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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]A pier warehouse; Prior to Reri's Premenstrual Gravity Syndrome.[/i][/indent]

[b]Ilana Mhori rested her sweaty forehead against the cool, metal wall.[/b] Inky darkness obscured the dusty crates that flanked her body, over which stray beams of sunlight peeked through the high, musty windows. The Huntress slowed her breathing, controlled her rapidly beating heart as she brought her hands up. Pushing herself away from the wall with a grunt, she let the momentum turn her around, her shoes dragging clumsily and her arms freely swinging. It was as though her limbs had been replaced by puppet arms, yet her body remained standing; a defiant brunt against an unseen [i]Adversarial[/i]. Her long, black hair was up in a bun, but a few strands, having escaped confinement, stood out wildly. 

She lifted her drooping face, the shadow of her bangs no longer concealing deep and fierce olive eyes.

[i][color=lawngreen]'Ethan...?'[/color][/i] she thought to herself, having expecting him to suddenly appear. 

Ilana waited a moment more. [i]Nothing.[/i] She pondered if she had put [i]too[/i] much effort in her attempt to elude him, and her audience; The other asylums. She could still feel his general mood, and he, hers; however, it was part of the rules of their latest bet to close her mind to him as well. Something about theatrics and method acting, Ethan had explained a day before. Now she was worried that she actually had gotten too much into her... [i]persona[/i]. Clearly, her partner could not be replaced. Sighing, she stifled a yawn and prepared to crack her fingers and pop her back at the same time, by outstretching her arms before her.

Suddenly, a strong, bodily heat pressed into her from behind and a single, large hand gently grasped her wrists.

[color=yellow]"They say doin' dat gives ya arthritis,"[/color] [b]Ethan Baine[/b] teased, his familiar, baritone voice vibrating her eardrums.

[color=lawngreen]"And I say that's just bullshit,"[/color] Ilana countered with a grin, whipping around to face her partner.

As the Hybrid let her hands go, Ilana sighed with relief. She was happy to see him, to be alone once again. Her eyes danced up Ethan's massive torso as she pulled a pin from her bun. Her hair flopped down lazily, causing the man to tense up slightly. Still grinning, she slipped her hands up his stomach, rubbing her palms hard onto his strong pecs. He took a small step back, not really resisting her advances but not really welcoming them either. She didn't seem to care, as she began turning her nails inwards as though to claw his flesh through his form-fitting purple shirt. Ethan then gently covered her hands, holding them still, yet she persisted.

Now the man felt the wall behind him, effectively trapping him in front of a ... seemingly ravenous creature!

[color=yellow]"Illa?"[/color] Ethan breathed nervously.
[color=lawngreen]"Mmmyess?"[/color] she purred seductively.
[color=yellow]"Don't really got time,"[/color] he stated, training his reverse-mirror glasses to match her piercing gaze.

Ilana saw herself, and blinking, realized what she had become. Both jealousy and disappointment immediately cooled her flaring jets. But before hope could slip away and leave her bare naked before despair, Ethan rubbed the back of her hands with his thumbs. The smallest gesture anchored her mind.

[color=yellow]"It's okay, I'm just--"[/color] he began.
[color=lawngreen]"--just unsure, yeah. It's new, I understand,"[/color] she nodded, looking down and retracting her hands to her chest.
[color=yellow]"Yeah,"[/color] Ethan said simply, slipping his thumbs into his pants behind the belt as his fingers dangled out.
[color=lawngreen][i]'New to you, anyway,'[/i][/color] Ilana thought to herself, somewhat bitterly.

Silence engulfed the two of them, both of them searching their own feelings for precedents regarding this development. It was not that they didn't love each other--that was undeniable and a given. Nor was it that they didn't trust each other--any remaining doubts had long ago been stirred away like useless slag as battle after battle forged their alloyed bond. And of course, the various games they contested each other with certainly stimulated them thoroughly... in mind, body, and soul. And yet... in the eight years since [b]Innocence Fall[/b] (a term that commemorated Julie's death for them and Geko), they have, without a doubt, changed a great deal. They have fought those changes alone for the longest time, hiding them from each other out of fear of eroding their stance against Insanadiction; However, Team Mischief Maven have come to realize just how much they needed each other, more than ever before as the perpetual wiles of the alchemic curse raged against their aging fortitude.

Ethan watched, grimacing slightly, as Ilana pulled a Virginia Slim out of her bra. 

She looked at him expectantly, her hands on her hips. Sighing, Ethan stepped forward, sparing no personal space as he withdrew a lighter and lit her cigarette. Gratitude poured into his mind through their mental link as she, eyes closed, took a long drag, much like [i]he[/i] used to after securing a victory. Smoke released as she opened her eyes, but then had a thought. Eyeing the black asylum, Ilana held her treat aside and touched Ethan's arm.

[color=lawngreen]"This does mean I won, right?"[/color] she asked, eyebrows raised.

Ethan chuckled, raising his hands onto his head as he recalled the details of the game. She and him had gotten into a fight during a mission over how stupid his macho attitude and mannerisms were. He'd explained that it was just an act, all show, and simply amusing to him. Ilana did not believe him, not one bit. Feelings hurt, Ethan insisted it was hard work and that it protected him from people getting to know the real him. Again, his partner held his regard in disbelief. So naturally, it took the intellect of the Sciencer to convince the Air Jew to try it herself and prove to him it was not effective.

As in, Ethan wagered that Ilana couldn't impersonate him.

[color=yellow]"But yeaaah... I dun think we can know, er... you know, if it doesn't work,"[/color] Ethan concluded, smirking down at her, [color=yellow]"That'd require feedback, yah? And you, eh... your [i]Mansformation[/i] pree much alienated them kids."[/color]
[color=lawngreen]"Ali-...[i]alienated[/i]?"[/color] Ilana balked, lowering her Slim.
[color=yellow]"Totally, hon,"[/color] he nodded, chuckling.
[color=lawngreen]"Oh my God, nooo..."[/color] Ilana growled, [color=lawngreen]"This, this is [b]bullshit[/b]!"[/color]
[color=yellow]"Whaaat?"[/color] he asked, gesturing at her violently for clarification.
[color=lawngreen]"I mean..."[/color] Ilana began, stopping for a short drag, [color=lawngreen]"If even [i]you[/i] thought I went too far, then... I am- I'm sunk..."[/color]

Ethan was silent for a moment, letting her epiphany sink into his mind. For her sake, he put on the show of really considering it, looking up, his face scrunching to the left. Then looking down, his face scrunching to the right. Ilana eyed him with trepidation, her Slim almost out.

[color=yellow]"Naaw... really, yer... you are fine, that was nothing,"[/color] Ethan assured her, putting his hands on her shoulders.
Ilana involuntarily whimpered. [color=lawngreen]"B-But...!"[/color] she mewed, her breathing quickening.
[color=yellow]"Jus' gotta upstage ya, y'know? An' dat's somthin' I [i]can[/i] do. Ya dig it?"[/color] he chuckled.
She panted, licking her lips. [color=lawngreen]"Yeah, I know, but I mean... if you really think I'm fine and, ...um,"[/color] she replied, scatter-brained.
Ethan nodded, taking the cigarette from her as she kept staring before her, lost in scenarios where everyone ridiculed her.
[color=yellow]"Yeah, yer fine, hon... I promise, you'll live it down..."[/color] he half-turned, smashing the heat of the Slim and killing it.

[color=yellow]"Though... hmm,"[/color] he trailed off, flicking the cigarette away.

Ilana's face twitched as she eyed the falling cigarette, Ethan's cliffhanger clearing away her stupor and energizing her hysterics. Her eyes darted up at him, just as he was turning to go.

[color=lawngreen]"Hey!"[/color] she barked, flanking him, [color=lawngreen]"What's that mean?"[/color]
[color=yellow]"What what mean?"[/color] Ethan asked dumb-founded, pocketing his hands as he looked down at her.

She couldn't believe him. He was being, quite frankly, as lame as a Scottish duck sucking on a coin. Not the metaphorical lame Scottish duck sucking on a coin, either, but a real duck that was actually lame, maybe from stepping on a land mine or something.

Without warning, Ilana exploded and jumped his stupid ass like a raging bull bearing down on a club-footed rodeo clown.

Ethan cried out, bewildered by the fact that a tiny, little woman had just pinned him effortlessly. The light in the window was stronger now, and directly behind Ilana, illuminating her form with a distinct blackness and aurora. Though Ethan's ocular implants portrayed her in a manner vastly different to the common man, to said man it would look as though a goddess of fury had been made manifest and was about to consume a mortal's soul for his foolishness!

[color=yellow]"WHAT WHAT MEAN?"[/color] Ethan repeated in terror, squirming underneath her.
She dug those claws into his chest finally. But she spoke slowly, clearly. [color=lawngreen]"You. Said. [i]Though[/i]. Then. [i]HMM...[/i]"[/color] she enunciated, the tip of her nose touching his.

He stalled, his mind racing. Her face twitched a [i]second[/i] time!

[color=yellow]"Oooh! Uh... well, you know, that dyke, [i]watsherface[/i]... Maeve?"[/color] he stated, wincing from the pain.
Confusion derped her face, but he sent her a mental image of the girl.
[color=lawngreen]"Yeah!?"[/color] Ilana hissed, spittle landing on his sunglasses.
[color=yellow]"Well, ya kissed her, right? So dat's cool, I mean, she might stalk ya... fer a while,"[/color] Ethan explained.

Ilana relaxed her claw-flesh-digging-death-choke. [color=yellow]"And I can't, well I mean ... if you swing that way, I--"[/color] he continued, feeling he was making progress.
[color=lawngreen]"--No no no no, I was just... that's what [i]you'd[/i] do? Right?"[/color] Ilana cried, her mouth hanging over.
Ethan balked, then nodded. [color=yellow]"Well, [i]yeah...[/i] but I'mma man,"[/color] he said slowly, gesturing at him, then at her. [color=yellow]"You're... not, really."[/color]

Ilana closed her mouth. [color=lawngreen]"I- ... I forgot that part,"[/color] she whispered, her eyes narrowing.

Ilana was far too daunted by the idea of a stalker to realize Ethan had slipped out from underneath her, and helped her up. He even dusted her off for good measure. But then the sound of his boots echoing away snapped her out of it. Rushing up to him, she cried for him to wait. 

[color=yellow]"Really need t'catch up,"[/color] he stated, sounding a little annoyed.
[color=lawngreen]"B-But everyone thinks I'm just, [i]fucking[/i] insane now!? We can't--"[/color] she spazzed.
[color=yellow]"--But aren't you?"[/color] he teased, earning a swat on the arm.
[color=lawngreen]"Stoppit! ... now, I just, ... how can I recover from, well, all [i]that?[/i]"[/color] she cried, clutching her head.
[color=yellow]"Ugh... c'mon Illa, just... just tell 'em ya was havin' fun,"[/color] he shrugged, opening the warehouse door.
[color=lawngreen]"Having fun,"[/color] she repeated at him, deadpan.
[color=yellow]"Yah, now you got it!"[/color] he chuckled, going out said door.

[color=lawngreen]"But that wasn't fuu-uunn-uuunn-!"[/color] she whined loudly, clinging to his waist as he dragged her.
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[indent][i]The docks; during Reri's Premenstrual Gravity Syndrome.[/i][/indent]

[b]Team Mischief Maven simply stood, transfixed by the revolting spectacle.[/b] The shadow of another warehouse concealed their visual presence as Reri unleashed her pent-up wrath on the large cruise ship and its occupants. Thankfully, the veterans were out of the scope of her attack, but they dared not gloat about it. In fact, both Ethan and Ilana simply bowed, in the shadows, where nobody could see them, all in order to show respect to the Chrono and her Lost Number. All four of their reputations preceded them, but this would be the first time in a long one where they were on a mission together.

A thought occurred to Ilana. [color=lawngreen]"Hey, you remember the suit?"[/color] she asked him.

Ethan stood up, pursing his lips. [color=yellow]"... uh, yeah. But it don't fit me anymore, I think,"[/color] he replied, sounding nervous.

Ilana smiled. [color=lawngreen]"Oh, I'm sure I can fix it up to... accommodate you,"[/color] she said, eyeing Reri with a glint in her eye.

[color=yellow]"Yeah, yeah, you do that. But y'know, she prolly won't let me go..."[/color] Ethan stated, staring straight ahead.

[color=lawngreen]"Ah-ha! Thanny, are you whining?"[/color] Ilana teased.
[color=yellow]"No."[/color]
[color=lawngreen]"Are you [i]suuuure[/i]?"[/color] she giggled, darting in front of him and walking backwards. 
 
Ethan ignored Ilana, and simply walked around her as she kept giggling incessantly. Suddenly, he poked her in the side, causing her to cry out and lose her balance. The huntress tumbled off the deck and into the cold waters, her splash louder than a curse in a cathedral.
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[indent][i]The Ship; After Reri's Premenstrual Gravity Syndrome.[/i][/indent]

[b]Ilana kept out of sight.[/b] Ethan had asked her to, seeing as she was wet and smelly, and ought to go change. While she did so, she listened through their mental link as her partner overhead Angel's crowing and the bloodlines socializing. She knew she wasn't missing out on much. It wasn't really their scene, especially Ethan. No, the Hybrid stayed out of the large meeting room, using his ocular implants to see through the walls and identify everyone. Most of them had profiles he'd downloaded and was only now updating, sorting them into lists of his own fancies and reasons. Especially the ladies and girls.

[color=lawngreen]"Hey,"[/color] Ilana greeted, startling Ethan out of his scan.
[color=yellow][i]'Hey...just scanning,'[/i][/color] he replied mentally, clearing his throat and starting a second audio recording.

She nodded, knowing that his reply in thought meant they should communicate silently. Additionally, scanning was a cue to leave him be. Not that she really wanted to go mingle with anyone. She knew nobody, and didn't really want to. From what she'd heard of bloodline alchemists, they were the most vicious and cruelest cutthroats of them all; Kings of Skullduggery.

Not quite her cup of tea.

But then, who else was there? The other asylums? Ilana cringed. She had recovered from her wee episode, but the pain of ridicule and having to explain shit was a social obstacle she wasn't really wanting to deal with just then. So she stayed in the shadows, peeking through the doors, her face stern and scowling. She did take note of several asylums that she would have to make nice with later, but... then she saw Maeve.

Her lips tingled as her cheeks flushed.

The girl seemed upset. Ilana couldn't fathom why, but she was reluctant to admit that maybe it was because of the kiss. But then Maeve let out a rant on some poor fool that had sparked her ire. The Huntress then spied Kiara, ... the partner, she recalled. She wondered if the girl had to bear the worse of Maeve's wrath. But she then saw John Legende, arm in arm with a young lady, walking away from... Cade, wasn't it? In any case, her blood went cold. She was about to tell Ethan that 'Glide Storm' was here, but a strong feeling of disbelief surged through their mental link and interrupted her.

[color=yellow][i]'Oh, what the hell!?[/i]'[/color] Ethan growled, intercepting the same message that Kiara did, and then receiving her prompt about the bombs.

The Hybrid responded to Kiara, being gentle to not overwhelm her. He stated that he and his partner would head for the engine room, towards the stern effectively, and under the restaurants. In his opinion, a serious threat would be made there first, so as to doom the vessel for certain. He then repeated that same message to the other teams.

Ilana trailed after him, barely able to keep up. She hadn't yet gone over the ship's schematics with him, which he had obtained immediately when the mission was sent to them. It was all she could do to avoid getting lost as the Hybrid took the shortest route to their destination.

[i][color=lawngreen]'Well, guess this mission is starting out with a bang...'[/color][/i] Ilana mused.

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