Skyside Prime

[Earl of Purple]

Cloudshark Casino Open Scene!

A large building in an opulent area, well guarded by security that is just unobtrusive enough to blend in without losing their inherent intimidation factor. Or at least, usually. Right now, it's a scene of chaos. The patrons are running in fear, abandoning their cards, as the guards unleash the firepower of their tommy guns and semi-automatic pistols at a figure hovering near the ceiling. The figure is a shining figure of white plastic and blue lights, a woman in a skin-tight costume under bulkier plastic armour with a gravitic repulsor unit mounted on her back as she peppers the guards with rapid blasts of light from wrist-mounted energy blasters.

The supervillain known as iWear has been quiet since her run-in with the tech-eating Legion, but now she's making herself known by robbing the casino's vault- or she will, once she's got there.

[Gullara]

[Lake]

Utayo arches her eyebrow. "I'm aware of what the term describes. It might describe me, but I'd never use it. The only purpose of the term seems to define some arbitrary differences between people that I can only imagine having malign effects. The presence of augmentation is not a defining trait."

A bit of the intensity drops out of her voice as she continues. "I have noted that augmentation is present on this plane, which doesn't surprise me given the other technology I've witnessed. It's not my current subject of focused study, but it's certainly possible I'll learn something valuable in my time here."

[Shadowcaller]

[Lake]

The dragon tilts her head to the side. Utayo's reaction provoking a curiosity. "Apologies. I didn't know the term was considered so divisive. I only came to learn it after coming to this plane as even the idea is unknown in my own. But here even other dragons use it which is part of why I find it fascinating."

[Gullara]

[Lake]

Utayo shakes her head. "No need to apologize. I simply see little benefit in separating people into such categories. Especially when you consider the many varied reasons that someone might obtain augmentations."

"But I won't linger on that. It's quite advanced technology to modify the body as such, as it's very dangerous when done improperly. This is the first other plane I've encountered which I've observed the phenomenon."

[Keeper]

Cloudshark Casino Open Scene!

A large building in an opulent area, well guarded by security that is just unobtrusive enough to blend in without losing their inherent intimidation factor. Or at least, usually. Right now, it's a scene of chaos. The patrons are running in fear, abandoning their cards, as the guards unleash the firepower of their tommy guns and semi-automatic pistols at a figure hovering near the ceiling. The figure is a shining figure of white plastic and blue lights, a woman in a skin-tight costume under bulkier plastic armour with a gravitic repulsor unit mounted on her back as she peppers the guards with rapid blasts of light from wrist-mounted energy blasters.

The supervillain known as iWear has been quiet since her run-in with the tech-eating Legion, but now she's making herself known by robbing the casino's vault- or she will, once she's got there.

Cloudshark Casino

It takes a few minutes for backup to arrive but eventually it does, walking purposefully through the front door. A large light-furred minotaur in a silvery outfit and wearing a blindfold (that doesn't actually blind her). She's carrying only a finely made sai in one huge three-fingered hand. Not a spec of technology on her compared to iWear (except for a cell phone turned off and hidden in her gi).
Tempest is a minor cape in Skyside. But there aren't that many capes in Skyside so iWear might know her.
"Alright, I'm gonna only say this once. Shove off with the blasters or I can and will start punching the ever-loving shit out of you."
Yeah Tempest is known for being about as blunt as a fist through a wall.

[Earl of Purple]

Cloudshark Casino

"Help me fight these goons and get into the Vault, and there's a lot of money with your name on. I'm only here for as many metal ingots as I can carry- the rest of the vault's yours, if you want it." The supervillain's known for not caring much about money, often leaving reasonably large quantities behind and instead blowing things up or deliberately baiting a fight with another supervillain. Breaking into a casino's vault and not taking the money is a bit more unusual, though the casino is also the biggest target she's so far gone after. Most chatter in the cape community is iWear is either a bored noble or independently wealthy, in the game for the thrills and not the money.

iWear is remaining up near the ceiling, however, a sparkling energy shield flaring as it blocks a blast of gunfire from one of the braver goons, who happens to be standing near Tempest.

[Morty]

[Cloudshark Casino]

At least one of the patrons isn't running. A towering orc man, grey skin under lighter grey hair and impressive mustache, strides purposely towards the villain. In his left hand is a sabre and in his right hand, a multi-barrelled handgun. The sabre is crackling with some kind of energy.

"Tempting offer, but I take it really personally when someone tries to rob a place where I'm trying to have some fun."

[Keeper]

Cloudshark Casino

Mina shrugs. "Look, I'm not gonna act like this is the most squeaky-clean establishment full of innocents, but you're still shooting up a place and robbing it when they didn't do crap to you. How about you walk away and nobody has to get hit at all?"
It sounds like she's not interested in money.

[Earl of Purple]

Cloudshark Casino

"They've got ingots I can use that they're going to hoard otherwise. Like they do all the money they take from people like you- it doesn't go to soup kitchens or whatever, it goes to vaults and gets moved around and swapped for other stuff that goes in vaults. You can have fun now, and lose money, or help me and make more money to lose having fun somewhere else." Then there's another burst of gunfire from security, which iWear dodges before blasting at the shooter with her wrist-gun.

"And as for not doing anything to me? If you hadn't noticed, they're shooting at me with actual bullets." Which, to be fair, they'd not be doing if she wasn't trying to rob the place, but... she didn't strictly speaking start the gunfight. Even if she's winning it because the goons don't have body armour.

[Morty]

[Cloudshark Casino]

"Your preaching is misdirected, friend. I was here and you tried to rob the place. Means you're fair game to me."

The orc raises his side-arm and sends a spray of energy bolts in iWire's direction. As he does so, he also charges, intending to keep her pinned down with gunfire while he closes in with his sabre.

[Keeper]

Cloudshark Casino

"I was going to be more diplomatic but yes. Guards tend to shoot people who break into their business with repulsors."
Mina, just for now, does not make her move.
"Last chance. Leave now and I'll ask these gentlemen to put the guns down." she offers, a hand going to the sai at her belt.

[Shadowcaller]

[Lake]

Utayo shakes her head. "No need to apologize. I simply see little benefit in separating people into such categories. Especially when you consider the many varied reasons that someone might obtain augmentations."

"But I won't linger on that. It's quite advanced technology to modify the body as such, as it's very dangerous when done improperly. This is the first other plane I've encountered which I've observed the phenomenon."

[Lake]

"Really? Well, at least that makes me feel a bit better about my own plane. I didn't even know what electronics was until I came here. So as someone who has prided herself with her collection of knowledge it's humbling going somewhere were you're essentially a savage." The dragon pauses. "I intend to change that though. So, well, perhaps I could learn a bit from you." There's an unsaid notion of her actually asking for help with it.

[Gullara]

[Lake]

"I'm sure I can help you understand the things you're interested in. Though in depth knowledge is something that requires years of study." Utayo explains. "We have entire tracks of education dedicated to the finer intricacies of day to day technology."

[Shadowcaller]

[Lake]

The dragon suddenly raises her head high and snorts, Black smoke billowing out her nostrils. "I'm in academia. I know how much time people need to devote to just the understand the basics of a subject. We're not that backwards."

Looking down at Utayo she spends a moment clearing her voice. "...so I'm just looking for the very basics."

[Earl of Purple]

Cloudshark Casino

"I haven't broken in yet! This is a public area!" iWear squeals as the orc starts to pelt her position with energy blasts. She ducks to one side behind some slot machines. Her response is to hover up with her anti-grav tech, and boot a fruit machine in the orc's direction. She'll follow it with two rapid shots of her wrist-blaster, currently at their lowest setting to cause a painful electrical shock and muscle cramp without (ideally) killing.

[Morty]

[Cloudshark Casino]

The orc dispenses with the commentary for now, ducking for cover himself. One of the blasts hits him but seem to be absorbed by some kind of armor he's wearing. Nonetheless he's pinned down for the moment.

[Gullara]

[Lake]

Utayo's face is a blank slate after that display, giving nothing away. "I'd ask that you give me more trust than that. Or have I given you reason to take my words so uncharitably?" Her tone is very measured. Evidently Ambrosia's late adjustment wasn't very satisfying, however.

[Shadowcaller]

[Lake]

The dragon stares back at her for a moment.

It was much easier to lose your temper when people covered at your mere presence. Made you feel more justified.
Yet Utayo quickly proved herself not to be one of those people.
It was fascinating just how fast people could lost their fear of you when they knew that the only thing you raised was your voice. No matter how big and intimidating you could make yourself look.

"...no."

She finally admits.

"I'm sorry." The dragon hears herself say. "No matter how I feel about my lack of education on this front I shouldn't react like that." She looks further down and Ugi looks back at her. His expression suggesting that he too perceived the fact that his mother lost her temper. "And I think I scared Ugi too." The dragon lets out a deep sigh. Utayo feeling her warm and foul-smelling breath against her face. But she should be used to that at this point.

"Since I do trust you, Utayo. So I also like to apologize for making you think otherwise." Ambrosia closes her eyes and bows down her head deeply before the moonfolk in what might be an attempt to mimic a gesture intended for the human body as she spreads her front feet to the sides as well.

[quillpleasant]

Cloudtop Heist

It's a lovely day in Skyside, and you are a horrible criminal.

The squalor that other districts hold is nowhere to be found in the Cloudtops. Everything is chrome and glass, and the bright sunlight glitters diamondlike off every surface. As if its lofty position over the rest of the city isn't enough, the towering skyscrapers built here seem to reach up even further, grasping at the boundless sky like a thousand silver fingers. Between these monuments, endless skyways hang over the streets like a dewy spiderweb. It's a place of sheer hubris and majesty- at least on the surface. But beneath that immaculate veneer lurks the same malice and corruption that can be found all across the impossible city, just dressed up more respectably.

Cast your gaze, if you will, past the argent spectacle and down to the unnaturally clean streets that wind their way between the skyscrapers. There's a convoy here, a group of eight large trucks, each a nondescript white. On their sides, a strange logo- three eyes arranged in a circle. The vans have no other identification, and they're traveling single file, going a little slow due to their number and the moderate traffic in the area.

Their destination, visible in the distance, is one of the glittering skyscrapers. It's not particularly big or fancy compared to the others, nor does it have any real distinguishing features. It's about as average as a tower in a floating city could be, and would be completely forgettable if not for the three letters at the top: iii

And high above, standing on the roof of one of the lowest buildings in the area, is Atya. The blonde elf is dressed in a tight, sleeveless black shirt and baggy red pants, and has a bronze tank strapped to her back, with a hose ending in a long metal nozzle holstered on her belt. A black duffle bag sits by her feet. She leans out over the edge, peering down at the vans below. From up here, they appear to be moving at a crawl. Plenty of time to set things up.

Glancing over at the roof door, she clicks her tongue impatiently. She had notified her compatriots about the location yesterday, so they should be showing up soon. Despite her air of confidence, actually putting the plan into action is a lot more nerve wracking than talking about it, and she's a little on edge.

Any minute now.

[[brackets lover]]

[Cloudtop Heist]

Criminal, yes. Horrible? That's debatable, or so Mogzoku thinks in response to the narration. Regardless, the moogle floats over the edge of the roof, right beside the door. He was clothed in the same cloak as last time and carried with him a leather bag filled with throwing knives, Molotov cocktails and paint bombs.

Landing a few feet in front of Atya, he waves and smiles confidently, "Hello, kupo."

As opposed to Atya, Mogzoku was the right amount of anxious, bravely anticipating the moment he gets to spring into action. "I'm all set. Ready when you are, kupo~"

[Reinholdt]

[Cloudtop Heist]

Near the winding fire escape that leads down the building from the outside, a periscope rises up abnormally. It lingers only long enough to confirm who is on the roof before descending once more into obscurity. In its place rises a blue haired man, panting lightly from the long and arduous climb up to the roof. A seasoned observer may note that the panting is forced and fake.

"I... do hope... we have a good plan for getting down there." They sort of skimmed over the hijacking a delivery truck aspect of the heist. Rein moves and glances over the railing. That's twelve trucks! "I only packed for one," Reinholdt says, not looking like he packed anything at all.

He glances back to the duo. "Ah well. How are you? Doing good?" If he's nervous, Rein doesn't show it as he pulls out a little flask of liquid courage from his jacket and takes a sip.

[quillpleasant]

Cloudtop Heist

Atya breaths a small sigh of relief as the others arrive. As much as she'd loathe to admit it, returning to this place would have been a lot harder alone.

"About time, you two," she says with a grin, noting Reinholdt's theatrics with a slight narrowing of her eyes. "Doing just fine, this'll be a walk in the park." Not that Atya has ever bothered to go to parks.

She beckons them to look over the edge. "Right, we're only going to be infiltrating one of the trucks. We can't exactly drive eight at once, unless one of you is holding out on me." But surely neither of them have clones or anything like that.

Down below, a crowd of people is starting to gather along the street. It's hard to see from this distance, but it looks like they might be carrying signs, and it's starting to make the traffic slow down. The faint sounds of honking begins to drift up to them. The elf points down with a satisfied grin.

"I took the liberty of organizing a protest again iii, wouldn't be the first time. They'll slow the convoy, and we'll use the chaos to slip into the back truck unnoticed. There should be a driver and and an armed guard inside, but you two can handle that, right?" Hopefully in a way that doesn't create a drawn out fight or loud noises.

"Oh, and we can take the elevator. I just wanted a good vantage point before we sprang into action. Unless you want to fly down, Goemog?" She's assuming the answer is no since he's expressed that he's not particularly good at that.

[Keeper]

Cloudshark Casino

"Oh yeah you didn't break in. You just ran into a public area in full armor with weapons and declared that you wanted what was in the vault. Stop playing the victim."
Mina casually steps forward and catches the flying fruit machine with hardly more of a grunt of strain.

[[brackets lover]]

[Cloudtop Heist]

Mogzoku looks over towards the protestors, smiling. "Yeah, I think I recognize..." Mogzoku squints, "some vague shapes from the crowd. Likely a fair bit of that crowd is made up of some of my old friends, kupo."

He then steps back from the edge, placing both hands behind his back. "'Course, kupo. Down's always easier than up, if you know what I mean." He chuckles, looking back to the trucks. "You guys go on ahead. I'll keep an eye on the trucks until you're on the ground, kupo."

[Reinholdt]

[Cloudtop Heist]

Surely not.

"Ah yes. The elevator. That would have been smart." Smarter at least than taking? the?? stairs??? all the way up here. Reinholdt glances at the protestors as they start to crowd around the trucks. He's never been certain that yelling at an organization to get their act together is all that effective, but here it seems to be working quite well. For them.

"No time like the present then." Rein takes note of where the last truck will be in a minute or two before turning to head inside and call the elevator, holding it for Atya. Once the door closes, he doesn't hit the ground floor immediately. Instead, he'll pull out a bag of his own containing white delivery driver looking clothes with the iii logo emblazoned on the patch. "Got some for you too if you want it. Had to guess the size. But you may be better off just sticking with the armed guard look," Reinholdt suggests as he takes off his shirt to change.

"We'll have to get into the truck before the last one manages to reach the protestors or they'll probably turn on me." The price of disguising yourself as the enemy.

[Earl of Purple]

Cloudshark Casino

iWear takes a moment to increase the charge of her wrist blasters, giving the orc an opportunity to return fire. She's still hovering near the ceiling, and watching Mina more than the orc. The orc's just a sky-pirate looking to lose money; Mina's recognised as a superhero, and therefore more of a threat.

[quillpleasant]

Cloudtop Heist

The protestors could very likely be people Mogzoku knows- considering iii's reputation, it wasn't exactly hard to find do gooders and anarchists willing to stage a protest. Atya nods at the moogle's decision to stay behind.

"Good idea, keep an eye out for any changes. Oh, and take this." Reaching into her bag, she tosses over a compact walkie talkie, and as an afterthought passes one to Reinholdt as well. "Just in case we get separated." She follows him to the elevator with a last glance at the scene below. Mogzoku is left with only the wind for company, and he can see that some of the trucks have been stopped completely by the protest, the people inside them shouting angrily.

Within the elevator, Atya gives a surprised grin as Reinholdt pulls out the uniforms, eyeing him as he changes before hitting the first floor button. It's a long way down.

"A disguise, how delightfully noir. Why didn't I think of that?" She looks at her chemical thrower, then shrugs it off, laying it down with a clank. "Can you stow this in your hammerspace? I'll need it back later." Without waiting for a response she begins pulling off her own clothes, showing a complete lack of modesty as she begins to don the disguise.

By the time they reach the bottom, they'll have had more than enough time to get changed, and then its just a short walk through the lobby before approaching the vans outside.

[Reinholdt]

"You have to save some of the good ideas for me," Reinholdt replies with a grin, maybe a little too wide and silly as she starts to disrobe. He does turn away though after his eyes linger a little longer than they should. Perhaps for his own modesty, however fake. Perhaps to hide his somewhat obvious response as he finishes getting his disguise on. Or perhaps just to be polite.

Regardless once he's changed, he peeks one more time before putting all the spare clothes in the bag the disguises came from and making it disappear. He looks at the chemical thrower with a bit of a frown. "Hmm... gonna be tight, gotta admit," Reinholdt says as he picks it up. "There's a size and weight limit per item of what I can put in there. Might just be too big." Reinholdt tries anyways and fortunately, if a duffel bag with two full disguises can go through, so can the chemical thrower. But it clearly takes a little effort on his part to squeeze it in. He breathes a sigh of relief and nods at Atya.

No need for hiccups this early on. Once the elevator reaches the bottom, Reinholdt will step off and start heading through the lobby to get to the streets.

[[brackets lover]]

[Cloudtop Heist]

Mogzoku graciously accepts his gifts, nodding to the two as they go back into the building. As he stares out onto the scene, he muses to himself, "For some reason, I feel incredibly upset right now."

Then, he looks down and presumably spots his allies heading out into the streets, following shortly after.

As soon as either Reinholdt or Atya exit through the front door, they'd hear the wind cleave from a falling object directly above them. Before hitting the ground, Mogzoku slows his descent by holding up his cloak and flapping his wings a few times. He safely lands on his feet, already dressed up in the provided uniform. "Well, lead on, kupo."

[quillpleasant]

Cloudtop Heist

Atya notes Reinholdt's gaze, and hides a smile. It's not like that's what she was hoping for or anything. She finishes buttoning up the uniform and shakes out her hair.

"Thanks, the thrower is a little conspicuous. You won't need to store it for long, just until we get inside. I feel kind of naked without a weapon though..." Rummaging in her bag, she pulls out a crowbar and gives it an experimental swing, nodding in satisfaction. "Good enough for now." She follows Reinholdt through the lobby, which thankfully is abandoned, and then out onto the street.

The protest is in full force now, perhaps only a few people short of a mob. Most of the protestors are wearing nondescript clothing and face coverings to obscure their identities, and their organization and attitude make it clear that many of them are experienced in this kind of event. They've primarily crowded around three of the trucks, yelling, shoving and generally making a nuisance. The iii employees are clearly trying not to engage, instead inching their vehicles forward at a crawl. Other cars are caught in the area as well, and do not seem to be taking the inconvenience very happily.

Luckily for the Atya and company, there's two trucks a little further back from the protest, unable to get closer due to the traffic. Both of them seem to be trying to divert from the main road and go around the protestors, but are currently stalled due to the traffic jam. Either one poses their own difficulty- the closer one might be harder to approach unseen, but the one in the rear is larger and more armored, presumably a rearguard for the convoy.

As Mogzoku makes his landing, Atya whistles. "Neat trick, that." She scans the situation, then gestures to the two rear trucks. "Well boys, got a preference?"