The Taint in the Lens, Part 2

[ticketsnriddles]

Characters: Various
Purpose: A continuation of certain events
Location: Lounge
Time: July 14th in the evening
Warnings: Angst and potential violence

Summary: Conductor approaches the lounge after hearing of the disheartening events that are occurring.

Comments

Phase 1: Assessment

[ticketsnriddles]

[[ This log is officially underway as of this comment. This will be the ONLY part of the log that will allow multiple threads, so please intro your character here if you would like them to participate in this special "mission" log.

Of course, as previously mentioned, mod permission is required. Contact Raf if you want to jump in with someone! ]]

[prodigal_hands]

"Conductor!" Edward came running, calling out to the woman as she reached the door.

"What's going on in there?" He demanded an answer with the most serious face he could muster. The alchemist could practically smell that there was something very wrong in the making. "You look a whole lot more worried than usual. It's serious, isn't it?"

[ticketsnriddles]

Her grip on the knob loosened just a bit. Hearing someone call her seemed to bring her back to her calm state, at least for now.

"Edward..." She responded, with a hint of hesitation. "It seems there is a situation. One of the passengers has taken another as a hostage." She wasn't sure how many more details she could reliably give.

[prodigal_hands]

Just as he thought, it was something serious. He didn't want to waste any time, but he needed to know.

"...Who's involved? Perpetrator, hostage, any names you have." He hoped that knowing would help him decipher what was going on, and perhaps come up with a plan that minimized risks.

Phase 2: Confrontation

[ticketsnriddles]

[[ This is the real deal. All those participating, good luck with this one! The thread will be fully moderated, so no jumping in. We'll get everyone together and take turns, as in previous mission logs. ]]

[ticketsnriddles]

Opening the door to the lounge, the conductor and the group of passengers who came to her aid all entered. Seeing Ran Billows standing before them, the conductor couldn't help but feel sorely disappointed.

"Ran... what is the meaning of your actions here?" She called out to the girl. "As conductor of this train, I must ask you to stand down and explain yourself!"

[spectaclebobber]

Ran didn't seem as if she would respond, at first, simply looking down at the others with little emotion in her eyes.

"My actions?" She finally responded. "I haven't done all that much. What, do you all think I'm up to no good?" Given her cold, straight face, it was hard to tell whether or not she was joking around or speaking seriously.

[skullsonaboard]

Beat didn't recognize the girl that the Conductor was addressing. Nonetheless, he did recognize that she was the one the Conductor was after. "You call takin' a hostage not 'all that much!?' Let 'er go, or you're gonna be sorry! I ain't above hittin' a girl!"

Phase 3: Battle

[ticketsnriddles]

[[ All those participating, good luck with this one! The thread will be fully moderated, so no jumping in. We'll get everyone together and take turns, as in previous mission logs. ]]

[spectaclebobber]

Standing there with her two slime minions ready to rumble, her eyes darkened as she stared at her adversaries. Letting out a tiny sigh, her lips formed an evil grin, and she began to tinker with her glasses. "Well? I thought you were all going to fight for this train. Odd. I thought you would all want to leave, but...oh well."

[luminol_lover]

"Hmpf!" Ema stepped forward, using her heavy material filled bag as a pseudo-weapon. Sure, she was no fighter, but she would do what she could to protect her temporary home. "I suppose you miscalculated. Maybe if you had thought this through in a more scientific manner, you wouldn't have made such a silly assumption!"

[prodigal_hands]

Ed rolled up his sleeve, revealing the automail underneath. It seemed pretty obvious to him now that Ran was sticking to her guns. Despite how smart and sensible she evidently was, there was little hope of changing her mind with reason alone.

"If it's a fight you want, I think I can oblige." He spoke out.

Phase 4: The Aftermath

[ticketsnriddles]

[[ The conclusion. Like the other threads, this one will also be moderated. ]]

[spectaclebobber]

Rushing into the hall of the A cart with almost no strength left, Ran was feeling rather desperate, and perhaps even regretful. Why would the others stand by the conductor instead of her, when faced with the possibility of going home? Did they see right though her and know it was, for the most part, a baseless and empty promise?

Panting as she made her way through, Ran kept looking down, lost in thought.

[zodiaclovindork]

After having folded some clothes and organized her room a bit, Tohru stepped out into the hallway to head to the dining cart for some dinner. Though, she paused when she saw Ran there. Approaching her to greet her, she stopped when she noticed that the girl appeared to be in bad shape. "Ran-chan?"

[spectaclebobber]

Nearly gasping, it hadn't occurred to her that she would encounter someone here so soon. "...Tohru." Looking away, she was a little unsure of what she should do, as well as what her remaining strength would actually allow her to do.