powerofinheritance

[powerofinheritance]

"Scarlet?" The name was fortunately familiar to Rapi, although that was all she really knew about the other Nikke. Sure it was obvious they were a swordsman compared to any other one of them as well as one of the hailed members of Goddess but that's all they could garner. Pilgrims always were the hardest to find out more info on regardless of how nice or talkative they were.

"Personally no although we've had a few encounters with them in the past. The last time we met was handing off one of our friends who needed sanctuary to her and their allies."

Which did make her wonder how Marian was doing, even after their "last" update from the other two back in the hometown.

"But I suppose we do know each other on a certain level. Even if I doubt she might not remember me..."

@powerofinheritance

𝟬𝟳 - "Perhaps I'm mistaken, but you wouldn't happen to know a swordswoman name "Scarlet", would you?" She was a peculiar woman that EVE had met on her travels. If she was to be believed, she had ended up in her world through mysterious means. One of the outfits EVE had been able to purchase, well... It was identical to the one this woman was wearing.

"Perhaps I'm mistaken, but she carried wares that remind me of your costume, and spoke of something called "Raptures"?"

[powerofinheritance]

"I'd really appreciate that." Rapi said stepping into the store, even if she couldn't nearly put as much emotion into her voice as she wanted. But getting at least some suggestions could bring her down the right path...

"Like I said before music is not my strongest suit. Really I'm surprised I caught on with what she listened to so easily."

Sure there were other reasons but she wasn't about to admit them out loud. Nor did a complete stranger need to hear a long extensive backstory of an individual he just met either.

"The melodies of who plays it can be all over the place at times. Some are slow and others want to be as fast paced as possible while still conveying the same amount of emotions in their songs. It's impressive that despite both being so different they still carry the same amount of weight in their words."

An amused smirk creeps onto Legato's features, and he chuckles under his breathe.

" I see. I understand, " he looks down to the key hanging in the door's lock, shimmies it a little, and locks it back up. Legato tests the handle a little, and turns around to face the woman, content to kill some time. Participating in small activities-- passive ones-- these were things that the disciple was learning to do on a daily basis. This was living, apparently.

" Maybe I have some time before I have to settle in for my first appointment, " Legato muses, depositing the keys back into his coat pocket, and moving towards the record store next door. The owner had already opened up shop for the day. How lucky for this curious woman.

" There are a few records that I've enjoyed lately, I could give you some recommendations, " when he speaks, he make sure not to take up too space. His volume is low, and his words are said carefully. Legato opens the door to the record store, and allows his company to step in first.

[powerofinheritance]

"Trust me even some people who use it all the time don't even know how it completely works either." Maybe Rapi was speaking somewhat from her own experience. Compared to some of the others she met their own knowledge on it paled, almost to an embarrassing degree. Still better that then having absolutely no knowledge at all either.

"Rapi. It's nice to meet you Fern. I'll be sure to keep that in mind in case I have any questions. Thank you for your time today helping me out today."

The Nikke's words may have been a bit formal but if she was going to be trapped here for however long being cordial was the best thing she could be till more things came up that could use her help. Whenever that did happen she'd be ready but for now a little R&R to herself wouldn't hurt.

ʚїɞ - Fern nodded slowly regarding the question about her phone. "It was the first thing I had to learn how to use when I arrived. You can manage a lot of things with it, and it was the most convenient way to access the internet. I don't exactly understand how it works, but I know how to use it." And that was as far as she was willing to learn when she didn't even understand the basics of modern technology.

She pulled out her own cellphone and tapped it against Rapi's. There was a ding, indicating they had been added to one another's favourites on their contacts lists.

"My name is Fern. No surname. If you would like to speak more, feel free to reach out even if you don't have a question." That was Fern's way of implying she would like to be friends.

[powerofinheritance]

"Something like that. Though I think she'd probably say something along the lines of "This here is real music Rapi! Nothing beats this!" Rapi tried her best impression at Red Hood's usual jovial voice compared to her own self. She knew if anyone else was around they'd get a good chuckle at it but thankfully it was just the two of them.

"Before I met them I barely listened to anything at all. Even years after we met I really just let anyone pick what they wanted to listen to. Only recently I've been trying to find some new things out. Though I haven't had much success really."

Until today. Or at least it seemed like things would finally be going her way with this find...

"Want to take a gander together?"

" Oh, " Legato joins in on staring at the front window of the vinyl shop. He rented his space from the same landlord who owned that storefront; he'd lingered in there more than a couple of times to check out what they had for sale.

" Yeah. The music in there is like nothing I had heard before in my life. It is transfixing, isn't it? " He looks over to the redhead, waiting to see whether or not he agreed with his thoughts. Most of the music he had listened to-- more so, endured-- back home, had more of a country twang to it, or it was suitable for jazz bars. What he was finding in downtown Golden Ward was more up to his speed.

" It's almost like it speaks to you. Is that how your friend felt? "

[powerofinheritance]

"Suspicious?" While she didn't want to make it seem like she was watching him it was pretty hard to take her eyes off them. The worst part is Rapi didn't know why, it just felt like something she needed to do in the moment. But her eyes finally managed to train back onto her real objective, the vinyl shop.

"Sorry if it seemed that way. I was just window shopping that store." The Nikke pointed towards the store next to theirs. "One of my old friends would've dragged me in there and probably come out with a whole bag of discs. That kind of music was always her favorite."

@powerofinheritance

She did not look like the type of person to linger in this neighborhood. The businesses flanking either side of Stigmata Studio were of similar persuasion: an alternative fashion boutique and an independent vinyl shop. Someone dressed in such professional uniform would be on patrol, presumably.

And so as Legato unlocks the front door of the tattoo shop, he notices the red head lingering on the sidewalk.

" Do I look suspicious? " He asks flatly, fumbling with the lock to finally get the door open.

" Or are you seeking somebody else? "

[powerofinheritance]

"Not really I think I get the jist of everything going on here thankfully." Or at least Rapi was hoping. At the very least having someone who seems to take these sort of things with stride like her might've been a good friend to have here.

"Though you've learned know how to use a phone right?" Rapi said pointing off to her pocket. "If you wouldn't mind I'd like to keep in touch with you. And in the off chance I have an emergency question as well."

And she wouldn't need to worry about anyone spell checking her for simple mistakes. Unlike a certain group of two people she knew would be combing every text for one simple error...

ʚїɞ - "Sometimes the truth is harder to believe than fantasy, I guess." Fern didn't really know how else to describe it, but that saying made sense for her. Coming from a world that other would call "fantasy" meant that her own definition of "fantasy" was a little different.

She eyed the wall, where she noticed some of the brick was already slowly being restored. "I guess what you consider to be fantasy depends on what you know as reality in the first place." The city of Spirale felt more like something out of a fantasy book than say, a dragon to the mage.

A slight smile was offered. "All we can do is support each other in this unfamiliar situation. Did you have any other questions?"

[powerofinheritance]

"I'm not sure. I came out all this way to ensure nobody got closer to the residential areas." Granted there was no way Rapi would be able to hold them back on her own, not without any kind of support. But if people were able to escape to safety then it was successful in her eyes. She could make an escape far better then any normal individual can. The less people around who couldn't defend themselves the better...

"Though I'm sure there are shelters already made. Or being put in place as we speak." Rapi said firing into the crowd behind the rock one more time to ensure there was enough distance between the two of them and any potential escapes.

"Don't worry, as long as you are with me you'll be safe. That being said we should get away from here before more of them decide to show up. If you trust me to take you to safety of course..."

Odile feels more comfortable fighting alongside someone, having done it so long with her party members. Once she realized how efficient fighting together could be, Odile found herself quite rusty at fighting solo. She got too used to having someone else watch her back, and it bothers her in a strange way that she'll unpack and compartmentalise later.

"No idea. I've barely gotten to this world a week ago." She replies, giving a quick glance around to make sure no Glitched are behind them. Fortunately, it seems their flank is safe and open for retreat.

"That's fine, there's no need to take them all down anyhow. It would be wasteful." For both the young woman's ammo and Odile's own stamina. Another arc of lightning dances between the small horde, stumbling closer. It's when Odile sees the same happen between a Glitched and an electrical pole that she tenses.

"Do you know of any shelter? I've barely had time to look around the wards before this ridiculousness started." Odile throws out a hand again, her book flutters, Rock III is cast again to shove back a Glitched from falling against a metal light pole.

[powerofinheritance]

When she talked with Fern about how major some of the occurrences in the city actually were Rapi prepared herself for the very worst right off the bat. However absolutely nothing could prepare the nikke for what seemed to amount to a zombie apocalypse. Of course it wasn't exactly the same down to the letter but everything basically screamed the same exact movies Anis and Neon would want to watch in their spare time.

Still the largest difference she could tell upon taking in the entire situation was her weapon and powers seemingly having returned. It felt almost too convenient but worrying too much about the details meant other people would be put in danger. With crowds as big as they were groups of individuals were going to get overrun, regardless of how well defended they were. Right before being called out by someone and the words reaching her ears.

"Electrified?"

Though once she does dash on by a glitched being thrown right on by it does become apparent the air around her changed. How she didn't notice it in the first place was anyone's guess, considering a shock could put her out of commission pretty easily. Then again a human taking volts jolting throughout their body wouldn't bode well either.

"I don't suppose you know the source of where these things are coming from do you?" The red haired individual said as she circled back around to the one providing such perfectly timed advice. "While I can fire at them from long-range as well I can't say I have all the ammo in the world to do it alone."

@powerofinheritance

This is a fine way to start her second week in Spirale.

Odile watches as people run past her, screaming and pointing at the beings chasing them. The Glitched, her smartphone notified her, sent by the people who apparently govern the city and it's outer areas.

Well, apparently they aren't very good at it. Look at this mess.

Odile summons the power of her Paper Craft, a basic spell enough to take one of the beings down. It's neck is sliced, and it gurgles before falling to the floor. She briefly wonders if this counts as manslaughter, or if The Glitched are another entity altogether. For the sake of her sanity, Odile puts the question to the back of her mind to be answered later. For now, she walks briskly down streets in the opposite direction of where people flee. Those with power should protect the powerless.

A particularly gruesome hoard appears after Odile turns a corner, and she clicks her tongue in annoyance. She smells static in the air. It's brief, but a flicker of light branches between two of the shambling bodies, arching electricity-- Odile doesn't have time for this. She needs to figure out a plan of where to hunker down during this strange apocolypse.

A flash of color, reddish orange her mind supplies, zips in from the side and throws one of the Glitched into a car, denting the carriage. She goes for the group ahead as well, and Odile inhales sharply.

"They're electrified! Don't touch them!" She calls out, her tome fluttering open and pages fluttering as she crafts a spell.

Hand curled into a fist, Rock position, Odile casts Rock III. There's a second between casting and the hit making contact, but fortunately it's faster than the stranger. The Glitched closest to her is thrown back a few feet, as if punched in the chest by a great force.

[powerofinheritance]

Upon seeing firsthand at how brazenly the young girl took her staff and shot out a blast breaking the wall, being fixed up in mere seconds Rapi had more then all the proof she needed that things here just were almost completely incomprehensible. It was one thing to understand there might be a world out there without the ever constant threat of creatures. But self-repairs, emergencies that seemed to happen on the regular, and plenty more rubbed her in ways she couldn't begin to understand.

The only thought that ran through her mind now was just what kind of hellish situation did she of all people manage to end up in...

"Even if I did ask you how I don't think I'd believe it." The proof was right in front of her after all. Trying to fight it would just cause her more confusion then answers. "Still thank you for the demonstration. It does help clean at least some things up at the very least..."

ʚїɞ - "Six." The mage quickly reaffirmed that what she'd heard was correct. Her confusion about the state of the city made sense. It wasn't really easy to understand until you experienced it yourself. "They happen roughly every other month, and the type of emergency tends to be wildly different each time. As for the damage..."

Fern raised her right hand and her staff appeared out of thin air. She briskly pointed it at a nearby wall and fired off a blast of magic. Enough to chip away some of the wall and leave a scorch mark.

"If you give it about five minutes, that will completely repair. Its like how the human body heals... but it's a city. Don't ask me how though."

[powerofinheritance]

She was unfortunately afraid that Snow White would say something along those lines. Though nobody could really blame the Pilgrim after what escaped Rapi's lips in such a short period of time. Especially someone who was so intertwined in everything without managing to directly be there herself. The average Nikke might've had a mental breakdown even attempting to it all. But thankfully she knew how resolute the members of Pioneer were.

...And even if she couldn't, there were a few guesses that she'd be right either way.

"...Very well. Though we should sit down. It might take awhile."

The Nikke tried to recount everything leading up to their last meeting up to the present, despite underestimating the complexity and length of how everything did fall into place. The visit to Eden and the meeting with Dorothy along with the ever increasing importance of Vapaus when Heretics found themselves involved. But more importantly on top of that was Rapi's own history. How Red Hood and her were, for a time, "one entity". The way she returned back to her usual self thanks to the Commander and the assistance of her allies along with new land, new unexpected allies, and new enemies.

By the time she did finish it had almost been a half hour of talking. And even then she still had the last finishing touches to all of it...

"Whatever remnants of Red Hood's core merged with mine. Even the scans showed whatever did happen when the transformation occurred caused my entire body to change. Not unlike a completely mind transfer, or in this case a metamorphosis almost." And then the final topic at hand, even if she briefly mentioned it. "Though I haven't seen it since I got here the weapon that the individual Grave gave me, Seven Dwarves Zero, was also apparently yours. Or I guess it was a gift for "her" rather then me specifically."

A rather sticky situation all things considered. But one she finally finished after breathing a loud sigh.

"...I'm sure you have plenty of questions about everything. Not only about myself but also her among many other people and things. I can try my best to answer them but I don't know how much that'll help."

⠀⠀The longer Rapi speaks, the longer she stands there... the more tense Snow White feels in a subtle way she can't explain. [Why?] There is no enemy here. There is only a comrade before her. [Only a comrade?] ... Is it more than that? Why does this change of appearance bother her so much? Snow is focusing on the topic at hand, but stray thoughts keep crossing her mind. Perhaps the other Nikke could tell something was off— perhaps she simply got lucky by jumping the gun the way she did.

⠀⠀Rapi has chosen to shatter the ice before it could fester and grow. Red Hood's legacy— those unexpected words leave the Pilgrim stunned in place, the bag of tools at risk of leaving her grip and dropping on the floor. Her stoic expression and calm voice momentarily give way to shock, an uncomfortable hitch in her throat as the revelation digs into her mind.

⠀⠀Legacy. Red Hood. A weapon— A searing pain burns in her mind like a metal rod, with only a few beads of sweat formed as visible proof of her discomfort. The memories are fractured and broken, pieces forever lost— and pieces covered in a haze. There is no clear picture— or series of pictures— to help Snow White fully recall everything she needs right now. She's unsure of how long she remained quiet, but the silence is finally broken with a steady, forceful exhale.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"... Rapi." Her voice, though at risk of sounding strained for speaking that name, is able to stay composed once more. There isn't fear, nor anger, nor fragility in her voice. Simply determination for answers. "You're going to have to explain yourself... very clearly right now."

[powerofinheritance]

"Six?"

She wanted to believe something went wrong with her hearing for that brief moment but she couldn't find any problems pop up upon hearing the word. Somehow despite there being any real destruction from what Rapi could see the idea of it being so consistent had wrapped around her like a blanket. An foreboding feeling of things to come for sure.

"Well everyone has their work cut out for them here don't they..." For better or for worse. Though somehow she felt it was leaning more towards the later with how she said it. "But then why call them "major"? Judging from what I've seen so far there doesn't seem to be any lasting damage. Unless I'm not seeing it in the area surrounding here."

ʚїɞ - Out of the three of them back home, Stark was the only one who was prone to worry. Fern took after her master, and she considered Frieren to be much more indifferent to matters. When she wanted to fight the dragon came to mind... Frieren practically had to drag Fern there before Stark saved the day. It was a little ironic in a way.

She'd offered help, but of all of the questions to be asked...

"Sorry, I might need you to clarify what you mean by "significant". Has there been a war? No. But there is some kind of "event" roughly every three to four weeks, so I'd have to recount roughly six major events in the past year alone." At least there was almost never a dull moment?

[powerofinheritance]

"...You could say that." Even calling it a "war" might've been grossly overestimating the damage that had been done since its beginning. Still it was technically correct and easier to explain rather then having to go through the cycle of explaining each and every detail of the world she came from. Not to mention how humans were basically sitting away while she and others did the dirty work.

"Specialized squads don't follow the same guidelines as mass produced Nikkes. Even then we still need to maintain a balance between maneuverability as well as protection against other firearms."

As if what Rapi was wearing right now was really helping her case. Even more so if her weapon had actually stayed awake from the transition from her world to this one. A self-powered drill, cannon, firearm whatever really did put the imagination to the test.

" Oh? Is your home caught up in a war? " Had to be the case, or else why even mention one? Must be pretty freakin' dire as well if the island's relative cleanliness was something to be surprised by. " Well, I hope being here is a nice change of pace from whatever it is y'all were dealing with. Can't say I have much experience on the matter, or with the military either. " Unless you want to count gang wars and fighting off a paramilitary under the supervision of the United States as experience.

" Y'know, for someone who was in the military, they sure let ya stylize your uniform however you want. It looks cool! "

[powerofinheritance]

"Prone to worry more. I could think of a few friends that'd fit that description." Not that it was meant anything if they weren't here in the first place. But just in case Rapi heard individuals causing problems because they didn't have a clue where they were she could make a few accurate guesses as to their identity.

...And unfortunately probably be right. Still if she had been here a year then taking the opportunity to learn anything was for the best. At least without coming off as too pushy

"Has anything significant happened here in the past year? The world I'm from is continuing to fight an ongoing war to secure humanity's future. But here there seems to be little to no battles at all."

ʚїɞ - "Hm. In a way. I didn't find it very scary, but I'm sure someone with a personality that was more prone to worry in the same situation would have had a harder time." Sometimes she felt fortunate to be the way that she was, even if it caused friction with people who didn't understand her at times.

Being open to a quick adjustment was probably the right plan of action. Fern didn't often think back to what she might do differently if she had to redo her first day in the city, but it probably would have involved buying more groceries. There were so many new foods here.

"Is there anything you want to learn about in particular? I'm not familiar with the technology here, but if its about locations or amenities I might be able to help. I've been here for roughly a year after all."

[powerofinheritance]

"Doubtful. Whoever these "Stars" are they seem to want to keep everything under wraps. It doesn't seem like there's much contact between them and the residents of the city." Which raised concerns to Rapi as to who their true identity was in the first place. They were the ones who dragged all of them here in the first place so the least any of them could do was be there to introduce them.

...It reeked of a trap that she didn't quite know how to get out of. No Commander either wasn't helping try and see things from a different perspective as well.

"...It could have. But there's no point in thinking about that. What happened in the past can't be changed. All you or I can do now is make sure the future looks just as bright. And I know the two of us, as well as everyone else can make that dream a reality Cinderella."

❝ you don't suppose we could ask the people in charge?? i would very much like glass slippers back, at the very least. ❞ though, from understanding how things were going, such a request probably wouldn't be granted. cinderella still wasn't sure what she felt about the people that brought her here ⁽ that separated her from grave and her prince ⁾ but they hadn't done any physical harm to her. they only … made her weaker. which was a strange feeling, as she had always remembered being strong.

at the mention of the sight, of the people, humans going about their day, old tales had to agree; it was beautiful. human life, thriving at its best. yes, this was something that many nikke's had hoped to achieve. ⁽ could have achieved if red shoes hadn't done the unthinkable, hadn't perverted perfection that was cinderella with her selfishness ⁾ ❝ … this could have been a site your time might have seen if … ❞ cinderella hadn't been corrupted, was left unsaid.

[powerofinheritance]

"...A plastic model?" Somehow it seemed like more care was put into making the replica of those then giving Rapi similar treatment. Not that she wasn't going to say no to a firearm for defense but more of how old the weapon the Stars gave her was. It felt like a weapon one would use in a movie to depict how things were in the past as opposed to anything actually practical.

"It seems to be a common trend here from what I gathered. Everyone seems to lose a majority of what they own prior to arriving here. How one is supposed to get them back I can't tell for sure. But time will tell."

If she knew this would have happened then the idea of tracking her equipment wouldn't have been out of the question. But how was one really supposed to prepare for a situation like this?

"At the very least its a rather nice sight isn't it? Seeing people go about their lives without any fear. Even if this isn't our world it's proof that our work can eventually bear fruit."

❝ indeed. grave —— ❞ and herself. ❝ has very high standards. i'm quite sure i can handle the more time consuming parts on my own but smaller things. ❞ such as explaining things, like her appearance and her joining the correct side of the war. yes, indeed, those were considered smaller things. ❝ i do hope you will help. ❞ perhaps she was spoiled too much by abe, and now grave. hm. however, it wasn't as though she asked to be treated this way; it was grave who started this and she just went along with the ride.

⁽ anything for her greatest audience ⁾

in any case, a situation report was very much needed at this point. yes, the obvious notable thing, at least to her, was the number of humans roaming the streets without any fear. fear was a very common sight, from what old tales remembered so to see smiles and cheer around, she had to admit, was a bit unnerving. but still, a beautiful sight.

❝ my glass slippers were brought with me … in a way. ❞ lips curled into a point as old tales dipped a hand into a small bag that hung on her side, pulling out a model glass slippers that fit perfectly in the palm of her hands. ❝ while the details are quite marvelous, at the very least it could have been made with metal. there's no reflection to be seen on plastic. ❞

[powerofinheritance]

"If you count before arriving here then yes I was." Granted Rapi didn't really know where stood compared to anyone else's worlds. Of course she hoped not every other place out there had similar treatment to Nikke's. Nor did she wish a completely ravaged surface to anyone. But sometimes not everyone could be so lucky.

"Now I'm guess you can just call me a wanderer for now. There's clearly no war being fought here so having such a large amount of free time is a bit unusual. On top of it being so...clean I suppose."

" Huh? Oh, sorry about that. I'm all good. "

Incredible. Doesn't he remember that it's impolite to stare? For shame. Though in truth, it was a bit hard to blame him for doing so. It's not every day you see someone walking around the city in an outfit like hers. As far as Django knew, Spirale didn't exactly have any sort of military base, let alone on the rest of the island either. Who was this girl exactly?

" Actually, do you mind if I ask you a question? You wouldn't happen to be military at all, would you? "

[powerofinheritance]

"Neither" would've been her answer if Rapi let the words escape her lips. But instead of trying to fight back the verbal battle she continued to let Dorothy talk. It was a presumptuous comment from the Nikke but history wasn't helping paint her in a better light. She wanted whatever was best for the former member of Goddess. But it seemed like her plans were completely elsewhere.

"...I understand." Red Hood was stubborn if anything and Rapi couldn't imagine how it must've been to be her squad mate. Though once Dorothy mentioned it did Rapi realize that was probably the best place to start. The only real way to begin beyond dancing around the point, which wasn't the grandest idea out there.

"During our efforts to expand the surface after you left we managed to locate a crystalized region. Two things that were more important above the rest relating to how I ended up where I am..." Rapi sighed, knowing what she was going to say wasn't the most digestible information out there. Especially to someone like her.

"...The first was an individual carrying a coffin around, holding Anac- Cinderella inside. We had ever reason to believe they were our enemies. But then more Heretics showed up, making it clear the two were on our side."

One could easily have said it was another situation of the enemy of my enemy. The reality was neither of them were truly the enemy of humanity but she had to wonder how it got to that point.

"The ones there were completely different from any of the ones we fought prior. We defeated them of course and I was instructed beforehand to deliver one of Snow's Seven Dwarves to her. But it awoke to me after I saw Red Hood one last time. I'd have it here to show you had it not disappeared upon arriving here."

⠀⠀⠀❛ ⠀Is that what you think ?⠀❜ ⠀⠀DOROTHY'S ⠀voice is as melodic as ever, looking up at the Nikke at a decidedly languid pace. She's used to her peace being disrupted at every given turn in this place... But the appearance of Rapi is a surprise. Not just figuratively, but her literal appearance — it takes some effort on Dorothy's part to not lose her train of thought entirely. Her eyes are full of genuine interest, a rarity in itself... but it's a melancholic affair.     ❛ ⠀A little presumptuous of you, if you ask me. In truth, I do hold people accountable for what happened... but none of you are on that list. If you were, it probably wouldn't be smart to bring that up right off the cuff. I can't decide if it's inflated self-importance or a lack of self-preservation...⠀❜ ⠀

⠀⠀⠀Her bark is bereft of its usual bite, and eventually she trails off as if disinterested. The longer she stares at that bright red hair, so familiar and yet not quite right, the higher Dorothy's own name moves up on that aforementioned list. Nothing she did was right. She missed so many opportunities to talk about the things that really mattered to her, to make that precious extra time be full of the good times she's been yearning for all these decades... and she spat on that goodwill. She spent it negotiating with someone who never put their chips on the table in the first place — and Rapi, for all intents and purposes, was little more than a bystander.

⠀⠀⠀❛ ⠀... Red Hood really is gone for good, isn't she ?⠀❜ ⠀Although a question, the weary resignation is its own answer. No further input was required. With a terse sigh, she attempts to shift gears.     ❛ ⠀... It wasn't personal. Not towards you, anyway. I stand by that. So, that assumption aside... What else is there for us to discuss ? We can start with your upgrades, if you'd like.⠀❜ ⠀