After the Dawn (IC)

Operator Grapevine
March 8 - 6:24PM
Kanming's Eastern Delights
Liberty North Side

“Half my job is pattern recognition, so I’m familiar enough with the sensation. It’s infuriating.”

The Chernobog Incident had a way of scraping against whatever professional calm she had. Hard not to slip back into normal speech for a moment. So much human misery, and at the end of it all, so many of her patients dead. No use thinking about it now, though, and she let out a quiet sigh of her own.

“Nothing to do but be wary, at any rate, and think of the day after. Hopefully in your case, what you’ll eat and how long you’ll rest once the assignment is over- and in mine, how many patients need to be reprimanded for eating nothing but candy and fried meats and letting their health slip during my time away.”

Sting
March 8 - 5:58 PM
L'Antiquario
Liberty

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Luca

"Kenji, my man, you have some work to do if you want to move up in the rankings. The girl I mentioned before, Emma? She bought a few entire bottles on her last day. Gonna be a while before you catch up to her."

---

"Oof, yeah don't think I'll be able to match that, at least not with my current pay grade, and that's even counting all the times my pay has been unjustifiably docked," Sting said and his gazed shifted to the various bottles lining the bar, "So what brand were they anyway? Or was it just whatever good stuff you had on hand? I mean, with the way you're talking I doubt it wasn't anything cheap."

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Freya

"E-excuse me?!"

---

"Ah, don't worry about it. Slip of the tongue and all that."

Quote:

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Originally Posted by [B

Sella[/B]]"I see. Perhaps Miss Jordan and I mistook your jovialness for debonair flirting. Why not go clear the misunderstanding up?"

---

"Now where's the fun in that?" Sting asked, before rubbing his chin in contemplation, "Besides, I wouldn't say how you saw it was entirely wrong either."

Operator Grapevine
March 8 - 6:24PM
Kanming's Eastern Delights
Liberty North Side


"Err." At the mention of fried food and candy, Jessica's expression immediately turned guilty. "I'm sure Hibiscus is doing the best she can. I dunno how many people actually go along with her, though..."

In recent months, the Sarkaz had been lobbying for changes to Rhodes Island's menu. Healthier alternatives, mostly. support for the cause was... limited, to say the least, mostly just fellow health nuts. Hibiscus was not helping her case by providing free samples.

"I'm sure it will all work out somehow?"

Operator Grave Moss
March 8 - 6:40 PM
Blacksteel Medical Ward
Blacksteel Worldwide Landship

Nodding her head Grave Moss yawns, "Moss will be here after each mission then~?"

If she really wasn't wasting their time, well... this wasn't the worse. Maybe she could figure out how to get some sleep on the scanner eventually?

"Ah~ Does this mean that Moss can stop buying expensive pills~?"

A blissful look swept over the Defenders face, those pills took almost a non trivial amount of her pay. How many more plushes and snacks she could buy without changing her savings.... She giggles out loud "Nyehehe~".

Operator Grave Moss
March 8 - 6:40 PM
Blacksteel Medical Ward
Blacksteel Worldwide Landship

"After each mission should be fine, for the most part. You will sometimes be called down for unscheduled exams, though."

At the second question, Avery shool his hear. Too bad.

"Oripathy never stops spreading, even in the mildest cases. At best it only slows down sometimes. Stop taking your medicine and the rocks start growing again." The doctor shrugs. "If it's any consolation, you do get a fairly sizable discount?"

Operator Vitro
March 8 - 4:38 PM
Vitro's Private Quarters
Blacksteel Worldwide Landship

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Operator Santonia

" Can you get me nausea stuff? I think that'd be good. Some medicine or anesthetics would be great as well, we have a medic on the team but... you never know. Oh, I don't work with pills though, it has to be liquid."

---

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/3...924/Wp7mID.png

Vitro nods. "A fine choice."

Hopping off his seat, the Liberi made his way to a nearby shelf and picked off a handful of vials. The contents swished in a viscous yellow-green, a product of its plant-based origins. It was a good thing his previous operation stopped by Sargon; its forests were awash with much-needed material for restocking.

Placing them in a small case, Vitro handed the poisons to Santonia. "These should be enough to last you past the initial clash. Worry not on the off-chance you run out; I can prepare a bit on the field."

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/3...924/A2brra.png

"As for medicinal compounds, glad you asked; seeing the scale of this operation, I plan to procure restoratives and enhancements for you and the others — not enough for the whole ensemble, mind, but enough for both your Assault team and Operator Jessica. They should be finished by tomorrow morning, so I'll hand them all to you then."

As the Savra took stock of her given arsenal and information, the one remark still gnawed at Vitro. Perhaps this may be pushing a bit close for comfort, but as someone of his expertise, he was not to let problems lie.

Clearing his throat once again, the Liberi spoke up.

"Regarding your neurotoxin, I have a counterargument. As it is produced from your tail, it is by nature organic, is it not? If it originates from biological life, mutated or otherwise, there will be a means or strain to counteract its effects." Vitro paused, allowing Santonia time to soak in his statement. "And by counteract, I do not simply mean soothing its symptoms as with ointments, no — this is genuine neutralization, allowing you to regain your lost immunity in some form."

Realistically, this will not be an overnight miracle. It will likely be a months-long process due to the neurotoxin's uncommon origins, if not past a year. And with Vitro's current standing, contact with others in his field will be limited. No toxicologist in his situation can hope for positive results.

Again, with his unorthodox background, he was no ordinary toxicologist.

"It is by no means an immediate or permanent solution – I am not one to give such false hope – but your affliction is by no means a 'lost cause.' Not until everything has been tried, and you can say I am that last option.

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/3...922/3KrCb4.png

"Of course, this is ultimately up to your choice whether to accept my offer. Despite everything, I am still a practicing medical personnel, so I cannot force this upon you. But I hope I made it clear there is still a way, as far away as it may be."

With that, Vitro finally quiets down. Perhaps he was a tad too impassioned at his delivery, but oh well – what's done was done. But the resignation behind the Savran musician stirred up the Liberi's fervor. Santonia may have claimed to accept her lot, but she doesn't have to.

The world is rotten as it already is, so there is no reason to let further woes abide.

"Now, with that taken care of…" Vitro paused, as if still apprehensive. "Better to honor your part of the deal with a pint or two. Or, huuu, five."

Now making way to the door, Vitro looked back towards his teammate and prospective patient alike.

"It'll be a long, long night ahead of us. Let's not keep the rest of them waiting, yes?"

The rest of the day came and went. Moss, medical exam finished, returned to her room and went back to sleep. Jessica and Grapevine's food arrived eventually, and they took another taxi back to BSW afterwards, a box of leftovers in hand for at least one of them. Vitro and Santonia arrived at the Siracusan bar only slightly late and slightly damp to join the others in drinking. Sting might have had too much. Well, he'd be fine in the morning, probably.


March 9 - 7:00 AM
Blacksteel Vehicle Bay
Blacksteel Worldwide Landship

"Good morning, team. I trust everyone had a good night's sleep." In front of the assembled operators stood Sarah Jordan, clipboard in hand. In formation behind them were the 10 BSW troopers forming Jessica's team.

"Where did Blacksteel get ahold of something like this? It's gotta be Columbian Army, right?" Muelsyse, however, was inspecting the flying machine that would be carrying the team to Rocky Mountain. "They wouldn't give one of these to just anyone. You guys must have some seriously good negotiators."

She wasn't wrong. Even in a big city like Liberty, helicopters were uncommon. There was too little space in the cities, and they were far enough apart to make travel between them expensive and rare. A vehicle able to carry the weigh of a couple dozen people, plus gear, with the range to travel between cities and the speed to do it in a reasonable time? The helicopter being loaded was the only one of its kind outside the Columbian Army itself.

"Director Muelsyse, I'd like to request that you not speculate about company secrets within earshot, thank you."

"Urk."

With no words to defend herself, Muelsyse withdrew from the helicopter and returned to Jordan's side. The handler shifted her attention back to the field team.

"The last few things are being secured now. You should be able to board any minute, and then you'll be on your way. ETA to Rocky Mountain, about six hours assuming no major weather problems. If anyone has any last minute concerns, you're a bit late, but I'll be sure to make a note for next time."

Team Status

Thanks to Grapevine's hangover pills, Sting has a minor headache and the rest of the bar squad is fine.

Jessica's Squad
2 Light Defenders
1 Vanguard
1 Sniper
1 Guard
2 Casters
2 Medics
1 Engineer Supporter

Loadout

Every member of the team has three days rations, cold weather gear, and hazard gear in case of high originium dust levels.

Each team has medical supplies with extra Oripathy medication, originium testing kits, one portable heater, one high-power flashlight, one pair of binoculars, one flare gun with six flares, two radios, and two breaching charges.

The infiltration team has terrain navigation gear: a grappling hook with rope, an extendable ladder, and a shovel.

The assault team has two one-use deployable roadblocks and one Defender-4 drone.

Grapevine has one Tactical Tarp (no special abilities) large enough to cover three people or one Grave Moss comfortably.

Sting
March 9 - 7:00 AM
Blacksteel Vehicle Bay
Blacksteel Worldwide Landship

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sarah

"Good morning, team. I trust everyone had a good night's sleep."

---

"Uurgh, not too loud, please..." Sting muttered, while resting his head in his hand.

Sure, he'd been given a couple of pills from the Rhodes Island doctor to deal with the hangover his heavy night of drinking had brought about and, admittedly, he was feeling a lot better this morning compared to all the other times he had drank that much. His head was still pounding though, so the less noise, the better. Maybe he could even catch a couple winks on route to Rocky Mountain. A couple more pills couldn't hurt either.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sarah

"The last few things are being secured now. You should be able to board any minute, and then you'll be on your way. ETA to Rocky Mountain, about six hours assuming no major weather problems. If anyone has any last minute concerns, you're a bit late, but I'll be sure to make a note for next time."

---

"..."

Nope, try as he might, none of his usual quips were coming to him, just some steady bouts of pain. Soon enough, he had given up, the trouble far too much than it was worth, and so he could only give his commanding officer a slight shake of his head to indicate his lack of questions.

Asura
March 9 - 7:00 AM
Blacksteel Vehicle Bay
Blacksteel Worldwide Landship

“Hm. Body condition is okay. Chameleon Suit, fine. Stawka, fine and ready for use. Fulmine, ready for use.” The pink Lupo checked on her personal gear methodically and professionally, muttering to herself all the while. She slid two of her stakes on her sleeves, placed a few more under her jacket for ready access, slotting them in her suit. A long sword hung on her belt.

“Cold weather gear, ready. Hazard gear, ready. Rations… could be better but it’ll do. I’ll take the binoculars, thank you…” She appropriated the pair of binoculars before anyone could say anything about it. “Grappling hook, ready. Ladder, ready. Shovel… is going to weigh me down but better to have it just in case, ready.”

Her muttering ceased as she gave her gear another once-over, and then she hung the binoculars on her neck, looking towards Sarah.

“All ready, boss.”

GraveMoss
March 9 - 7:00 AM
Blacksteel Vehicle Bay
Blacksteel Worldwide Landship

A yawn echoes inside the sealed helmet of her mechanized armor as the towering defender, not quite as long a nap as she would have liked with the doctory stuff, but well, another six hours does sound nice.

Ah.

The Pilosa moves her suit fluidly, but it is still almost a ton in weight. The concrete pavement is solid enough, but her steps still are hardly quiet as the metallic sound rings out as she approaches the shorter operator Jessica. Though, she supposes that most everyone is shorter than her at this point are they not?

Delving into a pouch she pulls out a couple of her high end meal bars and offers them to the blue haired feline.

"Nmh~ Apologies for bonking last nights~"

Jessica had run off too quickly for her to respond, but it was Moss's fault, probably. It tended to be her fault in such cases.

March 9 - 7:02 AM
Blacksteel Vehicle Bay
Blacksteel Worldwide Landship

Sarah stared at the ailing Sting for a few moments. She didn't say anything, or even sigh. Just stared. Muelsyse was grinning, though.

"Hey, shouldn't the partying come after the mission is done? You're supposed to be escorting somebody through hostile territory today!"

While Sting groaned to himself, Asura walked forward and appropriated all the equipment he might have wanted. Oh well. Early birds and all that. Jordan waved her clipboard towards that assault team's extra gear.

"Santonia, your equipment is much lighter than Grave Moss's armour, so you should take the roadblocks. Grapevine or Valravn can have the drone." The handler glanced over her should towards the helicopter, where a squat Savra man was waving. "Chopper's ready. Grab your things and you can board. Watch yourselves out there, team."

Sarah took one more look over the team, pausing briefly on Sting, before nodding and turning to leave the hangar. While one Feline walked away, Grave Moss approached the other Feline.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Grave Moss

"Nmh~ Apologies for bonking last nights~"

---

"Uh, it's fine. Technically, I'm the one who hit you, so you don't really owe me anything..." Jessica tentatively reached for the offered bars, accepting both and having a look at the labels. "Candy? Oh, meal bars. Thanks. Wonder if they're better than rations..."

As Jessica looked for a pouch somewhere to stow the bars, Muelsyse suddenly appeared in front of Sting, moving so quickly and quetly she seemed to be gliding.

"Hey. Sting, right?" Mercifully, she was quiet, speaking in a loud whisper. "Ever feel like making a contribution to the field of Originium Arts? I haven't tried curing a hangover before, but we won't know how to do it without trying, right?"

She was smiling. Not suspiciously, for a wonder. The woman at least looked sincere.

March 9 - 7:00 AM
Blacksteel Vehicle Bay
Blacksteel Worldwide Landship


Santonia stood alongside the team while Sarah gave the last intructions before departure. Considering what they saw of her during the meeting, and then last night at the bar, it shouldn't surprise anyone that she wasn't really paying attention. She was thinking back to Vitro's offer.

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Vitro

"Regarding your neurotoxin, I have a counterargument. As it is produced from your tail, it is by nature organic, is it not? If it originates from biological life, mutated or otherwise, there will be a means or strain to counteract its effects." Vitro paused, allowing Santonia time to soak in his statement. "And by counteract, I do not simply mean soothing its symptoms as with ointments, no — this is genuine neutralization, allowing you to regain your lost immunity in some form."

---

The savra had gown quite interested in the little guy since the meeting, but his insistence was quickly replacing that interest with annoyance. Anyone this commited to a cause was either lying to others or to themselves, and the liberi was too weird to be the manipulative type, so it seemed like he had really convinced himself that he found his purpose in life or whatever.


She didn't make any effort to hide it either. Santonia smiled a smile that didn't reach her eyes, dripping with cynism. She was about to follow it up with a rant when Vitro ended it his speech.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Vitro

"Of course, this is ultimately up to your choice whether to accept my offer. Despite everything, I am still a practicing medical personnel, so I cannot force this upon you. But I hope I made it clear there is still a way, as far away as it may be."

---

The implication of a longterm effort surprised her a bit. She was struggling on whether to express dismissal or anger, but the bird man seemed to have noticed her reactions, becuase he quickly changed his tone and urged them to join the others in the bar.


"Sure, let's go birdy. You talk big but I'm pretty sure that after tonight you'll be too busy fixing your liver to care about my tail-rocks."


Some tension between them still remained as they made their way to the Siracusan bar, but it was all gone by the time they had joined the others and finished their first drinks, so the rest of the night went by just fine.


Well... except for when she realized Vitro was actually outdrinking her, and then tried to force-feed him one the nausea potions he had just gifted her. Things worked out alright though...
Wait, did they?
She checked. There were still two vials of nauseating chemical in her bag, so yeah, everything worked out alright.

---

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sarah

"Santonia, your equipment is much lighter than Grave Moss's armour, so you should take the roadblocks."

---

Sara calling her name brought her back to reality.


"Righto!" Santonia answered as she picked them up, alongside one of the Oripathy medications and one of the hearters. "Anyone here minds if I take these?" she said, lifting them up for others to see but already moving into the transport without waiting for their answers.

Operator Grapevine
March 9 - 7:02AM
Vehicle Bay
Blacksteel Worldwide Landship

Yesterday had come and gone. Dinner had been good- authentically Yanese, rather than the sugary, overfried stuff that was popular on the streets of Columbia and Victoria, and she'd parted ways with Jessica upon returning to the landship. That left her with a few hours to go about her business before turning in. She checked the equipment she'd brought from Rhodes Island, then set about her terminal, managing her patient list. Just because she was away didn't mean her diagnostic work was on hold, no matter what the medical head said.

She was doing yet more diagnostic work, there in the hangar, up until Handler Jordan called for attention. The strip of hangover pills had proven useful- for the most part. There was only so much to be done on short-notice, and Operator Sting had... indulged. Once the short debriefing was over and the Blacksteel agents began reaching for their equipment, the Sankta nodded wordlessly and boarded the transport, grabbing the weatherproof tarp along the way.

She cut an odd sight, moving towards the front of the vessel so the others wouldn't have to clamber over her or her equipment. Not just for her height, or the discolored wings and halo of a fallen Sankta, but for the cacophonous array of her gear. The long grey-and-blue coat of a Rhodes Island officer, hazardous environments equipment from Blacksteel, her medical bag, atop which was lashed the tarp and an oilskin bag that 'clinked' faintly as she moved. And her staff- a long, crooked thing, almost as tall as she was and covered in belted canvas. The base was a black, cloudy metal, and the staff's coverings and charms smelled faintly of Minos.

"Take a wand, idiot" the Medical Head had insisted.

Company resources were better spent equipping their interns and field medics. Her staff would do just fine. She leaned it into the crook of her shoulder and took out her tablet to resume her work.

Sting
March 9 - 7:02 AM
Vehicle Bay
Blacksteel Worldwide Landship

Quote:

---

"Hey. Sting, right?"

---

"Hm?"

Sting lifted his eyes from the ground to the source of the question leveled at him. Muelsyse seemed to be singling him out for something, although he wasn't quite sure when she'd actually got ahead of him. Well it's not like he was going to complain about receiving the attention. The woman was quite easy on the eyes and considerate enough to speak softly so as to not exacerbate his lingering hangover, something which he quite appreciated.

Quote:

---

"Ever feel like making a contribution to the field of Originium Arts? I haven't tried curing a hangover before, but we won't know how to do it without trying, right?"

---

Sting tilted his head slightly as he processed the question. He wasn't quite sure what the connection was between Orignium Arts and cures for hangovers, but then again he wasn't the head of a science division of one the big corporation of Columbia so...well, there had to be something to the suggestion right? It's not like she'd do something that would make things worse, so close to the start of the job she'd hired them to do. Yeah, accepting her solution definitely seemed reasonable...that and if it ended up with him scoring some points with her, then whatever the risk, it was definitely worth it!

"Never considered it before, but if the proposition is coming from a charming lady like yourself, I'm willing to start," Sting said, before grimacing as he rubbed his forehead, "Making the pain go away would be a nice bonus too though."

March 9 - 7:03 AM
Vehicle Bay
Blacksteel Worldwide Landship


"Perfect! Don't worry, this will only take a few seconds and I haven't seen anyone experience side effects yet." Muelsyse rolled up her sleeves and cracked her knuckles. What sort of Originium Arts were these, exactly? "Direct application works faster than oral, so close your eyes. And hold your breath."

The scientist cupped her hands together. After a few moments, a bit of water spawned from seemingly nowhere to pool in between them. Then Muelsyse threw it right in Sting's face.

Quote:

---

1d20 + 5 (Originium Adaptability) = 12

---

Surprisingly, it seemed to work. After getting over the shock and possibly getting water up his nose, the pounding in Sting's head had already softened noticeably. Muelsyse waited for any necessary coughing, hacking, and face-wiping before she continued, a curious look in her eye.

"Was that any help?"

Muelsyse

Class: Supporter
Originium Adaptability: ██


Aqua Vitae
Short Range, 4 SP

A spell that causes healing water to pool in Muelsyse's cupped hands. The water can be poured on wounds - or drunk, but that's probably less effective - to heal 20 HP and cure certain status effects like Bleeding. And hangovers, apparently.

Sting
March 9 - 7:03 AM
Vehicle Bay
Blacksteel Worldwide Landship

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Muelsyse

"Perfect! Don't worry, this will only take a few seconds and I haven't seen anyone experience side effects yet. Direct application works faster than oral, so close your eyes. And hold your breath."

---

"Wait, wha-"

Sting wasn't able to say more than before his face was drenched in the water that Muelsyse had chucked at him. The treatment he had received was unexpected to say the least. He had expected something a little more science-y than a surprise cold shower. Of course, he hadn't followed her instructions either and was now coughing up any water that he'd accidently swallowed.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Muelsyse

"Was that any help?"

---

Sting rubbed his head in response to the question and found that the pain was gone, in fact there didn't seem to be any lingering symptoms of the hangover left at all. It's almost like he hadn't spent half of yesterday consuming one form of alcohol or another.

"Actually yeah, probably the best cold shower I've ever had to clear up a hangover," Sting said, as he took off his sunglasses and began to dry them, "Really, thanks, feeling better than ever now."

March 9 - 7:03 AM
Vehicle Bay
Blacksteel Worldwide Landship

"Oho, first try? To think it was so easy all along. Or maybe I'm just a natural?" Muelsyse stared intently at the Entoma, stroking her chin as she inspected for any sign of... something. Whatever it was, though, she didn't find it. "Well, I guess we're done here. Thanks for the opportunity, Mr Sting. Now we should probably stop holding up the parade."

Muelsyse spun around on her heel and took off, jogging towards the helicopter. The rest of the team collected their gear and followed suit.

---

March 9 - 1:22 PM
Out in the Snow Somewhere
Outside Rocky Mountain, Columbia

About six hours later, as predicted, the team arrived at their destination. The helicopter touched down in the stalled mobile city's tracks, not far from the lake mentioned in the briefing, about a kilometer away from the team's next destination. A cursory examination of the area revealed two things not mentioned in the recon team's report: the lake wasn't frozen at all, despite it being solidly winter still in North Columbia, and the city's tracks went right up to the edge of the lake.

Jessica's squad was getting in formation, checking their equipment and preparing to march towards the city. Muelsyse, wearing so many layers of clothing she was completely unrecognizable, was still shivering despite all logic and reason. Well, at least it wasn't snowing.

A solid knock on her armour caught Grave Moss' attention. The source, Jessica clad from head to toe in what looked like a bomb suit. After alerting the Pilosa, she waved to their fellow squad leader, Nuriel.

"Secure Squad is good to go! We can move out as soon as you guys are ready."

Just a bit further and the mission would begin in earnest. Okay, more than just a bit. If anyone had any business to attend to out in the wilderness, this would be the time.

Operator Grapevine
March 9 – 1:22PM
Dropoff
Outside Rocky Mountain, Columbia

A six hour commute in a military transport made for a poor work environment, but there was nothing to be done about it, so the Sankta blotted out the noise and ran through the files she had. Results from routine checkups, toxicology’s notes on the most recent mystery flu to slither out of the Leithanian woodlands, updates on the dental records for the children aboard the landship- only a handful of cavities this time around, which was a relief.

Oh, and an equipment request from the department head. Grapevine flagged it for rejection and drew her signature against the tablet’s display. It wouldn’t send until it was back in range of the landship’s intranet, and by then the medical head would have requisitioned the equipment anyway, but it was the principle of the matter. Their budget was strained enough as it was.

At some point, the temperature dropped, and Grapevine returned her tablet to her bag and drew her neck wrap up over her mouth. Closer still, and she set aside the book she’d been reading and put on a thin pair of cold weather field gloves. And finally, when it came time to disembark, she waited until the bulk of Jessica’s squad had vacated the vessel before slinging everything except the staff across her back, putting on her goggles, and making her way out into… hm.

The northern wastes, it looked like. What a terrible place for a nomadic city to be operating. She withheld a sigh and moved to join the others. She ended up near Muelsyse, who looked to be taking the cold… poorly.

“Moving should help, Director Muelsyse, but moderate your pace so as not to sweat into the layer nearest your skin. This is a poor environment to catch cold in.”

Whether or not it was common sense and Muelsyse knew it already, she was still obligated to say it. The elf was stood like a cold breeze would flatten her.

March 9 - 1:22 PM
Out in the Snow Somewhere
Outside Rocky Mountain, Columbia

Valravn stomped the snow with her boots as she stretched both arms into the air, her breath turning white in the frigid northern air. The loose flaps of the caster’s cape-coat swayed in the wind but the coat’s treated fabric successfully kept the chill of the northern air out unlike their poor employer over there.

O’ to be free to stretch one’s limbs in relative quiet. Well, anything was quiet in comparison to being on the airship. She had brought the latest issue of a Columbian fashion magazine to keep her busy but she had already read it cover to cover twice before the noise and the rattling of the airship had given her a headache and she had to close her eyes for the rest of the flight. Maybe next time she would bring some music to listen to.

With a gloved hand she adjusted the straps of her bag, now laden with more equipment than usual. In addition to some extra rations, Oripathy medicine, testing kit, and some other miscellaneous things; the liberi was also saddled with drone duty which meant carrying the damn thing. However, seeing as they had some time before they headed out…

“I’m gonna go check out the lake. Maybe fly the drone over it.”

With some practiced ease, the drone was launched and began hovering next to Valravn as she made her way closer to the unfrozen lake. She figured that she might as well check it out before they started heading out.

GraveMoss
March 9 - 1:22 PM
Out in the Snow Somewhere
Outside Rocky Mountain, Columbia

"Mnmh~ That was a nice nap~" Gravemoss stretches her arms over her head as she disembarks the vehicle, the suspension lifting it up higher as she lands with a crunch. The hard surface of the compacted snow cracking beneath the weight of over a ton of metal and defender. Scuffing the snow curiously with her shield, not the powdery softness she had been hoping for, but easier for everyone to trek through. Just a bit off the beaten track of the city should offer a better place for snow tea.

The rhythmic whomp whomp whomp had been rather soothing, and all in all one of the better rides she had been on. It was time to work now though, no more time for naps for a while.

*Thunk Thunk*

Quote:

---

"Secure Squad is good to go! We can move out as soon as you guys are ready."

---

Ah, right, she was the squad leader now. The towering defender nods her helmeted head towards the short feline, it seemed like she had a good suit of protective gear herself. Well, except no helmet. She was pretty hard headed though, so it was probably fine.

Mmm, how did this go being leader...

"Ah~ Everyone in Moss squad form up~ Moss will take forward point~"

Oh~ Maybe being the leader is a good thing, if they stay behind her they will probably not get killed as much.

Gravemoss would really hate to have to bury any of her squadmates, they all seemed at least mostly decent so far.