futuregleaming
City of Opportunity
RP blog for OCs created for the setting of @apricuscity. Sideblog to @auraunbound.Penned by Shy
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DANIELLE BRADY TOMLIN
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Olympus Tournament - Solstice vs Gouki
The two fighters stood opposite each other in the arena, unfazed as the terrain was prepped. They'd both watched the previous fights, they knew what to expect. It gave them time to exchange a few words before the fight began at least.
"Gouki. Awfully presumptuous to call yourself the 'great demon'."
"So you're familiar with my tongue. A sentiment I can not say I've seen reflected much outside of my homeland."
"I've learned a great many things in my time on this earth. Most of all how to recognize overconfidence whenever it crops up."
"An ironic statement coming from one such as yourself. 'Solstice,' the longest day of the year. Or is it perhaps the shortest in this case? Regardless, your words fall flat so long as you obscure yourself behind that mask like a coward."
"Better obscured than overexposed. Do they not teach decency in Kwailai?"
"Oh, I will enjoy crushing you."
The match began, Summer immediately making a move to close the distance, and Fumiko responding with a smoke bomb. Caught in the middle, Summer shifted to a defensive stance, listening for motion. She could hear sounds of things landing around her, and then faintly, cutting through the smoke, a chain unwinding. That was her quarry. She shifted around to face the sound just in time to block the overhead swing. Though she still couldn't see, so Fumiko followed up with a kick to knock her back.
Summer stumbled into the mine that had landed behind her, triggering a shockwave that knocked her into another, resulting in an almost comical series of bounces as she ricocheted through the field, each one helping to clear up the smoke.
Fumiko capitalized on the disarray, rushing in on her discombobulated opponent. Summer, to her credit, after suffering the first blow, was able to stumble back into a state of balance and deflect the followup strikes with her knives before delivering a swift kick to the ronin's gut. Fumiko grit her teeth as she slid back, now on the defensive.
Summer's assault was faster than anticipated, and Fumiko could only keep up with her swings so much before a few slipped through. They carried a surprising amount of force behind them. She had to get away, a straight fight was not in the cards for her. She managed a block, then fired her grappling hook from her empty sleeve to hook onto a tree and pull her away from the engagement. Once separated, she disappeared around a corner, prompting Summer to follow.
She darted after her opposition, turning the corner to be greeted by a blinding flash, ringing ears, and the pommel of a sword knocking against her jaw. Fumiko was pressing her advantage now. Sword still sheathed, she cracked the scabbard against the other woman's legs, managing to drop her to her back and quickly securing a position overtop her and pressing the edge of the scabbard against her throat, leaning her entire arm against it for leverage.
"Submit before I'm forced to try," she growled.
Summer braced her arm against the scabbard, clearing enough room to allow her to breathe. With her other hand, she slipped another knife out of her sleeve, quickly jabbing it at Fumiko's side. At the wince of pain, Summer kicked up to free herself, grabbing hold of the other's arm and spinning her around to lock her with a dagger at her throat.
"I could say the same," she hissed back.
Fumiko scowled, pain leaking from her side. She breathed in, and on her exhale, a grenade dropped from her right sleeve. Summer leapt away, allowing Fumiko to do the same. The grenade went off, yet another shockwave device, seemingly not lethal like the mines. The ronin had little time to get her bearings though, as she could already see that Summer was charging back in. With little other choice, Fumiko finally drew her blade and let out a guttural war cry as she activated her ability. The pain she felt faded. She had to finish this quickly now. The longer it went on, the worse for wear she'd be at the end. But it seemed like she'd hardly made an impact on her opponent. What was up with her anyway?
The next several seconds were a frenzy of clashing blades and limbs. Summer's two weapons were doing their job, creating and exploiting the openings in Fumiko's defenses, but now she was simply shrugging off the pain. Every cut, every bruise, it all faded into nothing as she traded blows. The blade itself rarely found purchase, but several jabs with the pommel end struck true, though neither fighter seemed to be flinching anymore.
They traded blows like this for some time, blades clashing and impacts pushing them around the battlefield as they danced ever closer to the edge. After some time, Fumiko began to fatigue, and her ability waned. The pain was bleeding back in, more severe now, and it was slowing her movements. She tried to push through, seeing an opening to force her opponent out of the ring. She ducked under a strike and resheathed her blade, taking her scabbard and hooking it around Summer to push her out of bounds.
Summer caught the trick however, cracking the pommel of her knife against Fumiko's hand and forcing her to drop the weapon. She then retaliated with a headbutt, smashing her mask into the ronin's face, and then grabbing her by the throat and lifting her into the air. After the initial stun wore off, Fumiko wormed her right shoulder out of the sleeve of her kimono, pointing her augment at the other woman's face and firing her grappling hook at it as a last resort. Summer only needed to tilt her head a bit to send it sailing past her, then grabbed the chain with her free hand to prevent that same trick from being used again.
Fumiko held on with her good hand, trying to keep herself from choking in the other's grip. To her credit, and to her observation, she noticed that Summer wasn't squeezing more than necessary to hold her aloft. Her face was twisted into a scowl as she looked into the stoic, silver eyes peering through the mask.
"What... are you?" she gasped out, fingers still clawing at the wrist that held her.
"A warrior that time forgot." It was a simple answer, no strain or emotion permeating its tone. Her skills had spoken enough already. There was a slight bend in her arm before she extended it fully, gently tossing her defeated adversary out of the arena. There was no need to exert herself any further. This battle had been won long ago. And with that done, she turned to make her way out of the arena.
Winner: Solstice
#[i hope this was worth the wait]#{The Demon Of Vengeance; (Fumiko Hirawa)}#{Guest Muse; (Solstice)}#Olympus Tournament
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"Yeah, thank you," she said half-heartedly. The other was right, she had to try and remain hopeful. Leiko wouldn't want her to be depressed like this. "I'll do my best to keep going." She took a breath to even herself out. She didn't want to bring the mood down after all.
"I don't know, maybe I can give them a try. I don't know how good I'd be at them though. Might need a bit of help to get through, but the prize would definitely be worth it...." What would she even ask for? Obviously getting Leiko back, but what else? Was there even anything else? Did she really have so little she wanted?
She'd have to give this some serious thought later.
“Well, it’s sort of hard to avoid when a high profile athlete goes missing. Pretty much all over the news these days. Like I said, I have faith that she’ll be located and will be fine. It would be incredibly hard not to worry though, especially if you are particularly close to her. Still, try to remain positive..as hard as it may be at times.”
She nodded. “I understand. A prize like that is sure to draw in a lot of incredibly fighters. Even still, the emperors seem to be playing a few strange little games. Perhaps if one of those ends up being something that suits you you could always try for the smaller prize. Even a “small” question or boon would certainly be something coming from one of them..”
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Her upper lip tightened in irritation. Of course this was what she had to go through. She was growing immensely tired of this city and its seemingly endless supply of corporate mascots, but hopefully this would be the last one she would have to put up with.
Perhaps the most annoying part was the fact that she was primarily interested in keeping her true name under wraps. Though, if this was an automated system, perhaps she could get away with it. Anywhere that required her name, she signed with 豪鬼. Gouki. Perhaps calling herself the "great demon" was a tad on the nose, but this was an internationally televised event. She was certain that the spectators would eat that up, and as such, the tournament runners shouldn't care all that much.
All she knew was that it was dangerous to formally announce her presence to her quarry before it was time to strike. He would not go to ground. Not again.
A hologram was projected up from the desk.
“DAMN RIGHT YOU ARE! EVERYONE SHOULD BE SIGNING UP FOR THE OLYMPUS TOURNAMENT! TAKE THE BULL BY THE HORNS AND KICK SOME ASS!”
“I HATE PAPERWORK AS MUCH AS I HATE NOT FIGHTING, AND NOT FIGHTING IS MY LEAST FAVORITE THING! BUT THE PENCILNECK GEEKS AT THE OFFICE SAY YOU GOTTA SIGN THESE STUPID FORMS!”
Said forms were placed in front of her.
“JUST PUT YOUR NAME ON EM AND SIGN A FEW PLACES AND YOU’RE GOOD TO GO! SEE YOU IN THE RING! OHHH YEAAAH!”
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@apricusnights
Evergreen Basin. As far as Fumiko was concerned, coming here was akin to walking into the lion's den. But risks would have to be taken, especially now that she was running out of leads to follow. She entered the building confidently, heading straight for the desk.
"I'm here for the tournament sign-ups." Straight to business. She didn't want to linger here for longer than needed.
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"Creation, I hate pumpkin spice season."
Yeah, it's been a long shift.
#[*ironically shows up late with starbucks*]#{The Timid Artist; (Julia Parker)}#{Visitors Welcome; (Open)}#{On The Town; (Dash Commentary)}
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apricusnights:
“I’m sure your friend will be located. Apricus seems to have a great many skilled detectives as well as a police, and military force that are quite competent. You’re welcome to bring her with you, I’m sure she’d enjoy the trip as well.” Having to play along with the little game was nothing new. She was very aware of the other girl’s situation but there was an agreement not to speak about it.
“I wonder, do you fancy yourself much of a fighter?” Shifting her position a bit and showing off the Paradise Entertainment broadcast. “They say one of the grand prizes is being able to go before the Emperors and have a desire granted. Perhaps it’s something to consider.”
“Oh, you do know about that huh?” It made sense. It was all over the news after all. A high profile celebrity going missing like that isn’t exactly easy to ignore. “Thanks. I’m sure they’ll find her too, it’s just hard not to worry.” She did purse her lips in thought at the next question, and it elicited a pause.
“I don’t know, I never was much of a fighter. I guess I can use a shield, but I’d probably get destroyed. No doubt some crazy strong fighters are gonna sign up.” As much as the prize was enticing, the scope of something like this was too great for someone like her.
#apricusnights#[don't worry]#[bea will become a fighter eventually]#[but that's a surprise tool for later]#{The Plucky Athlete; (Beatrix Vinke)}
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"Hmm... perhaps this is the opportunity I've been after."
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apricusnights:
“Interesting way to look at it, very mature of you. I don’t mean that in a negative way, I’ve just talked to others who have very different outlooks on the situations they find themselves in.” She took a moment to stretch again, looking around the park as everyone went about their business.
“You know, back home it’s very common to see someone with a great deal of augmentations, or cybernetics, whatever you wish to call things. Not like I have to tell you this, I’ve seen the presentations the university has done. They don’t quite do us justice but until now I imagine this city has gone off very little info. A combination of our secrecy, and the former distrust between nations. I’m thankful that the later seems to be fading away.”
“In any case you may enjoy a visit to our nation some time. I’ve heard the Highfather is planning on allowing more visitors soon, more than just the diplomats, and traders that normally come by.”
“Yeah, I’ve seen the presentations too. I’m also pretty glad that the air’s starting to clear there. I’ve always thought that the world would be a better place if people just tried to understand each other better. I think there are a lot of problems we could avoid that way.” An idyllic sentiment? Perhaps, but it was one that rang true to the girl.
“I think I’d like to visit someday too. It’d be really neat to see how different it is over there. Maybe I could convince Leiko to come with.” The thought left her lips before she had a time to process it was being said. She was still doing her best to keep her disposition pleasant, but there was an undeniable melancholy beginning to creep its way back into her expression, hiding just behind her eyes.
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A Promise
The procedure was progressing smoothly, all things considered. Being stuck in this trash heap was boring at times, but Leiko had managed to convince her gracious host to procure her a way to at least keep up with the news above ground. Receiving only, that was her condition. Sprocket wasn't about to allow any signals to be sent out of her workshop.
But hey, at least she could listen to the World Cup.
Leiko was beginning to look a lot more metallic by this point, both arms up to her shoulders, as well as everything from the waist down was now synthetic. She might have to apologize to Bea for that one if she ever met her again, but it was a necessary sacrifice. Their message could not stand unless the leadership itself was fully devoted.
Her newfound cybernetic strength just so happened to make her a prime candidate as an assistant to Sprocket however, as she was able to lift and move pieces of equipment or salvage that was otherwise impossible for the scrawny engineer. It was during one such occasion that an uncharacteristic conversation was held.
"Sooooo, I don't normally ask this kinda shit, but color me curious. I've gotten so many people in here for operations just like yours, but they always come and go for each appointment. Now, I'm not sayin' I don't enjoy havin' ya' around, but what gives? Why all the secrecy? Why not let anyone else know you're here?"
"Hrk," Leiko grunted as she set down the machine, leaning against it to turn to face the other.
"You've been slowly swapping out my body piece by piece for the last few months without ever once asking my name, and all of a sudden now you're wondering why I'm doing this?"
"Hey. For the record, I still don't wanna know your name. Makes it easier to deny shit. But yeah, I guess ya' could say you're a special case. First time in all my years I ever had a roommate down here."
"Okay, first of all, don't call me your roommate like I'm gonna be here forever. Second, if you must know, it's because I'm pretty famous. If people caught wind of what I was doing, they'd start asking questions, and that could end up ruing everything I'm trying to do."
"Ah, famous huh? Gotcha, well say no more. I'd rather not know how. Still though, doesn't really answer why you came to me of all people. I mean, a celebrity like you could'a gone to any doc in the city to get chromed up. Typically the type of people that show up here are up to some shady shit. Now don't break my heart and tell me Miss "Paparazzi Bait" is secretly a dirty criminal."
"Didn't you just say you wanna keep it easy to 'deny shit'? I thought you advertised that you didn't ask any questions, or was that just a marketing scheme?"
"Hey, I ain't askin' ya' to tell more than you want to, I'm just doing my due diligence as a woman of science and investigatin' a new phenomenon. Tell ya' the truth, not interested in the specifics. You're right, plausible deniability is my shtick. But if you'll answer just one thing for me, why are ya' goin' through all this? I don't wanna know your plan, just your motivation. What keeps ya' goin' through surgery after surgery?"
It was a very pointed question, and one Leiko didn't have an answer to immediately. She was silent for a few moments, casting her gaze downward. She looked at her hand, the first augment she'd acquired, and flexed her fingers.
"I have a duty to uphold," she responded, not looking up. Her fingers then tightened into a fist.
"And a promise to keep...."
The statement lingered between the two for what felt like a long time before Sprocket broke out in laughter. It wasn't until she got it out of her system that she finally replied.
"Wow, that answer was so worth breaking my own rules. It was like some shit from one'a those Ciar soap operas." She turned back toward her workbench, waving off her client.
"You should probably get back to bed, Miss Celebrity. Wouldn't want ya' to unwind a gear or somethin'."
Leiko's brow furrowed in annoyance as her glare bored a hole in the back of the mechanic's skull. Creation, she was starting to lose her wits being stuck down here. She wanted to push the issue, but thought better of it, conceding and returning to her room with a resigned, "Whatever...."
#[just a fun little glance at where leiko's at]#{The Rogue Machinist; (Sprocket)}#{Guest Muse; (Leiko Ishii)}
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apricusnights:
“Yeah, Mr. Talos runs the shop in Evergreen Basin. He’s expanded and has a few shops around the city at this point but I think he tends to stick to the first location. Big shopping area, lots of traffic.”
“I’m sure they do, it seems like the kind of place where everyone talks about everything. Very easy to pick out who doesn’t belong here without even reading the guest badges.” Glancing over at Bea. “Have you ever found yourself to be the subject of conversation? Aside from your Hecaball career? Forgive me for bringing it up but..you don’t see a lot of augmented people in this district…”
“Oh! I, um...” she hesitated a moment. Bea wasn’t quite prepared for this particular line of questioning. It was an intriguing one though, and probably one she should have expected given the other woman’s associations. She wasn’t certain if indulging them was the best idea, but it seemed a genuine enough sentiment.
“I mean, I guess I have. Even before I had all the visible augments, actually. Everyone thinks they’re being so careful with their words, like they’re the only ones that can hear them. I was kinda stuck at home for a while, and when I was finally able to leave for the first time, people started gossiping, trying to reason out why. It doesn’t really bother me though. In a way, I feel like I was made to stand out, you know? If the augments give them more to talk about, at least they’re having fun.”
#apricusnights#[you know it never occurred to me how mature bea's outlook was until i wrote it here]#[weird how things work out like that]#{The Plucky Athlete; (Beatrix Vinke)}
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apricusnights:
“Oh I don’t think so. It’s my first time in Cherry Hills after all. It’s possible you’ve seen me briefly on television. I came here accompanying the Highfather, I’m from Crepusculum. You can call me Valerie.” Smiling at the other woman.
“I understand, I won’t pry into it any further though I do hope you manage to get through whatever seems to be troubling you.” Leaning back and stretching before taking a look around. “It’s quite the lovely district isn’t it? Though it seems like the kind of place that hides it’s fair share of things. Perhaps I’m reading a few too many crime novels but I always find myself keeping an eye out when a place seems slightly too idealistic.”
“Oh, Crepusculum, yeah I remember. You guys just opened that shop in Evergreen Basin right?” That was probably where she recognized the woman from. She’d seen the ads, she and Leiko had even gone window shopping there before.
“Well, it’s nice to meet you Valerie. I hope you enjoy the district.” While the enthusiasm in her voice was feigned, the sentiment was genuine. “Yeah, it’s absolutely beautiful. I pretty much grew up here, but walking around the gardens never gets old. I guess you’re kinda right though, the people here can be kind of... I don’t know, clique-y? They like to gossip, and sometimes it feels like you need to watch what you say. But overall I like it here, though I might be biased. Like I said, grew up here and all.” She forced a brief laugh. Man, having normal conversations is so hard when your social battery isn’t charging right.
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apricusnights:
A somewhat strange woman took a seat on the bench across from Bea. It was obvious she wasn’t a resident of Cherry Hills due to the guest pass she had clipped to her purse. Even still she was dressed in typical Cherry Hills fashion, better to blend in. The clothing did reveal a few very obvious augmentations though including her left arm which was very clearly robotic.
If one had been paying attention to the news she might have looked familiar. She was a representative of Crepusculum, only having been referred to as “Miss Valerie”.
“Beatrix correct? One of the new Cherry Hills Knights players? Apologize for the intrusion as you seem deep in thought but I couldn’t help but notice your expression. Something troubling you?”
She looked up at the woman when addressed, immediately taking note of the augments. She felt like she’d seen this person before, maybe on TV somewhere, but she couldn’t quite place it. The news wasn’t really something that drew her attention as of late.
“Um, yeah, that’s me. You can just call me Bea though.” The statement lacked enthusiasm, so she did her best to remedy that as she continued.
“Yeah, sorry, it’s just some... personal stuff. Not really anything that can be helped. I’ll be okay.” Bea forced a smile onto her face with that, trying to assuage any worries.
“I’m sorry, have we met or something? You seem familiar but I’m not sure where from.”
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Bea sat alone on a bench in one of Cherry Hills’ parks, sulking. She knew she had plenty of better things to do with her time, she just couldn’t drudge up the motivation to do any of them.
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There’s no strong emotion from Layla as she enters the locker room. Never one to celebrate in any great capacity, she simply hits the showers and gets her gear all packed up, looking to be the first one out of there.
#[and the party pooper of course]#{On The Town; (Dash Commentary)}#{The Power Player; (Layla Rashad)}
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“I hope mom and dad were watching!”
#[she may have lost but she's proud of her goal]#{On The Town; (Dash Commentary)}#{The Culinary Kicker; (Kohaku Hinode)}
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“What a frustrating game. They make good on their namesake, that’s for certain.”
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prismaticmuses:
An involuntary contented hum at the touch was quickly turned to a simple throat-clearing when she pulled back and he realized that reaction was probably weird.
“Right? Best decision of my life,” Night said with a grin, looking up and twitching his cat ears for emphasis. “Well, that and the teeth.
“… do you remember what we were talking about?” He asked this with an awkward chuckle, hoping it would change the subject, though… didn’t this conversation start with the biting…?
“Hey, I mean, you definitely make it work!” Another nervous chuckle slipped out. God, she really hoped he didn’t think she was hitting on him or something. She was entirely certain she’d never live that down if word ever made it back to Sable. His next question was a pretty good one though.
“I uh, think that was what we were talking about? The augments I mean. But honestly, I feel like I lost the plot a while ago.”
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