Diplomatic Relations

[Orion]

OOC: So... I'm taking a number of liberties here. To put it simply, though, a number of my threads have been gauging the reaction of the common folk to Experiments. Now, I'm going to have Orion act as an emissary to the various factions for now (aside from Barker) and hopefully get better relations. I figure I can do that, as Orion is a "free agent" of sorts in the Experiments, but he is still obviously one. So, if I'm doing anything wrong here, feel free to let me know. Meantime, though...

IC: Orion, after doing much gauging of the reactions of the common folk, decided that the Experiments would need further help to make peace with others. Help from others who are accepted by them. So, packing up his gear, he went, alone, to the Dragon territory. More specifically, the Peacewood Cafe, as he heard rumors that was where the leaders were based, and that was who he needed to talk to.

Sadly, he only knew where the relative area was. But he figured, if he wandered around Inglewood long enough, he would be approached by a Dragon, most likely a grunt, and he could work from there. And he knew that he would be approached. A glowing blue guy with a back-pack and a dual-halberd wandering alone in Dragon Territory would most definitely cause a stir.

"Now where was that Cafe again..."

[David B.]

Dropping from above, silent like a cat, an individual would land directly in front of Orion, seemingly having jumped from a window or the roof above.

She wore a jacket, unzipped, with a dragon patch over he heart. Covering her nose and mouth was a bandanna, the open mouth of a Dragon where her mouth should be.

Her eyes were a deep purple, and hard as ice. Seemingly alone.

"May I help you?"

She did not turn away, staring blankly into his eyes.

[Orion]

Orion didn't jump as the person landed in front of him. Simply brought his halberd so it's bottom tip was on the ground, showing that he wouldn't be likely to use it right now. If this woman wasn't a Dragon, then he wasn't an Experiment.

"May I help you?"
"Yes, I would be looking for the Dragons. I'm an Emissary from the Experiments, the free ones, not those brainwashed toys that Barker has. We were hoping to negotiate some peaceful relations with the other factions here in California. Seeing as I'm the only "free agent" of the Experiments, and I was once a member of 259, they figured I was the best choice. May I speak to your leaders? Or at the very least someone with pull in the Dragons?"

Calm, collected, the simple image of a diplomat. He was leaning on his weapon now, showing that it was unlikely he would fight now.

[David B.]

She stared blankly at him for a moment.

"You can speak with me. I'm the Mouth of the Dragon."

Basic. Simple. Direct.

[Orion]

Orion shrugged.

"Good enough then. As I said, I serve as an ambassador. Local population views the Free Experiments with... distrust, understandable, as most look similar to Barker's, for obvious reasons. I-we, wish to change that. We want the people to look at us as allies. As people they can depend on. We're not this way because we wanted to be, we had little choice."

Orion considered his next words.

"As well... having allies is necessary. There is a faction within the Experiments that wishes to undermine any peace effort. I'm surprised they haven't gone after me yet... in any case, dealing with them will require the help of people outside the Experiments, who will feel no sympathy or doubt when dealing with them."

Orion stared into her cold blank eyes.

"So, Mouth of the Dragon. Interested?"

[David B.]

"Yes."

She spoke the word singularly, but not out of desperation- it was genuine interest.

"Are there terms? Or just an agreement on mutual assistance?"

The Dragons obviously had no prejudices against anyone, regardless of who you were or thought to be, and it was obvious Orion was no friend of Barkers.

[Orion]

Orion sat down on the ground, laying his weapon across his neck. He supposed that if the Dragons would attack him, they would give him fair warning. That's who they were. He also figured that they wouldn't let him get ambushed in the middle of a diplomatic discussion.

"Well... Mutual assistance seems the best course. These would be my own personal words now. I have noticed, through rumor and fact, that we who oppose Barker are... fractured, split. Part of it is that we all operate differently. You Dragons do things in one manner, the Crows another, and the Experiments yet another. Another is that we are filled with different minds of people. The Gods pride themselves on excellence, as do you. The Crows are a militia, attempting to bring order to the people. The Experiments... Well, we're simply trying to survive. Tsubame's group and the Paladins have gone to dust, as we have heard nothing about them.

"A third part is that, aside from Barker, there's no unifying force. And at our size of groups, that's bad. Barker can fend off a bunch of attacks with no coordination, if each group operates in the same manner throughout the group. However, if were to all unite on common ground, we could benefit each other. You Dragons are, word has, amazing fighters. The Crows are good at inspiring allies. The Rogues... they're a good stealth force. The Gods would double as more fighters, and the Experiments... well, we have our own unique way of contributing. For example, one kid can summon poisonous snakes, with little limit. He summoned 50 at a time once.

"If we combine all of our abilities, cover each other flaws, and yes we all have flaws, then we will serve as a better force against Barker. That's the main goal here: take him down. When he's dead, we'll have time for petty squabbling. In the meantime, he'll kill us if there's any sign of discord in our ranks, and he'll gain more territory, more influence, more power. No one wants that."

Orion paused, realizing he had been talking for some time.

"Sorry. I tend to ramble. Back to your original question, mutual assistance. I am not sure how far that will go, but I suppose a good way to start is to offer my own personal assistance for a time. Is there anything here I can aid you with?"

[David B.]

The girl stared as he spoke, eyes unmoving.

"Yes. But before you do- we have one term of our own. We call it the testing."

A man dropped to The ground beside her, hardly a bit of dust from his landing. His eyes were sharp, a deep blue. His mouth was covered, and his hair. His eyes seemed unphased by this males stature.

"You fight. Prove your worth our time. If you win, we can be friends. If you lose, you'll walk."

She tilted her head to the left.

"Agreed?"

[Orion]

Orion slowly stood, leaving his backpack on the ground. He rolled his shoulders, bringing his weapon back to lean on his shoulder, as the new person dropped to land beside the Mouth.

"You fight. Prove your worth our time. If you win, we can be friends. If you lose, you'll walk."

Orion brought his right hand to lightly rest on the base of his weapon, tapping against it with his fingers.

"So, we fight, huh? Why am I not surprised... I have little choice then. I do apologize if I accidentally kill you. And I will hold nothing against you if you kill me."

Orion rolled his right shoulder, his weapon popping into the air lightly as his grip tightened.

"That out of the way... Agreed."

And he stepped forward, fast, and swung his weapon in an overhead blow at this new man. Orion's eyes drained of it's golden color, being replaced with a dull blood-red. He expected the man to dodge this. If he didn't... oh well. If he caught the blow... well, it would hurt like a bitch.

[David B.]

The masked mans eyes lit up, the girl jumping to the side and away from the battle.

Bs stepped to the right to avoid the blow and pushed forward, aiming a powerful right cross for Orions cheek. He'd then bring up his leg and kick for Orions chest to try and send him flying.

Stats:

Str: 70
Dex 70
Con 70
Int 70
Wis 70
Cha 70

[Orion]

OOC: Sending a guy with straight 70's in stats against a guy who doesn't even have 40 in anything with his items, doesn't have 30 without. And I has no QI.... you suck David! Anyways....

IC: The cross to the face hit. Hard. Orion was unprepared for this man's speed and strength, and he was still in mid-air, so he was sent away from the man. Who luckily missed his kick due to a miscalculation like that. Orion landed on the ground but rolled back to his feet, bringing his weapon up, axe/spear tip pointing at his opponent as he rotated his jaw.

Yep, any harder and he would've lost a few teeth. He was damn lucky that he didn't. But now he would have to resort to defensive fighting: he was better at it, and this guy was way too monstrous to charge head-on. So he would stand there, weapon raised, and wait for his attacker to approach.

[David B.]

OOC: Don't worry- there is a purpose to it. In the end, fighting him will be better for the expiraments.

IC: The man would charge after Orion, leaping forward and throwing out a flying kick aimed for Orions face. The mouth would be standing off to the side, staring at Orion. His movements, his face. Was he afraid? Was he eager? Was he determined? She would take it all in, noting the man fighting Orion was eager and raring to go.

She sighed. She needed to let him out more often....

[Orion]

Flying kick to the face? Huh... Well, when you have a pole-arm, there's a simple way to stop a charging opponent. And if this opponent can't change direction, more the better. Orion would quickly back-step, setting his weapon, bottom tip at the ground, the tip of the weapon pointed at his opponent. He would have him impale himself upon the weapon.

[David B.]

The mans grin would widen under his sash. Changing his direction was impossible, so he would have no choice but to continue flying right at the blade, but movement of form in the air is not restricted. So he would snap the leg back, twist and kick from the side with his other leg. Of course, moving the blade aside would cause him to crash directly into Orions form, knocking them both to the ground. The man would skid a few feet before rolling and planting his toes under him, sliding to a stop.

Then, he lunge forward again, and once close would attempt an uppercut.

[Orion]

Orion grunted as he hit the ground. Bastard was stronger then him, and they both knew it. Orion rolled back to his feet, keeping his grip on his weapon. Listening intently as his opponent approached from behind him. Well, Orion expected as much. The Dragons were always powerful. Hell, he couldn't even match up to one of the weakest ones.

But he didn't care. He had decided long ago that injuries didn't matter. And they didn't: his ancient QI of regeneration was disrupted and re purposed by Valor's experiments. Out of combat, he regenerated quickly, broken bones being healed in a matter of days, scars disappearing. He knew this, but didn't take advantage of it. No point; he could still die during combat. All he was good for was bouncing back.

And that's what he would do. As his opponent approached, he would spin and stab. Time to rely on stabs only until he can hit. If the stab was successful, he would active the Hunt of Orion. If not, we'll see.