Topic: Wilypocalypse NOW

[Amatiramisu]

There was a sudden twinkle in Vieri's eye. "Art thou able to fight, knave?"

"Knave? I didn't do anything to deser-"
"Vagrant."
"W-Well that's closer but I'm not that-"
"Vagabond."
"...Yes, Captain. I can fight."

"Good." She affirmed, before sharply rising from her seat and beckoning to follow. "I sense something most foul in the depths of this place." Vieri explained. Ammy tilted his head, skeptical. "Sense? Well, if anything we should stay put and wait for Fugo." Vieri pointed her sword at the younger's throat once more. "Art thou disobeying a direct order? Come." With a groan, Ammy drew out his knife and obeyed.

The two explored the Fxenodrome for what felt like a paranoid eternity. (Though was more likely in the realm of two minutes.) Without warning, Vieri took hold of Ammy's arm and yanked him into a side room. She pulled him around the corner and beckoned him to stay still. "Movement." She whispered. Ammy gently pushed her aside and peered through the doorway carefully. Something swiftly moved past his vision.

"What do we do?" He asked, but his question went unheeded as Vieri shot out past him and aimed her blade at the being's back. "Who - nay - what art thou, friend? I am Knight-Captain Galestrider, and I bid thee name thyself lest I place thee under military arrest!"

"You don't have any political sway here, damn it!" Ammy called from the room.

[Strider Xhaiden]

Leo stopped dead - and mentally snorted in amusement at that choice of phrase - at the challenge being shouted at her. Slowly raising her hands in what she hoped was a universal gesture of "I'm unarmed, don't attack me", she turned on the spot to face her would-be opponent.

Gleaming sapphire eyes noted the young man skulking around behind the one who'd apparently challenged her, then shifted to lock gazes with the blonde woman pointing a sword at her chest. The way she'd identified herself made things easier....two could play that game.

"Well met, Captain Galestrider. Your first question is difficult to answer, but as to your second, I go by the name Leocadia Mallory, although I suppose Knight-Captain Mallory would also be appropriate."

Meanwhile, outside the Fxenodrome....

Bell had just about settled into a comfortable position for a nap when the distinct bleep of an incoming communication stirred her from her daydreaming. Tapping the comm-bead implanted in her ear, she was rewarded with the sound of Delmi's voice.

"Forgive the interruption, Officer Valcadash, but I believe I have located a weak distress signal emanating from a location not too far from here."

Bell blinked, turned it over in her head for a moment, then decided she didn't care. "Eh, whatever. Make a note of the location and remind me again if it's still there when we're getting ready to leave this craphole of a planet."

Cutting the comm-link before the AI could respond, she settled into her previous position and closed her eyes, intent on sleeping until Leo returned to claim her sword.

[Dr. Wily II]

(Oh Bell... )

[Amatiramisu]

At Leocadia's immediate surrender, Vieri loosened her stance and took in the details of the intruder. "Thou are not human." She observed. Ammy poked his head out and then took Vieri's side. "You can drop the sword, she's harmless."

The Knight-Captain ignored him until Leo introduced herself proper and provided her rank. This seemed to ease her suspicions as she lowered her weapon. She nodded and shoved Ammy roughly into Leocadia. He passed straight through. "H-Hey! Th-That felt weird..."

"A phantom, art thou? Not of my people. Thine armor is different from my own. From where dost thou hail, Captain? Prithee also tell us how thee hath entered this fortress." She asked. Ammy stood up and brushed himself off. "You can lower your hands too. She's not going to hurt you... I think. Not that she could..." Experimentally, Ammy held out his hand and waved it through her form. "That is really- [parasitic bomb], sorry. That's... Probably rude isn't it? Can't say I'd really 'get' ghost etiquette."

[Strider Xhaiden]

(Apologies in advance for the crappy joke at the end of this one. I couldn't help it  )

Leo couldn't help the slight upward curve of her lips when Ammy apologised for his actions.

"That would make two of us. I am still trying to come to terms with this form myself."

Turning her attention back to the Captain, she tilted her head and adopted a thoughtful pose while she weighed up exactly how much to tell the other knight. Captain Zabat had asked that they not reveal their affiliation unless absolutely necessary.....Bell had been fine with that, since it meant she could go plainclothes instead of her uniform, but still, Leo wasn't sure she could convincingly lie to another knight. Not only would such a thing be dishonourable in the extreme....she hadn't exactly had much practice at fibbing anyway.

"You are correct when you call me a "phantom", Captain. The situation is slightly more complex than that, but I hope you can forgive me for saying that's a conversation best saved for another time. As for my home....." - a single gauntleted finger rose to brush the tip of a pointed ear, and an expression of intense sadness briefly flickered across her face before her features schooled themselves back into her usual impassive mask - "...I no longer have one. Your third question is easy to answer, however. Very few barriers pose issue to one such as myself." She leant over and pushed her arm through the wall up to her elbow to illustrate the point, then straightened again.

An earlier part of the conversation finally clicked in her mind at that point, and she closed her eyes in concentration for a moment before poking Ammy in the shoulder.

"Perhaps not so harmless after all?" Her head tilted as another thought came to her. "Might I trouble one of you to open the doors? I left my weapon outside along with a comrade of mine."

Meanwhile, outside the Fxenodrome....

.....

.....

.."AAHH, COBRAS!"

(For the record, and just to avoid any mishaps in future, I'll clarify a couple things now.

- Plainclothes Bell. Leather jacket (with the right sleeve pinned up against her shoulder), white tanktop, a pair of battered looking jeans, and combat boots. Her gear is hidden under her clothes.
- Leo's comment about "not having a home", is because her people are/were intensely distrustful/afraid of anything they considered to be "Dark Magic". As Leo is undead, and Saden's....not entirely herself.....anymore, they were both considered exiles/outcasts, and joined the 91st simply (at the time) because they had nowhere else to go.)

[Amatiramisu]

Ammy shuddered lightly as Leo touched him. He felt it, but it was like the sensation was... Not fully there. He padded back, rubbing his shoulder. "I don't think establishing yourself as a potential threat then requesting your weapon is really wise...-" Vieri shook her head, and sheathed her sword. "She means no harm. Ammy, if thou would please open the door?" Ammy frowned. "What about Fugo and the resi-... Comrade? Hell, it's not really safe out there..." He groaned, as he set off towards the entrance. "Captain Galestrider, Captain Mallory, can you please wait in the mess hall? I'll bring your weapon and your companion back."

Vieri, satisfied with this answer, beckoned the ghost to follow. As they made their separate ways, Ammy sighed deeply. "Th-That was dangerous... My heart skipped a beat. Stupid." He muttered as he searched for the control to open the door. As the wasteland came into view, he spotted another figure, and a sword planted in the ground. He stepped out and pointed at it. "Yo, whoever you are, your friend's looking for you. You wanna take that?"

[Strider Xhaiden]

As the group split off, Leo couldn't help but wince at being called "Captain" by the young man....Ammy?....before he left. Momentarily distracted by memories that were probably better off left buried, she almost wandered through another wall before she caught herself and resumed following the other knight towards wherever it was they were going. Struck by a sudden realisation, she sped up a little to walk side-by-side with Captain Galestrider.

"I feel I must offer my apologies in advance, Captain Galestrider. My comrade can be....-" She paused, trying to think of a single word that would accurately describe Bellona. Coming up blank, she opted to revise her statement instead - "I will be entirely honest. If it were in my jurisdiction to do so, I would have had seen her locked in a cell for some of the behaviour she has shown. I ask that you please ignore any less-than-decent conduct. I promised my commander that I would not allow significant harm to befall her, and will accept responsibility for any slights against you or your fellows here that she may inflict during our time here."

Outside the Fxenodrome

Bell was roused from her less-than-stellar nap by a voice she didn't recognise. Casting a bleary gaze around her, some small portion of her brain noted that there were not, in fact, any snakes of any description in the vicinity. Full awareness kicked her in the face shortly afterwards, and she shook her head to dispel the last of the fog from her mind. Rising, and completely ignoring the young man who'd apparently addressed her, she stretched, not quite able to hide the grimace of pain as the motion irritated her old injuries. Finally satisfied that she was awake and sufficiently coherent, she turned to face the newcomer and shot him a flat look through half-lidded eyes.

"Who the [tornado fang]'re....no, you know what, I don't care."

Tilting her head slightly to peer over his shoulder, she noted the now open doors on the front of the dome. She managed a half-step before she remembered the other thing she'd been asked to do, and bent down to grasp the hilt of Leo's sword. Making no attempt to actually carry the blade, she instead kept a loose grip on the end of the hilt, leaving the tip to trail through the dirt.

That particular bit of business concluded, she walked straight past the man without any further acknowledgement of his presence and headed for the entryway ahead of her.

[Amatiramisu]

Ammy leaned on the entryway as the more abrasive woman dragged Leo's sword past him. "Down the walkway. Mess hall." He muttered as she passed. Shoving his hands in his pockets, he closed the door and trailed behind. "The food is decent. Coffee's [parasitic bomb]."

Vieri, on her end, wordlessly acknowledged Leocadia's warning. "I haven't the patience for idle insults, so I thanketh thee for thine gracious behavior. Mine own companion has been... Tolerable. I would prefer quieter, if anything."

[Strider Xhaiden]

Leo chuckled at the other knight's comments.

"Aye. It is rather depressing to realise that you are the only one with an ounce of decorum amongst your allies. The people I call comrades now are a....colourful....assortment of characters if ever I've seen one."


Bell gave a grunt of something that could potentially have been construed as a "thank you" in acknowledgment of the man's directions. Inwardly, she found herself wondering if the Mess Hall had anything containing alcohol. A bottle of whiskey sounded like a good idea right about now.

[Amatiramisu]

As the other two rounded the corner, Ammy waved half-heartedly at Vieri and Leo. "I brought... Uh..." He shrugged and jammed his hands in his pockets and took his own seat. He eyed the coffee with disdain. "Captains." He acknowledged. Vieri shot him a glare. "T'would appreciate it if thou wouldst regard thine superior with proper respect." Ammy clearly growing fed up with the attitude crossed his arms. "Yes, Captain Galestrider. Apologies for my conduct."

[Strider Xhaiden]

Leo frowned at Ammy's tone, but it wasn't clear what exactly was upsetting her about the situation. Before she could say anything, though, Bell was in her face and holding the sword out, something akin to frustration written across her features.

"Here. Take your oversized butterknife back. I got better things to do than act as glorified friggin' packhorse."

Leo accepted the blade with a curt nod and slung it over her shoulder with practised ease. Despite the lack of a sheath or any apparent harness, it somehow stuck to her back and hung there without any visible support.

Bell yawned, then froze as she finally registered Vieri's presence. Several awkward seconds passed as her gaze flitted between the two knights before she finally mumbled something that sounded like "[tornado fang] me, they're multiplying" before wandering off towards an empty table nearby and collapsing heavily into a seat, her feet finding their way onto the tabletop shortly afterwards. She remained silent afterwards, though the tilt of her head implied she was still listening to whatever was going on.

Leo wrinkled her nose in disgust at her comrade's actions, but remained silent, pondering something. At length, she nodded in apparent satisfaction and turned her gaze on Ammy.

"Excuse me....Ammy, was it? Please do not feel obligated to refer to me as Captain Mallory. I....-" - She trailed off for a moment, a flicker of something - self-doubt? - passing across her face before she continued - "Regardless, feel free to call me whatever you wish. Within reason." The last part was accompanied by a dark glare in Bell's direction, but the heavily-scarred girl gave no indication of acknowledging the rebuke.

[Amatiramisu]

Ammy furrowed his brow at Leo's request. "Uh, sure. That's right, it's Ammy. Would Leo be fine then?" He asked. Vieri seemed displeased with this, but otherwise held her tongue. Instead, she turned her aggression towards Bell.

"Already, my nerves..." She grumbled. Ammy took notice and sighed. "Look, Captain, I'll behave long as I'm in your presence. If that helps the stress?" Vieri snarled at him. "I would thanketh thee if thou wouldn't attempt to curry favor in such a crude manner." Ammy shrugged. "Just trying to be helpful. On that note... What's her problem?" He said in a quieter voice, thumbing towards Bell.

[Strider Xhaiden]

Leo's offered another half-smile at Ammy's initial question. "Leo will be fine. Most of my comrades refer to me that way, so I am beginning to get used to it."

Shooting a quick glance over her shoulder at Bell, who appeared to be napping again, she could do little more than shrug at his second query. "I wish I could tell you. I have not known her all that long, and in that time the only person I've witnessed her show even the slightest hint of respect to is my commander, Captain Zabat."

She lowered her tone slightly, as though afraid Bell might overhear her. "Truthfully, I do not understand why she is allowed to act in such a way without reprimand. Captain Zabat refuses to reveal what he knows about her history, but from what I have heard her attitude is far from the worst of the issues surrounding her. That said, I believe her current foul mood is due to our presence here." She paused for a long moment, internally weighing the pros and cons of sharing the information she wanted to. She eventually decided that these two were worthy of her trust, and opted to divulge the reason she and her comrade were there to begin with. "We were assigned a task by Captain Zabat and have had little success so far. We had a slight disagreement over the best way to proceed, and wound up outside this structure shortly afterwards. I believe I need not recount what has happened since then?"

[Amatiramisu]

Ammy crossed his arms and accepted the explanation. "Well, I guess it doesn't really affect me anyways. Where the heck is Fugo...?" He wondered, scanning the room. No sign. Disappointed, he gulped down the last of his coffee, and made a face. "...Eh."

Vieri, however, was more concerned. "And thine mission? What of this 'task'?" Ammy held up his hand. "Apologies Captain, but I'm not even sure why you're here either." Vieri's cheeks turned red. "I-I never- I must know of this lot first!" She gestured to Leocadia. Ammy shot the latter an apologetic look.

[Strider Xhaiden]

(Apologies in advance for the final bit, it was the only way I could think of to get that bit in without giving the game away entirely. From a narrative standpoint, I mean. It should be obvious what's going on OOC.)

Leo was silent for a long moment, deep in thought.

I have my orders, but I cannot continue with this deception much longer.....No matter. I will simply have to ask Captain Zabat for forgiveness when I return.

When she finally addressed the two, her expression was deadly serious, and her tone held a hint of steel to it that had been absent beforehand.

"You were correct when you said I was not of your people, Captain Galestrider. In truth, I am not even of this land-" - she caught herself - "-this world. My story can wait for another time, but right now I belong to a group whose mission is to protect the stars from those who would do wrong. My commander, Captain Zabat, was recently made aware of something on this world that should not belong. He assigned Bellona-" - she waved a hand toward her companion, who responded with what she'd been told was a rather vulgar hand gesture - "-and myself to investigate this matter. So far we have not uncovered anything out of the ordinary."

Her head drooped a little, and an embarassed blush lit up her cheeks for a brief moment.

"I apologise if my explanation made no sense. I still do not quite fully understand the nature of the group I work for myself, and Captain Zabat has not had time to explain it to me in a manner I can comprehend yet."

She shook herself, and raised her head again. "I am sorry, but I must ask. Have either of you noticed anything.....unusual lately. Besides myself, I mean."


???

"....I see. Thank you for informing me, Delmi. I'll send someone to look into it."

The door to the Captain's private office swung open, and his voice called out from inside.

"Caio, Saga, got a job for you. Seems Bell's not pulling her weight again."


???

Guys? I don't think this is working. And I'm getting tired.

Stop talking nonsense. Someone will find us, I'm certain!

She's got a point, though. We've been here how long, now?

God, this is so frustrating! If I ever see that old geezer again I'm gonna....!

Calm down. We all feel the same way. For now, all we can do is keep trying, and hope help arrives. We're still together, and that's what's important right now.

That's right! Okay! I'm going to keep trying and NOT fall asleep this time!

We're doomed.

(Don't ask Leo to explain technobabble stuff, she's not very good at it. Also, foreshadowing. Nobody needs to respond to the last two bits, by the way. Just paving the road for later.)

[Amatiramisu]

Vieri crossed her arms, then nodded solemnly. "Yea. If thine story is to believed, then I will place mine trust in thee. I too am not from this land. Though I am... Less inclined to speak of it. For fear of the savages who may be listening in..." She punctuated this with a venomous glare at Ammy, who just shrugged.

"Fascinating." He grumbled. "Best I've got is that someone's trying to kill me. Hasn't been an issue in about three weeks though."

Vieri furrowed her brow. "Quite the charming cast of characters in this place."

[Strider Xhaiden]

The other three missed the vicious scowl that flitted across Bell's face at Vieri's mention of "savages". While she couldn't be entirely certain that the comment was directed at her, she'd heard similar things enough times for it to automatically irritate her. She didn't miss Ammy's comment about someone trying to kill him, and briefly debated going over to ask him about it, before opting against it with a mental shrug. Let the spook handle all that diplomatic crap.

Leo mirrored Vieri's expression as she mulled over the information she'd just been given. She had her mission, but something about Ammy's tone when he'd spoken had sparked her desire for justice. At length, she spoke again. "Thank you for your trust, Captain Galestrider, you have my oath that it shall not be misplaced. Truthfully, I have taken something of a gamble by telling you as much as I have. Captain Zabat made it clear that we were not to reveal ourselves without sufficient reason, but I am.....uncomfortable talking in half-truths, and believe the you both worthy of MY trust, as well. Please forgive me for my rudeness, Master Ammy, but could you tell me any more about what you have just spoken of?"

Bell shifted slightly, tilting her head to try and get a better read on the conversation. She had a sinking feeling that this would end up creating more work for her.

Christ, she needed a drink.

[Amatiramisu]

Ammy didn't seem bothered by the question. Moreso by the title. "M-Master? Uh, please never call me that, ever again." He cleared his throat nervously. "I-Uh... Well, like I said, it's a non-issue compared to what you two are dealing with. I'm more curious about Captain Galestrider, but she's reluctant to share, so..."

Vieri muttered something rude over a volume Ammy couldn't quite understand.

"Well, anyways-" He began. "I never got a good look at whoever it was. It's always at night. In the dark. Which is typical. 'Course it's too much of an effort to slit my throat in broad daylight. All I know is that I think it's more than one person. They track me whenever I'm in a big city, which is why I was glad to get out of that last place. That and the heat. It'd been too long since the last attack. There's no [tornado fang]ing pattern." He rambled, clearly growing more upset. He caught himself and cleared his throat once more. "Sorry. It's not your problem. Just let me help with whatever you three have going on."

[Strider Xhaiden]

Leo flushed again. "Apologies. I have been told-" - another sideways glance was shot towards Bell - "-that my manner of speaking is....too formal? I will try to remember your request, though."

Her expression turned serious again. "You are being stalked by one or more unknown assailants?" She cupped her chin thoughtfully. "For whatever it is worth, you may rest easy for the forseeable future. I do not require sleep, so anyone who seeks to use the cover of night for nefarious ends will be kept away. That I promise."

Bell's voice wafted over from her table. "Spook, you better not have said what I think you just said."

Leo pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration, and couldn't keep the note of irritation out of her voice when she shot back. "I did indeed offer our services, Bellona. Or is the "Protect and Serve" insignia on your dress uniform just for show?"

She was met with a frustrated groan and the sound of leather on flesh as Bell facepalmed. After a long moment, she got up and slouched over to where the others were sitting, dropping herself into the seat next to Leo and propping her head up on her hand, an expression of complete and utter boredom on her face. "Okay, fine, whatever." She regarded Vieri and Ammy with a disinterested gaze before offering a loose shrug. "I guess since Little Ms. "Truth and Justice" here seems to be set on helping you two, I'd better stick around as well." She flashed the spectral knight a rather smug-looking grin. "Better than heading home alone and trying to explain why I didn't try to stop you from disobeying orders, at any rate."

Leo's cheeks flushed in indignation, but she bowed her head in acknowledgement of the not-so-subtle rebuke. "Y-yes. I would be grateful if you could inform Captain Zabat of the change in our circumstances."

Bell snickered. "Sure. I'll tell him. Just do me a favour and make sure this is worth my while, yeah?" She leant back in her chair and stared at the ceiling before a thought struck her. "There's a point. What is our plan?"

[Amatiramisu]

"I... Don't need a bodyguard..." Ammy coughed nervously. "Just- Thanks, I guess. I owe you for this." He regarded Bell with an apologetic shrug. "Sorry, but I guess I don't have any say in this." He twiddled his thumbs nervously as Bell and Leo argued, until the most important question was asked. Just what were they doing waiting here. "I almost forgot, hell. We're waiting for my boss to get back. It's sort of a long story but I'll keep it quick. Apparently some madman is trying to do generic villain things which is why everything outside is so shitty. There's a resistance - based on a space station evidently - that we're supposed to be meeting up with. My boss is trying to contact them." An idea popped into his head. "W-Wait, you guys came from off-planet though, didn't you? Did you not see the station? Or whatever it is, anyway."

[Strider Xhaiden]

(Chance for a little bit of expo here, since Bell's leaving an opening.)

Leo opened her mouth to respond, but Bell got there first.

"Eh, I was asleep, and the spook here wasn't around to see anything."

Leo shot her a flat look. "Delmi made several mentions of it shortly after we landed, Bellona."

Bell blinked. "Did she? Huh."

Leo again had to fight the urge to throttle her squadmate, instead taking a deep breath to calm her nerves, and choosing to focus on what Ammy had just told them.

"This world is being threatened?"

Bell seemed to pick up on what Leo was thinking, and frowned. "It's got nothing to do with us, Spook."

Leo's expression finally shifted, and her voice was tight with barely-concealed anger. "It may not concern you, Bellona, but I cannot just turn a blind eye to this. Even if our business here is concluded soon, I intend to remain behind and do whatever I can to assist this "Resistance" in their attempt to halt this villainy. If you wish to leave, fine, you can explain the situation to Captain Zabat when you return. I am sure he would be most interested to learn that you abandoned your duties because you could not be bothered to attend to them."

Bell's expression darkened, and she practically growled at the spectral knight. "Don't talk like you understand me, Spook." Her hand unconciously rose to grasp what was left of her right shoulder.

Leo flinched, the action not lost on her in the slightest, and her expression softened slightly, the anger fading from her voice to be replaced with.....not quite sympathy, but something close. "I see. Regardless....I could not live with myself-" - Bell gave an involuntary, amused smirk - "-if I simply turned my back on this situation. I swore an oath that I would protect the peace and people of the land. That oath is not invalid just because this is not my home."

Bell's gaze dropped, and her grip on her wounded shoulder tightened. When she spoke, the anger had disappeared, and she sounded almost.....sad? "Okay, okay, I get it, Spook. We'll stay for as long as it takes to....fix this. No longer, though."

Leo appeared to be somewhat taken aback by the human's words, but she offered a smile in response. "I understand. Thank you, Bellona."

Bell's eyes flashed with something akin to amusement. "Could you not call me that? My name's Bell."

Leo, too, looked rather amused. "Only if you refer to me by my name, and not that damnable nickname."

There was a long moment of silence, then.... "Will "Leo" do?"

Leo chuckled. "Close enough."

(Make that two openings.)

[Dr. Wily II]

(Generic!? )

[Amatiramisu]

(In the best of ways. )

Ammy scratched his head. "Well, I don't know all the details. See, I only just found out about all this... Five or six hours ago at best? Hell, I don't really remember anything before the last year or so."

Vieri ground her teeth in annoyance. "Art thou serious?! Thou hath led us here without the slightest inkling of thine situation? Art thou dense?!" She stood up and slammed her hands on the table. "I am wasting my time here!"

"QUIT!" Ammy finally snapped, massaging his head. He glared upwards, matching Vieri's gaze. For the first time since they met, there was some strange fire in his eyes. Vieri reared back slightly, surprised at the sharpness of his voice. His outburst started drawing some glances. He cleared his throat and massaged his temples for a moment, then sighed. "Sorry. That's not like me."

Vieri recovered quickly and leaned forward. "Art thou challenging me?" She threatened in a hushed voice.

Ammy shook his head and looked away, without word.

"Thou shalt address me with proper respect. Take this as thine final warning." The older woman added.

"Yes, captain. Apologies." Came the response. He peeked at the other two and shook his head. "Anyways, Fugo - my boss, that is - should be returning pretty soon to fill you guys in. All I know is that I woke up in the middle of nowhere last year with no memories, and that this world was already a shithole when I got here. Fact of the matter is that we're all stuck here. Well, I am, anyways. I don't know about you three."

Vieri finally leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms once more. "Then I shalt ask thee to start from the beginning." She began. "Who art thou? What dost thou remember? What art thou capable of, be it combat or otherwise?"

The young man bit his lip in thought, then tapped his head. "Well, like I said, I don't remember a lot. I just remembered two things. My name - I think - is Ammy. No last name unlike you all, Captain Galestrider, Mallory, uh-" He glanced at Bell, then shrugged. "Well that's off on a bit of a tangent anyway. I also remembered that I was about 17... Though I think I'm around 18 now. From there..." He tapped his knife. "I got into a fight shortly after with some thugs or something, but I was able to hold them off pretty decently? I'm not a real fighter but it looks like I can hold my own in close quarters. That was a blessing, I guess. Nowhere near as good as you, Captain." He regarded Leo and Bell. "Gonna assume the same goes for you guys."

Vieri by now had leaned forward on the table, a bored expression on her face, face in her hands. "Verily... Thou art the most... Unimpressive person I hath ever met." She sat up straight once again and stretched her arms. "Where is the strange green-clad man?" She asked.

Ammy shrugged. "Like I said, should be back soon... Although I really... Should ask about the outfit." He turned to Bell and Leo. "Don't laugh when you see him. I'm trying to get a job here."

[Dr. Wily II]

(I feel for Ammy...)

[Strider Xhaiden]

(I'm sorry Ammy please don't hit me.)

If Leo and Bell were taken aback by Ammy's initial outburst, neither of them gave any outward sign of it. They listened in silence as he recounted his tale - though in Bell's case her expression gave no indication as to whether or not she actually was listening - and Leo cupped her chin in thought again once he'd finished.

"You have my word I will not compromise your attempts to gain employment, Ammy." She ignored Bell's muttered comment of "No promises" to study him for a moment. "Your story is a strange tale to be sure. I cannot say I have any knowledge of anything like what you've just described. Bell, what do you make of this?"

Bell flinched, startled out of her apparent daydream - one involving a forced removal of the stick bargepole tree that was apparently permanently wedged up Captain Galestrider's.....well, let's not go there - and looked around in panic for a moment before realising where she was. "Huh? Oh, um....nope, I got nothin'." She shot Ammy what was, for her, an apologetic glance. A wicked grin split her face afterwards. "You were right about me being good in close quarters though. Want me to teach you some basics?"

Leo willed herself back into a more solid form just long enough to clout her companion around the head, ignoring the venomous look she received afterwards. "We don't need you corrupting such a promising young man, Bellona. Ammy will find his calling, I'm certain. More to the point, you have yet to introduce yourself in a proper manner."

Bell responded with a look that clearly said are you kidding me?, but gave a lazy wave of her hand in acknowledgement. "Bellona Valcadash. Just call me Bell, would you? Be straight with me and we'll get along just fine."

Leo shot her a dubious look. "You seem eerily calm given your earlier attitude. What are you scheming?"

Bell shrugged. "Scheme nothing. I'm calm as a stream right now."

Leo pinched the bridge of her nose again and sighed before addressing Ammy and Vieri. "I should apologise in advance to the two of you. I have not known her all that long, but Bell's moods seem to be somewhat unpredicatable. I ask only that you ignore any insults or curses she may throw at you during our time together."