Inbox;

[flaredo]

"Heeey, you've reached Yang! Well, actually, you didn't reach far enough, 'cause I'm not here right now! But don't yang up! Just leave a message on this baby, and I'll get back to you soon enough, okay?"

[ Please specify VOICEMAIL, TEXT or CALL. ]

Comments

[masakados]

And even if not the final boss, you'll get to punch something.

[Brightly, as he follows along!]

[flaredo]

I'll take that. I just have to remember where that hallway was...

[ Judging from the THUNDERCLAP, not far. ]

[masakados]

They're sure playing up the mad scientist thing.

[Naoki's voice is a murmur.] I wonder if we should expect some monster to come shambling at us.

[flaredo]

You think so?

[ She sounds pretty excited. ]

[masakados]

[As she would--]

Sure, why not? It'd fit the atmosphere too.

[flaredo]

Yeah, you're right-- and we both know how much this place loves atmosphere.

[ Sadly, no monsters, but there's an ominously-lit room up ahead. ]

[masakados]

[Naoki looks at said ominously-lit room... better than a pitch-black room! One of his hands flex.]

A lot... CERES puts too much time into this.

[flaredo]

Then we should remember to thank them for it. [ With a swift tug-- ] Properly.

[masakados]

Mmhmm, you lead our charge.

[He'll be right behind her, guns... well, no guns, but he'll be blazing, most likely.]

[flaredo]

Let's start here, then!

[ She gives his hand a squeeze, before she releases it and dashes into the room.

Accompanied by the sound of shattering glass. ]

[masakados]

[That's not the best of sounds, but he hopes it's her shattering it and not someone else-- Naoki surges after her, eyes narrowing and his face sobering into something flat and concentrated.

Just in case.]

[flaredo]

[ It's okay, boyfriend, that was her. Yang's intent on destroying everything mad scientist-y, while the mad scientist himself is scrambling Naoki's way.

He'll probably regret that. ]

[masakados]

[Especially when Naoki is cocking his head with an inviting smile, at the same time fire explodes higher and hotter in his hands.

--to which the mad scientist is screeching and trying to figure out a way to duck around him.]

[flaredo]

[ And Yang... will just watch, lifting an eyebrow. This poor guy is totally gonna get his lab coat torched, isn't he? ]

[masakados]

[Oh, no, he's not that lucky-- instead, what he's getting is a tiny fireball right at the seat of his pants as Naoki steps aside to let him run into the hall.

And then his screams as they trail away down the hall and the faint smell of smoke...]

[flaredo]

... That felt weirdly anti-climactic.

[masakados]

Even more anti-climactic than that boss I fought just before I met you.

[flaredo]

Maybe this isn't the final boss, then? I mean, usually there's some sense of challenge...

[masakados]

And even though he ran off, nothing happened...

[Naoki squints, shaking his head and moving closer to her.] Yeah, I think you're right, it's not this after all.

[flaredo]

Ready to move on, then?

[ A pause, though, just to lean against him. Who needs distance? ]

[masakados]

[Naoki, predictably, brightens and leans back against her.]

In a minute.

[flaredo]

Getting a little tired, Naoki?

[ Don't tease, Yang. ]

[masakados]

Right back at you. Need a nap before we go on?

[With a grin, as he leans his head against her shoulder.]

[flaredo]

As much as I like sleeping with you, we can save the snuggling for later.

[ With a sigh: ] I guess.

[masakados]

It'll be blood-free snuggling, so I'll even guarantee it'll be great.

[With that and a kiss to her shoulder, he straightens up and nods toward the door.]