[hr][i][h1][color=aqua]Jennifer Marissa Caspin[/color], & [color=salmon]Haruka Takashiro[/color].[/h1]
[sup]([@Mr Allen J] and [@tsukune])[/sup][/i]

[hr]

The rain lightly splashing against her body washed away the blood that wasn't already set into her clothes. She looked up, and saw the "blue" sunlight piercing through the Shield of Light. 

That shield was a symbol of how terrible the situation got... And Jennifer worried why the Devil didn't just throw every monster in this city at them - instead of just throwing light offensives against them. Jennifer feared that their enemy was so confident in her abilities, that she could destroy them at any time. She was just toying with NEST and everyone here. Just waiting for the moment she got bored enough to throw a trillion beasts at them... That, or maybe the Devil wasn't quite powerful.

For Haruka, it was the first time he properly looked up at the energy shield - all the running around trying to keep themselves alive had his full attention to spare any other thoughts...and getting himself killed instead. It would be a pretty sight...if it wasn't for the fact that all of them were about to die under this cool, bluish sunlight.

He sighed - recalling the outcome that Shizuka had predicted back when they were still chatting with Cindy and Trevor around, it made him wonder if his twin might have a secondary ability to foresee [i]bad[/i] futures.

Jen had hoped that they could handle her before it had reached that point. Jennifer just stood on the stairway to the NEST Headquarters...wasn't as active as she'd imagined. Probably due to the impending apocalypse. Everyone was busy staying alive. She could stand here, right here on the stairs, for long as she wanted. Unfortunately, she had work to do.

And a guest to keep busy.

"Ahh..." Jennifer said, running her hands through her bright blonde hair. "I feel...so much better now..." A smile nearly formed on her face, as she reveled in the rain - nearly. Before the image of Alice's [i]brutal[/i] death intruded in her happy thoughts yet again. Turning her smile upside down. She almost broke out in tears - but she had to stay strong. 

"So..." Jennifer said - one part of her wanting to make small talk, and the other part wanting to distract herself from all this. "Know what the others are up to?" she asked. "Is your brother going on that big trip?"

"I had only been in contact with Shizu," Haruka replied to Jennifer's question slowly. "I don't exactly know where he is or what he is doing now, but I'm sure he knows how to look after himself. As for the rest...well, I'm not close with any of them, so...yeah."

"I see..." Jennifer said. She's probably better off asking Meifeng - who's obviously the one with all the social links to everyone here. "Well...I can't say I'm super close to them either." She shrugged.

Then a sudden realization hit him, which made the Japanese teen narrow his eyes at her. Why was she asking him these questions that she would probably know the answer better than he would? "Um...weren't you guys together in the NEST meeting just now?" He then shrugged. "No matter how hard-mouthed Shizu appears to be, he is actually not a bad person." Giving the blonde an apologetic smile, he added, "I'm really sorry if he has caused you any trouble, but I do hope that you all can try to get along with him and work together."

[i]He sure talks about his brother a lot...[/i] Jennifer noted to herself. She would have to address the matter of missing the meeting - because she had to step out to vomit more blood. "I had to miss that meeting..." She trailed off, scratching the back of her neck. "Because...of that little...[i]problem[/i]...that's been bothering me."

That was the first thing she said. "And concerning your brother; I...I'm not all that bothered by him," Jennifer started off, shrugging. "I think it's Cindy you might want to say that to. She looked pretty pissed when he...erm...'[i]spoke his mind[/i]' last night at the big announcement yesterday." She scratched the back of her neck. "But, hey, that's between the three of you."

Sounded a bit apathetic, but Jennifer knew that it'd be best that - regardless of this growing shitstorm - she stayed out of the interpersonal drama between her peers. Same as always. Cindy and Meifeng didn't always see [i]eye-to-eye[/i] and Trevor and Jen righteously stayed out of those.

Haruka nodded - he would say the same thing as Jennifer whenever it concerned the circle of enemies Shizuka had attracted with his sharp tongue. Unlike her case, it's almost impossible for him to truly stay out of his brother's problems - simply because they were [i]twins[/i]; more so when Shizuka's hair was still black back then and it wasn't that easy to differentiate between them based on their outward appearance.

All the talks - and thoughts - about his stupid twin were letting loose some of the suppressed jealousy inside the boy. "I have been wondering..." he began, adjusting his glasses as he tried to find the right words to say. "Since you mentioned that you have, uh, some sort of 'superpowers'... What kind of ability do you have? And what exactly is a 'Metahuman'?" He looked down - staring into his open palm. "...How do we, well, acquire or possess such powers?" Maybe if he had some form of superpowers, he wouldn't need to hide behind Shizuka so much - he would probably be the one protecting his [i]younger[/i] sibling instead.

Her power...now that was a curious conversation. Given that she had the power that people would [i]kill[/i] for. The power that Luis said was the same as his... Jen shuddered at the mere thought of being compared to that monster in any field. Not after what he did to Alice. 

"Re...generation. My p-power is regeneration," Jennifer stuttered. "I can heal from [i]anything[/i]." She was stretching it a bit - but so far, she survived what should have killed her a thousand times over. Oddly enough, a month later, she has come to terms with the fact that she's a Metahuman. Just not all the death and adventure. "A Metahuman is basically someone who has some kind of superpower. Like your brother, and those RAVENs. They all have a power."

Haruka was a little amused when Jennifer claimed she could heal from [i]anything[/i]. From the bits of info he had heard from Holly; the not-so-pleasant episode involving Trevor's 'Wonder Drug'; his uncomfortable experiences with Shizuka's ghostly ability... And this blonde had just threw up blood before him, [i]twice[/i] in a row. He was certain that flawless, all-mighty superpowers couldn't possibly exist; however, he decided to keep that opinion to himself.

As for the last question, Jennifer shrugged. She probably had a bit of knowledge of being a Metahuman due to looking it up - being curious. More than Haruka apparently - who should have [i]some[/i] knowledge of Metahumans. Jennifer briefly remembered the experience that granted her Regeneration... She wondered if Penny was okay in all of this. "You basically... I don't know how to say it. It's like really random. You either develop a power on your own...or you get a power by being around a Metahuman for a while."

Tilting her head a little bit, she put a finger on the side of her face and thought about it. "The Black Fall Effect - yeah, that's what it's called. It draws Metahumans to each other - and empowers those that are around Metahumans for awhile. Think family members are more likely to get the powers - but I don't know."

Though, she was wondering if she should note [i]special[/i] circumstances. Couldn't hurt. "Then...there's Metahumans that can give you powers... Like how I got my regeneration..." She awkwardly blurted it out - scratching the back of her neck. Once she regained her demeanor, she just shrugged. "I also heard that some guys were dealing powers - leads to the Hands, I think."

Haruka digested whatever that Jennifer was telling him about the ways one could gain some form of superpowers; he frowned at the thought that the best method he might be able acquire one would be due to his brother's presence. It seemed to him that this 'Metahuman' phenomenon was most likely caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors...maybe even stretching over to the supernatural realm, just a bit.

He wondered what kind of abilities he would develop; something similar to Akemi's defensive psionic shields or Jennifer's [i]omni[/i]-regeneration would probably suit him better than Shizuka's physically-demanding phasing power or even Lihua's offensive concrete manipulation...

He shook his head. [i]Beggars can't be choosers.[/i]

He was so lost in his own thoughts that he no longer paid attention to the steps below his feet - which in turn caused him to miss his footing. That did snap him out of his own mind, but he was already falling - backwards - off the stairs. He let out a yelp of surprise, flailing his arms in an useless attempt to regain some balance. He squeezed his eyes shut - if only there was something that would help to break his fall...

"Haruka!" Jennifer shouted as she quickly scrambled to grab him. Trying to grab him didn't exactly work out, as she missed. She only winced as she awaited the violent spill.

Haruka felt his hair bristled as a rush of wind blew against his back...[i]unaware[/i] that he was forming a crude air cushion below him: while it absorbed most of the impact and spared him from getting a broken limb, he still couldn't help grimacing from the numbing pain due to his clumsy landing.

"W-Wha..." he spluttered and sat up slowly, still not quite recovered from the shock. "What...just happened?"

Jennifer was just as surprised as Haruka was. Her eyes were wide open, and she just stared for a moment. "You..." she said, wondering the best way to theorize what just happened. It could have been dumb luck, or something else... She couldn't honestly make out what happened. "...Did something?" It was almost too ironic that the second they were done discussing powers, Haruka started to exhibit such powers. "I think..." she trailed off for a moment. "...You should go see someone in NEST about that."

She awkwardly pulled on the collar on her shirt, looking off to the side. This was kind of awkward, if she had to be completely honest with herself. Though, while she was looking away from Haruka - she caught sight of the line of NEST APCs pulling out from underneath the NEST Headquarters. More specifically she caught eye of Meifeng - all dressed up in NEST armor. Jennifer knew that maybe she should have a word with her best friend (who she's been neglecting the whole time).

"Hey..." Jennifer trailed off. "I really hate to sound like I'm ditching you. but I kinda want to have a word with Meifeng before she heads out. That okay?" She explained - hoping that she didn't disappoint Haruka. "We can link up again after I'm done."

"Y-Yeah, sure... I guess," Haruka replied, still feeling dazed from the fall but relieved that he was not injured anywhere (he was already running out of excuses to deal with his aunt's maternal instinct). "Later then." He gave her a wave and turned to leave - heading back towards the hall where Akemi and the rest were. And maybe he should try contacting Shizuka again, to relay some of the things he had learned from Jennifer to him...

"Alright, talk to you later..." Jennifer trailed off as she stared at Haruka for a moment. "...[i]Haruka.[/i]" She said, nodding her head. She walked away from Haruka, going towards the away squad.

[hr][i][h1][color=aqua]Jennifer Marissa Caspin[/color], [color=red]Meifeng[/color] & [color=dodgerblue]Lihua[/color] [color=red]Vuh[/color][color=Dodgerblue]ong[/color].[/h1]
[sup]([@Mr Allen J])[/sup][/i]

[hr][hider=Kill la Kill OST - Till I Die][youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LhG3AV14ec[/youtube][/hider][hr]

Jennifer awkwardly waded her way through the crowds of people, with her eyes on Meifeng, and Meifeng alone. 

The rain had already drenched her attire, and she could barely care at this point. She stepped on a puddle, as a small squad of NEST agents pushed on past Jennifer. She managed to approach Meifeng - her tall and near-muscular frame dwarfing the blonde - and stood before her for a moment. Scratching the back of her neck (a habit that she has). 

"Hey, Meifeng..." Jennifer trailed off, as usual, she didn't have too much of an idea of what to say other than a greeting. "...Hi." She waved.

Upon seeing her friend, Meifeng smiled widely. "Jen, hey!" Meifeng took a step forward, and ran her hands over her armor, and said, "Like it?" Meifeng shook her head. "Don't I look [i]hot[/i] in this?"

The question made Jennifer blush a little bit, as she looked at her - but she shook her head. "Meifeng, that's no question to ask."

She laughed a little bit, and that made Jennifer curious how Meifeng was able to stay so cheerful given the...situation. Maybe she had something that Jennifer lacked.

"Hehahaha, I know," Meifeng said, slapping her knee. "Just tryna' lighten up the mood, Jenny."

"Uh, yeah," Jennifer said. "So, you're heading out with them?"

"Yup," Meifeng coolly said. "I'm going to do everything I can to make sure that everyone gets out of this in one piece." She threw a thumbs up towards Jennifer. "[i]That's[/i] why I'm going out so we can take out this Devil, and get the hell out of here."

Jennifer exhaled - Meifeng's heroics reassured her a bit. It gave her a glimmer of hope that she'd protect her from the Changeling Unit, and save her family before anything bad happened to them. 

"...[i]Yeah[/i]," Jennifer said.

"You know," Meifeng said as she took a step closer to Jen, and put her hand on Jen's shoulder. Blue eyes drifted towards the hand, as the mere contact uplifted Jen's spirit a bit. "We're all gonna get out of this alive," She started off. "I promise."

Jennifer was about to say something - but couldn't help but nod her head.

"...And [i]when[/i] we get out of here, how about we do this little thing I've been thinking of?" Meifeng asked, as she took a step back and put her hand on her hip.

"Huh?"

"A big road trip!" Meifeng triumphantly said, as she put her hand up into the air. "You know, with Verthaven destroyed, a [i]lot[/i] of us are going to be homeless, so I was thinking that I hit up my rich uncle and get him to get us a RV - which is like fucking pocket change to him - then we'll hit the road." Meifeng took a few steps around Jennifer. She then continued, "[i]Thiiiiink[/i] about it... Me, you, Trevor, Cindy, on the road. Hitting up New York, Florida, Arizona!" 

Though...all these plans made Jen feel [i]so much[/i] guilt. Meifeng legitimately wanted to be her friend, and be around her...but she's going to betray her, and Meifeng's going to hate her [i]so[/i] much. Jen had to look away. She couldn't look her best friend in the eye anymore.

The firm hand Meifeng was known for returned to her shoulder. "Jen..." Meifeng said. "I know everything's crazy and all...but trust me. You'll get out of here. You're not going to die here. I [i]promise[/i]."

Jennifer didn't know what to say. "...Yeah." Was the only word she could blurt out before she considered saying, "Sorry, things are just---"

"You don't need to tell me," Meifeng cheerfully said.

Interrupting their conversation was what had to be a giant metal statue walking on past them - it was enough to get Jen to double take. She had her blonde eyebrow raised as she looked at the Metal Man stoically pressed on past them, getting into one of the APCs.

"...Who the hell is that?" Jennifer asked, a little perturbed.

Meifeng put her hands up, smiling. "...Beats me - weird fucker creeps me out - but he's on our side, and that's all that matters."

"Yeah..." Jennifer scratched the back of her neck.

"Meifeng!" Lihua shouted, sticking her body out the back of an APC as she faced them. "We don't have too much time, get on."

Meifeng shrugged. "Looks like I'll have to jet - talk to you later." Jen's tall friend said as she walked off - before she turned around (not stopping, but walking backwards), and said, "Oh yeah, when I get back, let's take a big group photo!" She quickly hopped into the back of the APC - helped in by Lihua.

"Yeah, sure..." Jennifer trailed off as she watched her friend depart. Now, it's just waiting until the Changeling Unit attacked - and God knows what'd happen there. Maybe she should inform Luis of what she knew. Just in case, she quickly started walking until she made it to an alleyway - punching in his number. She leaned up against a wall, and pressed her phone to her ear as she called Luis.

"Jenny, love, how are you doing?" Jennifer barely even got a second before Luis started talking. "I've been meaning to call you - I wanted to ask you what you wanted your [i]codename[/i] to be. I was thinking---"

"Lu-luis," Jennifer, while terrified, had the audacity to cut Luis off (who was quite the chatterbox in Jen's opinion). "Lihua, Meifeng, Leon Vahan, Adam, Sonya, and this...metal man....are going."

"Wait, wait, wait," Luis immediately backpedaled. "Silver, really shiny and tall?" he asked.

"Yeah."

"...[i]Fuck![/i]" Luis shouted in irritation. "I knew those all those [i]stupid[/i] decisions the Hands make would come around to bite us in the ass..." He ranted on, "We'll have to handle that - [i]later[/i]. My [i]original[/i] plan was to thin out NEST's numbers by taking out whoever leaves safety...but I feel like now's a great time to attack."

"They're expecting you," Jennifer said. "That's why they didn't just send everyone on the mission - everyone else is hunkering down."

"Oh, I know," Luis cheerfully said, "It's all apart of our plan - which should go swimmingly if you play your part."

"My part...?" 

"Oh, you know, just tell us any schemes they're coming up with," Luis casually said. "The Changeling Unit has everything under control from here on in. For now, I'd suggest getting somewhere safe...stick with some friends strong enough to protect you..."

Jennifer could just [i]feel[/i] the evil grin forming.

"...Because we're makin' our entrance!" Luis loudly shouted. Before switching to a quiet voice, "Get moving Jen, I'd hate for our newest [i]friend[/i] to get hurt." He suddenly hung up the phone.

Jennifer sighed yet again. She dreaded what Luis was planning - but she was forced to be his puppet. She was going to follow his instructions to get out of the way. She quickly got the hell out of the alleyway - because the last place she wanted to be was cornered in an alleyway. After stepping out, she spotted Cindy...if she didn't go, that means she must be going somewhere. Cindy was easily the most powerful member of their group of peers, and Jennifer just knew she'd be protected by her.

So, she followed after her.

[hr][i][h1][color=salmon]Haruka[/color] & [color=cornflowerblue]Shizuka[/color] [color=fa8072]T[/color][color=e78381]a[/color][color=d58591]k[/color][color=c288a0]a[/color][color=af8bb0]s[/color][color=9c8dbf]h[/color][color=8a90ce]i[/color][color=7792de]r[/color][color=6495ed]o[/color], & Akemi Shinoda.[/h1][/i]
[hr][hider=Mobius Final Fantasy OST - WoL's Theme (ver. 2)][youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTsgC6LZ7J0[/youtube][/hider][hr]

Just as Haruka had feared, Akemi began to fuss over him the moment he returned back to the hall - to her side. Thankfully though, she had kept her voice down so as not to make a scene; even better that she was using Japanese.

"[i]What happened to that girl - your friend? Is she sick? Did you bring her to see a doctor just now?[/i]"

"[i]She's...fine,[/i]" he lied, and kept his face straight. His aunt didn't look convinced, so he added, "[i]Just...uh...diarrhea. Yeah.[/i]" A part of him was surprised at himself for trying to cover for a girl he barely knew.

"[i]Really.[/i]" Akemi continued to hold his gaze, before she finally closed her eyes and sighed. "[i]Well, hopefully she can recover fast. Falling sick now is almost as good as being dead, especially with the rampage going on outside.[/i]"

"[i]...Yeah,[/i]" was all Haruka could say in response. He was glad that Akemi didn't question him about his connection with Jennifer---

Of course she didn't have to, because someone else had beat her to it.

"[i]Whoa, since when a hopeless[/i] otaku [i]like you manage to hook up with a girl - what's more, a very pretty blondie?[/i]"

Haruka narrowed his eyes at Shizuka, who was sitting - cross-legged on the chair - next to Akemi. Why was he here? "[i]There is[/i] absolutely nothing [i]going on between me and Jennifer - I do not see her that way.[/i]"

"[i]Shi-zu-ka,[/i]" Before the white-haired boy could speak, Akemi chided at him, a dangerous glint in her small eyes. "[i]Being overly sarcastic doesn't make you look cool at all - in fact, it's quite the opposite.[/i]"

That made younger twin scowl at Akemi, but it did shut him up; as for Haruka, he had a newfound respect for their aunt.

"[i]Anyway, Jennifer had told me...some interesting things,[/i]" Haruka began as he sat down at the empty seat next to his brother.

That got the full attention of the other two. "[i]Oh?[/i]"

For the next few minutes, Haruka told them everything he had learned from Jennifer: the Metahumans and the Black Fall Effect, the possible ways to acquire superpowers, Jennifer's regeneration ability...

Most importantly: the Changelings, and Heartbreaker.

After Haruka was done with his report, Akemi exchanged looks with Shizuka. "[i]I've a bad feeling about this,[/i]" his aunt spoke first, a worried expression on her round face. "[i]I remembered the news did mention that NEST had captured some Hands of Science - or Changeling - members and they were kept here in the Headquarters...[/i]"

"[i]Not all the NESTies are deployed to deal solely with the Devil,[/i]" Shizuka supplied in a bored tone. "[i]Only the 'best' get the honor to make the last stand with the Muck Army. The rest - like me - are to stay behind and guard this place, exterminating any stray roaches that are not welcomed here.[/i]"

[i]Sounds like NEST has the Changelings covered in whatever plans they may have[/i], Haruka thought, slipping a hand absentmindedly into his pocket, his fingers closing around the comm-piece. "[i]...Are you still not getting along with them?[/i]"

Shizuka rolled his eyes. "[i]My intangible presence is the least of their concern compared to the main drama out there.[/i]" He stared at his twin; then his gaze softened, pulling his brother towards himself, and hugged him.

[hr][hider=Guilty Crown OP01 - My Dearest][youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjUtmbZt8zc[/youtube][/hider][hr]
Haruka, flustered at the unexpected gesture of affection, tried to push him away. "[i]Shizu---?[/i]" His heart was beating so hard against his chest that he was afraid that Shizuka might feel it...

"[i]Shut up and just let me do this.[/i]"

"[i]...[/i]"

Finally, Shizuka let go of his twin. The comm-piece in his ear buzzed, and the younger twin tched in irritation. "[i]...Gotta go.[/i]" He gave his family one last glance before he stood up, and turned to leave...

"[i]...Oi Haru, why the hell are you following me?[/i]"

"[i]I'm not, Mr. Narcissist,[/i]" Haruka replied coldly, which earned an amused look from his twin. "[i]Since when do I need to seek your permission just to get some drinks?[/i]"

"[i]You've...changed. A lot.[/i]"

Now it was Haruka's turn to look confused. "[i]Is that a bad thing?[/i]"

"[i]Not really.[/i]" Shizuka shrugged, a wry grin on his face. "[i]It's good to see you growing your own backbone now.[/i]"

"[i]I shall take that as a compliment...even though I know you are just mocking me as usual.[/i]" Haruka turned to look out of a window. Among the mass of military vehicles and people in full armed gear, two figures easily stood out from the rest.

Two teenage girls still in plain clothes. And he knew who they were.

Shizuka looked over his brother's shoulder and raised his eyebrows. "[i]Shit, I really need to run. Keep in touch, yeah?[/i]" He tapped on the comm-piece in his ear and dashed off.

Once his twin was out of sight, Haruka headed for the stairs. His aunt - and the ever-energetic Shizuka - could obviously look after themselves without him.

He was more worried about Jennifer.