multifaceted.

[ lupa, for raedric ] “What’s your fur routine like? The only other wolves I’ve seen with tails as fluffy and well-groomed as yours are the courtesans favored by the emperor.” In other words, very pretty! But, that aside, she noticed that Raedric didn’t try to cover his tail or restrain it in any way, which wasn’t a common sight around here. Mostly because wolves like them were expected to ‘behave’, but also because… Before she could even ask about it, a bird flew by at max speed and stole a chunk of the guy’s fur. “The birds in the city like to steal fur to build their nests around this time of the year.”

C-COURTESANS… RAEDRIC WASN’T QUITE sure how to feel about this description. Was that a…compliment? Hmm… ❝I just brush it in the morning when I get up and before I sleep. I especially give it attention after a battle since it might have blood caked on it and dust.❞ Being fluffy was normal where he was from. The thicker the fur, the better to handle the frigid weather during the colder months. Of course, he didn’t need it to be like this nowadays since the weather where the guild was situated was often mild and pleasant. Even so, old habits died hard. He had wondered if he should say more, or if that was enough to answer the question, though as soon as that thought came to mind, he winced slightly as a bird flew by quickly and snatched some of his fur. Glancing back, he sighed slightly.

Again?!

There’s a tall, blonde man facing the bookshelf when the door opens. It looked like he was caught. But the man doesn’t turn around, doesn’t attempt to run, he simply passes another page on Denia’s file. If a battle were to break out right next to the intensive care unit… how many will make it out alive? “That useless child lasted even less than she was supposed to. Disappointing, but unsurprising.” Denia’s file is closed and dropped on the desk. The pretender wearing the face of a long-deceased man shrugs. “You should be honored - Ichor's chosen one. You served a purpose. Unfortunately, I don’t have any candy to give you right now.”

HOW COMFORTABLE THE GRAND Architect was, that they decided they would appear to him like this. Despite being trained to read others and analyze motivations, sometimes it was hard to tell exactly what the other wanted. There was little to no reason to visit Luuk, and yet they had done so two times. In this case, though, he wondered if there was something in particular they were searching for, rather than here with the intent on poking and prodding. Eyes narrowed just slightly, but he kept his cool as the door was closed behind him. ❝You seem to be quite attached to this school. Surely the Grand Architect has other things to do besides wandering around here?❞ Their plans had all fallen by the wayside. There was no reason to even bother with this location anymore when they could spread their poison elsewhere.

So, why were they here?

Despite not seeing the other’s face, he knew whose current visage they wore like a mask. It angered him. Made his golden blood boil like a pot over an open flame, but showing weakness to one’s enemy never brought about good results. Denia… That poor girl. She had been much like himself: a tool that was discarded when it was deemed a failure or had served its purpose. The Grand Architect didn’t look at people like others did. They did so based on their usefulness – on what could be gained from them. If you were outside of that scope, then you might as well be no different from refuse. He didn’t say anything in regards to their words about himself. Instead, he focused on Denia. ❝Disappointing, and yet here you are, trying to dig around in my files about her. I was under the impression that you grew bored of ‘failures’ rather quickly.❞ After all, that was pattern of theirs that never seemed to change.

❝Perhaps you should move on.❞

The battle had been looking a little difficult, the influx of Exiles and Tacet Discords attempting to get towards the Tacetite weaponary for scraps or to damage it had been demanding to clear, but eventually with the sight of Yinlin's lightning on the horizon. It had allowed Danjin to breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that they would not lose any more rangers. Now she stands, inspecting her sword, and wondering if Mortefi will be cross with her if she has to get her sword replaced again. He'd only done it recently. Still she turns her head away as Yinlin approaches, a smile of greeting appearing. It's a muted thing but no less genuine for it. "Your timing was as impeccable as always. We couldn't have done this as efficiently without you." There's deep respect in her her words offered, recognising the relief Yinlin brings to the battlefield. One day she would like to be able to do the same for her fellow Rangers. "I hope you did not have to come too far."

PERHAPS IT WAS FATE that she had been in the area when the Tacet Discords had appeared. She had been around for wholly unrelated reasons, and though she technically didn’t need to assist with that in mind, at the end of the day, Yinlin cared about people. Her very profession was chosen because of this. Placing her mission aside for the time being, she had taken a detour to assist the Midnight Rangers, Zapstring moving across the battlefield with her as that familiar bright, purple electricity crackled in the air, felling monstrosity after monstrosity before they could reach their destination. Any that might have slipped past the Rangers, she was quick to take care of for them. Eventually the number dwindled to something manageable, the Tacet Discords soon completely eliminated. They were not as active as they had been when the Threnodian was close to awakening, but every now and then, large groups still had a tendency to appear without any warning.

What a headache, truly…

❝I’m surprised that sword of yours managed to hold up, Danjin,❞ she teased upon her approach, amused smile upon her lips. The sword was probably worse for wear, though at least it wasn’t shattered this time. Honestly, she couldn’t even imagine the amount of credits that she spent just getting a new blade or having one fixed. Poor Danjin’s wallet… Coming to a stop nearby, she glanced back over to the other Rangers who were currently scouting the area in case anything was missed, her gaze softening slightly before her attention shifted back to the other. ❝I only contributed a little. All of you did most of the work.❞ She paused for a moment, shaking her head. ❝No, I was already nearby when I received the call. Good thing I was since I was able to help you all that much faster.❞ Her gaze looked over Danjin as if to search for any injuries, Yinlin knowing good and well that she had a tendency to hide such things.

Good. All was in order.

There was a small message sent to Jing Yuan phone that reads ‘You know, general out of the all of the times we've known each other it just occured to me that I never actually asked when your birthday is. If you don't mind telling me, the next time I visit with the Express let me shout you when that date arrives.’

JING YUAN HAD NOT expected the message he had received from Kotaro. A text checking in on him, certainly, considering they often send such things every now and then. However, a text asking about when his birthday was, was another story entirely. His lips curled into a smile, amused, though he couldn’t help the fondness that he felt. Even far out in space off on adventures with the Express, they still thought to check in on this overworked old man. Tapping his fingers gently against the smooth surface of his desk, he pondered whether he should answer, or if he should tease just to see what response he received. Rather than not say anything, or merely give an answer, he decided it was more fun to be vague.

Jing Yuan [text]: Well, my birthday is when the season first shifts, when it is said that skies are brighter and when blossoms are at their brightest. It’s a wonderful time to enjoy a nice cup of tea.

Jing Yuan [text]:

Jing Yuan [text]: Haha, it is said that finding answers on your own make knowledge all the more rewarding, and so think of this as a game of sorts. Or, perhaps better yet: training.

Jing Yuan [text]: Good luck, Kotaro.

Xingyun drops in with snacks for Khasar but also... a little tank with yet another ocean snail in it. This one is relatively tiny, with a bright violet shell- and it's floating near the surface of the orb-shaped tank. "I brought you a friend~!"

KHASAR WAS QUICK TO wag his tail the moment Xingyun appeared, excited for both his appearance, and of course, the treats that were brought for him. He wasted no time gluing himself to the Vidyadhara’s side as was often the case when he visited. Jianyu scoffed, quietly amused by it all, though he didn’t say anything to the hound’s behavior. Even if he had planned to, his attention was very much grasped by that rather adorable snail floating without a care in the world in the tank the dragon held. Leaning closer, there was an almost childish gleam within those eyes; wonder temporarily shifting his expression from serious to something that much softer. ❝Is this from one of the ships?❞ he asked, fascinated sometimes that life was still able to thrive on space-faring vessels as if their habitat never changed. Snails might not have been the most incredible of creatures in this vast universe, but to Jianyu, they would always be what interested him the most.

That cute shell and eyes…

[ cyber.punk ] "It's a miracle you haven't fallen over the edge yet. I don’t know what unfinished business you have, but if you don’t start downsizing, you’ll flatline." After getting to know the doc and seeing his work ethic, it was easy to think that Jiyan always has something nice to say, a kinder way to word things, but that couldn’t be further away from the truth. Golden eyes looked at the ex-corpo with a coldness that showed he wasn’t going to debate Nagayoshi on this topic. "Before you ask, your friend footed the bill. He also paid me to do maintenance on your cyberware so you have to return tomorrow unless you want me to hunt you down and bring you here myself." It almost sounded like he was exaggerating, but Jiyan looked like he would personally break into Nagayoshi's apartment and drag them to his clinic if they didn’t cooperate. After threatening the man, the doctor leaned back on his seat, took off his mask, and rubbed his temples. "Mori Nagayoshi from Tsunami, correct? I've heard about you."

IT WAS INDEED A miracle, wasn’t it? Perhaps those Mori genes were worth something after all. There was a somewhat bitter laugh as he lifted his hand, opening and closing it slowly as if to test that everything still worked as it should. How many times had he heard those words? ‘Downsize soon or it’ll be too late!’, ‘you’re pushing the limit of what you can do’….so on and so forth. He never really listened to the ripperdocs that gave him these warnings, and many were too afraid of him to bother pushing further. Besides, did it really matter if he was one more cyberpsycho out there in the world? He’d just be another sad story in Night City – another soul that would be flatlined by those monsters in MaxTac. He wouldn’t even pretend he could take any of them out.

He’d be dead in seconds.

❝So, uh…❞ He paused, the question he was about to ask already answered as if the ‘good doctor’ was aware he would. Your friend footed the bill, they said… Tch, Cu was still being a sentimental dumbass it seemed. He didn’t tend to leave loose ends, far more careful than he let on to others with his seemingly reckless antics. But Nagayoshi knew. He knew. It would have made more sense for him to wait for him to appear and then gun him down, and yet, he always fled the situation. Each and every single time.

It was frustrating.

Why wouldn’t Cu do anything? Did he relish in his misery so much that he wanted Nagayoshi to keep going when he just wanted to go out in a blaze of destruction, and corpse laden cement? Sharp eyes shifted to fall upon Jiyan at their ‘threat’, expression unreadable for a few passing moments before he offered usual toothy grin. ❝A ripperdoc with a backbone? Makes me want to test how brave those words are, but something tells me that you’re not all talk like everyone else in this city.❞ He fell quiet once again, the seconds dragging on a little longer this time before he spoke again. ❝Yeah. That’s me. Heh, bet you have.❞ Who hadn’t heard about him? He wondered if his family had disowned him to save face – a normal tactic when people with wealth and reputation. His father had principles, though he was also loyal to Nobunaga as well. Betrayal was the greatest sin any in his family could commit, and if the rumors were true about his (did it matter if it was or wasn't?), then announcing him as good as dead to the family was the best way to handle that situation. ❝You don’t need to know anymore about me, Doc.❞

adrian sits behind jianyu, gently braiding flowers into the wolfen's hair. no, he can not take it out, it's only right that disney prince's should have some sort of calling sign.

JIANYU SAT STILL, NOT so much as a peep escaping him as he allowed Adrian’s fingers to thread through his hair, flowers braided within dark locks with expert ease. It had been a while since he had allowed someone else to do this. Not since his sister had been barely up to his knee. Hers were messy, as to be expected of a child, and yet he had worn those flowers proudly despite that fact. He could still remember how pleased she was, a bright smile upon her lips as she had looked upon her handiwork. The thought brought a smile to his own, corners turning slightly as nostalgia came over him. No, no, he had no plans on taking out Adrian’s hard work. Just as he did with his sister, he would wear them with the same pride.

Koto's holding her arms out towards Kyojuro. Where is her hug ? ! How dare he make her wait !! The meaniest meanie !

KOTO COULD BE SO predictable sometimes. He had wondered when she would come to him like this. All Kyojuro had to do was wait. ❝Have you grown impatient, Asagi? I thought all the training we have done would have taught you that the patient are rewarded tenfold.❞ He said that as if Mitsuri was the paradigm of patience herself. Kyojuro could still recall the days that her stomach would begin to growl long before it was time for lunch... Letting out an amused huff, he opened his arms and tugged Koto into them with such speed, it wouldn't have been surprising if she was made temporarily breathless. He might have done that just to be silly. A teeny, tiny bit. ❝There. All better now?❞

[ ‘nivora’ ] “Luuk, I am your father.” Those words are said in an exceedingly masculine voice that doesn’t match the appearance of the student. The other students are in awe at that near perfect imitation of the villain of the classic they just watched. No one notices the change in pronunciation of the protagonist’s name. “Oh, Dr. Herssen. You watched the movie as well? Quite the shocking revelation for little Luke, wouldn’t you agree?”

THE ICHOR BENEATH HIS skin felt as if it was boiling; his chest, an inferno. And yet, any who looked upon him would see not even a hint of change upon his visage. They’d only see the calm, serene doctor with the same gentle smile that all the students at Startorch Academy were used to. How brazen of them to appear here like this. However, there was nigh anything he could do at this moment and they knew that too. After all, to act out of character would alarm the students, and in alarming the students, the illusion would shatter. That was when things were most dangerous when THEY were involved. ❝My, that was quite impressive. I would say you almost copied the intonation down to the letter, Nivora.❞ The other students around them clapped their hands, none aware of the true danger they were in. But…they were only in danger if Luuk did not play along.

So, play along he did.