THE MOMENT
"He's mega obnoxious, but there's some gold dust on his heart," Morgan giggled as she discussed their new group member. Morgan, Jubilee, and Honey were headed uptown, toward the rampaging monster seen almost a dozen blocks away.
"And, these words can never land on his ears," Honey added with a giggle. "Ark's easily a top-tier Banner Knight. He might be as good in reality as Grace is in the Pineapple Cup," she said. Jubilee appreciated the reference she could understand. She and Honey quickly became friends over their shared love of the Pineapple Cup movie.
"That's some high praise," Jubilee giggled. The three of them laughed even louder as the 15-story werewolf gave a monstrous howl with perfect timing. He seemed to agree with Jubilee's statement in the way a family dog might get their vote. The downtown area had its share of shoppers moving between the shops ignoring the commotion; it was expected on a Saturday.
"We totally don't need him to be that good today, but, he'll help us kill faster. His performance kind of makes up for his lame personality. Just letting you know going in," Morgan added.
"And, don't worry about being nice for our sakes," Honey said. "You can't damage our reputation with him, we're not friends."
"Obviously, wow," Jubilee giggled. "Does anyone like Ark?" she asked. She'd heard mostly negative things once they agreed to accept him as a fourth. And, it wasn't like Honey and Morgan to be quite so savage.
"Not really," Honey shrugged.
"Feels like he wants it that way," Morgan added. "You'll see once you meet him. I dunno, he's got a vibe; his aura's way harsh." The conversation drifted to new topics as they completed the journey and arrived at the park two blocks from the monster's position and one block into the hazard zone. The usual parkgoers that Jubilee had seen on occasion were replaced by knights, druids, wizards, ninjas, and more. Groups were coordinating with and against each other for the best locations. The monster was a wandering world-raid boss that followed a set path allowing different parties the chance to deal as much damage as possible while still contending with minion adds. It was one of dozens happening across the world that Saturday morning.
"It's about time!" A lanky, pale teenager in black clothes marched toward the three of them with purpose once he spotted them.
[/p - Is he a unicorn? - Jubilee] he had long rainbow hair cascading around his face with the rest of it pulled back in ponytail. She knew unicorns existed in this world along with fairies, dragons and slimes, which she'd already met. She was surprised and trying to be discreet that she forgot a key detail about their group.
[/p - Yes he is. - A.R.K.] she felt the reply on her wrist as his pink crystalline eyes stared at her. She was immediately embarrassed; but, the feeling evaporated quickly. She was glad that Morgan had mentioned it, because she might not have noticed it otherwise. It wasn't a faux pas to feel bad about if his feelings didn't matter, right? She watched the thought coast along her mind and wasn't happy about it; that didn't feel like her.
"I'm sorry," she made a point to apologize.
"For what? Is it your fault you're late?" Ark asked her directly; but, Jubilee also received a Whisper for him at the same time.
[/p It's fine. OOC here plz. - A.R.K.] It was the first time that'd happened to her since Jubilee first set foot in this world and got her own nanos. She was capable of talking through Whispers and normal conversation and even alternating. But, she'd never received both inputs at once and it was a little confusing.
"OOK... where? what??" she asked trying to sound out the acronym. Then, it happened again.
[/p Out. Of. Character. - Honey] explained with a Whisper.
"OOK!?" Ark laughed aloud. "Is that some fancy Card Mage skill I don't know about, or are you insane?" he asked. Both replies arrived at the same time.
"Hold on, time out, pause," Jubilee shook her head.
[/p I don't break character - A.R.K.] the Whisper came instantly as he glared at her.
"Well? What is it?" He asked. Jubilee didn't know what to think for a moment. He said he wasn't going to 'pause' but, he obviously understood the trouble and made the effort to change his approach. And, the other three even remained silent to give her a moment, despite Ark's confusing passive objection. Her brain managed to catch up thanks to the extra time, and she had an idea to deal with Ark on his level. There were some stumbles along the way, but she was in fact there to play along.
"I was calling YOU an OOK!" she fired back. "It's derogatory, because.... look at you," she had fun gesturing up and down his gangly frame. We're here already, so just chill out and let's go finish this fight. It's just some rogue general, I don't get what the big deal is," she said.
[/p Not a bad recovery, thanks. - A.R.K.] he thanked Jubilee with a group Whisper and waited almost a full second before he continued in character.
"Oh you don't get it do you!? Of course you don't," he turned and glared around at all three girls smiling, everyone was having fun now. "You're all a bunch of idiots raised on fairytales of how the big bad evil overlord was defeated and all is well in the world. Well we don't live in a FUCKING FANTASY!" he dramatically turned and gestured at the werewolf on its way back in their direction for extra gravitas. It might've been a great gamer moment, except Jubilee ruined it. She burst out into a fit of giggles.
"YOU'RE A FREAKIN' UNICORN!" she said and Morgan and Honey immediately joined the laughter. But, the most surprising response was Ark's. His somber expression softened into a light smile first; but, then Honey corrected Jubilee.
“Half unicorn, half vampire,” she said through her giggles. It wasn't long before the damn broke and Ark allowed himself to laugh too.
"Damnit...," he chuckled and shook his head. "Fuck you for ruining it, now let's go kill a giant werewolf," his smile remained as the four of them moved toward the oncoming disaster.