Textspace

-Surprise surprise, Kahlia's response is awfully quick!-

-Once again, the gap between messages is marked by the typing notification popping up and down several times, but this time the next batch comes through rather more hastily.-

Edited by Herbert40k on Jun 27th 2021 at 5:11:51 PM

Stormchaser

-Isbrand just...stares at Lissa's finger.-

Isbrand: -deadpan "...right. I'm sure your insults would have shaken me to my core."

-She pauses, snd her voice has just a "hint'' of compassion to it -

Isbrand: "Eventually being a womanizing heartbreaker loses its chaem, you know."

Isbrand: -sincerely- "Trust me."

Kaizone, past

Brie: Oh, it's really nothing! There's this lady calling herself Yevalith, she's like...what if a cartoon supervillain were actually kind of clever and dangerous and really wanted people dead? I can't figure out what her actual plan is though because she doesn't seem to have one.

...She's annoying.

Stormchaser, Heart

PEFE!Every: It's only slow if you're doing it the old-fashioned way!

-she glances down at herself-

Admittedly I've considered it, but I'd need to find the right person first...easier and faster to just handle all that by myself.

-she blinks, pauses-

-answers a question-

(to Star) Yeah, I have a little nest in the vents for when I need to get from place to place faster. I was keeping an eye on the little meeting over there. Who are you?

Ever: Pef, don't be rude. Megan, just a sec.

-full worksona-

Star! I haven't seen you in forever! How's it been?

The further in they went, the more... interesting the cognition of the palace became. Various aspects floated about, held up by strings, some had green diamonds over their heads. Jackal making a mental note of everything, "Puppetry. So... Daniel here is bent on making his ex his puppet..."

"It seems not only is he scum, he is lacking in imagination," Bishop commented.

"Doubtful, more like he's a user who can't stand his victim not being under his control," Jackal said reaching the end of the hallway. A door stood between the party and Daniel.

"Anyone care to take the first knock, break it down?"

Silas and Roxy stared at the broken blades, "Damn," Roxy commented, "What did you do? Fight a steelix?"

Silas was calculating the materials needed, "I'd be happy to help out, it'd have to wait a bit," he commented, "I'm going off to Orre. Got a job relating to the school out there."

Roxy nodded, she pulled out a notepad, "Can we schedule you for some time in the near future?"

"Roxy."

"Whaaaaat? I have fun doing this."

"How?"

She smiled, Silas wasn't sure what it meant. He sighed, "Anyways my shop is always mobile, Grant Industries is always happy to provide Medium Tools."

Roxy produced a catalogue and handed it to Elizabeth, "Just a few of our previous works."

There is nothing behind Shaun, there is nobody there, just an empty alley... The tingle appears again, this time someone speaks.

"So you're the him of this world," it says in a scratchy voice.

The Walking Mountain, Bottom Stratum

-The elevator room echoes as the service lift comes down. The low grinding of the gears produces a low drone as it reaches the bottom, where a lone figure in formal dress resides.-

-The guard Aegislash looks at the figure in surprise.-

Aegislash: <You the man?>

-The figure nods, his hands behind his back.-

Aegislash: <Most times I come the bruv needs a ring to look like that, but... wha'evah, get on.>

-Dune gets on the elevator. A quick flick of the lever and it's going upwards.-

-What the Aegislash fails to notice is a multi-Minimized flying Clefable slip behind the lever as it rises.-

Walking Mountain, Top Stratum

-Deziree sighs as she looks as the horribly boring dress before her.-

Deziree: This sucks.

Zhu Li: It's standard attire.

Deziree: Yeah. Exactly.

-She points to her hips.-

Deziree: These do not deserve standard!

Zhu Li: What do you want to do about it?

Deziree: Do you really have to ask?

Zhu Li: No, I don't suppose I do. Didn't take you for a fashion designer, though.

Deziree: That's the exciting part! I'm not!

Zhu Li: ... You're fun to be around.

Deziree: That's how my husband fell in love with me!

Kaizone — Past

Kai: ...Huh. That's... concerning. But it sounds like you're handling it well enough, right? Just, y'know. Please don't be afraid to ask me for help if you need it. Or, considering the nature of the adversary, Rogue.

-They rotate their shoulder a bit, wincing ever so slightly-

Kai: ...After this all heals, of course.

Textspace — Now

-There is a much longer pause than before-

Edited by BittersweetNSour on Jun 27th 2021 at 12:37:48 PM

Stormchaser, Meeting Room, recent past

-Lissa blinks at Isbrand, before withdrawing her finger, folding her arms, and just glaring.-

Lissa: Is that true? I wouldn't know. Literally, because I don't let myself form genuine emotional attachments because I'm still hideously traumatised by having my agency stolen from me for actual years and paraded around like some brainwashed puppet and so I refuse to let anyone get seriously close to me as a result.

-...-

Lissa: Not really very funny when I say it out loud, huh? Tough crowd, I guess.

Textspace - Now

-This time, the responses come through much more promptly.-

-There's another brief pause before the next batch.-

Edited by Herbert40k on Jun 27th 2021 at 5:50:17 PM

Stormchaser, Meeting

Lita's expression doesn't change much after hearing Isbrand.

"Well...you are the womanizing heartbreaker, but you never meant ill towards anybody."

She frowned a little at Lissa.

"I know you struggle to trust sometimes. Even if someone breaks your heart that doesn't mean you could trust again."

"As for me, my priorities got skewed. I started doing things for someone else, not for myself. Looking back on the last 8 months, I regret a lot of what I did. If you're interested, I can tell you a bit about it in private. Only if you want to."

Stormchaser

Elizabeth: "It's a long story. Silver-steel blade..."

-She sighs.-

Elizabeth: "Doesn't do much for me here, other than serve as a memento."

-She scans the catalogue, stopping on a certain Obscuric bow.-

Elizabeth: "Oh hey, I've seen him shoot with this."

Elizabeth: "Yeah, I'll schedule an appointment. How much are two daggers gonna set me back, Poké-wise?"

Castelia

Shaun: "Great, another stray dog."

-Shaun doesn't look around, but does toss his Casteliacone away.-

-He stood in line for half an hour...-

Shaun: "What do you want?"

Stormchaser, Again

Isbrand: -to Lissa- "Yeah that'll do it."

-She unintentionally glares at Lita.-

Isbrand: "Not anymore. Doesn't matter if I meant to hurt anyone, I still hurt them. And I'm much happier with my stable relationships than I was hitting up dive bars and taking a different chick home every night."

-Isbrand? Remorseful for her actions? On our Stormchaser? It's more likely than you think.-

Isbrand: -to Lita- "Well, now I'm just curious. Could get together for dinner, the three of us."

-Isbrand pauses.-

Isbrand: "As friends. Just to catch up. That's it."

-She sounds serious.-

Silas smirked at that, "I only charge people I don't know. Shaun's bow was a gift, Umbra and Ammy's blades, wedding presents, Daydre's belt was a challenge to learn. Mercury's tools were paid for because I didn't know him."

Roxy nodded, "We provide for the J-Team, we make tools, armor, and weapons as needed."

"Though the Beskar armor is a bit harder to get, that takes swearing an oath to the Clan of the Mandacario there," Silas explained.

The cone appeared in the man's hands, standing before Shaun was... well a Silas, wearing a deep blue coat, with matted black hair and sullen eyes, a thick layer of stubble on his face.

"I'm looking for you... a you at least. Figured he'd have come after you and ripped you open by now," Tobias answered.

He let go of the cone and it vanished, "Seems he hasn't, lucky you."

Textspace

-The typing notification pops up and disappears a few times before an actual message goes through-

PEFE HQ — Airship Docks

-Purple 1 has arrived.-

Stormchan

Lita gives a little smile.

"Ok. Thank you. There's a lot to vent about."

"And, uh, for the record, I didn't mind being slung over your shoulder >\\\<."

Stormchaser, Meeting Room - recent past

-Lissa's arms remain firmly folded.-

Lissa: Right. Friends. That's why you brought along that purple... monstrosity the last time we saw each other, because that's totally a thing that friends do. Just a nice friendly curiosity to share between friends.

-She sighs, and a lot of the anger seems to go out of her.-

Lissa: ...Yeah. I'd like that. Still don't have the first clue how I should really act in such a scenario, but it seems like it'd be nice.

-She glances away and mumbles something, seemingly more to herself more than anyone else.-

Lissa: ...I like you guys. I don't wanna fuck this up like I always do.

Textspace - Now

-Again, there's that long period of the typing notification reappearing and disappearing once again before the next message appears.-

PEFE HQ, Airship Docks - the even more recent now

-Kahlia is in fact here early! Plus, in contrast to her usual delinquent style, she appears to have actually made the effort to dress up for the occasion. Her blunt nails are painted matte black, she's wearing an almost exceptionally frilly and gothic dress over tights, and she looks faintly embarrassed at being seemingly overdressed, as evidenced by her constantly glancing from side to side to see if she can spot Kai and try to act nonchalant about the whole thing.-

Yew manor

Radium: <Really? Aren't they the people with a massive ship or something? I heard some people talking about them once.>

Kal: I think I watched a couple episodes of the cartoon at one point. Can't remember much of it, though.

Stormchaser

Elizabeth: "Oh. Well, I will have to pass on the Beskar. I don't really need it? Oh, but, is your workshop on your airship?"

Isbrand: "I didn't hear you complain about that monstrosity, princess."

-She hesitates.-

Penny: "You should tell them how you feel!"

-Isbrand swears.-

Isbrand: "Penny."

Penny: "Entering power-saving mode now, ma'am!"

Isbrand: "I do miss you two. Sometimes. But I don't want to play a game of on/off."

-She runs a hand through her short hair, ruminating.-

Isbrand: "I'm not busy with anything. Got nothing planned with the girls this week. Just...pick a day you two are free."

Castelia

Shaun: "Man, didn't realize my self-loathing extended across universes."

-He slides his hands into his pockets.-

Shaun: "Sorry to disappoint, though. You tried looking at the bottom of a well?"

PEFE HQ Airship Docks

-It doesn't take much to notice Kahlia as an individual, but it does take a couple glances around before Kai realizes that's her.-

-Her eyes widen, and a huge grin crosses her face as she approaches-

Kai: You. Look. Adorable.

-Comparatively, Kai isn't quite as overdressed — a nice, but plain pink button-down shirt, black pants and shoes, but nothing nearly as frilly. Her hair's in a plain ponytail, and the scars from the Molybdenum incident are still pretty plainly visible, though she's made an effort to at least subdue it with concealer along with her typical makeup.-

Kai: Like, wow. I honestly didn't take you for the dress-wearing sort. But it's cute.

Stormchanser

"Ok, I'm free [insert day of the week here]."

Lita suddenly realizes what Lissa just said.

> purple monstronsity

"haha what."

Stormchaser, Meeting Room - past

-Lissa goes faintly red and mumbles to herself.-

Lissa: Well, yeah. I had the time of my life. Don't know why Peach makes such a big fuss about being kidnapped by Bowser all the time.

-She scratches the back of her neck and looks away from Isbrand.-

Lissa: I... I'm busy a lot of the time. Alice keeps me busy. And that... I like that, y'know? I like having that kinda distraction. I like having something to work on, to feel like I'm doing good. Stops me from thinking about... well, about everything else. About what it was like to-

-She shudders, and shakes her head.-

Lissa: ...Anyway. I... I don't wanna mess you around either. Because again, I'm not good at this stuff. I don't know how to do it, I'm not even sure my brain's cut out for it in the first place. It always feels like I'm muddling my way through something that everyone else was given an instruction manual for and I missed out on. And yet... I like you. I really do. So I don't want to hurt you by letting you down. And I reckon I can make time, for whenever you ask.

-She smiles softly.-

-...-

-And then she processes what Lita just said to her.-

Lissa: Oh, um.... I was just talking about motor oil. Montrous motor oil. For... for my internal processor. Because I'm secretly a robot. Yeah. Yeah, let's go with that. That seems easier to explain.

PEFE HQ, Airship Docks - past

-Somehow, Kahlia manages to maintain enough composure to respond to Kai without descending into incomprehensible gay platitudes. She does, however, go very red in the cheeks (which her vampiric pallor makes all the more prominent) and makes a hasty but well-rehearsed cursty to conceal that fact.-

Kahlia: Why thank you~ You're looking like quite the snack yourself, you know. And please, you didn't think I could pull off a period dress? I'm a vampire. Dresses, curtsies and flowery language were all part of the induction package when I got turned into a crime against nature. Didn't you ever read Monstrous Regiment?

-She grins, and takes one of Kai's hands in her own.-

Kahlia: Anyway, I believe you expressed an intention to whisk me away to parts unknown? By which I mean Galar, but that always seems to be the case with period dramas.

PEFE HQ Airship Docks

-Kai smirks.-

Kai: It's not that I doubted you'd look good in it. I think... you didn't think you could pull it off. That's the read I'm getting off you. Yet here you are, and it looks perfect.

-She doesn't especially resist having her hand taken.-

Kai: But yes, I do believe that was in the plans. Not immediately to Hulbury, but there's something I'd like to show you first anyway. It won't be too far away from our final destination, and only a couple minutes or so on the way. But it's something I try to only let those I can trust in on.

-She looks Kahlia directly in the eyes, a sly smile on her face.-

Kai: Are you my ally, Kahlia?

Stormchaser

-Isbrand places a hand on Lissa's shoulder, offering a friendly, vampiric smile.-

Isbrand: "I'm here for you, Lissa. Suprisingly, I am fond of your company."

-All Lita gets is a wink.-

Isbrand: "I'll set it up, then. That asshole-" -points at Kaiiseii- "owes me a favor. I'll have Athena pick you guys up."

Kaiiseii: "I heard that!"

Isbrand: "You were supposed to!"

"Yep," Silas answered, "Always have my workshop with me. Also got a few empty cabins on my ship, it's cozy and comfortable, it's home."

"Even though we could totally call the Stormchaser home," Roxy pointed out.

Silas patted a wall, "Well, we could... but... that's where I live. The Wing is our home, it's where we live, it's where I wake up to see you ever day."

Roxy smirked, "Really now?"

He shrugged a bit, "That aside. I should be able to work on the knives eventually."

"Cute," Tobias commented, "Self deprecation. You think it's an endearing character trait, the other you however... Well I've been tasked with caging that rabid animal, for now."

Tobias turned one of his hands over and there was Shaun's phone in it, "I ponder if he has sent you any threatening messages yet."

He tossed it aside and it vanished, Shaun would feel it back in his pockets, "Really. If she hadn't asked me, I wouldn't be here, wouldn't mind seeing your little team get torn apart."

Wyndon Stadium, Ian VS Daisuke

-Ian and Daisuke cover their eyes as well.-

Daisuke: -while his eyes are covered- I must admit, kid! You've held your own far better than I could have anticipated!

Me: -while my eyes are covered- Thanks! I can say the same about you!

Daisuke: -while his eyes are covered- I knew now would be the right time to battle you!

Me: -while my eyes are covered- Let's finish this!

Daisuke: -while his eyes are covered- I couldn't agree more! ORBITO!

Me: -while my eyes are covered- PIKU-CHAN!

-The hypnotic light emanating from Orbito's spots intensifies as the battle rages on.-

Wyndon Stadium Stands

-Evelyn and Hatty continue to cover their eyes.-

Evelyn: -covering her eyes- Go for it, Ian! I believe in you!

Hatty: -covering her eyes- <Go, Piku-chan! You can do this!>

Studio Palace, Puppetry Room

Joybringer: Leave it to me.

-Joybringer walks in between the Thieves and the door. He grins from ear to ear as he prepares to "knock".-

Joybringer: I think it only fair to warn you... I Have No Idea What I'm Doing.

-Joybringer taps his mask twice, as he tries to belly dance^* Keyword: tries and summon enough power to break down the door. He then steps forward with his left foot in front. He then pulls back his right hand, curling it into a fist.-

Joybringer: JOYBRINGER...

-He then throws a punch at the door with the intent of breaking it down.-

Joybringer: PUNCH!!

Stormchaser, J-Meeting - meeting of the Mind

Megan: Alright. ^-^

-hearing a finely-tuned customer service voice(?), Megan stiffens instantly and imperceptibly into full NPC mode-

Megan: =)

(-her hands itch for Potions to hand out-)

Logan: ...

(-she has the urge to fight a small child and lose-)

Megan: =D

(-her purse is still stocked with low-denomination currency for this purpose-)

(-Logan pokes her, and she hands them an Apple-)

Hiro: -to Pef, nods solemnly-

Logan: -looking at it- Yeah...

Logan: -rubbing the back of their neck- I've thought sometimes about finding a little rugrat of my own. Once I'm ready to settle down some. Assuming my nerves aren't all thoroughly fried by then.

-Megan blinks at them-

Logan: -laughing, uncharacteristically awkward- It takes a village, you know? And even after the whole speech about unity and so forth, I'm...not sure yet if this is the village for me. It's pretty-pretty wild.

-patting the wall- Although this certainly changes…something.

-an oddly sideways, tiny half-smile toward the bulwark-

Hiro: -to Star- The vents are pretty cozy, actually. Oddly spacious.

Logan: ...when have you been in the vents?

Hiro: -shrug- They're a fairly intriguing way to travel.

Logan: Okay.

-they take a bite of that Apple-

Stormchaser, Meeting Room - past

-Lissa returns Isbrand's smile.-

Lissa: Siblings, huh? I can sympathise.

-Her voice takes on a more sombre tone.-

Lissa: ...You know, I think that's the first time I've acknowledged my sister even existed in... gods, it must've been ages. I still don't even know what even happened to her. Part of me feels like it's something I should be actively looking into, but... maybe it's one of those things I've just emotionally buried and don't think about anymore. Like the fact that I was mind-controlled for literal years and yet am still kinda into being told what to do, that sort of thing.

PEFE HQ, Airship Docks - nowish

-This time around, Kahlia genuinely can't make eye contact with Kai. Her tone is just as cocky as ever, though.-

Kahlia: Seriously? You thought I wasn't confident in my own skin? Girl, I am a legit treat. You'd be lucky to have me. I know damn well that I can both pull off a dress, and pull off a dress. Girls love me, you know. Once I've swept them off their feet most boys can't even begin to compare.

-She manages to fix her attention on Kai long enough to give a cocksure grin.-

Kahlia: Anyway, you should know that I'm always down for whatever you have to show me. Let it be known that I formally accept your invitation.

-Her grin takes on a more sheepish aspect.-

Kahlia: ...I don't usually have to be so specific, but I find it never hurts to clarify. It certainly doesn't hurt nearly as much as not taking the proper precautions. I once dated a girl whose grandma kept a horseshoe over the door that I didn't notice, and honestly? I thought I was having a legit heart attack after I stepped across the threshold.

-She finally manages to maintain eye contact for a not-insignificant amount of time.-

Kahlia: But yes. I am your ally. I compelled you to act as my ally via unjust terms, after all. I'm pretty sure I need to pay you back with interest.

Edited by Herbert40k on Jun 27th 2021 at 8:13:51 PM

Storm Chancer

Lita smiled slightly again at Isbrand's wink.

"Yeah, family can be hard sometimes."

She touched her earpiece.

"Tesse? Arceus I love hearing your voice. Bring 'er around."

She nodded a little to the girls before turning to leave.

"Drop me a text. I'll see you later."

He visor closed around her face and she walked out of the meeting room.