Fantasy New Oasis: Four Heavenly Kings — The B-Sides

[Lucem]

DAMIAN

CS Link

SCENE:

Rock and a Hard Place

LOCATION:

North District, Lab Icarus

TIME:

Pre Arc-3 | September 30th, 2021

PARTICIPANTS:

Damian, Sang-Cheol

ROCK AND A HARD PLACE

Despite being told to forget about it, Damian kept thinking about the rhetorical question the annoyed man threw at him. However, it wasn't because he was offended. It only got more of his gears turning, making him wonder if it was really possible to shrink. He'd definitely have to come back to that topic at some point, but for now, other things demanded his attention.

As he listened to Sang-Cheol's explanation, Damian looked through the manila folder, scanning every address that had been listed. A job involving Information gathering was certainly right up his alley, but unfortunately, the details that interested him the most were kept hidden. Being told that he didn't need to know something only made him more curious.

Ordinarily, he would've pressed for more, hoping to satisfy his craving for knowledge. However, that desire was kept in check by another fixation. The promise of a reward for his efforts was his primary focus right now, and everything else was secondary. This was the opportunity he had been waiting for, what he always looked forward to when accepting requests from people.

While he was momentarily mesmerized by the brilliant flame that danced atop Sang-Cheol's finger, there was no urge to take the man up on his offer. As interesting as the Potential was, Damian could confidently say he had no interest in seeing a land of dreams. He was far more enamored with the waking world. Ever since he escaped confinement, he'd been obsessed with exploring it and learning about the treasures it held. He only needed reality.

"Those are tempting offers, but there's something else I'd like even more." Turning away from the fire, he looked back at Sang-Cheol. "I'd like to know more about what happened during your last mission. About what happened to Raphael."

The long-haired lab rat he knew had been missing for a few days now. That was nothing unusual, as members of the Sable Serpents were known to vanish and do as they pleased. Damian was a prime example of such behavior. However, what struck him as odd was the lack of information pertaining to Raphael's whereabouts. Both Kyoden and Mimi seemed to be completely in the dark, and they were two of the last people who encountered the sanguine soul. That only left Sang-Cheol, the final member of the group that returned with one less body.

"Although, if you don't know anything about that, there is something else." If Sang-Cheol was in the same position as the others and couldn't provide any insight, that was fine. He wasn't particularly concerned with Raphael's well-being, only taking any interest in the mysterious circumstances behind his disappearance. Because it was just curiosity that drove him to ask about the Bloodfiend, he could easily substitute his request with another he was equally curious about.

"I'd like a tour of Lab Icarus. I want to see as much as I can. If it makes you feel better, I'm okay with someone supervising while I take a look around." That was all he wanted in exchange for a mission that held unknown danger. He wanted a closer look at everything that went on here, and he was willing to accept a job he still knew very little about in order to get it.

"If I can have that, I'll get whatever you need." Smile still plastered on his face, he kept his gaze on Sang-Cheol. "Deal?"

Misuteeku

 

[Misuteeku]

Sang-Cheol Man

http://

CS Link

SCENE:

Rock and A Hard Place

LOCATION:

North District, Lab Icarus

TIME:

Pre Arc-3 | September 30th 2021

PARTICIPANTS:

Sang-Cheol, Damien

Rock and A Hard Place

Of fucking course, he was thinking about it. If Sang-Cheol hadn't been in the process of requesting an investigation from Damien, he would have punched him square in the face. Unfortunately, Sang-Cheol didn't have the time nor the proper reason to do so. At the moment anyways.

"Is that so?" Sang-Cheol felt insulted when Damien refused his initial offer. Well, at least he tried. He knew that Damien was going to reject most of the initial offers, so what could he want next- Fuck. As soon as Damien mentioned his misson from a few days ago, Sang-Cheol felt a headache resurface. That feeling was made ten times worse when Damien mentioned about wanting to explore the lower floors. Pinching the bridge of his nose, he gave Damien a disdainful look. "I presume you already asked Kyoden and Mimi?" Sang-Cheol imagined he'd be the last one to be asked due to his hard it would get contact with him and his 'delicate' temperament.

Letting out a 'fuck' under his breath, he straightened up his posture. "I've asked them what they knew as well, but we're all on the same page as for what happened to Raphael." Well maybe except for Kyoden. Fucker was a bad liar. "Kyoden went down into the basement with Raphael and Mimi stayed outside. As for me..." Drawing a cigarette from his lab coat, he lit it up with potentiality to take a puff of it. This headache was a fucking menace. "I went down to explore the house with a pigeon brained Phoenix." The fucker was 'responsible' for the fire to begin with.

"We encountered a pale necrophiliac and his zombie nurse and fought him." Fight was a bit much to describe the situation. Pigeon Brain was getting thrown around like a bitch and got in Sang-Cheol's way. He even warned the Phoenix that he was firing in his direction, so that he wouldn't get hit. "Unfortunately, I believe something in the lab caught on fire and blew up the lab, setting it ablaze." Sang-Cheol left out his part where the main reason the building exploded was because he lit himself on fire and threw his body at the former serpent.

"That's all I know." Aside from the files that is. There was a moment that Sang-Cheol contemplated before speaking out his thoughts. "Knowing your nature, this would be inevitable, but your investigation is related to the mission that Raphael went missing on." What better way to motivate Damien if he offered a carrot on a stick? "Whether or it gives you lead on Raphael's location, I could care less, but I need the information on 'Ziggurat.'"

Now to put up some conditions. "There's some conditions, however, I would like to impose. One of them is that whatever you discover is kept between the two of us. Don't tell Snake. Don't tell King. Nobody. Tell nobody what you discover and tell me your findings if you find something of interest immediately." The less that other people knew the better. If more people were involved then the situation would get really sticky and annoying. Not to mention he would to skewer this kalamari if he did leak any information. For the sake of his new project, he wasn't going to let anyone steal his project.

"If you fulfill these conditions, then I may let you explore the lab under my supervision." An added bonus would perhaps would well. "If you accept then, we have an accord."

Spoiler: Tags

Lucem

 

[Saturn_moon]

Isobel Pham

SCENE:

Making Amends

LOCATION:

Post Arc 2: Ezra's Apartment, West District

PARTICIPANTS:

Ezra, Isobel

Making Amends

The door opened and immediately an irrational sense of panic kicked in causing Isobel to completely forget everything she had intended to say. Rather than reciting the carefully scripted apology she had spent hours rehearsing and memorizing, the Jack of the Albino Tigers instead shoved the entire cardboard box into Ezra’s hands and blurted out in sign “Choose anything you like.”

Silence passed between them as her brain slowly processed how nothing about this situation must make sense to him. Internally, she groaned in embarrassment and had half a mind to just turn on her heels and walk back down the hallway without saying another word. Ezra could keep the whole box. It would be but a small dent in her collection in exchange for keeping whatever remained of her dignity.

No. The other half protested. Isobel had come to apologize and make amends. It was the least she owed Ezra after the disastrous mission concerning a particular claw a month ago. All efforts to explain what had happened to Markus had returned frustratingly futile results all. While Isobel didn’t care much about ending up in the King's bad books or even felt like she needed to justify her actions to him in the first place, she worried about dragging Ezra down with her.

Straightening her back, she readied herself to make a second attempt when she finally noticed that Ezra was standing in the doorway in what looked to be his pajamas and ruffled hair. “Oh. Did I wake you?”

Lucem

 

[Elenion Aura]

RAPHAEL SHAW

CS Link

SCENE:

Tutor Turmoil

TIME:

Pre Arc 1, 2020 || November 15 || 6:45 pm

LOCATION:

Lab Icarus, North District

PARTICIPANTS:

Raphael, Yuto

TUTOR TURMOIL

Raph was... In-between tests. The scientists that scuttled around Lab Icarus like maggots over a corpse had left him be, for now. Though they'd said that they'd be back. That he ought not move from this very spot. And that he ought not touch anything.

He took a long, melodramatic drag from his cigarette—they'd told him time and time again, 'No Smoking in the Lab', and time and time again, he'd told them to bugger off and die—and stared boredly ahead at the blank, white, sterile, hospital-like wall across from the examination table he'd hopped up on.

Raph opened his mouth to let the smoke escape. Pinching the butt of his cigarette in the corner of his mouth he said, “I'm so..."

Taking a pause to pinch the cigarette between two fingers and pluck it from lips, Raph exhaled the remainder of the smoke and finished his thought, “Bored."

Enter Yuto.

“Play? Are you a dog?" Raph asked half-jokingly as the spider-boy scrabbled up Raph's bare back, chuckling at his fellow's antics in spite of himself. No one could deny Yuto's enthusiasm.

“What a coincidence," Raph began, tossing the still burning cigarette down, sullying the once pristine-looking tile floor—who the Hell cleans this place?—before adding with a wicked gleam in his eye, “So am I."

Spoiler: Tags

Caffeine_Obsessed

 

[First Rose]

Rutheless Julio Hernandez

CS Link

SCENE:

Swords and Snakes[Pre-Arc 1, January 23, 2020]

LOCATION:

North District

PARTICIPANTS:

| Hector | Rutheless |

Swords & Snakes

Well wasn’t this a fancy, a nuisance running about littering the South with trouble; her talons made an elegantly rhythmic tack against the smooth oak of the table. And with her bike….

“I see~” Truth be told, she would have done that much herself under the right reward, that is, if there was any true organization behind this matter in the first place. Ruthe’s stare lingers upon the younger male until she lifts a finger to him following his last word. Taking the moment to lift the glass to her lips for a long silent drink of her beverage, slowly draining the fine brew of its contents with an eerie calm. Finally, there’s a reticent clink of her cup as she sets it down. It seemed she needed it, “It’s unbeknownst to me of what folly this thief intends to have with the Phoenixes. I am not a part of it.”

Her head tilts then as as curiosity bubbles to the surface, “what quarrel did you get into, darling? I found you storming about and screaming into every bar smelling of alcohol and sweat-..” With that, her brows arch as she seemed to put the pieces together. “Aaaww, you poor thing.” she condoles with a tilt of her head and the mewl of her voice. “Oh, Hector, dearest, if I wanted to make you miserable, I’d take a front-row seat. Sending a lackey to take credit for my own passion would be a waste..” Beneath her heinous face ripples a wicked enjoyment at the thought, and seeping through her lips dripped a soft grating chuckle laced in inkling webs of her own insanity.

Her amusement lasted for but a moment, however, as the shrill ear-splintering shriek of wood severed the air in the wake of her talons. Her smile having seemingly snapped in two as a cruel twitch took hint in the corner of her eye. “Nonetheless, my bike, darling... you know where that thief head off to, yes?"

 

[Elenion Aura]

SHEN YUE

CS Link

SCENE:

Clouds at the Summit

TIME:

Pre-Arc 1, March 21st, 2017

LOCATION:

Millennium Hall, East District

PARTICIPANTS:

Hifumi, Bae Family (NPCs), Shen, Others?

CLOUDS AT THE SUMMIT

A tall man approached the Bae family delegation. He stood out from the crowd by his hair—long, past his waist, and the color of whitest snow—and his bearing—regal and warm, his was the like of a man whose words could turn the hearts of all in attendance. His hands, clasped together before his abdomen, were concealed within the folds of his robe sleeves.

The man stood smiling as he conversed with the Bae Family patriarch about some matters or another. It was a cordial, congenial affair that ended as soon as it had begun. Now he found his attentions rested squarely upon the next-in-line. Leaning forward to get a better look at him, the man with the friendly face reached out a hand to pat the young one on the shoulder. "Keep your head raised high, young man, and you will surely bring honor to your family today!"

Before he could say more, the man's attention was snatched by another face in the distance. He beamed at some unseen party and whisked himself away, leaving Hifumi and his family where he'd found them. He wouldn't see them again until the Ceremony had begun...

And before very long, it had.

The bustle of activity, the milling crowds, the idle murmur of mingling conversation. It all gave way to the Ceremony. The courtyard was cleared of all contents as the representatives of the families made their way to their assigned places, represented by banners bearing the mark and sigils of their ancient houses.

At the head of the semi-circular arc sat Faa Yun, the King of the Azure Dragons and the leader of the Yun Family. At the very far edge of one of the arms sat the Bae family delegation. They had been seated in accordance with their standing. All in attendance were aware of their place among this dignified company.

Servers weaved their way through the shaded culverts that lined the outer perimeter of the sunny courtyard. One of them, a young man with wild purple hair tied up with a band that looked fit to burst from the sheer volume of it, approached King Faa and set a tray of piping hot tea down on a low table. Faa did not look at him, but raised his hand to dismiss the servant without so much as a sidelong glance.

The seat beside Faa Yun, the one that would have traditionally been occupied by his heir and champion, lay empty. A rustling of fallen leaves turned some eyes skyward as a seaward wind came down from the West. Faa himself watched the skies, using his handfan as a shield to block out the brightness of the clouded sun.

The clouds parted and allowed the shape of a man to descend from on high. Some onlookers pointed and shouted his name, while other still spoke in hushed whispers to one another. The winds died as the man landed daintily in the center of the courtyard, balancing momentarily upon the ball of his foot.

Shen waved and called out, breaking the stuffy silence like a hammer upon glass. “Hello, Uncle!”

He had been late. But he offered no apology, nor did the Dragon King seem to take much offense. "But you are here now, Nephew. That is all that matters. Please, sit," said the seated King as he waved a hand toward the empty seat by his side.

When all were at last situated, Faa stood and addressed the gathering.

"Welcome, friends! Honored guests..." He went on, speaking at length about the year that had passed, and the year that was to come.

"But, hey! Enough of my ramblings. We're here to see what the next generation has up their sleeves! So, please, let me sit upon my cushion and watch for a while. Let the youths dazzle us with their tenacity and fervor! I welcome... Ever the dramatic, Faa took a pregnant pause, then continued, "The Bae Family heir to kick off these proceedings!"

Spoiler: Tags

BluEndings

 

[BluEndings]

CHARMY DEVLIN

CS Link

SCENE:

[The Punchline]

TIME:

Pre-Arc 1, February 12th, 2016

LOCATION:

The Precipice, West District

PARTICIPANTS:

Passeri Park, Charmy Devlin

THE PUNCHLINE

Disappointment.

That much was apparent from her expression alone. The sheen in her eyes was gone. The slight pull at the edge of her lips had softened into the mundane. The curvature of her neck melted back into her shoulders. What was left was an air of silence. A thick tension the woman took in with a single long breath. And when the body relaxed her fingers had already taken to a decisive snap.

“Unfortunate.” A voice slack with generosity. “If this is what we’re working with, there’s no helping it.”

She plucked the weapon from Passeri, and tossed it into the fumbling hands of the bystanding escort.

“What do you say, Lino?” Charmy turned towards the man. “Care to go a round in the cage with the lass?”

Click.

Without hesitation he turned the gun on his boss, and pulled the trigger.

“Alright, alright. You win.” She waved. “Who’s up tonight? Blender? Fritz? The really stupid oval one?”

“Kruse and Drip.”

“Drip?” Charmy leaned forward. “Who the hell is Drip?”

“The messy one.”

“Oh god. That nimwit is still kicking?”

She raised herself off from the dilapidated couch, and gestured with her head for Passeri to do the same. By now enough of the previously present crowd had thinned to more menial numbers, though the noise hardly seemed to diminish. The pace of the woman herself did not stall but the guard lagged behind to ensure the ‘guest’ was proceeding appropriately.

“Oh!” Charmy swiveled around. “Before I forget. Would you be so kind as to write me an autograph? I have this friend you see. They are quite the fan of yours. I’d hate to…”

“Lose the chance.”

NAVIGATE

 

[BluEndings]

"NAOMI BLECHER" (MIMI)

CS Link

SCENE:

[Tin and Matchstick]

TIME:

Pre-Arc 3, September 29th 2021

LOCATION:

Lab Icarus, North District

PARTICIPANTS:

Sang-Cheol, Mimi

TIN AND MATCHSTICK

Her head hung back as she took in the following replies. There was a part of her that just wanted to stare aimlessly at the texture of the ceiling and allow the words of her peer to dribble down into nothingness. It was a baseless longing, and directly contradicted the necessity of hearing the integral information he had to offer but that was exactly why. The reality of direction had long since outgrown her whims.

'Trying to interfere with the natural cycle of life is absurd' huh?

She agreed. It was another contradiction but she was one too. Even if—

Her head shook the thought away. Even if they were just notions, she was getting far too comfortable. Her sense of urgency. Her sense of danger. Her sense of loathing. It wasn’t that it was waning. Its intensity should continue to build. That’s how people worked—they grow. They expand their minds. They strengthen their bodies. They become more.

“What are your ‘ideas?’”

Self-created surprise nearly knocked her chair over.

“That’s—I didn’t mean—” Two blinks. “What are you trying to pursue? Yuudai’s… removal puts the Sable Serpents in a bit of a predicament, don’t you think?” Her hand raised to the rays of the light above. “All it would take is the new King wanting to stir things up, and that’s assuming succession even happens cleanly.”

“People don’t like change. They see it as vulnerability.”

NAVIGATE

 

[BluEndings]

"NAOMI BLECHER" (MIMI)

CS Link

SCENE:

[Hair and Memories]

TIME:

Pre-Arc 1, March 9th 2021

LOCATION:

SPLENDIFEROUS, North District

PARTICIPANTS:

Charlie, Mimi

HAIR AND MEMORIES

Finances?

“Oh how fun.” The drop in her voice was brief. “Do you work for that big-name conglomerate? The Knight—whazzit or whatever?”

She really didn’t have much to offer when it came to ‘accounting’. Apart from that specific name and how often it seemed to come up. There wasn’t any specific thing about the corporation she knew about. Repeated presence tended to mean ‘hot’ topics, so it was probably a safe enough retort. So long as it kept things flowing it didn’t really matter. Then again…

“I have—I had—” A pause. “I used to know someone who was interested in numbers.”

Creaking.

“They weren’t really that good with them.” Her tone softened. “I’m sure you have a much better grasp on the topic, yeah? I can’t say I’d be any good for something like that.”

She suddenly yanked the chair to lean backward.

There was an issue. An unexpected development she had just barely managed to capture at the edge of her gaze. She deliberately placed her foot over the miniscule fresh cavity in the wooden boards, and swiveled to the right. Not enough to obscure the opposing mirror, but sufficiently so. Her movements scooped up one of the tools that had been sitting there—the bottle?

“Well, that’s that!” She pushed a smile with her whole face. “What do you think? Good? Great? It’s a simple enough thing, but it makes a world of difference no?”

Though it was nearly its end, the process had been cut short.

NAVIGATE

 

[The One Eyed Bandit]

Passeri Park

CS Link

SCENE:

The Punchline

TIME:

February 12th, 2016 || Roland's Reign

LOCATION:

The Precipice

PARTICIPANTS:

Passeri Park, Charmy Delvin

The Punchline

That look in Charmy's eyes. More, more, more. Something new, something different, they slavered with insatiable demand for something. That capriciousness, that ravenous glee reminded her of...

She could hear the crowd now, a conglomerate mass of passionate screams. Booing. Cheering. Wanting.

Something clicked inside of Passeri's head. It was the first time that night that she'd felt like she was getting a handle on things.

"Oh?" Passeri's voice lit up, now tinged with an edge of impishness. "I don't think they'd want a signature from a loser, would they? And even if they did, I usually charge for that sort of thing! Some people pay four digits just to get one second hand!"

"So! Let's make a bet out of it!" Passeri stepped past Charmy, speaking over her shoulder as she proceed towards the ring. "If I lose, then I give it to you for free! I'll even sign my jacket and you can give the whole thing to her! Blood, sweat and all!" Fans usually loved that sort of thing. "But if I win, then you'll pay me with a favour! Of my choice, naturally."

She paused and turned just beyond the gaping, door-shaped maw that divided the club's dingy hallways from the skull-pounding bedlam that was the club proper. The crowd was loud now, but speaking over them was the one thing in the world that she was better than anybody at.

"Deal?" She stuck her hand out, her knuckles still red and raw from her previous fight. "Ain't chicken, are you~?"

BluEndings​

 

[Misuteeku]

Sang-Cheol Man

http://

CS Link

SCENE:

Tin and Matchstick

LOCATION:

North District, Lab Icarus

TIME:

Pre Arc-3 | September 29th 2021

PARTICIPANTS:

Sang-Cheol, Mimi

Tin and Matchstick

It seemed that Mimi, more or less, agreed with his statements. One day both of them would die and be forgotten by history. Whether they died now or later could be determined later, but Sang-Cheol didn't care about the specifics of that.

"My idea?" Sang-Cheol took a moment to consider whether or not he could tell Mimi or not. Despite their trust together, Sang-Cheol didn't want to potentially leak out information that could bite him in the ass. "Only if you keep this to yourself..." There was hesitance in his voice. This would probably test their trust in the coming days. "Based on the research, all HPs have a 'soul.' You and I both fall into this category." Crossing his arms, Sang-Cheol leaned back to explain it to Mimi.

"Though that brings the question. What about cases such as Raphael? We have multiple NPs that our Queen has given NP." Putting aside the high mortality rate, initially, these NPs had no 'soul' that the HP possessed. So what did that exactly mean? Did it mean that Snake's blood unlocked the hidden potential in Raph? Or did it mean that he was given it? Of the few living subjects, such as Sabrina and Raphael, Sang-Cheol couldn't pinpoint the reason. The Potential Giving drug gave them HP, but that didn't exactly mean they didn't have it, to begin with.

"Perhaps the Potential Giving drug effects don't give Potential but unlock the Hidden Potential inside them, or it fills their vessel with it just it always does." Regardless, it changes the genetic code. If the DNA determines within their bodies whether or not they have the 'soul' to utilize an HP, what would happen if 'more' was added? An extension to a code or unlocking further upon the chain. "I want to see if potential can be taken further beyond. Not just temporarily boost them with the steroid but evolve them."

It's what the Professor entrusted him to do after he took leadership over Lab Icarus.

"And with vulnerability comes opportunity. Snakes are known for waiting until their chance to strike, no?" Playing around with his sunglasses, he sighed. "I'll admit, I respected Yuudai. All of the lab heads did. If only for the fact that we would die if we disobeyed his order." The Professor more than himself. It was something that was passed on from mentor to student. "With Yuudai dethroned, I'd imagine Tri being put on the throne. If that were to happen, the lab heads would cause an uproar. They don't exactly respect Snake and hate Tri's eccentric mess and Paris to an extent."

A groan escaped out of Sang-Cheol. "Which means I would have to talk them out of whatever insane bullshit they might think of doing." Perhaps this was an opportunity. While the Lab Heads didn't get along with each, maybe they could work together for this one thing.

Spoiler: Tags

BluEndings

 

[QuirkyAngel]

Meirin Azuza

CS Link

SCENE:

Happiness & Prosperity

LOCATION:

白春花茶莊, East District

LOCATION:

February 1st, 2022 || Pre-Arc 3

PARTICIPANTS:

Isaiah, Jesper, Kairong, Karin, Meirin, Ottilie, Amari

Happiness & Prosperity

Lunar New Year.

It was a holiday most openly celebrated in New Oasis’s East District, due to the community that gathered there, but, in truth, all of New Oasis celebrated the same holidays; All of Amestria really. It just so happened that Amestria was a melting pot of many, many cultures, and New Oasis, a bustling representation of what its country stood for.

As Meirin made her way towards the tea shop owned by the Dragon Fist, she played witness to the parade of dragon dancers that wandered down the streets. Streets that were lined with red lanterns, strung up in honor of the festivities. Houses decorated with red couplets. Large red banners wishing everyone a happy new year. It was as if the district itself had exploded in red…which Meirin didn’t particularly mind, seeing as red was her favorite color anyway. She herself had exchanged her normal shaolin-style training qipao for a more formal, yet festive, bright red one.

Flecks of gold weaved an ornate design resembling a serpentine dragon that extended the length of the dress. A hint at which gang she represented, if the tattoo that ran down her upper right arm didn’t, but Mei hadn’t been thinking about much when she chose the outfit. She just knew she liked dragons more than birds and flowers. Jun had even helped her with her hair, twisting it up into twin buns, pinned with plum blossoms. Lunar New year, like any other holiday, was a time best spent visiting family and wishing them well. However, seeing she didn’t have one, Meirin often alternated between celebrating Lunar New Year with Wuyang temple monks or Eternal Night Palance workers–the ones that didn’t have a family to return to, that is.

This year, she would celebrate it with her friends at 白春花茶莊. She couldn’t deny that part of the reason she chose to do so was because of what happened with Rev. She wanted to make sure Lin Kairong was alright as losing a family member/student wasn’t an easy thing to handle alone, especially during the holidays ; Rev wasn’t dead, fortunately, but she’d been comatose for so long she might as well have been. If Meirin found Goat Mask again she was gonna…not think about it given the celebrations. She had no desire to ruin the mood with depressing thoughts.

Bad luck and all that.

A happy smile spread across her face as a quaint tea shop with the sign 白春花茶莊 came into view and she skipped into the beautifully decorated interior, waving. “Happy New Year, everyone!”

Whether she knew them or not, Meirin bowed and wished everyone she encountered in the tea shop a happy new year/good health all the same. If she ran into someone who looked (or who Meirin assumed to be) younger than her, she offered them a random red envelope that either contained $1, $5, or $10, depending on what she randomly drew from her purse. The amount of money wasn’t important to her. She just wanted to make sure she had enough to give to every child she came across (she didn’t know how many she would encounter at the gathering) and had prepared a stack of red envelopes beforehand.

Karin.

Ottilie.

…she was sure she’d encounter more later. If not, she might just pay her old orphanage a visit. Meirin didn’t have the best time living there, but it was still a holiday and the elderly matron had still taken care of her…in a sense. Maybe she’d go with Jun tomorrow. For today, she wanted to have fun with friends.

Seeing as the new rookie had already gone to greet the host, Meirin didn’t want to overwhelm the elder and opted to pick a nearby table to wait her turn. Isaiah, donned in his usual ‘Dragon Ace’ illusion, came out of the kitchen carrying a tray of delicious-smelling food and Meirin wiped the drool from her lips as the dumplings and fried spring rolls were set out in front of her. Her stomach growled and she was tempted to reach over and grab one, but she refrained from doing so until everyone was present…or at least the host said it was okay to eat. She had better manners than that.

Maybe.

Golden bars of savory temptation were hard to resist.

Grinning at Isaiah, Meirin lifted two grocery bags she carried with her. One contained an assortment of peaches, plums, and oranges from Eternal Night Palace’s garden. The other contained a jar of “Lucky Spirits” obtained from Wuyang Temple’s not-so-secret stash. One didn’t go visit another’s home, and eat their food, without bringing gifts after all. He could store the fruits and utilize them to make tea later…or break open the jar of aged wine to share with their adult guests. The wine had been a gift intended for Kairong, but honestly, it didn’t really matter which occupant/family member of 白春花茶莊 received it. “Happy new year, Izzy! Let me know where you want me to put this…”

Her eyes flickered to the many, many plates. “...Also if you need help in the kitchen. I'm more than happy to help!”

Not cooking. Meirin was crap at cooking and she knew it…but she could help with basic grunt work. Like dishes. Or setting up the tables. Only Isaiah and Karin doing all the work for their fun little gathering didn’t seem fair . She had nothing else to do but stare at the food, and maybe chat up some strangers, anyway. The only people she knew at the party were Azure Dragon gang members…some of whom she didn’t even know all that well…and Karin…whom she recognized by name and face because she stopped by for tea once in a while, on Dragon-related matters, but it wasn’t as if they knew each other on a personal level.

That was what social gatherings were for.

Lucem angel doe AriAriAbabwa Saturn_moon simj26

 

[Nobody Special]

VULKEN BECKMAN

CS Link

SCENE:

Shaping Up

LOCATION:

Basketball Court, South District

TIME:

Pre-Arc 3: December 3rd, 2021

PARTICIPANTS:

Boltius

CURRENT STAGE:

4 --> 3 --> 2 (Cooling Down)

SHAPING UP

Silent, he watched– eyes fixated on every movement his younger brother made while he fought to surpass limits the brothers had once believed were set in stone, unable to be altered. Though he looked on with a smug grin, anyone who looked into his eyes at that moment would have seen that he was taking these training sessions extremely seriously.

Following two big fights– fights that he was sure he would have easily won if he were anywhere near as strong as he was back when he actually applied himself, Vulken had a sort of epiphany. Ever since he had stepped down from his position as Jack, he simply hadn’t been working as hard. Of course, as a result, his laziness began to affect his training sessions with Boltius, to the point where there were less scheduled, goal-oriented training sessions and more random fights between the two just to make sure neither party had fallen off.

Too much shit had been going down lately. Large-scale gang battles left and right, friends and foes dying, endless hospital visits– he had to make sure that he, and his kid brother were in shape to hold their own in case something else came up. So, if strength was his goal, it was only natural to bring the training sessions back. This time around, Vulken had some serious plans in store for both himself and his sibling.

While Boltius lay on the ground of the court, complaining about how tired he was, Vulken chuckled to himself. He too was at the brink of exhaustion, but he felt he didn’t need to push himself as Bolt had to. Besides, the older brother was always supposed to be the stronger one.

“Sore, huh?” He repeated the younger Beckman’s words, the layer of heat that had been packed tightly around his body slowly moving outwards as he entered his cool-down stage. Leaning down, he flicked him on the head.

“Since ‘yer gonna be sore, go cold for the whole ride home. Y’know, to help prevent that muscle inflammation. Now geddup, crybaby.”

With crossed arms, he looked down at Boltius with a superior look in his citrus eyes. Part of it was simply to mess with him, but his main reasoning for doing so was to motivate his hotheaded sibling into actually getting up. He wasn’t going to be able to do this alone. Boltius needed him– and, in turn, he needed Boltius.

“Raisin’ ‘yer maximum temperature. Buildin’ ‘yer endurance for switchin’ from hot to cold. Fixing any gaps or errors in ‘yer weird little fighting style. Those are three things off the list ‘a things I got planned ‘fer you, and ‘yer bitchin’ like this already? Sad.”

He slowly walked off the court, approaching his car and lowering himself into it after opening the door. Pushing a cigarette into his mouth and lighting it, he sighed a cloud of smoke outside of his open window.

“Dontcha wanna see YY? Hurry the hell up.”

Doctor Llamabean

 

[Nobody Special]

BASH HIRABAYASHI

CS Link

SCENE:

In The Blood

LOCATION:

Catmosphere Kitty Cafe, Central District

TIME:

Post Arc 1/Pre Arc 2 — September 17th, 2021

PARTICIPANTS:

Raphael Shaw

✕ POTENTIALS BANNED:

Blood for Blood [Raphael Shaw]

IN THE BLOOD

.

.

.

“Back again, hm?”

“Shut the fuck up.”

“We’re closed, y’know~”

“I said shut the fuck up. You wanna fuckin’ die?”

“Scary~”

“Fuckin’ tired… Oi, Misty! Where the fuck’re ya at?”

“You don’t look too good. I’ll put some gyokuro on for you and patch this guy up.”

“...”

“...Whats the story with this one, anyway?”

“Quit askin’.”
.

.

.


...Minutes passed, and there he sat– sipping away at his tea, and petting away at the pitch black cat that he had grown so accustomed to. A nameless friend– no, acquaintance had done him yet another favor, and while he was silent, the arrant malevolence that radiated off of him made the surrounding air feel heavy with every breath.

He lost. Well, he would have lost, if the piece of shit that was laying on the ground didn’t randomly decide that their fight was the perfect time to take a nap. Instead, he ended up carrying his enemy to a safe haven of his to avoid apprehension– to save this prick.

And so, he sat. In a space he’d never once thought he would have to share with such a sad, useless pile of fucking garbage. He had to force himself to turn away from him– locks of jet black, sweat-drenched hair blocking the resting man from his peripheral to prevent himself from suddenly shooting up and finishing what he had started all those years ago.

But, that wouldn’t be fair.

He retraced his steps in the fight. He’d thought for sure that he would have been able to take him out– to at least force him to calm down, but that fucking bullshit he’d downed during their fight with the Queen and company had changed things in the blink of an eye. He’d never liked that shit. He didn’t approve of it. It wasn’t fair. But who the fuck was he to try and put his two cents in on Snake’s little project? He was just the Ace, after all.

A sharp pain shot through his head, causing him to retract the hand that was petting Misty and fly onto his face. Though he wanted to act like he was fine, the accumulated damage that had piled up from this fucking mess of a job was finally starting to take the stage. And, to make things worse…

As Raph began to rise, muttering to himself whilst doing so, Bash remained seated, unwavering. He was trying his best to stay calm, but then–

“You... Saved me?”

Immediately, the ceramic handle on the cup of tea he had been holding snapped off with a loud crack, breaking into pieces in the palm of his hand as he squeezed with all his might.

With a colorless tone, he parted his lips to speak.

“'Saved' you?”

Blood slowly slid down his forehead as he spoke. A reopened wound.

“Savin’ you woulda been me leavin’ you ‘ta die back there.”

Slowly, his head turned to face his rival, one of many. This time, his voice left his mouth like a venomous dagger piercing straight through Raphael’s chest.

“I only let you live so I can fuckin’ finish you myself.”

Elenion Aura

 

[Coyote Hart]

Peyton Xiong

CS Link

SCENE:

Just Another Training Day

TIME:

January 8th, 2022 - 7:00AM || Pre-Arc 3

LOCATION:

Wuyang Temple; East District

PARTICIPANTS:

Peyton, Hou, the Others

Just Another Training Day

Hearing Hou's offer was a godsend. The prices for even a used grandfather clock were simply eyewatering and not something that Peyton could even consider. Peyton wasn't that good at math, but he understood money, and the money that he didn't have to spare. The cost of a new grandfather clock compared to two of everything on his parent's restaurant menu was more than tenfold. He also had a good idea of how his ma and pa would react. They were humble people and would definitely be grateful for someone fixing their beloved clock.

"Of course you can!" Peyton said enthusiastically, "If you manage to fix it, don't be surprised if my ma also tries to make you bring some takeout back home. When you stop by, make sure to try ma's red pork buns. They're the best!"

He stepped back from gazing at the rows of overpriced grandfather clocks. If Hou was able to get a look at the clock, then there was no reason why Peyton needed to be in the shop, distracted from the training at hand. Thank goodness for that too. If Peyton had actually bought a clock, would he have had to lug it around training? That would be no fun. He began to move toward the front door of the shop but spun around before reaching the door so that he could talk to Hou and Xuefeng.

"I guess I can't ditch training for too long," Peyton mused. He grinned at Hou and Xuefeng, "Hey, we should partner up! I'm no good with defensive combat, so little Shu here should have no trouble keeping up with me!"

At that moment, Peyton realized that now that he was a veteran, the rookies were looking to him for training guidance. He was doing a pretty bad job at it, ditching training to check out clocks. Not that Peyton was the type to ever have any shame with that sort of thing. There was also the fact that Peyton wasn't much of a martial artist. His fighting style relied more on instinct and gun skills stolen from the Serpents. It was an exceptionally odd arrangement.

"I can even carry the little one during the run if it becomes too tiring for you," Peyton offered. It was an empty offer though, as Peyton probably had the lower running stamina when being compared to Hou.

SilverFlight (Martial Art Monkey)
Lucem (Isaiah) QuirkyAngel (Meirin) Vahn (Schroeder) AriAriAbabwa (Jesper) RedArmyShogun (Laura)

 

[WhiskeyMarten]

DARIUS KENNEDY

CS Link

SCENE:

Blurred Borders

LOCATION:

Hartswan Terrace, North District

TIME:

Pre-Arc 1: October 25, 2019 -- Night

PARTICIPANTS:

Darius, Celestine

BLURRED BORDERS

Darius trailed behind Celeste, more than happy to let her take the lead. He looked down at the pocket knife in his hand, gripping it with uncertainty. Were they really just gonna walk through the door? He hadn’t come very prepared.

A nervous pain began to set in his stomach as he watched Celeste try and open the door. He stood beside her, body pressed against the wall, trying to rehearse his next moves in his head. The sound of the door interrupted his thoughts, and after a moment of hesitation, he stepped into its frame, staring down the traitors ahead of them.

“And who the fuck are you?”

One man stood from the dining table, quickly masking a surprised look with a scowl.

Now what?

Darius glanced at Celeste, unable to tell what she was going to do next. If the traitors could be taken in peacefully, that would be great. He slid the knife into his coat pocket, out of sight.

“Apologies for the uh, the lack of notice, but we thought we’d drop by to… have a chat.”

Darius took a small step inside the house but paused when a pistol was lifted up to them by the man. Of course, regular guns could be tanked through easily by an HP, but why take the chance?

“Woah, woah, hey-”

“-WHO SENT YOU?”

“We’re Serpents! We’re with you! I’m… The Contaminated.” Saying it out loud was painful. It was a new alias, now that his potential was more known, but it was a stupid one. Why couldn’t he be Darius?

“You want to chat, huh?”

Darius looked at the others in the room, still standing in place for fear he would get shot. The three seated Serpents seemed ready to attack, but not necessarily prepared for a fight. He nodded at the man’s question. This was shit.

 

[Lucem]

DAMIAN

CS Link

SCENE:

I Won't Become a Monster!!

LOCATION:

North District, an icecream shop a few blocks from Tri's lab

TIME:

Pre-Arc 1 || February 19th, 2015

PARTICIPANTS:

Damian, Peyton

I WON'T BECOME A MONSTER!!

Damian had no interest in money, but he did like the sound of Peyton's proposal. Getting to see how the man's Potential worked by testing it against games of chance would be a treat, one that'd help provide answers for his many questions. Unfortunately, their little excursion would have to wait until the job was done, but it'd serve as excellent motivation to finish business quickly. There was also the ice cream to look forward to.

Busy contemplating which of the thirty-one flavors to try next, he almost hadn't noticed that the destination was within reach. It was nothing spectacular, only standing out because of how its marginally better condition compared to the other decrepit houses in the neighborhood. With the buildings being in such a sorry state of disrepair, some people may have thought that they'd been abandoned for years. However, the voice from the other side of the door proved that there was definitely life inside the walls.

The harsh tone that beckoned them didn't bother Damian in the slightest, but the same couldn't be said for Peyton. The lucky boy seemed to be having second thoughts, suddenly wavering as he reached the top of the steps. Damian couldn't understand the reason behind the change in his companion's demeanor, but he wouldn't question it. If Peyton wanted him to go first, he was happy to oblige.

The soft snow beneath his shoes soon turned to concrete as he approached the entrance. Without any hesitation, he pushed past the shorter man and pressed against the chipped, wooden door. He didn't even bother to peek through the cracks as it creaked open, opting to casually enter with the nonchalance of someone who lived in this den of debauchery.

The white flakes that stuck to the bottoms of his shoes were smothered by stained fuzz as he stepped onto the carpeted floors. Nobody was there to reprimand him for not wiping his feet at the entrance, as the person who answered their knock was nowhere to be seen. The only thing he could hear now was the static from the television sitting in front of a shabby sofa that had been punctured like a pincushion. If he really strained his ears, he could hear murmuring from deeper inside, along with suspicious shuffling. Rodents, perhaps?

"Not very hospitable, are they?" When it became apparent that there wouldn't be a warm welcome, Damian turned his attention back to Peyton. "Should we go looking for our hosts?"

Coyote Hart

 

[WhiskeyMarten]

DARIUS KENNEDY

CS Link

SCENE:

Along Came The Spider

LOCATION:

Drumlin Diner

TIME:

Pre-Arc 1: August 12, 2021

PARTICIPANTS:

Darius, Ten, Yuto

ALONG CAME THE SPIDER

“This’ll be nice! This place, it’s always empty so it should be easy to- Wait, it’s a good place! That’s not why it’s empty, don’t worry!” Darius walked with Ten down the dark street at they approached Drumlin Diner, continuing to interrupt himself as he hyped up the place, being his own worst enemy.

“-But anyway, it should be easy to get them to accommodate you, because they won’t be serving anyone else, and if they don’t then we’ll figure it out. I have a nice surprise for you too! I’ll show you when we’re inside.”

Inside a backpack, Darius was carrying was a hat, quite a lovely hat. It was slightly crumpled from being inside the bag, but Darius wanted it to be a surprise, feeling like he didn’t give enough gifts to his beloved partner. Though he then began to think about it, uncertainty filling his mind.

“It’s not a big surprise, it’s just something small that I thought you might like…” His voice trailed away as he pushed the door of Drumlin Diner open, his gloved hand in Ten’s as he walked through.

As expected, there were no customers at all, each table vacant and sparkly clean, just waiting for anyone at all. That’s not to say the place was dead though, there was a hum of activity, with all the staff scrambling around the place as though they were getting ready for a rehearsal. Eyes flitted around the room.

Before he could sense something might be up, Darius was waved to by a rapidly approaching worker, Mark. Skidding to a halt with the precision only a man who wore rollerblades to work daily could manage, he gave a bow to the couple, greeting them with a slight crack in his voice.

“Hello, wElcome valued customers!”

“Table for 2, please.” Seems quite desperate.

“Of course, where would you like to sit?”

“Your choice Ten,” he nudged Ten to prompt a response out of them, “but, can we make a request? It’s only us here, so, we’d uhh appreciate it if you could dim the lights for us?”

Mark nodded vigorously, terrified by the arachnid lurking out of sight, and now terrified by his friends who want the place plunged into darkness too. What sick ritual is being planned here?

 

[WhiskeyMarten]

HECTOR MOSES

CS Link

SCENE:

Swords and Snakes

TIME:

Pre-Arc 1, Night, January 23, 2020

LOCATION:

North District

PARTICIPANTS:

Hector, Rutheless First Rose

SWORDS AND SNAKES

Hector simmered quietly as Ruthe spoke on. She pieced the situation together seemingly with a cooler head than he had, though he correctly assumed that she was just as pissed off as he was. He sipped his own drink until it was down to the dregs.

Anyone with a shred of common sense would’ve recognized the insanity in the woman as something to avoid at all costs, but Hector leaned forward after finishing his drink and slamming it back on the table, arms folded, looking at her. If she wanted him dead he knew she would’ve done it by now- or rather, she would’ve tried.

“I know, I know. You wouldn’t have missed that sight for anything.” He replied when he deemed it to be acceptable, speaking as though he knew all along that she had no involvement, always having to be in the right. “But I don’t sme-” Hector brought his nose to his arm, sniffing, recoiling from the lingering spirits. He did smell.

“That’s hundreds of Amestriyen right there. Few shelves worth of liquor that he broke that’s on me right now. So if I can’t get reimbursement from him, someone’s gonna have ta pay up and I don’t know who that’s gonna be.”

He leaned away, back on his chair, only now choosing to keep a small distance from the Serpent.

“And you need your bike back if you really ain’t involved. I didn’t see where he went, but he’s sure to show his face somewhere. I can either call some folks who might know, or…” He contemplated for a moment, though not for long. He knew her patience may be running thin, “We can go hunting together.”

Hector pointed at the glasses, “another drink?”

 

[Vahn]

Schroeder Wildschwein

Fantasy - Four Heavenly Kings: CS Thread

CS Link

SCENE:

Just Another Training Day

LOCATION:

Wuyang Temple, East District

TIME:

January 8th, 2022 - 7:00AM || Pre-Arc 3

PARTICIPANTS:

Meirin, Laura, Peyton, Hou, Fade, Schroeder and others.

Just Another Training Day

Schroeder Wildschwein had managed to get to the front of this running pack and was staring at Meirin Azuza who seems to be running with Isaiah Spade the current Ace. Schroeder Wildschwein decided if he were to be as blunt and direct about this Omar situation "Yeah, I'm here to teach the young ones how to handle themselves in a fight. But to more important matters, did Madam Chouchou tell you anything about Omar renting out one of the rooms of the Eternal Night Palace for a private party? "

Schroeder Wildschwein let that sit for awhile as he started to think of what else he could ask Meirin Azuza before an idea came to his head before directing his question to both Meirin Azuza and Isaiah Spade. "Did Omar invite either of you to this private party? The invitation letter I got mentioned about an idea to remove the venom from a serpent. Is that code for something? Does Shen or Yo knoww anything about this? Or is this another one of them dooms day scenarios? "

Schroeder Wildschwein would wait for some sort of response but also control his speed too keep up with agile Meirin Azuza and Isaiah Spade. Taking a moment to check his one of his side view mirrors to check on the rookies as the group passes Dyne's bar.

Spoiler: Tag

QuirkyAngel
AriAriAbabwa
RedArmyShogun
Coyote Hart
SilverFlight .

 

[WhiskeyMarten]

HECTOR MOSES

CS Link

SCENE:

The Enduring Hurrah

TIME:

Pre-Arc 3, Evening of May 27th, 2022

LOCATION:

Red West Bar, a Phoenix hub in the South District

PARTICIPANTS:

Hector, Hitoshi joshuadim , Hide Caffeine_Obsessed , Charlie Roda the Red , Corvo AriAriAbabwa , Milo Elenion Aura , Rin EmperorsChosen , Roza RedArmyShogun , Boltius Doctor Llamabean , Ashley Lucem , Gideon Coyote Hart , Dimitri The Prophet

THE ENDURING HURRAH

Regardless of whether you were a Phoenix or a normal civilian, you’d know there was something special happening tonight. The pavement outside of Red West was impassable, covered in tables ranging from small metal ones to an expansive dining table that really was never meant to be used outside. A range of chairs had been laid out around these tables, and on the tables were lanterns, illuminating the display.

String lights of varying colours had been hung over the entrance to Red West, and a long trail of them connected it to the neighbouring Inn, The Vagrant’s Deck, with whom they had a close business relationship.

A couple of barbecues filled the air with a smokey aroma, hot dogs and burgers on the grill, those manning them working hard to provide enough for everyone. Someone else had brought speakers, that were broadcasting the music from inside the bar out here. Another person arrived with even more tables and ended up making their own roadblock using someone’s car parked along one of the lanes, just so there was a bit more space to sit.

Dusk had fallen upon the evening, but a warm breeze still soothed those who chose to stay out. The reason to stay outside would become apparent upon seeing the inside of the two bars.

A cacophony of voices melded together from each area of Red West. Each table seated about twice as many people as would normally be allowed. The TV Screens dotted around the place showed a variety of programmes, the live football match was popular, but a few other shows were being shown too, all subtitled to make up for the sound being drowned out.

All hands were on deck tonight, all the bar staff danced around to make everything work perfectly. Trays of beverages, both your standard alcoholic drinks and non-alcoholic drinks made their way around the interior and exterior at a regular pace, each tray returning to the bar only with a pile of cash, to be filled with drinks again not long after. Those with a certain preference flooded the counter to make their own orders, throwing a generous amount of money at the bartenders in return.

The Vagrant’s Deck was busy too, though they focused more on food than drinks, though their bar too was packed. With a larger kitchen than Red West possessed, they were sending out plates of finger food to all the patrons.

Spirits were extremely high, from the outside all the way to who some may think of as the man of the hour, Hector Moses. Seated in the same seat he sat at every time, a prime seat at the bar, he sipped his usual drink. He seemed to be a lot closer to how he had been a year prior, with a sly grin on his face, and a more relaxed disposition. The weight of the past 8 months may have been lifted off his shoulders for one night. He really needed this, though he still had more serious events on his mind.

He swivelled around on his stool, facing the horde of Phoenixes, who initially didn’t realise even when he called for their attention. It was only when the last call bell was quickly utilized — though of course there wouldn’t be the last call for a while — did people stop for a moment. The music was lowered while Hector spoke.
“HELLO, EVERYONE. I’d just like to thank each and every one of you for bein’ here tonight. I know it hasn’t been an easy time these past couple years, but the efforts we make every day to make this district and this gang stronger, it’s all worth it.”

He cleared his throat, before continuing.

“The Scarlet Phoenixes are indestructible, and the power we once held will be in our grasp soon. You all deserve this night, so enjoy it.”

He held his glass up for one last cheer,

“TO A NEW PHOENIX GOLDEN AGE!”

The cacophony of voices inside the bar yelled out their own cheers, and Hector nodded before swivelling back around to the bar, continuing to drink.

He was never one for speeches, he much preferred actions, but he had those planned too.

 

[QuirkyAngel]

Meirin Azuza

CS Link

SCENE:

Love at Yu Min Cuisine

LOCATION:

West District

LOCATION:

February 14th, 2022 || Pre-Arc 3

PARTICIPANTS:

The Quirkforce, Alice, Minato, Passeri, Samira, Pascal

Love at Yumin Cuisine

Yu. Min. Cuisine.

Meirin might not be the smartest person in the world, but even she wasn’t oblivious enough to miss the surname of her ex plastered in fancy letters above the restaurant. Since when did his family own restaurants? Not that she had known much about his family–beyond the fact that they were wealthy and lived in the West District–in the first place. In the two years that they’d dated, when he’d lived and went to school in the East District, Elias never deigned it necessary to tell her about them beyond the basics. She’d never even met his parents.

If she thought about it, the hints had always been there. She’d just been to blind to see it.

Meirin had been tempted to leave the restaurant then and there. Encountering an old flame again, one that slept with her sister, was perhaps the last thing she wanted…only before the world ending and her beloved sister dying. Yet Meirin squared her shoulders and marched through the entrance with Jun–who glanced at her worriedly–regardless; A promise was a promise, after all. When Lu told them he’d secured them invitations to a fine-dining eatery in the West District, Meirin hadn’t expected that it would be one owned by the family of someone she hadn’t seen in 7 years. It wasn’t even out of spite she hadn’t spoken to Elias Yumin in so long…not too much spite anyway. She’d just been busy and, given how they’d parted ways, there never had been a reason to. Meirin knew, for example, that he’d returned to New Oasis and became the CFO of his father’s company (through old friends), but little beyond that.

Maybe she’d luck out and he wouldn’t notice her.

Both she and her sister checked in as guests of the Locke Family (one of the pre-opening invitees) before being led to their table. There were more important things to worry about anyway. The West District was home to the Albino Tiger Gang and, while Meirin had chosen a long-sleeve evening gown to hide hints of her gang affiliations, those that would recognize her would recognize her; Trying to disguise herself would only make her look more suspicious anyway. She was here to eat fancy food and leave. Period. The person who promised them a free dinner, donning sunglasses and a black dress shirt–haphazardly worn, sauntered over to their table.

Lu Locke.

Who knew? Then again, she hadn’t known Cal’s surname either and family names had never really been particularly important to Meirin, who hadn’t even owned one until she’d been invited into the Azure Dragon gang.

“You’re here!”

“I regret it already,” Meirin rolled her eyes as she held open the menu to read the list of foreign-sounding foods, most of which she’d never even heard of before let alone tried. “What’s a Pasta Oglio E Olio?”

Lu (aka Zach) shrugged. “Pasta with garlic and oil.” He slid into the seat beside Jun and tossed an arm over her shoulder. “Well, Love~? What do you think? I told you I’d take you somewhere classy for Valentine’s Day!”

Jun removed the arm. “I’m only here because Mei is.”

“Sis, help me order!” Meirin whined. “I have no idea what I’m getting!”

Jun plucked the menu from Meirin’s fingers and flipped through it while the girl known as the Warden of Eternal Night Palace (by those in the East’s Pleasure District) slumped in her seat. From the corner of her eye, she could see Elias chatting with a pretty, princess-like blonde (with an eye patch)...and one of the many dancers? Well, the music certainly livened up the atmosphere at any rate…and Elias had always been popular. Even in high school. Meirin wasn’t even sure she knew the sort of person Elias had become…if she had ever known him in the first place. “...I didn’t know you two knew each other.”

“Hm? Oh, Eli. We went to the same private school as kids.” Lu tried to sneak his arm back over Jun’s shoulder. “This was before I transferred to a different one for personal reasons. I heard from some old friends that he did as well, not too long after I did, but they, for the life of them, can’t remember where~”.

“It’s a small world…”

“Very~ Hey, hey, I’ve got an idea! Why don’t I introd–,”

“No!” “No.”

“--uce you to Madame Cordelia. It’s her restaurant, after all, and she’s the sweetest lady you’ll ever meet.” Lu laughed, waving at Elias’s mother who, despite still dealing with some reporters, waved back. “Lots of actors and Yumin Entertainment stars here to take pictures with as well if you’re into that sort of thing. Surely at your age you’ve got one or two celebrity cr–,”

“I’m leaving.”

“Noooooo,” Lu clung to Meirin’s arm. “Jun won’t stay if you goooooo! This is Valentine's Day! I finally got her to go out with me tooooo!”

“Please don’t talk about me as if I’m not here,” Jun Azuza glanced at the waiter. “We’ll have the lobster fritters and shrimp scampi for now. “

“Anything to drink?”

“Just water.”

(In the Same Scene: AriAriAbabwa The One Eyed Bandit @Anne Boolean Elenion Aura @Beann )

 

[RedArmyShogun]

Roza Grigorievna

CS Link

SCENE:

Phoenixes Pre-Arc 3: The Enduring Hurrah

LOCATION:

Red West Bar, a Phoenix hub in the South District

PARTICIPANTS:

Hitoshi joshuadim , Hide Caffeine_Obsessed , Charlie Roda the Red , Corvo AriAriAbabwa , Milo Elenion Aura , Rin EmperorsChosen , Boltius Doctor Llamabean , Ashley Lucem , Gideon Coyote Hart , Dimitri The Prophet Hector WhiskeyMarten , Roza

The Enduring Hurrah

Evening of May 27th, 2022​

As the hours rolled by Roza found herself willingly standing outside. While she was no stranger to noise and large formations or the chaotic hell that was urban warfare, she still wasn't one to enjoy an event like this. She would not decry others from enjoying it however, much like in her past what few situations during the civil war or mercenary days allowed her and her own to cut loose, she was the straight man, the designated driver. So, it was something she didn't very much like yet did not overly care to stop. She came simply because it was to be expected. While one may not be the life of the party, being outside looking in was not very helpful.

Smirking at that it was a rather ironic observation that she purposely was outside now. A couple months had passed, and she was still here in this crazy wretched hive of a city. The fact she was still alive and without any missing body parts was a welcome event at any rate. Though she knew better, with the whispers and casual backroom talk on a raid, was this a sendoff party for those yet to die? More likely than not it was, though this gang seemed to have something for trying to be that family offer it had seemed to press in on.

How did they handle losses? Of that she wondered, during the Civil War in her homeland her regiment had many of those family bonds as airstrikes and artillery fire or the occasional bullet pruned the ranks, friendships became shallower for the most part, or fiercely loyal among an elite corp. Were there any here she considered family here and now? Looking at a plate with two hamburgers she finds a seat at one of the less nice tables in the roadway, the answer to that, well there was no use worrying about that when a peaceful meal, even if loud could be ended at any point. Letting her eyes glance around, she had seen Boltius and Rin earlier that evening, those two stood out no matter where they went, for now however she could not be sure where they were as dozens upon dozens of faces moved about.

 

[BluEndings]

"HANUEL" BAE (HIFUMI)

CS Link

SCENE:

[Clouds at the Summit]

TIME:

Pre-Arc 1, March 21st, 2017

LOCATION:

Millennium Hall, East District

PARTICIPANTS:

Hifumi, Shen

CLOUDS AT THE SUMMIT

A refined stranger. Someone who carried themselves with incomparable finesse. He had swung by for but a slight waver in time. A mild exchange between two men. Though respect dictated Hifumi did not listen in on such affairs, curiosity gave leniency. There wasn’t a single twinge of malice that he could discern. Nothing condescending, patronizing, or belittling. Did this man pay no mind to the Bae Family’s standing at present?

When they turned to Hifumi, and extended reassuring words it began to dawn on him this was someone he should know. No doubt a family head, but which? His inability to place a name to the face cast a shadow on his own. Courtesies were given nonetheless, but the air was thick with shame. A shame which only grew as proceedings kicked off.

Faa Yun, current King of the Azure Dragons.

Hifumi could feel anxieties crawling just beneath his skin. A mind of doubt replaying the previous interaction again and again. He was certain there had been no fault in the formalities, but the magnitude of what remained true outweighed any credence. His family’s expressions provided no solace despite his troubled gaze. From this point forward he knew the only assurance given would be his own.

From there the irregularity—or what Hifumi presumed as irregularity—continued. A disturbance? No. A spectacle. It was past the intended hour, no doubt to amplify anticipation, but a performance befitting the role of heir. Flight was one of the truest desires of mankind. To do so as easily and gracefully was a fine display. The onlookers certainly thought so, and Hifumi was no different.

Things finally seemed to settle into the expected. Before taking an ill-prepared turn.

‘I welcome… the Bae Family heir to kick off these proceedings!’

He could feel his heart drop. Deep. Deeper. Deeper yet. His breathing had paused, thankfully so, lest its hoarse pace be made show of. The world seemed to bend in place as expectation, disappointment, and humiliation dribbled from all sides. A familiar feeling. One he had experienced just the past year. He swallowed his every want to plead ‘there’s been some mistake’, but he knew better than that.

He rose to his feet, but only barely so. His intent to display decisiveness had been lost to the folds of his garments caught just beneath. A minor mishap, but one that could not be undone. Time lost was no issue, as he quickly swept himself to the center of the room. His head lowered immediately, but there was no doubt in his mind he had risen too quick.

“Thank you sovereign.” He turned first to his right, then his left. “I am Hi—Hanuel. Son of Won-shik and Etsuko—w-who unfortunately could not be present.”

Should he have left that out?

“It is my honor to open tonight’s affairs.” Though how was he meant to…? “I wish to display a customary… art passed down in my family.”

It was a dance, for the most part. Though it happened to be a bit of a touchy subject. Many people didn’t take the Bae Family’s combative teachings seriously due to its ‘whimsical’ nature. The way it flowed was seen as weak, but even Hifumi knew it was just another excuse to belittle their ways. What he was showing here, however, was a compound of recreation and diligence.

From within his attire he drew out three folds of paper for each hand. They were primed at the ready by his sides, and reflected the swift pace of his mounting steps. It was fine footwork, but nothing praiseworthy. The first of his hands extended outward, its wrist presenting the slender parchment. It snapped backward, and the center paper was replaced by a single blade—gold, glistening, and entirely ornamental.

At the same time, Hifumi’s second hand offered a similar gesture in opposition. In contrast, the middle piece was the only one to remain. A quick changing of hands, and one side held blades while the other held paper in uniform. As the performance continued, hesitation, and sweat threatened continuity. The proper movements were strained by stifling inflexibility.

At its peak, the blades were tossed into the air. His eyes were closed. This time, the clockwork motion of his body was intended. SNAP. The first position, and the first success. Metal hit paper, and vanished. SNAP. The second position, and another success. But no ‘snap’ came for the third. His body swiveled, arms remained extended, and the last paper lay balanced at his foot.

Thunk.

The resounding sound of failure. The prop hit the floor. Worse—its weight had undoubtedly dented it.

Eyes—Hifumi’s, his family’s, and everyone else’s. Instead of collecting his thoughts and bearings, he gathered his objects. Sloppy motions followed by an incomplete exit. A poor bow, and hazardous shuffling back to his spot. This time the carelessness cost more than just a hiccup. His head was too low, and his feet too high.

Had it not been for his sister Hifumi would have fallen in his entirety.

Perhaps that would have been better.

NAVIGATE

 

[Coyote Hart]

Peyton Xiong

CS Link

SCENE:

Sir, This is a Hospital

TIME:

Tuesday, September 28th, 2021 || Post Arc 2

LOCATION:

Correspondance Hospital, Lower Central

PARTICIPANTS:

Peyton, Yuto

Sir, This is a Hospital

"I'm not small, I'm perfectly pint sized!" Peyton joked playfully, imitating Yuto's pout. But it quickly softened into a playful smirk. Even if Yuto had intended to look down on him, literally and figuratively, with his height, Peyton didn't mind. Sure, he wasn't immune to being self-conscious about his height; his elevator shoes were proof of that. But he got the teasing from plenty of the sharp-tongued people Peyton surrounded himself with. He had already become desensitized to it. And if he ever got annoyed, he could bite the ankles of the taller people. Not literally though.

When Yuto lifted his shirt to expose his toned body, Peyton's face flushed, and he quickly rushed over to pull Yuto's shirt down. "No! Yutes, don't bribe me with your body. I believe you!"

He felt his face heat up even more when Yuto brought back memories of their fight. Yuto was right. Peyton had gotten a pretty good idea of Yuto's body. His chest, although not voluminous, was firm and unyielding. His arms were slender. And his lips... well. With Yuto so close to his face, Peyton wanted to lean in and give Yuto a peck as a response. However, it wasn't that he lacked bravery, it was that he hesitated for one second too soon. The moment was over, with Yuto beginning to build a hammock.

Peyton's eyes followed the spider boy as he worked, an intrigued look on his face. Then, when the hammock finally took shape, Peyton nodded in understanding, kicking off his shoes and taking Yuto's hand to climb into the hammock. With the way that hammocks were, it was impossible for Peyton to give Yuto space. Instead, he naturally ended up snuggled up against the spider boy. Even though Yuto was self-conscious about his scent, Peyton didn't mind it. It wasn't that Peyton was okay with it, it was more that he was in the same boat-- after the battle, he hadn't had a chance to shower. He was lucky to even get a clean pair of clothes. He probably didn't smell any better, and even with the stench of perfume, it was a losing battle.

Of course, there was also a shower in the corner of the bathroom, but that was typically for the nurses.

"I think you were the one who felt me up more," Peyton noted with a smirk. He laughed, "You were real obsessed with my neck. Couldn't get your hands on it enough? Maybe I should equal the scales a little."

Peyton dug his face into Yuto's neck, near the jugular vein that the spider boy had pointed out earlier, and gave it a playful kiss and a lick. To make up for his earlier lack of bravery. In conjunction with a little dash of his Potential, it left a tingling sensation.

"That's better," a sleek finger traced down Yuto's neck, noting the soft bits and the sinew before Peyton hastily retracted it. Embarrassed at his brazenness, Peyton flipped over onto his stomach to lie side by side with Yuto, a nervous laugh escaping his throat. His heart felt like it was beating out of his chest. Despite the boldness that he conducted himself in his everyday life, Peyton was still undeniably an introvert. His bookworm soul couldn't handle too much of this kind of stuff. With all of this, Peyton forgot that they were waiting for someone to step into their trap.

"This is nice," Peyton confessed. His heart still felt like it was going to kill him. "It's nice to have a friend who enjoys this sort of affection. And being with someone who you can enjoy the thrill of the hunt with without worrying about how others might judge you."

Then the next part, Peyton mumbled, his face almost buried within the soft, sticky, and silky strands of fine spider web.

"...it almost makes me want to return to the Serpents."

Caffeine_Obsessed