Start Ups Null

[Yun]

(Use CTRL+F/CMD+F and find your username if you don't feel like sifting through it.)

Yet again, the people of Null's Laboratory sector were hard at work. Inside of the large lab complex, there were a number of people walking through its halls. Scientists, researchers, guards - all of them were doing something. Many individuals sat in chairs, eyes glued to screens containing graphs and charts. Others were in various areas, performing checkups on different individuals or just generally chatting.

There was a reason for this. The normally sedate labs were bustling because of the new faces that would be visiting. Four of them, to be precise; each of the carrying the existence of the Rift within them. There was no surplus of realized Riftwalkers, but the prospect of getting four new ones at a time was astonishing.

These prospects would come in from the hall way, entering a large room where many of the researchers gathered. @LucarioFan3; @Heartist; @Truly Deceptive; @DJ Omega;

Inside one of the rooms, a nurse was checking up on their latest patient. After running a few tests, most of which involving some form of laser, she put up the equipment before speaking. "Well, Mr. Kassir, things seem to still be in order. Nothing... particularly wrong with your structural integrity," she picked up her pad, typing something on the screen before continuing. "Now, come with me. The doctors want you to meet the others like you that will be visiting." @SudoWooper;

---------------

Not all of the personnel for Null were there. No, the most experienced of their current members had been called out to field. It worked out, considering that the labs wouldn't be crowded. The scientists had picked up growing Rift activity and wanted to respond immediately.

The three members decided it best to wait inside of a Czech restaurant, which was directly inside of the approximated range of the new rift. There were others inside of the restaurant, either serving food or simply there to pass time idly. Whatever their reasons, the incoming Rift would be dangerous. @Heroic Sociopath; @Midorikawa;

Ayana looked at the menu, raising an eyebrow. "I don't even know what half of this is," she lifted the menu closer to her. "What's a jitrnice?" @Flaze; @Flannery;

 

[Flaze]

Adam sat next to Ayana at the restaurant, resting his head on his right hand as he shifted between all of the people in the restaurant with a bored expression. He would've rather gone to see what had been going on in the Rift or even staying at the lab to tease and or torment the new recruits. Instead he was in a restaurant doing nothing but pretending he actually cared about the food or the people in there. He heard Ayana's question, his expression becoming slightly amused as he looked at her menu and then at her. "Liverwurst," he replied robotically. A smirk then crossed his face as he looked at her. "Why? want to stuff some sausage into your face?"

 

[Taengoo]

Metzli's heterochromatic eyes flickered around the room uncertainly. She was surrounded by older people, something she certainly wasn't used to. She lightly rubbed the black dragon-like tattoos on her arm, anxiously awaiting for something else to happen. Her brown-black hair was draped over her shoulder in a braid, and because it usually shadowed her eyes, it felt a bit unnatural. She wasn't sure if she was comfortable in a room with so many people in it.

 

[Destructive Idiot]

Aaron saw a young, heterochromatic girl with tattoos on her arms look around the room with a nervous expression. There were so many people that he wished someone would've fatally injured him before he'd taken so much as a step outside that day. His mind was rampant with questions and worries that he was being a fool with no observational skills or sense of direction. For half a minute, everything dissolved into a torrent of red. He took a few steps, trying to approach a few researchers, and stood in a corner. "Excuse me: where exactly am I supposed to go?" he asked, slightly hoping that they'd ignore him.

 

[Midorikawa]

Ares sat in the restaurant, watching the spot for the rift to open. What seemed to be a male sat next to him, however it was merely one of his puppets. He made it eat as he waited so it did not seem strange that they were in there. Though he would need to empty the food from it later, it was better than him eating. Wouldn't want to scare everyone out of the restaurant now would he? Soon it would open, and thus bring him one step closer to who he was after. It really was making him impatient.

 

[Heroic Sociopath]

Falk's family restaurant was a small eatery. Perhaps cosy would be a better word. Several tables dotted the floor, all nearly polished, and lights on the wall cast a soft glow over the area. Eastern European music played quite lot on a jukebox.

Spoiler

Hi Fi - Все в огонь - YouTube

"So you're saying the restaurant is going to be invaded by demons?" Grandma Freebird asked. A stout woman, while sweet, it belied a level of cunning that allowed her to be a shrewd businesswoman. While fluent in a English, she had grown up in Germany, and preferred to speak in it when convenient.
"Yes, grandma." Falk said. He was a tall, lithe young man, leaning against the counter. They were in the kitchen, and the cooks worked around them, acting as if the pair weren't there. The kitchen was brightly lit, and grandma Freebird kept it cleaner than most doctors kept their offices.
"Just make sure that the Ringwraiths stay out." Falk's grandma said. Falk emerged from the kitchen. He wasn't in uniform. He wore his favorite olive green parka, a black tank top, and a pair of tight jeans. He also carried food. Lots of Czech and German foods. Say what you will about Germans, but they know their meat. Falk had just gone ahead and cooked one of everything on the menu for his friends.

"So it's like a video game, right?" Falk asked, setting down a plate of sauerbraten, steeped in savory gravy, with dumplings on the side. He say down with his fellow party members, pulling a plate of apple strudel towards him.

((In case it was unclear, speech in italics is in German.))

 

[Yun]

Ayana gave a hard glare at Adam. "Fuck you," the statement wasn't vitriolic; simply a comeback to a friend's snide remark. "Order something before we leave. And get that look off your face," to tell the truth, she could only tell that the male was bored from experience. He wasn't one to idle, but the job called for it today. "You don't wanna be caught off guard."

Looking to Falk, she sighed. "No, it's not a video game," she scratched her head. "No retries if we lose."

-----

Most of the researchers in the room were impassive, watching the newcomers with calm eyes. Some showed their excitement, and unfortunately that was the one that Aaron had decided to speak to. "Oh! You're in the room, now! We're just going to introduce you all!"

One of the researchers stood up, walking toward the group. "Hello there, everyone. Welcome to the Null Sector IV Labs," his voice projected over the room. Definitely the sign of being a leader. "My name is Dr. Kale, and I will be your coordinator for today's tests. How about you all start off with your names?"

 

[Taengoo]

Metzli gave a small sigh, and decided that she might as well get it over with. "Metzli Helios," she replied to the head scientist, looking down at the floor after a few moments.

 

[Flaze]

"Fine, I think I'll just order some coffee then," Adam shrugged, figuring he might as well indulge Ayana for a bit. "But really what's taking this Rift so long?"

 

[Destructive Idiot]

I might as well get this over with now. Aaron thought to himself.

"Aaron Geist." he said in response. He walked over to the back of the room, hoping to avoid the researchers' attention.

 

[SukiWooper]

Curt walked to the door.
His upper body crawled.
His head bounced.

 

[Hector]

Colt smiled faintly at Adam and Ayana's banter. He would call them friends, but the depths of his memory made the term feel... vague. It was as if he knew that he had held such friendships in the past, but he couldn't place them... the faces were nothing more than shadows. However, being in the restaurant had brought back a memory of sorts. Apparently he could speak Czech, but he didn't like it. Too many Zs... it twisted his tongue and he didn't like it very much. If he had to use a tongue from that part of the world, he much preferred Russian. But just knowing he spoke it... it was a connection to what once was. "Be ready you two. I feel as if we're going to be called into action soon." He said quietly, not wanting to disturb any of the other patrons. He had ordered a coffee as well, like Adam. He wasn't hungry at the moment.

 

[Flaze]

"I'm always ready," Adam replied confidently before taking a sip from his coffee, staring at it curiously for a moment before lowering and nodded his head. It was a good coffee at least. "I just hope it's not some weak ass monster, otherwise it won't be fun."

 

[Midorikawa]

Ares rolled his eyes at the others. If this wasn't beneficial to him, then he wouldn't have to deal with them. He wasn't at the same table, but he was near, and thus near enough to hear their annoying conversation. He really wanted this rift to open. That reminded him. He had an appointment with a rapist. Luckily for him the appointment was quite a sturdy body. He could use a sturdy puppet. Of course that wouldn't happen until the rift opened.

 

[Yun]

Ayana looked at her phone, watching the stream of messages pour in. The updates were quick. "Rift incoming. Get ready," she stood from her seat. "I never even got to eat, either."

Looking around the restaurant, she narrowed her eyes as the sounds began dimming. Soon, ripples began to manifest soon, and in an instant all Riftwalkers were purged from the restaurant. A faint bluish glow emanated through the windows, signalling the changing of the world around them.

"Colt, Adam... you," she motioned to Falk. "Try not to get skewered."

 

[Flaze]

"hahahaha, I say that to you," Adam smirked, feeling blood rush through him as the shadows beneath him enveloped him completely before absorbing him into them, causing him to vanish from the other's sights. "I'll jump in after seeing how the thing works," his voice reverberated through the building.

 

[Midorikawa]

Ares merely rose from his seat. Finally. He readied his puppet, ready to fight whatever it was they would fight.

 

[Yun]

Aya smirked a bit. "Try not to draw all of the attention to us," she took one last look around the restaurant, and her eyes finally landed on the two figures standing from their seat.

"Wait. What?" they were inside of the rift. The only way that a person could still be there meant that they were a Riftwalker. "Who are you two?" she called out to Ares.

--------

One of the researchers turned their attention to Curt as he came from the room, cringing back at his disembodied limbs pulling themselves into the room. He turned his head to his computer screen, which had begun beeping. "Oh. Oh! Sir, the Rift has emerged!"

Many of the researchers began speaking, turning their attention to their own screens.

Kale, however, remained calm. "Splendid. All of you, get to work. You four..." he looked to the pieces of Curt that hobbled out of the room. "Er, five, come with me. We'll talk out in the halls."

 

[Taengoo]

Metzli, looking mildly unsurprised, followed him out with an inaudible sigh. Could the day get any crazier?

 

[Hector]

"He must be a rift walker... as for his friend, you don't want to know." Colt said quietly. He smiled at the thought, the more the merrier. Instead of grabbing the pistols on his hips or the broadsword on his back, he armed himself with a... fork and a salt shaker. He was ready however.