[table][row][/row][row][cell][color=2e2c2c]▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇[/color] [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/5365768][img]https://i.imgur.com/eRRtGt9.jpeg[/img][/url][color=2e2c2c]▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇[/color][/cell][cell] [sub][color=758186]ISOLDE "BELLADONNA" FEATHERSWALLOW[/color] [color=cecece]—[/color] [color=758186]UDF: Cetra East Command[/color] [color=cecece]—[/color] [color=758186]Early Morning[/color] [color=cecece]—[/color] [color=904e80]FLASHBACK DAY 1[/color] [color=cecece]—[/color][@Aeolian][/sub][hr] [color=8d8e8f]It fluttered about madly—a black inky looking thing no bigger than a human hand. It was a moth for all intents and purposes. Except, it lacked the vivid menagerie of colors and designs that adorned the bodies of a true moth. This one was like a shadow, an insect only in silhouette. It behaved as one would though, lulled by a luminous moonlight—the moon in this case being an Aeon. Ethereal and silent as ever, staying out of sight from this individual, flapping its tiny delicate self to keep up with the person of its attraction. Sometimes the moth would perch somewhere when the Aeon came to a pause, and then it continued on in perfect step. Following, following, following, waiting, following, settling itself on an inconspicuous metal frame inside the aerial vehicle the Aeon would eventually board...unaware a stalker was amiss. The moth's antennas twitched. It studied the Aeon with the passion and purpose of a brilliant sun. A sentinel tasked with no other mission, it watched. And from far away, as clear in her mind's eye as the assistant that stood before her, so did Belladonna. [center][color=silver]~[/color][/center] [hr][sub][color=758186]ISOLDE "BELLADONNA" FEATHERSWALLOW[/color] [color=cecece]—[/color] [color=758186]UDF: Cetra East Command[/color] [color=cecece]—[/color] [color=758186]Early Morning[/color] [color=cecece]—[/color] [color=904e80]FLASHBACK DAY 1[/color] [color=cecece]—[/color][@Aeolian][@Salsa Verde][/sub][hr] Dr. Featherswallow was a lone owl in many ways. In her personal life, she had few true friends, if any at all. In her work, she had professional acquaintances only as a means to reach a desirable end. But the relations usually remained as such, cordial and impersonal. With her ranking, she had been pounced upon by many UDF underlings seeking to make nice with her in hopes of advancing their careers in ResDiv. Isolde applauded their efforts...truly...she would do the same. Sweet talk, sleep with (though she had too much self-respect and intelligence to need such a pass), and grease your way through any high-ranking official that could be manipulated into moving you up the hierarchy. Isolde's mantra: "Whatever it takes." With her reputation, she was an anathema for many, of course. But stacked to the heavens were more than enough invitations to luxurious soirees and cocktail parties to fill the night sky like stars. Dr. Featherswallow engaged when she deemed it necessary, but otherwise, her party of 100 socialites, businessmen, colleagues, and courters were nothing more than fragrant perfumes, one she'd put on to get her through the evening and then wash off again before the day's end. Naturally, Isolde had no intentions of befriending Amanita as she watched the girl from a little distance away. Isolde liked to people watch, a twinkle in her foxy eyes as she saw how Amanita engaged with some of the others—sprightly and unassuming. [color=8882be]"How cute..."[/color] she muttered breathlessly, flicking the remaining bud of her bone onto the ground and squishing it with her custom-tailored combat heels. If Isolde was going out in the field for the first time in god knows how long, she'd do it in style. With Marcus and Oerba flanking her on both sides, though always a few steps behind, Isolde approached Amanita, giving everyone else a warm and amiable smile until she and the only other ResDiv Aeon on the team were left alone. In the sweetest voice she could muster, Isolde said, [color=8882be]"Aren't you adorable, my dear. It's so nice to make your acquaintance at last. I am Dr. Featherswallow, but Isolde is fine too. There's no need for formalities between you and me."[/color] After her introduction, Isolde bowed as graceful as a geisha, a sign she was familiar with some of the Goryeo region customs—cultured and well-traveled no doubt. Returning to her regal posture, Isolde gestured to the other two. [color=8882be]"This is Marcus, my bodyguard, and Oerba, my assistant. Please, do not hesitate to reach out to them if you are ever in need of aid while on this mission. I cannot speak to your field experience, but this is a rather unnerving undertaking, even for me."[/color] She chuckled softly, appearing more benign. Most fell for her ways, but Isolde knew that some people were more perceptive than others. She'd continue to test the girl's temperament and acquiescent nature. Of course, Isolde held rank over her, but she didn't want to play that card if she didn't have to. People were usually more willing to listen when they saw you as a friend on the same playing field. As if. Marcus gave Oerba a nod and then the two headed off toward Isolde's private personal carrier. Isolde watched them with a side-eye and then turned her attention back to Amanita, looping her arm between the young girl's like they were schoolmates or sisters. With Isolde's gentle leading, they walked slowly in tandem, to seemingly nowhere in particular (though her carrier seemed to inch closer, little by little). [color=8882be]"Actually, I'm glad I caught you. I was hoping you would ride with me in my carrier. The trip is several hours long and I have some research files I'd like to go over with you. I've heard many great things about your work with the toxic fungi and I think we could make brilliant progress on this expedition."[/color] She paused for a moment to catch her breath and let the air around them simmer in anticipation. Then, she continued with a little more zest in her tone, as if giving an inspirational speech. [color=8882be]"I'm sure you're well aware of my research to find a cure. My objective remains clear, even now. But you...your expertise...it is truly unmatched. Imagine how much good you can do...to help me, to help save all those poor infected souls...perhaps, even save the world. Why else would we be the only ResDiv Aeons here? Surely, my darling, you and I are special."[/color] When they came to a stop, they were standing in front of Isolde's personal carrier. Marcus and Oerba, buckled in, were watching from inside, trying to glean what few words they could hear. Isolde unlinked her arm from Amanita's and cupped the young girl's hand in her own with the warmth and touch of a mother. Isolde assumed the girl knew of her scandals and rumors and such. She wanted to wash away those thoughts and preconceptions from her mind if they still lingered, quickly. [color=8882be]"In any case, there will be a portable research station on the ground near the combat zone in besieged Steelwater. We are entering dangerous waters my dear, but the research station is secure, at least for now. At least...that's what I've heard from intel. But who knows how long though until we must relocate to safer grounds if the abominations break though."[/color] [i]Or we're unceremoniously obliterated by the World Eater Battalion in friendly fire[/i], she thought to herself, annoyed that the possibility of such an unfortunate and useless happening was very real. Isolde gave the girl's hand one last comforting pat and then she let go. [color=8882be]"Until then, we must do what we can and stay safe. Everyone else has their guns, but we have our brains. And there is nothing more valuable than that. If something happens, you will comms me won't you deary?"[/color] Dr. Featherswallow took out her mobile device and did a swiping gesture with her hand toward Amanita. The young girl's device would notify her that she has received Isolde's contact information and with confirmation, Isolde would get hers in return. But Dr. Featherswallow would not wait around for Amanita to accept her comms invitation. Backing away slowly, she gave Amanita an affable expression, bowed slightly, and then boarded the carrier for Steelwater. Whether the Goryeo girl had been swayed by Isolde's motherly expressions of care and concern remained unclear. [center][color=silver]~[/color][/center] [hr][sub][color=758186]ISOLDE "BELLADONNA" FEATHERSWALLOW[/color] [color=cecece]—[/color] [color=758186]Steelwater [Ground][/color] [color=cecece]—[/color] [color=758186]Late Morning[/color] [color=cecece]—[/color] [@Aeolian][/sub][hr] It was one thing to see the carnage from high above, but another to be in the thick of it down below. There was constant shelling all around and the bombing echoed through the ground and shook Isolde to her core. At one point, she nearly stumbled by the reverberations, only steadied by the quick reactions of her bodyguard and son, Marcus. Oerba looked like a frightened little squirrel, poor thing. They had never been in a warzone before. The portable research station was surrounded by a large dome with a glass-like translucency, framed with two openings on either side. As a construction of supreme modern technology, the bubble dome was incredibly durable, evident when stray shelling hit the outer layer and caused a ripple as the dome absorbed and dispersed the impact over the field. With the press of a button, the dome could expand and disappear in mere seconds. However, as with most things, enough kinetic trauma could shatter the dome. Oerba ran inside it quickly, scared out of her wits and heaving madly once she came to a stop. Even in battle, Isolde walked with graceful urgency as she entered. Marcus remained outside as backup protection. The research station was not far from the actual combat, so if their defenses faltered even slightly, the research station would be in trouble. Inside, it was a commotion. Researchers and medical staff running around everywhere. There was various medical and lab equipment already set up. Several pallets were laid out with medics tending to wounded UDF soldiers. In a separate, more isolated area with its own kind of glassy caging were tables with infected persons strapped to them. There was only one way in and out in this room and only special personnel within the station could go in. From inside, a disheveled older-looking man spotted Isolde and his eyes were alight with relief. He ran out of the [i]'Infected Room'[/i] and grabbed Isolde's hand, shaking it madly and speaking as if he were exasperated and high on adrenaline at the same time. Isolde gave the main a feigned smile, easing her hand away as though she had been soiled by his touch. [color=silver]"My Apologies! You must be Dr. Featherswallow! I'm Dr. Poole. Thank the spirits you are here! We have multiple infected patients and two of them are near the brink!"[/color] Isolde stopped all pretenses and went straight into work mode. She looked around Dr. Poole and into the secure area. She saw only one person working with the infected and frowned, scratching an eyebrow as though irritated by his blundering ineptitude. [color=8882be]"Where are the other infection specialists? Have you any more fever agents? They can only survive the infection if they survive the fever. Most don't. And we'll have a nasty case on our hands if they turn before we have a chance to put them out of their misery."[/color] Dr. Poole was fervent, nearly jumping out of his shoes. [color=silver]"The other specialists died during relocation. Those hellish monsters pushed us back and our duplicator....it was destroyed in the process."[/color] Isolde sighed as deeply as the caverns of a mountain. She shook her head, resigned, [color=8882be]"We'll have to make them manually then. Grab a free medic and come with me, quickly."[/color] [color=8882be]"Oerba."[/color] Isolde's personal assistant followed in an instant. Dr. Poole followed beside Dr. Featherswallow, tangibly worried. [color=silver]"We don't have any free medics."[/color] he said, gesturing toward the cococaphany within the station. Isolde didn't look at him, she just kept walking, her current mission as clear as a full moon. [color=8882be]"Grab one anyways!"[/color] He nodded, solemnly. [/color][/cell][/row][/table] [hr]