here we go again...

[bulletbiter]

Who: Everyone
Where: Aimintas
When: Day 56
Open/Closed: OTA

[ Feel free to use this entry as a mingle for whatever your characters will be up to during the bigger Uvi attack! You can find details about it in this weekly update post.

(This post is forward dated by a few hours as I temporarily forgot how timezones work... please forgive me.) ]

Comments

[talim]

[ jude would protest if he could afford to. he doesn't like seeing madoka like this, so bruised and battered; he wishes he could tell her to stay. but even jude knows better — there are so many others, countless others who need their help, and he has to put his trust in her. she's his one and only assistant, after all. ]

Sounds good. That will be a big help. We'll keep you covered from back here. Just...

[ he presses a finger to his temple and takes a steadying breath before giving her a pointed look. ]

Be careful. If things start getting too dangerous, get out of there. I need you.

[ he doesn't trust madoka to put herself before others for a second. and in jude's position... well, he'd be a hypocrite if he said he wouldn't do the same. ]

[deem]

[Watching Madoka rise again, 9S can't fend off the surge of concern in his thought circuits. He knows that she's right, that there are people who need help, but that doesn't make it any easier. If only there were more YoRHa here...or even more androids at all, they'd have better control of this situation.

It makes him wonder, briefly, where 2B is now. The city seems so vast.

He slips aside as the two remaining Uvi when they both lash out with their weapons, his sword cutting an arc through the air to behead one and wound the other. These foes have predictable vulnerabilities, though their numbers are a problem]

Signal me if you see them coming in numbers. [His weapon returns to its place behind him as he leaps back, avoiding another attack] I can route you to the closest shield— [With a gesture he counters, is sword flickering through the air to strike the Uvi's shoulder] —or back you up.

[That's his role as a Scanner, after all]

[soulcomet]

All right — I will. [she means that as an answer to both 9S and Jude, though, again, the latter already has her completely figured out. Madoka will venture out there, and she will do what needs to be done to save as many people as possible — it's what she's always done, and it's what a hundred Madokas before her has always done.]

Please stay safe, okay? The both of you — I'll be back as soon as I can.

[she turns, and, with a short wave, she jumps back into the fray, disappearing among the homes and chaos.]

[talim]

That goes double for you.

[ those are his parting words. jude watches her leave, a frown still tugging at his lips, before turning to face 9s. ]

Are you okay? I know you can take care of yourself and all, but...

[ that isn't going to stop him from worrying about 9s, too. they're friends. that's what friends do. ]

[deem]

[For a brief moment, 9S is reminded of 2B. More than anything, the way she threw herself into battle regardless of her condition. He couldn't claim that he was much better, but somehow, it's even more concerning to see a human behave in the same way.

He dispatches the last Uvi to come barreling his way with little effort, watching Madoka's retreating form for several moments too long before he turns to regard Jude]

I don't look like I'm in good shape to you?

[Spreading his arms in indication, he lets his weapon flicker into place behind his back, hovering there in suspension]

[talim]

It's not that.

[ he's glad, and grateful, but... ]

Can't I ask how you're holding up without seeing you literally explode first?

[deem]

I only did that once, you know...

[Once that Jude's aware of, anyway, but details]

Other than really wanting a bath, I can't really complain. These guys have nothing on machines.

[talim]

Wait, androids take baths?

[ jude blinks. ]

[deem]

We don't have to, but they still feel good.

[And isn't that what matters here?

He tugs at his uniform, stained as it is with Uvi blood]

Besides, this is all sticky and gross...

[This is the future. Android soldiers who will still complain about dirty clothes]

[talim]

[ jude cringes. the black of 9s' uniform helps with hiding all the blood that's seeped into it. he's surprised it doesn't bother him more than a casual remark. ]

Well, I learned something today, I suppose.

[ it's a nice moment he treasures, in the midst of battle. ]

[deem]

...What about you though?

[While they're on the subject of how anybody's faring, inquiring after Jude's status is fair game.

Not that he's specified that they're going back to that topic and away from baths]

[talim]

[ it truly pains him to be as honest a person as he is, sometimes. ]

... My magic is starting to run dangerously low. I'll need to rest soon if I want to jump back in and keep healing everybody who needs it. I just don't know how to rest when... when this is happening. People need me. I can't just rest.

[deem]

[9S puffs out a sigh, strides carrying him closer to where Jude has set up camp]

If you don't take care of yourself, how can you help anybody else?

[If he's out of energy, then he won't be able to help. And with someone like Jude, 9S imagines that would be something of a torment.

And so, he's clapping his hands on the guy's shoulders and steering him toward the nearest seat]

Let some of us pick up a little slack. You're not the only one here.

[talim]

But Nines.

[ is he pouting? jude is pouting. ]

Not everyone has the magic or the medical training I have. It's not that simple.

[deem]

I don't have magic...but I know the physiology of the locals. And maybe that'd be an excuse to keep her in one place for a while.

[Madoka, that is. He doesn't think he's got to specify]

If you need a break, delegate a little.

[talim]

I suppose... and she's made it clear that she's more than capable of handling herself. I still worry, but I'll always worry.

[ he rubs his temples and sighs. ]

Just a little while, okay?

[deem]

I worry about 2B and she could probably snap me like a twig if she had a mind to.

[He gets it]

How about just as long as you need?

[That's the counter-offer, friend]

[talim]

[ fair point. he nods at 9s with tired eyes. ]

Alright. You win.

[ so while madoka and 9s carry his slack, jude is going to recuperate for a bit and gather his bearings. ]

[deem]

Don't expect any less from YoRHa.

[Said with humor, though he still takes pride in what he is. In his original vision of what he is, anyway.

He shrugs his pack off and rifles through it before producing a small bundle wrapped in something resembling foil, offering this to Jude. His uniform might be a mess, but the contents of his pack are pristine at least]

Here. I was gonna give this to 2B, but...I think you need it.

[Inside that wrapper is a stacked sandwich with berries and cream. He thought he'd see if his fellow android would like it, since the pastries at that celebration a while back were too risky to consume, but he can always get another. Jude needs some energy right here and now]

[soulcomet]

[Madoka must have perfect timing — shortly thereafter, she's back, no worse for the wear, a small Eltos attached to her back. the child doesn't to be seriously injured, but she had found them all alone — and Madoka couldn't just leave them behind.]

I'm back... [she announces breathlessly, as she sets the Eltos down — they pretty much immediately cling to her leg.]

I think I can patch up my new friend here, though, so ... please just take a quick break, okay? [she sees how tired you look, Jude.]

[talim]

Thank you, 9S. I'll have to apologize to 2B for inadvertently stealing her snack later. It looks delicious.

[ and then madoka returns, looking exhausted, and jude's chest twists. he hates making her shoulder even more of the burden. she's already doing so much. ]

... Are you sure you don't want any help?

[deem]

I can do a sweep, if you guys have things covered here.

[If he establishes a circular patrol, that should mitigate the threat of more Uvi closing in, and moving outward will let him look for any other Palai stragglers who haven't made it to a secure location yet.

It strikes him as best to offer before Madoka tries to make another run herself, and maybe these two can get each other to rest for a little while. Human bodies tire, after all]

[soulcomet]

If you're sure, Nines ... Please be careful. [Madoka doesn't know how to fix androids — and so, the cycle of the three of them telling each other to be careful continues.]

[but then she smiles down at the Eltos clinging to her.]

It's not too serious of an injury ... I should be able to handle it.