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[img]https://i.imgur.com/ziR5Pse.png[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/kNmO8zV.png[/img]
[b][color=DarkOrange]wordcount: [/color][/b] 1569 (+3)
[b][color=DarkOrange]Location:[/color][/b] Forbidden Kingdom - Esaka’s Pools
[b][color=SpringGreen]Bowser Jr: Level 15 [/color][/b] EXP: [color=SpringGreen]//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////[/color](312/150)
[b][color=Aqua]Rika: Level 12 [/color][/b] EXP:  [color=Aqua]/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////[/color](148/110)
[b][color=DarkOrange]Amaterasu: level 9 (1 level up stored) [/color][/b] EXP: [color=DarkOrange]////////////////////////////////////////////////[/color]////////////////////////////////// (51/90)
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There were many important questions to be asked about this whole situation. Why could they suddenly understand other languages? Did bringing down a coffee shop really weaken G-Corp? Could these people really be trusted? What was a pop star?

All these and more, Amaterasu wanted to ask, but, alas, divine wolf was as much more body language than actual language, and so even here, under whatever effect had translated Chevalier’s words, she was left hoping others would ask them in turn.

This did not start out on a great foot, given that the first to be asked was by Rika, who, despite having been proactive in organizing the initial get together that had now moved here, began by asking [color=Aqua]”So what’s good on this place’s menu?”[/color] 

The girl had one of said menus very carefully held between a thumb and forefinger of a gauntlet, while her brother by her side was working at taking the other off (they were not going to miss the opportunity to have a second lunch). Given that he was the only one presently partaking in what was served, this question was naturally directed at Chevalier, having perched herself on the nearest available chair/table. The one beside her was saved for Jr via his duffel bag being sat on it, and his brush being leaned against it.

Contrary to what one might expect, Chevalier did not seem too put off by the question. “This is my first time here, so I can only say that their finest wine is…adequate. For the Middle Tier.” He lifted his glass and swirled the small amount of deep red liquid still inside. Then he lowered his glasses enough to scrutinize the children with a closer look. “Of course, wine is highly toxic to youngsters like yourselves. Technically you’re not permitted on the premises, but this is something of a special occasion, hm?”

[color=SpringGreen]”Coz we’re wrecking machines who’re gonna be wrecking machines, yeah?”[/color] Jr said (self aware enough to know that letting kids go fight killer robots was something a lot of people would balk at) as he finished securing the first of Rika’s gauntlets to her back and moved onto the other. Rika, in turn, passed the menu from gauntletted hand to the bare one, and flipped the menu over to try and escape the wine section of it.

Amaterasu, for three, was glad they weren't making a fuss about being denied wine, assuming they must have had at least some sensible parenting on the topic when really it was all down to their father’s annoyance with one drunken god that had led to their understanding that alcohol was a bad thing.

[color=Aqua]”So I guess I was right about them selling to people outside the city then? Given these are coming in from wherever this tangled shore place is”[/color] Rika then said, glancing up from the list of fancy sounding cheeses that made up a fair chunk of the rest of the menu.

This time, Anji replied to her with a knowing nod. “Indeed. We don’t have a comprehensive list of their business associates, but since shipments in travel often passed by Esaka, we know that they supplied the administration in Midgar to the east.” He continued to fan himself, shrugging. “Of course, we’re aware that Midgar has been abandoned, but rumors do circulate of a new faction that’s taken over the ruins. One with an even keener interest in machines.”

[color=SpringGreen]”Good luck too em, way the team who went there tell it, that city was a deathtrap and a half”[/color] Jr said as he finished freeing up his sister's hands, and hopped into a chair next to her. She in turn passed him the menu, before weaving her fingers together and stretching them.

[color=Aqua]”There was some kind of machine mind control thing that almost got Poppi right? Guess that’s gone?”[/color] she then remarked, to which Jr replied [color=SpringGreen]”or whoever’s there thinks they can use it and is about to get burned bad”[/color], following it up with a wicked little grin of amusement at that predicted misfortune.

Without any further knowledge on the subject, Anji could only give a noncommittal grunt and look away. Chevalier noted that the kids were still looking at the menu. “I ordered a Mediterranean Vegetable Flatbread,” he said idly. “And though the skewers sounded tempting, you two might enjoy their wings and fries. The cheese and charcuterie boards lose some of their charm without a wine pairing.” 

[color=Aqua]”The variety seemed nice though”[/color] Rika said, as she pointed out an option that contained a selection of three cheeses and three meats for a rather extortionate amount of money.

[color=SpringGreen]”Probably a lot of it though, right?”[/color] Jr replied, incorrectly assuming the increased price was about volume and not fancyness, and pointing out that [color=SpringGreen]”Don’t wanna be too full while fighting, right?”[/color] 

Amatarasu couldn’t agree with that sentiment, but then she did have a spare stomach. Plis, if the kids were going to focus on this rather than useful questions, she might as well take advantage of that, she thought, loping up behind them and hopping up to awkwardly perch on the chair next to them. Rather than try and lean in to read, she just paused time and scrolled her canvas around so she could see the options, reading them all in the blink of the other’s eyes.

Once one the pair had finished deciding, ending on french fires and garlic shrimp skewer (Rika’s choice), did she lean in and nab the menu before it could be put back down. Awkwardly manipulating it with jaws and paws, she set it down in a way that Chevalier could see it. Then she traced a paw over the table, leaving behind a trail of zenny that formed an arrow pointing at the wings (one which contained the exact change to pay for it). The gentleman picked it up long enough for him to view it, then passed it to Anji, who left to relay the trio’s orders to the winery staff.

It was enough time for Terry to have come to his suggestion of who should do what missions, one which Jr responded by calling over [color=SpringGreen]”Way ahead of you!”[/color] before turning back to the Frenchman and asking [color=SpringGreen]”So what’s the delivery deal? They got trucks, or something more interesting to bring these bots over?”[/color]

“Armored personnel carrier,” Chevalier reported. “It’s none too fast, but it’ll be a tough nut to crack.”

[color=SpringGreen]”I’ve got a few big can openers on hand, shouldn’t be an issue”[/color] Jr replied, before catching himself before he accidentally cracked the building open by summoning one of his oversized mechanical strikers to demonstrate.

[color=Aqua]”Once we do get it open, what’s gonna be inside do you think? Other than the exploding bots I mean? Just some driver or do you think this’d be where their ‘super soldiers’ would show up”[/color] Rika asked, somewhat hoping that it would be. The longer it took for them to do so, the more super she imagined they’d be.

Chevalier took a moment to think. “A driver, yes. As for additional protection…although I cannot say for certain, I think it likely that G-Corp leadership would judge the Jack units sufficient to defend themselves. With limited forces still in Esaka, it would make sense to keep their Gigas units here to support their VIPs.” He stroked his beard. “Then again, perhaps Kazuya doesn’t need any help. If Gigas units [i]are[/i] there, it would be to our overall advantage, even if it does further endanger Team A.”

[color=Aqua]”So they are kinda a big deal then”[/color] Rika asked rhetorically, having been right in her guess that they were pretty super, before actually asking [color=Aqua]”What can they do? They, like, really good fist fighters or are they gonna shoot at us?”[/color]

Although the kids’ demand for specifics was beginning to reach the limits of Chevalier’s knowledge, he could shed some light on Gigas at least. “They’re just big brutes, albeit very effective ones. Strong, durable, hard to stagger.”

[color=Aqua]”Fist fighter then. Yeah, we can deal with that”[/color] Rika replied, before suggesting that they would [color=Aqua]”probably wanna just draw em out and skirmish em all. Stay clear of the explosions, n out of reach of these big guys”[/color] 

[color=SpringGreen]”Alright, looks like we’re good to go. Just point us at em and they’re good as in the scrapheap already”[/color] Jr added confidently, before adding the ever so little caveat of [color=SpringGreen]”After lunch anyway”[/color]

Amatarasu could only hope they could indeed handle it. At least she’d learned a little about what she might run into when going after one of the ViPs. As for which one she’d be going after, she’d probably stick with her team. They’d all be free at the same time after all, so they might as well stick together for this too. In her opinion anyway.