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[[Julien is targeting cage 2 ]]
The fear hunter grinned at the Runic weapon hunter cheering them on. Apparently this thing was almost dead and needed to be finished off. Julien flashed the hunter a giant thumbs up and went to strike at the monster... but tripped and horribly messed that up. So much for looking cool

((OOC: Total damage done:: -- Swing and a miss!
Target: Which cage they are targeting: 2
Total charges accumulated: 1/2
Total HP of that monster targeted so far: 13))

"It's cool. It means you care. I feel the same way about everyone here, I wouldn't let anyone hurt them, either." She snuggled into his warm jacket, loving how big it was compared to her small frame. She always liked when men felt the need to cover her up. It was cute, and it was appreciated. And it was waaaaarm.

This guy just kept sounding like he was straight out of a movie. It was really sexy, and kind of distracted her. She didn't mind being honest around him. "It's my job! If I can't make everyone around me happy, what good am I? No good, that's what. And the answer to that last one is easy." She licked her lips, but they instantly dried in the cold air regardless. "Because sex makes people happy. Endorphins, and physical closeness, you know? You just feel better after you've made someone feel that way." She paused, and corrected herself with a laugh. "I mean you feel better after feeling that way. I feel better after making someone.. well, you get the picture."

She shrugged, and pulled the jacket tighter around her. "Besides, what else is left for us? If we're not screaming in orgasm, we're crying over death and suffering. I really don't know about you? But I'd rather the former. And since I like you so much, I'd rather the former for you, too."

Flat out honesty, no real games or promises. That was always Em's way.

"You don't think a man might wanna make you feel that way too?" he asked when she corrected herself, watching her snuggle into his jacket a bit more. It was endearing, seeing her warm herself from his residual body heat, and it satisfied him all the more that she was covered up a bit. He was starting to get an inkling as to why she dressed the way she did, but the picture still seemed a little too muddled, all the pieces not settling quite right into place. It was a mystery to him, something he couldn't place his finger on -- everyone else's actions made sense, even his own. There were reasons behind them. Some Hunters were bitter and angry because they were afraid of getting hurt again. Others were quiet because talking made them think. He himself tried not to take anything seriously, lest the very same hurt creep up on him when he wasn't looking. They were all a product of their environment.

Leaning back a bit, he rested his palms on the concrete curb, just staring out at the swarm of hunters who were starting to prepare for what might be their last mission. "I dunno," Cliff offered after a time, the grin fading just a little, "Sometimes, if we're lucky, we might get a nice summer's day. A warm breeze on our faces. A good card game." Glancing over at her, he smiled again, watching the tendrils of smoke rise from the tip of her cig, "The smell of cigarette smoke on a cold evening."

Taking his own cigarette from his lips, the blonde lifted the harmonica again, letting it hover there for a second before he started to play again.

"You don't have to cry just 'cause you're not laughin'."

The tune he played was a familiar one this time. It seemed to fit the mood -- slow and sweet, and low enough not to be obtrusive into the cold evening air. Cliff's body visibly tightened when she said the word 'hit,' and for a second he looked visibly angry, but as Em continued, her voice gentle as she talked about the rest of the hunters, he relaxed a little, settling down again a bit to continue to play. What madman could be playing the harmonica here, at the brink of his own grave?

The last few notes lingered in the air for a few seconds before she spoke up again, and he let his eyes drop to his lap, remembering something wistfully sad.

"Yeah," he replied, no louder than her own whisper, "Have you?"

For a good long moment, Cliff just sat there and listened to what she had to say, with words far beyond her years or what her maturity level should have been at. She should have been out in college, having a great time, at the beginning of her life. She should have cried because some boy broke her heart, not because death threatened to swallow up each and every person she knew and cared about. It was ironic really, considering he was only 27, but he had some years on her, and in hunter terms he was nearing the end of his life. Deep in his chest, he felt a little weight settle there, a heaviness he tried to avoid with games and good-natured teasing. She should have just been at the start.

"That's exactly what love is baby," he replied, reaching over to pick up one sleeve of his jacket to dry her tears, "You've got it exactly right."

Gabby wasn't sure how much longer she would be able to keep the creature in Cage 4 under control. So when Dylan's success of capturing the creature came before his offer to help, instead of snapping at him that it was obvious, she gave him a grateful nod since everyone else seemed preoccupied with the other cages. "Thanks! These things are hard to wrangle when only one person on the job. Or two for that matter," she frowned darkly.

Normally, she would have just done everything by herself. But prep time was a team effort and even with Dylan's help, there was a clear lack of hands. And so, that was why she ended up yelling out: "Hey! Rune Hunters with your hands free! Get your butts in gear!"

((Currently: Cage 4 has 2/4 Runic Hunters))

Heidi was actually feeling a lot less tense about this than she had been before. She'd finished her report rewrite, albeit slightly less coherently than she would have liked but at least the handwriting was legible and the words made sense, and handed it in to Liam. She'd then been visited by Em, a surprise for certain, and finally coaxed into letting the younger hunter touch her at least for cuddles and a relaxing massage. It was nice to do something not working, though she was reluctant to admit it. So it was these factors alone that despite the raging headache of her hangover she was feeling strangely...optimistic. Even as she looked upon the grim faces surrounding her as she sat on the stairs listening to Liam's speech. It was a very serious one, and one not to be taken lightly, but even with that she...wanted to believe they would do relatively okay. He had sent her on so many difficult missions because of this single night, so many information recoveries she either came back alone from or at least with a much, much smaller team than before. He had slipped up so many times lately. Heidi wanted to hope it was simply stress and tonight would be better. However, Heidi was nothing of not realistic; she was not going to fool herself into believing that they would be going back to the island with absolutely everyone they came here with. He gaze lingered on Julio and Em in particular. Would they be around when they went back? This was exactly why she had been trying not to get attached! Ugh. She never should have relaxed yesterday. That had been a terrible idea.

Sighing, Heidi got up when their debriefing was complete and she immediately grabbed he daggers at her hip she had claimed as her permanent set just to make sure they were still there. Good, good. Now for a gun.

She had been eying he strange creature with floppy ears when she heard Gabby yelling for help with the blobbier looking one. Oh, decision made. "Heads up!" She called out, taking careful aim and then shooting the gun off and watching with a smile as the hook and barbed wiring latched perfectly onto the monster. Perfect. Looks like not even a hangover could stop her.

Success: YES
Person to successfully target Cage 4: 3/4