[center][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/40b268e9-9477-4d81-97d6-81ce4b87c2d3.png[/img] [color=tomato]"Now is not the time for romance!”[/color] [color=888888]— Mika Fang[/color][/center] [hider=Mika Stat Block] [center] 16 | Female | Gemini | Mad World (lesser) Nails | Hands | Arcane | Cat Scratch Fever Eye of the Tiger | Survivor Spirit Animals | Nature | ANIMAL [Poison, Transform], MAD WORLD DAMAGE: C | SPEED: B | SENTINEL: E | 500 PHYSICAL: D | ARCANE: B | CHAOS: C | 500 [/center] [/hider] The [s]metal gear[/s] mech was not a slow thing. Ashley had to shout her orders to overcome the howls of metal grinding on metal. The sound reverberated through the room along with melodies and a cacophony of other sounds nobody could pick out. Regardless, Gemini had a job to do. The miko twins opened fire on the legs. Both of them launched pulsing beams of light at the metal monstrocitiy’s legs. Raven drew her pistol and fired at the mech’s burning arm, and Mika hurled a glowing hedgehog at the other. That was four different melodies, and the mech visibly shook from the attack. But the hull hadn’t been breached yet. Moreover, the mech was ready to counter attack. The upper torso spun like a top, spreading a ring of flame around the room. Mika and Raven were able to take cover behind the nearby pillars, but the Miko twins and Ashley were right in harm's way. It kept spinning, getting closer and closer. The shrine maidens would need a moment to erect a shield and it didn’t look like they’d make it in time. All wasn’t safe around the pillars either. A giant fist broke through the roof of the room and slammed down on Mika. Translucent energies sped out from under the fist and converted again, placing Mika in a much safer position. For the moment. [color=tomato]"There’s something else?”[/color] As the oldest person in the group, Binky was a little caught off guard when Marrie locked eyes with her, sighed (perhaps out of annoyance) before grabbing her hand and pulling her. A simple hand signal or a “come on” would have sufficed. It seemed like she had been nothing but a bother to people recently, so she should have expected this behavior. Though there was something about the spectral esper’s assertive behavior that made Binky blush. Maybe it was from all the teasing Fritzi did. This wasn’t really the place to think about that. It didn’t feel good to step away from combat, but by the sound of it, Ashley wasn’t ready for her assistance yet. [color=baddab]”Okay.”[/color] Binky looked to Marrie. Her grip on her M4 tight. [color=baddab]”It doesn’t look like the hallway is going to be safe for long.”[/color] And it wasn’t. More of those brainwashed construction workers were pouring down both sides of the isle. Binky pressed her back against the door frame and aimed down one side. It was clear the place was pretty durable, so no one should be able to shoot through the walls. But that wasn’t going to stop another voice that Marrie may or may not have recognized from entering her ears. [color=0099a6]"Don’t get too close. Wait for them to try and leave. Maybe we can get a grenade in there. There should be no risk of damaging the mech without magic."[/color] If Marrie cared to look at the camera feeds, Baleful Sofron would be there. He stood behind several construction workers. Her briefly looked up at the camera before giving more orders. [hr] Ciri and Lenore laughed together, like two sisters in an insane asylum. Though Ciri eventually had to stop to explain why there was no fucking way that was going to fly. This just seemed to make it funnier to Lenore, who waved her weapon around with the same kind of nonchalant energy Ciri was displaying. [b]”I could see your white haired metal head reacting like that, but I thought we made a good team last time. Both of the trains rode off into the sunset, did they not?”[/b] That was just long enough for Ciri to look at a few minds. Monsters, and even some humans, didn’t always think in words. Tony’s mindscape was filled with wrathful images. Blood splattering the walls, gore landing like wet laundry, and his hulking fist buried inside Billy’s chest. This could have been his intent, but it didn’t mean that he was literally going to use this form of attack on Billy. It didn’t seem like he was focusing on a spell or anything of the sort. He was just psyching himself up for his target, envisioning the best possible outcome. … [color=lightgray]”It’s like the little lady here says, you bozos are about do for an ass woopin’!”[/color] There was some hootin’ and hollerin’ from the other Mavericks. [color=MediumAquamarine]”And if we wanted to beat up the gems, we’d do it ourselves!”[/color] Stacy added. The cigar chomping bunny nun shrugged her shoulders. [b]”Be our guest!”[/b] Stacy’s eyes went wide. [color=MediumAquamarine]”I get it! We’re in a hotel, so you said-”[/color] The first attack of the encounter came from behind enemy lines. A sniper shot off Stacy’s head, sending the girl running after it. It wasn’t long before the others jumped into action. Nova erected a smoke screen, Lenore ran for Luna, Lexi put a blessing on Bobo, who lifted her flamethrower and shot napalm across the space. Luna tossed Stacy her head, who turned around in time to deflect Lenore. Trixy fired a rocket into the crowd of weretigers, Amanda flung a ball of sand at the others. Billy met Tony’s charge, and Ciri… Ciri had gotten the fight she wanted. There was a good deal of chaos erupting all around her. Enemy reinforcements would show up, but Fritzi was right outside, and she was supposed to be a strong esper or something. Though that initial sniper round had come from somewhere, and it might be best to deal with them before they get smart and shoot at Tetrad or Trixy next time. Then at the far back of the room, Ciri caught a glimpse of them. There hunched over a desk was someone in pillaged military gear with only a small lock of cyan hair hanging out of the side of their helmet. [b]”We need to get upstairs.”[/b] Amanda produced another ball of sand. It started out as a few grains before swirling into a glossy tan sphere. [b]”If we get up there, I know we can find him…”[/b] [hr] [center][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/5cdd0c35-6c1b-4e5d-8fe9-970574e18f41.png[/img] [color=77BB99]"Haggling with me will cost you time, partner.”[/color] [color=888888]— Bookman[/color][/center] [color=77BB99]"We continue to find common ground among these deals. Before moving onto the next one, don’t you want what you signed up for?”[/color] With a snap of his fingers, a gilded bird cage appeared in his hand. His finger was looped through a ring that held the entire thing up. Between the golden bars and gilded floral decorations was a small black bird. Bookman produced a key with the other hand and unlocked the cage. The door swung open, and the tiny yet rotund bird flew to her hand. If she looked at it long enough, she would notice stars floating in its perfectly black plumage. [color=77BB99]"I’ve heard an Endless Eclipse can take many shapes, but I’ve never seen one take on the shape of a living creature.”[/color] His tone sounded genuine. Though they could not marvel at it forever. [color=77BB99]"Halfway done now.”[/color] Bookman turned the page. [color=77BB99]"Your partner is in trouble. Their position has been compromised, and it won’t be long before they are apprehended by the police. It’s not too late to save them. I can get them off of their trail for good, but there’s a caveat.”[/color] He placed his hands together. [color=77BB99]"Cerberus, Orion, and Time Keeper have special artifacts on their person. We would like to examine one of them. You may select one of them to hunt down and retrieve their artifact. It’s effectively the same deal as the first one. You will help us with a task and be granted the resources to do so. Only you get to select the target yourself when the time comes. But are they worth the hassle?”[/color] The demon extended his hand.