#auraunbound

The sound of an opening door caught Arthur’s attention just long enough for a glance to see who it was; then, with a grunt that might be taken for a greeting with a generous imagination, he returned to the dual screens he’d been pouring over for the last few hours. On one of them, the footage of the Viceroy unit’s first real proving wound through the penultimate moment of trapped-animal violence and lingered for a few seconds on the carnage of shredded metal and fried electronics that had followed before it looped again.

He scoffed, quietly, deep in his throat. Not an impressive showing for the magical experiment that had become the team’s darling.

Jerking his chin toward the footage, he asked, “What do you make of that?”

Arthur had his own conclusions, of course—that the unit had been programmed to learn almost organically, and then the rest of the team had structured her training to encourage the development of a personality. One not at all suited to the rigors of battle. The damn thing liked butterflies. What had they expected?

"Hello Andromeda!" He waves, the ears atop his head pointed up.

“Alright, kiddos. Uncle Hari’s gonna show you the ropes. First thing’s first, though. You introduce yourselves to each other. You’ll be working together after all. We don’t do the whole solo act nonsense in the real world. Not unless the job specifically needs it anyway. Having a partner makes things a lot easier. Now, first- name, skills, weapons. Go.”

Jamie flew out his arms, letting his cape billow behind him. He reached for the snarling hound on his chestplate and took it off and a shield unfolded around it. From its mouth he yanked out a hilt that let out a flexible beam saber. “Jamie Baskerville. Yes, that one. Heir of the most beloved and hated blood in the city, hecaball athlete, nephew to councilmen Cheshire, and soon to be licensed bounty hunter at your service!”

Steele looked to the distance, with all of the crumbling buildings and flattened apartments dotting the horizon. While that attack had certainly made a mess of the city, it was thankfully mostly infrastructure that took the bullet. Infrastructure can be rebuilt, people are irreplaceable. Underneath a pile of chunked concrete, the neck of a beer bottle stuck out. Curiously, Steele reached down to pull it out, wondering if its contents had been spared from the rampage. Sadly, the glass bottom had been shattered out from underneath it, leaving a jagged amber crown in its place.

The door to the small bar creaked open as he stepped inside. Taking a moment to brush himself off. Thankfully he’d gotten in before the rain started, though he was aware he’d have use for the umbrella he carried later. Apricus still had a bit of a rainy season left before fall truly kicked in.

He’d take a look around, not exactly the kind of establishment he would typically frequent but he appreciated the..quaint nature. Making his way across the bar, every so often stepping on a few of the discarded peanut shells left by patrons. He’d take a seat at the bar itself, ordering a drink before speaking to the woman he sat next to.

  Neo snorted and rolled her eyes as she continued her work, making sure it was tight enough to stop the bleeding but not too tight. She gently ghosted her fingertips over the already growing red patch in the middle of his bicep. It’d be fine with a few days of rest. She smoothed it over before giving him a faint scowl.