However the Captain felt about the fit Negaverse senshi (Valjean) leaning against her station, she showed nothing but nerves. Some of that began to abate — the tension in her muscles no longer stood out as severely, and her speech improved. Perhaps it had something to do with fewer people crowding her, or her unease was most obvious in the presence of superiors? Whatever the case, she seemed to relax around the Negaverse senshi and Jadarite.
"The senshi and Lieutenant, I don't think he knows them. He posted a research opportunity a little while ago, something he was funding out of pocket. I didn't look into the details. I've never seen him with them before, so I assume they have something to do with that opportunity."
She took a breath and stared past Valjean at her superior, who shot her a questioning look. "Rockatanskite, I don't know him that well. He was randomly assigned to me, half… A year ago? Um, he always turns in his quota on time, and he's mum on most of his projects. He only involves me when he needs me to command a youma. And, he's also a nurse? Sorry, I wish I could be more helpful…"
Then her expression shifted, and she looked thoughtful as she chewed her lower lip. "I could… Tell him you came to volunteer for his project?"
xx
Faustite heard Tama's comment, but said nothing of it. When he reached the door, he struck his hand against it, and some of the paint had sizzled off before he moved to open it. Finding it locked, he considered ending the Captain when he heard her say something about a key. Gave it to Albite, too. Faustite rolled his eyes.
When Albite arrived, Faustite took up the key from his ex-subordinate. "Don't know how long I'll be," he warned them. "Don't let anyone interrupt.
"And Jadarite, she's the most responsible one here. Trust she'll keep an eye on the team, keep them in check." If wrangling so many bodies with so few brain cells was possible, he trusted Jada to do it; she was, he suspected, more responsible than himself, and more capable and cunning at navigating the interpersonal waters. Had she not joined the team, such a normally innocuous mission would've ended in a bloodbath. Not that he'd fault them for it, either.
As he unlatched the door, he shouldered it open with a soft wince, then stepped inside and latched it quietly.
xx
When Heliodor and Alkmene looked through the door's plexiglass window, they saw a long, stone hallway with a smooth floor. Multiple hallways branched off from this one, though one could not see where they went from the door. The hall was both blank and devoid of people, utterly nondescript but for the large black machine standing against the left wall. Its doors were either glass or plastic, and inside were dozens of individually sealed packages, each a different size from the last.
Occasional thumps and shuffling sounds filtered back to them. The smells of blood and antiseptic mixed in the air.
xx
What greeted Tama and Cryolite was a lengthy, cramped space full of pipes, of generator sounds, and warm air. While well-lit, the myriad pipes and their crisscrossing patterns left only claustrophobic pathways between them. Unfinished walls, exposed stone, and poured concrete composed the rest of the space. Crystals had begun growing on the older terra cotta pipes.
There was but one window, of the narrow plexiglass sort. High up on the right wall, just above some of the pipes, it peered into the office next door. And while the window was only a few inches tall and a half-foot across, it offered a view into Rockatanskite's office.
Had they no responsibilities, the area would've been a perfect place to turn one of Tama's lies into a truth. Perhaps that was how some of the staff whittled away slow overnight shifts.
Should they get up to something untoward, however, such a cramped, noisy area seemed the perfect place to do it.
xx
Two Lieutenants and two Basics approached the desk, single-file, with a much older Lieutenant in the lead. Sporting a handlebar mustache and a bald head, the stout, portly officer contrasted sharply with the twin, teenaged Senshi at the back and the beanpole of a twenty-something Lieutenant just behind him. Unlike his entourage, however, he carried a personality that filled the space as a couple medical personnel slipped past him. One, a Super, gave him a wave that he returned.
The other Lieutenant stopped behind him. He looked disconcerted at the gathering of officers near the reception area, but said nothing when he realized Jadarite's rank and proximity.
The two Negaverse senshi, identical but for their outfits, lagged at a distance and muttered to one another. They, too, looked around the room, pointing at Albite before their attention went to Valjean. One giggled, and the other pushed her.
shiningamisgirl
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Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2022 3:16 pm
Albite got himself nice n comfortable, a soft nod of assurance to his Boss-that-Was, before he settled into 'wall mode'. The door might as well have been made of silk n memory foam; for how he leaned up against it. Shoulders n a**, fingers hooked into the trio of sashes round his waist. Not a singular care in the world.
The twins got a flicker of a look from him, n then his eyes were all for Jada. Whip-smart, tack-sharp, he trusted her to handle whatever words n faces came their way. Trusted their Team. To play up whatever game they were gonna run with once the real questions started.
"I'll play nice, promise." low tones, n he threw in a wink for good measure. He could absolutely beehave when he needed to! Had all sorts of incentive to do so, even. "Wha's there to worry bout anyhow J'bird? We're just a bunch of decent folk. Waiting for an injured friend? Loitering?" all scoff n playful shrug, the lightest jangle-scrape of his tined hair crost the floor while he made soft conversation with her.
The rest was all periphery. s**t he wouldn't stare directly at, lest he drew looks. Thing's were fine - it'd be fine...
Cryolite let Tama slip by first, felt the soft svelt brush of white fur go by his mostly bare legs, before swiftly shutting the door closed behind them. He'd watched the swarm of others file in and wanted nothing to do with it! Everything beyond shuttered, Syrus eyed what he'd gotten them into. He might naught've minded the cramped quarters, any other place or time. Something to revisit later...
"If we get caught in here, think we can claim 'Mauvian Business' -- " he was willing to freeze a pipe or crack open something delicate and say they were maintenance workers; those completing some grunt duty task.
Then he noticed the spot of window, the light coming through. He shot Tama the most falsely innocent smile he had on hand, then carefully snaked his way between pipework and the thin paths between; over jutting crystaline outcroppings that threatened to catch at the little he had on.
"--ooorrr just that we're being nosy? Would you like a boost. After all, if we're going to Protect our Dear General, we might as well have eyes on him?" teasing lilt in mock of Tama's earlier oath, all coy play while he offered to hoist the cat up onto the sil.
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Zuzu's a voilence!
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Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2022 1:29 pm
Tama shifted to cat form and brushed past his companion. There would be small crevasses and spaces he could get into that way. Tiny places where ‘Mauvian business’ could be covertly conducted.
Both of his forms had their advantages. Although he regretted he couldn’t get into any suggestive situations given the privacy and the closed doors…
“An opportunity to protect our general?” He replied with feigned care as he let himself be picked up by Cryolite.
This cat would miss no chance to be nosy and poke his nose where it didn’t belong.
Helio glanced at Alkemene as the other corrupt joined him. "Oh I am sure it's perfectly sensible things in there, but best to cover all of our bases. Make sure that everything is as expected."
He pushed open the door for them, stepping into yet another hallway with many doors leading to what he could only assume were surgery rooms. The hallway was as sterile in feel and look as someone would expect out of a hospital, but Helio instantly felt uncomfortable for the lack of any decor and the biting smell of cleanliness that came with most hospitals along with the coppery tinge of something else.
The almost seemingly out of place machine was the first thing to grab his attention. He peeked inside through the glass door. "Huh. Wonder what they are." He glanced back down the hallway but saw nothing else similar. He opened the door and pulled out one larger package and tossed it to Alkemene while grabbing another smaller one for himself.
"Presents?" He joked.
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Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2022 5:10 pm
Faustite had the key and was inside the door. Albite had calmed somewhat now that the more murderous of the party were out of his line of vision. Both of those facts were helpful to Jadarite's mission.
She glanced at the older Lieutenant and his entourage as they approached, but only for a moment. After that, her attention was back on the Captain manning the desk. She directed her comments to that girl, as well.
If she was about to pull rank, she needed to show, first, that she only respected rank. She was silent for a moment as she considered the Captain's suggestion, as well as Albite's rapidfire brainstorm int the background, but eventually she said, "Yes."
She leaned her head back, almost casual, against the wall next to the door, although her gaze was sharp as ever as she kept her eyes locked with the Captain.
"I'm here to sign up for a research opportunity. I'm eligible for a personal youma now. It only makes sense that I know as much as I can about their kind before I take one on as my own responsibility. My friend here is simply curious about everything."
In an ideal world, she would have been able to tell Albite more directly that she was trying to buy time. As it was, she simple shot him a pointed glance in that moment.
Shiningamisgirl
Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2022 6:45 pm
Mizuki pouted. She never got to have any fun at these things... She blew air out of her mouth in a huff, bangs flipping. Fine she could behave, and only mildly traumatize someone. Just because he'd forgotten didn't make him any less deserving of her wrath for not treating her father well. She bounded after the other corrupts, skipping after Heliodor and Alkmeme. Mizuki kept an eye on the new arrivals, curious and looking as innocent as possible. The twins were curious, all secretive and whispery.
It would be a shame if they lost one another....
No no, Mizuki, he said no murdering. The corrupt huffed again and went to skipping around the room until she was positioned more behind the twins. The others might be good for standing around and looking bored, but Mizuki could not sit still to save her life. Why sit still when there was so many other things she could do? If she could see new things, or overhear juicy tidbits of information, or catch a little senshi off guard and eat their soul by moving around, why would she ever just lean against the wall like Albite.
Plus maybe this was a good distraction for others, you know?
Medical facilities always made Alkmene a little uncomfortable. He'd spent too much time in them, fighting with too many doctors, to ever really like them; this one was no exception, and it didn't get more pleasant stepping into the operating area. That awful medical scent of blood and antiseptic put him right back at his last hospital stay, and not for the first time, part of him wished he'd had his memories of Malachi excised instead. Not that he got the impression that Alkmene had known much before, but sometimes, it felt like it would be better--thoguh that would have meant losing his sisters.
What the rate on that trade was, he wasn't sure.
He was slow about stepping in, and when Rockatanskite and the others arrived, he paused, and turned half his attention back. His gaze was sharp, evaluating--Rockatanskite was older. Probably thought himself above all fo them for it. Reminded Alkmene of plenty of other doctors and nurses he'd dealt with who thought that way.
Heliodor's voice caught his attention in time to catch the tossed box, and he turned it over in his hand, seeking a way to open it.
"Presents. Lucky us." He turned to Mizuki. "Want one? If there's something fun and interesting inside, I think we ought to keep it."
Kolina
a-disgruntled-dragon
Valjean nodded along with the Captain's explanation, and at her suggestion, he grinned.
"That," he said softly, "would be very helpful, ma'am." Jadarite was clearly leaning into it, and Valjean gave a lazy little wave.
"I accompanied because I've been in the Negaverse for a very short time, and anything I knew before is..." He waved a hand, dismissively. "Gone. Getitng some practical understanding of youma seemed prudent." He noticed the twins. Noticed their pushing and giggling. Flashed his best, most charming smile their way, an act of tension diffusing that he hoped would, at least for them, balance out him standing up and drawing to his full height.
For Rockatanskite, well. Valjean hoped that six feet three inches of muscular Corrupt, augmented by an inch or two of boot heel, was intimidating enough to make him behave. For the moment, at least.
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Shiningamisgirl
Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2022 10:30 am
While Cryolite and Tama spied through their little window, they caught part of an exchange between Faustite and a youma that was beyond their sight line. It would be easier for Tama to overhear them.
Some of the pipes groaned deep with an increase in pressure; the one with a bouquet of crystals growing off the side looked particularly bloated with strain.
xx
In both of the larger sealed packages that Heliodor grabbed were scalpels. Green, disposable scalpels, sterilized and sealed for use in the operating room. Potently sharp little things, with only a thin, hard plastic shield guarding the blade from use. One for him, one for Alkmene, perhaps one for Mizuki too.
The other packages were myriad — some contained gloves, and others contained hooked needles. Some held suture thread, others had skin glue. Iodine swabs, gauze rolls, gauze pads, fluid bags, and other surgical accoutrements sat in easy reach of the three. For the moment, they had their pick.
But it was only for a moment. Finally, one of the doors in a semi-secluded side path had opened, and out came an officer dressed up and down in surgical garb, gloves, mask, and hat over his own uniform. The woman, a Lieutenant, barely rounded the corner before she spotted the trio.
"What are you doing? You need to leave — you're not allowed back here! Didn't you see the sign?" She pointed toward the exit, in case the three were so turned around or illiterate that they couldn't tell from whence they came.
xx
"Well," and the Captain drew a breath, clapped her hands together, "I think you're both in luck. Like I said, I don't know a whole lot about the project, just that my Lieutenant — who runs it — was looking for some volunteers. Oh, and — here he comes now! Hey, Rockatanskite, I've got a couple more volunteers who are interested in your project."
"How 'bout that." He sized up the new Captain and her — underling, he guessed — they were both likely good specimens in their own right. Hard to find a bad pick for his current project. "Nice t'meetcha both, I'm Rockatanskite. And If you'll give me just a minute —"
He turned to the trio following him. "You three, go wait for me in my office. Second door on the left, right there… by that big guy." He squinted at Albite. He'd seen that face somewhere else, before.
One of the Negaverse senshi waved to Valjean as they passed, and she nervously blew him a kiss. Her and her twin spoke in hushed tones, once again erupting in giggles. To the other Lieutenant's chagrin, it seemed, for the tall boy heaved an exasperated sigh once he heard them. The three approached Albite, though they were just as confused as Rockatanskite when they saw the Eternal loitering outside the office.
"Now, only got one youma in there right now, sure you can feel 'em." Rockatanskite rolled his shoulders, shook his arms loose. "'Preciate the interest, really, I do. Thing is, I don't have the specimens for you right now. So if ya wanna leave your names, I can shoot you a text once I got another one wrangled.
"Say, Chel', wanna tell me why there's an Eternal outside my door?" He asked, shifting his attention to the other Captain.
"Um…" She fell silent as she glanced back toward the office.
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Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2022 1:55 pm
"Awwh, don't bother Chelly' when we're right here, minds enough to speak on our own," Albite dragged a heel up the solid bit of door behind him, planted the flat of it's thick sole firmly against the paneling; hard enough to make a sound while seeming an intentional adjustment. He was the happiest goddamned barrier that ever had been. If anything? His tone encouraged conversation; alert eyes and lax body, held in a pose that screamed too damned lazy n ranked to move his a**. All sorts of disrespectful sunshine n 'Here's Johnny' grins thrown Rockatanskites way.
Oh, especially for him. That one? He got all his attention. Any actual useful info that anyone else received? It was ******** lost on Albite; who figured it was time for all their teams lovely baby murder-birds branch-worthy skills to shine through.
"and it's no secret Rocky, you're the Balboa of youma, yeh? The Go-To 'Consult'...or s'that Amazonite nowadays?" slightest little jab and shift of a glance Jada's way. It seemed like that was the layup - unless he'd missed the crux of goings on around him. All open volunteering, n rank 'n file interests in Rift-centric this n that's. Whatever, he was so sorely tempted to toss out a dragon maid joke or two! To quote Amazonite as being Rocksalts obvious better for her badassery alone; the vision of 'WOW' she'd made in the scar. It'd never left him. He woulda followed that woman's orders straight into the gaping chasm below them. Plus? She was the only other half-youma of any rank he knew, besides Lev, n of course his Fiancé --
Never more in his life had Cryolite wished for the ears and eyes of another - he was suddenly glad he'd asked Tama along. Squinted past the dim and as he ensured his companions placement, struggled a bit to better his own on spindly legs -- maybe if he used a pipe --
"Are you getting more of this than I am, Tama?" lowest hisst that could've been steam, the creak of some other part moving in the room, noisy a** bowels and boiler bits. There was some strange *clicking* -- was that from the other room? In here?
"Ah, I'll hound you for the bits I miss later on." narrowed glances and held breaths as he focused on eavesdropping. It seemed important somehow, to piece it all together, for their team to 'know'. He wondered what Faustite would actually tell them of what was going on in the Rift? One of the few words he picked out besides a mention of the City proper. Elsewise it was all dizzy dimness n clipped vowels beyond his periphery.
stari_maga
Roses are Red
kolina
Violets are Blue
a-scowling-dragon
Zuzu's a voilence!
Meighei
and Tama is Too!
noir songbird
The team got new assets,
Strickenized
Cause their boss has boy-flu.
Posted: Sun May 01, 2022 3:05 pm
Albite's mass was enough to fill the door, which meant Jadarite took the opportunity to step away slightly, glancing back over her shoulder at him. She raised an eyebrow. Often, her eyebrow twitches were serious, even judgemental, but this one was almost playful.
"Amazonite is the expert, yes," said Jadarite, because she was hardly going to deny that. She'd already spoken to the other woman some about her projects, and already offered to help her find targets to youmafy. "But Rockatanskite's up and coming."
She let Albite play the part of being intimidating, and Valjean be agreeable. Jadarite was prim, reserved, professionally curious.
"It's a shame about what you have available, but no matter." Her lips pressed just slightly to the side, and the eyebrow raise she gave to him was more serious. "I don't have my cell phone on my uniform. Can you find me something to write with around here so I can give you my number, Lieutenant?"
Keep him busy, she thought. Remind him of their ranks.
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Posted: Mon May 02, 2022 9:15 am
Tama’s ears rotated like radio antennae trying to pick up the conversation in the other room. He could hear Faustite’s side clearly. It was whoever he was talking to that his cat senses couldn’t determine.
But he could use context clues and those were plenty.
There was a cage though the general’s back kept it out of view. Something was imprisoned in there. Whatever it was, it was the subject of Faustite’s questioning. From their prior conversation, that meant it was a youma.
What could have been done to the thing? From the half of the conversation he could hear, it piked a bit of morbid curiosity within him. Describe your wounds.
Trying hard not to be a sadist, he turned away from the window.
“Our general is questioning a youma.” He whispered not sure how soundproof the glass was. “It seems our target has done a number on it.”
Alkmene turned the scalpel over in his hands, and smiled. It was not a pleasant or cheerful smile--more, it was the smile of someone who was usually very polite and restrained about his homicidal urges, but was now presented with motive, means, and opportunity to unleash them.
He casually palmed the scalpel, hiding it out of view, and blinked innocently at the Lieutenant who rounded to yell at the three of them. A polite smile, a shrug.
"Our bad, we're going," he said, and he turned, beckoning Heliodor and Mizuki to follow. This looked relatively legitimate--and anyway, now they had weapons if it came down to it. If his magic failed him again, as it loved to, and conflict was inevitable--well.
There was an opportunity to handle that, now.
He didn't approach Rocatanskite immediately. Best not to make himself too obvious of a threat as he ducked out the door. Instead, he parked himself near the door to the operating theater, leaning against the corner and turning the scalpel over between his fingers. He would step in if Rockatanskite kept pushing. Make sure no one got any clever ideas.
Kolina
a-disgruntled-dragon
This was going to escalate quickly, Valjean thought. He didn't know much of the team, but he had the impression there was much hostility towards this Rockatanskite person, and the impression he had so far was that Jada had some sense, but he wasn't sure about any of the others.
So, he moved to the twins, flashed them both his most charming smile, studiously ignored the Lieutenant who found their giggling flirtations so exasperating. They were pretty, certainly, and clearly interested in him--which meant it would be easy, he hoped, to deescalate them out of the situation.
"Ladies," he said, softly, "why don't we step outside? Get out of everyone's way? I'd love to get to know the both of you better."
His magic would be too risky in this environment--too many people, too many unknowns. Better to take point on reducing the number of adversaries.
Mizuki’s interest in joining them was noted with a flick of his eyes in her direction and tossing her her own package from the machine.
The corrupt was careful unwrapping the package. The scalpels were no big surprise to come across. The ones they were now holding had likely been sanitized for use, but would now be useless until taken care of again.Ewok. It didn’t really matter. From the looks of the packages there would be plenty to supply the surgeons until more could be readied.
At the sound of a door and footfalls, Helio’s eyes snapped up from Mizuki and Alkemene to find a lieutenant standing them admonishing them. In fairness, theyhad walked into an area clearly marked for trespassing. Bless the woman for standing up to them considering their ranking difference.
Ready to throw on the charm to weasel their way out and continue on, Alkemene stepped forward to pardon them. Conceding the fact that they honestly had no real evidence or reason to keep proceeding he followed the other corrupt out, glancing behind to see if Mizuki would follow suit and passing a placating wave towards the Lieutenant. “Apologies.”
With no where else to go with the scalpel he tucked it and it’s wrapping into his sleeve as they left.
Like Alkemene, Helio’s attention swiftly found the new arrivals. Rockatanskite was easy enough to identify with the way he carried himself and others deferred to him considering he’d missed the introduction. The others at their targets side were noted.
As he neared, Helio flashed the man one of his usual charming smiles. He glanced to the others, eyes stopping on Albite at the remark. The goal was to not cause any major scenes. “Ah, so you’re Rockatanskite.” Helio approached amiably. “I had some murmurings of you when I was in London and how interesting your research has been. You’re pushing boundaries with what we know about Youma if I remember correctly.”
He stopped and held a hand,, trying to distract him from the fact that Albite was making himself a very good, if loud, door. “Heliodor. I just recently transferred from the London branch. Nice to meet you.”
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shiningamisgirl
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stari_maga
Posted: Wed May 04, 2022 12:53 am
Mizuki caught the wrapped scalpel with a skip, tucking it inside a glove. If Alkmene looked like he was barely containing his desire to murder, Mizuki looked like she was all too gleeful to have a sharp knife in her possession now. Not that it was hard for Mizuki to look like she was about to murder you with a giggle under normal circumstances. She skipped after Alkmene and Helio as the lieutenant shooed them out, though not before shooting the woman a wide-eyed, crazed look and a wink.
She bounced next to Alkmene, unwrapping the scalpel deftly behind her back, and looked almost put out. "Awww they were no fun! I wanted to see what they do in there~" she whined, lilac purple hair swaying as she rocked on her heels. If she didn't get to draw blood soon, she was going to riot. She pouted at the other corrupt, taking a wide sweeping glance of the room as though she was bored and frustrated.
Rockatanskite stuck out like a sore thumb, all pompous and business. Mizuki leaned over to Alkmene and whispered, "Alky, I wanna stab him so much, please I hope Fausty is done soon..." in a sing songy tone that probably would set anyone else on edge. She didn't like him simply because he ******** with Faustite, and that couldn't stand, but having to stand here and not slowly fill him with misery - and holes - was absolute torture. Helio was the stronger of the three, that one could stand to even talk to the man. Or at least the least murderous.
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Posted: Wed May 04, 2022 11:49 am
Cryolite and Tama were able to overhear a margin more of the conversation undisturbed. Tama's sharp eyes would be able to read the papers on the cork boards as the flaming youth got close to them.
Then came a wolf whistle and a click of a tongue, somewhere behind Cryolite and deeper in the bevy of pipes and haphazardly wired cables. A Super stepped out, dressed in their typical dark fantasy flair, but for an obviously out of place, bright orange baseball cap on her head. "Sweet piece you got there," she hailed in a roughshod voice, "nice Puss.
"Mind telling me what you two're doing in here? 'Cuz if it's spying on that creep, Rockatanskite, sign me the ******** up." Dropping her lug wrench on top of one of the crystal clusters, then the pipe blew, hissing steam out at a frenzied rate behind them.
"Ah s**t," she grumbled, sounding more exasperated than surprised.
xx
A light blinked off on Chel's tablet, and she hastily excused herself from the conversations. She hustled down a long hallway, to a glass-faced display with three gauges in three different colors, and fussed with shutting one of them off. Then came her duty of informing the other workers.
Rockatanskite was unfazed by Chel's sudden departure, or the blinking light on his own tablet. He was far more focused on Albite and Jadarite, and now Heliodor, Mizuki, and Alkmene who evidently came out of the ORs? There were too damn many of them to keep track of, and his volunteer Lieutenant was losing interest, and the other two Negaverse senshi were a helluva lot more involved in one of the blonde Captain's subordinates than in the project to which they agreed.
"Now now now, you ain't thinkin' straight." Rockatanskite shimmied his open hand from side to side, as if to scrub away what Albite just said. "People only say that 'cuz she's a General, but she won't be one for long — heard she got youmafied in an accident, n' people keep thinkin' she's good at her job. But she don't work with youma, not like I do, no sir. My projects? They're a few steps ahead o' that, lemme tell you.
"But don't go askin' me for an insider's scoop. My research, my credit." Though, he had to wonder —
xx
One twin flushed redder than Faustite's fire when Valjean asked to meet them elsewhere. It took the other twin punching her in the arm before she collected enough braincells to process the situation. For this, the other twin confidently took the lead.
"Hey, so, like, sorry to eavesdrop?" She started as she hailed Jadarite and Albite. "But if you two want in, you can have our spots! Something came up. Sorry, Rockatanskite~" She winked and blew a kiss, then the twins nearly dragged each other after Valjean.
xx
Suddenly, Chel's departure and the gas rupture didn't seem so unrelated. Not with their comments about Amazonite, and being compared to the likes of her. Not with the twins being led away, too, so it was just him and the other Lieutenant, around all this muscle and firepower that didn't belong in this medical center. Three came out of the woodwork, too, and with one of them trying to cozy himself up to Rockatanskite? That didn't sit well.
None of this sat well. "Look, I dunno what you lot came down here for, but I'm gonna ask you to leave. My research is somethin' serious, and it's private, and it don't need you lot distracting me."
