As with most things, there is a beginning

[runmakitarun]

Earlier today Makita spoke to the people on her team she could find, and left notes with Bar for those she couldn't. Today is the day. It's time to go back.

While she's spoken to her team about what to expect, at least to some degree, no one's gotten a full briefing yet. She's pushed some tables out of the way to form a sort of open space in one corner of the bar, and as people begin to arrive she's starting to unpack the five military-style duffel bags at her feet, laying the contents out on the tables nearby. Grenades, mines, boxes of ammo, and a few guns are slowly spread out like a deadly little buffet.

Comments

Introductions

[runmakitarun.livejournal.com]

The last of the team arrives before Makita finishes unpacking her final bag, so she takes a break. "Okay, this is everyone. I know some of you already know each other, but some of you don't. We're going to be working together, so introductions all around."

"You all know me," she shrugs, "but I'm Makita. Fast, quiet, good with a pistol. And I know the terrain way better than the Reds do. I'm also the one who knows the most about killing them, though Miho," who gets a nod, "has fought them before too."

These people are capable of handling introductions. She already knows them, and she knows why she picked them to come, so she turns to finish unpacking the last of her gear.

Re: Introductions

[slayer_fray]

Mel's lounging against a pillar, waiting for people, and gives them all nods. She knows most of them, though to different extents.

Re: Introductions

[song_tra_bong]

Mary Anne offers up a small wave.

"Hey. You pretty much all know me, but in case you're feeling forgetful, I'm Mary Anne."

Re: Introductions

[3rdtimelucky.livejournal.com]

"Good to see you, Hot Stuff," says Goldy.

She moves alongside Mary Anne and garnishes the remark with an unsubtle ass squeeze—pretty inappropriate in any public circumstance, not least a tense combat briefing. Goldy has never been one to get overly worked up before a life threatening situation. Nor has she been one to adhere to the rules of propriety.

Re: Introductions

[song_tra_bong]

Propriety be damned. Also, it's been entirely too long since Mary Anne got an ass squeeze from Goldy. Her idea of an appropriate response is an ass-smack.

"Good to see you too, gorgeous."

Re: Introductions

[3rdtimelucky.livejournal.com]

Goldy grins delightedly and bumps Mary Anne's hip with her own.

"You're looking delicious, as always. If we weren't due to leave in a few minutes, I'd be tempted to drag you upstairs and do a little making up for lost time."

She gives a dramatic sigh.

"But... combat awaits. What are two immortal girls to do?"

Re: Introductions

[song_tra_bong]

"Why, thank you, sexy."

She grins. "Never fear; we'll just have to make up for even more lost time when we get back."

She tilts her head, contemplating. "Well...we could be fabulously badass, help to save the day, defy certain death, and then cap it off with drinks and medals all around."

Re: Introductions

[3rdtimelucky.livejournal.com]

Amongst her other kit, Goldilocks is toting the unwieldy Red Fleet Dragunov sniper rifle with her when she arrives. On the clothing side she's sporting a gray-white patterned Arctic combat jacket with matching pants, fingerless gloves, and a scarf. There's also a very Russian-looking fur hat under one arm, not unlike Makita's.

She looks a bit flustered.

"Hello all. Sorry I'm late; Steph was doing her insufferable Mother Hen thing."

"I'm Goldilocks, but you can call me Goldy," she adds for the benefit of the team member she's not familiar with. "Fable, immortal, markswoman, assassin, yadda yadda yadda... nice to meet you."

She glances at Mel and wonders how she managed to dodge Steph's pre-departure fussing over suitable warm clothes and the like.

Re: Introductions

[slayer_fray]

Mel rubs the back of her neck.

"Mike says hi," she tells her. That's an answer to a question not asked.

Re: Introductions

[3rdtimelucky.livejournal.com]

Goldy's mouth opens in a silent 'ahh' which is accompanied by an enlightened nod.

"Steph says don't get dead," she replies.

Re: Introductions

[slayer_fray]

"Did you tell her she should stop making it look so fun?" Mel asks, then slides her small backpack off her back. "That reminds me, I have something for you..."

Re: Introductions

[dead-comrade.livejournal.com]

"Krauser." He's not really expecting a lot of mingling, at the beginning, but he always likes to give everyone a chance to get used to who they're not shooting at.

Re: Introductions

[slayer_fray]

Mel nods in the direction of the only person she doesn't know. He's about the same size as half her friends at home; he'll do.

"Mel."

Re: Introductions

[dead-comrade.livejournal.com]

Do for what? Paperweight?

"Seen this sort of thing before?"

Re: Introductions

[slayer_fray]

"Sorceresses with bodyguards in a war-torn city covered in snow?"

Mel shakes her head, smirking.

"I killed some Nazis once, though."

Re: Introductions

[3rdtimelucky.livejournal.com]

Goldy trusts Makita's team selection, and doesn't particularly need to know anything about the guy's skillset. Nevertheless, she's not going to miss an opportunity for snark.

"You're more than the token testosterone I take it."

There's a smirk to go with her comment.

Re: Introductions

[dead-comrade.livejournal.com]

Ah, the initial giving-each-other-a-hard-time phase. "Oh, yeah." They're from different species and aren't going to get each other, but: "Makita figured this should take long enough that, sooner or later, someone's going to want a jar opened."

Hey, some humans like pre-combat banter. He can play along.

Re: Introductions

[3rdtimelucky.livejournal.com]

A pretty good comeback. Goldy likes him already. Not that her deadpan reply gives anything away in that respect:

"I'll try and remember to swoon and call you 'my hero' when that time comes."

Re: Introductions

[twiststheblade]

Miho doesn't really do introductions. Sure, people are welcome to talk to her, and she'll smile back, and assess them - well, one of them, anyway. She knows the other women. But talking ain't her style. At all.

Re: Introductions

[song_tra_bong]

Doesn't stop people from talking to her.

"Hey there, sweetness."

Re: Introductions

[twiststheblade]

That's true. It doesn't.

Miho smiles at her, and sidles closer, almost-but-not-quite invading her personal space. Hey. She's missed Mary Anne.

Re: Introductions

[song_tra_bong]

Mary Anne's missed her, too.

"'S been a while. You doing okay?"

Re: Introductions

[3rdtimelucky.livejournal.com]

It's been a while since their paths crossed.

Goldy had known Miho was going to be here. She's been trying not to dwell on the fact. However, now that she sees her again it proves difficult to ignore the memories and long suppressed feelings.

She doesn't hesitate for long when their eyes finally meet. There's a little sigh... and then... a smile.

It may not seem like much. It's just a smile. But it's heartfelt and genuine, and it carries a weight of emotion. It's the most Miho has gotten from her ex-lover in a long time.

Re: Introductions

[twiststheblade]

Miho nods, and smiles back. She's. . . been having an easier time of this, perhaps, than Goldy. Because for a while, she didn't feel anything at all, and it's easy not to be hurt when you can't feel pain.

But. . . Perhaps, they can be friends again.

Miho would like that.

Re: Introductions

[3rdtimelucky.livejournal.com]

Goldy's smile doesn't waver or fade.

Over the months, the agonizing pain of the loss has subsided into dull heartache for her. The throb is more pronounced right now, at the moment of confrontation, but it's also... tolerable. If she can continue to handle it, friendship may be a possibility.