Imtar

Nicoale had a bit of a pep in her step. Ok, maybe she wasn't going quite that far, but she was definitely in one of her better moods. Classes had been going well and the recent emphasis on live missions had been a boon to her work. The SDC didn't become less demanding, but the more frequent huntress missions meant that her work windows were on average smaller. They'd adapted without missing a beat by deploying her to shorter assignments or less far afield then they'd used to. Her work load hadn't been reduced - never that - but it had significantly reduced her time spent travelling and overnighting away. That left her with more time at the academy, and for once she might almost be caught up on rest. The shift away from bringing overwhelming force on each mission had also been a pleasant change for her. Overwhelming force was, well, dull. True, she was the first to say that missions weren't a game and reminding teammates not to get careless, but overwhelming force was quietly frustrating. There was barely any chance to use what she was learning from Wulf when any enemy was buried under a pile of students. It did bother her a little that the cause for the shift was to help clear a backlog off of the mission boards rather than Wulf showing confidence in the class, but she'd take what she could get and run with it. When Chapi opened the gate to reveal her pet project, Nicoale blinked, stared, and blinked again. Having a fully operational battlecruiser... that was impressive. And also jealously guarded Atlassian technology. Nicoale decided very firmly not to question what Chapi meant by 'military espionage' and that it would be best to avoid mentioning either around Winter. That aside though, she didn't really know what else to say. A thought struck her, and she shifted her gaze to Chapi. A sickly sweet gaze that loomed over the bun. "Chapi, did you say you stole all of our aura signatures?"

Downtimes Magic School x2 Professional Networking DC 20, Routine Investigation 25, 2 Successes Relationship Building (Wulf) DC 30 Preference for Routine confirmed.

Ok, Nicoale signed her agreement. She'd assumed that Fen had changed locations in part because she wanted some semblance of privacy. Sorin showing up wouldn't help that, but he wasn't wrong about being able to help Fen communicate. Didn't matter. If Fen didn't want Sorin there she could say so. Her scroll buzzed. Nicoale checked it and grimaced. That was my work alarm. I need to get going. I'll have to chase down Chapi after. If you cross paths with Chapi before then can you give me a heads up?

Routine Investigation 20

Nicoale stared after Fen incredulously. Fen insisted, no, she'd practically forced them onto this rescue mission. Now that it was done she was bolting? Just abandoning her brothers? What? Nicoale felt a flash of irritation. Fen was fortunate enough to get a second chance with her family - something that Nicoale would never get. She shook her head, trying to shake it off. It was only somewhat successful. Her Farsight made it trivial to get a look at the paper Fen had handed off. So Fen wanted time alone with them? Maybe. Or maybe she was still panicking. Either way... "If that's all too complicated, let me make it simple." "Time behaves according to a series of stupid and convoluted rules. Those rules mean there is no valid timeline where we show up, kill all those Nevermores, then disappear again. The only possibilities are a world where we don't show up and the Nevermores eat all of you, or a world where we kill the Nevermores and bring you back with us. End of the day, those are the options. I get that this whole situation is disorienting, but I hope you prefer this one." She looked around the flock, making eye contact and trying to both reassure and read them. When she got to Sorin, she quickly signed. One of us should probably check on Chapi. That wasn't like her. Do you want to check on her while I keep an eye on Fen and make sure she doesn't do anything rash? Well, more rash? OOC Lets see what Insight Nicoale has Also just to be clear, following Fen with Farsight

"Let them go," Nicoale offered casually, albeit still in her authority figure voice. She made no move to stop them. "They're not our prisoners." The latter was almost moreso to calm the flock than it was for her teammates. Nicoale herself found the situation crazy, she couldn't blame the brothers for freaking out. The actual explanation was nuts and as far as they knew their sister was in danger. Let them have a minute to calm down. I'll Watch them. If it came to it, she knew the team could overpower them. The brothers had the numbers advantage but they were aura broken and disoriented. That wasn't really the problem. If it came to combat the brothers would almost certainly see them as the enemy and good luck talking with them then. Better to give them that second to calm down. Between her and Chapi it they weren't going to escape. "We'll still be here when you're ready to talk. And don't forget to check your scrolls!" She called after the brothers. Scrolls updated the time automatically whenever one crossed a time zone. She imagined brothers' scrolls would do the same and update their date the moment they connected to the tower, which should be pretty instant. It might not stop them in their tracks, but it was the easiest evidence of their story she could think up in the moment. OOC Still doing the calming authority figure act, so if its needed: Intimidation, if neccessary Also going to set the semblance to Farsight and keep track of the Fable brothers. Perception, if neccessary

Perception DC 30

Nicoale was quiet for the split second that was the journey home. Part of her found it amusing that a machine that could travel through time could do it in no time at all. Shouldn't such a... Delores that could part time itself have a dramatic charge up or something? Mostly though, she was quiet because it wasn't her place to talk. These were Fen's brothers. Fen's family. Fen's mission. Fen's reunion. Fen's right to start the conversation. If it were her own mom and dad, how would... no. No. They were gone. Delores didn't change anything. She watched as Fen spoke in absolute silence. Fen frozen, growing panic and realization in her eyes. "Correct, your sister did awaken a semblance," she answered the brother who'd tried to deescalate, still carrying that authoritative tone. Very deliberately, she started using the older, obvious sign language as she continued. "It explosively magnifies any sound she makes. Quite dangerous, as you're no doubt aware. But in time, she learned it had a second mode - smothering sound and keeping her absolutely silent. She leaves it on the second mode." "I know this is a lot to take in, but may I introduce my teammate." She extended a hand. "Fen Fable." Don't worry, Nicoale signed with the newer method, We're here. Just say what you want to say. I, or we, can translate.

Nicoale withdrew her hand and didn't contest Fen making it clear she wasn't bowing to her. Instead she carefully kept the trace of apprehension she'd felt off her face. She couldn't imagine Fen intentionally hurting her brothers, but she had her doubts how clear Fen was thinking with her brothers on the line. She banished the thought and boarded Delores. That didn't matter now. They were almost home.

Nicoale was already dropping from her branch when the last Nevermore started dissolving. Things were going as well as they could have hoped. The Nevermores were down and the Fable brothers were already in Delores. All they had to do was- She took a quick-step next to Fen and laid a hand on Screeching Raven. Firm, but not pushing. "There's no need for that." She put all the authority she'd gained in her years on the job into her words. Only a little of it was for Fen. Most of it was to keep her brothers in line. "Lets get on board. That little girl is still out there." We're almost there. She needs us to get her brothers home, not alarm them into trying something stupid. OOC Projecting authority to calm things down and keep the Fables in-line. Nicoale will get on Delores immediately. Intimidation

The Nevermores kept swooping, but it was trivial enough for Nicoale to use the cover of the tree and the threat of Caladbolg to keep the grimm off of her. She took advantage of her relative breathing room to take careful aim at the nearest Nevermore, already pinned down by supporting fire. OOC Free: Set array to MYS [Physical] {10}, Imp. MYS [Physical] {10}, Damage Linked Weaken [Resistance] {22}, Ranged {10}, Precise {1}, Variable Descriptor {2} Move: nah Standard: Shoot Nevermore 8, taking the open +5 aid to PA 5. On hit, DC 31/26 vs Damage & Weaken [Resistance] Nevermore 8

( Short on time atm. Will edit description in later ) OOC Free: Set array to MYS [Physical] {10}, Imp. MYS [Physical] {10}, Secondary Effect Damage {22}, Ranged {10}, Precise {1}, Variable Descriptor {2} Move: Take cover in the tree at N35 Standard: Going to take the open Team Attack on Nevermore 3 and shoot it. On hit, DC 28 vs Secondary Effect Damage Shoot Nevermore 3

While its probably not the smartest play I'm going to burn a HP to reroll the deflect because meh. Deflect Becomes 31. Success.

Nicoale Deflect Via Brown DC 27

Nicoale didn't once glance aside at Fen only because she didn't have to. Her semblance let her keep a close watch on Fen while they piled into the robot booth. It was hard to imagine what was going through her head. Was she thinking about what would happen after they succeeded? Or was she nervous for the moment? Nicoale was still unsettled at idea that maybe her parents could be saved. Would- No. No, best not even think about it. Not now. What they were doing was already disturbing enough. Best to stay focused on the mission. Once they arrived, Nicoale would need to scout the battlefield from afar, pick the right time for the team to join the fight. The doors opened to a fierce battle already in progress. ... Or not. Nicoale shook it off. They were already here. She had to stay on mission. So Nicoale darted out the door, already aiming a railgun-mode-caladbolg at the nearest nevermore. She couldn't fly like her teammates, but neither could a Nevermore if a well-placed shot broke a wing. So as she moved, she aimed careful. Counted the timing on the wingstroke. Took her shots, then moved for cover. Just like she'd drilled. OOC Free: Set array to Ranged, Penetrating Damage Linked Penetrating Affliction (Impaired + Vulnerable / Stunned + Disabled) Move: Out of the booth, Standard action to attack, then Move-By-Attack to take cover behind the tree at P37 Standard: Shoot Nevermore 6. On hit DC 26+/21+ vs Damage/Affliction (Impaired + Vulnerable / Stunned + Disabled)