Assemble

V"It was a joke."

Grimm snarled and lurched forwards into the swing, raising a hand to catch the wrist swinging towards him. At the same time he threw a punch into the elbow of the same arm as hard as he possibly could.

"Okay," Jin said. "Do you wanna' get something to eat? What are you thinking of?"

*Eve shrugs*

<I might get a sandwich or something.>

*Eve enters the mall and heads towards the foodcourt.*
---
*Cameron continues heading that way*

Kari: "Oh..."

===================================

The assailant grunts, but the suit offers enough protection to prevent any real damage then clocks him in the nose with their free hand.

Grimm also grunted and ignored the blood probably pouring from his nose. With the hand he had just used to punch, Grimm grabbed for the assailant's throat. If he could get hold he would have a strong grip on both his wrist and throat. The temperature would be exceeding 100C around both.

Jin frowned as though in deep thought, then smiled, "I might get a milkshake. A strawberry one."

<Sounds good.>

*Eve enters the food court, and gets a sandwich before heading over to a table in the corner*
---
*Cameron gets to the mall and enters, still running*

V"Because, stray animals often scratch, and bite."

A"Umm...is anyone else hungry?"

OOC: Don't explain the joke. Especially if it wasn't funny to begin with.

Taiyo: "I'm fine."

===================================

The attacker isn't noticibly phased by the rise in temperature. They resolve to knee Grimm in the groin.

Grimm appeared to jerk his head back in pain, but then threw himself forwards and gave his attacker a mighty headbutt to the nose.

Jin got a milkshake and followed Eve to the table. When they sat down, she asked, "Is there anything particular on your mind?"

<Kind of.>

*Cameron arrives, and Eve waves him over*

Cameron:<Afternoon!>

OOC: But people who tell lousy jokes that no one gets usually make the mistake of trying to save face by explaining it.

*Ven laughs a forced "heh heh."*

T"We could get some kind of snack, & come back later to see if Taiyo's free yet."

Taiyo: "I guess I'll see you later."

===================================

The attacker grunts although Grimm feels the hit more than they. The attacker gives him a shot to the throat.

*They say their goodbyes to Taiyo & head off to find an ice cream place, or something.*

Grimm made a kind of 'ack' noise when hit in the throat before using his grip on the person's throat to try heaving them over to hit the bench top. At the same time he was trying to twist their wrist to have them drop the hatchet.

"Hey!" Jin waved.

*Cameron sits down across from Jin*

<Hey.>

*He turns to Eve*

<What's up?>

Eve:<The dominoes.>

There's the diner closest to the pet shop as expected. The nearest ice cream place is on the next block.

Two Tyranno Boys are standing in line, a pistol sticking out of the back of one's pants.

===================================

Still having a free arm, the attacker punches Grimm in the nose again. This time the pain is a lot worse, the nose likely broken.

Meanwhile, a block away from the church two men sit in a green pick-up truck. Someone else is in the back. The one in the driver seat is a Middle Eastern man in a pilots jacket while the one in the passenger seat is a Spanish male in a black polo shirt and jeans. The one in the back is a white male in a white polo shirt and black slacks, twirling a large knife.

ME: "What is taking him so long. Who knew it would take this long to kill an old priest."

Spaniard: "Settle down, Sai. Murder is an art and art cannot be rushed. Our priority is the plant wielder, but she was smart enough to wear a mask."

Saifullah: "Can't the Professor track her down based on her web activities? Shouldn't be a difficult task to locate the servers hosting her blog."

Spaniard: "The Professor fancies himself a hunter of sorts. No sport in tracking down prey if you just have to make a call or push some buttons. He's also not a fan of computers. If we could get by without them we wouldn't use them."

Saifullah: "What kind of hunter doesn't track their prey himself?"

Spaniard: "An essentric one? Look, I don't know anything about the man, but the work is usually enjoyable and the money is fantastic, so if I have to sit on my thumbs for a bit, I'll do it."

Saifullah: "Well, I won't. Wraith, find out what's keeping Zulu."

The man in the back says nothing and vanishes.

Grimm simultaneously shoved the assailant and jumped back across the small room, releasing his grips. He took a deep breath and wiped blood from his nose. The temperature around them had now exceeded 200C and was still rising.

"Those drug things?" Jin said, then released she was probably a little loud. She hushed herself and went on. "Um, you wanna' find a dealer? To track the source I mean."

*Eve nods*

<Shouldn't be too hard. Cameron can pretend to be a drugged out weirdo.>

Cameron:<Is this because I have to dress like a weirdo?>

<Of course not.>

*Eve stares at her food so Cameron doesn't see the smirk on her face*

*Thiera whispers to them to wait in line as normal. She then steps back into an alley to transform. She hides & watches. If he draws the gun, she'll sling an elastic vine to grab it from him.*

The cashier is a young woman who looks absolutely terrified to the point she might byrst into tears at any moment.

Cashier: "I...I can help whoever's next."

The Tyranno Boy with the not-so concealed gun steps up to the counter.

Gun: "Aces, caramel dipped and throw some sprinkles on it."

Cashier: "A...and for you?"

The other Tyranno Boy is dressed in a sleeveless blue shirt tucked into his jeans like the other one.

Tyranno Boy: "Double tiger tiger."

She gets their orders, trembling the whole time having to remake the first one because she ended up dropping it. She looks less terrified when Aroma and Ven are next.

===================================

The attacker looks like the heat may finally be taking effect on them. They both hear the front doors open and slam shut.

*Thiera climbs up onto the roof to watch where the Tyranno Boys go next.*
-------------------------------------------------------------
V"I'd like a chocolate."

A"Vanilla-strawberry swirl with rainbow sprinkles, please. Oh, should we get one for Thiera?"

V"Nah, we don't know how long she'll be."

Grimm made sure that he did not have his back to the entrance to the room and spoke, "Who sent you? I swear the Lord shall melt the flesh from your bones if you do not speak!"

Jin snapped her fingers, "That's a great idea, Eve. But we'll have to make sure he doesn't get murdered by a real drugged out weirdo."

<We'll be following at a distance.>

Cameron:<If worst comes to worst, I fly away.>

<We'll have to get a disguise ready.>

The cashier gets them their ice cream, not dropping anything this time around.

Cashier: "Thank you and have a good day."

===================================

They're really just walking down the street, eating ice cream. People cross the streets to avoid them, but presently they're just like any other weirdo in the city.

===================================

The attacker sounds vaguely male. Their hampered breathing and the suit make it hard to tell exactly.

???: "The Lord has no place here. This contest is meant for fire and steel...Wraith, what are you doing here?!"

The one known as Wraith stands in the doorway, knife in hand and sweat forming on his brow. When he speaks, his voice is barely a whisper.

Wraith: "You're taking too long."

Wraith vanishes.

*Thiera eventually decides to just talk to them. She flies over to an alley nearby & lands, retracting her wings. Then she steps out, while they're still about half a block away, so as not to pop out right in front of them.*

"Hello."
=============================
V"Thanks, you too."

A"Are you...going to be okay?"