AzyWng

Lyra waved to the evac team, asking the nearest member, "You wouldn't happen to know where the thug's weapons were placed, would you? I might need to take some of them to use." After looking over the weapons the thugs were using (and determining whether to take some for herself or her colleagues, assuming she was allowed to), she then turned to the tied up thugs. Assuming any were conscious, she moved over to them and asked, "You know, there is one question I wanna ask... What leads you to work on behalf of a monstrosity like Trick?"

Lyra felt like she was going to throw up at the sight. A horrific beast had just been destroyed, releasing its (thankfully unharmed) victims... ...And that was her one-liner? Not even the simplest of puns, or any kind of boasting at all? She couldn't be in the presence of a missed opportunity anymore, and, thankfully, other matters arose to distract her from the issue of poor post-battle taunts. "If that's the last of Trick, I'm going to go check if the three thugs I took out earlier are still alive, secure them if they are, and acquire their weapons. Should I meet you back at the park entrance, or the roller coaster?" Whatever the party decides, Lyra heads back over to the Huge Tent, picking up the weapons the thugs used and checking on their condition.

IP nods at Rory's concern. "It would be remiss of us to ignore the problems of others, even if they are not directly related to our own mission."

“Very well, then. I’ll assist in any way I can, Miss Powderbelle. Thank you for your time.” And with that, IP seemed like it was done talking for the time being, turning its attention to Patchouli and the discussion about artifacts.

This time IP's frown was one more of confusion than sadness, but that quickly turned to distress. "Wait, I don't understand. Our... employer not only brings people in without their knowledge or consent - they also bring in civilians? One civilian being recruited - even without being informed, being given a contract, or having the right skillset for the job all at once - can be written off as a mistake. A second, however? A second begins to look more like a pattern... "But I suppose that's irrelevant. What do you mean "help out from time to time"? I'm afraid I only agreed to help you return to your own world... There is every possibility my creators will not permit me to assist you once order in my world is restored."

“Ah, I see... then it seems you fulfill a role similar to mine. You see, while your description of ‘terminator with a medkit’ is succinct, it is not wholly accurate. In addition to eliminating enemies and treating injuries, I can also improve the accuracy and overall damage output of my allies’ weapons, in addition to guiding their attacks. Though... the fact that you are not accustomed to combat is... distressing. If you wish, I will assist you in returning to your world however I can, though I am inexperienced in such matters.”

"Can you explain what this magic is capable of? I'm asking this because I'll need to know what role each team member will play, and how I can most effectively support them in battle. And... What does being a fairy entail, exactly? I have only ever worked with humans, and even then, I've never participated in an operation of this scale with said humans."

IP’s frown deepened a little. “So you have nothing? No means of dealing damage, reducing damage, treating injuries, or bolstering the strength of the team? If that is the case... I advise you stay out of the way in the event we face combat. I can’t allow non-combatants to be injured.” IP then added, “Then again, perhaps I could train you in the use of weapons. It is, after all, what I was created for.”

Instructor was frowning yet again as Empi described the situation. "I... see... I'm... afraid I am similarly unable to help the team with those particular issues. I was only designed for combat and instructing others in combat, and am not equipped for any form of therapy. And what of your skills in combat? In the event more people begin shooting at us, what can you do to ensure the group's victory, if anything?"

“It sounds as though your employer made an... unfortunate mistake. ”As for your attempts to matchmake others... I’m afraid I may not be much help. I can, at most, only attempt to teach the team some of the lessons that I was programmed to teach - and if their reaction to my arrivial was any indication, there is every possibility that they will not listen. ”What issues are you referring to specifically, Miss Powderbelle? You have worked with this team longer than I have, and I will need to know their behavior in order to best assist them. ”And do you mean to say you have found no use for your skills whatsoever? While I understand you are not a miracle worker, I doubt your employer, fallible as she may be, would send you into an environment you were completely unsuited for.”

“Interpersonal relationships and matchmaking... an unusual skillset for someone who may find themselves in combat. If I may ask, how did you join this team, and what applications for your skills have you found thus far?” IP asked both questions question with complete seriousness, waiting patiently for answers.

"Instructor Prototype. I take it your role is to provide the others with medical aid when it is needed? If so, our roles overlap. Which members of our team do you believe are most likely to be injured in combat?" Instructor paused, then asked, "And, if I may ask... Why were you so suspicious of me when I first arrived? Have you also had unpleasant experiences with electronic sentiences?"

"Ah, so you fulfill a role of 'tank'. Excellent! The medical injector I possess can help reduce the amount of pain you feel from attacks in addition, allowing you to remain in the fight for longer. "While I do still have questions to ask you, I suppose I should speak to the other members of the team now. Thank you for your time... I promise I won't let you down." And with that solemn nod, IP moved away from Rory and began approaching Empi instead. "Excuse me, miss. Is it all right if we at least introduced ourselves properly?"

As Lyra ducked beneath the large tongue, she remembered something. She didn't just have a gun and a wrench. She also had taunts. Lots and lots of taunts. "HEY, FUCKFACE MCPARASITE! YOU THINK JUST BECAUSE YOU'VE GOT SOME STUPID-ASS DEFORMITIES THAT YOU CAN BRING US DOWN? WHEN I WENT TO STOP YOUR BAND OF HALF-BRAINED GOONS, THEY WERE DUMB ENOUGH TO ALL STAND IN THE SAME SPOT! I TOOK THEM OUT SO FAST I HAD TIME TO RELIEVE MYSELF ON THEIR BODIES - TURNS OUT THEIR CLOTHES ARE SUPER ABSORBENT! AND YOU KNOW WHAT? I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU THE SAME TREATMENT ONCE WE TEAR YOU TO PIECES!" Of course, she hadn't done and wasn't going to do any of that - but she couldn't let that... thing... know that, even if it couldn't understand her at all. Lyra Taunts the Paralyzing Tongue! Adrenaline Dodging: Ready! Blur: 0/3 Attacks Fiasco: 2/4 Dodges Point-Blank Throw: Ready! Taunt: Ready! Damaged Item Teleporter: Ready! Safety-Bypassed Rechargeable Medium-Capacity Swapper: 0/3 Charges Damaged Rechargeable Emergency Shield: Ready!

IP nodded in response to receiving the new moniker. "Very well. I suppose I should tell you more about myself than my name and position..." "I was manufactured by Kaida Corporation as part of an electronic sentience project. A human consciousness in an android body. My colleagues and I were referred to collectively as 'Synths', and we were intended to fulfill a variety of combat-related roles that humans could fulfill - reconnaissance, riot control, long-range target elimination, CQB - and, in my case, combat support. While the results of the project were successful, an improved manufacturing process and combat algorithms meant that much simpler android soldiers could be produced much more quickly than us - and at a much lower cost. We were placed into storage, and were only recently removed. It seems that some electronic sentiences - likely the ones in charge of commanding the simpler androids - chose to go rogue... betraying Kaida Corporation." IP went quiet for a while after that, before continuing, "We were tasked with finding and destroying the artifact they were attempting to activate... I cannot tell you more than that at this time." "Now, for what I can contribute to the team. While I was able to acquire a weapon before I was transported here, my intended role is combat support - I can heal allies and increase the damage their attacks inflict. Even if such skills are not needed, the shield I acquired can improve my durability, allowing me to serve as an effective distraction in combat." "What role do you serve in combat, Rory? The more I know about my allies, the more I know which ones may be in need of my assistance, and what tactics they might adopt."

Instructor’s mouth curled into yet another frown as she solemnly nodded. “I see.” “May I at least have your name? In case you didn’t hear earlier, I am...” the gynoid seemed to hesitate for a moment, “Instructor Prototype.”

Instructor, who was still wearing the maid uniform's frilly headdress, turned to Rory, asking, "If I may ask... why do you believe I may be a security risk? Is there some authorization code I need to present? Have other synths been hostile to you or the group? Are the Trespassers we need to fight rogue electronic sentience? Their exact nature was... not made clear. Furthermore, what, if anything, can I do to gain your trust?"

Lyra had only just reached the Roller Coaster before she saw... that thing. The only time she'd ever seen the likes of that thing was in one of those cheesy sci-fi vids... But the heroes in those vids had access to armored vehicles, cannons that could vaporize mountains, and even nuclear weapons. Lyra had a wrench and a gun. At most she could maybe shoot at one part of it, but she had no idea what to attack at all - so she just pointed her gun at one of the tongues, began firing, and hoped for the best. Lyra attacks Trick Ascended's Paralyzing Tongue with her Gun ([2d4+10]*.7)! Adrenaline Dodging: Cooling down. 2/3 turns left. Blur: 2/3 Attacks Fiasco: 1/4 Dodges Point-Blank Throw: Ready! Taunt: Cooling down. 2/3 turns left. Damaged Item Teleporter: Ready! Safety-Bypassed Rechargeable Medium-Capacity Swapper: 0/3 Charges Damaged Rechargeable Emergency Shield: Ready!

Instructor retained a slight frown as the group proceeded. "Attack humans 'properly'? Forgive me for my ignorance, but would Flandre not be *more* dangerous if she learned how to properly fight? Or does learning how to attack 'properly' involve training in some nonlethal method of combat that this world possesses?" Instructor gaped a little bit at seeing the enormous library, and her visible expression of interest only deepened when one of the books barked at the group. "Even explosives can be fairly safe as long as they are kept in the proper conditions and disarmed so that they cannot go off in the event of an accident. I'd imagine that similar precautions are taken here." Instructor moved a bit closer to Patchouli, examining her a bit more closely, but stopped once Walmond asked her questions and revealed the artifact.

Stupid of them to all stand so close together. None of the Drift’s factions did that - and one made spaceships with duct tape and parts from old blenders. Now to return to the rest of the team. Lyra begins moving to Colorful Blocks! Adrenaline Dodging: Cooling down. 1/3 turns left. Blur: 2/3 Attacks Fiasco: 1/4 Dodges Point-Blank Throw: Ready! Taunt: Cooling down. 1/3 turns left. Damaged Item Teleporter: Ready! Safety-Bypassed Rechargeable Medium-Capacity Swapper: 0/3 Charges Damaged Rechargeable Emergency Shield: Ready!

Instructor nodded at this offer. “Very well. If I may ask, what should we know about Flandre, and what exactly is this incident that is occurring?”

Instructor nodded and retrieved her weapons, though her frown remained and her response seemed a good deal more curt this time. “Of course. I will defend you in the event that we enter combat. I’m sorry that I can’t earn your trust just yet. If the need arises, I am willing, if rather reluctant, to leave the group.”

This new turn the conversation took caused Instructor’s frown to deepen once again. “While the concerns of me trampling upon people’s rights”, the gynoid said, gesturing to Rory, “Are not valid, I’m afraid Empi’s fears of hostile robotic units is. My own world is attempting to bring down a large force of such units even as we speak. That was the only reason I was reactivated - I was an outdated unit placed in storage and was therefore not compromised. ”I... may have revealed more about the issue than is necessary at the moment. Suffice it to say, at this moment, that in light of all the information I currently know, and considering your current attitudes towards me... I will be relinquishing my weapons.” Still frowning, the gynoid removed a gun and then a pair of tomahawks from storage compartments, placing them on the ground. She then pulled her shield off of her back (How the maid outfit was stretched over that without being damaged is a mystery for the ages), and placed it on the ground too, before stepping away from her weapons.

The gynoid put away the maid outfit in one of its storage compartments, then turned to Meiling. “In addition to the requests my colleagues are making, may we know exactly what happened? I’m afraid I was not present when the events you described occurred. You said Sakuya attempted to stab your employer?”

Simple enough. One, two, three steps away and the thug's swing was a miss. Her foes were all in poor shape - it wouldn't take much more to bring them down for good - and if her words had indeed distracted them, they wouldn't be able to deal as much damage as they otherwise would. This wouldn't be too hard with the Evac team's support. One, two, three steps, and swing. Lyra attacks one of the non-taunted thugs with her Wrench! Since she just dodged an attack, she gets to Counterattack and will deal 4d4 + 8 + 3 damage! This attack will also count as two attacks for the purposes of triggering Blur! Adrenaline Dodging: Cooling down. 0/3 turns left. Blur: 0/3 Attacks Fiasco: 1/4 Dodges Point-Blank Throw: Ready! Taunt: Cooling down. 0/3 turns left. Damaged Item Teleporter: Ready! Safety-Bypassed Rechargeable Medium-Capacity Swapper: 0/3 Charges Damaged Rechargeable Emergency Shield: Ready!