Upon hearing news of Breacher's death, the smile ran from Veronica's face. [color=#bd71e8]”I knew this was going to be a rough one.”[/color] When asked about why she arrived so late and where all the other espers were, she pursed her lips. [color=#bd71e8]”Yes...”[/color] She put her hands on her hips. [color=#bd71e8]”While we expected retaliation, we did not realize how well organized they would be. It's like every monster faction in the city banded together for the occasion. I was expecting them to lay a trap for the freelancers and the Mavericks, but we were more discrete with our planning. I think Justin was here as a last resort, to hold the line against any stragglers. It was inevitable that they would notice the convoy Binky and I were protecting. all of Gemini's agents are here right now. The top brass hasn't seen fit to send us more espers yet. Regardless, I can't imagine the enemy will continue fighting us now that the Diver is gone.”[/color] When Finn suggested they try to catch the brainwashed espers, Veronica's smile returned. [color=#bd71e8]"Agent? Can you even conjure a melody in your current state? As admirable as your enthusiasm is, it is unnecessary. With Justin dead their dark blessing should be far weaker now. Curing it should within the realm of possibility. But if you'd like, I can-”[/color]

[color=tomato]”What happened to mom?!"[/color] 

It seemed Mika hadn't been unconscious after all. She had become fully alert after Finn and Jacqueline mentioned Su was dead. 

[color=#bd71e8]"Oh! [i]You're[/i] Mika?”[/color] Veronica let out a nervous chuckle. [color=#bd71e8]"I had no idea you were an esper! Did you get a hold of Breacher's grimoire or is that something you've always had?”[/color]

But Mika was not in the mood to talk. She shook her head while stepping backwards. [color=tomato]”She can't be!"[/color] 

[color=#bd71e8]"I'm inclined to believe her squad mates. I doubt they have any reason to lie.”[/color]

Mika brought her hand up to her mouth, but that didn't stop the tears from rolling over her cheeks. She took off across the cat bridge back to the police station. 

[color=tomato]”Mom! [i]Mom![/i]"[/color]

The precinct roof looked like a war zone. Everything was soaked in blood. That said nothing of the frog entrails, like corpses, flies, a scorch mark caused by a lightning bolt, puss that had leaked out of various boils, locust corpses, and that said nothing of the looming darkness. But despite all that, she did find a pile of wrecked cars. And among them...

She sunk to her knees. [color=tomato]”Not again..."[/color]

Veronica held her chin. [color=#bd71e8]"When she calms down, she could make for a good agent.”[/color] But veronica's attention was stolen away when Jacqueline asked about the stranger and harp. [color=#bd71e8]"They got pulled out of the Diver, didn't they?”[/color] She furrowed her brow. [color=#bd71e8]"It's not uncommon for behemoths to have some mundane object as a power source. But I'm not sure why there was a [i]person[/i] in there.”[/color]

[color=tomato]”Yea about that."[/color] Oros, half dragging herself, inched closer to the group of espers. [color=tomato]”I'm sure you guys could tell, but Holy Diver wasn't exactly your average run-of-the-mill behemoth."[/color] Her sword scraped against the asphalt roof. [color=tomato]”To avoid a history lesson, that harp right there is a grimoire. The idea was to make it invincible to attack, but like any good organ, they tend to stop working once they're removed from the body."[/color]

Veronica half chuckled when she turned to Oros. [color=#bd71e8]"I suppose you're here to make sure we don't capture them?”[/color] 

[color=tomato]”Negatory. I'm just here to pick my date up."[/color] Oros winked at Marrie. [color=tomato]”Assuming that you don't wanna just duke it out. But last time you bastards did that it didn't work out great. So I'm all for postponing our epic battle for a later time."[/color]

[color=#bd71e8]"I see.”[/color] The vermillion esper looked at Stacy, then Marrie. [color=#bd71e8]"So what's your roll in this?”[/color]

[color=tomato]”I may be the meta character, but you're gunna have to clarify."[/color]

[color=#bd71e8]"You've arrived just after I did. I don't believe for a second that you're just here for a date. Though it's clear you know something about this mad house escapee and at least one other esper here. It doesn't seem like you were behind this attack.”[/color]

[color=tomato]”That's right."[/color] Oros puffed out her chest. [color=tomato]”Look, uh, I know it's only mid day, but the city's been, like, totally ravaged and stuff. You probably wanna figure out where everyone else is, assess things, you know? Government stuff?"[/color] With a huff, she extended her hand towards Ashley. [color=tomato]”You wanted to date me too, right? Or was it a 'totally just wanted to look after my little sister' kinda thing? Whatever, you're still invited, and it's the least painful way to interrogate me."[/color] [s]Provided she didn't run off, that is.[/s]

[color=MediumAquamarine]”I'll come too!”[/color] Stacy struck a flamboyant pose. She made a "v" in front of her eye with her fingers. [color=MediumAquamarine]”I know a cool place where we can play some board games!”[/color]

Veronica's gaze shifted towards Agent Orion. [color=#bd71e8]"You've encountered her before?”[/color] [s]Provided she didn't run off, that is.[/s]