+1 Ice Queen

[redheired]

“Quite the locale.” Says a young lady perfectly poised on a couch. (Naturally she’s picked out the fanciest couch available, complete with velvet seats and gold trim.) She’s been settled there for the past hour or so, not saying much of anything and just watching.

She still keeps her eyes wandering as she speaks, taking in everything she can and mentally cataloguing it away.

”Very well then, since it is apparently good form to ask a question here… how would any of you handle a situation where you’re outnumbered? Or more specifically, when your resources are diminished compared to before, and there are still obstacles ahead of you.”

((OOC: Testing the waters on an AU concept! The fine details/info probably won’t come up, but they are a driving background force and are written up on the character journal!))

Comments

[golden_gloves]

"You already know my answer." A familiar voice speaks up. Seems the redhead was followed by a curious young man. How, left up to the imagination.

The atmosphere here delights him, just as most unknown territory tends to do. He's especially entertained by those obviously dressed and carrying themselves as warriors and fighters. It distracts him from the girl temporarily.

[redheired]

"Hm?" Mitsuru lifts her head up at the voice. It's one that she knows quite well, but clearly didn't expect to hear in this place.

"Akihiko? You found your way in here as well?" And... now she feels just the slightest bit self conscious. As gaudy as that sign was, and as unexpected as it is to walk through a doorway and find herself here... does that really excuse her missing someone else making it through?

"I... I believe I have an idea on your answer, I suppose." She tries to cover that bit of awkwardness with a reply. "The odds are likely that you're still willing and ready to fight."

[golden_gloves]

"Yeah. Not on purpose, though." His gaze transferring from person to person at a quick rate, it's obvious it's his first time here. There's a lot to take in.

"That's right." Those with strength will persevere, he believes. "This place feels a bit like Tartarus." He doesn't feel burdened by its presence, and obviously it's lacking shadows and filled with more than just grandiose decor.

[redheired]

"I can't say that this was deliberate on my part, either. It makes for an interesting find, however; and I wouldn't have guessed the dormitory would have a secret like this." This said, it doesn't feel quite right to have him standing while she's secured a couch for herself. After a moment of deliberation, Mitsuru scoots over a little for him to take a seat if he so chooses. (And with a MORE than generous amount of space between them.)

"It's too early to say if the risk and danger is the same as Tartarus." Mitsuru drops her voice lower as she speaks, making this into much more of a private conversation. "I'd suggest a small measure of caution, however."

It's only AFTER she says that, that Mitsuru remembers just who it is she's talking to.

[hellburger]

Kazuhira Miller is definitely not one to ignore a pretty girl. He half-seats himself on the arm of the fancy couch and gives her a calculated, sideways glance.

"That's when a little lateral thinking comes in handy: use your remaining resources creatively, find and exploit your opponent's weaknesses, use the environment in your favor ... that kind of thing. Don't be intimidated by numbers."

[redheired]

She can give back as good as she gets when it comes to sideways glances. She lets the pause after his comment draw out just long enough to give it proper consideration, before turning her head just enough to make eye contact while replying.

"The indirect approach, then? I suppose it has a benefit, given the numbers we find ourselves dealing with it. You have some familiarity with this, then, Sir...?"

She trails off, leaving it open if he wants to provide a name.

[hellburger]

"Kazuhira," he offers along with a hand and a charming smile. "Kaz for short.

"I've been in more than a few tight spots. Pretty common when you run with revolutionaries or start a private military from scratch. You've gotta be conservative with your resources and guerrilla tactics inevitably spring out of that."

He chuckles. "Not the most glamorous, sure, but they can be really damn effective."

[redheired]

"Kazuhira, then. A pleasure to make your acquaintance; I am Mitsuru Kirijo." And for once... she may have found herself in a place where that surname doesn't carry expectations and weight with it. All told, she's not quite sure how she feels about that.

She arches an eyebrow as he continues.

"Private military contracting, I take it?" No scorn in her voice over that; not yet at any rate. "If I may ask... how does that work for you, as a business venture?"

[onemorebounty]

*Samus had been about to say something, but Miller summed up everything she wanted to cover. She accords him a nod of respect, one strategist to another.*

[hellburger]

Miller spots the look from Samus and gives her a chin lift and a smile.

[onemorebounty]

*She answers the smile with a brief one of her own.*

[theundyingsoul]

There seems to be a fairly human-like fish lady walking around the Nexus, dressed in a leather jacket and jeans. She stops walking upon hearing Mitsuru's questions, turning to face the other redhead quickly. Finally, a question she can relate to and answer.

"In the past, I would've said fight on and give everything you have for victory. Hell, I still believe in that mantra. However..." She shrugs her shoulders. "When those situations come up, you have to make a choice. I would gladly put myself in front of my friends, fight to give them a chance to escape, and battle on with every bit of strength I have."

[redheired]

'Blue scales-'

It's hard not to notice that. Harder still to push the observation from her mind, and NOT linger on any thoughts that brings up. Mitsuru opts to fix on the eyes instead... and finds herself looking at the eyepatch as well, getting a different set of family memories pushing into her head.

...This is highly troubling, and completely incidental. It seems this place enjoys throwing curveballs in the form of new people, however. Mitsuru does her best to combat it, while taking a deep breath and gathering her thoughts.

"I prefer the tactically sound choice, if possible." She pauses, taking an abrupt interest in the couch embroidery before she adds, "while some sacrifices may be necessary, I prefer not to make needless ones... or needless risks, for that matter."

[theundyingsoul]

Hmmm. Undyne senses a little bit of hesitation coming from the other woman, but doesn't jump on it. The monster seems completely used to humans thinking she's dangerous or is going to do something evil. Instead, she just slips both hands into her jacket pockets calmly, trying to not look intimidating.

"Huh...Yeah, that's a sensible decision to make. It sounds like something Asgore would say." She shakes her head. "Sometimes the risk can't be avoided, or the threat is too great to ignore. You have to fight then."

[redheired]

Right. Composure. She'll do everything she can to draw it back in around her, and give this... person, for lack of a better descriptor, the proper amount of respect. And she will do it all without any unnecessary staring.

"This Asgore has my respect, in that case." She answers mildly enough. "And while I won't argue with the idea of devoting all your effort into something, I also prefer to hold off on doing so until the absolute right time. As you suggested. Perhaps a little overly tactical, I know."

And cold. And calculating. She'll take that over looking off balance, however.

[brave_heart_verity]

((Before I tag in: Verity's got a rather annoying curse; if you don't want to deal with a human lie detector, that's cool, I will not hold it against you.)P)

[redheired]

((I WELCOME THIS. Keeping in mind that Mitsuru has lying through omission down to an art, but she'll engage in other bits of lying, double talk, and subterfuge.))

[brave_heart_verity]

((Excellent. :D They're going to get along great!))

"You deal with them one at a time." Have a semi-social stranger, redheaded lady, with pink hair in epic Viking braids and a lot of black clothes. "Or, if that's not an option, find a way to make them fight each other while you prepare to deal with whoever's left."

Verity's got a hot akhaccino and time to spare. So bring on the philosophical debate or the unfortunately common 'oh but that'll never work's.

[redheired]

"Turn your enemies against each other?"

There's a thought. Though one wonders if it would be possible to make shadows fight each other. Though perhaps with a little more research, and seeing if there might be technological or arcane means to do so...

Mitsuru hums over the idea.

"I'm not certain of the practicality in this situation... but it's also an interesting notion. Do you have any experience in it?"

Omg omg omg

[sumarusfinest]

There is something different about the Nexus when Katsuya Suou enters this day. An itch in the back of his head that he hasn't felt in years. A tightening in his chest that draws him toward the forum, rather than wherever he had initially been heading.

Resonance.

There are Persona users in the Nexus. Not ones he is familiar with, either. It takes him longer than perhaps most of his companions would to identify the source, but Katsuya was nothing if not methodical. He's watching the redhead with a thoughtful frown. So young. Too young. She can't be older than his brother was..when...

"No matter how tremendous the obstacle, you can only ever surmount it by taking a single step. And then another. If you focus on the whole, the staggering odds, you will be overcome." Someone is speaking from experience, here.

I apologize for everything in advance.

[redheired]

She easily meets his frown and gaze, proud and professional as any business woman.

The jury is out on if that look on someone so young makes the situation makes any better. And maybe it's just because she's meeting his eyes, but for a moment Mitsuru feels a stirring of... something in the back of her mind. Like her abilities WANT to react to some sort of presence, and whatever it is, it has more composure and focus than what's lurking in her head.

'Not. Now.' Mitsuru anchors the thought firmly in place, and focuses all her control around it before speaking. She feels the briefest flare of pride over how measured and smooth her voice comes out.

"And I take it this is methodical approach has served you well, in situations where you find yourself against great odds?" Stay watchful, Mitsuru reminds herself. Gauge his reaction and see if he offers any clues on what's tickling the edge of her mind.

Yey more Personas! Read up on your AU stuff too.

[sumarusfinest]

So young.

But Tatsuya was always the strongest of all of them and he was only eighteen then. Had it already been that long ago? This feeling is making him nostalgic, Miss Kirijo. He didn't even know he could feel that about the end of the world.

"Tell me. In a world where rumors become reality, where the gods themselves walk among men and pull humanity by puppeteer strings, would you do anything else? One step at a time. One swift stroke. One more dangerous lair. One more demon." The officer adjusts his glasses and sighs lightly.

"Forgive me for rambling. It has, yes. Suffice it to say I would not be here if it hadn't." His world would not be here. Helios stirs in the back of the officer's mind, intrigued by the newcomer. "Officer Suou, Sumaru PD. It's a pleasure, Miss." He gives the young lady a polite bow of greeting. Had he his business card on him, she would undoubtedly receive one of those, too.

[rogueinladysclothing]

"You give it everything you have and don't look back."

The rather direct answer comes from a young woman dressed in the style of a Renaissance rogue, complete with a sword and slingshot hanging from her belt and leather armor over her wool-blend clothes. The newcomer can see her long, dark brown hair is pinned up with some kind of fancy trinket, but it's difficult to see it under the hood of her cloak. Seems the Nexus draws all sorts in.

"If you leave any room for doubt," she adds, "you'll fail."

[redheired]

"I assure you, doubt or faltering is far from my mind." It's spoken in a quiet voice, but with a hint of steel underneath.

Mitsuru takes in the speaker with a quick once-over, lingering on the hair design. Someone easily outside the usual setting of modern day Japan, without a doubt. Her curiosity can't help but be a little piqued from that.

"I admit that giving everything to a situation is more the territory of a colleague of mine... at least moment to moment. I prefer more long term planning, to figure out when to best dedicate all or most of my energy."

[rogueinladysclothing]

"Not every situation allows for such planning. Sometimes you have to simply do what's necessary, and figure the rest out later."

Despite the cold, the rogue carefully pulls back her hood and shakes her head slightly to free her hair pin. Made of a strangely shiny dark silver metal, the pin is covered in small, delicate flowers. From the body of the pin hangs several strands of polished flowers and beads, which make a slightly musical tinkling sound as they move. A stark contrast to everything else about the woman, this is the trinket of a noble lady.

"If your team can handle you stepping back for a moment to strategize, and they trust in your efforts, then you should do so. If not? Keep on the front line. All wounds heal with time." The physical ones, anyway.