Slayer's in decent proximity, but he's not fast, and will not hesitate to say so.
Neither's Banjo. Lol.
But yeah, I imagined him, Naija, and Alicia being almost directly adjacent, with Samus having passed by on her way and Alicia being right where Varrock left her. (Correct me if I'm wrong about any of that.)
So... anyone with characters in the immediate area feel like working together on this (those who reasonably can, that is)? I was planning on introducing B-K by having them play at the reception just before the theft takes place, but from there, I'm open to suggestions.
(Mentions are based on hypothetical character proximity.)
@Holy SoldierOh, shit. Sorry to hear that, man. Hope it's nothing serious. Whatever it is, I hope you're alright, and don't worry; I'm sure no one will fault you for delaying the event (I certainly wouldn't, lol).
Also, do I add B-K to current character tab, or make a new one? And how many Blue Eggs (out of 100) do I start with, if any?
@CrosswireThere's no posting order outside of missions, and you would know if there was. Just post whenever you think you logically should. Like you said, you are interacting with two people right now.
@Holy SoldierThanks for the heads-up. I don't mean to be pushy knowing that you're in a position where you might not be able to expediently respond, but I thought I should leave a reminder that B-K are still pending your approval; just in case it got buried because I initially forgot to mention you.
Kingdom: Spiral Mountain, Isle O’ Hags, The forgotten kingdom of Rare (former Nintendo protectorate)
Visual Description:
Written Description: Banjo is a brown, blue-eyed, anthropomorphic honey bear with a round, protruded muzzle with a spherical nose at the end of it. Although not visibly toned or muscular, he is rather stout and stocky for one of average height, clocking in at 5’10”, 180 lbs. With the decisive omission upper-body clothing or footwear, his outfit is about as simple and consistent as they come: a pair of yellow shorts fastened with a black leather belt, a shark tooth necklace, and his compact blue backpack that he is understandably never seen without. Renting out the space within said backpack free of charge is his best friend, Kazooie, a green-eyed, red-crested breegull (hybrid avian breed of fictional species) with wing and tail feathers that fade into yellow tips at the ends. She stands at close to the same height as Banjo, but considerably lighter at 5’2, 45 lbs. Despite her relatively close stature, she can still fit comfortably and seamlessly inside Banjo’s backpack, where she resides most of the time.
Personality: Banjo is invariably amiable, generous, good-natured, well-mannered, and laid-back to a near fault. He holds no grudges and takes nothing personally (Gruntilda notwithstanding), and he will almost always politely address strangers with the use of honorifics. Never wishing to offend, he is constantly pulling damage control to put out Kazooie’s behavioral fires on account of her big mouth. His simpler speech and inability to produce effective witticisms often gives off the impression that he is slow or inept. The biggest flaw in his character would be his non-committal tendencies indicative of laziness, but he has also been known to compulsively lie in cases where it would spare someone a harsh truth.
Kazooie, the polar opposite to Banjo, is brazenly obnoxious, sarcastic, mouthy, cynical, confrontational, and unapologetic. There’s next to no one she’s ever met without somehow insulting them, which has lead to quite the number of predicaments for her and Banjo (who seems to be the sole exception from her verbal slights). Though outspokenly tactless and uncouth, she is not inherently selfish, mean-spirited, or amoral. She recognizes just as well as any when the need arises to combat evil and injustice, and she will eagerly revel in the opportunity to stamp it out.
Despite their contrary nature, Banjo and Kazooie are nigh inseparable; the very personification of “opposites attract.” The one thing they have in common above all else is their willingness to help out others in need… and a knack for being charming as hell while doing it.
Game: Banjo-Kazooie, Banjo-Tooie
Current Story: After defeating the revived Gruntilda and foiling her schemes for the second time, life has been relatively uneventful for the iconic buddy duo… unless you factor in a certain infamous non-canon spin-off and the turbulent franchise history that lead up to it. Before the grand promise of Banjo-Threeie could be fulfilled, their studio kingdom was unexpectedly bought out and taken over by another governing body. As a result, they were subsequently debased in a stupid-ass car building game that audaciously mocked and insulted the very legacy it acted to live off of while alienating the fans it tried to attract neglected with the changing of the times. Thus, their kingdom tragically receded from its former glory, and has not since returned to it. Many of its most loyal followers have clamored for a “true” revival of the Golden Age of Rareware - from simpler favors as having Banjo & Kazooie in Smash, to greater undertakings as proper sequels to the likes of them and Conker. However, licensing issues political barriers and the departure of lead creative talent external migration have sadly kept any of that from ever coming to be… but that hasn’t stopped others from trying.
As rumors of a “spiritual successor” began to circulate, they eventually caught word of a would-be stand-in duo from the Playtonic Isles - a newfound territory of the Indie Federation - set to take up their mantle. Predictably, Kazooie responded with scoffs of bitter contempt at the idea that anyone could replace her and Banjo, whereas Banjo, knowing full well the size of the shoes they hoped to fill, simply wished the best of luck for the two with their endeavor… whoever they were. As it turned out, they would have their own new adventure to embark on following the invitation to the funeral of a fallen hero. Excited by the very prospect, eager to prove that they weren’t just a pair of has-beens and antiquated relics, and simply having nothing better to do, they would happily take this opportunity to come out of their forced retirement to get back into the world that so desperately wanted and needed them. The bear and bird were back!
Weapon(s)
Egg Firing - From a crouched position, Kazooie can fire egg projectiles forward from her mouth or backwards from… elsewhere. Blue Eggs come as standard ammunition, but other ammunition types can be unlocked.
Beak Buster - While airborne, Banjo & Kazooie invert and tuck in place before vigorously diving downward, powerfully slamming beak-first into whatever is underneath them. Devastating as an attack, but potentially harmful if used recklessly from certain heights. Cannot be cancelled, but hitting an enemy on the way down will mitigate fall damage.
Special Abilities
(Slot One.)
Items
(Slot One.) (Slot Two.) (Slot Three.)
Strengths
Physical Aptitude - With surprising strength, durability, and stamina, not betrayed by their appearances, they are capable of shattering boulders and worn, stressed, cracked steel with physical force alone, surviving some falls, crashes, even small explosive fire, and maintaining their pace even with critical injury.
Adaptable Mobility - Not the fastest at any of it, but the two can get around by just about any means they can manage, be it running, climbing, jumping, swimming, and even flying. There’s virtually nowhere they can’t reach.
Potential - Individually and paired, they have a veritable combined plethora of useful abilities to be unlocked. On top of that, they are fairly flexible in regards to what can be worked into their ability pool, and somehow, though inexplicably, they have even been proven to be physiologically pliable enough through magical means to be safely morphed to and from other living forms both organic and inorganic as needed.
Teamwork - Even while apart, they have an almost symbiotic propensity for working together; often times without even having to be present in the same area. Together, they can solve just about any problem or overcome any obstacle.
Weaknesses
Though, they are not specifically vulnerable or weak to any particular damage types, they have no definite resistances or immunities either, so most, if not all, forms of attack can theoretically affect them without proper safeguards. Furthermore, the two are individually weaker and less capable when separated. Although, together they have a shared mind and capacity between them for getting things done, they both lack in the way of technical knowledge, skills, competencies, or proficiencies (besides playing the respective instruments for which they’re named), and while they are capable of managing in combat, they do not profoundly excel at it in any way. This effectively means that they do not suit or fulfill any ideal role or position, which makes improvisation a must for them.
Still working on B-K, but I shouldn't be too much longer (hopefully). After which, we could probably discuss, because I think I'm the last one in need of submission and approval.
Their enemy revealed itself in true form as Balor forcefully descended onto the Demon Lord, evicting the parasitic culprit from its stolen shell through the opening created from the false king’s head by Samus. A look of shock marked Fox’s face at the sight of what appeared as if it could pass for Samus’s casual boss fair (not that he would really know). The eldritch horror burst forth unsuspectingly into the furious, vengeful hand of the bereaved brother before Fox could think to raise his weapon. Luigi’s fist met the foul creature’s head with a violent, thunderous crack accompanied by the vibrant flash of lightning that lit up the battlefield, bathing all the adjoining area in its mighty glow. The abomination lied on its back helpless to retaliate or resist when Gwendolyn sent down her mystical polearm for a glorious finishing blow to encase everything in its blinding brilliance. Fox raised both arms to shield his eyes from the imposing display of pure white that overtook his vision. Seconds later, the light faded, and momentary silence prevailed. The dispersal of violet energy from where Odin once laid signified the battle’s end. It was over, and they had won.
Fox lowered his weapon and let out a tired sigh upon being granted a moment of respite. Just in time too, as his injuries were starting to nag at him again. He had his left hand pressed against his side as the green plumber came rushing his way with healing sustenance similar to what he himself had used earlier. Fox holstered his blaster and held out his now free hand to accept the offering with a nod of appreciation. He gave the odd hybrid fruit a brief once over before biting into it. A soft crunch could be heard as the first half immediately disappeared behind a row of sharp, almost menacing fangs, and the second half quickly followed. He didn’t know how, but he felt his injuries suddenly go away on their own. Physically, he felt better, but morale? Given the circumstances, that was going to be a harder fix.
Fox turned his attention to the others to see two loosely related projections of sorrow, both in the form of sympathetic embrace. He despondently hung his head at the piteous sight as he knelt down to lightly bury the napple seed into ground where he stood before walking away; a fruit bearing tree spawning behind him in its place. He took his place alongside the others as the princess and knight expressed how grateful they were for the aid lended. He waited for everyone else to break off before saying his piece.
“We’re just doing our parts,” he reassured kindly, “but the offer’s appreciated.” He was almost able to manage an honest smile with the casual reciprocation of gratitude, but his tone noticeably lowered when looking back at Luigi and the rest of his teammates as they made their leave before turning back to the other two.
“I’m sorry about your father, Princess,” a condolence he was actually ready to extend without feeling sick. “Believe me, I know what it’s like.” Without intending to, the pilot spoke only half true. While he, too, lost his father to treachery at a young age, patricide - necessary or not - played no part in it. Such was a feeling he couldn’t even begin to fathom, let alone live with. Though, if the horror he had bore witness to not but a few minutes prior was any indication, the real Odin was gone long before they arrived. His expression subtly returned from that of emotional weariness to his cooly assertive default.
“No disrespect,” he spoke matter-of-factly, “but the way I see it, this is our battle; one that we share in, one way or the other. We’ve all lost something here today, and we’ll both need all the help we can spare each other to see to it that it doesn’t take anyone else,” he explained before looking back over his departing squadmates. “Because that’s the only way we’ll beat this…” He paused, watching Samus and Slayer exchange unheard compliments and friendly gestures to one another while they made their way through the golden-white rift that marked their exit. “Together.”
The last of the remaining squad was on their way out, and Fox wasn’t set on keeping them waiting. He would shortly be right behind them, but not without making a characteristically resolute promise.
“That’s our leave. Best of luck with your affairs here.” He turned to make his way to the portal back to Tetris as he continued to speak. “If you ever need us again, you’ll know where to look, so when the time comes, don’t hesitate. We’ll be here…” finishing just before the gate could close behind him, “and we’ll be ready.”
It almost goes without saying that Guile had been somewhat displeased with the heroes’ overall performance, critical of the lapses and discrepancies in their teamwork. As criticism goes, it was certainly more fair than placing blame for Mario’s death on his little brother, who was in no position to do anything about it at the time. Luigi was quick to remind him of that fact with explosive retort, throwing part of the blame back at the gruff armyman for setting them up with a shady contact. Given that Fox had lost kin in similar fashion thanks to Pigma, it sufficed little to say that he had no compassion or sympathy for traitors. He quickly grew tired of the circulation of demoralizing negativity that went on without end from the second they completed their mission, with nary a minute to catch their breath, and he was almost ready to step in with his own objections. Thankfully, Naija beat him to it. She went about it better than he probably would have, so it was good that she spoke up when she did.
Having moved past the issue, the meeting moved forward with the assignment of individual ranks for squad placement, followed by the subsequent adjournment of the debriefing. Fox thought little of being the sole member to be placed in Delta, for where some might have considered it a bragging right, he saw it for what it really was: a greater, more daunting responsibility. The Major caught him just before he could leave to advise that he take up hard training for the coming days to keep himself sharp, as it would probably be some time before he saw his next mission.
“Understood,” he proclaimed with a nod. He spun on his heel to resume his pace until he stopped himself mid-stride. “If I may, I’d also like to vouch for Luigi. There was nothing he could have done on his end, and I don’t expect he would have let his brother go on without him if he thought he was in any danger. None of us saw it coming. I only ask that you don’t hold it against him.” The pilot calmly spoke his mind to the councilman with all due respect, who simply took his appeal under advisement before promptly dismissing him.
“Thank you, Major,” he replied coldly as he saw himself out. Next on his agenda was to find rest wherever he could most conveniently do so while there was still time to have it. With the long day they just had, and the long morrow set before them, he was going to need all the sleep he could get.
As was the case with about half of the team, Fox found his own place at the back to the right, standing isolated from the rest of the group. Foregoing the formal black attire, he instead donned a washed out white long coat not much unlike his previous flight jacket that it had been hurriedly, but expertly tailored together in a day’s time to replace. White was also a color of mourning and passing, depending on who you asked, so it wasn’t so inappropriate or out of place that it would be liable to cause a fuss. At the very least he didn’t roll his sleeves or wear his headset, but other than that, everything else underneath was virtually the same; weaponry included.
Princess Zelda herself was kind enough to attend, sending up a prayer to whoever Hyrule’s deities were to officiate the ceremony. Toadsworth delivered the sermon, visitors in mourning from all over The System paid their respects, and then they all left for the reception. It was something of an unexpectedly short, simple, bittersweet affair, but none of it could coax a single drop from the vulpine’s heavy eyes. Surprisingly, and disconcertingly, the same could be said of Princess Peach. It was hard to tell exactly what she was feeling, but all the same, it couldn’t have been anything close to well.
Fox slowly made his way opposite the exodus of attendees, not a single eye on him as he passed through. He didn’t so much as utter a syllable to the grieving younger brother as he opted to occupy the space next to Luigi. He thought the better of crowding him with further consolation so soon, as he had already been getting more of that attention than he probably wanted. He instead allowed the ambient whistling of the air to naturally fill the gaps in audio stimuli, along with the accompanying flurries of sakura petals to visually complement it. All things considered, it brought a much needed sense of serenity to an otherwise disconsolate scene.
Fox stood in silent contemplation before the memorial site with his hands pocketed in his new jacket - its ends swaying gently forward in the wind, parted by the saddle split that had been cut to make room for his tail. He couldn’t help gazing forlornly at the epitaph and the contents placed about it, trying to discern each and every one of them. All manner of token offerings to the departed lay neatly assorted around his hat and essence: fire and ice flowers, cape feathers, coins, a golden trophy of an Olympian Bear, and other various power-ups, trinkets, and collectibles from his own world and others that would sadly be of no use to him now.
Suddenly, a random child sporting a tutu and sweater showed up to offer more to the pile, having apparently taken to the more conventional definition of mushrooms and flowers to gift to the fallen. Regardless, Mario would have understood and perhaps appreciated the gesture. Fox paid no mind to the kid as they came and went, but even at a glance, something about them registered as… strangelyfamiliar. He would spare the notion no thought, though, for the families visibly affected by the loss here only brought to mind the one other thing that mattered most to him: his own family, and everything that’s at stake.
Member
Izurich
