[center][h2]Arcadia[/h2]
[sub]Outside the Survey Initiative HQ[/sub][/center]
[@tex][@Unfortunately]
[hr]

     Sulfrax wasn't exactly waiting for anyone in particular as he stood outside the Survey HQ. He just wanted to see who they had decided to put on the team. Maybe try to force off anyone who he didn't think should be there at all. He was on leave, but usually a good bit of intimidation would suddenly give people other obligations. Maybe he'd be put back on if he just scared everyone else who was capable away. Then again, [i]he[/i] wasn't supposed to be out there either. [color=lightcoral][i]As long as I'm not working on it I'm just behaving as a casual observer. Whatever they react to because of my presence is on their heads.[/i][/color] That was his reasoning, that he was not going to interfere unless he wanted to interfere. Brilliant.

     Their meeting didn't last long. Whoever CMAS decided to put at the helm of this operation must have been very cut-to-the-chase. Good. He liked that, unless he felt like talking about something important for awhile. He glanced over to the door as Yvette and Karida began stepping through. Two women. Both definitely younger than him, although he looked about their age himself. Didn't recognize either of them, and all of this added up to him being annoyed. He barely bothered to let them walk out of the door before he began speaking. [color=lightcoral]"You two are the ones replacing my mission, then. I wonder why?"[/color] He didn't give so much as a reason. He just asked the question regardless as soon as he thought they could hear them. And at least one of them would. Yvette had to have known she was replacing an infamous Arch Mage, and while she didn't defer to him, his reputation went before him; powerful, cold, impulsive, and possibly unstable. Ignoring him would mean a very bad time for everyone involved.
[hr]

[center][h2]Diver's Paradise[/h2]
[sub]The Southern Exit[/sub][/center]
[@FateWeaver][@Sessamaru][@Jensoman][@tex]
[hr]

     [color=darkviolet][b]"Luke![/b] Can't leave you alone for a second, can I old friend?"[/color] There wasn't exactly much if anything to tell the Divers who hadn't decided to show. It was mostly by chance, and probably lack of responsibility, that had Luke getting here before him. The purple-clad swordsman took a single leap up to the top of the boxes, giving Luke a quick shove to the back of his head before he could start running his mouth any longer. [color=darkviolet]"Don't go singling out everyone. They can get to know each other their own ways, on their own times, during this skirmish. Not everyone came here to sit around a campfire and tell life stories, y'know.[/color] Alvios took a moment to look over at Alex and Jenso. The former seemed overconfident, and the latter seemed...well, either as friendly as Luke or just felt like instigating things.

   Alvios actually smirked a little at the sight. It wasn't really uncommon, but Divers roughhousing each other was always a good time, even if he didn't usually admit it. Except for right now. [color=darkviolet]"You two! Save that energy for the Junkers, alright? Once we take down the trash, you're free to share a few drinks and bruises. Now then, to business.[/color] Alvios cleared his throat once, looking out among the group. [color=darkviolet]"So, from what we know, they've got Junkers and CMAS guys working up on that little expansion project. Your job is to go up, beat the living hell out of them, and leave a mark saying how we won't put up with them stepping on our turf. What it [i]doesn't[/i] mean, is going and hounding down any of them who retreat back to Arcadia. No need to get bloodthirsty if they aren't out for blood either. Long story short, we're here to stop them, not attack them. Because if any of you manage to turn this into an all out war, I'll see to it that my boot goes so far up your ass that you'll be tasting it. Oh, and CMAS armies could come marching in and wreck everything we've established as our little culture, community, what have you, and turn the lot of us from adventurers into fugitives."[/color]

     Alvios sighed, taking his hat off for a moment and running his fingers through his hair, stressed out. Clearly, he didn't want to be giving this speech either, but he was probably the only one who would. [color=darkviolet]"Look, I'm not trying to be an ass here. I'm not trying to be your boss. I just want to protect this way of life as much as the rest of you. That's why you stepped over here, raring to go in the first place, right? Anyway, this pile we're standing on. A/A, A/Bs, some weapons, some of it made and some of it looted, and all of the other rudimentary things like food and water are here and yours for the taking. Use it well, because usually I'm trying to conserve this stuff for every Diver passing through. We just need to make sure the guys and girls out there willing to fight have all the tools they need."[/color] Alvios let out a heavy sigh, looking back to Luke, giving the man a hard palm on the back before stepping back. [color=darkviolet]"And now that you're done listening to me drone on, go ahead and bother Luke with all of your questions and complaints. I need a drink."[/color]