[center][h2][color=a95c68]Jacqueline Leroux[/color][/h2][/center]
When Binky confirmed there was no choice to be made, Jacqueline relaxed back into her seat. She wouldn’t mind having influence on mission parameters, but it was executed stupidly, it’d be pointless. She listened to the political explanation, and nodded at the end. It mostly made sense. The most frustrating part was the fact that Fritzi decided to save face by [i]not[/i] using Freelancers, and now the very expected outcome of that population serving as their opponents came into being. Jacqueline didn’t think the emphasis on ‘we, the Gemini, and only the Gemini, will resolve this’, but unfortunately that wasn’t her call. So now they’d have to compete with Mavericks and Freelances, who were supposedly doing it out of good will. Jacqueline wasn’t sure she believed that, but it honestly didn’t matter.

Being assured of Lada’s cooperation wasn’t necessary – Jacqueline thought that woman was likely self-servingly smart enough not to compromise them this time. It was good to hear that their entrance would be covered. Seeing the blood barrier in action was much more exciting though; the bodies of the gang members they’d killed on the previous mission got turned into gelatinous substance and dispersed then shaped into the curved barrier. Jacqueline wondered if these particular bodies worked best because they were fresh, or if they were also used as a subtle test of Lada’s willingness to turn against her previous allies. Then again, from what she’d understood, only Lada and Rottweiler truly had a connection, so the rest of their former team having been killed likely didn’t concern them.

The door of the van opened once the barrier was formed. Jacqueline ran out with the others, following Breacher closely. Since she was near the front, she was easily and swiftly able to use Havoc to throw the door open.

She raised her brows once they crossed the threshold. The mansion was as if taken straight out of some corny vampire horror movie. Jacqueline had no idea if it was supposed to be ironic, humorous, or a genuine expression of the owner’s taste. She glanced warily at the statues – if reality followed a fantasy-inspired script, these might very well become animate. However, she soon noticed the hostages, and peered in their direction. Well, fuck. Hopefully there wouldn’t be even more blood mages this time…But no, maybe they were just to be supposed a pre- or mid-battle vampire snacks that’d empower their enemies? She wasn’t entirely sure how vampires functioned, to be honest.

The pianist stood up, ceasing the oh-so-thoughtful score accompaniment they’d had for that extra kick to the atmosphere. He was obviously a vampire, probably a formidable one given how cocky he was. He probably thought himself smart for that little poem of his, or, more likely, he was just baiting them.

Valkyrie asked permission to get a hit on him. If she thought she could without risking the hostages, Jacqueline thought she should, but didn’t say anything yet. However, she couldn’t help but snark at Wukong over the comms. [color=a95c68]“Of course, they were expecting us,”[/color] exasperation tinged her tone, [color=a95c68]“we did announce we’d be coming, just not when.”[/color] To Orion, she commented, [color=a95c68]“Well, someone does need to do something for the hostages, but, hm. If we’re assuming the vampire has to kill them himself, rather than there being a mechanism – a trap – in place…Breacher, how many could you build a wall around?”[/color]

After their brief yet furious bout of whispering – which Jacqueline wouldn’t be surprised the vampire was able to listen into – she addressed their host. [color=a95c68]“Why don’t you come earn you precious blood price yourself, huh?”[/color] Saying so, she raised her weapon-

-and proceeded to make a long but shallow cut along her unprotected palm. [color=a95c68]“Mm-m-mm?”[/color] she taunted, wiggling her lightly injured hand. Comically, she raised one leg up slowly, then took a very blatant step backwards. She then mock-gasped, [color=a95c68]“Oh, no, silly me, stepping back like this, huh?”[/color] Her words were dripping sarcasm, but hey, if the vampire was hotheaded enough to get enraged by this, or else self-absorbed enough to be willing to take the distraction and make conversation, it’d be good for them. 

[hr][hr][center]Havoc | Great Axe | Arcane | Pry
Eternal Knight | Perfectly polished 
Forged Arsenal | Earth/Metal | Fissure 
[Quake (2), Mass (2)] Damage X (6), AoE (2), Enhance (2), Powerful (0), Dispel (6), Shield (4)

DAMAGE: B | SPEED: D | SENTINEL: D | 500

PHYSICAL: E | ARCANE: C | CHAOS: D | 500[/center]