I'm sorry this took so long, and is so talk-heavy. I may be running out of steam. But that's ok, because we're reaching our destination, and the only part left to go through is that part of the ride where there's beautiful scenery and exciting events outside that draws everyone to the windows. Besides, you wouldn't want to be at full steam while heading into the station, you might run right past it and make all the passengers angry, or even worse, try to stop in too short a time and have the engine explode, resulting in the deaths of… I may have stretched this metaphor a bit too far. Anyway, the point is, I'm sorry this was so late, but we're heading into the climax now, so I'm going to try and step up the speed and quality for the ending.
As always, thanks for reading, reviewing, following, and favoriting!
Previously on The Nine Red Men Incident: The Pyro Chapters- After reaching the Moriya shrine, in search of a relative of the Triboniophorus Tyrannus Terry, the Pyro and Mokou found Sanae and Kanako. Shortly afterwards, Suwako showed up, attempting to protect Sanae from Terry, because her hat, Pyonta was Terry's parent. After agreeing to a fight, the Pyro managed to make it through three spell cards before freezing up upon seeing a rainbow pattern and falling unconscious. After being rescued by Mokou, the Pyro was taken inside to recover, while Suwako began to discuss with Pyonta how they lost track of their child. Before Suwako could learn much, Aya showed up, and, after being informed of the Pyro's presence, agreed to lead them back to the meet up point as long as she got an interview with them.
We now return you to The Nine Red Men Incident: The Pyro Chapters.
The Pyro stirred, opening their eyes to the sight of the bubble woman standing over them, talking to the goddesses and someone they didn't recognize. They tried to sit up, their muscles screaming in pain, before collapsing back onto the bed, causing the group to look over at them. The one they didn't recognize jumped over to them, grabbing their hand and shaking it. "Hi, I'm Aya. Would you let me interview-" she began, before the bubble lady grabbed her and pushed her back.
"Hey," she said, a concerned expression on her face. "Y'feelin' alright? Bein' knocked unconscious twice in one day can't be good for you." The Pyro began trying to speak, before realizing that Terry wasn't on their head. Fumbling around in a panic, they looked back and forth but couldn't find it. They looked up at Mokou imploringly, who smirked before pulling Terry out from behind her back. Their face lighting up, the Pyro grabbed Terry and began to nuzzle it against their facemask happily. "I guess you're fine then," Mokou said, smiling.
The Pyro put Terry back on their head and, after Terry reconnected to the Pyro's language centers, said, "I'm fine. I just can't remember what happened. Did we win," they asked, looking up hopefully.
"Uh, not exactly," Mokou said, looking back at Suwako, who looked away, whistling.
"Aww," the Pyro said, crestfallen. "Do we have to leave, then."
"No, an agreement was reached while you were unconscious," Suwako said. "You're perfectly welcome to stay. A-and," she continued, looking away slightly, "I'm sorry I lost my temper and used that pattern against you."
The Pyro tilted their head to the side. "Pattern. Which one," they asked.
"The one that knocked you unconscious," Suwako said.
"Wait, so you were the one Suwako fought?" Aya said, pointing her writing quill at them. "What did you do to piss her off?"
"But like I told Mokou earlier, I didn't have any jarate," the Pyro said, frowning. Mokou began to chuckle, while everyone else simply looked confused.
"What's jarate?" Aya asked, eventually.
"It's what the Sniper makes," the Pyro said. "He uses it to piss off people. Well, I guess to piss on people, really," the Pyro said.
"Wait, he really-" Aya began, her expression a cross of disgust and fascination, before Mokou cut in.
"Look, th' Pyro here just happened to wanna test their skills against someone, and Suwako accepted," she said.
"Yep, that's what happened," Suwako said. "And then they were doing so well I got annoyed."
"That's it?" Aya said, disappointed. "But what about the danmaku remnants? They looked a lot like Mokou's."
"Oh, that's just 'cause both of ours are fire-based," Mokou said, making a small flame appear in her hand. The Pyro jumped up and clapped happily.
"Ah," Aya said, frowning, before her face lit up again. "Ah, so they're your illegitimate child, right? Ayayayaya!" she yelled, jumping out of the way of the fireball Mokou sent her way.
"'Course not," she said. "I told you they were from the outside. I haven't been outside for years now."
"Ruin all my possible headlines, why don't you?" Aya said, sighing. "Fine then. I'll just move on. Next question: what the hell is that thing on your head?"
"I have a thing on my head. What. Where," the Pyro said, feeling around on their head.
"She means Terry, Pyro," Mokou said.
"Its name is 'Terry?'" Aya asked incredulously.
"Yes. Well, it's short for what the healy one called it, but I don't remember what that was, fully," the Pyro said, patting Terry.
"I-is it actually speaking for you?" Aya asked.
"Terry," the Pyro said, somehow expressing their annoyance through their gas mask.
"Huh?" Aya said.
"Is Terry speaking for me," the Pyro said.
"Oh. Yeah, is Terry speaking for you?" Aya asked.
The Pyro clapped happily. "Yes. Yes Terry is," they said.
"How?" she asked.
The Pyro shrugged. "Terry talks to my brain to find out what I want to say, then says it."
"Is that what all that twitching was about? Setting up the means of 'talking?'"
"Yes," the Pyro said, nodding emphatically.
"I see," Aya said, finishing writing. Turning, she whispered to Mokou, "Are you sure that thing's not controlling their brain?"
Mokou shrugged. "'f they are, they're a pretty good actor."
"Shouldn't you have taken them to Eintei to be sure?" Aya said, before taking a look at Mokou's expression. "Oh. Right."
"I wouldn't trust that doctor not to try and dissect it, and that's not a fate I'd wish on anyone else," she said.
"Else?" Aya said, but Mokou simply looked away. The Pyro looked between the two, confused.
"A-anyway," Sanae said, interrupting, "would you like some tea, Mr. Pyro?"
The Pyro perked up instantly, happily clapping their hands together. "Oh, yes please," they said. Smiling, Sanae began to hand them a cup.
"Now this is green tea that I made using some of the tea leaves Miss Kanako's been cultivating, so please tell me what you think," Sanae said as the Pyro grabbed the cup firmly. "Oh, and it's hot, so be-" she began, before the Pyro threw the tea into their gas mask, a few drops splashing around them. "Careful," she finished, blinking.
"Ah, that was nice," the Pyro said, over the sound of the tea dripping down their gas mask onto their suit. "Thanks very much. I feel better now."
"D-don't mention it," Sanae replied, trying to keep the confusion out of her voice.
"M-my tea," Kanako said, sadly, while Suwako laughed.
"Do all of you outsiders drink that way?" Aya asked.
"Hmm," the Pyro said, tilting their head to the side. "No, just me. Ah," they said, raising their finger in realization, "though the fast one does sometimes, when he sees me looking at him while he's trying to drink his soda. And then he runs away. I guess he gets embarrassed."
Aya nodded. "That sounds like him."
"I'd like to see him and the rest again," the Pyro said.
"You feeling well enough to move again?" Mokou asked. The Pyro nodded enthusiastically. "S'great. Well, Aya, you ready to lead the way?" she asked, turning towards the Tengu.
"Hmm? Oh yeah, sure. But we're going to continue the interview on the way!" she said. Mokou rolled her eyes as she helped the Pyro back to their feet.
"I'd kinda like to meet your teammates," Suwako said. "If they're anything like you, they seem like they'd be pretty fun."
"You're going to go with them, Miss Suwako?" Sanae said, coming back from the kitchen with a dishcloth.
"Just for a bit," Suwako said. "It seems like a fun time," she said, surreptitiously patting Pyonta.
Sanae's eyes lit up in understanding as she nodded. "Ok, Miss Suwako. Have a nice time." Kanako nodded.
"Oh, goodie," the Pyro said, bouncing on their feet. "I'm sure they'll be so happy to meet new people. Are you not going to come to, other goddess ladies," they said, looking at Sanae and Kanako.
"I'm afraid not," Kanako said, shaking her head. "We still need to have a goddess here for presentation's sake, at least. And I need to work on my tea a bit more, apparently," she said, her voice deflating a bit.
"Which leaves me to take care of the worshippers," Sanae said.
"Awww. Well it was nice to meet you, goddesses," the Pyro said, shaking their hands vigorously. "I'm sorry I made you angry."
Wincing from the vigorous handshake, Sanae shook her head. "It's perfectly fine. I think Miss Suwako enjoyed the workout. Be sure to thank Mokou for helping you out, ok?" she said.
"Ah, yes," the Pyro said. "Thanks, bubble lady," the Pyro said, shaking Mokou's hand as well.
"'Sno trouble," Mokou said, after extricating herself from the Pyro's grasp. "And didn't I tell you to stop calling me that? My name's Mokou, you know." The Pyro just tilted their head to the side in confusion. Mokou let out a sigh. "Fine, whatever."
"Why are you the 'bubble lady?'" Aya asked, stifling a laugh. "That doesn't fit your personality at all." Mokou glared at Aya and created another fireball in her hand, causing the Pyro to clap happily.
"Oh, I feel like I haven't seen the sparkly bubbles in so long," they said. "Wait, didn't you tell me to ask permission before blowing bubbles," they continued, remembering. "That's no good, bubble lady, you didn't ask permission," they continued, waving a finger at Mokou.
Sighing, Mokou extinguished the fireball and turned to face the Pyro. "You're right. My bad," she said, rubbing the back of her head. The Pyro somehow managed to look pleased. "Anyway," Mokou said, turning back to Aya, "that's why I'm the 'bubble lady,' alright?"
"Uh, right," Aya said, confused.
After saying their goodbyes once again, Mokou, Aya, Suwako, and the Pyro began walking back down the mountain. As they walked, Aya would ask questions of the Pyro, who would cheerfully (or at least as cheerfully as Terry's monotone voice would allow) respond, usually resulting in more confusion for Aya. Mokou and Suwako mostly stayed out of the conversation save to laugh whenever the Pyro's response was so outlandish it would render Aya speechless. When they reached the bottom of the mountain, the Pyro turned around and waved goodbye to the painting of the goddesses of the Moriya shrine. "Thank you, greeters! You were very helpful," they said.
Suwako smiled wistfully. "Heh, I'd almost forgotten that was there. I'll have to tell Sanae you liked it," she said.
"Yeah, they helped us find the path up," the Pyro said. Mokou nodded. Aya shook her head, still trying to understand the Pyro's mindset so she could try and get something out of them that made sense. The Scout had talked a lot, but at least what he'd said had been understandable.
"Aya," Mokou said, smiling at her irritated face, "you alright? We're still relying on you to tell us where we should be going."
"Right, so you are," she replied, taping her notepad. "Follow me," she said, heading off towards Nitori's workshop. She was tempted to take a longer route, to have more time to try and interview the Pyro, but she decided that it would probably just be easier to get the other outsiders' stories back at the workshop. Having come to this conclusion, she turned towards Mokou. "Hey," she whispered, causing Mokou to give her an irritated look.
"What?" she asked.
"Well, since I'm not getting much from them, can you tell me about your experiences with the Pyro so far?" Aya said.
Mokou began to refuse, before she noticed Suwako giving her a meaningful look. Slumping her shoulders and trying not to groan, she said "S'fine. What do you wanna know?" Then she was barraged with questions. Everything from how she first met them, to her feelings about them, to why she seemed to be able to understand them so well, to some truly outlandish questions that would have resulted in the smell of burning feathers filling the air, had Aya not managed to dodge. Mokou hoped whatever Suwako wanted to talk to the Pyro about was worth it.
"Psst, Pyro," Suwako said, whispering in an attempt not to have Aya overhear.
"Yes goddess lady," the Pyro said just as loudly as normal, causing Suwako to wince.
"Could you be a bit quieter?" she hissed back.
"Oh. Sure," they said, lowering their voice to that of "conspiratorial whisperer."
"Ok. I had a few questions I wanted to ask Terry, if that's alright," she said.
"Is that alright, Terry," the Pyro said, before nodding their head. "Ok, one second," they said, going still as they let Terry take control.
"Yes," Terry said. "What are your questions."
"Host," Pyonta said, but Suwako ignored it.
"How did you wind up separated from Pyonta?" Suwako said.
"Is that all," Terry said. At Suwako's nod, Terry continued. "It is not all that interesting a story. My parent and I were simply separated when we landed on this planet. The landing blew us apart, and I was discovered by the Pyro here. I don't know how Pyonta wound up with you, but I assume it was similar."
"That's it?" Suwako said, angrily. "Seriously? Why the hell didn't you want to talk about it then?" she asked Pyonta.
"It was embarrassing," Pyonta replied, whispering. "If I'd kept a closer eye on them, perhaps they wouldn't have been left alone."
"It was not your fault parent," Terry said. "Besides, there isn't much you would have been able to do, we are rather slow on our own."
"I suppose not," Pyonta said.
It was at this point that they noticed the sounds of a struggle, along with Aya's yells. Looking towards her, they saw that Mokou was struggling to keep her hands over the tengu's ears, made all the more difficult due to her wings constantly getting in the way. At the questioning look in their eyes, Mokou sighed. "I noticed her ears twitching and realized she was probably trying to eavesdrop, so I took matters into my own hands when she was distracted enough," she said over Aya's yells.
"Ah, well thanks, I guess," Suwako said.
"S'no problem. Are you guys done though? I don't think I can hold her much longer," Mokou said, struggling.
"Yeah," Suwako said, nodding. "I think we're done," she said, turning to Terry, who nodded the Pyro's head.
"Great," Mokou said, letting go of Aya and preparing for the retaliation.
"Finally!" Aya yelled. "What the hell was that about, you fire-spewing egomaniac! Do you have some sort of obsession with me?" Mokou raised an eyebrow. "Don't give me that. Why else would you clamp your hands on my head and force me to stare at you for so long?"
Mokou paused for a bit, before nodding in realization. "Yep, that was it," she said in a deadpan voice. "So obsessed, in fact, that I'm now going to avoid talking to you again out of sheer embarrassment that I was discovered." She turned and walked back to the Pyro, who was staring at them in confusion.
"W-well, good!" Aya said. "I mean, it's not like people don't think that about me sometimes, and it's not like I'm not flattered, but-" Aya stammered, before Suwako patted her hard on the back and surprised her.
"As much fun as this is to listen to, could you keep leading us to the meeting point?" she said, adjusting Pyonta on her head.
"Ayayayaya!" Aya said, jumping in the air briefly. "Geez, what is with all of you today? First that one," she said, turning to look at the Pyro, "doesn't make any sense, then you force me to look at you for so long," she said, turning to Mokou, "and now this. Is it 'Pick On Aya' day? Not that that would really be new," she said, her voice lowering to a mumble.
"Nah, you're just easy to tease," Suwako said. At Aya's expression, she sighed and shrugged her shoulders. "Look, I'll give you an exclusive interview about our duel, ok?"
"So, give me the play-by-play," Aya said, suddenly leaning towards Suwako with her notebook in hand. "Who attacked first? And with what?"
"Heh, she turns around fast," Mokou said to the Pyro, who was now looking down and fidgeting. "What's wrong?" she said.
"D-do you actually like her," the Pyro asked. "Were we interrupting. I'm sorry," they said.
Mokou laughed and patted them on the back. "Ha, no, no," she said, before lowering her voice. "I was just distracting her. We don't want her to find out about Terry and Pyonta, since she'd probably report it, and it might cause a panic."
"Oh. Alright then," the Pyro said, sounding slightly relieved. Mokou smiled and patted them on their head before her face fell slightly.
"Hey, Pyro?" she said, concern getting the better of her. "You ok?"
"Yeah, I'm great. Everything's so new and fun and there's so many new friends," they said. "Why do you ask."
Mokou frowned. "Cause back there when you were fighting with Suwako and Pyonta you just kind of collapsed when she did that pattern." The Pyro stiffened as she spoke, flashbacks running through their mind. "I just wanted to make sure you were over whatever that was."
"I'm fine," the Pyro said. "I was just remembering who I was before I was what I am. They're not happy memories. But things are better now. No dark rainbows, and everyone's happy."
"Ah," Mokou said, frowning slightly, before she noticed the Pyro looking at her, and smiled. "That's good then," she said, patting them on the back. She pulled out a cigarette and lit it, much to the Pyro's enjoyment.
After about a half-hour of walking, during which Aya studiously wrote down Suwako's play-by-play, Mokou and Pyro talked about rainbows and bubbles, and the Pyro, after pulling a balloon from somewhere, made a balloon animal and gave it to her, Aya saw Nitori's workshop off in the distance, with a few figures standing around outside it. As they approached the workshop, they managed to catch the conversation of the group standing around outside.
"I wouldn't wish a vampire's breakfast on anyone, mate," a calm voice said.
"Yeah, everything was salty and metal-like. It was terrible," another voice said.
"Vell yes, I vould imagine. Do you know how much iron is in blood? Blech," a third voice said, with obvious disgust.
"Wait, huh?" the second voice said again, shocked. "T-that was blood?"
"I did try to warn you," the first voice said. "But I thought you'd know. I mean, don't they have vampires in those rags you read?"
"Hey, they're comics, and I don't read the horror ones, alright?" the second voice said. "We get enough of that as it is."
"You do have a point," the first voice said again, sighing.
"What are comics?" a polite, feminine voice said.
"You don't have comics here?" the second voice said, shocked. "Aw man, you're missing out! Here, I'll let you read my Bonk! Boy Volume 1," it said, followed by a rustling noise.
The Pyro, upon hearing the voices, clapped happily and began to run towards them, pulling Mokou along behind them. "Hello friends," they said through Terry as they approached, causing the group to turn towards them.
The Scout shuddered and turned to the Medic, "Why're they wearing the slug again? I thought we got rid of it."
"I tried," the Medic said, shrugging. "But it vas surprisingly resilient."
"Hey, Pyro," the Sniper said, waving a hand as they approached. "Who's tha-" he began, before he got pulled into a group hug, along with the Scout and the Medic.
"I missed you all so much," the Pyro said via Terry, as they alternated nuzzled their cheek against the Sniper's, Scout's, and Medic's cheeks. This gave Mokou the opportunity to catch her breath, which she gratefully took.
"Ah, Miss Mokou," a surprised voice said. She looked up to see Defender Sukasa standing next to her.
"It's Sukasa, right?" Mokou said, between gasps. At the youkai's nod, she straightened up. "What are you doing here?"
"My master told me to accompany him here, in order to meet with his teammates," she said, pointing to the Medic.
"Even she got involved, huh?" Mokou said. "I wouldn't have expected her to care about outsiders."
"There were reasons," Sukasa replied, shrugging
Before Mokou could respond, someone slapped her on the back, saying "Yo." Turning to get a look at her assailant, she found herself face to face with Marisa. She sighed.
"I should have known you'd get involved with this somehow," she said.
"Damn right," Marisa said, smiling. "There's no way I'd miss something this big. I'm surprised you're here though," she said, confused.
"Well, helping lost people's one of my jobs. And no one's more lost than outsiders," Mokou said, shrugging. Marisa nodded.
At that point, Suwako and Aya caught up with the rest of the group, Aya still writing and organizing her notes. At Suwako's approach, Hina, who'd been looking at the RED team's meetup, turned, her eyes widening. "Ah, L-lady Suwako," she said.
"Hey, Hina," Suwako said. "How have you been? I haven't seen you at the goddess' conferences recently."
"Y-yeah," Hina said, looking away. "I've been a bit busy, sorry."
"Oh, no sweat, no sweat," Suwako said. "It's not like much has been going on. But what are you doing here?"
"M-mostly because I'm friends with Nitori, who's helping reunite them," she said.
"Oh, I see," Suwako said. A silence fell between the two.
Suddenly, a loud clapping noise drew everyone's attention. Aya, who had decided to get everyone's attention, was hovering in the air to get a good look at the group. "Ok, so, I see you're back," she said, dipping her head to the Scout and Hina, "along with friends. But why are you still waiting out here?"
"Cause that girl who was with Engie hasn't come back yet, and her door's locked," the Scout said.
"Oh, is that why we're out here?" Marisa said. "Just gimme a second," she said, fishing for her mini-hakkero.
"Somehow, I don't think breaking into her house is going to help much," Mokou said. "'Sides, what's wrong with waiting out here for 'em?"
"I-I agree," Hina said, sighing in relief. "Nitori really wouldn't appreciate us breaking her door down. And considering the security system she's got, I don't think you'd enjoy it either, Marisa."
"Hey, are you underestimating me?" Marisa said confidently. "It doesn't matter what kind of security system she's got, I'd get through it no problem. I get through yours, don't I?" she said, turning to Patchouli, who was reading a book.
She closed her book, giving Marisa a glare before sighing. "I suppose that's true," she said. "Still, I wonder if you just want to break in so you can try and steal something from her," she replied, her gaze hardening.
"Ahaha, of course not," Marisa said, not meeting Patchouli's eyes, causing the Sniper to let out a derisive snort.
"Well, while we're here," Aya said, interrupting, "we might as well introduce ourselves. Specifically you two," she said, pointing to the Medic and Sniper. "Who are you and how did you get here? And don't spare any details!" she said, holding her notebook and quill pen tightly.
The Sniper simply raised an eyebrow and motioned for the Medic to go first.
"Oh, me?" the Medic said, looking between Aya and the Sniper, "Oh, I've never been interviewed before! Vell, apart from all zhat business vith ze police, but vhatever. Ah, anyvay, I am ze Medic of ze RED team, vhich mostly involves healing zhem in ze line of duty. Unfortunately I vas separated from everyone else vhen ve fell, so I hope ze others haven't gotten into any serious trouble. Oh, unless it's somezhing interesting, like an injury inflicted by zhis magic you have here. It is fascinating ze kind of zhings zhat-" he said, before the Scout interrupted.
"Hey, doc, that's great and all," he said, before turning to Aya and continuing, "but when are ya gonna finish your interview with me?"
"Eh, vhat? But I vasn't done," the Medic said.
"Yeah, but your idea of an interview is just gonna be stuff related to medicine, ain't it?" the Scout said. "I doubt her readers'll find that interesting?"
"Oh? I zhink zhey might. Especially if I mention ze zhings zhat I have to treat regularly. Like, oh, say, some vone's athlete's –" the Medic said, before the Scout threw up his hands in surrender.
"Alright, alright!" he said. "Just, just don't mention that, please?"
The Medic smirked, pushing his glasses up his nose. "Ah, vell I suppose it's not zhat interesting," he said. "Now, vhere vas I? Ah, yes, I vas going to mention ze fascinating properties of magic-based vounds."
"Ah, t-that's great, but" Aya said, a fake smile on her face, "I was more looking for an interview about what the outside was like, how you got here, what happened since, those sorts of things."
"I'll get to zhat," the Medic said, waving his hand dismissively, "but really, zhis is much more fascinating. So, as I vas saying-" he said, before being interrupted by a booming voice.
"Doctor!" it yelled, followed by the thundering sound of rapidly approaching footsteps.
"Fess, vhat is it today? Vhy vill no one let me finish my sentences!" the Medic said, frowning, as the footsteps continued. The Heavy came into view, smiling as he walked towards the Medic and the rest of the group.
"Is good to see you again, doctor!" he said, patting the Medic's shoulder.
"Ah, yes, yes, it is nice to see you too," the Medic replied. "I see you are unharmed," the Medic said, before sighing. "Vhat a shame," he muttered under his breath.
"Hey, y'all managed to get back here," Dell said as he approached the group, following behind the Heavy, before letting out a grunt as he was attack-hugged by the Pyro. "Ha, nice to see ya again too, pardner."
"Ha ha! All together again," the Soldier said, following Dell. "Hear that mental Merasmus! We are coming for you!"
"Indeed," the Spy said, followed by Nitori, who was arguing with Cirno over something the fairy had broken, while Dai tried to mediate.
Tavish brought up the rear, while clutching his head, "Ach, I haven' been this long withou' booze in forever. I think all me hangovers are catchin' up for los' time." Looking up and blinking at the group of people, his mouth curved up in a desperate smile. "Ah, pallies! It's great ta see ya again. Do any o' ya happen to have any booze on ya? I'm no' too picky righ' now, I'd even go for tha' sickly sweet stuff, if ya go' it!"
"Just have Private Cirno use her ice on you," the Soldier said.
"For the las' time Soldier, tha' only worked for you! I don' wanna get blasted by bits o' ice," Tavish said, before cradling his head in his hands again and groaning.
"Here you go, mate," the Sniper said, passing over a bottle of wine.
"You're an angel. A glorious, booze-bringin' angel from heaven," Tavish said, grabbing the bottle from the Sniper's outstretched hand.
"Well, before you go thanking me too much, I should warn you, I got that bottle as a parting gift from a couple of vampires, so I don't know quite how it'll taste," the Sniper said.
Tavish, who had the bottle halfway to his lips, slowly lowered it down again, giving it a suspicious look. After a few moments, he nodded and gripped the bottle's neck tightly in preparation. "Ah hell. Any port in a storm, righ'?" he said, before taking a large swig. Swallowing, he grimaced. "Blech, I wish tha' were port. This stuff's nasty. Bu' it's better'n nothing. Thanks, mate," he said, a look of relief on his face.
"No problem," the Sniper said.
After everyone had been introduced to each other (some people multiple times, as Cirno forgot people's names and faces rather quickly, and Tavish hadn't quite recovered from his hangover enough to focus properly), and Aya had been given the opportunity to do a brief interview with all the members of the group, Dell gave a brief explanation of how he'd found out where they were. He also mentioned the tenth teleporter signal somewhere near Hakurei shrine, showing it on the holographic projection. At this point, Patchouli and Marisa chimed in with an explanation on how they'd found out that Merasmus, or at least the Bombinomicon, was also probably at the shrine. After confirming that everyone there was still willing to go after Merasmus (Sukasa had a brief moment where she wasn't sure if Eirin would allow it, but since she had entrusted the Medic's safety to her, she relented), they held a short planning session, which eventually resulted in the Soldier, Cirno, and Marisa being temporarily expelled from the group. After some time making preparation, they were ready to head to the Hakurei Shrine.
"Let's go beat that wizard so hard we can shove what's left of his body into his stupid hat! Which I will then wear out of this purgatory!" the Soldier said. Everyone who hadn't already met him looked at those who had, who simply shook their heads and sighed. After a bit of trouble getting the Soldier to head the right direction, they all set out for the Hakurei Shrine.