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[@Kestrel][@Shard][@Jangel13][@AdmrlStalfos19][@Not Fungus][/center]
Artemis was the first to arrive of the gang, soon followed by Zeke, Elliot, and Saori. Though the latter came from further below, where her lab connected to their little gathering room, she hadn’t even bothered to change out of her blood-stained clothes, not that Whina seemed to notice or mind. As the others had filed in, her mopey mood seemed to switch to much more of an energetic and friendly one as she greeted each gang member in turn, though when she turned to Zeke her eyes resembled more that of sparklers. A series of happy nodding was directed at Zeke for his comments, she had thought so too!

[color=F9511D]“I know right? I got it last week and at the price it was, I knew I just had to have it. There was also a [i]really[/i] nice red...uh suppose that’s not relevant huh?”[/color] She caught herself mid-rant as a sheepish look crossed the girl’s face.

[color=F9511D]“Zero Time, Null Time. Same same yeah?”[/color] This time she looked to Saori and Artemis, giving the older woman a blank look at what she said. To be perfectly honest, Whina felt very much the same about Zero Time…

Like, what was the point of this all? The vessels emptied faster than anyone could fill them...it seemed rather silly to believe in this absurd legend right?

[color=F9511D]“For your...research? How would they help?”[/color] She hadn’t the foggiest what Saori really did, to be honest, all the science went in one ear and out the other. But it seemed important at any rate, so she lent her a hand whenever the girl could, honestly just trying to follow the instructions given as closely as possible to avoid messing anything up.

[color=F9511D]“I uh...guess you can take some? Assuming they don’t break apart or anything. But anyway, it seems everyone who’s coming is here...so uh.”[/color] Clapping her hands together, the girl looked away for a moment before looking down at her lap. Then her attention turned to the table in front of her. What exactly was the problem at hand? Well, that was easy. The ditz had forgotten the brief she had been given from her grandfather on the way here.

And she remembered where she had left it too. In the back of the taxi they had taken to get here….

[color=F9511D]“Um...Well, I guess if everyone’s here and ready to go then we don’t have a moment to lose yeah? Don’t want the other families to jump the gun on us! Hahaha...ha ....”[/color] This was normally the part where she was to give a quick run-down on what they had gleaned from this Zero Time event, however, seeing as she had forgotten the briefing...well she had as much knowledge as the rest of them. Lovely.

Scrambling through a small leather purse now, she pulled out a small pouch with a rock tied around it. Pocketing the pouch, she got up a little too quickly now and nearly tripped over the table, but caught herself. Gah, how could today get any worse….
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[@Kestrel][@Indra][@Killy][/center]
As the first member of his team, Takuto, entered the room, he looked up from the papers he was perusing before glancing down at his watch. [color=BF4E48]“15 minutes early? Very good Takuto. I wish the others were as punctual as yourself.”[/color] Praise, a rare thing indeed from a man that desired perfection. While he wouldn’t say 15 minutes early was overly praiseworthy, considering the other's tendencies...this really was the best he could hope for from any of them.

Hector said nothing else now as he went back to reading the intelligence for perhaps the fifth time it was by now. Cross-checking and confirming he understood what was written. Because if he was...this was rather peculiar.

About five minutes later, another person strolled into the room. It wasn’t Jana or Kizuna, nor was it Maya. It was indeed a man with dark hair and piercing onyx eyes, even more so with his glasses seeming to enhance his gaze that seemed to see straight through to your soul.

[color=BF4E48]“Ah Cassius, you’re normally the first here. Mr. Kurokami here has beaten you today, however, which is disappointing. I’m sure you’ll strive to do better next time though.”[/color] A strained smile flashed on Hector’s face for a moment as the other man’s gaze fell upon Takuto...oh yeah he was mad with the newer mage. Just how he narrowed his gaze at the man signaled his displeasure.

[color=394342]“I see...that’s unfortunate, I will do better next time so as to not fail your expectations, Mr Johnson.”[/color] Not tearing his gaze away from Takuto for a moment, he went and sat down at the chair opposite as they awaited the rest of the team.

Before things could get too awkward however, Jana and Kizuna came almost running in. Jana’s accusing words and looks only made Hector smile slightly. [color=BF4E48]“I haven’t the [i]slightest[/i] as to what you’re referring to Ms. Reid. However, it is [i]good [/i]to see that you and Ms. Enishi here early for once.” [/color]Tapping the paper on the table, he sorted it into a neat pile as Maya snuck in behind the newly arrived duo.

Even so, she didn’t escape Hector’s gaze.

[color=BF4E48]“Ms. Dozier, nice of you to join us. And not a moment to spare at that. I would expect one to be a little earlier to their job, but I suppose I shouldn’t hold mercenaries to such [i]basic[/i] standards.[/color]” Hector’s smile faded as he turned to the gathered mages. They were still missing a member...however that could wait. She was somewhat of an...exception. As much as Hector hated it.

[color=BF4E48]“Well, it is 1600 on the dot so I suppose it’s time for the run-downs. I do apologize as I must keep this brief, for you see we have a rather...peculiar situation forming.”[/color]

With a sigh, Hector removed his glasses, pulling out a cloth from his pocket at the same time as he began to wipe his reading spectacles.

[color=BF4E48]“As you’re already more than well aware, your job will be to enter Zero Time and extract the Soul Essence within. Ms. Dozier here is on to provide support against the monsters that dwell within, so far nothing out of the normal.”[/color] Holding up his glasses to inspect them, he seemed overly casual despite mentioning a peculiar situation just before. Though as he went to continue now, his tone took a decidedly darker turn to it.

[color=BF4E48]“However, you see this is where the problems start. A monster has in fact...merged with a Soul Essence vein. Mutating it. We have very little info to go on for this monster, however, bringing it down is our number one objective. If this monster is capable of absorbing Soul Essence...then we must stop it from doing so to the rest of the veins. In the process, we believe we can still gather the Soul Essence it has absorbed so it’s two birds, one stone. This isn’t the only problem, however.”[/color] Seeming happy with his glasses, he now threw them over his shoulder before they loudly shattered somewhere else in the room.

Ah, that felt so much better to vent just even a little.

[color=BF4E48]“Reports state there are only seven veins this time, including the one absorbed by the beast. So we must act swiftly if we are to secure the Soul Essence, and each one seems to have...warped the area around them. You’ll understand when you see it, trust me it’s quite the sight.”[/color] Pulling on his gloves, he stood up now and nodded.

[color=BF4E48]“There are other...potential issues, however, I believe those are the most pressing matters and most related to us, and unfortunately time is against us so I do not have time to...oh yes, I almost forgot.”[/color] Pausing for a moment, he seemed to mentally slap himself for forgetting to mention such a detail. [color=BF4E48]“It seems that the warping within Zero Time has...destabilized it somewhat. Meaning we believe it to last around...half the time it usually does. Hence why we must hurry, so once again I do apologize for not supplying you with sufficient information this time.”[/color]

Before he had even finished he had already brought into view a small bracelet, with a series of gemstones dangling from it. [color=BF4E48]“Make final preparations. We go in five.”[/color]
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[center][@Bartimaeus][@Polaris North][@Walbert][/center]
[color=9596A8]“Ah Father Nass, it is good to see you as well...how fares Father Sumernor?”[/color] At Nass’s arrival, Maylis turned on her heels to face him with a beaming smile on her face. This meant she turned her back to the two fellows trying to argue with her and began ignoring them, this all causing Alister’s veins to seemingly be trying to burst in front of everyone.

[color=B4885B]“Lady Maylis...Don’t change the subject. Also, I didn’t hear the door open....does that mean you left it open? [i]Again[/i]?”[/color] An exasperated sigh escaped the man as Maylis stiffened up for a moment, eyes shiftily moving about.

[color=9596A8]“Hahaha... don't be crazy Alister! You uh...just couldn’t hear him over your persistent nagging. Yeah, you’re being crazy loud Alister.”[/color] It was a terrible effort to cover her tracks, Alister could see right through as he audibly groaned and covered his face.

And she was trying to tell him that she was to be trusted in Zero Time? She couldn’t even be trusted to [i]shut the damn door[/i].

That was when the twins now followed suit, Maylis greeting them with a wide smile as well.

[color=9596A8]“Oh, it’s nothing Ren, nothing at all. Nothing important at least.” [/color]Clasping her hands together, she looked at the three gathered mages then towards the door expectantly. Uh, where was everyone else? Not wanting to make things awkward, and also not wanting to give Dieter or Alister another chance to try and argue with her, she turned to the twins in particular once again. 


[color=9596A8]“So are you and Rin excited to meet your new squad-mates?”[/color] Before now, they had kinda floated between squads but Maylis had finally finished preparing a squad for them to join full-time.

Even if she had to form a completely new one as a result.

[color=76C3DF]“Mistress Maylis...this subject is hardly ‘nothing important’. We’re talking about [i]your[/i] safety here, and the greater picture of how it affects the Isamu.”[/color] Dieter groaned, rubbing his temples as an exasperated sigh left Alister. Why was she like this? Well, Alister knew the reasons why...he knew them all too well in fact.

[color=9596A8]“And as I keep telling you both, I am more than capable of fending for myself. You both know this and have seen it first-hand, in fact, I’m more capable than the two of you combined. I am going, end of conversation. I will not listen to any more arguments on the matter.”[/color] A serious tone crept into her voice, the atmosphere around the trio seeming to grow heavy for a moment as Maylis straightened herself up to stare upwards at the taller men.

[color=9596A8]“Unless you think you can stop me that is?”[/color]