Scene #8631: Work For An Axe VIII

Owner	Pose
Zero Kiryu	The farther out the ferry goes from Kvaland, the thinner the world seems to get. Coastlines dotted with lights and activity fade to empty landscapes; though there are animals, there are fewer of them than there should be. The most dominant form of life here and there is seagulls, but something clearly messed with the biodiversity of this world. The port city of Paru is larger by far than Bi, Kvaland, but it feels like a place that contracted long ago and never returned to its original, larger borders. The same, distinct, eclectic mixture of technology that is present elsewhere is present here-- one noteworthy feature that stands out and wasn't as obvious in the previous cities is prominent mooring masts at the top of the higher buildings. One is a high-end hotel, while the others tend to look like some sort of public terminal. Several airships are currently docked. The ferry looks busy, but not as busy as the airports and the more private airship terminals. There is, however, a crowdedness to it all that makes it feel for certain as if there is an event going on in town. Although there are no corner-searing billboards to indicate it, the bulliten boards just outside of the ferry terminal are absolutely covered in flyers for Marita Inaba, a blonde-haired woman who matches the description of one of the dhampyr supposed to be an associate of the Professor. She doesn't LOOK particularly fighty... Where Bi had old, unused walls from some bygone age, Paru has new town walls, that have a purpose, and look like they attend to that purpose well. There is a watch, and there are gates, and traffic immediately outside of town is almost nonexistent. There is a gate in the wall for entry to the train station and depot, though it looks little-used compared to the port and airship moorings. There are very few visible overland foot gates. Finding who you're looking for won't be difficult in itself, thanks to those flyers. They name a venue, and ticket prices; which for Yuuki in particular would be easy to afford for the entire party, even if she went all in on VIP tickets. But managing it without getting a bunch of people involved... That's a lot trickier.
Zero Kiryu	A few steps off the ferry, Zero turns towards whichever Yuuki is closest at hand to him at that moment. "I'll go find a local headquarters. Preferences?"
Yuuki Kuran	The ferry, a place where at least one promise was made in the name of peace, is finally departed from by at least one Yuuki. The vampire queen has changed clothes again in the interim between sitting room discussions and smoky side-bar and now, wearing a black silk corset-stitched top under a red vest, a black skirt, mid-ankle high black socks, and black dress-walking shoes in leather with a subtle heel. She accessorizes with a crucifix necklace, a pair of large-lensed sunglasses, and a complex rose-thorn wrap ending in a lilac flowerbud earpiece coiled about her right ear. Clapping to put her hands together and press fingers in with a palm motion, Yuuki joins Zero in addressing the group. "That's right! We'll need preferences and ideas for how we'll approach this. But as for headquarters... See if you can rent us an unused theater or lounge? Buying out another hotel is so conspicuous, and we'd parade in and out there. So, someplace with character that we can secure with plenty of seats and space." First Yuuki is already imagining a place that's good for fight choreography. She basically expects it to happen, so, 'a place where she and Kamen Rider can look cool and everyone has room to work' is ideal.
Angela	Nikki has returned to the party but is on her own today (Tennant got clobbered by Forsaken Murderer and needs to rest up in medical). She knows well enough to presume that someone who doesn't look fighty can still be pretty fighty. Indeed, the Abnormalities that are cute or seemingly helpful at first glance can, often, be the most dangerous! Nikki looks over to Zero and asks, "Want company or for me to stick with Yuuki?" because she's not sure it's good for anyone to go it alone this close to their quarry's den. She presumes if an associate for the Professor is here anyway. She doesn't have a strong idea on how to get the tickets besides buying them--pickpocketing could take a damn while and she got caught one out of three times while she was running that game before she was able to get a real job. She is still wearing her EGO Gear since that's not really optional for her should things go bad but fortunately her EGO Gear is particularly snazzy. Why, she could probably go to a funeral in this set!
Timespace Riders	The ride here offered plenty of time for thinking, and for talking. By the time Paru's silhouette is in view, it's a welcome change in scenery--not because the trip was particularly arduous or boring, but because it's one of those nice little serendipitous travel moments where the voyage seems just the right amount of time. At least, that's how Sougo seems to feel, given the way he leans against the observation rail. A wide smile rests easily on his face, as the more modernized buildings drift steadily closer into view. Woz, meanwhile, wears the usual quiet, self-assured expression--as if to say, standing beside Sougo, that he'll meet whatever challenge lies ahead with the same aplomb as always. Off the ferry and into Paru proper, the Demon King's attention is grabbed by the flyers almost immediately. "Uwoh," he exclaims with excitement. "Look at this! There's going to be... a concert, maybe? Marita Inaba... Woz, isn't that one of the dhampyr involved with the Professor?" "Indeed, my Demon King," says Woz, with a slight inclination of his head. Holding the ever-mysterious book under one arm, he gestures briefly with the same arm. "According to this book, she is not what one would consider a 'true believer'--but she will not abandon her ideology without a fight." "Mm... can we get her on her own?" "That may be difficult, sire. She has a not insignificant number of... fans. Fortunately, convincing Marita likely also means convincing her sister Marina." Sougo beams at the nearest Yuuki. "It's really fine with me however we end up approaching, but... do you think we could get tickets?" He wants to see the show!
Kukuru	Marita Inaba. Kukuru doesn't recognize this person one bit, but knowing that she's working with the Professor is enough to have her know that great care is going to have to be exercised in getting her separated from... Everything. It's not like she'd willingly come with them, after all, so what's her next step? Showing up at the venue, of course, and not in a way that'll make her easily identifiable as a potential aggressor. Instead of her usual/recognizable wear, Kukuru's opted for something a little different today: A formal suit, pants, and tie combo! It's all in a deep, nearly black (but not quite) green color, although the bow tie is distinctly black because black ties are fancier than colored ties for some reason she can't remember. Her hair is pulled back in a loose ponytail, too, and even her usual flat glasses have been swapped out for a metallic pair . It all feels a little weird to get on at first, but she's back to relaxing again once she's regroup with all of her family members. "I've got some nnnnew clotees for this. Does it look okay?" She asks with a cheerful tone in her voice, not sounding one bit like someone wearing anything like this should. "I think... Oh. Maybe a big suite instead? And for the plan..." She purses her lips while considering Yuuki's question, then nods quickly at Sougo's suggestion about getting tickets. "Yeah, if we can get in no problem, then that solves moving around without anyone really suspecting us. And theeeen..." She pauses, then taps a finger against her chin. "We'd still need to get her.. Or them alone? Is anyone a fan of their stuff? I've never heard of them, but... We could fake it, yeah? And then..." She gestures at Zero. "We make them all tired with the plant stuff, then-" She shapes her hands like a hole, then pantomimes stretching it out with her hands. "We could... Drop them in somewhere when they're not ready for it?"
Raziel	'This world is not too different than my own, the lack of varied life leads me to believe some catastrophe happened of great proportions... but whereas Nosgoth faltered and did not recover, this Earth did. Or at least, will, believing in Yuuki Kuran's dream that is. Otherwise, what plagued my world could very well still grip this one too. Goals, dreams... when they compete it is horrifying what lengths some will go to secure those, or to spite those who had won in last acts of depravity..' Raziel had departed with the rest of the group. Like before, he had his leather pants, leather bracing on both his legs and arms, and a half cape over one arm displaying his clan symbol. Though, perhaps, less meaningful now... but it brings him a small comfort. A reminder of why he is pushing forward, even if right now he feels self-loathing at what he is to some degree. 'Unlike Bi before it, Paru was built up rather recently. New walls, though perhaps some traces of older buildings may exist the deeper into the city one goes... but it is very clear this is a modern city first.' Raziel turns to look at a poster, and then at what Yuuki is talking about. Considering this for a moment, and having little else to go on... "If we could buy out the venue, and shut it down. It would reduce the number of people, besides any she brings herself, and perhaps would force our quarry to face us directly. Something tells me she has some pride in her profession and would come out to hurl insults at anyone who would mess with her venue." "But this is a guess, she has to have a passion for something if she does not have one in working with The Professor."
Yuuki Kuran	Yuuki nods confirmingly, giving Sougo a thumbs up. There's just one today! It's currently easy to tell 'which' Yuuki it is, even, because of her generally sportier action-heroine (gothy) style and much more tellingly, her shoulder-length hairstyle. "We were always going to see the show, but I'll happily charge it to the Concord. I think it's the Partner Development number, but..." Yuuki pulls her phone out of her pocket and starts checking the Concord's business expense portal app for a few moments. "I could always just have the DoradoPay Concierge handle it all, Sougo, but it'd be really obvious it's me. Does anyone else have money they can use, and the Concord can reimburse them? We're seeing the show either way, but we can be..." The phone-holding Yuuki grins and shrugs. "Sneakier about it, or loud about it. If we want to draw attention, I'm happy to swipe my card." Though, Raziel asks something that pauses Yuuki again, and she does not go back to consulting her phone. "You can't just buy things, not really. People have to agree. Buying a row of tickets is one thing, but buying the whole place with my own or the Concord's money is a whole other. It's screaming a challenge. And they can just take the money and leave."
Angela	"Why sneak, you're the Director of the fucking Concord," Nikki says before thinking of her Oath. "...But it might be better to sneak around about this. If they want to screw up your plans, letting them know where you are might give 'em a leg up. I can't imagine they'd go through this without considering what to do if you got involved."
Zero Kiryu	"There aren't going to be many theaters this far out on the edge of the world. I'll look for a lounge," Zero says, nodding. He begins to walk away, but Nikki asks him a question. He pauses, and shakes his head, gesturing towards Yuuki. Vines sprout from the flower at her ear, 'waving' at Nikki before retracting back into the flower. "I'm colocal with her, so even when I seem to be running solo, I'm not. That's true of you, too, if not to the same extent." Which is to say that the circular flow of Yuuki and Zero's blood is sufficient for them to be anchored to each other, in a way. "You can come if you want, but if it's out of caution, there's no need," he says, and then resumes walking. //Can we get her on her own?// Marita Inaba is a mixed bag in this regard. On the one hand, she isn't actually a die-hard believer and so isn't going to put you int he position of needing some deep collateral or to take big risks to get things done. On the other, it's simply not possible to corner her without 'supporters', and in spite of exerting influence over them she doesn't actually CONTROL them. It's a parasocial relationship with a psychic twist. Since he's taken off by the time that Kukuru starts asking questions, Zero replies telepathically in a broad-spectrum broadcast that reaches the group as a whole: I've heard of her. We've occasionally had to do 'chaffeur' work for vampire performances because they get people incredibly rowdy, if they're a specific kind of charismatic. She seems to have that same sort of charisma, more than is ordinary for a dhampyr. Which is to say, even though she's not exerting 'will', she compels people with her entertainment. As for the plant stuff... I'm not certain that it will 'stick' with competing mental influence like that. I would expect limited success. //If we could buy out the venue...// I wouldn't count on being able to do that. This isn't the 'end' of civilization, but it's close. This is the frontier, either an opportunity space or... someplace that the owner will really cherish. Another thing that distinguishes Marita from the others is that she won't necessarily engage if you don't... here. You'll have to aggress, but if she thinks you'll aggress she's comfortable with a pre-emptive strike. Either way she's going to be a problem 'in-performance', even if it has to be an impromptu performance. In this way, she's both convenient, and not.
Yuuki Kuran	"Nikki," Yuuki begins, in light aside, patient. "You walk softly even when you don't fear the world around you yourself, for at least two reasons:" She holds up her right index finger, tilting it further right at the wrist and her head left with a smile. "So you can get closer to what you're chasing," Her middle finger raises, forming a v-for-victory. "And because even if you don't fear for yourself, your world is bigger than just you. If I do a big money bomb and then they just take it and walk away and use the money to hurt me, that sucks, right?" Back to the matter of Marita, Yuuki drops her posed hand and rights, tapping her left-hand-held phone against her cheek, the butterfly charm hanging from the case bouncing against her wrist as she poses thoughtfully. "So, how about this. We'll go to her show, and I'll buy a row of tickets. Front row, or close, or on the mezzanine's front, so we can just hop to the stage. With Kukuru, Sougo, and Woz together I'm confident we can keep the damage to Marita's supporters minimal, and then convince her to come with us to talk at the lounge Zero prepares." Yuuki's smile remains. "Sound good? Anyone have anything to add?"
Raziel	Raziel pauses, having not considered she COULD just take the money and run. He never considered this, because he would have taken the challenge at face value. It was a challenge, one of means and authority... so... He supposes someone either extremely confident or greedy would ignore the challenge. Still, that very thought doesn't sit well with him, something else he contributes to modernity. After some time, he frowns and shakes his head. "I can't deny this is a possibility, despite how much I dislike it," he finally says and shrugs. "I suppose that plan works, as I have nothing better. If we can not draw her out, then jumping onto her stage and challenging her is the next step." It's also true, that with Kukuru and Sougo and Woz, things would become far easier to deal with in avoiding needless deaths. However, it seems that she'll be using others to fight them instead of just herself purely. Vampiric charisma, he thinks, remembering that there are those who rely on such things instead of their martial strength. The problem... is that usually, they crumple the moment they lack someone with the martial strength.
Kukuru	"Buying the whole place? That sounds so expensive..." Kukuru murmurs, both intimidated by the idea of spending so much and marveling at Yuuki's willingness to just do that. Alas, it sounds like that idea and trying to get Marita won't be something to rely on, so she starts trying to get the idea factory running while starting to pace around (and offering everyone little snack bags filled with some kind of meaty crunchy bits). "Someone with that many fans and so much clooout... Oh. That /is/ a problem, isn't it? If we're gonna have to deal with her fans, then..." Closing her eyes, Kukuru opens and closes her hands a few times, making sure she can feel the flow of her nanites just right before nodding at Yuuki's recommendation. "That should work. It's gonna be messy for sure, but.. I can make sure nobody stays dead, even if we really have to beat up a bunch of them. And if we don't have to worry about the plant stuff not working, theeen.. We don't have to spend time worrying about trying to make that work, either." Another chuckle, and then Kukuru furrows her brow. "Wait... Um. Yuuuuki. Soooougo. Ze-" Wait. Zero left already. "... Zeeero. Is it gonna be a problem if people see you all there, beating up your own people? Or other people's... People? Maybe..." She squints at Yuuki's sunglasses, then makes the shape of a full mask across her own face. "Something bigger? Or do you want Marita and the Professor to know about this one?"
Timespace Riders	"Mm... I kind of agree with Nikki, even if there are good reasons to be more, um, subtle," Sougo says with a grin. "I feel a little like drawing attention, after everything that's happened. I feel like it's... I don't know, earned?" He shrugs his shoulders lightly. "Besides... Someone like that, you can't really 'corner. She's probably not going to be without her supporters, which means any approach we make is gonna be at least a little 'loud.'"
Angela	Nikki frowns thoughtfully. "But couldn't you just transfer money to each of us from your account and then we all buy tickets seperately...?" She can't argue the benefit of being sneakier but she does consider Zero's words. "Nah I'll stick by the Director." She says, skeptical that either of these two people really COULD be hurt. Physically anyway. Nikki feels she has proven she can't do much against emotional famage. But then Yuuki DOES go for the buy a lot of tickets plan!!! Nikki sighs. It seems like going pretty loud is what it is even if it is certainly less loud than buying a theater, which Nikki didn't really think was plausible. Some people probably already have tickets!!
Zero Kiryu	You may consider... framing it as a part of the show," Zero suggests, in answer to Yuuki's jump-on-the-stage thoughts. //Wait... Um. Yuuuuki. Soooougo. Is it gonna be a problem if people see you both there, beating up your people?// Please re-read the primer about Dhampyr-and-Vampire psychology. The group has decided to go buy tickets. There are two options for procuring tickets, neither of which you can actually avoid, and they're both obnoxious in their own ways: The actual theater, which is expensive and is where you'll be going anyway, and... scalpers. Or at least, those would be the options if not for the fact that no two adjacent seats together are actually available. A strategic purchase of tickets has occurred spreading them out across several scalpers, who are now in a position to collude if, say, somebody is obviously trying to buy for an entire party. This is not unaffordable with the kind of money in play, it's just annoying. You can relax more than you do, with her, Zero comments to Nikki, distantly. Flashes of images accompany this statement for both Yuuki and Nikki; it looks like he's already located someplace with a nice balcony.
Raziel	Raziel considers his own situation. "I will not decline a ticket, but I can likely get in without one though," he says, reminding people he's a ghost by phasing his arms in and out of reality for a second. "However, I am on board with the plan as it sits. I will likely attempt to get on stage using this method, as I am doubtful any specter could halt me." This is especially true given the nature of Soul Reaver, but not just that, his own natural ability to devour souls. Regardless, Raziel has little to add to this part. Though he considers the Scalpers vs the theater. "I feel we'll be corralled either way..." he considers. "One is just more expensive than the other. The Scalpers only 'potentially' will work together, but the people who run the venue definitely will work with her I feel."
Yuuki Kuran	"Huh?" Yuuki asks, confused. "We're just going to go normally to one of Marita's performances. She's a performer!" Emphasized by pointing at one of the flyers for Marita on the billboard nearby. "And then we'll take the stage, I suppose. After the performance? If she gets through it all maybe we can confront her after, but..." She shrugs. "The Professor sent Nokken after us, and they attacked Cross Academy." Yuuki's smile has a cold sweetness. "No, I think we're a bit past considering if it's our turn to be showy." And then: Nikki has a great idea! Nodding and snapping back to cheerful as Nikki suggests that Yuuki simply give everyone else money to accomplish the task. She had never thought about that! This is not just because her MBA-equivalant secondary education, but also because she's a vampirebrained lunatic girl. "Part of the show!" She repeats, as she starts messing with her phone to divide up the ticket budget - everyone's devices begin to ping or ring or chime with expense account updates from DoradoPay. The amount is high, but Yuuki wants good tickets for leaping onto stage with and cohesion. There's something that has to be said, though, to set the group in place: "Nikki may know without being told, but as soon as I stepped foot into this town, our presence was given away. So we can have a little fun with it. Otherwise we're just letting the Professor win, aren't we? So, a performance is better. Still, I'll probably use some of the GENM Corp toys just for fun, and don't those come with masks sometimes? We'll see!" Yuuki decides, a little excited again. "Woz, Sougo, since we'll have a challenging approach through the scalpers and front desk, could you use your abilities to chart us the most efficient course?" Yuuki asks, her tone trending polite request.
Zero Kiryu	What's the best route through the scalpers? Long story short, it's some guy called Daiki the Dealer that nobody likes because he's slimy and launders stolen goods. Nobody in town really likes him, at least in part because he's from farther east, which is generally considered to be bad luck. Being from farther west is considered to be good luck, for some reason, probably because people broadly understand 'society' to be more built up in that direction. It does not occur to anybody that they are farther east than most places other than the one city remaining to the east, which is your final destination. Technically this guy doesn't have the tickets, but he is the manager of all the guys who have the tickets, and that's why there's such careful division of what seats are available. He's colluded with the venue on this, to boot, so the high prices are circulating a lot of money. You feel like this man should never be allowed to be on the internet.
Kukuru	"The part about how fighting and...? Oh yeeeeeah." Somehow, Kukuru doesn't even need to reread it! Maybe. She actually remembers that part directly, and she nods affirmatively even without Zero there to see her doing it. Satisfied with that conclusion (she was guided back to), the next step is figuring out which seats and how to buy these things! Raziel brings up a point that has Kukuru's head working again, and a pleasant, humming sort of smile creeps onto her face before long. "Oh yeah... I can take a cheap seat, too. Once it's time for us to start our part of the show-" She winks just to make it clear that she knows they're not part of the show. "I can teleport right up and over. Special effects work preeeetty good these days, right? I heard some human-only worlds even use these weird little fog machines and stuff so you can have really fancy effects on stage..." Kukuru can't bring herself to turn down Yuuki's plan, though, and her heart aches just looking at how much these tickets end up costing. Still, she can't help but giggle after a moment after she brings up GENM Corp's mask things. "Oh yeah, they do come with those. They're really neat, aren't they? Maybe I could even use one of those some daaay..." One day. Maybe in another month or so. "But if we gotta sit separately even up front... Well. Would it be problem if we came up from different sections?" She hums again as her brain continues to run overtime. "It'll look like there's a bigger group if we're not just bunched up together, and... Oh. Did we wanna look like we were a huge group coming up, or smaller? Thaaaat might change things up some."
Timespace Riders	"At once, Director," says Woz, free hand placed over his chest. After a slight bow at the waist, he flings his scarf outwards and disappears in a vortex of impossibly swirling grey fabric. The retainer's 'abilities' here are not only the book, but his slight penchant for stealth in places like this. Watching from on high, or else from the shadows of select alleyways, a certain pattern is observed. Consulted within the book (it always helps to know your search terms), this leads to the information about Daiki. Woz provides the information (and directions) through the radio, waiting outside the dealer's 'establishment.' It's Sougo who bothers to do the personal read--and it's Sougo who warns Yuuki, accordingly, that Daiki 'kind of sucks.'
Angela	"Well yeah but-- .... It doesn't matter--We'll make it work." But Nikki does at least remember that money can be given to other people so that they can use the money to buy goods and services so she hasn't gone completely Wingbrained yet which might explain why she is still a bit stiff with Yuuki--that cold sweetness Yuuki occassionally expresses is something that Nikki isn't exactly unexperienced with herself. ''You can relax more than you do, with her.'' It's hard to know the line. She thinks back. We've got bloodfiends back home too. Never seen one myself but I know how it can go when one goes ''bad''--lost a friend to one that went berserk--and if you'll allow me, Yuuki being a bloodfiend elder is the least scary thing about 'er. To me anyway. She seems really nice but I've been taught to be wary about how the WIngs operate since I could pick my first pocket. It's hard to let go of that. They've all got these Taboos and they aren't shy about what they do when you cross 'em. It's hard to get out of that line of thinking Though the fact that Nikki is even willing to tell Zero this is certainly a sign she is easing up a little, at least around him. Maybe that'll eventually translate to the totally normal, if MBA-brained, Yuuki but they don't call it training because it's easy to break out of. Nikki is wholly willing to go to the bad side of town so she's happy to try her luck going to Daiki the Dealer--largely because she's not exactly from the keen part of town herself. "Part of the show," She murmurs.
Zero Kiryu	What's the vibe of Daiki the Dealer? This man is on the cusp of being stabbed in the kidneys and dumped in a river by thirteen different people, a task that is delayed for each of them by the knowledge that the others are also trying to do it and because this community is not big enough to get away with murder without getting real elaborate about it or having mind control powers. In a larger city, this guy would've been mysteriously disappeared ages ago. His actual talent is information collation, which unfortunately means that he knows where all of the skeletons are. He was an accountant prior to becoming a criminal. He's used to packing up and leaving town to the relief of everyone. The over-and-under is that you should probably just mind control him to do what you want and then let nature take its course from there. What about the wraith world, here? It's relatively thin, in the city itself. The horizon is a nightmare, though. More than 'people' have died here; the ghosts of cities are a haze in the distance. Whether they could even be visited... well. There's probably nothing 'useful' to discover there, just history that isn't relevant to anyone anymore. But it's an interesting thing to see, in its own way.
Zero Kiryu	================================================================================ It is a small while later. Tickets to the event have been procured, and everyone has moved through the line into the theater venue relatively quickly. The event itself is being hosted in a small sports stadium; an encircling concessions-and-utilities space with numerous spokes leading into the interior. The atmosphere is... strange, though. It wasn't observable outside, but once you're inside the people seem to be in a sort of directionless worked-up state. This lasts until precisely the moment that your party comes through the doors. Zero Kiryu previously talked about Hunter's Association attendants making certain these things didn't get out of control, because vampires have a way of whipping people up into a State whether or not they mean to. Unfortunately, as has been repeatedly observed throughout this trip, this place is out on the edge of what's considered habitable. There aren't many hunters here, and they're not at this event. Not enough bodies to go around to deal with a 'petty' riot concern. Which is why, with multiple vampires in your party, things get weird and a little violent. Crowds crush in around you. The 'active impediment' is low, but... it doesn't need to be active to be 'effective opposition'. They're not trying to kill you at all, though you get the feeling that a certain level of resistance will at least reach 'a disorganized brawl' in terms of danger levels. There's no real getting around that you're going to need to push some folks around to get through. And there's not even any active influence going on here; this is just the impact of certain pheromones vampires put out combined with an excited environment. A lit match being tossed into a gas leak, rather than a weapon being aimed at you.
Angela	NIkki is getting crushed by a crowd. They're not really trying to Harm her? Nikki could be convinced otherwise. She yelps as she is crushed between members of the crowd and she tries to push people away from her without killing them because Nikki is, at the end of the day, a good girl and that is why she sometimes crazy because she's a good girl in a bad world. "Fuck I don't... I don't want to hurt these people!?" She gets a call on her video pad and it turns on automatically as Angela's face appears on it. "Agent Nikki, stop whatever you're doing I have a task for you." Nikki, with a dude's hand in her face pushes back. "A little busy Angela!!" Angela is in no mood to negotiate. "Irrelevent. You have been assisting the Director. If you'd like to get back in the Company's good graces, I have a question for her which she should be able to answer as the Director of the Concord. Do this and I will have Yesod expunge your record of your misdeed and you will have be considered as having repaid the company for your blunder." Nikki swears a few obscenities as she tries to throw people off her. "Alright alright!! What do you want me to ask!?"
Raziel	'The moment was at hand, and coming into the event was like stepping into my past. I could feel the tingle in the air, the palpable sensation of young vampires high on their own power flowed through the audience. It wasn't the same... but it was close, close enough to know what it would be we might be facing the moment it happened.' In fact, it does, someone goes barreling at him uncarefully, attempting to either knock him down or knock him out of where he was entering from. Raziel, prepared, rolls with it as much as he can falls onto the ground, and attempts to grab the guy with him. He hopes it'll cause others to look and either pause or help them up. Not that it matters for him, because his clawed hands dig into the ground and he sees someone else aiming to 'mash' with him. This time, he vanishes completely from the physical realm. In the spectral realm, he moves, aiming to get up high, and then glide down toward the stage. This is assuming there isn't anything in the spectral world that'd grab him. Once there he'd reappear on stage, deciding that he'd be doing this loud, appearing in what might be considered a three-point stance.
Timespace Riders	Neither Sougo nor Woz had failed to notice the strange, wired state outside of the venue. Of the king and his retainer, the latter seems more accustomed to the throngs of people past the entrance. Holding Sougo by the hand, he weaves an assertive, proactive path through the impeding crowds, maintaining as confident a stride as he can given the environment and the density of people. For his part, Sougo smiles sheepishly as some people are bumped past, others are gently brushed against, and still others are weaved around with inches to spare. Much in the same way that the crowds here aren't actively being hostile, Woz isn't responding to the passive pressure with direct force, but is simply attempting to cut himself and Sougo through the crowds, with a vibe of 'impolite urgency.' It's all in the name of finding a little elevation, whether that's getting to the bleachers or to some temporary installment meant for fans to see better.
Kukuru	Suit? Check. Fancy glasses? Check. Cute little bow tie? Double-check. Everything's set, and all Kukuru has to do is make sure everyone in the crew is ready for whatever may come before it's show time. That means distributing little snack packets and drink pouches to make sure nobody goes into the venue hungry or distracted once things start happening. She's made sure to eat a bit herself before coming, of course, so she might still smell a little like grilled meat on the way in despite her best efforts to clean up. Encountering the mass of people in the venue itself, then, has her trying at first not to push anyone else in turn, and she's even being polite with all manner of "Excuuuse meee"s and "Pardooon" in her usually tired tone of voice. As the crowd closes in around her and her companions, though, she soon starts to realize that none of these people actually want to hurt her or her family. In fact... It's a show. They're excited. They're pushing into everyone and anyone BECAUSE they're excited. They're all here out of their love (obsession?) for this performer, and that feeds right into the good gut feelings for Kukuru. Riding that emotional high, she starts trying to slip through the gaps with a giddy little smile on, one hand outstretched behind her to help pull along whoever takes her hand even as she pushes into the crowd. "Come on, come oooon~ We'll be over in the front real soon!" She calls out, enjoying all that physical affection for a little longer before finally leaping out of the crowd and onto the stage with whoever in hand. Her landing is considerably clumsier than Raziel's, and she might even end up denting the stage in the process.
Yuuki Kuran	Tickets are purchased, because Kuran Yuuki expects the theater. Something refined, a grand stage, a mezzanine, specific seating. Proudly holding her tickets as she leads the group in, Yuuki is immedialtely mobbed by overexcited concertgoers. Normally used to a little crowd-push even in pleasant situations, the sheer fervor of people hopped up on vampire goofballs and performative power immediately pushes and pulls at Yuuki like tidal forces. She doesn't want to hurt anyone, but the brawl isn't centered on her - it's centered on the combatitive Raziel, and blocking off Nikki - instead Yuuki is grabbed and yanked and heaved and handled-around, lifted with soft kicks and fightingly pulled arms. "Stop!" Yuuki pleads, unsharp. "I don't want to hurt you! Put me down!" She complains, struggling to reach into her coat and pull out a weapon. Not Artemis -- Artemis would be far, far too much for the various humans otherwise having their way moshing her away from the group. "I don't want to make it any worse. Sougo, Woz! Can you calm these people down?" Yuuki increases her fighting, yanking herself generally free of being carried, but she's seperated from the group and being pushed deeper. "We can't just force them, but we have to do something!"
Timespace Riders	"Woz, hold on--help Yuuki!" The retainer reaches for his belt, because of course he does. Thankfully Sougo places a hand on his wrist, gently. "No, Woz," he says. "She said calm them down, remember?" Woz purses his lips in mild annoyance, and sighs. "Very well," he says, before reachingfor his scarf and hurling it outwards. The grey garment extends impossibly through the crowd, snaking around shoulders and ankles to reach Yuuki. Puzzlingly tough fabric shoves grasping limbs aside, yanks bodies away, and ensnares. It's probably not calming at all, but it at least is being done with the intent of swaddling a particularly spicy feral cat, rather than the directly adversarial method of helping Woz had in mind before.
Zero Kiryu	//Agent Nikki, stop whatever you're doing I have a task for you.// //A little busy Angela!!// Nikki is having a little trouble, and she's making no headway in getting the masses off of her while she's having this side-conversation. It might have something to do with the fact that she's a little vampire right now, herself. Regardless, she ends up not having to worry about it as much as might be expected. There's a strange sensation at her wrists, whereupon a pair of vines grow out of her, expand wildly at the point of exit, and grow out in a circle that forms a thorny, protective barrier. They detach from her wrists, and the exit points seal. It stings, a little, but it buys her space. The exterior barrier begins to decay after a moment; she'll have the ability to act when she would want to. There is a light sense of curiosity about what's transpiring with her, but Zero doesn't ask the question openly or in her mind. There's nothing in the spectral realm bothering Raziel, but there are plenty of people watching from the other side. They glance at him as he goes, looking rather puzzled. As it turns out, they look puzzled because nobody is actually on the stage right now. The show hasn't started. There's somebody setting up for an opening act, but the woman on the advertisements is nowhere to be seen. The burly security guards that come up on stage and try to grab Raziel and hurl him off of it are plenty visible though. Another pair come up to try to throw Kukuru off, though like Raziel she finds that there is no 'target' here, and there isn't really a point in pressing to the front. //I don't want to hurt you! Put me down!// The vine at Yuuki's neck abruptly grows to cover her entire body and she finds herself in the same cocoon that is shielding Nikki. This accomplishes two goals that Zero has, one of which was simply fulfilling Yuuki's desires to not be MOSHED, and the second of which is to enable Nikki to ask her question. Meanwhile, Sougo and Woz move through the place like people who have been to a rave, which should surprise absolutely no one after one look at their suits. The bleachers aren't THAT hard to scale, but they end up encountering an annoying problem: That one guy who is in your way and awkwardly matches all your movements for a while. Except Woz, who snares a bunch of people going for Yuuki-- and ends up in an obnoxious tug-of-war match with a bunch of people who seem to think that it's a game.
Raziel	'The stage provided a glimpse of the rest of the theater, and at some level gave me a look into the eyes of the person who would be up here. For me, however, I felt too exposed. On the other hand, right now, focusing the security on myself and drawing them away would be a significant boon to my allies who are currently caught in the 'Mashing' pit.' Raziel gracefully dances back as the Security guards try and grab him. Soul Reaver would be too obvious right now, so instead he opts for claw-to-hand combat. A hand comes for him, and he grabs it and attempts to throw the man off the stage while sliding under the next and attempting to retreat off stage and back down into the crowd below. He can't spend too much time up there, or else the show might be canceled. He can, however, do his best to taunt the guards to come after him and attempt to throw him out. Perhaps they'll be too far away before the star shows up on stage. Of course, his plan DOES put him into contention with the rowdy crowd again. Hopefully, they'll be just as rowdy to the security staff as they were to him.
Kukuru	It's not until Kukuru reaches the stage with Raziel that she realizes there's nobody up there yet, drawing a curious hum from her as she glances around in completely confusion. "Eh? I thought... The show started already. If she's not here..." It takes a bit for her to process all that, and she doesn't even react right away when she feels the pair grabbing her from behind and raising her overhead. Working out the confusion really does take a while sometimes. "Then.. Why's everyone so worked up already?" It's not until she gets thrown off stage, even, that Kukuru realizes she has, in fact, been thrown off stage. Landing among the attendees in a small mosh pit of her own and also frantic party goers that might be more inclined to inadvertently step on her than help her up, she actually does a bit of shoving and pulling someone down to get back up. 'I don't want to hurt you! Put me down!' There's a very good reason for the sudden change in approach. Seeing those people playing tug of war with.... Wait. Where's Yuuki? Oh. Over there with Nikki! She breathes a light sigh of relief, but it's only a short moment's reprieve when she realizes Woz is in the danger zone now. She puts on a calmer smile as she approaches the side opposite those trying to pull on him from so many directions. "Excuse me..." Kukuru chimes in softly as she reaches for the wrists of those pulling on Woz's scarf, almost looking like she's joining their tug of war right up until she clamps her hands down with enough force to pulverize bone. "Keep your hands to yourselves, okaaay? Or I might have to do that agai-iiin." She follows that up with an immediate dose of healing as she squeezes, though, as though whatever pain and mangling involved might just come off as an painful and realistic hallucination or something. Whether they get angry at her or not is irrelevant. She just needs to make sure Woz doesn't get himself swarmed.
Timespace Riders	Woz puts up with the tug-of-war for two reasons: because Sougo wouldn't approve otherwise, and because, like cats, sometimes it's best to simply count blessings that attention is directed somewhere not overtly destructive. Outside of his armor, Woz's strength is impressive, but there are limits. The retainer's grunts of effort see Sougo stepping over to help, the two of them using the high ground afforded by the bleachers to maintain a shaky upper hand. It doesn't have to last forever--just until Yuuki is clear. The vine coccoon provides the perfect moment of reprieve. Once Yuuki and Nikki are safely wrapped up, the serpentine length spreading down the bleachers rapidly snakes its way back into being an ordinary garment. Even the most tightly grasping fingers find that the scarf eludes capture, winding rapidly around people and other obstacles until it rests neatly, normally, on Woz's shoulder. "Um-- oh-- oops! Haha." Sougo's solution to the One Guy doesn't come until after a few seconds of awkward shuffling and verbal tics, until--"Excuse me!" he says, gently placing a hand on the guy's shoulder and stepping around him as he ascends. From their vantage points in the bleachers, the two of them can keep an eye on the stage as it's being set up. "Looks like she's not here yet," Sougo notes to Woz. "Maybe she's still getting ready?"
Yuuki Kuran	Yuuki was fine with going with the flow, a little bit, at a party. But the sort of handling was too violent, too wild, and reminded her of ill memories. Pawing, clawing. Even if she was a dancer, Kuran Yuuki was not a mosh-er. Thankfully, her accessories are more than capable of protecting her, and with Kamen Rider's (Woz? Woz!) help, even the clawing-reaching of those on the momentary cocoon are yanked and sorted away (into a game of tug-of-war), clearing out a space just for her and the L-Corp vampire (free trial edition). "Nikki?" Yuuki asks. "You needed to speak to me? Oh, Angela!" The withering barrier gives the Director plenty of time to give her full attention to the determined Nikki and her passenger. "Angela, I've heard you doing so much for the Concord, and handling your own problems. You manage quite a bit, how can I help you?" Meanwhile, The cocoon is guarded by a growing number of all-black wolves, suggestions-of-canines that mostly blend into dark interiors or stand out against bright backgrounds. One, at the head of the group, has a large scythe in its mouth - like some mythical hound. Except... It's not a magical sword - the familiar holds an overdesigned black plastic greeble scythe in its teeth. Kukuru has nothing to fear at all! The dog menaces with Lv50 Plastic.
Angela	Nikki...gets eaten by a plant!? She is at a loss for a moment before she remembers this is likely Zero's doing. She takes a moment of reprieve in the plant coccoon. "I...made a deal with Zero. It's a good deal." Nikki breathes out. "Understood." Angela answers. "We can discuss this when your mission for them is over. Until then I expect you to do your best and follow their instructions." Nikki had no intention of doing otherwise. "But she doesn't want to hurt them... My EGO gear isnt exactly safe to use on people I don't wanna hurt..." Angela considers. "Tell me the details of your contract." Some time passes and then Nikko bursts out, pushing her way towards Yuuki before she...sends out her own spores, Zero's gift to her, spreading that sophoric through the air to try and harmlessly knock out as many people in the mosh pit as she can, her red eyes narrowed in focus, though Yuuki being moved closer to her helps. Free Trial Vampire Nikki focuses on her work but Angela turns her gaze towards Yuuki, emulates taking a breath, and then asks... "How do I make it easier for Petra to convert ahn to credits, ideally but not necessarily at an acceptable exchange rate without having to go through a Decepticon named Swindle." she pauses. "She does not wish to join the Concord but she has to spend no small effort to make use of the money we pay her for her excellent work."
Zero Kiryu	The first of the security guards that went after Raziel manages to maneuver around him. The second gets grabbed and tossed off the stage, though it looks like he's used to this-- he tumbles well as the crowd beneath scatters around him, not actually interested in bearing a guy that big on top of them. When he gets back up it's to hurry through the crowd towards the stairs. This one is hassled by the crowd, but not quite the same way the group has been-- it's less that he's not being hassled and more he seems to be experienced in handling it. It's a strange sort of give-and-take, like the flow of the tide. In the end though, security sticks with the stage. They're talking into radios now. This puts Raziel back into the crowd, fighting that same tide. What a nuisance... Kukuru breaks some hands, and immediately heals them again. This does free up Woz -- who was playing along anyway -- but causes some OTHER problems, because suddenly these pheromone-drunk lunatics have the notion that there are no consequences for their actions. Things get a LOT rowdier on top of Woz and Kukuru as a result. Meanwhile, Sougo makes an observation. Like many arenas, the actual preparatory area for the performer appears to be through one of two apertures; one on the far side, one on the near side. It's not set up for sports right now, but there would be locker rooms back there as well. In the far aperture, an enormous woman wearing a radio headset is looking at Sougo. That's definitely not the performer you were expecting... but it could be her sister. If so, that's a problem. You expected her to be in the city opposite this one. This, generally, is where inquiry into the security people would lead Raziel-- he's got some open ground to cover to reach the edge of the arena and thus the aperture. Between the dogs attracting positive attention and Nikki using her contractual powers to spread soporific into the surroundings, there is suddenly an increasingly large nap-pile that emanates outward from where Nikki and Yuuki were momentarily cocooned.
Raziel	Raziel attempts to do what the security did and move with the crowd, but this... doesn't go to plan, instead, he gets carried along with it, more fighting it than riding with it. He gets crushed and injured, but despite that somewhat more focused. He was not a modern vampire by any sense of the imagination, but... he does eventually learn. 'This terrible practice that the humans do of this future world... to willingly pack themselves into such a small area only to smash into each other like sardines. Truly, the wonders of the ages other than the ones I am familiar with are both terrible and wonderful. I have yet to decide on what to call this one, despite its... charm. However, we were here for a purpose...' Eventually, he breaks free enough to once more vanish into the spectral realm, probably at the apex of someone's high who was paying attention to him. Who knows what that person will think about the sudden disappearance, but Raziel does not quite care. This gives him just enough time to spot the woman, thanks to direction from Sougo, and noticing her directing the security. Once more, platforming across the herd that is too busy 'mashing' as he thinks it is called, he aims to leap closer to the aperture, and into it. Reforming just slightly behind the woman, he speaks. "Excuse me, I am not sure who you are but you look related to whom me and my associates are here to speak to tonight... hopefully without violence unlike what is going on out there..." he pauses, bowing slightly to the woman. "I am Raziel, and I am here on behalf of Yuuki Kuran on a matter most important." "If you would be willing to listen."
Yuuki Kuran	Yuuki is confronted by Nikki and Angela not as the Queen of Vampires, but, rather, as the director of a large-scale business. Safe in the audience by the power of Zero, and fondly regarding her employees, Yuuki brushes back her hanging bangs back behind her ear and considers the question. "Without joining our Concord, hmm?" Yuuki considers, eyes flicking off Nikki and turning to consider off and to the left. Nevertheless, Nikki doesn't feel any less Seen or Heard - rather, she gets quite the opposite impression and feels extremely observed by Yuuki in this space of spaces. Yuuki understands that Nikki wants to help, and Angela has a problem. "So, if you're not using our moneychanging services internally or the Dorado Black card, you have to have the right kind of money. You could apply for a card, Angela, but that wouldn't help your contracted employee." Slow taps to her chin carries on the Director's considerance, feeling utterly safe now - and, in fact, she is! No moshpit members get past the sleepy cuddle pile of soft-furred black canids who turned the power of uppies into tipping over people, and then laying atop the drugged out audience members. Yuuki continues to have more shadow familiars, and enforcing a zone of fuwafuwa power thanks to Nikki's (Trial Version) gifts grows less taxing with shared effort. The knights have this handled! Yuuki snaps her fingers. "What you need to do, Angela, as a program director yourself, is to have your logistics head or you yourself figure out who will trade outside currencies for internal services. Cash for services, and cash for exports - but also, you can use partnership to stimulate worth on your end!" Nodding and proud, Yuuki feels great having reinvented basic moneychanging on the spot. "Partner world currencies get preferred transfer rates through the Grand Dorado banking and lending arms, because we think giving that bit extra back is important. You want people to invest in you, right? Some people are transactional, and that's... fine. As long as they're taking better offers, right?" A kingdom of doggo and economics spreads out from the Queen and her (new, Trial Edition) retainer (contractor).
Kukuru	It seemed like a good idea at first. Give them pain, show them some love, and scold them so they know not to do it again. It usually works on children, so why not now? Kukuru certainly regrets it when the party-goers/show-watchers are suddenly bearing down on herself and Woz, making things even more painful than she'd like. She's not even that agile, either, so the thrashing actually knocks her arund a fair bit with her boggling on how to actually get out of that situation short of just whacking them around with less restraint and far less healing. "Hey... Cut it out! That's not-ow... Nice!" She complains with audible annoyance as she gets knocked around, perhaps taking a sterner tone now precisely because these are all/should be proper adults, albeit ones that are really out of it. She's tempted to try throwing herself up on stage again to get some distance, but with security standing up there and no actual target in sight... All she can think of is trying to pacify the crowd, if beating them all up isn't an option. It is, but seeing the nap-pile reminds her that there's other options, especially with Nikki working so hard to avoid hurting them too badly in Yuuki's presence. Feeling a swell of pride in her chest for someone she's barely exchanged words with, Kukuru covers her head with her arms as she bides her time. Soon, she finds a gap in the crowd to open up a small hole in the ground with her teleportation powers, dives through it, and- Lands headfirst on the ground besides Sougo and Woz. Rolling onto her back, she straightens out her tie while the rest of her outfit is all sorts of fucked up, then clambers back up to regroup and help give them a bit of space with her own body in between them and their assailants. "Sougo! Woz? See anything? I'll.. Oh. Hold your breaths a little, okay? Just in case." She warns as she starts putting out a lot of everything around her: Soporifics behind her to try and placate the partygoers, and healing nanites in front of her, to try and offset whatever bumps and scrapes Sougo and Woz have taken from being in this funky party.
Timespace Riders	Sougo smiles slightly, at the woman watching him from across the stadium. She's kind of hard to miss. In a way, so is he--more than his colorful clothes, Sougo always seems to project a benign aura. Sometimes it's a lot of work to keep up, but not here. There will probably be a fight--but it will be a fight for less than 'everything,' and that's fine. Hands in his pockets, he rocks on his heels for a moment of thought, and then bounds down the stairs. He hadn't expected her to be here, but that's okay. Woz, after all, had predicted that they'd probably have to fight both sisters anyway. Sougo doesn't reach for his belt yet, but he does join Woz and Kukuru in the frey, as a necessity of getting where he wants to be. Speaking of Woz, the retainer is at his respective limit. "Save this rambunctious display for someone who can tolerate it. Henshin." Huge! Hearty! Destructive! Futurering Kikai! KIKAI! Golden machined plates are affixed to a silver bodysuit, by way of holographic heavy machinery. The giant monitor of a hard-light smartwatch behind Woz displays the wrench-adorned helmet of a robotic warrior, moments before that, too, snaps into place over his head. As the holograms dissipate, there is an industrial, mechanical whine. Four golden, claw-tipped manipulator arms snake out from Woz's back. The claws snag arms, the back of jackets, and even an ankle, lifting up members of the crowd. In this strength-forward form, as opposed to being unarmored, his power is more than enough to handle it. With a sharp cry of effort, he even snags someone by the collar, his right human arm snapping out. Puffs of steam burst from golden vents, spaced evenly across his chest, back, bracers and boots. All four arms come together, knocking everyone (gently*) together, before dropping them unceremoniously as Sougo passes merrily by. The one concertgoer held in Woz's human hand is drawn close, the retainer making 'cut it out, now' felt rather than heard, as golden katakana reading KIKAI stare silent daggers. Drop. With Kukuru's cloud of pacification measures, it's not as if it would have been wise to spend breath on talking, anyway. Sougo beams at Marina, lowering the handkerchief from his face once he's cleared the brawl with Woz and Kukuru. "Raziel, this is Marina," he says, briefly glancing towards the vampire. "Right? I'm guessing you showed up here because you were worried about your sister. But that's okay, because we need to talk to you, too, if we want to make things better. " "I'm Sougo. The guy back there in the armor is Woz, my retainer. We're after the Professor, and there's a good reason for that. I've heard that you're pretty loyal, and that's good. But there's some things you don't know--things you need to know, about Yuuki and about the Professor." She'll probably want a fight, but knowing the answer doesn't mean you shouldn't ask the question. "Are you ready to hear them? Or are you gonna fight us because of who we're with and who we're after?"
Angela	Nikki is in a fight and for once doesn't tense up when Observed by Yuuki. If anything, it just makes her want to fight harder. Or at least smarter. Angela, well, she could probably care less about the outcome of the battle. It is more important to her that her Agents appear helpful to the Concord more than she is invested in successfully helping them accomplish their goals but Yuuki is being nice and complimentary and skilled flattery is not something Angela is immune to. "I see." Angela says. "It is difficult to exchange ahn for credits dur to The City's isolationist policies but exchanging services in lieu of ahn for credits may be the most efficient manner. This does place a unique burden upon me but it should not be too bad... Normally I exchange services for services but perhaps this time can be an exception. If you are willing we will take credits in exchange for helping you." She has been convinced to take VAMPIRE MONEY so she can pay her workers! "If that is an acceptable exchange for you, Director." Angela says, oblivious that she is now asking money in exchange for something she was basically doing for free. MEANWHILE Nikki seems pretty pleased with herself. "Yeah...haha yeah! This was a good idea, Miss Angela...I...ah...." Someone collapses onto her. "Oh..." A sleep pile rapidly coalesces around Nikki with her at the epic center. She tumbles to the ground, arm thrusting into thr air. "Noooo....! Getting...sleepy... Reminded...of sleep piles back home..." It isn't the spores so much as her body's instinct as she is covered in sleeping bodies and kind of wants to join them. As a last struggle, she unleashes another burst of those spores to try and get any stragglers that aren't already dogged up....OR WORSE!?
Zero Kiryu	There's a pile of people being slept on by dogs. New people don't get added to the pile, but it's really thinned things out. Sensing her difficulties with the prior clawing-and-grabbing a little belatedly, the phantom of a hand at her back is pressed into Yuuki's mind. Zero still isn't physically present; he's handling local accommodations still. All of his actions have been through proxy nodes. There is no need for breath-holding around the soporifics. It's a powder anyway, and can get in through the skin. Kukuru spreads the trend of simply putting the audience to sleep, quieting the stands... Getting up close to her, it's obvious to Raziel and Woz that Marina is a little different. Apart from the fact that she's eight feet tall and barely fits in the aperture hallway, she has red eyes-- there are unnatural hair and eye colors in this world, but that's always been a hallmark of a vampire. She's not one, though. Just awfully close. "Kuran? Vampire King Kuran?" Marina knows her history but not her present. She only kind of knows who Yuuki is, because of what's been going on. But actually, she's mostly here because she wanted to be incidentally. Which means that she looks awfully confused about what Sougo has to say. //about Yuuki and about the Professor// "What?" Woz manhandles a bunch of people unceremoniously, as they deserve, because they've been doing mosh pit things far outside of anything that resembles a mosh pit. Really, this whole place is just an ungodly mess because of it, and putting them to bed is the correct thing to do. "Hmm... well, if you tried to go see Marita, I'd definitely fight you," Marina ponders aloud, looking at the ceiling. "But, since you seem to think I should be fighting you, I was thinking about fighting you anyway..." "I'm kinda bored," she admits, shrugging. "But, uh..." She points over Raziel and Sougo's heads. "You're absolutely gonna have to fix my sister's audience before not fighting you is even on the table." This happens precisely at the moment that Nikki intensifies her nap pile substantially, increasing the size of the ring of sleeping people around her. It is at this exact moment that Zero finally physically materializes, the 'phantom' hand at Yuuki's back becoming a corporeal one. "You should be... immune to those," he says, a little baffled at what's happening with Nikki.
Raziel	Raziel is pointed at the sleeping pile with dogs formed. He really doesn't have anything to say about that, he was focused primarily on getting to this moment. He tries to think of something... anything and just comes up short given what he is seeing. He takes a breath, followed by a second. "Right... I think..." he isn't sure at all what to say. "Lets take care of that, Sougo.." he finally says, shaking his head. "Then we'll talk or fight or both.." he says towards Marina. "I appreciate your consideration in this matter.." he says again, once more unable to form words at just what he's seeing.
Yuuki Kuran	Standing in a pile of dozing dogs and sleeping fans, with her knights doing all the heavy lifting ahead of her. And one, behind and besides her. Reaching up to take Zero's hand in her own when there's a tangible thing to take hold of. Calming, from her initially sharply negative reaction to being Moshed from a cold stop, she looks down at Nikki who succumbs not to soporific pollen but the simple psychological effect of being in a safe pile and being a little eepy! Just a little Agent neeb for sleeb. It isn't really that time of day, but Yuuki gently recognizes the lure. Crouching down, Yuuki fishes out the Angelaphone from the dozing Agent, bringing in her free hand to fist by her neck in cameraphone frame, and smile. "Of course! The Concord will be happy to assist you with payroll - for a better future!" Somehow, this may result in Petra Soroka being paid for what she does. Truly, the acts of villains.
Kukuru	Only remembering after the fact that her allies are alrady immune to Zero's effects with the same agreement she had made, Kukuru gets the opportunity to sit back a little and just watch Woz and Sougo in action. She's clearly having some trouble following what he's supposed to look like between all gold plates and mechanical parts. The wrench throws her off completely, and she's still mulling over what the robot worker-like form is supposed to be long after the crowd is pacified and Nikki herself tips her from the effort of it all. The temptation to join her in there is strong, but Kukuru somehow manages to resist it! She does drag her feet a bit as she nudges her way through the pile to help get Nikki settled for Yuuki to get the Angelaphone out. with a bright smile and keeping her voice down. "She did well, huh? I'll have to make her something good later." Not wanting to leave her out of the loop, she scoops up Nikki by the shoulders and legs gently in that classic princess-y way, then looks up and over where everyone else is going to see Marina. She taps her foot once for... There's actually no reason to do that, but it feels cooler to do that and make a teleportation cloud appear than to just have it happen. She waits in case anyone else on the ground level wants to take the shortcut up, then steps on through with Nikki in tow. "Ah.. He-llo, there. Ku-ku-ru." She nods once, probably indicating herself. "Ni-kki." She dips her chin lightly at Nikki." And then she abruptly raises a hand and snaps her fingers. "Oh! Construction." She finally got it. Maybe. Kukuru promptly has to scramble not to drop Nikki, though, instead falling over herself just in time to be a landing pad for the Agent.
Angela	Angela is muffled for a while underneath a pile of sleeping bodies. Nikki is resting peacefully among them, having finally destressed enough to get any sleep at all. It's been a hard road for her lately and she now gets to remember for a moment what life was like before the Magical Girls ravaged her team. Yuuki crouches down and collects an Angelaphone. Angela can't quite obscure her relief at being pulled free from the sleep pile. Kukuru indicates Nikki but she ends up collapsed on Kukuru instead of getting a chance to respond. She's out like a Seed of Light. Angela says, "Thank you, that is appreciated." She'll be happy to discuss particulars offscreen. It's truly unforgivable.