Man I update fast! I just realized how long it normally takes to write a
fic (Erith is going to write one, its not started yet) maybe I should slow
down before new readers decide it's too lengthy to start reading? Something
I'll have to think about in the future, till then back to Ravens group for
most of this chapter, hopping to Alice at some point.
Raven pulled his saber out from the still twitching body of a pal shark, these damned things were even more numerous than he remembered.
"Why do they call them pal sharks?" Magus mused to himself "They are a lot less friendly than I was led to believe."
Raven didn't even dignify that with a response, it was such a pity that Magus couldn't have his voice switched off, unlike Mery who was still completely mute. He was now trying to communicate with hand gestures.
Walking, Raven got that one. Jaws? No. Shark? They were all dead, idiot machine. Raven made to continue on his way when all of a sudden.
Tchwing
Raven spun round to see a blinking red orb, he instinctively shielded his face with his arms. Nothing happened, the mine was a dud. Well it had been down here for quite a while. Raven shrugged and turned round again.
The blast knocked him off his feet, but otherwise caused little damage except to the hunter's pride. He picked himself up off the floor and dusted off his shoulders, glaring at Magus who was laughing uncontrollably. Mery was making similar, but silent, motions. Damn android, it wasn't like it even had a sense of humor.
"Stop laughing and get moving" Raven snapped irritably
The three jogged through the catacombs with only a few chuckles from Magus. A dull rumbling thud vibrated through the walls around them, sounding similar to a heartbeat. It sounded like their "friends" had met that dragon they were looking for, a big one too from the sounds of its footsteps. Raven had no feelings about it one way or another, if the five of them died then it would be less competition for work. Magus on the other hand looked troubled.
"Raven" He said, "This isn't right"
"What's not right murderer?" Raven asked, still irritable from earlier.
"We can't let Mei fight that dragon, she's our team mate, we should be helping her" Mery nodded in silent agreement to Magus' appeal "Wrong murderer, she WAS our team mate, she isn't anymore, and you're either with us or against us, we don't owe her any support." Raven corrected harshly "Now shut up and come this way, we can't turn back now, the door is locked."
"And besides, there was a legion of sharks up there" Said Mery
"How do you know that?" Asked Magus "More to the point, how can you talk?"
"I know because I have infra-red vision built in to my optic systems, and I can talk because a small speaker in my throat vibrates at the correct alternating frequencies to simulate human speech"
"I know that you moron" Magus was quickly becoming aggravated with Merys stupidity "I mean how is it that your vocal subroutines are back online when I haven't replaced and re-programmed the vocal memory units?"
"I re-wrote them myself and stored them on an undamaged memory unit" Mery stated simply
"But machines aren't supposed to-" Magus thought for a second "Never mind" He gave up trying to understand Mery a few minutes after meeting him, Magus thought he had seen every Android type that existed, but Mery didn't match up to any of them. He was most likely a rejected unit from a development project.
Tchwing
The mine knocked magus flat on his backside, he jumped to his feet and looked around angrily. Raven was smirking and Merys expression was unreadable as always.
"You sonofa I-Mac! Why didn't you warn me?" Magus raged at Mery
"You seemed to find it amusing before, so I thought I would allow you to experience it for yourself" Mery said flatly
Magus' fist connected solidly with the side of Merys head causing the android to fall inactive once more.
"I wish you wouldn't do that," said Raven still smirking to himself "He is the only one of us with any clue where we are going you know"
"Shut up" grumbled Magus "I'll have him repaired soon enough" He pulled out his tool kit and flipped open the panel of Mery's face revealing the blinking lights and intricate wiring that made up the artificial brain.
Raven leaned against a wall contemplating the future. He didn't really want to be working on the shady side of things, it was just that it paid better. Maybe if he ever found some teammates that didn't annoy him to the point of insanity he would join them on a more permanent basis, but with these cretins for partners he shuddered to think of spending MORE time with them. Mei Lung was all right, but her attitude as a hunter was entirely wrong, the first tragedy to occur would break the girl. It was best to travel alone. He worked better without the distraction anyway. So why did his thoughts constantly cycle back to being on a team?
The thudding footsteps from above ceased, followed a minute later by a particularly loud, and singular thump. Raven felt a brief moment of sadness at Mei Lungs passing, assuming the thump to be the dragon landing to enjoy its meal. The poor girl, she really was a good companion despite her childlike naivety and her sometimes annoying interruptions.
Magus however was smiling as he flipped Merys face closed
"Sounds like they gave that dragon a good beating" He said cheerfully packing his tools away.
Raven remained doubtful. It was a statistical likelihood that the dragon was now having a well-earned snack. Seeing the bleak look on Ravens face Magus put a hand on his shoulder in his friendly fashion, a gesture soon brushed aside.
"I'll make you a bet" Magus said still smiling "fifty meseta says she is still alive."
"You're betting over whether a friend of yours is alive or dead?" Raven said accusingly "Make it thirty meseta and I'm in"
"Done" said Magus grabbing Ravens hand and shaking it "Now pay up"
"What?" Raven blinked "We don't even know if she is alive yet"
"I do" Said Magus his grin growing wider
"How?"
"I'll show you" Said Magus walking over to Mery and taking hold of his wrist "This is a short range radar" He said lifting it up for Ravens closer inspection "And this little blip here, unless I am mistaken, would be Mei running towards us pretty damned fast" He held his hand out "Pay up Raven"
Raven shrugged "For all you know that could be a monster running through the corridors"
"I really don't think so Raven." Magus sounded irritatingly smug, but Raven was mostly hoping that Magus would win this bet, hoping that a teammate was dead for the sake of winning a bet? That was heartless even to Raven, anyone who thought like that was scum.
For the second time that day Raven was knocked to the floor, the sudden impact cause him to cry out
"Get it off me, whatever it is get it off!" He could hear the sound of Magus laughing, how could he laugh while his teammate was under attack?
"Hey Raven, how have you been? I've been a lot better, all those sharks were really tough and then there was this weird dream and a man I didn't know was in it and he spoke to me but I don't remember what he said but it was really important but I ran down here to catch up with you guys because I really really want the money from this job I need it because I'm running out and need to buy food oh hi Magus how are you? There was a pause for breath.
"Mei, as happy as I am that you are still alive I need you to do me a favor" Raven said speaking slowly and clearly
"Sure Raven what do you want me to do?"
"GET OFF OF ME!"
Mei got to her feet and then helped Raven to his, she was cheerful and far too perky as usual. She reminded Raven somewhat of a six-year-old child on a sugar high. Still, he was glad she was okay. He held out his hand 30 meseta materializing, he handed the money to Magus.
"Why thank you Raven for you most kind donation" Magus said still grinning, Raven pretended not to hear.
"Okay, let's get moving, we're almost there team" Raven barked and walked towards the next chamber
tchwing
There was a flash of green and the mine fell from the air in two separate pieces
"Not this time" Raven muttered
Ten minutes later they were standing in an empty room, Magus was checking Merys equipment to verify the readings, Mei was in the middle of the room shading her eyes with her hand making the pantomime movements of a person looking for something
"Helloooooo" She called "Is there anyone out there?"
"Of course not" Raven snorted "I'd have noticed if there was. We're in the wrong place, that damn robot is malfunctioning."
"No" Magus said with confidence "This is the right place, I'm sure of it. But there is nobody other than us on the radar. The client is probably just late."
"I'm never late, I'm always right where I want to be" A hooded figure dressed in a black robe stepped out from the shadows A Varaha mag adorning their shoulders "So? Do you have a present for me?"
Raven stepped forwards, silencing Magus with a gesture of his hand. The client would not appreciate pointless questions "We have it" He said, a small glowing item appearing in his hands "Now what about your end of the bargain? We didn't do this just for meseta you know"
"You mercenaries, always the same, all business." The hooded persons voice was unreadable but definitely feminine "Here, take it" She produced a metallic object from within the folds of her robe.
Raven smiled as the exchange was made. This should give him a considerable advantage in the tournaments.
"Wait, what do you want with the photon drop anyway? Magus asked
The figure had drawn a weapon and moved across the room, holding the blade to the throat of Magus. This had happened so quickly that the human eye could not follow. All Magus knew was that he should have kept his mouth shut.
"I don't think that's any of your business, do you?" She whispered in his ear caressing his neck with the flat of the extremely long blade. Magus slowly shook his head
"No, it isn't"
"Good boy, now you just remember that" A slight breeze tickled the back of Magus' neck. He turned to look at the figure. She was gone
"She gives me the creeps" Magus shuddered. Mei nodding effusively in agreement
"That lady is really scary, and so is that sword. But I really think she needs new clothes, black robes? That is such an old look."
"Mei, I really don't think she was trying to look fashionable" Said Raven as he set up the telepipe. But she was right, that woman, and especially her sword, scared everyone. Weren't metal blades abandoned back in the dark ages? Raven shrugged, who cared, he had what he wanted now all he cared about was collecting the meseta
The group stepped into the telepipe's ring and warped back to pioneer. When they had collected their reward and exchanged guild cards they each went their separate ways. Raven hoped his would stay separate for as long as possible.
Elsewhere on pioneer 2, Alice and Tatsu were just arriving at their, now shared, living quarters.
"Here we are, home sweet home," Tatsu said as he opened the door. Alice stared around in amazement, this place was spotless! Every surface gleaming, every piece of furniture polished and a slight smell of disinfectant in the air.
They walked in and Alice shut the door behind her, her old place was a hovel compared to this. Not only was the place immaculate but it was also huge.
"Wow" Alice breathed in amazement "Why on Ragol did Ryzada ever move out?" This place had everything. An entertainment suite with Holo-video capabilities, an en-suite bathroom, the kitchen was simply amazing, there were utensils that Alice didn't even know the name for, let alone the use of. And there were more rooms that Alice had yet to see.
"Hmm?" Tatsu looked up from the cupboard where he was neatly packing his mission equipment away "Oh, well I believe it was because she likes Crimson a lot, and I think the cleanness of my home freaked her out a little"
"I love it" Alice really meant this, not being much for cleaning herself, she had not lived in a tidy home. In fact hers went past "lived in" well into "cluttered" she was a bit of a packrat. Actually she still had a few things in her pockets that she picked up some months ago.
"Umm where should I put my things?" Alice asked. They had stopped by Alice's small quarters to pick up her clothes and other items of value, it didn't amount to a lot.
Tatsu didn't even look up from his careful filing of equipment he just waved one hand indicating a little niche in the wall There were two doors, one on either side of the recess
"Yours is the one on the right," he said "The left is mine, please don't go in my room"
Alice walked over to the door, briefly inspecting the niche before entering her new room. The alcove contained a humidifier a de-humidifier a heater and a cooler, as well as a few things Alice didn't recognize. This place had environmental controls too? What was Tatsu? Royalty?
Alice's new room took her breath away. There was a four-poster bed, which Alice soon discovered to be warm and comfortable. Down mattresses and feather pillows! There was a walk-in closet for her clothes (Alice decided she MUST buy enough clothes to fill it) A bedside glow-lamp bathed the room with its artificial but soothing light. Alice also discovered, much to her delight, a remote control. She could change the mood of the room with the press of a few buttons! And most spectacular of all there was a window. Not a real window, but a wall panel that could be changed to whatever Alice wanted outside to look like. She decided upon an artificial meadow, and she marveled for several long minutes at the detail, there were butterflies and rabbits, and the sounds of birdsong, each blade of grass moved with simulated breezes. Alice fell back on to the bed and sighed happily.
"I take it you like your room then?" Tatsu asked from the doorway
Alice jumped to her feet and hugged the unprepared hunter wrapping her arms round his neck
"It's perfect Tatsu" She hugged him a little tighter and then let go blushing. "But how can you pay for all this?" A very good question, Tatsu appeared to make no more money than his friends, and Alice was certain they didn't live in this kind of luxury.
Tatsu shrugged "This place used to belong to Elisel. Now that she's gone I've unofficially inherited it. Of course the mortgage was paid in full so all we have to worry about is bills"
"Why did you never ask Crimson to move here with you and Ryzada?" asked Alice quite puzzled
Tatsu chuckled a little "Crimson likes to think that he is independent, he would never accept an offer like that. A shame really, he loves all the gadgets."
Alice smiled "I noticed that myself, "What kind of hunter carries a comm. Device with them?"
"I don't know" Tatsu mused, "Those things are pretty useful if you need a message sent in a hurry. But if Crimson visits, I suggest you keep him away from that window."
"Why?"
"Because last time he was here he played with it for about an hour before I took the remote off of him"
Alice giggled at the thought of the tall, focused team leader playing with a remote control.
"Anyway you can arrange the room however you want, feel free to decorate it yourself, but remember you're cooking, so when you're hungry you should get dinner started." With that, Tatsu left the room, from the sounds of the doors he had entered his own.
Alice lay back on the bed again. There was nothing wrong with the room, so she wasn't going to change it, but what should they have to eat? Most women would be offended by a man demanding that they cook But Alice didn't mind at all, she liked to cook, and anyway the deal was more than fair. So what if she had to sort out meals? In return she was staying in a room that would put the finest hotels to shame. Chicken cordon bleu Alice decided, that's what they would have. She was in the mood for something with a meaty taste to it. She hoped Tatsu wasn't vegetarian, it had been a while since she could afford chicken. But before she cooked she was going to take a nap, she deserved it. After all, it had been a long journey through that forest, and who knew what she was going to do tomorrow.
I decided that characters need special skills, normal people have them so the hunters should too, Alice is a chef, Crimson is a techno-fanatic, Magus is a mechanic and other characters skills are undecided yet. Raven may be a weapon smith, but then he hated his father for dedication to his weapons so I don't know, oh sorry just thinking to myself
Raven pulled his saber out from the still twitching body of a pal shark, these damned things were even more numerous than he remembered.
"Why do they call them pal sharks?" Magus mused to himself "They are a lot less friendly than I was led to believe."
Raven didn't even dignify that with a response, it was such a pity that Magus couldn't have his voice switched off, unlike Mery who was still completely mute. He was now trying to communicate with hand gestures.
Walking, Raven got that one. Jaws? No. Shark? They were all dead, idiot machine. Raven made to continue on his way when all of a sudden.
Tchwing
Raven spun round to see a blinking red orb, he instinctively shielded his face with his arms. Nothing happened, the mine was a dud. Well it had been down here for quite a while. Raven shrugged and turned round again.
The blast knocked him off his feet, but otherwise caused little damage except to the hunter's pride. He picked himself up off the floor and dusted off his shoulders, glaring at Magus who was laughing uncontrollably. Mery was making similar, but silent, motions. Damn android, it wasn't like it even had a sense of humor.
"Stop laughing and get moving" Raven snapped irritably
The three jogged through the catacombs with only a few chuckles from Magus. A dull rumbling thud vibrated through the walls around them, sounding similar to a heartbeat. It sounded like their "friends" had met that dragon they were looking for, a big one too from the sounds of its footsteps. Raven had no feelings about it one way or another, if the five of them died then it would be less competition for work. Magus on the other hand looked troubled.
"Raven" He said, "This isn't right"
"What's not right murderer?" Raven asked, still irritable from earlier.
"We can't let Mei fight that dragon, she's our team mate, we should be helping her" Mery nodded in silent agreement to Magus' appeal "Wrong murderer, she WAS our team mate, she isn't anymore, and you're either with us or against us, we don't owe her any support." Raven corrected harshly "Now shut up and come this way, we can't turn back now, the door is locked."
"And besides, there was a legion of sharks up there" Said Mery
"How do you know that?" Asked Magus "More to the point, how can you talk?"
"I know because I have infra-red vision built in to my optic systems, and I can talk because a small speaker in my throat vibrates at the correct alternating frequencies to simulate human speech"
"I know that you moron" Magus was quickly becoming aggravated with Merys stupidity "I mean how is it that your vocal subroutines are back online when I haven't replaced and re-programmed the vocal memory units?"
"I re-wrote them myself and stored them on an undamaged memory unit" Mery stated simply
"But machines aren't supposed to-" Magus thought for a second "Never mind" He gave up trying to understand Mery a few minutes after meeting him, Magus thought he had seen every Android type that existed, but Mery didn't match up to any of them. He was most likely a rejected unit from a development project.
Tchwing
The mine knocked magus flat on his backside, he jumped to his feet and looked around angrily. Raven was smirking and Merys expression was unreadable as always.
"You sonofa I-Mac! Why didn't you warn me?" Magus raged at Mery
"You seemed to find it amusing before, so I thought I would allow you to experience it for yourself" Mery said flatly
Magus' fist connected solidly with the side of Merys head causing the android to fall inactive once more.
"I wish you wouldn't do that," said Raven still smirking to himself "He is the only one of us with any clue where we are going you know"
"Shut up" grumbled Magus "I'll have him repaired soon enough" He pulled out his tool kit and flipped open the panel of Mery's face revealing the blinking lights and intricate wiring that made up the artificial brain.
Raven leaned against a wall contemplating the future. He didn't really want to be working on the shady side of things, it was just that it paid better. Maybe if he ever found some teammates that didn't annoy him to the point of insanity he would join them on a more permanent basis, but with these cretins for partners he shuddered to think of spending MORE time with them. Mei Lung was all right, but her attitude as a hunter was entirely wrong, the first tragedy to occur would break the girl. It was best to travel alone. He worked better without the distraction anyway. So why did his thoughts constantly cycle back to being on a team?
The thudding footsteps from above ceased, followed a minute later by a particularly loud, and singular thump. Raven felt a brief moment of sadness at Mei Lungs passing, assuming the thump to be the dragon landing to enjoy its meal. The poor girl, she really was a good companion despite her childlike naivety and her sometimes annoying interruptions.
Magus however was smiling as he flipped Merys face closed
"Sounds like they gave that dragon a good beating" He said cheerfully packing his tools away.
Raven remained doubtful. It was a statistical likelihood that the dragon was now having a well-earned snack. Seeing the bleak look on Ravens face Magus put a hand on his shoulder in his friendly fashion, a gesture soon brushed aside.
"I'll make you a bet" Magus said still smiling "fifty meseta says she is still alive."
"You're betting over whether a friend of yours is alive or dead?" Raven said accusingly "Make it thirty meseta and I'm in"
"Done" said Magus grabbing Ravens hand and shaking it "Now pay up"
"What?" Raven blinked "We don't even know if she is alive yet"
"I do" Said Magus his grin growing wider
"How?"
"I'll show you" Said Magus walking over to Mery and taking hold of his wrist "This is a short range radar" He said lifting it up for Ravens closer inspection "And this little blip here, unless I am mistaken, would be Mei running towards us pretty damned fast" He held his hand out "Pay up Raven"
Raven shrugged "For all you know that could be a monster running through the corridors"
"I really don't think so Raven." Magus sounded irritatingly smug, but Raven was mostly hoping that Magus would win this bet, hoping that a teammate was dead for the sake of winning a bet? That was heartless even to Raven, anyone who thought like that was scum.
For the second time that day Raven was knocked to the floor, the sudden impact cause him to cry out
"Get it off me, whatever it is get it off!" He could hear the sound of Magus laughing, how could he laugh while his teammate was under attack?
"Hey Raven, how have you been? I've been a lot better, all those sharks were really tough and then there was this weird dream and a man I didn't know was in it and he spoke to me but I don't remember what he said but it was really important but I ran down here to catch up with you guys because I really really want the money from this job I need it because I'm running out and need to buy food oh hi Magus how are you? There was a pause for breath.
"Mei, as happy as I am that you are still alive I need you to do me a favor" Raven said speaking slowly and clearly
"Sure Raven what do you want me to do?"
"GET OFF OF ME!"
Mei got to her feet and then helped Raven to his, she was cheerful and far too perky as usual. She reminded Raven somewhat of a six-year-old child on a sugar high. Still, he was glad she was okay. He held out his hand 30 meseta materializing, he handed the money to Magus.
"Why thank you Raven for you most kind donation" Magus said still grinning, Raven pretended not to hear.
"Okay, let's get moving, we're almost there team" Raven barked and walked towards the next chamber
tchwing
There was a flash of green and the mine fell from the air in two separate pieces
"Not this time" Raven muttered
Ten minutes later they were standing in an empty room, Magus was checking Merys equipment to verify the readings, Mei was in the middle of the room shading her eyes with her hand making the pantomime movements of a person looking for something
"Helloooooo" She called "Is there anyone out there?"
"Of course not" Raven snorted "I'd have noticed if there was. We're in the wrong place, that damn robot is malfunctioning."
"No" Magus said with confidence "This is the right place, I'm sure of it. But there is nobody other than us on the radar. The client is probably just late."
"I'm never late, I'm always right where I want to be" A hooded figure dressed in a black robe stepped out from the shadows A Varaha mag adorning their shoulders "So? Do you have a present for me?"
Raven stepped forwards, silencing Magus with a gesture of his hand. The client would not appreciate pointless questions "We have it" He said, a small glowing item appearing in his hands "Now what about your end of the bargain? We didn't do this just for meseta you know"
"You mercenaries, always the same, all business." The hooded persons voice was unreadable but definitely feminine "Here, take it" She produced a metallic object from within the folds of her robe.
Raven smiled as the exchange was made. This should give him a considerable advantage in the tournaments.
"Wait, what do you want with the photon drop anyway? Magus asked
The figure had drawn a weapon and moved across the room, holding the blade to the throat of Magus. This had happened so quickly that the human eye could not follow. All Magus knew was that he should have kept his mouth shut.
"I don't think that's any of your business, do you?" She whispered in his ear caressing his neck with the flat of the extremely long blade. Magus slowly shook his head
"No, it isn't"
"Good boy, now you just remember that" A slight breeze tickled the back of Magus' neck. He turned to look at the figure. She was gone
"She gives me the creeps" Magus shuddered. Mei nodding effusively in agreement
"That lady is really scary, and so is that sword. But I really think she needs new clothes, black robes? That is such an old look."
"Mei, I really don't think she was trying to look fashionable" Said Raven as he set up the telepipe. But she was right, that woman, and especially her sword, scared everyone. Weren't metal blades abandoned back in the dark ages? Raven shrugged, who cared, he had what he wanted now all he cared about was collecting the meseta
The group stepped into the telepipe's ring and warped back to pioneer. When they had collected their reward and exchanged guild cards they each went their separate ways. Raven hoped his would stay separate for as long as possible.
Elsewhere on pioneer 2, Alice and Tatsu were just arriving at their, now shared, living quarters.
"Here we are, home sweet home," Tatsu said as he opened the door. Alice stared around in amazement, this place was spotless! Every surface gleaming, every piece of furniture polished and a slight smell of disinfectant in the air.
They walked in and Alice shut the door behind her, her old place was a hovel compared to this. Not only was the place immaculate but it was also huge.
"Wow" Alice breathed in amazement "Why on Ragol did Ryzada ever move out?" This place had everything. An entertainment suite with Holo-video capabilities, an en-suite bathroom, the kitchen was simply amazing, there were utensils that Alice didn't even know the name for, let alone the use of. And there were more rooms that Alice had yet to see.
"Hmm?" Tatsu looked up from the cupboard where he was neatly packing his mission equipment away "Oh, well I believe it was because she likes Crimson a lot, and I think the cleanness of my home freaked her out a little"
"I love it" Alice really meant this, not being much for cleaning herself, she had not lived in a tidy home. In fact hers went past "lived in" well into "cluttered" she was a bit of a packrat. Actually she still had a few things in her pockets that she picked up some months ago.
"Umm where should I put my things?" Alice asked. They had stopped by Alice's small quarters to pick up her clothes and other items of value, it didn't amount to a lot.
Tatsu didn't even look up from his careful filing of equipment he just waved one hand indicating a little niche in the wall There were two doors, one on either side of the recess
"Yours is the one on the right," he said "The left is mine, please don't go in my room"
Alice walked over to the door, briefly inspecting the niche before entering her new room. The alcove contained a humidifier a de-humidifier a heater and a cooler, as well as a few things Alice didn't recognize. This place had environmental controls too? What was Tatsu? Royalty?
Alice's new room took her breath away. There was a four-poster bed, which Alice soon discovered to be warm and comfortable. Down mattresses and feather pillows! There was a walk-in closet for her clothes (Alice decided she MUST buy enough clothes to fill it) A bedside glow-lamp bathed the room with its artificial but soothing light. Alice also discovered, much to her delight, a remote control. She could change the mood of the room with the press of a few buttons! And most spectacular of all there was a window. Not a real window, but a wall panel that could be changed to whatever Alice wanted outside to look like. She decided upon an artificial meadow, and she marveled for several long minutes at the detail, there were butterflies and rabbits, and the sounds of birdsong, each blade of grass moved with simulated breezes. Alice fell back on to the bed and sighed happily.
"I take it you like your room then?" Tatsu asked from the doorway
Alice jumped to her feet and hugged the unprepared hunter wrapping her arms round his neck
"It's perfect Tatsu" She hugged him a little tighter and then let go blushing. "But how can you pay for all this?" A very good question, Tatsu appeared to make no more money than his friends, and Alice was certain they didn't live in this kind of luxury.
Tatsu shrugged "This place used to belong to Elisel. Now that she's gone I've unofficially inherited it. Of course the mortgage was paid in full so all we have to worry about is bills"
"Why did you never ask Crimson to move here with you and Ryzada?" asked Alice quite puzzled
Tatsu chuckled a little "Crimson likes to think that he is independent, he would never accept an offer like that. A shame really, he loves all the gadgets."
Alice smiled "I noticed that myself, "What kind of hunter carries a comm. Device with them?"
"I don't know" Tatsu mused, "Those things are pretty useful if you need a message sent in a hurry. But if Crimson visits, I suggest you keep him away from that window."
"Why?"
"Because last time he was here he played with it for about an hour before I took the remote off of him"
Alice giggled at the thought of the tall, focused team leader playing with a remote control.
"Anyway you can arrange the room however you want, feel free to decorate it yourself, but remember you're cooking, so when you're hungry you should get dinner started." With that, Tatsu left the room, from the sounds of the doors he had entered his own.
Alice lay back on the bed again. There was nothing wrong with the room, so she wasn't going to change it, but what should they have to eat? Most women would be offended by a man demanding that they cook But Alice didn't mind at all, she liked to cook, and anyway the deal was more than fair. So what if she had to sort out meals? In return she was staying in a room that would put the finest hotels to shame. Chicken cordon bleu Alice decided, that's what they would have. She was in the mood for something with a meaty taste to it. She hoped Tatsu wasn't vegetarian, it had been a while since she could afford chicken. But before she cooked she was going to take a nap, she deserved it. After all, it had been a long journey through that forest, and who knew what she was going to do tomorrow.
I decided that characters need special skills, normal people have them so the hunters should too, Alice is a chef, Crimson is a techno-fanatic, Magus is a mechanic and other characters skills are undecided yet. Raven may be a weapon smith, but then he hated his father for dedication to his weapons so I don't know, oh sorry just thinking to myself