Howling Cliffs

"Trying to start a fight, are we? I wouldn't mind helping you blow off some steam."

Nora chuckles. "Well, that wasn't quite what I had in mind... But that does sound more fun."

"Go ahead. And don't worry about holding back, dear, I've been around the block a time or two."

"Oh, I expect you'll kick my ass quite handily... Though, you should choose your phrases more carefully. That one's very unladylike, you know."

"I've never been accused of being too prim and proper." Glowing golden-white chakrams appear beside Mareena. She snatches them out of the air and shifts into a defensive posture. She seems to be preparing something.

Nora flies up into the air and casts Spring Deluge.

Springs shoot out of the ocean and splash Mareena, the water collecting unnaturally in a small area. A bead of light flies out of Mareena's chest, spiraling up into the air the strike Nora. She tries to weave out of the way, but the orb just keeps following. But when it hits, the impact is barely a mild annoyance compared to some of the attacks Nora's seen. Mareena shifts into a different stance, arms spread wide as if purposefully leaving herself open. "Let's try something else, hm?"

Nora hesitates for a moment, wondering if it's a trap, her inexperience showing. Then she commits to her attack, flying in a circle around Mareena, turning the particles in the air to ice. "Let's see how you like this one, then! Diamond Dust!"

Mareena stops for a moment before Nora stomps on her face. She goes rolling backwards with a grunt of pain. A second later, there's a bright flash of light and Mareena seems to teleport back into place at Nora's feet. The ice crystals covering her body and the mark on her face have completely disappeared. "Oh, so this is the type of girl you are, is it...? I'd say I'm surprised you're into that sort of thing, but that would make me a liar." Mareena shifts into an aggressive stance.

Nora grins. "You know me so well already. How cute." She backs off from Mareena, flying a bit away, and summons a Krakken in between her and Mareena.

Mareena starts charging towards Nora. "Oh, why are you running off? Not afraid of a little intimacy, are we?" The squid appears, but she runs right past it, tentacles whipping into her side. "Oh, I'd hate to be grabbed by that thing..." She tosses her chakrams in an arc as she runs. Nora leans back as one grazes past her face, the other bouncing off her stomach before vanishing and reappearing in Mareena's hand. She continues to chase after Nora.

"Really? I'd love to see the expression on your face, dangling from my krakken..." Nora raises her hand and casts Eldritch Blast at Mareena, still playing keep away.

Nora launches a ball of tendrils at Mareena. She charges through and keeps running, right until one of the loose tendrils wraps around legs and sends her flying. The kraken wastes no time obeying its master, seizing her by the waist, coiling down to her ankles, and hoisting her into the air. "Whoops," Mareena says innocently. "Oh, well, thanks for the lift!" Upside-down, she winds back and hurls her chakrams at Nora. The throw is wide and passes well behind Nora. Too late she notices the thin, golden strands trailing behind them. They brush her legs and the chakrams' path changes, wrapping the cords around her thighs. Mareena gives a tug and jerks Nora towards her, holding her in place. "There, now we're both stu-" The kraken flails its tentacle, dragging Nora along with Mareena. She laughs as you swing around together.

Nora grins madly. It is a grin that is more than a little unhinged. "You underestimate my desire to win, dear." Nora will make her Kraken self destruct, in order to cast Eldritch Cannon point blank at Mareena. Probably catching herself in the blast too.

The kraken flashes for a moment, then explodes. Nora feels the shock from the blast, but it's obvious Mareena took a much harder hit as bits of her armor break off. The entangled pair go flying, only for another flash to erupt from Mareena. A moment later, the two are floating back where they had been a moment ago. Mareena, her most recent injuries gone again, opens her mouth. "Uh- whoops." With the kraken gone, gravity takes hold and the two go falling into the shallow water, the cords of light tightening around them as they land with a loud splash. Mareena, stuck against Nora, continues giggling. "Oh, this has been fun. But, winning? Whyever would you want that?"

"Why wouldn't I?" Nora counters. Then she also bursts into giggles. "But you're right, this has been very fun. What's with that weird magic of yours, hm? Are you rewinding time or something?"

"Why, didn't I already tell you? The idea of time magic is utterly ridiculous! I'm just half-phoenix."

Nora blinks, actually caught off guard for once. "You're... half-phoenix? Like... The mythical fire bird that symbolizes eternity? One of your parents is a phoenix?"

"Is? Not quite. Was. Or... maybe I'm just-" She tugs the cord wrapped around Nora's thigh. "-pulling your leg?"

Nora giggles again. "You are an absolute delight, dear. Well? What do you think? Of my magic, I mean. Do I have potential, hm?"

"You've got exceptional control of what you do already know. Once you get some more experience, you'll be a force to be reckoned with. And so bold, stomping on someone you barely know like that." With some difficulty, she picks the two of you up, still tangled in the net. "Though perhaps I shouldn't speak of boldness after doing something like this."

Nora grins, bursting into a fit of giggles again. "Oh, I think we're pretty even in boldness... Not that I'm complaining, mind."

The strands fade, though Mareena doesn't bother stepping back. "Now, then. The next step for you, I think, is getting your hands on some new equipment. Has anyone explained how?"

Nora shakes her head. "I've gathered enough to know we can make equipment from monster materials, but I don't know how."

"It's easy enough, sweetie. Your Soul Key handles the heavy lifting, the hard part is gathering enough materials. You need five of the same item as the base, then you can add three other pieces to modify it. Place them next to your key and envision what sort of thing you're trying to make, and that's that. As for getting the materials... I can provide a blessing to help, but you'll still need to take down some monsters to gather what you need. I'd suggest you ask a handful of people and make a day of it. Ah, and naturally different materials will make radically different gear, so think about what sort of thing you want." Mareena stops to stretch. "Ah, that's much better. That fall was..."

"Fun?" Nora finishes, grinning. She also stretches. "What kind of equipment, hm... Something that helps improve my water magic, I suppose. Preferrably something sexy or elegant. Or both."

"Until you all find somewhere else, this would be the best place to search for water-aspected materials. As for the sexy-elegant bit... that would be a matter of opinion, I suppose."

"I do seem to recall one of the girls saying they were trying to gather materials for a swimsuit here, after the rescue mission... Well, as much as I'd love to spend some time monster hunting with you, I'm not going to make the same mistake they did."

"The Otherworld can be dangerous no matter where you go."

"Of course, which is why when I go hunting, I'll bring plenty of backup and make sure our shiny new communications officer knows exactly where we're going, how long we'll be gone, and when to send reinforcements if we aren't back."

"As expected of Nora."

Nora grins. "Strategy is kinda my thing, you know. Well! I'd call this a productive outing. Ready to go back, hm?"

"Unless you're planning to take a cheap shot and stomp on my back when I turn around."

Nora's grin widens. "Don't tempt me."

The two of you head back through the portal. The shift from the warm, mid-day beach to the cold night is jarring.

Nora pauses for a moment. "So? Ever make a decision about my offer to head back to my place?"

Mareena tilts her head in thought. "Hmmmm..." She leans in, raises up, and gives you a kiss. After a few seconds she draws back. "Maybe next time."