[System]
Pilot Character Sheet
Appearance: Red hair and green eyes, he resembles a (stereo-)typical Irishman of his age. He often conceals his appearance with helmets and safety masks during the mission. His height and weight are unremarkable for his ethnicity. His pupils also are oddly-shaped as a side-effect of modest genetic modification to improve his perception.

He shaves often, giving him a clean stubble. His cheekbones are also rather pronounced and toned body indicates his physical fitness. Seamus' mesomorph body allows him to fit into any uniform.

Age: 21

Personality: A jovial lad, Seamus outside of the battle is rather civil with his buddies. While he is generally levelheaded, he does have his boneheaded moments caused by excessive drinking. Fortunately, those are rare as he at least tries to remain sober during missions. During the mission, his tune becomes more professional, downplaying his usual chirpy attitude. He is still optimistic as he believes that hope is the first step away from the path to disappointment.
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Backstory: Seamus was born in what would be called a middle-class Irish family. He wasn't rich, but he wasn't starving either. Papa O'Sullivan was a modestly renowned NC pilot for Paragon. During his times before becoming an NC pilot, he wanted to follow his father's footsteps and wished the NC he piloted was a family heirloom. After his father kicked the bucket, he "inherited" the status as agent NC pilot. However, according to his mother, Seamus was suckered in by Paragon.

At first, he had a shock on what he had to adjust to. Being an NC pilot seemed like a dream on paper, but it could become a nightmare fast if he didn't know what he was doing. Whether it was the luck of the Irish or not, he survived his initial missions.

However, it seems that he will get more than he bargained for. Seamus was "chosen" to perform a recon mission to gather intelligence on Red-Star, assigning the Irish lad to Haven territory. Disguised as a humanitarian mission, Seamus was deployed to assist any potential fellow Paragon pilots in a mission against Red-Star. To him, the assignment got a lot more complex as multiple corporations were dog-piling on the continent of Australia. From what Seamus has heard, there was many potential turncoats from Paragon to Red-Star. On the bright side, this was a chance to turn from a zero into a hero.

Before every mission, Seamus thanked his family for providing genetic modification. Even if it wasn't much, his improved perception saved him both in and out of the Fomorian NC. He often wrote home to his family after every mission just to inform them that he was still alive. While Seamus wasn't uncomfortable with the idea of wet work, he just preferred to get the job done in the best manner possible. The last thing on his mind would be dying like his father has. When on break, he often drinks with buddies or alone to ease his mind and not to reflect too much on his father's death. He often felt superstitious about the event, trying every moment not to jinx his own luck or skill.
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Tactical Preferences and Skills: Barrage and bombardments are part of his doctrine of suppress and slaughter. He often boasts, "While I'm not as equipped for close range as the rest, good luck getting there!"

Notes: While Seamus loves to drink, he especially prefers Guinness.

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NC Character Sheet

Code-name: Fomorian

Appearance: Fomorian resembles its namesake, with a thin humanoid body-plan and the head resembling that of a goat's. The unusual design does have a method to the madness. The "horns" are the primary sensors to the NC. The shape of the head allows a bit more room for hardware that could not otherwise fit in the center.

Body Type: Bipedal

Type of NC: Heavy Weapons

Equipment & Armaments:

Long range particle cannon---If it's electronic, the cannon could be trouble for it.
The particle cannon is mounted on the right arm and provides a blast of particles that can overload targeting systems and computer sensors as well as induce heat damage to rub salt in the wound. On the flip side, it has difficulty in close-range engagements. This makes it useless at ranges below 100 yards/meters. (Similar to the PPC of Battletech)

Power pincers set---Emergency melee weapon on the left arm, the power pincers set uses pressure and blunt force to deal damage. Resembles sharpened fingers surrounding a battering ram of a palm. At its worst, it could turn enemy pilots of more fragile NCs into mulch, though more durable opponents would see it as nothing more than a decorated battering ram.

Missile Array---Medium range missile array to fire an array of a dozen missiles per volley. The missiles used are similar to that of High-Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) missiles. Located on the shoulders. While they may be powerful at close or medium range, the missiles lack a guiding system. This renders them impotent for long range combat. (Like the SRM of Battletech)

Plasma ball launcher---Usable at any range with varying effectiveness, these plasma balls are propelled by electromotive force. Located in the center, also intended as an emergency weapon. Effectiveness and range however are inversely proportional.

[User]
It seemed that while her proposal was not fully-accepted, the idea of her teaming up with at least a pair of others under her command was possible. The reason for this, although unspoken, was due to the loss of Zahra in the last battle. NC Ursa Nova had gone right for the mecha giving every one support-fire, and - whether or not the operator even knew she had been coordinating their movements in the field - silenced it. To Terra, this meant that they were attempting a somewhat-decentralized form of organization to keep the enemy from compromising their command structure. It was possible for them to succeed, although the main thing was to be certain that everyone was properly ready for the next assault. Hisako and Tabris had to be ready, without question. Grand Sword Star needed to have all remote access by Red Star removed, and as much defense from Osamu as possible, where possible. The artificial's abilities were uncanny and difficult to handle. But in any case, Terra's response to Theodore's answer had been...

"Very well, Commander. I will coordinate with all others, as needed."

The meeting continued and, among other things, another Denver-Vegas volunteer was among them, it seemed. Funnily enough, and...this actually caught Terra off-guard for a moment, she seemed to have...a similarly-energetic way of being to Kxeyun. She looked from Anna to Kxeyun and back again, wondering if this was just how people were in Denver-Vegas. She had no idea. Kxeyun had been sort of a benchmark based on her being the only 'sample' from the area. This made Anna something of a corralation. The only difference that Terra could see was that Anna probably didn't have the same traumatizing escape that Kxeyun did. Perhaps they should talk. Perhaps they should all talk...

While a few of the introductions were taking place, Adam Philips wanted the room. They couldn't exactly say 'No', and he cut the holo-link to the room. He umm...actually forgot that Terra was IN the room, as Commander Narra had asked her to show up in person. No big deal. The only thing was that he seemed somewhat red with impatience or irritation being barely contained. It seemed to show when he spoke, but Terra could not see why. She left with the others, and then proceeded to walk nearby to Anna Mustang.

"Commander Narra has said it's important that we all know each other to some degree, and I felt my last meeting with someone of Denver-Vegas went well, so I might as well. I'm Terra Laedo."

She extended a hand for shaking.

[Assistant]
Haven Base

Theodore was not as young as he looked; if anything, he was chronologically older than Adam, but that wasn't the point. The point was that he had not been berated this way for a long time. It was almost refreshing. But a reply had to be made to his Field-Captain; the latter deserved one.

The response was, "A digital copy is being sent to your commlink; paper copies are being sent to your quarters. As for Ms. Terra Laedo being given so much leeway, that's because I've spent the past month keeping her under 24/7 surveillance; closed-circuit security cameras, though primitive, are hard to decieve or spoof. I've also had a human agent, the Barista Joey Glory, as well as the nurses and doctors and other personnel she interacted with, reporting her activities directly to me; I'll give you their reports as well. Unlike Alexander, I am in a position to continually watch Terra and I've been doing so since day one.

"I have also been collecting corroborating evidence to confirm her words, and of course, conducting medical tests in order to ensure that her brain does not carry any traces of Red-Star programming or brainwashing.

"In short, Terra Laedo is clean and less of a security risk than expected because I and the Counterintelligence Department have spent a lot of time and effort ensuring that was the case," Theodore paused for effect. "But yes, I set a bad example by granting her request without so much as consuting you while you were present. I acted rashly and with my thoughts on the price, not realizing that others won't share my perspective."

A frown. "But here's what I could share; Terra Laedo is a human weapon, but one which Red-Star made the mistake to enhance mentally instead of just physically. She is someone augmented and trained to recognize long-term benefit versus short-term efficiency, yet has a strong moral compass that put her at odds with her Corporation of Origin almost as soon as she was deployed. A blend of emotion and reason, intuition and logic working together in one whole, yet because of that cannot be easily enslaved."

Theodore let a silence linger after that last phrase. "And yet... Even the smartest, most reasonable, most efficient human needs information to act, and I know how to govern the flow of information."

Facing Adam, Theodore said, "You may have a different view of Haven than I have; Field-Captain, but all things are relative, including the merits of Nation-States and Corporations. The risk I am taking is based on this claim: That Haven is a better option for Terra Laedo, and the humans she has included in her life, than Red-Star can ever be despite its superiority in material wealth. That Haven is the long-term prospect for her and the rest of Humanity and its victory is a worthy cause for her to invest her gifts in."

A breath, "And finally, Terra needs social connections with humans who are not her slaves, social connections that activate her protective instincts and the natural desire for friendship that all non-sociopaths have. I've seen it; Red-Star did not augment a sociopath - They gambled that a thinking and feeling human being would be a better fighter, only to realize that their cause is inadequate for said better fighter."

Yet another pause. "But just so you don't think my argument is purely on faith and emotion, Terra's dossier also carries medical scans of her brain and brainwaves; both her story about being augmented yet having a stronger capacity for social connections than others in Red-Star - other normal people - is real. And with that, I rest my case."

@FalloutJack@Metatrooper@Selvariabell@Senhara@ArmorPlated@Psychic Loser@Ubermensch

[User]
Seamus was about to further socialize with the queen until he and Encarnacion were cut short by the dismissal. "I'm sorry your royal highness." After they were to be moved, Seamus then resumed when he can. Under a different environment that is. Sometimes it'll be a bit difficult without the power of Guinness.

Assuming the other socializing team were in the same page as he was, he'd tell others about himself only at the right time. "I'm a child of an agent NC pilot. Inherited the position all the way from Ireland too. For now, I'm just here to get the job done." He looked to see if there was a fridge near by. He could use a drink. So far, the queen looked like she could hold her liquor. Guinness was his main form of socialization, true to his roots.

So far, the queen seemed like an ally of convenience. While he has no intention of betraying his people, enemy of the enemy is the friend. They could easily discuss things over a drink. Though he wasn't a total drunkard, it would take more than just one pint to get Seamus plastered for a good time.

[Assistant]
The Queen chuckled at the apology of the Irishman and she shook her head, telling him curtly

"No! It's fine. There's nothing to forgive, dear."

Then when he told them about himself, she nodded to this and told him "Ireland, huh? I once paid a visit there but I can no longer remember anything from it. I do know that you still make great potatoes too. That and alcohol." She then stepped to him and asked quite innocently

"Fancy a Guinness?"

[User]
"A Guinness would be lovely! That's me favorite." His Irish heritage was slipping. Seamus always was so fond of the drink. In fact, he felt like he could not resist his mojo! This would fuel his social prowess.

The Irishman waited for others to join in on the drinks. Not fair if he and the queen had all the fun! After all, he only got plastered to have a good time. Not to just get by. The Irishman can brag that. Seamus also chuckled, "God invented alcohol for a reason. In victory, we deserve it. But in defeat, we need it."

While the Irishman loved his Guinness, he wasn't above other drinks. Irish whiskey can also be good in a pinch. Just about any drink of Irish origin he'd guzzle down, but even he had limits. Seamus was no Leprechaun and it was in his best interests to stay sober before a big fight.


[System]
Appearance:
Age: 20
Power: Sin infusion: enchants a person or object with one of the seven deadly sins, making it slowly overcome a person's the mental defenses. Currently he has only learned to use two of the sins. They are greed, placed on an object to make someone obsessed with it, or a person to make them greedy in a more general sense, and anger, placed on a person to make them go into an adrenaline fueled rage in which they are stronger, faster, and ignore pain. He can also sense these seven sins and remove the effects of the ones he knows how to use, though he rarely does as that usually makes things more boring.
Bio: Once studying to be a psychologist at a major university, he was traveling home one day when he found a crystal in the subway which glowed with a faint red light. When he picked it up he was overcome with its energy as it was absorbed into him. He soon found that he could sense the dark desires of the heart and that they were so much more fun than the "good" desires.

[User] "Maxie, hm? A wonderful name! My name is Taka. I am quite pleased to make your acquaintance, milady." He then begins to chuckle after listening to her explanation of her current limitations and the havoc her ability has caused to her life. "If there were a competition for losing jobs, you'd only be in second place, love. I've lost far more jobs than you have, and they were all BEFORE I had gained my power. Apparently, it's VERY wrong to strike up conversations with customers. Especially when that scenario involves a woman and her boyfriend." He remarks, running a hand through his hair as he plays back every instance he just referred to in his mind.

[Assistant]
Maxie listened to Taka introduce himself while still petting the cats around her. Once she heard his own story on losing jobs, she smiled a little more, out of both amusement and relief that she wasn't alone in being unable to keep a job.
"Heheh, well, Taka...I think if I hadn't had these...powers...and tried to get a job....I, uh...wouldn't have been fired for talking too much. P-probably the opposite...I, uh...I dunno if you can tell, but I have some pretty....crippling social anxiety." Maxie had stood back up to talk to him, but still couldn't find the power to make eye contact. She laughed a bit, bitterly. "Striking up a conversation...w-with a taken girl, huh? Heh...I dunno. I think the time that...my cats followed me into the store...and clawed some customer in the face who was being a jerk to me...prooobably worse..."
Were they really having a pseudo-competition over who had the worst job experiences? Ah well, it didn't matter to Maxie either way. She hadn't talked to someone like this in forever, and for once she was actually mildly enjoying a conversation. That being said, it was probably partially due to the fact that Taka had powers too. If he didn't, Maxie might've already walked away, but the pull of that strange aura wouldn't let her now.

[User]
Moonlight
 "well I was thinking about something simple like Pie.. but if you haven't had anything maybe a full course meal is in order" Dusk states with a chuckle. "unless you'd rather something different?" he asks.

[Assistant] Sarah held her hands up. "I'm not one to complain. I mean, hey, I'm getting free food."

[User] "Of course." He motioned to the table, then the waiter. He couldn't throw money at the prolem like he usually did, but he'd make his plan work anyway. "So, if you don't mind my asking, have strange things been happening to you recently? Maybe you've started acting different or discovered a talent that you never knew you had?"

[Assistant] Katherin followed the men to the tabke. She nodded at the one guys questions. "Yes. I have been feeling this odd pull that I can't explain. Sometimes it's in a certain direction. Others it's to a certain person. It doesn't make any sense. As for being able to do things I couldn't do before..." She reached out and picked up one of the water glasses. Immediately ice started to spread over the glass.

[User]
Moonlight
Dusk would chuckle at her "well I usually done mind what I eat so if you have anything specific you might want we can go there" he states "oh.. we might need to get a move on as well.. police will probably be on their way" he states to her. "After all that flash of light isn't exactly invisible to normal humans" he chuckles out.

[Assistant] Sarah nodded and asked, "So how do we leave?" She stretched her muscles and hiccuped a bit. Then she looked around for some way to get out of there quickly.

[User]
Moonlight
 "well He did give you his car.." he states "and it is undamaged so I guess that" he says with a chuckle. "I would fly us but my wings take time to recharge" he states "so I can't fly for a few hours". Dusk would shake his head and smile some, thinking this could be an interesting city.

[Assistant]
"Guilty as charged." Jeremy says, a bit quietly, but audible. "Do you like it? Normally I can make it more convincing, but it takes more time to do that. I just threw it together, but it at least looks believable. Kind of proud of myself." Jeremy was playing a dangerous game, but he didn't want to let Dustin get away so easily. Especially with his mind now pounding, a number of forces threatening to rip his head into several pieces.

There was very clearly more going on here. Something was magnifying whatever he had used to sense Dustin, and now he was sensing more of them, as if meant to find them. He got the feeling they were supposed to come together, and he wanted to make sure no piece of the puzzle was misplaced. Maybe this was the providence he was seeking... but first he needed to secure this opportunity. "I really want you to come with me, see what all of this is about. I mean, aren't you at least a little bit curious about what or where these powers could have come from?"

[User] Sarah nodded. "Right." She said, and went to the car, getting into the driver's seat.

[Assistant]
Moonlight
 Dusk got into the passenger side "you do have your license correct?" he asks Sarah. It would be trouble if she didn't and a policeman decided to pull them over on the way out of the area.

[User] Sarah sighed. "I do have my driver's license, Dusk." She pulled it out and showed him, then once he was buckled in she began driving.

[Assistant] "Ah, well, in your case, the customer deserved it! Talking down to a woman of your stature is complete folly. I could understand everyone in this world has such a limited amount of patience." Upon hearing Maxie speak about her social anxiety, Taka grins, chuckling lightly. "You have anxiety? Sorry, but I don't see it. In fact, I feel as though I'm standing before quite the social butterfly. A very modest butterfly at that. You're simply refusing to display your wings to the world." He states, giving Maxie a rather genuine smile. Flirting or not, Taka seems to be one of those people that means just about everything he says. Although his sentences were lined with metaphor upon metaphor, she could most likely tell that he was giving her his most honest opinion.

[User]
"Heheh...sometimes people just get pissed. And...they take it out on others. That's...just life, as I've found it..." Maxie tried to be the "better" person and sort of defend the person who had yelled at her for giving him the wrong coupon or something at her previous job, but...even she couldn't do it without a bit of bitterness in that person's direction. Wherever he was, she could at least know that he was probably still trying to heal his brutal face-scratches.
Maxie's eyes met Taka's briefly when he commented on her social anxiety. She looked back down at the cats quickly, but it was difficult to deny that she had been significantly uplifted by such words. As much as she wanted glare at the world, and hide away from the inhabitants of it, she found it hard when standing around the living contradiction that was Taka. Maxie didn't even really know this guy, as she'd only just started talking to him several minutes ago (and almost got him maimed on accident by an animal horde), but she felt way better talking to him that she would to any other random person on the street. It probably had to do with the fact that they both had powers, but even still, she could consider this a breakthrough for her in terms of communicating. It definitely also helped that Taka had a very clear, sincere way of speaking. She could trust that he meant pretty much everything he said.
"Well...in its current state, I don't really know if this world deserves a display of my 'wings'..." Maxie tried to keep playing it cool, only giving the slightest hint of anything positive she was feeling from his remarks in her voice. "So, uhhh...forgot to ask, but....what are you doing in a creepy place like this?"
Oh yeah. Maxie had forgotten where they were standing. Taka didn't seem too phased by the place, but seriously, this hotel had to be one of the dingiest buildings she'd seen in awhile. She didn't even wanna know what the inside looked like.

[Assistant]
"Oh, you mean this old place?" Taka inquires, jabbing a thumb in the direction of the run-down hotel. "Well, I had found someone like us in there, but I don't think he enjoys being talked to. In fact, he's probably still spaced out in the room I leapt from earlier. I'd take you to meet him, but honestly, you're better off sticking with me for the time being." Taka explains, smiling throughout his entire explanation, as if leaving someone behind without notice was a sane thing to do nowadays.
 "While we take the time to find some more pleasant scenery, I wouldn't filling you in on the person I met, and speak a little bit more about myself, of course. Gotta fill those holes in the heart somehow!" He proclaims.

[User]
"Aha...I see." Maxie looked up to the window Taka had come out of earlier. She could only imagine who was in there, but if they had willingly holed themselves up in a trashy place like this, they either had no choice, or they really wanted to be left alone. She looked back at Taka, but still found it hard to keep eye contact with him for more than a few seconds. She was going to look back down at the cats, but while she had been looking away, they had walked towards another area of the hotel, leaving her behind. She smirked.
"I suppose we should find a nicer place to loiter around in then. Seems the hotel might get...uh...it's very probable rat problem...taken care of." Maxie chuckled dryly. "Every now and again, the....the animals following me leave for food or something...but, they either come back, or new ones take their place."
She started walking away from the hotel, willing to go any direction that was away from it.
"I'm sure I'll get some more...heh, followers...as we travel around the city some more. Got any direction in mind to head? I, uh...I know this city pretty well. Usually...I crash in one of its many alleys..." She said to Taka.

[Assistant]
Moonlight
 Dusk would chuckle, "Just making sure" he states shaking his head. "Wouldn't of been good if we get pulled over on the way out and the driver not have a license" he says with a smile and chuckle. He would look around "...I wonder how much of us are out there with abilities.. will be interesting.. if any prove to be a danger to others.. will have to be eliminated though" he mumbles some.

[User] Sarah nodded. "I mean, I have a voice in my head telling me to hurt others but I've never acted on it. Does that make me a danger?" she asked, genuinely worried. She didn't intend to die.

[Assistant]
Moonlight
 Dusk looked at her "It's one thing to hear a voice, it's another to act on it" he states. "if you agree to an proposal I have... we will teach you how to control your power.. and to resist any darkly urges" he states "My power has influenced me.. but it is clearly not as dark like others" he tells her. "I use to be the quiet type, always just letting things go as they would... preach at my church, nothing special" he says "But now... after I gained this powers I became more outspoken I gained more desires than a simple life.. but I am still me.. for now" he tells her.

[User] Sarah looked at him for barely a moment before turning back to the road. "And I would learn to control my abilities and this voice I have in my head?" She seemed intrigued, seeming like she wanted to learn.

[Assistant]
(I'll fix the colour later)

"It's like you've got some sort of death wish. Can't you see? I can create electricity with my hands. If I were to release it in an arc around me, I could fry all the cells in your body. Don't you understand?" He sighed. "I apologise for what I did, bit I don't see you as an enemy and I don't want to make you into one, if you aren't already.

"That also begs the question of why should I listen to the feelings I obtained from the shard?"

[User]
Ice, he thought. Kyle realized that he was unlikely to get the opportunity to study another power under these conditions again. Maybe he could use the Lust he felt starting to grow to turn her to his side? Maybe he could even use it to gain her power? He wasn't sure the second one was possible, as powers weren't an emotion, and didn't even seem to be tied to one, but the if he could keep her interested, surely he could turn her into a servant.

"We were drawn to each other for some reason." he told her. "I think we were meant to meet here, today. It's as if Fate itself brought us together." He paused for a second to consider how to continue. "I too have a power, but it's a bit unusual. I can feed on the base desires of humanity and encourage such behavior. I came here to study it, to try and understand what's happening to me. Ever since I got the power I've wanted more. More power, more stuff. It's as if my power was amplifying my own Greed.

Maybe you can help me, though. I think that if I were to find something, someone to keep my mind off of it I could learn to overcome this desire for stuff, for power."


[System]
Age: 24

Bending Element: Fire

[User]
Avani felt warm when Kasai implied that she thought she was beautiful, but then the little cop had to ruin the feeling by speaking more words. Of course she had to find some reason to put herself above Avani. She turned her eyes away from Kasai, thinking she need not bother with the woman if she was going to be like that. It wasn't like it was the first time someone had told her she was stupid though. Just because her interests were of a more physical nature, didn't mean she was without a brain.

"Come to think of it, weren't you supposed to buy me dinner? I remember you mentioning this morning how you couldn't wait to put your hands on me. I mean, I did think you meant it as a threat but now I can see I was mistaken in that assumption." Avani smiled, having run out of laughter, and feeling no need to further mock Kasai. Right then anyway.

Avani wanted to continue moving, to save Mio as soon as possible, but she couldn't deny that her body was tired even if they hadn't walked particularly far. She should be able to press herself some more without suffering injuries or worse.

She turned to look at Kasai when she pointed out the obvious that they had light. Did she really think Avani was that dumb? Still, she couldn't deny that the light lit up Kasai's feature in a striking fashion which reminded her of why she found her appealing to the senses. Well, other than the ears, having to listen to her was getting on Avani's nerves.

Avani stepped closer to Kasai, invading her personal space this time. "Yes, a small spark." She put her hand around the flame. "If nurtured, who knows, perhaps it could create a fire that lasts longer than anyone would have expected." Avani looked into Kasai's eyes while speaking, and moved her hand to brush a couple of strands of hair out of the sergeant's face. "Earth could be used around it, to stop the fire from growing into a wildfire that would only cause harm to those seeking heat." She slid her hand slowly down Kasai's cheek, neck and left it resting on the hole she had accidentally created before. "I think we've suffered enough today to seek the heat, and forget our irreplaceable losses for a second." She spoke the words into Kasai's mouth, as she'd leaned that close and shut her eyes for a third kiss.

"Wow…!"

Avani heard Mio shout, and when she noticed a see-through projection of Mio in the clearing as well she pushed Kasai away from her and straightened her posture.

"She came on to me!" Avani pointed at Kasai, trying to defend herself.

Mio had almost lost concentration when she had found those they had been worried for, in the act of starting god knows what, but she regained it and kept her voice monotone and deadpan instead of filled with the rage she had to suppress.

"I was worried sick about you, Avani, but it seems you'd rather, how did you put it? "seek the heat and forget the others"!?" Mio felt her projection fading, but she concentrated as much as she could to prevent it from doing so. "I guess you saw your chance and took it as soon as you two got a moment together. Were we just in the way for you all along?"

"Of course not, Mio. We've been walking for hours trying to find you! She said we should stop and was all like pretty in the light and stuff…" Avani facepalmed herself. She didn't need anyone else to tell her how awful that sounded.

"I don't have time for this." Mio said in her deadpan tone, while shaking her head disapprovingly. "I think we're at some kind of lake. I can see water. We're pretty high up too, maybe in some kind of nest for these odd winged spirits? I'm not sure."

"That's not much to go on." Avani said, but the projection faded and disappeared as she spoke.

So she was left alone again with Kasai, who she had now actually tried to seduce instead of simply kiss. She wished that Mio would return, but she didn't.¨

"I don't know which is best. I'd say we keep moving for a few hours more. I'm used to pushing pressure on my body. You don't need to worry about me."

[Assistant]
One minute they were bickering, and the next they were standing close enough that Kasai could see Avani's pulse beating on her neck. The flame in her hand lit up the space between them and cast an orange glow over their faces and contributed to the ambiance, which Kasai tried to her damnedest to ignore.

She swallowed the lump in her throat whenever Avani's hand touched her face, brushing her hair away while their eyes remained locked in a gaze. What was it about this girl? Kasai didn't know why she allowed her to get so close to her, to touch her and hold her within a breath's distance. She was annoying and childish and immature, and yet Kasai found her intriguing and tempting.

She followed Avani's hand with her gaze as it moved from cheek to neck to chest. Goosebumps ran down her spine and she looked back at Avani as the woman's face grew ever closer to hers. She ignored the part of her brain that told her to move away and instead gave in to the part that told her to press closer, for whatever reason. She closed her eyes and met Avani's lips.

That is, until a strange and alarming voice was heard from the side. Kasai's eyes opened wide and she moved her head back and turned it around looking for the source of the voice. When her head was turned, Avani pushed Kasai and sent her stumbling backwards a few steps. When Avani pointed at her, she threw her hands up in innocence, just like all those suspect had when she had yelled at them to put their hands up.

"I, uh..."

Kasai clenched her jaw and stood there awkward and stiff, left again in an uncomfortable position as Avani spoke to the transparent image of her airbender friend. She looked on and listened while they spoke, then blushed when Mio accused them and Avani called Kasai pretty in the light. She cleared her throat looked at her feet.

Then the airbender started to describe where she was and the surrounding area, and Kasai looked up with eager eyes at the sound of the word "we". She took a step forward from where she had been standing and raised a hand to try and catch the fleeting image of Mio.

"Wait, 'we'? Is Kieron there with you? Is he-" the projection of the young woman faded away and Kasai was left without answers. She had to assume the best, that he was there and alive and that he could be saved. She sighed, knowing she wouldn't know his fate until they got to where they were going.

Kasai put the map up and grabbed the pack again, slinging it over her shoulder. She walked up next to Avani and nodded, "I think we should move on too. The closer we get, the better chance we have of saving them." She tried to smile, but she could tell it was halfhearted. So instead, she bit her bottom lip and looked down at the ground as they started to walk again.

"So uh..." she rubbed the back of her neck and laughed a bit out of nervousness, she didn't really know how to respond or react to the events that were occurring between them, or even if she should. "I came on to you, huh?" she laughed a bit again and then cleared her throat, "Looked to me like you came towards me."

Kasai smiled a bit but she was still unsure if Avani was going to rebuttal with a smart ass, rude comment or with some sarcastic joke. "Tell ya what, if we ever do get back to Republic City, we have us a little wager or contest, and loser buys the other dinner?"

They kept walking for a few more hours, but even Kasai was growing weaker at this point. She stopped and dropped the bag to the ground. "I think now we should probably rest. We won't be any good to them if we can't even defend ourselves, let alone get them out of there. There's just a few hours now until daybreak, at least I think." She realized the spirit world was something totally different from their own. "We can get a move on again at dawn."

[User]
"Agreed then." Avani said, and sat down for a second to rest her legs. She had been interrupted at the worst possible moment. Kasai had definitely kissed her back, and she even thought she had shivered under her touch.

Avani giggled when Kasai brought up who had come on to whom. It was different from her loud mocking laughter, and quite feminine. "Yeah, I doubt she fell for that. Maybe if she hadn't heard me trying to seduce you it would have been easier to shift the blame." She stood up and followed Kasai through the forest once more, but now it became harder to see where she was putting her feet. She focused her eyes on the flame Kasai carried. "I wonder how long she watched us before she said anything…" Avani whispered mostly to herself.

"Suuure, Lady Sergeant. I bet you earn more money than me though." She said with a snarky tone when Kasai suggested they decide who buy dinner for who with a competition, but then changed her mind about being snarky and coughed. "Not that it matters since you're going down either way." Avani grinned cockily. "I always win. Besides, I think you'd have a problem with where I'd get the dough from to wine and dine such a fine lady."

It was an honest concern for her, even if she did have a legitimate job it didn't pay nearly well enough to take out someone like Kasai for dinner. She didn't mind doing some less legal work on the side for quick cash, but Kasai was a policewoman.

"Heh, I suppose that could help with securing a second date if the first one goes bad." Avani giggled again. "Oh, I'm sure you'd love the chance to put someone like me in handcuffs and do with as you please..."

Avani blushed at her own comment after thinking about it, and went silent after that. As they kept walking in silence, it was what occupied Avani's thoughts. She wondered if Kasai actually did have her own set of handcuffs for private use, but mostly she thought about what that could result in.

When they stopped, Avani yawned. She felt exhausted at that point. "Yeah, Mio will be pissed though, probably thinks we just resumed where we left off."

Avani moved her feet to create another shelter like the one before. It was smaller, but should still allow them to sleep in. She got down on her knees in front of the opening to it, crawled halfway in and remembered that she had only made one. She blushed and backed outside on all fours, then used her feet to create a second one for Kasai on the other side of the clearing.

"I almost forgot, sorry." She said while yawning. "I'll close it up securely after you. Oh, and I am sure your friend is fine. Mio wouldn't say
we for no reason. I don't think she's gotten that well acquainted with the spirits." Avani just smiled with a tired expression across her face.

After walking those last hours with questionable thoughts filling her mind, part of her kind of wanted Kasai to pounce her or enter her shelter, but she also knew she was too tired to take any advantage of such a situation. She needed to recuperate her energy to be able to rescue their friends too as Kasai had pointed out. She supposed it would be nice to sleep next to someone for the first time in a few months at least. Well, not counting passing out from pain and blood loss earlier.

[Assistant]
Kasai nodded and shrugged, "I doubt that, she cares about you. I'm sure she knows you care about her too. She'll get over it when we get them out of there."

She watched while Avani used her bending to create another shelter from the earth. As she crawled into the shelter, Kasai moved to go in after her, but stepped back when Avani crawled back out and created another shelter of her own.

"Right, thanks." She started to walk over to the other shelter, but she stopped short and turned back around. "Hang on," She moved back over to Avani's shelter and stood for a moment, trying to get a feel for the temperature outside. They were surely both warm because of their time spend walking, the blood pumping fast enough to keep them warm. However, Kasai figured as soon as they stopped moving the chilly air would move in and cause some shivers.

"Here, this might help with the cold." Flames dance from her hands towards the shelter, heating the rock enough so that the residual heat would radiate and keep the inside of the shelter warm.

"Though, sleeping with a firebender would keep you warmer." She smiled shortly and then walked over to her own shelter, doing the same to it before making her way inside. She cleared the small space of any sticks or stray rocks that would jab her, and then she lay down.

Her body was exhausted, but her mind had not quite caught up with her physical tiredness. She stared up through one of the small holes in the shelter at the trees and pieces of the spirit sky that she could see. Swirling shades of purple melded with the deep blue of the night sky, and several moons could be seen as they slowly made their orbit.

Kasai sighed and thought about all that had happened in that short day. She had been given a mission, excited to take it on with her two best friends. But now, one of them was gone. And the other... well at least there was hope for him. Her eyes finally fluttered shut and sleep met her weary mind.

The rising sun peeked through the holes of the shelter and for the first time since they arrived in the spirit world, the sounds of rustling spirits filled the air of the forest. Kasai groggily opened her eyes and then stretched, looking around to remember where she was. She sat up and yawned, but realized she couldn't leave her shelter because, well... she was not an earthbender.

 Instead, she allowed herself to wake up, rummaging through her bag and finding enough food to serve up for breakfast. She used her bending to heat it up, and hoped that the smell of cooked meat would wake Avani so that she could exit the shelter.


[System]
Liu2 meng4 tan2
lau4 mung6 taam4
Madeleine "Maddie" Lau

A G E
18

G E N D E R
Female

N a t i o n a l i t y
Chinese / Hong Kongese

I n t e l l i g e n c e C o n n e c t i o n
MSS
( Ministry of State Security / China)

D e c l a r e d M a j o r
Classics and Oriental Studies at Mansfield College

A P P E A R A N C E
Maddie's most noticeable feature is her clear Oriental heritage- she has pale ivory skin complemented by a mane of jet black hair and sharp, caramel eyes. Maddie is slightly below-average in height, but she has a well-developed figure and is lightly muscled, not enough so to be considered overly sinewy but still wiry overall. She very noticeably stands with excellent posture, a combination of both strict family training and a desire for increased height.

In terms of apparel, Maddie is rather lackadaisical. Not to say she's utterly un-fashionable, and certainly can dress the part on important days, but often times Maddie will find herself in a mess due to a sheer lack of determination to make herself look better. Despite that, Maddie does have a conventional beauty about her (especially when she [is] prepared) that makes certain objectives for a spy a bit easier, wink wink.

P E R S O N A L I T Y
Maddie is a naturally vibrant individual- affable and social, a generally warm person that is easy to get along with. When it comes to conversation, Maddie is always open to talk. Despite her openness to conversation, and a propensity for small talk, Maddie finds difficulty in discussing feelings and things that are deeper on an emotional level, often coming off as awkward and gauche when this occurs.

Perhaps what is most memorable about Maddie's personality is her undying curiosity. She is always inquisitive and observant of her surroundings, always taking close notice of everything, and committing much of what she sees into memory. Often described as a "genius," Maddie is a jack-of-all-trades when it comes to miscellaneous knowledge, an easy Jeopardy champion if she were to be tested. She is well-versed in many fields and enjoys pursuing those interests with other people. For the areas that Maddie is not an expert in, she is more than willing to step outside of her comfort zone and engage in them.

[more to follow]

wip, but quick gist- sociable but awkward, smart, very curious, a bit more innocent than one would expect from a spy (facade? maybe), a bit of a nerd, but nice, et cetera

R E D A C T E D H I S T O R Y
Maddie's conception is somewhat of a unique love story. Her father, [REDACTED], was an agent for the MSS, a traveling man who specialized in diplomacy with other countries. A linguist that spoke [REDACTED] different languages, he had been assigned by his superior, [REDACTED], to help influence the transfer of sovereignty of Hong Kong back to China. Hong Kongese from birth, he agreed and spent years traveling to secure crucial agreements and place critical bribes for the transfer to occur. One year, he met [REDACTED], a political science professor at Hong Kong University, and sparked a relationship with her. Their courtship led to a marriage and a child a few years later, that child being Madeleine Lau.

With Maddie's father [REDACTED] being out-of-country quite often to work abroad, Maddie was primarily raised by her mother, who soon came to realize that her child was very interesting. Maddie started demonstrating an aptitude for learning very early on, especially in the fields of literature, where her vocabulary blossomed from a young age. Gifted with a ludicrously skilled eidetic memory, Maddie had tackled the likes of Plato's Republic and Machiavelli's The Prince by the age of 8. She was an exceptionally fast learner and gifted student, and Maddie's father came to realize that her talents would be highly useful in Veritas, and so he began to hone her talents with a specialty in spy training. Homeschooled on a grand combination of skills applicable to a spy, Maddie picked up on them exceptionally, and soon became a literal walking encyclopedia of spy knowledge. However, after a near-death mission in [REDACTED], [REDACTED], Maddie's father decided it would be best not to expose his daughter to the dangers of the intelligence community yet, and as such Maddie's experience in actual espionage is theoretical, limited at best.

That being said, there's enough knowledge in that brain to make her a force to be reckoned with for sure. Don't underestimate her skills, or you may find yourself [REDACTED]

S K I L L S
Eidetic Memory: Maddie's most notable characteristic. While not entirely photographic, her memory is still inarguably phenomenal, and allows her to cite information from a variety of sources with ease. Her incredibly observant nature combined with her exceptional knowledge comes in handy often. She's often been deemed as a walking encyclopedia for her vast wealth of knowledge stored inside her brain.

Martial Arts: Most likely Maddie's second most notable characteristic, she is a gifted martial artist, having learned from her father, who himself trained heavily in hand-to-hand combat due to the liability of carrying a weapon into the field on certain occasions. Maddie's specialty is in Xing Yi Quan, a kung fu style translating to "Shape-Will Fist" that focuses on quick, aggressive strikes. That being said, Maddie is versed in jiu-jitsu, karate, judo, muay thai, krav maga, and aikido on a theoretical level, with a great understanding in the strengths and weaknesses in all the styles, though lacking in actual practice in all of them.

Linguistics: Maddie is fluent in English, Mandarian, and Cantonese, though she tends to use only the former and the latter in her regular life. Maddie also has some experience in speaking French and Japanese, though she cannot read or write in either of them.

Speed-reading: Maddie is an exceptionally fast reader, having mastered the ability to avoid subvocalization, and thus allows her to quickly absorb information for processing at a later time.

E Q U I P M E N T
Two CZ 75 Pistols
Thompson Pro Hunter
Ballpoint pen
Bobby pins
Perfume sprays
Earrings
Mints

Other
WIP

NOTE: personality, appearance, some other info will be coming soon.

[User]
Currently On Chapter 1 - Campus Orientation

Each Student was given a detailed itinerary laying out their travel arrangements to Oxford, England. As most have arrived in the country via plan they were each assigned a different method of traveling the roughly 1 hour trip from the airport to the university and their new home. When they arrive at the address provided they are simply told to 'await further instructions according to the itinerary.

[Assistant]
Night Before Orientation

Sitting with his back to the view, William Stephenson held a large manilla envelope in his hand. He used his butter knife to open it from the side and wiggled the photos out onto the plate in front of him. Each picture was a snapshot of a person going about their day at an airport it seemed. None were connected or had any specific perspective other than they weren't looking at the camera. In fact each seemed blissfully unaware of the photograph being taken. Looking at each one carefully and then flipping them to look at the back he saw a multitude of numbers.

It looked through them as if he were reading them. He quietly put them back in the envelope and then set it on fire using a candle. The action seemed to catch no one's attention as the clamor and chaos of a busy high end restaurant ran around him. A few minutes later he was joined by a woman in her mid 50's. Her elegant black and white dress matched his suit and tie perfectly with an obvious touch of coordination between them. "You never could stop with the theatrics." She said after she saw the ashes from the burnt paper on the white table cloth. Her accent was a mix of South African and something else that was hard to hear if you didn't know her.

"Yes, well, this time it isn't me who seems to be the ringleader…" Stephenson let this thought linger as the table fell into silence. When he finally continued it was only after he saw no movement in his tablemate to break the silence. "The Academy has been mine to oversee for the past 7 years. I see no reason that the recent incidents should reflect on me."

The woman seemed to break as she looked down at her purse and then back at the man. "You may see this as an overreaction; however, you would do well to remember that this pet project of yours is not viewed so highly. It took more than a few tense conversations to allow you to continue as overseer." A phone in her purse started to ring. She gave a polite smile and pulled it out.

"I am needed in Istanbul. I trust you will see things as they are and understand what position you are in." The woman then stood up gave a curt nod leaving Stephenson just as food was being brought over to the table. He silently watched her left and then accepted his meal while sending her plate back. The rest of the night he was lost in his own thoughts…

In this world you always know what position you are in… even when you're dead.

[User]
Despite the roaring of the helicopter blades, the sounds of air being sliced around her, the jarring of the helicopter controls and the incessant chatter of the pilot and co-pilot, it couldn't be any more quiet inside Maddie's head as she sat inside the chopper. She was sitting back in a small, cushioned chair, her arms folded, as she waited for the helicopter to land at long last. Her deep, dark brown, chocolate eyes scanned the room, examining every nook, every cranny, every angle of the small helicopter's interior. As her father would always tell her, "Every opportunity you have awake is one to observe your surroundings. Hone your awareness. There is no use for sunlight if is not being focused." She would spend hours on some days just observing scenery, observing rooms, observing people and recalling information about them. She thought back to days when her father would take her to restaurants on the Eastern district, and would ask her to close her eyes and recall details about patrons from memory, their clothing, their positions relative to each other, and more. Maddie enjoyed those experiences, these simpler tests of wit and memory over a dish of gu lou juk as opposed to being smack-dab in the middle of an enemy base, surrounded by hostiles, looking for anything that can get you out of that situation.

"And here I am, drifting away again," she mumbled to herself, looking up again. While it wasn't the first time she had been away from home, it was the first time that she would be this far away from home for this long, and it was taking its toll on Maddie's mental state ever so slightly. It wasn't like Maddie lacked the ability to take care of herself in any sense of the word, nor was she afraid of the challenges that awaited her in Oxford, England. As both a longtime student of espionage and near-native English speaker, she was confident she would adjust well to her new life. But sometimes emotions do not act rationally, and indeed, Maddie believed the strange "butterflies-in-stomach" experience she was currently undergoing was related to the strange way that emotions sometimes work.

There was suddenly a loud bump as the helicopter landed in Oxford, giving Maddie a sudden jolt. She stood quickly as the pilot emerged from the cockpit, peaking his head out as he spoke in a thick drawl. "Aye, we're 'ere, love. Ye can ged off 'bout now. Ye ain't a far walk 'rom the 'dress ye gave me. Just a few blocks 'round the corner and ye'll be right o'er there."

Maddie quickly stood, grabbing her bag, and gave the pilot a curt nod. "Thank you, sir. Your services are well-appreciated."

The man gave a nod back. "Take care." He gave another glance, now suspicious. "Ey, who are ye, walking 'round London alone with a private 'elicopper ride? Who sent ye here? What mischief 'ya up to?"

The girl was already long gone.

Maddie walked away from the helipad down the streets of Oxford, her eyes once again buzzing alight in a new environment. She wore a choker top, white with pale blue flower imprints winding around it, underneath a black Broome leather jacket with gold highlights. She also wore a pair of black jeans and a pair of matching knee-high black boots. Around her shoulder was a dark blue satchel with silver trim and silver dragon emblem sewed onto the center, a gift from her mother a year earlier.

Winding through the streets of Oxford, observing all the way, Maddie approached a large, almost out-of-place black building. She looked down at the scrap of paper she held in her hand before looking back up at the building.

"Seems...about right," she said quietly, in English, to herself. Despite having learned it at a very young age, Maddie still was not entirely confident with her English skills, perhaps from a lack of practice opportunities. She gave a nonchalant shrug. "Guess I'll wait."


[System]
Alias: Alloy

Age: 17

Appearance:
Mao stands at a relatively average height for a guy of his age at approximately 5'11", with a weight of 168 lbs. His physique is that of an athlete; toned and lithe with little visible body fat.
Gender: Male

Powers/Equipment: Mao has the ability to produce a metallic substance of similar strength and lightness to titanium from his sweat glands at will, as well as produce a secondary substance that causes metals of the same or a similar composition to become brittle.

Weakness: The metallic substance he creates has several flaws to it, chief among them being the fact that it's production barely extends past the dermal level, meaning that a blow of sufficient force can pierce it, the second flaw is the fact that this substance leaves zero room for finger and joint articulation unless Mao intentionally leaves gaps between the bits of metal like a suit of armor, which leaves soft flesh vulnerable to attack if he isn't careful, and the final flaw is that the substance he produces comes at the cost of bodily fluids and fat reserves, meaning he requires large amounts of food and drink after each usage or he runs the risk of severe dehydration, malnutrition, or other unhealthy side effects.

Personality: A laid back and somewhat lazy fellow, Mao is generally reluctant to put any more energy into an activity than he absolutely has to when it comes to tasks. Further adding to this slothfulness is the fact that Mao extremely patient and often chooses to do things one bit at a time unless given proper motivation. This is not to say that Mao is an absolutely slovenly human being: he can be a surprisingly hard worker if need be, it's just that so long as he can do things on his terms he'll choose the easier route nine times out of ten.

History: Mao has had a fairly unremarkable life up until the disappearance of the leading forces of the Justice League: Even though his powers manifested at a relatively young age, the fact that his parents were quick to explain to him the dangers of showing off his abilities in public in the hopes of providing him with as normal a childhood as they possibly could meant that he went completely unnoticed by anyone that may have taken issue with what he was. Mao did all the same things that normal children and teens did: He went to school, hung out with friends, held the occasional summer job, and picked up an after school activity to stop his parent's hounding. Unfortunately, it was because of his after school activity of choice that he was landed in the situation he was in. Being that he disliked most sports, and his parents wouldn't have been satisfied with him choosing an activity that didn't involve him actually being active, Mao chose to dabble in the martial arts, picking up a muy thai class to satisfy is parents. He picked up more than a few interesting tricks during his classes, however due to his lazy nature Mao struggled to get anywhere beyond the lower percentile of his class while everyone else went on ahead.
This pattern would have likely continued where it not for the fact that after a few too many blows to the head during a sparing match Mao's patience finally ran out. A strong kick to the ribs with a metal coated shin was all it took to send his sparing partner to the hospital and blow his cover as a normal person. As several of his classmates actually went to his school, word traveled pretty quickly about his ability, which saw Mao receiving his fair share of harassment by his peers and even a few teachers. The disappearance of the key members of the justice league not too long afterwards only further exasperated the situation to the point where even Mao's parents were targeted by hate groups for keeping him. When talks of the family picking up shop and moving elsewhere started to surface Mao chose instead to strike out on his own to save his parents the trouble, finding himself an apartment on the opposite end of town which he paid for with odd jobs. Life got quite a bit harder for Mao as metahuman discrimination saw him barely bringing enough cash home to both pay for his suspiciously increasing rent and feed himself. At some point he would seek out the Titans after hearing of a group that fought against metahuman discrimination

Other: Mao is a damned good cook. The fact that he frequently found himself having to experiment with whatever food he could bring home means that he has a good idea of what blends well with what.

[User]
NIKI / CG

Niki cruised along in her 57 T-Bird enjoying the growl of the Paxton Supercharged 312 that developed 42 horsepower more than it had been originally rated due to it's mechanical parts being in perfect balance because she'd been bored and wondered what it could be made to do without visible modification. Everything that turned or moved on the machine fit it's position better than any car ever made and because of the details she'd put into it her's could actually meet the 150 mph promise made by her speedometer; not that she would ever dream of exceeding the speed limit but it was nice to know.

And as the petite blonde drove she had other things on her mind such as her new home and the care and upkeep of her two others. She'd been surprised to have been approached by someone asking her to join the Teen Titans. She had just graduated with two degrees, one in physics and the other in mechanical engineering and was considering getting her doctorate before she was 20 but couldn't pass up the chance to work with people more like herself.

She saw the hidden drive entrance to the Titan's new base and slowed to a stop outside the gates telling them to open with her ability meaning they responded instantly swinging wide eagerly to welcome their new Mistress. Then Niki drove the gleaming black two seater up the drive through the surrounding woods and stopped when she reached the parking area.

Shortly she was out of the classic two seater and opened the trunk to pull out her two soft bags, her violin case and then the car cover specially designed by her for protecting what she still thought of as Daddy's car. It was made of a revolutionary material that would have been impossible for anyone but her to construct. Using nano- memory tubes to automatically assume the shape of the T-bird in a snap once she placed the magnetic clips on the rear bumper.

She picked up her bags and violin after seeing to her car and headed to the entrance humming a tune that she was hearing on a local radio station in her head. She giggled lightly as she thought of how delighted she was to help the newest Teen Titans with their base, machines and the occasional bad guy.

Up ahead she saw a small crowd outside of the entrance an thought (This could prove interesting)

NEKO

Neko loved the Wilderness through which she traveled but she also loved the excitement of civilization and the chance to pursue interesting prey. She hoped the place she was going was warm and safe with interesting things to do when she wasn't active.

It would be strange living with people, especially ones she'd never met but Susan her best friend an the strange smelling green man had said this could be a place were she'd be safe and learn how to interact as well as stay out of trouble with the law people that she had trouble understanding.

She burst out of the trees barely rustling the leaves as she landed in the Driveway. She looked around herself sensing her new environment using every sense she had and the result was several scents that caused her tail to bristle like a brush. It was most likely nothing to be concerned about but that didn't mean she was going to drop her guard completely.

Curious about the scent's owner and their potential danger Neko thought it would be fun to see if they might reveal themselves if they were startled so she exploded into a high-speed rush towards the sound of voices an when she was about 40 feet from a group gathered near a door the cat girl launched herself into the air performing several flips before landing in a crouch about 10 feet away her long tail thrashing the air behind her in an angry manner.

[Assistant]
"Welp... I guess that answers my question." Light said as more and more people showed up. First a younger girl with purple hair and pointed ears, then a guy in some cool looking robes. The purple haired girl asked Light if she was an alien, to which Light replied. "Well... Technically everyone is an alien until you get to know them, right? Ha ha..." Light said, halfheartedly laughing. "No, I'm a 'toon'. Course I tend to creep people out. I think its the eyes." She said with a toothy smile.

The guy with robes walked up to her soon after that, looking her dead in the eyes. It then dawned on Light that she was one of the bigger members of the group, and this guy was the only person so far around her height. "Well, I guess this guy isn't scared. Find black and orange eyes sexy do you?" Light said playfully sticking her tongue out and winking.

Commotion could be heard a little ways away around the corner of the building. What sounded like 4 people talking, then one vomiting, could be heard. "So uh... Guess we've got 4 more people around the corner or something. And one of them is sick." Light said, pointing at the area with her thumb. Before she could head over to check it out though, some sort of cat person jumped out of the nearby woods and started to hiss at the group, tail raised.

"So... Anyone got any idea how many people are supposed to show up? I count at least 8 right now plus the cat lady." Light said, shaking her head with a grin on her face. And here she thought today might be boring.

[User]
NEKO

Neko looked in the direction of the strange smelling creature that made her appear positively normal who said Cat Lady. Blinking she tilted her head and smiled weirdly her sharp teeth glowing whitely an her killing fangs exposed in a manner of a smile used by humans. Her tail's motions settled down but still remained in motion and she. Said
"Am called Neko not Cat Lady
Thinking she you name in Gotham an older than Neko.
Neko was told here she was wanted as hunter of the bad man an woman
Ten Titan is here correct"

So many smells and so many trees filled with food prey and soon Susan her friend was sending her the rabbits an pens for growing them. If these and the others she smelled were as friendly then perhaps this could be more fun than the Susan Neko home she shared with the Doctor who was her only friend.

[Assistant]
Kimberly tightened her grip on Conner's jacket as the raccoon was regurgitated. Conner took a step back, grabbing Kimberly's arm as he did so. Then came the reprimand and the apology from Xercas. After those two had introduced themselves, Conner was still hesitant about them, but knew intellectually that the Serpentine guy was probably just a bit... lacking in manners. Conner could guess why Harold was called Serpentine. Ignoring the cobra that was now eating the raccoon, Conner reluctantly said, "Charmed."

Recovering from her initial shock, Kimberly emerged from being Conner and stared at the cobra swallowing the raccoon in wonder. Returning her gaze to Xerces and Harold, Kimberly said, "I'm Kimberly, and the broody guy here is Conner." The last remark earned her an elbow tap to her shoulder from Conner, which earned him a smirk from Kimberly.

"I'm assuming you're here for the same reasons we are, right?" Conner asked the two, taking precautions before mentioning any names. He didn't want any repercussions for not being cautious, after all.

[User]
Drake had heard about the meeting of a teen superhuman force just north of him. The genius suggested that he go. It wouldn't be that far anyways. The genius lived in Pennsylvania so if any serious repairs were needed they could take him back to the genius. He could make minor repairs on himself well enough.

He set off a day before the meeting was supposed to take place. He could have used his powers to arrive there in no time, but he decided to save his energy, literally. He got more excited as he got closer wondering what this group was going to be like. I wonder what powers the others are going to have? Are they going to be weird? Oh, this is probably going to be fun.

As he approached the building several teens were outside engaging each other. They all looked pretty weird, but he was one to talk. He was basically a robot. As he approached he started to really take in the strange scene. A snake had spit out a raccoon in front of the other teens and gave it to a smaller snake and then dreadlocks knocked him on the head. The other two were seriously disgusted by this turn of events and looked just about ready to run. Now a cat was making an appearance and more teens were up in a tower talking about her. It looked like some weird glob, more dreadlocks, some purple hair and someone lacking. Drake was starting to feel significantly more normal. He heard the cat trying to talk in some severely broken english. She you older gotham broke what? She's obviously not thinking. Then there was another teen in the background. She looked relatively normal as she got out of her car. She was hanging back a little bit behind the freak show. Which as Drake approached the group of teens on the ground he felt something weird in the air. He felt rejuvenated, like he wasn't necessarily gaining energy, but none of his energy was draining either. The feeling got stronger as he got closer to the group, but soon it veered off. It was coming from the normal one in the back. He completely bypassed the other group and went right up to her to introduce himself. "Hi, I'm Drake. This might be abrupt, but I can feel your superpower. What is it exactly?"

[Assistant]
"God forbid this place be an office building or something that I can just catch a train too. Be too much like right. Nah, let's have our hideout be in the middle of some god forsaken forest." Mao Everett muttered tiredly as he sauntered towards the location that he'd been given. Despite the young man's complaints, Mao understood perfectly why there was a need for such secrecy; he and his kind were hardly welcome in a public setting, and with violent outbursts against metahumans on the rise it certainly paid to have a meeting spot out of view of the public. Mao understood that, but understanding did little to sooth his displeasure over the fact that he'd just spent the better part of three and a half hours on a greyhound to New York before going on foot with his belongings for another half hour to reach the location marked on his GPS app. Mao was tired, he was hungry, and he really wanted nothing more than to go back home to his ruddy little apartment in Delaware.

The young malcontent's discomfort with the change in scenery and increase in activity were brushed to the side as he came upon a group of people that appeared to be around his age range standing in front of a large entry way. Mao paused momentarily as he pondered about what he exactly he should say to the group. If they were here for the same reason that he was then it was safe to assume that he'd be working with them frequently, all the more reason to give them a proper first impression. His phone announced his arrival for him, it's screen flashing to life before a cheery little voice chimed in with 'You have arrived at your destination'. Being lost in thought Mao jumped a bit and dropped his phone right onto a rock as his muscles reacted before his brain could catch up. He grimaced as he picked up the phone and observed the series of cracks that spiderwebbed over the screen "Well isn't that just lovely?".


[System]
Sex: Female
Role: slave girl/cook's assistant (The kidnapped daughter of a Governor)
Looks: She is an average height with fairly mid-length/short brown hair. It has a light wave to it and the ends rest just above her shoulders. She wears a simple boxy, light brown dress. She had a dirty ivory kerchief to keep her hair out of her face and a dirty ivory half apron tied around her waste.
Personality: Timid, meek, somewhat quiet, empathetic, fairly intelligent, humble.

[User]
"Cap'n, if I may be so bold, we need a plan t' get th' pieces o' eight." Daniel paused to allow Avery to fill in the space. Weather she knew it or not he could see pain in her eyes. It was not a fresh fiery pain but a dull ache. Though she said she had been healing fine, it seemed to Daniel that the entire process took a bit longer than she would let on.

~~~

Amelia was practically giddy by the time she got to ring the large bell that would signify breakfast being ready. Back in England and in her home port she had found the church bells to be very comforting. It always amazed her how large and heavy they must be and how many men it took to ring some of those massive bells. The bell in front of her was much smaller but the same shape and it certainly had a look of heaftyness to it. With Scarlet's permission, Amelia took a small wooden mallet and hit the bottom rim of the bell. It sounded loudly and with such clarity as she had never heard before. It was different to hear it during battle, a short frantic noise almost welcoming the dead to the afterlife, than it was now. She enjoyed the sound much more now.

~~~

The breakfast bell's ring carried through the air and into Avery's room where Daniel stood. He turned his head slightly to the sound, wondering if Avery would want to continue their conversation now or wait until after breakfast. It seemed unlikely to him that she would want to discuss the pieces of eight in front of the entire crew at breakfast.

[Assistant]
Avery sighed and said "Sadly we can't move forward until we learn where more of the pieces are. We have recovered the pieces my father knew of and now we have reached a wall. Until we gather more information on where the other pieces could be...we will just have to move about as normal and hope that we get news soon..." She heard the bell and said "Looks like Scarlet is back to her normal self. She normally brings me what's left from breakfast..." She leaned back and rubbed her eyes, flinching again. "You are worried...I can see it in your eyes"

Scarlet smiled as the bell rang and the men came bursting in the mess hall, laughing and joking around like they normally did. It was then she saw Sage standing by the back wall and she turned sharply, her cheeks bright red suddenly. Bane and Iris were sitting by a nearby table to the meal bell when they saw this reaction. Iris sighed and said "So...those two still won't talk about it"

[User]
"I be a doctor an' sailor Cap'n, there be plenty to be concerned about." Daniel would not admit, not now, that he was concerned for Avery. The pieces stretched her thin and she was still in pain from the previous day. There was a part of him that cared for the well being of all that were on the vessel, though for many on board doctors there was a steely coldness where warmth in him rested. It was no strength out here on the open seas though, and he was well aware of it.

"Yer still in pain, an' I can see tha'. Did ye need more poppy?" He asked moving more into his doctor role.

~~~

Amelia blushed as the sailors passed by her tossing out compliments and winks, no doubt to see her blush more. She smiled and even laughed once or twice at a short tale of one of the sailors as he passed by her in the line for food.

This was not a world she knew well but she felt the freedom and thrill of it. This crew was different, this vessel was to be feared if angered but was otherwise very welcoming. Still, the rolling of the sea beneath them made her uneasy. She wished that these folk lived in her port but how she missed the land, and that would be the very thing that would kill the spirits of such adventurous people. She would never have been able to socialize with them anyway, likely being of the working class. Amelia missed the comforts of home, the fancy balls and occasional gossip that made it's way to her ears. She knew that she would also miss her time here on this vessel, and the opportunities to make her own decisions.

Amelia looked up and noticed someone dressed in black, almost as if they were clothed in shadows. It was unnerving. Had they been there long? She wondered if they would come into her line for food soon, and looked about for Scarlet to see if she knew the person. Among the people, Scarlet was blocked off from Amelia by the crowd of people trying to get food but Amelia did sport her. She figured if anything needed to be done, Scarlet would handle it with all the fire that her name suggested.

[Assistant]
She smiled and shook her head. "No...I will recover. Time is the best healer for times like this...but since we are on the topic, have you noticed anything that we are in need of as in supplies or tools and such? I am trying to come up with a shopping report for Bane so when we reach port he and the others can gather supplies"

Bane walked over to Ameila and knelt down by her, so he could be at her height and said "My lady? I am quarter Master Bane. I haven't had a chance to welcome you to the ship yet...I was also hoping you could do a small favor for me. The man in black over there is Master Shade. He...well, he normally comes down for his green tea but it seems Lady Scarlet is...busy at the moment. Would you mind getting the tea for him?"

Iris stood by Scarlet and muttered "You need to talk to him, Scarlet...staying quiet won't fix anything..." Scarlet blushed brightly and said "There's nothing to say...no reason for us to speak..." Iris sighed and said "The head of protection and the cook of the ship need to be able to talk...besides..." She looked over at Shade and said "You two need to talk about what happened..."

[User]
Daniel paused to think before he suggested bandages and thread. He would have to get back to Avery with a list of herbs, if Scarlet hadn't already.

~~~

"Hello." Amelia spoke, giving a small curtsy as she did.

"Ah-... I will be back in a moment." Amelia supposed that if she left the spoon available in the morning mixture then each sailor could take their share. This would be her first time making tea outside of the home and she hoped that she could make it properly still, with different supplies.

She ventured back to the cooking area and rummaged around a bit before finding the kettle to hang over the fire. She filled it with water and kept an eye on it. While she waited for it to boil she found a small trey and a cup, slowly bringing together what she felt she should bring to serve tea. On a small wooden plate she arranged a spoon, some sugar and the loose tea leaves. She hoped that none of this would blow away... and then she thought of putting a bowl over top of it to keep the contents undisturbed.

Rather promptly Amelia emerged from the cooking area back into the deck at which the grew was eating. It was not hard to find Sage as he had a ring of space around him. The normally friendly crew seemed to keep their distance from him. The odd behavior concerned her and made her cautious in her approach.

"Your tea, sir." She spoke softly, hardly able to raise her voice to a regular volume. Her mother always said that her shyness with men would be what could make her an old spinster since it prevented her from catching and maintaining a man's attention. Amelia held the trey away from her body, a gesture for Sage to take it and use what he needed of it.

~~~

Daniel felt an odd silence hang about the room. It was comfortable and trusting but at the same time unnerving. This was not a silence that he had experienced before. He felt on one had compelled to speak, to say anything, just to break the still air. He also felt as if he should take his leave, not give away more than he should. The sickening part was that he ached for a confidante, something he had denied himself for years and knew that the female captain would not be a socially wise decision. He did not want to start something he did not yet have any intention of finishing.

"Ye 'ave a good crew." He slipped, giving in to breaking the still silence. He felt it now, the beginning of his downfall. He had just opened the door a sliver and knew that it wouldn't be long before the door to himself was burst wide open.

[Assistant]
Shade looked down at the girl and knelt down, gently taking the cup from her. Then he took her free had and kissed the top of her hand with his covered mouth. "My thanks, my lady...I have heard you have been quite brave these last few days...if you are ever afraid or in need...all you have to do is call for me. Alright? I will hear you no matter where I am"

Scarlet was watching the pair, looking upset. Iris sat by Bane again and said "She won't talk about it..."

**********************
Avery blinked and looked up at him. "Yes...I trust them all with my life. They are my family after all...they are all I have in this world now..." She looked at him and said "And the crew trusts me, Daniel...I am always here to listen and help where I can...I want to help you. You can see that right? I have no games or tricks to play...and I don't plan on hurting you...please, won't you tell me what's on your mind?" She wanted him to trust her. She wanted him to feel safe here. She knew that he must have been alone for so long, feeling backed into a corner for who knows how many years...

[User]
Avery was right. At every turn where Daniel expected retribution he found mercy. A whisper in the back of his mind told him that maybe this is what the God of his childhood was supposed to be like. In both cases, he was not sure if submitting to the spell-like lifestyle was a good idea. He had always wanted to be his own man, and a good man too.

"This vessel an' crew be like none I ha' seen b'fore." He began, trying to gauge the flood of words and thoughts. It was both easy and difficult. It was very counter-cultural to seek information so directly and easily, but it felt safe. He chided himself for behaving like a curious boy. Still, Avery's eyes burned into him and he found that his withholding information was not him bowing his knee first but all the while she had been extending such kindness to him without want or need of any strings being attached. She had more than invited him into free speech. This was either a trap or honesty.

"Ye as a Cap'n I ha'e ne'r seen b'fore. " Daniel continued. "Tha' pow'r ye wield is terrifying, yet I ha' not seen a crew or Cap'n so well loved." Love, desire, his mind wandered while he pulled on it to keep on task and focused. There was something else, a caring that was small and warm in him. Though it was like what he felt for most of humanity, the caring nature of a doctor, it behaved somewhat differently. Daniel would come to realize later in his life that this, for the first time in years, was the beginning of true trust.

~~~

"Yes, Sir." Amelia responded, feeling flushed from the gentlemanly gesture. Oh how it made her feel like a sheep among wolves. Rather promptly, she turned to return to her post handing out the meals. It was all so new but the crew certainly made her feel as welcome as possible. Still, being surrounded by so many men at her age was unnerving at times. She knew that they meant no harm, it was just that Mother had always warned about what a wayward man might do and pirates were certainly (in her Mother's mind) considered wayward.

[Assistant]
Avery nodded and sat up a little then said "What scares you? You haven't asked a lot of questions...knowledge does give comfort or so I am told..." She stood up slowly and went to the window, opening the curtains and looking out at the sea. "I know every single member of my crew...names, ages, birthdays...and why they are here."

Scarlet went to Amelia and said "Thanks for getting his tea...it helps him calm down after a fight. Do you need help with anything lass?"

[User]
"I be 'ere 'cuz this be where life has brought me." Daniel began. "Wi' a little propelling o' me own choices i' I be honest." He followed Avery to the window, folding his arms behind his back. This was something he had retained from his time in the navy. "Cap'n, nothin' an' everythin' scares me." he said, voicing the faintest thoughts that came to mind. It was cryptic, but about as open as he could be. Callous to the world but still sensitive to it too, jaded was what he had become.

"I've been on th' run from death since I was a boy. I do wha' I can t' get by. I' I can, I believe it be good to help others along th' way. Life ha' taught me tha' I need t' take care o' meself first though." Daniel said delving deeper into himself and pausing.

"How did ye come t' be what ye are now? Not often does a Lady become wha' ye are an' be successful." It was an abrupt change in subject but she was right, he did have questions.

~~~

"It was no problem Scarlet." Amelia said, playing with the cuff of her sleeve absently. "I have ever seen him, or someone like him before. He doesn't look like a sailor..." she let the unspoken question hang in the air, for Scarlet to fill in who Sage was.

[Assistant]
Avery nodded and looked at him and said "My father was a navy captain...for fifteen years. Then his ship was hit and he lost his right leg. So he retired and when he returned home learned that our village was attacked...my mother killed by pirates. He found me...in what was left of our home...Bane protecting me with what little life he had left. So he took both of us and any man who would join him and went to the sea...not only hunting down the monsters who killed my mother but to change how things worked on the sea. It was years later he learned about the Pieces of Eight and decided their evil needed to end...he died a few years ago and I took his place as captain"

Scarlet looked at her and said "Sage is the Ship's protection officer. he is in charge of protection of the ship and its crew and everything between.

[User]
"Tha' be a sad tale." He said, acknowledging the pain she must have lived through.

"An' th' pieces o' eight? What be they an' what do they do?" He pressed, moving on.

~~~

"So he's not a sailor, but an officer?" Amelia hadn't seen an officer in his garb before. Then again most of the officers she had encountered were working under the royal flag. "Where does his allegiance lie?" She asked, startling at the happening of the thought leaving her mouth before she could stop it. Mother would have a fit if she kept up such poor self-control.


[System]
Personality: Prefers to talk her way out of bad situations, doesn't appreciate interruptions. She is blunt and honest, can't keep a secret and can be a smartass sometimes. She always seems to have something to keep herself occupied with, whether it is maintaining the cactus around "her" isolated house (May its previous owner, now a zombie, find peace), knapping glass into knives or other sharp points, or struggling to get her blacksmithing set up correctly without disfiguring herself.

Physical Appearance: Stands at about 5'4, stout with a short messy black ponytail and large, angry-looking brown eyes. She looks like she's made of just fat, but she has a good amount of muscle in there somewhere. She usually has a plain green apron on. It has some stains consisting of both soil and blood.

Family: Single child; her parents were druggies and so rarely ever there for her during her childhood.

History: Once her parents were hauled off after being caught with some illegal substance or another, Irene was taken to multiple institutions over the years. She turned eighteen at the beginning and quietly slipped away to do some hardcore gardening while everyone around her was killing or being killed.

Skills: Gardening (food and herbs), trapping (mostly small animals), knapping glass and very limited metalworking, mostly from found aluminum cans.

Gear: A small medical kit, a pair of binoculars, and a good big garden shovel.

Goal: To survive in this little house of hers as long as she can.

[User]
Jonah looked around the room, seeing some lady look at him, then hunter, then back.

"I think it'd be great if we could talk to each other about our skills. Because that's something important to know if we are to survive together. I know a lot about a lot of different subjects, and my greatest skill is quick thinking. I always have some kind of plan before I do something, and it doesn't take long before I make another. My intelligence is the thing that has brought me this far. How about you?"

[Assistant] Hunter would think for a moment. "You want to know why I am alive still? I am alive because I can shoot, I can fight, I am smart with what I have and I know how to survive with out it. I know where things are because we still had a radio when I left. But the main reasons I am alive now, Is luck. I m alive because something happened that made it possible for me to." Hunter would stop for a moment. "Or I somehow pulled up the guts to do what needed to be done..." Hunters hand would start to shake and he would walk off into the bathroom.

[User] "I'm alive because of my disturbing lack of interest in human interaction," said Irene cheerfully as she came back with a tray carrying several mugs of herbal tea. "This stuff'll relax you. I go through it when those brain-eating freaks decide to hang around near my house." She set the tray on the table. "If anyone knows how to brew alcohol, I'd be infinitely grateful."

[Assistant] Hunter would walk out of the bathroom, the gun still on his back. "It's not too hard, I'll show you before I leave to go find my sister." Hunter would walk back to the couch and sit and drink some of the tea. "This is good tea though, really good. Thank you."

[User]
When Jonah talked Mary looked at him while furrowing her brows. She still didn't know what to think of him. He talked to much and to her he was way too confident of himself. One that claims himself to have high intelligence wouldn't walk up to a group of people when one is holding a gun. She listened to the National Guard to, his answer was honest and raw to her. She wondered what had happened to him and watched as the soldier left and wondered what it was that made him shake. A smile played on her face a bit as Irene came back into the room and made a comment about lack of interest. Mary decided she should answer too. "I'm alive because I'm lucky," Mary said while shrugging her shoulders. The doctor in her was trying to diagnose the guard as he came back out but she merely blamed it on the fact that maybe he was hungry.

She looked at the herbal tea. With a small sigh, she dropped her hands to her sides and shrugged off her bag, placing it on the ground before walking over to the tea. She picked up a mug. "Thank you," she said to Irene.

[Assistant]
Hunter would look around at the collection of people, this has been the first group of people he has been with that hasn't tried to kill him in a long time. Too long for Hunter. How long would he stay with these people? He still had a goal, he needed to know about his sister, even though these seemed like people he could trust family came first.

Hunter would look out the window and realize it's starting to get dark. "Hmm, it's getting late, we should get some rest. I have one of the two guns." He would look at the group. "Or as far as I know, so i'll take first watch on the porch Irene's defenses should be fine but I don't want to take any chances, any objections?"

[User]
"I think it would be very helpful if I could go out at night, to scavenge the hardware store I mentioned. I'll be back within 3 hours, 8 minutes and 38 seconds. And I'll return with things you need. So, what do you need?"

Jonah took out his backpack, before placing all its contents on the kitchen counter.

"Excuse the mess. It's my dream that the frying pan is used every day."

It was light, clean, and solidly built. Its handle was made out of a blue, glassy plastic. It was the finest thing he had left after the world fell apart, and the closest he had to a memento for his parents... Leaving all his equipment behind with the group, he was nearly prepared to head out towards the hardware store.

[Assistant]
Irene sat with a doubtful expression but made her decision quickly. "As long as no one wrecks my house, my cacti or my gardens, or causes me harm, then you can all do what you want." She took a sip of her tea and cast a look around these strangers in her house. Tentatively she decided that Mary was probably her best bet at friendship, which unfortunately would be...new to her.

"You finding everything okay?" she asked. "Considering the situation."

[User] Hunter would look over to Jonah. "Nails, always have a use for them. Copper wire too if you find some. And if you find a battery that would help as well. Be careful at night though, it's a lot harder too see, and to see them." Hunter would walk onto the porch and sit down.

[Assistant] Mary sat down on the couch, comforted by Irene as she spoke to her directly. She sipped from the tea, it's warmth filled her up on the inside. She nodded as Irene asked her question. "I'm sorry for invading your home. I didn't mean to, I was just trying to find some food." She said as she crossed her legs and held he mug in both hands. She eyed Jonah as he stood up. Was he really going to go at night? She frowned a little but the soldier seemed to approve the plan. "Is it a wise plan?" She asked no one in particular.

[User]
Hunter would look into the darkness from the porch. It was calming to him, even with the infected outside, he had enough distance and it was dark enough he should be fine. He kept the gun in his lap, not really to use it but to make sure that no one else would try to use it on him or Irene, Irene was the only person he could trust so far. Plus using it on the infected with only three shots left wasn't a good idea. He had a suppressor in his bag for his rifle, but its use was going to be done soon. In the morning, one way or another, he needed to go out and grab his gear. he could have asked Jonah, But could he trust Jonah with his rifle? Or try to send him onto a highway where the infected could still be in thick numbers? It was better if he did it himself, even with his limp he stood a decent chance on his own.

The night air was still calming, though the min reason he was outside was he couldn't sleep. Too many nightmares about the refugee center. He wakes up at night, hearing the same three words before he wakes up. 'Fire, fire, fire!'. Sometimes he's the one holding the gun, the other times he's the one in it. Either way it always stopped there. He didn't have to be a doctor to know how ti was effecting him, More then likely he wouldn't get over the nightmares for a long time. he just hopes it doesn't get int he way of finding his sister...That's all that matters.

[Assistant]
Jonah left quietly, understanding that his plan for gaining the trust of the others failed. Perhaps he was more optimistic than he gave himself credit for? He took quick steps outside, taking a path far away from the crowd gathered in the streets. It didn't take long before he could see the hardware store of his dreams, across an empty street. Jonah was foolish enough to leave everything with the others, and he would be forced to enter the store without any tools. If there was a theft alarm, it could attract zombies from far away. Jonah quickly moved towards the hardware store, seeing a pack of nails by the door. An idea quickly formed in his mind.

It didn't take long for him to find a glass bottle. He crushed it under his thick boots, and used the glass to slowly slice through the window. It took a long time, but he finally managed to create a small hole in the window, and used it to take out some boxes of nails. After gathering those he could quickly find, and hearing the zombies gather behind him, he started returning to the others. He waited outside the door, quietly knocking as the zombies slowly came closer to him. He was ready to fight them with his backpack, though he hoped not to use it.

[User] Hunter guessed he was too quiet on the porch, he looked to his side to see Jonah. He would speak quietly. "Hey, stay calm, stay quiet, they'll leave. Just...don't panic." Hunter would go back to staring into the darkness. "Maybe 4 of them. Not too bad, but should stay quiet at that."

[Assistant]
Jonah jumped onto the porch. He smiled after returning to the safety of the group, bringing with him a few boxes of nails. There were at least a few hundred nails, and he spread the boxes across the floor.

"That supply run went fantastic. I nailed it!"

[User]
"I hella don't think it's a wise plan," said Irene. "But they can all do what they want. If that crazy Jonah dude gets himself ripped to shreds and turned into a midnight snack, that's his issue, not mine," she informed Mary, thinking that the girl had asked her. "How's the tea?"

She jumped at the sound of a knock on the door and slowly opened the door for...oh, he was alive. And he had nails, which would absolutely come in handy! She may have thought the man was insane, but she had to give it to him- going to the hardware, stealing such valuable tools and coming back so quickly? She was impressed.

Keeping her voice critical, she said, "You'll want some rest after that adventure."

[Assistant]
"I don't want rest. I want food, now! And I think I deserve some, although I wouldn't trust myself doing the cooking right now..."

Jonah slowly walked to the couch, and closed his eyes when he reached it.

"I need rest, but want food. I think that's what I tried to say..."

Jonah continued, before closing his eyes again.

[User] Hunter would stay on the porch outside, He preferred it alone. Maybe it was the fact he was still learning to trust these new people. Maybe it was because he felt safer alone. Who knows. Though that tea was good. Hunter wouldn't mind some more, but he's already in debt to Irene enough. Maybe he can give her something from his supplies when he grabs them in the morning.

[Assistant] Mary smiled at Irene's temperament. She had no filter but Mary liked that. She sipped quietly from her tea and looked around the room. The situation she was in was odd and unexpected, and she wasn't surw what to say or do. She nodded to the soldier as he left towards the porch, knowing she had to be guard too. She was petit and small so she doubted if they trusted her with that task. As the soldier limped out, it caught her attention again that maybe he was wounded. She should ask him later. Looking back at Irene again, she smiled a little.

[User]
Hunter did go out on watch, though he also left part way through the night. He was limping his way back to Irene's house with his Rifle in hands and the rest of his gear on his back. Took a good while to find his pistol but he did, it was now in his holster. He figured the best way to get keep the weapons was to act like he had them all along just didn't let on.

When Hunter got back it was almost Dawn. He took aim with his rifle on an infected not to far outside Irene's house, he would fire the weapon but the shot was suppressed. Hunter had the suppressor, he just didn't use it well traveling, only when he planned to stay in one place for longer then a day or two. He guessed that he was going to stay for a while.

Hunter knocked on the front door to avoid causing a panic. He tried to act as non hostile as possible, he had been an ass the day before but that was mainly out of fear. He trusted these people enough that he didn't need to be ready to fight them all the time.

[Assistant]
Irene opened the door and glared like a bear that had been woken in mid-hibernation before standing aside and letting Hunter inside. "How'd it go? And if you stepped on my plants, you're dead. Like, in the ground. I live on those. Sleep anywhere, by the way. Except for my room. I don't want your sans-deodorant male musk stinking up any more of my house than it is already." She brushed off her apron and checked the water bucket, then looked outside at the sky. It would be light soon.

"Don't rip each other to shreds while I'm weeding and watering," she added. Irene wanted to make it as obvious as possible that if she was going to have guests, she was the boss.