wondering dimly if she should like, study for her exam retake at some point. Eh, she thinks, that test wasn't that hard, she just bombed it on purpose.

DELINQUENCY

As she leafs through a page, listening to the sound of the TV for a moment, the phone rings. Glancing up, she says aloud, "Oh, shit! Did I never cancel the land line?" as she walks over, picking it up for the first time in like two months. "Hello?"

"... oh! Oh my god."

"Some kind of - Do you think... Uh huh... No, I completely understand, Officer. We'll check it out. OK. Uh - no, nothing to worry about. Yeah, OK, bye! - Bye." After replacing the reciever, she looked toward the couch. "There's some kind of a thing at that weird farm with the giant oak tree on the east road. He said he wanted us to check it out. Do you mind if I drive?"

AND SO IT CAME TO PASS THAT Michiru Fukase in her refurbish cop surplus motorcycle pulled into the driveway of the farm in question. "Huh," she says over the rumble of the engine, "I see Katsuragi!"

EARLIER

"I'm not going to lie," Yu Narukami says as he folds the newspaper, the headline of the day -- 'MAN FOUND DEAD; HOUNDSPLAY SUSPECTED' -- disappearing as his gray eyes shimmer up to lock onto those gathered at the Junes food court. "I think the police are out of their league with this, which means--"

His phone went off. The Crazy Frog ringtone. He hadn't set that, not for the person calling.

"Ah, I'm sorry, let me take this... Moshi moshi... Ah, Adachi-san...?" His eyes flash at what he hears. "There's trouble at the old farm?"

NOW

It's like a garish colored combi-van that pulls, and unloads a number of young men (maybe some women, it's got room for more than just love-making in the back). Driving it is Yu Narukami for a variety of reasons, like the trash cans that are near the community college dorms. That's about where it pulls up, over there on the repurposed campus grounds.

"Were you able to get the police report on the murder--ah, have they even filed one yet?" the leader of an investigations team questions. Sure, he probably would've asked this on the drive over, but he was concentrating on the drive! He checks his newspaper, and then starts in the direction of the scene of the murder.

A BAD DOG!!??!?!?!?!?!?!

Aigis, having the ability to talk to dogs, feels like she'd be useful in this investigation and besides, Adachi ACE DETECTIVE should always get help, always. because he's always there for you. Or something. Aigis has a pretty high opinion of Adachibaby. She would have liked to bring Koromaru, who is even better at speaking dog, but he's probably busy chasing his own tail. It's a tough job, but he'll get it eventually. After all, he's a superdog.

Instead Aigis asked Yoh to come along to help with the investigations. Approaching, she throws a wave Michiruways. For justice. robot justice.

Miyuu just about jumped the hell out of her skin when the land line rang. They still have that thing?! But anyway, there's something weird at the blah blah something farm okay Michiru's driving. Miyuu's been kind of distracted lately about something she hasn't really discussed, checking her phone for texts like every three minutes, then going distractedly back to watching horrible Japanese network TV.

Of course, once she's nestled into the awesome sidecar and tied on a little scarf and all that, her stomach starts gurgling. She forgot to eat again. Like, all day apparently. She gets out her cellphone and jabs the contacts until she hits the restaurant section. Miyuu does not like to cook. Some scrolling, and then she makes a selection.

"Hello, Aiya diner? Yeah, ramen special please, address uh...the old weird farm with the giant oak tree on the east road. Yes that one. Yes I know it's far, I'm hungry woman, I'll pay extra." "Yes." "Actually make that two ramen specials." Miyuu shoots a guilty look at Michiru for having not asked. "Great, thanks."

She snaps her phone shut as they arrive, and looks in the direction Michiru indicated. "Oh great, cops."

Ryota Kishi has been having something of an interesting week, the first year highschooler's first proper outing with the KDA having ended with an explosion, a whole lot of confusion and more questions than answers. As such, those dog rumours being passed around largely have been washing over him. They might even be considered a pleasant diversion.

It was only when he started hearing about some local cop dropping hints for KDA to lend a hand that it even occured to him that looking into the problem might be an option. But someone else can do it, right? It's just a dumb dog. A dumb, really violent dog. Not his problem.

"Do you intend to continue as you have done, fading into the background in the hope nobody notices you." Oh, great. Perfect timing. That fortune teller's voice always has to echo in the back of his mind at precisely the wrong moment, poking his implausibly long nose in and reminding him that he promised to try harder. &r&r&tWell. Suppose it won't hurt to at least have a look around the far. Just a peek. He heads toward the scene of the crime, more than ever aware how different this place is from the big city he grew up in. Still, at the very least he's keeping a keen eye out for someone he recognises and can latch onto in order to not feel so thoroughly out of his depth, as he makes his way up the long path.

It has just been one of those days.

One of those days where you just don't have anything to do. Even the normal things you like to do are boring. Yoh has been slumping around his room the entire day, not even mustering the will to work out as he always does. Just... nothingness for the entirity of the day. "Gods, make this day go faster, please," he seems to say to himelf in his room, fiddling with his various traditional japanese decorations. A paper lamp, bonsai tree, a display katana on the wall, and his ridiculous amounts of colognes, deodorants, and the like.

Then came a knock at his door.

Now, Yoh is walking with Aigis to a meeting point, apparently to stop a wolf or something that has been... eating people? Wait wy are they needed? What about animal control? Oh right, targets have kinda been on fire for different periods of time.

"I can't say I have ever hunted," he comments to Aigis. "I don't know how useful I will be." Then his interest is taken to the assembling KDAs! Some of which he knows at least in passing. Well, good to have allies.

Wild dog... huh. Matsuri, not being someone who would or has reason to visit Inaba frequently in the normal scheme of things, would never have found out about this incident had she not been a member of the KDA. The matter trickled down from there, though, and when she heard about it--when she heard specifically that this creature, pretty much certainly supernatural in nature, has already killed a man--she agreed to help investigate the matter.

That's why she's riding in a garish van with Yu behind the well. Some women indeed. Matsuri wears, along with her usual tank top, hot pants and boots, a hat and shades and coat to mask her identity to any casual viewers. When she slips out along with Yu, she marvels slightly at how many people have showed up to investigate the crime scene.

Some of them are even actual police detectives!

"Sorry, no, Narukami-kun," Matsuri replies, falling into step next to the grey-haired young man, even if he was probably talking to Yosuke. "Though, looks like there's some police right now, so they're probably still looking into the matter." She lowers her voice and adds, "Didn't you hear about this from a policeman, anyway? Why didn't you ask him to send you one?"

Yosuke is still weathering the fallout of having a new cell phone number, but luckily(?) Yu is able to pass the message along. When the Mystique Machine pulls up, the shotgun seat remains occupied for a moment as he finishes a call of his own. "...but it doesn't have to be the good stuff, any ol' scraps will do. The 'extra' order I mean, not my mine. You know what I mean." That business dealt with, he finally emerges from the van and takes in a deep breath of fresh country air.

In some ways, it's nice to be given reasons to spend time combing the countryside of sleepy ol' Inaba. Mostly it's just been Junes, Junes, Junes the last few months. On the other? He can think of happier pretexts for being here. "Hm? Uh...no, I guess I should have made that call first." He scratches the back of his head sheepishly with a grin, taking his first real look around. His eyes were mostly glued to the road while he talked.

"I really do hope this is just some stupid ol' wolf..."

Months ago, Yuzuriha Hatsumi seemed to disappear.

It wasn't unusual for her to pop off for any period of time, either, the Kuzunoha's pet ninja has been on more cases than just one; at the time, the TV cases were slowing down with leads petering out and she had other tasks to focus on. Some were professional-- the occasional odd job and investigation where only an outside source would make due.

The personal variety involved business with the Hatsumi family: Her grandfather isn't getting any younger, and as the only blood descendant with "the talent," arrangements had to be started to make the joking title of "ninja princess" a legitimate, actual title.

"Narukami-kun."

There she stands, not far from the van and on the driver's side, as though she had literally appeared from nowhere. It was something of her speciality, of course, and that skill has had the time to mature, just as she had. Holding up her phone for a moment, she tucks it into her coat and sweeps back her hood. "I received your mail."

When you call, the ninja always comes. Her attention shifts to start taking note of those gathered: Katsuragi, Fukase, and others among them. Looks like the gang is all here...

A violent, vicious dog. That kills, maims, and even burns. It'd be a horror story, if it weren't happening not more then a few miles away... And on a holiday... throwing on plain grey slacks and a hoodie, hiding her figure behind the shapeless grey outfit, Mikano Makino starts to head out the door, but stops. Turning back inside, she calls into house, "I'm going for a run." Feeling that's sufficient explaination for her aunt, she closes the door quietly, and jogs off down the road, dissapearing down an alleyway a couple blocks away.

Some time later, a figure glad in grey jogs up to just within sight of the farm, and then stops. Keeping out of sight, they make their way towards the crime scene carefully, not wanting to be spotted by either police, or anyone - any/thing/ else. Mikano sighs slightly behind her mask. With all this attention, it'd be hard to keep out of sight, but she couldn't just let this one go unnoticed. Hopefully Inaba's finest were on their usual form, and she could get a quick look. Maybe she could see something, sense something... She had to know what was claiming turf this close to *her*...

Out here in the farmland, there aren't a lot of street lights. Even Inaba, the sleepy town that it is, is a haven of urbanity by comparison. Nothing is lit aside from the distant window lights of the art college's dorm, and the infrequent overheads on the single, winding highway cutting through, roads to the local farms splitting off like veins.

It's also quiet. One can hear crickets. One can hear the wind. People moving around in this area -- parking their cars, crunching grass under their soles -- makes noise. Everyone stands out to everyone else. No one can really hide, despite the darkness.

Something howls in the distance. Or maybe it's an owl. Or maybe it's god knows what.

As clusters of teens arrive and prepare to search for their quarry -- the quarry finds them. Suddenly, a horrific roar explodes out of the darkness, and something charges. It's a dog -- a giant dog, a wild dog, with gleaming yellow eyes like a Shadow. Its fur is long and shaggy and dark as midnight, and its snout is long and full of sharp teeth like a wolf's. It looks like a maneater -- and worse still, licks of flame wash over its dark body, like its pores exude flame. The thing barrels straight ahead, not stuck for subtlety, and attempts to clamp its horrible Shadow jaws around the midsection of the nearest target--

--which happens to be Aigis.

COMBAT: Tohru Adachi uses Fatal End on Aigis for 37 Slash (Strong!)!

"You and me both, Yosuke," Yu Narukami agrees with earnest, but there's that feeling in the pit of his stomach. His friends stream by, and he has something for just about all of them. "It was Adachi, Matsuri--I figured he wouldn't have a report ready for another week or two." It might be a joke, but it's delivered so deadpan that he might actually be a tiny bit bitter of the man who spends all of his time with his uncle. He waves to those he knows, regardless.

Nin. She appears, and it doesn't even startle the gray-haired Leader in the slightest. "Right on time," he says by way of greeting, the familiarity and warmth there in his voice -- and his smile, which he directs at Yuzuriha.

And then it happens. The howl, which draws Yu up short once more. He turns in the direction he thinks it's coming from. He's entirely wrong of course.

And then something else happens, which due to distance Narukami isn't sure about. "Is that--?" he wonders aloud, and does the logical thing when you're out investigating a murderous animal that may or may not require a skilled hunter and not a Persona-user -- he charges for the source, brandishing the safest weapon he could find for the trip.

The head of the golf club shines thanks to the flamesweat of the Hound. "Be careful!" he warns, with still a big of distance left to cover thanks to his human legs.

That's right: /the cops/ are here. Except, singular, instead of plural, and there are also a lot of non-official hunters out here to take care of this--a few more than Sion would have even expected, really, but at least they include some reliable sorts.

The van's approach auses her to turn around and glance that way, seeing the assembled KDA members as well as a certain polite ninja she hasn't seen in some time. There isn't even all that much debate about it; she simply walks over, nodding to folks she sees, "Not surprised that you'd show up to investigate. I'd bother explaining, but it looks like the media already leaked half of what there is about this. Try and keep it quiet... out of respect to the victim." She actually has had a chance to look at the police report in question, though she doesn't bring it up just yet. And as a matter of fact, 'Inaba's finest' are actually on the ball tonight--her eyes are open, scanning for trouble, for people sneaking around, whatever. But eyes open doesn't always mean ability to move quickly enough--on the bright side, almost no one is here, but--

Less bright: evil dog approaching, and biting the hell out of Aigis. Shion by instinct reaches for her holster, but stops; she'd almost certainly hit her young robot friend with that. "...Narukami-kun, if any of these kids are yours and they don't know what's going on, it's on you to explain what the hell is about to happen," she murmurs, and a spectral card suddenly hangs through the air, descending towards her--she flat-out pistol-whips it, and the shattering blow causes an armored knight to appear, her spear slashing outward towars the beast right as Yu charges.

COMBAT: Shion Katsuragi uses Arm Chopper on Tohru Adachi for 46 Slash, applying Fear!
COMBAT: Shion Katsuragi has ended her turn.
COMBAT: Centered self-applied!

Michiru is pleased. Ramen and murders - wait, no! Then again blood and guts never really put her off her feed.

Then Miyuu observes the five-oh is present. "Well yeah, I mean even - It's a murder scene and stuff," she says, as she pulls over and kills the engine. She raises a hand to wave to the approaching Aigis and Yamagatami, then turns her head in mild wonderment as - "Was that Narukami in that thing?"

She finishes her thought then: "Anyway, Katsuragi's alright." People are coming out of the van - from her angle she can't see the trick Yuzuriha had pulled, so she just raises a hand and smiles at her. When Yosuke comes out, he gets much the same. Narukami, though...

"Hey, I like the paintjob."

Suddenly, a dog. The giant monster leaping towards Aigis makes Michiru scream, as it came out of the corner of her eye; Aigis of course is durable but that thing is a dog - a dog on fire - is it even a real animal!? "Shit!" Michiru declares, eloquently and maturely, before sweeping one hand forwards and blurting out, "Xipe Totec!!"

Everyone here seems to have >> THE POWER << after all. She thinks. And if Katsuragi is busting one out... in either case the golden god appears, frowning as usual, and sweeps one palm forwards as a burst of darkness erupts from its forehead, towards the monstrous canid.

COMBAT: Michiru Fukase uses Eiha on Tohru Adachi for 28 Dark (Strong!)!
COMBAT: Michiru Fukase has ended her turn.

In some ways the horrible demon dog revealing itself rather quickly to eat her is something of a relief to Aigis. She tends to prefer taking the abuse than allowing others to feel the pain instead. She is a machine and made out of nonorganic material and as such is much more suitable for being ravaged by a hell hound than, say, Michiru or Yoh. The jaws slams into Aigis's midsection, scraping against her armored body, sparks flying out as the fangs drag against her.

"A Shadow...? But--" Aigis hesitates. This should be impossible--unless...well, if dogs can get Personas, then obviously a dog could get possessed by their shadow right?

Her eyes cross for a moment. She pushes against the creature's jaws, intending to push her off.

"Palladion." She says, the armored Persona appearing above her head--and unleashing a wave of funtimes for herself, Yoh, and---Matsuri apparently?

Hey hey hey--she gave a nice concert, it's like a thank you in power up form.

"Be cautious Yoh." Aigis says. "It may have...shadow rabies."

COMBAT: Aigis uses Matarukaja on Yoh Yamagatani for 0 Heal, applying Atk/MAtk Up!!
COMBAT: Aigis uses Matarukaja on Aigis for 0 Heal, applying Atk/MAtk Up!!
COMBAT: Aigis uses Matarukaja on Matsuri Sakakibashi for 0 Heal, applying Atk/MAtk Up!!
COMBAT: Aigis has ended her turn. Healed 12 HP from her regenerate passive!

A-ha! Ryota spies exactly who he wanted to see. Yosuke Hanamura, the man he was specifically told by Yukiko would be able to sort out any questions or problems that he had, and so has now grown in his mind to be the wisest and most reliable KDA member, one that will obviously know what to do in all circumstances.

"Yosuke! Sensei! Man, am I glad to see you, I mean I was worried I'd be the only one. Remember me? Ryota, fro--ohwhatdahellwasthat??" His head whips around and eyes dart as he tries to locate the source of the sudden commotion.

Kishi doesn't have much experience with Shadows, but from the little he's seen of them there's definitely something reminiscent of that in the creature that has appeared and started attacking.

Before he can even persuade his legs otherwise, he takes a few steps towards the creature, producing his Tarot card and calling for his persona, Palaemon which shimmers before him as a boy riding on a dolphin. A thought worries the back fo his mind about whether he may have the LEAST threatening looking persona, but is washed away with the watery onslaught that Palaemon provides.

COMBAT: Ryota Kishi uses Aques on Tohru Adachi for 98 Water (Weak!), applying Soak!
COMBAT: Ryota Kishi has ended his turn. Healed 12 HP from his regenerate passive! Healed 3 SP from his invigorate passive!

Yoh sees all these KDA people, then looks to Aigis. He feels slightly out of place! Say, where was Thora? She was usually here in multi-faction events such as this. There was Yu, Matsuri, that oen guy with the headphones... That girl Thora told him was a ninja or something... Seems like most of the crew is here, save Chie or Yukiko. They must be busy.

"Uh, hi guys!" he says happily to everyone. Oh, there is also Shion. She must be here on behalf of the police force!

"The Chariot kicks a rock with one of his feet lightly. "So, what do we do? Set up a trap or something? A cage or pit style? I don't even--" And then a howl. And moments later, a giant wolf ON FIRE. A rather 'well, I didn't see that coming' look on his face is evident, as it clamps down on Aigis! "Hey, get off Aigis-chan, jerk!" Having no weapons, it appears to be time for some punching. The Chariot has been practicing more of his martial arts lately, and has learned how to make a fist /even better/ than before.

"Oh man!" Yoh says to Aigis. That could be bad. Will it result in forced Possession?! Will he have to run with the wolves and become one of them in some sort of sick assimilation method?!?! He wont find out! Aigis' power felps as he readies to attack!

Yoh: > Assert dominance by punching it in the snout.

COMBAT: Yoh Yamagatani uses Mid Attack - Diamond Strike on Tohru Adachi for 56 Strike (Strong!)!
COMBAT: Yoh Yamagatani has ended his turn.

Well, that was a strange dream. Enoha was searching for her father like she was just earlier today, and he was in a castle, and she agreed to help someone out? At least she didn't miss Shion's text.

Biking is much easier when there are solid roads, but the artist' colony isn't that horrible a place to get to when you have around two years or so of biking up hills behind you. Parking her bike not too far away when she thinks she sights the figures of the hunting party far up ahead, she moves to meet them, her shoes going chompchomp as she walks in the fall grass. All in all, in this pleasant air, it could be they're all here for a nice impromptu open house. "My, my, looks like I'm here in the nick of time, then," Enoha comments cheerfully as she approaches the group, though her jovial tone, when her dark gaze focuses in on the large shape just beyond, is drowned out by the presence of the fiery dog.

Understandably so.

"Aigis-chan, you alright?!" Enoha exclaims, before turning to look at the demon hound. "... At least we don't have to go searching around for it. Let's give it our all, guys! I'm sure we can take this down!" With a flash of blue-green light, the dragon koi appears, scales and skin orange as the flames that describe the hound, with white patches like the moon. "Let's see if a bit of water will cool that heat down!" The dragon shoots ahead, water and brute force streaking towards the hellhound.

COMBAT: Enoha Koinose uses Diluvian Force on Tohru Adachi but he dodges!
COMBAT: Enoha Koinose has ended her turn.

"...Hanamura-kun, you *do* know that wolves have been extinct in Japan for, like, ages, right?" Matsuri comments, raising a skeptical eyebrow at Yosuke. "Where in the world would 'some stupid ol' wolf' come from? Is there even a zoo way out in the sticks like this?"

...It's a little distressing that about a year ago, the answer to that question would have been 'yes.'

Any further remarks along these lines are cut off when suddenly there is a girl there WHERE DID SHE COME FROM--Matsuri's startled by Yuzuriha's appearance, but assuming she just hadn't seen her there, she gives the shinobi a friendly smile as she lowers her shades an inch, particularly since it looks like she and Yu know each other. "Hey! Nice meeting you--I'm guessing you're part of the team, too?"

She glances back at Yu when he answers. "Oh. He's that unreliable? I've never met the guy. Or... really heard of him before now. Who is he?"

Another question that will have to wait, because Matsuri looks up towards Katsuragi, who greets the group right before the 'wolf' appears to the tune of a howl and a roar and an explosion out of the darkness, and Matsuri swings the microphone stand that had *totally* been in her hand prior to this point as it savagely attacks one of the other people who just arrived. She doesn't know Aigis, but she appreciates her buffs all the same. "Thanks!" she calls, before summoning forth her own Persona in a wave of azure light. "Jubjub Bird!!"

No need to explain to /her/ what's going on. She notes Ryota as he arrives, but she'll have to hold greetings off for later; already in mid-attack, the hoarse bird screeches and swoops in at the shaggy dog's head, claws bared.

Yosuke voices concern over whether this is 'just a dog', evil fiery hellhound attacks without working. Life is working as intended. "Jesus fucking Christ! What the fuck is something like that doing out h--" He quite literally has to shake it off, head bobbing as he goes for the concealed knives in his pocket. "Let's spread out, that sucker is packing enough weight to treat us like bowling pins." He nods in response to Ryota. "You're with me! Stick close."

He hasn't noticed Mikano's presence on the scene yet; critters like this make for one hell of a distraction. And so does Matsuri! ...When they aren't about to get eaten. "Matsuri, smash its face in!" His summoning card descends and is sliced in twain; the Disco Frog materializes, providing Matsuri with a head start on her pain train.

COMBAT: Yosuke Hanamura uses Sukukaja on Matsuri Sakakibashi for 0 Heal, applying Acc/Dodge Up!!
COMBAT: Yosuke Hanamura has ended his turn.

"Already on it!" Matsuri shoots back to Yosuke, flashing him an almost savage grin.

COMBAT: Matsuri Sakakibashi uses Fatal End on Tohru Adachi for 77 Slash!
COMBAT: Matsuri Sakakibashi has ended her turn.

Miyuu was busy checking her watch and waving to robots and waiting on food to arrive and not looking guilty at all and then there's a big flaming dog arriving.

But first she has to finish some conversation. "I don't see how a cop could ever be 'alright' unless she's crooked. Is she?" Miyuu asks bluntly. "And yeah I think that was Narukami."

Then, well, dogs. "Bia...!" She growls out, and there's the roar of another motorcycle as her inside voice roars to life, chrome-v-twin lower body sporting a shining greek victory statue torso, come to life. "Juice me up woman!" Miyuu calls.

Bia's expression is impassive, but might hint at some senpai-like exasperation as she lowers her sword to touch Miyuu's shoulder, sending a wave of aggressive energy through the young woman as she leaps from the sidecar, chains falling around her wrists with a clank.

COMBAT: Miyuu Noboriyama uses Tarukaja on Miyuu Noboriyama for 0 Heal, applying Atk/MAtk Up!!
COMBAT: Miyuu Noboriyama has ended her turn.

Briefly, Yuzuriha smiles back at Yu-- small, subtle. At least this time she doesn't have a black eye, busted lip, and bootmarks ground down into her throat, compared to the state that Mikiya Ryouhara had left her in when he had fled with his severed arm in his teeth. Her hair's had some time to grow back out, too.

She gives Matsuri a brief glance; she isn't quite sure who the girl is, but the kunoichi bobs her head in a brief bow. "Yuzuriha Hatsumi. I work for the Kuzunoha," she says quite simply.

And of course, she doesn't have a lot of time to catch up with the leader of the Inaba Investigation team, because things get quiet-- and then the howl splits the night. The gigantic feral dog comes pounding down out of nowhere. Fire rolls across it's body, and it-- goes straight for Aigis.

The use of Personas seems to be weapons-free, and the young ninja cannot help but let a /slight/ quirk of the corners of her mouth rise. "Never any time to talk anymore, Narukami-kun. Hanzo!!"

With a hard sweep of her hand to one side, the ground beneath Yuzuriha flares with blue light while the girl makes a stride forward. Her coat and hood rustle, just as her skirt and hair, and the ghostly appearance of that large cyborg ninja with the most goddamn epic red scarf you have ever /seen/ comes spiraling out from the girl's head and shoulders.

"Cripple it," Yuzuriha says in a rather businesslike tone. While she takes the time to draw one of the short, traditional Japanese blades from within her coat, the Persona takes a classic-- if somewhat cliche-- stance of creating hand seals-- seals that cause a swirl of magic and energies that will try to weaken the wolf!

COMBAT: Yuzuriha Hatsumi uses Rakunda on Tohru Adachi for 0 Almighty, applying Defense Down!!
COMBAT: Yuzuriha Hatsumi has ended her turn. Healed 3 SP from her invigorate passive!

Mikano frowns. The police presence was worse then she thought, and there were others. No uniforms, and probably too young to be-- Mikano frowns. Hanamura. And some of the others she recognised from the tower. So, they were here... And that would mean... That someone's being attacked? Whoever it was wasn't wasting time... And the sudden attack should mean that there's a chance to get in close without notice. With no-one watching, she holds out her hand, wreathing it in blue flame to reveal the luminsecent blue card. Standing up, Mikano dashes for the farmyard, and towards the screams.

As the group lays into the Shadow... wolf? a figure in a grey hoodie and slacks emerges from behind the farmhouse, with an female-ish figure suspended in the air behind her. Quickly assuming a defensive stance, the shadowy woman uncurls a large fan of tails, and lunges forwards, gliding above the ground as her white-masked face breaks into a mouthfull of teeth, as it leaps onto the wolf, attempting to tear a hole in the creature's defenses.

Briefly, the figure in grey turns towards Yosuke, and nods.

COMBAT: Mikano Makino uses Slash Break on Tohru Adachi for 0 Almighty, applying Slash Break!
COMBAT: Mikano Makino has ended her turn.

Aiya Chinese Diner has been quiet today, but it's phone has been quite noisy. No one wants to leave home to go out to eat with a killer dog on the loose, but plenty of people want delivery. Aika has been in and out a dozen times, and is starting to consider just leaving her bike running.

Taking the latest call, Aika nestles the phone in her shoulder and picks up a pencil and pad, not to help her remember, but to pass the order to her mother. "You mean near the college?" "Would you like some tea with that?" "Two ramen specials, then."

The farmhouse is pretty far off the beaten path, metaphorically, and directly on a beaten path, literally. Because of the latter, Aika chooses to take her mountain bike instead of her scooter, and spends much of her time standing on the pedals and shoving down to clear hills, or coasting more easily down them. The back of her bike is heavily laden with a silver box, which clatters when she goes near top speed, but she balances well. Soon enough, she arrives at her destination, skidding to a stop with her handbrake near a police car. Her mouth twists to the side. Where are her customers?

She walks a few hundred yards toward some sort of commotion before she clears enough trees to see her first Persona. Palladion rises up with gleaming lance to empower Aigis, and Aika does the unforgivable, and drops Miyuu's tea, the styrofoam cup dumping its heated contents into the grass unnoticed. Her eyes are huge, but her mouth stays expressionless. Shock has Aika trembling as an increasingly diverse and fantastic assortment of Persona appear, as people she knows from around town start to engage in vicious combat with a monster.

What is she supposed to do at a moment like this? Stopping herself as she realizes she was backing away, Aika glances down to the ramen bowls balanced on one of her palms. With a slight nod, she takes a step forward. Then another, then another, until she is running.

So it is that she appears next to Yosuke Hanamura in this dire moment. Her dazed confusion passes very well for her usual impassivity, so she does not so much as glance at the flaming dog as she extends a bowl toward Yosuke. "700 yen, please," she says, as some ethereal representation of a human's psyche rends the flank of a fiery hound with its terrible fangs.

The short version of it is that a boatload of teens and two adults go to town on a dog, and occasionally on each other. There is magic in the air -- people observing from a distance, such as, say, the people in the windows of that dormitory building near the horizon, would be forgiven for thinking some kind of bizarre firework-laden interactive theatre art piece was happening. Luckily, it's an art school, so most of them are probably on drugs this time of night anyway.

The fiery Hound makes a few grunts of annoyance before releasing Aigis -- despite the toughness of the robogirl's shell, its huge teeth don't seem particularly broken or damaged.

After spitting Aigis out, the attacks commence. Matsuri's Jubjub Bird swoops in, claws seeking to rend flaming flesh, and kicking up fire in the process. At the same time, Michiru's Xipe Totec sweeps its hand, and a blob of darkness, black against the blue and purple of the night, collides with the creature's side, briefly blotting out a swath of firelight. Shion's Persona sends a spear into the animal's other side, and Yoh takes the more direct route, punching it directly in the face. All of these attacks are suffered with increasing rage.

The sea change comes when Ryota lets loose an onslaught of water, the deluge knocking the beast off of its feet and briefly dousing its flames. It lets out a loud, shrill whimper, like a beaten dog, but scrambles to its feet. Like any other soaked dog, the Hound shakes itself -- and when it shakes, its flames roar back to life, sending arcs of fire out towards some of the heroes. It leaps clear over the attempt by Enoha to douse it again, and when it lands, it lets out a roar so terrifying it might affect some people's concentration. Its yellow eyes are fixed on Ryota.

The shadow creature speaks: "Eat... you... alive."

COMBAT: Tohru Adachi uses Tentarafoo on Miyuu Noboriyama for 26 Mind!
PASSIVE: Matsuri Sakakibashi's Counter passive has activated against Tohru Adachi!
COMBAT: Tohru Adachi uses Tentarafoo on Matsuri Sakakibashi for 1 Mind (Strong!)!
COMBAT: Tohru Adachi uses Tentarafoo on Shion Katsuragi for 33 Mind (Weak!), applying Panic!
COMBAT: Tohru Adachi uses Maragilao on Enoha Koinose for 38 Fire (Strong!)!
COMBAT: Tohru Adachi uses Maragilao on Yuzuriha Hatsumi but she dodges!
COMBAT: Tohru Adachi uses Maragilao on Michiru Fukase for 106 Fire (Weak!) (Critical!), applying Burn!
COMBAT: Tohru Adachi uses Cruel Attack on Ryota Kishi for 73 Pierce (Weak!)!
COMBAT: Focused self-applied!
COMBAT: Tohru Adachi has ended his turn. Focused and Soak expired.

Enoha has a point; they don't have to go searching, and Shion doesn't even have to reply to Yoh's questions about how to find it. But the combat has started, even as a... delivery... girl... appears...?

"...Who the hell ordered takeout on an investigation!?" And then another pause, as she stares over at Aika being so calm about it, "...That's... some dedicated service..."

The detective is frankly kind of impressed. Will Department 4 gain an official restaurant service!?

She can't hear the speculation about herself from over here, though, even if Miyuu is very blunt about it. Instead, her eyes slide to the masked girl as she suddenly comes out of nowhere. "...Hey, who are you?" It's a quick question--she needs to know who she's dealing with. But suddenly there is that roar, and indeed...

It echoes, leaving a ringing in Shion's ears that causes her Persona to fade back into the ether from which it appeared, a barrier for keeping her cool. "Gh--" This is the sort of thing her Persona has to deal with. "Stupid damn..."

It's going for the kid, next. This time, she doesn't hesitate; she takes her gun in both hands, lines up her shot, and aims to dissuade it from picking on Yosuke's protege with a metallic argument.

COMBAT: Shion Katsuragi uses Mid Attack - Black Unicorn on Tohru Adachi for 125 Pierce (Weak!) (Critical!)!
COMBAT: Shion Katsuragi has ended her turn.

Miyuu is limned lightly in golden fire, the aura running over her limbs as she advances on the dog, taking a few small test swings of her chains, swiping at the air. "You are...a BAD DOG!" She proclaims as it speaks. A way worse dog than Koromaru. A terrible dog.

Of course, Miyuu is not noted for her concentration, and she recognizes Aika's approach through some kind of ramen-sense of the sort only gifted to the terminally hungry. She whirls, golden light in her eyes as she locks gazes with Hanamura. "That is...MY RAMEN!" She argues, advancing. She seems to truly see Aika at about that time, and quiets her persona-induced aura with something of an effort, attempting to smile while galvanic magical force rages through her mind.

"I mean. THANKS FOR COMING OUT." She keeps finishing her sentences in a shout. It just feels natural. She pulls out some money in a kind of awkward one-hand clinking motion.

COMBAT: Miyuu Noboriyama has ended her turn.

"I am sorry." Aigis tells the Shadow. "I cannot let you do that." She doesn't like the idea of fighting a dog. Dogs are awesome. Easily her favorite animal, even. Too many people like cats honestly. Dogs are where it's at.

She senses tea--wasted--and looks over her oh seriously, again. Aigis sighs faintly, tapping her hands against her forehead. She has gone to beef bowl land many a time and never actually got a beef bowl. "Cannot be helped." She reasons. "Still...using a Persona now--too obvious, better handle this more subtly." What is more subtle than a Persona?

Well machine gun arms obviously. Aigis swings both her arms of, firing a quick burst with one arm--and then another with the second, shifting position to help cover Michiru. Her fingers spin rapidly before coming to a close once her payload is expended and her hands need to reload, smoke billowing out of her fingertips.

Aigis congratulates herself on her subtlety once again.

COMBAT: Aigis uses Interjection on Tohru Adachi for 118 Pierce (Weak!) (Critical!)!
COMBAT: Aigis may act again!
COMBAT: Aigis uses Low - Albireo on Tohru Adachi for 77 Pierce (Weak!)!
COMBAT: Aigis has ended her turn. She's guarding! Healed 12 HP from her regenerate passive!

"She investigates like murders and stuff! Even if they decriminalized it and everything you'd still have to investigate murders!" Michiru answers Miyuu rather hastily. This does not get explained further, as dog.

Michiru is shifting herself to a more aggressive posture, seeing that Xipe Totec's darqueness hadn't accomplished much, when the flames burst out. She throws an arm over her face and /shrieks/ then in agony as the heat washes through the thinnish cloth of her sleeve. Fortunately her biking jacket does take a lot of the impact; less fortunately, she hacks violently, having just breathed abruptly superheated air.

Her eyes cross for a moment, and then she hears Miyuu shout, as if from far away -

"MY RAMEN"

She blinks her eyes, twice. Exhaling with force, she sweeps the usual kiseru she kept tucked in her jacket forwards and upwards, as if she's striking the air. Which she is: but also that blue card floating there, even as she asks Aigis raggedly, "Who's the guy with the dolphin... do you know him?"

Xipe Totec's new manifestation makes a gesture of contempt towards the dog. The earth ripples beneath it, before the residual seed bank of the ground suddenly erupts to unnatural profuse life, a twisted mockery of tree and vine rising up to entangle at the thing's feet, which are hopefully not on fire enough to instantly set them aflame.

COMBAT: Michiru Fukase regains her balance!
COMBAT: Michiru Fukase uses Earth's Embrace on Tohru Adachi for 93 Earth, applying Stone!
COMBAT: Michiru Fukase has ended her turn. Burn expired.

A killer dog attack on the news requires special gear. So where has Kanji Tatsumi been? He rode up with the others and has yet to join the battle.

There is a loud dragging sound. The sound of a heavy object is heard, grinding along the ground as a blonde figure growls under his breath. Kanji Tatsumi is currently dragging a very heavy fake antique chair. When he realized he would be facing some sort of killer dog, Kanji knew that a folding chair wasn't going to cut it. And this was why Kanji went to the high school drama club and borrowed(took) a chair from stock.

The Drama club was happy(threatened) to oblige. Kanji lifts the chair on his shoulder, wielding it like some kind of anime character with an oversized object. This weapon choice was going to slow him down but hopefully he'd only need to hit this dog a few times.

"'EY! MUTT! WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE!!!!?" He doesn't so much swing the chair and drop it in the dog's direction.

COMBAT: Kanji Tatsumi uses Mid Attack - Heavy Prop Chair on Tohru Adachi for 27 Strike (Strong!) and 28 Strike (Strong!)!
COMBAT: Kanji Tatsumi has ended his turn.

Emboldened by the success of Palaemon's water attack, Ryota mentally hi-fives the dolphin-riding boy, thinking 'Right, so you may not look the most threatening, but you sure kick some shadow wolf butt!' and then taking another, more confident step forward and preparing something even more impressive.

He stops in his tracks when the beast suddenly focuses on him, speaking --speaking!-- directly to him, and not the polite greeting and invitation to join him in a nice game of Go that he would have hoped for, either.

He's so taken aback by this that he fails to anticipate the attack that follows, stumbling back with a gasp of intense pain, one hand clutching his side as the other reaches out to continue his intended attack, finding a determination to follow through that he didn't know he was capable of. Palaemon appears once more.Only when the attack is done does he allow himself to cry out, realising how much it ACTUALLY hurt.

COMBAT: Ryota Kishi uses Aquadyne on Tohru Adachi for 139 Water (Weak!), applying Soak!
COMBAT: Ryota Kishi has ended his turn. Healed 12 HP from his regenerate passive! Healed 3 SP from his invigorate passive!

Yoh asserts dominance!

Though it is short lived. The hound doesn't seem to be much affected by any of the attacks the come its way. Even the water doesn't put it down for long. It retaliates quickly with fire and sound, neither of which seem to land on Yoh. The own only irritates him. But not only does it show intelligence, but it can speak too! And it also takes a large bite out of someone.

While it attacks everything and goes nuts, everyone retaliates, including Yoh. Though that guy with the large chair has a great idea. But his hammers are nowhere to be found! Time to improvise. A quick glance around shows nothing but a small wooden fence. That'll work. The teen quickly hustles over to the fence, and with enough strength, snatches a large plank off the side of it, taking it into battle as well.

He comes up to the dog, and just hauls off and WHAPS him with it with all his might. BAD DOG.

COMBAT: Yoh Yamagatani uses Steel Avalanche on Tohru Adachi for 52 Strike (Strong!), applying Defense Down! and Stone!
COMBAT: Yoh Yamagatani has ended his turn.

"You're right, it seems that way. We'll catch up later. Ramen, my treat?" Yu Narukami, smooth like butter, which also goes down smooth like a butter milkshake. The battle commences -- fighting proves fierce, Persona manifesting every which way, bolts and guns firing off.

"Hey, watch your tongue, Yosuke!" he chides his best friend, a hint of humor there despite how dry and professional he otherwise sounds. "I'll have to tell you about Adachi later," he adds to the Songstress. The glasses are on his face. That must mean the revolving card is--

The revolving card spins down in front of the lean youth in the white polo and pants. He crushes it as it reaches eye level, hair rising from the force expelled from the gesture. "Persona!" he breathes the word out, gasping in air to add, "Izanagi!"

The polearm wielding Persona in black rises from thin air. The summoner shoots his hand to one side, and Izanagi complies, sending out beneficial green energy to multiple targets to bolster their defenses.

"Coordinate! Healers, do we have any...?" He should know more of these people, and he does know a number, but not all of them. "Take care of the wounded! Heavy hitters, get to the front, try to corral it further away!"

Narukami's aware of the nearby dorms. Even if they're high and hungry, he doesn't want to risk unnecessary exposure here.

"Oh and good job Kanji," Yu totally didn't forget that guy.

COMBAT: Yu Narukami uses Marakukaja on Kanji Tatsumi for 0 Heal, applying Defense Up!!
COMBAT: Yu Narukami uses Marakukaja on Yosuke Hanamura for 0 Heal, applying Defense Up!!
COMBAT: Yu Narukami uses Marakukaja on Yuzuriha Hatsumi for 0 Heal, applying Defense Up!!
COMBAT: Yu Narukami has ended his turn.

So, the shadow dog speaks. Well, that's... understandable. Mikano clenches her teeth as the creatue lays into the others, keeping back for the moment and circling the creature, as her similarly-masked Persona follows suit behind her. Waiting for a gap between attacks, she reaches back, and in an odd display, leaps forwards and slaps the ground hard. That is, if anyone looking her way is watching the anonymous figure in grey, rather then the black-clad foxwife, mimicing Mikano's actions as she viciously slashes downwards, aiming at the wolf's forelegs, to slice a chunk out of the creature!

COMBAT: Mikano Makino uses Arm Chopper on Tohru Adachi for 57 Slash, applying Fear!
COMBAT: Mikano Makino has ended her turn.
COMBAT: Centered self-applied!

Watching the gout of flame from on high, the young ninja's eyes follow it closely, checking the arcs in her own mind before she starts to move on instinct alone. Yuzuriha moves like the wind, and Hanzo shifts in the opposite direction in almost rhythmic time. Never straying too far from her side, they reunite after the ground just beyond her ignites with flame-- and Yuzuriha frowns.

Is it a demon? But those are...

The fact that it /speaks/ is the most disconcerting thing of all. Taking a long stride forward, Yuzuriha grips the handle of the short sword in both hands as though she were actually wielding a full length katana. Drawing his own sword, Hanzo flows in perfect time and motion as they take an advancing step together...

"Understood!"

... and Hanzo comes /down/ with his full-length blade for a more powerful, cleaving strike at the hellhound from behind!

Yuzuriha will have time to get a little red in the face later.

COMBAT: Yuzuriha Hatsumi uses Arm Chopper on Tohru Adachi for 52 Slash, applying Fear!
COMBAT: Yuzuriha Hatsumi has ended her turn. Healed 3 SP from her invigorate passive!

"Maybe we should get it to follow us outside, further away from the dorms?" Enoha's attention is drawn to the houses nearby, specifically, the lights peeking through the windows. "People might come out and investiga- ah!"

Fire dances against her skin; it hurts, like anything, but the koi-no-takinobori's chimerical nature lessens the damage.

Then there's Aika, hard worker she is, presenting food. Enoha recongizes her from being a fellow worker in the Inaba commercial district. "Nakamura-chan...? Ah..." She looks behind her, then back at Aika's gaze, her brow sweating. "It's a.... art display that's sort of gone out of control," Enoha tries to awkwardly describe to Aika with some quick gestures of her hands. "Be careful! It's experimental, so..." Some may notice she's attempting to steer herself in front of Aika, while leaving an opening for Miyuu to hand over the money. If Aika's putting herself in danger, she needs money! Reaching into her own purse, she picks out an appropriate amount of yen. "I wonder if it's safe to..."

The hellhound might follow Aika if she leaves. And what if there's more than one?! ".... H-hey, guys," Enoha begins, raising her voice, "I'm going to have Nakamura-chan stay for a bit- I got her covered. We just need to get this, ah, 'art installation' under control!" The koi dragon appears once more, doubtless some sort of hologram/paper maiche contraption made possible with some sort of artist grant, which makes pretty light settle on the people who look the hardest hit. "Got it, Narukami-kun!"

COVER: Enoha Koinose is now covering Aika Nakamura.
COMBAT: Enoha Koinose uses Media on Michiru Fukase for 54 Heal!
COMBAT: Enoha Koinose uses Media on Ryota Kishi for 56 Heal, applying Energy!
COMBAT: Enoha Koinose uses Media on Yosuke Hanamura for 69 Heal (Critical!)!
COMBAT: Enoha Koinose has ended her turn.

Yosuke blanks in response to Matsuri, clearly having no idea what she's talking about. Considering his status as EXEMPLARY STUDENT WHO STAYED AWAKE DURING HIGHSCHOOL HISTORY, it's clear that she's making with the crazy talk. "I...knew that...." Or not. "...but I mean, think of the alternatives? That'd mean, like, Sumaru demons are starting to creep out this fa--" And then a demon puppy acquired a robotic chew toy. ----

Another thing? Yosuke had *every intention* of watching after poor Ryota, the new guy. He was positioned out to the front, knives brandished, ready to step in as necessary if his new coworker should come to harm...and then Aika walked up. Oh, right, he was ordering bait. Back when he didn't think the thing would just immediately come upon them. He...freezes, unsure of just what to do in this situation. "Um." It's...clear that she's...seeing things. Well then. Doing his best to position himself in front of *Aika* now, he fumbles for money. Anything to get her out of here quickly. Miyuu is there to take the blame of ordering off of his hands, if he's lucky. "Here you go. Uh...thinks are...kind of...hairy right now, you may want to hang back for awhile! Thanks though. ...Which one of these is mine? This has the scraps? Right, thanks." It's right around this time that Ryota is horrificly mauled, the youth wincing. "Uh...sorry about that!"

Well, he won't be needing bait anymore. So he may as well take advantage of that! Picking up the container, he lobs it the beast. "Hey ugly, DINNER TIME!" Right on the heels of the monster, he chucks the container of table scraps. Hopefully it'll be a distraction if nothing else, while Jiraiya sneaks around to helpfully apply a blast of wind from the side.

Meanwhile, back at Aiya, a kitchen aide touches her fingers to her chin. "Oh my, did I mislabel those scraps as a beef bowl? Oh well, I'm sure they'll notice anyway."

COMBAT: Yosuke Hanamura uses Garula on Tohru Adachi for 91 Wind, applying Dizzy!
COMBAT: Yosuke Hanamura has ended his turn.
COVER: Yosuke Hanamura is now covering Ryota Kishi.

While Yosuke tries to make excuses for his ignorance, Matsuri just gives him a further-quirked eyebrow and a wry smile.

"Matsuri Sakakibashi," the songstress introduces herself back to Yuzuriha. "I'm likewise working with the KDA, among other things."

Damn, that is one seriously angry dog. The water's really effective, too, as is in general shooting at it... Matsuri briefly laments her lack of options, then promptly gets over it. Jubjub Bird does just as well, especially after Aigis and Yosuke bolstering her~

Plus--huh, isn't that that delivery girl who showed up when Matsuri and the others were investigating that former Nazi hangout? Did someone seriously order delivery now of all times...? Given how several people wail about their ramen, apparently so.

Well, whatever. More importantly, the demon/Shadow/whatever dog! It bursts into flames, then leaps over a deluge of water from another newcomer and lets out a roar. Matsuri winces--her ears are sensitive!--but she's otherwise unrattled. In fact, she's more mad about it, particularly when it chomps on Ryota and declares that it's going to eat him alive. "/No bite/!" she commands the beast, right before swinging her stand and attempting to smash it into its mouth, right into its pretty, white teeth.

"Sure thing! Leave it to me~!" she adds to Yu, both about Adachi and his instructions, though mostly about the latter. Matsuri was already attacking, but hit or miss, she'll try to press in on the dog, to keep it back and away from the injured.

COMBAT: Matsuri Sakakibashi uses Mid Attack - Pro's Microphone on Tohru Adachi for 89 Strike (Strong!) (Critical!)!
COMBAT: Matsuri Sakakibashi has ended her turn.

Aika nods her relief as Miyuu shouts over at Yosuke. Now she knows where all her customers are. There's a little stab of panic, too, though; was Miyuu right? Was this her ramen? She double-checks; no, she has it right. She opens her mouth and raises her voice to correct Miyuu, but at the same time, the ground itself growls and shreds as it seizes the hound's feet, and Yoh and Kanji play percussion with large heavy objects, so her words are lost completely. Shaking her head, Aika smiles her neutral waitress smile at Yosuke. "This one has the scraps," she confirms, glancing at the label.

An art display, Enoha says. "It is very impressive," Aika compliments, as Aigis unleashes the subtlest torrent of machine gun fire from her arms, loud enough that only politeness and ramen bowls keep Aika from covering her ears. "I need to deliver these," she tells Enoha over the rushing wind, holding her Aiya bonnet on with one hand as Yosuke's Persona unleashes a wind attack nearby. Walking past several of the participants in the 'exhibit,' Aika reaches Miyuu. "Please forgive me," she says, bowing, "I spilled all of your tea. I hope you will accept a fifty percent discount off this order." She offers Miyuu the bowls, nodding to Michiru when she realizes she is the intended recipient for the second of them.

Things intensify. As the Hound attacks, the heroes push back, and their strikes begin to slow the Shadow animal. As a dozen attackers close in, the dog doesn't have the ability to lash out for a few crucial moments -- it's fenced in on all sides, penned in by a constant buffering of attacks.

For example, Ryota's taste is still in the dog's mouth when he lets loose another crushing wave. It soaks the animal, turning him to a steaming wreck for a moment, but he recovers even more quickly than last time, his rage overcoming his waterlogged pain. Xipe Totec stones the monster, the effect a bit like pouring powder cement on it -- patches of earthy density slow it down, allowing it to struggle but not overcome as Yosuke's gale of wind pushes it back, further, the air currents making wisps of flame flutter and die.

That makes the dog somewhat safer for up-close attack: cue Yoh, Matsuri, and Kanji, each taking their turns bashing the creature about the head and shoulders, making it growl and whine like... well, like a dog being beaten. Slashing wounds from Yuzuriha and Mikano continue the assault, causing it to stumble as it tries -- and fails, thanks to the restrictive binding -- to dodge, or at least protect itself.

The more decisive turn is when the guns come out. Shion's shot catches it in the side of the belly, making it let out an excited whoop of agitation and its hind legs scramble. Blood can be heard to sizzle. Then, Aigis follows up with machine gun overkill, which riddles the thing with bullets, but also destroys the earthy casing that was restraining it, freeing it and allowing its flames to ride high once more. Thus unencumbered, the creature is visibly wounded, but no less ferocious for it.

Yosuke's thrown food had bounced off of its head, before. Now, it calmly pads over to it and snaps it up off the ground.

"Now..." the Hound rasps, "is the dramatic moment of fate." And then, once more, into the breach, it recklessly charges at the kids.

Some are lucky -- they just risk being kicked by a clawed hind leg or briefly trampled underfoot. The thing roars again, and opens its maw, wide, too wide -- and a torrent of flame spews out, blasting out at a few folks, threatening to burn up the grassy land if not kept in check. It pounces a small cluster of heroes, trying to hack up Yu, Matsuri, and Yuzuriha with its foreclaws -- and then leaps at Yoh and the duo of Aika and Enoha, seeking not just to claw them, but to /taste/ them.

COMBAT: Tohru Adachi regains his balance!
COMBAT: Tohru Adachi uses Agidyne on Kanji Tatsumi but he dodges!
COMBAT: Tohru Adachi uses Mid Attack - Jaws or Claws on Yosuke Hanamura for 43 Pierce!
COMBAT: Tohru Adachi uses Agidyne on Aigis but she dodges!
COMBAT: Tohru Adachi uses Mid Attack - Jaws or Claws on Mikano Makino but she dodges!
COMBAT: Tohru Adachi uses Blade of Fury on Yu Narukami for 12 Slash and 15 Slash!
COMBAT: Tohru Adachi uses Blade of Fury on Matsuri Sakakibashi for 5 Slash (Strong!) and 4 Slash (Strong!)!
COMBAT: Tohru Adachi uses Blade of Fury on Yuzuriha Hatsumi for 3 Slash (Strong!) and 4 Slash (Strong!)!
COMBAT: Tohru Adachi uses Myriad Arrows on Yoh Yamagatani for 14 Pierce (Weak!) and 16 Pierce (Weak!)!
COMBAT: Tohru Adachi uses Myriad Arrows on Enoha Koinose for 9 Pierce, 6 Pierce, and 7 Pierce!
COMBAT: Tohru Adachi uses Myriad Arrows on Aika Nakamura for 21 Pierce, 21 Pierce, and 21 Pierce!
COMBAT: Tohru Adachi has ended his turn. Dizzy, Soak, and Stone expired.
COMBAT: Focused self-applied!

Aiya Chinese Diner's food is good. And not just good, but good for you. The scraps, not so much, but accidentally, Yosuke threw his actual meal to the dog. And as the dog consumed the beef bowl, it felt, suddenly, like a better person. Or dog.

Dog's Courage Has increased!

Dog's Knowledge has increased!

Dog's Understanding has increased!

Shion's concentration is still less than stellar for the moment, though she is able to shout, "If you can make it move, go for it, Enoha! Don't know if we'll have time!" She steps around tot he side, then, trying to get a better angle, watching the situation, even as the masked girl doesn't... actually answer her. She will be keeping an eye out for Mikano.

"Good shot, Aigis! Keep it up!" Yu's directives are actually pretty wise. Of course, she'd expect that out of Dojima's nephew and the leader he's demonstrated himself as in the past. "Any of you get hurt," she offers, "Just stick behind me! It's what I'm here for!"

Being unable to use her Persona, however, is too limiting--she brings forth the card again, and this time, Britomart raises her shield, a green aura briefly appearing around the detective to soothe her mind.

Except... Wait... "...Hold on..." She stares at the dog, after, fixated on those last words.

COMBAT: Shion Katsuragi uses Nervundi on Shion Katsuragi for 0 Heal, applying Nervundi and Energy! Nerve Ailments Cleared!
COMBAT: Shion Katsuragi has ended her turn. Energy expired.

"Sure, that sounds great. RAMEN YES." Miyuu is atavistically thrilled at the prospect of food. She can /smell/ it, that sweet delicious seaweed, the little fish slice thing, so much broth--

But there are rivals to feeding that must be disposed of first. Well. Rival. Hanamura appears to have gotten his fair share /and/ thrown it away just as quickly. Now there's just the dog. Miyuu is holding out the money as small motes of glowing dust dance in the air around her, hand trembling a little bit with suppressed energy of her attack. "I'll LEAVE THE BOWLS." She promises. She knows the rules.

Of course her equilibrium is disturbed when the beast starts snapping its jaws at Aika and Enoha. So help her if that ramen is spilled she will feast on dog flesh tonight!

"Raaaagh!" is Miyuu's coherent response. Bia does not appear; she is guiding Miyuu's angry hands. Her chains whip into action like angry snakes as she leaps at the dog and begins to wail at it with all her might, finally losing some of that angry edge enough to strike more lightly at the end and step back.

COMBAT: Miyuu Noboriyama uses Rampage on Tohru Adachi for 25 Strike (Strong!) and 28 Strike (Strong!)!
COMBAT: Miyuu Noboriyama uses Low Attack - Chain on Tohru Adachi for 21 Strike (Strong!) and 41 Strike (Strong!) (Critical!)!
COMBAT: Miyuu Noboriyama has ended her turn. She's guarding!

It's attacking the ramen girl too, that's not good! Aigis is going to have to just have faith in Michiru not immolating as Aigis shifts tactics--at just the right time, darting away sharply, she jogs towards Aika. She doesn't bother telling her to go away, for one thing ramen is involved, but she is going to have to make sure she doesn't get further injured. She opens fire with her rearmed gunarms, they seemed to be especially effective. Sh has no idea what the dramatic moment of fate is, this seems very poetic for a dog shadow. She fires several more rounds from her left arm, a more focused burst than before it seems.

"Are you alright?" she asks the ramen lady, giving Miyuu a slow look. Is...Is Ramen really that good???

She hesitates. "Is this normal?" She asks of miyuu.

COMBAT: Aigis uses High - Albireo on Tohru Adachi for 118 Pierce (Weak!)!
COMBAT: Aigis has ended her turn. Healed 12 HP from her regenerate passive!

Yu is giving directions, which is a relief to Michiru's still-pained mind. She is pretty sure she's a heavy hitter at least in theory, and so she remains upright.

And then glances at the waitress for a moment, giving her a firm nod.

She breathes swiftly even as the dog lunges forwards, Aigis bracing the attack and giving Michiru the moments she needs to fully parse what is going on. (And also say in passing, "Oi, Tatsumi!" But things must continue forwards.)

The ramen is also secured, and then - "That is /amazing/," she says, eyes wide as the chains do not so much get whipped at the dog as come to horrible, snaking, lethal life, smashing against the creature in a whirlwind of brutality. Overwhelming even its defenses? Who is to say for sure. Michiru does however back it up as best she can, twisting the kiseru nervously in her hand and then sweeping it upwards.

"Come on - this thing's already talking shit... Xipe Totec!" The Persona's third appearance is noted by a shift in sound into something more down tempo, even as it leans forwards in a contorted posture, resting one palmed hand on the ground. At which point a sudden bursting geological column of the Inaba area ground, perhaps three centimeters in diameter and six meters or so long, shoots up into the air with a distinct 'phoot'.

It twists in the air, then, slamming downwards with renewed force. A moment later it disintegrates, looking suspiciously like the remnants of an effort to dig a well.

COMBAT: Michiru Fukase has charged up!
COMBAT: Michiru Fukase uses Magnara on Tohru Adachi for 110 Earth!
COMBAT: Michiru Fukase has ended her turn.

Everyone is getting hurt!

Yoh hits the dog so hard that the plank splits into pieces. Yoh backs up, but not fast enough! The dog tears into his arm with something as sharp as shark teeth. Crasy shadow dog. What birthed this thing?! Why is it out here? What does it want? it is so far from anywhere that spawns shadows not restricted to places. Though it is not the Dark Hour. Did it come to life through other means? Maybe it got out of a TV.

Regardless, Yoh has had enough of this thing. "Magni!" Yoh calls, and the giant demigod of a Persona shows up, quite a bit taller than even the 6' teenager whom called it to life. "Zap it!" he says with much anger. triumphantly, magni holds his hammer to the sky, as a crimson lgihtning bolt arcs down in to his hammer, then redirects it at the creature.

A bright flash of red cues, as an incredibly loud thunderclap roars.

COMBAT: Yoh Yamagatani uses Thunder Blast on Tohru Adachi for 66 Elec (Critical!) and 61 Pierce (Weak!), applying Shock!
COMBAT: Yoh Yamagatani has ended his turn.

Kanji growls as he lifts up the chair again, feeling the weight lightened as the chair is quite broken now. The blonde delinquent doesn't really regard the Hounds words with any form of concern. He's seen talking Shadow animals before. They say creepy stuff. Kanji just looks a tad more annoyed that this shadow is actually trying this schtick on him and the others.

As the fire comes for him, Kanji uses his large prop chair to block the majority of the attack,catching the chair on fire. "Tch....Damn dog needs to shut up! If you're gonna talk, go talk like that Cell Phone Dog and say something funny!" Kanji says as he lifts the flaming chair and starts to swing it around, using the momentum to build up a swing. As he does so, he nods to Michiru.

He swings the chair, practically throwing it at the dog.

COMBAT: Kanji Tatsumi uses High Attack - Heavy Prop Chair on Tohru Adachi for 35 Strike (Strong!) and 39 Strike (Strong!)!
COMBAT: Kanji Tatsumi has ended his turn.

Ryota is almost more stunned by the next thing this creature says. Not only is it some sort of talking... dog... wolf thing, but it also has a penchant for late 19th century english literature. He recognises the quote as paraphrased from a story about a famous fictional detective that has kept him company on many nights. His mind drifts to Sherlock Holmes for the barest moment, in that second of calm before its next flurry of frenzied attacks. That's right, it was that character that influenced his decision to pick the violin as an instrument in the first place.

He doesn't know WHY it's the right thing to do -- objectively, it seems crazy -- but he nevertheless /somehow/ knows that it's time to pull out his violin from the case that is always slung over his back.

He starts playing without thinking, the surrounding area seeming to darken leaving a spotlight on him, and as the short, soothing melody proceeds, the notes eject visible strands of energy, momentarily enveloping members of the group. "W... wow." He didn't know he had it in him.

COMBAT: Ryota Kishi uses Serenade on Shion Katsuragi for 0 Heal, applying Defense Up!, Patra, and Energy! Mind Ailments Cleared!
COMBAT: Ryota Kishi uses Serenade on Michiru Fukase for 0 Heal, applying Defense Up! and Energy!
COMBAT: Ryota Kishi uses Serenade on Yu Narukami for 0 Heal, applying Defense Up! and Energy!
COMBAT: Ryota Kishi has ended his turn. Healed 12 HP from his regenerate passive! Healed 3 SP from his invigorate passive! Energy expired.

"Hanamura-kun, seriously, why are you /feeding/ it?" Matsuri calls over to Yosuke, though her tone marks her as more amused than upset, when the beastly creature calmly bites up the bowl of meat in one bite. No time for finding the little things funny, though--it's already making its counter attack, and while Matsuri manages to roll lithely away from the Hound's rampage with it just barely snapping her shades off (she can feel the wind as it passes) and her hat getting knocked off, others are getting hurt worse--including and especially Aika, who to Matsuri's knowledge doesn't even *have* a Persona. Her brown eyes, now visible, narrow.

"I don't know what the hell you're talking about, or what you even *are*, but I don't give a damn about your dramatic moment!" she snaps, calling up her Empress tarot and shattering it to call forth her Persona once more. Matsuri, apparently, is not familiar with Sherlock Holmes. "Jubjub Bird! Wreck it!!"

The avian Persona warbles its assent, flapping up high, then diving viciously for the hound. Its claws flash viciously, its beak snaps, and if they can land the hit, together they might well do exactly what Matsuri commanded.

After this, she's momentarily distracted by Ryota's violin-playing, eyebrows going high. "Oh *my*," she utters, impressed despite her horror at his previous lack of regard for his instrument tools. Matsuri might not gain the more... magical benefit of his playing, but she can definitely appreciate a good performance, all the same. She shoots him an approving grin and a wink. "Nice, Kishi-kun~! Keep it up!"

COMBAT: Matsuri Sakakibashi uses Brave Blade on Tohru Adachi for 118 Slash!
COMBAT: Matsuri Sakakibashi has ended her turn.
COMBAT: Centered self-applied!

The sounds that the creature makes are enough to make the bespectacled Yu Narukami grimace. He doesn't like the sound of a dog being beaten. But it takes only one look at the burns suffered by those nearby to remind him that this... this is no mere dog.

"Don't feed it, you'll just make it hungrier!" Isn't that the thing about eating Asian food? "Keep your fetish to the nurses--!" But this proves no time for jokes, as the Hound comes in and assails many, Yu included. He meets rampaging paws with a defensive stance, but as the hound retreats, he's left with a destroyed shirt that reveals some measure of powerful abs beyond.

The 5 Iron comes out, brandished to push the beast on, an attempt to corral made -- but he's by no means one of the heavy hitters here. He scampers for safety instead, nearly losing his footing as he flees the fiery beast. "Pay for your food after! Aika, please retreat to safety!" he shouts, some measure of concern for the girl -- but not what she's seeing. He trusts the adage of the customer always being right.

When they tell her this was a downed weather balloon later, the truth will stick.

"Ah, don't speak ill of Otousan!" he calls out to Kanji, as another card shuffles down in front of the Leader. It's crushed -- Obariyon fades into existence, clinging to the back of the Wild Card. "Force it back!" he reiterates. Obariyon obliges -- sending a burst of gravitational energy that aims to send the Hound flying.

Meanwhile, the new kid is playing a violin. "Brosuke, when did we get a battle bard?! Ahh, I'll help with healing in a moment!"

COMBAT: Yu Narukami has activated Obariyon.
COMBAT: Yu Narukami uses Grydyne on Tohru Adachi for 122 Gravity!
COMBAT: Yu Narukami has ended his turn. Energy expired.

Well, so much for that idea. But seriously, what was Yosuke going to do with a bowl full of *scraps*? ...But maybe it distracted it long enough to take a pounding from Jiraiya. That's what he'll tell himself. In the meantime, Yosuke was hoping that Enoha had defense of Aika handled -- too many people that don't have their bearings in this type of situation! -- but it seems that the dog has a scent for succulent meats, and goes right *past* him and his charge for the two other girls. "Later Matsuri, we need to take this thing down NOW." ...he boldly proclaims as Ryota takes out a violin. Under normal circumstances he would take the time to gawk at this and make snide commentary to Yu, but there are greater priorities at hand now, as evidenced by the grass at his feet beginning to shift of its own accord as he concentrates.

Hurling himself forward with the added momentum of supernatural wind at his back, Yosuke does his best to just tear into the damn thing with a spiralling series of knife slashes. "Not enough..." It's too heavy to be forced back by something that piddly. Jiraiya answers his need, almost grazing his skull as the disco frog plows into its bulk as well with a forward flip, unfurling to begin shoving at it with its own wind-aided force. "...Force this fucker back...!"

COMBAT: Yosuke Hanamura uses Yosuke Special on Tohru Adachi for 31 Slash, 34 Slash, and 51 Slash (Critical!), applying !
COMBAT: Yosuke Hanamura may act again!
COMBAT: Yosuke Hanamura uses Wind Slash on Tohru Adachi for 58 Wind and 57 Slash, applying Dizzy!
COMBAT: Yosuke Hanamura has ended his turn.

"Aika!" Enoha cries out even as she's knocked back by the beast, who is *tasting her*? The revulsion is evident on her face as she scrambles backwards like an awkward crab, bolting up and back onto her feet.

That, combined with what the hound said... Dramatic moment? "I'm not liking this-" What if the dramatic moment meant 'i am marking you for later by tasting you'? It's one thing if it's Enoha, but Aika doesn't have a persona! She came here because it was her JOB. "Narukami-kun is right- I think this is getting rough!" She shoots Aika a large smile. "Aika-chan, please stop by the Yomenaido tomorrow- I'll have your payment there. Don't worry about the tea! You came out this way and got hurt on top of it! " The necessary people can just pay her back later.

Hopefully Aika is being urged enough, because Enoha is about to do something stupid.

"You damn.... dog thing!" She can't exactly cuss out in front of- well, they're not *kids*, but. Summoning the koi-no-takinobori, she summons a ray of water, trying to direct its attention towards her. "Come on and get me! C'mon, I'm your dramatic moment, right here!" She whistles, waving her other free arm. "You understand me, right? Come at me now!"

COMBAT: Enoha Koinose has taken aim and focused!
COMBAT: Enoha Koinose uses Aques on Tohru Adachi for 85 Water (Weak!), applying Soak!
COMBAT: Enoha Koinose has ended her turn.

While Yuzuriha tends to be a person that likes being in the forefront, right up on the front lines of battle, there's something to be said about the /back/ lines, especially when huge claws are about to rend your face right open. Taking a broad step backwards, two of the claws manage to catch her across the belly, but their razor sharpness does not manage to go deep; a rather shallow scratch at worst. It still stings enough for the girl to wince, falling back a step as it charges through...

"An opening!"

Yuzuriha's center of gravity immediately drops as the pouncing creature continues onward, the girl gripping the blade of a second Japanese blade hidden within her coat. Leaving her Persona behind, she moves like a streak-- one that moves at speeds that may as well be /in/human. Aiming to pass in front of the snarling hound, she lashes out once before seeming to dash to a second side, and then dashing behind it for one last strike!

All three strikes seem to be infused, no less-- infused with the kind of energies required to sap the life out of someone even /after/ the brief flurry of blows!

COMBAT: Yuzuriha Hatsumi uses Sanjuu Kougeki on Tohru Adachi for 43 Slash and 45 Slash!
COMBAT: Yuzuriha Hatsumi has ended her turn. Healed 3 SP from her invigorate passive!

Aika's eyes get wide again as Miyuu steps up to protect her meal with a whistling, rattling chain, hammering blows into the great dog. "Noboriyama-san," she says. "I will leave this on your bike."

The dog has other ideas. Speaking some dark threat, it charges, seeming to take a specific interest in Aika and her police guardian. Aika doesn't even dodge; this is too outside her experience, and the only thing shielding her from curling up into a ball is a level of disassociation. She just blinks, and barely manages to lift up her arm in time to get it mauled instead of her torso. Knocked off balance, she starts to fall... and so do the bowls. Yelping, Aika dives, catching one bowl immediately, and barking the air from her lungs as she hits the ground, she catches the second on top of the first, then wobbles it back and forth madly to disperse its momentum before sighing with relief.

Climbing back to her feet, Aika grimaces at her own wound, but bristles as Yu pleads with her to leave. "Food must be paid for at the time of delivery, Narukami-san," she says firmly. E tu, Enoha? Aika almost gives in. This is a policewoman, after all, and one that probably just saved her life. Couldn't she just leave this horrible place?

No. The world might go insane, with all the power of the elments whirling around her, with machinegun fire deafening her, with hellbeasts seeking her life's blood, with monsters appearing from thin air to unleash unnatural attacks. But /Aika/ will not go insane, not unless she lets go of her inner nature. Not today.

"I am very sorry," she insists, "but I cannot make an exception, otherwise everyone will want one." Placing the bowls safely on the seat of Miyuu's bike, she marches back to Miyuu, covering her bitten arm with one hand. "Five hundred fifty yen please, Noboriyama-san."

The figure in grey leaps out of the shadow's path, skidding slightly to a stop along the dirt as they stand back up, fists raised defensivly. There's a slight flinch, almost a cringe as the wolf starts laying in to the others, but there's no other sign of concern, as the figure bounds forwards to follow the shadow.

Mikano cringes beneath her mask. This... wasn't good. Finally taking stock of the others in her head, her eyes pass over the policewoman, and Aigis. But she shakes her head. Nobody... /seems/ to have noticed her in the melee, so maybe... Maybe she can...

The grey-clad figure makes a gesture with their gloved fists, and their persona eagerly follows, lunging towards the wolf, claws bared and ready. Aiming for the Shadow's... guts...? the evil-looking fox spirit aims a slow, powerful slash towards the shadow, ripping upwards as it goes, trying to tear more and more out of the creature in blank-faced fury.

COMBAT: Mikano Makino uses Brave Blade on Tohru Adachi for 110 Slash!
COMBAT: Mikano Makino has ended her turn.
COMBAT: Centered self-applied!

At this point, it's fair to say that the Hound is well and truly pissed off. Still bleeding from gunshot wounds and showing evidence of a limp, the burning canine's hatred and anger has not been quelled.

Nor will it be, when the next heroic rampage ensues. The sound of Ryota's violin creates a macabre dissonance between the beauty of his playing, and the violence being inflicted upon the beast. Yoh hits the thing with lightning -- flattening it against the ground as if it was pressed there by the hand of God.

Lucky then for Miyuu that she and Yoh did not attack in tandem, as lashes from her metal chains keep the thing from getting up swiftly, the links heating up from proximity to open magickal flame. No sooner does the Hound rise that more gunshots strike it, making it whimper -- but gunfire at least provides a reason for Miyuu to back off a second.

A huge earthen mass collides with the beast, smashing the Hound down once more, and giving Kanji the opportunity to hurl his chair at the beast, knocking it so sharply that its head snaps to one side with a whine.

Jubjub Bird and Obariyon unite and go totally apeshit on the Hound. The gravitational pull of Yu's tactic weighs the Hound down, so that a creature free from gravity can swoop in and rend fiery meat with its sharp beak.

Yosuke and Yuzuriha sieze the opening, as the ninjette sails through the air, cutting twice, but the third blow missing. Luckily, the third attack is taken up by Yosuke, who knifes it more harshly than a pederast's first time in a prison yard, and then has Jiraiya knock it off course with a cutting wind and sharp smash besides. Staggering backward, the Hound is effectively teed up for Mikano's strike, sending it further ablunder.

Last, but certainly not least, the Hound is hit by a splashy beam from Enoha. The water once again makes it bay in pain, and it's slowed once more, quivering in hurt and anger. It really does seem pained, but wrath compels it.

Another bestial cry issues, and the monster's back arches -- not only does flame spray from its mouth, but it lashes out from its body in all directions, threatening the safety of dry farmland -- the parts not soaked by Ryota and Enoha's assaults, anyway. Those not attacked by the flames are met with a worse fate, perhaps, as the creature LEAPS through the fire it started, seeking to land -- of all places -- upon Kanji. Hit or miss, its rampage continues, as it goes berserk, charging at Michiru, Miyuu, and Ryota, seeking to pin them down with sharp claws, snap them up in his jaws, and shake them around in turn -- the flame creates chaos, and the monster moves so quickly that it's like watching a fiery fightcloud blow through the landscape. The beast then pounces out of that -- at Yuzuriha, seeking to use her chest and abdomen like a steel trap uses a bear's ankle. That leaves two.

The beast turns back toward Enoha -- and Aika -- once its savagery is over. "So much meat..." it wheezes. "But I liked the taste of you two the best..." it growls, as it advances toward them, limping, tongue lolling out, drooling blood.

COMBAT: Tohru Adachi uses Maragilao on Shion Katsuragi for 36 Fire (Strong!)!
COMBAT: Tohru Adachi uses Maragilao on Aigis for 58 Fire, applying Burn!
COMBAT: Tohru Adachi uses Maragilao on Yosuke Hanamura for 45 Fire!
COMBAT: Tohru Adachi uses Maragilao on Matsuri Sakakibashi but she dodges!
COMBAT: Tohru Adachi uses Maragilao on Mikano Makino for 54 Fire, applying Burn!
COMBAT: Tohru Adachi uses Maragilao on Yu Narukami for 51 Fire, applying Burn!
COMBAT: Tohru Adachi uses High Attack - Jaws or Claws on Kanji Tatsumi but he dodges!
COMBAT: Aigis takes the attack for Michiru Fukase!
COMBAT: Tohru Adachi uses All-Out Attack on Aigis for 66 Almighty!
COMBAT: Tohru Adachi uses All-Out Attack on Miyuu Noboriyama for 74 Almighty, applying Scourge! 6 SP lost!
COMBAT: Tohru Adachi uses All-Out Attack on Ryota Kishi but he dodges!
COMBAT: Tohru Adachi uses Primal Force on Yuzuriha Hatsumi but she dodges!
PASSIVE: Enoha Koinose's Counter passive has activated against Tohru Adachi!
COMBAT: Tohru Adachi uses Evil Smile on Enoha Koinose for 25 Mind, applying Fear!
COMBAT: Tohru Adachi uses Evil Smile on Aika Nakamura for 37 Mind, applying Fear!
COMBAT: Tohru Adachi has ended his turn. Dizzy, Shock, and Soak expired.

The civilian's actually been hurt with this--Enoha seems to have her covered, but... That's some dedication. It could just be recklessness, but whatever it is, as least she's staying calm. Meanwhile, for her part, she's perhaps leaning closer to Yosuke than Enoha in that respect:

"All right, asshole," she murmurs, less concerned at the moment about the matter of exposing delicate young ears to foul language. Instead, the flames come her way, and one arm moves up to shield herself, her Persona's power helping her dampen the flames even so.

"Try and leave enough to analyze!" she calls to the others, "But only if you can do it while keeping delivery girl safe!" Yu has most of the leadership matters here, even if.. fetish...?

For her part, though, "...you won't be tasting either of them again," she says simply, and, from her position of range, raises her weapon again. "You end here."

She aims, and fires three shots, completely still except for her trigger finger.

COMBAT: Shion Katsuragi has taken aim and focused!
COMBAT: Shion Katsuragi uses Dictum on Tohru Adachi for 81 Pierce (Weak!) and 82 Pierce (Weak!)!
COMBAT: Shion Katsuragi has ended her turn. Energy expired.

Miyuu steps back from her feverish assault on the dog to focus back on Aika and her need for actual payment. "Right." She murmurs. She fumbles out some coins with one hand--a 500 and 100 clinking into Aika's hand. "Keep the change!" She suggests enthusiastically. "And go! GO!" The dog's still here and rampaging.

She has bad luck with evil animals and their jaws, as she gets snapped up a moment and savaged. It wouldn't be so bad if this were the first time this had happened, but instead she is dropped to the ground, a bit out of breath and bleeding from some dog wounds.

"You better not be rabid you damn dog!" She yells as she gets back up. "You better go back to whatever hell you came from!" Fire lights in the air as Bia alights above Miyuu's head. She raises her sword, and small flames flicker, then begin to fall. They're swords, flaming swords, raining down upon the dogform below.

Fire licks softly along Miyuu's chains as she drags them with her, holding out her hands like one aiming to go out and let herself get absolutely soaking wet.

COMBAT: Miyuu Noboriyama uses Rainy Death on Tohru Adachi for 95 Strike (Strong!)!
COMBAT: Miyuu Noboriyama has ended her turn. Atk/MAtk Up! expired.

As if waking from a trance, Ryota pauses for a moment and then immediately snaps back into business mode, just in time to sidestep a cruel-looking, angry swipe from the beleaguered beast.

Holding the violin by the neck, with the bow-hand he whips out the Tarot card one last time, much more confident now as he calls for Palaemon again. It may not be the most daring finish for him, but he knows what works.

"Get lost, you savage, literature-quoting weirdo!" Okay, so it's not the snappiest of battle cries, but there's no time.

COMBAT: Ryota Kishi uses Aquadyne on Tohru Adachi for 136 Water (Weak!), applying Soak!
COMBAT: Tohru Adachi has been knocked out!
COMBAT: Ryota Kishi has ended his turn. Healed 12 HP from his regenerate passive! Healed 3 SP from his invigorate passive!

The Hound is prowling toward Enoha and Aika, wagging its tongue happily, no doubt excited by the idea of a fresh delivered meal and some home cooking besides. It's so intent on eating them -- skin on, because the skin on fried human is the best part -- that it doesn't even see Shion.

Those three shots hit -- two in the shoulder and one creases the Hound's head, knocking it off its feet and possibly killing it. No -- it stirs. "Hhhgfghf..." It rises, and in that moment Bia descends at Miyuu's call, smashing it with a rain of flaming blades. It's trying to get up -- trying, failing -- when it's called a savage, literature-quoting weirdo. That hurts, a lot, but it's what comes next that really does the trick -- a torrent of water that washes the beast away, into the tall grass, snuffing its flames.

And then, the night is still -- the area where it must have landed is empty, and no canine tracks give away an exit. Nonetheless, the beast still has managed to start a few brush fires, which gives the heroes an exciting fixer-upper project while they check themselves for teeth marks. Still -- open flame near their vehicles aside -- the danger is over.

For now.

Miyuu had been walking hands-out and ready for some kind of seeming aquatic event, but it was to be dramatic for her rain of fiery swords. It was not for a literal torrent of water to rush right at her and soak her in passing on its way to that damn dog. She turns a soppingly furious expression on Ryota, as the 'dolphin boy' seems a likely candidate for the origin.

Ryota Kishi half-shrugs and shoots Miyuu an innocent smile and a "Whaat?" sort of expression.

Aigis can't escape Da Fire this time which, ironically, disorients her long enough that she ends up stepping in the way of a berserk dog clawing at her. This time it manages to actually knock her back a fair bit. Once the smoke from her optics clears, she notices that the dog has vanished.

"...Troubling." She says. She gives Aika another long look.

"...Impressive dedication to her work..." Aigis murmurs. Clearly, she has much to learn.

Michiru sees the dog coming; it leaps off of several others before her, and sadly for that dog's desire for some hot Korean spare ribs, she is able to stumble, slightly clumsily, out of the way. When it rebounds off the ground, she exhales with some effort, looking up to see the combination of flaming chains and a sweep of water.

She glances over, first, to be sure it did not damage the noodles. Precious noodles.

"Oi! Don't aim water spouts at people, alright??" she then calls at Ryota on reflex.

"I know, I know!" Matsuri calls back to Yosuke, her brief, teasing demeanor gone. They're giving this dog a righteous beating, but it's /still/ going after the delivery girl, and it's still got strength enough to attack. She at least is quick on her feet; when the Hound belches flames, the songstress likewise leaps, making it over the roiling flame and hitting the other end in a roll. She gets up, turning to attack--

But that last blast of water strikes the monster, and the creature... just vanishes. No gooey Shadow or demon remains, no howl of agony, just... it's there and then gone once the liquid washes away.

Matsuri blinks.

"Uh," she utters, looking up at her more experienced companions. "It's not *supposed* to do that, is it?"

Then she looks over at Aika, dark eyes concerned. "Are you okay? ...Well, I guess if you can keep asking for payment in your state, you're not *too* bad off," Matsuri adds wryly, quirking a smile again.

"Yargghh--" proves Yu's eloquent, leader-like call as he's licked at by flames, momentarily lost to the rising inferno of heat and discomfort. He rolls backwards, doing the smart thing as he stops, drops, and rolls for a moment, rising with smoke still wafting from his torn shirt. He's about to bark more orders when the final strike comes, and the Hound seems to vanish into fat air.

Coming fully to his feet, he takes a careful look at the surrounds, no doubt expecting the Hound to reappear and start gutting people from behind. That moment doesn't come. Instead; "Start putting out the fires. We need to clear out of here pretty quickly -- I wager someone's called the police," he gestures offhandedly towards the nearby dorms. The actual police here? Well clearly they're in on the whole thing!

Crushing another card, Phoenix appears, and begins systematically healing everybody c'mon just hit +heal/full already. "If we're going to find any clues, now's the time. You recognized what that thing was saying?" he asks of Ryota, the battle bard.

Aika gets points for dedication- if there's something a Koinose appreciates, it's someone with a good work ethic.

... It doesn't always translate over to whom they choose to date, of course.

"You'll have to get through me first before you do anything," Enoha dares the beast through clenched teeth, positioning herself in front of whereever she thinks Aika is. When she turns her head, of course, Aika is looking for her rightful payment.

Thank god the dog (say that three times fast) goes down in that next moment. Enoha's shoulders sag, a breath allowed to pass through her open mouth. Hearing Yu's commands, she looks up. "H-hey, there was someone else who used water here, right?" Directing her gaze towards Michiru, then to Ryota, Enoha claps her hands together once and rubs them. "Hey, let's take care of these fires before they get to wild, okay? Can you help me with that, er-" She pauses. "I'm Enoha Koinose, from the Yomenaido bookstore in Inaba."

The figure in grey lowers their arms, smoke rising from their smoulding clothing. Glancing around, the figure looks to the others, as the shadowy wolf is washed away, and for a moment, the person is motionless. But as everyone else picks themselves up and starts to wind down after the fight, the masked stranger backs away slowly, and when they think they're unnoticed, turns and *runs*, hoping to slip away behind the farm buildings and escape.

It pounces. It's-- it's coming right for u--

Yuzuriha's no stranger to sudden movements, and so far she's shown that she hasn't lost a step. Her mouth draws into a tight line, and raw seconds before the hound manages to pounce on her, it's like she just utterly freaking /disappears/, like she's some kind of goddamned /ninja/ or something!!

Misdirection is, of course, one of her specialties. While it seems like magic that she's no longer in the creature's path, the young woman is in the midst of a rather acrobatic spin, her back arching as though she were going into some kind of limbo contest with the intent /to win/, one leg sweeping back to provide her with some balance. Her leading leg swings around and traces a wide circle with her footing, and with a continual one-two spin, she ends up twirling-- or almost /skating/-- right out of the hound's path!

And then, of course, the hound gets an abusive beating by way of another grand wave of water. In the next few moments, Yuzuriha huffs a little and snaps her wrists up, then down-- as though that alone would lash whatever blood might cling to the edges of her swords. With one more flourishing twist, she slips the blades back into her coat, one after the other, then she adjusts her coat while turning.

When she turns, it looks really cool. Except until she realizes that there's still plenty of fires going on! Then, she frowns hard-- but it looks like Enoha's on the case!!-- and that's enough for now.

"I see you haven't lost a step, Narukami-kun," she remarks after a moment. "Maybe we should come back tomorrow, when..." You know, less fire and man-eating dogs, and shady characters sneaking off.

The effort of that last assault left Yosuke staggering, with little option but to wave to Jiraiya to bring on the pain from a distance. And indeed, the Persona goes sailing through the air, intent on saving the girls from being tasted! ...Except it suddenly disappears, the Persona bouncing off the ground once in surprise before dematerializing. "...No...", he answers Matsuri with a worried expression. "...no, they're not." For a time he simply stands there, waiting for the surprise attack that doesn't come. Yu seems to have nurse duty under control--wait. Wait wait wait.

It's only then that he finally wanders over, eyes narrowed. "...Fetish? What the hell, man? And what nurse? *You're* the one always sneaking around with a nurse at night!" And old ladies. He doesn't mention the latter because it creeps him out.

"Speaking technically," Shion offers Matsuri as she lowers her gun, re-holstering it and glancing about to check on the conditions of the others, "It's not supposed to be here or talk in the first place, so anything else is just more weirdness on top of that."

She steps towards the group again, though, particularly focused on Aika, even as Yu gives directives. "He's right," she chimes in. "The fewer awkward questions I have to answer about you guys, the easier it's going to be to handle it. Still, thanks for your help. I wasn't expecting to find the thing that easily." She can't do much via putting otu fires, but she /can/ hunt out for clues--which she'll do, but only after, "..Hey," she says to Aika. "Are you all right? I'm with the police, and most of these people," she gestures to Michiru, Yu, Yosuke and company, "Are people you can trust. Don't worry."

"Enoha-san--can you help with her? I need to get to looking for evidence before the others come by and trample all over the scene." She'll do precisely that, pulling out a convenient flashlight and all.

Five hundred and fifty yen comfort Aika slightly, but the beast's taunt is not something that should be suffered for near-minimum wage. Aika's bite marks turn from a wound to a sort of violation; bad enough to be injured, worse to feed a predator. She tugs her sleeve down distractedly, and as the wolf lopes toward her, she steps behind Enoha and places her hands on the police officer's back, shielding herself.

Enough blows hammer the wolf, however, that it never reaches them. Instead, it is driven away. Aika gets on tiptoes to see over Enoha's shoulder, and shudders as she realizes the beast isn't dead, but merely gone. She can't stop worrying yet... or maybe for a long time. "Tell me if you kill that thing, please, Noboriyama-san, Koinose-san," she requests, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Looking to Matsuri, Aika covers her wound again self-consciously. "I am all right. I will take my break early and clean this a little. Thank you for your concern, miss."

Tidying his violin away, the first year feels a blush rise on his cheeks. "Oh -- yeah, sorry about that, I guess I got carried away." Turning to Enoha, he bows his head slightly. "Ryota Kishi. I'm new in town, but if you're from the bookstore I guess I may be around soo-- oh, right, the fires."

He uses some less dramatic and flashy water-work to assist in dealing with that, and then surveys a job well-done. He's satisfied for now, but he's going be sweating for days about how he beat up a flaming dog, pausing to serenade everyone before casually finishing the thing off. That sort of thing gets you ATTENTION, dummy. Then... is that so bad?

"Take your /break/ man, go to a doctor." Miyuu advises. "Take the night off." She's wet but still hungry, and so she'll go claim one of the nearly-fallen bowls of ramen, still hot from having a lid, and crack it open. Sweet steam. Delicious food. Enemy gone forever no repercussions possible.

Of course Miyuu is a little wounded herself, even with some hot phoenix action, but food can help restore some more of that.

"Well... welcome to Inaba. It's kind of weird here. Um." Michiru purses her lips as she looks at Ryota. "I'm going to go get my dinner right quick, so if you have any questions... Say, do you think you could," she points with the kiseru's stem towards the fires, "help out with that a little?"

She then inches over to collect noodles. As Miyuu basically just tilts the bowl back into her gaping maw, Michiru checks quietly, "You're alright? That chain stuff was amazing, did you learn that in Tokyo?"

Aigis pats out fire frmo her clothes. She gives Aika a salute shortly after. Such dedication--such determination!

"Nice to meet you, Kishi-kun!" .... That was quick. He's already a -kun. Allowing Ryota to take over where he feels comfortable, Enoha uses her persona to the same degree, though hers is probably noticably weaker when it comes to magic when compared to Ryota's own. "I'm going to check on the delivery girl and make sure she's okay."

Jogging over to Aika, worried the young woman might just disappear away like that strange persona-user dressed in grey, Enoha frowns at the mention of a 'break'. "Here, let me see if I kept some bandages around from last time. I don't want anything to get infected while you're moving around." Even if she'd prefer to heal Aika directly, this is probably better than making the trauma even more permanent with healing. After finding it, she offers it to Aika- heck, she might even try to bandage the girl herself. "You work hard! You're always going around town- those hills aren't easy to bicycle up and down! Here-" She digs around her purse, takes out a receipt and a pen, then starts writing on it. "Here's my cell phone. Call me if you run into any trouble, dog or no." She offers the piece of paper to Aika. "Anyone trying their hardest to make a buck at your age gets points in my book."

"Oh, I learned that from an ex," Miyuu mutters offhandedly to Michiru's comment. She does grin though. "It is pretty cool huh." Her eyes stray back to Enoha and Ryota. "I mean violence is wrong, stay in school." There may not be a reading high enough for her level of sarcasm.

"Anyway good to meet you Koinose. And you, water-boy. I'm Miyuu Noboriyama." She adds, with maybe a little menace towards the latter half of her sentence.

Kishi helps with, uh, watering the plants as much as he feels is necessary, before the pressure of the evening begins to get to him. This is the first time he's been in quite such a situation and he wasn't sure how he would react, but he didn't expect his musical skills to come into play, or to even be able to do anything of note. No pun intended. He needs to get out of here. Calm himself down. Think about all of this. "YeahItWasGreatToMeetYouAllHopeToSeeYouSoonGottaRunBye!" He says, before making an alarmingly swift exit down the path.

Matsuri's lips thin as Yosuke and Katsuragi confirm that, no, that's not how it's supposed to go. "Yeah, that's true enough," she says to Shion, nodding once. She smothers a laugh when Yosuke starts in on Yu having a nurse fetish (/really/? /Really/), but soon enough she sighs, glancing about for her shades and hat. The hat is salvagable, but the shades... Yeah, she's just going to have to buy a new pair. "I liked these ones, too," she complains, picking up their shattered remains.

Oh well, though. "Sure thing," Matsuri tells Yu, nodding once. The fires ought to get put out, anyway--it'd be big trouble if a wildfire started. She calls forth another Persona from the depths of her soul, calling up Yaksini, then using her earth magic to snuff the remaining flames smokelessly.

...Or, well, she'll do that after she smiles back at Aika. "Matsuri Sakakibashi," she introduces herself; at this point, she doesn't even care. Aika's already seen all the goods (er, so to speak), so why bother trying to go for anonymity? "You can call me Matsuri, Miss...?" She pauses, then nods Miyuu's way. "She's right. You really ought to call out sick for the rest of the night. ...Though, come to think..."

Matsuri pulls out her wallet, fishes out a few yen notes, then offers them to Aika. "Hard workers deserve rewards," she explains, "and I'm sure you don't get paid nearly enough for this nonsense. Think of it as a tip on the paying customers's behalfs."

She doesn't even get a chance to say 'hi' to Ryota before he skedaddles, though. Oh well.

Hearing about an ex slightly reduces Michiru's eye glimmer, but the chains don't lie. "Well shit," she answers, before she starts getting noodles on.

After Ryota slinks off she asides, between bites of high-calcium broth and sips of delicious noodle, "You didn't have to growl at him, haha, jeez."

Miyuu's phone breep-breeps with a text message that cannot be shared, exactly during 'You didn't have to growl at him, haha, jeez.'

Aika submits to having her arm bandaged; though she's always uncomfortable being served rather than serving, she doesn't know anything about medicine. "Thank you," she says, directing it at distant Aigis as well for the inexplicable salute. "The hills here aren't so bad, though, it gets much worse further out of town." She looks at Enoha's phone number, dumbfounded. "Um, what do you do for a living, Koinose-san?"

Then there's Matsuri. "Pleased to meet you," Aika says with a slight bow. "I am Aika Nakamura." She is aghast at Matsuri's twin suggestions. "Um, I can't call out sick, we have too many deliveries tonight because of the dog attacks. I'll take my break for sure, though," she negotiates. She gets a half-hour if her shift is six hours or longer, which it is tonight, by a hair. She raises her hands to the level of her chest, as if surrendering somewhat halfheartedly, but it's a defensive motion. "No, I really can't take that, you didn't even order anything, and it's our policy not to take tips. But I am honored by your generosity, and I would love to see you in Aiya Cafe sometime; if you wish to repay me, you should order dessert too."

"Good to meet you, Noboriyama-chan! Thanks for helping out!" Also a -chan. "I work at the Yomenaido bookstore," she replies to Aika and Miyuu before finishing the bandage. "There. Now you don't have to worry about it. Probably should wash it good, and put some ointment on it though, when you can." It's probably... just better to not keep up the lie. "I often work late at the Yomenaido- if you're off and around at that hour and are feeling unsafe, let me know and I can escort you home. Safety in numbers and all that."

That dog may Remember Aika for later, but at least if she's with Enoha Enoha can hold the fiend off and call for backup.

It's then that Enoha... stupidly realizes that Matsuri is the singer from that Rise concert she watched. "Oh, I remember you now- you're that singer." She tries to hum some bars from one of the songs, for better or worse. A decent voice cannot help memory. "I didn't realize you had a persona as well." Rise, being one of those extra sensitive types of persona users, probably knew, but did Matsuri knew Rise was one as well?

Miyuu is not a =chan. She is like. Old and bitter. She hunches her shoulders. Bookstore. Books. Reading. "Michiru let's go." She instructs. "Uh, good to meet you all." She adds, before putting her sidecar scarf back on. She left the bowl.

Matsuri smiles ruefully at Aika's protest against going home early, but if she didn't take her job seriously, then Matsuri wouldn't have tried to offer her a tip in the first place. ...which apparently she's not allowed to take, which is a shame. "Oh, is that so, Nakamura-san? Well, since you insist..." The songstress returns her money and puts her wallet away, then nods at Aika's alternate suggestion, grinning at the talk of dessert. "I'll have to do that sometime, then~."

Recognition on Enoha's part draws Matsuri's attention her way; this is around when she starts actually summoning Personas to put out fires. "Ahh, you were at that benefit concert?" She smiles at Enoha's attempt to hum, then croons, "o/` Far away... are those days... where we laughed innocently~..." It's all everyone will get as far as a free performance goes, though if anyone's heard Matsuri on the radio, her voice is certainly recognizable. "'Ice King.' Did you enjoy the performance? ...Well, I guess right now isn't the best time to discuss that. But yes, I've got a Persona. And you are?"

Michiru finishes off her noodles, setting her bowl down as well and giving Miyuu a faintly concerned glance. Then again, she's got a point to be nervous around cops, for better or worse. "Sure," she says, pausing for a moment as she adjusts her jacket to give Yuzuriha and Aigis a brief farewell. Then, on the bike, warm it up, and pull out into the road.

For a moment she weighs asking 'so why are you in a hurry'. But that feels confrontational, she muses. So instead, after a couple of km back towards town and house, she says, "/Isn't that weird/?? I wonder if this is going to happen more often."

Waitresses are very good listeners. "A what? A persona?" Aika interjects alertly. That's an English word, and she only vaguely understands it, but she kind of thought that a persona was the sort of thing /everyone/ had. "What is a persona?"

Poor Miyuu! If only she knew the degree to which Enoha's -chans and -kuns will go!

"Haha, no need for a performance; you've just handled a hellhound for all we know." Enoha waves her hands palm-up. "I'm Enoha Koinose. I work at the Yomenaido bookstore in Inaba."

Looking to Aika, Enoha frowns, her brow deep in thought. Should she lie or should she be truthful? .... Then again, if she runs into that dog again... "I only say this in case that dog meant it was going to come back. We have special powers- really specific. We use them to try to help people, though... ah, we're not superheroes or anything. I'd say it's akin to how you devote yourself to your work, because that's just what you need to do. Everyone has special things they can do. Ah," she stalls. "Don't mention this to anybody, okay? This is one of those things we don't want people to know about- I mean, I just want to live my life normally. In fact, if you keep it a secret... I'll try to get Aiya exclusive rights to the meetings I go to!"

She's not about to explain D4. Heck, she used to think D4 was just a bunch of cops in the know, mainly from Inaba but from other areas. But it's actually bigger than that...?

Aika's eyes are wide and credulous. Does she actually believe that, or does she just want more customers? Even she can't say for sure, but on the other hand, she can't muster a single good reason not to other than pure inertia. Certainly she believes that everyone here except her had magical powers, because at this point it would be hard not to believe that. And they did use them to protect her.

"All right," Aika agrees. "I won't tell anyone. They wouldn't believe me anyway, right?" She doesn't smile. "I... should get going. It's good to meet you, Koinose-san, and I look forward to seeing you at Aiya." Aika excuses herself with a bow, and starts collecting the bowls, including the one Yosuke threw at the wolf. It's going to be a long shift, worrying about a wolf every time she delivers.