ORB - RD9 ➵ First Op

[forgothowtomiss]

Well, it looks like we're not in Kansas anymore, Toto.

Nat, if you're here, this is completely not my fault. I vote we blame Tony; it's not like the bossman won't buy that.

[He tries to thumb at something at his throat, but...there's nothing there.

Muttered:]

Alright, and my gear's gone.  Awesome.

[Mostly his comm. He could probably have figured this out if he had his comm, or at least have been able to get in touch with base and figure out what the hell just happened.

At least he's got his bow still.]

Comments

[toxic_tsarina]

[Without a second though or a moment's hesitation, Tasha is on her way, watching where she's going while talking into the orb.]

Where are you, agent?

[forgothowtomiss]

Three clicks south of the castle.

What the hell happened?

[toxic_tsarina]

On my way, if it wasn't obvious.

Did you touch the book?

[forgothowtomiss]

...if I said no, would you believe me?

I'll wait. Might as well try to get the lay of the land while I'm here anyway.

[Translation: he might be off the ground by the time she gets there.]

[toxic_tsarina]

[She gives the orb a look usually reserved for Hawkeye.] Of course.

[Natasha 'shuts off' her Orb (or however you wanted to word it) and is where she believes she'll find Barton soon as her body can carry her. This new role makes for a noisier outfit than she's used to, but she's getting over it, learning that a Blade Dancer doesn't need to be silent to kill, to hunt. Not immediately seeing him, she sends out her half of their agreed upon location verification whistle.]

[forgothowtomiss]

[His half follows after a beat, and down he comes, landing lightly on the ground.

He's dressed in a getup that's reminiscent of Robin Hood, all muted earth tones and heavy cloth with a darker cloak that furls out behind him almost like wings when he lands, although he seems more irritated at it than anything else.]

This has to be some kind of sick joke. I mean...what is this, the world takeover of Medieval Times or something?

[toxic_tsarina]

[It isn't until he's in her sight that Tasha relaxes some, having worried before it was trickery. That whistle is like a lullaby.

She gives him a once over, circling him the whole while. She snickers as she fingers his cloak, coming back to stand in front of him.] Let me guess; you've been given the role of lovable rogue?

[forgothowtomiss]

[A smirk.]

Better than obnoxious bard.

I could've done without the cloak though, that's a little over the top.

So what card did you draw?

[Because who has time for board games when your LIFE is practically d&d?]

[toxic_tsarina]

[Natasha looks down at her own ridiculous wears.] I almost thought town whore, but apparently I'm a blade dancer.

I think the cape suits you. It certainly feeds into your ego by drawing attention to yourself. Because you need more of that.

[She needs to get back to Loki and the others, but gives Barton time for one more question before making her move. It's overwhelming, the first day, and with this being her second, it's no less chaotic.]

[forgothowtomiss]

Well that sounds appropriate, at least.

[He scoffs at the jibe though.]

Hey, it's not purple, I'd say that's an improvement.

So who's the big battle against this time?

[toxic_tsarina]

[She nods the way she came and moves in the direction, slow enough for him to take the hint and follow.]

You're actually just in time for the first of what I'm guessing is many. The Hero of the Mountain they're calling her. Seems like she helped some other village but soon as she left, things reverted back to their dismal state. So, obviously, we don't know if she's the real deal or some impostor. The King's missing, too; some of us think she's killed him, but the townsfolk adore her.

[Tasha huffs, continues:] Our main objective is to keep the forest of thorns at bay and eventually get rid of them completely. I've only been here a day myself, started collecting information on some of the others who've been called, kidnapped, whatever you want to call it. You should know that Thor's here and so is Loki, only he's from a year prior to our meeting him. And...he's not himself.

[forgothowtomiss]

..."not himself" how?

[Given that it's Loki? That could mean just about anything. The rest of the situation he can deal with easily enough, it's just another mission, but throwing Loki into the mix? Well that's a whole new can of worms.]

[toxic_tsarina]

He's blue, for one. His skin, not his emotional state, and he called himself the prince of Jötunn. Thor thinks there's good in him, yet, but... Did you know about this? Was there any hints when you were with him?

[She's not accusing him, but there's still concern laced into her tone. Because if Clint had known and chosen to keep that to himself, she'd have to wonder just what else he'd learned and hidden away.]

[shorterinperson]

If you need weapons, there are plenty to be had in the armory.

[forgothowtomiss]

Think I'm good on that front, but I appreciate it.

So what's the deal here?

[shorterinperson]

We've been kidnapped and recruited to take part in the struggle between order and chaos. Our mission would appear to be to eliminate the thorns that have taken over at least one entire village to the south.

[forgothowtomiss]

Got a mission commander or something, or are we on our own here?

[So he can categorically ignore them, because this is how he rolls.]

[shorterinperson]

We are essentially on our own. [ The King is so useless he doesn't even count.

Also she's not really upset that he's missing. ]

[forgothowtomiss]

Awesome.

[Feel free to decide if he thinks that's a good thing or a bad thing; he left it vague for a reason.]

[shorterinperson]

[ It's a horrible thing and Alanna hates it. ]

There have been a few attempts to organize [ by her ] but for the most part we are scattered.

[forgothowtomiss]

Nothing wrong with operating in cells; I never really bought into the whole...phalanx thing anyway. Grouping everybody together? Just SOUNDS like you're asking for trouble.

[shorterinperson]

Small groups can be beneficial, but only if they're working together. Disparate groups will only interfere with each other and create chaos and death.

[forgothowtomiss]

Well you're just a bundle of sunshine and kittens, aren't you.

[shorterinperson]

I am a knight. It is my duty to protect these people, regardless of circumstance.

[forgothowtomiss]

Uh-huh. Which is why you're all doom and gloom.

[shorterinperson]

I've been kidnapped, taken away from my friends, my family, my children, and apparently I am the only one interested in actually returning all of us home.

I'm a bit frustrated, is all.

[forgothowtomiss]

Nah, you can't be the only one, there's got to be at least one or two around. Or at least someone who could help you out.

...actually. I know a guy. You'll know him if he ever shows up.

[shorterinperson]

If he isn't here, he can't be much help.

[shadow_sage]

Another victim.

[A wry smile plays over her face; that wasn't really a question at all.]

They seem to be rather desperate, don't they?

[forgothowtomiss]

Depends on who you mean by "they".

[shadow_sage]

Those responsible for bringing us here.

[forgothowtomiss]

Which would be...?

[shadow_sage]

I'm not sure. But I arrived today, and you sound new as well. There are a good many more people who have only been here a few days. So whoever is sending for us hasn't been slowing down.

[forgothowtomiss]

Great. Because mysterious kidnappers always puts people at ease.

[shadow_sage]

It's one of their better attributes.

[fun_vee]

Hardly. Medieval's not really my thing, bird brain.

[forgothowtomiss]

Hey, good of you to join us, metal man.

You never know, it could have been some weird new project you were working on and forgot to mention. Not like you don't have a reputation for that kind of thing.

[fun_vee]

Let's just go through how that sounds:

"Hey, Fury? Scratch all those high-tech weapons projects you want me to look at, I've got something new going on. No, I'm not working on the suit; it's a side project. A temporal portal to send the team back to the stone age. Why? Well shit, I couldn't tell you."

What part of that sounds like me?

[forgothowtomiss]

...alright, fine, I'll give you that much. The big guy, then. Some kind of...interstellar mission that Fury just forgot to mention?

[fun_vee]

You're big on this 'forgot to mention' thing. I don't forget to mention, I just choose not to. And if it's a mission, Fury always mentions. Repeatedly.

[forgothowtomiss]

Unless he decides it would be more "fun" for him not to.

"Fun" in this context meaning "team building" or "educational".

[thoreal]

[He squints at the Orb.] Barton?

[forgothowtomiss]

Hey, big guy. Looks like the gang's all here.

[thoreal]

It would seem so. [He seems less happy about this than he otherwise might; this isn't wonderful timing.]

...My brother is here, as well. But-- [He adds this, quickly:] He will not know you. Nor what happened to you. What... he did.