2022-06-27: Simply Magnificent!
- Log: Simply Magnificent!
- Cast: Julia Ampere, Lin Xiahe
- Where: A town in the AEU
- Date: 27th June 2022
- Summary: Xiahe seeks someone whose grandiose activities have attracted her attention.
<Pose Tracker> Julia Ampere has posed.
Julia Ampere is, of course, an infamous energy thief - one who steals and stockpiles energy for her own nebulous purposes. That energy has to be going /somewhere/, of course. She can't just be stockpiling it indefinitely, can she?
...Well, yes and no. Most of it she keeps stored away, but she still has plenty to spare - both to contribute to other BioNet projects, and to trade to places where energy is scarce. It's become something of a hobby of hers - something to do in between planning, scheming, and enacting said plans and schemes. But she'd be lying if she said she didn't kind of appreciate the appreciation it gets her. It's nice, to have her talents recognized.
She has a reputation to uphold, though, so if anyone asks it's just another long-term scheme of hers.
The AEU has been hit hard by wars of the last three decades, and it's the average person that suffers for it - the smaller towns outside of the protection of the larger where those in power live. Conveniently for Julia, her Secret Lair is on the continent as well, making transportation that much easier.
She's finished making her rounds today, taking a moment to relax in town before returning to her hideout. Though small, it still features the signature canals of AEU cities. Julia can be found next to the canal splitting the city in half, leaning back and tapping away at a phone. Several spheres can be found sitting next to her - recognizable to those familiar with her work as the inert form of her Electrocrawler, condensed until it's time for them to act.
<Pose Tracker> Lin Xiahe has posed.
Someone's an absolute fan.
From the first time she spotted her theatrics in Nouvelle Tokyo, Lin Xiahe knew that Julia Ampere was someone she should keep an eye on -- in a good way! This lady had style oozing out of everything she does, and energy theft? My, that's terribly interesting -- and has a touch of merciful elegance, in the way it doesn't target people directly, and where's that energy going...?
To those in need!
As Julia taps away at her phone, she hears the sound of slow clapping above her. "Bravo," a female voice speaks up. "Excellent performance, I must say."
A dark-haired woman in a ruqun -- a traditional Chinese dress -- of pastel colours of white and light blue and some pinks stands seemingly effortlessly above a rickety wooden pole that by all rights should be too fragile for her height. She's carrying a feathered fan at her sleeve, which she pulls near her lips as she demonstrates a coy smile.
"The famous energy thief, Julia Ampere, I presume? I watched your electrifying performance in Nouvelle Tokyo. And I must say, what a charged performance it is!"
Someone really appreciated those puns.
<Pose Tracker> Julia Ampere has posed.
Suddenly, from above, there is the sound of slow clapping. Julia pauses, shifting her phone aside and looking up as the clapping is soon accompanied by a voice belonging to a woman standing effortlessly on a wooden pole. /That/ certainly gets her attention - it's a remarkable feat. Julia chuckles appreciatively at the puns and stows her phone away in her coat.
This woman has drawn her interest immediately. She's far more fascinating than whatever she might have been working on before.
"The very same." Julia confirms. "I am quite glad you appreciated it. I was rather proud of it, myself. Everything came together beautifully in the end - it was quite the thrilling diversion."
She pauses for a moment.
"I am afraid, however, you have me at a bit of an advantage. I don't believe we've been introduced, miss...?" Julia asks. This woman knows who she is, and enough to track her down. That's enough to draw her curiosity.
<Pose Tracker> Lin Xiahe has posed.
Xiahe hovers down, as if she were as light as a feather, gliding over the canal to arrive at Julia's side; her dress and sash flutters in the winds as she does so, with remarkable ease.
"My name is Lin Xiahe. I have an... arrangement, with our mutual friends," she introduces herself plainly, a bright smile on her face, alluding to BioNet. Closer in, it's clear there's... little, white branch-like horns? on either side of her head, as if evoking the image of the qilin.
Lin Xiahe is a name that might've had some renown some nine years ago -- she was renowned in the eastern sphere around the REA and OCU in particular as a defender of the Earth against terrestrial threats, such as the Dinosaur Empire, the Mycenae and Dr. Hell's Mechabeasts, among others.
Then she disappeared all of a sudden, not long after New Yark City was vaporised to stop the Dinosaurs.
A woman with a decidedly heroic background, and yet... she's connected to BioNet now?
"Oh, and you should be proud! You drew quite the crowd and made quite the splash, I must say." She leans forward provocatively, her grin showing teeth as she puts her hands on her waist.
"But I should speak plainly and say what I am here for: I am quite interested in aiding you in your future escapades. As you say, it should make for quite a thrilling diversion."
<Pose Tracker> Julia Ampere has posed.
Julia watches the way Xiahe hovers down, just as easily as she stood on the pole. The mysteries only get deeper, it seems. Of course, that just earns more points in Julia's book - an air of mystery is an important part of presentation in her trade.
Xiahe introduces herself, and Julia nods, offering her a smile.
"Ah! That explains it, then. Well then! Pleased to meet you." She replies. She recognizes the name - Julia may not have participated in any of those events, but she /did/ keep an eye on current events. She knows the names to know, and Lin Xiahe was definitely among them. It /does/ pose certain questions.
"Oh, do go on." Julia replies with a chuckle, pleased. "I must give some credit to the choice of location, however. A city guarded by those whose hearts are filled with justice will always have those who will rise to defend it. It would not have been nearly as remarkable were their reaction any slower."
She pauses, though, as Xiahe makes her intentions clear. Julia 'hm's to herself for a moment, studying Xiahe consideringly.
"Well now... that /is/ a novel idea. I usually work alone, you see - accompanied only by my darling creations." She says, giving one of the inert spheres next to her a pat. "But... perhaps a change /is/ in order. That may be just the spark I need..."
She thinks about it for a moment.
"Though I must ask... what do you wish to get out of it?" She asks, curious.
<Pose Tracker> Lin Xiahe has posed.
Mysteries upon mysteries! Xiahe certainly loves to play it that way, which she can sense is a trait Julia also enjoys -- and demonstrates in spades, in turn.
"My answer is that I had a feeling you chose Nouvelle Tokyo because of that exact reason," Xiahe smiles rather vividly. "There are those who would choose the least-defended, picking on those who are forced to live in the deepest cast of shadows. The most craven feed upon those that already die a slow death."
She looks up and around, spinning her arms around gently. "Instead, you take your light and bring energy to those places instead -- to cast a light in the shadow, with no regard to how governments will brand your name. To some, you will be villain, terrorist... but it is that choice that has drawn me to you."
There's a mirthful grin as she places her fan near her lips again. "As to what I will receive out of our bargain... fear not, for I will not demand much of you but the excitement your escapades bring, nor would I need to be looked after. I have creations of my own, and can aid you in battle."
<Pose Tracker> Julia Ampere has posed.
Julia considers Xiahe for a moment. Her read on her... it might come a little too close to the truth. She does have a reputation to uphold after all.
"I feel you may be overestimating me a little. I simply went with what I thought would be most exciting. There's no entertainment in targeting those who can't defend themselves - and it would be /sorely/ lacking in class, besides. I have no desire to put myself on the level of a common burglar." Julia replies with a modest chuckle. "And in the same vein, it is convenient to be able to offload my spoils. Still... you are rather insightful, aren't you?"
She listens, then, as Xiahe explains her end of things. She seeks excitement too, hm?
"Ah, a kindred spirit." Julia replies with a chuckle. "I must admit, you have piqued my interest. I am quite curious now to see you in action. What choice do I have but to accept?"
<Pose Tracker> Lin Xiahe has posed.
Julia tells Xiahe that she may be overestimating her a little -- and there's a hum of quiet delight as she gently deflects away. But the comment on how she wishes to be better than a common burglar is, nonetheless, heard. "I did have a feeling you find the everyday humdrum to be quite... understimulating, and that there is excitement in this. Yes, I do believe we will get along quite well."
She squints one eye with a smile, and says, "Oh, I run intelligence for our mutual friends, so I do have to make it my business to be quite the nosy sort. Still, I will respect your privacy, worry not."
And Julia says she's curious to see her in action, and she draws her finger to her lips as her grin grows...
... and a swift roil of mist rises around her, seemingly coalescing into a deer-like figure, with dragon-like whiskers and a white mane. A qilin, or at least one of the many depictions of the beast. She sits upon seemingly thin mist, as the figure rises into the air.
"Unfortunately, a full demonstration would draw undue attention at the moment, so you will forgive me if I offer this little teaser," she winks. "But I shall make myself contactable. I look forward to what shocking mark you leave upon the world, my dear Dynamo Queen!"
<Pose Tracker> Julia Ampere has posed.
"Indeed, I feel the same way." Julia agrees, as Xiahe says they'll get along quite well. Xiahe explains, then, that she runs intelligence for their 'mutual friends'.
"Ahh. And now the pieces fall into place! I must say, then, that you seem quite good at your job." Julia compliments with a chuckle. She watches with interest, then, as Xiahe draws a finger to her lips - soon followed by roiling mists from which a majestic qilin appears. Julia lets out a slow whistle of appreciation.
"Ah... simply magnificent! I see now what you mean." She replies... and then grins, as Xiahe continues.
"Of course, of course. The last thing I wish is to cause a stir here, hm? And one must always leave the audience excited for more." She replies, standing up. "And I do so look forward to getting in touch with you. To a thrilling and fruitful partnership!"