Elite Four Aftermath - In The Blizzard's Wake

[bravenewmods]

The warriors of Union fought hard, and in the end, victory was their reward. Seeing the battle lost, the fanatics of the Elite Four fled into the night, those that were not killed or captured of course. Sveta was nowhere to be seen, nor was her mysterious companion, and as its rage was reaching its peak, the mighty Dragon simply vanished in a blaze of energy, recalled by its trainer but not before slamming the mysterious red dragon into another tower for good measure.

As quickly as they had come, the gods of Union vanished, leaving behind the ruined, devastated city. What was once panic has subsided to a quiet shock and horror as the dead and wounded are gathered and people try to find out what was damaged and if their family and friends are still among the living.

While the damage is great, the defenders of Union can take heart in the fact that it could have been much, much worse. The habitat suffered a major blow with a great hole blasted into it, but it is otherwise undamaged and salvageable. The forge likewise had one smithy station destroyed from a divine claw smite, but is otherwise unscathed. The signal tower took moderate damage from the initial attack, but it is reparable, given time. The biggest toll, however, is on that of the people. The Residential District, as well as parts of the Entertainment district lie in tatters. Several towers are gutted, and a few even fell completely, many of the citizens inside them trapped and unable to escape. In all, the death toll numbers around 700, with at least 1,000 wounded, and is expected to rise as rescuers desperately comb the wreckage in search of survivors. Never before has Union lost so many of its citizens, never before has such suffering and violence come to Union. People are afraid, they are angry, but, in the true spirit of Union, they are banding together. The City of Union has survived. But it will never be the same.

Comments

[soulofmagus]

There's a Look that very clearly reads 'you're not helping', even as Sophia straightens further, looking less relaxed and more like a statue as any hint of her earlier good humour slowly vanishes with the continued line of conversation. It was difficult enough being unable to use a warp band to better communicate with her pokémon allies and provide reassurance after the events of the past few days. She didn't need someone to disagree with her on top of that - and it wasn't like Ymir would thank him for siding with him regardless.

"I wasn't aware an amiable conversation with a stranger automatically made us friends." She's not cold, exactly, but it's clear that someone's point was received very very clearly - and whatever annoyance she feels is being carefully swept behind a mask of polite conversation. (Annoyance with him, for deciding to muddle matters? Or with herself, for having been long enough in a situation where such trust was automatically given thanks to the culture that was Union? ..Hard to say.) Sliding off the wall, there's a half-hearted swipe at her pants to wipe away dust, and the bulbasaur beside her snorts awake, made aware of her movement.

"As it was, I wouldn't trouble anyone to make such a promise. It's not my place - and even if it were, wouldn't someone making such a promise upfront simply make them more suspect?"

[smitesevil]

Sanger is obviously the most helpful person. If you need something hit very hard with a sword. In all other matters, the overly serious blockhead is more of a crapshoot, but even he can tell when he's annoyed someone when she's making so little effort to hide it.

"You're right. We are not friends." He rises to his full height, seemingly unperturbed. There weren't very many people Sanger would consider his true friends anyway, even if he would grant anyone on the side of good a certain level of courtesy.

"Feel free to suspect me, then. I'm hardly in a position to stop you." He's also a person who doesn't seem to particularly care what most people think of him, as long as they don't keep him from doing his job. It really won't help his case here, especially with the Honedge who's already inclined to hate him, but what's a man to do?

"In the end, actions are the only way to prove anything."

[soulofmagus]

At 5'9", Sophia is not the shortest woman in the world, but she's easily dwarfed by Sanger. She doesn't appear intimidated by this - or, if she is, Sophia is better at hiding it, staring back up at him impassively.

Her brows furrow very slightly at his words. Actions are the only way to prove anything. Then, her gaze drops away, momentarily distracted as she turns to pick up the pidove still napping on the wall. "You're right," she murmurs, tipping the statement over in her head, before carefully adjusting the bundle of snoring feathers in her arms and turning back to him. Her expression softens, the slightest smile touching her lips.

"Thank you, for risking your life to fight that dragon."

Her point made, she graceful bows her head, then turns on her heel. "Good night, Mr Zonvolt." Ymir may radiate a certain smugness once she's in the Honedge's range, but Sophia hopes at least that it's clear that she doesn't suspect Sanger, whatever he says.

[smitesevil]

Sanger's not trying to intimidate anyone, so he's thankful for that much at least. When he wants to scare people, he fully intends to leave them good and frightened for the rest of their short lives.

"I don't do what I do for gratitude, but you're welcome regardless." He nods with a small smile. He's not nearly so heartless as to blow her off completely, at least.

"Good night, Miss Nate." Sanger follows up, not quite moving from his spot just yet. For one thing, there's only one way down the hill. It would be rather silly for them to say their goodbyes then end up heading in the same direction.