Captive[Close/Mission]

Ivory was wearing the skin she felt most comfortable with: the male feline. Being a him during operations like this helped her cope with the fact of having to slaughter enemies, even if those enemies were only among the opposition because they had no other choice: some kids joined up with ragtag gangs such as the Blue Jackals because it was a way to support their families and keep them protected. But they had joined the wrong group, and even if she knew that, only he could know it without as much pain as it brought to her normally. She assumed it was the testosterone, or perhaps, just the feeling of being a male. Regardless, it was the reason she -- he -- could stand there now, arms crossed against his chest with a solemn but agitated expression.

"I don't want to sacrifice anyone. I'd rather have the non-mage combatant distract from afar, if anything, while we infiltrate." Throwing a non-mage as a side distraction in close-range was asking for a bullet, and thus a sacrifice. "Let him use grenades from behind the truck, perhaps, to toss at their frontal but not near enough to reach nor get hit. They'll progress toward him, or try to. But surely that'll protect him while also providing the distraction we need."

He was pleased to have Kasumi with him: he was right to of chosen her for this task. She was strategic, something he noticed from their training session. That mind for detail was a balance he required for operations like this, because his usual method for dealing with trouble was an energy bomb and destruction. Unfortunately, if they were to be seen during this, the hostages would be shot, and therefore a made man of Odin's Spear would be killed. That wasn't acceptable. Low-rank or not, every member was family.

But, afterwards, when Adrian was freed, he would slaughter every single Blue Jackal in sight. Just as the Godfather would. Child or not. He felt his jaw tense at the thought, but he had already cemented that determination. Enemies of Odin's Spear were not allowed to exist. What had to be done, had to, for the sake of the whole family. And for the sake of deterring these situations from happening again.

Kasumi Ito

_{notes (Post 1)}

As Kasumi informed the non-combatant, Ivory scanned the area below. The compound was a rusty scrap metal made building out in the middle of nowhere, though it was not alone, as a few other dwarfed facilities were around it. But that was it, beyond that was just a dusty earth-cracked terrain. Given the amount of bandits roaming -- and dogs -- she wondered just how many hostages the Blue Jackals managed to snag from other prestigious people. They certainly were confident to hit multiples up with ransoms.. or, perhaps, they figured only some would answer and therefore they might have a higher chance of being paid out if they caught more than one hostage from different groups. Either way, they would regret their choice to include Odin's Spear among that list.

"Hmm? I'm fine. Lead the way."

Ivory himself did not bother grabbing any of the conventional weapons from their selection. If push came to shove he'd rely on her for it -- all he really had in mind was rescuing Adrian and ripping out throats with is bare hands. This was form particularly suited to such, given it's clawed fingers. Though, she was feeling like the Lycan might have more fun. But I want them to know it's an Odin's Spear member tearing them apart and not just a beast. He felt his lip curl up in a snarl as they began to move. The terrain would work well for them in for a while, given the crags -- but it would only last them so long. Once they were near there would be nothing but clear ground and the occasional containers to hide behind, after all.

Kasumi Ito

_{Hope this scene was okay? I didn't really know what you had in mind aside from a building surrounded by bandits and dogs haha. & With it being post apocalyptic, I figure a scrap metal made building was more likely from a ragtag group. (Post 2)}

It looked like everything was going according to plan, up until Kasumi spotted the sniper from the second floor. The only problem he saw with her improvised plan was that, if they had to use smoke as a cover, then more of the Jackals would ultimately noticed that they were being surrounded and therefore send more their way and or immediately shoot the hostages.

Though, surely they expected to face some adversity? So maybe the hostages would be safe until they realized they were doomed.

"I'm worried that if we're noticed at all, via smoke grenade or openly charging toward the compound in a split way, that half their forces will end up being redirected to us, which will defeat our whole goal of entering and leaving unseen." He'd contemplate temporarily, before offering another option, "How about I distract the potential sniper in a.. neutral way? I have forms that are mere animals. I could take-over into an eagle and fly straight into the window while you simultaneously run inside. The wingspan should block view of the ground. Plus.. no doubt seeing a crazed bird about to run into anything is distracting enough to be more confusing than suspicious." And as a word of comfort, "If he tries to shoot my bird self before it crashes into the window -- given that he's even facing it -- don't worry. I can erect my aura in any form. Most bullets can be quite ineffective against the aura of a magician."

"If you agree, go ahead and inform our guy up front to start and I'll be ready when you are."

His felid ears were ever perked throughout his whispering, listening to their surrounding in case any unwanted footfalls neared. So far so good, though.

Kasumi Ito

_{notes. (Post 3)}

When their gunman started their distraction, Ivory's ears twitched with the running footfalls of the Jackals. As expected, they had taken the bait without any hesitation - after all, their finances were threatened with the presence of an enemy. With Kasumi's readiness, Ivory would jump and transfigure at the same time, giving herself a starting momentum for her wings to carry her upward. And as planned, she'd head straight to the window Kasumi had indicated.

The wind rustling her feathers and teasing her face was always a nice sensation, regardless of the flying form she took. It took her mind, temporarily, away from the seriousness of the task at hand. Away from the fact that she was going to participate in mass murder after their comrade was secured.

That distraction didn't last long, however, because the window was coming in fast. So fast she could see her own reflection in it - as well as the bemused visage of a blue-hooded man peering over his sniper's scope. Clearly he had never seen such a regal animal flying in such an utterly.. illogical manner. In fact, it was too late for him by time he realized it wasn't going to stop. He'd begin to duck behind his long-range rifle but, she'd closed her wings behind her and jetted right through the window's opening, slamming her beak straight into the man's eye, while her thick talons wrecked into his shoulders, crushing the bones there with a bestial grasp. With gunfire echoing throughout the compound from the frontal chaos happening, nobody heard his screams as the eagle held him down, continuously pecking into his eye socket until his body ceased movement.

Kasumi Ito

_{Not what I expected her to do but... LOL. RIP Sniperbro. (Post 4)}

With a beak and talons dripping with enemy blood, she'd give a single flap of her wingspan to send her away. As she flew downward, she'd witness Kasumi's quick and efficient hand-to-hand skills be put to use, knocking out the gunmen who had remained in this part of the compound. She had chosen right in bringing along the female; she'd make a great assassin. Or, even, an excellent capo.

In no time she'd catch up to her, landing next to her and shifting back into the male form she'd worn earlier. "You're thinkin flashbang, aren't ya?" His mouth, although having been turned back into that of a human's, was still covered in the blood of his earlier victim. He wasn't sure how she felt about murder, but, he'd no doubt find out later on in the mission, after he slaughtered the whole lot of them. For now he'd let her play out her tactics, in order to get Adrian in and out without stirring too much of a ruckus.

"I'll follow your lead." His body would take a familiar appearance, as energy began to build around him, visible through wisps of white and yellow, while his hair started to float upwards. It was an unnecessary amount of power to throw at non-mages, but, their fate was demise the moment they'd chosen to make an enemy out of Odin's Spear.

Kasumi Ito

_{notes. (Post 5)}

Following the successful flashbang, Kasumi and Ivory stormed in. Kasumi took care of one half of their guard problem while Ivory promptly took on the other half, but unlike Kasumi he did not go in with fists and kicks. Instead, his clawed hands ripped out a throat, fully penetrated an abdomen and smashed one's head so hard his face concave'd. With his power-up it had been simple to do all three without breaking a sweat nor having to expend energy covering large ground, given the close proximity the guards had to one another.

With all bodies dropping in swift manner, they'd find the hostages unharmed. The guards apparently having been hesitant to shoot their merchandise on accident. He began uncovering heads and found the expressions of the Jackal's captives to be shocked, fearful and a little relieved to see that he and Kasumi weren't wearing hoodies. Kasumi had gotten to Adrian first, who was smirking, "I knew someone would show up and save my ass. Thanks, UB.. and..?" "That's Kasumi, she's officially the badass who made this whole op run smoothly."

Ivory's figure changed back to that of her original form, and she'd tap her forearm's tattoo, bringing the remaining captives attention toward it, "You have Odin's Spear to thank for ya'lls life continuing, be sure to to report that back to your respective organizations. We're open for business and trade, straight outta Shale Town."

She would unbound them all and nod toward Kasumi and Adrian, "Take him and these other guys back to where we came. We'll provide them safe passage. I have something to take care off once the area is cleared, so I'll be staying behind."

Kasumi Ito

_{Since you already had Kasumi leaving, you can just have what Ivory said as an afterthought rather than directly replying, to keep the scene consistent for you. Up to you, though!~ (Post 6)}

Ivory simply nodded, though she wondered if there'd be anything for the woman to come back to in three minutes.

Swiftly after Kasumi left, Ivory would pick up one of the handguns from among the four knocked out guards. She'd cock it, her expression stoic, before blasting a hole into each of their skulls. Nine down.

She'd drop it after that, turning to leave the room and head toward the entrance rather than the backyard which they had arrived in. As she went, her skin would transform from a pallid peach to lavender, whilst her back sprouted wings and her clothes were replaced by the skimpy attire of a demonness.

Out front her man had just driven away; apparently Kasumi having issued them a note about mission completion over the radio. Outside there were a few jackals lying dead, some in pieces from a landing grenade, all scattered going upward the terrain where they had tried to advance on their man. But plenty of them remained, most currently hiding behind their make-shift three foot "wall" that had provided them frontal cover to duck behind.

"Hey, I think something of yours went missing."

The Jackals turned to her to her, startled. When their vision laid eyes upon her she'd allow a pretend smile to grace her demonic lips, all the while her arms had began to visibly light up with a glow of veins liken to magma.

"My name is Ivory Volkov, and I represent Odin's Spears' rage."

Realizing they were in danger, the lot of them began to fire, the sound of their guns creating a violent symphony. Each bullet met with her erected aura, melting upon contact. It, unlike the male feline's aura, was of black and purple density, wild and lashing. Growling, she'd point her palms in their direction before firing off two spheres of energy which quickly merged together and exploded in width, covering a massive radius as it shot toward the men trapped by their own makeshift wall.

In the back of her mind, she realized one of the faces looking at her was that of a terrified teenager, who wielded his gun with a tremor.

Some sting of compassion burned at her, but she had already done the deed - her blast soon disintegrating the child and his companions.

In the distance, however, she could see the forms of some persons running. Ones who had been farther out. They were next. But she intended on leaving one alive to report back to whoever they worked for.

Kasumi Ito

_{notes. (Post 7)}