Taka
Dane
erikhPerfect Anarchy said
Ohohoho just you wait!
Can I have some of that popcorn, that looks...really...really good.
Hold on, let me think about it...
...
...
Nah this my popcorn.
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Hold on, let me think about it...
...
...
Nah this my popcorn.
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Let's B!tch. I feel it's a healthy release for our roleplay annoyances 2.0
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12 yrs ago
Forum: Roleplaying Discussion
Posting templates and never posting ...like bruh.
Bruh.
Bruh.
docblargle said
Apologies for the delay. My school takes election day really seriously. Been wrapped up all day. Writing my post now, have no fear.
Don't make me fear again, cause I had it. HERO, PIERCE, YOU'RE UP!
I just got more popcorn.
Imma just be over here waitin' again :3
Shock and awe, a combination of fear and anger, and a pride wounded. Aeva did not take offense when Rika did not immediately sit back down once requested, but her outburst drew the attention of others nearby, effectively ruining what she prided herself on all this time. The tension in her face, the tightening of her stomach, and her heart fluttering with anxiety about this unknown employer who knew things no one could have, or should have. The woman glanced at Pepper for but a moment, wondering if she found this situation as entertaining as she did. She wasn’t one for laughs, but when you spent enough time at her side you tend to get used to the sight of people’s defenses crumbling before her. That calculating stare made all but the most experienced and mature crumble, and this Rika Masaki was not yet enough of both of those things to outmatch her in a battle of truth. Red eyes fell upon Rika’s seat and she motioned for Rika to gather it, immediately raising a hand at Pepper to not do it for her.
“You’re a big girl, Rika …you can pick that seat up. Surely Setsuko taught you some manners?”
“!?” Even her mother ...even her mother!? Rika’s cheeks were beginning to twitch and her eyes narrowed. Aeva knew not only of the information she tucked away, but even her mother’s name. If someone like this existed her mother would’ve told a story about it as a kid; she was a nightmare in the form of an admittedly beautiful young woman, and before that gaze no lie could be told. Within that look, past the initial silliness of the sailor fuku, held more danger and experience than Rika had seen and felt in her life. She had only ever feared one person before, and that was her mother when she was little. Taught how to steal, how to seduce, how to murder without blinking an eye, it was only a small piece of the Masaki family’s skills but what they were the most known for. This woman was no Masaki, but somehow Rika had the feeling she mastered those skills. Gritting her teeth at the circumstances placed before her, Rika looked to Pepper, back to Aeva, and then moved to pick up her seat with so many eyes in her direction. Reluctantly returning to a seating position, Rika didn’t know where to begin, and so let Aeva dictate where the conversation went.
“My knowledge of you and my source is fully credible, but I’m not here to discuss your secrets. I am here to motivate you to pick a side in this conflict, because for better or for worse you’ll be a key player in it. You have a particular set of skills I have never, in all my years, found anyone able to match outside of your family. It is subtlety and strategy that will give the Unbound an edge in this conflict, and you know that they need you more than you need them.” Aeva said calmly. The eyes once on Rika returned to where they had been previously, and things appeared business as usual. “I recognize potential when I see it, but personal growth and discipline should come before strength. You’re calculating, intelligent, and an asset to anyone who utilizes you. I would like to know what your plan is with the information you have on your person.”
Rika wasn’t immediately answering, because she hadn’t quite thought about it yet. There were many possibilities with that information, and it could easily make her rich and in a seat of power when all this blows over. Her renown could skyrocket, but then there was helping a band of rebels overthrow an Empire. “I …I don’t really know yet.”
“You don’t know because you’re at the crossroad that decides just what kind of person you are. This is no simple decision of handing a child some bread you stole or keeping it for yourself, this decision affects countless lives across hundreds of worlds.”
“I know that, but there’s just a lot to think about.”
“What is there to think about? You help doom the existence of many, or fill your own pockets. You are smart enough to realize the wealth that the Empire would acquire is several times larger than the rebels, yet still you suggest you may help them acquire the information you already have.”
“But-“
“Are you with the Unbound, or with the Empire?”
“Neither. I don’t care about any of them, I’m just trying to earn some dough and take care of myself. No matter who wins or loses, I’m coming out unscathed.”
“Are you even trying now?” Aeva inquired, causing Rika to raise an eyebrow in confusion.
“Trying to what?”
“Trying to act. Because from the way I look at it, you cared about Shizuka enough to try and redirect Pepper’s attention entirely on yourself and convince her that that girl was no trouble. She was the only one who had faith in you, and you didn’t want to see her get hurt, not because she was helping sell your story, but because you like her.” Rika hadn’t said much to that, and so Aeva continued. “That man, Trisean. He had a hunch about you and you feigned hurt and irritation …except it wasn’t all an act, was it? You sat among them and had a desire to belong, because they weren’t in it for wealth or fame, they were in it to help others and free themselves of tyranny. It was a cause that you, at heart, could get behind. So while that man’s hunch was a long-shot, it ultimately led to you starting to realize that you wanted to be taken seriously. Was it all pretend, Rika? Did he not hurt your feelings by not believing in the good you might’ve had in your heart?”
Rika had sat back, dumbfounded at just how easy it was for this woman to read into what had gone on in that bunker. It was no longer a matter of how she was knowing all of this, even her mother’s identity, but it was now what this was all about for her. This woman had the tension of a thousand eyes behind two and a fountain of power in her posture; the threat of engagement was real, and Pepper wasn’t the intimidation factor of the two. If she took her eyes off of Aeva she felt as though she might die, yet at the same time felt like she may die if she tried to run from this. Her feet were shaking and her heart was uncertain, but above all else she was …
“Vulnerable. That’s the first time you’ve felt it in a long time, the first time anyone’s been able to figure you out since your mother, isn’t it?”
Rika snapped out of her stupor and glared at Aeva, a move both bold and reckless considering how much power she had in this situation. With everything said, all pieces put together, she still couldn’t accept defeat like this. Shaking her head and balling her fists, the thief wouldn’t be talked down to like this. “Okay, I’m done playing this game. Are you going to hire me or not?”
“…” Aeva might have smiled were it not for the fact she was doing her very best to remain patient about this stubbornness. “Maybe you’re right, I should stop playing games.” Reaching down beneath her, she had retrieved a large brown sack and set it on the middle of the table, letting the contents spill out towards Rika. What was revealed was, in fact, a large sum of munny. The world’s currency was compact, but an experienced girl like Rika was no doubt already processing how much was in there. Allowing Rika a moment to examine the contents, Aeva glanced out towards the far off direction of the destroyed warehouse as though she knew something no one else did. Pepper was a vital tool for helping the Unbound, but they should get used to resolving conflicts on their own, especially considering who had just arrived had quite the future ahead of her.
“I’ll cut you a deal.” Aeva turned back to Rika, who had surprisingly not done anything with the money. Interesting. “I’ll let you walk away with that if I have your word you’ll remain out of this conflict, but you also hand over that disc to me. I’ll tell them you had found it and I paid you for your time, which means you never told them that lie about not having it and they don’t need to spare the resources to pay you themselves. You held up your end and you will not need to be involved any further, absolving you of any relation to the group.” It was going to be a tempting offer and Rika had no reason not to refuse it, until what would come next.
“In exchange for that service, I'll be killing everyone in the vicinity, women and children concluded. You have one minute.”
~-~
Her prayers to whatever gods might receive their souls would have to be enough, as there was little more Lin could do for anyone the way things were. Among the crowd she was nestled in, whispers of blame were going left and right. Some believed the Empire were wrong, that the Rebels wouldn’t make a show of blowing some place up unless it were important. Others believed the Rebels were doing wrong, that they couldn’t beat the Empire and instead should work together to improve conditions for the sake of all. Lin had wanted to believe negotiations were possible, but an Empire so deeply rooted into all worlds wouldn’t free them without battle. It was the cruel reality in which she was stuck in, and there was no sense in trying to escape it. People would keep dying until one side had lost, and Lin was going to be sure that the Unbound freed everyone from the invisible chains around their neck. A small word to those in the crowd would have been in order were it not for the commotion nearby, and being too small to see past anyone she had to squeeze through again, popping out between two large men and stumbling forward. “Whoa-oah!” her balance was amazing, but no one said her ability to get through tight spaces was perfect. What she happened to witness next was a combination of happiness and a juvenile thrill. Shizuka, even after half a year, still looked the same, still running from danger, still needing someone to save her butt.
That person was going to be Lin.
“Fear not everyone. I, Great Warrior Lin, will be happy to help destroy those creatures and—…Oh.“ Hands on her hips and appearing proud, it was only after she looked over her shoulder and finally took notice of the crowd already running off that she realized her audience wasn’t so captivated, and was in fact quite fearful. Puffing out her cheeks a little in disappointment, Lin stomped her left foot in the ground and began to stretch her legs, preparing to assist Shizuka. In the midst of this, someone who represented the Empire was already putting the situation in their favor, having soldiers escort the fleeing crowd while attempting to convince them that this was a situation the rebels put forth. “What? That’s not even close to being true!” upset at the mere thought of someone believing such garbage, she had been distracted long enough to miss the fact she was a valid target. As shadows raced towards her, Lin gasped and stumbled backwards, holding up an arm in alarm and preparing to emit fire to defend herself. With what sounded like a gunshot ringing in the air, the three shadows that had raced towards her were destroyed swiftly, the essence evaporating in thin air. “What the…wait, I know that noise!”
In the past within China, sparring with Shizuka was a good deal of fun when she wasn’t sparring with her brother. The speed at which they were destroyed and the noise that rang out was coming back to her now, even after all this time. Getting to her feet whilst brushing the dust and dirt from her clothes, the Chinese hero-in-training was quick to throw a smirk at Ace. He was handsome and someone she could depend on, a true friend like Shizuka who she’d be happy to fight beside, and that thought began to make her giddy. “It’s been too long, guys! Don’t worry, count on me, I’ll---“ the sound of a door slamming and some rumble behind her had thrown her off again, and while leaving Ace to watch her back she had turned towards that strange thing the man with the Empire announced earlier while some strange metal things had begun to take position. “Hey, don’t run from us you cowards!” she shouted, gathering flame in her right hand. Forming a sphere of flame, she threw it towards the fleeing car and had narrowly missed its rear wheel while it sped off. Disappointed in her failure, she had turned back to see the machines entering combat with the others. Ace and Shizuka could hold their own no problem, and now that she was here she could help destroy these creatures in half the time.
“Sorry guys, but don’t worry, I’ll make up for it, I promise I will!” Apologetic for her failures, Lin was immediately intending to redeem herself for that near-miss. Turning back towards Ace, who was effortlessly avoiding the strikes of that weird metal thing, flames gathered in both her palms and she had throw them towards the machine focused on Ace, intending to overwhelm it with one concentrated blast and knock it down for good. At the very same time, an overlooked pair of Neoshadows had begun creeping behind her just as she had unleashed that concentrated attack. Lin was too enthused with the idea of Ace going to owe her for this, even if it looked like he had it under control.
“You’re a big girl, Rika …you can pick that seat up. Surely Setsuko taught you some manners?”
“!?” Even her mother ...even her mother!? Rika’s cheeks were beginning to twitch and her eyes narrowed. Aeva knew not only of the information she tucked away, but even her mother’s name. If someone like this existed her mother would’ve told a story about it as a kid; she was a nightmare in the form of an admittedly beautiful young woman, and before that gaze no lie could be told. Within that look, past the initial silliness of the sailor fuku, held more danger and experience than Rika had seen and felt in her life. She had only ever feared one person before, and that was her mother when she was little. Taught how to steal, how to seduce, how to murder without blinking an eye, it was only a small piece of the Masaki family’s skills but what they were the most known for. This woman was no Masaki, but somehow Rika had the feeling she mastered those skills. Gritting her teeth at the circumstances placed before her, Rika looked to Pepper, back to Aeva, and then moved to pick up her seat with so many eyes in her direction. Reluctantly returning to a seating position, Rika didn’t know where to begin, and so let Aeva dictate where the conversation went.
“My knowledge of you and my source is fully credible, but I’m not here to discuss your secrets. I am here to motivate you to pick a side in this conflict, because for better or for worse you’ll be a key player in it. You have a particular set of skills I have never, in all my years, found anyone able to match outside of your family. It is subtlety and strategy that will give the Unbound an edge in this conflict, and you know that they need you more than you need them.” Aeva said calmly. The eyes once on Rika returned to where they had been previously, and things appeared business as usual. “I recognize potential when I see it, but personal growth and discipline should come before strength. You’re calculating, intelligent, and an asset to anyone who utilizes you. I would like to know what your plan is with the information you have on your person.”
Rika wasn’t immediately answering, because she hadn’t quite thought about it yet. There were many possibilities with that information, and it could easily make her rich and in a seat of power when all this blows over. Her renown could skyrocket, but then there was helping a band of rebels overthrow an Empire. “I …I don’t really know yet.”
“You don’t know because you’re at the crossroad that decides just what kind of person you are. This is no simple decision of handing a child some bread you stole or keeping it for yourself, this decision affects countless lives across hundreds of worlds.”
“I know that, but there’s just a lot to think about.”
“What is there to think about? You help doom the existence of many, or fill your own pockets. You are smart enough to realize the wealth that the Empire would acquire is several times larger than the rebels, yet still you suggest you may help them acquire the information you already have.”
“But-“
“Are you with the Unbound, or with the Empire?”
“Neither. I don’t care about any of them, I’m just trying to earn some dough and take care of myself. No matter who wins or loses, I’m coming out unscathed.”
“Are you even trying now?” Aeva inquired, causing Rika to raise an eyebrow in confusion.
“Trying to what?”
“Trying to act. Because from the way I look at it, you cared about Shizuka enough to try and redirect Pepper’s attention entirely on yourself and convince her that that girl was no trouble. She was the only one who had faith in you, and you didn’t want to see her get hurt, not because she was helping sell your story, but because you like her.” Rika hadn’t said much to that, and so Aeva continued. “That man, Trisean. He had a hunch about you and you feigned hurt and irritation …except it wasn’t all an act, was it? You sat among them and had a desire to belong, because they weren’t in it for wealth or fame, they were in it to help others and free themselves of tyranny. It was a cause that you, at heart, could get behind. So while that man’s hunch was a long-shot, it ultimately led to you starting to realize that you wanted to be taken seriously. Was it all pretend, Rika? Did he not hurt your feelings by not believing in the good you might’ve had in your heart?”
Rika had sat back, dumbfounded at just how easy it was for this woman to read into what had gone on in that bunker. It was no longer a matter of how she was knowing all of this, even her mother’s identity, but it was now what this was all about for her. This woman had the tension of a thousand eyes behind two and a fountain of power in her posture; the threat of engagement was real, and Pepper wasn’t the intimidation factor of the two. If she took her eyes off of Aeva she felt as though she might die, yet at the same time felt like she may die if she tried to run from this. Her feet were shaking and her heart was uncertain, but above all else she was …
“Vulnerable. That’s the first time you’ve felt it in a long time, the first time anyone’s been able to figure you out since your mother, isn’t it?”
Rika snapped out of her stupor and glared at Aeva, a move both bold and reckless considering how much power she had in this situation. With everything said, all pieces put together, she still couldn’t accept defeat like this. Shaking her head and balling her fists, the thief wouldn’t be talked down to like this. “Okay, I’m done playing this game. Are you going to hire me or not?”
“…” Aeva might have smiled were it not for the fact she was doing her very best to remain patient about this stubbornness. “Maybe you’re right, I should stop playing games.” Reaching down beneath her, she had retrieved a large brown sack and set it on the middle of the table, letting the contents spill out towards Rika. What was revealed was, in fact, a large sum of munny. The world’s currency was compact, but an experienced girl like Rika was no doubt already processing how much was in there. Allowing Rika a moment to examine the contents, Aeva glanced out towards the far off direction of the destroyed warehouse as though she knew something no one else did. Pepper was a vital tool for helping the Unbound, but they should get used to resolving conflicts on their own, especially considering who had just arrived had quite the future ahead of her.
“I’ll cut you a deal.” Aeva turned back to Rika, who had surprisingly not done anything with the money. Interesting. “I’ll let you walk away with that if I have your word you’ll remain out of this conflict, but you also hand over that disc to me. I’ll tell them you had found it and I paid you for your time, which means you never told them that lie about not having it and they don’t need to spare the resources to pay you themselves. You held up your end and you will not need to be involved any further, absolving you of any relation to the group.” It was going to be a tempting offer and Rika had no reason not to refuse it, until what would come next.
“In exchange for that service, I'll be killing everyone in the vicinity, women and children concluded. You have one minute.”
~-~
Her prayers to whatever gods might receive their souls would have to be enough, as there was little more Lin could do for anyone the way things were. Among the crowd she was nestled in, whispers of blame were going left and right. Some believed the Empire were wrong, that the Rebels wouldn’t make a show of blowing some place up unless it were important. Others believed the Rebels were doing wrong, that they couldn’t beat the Empire and instead should work together to improve conditions for the sake of all. Lin had wanted to believe negotiations were possible, but an Empire so deeply rooted into all worlds wouldn’t free them without battle. It was the cruel reality in which she was stuck in, and there was no sense in trying to escape it. People would keep dying until one side had lost, and Lin was going to be sure that the Unbound freed everyone from the invisible chains around their neck. A small word to those in the crowd would have been in order were it not for the commotion nearby, and being too small to see past anyone she had to squeeze through again, popping out between two large men and stumbling forward. “Whoa-oah!” her balance was amazing, but no one said her ability to get through tight spaces was perfect. What she happened to witness next was a combination of happiness and a juvenile thrill. Shizuka, even after half a year, still looked the same, still running from danger, still needing someone to save her butt.
That person was going to be Lin.
“Fear not everyone. I, Great Warrior Lin, will be happy to help destroy those creatures and—…Oh.“ Hands on her hips and appearing proud, it was only after she looked over her shoulder and finally took notice of the crowd already running off that she realized her audience wasn’t so captivated, and was in fact quite fearful. Puffing out her cheeks a little in disappointment, Lin stomped her left foot in the ground and began to stretch her legs, preparing to assist Shizuka. In the midst of this, someone who represented the Empire was already putting the situation in their favor, having soldiers escort the fleeing crowd while attempting to convince them that this was a situation the rebels put forth. “What? That’s not even close to being true!” upset at the mere thought of someone believing such garbage, she had been distracted long enough to miss the fact she was a valid target. As shadows raced towards her, Lin gasped and stumbled backwards, holding up an arm in alarm and preparing to emit fire to defend herself. With what sounded like a gunshot ringing in the air, the three shadows that had raced towards her were destroyed swiftly, the essence evaporating in thin air. “What the…wait, I know that noise!”
In the past within China, sparring with Shizuka was a good deal of fun when she wasn’t sparring with her brother. The speed at which they were destroyed and the noise that rang out was coming back to her now, even after all this time. Getting to her feet whilst brushing the dust and dirt from her clothes, the Chinese hero-in-training was quick to throw a smirk at Ace. He was handsome and someone she could depend on, a true friend like Shizuka who she’d be happy to fight beside, and that thought began to make her giddy. “It’s been too long, guys! Don’t worry, count on me, I’ll---“ the sound of a door slamming and some rumble behind her had thrown her off again, and while leaving Ace to watch her back she had turned towards that strange thing the man with the Empire announced earlier while some strange metal things had begun to take position. “Hey, don’t run from us you cowards!” she shouted, gathering flame in her right hand. Forming a sphere of flame, she threw it towards the fleeing car and had narrowly missed its rear wheel while it sped off. Disappointed in her failure, she had turned back to see the machines entering combat with the others. Ace and Shizuka could hold their own no problem, and now that she was here she could help destroy these creatures in half the time.
“Sorry guys, but don’t worry, I’ll make up for it, I promise I will!” Apologetic for her failures, Lin was immediately intending to redeem herself for that near-miss. Turning back towards Ace, who was effortlessly avoiding the strikes of that weird metal thing, flames gathered in both her palms and she had throw them towards the machine focused on Ace, intending to overwhelm it with one concentrated blast and knock it down for good. At the very same time, an overlooked pair of Neoshadows had begun creeping behind her just as she had unleashed that concentrated attack. Lin was too enthused with the idea of Ace going to owe her for this, even if it looked like he had it under control.
Planning a post tomorrow, you did well, thanks.
Gavin should do the Thriller at some point.
WHERE YOU AT DOC? I'M RUNNING OUT OF THIS DELICIOUS BUTTERY POPCORN!
WHERE YOU AT DOC? I'M RUNNING OUT OF THIS DELICIOUS BUTTERY POPCORN!
Imma just be waitin' with this popcorn.
The messenger wasn’t much for chatter, instead moving forward with her given task and not much for questions. Judging from how serious she took this, it was Rika’s guess that whoever was in charge knew how to pick their subordinates. Intimidation would affect lesser mercenaries, but for someone like her she was beginning to relish this chance encounter more and more. The more they traveled northeast the more she debated on asking if this meeting was even going to be in the city, but in the blink of an eye after a certain point the scenery had changed. The buildings looked much finer, the people here were in much more abundance, and the environment was less bleak. Rika suspected the wealthy in Hollow Bastion resided here. In a short amount of time they had arrived, and it didn’t take long for Rika to identity the employer; she dressed a little darker and, for her age, oddly. A sailor fuku? Someone wanted to hold into their youth, didn’t they?
Coming to the vacant seat in front of the woman, the messenger introduced her boss as ‘Master Aeva’. Well, whatever bad thing Rika could surmise, this woman carried the title of ‘Master’ well. Just standing there with a cup of coffee in hand, Aeva glanced to Pepper and nodded her head.
“There will be no need for retaliation Pepper, but I thank you for your enthusiasm. Stay close, you’re welcome to witness.” Aeva didn’t expect Pepper to be valuable in any other location right now than beside her. Setting her cup down on the table in front of her, the dark red eyes of this most promising employer took their sweet time examining the thief before her. Rika had since sat down and crossed her arms over her chest, looking her over as much as Aeva looked her over. This examination of the two had gone on for several minutes before Aeva had decided to initiate the conversation.
“I apologize for my silence, I was just looking into something.” Reaching for her cup of coffee once more, she had brought it to her lips and sipped quietly.
“I’m gorgeous, I know, I get that a lot. Your robot friend here said all the right things, and here I am. What’s my job?” Rika looked from Pepper to Aeva once again. These two seemed dangerous, and all they were doing was remaining in one spot.
“Mmmn.” Aeva drew the cup of coffee from her sips and sighed in a joyful silence. Pepper had worked tirelessly to prepare this coffee for her before departing, and Aeva had taken the time to smile at her, an occurrence not frequent considering her seriousness for this job. She had left the pot inside, and the waiter she had instructed had nothing to do with it. Returning focus to Rika, Aeva had set her cup down once more. “I’ll get to that after I size you up a little more. That was some nice work, trying to dissuade Pepper from recognizing your companion wasn’t worth the trouble of keeping an eye on. I almost believed your comment about her being an idiot.”
“Ah, so you were listening to that? I figured as much, your ‘Pepper’ doesn’t do much talking.” Rika smirked, not breaking any sort of sweat with this new discovery. The woman before her was very articulate and calculating; what began as an opportunity to employ her was quickly becoming a contest to see who could surprise the other more. Aeva was likely to win this, because before now Rika had never heard of her. You didn’t have money, and power, and not have someone know of you. Shrugging her shoulders, Rika relaxed in her seat. “Not much of a surprise you had a method of listening in on us.”
“Oh? You think I had Pepper here hide a wire?”
“Is there another explanation?”
Aeva closed her eyes and fell silent for several seconds, deciding on the best possible next sentence. The time it had taken was short, and the recollection of these words was seamless. It was just a matter of what would surprise her more. “So either you take my help, or I walk and make it a goal to undermine you bastards out of principle from this point on.”
Rika raised an eyebrow, both shocked and suspicious. She knew the rebels weren’t the most professional, but to leave their bunker wired like that…
“Let’s see, what else…” Aeva mused to herself just before deciding on another line of dialogue. “Let Death know that Rika Masaki sent—“ and cutting off just like Rika had done previously, Aeva opened her eyes, seeing her barrier begin to fold.
‘How the hell would she know about that?’ Rika thought, trying to keep her control of the situation, but unable to deny her grasp slipping every second. The most she could do now was ask questions. “…Are you with the Empire?”
“No.”
“The Rebels?”
“…Somewhat.”
“And how did you know about that last line? I didn’t say that in front of anyone, at least living.” Rika muttered, certain everyone in the room was dead. Even if they weren’t, that place was blown to hell and back, there was no way anyone could have survived to tell of it, right?
“I believe the better question is how I know about that precious resource of information nestled between your breasts?”
“!?!” Rika stood up, startled and effectively knocking her chair back at the same time. Completely losing the war of control, this person, this ‘Aeva’, had effectively known of information that simply wasn’t possible to know. She knew of every camera in that facility and avoided them all. The mere fact she knew of her words in the most secured locations was beginning to freak her out. “…Who the hell are you?”
“I have many titles …among my favorites happens to be ‘Mother of God’. What I know of you, Rika Masaki, is what someone very close to you has divulged to me, and I am not only here to hire you, I am here to show you the error of your ways.” Aeva gestured towards the fallen seat. “Let us continue.”
~-~
A large gummi ship transporting denizens from other worlds had made a slow, epic descent into Hollow Bastion’s port. Families had exited, eager to meet relatives for small and large reunions. Friends came to be with other friends for holidays or get-togethers. Some people were just here to sightsee and have some fun in new worlds. And then there was the girl from China, who had hustled out of the ship as fast as she could, darting past those taller and wider than herself, making use of her incredibly dexterity to get ahead. With no bags to claim and no one waiting for her, this girl’s destination was entirely unknown, yet she continued to run and run until she was out of the port and into Hollow Bastion’s early morning air. Skidding to a halt in a location entirely unknown to her, the girl raised her arms in the air and stretched for several seconds until she had begun to bend her knees and pull her arms apart. In the middle of cracking her neck she had realized that her destination shouldn’t be too hard to pick out, especially since the food on that ship was pretty unsatisfactory. Her people never left her home much, but if they ever planned to she’d warn them to eat a good traditional meal before taking that trip.
“Okay! If I was my friends, I’d be …training? No…” Meilin “Lin” Xiao Yu muttered to herself. It had been six months since she had last spoke with her dear friends, and she knew for a fact training wasn’t going to be their goal this early in the morning. “Ace might be sleeping …but Shizuka would beeeee…” sniffing the air, Lin tried her best to lock on to the direction of the best early morning aromas. The girl knew how to eat, and she was proud of it too. It was no good, she was too far away to pick up anything worthwhile, and was completely lost. Huffing loudly, Lin looked over her shoulders, up to the sky, and on buildings beside her. There was no such hint to be found, except for one large smoke pillar just west of her, and rapidly dissipating. A commotion? It might be where her friends are!
“Okay, find friends, find food, no problem! I’m coming guys!” The ride to Hollow Bastion was much too long and boring, she was actually demanded to hold still. The seats weren’t too comfortable and there was a man behind her snoring, making it difficult to mediate and calm herself to pass the time. With so much energy in her system that she could no longer bear it, Lin raced through the streets of Hollow Bastion, narrowly avoiding collisions with people who were both surprised and happy to see someone so cheery in the morning. Taking great leaps and bounds, the freedom of this city felt much more restrictive than the Imperial City back home, and much less clean. Things didn’t seem good, but as long as she was here, they’d find a way to make everything okay.
In time she had skid to another halt, finding a moderate gathering of individuals surrounding the wreckage that had generated the smoke pillar. “Whoa…” she mumbled, hustling through the crowd and squeezing by others to get a good look at the wreckage. People were being pulled out from it, clearly dead, and that was a tragic thing to behold. “What happened?” she mumbled to herself. If Ace and Shizuka were caught in that …she wouldn’t know what to do with that level of tragedy. Offering a quick prayer to those who lost their lives, Lin clasped her hands together and lowered her head, hoping the transition to the afterlife was much more peaceful than the end the deceased had found.
“Find peace.”
Coming to the vacant seat in front of the woman, the messenger introduced her boss as ‘Master Aeva’. Well, whatever bad thing Rika could surmise, this woman carried the title of ‘Master’ well. Just standing there with a cup of coffee in hand, Aeva glanced to Pepper and nodded her head.
“There will be no need for retaliation Pepper, but I thank you for your enthusiasm. Stay close, you’re welcome to witness.” Aeva didn’t expect Pepper to be valuable in any other location right now than beside her. Setting her cup down on the table in front of her, the dark red eyes of this most promising employer took their sweet time examining the thief before her. Rika had since sat down and crossed her arms over her chest, looking her over as much as Aeva looked her over. This examination of the two had gone on for several minutes before Aeva had decided to initiate the conversation.
“I apologize for my silence, I was just looking into something.” Reaching for her cup of coffee once more, she had brought it to her lips and sipped quietly.
“I’m gorgeous, I know, I get that a lot. Your robot friend here said all the right things, and here I am. What’s my job?” Rika looked from Pepper to Aeva once again. These two seemed dangerous, and all they were doing was remaining in one spot.
“Mmmn.” Aeva drew the cup of coffee from her sips and sighed in a joyful silence. Pepper had worked tirelessly to prepare this coffee for her before departing, and Aeva had taken the time to smile at her, an occurrence not frequent considering her seriousness for this job. She had left the pot inside, and the waiter she had instructed had nothing to do with it. Returning focus to Rika, Aeva had set her cup down once more. “I’ll get to that after I size you up a little more. That was some nice work, trying to dissuade Pepper from recognizing your companion wasn’t worth the trouble of keeping an eye on. I almost believed your comment about her being an idiot.”
“Ah, so you were listening to that? I figured as much, your ‘Pepper’ doesn’t do much talking.” Rika smirked, not breaking any sort of sweat with this new discovery. The woman before her was very articulate and calculating; what began as an opportunity to employ her was quickly becoming a contest to see who could surprise the other more. Aeva was likely to win this, because before now Rika had never heard of her. You didn’t have money, and power, and not have someone know of you. Shrugging her shoulders, Rika relaxed in her seat. “Not much of a surprise you had a method of listening in on us.”
“Oh? You think I had Pepper here hide a wire?”
“Is there another explanation?”
Aeva closed her eyes and fell silent for several seconds, deciding on the best possible next sentence. The time it had taken was short, and the recollection of these words was seamless. It was just a matter of what would surprise her more. “So either you take my help, or I walk and make it a goal to undermine you bastards out of principle from this point on.”
Rika raised an eyebrow, both shocked and suspicious. She knew the rebels weren’t the most professional, but to leave their bunker wired like that…
“Let’s see, what else…” Aeva mused to herself just before deciding on another line of dialogue. “Let Death know that Rika Masaki sent—“ and cutting off just like Rika had done previously, Aeva opened her eyes, seeing her barrier begin to fold.
‘How the hell would she know about that?’ Rika thought, trying to keep her control of the situation, but unable to deny her grasp slipping every second. The most she could do now was ask questions. “…Are you with the Empire?”
“No.”
“The Rebels?”
“…Somewhat.”
“And how did you know about that last line? I didn’t say that in front of anyone, at least living.” Rika muttered, certain everyone in the room was dead. Even if they weren’t, that place was blown to hell and back, there was no way anyone could have survived to tell of it, right?
“I believe the better question is how I know about that precious resource of information nestled between your breasts?”
“!?!” Rika stood up, startled and effectively knocking her chair back at the same time. Completely losing the war of control, this person, this ‘Aeva’, had effectively known of information that simply wasn’t possible to know. She knew of every camera in that facility and avoided them all. The mere fact she knew of her words in the most secured locations was beginning to freak her out. “…Who the hell are you?”
“I have many titles …among my favorites happens to be ‘Mother of God’. What I know of you, Rika Masaki, is what someone very close to you has divulged to me, and I am not only here to hire you, I am here to show you the error of your ways.” Aeva gestured towards the fallen seat. “Let us continue.”
~-~
A large gummi ship transporting denizens from other worlds had made a slow, epic descent into Hollow Bastion’s port. Families had exited, eager to meet relatives for small and large reunions. Friends came to be with other friends for holidays or get-togethers. Some people were just here to sightsee and have some fun in new worlds. And then there was the girl from China, who had hustled out of the ship as fast as she could, darting past those taller and wider than herself, making use of her incredibly dexterity to get ahead. With no bags to claim and no one waiting for her, this girl’s destination was entirely unknown, yet she continued to run and run until she was out of the port and into Hollow Bastion’s early morning air. Skidding to a halt in a location entirely unknown to her, the girl raised her arms in the air and stretched for several seconds until she had begun to bend her knees and pull her arms apart. In the middle of cracking her neck she had realized that her destination shouldn’t be too hard to pick out, especially since the food on that ship was pretty unsatisfactory. Her people never left her home much, but if they ever planned to she’d warn them to eat a good traditional meal before taking that trip.
“Okay! If I was my friends, I’d be …training? No…” Meilin “Lin” Xiao Yu muttered to herself. It had been six months since she had last spoke with her dear friends, and she knew for a fact training wasn’t going to be their goal this early in the morning. “Ace might be sleeping …but Shizuka would beeeee…” sniffing the air, Lin tried her best to lock on to the direction of the best early morning aromas. The girl knew how to eat, and she was proud of it too. It was no good, she was too far away to pick up anything worthwhile, and was completely lost. Huffing loudly, Lin looked over her shoulders, up to the sky, and on buildings beside her. There was no such hint to be found, except for one large smoke pillar just west of her, and rapidly dissipating. A commotion? It might be where her friends are!
“Okay, find friends, find food, no problem! I’m coming guys!” The ride to Hollow Bastion was much too long and boring, she was actually demanded to hold still. The seats weren’t too comfortable and there was a man behind her snoring, making it difficult to mediate and calm herself to pass the time. With so much energy in her system that she could no longer bear it, Lin raced through the streets of Hollow Bastion, narrowly avoiding collisions with people who were both surprised and happy to see someone so cheery in the morning. Taking great leaps and bounds, the freedom of this city felt much more restrictive than the Imperial City back home, and much less clean. Things didn’t seem good, but as long as she was here, they’d find a way to make everything okay.
In time she had skid to another halt, finding a moderate gathering of individuals surrounding the wreckage that had generated the smoke pillar. “Whoa…” she mumbled, hustling through the crowd and squeezing by others to get a good look at the wreckage. People were being pulled out from it, clearly dead, and that was a tragic thing to behold. “What happened?” she mumbled to herself. If Ace and Shizuka were caught in that …she wouldn’t know what to do with that level of tragedy. Offering a quick prayer to those who lost their lives, Lin clasped her hands together and lowered her head, hoping the transition to the afterlife was much more peaceful than the end the deceased had found.
“Find peace.”
Well, I'm trying, but you have the right to be miffed so I'm not gonna stop you. Take as long as you'd like, I have no room to complain.
/hug
lmao ilu
lmao ilu
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