[center][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/b7341d4e-9928-4451-a6f6-0d2e1892cba3.png[/img][/center] [color=gold]"Doth thou need to go someplace?"[/color] Boteg asked, but Marrie didn’t hear it. [i][color=CCBFFF]"She died keeping Crazy Train alive."[/color][/i] These too-loud words were what rang through her mind as she lost the strength in her legs and fell forwards to lay prone on the dragon’s back. Someone [i]did[/i] die… With the last of her energy, Marrie pushed herself into a sitting position on Boteg’s lower back and let out a scream so loud and raw that her throat could barely handle it. Boteg drew his head back and placed his talons over his ears. When she finally ran out of breath, she was certain that if she had a higher lung capacity that she’d be feeling blood run down her inner neck. Even after everything that happened, she had failed to prevent someone from dying, and had [i]once again[/i] failed to prevent someone from being kidnapped. She had no idea who that tiger was who had grabbed Regina, maybe he was friendly? If he was, wouldn’t he have let go before- Her eyes fell downwards to her legs, and the now-dried blood that covered them down until it reached her Leitmotif’s trait of invisibility. [color=00aeef][i]Can’t I save [b]anyone[/b]?[/i][/color] As she all but felt the light go out from her eyes, she subconsciously began wrapping her Instrument’s chain around her left wrist. It wasn’t until she felt something warm come from her arm that she noticed what she was doing and stopped pulling it tighter. At least she was still in her esper form and wouldn’t have to explain it away if she wore short sleeves. The dragon slowly removed his claws from his head and looked back towards Marrie. [color=gold]"Me thinks that tis most difficult to measure thy effort against a conclusion. Thy quest was difficult, and with many scares running to and fro, slinging scary sparklers and luminescent lances from the backs of the rocket rumblers. All be that thou feels responsible for thine quest, maybe thou doth overestimate thou’s ability to affect such things on their own, perchance?"[/color] The blue-haired girl drew a deep, shaky breath and paused for a moment. After a few seconds she exhaled, shuddering. The pain was starting to really show itself from her arm, and Boteg was speaking sense. [color=00aeef]”... Then I just have to get stronger, huh?”[/color] she asked, throwing a toothy smile at the dragon. A few seconds later, she asked him a question she’d been wondering for a long time. [color=00aeef]”Sorry if I’m making an incorrect assumption, but I have to think dragons fall under the same category as ‘monsters,’ so… From your perspective, what are humans, anyway?”[/color] [color=gold]"Me thinks monster is little one’s term for visitors. If so, thou art correct, me is ‘monster.’"[/color] After that, the dragon tipped back his head in thought. [color=gold]"Humans be natives to this space. Some are scares, some are not. Thou art a scare but a friendly one. Methinks there’s no need to sort them further.’"[/color] Marrie nodded. [color=00aeef]”I’ve been wondering if there was some sort of analogous creature where you’re from.”[/color] She took another deep breath and exhaled. [color=00aeef]”Is there somewhere you need to be? It’s nice talking with you, but I don’t want to distract you if you have to be doing something.”[/color] [color=gold]"No place me need to be, Mist scare. Me friends on their crackle tires rolling about the gravel in sight."[/color] He chuckled, then his face became grave. [color=gold]"Me home is empty so long as they are here. Once the road scares and ‘monsters’ return, perchance me will return with them."[/color] As she slowly climbed off of the dragon’s back, she made a mental note. [color=00aeef]”Yeah. ‘Monster’ really doesn’t seem like a good word, never really did but I didn’t know enough to think of an alternative. ‘Visitors’ sounds much better.”[/color] She looked around at the bikers. [color=00aeef]”I hope nobody got hurt here on the ground while all that was happening.”[/color] Her eyes widened as she remembered something. [color=00aeef]”Hey, uh… Trixy, right? She said someone died to protect Crazy. Did you see that? What happened?”[/color] [color=gold]"Me saw a flash, and it scared me!"[/color] The dragon trembled. [color=gold]"Scares using that much power had me most unsettled. A mighty spell hadith been cast!"[/color] [color=00aeef][i]Someone there was so dangerous that they used a Melody that could scare a dragon?[/i][/color] As the two chatted, a lone figure approached. Conveniently Asher had been close enough to see the massive golden dragon as it had alighted atop the rooftop, hard to miss something that size really. Momentarily he debated just going on his way, he didn’t really owe anyone shit. But at the same time he wanted to tell someone about the stuff he’d just found out. And clearly some big moves were being made based on how things had panned out. Begrudgingly Asher decided the best course of action was to share, and since he didn’t like the government then that meant he had to go to Maverick. As he came to a stop in the street below he craned his neck upwards to gaze towards the roof, he really didn’t feel like transforming just to get up there, perhaps he could get their attention another way. Pinching his fingers together and sticking them between his lips Asher whistled a sharp note that should have easily carried to the rooftop above. [color=92278f]“YO! Hey you! Y’all are Mavs right?”[/color] The sudden voice was likely unexpected, something that Boteg confirmed when he whipped around to look in its direction. There was no way either of the two would know who it belonged to. In fact to them they’d likely assume it belonged to a passerby who was much too curious for their own good. Standing down in the middle of the street looking straight up towards Boteg and Marrie was the source of the voice, a grungy punk rockish looking dude with a messy mohawk and a permanent pissy look on his face. Asher’s natural beauty wasn’t something many had been given a chance to gaze on yet and thus the two likely would not recognize him right off. But Asher had recognized one of two present. As much as the nuns had seemed shocked by his choice to detransform so close to the op Asher himself wasn’t too concerned, as he didn’t make it a habit of betraying teammates and double timing both sides of an engagement. In fact he was still mostly trying to find his way in Pax Septimus, a task he’d struggled with thus far and still wasn’t entirely sure on. And yet here he found himself approaching a dragon and an esper, one whom he vaguely recognized from his first operation in Pax. [color=92278f]“So…y’all are Mavs right? I couldn’t think you’d be anything else but I’m not really the most knowledgeable fellow about all this faction war nonsense so…yeah. Mavs?”[/color] He asked nonchalantly. Boteg’s eyes shifted to Marrie, and he silently pleaded for her to say something. [color=00aeef]”Friendlies. To them, and -”[/color] Marrie patted Boteg in what she hoped was a reassuring manner, not wanting the dragon to be uncomfortable. The corners of his lips spread into a smile. [color=00aeef]”As far as I can tell, pretty much everyone.”[/color] The blue-haired esper slowly slid down to be standing on the same roof the dragon was, trying not to accidentally seem hostile. Once she was safely off the visitor’s back, she went to lean over the ledge and look at the man who had asked the question. Marrie didn’t recognize the guy, but if he thought she was a Maverick, then he was probably an esper. With any luck, he wasn’t hostile either. Still, she didn’t want to cause him any alarm, or cause him to attack. (Especially with her at no mana) So as an olive branch, she stood on the edge of the roof so he could see her completely. [color=00aeef]”Don’t freak out about the blood, okay?”[/color] She waved her left arm, wincing as she did, and then gestured towards the tops of her legs. [color=00aeef]”The arm is from me, and the legs… I don’t really want to talk about. But they weren’t from a fight. Wanted to make you aware of them, instead of surprising you and making you worried.”[/color] She looked back to Boteg, then back to the man. [color=00aeef]”The beautiful gold dragon is too nice to try to start a fight, so as long as you’re cool, you’ve got nothing to worry about.”[/color] Asher raised an eyebrow in response. Clearly they were on edge, which he supposed was warranted given the events of the day. Then again if Asher had a dragon at his back there was no way he was going to be acting like he was afraid of a fight, but everyone was different. Asher wasn’t sure of a whole lot about the blue esper from before but what little tidbits he’d gathered paired with their current actions gave him an inkling of a suspicion that they were likely a bit of a youngin. [color=92278f]“Relax, kid. I’m not here for a fight, besides I’m more of a punch first chat second type anyways so if I were then we’d already be dancing. You can quit the posturing, you’ve nothing to worry about from me. Besides, we worked together, once. You’d probably recognize me in my other form but I’m feeling a little burnt out at the moment. Anyways, I’m here to talk, specifically to some Mavericks if possible, suppose you might be able to assist me with that?”[/color] He asked, although his tone was more demanding than requesting. The dragon laid down, cradling its body around Marrie. Boteg’s tail draped off the side of the building, but his head was attentive. He looked like a dog that had been told to lay down, but was only being as obedient as they needed to be. [color=gold]"Methinks they are making rounds on their…"[/color] The dragon hesitated as he tried to think of the words. He had a hard time remembering names and was liable to come up with different names for the same thing. [color=gold]"Diabolical rubber spinners. They hath decided that such round trips are most necessary. But methinks they shal be back before nightfall."[/color] The dragon then leaned in towards Marrie and, in as hushed a tone as a dragon could manage, whispered. [color=gold]"Doth this visitor kiss thine mother with those lips?"[/color] Not completely sure what Boteg meant by that, Marrie gave the dragon a smile, which didn’t fade as she turned to the man on the street, or as she whispered back. [color=00aeef]”I’m not sure guys with that look still kiss their moms?”[/color] She thought back for a moment without losing the grin. Assuming the guy didn’t become a girl in esper form… If they’d worked together before, the number of possible matches was low. He likely wasn’t Elroy, shit what even happened to Elroy? If Regina was taken, was he taken too? Her smile disappeared and she shook her head to dislodge the thought. [color=00aeef][i]Focus on what you can do.[/i][/color] She’d have to find out his status later. And if not Elroy, that left… Technically the young boy had worked with her before, but that was another that was a low chance, considering this guy just called her a kid. Otherwise, the only other males she’d worked with that she could remember were the two at the church. Given the guy’s mundane form’s aesthetics, and personality… That left the gun guy, right? Alongside that thought was the memory of that event, and she once more shook her head. [color=00aeef]”Sorry, didn’t mean to be acting tough, just wanted to get off on the right foot. Too many people in this city are ‘punch first’ types, but at least you’re level-headed [i]now[/i], so thanks.”[/color] Forcing another smile, she looked around. [color=00aeef]”I think you’ll be able to meet them, but can I ask why you want to?”[/color] Despite her usually forgetting the fact, Maverick Alternative was a terrorist group. And while this guy looked like he stepped right out of their hideout with his style, it wouldn’t do anyone any good if he met them just to fight. Just as Asher was preparing to respond he was cut off by the clopping of hoofs signaling a new arrival, and a familiar face at that, [i]fantastic[/i]. It was clear they were here for the rooftop esper though given their initial lack of noticing him standing there. [color=#7e4393]"So I know there are people out there stealing dogs and shit when you aren't paying attention, but a dragon? Now that's new."[/color] Ciri's tone was all amusement, lacking its usual hostility. Blue wouldn't actually steal Boteg, even if she somehow had the means. She finally believed that now. Somewhere between pondering why the girl had to try and save everyone and actually catching up to her, Ciri had, after all, finally connected the dots. [color=#7e4393]"You're Marrie, right? The one Tetrad has a huge-ass crush on? You never gave your name, and I don't usually care enough to snoop through people's files. But you fit her description, so."[/color] Ciri slid off her horse-shaped shadow mount, still in her esper form, still covered in burns and blood. Her neck was craned up to address Blue atop the roof - but as she lowered her gaze, she quickly realised she was interrupting something. [color=#7e4393]"... oh. What's this? You gonna serenade her?"[/color] She grinned at the guy in the punk getup, one hand on her hip. Another esper? Or just a ballsy normie? Asher frowned and suppressed a deep sigh, a clever retort coming to mind that he chose to keep to himself instead, it was time to be somewhat serious. [color=92278f]“You again, eh? Nah, actually I’m here to try and meet up with your people. Figured the dragon and the girl would have some clues as to how I could make that happen, but now you’re here so I suppose that works too.”[/color] Asher said with a shrug. [i]... Again?[/i] Ciri narrowed her eyes. Did she know this guy from somewhere? She was pretty sure she'd remember. He knew she was part of Maverick too, by the looks of it, so... either he was someone she'd worked with, or fucked over. Potentially both. It was likely neither of them knew who he was and Asher didn’t really feel a rush to quell the ambiguity of the situation, sometimes a man enjoyed a little mysteriousness. Seemed to be something many in this city didn’t take for granted. Ciri crossed her arms, one brow quirked.[color=#7e4393] "So I am. So, what's up? You looking for a job or an application form t- hey!"[/color] Turning back towards the rooftop to address the other esper, [color=92278f]“And to answer your question, I guess I have some information? Maybe some questions too. You know I’m not really entirely sure why myself but I don’t really have any other plans or whatever, so I figure fuck it.”[/color] he said with a shrug. Wow. Before she could finish, the dude had turned to address Blu-- Marrie instead. Talk about rude. With a huff, Ciri butted in, figuring whatever they'd been talking about was relevant to her as well.[color=#7e4393] "Actually useful Information can get you pretty far, so, if you got some to offer, I might be able to get you something in return. Sure."[/color] People could steal dragons? [color=00aeef]"Oh, yeah I'm... huh?"[/color] Marrie's thoughts faltered for a moment before her synapses began firing again. Someone had a crush on her? Specifically, [i]Tetrad[/i] had a crush on her? The one who was both a Maverick and had seen Marrie's poor performance in her first mission in Pax, the first [i]serious[/i] mission she'd ever been on? She didn't know how to respond. The closest thing to romantic involvement she'd ever had was in Pax... her first, last, and only date ever, if it even qualified as one. Plus, with that Stacy had come along, and- ... and a GEMINI agent was there, and the one who had asked Marrie along was the supposed most dangerous esper in Pax. She quickly decided not to mention any of that, but the train of thought was enough to distract her from what the shadow-master girl had said. [color=00aeef]"This guy's looking to meet up with-"[/color] Oh, he beat her to saying it while she was in her own head, it seemed. As she finally looked towards Ciri, her eyes widened as she saw how damaged she was. In all the fighting, she'd forgotten that the Maverick girl had been lit completely ablaze. Sure, it was her esper form so she'd survive, but it still had to hurt. Marrie tapped her fingers against her side nervously, trying to look within herself to check if she could heal her. But there wasn't any mana left for her to try with. Hearing a voice, Ciri glanced back up at the roof, where Marrie seemed to be pretty lost in thought. And nervous, for some reason.[color=#7e4393] "Relax, Blue. There's no one in need of saving around right now."[/color] [color=92278f]“Well, usefulness is determined by you and yours I suppose, but if you think your boss might be interested in knowing who crashed our party then I suppose it will be useful. Although I’m not too sure on where we all stand on this issue. I don’t know, I was supposed to help kill one of those trains but then things started getting overly complicated and the guy that hired me got blown up. Lotta wild shit started going down. And I don’t even know where I really fit in with it all and…”[/color] slowly Asher stopped, his own eyebrow raising in response to his behavior. This faction war shit sure had him confused. [color=#7e4393]"You mean those fucking nuns and the redhead duo?!"[/color] Damn [i]right [/i]she wanted to know what the hell they'd wanted, and who'd paid them to care. [color=#7e4393]"... Wait, you were paid to work with them? Didn't see you up there."[/color] She snorted. [color=#7e4393]"Guess that's lucky for you, huh?"[/color] Ciri wasn't sure whether the guy had changed his mind out of compassion for the train or just straight up failed his mission, but the guy seemed like he'd be pretty receptive to a recruitment speech right about now. One she was forbidden from delivering; only monster recruiting for her. Something about her being 'bad with people.' [color=#7e4393]"Sec, I'll ring the boss."[/color] She did, mentally, aware he was somewhere nearby anyhow. Ciri’s words seemed to have an effect on Marrie. She visibly let out a breath; if Ciri was saying that nobody needed help, that meant she thought she’d be okay. Her attention turned back to the boy on the street as she connected the dots. [color=00aeef]”You saw what happened to Raphael? Was that the…”[/color] she glanced at Boteg. [color=00aeef]”The ‘mighty spell’ that took someone out? Who else got caught in it?”[/color] Boteg hummed in thought, and the entire building trembled. [color=gold]"Me thinks me saw the holy scare and a nun scare fall from the smoke roller’s back. But flirting scare, me hasn’t seen her anywhere…"[/color] Seeing Marrie visibly relax, Ciri grinned - then fell right back into thought, as the rooftop duo continued their conversation. …. Flirting scare? Oh, yeah, come to think of it, where[i] was[/i] Goldie? She furrowed her brows at what was being suggested. [color=#7e4393]"Ain't no way she was that powerful. At least not without–"[/color] Consequences? Sacrifices? Marrie’s eyes widened. Did that mean…? After a moment, she shook herself out of her own head, deciding to not make guesses until she learned the facts.. [color=00aeef]”I can’t really speak for Maverick, but since the Trains got away safely, I don’t know why they’d be mad at a Freelancer for having taken someone else’s job instead of theirs.”[/color] [color=#7e4393]"... Damn. Talk about conviction; that's some mad dedication to the job."[/color] She looked back up. [color=#7e4393]"Speaking of, yours ain't done, Blue. You were all over the place trying to save everyone, so I'm pretty sure you've got a nice report to give on whatever - and whoever - you know. Confidentially."[/color] It wasn’t long before the convoy of bikes and cars rolled into view. The rain had lifted, but the sky was still overcast enough to warrant leaving the headlights on. Rows and rows of glowing yellow lights closed in on their position before coming to a stop. Ciri nodded in greeting. Billy stepped over the top of his door, the rest got off of their motorcycles. But just because Billy was the first to dismount didn’t mean he would be the first to approach the group. Someone was driving so fast that when they hit the breaks, their head flew off of their shoulders and rolled to Asher’s feet. It was the head of a woman, young in age, yet her skin was sickly and green. She blinked her big doe eyes at Asher before smiling as brightly as she could. [color=MediumAquamarine]”Hey buddy!”[/color] The bodiless head said, somehow. [color=MediumAquamarine]”You kind of look like my brother! Well, last time I saw him anyway.”[/color] She giggled. A familiar monster wrangler dressed up as a circus performer ran onto the scene. Without flinching, she picked up the head and looked over her head at the others. [color=75c159]”Hey Marrie! We’re gunna have pizza when we get back if you want to join us.”[/color] But when Luna turned to look at Asher, she nearly dropped Stacy’s head. [color=75c159]”Oh! I didn’t see you there.”[/color] [color=MediumAquamarine]”It’s my brother from another mother!”[/color] The head gestured towards Luna with her eyebrows. [color=MediumAquamarine]”This is Tetrad, she’s my sister from another mister.”[/color] At first Asher’s brow was furrowed in confusion, given a head had just rolled to a stop by his feet. That confusion only deepened momentarily as another familiar face ran up to retrieve the head. Instinctively Asher took a couple casual steps back, maintaining his personal space buffer mostly. His eyebrow raised quizzically as the head referred to him as it’s [i]brother from another mother[/i], but for the most part he simply shrugged off the strange occurrence as esper antics and folded his arms over as he eyed the girl who’d retrieved the head. [color=92278f]“Hello, again.”[/color] Ciri felt vindictive glee as Stacy and Tetrad - more or less literally - rolled up to greet the punk dude. Finally, someone else's turn to be on the receiving end of their exhausting shenanigans. She crossed her arms and watched them converse, until what the guy said caught her attention. Hello-- again?! Had he met Tetrad too? Wait... the getup, the attitude, the fact he'd met both her and-- could he...? It was starting to get a little crowded around here, and Asher didn’t care about a crowd, on the contrary he loved one, but one wouldn’t consider him in a partying mood currently. With a sigh of barely hidden impatience Asher looked at no one in particular, [color=92278f]“Who can I talk to that actually knows something about what’s going on in this city?”[/color] He asked, a mild look of annoyance forming upon his face. Still deep in thought, Ciri jabbed a distracted thumb to point back at Billy, who was difficult to miss, even with the circus that had preceded his arrival. [color=#7e4393]"Take a guess.”[/color] Despite having heard Ciri and Tetrad speak, Marrie was slow to respond. She had nodded at Ciri, but when Tetrad appeared, her mind blanked. She registered what she had said, but Ciri’s earlier comment made her a bit flustered. But when Asher asked who he should speak to, she shook the thought out of her head. [color=00aeef][i]Focus.[/i][/color] [color=00aeef]”Well,”[/color] she began, speaking to Asher while waving to Stacy and Tetrad, [color=00aeef]”I think we both have a chat with Billy coming up. You’re welcome to go first, if he’s okay with that.”[/color] She didn’t speak her reasoning, that she wanted to collect her thoughts more now that she’d been broken from her self-deprecation, but it was polite to offer regardless. [color=lightgray]”You’re too kind, Marrie. Ain’t no way I’d let someone who talks like that step ahead O’ me.”[/color] The strangely upbeat voice of Billy Black carried across the street. Tetrad excused herself to reassemble Stacy, and the giant cadillac driver took her place. [color=lightgray]”Now see here son, now see here. I get that ya got the short end of a stick, as plain as day the other half got tucked god knows where. But regardless of your predicament, ya always gotta respect women! Can’t just be dismissin’ ‘em because it hit the fan. A man’s gotta be in control of his emotions at all times. Which is why you can be as rude to me as you like.”[/color] Billy kneeled in front of Asher. This didn’t quite put him at Asher’s height so he hunched forward. He was still a few feet taller. [color=lightgray]”You wanna know something? I know things. Got more things in my head than a yard has weeds, but they’re way easier to pull outa my head. Shoot your shot.”[/color] As Billy approached Asher found himself feeling a slight bit intimidated, a feeling he wasn’t often privy to. Determined not to show it though Asher crossed his arms as he waited for the giant man, although man was a strong term here. As Billy neared and the rest of those gathered backed up a bit Asher couldn’t hide all his feelings, his eyebrows rose sharply in surprise as Billy’s actual size became more apparent up until the giant had to kneel just to get into conversational range. It was barely close enough to be considered comfortable. In response to both his words and partially the intimidating nature of his size Asher’s hands rose in a sign of casual surrender, [color=92278f]“Look, easy, I didn’t mean anything by it. Rough day, not that it matters. I just uh…”[/color] Asher trailed off. [color=92278f]“Look, things have been confusing since I got here, to this city. I don’t know, I just have had a hard time understanding things around here, I’ve never really ran into so many other esper’s gathered in one place. Trying to grasp the politics of this place has been rough and ah fuck I’m not trying to give you a sob story god dammit.”[/color] Asher finished with a grunt of frustration. Asher’s tone was agitated as he continued, rebounding from his earlier moment of vulnerability. [color=92278f]“I’m dealing with some personal shit, but my last job got compromised by my own team and the bitch that cut my arm off was the one that hired them. I figure someone else has to have them in their sights but I sure as shit don’t feel like giving the government a call. I don’t really know a lot about you guys but these two,”[/color] Asher paused momentarily to indicate Ciri and Tetrad with a wave of his hands, [color=92278f]“gave me the impression that maybe you guys were somewhat decent compared to the rest of the assholes in this city.”[/color] As Asher finished his rant he let out a deep sigh, rolling his shoulders in an effort to release some of the tension, [color=92278f]“Look, I’m just trying to find a way to do some good. But lately ‘good’ has been a little bit harder to figure out, trying to make sense of this place has been…difficult. I don’t know what I’m doing here really, maybe you can make use of the information I have, maybe not.”[/color] Asher shrugged as he finished and crossed his arms as another look of annoyance graced his features, although this one was self directed. Ciri shook her head, taking a few steps away to give her boss and the potential recruit some space. As Billy began his spiel she sighed, giving Asher a sympathetic shrug - which she hoped would dissuade him from trying to argue with the big man, if he was so inclined. She glanced towards Marrie, using telepathy to bridge the distance. [i][color=#7e4393]"You sure you wanna deal with the Boss? I can take your report just as well. Hell, you can give it to Tetrad. I'm sure she'd love that."[/color][i] Unused to another person speaking in her mind, Marrie flinched and looked around for a moment before recognizing the “voice.” She gave a thumbs up toward Ciri and tried to reply in her own mind. [color=00aeef][i]Uh, sure. Whatever’s most convenient for you guys.[/i][/color] Ciri grinned, always finding the first reaction of her mental recipients amusing – except that one time, when a porcupine-esque monster had reflexively bristled and essentially rained spikes on anyone within a one hundred feet radius, her unfortunately included. Ugh. Ciri was too preoccupied by the memory to remember to reply, basically leaving Blue on the mental equivalent of read as the latter started to make her way over. Unsure if the other esper could hear her reply, she began towards her, smiling at Stacy and Tetrad as she approached. [color=00aeef]”If you’ve got plenty, I won’t turn it down.”[/color] To be honest, her stomach did feel pretty empty. It took Tetrad a moment to shift gears. [color=75c159]”Ah! Sorry Marrie! I was distracted.”[/color] She took one last look at Billy before walking beside her fellow esper. [color=75c159]”And we don’t have the Pizza here, we have to pick it up. Trixy messaged me back and said she couldn’t pick it up. But it won’t be a long wait.”[/color] Marrie glanced toward Ciri once again. [color=00aeef]”If I’m not just hearing voices, though, I think she wants to talk about the mission too. Save you and Billy some time.”[/color] Marrie thumbed in Ciri’s direction as she mentioned her, before continuing until she was a few feet in front of her. [color=00aeef]”I [i]really[/i] hope you’re a telepath.”[/color] [color=#7e4393]“A telepath?”[/color] she began, feigning ignorance with her best poker face – which doubled as her resting bitch face, and was pretty solid, all things considered. [color=#7e4393]“Dunno what you’re–”[/color] [color=MediumAquamarine]”She’s not a telepath, she’s actually haunted by spirits, and the spirits talk to you in her voice! Very spooky!”[/color] [color=#7e4393]“Gee, thanks for that,”[/color] seriously, ruining a good prank with a bad one should be punishable by law or something. [color=#7e4393]”... Yeah, I am. So you can always just… think through the report, if you don’t feel like actually talking.”[/color] A grin slid back on her face. [color=#7e4393]“Just be careful. It’s a lot easier to get distracted by a passing thought and accidentally put that into words in your mind than it is to accidentally speak it out loud. I’ve heard some weird shit that way.”[/color] [color=00aeef]”Huh. Ghosts? That seems… overly complicated.”[/color] Marrie nodded at Ciri’s warning. [color=00aeef]”I totally get that. But… are you able to read minds out of nowhere, or only if the person wants to respond? Can you just… corporate espionage your way through a place? What about non-humans, dogs and Visitors and stuff?”[/color] In answer, all Ciri did was maintain her smirk, pleased by the sudden interest in her powers. She didn’t really… get to talk about them much, nor [i]should [/i]she have, truth be told. With that in mind, she raised a finger over her lips. [color=#7e4393]“Now [i]that’s [/i]classified information, Blue.”[/color] Marrie nodded. [color=00aeef]”That’s fair. I guess to get to business, what all are you wanting from my report? Things are never really… uniform with that. I dunno if you need the play-by-play, especially since you were there too, ya know? But whatever you guys need to know, I’ll talk about.”[/color] [color=75c159]”We’re not the government. We don’t require to know every little thing that happened on a mission.”[/color] Luna nodded at the sky. [color=75c159]”It’s clear both trains got away. We just want to know if anything of note happened. Monsters can be a little unreliable, so we need to know how Boteg performed as an example. If you encounter a shady individual, maybe bring that up. Really we just want to know if you saw anything strange and if you have a strong opinion about your allies.”[/color] Ciri nodded along, her face having returned to its default state of boredom and indifference. [color=#7e4393]“Yeah, what she s–”[/color] Then, something put its hands on Ciri. She practically jumped, hand already grasping for her gun. [color=#7e4393]“W-wha-who-the-[i]fu–?!”[/i][/color] Stacy spoke. [color=MediumAquamarine]”Woops! Sorry Tetrad! I hope that didn’t look too awkward. But uh, you do feel [i]really[/i] firm.”[/color] Luna looked to Ciri and raised her eyebrow. [color=75c159]”That’s… Probably because you’re holding Ciri’s shoulders.”[/color] [color=MediumAquamarine]”...Oh!”[/color] Stacy laughed. [color=MediumAquamarine]”With the height and everything I thought for sure it was something else. You know, Tetrad. You’re not a very tall person, but Ciri’s like, even shorter than you are!”[/color] Ciri inhaled so sharply it was a wonder she didn’t stab the back of her throat. [color=#7e4393]"I don't want to hear any... [i]evaluations[/i] a from head case like you,"[/color] she hissed, ready to tell the zombie to keep her head in the game when they’re receiving a report, but the joke stopped being funny once Tetrad actually reattached said head, so Ciri just opted to sulk instead. Luna placed Stacy’s head back on, and the stitches around her neck binded it into place. [color=75c159]”Does that make more sense now? Also, you seem a little tense.”[/color] The next one to bother her was Tetrad, which was slightly more tolerable than the zombie – but she tried to shoo her off too, regardless. [color=#7e4393]”You think? You aren’t helping.”[/color] Well, Tetrad was trying, Ciri figured, but Stacy hardly listened to reason, so. [color=75c159]”I’m not helping?”[/color] Luna blinked in confusion. Stacy giggled. [color=MediumAquamarine]”She thinks you’re the one giving her a massage! But I guess she’s had enough.”[/color] The zombie placed her hands on her hips. She glared at Marrie, her mood suddenly sour. [color=75c159]“Just start with… I dunno, why the hell did you wanna save the flaming bitch who tried to kill us anyway?”[/color] [color=00aeef]”Do you want the personal reasons or the professional ones?”[/color] Marrie began counting on her fingers as she rattled off her points. [color=00aeef]”Aside from her being one of the most popular and powerful Freelancers in Pax, if not much farther than just the city, which makes her getting hurt or killed [i]terrible[/i] PR for Maverick if it got out, she’s also, as one of the Bates siblings, got a loooooooot of fans who would suddenly want to fight Maverick too.”[/color] With three fingers up on her right hand, she continued. [color=00aeef]”Her getting just [i]injured[/] almost put her brother on a rampage, and he’s the other of debatably the two strongest Freelancers in Pax, if not the States, and all of those other points hold equally true for him.”[/color] Now that she’d overflowed her fingers, she had all but her thumb up counting, with her thumb down to represent a sixth. Ciri listened, taken aback, as Marrie listed off her... surprisingly rational reasons for not wanting to off the Bates bitch in particular. She did have to scoff every time the other Esper called them some variation of strong, not wanting to hear their praises sung. She was just about to concede Blue her point, when she continued and proceeded to lose the Oni. [color=00aeef]”On a more personal note, I don’t think she was trying to kill us. If the rumors and stories about her are true, she would have succeeded if she had. Those nuns were much more likely to try to kill anyone than her, seeing as…”[/color] Her words trailed off while her eyes stared into nothing for a moment. After a second or two she shook her head to bring the current moment back into focus. [color=00aeef]”A-anyway, I don’t want anyone to die if it’s not absolutely critical that they do. Regardless of what ‘side’ they’re on.”[/color] She did air-quotes with her extended fingers on both hands, including the two on her left. [color=00aeef]”Life’s precious, and once you kill someone, you can’t go back to the way you were before you did. Besides,”[/color] Marrie dropped her hands and stopped keeping count of her statements, [color=00aeef]”if you don’t want to die, you shouldn’t kill anyone else.”[/color] [color=#7e4393]"You don't think she was trying to kill us!? Not [i]you, [/i]maybe – after all, who'd want to kill [i]you[/i]."[/color] It sounded almost an accusation, the way Ciri snarled it out, a hand on her hip. The memory of her and Regina's brief little melee bout was still fresh on her mind. [color=#7e4393]"I don't exactly have the luxury of being likeable, so sorry if my situation's a lil different from yours. And you got it all wrong -- it's not that you shouldn't kill someone if you don't wanna die, it's that if you don't wanna die, you sure as hell better kill 'em first. People are--"[/color] Noticing she was not only getting off topic but also angry for what must've seemed like no reason, she settled to rolling her eyes, recrossing her arms and letting out a long sigh.[color=#7e4393] "... Forget it, I'm not here to change your mind, and you ain't gonna be changing mine. So, 'bout the nuns...?"[/color] [color=MediumAquamarine]”I don’t find being dead all that bad!”[/color] Stacy had detached three of her fingers, which she looked like she was going to offer to Marrie. Though she had finished counting before she could offer them. Exasperated, Ciri reached to plug one of Stacy’s detached fingers to point at Marrie with, probably trying to lighten the mood or to regain her composure, either or. [color=#7e4393]“Spill.”[/color] Marrie didn’t seem to flinch like she normally would in a situation like this. She managed a weak smile at Ciri, but it didn’t reach her eyes. That is, until she turned to face Stacy. [color=00aeef]”Stacy, you’re [i]un[/i]dead. I haven’t figured out if that counts yet.”[/color] She gave a slight laugh before turning back to Ciri. [color=00aeef]”If you wanna talk, I’m up for it whenever. It’d be nice.”[/color] Marrie’s smile grew a bit more full, a little brighter. But in the few seconds she took before continuing, her smile dropped completely. [color=#7e4393]“Talk… yeah, sure, someday. Maybe.” [/color]If it was about their different views on ethics and morals and what-have-yous? Honestly, no thanks, she’d rather be set on fire again. Thrice. She did have to admit though, she appreciated that Marrie didn't try to argue her point right here and now at the very least, but rather went straight to the point when prompted. The only kind of bleeding heart she could tolerate. [color=00aeef]But… Those nuns, dunno who they are. All I know is they showed up on what was supposed to be a meeting between some GEMINI espers and Oros. They killed one of the two who were there for that, tried to kill, or at least kidnap, the other, and I barely made it out alive too. The white haired one can use smoke that drains your strength, and I’m pretty sure she can turn into it too. The other is a good fighter, really good, and I think she probably was the one to summon the meteors. I don’t know why they showed up either time, or what they’re after. I just know they’re tough and willing to kill people. And that there’s another one who carries around a flamethrower, looks like a rabbit.”[/color] Marrie paused as a thought struck. [color=00aeef]”They also had a few foot soldiers who had some sort of magical machinery… stuff, implanted in or on them. Diodes were the giveaway. I’ve seen that before, but never found out what was going on with it. I don’t think these women were the ones who made them that way, so they’re probably working with someone else. And if they were working with Regina, they must have been here for Raphael’s version of this whole fight. I really doubt it was because they follow the same religion, so there’s gotta be some other reason.”[/color] As she listened, Ciri was tossing the stolen finger up and down in her hand, deep in thought. [color=#7e4393]"Magical machinery? Man, first mechas, now that? People are getting real creative."[/color] She was mumbling mostly to herself, but after a brief pause, she did catch the finger mid-throw, turning back to Marrie. Having said all she could think of in the moment, Marrie looked up to the sky. Her arm twitched on its own from her self-imposed injury, but she did what she could to stifle it. This punk-styled girl, who she knew she had heard the name of but with all the stress of the day, she couldn’t bring it to mind… She knew better than Marrie what had happened in the fight with Regina. But that didn’t mean she knew what the intent was. The thing that was catching on her was the implications she had buried under her phrasing. The blue haired girl’s head fell forward as she let out a sigh. All she could do right now was stay in the present. [color=#7e4393]"So what you're saying is, there's a threat bigger and badder than the GEMINI we should be worrying about right now.” [/color] She contemplated that, sighing irritably. [color=#7e4393]“Much as I'd like to kick GEMINI's ass in particular, they were kind of..."[/color] she shrugged.[color=#7e4393]”Inconsequential in that fight just now, so, yeah. Dunno what's up with them. But I sure as hell don't mind hunting down some nuns for a bit, instead. Think we can agree on that?"[/color] It wasn’t quite an offer for another job – she wasn’t exactly in a position to be making those – but it was close enough. A nod. [color=00aeef]”I’ll be looking for them. I’m more interested in finding the Bates, but given how things tend to happen in Pax, finding one will probably lead to the other.”[/color] Ciri grinned. [color=#7e4393]"Then it sounds like we’ll be running into each other sooner rather than later. Tell you what; you help me take down the nuns, and I’ll[i] try[/i] to not to blow up the Bates’ faces again.”[/color] She scoffed. [color=#7e4393]"[i]Unless [/i]they ask for it.”[/color] … … … The giant just listened. At no point did Billy make any sudden movements or give the impression he had other places to be. He maintained eye contact the whole way through. [color=lightgray]”Bein’ good ain’t easy.”[/color] He sat down and rested his wrists on his knees. Finally, the giant was at or below eye level with Asher. [color=lightgray]”Can’t do anything in this city without bein’ judged for it. We try to save the good monsters, but this can put humans at risk. That’s why we’re labeled as terrorists. Not gunna pretend I don’t see their point of view, but it’s wrong. Feels like we got a lot more to gain if we don’t just assume monsters and humans can’t co-exist.”[/color] He laughed. Even with the mask on, it was possible to see his curved cheeks through his visor. [color=lightgray]”I can relate to being confused about politics. When I first got here I was a little unsure of how everything worked. You might have heard that monsters see humans as a crop. That ain’t wrong, but it ain’t all right either. Don’t reckon many farmers talk to their crops or take them out for pizza.”[/color] Then a bit quieter he added [color=lightgray]”don’t reckon many crops look as good as these ladies.”[/color] Though he wasn’t looking at Asher when he said it. [color=lightgray]”Anywho! That operation didn’t last as long as a hiccup! Barely saw anything, and before I could circle back, the trains were gone. Woman? Compromised? What do you remember?”[/color] Asher’s confusion was evident in the way he absentmindedly scratched at the side of his head, he considered himself more of a straightforward guy, not much for the philosophy side of things. For starters he wasn’t sure what determined a ‘good’ monster from the rest and how they could be so certain. When Billy started talking about farmers and crops the metaphor was even more lost on Asher and before long he was losing sight of where the conversation was going.. Asher was just on the verge of reminding him what they’d been planning on discussing when Billy seemed to snap back into focus on his own and started asking questions about the operation. This was the part Asher had been waiting for and yet he wasn’t sure what exactly to share. So without any real clue as to what might be relevant and what not Asher began giving Billy a run down of the entire operation starting with the meeting with Raphael, Black Sabbath, and the Bates twins. He made sure to make it particularly clear how he felt about the unexpected party crashers that waylaid Raphael’s group before getting to the unexpected betrayal by Black Sabbath. Recounting events out loud definitely caused Asher to pause as he tried to make sense of things, in hindsight maybe leaving with Black Sabbath hadn’t been the right choice but it had provided him with information that he now chose to pass along to someone who might possibly do more with it than he could. Asher wasn’t really quite sure what he was achieving but in a sense he was beginning to feel frustrated and on the outside of whatever was going on and tired of feeling like such. Finally Asher brought the tale to a close as he finished discussing the meeting with Lenore and the other nuns shortly before he’d made his way over to find Maverick. [color=92278f]“And so yeah, I don’t know, maybe if you’ve got an idea of what’s going on you could share? None of this nonsense has made a lick of sense to me. This esper business was already a wild discovery a few years back but up until now it seemed pretty straight forward. Something about this city seems to make things a lot more complicated now and I don’t really know where I stand in the grand order of things. Just been trying to figure things out lately, didn’t realize the situation was so complex.”[/color] Asher finished with a shrug. [color=lightgray]”Everythin’s complex if you look below the surface.”[/color] Billy seemed to have picked up on Asher’s confusion while he was feeling him out. Villains tended to work in the shadows, and the more complex they made things, the harder they were to find out. Most of Billy’s lieutenants were intelligent women who [i]wanted[/i] to know how the evidence lined up and what it all meant. Getting into such complexities, if they could be called that, was also a way for Billy to affirm that he understood a situation and had drawn the most likely conclusion. But when dealing with Asher, perhaps it was best to forgo the lengthy explanation and just reveal the end result. [color=lightgray]”The Hand, do you know who they are?”[/color] Billy held up his own hand as he said this. [color=lightgray]”The woman that tore off your arm must have been working for them if she was assisting Big Tony. Those nuns were working for them too. Raphael must not have been aware of it at the time. If you want payback, side against the Hand.”[/color] Asher unconsciously began scratching the side of his head, again, as he pondered over Billy’s words. [color=92278f]“The Hand…? I can’t recall ever hearing much about them…other than the handful of names I picked up today after talking with the nuns. Other than that…? Nada.”[/color] He said after a moment of consideration. [color=92278f]“Where do you stand in all of this? Are the Hand a group you’d consider enemies as well?”[/color] Asher asked. [color=lightgray]”The Hand are more conniving than a weasel trying to run a chicken coop! I don’t like the cut of their jib!”[/color] He slapped his knee before pointing out at the city. [color=lightgray]”Every last one of them is an agent of chaos! Things are never going to calm down around here unless they’re dealt with. They give all monsters a bad name. Don’t like ‘em, don’t see a reason to start likin’ them neither.”[/color] A grin as wide as a shark’s and twice as bloodthirsty split Asher’s face as he let out a satisfied chuckle, [color=92278f]“Alright then, how’s about I just tag along with you guys and we go deal with these handsy fools ourselves, eh?”[/color] Asher asked. Asher cracked his knuckles and rolled his shoulders in anticipation of a fight, already it felt like his body was reawakening at the idea of breaking some skulls. [color=lightgray]”That’s what I’m talkin’ about!”[/color] Billy stood up and cracked his back. [color=lightgray]”We keep good company. Nobody knows how to cook so we order out a lot. You’ll get along with everyone else. Maybe you’ll [i]be[/i] one of us if you like our style. We can talk about that later.”[/color] He waved his hand. [color=lightgray]”Guessing our next order of business is trying to save those espers. Don’t imagine the hand’s got anything nice planned for them.”[/color] [color=92278f]”Reckon you ain’t lying there. And don’t worry,”[/color] Asher paused as he underwent a fiery transformation into his esper state, [color=92278f]”I think as far as style goes we’ll get along just fine! Now I’m ready to whoop some ass.”[/color] And just like that Asher had decided to align himself with the city’s underdogs and rebels, fitting?