[let loose before it tears you apart] - OTA!

[kestreldawn]

WHO: Jyn Erso + YOU!
WHERE: De Chima Laser Tag (idk if it doesn't exist, just make it up)
WHEN: June 3rd
WHAT: LAAAAAAAAASER TAAAAAAAAG pew pew pew.
WARNINGS: None that I can think of, but will update as needed.

[The morning of June 3rd, everyone receives an invitation. It looks something like this:



When the actual time rolls around, Jyn is standing just inside the facility, arranging the last-minute details with the owners/managers of the place. Having already talked it over with Revan before, they will each be commanding separate, opposing teams for the first round - and further, if voted to do so. But the purpose of the outing isn't to make teams or "us" vs. "them" situations. It's to blow off some steam, do something physically active and mentally stimulating but also enjoyable, and (if Jyn is to be honest, which she won't be about this), to keep her marksmanship skills on the up and up.

As you arrive, she approaches you and greets you with as warm a welcome that she can muster. This includes a twitch of a smile and some version of the words, "You made it."]

Comments

GROUP PAINTBALL THREADS

[kestreldawn]

Jacob Taylor | OTA

[darkpants_warmfeeling]

Jacob is solidly on Revan's team for this game- he's known the guy for years by now. Anyone meeting Jacob for the first time before or after a match will find an affable, relaxed, approachable man in exceptional physical shape, a guy who's perfectly happy to meet people and exchange a few casual words about the game or anything else. If any new players need help getting the hang of the game's gear and tactics, Jacob will be happy to lend a hand.

All that's going to change once the actual shooting starts, though. Jacob is a veteran combat soldier with keen instincts, dead aim, and a fierce competitive streak, and he views this outing as a tactical training exercise as much as an excuse to blow off steam. Anyone who's on his team will find their back being covered by a supportive and reliable ally who is 100% dedicated to doing his best to win. Anyone on the other team? They might want to watch out.

[kestreldawn]

Jyn doesn't recognize the man who's seemingly already aligned himself with Revan, but she expected for there to be many a stranger she didn't recognize by sight. She approaches casually and warmly, allowing for a natural progression by lurking in a rather wide orbit around him to open up the conversation. Once the opportunity strikes, she extends a hand and addresses him more directly.

"Tanith," she says, having decided to use her alias in a public event like this. She isn't sure just who might be showing up, and there's a handful of people she'd rather not reveal her true identity to. Better to be safe than horrifically sorry later on. "I don't believe we've met before."

[darkpants_warmfeeling]

"Hi, Tanith." Jacob takes her hand in a firm, warm grip. His smile is small, but genuine. "I'm Jacob Taylor. Thanks for putting this game together- it looks like a lot of fun."

He has done a few laser tag and paintball events while an imPorts, ranging from painful military exercises to sillier recreational outings. This one feels like it's going to strike a good balance between the two, but they'll find out for sure once the games begin.

[kestreldawn]

Jyn returns his firm handshake with one of her own. It's perhaps stronger than her size and stature would let on, but certainly not threatening in any manner. She nods in acknowledgement.

"Jacob," she repeats. "Hopefully. Hopefully there'll be enough people who show up to make it a real game." She withdraws her hand and slips it into her pocket, glancing around at the still mostly empty facility. It's early, so she isn't all that worried, but the whole point of the thing had been to try and meet others (and, secretly, perform some reconn over who might have marksmanship as a skill).

"I've never done lasertag like this before. You?"

INDIVIDUAL THREADS

[kestreldawn]

[continuousgroaning]

[It's a Saturday afternoon and Tina's got nothing better to do, so she decides to take up Jyn's invitation and check out the laser tag place. She's not very athletic and not very good with a laser gun, but Tina will suit up and and give it a good try, anyway.

She's not very good and will probably get hit a lot more often than she manages to hit someone in return, but she's still obviously enjoying herself.]

[kestreldawn]

[Jyn recognizes the girl from the very short video clip she'd sent out on the network, before switching to text. She approaches her casually and as non-threateningly as possible, thumbs hooked into the pockets of her trousers as she strolls up, expression as pleasant and neutral as she can manage.] Tina, right? I hadn't expected you to come. [She pauses, realizing how that sounds, and quickly adds:] But it's good to see you, in person this time.

[continuousgroaning]

[Tina smiles back and nods, taking the comment in stride.]

Uhm, I'm not all that good at shooting things, but I figured it would be a nice way to get out and meet new people. And connect with people I've spoken to before. I spent a few weeks holed up in my house and sulking and decided I'd had enough of that.

[kestreldawn]

You don't have to be all that good at it, but if you want pointers or the basics, just ask. [There's a tone in her voice to indicate .. she knows all about guns, and sort of wishes she didn't.]

Sulking can be useful sometimes, but it's best to take the energy and divert it towards something useful, so it's good you came.

[h2no]

[archie hasn't actually been to laser tag ever before in his life, but this is completely his aesthetic. he has a seemingly endless supply of stamina, running through the course and even manages to grab another gun at some point. isn't that cheating? archie doesn't care.

he hops up onto a prop in the middle of one of the rooms and yells:]

I CLAIM THIS LAND IN THE NAME OF TEAM AQUA! BWAHAHAHA!

[kestreldawn]

[Jyn facepalms, rather obviously, from her hiding spot behind a repurposed barrel of sorts. She's not too far from where Archie has suddenly taken to making a very loud, very public decree, and she tries to get his attention without giving away her position.] That is .. not how you do it, Archie.

[h2no]

I CAN'T HEAR YOU OVER HOW CLAIMED THIS LAND IS!!

[archie laughs loudly, a clearly practiced supervillain cackle.]

COME GET ME!

[kestreldawn]

Oh my god.

- Also, hang on - how did you get two guns?

INDIVIDUAL THREADS

[am_i_a_monster]

Abigail is enjoying herself, finding cover and shooting others, then making a run for it, finding more cover and shooting again. Her aim is excellent from years of practice. It's much more fun to shoot when it's only lasers. No living creature gets hurt and she can show off her skills. Win-win. She grins as she fires off another shot.

[kestreldawn]

[Jyn has easily picked up on Abigail's skill with a gun. The girl had mentioned she'd gone hunting with her dad some time back, but Jyn is still impressed. She dives behind a set of crates, clutching her laser gun to her chest, and glances over to see Abigail. She keeps her voice purposefully low as she repositions herself onto her knees to be able to move quickly if needed.]

You weren't lying when you said you were good.

[am_i_a_monster]

[Abigail grins.]

Thank you.

[She looks off at a quiet spot in another direction, where she can make out the edge of a vest flashing on someone hiding. She aims her rifle and shoots him.]

This is fun. Are you having fun?

[She asks in a whisper, not wanting to call attention to where they are.]

[kestreldawn]

[Jyn peeks to the side of the crates, aiming a shot at one of their opponents before taking cover again.]

It's very different from what I'm used to, but I am; how about you?

[candor1]

[Cassian was relieved he'd decided not to participate, and that Jyn was all right with it. Plus it gave him more time to prepare some challenges he was plotting for the HOPE kids. But that relief of possible stress, and the work finishing in good shape, made his mind turn again to Jyn, and, rather than the worry of whether faux-combat would taste too much of actual combat for his sanity, think about her skillful grace in such motion, and how enjoyable that might be to watch freed of any actual danger to either of them. It could also be… interesting… (if possible more suspenseful) to see Kay in action—armed. But perhaps there would be banter.

He wasn't sure how long it would go, but neither Jyn nor Kay had returned home yet, so he headed over. At the very least, he could walk one or both of them back. If it was still going, he could take a look in.]

[kestreldawn]

[Jyn's caught in the arena, mind focused on the game at-hand, which seems to be working wonders in terms of filtering out the others' thoughts. It's the most quiet she's gotten in a while outside of Cassian's forcefields. But his sudden arrival pierces through the haze of lasers, simulated fog, and obnoxiously loud music almost instantaneously, and her head snaps towards the door in time to see him walking through.

She can't react much or she'll draw unwanted attention, but she quickly sends him a thought: I'm happy you came.]

[candor1]

[it is nice knowing there's no real danger… but it is also a bit… …it takes reminding himself there isn't.

He'd always adamantly refused when Dyv and Linat pleaded with him to play war games. This one had full special effects.

He hears Jyn, finds her eyes to flash an almost-smile, but inclines his head toward the outer window. I'm gonna watch from there. Seeing this through the window, while standing in the sunlight, would help keep it firmly boxed in this present.

(Like watching through a vidscreen. Not that he tended to enjoy war-themed vids either. Though less often for being upsetting and more often for being too frustrating with strategic flaws.)]

[kestreldawn]

[After the round finishes, Jyn hangs up the vest and mock weapon to take a bit of a breather. The others can go at it again if they'd like, but she takes the opportunity to seek Cassian out, careful in her approach when she spots him from behind. She knows the arena, the set up, the proximity to war and battle might fray his nerves a bit, so when she finally speaks, she does so from a far enough distance away so as not to surprise him with her presence and speaks softly.] What do you think?

[reexamined]

[So laser tag. Kay has no doubt at all in his ability to aim, but it's definitely the, uh, dodging that's going to be difficult. He's quick, but definitely a large target. Luckily, the point of laser tag is you all wear the same equipment (and he does, as best he can, but still... not a proper human size). He's attempting to take cover, hiding behind a pillar, but despite the dark color of the room, the bright neon lights of the room tend to highlight his metal anyway. So not only is he a big metal figure, he's a little like a beacon as well. Whoops!!]

You-

[If he doesn't know their name, they get that wonderful title of "you," however if he does know who he's speaking to, he'll use their name instead-]

I need cover fire. There is a seventy-four percent chance I'll be hit if I stay in this spot for an additional thirty-five seconds.

[kestreldawn]

Then move to another spot! [Jyn appreciates the fact that Kay's come to participate, but .. she might be a little gloat-y about the fact that her assessment of his abilities to 'blend in' (think of Jedha) were pretty accurate.] Part of it is needing to move from spot to spot. Can't stay still for too long, Kay.

[reexamined]

That's why I asked for cover fire, Jyn.

[Yeah, NOW'S certainly the time for him to get sassy.]