[center][color=007236][img]https://i.imgur.com/HQAIbb9.png[/img][/color][/center] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/QxwohJt.png[/img][/center] [center][@AtomicNut][@Gentlemanvaultboy][@Hammerman][/center] [hr] [i]“Nice try, Vernon… but people outside school aren’t allowed. This is only for Mephisto students.”[/i] Suzume had said. And so Vernon, glaring at his two cronies, was at a loss as to what he could do... [color=007236]"Gah, if you idiots had just shown up in proper uniforms!"[/color] He was already busted, what did it matter if anyone heard his now foiled plans. "S-sorry boss..." "Hi." All three jumped at Annabelle's sudden interruption. He hadn't even seen her walk over. He'd seen her arrive with Gabrielle and some other poor student they'd abducted to be their third, but... [color=007236]"What do [i]you[/i] want?"[/color] Vernon frowned. "Couldn't help but to overhear your problem. I have a suggestion," she said. "Sounds you need to grab yourself a new teammate." [color=007236]"Yes, I'll just go pluck a few from the nearest classroom like you did,"[/color] Vernon rolled his eyes. [color=007236]"It's not that easy!"[/color] "True. That only works because we're special," Belle admitted. "But I had someone more specific in mind. You see, we have a lovely visitor in the form of the esteemed Christine. Go grab her boyfriend Rurik, and things just might fall into place for you." [color=007236]"You... want me to grab that lazy idiot?"[/color] Vernon raised an eyebrow. [color=007236]"Even if I wanted to, why would he help me?"[/color] "So short sighted! I already laid it out for you, put the pieces together!" Belle scoffed and shook her head. "Don't you think Christine would be delighted for him to show up to training?" [color=007236]"I don't really ca-"[/color] And finally it clicked. If he got Rurik, Christine might switch from observer to participant. Rurik might want to just slack off and leave, but maybe he'd be inclined to stick around because of Christine! [color=007236]"Well, it's worth a try. You two! Go fetch Rurik!"[/color] "On it!" the female of the pair nodded. "Be right back!" the second saluted. The two ran off... only to return ten seconds later. "What does he look like?" Vernon pinched the bridge of his nose. Somehow he'd totally forgotten about that. Belle meanwhile looked about ready to fall over laughing. She managed to stay on her feet, stumbling over to the two dunces and giving them a description and even places to look for him. Vernon could only hope that this time they wouldn't somehow fuck it up. But he should have know better. When they came back, they indeed had found Rurik. Except they seemed to have basically dragged him there by force, with his hands bound behind his back and everything. He looked less than pleased to be there. Vernon's jaw dropped as Anabelle fell into hysterics in the background. He almost began admonishing his cohorts, but then just shut his mouth and sighed. He'd just let this one happen. "Hey boss, we found him!" they announced... and then... [i]POP![/i] The ropes binding Rurik's hands together burst apart and he then lifted his hands, one to the side of each of the idiots' faces. [i]BLAM![/i] And the two were blasted away, flying off until they crashed into the first solid object they came across. Vernon glanced at the two crumpled heaps that had been his lackeys. [color=007236]". . . they really deserved that,"[/color] he muttered to himself. Maybe once they slept off the headaches they'd be smarter. Unlikely, though. [color=CFD3C6]"So... I take it you're behind all this?"[/color] Rurik said, slipping his hands into his pockets. Strangely, the jacket he almost always wore was in tatters, being held together by half a dozen patches, but still frayed around the edges. Well, strange to anyone who hadn't seen his scuffle with Thobias. [color=007236]"Well, I-"[/color] [color=CFD3C6]"Sorry... what was your name again?"[/color] Rurik blinked. [color=007236]". . . excuse me?"[/color] Vernon had to do a double take. Was this guy serious? [color=007236]"We're both on the council!"[/color] [color=CFD3C6]"And?"[/color] [color=007236]"Vernon!"[/color] said boy barked. [color=CFD3C6]"Right, so, [i]Vernon,[/i]"[/color] Rurik said. [color=CFD3C6]"The fuck?"[/color] Vernon took a breath, taking the moment recompose himself, [color=007236]"Well you see, Rurik, we have a little training session about to start he- Hey! Don't walk away from me while I'm talking!"[/color] So much for composing himself. [color=CFD3C6]"Not interested!"[/color] Rurik shouted over his shoulder, still making his way to the exit. [color=007236]"And here I thought you liked a challenge,"[/color] Vernon called after him. [color=CFD3C6]"You got the wrong guy."[/color] [color=007236]"Not even when there are stakes to be had?"[/color] That got Rurik to stop, even if just for a moment. He turned to look at Vernon, who simply pointed in Christine's direction. [color=CFD3C6]"Really...?"[/color] Rurik grumbled. [color=CFD3C6]"How do you eve-"[/color] And that was when he noticed Annabelle, who gave him a sly wink. [color=CFD3C6][i]"That... utter... bitch!"[/i][/color] [color=007236]"So what do you say? Go along nicely and we'll keep your little habit under wraps,"[/color] Vernon didn't mince words. Rurik had to think about it for a moment, but then he just shrugged and turned again to leave anyway. He could talk all he wanted. Rurik would just deal with the aftermath later, and he had a feeling it wouldn't be nearly so dramatic as Vernon hoped. [color=007236]"Oh Christine!"[/color] Vernon called out, causing Rurik to flinch. OK, so maybe he was a little anxious. [color=007236]"Rurik here can't seem to decide if he wants to join us for training or not. Care to weigh in? You do have so much more influence over him than I."[/color] Rurik spun around to face Vernon once more, now struggling to keep his face neutral. [color=CFD3C6][i]"I'm gonna fuckin' kill him..."[/i][/color]