becomemod | audience: jolyne

Oh? Charmed by me already?

[ they give her a teasing grin as they slide into their own seat. ]

Half a year, but it feels like the blink of an eye. [ they give a soft laugh. ] It's not so bad here. I'm used to fighting, just not being acknowledged by the ones I'm working to save. It's nice to be able to face them directly for a change.

[ a roll of the eyes follows that first remark as she picks up a menu. ]

Then we have something in common. Fighting even if no one acknowledges it. Never necessary to be thanked, but like, who doesn't like a little encouragement?

Was it always just you guys...? Fox, Ox, Mouse, Rabbit, Goat, Sanke, and Tiger? Or were there more?

[ no eyeroll will slow them down. ]

Exactly! You get used to it, but some extra encouragement is good for morale.

[ the genial energy dims a bit, but only for a moment. ]

There were others, before you came. They fought well, but even the best warriors can be defeated in the right circumstances. That's the nature of battle.

[ oh the dimming :( bud. she nods. ]

I don't wanna be a bummer or anything, I guess I'm just trying to make sense of what this one guy on the street selling bathwater was saying. Something about Silver, Black, Pink, and Marigold... that them...?

I get it though... lost my fair share of friends in our own fight... doesn't get easier.

Silver Horse, Black Dragon, Pink Pig, and Marigold Monkey.

[ they nod. ]

The four of them died last month. They're the reason the mayor decided to build an official hero memorial.

That's pretty awful. [ damn that moon, man. ] I'm sorry... protecting a city, there's a lot of ground to cover.

You guys probably got pretty busy after that, huh.

We all knew the risks when we joined that fight.

You're right, though. At first it was rescue efforts, but since then, we've been busy trying to help with the reconstruction. I knew these things took time, but I had no idea how long it would really take.

You have to when lives are on the line. It's sink or swim, do or die—all that...

[ humming ]

Sounds like you've kind of made peace with being stuck here, in a way, considering all the work that goes into being masked heroes and stuff. It still sounds like I tripped into a dumb comic book back at Green Dolphin.

That's true. You sound familiar with that.

[ a shame, but they honestly don't sound that bothered. things happen, good and bad.

to that, they shrug. ]

I'm used to long missions, that's all. What is "Green Dolphin"?

The prison I was in. Green Dolphin Street Jail... I was in level 4 maximum security, but I got moved around a lot. Solitary. Ultra security at one point with all the creeps. I guess I was just extra insufferable or something.

[ she wrinkles her nose. ]

Long missions, huh? Were you heroing before all this?

I see.

[ disapproving... but they can't change the past. ]

Something like that. My other missions have had to do with saving people, sure, but not in the spotlight like this.

I'm telling you, prison system's totally rigged by [ clown honk ]holes.

[ she did nothing wrong. ]

But huh, so working in the shadows kinda like... a vigilante?

So it seems. But you were released, before coming here?

[ this seems to amuse them. ]

Something like that, sure.

Released... is a word? Uh.

I released myself.

[ i um. broke out of prison. um. yeah. she orders a milkshake because she CAN. ]

But I had good reasons, okay?

[ one hand quickly covers their mouth to stifle a snort. ]

I... see...

[ lmao. ]

Care to share, then?

[ siiiiiip ]

Would you just sit in jail if some off-his-rocker priest was trying to end the world?

[ forget stifling it, they laugh outright. ]

Never.

Then... you understand.

[ tapping her glass carefully. ]

Now... I guess I have a new mission now. I've gotta make sure the lot of you all get home no matter what.

I do.

Though I'd consider that my job, rather than yours. I'm your leader, aren't I?

Still not used to having a "leader", not since my gang days, heh.

How lucky for you to get the most handsome leader among us, then.

[ heh. ]

As long as we can all work well together, that's what matters. I do want you all to get home.

Handsome, huh? I wouldn't know with that get up on all the time.

[ grinning. ]

I do think we'll work together pretty well. The boys are grumpy, but I think Sig and I have that handled well.

You might get a look under the mask in time.

Grumpy, maybe, but they still strike me as the type to take their work pretty seriously. They won't let anyone down.

I'll hold you to that.

[ but when they say the latter part, the grin shifts to a fond smile. ] No, they definitely don't. Lillium said he doesn't have to like people to work with 'em, buuuut I think maybe we're growing on him, hee.

Your profile's right, I think we are pretty well-balanced.

That's a stance I can understand. Sometimes the mission ahead of you is more important than whatever arguments you have... but I hope you do learn to get along with one another.

Any of team of mine was bound to be as balanced as I am. That's the best way to be.

[ they sound proud! ]

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