Zarkun

Halo: Aegis Team

Spartan Lucas Ryker

Despite himself, Lucas grinned a true and genuine grin at the mention of the youngest 'Mdalak lacking many of the usual Sangheili traits that every human who fought in the war got used to seeing, but he did not speak again until the plan was laid out. Overall, he wasn't sure why he'd suggested anything with the way that it was being handled, but there was one last thing he could do. "Major, do we know who the Covenant leader besides Uztel'Mdalak is? While the bulk of the team helps Commando 'Mdalak deal with her brother's treachery, I could, with or without help, remove them from future play, or at least plant a tracker to find a more meaningful target."

Halo: Aegis Team

Spartan Lucas Ryker

For the most part, Lucas had just been listening to everything and taking in the details, watching the information scroll across the readout and observing the offered hologram of the planet and then the fortress. Despite himself, his days on the ONI black ops squad had him looking for patrols and their routes, important resources that they could cut off to bait out their target, places of trouble that would force the target into the open as well, ambush points and lastly, and perhaps one of his old teammate's favorites, sniper vantage points. Not even Commando 'Mdalak's outburst drew his attention away as he looked over everything and, as the new Swords liaison finished speaking, the SPARTAN-IV finally broke his silence.

"Then we need to disrupt whatever is his focus. We know the Covenant brought in mining platforms and Scarabs. A small team can't do much against those, that's common sense. But we can disrupt convoys and transportation. We make it seem like we're bigger than we are and we can draw out Commando 'Mdalak's younger brother readily, especially if his honor is brought under scrutiny. From there, it would be a simple matter of making sure the Covenant doesn't interfere with their duel, though I use simple loosely. We're looking at the forces of a small fleet against a small team of us. My only question is where do the duels usually take place."

Halo: Aegis Team

Spartan Lucas Ryker

If Ryker recognized the older set of armor when he caught a glimpse of it, his face didn't betray anything. He didn't even speak again until the Sangheili was armored up and then he nodded. "Right then if we're all spiffed up and ready to go, I heard this place called Han's Crabbery is pretty good." As the SPARTAN-IV turns to leave, leading the Sangheili officer, and Ben if he wanted to go, to leave, a knock sounds and then a familiar voice speaks up.

Grinning like a mad man, Lucas opens it up to see Aviza on the other side. "Glad to see you came back, Aviza. We were getting ready to head out to have some seafood. Wanna come?"

Halo: Aegis Team

Spartan Lucas Ryker

Ryker shrugs, roughing his hair with his free hand. "You could say it is a bit of a custom of humanity in as a whole. Before we took to the stars and encountered the Covenant, military units often became a small family, as they came to rely and trust each other explicitly both on and off the battle field, and as a result, they'd often do things such as going to meals together and other activities to build trust and cohesion. I figured you'd appreciate the chance to get some fresh air too, since I'm pretty sure you've been in your room far more than I have."

The SPARTAN-IV glances down the hall, where Vael's handler was sitting, talking into a cell phone and he sighs. "I can also get you a break from ONI's little watch dogs, if only for a couple of hours. Both Major 'Suumko and Commando 'Mdalak have been spending their time out amongst the city. Though personally, I think it's because ONI didn't think they'd actually spend their time outside of their rooms."

Halo: Aegis Team

Spartan Lucas Ryker

After finishing up cleaning his weapons, the SPARTAN-IV could only stand to be in the quiet for another few minutes before, with a groan, he geared up and headed out. Well, specifically, he grabbed his knives and his pistol and headed out. Once his door was closed to his room and the lock had engaged, he turned to his handler as they approached and shook his head. "ONI can stuff it, Sergeant. And be sure to tell them I said exactly that when you have to report that I wouldn't allow you to accompany me on MY home planet." The handler, stunned by the way Lucas bluntly handled his approach, doesn't even try to follow him as he heads for the room of Aegis' Swords commander, pausing just in time to hear the SPARTAN-III finish his sentence.

"Rest assured that you're being watched by ONI even now, but that doesn't mean they're looking out for your safety." Ryker's snort likely caught the attention of the pair as he joined Ben in the doorway.

"Lad, if that isn't the understatement of the day, I don't know what is." Offering a bow to Vael, the SPARTAN-IV removes his helmet and offers a smile to him. "If you're up for it, Commander 'Virisusai, I was about to head down to the seaboard for some fresh seafood. Thought I'd stop by and see if you wanted to join me."

Fenixtear - A Fairy Tail RP

Damian Gerard|Fenixtear Guildhall

@Sanguine Rose@CitrusArms

"Interrupted by a drink or not, that was just dumb. Kid wouldn't last a minute in special forces..." Continuing his muttered speaking, he returns to cooking and making meals for patrons. Meanwhile, as Trinity continued playing in the main hall, Carmilla eventually stood and stretched before gently nudging the musician's leg and then lightly tugging her towards where Damian was. She was attempting to communicate that she was sure the young woman would be safer with her pack members, who were in the kitchen rather than in the hall proper. After a few tugs, she would rejoin Jaëger at the kitchen door, laying on the opposite side of the large male and resting her head on her paws once more.

Damian would glance over and smile at his wolfen companion and nodding to Trinity if she followed. After a few more minutes of silence, he would finally speak up. "So, do we actually know how all the guild members would like their steak or should we get a poll going? Otherwise it's gonna be medium rare across the board. Just saves time and effort." Admittedly, cooking for such a group was somewhat intimidating to Damian, but he had been in far more intimidating situations in his life, this was hardly the worst one. Jaëger turned to look at the swordsman and yipped softly, eliciting a sigh from him. "Yes, you'll get yours raw, as will Carmilla. Jeez..."

Halo: Aegis Team

Spartan Lucas Ryker

The medical procedure and subsequent debriefing had all been decently run of the mill, all handled for SOP, though there had been special additions to Aegis' SOP to account for the non-human members of the team and ensure that the confidentiality of it all remained. However, after a week and a half of waiting for a final decision on the team's fate on the Chorus of Thunder, it became too clear to Lucas that they would likely either sit in limbo for months or end up on "temporary" reassignments for their respective governments. That first week and a half turned into more weeks and soon enough, his hunch proved true.

However, Spartan OPS didn't want to risk loosing any face with the Swords of Sanghelios and the willingness of Spartans to work with them, so when they asked for a volunteer to go with Vael and the other Swords members, the SPARTAN-IV was the quickest to step forward and offer to go. The months after that had been pretty standard, even by human military standards. Patrols, raids, inspections of Forerunner sites ahead of scientific teams, all pretty standard, if with a bit more Unggoy curiosity on his side of the fight than he was admittedly used to. During this time, he got to know Vael'Virisusai, Yalu'Suumko, Tar'Mdalak, and Grikgar far better than he had when they'd first met in Sydney before Aegis' first mission and he thought their teamwork had improved considerably since. As of now, he sat on his bed in his room outside the UNSC headquarters in Sydney, Australia once more, his armor off and sitting on an armor stand while he cleaned his rifle.

Nearby, sitting on the nightstand, was his twin energy knives and the twin standard issue ones he carried as well. He'd already sharpened the blades of the two standard issue and done the maintenance he could on the others. His wrist mounted blade was attached to the forearm of his armor, but he'd done maintenance on it as well. Humming, he only glanced out briefly as the sun snuck through the clouds. Already a week and they were still waiting on the rest of Aegis, but that didn't bother Ryker any. In fact, he had enjoyed his time in Sydney, not having to worry about guard duty, well. The sights were plentiful and he'd never been to Australia in his down time before.

Halo: Aegis Team

Spartan Lucas Ryker

Ryker could hardly believe he was watching them actually acquiesce to the requests of a terrorist just to take him alive, especially given they'd already killed non-combatants in an effort to reignite the war between Elite and Human. But then, their team lead was a medic and their first priority was always saving lives, not taking them, Spartan or not. {They'll pop out of some other hidey-hole eventually, the URF always does. Regardless, Team Lead, we need to get that weapon out of his hands BEFORE the shuttles above get too far away. Grikgar is in position to jump him, just give the word.}

Speaking from personal experience from during the war, Unggoy were much stronger than they looked and an unaugmented human being would struggle to actually stop them from disarming them. The encounter had been...unexpected, just a lone Unggoy looking to relieve themselves when Lucas had stumbled upon them, but the following fight, in which the Unggoy had easily disarmed and almost killed Ryker with its bare hands, had proven to the now SPARTAN-IV that any of the former Covenant races were more than met the eye.

Halo: Aegis Team

Spartan Lucas Ryker

Well this wasn't the situation that the SPARTAN-IV was expecting to find himself in at this point, with their target holding himself hostage to get his people out alive. Ryker had already reengaged his active camouflage, and had taken aim to try and knock the pistol out of his hand, though his position on the edge of the landing was less than ideal. Still, an answer had to be made as the team moved. He wasn't sure that matching hostage with hostage was a great plan, but it did offer an opportunity and he saw Grikgar flash his IFF to indicate his position. The little Unggoy was smart, pity there wasn't much of a way for Lucas to support him, though he did know that they'd all been issued combat knives and if there was one thing the former ONI assassin knew, it was that a surprise prick from an unexpected source that would often turn things in your favor.

Turning off his external speakers, Ryker spoke strictly to the members of Aegis. "If we can coordinate everything right, we can disarm and detain him without having to meet his demands. Grikgar is in a great position to catch him off guard with a knife to the leg or even leaping on him. All one of us needs to do is get that magnum out of his hands." He then remembers the SPARTAN-III...Ben. He had hopefully found a good spot by now. "We could also blow off his arm with that Anti-Material rifle of yours, Ben."

Phoenix Wing: New Dawn

Jane Addeson|Within the Fabled Hall

@Sho

Walking alongside Belius, the Energy Blade wielder chuckled at his question. ”I don’t imagine that there will be much of a pool since it is just an exhibition match, nothing like the GMG. But still, if it’ll help the town, I’ll contribute.” She smiles mischievously. ”Plus, what about a pot between the two of us? Showiest spells? Best combat style? Spell with the biggest boom?”

James Avelane|A Pupil's Arrival

@BlackMaiden@Joshua Tamashii@Lunarlord34

Chuckling at Amaya’s statement, James followed her, Joshua and Cody as they all moved towards the new Arena Indominus, watching the way the town was coming alive in a way that was far beyond anything that the Paladin had seen in the last two years. Now, he was familiar with the city’s history and how closely tied to the late Fairy Tail mage guild that Fantasia Festival was over a hundred years ago. Apparently, it was so tied to it, when magic was ostracized after Zeref’s attack in Crocus and the subsequent attacks there after, the festival was forced into a lull as no one would attend something tied so strongly to something that was now a taboo.

However, seeing the way that the town revitalized the festival and brought it back, almost without a second thought for the matter, well, as the stadium came into view and they began to enter it, James couldn’t help but smile largely as his helmet vanished so he could watch the event.

Jake Ronan|Dinner for Two

@Joshua Tamashii

True to his word, Jake got cleaned up and then found his girlfriend before the pair headed to the train station to head for the coast. The ax wielder smiled at Pyrrha as they walked. ”Got anywhere that might come recommended? Admittedly it’s been awhile since I had fish.”

Jack Goran|A Meeting of Masters, Old and New

@MarshiestMallow@Cello

Jack’s smile could have lit up a room with how large it was. ”You mean a chance to see a piece of both Magical and Town history resurrected and shown to the world as a way to remind them magic isn’t evil? Did you even have to ask?” As Priscilla voiced agreement with his sentiment, the Fire God Slayer could only grin wider.

”Indeed, dear Jamie, lead the way.”

Hunter Jorgenson|Call of the Wild

@Lunarlord34@hatakekuro

Sure enough, when Ashlyn arrived at the train station, Hunter was sitting on one of the platforms, chewing on a piece of jade stone he must have brought from the guild hall in one hand and playing with a rubber ball with the other. Spotting the fire mage, he beckons her over to join him on the platform. Once she was close, he tossed her a small pack. ”Extra rations, we might be out there awhile based on the intel I just got from the Rune Knights. Seems the target has claimed a rather large swath for territory.”

Royal Rumble in the Arena’d Jungle

Featuring Damian “Blades” Gerard, Roseletta “Black Rose” Griffonbane, Nolan “Ashen Ghost” Waltz, and Penny “The Phoenix” Hoft

As the four S-Class mages entered, more or less, their respective locker rooms, the sounds of the crowd could be heard even inside. Seemed that the revival of the Fantasia Festival with an opening fight with all the S-Class mages of the best known guild in the country had drummed up quite the crowd. Damian stretched as he waited near his entrance, humming a quiet song to himself as he did so. He hadn’t yet unlocked his Alpha power lock, that would wait until after he was on the field, but he was not any kind of slouch. He glanced in the direction he’d seen Nolan led off in and smirked in spite of himself. Wonder how he handles putting on a show…

”Can’t they just shut up?” Seriously, he could hear the bloody crowd from all the way in the locker room and he knew that they were going to only get louder, probably because Damian will try to make a hype speech or something. Well, at least his opponents were going to actually put up a fight this time; it’s been boring as sin without having someone to give him a proper bout for these last two years. Well, he couldn’t say that these few years have been fruitless at least. His training had pushed him to new heights with his ability to control his magic, body, and mind. There was never a moment where he wasn’t training. Nolan stood by the entranceway and stretched his arms upwards. ”At least this’ll be interesting.” The slayer muttered to himself.

“Man, everyone is really hungry for this battle, it is weird getting this attention”Spoke rose to herself hearing the chantings of the excited voices of all who came to see this legendary battle of sorts. She rubbed her neck slowly moving out of her locker room adjusting the pitch black scythe on her back slightly as she walked into the arena. The years have really changed the young woman from being reserved and not so showy to taking up the old offer of becoming an S rank now that she felt more in tune and not so scared of her own magic. She was ready to show the true reason she used to fear her magic. Maybe this time she can show the beauty she had found within the darkness these past two years.

Penny shifted, trying not to let her anxiety get to her. Fighting had never been something Penny was overly interested in, but she couldn’t deny that this display would be beneficial to the people of Magnolia- and those of the rest of fiore that had travelled to see this. She moved her weight from one foot to the other, knowing that she wouldn’t be able to rely too much on her Phoenix Song, lest she put the whole crowd to sleep or into some other emotive state. Still, she had been fighting with fire a lot longer than she had with her Phoenix magics. A part of her couldn’t help but let the crowd's anticipation get to her, and she moved once more. They wanted a display worthy of S class, well, she could give that.

All at once, the four S-Class mages received a prompt via telepathic mage to head out, while at the same time, the crowds cheering and conversation changed. A rhythmic tapping started as the four mages walked their tunnels and then came out into the arena, appearing as the main singer for the band that was up there started singing. The announcer came alive for real at the same time. “Ladies and gentlemen! Today we have quite the show for you as the four S-Class mages for the best known mage guild in the country clash in an epic battle royale!” The crowd roars in approval as Damian pulls his Ares Blade from the air, his magic circle turning black as he spins the blade and swings it to his side, the force sending out a gust of air felt by the other S-Class mages and the crowd. “From the north tunnel, he wields the blackest ash to turn the brightest of days into the darkest of nights, the Ashen Ghost himself, Nolan Waltz!” The women got particularly rowdy, but it was clear the crowd as a whole knew his name.

“From the East, she walks the fine line between light and dark, using the shadows to bring those who would do wrong to light, the beautiful Black Rose, Roseletta Griffonbane!” More hoots and hollers, even applause and whistles. The announcer was clearly someone who covered events like this regularly. “From the South you have the Firebird, a mage who brings the legend of the Phoenix to life with her flames and Phoenix Song, the Phoenix herself, Penny Hoft!” Once more the crowd loses it, with a small number of them throwing flowers around the four mages.

“And last but most certainly not least, from the West you have the man who’s blades bring evildoers to their knees, who wields a sword so powerful, it's said to have come from a legendary dragon and magic to match, the Blade of Phoenix Wing himself, Damian Gerard!” As the crowd cheers once more, Damian smirks and holds his Ares Blade above his head before sliding into an Iaijutsu stance, ready to begin. The Ares Blade was a katana after all and he’d learned alot about wielding them over the last couple of years, as well as growing stronger, so finding where all of them stood amongst themselves was going to be interesting.

Meanwhile, Nolan just looked at the announcer with absolute contempt. What is with this cheesy shit that was coming out of that Freddy Mercury looking ass? This was just too much; not even the announcers from the GMG were this obnoxious. ”Shut it blowhard.” The God Slayer said coldly, unsheathing his scimitar with hardly a flourish though, it was to be expected from him. After all, he was not exactly someone who was known for showmanship, but hey, there were probably some people who were into that attitude of his.

“Well, as much as I am not one for flashy displays or allowing myself to get praises, I will say it is quite humbling and honorable and maybe I should have allowed this from the start.”Spoke Rose, trying her best to seem humble as she looked at the crowds raising a hand to wave at all of them, trying to seem like someone to would enjoy having fans. She barely got used to having a literal family now she has fans and a showcase to display her skills. Almost overwhelming “Let's start this thing off right ya?”she asked with a smile removing the scythe from her back, twirling it around the fingers of her left hand watching the other three closely.

A show… that was what the crowd wanted, and perhaps it was what Magnolia needed. There would always be scars in this city- and indeed all over Fiore, but perhaps they could forge both to be stronger then they were. The first step was banishing the fear that was held against magic users, still. Penny flicked a glance around the stadium, and for a brief moment she was sure she heard little Faith screaming out their names. A brief moment of fancy, but it did make Penny smile as she waited for the announcer to call out her name.

Flash.

Well, she had plenty of light at her disposal with Fire and Phoenix Magic, that was for sure. She slowly turned- her gaze slowly moving over the crowd as flame began to whirl around her, the fire coalescing into her Phoenix Form, her eyes closing a moment as she fought the innate urge to let lose a few notes of song. Who knew what it might do, to the crowd already so riled up. She crouched slightly, picking up one single flower from the group that had been thrown around them all. For a brief, brief moment Penny held her breath, the flames barely flicking along the flower before they engulfed it- but the flower didn’t burn.

With a slight upward throw, it floated into the air, seeming to hover there. She shifted, the flames around her dying slowly, and she turned her gaze to the others, crossing her arms across her chest. ”I’m ready.”