MISSION: GRAB THE EYEBALLTAUR

[initiates]

Date & Time: March 7th, 1994
Location: The MICA campus: Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Characters: Everyone
Summary: All transports are shipped back to 1994 to steal art from art students. Also, some of them arrive bodyswapped.

The Initiative has timed the incoming waves of Transports to the MICA campus for Freshmen Orientation, but even so, the flood of newcomers gets a few surprised glances. Looks like MICA's up for a major boom in attendance next year, wow. But do some of those freshman look a little old to you? …And do some of them seem to be freaking out a lot more than usual about being in Baltimore?

The cloaking devices, with holograms visible only to the natives, will be blending everyone in with the native 90s fashion senses, and all non-humans will find themselves getting much more tame curious glances than they might back on Exsilium, as they project a human appearance to natives around them. So at least there's that. Just try not to get arrested, hit by cars, or challenged to any break dance competitions as you grab and run off with bizarre works of art, alright? The weirder it looks, the more likely it probably is to be the power source the Initiative needs for the Transporter.

Oh, yeah, and sorry about the body-swap-around. Just deal with that as best you can, because the mission really must go on. Any harried and worried Initiative employee along on the mission that you might be able to find will just sputter a hasty not-really-explanative explanation and hurry away, trading frantic messages with the headquarters in Exsilium. They'll get this all sorted out by the time you get back, don't worry.

Comments

[controlledvariable]

It's a pretty name. [That seems like a fairly safe response, and she smiles for the mountain lion comment.]

They're not random, then? [A hummingbird seems to fit Vanadi] I'm not sure if that's a compliment or an insult.

pretend that was Aleva, GOSH I CAN'T BE EXPECTED TO REMEMBER MY CHARACTER'S OWN SOUL JEEZ

[implying]

Well, I'm hardly the expert on... animals as souls, but it didn't seem as if they were.

[ He tosses a grin back over his shoulder. ]

It only means you could very likely and very thoroughly trump me, is all.

WE ASK SO MUCH OF YOU

[controlledvariable]

[She considers pointing out that he handled himself pretty well when he was younger, but they are supposed to be 'starting over', as it were, so she leaves it be.]

I thought you might be saying I was vicious.

[She grins right back, figuring he wants to move on from the particulars of his soul]

[implying]

Vicious, no! [ He turns more fully to face her, head cocking and grin back in place. The subject change is welcome and appreciated. ]

Lithe, graceful, beautiful, potentially dangerous... all of those, certainly. But as you haven't mauled me yet, I wouldn't peg you with vicious.

[controlledvariable]

[... It's ridiculous, but there's perhaps one too many nice things in that sentence, and she ducks her head to hide her smile. Unsurprisingly, it's the "potentially dangerous", said like it's a good thing, that really gets to her (she has some warped perspectives).]

I dunno, I think I've made a couple good attempts at a verbal mauling.

[Having snapped at him more than once.]

[implying]

[ Aw yeah, he sees that smile. Points for Vanadi. ]

A correction, then: as I'm still standing, I wouldn't peg you as vicious.

[controlledvariable]

[And because she's not going to let him win this round, her smile gets a little sharp.]

Clearly I'm doing something wrong.

[She's just going to leave that ambiguous as to whether she means the fact he's still standing, or that he wouldn't peg her as vicious.]

[implying]

[ His own grin quirks wider, and he leans in a little. ]

Why, my dear! Should I feel threatened?

[controlledvariable]

[She cants her head to the side as she lifts a shoulder in a lazy sort of shrug.]

Depends on whether you think vicious is a bad thing.

[This is a terrible idea and she should probably tone it down. But the problem with having found a friend in Ellie, is that despite how stressful it can be, she's a lot more grounded. Which means she's more willing to mess around a little.]

[implying]

[ Oh, this is a familiar game. And he might be a little surprised to find it in Steph — but he's certainly not complaining. A gloved finger taps, thoughtful, at his chin. ]

Bad? No. Very interesting? Yes. I've always had a bit of a moth to a flame syndrome, sadly!

[controlledvariable]

Why does that not surprise me at all?

[Not that she didn't used to be the same, but she tries to be a bit more sensible these days.

Which is something she should remember right now. Not that she's planning anything, she's just - having a bit of fun.]

[implying]

Why, it must be my smiling acceptance of all abuse. [ Which reminds him — the grin turns into a quick laugh, and he adds: ] Speaking of! I met a rather prickly friend of yours only the other day.

[controlledvariable]

[Something in her expression flickers at that first part, but she lets it go, distracted by the mention of Ellie.]

Ah. [She doesn't quite wince, but it's a close thing.] You managed to survive the encounter?

[She likes Ellie, but she has no illusions about the girl's temper. It's probably why they're friends.]

[implying]

Only barely. [ It manages to sound fond, though. ]

I rather like her! And I carry the fond fantasy that some day she may even like me, too.

[controlledvariable]

You weren't lying about the moth to the flame thing, were you?

[Which says just as much about Steph, that Ellie is basically the only person she actually trusts.]

I wouldn't hold your breath on her liking you, though, some days I don't think she even likes me. [That's a joke, probably.]

[implying]

My dear, you wound me! Given enough time, I can get through to anyone.

[ He considers that for a second, and amends lightly: ] Nearly anyone.

[controlledvariable]

[The correction gets a laugh, but her expression grows somber after a moment]

Don't push her too much, she's been through a lot, and I'd hate to have to break your fingers if you upset her.

[....because obviously that is what she does when people upset her friends.]

[implying]

[ And really, that's all it takes for concern to supersede the amused interest. His smile doesn't quite fade, but it does lessen, and he gives a small nod. ]

Understood. [ Not added: people who have been through a lot are the ones he falls in love with the most. ] But between the various threats of harm to my person, perhaps the three of us might enjoy ourselves for a night out at some point, yes?

[controlledvariable]

[For all that she might be a little mean about Vanadi when she thinks of him - she likes him, but he didn't exactly make the best first impression - she's grateful that he accepts the warning without question. He's a flirt, yes, but she thinks he can be a good person underneath that.]

You might want to let me gently break her into the idea of things like nights out before we add you to the mix. [Because he's... him.] But yeah, maybe we can.

[No it's a terrible idea. Someone will probably get stabbed.]

[implying]

[ Yeah, okay, he can see her possibly not... doing very well with that kind of thing. His mouth dips down into the frown, and with an amending hand up: ]

A night in, then, perhaps. I could cook!

[ c'mon Steph you have to indulge the social butterfly, he'll wilt and die without enough friends around at all times ]

[controlledvariable]

Well, she is easily won over with food. [She says that fondly, but there's a pause as she bites her lip, momentarily looking a bit awkward.]

It might also have to wait, though, I've sort of - misplaced her.

[As you do.]

[implying]

[ There's a blink under the mask, and a brief pause outside of it. ]

Ah. Did you. How did you manage that?

[controlledvariable]

That mess I mentioned? [She feels a little guilty, but, well, Ellie left her to deal with a hell of a situation, and she should be allowed to vent as long as she avoids specifics.] She had a fight with one of her friends, and disappeared. I think she's in the Outlands, and I could probably find her easily enough, but I'm guessing she wants space.

[There's a definite mood shift from a few moments ago, but she's not sure if she's annoyed at Ellie for making her deal with Fi, or sad that she hasn't seen her for a while.]

[implying]

Ah, I see.

[ Oh, friend drama. It's such an old acquaintance of his. He tips his head either thoughtfully or curiously, watching her. ]

I expect you're probably right about the space, knowing her as I hardly do. —But don't let her go for too long, yes? [ because there's basically nothing worse in his book than losing a friend through neglect. ]

[controlledvariable]

Oh, I won't. [She gives him a smile, albeit a rather wry one] Someone's got to yell at her for being a little shit, after all.

[She really does like Ellie, but that doesn't mean Steph is going to ignore how awful she was to Fi.]