[hr][i][h1][color=cornflowerblue]Shizuka[/color] & [color=salmon]Haruka[/color] [color=cornflowerblue]Taka[/color][color=salmon]shiro[/color], Akemi Shinoda, & Daphne "Holly" Hope.[/h1][/i]
[hr][hider=God Eater 2: Rage Burst OST - Back Down ~Try & Terror~][youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuqTm--9iME[/youtube][/hider][hr]
[b][code]Strong Gold Community, Silver Hills_[/code][/b]

Once Jiao-Long's (short) speech ended, Shizuka mimicked the rest of the crowd and clapped politely, before he let himself to be guided by them towards the stall areas. He fidgeted in his suit uncomfortably - he had changed out of the expensive one for the more [i]normal[/i] kind - when his earpiece buzzed, and Cindy's clipped voice came out of it: "Alright, is everyone in position? I know this is a fun event, but don't fool around too much - we still need to keep an eye out."

He put his hands into his pockets. He wasn't too happy about being stuck in such awkward clothes [i]again[/i], but at least this was less retarded than the layers of armor that most of the RAVENs were wearing. Besides, unless someone actually scrunitized at the tiny RAVEN badge pinned on the left of his blazer collar, he could easily blend in with the rest of the crowd.

Before he could respond to Cindy's radio message, someone called him from behind. "[i]Shizu![/i]"

He turned around to see Haruka in a red checkered dress shirt, jeans and sneakers. Shizuka looked at him. "[i]So much for a[/i] formal [i]party,[/i]" he muttered to himself, and tugged at his suit collar.

Akemi, who was in a plain white one-piece dress, stepped forward from behind Haruka. "[i]It really is you, Shizuka.[/i]" She embraced the silver-haired twin. "[i]Welcome back.[/i]"

Shizuka returned the hug. "[i]Yeah. Sorry, but I'm on patrol work, so I can't really spend time with you two.[/i]"

"[i]We'll be fine. We can talk later, after all this is over.[/i]" Akemi gave him a reassuring smile. "[i]But... be careful. By the way, you look great in a suit.[/i]" She then turned to leave, and Haruka followed suit, giving his brother a quick wave before the two disappeared among the sea of people.

Shizuka sighed. He really could do with a long vacation (far away from work) and spend more time with his family. There were so many things he wanted to talk to them about, to do with them together...

He was pulled out from his thoughts when his comm-piece buzzed again. "Phantom?" It was Holly. "Please confirm your position."

"Damn, I forgot," Shizuka muttered. "Yeah, I'm in position and all ready to start the patrol."

"The patrol duty already began fifteen minutes ago," Holly said, and she sounded mildly amused. Then there was a moment of static before Holly's calm voice spoke again through a private channel, "I am told that Meifeng is also at the party right now. Are you sure you don't want to speak with her?"

"No," Shizuka replied, watching Cindy walking around the site with a clipboard in her arm, busily barking orders to the other agents. "I have a feeling that I'm the last person she wants to meet at this moment."

"I do understand your concern for Rogue Wave's... instability, and I hope everything would work out eventually between you all - because you still have to work together in many more assignments and missions in the future," Holly said softly.

"I know - but it's not up to me to decide," Shizuka sighed, and rubbed the back of his neck. "I'll let Cindy handle her first. She's closer to Mei than I am."

He glanced at his watch; it was an antique model that worked on mechanics (winding) rather than battery. Well, his power would never get along with anything that ran on electricity.

[i]Tonight is going to be a long night.[/i]