[center][h2]Bless This Mess - Grimm, Goldlewis, Midna, Sectonia, Captain Falcon, Venom Snake[/h2]
[b]Word Count:[/b] 3688 (+4)[/center]

Midna acquired a plate consisting of an odd onion omelet, some carrot sticks, and a Mint mango. Oh and also 3 plates of nothing but sausages. With these in (four) hand(s) she set about finding a spot to sit, her dark orange eyes scanning the room till she decided on touching base with a familiar fellow.

[color=Aqua]”Good morning Goldlewis, mind if I join you and…”[/color] Minda asked politely after she strode up to the table of the Secretary of Defense and his insectoid seating companion, trailing off in such a way as to invite the name the latter to be offered to her.

When choosing a table, the veteran had come equipped with not one but two plates. If the first platter, with its ample portions of diced, southwest-seasoned, skillet-fried oca oca spuds accompanied by chicken sausages, sliced prickle pears, and fresh cuberries might have implied a balanced breakfast, the second one piled high with oniony scrambled eggs shattered that illusion. It took a lot of food, and especially protein, to sustain a physique like his after all. That was why Midna’s arrival with twice as many meat-laden plates took him by surprise, but after remembering her many familiars, Goldlewis reasoned that the extra chow must be for them. At least, he hoped so…

“Howdy there missie, go right ahead,” he told her, answering on Grimm’s behalf as his senior. Midna’s question, though, made him realize something important about the unusual insect: that he’d never provided his name. Whenever he came up in hushed rumors along the narrow streets of Meridi-at-han, the tale-spinners agreed that the master of the Grimm Troupe must share its name. Maybe he was overthinking, but he couldn’t be so sure. Then again, following those whisperers’ example right in front of the bug might provoke a correction to clear the air once and for all. “This here’s Grimm. Ringleader of a travelin’ bug circus.”

The Troupe Master merely bowed his head in acknowledgement. [color=0054a6]”A pleasure to make your acquaintance.”[/color] With all those limbs, after all, Midna wasn’t too far gone from a bug herself. Grimm tossed a sausage to the floated Grimmchild, then lifted one to his mouthless, masklike face. It [url=https://i.imgur.com/BGddPdp.png]split open[/url] along an invisible seam, scarlet fire shining from within like a furnace flame, and after Grimm flicked the morsel into the inferno his maw closed again, all but disappearing.

It was safe to say Midna was a touch taken aback by that, the princess blinking a few times as if trying to properly process what she had just seen, before attempting a smooth recovery.

[color=Aqua]”Neat trick. Can you teach me how to do that? Would make taking a drink in a quiet moment in a fight much easier”[/color] she said as she sat herself down (giving Goldlewis a nod of thanks as she did so) before setting down her plates and then removing said helmet that she had been wearing this whole time. Her armor was stored somewhere, but the corrupting artifact stayed with her the whole time, and in this case was set in her lap.

[color=Aqua]”Midna, princess of twilight. Nice to meet you too”[/color] she then introduced herself in turn, before also engaging in feeding sausages to minion (as Goldlewis had predicted) in this case via using fake magical limbs to offer them to a portal out of which wolf-ish and dragon-ish snouts snapped. She did not trust them to not wreck the plates, and it would simply be indigent for the royal serving things to drop their food on the floor.

Sectonia took a bit to grab her food, as while she could eat meat, she’d much rather prefer sweets and fruits. Thankfully with another fan of honey aboard the avenger and that person being one of the people who managed all the food stuffs, honey was in good supply. Fruits however were a bit trickier to grab, and sweets were pretty barren. She’d need to fix that… perhaps something in that village of candy could make infinite sweets if they went back there?

Looking for a table to eat at, she decided to join Midna, Grimm, and Goldlewis. More so because Grimm was a new bug with a bit of flair to him and her familiarity with Midna. Since she just floated, she floated over a part of the table. She only caught the tail end of their conversation, but it was clearly introductions. [color=92278f]”I’m Queen Sectonia. No relation to Midna, although we have similar views on statecraft.”[/color] Sectonia said. [color=92278f]”Although her view of aesthetics needs a bit of work.”[/color]

While Grimm made no reply to either Midna (whose question he did not understand) or to the newcomer, Sectonia’s remarkable size (especially compared to his own) left him momentarily blindsided. While he did not flinch away, the Grimmchild did seem afraid, and hid from the big, brightly-colored bug behind its father. Rather than reassure it, though, the Troupe Master stared at Sectonia a moment longer. His red-hot gaze saw something in her that he despised, antithetical to everything that made him who he was. When he realized that this aspect of Sectonia was merely borrowed and not her own, however, his intense look subsided, and Grimm turned to try and coax his child out with a sausage.

It took an extra couple minutes for Captain Falcon to show up in the common room with his breakfast in tow. Not because he wasn’t a morning person. Quite the opposite, in fact, as Cap had arisen a good couple of hours before anyone else on the ship did in order to do some morning workouts. No, the only reason he was a latecomer to the breakfast table was because he was very particular about his food, wanting it to be just right in a “you can’t rush perfection” kind of way.

As such, the bounty hunter brought a full tray with him. It contained two plates - one holding a beautifully crafted southwestern omelet with jalapenos and sausage topped with a strong smelling salsa, and the other a side dish of classic flaky biscuit topped with creamy white gravy - as well as two drinks, a cup of coffee - black - and a glass of milk. [color=1f66b2]”Nothing beats the classics.”[/color] He said aloud to nobody in particular, then sniffed the air a bit before shooting a look at Goldlewis, [color=1f66b2]”Is that oca oca spuds I smell, Mr. Secretary? Guess I’m not the only one around here with a taste for the spicy, eh?”[/color]

“Mm-hm.” Goldlewis nodded in approval at the racer’s hearty food choice. “Them oca-ocas ain’t exactly like potatoes, but I reckon they’re close enough. Close enough for government work, as they say.” The big man chuckled as he lifted up another forkful of scrambled eggs. “There’s no tellin’ when and where the Lost Numbers can get supplies, so we don’t got the luxury of bein’ picky. If ya like ‘em, enjoy ‘em while they last.” As he chewed, he narrowed his eyes at Falcon, studying him. “Lemme think…you were with us last week in Carnival Town, but if I’m rememberin’ right, you weren’t with the Under team, were ya?” He cracked a grin at the Captain that he shared with Grimm. “Seems like wherever we go, we end up findin’ new folks willin’ to go the distance. Today’s gonna be your first time doin’ what we really do. Stick close to me, an’ I’ll see y’all home safe.”

[color=1f66b2]”Ah, no. I’d been racing in Carnival Town for a couple days when you all showed up. It was just a stroke of luck that Pit, Bowser, and Ganondorf were among you. Otherwise I probably wouldn’t have been brought in.”[/color] Cap said back to the veteran. After a couple bites from his omelet, the bounty hunter gulped some milk from his glass to settle the spice down a bit before taking a sip from his coffee mug. [color=1f66b2]”Mmm, word of the wise to anyone looking to try spicy dishes: drink milk instead of water. Water has a way of making the spice even worse, in fact.”[/color]

[color=92278f]”Speaking of food stock, I'm aware of a few places to get quite a few supplies. Assuming the Lost Numbers don’t mind some manual labor. Such as a land made of candy.”[/color] Sectonia said, remembering a place she had visited before. With such a large ship able to move through the world at a decent pace, she’d prefer them to make a stop there. She had quite the dangerous sweet tooth, although she got the feeling none of the others really did.

[color=1f66b2]”Land of candy?”[/color] Falcon repeated with a look of intrigue. [color=1f66b2]”Now that sounds like a mouthful of painful cavities waiting to happen.”[/color] He said with a hearty chuckle. [color=1f66b2]”What the stockpile really needs is some good tripe, preferably beef but any is good. Bound up in a thread, it makes a tasty delicacy that’ll boost your perseverance and resilience. You can even wrap it around some veggies or other forms of stuffing, like a dumpling. Good stuff!”[/color]

The prospect left Goldlewis dubious. “Candy? Tripe? We ain’t got time to make trips for junk food and delicacies.” He swept his arm around the Mess Hall. “Y’all can see how much chow it takes to feed an army, and the Lost Numbers ain’t even eaten yet. Every supply run’s gotta count.” After a moment, he shrugged and went for another forkful of eggs. “But, if ya do think of somethin’, run it by Sandalphon. I hear she’s workin’ to map out supply routes.”



[color=92278f]”What can you do anyway…. Grimm?”[/color] Sectonia said, trying to recall the strange word she heard at the tail end of their introductions. [color=92278f]”I have magic that rivals the gods, for example.”[/color] Sectonia said, referring to her normal power, but now boosted by the guardian she absorbed. Something that Grimm could sense within her, but Sectonia wasn’t entirely sure of the connection between the two.

The Troupe Master finished incinerating another sausage before turning to look at Sectonia. [color=0054a6]”How impressive!”[/color] He lifted up his cape so that the now-full Grimmchild could take shelter, then continued. [color=0054a6]”I once led the Grimm Troupe, but now, I am but a humble fire-dancer,”[/color] he rasped. Now that the others had seen his mouth, they might find it strange that he didn’t need to open it to speak. [color=0054a6]”If that ignites your interest, let us dance together sometime. Through twist and turn, frolick and footwork, all is revealed.”[/color] 

[color=92278f]”Ah, another dancer. Primrose might like you. She uses dancing as well in order to fight. Although ‘fire’ makes me think your dancing is less supportive and more destructive.”[/color] Sectonia didn’t comment too much on dancing with Grimm. She wasn’t a great dancer, she was more of a singer. 

Another figure stepped through the open frame leading into the Mess hall, revealing them to be the scarred, grizzled soldier-type Falcon had brought aboard the night before. The man gave a cursory glance of everyone present, and it was obvious to the more seasoned of the members there that he was very much out of his element even if his stoic appearance tried to hide it. The man locked his eye to Falcon for a microsecond before he strode over to the open countertop and dished himself up a plate of eggs, sausage, toast and bacon before grabbing himself a styrofoam cup of straight black coffee. While the majority of other tables were unoccupied, Snake knew he’d have a chance to meet up with the other members of this outfit later. For now, he headed to the table with the only member he recognized. He’d been too late to see the others the night before and, clearly used to being to himself, seemed rather awkward as he strode up to the table with a curt nod toward the group- as if he were a highschool freshman trying to join a senior table. [color=f9ad81]”Mind if I join you?”[/color]

[color=Aqua]”We’ve got space if you don’t mind squeezing in”[/color] the princess replied, meaning that quite literally because they’d unintentionally ended up with the two largest seekers at one table. 

Goldlewis himself seemed cognizant of this fact. “Sure thing partner, here.” Grabbing his plates, the unexpected self-conscious man tried to scooch over to give the newcomer more room. By now, Goldlewis could sort out the fresh-faced recruits (as much as this man defied that description) from the veterans, so he planned to extend Snake the same hospitality that he did Grimm. And the Witch, if he got a chance to make a better impression.

[color=Aqua]”You also joined up over our week hiding out?”[/color] Midna asked, slightly indicating to Grimm with a half nod, before also enquiring [color=Aqua]”how are you finding our mess of an association?”[/color] with a toothy grin.

Snake nodded toward the man’s offer; taking heed to the princess’s words as he maneuvered to sit alongside the open space next to the larger man. It was an interesting outfit of people, to say the least. Though, he did have his own motley crew of crazy back home. Snake looked to Midna, dipping his head in a nod toward Falcon. [color=f9ad81]“Courtesy of the Captain here. Were it not for him, I’d still be in that damn town I’m sure.”[/color] Snake said, taking a gentle sip of the steaming vantablack liquid from his cup. A quick hum emanated from the back of his throat as he addressed Midna’s follow up.  [color=f9ad81]“Interesting for sure. First impressions have been nice so far.”[/color] The people were welcoming, and the coffee was good. Not to mention, it was rather bizarre to enter the Mess without lingering glances of acknowledgement, stares of adulation, or quick salutes at his presence. Not that he’d come to expect or desire any from this group. His actions were his own, with respect being the one thing he sought to earn among this group of fighters. His next question came after a quick bite of sausage. [color=f9ad81]“How long have you all been here?”[/color]

[color=Aqua]”No worst enemies on it then? Lucky”[/color] Midna replied, her eyes flicking over to Ganondorf, before actually answering the question with [color=Aqua]”Just about two weeks or so? Seekers only started up, hmm, two days before that though? We were making heroic pace before we went to ground for a week in places like the silly sounding little seaside town you were in. Did it have some of Galeem’s favorite horrors tucked away in it?”[/color]  

[color=1f66b2]”Oh, come now.”[/color] Falcon said to the princess as he chewed a bite of his spicy omelet. [color=1f66b2]”Is carrying old grudges really the most productive thing to do? Besides, he seems like he has no idea who you are, so it sounds like this grudge of yours is a bit one-sided, no?”[/color] He paused long enough to take another drink of milk from his glass. [color=1f66b2]”Not that I condone any of his actions, of course. From what I heard about him from Zelda, yes, he is indeed a pretty bad egg. But so is Bowser and his family. As long as they’re all helping us out I don’t really see what the problem is.”[/color]

Before Snake could respond to Midna, Falcon beat him to it. Finishing off his sausage and eggs, he opted to listen to the two converse as he weighed the situation in his head. Tensions were definitely high around here, what with that catwoman and the punk girl having fought during that fight against Mabuchi in the theater, and now it was something between the princess and the massive red-armored figure. They’d have to sort it out among themselves, which Snake found himself grunting in the affirmative to Falcon’s reasoning. [color=f9ad81]“Falcon’s right. Holding on to grudges makes the enemy’s job a lot easier.”[/color] Beyond that, seeing as the majority of those present were only here for two weeks, it would make sense that people who naturally held rivalries or were bitter adversaries would still be tense around each other since they were all forced to cooperate. 

Midna simply rolled her eyes at this and replied that [color=Aqua]”Don’t worry about it. I’ve resigned myself to tolerating his existence as long as he’s being useful to our shared cause”[/color] with the not so subtle implication that was about as long as her amnesty would last. 

[color=92278f]”Besides the’ ‘star warrior, or the ‘warrior of the land’ I really don’t have much in the way of enemies. At least ones from Dreamland. Here though, I’ve made quite a few but that just comes with the territory. That black hedgehog for one…”[/color] Sectonia said, remembering an older altercation with someone who managed to escape her wrath. 

While the others spoke, Goldlewis had been mostly munching, but he could not say he liked where the conversation was headed .Ultimately, though, one’s thoughts and feelings didn’t matter to the campaign as a whole. Only the end result. “Ya don’t have to like him, or anyone,” the veteran affirmed. “But as long as we’re doin’ this thing, we’re comrades-in-arms. Y’all gotta have each other’s backs, whether we like it or not. Comprende?”

The declaration seemed to prompt another long look from Grimm at Sectonia. [color=0054a6]”I understand,”[/color] he whispered after a moment. [color=0054a6]”We have all taken the stage for a reason. Each one of us has a part to place, and if a single player misses a cue, it may very well be curtains.”[/color]

[color=92278f]”Why are you looking at me like that? Captivated by my beauty?”[/color] Sectonia said, a bit unsure of Grimms intentions, putting up a front to mask her confusion. If she had to guess with him looking like the bugs from the Under, perhaps it was something related to the guardian of the area she absorbed but she wasn’t sure.

[color=Aqua]”As I said, I’ll see this through till we reach the epilogue, but in that it's him not me you’ll need to worry about. I’ve seen his story play out twice already, and the third’ll be just the same”[/color] Midna replied while playing tangentially into Grimm’s mannerism, before sighing and apologizing. Not about her attitude regarding Ganondorf, but instead specifically to Snake, saying [color=Aqua]”Sorry, didn’t mean to make this all about me. We’ll try this again after we get back from the mission”[/color] before preparing to leave, having chomped through her meal while she’d been being lectured. 

Venom Snake looked up at Midna, offering a reassuring smile that tugged at the corner of his right lip.[color=f9ad81]“You didn’t, don’t sweat it.”[/color] He could only surmise that whatever Midna had been subjected to- or witnessed with what the enemy of hers did, left a scar not to be forgotten. He hoped his words were of some consolation, at least.

After Goldlewis drained the last of his milk-spiked coffee, he looked down to find his plate empty. “All out, huh? When did that happen?” he mumbled. Then, clearing his throat, the veteran rose. “Well, good talkin’ to ya. I got some stuff that needs takin’ care of before we get goin’. If we’re takin’ the Pelican, I reckon I’ll see y’all up in the hangar.” He glanced at the two newbies. “Aft side, second floor from the top, just past the armory. If ya reach the Bridge, ya gone too far.” The big man checked his watch. “...Fifty minutes and countin’, folks. Be there, or be square.” Goldlewis raised his eyebrows over his glasses as he gave his dramatic ultimatum, as if being square was something the others ought to dread. Then he headed off to make his preparations.

Looking around to the table and giving a curt nod, Snake stood up and excused himself to dispose of his tray and beverage. As he strode out of the Mess, his color gradually returned into his vision as he followed the big man’s directions. He really wasn’t sure who was in charge of this outfit- be it him or the angel. Perhaps it was a collaborative effort shared between the two. Stowing speculation to the best of his mind, Snake reached the briefing room and stepped inside; taking a look around the area as he moved to lean up against the wall to the front of the room.

Sectonia let out a tick of disappointment and disgust at the mention of the Dead Zone. [color=92278f]”A land of horrors made out of random masses of flesh. That place is ugly with no redeeming factors.”[/color] She said, not mentioning that's where she was found, a spot of beauty in an ocean of ugly.

[color=1f66b2]”And those packs that are supposed to protect us?”[/color] Falcon brought up, having finished off his omelet and was now working on finishing his biscuit and gravy side dish. [color=1f66b2]”Using babies like that. It doesn’t sit right with me. Not one bit.”[/color] Finally he finished off his food and all that was left was a swallow or two of coffee in the mug that he reached for in order to down the rest of it. [color=1f66b2]”I don’t know if that’s a product of Galeem or someone else, but whoever came up with that system is one seriously sick person. Anyway, I’ll be in the training center ‘til mission time if anyone needs me. Good talking to everyone.”[/color] He said as he was now done and took his tray and plates to be washed before disappearing back into the Avenger’s facilities.