[ open ] yeah uh huh you know what it is

[lyingheart]

WHO: YOU.
WHERE: Nonah, North Carolina.
WHEN: Saturday, February 21st, Afternoon.
WHAT: ImPorts assist with detaining and bringing in the hero formerly known as Nitestar.
WARNINGS: Violence. Anything else will be updated as we go.
PLOT INFORMATION: You can find it here! Tag your own scouting threads, feel free to call in that she's been spotted, have your own encounters, and watch out for that poison. Go Team Nonah!

"We have a location," Annie said, looking at the group of volunteers who'd been assembled to deal with Veronica. "And a profile for what she looks like. If she's sticking with the theme the Hornets seem to like, she'll be around in yellow and black. The plan is to detain her and turn her over to the Nonah Police Department. We don't know what technology she's personally carrying, but we can presume she has possible access to nullifiers. I don't recommend relying on out of the ordinary powers when it comes to approaching her."

Recent events have made her wary enough to go on.

"We don't know if she has back-up here either, but presume she does after yesterday's events, and be cautious. Civilian involvement isn't going to be acceptable. And I don't think I should need to say it, but no one goes after her alone. We have communicators - use them."

She was officially done with pep talks and debriefings for the rest of the year now, as far as Annie was concerned. That rousing speech of don't do something stupid and think before you act is the final word she leaves them with before they disperse to pinpoint Veronica Conway on this block.

Comments

[bulwank]

Smart girl, Annie, smart girl. Inumuta could easily warn you about getting into that car, but- he's not here right now, so be brave.

"Karaway?" A pause, hearing another voice. He turns in his seat, glancing in Manabu's direction.

"Hm? Yes, sir, Gamagori Ira, Nonah ImPort Ambassador." A slight bow of his head, definitely, a nicer volume from the network post- sounds more like you'd imagine his letter would've sounded read aloud. "Good to meet you, Manabu. It's a fine thing to have you with us today."

"We've just confirmed an area of focus."

[lyingheart]

Farewell, sweet world...

"Manabu, I'm Annie." Nothing else to qualify that, since as far as she was concerned, her name was enough. "You'll probably appreciate if I don't try to shake your hand."

Given the time spoken on network... she imagines it gets complicated. "Like Ira said, we've confirmed an area via Blue Beetle. Now we're heading in. Whatever plans were interrupted last night in the other two cities haven't put a stop to what Vanessa's doing... or else she hasn't heard." If that means the Hornets are just that out of it, all the more power to the imPorts. She can't imagine how they'd have held together that long with a shoddy information network, and kept people underground who once had very visible profiles, but she can't say she understands the ins and outs of this world well enough to truly judge.

[siriusly]

While Gamagori's words were responded with a nod in turn, Annie's initial remark got a surprised blink. Eh...?

Annie didn't connect with Annie right then and there, and so all he could do was wonder why she bypassed the gesture before he had to.

He'd have free time to do just that later, though. Better to wonder what this Vanessa person was really up to, where to find her, and if she'd be any easier to stop than the one Manabu had tackled days previous.

"Then," he nodded, "if we're not waiting for anyone else, we should get right to finding her."

[bulwank]

"I'm not aware of anyone else yet, I was not contacted about their arrival, so yes- we should probably get a head start. Should we be contacted later we will deal with it from there!" Turning, unsure about- Annie and Manabu's relationship judging by her words which came off a little odd. But there really wasn't time for that.

So he turned, facing his steering wheel again, and readied his car.

"Get in."

[lyingheart]

Annie's her own kind of creeping information hound - just a lot less obvious (and a lot less technologically gifted) than Ira's roommate. There's a reason why Annie can appreciate Houka's incessant need to know.

That said, she waits for this show to hit the road. She will wish she'd just taken her own transportation soon enough but... she doesn't know that yet.

[siriusly]

"Yes, sir!"

Manabu didn't need telling twice; hopping in beside Annie – having to scoot back closer to the door after sliding in a bit too close for comfort. He made to say something, maybe mumble an apology, but the aforementioned show was raring to hit the road, cutting into the chance for chatter.

[bulwank]

....Waits.

Sends them both.

A heavy glare.

[lyingheart]

Annie is seemingly unaffected. She's been ready to go this whole time, Gamagori!

[siriusly]

The silence extends to near-uncomfortable levels. Manabu blinks, hesitates, then...puts a seat belt on. Is that it?

He sure hopes that's it.

[bulwank]

Thank you Manabu.

Looks over to Annie...

[lyingheart]

She hooks a finger under her seat belt and tugs on it, quirking up her eyebrows. Look, she's used to being belted in. She'd done this when she'd taken a seat! (Sort of. She may have also ninja'd this in the last minute. We'll never know.)

[siriusly]

"Ah..." Manabu clears his throat, mouth twitching. "R-ready, sir."

Sir. As if they weren't actually around the same age. (Look, the guy is huge; he doesn't want a punch from him, accidental or otherwise.)

[bulwank]

Thank you both. Gosh Annie, learn to be modern people already. Do you know what could happen if you weren't wearing that and they got into a crash?? Do you know how likely a crash is in this car? -Do you ...want to know?

The answer is no.

No you don't.

With that he'll turn, start the car with a smooth growl from it's engine, and move off, giving a verbal thank you to either of them and humbly accepting the 'sir' for a few moments anyway until-

"Please, Gamagori is fine, Manabu." After all- he's not beneath Gamagori here, even if Gamagori's a bit of a hypocrite for saying as much. He Manabu, and almost everyone- sir or ms or what have you upon first meeting them.

"Instructor and Ambassador work just as well, choose what you feel the most comfortable with." A glance to Annie. "Ms. Leonhart, if you would, our destination?" Directions or just road names. She is free to say it or show him a map.

Once they get to a red light or stop sign anyway. Hopefully she's smart enough to do so, she might get berated if she hands him a tiny screen while he's driving.

[lyingheart]

She'd like to avoid certain modern habits, thank you! In the end, it's part of how she can ground herself, not being completely made over in this culture that's not her own. So it passes that Annie calls out directions rather than offer up a map. Why in the world would she use a digital one when she's already referenced and memorized the route? It's a waste of time. She's also not that married to technology...

... as the one who'd pull out a paper map and use it to navigate further cross country.

"Left at Herrera Street, then turn right at Billington Boulevard. It's going to be five city blocks from there and another right onto Second Avenue, but the parking is... I think on Third?"

[siriusly]

Manabu has no problem leaving the navigation to Annie, the driving to Gamagori...he takes the time there to check the casing on one of the guns he's worn out here. Between glances out at the street for anything fishy, he's removing a cartridge that looks more like a video game memory card than anything, checking it over, and reloading it. Pulling on the odd end of the gun clicks it back in place, causes a faint, gentle whining sound, and then settles back in.

[bulwank]

Annie's verbal directions are perfectly fine, as is the use of any material map. As long as they're given loud enough for him to hear over the traffic and sound of his car. He turns, look listens, follows her orders to a t yet- clips corners, steps on the gas fast after a stop to get speed quickly, imposes himself on other cars. He seems like he could be a good driver, maybe, if he wasn't trying to rush right now.

As long as they get in no car chase they should be fine at least...

"Is it paid parking? Do either of you carry change?". Wait can he use a card at this one, its late though it may be free.

[lyingheart]

"I have change, but I don't know if those structures require payment." Annie mostly takes public transit in the city, or goes around on motorcycle to get out of the city. Hell, the last time she parked was probably back in like... July, when she'd taken Houka into town to help her pick out a laptop.

She is entirely braced against the seat and the car and everything and she may in fact look like she's trying to play it cool while not breathing too hard.

GENTLE ON THE GAS THERE, GENTLE ON THE BRAKE, WHY DID YOU DO ANY OF THAT?

"Do you... ever take it easy when you drive?"

[siriusly]

Wait– this wasn't easy? Manabu glanced back up from his work, blinking, and turned his attention on Annie. Now, far be it for him to criticize the driving (he's dealt with worse) during a critical manhunt, but he did worry for her sake.

"It's fine!" he piped in. "I should be able to take care of it."

Or if not, accept the fines. Somehow. Now wasn't the time to worry about it.

[bulwank]

"Hm? I am taking it easy." A look to Annie, but then- breakneck screeching to a halt at a red light, whoops, little too fast there haha, don't distract him!

"Hm? Okay. Thank you Manabu." So he'll- look for parking then, great. At least that won't be too difficult- not that any of this night really will be compared to the other cities... Not that they know that yet.

[lyingheart]

BRACING HERSELF EVEN MORE? She's not calm in vehicles she doesn't control getting crazier in the handling, and that's becoming apparent in her face and posture, even if she's stopped talking.

Good work, Gamagori, you've found a way to make the quiet one even quieter.

[siriusly]

Poor Annie. She suffers well and truly alone; Manabu doesn't have the good sense or timing to catch her distress before they're careening down another block to an open space. He has to dig through his pockets and make a fair show of totally being able to pay for a meter (coin money? super archaic...).

When they do stop, Manabu jerks forward, bonking his head on the seat in front of him (it's cushion, it's fine, it's fine), and that's at least one last venue he can search for coins. People lose crap in their cars all the time, right?

[bulwank]

Quiet's good. He won't argue there. It's no different from usual for Annie, just another reason he likes her!

Stopped and HARD. A nice screech as he finds a parking spot and nearly clips cars on both ends trying to fucking parallel park. But he makes it! Barely... His car is- unnecessarily long, and it looks like one of his wheels is still up on the curb.

A slam from his door as he gets out, tossing up and catching his keys before he pockets them. After either of them leave he'll move to loosely pull the hood up over the convertible. You don't have to do it manually but- he likes to.

[lyingheart]

Annie is unbuckled and out right as the car finally seems to be stopped - no bones about it, she's going to just let her heartrate come down as she affixes her attention on the building in question. "If W--Flash and Robin are taking perimeter, we want to be watching for our target here. Have you both reviewed the file?"

[siriusly]

The quest for change is a failure, but Manabu's got plenty going on that's a bit more important. He steps out of Gamagori's way, gravitating toward the building Annie's eyes lock on. The gun he'd been fiddling with goes back in its holster.

"Mm, I did. But if you have anything else I should know outside of it, I'm all ears. I'm still pretty new to how things work on this planet, this group." He's been working on the whole terrorists are terrorists, no matter where you go idea for now; it hasn't failed yet, but...

[bulwank]

A glance at the hitch, Annie's not one to hitch ever so- he notices, though doesn't think much of it, stepping aside and waiting for the either of them.

"Manabu, the meter." Tilts his head to it, glancing to Annie. "Yes, Leonhart, though the same goes for me, is there anything else we should keep in mind?" Glancing up- around, his brow already wrinkling, straining to see if anything's amiss around them- though of course- not yet. Flash and Robin would surely cover more ground but they could hit the main streets for now.

[lyingheart]

Wally has the worst kept superhero ID, and she finds the concept ridiculous enough here, but she's trying to play by his rules. (Hence the hitch today.)

"Other than her being armed and likely to be fighting with poison? No." She waits for Manabu to handle the meter, willing to step forward and add her own coins to the silly thing if needed. "Splitting up and staying within visual distance of each other... something like that may be wise."

[siriusly]

Jeez, why are they bothering with the meter when someone armed and deadly's roaming about? Manabu huffs through his nose, keeping his comments to himself while fiddling around in his pockets. Annie's the one who has to save the day on this one; Manabu gets out of her way with just a half-formed mumble that might be sorry in some way.

"Mm. Or keeping an open feed on the communicators to cover more ground. Either way, the longer she's out alone, the longer she has to catch on and grab hostages."