View source for 4178/Human Resources Day Off(

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2016/06/02
|Location=The Great Jungle
|Synopsis=In which our vacationers learn to read the fine print on their contracts; or: In HR, vacation is just a euphemism for double pay work day.
|Cast of Characters=220, 234, 336, 604, 691, 714, 991
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:234|Lu-Mey (234)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sometimes. Sometimes even the Confederacy, and its varied allied, recruited, or even randomly hired mishmash of mercenaries need a day off.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;That day is today.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Lu-Mey has done her time-honored duty as the second in command and official secretary of Human Resources, to tap the vacation funds and organize a trip! Even if Human Resources is just the tongue in cheek name for the black ops group, she still janks vacation pay for anyone that shows up for...<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A boat ride.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;That's right! A boat ride! It's a small yacht trip rented for the crew, and after some zooming along on the seas, dropping anchor and parking offshore from a tropical beach island, it's time for fun in the sun! The skies are clear, blue, and perfect, the sun is high, the sea spray smells great... There's a volleyball net planted in the sands, and a small bonfire.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Lu-Mey, herself, is reclined ina beach chair, the dusky-skinned Oni is dressed for the occasion, to boot, in a red bikini, sunning herself. Beside her is The Cooler. The one cooler to rule them all-- actually it's the only cooler of alcohol, though dotted around are several others with less intoxicating soda and snacks.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Oh boy, this should be fun, shouldn't it?!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:220|Comrade Crush (220)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Well, it might be the only /cooler/ of alcohol. But it's not the only alcohol on site.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sitting next to it is a great big barrel full of vodka on a stand, marked with a bright red hammer and sickle and already tapped for everyone's convenience. There's little question who brought it, just in case people wanted to add some... flavor, to the otherwise non-alcoholic drinks.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As for said 'person who brought it'? He's already playing in the sand. No, seriously.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Comrade Crush is here in a pair of bright-red swimtrunks that could pass for a small parachute, emblazoned with numerous little yellow hammer-and-sickle emblems. It is very soviet swimwear, and ensures that his powerful physique is prominently presented! He probably spent the entire way over on the boat, standing on the bow with his fists on his hips ("The sea breeze, it is wonderful here!"). But now? Now he is sweeping his arms this way and that, flexing his muscles and exerting his magic to slowly and surely shape the sand. This will truly be the most soviet sandcastle ever.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:336|Starless Night (336)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Starless Night is here, but she is favoring the non-alcoholic drinks for... reasons. One of which is because of how she is dressed, which is in a flashy yellow bikini. This is not actually as alluring as one would think, because for some reason, she's in a slightly different form than usual, and she appears to be about fourteen or fifteen years old, and sitting atop a blanket while watching Crush build the sandcastle. She has a ramune soda in one hand, and a pair of sunglasses to keep the glare down. At her side is her sword despite this.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Many might question her choice of form for this outing. That is because very few will recognize the head of the Northern Tenra Shinto faction.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:991|Stygian Mirror (991)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Mirror had come along, what with being hired to. When the terms of her contract were set, this was not the trip she expected in the slightest.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The young woman is, for one, way too clothed for a beach trip. A black and white tunic with a rear extension like half of a tabard, bony black and white gauntlets and thigh-high boots, and a pitch black jagged longsword-- a look more suited to a battlefield than a trip to the beach for sure. The fox ears, fluffy cat tail and lizardy eyes of the woman all stick out, giving off a distinctive psychic imprint. Failed psychic camouflage, like the features are trying force observers to ignore them, but can't manage it at all.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She looks uncomfortable, sticking out like a sore thumb on the beach. She's helped herself to soda and snacks, but obviously hasn't managed to relax yet. She's not totally sure she got on the right boat, but since nobody said anything...<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Her attention momentarily wanes, consumed by the giant man making a sandcastle.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She raises a hand, opening her mouth to ask Lu-Mey a question idly. Nothing vocalizes and she just lowers her hand and closes her mouth. Maybe she misunderstood something. A bit of sun wasn't so bad every once in a while, anyway, so if she got hired to attend a beach party on a tropical island... win-win?<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:714|Sanary Rondel (714)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span> It's been a few days. That's enough time to get over gaining power, losing it, and realizing you nearly killed your girlfriend without realizing it, right? Right. No sadness on vacation days. It's all smiles for Sanary as she lounges in a chair not too far from where everyone else is. Unlike Lu-Mey, she's dressed a little bit more modestly with a white dress shirt on over a white bikini. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; She's also trying not to look too closely at anyone in particular. It's awkward with so many attractive or cute people around! "It's nice out today... Uh. What kinda drinks do we got?" She calls out without looking towards her fellow Confederates, her attention clearly focused on the water itself. Or... Something in it, rather, as she keeps her eye focused on the movement of something distinctly blue and pinchy burbling just under the surface. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The temptation to go chase it is strong. So... So strong. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Also, she's brought some food of her own. Fried foods, of course, smelling distinctly like the outdoor food carts in Chinatown that are usually loaded up with greasy vegetable spring rolls and questionable fried chicken meat. The street gives it flavor!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:604|Raine Arland (604)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Sometimes. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Sometimes one needs to take a break from helping overthrow kingdoms, taking over castles, stealing, looting, and generally being an unsavory sort. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; So it's a good thing this is happening, isn't it? <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; There are actually two people here. Raine steps off the ship and onto the beach, wearing a pair of black swim trunks with a red and green stripe across them. And a black, short sleeved jacket, unzipped with nothing underneath. "Alright! Time to finally, finally...!" Clenching a fist and grinning wildly, the black haired young man looks all fired up for a moment, but then- <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; THUNK. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "OW!" <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; That's the sound of a surfboard bouncing atop his head. "Enough, fool. Move." Came a girl's voice from above him. Along floats Fragarach, sporting a white bikini with gold lining, and a sheer semi-transparent material tied around her waist as a skirt. She holds a surf board under one arm. It's jet black, which can only mean it's Raine's. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Grrmbmblbe...." Raine grouses as he walks on ahead, giving Lu-Mey a salute as he passes by. "Yo, Lu." And then Sanary. "Canary, wussup?" And then he stopped at the alcohol cooler, taking out a can of beer before turning to observe the big muscled man moving sand with the power of FLEXING. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "........." <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Let's watch this for a bit. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Fragarach meanwhile stabs Raine's surfboard into the ground with an irritated huff, before floating aside to settle into a beach chair and lay back lazily. Yes, this is fine.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:691|Yari Takane (691)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span> Yari's here! Of course she is, because this week has been a combination of betrayal, revenge, awful, awful, nearly getting killed by her girlfriend (intentionally), getting a new arm, and awful. <br /><br /> Thankfully for Sanary, Yari's not exactly feeling bad about the 'strangling her' thing. It was All Part of The Plan (tm). She's here, dressed in a two-piece bikini showing off both her new arms, a few new scarrs, and plenty of dusky Au Ra flesh and blue scales. <br /><br /> She also has one heck of a big glass filled with Comrade Crush's vodka. She's watching him make a sandcastle too, but mostly she's riiiiight next to Sanary. That tail occasionally gently petting her head. <br /><br /> This is how she's making sure Sanary knows there's no hard feelings. She's just glad the young woman is herself again. Also stealing some of the fried chicken.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:714|Sanary Rondel (714)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span> "Hey, Raine. Just relaxing and... Uh." Sometimes, it's easier to just let silence do the talking. Sanary's gaze follows Raine's towards their literal COMRADE, and... Okay. Maybe she's doing a liiitle bit of staring. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; At the sand manipulation! Not... Anything else. Besides, Yari's there to pretend not to do that at already, and the headpats have the healer visibly relaxing. She even flashes Yari a grateful smile each time! <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; This might not have patched up everything in her own mind, but it's definitely helping.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:234|Lu-Mey (234)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Oh good, everyone is here, relaxing, and enjoying themselves! Lu-Mey adjusts her shades and soaks sun for a while. Really, this is exactly what it looks like; a nice day off for varied Confederates and a very confused Abyssal. The Ony lets this continue for a while, though she does shoot a pout at The Empress, while sipping something chilled and red, and adjusting her shades.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;There's still plenty of sunlight and daylight to have fun, and that means Communist Sand Castles, grilling, a rousing volleyball game, and an incident involving Lu-Mey trying to pet Stygian Mirror's ears.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;So once everyone's had a good hour or two to literally do as they please without something violent and explosive happening, Lu-Mey sits up, and claps her hands for attention.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Okayyyy everyone!" The oni chimes sweetly, calling for attention as she makes her way to the bonfire. "I'm so glad you're all having fun! Now I think it's time for something even more rousing!"<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Whatever her idea could be, she waits to have everyone's attention, before folding her hands behind her back, rocking on her heels with a beaming, fang-toothed, grin.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Now I'm sure at least some of you remember the fun game we played at last year's Human Resources-Confederate-Hired Killer joint outing, 'Don't Go Hunting With Ron Cheney', or 'Political Hunting Accident'?"<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Actually only Starless would probably remember that one, but it really doesn't matter as the enthusiastic Oni makes a broad motion of her arms at the island and sea. "This year I have another great game! It's called 'Assault the Hidden Island Base, Kill Everything The Moves, And Rob It Blind'!"<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;There's a tittering giggle for a moment as se covers her mouth to stifle it before she goes on. "The rules are easy! Somewhere on this island and under the ocean is a hidden secret base full of neat things. The winner is whoever comes back with the shiniest thing they can find! There's an entrance somewhere on land, and one somewhere closer to the sea. Bonus points to whoever gets in first! You can go off on your own or work in teams. This will be so much fun~."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:220|Comrade Crush (220)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Crush swings one arm up and curls; water flows up from the ocean, sinking into the sand, wetting it /just right/ for sculpting. He swings that arm around and twists at the waist; the sand shifts itself together, rising up into a mound. Around that arm comes, the other curling in the opposite way, and narrower sections of sand begin to lift up further still. Muscles tensing, the colossal commie conjurer lifts one hand as if commanding the beach itself to rise, and up goes that sand, higher and higher, more flowing in... until at last his other arm joins it, and then he flings it apart as if tearing open a double door. All that sand explodes off... revealing a replica of the iconic towers of the Moscow Kremlin.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Shift and sweep, tense and pose, it's as if Crush is conducting a symphony, shaping the rest of the wet sand into other buildings, a wall, an entire little replica of the Kremlin. He is just dusting his hands off - despite never getting them in the water - when Lu-Mey speaks up.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Oh, this... this is going to be interesting.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Wahaha... WAAAHAHAHAHA! Is splendid evening's entertainment, comrade! Could not ask for more. I am thinking..." The big man rubs his chin, turning to look between the land and water for a moment, before deciding, "...I will look for entrance in ocean. Am using earth and air magics often! Do not get as many opportunities for water. And for that matter..." He saunters right over to the barrel of vodka, hefts it up onto one shoulder, and makes sure the tap is tightly closed. "Will bring refreshment with me."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:691|Yari Takane (691)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span> All good things come to an end, and Yari has an ominous feeling as Lu-mey stands up. Sllllloooowly frown. No, nothing can ever be /simple/ with Lu-mey. Cue flashbacks to DDR. The ninja shivers suddenly, and leans against Sanary more. <br /><br /> "...I was looking forward to a vacation." Sigh. Welp. The ninja gives one final squeeze to Sanary-shoulder, then looks over to Crush. Who's carting off the vodka. Also, Soviet Magic. Hmmm. <br /><br /> "Mind a partner, or partners?" She offers to Comrade Crush, after a nod to Sanary knowingly. <br /><br /> "I'd be interested in seeing this magic myself. I need to practice water ninjutsu, so this might work well together." <br /><br /> She's totally not just following the walking barrel of alcohol, not her, no!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:714|Sanary Rondel (714)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span> "... Island base?" Sanary raises an eyebrow slowly as she keeps watching Comrade Crush work on that sand castle, even letting out a half-whistle after a while. She can't help it if she likes what she sees! Only for a little longer, though, before kicking her feet up in an attempt to spring off her chair. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Instead of a graceful jump, however, she just ends up toppling the whole thing backwards and sliding right off the back of it onto her ass. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Close enough. "Two entrances, huh? Alright... I'll help with the water base, then. Been meaning to test out some... Stuff." After getting back up and brushing the back of her shirt off, Sanary takes a little detour to get herself a can of beer, then turns to face outwards from the island! <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "If we find anyone, do we want corpses or captives?" She tries not to grin too much at that, but does make a mental note to keep that for future use while wiggling her fingers to get the feeling back in them. She chuckles lightly at Yari's comment before moving to join her and Comrade Crush. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "We can still have a vacation with fighting. I mean, this is..." She pauses. "... Isn't this how vacations normally go, anyway?" <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; She doesn't sound like she's joking.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:991|Stygian Mirror (991)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Mirror does not appear to object to the petting. She also doesn't seem to enjoy it! Or hate it. She manages to conserve the closest thing she can to a neutral face, with occasional slips into either annoyance or resigned relaxation. It's entirely likely she'd spend the several hours sitting down by Lu-Mey, just sort of awkwardly waiting for things to make more sense. Past a point she'd have found some shade, the heavy sun an annoyance to her paler skin.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Maybe an errant fifteen minutes to stare in awe at the sandKremlin. That is not a sandcastle at all and if nothing else you have to appreciate the craftsmanship.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Finally things made more sense when Lu-Mey revealed the purpose of their presence. Mixing work and pleasure... if she'd known she'd have brought a bikini and tried to enjoy it after all. There's always next time?<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Depending on who you work for," she idly quips at Sanary's question, though she quickly adds: "I haven't had a lot of vacations. Downtime, but not trips like this. Well... where I'm from there's not a lot of beaches within reach, and not much sun either, so that might be why." Shadowlands are not reputed for their beach resorts! And until Warp Gates, getting places took a long enough time you'd not have the luxury of going to the beach 'for a day'.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I'll go look on-land. So, everyone here but us is an enemy? There's no civilians or innocents on the island?" Probably important to know before re-enacting a slasher film.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:604|Raine Arland (604)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Of course things are never that simple. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Raine who had chugged down his beer, and then ran off to go fail at riding some waves with his surfboard, washed back in after another wipeout, and sat up, shaking water and sand away. "Uuuugh..." What's this about a task? He only half heard. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Standing up, he brushed himself off and approached, listening in. "....Land and Water entrances? A base? The hell?" But what about vacatiooooon? He almost pouted at the prospect of work, but...Nah. A shake of the head, and a sigh, and Raine was off. "Alright, guess we gotta. C'mon, Fragrach! We're going to see where the heck this land entrance is." <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Fragrach, who had spent all this time laying back and soaking in the sun's rays, opened one blue and black eye irritably. "........" Why did she have to get lumped into this? Tch. She didn't move to follow at all, leaving poor Raine to wander off by himself. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; He knew that was going to happen.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:336|Starless Night (336)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"It is how vacations go for us!" Starless flicks her arm out to grab a towel, wrapping it around her like a cloak and tying it at her throat. There are probably shuriken hidden in there or something, knowing her. Cheerfully, the assassin kugutsu picks up her sword. "I suppose I'll head on through land. Us poor mere humans without magic can't hope to go exploring underwater."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Eh, it's.... kind of true.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I suppose we should start the search!" Starless declares airly. She doesn't mind if Raine or someone comes along with her, but otherwise she'll be searching alone.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Or, more properly, in a trio. Two paper dolls are tossed down, poofing into replicas, and dash off in opposite directions from the 'real' Starless. Starless herself wanders over to the table, plucks an eyeball from a fish, and pops it into her mouth. "Now then..." Yes, that's the component for her 'sense life' technique. Cheater.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:234|Lu-Mey (234)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; We are going to rewind time just a bit to the point where Lu-Mey handed Stygian Mirror a spare bikini. Of course it is black. Now everyone is in proper tropical island murder dresscode.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Lu-Mey sits back as the teams pick themselves, and then... Settles back onto her beach chair, plucking a tablet computer from her bag. "While you were all busy enjoyig yourselves, I took the liberty of slapping tracker cameras on your swimsuits so... I'll be watching from here~."<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The oni casually picks up her chilled fruity drink... And slllllluuuurps it.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Oh yes, do as you see fit, capture, kill, rack up a body count, compete with each other for high score, go all out! I don't really care and niether should you~." She replies to both Mirror and Sanary.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;So it looks like that's that, then! The (now three) Empresses of Tenra, Raine (sans Fragarach), and Stygian Mirror are hitting the land entryway. And off towards the seas. Crush, Yari, and Sanary will be combing the beach! This sounds like a plan...<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;So where to begin... Well the island is a tropical paradise, and that means beyond the beach and leafy palm trees is a tropical jungle, lush and green and full of life. Starlesss' life sense will pick up all kinds of animals... Just about everywhere, but what stands out is the tree of humans some distance westwards. Indeed, the deeper into the forest that group goes, there start to show signs of life other than animals. Like a bootprint in the dirt left by someone careless.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The sea team commence their search, and what better place to do it but on the beach! Actually, to the north where the island starts to curve is an oddly far too out of place rock formation in a little copse of wading pools and surf caves to check out. Or there is the oddly dark patch os inky darkness that can be seen in the otherwise clear waters, just a tiny bit out to the ocean, for them to decide on checking.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:714|Sanary Rondel (714)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span> "Reminds me.. I think I got some vacation days saved up with the Zaibatsu, too." Sanary furrows her brow a bit, almost as if she's trying to figure something out with that. "But if I use those days, I'd just end up doing work here, too, so..." She shrugs lightly at Stygian before starting to conjure up a weird gray... Bowl? It's a huge bowl, looking more like a carnival ride rather than something to eat out of short of being a giant. She guides it into the water, lets it float a bit, then starts focusing. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; It pushes into the water a bit, flips around several times, and ends up overturning before whatever unseen force was moving it just lets it drift off into the sea instead. "... Alright, screw it. Walking it is." Sanary tried, at least! She follows after Crush and Yari once they begin moving, conjuring up several tile-like gray masses behind them. She stops at the sight of the rock formation, however, and her first instinct... <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Is to chuck tiles at them. Who knows? They might really be land mines or holograms or something!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:336|Starless Night (336)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"How good are you at tracking?" Starless suddenly asks Stygian Mirror. "You're an animal girl, you can like... sniff them out, right? Human smell and all." Hey, Mirror's an Exalt, maybe she has the right Charms for that! In the meantime Starless is just wandering further inward, apparently at random. "My clones are still looking, but I don't think I want them to stumble onto the entrance. It looks like the base is occupied. We might have to evict the residents and their poor lonely lives here in the middle of nowhere."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:220|Comrade Crush (220)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Very well, comrades!" Crush plants one huge hand each on Sanary and Yari's shoulders, giving them both a (surprisingly gentle) pat-pat. "Do not worry, comrade Sanary. Is taken care of. Comrade Yari, I will be sure to show you good sampling of Muscle Wizardry! And we will be starting with..."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;With his free arm, Crush clenches a fist in front of his face, starting to walk towards the water. The waves shudder and shift as if brushed by an unseen force; when he turns his arm, flattens his palm and pushes downward, as if shoving something down with a mighty push, the water flattens itself out and pulls in, beginning to swirl and... thickening? Yes, thickening. And Crush steps right onto it, whereupon it seems to support his weight. "Please watch first step, comrades. Will feel somewhat odd under feet, until you are used to it."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And indeed, the swirling 'water disc' feels weird under the feet, but will support both Sanary and Yari quite easily in addition to the big guy. Once they're both on, it moves - surprisingly quickly! It makes searching the perimeter of the island much faster. Of course, once they end up near a strange, out-of-place rock and what looks like it might be a pit under the water, he brings them to a halt, and hrrms. "We are having choice, comrades. Is easy for me to take us underwater, if you are preferring. Or I am... opening that door over there. Hard way."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:604|Raine Arland (604)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Raine follows along with Starless and Mirror, rubbing the side of his head in an exasperated manner. He was the odd man out here, wasn't he? God damn it, Fragarach, you were the magical half of the team here. Without you, Raine is just a guy with a sword and some energy. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Oh well, nothing for it. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; He glances down and notes the eventual bootprint in the dirt. "......" Well, they're not alone. Which corroborates Lu's statement about killing or whatever. Great. Another sigh escapes his lips, and he edged behind a tree, looking out to see if anything is about while the other two talk about tracking by smell or something. Rude. He took a bath today! <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; He moves to another tree, peeks out, and then moves again when it seems clear. Who even is here anyway? Some kind of para-military? An ancient tribe of spear throwers? What?<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:691|Yari Takane (691)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span> Hrrrmn. "That usually /is/ where we find the choice targets. Still." Frown. <br /><br /> Yari shakes it off though. Hmm. Suspicious outcropping, or dark inky patch of water. She glances to Sanary, then to Comrade Crush. From somewhere, she pulls out a kunai, flipping it in her newly attached arm's hand. Feels good. <br /><br /> It's a slightly nervous smile, but blast it, if Comrade Crush isn't infectious with his ways. Sm..s.mile! Then, a salute! "Nnn! I'll be looking forward to it, Sir! Glory and honor, let us show the strength of Legion and Comradeship!" Then, onto the disc she goes after watching the display. Taping on her magitek gauntlet, she'll take first some readings of the disc, magic-wise, then start to do the same for that dark path underwater. Then thermal readings, too. <br /><br /> "Hmm." At their choice, as she slowly gets her footing. She'll have to study it later though. <br /><br /> "The rocks are the obvious starting point, I say we go with that. Though..." She makes several handseals! Pomf! A Yari-clone appears, and then leaps into the water! Trying to swim beneath to check out that trail. She'll know if it dies or finds anything. <br /><br /> "An insurance policy in case this is a decoy." A nod to both. She'll have a few explosive tags to add, should Comrade begin the Rock Destruction. <br /><br /> Smile. "We're on vacation after all. Let's all let loose a little bit, Mister Crush, Sanary." Make that /several/ explosive tags.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:991|Stygian Mirror (991)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Mirror would have insisted to at least keep her gauntlets and boots on. It probably lends a certain style to the bikini, but more practical to her, it keeps her outfit from losing the 'trappings of death' property. She's not always afforded this luxury but on a private tropical island it's not a problem.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Splitting up, she elects to go with Starless Night and Raine (or perhaps it's Starless who makes that decision, all things considered). This immediatly creates a terrible misunderstanding she tries to vaguely clear up.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I'm not an... I mean I know I look like one but it's not what you think. If I had a nose, maybe, though. I can try listening instead..?"<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Truth is, she's not got very many Charms that do things besides 'kill things horribly'. But fox ears are fox ears with or without Charms, and her eyes are especially good too, so let's try that.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She starts scanning the area, visually at first, for unusual details that stick out. Her ears twitch, and she tries to listen too. The idle chatter of people-- maybe of doors or machines inside the base. Then it's just a matter of moving to where the noise is closest to the surface and the entrance shouldn't be far.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;That's the idea, anyway.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:234|Lu-Mey (234)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The hunt is on... Well, while Lu-Mey is lounging on the beach let's go over what thr two groups find.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Between Starless' clones and life sense getting a broad idea for the area, Mirror's vulpine ears are apparently good enough to pick up conversation in the distance a little to the south. The words are distant at first, but the tone is CLEARLY that of bored idle guards with nothing to kill, while Raine darts from tree to tree, in search of a cardboard box. Between the three of them working together, even if they half-assed it, they'd find what they seek. There is an entrance built into one of the ilsand's many natural cave formations, heavy steel blast doors suggesting that the only way inside is with the proper access. It's set just deep enough inside the cave mouth that it would be impossible to see from the air and only someone approaching by ground would manage to find it. There's a small guard post just outside-- it's actually hidden quite cleverly thanks to a myriad of trees, camouflage nets, and elbow grease, in which two bery bored as hell guards wearily try to pass the time on their shift playing cards and grumbling.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Meanwhile the sea team has something else to work with entirely. Those rocks look mighty suspicious don't they? Well between explosive tags, muscle wizardry, and what means Sanary can add into the mix, it's revealed that the rocks were hiding a massive pipe. It was partially buried under sand, hidden by piled stone, and heads off in two directions-- one out to the ocean towards the blackness- and the other further into the island. Was is also the key word here, as the pipe ends up opened as a result and is massive enough on the inside for the crew to walk in, in sloshing murky water up to the kneeds, but it's a path nonetheless.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:220|Comrade Crush (220)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Partially buried in sand? Covered in rocks? THESE ARE NOT PROBLEMS FOR SOVIET SORCERY.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Especially when it's backed by explosions.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And then they are in and walking. Crush is thoughtful enough to bring up his hand, flex his fingers, and conjure forth a ball of fire for light, floating over his hand as they slosh on. Of course, an exploration like this is a good opportunity to talk! So the commie talks.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"So, comrade Sanary. I am hearing rumors you are having... rough week. But am not getting specifics, and comrade Ophelia's report is only mentioning..." A bit of distaste seeps into his voice. He doesn't seem to like the wording. "'Loser self'. Was wondering if you minded talking about it. Will understand if not, of course!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:714|Sanary Rondel (714)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span> Sanary is taken by surprise at Crush's shoulder patting, not because of the force of it, but because of how... Non-forceful it is! The display of MUSCLE WIZARDRY gets her staring again, of course, and she looks from Crush to Yari with an intrigued grin on her face while he turns that water into a walkable mass. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "... We gotta learn that some time." Easing up a bit more as she follows her teammates, she looks just a little uncertain as Yari sends that clone out to scout on ahead of them. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Definitely the rocks. It's just too weird not to." With that path decided, she joins in the efforts by... Throwing even more tiles at it! A moment later, gray steel-like bricks! It's the easiest brute force option she has without having to go right up to the things. And when that pipe is revealed... <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Sanary's already starting for it. "Roomy. Ah.." The question about past events gets her to hesitate, especially since she's actually been rather quiet about the whole thing since waking up sans crazy. "That was... Uh. It was a thing. I don't... Really know where to start, though?" <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; She shrugs lightly and looks between Crush and Yari, managing a weak chuckle that sounds a little too forced and incredibly awkward. "I don't plan on doing it again anytime soon, if that's... Something?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:691|Yari Takane (691)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span> Welp. Hello entrance. Not the most subtle job, but she's thieving Crush's vodka /and/ exploding things, so she has no reoom to talk. Also Sanary is throwing tiles. Her mother is likely rolling over in her grave right now. <br /><br /> "You'd probably be better at it then myself, Sanary." She can already see the strength needed. And she's almost entirely dex based. <br /><br /> She follows along behind Crush, using her armlet to try to hunt for more magical or thermal trails that might indicate where this path leads, and if it might be an underground lab that they're making for. Otherwise? <br /><br /> The topic has her momentarily tensing, perhaps visible to both parties with her. <br /><br /> "Miss Ophelia..." She can't hid ethe brief moment of pure hate in her voice. <br /><br /> "Is wrong. Sanary Rondel is the farthest thing from a 'loser'." <br /><br /> A small breath. "Just learn, Sanary. Mistakes happen." Shrug.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:220|Comrade Crush (220)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"That, comrade Yari, is something I am in stern agreement with," Crush says. There's a certain tightness to his voice there, though it softens when he speaks again. "Is best to start at beginning, Sanary, but if you are not comfortable, I do not need to know. Only concern is whether... /comrade/ Ophelia, is causing problems for fellow Confederates. I am keeping very close eye on her in future, I think. Already do not like her. Honestly, is she thinking Confederacy is not noticing 'turn everyone into undead emu' agenda? We are having ears. And brains. She had best tread carefully."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:991|Stygian Mirror (991)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As best as she can, Mirror guides her companions towards the sounds, aided by their own findings to pinpoint the cave entrance. From their hiding point (bushes? trees?) she motions towards the cave entrance. Now there's a lot of options for how to get in! Those blast doors look thick, but she's pretty sure she could cut through them. That's probably not the best way in though.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She reaches for her sword, which is the exact opposite of what she was just thinking, and pours some of her Essence into it. The black, jagged blade splits into two, horizontally, before she points it towards the cave entrance.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The upper half of the blade suddenly shoots out, still connected to the lower half by a tendril of black and gray Essence. Like a guided hookshot, the blade screeches through the air towards the two guards-- it attempts to run them through both, and then spirals around them wildly, trying to tie them up with the Essence rope.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Then Mirror would yank back on it, dragging the two guards back to the three of them, still hiding. Assuming she landed clean hits, they're probably not dead, although will be if allowed to bleed out. They've also been drained of a bit of magic/Essence (or life force, if they had none), refunding to Mirror the cost of activating her sword. Gotta love Soulsteel.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The end result SHOULD be that they now have two guards to search for keys, cards, or other useful belongings to get in quietly. If either Raine or Starless want to costume themselves, also an option.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:714|Sanary Rondel (714)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span> Sanary's looking just a little startled at that venom in Yari's voice at the mention of Ophelia, although a slight grin creeps across her face a moment later. "Ah... Y-yeah, I guess. There's definitely room for improvement, at least. Although..." <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; She chews on the inside of her lip as she conjures up a small gray spike, balancing it on a finger tip before chucking it aside. "It's not like I didn't learn a few new tricks or get anything out of that, so..." She sighs and grins a little more, reaching over to give both Yari and Comrade Crush firm pats on the back. "I can't be too mad at her. But... Thanks. Means a lot. Especially since... Well." <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; She taps a knuckle to her own head a few times. "I'm not the one that does the thinking, anyway. Too complicated."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:336|Starless Night (336)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Oh, that's nice," Starless observes. She isn't particularly worried about them bleeding out, but at the last second she decides to spare them... if only for interrogation later. For now she simply places a mask atop one of their faces - preferably a female one - and gets to work searching them for a means of entry that is more subtle than tearing down the door... especially if she can steal their face.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"If this doesn't work, we can brute force our way in," Starless notes. It IS a valid tactic if she's in a hurry, just not one she cares for.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:604|Raine Arland (604)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Raine stays back once they find the well hidden cavern being guarded by a pair of gates, as well as two guards. The Mirror does her thing, and once, and if, she is successful, Raine will just grin and wave. "Yoooo...sorry bout that. No hard feelings, right? Strictly business and all." <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; He then kneels down and begins to check the two for anything of value. Card keys? Actual keys? A map leading to a pot of gold!? A book containing the lost secrets of the universe!? A twinkie!? Maybe some beef jerky!? ...Wait when did this turn into a food raid?<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:234|Lu-Mey (234)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Ssssssllluuurp. Lu is just about finished with her drink, watching the action on her tablet while re-applying some more tanning lotion. That's really the extent of her involvement on this mission- er vacation.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Oni enjoying the beach aside, the guards don't know what hit them. They don't get a chance to understand what hit them. There's a squawk of pain and surprise as the Exalt's blade catches both men, spearing clean through them before binding them in Essence and dragging them back to the owner from whence they came. Both are bloody, gasping, and quickly going into shock. They're already passing out by the time they're plopped down at the group to search, and will indeed die if they get no medical attention. Oddly, they do refund a portion of Mirror's Essence with the equivalent in mana.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This strange fact aside, they're equipped in heavy duty military gear, top of the line and clearly well funded, and the keycard carried by one of them opens the blast doors on the first swipe. It's a trivial matter for Starless to steal a face, and one does have both: a map, and a book titled 'Lost Secrets of the Universe'. But that's just a religious book for some fringe belief system.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Regardless, the doors open leading to a cavernous hallway. It really only goes one direction, but it's worth noting that the walls are all smooth, industrial material rather than bare naked cave wall. Heading further in leads to a loading area of sorts; wide open, with a few vehicles passing by here and there carrying crates and containers full of metal barrels and drums. Beyond this area appears to be two paths, with signs denoting where they lead. 'Industrial Sector' and 'Lab Sector'. Thing is there are about eight to ten guards between this entry and either path.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Meanwhile in the pipe! As Crush, Sanary, and Yari discuss Ophelia... A bright red laser beam suddenly flickers to life and connects from one end of the pipe to the other wall. It whirrs and streaks towards them like a limbo stick of red laser-y doom. It's hilariously easy to dodge. The second and third however might get a little confusing. These lasers will burn painfully on contact. But beyond that, the pipe seems to have no real security, leading onward to a brighter opening. When it finally comes to an end, the trio end up in a chamber of noxious fumes. It's not a -stench-, but clearly the smell here is much more hazardous to health than the lasers were. This appears to be a chemical dumping fat, and for the moment it is empty. But the sounds of machinery above hint the crew might want to find a way up onto the walkways above without alerting the crew of tired looking men in white coats overlooking the area from a glass paneled control room higher up. Niether party has been noticed just yet.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:691|Yari Takane (691)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span> Nnn. A solid nod to Crush. She's otherwise silent, though, staying oddly back as... <br /><br /> Comrade Crush says everything she has ever wanted to openly say about Ophelia ever. There's this sudden overwhelming urge to hug Comrade Crush, that she just /barely/ holds back. That glinting eye of hers though? <br /><br /> Yes. Comrade Crush, you've been eye-hugged. The ninja stays quiet. She looks very, very darkly amused. Why has she not met this man before, and where can she hire more of him? <br /><br /> "So you've gained skills even if our ally is...unsubtle." She manages to say this with only a mere ounce of 'wanting to fire Ophelia into the sun'. <br /><br /> "Worth it, hm? Anything else...well...I'm no Eorzean barbarian, but one can't account for weaknesses always. Things happen." Shrug. So casual. There's absolute murder in Yari's eyes. <br /><br /> SUDDENLY RED LASER OF DEATH! <br /><br /> Yari immediately bends backwards, and narrowly avoids being cut in half by lasers! She flips up to the wall, and starts running! The second, she dodges by a hair's breath by a quick roll from side to ceiling, but the third causes her to roll along the ceiling, slicing across her side and drawing a fresh bloody wound across her body! <br /><br /> At least it's self-cauterizing! <br /><br /> And thus, she's dodging lasers into a room made of fumes. She instantly pulls out a beach towel, rips off strips, and covers mouth and nose. Just in case. <br /><br /> A glance up. Shew hispers. <br /><br /> "...I'll look up." <br /><br /> Running along the wall, ignoring her pain, she's trying to ferret out the walkways that isn't full of machinery death for her party. Should she find some? She'll use her radio to communicate where it's safe to leap up to! Maybe even offer a ninja-rope down for Crush to get to!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:220|Comrade Crush (220)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Wahahaha! Cannot say I am blaming you," is Crush's response to Sanary. Now he's grinning, a broad and fierce one. "Would much rather just punch through any problem in my way, too!" His spirits lifted by that, Crush is quite happy to continue on and serve as the meat shield for the two girls with him. Sadly, the warmth of Ninja Eye-Hugs does not reach the colossal commie! But if he knew, he'd be flattered.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Then a laser zaps him right across the bicep. "What is tha- OW!"<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He lapses into a brief burst of rather vulgar Russian, before taking a slight step to one side and letting the flame disperse. His solution to the laser problem is to simply flex himself up a block of ice, using this to refract the laser in such a way as to make it harmless! Or at the very least, ablate in such a way as to render the red beam useless. He'll have a nice red burn across his right arm, but other than that he's not too bad off. "Comrade Yari, comrade Sanary, are you all right?" he asks as they emerge into the room full of rancid fumes. It only takes a quick look around for Crush to determine that they should probably not be down here much longer.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He looks at the catwalks above, the control room higher up, and makes his decision.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;STOMP goes his giant foot, causing a sudden rumble as a big stone ramp ERUPTS through the ground. It's a bit steep, but it'll give Sanary an easy way out of here. Yari can find her a safe path from there! But Crush himself? Oh no, he's going higher. The big guy crouches down, grits his teeth, focuses, and JUMPS. Jumps, with all his immense strength, sending himself right up to that control room way up there. Right up, where he can smash his free fist through the glass, grab hold of something, and haul himself inside.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And as if the spectacle of an eight-food slab of muscle in communist swim trunks, carrying a barrel of vodka, smashing through their window weren't enough? He loudly declares, "HELLO! I AM WONDERING IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO DISCUSS THE VIRTUES OF SOCIALISM!"<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And then he starts cracking skulls.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:336|Starless Night (336)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Hmm. I'll head to the lab, then," Starless suggests, glancing at Mirror. "Why don't we just split up and each raid what's here?" There's no reason for her to not just kill everyone in here, after all. Though of course she'll be more subtle than that.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Starless will just... walk toward the lab, looking like the guard she face-thefted. Of course her sword is kind of an oddity, but she'll just tuck it behind her, across her back. Harder to draw but she won't really care if her cover's blown, this isn't a super secret mission requiring quiet withdrawal or anything. "Now what could they be researching here?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:714|Sanary Rondel (714)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span> "Just because I was kinda... Psycho doesn't mean I don't remember what I did or learned during it." Sanary manages a short laugh at that, a combination of amusement and 'oh dammit I made myself sad again' in her voice. At least she's got her friends around to help her through that! She, too, resists the urge to just hug the both of them... For now. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; FOR NOW. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; She squints a bit at the sight of the first laser, but even as a low-evasion type? Even she can duck under something that easy! It's never always that easy, though, and her terrible luck rears its ugly head when the next two pop up. She fails utterly in avoiding the second one, and... Then she does something that might almost count as clever. For the third laser, she watches the path it's taking, then just shoves her hand against where it'll be coming from as it comes towards her. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Damage mitigation! If she can't avoid it, just tank it and cheat with magic to heal herself, Crush, and Yari up afterwards. "Freaking... Yeah, I'm good. Looks like we've definitely found the place, though." <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Once they're through, she peers upwards and gives Yari a thumbs-up as the ninja moves on ahead, already conjuring up some more of those spikes behind her and waiting. Those men in coats might need to be introduced to her spikes if they decide to sound an alarm, after all! She takes Crush's offered path to the control room, and... Dammit, she had something for this. Instead of trying to come up with something clever and just making herself sound dumb, however, she opts for plan B: <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Standing by silently with a mass of spikes behind her to look intimidating in a dress shirt and bikini.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:691|Yari Takane (691)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span> "I'm fine, Sir. Nothing Medical can't treat." She offers with a smile to Mister Crush. And then, he's off to the heavens with SOVIET POWER! <br /><br /> She runs along the wall, and Yari eventually lands beside the duo as Comrade Crush offers very convincing socialism mandates to the scientists. <br /><br /> She does find her own little science-bro, makes a handseal, and then she's offering an illusion upon the poor smuck. Namely, razors in every vein that pumps blood. His entire veins are razors pumping razors full of pain. <br /><br /> "...Tell me something. Where are the valuable equipment and research in this facility? Answer me truthfully, and the suffering stops." <br /><br /> Yari Takane is a nin-jerk, through and through. <br /><br /> Just for extra /jerk/ in ninja, she even throws extra Soviet Approved Vodka on the scientists' illusion-wounds. Then slurps some down. Mmm, oppression. This Garlean approves. <br /><br /> She also tries to illusion something intimidating on Sanary. Like full plate. With multiple spikes. That's all the rage on heavy-armored folk, right!?<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:991|Stygian Mirror (991)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Though curious about the mask Starless slips on one of the guards, Mirror doesn't ask about it. There's probably a better time and place to do that sort of thing, and some people don't like to talk about those things anyway.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Nor does she question the book.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Religious weirdos, that, she's more familiar with.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Moving with the others once her blade has unwrapped itself and retracted into one piece again, Mirror is content enough the doors open without a fuss, but the noise from the guards ahead means their sneaking about is at an end unless either Raine or Starless have extra tricks up their sleeves. And in the interest of saving time, Mirror assumes it's time to do her job.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sword still sheathed, she waits until Starless has moved into the lab before striking. In a flash, the woman uses Ebon Lightning Prana to practically teleport behind one of the guards ahead, her sword unsheathed and extended out afterwards. It's anime as hell, but there's a high chance the guard she just moved past is actually a corpse now, complete with Essence drain. It'd only topple over dramatically when she looks back.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Then she lets go of the sword, and it begins spinning in the air quickly. A dozen shadowy copies of the sword appear, all orbitting Mirror-- forming a Hundred Razor Circle. Any guard that rushes at her now will be subject to an attack from the swords now orbitting her, with equal deadliness to her real sword.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A black circle with eight sun rays is visible on her forehead by now, bleeding down on her face.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:604|Raine Arland (604)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; BACK AT THE BEACH <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Fragarach soaks up the sun and sips on a random non-alcoholic beverage. Ah, yes, this was the life. Her tail wiggled happily. She could get used to this kind of life. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; BACK WITH RAINE <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Holy crap-" He eyes the book and it's title. Seriously? For real? ...Let's take it. He picks it up and tucks it away, taking nothing else. After that, he closes his eyes and focuses. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 'Yo, Fragarach. Stop lazing and get your ass over there. Some fools are about to die and they need to be not dying.' <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; He opens his eyes again and he turns, wandering off after Starless and Mirror once again. Into the building they go, down the hallway... Ah a split. Raine watches as the one with the curious looking sword pretty much laid into the guards without any mercy. "Sheesh. Just do all the work why don't you?" He mumbled, shrugging his shoulders before he turned and waltzed down to the industrial area marked. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; No need for them all to go in the same direction. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; BACK AT THE BEACH <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Fragarach sputtered and shot up as a voice entered her mind, spilling some of her drink and inducing a coughing fit. After a short bit, she sobered up and narrowed her eyes. "......." After seriously contemplating ignoring it, she resigned herself and floated up and off, leaving Lu-Mey to go handle this annoyance. She had fools to heal.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:234|Lu-Mey (234)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Lu-Mey curses as she splashes her drink on her belly. It's cold!<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Nevertheless, Starless makes her decision on the path she's going. Though there are a few odd looks whenever someone catches a glimpse of the kugutsu's katana, no one pays it too much attention, and she's mostly left to her own devices. This is their greatest mistake, when Stygian Mirror comes in right after her. There's a blinding flash of sweet anime special effects, when the Abyssal streaks by the first man-- actually no that's his body erupting in a flare of blue light when he's cut, and he too ends up giving her plenty of mana to soak. The result is quick, dirty, and messy, but as the other men turn to yell and call for alarm, only one manages to raise his gun and pop off a few fireballs from the barrel before he's cut down too, and the room is rendered a mess that says 'an Abyssal Exalt was here'.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Raine's shiny new dogmatic texts tell of the great alien overlord Xenor of the Nubunon nebula, putting all the souls of the peaceful Grimlek race into space ships shaped like jet planes and senting them to the Multiversal Super Planet where those souls inhabited myriad bodies and thus created Elites. It's trashy garbage a science fiction writer or his eight year old reincarnation would come up with. The next volume requires membership subscription to obtain, and that involves joining at any SOTUOLOGY store-church and having Bleaton levels tested to see if Raine is the next reincarnation of their author-god.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;For Starless, and if the others follow her, the lab is expansive, but it's all one room... There are plenty of white coated men here working on chemical concoctions and research, but the end result for all their work seems to be bottles of a glowing blue fluid, or myriad doses of glowing blue pills. It also looks like they've run out of guards in the last room. Oops.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It looks like the white coated men in the control observatory... Have also run out of guards. In fact it looks like the base had only expected intruders to use the main entrance as a point of ingress, which means when the earth shakes, the workers are off balance, confused, and bewildered, when Crush, Yari, and Sanary evade, tank, refract, and cheat their way through the lasers. The scientists are intimidated by spikes, bikinis, and very large men beating them around.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:991|Stygian Mirror (991)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A fireball hits Mirror on the exposed belly. It hurts and burns and she immediatly regrets agreeing to wear this bikini instead of her tunic. The nasty scorch mark glows for a moment, the woman reaching for it. Blood oozes out into her empty hand, forming a replica of the gun used to wound her. No sense not using this, there might be more guards ahead. She does take a moment to turn towards Raine, before he walks ahead.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Sorry, I'm... a bit used to working alone. I think I expected them to put up a fight." She glances at the bodies around her. "... sorry." She sounds sincere enough, it's a genuine mistake.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She follows after Raine then, not losing any more time staring at the dead bodies. She's just glad these were soldiers, she doesn't have to do mental gymnastic to justify killing soldiers.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:220|Comrade Crush (220)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It's guaranteed that at least a few of the guys in the observatory room are gonna get through their ordeal... well, /mostly/ conscious, right? They'll survive, anyway. "Comrades, I seem to recall we are needing to bring back... souvenirs. And is occuring to me..." He grins toothily at the men in white coats. "Maybe we are looking at them, da?"<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The big guy turns around and reaches out with his palm, as if feeling an invisible 'wall' in the air. Magical power ripples within his muscles as he finds a spot that satisfies him... then draws his arm back, curls it into a fist, and slams it forward into that spot.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;WHAM.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The noise is audible throughout the control room. He actually /hit/ something?<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The noise is /ALSO/ audible back near Lu-Mey.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;WHAM. WHAM. WHAM.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Again and again, Crush delivers hammer blows to thin air, and spiderweb cracks of glowing crimson begin to appear in it as if it were glass. WHAM. WHAM. WHAM. CRASH! With one last fierce blow, the colossal commie punches a hole in reality, one leading right back to the beach. "Hello, comrade Lu-Mey! We are finding interesting things! I am sure these gentlemen are having plenty of secrets to share, da?"<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Then he turns around and sets the barrel of vodka on the ground, and begins flexing at it - while addressing all the scientists. "My new comrades, I am strongly suggesting you are going through portal. Am laying delayed-effect spells on barrel. Room will very soon be, ah... very, very much on fire."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:714|Sanary Rondel (714)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span> Hooray for illusions! Sanary's not even sure what exactly it looks like, but she does see spikes and armor. That's probably loads more intimidating than what she's actually wearing, at least, and she takes full advantage of that to start rummaging around the room to try and find something of value worth taking! Lu-Mey did mention bringing back the shinies things they could find, so perhaps... <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; It's time to mess with the control room. A control room has to have something that is... Controls,so why not? Seeking out the nearest panels, the healer wastes little time in just poking and pulling on goddamn everything. Not that she knows what she's doing, but... <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "We didn't need this place intact, right?" She looks towards Crush and Yari for confirmation on that, then shrugs lightly. In retrospect, maybe it would be useful to keep the place from blowing up, but... She's already started messing with things. No sense half-assing it now, especially if Comrade Crush is telling the truth about the fire! <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "... We should probably leave too, huh?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:336|Starless Night (336)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Hmm. Blue pills and such? Starless looks in and... well, she has no problem with murdering people, but NEEDLESS death is another thing. After barely a half second of thought, she hurls down an exploding ball, which detonates with a loud pop and a flash of light. Using that for cover, she sprays webbing at the scientists nearest the various 'products' and makes to grab them.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Surely this will be useful, but it makes her wonder what other things are in the base where the others are. It also makes her ponder something else... like how to get out past the guards on the way back.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Meh, there's enough going on maybe she can just sneak past.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:691|Yari Takane (691)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span> Yari then drops the poor Tortured Scientist Dude. Pat pat. <br /><br /> "Thank you." So polite, this ninja. <br /><br /> Riiiight, don't suck up Comrade Crush's patented Vodka Bomb(TM). Yari is only partly dissappointed. <br /><br /> Yari also helpfully gathers up her Tortured Scientist again and then peers at a few. Glare. NINJA GLARE! <br /><br /> "...Either adhere to Mister Crush's desire, die in fire, or maybe I'll decide to use you all as a..." Smile. SMILE. <br /><br /> Her 'new' arm draws a katana. "Very, very slow test cut. I'd suggest doing what Mister Crush says." Smiiiile. <br /><br /> A look to Sanary, A look to Crush, and a nod. Oh hell yes. We're getting out of here. Yari has Sci-Bro(s) in tow. <br /><br /> And she even flicks a Confederate Zippo into the conflagration. Just in case. <br /><br /> "By my Legatus, I haven't wanted to see an explosion that big since I was pulled out of a pile of dead people. Sanary. Mister Crush." Pause. She raises an empty glass. <br /><br /> "Well done. Well done. ...Now let's get out before we join them." If she has to, she'll grab Sanary, and ninja-speed out of the fire. Without looking back, FOR CONFED SOVIET COMMUNISM IMPERIALISM damnit.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:604|Raine Arland (604)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Raine reads. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Raine reads some more. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Raine reads a little bit more. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Raine frowns. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "What the hell is this crap?" He closed the book and tossed it over his shoulder. "I'll just pirate the rest online." And then he glanced at Mirror and smirked, shrugging his shoulders. "Hey, if you wanna make my job easier by doing all the work, I ain't gonna stop you." <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; He does not follow after Starless however. She can handle herself. And he wants to know what's on the other side of this base. It's got to be something good, right? Like a blu ray copy of The Room. That was a timeless treasure. There was no doubt in his mind now. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; They were conducting research into how to go about injecting people with concentrated terrible, and then turning them loose upon the Multiverse. Yes. This is what Raine was going to believe from now on. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; This is how it was always meant to be.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:234|Lu-Mey (234)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Alright so what do we have here?<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Well Starless webs up the scientists handily. They not only did not see it coming, but have literally no combat training nor experience. And this means... Prisoners that can be put to use! Aside from the guards that have all been mauled, there are just a small handful to mop up, popping out now to harass Stygian and Raine, but otherwise the lab and main entry can be considered clear once three or four more men are dealt with in as flashy a manner as Mirror and Rain feel.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Elsewhere... Lu-Mey looks up and blinks, jolting with a start and now dumping the last of her drink right on her lap when Crush punches a convenient hole in reality to suit his needs. She stares blankly at him for a long moment, empty glass finally dropping from her hand as the Oni tries to parse what just happened. BUT it looks like the Crushing Communist, Sanary, and Yari have opted to blow up the Industrial sector, via means of explosive vodka, Sanary hitting enough buttons to dump out the room's highly noxious and flammable contents into a convenient spot to blow up, and Yari topping it off by throwing a zippo into the mix like in an action movie.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The island shakes as the industrial sector goes off like... Enchanted vodka on fire, when it does.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"O-oh! Well! ... That's good! Wow I didn't expect you all back so soon-- I mean... Well I WAS watching the whole thing and all--" She fumbles, adjusting her tablet screen and flicking off the video of cute kittens and back to the bikini camera feeds. "AHEM! Well! It looks like the party game is over, neh~? Good job hijacking the factory, our magic users will probably love these blueberry flavored mana potions once we get the recipe off all the scientists. I hear the ones we have on supply currently, taste like seventy year old feet."<br> <br>
}}