Scene #8625: Children of the City

Owner	Pose
Angela	An Abnormality doesn't get loose and kill a bunch of Sweepers without drawing some attention even from the largely insular City and the ones most sensitive to changes within the City are... A small group of seven enters the Main Transit Terminal leading out from The City proper with the two men at the head wearing more ornate uniforms than the rest. The first is a young man with white hair with black streaks tied into a side ponytail who is wearing a white cloak with gold ornamentation. He is carrying a greatsword, still in its scabbard, adorned in golden chains with a lock. Behind that he is wearing a black suit. With him is another tall man, with long brown hair that covers his right eye. He is similarly adorned to the first man though not QUITE the same and he is carrying a longsword rather than a greatsword. The other five are a varied lot, but each one is black and gold cloth around their eyes and seem to be waiting for something. Despite being blindfolded, they seem to all see just fine. "Messenger Yan," The tall man with the long brown hair says. "My Prescript stated I was to travel through the Warpgate and wait here until all Prescripts have been fulfilled." The white and black haired man (Yan) says, "As The Prescripts Will, Proxy Esther." and he makes his way around, handing a folded up piece of paper to each of the five before him. He lingers for a moment with the third one from the right, a woman with hot pink hair, but he carries out through Esther's request without complaint. "That is all of them, Proselytes." Yan says. The five people they have brought with them open up their Prescripts and get to reading. The leftmost one, a bald man with earings in both ears, folds the piece of paper back up, tucks it away, and starts performing jumping jacks on the spot.
Aya Shameimaru	Aya Shameimaru is currently perched ontop of a bus shelter in the Transit Terminal, idly people-watching and taking notes and the occasional click of her (very classic-looking) camera. She quietly places her pen to her lip and scribbles something down; here and there, she's quietly building up little, personal observations. But then, who is this? A group of seven enters; they're wielding swords. That looks terribly dangerous, not to mention they're huge, too. They don't look like they're just carrying them for show. Somehow, their eyes are covered, but it doesn't seem to impede them. What're they talking about... Prescripts? There's an air of a religious group or cult, perhaps. Surely they wouldn't be starting something, would they? It's very interesting, though, so true to her habit, Aya keeps watching, even if it might be dangerous.
Futaba Nuki	Futaba's in the big city today, searching for field work to do without resorting to actually lookign at any tickers or other things that might make it easier to actually find anything. No, she's in it for the sense of exploration and spontaneity today, even though she's not really sure which city she's actually in. As luck would have it, she's ended up at The City in particular, but she doesn't recognize it as such. She's only been to Lobotomy Corporation through one of the direct connections into the facility, after all, so this might as well be new ground for her to tread! It doesn't take long for her to find something rather odd, though, slowing to a stop to get a better look at the gathering of seven just outside of a Warpgate. Undeterred by the jumping jacks, Futaba straightens out the hem of her jacket, checks her leaf to make sure it's not sliding off her head, and then she approaches the group with a stiff wave of her hand. "Hey there! You all waiting for someone?" She calls out in a friendly tone, her tail flicking once to theside as she spots the swords carried by the two probably leaders. "Ooh... Going on a trip, huh? Looking to hunt something big, I bet." She guesses with an intrigued grin while moving around them relatively quickly, leaning in to peer at their weaponry and all those blindfolds with little regard to personal space.
Wisconsin	The Eagle Union girls can't spend all their time cooped up at Forward Operating Base Bravo. They are the Vanguard, the bright shining example that's meant to be scouting out the Multiverse, meeting people, making contacts with fellow members of the Concord... Which is why Wisconsin was poking her way into The City. Wisky is here on her lonesome today, dressed down in her casuals, some good old Navy khakis, with a map, and a bag. L-Corp's got some... history with Eldritch and Unknowable things, and that seems like the right sort of crowd to get help and/or advice on Siren Issues. The fact that there are Large Armed People at the waystation gets a blink or two out of the Shipgirl, and she sort of... posts up nearby, giving them the once over with her sensors before getting too close. Besides. There's already someone up in their business. Best to gather information first.
Angela	These people...appear to be human! Their outfits, despite their appearance, don't read like normal clothes--they read more like battle armor. They aren't carrying any ranged weapons and seem exclusively armed with various types of sword. They haven't tried to stab anybody yet and Esther is already taking out a cigarette and smoking it. "Are you bored?" Messenger Yan asks. "Not at all. The Prescript simply said I had to watch. It didn't say I couldn't smoke while doing it." Esther quips before taking a long drag. "I've done my Prescript for the day so I am free of duties for now." Yan answers back. They don't seem inclined to pay much mind to Outsiders at first until Esther notices that Aya is staring at them. He pulls away his cigarette and raises a hand up to call out to her, "Ma'am, are you curious about the Prescripts?" "I thought she may have already had one since she is on ''top'' of the shelter." Yan murmurs. Futaba approaches the group herself and is more direct with her curiousity. Yan tilts his head up, though his eyes remain closed as he seems able to 'see' her anyway. "...Bionic prosthesis...?" He murmurs, 'studying' Futaba carefully. "No, we are simply here to follow the Prescripts. My Prescript was to bring these Proselytes here. Unless one of the Prescripts says to go hunting, we will likely not be." The pinkhaired girl frowns and seems to still be reading her Prescript. The dude performing jumping jacks is now at thirty jumping jacks and is sweating but he hasn't stopped and shows no sign of slowin down. The middle of the Proselytes, a blonde man wearing sunglasses OVER his blindfold, approaches Futaba as well and says, "Ma'am. May I grab your tail? As the Prescripts will...")] Another, an unassuming black haired man with a beard makes his way to a one of those transport hub restaurants--HamHamPangPangGoGo-- and stands in line. That leaves two who haven't started their Prescripts yet.
Aya Shameimaru	Aya spots Futaba from the corner of her eye, who seems to be handling this with a more direct approach. Maybe that's for the best, to show no fear. These kinds of groups can pick up on fear. And another girl...? "I am curious," Aya does admit, slipping down from the top of the bus shelter to balance on her geta. Still in those damnable robes. Why doesn't she just dress casually? It's a weird time for Aya Shameimaru. She gasps as another Proselyte asks to grab Futaba's tail, though. "That is exceedingly rude!" she protests gently, though is there a glint of amusement at how strange these people are? Maybe.
Wisconsin	Wisky hrmphs a little bit at her readouts and then shrugs. Okay, mostly human, not ghosts or whatsits or monsters. She adjusts her hat, levers herself up from her position, and then slides on over towards the food stand alongside the black haired fellow. The battleship sidles into queue behind the man, and asks over the top of him. "Hey, what's good here? This is my first time to the city and I'm just sort of... taking in the sights, yaknow." A good natured tone to the woman's voice. Proactively Friendly. She also jerks a thumb to the rest of the monks??? along with him. "...you folks recruiting out here or something?"
Futaba Nuki	Even though they're wearing blindfolds, Futaba can see the group actually looking at her, Aya, and Wisconsin. Seeing them doing that also has her realizing that she's not the only one intrigued by this group, and she chuckles casually while shaking her head at Yan's first observation. "Nope! All natural, big guy. Prescripts and Proselytes, eh?" It takes her another moment to put two and two together before realizing that he's talking about the blindfolded group. "So if they just wanna stick arund, you're stuck here? That's rough." She replies after another pause, almost sounding like she's sympathizing with him. There's another change of pace when the blonde with the sunglasses over his blindfold approaches her asking about her tail, and... Aya's come to the rescue! With something to alleviate whatever boredom Futaba is absolutely projecting on the two apparent leaders, anyway. She takes a moment to hide the mischievous smirk forming on her face, then turns back to the Proselyte with a forced blush. It's actually forced, too, because funny body control is convenient for making it look like she's actually shy about this (even if her voice gives away that she isn't). "Muh muh muh my tail? I think we should get to to know each other better first..." She fakes a stammer terribly while flicking her tail from side to side in a steady rhythm. It's a huge tail, and she has to turn her head away again to stifle a snicker before dropping the act and shrugging nonchalantly at both the Proselyte and Aya. "Eh, sure, go for it. Just don't go biting it or anything weird, alright?" A beat, and then she raises a hand in a stiff wave at Aya. "Hey, Miss Aya. Think you've got enough to work with here, or should we crank it up a bit?" She asks, refusing to elaborate on what 'it' is. Wisconsin gets a shrug at her question, then a light laugh. "Looking to scrounge up some stuff to do, too? Could always... Uh. Wait. If they're not hunting for anything..." Futaba turns back to the Proselytes, then to Yan and Esther. "... Did your Prescripts say to do anything else once you brought these folks here?"
Angela	The bald guy doing jumping jacks is still doing jumping jacks. He's starting to struggle now but he doesn't stop. Sweat is pouring down his face, his form is starting to fall apart, but he keeps...on...perservering with the help of DETERMINATION. But even with DETERMINATION each jump is coming farther apart, struggling to mantain a consistent rhythm. The bearded man continues to wait in line. He'll be up at the front of the pack in a little bit. The blonde man who asked about the tail says, "Ah, it is just as the Prescript Wills," as if that absolves him of everything though there is a nervous undercurrent--one that itensifies as Futaba informs him that he should get to know her better first! His eyebrows shoot up as Futaba does the unexpected and...says it's okay? "Oh. Ah. Sure..." There is a bit of relief in his posture as he steps around and indeed will hold Futaba's tail for three seconds--you know it's three because he says, "Three, two, one..." to count it out before he lets go with a, "Thank you ma'am. I'm done with my Prescript." "We are members of the Index," Esther tells Aya. "It is one of the five major Syndicates of the Backstreets. We are a kind syndicate that allows for a reliable path for living in the Backstreets whereas other Syndicates will take you for all you worth or kill you at the slightest infraction. We only have one requirement to live under our protection and that is to follow the Prescripts as you receive them. Roughly one a week though the Prescripts are not on a timer but that is the average time between each one. So long as we follow the will of the Prescripts, we have nothing to fear." Messenger Yan answers Futaba, "No, I was simply to bring these people here. I am free to do as I wish until another Prescript comes to me." Yan explains. "I am a Messenger, it is my task to hand out Prescripts as I receive them. Esther is a Proxy, his duty is to ensure the Prescripts are being carried out. I have never been to another world before. Thanks to the Prescripts I get to see a small glimpse of the Multiverse." There are two that haven't started their prescripts yet. One is the pink haired girl, the other is another man, a short one who has been staring at their Prescript for a long time. "Um, Messenger Yan." The pink-haired woman says. "I am not sure--there are two ways to interpret...")] "It is not our task to interpret the Precripts, it is simply on you to carry it out in the manner you see fit." Esther interrupts before turning to Wisconsin. "We are simply carrying out the Prescripts." The pink-haired woman makes her way towards Aya. She gets down into a crouch right in front of her and looks up to Aya. "Miss....Aya, was it? Ever since I've seen you, I cannot stop thinking about you. You're not just beautiful but you're also sweet and kind, and... the way you stand on bus shelters is really impressive. I love you with all my heart. Will you marry me?" The short man folds his own prescript into his coat quietly.
Wisconsin	Wisky hrumphs as the guy in line with her for Noodles blows her off, but she does turn to smile to Futaba. "Oh, hiya. I don't think we've met. I'm Wisconsin. USS Wisconsin." She holds out a hand and flashes a welcomign smile. "Sorta... I'm here to talk with the lady what operates L-Corp and share some info. Back and forth stuff. Also some recon, th-" She spots Aya getting a marriage proposal and lets out a wolf whistle, before looking back to Futaba and the Blindfolded Noodle Waiter. "Sounds like they got holy writs to handle or something like that. She does pause for Futaba's Tail Touching, and then grins. "Lotsa that going around tonight, I guess."
Aya Shameimaru	Aya's eyes flit to Wisconsin for a moment longer, as she moves to the food stand. Maybe just keeping an eye out that they're not going to bother her. But Futaba's leading the carnage here, making a blubbering fakeout with her tail and then-- immediately dropping the bait and switch and prompting a quiet gasp from Aya, mildly inflated with pomp and drama. "Goodness me, but you do love to stir a bed of leaves when you find one, don't you?" Not that she terribly minds. Fun girls are fun to be around. But... Jumping Jack Flash gets another look from her, before she's distracted by the pink one kneeling and offering her-- a marriage proposal? Aya pauses for a longer moment, then cups her cheek and, in Futaba's words, 'cranks it up' a bit. "Ara ara, how earnest and heartfelt your proposal is. Just when did you first lay your eyes on me? Was it love at first sight? Tell me what the Prescript told you, that it led you to me." All this time, she keeps her voice extremely professional and cordial, even if she can't perfectly hide the growing subrosa note of amusement.
Futaba Nuki	Wisconsin's offered handshake is taken firmly by Futaba and gets a wide grin from the ninja. "Futaba Nuki. You know Miss Angela, too? Good luck! She strikes me as one of those busy types, so you might wanna take notes in case she's gotta rush through all that." The blonde man's reactions get another snicker from Futaba. "And if the Prescript didn't will it? Wouldja still have asked?" She asks as he's counting down, looking back at him with another mischievous glint in her eyes as though she's trying to decide what to do based on his answer. Aya gets a laugh at her reaction, too, along with a quick nod from Futaba. "Of course! A hero's job is to inspire and raise spirits wherever she goes, and that includes these folks here doing their Prescript thing." What she isn't expecting, though, is the blonde guy actually saying he's done with whatever his Prescript is. That, combined with what Esther tells Aya and what Yan tells her, has Futaba forgetting to mess with the blonde Proselyte entirely. Instead, she looks from Esther to the exercising bald guy, then to the bearded man, and then to the pink-haired woman proposing to Aya. "... Huh. You weren't kidding about having to obey these things. And if you don't follow the Prescripts like all of them-" She gestures at the five blindfold-wearers. "-then... You get cut off from the Index? And..." Something about all this starts to have Futaba furrowing her brow. "This Backstreets place... What about folks that don't want to be part of these Syndicates? Anyone watching out for them?"
Angela	The bearded guy looks overt to Wisconsin for a moment. "You Esh Esh? Ah, we're at a terminal not... One moment." He moves to the front of the line and puts in an order for an Omurice with 'Lots of Hot Sauce on it. Definitely Don't Skip On The Hot Sauce'. He looks back to Wisconsin. "Just fulfilling the Prescript. Haven't been to this place before. Never heard of a name like yours before." Jumping Jack Flash (sure we'll call him that) is really struggling. Like really. He starts hissing through his teeth and is panting for breath and looks like he's about to fall over. But he doesn't stop with his jumping jacks. Maybe the Prescripts said he couldn't stop, or maybe he can't stop until something happens, or maybe there's a certain number he has to manage before he can stop. "Ah..." The pink haired girl says. "My Prescript said to give my heart to the first Outsider I've seen..." She reaches into her pocket and offers the piece of paper to Aya and indeed it says just that. 'TO GERALDINE - OFFER YOUR HEART TO THE FIRST OUTSIDER YOU SEE'. There is a symbol of a moon with a hand pointing up to a blue flower above it on the paper as well. "Mm..." Esther considers--he seems content with Geraldine's method but only just. Instead he looks over to the short guy. "Tom. Do you require assistance with your Prescript?" "n...No..." Tom says. Angela isn't anywhere in sight and there aren't even any L-Corp agents though Yan frowns, "...Lady that runs L-Corp? ...You are intending to speak to the head of a Wing? And her name is Angela?" ''And if the Prescript didn't will it? Wouldja still have asked?'' "At first meeting? Nah, seems a bit rude to just ask that." The blonde guy says, missing the mischevious glint in Futaba's eyes. Whatever she's planning will be sure to catch him off guard! "...If you fail to obey the Prescripts, the Proxies will punish you." Wisconsin detects Tom drawing a knife and--if nobody stops him--promptly stabs it into his left shoulder. "A...As the Prescript wills...!"
Wisconsin	Wisky steps up to the window and orders... well, she's got to think of a good order, since this place is selling People Food and not Battleship Food. "ahhhh, I'll get one of the... orange chicken, and if you've got any uh... kerosene or anything back there, I'll have some of that too. In a cup, if you could?" Okay. She then turns back to Futaba and the nice man. "Oh, yeh, that's uh, the USS is techincally a designation, not part of my name. I'm a battleship." She smiles and waggles her cap with her hand. "And... yeah, I mean I haven't met her yet personally, but she's working with the Concord, and so am I, so I... oh heck, I didn't put in an appointment, you think I needta make an appointment? Gimme a sec." A vague distant look in her eyes a moment as... she sends an email. She misses the drawing of the knife in that moment, though frowns, and hustles over to where the kid just stabbed himself. "Ah heck, yous are really serious about this ain'cha?" She's shuffling around in that bag she's got, and pulling out a hypospray. But she doesn't use it herself, instead offering it up to Yan. "...Not sure if you got any moral objections to Extraversal Healing or anything, but that looks a little nasty."
Aya Shameimaru	There's a mildly nonplussed grin to Wisconsin as she whistles at her, before she turns to Geraldine. The context of what happens to these people if they fail to obey the Prescripts is made known, and then there's a quiet smile back to the pink-haired girl. "I see," she says patiently. "Well, you've offered your heart to me, and I'll acknowledge your feelings. However, I can't accept your proposal of marriage. That's a pretty moon and flower, by the way. What does it mean?" Aya can be a surprising softie, or perhaps she just feels a bit of pity. "A hero's job, hmm?" Aya remarks to Futaba. "That's real generous of you." Esther's explanation of the Index, one of the five major Syndicates of the Backstreets, has Aya's mind spooling into info-absorging mode. "May I... ask who prescribes the Prescripts?" There's a mild look of surprise when Tom draws a knife and stabs himself, though it seems like Wisconsin has that settled in short order. As Wisconsin introduces herself, though, Aya looks a bit surprised. "You're a... battleship?" She squints and has to think a little bit of that. Oh Aya, you're about to be introduced to the wild and wonderful world of kanmusu and your cubes are about to go down the drain. Finally, she looks to Jumping Jack Flash. "Is it not okay to take a break? Reps are more effective with breaks in the middle, you know..."
Futaba Nuki	Her attention diverts to JJF briefly, though, and she furrows her brow again in visible concern. "... Uh. Is he gonna be okay? What's his Prescript, anyway?" She asks Yan in a stage-whispering tone, although her volume is anything but quiet. It turns out she doesn't need to be quiet, though, as she just hears it coming from the pink-haired girl directly. She also heard the Prescripts of several others here already, but Futaba's not always the fastest on the draw. She does, however, know all too well the importance of appointments, and she nods firmly at Wisconsin's question. "Someone in charge of all that funky stuff and so many people?" Futaba gestures at Yan with her head for emphasis. "Someone even random folks we're meeting recognize? Definitely. You don't wanna just show up unannounced unless she wants you to, y'know?" Tom's lack of Prescript performing doesn't get nearly as much attention from Futaba compared to the louder participants, and especially not compared to the blonde guy directly answering her. His answer is mildly disappointing, but... There's an angle to work with here! One that might still be fun to tease him about, even. Still looking away, Futaba takes a moment to prep herself mentally, then fakes the fakest-sounding dramatic sobbing she can manage. "So I'm just someone to chase for her tail and throw away when you're done, huh? I can't believe it!" She cries out dramatically, continuing with that unconvincing sobbing a while longer and completely missing what Tom's doing with that knife. She drops the act just as quickly, of course, when Aya calls her generous. Puffing up her chest proudly, Futaba's tail flicks from side to side again as she rests her hands against her hips. "Heh heh... I try! But I've still got a ways to go, you know? Can't just be all talk when I'm seeing folks having to jump through hoops to survive instead of... Uh." She looks around at the Proselytes again, finally noticing the knife thing and Wisconsin trying to help Tom out. "... Just surviving normally. Er. Did I miss something?"
Angela	Tom, to be clear, is an adult man. He's short, but he's still an adult! He's not even just an adult in the way that Rose is an adult by the standards of the City, this guy's in his mid twenties. He's just short. Geraldine seems relieved--not unlike the blonde tail grabber guy who does, despite the blindfold, does seem a little awkward--but not apologetic--about it. Futaba shows some concern for Jumping Jack Flash. Yan is asked what his Prescript is and Messenger Yan seems to have no issue with answering. "He is to perform jumping jacks until all Prescripts are complete. If anyone fails to perform a Prescript, he has to perform Jumping Jacks for the whole day." Wisconsin offers Yan some kind of healing device. Yan considers the offer and takes the hypospray before putting it away in a bag. "Thank you," He says. He does not make use of it on the guy stabbing himself--at least, not yet. He gives a curious tilt of his head towards Wisconsin. "You seem a small for a battleship. You say that L-Corp is working with the Concord? What else can you say about this 'Angela'?" Maybe he'll learn a little more if he asks about it! The idea of someone from the City making outside allegiences is curious indeed! Geraldine rubs furiously at her eyes when Aya rejects her until tears flow from them. "Oh...no...Rejected...?" She makes a faint little moan noise but despite it all, seems a little bit relieved. "Do you think I could go on?" Her blindfold is getting a bit soggy. "We receive the Prescripts from the Messenger. That is all we need to know." "They come to me through a variety of intermediaries." Yan says. It doesn't seem like he knows where they come from either. The bearded man doesn't seem to think twice about kerosene in a cup. "Gotta be serious augs." Is all he says. None of the Index seem to really comprehend this battleship = girl thing, really. Tom shifts the knife to his other hand and stabs his other arm, crying out in pain this time. "Three more..." He says, sweating. He's going for his legs next judging by the way he sits himself down and takes aim. "Don't forget a clean strike to your chest." Esther instructs. Futaba teases blondie and he blushes. "W..what? No, I just... It's the...It's the Prescripts...??? ... That guy got a rough one by the look of it. But he's giving a proper go at it. Doubt he'll be coming home with us." Blondie says.
Wisconsin	"Ohya, a battleship." The Midwestern drawl deepens in Wisky. "Last one off the docks at Philly Shipyard, though... I'm not..." She wobbles a hand. "I am and I'm not, but I definately am? Listen, you get done with you gotta do, kiddo, and we'll talk more. I think I'm distracting you." She lets the next stab happen with Tom, though hearing 'clean shot to the chest' makes her fish out a second hypo. "Ah, not much that's not really open." Wisky continues with Yan. "I haven't worked with her personally, just know she's the head of... uh, I think everything?" She scratches at her hair, until her little buzzer goes off in her hand. "Oh, that's dinner." She taps Tom on the shoulder, and smiles at him. Serious like. "Stay strong, brother. The rituals are important, yeh?" Yan and I got you when you're done." Wisky heads over to the food stand, and smiles to Futaba and Aya on her way past. Aya gets a snicker. "Ya made her cry, heck. Though, I think that's a fair response. You gotta do some courtin' even in these modern times. Arraigned marriages are sorta... tacky?" She wobbles her hand, and then picks up her meal. Orange Chicken. And a cup of- The man at the stall, with the nametag of 'Jim', rambles. "We don't got kerosene like that, but we had some mineral oil, that work?" Wisky sighs. "It'll have to do, thanks." She takes a sip of the cup and the oil, nods approvingly, and then hands the orange chicken to Futaba. "My treat."
Futaba Nuki	"... Geez. So he's screwed if anyone doesn't do the thing? Talk about pressure." Futaba comments with an uneasy grunt, looking even more uncertain when she realizes that the jumping jacks could very well be connected to Tom's lack of doing whatever his prescript is. Yan being identified as the distributor of said Prescripts (again) gets her attention, though, and she looks right back over at Yan once things start coming together mentally. "I'm gonna guess stabbing himself isn't part of it, then. Just the penalty for not doing whatever it is? Hm." She asks with clear interest, stroking her chin lightly while considering more of what Yan's told the group. "What's Tom's prescript, then? There any rules against anyone helping out, or...?" Sliding (literally, without even moving her feet) over to Blondie, Futaba snickers again while clapping a hand across his shoulder with a far more casual grin on her face. "Ah, don't worry about it. You're just lucky you asked me instead of someone who really ccould've gotten the wrong idea." She replies with a boastful grunt, still grinning at Blondie when he brings up Jumping Jack Flash. "Oh, he'll be going home with you. We just need to figure out how to handle Tom's thing first!" Ever the nosy one, Futaba's attention continues jumping from person to person before settling on Wisconsin offering that orange chicken. "Oh! Thanks. You got anything for yourself to eat?"
Wisconsin	Wisky waggles the sloshing cup of mineral oil at Futaba, and grins as she siiiiiiiiiiiips. "Don't worry, I'm fine."
Aya Shameimaru	Jumping Jack Flash's fate is shown: that he has to do jumping jacks until all Prescripts are finished. "... 'all' Prescripts, huh," Aya remarks with a squint of her eye. There's a faint smile to Futaba as she says, "You wanna tell me what kind of heroic deeds you've got under your belt, Miss Tanuki? Other than, well, being used for tail." Aya's expression does soften lightly at Geraldine. "I think so, Miss Geraldine. Your love's wasted on someone like me anyway. I think you'll bring that energy and passion you have and make someone in your future really happy," she explains, which... It's kinda hard to tell, with how immaculate her tone control is, whether Aya is being genuine or still toying with her. Tom's bleeding from a second stab, and Yan's taking away the hypospray that could've helped. And Esther's instructing him to stab his chest. She's not really a fan of blade violence like this, even if the tengu do take to blades sometimes. "A 'clean' strike can mean a bloodless one," Aya points out with a smile. "It is up to you to interpret the Prescript, hmm?" Wisky comments on how Aya made her cry, and there's a pout from the tengu. "Crying is important, don't tease her. You have to embrace the emotion, and then let it pass." Oil, huh? "Are you a kind of... um, what is the term." Mobile suit? "Mechanical being, Miss Wisconsin?"
Angela	Neither Yan nor Esther are the type of Cityfolk to just stab a robot which is good for Wisky and maybe even better for them. She's certainly reading as one even if neither are entirely sure about it. Aya refers to Wisconsin as a Mechanical Being, however, and this gets Yan to speak up about it. "I wouldn't go to the City if you are a mechanical being. You'd be turned away at Customs at best, or killed at worst. The AI Ethics Amendment means that AI that look as humanlike as you do are illegal within the confines of The City." This does make Yan think that this 'Angela' from L-Corp is playing a dangerous game by inviting one over. There are some things not even a Wing can get away with. The bearded guy eats a very spicy omurice. He grimaces and tears up with every bite. He's crying, frankly, more than Geraldine. Geraldine, who had forced herself to cry in order to truly give away her heart, blinks twice behind her blindfold as Aya says THAT. "Ah, please. My friends call me Gerry." Tom inflicts two more stab wounds on his legs and turns the blade towards his chest like he's trying to aim it in a manner that won't hit anything important. ''A clean strike can mean a bloodless one'' Tom's eyes are tearing up too as he stops and reminds himself that while the Prescripts did say 'stab four times in the extremities' it DID only say 'and finish it off with a clean strike to the chest'. Tom turns the knife around and slams the hit into his gut. And then he promptly passes out on the floor. "Mm.... Acceptable." Esther approaches the fallen Tom to heft him up. "The Prescript didn't say anything about treating his wounds or taking him to a hospital but it is good manners to remove him from the Transit Station." Jumping Jack Flash finally stops jumping and lets his arms drop. He also falls over, on his back, and just lays there for a while to catch his breath. He isn't going to move anywhere for a while. Blondie says, "Hah... Guess everybody is making it back. As the Prescript Wills." "As the Prescript Wills." The other Proselytes say. "As the Prescripts will," Yan murmurs. "Mm. As the Prescripts will." Esther says. "HOUUGH..." Jumping Jack Flash says. Translated, this means 'As The Prescripts Will'. The ones who don't need a minute start making their way back to the Warpgate, Eshter stars to follow. Yan's head is tilted towards Aya. He'd be looking right at her if his eyes were open. Then eventually he says, "...He is fortunate it was Esther. Thank you." He then turns to leave as well.
Wisconsin	"Hey wait, you can still... the hypos..." Wisky calls out as the Index folks... shuffle back through the gates. She wilts slightly, and hrumphs. "...well I hope they heal that kid when they get back, he's gonna need it with wounds like that." Not that she's going to stop them or force them to do so. She knows better than to Mess with Rituals. That way lies Grumpy Locals and Brushfire Wars and no one wants those on first contact. She sips on the mineral oil, and then looks to Aya. The girl gets a once over and it's clear she's being... scanned by something, before Wisky perks up again. "Something like that, yeah. I'd have to be, wouldn't I?" A hearty laugh, and she settles in a chair. 'Don't go into The City, they don't allow AI.' Wisconsin seems to mull that one over, as something beeps, and. "...Well that's a shame cause I've got an appointment an' everything. Looks like I'll be disappointing some border control people."
Futaba Nuki	Wisconsin assures Futaba that she's good, and the cup of mineral oil just gets a brief stare before Futaba shrugs and nods. It's pretty easy for her to take this in stride considering the existence of robot people, after all. Aya knows just how to get Futaba to start expounding on her own accomplishments! Or people like Futaba, at least, but it certainly seems to work as the tanuki strikes a heroic-looking pose (to her) (she is just dabbing). "Interested, eh? Alright, where do I start...?" Each one is punctuated with a different pose, equally as cool (stupid) as the last. How about the time I saved a city from nuclear armor? Or the time I stopped a former hero's insane rampage? Maybe the time I stopped a dream thief from keeping people into an illusion forever? Oh! Or how about my origin story where I fought a yearlong battle against my brother's forces of money?" Yan gives everyone some more information about mechanical beings and AI being illegal, and that gets a curious noise out of Futaba. "Sounds rough. Must suck to be..." There's some genuine curiosity in her tone as she asks about that, although she trails off at the end as she starts to realize how this might affect someone like Angela or all those other robot-not-robots she knows. Her mood visibly dampens, and it's certainly not helped when Tom stabs himself right in the gut. "Gah! What the heck, Tom?! You're really..." It's horrifying to look at, sure, but he also does it with such gusto that she can't help but be a little impressed at the whole thing. ... Right before getting hit with the whiplash of the Yan, Esther, and the Proselytes all uttering that line in maybe-unison. She looks over at Wisconsin when she comments on the healing, and clicks her tongue once before rubbing her forehead. "No kidding... And if they're just carrying him like that, the bumping might... Geh. Oi!" With little regard to whoever might be watching, Futaba hurries over to catch up with Esther, transforming into a stretcher to start rolling into place. "Lay him on. It'll be better than letting him bump around the whole way and making the injuries worse." It's not clear where Futaba's voice is coming from, but the stretcher itself has a distinctly Futaba vibe between the big golden rings around the legs, and the green leaf motif all along the surface.
Aya Shameimaru	The City bans mechanical beings that look like humans? So, that kind of fear exists there. The fear of not knowing what is or isn't human... Aya reflects back on what Angela explains about the Abnormalities for a moment... "Gerry, then," Aya smiles. "I hope we can still be friends." When did she end up being such a heartbreaker? This isn't her usual state in romantic affairs! Aya, you've somehow levelled up! It's not just loneliness and hatred anymore! Tom at least identifies her advice to prevent himself from getting killed, and there's an imperceptible sigh of relief as Esther gives him a pass. There's a discomfort that reminds her of Youkai Mountain with these guys. Prescribed to do what you must, from the day you're born... Yan's gazing at her general direction underneath the blindfold, which twigs some sense of hers, and she casts a look back. "... no worries." The tengu reclines her head up, and murmurs, "... even across the multiverse, freedom is fleeting, huh." She winks at Wisconsin and Futaba, listening as the tanuki regales her with some of her stories. Those all sound like very fascinating stories to be sure, though-- Her expression quietly tightens as she murmurs, "... Sweet?" at the mention of the dream thief. "No..." She shakes her head gently. "You have financial battles too, hmm? That can be just as stressful." A faint glance at a nearby clock. "I'd best be off." Nice to meet you, Wisconsin, and again for you, Miss Futaba. Be well." And then the tengu's gone through one of the Warpgates with the clop of her geta sandals.
Angela	Yan has a hypospray still but for some reason he hasn't used it yet! And maybe he won't! Whatever he does with it will be out of sight. Tom fortunately was reminded he didn't have to stab so much as he could just smack himself with the hilt but he's still in bad shape--and frankly, even with that change he still did go through stbabing himself four times first. When Futaba brings a stretcher over, Esther considers this and then nods. It doesn't seem like it's against the Prescripts to put him on a stretcher or anything. Esther thinks these people might be a bit softhearted, but he sees no purpose in being cruel for no reason. "The Prescripts guide us," He says, all the same. Gerry, still blindfolded, turns back to Aya and smiles at her, throwing a wave her way back before she departs. Good odds they'll never see each other again but Aya saved a life and brightened Gerry's day. That's something. Either way, it's a sign that The City might be taking more of an interest in the Multiverse now than they were before. This might just very well be the beginning.