[hr][h1][i][color=Dodgerblue]Lihua Vuhong[/color], & [color=Red]Meifeng Vuhong[/color].[/i][/h1][@He Who Walks Behind][hr][hider=Delphic - Colours of the Day][youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dnhr9xAX-M[/youtube][/hider][hr]


It was a short walk that managed to cool Lihua off a bit. Through the streets of Downtown, it was oddly desolate. Few people were walking about, save for the brave. Might be because of the increasingly strange attacks during the rain. Lihua took a step, and her high heel had splashed a puddle that she had stepped over. Lihua looked down, before she kept walking. With Lijuan in her arms, and Meifeng by her side, the matriarch was proud to admit that she feared nothing that could appear in the rain. For she has faced some of the most horrifying things known to man, and came out unscathed. She was confident enough in her abilities to make sure that the same would apply to her daughters.

Though, she was a bit disconcerted that so many people were afraid... She didn't have access to the full NEST systems and databases, so she couldn't see the, uh, full extent of the situation. Even then, she felt like NEST was too concerned with the Hands of Science, and the Changeling Unit. While they say they're looking into it, Lihua knew that the real focus was on those two organizations. Hopefully, this situation won't escalate - because with news of the raid, this might be the turning point in this whole pointless war.

That was none of Lihua's concern, however. Long as Max has her badge, that is.

For now, Lihua guessed that she was going to let things play out, and watch from the sidelines (And hope that she doesn't run out of money - fortunately, Lihua has amassed an enormous emergency fund). Lihua's eyes drifted over to Meifeng. Maybe connect with her children a little better. Repair those broken bridges with Jiao-Long... etc. Anything to just keep her mind off the job, honestly. Perhaps it's time to get something to eat. Lihua kept walking down the street, and every now and then, she'd peak into the buildings just to see how desolate they are. However, once she came by one electronics store - with TVs in the front window - one of the TVs showed something quite curious.

[i]"Of course. To the people of Verthaven: worry not. This nightmare has drawn itself out long enough, and we've come to put to rest any fear or concern you may have for your friends or family, or for your children. To the Hands of Science..."[/i]

The man of the Dreadnaughts... Baron Moreu, as he told everyone (He seemed to have trusted Lihua enough with his true name - if he wasn't lying through his teeth), standing in what had to be the Bazaar Riviera. Which obviously meant that he wasn't in France. Lihua narrowed her eyes.

[i]"...keep checking your windows. You'll know it when you see us."[/i]

"[i]Good grief.[/i]" Lihua muttered to herself, and rolled her eyes as she watched the TV. Oh, it appears that Baron lied to her... [i]Not surprised. [/i]She thought to herself. Now that she was in a more sound mental state, she was more than certain the Dreadnaughts were still in the cit. After all, it was less about the Fiends, and more about "restoring order" to Verthaven... and, if anything, the situation escalated into a complete storm. Though, the Dreadnaughts were being quite open about their "return" to Verthaven. It didn't take a genius to deduce that this was all apart of their plan... Though, she hoped that they can handle what the Hands can throw at them. NEST had a hard time.

"... [i]Someone you know?[/i]" Meifeng put her hands on her hips, and gave Lihua a curious look. Flashing her a toothy  grin.

Again, this was none of Lihua's concern.

"[i]An associate.[/i]" Lihua shrugged. "[i]Nothing important. Let's keep moving.[/i]"

The woman just brushed it off just as that. She kept walking, with Meifeng at her side. She could call up Baron now, and raise a fuss about him lying to her - but what would that solve? All it'd do is make a fool of herself. Best if she just shrugs it off, and keep going. Though, Lihua had to admit that it'll be [i]very[/i] interesting given that RAVEN and the Dreadnaughts are going after the Hands of Science. She wondered how the RAVENS would react to this news. She had a feeling that they wouldn't get along... and she'll be unable to mediate any conflict.

Eventually, the two found their way to a park - It was mostly Lihua, physically dragging Meifeng into it - and Lihua felt much more relaxed here. A very peaceful place, had plenty of people here. Kids playing, and families enjoying themselves. For a moment, Lihua briefly felt like it was a time before the Fiends attacked the city... when everything was simple, so to speak. The only threat was the occasional Meta-criminal, and the gangs. When people could live in what little peace you could get in this city. Lihua sighed.

That was going to return soon. Once the Hands are removed from the picture- ah, what is she kidding? After one threat is removed, another will [i]always[/i] take it's place. A simple facet of life which Lihua has seen a thousand times before. A very pessimistic view on life, but it's clear that the alternative - total anarchy - is far less preferable. At least removing the Hands would give her some peace of mind.

As the woman scrolled through the park - instinctively keeping tabs on every person in here - one person (In this case, two) turned out to be a familiar face. Lihua turned towards him, stopping, and making Meifeng stop and look.

"Nathan," Lihua said, putting her hand on her hip. Her own arm was holding up Lijuan. She gave him her usual callous look. "It is a pleasure to see you here." In fact, Lihua knew about Nathan because he tended to cause a stir in NEST. The elderly man was vigilante... A trait that he should put behind him. Given the teenage girl - which [i]had[/i] to be his granddaughter - sitting at his side.

"Huh?" Meifeng found herself scratching her head. What did mom have to do with this old guy? She has no friends. Meifeng peaked around Lihua's shoulder, and caught eye of a girl that had to be around her own age. That's what made Meifeng a bit more curious. "Hey there! Nice to meet you... two, yeah, you two." She smiled widely.