Freezing Mall! (Ami and Haruka thread)

[Liddo-kun]

Haruka blinks curiously, just catching Viluy's reaction.  She makes a motion to ask her what's wrong, but is left minus any answers as she bounds away.

Mental note: ask about that later.

"Thanks for holding that, Ami," she says in thanks, taking the Sword back from the girl.  "Don't fall behind," she calls over her shoulder as she follows after Viluy.

On catching up to her lately cuddly, yet now puzzling partner, Haruka places a hand on her shoulder.  "Slow down there," she tells Viluy a bit worriedly, but still with her usual cheer.  "We don't know what's waiting for us ahead so we have to stay together."

[Anastasia]

Even through your boots you feel the cold of the ice you now stand on, seepign in and chilling you from the soles up. Viluy shifts a bit at your hand, notably but softly moving a bit away.

"Yeah," she nods, shaking her head mildly before turning to you. She looks focused on business now.

[Liddo-kun]

Haruka remains quiet a moment, frowning slightly at how Viluy pulls away from her.  The ice is a present and palpable sensation, but a minor thing in the forefront of her mind as she asks, "Is something wrong?"

[Anastasia]

Another damnable pause before Viluy replies, of course, one that tears at you like a greatsword. "No, I'm fine." With that, she lifts her voice a bit higher. "I just want to finish this."

And think....God, I have so much to think about today....and there's still Miss Nakahime to go...

"We also need to hurry for Miss Nakahime's sake." With that final comment, she turns and waits for the others.

[Liddo-kun]

Haruka's lips thin just noticeably as an indicator of how the reply sits with her.  "I'm never going to know what you're really thinking if you don't say anything..." she says softly, with a touch of sadness, as she brushes past Viluy on her way to inspect the entryway.

[Bean Bandit]

Ami frowns, shaking her head. She hasn't seen anything, exactly, but there's a vague sense of the mood of the party becoming more serious. She glances at Cypriene and Ptilol nervously before traversing the distance herself.

Somehow, I have the feeling I missed something important... she sighed inwardly.

[Anastasia]

Ptilol returns the look but lets it lie, frowning slightly in the direction of Viluy and Haruka. Artemis is aided across by the Twins, whom fly over the leaping distance and land lightly. On being put down, Artemis goes right to the edge of the tower, looking down.

"Ami, come here. I think I saw someone moving down there."

[Bean Bandit]

Ami moves over beside Artemis, glad to not have to ponder why the mood of the little group has just gone slightly sour. Following his gaze over the edge, she looks for what he's seen with her visor scans on full.

"Do you think it was...her?" Ami wonders, peering into the pseudo-starlit gloom.

[Anastasia]

There's just enough light below to see...you can see what appears to be various ice statues, as well as a woman a bit away. Long black hair, but it's hard to tell anything else. But she's notably unfrozen, which is a step up from par. Your visor reads her life signs, strong and glowing with chi. That's quite a step up from a normal person, as a matter of fact. It's noting she's talented...

"Know her, Ami," Artemis asks, gazing down. "If she resisted being frozen or came into here...she could be in great danger.."

[Bean Bandit]

"I don't recognize her." Ami admits. "But I really can't from here. All I can tell is she's full to nearly overflowing with life energy..." Ami bites her lip. "Should we try to stop her?"

[Anastasia]

Haruka - Stairs below lurks, slightly steep and winding against the wall. It's dark inside, and you don't see anything of note from how far you can see. Looks as safe as icy stairs are going to be safe.

Ami -

You hear footsteps as the Twins come over, jostling slightly to see as well. "If she's not Celcia, we should at least make sure she's alright. And if she can help..." The Mau shrugs. "Let's talk to her, at the least. She might be a trap, too, but...."

[Liddo-kun]

Haruka takes the initiative and walks through the entrance then pauses to look over her shoulder at the others.  "We won't get anywhere by just standing around.  Besides, if nothing else, this'll gets us closer to the source of this all," she says with a firm look.  "Keep your eyes open and let's be careful though," Haruka adds at Artemis' point.

[Anastasia]

As Haruka speaks and you watch below, you see the woman charge forward, towards the castle and ice statues! A swing of a glowing blade appearing in her hands severs one statue with ease, combat joined swiftly.

[Bean Bandit]

Ami's eyes widen, and she checks her computer for the number of opponents the woman is facing. "Well, she appears to be able to take care of herself..."

[Anastasia]

There are...quite a few statutes down there, 32 in total here and there. They aren't all in the immediate area of her, though, and there may be more inside.

Artemis nods, but glances down again and frowns. "Cyprine? Ptilol? Could you go down there and make sure she doesn't get herself killed?"