WEEK 2 DAY 5: MISSION

[wonderful_mods]

Mission: "Free the Black Rose from the Hydra's grasp."
Time Limit: Medium
Noise Plane: Solo
Wall Instructions: Key walls around the church, other walls as you see fit. Do not use Noise as a wall clearing condition. Harriers may still attack players with Noise.
Wall Rewards: Tin Pin Thrift
Reaped Rewards: Lovely Beam
Mission Rewards: Black Rose



[Well. Nobody did erase the GM last week, did they? Even if they did, she obviously had some trick up her sleeve, as she's definitely skulking around town... in several places, even. She's obviously been demoted, as well, judging by the scowl on her face. She doesn't seem to be harrying today - another reason for the scowl, judging by how aggressive she was at the end of last week. The reapers have a strange set of instructions as well - obviously, the goal to this mission isn't combatative.

And what's with guarding the church? There's nothing of note there.]

Comments

[tamedhollow]

[the conversation seems to be over. Ichigo frowns. He's not sure what it all means... And he's not sure if they should proceed. Before he'd probably just rush in, but his Hollow form actually made him more cautious. He turns to Neku and Zecora, and gestures down the hall and shrugs.

Then starts moving forward. If one of them thinks it's a bad idea, well... his tail is still within grabbing distance]

[needsmorezippers]

[Neku hesitates, but follows. There are a lot of things he'd want to do here- have some kind of plan, for one. Find out where the other person was going and what they were up to was another. But this isn't really the place for conversation. Might as well see the other Reaper's plan in action.]

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

[No hesitation from Zecora. She hadn't come down here to turn back or falter, after all.]

[reaper_sport]

[The reaper leans casually against the wall, sparking a fire between two fingers as the three come closer. In an odd moment, he starts talking before they even step out into the light - it was obvious he knew full well who was there beforehand.]

You know... it's almost depressing when things are so predictable. Naturally it'd be the Shibuya kid and Whitey sticking their nose where it doesn't belong.

Gotta say I'm impressed a Player wanted to get involved in the rough-and-tumble of Reaper dealings, though. Knowing full well any one of us could erase you without a second thought... Heck, you're trapped here with three Reapers, all on Harrier duty... and no other witnesses. Didn't think this one through too well, did ya?

[tamedhollow]

I don't care about any of that. Your plans don't mean anything to me. [Ichigo brandishes his sword when he steps into the light, growling and baring his fangs. They may have walked right into a trap, but that doesn't matter to him.] And you're not going to lay one grubby finger on Zecora, even if I have to Erase you myself, Mummy-boy.

Now spill it. What are you up to? Involving the living in the affairs of the dead? What in the hell are you even thinking!

[needsmorezippers]

[If this were another situation, Neku might try and hold Ichigo back, but he's trying to contain his own anger right now. He's still braced for attack, but... he does want to hear this plan, because it sounds like there's more to it. And he wants to figure out what that is.]

...So we're predictable. What do you think happens now?

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

Your words are just a silly sham
And I will not fall for your scam.
I will fight along with these two
And the one who faces defeat is you.
You'd best speak what we wish to hear
For your rescue is nowhere near.

[reaper_sport]

[The reaper gives a bit of a headshake.]

Ah ah, one at a time. First of all... why the cursed pins? Call it a test. See, I'd heard about a Game in Shibuya, one that used special pins with meme-imprinting psychs as part of its missions. When I learned that there were people nosing around - newbloods who hadn't been TOLD the whole story, but knew the Game inside and out... I was suspicious, to say the least.

So I did a bit of a litmus test. Surely nobody outside of that wreck of a Game would know a pin's latent powers could affect someone on the Realground. And yet you two Wonder Twins were in on it all along, weren't you? Because we have a few pawns from that Game.

As for what happens now? Either we continue civil discussion, you let me leave... or we find out just what kind of damage Drakes and Shrews can do to two officers and a player in a confined space.

[The reaper pulls a few pins out of his pocket, showing he's not bluffing. The antechamber can't be more than ten feet in each direction - there's not exactly ample room to dodge.]

As much as "civil" makes my skin crawl... I think you guys could seriously benefit from actually talking instead of fighting.

[tamedhollow]

[Ichigo listens, still sneering, but he lets his sword drop to his side. He doesn't get rid of it, not right away, but at least he's not actively threatening]

I don't know what went down in Shibuya's Game, other than what Neku told me. I just care that you're fucking with the living, which is not ok. Ever. No matter what kind of test you want to do. [well, he also cares about getting home, but one thing at a time]

[Ichigo twitches slightly, then disappears in a burst of staticy sound. He reappears a split second later, blocking the other exit, but his sword is now dispelled. But the message is clear]

Fine. Let's talk. But you don't leave until we're satisfied.

[needsmorezippers]

[Neku freezes when he mentions Shibuya's Game- and then proceeds to call it a wreck, which is not something he's passing on to Joshua. Because... those three weeks kind of were.]

The imprint wasn't part of a mission, and it shouldn't have been repeated!

[That part is a slip, probably harmless but he's trying to be careful. How much does this guy know?

When Ichigo teleports, Neku quiets down, hands in his pockets and clutching some pins. The Noise don't scare him at this point... he just wants to find out what's going on.]

...You can't just have been curious. Why go through all that?

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

[Zecora has absolutely no fear, certainly not of his threats. She stares at him, yellow lights in the depth of a shadowed cloak, daring him to underestimate her as a zebra.]

There's more to this then you have claimed
And I would like it all explained.
Is this Game, then, just a lie
To toy with those unlucky enough to die?
Explain how the living have come
To this city, instead of where they're from!
Mall girls, the Pin Trader, Pinkie Pie
All moved with us this week. Why?

[reaper_sport]

[The reaper seems a bit surprised when Ichigo manages to detune himself in such a way that he completely blocks off any avenue of retreat. Naturally, he only smiles slightly a moment later. Certainly not predictable, that way.]

Because remnants of Shibuya's Game are dangerous. By knowing, you've made yourself a target. Kind of like the girl who told me about the pins. They erased her, too.

[Then, with a sudden serious shift in demeanor, Rei turns to face Zecora.]

It's because you're strong. The Game makes you stronger. Do you really think being tethered to a mortal, fleshy body will allow your spirit to be as strong as it deserves to be? If you do, then by all means. Yell at the Conductor next time you win, tell him you demand to be brought back to life.

As for why we've got talking horses and we're dimension-hopping all over the place? Don't ask me. Those are secrets I'm not privy to.

[tamedhollow]

[Sonido is a useful trick for getting around quickly... and startling those who don't know about it. Ichigo remains solid, standing up tall and keeping his arms folded across his chest]

We're not going to get Erased. We have to find out what's going on here. And get everyone home. [he narrows his eyes] What girl? Who told you about the pins?

[Ichigo lashes his tail and looks at Neku, not sure if he's buying the whole ignorant thing] Is that so. So what about you? Are you from this world originally? Surely jumping cities isn't a normal thing for this Game.

[needsmorezippers]

[People from Shibuya were dangerous, and targeted... suddenly, Neku's much more worried about the fact that he hasn't seen Rhyme all week. She didn't have much to do with that Game, but still.]

...Why are 'remnants' of Shibuya considered dangerous?

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

[Zecora, for her part, regards him with... pity?]

Skill with a claw, a sword, or a pin
Is not the strength needed to win.
A Queen may fall to the littlest foal
Solely based on the strength of her soul.

[reaper_sport]

[As he's pressed, the facade cracks. The reaper starts to buckle under the pressure, rubbing his arm nervously as he truly starts to feel cornered.]

We didn't talk enough to get our full names. She was always Motou-san to me. She was just a kid.

[Though Neku's question gets a far more worrisome answer.]

...I can't answer that directly or they'll get me, too. Just... just ask yourself. "Isn't every city's Reaper Game supposed to be different"? As far as the other bit... yeah. I'm from Shinjuku's Game. It... wasn't always like this. Something changed. But we didn't start world-hopping until all you weird newbloods started showing up.

[Though with Zecora's words, he nods a little, regaining a little of his spark.]

See... I knew you'd get it.

[tamedhollow]

[Ichigo's expression softens, ever so slightly. But he's also not moving out of the way. And keeping his senses sharp in case the guy's partner comes back]

Motou... Neku. Do you know anyone named "Motou"?

[he frowns, trying to appeal to the other Reaper. Maybe, if they can get this guy on their side...] But you don't think it's strange? Dragging people in from other worlds. Moving the Game to a whole different location. I'm betting when this week is over, we'll be whisked away somewhere else. Aren't you worried that there's something very strange and very wrong going on here? Look man. We're just putting our noses in everything because we want to know what's going on, and how to get everyone home. That's all.

[needsmorezippers]

[Neku shakes his head. Admittedly, he didn't know many of the Reapers, or other Players for that matter. He doesn't automatically have an answer to his question, or the one this guy pushed back at him... but he has a feeling Joshua might.

He can kind of see where Ichigo's going with this, so he stays out of it for the moment, but his arms are crossed and he's still defensive. Getting someone to help out would be great. As of right now, however, he doesn't trust this guy as far as he can throw him.]

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

'Get it'? I think you're the one who's lost?
So in my voice I'll put more frost.
Sharpen the edge of an unwilling blade
And you'll find yourself the one ill-played.

[She stares at him evenly, voice and will of iron.]

So you claim no link between your machination
And the Players' lack of reincarnation?

[reaper_sport]

[The reaper sighs, slumping against the wall and letting himself slide down to a sitting position. He glances towards Zecora and Ichigo, shaking his head.]

All I know is that the bouncing around didn't happen until you newbloods came around. For all I know, one of you is doing it and trying to blame it on the people that got dragged along for your joyride.

As far as you havin' to play multiple games, horsie... I ain't the Composer. I can't begin to imagine what's goin' on in his head. Obviously, though, if you're stuck in the game after winning, there's some sort of cryptic bullshit reason.

[He shakes his head.]

Shit, maybe it's is because the game is messed. What kind of GM gets through a game without gettin' erased? And now we're doin' this worldhopping shit.

[tamedhollow]

Trust me, none of us have the power to do that. [after all, as far as Ichigo could tell, Josh was the strongest "import", and even he couldn't get them home] And even if I did? This is NOT my idea of fun. I have a life back in my world, one that I'd like to get back to. I deal with souls back in my world, too, and I know that moving souls from one world to another and then destroying them is bound to be the quickest way to fuck things up on a universal scale.

If you don't believe us, then... well, whatever. I can't convince you. Just know that we're not out to destroy this Game or anything like that. Just... fix it. Find your nutty Composer and put an end to this ridiculousness. I would love for you to help us, but if you don't want to, that's fine, too. Just promise me you won't involve the RGers with this crap again.

[needsmorezippers]

Honestly, even if anyone did, I don't see the point of all this... not to mention why we'd have gotten dragged here too. Obviously someone has a reason, though...

[Ichigo's mostly asked everything Neku wanted to know, but he's got one more.]

...You knew we'd come back here. I'm guessing you set that up on purpose. Why? Is there something you're after too? [he expects the answer to be 'yes,' but he figures this sounds less accusingly then just demanding something.]

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

[Zecora, of course, has her own thoughts...]

You say they wish to hone our power.
From whose brain did THAT thought flower?
And what grim foe must we soon fight
That we have to hone our might?

[reaper_sport]

[The reaper puts Neku's questioning aside for a moment to reply to Zecora.]

It's how the Reaper's Game goes. The strong survive, the weak don't. Players either return to life - usually, that is - or become Reapers. Reapers start out at the bottom, work their way up... and then they reach the upper ranks where it's kill or be killed. All of us want to take down the Conductor and steal his spot, and most of us want to go a step further and take down the Composer himself. I suppose you'd consider them your foes, especially if you're siding with these two.

[That said, he finally glances over to Neku.]

Everyone's after something. Trick is finding out whether or not it's something that conflicts with your plans. And to be honest? You two have been causing a lot of noise among the old guard. I was gonna spring a trap on you, take the credit for wiping out what was probably two of the biggest reasons the hydra was so pissed off last week, get myself nice and close to the Conductor.

But you've got me beat, and besides that...

[He smirks, more of that spirit reigniting.]

As predictable as you are, you make things interesting.

[tamedhollow]

[Damn. Josh was right. This game was pretty hardcore. Very cruel. No mercy.

Very Hollow-like.

He grins a little, though. So they were catching their attention. Good.]

Ha. Well for one thing, you'd be out of luck trying to take us down. Neku's an old pro at this. [said more jokingly than threateningly, of course. But something catches his attention] Hydra? Who's the Hydra?

But... We can help each other. [he looks at Neku, then back to the reaper] You want to climb the ranks. We want to get ourselves and all the other off-world Players, Reapers, and living folk back to where we belong. But we can't do that down here. [he looks at Neku again. Care to continue that train of thought?]