Season 35, Week 5
Rosa Harvey
(Final Fantasy IV)
 
It's almost over. These past few matches have been a true test of Rosa's capabilities and resources, but she's passed each one with the splendid ease of a talented healer. Now, the final barrier between her and a championship is the failed dragon, Ryu the First. He's got a lot at stake here - a championship for the final member of the Dragon clan to grace the arena. But that's hardly a reason to give the victory to him, and there's no way he'll steal it from her! Rosa possesses frighteningly powerful damage in her Holy spell, and her variety of statuses easily disable the poor kid if he tries to wait on his transformation into the fearsome Rudra - but even when transformed, the barrage of Holy spells will smash through his defenses easily. Furthermore, the poor kid's damage will have problems against her buffs. While Rosa may pity Ryu's plight to some extent, if he wants the victory, he'll need to be able to defeat her - something she won't allow!

V

S

Do you know what it's like being the weakest of your kind? Being the only one who's power is not ranked among the gods? The only one who has no championship to your name? Ryu the first knows all about it. But that's all going to change now. The only things standing between him and the Heavy belt needed to finally unite the Ryu line as champions all, is a frail healer. Sure, Rosa has lots of healing and some decent defensive spells, but defense alone won't win you a match. Her brutal status is worthless against the draconic immunity of Rudra, while her only offensive spell can't kill the sturdy dragonboy in only one or two shots. But that isn't the case for Ryu's attacks. With his superior speed and powerful breath attacks, he will keep up such pressure on the Baron healer that she'll never have time to attack, constantly healing so that the next hit won't kill. But eventually, her magic will run out, and Ryu can keep his dragon form indefinitely...


Taishyr
Rosa nodded at the young dragon-child who climbed up onto the platform a few minutes before the fight was supposed to begin. "It is good to see you. I wish you luck in this fight, Ryu. Nina speaks very highly of you."

Two weeks before the match. Ryu and Nina. Alone, together. The beaches of some DL-related world. Close together. Nina depressed. "Sorry that I can't come to the match." Pause, confusion, silence. "The White Mage's Convention is holding its annual meeting. Even the Summoner Yuna's giving a speech, and the organizer, Ronfar, he's asked me to give one, too. I can't afford to miss this chance." Understanding, regret. Almost a smirk on her face, but surely just a sad smile? "Take care, and win this for me. I didn't lose just to see you lose... After I return, perhaps we can settle our lover's quarrel in the traditional way of lovers..." A wink, and that smile, that half-smirk again...

Ryu nodded, seeming a bit preoccupied. Rosa hesitated, then continued, "She also sends her love and her luck to you. She added that you would need it. Perhaps a bit overconfident of her, but..."

That smile, like her smile in bed... bewitching, tricking... beguiling... like the incident with the water balloons or Gobi sitting in their bed as retaliation for the burnt food incident... heh, he had missed that smile, truth be told...

Rosa nodded slightly. He seemed drowsy. That would make things easier on her. "She also has a message for you."

That got the young man's attention. He looked up, quite curious. Off to the side, at the limits of her perception, Ghaleon bellowed, "Begin!"

"Hold!"

As the word leapt from Rosa's lips, the young man locked up like a statue, in an expression of half-shock. Rosa walked over and gave him a smile, wicked in its length.

The smile of someone who cares for you... loves you... and has a plan...

"She lost so she could see you lose to me." Rosa whispered in his ear, clearly enjoying herself. "We stick up for each other, no matter what."

As the barrages of Holy began cascading down his frame, his only thought was that of an endless, cursing litany,

NEVER TRUST A WHITE MAGE!

...oh well, at least home life will be normal again after this...

Rosa Harvey: 44
Ryu: 42