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The Lilypads (16) : You can find them in lakes, ponds, reservoirs, and waterways throughout Destiny City. Giant lilypads--some large enough to support the weight of a person--appear overnight. You can try, if you want. It's become a local trend, and pictures are all over social media--of people looking for the largest lilypads, or the smallest ones they can stand on. You'd think the unnatural bubbling around the lilypads would be enough of a sign not to mess with them, but sometimes people need to learn the hard way. Beneath the lilypads lurk strange frog-like creatures that regard nearly everything as prey. The largest of them are roughly the size and shape of a bean bag chair, but they can be as small as a fist. Their broad heads are crowned with lilypads that serve as natural camouflage, allowing them to hide among the floating vegetation until they strike. They move with startling speed and can launch themselves impressive distances with powerful kicks. Long, whip-like tongues lash out to snatch prey, while thick mucus-like saliva can cling to skin, clothing, and even immobilize unfortunate victims. Their skin carries a toxic coating that can cause irritation on contact. The creatures announce themselves with a deep croak that sounds uncannily like a large bell being rung just by your ears. Unfortunately, for anyone that was respecting nature, these strange creatures are aggressive and will also attack without provocation, often attempting to drive even innocent bystanders away from the water's edge. However, if sufficiently threatened, they may retreat into the water. Once submerged, they become impossible to track.

Note: If you choose to encounter one of these frog-like creatures, your character will recognize they are not youma. It is impossible to tell if it is a single entity or if there are many. The creature does not seem to understand or care to listen to human words. All toxic and mucus can be washed away, but effects may persist for a few hours after this encounter. The creature cannot be killed and will always evade lethal blows. While it is rare to find multiple large creatures in the same vicinity, smaller creatures often cluster together, or may be found with a larger one. This RP can be used as a battle requirement as long as there are two powered characters involved; you must be interacting with another player’s powered character. This does not count as the one youma battle per stage for growth. This can only be used as a battle requirement once per character, but there is no limitation for how many times a player can use this prompt.[/quopte]

Sailor Gagarin was walking in the park near where Pop! was going toi open to keep the space clear. RheStar Festival breought strange things in the street and one of those was, this year... Floating lilypads.

It didn't help Gagarin was patrolling because he'd been ambuished and wanted to finish destroying an agent because he was a petty, vindictive monster with no compassion for his enemies. No to him this was proportionate., And even if he was a basic who could lose he was going to rain hell on her doomed head until she begged mercy or see if any street food vendors would serve a weirdo in a tunic that had a cowl resembling... A lilypad.

Either one was fine really.

The Squallsenshi watched the floating liluypads and tilted his head. HE felt hios fuku was stylish, despite what some thought. Maybe lilypads had something fashion-wise.

Interesting.

Oh, she had not powered enough. He? They. Ally, or, Afon Wysg, was so damn tired of questioning. They just never felt cxonfident in a gender, and imposter syndrome was abitch. But.

Binding felt nice at least, for their mental state. And a pronounchange was so recent still, even if in the past couple years. In their tiny home with Minkar and...

Afon shook their head, walking rhreeough the park. Tonight, they patrolled with another, weilding their stick, which was really a branch of elder their size, like their SCA heavy fighting staff. Oh, they mastered a sword, but theior character took a staff too now, claiming to seek more options if needed. Really, it was to train without saying it for Afon. And Afon? Had not gone iun not handling a staff in the SCA,and they now carried it expertly. They wondered if other styaff knights used the same weapon in a proper capacity of if they just... Bonked with it. Given nobody started with training in this stupid magic thing Afon wasn't surprised if they were rare. They spun the branch - staff - oince like a flag line performer spinning their flag, and looked, spying a senshi, and lit up, tugging their companion's arm.

"We nmight get a third for patrol tonight. CXover more ground." Afon noted, excitedly. New friend!

"Minkar knows, Mom!" Afon lit up, bounding to the other Earth knight and affording her a massive hug brightly. "Minkar's at home playing Valheim I think. Unsure." But it was a night off Afon was glad their partner got,. and they stretched. "Besides, I've been practicing enough staff at Heavy Fighting practice I feel confident,." No jokes or digs at that wooden spook here. Ally knew what it was capable of. And Afon Wtsg didn't dare deride their wonderful Mom anyhows.

They loved her way too much.

Sailor Gagarin looked over, startlked byothers and, noting Order voiuces, approached. Slow,cautiously -- but friendly as he approached slowly, shyly, watching the pair a distance away. Visible, but not disruptivelyclose, lips parted in silent awe.

A moptyher-chikld powered pair? And...

He took a hesitant step closer, shy.

"Apoklogiues for interrupting but... Families.. Can power together? And... Get along well?" He asked, feeling pathetic for how smallk he sounded.

AfonWysg looked, and recognized the look iunstantly. They'd worn it too when meeting their mom, and shifted, nodded, and motioned, knowing full well this senshi was in for a fussing.

"Yeah. C'monover, we doin't biute." They rumbled gladly. Gagarinb perked, and crept over, curiously, as Afon silently counted down to their mother entering mother mode and, well... Adopting someone new on the spot.over her adopted child? Yes. Yes, she was.

[/quote

"Mom, we all biute in this family when threate3ned." Afon joked drykly, Gagariun was syrprusedm kustebubg,

"I bite too. Same reasons. OR if someone threatens others." He admitted. He tilted his head at their names.

"I'm Sailor Gagarin, Senshgi of Squealls..."A pause.

"So... Kildaire? the English formof CilDare from Ireland? and..." And Gagariubncxrossed his eyes.

"Welsh luitter crimnes."

"You understand."Afonadmitted. "But yeah. Gagariun..."Apause. They motioned. "Like theCosmonaut? Nice." Afonmotioned, looking to Kildaire. "I'll let Minkar know to keep an eyeoutfor him too,Mom,when they patrol."Afon nodded,indicative. Asilent IU think thisoneis huirt. Then Gagarin processed, relaxing.

"I'dd.. Like to join you. My usual teammates are busy." HJepaused again, insecure. "Wait, they? You're finewith..." Hemotioned. "Non-traditional gender? My oparenbts tried tofixme before they died.Car wreck." Gagarin shrugged slowly. "Don't ask how. You won't klike it."

"....Fix. Right, sending Minbkar a message now."Afon huffed, fussing. Gagarin lookedconfuysed.

"Why?" He asked. Afon arched a brow.

"Trust me, it's a good thing., Soare you in the SCA?" Afon asked. Gagarin blinked.

"Nio, why?" He looked between the Earth knights,conmfused, curious.Afon was writing to send a "text" viasignet ring. Bless magic paper to text.

"You knowwhatIrish should be and of Welsh letterand spelling stuff withbout marblemouth." Afon noticed. "Not a good tell but." Ashrug. Gagarin paused.

"No? I've just... Been to Europe... Several times?" Apause. "My family business requires travel for suppliers." Gagarin blinked.Afon's penalmost snapped as they looked up, wide eyued.

"LUCKY!" Afgonadmitted. "I'd love to take my om, at least, to the UK area--"Afon began. Gagarin tilted his head, as if this were normal, and...

"I'd be happy to pay for that if you wanted? You seem like good people." No expectation. Same faction. So.... He offered his finances just to help. "Trust me. I have too much cashg. In facxt I'd feel better helping people whom might not have an easy time--"

And then, from under the lilypads nearby, a pink tongue shot out, snatching Afon's pencil, the knight senmding the incomplete text, then spinning, drawing their staff.

"What the unholy--"

Gagarin spoun beside them, fists forming viciously.

"I... It's under the lilkypads!" He warned. And then....

Ribbeat.

Low. Ominous. A massive froig sound, and no sense a youma was opresenbt.