[System]
Nickname(Optional): Pfft, no.
Age: 24
Gender: Male
Physical Appearance: Of Average build with short dark hair, Neil isn't exactly the most unique specimen. He is fit but not noticeably so. He isn't big at all, but he is also not small. He has a face girls can find cute, but not exactly dreamy. Tanned skin and a ruddy complexion from all of the machine's he's worked on, coupled with the calluses on his hands gives him an experienced look despite the very youthful appearance he has. All in all, other than the twinkling of his eyes and the trademark grin, he is essentially average. He has dark eyes and very dark brown hair, enough to be considered black under most light. He's about 5'10 and 165 pounds.
Clothing: He often wears baggy pants, mostly military cargo. He likes to wear single colored T-Shirts. Usually he wears red.
Personality: Oh, now that is a question. To say Neil is eccentric is...well, that hits the nail on the head. Very good with hand-eye coordination, competent combatant, good engineer, and a daring pilot. But prone to sarcasm, snide remarks, unorthodox behavior, and just good old fashioned explosions. He's a born jokester, though behind his charming yet insufferable demeanor belies a certain intelligence, and to those he enjoys, he does tend to have a big heart.

[User]
Neil opened up the Galaxy map on the display monitor, moving without thinking. The past few days he had barely left the cockpit, living, eat, and breathing keeping the Highlander steady through the R.I.P., even with the automated navigational systems fully functional. That, and the fact that the R.I.P. was usually what pulled you along in the intended direction, not the other way around. He simply had done his best to keep them from being ripped apart or devoured by void beasts.

When the Galaxy map appeared, they looked to be in the outer ring of the Galaxy, in what was often called the 'eastern' section. "Hahn." Neil told the Captain, drawing up the world on the display monitor. "It's called Hahn, and from the looks of it, it's a breeding ground for mercenaries, thieves, and people wanting to get lost. Sounds too good to be true." He said, and there was little indication in his voice on whether or not he was being sarcastic.

"The planet has a desert biome," Lonney said, fully unaware of how redundant the statement was. "32.7% water, high in mineral deposits. Population is two million and eight hundred thousand, with 68% being human or near human. Very little else in known about the planet itself, other than it is often on Terra's 'to conquer' list." Neil snickered. That must mean it had many problematic people but little resources for the Imperium to bother going there.

"Well at least I can get a tan." Neil said, revving the sublight engines forward. "Taking her down Captain..."

The indicator showed the closest port was a settlement at the foot of the vast desert, west of it being a small ocean and east of it a vast mountain range that bladed into the sky. It almost looked like the aftermath of a massive shockwave. Neil suddenly had it in his head to say something to Junebug, opening his mouth...and then closing it. He'd talk to her after they landed. Taya stepped into the cockpit now, wiggling in excitement.

"Gods, I can't wait to set foot on a planet that isn't exploding." She exclaimed.

"You know you'd think that'd be a low bar, but with our luck..."

[Assistant]
Hahn wasn't a world Sayeeda had ever heard of, though that wasn't surprising. According to the navigational chart they were a staggering distance from Saavran, that too was unsurprising, the Terran cruiser was able to brave much stronger currents than the Highlander could have managed. If they had tried to enter the RIP stream themselves, the energy gradient would have ripped them to atoms. Once they were in they had plunged, unguided by the nav computer through the maelstrom of the RIP without any of the normal station holding navigational corrections. Junebug was just as glad to be far from the reach of the Terrans. Whatever bounty had been placed on them had gone up exponentially after they had gunned down York and half a dozen marines, not to mention destroying invaluable data.

The sector they were in was extremely poorly charted. Most worlds were little more than alphanumeric designations with a few keywords attached to them. Breathable atmosphere, fresh water, dangerous biota. Even places that had larger write ups were years out of date and compiled from the records of tramp freighters and free traders rather than anything like a regular courier service. It would take months to work their way back towards the galactic core, although Junebug didn't have any particular reason to do that. When she and Neil had bought the Highlander, she had a vague notion of making a living as a free trader, but beyond that her goals were vague and ephemeral. She was rootless after Andor's Armored had disbanded and adventure in general was more important than any abstract goal.

"Lets hope that people don't take one look at us and decide to put on a Xenos invasion or launch a coup in our honor," Junebug said smiling wryly for what felt like the first time in days. There didn't appear to be any orbital control or landing beacons of any kind. The only transmissions that the Highlander was picking up were low powered radio broadcasts meant for use within the atmosphere. Sayeeda touched a few holographic keys and accessed the navigational data from the atlas. As she suspected, the entry contained the landing coordinates of the last ship that had contributed to the charts, she imported it onto the navigational display and a slow pulsing green bead appeared on the display, at the terminus of one of the older ship tracks. Neil eased the Highlander onto the new course with uncharacteristic care.

As they descended into the atmosphere it became apparent that Hahn wasn't quite as desolate as it appeared from orbit. The deserts were largely stoney rather than sandy and here and there green oasis appeared, ringed with plant life. Some of the swales too sported green fringes of tough looking succulents and twisted looking trees with broad spiny leaves. Here and there vast formations of orangey yellow rock thrust into the sky forming impressive mesa. There were no obvious roads though Junebug thought she spotted plumes of dust which must have been raised by human vehicles.

Their destination was a broad canyon that ran roughly south east. The canyon ran for hundreds of miles down towards the equatorial sea and it varied in width from a few dozen meters at its narrow choke points to several hundred meters at its widest. It was well over a hundred meters deep, making it difficult to view the interior until one was directly over it.The settlement wasn't visible even to sensors until they were within a hundred clicks or so. It was built entirely within the canyon at one of the wider points, with only a few antennae projecting up over the lip. As Neil bought the Highlander into balance over the canyon they could see that the settlement, calling it a city stretched the point, was built up against the walls of the canyon with a broad boulevard that ran down the center of the chasm and twisting side streets meandering back towards the canyon walls. The buildings were of adobe and yellowish sandstone and most of them were low only one or two stories, save at the canyon wall where they grew higher to abutt the rock faces. Most of the buildings had flat roofs that were topped with greenery in roof gardens and the roads were lined with what looked to be Terran date palms. Large dericks were sunk into the central road at intervals and they rocked back and forth before gouting up water like fountains. The path of the canyon must have been drawn by an ancient river that had since vanished underground. In the center of town, surrounded by gardens and fountains were larger building with large domes and minarets that had been gilded with golden metal, though Sayeeda thought it was probably brass rather than pure gold.

To the southern end of the settlement the canyon flared to a width of nearly half a kilometer, several ships, many much the worse for wear, were landed on the dusty stone. Tarps of stone bleached canvas covered stalls and shops or just provided shelter for ships crews that wanted to be off their own vessels. Men and they were almost all men, milled about trading and buying food or other provisions from the vendors, many of which were nothing more than a cart with a canvas shade. There was nothing that even approached a shipyard but there were enough ship components scattered on rugs for inspection that Sayeeda could at least hope they could affect some meaningful repairs.

 No one appeared to be particularly concerned by the hovering freighter although several people were pointing up at them as Neil set them gently down in the shade of the canyon wall. The whole crew let out a sigh of relief as they touched down and the engines shut off.
"Looks like there is a welcoming committee," Junebug observed pointing to a group of men that were making their way towards the ship. Like most of the civilians their skin ranged from Junebugs olive to pure ebony. They were dressed in layers of cloth and turbans which was probably meant to be a uniform. Each of the men carried a long spear that ended in a shock rod and they carried a variety of antiquted firearms that seemed to follow no particular pattern. At their head was a paunchy man with drooping mustaches, set off by his bright red turban. There was a gold chased pistol at his hip, though even from this distance it looked more ceremonial than practical.

"Customs inspectors maybe?" Taya asked uncertainty. Junebug shrugged her shoulders. The newcomers looked bored rather than threatening which meant they probably didn't anticipate trouble.

"Maybe," she said noncommittally, eliciting a hissing grunt from Saxon.

"Lets get our party clothes on and go out and say hello."


[System]
Age: 17
Gender: Male

Bio/Personality:
From a young age, Drake always loved crafting. Moreover, he loved crafting weapons like his parents. You see Drake was born into a blacksmith family. His mother and father were well-known blacksmiths in their small town. Warriors, hunters, and collectors came to them to craft their weapons for war, hunting or decorations. Drake loved the smell of the blacksmith shop and when he turned ten, his parents show him all their secrets and techniques on how to craft weapons. Drake's first weapon he created was considered a failure in others eyes, but to him and his parents, it was a unique. The weapon was a short sword with a curved hook at the tip. Drake's father hung the weapon on the wall as a trophy to show off Drake's very first weapon. From then on Drake helped his parents craft weapons, but as the years went on he noticed something on his right hand. It would appear and then as soon as he looked. It seemed to just disappear.

One day, Drake was working on an order for a client when his hand began to glow. He looked down and saw a strange rune on the back of his hand. Suddenly the same rune appeared on the ground in front of him and the sword he was currently working on appeared, finished from the rune. H was stunned at what happened and tried to do it again, but nothing happened. The next day, two men who said there were Magisters came to take Drake to The Grand Magisterium where he can home his newly acquired skills.

Sigil:

Ability:
Weapon Creation: uses the atoms around him to create weapons. However, to create the weapons he has to know the schematics of said weapons like weight, length, size, etc. and he also has to have held the weapon at one time in his life.

[User]
Havish Garrison

 It had been three days, Havish had spent three whole days with these Magisters, and the body of the knight he had looked up to. This was utter madness, they keep telling him that he was a magister as well, they kept referring to his power as the Armadillo cloak, but he had never done anything, no magic, no nothing, he had seen magisters spew flame from their hands and teleport from rooftop to rooftop, and now he was expected to do something like that, he couldn't even tussle with the guys in town let alone monsters like the snake that killed the knight.

"Ummm, how much further is it?"

 Havish said meekly to the woman holding the reins of the wagon. She looked at him and smiled, she was a nice lady as far as he had seen, her and her partner and young man, not much older than Havish himself, they had been very pleasant on the trip, they had even tried to help Havish coax out his power but to no avail. The woman said nothing she just pointed ahead of them and in the distance you could see the towers of the Grand Magisterium in the distance, a marvel to be sure, and Havish was starting to feel excited.

"The Grand Magisterium, the heart of magic in this world, if you have the aptitude you will learn more than you could ever dream."

 The woman spoke sweetly before looking back at Havish who at the mention of aptitude seemed to have shrank down into himself, she could tell his confidence was still lacking, he had a power, it was just a shy one.

---------------------

 As the Wagon passed through the gates Havish gawked at the sights of the campus, there were two mages in a battle just two the side, one was throwing entire boulders while the other seemed to melt them away as they touch his hands, others seemed to just be hanging out and having something to eat. All around him he noticed large stone figures, the shape of men, though covered in blue lines, they seemed to be carrying out the mundane tasks of the area, cleaning, cooking, repairing fields, he had never seen golems like that before, he had only ever heard of them from stories.

The young man turned to Havish, "Hey pal, look, we are going to drop you at the dorms, all you got to do is go in, find a door that has a blank nameplate and go in, once you do, you are enrolled, easy, you get a shared space with two others so be prepared." And the man clapped Havish on the shoulder, then the other, and with ease picked him up as though he were an infant, the man didn't even stand. Havish was placed on the ground, "Don't worry, you will be fine, just... don't pick a fight or anything. Oh and I will have something sent to you in a day or two, take care." And the cart started to move again, leaving Havish alone in front of the dorm building.

[Assistant]
Adezain Veasatt

 Adezain laid in the grass on one of the well kept fields, usually held for larger scale sparring between teams. He sighed heavily, closing his eyes hard, then opening them again to the blue sky, dotted with white clouds. It was a beautiful day and he couldn't help but feel a little good at that thought. He took a deep breath and then sat up. In the training fields, there were only a few students around practicing or sparring. Around this time of day most of the students were studying, burying their faces in books, or socializing in the lounges or restaurants that dotted the campus. He looked to the left, at the simple wood and straw scarecrow target, surrounded by swords stuck into the ground, their hilts and crossguards slagged and melted. Even if the training fields were populated, many of the students would give him a fair amount of space.

He adjusted himself and faced the target, crossing his legs and thinking. His mentor, the Magister who accompanied him to the Magisterium, explained that lightning was an uncommon and unpredictable magic. The few masters of lightning who did exist were often out of extended missions away from the academy, like free spirits, they only rarely returned home. Despite that, his mentor imparted as much knowledge as he could. Lightning was an element with a mind of its own. A fire magic user could throw a fireball straight at a target, and predictably the fireball would fly straight and hit the target assuming the users aim was true. But a lightning users lightning bolt would stray from its intended target and hit objects between the user and the target instead. Though the Magisters who had mastered lightning must have learned how to command the wild force of nature that is lightning, they were a secretive bunch, usually not recording their research and experiences in the Magisteriums vast libraries. Instead they often placed their writings in their own outposts, in well hidden and trapped caves, hiding their esoteric knowledge away from the rest of the community. For a reason neither Adezain or his mentor knew. Perhaps it was because during their training, they were always seen as the outsider due to the danger of their magic? Perhaps they felt that after mastering their art, the rest of the Magisters did not deserve the knowledge. Whatever the reason, Adezain and all of the novice lightning magic users of the present and future were alone. Perhaps the lightning masters felt that the novices needed to learn things on their own. Adezain thought finally.

Adezain had been here for only two days and both days he had been hard at work practicing his magic. With these metal obstacles, he could only throw lightning a few meters accurately. Without, he could do a few more. But he didn't know how to extend his range, and he didn't know how to command his magic to ignore the swords. He tapped his chin a few times, then got up to his feet. He took a martial stance. His mentor was a Magister that channeled his magic through martial technique, though Adezain's mentor explained that there were multiple ways to cast magic, such as incantation, script, rope knots, Adezain felt most comfortable with his mentors technique. Through martial arts. Adezain did a few hops, brought his fists up into a guard, he felt that same thrill from when he first used magic. That same pump of adrenaline, like his body knew, and reacted. It scared him, but he knew this was what he was now. He saw a faint spark of electricity jump from his left fist to his right, then he shot out a right jab. A flash of light, a loud snap... and a sword's hilt to the left of the target glowed with heat. Another miss. Adezain grimaced and fell out of his stance. His jab was slower than his mentors, and he couldn't even hit a target properly. Baby steps. He contemplated switching styles to incantation, plus he wouldn't have to move around so much. He smiled a little at it, his mentor used martial arts, so he would too. He wondered if any of the Magisters used a combination, maybe they could cast two spells at once? An incantation at the same time as going through the movements of a physical casting. Then maybe having those pre-prepared rope knots in an emergency. But the time needed to master one method of magic channeling was great, two was... it was too much for Adezain, at his level of skill. But he tucked the thought away, intending to ask his mentor about it later.

He glanced at the sun, it was just about mid-day, and more students would come to the training fields to practice their magic after lunch. He gathered the ruined swords, tucking them under one arm, then picked up the target and hefted it over his shoulder. It was surprisingly light, being made of straw, cloth, and two pieces of wood. The young lightning mage then began to walk back to his dorm. He knew that a lot of students prioritized learning transportation magic, or asked other students for help traveling the vast campus. Not Adezain. He didn't know how he would travel with his magic, other than the technique described in the Mythos of Vymos. Plus casting magic through physical movement required great stamina, and any exercise that would help him cast his magic for longer periods of time was welcome.

As he approached the dormitory section of the campus he noticed someone standing in front of the large doors of his building. Adezain rose an eyebrow at the grey haired man as he approached. He placed the target against the wall, knowing that a student coming out from his dorm would likely pick it up as they were going to the training grounds, then he looked the newcomer over. "New?" Adezain asked, continuing before the newcomer could reply, "Me too, just got here a few days ago. Say, you eat yet? It's just about lunch and I know a good hole-in-the-wall place. I need some time away from practice anyways." Adezain hefted the handful of swords he carried for emphasis then glanced over to the doors, "Right! Should probably get you a room first."


[System]
~NPC'S~
Dinner Party Guests
When I was writing my post, I thought up these various characters sitting around Cicely. I don't know if they may be important or not in the future, but should you wish to control any of them for your posts, feel free to do so. Hopefully these profiles will be helpful to you, too!
Age: 48
Occupation: Cartographer

Appearance: Starting to get later into his years, Matthew has a full head of grey hair and mild wrinkles on his brow. He is a wiry being and keeps a trimmed mustache. His usual attire is closer to a merchant's than a noble's, sporting long, fine woolen coats and practical linen shirts with the occasional vest.

History: Matthew was born in the capital city of Astley. His family could afford private tutoring, and he was eventually apprenticed to a trading guild, where he followed the work of a cartographer. During the occupation of the country, he worked for the residing government and surveyed all the surviving towns and villages. His latest work has been commissioned to the Earl of Airedale to map the wilderness and ruins throughout the earldom.

Personality: Matthew is a relatively conservative man, but he is also a thinking one. As far as anyone knows, his family consists of a sister and two brothers (all with children), but he has no wife or children of his own. He blames this fact on the amount of travel his job has always required, but he isn't ever one to complain about being lonely. He seems happy to sit in the corner with his own thoughts, occasionally showing interest in the political feuds of the nobility between their fiefdoms.

Name: Alex Gerthrod
Age: 32
Occupation: Metalurgist

Appearance: Alex has a stout frame and trimmed beard, and it's obvious to anyone that the suits he wears as formal attire are more than a little uncomfortable to him. His broad shoulders and sheer height make him an intimidating figure, but his gaze is thoughtful and distant most of the time, leading most to believe he's relatively clueless.

History: Alex was raised in a family of miners working in the mountain village of Pendle. Though he came from a very humble background, his genius was obvious even as a child. He had a knack for quantifying and identifying the properties of ores, proving himself a valuable prospector. When war broke out, he lent his abilities to the rebels, refining metals into fine weapons to fend off both human enemies and monsters.

Personality: Alex has gained a comfortable living from his work, but still maintains a number of intellectual pursuits. He has tried to build upon mathematic understanding in the country, as well as more scientific pursuits, which makes him more of a thinker than a talker. Even so, he is passionate about the conversation when war or weaponry is brought up, and can hardly stop talking.

Name: Erin Gerthrod
Age: 27
Occupation: Housekeeper

History: Erin was born in the mining village of Pendle. There, she cared for her constantly sickly mother, looking after four younger sisters and a younger brother. She knows how to make a meal from almost nothing, and her loyalty and support towards her first crush, Alex Gerthrod, led to her eventually marrying him. Though he was mostly self-taught and far from the recognition his work deserved, the war through his efforts into a better light, and both he and his wife were given titles by His Majesty.

Appearance: Red-haired with long curls and a freckled face, Erin is the picture of a hard-worked village girl. Her skin has been tanned by the sun, her arms are taut with muscle, and she looks downright awkward in the latest, tight-fitting dresses for the nobility.

Personality: Introverted and quiet, Erin prefers to watch her husband talk when in the company of others. She has a perpetually polite smile on her face and still struggles to keep up with the etiquette expected of her position. That being said, her gaze is known to be rather intense, and unlike most women of the noble courts, she is never the first to look away when eyes meet.

Name: James Ichabod
Age: 42
Occupation: General of Penshaw (retired)

Appearance: True to the appearance expected of a soldier, James has a hard-muscled body that has only recently started to gain some fat. He enjoys wearing the finest silks and jackets, making use of vibrant colors that compliment his pale complexion and dark brown hair. The most notable of his features, however, is the long scar that runs across his nose and all the way to the corner of his jaw.

History: James was once nothing more than a humble farmer boy in the village of Stanmore. He lived his life peaceably, but always dreamed of a world beyond the fields and stables he worked day after day. When he was old enough, he joined the regiment of Baron Penshaw. His military performance for bravery and tactical mastery quickly upped him through the ranks, and when the occupational war began, it was his troops that stood firm against the first assaults of the enemy. After the war, he was given leave to retire. He married into a wealthy family by merit of his rank and has since taken to writing philosophies of war.

Personality: Boisterous, proud, and lively, James is clearly a man who has spent too much time around rowdy, unrefined men of war. He's softened up a bit since his retirement, and rumors say that his wife has strong-armed him into learning actual manners. He does seem to be tamer when his wife is around, and seems mellow enough that most insults and blunt remarks don't bother him.

Name: Stella Ichabod
Age: 18
Occupation: Housewife

Appearance: Flushed with youth and grace, Stella is in many ways the opposite of her husband. Her tastes are simple, yet refined, and she wears only the fashions that suit her rather than keeping up with the latest trends of the capital. She has hair of gold and vibrant green eyes, which are usually in some state of tension when she's around her husband.

History: Stella was born into the family of a baron. They were quite well off until the war hit, and rather than putting up a fight and loosing soldiers and civilians, they surrendered early on into the war. Though they were taxed heavily for years, her parents handled the family's finances expertly, keeping them all afloat and comfortable even with the occupation. This launched them into sudden prosperity at the end of the war, though her stingy parents were also quick to marry her to a colonel who had quite the comfortable income.

Personality: Stella is both polite and social, reflecting in many ways what the true image of a lady should be. Though she does occasionally break from this appearance to scold her rambunctious husband, she generally gives off a calm, soothing air, which is further enhanced when she opts to sing at parties. She also has a savvy sense of both politics and economy, making her a valuable friend for advice to those lucky enough to be able to call upon her.

Name: Odell Jaques
Age: 46
Occupation: Nurse

Appearance: Odell has aged gracefully with grey hair that still holds tints of blond. She has a relatively thin build, but also has a healthy flush to her skin. Her face is a kind one, and she wears very modest clothing despite her station as a duchess.

History: Odell was privately tutored during her childhood and experienced the very finest things in life. She married into the family of another duke and raised several healthy children. That world, however, was shattered when the war hit, and she watched her own husband be executed by the invaders. She managed to escape with her children, only to find that there was nowhere to run to. Ultimately, she spent her days during the war aiding the wounded, and soon found that she had a gift for caring for those poor souls. When the war ended, her title was reinstated and she was allowed to keep her estate.

Personality: Odell is a kind, if somber woman. Though her skills with taking care of others are relatively new, she's taken care even after the war to practice them. She finds that helping others eases her own pain, and she is one of the most sympathetic ears a person can hope to chat to. Her smiles are rare, but warm, and she has never been known to have an insultive demeanor.

Name: Brian Jaques
Age: 22
Occupation: Druggist

Appearance: Brian's frame is fairly thin, but much like his mother, he also has a healthy flush to his skin. He has rather wild blond hair that he gave up taming long ago, and he fits into the suits of a gentleman with ease. He smiles frequently.

History: Brian was comfortable and educated in his childhood, though he also witnessed the death of his father during the occupation. When he escaped with his mother, rather than joining the troops, he joined the effort of aid and followed in his mother's footsteps to care for the wounded. Long before the war ended, he developed a fascination with medicine, and has since become one of the leading students in the field.

Personality: Warm and kind, Brian believes that no time spent in the company of friends is wasted. He treasures his relationships and works tirelessly to make his family proud. Though he is not the head of his family (his elder brother is), he has no resentment, happy to spend his days studying and speaking with other practitioners to learn the best and latest cures.

[User]
And just like that, she grew nervous again. That polite veneer—now that she knew it for a true mask, she was certain he was back to hiding things. If she turned him down regardless of his agreeable terms, would she find out what those things were? Despite the danger, the darker part of her curiosity wanted to know: just how far was the earl willing to go to secure her help? She knew her talents were rare, but never had a stranger placed so much importance on them. The thinkers and reasoners of the world turned to science, the politicians and kings to societal power; magic was a thing for sorcerers and troublemakers in an age where men were rising above the superstitions of the past.

Well, at least in Airedale, it seemed. There were darker places of the world that remained largely unheard from, surrounded by myth. Those societies able to rise above the mist, however, did not entertain themselves with such unknowns. Even Gesen, with its humble little island villages, was happy casting off its supernatural beginnings. It made a fairy like herself quite nervous about how things would even out in the end.

"I will have to think it over," Cicely spoke at length. She took another sip from her water, trying to ignore how her stomach protested putting so much as another drop into it. "After all, one does not step into the lair of a snake with no regard to her own safety."

Ah, that was probably a bit too pointed, but statuses be damned—he was a self-insinuated reptilian and she believed it. If he was willing to use his power to manipulate her, he was not someone she could trust to look after her better interests. She wouldn't delude herself into thinking that she could use him just like he was trying to use her, either—he had the resources and the power; she did not. If there was anything he lacked that she had, it was simply the fact that he was male and she was female. Even then, did he not have all the attentions and affections of the opposite sex that a man could desire?

I can still turn him down and study elsewhere. He's not an entire kingdom, after all. With that in mind, Cicely glanced back up at him. Her gaze alone was something of a challenge, as if letting him know that she did have the option to refuse him.

[Assistant]
Gideon uttered a noncommittal "Hm," and rubbed his chin thoughtfully. It wasn't the resounding commitment he'd been hoping for, but it was better than nothing. "I will have my valet draft up a proposal for a contract. In the meantime, I will gratify your request for permission to administer healthcare, and I will give you access to the maps in the Eisenhorn Library... as a sign of good will," he said while he returned Cicely's gaze pointedly.

He strode over to his desk and sat down in the large, leatherclad chair that served as the effective throne of his domain. Dipping his quill (a rather large, colorful example) in a pot of ink, he wrote (in elegant, large strokes) the permission slip to access the aforementioned maps. Gideon reached over and grabbed a document from the far corner of the desk, which he signed swiftly and with a note of finality. Scraping back his chair, he returned to Cicely and handed her the two promised documents.

"Now then," he began, "if you wish to stay and mingle, feel free to return to the great hall. If you'd prefer to return to the inn, ask one of the footmen -- they will escort you to a carriage. Alternatively, a room can be prepared for you in the castle. You would be my honored guest," he said and graced his face with the most inviting smile he could muster. "Somewhere on the second floor, perhaps, away from all the bustle."


[System]
Gender: Female

Age: 16

Appearance:

"Which one of us is the mask?"
Arcana: Temperance

Personality:
On the surface, Shizuka may be the stereotypical "ojou-sama" (young mistress), from her formal speech to her delicate mannerisms with a blend of shy and soft spoken side, but do not let that deceive you as the class dismissal bell rings and Shizuka's part time hour begins, the counterpart she created for herself, Shizu-chan, takes the spotlight with her lively demeanor, friendly smiles, and undying passion of being an otaku.

Equipment/Skills:
Twirling Baton (Cosplay prop, can be upgraded to Rod weapons)
Sewing, professional make up, baton twirling, which were all gained from her experience with cosplay.

Background:
Being a balanced student with an appropriate amount of intellect and proper physical fitness, one would say Shizuka is an average high schooler if it weren't for the fact that her family was of a higher class compared to that of an average student. Like most children coming from a wealthy family, Shizuka was left alone most of the time, with the exception of servants, by her parents in their mansion with no one to play or interact with. Not necessarily neglected, but she didn't mind either way as she was an obedient child and she understood that both her parents were flooded with work which needed to be taken care of.

This is why she sought out a hobby to preoccupy herself with. Flipping through the channels as a curious child, she abruptly stopped when an animated female character on the screen magically transforms, with all the colorful lights and sparkles, and shouts, "In the name of the moon, I will punish you!" Eyes widened in amazement, Shizuka could not take her gaze away from the television screen while her thoughts were of how exciting whatever this was and how she wanted to become like them, hues of hair she's never seen before, costumes of different variety and color, and the dynamic personalities each one had.

Years had passed since then, but her love and excitement for anime never wavered. What remained though was her calm, delicate nature she presented towards her fellow classmates, friends, and parents. Her passion for anime (and now manga) was to not leave the four corners of her room. Shizuka would occasionally show hints of interest when her classmates discussed about them but no one, and she means NO ONE, should ever find out about how "otaku" she was.

Keeping all of this within her had limits and before she was about to breakdown, someone on the hallway of the school uttered the word, "cosplay". It took quite awhile for her to learn the meaning and to take enough courage to disguise herself in the colorful costumes and hair she once saw years ago, to find people of similar interests without them ever finding out her true self.

With the positive reactions given by the people she has met, Shizuka continued to create more disguises by her own hands, to the point where she landed at her current part time job at the cosplay cafe as Shizu-chan, the persona she presented to the people of the otaku world.

Persona: Inari Ōkami

Appearance: Illustrated by: Sho Minazuki

Abilities:
Twin Slash - 2 light Slash attacks. (1 enemy)
Tarukaja - Increases 1 ally's Attack.
Tarunda - Decreases 1 foe's Attack.

[User]
Jun Himura // 26 April // Himura Residence

"Anego-sama, please try not to look so gloomy." Her driver managed to say with a pained expression as he started the car. "Not many people get to spend the weekend at the Kitsune Inn just at the drop of a hat."

Jun glanced at the reason for her dour expression, a message on her phone.

I'm sorry, but my parents found out and they're grounding me!

The girl she had been planning to bring along to the inn had canceled on her at the last minute. Her parents had somehow found out who she was going with and forbade her from meeting Jun at her place that morning. It had to be his doing. Jun wasn't going to be anywhere near Tokyo. If that man thought he could turn her straight by denying her ability to sleep with girls, he was sorely mistaken.

Jun sighed, glancing at her driver through the mirror. "Takashi-san, I've reminded you countless times that it's either Jun, Himura-san, or -sama if you're trying to be really respectful. Anego is nothing but an insult to me." She was picking a fight with the man, but she didn't care. Her driver was a nice guy, but he was paid by her father. So, he was securing his job by refusing her requests to address her as anything less than her position. A sore reminder of her cage.

"Honestly, he's only going to be there for a night to meet with his 'business partners' but for some reason I need to be there." Jun whined, seeing as how she was stuck on the hour long journey up the mountain, she might as well gripe about it to the only person who couldn't get away from her. Apparently the yakuza owned the inn and met there on occasion, so nobody would dare do anything to her on the way.

Kitsune Inn // Afternoon

The manager personally saw Jun to her room, which for some reason had a katana and full set of dogu in it. Jun figured out what she was here for immediately. "A contest of power." She sighed. Well, if she was going to be used as a pawn, at least it was in a way that allowed her to vent. She felt sorry for her opponent.

"Your father wants me to tell you he will be arriving in the evening with his guests, and to be ready by then." The manager informed Jun before leaving with a bow. Jun changed out of her suit and into a yukata, which she figured was preferable to maintain her image in front his friends.

"Which means if I want to enjoy the hot springs without worrying about sleazebags walking in on me, I should do it now. Got it." She replied, drawing a gasp from the manager about how disrespectfully she was talking about her father and his associates. She would normally have kept the comment to herself, but she was irritated.

Jun dropped her bags off and changed into a yukata, bringing the supplied bath towels with her and heading to the springs. "Hey, could you bring me something cool to drink?" She requested of one of the staff passing her in the corridor before stepping in to the changing area.

She wasn't expecting anyone to walk in, so Jun stripped down and entered the shower area to wash herself before stepping into the hot water, her back bare to the entrance and her dragon tattoo visible to anyone who came in.

[Assistant]
Mako Moritomi//Cosplay Cafe
Sunday, April 26th, 2015

==~==

Mako almost thought, for a brief moment, that Sato was in the clear, thanks to their collective improvisation. Up until that asshole snapped a number of pictures. And Mako had little doubt what the bastard was going to do with those pictures. Which meant whatever reputation Sato had was quickly going up in flames.

Mako felt a spike of hot anger lance through him toward the smugly-smiling bastard as he put his phone away like nothing had happened at all, and he had to try very hard not to simply walk over to him and beat his face repeatedly. It would set a bad precedence for his return visits if he did that, after all. He watched Sato walk away to grab the jerk's order, his sympathies extending to the put-upon "maid." He took a deep, hopefully calming breath, then a sip of coffee, then cleared his throat in the other patron's direction. "Excuse me," he said, the rage he felt somehow not edging into his voice, "but there are clearly signs that clearly say, 'No Photography.' You should probably take those pictures off of your phone if you don't want to get in trouble with the establishment. Just a thought."

He glanced back as Sato returned with the other patron's order... then had to try extremely hard not to burst out laughing as Sato stomped subtly (but still very hard) on the patron's foot. As it was, his suppressed laugh was still pretty noticeable if anyone had been bothering to watch him. Still, as enjoyable as that was to watch, it was unlikely to dissuade the patron from doing whatever it was he intended to do with those photos. Mako frowned again as his short-lived enjoyment at Sato fighting back faded away, to be replaced by the slow-simmering anger.

I can't let him keep those photos. I've got to do something. But what?


[System]
NAME Rory smith

Age: 16

Gender: Male

Height: 5'6

Appearance:

Personality: Rory is an eccentric. Always taking the unbeaten path and never looking back. His peers look up to him in that sense. Rory has few regrets even when he makes a poor decision, he always seemed to make GOOD of the situation. Because of his abnormal behavior, Rory never fell into a clique at school so he was constantly meetings new people and making friends with everyone. Although he doesn't have many he still does have regrets, and one of his biggest ones, was not having a close group of friends. In some ways, Rory is a social butterfly, but deep down, he always wanted close friends rather than many friends. He realized this earlier in his life. He can't change the way he talks or acts, but he's always trying to stick close to his friends in hopes that he will have close friends that will be by side through thick and thin, sometimes Rory's goal to have close friends gets a little to much, making himself come off as clingy and weird.

Bio: Rory moved around a lot in his childhood, thankfully he never moved to far. But with a different neighborhood,came different kids and people to meet. Rory didn't mind moving around until it was time they moved out of the city, and Rory had to go to a different school. At this scchool everyone was interested in video games. Rory never really cared much for them, he'd play here and there, but it was nothing serious. He managed to make a few friends at his new school, but he found it hard to connect with them because their preferred topic of conversation was VRMMORPG's. Rory was never one to be a follower, but he didn't want to feel left out anymore, so he decided to buy the game that his friends held with such high regard and dived in.The game was called Infinite Story. At first, Rory didn't really care much about the game, instead he enjoyed experiencing virtual reality more than anything. But after a few days and a few levels, Rory fell in love with the game and started playing seriously.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Level: 8

Age: 16

Gender: Male

Appearance:

MAINStats: Strength, Intelligence, and wisdom. In that order.

Known Words: Light, Healing, Aura, Tremor, Earth, Area, Touch, Shield, Burst, Targeted

 Equipment
Weapons:
* Hammer of Colossus- A quest Item drop that Roarz found in a loot box. A unique item drop that boosts the base damage of all physical attacks, and has decreased swing speeds.
* Steel Sword- Your average sword found at most shops. It has been tempered by a blacksmith to make it more durable. Roarz only uses this weapon when it isn't appropriate to wield his hammer.

Armor:
* Enchanted Helmet- Roarz's helmet is common loot in most areas after lvl 7. Roarz enchanted the helment with the word Harden to increase Roarz's physical damage resistance.
* Enchanted Torso - Roarz's Torso piece is another common item, a very common loot item after lvl 8. The torso is enchanted with the word Nullify, this increases his magical resistance.
* Armor set (All excluding Helmet and Torso)- An armor set called "The Fortress", it was a gift to Roarz from one of his friends who'd farmed the dungeons until he required multiple sets. Every item of the set gives a stat boost to Roarz' Armor Rating, the level of his Endurance gets added to his overall armor rating.
* Gloves(L): "The Fortress"
* Gloves(R): "The Fortress"
* Footwear (L): "The Fortress"
* Footwear (R): "The Fortress"

[User]
Filia had just gotten finished at school, it was summer break after all, and she couldn't wait to log onto Infinite Story. Once she had happily walked the 3 blocks home, she took the spare key to the house out of her purse and opened the door. As usual, her parents weren't home. Both were out on business and FIlia was home alone. She was used it, she knew had to clean the house, do laundry and cook food for herself. She had to learn because her parents were never home to do it for her.
 Once she had settled down and gotten a small snack, she went to her room, turned on the AC in her apartment and put on the Virtual Gear. (A cybernetic helmet attached to the internet and Infinite Story Server) She layed down in bed, and once she was comfortable, she closed her eyes and press the on button. A 5 second count-down timer showed and once it had reached 0, she could feel her conscious being transported.
 Filia opened her eyes in her new body. She looked around and at herself in the mirror in front of her. Despite the fact that she was a girl, Filia had chosen a male avatar to play... just because she had wanted to. Filia thought about switching to her other character, the swordswoman she had made during the beta, but she decided to make life interesting and create another character to play with all the new people that had joined. She looked around and saw all the other lower level characters traveling around the town of Ramshorn (the first town.) Filia enjoyed a good challenge, so she created Aegis. A half-wolf male avatar with maxed out Strength and Endurance stats. She almost laughed at herself when she looked at her stats. Her strength and endurance were already at 75, and she was only level 8! Her other stats were well... not so high. 75 strength and endurance was more than enough to get her through anything. Skill was her third highest stat followed by Agility then then other 2. She looked at her HP bar, and then at the other players around her. She had more life than most level 15 characters around her, which made it all the more fun. "750 hp at level 8 huh?" he shook his head at the ridiculous number.
 Looking around, Aegis (Filia) made his way to a certain tavern that he and his other 2 friends always frequented and used as a gathering point. He stopped in front of a dinky little tavern that a lot of people really didn't visit, which was nice, because it allowed for private groups to meet in piece and plan out their strategies without the eavesdropping of other players. Little did anyone, not even his friends know, that his other character had actually bought the small tavern for the purpose of meetings and planning. Opening the door with the key attached to his account, Aegis, walked in, set up the Auto bar (an NPC he had hired) to take control of the place while he was there to serve drinks and take orders. Ironically, the NPC Aegis had hired resembled his (Filia's) mom which gave the place a more homely feel. Sitting down at one of the tables, Aegis kicked back and set his feet on the table leaning backwards in his chair. Now all he had to do was wait for his friends to come to the Sleeping Wolf Tavern.

---

[Assistant]
The bell ending the last class of her Junior year got Harley moving pretty fast. She usually ran home, not wanting to waste the gas to drive a mile to school when she could get in her daily exercise instead. She picked up the small drawstring bad she had brought with her on the last day and took off out of the class and down the halls, expertly weaving her way through the mess of people in the hall. After reaching one of the side exits she opened the door and took off running down the sidewalk and toward her home.

It took her about seven minutes to run home. She greeted her father who was watching sports on the couch and headed up the stairs of the two story house to her room. Why they needed two stories for her mother, father, and her, she would never know but she got the entire upstairs to herself so she wasn't complaining. Her mother had yet to return for work as usual and Harley knew she had to go shopping as well so she wasn't to worried about being rushed.

Throwing her bag on the floor next to her bed she proceeded to dramatically flop on it, after which she grabbed her virtual gear and put it on her head. Turning it on she watched the countdown from 5 letting her know when her consciousness would begin to slip into the game and the character she had created for herself. Well one of the two.

The one she had selected was a half fox "beast tamer" as she liked to call it. This character had high levels of Skill, Wisdom, and intelligence. All at an equal 50 points each. The other stats were lower ranging from 20 to 10 points. She intended to keep her main three high. Planning on using this character for long distance attacks, and have large quantities of mana used at a time. She opened her eyes in her character's body and smiled happily. The character's name? SalazarKit, though most knew her simply as Kit. Harley quickly checked over her character's Health and Mana bars. Her Health was the normal health level for a level five character but her mana bar was excessively large. Packing a punch of about 610 mana level.

After her inspection she headed toward the tavern she was to meet her friends at, two other former beta-testers whom she had become friends with while testing. The Sleeping Wolf Tavern had been her main hangout during the testing and the other two seemed to enjoy it was well so they made it the meeting spot of the group. Entering the tavern she was greeted by the sight of Aegis a half wolf male whom she was friends with. Waving in greeting she sat beside the male. "How are things today?" She asked, staring up comversation while they waited for the last of them to show up.

[User]
Moros eagerly biked home from his collage class. Aceing his classes was good and all but right now he wanted to meet up with his friends back in Infinite Story, luckily that was his last class so he should have more time to start playing. Moros waved to a group of friends walking as he passed them, it was nice having so many people to hang out with.

 He was really underleveled compared to his friends because of all the schoolwork he had but he would fix that quickly now that most of his classes were over. It was fun just playing with them no matter how strong his character was. Moros hopped off his bike barely remembering to put the stand down and ran into his house. "Mom! I'll be in my room." he shouted out as he quickly set up. He heard a faint, "That's fine honey." and carried on. Dad would still be working for a couple of hours and then dinner a bit after that, he would have to make sure he was in a safe place by then

 Moros plugged in and waited the obligatory 5 seconds. Then he looked at his two characters. Though it would be funny to come in with his high level beta character, he liked his new one better. His friends liked their new characters better as well, though it made sense since they had little idea what they were doing at the start of the beta, unlike now. He selected his new character and closed his eyes for only a moment before he reopened them, this time as Yashatatsu rather than Moros, or as he was usually called, Yash.

 Yash looked examined himself briefly, technically he had given himself a little bit of a twink with all the blue dye he took from his beta character but hey, it had no statistical benefits so it didn't count right? He had logged out in the first town so he quickly made his way over to the Sleeping Wolf where they agreed to meet up at. Yash walked through the door and saw Kit and Aegis were already there, "Well looks like brains and brawns are already here, guess that means I'm late." he said ruefully as he took a seat.

 Yash glanced at his friends' stats for a moment, they were higher level and doing focused builds as opposed to his generalism but it still made his stats feel small. Of course his beta character would put all three of them to shame, "That makes the three of us, what do we do first? Spread out and help some noobs or start some leveling? Personally I plan on grabbing some exp either way, schools been keeping my play time down and my level shows it." Yash explained, eager to get started.

[Assistant]
Roarz looked up towards the sun, sitting there, seemingly floating in the sky, was two health bars. Between them sat a timer that was counting down from 60. It was a duel. A duel between two players in the middle of town, something Roarz didn't see very often. In fact, Roarz started questioning his own PvP experience as he watched the two forces collide on the street, He couldn't remember the last time he dueled someone, organized or not. Roarz started to drift off during the fight, thinking about how he would go about fighting another player. Maybe he'd go on the defense and learn his opponents moves, or maybe go on the offense and throw everything he has at the opponent and make him feel the pressure. He made a mental note to practice with his friend later in hopes to be ready for an ambush outside of the safe zone's walls.

He glanced at the health bars once again, judging from their status, they were equally matched. Both their Hp's were barely skimming the half way mark, neither being able to land more than 1 perfect hit. The timer felt like it has been going forever, but it was only at 35 seconds. At the rate they were going, they'll both be standing by the time it reaches 0. Roarz had been cheering the one duelist the entire time, hoping he'd pull something from his sleeve. There was no reputation or item on the line, but the tension that was building in the crowed made the fight more enjoyable and entertaining.

Roarz swiped the air and opened his menu, he looked at the time. In the real world, school would have just ended. Roarz was supposed to be in school, but he made the point to his parents that it was the last day and teachers don't teach on the last day, they just waste time with movies and conversations. His mother, being a nice and reasonable person, gave him the day off. Roarz thought about logging off for a few minutes and grabbing a bite to eat, but he didn't want to miss the fight. So he stood and waited.

In the real world, he was Roary Smith. A 16 year old boy who got away with much more than he should. But in Infinite Story, He was Roarz, a level 8 adventurer who takes the world by storm. The two players moved quickly, all around the street, clanging steel together and exchanging blows. The fighting moved closer and closer to Roarz until eventually, Roarz had to break his train of thought in order to move out of the way.

The duel ended Abruptly and the two players regained their lost health. Roarz was baffled and confused, he didn't see it end and he didn't know what happened. Heck, he didn't even know who won. "Damn, I didn't even pay attention!" He looked over to the duelist he'd been rooting for and waved his hand, "Good job! Gave that noob a thrashing." He said, trying to sound ambiguous.


[System]
Nickames
Frequently called "the one who never shows up" by certain clan members.
Age
16
Gender
Male
How did they get onto the Officer Programme?
In the harsh wintry land of Kyavik, the few royal families that have managed to weather the centuries of life under brutal conditions have now turned their gazes on each other, each vying for control over the desolate nation state. Among these is the Borza clan, who made up for what it lacked in warriors with superior mercantile skills and a stronger focus on education. With the emergence of gunpowder and other technological advancements from the rest of the world it was clear that the age of powerful warriors was beginning to fade. The clan would no longer hide from its equals now that victory was within their grasp.

Roan's father was not sufficiently high-ranking to have received an offer to the academy outright. A couple of discreet donations to the academy fixed that problem, however.
Prefered Weapon
As a boy with a penchant for magic and no interest in most of the physical activities enjoyed by those his age, Roan likes to use his fire spells as much as possible. It was common for many of his tutors to forbid its use entirely during sparring matches, however, so he's developed an affinity for firearms, as unreliable and rudimentary as they may be, his favorite being the rifles that his clan has begun to use for hunting.
Appearance Details
With green eyes that make visual contact for a fraction more than what's socially acceptable and a head of curly brown hair that his short-haired siblings frequently remind him is improper, Roan isn't the splitting image of nobility. He'll do the bare minimum to appease his family but apart from that, he's the fourth child, so why should he care? His clothes mirror this, focusing on comfort but not straying far enough from aesthetics that others would mistake him for a commoner.

He stands at five feet and eleven inches, a fraction shorter than his brothers. He regards physical activity as important, but fixates on activities that are more centered around stamina than strength. It's a body built for and from hunting and climbing what shouldn't be climbed.
Personality Traits
Initially driven to study solely by his interest in fire, Roan took to expanding his horizons quite quickly after having learned the basics of magic. It represented the unattainable to him, sparking an obsession with improvement and study that hasn't relented since. The majority of his life consisted of having to decide between attending another pointless gathering or furthering his research, so he's spent his youth doing the latter with no hesitation. As a side effect, Roan struggles to socialize effectively with others. He's a confident young man, but can often be too blunt for his own good.

Upon seeing the finesse exhibited by his father and brothers it can be tempting to claim that Roan is their opposite, or shares almost nothing with them. This would be incorrect. Roan has the same ambition and desperation they do, and the same independent demeanor that can lead to stubborn moments. Roan's just directed himself towards magic rather than wearing uncomfortable clothing and pretending to be richer than he really is. He acts on impulse frequently, ignoring the advice of others. He gets odd ideas and lets his curiosity get the best on him. Roan doesn't think inside the box, he thinks about how to burn the box. Taking a risk or making the unknown known is far more exciting than doing things the typical way.
Biography
It started with piles of leaves at first. They were brittle and few in number, but it was enough to start a small flame far from peering eyes. As the third son to a nobleman, it was easy to slip away to learn even more about it. Hay, cloth, wood, paper. It all burned so beautifully, but it had to be kept secret, as his parents weren't keen on him avoiding lessons to hide away and waste his time. It was at the age of thirteen when he was caught messing with a furnace that his father realized something was different about the boy, however. It isn't normal for a teenager to have one of their hands placed in the middle of a roaring fire without being aware of it, after all.

From that point onward an unspoken deal was forged between the two. Roan would push his studious habits further and in return he'd be given lessons tailored to strengthen his knowledge over fire. To say that this plan worked would be an understatement. Roan finally had an excuse to opt out of the horrid negotiation sessions his family would engage in, leaving the work to his older, more politically minded brothers.

Despite his miraculous growth over the years, it shocked him to hear his father announce that he had been automatically accepted into the college during a particularly tense meeting. It was only afterwards when they had talked in private that he realized his father had just bought his way in through a facade of altruism. He had been used as a game piece, meant to give him and their family a shine to their image. Although he was initially fine with his role in life, he can't help but feel as if there's more to the world than uncomfortable dining rooms and libraries.
Misc.
Face Claim: Robert Sheehan | FA6800
As the previous section has implied, Roan has the power to resist fire at will. He isn't immune to it, but he's harmed from it at a far slower pace than the average person.

[User]
"I was at the top of my class – naturally," the general's voice brimmed with pride inside the carriage as he recounted the years spent within the walls of the fortress. It was a story that he had told his son on several occasions. Actually, on more occasions during their journey to Estermere than the years before that. But Augustus had to pretend he was as interested as the first few times his father brought up the topic.

General Marcellus Kampf didn't need to come with his son on the first day to Estermere. Naturally, he had duties as a lord and as one of the king's general, but he told a rather deflated Augustus that it was an event that the general would not miss for the world. Then Marcellus started telling the unforgettable story of his first day at the academy. Again. Surprisingly, the story started with a carriage ride and Marcellus' father, Augustus' grandfather, giving the young Marcellus pointers on how to excel. Apparently, his family did not tolerate mediocrity. A Kampf must always hold a position of power. There's that.

Which was why a small smile tugged at the corners of Augustus' lips when one of the guards at the gate stepped up and told the general that only students were allowed entry. "He's an alumnus, can we not make an exception?" Gus asked, if only for appearance sake. As if he was not too happy to finally experience a taste of freedom in some piece of land which his father's influence could not reach.

Marcellus, whose expression, clothing, and poise reeks of nobility stood looking down his nose at the lowly guard. Gus knew that look. It was as a warning, a few moments of calm before the storm. His father was a general. Of course, Lord Kampf was an expert in barking orders and looking down at mere footmen. Gus had to step in. "He's just doing his job. It's alright, I can manage from here." He grabbed a suitcase from his father only to set it on the ground beside himself. The general started to argue, no longer used to being denied, but Augustus reasoned that he would be late if they pushed the argument.

A few minutes later, Augustus Kampf was walking the paved walkway of the fortress. Hands in his jeans' pockets and a stupid grin pasted on his face. At last, a chance to live outside his father's shadow.

"Excuse me, is it your first day?" Somebody. A girl, his senior, approached. Her black hair was pulled back in a tight bun at the nape of her neck. He looked to his left then right, then those amber eyes returned to a silent question to the stranger. "Yes, I am talking to you," she giggled, perhaps because of the look of utter confusion on his face. He had barely nodded when she politely pointed the other direction. "That way to the dining hall. Good luck." She waved, smiled, and ran after her group without saying her name or asking for his. He didn't even get to say thank you.

But whatever. Gus traced his steps until he was at the top of a grand staircase, walked further following the same direction, following a light stream of individuals, until he found the hall. Rows of dining tables were occupied by people around the same age as he was. He casually took the closest empty seat he could find and relaxed. It was going to be a great year.

[Assistant]
Pax Triston was not eager to be attending Estermere Academy. It was a military school, and they had no desire to be part of any military. That did not change the fact that they were currently on their way to the academy. They didn't have much of a choice. Their father, Lord Markus Triston of Coastal Cliffs, wanted to send Pax away. Pax couldn't really fault the man for that decision. There was a constant tension in the air while Pax was residing at Triston Keep. Pax gave their head a shake. There was no reason to dwell on the past. They had to keep heading up the mountain.

Pax looked up from the book that they had been studying about older languages from across the world to look out the window as the carriage maneuvered pass another turn in the road. They could finally see the Academy. It certainly looked impressive. Pax knew that it was still a fair distance away. It would only grow more impressive as they got closer. Pax turned back towards their book. They had basically stolen the book from Triston Keep. Thankfully, along with the other books on almost forgotten languages, it wouldn't be missed. If they were it would a simple matter to return them.

The carriage eventually stopped as a voice called out, "We have arrived Mr. Triston."

Pax placed their book back in their personal satchel as they exited the carriage, "Thank you Gabriel." They faintly smiled up at the coachman, "Please be careful on your way home."

Gabriel nodded in respect, "I'll be on my way as soon as I'm soon sure your things have been put away properly Mr. Triston."

Pax turned to get a better look at Estermere Academy, "Thank you Gabriel."

With as close to goodbyes as Pax was going to get with as close to a friend as they had been done they headed into the building. It was easy enough to ask a few of the guards where new students in the officer program were supposed to go. With that information gathered. The new student headed towards the dining hall. There were already students gathering. Absently Pax wonder what the time was. They knew that there was a time every new student was supposed to be here by. They just didn't know when that time was. They didn't think that it was any time soon. There weren't enough students here yet.

Pax scanned the room to find a rather empty place in which to sit. Once a suitable spot was located, they made their way there. As they walked, they passed a few people taking to each other as well as others looking to avoid social interactions. There were people from all over the world. Pax was astounded by the sheer number of different type of people. Maybe being here wouldn't be bad. It would certainly be a learning experience.

Pax arrived at the place they had pick and sat down with a surprising amount of grace. They pulled out their book to return to their studies. Pax wondered if there were language classes here. That would be another reason this ordeal could be bearable. The truth was, even though Pax knew they didn't really want to be here, this wasn't that bad a place to be. It certainly wasn't ideal, but it did get them away from Coastal Cliffs and it would certainly teach them things they couldn't learn in Rockveil. They might not want to be a part of any military in the future, but it would give them a chance to make future they didn't think they could have if they hadn't been sent here. Pax supposed they could be tentatively optimistic.


[System]
"What've we got this time?"
Species: Human, Corellian
Age: 28
Planet of Origin/Birth: Corellia
Force Sensitive Y/N: Unknown, some claim she is however she's never played stock to such rumours.

Skills/Abilities:- Basic Blaster Training
- Charismatic
- Tactical Thinker (Sabaac Player)
- Medical training

Equipment:- A280 Blaster Rifle
- 1x DC17 blaster pistol, set to stun
- 1x MD Droid (Stays aboard the Intruder)
- Field medic kit
-

Psychological Profile:Tadia has a simple past, a compassionate and caring soul who has the problem of having seen conflict war and death. Which has closed her off somewhat from other people, when she doesn't notice people are watching she will often zone out looking into the distance reminicing however when it comes to the grind and when she is needed she is fully focused at getting the job done.

It isn't known the exact moment she officially joined the rebellion however she's been with the Liberators since they left Uslam but few alive know some of the horrors she saw during the evacuation.

History: She was always compassionate and caring, having a drive to help people. After she left secondary she entered the medical traid heading to university to become a Doctor. Specialising in surgery and life saving techniques she also self studied minor practices so that she could perform more all around duties as necessary. She passed with her doctorate, nothing special however she got her honours and her full doctorate. Which is where things began to change.

She took a job on the mining world of Uslam, as a general practitioner. It was here that she saw the squalor and the poor living conditions the miners lived in. When push came to shove and conflict arose she did what she could to help the rebels. Not reporting blaster wounds and healing them up, and when it turned out into an all out war she dropped the front and moved herself from rebel cell to rebel cell helping out wherever necessary. Then the Imperials cracked down on the planet. She was in one of the last evacuation ships, and the only medic on it with a majority of wounded.

It's unclear what exactly happened to the ship however when it finally made it to the rendevouz not even the recovery crew will mention what they saw aboard the ship. Tadia herself was never quite the same, still cocky and charismatic but something about her smile never quite reached her eyes and she seemed more distant. The rookies never noticing but the veterans did.

Yes, and:She's less caring than many others about the Intruders pirate past but isn't really close with anyone from the crew. She does feel however that she is close friends with Serossa, Beskad and Kellar being older members of the liberators and almost sees Uslam and it's people her true family. She has also been one of the few liberators to be kind to Thanner Antares as far as she sees it it isn't his past that defines him, but the path he is on now that does.

[User]
Escort Detail

Slooga moved slow enough, but the Liberators managed to lag behind. Thanks to Lt. Byron's diplomatic graces, the soldiers were volunteered to do most of the heavy lifting for the exchange, while the crooks (and a few of the lighter Liberators) fanned out in a loose echelon formation. All told they had thirty sets of eyes, all panning the scenery of Ganatoo Spaceport and assessing the crowds. It was easy to forget, while in deep space, that plenty of people in the galaxy weren't smugglers, or stormtroopers, or rebels, or whatever else -- plenty of people were simply living out their lives as normally as could be managed in a time like this. Merchants, small game hunters, chefs, stick jockeys. The spaceport attracted all types. All types seemed eager to give the Hutt a wide berth. The team encountered no resistance as they made their way, slowly, to the illicit rendezvous. The exchange was to take place in an open square, isolated from the main drags by a few blocks and secure enough from any prying eyes. There were alleys and high windows to contend with, but with all the manpower and kit they'd brought, it seemed like nothing they couldn't handle.

A pair of runners -- shady as hell, Keller thought -- had run ahead to check out the site, and they were presently coming back into view. Vannin hummed a tune that could've passed for Gammorean folk music and pushed a heavily-laden sled. The pirates were nervous talking about business around the new LT, but he'd managed to gather that the trade involved weapons and scrap from the last weapon, and they were getting some medical gear of some sort (which Tadia, much to Byron's chagrin, had insisted on inspecting personally). The new faces in the detail were, to their credit, pushing heavy sleds up a hill like real-live Liberators. A noble calling. The HIGHEST calling. True Heroes of the Republic, to the last, astride their mighty loads. He chuckled. Well, that was the job, no helping it.

They brought the goods into the square and caught their breath. On the opposite end stood the requisite amount of scum and villainy, there to watch over the exchange and protect their own crime lord. One had to wonder how many of those could exist in the galaxy -- enough, certainly. Tensions seemed low and the business people set about their business while the grunts thumbed at their blasters and wondered about the slicing progress.

After a while -- the deal still progressing according to the brief -- a few more goons began to trickle in behind Slooga's rival. One at a time, at first, and spaced out enough so as not to arouse suspicions. But there were definitely more of them. A dozen had turned into fifteen, and another walking in with a carbine. Keller kept humming and casually checked the alley by which they'd come in. Someone was turning back passers-by a few blocks down -- and not one of their own people. Motherfucker, he thought out loud. He made his way to the LT, casually as possible.

"I'm getting a real bad vibe," he muttered, omitting the 'sir' on account of their cover. "Might be nothing -- might be trouble." He gave a quick recap of the situation.

"I see them," Byron replied, with a tone that suggested he'd caught the same feeling as well. "Slooga's guys aren't picking up on it, and I don't know how they'll react, so keep it quiet for now. But pass the word to the Liberators. If something goes down, we can't lose the Hutt." Keller nodded and shuffled off to whisper in someone's ear. Meanwhile, Byron keyed his communicator. "How's the weather?" he asked. "Looks like we might have to take the nerf outside pretty quick."

[Assistant]
Traffic control was a small room with a large mainframe and a few access terminals, designed to control an entire plannet's ship traffic grid and provide very precise model predictions as well as interact with ships' nav computers and autopilots to provide the necessary data to get them down safely, or at least to provide pilots the guidance. Luckily, the company that provided it also provided the code to Rebel programmers, who swiftly developed very efficient viruses to penetrate the system and bug it.

The PDA being used for the virus insertion by Toland went off with a warning, intended to go off if a security station arose. Handed the pad, Serossa's eyes widened considerably even as she got on the commlink with the LT and Intruder's bridge and announced, "Dove hunt."

That was the code word for Imperial trouble, that the mission was compromised by Imperial Forces. A Pigeon Trap was bounty hunters and a Duck Lure was local law enforcement.

A Dove Hunt was a definite abort; if the Empire caught wind of them, they'd pile on the reinforcements and firepower until the rebels were dead. One could shoot their way past local forces and buy off or gun down bounty hunters, but the Imperials with the element of surprise was a good reason to fade out of the system as quickly as possible.

She turned to the others, after hitting the pad several times to abort the upload, scrub the stuff already in the Ganatoo system and sanitize the logs to show nothing ever happened. The mission was burned; if the upload were to complete itself, it would be able to conceal itself in the system, but a partial upload would be unstable and possibly reveal itself to the Imperials. An abort and erasure meant having to start over from scratch on the upload, but at least the Imperials might not ever be the wiser for the hack attempt.

"Lionesse is en route, looks like, they just cleared all traffic in the Ganatoo pattern for an Imperial Code VTRL. We walk out real casual," she told the rest, "and we go to the port's speeder parking. But anything that we didn't encounter coming in that tries to stop us gets blasted."

Besk nodded; assume ISB and shoot to kill; and as Besk figured-- suicide rather than capture. It might get messy, but any bribed guards would possibly turn on them with imperial trouble-- the Empire cared little for smuggling but a lot about Rebels and they'd paid smuggler rate bribes suitable for local, not Imperial, trouble.

"I'll lead Serossa," he said casually, knowing that the point had to kill fast; Sekula needed to be on Thanner's back and Thanner couldn't be up on point. Toland was a cherry. Besk threw him a wink he didn't feel.

"I've got rear," the sarge said as they moved out, along the slightly shabby blue-painted plastoid hallways of Ganatoo, eventually melding with the crowd of regular people who were not, it seemed, panicking or trying to necessarily leave, though they were held up in the terminal. That, to Besk's eyes, looked good -- the security people didn't look all that surprised, and while all the departures and arrivals showed delays, it didn't look like the trouble was spaceport trouble.

He didn't quite dare breathe a sigh of relief as they got out the doors; the Sarge clearly didn't see anything either, since she was the one best qualified to spot a tail and off the bastard if necessary. But so far, all clear, especially when they took a few turns into less crowded areas, checked the horizon for any signs of surveillance. If they were being tracked, they'd have to be good, and if they were that good, the Liberators were probably burned.

Shockingly, they made it to their speeder truck, "borrowed" with no sign that they were the object of he security problem; a quick scan of hacked local comms, using code lifted from the traffic control system indicated it was...of course. Slooga.

"What's the plan, Sarge?"

[User]
"Heads up."

By now all the Liberators on the escort detail were wise to the danger at hand. They all tried to keep a low profile even though they were on high alert -- Vannin even managed to quiet himself, expecting imminent trouble. Trouble came.

Slooga shook hands with the local contact, and the local contact didn't let go. The facade bled away in an instant -- muzzles left their holsters on both ends of the square. The contact raised his voice.

"You all know the game," the man said loudly. "Sooner or later they get us all. Imps pinched me three weeks ago, and I walk if I give them the hutt. Walk away now, we'll do the same."

"Bastard!" Slooga bellowed.

"You can shoot it out if you like," the contact continued, ignoring his new prisoner. "Their frigate is already enroute. You can make it out if you run, but not if you fight. Just walk away. Leave the hutt with me, and one of you can take his place, I don't care. We can do this nice and easy, or we c..."

The contact stopped short. He let go of Slooga's hand, and crumpled to the ground with an audible sizzling sound. Slooga turned to face his men, a disruptor pistol smoking in his left hand. "Kill them all!" he roared.

The battle erupted in a flash. Pirates from both sides opened fire. Vannin sprayed a hail of bolts at the high rise opposite their position, then loaded a fresh cell and advanced, crouching and weaving his way towards Slooga, who was already flanked by troopers. Lt. Byron was there, letting loose with a heavy pistol and trying to speak calmly into his communicator. He was doing a poor job. Vannin snatched it out of his hands and screamed, "Nerf just shit the bed, get over here and clean it up! Now!" A hostile ran towards them, and Keller pitched the communicator at him, then brought up his rifle and took him down hard.

"We need a plan!" Byron shouted.

"We need to bug out!" Keller agreed.

Slooga was barking orders. His pirates might have heard them, but Byron ignored them entirely. "Corporal!" he yelled, grabbing Vannin's shoulder. "Secure a path to the shuttle!"

Vannin nodded. "Give me three minutes. And send the slug now! He'll slow you down!" He tossed a grenade into the hostile end of the square and turned on his heels. "Hayca! Fish! On me!" The three of them moved into the alley. The squad was surrounded -- but not for long.

Meanwhile, Lt. Byron labored in vain to separate Slooga from the front line of the firefight. By now the friendlies had gained a slim edge, but more enemies were pouring in, and stormtroopers wouldn't be far behind. Confounded, Byron spotted Tadia nearby. "Doc!" he called. "We gotta get him moving now. You're in charge. Get. Him. On. That. Shuttle!" Someone called out a flanking move by the enemy, and Byron's attention was absorbed once more in the shooting. He slid into cover a few meters away, and tried his luck giving orders to Slooga's pirates. Slooga, furious but at last realizing the futility of prolonging the issue, growled and cursed, and at last began to cooperate with his Alliance team.

"Get me out," he muttered.

[Assistant]
Tadia jumped behind cover, firing her rifle over it. "I'm in charge of the Hutt? I hope you get shot Byron." She jumped over the barrier literally pushing the giant slug towards an alleyway. "Stay in cover idiot." The Hutt cursed something in huttese. "Yeah, if you got something to say that isn't nice keep it in your mouth. Though you should probably do as I say right now as I've never operated on a Hutt before, and do you really want me to start now?" She winced as she realized the supplies were left behind, raising her commlink she spoke into it. "Lt. The Medical supplies, we can't just leave them behind. We need them. Otherwise next time someone gets shot I'm going to have to use a hammer as sedative." She ducked looked around the corner as more people began running towards them.

"I really hate this job sometimes."


[System]
Element: Strontium

Age: 32

Gender: Male

Appearance: With ashy-red hair, freckles, and an uncomfortable-looking scar across the sternum, Fargus is the very model of a modern Scot. Fargus tends to wear casual and breezy clothes, often wearing an unbuttoned Hawaiian shirt and jeans at all times. Fargus' face is described as 'craggy' at best, and bears numerous scars and calluses from his many life-threatening experiences. Fargus has an unpleasant tendency to suck on his teeth and crack his knuckles when irritated or bored.

Powers: Fargus is capable of blocking radiation, due to Strontium's naturally absorbent properties. In addition, Fargus can psychically promote bone growth, making healing significantly easier. Finally, Fargus can increase the intensity and magnitude of any combustion by generating Strontium within the explosion's igniting heart.

Weapons: One Springfield "Operator" .45 ACP handgun, purchased from a collector while staying in America. Acquiring ammunition for it is relatively difficult, but Fargus makes do through his shadier contacts. Fargus is a dab hand with his pocket multitool, but prefers to use any other weapons available.

Backstory: Born in Glasgow, Fargus Oberschmidt didn't have a very well-adjusted childhood. With a deadbeat dad and a drunkard of a mother, Fargus grew to rely on himself and himself alone. After just barely graduating from secondary school, Fargus promptly went into drugrunning and petty gangbanging for one of Glasgow's myriad criminal enterprises: The Smilies. In time, he grew to become the leader of the Smilies. Through ruthless practices and an innate sense for good business, Fargus and his boys beat out the competition, carving out a solid chunk out of the city for the Smilies. One ill-fated attempt at a major deal and a police-issue massacre later, Fargus was forced to flee to the states with only a handful of his mates. With little else other than the clothes on their backs and the chips on their shoulders, The Smilies are bound to rise again.

[User]
Chloe didn't know why she'd come back, but she really wished she hadn't. She'd thought her idea was a pretty damn good one, and now as she recognized Mahmoud from before, her heart sank. Great. She really really really wish she'd left. Now what were they going to do? She looked at no one but the stranger, staring him in the eyes. Her heart hammered and she struggled not to start breathing chlorine again (she'd just calmed down!), but she was determined not to look scared. Her stone-faced stare was something she took pride in. Hopefully that jackass waiter wouldn't escalate things again, or ask for life details. Maybe this fancily-dressed man wasn't meant to be scary as he came off as?

Try to be calm. Just be cool. Be cool.

"Um...nice tie," she said hesitantly. Unlike the possible elemental who'd started yelling on the street, she was too intimidated to flat-out ask what Mahmoud wanted. She wondered how long it would take everyone in the room to die if she just blew out some chlorine and left. What a shitty thing to think.

[Assistant]
Central Park, New York
 "So, I said to him... Oh, look who it is! Hey, brother! The boys and I are over here!"

 "Fargus! I'm glad you and your friends are settling down well! So, how did the doctor's appointment go?" Fargus's brother, Leo, made his way over to the shaded knoll Fargus and the gang were staying on. Fargus gave his brother a warm hug and a hefty pat on the shoulder.

 "Ah, it turns out one of my ribs is basically all of the hard outer stuff. Like, no marrow or anything." Fargus shrugged. He knew very little about bones, but Gunther's constant lecturing about health certainly put some information in his head.

 "That sounds serious. Fargus, I want you to take it easy for the next few weeks. With your ribs like this, I'm certain they won't heal properly. Hey, listen... why don't we stop by my office later today? If what the doctor says is true, I'm sure I can figure out just what's wrong. So, how are your friends doing?"

 Peaches and Gunther shrugged. "We've been settling down easy. Haven't had any worries, all things considered!"

 Leo nodded, and settled down next to Peaches. "I'm glad to hear that. Hey, feel free to splurge a bit; I've got plenty of money to burn, and I'm sure you'll put it to good use. The clinic's always had its fair share of old money coming its way."

 "That reminds me. Why couldn't Fargus have come to you for a check-up?"

 "I run a geriatric clinic, Gunther. Unless Fargus is lying about his age, what I can offer wouldn't be of much use to him. I only deal with elderly patients."
 Leo glanced down at the lakeside, and saw a familiar face: Herschel Orenstein. "Oh, speaking of which, there's one of my clients now! Old Herschel's kind of a soursop, but you'd be surprised at how much he warms up to you if you're Jewish! Come on, I'll introduce you to him."

 Leo, Fargus, Peaches, and Gunther made their way down to where Herschel Orenstein was. Leo, being the one most familiar to Herschel, greeted him.
 "Hello, Mister Orenstein! I'm glad to see that you're out and about, despite your condition! I'd like to introduce you to my brothers: Fargus, Peaches, and Gunther! They've just recently emigrated from Scotland, so I've been showing them around! So, how have you been doing?"

[User]
Jaden watched the man as he refused to answer - only smiling at them in a way that should have been fatherly, but was simply making his skin crawl - He smelt a chemical and instantly knew this man was one of them, and it outright terrified him. The others were watching, Aria barely awake as she frightfully watched the man in the doorway. As this took place Jaden's mind began to fly into panic mode. There were four of them, perfectly capable of taking him down if they pounced all at once - but with all the back and forth on trust between him and the three girls there was no way that was going to happen - therefore, he felt some discontent with what they could possibly do to stave off this man.

Then he heard Chloe muttering to herself and he focused on that while keeping his eyes on the man and his options open. There was fireplace cleaners and pokers by his side all made entirely of pure iron - he could easily use that if he wanted but he knew there was only so much that would come of that. His eyes remained trained as he tried to hear what the Chlorine Elemental was saying.

"Chlorine....Iron...and...what else..."

His mind flew to his father's chemistry work, his work in Alchemical History and his memory fixed on a term used in his textbook in high school prior to him coming to Oxford. The combination reaction between Chlorine and his own element - a type of flamable gas that would very much come in handy - if they survived the colorful blast. He considered it and felt himself shake in tension as he reasoned it out. The man was still keeping his eyes on them and that meant talking was out of the question, but getting huddled close to one another wasn't. Therefore, Jaden made a slight motion towards Chloe who was near to Aura - the three of them on an arms length from each other. He got close to Chloe and the girl stared at him on shock while he kept his eyes on him and his mind settled on trying to figure out what he could possibly do.

"If I activate my element and she breathes out the gas....then...maybe we can make that light a match term literal....please Chloe, take the hint!"

[Assistant]
Hershel was napping. His head laid at the back of his wheel-chair and was slightly propped against his right shoulder. What with the weather at this time, truly it was the best time to sleep. For Herschel already fed the pigeons he wanted to feed. With a loud snore he suddenly woke back up, as he reached back for his respirator. He grabbed the mask attached to the apparatus and took a few deep breaths in.

He then placed the mask on his lap right next to his satchel. He turned to glance at the youngster, "See, didn't mind ya at all." He peered his eyes as he realized Dr Leo was there.

He gave a soft smile as he slowly moved his wheel-chair closer to Leo. "Doc, you Haimisher mensch, didn't expect you out here." Before he decided to answer Leo's question, he peered at the group next to him.

"Your brothers huh, so this is your Mishpocha? Scotland you say? That isn't the most kosher place." He peered at Fargus, Peaches, and Gunther for a few moments, judging them of their worth. He slowly lifted up his left hand and wagged his index finger, "You boys attending your Synagogue? The temples here are far better than, Scotland. I'd be surprised if there was even a single temple there. I hope you kids are doctors, you don't wanna disappoint your grandmotha do ya?"

He glanced at Leo as he spoke up, "How am I? Today seems to be going alright, but I know I'm gonna be disappointed by the end of it! Oh my grandkids will fail to leave a single message for me. I'm bound to run into some zhlubs with their pants down around their ankles, and playing on their skateboards on the sidewalks." Herschel shook his head, "Damn kids these days. Bit of a pain in my neck, but other than that, all seems relatively normal. You got me on the schedule now for my next appointment don'tcha? It seems to be the only time my kids seem to contact me. 'Oh Herschel, have you made sure you got your check-up?'. Feh, but they never seem to have the time to just go to a delicatessen and have some nice corned beef, or some soup."

Herschel frowned at the thought.

[User]
Mahmoud spoke up as the elementals seemed to be getting suspicious of his presence. "My apologies if I have upset you, I was merely responding to a phone call that my associate had made to me."

Mahmoud adjusted his tie, before opening his jacket to show he was not armed (as far as they could tell). "You see, I'm the leader of a group that is in need of people with special talents. Talents like yours. I assure you that my company pays well, and I am free with my money when it comes to my close companions." Mahmoud spoke confidently.

Outside, a group of 5 of Mahmoud's personal guardsmen, a hodgepodge of russian gansters, ex iranian soldiers, Afghans from tribal groups and even a few ex extremists now allied only to Mahmoud's fortune. Ready to raid in if their leader gave the signal.

[Assistant]
"And why should we trust you?" Jaden spoke up and kept a close eye on the man now that he'd talked at long last.

Offering to pay them for some kind of service while using their abilities - why did this scream criminal mastermind? Jaden didn't really need an answer from the man as he watched him and prayed Chloe and Aura caught onto what he was wanting to do. One good blast or a burst of toxic smoke would be their only chance to escape this man. And then something came to mind - what if this guy had people outside? What then? Jaden took in a deep breath and placed a hand at Chloe's back causing her to glance his way while he gave her a look - pleading with her to get what he was trying to do as she stared between himself and the man.

Aura was watching as well, Aria barely awake and watching them in fear as the man looked them over - meeting each of their eyes and lingering on himself and the two sisters. What was he planning? What was about to happen? Could they save themselves? Or would someone else have to save them? Jaden felt himself gulp at the other alternative - they weren't going to be saved, this man was going to get them, take them somewhere and they would potentially never be seen again. With a glance at Aria he took a deep breath and made a rather bold choice.

"Chloe...I'm sorry!" before she could say anything he slapped her and she turned a cold eye to him and she puffed out a small cloud of chlorine gas.

If he was lucky he could use his element and - though it made his stomach knot up at the idea - get Aria into a panic and if he did - they could escape in the confusion. A spark lit the air and he grinned as he felt the bangle around his wrist stretch and slither out to form the iron whip. With just the right amount of friction he could heat the iron, use the spark and gas and they could get out.

"We didn't come this far to just get caught!"