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[h3][url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/2865517][u][b]TEAM MISCHIEF MAVEN[/b][/u][/url][/h3]
[img]http://s5.postimg.org/nqdu4gvzr/ethan_badge.gif[/img][img]http://s5.postimg.org/86b1rob93/ilana_badge.gif[/img]
[color=yellow]The Sciencer (1100)[/color] [color=#2E2C2C]---------------------[/color] [color=lawngreen]The Air Jew (500)[/color][/center]
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[indent][i]Somewhere in the Atlantic, almost 2 days later...[/i][/indent]
[b]THE WAVES POUNDED[/b] the sides of the small, thin white speedboat that sliced across the waters like a possessed knife. Upon it, two figures stared straight ahead, having heard the call of duty in this modern day of warfare. Their combined visage was of one nature: stalwart drives, silent, somber emotions. [i]And a reckoning[/i].

Innocence Island was in danger, and as the [i]huge[/i] alchemic pressure directed the blind Hybrid at the helm and the shivering Huntress clutching his left arm, they both knew death was ahead of them.

[b]Ilana Mhori[/b] recalled the last few hours carefully, to keep her mind off the bitter cold; before they heard the Call, they'd been chilling at her beach house in Florida, Netflix playing [i]Criminal Minds[/i] as she'd laid on the couch, sick to her stomach; he had been cooking for her, that pink apron almost didn't even fit his wide physique. And then their... last mission. It had ended that morning. [i]Against the Body Painter[/i]. [color=lawngreen][i]'He was just... a kid...'[/i][/color]

Something colder than the icy Atlantic winds chilled her spine, but having experienced this enough times already, Ilana endured it.

How could she not?

She glanced up at [b]Ethan Baine[/b], the coloured man having stood relatively still, his large hands grasping the wheel tightly, ever since they had left with such haste. In hindsight, she'd thought it funny how easily Ethan had 'borrowed' the boat, for at the time she'd been busy consoling the owner. And his wallet. In truth, they would have simply gone to a nearby asylum hub to get some help teleporting to Innocence, but they were on their alch-fast, something they did yearly to practice restraint on their alchemy use, as well as challenge each other to invent new ways that suppressed the need for alchemy; powerful methodologies that normal humans couldn't truly comprehend, let alone wield against monsters. Ilana only hoped they'd get there in time.

But at the moment, she could only concern herself with her partner; His substantial, but subdued distress leeched into her psyche, through their link. But she knew better than to probe him about it, as she rarely could soothe him with her own emotions. He shifted his weight towards her; an acknowledgement. [color=lawngreen][i]'He notices me so easily...'[/i][/color]

[color=lawngreen]"Um..."[/color] Ilana muttered, breaking the silence in between the waves. Despite having been partnered for a handful of years, she was still getting used to her partner's demeanor and nuances.

[color=yellow]"Hmm?"[/color] he noised deeply, pressing on her mind with a crystal clear clarity that made her even more nervous.

She could barely think. Why was that? Maybe she was still feeling ill, albeit she'd stopped coughing and sneezing a few hours ago. She shook her head, hoping he'd disregard her untimely utterance. But of course he did, yet his distress spiked briefly. It alarmed her, stilled her breath. Did she do that? Should she say sorry? Her gaze fell downwards slightly as her nose scrunched up a bit to the left, as it was wont to do when embarrassment splashed across her pores and freckles.

[color=yellow]"Wat on yer mind, Illa?"[/color] he interrupted gently. [color=lawngreen][i]'Thank you.'[/i][/color]

[color=lawngreen]"Oh, just... Innocence. Prompt was so urgent, you know?"[/color] she replied, looking up at him.

[color=yellow]"Mmhmm... she's there too. Pree bad..."[/color] Ethan commented.

[color=lawngreen]"Bet Geko's there as well,"[/color] she smirked.

[color=yellow]"Oh, don't even start... ha...damn loli,"[/color] Ethan joked, causing her to swat him lightly.

Ilana beamed. She made him chuckle. [color=yellow]"Game of chicken always piss him off though, remember? Always savin' ya,"[/color] Ethan went on, reflecting on Geko always saving Ilana when she was in danger.

[color=lawngreen]"Yeah, but only because of your shenanigans. Too many risks..."[/color] Ilana countered, scolding him with a squinted gaze and smirk.

[color=yellow]"Baby, I don't risks. Y'know that. Always calculated, all scenes plot out, yeah? Always has been,"[/color] the Sciencer snorted, shaking his head.

She rolled her eyes. [color=lawngreen]"Ah huh..."[/color]

[color=yellow]"Still be nice, though. Like, raise his spirits, you know? It's a hard marriage,"[/color] Ethan stated, sighing slightly.

She was moved. [color=lawngreen]"Well, sure, I guess. I mean, yeah he'd love that, I'm sure. But after the mission, okay?"[/color] she told him, to which Ethan did not respond.

Ilana sighed with relief. She knew now was not the time for a crazy plan that somehow always worked out. Not when Innocence was danger, when ... the kids. She closed her eyes, the faces of many young ones flashing before her. Looking up, smiling. Frowning. Shocked. In love. Adoration. Inspired. All such were their moods, evident with each nuance of the mouth, eyes, and wrinkles. And she loved each one of them, especially... a very young brunette gazed at her mind's eye. Her mouth soured to a frown. Who was that? No. She remembered. But... was she still there? 

Ilana swallowed, feeling like she was forgetting something important amongst the things she did remember. [color=lawngreen][i]'Bits...?'[/i][/color]

Bits of the water splashed her face, snapping Ilana out of her reverie. She noticed now that storms across the horizon had gathered already, signalling their approach into the Area.

Ethan sped the boat up again. [i]Again?[/i] Ilana glanced down at the lever. It'd been at full crank since they started onward, haven't it? Speed alone wouldn't get them to Innocence in time, but she knew Ethan could find shortcuts where nobody else could; in the weather, the waves, micromanaged actions. Plus, it was a beeline after all, and not all parts of the ocean moved at the same speed. So why did he speed up?

[color=lawngreen]"Ethan?"[/color] Ilana asked, but then realized the left side of his mouth had curled up.

Unfortunately, she thought nothing of it and let him focus.
[hr]
A few minutes later, Ilana found herself looking around, noticing a few familiar signs regarding the situation that [i]Ethan[/i] had put them in; they were in a hurry; people were in danger; they were moving fast; he was in control; they haven't discussed the plan; he was smirking.

Her pupils dilated as her head tilted up, a bodyless sense of numbness encompassing her nerves as though she was a head floating in space.

[i]Ethan was in control.
She was in the dark.
The smirk.
Ethan, was, in, [b]control[/b]...[/i]

Her head tilted back down now and her nostrils flared as it dawned on her mind, and what he'd said earlier about a game of chicken. 

[color=lawngreen][i]'Uh oh...'[/i][/color]

[color=yellow]"It on the horizon?"[/color] Ethan asked, startling her.

[color=lawngreen]"Uh! Um, yeah... I see it,"[/color] Ilana replied, nodding quickly.

She focused on the island, almost forgetting her epiphany as she squinted for details. Something.  Anything that would indicate its current state. But then Ethan shifted into high gear, the final gear. The boat roared forward with a surge, nearly forcing her back, but he'd held onto her by flexing his arm tightly onto her grasp. This also served to remind her of the game. 

The Game.

Ilana bit her lip gently, a sinking feeling of grief starting to anchor her to cold, hard reality - Ethan remained quiet in her mind.

[color=yellow][i]'About time, heh... ah, here comes [b]Denial[/b]...'[/i][/color] Ethan mused, his plan churning closer to fruition.

[color=lawngreen][i]'It's nothing. No big deal. Reading into things again. Even if not, he's probably just trying to scare me, win our alch fast... yeah, I'm gonna have a good laugh about this later with him and the crew. Heh, heh... heh... eheh...'[/i][/color] her mind raced. 

Still, she eyed the lever. Then Ethan. Then the lever again. She knew they had to slow down at some point. They couldn't just crash into the damn island's pier. Maybe he was just preoccupied with haste, and simply forgot. So, she (rather nonchalantly) slipped one hand onto the lever. She simultaneously rubbed her head against his arm, her silken hair tickling him (to no avail). 

A dark flash crossed her hand, stinging her as she withdrew her hand and recoiled. Did he just slap her hand? The size of his balls pulled on her sense of gravity. Ilana grabbed the lever this time, all coyness and pretense gone. Again, he slapped her hand away - not enough to truly hurt, she knew he was holding back, but it was enough to make her lose her footing.

[color=yellow]"Nope!"[/color] Ethan barked, as she teetered backwards in the bouncy boat.

She knew it. He [i]was[/i] fucking up to something! [b]Again![/b] Her eyes twisted with a glare as she saw the lever (broken) sailing over her head. A gasp dropped her mouth. Now their course was set. For certain. She sat there, staring up at him.
[hr]
[color=yellow][i]'...and now [b]Anger[/b]...'[/i][/color] he nodded, as she finally got to her feet.

Ilana swat at the air. [color=lawngreen]"Well, [i]this[/i] is just fucking [i]perfect[/i], Ethaniel!"[/color] she shouted at him.

She kicked the floor. [color=lawngreen]"[i]Stupid[/i] ocean! Stupid [i]speedboat[/i]!"[/color] she growled. 

She threw a bucket out of the boat. [color=lawngreen]"I'm gonna [i]bite[/i] someone in their [i]fucking[/i] face!"[/color] Ilana cried, inhaling another breath. 

She whipped her head up and down, her lungs at full power as she reached a feverish pitch.

[color=lawngreen]"Muuuther fucker! [b]MOTHER[/b] fucker!"[/color] she bellowed, stressing each syllable, [color=lawngreen]"Mother [b]FUCKER[/b]! Stupid AMRO!"[/color]

As she continued venting her frustration, her toe was stubbed. [color=lawngreen]"Aww fuck! ... FUUUUUUUUCK!!!!!!"[/color] she screamed in pain.
[hr]
[color=yellow]'...followed by [b]Bargainin[/b]'...'[/color] he smirked lightly.

The island was getting closer. She saw this, knowing she had little time. She clung to his arm, standing up on her toes, trying to get in his line of sight. He hadn't responded to her [i]verbal[/i] pleas, so she tried their mental link.

[color=lawngreen][i]'Ethan, are you there? It's me... Ilana. P-please. Pleeease.. don't do this. I... I promise. N-No more... uh, blowing things out of proportion. And I'll eat when you make food! And, and no nagging. Yeah, I'll give you space! 'kay? Heh... we got a deal?'[/i][/color]

[color=yellow]"Nupe,"[/color] Ethan replied out loud.

She broke.
[hr]
[color=yellow]'...dere's [b]Depression[/b]. Yeeeup.'[/color] Ethan thought, gripping the steering wheel tighter. 

Ilana bawled uncontrollably, tears streaking down her red cheeks as she grasped the back of Ethan's left leg with both trembling arms. Her hair continued to whip wildly as she pressed her forehead firmly up against his thigh. The roar of the speedboat's engine and the erratic waves clapping them on by could barely drown her out, cutting her off every few seconds. But Ethan would not budge, even as she begged him with nonsensical noises and mewling, her tone switching between lowly groaning to high pitch screeches, and all in between. After a couple minutes, she hushed and sat back on her haunches, her knees and legs forming a W; 'twas the way she once perched as a child that merited scoldings from her guardians. 

And 'twas how she felt now before her partner: like a child.

Ethan turned his head, going through the motions of glancing down at her (even though he could see right through his flesh and skull).

[color=yellow]"Mm... you a'ight, baby?"[/color] he asked calmly.

She didn't answer him, her bangs covering her eyes and lips quivering.
[hr]
After a few minutes, Ilana was now standing there next to him, her face dried and composed. She no longer clutched his arm, simply grasped the railing and looked forward with him. She spoke not a single word, nor did her lovely face, transfixed serenely by the sight of their destination, portray any concern whatsoever.

[color=lawngreen]"You know something-"[/color] she finally stated, nodding slowly as her eyes drifted to her right.

[color=yellow][i]'And finally, ... [b]Acceptance[/b],'[/i][/color] Ethan smiled proudly.

[color=lawngreen]"-I'm cool with this,"[/color] Ilana stated with a tranquil voice. [color=lawngreen]"I mean, yeah, I bet Heaven has all the kids we've saved, all the ones we've put down, all happy and waiting for us. No alchemy. No fighting. No speedboats. Right?"[/color] 

Ethan nodded. [color=yellow]"Hey, maybe, huh?"[/color]

As Innocence neared closer, Ilana started breathing quickly again, her nostrils blaring loudly. This was it. She understood his plan. He was driving them straight to the greatest source, on boat. A speedy one. That needed water to move, not land. 

[color=yellow]"You gonna jump first, you know. Mmhmm,"[/color] Ethan teased her.

[color=lawngreen]"Ethan. I'm not in a good mood right now,"[/color] Ilana droned.

[color=yellow]"You need greater heights, Taj, but you gonna use alchemy?"[/color] Ethan pressed on, bristling his partner's fear of... pushing herself harder and harder with aerial maneuvers.

[color=lawngreen]"Ethan... it's just a silly bet... c'mon..."[/color] she stated with a sigh.

[color=yellow]"Nope. Our way of life, Illa. Why change it? It works,"[/color] Ethan nodded.

They were going to die. She knew this now. The man was insane. Why hadn't she capped him already? Asylums were supposed to take down their partners when they succumb to Insanadiction. She was clearly breaking protocol. 

[color=lawngreen]"Receive my soul, Adonai, I await your loving embrace..."[/color] Ilana prayed softly, feeling the weight of her pending death.

[color=yellow]"Hey! Ain't got time to die, fuck,"[/color] Ethan hissed at her when suddenly the entire island seemed to have exploded.

Even Ethan could see it, and as Ilana cried out in surprise, covering her eyes, he simply stared ahead, trying to grasp what just happened. He'd felt an alchemic drive that nearly fried his mind, but it hadn't come from the pressure source he'd been trailing.

[color=yellow]"WHAT'D YOU DO?"[/color] Ethan roared at Ilana, his teeth bared.

[color=lawngreen]"Wh-what? I-"[/color] she protested with confusion as she held on tightly to him.

[color=yellow]"-YOU PISSED OFF GOD!"[/color] he spat, driving like a mad man as he veered sharply to the right.

[color=lawngreen]"Ethan, stop! What you doing, it's still there I can see-"[/color] she pleaded.

[color=yellow]"-Water! The fucking water!!"[/color] Ethan shouted, his face a complete grimace.

Ilana's eyes went wide as she realized the gap around the island where the water had been... was now filling, and pushing out an island-shaped [i]tsunami[/i] all away from Innocence.

It was coming right toward them, picking up height and speed.
[hr]
Fortunately, Ethan had a plan. He always did. He quickly explained to Ilana through their link that tsunamis were not one wave, but several, all of which was called a wave train. The smaller waves broke apart over time, and even go in the opposite direction of the initial wave build up, back towards Innocence. She understood that part, of course. It made sense. Of course they still had to dodge the [i]main[/i] one, but she didn't grasp why the smaller waves were important to him.

It was a close shave, and even Ethan felt they weren't going to make it. It was actually fairly trivial to bypass the main wave, but it was still a sight to behold: like a giant claw raking out of the ocean as it went past them. Ilana could barely think as Ethan navigated close to it, chasing one of the smaller waves as they broke apart and gained height. She couldn't see how they were going to 'catch' one, but she was confident that his little scheme was going to prove her right. That failure was possible, even in his master plans.

Then... the water below the speedboat began to pick them up, pushing up higher and higher. And Ilana gave up. It was stupid to argue with Ethan when Nature seemed to be on his side.

So Team Mischief Maven sailed towards Innocence, on a speedboat atop a mini tsunami that was powered by black balls of steel.
[hr]
As Maeve and Kiara renewed their assault on the Vile, and the rest of the young asylums have gathered, in their own ways, a large shadow flew over them as a tidal wave washed on by past the beach. The sound of a roaring engine split the air. If they'd look up, they'd see a single man standing atop the helm, bracing himself for impact. Another figure would catch their eye, perhaps - a small lady with wild hair and fearlessness forced into her eyes. She landed in a tree, disappearing from sight.

But the man, now he waited til the last moment as the speedboat was about to crash upon the Vile's head. 

Ethan's body contorted as he rolled off, impacting the ground and rolling some more. His momentum brought him towards the Chrono, but then he uncurled and skidded slightly into a kneeling position a couple yards away from her. The remnant of force brought him to a stand, onto his tiptoes as he then maintained his balance and stood at attention. With his back to the motorboated Vile, a gold emblem on a cigar shimmered with light as he brought it to his mouth.

[color=yellow]"I win,"[/color] Ethan announced (to Ilana, despite facing everyone else).

Then the speedboat exploded, too. Of course it did. Flaming shrapnel encroached on the teams' safety, but only a bit of it landed on the black man's shoulder, which he helped himself to.

Lighting his cigar, then brushing off the shrapnel, Ethan turned towards Julie, his hands on his hips. [color=lawngreen]"Hey boss,"[/color] he nodded, bowing ever so slightly.

Ilana slid down the side of a tree, pulling twigs and leafy bits out of her hair. She sauntered towards Ethan and Julie, past the group of asylums as she glanced at a few of them. Her facial expression stated only one simple fact: she had no fucks left to give. Nope, not a single one. 

[color=yellow]"Hey, Taj, you so jumpy today,"[/color] Ethan greeted her with a half-grin.
[color=lawngreen]"Shut. Up,"[/color] Ilana enunciated with a scowl.

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