ari & celia (+ special fiery guest) vs. rafflesia & maboro
Celia had never heard this song, but now obviously wasn’t the time to ask questions and stuff. Instead, she fought through the heaviness and nausea - made seriously better by Ari’s song - and started off towards the street. There really wasn’t anything else she could do, and getting to a fighter or a mage seemed like the best plan right now. If they could find someone who could take the giant plant thing out, then maybe they’d walk away with some scratches.
And scratches were better than being dead.
There was one very quick and easy solution to the problem -- he was quite vocal about it -- but if Ari had had a list of people she didn’t want knowing her secrets, the would-be apprentice would reside near the top. Fortunately, she wasn’t entirely stupid, and managed to scramble out of the way, and Ari attempted to follow suit, but there was an eerie ululating cry from the plant -- how in the world did a plant make such a noise? -- and before they could turn the corner, a malboro came slithering around it, clearly intent on them.
Ari did stop playing then, long enough to cast her eyes about for a fire escape -- thank Ajora, there was one -- and call, “Up! Go up, don’t you dare turn around --”
The plant slammed into her again and she grunted, but before it could hit her once more, she dove out of the way, towards the fire escape, already humming as quickly as she could. By the time she landed, her image wavered and was gone, melting away into invisibility. She pressed herself against the wall and tried to breathe slowly. If the girl could just get herself out of the way, she could resolve this easily enough, but as long as she hung back on the fourth rung of the staircase, all Ari could do was attempt to buy time, and she really didn’t want to reveal herself again as a target.
Celia didn’t have to be told twice; as soon as Ari disappeared - and man did she need to learn that song - she climbed as quickly as she could, out of the grasp of the other ugly plant that had showed up, and practically threw herself on to the roof. There was a door that presumably led to the top floor, and Celia threw it open, closing it behind her. Unless something came up the stairs, this was the best place to hide for now.
Except that if she stayed hidden, Ari wouldn’t be able to find her. And then she wouldn’t know if this was over or not. Well, damn. It wasn’t like plants could climb, could they? She opened the door and peeked out in time to see a green tendril rooting its way along the roof. Quickly, she shut the door.
She’d hear Ari, she told herself. And then she’d come out.