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Ivy Carrow     There's no VIP treatment for the visiting elites, this time, leaving them to find their way to the Arcade on their lonesome. Through a wound-red tear in space, they filter into a stitched-together amaglam of sweeping gothic architecture and sleek chrome and neon signs, as though someone needed to build an subway inside a castle.

    Warpgate Hub CSTL-3 or 'Castle Carrow,' as the brochures seemed to be calling it, was the size of a small city, with artifical warpgates and ameneties catering to travelers along the outer rim in a rough, irregular symmetry around a tower, piercing the sky like a needle, its top hidden amidst swirling mist and cloud that completely obscured the sky...If indeed there was sky to obscure.

    It wasn't HARD to find, but it was a puzzling choice. At least at first. It wasn't on any of the paths to the gate terminals. It was out of the way, in the so-called 'middle ring,' where the hustle and bustle of the hub was swallowed by the mist and the stone.

    Soon, there were different sorts of signs, advertising VACANCIES, pathways splitting down the side, named things like 'Oneiza Hall' and 'Mercy Way.' Gradually, the castle's atmosphere shifted from something liminal to something more entrenched.

    Some might have had the wrong idea, when they heard about an arcade opening. What they found was a long, two-level outdoor hall, lined withd arches on either side where, they could see the tower looming large above, criss-crossed by stone walkways connecting the two sides. Some of the arches opened to stairs, connecting to the upper floors. Others opened to empty places. Others...

    There was a small movie theatre that they'd somehow set up. A general store. Here, Luz barked orders at her team as they put the finishing touches on a hospital. There, someplace called Karnstein Lounge--was the Arcade named for it?--with a cozy bar and tables, selling a variety of beverages and foods. Ivy sat on one of the stools, raising a glass to the sharp-eyed woman who'd served her. "I told you I'd get you a bar. You didn't believe me, did you?"

    Meanwhile, in the middle of the hall, an overwrought young woman in warprunner attire with spectacles stood in the middle of the hall, talking with a small crowd. "No, we won't be adding any roads sir...Well, you can always walk. Um, no sir, I'm not trying to have a tone--"
Sarracenia      Princess Sarrarracenia had no idea what to expect really. She first thing that came to her mind was indeed the video game arcade, but she was aware there were other types. As she walks through the arcade she takes time to appreciate the architecture. Last time was a bit overwhelming. There was just so much to see! But this time, with it being in this middle ring, she has more time to take in the sights.

     A movie theatre, a hospital, a lounge with a bar. Sarra lingers in the door of each before continuing on. When she reaches the young woman with the spectacles, she cannot help a slight giggle. "It is your word choice. You should say 'I apologize, but you will have to walk'. Or, offer it in a positive light~" she says as she approaches, catching the tail end of the conversation.

     She curtseys to both the young lady and the gentleman she is talking to. "Greetings. I am Princess Sarracenia Sundew. And, I quite enjoy a walk! It allows one to enjoy the sights as well as encourage one to slow down, which is what this area seems to be about. Would you not agree, sir?" she says, putting on her best cheerful smile and friendly tone. What? She -does- know how to look and sound cheerful and friendly. She just does not always use that information wisely. "It is my first time here. Is it yours?"
Yuuki Kuran >There is no VIP treatment for the visiting elites, this time,

Despite being found through a wound in space, the sweeping architecture mix of tube-lighting and stonework deliberance making a particular sort of sense to a first-time visitor.

Yuuki Kuran, Director of the Concord and personally interested in the development of all the members of her organization that reach the esteemed title of 'Partner', steps through the warpgate, takes a breath, and smiles faintly.

Yuuki is a short, vaguely Asian-European woman with a soft almond face, a slight nose, and two large and expressive red-brown eyes framed by the fall of the forebangs of her lower-back length hair. Despite the boots she wears, she's actually a fairly short in-person, her heeled boots adding several inches to her five nothing height. She dresses in a leggings, a black skirt and turtleneck top, and a bright red calf-length jacket that stands impactfully out from the dim and uncertain colors around her.

However, it is her first time through the ring, and towards the Arcade, and must be guided. Thankfully, she generates her own!

Arriving at the outdoor hall led by a shape that seems like a canine silhouette, but lacks eyes and seems to be mostly shadowy-fur and suggestion. Still, Yuuki follows it like a faithful hound and leans down to give the shadow-doggie a hug before carrying in through the arch of the outdoor arcade.

Lilac butterflies flutter about, having 'infiltrated' the area ahead of Yuuki and so by the time she gets there she can ambush Sarracenia with a second hug and wave about. "Princess! It's so good to see you, we've not caught up, and you didn't seem like an arcade sort!"

Backing up, Yuuki grins closemouthed, doing her best to peer around. "Maybe there's a hammer game you can show off in."

Approaching the middle of the hall curiously, Yuuki continues to look about with great interest. The crowd might be ahead of her, but... She's very showy, and very happy to wait a bit to be addressed.
Petra Soroka     Petra is a known occasional visitor to arcades; unsurprisingly, she's typically drawn to the light gun games. That she hadn't been to one in over a year was mostly a factor of having a schedule that demanded thirty-two hour days and no parapsychic power to make such a thing feasible, so having the excuse of an invitation from someone she's at least mildly positively inclined towards gives her a good reason to slot it into her day. Also, she's still aching and depleted from fighting the Elites at Quicknest, and though the explicit idea of relaxing to recover feels uncomfortable for a reason she can't quite put a finger on, a Task that still implicitly involves doing exactly that is what she needs.

    So, leaving from Lobotomy Corporation itself, with the warpgate at her island-- repeating 'Hydrochoeria' in her head until it familiarizes itself to her-- still broken, and not having had a chance to return to her apartment in the City since before Yuri leaked the video of the Meltdown, Petra sets out to Castle Carrow. A black tank top over olive cargo pants airs out and exposes the tapestry of new gauze-wrapped wounds on her arms, fingers bandaged from metal-repair scrapes, her bomber jacket present but only tied around her waist in case the imposing mist of the gothic warpgate hub carried a chill with them. She's also, familiarly for Castle Carrow even with so few visits from her before, got the Eggpack slung over her back, now upgraded with padded straps to rest on her bare shoulders.

    She is, then, disappointed to see that it turns out 'Arcade' was some bullshit lie meant to lure her in, and there's no arcade at all-- she's totally unaware of any alternative meaning to the word. She peeks around arches and pathways, trudging along with Angela hoisted on her back like she's a lost backpacker intrepidly roaming the out-of-sight streets of some touristy European town, expecting *something* exciting to be hidden just around the corner. Her path to the Karnstein Lounge is winding and wandering, occasionally veering off the beaten path to poke around in some vacant chamber or clambering halfway up a flight of stairs before getting self-conscious and slinking back down.

"I told you I'd get you a bar. You didn't believe me, did you?"

    "Doesn't it feel like it should be a *tavern*, though? You know?" Petra emits criticism from the moment she opens her mouth, having somehow appeared in the Lounge from the opposite direction that the typical entry point and main path would lead. "I can find some hipster-ass bar in any random city, but it really feels like it should be some sort of, *inn* situation, around here. Committing to the aesthetic of everything."

    "Er--" Petra winces and corrects herself. She's twenty, now, but that's still too young to drink! "I probably could find them. If I looked. Either way, it's sort of generic."
Petra Soroka     Sarracenia's presence elicits a strange reaction from Petra, especially given their last contact at the tip of a blade and safe stunt-distance from a mecha-sourced explosion. Rather than immediately pulling out a snottily cruel insult about the Princess's ability to pretend to be civilized for a change, Petra stops and purses her lips at her, hanging a short distance away. She starts to open her mouth to say something, but Yuuki's arrival and subsequent hug distracts her, and it takes her a moment to place why.

    Is it just because of how strange it is for someone to show affection to Sarracenia? Petra vaguely recognizes her, which must mean she's an Elite, but she can't call up any specific interactions that she's had with this woman to know for sure if she's met her or not. Affiliation with Sarracenia would normally imply that she's an ideological enemy to Petra, but her particular weird expression around Sarra today along with an instinctual, formless hesitation holds her back from that snap judgement.

    Yuuki smiles, and Petra blinks, the slippery mental puzzle piece sliding into place. Without thinking about it, the words slip out of Petra's mouth. "... Director Kuran? Right?"

    Unfreezing, Petra shakes her head and then half-steps forwards further into the Lounge, as if moving to initiate a handshake, but then awkwardly stalls and raises a hand to lamely wave at shoulder height. "Er, sorry, I'm-- I'm Petra. Nice to meet you. I've, um, got Angela on my back here, I-- I assume you probably know her. Haha."
Angela The Warprunners have lent a hand to LobCorp before and, more relevantly, Angela is cut off from the banter band. Social Events like this are one of the few ways she can engage with the outside world now. Not that Lobotomy Corp has been its usual dull state as of late. They are in new territory, new enough that Angela feels something quite frightening: Hope. And even more frightening: Confidence in that hope. She arrives via Eggpack and is in the company of Petra whom she has missed while she was busy with Quicknest.

"It hasn't been so bad, really." Angela says to Petra. "The future feels, for once, clearer than the past."

She will at most give Yuuki an eggpack egghandshake and she doesn't pay Sarracenia mind. She doesn't intend to until she feels forced to which, she privately admits, may be inevitable.

"Director," Angela says to Yuuki. "How goes your own projects? I am happy to say our own is going well all things considered, and Petra here in particular has been instrumental in the work. We could not have done it without her."

She absolutely is talking up her friend to the boss.
Zero Kiryu     MEANWHILE, AT THE GRAND DORADO...

"We do not, and never will, want a blood fountain," Zero says to a regular contractor who, attempting a little too hard to pander to the Director and her adjutant, has tried to offer a blood fountain during every renovation they have ever done. He's tried to explain the social complexities of drinking blood, he's tried to explain that keeping blood in a relatively fresh state in a fountain is unappetizing on top of that, and none of it really sticks. He has ceased to argue, and simply delivers this canned response every time.

He has delivered this response 57 times in the last 5 years. They go through a lot of renovations for presentation reasons, depending on the floor.

    SUDDENLY, HERE, NOW

A hair ornament that appeared to be a small, purple flower and a tasteful twist of thorned vine provides a gateway for Zero Kiryu's appearance. He materializes at Yuuki's flank, adjusting his tie as he appears. His style of dress is a lot plainer by comparison-- white button-down, black waistcoat, black slacks, charcoal overcoat. His most prominent personalization of appearance is actually asymmetrically worn silver cuffs along his upper left ear and a pair of subtler silver loops on his lower right ear.

From one sleeve he produces a small slip of vine, which he deposits on the ground, and that begins to grow its way around-- relatively unobtrusively, though not exactly subtly with any sort of scrutiny. The movement of its growth carries it over to the put-upon individual, the belligerent crowd, and Sarracenia attempting to offer advice.

His eyes flick from that general direction towards Petra, unblinking at her awkward introduction. Considering that he just sort of blipped into existence, he doesn't feel particularly beholden to the ongoing introductions. Still, some pieces of his own slide into place as explanations are offered.

"You are one of Eggman's apprentices, and the subject of the yearly unwise feud," he observes, seemingly neutrally. After a moment or two, he adds, "Director Yuuki Kuran. Adjutant Zero Kiryu. My condolences on your inclusion in this year's feud."

His attention slides towards Angela's eggpack, the intensity of his gaze increasing substantially. "Your situation is quite fraught. Do you require additional power?"

It isn't the first time he's extended such an offer to somebody in LobCorp, though that it is now aimed at Angela is certainly a change of pace.
Ivy Carrow     The woman flinches at Sarracenia's correction, and it doesn't take long to see how. "Exactly!" He saw weakness, and he struck. "How am I supposed to live here without my car?! My son should have never moved here. I'll have you know when he gets home, I'll--Look at me when I'm talking to you, missy!"

    The Warprunner glanced sideways as Yuuki approached, jolting slightly, adjusting her glasses. "A-ah, madam Director...!" She broke off from the fuming old man, deciding this was more important than weathering his complaints...Or maybe using it to excuse her escape from it. "I'm sorry, madam Director, we didn't know you'd be coming. I'm sure the Gate-Captain would have been happy to meet you."

    A huff. "Of all the ungrateful...!"

    She tensed, slightly, but didn't look back toward the old man. "I-I'm Nina Barker." She smiled, but it wasn't enough to wipe the stress from her eyes. "Part of the Captain's personal team. I think I saw her in the lounge, if you'd like to see her...?"

    "I can find some hipster-ass bar in any random city, but it really feels like it should be some sort of, *inn* situation, around here. Committing to the aesthetic of everything."

    "And this place is for more than just drinking, too. I'm hoping it gives my runners somewhere to spend some time."

    "And it's more of a pub than a bar," the woman behind the counter said, in notes something close to agreement. There were a few streaks of gray in her hair, and her face looked weathered. Nevertheless, she smiled--an expression that looked a little out of place. "Still. It's closer than I thought I'd get."

    "Anyway." She turned to Petra, smile falling away. "Can I get you something?" She slipped a menu over to Petra. Tavern seemed apt--there was food on it too. It started with staples, like burgers and fries, mixed in with samples of fruits with alien-sounding names and breaded cockatrice strips.
Sarracenia      Those lilac butterflies had been intriguing Sarra. Butterflies are lovely in general, and lilac is an unusual color for them. She tried to get close to one to see if it would land nearby, both so she could touch it and to take a picture of it.

     After her general interactions on the radio with her fellow Concordians, Sarra is surprised in a few ways when she is ambushed with a hug! "Ah! D-director Kuran!" she says, obviously startled. She hugs back despite the slight confusion. The princess rarely turns down a sincere hug. Sarracenia is surprised again at what Yuuki says. "Ah, thank you!" she says, then pauses. "...have we ever actually caught up? I feel like I have been in the Concord for years and yet have only encountered you a handful of times.

     'Maybe there's a hammer game you can show off in.'

     Sarra can't help a bit of a snicker and a smirk. "No whack-a-mole game can handle my level of hammer skill~" she says, obviously just in jest before smiling. "I can understand why one might be surprised, but I find myself somewhat fond of both sorts of arcades. I must admit when I heard there was one here I did not think it was likely to be the sort filled with games. But then, Captain Carrow is an unusual sort, so it was possible." She looks to Ivy. "No offense intended to you, Captain. I quite like unusual sorts." she says, then looks to Yuuki again. "Oh, and I love your coat, Director! I am quite tempted to get one for myself!" That color red is exactly Sarra's dress color, after all.

     Then, Petra speaks up. Sarracenia immediately tenses up, and her expression turns from pretty cheerful to a slight frown. She looks over her shoulder, listening to the words about the bar. And naturally, she has to disagree with Petra. "I am not sure I would call it a 'hipster' bar." Does Sarra even know what hipster means? "It is a bit too...understated perhaps."

     That Petra does not immediately hurl a snottily cruel insult does not escape Sarra's attention, and she raises an eyebrow in suspicion. She holds her own tongue in response in that regard. She certainly does not seem to have the same sort of strange energy about her toward Petra that Petra does toward her, though.

     Zero appears. This adds slightly to Sarracenia's downturn in mood. He did (at least to her mind) tell her that she should just give up in trying to overcome Lilian. She can't do that for a few reasons. Is that yearly feud the very thing she is thinking of? She curtseys in greeting to Zero, and pays Angela only a small amount of mind in the form of a neutral, "Angela." in greeting. They are comrades at the very least.
Yuuki Kuran Yuuki perhaps stands out by just standing around, bravely hugging local princesses and wandering around like she knows where she's going when she really does not, but when her name is asked, she brightens and turns her attention and gazes at Petra uncomprehendingly in acknowledgement.

"That's me!" She agrees, placing a hand high on her black clothed collar, hand framed in bright red lapels. "And you are...?" She leadingly asks, having a long and mildly confused squint-stare towards Petra before her expression smooths--

And from her hair ornamentation, Zero Kiryu appears! Simply snapping into being besides her, pushing through her introductions and handling Knowing all the things she couldn't simply pluck from the context clues and minds around. Thankfully wrapping her right arm around Zero's left after his appearance, an automatic wrap-about with him so close, she directs her red-brown gaze's attentive dinnerplates of considerance to the Eggpacked Angela. "Oh! I've actually been doing fantastically, Administrator. Your organization supplied help in one of my most needful times, and now that we are past the worst of it, I can say that my life really has only improved. Keeping all the cats-" She is certianly not talking about literal felines. "-herded is a lot easier when things just aren't as bad. Wouldn't you agree? And sometimes, a little self-indulgence is exactly the cure for doldrums."

"A-ah, madam Director...!"

Yuuki lifts her free arm to wave at the Warprunner jogging up, lowering her left hand to tuck into her coat pocket when they're proximal. "Oh, no no! No need to apologize, I decided to come unnanounced and managed to find my way."

A purple butterfly, fluttering about, is so bold as to land on the old man's head, flapping once before settling, and then lifting immediately after as Yuuki laughs happily. "It's really *my* job to support you all, isn't it? The Concord is a union of our great dreams, and if we find one we all like, we'll pursue that one to the very end for all of us. Making our futures rich and wonderful is the purpose of our partnership, not..." Her shoulders rise and fall, as dismissive as an easy shrug. "... seeing to the very particulars of all of our petty demands. We're partnered!"

Sarracenia's comment on catching up stoppers up the Princess, mildly off-guard and apologetic despite just speaking on not making fuss over Every little Respect Game. "Oh, that's-- ah... If I must admit, it is because I'm very terribly busy, but, It's not been that long, right?"

She's a vampire with no sense of time scales. It has been that long -- and she's growingly sorry about it!
Angela "Sarracenia." Angela says. "So long as I do not harm, specifically, your pride--Anything is permitted, correct? That is the sort of person you are? If you'd like I can turn you into a Slime Girl, there is only a small chance you would simply melt into bones." Angela is an AI that can lie, the odds of Sarracenia melting into bones is roughly 110 percent with a ten percent margin of error.

She focuses on Zero. Her gaze is as neutral as ever but did she seem to relax a little? She does not emote well but she's definitely less icy.

"Zero. ... I would not object to additional assistance but I do not know if I can say it is required while being wholly honest. The next meltdown may be difficult but the bigger concern right now is if the City finds out what we are doing At LobCorp." She hesitates. "...And besides, Ayin is the member. I am merely an asset of the Concord. I am grateful to even have your consideration."

Yuuki is so strange to her but she is the Director so...

"...It is only natural to help you, Director." Angela says. "I am glad we could make your life easier despite still being quite new to the Multiverse."

She almost forogt its knly actually been a year. She is able to smile privately for .8 seconds when Yuuki grabs Zero's arm. Seeing nice things happen isn't so bad however much she feels its absence stronger, usually, but less so today. She is in a good mood. She raises an eyebrow when Yuuki says its her job to support everyone else but presumes it is typical Wing speak and does not sweat it. It occurs to her, though, she did suggest turning Sarracenia into a slime in front of The Director. She shouldn't have relaxed, she thinks, and averts her gaze. Don't suggest turning allies into slime in front of your boss, Angela! She can't let herself be TOO hopeful TOO happy just yet. She can easily imagine her fucking everything up at the last moment.
Petra Soroka "And this place is for more than just drinking, too. I'm hoping it gives my runners somewhere to spend some time."

    Petra huffs at Ivy, clearly struck by being misinterpreted by the one person she particularly hoped would understand her comments on aesthetic synergy. "I don't care about the *menu*! I'm saying, like, why's it some generic little pub or bar or whatever when it's in a Gothic fucking *castle*. I mean, at *least* have there be like, stone and a fireplace or something, so that it's in contrast to it being gloomy and misty outside. That seems so obvious. If you want, like-- like, you *know* what I mean when I say 'tavern'."

    Is it Petra who's wrong? Has she spent enough time around Lilian that her sense of decor has been warped into some kind of lame roleplaying nerd's? She'd intentionally done the opposite with her own castle, was that, like, embarrassing, in retrospect? It's not like this is *really* a medieval castle or anything. She mumbles something about 'maybe thinking about getting something later' to the woman at the counter before turning away.

"You are one of Eggman's apprentices, and the subject of the yearly unwise feud,"

    In specifically Castle Carrow, Petra is primed enough to the sudden appearance of people or objects that Zero's only prompts a momentary adjustment. His first sentence, though, makes her bristle, for reasons entirely related to his phrasing and entirely unrelated to what he actually means, which she only belatedly realizes.

    "Look, there isn't *going* to be a 'girl of the fucking year' anymore, dude. No more fucking *arcs*. I *know* I was bad, but if someone comes around acting like I did at Lilian again, I'm just--" Petra's aggro peters out as she considers the fact that it's been over a year since that, so 'yearly' had to apply to something else. Her scrunched up expression loosens a bit and she pauses, running back over his words in her head.

    "Er... wait, you mean Proudpick? Right. Yeah. It might be dignifying him a bit too much to call it a... *feud*, but he's dealt with now, at least. Um, nice to meet you, Zero."

"I can understand why one might be surprised, but I find myself somewhat fond of both sorts of arcades. I must admit when I heard there was one here I did not think it was likely to be the sort filled with games."

    Petra dubiously side-eyes Sarracenia, arms crossed while giving Angela an appropriate position from which to greet and converse with Yuuki while mounted. "What? There's got to be games around here somewhere, right? There was a cute little movie theater I saw, so it's just like a mall or something. Those usually have arcades in them. What does 'both types' even mean?"

"And you are...?"

    Petra, a little flustered after Angela already went and talked her up, just shakes her head at Yuuki. "I'm, um, not anyone. Not in the Concord, I mean. Just, uh, Eggman's apprentice, like he said, and Angela's employee like she said, and... um..." On a whim, or even without one and purely stumbling forwards through unfamiliar ground as if shoved by herself, Petra adds after dropping off into brief silence, "And, uh, previously at Applied Ontology. You visited, once. That's all."
Ivy Carrow     As the butterfly landed on the old man's head, he grumbled, no respect or knowledge of just who was in front of them. He turned on his heels, stomping off to make himself someone else's problem.

    Nina breathed a sigh of relief. "That's one of our runner's parents. It's not safe for him to live alone, so his son had to take him along..." She said, apologetic glancing down after him, "...He seems well enough to me..."

    "We've been opening up some residential areas in the Castle...For people to live in. It's..." A grimace. "...Mostly going well? Oh...Gate-Captain! We have some...important guests!"

    Zero's senses pick up a lot of magic around him, and in every Warprunner he can feel on the premises, and every warpgate. A spiderweb network of power and rich blood magic, all flowing to and from a central locus that, when he stepped into the lounge, he found right in front of him.

    "What's up, Nin--oh!" It's like current of electricity ran up her spine. For a moment, she stared at Yuuki and Zero.

    "My greetings, Director." She coughed into her hand, then stood up, letting her cloak sweep up out to the the side, her clawed hand floushing. The lip of her cloak caught into her drink and sent it crashing to the floor in the middle of her pose.

    "Ivy. You're cleaning that up."

    There's a long moment of awkward silence. Ivy wished the floor would swallow her where she stood.
Zero Kiryu Yes. It is. Zero glances Sarracenia's way, his thoughts echoing exclusively into hers-- and to an extent into Yuuki's, since they share a fairly persistent link. It isn't 'the effort to overcome' but 'the reason why you would at all' that is the problem. The conflict is petty, and all escalations from pettiness have been unnecessary.

       We are the Concord. We play all the angles, and so we always win.        

You won't get anything for 'winning' that contest that justifies the damage that the conflict itself causes. But if you want my advice for 'besting' Lilian Rook... it is that the most important thing to do is to not be in her line-of-sight at all, allies inclusive. But I do not think you are likely to find a scenario where you can do so and not prioritize anything but what you want to actually do for the situation. He concludes.

Yuuki steps in and takes him by the arm, and Zero steps in in return to complete the motion without otherwise seeming to be prompted. His attention is actually directed elsewhere-- he's beaming pacification thoughts towards the ornery, entitled crowd bothering the Warprunner that diverted to Yuuki. His head turns slightly as Yuuki tries to work out exactly how long it's been since they were proximal.

"It has been nine months and fourteen days since we previously interacted. Our meeting before that is three years, eleven months, and twenty one days past," he offers. Keeping track of time might be a little bit his responsibility in this relationship.

Angela's response draws his attention back to the eggpack. Shaking his head, he explains, "I am offering you such measure of independent ambulation as my abilities can confer. I am under the impression that you desire and could make use of this. I should also make myself clear..."

"I am a founding officer of the Concord. Who is the asset and who is the member is entirely at my discretion. I have made a decision in contradiction of the membership rolls routinely enough when the outcomes have hinged more on the supposed asset or 'plus one' than the member. I do not know this Ayin. I know you. All boons and consideration are for you. That is all," he clarifies, matter-of-factly.

Zero turns his head slightly to survey Petra as she loses it just a little. He doesn't seem bothered by this, and once he has a moment says, "I don't know what you're talking about. I am simply familiar with the usual agitation towards Lilian Rook leading steadily into the conflict over Quicknest, Eggman's involvement, and the involvement of an associate of Eggman -- an 'Egghead' -- in that matter. I do listen to the radio, though not so often as I used to. Certain cycles of behavior have long since grown wearying."

The sensation of various supernatural abilities -- many linked to blood -- firing all around him draw Zero's attention about in ways that aren't connected to the ongoing conversation at all. The vine he extruded previously winds across the floor and sweeps away the mess of spilled drink and glass before Ivy has to worry about it at all.

Zero smiles faintly, but offers no other indication of his interference.
Yuuki Kuran "It's only natural we help each other in our particular projects and works, because that's what Partners do. Greater together! We can't lose, that way." Yuuki effortlessly bubbles out her own remix of the central throughline of their shared organization.

"Angela, Zero and I have taken a particular interest in you - not your organization. You are who speaks, who arranges, who dispatches, who devises, who..." Despite her soft eloquence Yuuki runs out of words before she runs out of warmth, falling to breathing and smiling. "... you loved greatly. I feel it in many, and they speak highly of your efforts. It was something that was difficult for me to explain, or arrange, when I relied on others' strength, to feel like I was still allowed to be selfish at all. And, what really happened, was that time passed, and eventually it became my turn to help, and I was ready to."

A soft nod follows, bangs bobbing, and Yuuki leans her head against Zero's shoulder. "You've done much better than I did when I denied everything about myself. I'm pleased with your assistance, and interested in your results. If we must do something petty like win a war to see it through, well -- we know what to do."

The Concord's Director ends such a dire sentiment with a smile, happy to reassure. Investments in people yielded the particular dividends that the Kuran Queen had treasured, and while Zero mentally briefs Sarracenia on the particulars she can't help but share and echo the feeling out towards Petra in a different way.

"And, while we're on topics then -- I'm happy that you've found a new organization after the Watch failed to nurture you. Since Ivo has such a fondness for you, and you've clearly proven your power, have you considered applying for formal Concord membership? Why, Ivo could walk the application past the incinerators himself if he were so inclined." She assures further. "Please consider it - I think that the enrichment of all our members is our responsibility, and our social calendar and benefits are unmatched in the field."

Which lifts her attention to Sarracenia, the particular poster-princess for such conversions of '''abused''' Watchmembers flourishing under the Concord's structure and support. "Oh? Sarra, are you thinking of changing shapes? We have some competitive enhancement packages, but I personally think the one that speaks loudest to you should be pursued. If you've been frustrated and confused, maybe a nice spa day might help you unwind, and consider your many options?"

Director Kuran, known vampire, is extremely relaxed about people monsterifying themselves. Softly encouraging, even! If it's... the right monster for the member.

Then there is an approach, a performance, a grand flourish -- from Ivy! Yuuki brings out her left hand and unsnakes her right to still be arm-in-arm with Zero to clap ('pach-pach-pachi') with an excited laugh. "Tadaa!" And a softer beat after as Ivy's feelings practically melt off her as shockedly disappointed. "It's you. And this place is wonderful, something I've wanted to say I'm truly excited about - personally. The building, the ownership of spaces like this helps shape... everything! So even if it's hard, don't worry - you have help, right?"

Zero disappears the spill as if on cue, but, they share a wavelength so clearly as to be two points on the same line, harmony and melody of an approach. "And I've come to see and say before - ah - nine months and," A crosseyed helplessness. Meaningless time, a blur, a smear of experiences and flashes, that turn to helpless 'ah... hah...' failure to follow. "Time got away from me again."
Sarracenia      Sarracenia waves dismissively at Yuuki's apology and smiles. "It is alright. I assumed as much. I admittedly rarely aid in Concord matters despite my membership, so I do not hold it against you that we rarely encounter each other. And besides that, my dreams and ambitions often seem at odds with my comrades'." She starts to pat Yuuki on the head, but hesitates just as her hand is about to make contact and coughs lightly before withdrawing that hand.

     'Sarracenia. So long as I do not harm, specifically, your pride--Anything is permitted, correct? That is the sort of person you are? If you'd like I can turn you into a Slime Girl, there is only a small chance you would simply melt into bones.'

     Sarracenia mmphs at this, and her temper flares just a bit. "...incorrect. Though, I suppose that is still important to me. However, if it were only my pride I cared about I would not have become involved in many of the disputes over the years." she says, and then levels a bit of a smoldering gaze at Angela. "For instance, having it implied that I am stupid and that you want me dead is beyond an insult to my pride. I -was- paying attention at the orientation for Melting Love. You know, the incident I helped keep under control at great risk to myself and despite the incredibly unflattering outfit I had to wear?"

     Petra addresses Sarra, and once again without venom. Sarra gives Petra the dubious side-eye in return. "...perhaps, but the general feel of this place seems opposite to game rooms. Although, a theater is fun in itself. Perhaps they have some good movies and concessions?"

     Are they just...talking normally? This is odd to Sarra, and she has yet to relax.

     Ivy tries to make a grand gesture of greeting Yuuki and Zero, and Sarra does her absolute best to stifle her giggle at the crash and the comment from the bartender. She is very nearly successful but can't quite hide the amused smile even behind a hand.

     'Yes. It is.'

     Sarra jumps in surprise, which probably looks odd to anyone who is not receiving Zero's message. She frowns, then thinks back at him as best she can with no actual psychic power, I will get something that justifies it for me. Whether anyone else thinks it is worth it or not is not my concern, and that they will get little from it is why I no longer try to draw others in. I am not sure it is even possible for me to stay out of her line of sight now, even if I wanted to. Bringing the entire Multiverse under her control is apparently a potential goal of hers. At least, if what she said to me at Quicknest is any indication.
Sarracenia
     'Oh? Sarra, are you thinking of changing shapes? We have some competitive enhancement packages, but I personally think the one that speaks loudest to you should be pursued. If you've been frustrated and confused, maybe a nice spa day might help you unwind, and consider your many options?'

     Sarra can't help her smile creeping back at that. "Not so much shapes as states. I am actually looking for a method of ageless immortality that I find palatable. Vampirism is one I considered, actually. It offers all the benefits I am looking for, but I am not sure I could get used to the...diet." she says, trying to be diplomatic about it since Yuuki is here. "Spa days are something I take quite often, though. So no need to worry about that. You are even welcome to join me on one! I typically take one per week."

     Of course, that smile wavers and becomes more of a 'oh geeze that is a thing that could happen' forced smile when Yuuki offers Petra a spot in the Concord.
Angela Angela listens to Zero. There is a matter of power between Kiryu and Kuran that makes Angela keep a little distant and professional. Yuuki's cheeriness and Zero's open gestures of care are confusing to her. Maybe at a certain measure of strength, you can afford to be 'chill' in these ways. Zero, being direct and a bit stiff in how he talks is actually easier to deal with--He is showing care, sure, but at least he feels like he could be in a Wing. He feels like an Agent, albeit a very high ranking one--the kind that doesn't really exist at L Corp.

So maybe that is why Zero saying what he says is still a surprise to her in spite of everything she's already experienced. She is not sure what to say. "That is kind of you to offer." she says on the matter of independent ambulation. "We would have to discuss the details to see if it is viable but...Ideally soon, it will not be an issue."

'All boons and consideration are for you. That is all.'

Angela is struck silent by this. And Zero turns to Petra before words can come to her. She will have a place in the Concord, after?

...When the work is done .... There is a community waiting. Maybe. Angela doesn't know if he will feel the same later. But there is a danger if they don't know, right?

"...In that case, Zero, I would like a private meeting with you and the Director at your convenience." Angela says. "I would like to show some trust of my own if you are willing to state that so plainly."

Yuuki CONFIRMS what Zero says. The way she says it makes her think like she got transported to an alien landscape. She LOVED greatly?? WHAT??? Lilian and Petra sure, SURE but.

But she understands what she says last. And what she says after the last.

"...You honor me, Director." Angela says, unable to obscure the confusion from her eyes entirely judging from how she half squints. It doesn't occur to her that people like Lilian and Petra and Phony might very well be who she means.

It is a bit of a relief when she moves onto Petra. She will have to think about this future meeting. Things are going too well and that makes her anxious. Will Ayin throw himself into a pit at the last moment? Will Arbiters destroy the facility? Ugh.

'Have you considered applying for formal Concord membership?'

Petra is getting a job offer that would make Angela so very happy if she accepted. Yes. Now she is certain. Doom is on the way. But where? She checks her camera feeds openly while on the Eggpack's viewscreen. It all looks stable. Too stable. If she had a proper heart it'd be pounding.

'For instance, having it implied that I am stupid'

"So you would prefer it stated directly?" Angela asks like she is trying to figure out the Sarracenia manual. It is true Sarracenia helped and that is not nothing but that is far from trust.
Petra Soroka "I do not know this Ayin. I know you. All boons and consideration are for you. That is all,"
"I'm pleased with your assistance, and interested in your results. If we must do something petty like win a war to see it through, well -- we know what to do."

    Petra is very used to simply turning around and facing away from an ongoing conversation while wearing the Eggpack at this point, to allow the screen with Angela's face on it to be addressed without needing to awkwardly lean around Petra herself. Busied with chattering with Ivy and the barkeeper so that she's not just passively waiting for the Concord-talk to be over, those sentiments from Yuuki and Zero filter into her hearing and pull her attention backwards over her shoulder to look at them.

    The 'Petra liked that' notification is practically visible, popping up as a relationship modifier when she nods in agreement. "That's good. That's right. I mean, I work at L-Corp, but it's the same for me. Everything I do there is for Ange, and whatever she needs I'll do. It's good to know that, uh--" She fumbles briefly, changing course in her sentence and inserting a euphemistic approximation instead. "-- That you guys feel the same."

"Certain cycles of behavior have long since grown wearying."

    Petra, for once, takes the out she was provided, and stops embarrassing herself so much. Her lips twist unhappily and she mutters, "Yeah, haven't they *just*." Not privy to the telepathic communication, and even causing crackling static in the silent conversation by her presence, Petra's eyes still flick over to Sarracenia, clearly thinking about the same topic. "Less from now on, I hope. Even if people keep being like *that* towards Lilian, at least she wasn't forced to deal with it this time."

"You know, the incident I helped keep under control at great risk to myself and despite the incredibly unflattering outfit I had to wear?"

    Even though Petra scowls at Sarra a bit, her response is still oddly subdued. "Look, helping's *good*, but it doesn't give you total free reign to talk to Angela however you want. Be nicer to her. I mean it."

"Although, a theater is fun in itself. Perhaps they have some good movies and concessions?"

    Seemingly similarly unnerved by the fact that they're talking in a regular way, but pursuing it doggedly regardless, Petra crosses her arms and fiddles with the gauze on her bicep, tugging and teasing at it in a way that is absolutely not conducive to its healing. She just needs something to do with her hands, looking diagonally away from Sarra at the entrance arch to the Lounge.

    "... Maybe. I mean, it's a small one, though. I was wondering if it's the kind of thing you can, like... rent out for groups and stuff. Maybe bring your own movies. It seems like it'd be cute."

"I am actually looking for a method of ageless immortality that I find palatable. Vampirism is one I considered, actually. It offers all the benefits I am looking for, but I am not sure I could get used to the...diet."

    Petra still pointedly faces away from the Concord-talk so that Angela can feel directly involved, but that particular line from Sarracenia stretches her capacity to ignore it more than anything before it. She squeezes her fist tightly, thumb caught between two fingers, eyes closed and quiet, rhythmic breathing serving to center herself on not saying whatever it is she's compelled to.
Petra Soroka "... have you considered applying for formal Concord membership?"

    "... Huh?"

    Petra's over-the-shoulder posture to give attention towards Yuuki doesn't serve well for expressing her disbelief, and trying to crane her neck further in shock immediately cramps the muscles in it. She winces and clamps her hand on the aching area, delicately turning her body a few careful degrees such that the angle of addressing Yuuki for both Angela and Petra is more agreeable, and then she just gives up and places the Eggpack on the bar stool besides her facing out. The task of busying herself with slipping off the backpack straps and balancing Angela on the stool momentarily overwhelms the processing center of her brain, so when she mentally returns back to the topic, she's dumbfounded a second time at exactly equal intensity as the first.

    "... Wait, what? Like, me? As an-- an individual?" She seems oddly agitated by the idea, fingers woven together and twisting around in front of her, as she shifts restlessly between attempting to lean on the bar behind her casually, and straightening up again. "Well, sure, I-- I mean, I'm... *friendly* with a bunch of-- with Angela and Doctor Eggman, and I'll fight for them and stuff, and there's-- I mean, I'm obligated t-to, a bit, uh, with the space programs-- t-too, but..."

    Eventually, Petra's fidgeting hand just finds its way to holding onto Angela's, as her gaze roams around like she specifically can't meet Yuuki's at the moment. "I-I just mentioned them because, I knew you'd care about *those* affiliations of mine, specifically. In terms of, introducing myself in the relevant ways. Above anything else, I'm loyal to Lilian, you know? And I'm not sure what I'd g-get-- what I'd bring, really, to... the Concord, when it's just, like... me. I'm only important for the people I'm specifically working to care about."
Ivy Carrow     "It's you. And this place is wonderful, something I've wanted to say I'm truly excited about - personally. The building, the ownership of spaces like this helps shape... everything! So even if it's hard, don't worry - you have help, right?"

    The look that Ivy offers Zero is fleeting, grateful. She does her best to step gracefully forward, a like a cat trying to pretend it hadn't just fallen into a lake. "It flatters me to have allies as reliable as this, Director. This is exactly what I hoped for, when I joined this Concord."

    "If it weren't for your Concord's help, this might still be little more than a lonely castle between worlds. If my Warprunners and I can ever be of service, consider us at your disposal."

    With the focus taken off of her, Nina took a step back from the knot of multiversal elites, placing a hand on her chest and breathing out.

    "Sarra, are you thinking of changing shapes? We have some competitive enhancement packages, but I personally think the one that speaks loudest to you should be pursued."

    Ivy can't help but quiet, biting down on her lower lip. A thought lurks on the edge of her mind, daring to articulate itself, leaving her stomach twisted and knotted. She grasped onto another whisper of a thought in her mind and spoke it aloud, to drown it out. "It is my hope," she said, "That we will be able to be something here we couldn't, back home. Free of old pests..."

    "Um...Captain" Nina slipped next to Ivy, furitive, murmured. "Last hour...Some of Rothschilds' tried to...You know..."

    "Again? Persistent fucking..." She turned to Nina, eyes serious. "And what did you tell them?"

    Her voice was planitive squeak. "...Get out before you're thrown out?"

    "You're doing fine."

    "I was wondering if it's the kind of thing you can, like... rent out for groups and stuff. Maybe bring your own movies. It seems like it'd be cute."

    It wasn't addressed directly at Ivy, but still, she spoke up. "We can make that happen. It's the kind of thing I wanted for this place..."

    "I haven't been on the circuit long, but it looked like you handle yourself pretty well. We'd have had to abort our expedition into the Vault, if it weren't for you. You're sure impressive enough."
Zero Kiryu Zero raises his free hand to muss Yuuki's hair, because this is a thing that he does sometimes, and it's funny to him in the context. That Sarracenia moves to do something similar -- and withdraws -- just makes it more entertaining. He knows Yuuki can just shapeshift it back if she REALLY wants to, anyway. He murmurs, "Did we switch from shredders to incinerators...?" He's only personally involved in the application process bit when he's engaging in blatant favoritism, apparently-- and it hasn't happened in a little while. His attention drifts from there to the time that's passed, "There's a lot of minutiae to deal with, unfortunately... tedium makes time pass faster without being registered. It's easy to find notable points like Touta's little party, in that context."

To Sarracenia, he replies, I understand 'doing what I'm doing, no matter what'... that is a life that I have lived. But you confabulate higher reasons for what is ultimately nothing even in the course of this exchange.
Lilian Rook is a prosocial individual. She forms bonds and she sees through the care that is necessary to secure them.
If she could be defeated by somebody seeking validity of cause wherever it might conceivably be found... we would not be having this conversation.
What do you care about? What vision of the world lives within you? What is beautiful to you? What do you wish to build?

I, too, have pursued a 'cause without remorse or deviation'. At the end of that road is a door, and the girl beyond it. Good luck... and if you wish to speak of the peculiarities of vampirism, that might be arranged at a later time.

His presence withdraws from Sarracenia.

"Certainly," Zero says to Angela, of both details and of a private meeting. "Given the circumstances, it will be prioritized. You do not require an appointment. When you appear, we will be available. Do you need anything that we are able to provide in the meantime?"

Simple. Straightforward.

Equally simply and straightforwardly, Zero swings his attention towards Ivy and Nina. "Is there someone who needs handling?"

In answer to Petra's commentary, he says, "I have been a part of that 'cycle' since it was composed of enemy operatives dating one another from positions of great authority. Things are much quieter now, but not silent. The old powers were messy, dreadful things. You would not have liked it. With regards to your concerns of membership..."

"I am here for Yuuki, and a little for Priscilla. Singular devotion to fellows is acceptable. The foundation of the Concord was... well, we can discuss the history at a later time, I suppose," His attention drifts away, evidently not wanting to muddy the various conversations with Remedial Sector Zero History.
Yuuki Kuran Happy at least to take a cue from Sarracenia and let the little issues of lining up alongside the Princess for a chat become timely by shrugs and smiles, Yuuki seems immediately softly interested in the potential of a vampiric shift from Sarracenia. "Oh, well, I will say - it" Becoming a vampire. "-does take care of *that* aspect. The... Sqeamishness? But also, I've found, that there's still a friction in the mind, of expecting to be sickened and so being sickened, when my monster and I didn't see so eye to eye. Well, now we see through the same eyes, meeting each other in the middle of a deep forest, but--"

Dreamily, the red-eyed Director lifts her head from Zero's shoulder and nods. "--I spent a while hating what I was, even though I had always been that way, because of how it happened, and the cracks that it left in me took a long time to fix and smooth and fill. Even for an immortal."

Gently, guiding, Yuuki has a soft passion for this topic and an insistent air to her voice. Convincing, despite her not actually applying deliberate mental pressure. The weight of truth spoken about the self. "If you want to live forever, Sarra, you must begin to treat 'forever' as something to be clean and hygenic about. The disrepair and decay of where you go, endlessly, becomes your living need. Forever is, truly, a very long time, and so it makes it all the more important to be as kind as you can to the future you."

Knowingly, Yuuki leans around to touch Sarra on the . . . shoulder, side of the arm, reassuringly. No headpats back, but, the Director let the momentary feeling-fondness-folly pass as easily. "We can help guide you, if you have questions. Perhaps we should make it a Concord event? That does sound lovely."

Yuuki shifts, as Angela expresses the hindering-hitching concern over herself, smiling faintly at the eggpack on Petra's back, and then up at Petra formally when the over-shoulder gazing girl stammers in surprise. "I think I'd enjoy a meeting, Angela." She directs, with Zero having fully taken the material-direct approach and that working so much better. "Don't worry if I spill a little honor your way, Administrator. Zero has already told you our thoughts on whose Concord it is."

Soft Boss and Stable Adjutant was a bit that had worked for years. They were good at it, and some people reacted to one half of their spun-about arrangement much more positively than the other. Together, well...

One could clearly see an example of why the Concord itself was formed - the support many sets of hands together made for their members. Despite...

"My my," Yuuki arches an eyebrow over her eye, grinning as she's offered another group of souls to her disposal. Momentarily stepping off from Zero, splitting to step forward and to take up Ivy's attention - and hands. "Ivy. I've told this to several captains, and I think it's captains like you that should hear it loudest."

"You are not at my disposal. We do not death march towards one dream, but walk hand in hand towards better." 'Hand in Hand' comes with a particular smile, though there's a hint of Yuuki's own fangs biting down over bottom lip. "I'm looking forward to hearing each of your Warprunner's stories, and the tales that come out of this place."
Yuuki Kuran Stepping back, it's almost afterthought that Yuuki glances back over towards Petra, who had replied to the Director's pointed 'wanna join?' with 'huh?', amused and confused both -- incapable of getting more than fuzz and static off the girl but having a particular answer to the question she actually asked. "As an individual. It might be interesting to tell you that Woz, Sougo's partner," Lowercase 'P'. "Was made singularly and personally a Concord Partner from his original status as Sougo's 'plus one'. He sought to become a nurturer of a particular kind of dream. Aren't you similar? Nurturing of a particular dream?"

"Perhaps the Concord would like to play that angle, as well. I would personally walk the Dame Commander's application past the incinerators if I thought she would not simply make it through the natural process flawlessly - or the usual processes adroitly." Yuuki answers with soft simplicity, returning her arm to Zero's and her head to his shoulder, slipping back to a favorite comfort position.
Angela Angela hasn't been that chatty with Ivy or her people largely due to getting the whirlwind since almost as soon as she arrived but she notices the shift in Ivy's demeanor, the biting of her lip, the quiet words. She doesn't get a chance to comment before Nina draws her attention but if she's being told she is a member of the Concord she should show some initiative. She is struggling to rein herself in with Sarracenia so she should show she wont just be a troublemaker.

Ivy gets a message on her radio, text, from Angela: ''What is the matter, Captain? -Angela'' Does Ivy want to be a goo girl too? She cannot denounce it yet but, sadly, as Sarracenia deduced--she can't actually goo-ify Ivy without harming her.

She has also noticed that Petra is being strange about Sarracenia at this point. There might be more information than she knows of--having been a non-participant of Quicknest. Maybe Sarracenia actually shaped up and did something she can approve of. It would honestly be ideal, Angela thinks, she doesn't want to have conflict with other Concord members but it'll be difficult to avoid so long as Lilian Rook is the subject of Sarracenia's (in Angela's mind) obsession.

(Angela's mind drifts off towards their last meeting with one another for a moment)

Angela smiles, more readily, at Petra's words of support. She carefully spins that little Eggpack 'hand' closer--allowing Petra to readily take it. Angela gives her hand a careful squeeze. She's getting accustomed to Eggpack grip strength.

It'll be weird, once she can leave, to not use the Eggpack anymore. She's kind of...grown accustomed to it. Maybe she can still find ways to make use of it though being actually near Petra...

Don't dwell too much on the future. You'll have plenty of time to enjoy it when you escape.

Petra's...clear bothered-state worries her. She sends Petra a message as well. ''Does Sarracenia have blackmail material on you? I can make a move that will not be connected to you. -Angela''

She has no idea what else it could be.

Petra (unsurprisingly) seems surprised at the offer.

''Do you need anything that we are able to provide in the meantime?''

Angela has no idea what that would even look like--she is impressed that Zero ALSO noticed that something seems to be 'up' wit Ivy and Nina, even if it's a different thing.

Her eyes slant towards Petra. "...I think right now, I could use a moment to think. I am glad to see you and the Director acknowledge Petra. She is a very motivated individual and my dearest friend."

She also kind of admires how Yuuki handles Sarracenia. Maybe something to talk to her about later as well. But right now she just can't really focus on that kind of thing.

"I...will ''try'' not to worry overmuch, Director." Administrator feels better than Secretary but--

Yuuki would also love to have the Dame Commander but this isn't a surprise. Angela suspects every organization would benefit from a Dame Commander. Hearing Yuuki say this reminds her of how lucky she is now that she's in the multiverse.

She says, "I would have no objections, Petra. I cannot speak on any other concerns, I imagine."
Sarracenia      'So you would prefer it stated directly?'

     Sarracenia's patience, already limited, is near the breaking point with that one. Her hands clench and she growls lightly. "I would prefer it not stated at all since I it is not true, you..." she starts ranting when she realizes...

     "Oh, yes. Please state it directly~ I am certain it is quite against the spirit of the Concord to wish death upon fellow members. Especially members that have done nothing to harm you!

     'Be nicer to her. I mean it.'

     Sarracenia feels like she being conspired against. Someone says something mean to her, she retaliates, and she is the one accused of misconduct. She stares at Petra. "M-me?!" Sarra's voice reaches a particularly high and piercing pitch. "Did you not hear what she said?! And I am the one that is not being-..."

     It is Sarra's turn to take some rhythmic breaths after that. They are hardly quiet though, and not particularly slow. They do slow and weaken eventually, but her fists do not quite unclench. If not for Petra's efforts and the Director being here Sarra would likely be in one of her longer rants by now. As it is, her face is red from anger and holding back, and since it seems she is once again being overshadowed by people who dislike her and she in turn dislikes she finally just lets out a growly huff.

     "I am sorry, Director." Yuuki is the only one she apologizes to before she stalks to the closest seat at the bar and flumps down with her elbows on the bar and her head in her hands. "...what is it they usually say in this sort of situation? 'Give me your strongest'?" she says to the bartender. "...with ice. And a straw." she adds after a moment.

     As she waits for the drink, she wonders. What does she care about? Does she even have visions of the world or what she wishes to build? Sarra's only real goal for quite a while was just 'be accepted and loved for who I am' and more recently 'be a hero so that who I am is more acceptable to heroes'.

     She ends up looking sidelong toward Petra at that thought. Perhaps she should just become a villain? Everyone she considers a villain or at least villainous seems to be admired by everyone else who meets them. She looks for only a moment before returning to chin resting in hands. "...I really just...want everyone to be nice to each other..." she murmurs.

     Yuuki has kind and ingtriguing words to say, and it helps in alleviating some of Sarra's anger. "...treat forever as clean and hygenic...?" It is clear that Sarra does not quite grasp what Yuuki means by what she said there.

     'Forever is, truly, a very long time, so it makes it all the more important to be as kind as you can to the future you.'

     For reasons even Sarra herself does not quite understand, that makes her eyes grow misty. "Wh-...I am not sure what..." Sarra grows quiet, trying to figure out all of what Yuuki has just said to her while holding her drink up and the straw resting at her lips.
Ivy Carrow     Zero's question draws Ivy to look over the gathered elites, lips pursed, measuring something. She shrugs. "One of those pests. It's a long story, but if I tried to make it short." She said, gesturing with her clawed hand. "When the Warprunners were still getting started, a corporation there used finacial tricks to take ownership of it."

    "So. The other Gate-Captains and I left, and took what we could with us." She fell back into a chair, leaned cheek into a palm with an easy smile. "They're still trying to 'fix' that."

    While she's held herself together well enough so far. When Yuuki steps forward, grabbing Ivy's hands, the girl falls apart. She feels her oh-so-human heart pound rapid and hard in her chest, feeling the cool touch of the vampirix' hands. Her eyes drift toward Yuuki's fangs, and her breath quickened. "Yes," she managed. "Director."

    "Easy, girl." The bartender slapped Ivy on the back grinning wryly, and Ivy nearly toppled off the stool. "Keep breathing. Keep steady."

    While Ivy is a little busy putting herself back together, Nina chirps up. "Oh, the Captain has great stories...She's been with the Warprunners since almost the beginning!"

    She shifted to Sarracenia, briefly, then wordlessly puts together something behind the bar. She slides it across to the princess. "Vampires, right?" She spoke up to Zero and Yuuki. "Should I get the kitchen to whip up some black pudding for you? Made from real catoblepas blood. On the house."
Petra Soroka "The old powers were messy, dreadful things. You would not have liked it."

    Petra quietly doubts that, in a way that automatically stings with a hint of guilt and pins itself in her mind. Even the brief suggestion of Elites causing drama by dating each other in the past, something objectively pathetic, makes her uncomfortably dissatisfied with the current status quo. It's not the first time the sentiment has come up for her lately, but the fight atop Quicknest stirred it back into motion: being *thanked*, at the end, by the very people she was beating and abusing, makes her feel insane. The absence of her ideological enemies forces her to create enemies elsewhere to function.

    Faintly mumbled, slipped past Petra's impenetrable mental defenses by the path of least resistance through her lips, Petra lets a little bit of her internal conflict leak out. "I still would've preferred to be there, though...."

"Singular devotion to fellows is acceptable."

    It's slightly awkward for Petra to be read so easily and plainly after only just meeting Zero, but it's helped by the fact that he's exactly correct on how Petra functions, and after a lingering reconsideration of him-- popping into existence besides Yuuki the moment he was needed, a power Petra has daydreamed about herself before-- she sighs out some of her agitation.

    "... Yeah. 'Adjutant', right. I guess it'd be weird if that *wasn't* acceptable. Still, it's... I mean, I'm not with anywhere in particular because the people I'm, um, devoted to are everywhere. And so are people who hate me. I mean, the princess is right there, and I've threatened to kill her more times than I can count. It's sort of... my allegiance is to a particular...."

"Aren't you similar? Nurturing of a particular dream?"

    It's not like Petra can exactly deny that. She gives Angela's hand another tensely drawn-out squeeze, thumbnail scratching up and down rhythmically on the back of the metal hand.

    "... I did hear that from Woz, actually, too. Choosing the people that he is Kamen Rider for." Petra makes a quiet whine in the back of her throat, rolling her eyes and tilting her head exasperatedly, at herself. "Fuck, I mean, I've literally *echoed* that from him before. I've been saying that sort of exact sentiment to everyone for a fucking year at this point. I-- I mean, it makes sense, I just... have sort of a complicated relationship, with the Concord. With anywhere, really."

    Temporarily sliding her train of thought away on a tangent, indulgently as stress-relief, Petra mutters to herself before having a realization. "I've sort of got 'history'... hold on, wasn't that boy I nearly killed last year with you all too? What was his name? D... Doe? I feel like, I'd just do that again if someone like that came around again, and that's totally unacceptable, right? Killing another Partner because they talked too much shit about someone in a different faction?"

"I would personally walk the Dame Commander's application past the incinerators if I thought she would not simply make it through the natural process flawlessly - or the usual processes adroitly."

    "Yeah... but she wouldn't, though, I think." Petra backs off of the intensity she'd built herself up to, softening a bit into regret, with a sideways glance towards Angela. "I think she needs the Paladins, even when they're shit to her. I was thinking about joining them, before, but..." The supervillain thing, obviously, but Petra leaves unspokenly implied that she'd very strongly considered abandoning it and severing the associated Concord ties at one point, even if she decided against it. "... I figured it'd be better to just make them better for her from the outside, instead."
Petra Soroka     Petra's eyes finally settle on the ground, knee defensively propped up and crossed over her other leg as she leans back on the bar. "... And, you know, everywhere ends up worse for having me in it. I bet you heard about what happened to the Watch because of me." Well, after paragraphs and paragraphs, there's the *real* reason she's uncomfortable with the idea of joining.

"I would have no objections, Petra. I cannot speak on any other concerns, I imagine."

    It's unusual for Petra to be in such a state that the unique chime she has on her phone for Angela's texts doesn't rouse her to check them. Petra half-shrugs and leans her shoulder against the Eggpack, cheek affectionately pressed into the side of the cold metal cube.

    "I mean, you've heard enough of the lore, Ange. There's lots of reasons to be concerned about me." In that tone, it's very different from her saying 'concerned *for* me', more like the quarantine of a deadly plague. "I'm able to help you and work with the Doctor from where I am, anyways. Who knows what changing that might do?"

"I am certain it is quite against the spirit of the Concord to wish death upon fellow members."

    Petra winces at that, for the obvious reason.

"Did you not hear what she said?! And I am the one that is not being-..."

    "Look, Princess," Petra's voice starts off firm, then eases off somewhat when Sarracenia pauses to try to calm herself down. "I didn't say anything about it needing to be mutual. She could have put a bullet in your leg and I'd still get mad at you for talking back. I'm saying that you should avoid fucking with her for your own well-being, and I don't give a shit about any particular thing being fair or not."

"I haven't been on the circuit long, but it looked like you handle yourself pretty well. We'd have had to abort our expedition into the Vault, if it weren't for you. You're sure impressive enough."

    Petra normally is used to praise for her strength, but in the context of *worthiness*-- no, that is the difference, actually, as she considers it. It feels more important to reject the ways that people equate the power she's got now with being 'worth' anything, than it is when they phrase it in terms of her being 'useful' for things. After all, it's all just stuff she's borrowed or stolen-- lore-soaked adornments on a frame that's fundamentally not worth much at all, as she's very well aware.

    "Yeah. Well. I *am* pretty strong, you know. Just earlier this week I beat up a whole team of heroes who came after me." A short pause, and then Petra adds, "It was fun. Er, the exploration, I mean, but the other thing too. So ask for me if you need me for other ones."

"One of those pests. It's a long story, but if I tried to make it short."

    Petra quietly repeats 'pests...' to herself, then says, "Well, so what? What grounds do they have to do anything about it? Are they going to fucking sue you? Attack you? You're Elites."

    At the fang-flashing, caressing moment between Yuuki and Ivy, Petra turns her head to the side and clears her throat, tinged faintly pink. Whatever puritanical polite reminder that there were observers present she was attempting to convey to Ivy is undercut by the fact that she has a black bondage collar around her neck with a golden lily hanging from it, underneath which are glimpses of day-old dental records of Lilian Rook. Instead, she just ends up looking flustered.
Zero Kiryu ... there is a door, and the girl beyond it.

When Yuuki moves away to accommodate a different handedness, Zero falls in and moves his hand to her back. Contact wasn't broken for long regardless; the plant-based ornamentation is just him, but he is thinking of things that make him inclined to remain close.

"Very well," he answers Angela, inclining his head. The distraction is probably obvious, though what it is remains mysterious. One thing that brings him out of it is that feeling of good fortune that drifts up from Angela-- he glances at her, and smiles, unprompted by anything else. He isn't certain that it really is good luck, but he hopes it is.

His attention slides back to Sarracenia. "I grew up exclusively around growly warrior types and wincing idealists. This sort of conflict, and even the violence that it sometimes perpetuates is known to me. But there is no need to indulge it. I have already expressed a preference that partners not be responsible for permanent injuries or death against other partners."

The increased heartbeat and general elevated stress state that Ivy falls into after answering his question and being addressed by Yuuki elicits a breathy noise of amusement... as does the bartender's offer, "Don't be concerned. She isn't an attack-for-blood sort... and your expectations seem a little overwrought. You should know her bite was previously infectious and our researchers came up with a fix for that, so she is a little less reserved now."

"Still... you aren't Yori or myself," he concludes the thought, not really understanding that it doesn't clarify the matter the way that he intends.

"Concerning these 'pests'... is that a matter you require resolved on your behalf?" He asks. Evidently, whether or not to accept something made from catoblepas blood is being deferred to Yuuki.

To Petra, he replies, "Adjutant professionally. In a broader sense, I am simply hers. With regards to the death threats and killing attempts... that is inconvenient, but I feel it is likely that we can make things comfortable. But there is no need to pressure you, and if you have a good relationship with Angela, it is likely you will have a good relationship with us."

When Petra gets flustered about what's going on with Yuuki...

Zero sighs. "There is neck-biting and there is wrist-biting. I don't feel like giving you a primer, and I think you might enjoy it a little too much if I did, but your impression is mistaken."
Angela 'Hm...' Angela thinks she understands. 'Ivy must be afraid of blood fiends.'

Well it would also make sense if she was concerned about power imbalance between her and the Director. Angela nods sympathetically.

Angela is in no danger of dying from growing old or anything like that but she doesn't seem to have much to say about being kind to the future you or about immortality in general. She has other things on her mind than the ennui of eternity.

Her texts go unanswered but it's more important that they are sent.

''Wasn't that boy I nearly killed last year--''

"I believe that was Ishirou." Angela says, assuming Petra just forgot his name. Doe? "Ah, DO you mean someone else? I suppose you DID kill Ishirou it's just he's back so I wasn't sure if that could qualify as almost killed."

''She wouldn't, though, I think''

"I do not believe she would either." Angela admits. "Though I also have some exterior allegiences. The Dame Commander chief amongst them. Though I was told that conflicts between Concord members are not ... illegal?"

Speaking of, Sarracenia says 'Please state it directly'. As if Sarracenia wasn't being snide, Angela says, "Understood." She takes it at complete face value. She makes no apologies nor does she press ahead with more 'attacks' towards Sarracenia.

''Who knows what changing that might do?''

Angela is quiet for a moment, cupping her chin. She is quiet for a few more moments. That means she is giving it a LOT of thought.

"I understand." Angela says. "But I trust your judgement in this matter. I suppose I have been worrying about....the inevitable changes coming too, for the same reason."

Angela isn't sure it's really good luck either, though in a different way. Try to figure out how to deal with Sarracenia in a way that doesn't trouble them, Angela thinks to herself.
Sarracenia      The exchange between Yuuki and Ivy and how Petra watches leaves Sarra a bit confused. Yuuki is pretty, but...swoon-worthy? She supposes she can see how some might think so. (Of course she can't really because she's into heroes not monsters)

     Sarra sips of her drink with a flat expression as Petra gives the same line Sarra has heard before. It doesn't matter if Petra's friends are in the wrong, Petra will come after her anyway. "...right. Well, I am not one to simply take abuse. I do not back down when threatened and I do not apologize for defending myself. And besides all that, I am not even mean to her. It is not like I wish she was dead, threatened to kill her, call her stupid or other names, speak to her rudely for no apparent reason..." she trails off as if there are many more mean things that have been done to Sarra which she has not done to others. "Oh, or shot her for no reason other than existing."

     Sarra finally mmphs in annoyance, then sets her drink down and stands again. In a pretty calm and somewhat confused tone she says, "Okay, on the subject of not being mean...what is going on? You would have thrown dozens of profanities and threats and insults at me by now on any other day. And while I am certainly not complaining...it is odd after all this time. Did something happen? Is it because I took back what I said about feeling sorry for Tamamo? Because that was pretty much just to benefit the people of Skyrah and if you are going to start tolerating me all of a sudden I want it to be for a legitimate reason...you know?" She seems quite sincere and is not yelling.

     The boy Petra nearly killed is talked about, and Sarra thinks a moment before blinking. "Oh, you mean the one I helped save by throwing a tanuki suit at you?" she says, fairly conversationally. "I understood why you were after him. That was why we did not help him against you. But still, trying to kill him was a bit overboard.

     'Understood'

     Sarra was being snide, but also honest. If Angela threatens her directly then she might be able to gain some support from the Concord. Maybe. It's a chance, at least. Still, Sarra looks a bit exasperated when that is Angela's response. "...seriously, what is wrong with you all? Did I somehow become the sane one in the last few years after all that time being told I was crazy...? Even during the time of the previous superfactions I did not get death threats just for talking..."
Yuuki Kuran Yuuki, not especially sun-blessed despite her personality of butterflies and friendly doggies, isn't a chilly touch - but she is a bit cool - and knows it. Homing in cold places, it's not too unusual for her to be a bit chillier than people expect - and she seems surprised when that causes a Reaction in Ivy at the moment of hand-holding.

She notices a lot of things cause a Reaction in Ivy in the moment of hand-holding, and searches for what that particularly is by lingering in a look -- but it's gone after the deferent titleage.

"Please, Captain. Titles if you must, but I'm Yuuki."

Zero's hand rests reassuring to her back, and Yuuki settles at the bar while the good Captain breathes out the intense experience of being. . . proximal the lingering presence-and-weight of her? Well, she supposed some people where of that sort! She was quite endearingly familiar with that sort, and so had an endearing linger on Ivy for a while while the bartender pitched at her.

"Oh!" The dazed vampire turns and considers 'catoblepas blood pudding'. "Why, if you'd be proud to serve it that's really what matters. We can eat normal food - we're not an 'undead' kind--"

Zero sweeps off explaining and Yuuki sighs happily, underlining the longer lingering on each point with a soft: "Blood tastes good, but the source gives it all the 'flavor', when it's hot - fresh-flowing. So, for food, what'd really impress me is your most confident special! I'd love to learn about what makes your bar the next most famous thing - and enjoy it here first, as you open! Isn't that wonderful?"

Drifting to Sarracenia, Yuuki strokes the nearby Princess with an arm-to hand, mussed-haired and far less imposing than the perfectly composed Queen of Vampires (five foot fun sized???) in attended red she had arrived as. "You're working through things, and part of that might be needing to come to personal terms with people of your past, to build the Sarra you want to be in the future. If that's the invincible, immortal Princess Sarracenia, then I think Zero's right: It starts with building bonds and letting loose the weights that drag you down and frustrate you. 'Being a hero, to get people to like you more' is... is a start. I did that for years, but I was miserable. I hid every single part of myself - including being a vampire, from nearly everyone around me. A whole generation of Elites knew me as a brown-haired girl who was nice and maybe didn't have powers. And you know what?"

Yuuki smiles, fanged and softly proud. "I learned a lot, but I think I'd become a different girl, given another chance. Now, our Concord can help you do better than destroying Sarra."

Yuuki finally glances towards Petra, the moment seeming afterthought, yet really she returns to some of her most important and beloved lines in snow and sand. "If you joined, yes. You would be swearing to give up ending Sarra's life, presumptively. And I do not support your wish to end her, despite thinking that ultimately your interactions have grown Sarracenia quite a bit. Please consider, that as Lilian Rook may need the Commonwealth to learn to love herself, others might need our Concord? I have never made attempt to end the Commonwealth -- they are our allies in 'forever'."

A soft, gentle smirk turns Yuuki towards the innocent barman that must now suffer the fullness of a gentle melancholy, tongue to fangtip. "We just disagree on certain particulars. I wish them all the best -- I just wish my Partners 'better'."
Petra Soroka "In a broader sense, I am simply hers."

    Zero is a person worth respecting, Petra decides. She nods, the lily ornament on her neck clinking quietly. "Then I'll always have a good relationship with you. So I hope that's true."

"I don't feel like giving you a primer, and I think you might enjoy it a little too much if I did, but your impression is mistaken."

    "I didn't even say anything! I didn't say anything weird!" Petra has never gotten over that one conversation in the radio where she got mocked for rambling about vampire bites, so Zero bluntly *calling her out* for it when she'd been scoffing at *someone else* being that way wounds her like being shot in the chest. Especially right after deciding that his opinions were worth respecting.

    "There wasn't a question!! I wasn't--! Why am *I* being made fun of when I wasn't even the one doing the whole blushing and giggling schoolgirl routine! Come on!"

"I believe that was Ishirou."

    For Angela's benefit, Petra shakes her head and snorts lightly before explaining briefly. The idea that Angela so readily believed that she forgot Ishirou's name... actually feels kind of nice, in a way. Like being understood and supported in a way no one ever did.

    "There was another, yeah. Some boy who said he'd hunt me down and kill me in my sleep for defending Hibiki-- and, er, Lilian. He was my first." That extremely weird sentence hangs for a moment, before Petra replays it in her memory and gags. "Ack-- ew, no. I mean, like, first person I sincerely tried to kill and practically succeeded. Before I'd just thought about it a lot."

"I suppose I have been worrying about....the inevitable changes coming too, for the same reason."

    "You'll always have me." Petra swerves back out of her faintly lackadaisical tone to squeeze the Eggpack's hand and assert herself firmly to Angela. "No matter what happens with the company, or the Concord, or the City, or anything. You're one of us, so I'll be there forever."

    As is her habit, Petra reconsiders her words for a second, then vaguely adjusts them to avoid telling a mistruth by hyperbole. "Er... well, until I die, I guess, since you won't. Whether that's five years or fifty or whatever." The idea of averting that, even though it was the subject of active conversation earlier, doesn't come to her mind.

"I do not back down when threatened and I do not apologize for defending myself."

    It's the same exhausting routine as ever, and Petra's ran out of retorts that don't boil down to repeating that she can and will kill her. No matter how many times she says it, to Sarracenia or other people, people rarely ever believe her, even despite the fact that Petra had Sarra beaten on the ground just earlier this week. Rather than pointing out that obvious fact though, Petra's eyes just wander past the princess, vaguely staring at the empty space behind her head.

    "... I just sort of wonder, right. How is it that the people who act like their pride is such an important thing that they'd die rather than damage it even a tiny little bit are also the ones with absolutely no respect from anyone? What is it that you're fighting so hard to keep? It's not dignity."
Petra Soroka "Did something happen? Is it because I took back what I said about feeling sorry for Tamamo?"

    Petra frowns unhappily at Sarracenia, which is an expression that she might never have seen on her face before. Usually it's some sort of pout or scowl, but her frown looks somehow reluctantly... guilty, in a way that Petra never has been at Sarra before, and in a way that communicates that *Petra* is aware of how uncommon a reaction it is and resents feeling that way. Whatever resentment or reluctance she feels, though, she commits to her intent with a drained huff, tilting her head to the side and rolling her eyes up to stare at the upper corner of the wall, avoiding looking at her to make saying the words less painful.

    "No. It's not that. I just overheard.... Sarracenia," Her actual *name* leaving Petra's mouth seems like it brings physical pain to her, but she pushes through, like it's a hard-fought gesture of goodwill. "There's something that I think we should talk about in private. Later. And whatever else I might, think about you, it's something that I think is important. I know I, like, threatened to kill you a lot, but this isn't some stupid fucking trick for that. I'll even bring MV if you want, since they actually like you."

"Even during the time of the previous superfactions I did not get death threats just for talking..."

    Too drained by the expression of earnest nonhostility towards Sarra, Petra can only mumble in undirected response, "Words are the most important thing in the world. People exist in conversation between other people."

"You would be swearing to give up ending Sarra's life, presumptively."

    Petra makes a quiet noise of 'well, of course,' at Yuuki. The question was practically rhetorical, because even *Liza* had complained about having trouble killing Watch members who were worse than Petra until they burned themselves as assets like she had. Of course the Concord would have the same problem. ... Did I just compare myself to Liza?

    "Yeah. But I mean, it's not just her. It's..." A glance over to Zero, because of her awkward rant earlier, "Someone every year. And honestly, none of the factions are any different about having people who make Lilian's life miserable. Sometimes they'll randomly be in the Watch, or in the Paladins, and sometimes they'll be in the Concord, and it doesn't seem to make literally any difference ever. So I can't lock myself out of getting rid of a third of her enemies when I promised to kill any of them, every year, or I'd just be worthless to her."

-- I just wish my partners 'better'."

    "Yeah." Petra leans her elbow onto the bar counter, sliching her torso towards the Eggpack. With a faintly regretful air, and a note of finality speaking to all the 'why not's she'd danced around, she says, "Me too."
Angela Angela does not threaten Sarracenia again, though she'd probably be the kind of pedant to argue whether or not that qualified as a 'threat'. At this point Sarracenia is actually asking a question the answer of which she is curious about.

"I think you are overstating what I said." Angela says mildly. "But it is true at this point I would prefer to see you dead. It is not because of how you act towards me, particularly, but how you treat the Dame Commander. Which, in my mind, is an offense to me as well. That is all. It is an easy thing to change."

She is still kind of amazed that a Blood Fiend Queen is like this. The only other blood fiend she knows of is Nosferatu, who seemed a lot less relaxed about things and a bit more spooky--despite being less powerful. She's heard stories but--she supposes that, naturally, the blood fiend in her facility is more an expression of the fear of blood fiends more than blood fiends themselves.

''There was another, yeah''

"Oh," Angela says. "I suppose it was a little ''before'' my arrival, then." She supposes. "...I am glad you have had that tendency of yours even before I met you." She smiles. "You have a talent." She does not comment on how she uses the term 'The first' but her face did twitch a little.

''You'll always have me.''

"...I believe you." She says. "...I could not imagine freedom without you. I have grown fond of the Eggpack in ways I did not expect."

''Well, until I die, I guess...''

Angela swallows. She doesn't wantt to think about it. ANd she won't die? She has been not thinking about that but now it's lingering in her mind. What WILL happen to her? She doesn't think offering immortality to Petra, even if she could (she cannot), is something Petra desires. She just...thinks about that. "Every year is a joy." She manages.

"well," She says on the subject of pride. "I understand pride but ... ... You bring danger to your kingdom, Sarracenia. Even if you are correct, does that really matter?"

Not murdering Sarracenia seems to be a rule after all. Zero saying one thing is one thing, but the Director is another. Angela supposes that going into it with murderous intent is different from developing it.

"...Lilian needs zealous advocates." Angela admits and seems content to leave it at that.
Ivy Carrow     Zero's reassurance that Yuuki's bite was no longer infectious earns a toneless 'oh.' But at the very least, she seemed to calm down. "My apologies, that was undignified."

    "Well, so what? What grounds do they have to do anything about it? Are they going to fucking sue you? Attack you? You're Elites."

    "Yes." Ivy said, bluntly. She'd managed to recover a little of her swagger, but she was still flushed. "Both of those, and more. I'm an outlaw back home, and they'd like us to be like that everywhere. I've had them try to ambush my runners in their territory and bring them into custody." It seemed unlikely she'd talk about it so jovially like this, if they ever got further than 'try.' "They'll try to threaten or bribe associated warpgate hubs into cutting off their connections with us to isolate us, they'll stage demonstrations to shake public opinion, keep people from using it."

    It's impossible for Ivy to keep the frustration from her brow entirely. "If it weren't for the Concord's support, we wouldn't be able to operate like this at all. As it is, they're still pests."

    Zero's offer earns some consideration. "They're stubborn," she said, eventually. "Even when I make someone regret ever trying, when I make sure they can't do it again..." Absently, she tapped a metal finger against the bar. "...they just find someone else to do it. It'd be good to be rid of them for good. We should stay in touch."

    Nina shrank in on herself, trying to make herself small, as though she might not have ever been present for this ominous turn of conversation if she made herself mousy enough.

    The discussion between Sarracenia and the others makes Ivy pause, looking between them all, like a member of an audience who'd walked in on a movie halfway through. Finally, she decides on... "You're not enjoying it." She says, to Sarracenia. "You're not even getting anything out of it. It's like...It doesn't matter, if what the Dame Commander says about you is true. It's still an 'attack.' They try to strike back against you, and you strike back...How did this even start?"

    Ivy gave Sarracenia a long look, then. "And when you're like this, how do you ever expect it to stop?"