Quinn wanted to let Cassiopeia take over the battle from Normandie as soon as they were both back on the lighthouse platform, but both the afterimages of the Mean Look the Haunter had given them, not to mention the glare that Normandie had given Quinn (perhaps even sensing Quinn’s hesitation?) meant that Normandie remained in the fight. She was no longer confused, at least, so that was a good omen. “Things will be easier if you take the fight to it!” Quinn said, as if that was not already Normandie’s preference. Not that the Haunter made things particularly easy. Even in her rage, Normandie was careful not to attack the boy directly -- perhaps that was Quinn’s influence going the other way -- but the Haunter was using that fact to its advantage, integrating the boy’s positioning into its patterns of dodging and weaving. Even though Normandie was not physically getting more injured, Quinn could tell that this effort was taxing for her, even more than usual. She would never admit it, but she was panting, and her lunges were getting slower. She had the Haunter’s accursed tongue to think about as well. Just because it was on the defensive did not mean it was not dangerous. After one dodge too many, though, Normandie’s annoyance overtook her exhaustion. She found herself directly under the Haunter, hovering just outside of her maximum jump height, laughing at her futile attempts to reach it, when Normandie started to glow purple. Her Pursuit launched her into the air at a much faster pace -- a higher jump than the Haunter (and even Quinn) was expecting -- and she collided directly with the Haunter. When she landed, she snarled, a fire in her eyes despite her reduced stamina. At the same time, it became clear that such an assault would not work a second time. Normandie had hit the Haunter, yes, a strong, clean blow, but the Haunter was no longer just going to hover at the edge of some radius again. Worse, it had not actually wiped the smile off of the Haunter’s face, and it seemed to taunt Normandie some more by sticking its tongue out – one more licking motion. Normandie snarled back, but paused, seemingly realizing exactly where on the lighthouse platform she had landed. She glared up at the Haunter, yes, but looked at the boy, then at Quinn, and, in one swift moment, ran over and snatched one of their berry pouches, dragging it along with her.

Well it'll be a shorter one, closing nominations Will put up Round 1 either tomorrow or Saturday.

mostly for the psychic damage these days