(Ch. 6: Day 3)

NPC · Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2012 6:24 pm

The facades of Starlight City's buildings gleamed, reflecting the morning sun with thousands of mirrored windows. Literally thousands upon thousands of feet in the sky, looming from near the peak of the mountain, the Castle Hotel skyscraper's roof, an additional hundred or so stories above ground level, gave a view of the island and far, far horizon of the sea that was virtually unparalleled, and felt like it wasn't all that shy of meeting the sky's haze layer. It was dizzying; one could literally feel the building swaying underfoot against the pressure of the whipping winds.

If not for the direct sun and the clear sky, it would have been a little cold up there on that grassy rooftop garden. The leaves on the trees and hedgerows rustled noisily with each cool gust. Not many people were up there to enjoy the pleasantly surrealistic space yet, which was to the benefit of some—some like a certain GUN agent who had called his acquaintances together to meet with him up there, perhaps after obligating them just a little by paying for their previous night's stay in the nice tower.

So, save for the thrum of passing vehicles below (yes, Starlight City was by and far advanced enough to have flying, hovering VTOL civilian vehicles, even taxis, whooshing through the air around its enormous structures en masse), it was quiet up there. A few metal outdoor tables and some chairs had been dragged together not far from an outrageously-proportioned swimming pool. It looked like some sort of miniature resort in the sky, but, it was about to become more of a space for business...

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Zaka51 · Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2012 7:33 pm

Pax had been waiting on the roof for some time. As time passed, his stomach churned as his nerves began to act up for what was coming. The high altitude air wasn't helping him settle down either, though setting up the chairs, pacing through the gardens, and staring off into the distant horizon alleviated at least some of his stress. The view was incredible: bright blue skies, high-rising towers of the city, the distant ocean, and as much of South Island as a person could see. Alone on the roof, the agent leaned against the concrete guard of the roof, taking in the sights. Eventually, someone would be coming up the stairs like he requested. But for now, it was merely a matter of waiting and enjoying the peace, even if it felt superficial. Paxton couldn't ignore the large airship floating far above and away, a mere blur hovering in the air.

psikeout · Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2012 7:59 pm

The roof door, a pleasant, automatic set of glass doors leading from an elevator lobby, slid silently open as the shape of a big, bearded pig approached from behind. Mr. Casey soon strolled out across the rooftop garden, looking light and rested. Contrary to his just-plain-hairy appearance and interesting demeanor, he seemed to be the type to really appreciate the setting. Even the flowers!

He stopped next to the table by Pax, looking quite at ease compared to the pins-and-needles-walking canine.

"Welp, everybody's been told about the meeting," he announced, one hand on his side, the other (with repaired gunarm attached) pointing safely down at the turf. "Some should be on their way up right now." He paused very briefly with a thoughtful look, and added less confidently, "Ain't none too sure about that Ace guy, though."

Zaka51 · Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2012 8:14 pm

The dog didn't leave his spot at the edge, but he did turn his head over his shoulder to acknowledge the boar. With a nod, he replied with a slight nervous waver in his voice, "Thanks...I'll, uh...hope he shows up, maybe I can convince him..." His speaking fell into mumbling to himself as he bowed his head and stared at the concrete wall, taking in a deep breath. Taking his hands off the barrier, Pax stepped back and headed towards the tables and chairs, lingering between them.

"Just, uh, have a seat then. Hopefully, it won't be a long wait."

Sheff · Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2012 9:16 pm

Geoff could have easily appeared from the thin, morning air with how quiet his arrival was, thanks to the doors and his general lack of vigor as he walked across the roof. Despite the good amount of rest he more or likely received, the hedgehog appeared to hold an exhausted look to him, perhaps more of the mental kind. He certainly felt awake in that cool, high-altitude air, but his mind felt like it'd just finished a marathon and was still on a road to recovery.

With a mumbled "mornin'", he slumped down into a chair, taking in a deep breath, visibly becoming more relaxed.

"What a night..." he said with a total lack of emotion, sounding neither thrilled nor upset... just blank.

Rachel · Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2012 9:43 pm

The golden griffin was next to arrive. She didn't carry any of the unease or exhaustion the others did, she did however carry an extra gun. Today armed with two revolvers instead of her normal one, a hot cup of coffee and her duster as well. Being from the desert Jack knew at such heights it was likely to be a bit cooler then she preferred.

The former sheriff nodded to the new acquaintances as she made her way to a seat on Geoff's left, putting her coffee down on the table as she leaned back in the chair.

"Howdy." Jack said, friendly as ever. The night prior she'd been unwilling to accept Pax's hospitality, but that didn't mean she wasn't going to hear him out. "Yer lookin' a bit rough 'round the edges there, Geoff, Ya alright?" She had a good idea what was bothering him, but that didn't mean she wasn't concerned.

Seafarinhare · Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2012 9:49 pm

Not far behind the griffin, the one-eyed pirate rabbit emerged. He rubbed his eye with the wrist of his one hand, and then just took the coffee from the ex-sheriff as he passed.

"This be just what I be needin'." He said tiredly before reaching into his coat to pull out a stainless steel flask, still engraved with the name Louis on it, and poured some of it's contents into the coffee before pulling out a seat and sat down.

"Ahoy." He said to the others as he stirred the concoction before taking a sip.

Rachel · Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2012 9:59 pm

"What'er-" She started but it was too late, she didn't even get a chance to stop him before he poisoned her breakfast.

"Ivan!" She chided him, but ultimately there wasn't anything to be done about it. She gave him a dismissive wave and adjusted her hat a bit. "Why's yer flask say 'louis', anyway?"

Sheff · Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2012 10:18 pm

The hedgehog had released a small sigh at that point, sitting up a bit more.

"Maybe some other time, Ja-"

Cue Ivan interrupting his answer with his blatant 'thievery' of sorts, causing Geoff to slump right back into his chair as he let the origin of the mystery name come to light.

Mie · Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2012 10:41 pm

The doors parted once again, and from them immediately came... nothing.

Lattie stood just inside the glass panels, eying them dubiously. She swayed subtly on her feet, and took a step back. The doors whooshed silently shut in front of her; her eyes narrowed in scrutiny. Stepping forward again, the doors parted once more, and it was with the deepest suspicion that she staggered over the threshold with her head swiveling 'round the opening, leering at it as she went.

Still occasionally throwing bleary-eyed glances at the shifty contraption, the less than bright-eyed and bushy-tailed porter hobbled to the nearest chair, and poured herself into it.

"'shi dalek," she mumbled into her arms.

Greens · Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2012 10:51 pm

And, sure enough, in behind Latika followed none other than Ace himself. He seemed as largely emotionless as Geoff did (aside from the concerned glances occasionally given to the loris' backside), but somehow still very agreeable in his disposition. It was hard to tell if his squinty eyes were from the ever-present sunlight, or just some attempt at looking aloof, but either way he didn't have much to say before he seated himself in the nearest chair available.

...He didn't seem to have much to say after the fact, either.

Heart · Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2012 11:40 pm

"Yo, what's with the wake u-" The young piranha's voice was quickly swallowed up by a large yawn. The fish looked like she hadn't slept at all. She rubbed her eyes and walked over to the group before finishing off her sentence that the yawn rudely interrupted. "--wake-up call?"

Unlike her usual - rather revealing - attire, today Avatar wore a large, baggy, black hoodie along dark grey sweatpants - that really looked as if you could probably fit a couple more of the group in - excluding Casey. On the hood - which was up at the moment, covering her forehead - was the same red swirl pattern that she had on the bands she usually wore. In this outfit, it looked more likely she was going to mug someone then have a decent conversation.

The piranha crossed her arms tightly and brought them close to her body - obviously not enjoying the cool wind. "What was so important?"

This fish was clearly not a morning person. Or, clearly not a this particular morning person.

psikeout · Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2012 12:13 am

Casey had wanted to say something reaffirming to Pax—he really did—but he was too slow conjuring the words, and by the time he had something that sounded nice, there were already other people arriving. Fleeting moment gone, he set himself down at the table as the first folks started arriving. In particular, he tried to wave to Latika, with predictably poor results.

"Coffee after this, Latika-la" he whispered aside to her as she sat. "It'll help."

Her condition was one that a, uh, "worldly" fellow like Casey seemed like he might have been familiar with in some distant days long passed.

Zaka51 · Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2012 4:14 pm

The next person to step through the doors was Tyra. It seemed a night's rest had done little to relieve her agitation, as she still carried a tense air with her. She avoided eye contact with everyone else, and immediately headed for a seat distant from the others, where she unceremoniously sat herself down in to silently glare holes into the metal table.

Pax had waited quietly as everyone came onto the roof, hands behind his back and doing his best to look taller and more prominent, as well as hide his jittery hands. His eyes drifted over the group, counting the people seated before him. Two, three...five...seven...

He cleared his throat loudly to gain attention. "Well, I'm glad that you all...ah, came up here like I asked," he began, voice shaking a bit at seeing over a dozen eyes peering at him. "This is important, so..."

The agent's nervous stature and stammering made it clear that he wasn't used to public speaking. For a few moments, Pax only stared at the ground and mumbled to himself. But suddenly, as if something inside of him had kicked him back to attention, his head shot up and he continued with what was perhaps too much volume.

"I am, as I'm sure you all know, a G.U.N. agent! I was ordered to South Island to meet with you all and assist with locating the Norden Circle! But further investigation has revealed that the Circle has been destroyed and the perpetrators missing! So...!" And as suddenly as it began, his borderline shouting fell back to his quaky uncertain tone. "So...I have been issued a new set of orders...this is one of them. If we are going to continue working together as a group..."

Paxton visibly swayed left and right for a moment in what was possibly a nervous twitch.

"...then to garner the full support of G.U.N. and its resources and its intel and its personnel, this group will be...officially declared a G.U.N.-sanctioned task force, headed by...myself. That would mean..." he coughed, "...that would mean that all of you would be declared officially hired by G.U.N. as special operatives. Kinda like me...well, maybe just semi-officially, but..."

He deliberately paused for a moment to let his words sink in.

"...S-so, uh, any objections...? To that...?"

Greens · Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2012 4:17 pm

Ace raised his hand, but probably assumed it for the better if he spoke without waiting for the teacher to call him first.

"Task force for what?" he asked simply.

(Ch. 6: Day 3)

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