[center][h2][color=gold]Gil[/color][/h2][/center]

Makoto had been jumpy at first but it seemed that she was quick to warm up to Gil. He knew that he would often come across as intimidating though he didn't think she would be so quick to assume he was an enemy. Perhaps she had ran into someone before who tried fighting her? Either way Gil didn't feel like it would be necessary to attack other students over an exam like this. Before she would accept his handshake, however, Makoto decided to inspect the deactivated drone and found it had a tarot card. She was initially joyed but Gil maintained a straight face, an aura of anger layered in his body language. Makoto was quick to recognize it and grew visibly nervous but after a brief, tense moment it all changed.

[color=gold]"Hahahahaha!"[/color] Gil burst out laughing, putting his left hand on his stomach as he tried to contain his laughter. It likely seemed particularly odd to Makoto, considering how stoic Gil had been up to this point. After a few seconds of wheezing as he tried to regain his breath, Gil stood back upright and put both his hands at his waist. [color=gold]"Oh wow. I never thought to check out the drones. I wonder how many tarot cards I just completely passed..."[/color] His stoic expression was gone as he kept an upbeat grin, half-attempting to guess how many dozens of drones he had dispatched so far. After an exasperated sigh he brought his gaze back down to the girl in front of him. [color=gold]"You can keep that card. There's enough time left for me to get another one. If the machines carry some cards then it'll take no time at all to get another."[/color]

Even after getting the laughter out of his system his emotionless expression did not return. The tension was properly broken and now he was also in a good mood. After one final chuckle he rested his left hand on his gun again and took a brief look around. [color=gold]"I suppose I'm just gonna keep heading towards the other end of the city. Makes the most sense to me that I'll find more of these robots to beat in that direction. But I guess you've got no reason to not just make a bolt for the exit now, huh."[/color] Gil began walking again, passing Makoto as a spark flicked across his torso. [color=gold]"I don't mind if you want to stick around with me for a bit. If the drones almost got you then perhaps staying with someone like me makes for a pretty easy tour, wouldn't ya say? Besides, I could use another pair of eyes to find another one of these cards."[/color] There was the sound of battle nearby, somewhere in the direction Gil was walking, but he seemed either unfazed by it or he somehow didn't notice the gunshots and explosion. [color=gold]"It'd be a little embarrassing if I walked the entire time and didn't end up getting into the Academy. That'd just make me look like an arrogant failure or something."[/color]

[@Jay Kalton]

[center][h2][color=gray]Erisa[/color][/h2][/center]

Much to her surprise it was another Youkai that she had heard making all that noise. And she also had a similar experience with the drones and getting hurt. While Erisa was glad she found company she was slightly dismayed that Gyuuki wasn't a human. But perhaps that was a blessing, because as much as she wanted to learn about humans it would probably be a distraction in this ruined city populated with killer robots. At least the ox-demon had some water, allowing Erisa to start recovering from her wounds. There were some good upsides to her plant-like biology. It made her wonder how her body would react if the Crimson Sky were to go away and the sun were to shine again...

But that was a thought for another day. The two girls navigated through the abandoned mall, though Erisa believed it was something like a gathering place for humans in the old world, but had to take a few alternate routes to avoid more drones. When they got to the parking garage Erisa took a moment to look out over the city. [color=gray]"Oh hey, it's easier to see up here,"[/color] she remarked. [color=gray]"The finishing line is that way."[/color] As she looked back to Gyuuki to see if her new friend was looking where she was pointing it would seem that another one of the dog robots decided to attack, slashing the poor ox-demon across the back. Erisa fired a quick Zetsu arrow from her bow but the drone dodged. Thankfully Gyuuki wasn't too hurt and managed to get rid of the robot by knocking it off the garage. Sure, Erisa could've fired more shots or even used her Twin Dragons, but Gyuuki was between her and the drone and she didn't want to hurt her new friend.

[color=gray]"You seem pretty strong, you just got cut bad and was still able to pick that thingy up,"[/color] Erisa complemented her, running back to Gyuuki's side to see if she needed help moving around. The flower spirit felt a bit guilty that she couldn't directly heal the ox-demon like Gyuuki had done for her, but she realized that there was probably other ways she could make up for it. [color=gray]"We still need to find those carrot cards... I mean tarot cards. Tarot. Yeah. Do you know what they look like, by the way?"[/color] she asked as the two headed down the ramps to the bottom floor of the garage. [color=gray]"I know cards are small pieces of paper. I think..."[/color] As they reached the exit of the garage that led back into the rubble-covered street, Erisa stopped and looked both ways. [color=gray]"Coast is clear."[/color] She then continued to lead the march, feeling a subconscious need to stay in the front as if she could protect Gyuuki in her injured state. Granted this wouldn't help in an ambush from the sides or behind, but Erisa wasn't a scholar anyways. [color=gray]"So... why did you come to the Akatsuki Academy? If you don't mind me asking, that is..."[/color] Having a companion made Erisa feel confident enough to begin talking freely again. She did, however, remain wary. The mistake of her first encounter with the stealthy drones was not forgotten.

[@Double Capybara]