[System]
사신 - Sasin

Do not fear the reaper.

Vitals
Title: Reaper of Vengeful Souls

Age: 32

Sex: Male

Date of birth: 14th June, 1983

Lineage: -

Class/Major: Sniper

Class/Minor: Assassin

Occupation: Reaper

Alignment: Neutral Good

Martial Status: Single

Birthplace: Seoul, South Korea.

Blood Type: A+

Eye Color: Total black, from sclera to cornea. What appears to be black smoke or mist seeps from the corners of his eyes in small quantities.

Height: 5' 9"

Weight: 185 lbs

Hair Color/Style: Buzz cut, black hair

Birthmark: Small patch on his left thigh.

Personality: Cho is rather quiet for a man of his caliber, and for good reason: he is focused and resolute, powered mainly by the tragedy that happened to his dad and grandma. If you talk to him, he'll chat with you at length on whatever subject you wish to discuss, but leave him alone and he'll lapse into a grim, tense silence, punctuated only by the sounds of his equipment being checked, double checked and triple checked for each and every mission.

Skin Tone/Condition: Pale, clammy, cool. Ashen in colour and in texture, like the ash that saved his life.

Markings: -

Voice: Normal Asian tone, but multiplied and echoey, as if he is the voice of a legion.

Combat Stats

Dominant Hand: Right

Reach: As far as his rifle can shoot.

Equipment:

-Upper Body:* Reaper's Armour - What used to be ballistic ceramic plating underneath a standard issue ballistic vest. The dark magics within Cho have repaired his former mortal armour and have turned it into regenerative plating that's a part of him.

-Lower Body:* Boots of Travel - These firm, black leather combat boots are now enchanted with travel: they will carry Cho any distance he requires, help him leap tall distances and also strengthen if he needs to kick something.

Weapons* Reaper's Scythe - What once was a CheyTac Intervention M-200 variant sniper rifle is now a magic-powered and enhanced death machine. Formerly bolt action, the rifle is now semi automatic, and fires slugs of dense, steel-strength, razor sharp bone, with an effective supersonic range of 2,200 yards or 2 kilometers.
* Liquid Shadow - What was a KRISS Vector submachine gun is now a blazing fast shadow shooter. Working like a very high powered paint gun, the Shadow fires bolts of liquid darkness that can mark and paint any surface. It ties into his ability to submerge and travel through darkness and shadows, as he can travel in and through wherever he's shot his weapon at.
* Death's Mark - This used to be a Heckler & Koch P30L pistol. Now it's a marker. The pistol fires slugs of solid ink that can penetrate and splatter a target. This ink magically forms itself into a Mark of Death; a jagged cross bordered by a ring of thorns, and then hardens and crystallises, immobilising the affected area. Once a target has been marked, Cho can then fire at the mark to shatter it, causing immense damage or even outright ending his target in one blow.
* Culling Blade - His old Ka-bar knife, now a tool of morbid death. It still looks and functions like a knife, except its blade is now so sharp it can cut metal. Wounds caused by the blade will also never stop bleeding and cannot heal unless he allows it.

Abilities* Enhanced Speed
* Enhanced Agility
* Enhanced Reflexes
* Enhanced Accuracy

Magic* Shadow Form - Cho is able to turn his entire body into darkness, becoming intangible as well as immune to physical damage. He is able to, in this form, merge with nearby cast shadows by immersing himself in them. In this way he is able to traverse large areas at night by way of "swimming" in the darkness.
* Crow Image - Cho is also able to take the form of a large, black crow. In this form he can fly anywhere he pleases, but nothing else. Transforming between human and crow takes a matter of seconds.
* Darkness Tendrils - Made of shadow, Cho is able to form several long tendrils made of darkness. These can emerge from anywhere in his body, but most commonly form from the scar on the left side of his torso, next to his heart. Cho is able to use these tendrils to manipulate objects, help him traverse terrain or even attack.
* Undying - Cho is an unstoppable spirit of vengeance, and as such he will not be dissuaded by something as trivial as death. Upon sustaining damage, his body will regenerate itself. A slow process, but given enough time he will be back on his feet and ready for another fight.

[User]
As Powers fell, Cho stood amidst the crumbling ruins. All around him was an earthquake, a roaring sea of chaos, of shifting stones and yawning abysses that yearned for him to enter. The warrior ahead of him had just slaughtered his entire team. He racked the slide of his sniper rifle, the brass casing ejected from its body to clatter noisily down onto the stone. He, the lone observer, the team leader, now just a lone man against a monster. A monster with a sharp sword and magic to rival even the best technology he had. But the fight was far from over. It was on now, mano a mano.

The Korean man stood his ground, regaining his balance slightly even as the world around him shook and tore itself apart. With rifle in his hands he leveled it at the warrior and squeezed the trigger. Another high velocity round tore out of his rifle and sped straight towards his adversary, hopefully hitting its mark a second or two later. He didn't even give it a second thought; his right hand automatically racked back the straight bolt of the rifle, ejecting another spent brass casing while he shifted position, hopping off of his perch to scamper away, retreating further into the ruins and away from his target. With his quick thinking he realised that the closer he got to that strange warrior, the worse the shaking got as well. All that magic of his seemed to center around him, so that's what he'd avoid. Distance, precision and stopping power were his trump cards here, against the warrior's superhuman speed and strength. As he ran, he reported back to his superiors, while his free hand shot to his vest, freeing several small, globe-shaped objects that pulsed with a blue glow as they fell to the stone and dirt. Proximity mines, small in size with a kick the strength of your average fragmentation grenade. Each little sphere, once armed, would lay motionless until it detected movement within a two foot radius around it. Once that trigger is hit, the sphere explodes much like a grenade would. No doubt the glowing blue circles would leave a fairly easy trail, but Cho doubted that the warrior understood modern technology that well.

"HQ this is Wolf Leader, my entire team is down, repeat my whole team is down. Situation is code black, I say again, situation is code black, requesting immediate backup."

"Negative Wolf Leader, you are to maintain on target to complete the mission."

"Shit."

So this is what it felt like to be expendable, he thought. But then again, that's what we were anyway.

Expendable.

---

Unbeknownst to the rest of the team, including their adversary, Puck hid behind an array of stone, further away from the conflict. She too had watched as her whole team had been slaughtered like pigs, but unlike their fearless leader, she was overcome by it. So she fled, the lone medic away from a horror show. Her weapon was cast away, and she fled. Ran for the hills.

Much later, much much later, after the whole conflict ended, she was picked up by a lone ParaCom scout transport and brought back to their mountain base for a debrief. Shortly after she was assigned to a new team, whereupon she served for a much longer term before being unceremoniously ended by a centaur chieftain.

---

"HQ, one last favour. I need you to help me identify the origins of the hostile."

"One moment. Hostile is confirmed as being a Viking warrior, male. Magic user of a powerful degree, exercise extreme caution in engaging the subject."

"Alright. Now could you upload a database of his language to my translator? I want to understand this asshole."

"One moment. Data transfer complete. Your auto-translator should now have a complete database of ancient Norse."

"Roger. Thank you HQ. Going dark. Wolf Leader out."

Right, time to deal with this prick.

"Hey! Asswipe! Over here!"

[Assistant]
Kolskegg spotted his adversary, a smaller man than he imagined, but the fire stick he had was long. Much longer than the others, it was something worthy of a warrior indeed. As the Viking took a step forward, the smaller man pointed it towards him. Kolskegg realizing that another such blow from that staff might kill him, darted off to his right as the weapon fired. The bullet banged against the shield askance, ricocheting away with an angry whine. The blow toppled the Viking, who vanished amid the ongoing chaos of the earthquake in a debris field.

Rising from his fall, he spotted the man running away, all the while dropping blue objects. Moving slowly and with caution, Kolskegg began following the man when an explosion erupted, kicking debris into the air. The inherent problem with a proximity charge that required movement to activate , while a powerful earthquake were in effect, was that there was more than enough debris of sufficient size falling to activate the mines.

In quick succession as Kolskegg followed Cho, the earthquake detonated the mines that the man had dropped. Clearly Hel was enjoying herself in this realm. As Kolskegg followed the man, the destruction was absolute, the ruins succumbing to the magic of the Northman. Clambering along a crumbled walkway he heard the man speak.

"Hey! Asswipe! Over here!"

Pausing Kolskegg pondered that. The man had called him an asswipe. The Viking began laughing; his booming baritone filled the air. "Dwarf you have a good sense of humor. Verily I wish to share mead with you in Valhalla one day."

As he stood watching the man, the Viking tapped his bag, feeling the warmth of the magic. Soon, very soon he would summon another rune and the battle would become a decidedly intimate affair. Hopping off the debris wall, he began jogging slowly at an oblique angle in relation to man. His shield and sword held ready.

[User]
Cho stood from his hiding spot. The Viking had called him short! The nerve! Warily he advanced forward, properly taking in the detail of his adversary.

It was clear this warrior wasn't here for anything else. He was here to fight. He and his team were merely a distraction from some otherworldly goal. But now here he was, alone. Armed to the teeth. Up against a supernatural Viking swordsman that was better armed than he. But this wouldn't end any other way except with the death of either one of them. He had to fight.

"Mead, eh? I prefer beer, personally."

He watched as the Viking jogged around him in a slow circle. Obviously he was taking him in, sizing up his opponent. So far he'd only been slaughtering his team, poor men and women all, but now that this was a one on one, things took on a whole new dimension.

It felt like boot camp, almost. The way he would be left alone to suffer sometimes. Especially the winter trainings up in the mountains.

He gripped his rifle tighter and wheeled around slowly, following the other warrior's motion around him.

This was a battle of wits now, not brute force. He had the advantage of technology, but the warrior had speed and strength and magic behind him.

"What's your name, then? Can't have a fight without knowing the other's name."

[Assistant]
"Bjór?" Kolskegg paused a moment in his movements. "You prefer Bjór?" Shrugging he continued his jog, quickly slipping a hand into the pouch, pulling the glowing runes stones from it.

"What's your name, then? Can't have a fight without knowing the other's name."

The rich baritone erupted again as the Viking stopped, facing the smaller man with the rifle, each wary of the other.

"I am Kolskegg Hrolleifs'son. I am a shield Gothi for the great hall of Hrothgar, son of Odin. And you warrior, what do they call you in this realm."

As he spoke, the three runes slipped from his fingers, falling to the ground where they touched briefly before swirling away as so much ash. The land would buckle and roil for a bit longer before the temper tantrum of Hel subsided.

The battle now required the Viking to close the gap, get close to the man and take away the advantage of his fire staff. Because of its size and judging by how the others used theirs, the length would be a hindrance while the sword and shield would provide a decided advantage in close.

Pointing to the bullet hole in his shield, Kolskegg laughingly said, "Here. It was here that I knew you lay waiting to see how your thanes did. To see if I was worthy to face you."  Finishing, the Viking dropped off a small rise as the earthquake began subsiding. Grinning Kolskegg slapped his shield twice with his sword, then began a slow jog, lazily winding his way towards Cho.


[System]
Age: 17

Gender: Male

Race: Human

Weapon: The 27 Smasher: A Greatsword/Rifle. It has the ability to fire anti tank rounds, function as a heavy machine gun and of course bludgeon people if lethal force is not an option. It fires armor piercing rounds at all times allowing it to do maximum damage. It is extremely heavy due to all the modifications meaning only the strongest can carry this bad boy.

Specialty: Gentle Giant A.K.A Tactician/Tank

Semblance: Bullet Time: Cobalt's mind processes at Super Computer levels during times of intense stress or when he needs to make split second decisions. Time slows down for him as he thinks through every possible solution and outcome that can be achieved at that moment. He still moves at normal speed but his thinking speed increases.

Personality: Cobalt has always searched for the ideal life. Not too boring. Not too dangerous. Not too lonely. He got two out of three at least. He never enjoyed hurting people for the sake of hurting and he just wants to protect people who can't protect themselves. That's why he began training to he a hunter. He doesn't like the idea of some fancy sword/machine gun, so he started with a AK-47 duct taped to a car fender. He's a simple man with a simple plan. Protect anyone he can. But he also understands that not everything is black and white in the world. He's intelligent enough to understand the repercussions of everything he does and everything others do. After his first makeshift weapon broke he had joined Signal and worked on developing a better weapon. His motivation comes from when he was younger and he grew up by himself. He was never protected and he now wants to protect others. He has a few guilty pleasures, but his most noteable one is his love of cooking. He has trouble talking to girls in romantic situations as well.

Color: Cobalt

Emblem: A blue Greatsword clashing with a blue sledgehammer.

Appearance:

[User]
Sangue Naga - BASL Dorm

The day went on as the time for excitement faded temporarily.

Sangue sat still on her bed, reading through a letter she received not too long ago. The Grimm Studies class eventually ended well enough for her to leave without injuries. Although she did help someone out, she came to a realization that she needed to think a bit more wisely before jumping straight into a risky situation. Perhaps listening to her comrades would get her on a very smooth road to improvement.

"..."

The red-haired woman carefully put the letter away as she lay on her bed, her eyes slightly shut. She ended up wearing a new sarashi because the one she had used earlier became very worn-out.

[Assistant]
Benjamin Lloyd (BASL Dorm)

Sangue read her letter, Lauren flipped her coin, and Amy was fighting her way through the daze of painkillers. The fourth bed in the room, unlike any of the others, was covered with a chaotic mass of blankets. The mass hadn't been there that morning. It had somehow grown up over the course of the day, coming into existence almost completely unnoticed when no one else had been in the room. A bottle of acetaminophen and a half-empty glass of water stood on the nightstand next to it, but otherwise, the region was completely still. BASL's captain had not been seen for an hour or two, either, but any connection that might have had to the aberrant blanket growth was unexplored.

Until, of course, after Lauren's most recent coin flip effort the mass shifted. The entire mound seemed to scoot across the mattress towards the nightstand, slowly and painstakingly. A single appendage slipped its way out of the mound, reached into the nightstand drawer, and rummaged around. As soon as it had laid hand on what it wanted, apparently a small energy drink, it retreated back into the mound. All was, once again, still.

Until a few minutes later when Benjamin Lloyd finally poked his head out from the cocoon and blinked slowly, surveying the room. Another blink, and the captain idly brushed a few stray groups of hair back into place. Another, and he set the empty can on his nightstand. He stared at each teammate in turn, then sat up, slowly casting off the remnants of his lair.

"S'been a long day." The team captain yawned and stretched. "Whatever we do, and wherever we go, we should make sure there's food. Skipped dinner. Pharmacy might not be bad. Think Amy and I used half the painkillers in the room."

"Anyone got any big ideas for the night?"

[User]
Luke Schwarz -- VGNB Dorms

"So am I free to go, or--" he cautiously began, before cutting off as the door opened behind him. This place was certainly getting crowded...

Tilting his head back to look at the stranger, both eyes now uncovered by hair, he examined the arrival. It was yet another girl walking into the room, with brown hair, piercing green eyes, glasses (altogether gave off a pretty cute bookish vibe), and...

Er, well...

He squinted, hoping it to just be the odd angle his head was at messing with his perception, or something similar. No additional effect. Half-turning in the seat and righting his head once more, he found that the transition from position-to-position was ultimately unhelpful in making sense of what exactly he saw.

Green.

She's wearing... something green.

All that aside, though, he still raised a hand in polite greeting, and favoring the woman with a small, friendly smile.

Interrogate me

"Uh, Hi there. I'm Luke, from JCML. Miss Mindaro's got me over to ask me a few questions. I take it you're the only member of Vignobility I haven't met yet?"

Or was she also the subject of study, this time in regards to fashion statements as opposed to hairstyle? Instead of saying this or even allowing it to show upon his features, though, he kept quiet and respectful for the time being. No matter how weird things may have been upon first glance, he didn't even have a fraction of the story behind it.

She could have lost a bet, or something, after all.

That experiment theory couldn't be right, anyways, based solely upon the new arrival's demeanor. She wouldn't be acting quite so casual if that were the case. Right? He wasn't the only one who would be perturbed by the thought of the arctic young woman of VGNB conducting experiments in regards to things such as clothes or hair.

He couldn't be.

[Assistant]
Gren Orchid

Another new arrival in the form of Ebon showed up at the gathering. Was he here for the party or other reasons? Gren wasn't certain. When asked for what was going on Gren gave him the short. "Shiro and some others are going to dive into the lake to find some daggers. Want to help?" Gren wasn't certain if Ebon was the type to care about such things. He seemed to be fairly aloof, almost like Sapphire. He just imagined a funny situation were the two were introduced, simply stating their name, glaring at one another, and then leaving. They'd later be found hanging out in aggressive silence.

His fantasies aside Gren was debating to himself if he should help as well. Without his rebreather Gren had to admit he wouldn't be able to swim for long, and there was also the matter of the fact that he swims with the grace and speed of a scuttled ship. The best he could do really was perhaps help Shiro back up the cliff if he found the daggers, but who knows how long that would take. Gren still needed to host this party. Turning to Ebon Gren clapped his hands together and bowed his head towards the other hunter. "I'd hate to have to ask you this, but could you please help my friends out? I'm afraid that I can't swim, but I want to make sure they're okay! I'll understand if you don't want to take the risk yourselves, but I'll accept your help in whatever form you can provide it." Though not quite begging yet, Gren felt like the only way he could compensate Shiro for not actively helping himself is sending as many people as he can.

[User] "You moron." Scornfully Ebon walked away with his scroll out. A few seconds later a rocket locker came crashing in and Ebon nonchalantly strapped the Kingdom to his arm. "You idiots and your stupid pride. I don't even need to read your minds to know that your egos are the only problems here." The Kingdom opened up and one Midnight Eye and one Claw R-Type flew out. Together they went over the cliff and down into the water. Ebon just stood on the edge focusing his concentration on his two little ships. If he was closer he could send out even more, but if he had to search the entire lake then two was all he could manage. The Midnight Eye would help him spot the daggers or other dangers while it was the Claw's job to actually get the daggers if he finds them. Ebon quickly noted the other swimmers but ignored them. He wasn't close enough to use his telepathy on them as he was having a hard enough time trying to maintain the link between his R-types. "Aren't you suppose to be at a party? Or is everyone a no show?"

[Assistant]
Sapphire Rode - Dorms ===> Airdocks
Sapphire gave a knowing smile to Abel. "Yeah... my power..." She rather liked the effect it had on other people. She normally didn't explain the intricacies of it's workings to anyone but the knowledge that she could be anywhere and they might not be able to notice her usually unnerved most people. It wasn't exactly the ability to shoot lighting out of the sky but for a girl like Sapphire who preferred keeping to the shadows it was the perfect disguise. It was also rather interesting to see the pretenses that people dropped within themselves when they thought they were alone. Sometimes that was the only time you got a glimpse of the real person.

Though what Abel said about Shiro struck a cord with Sapphire. There was one thing that Sapphire could think of that Shiro had lost over the edges of the Beacon cliffs that he could possibly be going through the effort to retrieve. However after her outburst on the airship and her generally rough treatment of him Sapphire didn't see how Shiro could care about her mother's prized work. Besides, the chances of retrieving them in a lake that size which was also no doubt infested with Grimm was ludicrously small.

Discounting the possibility that Shiro would be that foolish Sapphire decided that it was time to go. Gren had voiced intentions to throw some sort of night on the town for his friends and anyone else that wished to join. While he hadn't exactly specifically referred to her Sapphire thought she could assume that she was invited. Otherwise she'd simply return to Beacon. Besides a night out on the town might be fun. There was usually something to beat up in the dark nights of Vale.

Deciding to done something more casual Sapphire dressed in ripped black jeans with a studded belt, a black tank top that hugged her figure, and black converse hightops. She tied the scabbards of the school daggers onto her forearms and hitched the holsters for her disassembled polearm to her lower back as always not really caring that Abel was in the same room. She went into the bathroom and applied a bit of eyeliner. Just enough to give her that "don't mess with me look" before she left the dorms.

Sapphire didn't know exactly where Gren would be but since the party was to take place in Vale she could assume that he would appear at the airdocks sooner or later. She wasn't disappointed either. Gren was waiting a little off the airdocks along with someone who Sapphire thought was named Ebon. She'd never been formally introduced.

Sapphire strode up to Gren. "How many people did you expect to show up to this?" she asked wondering how long they might be waiting.

[User]
Gratia Mindaro - VGNB Dorms

"Venetia."

The curt, toneless greeting was Gratia Mindaro's only response to her team leader's entry into their shared dormitory. She was utterly unphased by the sudden interruption of her experiment; this was the other girl's room as well, after all, and it wasn't at all strange for Vega to want to return to said room after the end of classes. Probably to drop off shit or the like. Not that it was her business to pry; whatever the fuck her leader wanted to do was completely worthless information to her.

"This is Beryl Harken," she added, almost as if it was a sidenote, although her emotionless tone made it difficult to decipher whether or not she actually felt that the tidbit was worthy of such a description or not. "Otter. Swordswoman and whip-user. Likely close to mid-range combatant."

She had, after leading the newest member of VGNB to the dorms, made sure to read up on Beryl Harken's publicly-available record in the same manner as she had with Cian Kuze earlier in the day. The Mistralese girl's suspicions that the Faunus was an experienced sword-user had been confirmed by what she had read off the files, but the whip speciality was not something she had expected despite the obviously modularity of the weapon she saw. Disregarding her inability to predict that Beryl was a less-than-orthodox fighter, the information upon the otter's combat capabilities had been highly elucidating. It was important and essential information that needed to be remembered.

And Venetia, as usual, hadn't fucking checked up on it.

"We'll have to reformulate our tactics," said Gratia. "Relying on shit like Nuit fUckInG oVEr THe eNemY from above won't work anymore, unless Harken here's got some aerial bullshit or something."

[Assistant]
Cobalt Chideta- Airship Docks

Cobalt had felt pretty proud of himself after destroying the Megaladeus, making tonight a perfect night to go party. Everyone else had done well also, he hoped that some people from the class would show up as well. Cobalt dressed in his usual casual wear and headed down to the Airship Docks to wait for... something. He probably should've asked where they would all be meeting up so they could go party.

On his way there he briefly thought on the situation with his team. The only real problem he saw had been Diamond's lack of trust, so at least that was done with. While he wanted to be friends with her, forcing a relationship was never healthy. "Wait, that sounds wrong. Forcing a friendship is never healthy. Yeah, that's better." Cobalt nodded to himself and walked out onto the docks.

Cobalt sat down on a bench overlooking the city and sighed. The view was so beautiful. There wasn't much that could possibly ruin this moment, no sir. He looked around and saw Gren conversing with some people, so that solved the whole meeting spot problem. Cobalt waved at Gren to show he was here and went back to looking at the city.


[System]
Appearance:
Juniper walks a strange line between large and feminine. She's about average height at 5'9", and there isn't an ounce of fat on her, her size coming from the amount of muscle she has. Her legs and torso are obviously toned, but most of her muscle mass is found in her arms. Her shoulders are wider than one might expect on her frame, and her arms are bordering on cartoonish in size compared to the relative averageness of the rest of her build. She usually wears a sleeveless overcoat with a collar high enough to cover her face up to her nose, and has her dirty-blonde hair tied into a ponytail that hangs down her back. She brings a backpack with her wherever she goes, with spare parts, schematics and spare rune batteries for emergencies.
Age:
27
Brand:
None
Weapon & Rune (if they have one):
"Lizzy", an oversized monkey wrench engraved with Stone and Storm runes, and a large rune battery in the shaft to facilitate her use by non-casters. She's used not only as a weapon, but also as a last-ditch tool for repairing machinery. The Storm magic can send a jolt of energy to kick-start a dead motor, and the Earth rune turns it into something of a multi-tool, able to shape itself into almost anything. June has also learned to harness the Stone rune to manipulate magnetic fields, capable of shifting ferrous metals back into position with either a careful, well-placed probe, or a solid smack.
Faction:
Universal Machine
Personality:
A strange combination of humble and self-confident, June knows that she's worked hard and earned her place in the UM, but also realises that even with all her hard work, she never would have made it without help. Spending most of her time around casters, she's learned to be comfortable being the weakest and least self-reliant person in a group. At the same time, her relatively high station, considering her lack of magic, has imparted upon her an infallible sense of capability and self-worth. She's outgoing and sociable, liking to think of strangers more as potential allies than potential enemies. Always excited to talk about her projects, she can be a bit overbearing in a conversation, however. All in all, she is everything exemplified by the UM's motto: "Hard work pays off".
Background:
Born as the third generation of Greycastles in New Wickborough, with both of the previous generations having worked for the Universal Machine, Juniper's upbringing was about as one would expect. Going to public school, with private tutoring by her parents and other in the UM in the ways of technology, she was a studious youth, wholeheartedly throwing herself into her studies, both general and UM specific. Despite her parents telling her not to get her hopes up, young Juniper always expected that she would manifest a rune during puberty, like so many around her had. She believed this so strongly that she found herself taking this assumption for granted. In her late teens, she started to take interest in the small, semi-autonomous robots that the UM used for performing mundane tasks. Most of her late teens, then, were spent studying and working on these and waiting for her rune to appear.

The more years went by, the more June's parents tried to help her come to terms with the fact that she might just not be getting a rune, but she was having none of it. "So what if it's coming late, it's still coming" was her explanation. The waiting, and her parents, eventually did wear her down though. A week before her 20th birthday, she had a breakdown, the truth she had known for a while finally coming to the forefront of her mind. She didn't have a rune, and she would never have one. After so long safe in the assumption that she'd be a caster, this wave of realisation was too much for the now young adult. That night, she ran. Ran from the UM, ran from Ammonia Avenue, and ran from her parents. Not knowing what she was doing, and still in a very strange state of mind, she found herself amongst some Drekka. It was very different from what the rest of her life had been, but at that moment different was everything June was feeling. She ended up staying with the Drekka for a while, using her intellect to do some alchemy for the group. Then, a few weeks later, things changed again. June had settled into the criminal life, finding herself acting as nasty and aloof as the worst of them. Aloof, as she found out, was not how you want to act around dangerous chemicals. A wayward glance, an arm flung out, and Juniper found a bottle of acid splashed onto her lower jaw. The pain was like nothing she had ever experienced before, so sharp that she couldn't think about anything else. She turned to those she had been with for help, but unsurprisingly, the Drekka had little sympathy for her. Agony forcing her mind into clarity, she went the one place she knew there would be people who still loved her. Not long after, her parents rushed down, in response to an alarming summons, to find their daughter that had been lost for weeks, lower jaw mostly destroyed and tears streaming down her face.

UM doctors spent days on Juniper, removing all traces of the acid and doing their best to regrow and reattach both skin and bone. Their expertise was enough to salvage the girl's jaw, but enough damage had been done that the pale, scarred and pockmarked skin had to be something June would wear for the rest of her life, as a reminder. Times were tumultuous for another year after that, but things did settle down. June came to terms with her lack of magic, and returned to her study of the automated robot assistants. She decided she'd compensate for her runelessness by having a rune weapon made for her, that would be powered by rune batteries. She has spent most of her time since then as a devoted member of the Universal Machine, improving her skills and advancing automata technology.

[User]
Shaking his head, Hueco continued onward, still thinking of the name mentioned. He too couldn't help but notice the reactions of the Bot. In his days at both the Kokothan and Gishkan HQs, robots like them could form some semblance to a consciousness, but it was no more sentience than an animal from what he's seen. So he got back on track, walking behind the walking amalgamate.

Finally, the two would reach a doorway. Slowly, the plant Amalgamate looked down to the two, towering over them. Be kind. Show respect. The master doesn't wish... For violence.

The door opened, and the two were greeted to... A large cityscape? In a small Kokothan town, in a lonely apartment building, on the top floor, in a small VIP hotel room, was a large open city. It almost resembled New Wickborough, if Hueco or June were observant. Even the sky was visible to them... If that was the sky?

Hueco looked completely paralyzed. With a mix of confusion, curiousity, and awe. ...A pocket dimension? Here? Disguised so clearly?

[Assistant]
"I..." Juniper managed to start as a response to the Amalgamate, before being cut off by Hueco. Peeking past the small frame of the beastkin to get a look at what had startled him, she found herself momentarily lost for words "Wait... what? That's... that's a city. Alright, well, I was definitely not expecting that."

"Hueco... are you sure this is a pocket dimension? Like your library in Yim? I thought you said..." she trails off, cutting herself off mid sentence. Seeming to think better, she shakes her head. "No, nevermind. I have too many questions, and I don't want to just stand here asking them. So, where do we go now? It looks like there's an entire city in front of us." Lucy asks, still facing Hueco, but turning to finish the question directed towards the Amalgamate. After all, from his reaction, Hueco knows as much about what's going on as she does. Okay, well maybe a bit more, considering he has a pocket dimension of his own.

[User]
The plant amalgamate went on through the city, leaving the two behind, his slow walk however would make it easy for the two to catch up with him. Hueco meanwhile was still dumbfounded by the cityscape, hidden inside an apartment building. Crossing his arms and tapping his foot, Hueco gave an answer of his own, "...I have seen many pocket dimensions. Made from both Amalgamates, humans, beastkin, and even dwellers. But I've never seen one that was so hidden. I didn't evil seen the signs of a rift.

Walking on, Hueco waited for the plant amalgamate to give an answer. Pointing to a large building on top of a hill in the dsitance, resembling a capital building, he stated, Up there you'll meet the King. There, you will have what you came for. His voice was clearer, as they went further into the city, less pauses, even the stillness in his voice was gone, He is very excited to meet you. To unite, with one of this world's companies...

[Assistant]
Juniper takes a look back to make sure the Automata is still following as she walks with Hueco to catch up to their guide. Not having been given any new orders, the little robot is still trudging along carrying the suitcase, head still turned to the side. As far as it knew, with its borderline nonexistent knowledge of the way the world works, this was a completely normal occurrence.

~That plant Amalgamate definitely was not speaking that well before. Either he was putting on a show for some reason, this pocket dimension place has special properties, or there's some sort of magical broadcast in this city that makes Amalgamates more human, probably coming from either a group of casters or a machine~ she thinks, continuing to follow along in silence. She didn't feel like there was anything else worth saying, and she wanted to take in this city as much as she could anyways.

The streets, the buildings, the sounds, and even in a strange way the people, all made June feel like this place was somehow familiar... but that was impossible, of course, since this was only the second time in her life she'd been in Yim, the first being earlier today with Hueco. Still, there was something she couldn't place about this city. ~If this plant guy had any intentions of telling us anything about this place, he would have done so already. So much mystery and ambiguity surrounding this group, but I guess that makes sense, given the reputation Amalgamates have in most places. I'll just have to ask King all my questions, I suppose.~

[User]
Walking through the city, Hueco casted a glance at Juniper, a smile on his face. He went from shocked, to looking all too excited to be here. He wish he brought his photography group to get some pictures. How you holding up? Doing well? He asked, looking around some more.

A few more amalgamates laid around the city. Some of them somewhat human, some of them monstrous. But most importantly, they were all tame. Sitting around the environment, not attacking either of the adventurers. Back at the amalgamate branch, tamed amalgamates weren't uncommon. Yet to see so many in one place and in what could be considered the wild, was most unusual. Hueco wondered if it was a case of manipulation or if they really were tamed by their own choice.

But, Hueco set his sights on the building up on the hill that the plant amalgamate pointed to. All his questions, and Juniper's, would be answered there. I should take note...

[Assistant] "Doing well, yes. I just didn't expect for there to be this much lead-up. It feels like it's been half an hour since we left your portal, even though I know it's been less than that." Juniper replies, seemingly comfortable in this strange environment, without being as excited as Hueco is. "If I'm going to be honest, it's been tough keeping my nerves in check. I mean, I knew what I was getting into, but it's a bit different being here, you know?" she offers, looking to Hueco with a knowing look.

[User]
Hueco was busy looking around, staring at the various amalgamates, looking at the differences between their world and this copied town. They seemed to have mimicked their language as well, all of the signs were written in Kokothan. Wonder if there are any Gishkhan speaking amalgamates...

But, soon, Hueco came to attention, as he picked up on Juniper's discomfort. I can understand... You're use to knowing amalgamates as monsters driven by instinct. He said as the two of them ascended the hill where the King was meant to be, the large chapel looking building lying at the top of it; the door was partially open as well, allowing entrance.

It takes apart your world view doesn't it? Knowing amalgamates are capable of such a thing.

[Assistant]
"I'd probably be taking it better if we were in the real world. Or, Kodo, right? That's what casters call it? But, as different as this is, I can't say I'm really surprised. We knew this was a civilization of Amalgamates after all, it wasn't like..." June is interrupted, a clank and a thud coming from behind them.

Looking back, it seems the robot butler had fallen over. The slight incline, heavy bag and what might be curiosity seemed to have been too much for the poor little thing, who was now lying on its back and staring straight into the sky. June's suitcase had also been dropped, and was laying on the ground beside it. "Oh no! Ah, I should have thought about that..." Juniper says, walking over towards the bot. "I hadn't expected the walk to meet King would be this long, so I didn't bother giving the poor guy a full charge before we set out. Carrying the bag this far seems to have used enough energy that he couldn't adjust to the change of incline fast enough." she explains while kneeling down beside the bot.

Reaching behind the robot's head, June pushes a button and the robot goes limp. She then takes each limb and tucks them in so the robot is in a fetal position before standing back up and taking her wrench off her back. Bringing the wrench around, June touches it to the back of the robot's head, causing some mechanism to curl the automaton back into the spherical shape it was stored in while the charge meter on her wrench slowly drains to about the halfway mark. She then puts the robo-ball back into its carrying case, picks up both suitcases again, and turns to continue heading to the top of the hill.

"Well, looks like I'll get to show off to King after all. Oh, and I might want you to re-charge this battery for me at some point, I did bring extras but I don't see the point in walking around with empty ones when I'm traveling with a caster." June calls to Hueco, catching back up with him.


[System]
* Age: 228
* Gender: Female
* Race: Sentient Undead (Human)
* Appearance:
 Though at one time as shiny and luminescent as pictured, Tyaethe's armour has lost much of its lustre due to a combination of two hundred years of constant use and an inability to perfectly clean it whilst in use. The result is a blurring of the intricate detailing on the paladin's shield and armour, and the shining metal is now a dull grey verging on black—when not coated in blood. It got cleaned. The scarf obscures how the throat is heavily armoured, beyond what one would expect of such an ensemble.
Though none still in the knights can say for certain what she looks like underneath all the armour, her eyes are clearly an unusually brilliant red and her hair white. Since the armour's on the intentionally bulky side and doesn't come off, it's not quite clear what Tyaethe's height is... though probably over six feet. Currently, she seems to be trapped in appearance as a child... though her armour's size doesn't quite mesh with the old paintings.
* Personality: If there's one thing that all her instructors tried to do, it was to cure Tyaethe of her temper. Fervour and determination in a battle is all well and good but carrying that attitude over to your everyday life? Despite their efforts, it was a fruitless endeavour and the tall paladin is as irascible as ever, though with enough self-control to avoid the worst outcomes.
At heart, Tyaethe is a dutiful knight and a good person. So despite her frequent anger, she has never once backed down on her duties or struck out at a child or someone truly innocent, even if rather aggressive verbally. Her unfaltering devotion to her duty—or anything else, as she seems too stubborn to ever back down—is best exemplified by her continued presence in the Iron Rose Knights, despite the drift from being a religious order.
Something more familiar to the newer recruits than the veterans is her sullenness and risk-taking. Not a behaviour always evident but at the same time a concerning trend, as if her patience for something is running out.
One trait carried over from her normal life is a dislike of being seen out of her armour. Since Elionne's death, this has exacerbated into a full refusal to remove it for any reason short of their first captain's return. Partly, at least, this is to prevent anyone from learning of her undeath and to preserve the idea of an immortal knight.
* Brief Backstory: Tyaethe was born to a minor noble family and, as the only child, was expected to carry on the family's duty as knights. To this end, at the age of seven, her education was entrusted to an important but highly religious duke that owed her father his life. It was for this reason that instead of continuing on to be a squire, the young Tyaethe pledged her service to the church and became a paladin.
As an adult, her strength and steadfast service was admirable, even though her hot-headed attitude caused friction with some of those she had to work with. It was for this reason that she was granted the honour of protecting the High Priestess and, when reports of an incoming force surfaced, left Falthir in order to conduct the fighting when she wouldn't be at risk. Naturally, this backfired and it was only Elionne's intervention that prevented the deception from being successful due to the diversion of the guards.
Owing the maiden for fulfilling her duty where she could not, Tyaethe swore to serve her in life and in death, second only to the goddesses. Part of the Iron Rose Knights since their inception, Tyaethe's death came in a pitched battle where their foes managed to split herself, Elionne, and some less experienced knights from the majority of their comrades.
The reason for her survival has never been perfectly explained. Some of the knights assumed it was just sheer luck and the high level of mana in the region and the more religious assigned it to divine intervention. Some of her detractors have even accused Tyaethe of dabbling in necromancy. As for the paladin herself, she cites her oath and willpower, as well as a refusal to go down whilst Elionne was still in danger. The fact of her undeath has been kept a secret within the knights, to cultivate a reputation as an immortal holy warrior, though doubtless people have guessed the truth.
Tyaethe has been unsurprisingly steadily more bitter since the original captain left, wanting to know why and find out what happened. Despite this, she has faithfully explained new captains their duties and guided them through it, even as the knights have drifted further and further from the religious unit she joined.
* Equipment: Forged nearly two hundred years before, the styling of Tyaethe's armour is antiquated to say the least—though the decorations, obscured as they are, resemble the current pieces made on the behalf of the church. Few people can move efficiently in such weighty protection, let alone adjust to how it restricts movement in order to fight but even going for its vulnerabilities leads to a difficult time in scoring a fatal injury. Of particular note is the one addition made before Elionne left: a reinforced gorget, to make even accidental decapitation even less likely.
Her other armament consists of a sword that most refuse to treat as one and an immense shield. Both are as long as she is tall and the sword itself unreasonably broad and tough; it crushes as much as it actually cuts. The shield, scratched though the design is over the years, contains a wolf rampant in its design—a lesser-used Mayonite symbol.
All three pieces were blessed and enchanted to regenerate under moonlight, since even before Tyaethe's death they took vast amounts of punishment and repairing them manually was prohibitively costly.
* Skills: Raised as a member of the nobility and intended to become a far more ordinary knight, Tyaethe knows falconry, board games, how to ride, and the social graces needed for polite company. All of these skills, save the riding—and that relies on draught horses in her case—are incredibly rusty skills due to neglect. Her literacy and ability to recite scripture on a whim, due to her training as a paladin, are as strong as ever.
In combat, Tyaethe's immense strength and armour leads to an approach best likened to an oncoming tide: she's not the most agile or that hard to hit but actually stopping her or resisting the offence is futile. Her speed can also be deceptive; she chooses to adopt a slow approach for psychological reasons and is more than capable of surging forwards to strike down a threat. Though a shield might seem redundant with such armour, she happily uses it as a second weapon or to force an opening from someone hoping to budge her defence.
With over a century of experience on her side and an initial training in the arts of warfare, Tyaethe is also a valuable tactical and strategic source—provided that you ask her opinion when she's not agitated in some manner and ensure that the reason Tyaethe suggests she be put in the thick of it is due to needing an immovable obstacle.

[User]
Fanilly, taken off-guard by the spontaneous offer of a baked potato, stared at it in blank silence for a moment before shaking her head. "Er, no, no, not now."

She waved her hand. Now was certainly not the time for her to be snacking. It would look completely irresponsible, and beyond that it was hardly the time for anyone to be. But before she could protest, Tyaethe made a comment about the lack of... well, anything. Fanilly nodded. "You're right... if we're too late..."

A pang of guilt came at the prospect. If they had been too late, if the fort had been taken... ah, even if they hadn't known until the messenger's arrival... It was hard to avoid feeling guilty at the prospect of failing those who had made a cry for assistance in the end.

Fanilly was dragged from her thoughts almost immediately when they drew close enough to make out more details about the fort. The first and foremost among these details was what had been done to the reinforced wooden doors that would bar entry to anyone but those using siege weaponry or potent magic. They had been destroyed, splinters of wood scattered across the ground, one of the doors even smashed off its reinforced hinges and lying on the ground. And within...

Corpses.

The bodies of the soldiers who had occupied the fort were visible, now. Not all of them, but enough to make it clear what had happened. Bodies lay strewn across the fort's open entryway. They had died through various means, more and more discernible as the knights approached. Some had been stabbed, others riddled with arrows, some burned... and some seemingly hit with extreme force, limbs at odd angles. Whatever the case had been, the fort's soldiers had been absolutely massacred.

And inside, Fanilly could see a man wearing Thaln's colors frantically raising a crossbow. Spurring her horse on, she tried to get to his assistance...

A crimson spear pierced his chest before he could even aim.

"You had a plan and you threw it all away for that?" said a voice, as the spear's wielder came into view. It was a strange tone, somewhat... squeaky in a way that might be endearing if not for the situation. The wielder's appearance was that of an extremely pale girl with dark blue hair, her eyes noticeably crimson. The armor she wore was light, leather, overlapping to provide better protection. "What a wasted life."

Almost immediately, Fanilly drew her sword.

"Drop your weapon immediately, or the Iron Roses will kill you where you stand," she said, her tone cold and piercing. This girl had just slain a soldier of Thaln right before their eyes. If she did not immediately surrender, her execution would be immediate rather then after imprisonment.

"... Ah?" the spear-wielding girl looked up, resting her weapon on her shoulder. "... Ohhh, those Rose knights, huh? Heh, your captain's just as cute as I heard. I wonder if that's why you all follow her so closely?"

In spite of the situation, the leather-clad girl grinned.

"You don't have to be so pissed off," she continued, "These aren't the noble soldiers of Thaln you think they are, or whatever crap like that. Just go inside and you'll see what's really going on."

This was... they weren't Thaln's soldiers? But they were wearing the colors, the armor... what was going on? To Fanilly, it sounded like a trap.

The blue-haired girl sighed, cocking her head. Her pigtails bobbed. "What, are you going to attack me?"

She snickered. If they had taken this entire fort, there were surely other fighters somewhere around here...

[Assistant]
Umbra Thalbound stood there, silently, eyeing the situation. It was the usual cocky-mercenary showoff smug situation. These types were usually braggarts, and sometimes crazy strong. However, what these types were not usually was very foreplanning, and they usually had this bad habit of posturing in the middle of a fight to chat, so as the mercenary drew her attention over Fanilly, the bow of Umbra had already fired.

But not at her desired target, no. There was the chance it could be somewhat the second type, the crazy strong one, so Umbra decided to pull one of the elven tricks of old. The pinpoint arrow rain.

10 Seconds.

Her cloak visiblely shifted, as she unclasped furiously, casting it forth before the opponent, obscuring her sight on what she was about to do.

20 seconds.

It was then when she brought forth two more arrows, and without mediating a word, she aimed at the little girl's face. More precisely at the eyes.

35 seconds.

However, that wasn't the main attack. The cloak..., the second set of arrows, it was just to obscure the first shoot. And it was timed in such a way that both attacks would happen simultaneously. One directly aimed at the face, thus bound to trigger combat reflexes, and one in the blind point all humans and humanoids had.

You could never see what was incoming directly above you. This was the pinpoint elven arrow rain.

"I believe she asked to drop your weapon, dimwit." She finally said, her elven factions apparent. It didn't hurt speaking now. If she had survived such an attack, she was a legitimate monster, and as such one human worthy of being addressed. "Do you really think you can play games at this point? You were caught red handed, so spill what you know." Her eyes narrowed in resent.

[User]
Almost immediately, the blue-haired girl sprang back. The spear became a red flash, sweeping the cloak aside and snapping back. The fine tip, made as much for cutting as it was for piercing, flashed back and neatly split the arrows in a single blow.

The final arrow hit just in front of her.

"So you are, huh?" the girl commented, narrowing her eyes. "I already told you the truth, these aren't the people you think they are."

Fanilly raised her sword again. This... was a trap, wasn't it? But why was she still insisting even after being attacked? None of this seemed right, and all these dead soldiers...

"... But if you're more interested in a fight, I'm happy to oblige," continued the girl, a vicious grin coming to her face as she spoke, "Borifos!"

The doors of the large tower to the right exploded out in a shower of wood and iron fragments, and through them stepped an enormous humanoid figure of steel.

At first glance, Fanilly thought it was a steel golem, until it spoke in a deep, rumbling voice.

"If you had not moved back far enough, my lady, you would have died. Please do not risk yourself alone unnecessarily," the enormous figure in armor spoke.

"Oi oi, I dodged it, didn't I?"

[Assistant]
As quickly as anyone else amongst the knights, Tyaethe drew her blade, though when the apparent enemy made no move to attack it dipped towards the floor. It was too late to save the fort's occupants and all that left them was the task of meting out justice--though as much as her emotions told her to strike out now and as itchy as she was to push the horse forward into battle, the mere step of raising doubts about their innocence was enough to force her to stop. Her vows wouldn't allow her to immediately brush concerns off.

Not without a direct and valid order.

Umbra had no such compunctions however, and neither did the rest of the knights, so the paladin could hardly fault her for doing the normal thing. It didn't work, which meant their mysterious aggressor was at least quick to respond to visible threats. Unfortunately, it made the diplomatic step of their current mission a lot more difficult.

"Then if you aren't responsible, put down your weapons until such time as our investigation of the fortress is complete. We cannot simply let those responsible for this slaughter go without reason," the fully-armoured knight said, "And if you will comply, I offer my protection so long as it remains necessary."

Even if her gut was telling her to stab them.


[System]
Gender: Male
Age: 20

Village: Amegakure

Rank: Jonin, B

Clan: Genso

Name of the Kekkei Genkai: N/A
Type of Kekkei Genkai: N/A

Level of Mastery: N/A

Description: N/A

Note: N/A

Weakness: N/A

=========================================

Weapons/Items:

Generic Items: Several Shuriken and Kunai, Senbon, exploding tags

====================

Name of Weapon or Item: Rigged Umbrella

Description: An umbrella set up with a trap such that it is capable of raining senbon from above

Appearance: A simple, unadorned, black umbrella with a wooden handle

====================

Name of Weapon or Item: Respirator Mask

Description: A mask that allows the user to breath underwater and filters airborne toxins

Appearance: Standard Amegakure Respirator

====================

Name of Weapon or Item: Chakra Storage Cell x3

Description: Function as rechargeable batteries, able to absorb or release chakra. All three are fed a stream of chakra through the wires attached to Kurai's head

Appearance: They appear as little more than rectangular boxes with wires protruding, and are held in a backpack that rarely leaves Kurai's side

=========================================

Appearance:

Personality: Quiet, lethargic, and not terribly prone to conversation. Not very good at communication due to lack of practice, Kurai is easily flustered. He is intelligent, but would prefer not to exercise his brain in favor of just lounging about and letting others do his work for him. Masochistic, with some sadistic tendencies. His smile, a twisted grin, is usually indicative of some new method of torture he has devised.

History: Kurai was on a mission in Takigakure when the declaration of war was made. Realizing that if he returned to his country, he would be forced to battle, he decided that he'd rather sit this one out and feigned his own death and took up permanent residence in the Land of Waterfalls. He really doesn't want to be involved in a war, and would just as soon let Konoha conquer and pillage, so long as he doesn't have to get involved. All he wants his to be able to settle down and do what it is he enjoys. There...is something he enjoys right? After so long working as a shinobi, it's hard to remember. Since he began to live in the Land of Waterfalls, he has been taking on odd jobs, most commonly as a commissioned artist.
Contrary to all laws of Naruto, he actually doesn't have an eye underneath his eyepatch; it was lost on a mission as a chunin after it took the sharp end of a kunai. It was lucky that he wasn't killed, so the loss of one eye hasn't bothered him too much, although it does throw off his depth perception at times.

=========================================

Strengths: Kurai is intelligent and calculating; a planner. His chakra cells allow him to continue battling even if he would have depleted his own chakra reserves, simply by setting it aside for later use. He is extremely skilled in genjutsu, and is relatively good at detecting it due to his own proficiency. He has two change in chakra natures, fire and water, though he specializes in fire and is significantly less competent at water jutsu than most Amegakure ninja.

Weaknesses: His personality can make him difficult to form a relationship with or work alongside, though his jutsu pool is largely support and would benefit from the addition of teammates. His taijutsu is lacking: he'd likely lose to a chunin or even a skilled genin in hand to hand combat. Additionally, he is reticent to fight or become involved in conflict, and detests wasting his energy, so he is more easily ambushed or hit with attacks that have a large radius. Furthermore, nearly all of his jutsu are nullified by Water Style.

=========================================

Kurai's Jutsu:
Name of Jutsu: Fire Style: Will O' Wisp
Rank: B
Range: 50 meters
Type of Jutsu: Genjutsu, Hiden
Element Affinity (If Applicable): Fire

Description:One or more small, flickering balls of flame. Upon eye contact, the target is compelled to follow its movements. IF an outside stimulus is applied to the target, the genjutsu will be broken, but can be regained once more through eye contact.

Weakness: Easily defeated through coordinated teamwork, or doused by Water Style. Drains the user's chakra while maintained. Requires the user to stay withing range of the jutsu, which, while admittedly large, is virtually useless if the target is out of sight.

====================

Name of Jutsu: Fire Style: Illusion Ash Cloud
Rank: a
Range: 15 meters
Type of Jutsu: Genjutsu, Hiden
Element Affinity (If Applicable): Fire

Description: A cloud of grey ash which causes hallucinations and apparitions to those trapped inside. As it is a genjutsu, all pain and exhaustion that occurs while under its influence is entirely real, but physical injuries are not. Anyone trapped inside the cloud is affected similarly, be it friend or foe.

Weakness: Can be dispersed by strong Wind Style, or precipitated by a Water Style with a wide range. Although the user controls any hallucinations occurring within, he is likewise affected if he remains with the cloud. It is an immobile jutsu, and can be escaped by leaving its area of effect.

====================

Name of Jutsu: Summoning Technique: Demonic Salamander
Rank: A
Range: N/A
Type of Jutsu: Ninjutsu, supplemental
Element Affinity (If Applicable): Fire

Description: Summons a fire-breathing salamander to fight alongside the user. It is useful as a mount or mid-ranged combat partner. It is not terribly intelligent, but will respond to commands such as, "Breathe fire here."

Weakness: The salamander is fragile and will generally disappear after one blow. Additionally, its eyesight is poor and it is vulnerable to taijutsu, should a user be able to approach.

====================

Name of Jutsu: Fire Clone Technique
Rank: C
Range: 30 meters
Type of Jutsu: Ninjutsu, Bunshinjutsu
Element Affinity (If Applicable): Fire

Description: Similar to most clones, they are weak and will generally fall to one blow. Unable to use jutsu of their own. Create a short burst of flame upon defeat, which is useful against taijutsu users.

Weakness: Limited range of use, virtually useless against ranged jutsu.

====================

Name of Jutsu: Fire Style: Flame Body Armor
Rank: C
Range: 5 centimeters
Type of Jutsu: Ninjutsu, supplemental
Element Affinity (If Applicable): Fire

Description: The user is cloaked in fire. Provides no real defensive armor, but is a good deterrent of physical attackers who enjoy not being on fire.

Weakness: Ranged physical attacks and Water Style are not hindered. Water Style nullifies the jutsu. The jutsu constantly depletes chakra while in use.

====================

Name of Jutsu: Fire Style: Downpour of Scorching Embers
Rank: B
Range: 15 meters
Type of Jutsu: Ninjutsu
Element Affinity (If Applicable): Fire

Description: Creates a hail of embers from above to rain down upon the target. Can have its power increased by Wind Style, or be used as an effective combo with Senbon Rain.

Weakness: Fairly weak rate of impact, and is used more to cause burns than incapacitate by force. Can be doused with Water Style or escaped by hiding underground.

====================

Name of Jutsu: Water Style: Archerfish
Rank: D
Range: 15 meters
Type of Jutsu: Ninjutsu
Element Affinity (If Applicable): Water

Description: A weak jutsu mostly used to put out fires. Could probably annoy someone or push them back a little, at most. The user emits a jet of water from their mouth.

Weakness: Lightning Style would be conducted through to the user. Has very little combat usage anyway.

[User]
"Ah, Io!" Tama said, spotting a person jump away after setting something on the ground. Shortly after the shadow left, a glob of dirt began to morph into a wolf. Looking around, she noticed several other figures doing the same thing. "There are a bunch of people putting things on the ground! It looks like they're making wolves." Looking around as Kurogane and Kiri fended a few wolves off, Io replied, "Ah, thanks. There are a few over here, too." They seemed to be similar to Kurogane in that they could reform after taking damage. However, it seemed to be limited in the amount of times they could recover, and they didn't seem to have a core.

Though he'd have to work around the limits, this could definitely be used to design some new puppets. "Hah," Io chuckled to himself, a fire beginning to flare up in his eyes. This was incredibly intriguing. Sensing that glow, Guru quickly cooled him down. "Now is not the time for that." Io knew Guru was right about these things, but still... "Anyways," Guru carried on, making sure Io didn't fall back into what he was thinking about before. "There seems to be someone fighting ahead with a few of the wolves. I'll be assisting him, if you wish to come and ask about the situation."

It's a bit annoying having to walk over, Io thought to himself, Guru's attempt to keep Io away from the thoughts of designing puppets quickly becoming pointless. If he were to just graft someone's voice box into one of his puppets, then they could just-- "Just move your ass, dammit!" Kiri sharply cut off Io's thoughts by taking control of the body, and sprinted off towards Guru. Io had stupid ideas every so often, and they really, really infuriated her.
________________________________________

Guru reached the boy after the three wolves he had defeated began to reform. While he seemed perfectly capable of handling it himself, Guru figured that helping wouldn't be a problem. Planting his feet, he launched a shell of water, blasting through two of them. Kiri, absolutely pissed by how inferior the wolves were to her puppet body, started curb-stomping it. She roared, enunciating each word with a well-placed stomp. "FUCK OFF, YOU DAMN, CHEAP COPIES!" After taking a deep breaths, Kiri gave back Io's body as Kurogane, Tama and Kiri, now possessing her normal body, arrived. "Hello," Io said to ninja, completely unaware of the disturbing dissonance caused by the sudden change in personality. "Do you know what's going on right now?"

[Assistant]
-Battle of Takigakure (Unnamed Ninja fighting Keiji's PoV)-

The ninja glanced at Kaiji seemingly indifferent to the ninja's banter. "What are you, twelve? This world revolves around one thing. Power, and it just so happens that that is on my side." He chuckled as with the flick of a wrist launched three shurikens towards the man. "Know me Hero. I am Gora Juu, Deathflinger!" He began to sprint away, Just a short distance away was a large tree and three buildings, ample cover. And perhaps a great place to set a trap.

The ninja was a patient one, and being caught this off guard put him on edge, he was a man who valued distance over everything. He would watch them suffer and bleed. Track them down and take what will they had left to survive. Maybe for that fact he was a coward, on the run when someone would fight him yet staying hidden amongst shadows and cover when unleashing his attacks.

-Battle of Takigakure (Unnamed Ninja fighting Kurai's PoV)-

"Ooh a tough guy, an artist tough guy." He laughed joking as he took martial poise, stepping a short distance away from Kurai. There was now maybe twenty feet between them. His stance was telegraphing his confidence fighting in close combat, or was that too in jest? "I mean if you need a canvas this whole village can be it, just paint with the blood of everyone who dies, and even better, let me paint with yours! It'll be an everlasting masterpiece right?" Perhaps this man was a bit too talkative, but his confidence was shining through as he closed his fist and a screeching sound and faint white glow grew brighter and brighter around his fists.

Then in an instant he shot a jab forward, the white orb of energy shooting at Kurai at speeds hard to follow. And should the blow hit, it would likely do large amounts of damage, scraping and tearing at the ninja's flesh. "I'm an artist too you see?" He chuckled as he closed his fists and the glow began again. "Hideyama Makonoro, Wind Dancer at your service."


[System]
Solomon Kane

---
Occupation:
Monster Hunter

Age:
42

Skills/Attributes:
Magic resistance. Sleight of hand. Crack shot. Excellent swordsman. Ordained by the Church.

Biography:
Solomon began life as all humans do, pink, tiny, clawless, toothless, and essentially defenceless. His father, a nobody from the local town guard, and his mother, an innkeeper's wench, treated young Solomon to a life as best they could but it was nonetheless a life of dirt floors, thatched rooves, threadbare pants and all together to much bread and slabs of ham for every meal.

He fled home at thirteen, determined that there must be more to life than the promise of marrying a peasant girl and living in a dirt floored house for the rest of his days. His journey took him to the Capital, a far distant cry from the supernatural kingdom of horrors where our main story will play out.

Here, in his own Kingdom, there were no such creatures for they had been brought to extinction by Vampire Hunters, Witch Stalkers, and Monster Slayers. The Church itself still took in orphaned boys to train them as a Monster Hunter, ordaining them as Warrior Priests so that they might always have the power of God on their side in the hunt. It was to one of these Chapel training grounds that Solomon gravitated.

He entered the clergy at thirteen and would not leave the close supervision and training of the priests until he was nearly eighteen. He embarked into the world, travelling to distant kingdoms to hunt their fantastic beasts and monsters.

In time he made a name for himself, both as an excellent hunter of all things fantastic, but also as a monster himself. While he might come upon a village suffering the wrath of a witch and hire his services to the villagers, he was not cheap and if they could not pay he would take his payment in the enjoyment of their daughters.

Twentyish years later he is a Monster Hunter without equal and continues to look toward a future bright with gold and a mansion of his own. The news of a Vampire Kingdom with no clear succession draws him toward it like a moth to a flame for there is certainly a fortune to be made amid the chaos.

[User]
Edward smelled garlic. But, he did not care. He kept going after them, despite a slightly ill stomach. He made his horse break into a run and he continued onward as deep into the Moors as he could go. The prince stopped when he saw the hovel. He got off his horse.

"He shall regret what he has done."
However, Edward knew of a possible way to free her without being killed himself and without doing harm to them. He did not wish to attack unless he absolutely had to do so.

He soon saw the Raven again. He knew she was nearby, his friend and ally. The woman soon showed up in front of him.
"Is she in there?"
She pointed to the little hideout.

Edward nodded. He frowned.
"Yes."

The woman nodded solemnly.
"Let's make this quick."
She changed forms. She turned into a shadow ghoul and slipped inside. Edward would approach from the front to go after the kidnapper. While Edward did that, the woman, in her current form, snuck behind Emily to carefully work at her binds. She would free her in no time at all. There wasn't a single knot that she could not untie. She worked with plenty of rope and such herself in the past.

She noted the cloak, but she would take care of that quickly enough. She slipped Emily into the shadows surrounding her as Edward knocked down the door. He snarled. Edward would try to buy them some time.

Emily had been in tears. However, she saw things that have her hope, felt her binds loosening, and knew things were going to change after what just happened. She gasped but it was too muffled by the gag to be very much of a sound at all. This would be a good thing though. She felt everything going black but not because she was falling unconscious.

She heard Edward as the shadows covered her eyes. She was being rescued, she thought. She was nervous about whoever or whatever was trying to get her out of there instead of Edward himself. But, if Edward knew them, then it would be just fine, she thought briefly.

[Assistant]
The deep night had fallen, not a sound disturbed the moor save for the beat of a ravens wings. To Solomon it was both a curse and a blessing. Nighttime was vampire time and it was only his faith in the wards that he had laid that allowed him to doze even fitfully. Even this was disturbed when, near the early hours of the morning, he heard the sound of hooves, and the soft knicker of his horse. Someone was coming.

He glanced quickly around the hovel. He rose swiftly and pushed together a small heap of sticks and other wooden debris that has been left by the previous inhabitants. He sprinkled fire dust on the pile and sparked it to life. A bright white flash and then a small fire was burning on the floor. It was not much, but it was enough to illuminate the space. He returned to his place by the wall and leaned back again, sword in one hand, another resting on a small collection of globes carrying holy water. He waited.

The ghoul, or whatever it was, slipped soundlessly into the hovel through its only entrance, it was a hovel after all. Solomon, still leaning against the wall, watched the creature through hooded eyes from beneath the brim of his hat and had to resist the urge to snort in derision as it tiptoed toward the prostrate form of Emily. The wardings he had placed around him so carefully the night before easily illuminated the ghoul in a soft golden glow, though it did not prevent the undead creature from throwing a deep shadow over whatever it passed across.

His hand was already resting on the hilt of his sword, the silver inlay ideal for killing a vampire, but this was a ghoul. A common creature he had faced countless times. Not that it mattered really, every creature, no matter how evil, could not survive its head being hacked off. Except trolls. Those were trickier, thankfully they were as dumb as fence posts.

Solomon waited as the ghoul crept further into the hut, almost comically slow as it went. He had been preparing to attack the thing when it occurred to him that there was only one reason why it was so interested in Emily and not him. Edward was nearby. He could wait.

The ghoul gathered up Emily in its arms and began to move quickly toward the door now, making small noises, and for an instant Solomon was concerned that he had waited to long and sprang to his feet. At that instant Edward himself burst through the door with a snarl, shattering what little wood remained like an enraged bull, crashing head first into the ghoul. The creature reeled back, dropping Emily as it did so.

Solomon wasted not a moment and swept his longsword out, hacking the ghouls head from its shoulders. The body crumpled to the floor even as he whipped out a small globe of holy water and hurled it onto the corpse. The creature, whatever it was, began to smoke and shrivel at once, burning with the righteous fury of God. The small fire that Solomon had lit was beginning to burn low.

Vampire Prince and Vampire Hunter faced each other across the small dirt floor, Emily between them, her muffled cries coming from within the cloak. Edwards claws were still red from his battle with the Vampire Hunters, his clothes sodden with the nighttime dew, and anger raced across his features. With a start, Solomon realized that the undead fool might actually love the girl at his feet. Someone had clearly never explained to him that she was going to die long before he was. No matter. They would both die now.

"Prince Edward! Welcome! So nice of you to join us!" Solomon crowed as he drew a wooden stake from his belt, silver glinting on the tip. He took a step forward and drove his sword toward the Vampire.

[User]
Edward gasped. He hissed and snarled. He approached carefully.
'hopefully I can remember the things grandfather taught me'he thought. He looked at him with bright red eyes. He had a sword of his own. He was ready for a fight. He had more personal reasons for going after the hunter now. He dodged but his shoulder hit the wall. He hissed a bit but was managing to stand up. He was ready to charge at him in return.

[Assistant]
Edward gasped as the blade flashed in the light and cut the Ghoul down where it stood, Emily tumbling away into a corner. He hissed and snarled, that was his friend that had just been slaughtered like a goat. His eyes flashed red in the dim light of the hut and he took stock of his opponent. It was a tall human, broad in the shoulders and utterly without fear in the face of an Undead Princling.

He began his approach carefully, eyeing the human carefully. Suddenly the man lunged and Edward dodged but there was not enough space for any movement as he slammed into the wall causing the whole structure to shake violently. Small pieces of dust and debris cascaded down from the roof above. A sharp searing pain in his right arm and saw the Hunters sword flash, blood on the edge and his skin smelt of burning. A silver blade!

Edward lashed out with his own blade and the human parried it with the stake he carried, the Vampires blade severing the silver tip, the small glittering piece cartwheeling through the air to fall to the floor. The human hammered a foot forward again, driving his blade for Edwards heart, the silver sword glittering in the small light of the dying fire. Edward desperately tried to turn the blade but both combatants were hampered by the size of the small hovel and Emily at their feet. The silver blade drove deep into his shoulder and he felt a pain like nothing he had experienced before. His fingers that held the sword went slack and the blade dropped from his hand to the floor. Nerves had been severed. He gave a hearty roar and struck out with his free hand.

The blow struck Solomon full in the chest and the power of the strike sent him across the small space and into the wall, which burst under the weight of his body. He bounced once and came to a stop in the dark, wet grass. He gasped for air, desperately trying to draw a breath and he struggled to one knee. His chest was tight. Something was broken. He staggered back to his feet, his vision wavering as he took an unsteady step toward the hovel. Through the hole in the wall be saw the Vampire seize the girl with its one good hand and sling her over its shoulder. It stepped into the night, sword forgotten on the ground behind it, one arm hanging useless at its side.

The Vampire made for its horse but even in his shocked state, Solomon had a final trick up his sleeve. He rushed into the hovel and took up his crossbow from where it lay against the only undamaged wall. In two strides he was outside, leveled the weapon, and shot the Vampires horse as Edward tried to toss Emily across the saddle. The unfortunate creature gave a piteous scream and collapsed into the grass.

Edward snarled at Solomon who had frantically began to reload the crossbow. Edward paid him no further attention however and quickly picked Emily up again before turning and vanishing into the dark. Solomon waited a short time and then sagged to the ground, the pain in his chest was spreading. He was dying.

Painfully he dragged himself back into the Holy Circle he had spun and there, covered in dust, dew, and shattered masonry, he clutched at the crucifix about his neck. He began to pray. He prayed for life.


[System]
Age/Race/Gender: 24/Human/Male

Appearance: 5'9" tall, 120 kgs, semi muscular build with long dyed hair coloured black with neon orange streaks.

Occupation: Arsonist

Weapons:
The VC1 Flamethrower is highly valued by planetary militia when fighting local wildlife. It is also highly sought after by pirates and mercenaries who are going to fight on ships or in close wuarters. It is designed to destroy shields and to cook people inside their armour. However, if the armour and person inside still hold, Hadrian uses his holdout weapon.

The M4 Revolver is one of the most highly powerful handguns made commercially. Accurate up to 50 metres and and able to punch throigh most armour, this weapon is beloved by outlaws and lawmen alike. Take care of it, it takes care of you.

Armor:
The HG19 ballistic armour is especially built for harsh environments and to protect the user. It can stop a hail of bullets, stop the person inside from burning alive from extreme heat and allow them to walk in freezing cold temperatures without getting frostbite. It is armoured and does not come with shields.

Items: Spare parts for his weapons, such as gas tanks.

His helmet has an inbuilt system that allows him to see his surroundings in any given light.

Has one hard copy of the Anarchists cook book, complete with his own personal edits, diagrams and notes.

Skills: He is able to burn anything with even the most basic of tools.
He is also a damn fine cook and is able to cook fine food for most humanoid races.
Knows sign language.

Powers: N/A

Other: He rarely takes off all of his armour at any given point. He only removes it when in his own quarters, otherwise he usually wears the chest pieces of his armour.

[User]
Sasha crossed his arms over his chest, trying to hide the boredom that was setting in. He was beginning to miss that cozy little cell on his transport ship, and his book that was in his bag. It just seemed like they were wasting time here. The sooner he got this over with, the sooner he could go back to the work that actually mattered.

They were barely five seconds in when the skeleton/mushroom looking thing picked a fight with their so called leader. Sasha remained silent throughout the exchanges. So far, he wasn't overall impressed with this little rag tag group. He was gonna be pissed if one of these fuckers got him killed.

The man beside him, who appeared to be wearing a long coat and a veil of some sort, spoke up as their cook. Sasha raised an eyebrow, briefly wondering how sanitary this guy could be with all shit covering every inch of his skin. He had to smell bad under there.

Finally, he decided that it was probably time to introduce himself as well. He, too, had been given a specific job on this team.

"My name is Sasha," He said, his deep, accented voice clear and calm. "I will be the team medic. I am a registered RN, and I specialize in battlefield first aid. If you have any medical conditions I should know about, then you should probably tell me before we go out into the field."

[Assistant]
Location: Low-Velocity Asteroid Kzarkon 3Z, Okarcorp Prison/Mineral Mines
Date: Did not keep track.

They always asked why Vavnr kept track of every time the bell rang. The bell rang four times a day, and so far, it had rung 1514 times. He had an extensive system of tally marks on the walls of his cell to make sure he wasn't being kept a day over his time. There were so many people, so many corporations that wanted his head, that he wouldn't be surprised if he became one of the permanents. Just one of those individuals that was never told when they had the right to leave... And was beaten whenever they asked at the wrong time. Vavnr walked up a flight of stairs, to a balcony overlooking the cafeteria. Along this balcony was his cell, where he went to mark the day's second ringing.

It was at that time he met the Warden, standing in front of his cell. The crusty old bat had some pretty interesting security measures. Though he lost his eye and some digits in the process, he managed to beat the hell out of the biggest of his fellow Prison Board Members, who, in turn, he had beat the hell out of his biggest guards, who beat the hell out of the other guards, who beat the hell out of nearly every prisoner over the course of the week. Warden Reott was the Alpha of the entire prison. If the guards couldn't stop you, 762 inmates would. This made it particularly threatening when he showed up, alone, in front of his cell, and asked, "What the hell did you do, you little shit!?" in a tone that was anything but jovial.

"I just finished up my quota for the day-quarter, and I'm working on a hobby I recently picked up. Good afternoon to you too, Warden!"

"I have received word from higher-up..." This was really good. Reott never mentioned anyone being above him, he always wanted to feel like a god among men, bosses interfered with that, "Okarcorp is selling their share of your sentence to the Humans in exchange for trade subsidies and tariff cuts... Cidacorp and Rippacorp have also cashed in."

"Oh? Whatever for?"

"That is what I am asking you, slimeball!" His growl wavered with annoyance Vavnr hadn't ever heard before, "Do not play coy with me!"

"Okay, fine, I'll lay my cards on the table... So to speak, anyway. I don't know what's going on, and the moment I walk out the front gates and try to contact them, you're going to find some minor misdemeanor or something and imprison me again for 1st degree suspicion!"

"The humans seemed aware of this. That is why they offered to sweeten the deal for Okarcorp with an additional 100,000 Units up front. In exchange..." The warden bit his tongue in disgust, "When their representative arrives, you will be considered a Class 4 Okarcorp diplomat for 28 homeworld hours."

"Wow? A diplomat?" Vavnr smiled, however incredulous, "I've always wanted to be a diplomat! What class of diplomacy was it again?"

"Class 4." The Warden glared down at him with his good eye and his lack of eye, "Your clock is ticking."

"The representative's here?"

"They sent me to escort you personally."

"I don't need an escort, the law's on my side now." Vavnr said cheerfully. He then smacked his claws into the side of the Warden's face and threw his muzzle hard into the balcony railing.

"VAVNR SAMN, YOU LITTLE SHIT!" shouted the warden, standing up to his full height and swinging blindly around to hit him, "I WILL KILL YOU! YOU ARE DEAD! DEAD LITTLE SHIT!"

"That's not very diplomatic of you! A Class 4 Diplomat could have you imprisoned for saying things like that during an international event!"

The Warden roared, leaping up into the air, ready to dropkick hooked claws into his chest, but Vavnr ducked underneath him and spun around, slamming his tail into the Warden's back. His claws were in the Warden's face again, and he pulled the old man to his feet, though he took a few blows to the midsection, leaving small claw tears in his uniform and minor scratches in his hide. The old Warden was scrappy, but definitely not the boxer he used to be.

"You're a gentleman and a scholar, Warden Reott." Vavnr said, "I know we've had our ups and downs together, but I really want you to know, in no uncertain terms, how much of an honor it's been extracting minerals for you."

Claws were breaking skin over the Warden's jaws as he tried to speak, "Frck... Yoo..."

"It wasn't!" Vavnr said, headbutting the Warden and then tossing him over the railing.

He then took the opportunity to yell "I'M THE ALPHA NOW!" down into the cafeteria as the warden picked himself up and started running, as fast as he could, toward the stairs.

Location: Chronos Station

Vavnr was in the process of sitting down and setting up a game of solitaire on his lap when the Captain left. Thank goodness he finally stopped talking. Now he could finally converse with cohorts. He looked up from his game so he could subtly cheat.. against himself... And also look at his new co-workers. It was an astounding array of misfits, though it was mostly a colorful assortment of boob-ape lookalikes, it did vary. There were animals, vegetables, and minerals, so it all came full circle. He must have been the token reptile.

It wasn't long before someone was accusing him of murdering again. Well, in this case, he was being accused of hypothetical murder, but it was still good to see that nothing had changed since his time out of prison. He'd like to think he'd be nicer to this fine fungal fellow than this bounty hunter gave him credit for. Prison changes people, after all. Well, it changes people enough to know that sticking one's claws in a forming rift only digs it up further, so maybe it would be best to talk to someone else... The chef! Yes, the chef! That's the one person on a ship that no one argues with!

"Ladies and gentleman, I am sorry to bother you, but I am the ships chef. So, if there is any dietary requirements you have, anything you are allergic to or anything that you would like me to cook for you, please let me know. Thank you for your time."

"My bowels aren't long enough to digest a salad properly, I'm afraid. It'd be best if I had my vitamins wrapped in animal protein? I'm not sure if your have any vats, but I'm pretty sure as long as you have a variety of animals on hand, I should be fine."

Most of the Kzargettian information on him is limitted at best. The government always keeps the juicy stuff to itself and limits the general populace to just "This criminal is BAAAD!" propaganda. Amid heaps of advetrisement, one might find a Vavnr Samn, who was an alleged "Corporate Bandit", whatever that meant, who murdered and burgled regularly "In his free time", on a scale not explained.

Non-Kzargett planets have him down as a pirate. And a ruthless one. Of course escape pods were filled with live men to tell his tales, but the fatalities were heavy, and about 23 Megafreighters were reportedly looted and burned by none other than Vavnr and his bloodthirsty fleet. During certain months near the beginning and end of his career, when certain freighters stopped surrendering, the survival rate of voyages near his port of call dropped to 10%. He had a hook and everything, the scallywag!

[User]
"My bowels aren't long enough to digest a salad properly, I'm afraid. It'd be best if I had my vitamins wrapped in animal protein? I'm not sure if your have any vats, but I'm pretty sure as long as you have a variety of animals on hand, I should be fine."

Hadrian looked at the one who had spoken up to him about having dietary requirements. He was actually pleasantly surprised, both at the fact that someone would take him seriously and believed him, and at the fact that the one who approached was a Kzargett. While not the first he has met, it was one of the most heavily argumented he had seen.

"Ah, I see you are one of the lizard folk from Kzargett. Sorry, if the term lizard folk offends you, it was a while ago I last met one like you. But, I did happen to find a few recipes that your kind may enjoy, of course it all comes down to supplies and what tools are available. But I am sure I can manage to whip something up that you shall find enjoyable at the least."

He looked down and saw the cards in Vavnr's hands. There seemed to be many cards than were normal for a deck, and with many more suits. They seemed fascinating, and as if they were designed to help the owner cheat easier.

"Interesting deck of cards you have there, once everything is settled I would very much enjoy having a look at how you use them. Ah, but I forgot one important thing. Introductions."

He gave an elegant bow where he extended his left foot, held out his right arm off to the side and put his left to his chest with his head bowed low.

"I am Hadrain Saul, I am also know as Chef Cook-Cook, or just Chef or Cook-Cook respectively. Whom do I have the pleasure of cooking for in the future?"

With that he stood back up and waited patiently for a response.

[Assistant]
"I don't mind being called Lizard-folk, there's no reason to. I take it you don't mind being called Mammals?" Vavnr half-smiled, fanning out his draw pile in a single flick of the wrist and scooping the cards up in front of him with subtle movements, before putting the cards in the pocket of his coat, "We're just called Kzargetts, though. Our planets have a lot of other names."

He moved onto his feet and rose up, extending his hand and taking off his hat, "I'm Vavnr Samn, and I also have a lot of other names. None of 'em are pleasant names, though. Speaking of, if you'd like, I can produce just about any card you can name. I've learned a few things in my free time."