Outnumbered ~ I Am Number Four ~ Invite Only!

[hilde]

Richie nodded with a smile. "Now that we broke the charm we're stronger together. Can you get in touch with everyone else and try to see f we can all get tiogether?"

[SunnyJustice]

Maple grunted when she saw Erin flirting it up with Nine, who revealed himself to be named Richie. She glared across the room at the boy. Maple was fiercely protective of her Garde, and didn't want her getting together with this awful, loud, annoying little tramp. She marched over and made a fist.
"I'm testing if the charm's broken," she explained before punching Richie in the side of the head. When she did not feel pain in her own head, she shrugged. "You passed my test," she said before walking away. Maple didn't even regret punching the kid. And she had nothing more to say to either Erin or Richie.
After all, Richie was Willow's Garde. Maple didn't want to bring up Willow at this time.

Rowan was doing the backstroke now. He could still speak to Sam, usually without getting water in his mouth. "I'm just afraid she won't agree, though."

When Willow emerged on the mostly-deserted beach, she was out of breath and almost dead from exhaustion. A few teenage girls were jogging around casually. Willow walked past them, but one of them ran into her path. She swerved around, but to no avail, as the teenager kept getting up in her face.
"Excuse me, ma'am," she said politely, trying to hide her irritation.
"Excuse you," the teenager said with a sneer. Her five friends flanked her. "What are you doing out this late? Swimming in your normal clothes like a refugee? How stupid. Tell them, Katharine."
Katharine, the other teenager, laughed. "Janice is right. If we didn't know, we would think you swam here from... Ireland, perhaps?" In the darkness, Willow's eyes finally adjusted. She realized just how tough these teenagers looked, almost like... almost like Mogadorian soldiers. They took a step forward in perfect synchronization.
"I was wading and encountered a riptide," Willow said calmly, emphasizing her gasps for breath. She was trying to buy herself time. It was obvious she wouldn't be able to escape from these five, but if she could find a way to outwit them, she would be able to survive this encounter. They weren't sure she was Loric yet.
The smallest teenager -- 'small' being subjective, as she was at least six feet tall -- replied to her in a deep and reasonable voice. "Riptides can be tough. Come on, girls, let's keep beachcombing. I don't think this lady wants trouble." She smiled almost apologetically as she crossed her arms.
"Shut up, Acacia," Janice said furiously. "Lanette, escort her to the dock. I don't want the softy interfering with my work." Her voice rose to a shout. "Now! Move it!"
Three pairs of feet broke into a run. Acacia and Lanette headed towards the dock while Willow bolted from the scene as quickly as she could. They weren't buying her story.
"After her!" Janice yelled.
Willow ran faster than she had ever run in her life, heading for the water. She couldn't outrun three Mogadorians, and she definitely had not outwitted them this time, but maybe she could outswim them. But she had only gone five steps before someone grabbed her from behind and slammed her to the ground like a football. She struggled to get up, but the Mogadorian pinned her with a foot on the back of her neck.
"Nice work, Blair," the Mogadorian named Katharine said.
"We were just going to teach you a lesson and let you go," Janice snarled, marching around Willow in a wolfish circle. "But now that you decided not to cooperate, we saw something suspicious in your actions. You're a Cepan, aren't you? A boy came running this way a few hours earlier. We were too slow to catch him."
"But of course," Blair giggled, "catching you was a piece of cake!"
"And now we're going to kill you," Janice began to say.
"We should keep her alive," suggested Katharine, "use her as bait to catch the Garde."
Janice shot her a glare, but stopped to think. "Good idea. Blackmail is my favorite thing. Tie her up, girls!" She clapped her hands, and in seconds, Willow was bound with several thick ropes the Mogadorians had stolen from the piers. Blair could not stop laughing, and Janice was smirking.
"How do we get in touch with the Loric idiot?" asked Blair between insane giggles.
"Stop," Katharine murmured, touching a hand to her shoulder. Blair fell silent.
"We find him and lure him here. We're not using Acacia this time. The kid seems weak and stupid; two of us will suffice to threaten him into coming," Janice chuckled.
"We'll go," Blair offered. Katharine nodded.
"Great. My best trackers. I know you'll do great," Janice muttered. "Now get lost!"
They left.
Janice leaned down, getting in Willow's face. "You gave yourself away, idiot Cepan," she laughed mockingly. "Now your Garde is going to die because of your stupidity."
Willow stayed silent, judging the Mogadorians. Little did they know, she had a trick up her own sleeve. If that voice in her head had been a Legacy-developing Garde, not just a figment of her imagination, and she really was in touch with Richie... then Willow could warn him away from here. Before it was too late.
Hey, you. Yes, you. Tell Richie to stay away from the beach, no matter what happens. Kill the two Mogs that come to your door. Be ready. Don't worry about me, and at all costs, do not come down to the beach. I'll be fine. Just ignore anything the Mogs say and stay safe, all of you!

[TheFae]

Esme
36
Location: China
Tagged: Apricot

"I'll go with you. I have a feeling Morgadorians have started their hunt. You're Number 1. I don't want you going places alone." She murmured as she stood up and walked alongside Apricot. "And maybe if you had learned your lesson better, you wouldn't have so many stingers." She teased, nudging Apricot with her elbow. "You wouldn't be able to prank me. I know everything." She teased, walking alongside her Garde.

Amber
16
Location: Italy
Tagged: Gingko

"What do you mean what did I do? I simply turned off your computer!" She laughed as she twirled outside. "Could we go over weapons again? It's so much fun! I don't want to do anymore weight lifting!" She cried as she came to a stop, feeling dizzy and joyful. "And I'm happy you aren't feeling murderous. It's not like you'll be able to kill me anyway!" She laughed, stumbling towards her Garde as the world stopped spinning.

Rori
37
Location: Her Room
Tagged: Icaron

Rori couldn't help but snicker when he used her label of his daughter and her brigade. "Then I'll be going to Europe. It might be interesting." She was looking at her map when he started talking. "You thirst for power, Rori, don't you? I can give you what you want, but on one condition." He stated, his dark brown eyes staring into her with such intensity it took her breath away. "That I never lose you." He finished. Rori's heart skipped at beat. She felt on top of the world: he cared for her. Her dreams were coming true. That simple phrase was music to her ears, and she enjoyed the sonata accompanying it. With a smile, she stood up as if she was about to walk out. She stopped in the doorway, though. "You're wrong, you know. You can't give me what I want." She murmured quietly. "You won't ever lose me, as long as I don't lose you." She whispered, and she walked out of her room, walking to her personal Brigade of Morgadorians.

[SunnyJustice]

Apricot rolled her eyes, and was about to have more bad attitude, when she stepped on something. There was a loud snapping noise that did not sound very good. The girl looked down to see one of her bamboo spears, now split in two. With a grunt of rage, she picked it up and whipped it into the river, letting the current carry it away. "You suck," she said to Esme, playfully punching her Cepan in the arm. "I'll get you for this one day, you just wait. I will actually get a good prank on you, and you will swear so much, you make me sound like I have a clean mouth!"
With a laugh, she jumped into the river. With all her clothes on. Apricot couldn't care less, she needed to wash them anyway after the honeybee issue.

Gingko just made an unamused face and gripped Amber by the shoulders. She couldn't help chuckling at her antics, though. "Amber, you are behaving like a teenager who has eaten too much chocolate!" she chided, trying to hide her laughter. "Listen to me. There are only three people older than you in the Nine. Number One has anger problems, Number Two is terrified of his shadow, and I can easily see through that weak-willed Number Five. Sure, One can lead in a fight, but she never stops fighting. Who else is going to be leader when you need peace and regulation?" she challenged.

Icaron stayed in his place after Rori had left, staring at the closed door. What had she meant? What else could a Mogadorian want but power and authority? He pondered for a good time, wondering what more Rori could wish for besides that. He felt like, somehow, he was letting her down. But he couldn't fail his one truly faithful assistant, who had helped him in his goals for Mogadorian Progress since the start.
No, he thought to himself. No, I'll prove you wrong. I will get you what you want, even if it means that I become your second-in-command. You would have earned it.
What had she said later?
"You won't ever lose me, as long as I don't lose you."
"Deal," Icaron replied calmly, though minutes had already passed and Rori had long since left. After his moment of deep thought, he just continued to stare at the map.
He realized he was going to miss her on the ship, the one christened the Acacia. Icaron had named it after his beloved daughter, though she hadn't quite proven herself worthy yet. He had faith in her, faith that one day, she would live up to the high standards he still held for her. And maybe Icaron didn't know what love was, but he was certain that he loved his daughter. And maybe one other person, but who was he to share that?

[hilde]

(between thg Rowan and Icaron i can't figure out which is creepier!)

[SunnyJustice]

[You haven't seen Icaron after a fight yet -- let's wait and see. >:3]

[TheFae]

Amber
16
Location: Italy
Tagged: Gingko

Gingko's callused hands gripped at her shoulders, but Amber didn't feel any pain. "Are you saying I'm going to be the leader?" Amber asked, drawing the connections. She was flabbergasted.

Esme
36
Location: China
Tagged: Apricot

Esme laughed at her Garde's aspects. "I don't think you'll ever be able to prank me with how loud you are!" She laughed. She stripped down a little, taking off her outer layers, and then diving into the river. She stayed under for a moment, before she surfaced with a smile. "This feels very nice." She muttered, laying back and floating along. She only wished that Rowan was here. She missed him very dearly.

Rori
37
Location: Going to the Loading Dock
Tagged: Nick, Aaralyn, and Brennius

Rori's mind was reeling, and she couldn't focus. She walked robotically to her ship where her Brigade resided. These were her closest Allies that she shared everything with, but she didn't love them like she loved Icaron. "Yo sis, you look troubled." Bren piped up. Her brother was leaning against the ship, looking like a god. He had white-blond hair, pale skin, and red eyes that matched Rori's. He was muscular and tall, almost everything Rori was not. They were the perfect team. Aaralyn was in Nick's arms, snickering at something he had just said. The newly-wedded couple was like family to her, she had grown up with them. "We are going hunting. Europe to be exact." She stated, not addressing her brother. Aaralyn and Nick nodded, unwinding themselves and walking into the ship. Rori took a step forward, but her brother blocked the door. "What happened?" He asked in a tone he reserved only for her. It was a tone that demanded she answer him, or else. Beside Icaron, her older brother was the only other person she took orders from, but only rarely. "Icaron just said he could give me whatever I wanted, as long as he never loses me." She admitted quietly. When she looked up, Bren was beaming. "Knowing you, you said that he could never give you what you want most." He stated. She punched her brother in the gut, but he didn't even flinch. Instead, her knuckles were bruised. She shook out her hand as she glared at him. "It's not wrong to have him you know. You could start a family with him, fulfilling one of your life-long dreams. Man up and tell him already, or I will." Bren stated, with a warning at the end. "Watch it, brother. I have more power than you could even hope for." She snarled at him. "And I'm your big brother. That carries some weight too." He teased, knowing it's not true though. He loved ruffling Rori's feathers, and she knew it. "Get on the ship before I leave you behind and grab our nieces and nephews." She growled.

[SunnyJustice]

Gingko made a disapproving noise deep in her throat. "For an intellectual prodigy, you sure are slow," she taunted. "I do intend for you to seek a leadership position. In peacetime. Number One will not allow you to take her position as our 'General,' unless you literally kill her for it." She frowned and let go of Amber.
"When there is no violence, they will look up to you. But they need to know they are looking up to the right person, someone who can lead and not just someone who pretends to."

Apricot shouted profane words in Russian, then Swahili, and even a couple in Mogadorian. She only stopped swearing when she stubbed her toe on an underwater rock. For a second she was silent, then she glared at Esme, not really meaning it of course. "I'm going to get you for sure!" she threatened, splashing water at her.

Icaron heaved a sigh and reached for Rori's phone. It was located in her room, but it was one of those office phones that she used to page other Mogadorians. He dialed the number of his daughter's pager. Icaron needed to check on her; he hadn't heard back for a while, and he wanted her to succeed in her mission.
"Hello?" the voice on the other hand said irritably. "Who is this?"
"Good evening, my baby girl," Icaron said gently. "How is your mission going?"
"Dad?"
"Yes, it's me." He knew his daughter could hear the smile in his voice. "I miss you so much, darling. I need to tell you that I've finally named our ship; last night I dubbed it the Acacia."
"Hm?" she sounded surprised. "Wow, dad -- thank you. I don't know what to say."
"You don't need to say anything," Icaron replied. "I knew you would like it. I can tell."
"My mission is going great," Acacia explained. "We caught a Garde in Germany. He and his Cepan escaped, because when Camilla stabbed him, she died instead."
Icaron frowned. He was severely disappointed they had let the Garde escape, but it was a start. "I need to tell you; Rori and I have been studying, and we found out the Nine are protected by a Loric charm. They can only be killed in order. The Garde you attacked was not Number One."
"Interesting," observed Acacia. "We have another Garde on the run, here in England. He is not the same one. We caught his Cepan and she is being used as bait."
"Excellent." Icaron said, his voice full of approval and affection. "Do not kill the Garde immediately. Test him first by slashing a non-vital area, to avoid killing yourselves. If he is not Number One, bring him to the nearest Mogadorian headquarters. It shouldn't be far; there is one in London."
"Got it. Thank you, dad."
"You know I'm always looking out for you, my baby girl."
"Do not call me that. When will you show yourself on Earth? I need to rematch you."
Icaron chuckled. "In due time, Acacia. The other ships will arrive soon. When they have positioned themselves over all the major population centers, I will talk peace with the governments."
"At least you are reasonable," Acacia said almost grudgingly. It hurt Icaron to hear her so angry. "So what if they decline your offer for leadership? Will you just fire away?"
"No!" exclaimed Icaron, appalled at the suggestion. He really meant it. "The people of Earth are nothing like the Loric. I love the humans as if they were my own brethren, so I will rule over them accordingly. If they offer resistance, I will be forgiving. I cannot afford the same mistakes on Earth that our ancestors made on Mogadore. The planet and its inhabitants must be left completely untouched. Do you understand?"
"Good."
Icaron was not angry, rather he felt pride. "You sound like a General already. I'm so proud of you and how hard you've worked, Acacia. Just keep it up, alright?" there was just the slightest hint of a threat in his soft voice. "And please don't think of me as a monster. I truly care about humans and Mogadorians alike. It is just the Loric who are a scum upon sentient races. When we get time, I will explain your mother's treason."
"They are children," Acacia pointed out. "The Garde I met today -- he was just a kid. Perhaps they do not mean any harm, and us hunting them will backfire when they want revenge."
"Are you supporting the Loric?" Icaron demanded. Now he was actually angry.
"No," Acacia said coolly, "I just thought you would understand a little divergent thinking. It occurred to me when the rest of my scout team began to fantasize about torturing him to death."
"I understand, just please don't fall into the trap of believing their lies," Icaron literally begged. "I love you, darling, and I can't afford to lose you to those traitors. I am so sorry, I didn't mean to lose my temper. Please forgive me. Tell me, where are the other Girl Scouts right now?"
"Far across the beach. Lanette and Janice are watching Willow. Lanette meant to watch me, but she left because she trusts me to not do anything stupid. Blair and Katharine went to lure the Garde. I am alone on the dock, so I suppose I am free to say without being judged: I love you, too."
"Tell them I do not sanction this torture," Icaron said sternly, though it was so heartwarming to actually hear his beloved daughter express her love. "When they are killing, they must do it quickly and efficiently. Tell them that if their slow, painful methods continue, I will have a word with them myself."
"Dad, they are already angry with me because I have not been fighting well today. If I say this to them, Janice will throw me out for sure. She blames me for Camilla's death."
"Then I will tell them myself," said Icaron. "I will page Janice. If she continues to blame and mistreat you, she will be the one thrown out of your Girl Scout group."
"Thank you, dad. I hate your guts. Don't be too harsh, though. They already think I'm a goody two shoes."
Icaron laughed. "You stink like a Loric Garde, silly girl. And trust me, they will think highly of you once you prove yourself. I believe in you. Tell you what; when you catch the Garde, I will promote all you Girl Scouts. You will be my second team of what I call professional assassins; you hunt like scouts, but fight like soldiers. Now, I must get to Janice. Good night, darling, and good luck. I'm always rooting for you."
"Night, dad," she said.
Icaron heard the click of the receiver. His daughter wasn't very affectionate and didn't show much care, but he knew she still loved him. At least, he believed it with all his heart. He paged Janice.
"Beloved Leader!" came the immediate reply. "Our mission is going great."
"All good, all good," Icaron murmured. "Janice, I need to speak to you."
He was using that voice. The same voice he used before demoting a favorite soldier. The same voice he used before making a decision to break someone's heart.
The same voice he had used with his wife before killing her.
"Certainly," Janice responded. "Is everything alright?"
"I regret to inform you," Icaron said slowly, knowing how painful the wait would be, "I do not appreciate your conduct towards the Loric. We know they deserve death, but they are self-aware beings, and therefore torture is unethical. I ask that you are a little more polite in your methods."
"Yes, sir," said Janice stiffly.
Somehow, Icaron didn't believe she was so sincere. "How would you like it," he murmured, "if you were tormented to death in a similar way?" His voice was sickeningly gentle, which made it absolutely terrifying, considering how obvious the threat of her torturous execution at his hands was.
"I would not like it very much," came the reply. "Apologies for my insubordination."
"Thank you," Icaron said with a slight chuckle. "Excellent work leading your team, Janice. I ask that you only continue your efforts, and I trust you can succeed." Again with the threatening undertones.
"We will, Beloved Leader."
"Good. Thank you, Janice," he said before hanging up. Nobody was allowed to hang up on Icaron, doing so was a sign of disrespect to the leader of their entire species. He gave his daughter permission, though; and if he ever needed to call Rori, he would also give her permission.
Oh, the things he did for love.

[Amberlight]

Rosemary frowned and looked down at her knees. "What we're the other Garde's like? How old am I compared to them? Did any of them like me?" She was always worried about such things. What if she was the youngest? What if they didn't like her when they were young?

[honeybee.]

Erin enjoyed watching Richie get punched in the head by her Ceoan though it meant that the chant was definitely broken and they could all be killed. She looked very worried when Richie's Cepan contacted her though her mind. She relayed the message to Richie and Maple. "We need some weapons." Erin said, "And maybe we should try and make it look like we're not here, that way we'd have more of an element of surprise."

"I think it's highly unlikely that she'll say no." Sam laughed, "Anf besides, you'll never know if you don't ask her!"