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In the streets, things were normal. Most wern't panicing about the on coming horde that was Galbadia. They believed in Shinra and its power. They had seen the strenght of soldier and now thought that they were untouchable. Let the Galbadians come. We are ready. Even those who opposed Shirna, let this hatred drop. Avalanche had, although not allied themselves with Shinra, called a ceasefire on their opperations to face together a bigger threat to not just Shinra, but to the city.
The sorceress and her army. In Shinra corperation, there was a large meeting. President Shinra had called all his top players together to construct an effective war plan to wipe the Galbadians out. Meanwhile below, mercenaries and other freelance warriors were signing up to be on Shinra's side during the conflict.Others however were in line to join Soldier itself. This was the calm before the storm...
[ This event is a prelude to the next war event, I'm expecting a decent turn out. Use this thread to further your characters reasons for being involved (etc) as well as put them into the plot a bit more]
Fides wiped sweat from his brow as he exited Hojo's latest experiment, his glaive over his shoulder. "Y'know, Glasses, that was pretty easy. I mean, flying monsters? Against me?"
The researcher did not rise to the taunt, though his eyes showed mild annoyance as he pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. Instead of replying, he handed Fides a data tablet and a memo. The tablet had Fides test results and the memo was..."From the President's desk!? Damn, I must be doing something right..." Fides said as he placed his glaive in the rack of weapons for the testing module that Hojo kept in the room.
"Or else something very, very wrong," snapped Hojo. He pointed to the door and said "OUT. I have other experiments to run. NOW." Hojo didn't even bother watching Fides leave, he just turned back to his control panel.
So he didn't see Fides steal some of the memo paper from his desk. Well, they hired a crook, one known for forgery. Or rather, not known for forgery. What do they expect? thought Fides as he walked out the door, the memo paper hidden between the President's memo and the data tablet, both of which he had yet to read. He considered taking an early day and going home, if only to put the memo paper in his "Mr. Kinneson's box," a staple of the forger's trade. His was currently locked in his "safety deposit box," as he called it, in the Train's Graveyard. He had hidden a lot of things in that place, it was useful. The rumors of ghosts kept most people out and those few that did go in were eager to get out, for whatever reason. He had never run into any of these "ghosts," and he suspected they were just an urban myth. "Or maybe they're just scared of a SOLDIER uniform...like the locals." he snickered to himself.
He imagined it as he headed towards the rest area of the SOLDIER floor. The box was nearly as much of a work of art as any of the forgeries he'd made from it. The way the various inkwells and pens unfolded out of the top of the box as you opened it, the way the paper, some of it worth more than his life, was carefully pressed down and kept smooth by the pressure of the box closing. The truth was, you could get away with bad handwriting far easier than you could get away with the wrong paper. He snickered again as he sat down to read the two pieces. He looked at the memo and whispered "Nah, save the best for last..." He set it aside before looking at the data tablet. He turned it on and read his results as they appeared on the hologram in front of him. Hmm...not too bad, if I do say so myself...strong against flying, well duh, it hurts to hit the ground unexpectedly from seven feet in the air...here we go, recommendation is..."YES!" He jumped to his feet, excitement clear in his voice. "I got the computer's recommendation!" Fides did a little jig in place. "First class, in the bag!"
He heard a low chuckle right behind him. He whirled, out of breath, a great grin splitting his face, unlike his usual crooked smirk. He looked honestly excited. He saw Angeal standing behind the couch he had been sitting on. "Well," said Angeal, "the computer and a First Class SOLDIER operative giving out their recommendation are two different things. By the way, you might want to hurry up and open that memo, the President is getting impatient."
"Yes, sir!" Fides was apparantly cruising on elation and adrenaline while he opened the memo, tightly folded into a half sheet and sealed with the Shin-Ra logo. He read it and his eyes opened wide. "The President...wants to meet...me? Now? WHOO-HOO!" He jumped up off the couch again and ran to the elevator, forgetting Angeal's presence. The First Class smiled and shook his head. "Ah, to be young again..."
Fides stepped inside the elevator and maintained his elated face until the doors closed. Instantly, his face fell into thought lines. Shit. Shitshitshit. If Sephiroth is there, I don't know if my act can stand up to his scrutiny. Hell, the President has to be pretty damn sharp himself, the politics around here would choke a horse. Hrmph. Well, I can't disobey a direct order from the President. I'll just have to be careful. Alright, Fides, get yourself together. You're a con man, fool yourself and you can fool them.
He entered the temporary pass code into the elevator's keypad. He took the time as the elevator rose to the seventieth floor to compose himself and prepare his inner peace, his "golden glow" as he called it, necessary if he was going to fool a man as sharp as the President had to be. He was beaming again, at least on the outside, as he approached the President's office. The pretty receptionist looked up and flashed a smile in his direction as she buzzed the door open. "The President is waiting for you, Mr. Aeteria. Go on in."
Fides walked into the most lush office he had ever seen and was suitably impressed. He didn't quite gaze in awe at the authentic mahogany desk, a truly magnificent piece. This President was good, the average person would have thought that the office was rather bare given the amount of power that was wielded by it's owner. Only an observant man would note that, though everything was apparantly spartan and bare, the things that were spartan and bare were rarities of every description. Fides was a very observant man, and noted that mahogany, ivory and ebony seemed to be favorites of the collector.
Fides snapped off the best salute to the man who paid all their salaries he could. "You wanted to see me, Mr. President, sir?"
The President smiled. It wasn't a pleasant smile, but neither was it predatory. It was simply the smile of a man who was not a very nice person. "I did. Sit down, son. I understand you have received a "First" rating from Hojo's training module? Excellent. It's a subject relating to that I want to talk to you about. You are of course aware that Shin-Ra and in fact the entire continent of Midgar is about to enter war with Galbadia. I have ordered all SOLDIER operatives on assignment to return in order to prepare for the war. We need strong leaders right now, volunteers to fight are pouring in. I'd like to offer you the position, temporary, mind you, of Volunteer Battalion Leader. You would essentially be a general, leading the volunteer troops into battle in person. People skills are essential in this position, as well as a strong battle level. You have both, and in prodigious quantity. I don't think it's necessary to tell you that this will increase your chances of making First exponentially. Will you accept this position?"
Fides' eyes had widened as the President told him all this, genuinely surprised, though more that his con had been so successful than that the higher-ups were entrusting him with such a task. "C-Certainly, sir! It'd be an honor!" He stammered, already thinking ahead. Good. This is good. I was worried about that, if they put Sephiroth in charge, he'd treat them as nothing but cannon fodder. Angeal or Zack would have been good, but they're more suited to taking down the "SOLDIER killers" that Galbardia'll be sure to field. I have to try to minimize casualties as much as I can, no matter what... "Sorry, sir? I was kind of spaced there for moment..."
The President smiled, probably what he thought was a gentle smile. "Not a problem. I was just saying that casualties are not a concern, we simply have to win this war. That is all, you can go, Volunteer Battalion Leader. I expect a good report."
Fides was revolted, but he was careful not to let it show in his expression. He saluted and left, thinking What a horrible man. "Casualties are not a concern?" Well they damn well are to me. I may be an amoral bastard, but at least I'm not completely unconcerned with other's lives. I almost want to toss this job...well, I'll be gone soon enough anyway. Betty said she had almost enough for an expose article last time we met. As soon as this war is over, I will get whatever information she still needs and then "Pfffft" I'm gone. This place disgusts me. He took the elevator down, reflecting on the various faces of evil. This war would be painful...for everyday people. But then, that's the story of war: the poor fight for the rich. ************** (Word Count: 1535) (Thread Count: 1535)
(OOC: I would like to join up too. I wanted to push Nan anyway so this sounds right up my street! I have decided that he could be one of Hojo's subjects like he was in the original game. I will get writing later on today guys.)
OOC: Yes Cecil, and Fides I know you probably didn't realise but you arn't allowed to control major NPC's like that. I'll let it go this time since its a long post. But don't do it again please lol.
((OOC: Sorry Malice. I was a little worried about it, but I wasn't sure how else to fit all the information I needed to get into the post in. I suppose I could have done without the Angeal bit...DAMN YOU HINDSIGHT!! Anyway. Noted and filed, sir, I do apologize and will eliminate such passages in further work. -bows-))
Cecil walk through the street, wondering where he was. This vast world was new to him. He did not know how he got here, or why he was here. All he knows is that he was in a midst of a war between two armies. He heard that Shrina was looking for warriors to help them win this war. He was a knight, so his duty was to protect his people from harm.
He heads to the Shrina building and looks around. For some reason the people were not scared about this. Probably because they trust Shrina and Soldier. As he continued to walk, he notice a bar and decided to get a drink. He walked in and as usual there were a lot of drunks. He took a seat and signal the bartender for a drink.
For awhile, Cecil pondered on why he was here. The bartender looked at him and asked, "You're not from around here aren't you?" Cecil looked at him. "No, I'm not." The bartender smiled, "So what your name?" Cecil paused and took a sip from his drink. "Cecil Harvey." The bartender looked at him, "So Cecil, what brings you here?" Cecil paused and took a sip from his drink. "Honestly, I have no idea." The bartender stared at him "Really? So you just happen to walk by here" He took another sip, "You can say that." He honestly did not know what to tell him. The curious bartender asked, "So where are heading?" Cecil looked at him "Right now, I'm heading to that Shrina building?" The bartender smiled, "Let me guessed. You're gonna sign up to help Shrina fight against the Galbaldians?" Cecil chuckled, "Maybe." The bartender laughed, "Wow, more warrior." Cecil was confused, "More warriors? You mean there are a lot of warriors that are signed up." The bartender chuckled, "Yup. Plus we have Soldiers to help us win this awful war." Cecil smiled. They continued there conversation fo another hour. "Well I best be off. Thank you for the drinks. How much do I owe you?" The bartender laughed "Ah don't worry about it. It's on the house. Good luck out there." Cecil smiled and left the bar.
Cecil continue walking through the street and finally made it to Shrina. "So, this is Shrina. Impressive." He walked in and saw a lot of warrior already there. "The bartender was right. There are a lot of warriors." He walked up to the receptionist and smiled. "Hello. I'm here to sign up to help fight with Shrina. My name is Cecil Harvey." The receptionist looked at him and smiled. "Ah Cecil Harvey. Alright you're all set. You can stay here or roam around the city. You'll be called shortly." He smiled. "Thank you." He looked around and notice some mixed reactions from Soldiers. Some were excited, others were worried about their family.
He walked out of Shrina and sit at a nearby bench. He looks up at the sky and sigh. "So...this is my destiny then."
Vale took one last look at his dismal, yet somehow pleasant apartment building before turning his back on his first home in the strange new world he had been thrown into years ago. It was harder for him than one would think- in fact, he had become quite popular around the slums. Nevertheless, Vale had thrown in his lot with the enemy, something Shinra would not likely forget in the coming days- especially since Rufus, the Turks and several Soldiers knew his face already.
While Vale did love his home he knew what fighting for Midgar would potentially mean. He may have to fight his newfound friends- Sirxeko, Xanha, Crazy-Claw-Woman and Belzera. In fact, the mere thought of potentially having to fight Belzera put shivers down Vale's spine. The demon had taken on Sephiroth and gave him a run for his money- something few thought would ever be possible.
Speaking of money... Galbadia had paid him a handsome sum of gil for his services as well. Vale wasn't an overly capable mercenary by any means, but he did have insane amounts of luck (luck meaning he sustained heavy injuries, yet somehow managed to survive most fights) and he made up for his inexperience with demonic powers and whatnot. In fact, if he weren't a Lucavi, he would have probably been killed by now.
Tch... I'm more likely to get my friends killed than help them... All I've done in every fight is drag people down. Egh... Useless. I should probably learn how to actually fight from someone...
Vale's eyes brightened for a second. Of course... he could work for Galbadia AND Midgar. Be a spy for the Galbadians within Midgar's ranks- and maybe even enlist in the Midgar army so he could recieve at least a small amount of combat training. The Sorceress might not approve, but Vale was sure Belzera wouldn't care- and maybe even possibly agree with him.
At this revelation, Vale quickly returned to his apartment and returned his few possessions to their original places. He ran to the general store within the slum and bought a carrier pigeon- quickly explaining to Belzera his plan before sending off the bird. He was still slightly apprehensive about the possiblity of fighting his friends and being found out- but he could always avoid his friends (they all certainly looked odd enouigh to see from atop Mount Zagazet) and if he was foud out he could simply say that his services were paid for due to his considerable skills in the previous skirmish (which was a lie, but no one would have time to check with a war so close).
Grinning, Vale walked away from the settlement he lived in to the ShinRa headquarters to sign up for the war; worrying slightly about whether or not they'd give him a machine gun, which he despised.
Nanaki stirred from a strange dream, there had been many distant voices saying nonsensical things to him whilst lights had blinked through the gloom at him. He could not fathom its meaning, as he was in-between sleep and waking. Slowly he opened an eye, immediately focusing on something hard, yet see-through. He heard the shuffling of feet and excited voices somewhere near-by but he was more interested in trying to make out the details of the transparent walls in front of him. Am I still dreaming? he wondered, roving his eye around the room. For a while he lay motionless as the sounds of an angry voice cut through the air and ricocheted around his glass pen, he strained his ears to listen but could only make out a few words. There seemed to be three people talking, or one of them shouting whilst the others subserviently answered. It seemed as though the one who was shouting had ordered some goons to capture something, before demanding that they leave.
The feline’s throat constricted, and he swallowed wondering just how long he’d been here and what they wanted with him. He could feel eyes watching him and was curious himself to see what was going on. From his slumped position, he gathered energy into his aching limbs and tried to pull himself up using his fore-legs. They wobbled under him as he tried to use his tail to balance him, and then carefully lifted his hind-quarters from underneath him. His muscles protested as he tried to stand on all fours, tripping a few times with his clumsy attempts at standing, his flaming tail whipping at his sides until he finally stood, an image of pride despite trembling. He felt light-headed just being up, as white flecks dotted his vision whilst he tried to turn his head to look around. What have they done to me!? He thought, terrified at shadowy visions revealed themselves. He was completely unaware of his surroundings, he was so consumed by his thoughts that his eye was staring blankly at the wall in front of him.
He allowed his mind to wander, whilst he tried to fight back the memory of waiting in the darkness as a fierce battle was fought above and around him. The night the Gi Tribe attacked Cosmo Canyon. The events felt similar to him, but this new experience greatly troubled him as he was now alone and could not understand what was happening, unlike the Gi Battle where he was surrounded by members of his race and his mother. He looked at the floor remembering Musca, his heart filling with pride as memories played out in his mind, afterwards he felt ashamed of himself for being intimidated. Some time spent resting helped to ease his sore joints from their previous tense state allowing him some freedom to turn around. Despite this, Nanaki was still experiencing dizziness. He turned to his left, and took in his surroundings; he seemed to be held within a transparent green-tinted enclosure that was made of a material unfamiliar to him. There seemed to be two smaller enclosures identical to his in a corner of the large room, which was dimly lit with machines, each glowing with many lights. He turned again and caught sight of a stranger in a long, white coat peering at him with mutual interest. Nanaki was stunned and looked away quickly, before he regained his composure and returned his eye back to meet the man’s. He pondered over the idea of talking to him, of demanding to know why he was being held here, and as he was brought here with the requirement of being alive, he thought it best to find some answers. One thing was puzzling him, now that he was slowly sober, how did he get here?
“I don’t know who you are or who gave you the right to kidnap me but I want some answers! What have you done to me… and where am I?”
The feline’s voice was calm despite the growing fear in his chest and the constant throbbing in his limbs that threatened to give in at any time. He moved his tail to and fro nervously whilst he awaited the stranger’s reply.
-(Word count: 709)- (OOC: I apologise for this being later than I expected.)
Admin Post Rewards: Yang + 100 bonus XP Nanaki +100 Bonus XP
OOC: Yang yours would have been more, but again, NPCs =p
Nanaki
The scientist in the white lab cot grinned. " My my,,,professor Hojo is going to be very pleased with this specimen....". He walked around the glass in a circle seeming to examine you from all sides. " Yes, strong body...but the intellect is yet to be unexplained...if you wern't such an endagered species I would reccommend a complete disection....who knows what we could learn from you...". The scientist let out a light smirk. " But nevermind.....we have our orders....you'll be recieving a visitor soon enough...so make yourself as comfortable as possible...".
The scientist was soon to leave, standing at the door was a security guard. He shook his head and then leaned back. After the scientist had let himself go down in the elevator the security guard walked over to you. He wasn't wearing a shinra uniform. The logo on his uniform was different, and not all that familar to you. He must have been a private hire.
" I gotta say I find you interesting...but not in the same way that guy does....don't think its right to keep someone locked up like this....someone that thinks anyways....".
He shook his head and laughed. " Hell when you came to and started speaking I almost freaked out hehe....".He removed a cigarette from a pouch on his belt, put it in his mouth and lit it up.
[[ OOC: Considering the rest of you arn't locked up, I'll leave you guys to manage your own stories for now unless you think you need NPC interaction. Nanaki I'll continue to post for, the rest of you, try to link up with one another =p]]
Fides walked out of the elevator on the SOLDIER floor, still aggravated and disgusted by the President's words. Casualties are not a concern, huh? We'll see about that.
Fides shuddered, feeling slimy and repulsed by his association with this company. He decided he needed some fresh air, so he headed to the rest area to grab the things he had left on the couch in his hurry to meet with the President. He scooped the memo paper from Hojo's desk up and headed for the ground floor, leaving via the front door. As he walked out the door, he looked around at the line of people signing up to fight in this war. There were grandfathers and fathers, eager to relive their glory days, newlyweds and young men, signing up to impress their significant others and teenagers eager to live out the fantasies their parents and grandparents had told them of war. Every species, every age, every combination of skill and enthusiasm. There were depressingly few professional mercenaries in the crowd, though there were some truly skilled and famous ones that had shown up; Lilith "Hawk-Eye" Dhoshu, a master sniper with bow and rifle, Gillard "The Invincible" Torry, a bear-like brawler who had suffered dozens, even hundreds, of serious, occasionally life-threatening injuries and survived all of them, and various others. Their numbers were depressingly few, less than ten. Fides sighed and walked away towards home, shoulders slouched. Damn it. I have enough good fighters for an infiltration team, but enough unskilled fighters for an army. I'm not gonna get all of these people back home, am I? Damn.
As Fides headed towards the fifth district, where he lived at the moment, he noticed a tall man, dressed in silver and white armor sitting on a bench nearby. He looked like a man who could handle himself in a melee, a foot-knight or paladin from another continent. Fides decided some more normal human contact would help him kick this feeling of a thin patina of tarnish on his soul more than a shower would, so he wandered over and introduced himself, asking "Hi! I haven't seen you around here before, where ya from? You here for the war? Oh, and I'm SOLDIER Second Class Fides Aeteria, currently the Volunteer Battalion Leader." Fides smiled and extended a hand in greeting, smothering the slimy feeling under a heap of confidence and honesty, his Rock-of-Gibraltar-steady handshake ready. ********** ((Post Count: 422 Thread Total: 1957 Thread XP Bonus: +100
OOC: Thanks Malice! ^_^ About the XP, do I mark that on my accepted character sheet or do one of you admin-y people do that? And am I correct in assuming one waits 'til the end of the thread to add it all up and convert it over to XP?))
Cecil looked at the Soldier. "Hello SOLDIER Second Class Fides Aeteria. The name is Harvey. Cecil Harvey. Nice to meet you." He shake his hand and smiles. "Where am I from? Well lets just say you never heard of it. As for the war, yes I'm here to fight. " He looked at the sky again and then at Fides. "So a Soldier huh. What's it like?"
Fides laughed at hearing his introduction tossed back at him by this cheerful looking person. He sat down next to Cecil, saying "Please, call me Fides. Or Mr. Aeteria if you're feeling fancy. As for SOLDIER? Eh, it's a job. Good parts, bad parts, I gotta take 'em both in stride. And I can't quit, at least, not yet." Fides stretched out, putting his hands behind his head, gazing at the few birds that could be seen on this sunny day. "It's not a job I can be proud of anymore though." His face fell into a neutral expression, one with perhaps a touch of sorrow. "Plus, now I'm responsible for all the non-SOLDIER personnel involved in the Midgar war effort, and I'm not gonna get all of 'em back safe. Huh. Well!" He stood up suddenly, his face split with a grin. "Such is life and all that! I'll just have to do my best, it's all anyone can! Hey Cecil, howsabout a drink? My treat, I know a great bar not fifteen minutes work from here." *********** ((Post Count: 187 Thread Count: 2144 Thread XP Bonus: +100))
"Sure why not." He stands up and stretches. "Hmm. I wonder if it the bar I was at earlier." he thought to himself. He smiled "Don't worry about me. I'll do my best to stay alive." He chuckled a little. "So a bar huh. Well lead the way."
OOC: Yes you wait till the end of the thread, as for marking it up, theres a section in character creation called character progression, any changes go in there.
Sighing contentedly, Vale walked with his hands behind his head as he walked through Sector Five looking for some place to get a bite to eat. He had probably come up with the best plan in his entire life- spy for Galbadia within Midgar while not getting killed by his friends AND getting paid from BOTH sides. Or... at least he was pretty sure Midgar would pay him for his services. He wasn't all that sure what "volunteer" meant (in his short time on Gaia the word hadn't been mentioned very often to the demon. This WAS Midgar, after all.)
He hadn't been paying very much attention to where he was walking and subsequently crashed into a man wearing some white-colored armor. While Vale had no idea who exactly the man was he had crashed into, he immediately recognized the the man's companion as a member of SOLDIER- Second Class, as well. For a second, Vale thought he had been recognized by the SOLDIER, before realizing he had never seen him before. he quickly got to his feet and helped the man he had knocked over up, pulling his cloak tighter around him to better hide his wings.
"Sorry about that- wasn't really paying attention back there..." Vale dusted his crimson cloak off and brushed the hair out of his eyes before extending a hand to the man. "Tenebrae Swift (he had signed up as such for the Midgar army, just in case someone somehow knew his name). And you are...?" His unnaturally green eyes (they looked almost Mako tinged, in fact) scanned the SOLDIER again, making sure he wasn't a threat. After the man's response he turned to the SOLDIER.
"Me? I'm certainly not a SOLDIER..." he showed his thin arms to the man. "I couldn't carry any of those weapons with these sticks. They'd probably break from the effort. No- I'm simply part of the army here." He pointed at a sticker on his cloak that read 'HEY! I'M A MEMBER OF THE MVA!' (Midgar Volunteer Army, presumably). "You look a bit like an army man yourself, Harvey. Though I must admit I've never seen armor like that before."
Word Count: 89 Total Count: 802 + 89 = 891
((Actually, Vale isn't. He just looks like he's got Mako eyes... It's one of his identifying features. He IS a Lucavi though. But it's quite difficult to tell when he has a cloak on. In fact, most people seem to think he's a girl when he wears his cloak.. which is always because he tries to hide his wings as much as possible.))
Nanaki’s tail slowed its pace as the man grinned at him and began talking. He watched the man cautiously, grunting at being called a ‘specimen’. I’m alive so they can study me, he thought turning his head so he could follow the speaker’s progress as he observed him from all angles. The feline narrowed his eye as the man verbally analysed him, remaining silent despite baring his fangs at the mention of dissection. No! I won’t let you! He growled internally, tensing as his heart began beating faster as the white-coat continued, telling him he would have a visitor soon.
Whilst the man had his back turned, Nanaki closed his eye and tried to calm himself. These scientists won’t hurt me… at least I know they won’t kill me, yet… his thoughts weren’t helping either so he opened his eyelid and looked around him frantically, hoping for some sort of escape. There wasn’t any that he could see, so he decided to obey the man’s command of getting comfortable by lying on his stomach. He exhaled and inhaled deeply, whilst he watched the scientist leaving, he found himself studying a security guard who shook his head. Intrigued by this he followed the man with his good eye, and saw that there was something different about him. His uniform did not display the logo of the other mans; instead it was something wholly new to the warrior.
Nanaki smiled softly at the guard’s words, cocking his head to one side as he said he didn’t think it was right to keep someone who ‘thinks’ locked up. The feline admired this man’s courage to speak his mind, unlike the others who had brought him here. He relaxed his frame as the man spoke again, allowing one slender fore-leg to cross the other as he listened intently. I really am quite the anomaly, he thought to himself as he watched the man light his cigarette.
“I admire your bravery in speaking to me, and of voicing your own opinion.” he replied, after clearing his dry throat. He glanced over at where the scientist had vanished into a corridor and looked back at the guard as he continued,
“I noticed your uniform… it isn’t like his,” he placed stress on this word as he jerked his head in the direction of the scientist’s exit before speaking again, “I do not usually ask for the help of others but I think my current situation requires it. Would you please release me and help me get out of here? Or if it is too risky for you… just free me and show me a way out, and I’ll take the rest from there.”
"Ah my mistake. Yes you can say I'm an army man. This armor was specially made for my needs. " He thought to himself if he should show his other armor, but decided not too. "So where are you from?"
Hmmm...he's nervous about my presence for some reason...and he's lying about something...ah well, nothing new about either of those things. He...is that a he? Eh, whatever, he's no different than most of the rest of sentient society. "Nice to meet you, Tenebrae, yes, I'm with SOLDIER. Name's Fides Aeteria, and I'm to be leading the MVA into battle." Fides smiled brightly at the cloaked man, extending a hand in greeting. *********** ((Post Count: 82 Thread Total: 2226 Thread Bonus: +100
OOC: Hey Ben, I've been listing my bonus XP from Mal's post for my use, I don't think it applies to all of us. And nice entrance. See what I meant? He can tell you're lying and uncomfortable, but he doesn't really care because he's used to SOLDIER being treated with slight distaste and he's lied so much he knows all the good reasons for lying. He's just giving you the benefit of the doubt that you're lying for a good reason. ^_^))
"I see, I see..." Vale nodded to both men and shook Fides' hand. He grinned a little, noting the man's suspicion of him- most people could tell there was something just wrong about him, what with him being a demon and all.
"Our leader? Huh- didn't expect to see someone like our leader in such a seedy district as this one. Way to set an example, Sarge." He smirked evilly before turning to Cecil.
"I'm from Midgar, of course... Been here for pretty much all my life, except for a small, meaningless fraction before coming here." He shrugged and nodded to both men. "Now, if you gentlemen will excuse me, I've got some celebrating to do- unless you want to come along? Turns out getting plastered is a talent of mine."
Fides looked at Cecil and shrugged. "Sure, why not. I've got nothing better to do right now and I actually fight better when I'm hung over. I'll join you certainly. Can't speak for Mr. Harvey over here." Fides nodded at the be-armored man.
"As for this being seedy, I'll thank you not to insult my choice of living arrangements. And don't call me Sarge, call me Fides. Mr. Aeteria if you have to be formal." Fides grinned to show he was teasing the young man. He's still lying...by omission. He's not telling me something pretty big. Welp, people's secrets are their own, I'll deal with it when it impacts morale. He smirked and looked at Cecil. "Well? Would you care to join us?" ********** ((Post Count=137 Thread Total=2363 Bonus XP=+100))
For a moment the security gaurd fell into silence, just sitting there, smoking way at his cigarette ( and in the long term his life).He then stood up and headed over to the scientists desk.He seemed to be fiddling about with some papers and then his face changed. He picked up the bit of paper and headed over to a control pannel, punching in a few numbers you heard a slight whirring sound.
Then the sound of gas release. Although at first you may have thought that the security guard had just gaed you, as the glass cage around you lowered the relisation came that it was just the release of the locks.
" I can see me not getting paid for this, but ah well screw it...I'm not from around this damned continent anyways...."
Slowly he walked over to the side and with some effort hefted a large metal cage onto a trolly. He opened the cage up and gestured to you. " Jump in...". He smirked slightly. " Don't worry I'm not about to lock you up again, but think about it, I can't just stroll out of here with you and pretend your my dog". He pointed at the piece of paper. " Along with codes for cage release this little puppy gave me an idea. In about 5 minutes the Shinra labs begin loading up monsters and taking them to the underground lab at Junon, I say you hop in this cage, I put a nice white cloth over it, and walk out the door all casual like and pretend that we're shipping you off to Junon....". He crossed his arms. " Course its your choice....the scientist'll be back in around ten minutes, so we've not got long....".
Choice Event: A) Jump in the cage [ Upon doing this you must RP your way out of the Shinra building, you may control the security guard for this] B) Find another way out. [ Rp this as well if you choose this option]
The demon boy frowns at Fides, seeming a bit preturbed by the SOLDIER. Hell, anyone would with the way he was looking at Vale. He hadn't taken his eyes off the bounty hunter since they first began conversation. "Whatever, Cap'n. Though I wish you'd stop eyeing me like that... I'm definitely a dude and don't swing that way..." He turned away from the creepy SOLDIER, facing Cecil.
"Sounds good to me, Harvey. I know some good places around here- though, judging by that stellar-looking armor you wear they won't amount to little more than a place to get sustanence. This IS Midgar- no such thing as 'great' restaurants except on the upper Plate." He continued small-talk like this for awhile as they headed towards the bar/grill Vale was leading them to.
Word Count: 140 Total Count: 1031 + 140 =1171
((I'm done here. I suggest that Fides and Cecil post once more before making a thread about the bar. Then Nanaki can finish his story without us cursing drunkenly at each other XD))
Nanaki stared at the silent guard, curious as to why he would help just another 'research specimen' as he now was. It wasn’t that he didn’t appreciate the stranger’s kindness, but he concluded that within time these things would reveal themselves. Whilst the creature was musing about these things the man had walked over to the scientist's desk and was absorbed in a pile of papers. Nanaki turned his head to watch, noticing that the guard seemed to be concentrating intently on something written down, and then walking over to the control panel. The feline held his breath as numbers were punched in and then he looked about him at a whirring noise in the cage.
He quickly raised himself onto all fours as he heard an unusual sound, as though something had been released into the air. He searched the area above his head frantically for the gas, his fears being dissolved as the cage lowered. Then... that sound is just the locks being released, he thought to himself as he dared to stretch his aching joints. Nanaki grinned at the guard's comments, his curiosity piqued at the mention that he wasn’t from around here either.
"I don't know how I came to be here... let alone the name of this continent," he admitted in reply to the man's comment.
He watched as the man loaded a heavy, metal cage onto a wide trolley and gesture to him. The feline gave him a look of uncertainty as he told him to jump in, which must have prompted him to reassure him he wanted to help, and they couldn't just walk out of here without raising suspicions.
"You have a point," he replied, nodding slowly.
He listened to the guard's plan and having previously scanned the room and found no other viable escape he mentally decided to go along with the guard's idea. He shook himself in preparation for movement, his plaits clanging together in response. He lowered his head as the guard told him it was his choice, and padding towards the edge he leapt obligingly into the cage in front of him. It rattled on impact and wouldn’t abate until the intelligent beast had circled it and lay down in an attempt to get comfortable. Nanaki didn’t have time to complain as he watched the guard cross the room to find a large sheet of cloth and return to cover the cage. He lay his head on the harsh metal as the trolley rolled noisily into life, and decided to close his eyes whilst allowing his ears to be on alert, should they need to.
Before they got going, the guard slipped the vital papers into one of his pockets and began to cross the room. He had only crossed the threshold of the room before a scientist had spotted him and asked him his business. He had stood his ground and told them as non-committal as he could, “I’m just doing my job, and I have my orders.” That seemed to do the trick as he was dismissed and told to wait with the others doing the same thing at the lifts. Sure enough, there were a group of people with trolleys loaded with cages, some had cloths covering the cages and as another guard checked each worker some of the cages let their presence be known by roaring, hissing and growling. Inside his own cage, Nanaki opened his eye at the sound of heavy boots approaching and kept his breathing as shallow as he could.
“Yours is a bit quiet, isn’t it?” the officer asked suspiciously, gripping onto the truncheon he held to his shoulder.
“Yeah, we had to tranquilise it back in the labs. It might be quiet now but it's actually very fierce,” he replied coolly.
The officer seemed satisfied with this reply and moved onto the next worker behind. They waited as the queue was let in the lift in a strict order, until it was his turn. He was thankful to have the doors close behind him and began punching in numbers hurriedly, drawing a breath as it juddered into life. I’m really gonna need a cigarette by the time I’ve got out of here, he thought humorously to himself. The lighting shifted from horribly bright to dull as the lift counted the floors down. None of the other Shinra workers would use the lifts at these times for numerous reasons; firstly, they wouldn’t want to be around pissed off creatures, no matter how drugged and concealed they were, secondly, the science department were very precious about their toys, fondly called ‘specimens’, and lastly if it needed to be said, there was very little room anyway.
Nanaki was still breathing as shallowly as he could when the lift ground to a halt and the sound of doors opening came into his ears. The guard gripped onto the trolley handle as he moved forward through the open lobby, mostly being ignored as it was a fairly common sight although some new recruits stopped and stared with interest. The doors slid open for him as he approached the entrance and followed the road as it curved out of sight of the oppressive building.
