Round the corner... aha! You and your team have made it to the hotel you and Mako were stationed at, before all the nonsense went down. "So, remind me again,", asks an inquisitive Toby, "What are we doing here?" Mako tries her best to wick away the embarrassment from earlier, trying to get something out. "Our- uhm- Our bags are here!" "Right, but, can't we get those *after* we commit regicide?" You look Toby dead in the eyes. "Look, which one of us is making the calls here? And, besides, you have explaining to do about her!" You motion to your partner, still red in the face from earlier. Toby sighs. "Look, I'm sorry, alright? I know I shouldn't have said anything, but it's already out there." "Look, I don't know about anything related to 'Calibration', but could someone explain to me what the issue is?" Suddenly, Mako bursts out. "I told you that in confidence, jerk!" Toby is taken aback. "I- I said I'm sorry, okay? I-" Mako lashes out, nearly grasping for her crossbow on her hip. "No, no sorry! I told that to you in a fit of passion! You promised never to tell anyone! I'm just another uncalibrated *idiot* to you, aren't I? Just someone for you to use and throw away like every other person you've met!" You physically come between the two of them, pushing them away, keeping them at arm's length. "Woah, *slow down*, what exactly is the meaning of this?" Mako calms down, just a tad, taking a breather. "I really didn't want to have to tell you this, Ika, but *someone* insisted on bringing it up. When I was born, my parents couldn't afford calibration, so they forged it, pretty much. I think too fast, pretty much..." she pauses, trying to compose herself. "And I told *him* that while we were being all close and cute and 'Oh, Mako, you're so *different*, you're not like *other* girls', and then he tosses me out like some kind of wet blanket when I start being all sad!" You turn around to Toby, who crosses his arms. "Well *I'm* sorry that you were being so needy, and didn't feel like I was giving you-" ### "That's enough!" You didn't want to raise your voice, but you had to. These two had been bickering for far too long. "Look, I get it, you two used to be in love. That much is obvious. But we really shouldn't be talking about this when we have a mission to do. I hate to say this, but both of you - ship up or ship out. This is no way a crew should be acting." Toby holds his claw-arm, looking away at the building. "Fine... sorry..." Mako looks down in dismay, pressing her arms against her body, looking at the ground. "Sorry, sweetie..." "It's fine. Let's just get our bags. Maybe we can figure out a plan from there." In the dismay, you walk ahead, not really caring if the others are following. You don't feel mad, but you don't feel just disappointed either. Stepping into the hotel, you find that, aside from the torn carpet in front of you, and the lack of people inside, it certainly hasn't changed. "Come on, the elevator's this way.", you say, looking back, using your hand to cup the air and throw it behind you. Edgie is the first to follow you, for once, while the other two trail behind. The mage looks at you. "Were you aware of their prior escapades, Ika?" You shake your head. "It's not like I was expecting to be Mako's first, but still, I'm surprised they go *that* far back." "How did you two meet and become partners in love, though?" To try and ease the tension, you answer as if your scenario is plain and simple. "I awoke in a forest with no memory of who I was, and she comforted me during my war flashbacks." Edgie puts a hand on their chin. "Hm. Toby and I, we found each other at a convention in The Residence. It was a so-called 'Meet and Greet' for those of literary merit, but we found common ground in our bookish natures." In any case, you've arrived at the elevator. Next to it is the stairs. You *could* take them, but that's 42 flights of stairs you are not ready for. Mako comes up to you and holds both of your hands. "Everything alright, Sweetie?" "I'm fine, I'm fine", you reply. "Just thinking." ### -> Take the [[Stairs]] ### -> Take the [[Elevator]]