[color=9e0b0f][B]CHAPTER TWO[/B][/color] [Center][img]http://i.imgur.com/oUw3lN9.png[/img][/center] [Center]Credit to [@fallenreaper] for the lovely banner[/center] [center][i]Ante Mortem[/i] [i]"We do not know what comes after death, but before it there is only us" [/i][/center] “Big brother we are so late right now, we would reach so much faster if we would take a car for once!” Rena complained as she twirled around her partner who grudgingly paced himself onwards, her gold twin tails fluttering as if ribbons dancing around her. “I have faced countless monstrosities and yet these cars are the bane of this world, well cars and instant coffee.” Her partner replied, a kind smile adorning the face of A.M.R.O’s Blood Draped Angel with his hand resting atop the Chrono’s head. “Nope nope, you are making excuses, we both know you have hodophobia,” the child chirped as she continued to spring about in her partner’s proximity while chanting, ‘my big brother is afraid of ships, cars, trains and planes’. While for the first few minutes Angel continued to ignore his partner’s provocation, ultimately the Silver Reaper surrendered to the alternate of retaliation. “Oh look Rena, a clown!” He exclaimed with his fingers pointing in the direction ahead of them and the following reaction was his just recompense. [b]EEEP[/b] Following the Shriek it took but a second for Rena to instinctively pivot behind her partner, her eyes shut and face pressed against his back. “Tell it to go away, go away!” the child murmured as her hand ‘shooed’ away the nonexistent entity in front of her. Though her cowering subsided as soon as she heard Angel’s muffled laughter. “Not funny, not funny!” The Chrono yelped, proceeding to pout and give her brother the silent treatment despite his attempts at apology. However after multiple promises of gifts amidst additional bribery Angel successfully managed to regain favor with his overly zealous partner. “Looks like we are finally here,” Angel couldn’t help but heave a weary sigh at the impending realization of the increase in workload that was to come with this crucial mission. Despite his expressions of dread the Chrono appeared to be overjoyed at discerning the location of their designated briefing point. “It’s an ice-cream parlor!” “I apologize for the tardiness,” the introductory words had been spoken as soon as the doors were flung open allowing Ante Mortem to nonchalantly walk in, the door being locked and windows draped behind them by one of the waiters present. While Angel lazily dragged his feet towards what he viewed as A.M.R.O’s cattle, his partner wasted no time in burying her face against the frosty glass covering a wide variety of exquisite Gelato delight. “You will have to pardon my partner, currently I believe she has forgotten we exist. The space we are in is one of A.M.R.O’s bunkers; I suppose it would be more precise to say this one is designed to be one of my partner’s personal bunkers. The point being we can all be at ease, we are among associates of A.M.R.O.” The Lost Number spoke, a sense of eerie causality in his tone as if comforting one near death’s door. “I believe introductions are in order, my partner who is currently going through a brain freeze over there is the Chrono. I am also required to provide a disclaimer when introducing her.” After a brief moment of trying to remember the exact wordings he assumed his casual pace once more. “Ah yes, for your safety as well as the safety of the structure in your vicinity kindly avoid irritating the Chrono Asylum number six, unless at your own peril. “ As soon as he finished a fiendish lay across his face, as if he had just remembered the cause for this disclaimer. “You may call me Crow or Angel, I am Reri's partner and elder brother,” by now the Lost Number had removed the metallic coffin hanging behind his back and casually taken a seat among the Asylums, his silver tinted spectacles scanning each individual before continuing his introduction. “Now there are quite a few unpleasant rumors surrounding us, most are true which you may or may not discover however some are plain ridiculous. I believe there was one Asylum who accused me of being a vampire, I believe his name was Va[b]Rtron[/b]ious. Kindly do not attempt to stake me through the heart, I would like to avoid the unpleasantness that will follow.” As soon he finished the routinely introduction he waved his hand across the table as if to signal the Asylums to introduce themselves. While he had already read the files on all the Asylums present, there was certain personality and behavioral characteristics which only disclose themselves when people speak. This would serve as an interesting lesson in understanding the collective mindset hence making manipulation much easier. Once the introduction finally subsided multiple holographic screens appeared in front of the Asylums present, providing mission details. “I can’t believe how dreary this whole debriefing thing is, I would quite possibly stake myself through the heart if I were sitting where you lot are,” Angel shared his opinion, clearly not bothered about its blunt nature. “Well onto missions details, I don’t really need to read the rubbish on the screen right? Honestly if you meet a superior who does so, I recommend shooting him in the head; your justification can be self defense for your sanity.” The Silver Reaper continued, clearly evading the lengthy protocol which he considered tiresome and suicidal. “The short of the matter is that this mission is very important, preventing an all out war type of important, the kind of importance that severely reduces my leisure time.” “Big brother you didn’t even mention the bloodlines!” The Chrono chirped waving her spoon about, deciding it is about time to rescue her partner from the threat of going into a comma from sheer boredom. “You are all supposed to be pretty super strong huh?” She continued, finally acknowledging the others present within the room. “I read that all of you survived when the island went boom,” the Chrono mimicked the explosion with her palms and then proceeded to applaud their valiant efforts with a clap. “Big brother says the word coincidence was invented by an idiot, so I guess that all of you being here means that this mission has something to do with the prisoners who escaped huh? A.M.R.O probably thinks one or more of the bloodlines has allied with the prisoners and are trying to cause all out war. I am super smart huh?” The Chrono proudly waved her head about, her twin tails once more dancing about her. “All out war is something A.M.R.O can’t afford, the panic and aftermath would be disastrous which is why you all are sent to mediate the Meeting of Crests which will take place within a few days.” Angel continued, holding back his laughter at the mention of mediation. “Isn’t the irony amusing, hounds designed to destroy are sent to prevent destruction. Honestly I for one prefer the alternative of war, allow those Bloodlines to wipe themselves off the planet, less refuse to deal with. Sadly the task of implanting suggestions for war and self destruction is rather tiresome, I am more interested in watching these human affairs any ways.” Once Angel finished his debriefing a cryptic smile slowly adorned his face while his fingers gently tapped the frame of his spectacles, an iconic act which Angel performed ritualistically when he schemed. “Now we can go to the cruise, the ship should be at the harbor as we speak!” Rena chirped as she sprung to her feet, twirling once more expressing her excitement. “Let’s go everyone I want to see all the rich people!” The Chrono joyfully nudged her partner to his feet, quite literally forcing everyone outside the door. “Lovely….a….ship. Nothing is better than traveling on a ton of metal…..in the ocean…..I am sure those on the Titanic said the same thing.” The Silver Reaper complained as he exited, his sight scanning the Asylums wondering who would serve as a sufficient floating instrument, ultimately facing Bits. “Hmm you would definitely float,” the Lost Number cryptically spoke before joining his partner, doting on her once more.