Los Paraisos: The Grande Diamond - Top Floor

“Miss Leclair, I… do pardon me for being so forward, but would you mind showing us your talents? After reading about you in the paper, why, it was a tremendous shame I wasn’t able to see you perform there. But to have the opportunity now would be… simply exquisite.”

"Yes, of course, Lord Dumont." Selan began to comply, but her eyes drifted to Kenneth, and to the monitors that she had not seen until now. Marcus was eyeing them occasionally as well. She didn't know what the devices were, but she certainly recognized the familiar shapes on the screen, particularly that of the white-haired woman.

Why would he be watching them...?

She left her seat and began to walk closer to the fireplace so they could all see her. With her back turned, her mind was working a mile a minute. Her main problem was that there was no doubt she would be recognized if she fell back into speaking in her first language, and they didn't need the unnecessary attention from a man like Neil Hunter. The more doubt she could cast on her identity, the better. But most importantly, if she could just capture the attention of the three men as well as Lady Vasco, she could "soften" their minds somewhat, perhaps entice them to be a little looser with information. At the very least, she aimed to impress Dumont in particular. On the downside, there was essentially no way to communicate with Marcus, to let him know not to listen or to look.

The fireplace cast a seductive glow behind Selan, highlighting her as she crooned and danced in place once again. To Lady Vasco's annoyance, Selan's movements were much more suggestive and upfront than her previous performance, barely looking at her or Marcus.

Los Paraisos: The Grande Diamond: Seventh Floor: Dungeons

“Well ladies, what do you think?” Boris laughed, as he and the pair of beautiful women entered one of the doors of the seventh floor into the room beyond:- a veritable dungeon filled with all manners of strange and risqué items for reasons best left unmentioned (lest the Guild lose its google adsense again). Boris clapped his hands together, turning to face Diane. “It’s right, we do have the bedrooms start on the fifth floor up, each with their own particular luxurious fancy. But this floor is… well, Lord Dumont was kind enough to reserve this floor for those in the nobility with a… particular kink. Tsk, those terrible kinky nobles. Hahaha!”

Dylan and Lucien exchanged each other a look, as their eyes scanned the length and breadth of the wide room, taking everything in that they could bear to stomach. Rope, chains, whips, paddles. Oh Aislin.

“Anyway, it’s not a part of your contract to, ah, service the nobility in rooms such as these if you don’t want to.” Boris helped to clarify. “Ladies such as yourselves who apply to join Dumont’s Grande Diamond, I only think he expects for you to serve as friendly companionship. To talk and smile, share jokes and serve drinks with. To be hospitable. But… well. I don’t know about you two, Lucy, Diane. And whether such… ah, ‘depravity’ as this interests you, but I do believe Lord Dumont compensates his workers generously if you were indeed interested in… expanding your role. Shall we say?

“Oh, and that,” Boris pointed to a wooden contraption in the corner of the room. “That’s the horses, Lucy. Haha.” Boris’ smile beamed widely. “So what do you think then, ladies? Does the dungeon… excite you?”

---

Los Paraisos: The Grande Diamond: First Floor: Bar

“Excited, have you? Hahaha! I can’t blame you! The Grande Diamond certainly is one of a kind, isn’t it?” Anthony laughed, pointing to the barmaid behind the counter to bring him, and his guests some drinks. “Dumont can be a bit of a… character, shall we say, but credit where credit due – he runs a wonderful business here. There’s not many places one can go to where the standard and class is just so… high.”

The barmaid returned, extending a drink out to all four of the group. Xandra rested her hand on Anthony’s shoulder, as Thunderhawk silently, patiently waited and observed, at a loss in knowing how to proceed from here. Him and his big mouth. He thought after what he had said in the interview, with his knowledge of alcohol, and Xandra’s demonstration of impeccable balance that the two would serve well in exploring the bar should they run into Lady Vasco again, but how could they get any clues this way? Not to mention… not to mention he had made himself a promise to try and not drink…

Then a flash of inspiration.

“Excuse me, sir,” ‘Henrietta’ started to speak, flashing a sultry smile to his companion. “Would you mind if I was to try and work a little from the other side of the bar? I told Lady Vasco that my area of expertise was in mixing and creating drinks… so I would like to try and demonstrate that, if I could.”

“Oh! Well, certainly,” Anthony turned and gave the girl a pointed stare. She nodded, and departed for the kitchen, to give Thunderhawk some room to try. Despite already being served some glasses with drink suitable enough to have, Anthony instead shoved them to the side, interested to see what this lovely new addition to the Grande Diamond family might be able to serve.

Thunderhawk eyed the bottles and glasses across the bar, flicking his eyes around and memorising his surroundings. He turned back towards Anthony, Xandra and Mordie, with an idea fixed in his mind on how to get out of this particular precarious situation. An idea that would involve Thunderhawk’s traditional crafty use of wit and intellect. But before that-

“What may I get you, sir? And…” His eyes turned to Mordie. “Miss?”

---

Los Paraisos: The Grande Diamond: Ground Floor: Party Hall/Casino

Alan’s eyes sparkled at the wondrous turn of luck he had been given today. To be accompanied by such a stunning girl as Aria, and one so quick and willing to serve and please was simply incredible. A lot of new girls were struck silent or left nervous, suspended in awe at the majesty of men such as him and his ilk. A reaction that, whilst it had its charms, grew weary more then anything else. But an outgoing woman like Aria was a different story altogether. Why, she was a perfect fit the establishment, if not perhaps a perfect fit to accompany him back to his manor in Ddaear. True, it was still early days afterall, they had only known each other for a few minutes so far, but first impressions were everything, and Alan was impressed indeed. Depending on how the rest of the day went, he thought he might have to make Aria a offer and see if she wouldn’t consider personally working for him at home.

“I’ll have a drink, please, Aria.” Alan smiled, a wide, genuine smile full of elation and energy as he sat himself down. “And one for yourself as well, if you like. When you come back, I do believe we shall have to best all these dastardly dullards and run away with their money, shouldn’t we?”

“You, Alan?” Scoffed a boisterous nobleman at the table, with another of the Grande Diamond’s beautiful employees seated by his side, pleasingly hanging on to his every word, as more and more women shuffled past them in the loud and lively hall, carrying further refreshments. “Please, sir, don’t give the poor girl any delusions. Haha!”

“We’ll see if you say that again when you’re more the poorer.” Alan grinned in return. He looked to Aria once more. “Please do be quick, dear. I sense something very special in you, you know. Luck. I do believe I need you at my side here if I am to show him where he should stick his coinage.”

---

Los Paraisos: The Grande Diamond: Grande Suite

Silence.

The room was left in complete, total silence, as Selan’s dance slowed to a stop, his melodic voice tapering off into silence, and her demeanour changing from the artist she had just presented herself as, back to the woman hoping to please her audience, as well as hopefully have exerted some of her influence into soothing them. A professional smile graced her lips, and she focused her attention on Lord Dumont…

…who rose to his feet and clapped loudly, his voice carrying throughout the room and into the corridor beyond.

“That was… spectacular! I have never seen such a wonderful performance as that, and to think, it was only a sample! Truly, I believe the Grande Diamond has been exceptionally blessed today, wouldn’t you say so, Mr. Hunter? Kenneth?” Lord Dumont’s eyes sparkled, his head snapping first to Neil, who, truly spreading out and lounging on the sofa, his arms stretched to resting on the top, over Marcus’ shoulders (and Selan when she would return to sit again), gave a mischievous grin as he looked at Selan, his gaze resembling that of a hungry wolf salivating a fresh target.

“That was… something alright.” He grinned.

“Mmm,” Kenneth didn’t mutter much. “Yeah, the lady’s talented alright. I can see why you’ve become such a sensation, for sure.” He flashed a smile to Selan, before refocusing his attention on the display of monitors in the wall again.

A slight twinge was felt within Selan’s whole body. Whilst her exterior never changed, never faltered in the careful façade she had cultivated, she suddenly realised that something here was wrong. The men… they were charmed alright, impressed by her singing and dancing, but not to the extent she had hoped. She didn’t notice it during her performance, but now she could feel it. There had been an… absence. Her eyes locked briefly with Marcus’, and in the reflection of his stare she understood.

Her magic had been… blocked?!

---

Los Paraisos: Outside the Grande Diamond

Standing ever vigilant outside the extravagant, towering building, Crimson Justice watched over the building, his arms crossed over his chest. The discussions occuring around him, from the numerous bros all chatting amongst themselves and filled with worry for Josette, and those of the Pride who patiently waited and prayed for their friends success in rescuing Estelle and Josette, were deaf to him. He just stood immobile and rigid, an unmoving statue, his gaze unwavering from the building before him.

Los Paraisos: The Grande Diamond: Seventh Floor: Dungeons

“Oh Aislin,” Dylan said, his voice soft and breathless as he took it all in. Oh he had been right. Why on Ddear did he have to be right?

“It’s right, we do have the bedrooms start on the fifth floor up, each with their own particular luxurious fancy. But this floor is… well, Lord Dumont was kind enough to reserve this floor for those in the nobility with a… particular kink. Tsk, those terrible kinky nobles. Hahaha!”

Doing what seemed to be the best thing, he blushed and cast his eyes down on the floor, not looking up once while Boris spoke. It seemed that the Grande Diamond did offer the services that Dylan suspected, though they at least got a bonus. Well, then, if it wasn’t mandatory, perhaps then there would be no offense in refusing?


“So what do you think then, ladies? Does the dungeon… excite you?”

He shook his head. “I’m afraid there was some misunderstanding, right Lucy?” He kept his voice soft and breathlessly, hoping that Boris would not press the issue. “It’s...erm...a very well stocked dungeon, but perhaps we should go see some other parts of the Grande Diamond.”

The Grande Diamond - Grande Suite
While the men watched in amazement and wonder at the songstress' preformance, Iliana's smile slipped. She would be lying is she claimed it wasn't at least partially born from jealousy. Of Selan's figure, of her rhythm, of her voice. However.

Clap. Clap. Clap. The matron was much less enthusiastic about her applause than her superior. Iliana's unfinished wine glass was now carefully placed on the nearest table. She smiled towards Selan, although it was now completely absent of any warmth.

"Yes yes, she is fantastic, isn't she?" Iliana swapped her legs over again before standing up. "Truely a woman of mystery, every time I watch her perform I learn something new about her. It seems there is more to her than just a talent with song and dance." And then, the pleasant tone of her voice vanished entirely. "For instance, I learned that Los Paraisos's latest celebrity may well have earned her stardom with the filthy succubus magics she just attempted to use on you, sir. It is quite the dissapointment, really."

"Oh?! Are you sure?" Lord Dumont exclaimed.

She raised her chin a little with pride when she felt the gaze of the others falling on her. "Yes. There is no need to worry, sir, she is no match for my Magic Null." She bowed again, before her gaze flicked over to Marcus. She could feel both of them had magic, pushing against the block she had placed on both of them. "Neither of them are, I can assure you that."

She flicked her hair over her shoulder as she stood at Lord Dumont's side, hands at her hips - his right hand woman, in a way. "I will not allow the use of magic in this room, or on my superior. Quite frankly, I don't know what could have possibly possessed you to even try such a thing on your prospective employer. It is quite the insult to try and gain an advantage in such a way, especially when you had no reason to, is it not?"

Los Paraisos: the Grande Diamond - Bar

"Oh, hun, don't call me 'Miss'. Too formal for mah tastes. Just Mordie's fine!" Mordie giggled in response, also shoving aside her served wine as Anthony had. "Ah'll take... hmm. Whatever your specialty is. Although..."

She reached towards Henrietta before the latter could depart. Playfully her fingers curled and brushed along Henrietta's arm, as if getting even more of a feel for her physique. The shape of her arms was quite something else - lovely, if anything. "You said you liked to mix n' create drinks, right? Then you should bring your materials out here with ya! So we can watch n' awe at how simple you make it look." She then pulled back from Henrietta, plumping both her elbows atop the counter and resting chin on her hands. "Ah just wanna see what it's like."

Mordie gave the ranger a wink before shifting her attention next to Xandra, who sat beside her. "'n the man's right 'bout Dumont, keepin' this place all high n' mighty. Gaudy sights n' lights get kinda tirin' after a while though, but ah'm sure you'll enjoy it. The GD is pretty much the life of Los Parahsos, innit Anthony?"

She giggled again before gasping suddenly, slapping her hands on the countertop, just soft enough not to startle the whole bar. "Oh, ah almost forgot! Xanny doll, what's your specialty? Fluffy here seems pretty confident with the drinks. What 'bout you though, what'chu got in mind for workin' here?" She leaned towards Xandra just a tad, eyes batting at her. Mordie was eager for some sort of demonstration as well, hoping the bar was a good place to start off accommodating the two hirees to the palace.

Los Paraisos : the Grande Diamond

“I’ll be right back then!”

With a quick wink Aria twirled around and quickly made her way through the crowd, taking care not to bump into any of the elegantly dressed people on the floor. When she approached the bar, she lit up upon seeing Xan, Mordie and their nobleman sitting at the counter and Chirps behind the bar mixing up drinks for the three people in front of him.

She waltzed up to the group, giving a quick greeting to each of them before leaning over the bar. “Hen, darling, mind quickly mixing up two drinks for me? I’ve got a poker game to catch. Ooh, but nothing too alcoholic please, a poker face is rather useless with a loosened tongue.” She grinned at the blond, before turning back around to Mordie and the man seated at the counter. “I certainly hope you’re not picking on my friends too much now,” she waggled a finger at them playfully, before whisking up the two cocktail glasses that ‘Henrietta’ has set upon the counter. “Well, I should go before I end up being late. If you need me I’ll be at the poker table!”

At first she had been afraid that she would late for the start of the game, but when she returned to the table it seemed as if there had been some complications, with the dealer in a discussion with a few upset looking patrons.

“What’s wrong?” Aria inquired, setting one of the drinks in front of Alan. He replied with a small frown. “It seems like there’s been a small mixup with the dealers, and so their table is missing one. It’s strange for such a thing to happen here, but we’re all human I guess.” He splayed his hands in a ‘what-can-you-do’ fashion. The illusionist gave a grin.

“There’s no need to worry, I’ll take over dealing for this table.”

The group quieted down, the dealer giving her a perplexed look, to which she quickly explained with a smile. “I’m starting work today anyways, it’ll be good to get some hands on experience before, right?” Not to mention it would be much easier to control the flow of the game as a dealer than a spectator. She never did like using illusions in gambling; it takes out all the fun. The old fashioned way is far more amusing. Not to mention she didn’t want to take any risks with the security cameras. She blinked up at the camera that was pointed to their table, disliking the feeling of being perpetually watched. She stuck her tongue and made a face at it when nobody was looking.

After everything was settled, Aria stood happily in the dealer’s spot, twirling a deck of cards in her hands as she shuffled, before deftly dealing out the cards with a few quick movements.

“Shall we begin then?”

Did the dungeon excite them? Well, he would have liked to test the weapons on the horse.

Actually, he wanted to test most of the weapons. Maybe toss a knife or two or play around with the chains. They were used to keep the wild animals in check, yeah? He would have asked Boris about all the cool weapons, if the man had been anyone else, but the guy was his cousin and he sure as heck didn't want to blow their cover. He wasn't the most observant or cautious, but Lucien knew it would be wise to get out of there as quickly as they could.

“I’m afraid there was some misunderstanding, right Lucy?”

Lucien made sure to keep his gaze on Dylan. He avoided Boris' eyes, if his cousin found out, it was over for him. News would spread to the family! They'd disown him...and what the hell would his mother say? What would his father do? This was a very bad situation.

"Oh yes! This is a horrible misunderstanding, you see we were looking for a dungeon dungeon. The kind with y'know, skeletons and dead people." He rambled on nervously, fiddling with his hair as he spoke. "Yeah, yeah...those kinds. Dy--" he paused to gulp, oh gosh. "Diane and I would love to see other places. Oh my! Is that Mordie calling?" The summoner was a nervous wreck. He didn't want to see different places, he wanted to get away from his cousin.



Thunderhawk was going to make drinks? Just what was he planning?

Mordie and Anthony were focused on Thunderhawk and the metallurgist raised her eyebrows in question. Was he going to try something? If that was the case then what was he going to do? Xan stared at the drink the bartender had given, after last night, she wasn't going to be drinking any time soon. Their leader began taking orders and Xan kept her eyes focused on Thunderhawk, if he was planning something then she had to be vigilant.

"Oh, ah almost forgot! Xanny doll, what's your specialty? Fluffy here seems pretty confident with the drinks. What 'bout you though, what'chu got in mind for workin' here?"
Xan snapped out of her thoughts. Well, she could do the balancing thing all over again but she needed metallic things and this place used fancy non metallic glasses, so that wouldn't exactly work. "Oh, haha. I'm pretty good with balancing plates and glasses, so I plan to help Henrietta out, but there are so many people at the moment." She shrunk back and feigned an apologetic smile. "I'm feeling a little nervous to be honest, sorry." Hopefully this would have Mordie save her request for another time because if she were to balance those glasses and plates, they'd break for sure.

Los Paraisos: The Grande Diamond: Grande Suite

“Magic Null, huh? What a handy ability.” Neil’s eyes flickered briefly, as he leaned further back into the sofa, with his arms still outstretched, one hand precariously close to Marcus’ shoulders. His eyes regarded both the startled Lord Dumont and the mischevious Lady Vasco, a beautiful woman who held the expression of an angry lioness. Whether or not it was her intent, it was clear to read the jealousy seeping from her words and demeanour, despite how much she might try to be polite about it. He couldn’t really blame her, all things considered. Selan was… special.

Kenneth as well looked out the corner of his eyes back towards the party, as his body continued to remain fixed in the direction of the security camera monitors. He said nothing, but stared coolly towards Dumont and Vasco, before flicking his eyes to Selan and Neil, interested in seeing the rest of their reactions play out.

“Can’t say she’s wrong though…” The hand nearest Marcus lifted up, curling into a fist which Neil used to prop his head up and fold one leg over the other, casually making himself more comfortable. “Have to confess, I’m pretty interested in knowing why as well.” He stared at Selan, that infernal grin growing ever wider.

Lord Dumont, however, seemed to be absolutely mortified. Succubus magics! Who could have ever imagined?! And… and why?! He had only met this wondrous, beautiful woman, and now he didn’t know whether to feel betrayed, or insulted, or what! He just looked at Selan, his startled expression turning into one of… hurt.

---

Los Paraisos: The Grande Diamond: Ground Floor Bar

Thunderhawk nodded towards Aria as she returned with a request for drinks, deftly preparing her a couple of cocktails in record time and placing them on a tray for her to take back to her ‘master’. The two concoctions provided a mixture of fanciful, wondrous colours of tropical pinks and greens, each fitted with a lemon or lime, umbrella and straw. Thunderhawk gave Aria a silent look as she turned and walked away, one to which she gave a brief smile before vanishing, silently understanding what he was trying to impress.

‘Be careful.’

Then, his hands moved to quickly mix and prepare drinks for Mordie and their noble, Anthony. Both of them wished to be surprised by what Thunderhawk would prepare them, which made his job slightly easier although hearing a specific request wouldn’t have been any greater challenge. He considered both Mordie and Anthony’s personalites and enthusiasm, preparing just the right drinks he thought would satisfy them nicely. On top of that, in the brief moment where his back and the drinks were turned away from the pair… he slipped a little something extra into the drinks. Something that would act slowly, but otherwise necessary. He didn’t really want to have to do that to a woman as stunning and fun as Mordie, but she did say she was security…

The drinks were finished, and laid out before Anthony and Mordie. Anthony’s was a strong drink, whilst Mordie’s was bubbly and light, each, Thunderhawk hoped, would impress the pair, before they fell into slumber in about an hour’s time. He would have done the same for the noble’s drink that Aria was with, but there was no way of being able to tell which he might have drunk, and which she would. She would hopefully make do, though.

The ranger gracefully bowed before his guests.

“I hope you find these pleasing, sir.” He spoke with increasing difficulty.

---

Los Paraisos: Outside the Grande Diamond

“Okay, fuck this boring shit. I’m going in.”

“…what?!”







Outside the Grande Diamond, still sequestered a short, safe distance away from the mammoth, regal estate, was the remainder of the Pride whom had been left behind when the others infiltrated the building undercover with the hope of finding Estelle, Josette, and possibly the rest of the missing women. During this time, Trixie had remained nested in her bush, her eyes never leaving the guards patrolling outside, whilst Moira, Amy, Syed and Lisette waited outside, silence reigning over them. None seemed interested or willing to talk, not after everything that had happened in the day so far. Moira had tried, but it didn’t avail to much. Amy and Syed were still estranged thanks to their late night marriage, and Lisette was wracked with worry for the still missing Kapi, not to mention all of their concern for Estelle and Josette’s safety. There were short, idle replies to Moira’s attempts, attempts which she eventually gave up bothering with and just tried her best to do what the others did and simply watch the building. To her credit, she had managed thirty minutes. But fuck anymore of that.

“You heard me, I’m going in. Fuck standing around here and doing fucking nothing. C’mon.” Moira repeated. She started stomping towards the Grande Diamond, until Syed rushed to grab her arm.

“Are you… are you crazy?! Didn’t you hear what Thunderhawk said earlier! We can’t just barge into there, we’d spark an international incident! Not to mention the amount of security they’ve got out there! Punching our way in won’t do anything!” Syed tried to reason. Moira stopped to turn back to her allies and returned her usual glare (which was pretty much her neutral expression by default).

“So?”

“So?! Didn’t you understand what Thunderhawk said?! If we were to just walk in, the problems this could cause for us, and the whole of the Artar Guild would be-”

“No, I heard, I’m just confused why you think I care?” Moira frowned. “If it was any one of us kidnapped and trapped inside, Estelle wouldn’t even hesitate to break in, would she?” She flicked her tongue, before wandering her gaze over the rest of her companions. “Besides, she’s our friend and Rachael’s daughter. I mean, Rachael was a bit of a bitch, but I guess that makes her family or something. And you look after family, init?”

Syed didn’t know how to respond to that. In truth, he agreed with her. It took all his will, or his power not to rush in and help Estelle as well. Anywhere else, any other situation and he would do… probably even against security forces as tough as this. But what was holding him back was logic and reason. It wasn’t as simple as Moira made it out to be. “If we were to break in, it’d probably make it worse for Estelle and Josette.” He replied more sternly.

“If we don’t break in, Tiberius will murder you.” Moira put her hand on her hip.

“Tiberius will murder us if we get break in and cause trouble and incite an international incident!” Syed retorted.

“Right, so either way you’re murdered. Might as well do it the right way, eh?”

Vayu help him.

“Guys… don’t fight.” Lisette spoke up, looking to both of the Guilders with distraught tears welling up in her eyes. “We need to stick together okay? We can’t fight amongst each other…”

Amy said nothing, as she watched the conversation. Her thoughts were on Estelle and their friends’ safety, as well as other things…

“Look, Moira. It’s barely been over an hour.” Syed continued. “I think we should… wait at least a little bit longer, shouldn’t we? The others will pull through, trust them.”

Moira just glared at him silently.

“I mean, even Don’s being patient and staying outside, even though it’s his sister who’s been kidnapped! If Don can stay calm, then I think we should-”

“Huh? Don went in ages ago, didn’t he? Why do you keep calling that weird superhero guy Don? That’s obviously not Don. Geez.” Moira rolled her eyes, shaking her head.

“Yeah, okay, whatever. But at least he’s staying outside and-” As Syed’s head turned to look towards the masked superhero Don, time crawled to a slow stop, Syed’s eyes widening in disbelief and fright. Lisette and Amy’s followed suit, as the latter suddenly realised that along with Don, Trixie had also...

A titanic grin formed across Moira’s face.

---

“Man, I’m telling you. I don’t care how demeaning Lady Vasco is,” The security guard in front of the Grande Diamond’s main entrance rambled on to his partner. “Have you seen those legs? She could punish me in the dungeons all she liked!”

“You are such a freak… Lady Vasco wouldn’t just punish you. She’d kill you. There’s no fun in being dead, you moron. Hmm?” The security’s guard brow raised as a figure slowly walked up to them. “Hey, buddy. This is private property. I’m going to have to ask you to step back. What’s the matter? Lost and looking for the Paraisos Parade or something?”

---

Los Paraisos: The Grande Diamond: Ground Floor

Alan’s face beamed with a proud smile as Aria offered to take over the casino’s mistake with dealers, both confidently and deftly taking a place in the dealer’s seat, shuffling a deck of cards with extreme precision and then dealing the cards out to each of the noble men and women sitting around the table. Alan lifted his drink, taking a gulpful of the refreshing liquid, as he continued to stare at Aria. Normally the other players’ attentions would be on their cards, chips or competing players. But Alan? He couldn’t keep his eyes off Aria. No, no, he had to have her accompany him back to his manor in the Artar Kingdom. He simply had to. She was too good for Dumont’s establishment, far too good.

For now, he was interested and content to play. Especially with his presumptions that with Aria as dealer, he would have all the advantage he would need against his peers.

“Shall we begin then?” Aria smiled.

The ground shook as the sound of something exploding reverberated from the lobby next door.

---

Los Paraisos: The Grande Diamond: Ground Floor Lobby

“What was that?!”

Noblemen and women, security guards and serving girls all scrambled to the balcony, peering over the edge to inspect the source of the racketing din that had just disturbed, as throughout the entire building, people snapped to attention with worry. Amongst them were Boris, Lucien and Dylan, who all raced to the nearest balcony to peer over with worry at the source of the calamity. There, at the very bottom, the Grande Diamond’s ground floor of the lobby, something unexpected and shocking had just occurred without warning.

The two wooden doors of the building’s entrance lay in splintered ruins across the floor in front of the rainbow water spewing fountain, two men dressed in sunglasses and suits lying motionless and unconscious atop. Smoke and dust wafted into the air, as from the broken entrance doorway emerged over a dozen shadows striding forwards. Shadows moving calmly and quietly into the Grande Diamond, trailing behind one dust enshrouded figure leading the rest. A figure who’s fist clenched tightly.

From out of nowhere, something was thrown from the top of the eight floor balcony, hurtling through the air down to the ground below like a meteor, stunning every patron inside able to witness it. The next action, a seismic shockwave that sent a nauseating tremor ricocheting throughout the whole building as the thing landed on the ground, alerted and shocked everyone else inside, no matter where they were. More dust and smoke was thrown into the air.

Resting in the massive entrenched crater it had just spawned was a suited man, rising to his feet, dusting himself off. Bartholomew Rant, the Suit Mercenary’s “Mr. Clubs”, drew up tall and large, a sadistic grin painted across his face as he looked at the intruders before him. The man had taken a leap off from the building’s eight floor and landed without a single scratch!



“About fucking time!” Bart yelled, as energy coursed and shifted through his body. Suddenly, the man's heavy weight vanished, and with surprising speed and litheness, his legs automatically propelled him forwards towards the twenty some intruders. From his suit’s sleeves emerged two metal poles the length of his forearms, gripped tightly at their handles and aimed towards the first figure’s head. Tonfas. “I was growing so fucking bored sitting around and now I get to smash some hea-

Bart’s comment was never finished as the figure lunged forwards, appearing through the smoke as a red and white blur. Something flashed briefly, before a white fist was sent flying outwards, surrounded by a pulsating red and yellow energy. Energy that connected with Bart’s face, sending him recoiling and flying backwards with impossible power, straight through the marble fountain, several other statues and finally the wall at the far end with frightening velocity.

The Meaning of Truth



From the parting smoke and dust of the building’s entrance, the onlookers inside the Grande Diamond’s lobby could finally see who, or rather what, the attacker was.

Crouched on his feet, right arm held out straight to the ground, hand pulled tight into a fist, was a man clad from head to toe in a red and white form fitting costume with a brilliant black, billowing jacket. A bright red helmet with black visor reflected the overhead lights, casting a terrific shine throughout the lobby. From the man’s right fist, dying flickers of red, orange and yellow drifted into the air above him, with smoke wafting up from his fist. The unbelievable stranger had a name. And that name was-



“OH MY APPLESANDMACARONIPIE DID YOU SEE THAT?!” Trixie shouted, as the dust parted around her too, to reveal the diminutive wondergirl standing determined at the Grande Diamond’s entrance, arms folded over her chest, the same way the rest of the nineteen men with her posed. “I mean, er, yeah.”

“WHAT THE HELL?!” Syed screamed as he and the rest of the Pride caught up. He, Amy and Lisette were at a speechless loss, whilst Moira quickly raced as far ahead as her bond could carry to pose in the same way the rest of the bros did, swiping one of their spare sunglasses as she did. “Since when did Don have fire magic?!”

“That’s not fire magic, bro.” One of the bros’ heads shook and finger wagged at him. Even though he was wearing sunglasses, the unmistakable hair made it impossible to not recognise that it was Tom.

“That… that’s manly passion.”

Crimson Justice’s body slowly rose from his crouch, his right arm lifting up, into the air, to point at the very top of the Grande Diamond’s ceiling. Specifically, at a distant security camera nestled all the way at the very top.

“What… what on Ddaear is that?” Lord Dumont asked, his eyes transfixed at the indescribable scene broadcast for all in the room to see. Iliana, Neil, Kenneth, Selan and Marcus were all at a loss for words, seeing the image of a superhero looking slightly off camera, his finger pointed straight at them.

No matter what may happen... I will save them. Nobody hurts my sisters!!!

His hand flexed and shifted, his index finger retreating to his palm and his thumb rising up, his arm twisting slightly – the point becoming a thumbs up. But before it could linger, it twisted, pointing straight downwards.

“Tear it down.”

Don’s bros’ howled as one, as the security guards scrambled for their weapons and all bedlam broke out through the Grande Diamond.

The Grande Diamond - Lobby
The roar of all of the bros was almost deafening, a war cry which went straight down into Moira's soul and caused her heart to pump faster. She clenched her fist into the air as she leapt forward and joined in with a yell of her own.

Syed stumbled as he followed behind her, trying to take in their surroundings through the slowly settling dust. The masses of security personel running from every direction, the stampeding regular staff and patrons fleeing in terror, the wierd boxes scattered strategically, turning to follow them around...

Was that more magitech?! Were they those cameras he'd read abo-?!

A sharp, searing pain shot across his side as one of the officers struck his chest with their baton, causing him almost crumple to the floor. That's what you get for allowing yourself to be distracted. Wincing, he brought one shaking hand up ready to cast just as the officer brought his baton back again...

Only for the officer to be grabbed roughly by the front of his shirt and bodily thrown through the air, knocking down officers, staff and patrons alike. Strrrrrrike!

"PISS OFF!" Moira bellowed, shaking a sunburned fist in his direction. She then wasted no time in spinning on the spot and punching another in the gut. "What you go letting them get the first hit in for?!" she shouted over the din to her partner.

"Yeah, my fault!" Syed replied, his hands now moving in swift, fluid movements. He threw his arm out, two fingers outstretched, and fired a bolt of electricity over the crowds. The bolt skimmed just past Lisette, striking a guard as he loomed behind her and causing him to fall to the floor convulsing. "Moira! We-ack!"

He dodged just in time, a bullet catching some of his messy hair as it passed. If that had caught his eye or something! He turned towards his aggressor, only for his view to be obstructed... by an absolute beast of a man. Oh gods. No, no not this again. "Moira?!"

She span, only to have to bring back her fist and counter the mountain man's swinging baton with her own punch. The resulting blow resulted in a shockwave that sent the pair of them skidding apart on their feet. Moira clicked her tounge and shook her hand a little. Damn. She wished she had her greatsword, but that was still at the hotel. They hardly had the time to make a detour on the way over. Fuck. She dug her heeled boot into the ground as she launched herself forward once more, only to notice...

"OI, YOU FUCKIN'... BRO PEOPLE I DON'T KNOW! GIMME A LIFT!"

"Sure sis!" a couple of them shouted, running before her and linking their hands together. She jumped at them, firmly planting her foot in their hands just before they pulled upwards sharply.

She was launched in the air, right towards the mountain of a man. Clenching her fists, she brought her head back, then drove it right towards his.

BOOM!

The man was sent flying backwards by the sheer power of the headbutt, crashing into a wall with enough force to partially knock through it before slumping unconcious on the floor. Moira landed neatly on her feet again, her forehead steaming slightly. Sorted.

Meanwhile Syed leapt to the floor and slid feet first underneath the pair of them, and after a swift couple of gestures grabbed a hold of two gun-wielding officers at their ankles and electrocuted them both. He scrambled back up and kept his hands moving all the while, electromagnetically picking up the two pistols and spinning them around himself. He may not be able to pull the triggers with his magic, but he sure as hell could smack someone with them if he needed to.

"Where do we need to go?!" he shouted to everyone over the mayhem, pushing his back against Moira's. "We can't just stay here!" Since they were bloody well in here anyway, they needed to be quick about it. The less time they spent messing about the better. Who knew what they might do with the things they didn't want people to find? And that's all he really wanted to do - find those who were being kept here against their will. Sure, they needed to stop whoever was doing this too, but that was secondary to him.

"I don't fuckin' know?!" Moira bellowed back, before leaping forward to punch someone away from Trixie. "Go up?! I can't see any stairs goin' down!"

---

The Grande Diamond - Grand Suite
“What… what on Ddaear is that?”

No... no!

Iliana's eyes widened at the moving picture, bringing her hands to her mouth. What... what was going on?!

"Do you know anything about this?!" Iliana shouted desperately, her eyes wild as she turned to Selan and Marcus. Even up here they could hear all the noise. "Do you have anything to do with this?!"

Selan's attempt to enthrall Lord Dumont or whatever it was she tried, followed immediately by what looked like a terrorist attack?! It was too much of a coincidence for her liking. Especially with how unusual the group she arrived with was.

"Tell me! Tell me or so help me you will regret it!"

Los Paraisos: The Grande Diamond - Top Floor

So Lady Vasco knew.

Selan narrowed her grey eyes coldly in the woman's direction, lifting her chin defiantly. It seemed there really was no hiding anything at this point. She even used that word word to describe her, too. Selan could sense magic as well to an extent, but interestingly, she couldn't tell that Lady Vasco had the ability to block it.

Dumont looked aghast, while Kenneth and Neil simply looked on with bemused curiosity.

"I think there's been a misunderstanding here," Selan started, trying to deescalate the situation, but the instant the words left her mouth, Lady Vasco clearly wasn't buying it. It wasn't entirely far from the truth; there was little she could do to suppress the magical effects of her voice and movements.

A commotion erupted, causing all eyes to fly towards the flurry of movement on the security monitors. For the first time all day, the sight of Don's masked face brought genuine relief.

"Do you know anything about this?! Do you have anything to do with this?!" Iliana shouted at them, looking furious to have lost control of the situation. "Tell me! Tell me or so help me you will regret it!"

Selan pressed her lips into a thin line and continued to stare at the monitors. As long as Marcus's identity remained concealed, she assumed they would stay safe until the rescue party arrived. And perhaps, they might even panic and take them away to wherever Estelle and Josette were being kept...

"Hey, the lady asked you a question," Neil finally spoke up, throwing his empty wine glass into the fireplace. The shatter caused Selan to flinch, but she remained silent. "Now that you can talk, you better start..."

---

The Grande Diamond - Lobby

"Whoa, whoa!" Lisette shouted as she flinched from Syed's electicity sailing overhead. She goose-stepped over the bodies of the fallen officers; she was unarmed and hadn't had the time to work on her offensive magic...

"Eeeek!" she shrieked, once she felt a hand grabbing at her boot. She looked down to see a very pissed off-looking officer trying to keep her from proceeding. "Let go, let... go!"

With her eyes squeezed shut, she stomped with her other foot straight down on officer's elbow. He gasped in shock and pain, saliva flying from between his clenched teeth. The awkward movement caused her to fall backward on her rear end.

A couple of Don's bros ran over to yank Lisette upright, and following Moira's judgment call, headed for the stairs.

"Lissa, baddie at seven o'clock! Or eight!" Trixie called over.

"Huh...?" Lisette whirled around to see an officer jogging towards her.

Los Paraisos : the Grande Diamond

The casino fell into a dead silence after what sounded like a large explosion caused the building to shake, before the whole place fell into chaos as patrons abandoned their games and made for the emergency exit at the back of the room. With a flippant excuse of going to check out the situation that she wasn’t even sure anyone heard amidst the pandemonium she excused herself from her table despite Alan’s protests, quickly moving towards the lobby.

The previously pristine hall was now a mess, with a giant crater in the middle of the floor and shouting crowds as the people tried to flee the establishment. Throughout the floor she could see the familiar faces of some of the bros and guilders brawling with the security and had to refrain from facepalming. Sure Tiberius had told her about the Pride’s unpredictable antics and penchant for mass destruction, but… Hopefully poor Chirps wouldn’t get chewed out too badly, being this mission’s leader and all. She shook her head, downing the cocktail in her hand with a few swallows before placing the now empty glass on a nearby table.

Just in time too, as a duffel bag came flying out of nowhere and nearly hit her in the face, her only barely managing to catch it with a few fumbles before a familiar looking bro ran past with a small wave before tackling a guard into a nearby table that promptly cracked in two. Her and Xan’s equipment!

“Thanks Clive!” She shouted cheerfully. After miraculously finding someplace to get changed for the umpteenth that day and restrapping in all her weapons and such, she set out at a run for the bar, cloaked by an illusion as to avoid being hindered by any guards now that she was rather conspicuous in her guilder outfit. She only hoped that the people on the monitors were too busy with the situation in the lobby to pay attention to her. In fact, perhaps now would be the perfect chance to sneak upstairs while the guards were busy with trying to quell the situation in the main lobby. First, however, came getting Xan her clothes. The poor girl had never been too used to heels, and Aria was quite sure she’d appreciate being able to fight in some looser clothing.

Luckily the bar was near the stairs and she quickly located her friend. Still hidden from the eyes of the people around her, she quickly caught the metallurgist by the hand and lifted the illusion on the girl’s eyes. “I’m going up while everyone’s mostly distracted,” she explained quickly, eyes darting to Mordie to make sure she wasn’t too close by. It was a shame the woman worked in security, any other situation she was sure they would’ve made fast friends. The duffel bag was quickly shoved into Xan’s arms. “I think they’ll be wanting your help in the lobby. Be careful, Xan.” With a quick wink the illusionist was gone again, leaving the dark haired girl behind as she ducked towards the staircase.
She grimaced as she passed underneath a camera now swivelled towards the lobby. Pesky things would make this quite a bit harder to look around, but if she didn’t act quickly now their covers were blown she was afraid the kidnapped girls would be relocated before they could be saved. A group of guards ran past her as she plastered herself to the wall, sticking out a foot almost nonchalantly and not bothering to watch the game of painful human dominoes that followed. She suddenly paused on the fourth floor landing. Marcus and Selan! The two had been taken to see the owner, who no doubt would have been alerted to the situation happening right now. She looked up to the top floor from over the balcony with narrowed eyes, tripping another hapless guard who ran within her range. Perhaps she should go help them out first- get the two out of the hot water they were no doubt in, and also get to meet the owner who would no doubt know the location of the stolen girls. Lucien and Dylan were a few floors above, perhaps she would be able to catch up to them and convey the situation.

With a deep breath, she turned and continued the spiralling climb as the sounds of combat grew louder from below.

Los Paraisos: The Grande Diamond - Bar (Ground Floor)

With light fingers, Mordie swept up her glass and eyed the colors curiously. She babbled on a bit more about how impressive the whole ordeal was, the talent necessary for mixing and creating and having a tongue for satisfactory drinks, before bringing the glass' seasoned edges to her lips. However, a sudden rumble prevented even a single sip.

"Hum? Ya lovelies feel that? Oh! There it is again. That's strange. We don't get earthquakes that often here. Ah'll be right back."

Plopping her glass back atop the counter, Mordie hopped off her seat and waltzed over to the door's entrance, amidst all the patrons and waitresses inside flocking about. Mordie was soon met with a cloud of dust, sending her stepping back into the room as she waved the debris out from her face. "Hoooey, looks like we got some fun times comin' up. Ah'm sure Barty-boy would love this. "

Around this time Aria had already retrieved her duffel bag from Clive before sneaking back into the bar, careful to take another entrance to avoid bumping into Mordie, who stood right in one of the main doorways. As Aria slipped Xandra the duffel bag and took off, Mordie paid the girls no mind at all, instead focusing on the brewing combat before her.

She reached for the necktie - the bottom of which was snug within her displayed cleavage - and pulled it out to reveal that it wasn't a necktie at all, but a pair of binoculars. Mordie pressed them to her eyes. From behind her it seemed like she merely stared at the fountain Bart had destroyed, but slowly she glanced around the room with them, following the trails Moira, Syed, Lisette, and the others made as if nothing was obscuring her view. Without unequiping her binoculars, she pressed one hand against her ear.

"Umm. Kenny? Barty-boy? Heather? Can ya see what ah'm seein'?"

---

Los Paraisos: The Grande Diamond - Lobby

Of course Trixie's eyes were fixated on the Crimson Justice after he pulled off a super punch and vowed to take down the facility. She huffed, puffing her chest up and holding her chin high - but even then she couldn't hold her gaping jaw. This guy... this guy was... Epic. And so cool.

"Wow, he needs to meet Superbro sometime, I'm sure they'd make good--gawk!"

Amy yanked the prankster by a braid as Boss - Moira - suddenly jumped into view to punch someone out of Trixie's range. Trixie's eyes however continued to sparkle with awe and delight at how cool everyone was, now that the real fight had begun - oh the scouting and waiting was totally worth it! Boss then yelled something about going up; though it was directed at Syed, Amy took the suggestion herself and, dragging Trixie along with her, made her way towards one of the staircases.

More guards poured down them, though Amy side stepped to allow them by - after all, with the dress she was already wearing Amy looked like a woman that would be working there anyway, and Trixie was small enough to hide behind Amy in the rush. So long as neither of the two flubbed, they should be mostly inconspicuous in the rush, right?

Well... until someone questioned Trixie being there, with a gun in her hand. Or saw her looting the unconscious body of the man Moira punched aside not too long ago. "What, a superhero needs her ammo, okay! Oh, Lissa, watch out! Baddie!"

Quickly Trixie was yanked away by Amy and they bolted upstairs, opposite to where Lisette soon took to, with Trixie clinging onto one of Amy's arms. Guards continued to weave their way through the crowds of scanties and riches - though one of them stopped upon nudging by Amy. He turned to look the cleric in the eyes and gripped onto her free arm tightly. "Hey! What are you doing bringing a kid like that in w-"

SLAP! As usual, the man touching her was sent careening to the ground, though his eyes looked away from his attacker and towards something else onto the ceiling, muttering as his head lolled in a daze. Amy's eyes trailed his own sight's path, only to be met with a little box fixated up in the corner, on the underside of the floor above them. She narrowed a brow, glaring at the contraption as the lenses swiveled and focused on her. "The fuck is that!?"

She hadn't even notice Trixie walking beside her, an uzi and a pistol in hands. With dead silence she too stared down the camera - before raising her gun to it and blasting a few bullets straight through the lenses, sending it crashing to the floor in a sparking heap. Bewildered, Amy turned to her younger companion, but Trixie only returned a determined nod. "C'mon, we need to keep going! If we aren't gonna fight, we should at least look arou- uh oh."

Now that more of the staff and patrons had cleared away, either fleeing downstairs or hiding in their rooms, a few more guards stood in their path, along with the man Amy had just knocked down. Smacking their batons in their own palms, waiting to take their vantage spot.

Trixie gulped, backing into Amy. "Umm. Run?"

"Run."

Screaming wildly, Trixie turned back and ran the other direction, followed by a curse-muttering Amy and their new armed fans. The gem within Amy's purse began to glow, though she left it alone for now. As they fled, Trixie made sure to bullet down a couple more of those box-y contraptions fixed to the walls.

There was an earthquake? What the hell?

Lucien peered over the edge of the balcony and stared down at the dust filled lobby. Men and women yelled as they tried to get to safety and loud explosions filled the room. Everything was thrown into a state of chaos. Was the Don? Were those the others?

“OH MY APPLESANDMACARONIPIE DID YOU SEE THAT?!”

There was no mistaking it, that was the little trickster. So, they were through playing pretty ladies, yeah? Lucien looked to Boris, then to Dylan, an idea forming inside his head. It was time to ditch the noble and help their friends. Still, he had to wonder, why were they calling off the undercover mission? Had something gone wrong? His head was filled with questions, but he had no time to entertain them. "Oh Boris! I think I forgot something in the dungeon. Do accompany me, I'm scared to death." He gave Dylan a wink, linked his hands with both Dylan's and Boris' then whisked them away to the dungeon.

"I think it's behind that horse, please go and have a look." He wasn't being very ladylike, but the stunned Boris who was too gentlemanly for his own good, stooped down beside the horse to check. Lucien took the opportunity to grab the handcuffs of the shelf and swiftly cuffed his cousin to the wooden horse. "Oh my, I'm so sorry, but Diane and I must depart!" He gave the man a horrid wink, he was no longer in character, not at all. The summoner quickly ushered Dylan out of the room before bolting the door shut.

He let out a nervous laugh. "You saw what I saw, yeah? It was them." He grinned at his friend, the Pride sure was amazing. "Hey, hey, Dylan...if you were some rich jerk, where would you hide a bunch of women?" With most of the guards rushing to the first floor, the other floors would be probably be easier to search. "Now's the perfect opportunity to look around, yeah?" His grin widened, the thought of running around like secret agents made him very excited.



There was a loud rumble then silence.

"What on earth?" Xan stared at Thunderhawk for a few moments, wondering if perhaps something had gone horribly wrong. Mordie didn't seem too worried and mentioned something about earthquakes. However, Xan thought it was something bigger. The metallurgist hopped off her stool only to be yanked away by something. For a moment there had been no one, but in the snap of a finger Aria appeared. "Aria?" Before Xan could say more, a familiar looking bag was pushed into her arms.

“I’m going up while everyone’s mostly distracted."

"Distracted? Aria, distracted by what?" Xan's voice grew concerned, but before she could hold Aria in place, her friend dashed off, stating that the others in the lobby would probably need assistance. "Assistance?" So the others were inside? What happened to playing it safe and warding off suspicion? "Aria, wait..." Before she could protest Aria was gone. Going solo didn't sound like a good idea, especially not in this situation, but the only thing she could do was trust her friend. "Be careful too," Xan muttered before she rushed towards the entrance. What she saw froze her in place, it was the pride, duking it out with security.

Oh...that's why her stuff was in the bag. She'd have to thank Aria later on. The girl rushed back to the counter. "Henrietta, I think you should take a look at the lobby." She didn't pause to explain to Anthony and instead found a place to change out of her dress and into her guilder clothes. The girl rushed past Mordie, hoping that she wouldn't be recognized and skidded to a stop when she got into the lobby. It was chaos, everywhere.

To her left a bro kicked a security guard in her face and to her right more screams erupted.

She weaved her way through the crowd, tripping one of the guards who chased after a bro with a baton. What had happened in the span of a few minutes? Well, all hell broke loose, that was what happened, unfortunately.

"Go up?! I can't see any stairs goin' down!"

Up? Wait wasn't that Syed and his partner? The boss? "The stairs are that way!" She yelled, Xan didn't quite understand what was going on, but if the pride has suddenly decided to blow their own cover and charge, then it had to be something big, right?

Los Paraisos: The Grande Diamond

The entire building was thrown into complete chaos and disarray. As soon as Crimson Justice’s order was given, his bros were unleashed in a fit of rage and anger, charging forwards at the nearest member of security rushing towards them like ants in desperation to stop them. As the many noble men and women, plus serving girls all rushed as quickly as they could to the nearest exit, the bros began to either tackle the security to the ground, or punch and kick their way through the barrage of swinging batons or gunfire.

The battle quickly escalated, breaking out from the lobby and into the nearest rooms available, including the Grande Diamond’s party/casino hall where Aria was. Clive had raced through, throwing to the illusionist hers and Xan’s equipment before splintering a table with his lunge of one guard into it. Somewhere deep inside, Clive, the card dealer’s bro’s heart broke as chips and cards were sent flying into the air. The live jazz band stopped their playing briefly, looking to each other in bewilderment, before carrying on, changing up their score to match the madcap fighting inside.

And as Don’s bros fought on, the rest of the Pride looked to be heading up the lobby’s stairs following Moira’s suggestion, sensing that climbing up the building could be a safe bet to trying to find their missing friends. After all, the place that a fancy head noble honcho in charge would probably be was at the top, wasn’t it? As Amy and Trixie slowly started to scale one set of stairs to the second floor (where the floor then joined into one set of stairs that snaked up the length of the lobby interior like a spiral), Aria had quickly gotten her way to the fourth floor, with Dylan and Lucien on the seventh.

Crimson Justice, meanwhile, was…


Nothin’s Gonna Stand In Our Way

He climbed the stairs with fiery determination. Guard after guard charged towards him, only for the silent soldier to quickly dispatch them with remarkable efficiency. Two guards charged towards him, batons raised high in the air and swinging down with an aim to crack the superhero’s helmeted skull. He caught the first’s arm in mid swing, throwing his knee up to the man’s exposed abdomen and smacking him twice, before then using the guard’s gripped arm as leverage to spin him over and land in painful agony on his back.

The fortunate ones
To be fast and free and young
I want to count myself among
The fortunate ones

We won't be denied
We know that time is on our side
We've got the passion and the pride
We won't be denied
The second guard’s swinging baton swung through empty air, Crimson Justice’s body ducking and swerving out of its path. Before the other man could react, the hero’s left leg swung out in a blur, cracking against the guard’s side. The force of the blow sent the guard barrelling over the edge of the balcony, falling down to land on a fountain drenched sofa below. Crimson Justice continued walking forward, the barrage of guards assailing him at every second doing nothing to break his stride and keep climbing ever higher, no matter what they tried to do.

This generations
With fire in our eyes
Strong are the ties that bind us
We don't need no alibis

Nothing's gonna stand in our way
Nothing's gonna stand in our way
Nothing's gonna stand in our way
Not tonight

As Crimson Justice continued to climb higher, and higher, his confident walk transformed into a jog, and then a sprint, taking two, and then three, stairs at a time. As guards surrounded him at all angles, he needed all the momentum and adrenaline he could muster on top of his burning passion.

Another three guards charged at him from the stairs to the third floor in front of him, as two more took careful positions with guns trained at him, waiting for a clear shot. The first of the three batons guards was kicked again, this time sent flying through a door and into a relaxed lounging room inside. But then, Crimson Justice’s back was hit by a baton, and the other guard kicked him forwards towards the room’s doorway.

Stumbling forwards, the superhero quickly righted himself, jumping up and gripping the top of the door’s frame as the two lunged behind him. His feet swung up, and then kicked both of the guards in the back of the head and into the room beyond, then dropping down onto terra firma once more. Just as a barrage of bullets fired against him, the majority piercing the plaster of the wall beside him, some of the other punching his body.

The screams of fleeing people were all around, and even now people were still uttering incoherent screams as they raced down as quickly as possible. Crimson Justice’s arm reached up to block his face, the man standing his ground, withstanding all of the bullets… long enough until the rest of the nearby balcony was empty with no one else in the way to risk being hurt. And then, then he charged forwards, resisting the pain.

We want it all
And tonight we got the call
We're running high but we won't fall
We want it all

We won't be denied
Like a breaker at high tide
We're gonna take this sweet joy ride
We won't be denied
Crimson Justice’s racing form slid to the ground, his right foot sliding out and swiping the guard’s legs out from underneath them. As they both collapsed to the ground, Crimson Justice, who had spun back up to his feet, barrelled both his fists into their chests, punching them into the ground hard to knock them completely out of commission. Another two down… possibly hundreds more to go.

Grew expectations
Moments in the sun
We've waited all our lives
And now we know our time has come
It didn’t matter how many there were. Bring them all on! Because-

Nothing's gonna stand in our way
Nothing's gonna stand in our way
Nothing's gonna stand in our way
Not tonight

---

Los Paraisos: The Grande Diamond: 10th Floor: Grand Suite

He was still completely motionless, absolutely paralysed with disbelief at the images presented to him on the security monitors he had paid so much money for. At the image of some bizarre gang of intruders bursting into his home, attacking his guards, throwing his party into a complete shambles… he couldn’t believe it all. He just stared, paralysed at the sheer absurdity of it all. The audacity. The impossibility.

Lord Dumont could not wrap his head around such an impossible, senseless act. It beggared belief. For someone, anyone, to try and break into his home, to cause such chaos and destruction. Who did they think they were?!

"Do you know anything about this?!" Iliana shouted desperately, her eyes wild as she turned to Selan and Marcus. "Do you have anything to do with this?! Tell me! Tell me or so help me you will regret it!"

"Hey, the lady asked you a question," Neil finally spoke up, throwing his empty wine glass into the fireplace. The shatter caused Selan to flinch, but she remained silent. "Now that you can talk, you better start..."

The shattering glass was enough to snap Dumont out of his paralysed reverie too, and he turned to watch as his right hand woman and his guest begin to quiz and interrogate the two beautiful women he had just welcomed into his personal home and study. People who had just… yes. Yes, it looked awfully suspicious, he had to admit. Vasco had just told him about the beautiful Miss Leclair’s attempt to use some kind of bewitching, charm magic on him, magic that was undeniably suspicious and without practical reason. Without any practical reason unless it was perhaps linked to the senseless lunacy gripping the bottom of the Grande Diamond, but even then, even then he couldn’t see it. He-

At any rate, the attack downstairs… it needed to be stopped.

“Kenneth.” Dumont turned to the hired mercenary. “Stop this.” His finger pointed to the monitors. “Get your people on this and stop it.”



Kenneth paused, still eyeing the monitors, and then flicking his attention back and forth between them, and to the rest of the individuals inside the room.

“Well?! What are you waiting for!? Go!”

Kenneth sighed, reaching into his suit’s jacket pocket and pulling out a cigarette. He carefully placed it in his lips, and then flicked his lighter’s flame on, sparking the stick up, and inhaling a deep drag of the nicotine inside.

“Now, hold on your grace.” Kenneth started to reply. “I’m head of your security, am I not? I can’t just simply leave your side and leave you in danger here.” The suited man turned, walking towards the crowded group of five. “That would be irresponsible of me to leave you in the presence of three dangerous people who could be connected to this.”

“Three?” Dumont’s eyes grew wide. Neil’s, meanwhile, narrowed tightly.

“You think I have something to do with this?” He asked with obvious aggravation dripping out his voice.

“Could be, for all I know.” Kenneth shrugged, taking another drag. “Sir, I think we should escort you out to somewhere safe-”

“No.” Dumont replied. “No, this is my home. I am not going to be sent running from it by a pack of… by a pack of…” He looked back at the monitors, still unable to comprehend the images of wild, messy juvenile delinquents and strange clothed young men and women battling his security. “By a pack of ridiculous peasant thugs such as this! It’s your job to stop this, Kenneth!”

“Indeed it is. But I can’t leave you unprotected here with them.” Kenneth nodded at the three again. “I don’t know who the women are, but Mr. Hunter here’s the greater risk.”

“And why would I do this?” Neil replied, his hands waving through the air. “We have a near enough done deal, don’t we Mr. Dumont? Following your woman’s report, that is. I don’t stand to gain anything from whatever the hell that is. Heck, if it makes you feel comfortable…” Neil suddenly stopped. He was going to finish the sentence with ‘Pay me for the goods, and I’ll be on my way.’ Yet he wasn’t done… not done at all. His eyes focused on Selan and Marcus again. No, after seeing her… he didn’t really feel like leaving her in Dumont’s hands at all.

Kenneth’s eyes remained trained on Neil. “You and your people are bandits, Mr. Hunter. Why wouldn’t you do this?”

More chaotic sounds and images squawked from the videos and speakers.

"Umm. Kenny? Barty-boy? Heather? Can ya see what ah'm seein'?" A sultry voice spoke out into Kenneth’s ear, and the soothing voice generated a small smile from Kenneth, one born from love for the fun loving woman.

“I’ll be able to in a moment, Mordie darling. Just need to finish up some things here. Heather… how are you doing? You gonna stay in the box or come out and play? And Bart… Bart what are you doing? Are you out?”

“Out?” An angry voice sounded out back into Kenneth’s earpiece. In a room adjacent to the Grande Diamond’s lobby, lying seated in a bed of rubble and debris, Bart’s head lifted up and forwards, shaking from side to side. He stopped, focusing his sights on the ruined and shattered door he was propelled through, and at the battle raging in the room outside. His teeth twisted tight.



“No, I haven’t gotten anywhere close to starting just yet.”

A powerful blow smacked the red haired Berserker in the cheek, sending her flying through the lobby (with Syed trailing behind) and through the double doors into the main party hall and casino that Aria had briefly served in. Lisette and Xandra spun around in shock, before turning back around to the source of Moira’s attacker. Bart, who had now reappeared back on the lobby’s ground floor. The very, very angry man lifted his head up, glaring at the Pride, as energy started to course and twist through his body. Where was the punk who had attacked him?

Who was next?

Los Paraisos: The Grande Diamond: Seventh Floor: Dungeons

“Oh no.” He could do nothing but stare at the pandemonium that had broken out through the lobby of the Grande Diamond. What on Ddear had Don been thinking? After all the work they had put into this infiltration mission, and the surprising success they were having with it, Dylan had to watch it all go up in smoke before him.

Soon Lucy was pulling them both back into the dungeon, at first Dylan believed it was to escape the riot in front of them, but it soon become clear that he merely wanted to lock Boris up behind them. “Well, that was easy,” he muttered to himself as he was shuffled back out of the dungeons.

"You saw what I saw, yeah? It was them."

Dylan cringed at the way that Lucien just dropped his character, the illusion shattered completely. “Yes, it was,” he had to agree, “for some silly reason.” He took care to remain as Diane though, glancing around to see if anyone was there to see them. Thankfully it looked like they were alone.

"Hey, hey, Dylan...if you were some rich jerk, where would you hide a bunch of women? Now's the perfect opportunity to look around, yeah?"

He nodded. “Yes,” he said as locked eyes with the summoner. “It is a good plan, Lucy.” Dropping his voice, he added, “Don’t lose character, if we get spotted it’ll be much easier to pass as two woman fleeing the battle. Also, I suggest we go down. They have to come in through the ground floor and they will probably remain hidden.” Turning, he took care to scurry towards the elevator.

This disguises were still too useful to ditch.



Los Paraisos: The Grande Diamond: ???

Heather remained seated, her eyes darting back and forth between monitors. Bart was already out there, knocking down the intruders as he was supposed to, but for now Heather inspected the situation.

"Umm. Kenny? Barty-boy? Heather? Can ya see what ah'm seein'?"

“I’ll be able to in a moment, Mordie darling. Just need to finish up some things here. Heather… how are you doing? You gonna stay in the box or come out and play?”

“I’ll be heading out,” Heather replied as she got to her feet. “Mordie, you be our eyes and ears, keep us informed as we move around. Ken, do you need me to protect the Lord?” Her skills were uniquely talented in this regard, so she felt the need to suggest it. “If not I’ll go help stop the intruders.” 

She stood poised at the door, waiting for instructions.

The Grande Diamond - Ground Floor
Moira's non-consenting flying tour of the main hall was cut short by the smashing and splintering of wood. Urgh, that stung, that really stung. Not to mention what a blow to the head did to her hangover. Plus having her skinny partner crash into her immediately after didn't help.

"Fuck!" she growled, roughly pushing Syed off her. She pushed at her knees to heave herself up. She was not equipped for something like this today, unarmed and in a summerdress. She really wasn't. But on the other hand... she just couldn't really bring herself to give a shit. "What the fuck just happened?!"

Slowly Syed stood up, his eyes fixed on the now damaged double doors as they closed. He hadn't managed to get a good look at him, since every time he got a glimpse so far either they or the man was sent flying into another room. He wasn't as polished as either the regular staff or the nobles though. Not to mention the skillset which reminded him a little bit too much of a certain opponent in a certain manor house. There was no lightning to help him here, no obvious power sources to give him that boost and let him do things he ordinarily couldn't.

But like hell was he going to stop. If this guy was their opponent, then so be it. They'd have to trust the others to find Estelle and Josette, to bring them back safely.

"It's the guy Don punched," he said quietly to Moira, flexing his shoulders and stretching his arms. Right then.

"What the fuck is it with you? For the last time, there's no way he'd fit his hair in there!" She then turned back towards the doors.

She stepped forwards, fists clenched, boots crunching against glass and wood as she stomped across the hall. A couple of security personel went for her, although they were intercepted by some very impressive moves by Clive.

"Sis! Bro! Are you okay?!" he called after them. Moira ignored him, but Syed gave him a small, thankful smile.

"This is pretty normal for us," he said almost dissmissively, before giving the band of all people an apologetic shrug. He then started to move his hands in slow, deliberate movements. Pieces of metal he could salvage from the debris began to float and spin in the air around him, giving off small arcs of electricity as they went. Piping from the edges of tables, a stool, a roulette wheel. Anything he could use to possibly support his teammates.

And as such they strode across the room, looks of determination on their faces. Geez, the doors were practically hanging off their hinges. Still, nothing a screwdriver couldn't-

Moira swung her arm around, before punching a door directly off it's hinges altogether and sending it rocketing across the room and smashing noisily against the other side of the lobby, catching a couple of security personel in the process. "OI!" she bellowed, grabbing a hold of the other door and pulling that off it's hinges and flinging it at Bart too. "You've right pissed me off! What the fuck was that for?!"

Syed cringed. He made sure that while staying behind Moira, he was at no point directly behind her. "Well, we did kind of break in-"

"I DON'T CARE!" she yelled. "We're in the middle of something! You're in our way, motherfucker! Move!"

She charged forward, fist ready to uppercut the fucker right up to the next floor.

Los Paraisos: The Grande Diamond - Top Floor

“You and your people are bandits, Mr. Hunter. Why wouldn’t you do this?”

"Hey, I don't think I appreciate your attitude, Ken." Neil scoffed, sounding almost offended. "If I wanted to screw you over, I wouldn't do it like this."

Selan's fists tightened in her lap. This had taken an unprecendented turn; Neil had become the focus of their attention, but it seemed they had no intention of leaving this room. She tilted her head towards Marcus, who seemed even more antsy to leave in search of Estelle.

"Tch." Neil clicked his teeth as Kenneth was preoccupied with his earpiece. It was supposed to be a smooth operation, as always. Where did all this bullshit come from?

---

The Grande Diamond - Casino Hall

Lisette paled at the sight of the man holding his baton over his head threateningly.

"M-Mister...!"

"We've got you, Little Sis!" Don's bros doubled back to help. "We'll take care of him!"

As Lisette ran away, the bros dropped the officer in seconds flat, kicking away his baton and walloping him with their bare hands.

The sounds of doors detaching violently from their frames and getting launched across the room echoed across the lobby so loudly that it was hard to tell where all the noise was coming from. The coast was clearing little by little as the remaining officers and bros were occupied by each other.

Looking around, she definitely didn't want to be anywhere near the scary-looking man that was fighting Moira and Syed. Hurrying upstairs as quickly and quietly as she could, she spotted an elevator near the top of the stairwell. Elevators were safe, right? But as much as she pressed the button, it wouldn't open; someone must be on it already!

Los Paraisos : the Grande Diamond

The higher she climbed the less people there were, the patrons and employees having fled while security rushed down the stairs to join in the brawl happening on the first floor. By the time she had reached the seventh floor the halls were all but deserted. A bit too deserted. Where were Dylan and Lucien? They couldn’t still be touring the dungeons.

Still, just to be sure she slowly opened the nearest door, only to be bombarded by loud angry shouting from a red-faced moustache lord who had apparently been handcuffed to one of the many strange looking contraptions that filled the room. No sign of the guilders though, and Aria merely closed the heavy doors behind her ignoring the shouts of the man behind her. Somebody would get him out when this was all over- in fact, it was probably safer in there right now compared to anywhere else. She paused at what she hoped was a blind spot for the cameras (These cameras were really getting annoying. It was probably only by pure luck that she had gotten this far without anybody noticing.) to think over her next plan of action.

What now? She had been planning to have Dylan and Lucien go with her to rescue Marcus and Selan on the top floor. It would certainly not be wise to go alone, but the thought of leaving Marcus and Selan in the hands of their enemies brought a bad taste to her mouth. Not to mention it couldn’t be long until the establishment realized they could use the two as hostages to make them retreat or even surrender.

Loud crashes sounded from below and she turned in time to see security guards thrown from the second floor banisters to the first floor, crushing a small pavilion like structure beneath them. She couldn’t help but give a dry laugh as she turned to continue up the staircase.

“It’s raining men, hallelujah…”

Los Paraisos: The Grande Diamond: Tenth Floor Grande Suite

“I’ll be heading out,” Heather replied as she got to her feet. “Mordie, you be our eyes and ears, keep us informed as we move around. Ken, do you need me to protect the Lord?” Heather’s skills were uniquely talented in this regard, so she felt the need to suggest it. “If not I’ll go help stop the intruders.” She stood poised at the door, waiting for instructions, whether to ascend the remaining two floors to Lord Dumont’s suite, or to focus her attentions on the intruders below.

“Yeah, come on up, Heather. We need you to make sure absolutely no one gets up here and puts Lord Dumont’s life in danger. Thanks, doll.” Kenneth grinned, releasing his index finger from his ear, and then turning to look back towards Neil. There was still something about the man that seemed nothing but ‘off’, even for a man such as this. Regardless of whether or not he was behind this chaos, leaving him alone with Lord Dumont was simply impossible. Heather would be here in a few short moments, but even then…

“Lady Vasco,” Kenneth turned to the woman, who battered a surprise flutter towards him after hearing her name. “Could you nullify Mr. Hunter’s magic for the time being, please?”

“Excuse me?” Neil’s aggravation flared up. “What did you just say?”

Selan and Marcus could do nothing but stare as tensions between the two men spiked. Neither were certain on how exactly they could possibly proceed from here. What could they do? Trying to maintain their precious cover for as long as they could seemed like the only option left available to them right now. With their abilities nullified by Lady Vasco, it made it impossible for them to defend themselves or do anything. They were simply outmatched and overpowered. How had things turned to this?

Lord Dumont also kept quiet, simply watching the confrontation take place and waiting to see what would happen. Despite the rudeness it prompted their guest, he had no qualms with Kenneth’s request. It was, afterall, the most sensible thing to expect, and yet.

“No, I don’t think so.” Neil stood up, flashing his palm towards Iliana and shooting her an icy glare to hold her ground. “I’m not going to be having any of that. I’m not behind whatever the hell that is, and I’m not going to be treated like this.”

“I’m sorry, Mr. Hunter.” Kenneth sighed and shrugged his shoulders. “But I’m sure you can appreciate things from my perspective. This is just a necessary caution. If you were to just comply, and then wait, we’ll be able to have you get back to your business in no time at all.”

Dumont, Vasco, Selan and Marcus’ eyes all then turned to Neil, waiting with bated breath for the man’s reaction. A reaction that was silent and prolonged, as he internally mused to himself his reply.

Weighing up all the available options… Neil came to a decision. There were other nobles to sell slaves too. And her… he had no doubt she was more valuable then any of Dumont’s money.

“No,” Was Neil’s reply. “No, I don’t think so.” Before Kenneth could make a move to cross the room and leap the sofa to reach him, or for Iliana to reach out and make skin to skin contact, Neil had already moved, grabbing onto Selan tightly. One hand crushed her wrist, the other clutching her mouth tightly. As the songstress’ eyes widened in fright, she found herself begin to tumble backwards, as Neil tackled her towards the ground. And then… to the disbelief of everyone around them, they vanished, straight through the floor itself!

“Selan!” Marcus screamed, reaching out to try and rescue her, but it was too late, for they were already gone.

“What in the… what the hell just happened?!” Lord Dumont screeched. “No! No, no, no! Mr. Spades!” The noble lord suddenly twisted his head to the blonde mercenary, his eyes fixed determinedly on the rugged man. “I will not have my property taken just like that! Fix this! Get Miss Leclair back now, and stop those people out there!”

“You don’t have to tell me twice,” Kenneth already made a move for the door, tightening his suit’s tie. A quick flash over his shoulder towards Vasco was followed by a nod towards Marcus. “You can look after her, right?”

A snooty respond from Vasco said it all, and the doors to Dumont’s grand suite were slammed behind him.

Fingers were brought up to and pressed against his ear once again.

“Heather, change of plans. Hunter’s rabbiting, and he took one of the women with him. Leclair.” Kenneth spoke gruffly.

Reaching into his jacket’s pocket, Kenneth retrieved a small case that he opened. Pushing two of his fingers inside, he lifted out a pair of clear concave lens, lifting them up to his eyes and gently placing them on. His eyes rapidly blinked as the contacts rested in place, and looking down at the lobby below, and the multitudes of battles breaking out all over the place, he could see a number of silhouetted orange forms moving around below:- the enemies Mordie had ‘tagged’ earlier. Crimson Justice, Lisette, Moira and Syed, a ragtag bunch of Don’s bros… information that would help make this clean up easier.

• Find and defeat all of the insurgents assaulting the Grande Diamond.

• Find, capture/kill Neil Hunter and retrieve Selan Leclair.

• Secure the premises.
“Heather, Mordie, Bart. Subdue everyone who isn’t a friendly. Take them all down.”

Kenneth began to walk forwards.

Time for the fox to hunt.

Los Paraisos: The Grande Diamond - Lobby (Ground Floor)

Binoculars still kept on her eyes, Mordie slowly eased out of the bar's doorway and proceeded to watch Bart kick some shit out of a big woman and her scrawny dark-skinned friend. They flew like a slingshot following Bart's kick - which surprised Mordie in all honesty, as she didn't see Syed get attacked at all, but maybe Bart's skills have improved quite a bit? When she told him earlier that work would be less boring if he found a way to have more fun with his magic, she didn't think he would be able to pull that off.

Myriads of men were still scattered along the bottom floor, though many of them also began to trail upstairs. Mordie merely jumped ahead of their trail with her eyes and began scanning the ceiling above her. With her binoculars - heat-sensing, able to tag and highlight marked targets even through walls - she caught a couple of them assisting another female figure she had marked on her binos earlier: Lisette. As the archer took off towards the direction of the elevators, Mordie simply kept her eyes on the men she spoke with, before licking her lips lowering her micro binoculars back into their safety pouch (the strand its attached to resuming the appearance of a neck tie).

"Take care of yaself back there, Fluffy, Xanny!" she called to Thunderhawk, departing from the bar entirely. She hadn't even looked back to see if either of the two were even there, though she presumed they wasn't a part of the showdown. Leaving the lobby to Bart's handling, Mordie instead took off to the stairs nearest to her - and stopped as she came across a few bare-handed men punching around an already unconscious security guard.

Mordie whistled a single low note to catch their attention, before following it up with a bubbly wave and slow, effortless hip-swaying approach. "Yoohoo, boys! Ah have a lil' favor to ask of ya..." Once again her dress' zipper began to smoothly glide down pass her bare and busty cleavage, and stopped at her abdomen as she stopped directly in front of Don's bros. "This place is awfully dangerous for a gal like me... would ya mind helpin' me out through here?"

The moment Cid's and Tom's eyes met with Mordie's own, she winked at the duo - and their smiles turned into the sloppiest infatuated gapes ever to be seen.

"W, wow...!" Cid cooed, clasping his hands together in front of him as he gawked at the lovely sight before him.

Tom chimed in immediately after, mimicking the other. "She's so beautiful, bros!"

"Well yeah bros, she's pretty, but uh..." Jerry, who still had his stellar lifeguard sunglasses on, merely scratched his afro and looked the other way, as if embarrassed to be looking such a sight in the eyes. As he looked back to Mordie, she was already gone - walking straight passed the lifeguard with the other two bros flocking to her sides. "Hey! What-"

Mordie glanced over her shoulder with a cheeky smile. "You just stand there n' keep watch for us, pretty boy! We'll be back, ah promise."

---

Los Paraisos: The Grande Diamond - Second Floor

"H, hey look! It's Lissa! She's... standing around waiting for something!" Trixie pointed out straight ahead, as the elevators came into their line of sight - having already ran down basically half the floor and blown up any security cams in sight, with Amy trailing after her and panting excessively. The prankster spoke only a few words more before coming to a gasping stop... and tripping over her own shoelaces. Those things were never tied.

Immediately Amy lowered herself to help Trixie up, who muttered back frequent "I'm okay, I'm okay"s - but the woman halted her assistance once the guards chasing her stood within arm's reach. The suspicious girly duo were more dangerous than they seemed, with the younger one armed and having already destroyed many of the cameras set in place. They would have to be stopped.

Amy snarled at them. She flung off her purse onto the ground to fetch her gem - perhaps a little whip action would knock them back enough for Trixie to steady herself and shoot them back some more. From over her shoulder, Amy noticed some of Don's 'bros' coming their way as well, so really they only needed to stand their ground until help arrived and--

It was as if the floor above them shattered. A gust of dust took over the scene - only for a red blur to drop in from the newly-made hole from above, landing a lawful fist square in one man's face, before delivering bonus righteous kicks and legal uppercuts to the two behind the fallen man. The masked superhero, whose dusty backdrop gave him that much more of a mysterious but hardcore appearance, nodded firmly at the prankster. Without a word he then jumped back up into the hole he had punched through onto the third floor. Then into the hole he had punched through onto the fourth floor. Then...

Trixie inhaled. It was almost like a dream.

"We need to go higher, Amy! Let's go go go!" she charged off towards the closest set of stairs they had blown right passed earlier, bursting with sheer amount of energy. And the will of a vigilante.

Amy exhaled, bursting with sheer amount of exasperation. But she couldn't let Trixie go alone and trailed after her wordlessly - being sure to step atop all three of the fallen guards with her heels. Lisette was in good hands with the bros behind her.

---

The bros... and Mordie, who stood in between Cid and Tom, the former weilding a stolen baton, and the latter a stolen pistol. They bantered quietly amongst one another, though with Mordie in between them, they made awkward movements in order to speak in front of - no, behind - no in front of the woman to contact each other as they walked. "Bro, I don't... should we really be doing this?" "I don't know, Bro, but have you seen her butt?" "Y, yeah Bro she's gorgeous! What a doll!" - and the like.

Standing now behind Lisette and her anxious wait for the elevator, Mordie again brought a hand to her cheek, listening closely as Kenneth's smooth and handsome voice buzzed in her ear. "Heather, Mordie, Bart. Subdue everyone who isn’t a friendly. Take them all down." The woman's grin widened. "Already gotcha' back, Kenny."

Despite the ongoing chaos and rumbling of the ground floor, Mordie was close enough to Lisette that her giggle was loud enough for the archer to hear. "Hey girlie, looks like ya got lost again. Still need any help?"