ɪɪ. ᴏꜰꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ᴛʀᴀᴄᴋs

[missleading]

WHO: Minako Arisato, Ren Amamiya, Goro Akechi, Nana Daiba, Hibiki Amamiya, Ken Amada, Valvatorez
WHAT: Investigating suspected daemon activity in the dead of night.
WHEN: May 18
WHERE: Paris, Gare du Nord
WARNINGS: Persona 3 spoilers and the usual content warnings related to this canon apply.

[ Throughout the day leading to their operation, a heaviness hangs in the air. The city carries on as if nothing has changed, people going about their everyday lives unaware of the mounting pressure. but those who are attuned to the subtle shifts of energy feel like the tension is building to a breaking point, a slow avalanche threatening to swallow anything and everything in its wake.

Then the mists roll in, covering the whole of Paris in its sickly-green pall and staining the full moon yellow. Communicators are handed out, and once the source of the mist is discovered, the team is given their orders. Something lurks on the tracks below the Paris-Nord, thought to be what is causing the Outlands mist spreading into the city. The longer that it is left unaddressed, the more likely that the daemon numbers will rise in the area.

Their mission is simple: Find the source and destroy it, without doing any lasting damage to the trains, the tracks, or any other infrastructure. Trains will stop running for the next hour, and the station has been cordoned off—they will need to work quickly. ]

Comments

MISSION BRIEFING

[missleading]

( This top-level can be used to ICly discuss strategy before mission start. )

[shinetagonist]

[Once they are set up, Hibiki closes his eyes, hand digging into Byakko's fur- he usually used his Seer powers to see the future in a more loose sense. Aiming it at a more specific time and place was quite a bit more difficult. He had managed it in class but... this was the first time out in the feild]

There's definitely something in there, near the station. It's not moving for now- and it's just the one. No people have been dragged in yet, but we should put a rush on this. We only have an hour, so make it count.

[playitagain]

Ah... [Nana's expression is serious, as she looks down. The thought of something be loose in Paris is frightening; the knowledge that something is there is even scarier. Her attention is turned to Hibiki, and she nods.]

Do you have any idea of what it is?

[shinetagonist]

Not yet, but I might be able to pinpoint it if we get closer...

[playitagain]

We can help you do that. Are you going to be hanging back...?

[shinetagonist]

I'll be following behind but waaaay behind. Byakko can fight but I don't really have any fighting ability. But I know a few spells that might help if you all get into trouble. Otherwise, I'll just be the voice in your ear~

[missleading]

Does that make Hibiki like our conscience?

[ Minako that is a terrible idea, why would you even suggest this. ]

[shinetagonist]

Yes. Absolutely.

[playitagain]

I, for one, think this sounds delightful.

[missleading]

Right? That way if we mess up, we only have Hibiki to blame!

[shinetagonist]

Wow, rude!

[playitagain]

So if I eat sixty banana sugar cookies between now and the mission...

It's Hibiki's fault? I think this logic stands to reason!

[shinetagonist]

Only if I get sixty banana cookies too.

[playitagain]

This can be arranged.

[prisoneroffate]

Really, even if he weren't our conscience, Hibiki is still always to blame.

[shinetagonist]

[He'll play along with the girls because they are Wonderful, but Ren gets grappled right away]

Oh~ Sure you're not talking about yourself, Renren?

[prisoneroffate]

You only get to blame me if we end up in jail.

[shinetagonist]

Don't jinx it.

[foolishjustice]

Remember, there is a detective here to witness everything you do~

[Said as though that same detective hasn't already helped Ren with his questionably legal exploits.]

[shinetagonist]

Snitches get stitches.

[he's joking, probably]

[playitagain]

I'm not sure if the potential class president should be hearing this... unless it's a student council black ops thing...

THE MISSION

[missleading]

[ Once the team has decided on a plan of attack, they will be dispatched to the Gare du Nord. The Outlands mist here is thick, and those who are particularly susceptible to its effects will have a fight with endurance on their hands along with disposing of any daemons they find. Strangely, despite the high concentration, the area around the station appears to be completely deserted. The team will need to move underground to investigate further. ]

( OOC note: This thread will progress either when all combatants have posted, or every 24 hours regardless of whether everyone has commented. Please try to keep to 1-2 combat actions per character (including personas and/or familiars), to make general flow quicker and more manageable.

Characters will be connected to their Navigator on this operation, Hibiki Amamiya via an earpiece communicator and are encouraged to ask him for status updates. This device will continue to function while underground unless specified otherwise. Direct any questions to impearls if and when they come up! )

no action; just scouting

[playitagain]

[Nana walks near the front of the group. She isn't the most defensively-oriented fighter ever, but her Flame makes her stronger, faster, and tougher than the average human. She'll take it, even if she tries to keep the Personas ahead. Ever since Valentine's Day, she's learned to fight with them.

They can take hits she can't.

She's wearing her white coat, skirts, and boots. Nana has both of her swords, though currently in scabbards. Her green eyes dart about, looking through the eerie green mists and glancing at the jaundiced moon, before she looks forward.

Her brow furrows. Then, Nana says, softly:] Is everyone ready?

Robin Hood, Grimehkala, Mothman, Lilim, Black Ooze...and technically Loki.

[foolishjustice]

[Akechi is wearing his princely combat outfit, the hilt of his (still deactivated) laser sword gripped in one hand. He's also near the front, Grimehkala set to defend him against straightforward attacks.]

I'm prepared, yes. My currently active Persona reflects physical attacks and gunfire, so please be mindful of that.

[arcadianvampire]

[Valvatorez glanced over to his students. Quite a good group here, if he did say so himself. He was no fool to think this would go smoothly right off the bat, but he was confident in this group to succeed.

Of course, even in accepting the mission with the intent to minimize damage to the trains and station? He'd made it perfectly clear to Daybreak administration that if it meant protecting his charges, he would do whatever it took to bring them back alive, damages be damned. Not that he told his students that. This was something they needed to do right and professionally if they could. And he was here to foster just that, and offer help in a more restrained way.

The vampire's imposing sword was already drawn, but he kept a loose, calm stance for the moment.]

Of course, whenever all of you are. Remember what we discussed: I'll be with you if you need me, but this is a time for the lot of you to shine. I am confident that each and every one of you will, too.

[shinetagonist]

[Hibiki is in the back of the group, a ways behind, riding on his now massive familiar ]

I'm ready too- if anything happens I can support everyone ... so make sure to go all out.

Arsene, Neko Shogun, Jataya, Take-Minakata and Lachesis

[prisoneroffate]

[Joker stands casually, hands in his pockets and looking unconcerned]

Ready when you are.

[youngjustice]

[Ken checks over his Evoker for about the seventh time now. He taps the blue gauge on the side of the gun before he's finally satisfied. He doesn't need to check over his spear, though. It's perfect as always.]

I'm ready. Nemesis and I will make sure not to hold back.

[Here's to hoping he won't need to use her too often.]

Orpheus, Queen Mab, King Frost, Saki Mitama, Samael

[missleading]

[ Minako stays toward the front with Nana and Grimehkala, her Evoker in its holster and naginata strapped to her back. Her gaze flicks back to the rest of the party before giving a quick nod. ]

All right, let's go. Everybody stay together.

[ The mist is much thicker underground, and appears to be messing with the power in the station. The lights flicker and sputter, barely functional in the more trafficked areas, and the tunnel leading out is completely dark. Traversing the tunnels is going to be precarious. They will need to be on their guard.

Easing herself off the platform and onto the tracks below, Minako offers a hand up to help pull people down. ]

Anybody got a flashlight? I think we're going to need it.

[foolishjustice]

[Akechi has an easy time getting down, simply jumping off the platform and into a three point landing. It's not as easy as it would be in the Metaverse, but the combination of his Persona and his natural agility makes it look effortless all the same.

At the sight of the tunnel, he wills the laser blade of his sword to extend, casting a soft blue light around him. With his other hand, he reaches into a bag and produces a flashlight.]

I thought we might encounter a situation like this. Someone else should carry it, though. I won't be able to hold it steady and fight at the same time.

[prisoneroffate]

Here.

[Joker walks by and takes the flashlight from Akechi's hand with his own left hand, holding his dagger low in his right]

I'm on point?

[He's volunteering, but also confirming that that is what people want]

[shinetagonist]

[Byakko jumps down, his fur sparking with electricity and adding to the low light]

Just make sure someone else is with you at all times. You know I can't See you very well, so if you get lost I might not be able to find you.

[playitagain]

[Nana considers for a second -- but Joker has one. Nana's swords have glowing crystals in the gems, but she needs that light. It's her MP.

She looks at Joker and then she nods, and she speaks over the radio, back to Hibiki:]

I'm with him. Don't worry.

[arcadianvampire]

And I'll be watching the rear.

[He gave Joker a short nod of approval for his decisiveness and willingness to lead. Of course, he really didn't expect much less.]

Well then, if that's settled, let us not tarry any longer. We are on a time limit, after all. Let's get it done.

[shinetagonist]

[The relief is clear in Hibiki's voice]

Thanks. I... I appreciate that.

[Ren might be leader material, but he is also Hibiki's little brother- so there will always be that worry]

[youngjustice]

[Man, why can't Nemesis double as a flashlight? No fair! ...Actually, he thinks that maybe it's the best that she doesn't.

Ken, instead, just silently observes. Mostly because being in a group of older students is a bit intimidating. He has a lot to prove, after all. It seems that time is ticking. Time stops for no one. Whatever other saying that basically means it's time to get moving. He's ready! Or, well, that's what he's going to keep telling himself until it comes true.]