[Bakiri Retsu]

The Oasis Lounge. It wasn't a place Retsu had visited before nor did she think she'd so so during the Summer Solstice but here she was. Well, to say she'd never visited was perhaps an exaggeration. She'd gotten into a fight in the alley right behind it. That had to count for something, right? More importantly she still owed someone for a dislocated shoulder and speak of the devil. There she was.

Siren.

Retsu hadn't been aware of who her opponent was at the time. It was only recently while browsing through potential candidates to be invited into the ENKI system that she recognized a familiar face and decided to visit in person. Competence was in short supply lately and different quirk or not Siren had adjusted quickly enough to force her to flee, loathe as Retsu was to admit it. Which was exactly why she'd picked this moment, shortly before eight pm when lights were supposed to go out for two hours. Should things turn unfavorable for her she had a valid reason to just leave, whether that be because Oasis took part in the tradition or because they didn't. Taking a sip of the whiskey she'd ordered before taking a seat she waited until Rhea was close enough before flagging her over.

"Yo, long time no see. Got a moment?"

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Tags: rhea

[rhea]

if i'm a danger to myself Just think what I could do to you Bakiri Retsu

Rhea pressed her lips together as she moved closer and closer to Retsu, knowing the instructions she was passed on. After the last incident she learned that this person was blacklisted, but tonight that was obviously rescinded for some reason. And to make matters worse, she was only one of two waitresses available throughout the night.

The protocol for this particular night was a low-staff one. Business was still conducted on Oasis grounds, but most front-facing operations were a low priority. Which is how the couple that got up on stage this particular evening got on. It vexed Rhea, but not as much as this person and her orders. Which was to figure out what Retsu wanted, as well as who she represented.

Rhea sat across from the criminal, crossing one leg over the other as she took in a deep breath. "You violated one of the Oasis's most important rules. Whatever it is you have to say, say it quickly." There were more candles lit then normal, and that was standard. Once the power was killed, everyone would have to get around one way or another.

0 Victims

OWL

[Bakiri Retsu]

"Ah get that a lot. Rules 'nd ah don't tend ta agree, ya know?" Retsu didn't make any move to get up whatsoever, making it clear as to how that usually ended. Rules ended up broken and so did its enforcers. She peered over her sunglasses for just a moment to look Rhea in the eye before leaning back once more and taking another sip of her whiskey, the candlelight irritating her left eye far too much for her to do otherwise. 

"Still, ah ain't even been in 'ere before." She continued, ignoring what happened just outside the building. "Kent say ah know what ah did that y'all didn't like."

Swishing her whiskey in her glass Retsu took a look around as she waited for and listened to Rhea's reply. The atmosphere certainly had something to it. All those little lights flickering throughout the entire lounge, each contributing just a little to light up the grand whole. Each one so easy to snuff out with but a wave of her hand. Yet to go around the entire room and extinguish each one would take ages were she to do everything by herself.

"Why ah'm here, hmm? Tell me, Siren. Have you ever heard of Pantheon?"

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Tags: rhea

[rhea]

if i'm a danger to myself Just think what I could do to you Bakiri Retsu

"Ignorance is a poor excuse," Rhea responds, her forked tongue flicking out briefly. "The only business that is to take place on Oasis grounds must not involve violence. My employers wish for this to be a safe haven. What safety is there if all manner of boorish attitudes and actions are allowed to settle?" There were many other rules, but Rhea wasn't going to bother with them. That one was the most important, and based on Retsu's attitude anything else was going to be difficult to enforce.

She considered the question, pressing her lips together as she was a little irate that her identity was known. "I prefer Rose," she says, tilting her head a little. "Siren is a petty thief who wears a hood and mask and is borderline psychotic. I can't say I'm too familiar with Pantheon." This was a bold faced lie, as she did keep her ear to the ground and Pantheon had been brought up a number of times within the Lounge.

"By all means. Enlighten me."

0 Victims

OWL

[Bakiri Retsu]

"All the more reason naht ta try thowin' me out then, wouldn't ya say?" Retsu offhandedly agreed while swirling her whiskey. "Rose it is then."

Her grin seemed almost mocking. As if there was some unspoken truth that she was in on and Rhea wasn't. A skilled manipulator might have been able to use such a thing to their advantage, laying conversational traps to get their way through twists and turns to guide Rhea to the answer they desired. Retsu was much too straightforward to even attempt such a thing.

"Siren's the one with the mask, ey? Funny thing that." Downing the rest of her whiskey Retsu slammed the glass down on the table as she leaned forward. "Little thing ah've learned in the business? It's when people's faces are 'idden that their masks drop an' the real them comes out."

With her tongue she wet two of her fingers before using them to snuff out one of the candles on the table, maintaining eye contact all the while.

"Dangerous 'abit ta 'ave 'nd even more dangerous naht ta realize. Check y'rself before ya rek y'rself, ya know? Might rear its 'ead at the wrong moment. But ah digress. This ain't about you."

Running her thumb over the edge of the glass Retsu paused for a moment, looking around the lounge for just a moment before returning to the conversation. She'd let Rhea read into that however she wanted. People usually came up with far worse than she'd intended and Retsu had long learned to make use of it.

"Ah'm not surprised ya 'aven't heard of Pantheon. For all we've accomplished we 'aven't exactly put our name out there. Kinda the point. Pantheon's a way fer everyone that's sick of society's shit ta organize and get their way fer once, right under the noses of all those fookin' self righteous types." With a shrug she moved on. "There's more ta it but ah ain't 'ere ta blather on and on. Reckon ah ken get a refill, Rose?" Retsu asked while lifting her glass up and wiggling it from side to side, all the while keeping a close eye on Rhea's reaction.

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Tags: rhea

[rhea]

if i'm a danger to myself Just think what I could do to you Bakiri Retsu

Rhea didn't respond to the mask comment. It wasn't worth chasing; she knew who she was, what she was. She didn't need Retsu to explain it back to her. "You look a little uncomfortable. Then again, the dark suits you much better." This was a jab, but she didn't expect her to get it. She was fortunate to have blemish-free skin, minus the scales on her shoulders. Those though were a mark of pride for her, and something she bore to the world.

She nodded as Retsu started to explain the organization, reaching forward to take the glass for her. "You say that, but I am not sure what the great Bakuretsu, representing one of the most up and coming organizations in all of Japan, wants with the daughter of a dead singer. This is a safe place, and few are here tonight to listen to our conversation. Business is permitted on Oasis grounds, so long as nothing beyond words transpires." She considered using her quirk, but she hadn't been hydrating this evening like she normally did. She was expecting a short night.

"Unless, of course, you have nothing of substance to share. Shall we braid each other's hair? Talk about our crushes? I can always share my father's kebab recipe if you want that."

0 Victims

OWL

[Bakiri Retsu]

As much as she hated to admit it Retsu agreed with Rhea's point about the dark, even if not in the way she'd meant it. That they were yet unable to face hero society in broad daylight was to be expected but a sore spot nonetheless. She'd likely have blown up over it if they hadn't blown up several Pro heroes recently. 

"Honored ya know me by name," she replied sardonically while handing over her glass, wondering what made Rhea so comfortable insulting her like that despite knowing who she was. "Ah dun' see what y'r parents 'ave ta do with this, Rose." Retsu shrugged, wondering whether they were anyone significant. She'd have to read through the rest of the intel she'd skimmed once this conversation was over.

"Kent say ah'd mind learning the kebab recipe," Retsu snorted. "Naht too far from why ah'm here ta be honest. Information. 'eavy hitters we've got a dime a dozen but half a' em couldna talk their way outta a paper bag an' ah reckon we both know 'ow dumb goin' in blind is. Ah dun' doubt that we both know a few things that'd be much more useful ta each other than ta ourselves. Let's 'ave us a little trade ta demonstrate."

Reaching into her coat's inner pocket she pulled out a small disk that was roughly several centimeters thick tapering off at the edges and slid it across the table.

"See that button in the center there? Give it a go."

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Tags: rhea

[rhea]

if i'm a danger to myself Just think what I could do to you Bakiri Retsu

It wasn't wise, but Rhea wasn't going to show that she was afraid of Retsu. Fear was a weakness, a mind-killer. If she let it dictate this conversation, then she might as well bend the knee at every turn.

She raised her eyebrow, amusement dancing across her face as she brought the glass up to eye level, studying how the light reflected within it. The trade offer was something she couldn't help but chortle at; based on what Retsu just said, would could Pantheon possible offer her when she could offer nothing in exchange? "You will have to forgive me, but I have nothing to do with the chaff of society. If what you say is true, then those with ambition and intellect like yourself will have no problem using them as pawns as you see fit. That is the natural order of this world, yes? The weak and the stupid provide the backbone for the strong and intelligent to thrive?" It was blunt, but if one were to read between the lines they might instead hear, "Why should I care?"

She looked at the disc, suspicious as she glanced at it then back up at Retsu. With her other hand she reached out and pressed the button, wary but figuring this was all part of the pitch that Retsu had planned.

0 Victims

OWL

[Bakiri Retsu]

Pulling another of the disks from her jacket Retsu held it in front of her. "This," she began to explain, "is a caltrop-pattern grenade. One a' mah own make. It's the kind that explodes three seconds after ya press it once."

With a nod she gestured at the one Rhea had just pressed. "Of course the one y'r holdin' is a dud. Ah'd put good money on the fact that y'r not able ta tell though."

She waved the disk in her hand around for a second before sliding it back into her jacket and clearing her throat, eyeing Rhea's reaction all the while.

"This shit here? Exactly what ah'm talking about. Sharing intel really lowers y'r odds of dyin' in a stupid way. As fer why ya should care 'bout all this, well. Bein' one of 'the strong' ain't a permanent thing. It's something that needs constant work and if ya miss the boat you might just find yourself being one of the weak and well, the stupid fer missing out."

The same hand that slid the disk back in pulled out another object, a nondescript rectangular box. With an air of finality she placed it down on the table. Should Rhea open it she'd find a phone and a control ring inside allowing her to access the ENKI system.

"Course, there's other options. Ya could in on all a' dis. Y'r choice." Her smile seemed almost mocking as she continued. "So, you gon' serve me that drink or what?"

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Tags: rhea

[rhea]

if i'm a danger to myself Just think what I could do to you Bakiri Retsu

Rhea slid the grenade across the table, letting out a hiss of disgust as she recoiled. The candlelight flickered in her eyes, accenting the metaphorical embers that were glowing fiercely behind them. "You're projecting the fact many others might be using your tools and methods failing to comprehend that I have no need of such clunky implements," she says, looking at the glass again. "You also assume, just because we have similar goals, that I want to participate in your little club."

She held her arm out, letting the glass fall to the ground and breaking into several pieces. "This is what you want, no? Causing problems on a scale to draw a target on your back? Break all rules and decorum of society, just to 'get even'?" She leaned forward, setting her elbows on the table as she began to compose herself. "Don't get me wrong. I'm all in favor of breaking the rules. But between you and me, I would rather be a cancer to society." She smiled, wicked and cruel. "You make a scene breaking the rules, people will act to stop you. They will chase you down, hunt you, drag you kicking and screaming to the executioner's block before holding you down and letting the axe fall on your neck. Or...you can pick that up." She altered her vocal cords as she she spoke the last bit, carrying a slight tune as she engaged her quirk, gesturing to the remains of the glass.

As Retsu worked Rhea turned in her seat to face her, hands interlocked in her lap. "For as long as humans have existed on this earth, there have always been societies. Some dumb and primitive, others large and expansive. They have risen and fallen countless times, but every time one falls another takes its place. Humans need society. And it would be more profitable to be a cancer and kill what I don't like silently, stealthily, than to openly demand the world to look at me for these acts. I want them to think I belong instead of cutting me out." She looked at the box, clearly wary of it after the whole caltrop grenade dud. "Pantheon might have use of me, but I have no use of Pantheon."

0 Victims

OWL

[Bakiri Retsu]

When Rhea replied Retsu wondered who the one projecting truly was, especially when the singer started trying to do her psych mumbo jumbo after her earlier statements and while she's quite literally working in a club. Her mocking smile widened when the first metaphor she used quite literally involved breaking something. 

A cancer? Something slowly withering its host away that's impossible to remove without casuing an almost intolerable amount of damage. Retsu had to push down a snort. Yeah, there was no way this woman was content with just infesting one small lounge. As she crouched down and grabbed the shards Retsu felt a sense of familiarity.

Broken. Picking up the pieces. Cutting herself on the shattered edges yet pushing harder the more it hurt.

Her hand clenched around the fragments. The burning, pulsing pain of the shards cutting deeper and spilling blood in tune with her own heartbeat gave her some momentary clarity. For when was Retsu ever at her best other than when she felt her own life slip away one drop at a time? Her shoulders began to shake. A low, throaty laugh wrenched itself free from her throat as she slammed a single bloody palm down on the table, pushing the shards in deeper as she used it to push herself back up. A maniacal, manic grin sat on her face and a wide, crazed eye stared at Rhea as Retsu loomed over her, every fiber of her being raging against the compulsion to keep her head down. 

"And 'ere ah thought nah blood was ta be spilled in 'ere?" Retsu sneered derisively, another cackle escaping her accompanied by a meaningful look before she forced herself to sit down once more, naught but her expression and bloodied hand giving a hint of what had just happened. "Know what ah think? Y'r so full a' shit. Ah dun' think y've even realized it y'rself."

Retsu's entire body twitched, almost as if she was convulsing. Even now she could swear she still felt the ever-present compulsion to do as she was told. As was expected of her. It had existed since long before Rhea used her quirk on her and now as ever she would fight to the last to resist having the wills of others forced on her. She'd shape her own path, no matter the cost. The muscles in her flattened palm clenched, fingers half-curling into a fist under the tension. Half of them refused to do so, glass having bitten far too deeply into the tendons for them to succeed. 

"People need a society. Duh. Ya think we're breakin' for tha sake of breakin'? We're gonna reshape this fooked up shit. Make a place ta' belong instead a' 'aving ta fake it. Are ya really fine with just slinkin' on the side like a fookin' parasite?"

The sound that came out of her throat was a mix between a cackle and a snort.

"They'll chase me? Come for me? Hunt me down? Let them try. We'll see who comes out on top. But ah ken promise ya ah'll be fightin' ta mah last breath," she snickered, "didya learn all those fancy arguments a' yours when tryna convince y'r own mind ya 'aven't given up on y'rself, Rose?"

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Tags: rhea

[rhea]

if i'm a danger to myself Just think what I could do to you Bakiri Retsu

It was here Rhea spoke something that Retsu wouldn't understand, another language that no doubt came from a far off land. It might make a level of sense, considering she shared no physical features with other women around her. After leaving an air of silence between them Rhea would continue: "I didn't think so. We share one thing in common: neither of us belong here. And unfortunately, even if I were to leave and return to my country of origin, I doubt I would be able to live the life that I want."

She raised a hand, inspecting her nails as she decided to leave the blood comment alone. She didn't tell Retsu to grasp the shards so hard that they cut into her flesh, so that part was on her. If anything, it reinforced something she already thought, that Retsu and this Pantheon were filled with wild animals too stupid to understand their actions or surroundings. "On the contrary, I do know who I am. I know what I am. It is there where our differences start and end. The more you fight, the harder this world will seek to destroy you. It does not matter if you are good or evil. All fall under the domain of Hades eventually." She smiled, reaching across the table to dab the end of her middle finger and thumb in Retsu's blood. "My methods require patience. Planning. Unlike yourself, I don't make the news. I don't act to shape society, because no matter how hard you try you will fail. Humans are stupid, spiteful little creatures, and even the best of them will end up nailed to a cross eventually." She looks at the red, tilting her head as she contemplates it. "I don't care to reshape society. I care to build the freedom to do as I please against their wishes. There is no pleasure in that, no joy in acting out of spite against something that accepts what you do." She looks at Retsu, her smile only widening. "In short, I don't like being told what to do for a goal that I don't care much for. You might think it hypocritical of me, but if you do then you understand much less about the Oasis than you let on."

The large lights that barely illuminated the club began to go out, leaving the last candle on the table to barely light their conversation. Though as Rhea hummed a tune, she reached out to put out the flame with the blood she acquired, the rustling of fabric indicating she was rising from her seat as she began the lyrics of an old song, twisted and perverted from their original meaning:

Fear not this night, though you have gone astray,
Though shadows fall and the stars come out to play.
Weakened by the quiet fight, despair clutching at your weary heart,
Desperation setting in through the solitude of the night.

Who needs the light? Fear not this night.

0 Victims

OWL

[Bakiri Retsu]

Retsu squinted the moment Rhea began to utter an unknown phrase. She may not have had a quirk but she was well aware that some who did tied their more complex abilities to vocal or somatic components to have muscle memory assist with their usage. When Rhea raised her hand as well Retsu adjusted her legs below the table, ready to both kick out at Rhea's chair and push herself back at the same time. 

The monologue the woman insisted on giving before executing whatever she was planning on doing gave her more time to prepare for combat. Retsu wasn't planning to be the one to start the fight but she'd sure as hell be ready to finish it. Crossing her arms she leaned back and pretended to listen without a care in the world, why, it was a pure coincidence that her right hand was so close to the grip of the holstered pistol hidden beneath her jacket.

At the mention of Hades she couldn't help but let out a snort. She had to admit, 'Rose' was a candidate for recruitment for a reason. Only someone like her would use a god's name to insult the one here to bring her into Pantheon.

"Ah don't," Retsu replied as the lights dimmed, her voice far softer than even she herself had expected it to be. Rhea's words resonated quite a bit with her, for all that she believed they were only said to get on her nerves. Their goals weren't all that different. "Kinda sad ya dun' let y'rself 'ave fun with it tho. Ah well."

When Rhea moved to leave Retsu stood up as well, taking the phone and ring back with her. Turning to look over her shoulder she fired some parting words as she left.

"Enjor y'r oasis while it lasts. Shit like this never does for long."

It was advice spoken from experience. Retsu had long stopped counting how many safe places she'd lost over the years, her own home being but the latest in a long line of things that had been taken from her. Without the slightest hitch in her step she walked out into a city so inhospitable to people like her it may as well be a desert. Breathing the chill evening air in Retsu looked up at the night sky where the stars were far more visible than on any other day of the year, millions of tiny lights shining through the dark veil not unlike the candles within the Oasis Lounge. She'd never be content with such a small watering hole. No, she thought as she looked away from the sky she'd yet to reach, she would keep fighting until she had a place to call her own no matter the cost. Even if that meant her oasis could only be formed through rivers of red.

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Tags: rhea

[Sol]

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[attr="class","likedotitle2"]Approved

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A proposition that was declined in the end, but at least they have a better idea of how the other works.
Seasonal thread approved!

rhea - 50 tokens + 75 = 125 tokens
Bakiri Retsu- 75 tokens + 75 = 150 tokens

PHARAOH LEAP.

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