Truman: Woohoo! Let's take the shortcut! *wishes for bigger forest* Tag! You're It! *taps Haru and runs away* Can't get me!
Haruka: What? You said race, not a game of tag. But have it your way! *Haruka urges the Earth-Rex on and managers to catch up with Truman and Alpha-Rex. After two failed attempts Haruka succeeds in tapping Truman.* Haruka: Now you’re it! *Earth-Rex quickly changes direction and speeds away*
*Earth-Rex makes a very sharp turn and Haruka looses his balance. He start to fall, but wind catches him and eases him to the ground.* Fuu: *folding his arms* Honestly... What was that good for? Haruka: It was fun! *rises to his feet* And besides... *walks over and pull Fuu close* What could ever happen as long as my knight in shining armour is near? *gives Fuu a peck on the lips*
Truman: Waaaah! *Crash in forest is heard. Then a giant splash. Truman stands at the edge of the forest draped in Alpha - a muddy tent of sticks and wet leaves and soil* Seeker: Truman, what did you think would happen you tried to turn a few tons on a dime? Truman: That was AWESOME! *lifts arms to look at the mess* Eeew! Welp, time to clean up, Alpha! *shamble toward the stream, then Alpha suddenly balloons out like an auto air-bag. A corona of mud and debris spreads out into the forest, then Truman walks back wearing perfectly clean Alpha-suit.* I love it when it does that!
Corona: *Blinks* Damn son, that was impressive. Who the hell tailored that suit of yours? Leech: It's probably some techie Star Trek-type armor. Kinda like what Steelsmith flies around in. Corona: Even her gear doesn't do stuff like that.
*All of the creatures flicker and disappear as Niki falls unconscious. Luna catches her, sits on the ground, and puts Niki onto her lap.* Luna: Sorry guys, but I think the petting zoo is over. She's pushed herself too far, again. Zeke: You really need to talk to her about that. She's trying to impress you, you know. Luna: I will, and I know. Hey, Truman, what exactly can that Alpha thing do? It kind of seems like it can do anything. Zeke: *To Leech and Corona* I'm more interested in what you two are talking about. You guys have some kind of power armor, too?
Corona: Yeah, some heroes and villains are of a more intellectual bend, and most of them use power armor to compensate for their physical weaknesses. Monsoon: And Steelsmith is probably the apex predator there. Her armor is nuts, just like her dad's. Leech: *Shrugs* and you'll find clunkier suits used by the police and army. But they're not in great abundance, since power armor is hardly cheap.
Zeke: Any chance we could get one of those? One of our friends need some more firepower. All he's got is defense. Luna: I'm not sure we can take things from other stories.
Truman: Yeah, but not cheap. Mag-moeba was originally developed by a toy company for custom 3D moulding and design. A square meter (1Kg) was about a million bucks to produce. It's basically magnetic goo that responds to signals. It'll change its density from snot to hardened steel, instantly. It holds it own charge and transfers most any energy in many ways. As armor, it absorbs impacts to charge itself. It can take a 20mm cannon hit, but the second hit would cook me. It's all physics and CPU power - something we couldn't provide. Seeker bought the patents and fixed that, then made them autonymous - with a moral code. The military tried to weaponize them. They refused. They were great for protection, rescue and field medics. Saved my ass! Heh heh.
From what I understand a couple of characters in one story left here to fight an enemy in another story. That's where the gross centipede monster came from, I think. Must be back in the threads somewhere... post 1220, give or take. I was a little drunker then, so I may be wrong.
Fuu: Now there is an interesting idea! After all, possessing something your enemies doesn’t gives you the advantage. Haruka: Actually I side more with Luna on this one. Fuu: Why? Haruka: For starters, even of we were to get something here, how would it get explained over in our story? Especially if it is something that doesn’t quite fit in with the setting? Fuu: Well... Our writer would have to think of a reason for it. And give credit to the original creator in the afterword. Haruka: No, I think it’s best to stick with what we got. *To Corona, Monsoon and Leech.* So your world has a mix of tech and powers?
Corona: Kinda. See most of the 'techie' people have powers too. It's just that their powers are tied to the brain. Some kinda mutation that makes them ridiculously smart in certain fields. Monsoon: So some might be amazing at engineering, some might be masters at genetic manipulation... a rare few are able to work in most fields of science. Corona: Don't really care for the gene-modders, personally. Doctor Manticore is a creep.
Fuu: That makes sense. In Sekai people can have control over the same element, but it manifests differently for each of them. For example, just because your element is air doesn’t automatically mean you can fly. Haruka: Now, if I may change the subject… I think Niki was on to something earlier. And we all might need to relax some more. However, since the petting zoo is over, I have an idea. Given that Sekai doesn’t seem to have the right climate for them I had accepted that I would miss it this year, but Truman’s forest made me realize I could have it here instead. *The surroundings change into a grove of cherry trees in full bloom.* Fuu: *in awe* It’s so beautiful. Haruka: It sure is. *an almost loving tone seep into his voice.* Sakura. Fuu: *suspiciously* And who is Sakura?! Haruka: *motioning at the trees* In my home these trees are called sakura. Fuu: Oh… And what is the point of all this, by the way? Haruka: They bloom a very brief period, thus they are a symbol that life is beautiful but short. And they are also an excuse for… *Blankets and baskets appear.* Haruka: …a picnic. Anyone up for it?
Isabel: A picnic sounds fun! What’ve we got in the ways of food? Rani: So we’re just not questioning the spontaneous picnic supplies from nowhere? Katie: Not the weirdest thing we’ve seen. Rani: Still.
Haruka: *To Truman* Well, anywhere you want, I guess? *He sits down on a blanket with one of the baskets.* Haruka: Now, let’s see what we got here. *He takes out one plate of rice balls and one plate of skewered dumplings.* Haruka: Perfect. Now all that is missing is… *He searches though the basket and finds a small ceramic bottle and two flat saucer-like cups.* Haruka: Can’t have a flower viewing without it. *Fuu walks closer.* Fuu: I don’t really see the point in this. *Haruka pats the empty space next to him. Fuu sighs, then sit down. Haruka pours into the two cups.* Haruka: The point is enjoying the scenery, the food… *hands Fuu one of the cups* …and the company. Fuu: I guess taking your mind off things isn’t that bad sometimes… *He takes a sip then quickly puts the cup aside.* Disgusting! Haruka: What’s wrong? Fuu: Too sweet. *Haruka empties his own cup before putting it aside.* Haruka: Well, I for one prefer it that way. *Haruka takes one of the skewers and bite off one of the dumplings. Fuu takes a rice ball and start eating.* Fuu: But I guess life would be dull if everyone had the same tastes.
Truman: *takes a seat on his blanket, pulls his basket closer, closes his eyes, then opens basket* Fried Chicken! My favorite! Mmm, so good. Now just need some... *puts out his hand* ... ice tea! Ahhh, perfect! What else do you guys do at a picnic?
Haruka: I suppose that depends on the situation. I mean, a picnic with the family is definitely different from one as a date. *bites off another dumpling* But in general it may involve games like tossing the frisbee. Fuu: I wouldn’t know… This is the first time I’ve ever done something like this… Haruka: … Fuu: Oh no, I know that look. You have gotten one of your ideas again. Haruka: I actually think you’ll like this one. But that is for a later time.
Luna: While a picnic seems nice, *Stands up and picks up Niki.* I think I'm going to go find this one a proper bed. I should also make sure she didn't exhaust herself too much. Thank you for having us. *She leaves with Niki.* Zeke: See ya. *Sits down with the others.* I'll admit, this is kinda nice. Although, I've never seen pink trees before. What's the deal with that? Some kind of magic or something?
Monsoon: Yeah, cherry blossoms are some of the finest things from Japan. My old man was from out that way, and uh... is still locked up out that way. Kinda want to visit the country more often. Corona: Well you could always use the teleporter. *Takes a seat near the others* Monsoon: I would, if we weren't so busy all the time. Black Sun: Don't worry. Victory will make your free time all the more precious.
Katie: Oh, okay, so we're really not talking about the spontaneous picnic supplies. Or the spontaneous food. Anyways, you've never seen pink trees? Back home, it's not uncommon to see them when they're blooming. They don't stay pink, of course, but still. Where are you from?
Haruka: My understanding it that this place can make pretty much anything you want. You just have to think it.
