[center][h1]Not The Kids![/h1][/center][hr][color=darkgray][sub]LOCATION: THE BASTION[/sub][/color][center][color=darkgray][sub]COLLAB W/ [@ERode][@BrokenPromise][/sub][/color][/center] [indent] [color=#66b2b2]"..."[/color] The Protector was at a loss. Damn it all-- in English even! Why did it have to come out from this side of the mansion? The exasperated suit of armor scratched the back of its helmet, a little bit frustrated that it made the decision to make this exit without having a halfway-decent plan about how to return to those kids. One thing was for sure - the garage door entrance they found was accessed through the underground... so, the subway was out of the question, being a good ten or fifteen kilometers into the city. It rushed here by bus, and so it really needed to take a moment to jog its memory back while it sprinted all the way around the mansion. Once reaching a very rough above-ground estimate of where the garage heading into the wine cellar was, the Protector looked around. There were no obvious entrances into the inner workings of the underground labyrinth, but... there [i]was[/i] a manhole. It rushed to it, questioning if its strength would be enough to open the thing before it realized it was still in its esper form. Quickly, it held its shield over the cover, its gravitational pull lifting the manhole lid with surprising ease. Obstruction cleared, it secured its shield to its back and made its way down the ladder, hoping for the best. It was dark, it was damp, and it was hella cramped. There was no way it would detransform, though. Not with all the muck and moisture. The esper couldn't have been more thankful for its suit of armor; clearly, its privileged upbringing didn't ever oversee its willing entrance into any city's underbelly. Yet, there it was. The things it'd do for children, after all. So it sucked it up and just tried its damn best to move fast without slipping. [/indent] [hr] [indent][color=CCBFFF]”Eat… [i]Babies[/i]!?”[/color] Trixy raised an eyebrow. [color=CCBFFF]”Is that something they accused us of before I showed up? Because [i]that[/i] is a new one. Billy doesn’t spare monsters who can’t change their ways, and baby eating is something that would have to go!”[/color] Trixy sighed before hoisting her rocket launcher over her shoulders. [color=CCBFFF]”I get why the Gems hate us. Monsters feed on our bad vibes, and some of them need to take it a bit further to survive. I mean take vampires for existence: They need human blood to survive. But they don’t need to kill the humans they feed on, and you could feed them donated blood in a pinch.”[/color] With a groan, she looked back at what was left of the wine cellar. [color=CCBFFF]”Baby eating… Jez certainly never ate any babies. She was a nice girl, but she was always more Tetrad’s friend than mine. I don’t think she liked me too much. Heh, the feeling wasn’t mutual though.”[/color] [color=6ecff6]“Right,”[/color] Klava nodded. It more or less mapped with her own understanding of monsters, in they were more emotional vampires than actual cannibals, feeding off memories. Killing babies was one way to make parents sad but in terms of actual investments? It was like bankrupting a company in one sector in order to make a totally different company wealthier: you could just have [i]both[/i] companies be wealthy instead. [color=6ecff6]“Well, guess this Jez wasn’t big on baby carrots then.”[/color] An awkward pause, followed by a swift redirect. [color=6ecff6]“Still, this actually alright in the long run? You sorta showed the way to Bastion to a buncha Freelancers who’re pretty ok with selling you out.”[/color] [color=CCBFFF]”We’ll be fine. If there’s two things Billy does better than anyone else, it’s cause cave ins and build tunnels.”[/color] The corners of her lips twitched into a forced smile. [color=CCBFFF]”Any monster can cause a cave in, and Bastion is nothing more than a complex cave system. The Gems would need to be suicidal to come fight us underground. Well, unless they had some way to protect themselves from cave ins as they chased us through Bastion’s long corridors. But Billy’s a little unique in that he’s really good at creating stuff too. In a few hours, he can create a brand new path if it’s not too far away from Bastion’s system.”[/color] She shrugged. [color=CCBFFF]”It takes a bit longer to make it pretty, but survival is the goal right now.”[/color] [color=6ecff6]“Hmm.”[/color] Klava could figure out a few unethical ways of dealing with perpetually subterranean enemies, but there was no great need for her to do so either. Her proverbial hat was with the Mavericks, after all, and that bit of creativity may not be so appreciated. [color=6ecff6]“Well it’s good that you’ve figured things out on that front then. Must do wonders for your skin too if you can permanently dodge the sun.”[/color] Though before any small talk could be had, they would soon realize they were not alone. [color=#66b2b2]“Ah!”[/color] A deep, metallic yelp echoed from just around the corner from where the group stood, accompanied by the heavy scampering of what sounded like a giant hunk of metal lumbering about in the darkness of the labyrinth. The creaks of metal grew closer the longer they waited. Billy and Trixy prepared their weapons before advancing toward the unfamiliar sound. In time, they would find that the disembodied, tincanny voice would be none other than the Protector’s, who managed to haul enough ass in time to make it before they left. This presence would be made clear as a gauntleted hand gripped the wall for support, before pulling itself into view, clearly wary of its surroundings after seemingly having slipped somewhere on its way there. [color=#66b2b2]”Oh, uhm… hello...”[/color] The voice spoke with a low, gruff voice. Clearly, its vocals were more than enough to sound intimidating if it tried, but why did it sound as if it was about to start crying? Its spear and shield were secured safely to its back. It showed no signs of threat or ill-intentions as it approached the group slowly, rubbing its gauntleted hands together like a kid who’d done something wrong. Before it got too close, however, it slowly fell to the ground and mushed its head to the floor. With palms on the floor and helmet lowered in shame, it simply wanted to apologize. [color=#66b2b2]”I’m really, very, truly sorry for leaving like that. I have no excuses other than… I was scared, and I didn’t want to risk anything else happening.”[/color] The Protector spoke earnestly, it's head still plastered to the ground. Its accent began to deviate from normal, almost sounding foreign. [color=#66b2b2]”I’m sorry, it was so shameful of me. Please forgive me– I didn’t have enough [i]guts[/i].”[/color] If its esper form could cry, it would have done so right then and there. “Guts” was a word it learned just while watching a movie just the other day. Unfortunately, its mind was tired, anxious, and stressed all in one– its English vocabulary depleted itself as it spoke. Unfortunately, this was far from an appropriate moment to pull out a dictionary. Instead, it issued a silent prayer as it waited there on the floor. [color=lightgray]”We lost one of our own over what happened back there.”[/color] Billy didn’t lower his sword, and Trixy looked like she was fighting just to keep herself from pulling the trigger. [color=CCBFFF]”We saved you...”[/color] Trixy growled through her teeth. [color=lightgray]”The hell are you even doin’ here?”[/color] Billy hugged the teenagers a bit tighter. [color=lightgray]”Government didn’t put ya up to some shit already, did they?”[/color] The Mavericks were right to be suspicious, but Klava was quicker on the uptake. She took a step closer to Protector, past the line of Billy’s sword. [color=6ecff6]“You’re here for the kids, yeah?”[/color] [color=#66b2b2]”En.”[/color] The Protector furiously shook its head when Billy suggested that it was collaborating with the GEMINI, and nodded into the ground when Klava spoke. It hadn’t moved from its prostrate position on the floor. [color=#66b2b2]”[i]I promised them that I’d come back for them...[/i]”[/color] It raised its head to look at Klava before looking back down in guilt. Trixy inhaled before lowering her rocket launcher. Her lips twitched. She turned to Billy, but before she could speak, the giant beat her to it. [color=lightgray]”Wait just a cotton-pickin’ minute.”[/color] He was still holding onto his sword, but it was his outstretched finger he had pointed at Protector. [color=lightgray]”So you’re sayin’ you came to pick up these kids here?”[/color] The teenagers remained silent, but it was clear they just wanted today to end. [color=lightgray]”That ain’t somethin’ I can do.”[/color] [color=CCBFFF]”Why not?”[/color] Trixy placed a hand on her hip. [color=CCBFFF]”Not like the Bastion is the best environment for a bunch of teenagers.”[/color] [color=lightgray]”That ain’t teenagers, they’re sorcerers: humans gifted with uncontrollable powers.”[/color] Billy squinted his eyes. [color=lightgray]”They ain’t ever gunna have a normal life. Probably bounced from home to home before they wound up here.”[/color] He looked at the boy, who nodded before Billy continued. [color=lightgray]”If GEMINI learns about their existence, they’re gunna get put down or experimented on in some lab. Ya already proved to me ya gunna turn coat once the chips are down. Faster than a hiccup!”[/color] He gave the kids a light shake. [color=lightgray]”It ain’t personal, I also told these kids I wouldn’t abandon them. Which is why I can’t leave ‘em in yer hands.”[/color] Klava looked at Protector, her expression carefully neutral. [color=6ecff6]“It’s against the law to house two homeless teenagers. At worst, it’s abduction. At best, it’s aiding in delinquency. So leave it to people who are already criminals in the eyes of the law.”[/color] Her gaze turned towards Billy, a backwards glance at the monster and the children he held in his hands. [color=6ecff6]“Protector has wronged you, but they would return to you for the sake of those kids. Will you allow them to visit in the future?”[/color] At this, the Protector raised its head from its lowered position to look at the kids. [color=lightgray]”Mmmmm...”[/color] The giant sheathed his sword. [color=lightgray]”If they really wanna…”[/color] His eyes rolled towards the teenagers. [color=lightgray]”What do you guys think?”[/color] [b]”I don’t know!”[/b] The boy grunted. [b]”You’re not going to let us stay here, right?!”[/b] [color=lightgray]”Justin fled, don’t think any of his servants stayed behind. Not to mention GEMINI is there. Wouldn’t recommend it.”[/color] The girl placed a hand on the side of her head. [b]”I just want to sit down…”[/b] [color=lightgray]”I’m gunna say it’s in the cards.”[/color] Billy looked to Klava. [color=lightgray]”Can’t say I’d let them meet in the Bastion. Now ain’t exactly the best time to be talkin’ bout this anyway.”[/color] [color=#66b2b2]”...Then, perhaps we can move somewhere else to discuss this.”[/color] The Protector rubbed the eyeholes of its helmet before it slowly rose. [color=#66b2b2]”I wanted to provide them a place in my home. I have the money… so I thought I could take care of them well.”[/color] It shook its head. [color=#66b2b2]”But Klava is right, and I don’t want them to stay here for long either.”[/color] The sentinel looked toward Billy and the children. [color=#66b2b2]”All I can ask is that you let me know where you’ll be keeping them…”[/color] [color=lightgray]”They’ll be stayin’ in the Bastion for a bit.”[/color] Billy took his fist and bumped it against an adjacent wall. The low, dull rumble of some machinery spurred to life. The giant continued to walk forward as a second collapse happened behind them. Concrete and rebar barred any access to the mansion. [color=lightgray]”In a few days, I’ll get in touch with ya on Shimr. Kids need a break from this crap right now.”[/color] He stepped past Protector with Trixy following just behind him. He looked over his shoulder at Klava. [color=lightgray]”Headin’ back to the surface?”[/color] [color=6ecff6]“Yeah, in a bit.”[/color] Klava’s lips quirked up. [color=6ecff6]“But about the payment. I’m receiving the others’ share now, yeah?”[/color] [color=lightgray]”Hah!”[/color] The only thing that made it evident Billy was smiling was that his cheeks were poking out from the top of his mask. [color=lightgray]”Where the hell are ya hidin’ yer balls? Talkin’ like that I imagine they’re the size of texas!”[/color] He rolled his shoulders. [color=lightgray]”Payin’ ya the wage of four espers for a botched operation is a little high. You’ll be gettin’ a good bonus though, just not [i]that[/i] good.”[/color] As Billy turned around to walk deeper into the Bastion, Trixy ran up beside him. [color=CCBFFF]”Do I get a bonus?”[/color] [color=lightgray]”Did you even do anythin’, Trixy?”[/color] Their banter stopped as soon as they were out of sight. Klava smirked. The smirk faded once the Mavericks were out of sight, and she rounded on Protector, her gaze ice-cold. [color=6ecff6]“So. Explain.”[/color] The Protector raised its gauntlet to rub the back of its armored elbow. During that whole time, it could only manage to listen and stay quiet. [color=#66b2b2]”I…”[/color] What could it say? How could it have the audacity to even try? [color=#66b2b2]”...I really have no excuse. I was scared. I didn’t want to see anyone else get hurt if we stayed behind with the Mavericks, and I also didn’t want to see anything bad happen to the GEMINI…”[/color] [color=#66b2b2]”I’m really sorry… I will admit, that my loyalty does not lie with either organization, but I have people I’d like to see safe on both sides. You are one of them.”[/color] [color=6ecff6]“No, not that. I meant this whole showing up to Bastion [i]after[/i] you expressly left them for dead,”[/color] Klava replied, massaging the bridge of her nose. [color=6ecff6]“Like, imagine the Fritz. Imagine busting back into GEMINI HQ after taking a deal with the monsters and leaving them to get eaten. What didja think would’ve happened, huh?”[/color] [color=#66b2b2]”...”[/color] The Protector let out a sigh. [color=#66b2b2]”It’s like I said– I made a promise to those kids. Gah, I didn’t even get to ask them for their names…”[/color] [color=#66b2b2]”...But even then, this was a pretty dumb idea, huh? Eh heh…”[/color] The suit of armor let out a dry chuckle, and then another sigh, clearly more drained than anything else. [color=6ecff6]“A promise is something you keep, not something you kill yourself over!”[/color] Klava snapped. [color=6ecff6]“And yes, that was pretty fucking stupid! You knew that I was literally there with the Mavericks. Could’ve shot me a SHIMR message or anything to confirm what the situation is, but no, you just went on by yourself to double-tap your own death!”[/color] She flung her hands into the air. [color=6ecff6]“Like, what, did you forget the part where the Fritz also said the GEMs’d fuckin’ kill you if you consorted with monsters again? What do you think heading back into Bastion sounds like, huh? Think there wouldn’t be any footage of you skulking around and then disappearing underground? Christ alive, Aria! Don’t go and become Depraved [i]this[/i] fast!”[/color] [color=#66b2b2]”..."[/color] The Protector winced as it listened, but somehow managed to feel a little lighter in the end. It took a while, but eventually it responded. [color=#66b2b2]”...Yeah, you're right, Klava. I really won't be able to help anyone if things reach that point."[/color] It lowered its head. [color=#66b2b2]”I didn't think being a freelancer would be so difficult for me,"[/color] The Protector said slowly. [color=#66b2b2]”But I'll keep on trying my best. It was my decision to settle down like this, anyway. And, uhm…"[/color] [color=#66b2b2]”Thank you for your concern. I felt like crying listening to your words. Not because I was being scolded, but because you cared enough to do so. For my safety…"[/color] A sniff resonated from the sentinel as it instinctively reached up to rub its helmet's nose. God, Klava hated this. How can she even fucking sustain her anger when Protector’s like this? The dark-haired priestess drew in another deep breath of air, sucking up all the tension in her shoulders, before exhaling deeply. [color=6ecff6]“You don’t need to be a freelancer.”[/color] The words came out sharply. [color=6ecff6]“If you don’t need the money, then you don’t need to work for it.”[/color] Her eyes bore into the holes of the giant’s helmet. [color=6ecff6]“And if you don’t work for money, you don’t have any obligation to do what others think is right.”[/color] Why be a freelancer, when you could just be free? Klava walked past Protector briskly, the bells in her shoes clinking with every step. [color=6ecff6]“Think on it.”[/color][/indent]