𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐤 𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐝𝐞.

aelith smiled, eyes scanning her face. she could see that her compliment had an affect on skye. she meant every word. she wouldn’t ask for anyone else to be there keeping her safe. even when things were rough she’d always want skye. “ you are. you do not need to try. it comes naturally, even when you do not see it.”
            
            “ i appreciate you. your sacrifice. your willingness to endure. my father chose wisely. “  her hand rested on skye’s shoulder, giving her a reassuring squeeze. without someone like skye she’d most definitely be long gone. once in awhile she had to give her some form of encouragement. lift her up. show that she was grateful for protecting her. 
            
            @-sparrowcall 

{ @shxdowfxll }
            
            hearing how sincere those words came to her, skye's breath quietly hitched for a moment. she was aware of the strength she needed to have to endure everything, the bravery she had mostly bordered on the more foolhardy side, especially in the past, but beautiful - that was the word that stunned her the most. she wasn't used to *that* kind of compliment, but every time a sincere remark of that caliber is thrown away, that shell of ice - or whatever is left of it now - gets melted away.
            
            her eyes were no longer scanning the room like they usually do every time she entered a room. the tension that's been welled up in her shoulders for stars know how long - began to dissipate, as they gently dropped. and the tip of her ears began to flush first. while she tried to play it off with a steady, yet considerate expression - those signs didn't lie.
            
            « I... try to be. » Her voice dropped barely above a whisper.

Aelith brings her hand up to Skye’s ear, leaning in just enough to speak to her in a hushed tone. “ I think you are one of the strongest, most bravest, and most beautiful beings this universe has ever created.” She then leaned back and smiled. Both hands clasped behind her back. 
            
            @-sparrowcall 

[@-sparrowcall] /    <3
            
                 The pilot shrugged off the blanket , swinging his legs over the side of the bed with a soft huff.  He stretched , letting his back pop with a quiet groan of satisfaction.  “ Nothing fancy , ”  he muttered.  “ Keep it simple.  And if you’ve got vanilla creamer , throw some of that in.  That’s all I need. ”

{ @headbringer }
            
            // tried to do a thing-
            
            Hearing the pointless struggle Iguazu had with falling back asleep made Skye shift a little, so can properly turn to face him. « Smart choice. » She nodded with an approving smile. « I'll make sure to brew up something you'll like. Any special requests? »

[@-sparrowcall] /    our themes.. they somewhat match..
            
                 He let out a soft scoff , eyes squeezed shut as if trying to wrestle back the sleep that had somehow slipped through his fingers.  When it became clear it wasn’t coming , he exhaled sharply.  Still . . .  the compliment earned a small , reluctant acknowledgment.  “ Coffee , huh ?  Yeah . . .  haven’t had any in a while , ”  he muttered , finally opening his eyes and lifting his head to glance at her.  “ Alright . . .  I guess I can have some.  Can’t hurt , I suppose. ”

{ @spidercxre }
            
            « I was getting to that... » Skye remarked, rubbing the back of her neck as she didn't look away from Arachnes for even a second. « It sure has. I'm glad you're still kicking. » She took a few steps closer, leaning against the same wall with her shoulder. It seemed like the fixer wanted to take a closer look as if to make sure she wouldn't forget for good. She looked as well as the cyanette remembered.
            
            « Even off the books, I somehow find my way to get my hands full... » She quietly sighed to herself. « The internal politics turns out to be a one big powder keg waiting to explode. The leadership began to grow unpopular and that left with several of the underbossed quietly talking about stepping up and waiting for the chance to take the crown. One of them - a guy they call "El Viajero" - is looking to talk business with Desperado. Wiping out the whoever's attending that meeting will create a big enough power vacuum for him to fill. From there, it's all a domino effect. » She paused. « If everything goes right, not only your people could go through South America freely, there'll more than likely be a new financial backer. »
            
            « I've seen what they do. They make Viajero look like a saint in comparison. I'd rather have that guy taking charge than anyone else. Even on Glacis the dead are treated with more dignity. Animals like them deserve to be made example of. »

[@-sparrowcall]
            
                 Arachnes regarded Skye with visible boredom , though a slow smirk soon curled her matte‑black lips — as it always did.  “ How disappointing.  I was at least expecting an ‘ I missed you. ’  It’s been quite some time since we last spoke. ”
            
                 She folded her arms and leaned back against a nearby surface , servos quietly whirring with the motion.  From the neck down , she was entirely machine — her head the last remnant of anything organic.
            
                 Her claws tapped idly against her forearm , a hollow , metallic rhythm , gray eyes never leaving Skye.  “ Sounds like you’ve been busy.  I wasn’t expecting an operation anytime soon. ”  One brow lifted , the smirk never fading.  “ Since when do you care what the cartel does ?  Sure , they’ve been trying to compete with Desperado for a while , but still . . . ”  She hummed softly.
            
                 “ Just don’t expect me to show mercy when we catch them.  I’d hate to disappoint myself. ”  Her smile turned sharp , delighted.  “ Let them taste their own medicine — slowly.  The mutilation alone should be memorable. ”

{ @spidercxre }
            
            « Well, for starters... I managed to crack the network wide open. » Skye handed the good news, rising a little more from the terminal she managed to compromise. Decrypting files with the present hardware proved to be a step in difficulty. The tech used here was parallel from what she was used to. « We got a hit on some of the cartel big shots in the region. It looks like they've scheduled an emergency meeting. Now we just need to pinpoint the exact location. » The fixer turned to Arachnes with a small smirk. « If we take them out, it'll be enough for their operations in this area to collapse. »

{ @firstdivision }
            
            The fixer straightened her posture a tiny bit more, as she did her best to direct whatever was left of her attention at what Narumi was saying. By then, she already joined him on the floor, although she chose to sit in a cross-legged position, a little off to the side, A nod of agreement also slipped upon the brag. To her, seeing someone more than able to back up their words does get the right to brag. While she kept listening, Skye has also finished the glass she had, leaving the remaining ice to rattle briefly before setting it down to her side.
            
            « Hey... those are good enough reasons. » She cracked a smile, which soon faltered after she heard about him being dragged out of the room for sleeping in.
            
            « That's rubbish... » She concurred with a small chuckle, leaning in a little. « Where I come from... they don't give you shit for relaxing better than the next guy. As long as you keep winning, they leave you the hell alone. It should be the same for you guys... »

[@-sparrowcall]
            
                 Back at First Division headquarters , most people wrote Narumi off as lazy and self-absorbed — the kind of captain who shut himself in his room all day , skipped meetings , and couldn’t be bothered unless someone important came knocking.  Even then , it usually took the director physically dragging him out , and Narumi never made it easy.  But the moment he stepped onto the battlefield , combat-ready and focused , he became someone else entirely:  sharp , commanding , moving with frightening speed.  There was a reason he was regarded as the strongest anti-kaiju asset they had.
            
                 Now he was flat on the floor , back against the cold surface , one arm tucked under his head while he stared up at the ceiling like it was slowly drifting away.  The glass in his other hand sloshed as he swirled it , pushing himself up just enough to take another sloppy sip , followed by a low grunt.
            
                 “ I’m kinda . . .  y’know . . .  a big deal ‘round here , ”  he slurred , a crooked grin in his voice.  “ Real well-known.  Ev’ryone knows me. ”  He seemed way too pleased with himself , clearly enjoying the brag — maybe a little too much.  Someone else stealing the spotlight ?  Yeah , that was annoying to him. 
            
                 “ Get me up in the mornin’ ? ”  he went on , words dragging together.  “ Uh . . .  nothin’ fancy.  Games . . .  phone . . .  sleep. ”  He snorted softly.  “ They make me leave m’room if I sleep too long though.  Real cruel system. ”

{ @firstdivision }
            
            « Honestly, I'm not doubting you about it... » Skye murmured, looking a little amused by the sheer confidence, but still trusted what he said. Skye was also feeling a strong buzz kicking in, yet she hasn't reached Narumi's level. It seemed more like with each drink , she'd lose the sharpness she'd usually carry herself with.
            
             « Narumi...  » The cyanette called out, her eyes still fixated on the ice floating around in her glass.  « I've done my homework on you... And record shows you /really/ get shit done around here... and I can't help but respect the hell out of that. »
            
             « So... I've been wondering - what is it that gets you out of bed in the morning...? I have a feeling, deep down, it's more than just getting some numbers up... » The racer hummed.

{ @the_hellbane }
            
             « I... I do. » The fixer fell silent, her gaze drifting down and staying there for a short while. It was obvious that she forgot about that part. With the void that remained after losing everything that meant a lot to her in the ice box, and with fatigue creeping in, made her forget that these two weren't bound by the same rules.  « ...I'm sorry, Ivy. » She murmured, realizing that she must have overreacted there.
            
             « I understand that... I'll take a look at them, I promise. »

[@-sparrowcall]
            
                 “ You say that like dying is new to me , ”  she scoffs.  “ I’ve probably done it once or twice . . .  honestly , I’ve lost count. ”  A brow lifts as she taps her fingers against the helmet resting on the console beside her.   “ You do know I come back , right ? ”
            
                 She leans back , unfazed , as if the constant gamble with death is just another routine.  Chaos , danger — she knows them intimately , and they don’t frighten her.  Hell rarely even manages to touch her , and when it does , it’s always with regret , like the demons realize too late they’ve made a mistake.  They want the world , sure — but they still fear her.
            
                 Her expression softens just a fraction.  “ I love you too . . .  but I’m not taking you with me. ”  She tilts her head back slightly.  “ It’s too dangerous.  This isn’t a war with guns and soldiers — you’re fighting nightmares made flesh.  You’ve handled the easy ones , but you haven’t seen the real monsters yet.  The ones that tower over everything else. ”  She pauses briefly.  “ Go over the Codex entries while I’m gone — might do you some good to learn a thing or two. ”

{ @the_hellbane }
            
            « Because fate doesn't discriminate, Ivy... I've seen it first-hand. I know sometimes I worry too much, and seem like I'm nagging you for no good reason, but - every time the thought of losing you crosses my mind, it's fucking terrifying. » Skye sighed.
            
            « Just so we're clear, I'm not asking anything from you... I just want you to know that I'm ready to fight like hell for those I love. No matter how terrifying the enemy standing before me may be. » Her hands were clasped together, like she was saying a prayer, as her voice grew quieter the more she let herself become vulnerable. This made the otherwise cool-headed racer's chest feel a pressing ache and prompting her to restrain her own breath to hopefully make it go away. Despite the hidden struggled, she pressed on.
            
            « I love you, Ivy... » She quietly choked out, almost sounding like she carried out a damning sentence. « All I want is for both of us to make it out of this. »

{ @godlaws }
            
            « you can call me sparrow. unless i'm absolutely sure i could trust you, that's all you need to know about me. »

{ @the_hellbane }
            
            « Honestly, I thought we were just getting started... » The cyanette murmured sofly, before the sound of the portal snapping shut caught her attention. Turning around, her suspicions were confirmed. It seems like the trip is going to last a little longer - not that she'd complain.
            
            For a trip as hellish as this one - Skye was also very much equipped to take on the infernal army - she'd have the usual pistol as her trusty sidekick, but she'd also have a new shotgun she bought not too long ago, as well as the explosive slugs to get a bigger bang out of a shot. With enough time, she inevitably took in this nightmare of a landscape. It was enough to think twice about this mission, but as stubborn as she was, and this environment making Glacis look like a vacation spot in comparison, she didn't take a step back.
            
            Seeing these people locked in the cage, she could feel the hopelessness in that situation. And in that moment, she could only think of the numerous civilians that were broken beyond repair when Garuda was shelled by artillery. She saw people suffering a fate worse than death in that snow-covered planet, and this wasn't that much different.
            
            She was no stranger to making hard calls.
            
            « As much as I don't want to admit... a swift and painless death would be the ultimate act of mercy. »

{ @hyrded }
            
            // just saw the request, it's been accepted-