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The grinding mimicry makes pathetic sobbing sounds. "M-my name is Jeremy; I fell onto something in the back storage closet. I-It's sharp, and...and I-I can't seem to move. P...please help...it hurts." Anything to get her toward the back of the store, even if out of curiosity more than the kindness of her heart.

This would be much easier if the building were to lock its door and rip the entire floor out from under her, but its tired, bored, and feeling particularly cruel. Making the tragic death come after an attempted expression of kindness feels more...what's the word? Ah, it feels more fun.

The storage door is wide and swings out. Should Seo open it, it'd be easy to slam shut and shove her into the closet.

"Cease sniveling injured biomass! The noises you make are fuc-fuc-fuc-fuc frequently irritating this programs auditory receptors." The uncaring stuttering request was completely out of place in the perky, ever-happy vocal tenor that delivered it. Looking around at the chaotic group proceedings before it, the machine felt its coded heart drop. There was no order to be had here. Just more chaotic, biological meanderings.

Seeing the chief organism take sudden leave, and the chatterings from the others behind it, the machine decided on a coarse of action. Turning, in heel to toe about face, OPTIC began following Victi in silence with Lisa on its shoulders.

“Bella is my baby sister , she is super cute Well was.” She sighed “She had pretty brown hair , and she had those big cheeks like a hamster .” “She loved me and I loved her , mommy didn’t like Bella so I took care of her . Mommy didn’t like that , she tried to hurt Bella 4 times , but I always protect Bella then she choked Bella , like really bad choking.” “She died .” “The worst thing was that mommy said it was my fault.”


“I don’t wanna go home ok , I don’t want to be with creeps who kill kids.” She started crying again

Seo evilness her selve didn’t care “Do you see me care , nope.” She shook her head , she didn’t care “I have better things to do , like getting that annoying kid what she deserves .”

Victi looked back at the armoured form. She smirked. The poor bot was impatient, and from its complaints, not used to working with civilians.

"This is a very non-standard situation, you know," she began, "There's virtually no intel except what we've figured out the hard way, and we're without key resources in terms of magic and tech. You're probably noticing some of the features of the equipment you have are busted. Also, we're virtually all civilians. Other than you and your operative, I think I may be the only one with training, and I'm just a mercenary sorceress who used to be a Valkyrie. Kinda still am," She rustled her wings a bit, "But not formally, I don't think. Most of your expectations of how this thing will go.... sorry, but they aren't going to be met. No real chain of command, and trying to force one won't go well. Any reinforcements we get are going to be people like them: lost, confused civilians, who hopefully have useful skills. Unless we get more trained soldiers, who will be just as frustrated as you, most likely. So, here's my plan for now: First, find first-aid gear, use it if you think it would help your bonded. Second, see if we can find documentation in here, there may be reports that can tell us more about what's happening, or at least happened, here. Third, find food, becasue otherwise I'm going to start chewing on corpses, and that would be terrible. Fourth, find more real medical resources to use. In there somewhere, we lost someone already, and I'd like to see how she died to get a better clue of what we're dealing with. A six-meter arthropod with an armoured carapace, sapiet-level intellect, and grafted weapons doesn't die easy, so it would be useful to know how she did. Also, I know enough about her species that we may be able to salvage some glands full of antibiotics," she finished, grabbing a box hanging off a wall.

She couldn't read the text on it with her eyes in the state they were in, but putting it down on a table and popping it open? Perfect. Smelled about right, and she could feel things that seemed very first-aid friendly. Also, box on wall, especially brightly coloured, is usually first aid anyway. Her odds were good.

"If you can help find computers you may be able to do something to, or physical files that may be useful, that would be helpful. Unless you want to pop him out of you and direct me in applying what we have in this kit to him. I'm.... almost certain it's first aid, but I still can't see well after those optic flares. Lisa, you think you could do any better?"

"shhh, it wasn't your fault," Raven presses her soft self against Liliath, her purring growing more intense. "Your mommy is a liar and you won't go home to her if I can help it." Although Raven isn't very sure that she can help it. She and Liliath come from very different places, and only the heavens know if they'll be able to return to the same place.

A few more fake sobs fade into deafening silence as the place processes what Seo had just said. Then something like a low chuckle permeates the building as the grocery store's doors swing open to politely show her the way out.

As Seo leaves, the town will completely fall asleep. No shifting happens in the dead of night, no more traps, either.

"Maybe, if the talking armor would be so kind as to put me down." Lisa's fear is gradually giving way to irritation at her current predicament. "I also have more medicine in my pack, and I know how to give first-aid. You can make your supply runs while I help him. And perhaps the newcomer could help one of us?" She looks around as well as she can, but she can't seem to spot Adam. Still outside? Lurking just out of her limited field of vision?

“It was my fault.” “If I was never there , then mommy wouldn’t kill Bella.” She didn’t even hear anymore what Raven said , she was so sad. “Maybe I can fix a new sister.”

Wherever she is, it's dark and it smells terrible. Also, something hard is digging into her back.

Helynah, realizing that she needs to open her eyes to see, does so only to realize with bitter disappointment that its still dark. She lies on the ground, spread-eagle and staring at a starless night sky.

And...and where's the moon?

She sits up, realizing the thing digging into her back is her trident. Thank the Trinity I still have that. She runs her hand along its smooth handle. She lazily traces her fingers around the carving of a fish toward the bladed end as she takes in her surroundings.

She sits just outside of an odd-looking house with a shattered window. Lights flicker on and off inside, just like a few of the lights inside the surrounding buildings.

There's a faint scent of death all around her, so hoping to escape it indoors, she stands, dusts herself off and finds the back door of the building. Helynah, assuming the place is abandoned based off of the damage, draws her trident (could still be dangerous). She holds it upright in her hand before she cautiously enters a long hallway.

And immediately, she knows something is horribly wrong.

That wretched scent permeates the entire building. The flickering lights at the end of the hallway reveal broken furniture, scattered gore, and some hulking figure lying unmoving on the floor.

She takes the trident in both hands and takes a low fighting stance as approaches the monster. Drawing nearer reveals a beetle-like horror. Four body segments, several limbs tipped with long, sharp talons. She takes in a sharp breath as she sees that its adomnen had ruptured from the inside, and its head and crushed and mangled beyond recognition.

The creature is very clearly dead. This scene is horrific and -Helynah feels sick to her stomach- but she's fairly sure that her life isn't in immediate danger as long as she gets the hell out of this house. Whatever killed this monstrosity might be out for her blood, too.

What. The. Hell.

Where in the world is he!? Every time he turns his head, all he sees is darkness and unfamiliar buildings. A dreadful stench pokes his nose relentlessly. The smell of gore and blood. This is too much to wake up to- and all he remembered from last night is the tavern bed and how he contemplated under the moon's grace... which is apparently absent in this place. Is it even night? Is this some sort of illusion magic casted on him while he's asleep? Because he sure felt like being watched. His neck fur is bristling instinctively. This feels very realistic.

Crouching, the feline soundlessly trudged forward. Might as well explore and see why the illusionist wants me here. Shrugging skeptically, he suddenly hit something with his hind paw. Bronze looked down to inspect what it is only to find his rapier and knife, lying on the ground a few spaces beside where he woke up. Wordlessly, he picked his weapons up and placed them to where they belong, feeling a bit more safe in this unnatural and foreign place.

Still crouched, the feline mentally notes the oddities in comparison with the towns and villages he have traveled before. The road feels like some sort of stone, with broken white lines that holds some sort of border between the large path. Other than that, it is barren and lifeless like this... city? The lamp posts are unlit and made of some sort of stone too instead of wood, and the buildings are made of the same stone, beautifully created with foreign designs he only just saw.

Seconds turned to minutes. Nothing. Just the fangs of cold seeping unto his fur. The weather is bizarre too. It is mid-summer from where he came from. What's more terrifying is he could feel the weather, or is the illusionist doing something? As much as he wants to believe these what-ifs that will make him feel satisfied and better, his guts tells him that this is not an illusion at all. The stench of decaying flesh is stronger here, just one corner away. His heart quickens, his mind telling him to run, not to investigate.

But he needs answers. Slowly and even more carefully, Bronze peeked into the corner to spot a figure on the ground. A creature beyond his comprehension that is clearly two-and-a-half times larger than him, with claws that can easily tear him apart like paper, and it's dead. It's as if the creature is made out of a mad alchemist's wild dreams, in a more nightmarish nature. Blood flooded the place where the creature gasped it's last breath, unsure if he should feel sympathy or not. This is sickening, and he himself can barely hold on to his wits at this moment. After this gruesome sight, two things are certain.

He is trapped, He must get out of this place.

Helynah had backed away into the shadowy hall when she thinks she spots the head of a furry-earred creature on the other side of the broken window, illuminated by the flickering but disturbingly fireless light dangling from the ceiling.

Her first instinct is to run. Her second is to charge and introduce Bronze to the business end of her trident. Her third, and perhaps wisest, is to lean against the wall and carefully study the situation before deciding whether or not to make her introduction violent.

The stranger isn't very big. It -Or he, most likely- has a broad muzzle, fur, and the eyes and ears of some type of wild prarie cat. His bipedal stance and sophisticated expression of horror screams Felixian. Helynah has only known one Felixian personally, and it suffices to say that she and he did not get along.

However, unless some sort of foul magical play -shapeshifting, perhaps- was involved, she's sure he would not have been capable of killing that beast, at least not by exploding out of its gut or crushing its head. Furthermore, now seems like a bad time to let prejudice lead her course of action.

So she won't kill him, and she also doesn't feel like running away.

But still Helynah hovers in her lame excuse for a hiding spot, not sure if she should wait for him to draw near or if she should just say hello. Perhaps he'll do the running; after all, she does make an imposing silhouette in the hall, being rather tall, wearing a loose-fitting hooded cloak, wielding a long bladed weapon, and finally, being very much alive.

Calm down, Bronze.

Bronze took deep breaths. Mutilation is not new to him. The sight before him was more gruesome and brutal though, which leads him to his next questions; what, how, who, and why? The rush of unanswered mysteries makes him anxious and slightly nervous. Something tells him that whatever attacked this deformed creature is more likely feral and wild, incapable of speech- at least what he assumed so.

The body isn't exactly consumed- more likely to rot in this place. He placed a paw under his chin as if in thought. It is less likely that whatever attacked this... monstrosity are not going back to check on the corpse in a while, which is a relief. The carcass doesn't seem like fresh-kill either.

The feline tasted the air, cautious that his assumptions may be wrong and the hunter, which he'd call it from now on, is nearby. Much to his surprise, a faint yet another foreign scent is right behind him, a few leaps away. From his point of view, whatever this is, it's staying in one location. He's too afraid to turn his head and check what's behind him, given that there's already a corpse here.. He angled his ears down, waiting for it too move, if it was even alive. Nervous, he mustered up enough courage and reached for his rapier, slowly sliding it out of the scabbard. If this thing is capable of thinking, it's most likely to attack. He turned around slowly, his sword-arm ready and his left paw hidden behind.

Oh, please don't attack. Bronze wished desperately.

"Yes!"

OPTIC reacted to Lisa's comment with gusto, unceremoniously dumping her to the ground, as it inspected the medicine found by Victi.

"Healing is paramount. An unknown variable is causing a cascade error in my system, limiting this platforms life support for my bonded. The small one should administer the cure, and I will oversee the procedure. After I am satisfied with the results, I will join you large one, for a new objective."

A small pause in its monologue was followed by a series of flashing blue light. With a very human throat clearing, it began speaking as it layed down on the ground.

"Additionally, introductions are needed for future group cohesion: this programs designation is OPTIC. My bonded is Colonel Masato Ikari... Now, stand back."

A series of beeps, hisses and hydraulic sounds emanated from the armor as the whole suit seemed to fold away and into itself, revealing a slightly smaller human body. As the helmet gave way, a stern looking face with blood splattered lips was shown. Gauntlets now removed, one could see two or three fingers bent in slightly off angles on his left hand. Most open skin seen across his arms was black and blue with bruises. In a Deus Ex Machina moment, the muffled voice of OPTIC originated from the back of the human.

"I am unable to operate independent of my bonded. I must remain within the armor, and he must remain within me. I don't have time to educate you both, but should a separation ever occur, violent psychosis and eventual death would occur. From here I can observe and assist with medical knowledge and procedure. Begin superficial examination when ready, smaller bio mass."

Victi jumped forward to catch Lisa and slow her fall, supporting her head. If Lisa hit the floor, Victi would have to tell the bot it was an idiot when the chimera fell unconcious again, which, though fun, seemed like a good way to get into a fight with it, which she didn't feel like doing for once.

"Like I said earlier, electronic and photonic devices seem disrupted here. Not sure of the cause, but that's probably what you're feeling. I'm familiar with the kind of bonding mechanism you're describing, I think. Details later, though," she says, righting Lisa to her feet, "I'll be extra hands if you need them, Lisa."

"Wait, don't-" she shouts as OPTIC tosses her off of his shoulders to the ground. Thankfully, she falls into Victi's arms instead of hitting the floor. She mutters a quick "thank you" and glares as Masato's unconscious body as the fox helps her to her feet. Her knees buckle once and she nearly falls, but she keeps herself mostly upright by leaning against the wall.

She slides down the wall -going from standing to sitting without falling feels impossible- so she kneels beside Masato. Seeing the full extent of the damage, she realizes that he could be in worse shape than she had first thought.

The fact that he was still unconscious suggests a concussion, hopefully, a mild one. Some of the fingers on his left hand are broken, and Lisa worries that he might have more fractures that she can't yet see. She hopes the medicine kit that Victi had found something she could use for his bruising. As she goes through her bag again, setting out more vials of the salve, bandages, and other miscellaneous medicines.

She begins to apply another type of ointment to the bruises. This one feels icy cold against the skin; she knows that is will reduce swelling, but she also should try to put some pressure on the arm, too.

While trying to come up with the supplies to put appropriate pressure on the dozens of bruises, she remembers that they have a medicine kit.

"Oh, right. Victi, will you hand me that box?"

"Fix a new sister, huh?" Raven murmurs this. She's still purring to comfort Liliath but she doesn't seem all that content anymore. "Look, we should, uh...go back to the others. They might need my paws or your tiny hands."

"Sure, if there's anything you don't recognize, uh.... ask OPTIC, I can't see thing well still. If it's not helpful, describe it to me. If there's a funky thing with pads and a display and cords, ignore it, that's a defibrilator, it's for cardiac events and probably won't work here," she says as she passes Lisa the kit.

She tenses with the hiss of metal sliding out of a sheath as the Felixian turns to face her. Her grip tight around her own weapon, she locks eyes with him while drawing a blank on what to say.

Helynah's not one for diplomacy; that's been Zafnir's job ever since they began traveling together. Despite his being a dragon, and so technically the most powerful, she was always their groups' heavy because he favors negotiating over combat. She picks the fights while he works on trying to end them without killing anyone.

So, a good course of action would be to think of what Zafnir would say. He'd probably tell a lazy joke after introducing himself and promising not to eat anyone twenty or thirty times. She's not a fan of jokes and no one actually worries about getting eaten by her because she doesn't look like an apex predator, so introductions are all that seem appropriate.

She steps forward, forcing herself to hold the trident in her left hand and out to the side. Placing her free hand over her heart, she says, "Good evening." Although it really is a horrible evening, she lets whatever bit of wry humor she has slip out in her introduction with the hopes of putting the stranger at ease.

So it is evening then? The trident looks threatening in the feline's perspective. He can only parry swords, not long poking sticks. He's got to weasel himself out of this one, like he always does against powerful enemies. He feels like he can only dodge and jump around against that trident. He's got to choose his words more carefully to avoid conflict. His extended sword arm lowered down, more in a relaxed manner, his rapier pointing on the ground. He decided against unsheathing his knife behind, for it is yet unnecessary. He needs to know about this place, and the woman seems to be able to communicate with him fine with proper etiqutte. She's his only hope to shed light to some of his questions.

"Good evening." Bronze greeted back, bowing his head a bit in a respectful gesture, his eyes still locked on the stranger who still poses a threat. But there's one thing he is sure of, and that is she did not kill the rotting beast behind him. The gashes and wounds does not match with her equipped weapon. Relief calmed his heart a little, but not for long.

"So." He started, clearing his throat. He have questions to ask but doesn't know where to start. At this current situation, he must first evaluate if this woman is really a threat. At least he feels like this trident-wielding lady is a honorable one. "Would you kindly help me? I'm lost." The Caracal inquired, improvising a plot in his head. She probably lives here. She'll know the way around.