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Who: Ann Takamaki (

burglarize) & Ermes Costello (

kissintime)
What: Hunting + Power revealing
When: September 9th
Where: Eldrathe Ruins
Warning(s): None for the moment

[ dawn has cracked in the sky when ermes is outside ann's house, giving it a few knocks in the hopes that ann is awake by now. if not, that's fine, because she can always just ping her phone, but they need to get started early. the man who contracted her asked for delivery by mid-day for... well he showed her a simple sketch of what it looks like and she's already dreading it. seems like he wants to kill and stuff it for some kind of bird collection, which he was eager to show her when she tempted fate and asked about it.

but, ermes is never a patient person. so she knocks, waits a few seconds, pings ann's phone, and then knocks again. ]

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[ With dawn cracking, Ann should be napping??? It's simple logic that the only reason she got up early in the morning was because of school, but here? She can sleep in a tiny bit longer, right.....?

Wrong.

Ann heard the knocks and kept her face planted in the bed. It was the pings on her phone that helped her barrell out of the bed. She's trying to get dress, tripping over her clothes and it's not until Ermes hears a hard thud against the door that she realizes someone is awake.

:)

Ann pulls the door back, tugging her pants up a bit further onto her hips. Her hair in the usual twintails pulled back into a high ponytail. ]

Heeeeey, are you early? I feel like you're early.

[The thud gets her a little nervous, enough to make her stop knocking, and she wonders what could have happened. It isn't until the door finally opens that she feels a little more at ease.]

Yeah, it's early as hell. [Not that it bothers Ermes. She's still in the habit of waking up at 6am - there just isn't a bell that sounds more like an alarm to buzz, and no guard to bang on the bars and holler at them to get up.] Client wants some damn bird delivered to him. Kind of big though, might need the help getting it back to town. I'll give you thirty percent of the cut if you're up to it.

A bird. [ She repeats, as if trying to weigh on that word. But, the more Ermes talks, the more she likes the sound of 30%. Considering half her money is going to food. As she yawns, wiping away at her face, Ann definitely agrees: ] Okay. I'm down. Let's just not do this all day...

But, uh, does he want it dead or alive?

Dead. [She sniffs, looking over her shoulder to the large wooden wagon she was given on loan by her client. Need a way to haul the carcass back somehow.] He said they're most active between late nights and early mornings, before they go to sleep themselves.

Of course he wants it dead. Probably some gross ego boost.

[ KILLING ANIMALS CAN BE BAD, okay. Ann was unsure of the deets, but she'll take it at face value. She's more upset the creature was focused on being a night owl, which in turn hurt her because it's still really early. She steps out, shutting the door behind her. ]

Then we have to get them now. I soooo don't want to do this a second day in a row. [ She looks out to the cart. ] Was it last seen close to the city or are we treking out?

[She's opening her mouth, wanting to clarify that it's for his stuffed bird collection, but actually no. Telling Ann that reason might be even worse than her assuming its for an ego boost.]

He said they live out in the Ruins, just south of here, so we'll need to hoof it a while. Wear something comfortable that you can walk around in. Maybe run too if we gotta get out of there.

[ Ann listens, nodding a bit as she looks down to her hands. Recently, her machine guns were returned and even if Ermes talks about running rather than fighting... she feels a bit more at ease. ]

Got it! Just hold on a sec - [ And away she goes, totally going to change into more comfortable clothes. If there's anything she takes seriously: it's fashion, okay. She comes back out looking a liiiiittle better, but she knows she doesn't need to put too much effort in. At the worst case scenario, she can change to Panther and book it. Wouldn't be the first time. ] Okay, ready to head out when you are.

[ And off they go!? ]

Is this your first hunt here?

[Off they go! Ermes is pulling the wagon along by a chain link, keeping one arm behind her at all times as she pulls it along the road. She could get Kiss out to help, but she wants to conserve her strength on that part a little.]

First time going after a bird. I've been hunting most every day depending on where the jobs are. Usually just butchers, but few times there are tailors who want to pelt the fur for coats, or collectors who want a particular part of the animal. [Which... is kind of the case here, in a way.] I wish I could do something else, but it pays well enough that I can sustain myself.

[ Ann is useless in physical strength, but she tries to offer some moral support. She doesn't walk too fast and will try to push the cart at times. For the most part, she's better company. ]

I definitely feel that one — the bakery has been the only thing I'm comfortable securing as a job. I don't want to be in the city guard because that's like — a lot of responsibility. I wouldn't want to risk anyone because I'm not good enough to keep up.

[ But, back to Ermes. ]

But, that means you're at least making a name for yourself? Being consistent is a good skill to have.

I dunno if I'm making any name - it's just about getting money for me. I don't enjoy this. Not sure what I would.

[She's... never really thought about her future. Not since she was in high school, before the world dealt her a terrible hand and ruined her life on pure chance.]

You shouldn't bother with the guard though. Who wants to be a cop? Only idiots and people who want to lord over others. [Surely there is no bias in anything she says, none at all!] Baking is a way better choice. You get to make delicious food and steal some for yourself.

Oh... I thought - I figured if you're really going for literal gold here, the bigger your name, the more fans you have. That's how it worked in - .. er, back home.

[ She listens, perking her brow about the mention of the guard. To her, she figured they had too many rules to follow to ensure justice is served. Why do you think cops are never able to do their job? It makes sense, even if it's a bitter truth. ]

Right... right. I just figure it's a starting point - some people I know are interested in really doing good, but there's probably a lot of yellow tape. With baking, I just have to geet the orders right. Pretty easy, right?

Exactly! And, you bring people a lot more happiness with delicious baked goods. What do you bring being a guard? Law and order and a bunch of other bullshit, all designed to oppress the people. Screw that! Give out some snickerdoodles and bring peace through food.

[ She chews on her bottom lip, thinking of what the guard could honestly help with. They're always busy — playing with politics, so what happens to the little people? ]

Oh my god.. Do you really think food is that powerful?

[ SHE DEFINITELY THINKS SO... ]

Of course! Everyone needs food. Everyone likes food. Water and food are like the two things an entire planet can agree on. And baked goods is the best kind of food.

[ they make it to the south outpost at this time, ermes checking the road and going down the path that leads into the eldrathe ruins. ]

'Sides, as someone who hasn't had good food in years, the stuff they make around here is really damn good, but the baked stuff is kind of lame. I bet the simple things you had back home have never even been made here! You can take credit and make so much damn money.

You make it sound simple though.

[ Ann wishes it was. Food is simple and universal — Ermes was damn right with that. As she listens, she kicks the dirt with her boot, nodding her head every so often. ]

Hey! The baked stuff is good if you pick the stuff that isn't overbearingly sweet! You need to try my white chocolate chips — they're better than the ones from the can!

[ And, she thinks. She does have a point. ]

You know.. I didn't even see a red velvet cake on display.... [ $$$$$ ] ...I wonder if they know what that is...

Yeah. But, it's nice to dream of a world where all our problems can be solved with a good meal. [she shrugs with a playful smile tugged on her lips.] Bring some goddamn velvet cake to this backwards world. Get the hot cash for it.

[the way down to the ruins doesn't take long from the outpost, and so ermes stops moving the cart along and begins scoping out the area.]

Ok, I think this is a good place to start looking. Guy said they prefer shady areas because their eyes are sensitive to sunlight. It'll make it easier to search for them than in the dark.

If I can remember the recipe, sure. The stuff they have here is weird. Like, they have caramel popping crackers — when you bite, they explode. It's... weird. But —

[ They stop and she will as well. The small talk was nice, but they definitely had a job to do. ] How aggressive is this thing, anyway?

[ She takes a few tentative steps forward towards the direction of the ruins. Less than eager, she doesn't want to really change to her phantom thief outfit just yet. ]

I can fight but — if we can get it without too much hassle, we both win, right?

Guess we'll find out. [ she rolls her shoulders and stretches her arms out, getting ready for what is sure to be a bad brawl. ] Let's get shit going.

[ and then brings in her arm sideways and strikes it out with a strong snap of her fingers, a burst of purple light beaming out from behind her as she does. and from that light comes out her Stand, the one and only Kiss. ]

We got a damn bird to roost!

[ Oh what the fuck?! Ann isn't going to really be quiet about the display that happens in front of her. She's less inclined to talk about El Nysa Fried Chicken and more focused on — well, that. ]

Hold the hell up! Wait, what? What?! You have a Persona?!

Fuck's a persona? [ she turns around, eyebrow cocked. then she remembers and makes a small 'ah' -- ] Oh, persona! Uh, that's that thing Makoto has. You know her? Her's is a rad ass motorcycle -- oh shit, do you have a motorcycle one too? 'Cause, truthfully, I'd totally like to ride it but Makoto seems a little stiff so I dunno if she'd let me if I ask--

[ but as ermes rambles, a faint cawing can be heard. no, not just a caw, it sounds like a boom, crackling out. ]

Aw shit.

Yeah! Makoto's one of my friends from back home. Jeez, she's gotten around, huh... [ Makoto out there making moves while Ann just eats at her job. ]

Uhm! Johanna is pretty unique, just to Makoto. [ Ann doesn't even look at her, she's focused on the faux-persona — examining it with interest. ] Mine's Carmen — totally different and definitely not rideable.

[ But the boom catches her off guard. There's a jump and she's looking every which way. ]

W-Where did that come from?!

[ before ermes has a chance to say anything else - a snarky comment about "riding" hahha clever as fuck - the cawing sound comes again. and out from the shadows of a large stone structure flaps out the creature they've been searching for, flying out over their heads and turning to flap in their direction. a wingspan of eight feet, bulked body, it best resembles a bald eagle that has been cast in a cold gray stone color, with white deadened eyes.

but admiring it only comes for a short time - it throws its body back and flaps its wings in, diving itself down toward them. ]

Fuck, look out!

[ ermes immediately jumps to slam herself into ann, pushing them both out of the way to the ground, as kiss jumps the opposite direction. the bird's dive turns up and they fly back into the sky. ]

Edited 2017-10-22 17:49 (UTC)

[ It was as if it was right on cue, the beast showed itself at the most inopportune time. They were admiring Kiss and talking about their totally not similar canon when the bird reared its head.

Ann has no time to react except getting tackled by Ermes. She groans and by the time she gets her senses back, she panics. Ermes will see the embarrassing red catsuit morph onto her body as she tries to wiggle back to her feet. The ever-so-large and imposing Carmen hovers behind her in blue flame. ]

Okay, so roasted bird. Totally roasted bird. Do we get cash off for having it — overcooked?!

[ She's ready to catch it on fire!!! ]

[ she rolls off ann once they're in the clear and the sudden change in-between to seeing ann in a fucking red leather catsuit is too crazy even for her to not gape her mouth like a fish. and then carmen appears and she's never seen a stand -- or persona, rather -- so large and imposing. ]

N-No, don't! They need to kill and stuff it, we can't roast the body!

[ which, after saying that, she realizes she specifically didn't say that because of how awful it sounds. too late to take it back. ermes gets to her feet and the bird is flying overheard again, cawing and readying itself. maybe she shouldn't write off the burning idea too quickly, but she at least wants to try getting the job done for the silver. ]

Or, uh, shit, can you burn it without burning it?! Is that something you can do?! [ her friend set herself on fire once and didn't roast, it's fine???? ]

Shit! [ She can hear her heart thumping in her chest, her nerves immediately spiking. She was ready to have Carmen cast a few flame bursts into the bird to ground it, but Ermes was quick to clarify: to stop her.

But, she's immediately jumping up and down — she has it! ]

I need to get higher! Can we get to those ruins? If Carmen can get closer, we can put it to sleep. Unless you have some badass moves to disarm it..? Please tell me you do.

No, but your idea sounds good! [ ermes isn't as good as thinking on her feet - improvising sure, but not making up plans. ] Ok, I got an idea - how do you feel about getting flung up really fucking fast?

Uhhhh...?! What do you even mean?! How fast is fast — like, you're just going to toss me?!

[ Because #priorities. She likes to know what to do before she leaps into action, but as the bird swoops and divebombs them closer, who knows if they'll have time for that. ]

No. We're going to get tossed at it though.

[ and as the bird swoops down for another dive, Kiss doesn't dodge at the same time at ermes. rather it reaches an arm up and manages to smack a sticker onto the wing, and pulls out gray feather with a matching sticker. but there is a cost to this - the bird's talons cut the arm and make it bleed. and the same gash suddenly opens up on ermes' arm, gushing red. ]

Aargh, fuck! Ok, Ann, you gotta trust me on this - I can get you in close, real close.

[ They were definitely not going to dodge anymore with the speed of the bird. As much as she wants to just roast it, she's refraining. She knows that Carmen, if close enough, can cast Dormina on it to put it to sleep. She knows.

This? This happens so fast. Ann wants to immediately react as she sees the red strike down Ermes' arm. Instead, she winces and just motions with frantic waves oe her hand. ]

Okay?! Fine, just — let's just do this!

Alright! [ she gets up close to ann and hugs one of her arms. Kiss comes up close too, getting an arm around her waist. ] Hang on. 1, 2--

[ Kiss removes the sticker from the wing and clutches it tight in hand. it vibrates in hand and flings the three of them into the air, heading straight for where the feather originated on the bird's wing. with the removal of the sticker, the duplicate is now immediately drawn to return to the source, gravity entirely ignored.

as such, they are being thrown right toward the bird. ]

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dropkicks back in

weeew

its time to have a girlfight

aay

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