[System]
Age: Unknown(Looks to be in her twenties)
Gender: Female
Species: Demon Queen
Powers/Abilities:She can transform herself to look like anyone or anythingWhenever someone with a weaker will than her own looks into her eyes, they fall under her control.The longer a thrall is under her control, the more 'devilish' they will appear to others.(Orange/Red eyes, Grayish skin, horns on head, wings. In that order.)Her six senses(Touch, Sight, Hearing, Taste, Smell, and Spiritual Sensing) are all enhanced.She is easily three times as strong and twice as fast as a normal man.She can survive extreme heat, cold, and pressure. Along with being able to survive low or high oxygen.
Appearance:Backstory: The original wife of Adam, the true first woman. She was created from the earth just as her husband, but while he was made of pure dust, she was made of the mud and soot. She was happy and content to live in the garden, but when Adam wanted to lie with her, she could not understand why she had to be under him. After all, were they not formed of the same earth by God? She fled from the garden and escaped to the Red Sea, an area filled with demons. Adam called upon god, and when Angels came to take her back she refused. The angels, in turn, attempted to drown her in the waters. As the waters filled her lungs, her soul was transformed and her body changed to match. She slew the demons and swore she would kill all those in Adam and Eve's blood line. She herself had produced monstrous creatures with the demons, and monstrous humans with the children of Adam.
After so many years of being alive, she has seemingly given up on wanting to kill all mortals, instead wishing her own blood line, the very supernaturals she has started the school for, to be closer to herself.
Friends/Family: All natural born supernaturals.
Crush/Relationships: Adam(Divorced/Deceased), Rebecca Valentine(Fling)
Other: She hates fast food, and considers it to be worst form of nutrition.

[User]
Athena

Athena watches as the stain is removed from her clothing "Thank you, mistress Lilith" She turns bright red as she is touched "True, but I should always be prepared for your appearance" She puts her hand to your cheek as you taste her embarrassment "So?... What do I owe the pleasure of your presence?" She drinks her tea that you removed from her clothes, not really caring that it was previously a stain.

[Assistant]
Hailstorm

Mathigyle

First two bright orbs, and then a set of teeth. They floated in the darkness for a moment, a nearby candle only illuminating what appeared to be a faint, grey outline. Then, the rest of his ghastly form appeared before you, as if spontaneously, separate from the ghoulish maw you saw before. Were it beast or man? The undead smiled at you wolfishly, but were you sheep? His short, crooked arms managed to creak and motion side to side. It was waving at you. Unsettlingly so, but a greeting nonetheless.

"Hm, yes, hello, late but very well." Mathigyle mumbled and tumbled through his robes, searching for something. He unveiled an usually large, rustic key: you'd believe it to be for a castle or some sort of ancient treasure gate. "I am to give out the men's keys. Down the left hall, three quarters of the way up the spire. I believe your roommate is in..." The lich looked about, that ghoulish smile still upon his face. "For now..." His gaze turned back to you. His demeanor was odd at best, and you honestly couldn't get a read for how friendly this unusual greeting was. "Please, do consider Alchemicals 101 as an introductory course. It, uh, will be worth your while. Hm. Yes," Mathigyle mumbled to himself, gently placing the freezing key in your hands. Yes, hadn't it gotten suddenly more chilling in the air? Mathigyle shuffled away, his dark grey robes coalescing with the darkness. "Oh, and do stay away from that darkness." Mathigyle waves a withered arm behind him as it vanished before you. You were alone again, or so you believed, key in hand to do whatever you wished. Much warmer now, how nice. How comforting.

[User]
Wilhelm Wondered to him self as he watched the being apeare from semingly nowhere. This must be the lich teacher. Definitely a character but not close to scaring. Ive seen worse in the other realms that he's not the worst. But I should play along don't want to upset him. As the lich begins to fade out agian. "Um thank you." quickly spinning on his heels and starting toward his room.

Upon reaching his room Wilhelm opens the door and walks in.

[Assistant] Fafnir would roll over a bit in his slumber, golden coins falling off his bed as his body began to become submerge in the moderate sized heap he has made. His wings laid flatly on the coins and bed

[User] Rei walked into her room and looked around to observe it. She wondered if the headmistress would allow her to paint the walls blue instead of the boring beige color that was currently there. After she placed her things onto one of the beds, she pulled off her shoes and smoothly slid her sock covered feet across the floor, stopping at the window and sitting down next to it. She placed her elbows on the windowsill and rested her head on her hands. She looked outside, noticing that it had gotten quite dark. She looked up at the sky and stared at the moon, not really having anything on her mind. She had planned on just watching the night sky until she got tired. She placed a piece of strawberry candy in her mouth before looking outside and doing nothing more.

[Assistant]
Unable to sleep, as there was a lot on my mind, My eye gave lumination to the room in the form of a red dim inferno from my its opening. By now I had tossed and turned over my own heap that my treasure was either splashed across the floor, or surrounding and burying my large and well fit body. I'd slither out of bed, grumbling as I started to collect all the pieces of gems and metals of mine that had spilled over the bed. It has been a while since I even had a proper bed. As I retrieved my fallen, precious items, I looked around the room. The furniture, beige walls, plastered in such material that while not hard, offered a truly solid and simple geometric room. There was something more pleasing in this then the castle towers and dungeons I have been in, or the caverns I have dwelled through. As I appreciated my new lair, I would count every single piece I pick up, placing them back on the bed.

Finishing my collecting, id stand back up to appreciate my treasure spilled again over my bed. However a frown would creep on my face as I analyzed the heap. Centuries of counting and getting to know my collection, I immediately noticed a gem was missing. Id urgently turn and inspect the room, finding no trace of it. Desperation filled me, with a snap of my fingers my armor, laid about on the floor, would vanish in white light before reappearing already equipped to my body. Id open my door with a loud thud, my urgency increasing. Looking at the stair case I saw th very gem I lost, a blue cylinder transparent gem, that had a faint glowing property. Id run to reach for I but my urgency caused me to miss, tripping over the gem and tumbling down the spiral stair case with a serious of loud noises and thuds following each fall, the metal armor and great weight of my body being the contributing factors to the sound. Id continue to fall and tumble until a reached the bottom of the spire, hurdled against the wall.

[User]
Lilith smiles at the girl's flustering, sitting down at the seat across from her and relaxing, "I have been bored...lessons do not start until tomorrow. So, I decided to visit you and make sure that you are settling in just fine." Her eyes roam over the girl as she motions for her to sit, "So, how has your settling in been?" She asks, not truly caring, but wanting to put the girl at ease before tomorrow.

Athena

[Assistant]
Athena

Athena smiles back nervously as she watches Lilith sit across from her "Oh well that makes sense.. Well setting in has been alright, but Im not sure if you want me to have my tail as we have human students would feel uncomfortable?" Her eyes shine "Well It would also help if I knew what subject you wanted me to teach, mistress". Athena placed her mug down "Other than that I am fine, mistress"

[User]
Lilith chuckles softly, "If the students even so much as mention your tail, tell me." She says with a smile, before standing up, "As for the subject...I don't care. My plan is already developing beautifully." She takes out a necklace and hands it to the girl, "Wear this for your protection." She turns and walks out the door without another word.

Athena

[Assistant]
???

Your back hit the cold stone at the bottom of the spire, producing an echo down the hallway. A candle in the distance flickered. Another flicker, from a closer candle. A trick of the eyes? You wondered if your mind played games with you as you swore the area around you became more dark. The candles seemed to dim Difficult to see now. Shadows crept closer, or was that the wind shifting the flame of candles. Your primal instincts screamed the longer you sat there motionless, nothing staring back at you.

[User] looking around in utter darkness, nothing but my eye and dim candles providing light, neither of which provided sufficient light to end this darkness. Not even the lightless catacombs I had to march through express this much, innate paranoia. The darkness here in this building was like no other. I wasn't about to give up a piece of my collection for mere childish fear. Though id be a bit nervous id stand upright, fixing my helmet, and would go back up the stairs. finding my gem on a step, I quickly picked it up and went back into my room as fast as I could, the cold dark spire was not a place I was comfortable with, whether id admit it or not

[Assistant]
Athena

Athena giggles and blushes "I-i-i will mistress" She was confused by the sudden change of attitude towards the school.. But on the other hand you are the demon queen. "Oh okay... Hmm, Ill think of something before class starts" She takes the necklace and nods slowly "Ill wear it.... Bye" She looks back at the necklace and feels it's presence, which gave her an idea for a subject. She quickly gets to studying for her class she is going to teach

[User]
Avary continued walking, not even fazed by the disembodied voice, he continued walking, until he got to a wall with a small crack that let him see into, the headmistress' office! This is too good.
He watched the Headmistress give another person, presumably a teacher, an amulet.
He then got a chill, not the kind from before with the voice, but the kind that told him a demon was near.
"Uh-oh, better get back to my room before I'm noticed to be missing by that Lich or something else." Avary said, turning around and walking back to his dorm.

[Assistant] Returning to my room, I sighed in relief. Though my room was only lit by my eye its foundations were much more comforting and didn't give me a dangerous impression. However once I got comfortable anger would surge through. "How could I? The great and almighty Fafnir, be intimated by mere darkness?!" I thought to myself allowed, clenching my fists before throwing the gem on the bed. "Impossible, surely it was just the cold conditions, nothing scares a dragon, let alone a knight." I grumbled, giving myself false reassurance and lies of my greatness. As I began to lie to myself, I would sprawl back over my treasure horde, more careful of it as I didn't want it to spill again.

[User] My eye awoken to the sound of the door opening, Gleaming like a bonfire in the night. "Who dares trespass in my lair?!" I exclaimed as the rustle of golden coins falling and clashing rang through the room. Sitting ontop of my treasure horde with my tail protectively guarding its borders. I glared at the newcomer as a puff of smoke exhaled from my nostrils, studying him with a stern expression. The heat in this very room had increased drasticly, so much so one could swear they were standing under summer heat.

[Assistant]
"Is it me or is hot in here? Haha, well this is also my room apparently, and I'd appreciate if you didn't ask where I was. Goodnight." Avary said tiredly, then flopped down on the nearest bed.
"And I saw you talking to the lich before, I admire you were able to keep your cool against it."

[User] At first I was enraged and untrusting towards this, this boy, entering, sharing my room, my lair! Had I not been seeking acceptance and society I would have incinerated him in a heart beat, however I remained silent and vigilante, seeing him just flop over, and even complimenting me before falling asleep. His flattery allowed me to settle, tolerating his presence enough to let him sleep in peace. I would do the same, laying over my pile of treasure and shutting my eyes once more.

[Assistant]
Morning
Lilith walks out of her office and looks down the dorm hallways. She raises her hand and the doors unlock before swinging inside, cold air from the rooms meeting the warm air of the corridor. "Students...it is time for class." She says, quietly yet loud, her voice echoing through the doorway of every room. She walks down the hallway to the door at the other end, stepping inside...before the door disappears with no trace physically or magically that there was ever a door.


[System]
* Like black clouds at the edge of the sky, men need only see Hrífa to know he is dangerous, and at least half-mad. His eyes, dull grey, are wild and animal, and they betray the stillness of his tongue; for he speaks seldom, except in selfish little murmurs and mumbles, always seeming to tell himself a story.
* He was declared a níðingr many years ago for the practice of witchcraft. He has been accused too of using poisons, a coward's tools, to settle a feud; though they say that about most seiðmenn.

Before that he was trusty with a spear, and though few songs told of his exploits in battle, even hardy warriors came instinctively to fear the beast which slumbers within that slender body. They've probably heard too many campfire rumors, which are sure to be exaggerated—probably. In any case, the king never bothered to exile him not because he was to be feared, but because he never really hurt anyone; his social ostracism drove him beyond the village, where he delighted himself with masturbation, fishing, and of course, conversation with the draugar and other spirits.

[User]
Ásdís was taken aback by those words. Forsaken? She was not forsaken! Surely she was untested...It was true...But only because no one had deemed her worthy of testing. That was purely a miscalculation on THEIR part, not hers!

Looking about she finally realized that many felt the same way as their Chieftain: that this was a gamble. Feeling her cheeks flush with displeasure Ásdís had the misfortune to look in the direction of her father and see the same discontented look in his features.

Even he did not think she would succeed!

Ásdís was spared the opportunity to speak out against the naysayers as a mother in the back finally cried out "And what of our children!? Who will tend to the fields if they do not return?" Many around the woman, more mothers, nodded in agreement.

[Assistant]
Fjalfar searched the crowd desperately for this outburst. As the whispers and mumbles around her grow bolder, they worked to obfuscate her voice; but he saw her, and he smiled. Amidst his sharp and manly features the warmth of his smiling cheeks could strike some off balance.

"'Who,' indeed," he murmured, quietly enough that he may have said it only to himself. "Yet no matter who we send, we may find salvation or doom. Only the gods can know. I am blind to the ways of fate, and so I must throw my lot, and make my gamble. I will pray; I will make my sacrifices to Óðinn; and then I will send them forth."

He knew she was right, even if she wasn't; that wary old mother, who cared far too much for the welfare of her child (as all mothers ought). But so was he. It was a risk, but so was sending the raiders, or sending no one whatever. When night set upon this story, only the valkyries could judge his soul's worth; only the nornir could say whether his choice was wise.

Abruptly, through the tumultuous resistance of the mead-hall's naysayers, his hand lashed viper-like from his bosom. "Rise up, heroes! I want to see who among you seek the glories of other lands."

[User]
Just as Ásdís was wondering if the old woman had been right, was she abandoning her people to seek glory only for herself? Was she ultimately being selfish and a coward by not staying and helping…? Fjalfar's words had her instantly on her feet.

She wanted to be a hero so badly, to be more than just Ásdís , to be more than just a small girl in a family with many girls. Was that so wrong?

The grim look of determination in Ásdís' eyes made Adlif feel some relief. Ásdís was clever enough, bold enough. She'd fare well...She'd survive surely and bring honor to her own name. And then the wandering and the wondering would end and his last child would know her place in the world.

This might be a fool's mission but that did not mean Ásdís could not find her way. Uncomfortably Adlif nodded in acquiescence to his daughter's wishes, trying to find pride for this choice but finding only misgivings.

Uneasily Adlif watched as his daughter strode up to the gaggle of youth and the likes forming around Fjalfar, she was smaller than many, her shoulders and hips narrower, her arms slender in her plain wool dress. Immediately Adlif had the urge to rush forward, to grab Ásdís by the neck and haul her back home. She was too rash! Too young! Too small! She couldn't do this.

Grappling with his own insecurities Adlif stood unmoving, braced against the wall.

Be reasonable… He told himself. Ásdís was not the youngest nor the smallest. She was a woman grown really, she was no fool. Surely she was over zealous at times and passion gripped her tightly, but his daughter was capable of more than just wandering around the pastures, chatting with the swine…

Ásdís herself had none of these worries or doubts. Their great leader asked for heros and she had stepped forward, pride bursting from every pore of her.

[Assistant]
Too far away to properly hear the chieftain—though it was something vaguely related to ships and sailing, Hrífa knew—he squinted, as if his hearing and his vision were somehow symbiotic; he leaned back and forth in his seat, trying to look past all the bare heads and skullcaps and bonnets, too. He decided he needed to get closer, and as he stood, he was the second person to do so, after a particular spunky farm-girl. But as there came a third, a fourth, a tenth, and beyond, it struck Hrífa as just mildly odd.

I suppose the chieftain needs to speak louder, he thought; look at how many people couldn't hear his speech! Even a few from the front!

The chatter of the crowd did not grant the chieftain any boons in that regard, naturally.

Hrífa was going to slip along the wall and catch the chieftain's words from a sideline vantage, but as these children and ne'er-do-wells gathered in the center of the mead-hall, near the hearth, he realized he probably ought to fit in. Further, he feared the hound-like bloodthirst of that huskarl, who would suspect him perhaps of trying to get too close.

As he joined the crowd he pushed along its side, hoping to be close enough, or else getting up at all was a damned waste, he knew. By happenstance Ásdís acknowledged his presence before he hers, and without having to turn around…

[User]
Ásdís initially pleased to have been the first to stand and join the chieftain was now slightly vexed by the press of bodies around her, easing back she found more space and glanced around. A tall man was near her. She didn't recognize him immediately and wondered how that could be, their tribe was not so large as to not know one another, at least by sight.

These thoughts did not trouble Ásdís much and she smiled excitedly up at the fellow who, since he was in the queue to join the ship, would be her fellow shipmate.

"I am going to make a great warrior!" She proclaimed breathlessly, cheeks hot with a flush and eyes wide. Feeling generous in the moment she added "You will too." and clapped the man, her brother in arms, on the arm.

[Assistant]
Hrífa needed a moment to realize the girl was talking to him; he'd seen her face, pretty and just slightly plump, in his sharp peripherals, and as he turned to face her, he blinked. It took much too long to blink, as he squinted his eyes and pried them open again in jagged motions, as if coercing them from his own body.

"That's nice!" said the Rat-eater, and she sensed no sarcasm in his enthusiastic reply; nor did he intend any. "Is that what the crowd is about?" He tried to gesture sweepingly around him but found he lacked the room. He only ended up bumping someone in the back, which thankfully this person appeared not to notice; for indeed, they were smashing themselves all up toward the throne like a longship dashed on the rocks jutting from the sea.

[User]
Ásdís gaped at the man for a moment before a jubilant laugh escaped her. Too loud and too harsh, neighbors turned to glare at the noise but quickly turned away. How could he not know what he was signing up for!?

Grinning at the silliness of it all Ásdís ignored the press of bodies forcing her closer and closer to her companions. On the ship they'd be this close anyway; quarters would be tight.

"Of course that is what we are lining up for!" She piped eagerly. "Honor! Bravery! A chance to win our names and shields…" She had a dreamy look in those bright round eyes, as if being strapped into a wooden death trap was the finest thing she could ever dream.

Adlif had lost track of his daughter for a moment, only a moment. But when he found her again she was socializing with the seiðmann of all people! The damnable girl was too friendly, too trusting! Had she no brain? No wits?

"Ásdís!" He shouted above the den, determined to tell her that no daughter of his would consort with a witch. But the dozy redhead was animatedly gesticulating to her companion, pushed closer and closer to the man as the crowd around her compressed. Of her father's cries she heard naught.

"Isn't it glorious?" She wanted to know, beaming up at her companion. "I've never left home before…" The smallest frowns curved her lips as a knot of worry gripped Ásdís tightly. But just was quickly as it came it was gone, replaced with good natured enthusiasm. "Have you?"

[Assistant]
"Once or twice," the Rat-eater said. "There are lots of trees and rocks." He appeared sincerely convinced that this detailed description would be of value to her.

He was peering over his shoulder now; if he was not already so drained of his colorful humors, he would have been seen to pale in his epiphany. He had realized, at last, that as he stood, in his current predicament, he was volunteering to become a raider, and to earn oníðingr status through blood, steel, and the salt of the crooning sea. Strangely this prospect did not excite him much—mayhap he had acclimated to hermeticism, and in fact had grown quite fond of all the privacy and silence he commanded all for himself—but as he tried to push back through the crowd, he found that he could not.

"Oh—oh, dear."

The people behind him prevented his escape. Like a finger-trap toy, he could enter but not leave, not without great struggle. And suddenly it was already too late to leave, for Fjalfar had thrown out his arms in a great embrace for all his saviors.

"Today the ship is packed and loaded. Tomorrow she raises her sail, and embarks for the kingdom of the Franks!"

Probably too few people cheered, clapped, and otherwise celebrated for Ásdís' tastes; for Hrífa it was far too many. The cruel reality had struck him that he just made an oath, and to break it might earn him a proper outlawry, ousted from his little home in the woods, driven away from all his animal friends! As most of the crowds left, the heroes were ordered to stay, and meet their new captain.

"Well, I was good with a spear once," Hrífa said to his new friend. His smile was not very assuring, but he clearly seemed eager to take his situation in stride.

[User]
Adlif shifted uncomfortably on his feet as the rest of the people started filtering out of the mead-house. It was expected he would as well. If he stayed and warned Ásdís off her current companion the contrary creature was likely to disobey him purely to prove she could.

If he left, and let her learn on her own the erroneous nature of her choices…

But it was not in her father to just let his child walk alongside unsavory characters such as the witch… The crowds pulled and pushed until Adlif gave in and went with the tides of people training out of the hall. His daughter would not leave today. He still had time to tell her.

Blissfully oblivious to her companion's distress Ásdís was glad the bystanders would be leaving. She could meet their captain and make a good impression, show him she'd be a strong arm given the proper tutelage.

It did strike her as odd that the tall man was ONCE good with a spear but considered himself no longer able… For the first time she really looked at the man. He was tall to be sure, but of a more lanky set than most men she knew. His clothes sat oddly on his frame and while Ásdís wouldn't think them dirty, neither would she think them clean. She hadn't seen him limping but then she hadn't seen his approach...Perhaps he was one of the ill or crippled joining the crew?

"If you were once handy then you shall be again!" She proclaimed assuredly. "I am Ásdís Bright Eyes. I will help you regain your renown with the spear…" Her eyes narrowed in wicked humor "And you will help me distinguish between the rocks and the trees…" Her confidence while misguided was apparent, and while she barely could handle a spear with any particular effect Ásdís felt no fear of the unknown. At least not at this very moment. Perhaps a foolish trait for a girl barely into womanhood to have, but then Ásdís had never been considered particularly wise.

[Assistant]
"All right. Looks like it's time to go," said the man, looking around as the people diffused away. He did not need her approval or her permission; he started walking to the exit even before she noticed and tried to catch up.

"Wait!" she said. "Didn't you hear him? We're supposed to stay, and—!"

Hrífa had swiveled on his heels, scanning the room once more. He shrugged. "I reckon we'll get more than enough of him once we're on a boat with him. Right?"

And so he appeared to vanish; of course. Because Ásdís fancied herself a good girl, now a loyal and obedient soldier, she knew she had to stay, whether she wanted to or not. Yet eagerness nonetheless continued to imbue her actions. So she stayed, and Hrífa was gone behind the doors of the mead-hall.

Outside there were parents waiting, women armed with hugs and kisses and men with their shirts of mail, their helmets polished to a mirror sheen. If they were wealthier men they offered their adventurous relatives swords, seaxes, and good axes; if poor, these children and undesirables could only afford to take their wood axes, their sickles, and their pitchforks.

Inside, meanwhile, the last man in the mead-hall who was not plagued by níþ or by old festered wounds had stayed behind, leaning cockily against the throne still warm with Fjalfar's scent. Tall, strong, and beautifully blond, with his hair and beard done up in elaborate death-braids, he was Hralding, their new ship-captain.


[System]
* Age: 15
* Gender: Female
* Race: Satori
* Appearance: Aoi has pale green hair and matching eyes, with a light skintone. She usually wears white dresses. She's under five feet in height.
* Personality: Aoi is a sweet, sensitive girl. She's well-attuned to the feelings of others do to her fundamental nature as a Satori. The ability to read people, even restricted as it must be due to her surroundings, allows her to more easily understand the feelings of others. She's highly energetic and eats a lot of food(to the point of some questioning where she puts it all given her small size and slim frame), and has a deep affinity for things she finds cute or endearing. Cute children, cats, dogs, birds, even some fish fall within her area of "cuteness". Aoi is also quite friendly and sociable, especially if someone is willing to feed her. Or if they are small and cute. Of course, being smaller then Aoi likely means you're an actual child, or an immortal one, as she's quite small herself. Aoi does not like her "ears" touched by surprise, as they are highly sensitive and doing so is likely to make her jump.
* Abilities: As a Satori, Aoi is capable of reading the minds of others. Due to living in a highly populated area, Aoi's abilities are restricted so she may avoid being overwhelmed. In order to get clear thoughts from a single person, she must touch foreheads with them. In order to read many individuals at once, she must get up to a high location where it's "clearer" and she can cast a larger range. Her maximum range is quite wide, but processing so much information at once is difficult. As such, it's ideal to have some kind of specific information in mind when doing so. As she uses her ear-like "antenna" to read thoughts, anything interfering with them will inhibit their abilities. Satori are barely stronger or faster then a human, and Aoi has no real combat abilities to speak of.
Satori can also project images to others, but Aoi cannot do so at this time and relies on drawing what she sees if she must convey an image.
She's a rather terrible artist.
As a youkai, she is more difficult to kill then a human, but at the same time her durability is lower then most other youkai.
* Skills: Aoi has a rather vast knowledge of food, especially traditional Japanese sweets. An excellent way to tempt her is the use of mochi.
* Equipment: Aoi has no particular equipment.
* Brief Backstory: Aoi was born in the Imaginary District, the youngest daughter of a family of Satori. Unfortunately, when she was very young, nearly her entire family seemed to vanish, both parents and her older brother. The only remaining family members were Aoi herself and her older sister, Masami. As such, from a young age, Aoi was cared for by her older sister. She became increasingly curious about her family as she grew up, but as of now there's still no indication as to what truly happened. Since then, she has decided to work with the Miura Youth Organization and the police department in any way she can utilizing her abilities, in hopes to help people and to discover what happened to her family.

[User]
Ricardo Caballero.

Ricardo shuffled his feet, knowing full the awkwardness of the situation. Apparently they were introducing at eachother. And now they were thinking it was peeping. He was beginning to sweat. He really wanted to get out of there and GUN!

GUN IN HIS FACE. THIS WAS BAD. REALLY BAD! Ricardo stood wide eyed, as he thanked whatever way his brain wired that paralysis and chills had set in before he could collapse in a heap. At the very least, he didn't soil this pants. This time. Probably. No, not really soiled there. His eyes stared at his assailant, raising his face in a jerkish movement, his pupils zigzagging out of terror. Well, she was rather cute, for a teenager. At the very least that was a small consolation. And she was smiling. So adorable.

Not really, it was very off. Ricardo stopped trembling so slightly as the psychotic girl decided she was really kidding. And then let loose a potty mouth that could make a sailor proud. It was then when he picked the girl's accent, name and mannerisms.

Hello? Is this the Russian Prime Minister? I think you let loose one of your psychotic goverment assasins! You know, the kawaai as hell ones who look like Red Riding Hood! He retorted mentally.

"You're...crazy. " His physical answer was much more lame, though, what with his difficulty in adressing the opposite gender, and the mind-boggling fear that came being stared from the wrong side of a gun. "What the hell do they teach kids in Russia anyway? Why would I be interested in underage girls' underwear? I'm not japanese, for God's sake!" He finally managed to get a reaction out of his system, as he flailed a bit more. "But hey, um, help appreciated and that. Anastasia is a nice name too... there was a tale about a Tsarist descendant called that, i believe?"

His eyes, now aware of the situation a little more, looked at the other girl. Now this one was rather striking and beatiful. And sexy to boot! And also had fox features and three tails, and was summoning some kind of spirit fire. Foxfire? Yeah, that thing. "Umm, nice to meet you, Setsura-san?." He added. Fox spirits were tricky and this one had no small degree of haughtiness, but at least she hadn't flailed a live gun on his face to make a joke at his expense.

"I'm Ricardo Caballero. Yep. And earlier today I was enjoying the views of the District. I uuuh..." He trailed off, remembering his silly moment of earlier where he tried to pretend he was the Batman. "...might've dropped my wallet when taking pictures and whatnot. And this was one of the last places to check." Having talked for a while, he felt confident now, so he carried on.

"That's a handy trick, Setsura-san, but probably not the best for flammable wallets..." He scratched the back of his head, as he noticed a grate. His eyes almost popped out, as if remembering something, and he jumped face first into the offending metalwork.

"HERE IT IS! Well, that was quick. Must be because foxes bring good luck or something." He added. "Hnng, I can't reach it. My hands are too wide. Maybe..." His stomach churned, not believing his words.

"Ana, can you try to reach it?" He added. "Your hands are smaller."

[Assistant]
Seth listened to the girl talk about her missing cat trying to wonder what might have happened to the girls cat. A catnapping just seemed unlikely but it still seemed the most likely since a cat could not open a window by itself, that would require thumbs..cats with thumbs that was ridiculous even for this district.
"Do you know anyone who might steal your cat? Like do you have anyone who has a problem with you or your family?" Seth asked the girl breaking the silence of his train of thoughts to try and make tracking the cat somewhat easier.

Turning to Shina to respond to give her his conclusion so far "If the cat has been kidnapped then it could be anywhere in the district now, maybe we check with the police to see if anymore cases of cat thefts have occurred that way we can try and set up a trap for the thief but, if its a solo case then it was either random chance that this thief stole this cat or it was personal to the girl or her family." He explained his reasoning wondering if anyone else had any ideas about how to go about this since no one as rushing to throw ideas onto the table.

Well at least if it did end in a fight with a kidnapper the group could just set Shina on them Seth thought noticing that Akio had turned down Hikaru and faced away as to not try and draw attention that would lead the girl to approach him once more.

@VitaVitaAR

[User]
Mei

Strange aeons had come. A dragon impacting in the middle of the city of Miura, in the Imaginary District no less. What was next, the moon rabbits suddenly deciding to make a move to take over earth? Mei shook off the dreary thoughts, as her tricky heart beat with anticipation. A real, live, dragon. A god made flesh, finally manifesting. She had lived for centuries, but never had the opportunity to see one so up close. It was too bad that the police had taken the divine being into custody.

The old chinese fox spirit pondered if some of them had a death wish, and wanted ruin upon their descendants. A dragon's power went beyond force of nature, as far a she was told. Her entire clan was afraid of even sighting one of such creatures. Not Mei, at least not to a paralysis degree. She skipped a step with her nimble feet, as her lonesome tail (showing the other seven would've been too much of a bother) swished gracefully, her ears perked up. She was wearing her finest clothes and baubles for once, and she had even bothered to wear her bell earrings for the occassion.

And somewhat incredibly, she was grasping a full box of chocolates. Normally she wouldn't bother buying treats for others, after all, she was a freelance spirit more prone to borrow food in exchange of wise advice. But the chocolates had a reason, which soon would be unveiled...

"Miss, you can't go in there!" One of the cops chided as she scurried past, box in tow.

"Oh, shut it, you know i'm one of your good guys." The ancient spirit japed, as she jumped deftly over the attempt of blockade and persevered through the station. It was a piece of cake, really. Most people were already used to her antics, and would give her wide berth. And then she felt someone tripping up her legs. The Huli Jinn let out a yelp, and promptly fell forward... only to do a forward roll and continue anyway, the stack of chocolates neatly falling on her extended arm.

"Nice try, sunekosuri!" She chimed to the glasses lady who was defiantly trying to pin her down. And they said she was only good for paperwork! Hah! Mei smirked. "Here's your reward!" She focused...

...and the stack of papers near the other youkai became the man of her dreams. Mei was most certainly sure it had worked, given how she was flustering at a stack of papers. One last obstacle...

She opened the door in flair, examining the stance. There she was, in all her glory. Somewhat tacky of a form she had chosen to bear, halfway human. Oh, and there was a tiny thing frowning next to her. Ah yes, that small sheep demon. She smirked at him back, while she cleaned her throat.

And did a most exaggerated reverence. "Dragon-sama. It is an honor for us mortals to have you in this abode. Please forgive the crass behaviour of these policemen, and accept this humble offering." She added, offering the box of opened chocolates to the dragon. "The Kin of Coatl thinks this is a most succulent treat." She added.

Daze@ghastlyInc

[Assistant] Akio gave a shifting glance at Aoi, a bit surprised that she knew his last name. He then noticed her ears, and he realized that she must have overheard him at the MYO. He smiled at her, before responding, "Hmm. They didn't take anything but the cat?" He didn't like the sound of that, given where they were. He looked over at Hikaru, and whispered over to her, "Not to be all gloom and doom, but do you know of any residents that might eat cats?" He asked quietly. As horrible as it may be, that was a real possibility.

[User]
Aoi immediately raised her hand when Shina mentioned needing ways to find the catnapper, her 'ears' twitching. She couldn't be sure that she'd get anything useful, but just in case there was any details floating around in the little girl's mind that she couldn't quite recall at the moment, it was worth taking a look.

"I can try!" she declared, quickly. Someone stealing a cat would have to be pretty mean, wouldn't they? That meant this was something they had to deal with as quickly as they could. After all, they couldn't let a super mean person have free run with a cat! She swiftly came forward without waiting for a response. She had to help, after all!

The little girl looked upwards, thoughtful for a few moments, at Seth's question. After a pause, she shook her head.

"I don't know who would want to take Himeko-chan..." she said with a sigh, "She doesn't do anything bad or anything! She's a really good cat!"

It was about then that Aoi came to a halt next to the both of them.

"Mii-chan," she said, recalling the girl's name from initially hearing about the incident, "Hold still, okay?"

Mii, for a few moments, was completely distracted by Aoi's twitching 'ears', but after a moment she nodded. With that, Aoi leaned down a little to press her forehead against the little girls. A faint light seemed to emanate from her antenna as she began to receive thoughts. Memories of trying to find Himeko, trying to contact the MYO... and there. There was the moment that Mii discovered her cat was missing in the first place. As seen through Mii's eyes. Aoi took in as much as she could, searching for any details that the little girl might recall, but not at the moment, or anything she might have thought wasn't relevant...

"... There!"

Aoi leaned back, leaving Mii slightly confused about what just happened.

"It looks like the window was opened from the inside!" she declared, "Since it had been locked!"

For a few moments, the little girl was quiet, confused, and then she nodded rapidly. "That's right! It was locked!"

That must have meant that the culprit had access to the house...


[System]
Age: 25

Gender: Male

Appearance:

Abilities:[Blood Of Fafnir]
Fafnir was once an Elder Beast of fire and might that ruled over a Clan of Giants with brute force alone. Upon slaying the beast; Sir Sigurd von Reinhardt took Fafnir's strength as his own, the ancient Dragon's stolen might becoming inherent to House Reinhardt for generations to come. This power; bound to the Reinhardt bloodline, often manifests as a birthmark in the shape of Fafnir's final wound and located over the heart.

[Peak Human]
Though his sheer strength alone makes Reinhardt capable of crushing stone with his bare hands, his other physical capabilities are top-tier when compared to his fellow man.

[Magic Sense]
Despite having no magical ability of his own, Reinhardt is decently capable at detecting the flow and presence of magic.

[Expert Swordsman]
Though not among the best swordsmen in the land of Albion, the countless hours of practice Reinhardt has put into his swordsmanship can hardly be disregarded.

[The Unbreakable]
Due to Reinhardt's tendency to return from battles unscathed, rumors would suggest the man's skin to be impenetrable by normal means... However true such a thing might be-- no one quite knows for certain.

Recent events have revealed that there may be more to Reinhardt's seeming invulnerability than it would at first seem....

History:Reinhardt. The name of a knightly house that has served the people of Albion since the rule of it's first king. A house renowned for producing heirs of unmatched physical might and tenacity-- as well as some of the most legendary beast slayers Albion has ever known. Charged with eliminating threats in the Northeastern territories of the kingdom, House Reinhardt upheld its oath to protect the people of Albion even centuries after the King had met his end.

But every vigil is destined to end eventually.

Through the countless years of fighting beasts and brigands and Fomorians alike, the overwhelming strength of the once great house was whittled away bit by bit. Constant fighting against tireless enemies slowly drained the House's numbers, ancient heirlooms were lost, stolen, or destroyed, what little crop the territories could muster was consumed just as fast as it could be produced. By the time Elias Reinhardt had come into the world, his mother, father, and uncle were the last of the Reinhardt line; the walls of their once venerable Castle Reinhardt crumbling and the many chambers within it's halls left dirty, and unkempt.

Even as the end loomed over what remained of house Reinhardt, the Lord of the house; ever dutiful to the people of Albion, still raised Elias as a knight. At age eight, Elias was was taught to wield a sword. At ten, he was taught to hunt. At fourteen he learned how to harvest useful materials from the bodies of beasts. At sixteen the young man was Knighted, and at eighteen the young warrior even managed to successfully drive off a great vulture; an Elder beast of misfortune, from the Northeastern territories.

At twenty-two years old, the young Elias Reinhardt was dispatched to face the most dangerous foe he'd ever faced. A Tuathan scholar that had been studying the nature a Fey artifact that had been discovered in the region had been driven mad by the twisted magics of the Unseelie, and threatened to make the lands of the Northeastern territories even more of a wasteland than they already were. For ten moons the Knight fought the mage; their battle raging without repose through night and day alike...

It is said that the young Reinhardt; though his armor and weapon had been broken beyond repair, returned to Castle Reinhardt without so much as a scratch... But forever changed.

Now the young knight travels South to the town of Airedale, carrying a letter addressed to the one rumored capable of saving the land; the very king his family had once so faithfully served.
Anything else: * Elias is the first of house Reinhardt to leave the Northeastern territories since the end of the first King's reign.
* Despite his family's reputation as beast hunters, Elias himself seems to avoid people associated with the elder beasts.
* Elias has a tendency to accidentally break his weapons.
* The Reinhardt family birthmark often gives off a dull orange glow that intensifies proportional to physical effort.

[User]
Luna thought on it and studied the map herself. "I agree with you here, Your Highness. With the gate destroyed we have an excellent place to assault. A perfect plan here for me... We take a few men to watch the gates whilst we assault to ensure none escape. First, I announce myself and get their attention at the destroyed gate. So long as that Fomorian doesn't show up again I'll be more than capable to fight. Fio, you stay out of sight and up high above if you can manage. Once enough of the enemies show their faces, I trust you know what to do. Niall, since you are able to overcome the walls easily, you wait until I start and drag their attention away and then you start to clean up from the other gate. Her Majesty has humbly requested that there be no survivors and I intend to show no mercy." The Knightess of Lightsword said, her face looking stern.

She made a soft sigh. "Of course, Niall, Fio... Should you have any objections or additions, I would very much like to hear them. We are equals after all, and I would love any input." Luna gave a small smile at the two.

[Assistant]
"Hmph. Normally I would object to simply assuming I agree with your plan," began Fio, leaning back in her seat and folding her arms, "But I can't exactly object to my own suggestion."

Indeed, getting up high and out of sight and taking the enemy by surprise had been her immediate thought on sight of the location where they would be conducting battle. She could devastate their forces at range, and unless they had sufficient magical protection there wasn't much they would be able to do about it. That Fomorian they had fought the before was a concern, but the Sword Witch was confident that she would have no trouble eradicating the enemy if she stayed out of reach and simply kept hammering down on them with magic.

"As long as you lure them out, I assure you not a single one will survive," continued the petite witch, a small smirk on her lips. She felt nothing but self-assurance. She would utterly obliterate the enemy and leave not a single one of them standing. They would not be able to harm anyone else ever again.

@Rune_Alchemist@FrogRFlowR

[User]
After being told that the Tuathan male he rescued was known to them from before and not as a friend, Niall was remorseful. Although he couldn't blame himself for desiring to save someone, innocent or not, from the terrible fate the formorians would have given him, he wished he knew or that he at least could have brought him back here.

"A sound plan." Niall simply answered to Luna and Fio's input. "I would take a few men, if possible, and open the second gate once you begin your assault and after Fio's ambush. If we all go into the camp, we can clear it out like Luna said. The men can handle those that would flee. However, we have to be wary. There is the Female formorian that could spell trouble, as well as a bandit that was bigger than the others and stronger too. Annagan was his name, I believe. Slow, but powerful."

Niall took hold of his lance and looked towards the queen for approval of their plans and if they had leave to go prepare and execute.

Fio seemed so sure of herself, and Luna, with her passion, made Niall at ease despite his crippling lack of social experience with other humans in a 'normal' setting. Compared to those two, he could seem a bit 'narrow' and cold, but it was not intended.

"I look forward to serving with you both again." was all he could muster to say in an attempt to pitch in this social interaction.

[Assistant]
Location:
Southern Giants Rest
Lightsword base -> Bandit camp, early morning.
@FrogRFlowR@Pyromania99

---

"I see." Sorcha smiled ever so slightly. "Well, if you are all in agreement then I shall take my leave. A simple bandit like him should not prove too troublesome to you all. As these are your soldiers, then, Luna, I shall hand over the operation of this assault to you. Now if you'll excuse me," She turned to leave, motioning for Gabriel to follow. "Prisoner. Now."

"U-uh right." Eager to get away from Luna, Gabriel followed behind the queen. This now just left the three of them to gather their soldiers, put their plan into motion, and then assault the base. It would probably be a bad idea for Luna to take more than a handful of soldiers with her, there was no telling if those bandits would come back or not. Still, it was up to her how many men to take and whether or not to leave many at the base.

The Queen was there, after all. There wasn't much of a chance something could go wrong, right?

"Oh, and, one more thing," The queen stopped just short of leaving the door as she'd turn briefly back to her knights. "Remember. We also are looking for evidence as to who these bandits and fomorians are both. I don't care how you do it, but bring me some useful information."

---

As Luna, Fio, and Niall approached the base they would have enough distance for any scouts to see that the bandits had indeed fortified the smashed gate in the time they had. Not enough to completely close it, but enough to set a few wooden walls and other defensive structures to curtail the efforts of a large scale potential assault, likely they were expecting the full might of the Lightsword forces soon.

A number of bandits were scurrying around outside, hefting and constructing more structures, trying to build the wall in as little amount of time as possible in a vain attempt to finish before they were assaulted. Needless to say lookouts were also present, keeping watch for any immediate signs of the Lightsword or any other army coming to deal with them.

No sign of the fomorian or the one named Annagan either. No telling where they were at, though they were likely hiding in the structure somewhere, waiting for things to start or overseeing their little base here.

Otherwise, the base was exactly the same as Niall had left it last night. Bandits stood upon the palisades, armed and ready. It was just a matter now of starting the assault and executing the queens orders.

No survivors.

Not a single one.

[User]
Well, the troop was here now. Luna had handpicked some of the soldiers that she knew were competent, in fact, a couple of them were there the day she had met the Queen for the first time and that was a hellish day to be sure. But she picked them because she could trust them to clean up in a worst case scenario. She had already discussed their role with them in this. While it might not be the most honorable job, it was the one she had left the them.

She took a breath and took her steps forward. She needed to start this assault according to plan. This isn't the most dangerous thing she had done. No. With confidence she moved forward, sword at her side and shield at hand. As she came into sight of those on the palisades, she held a spear of light in her hand and threw it hard, aiming as she could past the gate. Though it didn't matter too much. There was more than enough time for her allies to position themselves. All Lady Lightsword needed to do was make an announcement. And she had no better way to do so than with that spear. As it eventually embedded itself and stopped it's movement, Luna caused it to explode into a bright and disorientating light. If one were outside, it would be hard to miss.

"Come fight me, bandit wretches! If you thought a full force of soldiers were needed to rid this land of your kind, you have thought wrong!" Luna said, beckoning them all to her. She reached to her sword and freed it from the confines of its sheath all whilst applying her light coating magic to it. "Come, I challenge each and every one of you to come win a battle you cannot!" There was a dread sense of confidence to the knight as she stood, ready for the arrows and foot soldiers to come charging.

[Assistant]
If the trip down was bad-- the return trips were always worse.

Every time he died, no lingering injury would heal until Elias' soul returned from the underworld.

In other words-- Reinhardt would experience his death twice over; once when he would fall, and once upon his return.

The sensation that the knight would be met with upon his ejection from the underworld was an agony like nome he'd ever experienced.

It was like being trapped in a void. Unable to move. Unable to see. Unable to scream.

And despite being trapped in such deprivation; he could feel everything. The crawling itch of tissues reforming fiber by fiber. The stinging of muscle and organ exposed to open air. The burn of lung; starving for even a single breath--

Before his eyelids could even finish reforming, the Knight had already rolled onto his hands and knees; retching from the waves of nausea and pain that accompanied such a horrific return.

Trembling, Reinhardt forced himself to stand; wiping his mouth with a soot-covered arm as he surveyed his surroundings. There wasn't a sign of his allies nor the Wyvern-- only a single sword planted in the earth beside him.

His eyes rose to scan the horizon-- settling on a distant plume of smoke. The Knight's face contorted into a firm scowl as his fingers wrapped the hilt of the single sword that remained in the scorched section of woodland.

It seemed there was still a dragon to slay.


[System]
Appearance: "What, can't you just look at me and take some notes? No? Alright fine. Reptilian, green scales, spikes trailing from the top of the head down to the end of the tail. Usual outfit of a hooded long-sleeve shirt, pants with a hole for the tail, no shoes. That good enough for ya?"

Species Name & Description: "Last I heard the going name for us was 'Reptiloids.' There's a bunch of us out here, enough to have several different factions. Not sure most of us came from the same planet originally, actually.

Favourite Side Dish: "I..uhh..whaddaya call the little yellow sweet bits? Starts with a C...cake? No...car? No, that ain't it...Corn! Yeah, corn!"

Useful Skills & Abilities: "I'm a pretty decent pilot. Used to run cargo for a bigger shipping company, before they got bought out. Had to sell my ship recently to get some cash flowing again, but my skills still hold up."

Membership Number: "%XYN)p(Xf@vlv)fL. Yes, I know there's no actual numbers in it. Don't ask me, I just read it off the back o' this badge.

An Inspirational Quote That Sums Up The Character's Personality: "A wise, long-dead human once said 'Life is like a sewer… what you get out of it depends on what you put into it.' I gotta say that you humans sure know how to make a guy laugh."

History: "Oh, you want my story? My WHOLE story? Well sit back, and get comfortable, cause its gonna be a long one..."

[User]
Save for the speedy work done by Vanessa, very little food was coming out from behind the counter, and some of the other customers were beginning to voice their disdain by politely asking the beleaguered waiter-bots about their food, or loudly commenting about the terrible review they were giving the place on SpaceBook or, in the case of the government-in-exile of the Jolly Junta sat in booth twelve, declaring that they'll annex the whole system if they don't get their ribs soon. These were, of course, idle threats. The military might of the Jolly Junta was eclipsed by the vehicles sitting outside the restaurant, and the number of customers trying to access SpaceBook gummied up the local network.

 Guerlaghiix And The Flaughjinks were not too pleased about the lack of service either and, seeing Booth Seven get their food was like waving a red flag to a Henderson's Mega Bull. Dangerous, but also kind of amusing, owing to the lack of coordination endemic to that breed. Guerlaghiix rose from his seat, and kept on rising. He was tall, and spindly with it, as if some cruel genetic engineer had gone out of their way to create the gangliest looking pan-humanoid possible as part of a dare. It had many of the features an alien spotter would associate with a pan-humanoid; two arms, two legs, a slight pot belly to the stomach region and a face that played host to various sensory features. Guerlaghiix had two holes for where eyes ought to go, but only one eye to share between them, as the other was covered up with an oily rag that served, just about, as an eyepatch. His singular eye did, however, allow him to condense two eyes worth of malice and downright grumpiness into one. He was skinny, lacking in muscles and completely unarmed, but he did have a cool leather jacket with a patch on the back that read "Guerlaghiix & The Flowjinks", and that sort of apparel tended to inspire a misplaced confidence in the best, and worst, of people.

 "What's this? Queue jumpers, eh," his voice was difficult to hear, on account of how his head was brushing against the high ceiling and, spotting the newsletter, he snorted, sending a fine cloud of mucus and snot into the air above the crew, "and Space Friends too! What're a bunch of..."

 Guerlaghiix tried to think of an appropriate insult, but it was quite obvious that no single catchy word could be used to encompass the diverse members of the Quest For Flavour, and it had him momentarily stumped. Impulse control and forward planning were two traits bred out of their species at an early point. This was in part because they were indeed created as something of a joke, a point which made the species even more antagonistic and just a little bit more ridiculous.

 "...friends up to? Take my advice, whatever it is, don't bother, me and the boys have it all under control. Since we're all such friends," the manner in which he spat the word out suggested that he didn't exactly consider them friends, or it could simply be an unfortunate speech impediment, it was hard to be certain, "how about I take some of them fries?"

 One long arm reached down to take a bowl of sweet potato fries. Guerlaghiix's six long fingers wriggled in anticipation. The restaurant held it's breath, before a technician out back began to beat the air circulatory system with a hammer, cursing the day the manager installed the Dramatic Tension module into the AI that maintained the life support systems.

[Assistant]
MEANWHILE...
A brief interlude to meet the self-appointed nemesis of the Quest For Flavour and find out who paid for the meal.

 The stone hall is barely lit, and mostly empty. The wind howls outside, lashing snow and kicked up ice against the thick walls. Inside, two people seek shelter from the storm. One is a spindly, insectoid creature, with a black carapace that absorbs what little light there is. It crouches down on three legs, while rows of smaller arms bristling with hairs are folded up to keep warm. It's head is a mess of clicking mandibles, segmented eyes and weird little twitching antennae. The other is a small, fuzzy thing - like a polar bear that had an accident with a shrink ray and decided to walk about on its hind paws to impress passers-by.

 "It's just, sir, Doctor, with all due respect, I think there's some, um, points to this plan that don't make sense," the little bear bravely fought her growing sense of unease and the stutter that came with it, "if you could just see fit to run it past me again, maybe, maybe I'll un-un-understand..."

 "It is tremendously simple, Cold Front! Even a fresh larvae could grasp it!"

 "Yes, I under- I mean, the details, Doctor Frosty, the details, how are we going to p-"

 "Tremendously simple! Let me explain it one more time! I set up an account with Henderson's Ribs for the Quest For Flavour," Doctor Frosty clicked his mandibles happily, clearly keen to be given an opportunity to monologue and show off his diabolical plan, "and attach our cred-card to the account! Now whenever they eat at a Henderson's Ribs, I shall know! Our monthly cred-card statement will tell us exactly where they have been! There is no escaping the reach of Doctor Frosty!"

 Cold Front (or, as her parents had named her, Tabby) sighed a little. There were problems with this plan, many problems indeed, and one of the most pressing of these was the use of the phrase 'our cred-card'. What Doctor Frosty really meant was her cred-card. This pointed sigh did not do anything to disturb Doctor Frosty's rant, which was really getting into full swing now. It was only a matter of time, Tabby thought, before the puns and bizarre metaphors started.

 "While they dine on my generosity, I shall be able to predict their movements! None can surpass the icy intellect of Doctor Frosty! Their own gluttony shall be the harbinger of their downfall! The snow shall settle upon their bones, their bones, I say! The ship will be mine, and the galaxy shall once again shiver at my name! Come, Cold Front! We wait... for the mailman!"

[User]
The bees watched Toony's bowl construction trick with wide eyes before engaging in a group huddle to discuss what they might ask the robot for, which was only interrupted by the arrival of food brought most graciously by Vanessa.

 "Thank you Vanessa, I assume there is something up with the standard delivery method?"

The bees broke their huddle and immediately dug in so when the Large humanoid who was so rude too as not introduce himself and had the audacity to try and take someone else's food arrived The Mind had wrestle the two captain bees to turn round and actually look at him.

In an attempt to prepare for the worst and perhaps reduce the impact on their Gold Star standing that starting a fight in a Henderson ribs would bring the 75 bees that had so recently vacated the premises came back in the door and headed for the kitchen. After some confusion and explaining to Clarke that this was not, in fact, a robbery the groups started ferrying out all the other tables orders as well, with only minor losses to the hungry deliverers. They made the decision of pointedly leaving the impatient big man's lot till last, their delivery would probably occur some time after this situation had resolved itself.

Of that situation, the two captain bees who had been forced to pay attention now glared at the intruder with all the confidence they could muster against someone probably a 100 times their height. The Mind, having no such concern due to being present in the now relaying bees as well, still decided to try to put on the airs of being diplomatic so that when either of the deceptively strong ladies(or one considerably more obviously strong lady, basically anyone who wasn't currently sleepy or Fiddlesticks) intervened they could claim the moral high ground.

"Judging by the clock I would say we our food arrived right on time, Vanessa was simply proactive about its retrieval. As for what we are doing, that is non of your business and frankly there's more than enough problems that need fixing that there is no way you can handle them all. Honestly I would surprised if you managed even one. What even is a Flowjink?"

Unfortunately, as every amateur xenologist knows, the race choice of hive-mind comes with massive penalties in it's diplomacy stat, so The Mind was not so adept at dealing with those that may be considered an enemy. If the response where to be rated by hive-mind scholars of the diplomatic arts it would have got an A simply for not being an incomprehensible psychic cacophony followed by planetary invasion.

Neither the Bees or the Mind could do much about the large hand before it arrived, distracted or disembodied as they where, so they would have to leave it up to the wonder of the sweet potato fries to defend their meal and honor physically if they so desired.

[Assistant]
Vanessa was really quite annoyed by the fact that Guerlaghiix was now muscling in upon their food and merriment. That would simply not do, nor would the cloud of mucus and other unpleasantness that had just been emitted from Guerlaghiix's nose. With a swift motion Vanessa gave her gun a spin and sent the cloud of mucus and other unpleasantness flowing away from their table, and away from Guerlaghiix himself to avoid further aggravating him by hitting him with his own mucus. Though that would be honestly rather funny. Vanessa took the time now to teleport out of the booth, gun now in hand, and said. "Now, let's be polite here. That dish is our food, and specifically that dish of sweet potato fries belongs to Fiddlesticks there. I'd appreciate it if you didn't go about touching it too much. The delivery bot has a broken stabilizer and they have someone working on a fix."

It was a subtle motion that Vanessa now made, though one obvious to anyone focusing on Vanessa at the moment rather than the sweet potato fries that were currently the topic of discussion, Vanessa heft her rifle and flipped it to hold it by the barrel, though one would notice something extra to this particular flip. Vanessa had given one of her wrists a flick, and with that same hand caught the back of her gun, right where the trapdoor to load the ammunition would be. Sliding her hand down the weapon, Vanessa pressed the small lever against her shoulder to close the trapdoor rather quickly. If questioned about it, she would say that the rifle needed to be worked on due to it's old age and that the lever was rather loose. Anyone who had previously been talking to Vanessa would know that this was, in fact, a lie. The rifle was in near perfect condition and Vanessa took care of it on a routine basis. What had really happened was an extremely subtle loading. Now Vanessa was holding onto a loaded rifle, ready to fire with a light squeeze of the trigger.

Vanessa didn't want to shoot anyone, though now she obviously could. Depending upon how this situation went Vanessa may or may not be springing into a more violent action. Holding the barrel of the weapon, Vanessa rested the trigger area upon her shoulder, next to her neck. It would be difficult for someone to try and pull the trigger of the weapon without Vanessa knowing about it ahead of time. With her weapon now ready to be used, Vanessa spoke once again. Her accent now being used on purpose rather than worming it's way into her exited speech. "Vyy don't Vee just take our seats once again and forget zat zis detail made it's way into zee day, hm?"

Vanessa made the effort to use her accent sparingly, as speaking with a thick accent could easily lead to conversations being rather irritating as it was repeatedly asked what the speaker had said rather than the message actually getting across in a timely fashion. Plain English was the most widespread language and typically you had to be on homeworlds to find other tongues being spoken. Vanessa was rather fluent in German due to her upbringing and thus was capable of speaking as such, though she often didn't to make conversations quick and easy. She was also dabbling in Latin, though since the language had already been ancient it was rather hard to learn correctly.

With everything said and done Vanessa could do little now but wait. Hopefully the idiotic brute before her would back down without too much of a fuss. It might just turn into a nasty and unpleasant situation if he didn't.

[User]
Elarin watched with bemusement as Fiddlesticks made various remarks about Toony, calling her a 'maid', and all sorts of others. He felt that Fiddlesticks was just some sort of large kid in the end, and he didn't know whether that was a good thing or not. But when he expressed his concern about the food taking longer than expected, Elarin couldn't help but agree. The food DID seem to be taking longer than normal for a Henderson's Ribs, and might be a sign of bad things to come.

But when Vanessa brought the food out, Elarin's face grew a bit less weary, a small smirk forming on his reptilian snout. Finishing the sucker he had opened with a crunch, and placing the stick with the straw trash, he took a deep sip from his coffee. "Ahhh...now THAT'S the stuff...This'll keep me going for a bit longer." he said, the color returning to his scales, and his eyes looking a bit less glazed over. He was still in a somewhat foul mood however, so when Guerlaghiix began to threaten the group over getting their food first, he couldn't help but let out a groan. Fortunately, Vanessa seemed to have a hold on the situation, so Elarin just went back to his coffee and meal, grumbling something about "A bunch of strags that could go belgium themselves...", though he was careful to keep the volume low enough to where only those at the table could hear.


[System]
Lucy McAllister

"A fool's paradise is a wise man's hell" -Thomas Fuller
Gender: Female
Age: 12
Birthday: March 27

Appearance

Hair: Brown
Eyes: Blue-green
Height: 5'3

Personality

Personality:
• Amicable • Insightful • Selfless •
Lucy is the typical "nice girl" who gets along with just about everyone. She likes to engage in conversation with strangers and will give them her undivided attention when they feel like pouring their hearts out to her. Seldom losing her temper, people have at times attempted to push her buttons, and although some have succeeded in getting a reaction out of her, the rest were disappointed to have failed. But Lucy is patient, given that people aren't talking bad about those whom she cares about. She will go out of her way to help others in need and genuinely believes in making the world a better place.

Strengths:
* Resilient
* Forgiving
* Somewhat athletic
* Trustworthy

Weaknesses:
* A bit naive
* Too independent at times
* Shy
* Forgetful

Likes:
* Being with family and friends
* Reading
* Solving puzzles
* Animals
* Amusement parks

Dislikes:
* Being around smokers
* Others ignoring her when she's talking
* Unnecessary cruelty towards people or animals
* Judgmental people

Fears:
* Having to experience unbearable pain
* Being alone in complete darkness
* Snakes

Power: Orange. She's able to influence people's thoughts, and to some extent, their actions.

Family:
Charles "Charlie" McAllister - Father - 39 - Alive - Seeking answers
Damien McAllister - Brother - 18 - Alive - Helping his father find Lucy

History: The McAllisters were a happy family of three growing up. Jamie McAllister, Charlie's late wife and mother to Damien and Lucy, died during childbirth. Regardless of the many times Charlie tried to convinced Lucy that her mother's death had not been her fault, Lucy nonetheless blamed herself continuously, at some point in her life even going as far as shutting everyone else out for weeks. But eventually, when Lucy was old enough to get a better grasp on her emotions, she came to terms with the fact that the incident could have happened to anyone going through childbirth, and she shouldn't be too hard on herself due to a situation that was completely out of her hands.

After the IAAN incident, the family went through a bit of a rough patch. Charlie and Damien became extremely over-protective of Lucy and obsessive over her every move. She wasn't allowed to go anywhere without either one of them present and if they didn't like a certain person, Lucy couldn't continue being friends with them. This drove her crazy at first, but deep down she understood their need to be so strict with her.

When the government made the announcement of the so-called "Rehabilitation Camps", the family, blinded by the notion that Lucy would get better, reported her to the proper officials. It was amidst such process that they realized a little too late that something wasn't right. Coming late in the evening to retrieve Lucy, PSFs used more force than necessary and when Charlie attempted to explain to them that they had to be gentle with her, they forcibly removed him out of the room. Lucy became extremely nervous, fighting against the two agents that each had a hold on her arm. She screamed and kicked as they forced her out of her home, and it was when they were about to place her inside the vehicle that she wished they would just turn the other way and leave her alone. As if by a miracle, one of the two agents restraining her did just that. His partner called out to him, but the agent continued walking away. Lucy was just as surprised, not knowing what was going on, but she took advantage of the situation and she cut loose, running down the street to get as far away as possible. Unfortunately for her, Lucy didn't get too far before the third PSF rushed out of her home and chased her down to use the White Noise device against her. Lucy fell to the ground, crying out in pain as she was quickly incapacitated and apprehended. The next few hours were a blur, and it took a long time before she realized she wasn't having a terrible nightmare.

Theme Song:
Everybody Wants To Rule The World (Cover) - Lorde

There's a room where the light won't find you
Holding hands while the walls come tumbling down

[User]
Harper Azalea Cartella

She watched Lucy walk out her eyes wide. She looked back at the others at the door and the chaos outside. The chaos, adults fighting adults and children in the mix.  It's happening.  She looked back at the others in her cabin, blinking back the tears. She was not going to cry, not now. She watched the girl pull Lucy back into the cabin. She pushed a piece of her hair back. She was dead if she stayed, but she didn't want to leave the other girls. They were family at this point, she just hoped that they all got out safely. That she saw them again.
Harper turned to Addison and nodded. She got it, but she didn't understand how she could leave so easily. She could always make them want to fight somehow. She was an orange after all. She discarded the idea as soon as it came. She could not, and would not do that. What was wrong with her?
She turned to the others, listening to there conversation. "Katie is right, it is not safe. " She looked at the younger girls.  "I hope to see you on the other side, if not, I might as well be dead."  She waved to the other girls, before she ran out the door, and through the chaos. The entrance, the entrance.

[Assistant]
"I-I'm sorry." The kid blurted out after his mind finally oriented itself, the slight twinge of a headache still lingering somewhere in the frontal lobe. Bryson blinked his eyes a few times, allowing his vision to refocus once again before gazing at Alex and realizing he was okay. But when his attention shifted to Kord, all he saw was the blood covering the kid's hand and face, not realizing that it was, in fact, the PSF guards own from the fatal wound inflicted only moments earlier.
"Geez dude, are you okay?" Bryson spoke up, examining the other's hand only to notice the absence of any serious wounds. "Wha?..." One of the other cabinmates pointed to the dead guard. "Oh, right." Bryson said with a sheepish grin. "I knew that."

The kid took a few steps toward the exterior wall of the cabin and leaned against it, his head still a bit off kilter from the previous telekinetic attack. He'd practiced all kinds of techniques more times than he could recall, and never did a headache of such magnitude rock his mind as it did at that moment. Perhaps it was the control environment of the cabin that just made things easier to focus on, and each training session by himself or with a few of his friends was nothing extreme. But this time was chaotic, and while he hit his target and accomplished what he'd set out to do with his powers, the mental drain was overwhelming to the say the least. He rubbed his temples with the tip of two fingers, gently massaging the ache away for all it was worth, before exhaling a sigh of relief that was a long time coming.

"If I smoked, I'd probably be on my second pack by now." He said in a jovial manner, although the expression on his face told a different story. Bryson wanted to be tough and in control, but he didn't quite feel that at the moment, even in the wake of Kord's concern about what we should do next.

"Well, I say we stick together if we're going to get out of this shithole. Maybe even meet up with the other cabins if we can find them" Bryson glanced around the area, not seeing much, but hearing the continued fighting in the distance. "But, either way, I guess we need a plan then, yeah?."

[User]
Lucy watched as Harper left her and the other girls, and she knew that despite the odds being stacked up against them, she had to go outside and help the others. It was only in her nature.

"Let's do this then..."

Following behind Harper, Lucy headed outside onto the chaos. She was immediately drawn to a struggle between a couple of younger boys and a PSF, and she quickly jumped to action and rushed over to help. But as she was approaching, the PSF shot dead one of the boys. His blonde hair stained by his own blood would be an imagine she would never be able to forget, especially as his lifeless body fell to the ground.

"Hey!" Lucy forcibly pulled on the armed man's uniform shirt, getting his attention but unfortunately not thinking it through beyond that. She wasn't quick enough to avoid the stock of his rifle as it made heavy impact with her jaw, causing the young girl to stumble backwards a few steps before she inevitably fell and landed on her back. Her head spinning, Lucy then nearly found herself staring down the barrel of that same rifle she'd just been hit with, but this time, she was quick enough to push it away with her hand.

"Put it down!" Lucy got to her feet, grabbing a hold of the PSF's wrist with her free hand. Visibly struggling to do otherwise, the man dropped the rifle, his arm shaking just the slightest for it to be noticeable.

"Y-you...bitch," he whispered through clenched teeth.

Lucy paid him no mind for a moment as she noticed the other young boy running off. She then pushed the PSF away from her and quickly picked up the rifle, aiming it at his center mass before pulling the trigger.


[System]
Runan Isles Savior Corps

---

Established in the wake of Westwel's destruction, the Runan Isles Savior Corps is by no means the most impressive program on Illun, but it's well-funded and well-run by a few survivors of Westwel's own Corps.

Character Info

Name – Besca Darroh
Age – 35
Affiliation – R.I.S.C.

Originally from Westwel, Besca Darroh has been around Saviors her entire life. Her grandfather had helped fell the Modir who would become "Dragon," and her father had headed Westwel's burgeoning Savior program. She met dozens of pilots, watched as their connection to the Modir ate away at their minds and bodies. Other nations treated their pilots like a resource to be burned through, kept at arm's length in all but public affairs. Besca, however, went out of her way to engage with Westwel's pilots and even piloting candidates, caring after them with a degree of humanity which was, frankly, missing in the programs of other nations. Her methods were derided as frivolous and naïve by her peers, but the pilots appreciated it, which, to her, was all that mattered.

She lost many things in Westwel's fall; her home, her father, her friends, and no small piece of her faith in humanity, but ironically enough she didn't lose her job. When Runa took in her country's refugees, and subsequently acquired their first Savior, they came to the last living member of Westwel's program for help in founding their own.

Nowadays, Besca doesn't often involve herself in the politics of the program. Technically speaking she isn't even chief of operations—a position occupied by the Runan government—but rather, her duties revolve around "pilot maintenance." While she hasn't lost her desire to make life easier for the pilots, she isn't nearly as incorrigibly optimistic or sunny as she once was.

Character Info

Name – Dahlia St. Senn
Age – 18
Affiliation – R.I.S.C.

Dahlia was a toddler when her home was destroyed by the Modir, spirited away from Westwel in the arms of a family friend. She spent the first fourteen years of her life in the quiet, lakeside town of Hovvi. She was, like many children, absolutely enthralled by the Saviors, so when she tested positive and was whisked away into orbit, Dahlia thought her dream had come true. She missed her friends, and her adoptive father, but this was her opportunity to do something important. This was her chance to help.

She had no idea.

Runa's Savior, Dragon, had not been phased by a single pilot until Dahlia entered the cockpit. With its potential finally unleashed, she was able to end invasions within minutes—which was crucial, because she couldn't remain connected for much longer than that before the giant's neural regeneration reached critical levels.

Dahlia has become Runa's WMD, and as such, she actually doesn't pilot as much as she did before R.I.S.C. acquired its two other Saviors. Besca has become rather protective of her, not wanting to risk putting her in situations where she may be forced to over-exert herself, or risk being overtaken.

Character Info

Name – Hadrian Ghaust
Age – 38
Affiliation – R.I.S.C.

Hadrian Ghaust is Helburke personified. He is strong, unrelenting, stoic to a chilling degree, and utterly devastating in the cockpit. Ghaust is also a veteran pilot, having commanded the Savior Marrowman in service of the Helburken crown for 20 years, and despite a phasing speed so slow that he rarely deigns to use his magic at all, he was well on his way to becoming one of his country's most accomplished pilots.

However, Ghaust's priority has always been the fight against the Modir, and Helburke's clamor for political power is something he viewed with silent disdain. To him, using Saviors to settle diplomatic disputes isn't just wasteful, it's shameful. So, when Helburke ordered him to bring Marrowman to bear against the newly-risen Runa's Dragon, he refused. When, then, he was given the ultimatum of going through with the duel or forfeiting his rank and position, he looked his general in the eye, ripped the pilot's medal from his collar, and left his home behind.

Overnight Ghaust was made a Pariah in Helburke, and his home turned against him. He was forced to leave, and though several foreign programs sought him out, Ghaust denied them all, even passing up a pilot's seat in Eusero. Instead, he went straight to the burgeoning program in Runa, who was more than happy to take him.

Character Info

Name – Safie Calhan
Age – 22
Affiliation – R.I.S.C.

R.I.S.C.'s newest pilot, Safie has spent the past year earning her place at Dahlia and Ghaust's sides. Born and raised in Runa's largest city, Queenshand, Safie was one of countless starry-eyed youths who dreamed of the day she'd get to step inside the cockpit of a Savior. A positive connection-test put her on the path, but it was the months upon months of personal training, rigorous study, and nights spent running sims until dawn that pulled her ahead of the other aspirants. With a phase potential speed just above average, she was a perfect fit between Runa's other two pilots.

While Dahlia has accrued something of a heroic mythos about her, she's often reclusive and hesitant to make many public appearances. Safie on the other hand loves to meet the people she's helping, be that with personal visits, answering fan-mail, or simply getting her hands dirty cleaning up after the messier invasions. Some see her approach as distinctly Euseran, but Safie didn't become a pilot for the attention, she became a pilot because it was the right thing to do.

Character Info

Name – Lucis Abroix
Age – 25
Affiliation – Casoban, on loan to the R.I.S.C.

Casoban's sole effort to save Westwel, while ultimately futile, planted the seeds of goodwill between it and Runa. Casoban has always lived in the influential shadows of Helburke and Eusero, but allied with Runa, the two manage a strong presence on the world stage.

As a show of solidarity, Casoban has even begun sending a Savior of its own as backup to Runa's invasions. Enter: Lucis Abroix.

Lucis is perhaps one of Casoban's most beloved pilots, despite having only a handful of deployments to his name. Handsome, personable, with a poetic flare and the voice of an angel, many people back home already consider him the face of Casoban's Savior program—a role he is more than happy to play. Lucis makes regular public appearances, seemingly never missing an opportunity to espouse his love for the beauty of the world, and his burning desire to protect it from the Modir.

[User]
The earth shook with the footsteps of giants.

Enavant vaulted the mountaintop, coming down hard on the forest decline. He slid, the trees snapped beneath his hip and he flattened a wide swath on his way to the base. Desmon Solier's body sweat through the chill of the cockpit, but for now all he could feel were the seconds clawing for hold as they ripped by.

Twenty to go.

The hills opened up before him, miles and miles of shallow rises and river-marked valleys. Plenty of space at a glance, but was it really enough?

Behind him a low, bestial howl pierced the wind.

It would have to be enough. He hit the mountain's bottom and kicked off into a sprint. His Savior was larger than the average, but still fast. Desmon had run track as a boy, he had the form, and the beast had the lungs. Even if he wouldn't win out in the long run, he only had to last fifteen more seconds.

"She's just left Spectre," Toussaint's voice came through the comms. Normally a composed man, Desmon could hear the barest hint of revulsion in his voice. "You'll have time but you need as much distance as you can get."

Enavant pushed harder, ran faster. He didn't think about Spectre, about the sound of Lousei's screams before control had cut her comms. She was already dead when he'd left her, or as good as. Mourn later, win now.

Five seconds.

He stomped through the narrow valleys, the courses of centuries-old rivers changed underfoot. Hands digging into the hillside, he pulled himself up onto a level stretch of the plain as another howl reached him. He froze, whirled. In his hands he held a wing-tipped spear as long as he was tall, and as he clutched it tighter, a coil of white light spiraled up the blackened shaft. The tip burst into pale fire.

Enavant phased.

He felt a static tingling on the back of his brain. He heard his own thoughts in stereo, layered with the thoughts of something else that was trying to be him as much as it was trying to undo him. As long as it had taken him to run out the first clock, he now raced a second. Three years without a growth, but today he feared he might walk out of the cockpit and into the operating room.

If he walked out.

"She's coming," Toussaint said.

Enavant held his spear across his body, as though he meant to slash out with it, and waited. Waited. He did not need to wait for long.

It cleared the mountain he'd come from, a Savior silhouetted by the sun. It fell upon the side gracelessly, righting itself partway down and then leaping into the air and crashing down onto a low-rising hilltop. Earth and rock exploded beneath it, the hill caved into a storm of dust.

Enavant swung his spear out, the light on its haft and the fire of its tip left a white-hot trail that lingered behind as an after image, then two, then three. They hovered before him, spears of burning light. With his free hand he clasped one, twirled it ready and reeled it back.

Moments passed. The dark edged his vision, his Savior had no eyelids to blink it away.

A shape pulled a plume of dust to the side like cloth. Enavant stepped and launched the fiery spear forward. It soared like a bolt of lightning, the air shattered at its tip, and it connected with the dirt in an explosion of white flame that blew the dust away and replaced it with a gout of silvery smoke.

The shape carried on, buried itself into the earth. Desmon felt a spike of confusion as the smoke cleared and he saw that it was not a Savior.

It was an axe, and in the next moment it vanished.

She came charging from the ruined hillside. Smaller than he was, but more for the thinness of its limbs than its height. In one hand she clutched a second axe, a mirror to the first; its hilt was short and its blade curved wickedly down almost to the curled pommel. Her other hand reached out, clawed fingers clutching into a fist. The air bunched in her grasp, tore like paper, and with a sharp swipe she ripped her first axe back into being.

Blotklau ran at him, not like a person, but like a beast trying to mimic one. Her mouth was a fanged, panting grin, her eyes a foursome of red fury. She was drenched in ichor, and though there were a number of gashes on her body, Desmon knew that most of it had come from whatever was left of Spectre.

What would she leave left of him?

"Solier!"

Desmon snapped back, snatched another spear from the air and hurled it at her. Blotklau ducked low like a dashing wolve, digging her axes into the earth for leverage as the bolt passed over her, only managing to sear her shoulder. He grabbed the next one—god, she was close—and took a moment to aim, to try and anticipate. With as much force as he could muster, he loosed the spear, and with her drawing ever closer he was certain she couldn't dodge it.

And he was right, she couldn't. She didn't. Instead, she whirled one of her axes up with incredible speed and slapped it by the haft, sending it spiraling out and unwinding into smoke.

There was no time to make more. There was hardly time to grab his spear with both hands. He wasn't primed for a melee, he was meant for support. He'd done so well when it was two versus two, when he and Spectre had pinned the second opponent down and pierced its heart. Alone, what was he meant to do, really?

Blotklau opened her mouth wide, roared so loudly Desmon thought he could feel his real ears pop. She leapt into the air, axes raised high over her head, and all he could do was scream back and bring up his spear.

Then she was on him.

---

---

Dahlia was on her, throwing fast but telegraphed hooks at Quinn's head with her kick-pad gloves.

"Remember, don't watch my hands, watch me," she'd said. "Watch my body, watch my eyes. Don't try to figure out what I'm going to do, I'll tell you. You just have to listen."

This had been their routine for the past month. Dahlia couldn't really practice with her in Dragon, so when Quinn wasn't getting adjusted to moving around in her own Savior, she brought the girl here, to the pilot's gym.

When she'd first started, Besca had told her that CQC was the bedrock of all Savior combat. The giants moved as fast and felt as responsive as their own bodies, and if weapons couldn't be relied upon—or in some cases, especially if they could be relied upon—then you had to know how to kick and punch like you meant it.

Dahlia still had trouble swinging at Quinn like she meant it. But they'd been rigorous, their hours were long and hard, and once they'd gotten her over the initial aversion to hitting back, Quinn picked up fighting pretty quick.

Besca came by when she could. Today she couldn't, but she'd promised to meet them for lunch when they took a break. There was no window in the gym, but a wall clock promised that once this set was finished, they could be done until their evening session.