[center][h3][color=red]♢[/color][color=black]♡[/color] [color=red]Marissa[/color] [color=black]♡[/color][color=red]♢[/color][/h3][/center]
	Indeed—[i]this[/i] was more like it. The denizens of The Slag were such fools; the whole lot, who could only judge by appearance. Her allies here, however, seemed different. Only the barmaid and the fox had openly slighted her; Sinmara even seemed eager to fight. Her sudden transformation earned a few gasps from ignorant onlookers, but those in the room who possessed [i]actual skill[/i] weren't shocked at all. In particular, her eyes drifted to the many-armed doctor who claimed to be able to fabricate anything. He seemed to be by far the most competent of the bunch. [color=red]"Pardon me; the others have been so [i]very[/i] noisy. I believe you said 'Fae' was your preferred term of address? My pleasure,"[/color] Marissa greeted with a radiant smile. [color=red]"I shall look forward to working with [i]you.[/i] As for my own term of address, usually I prefer my proper title, Red Queen—but if you wish to call me darling—I'll allow it."[/color] She giggled.

	Somewhere behind her, some nonsense was being spewed about swimming across an entire ocean, which caused her smile to look somewhat impatient, like one of a parent ignoring a screaming child throwing a tantrum. The look on her face devolved even further when Sinmara tried to show off, and tripped over her own two feet or something. [color=red][i]Are you fucking kidding me? I'm absolutely [b]surrounded[/b] by clowns,[/i][/color] she thought furiously. It didn't take a genius with cybernetic augmentations to see the migraine beginning to form on her face, especially as she laid eyes on the new arrival. Not a bird, not a plane, but a... no, she was pretty much more plane than human at this point—the exact opposite of Marissa, whose only apparent blemish was a subtle one only Fae was likely to notice: an eye made of glass.

	Thankfully, no one would have to witness Marissa explode just yet. Her smile would return as Ayaka calmly explained their next move. Marissa was quite pleased to hear that such luxuries as [i]personal quarters[/i] were in her future. Finally, some recognition, and indeed, as Fae said, someone [i]competent.[/i] [color=red]"Bloody Mari is quite satisfactory as an internal codename—and let me be clear—it is just a [i]codename,[/i] yes?"[/color] she said with a slightly threatening smile all around the room. [color=red]"Good. Then, as for our group name—I rather prefer to be, how you say, 'on the nose?' The Seekers of the Seven suits me just fine. Or shall we call ourselves, Slayers of the Dark, perhaps?"[/color] she said meaningfully, glancing around at the others, wondering if they even had any interest in the Dark One.

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	[color=red][i]Thank fuck,[/i][/color] Marissa almost said aloud as Sinmara decided to stop acting like a schoolgirl and go to sleep. The promise of peace proved ephemeral, however, as it didn't take more than a single snore to drive Marissa to the opposite end of the ship. She mostly kept to herself, spending the majority of the trip sharpening both her axe and her appearance. When they arrived at the military port, she made sure her appearance was flawless as she stepped off the transport. She walked at an even pace, hands folded in front of her elegantly, her axe temporarily stored. Even as Sinmara continued her antics, Marissa ignored her, along with the unfortunate soul who fell in the water. Unlike some other platinum blonde women, Marissa could walk up a mild incline without any issues. [color=red]"Like a floating [i]fortress,[/i] my dear—not a castle,"[/color] she corrected Sinmara as she finally finished boarding the ship like a normal person.