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It was in the Afternoon when Cain sat down and sipped his afternoon blended cappuccino in his quarters. He arrived there just the other day and barely finished unpacking yesterday evening. He was simply ecstatic he was finally on a team, eager to start his own fight against the heartless. It was only last week he passed the qualification exams to join the Vanguard. Now here he is. Drinking coffee and awaiting orders for his first mission!

He just couldn't wait! For two evenings he slipped into his leather armor and waited for a signal of some kind, with his sword nearby. Speaking of his sword, he looked over at said sword to inspect it. The broadsword was nearing his height in blade length, and he pondered whether or not to name the blade. It had a blue green handle with a silver cross guard. The blade itself was black in color, with a blue green line running down the center for six inches. All tucked into a teal scabbard, it was a perfect specimen of a weapon in Cain's opinion. It will be even more cool when he figured out what magic crystal he wanted!

So he simply sat and waited, waited for the possibility of being called on a mission and meeting some of his teammates. He heard some rumors that he'd be grouped with a pair of brothers who happened to be Nobodies, a former troublemaker, and a leader wanting to learn the ropes of leadership. He just hoped as a new member, he'd make a fantastic first impression.

"Heck, if it came late, I'd be drinking some of Bahamut's Famous Espresso to keep me going through the night!" He thought. He had to wait though. Wait a bit and see if the chance comes today.

---

As twilight's beauty began to slowly fade from Everglade and the streets grew scarcer by the moment, the familiar noise of the bell tower's grand ringing sounded out over the city. What once was considered an alluring noise for all to appreciate in some capacity, now hung against the sky like an omen. A reminder of the coming hours, that for some, would bring fear...but to Jamoke, they may bring labor. The Vanguard member found himself squinting at the disappearing sun, having been shaken by the sudden ringing.

"Alright, alright. I'm up..", he scolded at the noise, knowing that it was in vain. It had never stopped the bell before, and today would be no different. So, on it rung, until it had completed its six as Jamoke stretched his limbs, and pulled himself out of his sleepy state. Punctuality was always a weak spot for him, and he wouldn't amend it today. So, Jamoke took his time, his eyes adjusting to the light and mind beginning to piece together his surroundings and memories; It was his usual spot, the rooftop the Headquarters. Not long after joining the Vanguard had he discovered the hangout, urged to find something beyond his cramped, and slightly blackened room. (It was also that day, he realized that his fire crystal was for more than show and party-tricks.) Even after a bit of 'tasteful' decorating with his own assorted junk and entertainment, the room still felt as suffocating, if not more.

"Hm. That time already, huh?"

With a final crack of his neck Jamoke reached down towards his pocket, where he knew his sunglases hung at the ready, and adorned them to his face to properly look out over this small piece of Everglade. For the most part, it was peaceful and slow as the light began to retreat. However, every citizen, and every piece of the Vanguard knew that it would never stay this way. It'd be too much to ask for.

"...Alright...better see what the work load's looking like today. Hell, maybe we'll even get something demanding."

With a sharp little smile curling his lips slightly Jamoke pulled himself to his feet, and walked along the edge of the roof. For a moment, he sized up the edge, making certain that it was the correct spot it always was. The open window, the window to his room, was the final confirmation he needed before beginning to scale the side of HQ. The little climb, both up and down, had become easier with time, and in a few short moments Jamoke was dropping into his issued room with a light thud, the mess just as he left it: Half unpacked, and half scattered about. It was far from what he'd like to call home, but hey, at least it had a bed.

"Honey, I'm home..."

{Thoughts - #E47B12}{Speech - #EC1F1F}

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"They shall arrive shortly. The same to you. Excuse me." Sebastian gave a slight incline of his head as a portal riled into existence behind him. Performing an about face, he stepped through the thick darkness of the rift, his body disappearing completely before the portal collapsed, leaving Eve alone in her quarters.

First, the portal directed him to in front of Cain's quarters. Beside the door, an intercom system was adorned on the wall to provide easy communication through the door. Jamming the button to signal his arrival, a loud buzz could be heard from within the room. When the sound cut off, it was replaced by Sebastian's voice, smooth and melodic. "You've been summoned by Eve to the front entrance, your arrival will be expected immediately." Without waiting for a reply, he strode down the hallway a bit further to where Jamoke's quarters were located. Again he pressed the buzzer, reciting his message to Jamoke. Now that they had both been told where to be, it was time to get Alase.

The two of them shared their quarters, a large room that had at one point been used for conferences and meetings had been re purposed to house the Nobody brothers. It was easier and safer for them to be in the same room, for if there ever came a time where Alase lost control, having Sebastian close by was always a plus.

The door slid open, revealing Sebastian in the doorway, gazing into the large room. Alase was on one end, preparing his gun for the night's proceedings, seemingly lost in the act. "Evening, brother. I hope you're ready, Eve tells me there is quite a disturbance in District 4. We are to go ahead of the rest of them and do what we can to maintain the problem before it spreads too far."

Making his way to his own corner of the room, he gathered his notebook and pen from his nightstand, flipping it open to where he had left off the morning before. Each day he kept a log of the mission proceedings, a tally of how many heartless and nobodies had been eradicated, and how many civilians had lost the struggle to maintain the darkness within. Brief summaries and body counts were scribbled throughout the pages, all dated and logged according to district.

He made a new entry for District 4, jotting down his strategy that he had discussed with Eve and leaving the remainder of the page blank. Clamping the book shut, he slid it into the back pocket of his pants. His weapons, the twin katanas, were shelved on the wall parallel to one another. Taking the first sheath from its place, he holstered it to his belt on his right side, and did the same with the other katana, but on his left. Once his weapons were in place, he thumbed at one of the crystals embedded in the hilt, the lightning magic sending a surge of static through his body, causing him to smirk a little.

He'd given Alase a chance to prepare, and now it was time to leave. "First stop, the subway station. That's where the people will be trying to find shelter if they didn't make it home before curfew. We'll start there, and once I get the people rounded up, you can go wherever your gift takes you, I won't be far behind, but I need to make sure Eve and the others don't get overwhelmed. It's their first night in the field, after all."

Once more the portal swirled to life, this time a bit larger to compensate the two of them entering at the same time. The edges seeped with dark tendrils licking at the the empty space in the room, the center of the portal itself looked like a churning pool of the midnight sky, cloudless and starless, only a disturbance in the surface as the energy required to keep the portal open shifted and manifested.

---

Cain took another sip of his coffee, when all of a sudden, the buzzer to his room sounded. A statement, no a message recited to him. He was to meet with his leader. A mission came up, and his presence was required immediately. Wait immediately, doesn't that mean right now?!

"Immediately?! A mission! One side everyone!" he proclaimed as he grabs his sword and pulls it onto his back as he began his dash out of his room and through the hallways. He couldn't believe it, it was finally time! Time to meet his team, and time to start his fight against the darkness. He wanted to pinch himself and hope to whatever deity was watching that it wasn't a dream.

When he got to the main entrance he almost tripped on the way out as the doors opened. He grabbed hold of one door to regain his balance. He walked out calmly hoping to not look like he was totally green. He didn't want to be mistaken for being totally green. He trained for this, he had to make a great first impression to the...the...lady? She was waiting outside like the message said, but he never expected her to be pretty!

"Holy smokes she's really pretty..." Cain thought to himself before mentally slapping himself. "Whoa! Don't think that.. She's probably not gonna give me the time of day..."

"Cain Azura reporting for duty Ma'am!" he said, trying to sound calm and not nervous. Okay maybe a little nervous.

---

Before long, Jamoke found himself laying down on his bed, staring up at the pale light that filled the room. In the silence, one could hear the incessant buzzing that it let off. A noise that was maddening, but at the same time, peaceful. A reminder of the calm that everyone was in...but, just as the thought of this tranquility set in, Jamoke found himself glaring up at the light fixtures as soon as a new thought crossed his mind; The idea of tonight's inaction was already filling his head. Furthermore, every moment of buzzing, was a moment of contempt.

Thankfully, the world wasn't cruel enough to allow this disdain towards florescent bulbs go any further. Suddenly, the room filled with a louder, flatter buzz that managed to take Jamoke surprise. In a moment, he sat up, giving the ceiling a quizzical look, before a familiar voice set him at ease...and immediately, back on guard. It was one of the Nobody Brothers. (Which one, he was honestly unsure. He'd yet to pit names to faces.) But, at least he had tonight's work to relay.

"Finally..."

Giving a final sneer up at the light, almost as if he had won this battle, Jamoke swung himself from the 'comfort' of laying in bed. Within arms reach, everything was at the ready: His protective-gauntlet sat nearby on his nightstand, dull, worn, and ready. With a quick sleight of hand, he slipped it on and locked it into place, before picking up his weapon. Simply having a valid reason to wild the Gunblade sent a smile across Jamoke's lips as he admired it. The blade was sharp, but blackened from smoke. Meanwhile, the handle was still a pristine shade of crimson-red.

The admiration continued as he made his way out into the halls of HQ, tilting and twirling the long piece of steel as he made his way down. Before the night was over, he would add to the kill count he kept in his head, and there was simply nothing more invigorating than that. However, this would also be the first time he gets to rub elbows with his new team. There's nothing more two-edged than that. Truly, tonight would have to be shaped towards the ideal, and as Jamoke stepped towards the entrance way, he decided he would do just that.

"...What have we here?" he said aloud, as usual, as he stepped towards the other two. One, he recognized as Ms. Ferrin. The other face, however, was fresh. (In more ways than one.) For a moment Jamoke eyed him up and down, trying to get a read on the guy.

"Lady fancy-free and an initiate. Wonderful, wonderful."

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Before Cain could give his reply to Eve's request, a slightly taller individual with white hair showed up, and gave out a slightly less then formal introduction. Cain frowned a deep frown then. Initiate? Did he say that in a teasing way, or was he just trying to condescend everyone present including him? He slightly pouted as the thoughts went through his head.

"And what's wrong with being a new guy?" he muttered to himself. Eve then began to explain the mission. Apparently they needed to go to District 4 and take care of an increase in heartless activity. The other two members of their squad had already gone.

Cain nodded in understanding to the no casualties part. He opened his mouth to speak again before his leader gave a very, very stern warning. The two members were nobodies and did not need to be antagonized. Nor should he try to Anger one Alase. He could tell the way she was going into details she was dictating, it was all directed towards him. He had to get along, no exceptions! He nodded slowly as he stuttered out, "Understood Ma-Eve! I meant Eve!" His face dusted pink in embarrassment as he followed Eve and Jamoke to District 4.

When they got near the Area he heard the fighting, and the laughter. He couldn't tell if this is whatEve was talking about in terms of Alase in his berserk state. He slowly kept a one handed grip on his blade, staying alert and ready for any heartless to come his way. He just hoped his teammate in his berserk state didn't attack him! "Here we go! Let those heartless come!"

---

"You hear that? That's the sound of a monster doing what monsters do best." Jamoke said as the trio neared District 4. Beyond their eyes the brothers were most likely hard at work, beating at the darkness that one badger may assume they knew so well. Honestly, he didn't know what idea worse: that those two were allowed to walk freely, or that they were ranked above him. Just another set of wrongs in the world that Jamoke was certain he'd right along the way.

As they grew closer and closer to tonight's area of work, Jamoke's head swiveled more and more. Out of the corner of his eye, he swore the shadows twitched and convulsed. The weapon in his hand twirled in small circles and occasionally sliced through the air as his body was gripped by the anticipation. Of course, the mission's priority was to care for the citizens. And, of course, Eve was right; for each citizen harmed was an enemy gained. However, it was hard to accept that point when the only thing you had to look forward to was the struggle. In Jamoke's mind, they'd make up the deficit.

"Well, unless we have anymore warnings or words of wise, I say it's time to get to work." With a firm point of his Gunblade, and a sharp smirk across his face, Jamoke stepped out in front and proceeded forward. "Let's light up the night, shall we? That's why we're here, right? Boss? Fresh-Meat?" With a razor sharp smirk, he peered back at his 'team,' awaiting them to join his march.

{Thoughts - #E47B12}{Speech - #EC1F1F}

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"Everyone onto the tracks. Quickly."

As the civilians out past curfew started shuffling their way onto the tracks, one by one down the small ladder that allowed access, Sebastian could feel the ever growing presence of the heartless. They had arrived, and they would be coming for these people. He was confident in Alase's lust to drive them back, but surely they would come from other ways, and slip through minor faults in his defense.

Helping the last couple of people down onto the tracks to speed things along, he herded the group down the long dark tunnel. The one they were on would take them to a stop just below the square in the center of the district, where the rest of the group should be arriving by the time he got the people there.

Sebastian's own vision in the darkness was fine, but he took into account the others, and sent a surge of electrical energy through the tunnel, sparking the various sconces to life, giving off a dim glow in the large pathway. Sighs of relief could be heard throughout the group as people were no longer prone to trip over their own feet stumbling around in the dark, and surely not all of them were comfortable with the fact that he was one of the nobodies corralled to work for the vanguard.

Before long, Sebastian was starting to think the group would arrive safely in the square without a hitch. He knew the subway would be a safer mode of travel given they weren't out in the open, but he hadn't expected to not see a single one.

As if on cue, a sharp presence suddenly made the hair on the back of Sebastian's neck stand, and he whirled around to see heartless, many of them, massing on the floor and walls, shifting eerily as they often did, twitching as their bulbous yellow eyes fixated on the prey. The scuffling of their feet in unison hardly made a sound on the stone flooring, nor did they make any noise as they oozed from the walls, confined to the the shadows that lingered in the recesses.

Slowly, to not alert anyone, Sebastian loosened one of the magic crystals from the hilt of one of his blades. He gripped it tightly in his fist, and a purple glow slightly illuminated the crevices between his fingers. When he opened his hand once more, the crystal was gone, having seemingly disappeared, but had been replaced with a piercing blue circle mark in the center of his palm.

Thrusting the palm with the mark forward, he winced as intense sparks of lightning flared forth from his hand. A loud crack resonated through the tunnel as the lightning struck the stone wall, obliterating a small patch where heartless had been gathered. The sparks ricocheted from the point of impact, seeking out other heartless and eradicating them as well, until each spark faded to a dwindle.

Some civilians screamed from the sudden outburst, others began to notice the heartless. Naturally, they began to run headlong down the tunnel, unaware of where they were going, only alert to the primal instinct to survive, to not be claimed by the heartless.

"Dammit..." This was not what Sebastian had in mind. With a flick of the wrist, another burst of lightning tore through a portion of the crowd of heartless. Still, there were too many for him to focus on if he was going to make sure the scrambling civilians made it to the proper destination. Focusing his power, two portals opened up on the walls behind the mass of heartless. Several Samurai nobodies marched out from either portal. Channeling his energy, he asserted his will over the nobodies, and after a moment of standing still, they each drew their weapons and charged into the heartless. Sebastian felt lightheaded suddenly as the energy required to control the nobodies took it's toll. It had been something he practiced briefly, but only on ones he had met naturally in the world, never before had he drawn them from another place.

Wheeling around, he broke into a run to catch up with the others, shouting ahead to try and get their attention. "Gate 7! Go to Gate 7!" Some of them must have heard, for they seemed to be running in less of an aimless attempt to flee, and more focused on a destination. His earpiece buzzed to life as he made to contact Eve and the others. His voice echoed over the communicators, "Eve, if you've arrived in the District, I am traveling with civilians through the subway, heading for Gate 7 in the main plaza. Plenty of heartless in tow, I need to make sure these people are out into safety before I focus on the heartless." A beeping noise signaled the end of his transmission, and he continued his pursuit of the civilians as they rallied for the gate.

---

At first glance Cain looked calm at Jamoke's remarks. Inside, he was fuming. "That a-hole! Sure the guy may be berserking but he can calm down... Right?" he thought as his mind drifted for a moment until Eve gave a sharp order. Stick with her and help keep the heartless away from retreating civilians. "Without delay!" he shouted as he began slicing several heartless using his sword.

He observed Eve do the same and lit flames on the trash cans to deter them. Wait, fire can do that? No wait! Cain had to pay attention! Cain barely blocked a heartless that came his way as another tried to pull a sneak attack on him by running around him. Cain pushed the one he blocked away before doing a mad spin attack, cutting the two in half before another heartless leapt and gave the young Azura a glancing wound on his side. Cain had to hold his mouth shut to not yell out in pain.

Grimacing Cain stabbed the offending heartless before leaping back towards the other two teammates present. "We better hope those two get here soon! Those buggers really want to flay us alive!" he shouted towards Eve as he cut down another heartless. How many was that so far? He couldn't tell, but he must look very foolish since he was the new guy. So he did what's best. Gave his two teammates a nervous wave before continuing to fight. Though, maybe he'd want to make sure his wound wasn't too serious after the fight. He didn't want to be a casualty so soon! That would really put a damper on first impressions!