Session Start: Sat Apr 23 15:05:33 2005 Last time, on Hunters: The Queen was right - Lady Handcuff was the next target. The team arrived just seconds before the hit squad did, and the resulting melee in the street involved lots of magical and mechanical firepower, not to mention some adlibbed vehicular assault. Some good tactics put the bad guys down in time for Lady Mysteria to take Sakura's desperate phone call for help. The van was somewhat messed up, and Sakura seemed to be in immediate difficulty, so with Akahara-san's help, they hitched a ride on her television station's helicopter. Lord Darkmoon had been the victim of a friendly-fire SUV, and was unable to walk yet, so he stayed behind, as did Lady Handcuff, who did not want to leave her only surviving parent. Lady Reaper, on the other hand, could not be stopped from joining the team. It was a little tight, but the chopper was meant for large men with some heavy equipment, so a gaggle of smallish magical girls was only a packing problem. [Thursday, March 4, 2004 - 1930 local time] [in the skies over northern Tokyo] [session start] - that's only three klicks from here. Is there anything I should be looking for? * LadyNightshade sits in the front seat, legs twitching with nervous impatient energy. Her gaze is out the window looking down at the city below them. Chaos, probably. Other than that, not sure. Gunfire, bright flashes of light, Ningyo... anything. Black van, maybe. Just get us there. The cameraman is looking frustrated - his camera is not mounted to view anything in the cabin. A storm of sakura petals, maybe. * LadyMysteria still looks like she's about to have herself a happy, nervous breakdown as soon as everything's sorted out. Um. There is sort of a pink spot ahead... * LadyNightshade looks for what he's referring to. * LadyRoyal leans out the window, but not too much, holding on inside. Indeed there is - a seemingly hazy spot directly ahead of the chopper, a pink cloud about a block wide that is lit from the inside by streetlights. LadyRoyal gets windburn. That's her. Get us there and land. * LadyRoyal jerks her head back inside quickly, rubbing her eyes with one hand. Gah... Royal, don't do that... * LadyMysteria looks toward the cloud and clenches her hands tightly. "... quickly, please." * LadyRoyal shrugs. ... do we have any idea at all about how she's gonna try and escape? Vehicle, hide out, back door? I didn't hear anything about that. We worry about it when the situation's taken care of. * LadyMallet nods absently. "Was wondering if there's a better approach we could use. Looks like we're just going in blind." * LadyReaper is merely flexing her hands, as if she wants to summon the Scythe. Fortunately, she doesn't in the tight cabin. Three kilometers in a helicopter goes by awfully fast, and it's barely two minutes before you're on top of the cloud. * LadyNightshade looks like she's ready to jump out and run there if it would get her there any faster. ...I can't land in that! Hover above it, we'll jump! Can we get on a rooftop? The cloud is covering the rooftops! * LadyMallet glances around the cabin. "Do you have chutes?" Gah! Just land where you can! Get us to the edge, then! It does almost seem solid beneath you... until it winks out. Shit! Just land damn it! ... land! Now! * Pilot dives for a wide intersection on the block with the apartment. * LadyMallet practically screams that. * LadyMysteria rises as much as she can, prepping to exit the chopper. She's mumbling something to herself... a prayer, maybe? * LadyRoyal follows Maya's lead. There are two black-suited men in the street, with familiar weapons... except there is gunfire from one corner of the building, and one of them drops dead from the headshot. * LadyMallet holds herself back form jumping out NOW. She's more than ready to burst out running. * LadyRoyal does it without the mumbling, though. * LadyNightshade is just waiting to get out of the helo and do something. The cloud winks immediately back into existence, as the chopper is still ten meters in the air. Oh, SHIT! Calm down... Keep going! Focus, man. I can't see... You probably won't be able to see for a while. There's nothing we can do... is the landing spot below us? * Pilot pushes the collective forward just a notch, and there's a sudden sinking feeling. Have to go forward just a bit... * LadyMallet whispers, holding her knees tightly, "Hurry..." * LadyNightshade is just trying to see what's going on outside. You can do it... we need you to. I promise... we'll figure out some way to pay you back. Just land... Let the man do his job. We won't be much help if he crashes the thing. * LadyMallet forces her hands from her knees, to free them up to take out and check her gun. There's only the sensation of motion for about five seconds, then you hear the unmistakable THACK of the helicopter blades hitting something. The chopper begins to spin, topple... and then immediately all the rotors are hitting something... Crap! Gah! * LadyMysteria steadies as best as she can. * LadyRoyal makes sure both the pilot and the cameraman are all right * LadyMallet clenches her teeth, and waits it out, covering her head. FUCK. ...and then you crash. On the ground. The helicopter is on its side, the motor is still screaming, and you dropped the last two meters... but the cabin is intact and no one is dead. * LadyMysteria promptly topples over to said side, then, with a surprised yelp. * LadyMallet waits for the cabin to come to a complete stop. Then gets out. * LadyRoyal braces, lands, scrambles out. * LadyNightshade jumps out before the ride comes to a complete stop. * Pilot stands up to reach the controls, and shuts off the motor. * LadyNightshade immediately dashes towards where the attackers were last seen. ...any crash you can walk away from... Is a good one? Nobody can see anything more than a meter and a half away through the petals. * LadyMysteria is on her way out as well, taking a moment to catch her breath. "... Sakura, alright." That's what they say. Sorry to crash and run, but we gotta run. Make sure your friend's all right--we'll see if we can...do something about the copter. * LadyMallet silently walks a bit away from the helicopter, and then fires a few shots out in the general direction of where she thought the goons were. "GET. THE FUCK. AWAY FROM HER!" * LadyRoyal takes off. * LadyNightshade turns on her invisibility while under the cover of the cloud. Taki is outrunning her vision, and promptly faceplants a building. Ow. ... Nightshade? Wall. ...ow. Well, that's not the right way, then. Or, rather the corner of a building. As near as she can tell, she's at the corner of the intersection. Reaper, Mysteria, and Royal, who followed her at a more sane pace, trip over her. * LadyNightshade growls with anger. * LadyMysteria promptly trips over Nightshade as well. "... apparently not." We can't get lucky and Sakura has her headset on... * LadyRoyal gets to her feet and helps Taki up as well. * LadyNightshade pulls out her phone and dials Sakura. ...dude. I sort of doubt she's answering her phone at the moment. * LadyMallet cues in over the headsets, "Mysty, can you teke a clear path through the petals?" You have a better idea of finding her in this? The phone, surprisingly, is picked up. Sakura? ...I take it that funky noise was you arriving? Yeah, we sorta crash landed. I... I could try! Where are you? * LadyNightshade makes her way down the street as she talks. I'm just outside my apartment building... which I bet you can't find. Uh... yeah. How many of them are there? I've seen four. Got three of them. * LadyMysteria promptly cracks her knuckles and strikes a suitably magical pose, fingers parting in the same manner she'd like for those damned petals to part. You're my hero. Good luck, Mysty. It gives Maya a headache, but she is able to clear about four meters of sight straight ahead of her. ... nnngh... That's the way! * LadyNightshade sounds really nervous and impatient. Are you alright? I'll be fine once my head stops trying to explode. Let's go... I'll try to keep it up. Don't put *too* much effort into it. We'll need that energy of yours later on. I took one in the gut, but it'll heal. ...the boyfriend is dead. ... At least you're mostly alright. If you wanna drop this cloud we can take care of your last friend. Let's go... and don't worry, Royal. This doesn't really burn me out. All righty, then. I need to move more, first. I'll toss a flashbang into the street, though, to get you oriented on the way to go. Roger. The phone goes beep. * LadyNightshade turns to the other girls, "She's gonna throw us a flashbang to get us oriented." * LadyRoyal nods. Right. So we hold on a second until - There's an incredible *CRACK* in the street to the group's left. ...um. * LadyNightshade looks to her left and starts heading that way. * LadyReaper is holding her scythe again. * LadyRoyal follows. * LadyMysteria quickly turns left, and keeps up her little trick until the petals fade. Lady Mallet is particularly close, and loses an eardrum. She could even see the flash. * LadyMallet stifles a shout. * LadyReaper shoulders her way into the front of the little group. * LadyNightshade keeps herself ahead of Reaper. A small competition ensues, though Nightshade's speed wins in the end. * LadyRoyal shakes her head, but doesn't waste her energy joining in, though she's still moving at a good clip. Someone, somewhere, thinks they see something, and automatic gunfire rings out. * LadyMysteria tags along, keeping up the sight goodness. And keeps gritting her teeth, since it *hurts* her head. * LadyMallet then continues on. She has no interest in waiting up for the others. * LadyNightshade increases her pace towards the source of the sound. * LadyMallet snarls, and tries to place the direction of the gunfire to give a few rounds back. She can't - not with only a quarter of her normal acuity left. * LadyMallet takes a deep breath, then cues back in over the headsets, "Was too close to the flashbang. Partly deaf. I think it'll pass, but for the moment..." There's more shooting - this time Mallet is sure they're trying to hit her, as petals around her are roiled. Faster, faster.... * LadyNightshade accelerates her speed as much as she can without running into something. Looks like I got some fans. Good thing they're missing so far... Nightshade finds she is limited by Maya's speed. If he can see you and you can't see him maybe you should find some cover. * LadyMallet reaches out a hand, grabbing the Mallet as it appears. "I dunno. I think I like the idea of two Mallets over one." Then, with no warning, the petals wink out! Taki's group is one building away from the apartments, while Leena is right in the middle of the street, with a shooter two meters in front of her. The Mallet gets the drop. From inside the apartment lobby you can hear pistol fire. * LadyMallet catches the Mallet with her free hand, and without waiting for it to ready itself, simply swings the thing at him. "I TOLD YOU TO LEAVE HER ALONE!" Alright! Let's clean this mess up! * LadyNightshade immediately runs full tilt as soon as the petals disappear. The man reacts instinctively, flinching away and struggling to aim his rifle, but the Mallet catches him in one arm, spinning him about wildly and shattering the limb. * LadyMallet pulls the Mallet back quickly, and swings it at the guy again, this time from the other side. This one takes him directly in his chest, and he goes flying down the street. The man tumbles, then doesn't move * LadyNightshade changes directions to the apartment to find Sakura. Mysteria, Reaper, and Royal burst into the apartment building's front door, and find Sakura finishing off a fallen gunman. * LadyMallet stares at the fallen man for a long moment, as if staring at him can kill him more. "... you forced my hand." She goes to catch up with Taki. *BLAMBLAM* The guy's face disintegrates. ...ah. You made it. Hey there. Fancy meeting you here and such. ... well. * LadyMysteria winces a little at the face-shooting. "... do you know if there any others?" There's a guy in the street... Got 'im. Or rather, Mallet did. Taki and Leena walk in the door. That was five, then. Sakura! Are there any others? * PrincessSakura shrugs and looks around. "Five I've seen, five down." * LadyMallet looks at Sakura, struggling to hold herself from breaking down in tears at the sight of her. "Oh, gods... Sakura, you're okay..." Oh, good. Any clue on why this is all coming down so quickly? Did they come after you untransformed too? * PrincessSakura is in uni, and bloody as all heck around her abdomen, but... I'm fine. What's coming down so quickly? The rest of Goggle's group was attacked. Sakura... everyone. You hadn't heard? We've been coming after people pretty much back to back. What? Handcuff, too. * LadyNightshade isn't sure how to react now. She's still reeling from the adrenaline rush. ... in a club, and they weren't transformed, no Ningyo. WHAT? Ye-ah. Then Handcuff. We warned her... And now you. * LadyMysteria grits her teeth. "Handcuff, Goggles' team... and I think something's wrong at the Palace." Sorry. Thought you knew. We... should get to the Palace. If we don't get called again. See if I ever turn my phone off again. Sakura... how did they approach? Any warning, were you transformed? * LadyNightshade can't really look at Sakura right now as her emotions mix around in her head. No, they just kicked in my apartment door while... um. ...heh! No wonder you had your phone off. Ah... * LadyMallet blushes. "Ah-heh." * LadyNightshade blushes and goes to stand out front. To keep an eye out. Or something. Yeah, well, he mighta saved my life. I rolled outa bed, grabbed some handy tools, and transformed after jumping out the window. * LadyMysteria gets a firm grip on Sakura's shoulder. "... when she was telling me about Handcuff, the Queen sounded... worried. Agitated... maybe scared. And then I heard something." * PrincessSakura quirks an eyebrow. * LadyMallet laughs, sadly. "We have time to breath. ... we should check in, and see what we've missed." * LadyNightshade slumps against a wall. She's not gonna cry. Nope. Like... this... quick, high sound. Like.. something cutting through the air. And then a thump. Some time passed, and then a Lady answered the Queen's phone. .... * LadyMysteria grits her teeth. "She said the Queen was alright... Tiara and Oak were seeing to her. I don't believe her." Ah... hmm. ... that's our next stop. We need to get a hold of Darkmoon and Handcuff. We should, soon. I... no. You don't understand how the palace is run, Maya. The staff there is beyond loyal. ... still. Still, we need to go and be sure. If I'm wrong, I welcome it! If nothing else, we could see if we can find out more about what's been going on. * LadyMysteria promptly goes back to near-panic, hands clenched tightly. * PrincessSakura frowns. "Let me make a phone call." * LadyMallet looks up at Sakura, finally letting some of her emotions out. "... you're... you're coming with us, right?" Unless I'm convinced there's an emergency, we're all not going anywhere other than back to the Agency. ... alright. Please say yes. It's been too long. ... I've missed you being around. Either way we're gonna need to pick up the Secretary, Darkmoon and Handcuff. ... Handcuff's mom, too. Of course. Mysty, you call them. Let me call... What about me? What *about* you? You're coming along. Unless you'd like to stay here? * LadyMysteria pulls out her phone and gets to calling. "Yes, ma'am." * LadyNightshade swallows back her tears and mulls things over to herself outside. * LadyReaper looks away. If they know who I am, I can't even go home. * LadyMallet turns to Reaper. "Agency. Safest place for you right now, and our job, until we know this has blown over, is to keep you safe." Exac--crap. We need some protection for her family. If they think she's gone home... We're not set up for family protection... SHIT! I know, but Mori--what? * PrincessSakura punches a button on her phone and gets an immediate answer. Call the police. Morioka. Tell him to get Reaper's family out of there ASAP. Sakura? Hey, are you at the Palace? ...uh-huh. ...Yeah, they're telling me about it. Then they came after me - that's me-the-civvy - too. ...no, no prob. Any other reports? Okay, we're going to RTB. Talk to you later. * PrincessSakura hangs up. * LadyMysteria still is prepping to call Handcuff and company, stopped only because of Sakura. "What's the word?" If there's anything "wrong" at the palace other then the Queen having fainted, then it's something that the Queen herself is faking for our benefit. And while I don't approve of - * PrincessSakura gags on her next words. * LadyNightshade wipes her face and stands up slowly. ... Orders? * LadyRoyal looks confused. ...heh. Well, let's just say, I don't think that's the case. Yah, orders. ... alright. When you're a Princess, you get let in on the Grand Scheme of Things, then told not to share. It's okay, though. Makes sense, I guess. * LadyMallet pulls out her phone. * Secretary answers Maya's call. Moshi moshi! * LadyMallet then blinks, and listens to Maya's side. You can hear driving noises in the background. Secretary... Sakura's alright. Where are you? About two minutes away... Is there a plan? I should note, Akahara-san is trailing me... Looks like we're returning to the Agency for now. I'm going to ride. Anyone want to double? * LadyMallet pops up a hand like NINJA. Me! Me! * PrincessSakura shrugs. "Okay." * LadyNightshade sighs as she walks back in. * LadyMallet cheers exultantly. See happy cheery Leena! * PrincessSakura looks upstairs, then shrugs again. "Not going to go back to the apartment." * LadyMysteria takes the time to slowly calm down, still looking agitated. "... I'm sorry for your loss, Sakura." The bike is out back. Come on. * PrincessSakura ignores Maya as she walks off. * LadyNightshade sighs again as she sees Sakura walk off. Woe is Taki. * LadyMallet follows, suddenly doing her energetic almost-walk of skips and hops and little jumps of old. Okay... * LadyMysteria looks Sakura's way, then sighs. "... Secretary, we'll be here." I'm pulling up now. And, indeed, the battered van arrives. * LadyNightshade goes out to crawl into the back. * LadyMysteria quietly makes her way to it as well. * LadyReaper piles in with everyone else. * LadyRoyal raises her eyebrows at the fact it's still going, and climbs in. * Lord_Darkmoon is in the front seat, and bows his head at the entering Ladies. * LadyNightshade looks out the window, not wanting to look at anyone really. * LadyRoyal nods at Darkmoon. "How's the foot?" * LadyMysteria spots Rin... then promptly gravitates over to him for a tight hug. It hurts, but is intact enough to support my weight. Good. * Lord_Darkmoon calmly puts an arm around Maya. "It's okay, my lovely Lady. It's okay," he says, gently, smoothing what of her hair hangs down out of the back of her tophat. * LadyMysteria doesn't cry. No, she doesn't. She wants to, but she refrains from looking *too* weak. * LadyMallet falters in her hyper-cheerful following of Sakura- for just a moment. Then she switches off her headsets. The prisoner is even more of a mess than before. He wasn't buckled in for the crash, and so did some, uh, flying. He is breathing though. * LadyRoyal checks the guy quickly, then takes a seat. * Lord_Darkmoon unbuckles, and struggles on his injured foot to the first bench seat, where he can sit next to Maya. And offers her a quick kiss and reassuring squeeze. "Shall we go?" he asks, whether of Maya or the Secretary is anyone's guess. Yeah. Anzu is with her mom, behind us. Good. Hope Akahara-san doesn't get grumpy about the 'copter. * LadyMysteria accepts both, and proceeds to just melt against Darkmoon, notably drained emotionally. Sakura and Leena shoot out of the alley in front of you. It was the pilot's fault. * LadyNightshade sighs again for the umpteenth time as she notices the bike go past. * Secretary starts the van, and rolls away. Well, if some of us hadn't been SCREAMING at him to land in pretty much zero visibility in a frickin' residential area... * Lord_Darkmoon sits quietly, arm over Mysteria's shoulder. I've never seen a telephone pole mangled like that before... Let it go, everyone. It's over for now... * LadyRoyal shrugs. "Just saying it wasn't his fault." Should we ask Akahara-san to pick them up? Uh, she's coming to the Agency. Okay. She'll probably call it in. It's a pretty quiet drive back to the team's starting point. No one is in the mood to raise any tough questions, so for once traffic laws get obeyed. As they arrive, Sakura pulls behind the structure to a garage that none of you have seen used before. It's a sorry-looking, though unusually-large group that trudges into the living quarters. * LadyMysteria does indeed look like she's had it for the day, and promptly finds a seat to collapse into. * LadyNightshade slumps into a corner in the ruined tatters of her coat. * LadyRoyal cracks her neck and back as she walks in. Crick crick crack crack crikiikikikikik snap crackle pop. * LadyReaper began to shiver on the way back in, and is hugging herself as she collapses in the corner. * LadyRoyal beelines for the kitchen and starts hottin' up some tea. * LadyMallet looks empathetically at Reaper as she gets in herself, like she wants to do the exact same thing. * Lord_Darkmoon limps in, using his Bokken as a cane. * LadyNightshade notes Reaper sitting near her and puts a reassuring hand on her shoulder, offering the girl the best smile she can muster even though there's not much feeling she can put behind it. * Lord_Darkmoon , for once, sits down upon entering, crossing his legs such that his wounded foot is not touching anything. * PrincessSakura pulls off her helmet, then looks down at herself. ...excuse me a moment. * LadyMallet taps Reaper on the shoulder lightly. She sounds like she on the verge of tears herself. "... Reaper. ... I'm sorry. So sorry you had to get... get caught up in all of this. For now... just try and get some rest. I don't know what to say to make it better... except the only choice you have is to pull through." I am glad to see you are well, my Princess. *quiet, what little emotion there is is calm* Eh. * LadyRoyal makes normal sort of clinky noises from the kitchen as she starts boiling the water. * PrincessSakura goes to the closet, pulls out a swimsuit, then steps into the bathroom to change. * LadyMallet swallows some words back, before continuing, slowly, "Darkmoon is good at tea and refreshments. Ask him for anything if it'll help." So. This is the sanctum sanctorum? I just... This is where the 'fun' starts, you could say. * PrincessSakura comes back out, in swimsuit and a large towel. * Lord_Darkmoon once more uses the Tessen to clear shoe and fabric away from the wounded foot, wincing until it's exposed to nothing but air. * LadyMysteria lightly rubs her temples, then removes her tophat. "... this has been the worst day yet. I pray this isn't going to be a regular thing now... in any event, we need to rest and figure out what to do next." ...I'm gonna need to find some clothes. I can't go back there. If it is possible, I would like the prisoner awakened. I would like to speak with him. I have my uniform in my bag... * Lord_Darkmoon holds the Tessen out to Sakura. "For now, this may help, my Princess." It might be a little big on you. * Secretary snaps her fingers. "That's what I'm forgetting... * LadyRoyal brings out a hot, damp handtowel and hands it to Darkmoon. "Put this on it while it heals." Thanks, Rin. *is suddenly in tshirt, black athletic jacket, and pink skirt* *takes it, and tries applying it, then winces, and quickly removes it* Were this a normal situation, I would agree, but things touching it hurts, and it is healing rapidly on it's own. I appreciate the thought, though, Lady Royal. It's a good pain. Do it. Don't know how well the powers thing would heal infections, and I'm damn sure you haven't been keeping the area sterile. You're welcome, my Princess. Would someone help me bring him in? * LadyRoyal heads back into the kitchen to finish up. * Lord_Darkmoon eyes the towel. "There is antiseptic in this?" ... and the radios. Are they still in one piece? * LadyMysteria turns to the Secretary. We don't get sick, usually. Local infections not at all. * LadyRoyal calls back. "I mixed some into the water I soaked it in. Not too much, but enough." * Secretary goes back to the garage, and with Maya's help, brings in the prisoner. Thank you, Lady Royal. *grits his teeth, and gently - apparently not gently enough, by his expression - begins wiping some of the dirt and sock fuzz out of the wound. He does not wrap it, though* * Akahara-san flinches away from the exposed foot. * LadyRoyal comes out shortly with the tray and cups and pours for everyone, guests and Secretary included. * LadyMysteria helps out, also to check on those damn radios, and bring them and the receiver in with her. Please, seat him facing me, and awaken him to coherency, madam Secretary? * LadyRoyal hands out tea for everyone while all this is going on. Um. I'll try... * Secretary gets some smelling salts out of a medical kit and shoves it under the man's nose. He slowly begins to stir. Thank you. *accepts the tea* * LadyMallet glances up at the request, then back at Reaper, and shakes her head sadly. She goes over and grabs a pillow from the couch, and brings it back over to Reaper, moving her just enough to slide it under her head. "Rest for now. I'll explain everything as best I can, and answer any questions when you wake up." Welcome. * PrincessSakura appreciates the tea. Like I'm gonna fall asleep now. *moves over to the couch* * LadyNightshade doesn't really acknowledge her tea as it sits there next to her. * LadyMysteria sits back down and helps herself to some tea. "... you're not the only one, Reaper." Um. You know, I need to get the van back to our, uh, guy. He's going to need to fix it quick. Will that be a problem? Suit yourself. No, shouldn't... if we provide enough money. Might have to buy a replacement. * LadyMallet goes over, and plops down with the others. * Lord_Darkmoon watches the man calmly, and makes sure that his foot is positioned such that it will be exposed to his line of sight when he fully comes to. * Secretary goes back out again. * LadyRoyal , after finishing the tea-handing out, leans against the doorframe to the kitchen like she doesn't trust herself to sit. * Lord_Darkmoon sips his tea, calmly. "This is good, Lady Royal." Thank you, Darkmoon. ... I'm gonna be sick if I have to face any more violence. Thank you, Royal... I needed something to calm my nerves. * Gunman gurgles. He can't see Darkmoon's foot, since his eyes really aren't working. Ideally, that shall not be necessary tonight, Lady Mallet. ... he's coming around. * LadyMallet gets up. "Call me if you need me. I'll be in the jacuzzi." Her voice cracks in the middle of 'jacuzzi'. * Lord_Darkmoon nods, sips his tea, and continues to watch him. "Take care of yourself, Lady Mallet." * PrincessSakura sits back and lets her team conduct the interrogation. * LadyMallet goes to do just that, wiping the back of her hand across her eyes as soon as her back is to everyone, and sniffling. * LadyRoyal stretches more as the prisoner comes to consciousness. Her back and neck still have plenty of cricks. * Gunman is awake? Maybe? It's hard to tell. * LadyMysteria helps herself to a long sip of tea, then sets that aside and looks down at the man. "... it'll be best if you simply started saying what you know, sir." * LadyNightshade just closes her eyes and lays her head back against the corner. She doesn't really want to be here anymore. She doesn't want to be anywhere at the moment. Lady Royal, perhaps the gentleman would appreciate some of your excellent tea. He seems to need a pick-me-up. It's good you asked. I had an extra cup ready, just in case. * LadyRoyal comes forward, pours the last cup, and hands it to Darkmoon. * Gunman starts desperately working at something with his jaw, except that it doesn't seem to be working. Thank you. *leans forward, holding the tea under the man's nose* Here, sir. Drink. * Gunman spits some bloody pulp into the cup and onto Darkmoon. * LadyRoyal kneels and hisses in the goon's ear. "Now, now. Mustn't waste good tea like that." Gghkk. Ahheekk. Ggghho aw-wway. * Lord_Darkmoon blinks, wipes the pulp from his face. "It is not poisoned, drugged, or otherwise altered. I understand your reluctance to believe so, however. Here," sips his own, and then holds it out to him, "You may drink mine, if you are so concerned." * LadyMysteria sighs. "... I'd like to think that we're above trying to tear the information out of you. And we probably are. But I can't say the same for my superiors, so I think it'd be best to speak now... when you've had a moment to collect yourself." * Lord_Darkmoon continues holding the teacup out to the man. K-k-khill emmmeee. We'll have plenty of time for that later. No. Not yet. I want to have a civil conversation, and ask one question. Please, have some tea. You'll feel much better. Nnot t-t-teehhhing oooo annythin. You have not even heard what I wish to know, yet. Darkmoon realizes that the man's arms are broken, probably during the wreck. * LadyMysteria lets Rinada continue, keeping her peace for now. Here, let me help you. *gently holds the cup to the man's lips, tilting up just slightly, so it can flow into his mouth if he lets it* * Gunman gurgles and chokes badly on it. Then he swallows, and suddenly seems to relax. H-ha. * LadyRoyal squints. Now. Tell me one thing: Why do you keep calling us 'traitors'? Y-you are. To? Do tell. * LadyMysteria leans forward a little. You know. ...Lady Royal, pump his stomach; I think he's swallowed that pill. I was afraid of that. We do not, or we would not be asking. Tell, please. * LadyRoyal puts a hand on the man's solar plexus. "Quickly, quickly now. If you have any internal injuries, this isn't gonna be fun." I'm sure he'll live. Proceed. * Gunman seems to smile. * LadyRoyal shrugs with one shoulder and smacks him one. We truly to not desire your death, or even to torture you. I simply wish to have a discussion, man-to-man. Why must you make it so difficult, sir? * Gunman grunts, but barely is affected. Again, please, Royal. If any of the rest of you have an idea, it would be appreciated. * LadyRoyal puts her elbow on the spot and presses it down with her fist. ...tell you... I'm a traitor... gaaah. Um. Royal, that's really not working. It is hardly fair to accuse someone of treason if you will not say what they have betrayed. It is an insult to my honor, sir. I cannot believe you would be so low as to insult my honor with no valid reason. Hey, it's not like they call me Lady Stomach Pump. Minami can feel the man's ribs grating around under her elbow, and other strangeness underneath. His organs are not all quite where they normally would be. My Princess, have you a better suggestion? Perhaps an emetic? A purgative? Sir, please do not die on me. It is very rude to die in the middle of a conversation. Have you guys stocked anything like that? 'cuz I sure didn't. I believe I saw some Milk of Magnesia in the cabinet at one point, though I know not if it would work fast enough. Hhh. Haaa. D-ddead already. Doubt it. Then you have nothing to lose. Tell me who or what you believe we have betrayed, and how. * Lord_Darkmoon leans forward. "You're killing us over it. Tell us what we've done to deserve it!" Y- *gag ...t-tooo young to und-stand... If we're not too young to kill, we are not too young to understand. Enlighten us then. Old man. Go on. Please, sir, if you will let us save you, we will not torture you. Wha you... * Gunman suddenly goes rigid. Wha ooo ...ight orrrr... * Gunman slumps over, motionless. ... nothing useful. * PrincessSakura hisses softly. Disappointing. Remind me, in the future, to have their teeth removed. Is he...? Feh. Feral wants to eat him. Is there any reason I should not allow it to? Heartburn? Darkmoon, no. * Lord_Darkmoon looks at Royal, seriously. "Serious reasons, Lady Royal." Rin... don't. You'd regret it later. Heartburn is a serious matter, Darkmoon. ...eat him? * Lord_Darkmoon looks to Mysteria, and smiles softly. "If you do not wish it, my Lady." There's been enough senselessness for one day. Sakura, I would not. He would not be the first, but he would probably be the first to truly deserve it. *shrugs* No matter, the beast can go hungry. * LadyReaper gets up and check's the man's pulse. Yup. * LadyReaper kicks him, HARD. "Dammit, I wanted him to suffer." ... we at least have the radios, but that might not yield much. I doubt they'd leave anything that'd trace back to them on or inside them. Eep! * LadyMysteria sets her tea aside and groans. "Back to Square One, then." Rinada, are you... okay? This close to the full moon? ... I've been thinking. I am...calm. But the beast is nearing uncontrollability. I cannot stay...like this...much longer. I hope my foot heals before that happens. They managed to track down Junko and her team, and then track Anzu and Sakura as well. How much longer will it be until they find out about us? The foot *is* looking better. Assuming they don't already know. They certainly know that we exist. This business, calling us 'traitors', bothers me. I wish they would explain. I think it's inevitable... we're good at this, but we're not professionals. So... we need to be ready for the worst. But wishes accomplish nothing. ... or stop them before it gets there. But... you know, all of their targets tonight were obvious ones, after a fashion. Mm. I agree. * Lord_Darkmoon nods to Mysteria. "True. If we can find them, we can destroy them. But we are no nearer location of them than we were in the past." Junko's team. Obvious. But you, my Princess? Anzu... pretty obvious, given the way her house was gone. And Lady Handcuff? Ah. Well, they must have found her through me. Indeed. So then what's to say they couldn't follow you here? * LadyNightshade looks up from the corner. That's what bothers me. They seem eager enough to take bait. Perhaps another fake magical girl needs her 'identity' revealed. And a trap set. * LadyRoyal taps her foot absent-mindedly. Or to the palace? ... Mmm. I think we're safe tonight - that apartment was under a false name. So is my phone - a different one. Hm. ... And I checked six on the way back here, and if we were followed, I couldn't see it. Neither could I. We just need more control over this... more power. And some kind of leverage. We still don't know who's targeting us, or fully know why. We're... traitors. What could you be traitors to? But to what? To who? Japan? Humanity? Good question. Hmm. What *can* you be called a traitor to? Something that'd make these guys loyal enough to kill themselves instead of talking to us. I mean, that's gotta be a pretty narrow field. What's our relationship like with the Japanese government? Mm. Not as much as you'd think, probably. These guys might not be ex-military. They could just be military. It's... not adversarial. I imagine they don't trust unknowns. I'm not really surprised what people can see. We have contacts, and they support us. Everyone? But... But? * PrincessSakura looks like she's choking again. Goddamn it! Grr. I can't say it. I can't SAY it! These orders and secrecy are bullshit. ... Orders. *Still*. Doesn't she trust us enough yet? We should go make the queen tell us herself. ...my Princess, I begin to think we should try to find a way around these orders of yours. Look, we're not doing anything that undermines the nation. Hard to think that. But we could well be doing something that someone doesn't approve or profit from. B-b- *gggk* ...We need a telepath. ...argh. Someone with some sort of swing politically or financially. But... who'd even consider dealing with anything the Ningyo have to offer?" She looks to Sakura, then audibly snarls. Sadly, you are not an animal. * LadyRoyal refills Sakura's cup. "Oh, I'm sure the Queen has ways to block that too." * Lord_Darkmoon looks at Mysteria. "My father, for one." Not the Ningyo. She may not have thought of it, Lady Royal. ...orders? ... then who? * LadyNightshade looks up at Akahara. "Quiet." Besides, all it takes is one or two people with a lot of money and a lot of mistaken beliefs, and... * LadyMysteria looks to Akahara-san. "We can't elaborate, sorry." I just want to help... By what? Putting this on the news? Mom, there is stuff that really can't be revealed. Especially not now... The only people who could stand to profit from a flooded Japan would be those who build ships... but even that's not much of a substitute for a ground-bound city. No, no, USC has you guys looking in the wrong direction... Well what if it's more than just Japan? Have we seen signs of that? It's possible... I don't know if it's all about profit. There are... other reasons for people to support the Sea. What if it's not about the Sea? What are we here for besides to fight the Ningyo? Doesn't matter. What are we actually *doing? ... if it's not the Sea, all that's left is the Earth, and that's us. So far as I know, we're here only here to protect Earth from Sea. Defending ourselves and others? * PrincessSakura is obviously trying to work her way around this. ...ah. You wouldn't think people would to all this just for the property damage or anything, though. You've seen the Hierarchy. You've seen the power it's accumulated. Once we achieve that... we'll still be here. I think. ... They're afraid we're taking over? * LadyMysteria looks at Sakura. "... and what else would there be for us to do once the Ningyo are gone?" ...but how much do people actually know about how powerful we are, though? * PrincessSakura just looks back at Taki. We're not, are we? * LadyNightshade looks kinda scared at the idea. No, we are not. Bu- ggh..... Hm. ... considering Tiara and Oak's stances... I'm thankful they're not the Queen, because they might try. Still, if people think we are... or if someone inside *wants* to... We would not permit them. Why do you think the Queen keeps them around? You'd be surprised how many of us would help them, though. * LadyMysteria frowns. "... a coup's possible. It would really be the only way so much info on us leaks out. But..." Are we here to serve the government though? * Lord_Darkmoon shudders, as his eyes flare silver for a moment. "...forgive me. It grows close to...time." He looks at his foot. We're here to serve ourselves.