Into the Storm (Post-Apoc/Journey IC)

[Terintania]

Hometown,
1PM, September 5th
It was a pretty average day in Hometown. While it wasn't necessarily a nice day, it wasn't storming. A grey layer of clouds, and probably smoke, hung in the sky, and a cool breeze blew through. The weather was on the cooler side, but not so cold as to be uncomfortable. Life went on as normal, with people working hard to keep the town running. Farmers, hunters, bakers, butchers, stonemasons, tailors, guards, even babysitters. All types bustled around the town, working a little harder than normal as they prepared for the colder days, and the snowstorms that would eventually follow.
On this busy day, a stranger entered the town.

A bell rang through the town, calling together the citizens for a gathering. This was a rare occurrence in this town, and often made people nervous, though it wasn't the bell that indicated an incoming storm. A gathering could mean one of two things. Either the town was planning an event for morale, or there was some issue that needed to be resolved. The latter option being more likely outside of the town's holidays. People gathered in the town square, some whispering among each other and wondering what was going on.
"Who's the stranger with Onyx and Garnet?" One woman muttered to another.
"I don't know. Did you see Onyx arguing with his mother earlier? I wonder if it was about whatever this is," The other muttered back.

As they mentioned, Garnet and Onyx Holland, the two main leaders of the town, were standing in the center of the town square, talking with a hooded stranger, gas mask hiding his face. Onyx appeared to be less than happy with the stranger's presence, while Garnet seemed almost eager as the stranger spoke, waving around a old leather bound journal as he did. They were talking in low voices, making it hard to determine what exactly they were discussing.

[Isla Byron]

Len puts down her hammer and runs to the square, her work boots and the ground clapping further and further away from the construction site. By the time she reaches the crowd through the tight Hometown corridors it seems like the 'party' has already begun. It was difficult to hear, let alone see in the crowd until some quiet fell on them. Not like it was any easier to see though. But all it takes is one good look through the right angle, typically over someone's shoulder. What was Garnett and Onyx doing with that guy? Looks like he's wearing some specialized mask from way back when, easily as old as Onyx. The dude without a doubt skulked around outside a lot, seen some serious shit. It would follow that some serious shit is probably going to happen here.

[Honghai]

Omie had heard the bell - though before that, she was sitting around, as usual; wearing a scowl on her face and waiting for someone to threaten her or to make a move that she didn't like.

Cautious with her spiked bat, but also in a jiffy to see what the fuss was, Taciturna leapt towards the business. Some were trying to get a view of what was happening. She heard murmurs, the Hometowners talking in amongst themselves about why everyone was circled around; what the big deal was. Omura shoved around a bit, trying to get a better look her own self despite her height. Even for the situation everyone was in, there still seemed to be some big and heavy people - still somehow eating well despite "all this."

And maybe "all this," was put unto others because of their staunch hesitation to get out and push - to see what the world had awaited them instead of expecting some leader to lead them to "salvation" or "salivation," whatever the hell it was - maybe she got some verbiage mixed up. But she knew she wasn't feeling the mood to sit around all day and make herself look squishy for someone.

[Corrian]

Ida was going on about her usual every day chores, working on her family farm, doing her part for the Hometown and her family. It felt pretty routine at this point. Not necessarily what she wanted to do with her life, as focusing more on flowers and herbal work would probably be more up her alley, but she did it for the family. And for her beloved home.

Hearing the bell ring gave her a slight increase in anxiety, it typically being a gamble whether it was for a good reason or for something that might be a little more serious, even if not necessarily bad. Still, she stopped everything that she was doing and headed to the town center with the rest of the townsfolk, to see what exactly was going on.

She wasn't sure what to think of this apparent stranger with a gas mask. Mostly in the sense she was thinking, like, what did it mean? What was he here for? Was it a good thing? A bad thing? She did not know, but she patiently waited to see what this was all about, looking curious and eager to learn but also a little anxious about it.

[Terintania]

The majority of the town had gathered, filling the square quite effectively with chattering people, a good portion of them disinterested. Some of them even left, or didn't show up at all, deciding they'd ask a family member or something later if it was important. The three in the center of the square stepped up on to the platform that was used for announcements, and they had basically ye olde megaphone, so they could be heard by more people. It was pretty much expected that the people who were close enough to hear well would tell people who couldn't and news would travel fast.

"This meeting is a little bit of an unusual one," Garnet called out, her voice surprisingly strong for her age. Onyx beside her muttered something about it being a pointless one, though only the closest people would hear that one. Garnet ignored him and continued, "This man came to our town looking for help," She said, before handing the stranger the megaphone, and gesturing for him to step forward to speak. Anyone with any sort of sense of body language could immediately tell he was not really comfortable with speaking in front of so many people, but when he spoke, he spoke with purpose.
"Hi...Hometown. There's more of you than I expected," He kind of muttered, before raising his gas mask just enough that it didn't muffle his somewhat raspy voice. "I'm lookin' for volunteers," He said, speaking more clearly now, "I'm sure most of you know the world didn't used to be like this, and I'm sure some've you have noticed the animals gettin' a little weird lately." He looked at the book in his hands, before holding it closer to him as he pondered his next words. "I believe I know how to fix it," He said, giving a pause to let that sink in a bit before continuing, "But I need help to do it. I ain't gonna lie, doin' this is gonna be dangerous as hell. There ain't even guarantee this works. I'll do what I can to keep us ahead of the weather," As he said this, he glanced toward the sky, before seeming to nod to himself, "And whatever valuables we come across on the way, you can keep. Beyond that, all I can offer is, I don't know, a chance to be heroes? Fix this friggin' mess before it gets any worse." As he said the last part, his tone became a little more anxious, and he drummed his fingers on the book in his arms, before he stuffed it back in his bag. "So...Yeah. That's me, askin' for your help."

[Isla Byron]

Len didn't know quite how to feel. In her head a horn cries out something of a cheer, something that flutters and thumps in her chest. This was a feeling reserved for the city guard. It is duty. It tells her how to feel. It tells her not to worry about the thoughts of death, horror, failure in her head. After fifty years of unending environmental terror, there is not only hope that it could end, but that she can be part of the braves that put a muzzle on the ravages of the world. For now, the crowd is quiet. Hundreds of drumming hearts stood in disbelief. They all had something to lose, families, fortunes, livelihoods, and that sense of normalcy that comes in living in Hometown.

Len's fist shoots up to the Sun and the sky to let loose a boyish 'Yeah!' Len's only been outside twice, which is about the same as the amount of thumbs she has. She considers the fact that she's almost lost her thumbs more inside the walls in construction accidents than the approximately zero times she's almost lost a thumb outside the walls. Fuck, yeah, she'll definitely bite onto this. Besides, everyone probably already thinks she's visorman's sidekick now. Maybe she didn't mean to say it and she certainly didn't mean to earn the glare of her parents and their friends, but she'll move on anyway. Adventure, especially for the welfare of others, is too good to pass up. It's time to commit for real now:

"Let's fix this goddamn thing!" Her heckling made no noise, a couple of heads turn, but she's barbecuing her vocal cords. "I'll go!" She's gonna get Ruby's attention with this, bet.

[Kreigsreich of Iron]

The majority of the town had gathered, filling the square quite effectively with chattering people, a good portion of them disinterested. Some of them even left, or didn't show up at all, deciding they'd ask a family member or something later if it was important. The three in the center of the square stepped up on to the platform that was used for announcements, and they had basically ye olde megaphone, so they could be heard by more people. It was pretty much expected that the people who were close enough to hear well would tell people who couldn't and news would travel fast.

"This meeting is a little bit of an unusual one," Garnet called out, her voice surprisingly strong for her age. Onyx beside her muttered something about it being a pointless one, though only the closest people would hear that one. Garnet ignored him and continued, "This man came to our town looking for help," She said, before handing the stranger the megaphone, and gesturing for him to step forward to speak. Anyone with any sort of sense of body language could immediately tell he was not really comfortable with speaking in front of so many people, but when he spoke, he spoke with purpose.
"Hi...Hometown. There's more of you than I expected," He kind of muttered, before raising his gas mask just enough that it didn't muffle his somewhat raspy voice. "I'm lookin' for volunteers," He said, speaking more clearly now, "I'm sure most of you know the world didn't used to be like this, and I'm sure some've you have noticed the animals gettin' a little weird lately." He looked at the book in his hands, before holding it closer to him as he pondered his next words. "I believe I know how to fix it," He said, giving a pause to let that sink in a bit before continuing, "But I need help to do it. I ain't gonna lie, doin' this is gonna be dangerous as hell. There ain't even guarantee this works. I'll do what I can to keep us ahead of the weather," As he said this, he glanced toward the sky, before seeming to nod to himself, "And whatever valuables we come across on the way, you can keep. Beyond that, all I can offer is, I don't know, a chance to be heroes? Fix this friggin' mess before it gets any worse." As he said the last part, his tone became a little more anxious, and he drummed his fingers on the book in his arms, before he stuffed it back in his bag. "So...Yeah. That's me, askin' for your help."

A man in a black greatcoat stepped forward. Argan Fixhen, subject of several allegations of being at the pinnacle of a gang that stretched across Hometown. The Stranger isn’t the only one who’s seen things, and Fixhen’s damned if he’s going to throw away the foothold he’s established here in Hometown for some vague promises of “salvation” in exchange for risking his life. Adjusting his tie, he began to speak.
“You come to Hometown saying that you have the path to our salvation. Very well then, what is your path? What have you to say, O stranger? What miracle could you possibly have to offer in these faded days? True, the world is not as it was. But how could you propose to offer a solution? You might have some interesting stories of the world as it once was, but what use is longing for days gone past?”

[Corrian]

Ida stood there quietly as everything was explained. She was there with her family, which included her sibling, and even some extended family, who all had the main purpose of farming here. And that was their lives. It was a comfortable one, but it got old. So these words being said made her curious. It looked like Onyx wasn't too happy about this, but Garnet seemed very excited. And honestly, if Garnet was happy about it, so was she.

She listened deeply to what was being said throughout the speech, where he was asking for help in a journey to potentially help fix this world. In some way, she didn't necessarily want it "fixed", since this was all she knew. But it would probably be good to try and fix it, whatever that entailed, in case it just got worse and worse and worse. And it seemed like it might, with the strange happenings lately. She seemed excited about this idea, though, even though she was a bit skeptical that there was possibly a way to fix this and that he was fully telling the truth. What if he was a con man? But honestly, even if he was, this sounded like adventure...Something she was feeling like she really, really needed. She always liked adventure, but here there wasn't that much, even if she liked it here.

Looking towards the rest of her family, she looked thoughtful and a little concerned, uncertainty washing over here, but she slowly but surely raised her hand in offering to join in the help, to the gasps of everyone else in her family. Luckily for her, it didn't seem like a lot of people here wanted to be a part of this, be it because they were comfortable with their current lives, or scared. She was maybe a little scared, but she wasn't comfortable with her life. It felt too...repetitive. She needed something new in it.

Her mom seemed to try and pull her hand down, looking at her in disbelief that she would get involved in this, thinking more "qualified" people should join instead. She quickly ripped her arm away out of her moms reach, keeping it raised. "Are you crazy?!" Her mom yell whispered at her, to which she just responded with, "Let me do this".

[Terintania]

The Stranger
The Stranger reacted with vague surprise at Len's shout, but even though she couldn't see his face behind the mask, she could just kinda tell he was appreciative of her enthusiasm. He gestured for her to come forward and stand with him, so he could keep track of his recruits. "That's one," He muttered, seeming surprised, and relieved, to have gotten anyone at all. He offered her a nod, and maybe would have offered more of an introduction if a man in a coat started questioning him.

"You're a dramatic one, ain't'cha?" He replied in a tone that one could just imagine a rolling of the eyes to go along with it. He didn't roll his eyes, but no one else knew that, hidden behind the mask as his face was. "You don't have to come if savin' the world ain't your jam." There was something to his tone. A distrust, and a hesitation to share what he knew with the whole town around to hear. After all, information could be dangerous in the wrong hands.

"If there's a chance of our children being able to grow up in a world where they're not just waiting for a tornado to come destroy everything they care about, isn't it worth it? To not have to fight day-to-day to survive?" Garnet piped up, since the stranger didn't seem interested in giving a useful answer.

Another raised hand caught his attention, and he turned his attention to this new volunteer. "Another one. Thank you," He replied, his 'thank you' a little muffled, like he wasn't entirely used to saying it. He seemed very clearly to be a loner. Not used to asking for help from others. "A teen and a..." He looked Ida up and down, "Farmer? This is gonna go great," This was all muttered, but not without earshot of Ida and Len if they had approached him.

Ruby
Ruby approached her family, putting her arm around her grandmother. She honestly wished she could go along, but knew she was needed here. At Len's shout, she grinned, echoing the 'Yeah!', before giving a little giggle at the other girl's enthusiasm.

[Isla Byron]

The Stranger
The Stranger reacted with vague surprise at Len's shout, but even though she couldn't see his face behind the mask, she could just kinda tell he was appreciative of her enthusiasm. He gestured for her to come forward and stand with him, so he could keep track of his recruits. "That's one," He muttered, seeming surprised, and relieved, to have gotten anyone at all. He offered her a nod...

Len worms her way through the mass of humanity like the Sun's light through thick stained glass. Aching muscle works her way up the stage the hard way, vertically, no stairs. She turns and faces the audience of her peers in something between an 'at attention' stance and something more like the stereotypical posture of a hero at the beginning of her journey, her chest puffing out to hide the stage fright in her heart.

"If there's a chance of our children being able to grow up in a world where they're not just waiting for a tornado to come destroy everything they care about, isn't it worth it? To not have to fight day-to-day to survive?" Garnet piped up, since the stranger didn't seem interested in giving a useful answer.

Len gulps down a serious knot in her throat. Good Lord, this is all real, she thinks. If Garnet believes in this she's either gone senile or there's a good chance she'll be apart of something, something that'll bring real change to the world and change the world into something she doesn't recognize. Or at least, if this is all true and that she actually isn't going on a suicide mission with a self-centered freak who plans to use her as a meat shield. Her mind is murky with doubt, but seeing her parents misty-eyed with pride, made her choke on the spice of emotion. They were clapping for her, cheering her on. They were looking right at each other. Len washes away some tears with a forceful blink.

Ruby
Ruby approached her family, putting her arm around her grandmother. She honestly wished she could go along, but knew she was needed here. At Len's shout, she grinned, echoing the 'Yeah!', before giving a little giggle at the other girl's enthusiasm.

Len sees Ruby rush up the stage with élan, her leather shines like the armor of a real hero, someone larger than life. Her eyes broke with Ruby as soon as she saw her, it would be embarrassing if she was caught looking at her, obviously. The Sun roasts her forehead harder than it was merely seconds ago. She can hear, hear her footsteps walk behind her! The back-hump of her skull begins to smoke, originating from a little pinprick the size of Ruby's gaze (imagined or not.) Ruby was smiling on her way up the stairs, was that a sign that she, uh, likes her too? Or would she've done it anyway, even if she wasn't there? Len does a little whistle from up there, she needs to stop thinking. Her concern is worn evidently on her face, maybe it was the midday sun in her eyes. That excuse would be bullshit, actually, the sun is above her. Whatever, she thinks absolutely overwhelmed with a desire to cope, she can use this moment to look up at the blue skies above her and appreciate one of the things always there for her.

[Corrian]

Ida's mom continued to try and stop her, but she brushed her off and came up over to the stranger, as kind of a way to make it clear she was one of the ones choosing to go along with them. Her mom just kind of ended up standing back in shock that she would do this, but she currently ignored her mom, though she was likely to get an earful before she actually left. She didn't hear what the stranger had to say, though, just coming up near him and standing there for now. It felt weird to have all the eyes of town on them, something she was very much not used to.

[Honghai]

Omie still held her bat - albeit onehandedly - as with the other hand, she was putting on a knuckleduster and fitting to punch someone in her way. Really, just ready to explode onto someone. Onto all of the crowds of people for standing there, being in her way. She thought, with her height, she'd be able to see past and get views of what was happening - but she still couldn't.

It was alot of squirming and uncomfortableness, which made Omies' scowl intensify. She winded a punch into the back of someones' arm, then with her second hand that was holding the bat - she'd taken the bat onehandedly and began bashing them in their spine and upper legs.

"Get! the hell! Out of! My way!" She said, in perfect rhythm with her bats' beating.

"Weak...ness..." Her scowl was speedily diminishing into a smile, as she took a glee to pounding on the person who was being smacked into the ground.

She'd stepped forwards, on the fallen person, one foot on them - she bent down, now putting the bat away and another knuckleduster on her hands. Two knuckles, now, and with her steadily punching that wounded person into a pulp.

[Kreigsreich of Iron]

The Stranger

"You're a dramatic one, ain't'cha?" He replied in a tone that one could just imagine a rolling of the eyes to go along with it. He didn't roll his eyes, but no one else knew that, hidden behind the mask as his face was. "You don't have to come if savin' the world ain't your jam." There was something to his tone. A distrust, and a hesitation to share what he knew with the whole town around to hear. After all, information could be dangerous in the wrong hands.

"If there's a chance of our children being able to grow up in a world where they're not just waiting for a tornado to come destroy everything they care about, isn't it worth it? To not have to fight day-to-day to survive?" Garnet piped up, since the stranger didn't seem interested in giving a useful answer.

“Fair enough.” Readjusting his tie (again), he continued, “alright, I’m in”.

Omie still held her bat - albeit onehandedly - as with the other hand, she was putting on a knuckleduster and fitting to punch someone in her way. Really, just ready to explode onto someone. Onto all of the crowds of people for standing there, being in her way. She thought, with her height, she'd be able to see past and get views of what was happening - but she still couldn't.

It was alot of squirming and uncomfortableness, which made Omies' scowl intensify. She winded a punch into the back of someones' arm, then with her second hand that was holding the bat - she'd taken the bat onehandedly and began bashing them in their spine and upper legs.

"Get! the hell! Out of! My way!" She said, in perfect rhythm with her bats' beating.

"Weak...ness..." Her scowl was speedily diminishing into a smile, as she took a glee to pounding on the person who was being smacked into the ground.

She'd stepped forwards, on the fallen person, one foot on them - she bent down, now putting the bat away and another knuckleduster on her hands. Two knuckles, now, and with her steadily punching that wounded person into a pulp.

“I wouldn’t.”

[Honghai]

The Stranger

"You're a dramatic one, ain't'cha?" He replied in a tone that one could just imagine a rolling of the eyes to go along with it. He didn't roll his eyes, but no one else knew that, hidden behind the mask as his face was. "You don't have to come if savin' the world ain't your jam." There was something to his tone. A distrust, and a hesitation to share what he knew with the whole town around to hear. After all, information could be dangerous in the wrong hands.

"If there's a chance of our children being able to grow up in a world where they're not just waiting for a tornado to come destroy everything they care about, isn't it worth it? To not have to fight day-to-day to survive?" Garnet piped up, since the stranger didn't seem interested in giving a useful answer.

“Fair enough.” Readjusting his tie (again), he continued, “alright, I’m in”.

Omie still held her bat - albeit onehandedly - as with the other hand, she was putting on a knuckleduster and fitting to punch someone in her way. Really, just ready to explode onto someone. Onto all of the crowds of people for standing there, being in her way. She thought, with her height, she'd be able to see past and get views of what was happening - but she still couldn't.

It was alot of squirming and uncomfortableness, which made Omies' scowl intensify. She winded a punch into the back of someones' arm, then with her second hand that was holding the bat - she'd taken the bat onehandedly and began bashing them in their spine and upper legs.

"Get! the hell! Out of! My way!" She said, in perfect rhythm with her bats' beating.

"Weak...ness..." Her scowl was speedily diminishing into a smile, as she took a glee to pounding on the person who was being smacked into the ground.

She'd stepped forwards, on the fallen person, one foot on them - she bent down, now putting the bat away and another knuckleduster on her hands. Two knuckles, now, and with her steadily punching that wounded person into a pulp.

“I wouldn’t.”

She didn't recollect seeing that man, that... She figured it was a captain-looking-person. She had no memory of him being anywheres nearby, but she got up anyways - ceasing her pummeling. Looking at her hands. It'd seemed like alot of blood came from that person she'd smacked.

She took off a knuckleduster and grabbed her bat, before looking the man in his eye. She was barely even holding back her aggression but somewheres she didn't see it worthy to attack the man before her.

"I hate when ginormous blobs get in my way." She said, licking her lips then taking off the other knuckleduster.

[Kreigsreich of Iron]

“Fair enough.” Readjusting his tie (again), he continued, “alright, I’m in”.
“I wouldn’t.”

She didn't recollect seeing that man, that... She figured it was a captain-looking-person. She had no memory of him being anywheres nearby, but she got up anyways - ceasing her pummeling. Looking at her hands. It'd seemed like alot of blood came from that person she'd smacked.

She took off a knuckleduster and grabbed her bat, before looking the man in his eye. She was barely even holding back her aggression but somewheres she didn't see it worthy to attack the man before her.

"I hate when ginormous blobs get in my way." She said, licking her lips then taking off the other knuckleduster.

“Oh, I understand. It’s just that, ah, it might lead you to picking a fight with the wrong person.”

[Isla Byron]

Len is nothing short of shocked by the mayhem unfolding in front of her. A stampede of people crush each other out of the way. The attacking woman's crimson fists and knuckledusters shine in the heat of the sun. She rose and spoke to a man next to her who Len didn't even notice. Len phases it all out, staring, jaw unbuckled. Her spine creaks to enable her to observe the reactions of others to no particular success. Did she know the victim? Were they one of the guys in construction like her? She could feel the vomitous lightheadedness of adrenaline run to the heart and her head.

The words mustered bravely out of her mouth, "w-what the fuck? Guards! Do something!" Her finger points in the distinctly hostile "j'accuse" fashion, preparing to follow her, chase her, anything to get the bastard under control. Not like she could wrestle her anyway.

[Honghai]

Len is nothing short of shocked by the mayhem unfolding in front of her. A stampede of people crush each other out of the way. The attacking woman's crimson fists and knuckledusters shine in the heat of the sun. She rose and spoke to a man next to her who Len didn't even notice. Len phases it all out, staring, jaw unbuckled. Her spine creaks to enable her to observe the reactions of others to no particular success. Did she know the victim? Were they one of the guys in construction like her? She could feel the vomitous lightheadedness of adrenaline run to the heart and her head.

The words mustered bravely out of her mouth, "w-what the fuck? Guards! Do something!" Her finger points in the distinctly hostile "j'accuse" fashion, preparing to follow her, chase her, anything to get the bastard under control. Not like she could wrestle her anyway.

Omie was contemplating the coated mans' words as if they were a riddle for her to solve; she didn't say anymore in-return to him.

She turned her head towards the direction of the noise.

"Girrrrrrrrrrllllll...... I will literally bite your finger off! Don't you...."

She'd then hold her bat with both hands, staring aggressively at the other girl some ways away from her.

I'd listen to ya... but if the bitch didn't cry wolf, I wouldn't have to snap her hand off...

She mused, adjusting the bows in her hair.

[Terintania]

The Stranger had gestured Ida over, when suddenly everything seemed to erupt into chaos. He folded his arms as people started scrambling away from a woman who was beating the hell out of someone for...no reason whatsoever? It was hard to tell exactly how he felt about this, since his face was hidden, and he made no move to do anything except watch, head inclined slightly.

Onyx, however, was not so chill. He immediately hopped down from where he stood and ran over to her, leveling his gun at her, staying out of the range of her bat. This action was followed suit by some of the town's guards, who leveled their crossbows on her. "Drop the bat," Onyx snapped. There was no tolerance for that kind of thing in this town, so he couldn't fathom why she thought she could just get away with it. She grew up here, after all. She should know better. Maybe in the back alleys this kind of thing could have been ignored, but in the middle of the town square while everyone was around? Ridiculous.

Garnet both looked shocked, and absolutely pissed at this development. She made no move just yet, knowing the guards would have no problem dealing with a young girl with a baseball bat.

Ruby gasped when everything went down, before taking a subconscious step in front of Len. She seemed to quickly remind herself that Len probably didn't need her protection, and scooted off to the side, letting the guards handle things, but also ready to step in if needed.

[Honghai]

The Stranger had gestured Ida over, when suddenly everything seemed to erupt into chaos. He folded his arms as people started scrambling away from a woman who was beating the hell out of someone for...no reason whatsoever? It was hard to tell exactly how he felt about this, since his face was hidden, and he made no move to do anything except watch, head inclined slightly.

Onyx, however, was not so chill. He immediately hopped down from where he stood and ran over to her, leveling his gun at her, staying out of the range of her bat. This action was followed suit by some of the town's guards, who leveled their crossbows on her. "Drop the bat," Onyx snapped. There was no tolerance for that kind of thing in this town, so he couldn't fathom why she thought she could just get away with it. She grew up here, after all. She should know better. Maybe in the back alleys this kind of thing could have been ignored, but in the middle of the town square while everyone was around? Ridiculous.

Garnet both looked shocked, and absolutely pissed at this development. She made no move just yet, knowing the guards would have no problem dealing with a young girl with a baseball bat.

Ruby gasped when everything went down, before taking a subconscious step in front of Len. She seemed to quickly remind herself that Len probably didn't need her protection, and scooted off to the side, letting the guards handle things, but also ready to step in if needed.

One voice to another voice... and... it seems like they just wanted this bum to still be standing in my way of seeing...

Omie dropped the bat just as quickly as she'd heard that annoying voice. She didn't relent her aggression for a second, only becoming more ragefilled and violent. She rolled her eyes at the new voice, then when noticing the crossbowmen -

Omie felt nothing but rage.

"Just cower behind bows and guns! Cower behind words, and actually not fight me! Let that dweeb see the look on her face when my foot hits it; don't deny me a fair fight!" She barked at the person who yelled at her to drop her weapon.

[Terintania]

The Stranger had gestured Ida over, when suddenly everything seemed to erupt into chaos. He folded his arms as people started scrambling away from a woman who was beating the hell out of someone for...no reason whatsoever? It was hard to tell exactly how he felt about this, since his face was hidden, and he made no move to do anything except watch, head inclined slightly.

Onyx, however, was not so chill. He immediately hopped down from where he stood and ran over to her, leveling his gun at her, staying out of the range of her bat. This action was followed suit by some of the town's guards, who leveled their crossbows on her. "Drop the bat," Onyx snapped. There was no tolerance for that kind of thing in this town, so he couldn't fathom why she thought she could just get away with it. She grew up here, after all. She should know better. Maybe in the back alleys this kind of thing could have been ignored, but in the middle of the town square while everyone was around? Ridiculous.

Garnet both looked shocked, and absolutely pissed at this development. She made no move just yet, knowing the guards would have no problem dealing with a young girl with a baseball bat.

Ruby gasped when everything went down, before taking a subconscious step in front of Len. She seemed to quickly remind herself that Len probably didn't need her protection, and scooted off to the side, letting the guards handle things, but also ready to step in if needed.

One voice to another voice... and... it seems like they just wanted this bum to still be standing in my way of seeing...

Omie dropped the bat just as quickly as she'd heard that annoying voice. She didn't relent her aggression for a second, only becoming more ragefilled and violent. She rolled her eyes at the new voice, then when noticing the crossbowmen -

Omie felt nothing but rage.

"Just cower behind bows and guns! Cower behind words, and actually not fight me! Let that dweeb see the look on her face when my foot hits it; don't deny me a fair fight!" She barked at the person who yelled at her to drop her weapon.

Onyx darted forward to move her bat away from her when she dropped it, before quickly moving back out of her range. The rest of the guards kept their crossbows on her, ready to shoot her at a moments notice. "I don't care if the fight is fair. I just care that it ends," He said icily, gun still at the ready, "Now get down on the ground. You're under arrest. If you try to fight us, we'll shoot you, and still take you to a cell, so I suggest cooperating."

Garnet shook her head, looking like a disappointed parent. "Tsk Tsk. Omie, you know this isn't how we do things in Hometown," She said sadly.

The Stranger was still watching intently, stepping down from the stage now, but he was yet to say anything.

[Isla Byron]

Len jumps from the stage to join the arrest. She had no words for whatever happened. All she regrets was not jumping in and helping her brothers-in-arms fast enough. But Ruby!? She jumped in front of Len and not anyone else! Len takes the moment to look back at Ruby. Breathtaking as always, her smile- or resting face, radiated nothing but confidence in the situation. Her jaw was sculpted by god himself, as well as the rest of her. In ancient religions, Len's parents would tell her that there were some people who were were viewed as religious paragons, also known as icons of certain virtues like pride or generosity. In Len's humble opinion, Ruby would be the icon of selflessness and freedom. The Hometown Guard needs someone like her, a freedom fighter, and not someone like her stuck up brother Onyx. Onyx would always have Len and her unit repeat drills until their spines fell from their backs. Granted, maybe Len can fight effectively with her unit, but Ruby would be a brilliantly inspirational leader. Len would follow her to the ends of the Earth, and not just because of her embarrassing crush on her, but because of everything she stands for.

Oh my god. Len is staring at Ruby like she is the only thing in existence for a whole fucking minute. She ceases her about face from the detainment and guards Omie, with Len being about as red as her bloodstained fists. Duty calls Len regardless of how she feels.

[Honghai]

One voice to another voice... and... it seems like they just wanted this bum to still be standing in my way of seeing...

Omie dropped the bat just as quickly as she'd heard that annoying voice. She didn't relent her aggression for a second, only becoming more ragefilled and violent. She rolled her eyes at the new voice, then when noticing the crossbowmen -

Omie felt nothing but rage.

"Just cower behind bows and guns! Cower behind words, and actually not fight me! Let that dweeb see the look on her face when my foot hits it; don't deny me a fair fight!" She barked at the person who yelled at her to drop her weapon.

Onyx darted forward to move her bat away from her when she dropped it, before quickly moving back out of her range. The rest of the guards kept their crossbows on her, ready to shoot her at a moments notice. "I don't care if the fight is fair. I just care that it ends," He said icily, gun still at the ready, "Now get down on the ground. You're under arrest. If you try to fight us, we'll shoot you, and still take you to a cell, so I suggest cooperating."

Garnet shook her head, looking like a disappointed parent. "Tsk Tsk. Omie, you know this isn't how we do things in Hometown," She said sadly.

The Stranger was still watching intently, stepping down from the stage now, but he was yet to say anything.

"Go ahead and shoot me anyways; I don't give a fuck! Turn me into a martyr of this fucking weak village! I hate you all!" Omura screamed at the top of her lungs at the "I don't care if it's a fair fight"-person.

[Kreigsreich of Iron]

Onyx darted forward to move her bat away from her when she dropped it, before quickly moving back out of her range. The rest of the guards kept their crossbows on her, ready to shoot her at a moments notice. "I don't care if the fight is fair. I just care that it ends," He said icily, gun still at the ready, "Now get down on the ground. You're under arrest. If you try to fight us, we'll shoot you, and still take you to a cell, so I suggest cooperating."

Garnet shook her head, looking like a disappointed parent. "Tsk Tsk. Omie, you know this isn't how we do things in Hometown," She said sadly.

The Stranger was still watching intently, stepping down from the stage now, but he was yet to say anything.

"Go ahead and shoot me anyways; I don't give a fuck! Turn me into a martyr of this fucking weak village! I hate you all!" Omura screamed at the top of her lungs at the "I don't care if it's a fair fight"-person.

"A martyr implies being honored. If you're shot, then you'll die a nobody. At the very best, you'll be a cautionary tale told for a couple of generations."

[Honghai]

"Go ahead and shoot me anyways; I don't give a fuck! Turn me into a martyr of this fucking weak village! I hate you all!" Omura screamed at the top of her lungs at the "I don't care if it's a fair fight"-person.

"A martyr implies being honored. If you're shot, then you'll die a nobody. At the very best, you'll be a cautionary tale told for a couple of generations."

. . . Omuras' anger died down shortly-after seeing the wizened man. She wanted to cry, not liking her new acquaintance to see her at crossbow-point.

"This place stanks of people who've lived a privileged life and I know I ain't the only one who wants to burn it all down. I'm surprised years ago when I was a tween, 'Hometown,' this sorry-ass-place didn't get plundered by people stronger than the people trying to put my ass in a cage over fatasses blocking my sight.

People have the luxury of eating far too much here, and a girl - even as tall as I am, couldn't see past that fucking dumptruck I clobbered!"

Omura speechified.

[Kreigsreich of Iron]

"A martyr implies being honored. If you're shot, then you'll die a nobody. At the very best, you'll be a cautionary tale told for a couple of generations."

. . . Omuras' anger died down shortly-after seeing the wizened man. She wanted to cry, not liking her new acquaintance to see her at crossbow-point.

"This place stanks of people who've lived a privileged life and I know I ain't the only one who wants to burn it all down. I'm surprised years ago when I was a tween, 'Hometown,' this sorry-ass-place didn't get plundered by people stronger than the people trying to put my ass in a cage over fatasses blocking my sight.

People have the luxury of eating far too much here, and a girl - even as tall as I am, couldn't see past that fucking dumptruck I clobbered!"

Omura speechified.

"A privileged life? I spent half my life outside Hometown. Until you've eaten literal dirt in order to fend off the hunger, until you've left behind people you've known for years because of a wound or an illness you couldn't heel, until you've done that and more, then you don't get to complain of a 'privileged life'."