Aggravated Assault [Cadet Dungeon Dash]

The scars were fresh from the night before but that did not change the reality of the situation. There were things that needed to be done and upkeep happened to be one of those things. Class Zero would need to be more than the city's disaster reaction force, for them to gain any ground they would need to go on the offensive and be proactive. This meant patrols and coordinated assaults. In all reality Susan should not be here, not with how the day had gone and how stressed she had become yet she was willing to ignore all that for greater purpose. The businesswoman understood that she was currently in poor standing despite her mission success from the events of that morning and that was not about to impact her favorable impression. It had been an honest mistake, a careless, thoughtless, stupid and inane... but honest mistake and she would merely need to double down and prove that she was capable. It stung to know how valuable she had been to the mission, in her own comrades' words no less, and to have that all taken away because information could not or would not be exchanged. But the world didn't stop so she could not afford to either, at a minimum she could count this as worthwhile combat experience and put her study to practice.

Susan wandered the empty streets openly in her full tactical combat uniform, though now more or less an official one than a previously informal one that was based on necessity. She wore her pink sneakers of course and her usual dark cargo pants and polo shirt but her equipment was much more organized this time around. She had found a new cap and ordered custom patches, this one had a velcro strip on the front to display her rank. Her tactical vest went over her bulletproof vest with her badge proudly displayed on the left shoulder strap. On the back in bold white letters read CLASS ZERO to signify her status. She walked with purpose and watchful eyes, cradling her P90 as she made her rounds. Anyone at a glance would be able to tell who she was and what authority she wielded, that being the purpose of her uniform. To give confidence to the public and to clear misconceptions before they arose.

The call came out a little later as it took some amount of time for Susan to gather the intelligence she needed, but she would be here first. The notice she sent would be up to dispatch and other class leaders to assign. As other Cadets began to show Susan would waste no time in explaining the situation.

She was concerned.

That was an understatement. She was heavily and deeply concerned. Taking this evening to go on a patrol when his Highness ordered them to rest? After seeing their reactions to what T showed them of the truth and Julius' confirmation, it constantly worried Maria if they were in any state to continue. But they were here now. If anything all she can do is just hope her worries were unfounded. But that was only one of the few concerns she harbored. The other was the newbie who followed her from behind. As she arrived, Maria gave a silent nod to Susan. She remained silent to what the adult had to say. When the Cadet was finished Maria had no complaints to introduction.

Maria Tension:

To an observant Cadet, Rui probably wouldn't have been seen first. He would have been heard first. Distinctive clacks would have sounded to a very careful listener as Rui approached. This was due to his heels.

Rui had thought long and carefully what he should have worn to the patrol. He had many considerations. First, it needed to be very distinctive. Something that wounded Cadets could easily identify and rush towards if they were gravely injured.

Second, it needed to be not excessively distinctive. Anyone with healing abilities should be shot first. Rui had briefly considered come dress up as a nurse, but he discarded the idea on the basis that it would turn him in a target.

Third, it had to obviously be very stylish. If he wasn't stylish, the Cadets would set a terrible example. Fashionability and legitimacy were the same. You cannot command authority without being really cool looking.

Fourth, he actually didn't want to be recognized easily. This meant simply using his cosmetic modification abilities to modify his hair color and style. This time, to a shorter blonde cut. His face couldn't be changed in short-time though, so it was the exact same face that anyone who had ever met him before would immediately recognize up close. But at a distance? It could be harder.

Rui had thus narrowed his dress down to two choices. First was the maid warrior. This was a common dress and one that Rui probably preferred most days. However, he was worried that it would be damaged and there was much less of a point when Julius wasn't there.

Unfortunately for perhaps everyone, one thing Rui did not prioritize was actual practiability. So thus, he came like this. In full gothic lolita clothing.

Spoiler:

However, he was not exactly showing himself off to everyone. If anything, he was consistently keeping Maria in between him and the new Team Leader. Almost as if he were hiding behind the young nun-in-training, as if she were a Senpai who had both noticed Rui and earned his trust. In contrast, Rui had not expected Susan to be leading the patrol and both seemed rather apprehensive about interacting with her. He remained in hiding behind Maria. "Um. Like...okay." He paused, "...yay?"

Jackie was silent. His eyes were fixed on the moon as he walked, only slightly aware of his surroundings. He didn't remember the last time he looked at the moon without tinted shades. It was...well, distracting. It was bright, and shining, and so far away. It was almost peaceful to look at, but something about it filled him with unease. The moon, and the night brought the demons. He had to wonder if it was the moon's fault at all. Maybe there was some kind of unsaid connection between the two. Regardless, it wasn't his job to think about the moon, and whatever curse it might, or might not carry. It had seemed like a weird night for a patrol, but Jackie wasn't complaining. He needed something to keep his mind off the events of the previous night, and work was just the thing. Well, assuming Officer Tsurinai or Hunt didn't show up. He'd missed most of the physical, but last he'd seen Cecilia she was running off at the news of DATAREDACTED BY UNIT. Not that he could blame her, he supposed. She was only human.

Though as he arrived, soul bound slung over his shoulder, and a neutral look on his face, he only saw Officer Hunt, Officer Woodsworth, and Officer...what was that one's name again? Regardless, it was good to see him. Jackie, feeling a bit generous, had gotten the newest recruit a present, and he offered the box out to Officer Dogmask. "Merry Christmas, as the h-humans say. The gem allows for quick escapes, as for the other thing...supposedly it increases your stamina? I-I would be cautious. Such things are usually scams."

Action:

The song permeated the air as she arrived on the scene, humming the words gently in what to all but Jackie was a series of bark and yips, the Tsurinai confidently striding forward with a newfound passion in her glistening gold eyes. Up until last night Endymion had been a truly dull place; Demons, starving artists, mewling sob stories and easily secured hostages... She had thought it all the city had to offer and even with so little direct on-the-field experience found it quite like the norm for the rest of the world. Yet pathetic as they were it seemed Endymion had one unique quarry scurrying about its shadows. That moment last night still sent shivers down her spine, still brought a crooked smile to her face even knowing the news from the meeting: singlehandedly she'd torn his petty visage apart when all others failed. And now around her neck she wore a piece of it, a broken and shredded mask that stared up mockingly at Jackie, Maria, and Susan as the beast treaded toward them slowly and methodically. The preservation of the queen's Order remained just another duty, but Azami knew now that it was her duty, hers to seize and relish with a display of power none could mirror. The prideful aura around her was like a whirlpool and if one wasn't careful they could easily find themselves sucked in, their fragile egos shredded and stolen, shared between the mutt and the true master she served.

"Ahh, what a night... I'm sure mere Demons won't be enough to quench my appetite, but I'll tear them apart for you lot nevertheless. You can still understand me, right Jackie? I'll tell you if I need something conveyed to them; make sure you treat it as the order it is. I wouldn't want to have to reenact last night's festivities on a friend."

With her tail growing and her blood boiling, Azami would quietly await the signal to proceed from there. She'd noted the presence of a new face accompanying them, the face of a crossdresser if her observant eyes were to be believed, but she didn't pay them any particular heed. Was it an eccentric choice of attire? Certainly said the dog in the jacket, red t-shirt, and brown wig. But she'd known from the start that this was a city of clowns and now that sentiment even applied literally; Rui's presence alone wouldn't perturb her, only amuse her.

Susan gave a confident nod. If she could count on anyone it would be Maria, and it took worry off her mind that she would be allowed to lead this time around just as she had been unofficially granted joint-leadership last time, at least for a while. It motivated her and granted her the backbone to take charge as she knew she could, and as long as she could maintain control over the situation and her peers she could do so effectively through planning and decisive action. But it was a Godsend, another opportunity to show that she was capable despite her shortcomings and faith from her her higher-ups that she could rise to the occasion. Thankfully Maria had spent time with her long enough to look past her problems and see her potential. She would not let the team down.
"Thank you Officer Woodsworth. Stand by for the mission briefing."

There was a short wait for the group to arrive, which Susan used to check over her weapon and adjust the straps and fit of her vest as she glanced at her phone's Maps app to take a mental picture of the area. Preparation was key for mission success. Terui was here which the businesswoman was simply overjoyed to see and expressed her excitement with an icy cobra's glare in his direction... followed by a vacant stare to Maria as if to silently communicate Did you seriously allow him to appear like this?


Jackie would arrive as well with equipment for the new recruit but she'd give naught more than an acknowledging lock of the eyes. She was glad he was here too, Jackie was definitely reliable when it came down to brass tacks. It would take the appearance of Shiina's dog to really rattle her.


Susan progressed all the way to pointing her weapon at the approaching, shambling masked creature and flicking the safety off before the yips and barks snapped her out of it. The timid woman was caught in heaving breaths for a few moments, pale with cold sweat before she caught her bearings and her expression turned to rage instead.

This was a sick joke. It wasn't funny, it was a sick, demented, inconsiderate practical joke and it was tactless. Susan bit the inside of her cheek until it hurt. She could tell where it was coming from and she couldn't fault the one in question, just the atmosphere. The events of the television studio weren't the clearest but she remembered moments of concern: the vision of hell that everyone had seen had made Officer Tsurinai smile. And it was this twisted and inappropriate sense of humor that was akin to the warrior culture of the Cadets, a society of soldiers instead of law enforcement officers. Susan despised the warrior culture, it was absolutely stupid and inane. If people could only focus on the benefit they were instead of their own personal body count or pride or other completely dumb factors that benefited no one at all they would be a lot better off and more prepared and competent to threats to the city's safety. It was this reason why Susan wanted to lead, she wanted to form a culture that respected professional conduct and good judgement instead of the current durr hurr I'm the best fighter so that means I can boss people around sentiment that existed in its current stage.

...perhaps Susan was still cross with the Princess was able to be promoted after endangering the mission. But that did not solely affect her perceptions.

She took a quavering breath to calm herself, returning with her blank stare of focus as she prepared to give her mission briefing. While speaking in her normally serious manner Susan would round the group to touch each face and give them a monitoring mark of Seshat.
"Our mission objective for the evening is to swiftly patrol the area and eliminate any demonic threat we come across. Our goal is suppression, not elimination. Rome wasn't built in a day and we're not guaranteed backup, so be cautious and don't bite off more than you can chew. Terui, your purpose for this evening is to observe how a patrol is conducted as well as gaining first-hand combat experience and learning squad tactics. Feel free to ask questions in-between likely combat encounters so you may gain a better understanding."

Susan would save Rui's mark for last, and she would take time to lean into him to whisper in his ear so that only he could hear the two of them.
"What you do in your personal time is your business, and if this were an emergency call to arms your 'hobby' would be overlooked. But this was preordained, right now you are on my time and in the future when you receive notice you will attire yourself appropriately. Or I will eject you from the mission to change." Susan leaned back out again to give him one last death stare before continuing onward. Were she not the team leader Susan would not be inclined to be lenient. Nor was she lenient now. But she would be fair in her judgement and leadership as a good leader should. If someone wanted to hang themselves she would give them all the rope in the world. Whatever he decided to dress like or whatever he identified as was of no concern to her, but in her presence on a patrol so help her God he would be becoming of an officer of the law.

"Alright, form for combat!" she called, waving her arm as she continued to circle the group, "Maria's taking the back flank, I will be taking point. Terui and Jackie in the center to provide general support. Azami with me to watch for danger and engage in swift assault. Weapons free, keep alert. We're beginning with swift movement, be ready...!" Susan would flick her P90 off of its safety and take a few jogging steps as she waited for the rest to get in sync before taking off in a burst of supernatural speed. The mission had to succeed. Her reputation depended on it.

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Rui quickly bowed to Jackie before thanking them, "Oh, Jackie. Thanks so much again! I've been noticed by senpai! Yay! Looking forward to working together again! Yay!"

However, his brief bout of politeness and thankfulness was quickly cut off by the last person he was looking forward to meeting - Susan. Rui thought for a second about how to respond to her stern warnings, when his entire thought process was cut off. By Doggo. As a result, his response to Susan...was to completely ignore her and rush off to get much closer to the dog.

"Oh-my-god-oh-my-god-oh-my-god doggie doggie doggie!"

Everything in Rui's demeanor suggested that he was treating the dog as the most important thing he had seen all day. Including the mission. Rui dropped to a squat so he could wave with both of his hands at the wig-wearing dog, "Hi hi hi hi! What's your name!!!" He quickly glanced at the collar, "Azami! Azami! My name is Rui! Hi hi hi! You're so cute!!! Yay! Cute mask too! Yay!" Rui totally didn't recognize the mask. And seemed totally unaware of Azami's heightened level of sentience.

"Do you want a treat!?!" Rui reached down his blouse as if he was storing a treat somewhere there. Amazingly, he managed to find some sort of wrapped granola bar, which he was about to unwrap until he seemed to notice that Susan was rushing off to well, do the whole mission thing. "Yikes! Gotta go! I'll save it for later Azami!" He stuffed the treat down his blouse before picking up after her, with his heels distinctively clacking on the way.

Azami would meet Susan's panicked reaction with an unblinking stare. She'd ease her expression slightly from the crooked grin resting on her face and even (begrudgingly) lower her tail before taking a seat on the ground and waiting for the shortlived fit to subside. While she had some admittedly obvious eccentricities and on this night a thirst for blood, she still wasn't about to make any sudden movements or attempts at agitating the situation, not out of fear of the businesswoman but rather out of the knowledge that nothing good could come from a scuffle. At best it'd only delay the mission; at worst it might come back to reflect poorly on those associated with her. With that in mind, doing nothing would easily solve both issues, or at least minimize the personal risk to her if Susan chose to make a hostile move regardless. Thankfully it wouldn't come to that though.

...but that didn't mean the situation was free of complications. The newcomer flocked to her like a small child and his ecstatic exclamations of her existence weren't exactly pleasant to the ears. Regardless, she'd simply stare up blankly at him apathetically, only reeling back slightly when he started to pull a snack out of his skirt. Did he think she was going to eat that? Was he mocking her? She almost considered denying him the courtesy she'd given Susan, but truth be told, she didn't care enough to slam his face into the dirt. Still, what a freak... He'd been admittedly amusing to watch from afar, but him encroaching on her personal space and thrusting strange food in her face was the last thing she needed. Perhaps in a sense that sentiment defined all of Azami's more recent reactions; she'd met the jesters only with a smug smile and a vicious assault, but she hadn't seen the same visions the rest of Class Zero had, nor was this city dear to her heart in any way. And besides, the potential bacterial taint of that bar's wrapper was far more of a threat to her than T could've ever hoped to be.


There was a genuine sympathy in the words racing through her mind. Hopefully he could carry his own weight. If he couldn't even do that then there was no future in sight for him... in Class Zero or anywhere else. As long as he didn't drag them down with him however, a possibility she couldn't discount, then it wasn't any of her concern. With a quiet sigh, the dog would rush ahead to the next cluster of demonic energy, dipping her paw in and gathering the shards from it.

Azami Tsurinai:

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The businesswoman had appeared to be correct, at least so far. There were signs of demonic activity even if the demons themselves weren't present. But they could not be terribly far for leaving such a fresh trail. It was only a matter of time.
"Maintain alertness. This trail will eventually lead us to the enemy, we need to ambush them and not the other way around." she announced, keeping her team informed. At the end of her callout Susan would take another few jogging steps in the direction she planned to travel to signify the team of her intent before taking off down the alleyway once more.

Susan's Stats:

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So far so good, although it would not stay that way forever. As the team used their high speed movement Susan noticed the severity of the situation in the glimpse of an eye. While following their path and picking up another few crystals of compressed supernatural energy she had led them to a dead end. And enemies were abound from two sides, boxing them in with a third entryway with an unknown level of clearance.. The short woman froze for a moment as her team gathered, darting her eyes toward the exit before dashing to scoop up the shards as quickly as possible. Keeping her voice low to not goad the enemy into a surprise assault she would make her best effort to strategize against this unfortunate circumstance. Hopefully this oversight wouldn't reflect poorly. Susan ground her teeth together. It seemed she had the awful habit of falling directly into traps whenever she thought herself intelligent.

"A-alright, here is our plan of action... We will not engage the group of demons directly across from us. W-we will instead engage the group of demons I managed to spot who are now to our right alongside the path we came. This will e-ensure we have an escape route and will not be as cornered in case the worst happens. Maria I-I would like to ask you to be on alert for ambush, i-if you see one coming we will fall back to the corridor and bottleneck the enemy. We will strike swiftly and quietly, move quickly but keep noise to a minimum to not draw attention. If were are fast, fierce, and smart enough we will only take on one engagement. We are pruning the weeds, not scorching the earth. Do not forget that."

Susan was hesitant and feared she had made a hypocrite of herself, already finding them in deep water. Fortunately for her a sound strategy could be formulated in short order. This was as much an exercise for her as it was their new recruit, testing her ability to think quickly, tactically, and direct a team to victory. In all honesty it was a diverting thought exercise, like a dynamic game of chess. She took a few steps forward and crouched to take off in a run, text appearing within her comrade's vision.


The timid woman practiced what she preached and made nary a sound as she rounded the corner to avoid the two-pronged attack and approached the enemy. The only sound that came from her was the soft click of her gun's safety as soon as the demons were in firing range. They weren't human. They didn't get a warning like the night before.

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Looking on impatiently, Azami would spring into action when the time came and the signal was given, summoning Fisher King behind her and charging the Demons without hesitation. The usually mouthy Persona would remain oddly silent, but an amused smirk would spread across his face as he brandished his rod. Perhaps he only fell silent thanks to the plan, perhaps it was a reflection of Azami's growing confidence; who could say for certain?

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