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

[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?]

[needsmorezippers]

[Yea, Neku had assumed they were getting attention. But... better them than some other people he could think of. As for the Hydra comment, he can only think of a couple people they might have really pissed off last week.

When Ichigo looks at him, Neku... doesn't really want to continue it, actually. He's not sure he trusts this guy, or his intentions. For all they know, it could be a huge lie. But he reflect on the little bit of the conversation they overheard. Well, they're already in trouble, pretty much. Might as well.]

...This is kind of beating a dead horse, but getting home is really all we want. If anyone's trying to climb the ranks, it's probably just to get us back. None of us actually want those positions. But if you do, and you don't like the way this is going any more than we do, we could probably make this easier on all of us.

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

[Zecora starts to speak, stops, shoots a half-annoyed, half-wry look at Neku, then picks up her lines again.]

I would guess the Hydra is last week's GM.
Has she been replaced for good, or pro tem?

[reaper_sport]

[The reaper nods.]

Got it on the first guess. She's the bulky broad with the clone powers. In a way, it's kinda obvious... multiple heads, and all that.

As for her future...? Hell if I know. First time the Conductor's let players get through a week without erasing the GM. Used to be, being in charge of a week was do-or-die time, if you didn't take over the Conductor's seat, you were given the final promotion, if you get my drift.

Maybe he's got plans for her that involve this freaky business going on. She seems like she'd be the type to be up to no good to serve her own needs. But as it is, she's been demoted pretty hard, forced to play Tin Pin for a chump mission.

[A bit of a glance towards Zecora.]

Assuming any players figure out what you did, of course. I thought it was obvious, but I guess not many folks in Shinjuku - or wherever anyone else is from - are sharp on their Greek mythology.

[tamedhollow]

[No answer on the proposition. Well, it was worth a shot.

Ichigo blinks, then it dawns on him] Oh right! Her clones! Makes sense, I guess. Kinda. [Ichigo feels stupid. Here he is, a history and literature fiend, and he didn't guess that]

[the "final promotion". Made it sound almost nice.] Wait, today's mission is Tin Pin? For real? So what's with the Noise restriction on the walls, then?

[needsmorezippers]

[...Neku is a little confused as to why Zecora looked at him like that. Then he realizes exactly what he just said. And proceeds to mutter a 'sorry' to her, awkwardly messing with his hair.

That was his guess- he imagines they ticked off the GM. But she's still around? That is weird.]

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

[Having heard what the Reaper said, Zecora pulls her cell phone out of her cloak, lowers it to the ground, then begins stabbing the buttons with a Creepy Weepy Barrier clenched between her teeth.]

[reaper_sport]

I figure, since you newbloods got all trigger-happy with ALL NOISE ALL THE TIME on walls after the Hydra crushed your balls, this was a way to try to guide the players to thinking in "Tin Pin" terms instead of "erase this goal" terms.

[The reaper finally picks himself up and glances over at Zecora's frantic cellphone stompfest.]

...If you're in such a hurry, this passageway goes all the way to the center of town. Either that, or ask one of your friends with fingers to do the job.

[That comment is punctuated with a sardonic smirk.]

Unless you're taking out your frustrations, and not frantically trying to contact your partner. In which case, be my guest, show that phone who's boss.

[tamedhollow]

Yeah, that doesn't work if you don't explain it to your subordinates. [he rolls his eyes] I don't know why you people are so allergic to clear, concise directions. All this cryptic crap isn't cute or funny, especially if the higher-ups want us to be a cohesive force. Sheesh. [didn't anyone every tell these guys how to organize people?]

But I never heard you promise you won't mess with the RGers any more, mummy man.

[he pays no attention to Zecora; he knows she can handle herself]

[needsmorezippers]

[Neku kind of figured most people were using noise and conditions because they didn't know what else they could do, so in a way this was helpful and in a way it really wasn't.

And then he remembers the conversation they overheard, and wonders just what's up with that.]

...One more question, once you finally answer his.

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

It's sad, that you seek to find
Humor in a person of a different kind.

[This is Zecora's only comment, as she finishes dialing her partner, tucks the Pin back into her cloak, then carefully scoops up the phone with her hooves.]

[reaper_sport]

[The boy rolls his eyes and lets out a bit of a sigh.]

The Underground fucks with the Realground all the time. By clearing yesterday's mission, you willingly screwed with RGers.

But the crap pins? Yeah, I promise I won't do that shit again.

[Too much trouble.]

I learned what I needed to, anyway.

[And he's getting lectured by a rhyming zebra. If his eyes could roll back in his head any harder, they'd fall out of his head. He's starting to get a bit impatient, now.]

[tamedhollow]

[have a very inhuman growl at your eye-rolling, young man. Screwed with? They helped. But Ichigo isn't going to press him any more, however, he does let a wave of dark, creepy energy roll off of him. Enough to give the guy the willies. Even humans who weren't sensitive could sense the presence of a Hollow; usually as a feeling of "being watched" or freaked out for no apparent reason. Ichigo doesn't particularly like using that ability, but it is a way to make a point.

And the point is; he's going to be watching you.

But he doesn't say anything else, curious to see what Neku's question is.]

[needsmorezippers]

[Well, that impatience might get thrown with Neku's question.]

What 'nuggets of information' is your friend passing around that you expect people to fight over?

[Maybe he shouldn't reveal that they heard that. But, in a way, this might help make him just a little nervous.]

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

[Zecora, even as she speaks quietly on the phone to her partner, keeps a close eye and ear on the conversation. The Players won't lose this day, at least, and she feels her choice to come down here has been more than worth the risk.]

[reaper_sport]

[The reaper isn't really fazed by the intimidation act, though he does look a bit surprised at Ichigo's subtle show of power.]

Can't tell you the specifics cuz I don't know 'em. She's a woman of few words, and besides - she doesn't know any more than I do. She might go murmuring about the fact Shibuya's game is bleeding over into ours, though... can't exactly call it a lie, now can you?

[A bit of a sidewise glance.]

You two have wasted almost the entire day interrogating a Reaper, and you already know you can't get anything else out of me. Can I go yet?

[tamedhollow]

[Ichigo rolls his eyes]

You could very well be lying. What's your name, anyway?

[Ichigo wouldn't call it a waste of time. He huffs and looks over at Neku] Should we let him go?

[needsmorezippers]

[It doesn't give Neku much, but at least he knows to be on the lookout. He just shrugs at Ichigo.]

Sure. No point in not, really. Especially since he's the first person who's been even halfway helpful.

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

[Zecora hangs up the phone with a clumsy mash of her hoof, then tucks it back into her cloak.]

I see no reason to hold him here.
He is not one we need to fear.
Just know that neither Reapers nor Players will stand
For any more 'experiments' like this one, most grand.

[reaper_sport]

Rei. Yomikai Rei.

[It's in the traditional Japanese order, family name first. If nothing else, he's definitely not lying about being from the original Game.]

Reaper's honor, no more phony pin tricks. From the two of us, at least. Who knows what other reapers might consider?

[tamedhollow]

Kurosaki Ichigo. [Ichigo moves out of the way, allowing Rei to pass if he so chooses] If you ever want to reconsider the offer, let me know. And if you find out anything about why people are being pulled from other worlds... let me know, too. After all, the sooner we get out of your hair, the sooner things can go back to normal for you, right? [a wry grin. The sooner he gets everyone on the same page, the sooner they can all get what they want]

[needsmorezippers]

Sakuraba Neku. [Neku pulls out his phone, quickly texting Josh but not doing much else. Not really much to do, now.]

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

I am Zecora, from Equestria.
Like Pinkie Pie, a subject of Princess Celestia.

[YOU GET RHYMES AND YOU WILL LIKE THEM.]

[reaper_sport]

[Rei nods, tucking his hands in his pockets and turning to go down the path Ichigo was formerly blocking.]

Askin' a reaper to cover your back is a good way to get it stabbed. If I find any info, I'll pass it down, but I'm not gonna get all buddy-buddy without reason. I'd advise you do similar.

[And with that, he turns and hurries down the passageway, glad to be out of the proverbial snake's jaws.]