[ Inaba nods, taking the new information all in. ]
Well, I'd be more of a liability in a fight so it'd be better for me to keep to the backlines, anyway. Besides, monitoring things was always my style in the first place as a professional analyst. Plus it's something I've done in the past and am good at.
[ Which is a general plus in her book. Ah, but wait... ]
But there is one thing I should ask. If they're powering the barrier, would that be considered a part of their abilities? Like the barrier is more supernatural over scientific.
You wouldn't be wrong to call it that, even if we can technically harness the energy hiding within the Rubrillite... They only really started getting out of control when the constructs took over.
And by that turn, they're not really natural to Earth to begin with.
Whoever's responsible for this could have picked a better thing to cover the city in than a bunch of rock...
[She almost sounds annoyed. Almost.
Mei just scratches her cheek.]
The looming restoration efforts aside, it doesn't change that it's an issue big enough to warrant as many heads working on it as possible. I don't like that they emerged as suddenly as they did.
The mastermind's definitely trying to push their plans forward...
[ Well, that definition at least helps her because of what she winds up saying next, smiling a little awkwardly: ]
I guess maybe we should consider ourselves 'lucky' in a sense. If it's an ability of theirs, I should be able to open up the barrier. The only issue is that I wouldn't be able to monitor things safely if I had to do that...
[ But it is a potential option that she can offer, as she still feels the part of her that is still an SCP. ]
[She can't remember if Inaba ever told her anything she was hiding -- and her memories of that cordoned, starry city have been something of a blur since coming back, since she had the life sapped out of her by that abomination... but if she was talking of opening it...
It would need to involve her 'controlling' it in some manner.
For her part, Bronya's quick to follow up on the more glaring issue--]
Say we do let you back out there to give us that early opening, even knowing we just got you to this hideout. What if whatever you do to it doesn't last?
[ She wasn't going to lie at least. That would do neither of them any benefits in the slightest. ]
But even a temporary opening isn't entirely worthless. At the very least, it would open up more opportunities and give more options. [ Inaba says this as she finally starts to eat her sandwich, biting into it as she continues to mull on things more in her head. At the very least, it'd give her a few more seconds to stall as she thinks. ] Plus, I wouldn't think that anyone would see it coming, even if it didn't last. If you think about it like a game of chess, it'd be as if someone from outside the board came and secretly took one of their pieces and ate it while they weren't looking.
[ Inaba, is now the time to reference a meme... ]
Well. It's just an option that I'm throwing out there, of course; you don't need to take me up on it, given that the risk doesn't necessarily outweigh the benefits. Not to mention that this isn't my world. [ It's then that her gaze darkens, hazel colored eyes narrowing as if she's looking somewhere far, far away. ] I don't have the right to make a decision that can make or break the situation. Realistically, it'd be better to play things much safer.
We already had a lot of rough scrapes trying to get back after Big Sis Mei got injured. We can't just throw anyone out there like that, much less one of her friends...!
[...and yet, while she doesn't want to risk Inaba, there's a part of Mei in this moment that's actually considering the idea, and how to make it work.
In fact, she finds herself idly taking her katana out of its sheath, gazing into the edge for a moment, then putting it back.]
...it's still something to keep in the back pocket, at least.
[Bronya finds herself whirling on her long-time friend as soon as she hears that.]
But--!
[Mei, for her part, keeps a level head as she continues.]
I'm not saying we're throwing her to the dogs, for the record. Just that if we do seriously act on what Inaba is suggesting, it'll take planning and a prayer that the Overseer picks up on what we've done. I'm sure she's kept a close eye on everything since the barrier went up.
...I also know you mean well, Bronya. But communication is key, more than ever, now that we have someone else with us.
[...The acting squad leader eventually relents, leaning back against the safer bit of rubble to ruminate. After she takes a breath, realizing she'd let it slip,]
Sorry, Squad Leader Raiden. I'll try not to act up like that. It wasn't necessary at all.
No need to go back to being formal. Besides, you have valid points too.
[ Hearing all of this, Inaba finds herself... surprised? She's so used to throwing herself into things in spite of people worrying- people who have known her for a while, in fact- that hearing someone show concern so quickly, even if it's just simply because she's a friend of a friend is a bit jarring.
She can't help but feel a little jealous, as she wears a thin smile that only lasts for a second before it fades and she speaks up. ]
I do agree that I'd rather have things planned out than just Leeroy Jenkins the whole thing. [ And then, to Bronya, specifically: ] I know very well that I don't exactly have much in the way of combative capabilities. I know basic self defense and how to use a gun from one of the other worlds I've visited, which honestly probably isn't much.
And risking my life just for a single moment may not even be worth it, especially given that my own words are those of a stranger... even more so given that it's a stranger who is offering such nonsensical things for a world that isn't hers.
[ It doesn't necessarily benefit her at all. It doesn't even guarantee that she'd be able to return home, either. ]
But that's why I spoke up and offered outright instead of just running off to simply just do it. Since it isn't something to take lightly, or do on my own.
[ She is, at least not that reckless...? Right now, anyway. ]
[Bronya has to take a moment to clear her throat after all that; it was... unbecoming of her, and she can still feel the pangs of shame, even if she did prove to have some sense.]
As long as we're in agreement of what risks this poses, then...
[Mei spares a glance for Inaba to get a read of her... and even as she considered what the younger girl put forward as a solution, there was always a bit of her that recalled a certain important person's more reckless ventures. The way she'd suggested with out a hint of irony things that put her in harm's way.
It's not something she can really shake off easily -- moreso knowing who else they shared as a friend... and a very precious person, in Inaba's case.]
Either way, it shouldn't be too long still before we get word from our squad members. Let's try to make the most of what time we have before we have to throw ourselves back into the fray.
[Bronya looks to Mei again, on that note -- though her tone was still laced with concern, she does keep a smile up.]
Just don't strain yourself too hard, Big Sis Mei. You just got back.
[ Inaba is just going to chew on her sandwich now, ruminating on a couple of things. She doesn't really have words to say here, so now she's just kind of... awkwardly silent.
Honestly, she can't help but wonder what the other squad members are going to think - she's someone that came out of nowhere, after all, and even if Mei trusts her, what would the others think...?
That sort of anxiety is something that she can't help but think about. Well, that's a problem for later, she supposes. ]
[Naturally, she's quick to raise a brow when there's a bit of dead air.
...now that she thinks of it, since they have the time now and they don't have to worry about her dying--]
...Bronya, could you go back to monitoring things for now?
[Bronya nods before taking out her multi-weapon. The hideout might be a relatively good vantage point, but there's not much point to that edge if it isn't being used...
Returning the gesture with a nod of thanks, she opts to settle near Inaba.]
Something the matter? ...as always, you don't have to talk about it right away.
[It's been a while since she got to settle back into the role of principal, but... here's hoping her presence can still calm in spite of things being as they are.]
[ She's quickly brought out of her thoughts when asked if there's something wrong, and while there's a part of her that wants to shut it down, doing that in a foreign world when you only know one person is probably not the best idea.
Besides, these worries of hers are ones that she can at least gather the strength to voice. ]
I was just thinking about how other people might wind up seeing me, in this world.
[ Her answer is very quiet, and she doesn't look at Mei; instead just staring at the floor beneath her feet as if it'd give her answers, even if she knows full well it won't. ]
[...she had to listen a tad more intently to catch that, try to hazard a guess, but--as soon as it clicks with her,]
Mm... I don't think it'll be that bad, at least. Our squads... well, they have their quirks, but that doesn't make them bad people. Some might be more reliable than others, but they're hardly the kind to judge.
[Though she's supposed to be keeping an eye on things, Bronya finds herself unable to help a response. And there's some mild irritation as she speaks up.]
Just don't let Lyle go off on his tangents...
I'm sure he's just doing some moodmaking... [Cough. That's beside the point.] ...anyway, my point is, they're friendly. They're all roughly your age, too.
But if things go wrong... then she'll have to find a way out as soon as possible. After all, she knows that while she might look human on the outside, the inside was a completely different story. ]
At least having friendly faces will make being far away from home tolerable.
I'm sure we can talk things out if anything does happen, at least...
[She does try to continue, but Bronya getting a call makes her snap to attention. Mei nods to her fellow veteran to have her patch it through, and--
"This is Carole--! We have trouble! Big trouble!"
...that immediately gets her to knuckle down. That's not a tone she wants to hear.]
Carole, report!
["We got ambushed again--! Gah!" There's the sound of something whooshing past the girl on the other end of the line, before scrambling footsteps leak in from the background. "We need help, and quick!"]
Was there more resistance than we expected in that area...!? [Oh, that isn't good...!]
[Bronya grits her teeth. The constructs aren't smart, but the more advanced forms -- they would be enough to cause that sort of trouble...!]
Adam! Respond immediately! What's your situation!?
["Still able to fight, Squad Leader--! A Hermit and Sun caught us on the way back!"
Bronya grimaces. She should have double checked for bigger game in the area...!
"We'll hold them off as long as we can!" The fighting intensifies on the other end. Bronya can only hope her orders get through and they can be followed up on.]
Pull back to more open ground! We'll meet you halfway! [Putting away her communicator, she readies her multiweapon; of all the times for something like this to happen...] ...Inaba, there should be a spare communicator and a dedicated mapping device in the supply box. Take those and be ready to track their signal.
[The supply box in question is sitting a short walk from where she's sitting, laid out a lamp's width away from the door.
Mei readies her katana at the same time.]
This isn't how I wanted to hear back from them, but hopefully they don't mind the extra hand...!
[ Of course she can't have normalcy for even a good hour, a feeling from her time at the Foundation that she hasn't missed in the slightest. It's this kind of rush into action that makes her realize that she's had it good for far too long in Starsand.
She has to let out a breath that she hadn't thought that she was even holding, finishing the last bits of her sandwich before stretching her hands up and hopping right off of her seat. ]
Okay, looks like it's back to work, huh?
[ Inaba says this as if dealing with this sort of thing was just another day ending with "y" as she goes ahead to walk towards the supply box and start grabbing what she's going to need.
Her unfamiliarity with the world and how things work does put her at a rather obvious disadvantage in a dire situation, but she'd like to think of herself as quick-witted enough to pick up on things as she goes. She's had to fly by the seat of her pants before in the past plenty of times, now is absolutely no different.
Once supplies are obtained it's time to crack her knuckles and properly set up--if she's lucky, locations will be marked. If she's not, well that's what asking's for. ]
We haven't really been able to catch a break, either, if that's any consolation...
[The mapping device is intuitive enough, at the very least -- Inaba fiddling with it will eventually lead to the map itself being opened up and displayed as a hologram, one of a bird's eye view of St. Fountain. There are a number of spots marked off with places for Mei and Bronya to deploy to, and several signatures displayed as rings expanding outward before dissipating. The map also has a pin squarely where Inaba first showed up in the area - marked as 'Unusual Honkai Reaction'; follow-up notes indicate that it wasn't the product of something called a "Stargate"...
More urgently, there's four signatures marked with several names -- Carole, Adam, Lyle and Timido... and closer observation will show that the group of four is moving towards a bridge overlooking the outer regions of the city.
Bronya double checks her map in preparation, and scans through; in her rush, it looks like she's overlooked this, and is preparing to set off to the area marked as the Van Hoek Hotel...]
I'm going on ahead. I should be able to catch them before they run into anything else. Squad Leader Raiden, are you ready?
I'll be doing a sweep of the hideout. I'll follow after you soon.
It's not, but at least I'll be aware of what to expect...
[ Her eyes do light up at the hologram, however; technology like this wasn't really all that common in both her hometown of Yokohama, Japan or even Starsand, so her interest is absolutely piqued as she looks at the map. It's rather extensive, to say the least, which is good for her.
She'll have to ask for a glossary of terms later, though, once she has the time to. ]
They're heading towards a bridge...?
[ It's spoken aloud with quite a bit of curiosity. She doesn't have enough knowledge of this world to know why they would be heading in that direction besides the obvious - being able to see the surrounding areas for a better view of the situation. ]
[Just as she was about to get moving, Bronya catches what Inaba said--and that sets off an alarm in her head, bringing her to an equally sudden stop.]
Did you say 'bridge'--!?
[The closest thing to Bronya raising her voice also pulls Mei out of leaving the room. There's a heightened urgency that wasn't there before--]
Lion's Head Bay Bridge is walled off...! They're going to get trapped against the barrier if they keep going that way!
[--and when that's the first thing out of her mouth...
If Inaba follows up on Mei's information, she'll find a marked line that forms part of the circular barrier encasing St. Fountain, denoting a 'previously-absent' segment; whatever is keeping them in has also firmly cordoned the bridge from access... and the four signatures denoting the rest of the pair's squads are drawing closer to it.
Bronya has to grit her teeth at all this. What are they thinking--!?]
Looks like doing a sweep just outside the hideout will have to wait... Bronya, let's go!
Right! [She turns to Inaba as she redoubles efforts towards setting off.] We need to focus on clearing a path for them. Try to get them to go towards the hotel instead.
If they ask, tell them you're an associate of ours. They'll get that much straight away.
[ Yep, she's immediately checking in on that the very second that she gets the new piece of information. Bronya's not the only person who finds themselves gritting their teeth; it sounds like the information about the bridge might have potentially been common knowledge, which only raises even more questions.
But there's no time to think about that right now, she has to refocus her efforts-- ]
Alright, got it. I'll try and get into contact with them right now.
[ Hopefully she actually can, though. She's going to try and patch through... ]
Thank you. Hopefully it isn't too late to get through to them...
[And with that, both veterans set off, leaving Inaba by herself in the hideout. ...it probably feels a lot emptier, in the silence that hangs overhead while she tries to patch a connection through. She might even be disconnected at least once -- at least that didn't have anything to do with whatever interfered with communications leading out of the barrier. The lack of a response to Inaba's hailing might also be a problem in itself, before long.
Eventually, someone does pick up -- the girl from earlier. She sounds a bit more out of breath now compared to the earlier call...
"Sorry, can it wait--!? We're still trying to get away--!"]
[ The emptiness and loneliness... it's something that she is admittedly used to; from working at a cubicle filing away paperwork like a drone at the Foundation to her early years isolating herself from other people because she was afraid, because she didn't trust others.
She can't say that feeling has gone away, not entirely.
But she shakes it off when the other voice spoke up. ]
It can't. [ Inaba's voice is sturdy and calm. ] Hi, you probably don't recognize me, I'm an acquaintance of Mei and Bronya's-- they're on their way, but they also told me to inform you that you guys are heading straight for the bridge and that's not going to help any of you and that you should try and head towards the hotel because otherwise you'll be trapped against the barrier; which I can only guess is a bad thing for all of you.
Adam catches the fuss -- there's the sound of something being ripped out on the other end, followed by... screaming? Wailing? It was hard to tell what that noise was supposed to be -- but it seemed like one of the monsters they were dealing with was dead. It's still not a sound anyone wants to hear.
Either way, Adam isn't sure what's going on, but if the Squad Leader brought in some help, they have to be some level of trustworthy...
"We didn't have much choice in the matter--!" There's brief struggling, then something being smacked away before he continues. "We nearly got caught by a self-destructing construct!"
One of the other names -- Timido -- pops up on the feed. The meek voice contrasts heavily against the situation on the other end. "It was my fault... I--I'm sorry you had to go out of your way...!"
...Mei and Bronya haven't patched in. It might be a bit before they get in touch and help coordinate.]
[ Inaba finds herself wincing a little bit at the awful sound; it's definitely not something she wanted to hear at all... she frowns and opts to ask: ]
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2024-04-08 06:00 pm (UTC)Well, I'd be more of a liability in a fight so it'd be better for me to keep to the backlines, anyway. Besides, monitoring things was always my style in the first place as a professional analyst. Plus it's something I've done in the past and am good at.
[ Which is a general plus in her book. Ah, but wait... ]
But there is one thing I should ask. If they're powering the barrier, would that be considered a part of their abilities? Like the barrier is more supernatural over scientific.
no subject
Date: 2024-04-08 06:20 pm (UTC)And by that turn, they're not really natural to Earth to begin with.
Whoever's responsible for this could have picked a better thing to cover the city in than a bunch of rock...
[She almost sounds annoyed. Almost.
Mei just scratches her cheek.]
The looming restoration efforts aside, it doesn't change that it's an issue big enough to warrant as many heads working on it as possible. I don't like that they emerged as suddenly as they did.
The mastermind's definitely trying to push their plans forward...
no subject
Date: 2024-04-08 07:03 pm (UTC)I guess maybe we should consider ourselves 'lucky' in a sense. If it's an ability of theirs, I should be able to open up the barrier. The only issue is that I wouldn't be able to monitor things safely if I had to do that...
[ But it is a potential option that she can offer, as she still feels the part of her that is still an SCP. ]
no subject
Date: 2024-04-09 11:12 am (UTC)[She can't remember if Inaba ever told her anything she was hiding -- and her memories of that cordoned, starry city have been something of a blur since coming back, since she had the life sapped out of her by that abomination... but if she was talking of opening it...
It would need to involve her 'controlling' it in some manner.
For her part, Bronya's quick to follow up on the more glaring issue--]
Say we do let you back out there to give us that early opening, even knowing we just got you to this hideout. What if whatever you do to it doesn't last?
no subject
Date: 2024-04-09 11:26 am (UTC)[ She wasn't going to lie at least. That would do neither of them any benefits in the slightest. ]
But even a temporary opening isn't entirely worthless. At the very least, it would open up more opportunities and give more options. [ Inaba says this as she finally starts to eat her sandwich, biting into it as she continues to mull on things more in her head. At the very least, it'd give her a few more seconds to stall as she thinks. ] Plus, I wouldn't think that anyone would see it coming, even if it didn't last. If you think about it like a game of chess, it'd be as if someone from outside the board came and secretly took one of their pieces and ate it while they weren't looking.
[ Inaba, is now the time to reference a meme... ]
Well. It's just an option that I'm throwing out there, of course; you don't need to take me up on it, given that the risk doesn't necessarily outweigh the benefits. Not to mention that this isn't my world. [ It's then that her gaze darkens, hazel colored eyes narrowing as if she's looking somewhere far, far away. ] I don't have the right to make a decision that can make or break the situation. Realistically, it'd be better to play things much safer.
no subject
Date: 2024-04-09 11:51 am (UTC)We already had a lot of rough scrapes trying to get back after Big Sis Mei got injured. We can't just throw anyone out there like that, much less one of her friends...!
[...and yet, while she doesn't want to risk Inaba, there's a part of Mei in this moment that's actually considering the idea, and how to make it work.
In fact, she finds herself idly taking her katana out of its sheath, gazing into the edge for a moment, then putting it back.]
...it's still something to keep in the back pocket, at least.
[Bronya finds herself whirling on her long-time friend as soon as she hears that.]
But--!
[Mei, for her part, keeps a level head as she continues.]
I'm not saying we're throwing her to the dogs, for the record. Just that if we do seriously act on what Inaba is suggesting, it'll take planning and a prayer that the Overseer picks up on what we've done. I'm sure she's kept a close eye on everything since the barrier went up.
...I also know you mean well, Bronya. But communication is key, more than ever, now that we have someone else with us.
[...The acting squad leader eventually relents, leaning back against the safer bit of rubble to ruminate. After she takes a breath, realizing she'd let it slip,]
Sorry, Squad Leader Raiden. I'll try not to act up like that. It wasn't necessary at all.
No need to go back to being formal. Besides, you have valid points too.
no subject
Date: 2024-04-09 12:31 pm (UTC)She can't help but feel a little jealous, as she wears a thin smile that only lasts for a second before it fades and she speaks up. ]
I do agree that I'd rather have things planned out than just Leeroy Jenkins the whole thing. [ And then, to Bronya, specifically: ] I know very well that I don't exactly have much in the way of combative capabilities. I know basic self defense and how to use a gun from one of the other worlds I've visited, which honestly probably isn't much.
And risking my life just for a single moment may not even be worth it, especially given that my own words are those of a stranger... even more so given that it's a stranger who is offering such nonsensical things for a world that isn't hers.
[ It doesn't necessarily benefit her at all. It doesn't even guarantee that she'd be able to return home, either. ]
But that's why I spoke up and offered outright instead of just running off to simply just do it. Since it isn't something to take lightly, or do on my own.
[ She is, at least not that reckless...? Right now, anyway. ]
no subject
Date: 2024-04-11 10:11 am (UTC)[Bronya has to take a moment to clear her throat after all that; it was... unbecoming of her, and she can still feel the pangs of shame, even if she did prove to have some sense.]
As long as we're in agreement of what risks this poses, then...
[Mei spares a glance for Inaba to get a read of her... and even as she considered what the younger girl put forward as a solution, there was always a bit of her that recalled a certain important person's more reckless ventures. The way she'd suggested with out a hint of irony things that put her in harm's way.
It's not something she can really shake off easily -- moreso knowing who else they shared as a friend... and a very precious person, in Inaba's case.]
Either way, it shouldn't be too long still before we get word from our squad members. Let's try to make the most of what time we have before we have to throw ourselves back into the fray.
[Bronya looks to Mei again, on that note -- though her tone was still laced with concern, she does keep a smile up.]
Just don't strain yourself too hard, Big Sis Mei. You just got back.
no subject
Date: 2024-04-11 01:09 pm (UTC)Honestly, she can't help but wonder what the other squad members are going to think - she's someone that came out of nowhere, after all, and even if Mei trusts her, what would the others think...?
That sort of anxiety is something that she can't help but think about. Well, that's a problem for later, she supposes. ]
no subject
Date: 2024-04-11 02:15 pm (UTC)[Naturally, she's quick to raise a brow when there's a bit of dead air.
...now that she thinks of it, since they have the time now and they don't have to worry about her dying--]
...Bronya, could you go back to monitoring things for now?
[Bronya nods before taking out her multi-weapon. The hideout might be a relatively good vantage point, but there's not much point to that edge if it isn't being used...
Returning the gesture with a nod of thanks, she opts to settle near Inaba.]
Something the matter? ...as always, you don't have to talk about it right away.
[It's been a while since she got to settle back into the role of principal, but... here's hoping her presence can still calm in spite of things being as they are.]
no subject
Date: 2024-04-11 02:29 pm (UTC)[ She's quickly brought out of her thoughts when asked if there's something wrong, and while there's a part of her that wants to shut it down, doing that in a foreign world when you only know one person is probably not the best idea.
Besides, these worries of hers are ones that she can at least gather the strength to voice. ]
I was just thinking about how other people might wind up seeing me, in this world.
[ Her answer is very quiet, and she doesn't look at Mei; instead just staring at the floor beneath her feet as if it'd give her answers, even if she knows full well it won't. ]
no subject
Date: 2024-04-11 03:04 pm (UTC)Mm... I don't think it'll be that bad, at least. Our squads... well, they have their quirks, but that doesn't make them bad people. Some might be more reliable than others, but they're hardly the kind to judge.
[Though she's supposed to be keeping an eye on things, Bronya finds herself unable to help a response. And there's some mild irritation as she speaks up.]
Just don't let Lyle go off on his tangents...
I'm sure he's just doing some moodmaking... [Cough. That's beside the point.] ...anyway, my point is, they're friendly. They're all roughly your age, too.
no subject
Date: 2024-04-11 03:38 pm (UTC)[ For now, anyway.
But if things go wrong... then she'll have to find a way out as soon as possible. After all, she knows that while she might look human on the outside, the inside was a completely different story. ]
At least having friendly faces will make being far away from home tolerable.
no subject
Date: 2024-04-15 02:51 pm (UTC)[She does try to continue, but Bronya getting a call makes her snap to attention. Mei nods to her fellow veteran to have her patch it through, and--
"This is Carole--! We have trouble! Big trouble!"
...that immediately gets her to knuckle down. That's not a tone she wants to hear.]
Carole, report!
["We got ambushed again--! Gah!" There's the sound of something whooshing past the girl on the other end of the line, before scrambling footsteps leak in from the background. "We need help, and quick!"]
Was there more resistance than we expected in that area...!? [Oh, that isn't good...!]
[Bronya grits her teeth. The constructs aren't smart, but the more advanced forms -- they would be enough to cause that sort of trouble...!]
Adam! Respond immediately! What's your situation!?
["Still able to fight, Squad Leader--! A Hermit and Sun caught us on the way back!"
Bronya grimaces. She should have double checked for bigger game in the area...!
"We'll hold them off as long as we can!" The fighting intensifies on the other end. Bronya can only hope her orders get through and they can be followed up on.]
Pull back to more open ground! We'll meet you halfway! [Putting away her communicator, she readies her multiweapon; of all the times for something like this to happen...] ...Inaba, there should be a spare communicator and a dedicated mapping device in the supply box. Take those and be ready to track their signal.
[The supply box in question is sitting a short walk from where she's sitting, laid out a lamp's width away from the door.
Mei readies her katana at the same time.]
This isn't how I wanted to hear back from them, but hopefully they don't mind the extra hand...!
no subject
Date: 2024-04-15 04:33 pm (UTC)She has to let out a breath that she hadn't thought that she was even holding, finishing the last bits of her sandwich before stretching her hands up and hopping right off of her seat. ]
Okay, looks like it's back to work, huh?
[ Inaba says this as if dealing with this sort of thing was just another day ending with "y" as she goes ahead to walk towards the supply box and start grabbing what she's going to need.
Her unfamiliarity with the world and how things work does put her at a rather obvious disadvantage in a dire situation, but she'd like to think of herself as quick-witted enough to pick up on things as she goes. She's had to fly by the seat of her pants before in the past plenty of times, now is absolutely no different.
Once supplies are obtained it's time to crack her knuckles and properly set up--if she's lucky, locations will be marked. If she's not, well that's what asking's for. ]
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Date: 2024-04-17 11:00 pm (UTC)[The mapping device is intuitive enough, at the very least -- Inaba fiddling with it will eventually lead to the map itself being opened up and displayed as a hologram, one of a bird's eye view of St. Fountain. There are a number of spots marked off with places for Mei and Bronya to deploy to, and several signatures displayed as rings expanding outward before dissipating. The map also has a pin squarely where Inaba first showed up in the area - marked as 'Unusual Honkai Reaction'; follow-up notes indicate that it wasn't the product of something called a "Stargate"...
More urgently, there's four signatures marked with several names -- Carole, Adam, Lyle and Timido... and closer observation will show that the group of four is moving towards a bridge overlooking the outer regions of the city.
Bronya double checks her map in preparation, and scans through; in her rush, it looks like she's overlooked this, and is preparing to set off to the area marked as the Van Hoek Hotel...]
I'm going on ahead. I should be able to catch them before they run into anything else. Squad Leader Raiden, are you ready?
I'll be doing a sweep of the hideout. I'll follow after you soon.
[There's not much time before she sets off...]
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Date: 2024-04-18 12:34 pm (UTC)[ Her eyes do light up at the hologram, however; technology like this wasn't really all that common in both her hometown of Yokohama, Japan or even Starsand, so her interest is absolutely piqued as she looks at the map. It's rather extensive, to say the least, which is good for her.
She'll have to ask for a glossary of terms later, though, once she has the time to. ]
They're heading towards a bridge...?
[ It's spoken aloud with quite a bit of curiosity. She doesn't have enough knowledge of this world to know why they would be heading in that direction besides the obvious - being able to see the surrounding areas for a better view of the situation. ]
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Date: 2024-04-18 01:23 pm (UTC)Did you say 'bridge'--!?
[The closest thing to Bronya raising her voice also pulls Mei out of leaving the room. There's a heightened urgency that wasn't there before--]
Lion's Head Bay Bridge is walled off...! They're going to get trapped against the barrier if they keep going that way!
[--and when that's the first thing out of her mouth...
If Inaba follows up on Mei's information, she'll find a marked line that forms part of the circular barrier encasing St. Fountain, denoting a 'previously-absent' segment; whatever is keeping them in has also firmly cordoned the bridge from access... and the four signatures denoting the rest of the pair's squads are drawing closer to it.
Bronya has to grit her teeth at all this. What are they thinking--!?]
Looks like doing a sweep just outside the hideout will have to wait... Bronya, let's go!
Right! [She turns to Inaba as she redoubles efforts towards setting off.] We need to focus on clearing a path for them. Try to get them to go towards the hotel instead.
If they ask, tell them you're an associate of ours. They'll get that much straight away.
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Date: 2024-04-18 01:39 pm (UTC)But there's no time to think about that right now, she has to refocus her efforts-- ]
Alright, got it. I'll try and get into contact with them right now.
[ Hopefully she actually can, though. She's going to try and patch through... ]
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Date: 2024-04-20 01:03 pm (UTC)[And with that, both veterans set off, leaving Inaba by herself in the hideout. ...it probably feels a lot emptier, in the silence that hangs overhead while she tries to patch a connection through. She might even be disconnected at least once -- at least that didn't have anything to do with whatever interfered with communications leading out of the barrier. The lack of a response to Inaba's hailing might also be a problem in itself, before long.
Eventually, someone does pick up -- the girl from earlier. She sounds a bit more out of breath now compared to the earlier call...
"Sorry, can it wait--!? We're still trying to get away--!"]
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Date: 2024-04-20 01:17 pm (UTC)She can't say that feeling has gone away, not entirely.
But she shakes it off when the other voice spoke up. ]
It can't. [ Inaba's voice is sturdy and calm. ] Hi, you probably don't recognize me, I'm an acquaintance of Mei and Bronya's-- they're on their way, but they also told me to inform you that you guys are heading straight for the bridge and that's not going to help any of you and that you should try and head towards the hotel because otherwise you'll be trapped against the barrier; which I can only guess is a bad thing for all of you.
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Date: 2024-04-27 05:02 pm (UTC)Adam catches the fuss -- there's the sound of something being ripped out on the other end, followed by... screaming? Wailing? It was hard to tell what that noise was supposed to be -- but it seemed like one of the monsters they were dealing with was dead. It's still not a sound anyone wants to hear.
Either way, Adam isn't sure what's going on, but if the Squad Leader brought in some help, they have to be some level of trustworthy...
"We didn't have much choice in the matter--!" There's brief struggling, then something being smacked away before he continues. "We nearly got caught by a self-destructing construct!"
One of the other names -- Timido -- pops up on the feed. The meek voice contrasts heavily against the situation on the other end. "It was my fault... I--I'm sorry you had to go out of your way...!"
...Mei and Bronya haven't patched in. It might be a bit before they get in touch and help coordinate.]
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Date: 2024-04-27 07:40 pm (UTC)Is there any way you guys can loop back around?