[center] [h1]Bad Idea?[/h1] [img]https://i.imgur.com/rF32h3E.png[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/jw3F1O9.png[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/FWMorlL.png[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/qpk2y0k.png[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/XZCyPaz.png[/img] [img]http://i.imgur.com/qdJ8I7l.jpg[/img] [h2][color=ff57ff]Siena[/color] | [color=B0C4DE]Brent[/color] | [color 00a99d]Ernie[/color] [color=8A3DFF]Emma[/color] | [color 33ec06]Marcus[/color] | [color red]Chris[/color][/h2] [sub]A Collab by [@Papitan] [@ERode] [@Diggerton] [@Chasers115] [@Dragonmancer][/sub][/center] [hr][center][color=silver]π•Žπ•–π••: 𝕆𝕔π•₯. 𝟟, 𝟚𝟘𝟚𝟘 / / 𝔹𝕒𝕝𝕕 ℍ𝕖𝕒𝕕 π•€π•€π•π•’π•Ÿπ•• / / οΏ½οΏ½π•šπ•˜π•™π•₯𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕀𝕖 / / ~𝟘𝟝𝟝𝟝[/color][/center][hr] [hider Bad Idea?] Finally, some help. Ernie took in the sounds and sights of the aerial convoy with relief, hands fumbling for the communicator once more. He recognised the design of USARILN transport. About damn time. [color 00a99d]"USARILN base,"[/color] Ernie tried once again, praying that the helicopters would bring good news now, [color 00a99d]"Is anyone there? Requesting further instructions."[/color] [color f7976a]"Identify yourself,"[/color] an unfamiliar voice answered him, the gravelly tones of a ruined voice almost disguising the definite resonance of a female speaker. [color 00a99d]"Ernest Mars...sir,"[/color] he responded, noting the definite un-Kardos-ness of the voice. Women could be called 'sir', right? [color 00a99d]"37488. Unit...uh, Experimental Unit B."[/color] [color f7976a]"One of the Abes, right?"[/color] [color 00a99d]"Yes."[/color] [color f7976a]"What'd you see, boy? When it came for you?"[/color] Ernie blinked. Surely this could wait until everyone was rounded up? [color 00a99d]"Are you talking about the tidal wave, sir?"[/color] [color f7976a]"What'd it promise you? They keep telling me it's not a surefire way to check, but something about that seems like sacred territory. If you're real, you'd know."[/color] A ruthless chill chose then to run down Ernie's drenched spine. Of course it was sacred territory. Territory that Regs and strange, chainsmoking soldiers should have no knowledge of. What kind of weirdos did Zhang keep on her payroll? And why did she call him an 'Abe'? Ernie shifted from the group, moving out of earshot as his hand unconsciously moved to his neck. [color 00a99d]"I..."[/color] His voice took on a harsher tone. More defensive. [color 00a99d]"I'm definitely an Abe--X-mark. Shouldn't you have a record of that?"[/color] [color f7976a]"You could also be an Amigo. Killed all the kids. Know what to say on paper."[/color] The challenge came just as unyielding. The boy clicked his tongue. Radio lady made a good point. Moving even further from the group, he spoke in a hushed voice. [color 00a99d]"My home. I saw my family so I took what it showed me. Is that what you want to hear?"[/color] A chuckle. [color f7976a]"And what did it show you?"[/color] Cold fingers clutched the communicator in a death grip. Unfair. This shouldn't have been brought up and by a USARILN soldier of all people. As much as he wished it would, time had never blurred the memory of that night. It had only given him more opportunity to reflect and regret. What did it show him, indeed. The chill of seawater seemed to get replaced by the residual heat of that vision. Yet, when he clutched at the fabric on his chest, all he could feel was the almost tangible weight of sadness forming a lump where his heart should have been. A second passed before Ernie realised he had stopped walking. Stupid. Unfair. So long had passed. He should have moved on by now. He should have been angry but all he felt was an exhausted frustration, the morning having taken too much of a toll on him, physically and now emotionally, for the boy to indulge in the familiar rage. What right did this woman have to ask such a thing? It was some kind of taunt. A test. If they wanted to get off this stupid island, all he had to do was suck it up and give her what she wanted to hear. Crossing USARILN officers was more trouble than it was worth. Moving on meant being able to say these things easily, didn't it? He'd gotten over it enough to tell his classmates about his parents. This was just another step. He wasn't so weak that he couldn't admit what that night meant to him. He wasn't weak. He wasn't weak and he wasn't afraid. And yet, Ernie gulped. Ernie chose the less pathetic answer. [color 00a99d]"A chance to go down with them...like I should have."[/color] A peal of laughter erupted from the communicator, the person on the other end clearly amused by Ernie's despair. [color f7976a]"You know what, I believe you. Sounds pretty real, or you're a damn good actor and I'll find out either way."[/color] Crunching footsteps to his side and a six-foot woman who had definitely not been there a second ago stood before him, scars for a face and bulk enough to dwarf him entirely. The embarrassment didn't have any time to take hold before the bulky mass suddenly appeared in front of him. Ernie leapt back with a resounding [color 00a99d]"fuck!"[/color], golden aura and rope lighting up as a reflex. Dark coffee eyes followed Ernie when he moved away, but a resounding, calm logic told Siena that the boy wasn't going to do anything reckless. Not after the display at the lighthouse, and certainly not when he'd been arguing for safer courses of action. So long as she could still have a visual, then there wasn't much need to try and act as a sheep dog. Well, there wouldn't have been, if he hadn't suddenly let an expletive cut directly into her thoughts. Siena's attention snapped back to the boy, took in the sight of a golden aura and an unknown individual. A large, unknown individual that could very well be a hostile. Sucking in a quick breath, the brunette moved while her mind was still working through the situation. How had this person gotten so close without anyone else realizing? How long had they been around? [i]Can you stop them if they decide to attack?[/i] Memories of orange lasers and the sensation of falling came to mind, brought phantom pains and a small thrill that made her heart beat faster despite how muted the fear felt. Muttering under her breath, a thin, blue wall sprang to life, formed by a translucent prism of ethereal construct between her comrade and the unknown. [i]Not enough.[/i] Another two materialized soon after. [i]Not enough.[/i] Another prism erupted from nothing, the fourth wall between Ernie and the stranger in the small span of time it took for the girl to travel from where she had been to a few paces from Ernie, eyes locked on the stranger, every muscle ready to spring into action at the slightest provocation. Alarm was first, his hands reaching to his sides for weapons he never had when he [i]really[/i] needed them. Then a flash of relief as Siena was fast to draw, her translucent barrier creating a moment of safety, no matter how useless it may be against someone who could teleport. And finally, sinking realization as his eyes caught the firearms the monolith carried. Didn't have to appear. If she was an enemy, she could have just mowed them down. Not an immediate threat then. Or, if she was, she brought herself in range of Marcus's flash and stasis. With nothing but his fists available, Brent settled for words instead, his voice flat and neutral. Too solid a poker face to hide the questions within, but everything had gone to shit anyways. [color=B0C4DE]"You're with Director Zhang?"[/color] The bear of a woman snorted, eyes narrowing at the Director's name. [color f7976a]" 'With' is an interesting choice of words. But sure, I'm not your enemy at least."[/color] She leaned closer to peer at the layer of walls between her own self and Ernie's defensive posture. [color f7976a]"And looks like that old bitch found herself a new set of guinea pigs while I wasn't paying attention."[/color] [color 00a99d]" 'Old'?"[/color] Ernie muttered, his brow furrowed by confusion. Heavy footsteps of a careless beast soon caught up with the group. Chris managed to catch up with the others, dragging with him his wingless, bleeding body as he has still yet to revert to human form. Both his wounds and the previous rampaged ended by Siena's power had left him exhausted, and this was made apparent by his low-arced neck and the lethargically slow movements in his leg. His slothful behaviour changed immediately when he noticed the stranger with them, and his body went tense in fear of it being another Amigo. His pair of crocodilian eyes widened in alarm, as his muscle tensed and posture raised into an almost predatory stance. The very thought of this woman being in part of the group that killed Angelique had reawakened a spark of anger that had been previously drained out of him. For her part Margot regarded the drooping dragon with the look of someone who'd seen far worse and found the injured creature pitiful at best. [color f7976a]"All right, enough of the theatrics. I had my fun. Helicopters are waiting at the estate to take you lot back to that hellhole of a research institution. My team will clean up here and sweep the area for any--"[/color] [color=palevioletred]"Transmit. I'm gonna need a healer in town as soon as possible. Over."[/color] [color f7976a]"Speak of the devil."[/color] The woman seemed to fizzle for a moment, her silhouette blurring and bleeding out for a fraction of a second, and then it was her voice again over the cuffs. [color f7976a]"You've secured the kids?"[/color] [color f7976a]"Of course I have,"[/color] the Margot in front of them answered, seemingly to herself. [color f7976a]"Then I'm heading into town. Talk to me, girl, what do you have? ...Zoe, was it?"[/color] Zoe's reply was straightforward. [color=palevioletred]"The Amigos left a straggler - some kind of teleporter. Found him on the north end of town, but he got out of my control range so he's lost a part or two."[/color] [color f7976a]"Good on you, catching a teleporter. That's no easy trick. Keep talking for me and I'll be there in a second."[/color] [color=palevioletred]"Yeah, well... hurting people's apparently my only skill set. At least I know I'm good at it."[/color] There was a pause after that exceptionally bitter reply, before she continued in a more measured tone. [color=palevioletred]"Sorry. Just gotta keep talking, right? Well, he's lost an arm - I think, anyway, it was pouring outta his jacket. Can't walk either, so I'm carrying him. No idea how long it'll take him to bleed out, but I'm hoping we fix him up before that. Dead guy's not much use to anyone."[/color] Before she could continue, Zoe cut herself off, borderline snarling at something or other. [color=palevioletred]"You've got to be kidding--"[/color] After a moment's silence, the voice that came over the communicator was filled with irritation. [color=palevioletred]"...seriously? Don't creep up on me, I'm not in the fucking mood."[/color] [color=8A3DFF]”Back to the institute…”[/color] when Emma first arrived she never could’ve imagined that she’d be [i]glad[/i] to be going back there. But USARILN was a marked improvement over the road-trip-from-hell they’d experienced over the past couple of weeks. In fact, she was so excited to return she could hardly find it in her to care about Margot or Zoe’s need for healers. She looked towards their ragtag group, [color=8A3DFF]”That’s enough for me. We should go to the estate.”[/color] as Emma spoke she reached into her pocket without realizing it, finding the ruins of her scarf, gripping it tight in her hand. With the larger group, their Margot checked her phone then nodded towards the estate. [color f7976a]"You lot should head back. I'll collect your friend and take care of our guest, too."[/color] The woman stepped back and with a sharp dilution of her body's colors, the fizzling returned once more, this time whisking her form away in a spray that faded quickly, as if she had never been there. Were it not for her footprints in the sand, she might not have been. "[color 33ec06]She seemed nice.[/color]" Marcus said fairly bluntly, filling the second of silence after she disappeared. He hadn't really done much to add to the conversation, besides bringing his chair leg to the ready when a random person materialized in front of them. At that moment, everything had been a tense calculation; was she close enough for him to get if he needed? Would he even be able to do anything if she went on the offensive first? Fortunately, none of that was necessary. Siena didn't allow the barriers to drop despite dividing her focus. Eyes on the stranger--[i]not a hostile? Her outfit implied training, the gear a strikingly familiar sight[/i]--her ears honed in on the conversation. Zoe had found one of the Amigos. She went alone? Not important at the moment, the takeaway from that instant was that Zoe was safe. That and the fact that they had someone that could supply answers. Part of her wondered if Zoe had tried to extract answers using typical torment, a small pang of something that resembled both envy and satisfaction echoing across the chasm. Even if the redhead's method didn't work, then-- [i]'[color=ff57ff]Focus on that later.[/color]'[/i] Only after the giant of a woman had vanished into the void did Siena relent, the appropriate incantation escaping with her breath. Ethereal barriers melted away into the air, but the brunette's attention was on the space the stranger had occupied. An illusion, perhaps? No, there were footprints still in the sand, that probably meant a physical copy of some sort. At the least, she'd been a subnatural. "[color=ff57ff]Interesting...[/color]" A single proclamation to herself moreso than anything else. It was to be expected at that point, but the mage let her attention linger for a moment longer, a soft murmur slipping from her. "[color=ff57ff]I suppose father will be pleased at the possibility.[/color]" Tearing her attention away, the brunette glanced at her peers. "[color=ff57ff]I'll maintain the barrier generator for the time being. I would hate to be shot by a jumpy soldier when we get there.[/color]" Back to the estate? Brent kept his expression neutral throughout, but there was still the slightest spark of amusement within. So no matter how stupidly powerful that whip girl was, her method of avoiding death wasn't through a bullet-repellant barrier, huh? And of course Zoe managed to rack up a final win at the end by capturing a straggler. Great work from the Czernobog that had been instrumental for every single one of their 'missions' thus far. Mental applause rang out as the arbiter nodded towards Siena, before he turned to Chris, who was still dragging his limp, broken body about, acidic blood burning the ground beneath him. [color=B0C4DE]"Nothing but a target like this,"[/color] Brent said, locking eyes with the dragon, [color=B0C4DE]"Better go back to human form before you bleed out."[/color] It wasn't concern that served as the undercurrent for that 'suggestion'. It was 'wariness'. [color=B0C4DE]"And yea, compared to Kardos, she's a real riot."[/color] For that brief moment Chris's eyes never let left the stranger's, like a guard dog eager to pounce on an intruder his vigilance didn't soften until he realized she wasn't a criminal. His stance loosened and he finally shifted his attention towards the rest of the group. He tried to listened to their conversation to understand what the general plan was now. He stirred once Brent addressed him, and in response to his suggestion Chris defiantly thwacked his tail upon the earth with a heavy thud; a light roar escaped his bloodied maw as he stared directly towards him. He wasn't about to revert now, despite how injured he was. He knew he could still fight, and aside from that he had lost his clothes. He didn't want to expose himself in the wilderness for who knows how long until he has access to some clothes or at the very least some form of cloth. "[color 33ec06]That sounds like a 'no' to me.[/color]" Marcus said, scoffing lightly. He crossed his arms and shrugged, looking to Brent. "[color 33ec06]I don't know for sure; I don't speak Geico. Could be 'Lovely weather today' for all I know.[/color]" "[color 33ec06]What I [i]do[/i] know, however, is that I'm not helping anybody drag your scaley ass back to base.[/color]" He added, addressing Chris directly. "[color 33ec06]Better damn well hope you're not going to bleed to death before we can get back to Zhang's mansion if you're that stubborn.[/color]" Emma shot an unmistakable look at Marcus. It was [i]that[/i] look. The caustic combination of annoyance and frustration that no one wanted to see from their would-be β€˜girlfriend’. Was now really the time to be picking petty arguments? She quickly vocalized the thought, [color=8A3DFF]”You can get your jabs in later Marcus. Now isn’t the time.”[/color] she said flatly, turning towards the estate and walking. "[color=ff57ff]I'll ask that we refrain from standing here and arguing. My reserves aren't limitless.[/color]" Even through the flat tone, Siena was certain that the others could hear the unamused note. Brown eyes focused in the direction of the estate briefly, her mind trying to calculate how much time she [i]thought[/i] she had and the distance that they could cover. With how much she had left, and with the sheer size of their group, there was no chance of a faster transport method, and it was simply better logic that she remain at least somewhat centered in the group. The thin walls she'd produced earlier, though draining, were at least manageable without much strain. Still... "[color=ff57ff]...I will admit that it would be wiser to revert if you can. Larger shields are certainly more tiring to maintain in a worst case situation.[/color]" [color=B0C4DE]"And with wounds like that, your scales aren't gonna be much use either,"[/color] Brent added, sparing a smile at Marcus's little jab. There was very clear anger in what could be seen of Chris's eyes, and an open saurian maw made the threat that he could have lashed out at Marcus had the focus not been taken away to the others. Their reasons didn't comply. It was true that he was wounded, but that cocky instinct of pride still held sway in his decision, and, once again; he was not willing to walk with them naked for an unspecified amount of time. He couldn't communicate this issue directly, as they either didn't care or didn't realize his main concern. With his inner rage having already been sparked back up recently, such anger only steadily increassed with each sentence his team added, Marcus especially with his jabs, and Brent for just [i]being[/i] there. Addressing his defiant rage, Chris stomped forward and stood on his hind legs once he was mere meters away from Brent. As he towered over him, his neck lowered so his maw was closer to his face, and with what strength he had Chris unleashed a long, deafening roar louder then a typical megaphone could produce. Despite how drained he felt and the pain stinging his body with every action he took, Chris leaped over him and began to walk steadily over to the estate. "[color 33ec06]Jabs? I'm worried about the big fella here. He's oozing a little bit, and I-[/color]" Marcus started, feigning innocence. His sentence was interrupted, however, as Chris let out a large bellow directly into Brent's face. There was a brief pause where Marcus just looked at the two, before continuing his thought, completely unfazed saved for the ringing in his ears. "[color 33ec06]- don't want him blocking the path.[/color]" Emma was already walking off, though. His explanation was just being yelled after her, and he suspected it had little to no effect. He rolled his eyes slightly; her and Siena [i]did[/i] have a point at least, they probably hould have been going. He followed along, passing Brent as he did. "[color 33ec06]You got a little...[/color]" he said, extending a hand to wipe at Brent's shoulder, before continuing past. Fuck, that was loud. Despite the macho part of himself wanting to be all cool and impassable, Brent preferred having ears more than looking cool, clamping both hands over them as Chris reared his blooded reptile head in for a big ass roar. His eardrums still ringing, the arbiter grimaced at the tingly dragon-spit that was over his face, using his shirt to wipe it off. [color=B0C4DE]"Thanks,"[/color] he said to Marcus, [color=B0C4DE]"Whatcha think that was, a 'sorry, but I enjoy the pain'? Or just a generic 'don't worry about me, I'll go on ahead and make sure the path is clear'?"[/color] "[color 33ec06]I think it was '[color red]Thanks for always thinking about me Brent, I wish I could be as kind and compassionate as you.[/color]'[/color]" [color=B0C4DE]"Thanks Chris!"[/color] Brent shouted after the retreating lizard, before removing his helmet and frowning at the results. Great, dragon blood too. Guess that was one positive of wearing a helmet: he didn't have to worry about getting dragon blood in his hair. [i]'[color=ff57ff]I see refraining from standing here and arguing was an unreasonable request.[/color]'[/i] The thought was oddly clear as Siena recoiled at Chris's sudden show of aggression, hands covering her ears against the noise. Somewhere deep in the pit of her stomach, a spike of fire tried to rise, quashed by a combination of self-control and weariness before it could surface. With her ears still ringing, Siena lowered her hands, disoriented from the sudden increase in volume, but relieved that at least someone had started moving, even if Chris did decide to remain in dragon form. Despite herself, Siena released a weary breath, the expression on her face matching the exhaustion that had seeped in long before they had started walking. Shaking her head to clear it of the residual tingling in her ears and haziness clouding her mind, the brunette started taking cautious steps forward, her pace starting slow to ensure that the roar hadn't managed to throw her off balance. "[color=ff57ff]As if human sized ones weren't hard enough...[/color]" The complaint was surprising to hear, even if it was her own. Faint discomfort squirmed in the girl's chest--it felt...odd, voicing that particular thought. Maybe the fatigue was worse than she'd initially thought. Out of habit, Siena tried to blink away the exhaustion and adopted a distant imitation of a smile to reassure herself. "[color=ff57ff]Almost there though.[/color]" [color 00a99d]"...Almost there,"[/color] Ernie agreed, breaking his odd silence. He hadn't felt the need to join the joshing. On any other day, a group roast of Chris would have been the best part of his day. now it felt stupid and insignificant in the face of what they'd just survived. Many other factors dug at the back of his mind. In some uncanny repeat of Wisford, Zoe had found another victim to toy with, though she needed more help with putting the guy back together than last time. Ernie would have preferred it if he was there too. After all, he was the one who'd know what questions needed to be answered. A sneeze momentarily shook him out of his thoughts. A warm manor would be really nice right now. He'd have to question her later. Then there was that chainsmoker and her...[i]questions[/i]. A scowl broke across his face. She'd be at the manor. There were things he wanted to say to her too. With his aura still up, he walked a little faster too, almost matching Emma's speed. [/hider]