shylarah

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________^{_{Settlement Square, Tu Zin · in collaboration with @KillamriX08 & @Exit}}

shylarah    Ziotea holstered her pistol once the danger was past. The cheering of the crowd was annoying and unwanted. She’d been protecting herself, not them. She found herself looking at the young earthbender who’d finished off the largest of the creatures. He was going to get himself killed if he kept being so reckless. “Hey. You.” She approached him, a frown on her face. “That was rather stupid, don’t you think? Deliberately getting so close? ...Brave, but stupid all the same.” KillamriX88    Weiyuan was staring at the thing he’d just killed. He was pretty sure that was a first. He supposed he was glad someone had already shot a hole in it. Never mind the literal opening it had made for him, it had made it easier to not hesitate – to not see it as a person. Speaking of, the individual responsible for that had approached him only to mostly criticize him. He stared back blankly. What was he supposed to do about this? Think? He hadn’t had a chance to think. As for his other half, he couldn’t really say what he’d been thinking. He’d simply gone for the quickest solution in the few seconds he’d had to act. All that was way more than he cared to explain to someone he barely knew when he couldn’t even speak up loudly enough to be heard over the ruckus the onlookers were making. And just because he could actually “speak,” unlike his other half, didn’t mean wanted to if he didn’t have to. So, instead, he just responded with a half-hearted thumbs up and placed a hand on her shoulder. It seemed she’d gotten into enough of a scuffle before he got there to get covered in sand. A moment later and most of the dirt and dust rained off of her, and what wouldn’t just fall free collected around Weiyuan’s hand to be tossed aside. With that done he turned away to go check on the people he actually recognized. He was going back to sleep soon and for who knew how long. Why bother getting to know a stranger? shylarah    “Huh-- wha-- oh.” Ziotea was startled as the young man wordlessly used his bending to clean the sand off her. She was not thrilled to be the target of such an action, but he seemed to have decent control, and she emerged no worse for wear. “Uh, thanks, I guess?” she called after him as he turned and walked away. Whatever. If he didn’t want to talk, she wasn’t going to force him. She scanned the area for the little girl and the two dogs, spotting them emerging from a nearby building. Ziotea headed in their direction. Exit    ”Chosah, wait!” Sonam yelled after the girl as she too stepped out from the crowd, a part of which had gathered near Sarah’s clinic. Sarah herself had sheltered within with some of the Tu Zin settlers, but as they returned to the street, she remained in the doorway. ”Don’t worry, Sonam,” She called out after the two. ”They’re dead. It’s safe but I’d still keep away from that idiot of a salesman.” Chosah waited with her two dogs for Sonam to catch up, but her eyes caught Ziotea approaching her. She flashed the woman a smile. ”Are you okay?” shylarah    “Yeah, I’m fine.” Ziotea went down on one knee in front of the girl. “What about you? I’m sure that was pretty scary for you, huh?” Exit    ”Yeah, but I’ve seen some pretty scary stuff.” Chosah balled her hand into a fist. ”But I’m being brave… Daddy said I have to be.” shylarah    She looked the little girl over. She remembered that the child had been in high-quality clothes, the day they left Ba Sing Se. Middle Ring, at the very least -- maybe Upper. Ziotea doubted the kid had been exposed to the harshness of life much. “I’m Ziotea. What’s your name?” Exit    ”Chosah,” Sonam said, finally catching up to the pair. ”Her name is Chosah and just be careful getting too close to her.” She motioned at the two dogs standing sentry at either side of the girl. Though docile at the moment, their eyes became laser focused on Ziotea. ”They’re uh… just dogs I guess, I’m not really sure but they’re very protective of her.” ”My dogs! Archer and Dutch-ness. Daddy said they cost lots of money.” Sonam’s eyes darted to the ground briefly before meeting Ziotea’s. ”I’m glad you’re alright.” she said. shylarah    The repeated mentions of Chosah’s dad, coupled with the fact that he didn’t seem to be around, made Ziotea suspect the worst. “You are very brave, Chosah. I’m sure your daddy would be proud of you,” she said, getting to her feet again. She turned her gaze to the woman beside Chosah. She’d heard the lady from the clinic call her Sonam, she thought. “Sonam, right? Never did get a chance to thank you for taking us to Tu Zin. So...thanks.” Exit    Sonam nodded. ”Yeah well, I think a certain someone around here wouldn’t have let me live it down if I didn’t help someone in need,” She said with, looking back over her shoulder. Standing in the doorway in conversation with Sarah was Vasra. ”Between you and me, being out here sucks but it’s better than being hunted like picken back home.” Chosah began wandering toward the center of the square again, moving toward the trailer and the others gathered around it. Her dogs kept to her heel. Sonam huffed and moved to follow. ”C-Chosah… wait,” shylarah    Ziotea let the pair wander off.

Nerves In Carbonox Reforged: A Roll-Your-Own Giant Mecha Roleplay

Rhylaen

Rhylaen watched, eyes narrowed, as Arrish again came to her defense -- and just as swiftly backed down again, though she could understand why he did it this time, at least. They'd all lost people because of the Cruxi. At least Aurora stayed focused on the task they'd been set.

---

Once changed into her pilot suit, she made her way to the VR room. The helmet was not designed for Tevranians, and squished her ears uncomfortably, but it was something she was just going to have to deal with. Inside Electric Dragonfly's cockpit, she quickly powered on her machine and ran through the system startup routines. She didn't turn on the jamming systems just yet, however. "Is green," she said, on Team Apple's channel. To the command channel she sent a "Ready!".

---

Sparks

Astolfo's speech was cheesy, but rather inspiring all the same. Sparks found he was excited to finally get into the pilot seat of the Guinevere, even if only virtually. He'd done some piloting with her, but none in actual combat against other people. It would be very different, he was sure.

---

Once he and Dancer were jacked in, Sparks booted up Guinevere and ran through his checks. Dancer immediately took primary control of the six repair drones, installing fragment systems on each one so she could control them from afar. "All systems green. Guinevere, ready to deploy."

Nerves In Carbonox Reforged: A Roll-Your-Own Giant Mecha Roleplay

Sparks

Sparks had to raise an eyebrow as Astolfo neatly proposed what he himself had been thinking. Analyzing the frequencies jammed to find a hole they could use to communicate was a priority. The man knew his stuff -- a surprise for one who was apparently also royalty. "Sure, we can try to bypass the Electric Dragonfly's jamming. Once that's done, I'll work on hacking Sleeping Thunder -- if Aurora is distracted by having to combat a takeover of her frame, she won't be focusing on taking out our frames, and hopefully that will provide an opening for the rest of you."

---

Rhylaen

Once Elora was released from Stella's grip, and Team Apple gathered together in an adjacent room, Rhylaen listened to the others talk. She didn't have much to contribute -- tactics was not her strong suit. The new pilot -- Jake, he said his name was -- pulled up the data for his frame, and she gave it a look. Angel Zero was versatile, able to wield just about any weapon it could find, according to the files. But the pilot himself hadn't taken off his helmet. She wondered if he was shy.

Her free hand curled into a fist as Griff again mocked her, though at least this time he didn't call her a bug. His offhand apology almost made it worse. Rhylaen took a deep breath and let it go for the moment. Now wasn't the time to be fighting with her teammates.

ᵗʰᵉ Last Avatar.

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________^{_{Settlement Square}}

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________ shylarah    Ziotea had no time to worry about the fact that the tall woman next to her had just used firebending. She backpedaled as the person -- no creature in the skirt came at her. She swiftly drew her suppressed pistol and aimed in one smooth motion, firing two shots into its center of mass. Pop, pop! The bullets snapped as they left the barrel. Exit    The woman’s body jerked as the bullets landed in her chest but did little to stop her advance. She collided with Ziotea clumsily, taking her to the ground and began searching for the red-haired woman’s throat with her hands. shylarah    Ziotea swore as she went down, landing hard on her back. She was in trouble if she got grabbed properly -- these things seemed strong, and she herself had the disadvantage in size. She shoved the muzzle of her gun against the creature’s head and pulled the trigger again, hoping that if a shot to the torso didn’t work, depriving it of its head would. Exit    The bullet tore through the skull, ripping off a sizable chunk of the woman’s face and leaving a gaping hole around the exit wound. Thankfully, with the way her head snapped violently to the side, much of the blood and brain matter emptied onto the ground next to Ziotea. The body stopped thrashing about and collapsed lifelessly on top of her. shylarah    “Go for their heads!” Ziotea bellowed, heaving the corpse off her and rolling to her feet. “Torso shots do nothing!”

Nerves In Carbonox Reforged: A Roll-Your-Own Giant Mecha Roleplay

Rhylaen

The Tevranian pilot was surprised that the assigned skirmish was to be between two teams of pilots, and not against a simulated Cruxi force. And she was stuck with Griff on her team? Wonderful. Still, at least she’d have Elora and Logic Diver on her side, which would make her far more effective. Aurora immediately took charge, which was unexpected given what Rhylaen had seen of her the day before. The redhead hadn’t seemed like the leading type, but then again, she’d not seen her in this sort of circumstance before....

---

A Walk in the Garden

_{a collab between @Shifter_Master and @shylarah}

Rhylaen eventually made her way from the rows of the hydroponics farm to a more traditionally arranged greenhouse area. There, instead of neatly cultivated rows, the plants were set up more like a garden to walk through. The smell of dirt and growing things was immensely reassuring. She’d calmed down most of the way since seeing the video of the Cruxi. The screams no longer echoed in her head, at least, and that was a major improvement.

Aurora was also roaming through the green house, clearly looking much better than she had when she left the lesson earlier. She didn’t really have a destination in mind, she was just walking around soaking up the imitation sunlight. There was soft music playing from her pad, a classical piano ballad of some sort.

Her uniform top was folded in her arms, leaving her pilot suit visible and she was humming along to the music as she walked along the pathways.

Rhylaen turned as the sound of soft music and humming reached her ears, to see the bespectacled pilot with the red hair...Aurora, she thought her name was. They’d talked a little in the showers the other day, but she still didn’t know the woman well. She approached with a wave. “Aurora. Music nice. You like?”

“Hello there.” She would greet back with a wave of her own. She recognized Rhylaen more readily than any of the other Pilots so far. But that was for the simple fact she hadn't met a Tervrain before.

“This symphony is one of my favorites. And the garden area is good too. Much better than my last deployment.” She would answer with a smile. “Did you come here for some relaxation as well?”

“Yes. Remind me of home,” Rhylaen responded. “Ships...most no have green like this.” She paused, gaze turning distant. “Tevran, lots of green. Even cities! Earth have less.”

“It's a shame they don't. Though I understand that space is usually very limited.” Aurora would commiserate. “And Tevran sounds beautiful.”

“Though, if I may ask. Why have you decided to forego using the Translators?” She would ask, giving the shorter woman an inquisitive look. It was no small feat in her estimation.

“I want my words be my real words,” Rhylaen replied. “And Tevranians...use more than words for talking.” She tapped her temple. “Humans no use. So I maybe forget, if speak Tevranian.” She frowned. “No worry -- for fight, I use translator.”

“A telepathic component?” Aurora would murmur for a moment as she pondered over that particular note. “Oh Galactic Standard must seem very dull in comparison.” She would say after a moment. Internally likening it to listening to a song with only half the accompanying instruments. Still artistic, but lacking when you are used to more.

“And I had no worries. You’ve learned a whole language that lacks what I can only imagine is a vital part of your culture. That shows a resilience and adaptability that is rare. In the field you’d have found some way to overcome the communications issues one way or the other I’m sure.” She would postulate with an easy smile.

“Was it difficult to adjust?” She would go on to ask. “And I apologize if I ask too many questions. I’ve never had a chance to speak to a Tevranian.”

Rhylaen blinked in surprise at the compliment, then smiled. “Maybe I try,” she mused. She greatly preferred not using a translator, but had always worried that field work would be too complicated for her limited grammar. “Adjust...yes, it hard. Humans say lies more. And directions! Tevranians just show. Humans say. Very different.” She shook her head at Aurora’s apology. “No worry. Questions good thing. I can answer.” A frown flickered across her face. “People who no have questions no want learn. Like Griff.”

“Oh my, I’ll have to keep that in mind for when I end up meeting them.” Aurora would say with a shake of her head. “I’m curious about a lot of things, though normally it’s Framewerks that have most of my attention.” She would explain as she adjusted her glasses.

“Like Electric Dragonfly, which I presume is yours. She is a lovely machine from what I’ve been able to glean.” Aurora would smile, her mind softly whirring with more ideas about the Tevranian inspired frame. But she didn’t get lost in those thoughts, as her curiosity was still focused on a different topic. “Would it be possible for a human to learn your native language? I imagine there would be something we wouldn’t be capable of communicating correctly, due to the lack of telepathy, but beyond that?”

Rhylaen nodded -- the Electric Dragonfly was indeed her frame. “We do jamming. Not fight so much,” she explained. Aurora’s next question made the Tevranian’s already wide eyes go even wider. “You want learn? Words no hard for learning. I think yes, you could.” She grinned. “I teach, maybe?”

“You’d be willing to teach me?” Aurora would ask back, clearly delighted at the prospect. “Yes. I’d love to learn if you’d be willing to-”

Rather abruptly the music coming from Aurora’s pad would cut off, and be swiftly replaced by a ringing alarm. She was quick to silence it. But that didn’t stop the crestfallen expression on Aurora’s face. “I’m sorry. But I have to get going. A prior engagement is due soon.” She would explain, clearly disappointed.

“Do you have any plans for after the exercise tomorrow? We could start then, assuming that it doesn't last too long.”

“No, no plans. See you then!”

---

Rhylaen was about to head towards Aurora, Arrish, and Elora when the newest of the pilots, the cyborg whose name she thought was Stella, grabbed Elora in a tight hug. As she did, another pilot -- Astolfo? -- called her an “old clanker”. Rhylaen wasn’t particularly familiar with the term, but it sounded rude. A closer look at the speaker, however, and she saw he was trembling, just a little. Nervous about the upcoming fight? Maybe he was just taking out his nerves on someone else. She’d let it go for the moment, she supposed.

The taller of the two brothers approached her. It seemed he, like Aurora, was interested in Tevranian culture. Rhylaen responded with a bright smile, but didn’t fall in beside him just yet. She wanted to make sure that the issue with Elora was settled before heading out -- after all, it would be rude to leave a member of the team behind.

Nerves In Carbonox Reforged: A Roll-Your-Own Giant Mecha Roleplay

Sparks

The team choices were interesting, certainly, Sparks thought. Splitting up the twins was certainly a choice, as was putting Griff with Rhylaen. He was rather glad he'd not have to deal with that particular problem on his team, for the moment. Sleeping Thunder and Aurora were going to be problems, as was the combination of Logic Diver under Elora and the Electric Dragonfly under Rhylaen. He was mentally running through what he knew of the various frames when Serah approached him with a greeting.

"We'll do our best," he replied with a smile. "We should probably move to another room for discussion...." Sparks trailed off as the Steel Raven, Stella, went to hug Elora and protest the team arrangements. That was going to be another problem. Clearly she still had some of her kindergarten programming in effect.

Well, there was more than one way to skin a cat. Sparks approached Stella, making sure to do so where she could see him. "Hey. Don't you think that this is a good learning opportunity for Elora?" he asked. "If she doesn't have practice fighting, she won't do well when we face the Cruxi for real. You can help teach her how to protect herself here and now, where she won't truly get hurt."

Nerves In Carbonox Reforged: A Roll-Your-Own Giant Mecha Roleplay

Sparks

"The Guinevere is a support frame. We do field repairs, with a side of hacking and control of enemy frames," Sparks replied. He didn't touch on the idea of him using Kattai. Somehow he doubted he'd form that close of a connection with anyone in this particular setting. Fall in love? Perhaps. But acting on it would be unwise, as an active duty pilot.

The twins excused themselves, and Sparks gave them a cheerful wave as they headed off. Then he made for the Guinevere.

---

Rhylaen

Rhylaen took diligent notes on the lecture, even though a lot of it was stuff she already knew. By the end, her datapad was full of writing in the flowing Tevranian script. The idea of impersonation and mind control bothered her a great deal, and the video Professor Lorenzo had shown shook her. Arrish's words about how the pilots weren't truly ready to fight struck a nerve as well. Yes, she wanted revenge, but the best way to do that was by working as a team. She wasn't being selfish...was she?

Bothered more than she'd like to admit, Rhylaen grabbed her datapad and headed out the door. The cold metal of the bulkheads was oppressive; she wanted greenery. Fortunately for her, the ship had a rather large greenhouse, with both soil-based and hydroponic areas, a place she'd already visited a few times. She headed that way.

Immediately upon stepping into the carefully cultivated rows, Rhylaen could feel the tension leaving her. It wasn't the same as a walk through the woods -- there were no trees, and the regular spacing of plants made it far more akin to a farm -- but it was close enough.

Nerves In Carbonox Reforged: A Roll-Your-Own Giant Mecha Roleplay

Sparks

Sparks turned at the sound of an unfamiliar voice addressing him. He'd caught a glimpse of the two men talking to the lieutenant on his way in, but hadn't paid them much mind at the time. "Yes, I'm Sparks, the pilot of the Guinevere. She's the one in white, with the gold and red accents." He shook the offered hand firmly. "It's nice to meet you, Mema-Ka, Zel-Ghin. And you won't be the only pilots from the Outer Rim, or with a different language, so don't worry about it too much."

His gaze wandered back to the new Framewerks. "Am I right in thinking the Raptor and the Squid have a Kattai system?" he asked. "I've only encountered a couple frames with that -- I understand finding pilots in synch with both the mechs and each other is difficult."

Nerves In Carbonox Reforged: A Roll-Your-Own Giant Mecha Roleplay

Sparks

The video the professor showed them was disturbing on many levels, and once the discussion concluded Sparks found himself heading for the mech hangar. He wanted the comfort of working on machinery right then, and he'd had less time with Guinevere than he would have liked the past few days anyhow. To his surprise, there were three new mechs in the bays. Distracted from his original intentions by the new frames, he went to take a look at the unfamiliar mechs. One was a Claines Kalinin, though it looked newer than the ones he was used to seeing, in its usual less-than-flattering shade of green. Not even painted, poor thing, he thought.

Another was a transforming unit, it looked like. He could see the wings and fins of a jet carefully placed piecemeal about the mech.

And the last -- an octopus-looking unit in purple and red. Clearly a custom make, and it looked like it might combine with one of the others. Sparks was nearly certain the transforming mech was its counterpart.

Nerves In Carbonox Reforged: A Roll-Your-Own Giant Mecha Roleplay

Sparks

"We had to jump through a bunch of hoops for approval. Red tape, regulations, all of that. It took half a year." Sparks would have said more, but the hotheaded Griff butted in, insulting Dancer and Guinevere in one fell swoop. His easy smile vanished, expression turning stony. "Listen, man, I don't know what your damage is, but you've got a couple things wrong. First off, Dancer's not my girlfriend. If I wanted to program a dating sim, I would have -- and I'd've given it a male voice. Secondly, you do not want a mechanic angry at you. Especially when he's the one doing field repairs on the frame that keeps you alive. Fortunately for you, I'm able to be the bigger man and won't actually do anything to endanger your life...but that doesn't mean I couldn't make your life absolutely miserable, if I wanted to."