[System]
Information
Hey look I drew this.
Cape Name:
Anomaly

Aspects

High Concept:
Gamer, with and without hands.

Trouble:
Too Many Feels.

Origin:
Single Dad, No Cash, and Three Games.

Growth:
Hard Drugs and Mommy Issues.

Adventure:
Hand-Free Heroism.

Faction:
Boston Wards.

Bio
Age
17

Personality:
Xoxi is a laid back girl with a serious passion for gaming and everything about it. Although she has no arms, she likes to make some jokes about it, thinking of her loss as more of a gift in disguise. She loves to be around people and isn't afraid to get her Xoxi prefers to be cold as opposed to hot, possibly due to an ongoing fear of fire that she has, and can occasionally be seen running around a snowy park with no jacket or coat on.

History:
Life was hard for Xoxi, especially when her mom dipped on her dad, leaving him for some rich jerk. Ever since she was two she could remember how much her dad had sacrificed just for the two to get by. A small apartment, not a ton of food, not a ton of finer luxuries, but Xoxi didn't care. She was with her dad, and that was all that mattered in the end. She went to a public school, doing as best as she could in all of her classes, trying to not stress her dad out with bad grades and fear that she couldn't do anything post-school. Even despite the hard money issues, Xoxi's dad was able to buy Xoxi a singular gaming console one year of her life, that console being a secondhand Gamecube with three games. She never asked for anything else in her life, and she always loved playing that console.

It was a tough childhood, but she got through it. That was... until the day the music died.

When she was fourteen, one of the last faces she'd ever expect to see was at her dad's doorstep. Xoxi's mother stood there, looking quite well despite her arms being covered with long gloves. In her hands, she held thousands of dollars, and every single cent could be her dad's, but in exchange, she needed to see Xoxi for about a week or two. With what the father assumed was some mother-daughter bonding, he willingly told Xoxi that she needed to go. Xoxi complied, seeing the situation as a way for her to finally help her dad out with the family's financial situation.

Xoxi finally went to her mother's place for the first time, a relatively modest house on the outskirts of Boston. She walked in, put her stuff down in her designated room, and as soon as she stepped out to talk to her mom, a wet washcloth ran under her nose. It smelled like a hospital, and it made Xoxi woozy, causing her to fall over unconscious. A very vivid dream followed, lasting for what seemed like hours with no clear end, that was, until she saw a giant white light in her dream, which she headed towards.

When she woke up, she found herself on a hospital bed, a large scar down the side of her body, and with a lack of arms. Xoxi had been in a five day coma, her arms rotting away on her body. Her mother's boyfriend was a large-scale drug dealer, and he had found a new cash crop to take advantage of and succeed with, but he needed someone to test it on. Someone who he didn't care about, nor would his girlfriend care about. Xoxi was injected with that drug, and as a result, lost both of her arms. She almost died of an overdose, but the authorties were able to find her before she could slip too far away from life. The drug had began to fill her side with green glop, which was able to be removed before long

The doctors in the room asked if Xoxi needed a minute after waking up, and she calmly responded with a "Yes", hiding her emotions from underneath. As the room was closed, Xoxi flailed around in the hospital bed, absolutelty mad at her mother for letting this happen willingly, and absolutely enraged that this had to happen. It was then that she had noticed something was knocking around the light above her, suspended from a long cord. A purple hand, the same size as Xoxi's was there, bending to Xoxi's will. Another hand formed as well, and it was then she realized something.

She was like one of those heroes of Boston, the Wards.

Xoxi was dismissed after a month in the hospital. Her dad was able to pay off the debt using the sum of money Xoxi's mom gave him before her incarceration and Xoxi's... incident. It was a while after that Xoxi's dad found out Xoxi had powers, and as a way to give her a better life, he sent her off to the PRT in Boston with the intent of making her a hero and keeping her from living the crap life she had. Xoxi agreed reluctantly, but asked specifically for him to always be near a phone so she could talk to him if she needed, and since then, she's called him at least every day to tell him goodnight.

Abilities

Quick Summary
EMOTIONALLY-IMBUED PSYCHIC FISTS

Classification
Blaster 3 / Master 5 Master 8 / Shifter 1

Detailed Description
Xoxi is able to summon two wispy ghost-hands at will to her sides, both independent of one another, and she is able to use them as if they were her actual hands. Each hand is able to grow up to twice it's size at a time, and the hands are unable to feel any sort of pain. They can feel objects, but the feelings of them are rather hazy when differentiating textures, temperatures, and weight. Each hand can be dismissed and, with the right settings, can have another application.

Xoxi's hands are able to manipulate emotions to her will. Specifically, Xoxi's can punch someone and receive the emotion they are currently feeling the most. Another punch can impart that emotion into a different person. To make it simple, if someone is angry and another person is happy, Xoxi can punch the angry guy and then punch the happy guy, making one guy feel like he isn't angry any more while making the other feel angry. The drawback of this ability is that Xoxi, while she has a punch in store, feels the emotion she just absorbed to a lesser extent. As time passes, the longer Xoxi has held the emotion, the more she feels of it until it is properly resolved.

Aside from that, Xoxi is mysteriously able to manipulate the shape of her hands for about a half of a second at a time. She never remembers this unless she wants to speak to someone using the wingdings font, which she remembers by heart.

Other:
Well, this is awkward, huh? Something like me, born out of something that shouldn't have happened at all, especially so considering the circumstances. Hell, I'm a self-aware monster, but it's not like this dumbass would know about that. Maybe that Yamada lady would, I don't know. Either way, it'll be fun for me to eventually take center-stage to this loser's body, and what's better with that, is that it's gonna happen soon.

Watch out people. This bitch's bark is just as bad as her bite.

Which probably hurts a lot considering she has no hands and resorts to tearing open things with her teeth quite often.
"Let's get down to business!"

[User]
---

"Taser, correct?"

"Yes," Katya replied, her mouth forming into a frown beneath her mask. There was power in knowing a name, even an alias, and she was at a disadvantage. She didn't recognize the cape that had joined her or his white mask, he was another unknown factor, and another potential threat. "And you are? The driver?"

[Assistant]
☠ Wardrobe ☠ Soundtrack ☠

"Rise and shine! We've got a big day ahead of us!"

Before Holly could open her eyes, she was assaulted by a searing light. Groaning, she rolled over and promptly fell on a hard wood floor. She sat up and opened her eyes, giving the criminal who woke her up her most exhausted glare.

"You know I'm immune to that, right?" Her sister looked at her with a smug grin, fully pulling back the curtains from the big window that illuminated the whole room. Holly pulled herself up to sit on the couch, rubbing at her eyes. Mandy sat next to her, patting her shoulder, "How'd you sleep, Hol?"

"I… didn't," she croaked, her throat scratchy. Holly didn't sleep very much to begin with, and being in a new place and on an unfamiliar couch really didn't help. Looking at the clock on the wall, she had only slept for about two hours.

"So, what do you say we go out for breakfast before we deal with this mess," motioning to the boxes of Holly's stuff piled on the other side of the room, "I know this really nice diner around Dorchester."

Holly thought about it for a second. The idea of going outside in general was unsettling to her, let alone in a completely new city, but if Mandy was with her, maybe she would be okay? And she was hungry… She nodded, "Yeah, sounds like a plan."

Half an hour later, Holly had showered and dressed and was finally something close to awake. She was a little bit on edge; just deciding off the cuff to go out somewhere wasn't something she ever did, so her guts were doing somersaults. She just kept telling herself, I'm gonna be with Mandy. She has social skills. I'll be fine.

☠ ☠ ☠

Holly didn't even feel that bad once they left the apartment, thankfully. Mandy kept her occupied with conversation, holding her hand the whole way. Holly was amazed; she felt better in the last ten minutes they'd been walking than she had the whole time she was living by herself.

"Whoa…" Mandy had stopped walking and was staring at a commotion ahead. There were screams, crashes, gunshots. Holly took a step back, ready to retreat back to the safety of the apartment, but her sister started cautiously moving forward, her phone out in front of her.

Holly grabbed onto the sleeve of Mandy's jacket, "What are you doing?!"

"I'm gonna see what's going on," she said, as if that was the obvious course of action. She kept moving towards the fray, leaving a bewildered Holly no choice but to follow her. Holly honestly shouldn't have been surprised; this had been happening ever since they were kids, just never with a situation like this.

She could see blood and debris and these… monsters or something. Fuck. These were parahumans. This was a superpowered gang-war.

She ran to catch up to Mandy, who was filming the fight. They were too close. They could get hurt or—

"We have to get out of here, now!"

Before Holly could get another word out, the ground rumbled and erupted. Out of the chaos, she could see fire and metal— coming towards her!

A car door came flying at the sisters, and suddenly stopped short of hitting them. Mandy snapped out of journalist-mode and noticed the near-miss, glad that Holly had been paying more attention. She was holding the piece of metal in the air, and moved it quickly to deflect a piece of concrete that flew at them. Mandy's phone screen was flickering, a tell-tale sign of Holly using her powers.

Despite Holly's quick thinking, she was terrified; her whole body was shaking and she could feel her heartbeat in her ears. Taking fast, shallow breaths, she looked around for an escape. Nothing. They were blocked in.

They were stuck in the middle of a gang fight.

Fuck.

☠ "Send my cinders home to mother" ☠
-cell

[User]
-cell

Yeah, this whole thing was a mess, but Robin kinda liked it. Or at the very least, she wasn't nearly as worried as she should have been, watching things begin to escalate. She'd managed to keep her head down as more capes appeared, but sooner or later she'd have to make a move. The faster she made an impact, the better her chances of being gone before the town's glorified babysitters turned up to stick them all in time-out.

Not that she was against the idea of shutting down the violence per se, she just didn't want to be there when it happened. So, 'efficiency' would have to the word of the day. Fine by Robin - a time trial was as good a test as any. Speaking of which, she'd have to pick a target. At first she glanced towards the other independents... couldn't be sure if they were on Gladius' side or Wonderland's until they started trying to murder her, which meant the Wonderland targets were priority.

And that leaves us with two.

Or two that she could see, anyway. Freakshow's creatures were something she didn't know if she could deal with, but they seemed to be making close-range attacks for now. Askaryan, on the other hand, seemed to be going for longer-ranged attacks. It was a simple decision - if nothing else, she knew which one she needed to surprise if she wanted a chance at this.

Taking advantage of the distraction provided by the exploding car, Robin grinned to herself.

ᴄʟᴏᴀᴋɪɴɢ : ᴀᴄᴛɪᴠᴇ

Sixty seconds, give or take. No more time for hesitation.

Of course, there were unwritten rules to obey - rules that would keep her from using the element of surprise to decapitate anybody, even if it'd probably mean one less person wanting to murder her in future. Wasn't as if she ever planned on inviting Wonderland's pet psychos to a dinner party, so she was okay with burning that particular bridge. Really, she was being pretty damn reasonable about this, all things considered. Live and let live, as much as this situation would allow.

Not that she expected Askaryan to see it the same way, as she sprinted towards the other cape - strength letting her move faster than any normal human would - and lunged. One arm aiming to slice a blade across the back of their legs and remove any mobility, the other launching an armour-clad punch at the back of their skull to hopefully knock the parahuman out.

Had to hope it worked, though - she could already feel the cloaking device starting to heat up already, and knew whether her attack succeeded or not, she was about to become a whole lot more visible.

Man, I really need to fix this thing.

[Assistant]
AnomalyIn the VTOL, en route to mission

---

Anomaly sat in the VTOL, awkwardly looking around at the other people in the ship as she had a single ghost hand tap the seat beside her, seemingly to pass the time and remove some anxious feelings. She was a bit nervous, since she hadn't been in the field for a good while. She didn't need to be, typically, but when she did get in the field, oh boy was it fun.

Well, "fun" in a very everything-is-trying-to-kill-you way.

Eventually the teen was too tired of the silence and decided to speak up to the rest of her squad for this mission. "How's life going for all of you guys?"


[System]
Age: 47

Gender: Male

Appearance:

Home: Northern Virginia

Skills:
Guns
Repair
Survival
Melee

Background: A semi-local drifter. Achilles' parents were raiders, and worse, they were well read raiders. They thought they were better than most people out there, less ignorant. But they were just as violent. Achilles grew up as part of a wave of children named from characters from various ancient epics. Growing up was bloody and even the children followed the rule of survival of the fittest. Achilles was somewhere in the middle of the food chain, but he held up among the bigger and stronger children by being more resilient than most. When he was a teenager he was involved in raids, and that was how he was separated from his tribe.
They ambushed the wrong caravan, and lost the fight. Achilles survived, as he always did, but was left to die in the waste. He was picked up by the next passing caravan, who didn't realize who he was. He never said, but took the kindness and has been living his life paying it forward since then. He wanders around, doing odd jobs, usually wet work. He tries to work for "good guys" but sometimes it's hard to tell.

Equipment: The clothes on his back, a 44 revolver and a lever action rifle. A canteen for water, a utility knife.

Other:

[User]
Kitten turned to regard the man as Davis returned with her drink and the carton of Fixer. The name Jack Cobalt was familiar and it took her dulled mind an extra few seconds to to make the connection with his reputation. Three Dog was always talking about him. 'Wait he just said that, didn't he...' She picked up the glass and drained it in a single mouthful before picking up the carton of addiction pills and reading the box.

"You wanna hire me as a merc?" She asked a little doubtfully. Usually people hired Kitten because they had no choice, not because they actually wanted to. "Well as long as you have caps I'll do whatever you want me to..." She turned the box over and started reading the back. "...I'm Kitten." She mumbled as she focused on the words. Apparently the pills were for people who wanted to detox and get over additions quickly, good for helping people stop using Chems. Only Kitten didn't want to stop. When she stopped the memories started coming back. She suppressed a sudden shudder and reflexively reached for one of the Med-X syringes on her belt but stopped herself. Even she realized that mixing Chems was a bad idea, not to mention that she had to make them last until she could visit the local dealer.

She turned and handed the box of pills to Jack, giving him a weak smile. "I appreciate your concern, but it's better for everyone if you just leave it alone..." Really it was just better for her. "I'll still work for you, though."

[Assistant]
Jack sighed looking the girl over. "I need someone who can fight and follow orders, fixer holds off the addiction. Takes about a week of use to help you get over it. Point is I don't mind the drugs just use them when you need them rather for a high. Fixer will also let you travel with me, help spread out hits.""I got the caps Kitten, be ready. Were going after that big stuff." He said ominously turning to greet the two new men having a seat beside them.

Jack smiled looked them both over quickly, they were ones alright. He'd told the sheriff about a stash of guns some raiders had found, The sheriff decided to find someone to deal with it. "Davis put there drinks on my tab." Davis sighed handing both men there drinks.

The bartender sighed."You realize that on your tab I owe you money right?"

Jack smiled. "Yep." He turned to both the men with a smile. "I'm guy Three Dog keeps calling the vault dweller, I was the one who reported the raider armory. You two find anything good? I'm a weapons tech, be willing to fix it up for free." He told them as Davis brought there drinks over.

[User]
(To be read in the voice of J.K. Simmons)
"Well, how're yall doin' out there? This is Jimmany Christmas from Carolina Panther Radio. I know you all like how that hack from DC has managed to get his signal all the way down here, but trust me, he doesn't know what's going on down here. Well, Today, the Enclave have stepped up their patrols and have been taking buildings left right and center. But trust me, Mr Gallows of the Panther Empire has assured everyone that the Enclave will never gain access to the Bank of America fortress. Power Armoured thugs are no match for the Gladiators of the Empire... Plus, we have a LOT of Missile Launchers, try to get past that, hahaha, you're funeral. You know what, I dare you. Those helmets are kinda cool and I could use one on my desk. Alright, time for a song, Ol' Blue Eyes may have been dead for almost 300 years, but he still brings a tear to the eyes of many. If I had things my way, we'd all be sipping Nuka Cola's on a beach with not a Mirelurk in sight... But, looks like Frankie's gonna have it his."

The three walked along the dusty road towards New Charlotte, Katty, Fluffy and Grunk. Grunk held Fluffy in his arms and stroked his head, the rat squeaked. But, suddenly rolled and writhed until he wriggled out of the large green arms. It then sniffed the ground, before running towards a ruined gas-station. "Nigel, Fluffy smells something!" Grunk called to Katty, the two followed after him and pushed into the station. All that was there was a few Radroaches and a load of empty bottles, as well as a streak of blood along the floor. Fluffy sat, eating a dead Radroach, Katty approached him and stroked his head "Good boy." she said, then drew her pistol and shot another Radroach. She then walked over to the ruined cash register and opened it. A few rolls of pre-war money. Not much, but some traders collected them. She then looked behind her at the shelf and saw a few packets of cigarettes. Another luxury that would sell well. She pocketted them.

"Found anything, Grunk?" she called. There was a familiar pop and hiss that indicated that Grunk had found a Nuka Cola. "How many?"

"1... 2... umm..."

"3, sweety." she replied. "Remember numbers." She sighed, she knew that his impaired mental abilities were thanks to her experiments on him, but she was determined to stop him from going feral, like the yellow ones up north, or those of the Master from back on the East Coast that she had heard of.

"3... 4... 5... 5, there's 5." he called. She followed the blood trail from the entrance to the corpse of the man that Grunk was scavanging off of.

"Poor bastard." she mumbled. "He's not been here too long, Rigger has set in, but he's not decomposing... But the Roaches have started eating him..." She grabbed a bottle of Nuka-Cola and held it to her head. "Warm..." she grumbled, before opening it and taking a few sips. She then snapped her fingers so that Fluffy would come to her, she scratched him behind the ear "Good boy." she then opened another bottle and put the opening in his mouth, pouring it down his throat, he drank all he could, but with a lack of lips, unfortunately, most of it went all over the floor. He still seemed to purr with delight, though. "Alright, let's get going. Whoever killed this guy could be close."

"Alright, Nigel." replied Grunk, as they went outside. Katty looked at the gas pumps and then grabbed a rusted canister that lent against the wall before walking to the pump and putting the nozzel into the canister. She pulled the trigger, but nothing happened.

"Well..." she said, looking up at Grunk "It was worth a try. I can only imagine how much actual coolant fluid would have gone for at market." She got up and stretched, before the continued to walk down the road.

[Assistant]
Achilles lifted a glass to the vault dweller, but shook his head. "Was all good old fashioned powder guns. Sheriff's got a guy can fix them. And I can keep my own in true. Well..." he reached into his jacket and pulled a little fully automatic pistol from a shoulder holster. "Got this 'chine pistol won't repeat. I can keep the action smooth on my lever and my 'volver, but I'm no good with repeaters." He put it down on the bar top, but when Jack reached for it, he put his hand over to block him. Achilles gave him an uncharacteristically shrewd look.

"You just like fixing things, or there's something 'sides caps you want from me?"


[System]
Age: 28

Race: Human

Height: 161
Weight: 73 kg
Astrid usually wears her combat engineer kit - combat boots, fingerless gloves, a battleship gray coverall under a repurposed body armor system used to hold tools and other equipment that can be used to patch up anything from a weapon in a minute to a small ship in a day. The suit comes with a closed helmet equipped with filters.

Faction: * Marauder
* Mercenary (IMS Irene, formerly)

Role in team: Engineer

Bio: Astrid was born to a freight pilot father and propulsion technician mother on a civilian station in the boonies, her father leaving for a long haul shortly after her birth, never to return. She grew up surrounded by machinery, visiting a planet for the first time on her 23rd birthday. The surroundings and her mother's profession led her to engineering and engines, gyroscopes, general electronics and life support became her life, quite literally when it came to the last item on the list. Rapidly growing bored of civilian life and her control freak of a mother, she tried to join the military, but failed physical tests.

Undeterred, the young engineer sought out Harris Fairchild, captain of a mercenary ship called Irene that's just been through hell and needed to replenish its crew. Although the Irene's activities often tested the line between lawful and lawless, Astrid gained a lot of hands-on experience as the Irene's sole engineer, kitbashing her way out of trouble on numerous occasions.

Sadly, fortune wasn't in the stars for Irene's crew, as their last employer had no intent of paying them, instead turning his weapons on the smaller ship. Outgunned and unable to flee due to EM interference caused by the nebula they were meeting in, the Irene made her final stand, using its superior maneuverability to overpower its opponent. Although they've come out on top, the cost was catastrophic - the Irene was crippled, stranded in the nebula and most of the crew perished as a result of decompressions and failing life support. In a stroke of heartless survival instincts, Astrid sealed the relatively undamaged engineering section, pumping as much air as she could to it, dooming anyone that may or may not have still been alive. With dwindling air supply and unable to repair any life support systems, Astrid activated the distress beacon and waited.

A passing patrol received the call and hauled the semi-conscious Astrid out, but mistook the Irene for one of the many pirate ships that roamed that sector. With her experience and without anything that would prove her innocence, Astrid was sent to the Monroe.

Personality: Astrid is practical, straightforward and tends to gravitate to dark humor. Fairchild once likened her personality to a belt sander, a fitting description if she doesn't know you or thinks you're some sort of shifty character. Slow to trust, only a selected few are allowed into a closed circle of people she trusts. Those can count on her even in the direst of circumstances. Her worst fear is losing someone from this closed circle, as it happened on the Irene.

Weapons and Equipment: * Diamondback MAR - An assault rifle manufactured by a small, private armory. Though she can defend herself if her ship is boarded, it is a perfect example of someone using tools above their skill level, as the rifle's great potential is usually squandered by Astrid's inability to shoot straight.
* Protector Riot Control System - Armor covering the torso, elbows, front legs, knees and neck. Although the breastplate is rated to stop pistol rounds with decent reliability, the rest of the armor is meant to protect from batons, knives and thrown bottles. Though it's saved her life once or twice, she's grown fond of it mainly because it came with so many pouches and pockets. The helmet is usually kept hanging from her belt, only used when absolutely necessary.

Relationships: Most people Astrid considered friends perished on the Irene, leaving a rather bitter misfit. She hasn't been in contact with her mother since she joined the Irene's crew and doesn't intend to change that.

Other: * Astrid is voiced by Ashley Burch (Aloy, Horizon: Zero Dawn).
* Much like her former crew, Astrid harbors strong distrust of the Satasi due to their natural abilities.

[User]
Dev was the first to speak up, and Ray couldn't help but smirk at his comment, but before he could even bring up his own challenge, Valanx approached and sat down. He tossed in a more elegant comment on Lady Luck. It was much better than what Ray's comment would have been. He watched as more and more of his crew started to step up and sit down at the table. Anderson would have been proud to see so many of them joining forces to making poor gambling choices and drinking.

When Rae appeared and gave her own comment, the Captain laughed and shook his head. "And that's why, Doctor, that people like you are banned from casinos on Earth. To them, your money should all be left to chance." He put down the cards, waiting for the crew to appear at the table, and picked up the bottle of Tu'Veerian bourbon. Tango's physical form had appeared to bring glasses. Ray then poured himself a glass, and downed its contents, giving a slight cough. "Shit..." He managed to say.

Now that he had calmed his nerves a bit, Raymond slowly dealt the cards. He nodded a thanks to Tony as he dropped the cigars on the table, and when he called out to deal Rendyl in, the Captain only glanced up at tony, then at the girl, then back down at the cards he was dealing. "I think there's an old story about that. Being dealt a hand of cards by a group of cutthroats and murderers. It's like signing your fate." Raymond knew that Anderson wouldn't want any ill will towards this woman... It seemed she was just as confused as the others.

"Welcome to the Marauders, kid... Teach her how to play fast, because the name of the game is Texas Hold'em, and no you don't need to know anything about Texas to play." He tossed the group their cards, placing down the couple in the center and laying the deck down. "Not only does the winner get the pot, but they also don't have to do their share of Anderson's chores."

[Assistant]
Yasaliah Josk: Pilot

Josk had been reclined on the couch, mostly keeping to herself, still a little tired from all the fighting and piloting. She took out the earbuds for her captain and gave a brief nod when he complemented her piloting skills. It was true. She was the best.

Also, apparently, Anderson died. That's too bad. And, this was his last mission before retirement. That was so sad it looped back around and became kind of funny. Yasaliah barely smirked when that was mentioned but quickly held it in. I mean, come on, she thought. Last mission before retirement? Still, the crew seemed to care about Anderson. To the Satasi, there wasn't much point. Anderson was an okay guy, but surely everyone here knew it was only a matter of time until they all died, right? If she looked up the definition of "disposable" their pictures would show up. They were having a memorial game of Texas Holdum poker.

"I want to play." She said simply, tossing her music player onto the couch. Gambling, drinking, and smoking. That was fun. Only things missing were sex, guns, and killing assholes. And flying a really fast ship. One day she would find a way to combine everything she loved in life into one massive orgy of entertainment. How? She didn't know. There were a lot of things there that didn't really jive well. But it was a crazy universe, afterall. Who knows?

Yasaliah nodded her "thanks" at the cigs and the drink and quickly began partaking in her vices. They were pretty good, too. Smooth and strong, respectively. She had some of the alcohol in a shot glass thanks to Tango and downed it, the world going wibbly for a moment."Phew." She smirked, shaking her head a little.

The Satasi glanced around the room. Pretty much everyone was here, right? One two...Dev, Valanx, Captain, Rae, Aamra, Tony, Astrid...little girl?

Who was that? A child? The Satasi stared intently at the girl for a moment, probably making some intense prolonged eye contact. Yasaliah looked down at her drink for a moment. Nah, she could hold her alcohol better than that. Plus, if her hallucinations involved little girls, that was probably some repressed emotions or trauma the pilot didn't want to deal with at all. It was probably a real human child. Her suspicions were confirmed when the Captain acknowledged her presence.

"So, Cap. We, uh, babysitting now? Or...trafficking? I mean, I guess I'm okay if you all are. I just didn't think..." She looked around, taking a brief inhale from the tobacco tube. "Rae? Aamra?" She vaguely gestured her question at some of the people who had more conventional moral standings.

As she spoke, she was re-engaged with the game of cards. Feeling a little bored with how everyone was talking about gambling. You know, math, numbers, reading people. Surely, the luck was the best part? That was why Yasaliah kept her two cards face down, not looking at them once, and raised the current bet a little.

[User]
---

Commander Aamra Tulez

---

"Commander, will you not be joining us? Conversations with the Committee are never quite pleasant in my experience and can be stressful. It is best to do something enjoyable afterwards, is it not? In any case, a distraction should be a nice change of ones pace and it is to honor your follow Marauder after all."

Aamra stared as the crystalline doctor pulled up a chair expectantly, taking pause at the gesture. She'd never really been offered a seat at the games before. Granted she never really asked as she found her meditations more enjoyable then any base pleasures that came from gambling, but moreso then ever she felt as though she should make inroads to the rest of the crew, if only a little bit to maintain her integrity as an officer of the Council. Plus, it was to honor the fallen, and while she planned to honor the sacrifice of Anderson in the style of her faith on her own downtime, there was no harm in doing the same in what would have been his method of remembering those who had past.

"Did those facts properly convince you or should I tempt you by offering my sandwich as collateral?"

...and by the waters, those sandwiches sounded heavenly right about now, and she hadn't eaten since falling into her combat fervor against the pirates.

"Very well...I will partake in this," Aamra stated, sounding more like she was volunteering for a dangerous assignment then joining a poker game (which, if rumors were to be believed, WERE dangerous if some of these people were involved). Taking her seat next to the doctor, she winced as cigar smoke floated towards her. She was going to be respectful of Anderson's memory, Aamra decided, but she wasn't going to touch those things. Filthy habit.

"It seems rather straightforward," Aamra commented, rooting around for some spending cash before spotting the Captain with the girl sitting next to him. "Erm..."

"Welcome to the Marauders, kid... Teach her how to play fast, because the name of the game is Texas Hold'em, and no you don't need to know anything about Texas to play." the Captain ordered the crew in regards to the child. "Not only does the winner get the pot, but they also don't have to do their share of Anderson's chores."

Aamra frowned slightly. She had already divided up Anderson's duties among the crew, as per the proper protocol, but she decided to hold her tongue, since she didn't want to come off as insensitive. Duty and busywork was just a great coping mechanism for her, though those concerns were secondary compared to the girl being here.

"So, Cap. We, uh, babysitting now? Or...trafficking? I mean, I guess I'm okay if you all are. I just didn't think..."

Aamra fixed the pilot with a stony gaze in response to the suggestion that they were committing crimes. "We are doing neither in regards to this girl, Josk," she said promptly. "If you are so deeply curious, I will gladly detail to you the situation when the time is more appropriate." She may have been warming up to them, but Aamra was absolutely not okay with their avant-garde attitude towards criminal acts. Not yet, at least. Aamra took the opportunity to glance at her hand as she lectured the pilot as well; a King and a two. She assumed that was something tolerable to hold onto, at the very least.

[Assistant]
We just survived a rat infestation, those used to be quite lethal back on Earth just a few centuries ago. Loosen up a little once in a while, officer." she then turned to Luirae with a raised eyebrow, "Ulnar aren't known to spread the black plague or anything, are they doc?" While she did not mean it that way, some might have thought that joke was in a poor taste this soon after Anderson's death, though she couldn't care less. After all, there was a limit of how disliked she could be, and she had an inkling she wasn't too far from that limit.

"We should've kept a few of the freaks alive to do our dirty work." she scratched her chin when Ray brought up picking up pieces of Anderson's work. Now she had to win for the crew's sake. Anyone who thought she could help manage the cargo bay only had to peek into her quarters. That would be as far as they'd get without stubbing their toe on something she was tinkering with or something she swept of the table to make room for something else in a hurry. "Then again, the stench might have corroded the welds away or something. Maybe next time?" she shuddered at the thought of the horrid stench emanating from the Ulnar boarding pods. Just thinking about that made her reach for the shot glass with a sigh. "Some poor sod is going to have to get rid of those pods still attached to the hull. Maybe we can gamble on that?"

Astrid snickered at the sight of the officer impaling the pilot with her gaze. "Think I saw little miss cargo in the bay earlier." she briefly replied to the pilot before turning to Rendyl, "What's your name...kid? Enjoy the relative freedom here while it lasts, no telling what the council Hurensöhne want with you." she said while pondering the pair of eights in her hand. She couldn't understand how easily people took to smoking inside a ship. Smoke detectors and sprinklers aside, she was weary of any sort of open flame inside a pressurized box floating through space. But hey, it could've been worse, at least the Monroe's atmosphere was closer to Earth's as opposed to a low-pressure breathing mix with high O2 content common on old stations.


[System]
Currently goes by: Kasumii

Age: 15

Appearance:

Wish: "I wish … I never existed."

Soul Gem Color: Clear/Transparent

Powers:
Her main power involves making things either exist, or not exist. This comes in many shapes and forms. Her own existence is something she can completely remove, her magic, her presence, her body, her soul gem, memories of her, everything about herself. When Kasumii erases herself, she becomes something like a mist, something invisible and intangible. She cannot interact with others or do anything in this state, only observe.

Her powers extend to things outside of herself, such as weapons, objects, events, powers and, previously people. It has drawbacks, however. She can only remove the existence of events that she has witnessed, or objects in her vicinity. Removal of these things can have dire consequences when handled inappropriately. She has erased the existence of her own power to erase people, having witnessed the horrors that can occur. The scale of what is erased corrupts her soul gem almost exponentially.

Kasumii's other powers include the ability to create a decoy version of herself and memory manipulation. The decoy can act and do as she wishes. It cannot use her powers, but has her physical capabilities. Her memory manipulation works side by side her existence removal, if she removes the existence of something from one's memory, she can manipulate associated memories.

When erasing objects, weapons or powers, they still appear to her, in a separate realm. They can continue moving as they normally do, and she can bring them back into existence.

Weapon:
A kunai (Does not have just a single kunai, can bring out very many kunais)

Personality:
The silent type who normally doesn't say much. Kasumii's outward personality is that of an introvert, keeping to herself, and not talking much. It is not that she wants to be alone, it is just that she does not interact with others much. She rarely ever engages another person in conversation.

Kasumii, however, does keep distance. She tries to prevent forming close bonds. It is not that she does not want to, but, is afraid to. Anyone who gets close to her seems to suffer in some way or another. She does not know what she can do for them, and struggles with this, so she keeps her distance.

In reality, Kasumii is a very nice girl, protective and understanding. She cares deeply for others and does not want others to be hurt. If she could, she would be friendly and a bit more engaging, however, she has stopped herself from doing this.

Bio:
Kasumii was given the name Yoshiko from her parents, written with the characters luck and child. They thought she would bring them good fortune, however, they were wrong. Ever since then, everything went to hell for them. They struggled to survive, to live and to feed her. Eventually, she was old enough to go to school, and she tried to make friends. At first everyone was nice to her, but eventually, those that got close to her suffered. They got ill, broke their bones, got bad grades, and many more things.

"I am a curse. A mistake to this world. No matter what I do, I hurt others." She would say. She thought this with all her heart. One day, the contractor appeared. That was when she made her wish, and her world changed. Her parents, their lives, were so much better, those she had considered her friends had lived better lives. With that, she was satisfied, her life never existed, no-one knew her, she did not matter. For them, she felt happy. With that her body ceased to exist, but the contractor still spoke to her, he had a mission for her.

From then on, she was a magical girl, who did not exist, who appeared and disappeared, without anyone knowing, even other magical girls. Travelling to many, many cities.

Theme: Shadows Dance in the Darkness

Other:
* Her physical and defensive capabilities are much lower than other magical girls. Thus she is vulnerable and has a hard time with fighting as her attacks are generally weak.
* Her style is more of an assassin, thus she does not consider what she does fighting. Kasumii, in her own opinion, cannot fight. She can kill, but not fight.
* Catchphrase – "You cannot kill what does not exist."
* Kasumii likes to click to bring things back into existence. She does not need to do this, but has chosen to. It also acts as a signal to any allies.
* She found someone who thought it was better not to exist like her once, she tried to give them that chance, but the results changed so many lives for the worse. Kasumii brought the person back into existence, telling her of the change. The person did not think it was true, and still wanted to erase themselves, and thus took their own life. Kasumii did not want this to happen again, and decided to stop intervening with other people, and removed her own ability to erase people's existence.
* Kasumii belonged to a group once. They all became close friends, but her misfortune aura made them suffer. Not being able to stand it anymore, she once more removed her existence, erasing herself from their memories and thus deciding she cannot get close to anyone emotionally.
* Usually stays in a misty form, only appearing when necessary
* If she were to die, all memories of her existence would be removed from everyone (as to fully comply with her wish)

[User]
"Inverted Rainbow?"

Akame didn't want to feel like she was being glanced over, but the Contractor usually told her of these things and she had to stare at Yuna incredulously for a moment. Not that she didn't believe her friend since she knew Yuna would never joke about their business as Magical Girls. Whatever it was, it probably had something to do with the supposed Primordial nest, which made Akame question all the more why the Contractor did not approach her first.

"I suppose I can gather everyone now but don't expect many to show up Yuna. Like I said, most of us have actual school to attend and I hope that whatever this is about is worth it," Akame said, trying to not let her irritation show in her voice.

Quickly, she sent out a message to all of the girls she knew didn't go to school first. That had to be Amara, Elise, and Izumi. She motioned for Rose to contact Kasumii since they had a better understanding of each other. She saved the others, Miyako, Nanako, and Chiyo for last, telling them that they would relay any information they would miss if they couldn't make it.

"Right then. Lead the way Yuna."

[Assistant]
Rose nodded in acknowledgement when Akame told her to contact Kasumii. Rose did not take it as an order from her superior. Rose was just the most logical to invite the girl. Rose took a few steps away from the group then held her soul gem up like a mic as she called out to Kasumii, "Good morning, Ms. Kasumii, this is Rea. I cannot seem to pinpoint where you are, so i hope you can hear this. Please come to the high school. There is going to be a meeting of magical girls in order to deal with what we spoke about last night. Please make haste but don't exhaust yourself."

Rose then called out to Elise, "Elise, Stop playing around and come to a meeting at the school. We have gotten some information that we need to share. I know you are not into girly things but we will be discussing something called the Inverted Rainbow. Make haste." Rose knew she did not need to invite Elise, but she felt responsible for Elise. Once finished, She hid her soul gem again and followed Akame and Yuna to the meeting place.

@Ariamis

[User]
In the silent library, Kasumii was silently reading. However, she could not focus on the book in front of her. The information from yesterday, the lack of a soul gem being found. Tracing her memories, there was no track of a soul gem on any of the girls. Are they targeting soul gems? Why? What use do they have for them? Additionally, they are targeting corrupt ones from the looks of it. That would explain why there are two methods. If they are already corrupt and vulnerable, and if they are "clean" and ready to fight, they would go about it differently. Am I missing something else? Am I even on the right track? I wonder what Yuna thinks about this. Kasumii thought before Rose had sent her a message via soul gem.

Holding up her own she simply replied, "Okay.", putting it back and getting up from her seat. She had to replace the book she was reading before she could leave. Guess I might be able to ask her sooner than I thought Kasumii thought, as she started to disappear, in a corner of the library where no-one was around. As a mist, she moved close to the school. She could identify it due to the magical girls signatures.

Forming a physical form once again, she started to make her way to the front gates of the high school. Unsure of where she was meant to meet the girls, she decided to wait for them at the front gate.

[Assistant]
High up on the tree snoozed Elise when she was messaged by Akame, and she woke up rubbing her eyes. She wasn't the type to sit still for long periods of time, and would either get herself occupied with stuff to do or take a nap. The message was followed up by another, this rime coming from Rose. She basically said the same stuff, but mentioned an Inverted Rainbow. Well that sounds strange. Does it only come in black, white and gray? Does the pot of gold appear at the beginning of it? How can it be inverted if it's light splitting from air moisture? Eh, must be more stupid magic bullshit the furball's come up with.

She yawned while stretching her arms out, and looked down from the tree. She spotted Kasumii by the school gates, seemingly lost. It was quite funny to watch for a while, and she did, but then she remembered how Rose wanted her to come immediately. She guessed Kasumii was also in the party list based on what the two of them agreed on yesterday. She hopped off the tree and made a flip for fun, landing right next to the quiet girl.

"Are you lost, Cloaky? Here, let me show you something awesome." She grabbed the girl's arm, checked where the other girls decided to have their meeting using magic sense, and then teleported the two of them right to the spot.

"WHAZAAA!" Elise greeted the others with tongue flaying out in a classy fashion. She then raised Kasumii's hand. "May I present to you: fresh meat, ready for serving! Bon appetit!"

[User]
Miyako's School...

"So, you mean you really are a magical girl, Miyako-chan?" Sora asked just to get a final confirmation to her doubts, however the Contractor intervened before Miyako could answer the question "You'll have time to ask this again later, Hitomi Sora. Right now, Miyako Komatsu must go to an important meeting to discuss the Inverted Rainbow with the other magical girls currently in this city."

"As for you, Miyako Komatsu... if you want to learn more about the Inverted Rainbow you should meet with your peers. They're about to begin a discussion on this matter right now. By the way, there's only thirty three hours, fifty four minutes and seventeen seconds left before it happens, it's better if you decide what to do quickly!" The Contractor then hopped of Miyako's shoulder and disappeared amidst the crowd of incoming students.

The Senior's School...

"Very well, then. Follow me." Yuana said as she went behind a three and transformed before running away with her crazy speed, eventually stopping to let the others catch up until they arrived at the roof of the highest building in the city "This will be the best place to discuss it." At exactly this moment:

Yuna smiled at the sight of Elise "Good to see you again, Scarlet. I was starting to get worried after you disappeared yesterday. I don't know what I would do if anything happened to you after last night." However, it was the other girl that Elise brought with her that intrigued Yuna the most, thought the frost magical didn't said anything, merely acknowledging Elise's introduction of her with a nod. However, she kept staring at Kasumii with an expression that almost said "Do I know you of somewhere?" Just as she turned to the other magical girls.

However, just as they were about to start the meeting, each magical girl felt her soul gem throb and begin to shine in each of their specific magic colors. This of course was the sign of something that all of them knew all too well "Primordials, just now?" Yuna said, but she gasped in surprise at the the realization of the truth once she focused her mind on the creatures' locations "That can't be... how come there are so many of them at once?"

True to Yuna's surprise, soon the other girls would notice. There were too many Primordials, in fact at least one for each magical girl in the city and all of them were pretty far for one another. Also, from the looks of it, their number would only go up if left unchecked.

"We will talk later, now let's deal with this." Yuna said as she run towards one of the locations with the speed of an incoming blizzard, leaving the others behind.

[Assistant]
As Kasumii was waiting, she looked up, into a tree, feeling the presence of Elise from yesterday. She watched as she flipped out of the tree and landed next to her. "Are you lost, Cloaky? Here, let me show you something awesome." Kasumii did not reply. Cloaky? What kind of nickname is that I don't even wear a cloak. she retorted mentally, as Elise grabbed her hand. She figured what Elise was going to do, so just went with the flow, letting her teleport them to where the other magical girls were.

When they appeared, Elise raised Kasumii's hand, and greeted the others with a tongue flaying out in a classy fashion "WHAZAAA! May I present to you: fresh meat, ready for serving! Bon appetit!" But as she raised Kasumii's hand, Kasumii erased just her hand from existence, and brought it back a quick moment later. Therefore, Elise raised her own hand, as she presented herself as fresh meat. It was a poor, tasteless joke in Kasumii's opinion, so she let Elise become the joke.

In front of them, the other magical girls. Kasumii looked at Rose, Akame and Yuna. The seniors of the group. She wanted a private word with Yuna first, but it seems there won't be a chance to. As the meeting was about to start, a throb of her soul gem. Her soul gem shined, but there was no light, as it was a clear shine. It was odd, but one could tell it was shining. "Primordials, just now?" Yuna said, but she gasped in surprise at the the realization of the truth once she focused her mind on the creatures' locations "That can't be... how come there are so many of them at once?"

The number of primordials, it was just .... unnatural. Could it be ... that the primordials are actually being controlled in some way? That could explain why there are so many here. If this was ... the nest as they say, maybe there is a mother, someone controlling them ... a thought passes by Kasumii, but she did not voice it. It was more important to deal with the primordials. "We will talk later, now let's deal with this." Yuna said as she run towards one of the locations with the speed of an incoming blizzard, leaving the others behind.

Kasumii nodded, and changed into her magical girl form. She started to make her way to a primordial that was in a location near where Yuna was heading. Perhaps there would be a chance for a small private conversation if she could make quick work of the primordial.


[System]
Age: 26

Social Class: Prole

Employment: Freelance Engineer

Skills and abilities:* Being a highly skilled engineer, Jacoby can use the technology around him to the advantage of himself and to the disadvantage of his enemies.
* Tinkering is a hobby of his. As a result, Jacoby can construct a wide variety of homemade weapons and gadgets at a minute's notice.
* While he's no stealth master, Jacoby has a way of not being seen by those he doesn't want to be seen by.
* He isn't a pro at parkour either, but that doesn't mean Jacoby can't climb a drain pipe and run the rooftops should the need arise.
* No matter the situation, be it playing cards or running from guards, luck always seems to be on Jacoby's side.

Equipment:* 1 Skeleton Key (A small contraption of Jacoby's design that can open any lock.)
* 1 Deck of Playing Cards With Ridiculously Sharp Edges (Useful for a fight or a impromptu game of cards.)
* 1 Plethora of Tools (Because what good is an engineer without tools?)
* 1 Top Hat and Goggles Combo (Welcome to the steampunk genre.)
* 1 Steam Powered Pistol (Self defense the steampunk way.)
* 1 Steam Powered Bird Automaton Named Sir Geoffrey the Impeccable (Animal sidekicks the steampunk way.)

General Back Story: For a Prole, Jacoby gets by better than most. He avoided the cold city streets by taking up residence in the bell tower of a derelict cathedral, lived off the birds that he caught in his bird traps, and made money by offering his services as an engineer to people who needed 1. While not the perfect existence, it was certainly better than what less fortunate Proles had. At the beginning of the RP, Jacoby found himself called called to the home of Earl Ligthfeather to fix some of his steamdroids.

Appearance:
(Jacoby)

(Sir Geoffrey the Impeccable)

[User]
Cornelia was desperately trying to staunch the flow of blood from Anne's chest when a red-haired Technocrat-Lady Callaghan, Cornelia recalled, dimly remembering that Lady Enright had mentioned her before the ball-approached her, bringing a doctor along with her. "Excuse me miss...I don't know if your friend is still...but I have brought assistance. She will be in the best of hands," she said. It took Cornelia a moment to realize that Lady Callaghan was speaking directly to her; most Technocrats would not even deign to glance at somebody like Cornelia, let alone address her by anything other than "girl" or "wench". Cornelia was even more surprised when Lady Callaghan gently moved her hands aside and was stunned for a second before stiffening instinctively and then relaxing again. Casting her eyes around the room, Cornelia could see medical personnel streaming into the ruins of the Lightfeathers' ballroom. She assumed that it was Lady Callaghan who summoned them somehow. Usually, Cornelia would not have missed such a big thing, but she had been too occupied with Anne to notice.

"Miss...I don't know who's done this, but I am going to need help to find out...Might I employ your services miss?" Lady Callaghan questioned quietly. Cornelia found herself taken aback for the third time. She eyed Lady Callaghan warily, wondering what the hell the Technocrat would want to do with a prole like her. Cornelia could only assume that Lady Callaghan wanted some sort of spy or "observer", but of course, Cornelia didn't work for free.

There was the sound of a loud explosion, and Cornelia waited for the reverberations to dissipate before opening her mouth to speak. Lady Callaghan was watching her expectantly. Cornelia looked in Anne's direction, and seeing that there were indeed doctors tending to her friend, she began.

"Ma'am, if you would have me serve as your parlor maid or serving girl, I am afraid that I am already employed," Cornelia said carefully, gauging the Technocrat's reaction. Cornelia lowered her voice as she continued. "But if you would have me watch and listen, with all due respect ma'am, I would be more than happy to oblige...for the right price." Cornelia was never one to tiptoe cautiously around subjects that were more controversial, especially not in a dire situation like this.

For the first time, Cornelia felt as if she had some sort of upper hand. If Lady Callaghan refused, well, Cornelia was still working for Lady Enright. And if she agreed to pay her? Cornelia would be able to send more money than ever before back to her family. She felt a sudden twinge of homesickness. What would her mother say if she knew what Cornelia truly did for her employers, other than dusting the candlesticks and scrubbing their floors? Cornelia impatiently pushed the thought out of her mind-it would do her no good to grow overly agitated in a moment like this.

However, thinking of home made Cornelia think of the other people she knew. It was true that she had few friends amongst other proles, but the few friends that she did have were very connected. Cornelia's lip twitched slightly as she thought of Sebastian Shoreditch, a middle-aged butler who currently worked for a wealthy Meritocrat family. He was born with a photogenic memory, an extraordinarily rare trait. Sebastian was a wily and shrewd, and kept his unusual talent a secret from most everyone, including his employers. He learned to read when he was in his 20's, and since then, he had been snooping on his employers. Cornelia always went to him whenever she needed to find something obscure like a valuable antique; if anyone knew about it, it would be Sebastian. Besides, he didn't ask for anything but a flask of cider, and he was good company. Cornelia fondly recalled his salt-and-pepper hair and cocky grin, his outrageous imitations of his employers, and his many sardonic wisecracks. Maybe Sebastian would know something about the vigilante-it would definitely be worth a try.

Wilhelmina Sullivan was about Cornelia's age. The two of them had suffered through countless beatings and scoldings together when Cornelia was fourteen; they were as thick as thieves. When Cornelia was fired from her first job, Wilhelmina was devastated, but through a long chain of underground communication and passing messages to people who might know someone that knew the other girl, they were able to stay in touch. The last Cornelia had heard, Wilhelmina had become a prostitute at a fairly established brothel. Cornelia could see why she would be hired; Wilhelmina was as delicate as a doll and ten times more beautiful than one too, with her rosebud lips and dainty figure and thick black ringlets. Wilhelmina would have definitely been in contact with wealthy Technocrats. It would be worth a try attempting to speak to her as well.

Finally, there was Charlotte Elliot, or Lottie, as Cornelia called her. Almost seventy years old, half-blind, and hunchbacked, most people thought of her as a helpless old lady. Cornelia had thought so too, at first, but it was Charlotte who got Genevieve Clarkson to employ Cornelia as an informant. From what Cornelia knew, Charlotte had stayed with the Clarksons after Genevieve's death despite the fact that Charlotte was Genevieve's nursemaid and very close to the woman. Gabriel Clarkson had obviously been swayed by his parents to let her be. Getting in touch with Charlotte would be tricky because she rarely ever left the Clarkson estate, but not impossible. Cornelia would figure something out.

Cornelia let a small, cordial half-smile slip onto her face as she awaited Lady Callaghan's reply. Maybe she would even be able to find out more about the masked murderer for Lady Enright during their exchange.

[Assistant]
In between Lady Callaghan's offer of employment to Cornelia and Cornelia's response, Lady Callaghan had asked Jacoby to procure some transportation. "Have the steamers swipe a carriage" Jacoby aside to Sir Geoffrey, causing the bird automaton to take flight in the direction of the steamdroids Jacoby had repaired and reprogrammed.
Some time later, Sir Geoffrey returned with a steamdroid. "We have acquired transportation for you and your associates" the droid said as Sir Geoffrey perched on Jacoby's shoulder once more "It awaits your usage at the main entrance".
"Excellent work" Jacoby told the droid. As the steamdroid turned to go, Jacoby stopped it. "Procure a carriage for yourselves too" Jacoby said "You 6 may prove helpful".
"Very good, sir" the steamdroid replied before walking off to carry out Jacoby's orders.
"A carriage awaits at the main entrance, my lady" Jacoby told Lady Callaghan once she had reached an agreement with Cornelia. 'Well Jacoby' he thought to himself 'It looks like you have an adventure on your hands'.

[User]
Evelyn was quite embarrassed to be perfectly honest. It seemed funny but to her it was far from a joke. Speaking to the servant was more terrifying to her than a prole speaking to a Technocrat. She didn't ever really know what to say, as her position afforded her such impunity she never was able to find out what they actually thought of her. Looking down to the poor lass she gave the doctors shoulder a small tap. "Is it...good?", she said somewhat timidly. "Just in time, her chances are good", he replied before going back to his business. Soon after calling two workers to carry her out of the building. "Ma'am, if you would have me serve as your parlor maid or serving girl, I am afraid that I am already employed", Evelyns face dropped somewhat. Looking more sad than anything else. "I'm...sorry to have wasted you...", she was cut off as the lassie continued to speak. She was available for hire and it looked as if she might just have access to information that would come in handy, admittedly she didn't approve on such things but this was an exception. She gave a soft chuckle. "Wonderful!", she exclaimed excitedly, moving to hug her tightly. Then pulled back, looking somewhat more reserved and embarrassed. She hadn't thought if it would be seen as an offence. Or if she'd even appreciate it, the girl was right, what would a Technocrat want from a prole but a disposable servant. It's not like the servant wanted her for a friend. Most of the youths Evelyn knew were despicable. The kind of people that would use you up and spit you out. ."I don't know how long I'd need you Miss....um..., I'm Lady Callaghan....yourself? but I'd be happy to pay weekly. You can discuss it with my butler. But we must hurry away!"

She looked to see the little mechanical companion of Jacoby flying back to land on his shoulder. She gave a soft smile and gave the little automaton a soft stroke on the beak. "Thank you sir, might I enquire into your services too? If it's not a bother, I wouldn't mind the extra company and you seem to know your way around...I'll pay...", to be perfectly honest she was desperate for the company, it was rather a lonely life being a Technocrat, especially one who doesn't stick to social conventions. She didn't understand the other young aristocracy, their lives so filled with ambitions for power and money. Having friends like show pieces to brag about to their other collectables. It was rather disquieting to be honest and it seemed this was the first chance she had to actually hang around with people who were...well normal. "Your friend is in good hands miss. Please let us go. I'm sure we can avenge the damage done here today", she said before taking the two of them by the hand and trying to run to the carriage. It was getting late and the day was coming to a finish. The nightlife of the docks was getting rowdy and she had people to try and meet there. A young man actually being the first. Edward Thomson, a young prole that had robbed her purse. The police made short work of tracking him down but she refused to press charges. Instead she arranged for him a job in a bar in the port. It's the best way of reforming broken characters. Stick a man in prison and he becomes a hardened criminal. Give a man a job and he can work his way out of his destitution. He'd never let her down after that. Liberating stolen goods from criminals for her to return to their rightful owners.

[Assistant]
"My services?" Jacoby said when Lady Callaghan inquired into his services "Well if you think you'll need a skilled engineer with incredibly good luck at your back in this venture, I think you'll have use for me. As for payment, we can discuss that at the end of our business engagement so long as we're both still alive by then". With an agreement reached, Jacoby took Lady Callaghan's hand (Somewhat enjoying the fact he was holding the hand of an attractive technocrat woman.) and followed her to the carriage.

Jacoby was the 1st to step out when the carriage reached the docks. Once on the ground, he reached up into the carriage and Lady Callaghan off as well. "I hope you don't mind that I brought a few 'friends' along for the ride" Jacoby said as the carriage that the reprogrammed steamdroids had commandeered pulled up behind them "I thought they might prove useful in certain situations".


[System]
Notable parents: Baralai and Paine

Age: 21

Hair color: White

Eye color: Red

Appearance: 5'6 Wears black, like his mother. Black pants with a tight white tee shirt. He normally wears a black leather jacket. He also wears black combat boots.

Weapons: Two Ka-bar Knifes shown below.

Fighting style: Because of his athletic build he really quick on his feet and uses his surroundings to his advantage, also using his skills as a Blitzer to get around. He can throw any of his weapons with pinpoint accuracy, use both knifes to fight. Along who's his knifes he is very proficient in grappling techniques, as they go hand and hand with knife fighting.

Also as a secondary non leathal is a collapsible six foot metal bowstaff. Which he is also proficient in, but it is a secondary.

Skills:
-Extremely Athletic
-Free runner

Shortcomings:
-Too Trusting in others,
-Does not Believe in himself, second guesses himself

Occupation: Ex-Blitzball star, Adventurer

Biography: Gippal was named after a family friend, the leader of the machine faction. He grew up in Bevelle with his parents because of his father who is still the leader of Yevon. His mother didn't want him to grow up as a brat so she took him to Besaid every year for the summer to lived and visit with Yuna and the rest of her guardians who did the same for their kids.

In Besaid he would grow to love Blitzball and often play with Tidus and Wakka to train as well as his friends. But when he was 16 he decided to go out on his own, make a name for himself and not under the name of his father as son of the leader of New Yevon. He took up work as sword for hire, helping caravans travel by protecting them. He also hunted down marks of Fiends that are dangerous.

He also made a name for himself playing Blitzball for the Zanarkand Abe's . He managed to get on the team when he scored five goals in a scrimmage in an open practice. He played for the Abe's for 4 years then left the team suddenly to Besaid to join the Aurochs in the upcoming tournament, which is a huge uproar In the world of Blitzball.

Personality: He is normally in the spotlight due to his fame but he doesn't like it, he tends to take the lead because people look to him as a leader. He cares for his friends and wants to do good and looks to help anyone in need.

Living or arriving in Besaid?: Arriving by airship.

[User]
"Grrr…" Nai made an angry growl as the priests tried to cut their entrance into the cloister of trials. When she saw the priest hitting Alex and the red head snapping his staff in two, Nai screamed from approval in her mind. That was the way to do it! Those priests were too annoying most of the time! She let a good smile once again when Urick tossed the priest to the side, giving him a warning to not hit girls.

 Once they stepped through the entrance of the cloister, Nai turned around to look at the priests and the few of the Yevon guards that were at the temple. They were shouting at them to stop." To oblivion with all of you…" Naisha said, raising her staff in the air. Most of the guards and priests stopped in their tracks at the sight of her staff suddenly being covered with energy." FROZEN WALL!" The mage shouted, as at the entrance of the cloister flared a flash of magic and a ice crystal began to grow at insane rate. Just a second later, the whole entrance was already covered by a thick frozen wall." That should stop them… at least till Lady Yuna and Master Lulu show up… teacher will probably melt it with a single spell." Nai said with a huge grin.

 Making their way deeper into the cloister, Nai and Gippal were slightly behind the others because Alex sprinted in first, followed by Alora, now Urick seemed to also speed up to find Alex. Because of her chair, Nai moved slightly slower and Gippal seemed to have decided to accompany her and not leave her alone. That put a small smile on her face. There weren't any fiends to bother them right this moment because the rest seemed to have slaughtered their way through them. After all Besaid temple's cloister of trials wasn't the biggest. After a few minutes she finally spotted the rest ahead. Alex seemed to be holding her head… Was it her mysterious condition? They all knew that Alex has something special about her… could that be causing her headache?

 "Alex! What's wrong!?" Nai asked as they were getting closer." Do you need anything?!" The mage asked with concern. She felt bed seeing her friend looking heart. She then spotted the mysterious girl with the ice magic from earlier." You… what are you doing here? Why did you enter the cloister? " The mage asked, locking her sight completely on the mysterious girl that had a katana.

[Assistant]
...So many voices came behind her as she stood in the entrance of the 'waiting area' the guardians usually stood in as the summoner went inside.@Riona Slowly, her head turned to her side, then she turned her entire body around to look at the group of people demanding to know her reason for being her. Immediately, her glowy blue eyes narrowed on the girl with her hand on her sword, ready to draw it. She raised her hand benevolently, then gently moved her finger as though flicking some piece of dandruff or something off her cheek. The result was the hand resting on the Katana becoming encased in ice around the sheath and the handle, rendering her immobile and in a rather awkward pose if she were using the opposite hand to draw it out.

While that provided some amusement, her laugh was but a small 'Hm,' and her smile a bare thread of one. Then her face returned to its stoic state as she raised her chin to the questions being tossed at her. She realized many of these people were ones from the beach, including the boy she accidentally knocked over with the help of Mercury.

"I come with intent to speak with my friend. Nothing more, nothing less." Her chin lowered a bit, and she sighed. As she did, her breath could be seen as though she was standing in the snow. "Let me be, for I have no ill will to harm any of you."

[User]
Alex glanced back to see Alora taking care of two other fiends before catching up and asking if the taller red head was alright. Grumbling, Alex dug her own fingers against her skull, threading through the Crimson hair while her thumbs pressing against her temples, as if it was a attempt to contain something from bursting out from her head. Sure felt like it as the pounding grew harder and louder.

"I'm fine." Alex answered, glaring toward the mysterious woman before shutting her right eye in a wince.

As the others seemed to catch up, Alex listened to the loud voice of Naisha. Alex knew the black Mage was just worried, but bloody hell she was loud for a frail body girl. It was doubtful one could tell by just listening to her.

"I'm fine. Just... The usual Temple Headache. Don't worry." Alex answered, not wanting her friends to worry. Though it was usual Alex to say that and not be fine. She never asked for help even as a kid. Be it catching a cold, getting into too big of a fight, or every time she got these headaches, she truthfully believed she'd be able to power through her own issues. Yet she had no idea what issues helping others, like when Tidus wanted a errand or Naisha wanted to go somewhere. It was just normal.

Course, this headache was a little odd. Voices. The hum was still there but she swore she could hear voices, whispering ever so quietly in her mind. It caused her head to hurt more. Trying to decipher what they were saying was just causing the pain to worsen.

As focused enough to notice Alora pull her authority card, the mysterious woman simply froze the smaller red head's hand to the hilt of the katana. At the explanation, or what little there was, Alex ground her teeth together in irritation. Have little to no patience for this bullshit at the moment.

"What the #%#% kind of friend do you have down here?! I'm sure as shit haven't seen you here on this island in my life and the only things in here are fiends! And if you think we're the ones going to be hurt in a tussle with you, well I sure as %#%# would like to see you try! Bring it one icy %#%#%#!" Alex snarled toward the mysterious woman, ripping her hands away from grasping her head in order to hold up her fists, as if ready to launch a assault. Though perhaps she was at a area disadvantage, she sure as hell wasn't about to take some bullshit like this.

Though first, Alex turned toward Alora and grabbed the ice, crushing the frozen water between her fists and freeing Alora.

[Assistant]
Once they stepped through the entrance of the cloister, Nai turned around to look at the priests and the few of the Yevon guards that were at the temple. They were shouting at them to stop." To oblivion with all of you…" Gippal raised his eyebrows as Naisha said that and then raising her staff in the air. Most of the guards and priests stopped in their tracks at the sight of her." FROZEN WALL!" The mage shouted, as at the entrance of the cloister flared a flash of magic and a ice crystal began to grow at insane rate. Just a second later, the whole entrance was already covered by a thick frozen wall." That should stop them… at least till Lady Yuna and Master Lulu show up… teacher will probably melt it with a single spell." Nai said with a huge grin.

At which Gippal Narrowed his right eye speculating, "I.....Think this isn't going to end well." There were many of time when Gippal got on the bad side of Aunt Yuna and Lulu. He was hesitant to be under the glare of those two again. But thinking on what was happening it wouldn't really effect him... he was trying to keep up appearances. He pulled his two K-bar knifes out and turned to make his way down the cloister.

As they walked down the old halls he glanced back and noticed a small smile on Naisha's face he didn't say anything but looked forwards He knew the others would have cleared the halls of fiends, but he wanted to be sure. After a few minutes she finally spotted the rest of the group, near the Fayths room. The hum was getting even louder now. Was it coming from the Fayth's room? Alex seemed to be holding her head… He always knew she had an issue with headaches...but right now? That couldn't be good. Nai had moved ahead towards Alex

 "Alex! What's wrong!?" Nai asked. " Do you need anything?!" She asked with concern.

"I'm fine. Just... The usual Temple Headache. Don't worry." Alex Answered, as Gippal shook his head, She always put on a strong face. He looked to Urick who had a look of concern on his face. But the big guy new better to ask...or was still shy.

Naisha then looked up to the girl in front of them" You… what are you doing here? Why did you enter the cloister? " Nai asked.

Gippal had saw Alora's hand was frozen solid. Did the mysterious woman simply froze Alora's hand to her sheath? Who was this woman... Suddenly a thought popped into his head. Was she connected to him?. Suddenly Alex exploded.

"What the #%#% kind of friend do you have down here?! I'm sure as shit haven't seen you here on this island in my life and the only things in here are fiends! And if you think we're the ones going to be hurt in a tussle with you, well I sure as %#%# would like to see you try! Bring it on icy %#%#%#!" Alex snarled toward the mysterious woman, Her hands quickly balled into fist and a fighting stance.

But instead of rushing forward, Alex turned toward Alora and grabbed the ice, crushing the ice between her fists and freeing Alora. She defiantly was stronger, breaking an iron bar, shattering the ice... did it have to do with her headaches? Her strength did grow when ever she was frustrated...usually with her head aches. But that was besides the point now as Gippal moved forward ahead of the group... going on a hunch.

"Are you looking for the Fayth that used to Reside here?" Then judging that she might be nutter. seeing how the only other Being besides Fiends would have been a Fayth he added. "Valefor?" He sheathed his knifes, not wanting to be threatening." allowing the palms of his hands to be seen. Things were going south fast and he didn't want to be fighting in the temple.

All the while the Hum became louder and Louder, as if someone was singing in the room they were standing in.


[System]
Gender: male
Age: 24
Appearance:
 Height: 6'3
 Build: average size but muscular
 Hair: dark brown hair that goes just past his shoulders; wears it in a short ponytail usually with his bangs hanging in his face because they are too short to stay in hairband.
 Eyes: dark blue
 Clothes: when working, wears a stained long-sleeved shirt that used to be white but after wearing it so long it has turned tan. A leather vest over the shirt (wears old pins on the jacket) with leather forearm covers and leather shoulder protectors. Dark brown, almost black pants with leather kneepads and shin protectors. Brown combat boots.
 Other Traits: Fairly dark tan, surprisingly even considering he is usually only seen weaing long-sleeved shirts in his older age (because he tries hiding scars on his arms and torso) as a smattering of freckles on shoulders and back from sun exposure. Has a scar about two inches long under left eye where he was hit with a bat in a brawl.
 Skillset: Good at using an array of weapons and using his fists. Knows quite a bit about survival skills, from water purification, navigation, hunting, shelter building, etc.
 Weapons: trail carbine (no scope), baseball bat (the same one that gave him his scar)
 Personality: Well, he definitely isnt the brains of the operation. He is a fighter and loves to brawl any chance he gets. Very protective of the ones he cares about and will do anything foe them, even kill. Frightening to most who don't know him and even when they do know him, some are afraid of him still. Rarely serious unless they are going into a dangerous situation. Has a good sense of humor, sometimes morbid.

 Name: Kaye Delarosa
 Gender: Female
 Age: 20
 Appearance:
 Height: 5'2
 Build: Slender and quite weak
 Hair: Pixie cut with fiery red hair.
 Eyes: Bright green
 Clothing: Wears a merchant outfit that has a bandolier with pouches sewed to it draped on a shoulder. For col weather wears a long, grey wool coat that is worn and shows its use.
 Skillset: Has impeccable agility, great at bartering,
 Weapons(s): 10mm pistol, combat knife, Leith
 Personality: She is typically a nice person...when she Isn't on the chems. Always looking for a good adventure and has an almost childish attitude towards it. Despises boredom and monotony and wants nothing more than to spice things up; this is why she takes chems.
 Bio: Kaye's life growing up was quite simple...and boring. All her life she had stayed in Barrington, a large settlement just outside what used to be called Mobile, Alabama. Though it was large and had a lot of people, life there grew to become an endless routine for her. In order to spike her attention and do something new, she begun stealing things from her neighbors, trying to not get caught. She learned this from her favorite book, the book her father used to read to her every night as it reminded her of their life, "Oliver Twist." When she turned fifteen, that held no excitement anymore nor did anything in Barrington, so she did the most daring thing she could think of...she jumped on a brahmin of one of the travelling merchants, hid under a blanket, and went outside the walls for the first time in her life. This was the start of her new-found career.
 She was found out in first few hours and with plenty of begging, the merchant allowed her to travel with him. When they got to the settlement where the merchant was from, she met with Butch and joined his caravan, receiving her own caravan at seventeen uears-old. And 5his was the story of her life now...until meeting Basil and Jace.

[User]
Basil narrowed his eyes and replied, "There's no need to be racist. And he's not a 'thing' either--he's a human being, just like us." He folded his arms over his chest, refusing to look at Jace. "It's not like they plan on sticking around, anyways, so we could at least get along while we're together. And you should be more appreciative, too. If it wasn't for them, then..." He trailed off, lowering his eyes to the ground. "He's not that bad, honest. And it's not like I've abandoned you or anything, like you're implying. He just said that we should set up camp because we're all obviously tied, except for maybe Kaye, but I kinda suspect that she may be on something. I don't want to outright accuse her of that, though, because that'd be rude--maybe she's just a really, really optimistic and energetic person, and who am I to judge her for that?" He took a deep breath, cheeks flushed slightly as he finished his rant. "Anyways, stop being a jerk."
 Leith rolled his eyes, but paused as he heard Basil raise his voice slightly. He didn't think that he was actually capable of getting riled up to this extent, but he looked it now.
 "Sounds like we could all use some shut-eye," Leith piped up, looking between the two. He was quiet for a moment, Basil not even looking at him.

[Assistant]
Jace looked at Basil, feeling slightly hurt for his ending statement. He stared at him for a long moment. "I'm...the jerk. And your new friend is a godsend, huh?" He started walking a littl3 faster to give a little distance. He hated acting so harshly towards Basil, but he was exhausted and still felt the effects of his near-death experience. The botched plans weren't of much help,either.
 "Right here is as good as any place," Jace said before taking a seat on an old tree stump. He practically threw his gun on the ground beside the stumo where he sat, too tired to care.
 "Alright...I guess the big man has made his decision..." Kaye muttered, taking a seat a foot taking a seat on the opposite end of the stump.

[User]
"Lead-head, be careful with that gun, yeah?" said Leith, but looked toward Basil. He wasn't certain what had gone down between the two, but the dumb brute looked even angrier and the short-stack appeared to be in a downward spiral of despair, his earlier strength sapped like nothing. "Hey, short-stack. You cook?"
 Basil glanced up and numbly nodded after a brief moment's confusion.
 "Good," Leith said, relieved to not be stuck with Kaye's "delicacies" for a night. He set down his pack near the stump. "I'll go get some wood then. Kaye, can I trust you to get the medicine prepared?" He shot her a dangerous look.

[Assistant]
"Well, of course you can, Chief," Kaye said, rolling her eyes. "Its not that difficult, you know. Don't worry. I will be on my best behavior..."
 Jace stared at Leith for a long moment. He secretly wished he wouldn't come back and knew that was a bastard thought.

[User]
Leith gave Kaye one last glare before he stepped away, vanishing into the sinking darkness.
 Basil glanced at Kaye, "Do...do you need any help?" Deep down, he was afraid of this girl, but she had been kind enough to help them. So she couldn't be all that bad, right? Besides, talking to her was better than talking to Jace at the moment. For some reason, he seemed to be mad at him.

[Assistant]
"Nah, I got this," Kaye said, waving a hand of dismissal as she scrounged in her pack for he supplies needed. She hummed to herself. She begun to measure out the radaway for Jace, which took no time at all. once she was finished, she walked over to him and held out the syringe, smiling. "The doc needs to administer the medications."
 Jace slowly looked up at her, staring for a long moment. "How do I know you aren't giving me some psycho or something?"
 She scoffed. "Because you are already psycho enough without the help of drugs doing it for you." Before could retaliate, she stabbed him in the arm and quickly administered the medicine.
 Jace practically growled and jumped up from his seat, making a move to grab her. "You bitch..."

[User] Basil's eyes widened, and he quickly shouted, "Jace, don't!"

[Assistant]
Jace clenched onto her vest tightly, a few of the buttons popping off to reveal the revealing shirt underneath. He stared at it for a moment, not even registering that there was a half-naked woman before him. He was staring at her like a bear caught in a bear trap, looking murderous to escape.
 Kaye was Momentarily struck silent, actually frightened of this man which came very rare to her. She couldn't do nothing but stare into those hateful eyes and thought momentarily that he could indeed kill her at this moment without a second thought.
 "I take that as a direct threat, you know..." he muttered, realizing now just how scared she really was. He finally tossed her away from her. He had been known not to be above hitting a woman, but he knew she was only trying to help. he hoped, at least.
 Once she was released, she quickly scrambled away from Jace and hugged Basil, just to be near someone instead of Jace.

[User]
Basil flushed as Kaye latched onto him; she hadn't even bothered to button up her shirt again, and honestly, he'd never been close to another woman (besides his mother, but even that was years ago), and he especially didn't expect his first encounter to be when she was half-naked. Okay, perhaps she wasn't exactly half-naked. She did, after all, have the shirt over her tube top. But the point remained.
 Unsure of what else to say, he stuttered, "I-it's okay, Kaye. I mean, you may have been caught in a moment of vulnerability, but you're really, really pretty, I promise! And Jace didn't mean to--you, you just caught him in a moment of vulnerability, too, and I honestly think that we'd all be a lot better if we just got along!"
 Leith then returned with an armful of logs and kindling, glancing between them. "Kaye, what did you do this time? I thought that I could trust you to handle the medicine appropriately this time." He shook his head. "Sorry about whatever she did, Jace. It's just her way of showing affection, honestly. And Kaye, get your clothes back on; Basil looks like he's about to have a nervous breakdown. That or you're strangling him." Kaye always did this whenever she was trusted with administering medicine to people; she just didn't know boundaries, in general. He'd never been able to get her to stop before, but perhaps she would now.

[Assistant]
"I only gave him the reccomended amount of actual radaway, I swear!" Kaye yelled as she released her hold on Basil, but still remained rooted to his side. When Jace shot her a sidelong glare, she shied behind Basil again as if Jace's leer was deadly. "Alright, so I may have used a teeny bit more force than I should have, but he was being rather complicated, you see? I mean, you have seen how the guy is! He wouldn't take his medication, so I made him so he wouldn't almost die again." She spared a look at him and crossed her arms. "You're welcome."
 Jace decided to ignore her and slowly turned to look at Leith, a little surprised he had retrieved the wood so quickly; even more surprised that he hadn't tried to fight him for roughing up the person in his charge. Although it was a good thing for the temporary comraderie that was barely holding intact, he had hoped for a little scuffle to say the least. He was aching for a fight with the ghoul and could feel the storm brewing in the air, but it wasn't ready to be released just yet. It was only a matter of time, though...
 That was probably a good thing it was put on hold, because he probably would have made a fool of himself if attempting to brawl in his current state. Given any other time, he wouldn't have hesitated to start a fight even though he knew there was the big possibility of losing; he just hated the ghoul so much that failure wasn't an option to Jace. Hell, he didn't even really understand himself why the ghoul irked him so and that fact alone annoyed him to no end.
 He stared at the ghoul for a minute, watching as he sat the wood down. For the moment, the ghoul had earned a sliver of a point in his book considering he didn't berate him for jumping the girl as he did.
 "I will build the fire," Jace said as he stood up, walking to the wood pile. He was tired, starved, and weak, but he wasn't going to sit around and be completely helpless in the eyes of these people. After taking out his fire bow, which was only a piece of wood with a rope tied to both ends, he set to work building the fire. In just a few minutes, Jace had a fire burning beautifully and begun to feed larger pieces of wood to it.
 "Why...why did you build the fire so close to the tree?" Kaye asked, legitimately curious. At least she was quick to forgive...or forget.
 He craned his neck to look at her for a moment before stoking the logs onto the fire. "The smoke hugs the tree and gets lost in the branches so the smoke dissipates before passing the canopy. Its better this way because the raiders are more likely to overlook it."
 To say the least, she was impressed. "That is actually pretty good. I would have never thought of that." She then turned to look at Leith. "You should learn to build a fire like this guy. And he can do it faster than you, too."
 Jace scoffed slightly and shook his head, prodding the fire absentmindedly. "Flattery does not work on me, so you can give up." He then sighed and stood up. "I will try to get along better with you people for the sake of our situation, but I want you to stay away from me. Both of you." He then turned and walked back over to the log he had left his weapon sitting against.
 "God, so moody. Even more so than Leith over there, and I didn't even think that was possible." Kaye then leaned over to Basil and whispered something in his ear, "and just to let you know...no straight guy would have shrugged off seeing a half-naked lady like your friend did. He may not be in love with you...to hell with that, he totally has it bad for you. Besides, no one could resist staring at these." Since she was standing behind Basil, she touched her open chest against his back to get her point across and smirked to herself before making her way towards the fire, practically dragging Basil by the arm. "Come on, Basil. I will help you cook dinner. I insist."