uh huh... sure thing.
I'll post later.
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AlteredTundra
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Both Shizuka and Ace both let out a collective groan as they heard Nomis's voice once again. He really was trying to pull off the image of a charismatic leader with the best intentions of the public in mind. The Empire was well past the point of trying to coddle the masses, for they had already partaken in mass murder. You would be hard pressed to find someone that did not have a grudge against the Empire for one reason or another, and the disturbing fact in this matter was that this was how it was meant to be.
Nomis had spawned more mechanical abominations using his tainted metal, three hovering robots that each set out on a specific course of action. Two of the bots split up to attack Ace and Shizuka, changing in form to adapt to their target. "Holy War of the Worlds..." Ace said, the robot's design clearly too close to that of something he'd read before. It's legs stomped about attempting to pierce him, however, he was easily able to evade the strikes. He could see bullets coming from a mile away, the clunky swings of a robot were nothing. Shizuka on the other hand, was being more cautious, the claw and drill that the robot in front of her had produced looked quite dangerous, and she did not have a weapon to defend herself with. She picked up a metal pipe from the wreckage of the storehouse, and swung it at the robot, sure enough, the pipe was easily cleaved in two. That sold it, she wasn't letting that thing get close to her. She began to pick up rocks and debris, throwing it at the robot as it chased her.
Ace still had not drawn his blade, he could destroy the robot, but he knew that as long as Nomis willed it he could send more after them. Nonchalantly avoiding the robot's attacks he spotted Nomis and Caleb entering a car. Well, now he had a reason to get this bot off his back. Meanwhile, Lin attempted to halt the vehicle with a fireball, but narrowly missed it. Ace couldn't help but agree with her sentiment that their foes were being cowards, surely they knew that throwing heaps of metal at them wouldn't get them anywhere.
Lin was quick to try and make up for her mistake, and sent a fire blast at tripod that incinerated it. "Thanks, Lin. I see your fire hasn't lost it's touch." He said, rushing over towards her. A pair of Neoshadows had sneaked their way behind her, Ace quickly moved between them and Lin and cut them apart. "You've gotta watch out for those ones, they can creep through the shadows... Hold on, Shizuka's running this way for some reason."
"Ace gimme your sword! I'm out of stuff to throw at this thing."
"So you want to throw my sword!?"
"N-No, just give it!" Shizuka cried out, Ace shook his head and tossed Shizuka his katana. The moment she caught the blade still in it's sheath, a manic grin spread on her face, as if she had just been given the keys to the car she wasn't allowed to drive. Without drawing the blade, Shizuka hardened her arm into steel, and swung the sheathed blade at the robot. The result was akin to what one would see if they slammed a clock onto pavement, the robot was blown apart, however Shizuka didn't stop there. Like a tank in an RPG she had just risen her aggro to an insane level. The rest of the heartless all leaped onto her at once, but were each torn to shreds as Shizuka bludgeoned them with reckless abandon.
She walked up to Ace breathing heavily, and handed him his weapon back, she then turned to Lin and hugged her as tight as she could. "I'm... So glad to see you Lin! I've missed you so much! Ace has missed you so much, right? Ace, give Lin a hug!"
"U-um." Ace couldn't help but blush at the idea, it had only been six months, but Lin seemed to be a lot cuter than the last time he saw her. Apparently he was taking too long to decide, because Shizuka grabbed him and forced him to join the hug. "I uhh, missed you too, Lin. I'm glad you're still safe."
Shizuka let Ace go, and took a better look at Lin. "So what brings you here? oh oh, How's your brother Han?"
Nomis had spawned more mechanical abominations using his tainted metal, three hovering robots that each set out on a specific course of action. Two of the bots split up to attack Ace and Shizuka, changing in form to adapt to their target. "Holy War of the Worlds..." Ace said, the robot's design clearly too close to that of something he'd read before. It's legs stomped about attempting to pierce him, however, he was easily able to evade the strikes. He could see bullets coming from a mile away, the clunky swings of a robot were nothing. Shizuka on the other hand, was being more cautious, the claw and drill that the robot in front of her had produced looked quite dangerous, and she did not have a weapon to defend herself with. She picked up a metal pipe from the wreckage of the storehouse, and swung it at the robot, sure enough, the pipe was easily cleaved in two. That sold it, she wasn't letting that thing get close to her. She began to pick up rocks and debris, throwing it at the robot as it chased her.
Ace still had not drawn his blade, he could destroy the robot, but he knew that as long as Nomis willed it he could send more after them. Nonchalantly avoiding the robot's attacks he spotted Nomis and Caleb entering a car. Well, now he had a reason to get this bot off his back. Meanwhile, Lin attempted to halt the vehicle with a fireball, but narrowly missed it. Ace couldn't help but agree with her sentiment that their foes were being cowards, surely they knew that throwing heaps of metal at them wouldn't get them anywhere.
Lin was quick to try and make up for her mistake, and sent a fire blast at tripod that incinerated it. "Thanks, Lin. I see your fire hasn't lost it's touch." He said, rushing over towards her. A pair of Neoshadows had sneaked their way behind her, Ace quickly moved between them and Lin and cut them apart. "You've gotta watch out for those ones, they can creep through the shadows... Hold on, Shizuka's running this way for some reason."
"Ace gimme your sword! I'm out of stuff to throw at this thing."
"So you want to throw my sword!?"
"N-No, just give it!" Shizuka cried out, Ace shook his head and tossed Shizuka his katana. The moment she caught the blade still in it's sheath, a manic grin spread on her face, as if she had just been given the keys to the car she wasn't allowed to drive. Without drawing the blade, Shizuka hardened her arm into steel, and swung the sheathed blade at the robot. The result was akin to what one would see if they slammed a clock onto pavement, the robot was blown apart, however Shizuka didn't stop there. Like a tank in an RPG she had just risen her aggro to an insane level. The rest of the heartless all leaped onto her at once, but were each torn to shreds as Shizuka bludgeoned them with reckless abandon.
She walked up to Ace breathing heavily, and handed him his weapon back, she then turned to Lin and hugged her as tight as she could. "I'm... So glad to see you Lin! I've missed you so much! Ace has missed you so much, right? Ace, give Lin a hug!"
"U-um." Ace couldn't help but blush at the idea, it had only been six months, but Lin seemed to be a lot cuter than the last time he saw her. Apparently he was taking too long to decide, because Shizuka grabbed him and forced him to join the hug. "I uhh, missed you too, Lin. I'm glad you're still safe."
Shizuka let Ace go, and took a better look at Lin. "So what brings you here? oh oh, How's your brother Han?"
Ryoko let out an annoyed breath, the warm air from her throat condensing in the sudden icebox that had been created. "Quick thinking there." She muttered to Salforge, brushing off flakes of ice from her shoulder. Had he not protected her, she would have been forced to retreat, something she was not fond of doing. She looked at her hand, and saw the shells that Salforge had placed upon her body. A sweet gesture, but she didn't feel she needed his coddling. She glared at the red haired youth with an expression of disdain and want, it had been a long time since she had enjoyed a good fight. She held out her arm in front of Salforge. "Wait, let me have this one." She said, stepping forward.
"Make yourself useful and make sure he doesn't try to run away, I want to savor this." Ryoko stretched out her arms above her head, and dug her nails into her wrists. Her sharp cuticles punctured her skin, and as she flung her arms downward a splash of black blood poured from her veins. The blood did not fall to the ground, however, it began to circle her arms like the rings of a planet. "My name is Ryoko, by the way, it is proper etiquette to introduce yourself BEFORE you try to kill someone, you little shit." With a thrust of both her palms, the blood shot from her arms like a cannon, spiraling into the shape of two large basketball sized bullets that crackled as they hit the cold air. She had little knowledge of how his ability worked, but for now she knew getting close to him could result in a serious case of frostbite.
_____
Shizuka had decided to hurry back to her home, while she wasn't too worried about Nomis's announcement, she'd had an uneasy feeling in the back of her head, as if she should be afraid of something. Unbeknownst to her, an invisible Heartless in the sky had locked it's eyes onto her, and was following closely. It's job was to find those that had within them a powerful heart, and hers was like a buffet in the creature's mind. It's order had been to simply watch and report, however the creature's instincts were strong, strong enough that it couldn't help but call upon some of it's kind to devour the girl. "Wha!" Shizuka gasped as a dozen Neoshadows sprouted from the ground, along with a duo of Darkballs. The Heartless wasted no time in homing in on their target, and all at once gave chase. Shizuka quickly turned on her heel, and ran.
"Ace! Ace!" She screamed into her badge. "Heartless just showed up in the middle of the city, I'm going to try and lure them somewhere empty!" The badge was nearly knocked out of her hand as a Darkball swooped downwards to crash into her, she put the device away and quickened her pace. There weren't many places that were vacant in the city, however, she knew one place that would be safe for sure. Dashing though a parking lot, she hopped over a fence and soon found herself in the wreckage of the Empire's storehouse. There was a crowd nearby, however they were far away from the scene, and were being held back by the authorities. The Heartless soon caught up with her, and she took a breath of relief.
"Alright, now as long as I finish them quickly the people will be safe." Shizuka hardened her fist into steel, and pummeled a Neoshadow in the face as it attempted to attack her. The Heartless dissipated as it was vanquished, and she jumped back to get some space. "Huh?" She noticed that the Heartless were no longer focused solely on her, a few of them had their attention turned to the crowd. "Who?..." She knew she should be the only one on their minds, unless someone powerful was also among the crowd. Straining her eyes, Shizuka saw someone quite familiar, Lin. She wished she could be happy to see her friend once again, however, the situation had turned this into a less than stellar reunion. Shizuka rushed the group of Heartless, hoping to finish them before they decided to go into the crowd, however one of the Darkballs caught onto her rashness and bashed into her. She caught the monster, however it had succeeded in distracting her long enough for many of the Neoshadows to begin charging towards the crowd. "No!" Shizuka screamed, only just killing the creature with a swift jab, she couldn't make it in time to stop them.
A sound like a gun going off shook the air, and before her eyes Shizuka saw as three of the Neoshadows instantly dissipated. "Ace!" She cried out, seeing the shaggy haired boy in the street.
"This is getting annoying..." He said, sheathing his blade. He looked back to Lin, and flashed a smile. "It is nice to see you, however. I hate to ask but, mind helping us out here? I don't want anyone here getting hurt."
"Make yourself useful and make sure he doesn't try to run away, I want to savor this." Ryoko stretched out her arms above her head, and dug her nails into her wrists. Her sharp cuticles punctured her skin, and as she flung her arms downward a splash of black blood poured from her veins. The blood did not fall to the ground, however, it began to circle her arms like the rings of a planet. "My name is Ryoko, by the way, it is proper etiquette to introduce yourself BEFORE you try to kill someone, you little shit." With a thrust of both her palms, the blood shot from her arms like a cannon, spiraling into the shape of two large basketball sized bullets that crackled as they hit the cold air. She had little knowledge of how his ability worked, but for now she knew getting close to him could result in a serious case of frostbite.
Shizuka had decided to hurry back to her home, while she wasn't too worried about Nomis's announcement, she'd had an uneasy feeling in the back of her head, as if she should be afraid of something. Unbeknownst to her, an invisible Heartless in the sky had locked it's eyes onto her, and was following closely. It's job was to find those that had within them a powerful heart, and hers was like a buffet in the creature's mind. It's order had been to simply watch and report, however the creature's instincts were strong, strong enough that it couldn't help but call upon some of it's kind to devour the girl. "Wha!" Shizuka gasped as a dozen Neoshadows sprouted from the ground, along with a duo of Darkballs. The Heartless wasted no time in homing in on their target, and all at once gave chase. Shizuka quickly turned on her heel, and ran.
"Ace! Ace!" She screamed into her badge. "Heartless just showed up in the middle of the city, I'm going to try and lure them somewhere empty!" The badge was nearly knocked out of her hand as a Darkball swooped downwards to crash into her, she put the device away and quickened her pace. There weren't many places that were vacant in the city, however, she knew one place that would be safe for sure. Dashing though a parking lot, she hopped over a fence and soon found herself in the wreckage of the Empire's storehouse. There was a crowd nearby, however they were far away from the scene, and were being held back by the authorities. The Heartless soon caught up with her, and she took a breath of relief.
"Alright, now as long as I finish them quickly the people will be safe." Shizuka hardened her fist into steel, and pummeled a Neoshadow in the face as it attempted to attack her. The Heartless dissipated as it was vanquished, and she jumped back to get some space. "Huh?" She noticed that the Heartless were no longer focused solely on her, a few of them had their attention turned to the crowd. "Who?..." She knew she should be the only one on their minds, unless someone powerful was also among the crowd. Straining her eyes, Shizuka saw someone quite familiar, Lin. She wished she could be happy to see her friend once again, however, the situation had turned this into a less than stellar reunion. Shizuka rushed the group of Heartless, hoping to finish them before they decided to go into the crowd, however one of the Darkballs caught onto her rashness and bashed into her. She caught the monster, however it had succeeded in distracting her long enough for many of the Neoshadows to begin charging towards the crowd. "No!" Shizuka screamed, only just killing the creature with a swift jab, she couldn't make it in time to stop them.
A sound like a gun going off shook the air, and before her eyes Shizuka saw as three of the Neoshadows instantly dissipated. "Ace!" She cried out, seeing the shaggy haired boy in the street.
"This is getting annoying..." He said, sheathing his blade. He looked back to Lin, and flashed a smile. "It is nice to see you, however. I hate to ask but, mind helping us out here? I don't want anyone here getting hurt."
accepted
The streets of Hollow Bastion were once again stirring to life, taking the first breath of the morning as the lifeblood of the city moved about, living out their daily lives. Pepper was not a citizen of this city, nonetheless she found herself walking among it's denizens. Her eyes scanned the decrepit architecture, the cracked roads, and crumbling alleys. If the people were the lifeblood of this city, then the city was a dying body. Rika trailed behind her, following her to the meeting place of her future employer. Convincing the thief to come with her had been easier than anticipated, little negotiation was required. The young woman had a strong ego, and it was too easily coaxed.
They eventually arrived to a part of the city that was not quite as ghetto as the rest, here, the populace could at least pretend that they still lived in the city they once upon a time could call Radiant. On the sidewalk the crowd was beginning to thicken, and among the people she could see a change in social class. Scarves wrapped nonchalantly around necks, berets tipped so precariously one could swear it was a sign of high class to have them just on the edge of falling off of one's head. The men and woman here were more well off than others, or at least they liked to appear so. Stepping under a veranda, Pepper held out an open hand to show Rika the way to her employer, for she was seated right before them. "Master Aeva, I have the woman you requested." She spoke in a clear voice, as if forcing Aeva to ask her to repeat herself would be a sin. She had done as she was told, however, she still wished to be of assistance. Her eyes looked to the cup of coffee in her hands, judging from the steam rising from it and the amount still in the cup it had just been filled, so bringing her more was out of the question, that was the waiter's job anyhow. A duo of posh men a table over were speaking, and she heard them mention the announcement that had been given via the eyesores sprouted all over the city. "Master, I will leave you to your business, however, if you wish to deal with the announcement given by the Empire, I can hack into the speakers and monitors." She said.
_____
"..Idiot?" Shizuka muttered the word that had just been spoken to her with such contempt. She lightly kicked a can with her sneaker bound foot, watching it tumble with a loud clang down the jagged street. "That woman surely wasn't with the Empire, I've never been wrong about that sorta thing before..." She let out a sigh, disappointed with herself for leaving such a bad impression on a new friend. She would have to make that up later, she wasn't really an idiot after all. "But Innocent? Funny." She chuckled derisively, kicking the can into a bin. She would have to forgive Rika for being so presumptuous, she knew she looked as if she were born to bear the moniker of an airhead, but she wasn't as naive as she let on. She reached into her pocket and grabbed a keychain. The accessory was a simple chain with a steel heart motif, however, the chain was broken on the end, rendering it useless as a keyblade attachment. "Isn't that right, Capell?" Shizuka's reverie was cut off as her badge vibrated, and Trisean's voice rang in her ears. He was panicked, and more than upset over the turn of events Nomis had laid out. "H-hey, hold on, I don't think it's that serious, we should be able to handle this.. right, Ace?" She said.
"I don't know what type of game Nomis is playing, but he's doing it wrong. If he believes the destruction of an empty building on property that the Empire owned is enough of a crime to make us look bad, he should think again. The Empire is bleeding this city dry, we are the one's trying to save them. I trust them to know that." Ace's voice echoed into her ear. Shizuka grinned and nodded.
"That's right, the people are on our side, we should believe in them."
_____
Ryoko looked up at Salforge's face and stretched her mouth into a hungry smile. "Those rebels are getting cocky, and they're spread about the city like cockroaches, we'll find one, and we'll squash it until it tells us where all of it's insect brethren are hiding." She patted the mercenary on the shoulder and began to walk for the exit. "I do hope you know how to hunt, Tin man."
Out on the streets of the city Ryoko could see a car approaching. It was a dark green military truck with tinted out windows. "Those must be the special forces I ordered, I do hope they're all they claim to be." She didn't bother greeting them or telling them their orders, they already knew what to do. "Here should do..." Ryoko mumbled to herself, having stopped by an alley that placed her and Salforge in a blind spot to those in the street and sidewalk. She snapped her fingers, and five bat like beings materialized above her. "Reconnaissance Heartless, it's amazing what a little experimentation will do to those things." She said. The Heartless soared into the sky, and flew off in different directions. Their bodies vanished, becoming invisible in the blue sky. "Those Heartless have an appetite for strong hearts, it shouldn't take them long to find one of those Unbound brats."
They eventually arrived to a part of the city that was not quite as ghetto as the rest, here, the populace could at least pretend that they still lived in the city they once upon a time could call Radiant. On the sidewalk the crowd was beginning to thicken, and among the people she could see a change in social class. Scarves wrapped nonchalantly around necks, berets tipped so precariously one could swear it was a sign of high class to have them just on the edge of falling off of one's head. The men and woman here were more well off than others, or at least they liked to appear so. Stepping under a veranda, Pepper held out an open hand to show Rika the way to her employer, for she was seated right before them. "Master Aeva, I have the woman you requested." She spoke in a clear voice, as if forcing Aeva to ask her to repeat herself would be a sin. She had done as she was told, however, she still wished to be of assistance. Her eyes looked to the cup of coffee in her hands, judging from the steam rising from it and the amount still in the cup it had just been filled, so bringing her more was out of the question, that was the waiter's job anyhow. A duo of posh men a table over were speaking, and she heard them mention the announcement that had been given via the eyesores sprouted all over the city. "Master, I will leave you to your business, however, if you wish to deal with the announcement given by the Empire, I can hack into the speakers and monitors." She said.
"..Idiot?" Shizuka muttered the word that had just been spoken to her with such contempt. She lightly kicked a can with her sneaker bound foot, watching it tumble with a loud clang down the jagged street. "That woman surely wasn't with the Empire, I've never been wrong about that sorta thing before..." She let out a sigh, disappointed with herself for leaving such a bad impression on a new friend. She would have to make that up later, she wasn't really an idiot after all. "But Innocent? Funny." She chuckled derisively, kicking the can into a bin. She would have to forgive Rika for being so presumptuous, she knew she looked as if she were born to bear the moniker of an airhead, but she wasn't as naive as she let on. She reached into her pocket and grabbed a keychain. The accessory was a simple chain with a steel heart motif, however, the chain was broken on the end, rendering it useless as a keyblade attachment. "Isn't that right, Capell?" Shizuka's reverie was cut off as her badge vibrated, and Trisean's voice rang in her ears. He was panicked, and more than upset over the turn of events Nomis had laid out. "H-hey, hold on, I don't think it's that serious, we should be able to handle this.. right, Ace?" She said.
"I don't know what type of game Nomis is playing, but he's doing it wrong. If he believes the destruction of an empty building on property that the Empire owned is enough of a crime to make us look bad, he should think again. The Empire is bleeding this city dry, we are the one's trying to save them. I trust them to know that." Ace's voice echoed into her ear. Shizuka grinned and nodded.
"That's right, the people are on our side, we should believe in them."
Ryoko looked up at Salforge's face and stretched her mouth into a hungry smile. "Those rebels are getting cocky, and they're spread about the city like cockroaches, we'll find one, and we'll squash it until it tells us where all of it's insect brethren are hiding." She patted the mercenary on the shoulder and began to walk for the exit. "I do hope you know how to hunt, Tin man."
Out on the streets of the city Ryoko could see a car approaching. It was a dark green military truck with tinted out windows. "Those must be the special forces I ordered, I do hope they're all they claim to be." She didn't bother greeting them or telling them their orders, they already knew what to do. "Here should do..." Ryoko mumbled to herself, having stopped by an alley that placed her and Salforge in a blind spot to those in the street and sidewalk. She snapped her fingers, and five bat like beings materialized above her. "Reconnaissance Heartless, it's amazing what a little experimentation will do to those things." She said. The Heartless soared into the sky, and flew off in different directions. Their bodies vanished, becoming invisible in the blue sky. "Those Heartless have an appetite for strong hearts, it shouldn't take them long to find one of those Unbound brats."
Making a temp soon.
Ryoko's expression had turned flat, as if the muscles in her face had been set to their default position. Her azure eyes had taken the color of a blue sky which was calm and devoid of any semblance of turmoil. "So, I was called here for nothing, is that what you are telling me?" She looked around the room as if she had missed something, because she must have, it was inconceivable that this brat could be this stupid. It wasn't a joke, no one was laughing, and she didn't see a camera crew storming in to tell her she was being punk'd. She literally did not have time for this nonsense. The Emperor had given an order, she was already going against her better judgement coming here. Violent thoughts pervaded her mind, as her rage had doubled over and wasn't even visible. She could kill very well kill him now for wasting her time, but she had better things to do. She let out a sigh, and released the tension in her hands. Her nails had dug into her palms, on the verge of drawing blood. "Salforge, let's go." She said, turning her back to Caleb. She stepped back into the elevator, and began to close it's doors. Before the doors closed, she shot Caleb a glare that spoke in more than enough words that she would not be so calm the next time he pulled something like this.
Reaching the entrance floor Ryoko made her way to a communications room and hailed the nearby barracks. She ordered for a team of special forces to arrive, the factory needed to be guarded as efficiently as possible, a large force would only let the Unbound Hearts know how important the factory was to their cause. Ryoko exited the room, and turned to Salforge. "The Emperor only wanted us to guard this place, but he didn't say how. What do you say we be a little more... proactive?"
_____
"Trisean, a snitch?" Shizuka looked at Rika with a shocked expression, but quickly played it off with a laugh. "No way, he's with us, he'd never betray us like that. That's silly to even say." Shizuka decided to consider it a joke for now, after all, Rika had only just met Trisean, and she herself had only just met Rika. "So you're in it for the money, huh? I can understand that... Well actually not really, but I hear you. I think you'll warm up to it, we're doing the right thing, after all." She said with a smile. Even if Rika was just a mercenary or a thief, she knew she could become a reliable ally, she had already risked her neck joining them. Shizuka stopped when Rika suddenly called out to someone behind them, she turned her head, and saw an odd young woman. Her hair was a dark shade of green, and styled so smoothly and straight that she could have sworn she was wearing the outside of a giant green vegetable for a second. "Whoa, I didn't even notice her. Hello~ can we help you?" Shizuka waved to the stranger, however even as she approached she seemed to be ignored.
"My name is Pepper, and I wish to speak with you, Rika." She said, her eyes shimmering with an electric finish. "It is impressive that you were able to hear me coming, I can only conjecture that what I have heard of you is true. I have come her on behalf of my master, she has been impressed by you, and wishes to speak with you personally. I can assure you that she will make it worth your time."
"Umm, hello?" Shizuka waved in front of Rika, trying to get Pepper's attention, but was still ignored. "Rude..." Shizuka huffed. Just then, a familiar voice entered her ears. "Oh for crying out loud, not this agi..." She stopped as she realized that the voice was not coming from inside her head this time, but from speakers around the city. Looking up she witnessed the propaganda that Nomis decided to spew to the public. "What the... HEY, that wasn't us! We robbed that place, we didn't blow it up!"
Reaching the entrance floor Ryoko made her way to a communications room and hailed the nearby barracks. She ordered for a team of special forces to arrive, the factory needed to be guarded as efficiently as possible, a large force would only let the Unbound Hearts know how important the factory was to their cause. Ryoko exited the room, and turned to Salforge. "The Emperor only wanted us to guard this place, but he didn't say how. What do you say we be a little more... proactive?"
"Trisean, a snitch?" Shizuka looked at Rika with a shocked expression, but quickly played it off with a laugh. "No way, he's with us, he'd never betray us like that. That's silly to even say." Shizuka decided to consider it a joke for now, after all, Rika had only just met Trisean, and she herself had only just met Rika. "So you're in it for the money, huh? I can understand that... Well actually not really, but I hear you. I think you'll warm up to it, we're doing the right thing, after all." She said with a smile. Even if Rika was just a mercenary or a thief, she knew she could become a reliable ally, she had already risked her neck joining them. Shizuka stopped when Rika suddenly called out to someone behind them, she turned her head, and saw an odd young woman. Her hair was a dark shade of green, and styled so smoothly and straight that she could have sworn she was wearing the outside of a giant green vegetable for a second. "Whoa, I didn't even notice her. Hello~ can we help you?" Shizuka waved to the stranger, however even as she approached she seemed to be ignored.
"My name is Pepper, and I wish to speak with you, Rika." She said, her eyes shimmering with an electric finish. "It is impressive that you were able to hear me coming, I can only conjecture that what I have heard of you is true. I have come her on behalf of my master, she has been impressed by you, and wishes to speak with you personally. I can assure you that she will make it worth your time."
"Umm, hello?" Shizuka waved in front of Rika, trying to get Pepper's attention, but was still ignored. "Rude..." Shizuka huffed. Just then, a familiar voice entered her ears. "Oh for crying out loud, not this agi..." She stopped as she realized that the voice was not coming from inside her head this time, but from speakers around the city. Looking up she witnessed the propaganda that Nomis decided to spew to the public. "What the... HEY, that wasn't us! We robbed that place, we didn't blow it up!"
"Lock down the bunker? What are you talking abo-" Ace's transmission was cut off, though it was timely considering Rika had chosen to steer the course of the conversation towards herself. She wanted to settle on a price after their next mission, Ace couldn't help but be irritated by her attitude. This wasn't a game to him, he took his position seriously, and she acted as if the only thing at risk here was the weight of her pockets. He let her leave without a word, choosing to stay in the bunker for support, Shizuka however, decided to follow after the blond mercenary.
By the time Shizuka caught up with Rika, they were on the streets. "Mind if I help you out?" She had asked, skipping up to her. The lamp posts were just turning off, heralding the rising of the sun. The star's light shined on the city's pavement and busted architecture, It was a pathetic sight, seeing something so majestic wasted on a filthy city. Shizuka held a hand over her forehead, and looked to the sky. "I used to love watching the sun rise." She said. "The view from the top of the keyblade academy was beautiful. There was a garden on the campus, doubled as our training grounds, The way the sun's light would hit the green plants and the pond, it was so..." Shizuka let out a sigh, a nostalgic grin pulling at her cheeks. "I'd give anything to see it again. What about you?" She asked, looking directly at Rika. "The Empire's taken something from all of us, that's why we're fighting to get it back. Is there something you're working towards?"
_____
Ryoko's eyes squinted as Salforge took the liberty of scanning the entire factory. She resisted the urge to slap the back of his head, she knew the factory was secure at the moment, but that didn't mean the rebels weren't working on a plan as they spoke. They were here as insurance. Salforge started talking, but suddenly tilted his head like a dog distracted by a squirrel. "The hell are you on? No one should be inside the factory, it runs it's self." She said. However, sure enough she heard the mechanical rumble of an elevator behind her. She turned around, and watched the intricate culmination of metal come down. It opened, and out walked a familiar woman, wearing an irritating grinning mask. The masked woman had come on behalf of Nomis, her master. She didn't know why the man was here with his servants, the Emperor had only sent her and Salforge to the factory, as far as she knew, Nomis had no business here. Ryoko stepped into an elevator, waited for Salforge to follow, and sent it upwards.
"Just what does that filthy old man want, he had better not be overstepping his bounds." She muttered, crossing her arms and tapping her fingernails in aggravation. She glanced at the array of machinery that zoomed past her line of sight, The large pipes were constantly rumbling as if they were an inch from blowing apart, and gears turned so quickly they could be mistaken for saw blades. "There's nothing up above here, ya know." She said. "This place's real purpose is found below, so far below that I doubt you saw it with that vision of yours. "People call these things factories, however, a more accurate word would be refineries. A small distinction to some, but an important difference nonetheless..."
The elevator came to a stop, and Ryoko walked out. Nomis's servant let her master know of their arrival. "...The fuck is all of this, Nomis?" Ryoko looked around the room, seeing what could only be described best as a hacker's wet dream. Upon one of the many monitors she could see what remained of the warehouse smoldering as firefighters arrived on the scene. Her brows arched in fury, and she stomped over to Nomis, shoving the masked servant in the face to get her out of the way. "What have you been up to, and why did you send one of your whores to come get me?"
By the time Shizuka caught up with Rika, they were on the streets. "Mind if I help you out?" She had asked, skipping up to her. The lamp posts were just turning off, heralding the rising of the sun. The star's light shined on the city's pavement and busted architecture, It was a pathetic sight, seeing something so majestic wasted on a filthy city. Shizuka held a hand over her forehead, and looked to the sky. "I used to love watching the sun rise." She said. "The view from the top of the keyblade academy was beautiful. There was a garden on the campus, doubled as our training grounds, The way the sun's light would hit the green plants and the pond, it was so..." Shizuka let out a sigh, a nostalgic grin pulling at her cheeks. "I'd give anything to see it again. What about you?" She asked, looking directly at Rika. "The Empire's taken something from all of us, that's why we're fighting to get it back. Is there something you're working towards?"
Ryoko's eyes squinted as Salforge took the liberty of scanning the entire factory. She resisted the urge to slap the back of his head, she knew the factory was secure at the moment, but that didn't mean the rebels weren't working on a plan as they spoke. They were here as insurance. Salforge started talking, but suddenly tilted his head like a dog distracted by a squirrel. "The hell are you on? No one should be inside the factory, it runs it's self." She said. However, sure enough she heard the mechanical rumble of an elevator behind her. She turned around, and watched the intricate culmination of metal come down. It opened, and out walked a familiar woman, wearing an irritating grinning mask. The masked woman had come on behalf of Nomis, her master. She didn't know why the man was here with his servants, the Emperor had only sent her and Salforge to the factory, as far as she knew, Nomis had no business here. Ryoko stepped into an elevator, waited for Salforge to follow, and sent it upwards.
"Just what does that filthy old man want, he had better not be overstepping his bounds." She muttered, crossing her arms and tapping her fingernails in aggravation. She glanced at the array of machinery that zoomed past her line of sight, The large pipes were constantly rumbling as if they were an inch from blowing apart, and gears turned so quickly they could be mistaken for saw blades. "There's nothing up above here, ya know." She said. "This place's real purpose is found below, so far below that I doubt you saw it with that vision of yours. "People call these things factories, however, a more accurate word would be refineries. A small distinction to some, but an important difference nonetheless..."
The elevator came to a stop, and Ryoko walked out. Nomis's servant let her master know of their arrival. "...The fuck is all of this, Nomis?" Ryoko looked around the room, seeing what could only be described best as a hacker's wet dream. Upon one of the many monitors she could see what remained of the warehouse smoldering as firefighters arrived on the scene. Her brows arched in fury, and she stomped over to Nomis, shoving the masked servant in the face to get her out of the way. "What have you been up to, and why did you send one of your whores to come get me?"
Caleb's accepted
Mikuru's accepted.
Now where them posts be at people?
Now where them posts be at people?
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