going to Africa to bless the rains

[deadredbird]

WHO: African Safari 2010 (tag in!)
WHERE: a private plane
WHEN: Dec. 12, after this post
WARNINGS: violent people in an enclosed space
SUMMARY: They're off to Africa to rampage around killing warlords and freeing child soldiers and whatnot. But first they all have to get there. Without killing each other.
FORMAT: anything you like. I think everyone

Comments

[tothebalkans]

After take off and it was safe to unbuckle their seat belts, she began walking around to observe. Then she came across a familiar face from a few months ago. They had scattered conversations and seemed to be in agreement about...most things. Most.

Wanda leaned over the top of the seat across from him and smiled. Might as well test the waters.

"I knew I recognized the name--Blake."

[tothebalkans]

She grinned, taking his hand, and shaking it daintily. "Otherwise known as Scarlet Witch in the field. Are you really Catman?"

[tothebalkans]

She was glad to be away from the City. It had come to a point where she was nearly drunk every other night and curled up in bed all alone, hopelessly hearing for the sound of Pietro's fast footsteps through the apartment, but it was only Gemma who barely spoke to her and the building settling. She felt absolutely ridiculously useless and practically jumped at the opportunity to do good work

[deadredbird]

Setting the GPS unit on the pull down tray, Jason observed Wanda in the reflection on the screen. It wasn't the most subtle of maneuvers, but they were stuck in an airplane, and staring outright would be a fantastic way to come across as a creep to the rest of the group. He glanced away from the unit, looking out the window as he mentally reviewed what he knew about the people he was going to fight alongside.

To his eye, Wanda was the type of woman who had a certain look to her regardless of what she was wearing — something vivid and intense. He was reminded of Talia, but Talia devoted much time to hiding her true nature, whereas he didn't think this was the case here. He could tell she was dressed down, which only made sense, and wondered who she was normally: a heroine, a vigilante? Someone deadly, someone steady?

[xun_long]

The last time Wufei had been in anything other than the pilot's seat when in flight had been when he was still learning to do so. He'd been perhaps six at the time, and though the memories were fuzzy they were no less unpleasant than now.

To most he seems unapproachable, calmly and unceasingly staring out the window at the wing of the plane as if it holds some terrible truth about the world, but a careful eye will note the tense caste of his shoulders and the precise even timing in his breathing, as if he were counting the seconds on each breath. Wufei contemplated meditation, but...

Well. It was enough, on the eve of battle, to be ready.

[deadredbird]

Not everyone is in a position to be captured in the reflection of the GPS unit, so Jason listens first, then looks. The Chinese teenager seems tightly wound, but also gives off an air of discipline — Jason doubts he's about to flip out and start killing people. At the moment.

A straightforward approach seems best. Jason shoves his things onto the seat next to him (it seems like the majority of the group are loners, having chosen to sit by themselves) and gets up, moving past Wufei's seat. He pauses, though, and looks over his shoulder at him before turning in the aisle.

"I never introduced myself. I'm the guy who organized this. My name's Jason."

His voice is controlled, quiet in the confines of the cabin, but it has nothing on Wufei's complete composure. He's not restless, but the possibility for it is clearly there.

[xun_long]

"Chang Wufei," the pilot replies, switching his stony regard momentarily to Jason's face, taking him in at a glance in that practiced way, as if to asses him for threats. It was automatic, like checking the exits of a room upon entry.

"I owe you my thanks, then. I was not content to stand around and celebrate," There was a pause, brief but thoughtful, "This is what I was trained to do."

[deadredbird]

The way Jason smiles in response isn't friendly or even aimed at Wufei so much as almost maliciously satisfied on its own. That is apparently what he likes to hear. As far as potential threats go, he's a well built 6'0", light on his feet and not currently armed. Confident, but not obnoxiously so... at the moment, anyway.

"Not a problem. Depending on how things go this time, there may be an upcoming trip to South America come summer. But that's in the future." He tilts his head a little. "Right now, I'm interested in hearing some of your strengths, if you're willing to share. Trying to get a feel for everyone's skills."

[thisstraydog]

Heine was sprawled in a window seat, as far away from everyone else as he could possibly get. He was watching the other occupants of the plane as intently as he could without being obvious about it. And trying not to think about the fact that he was on a plane full of strangers headed to a country he'd never been before.

Mostly, Heine was thinking about what he was going to do when he got on the ground. The people weren't like Angelica, but they were the same breed of monster, preying on kids, fashioning them into weapons. They deserved the hell Heine was going to unleash on them. Heine tugged a the collar of his jacket, making sure it was turned up snugly against his neck, and then looked out the window, frowning slightly.

[deadredbird]

At this point, Jason had given up on subterfuge and was outright approaching each member of the group to speak with them, and to encourage them to speak with the others. He left Heine plenty of room, stopping by the seat in front of Heine and resting his hand on it. It seemed the majority of them were loners in one sense or another. Talking to people like this wasn't his usual habit, but he had no problems with doing it.

"Hey. I just wanted to introduce myself, since I'm the guy that put up the ad. My name's Jason, and if you have any questions or need anything, you can ask me."

[thisstraydog]

The respect for his personal space was appreciated, even if Heine didn't outright show it. He wasn't the most social person, and this wasn't the ideal position for him to be stuck in. Especially because of Wanda and Miho. Heine had kept a significant amount of space between himself and them at all times.

"How long until we land?"

Yes, that was his question. Everything else was inconsequential, as far as Heine was concerned. He could handle what was coming.

[deadredbird]

Though he hadn't yet made any conclusions about Heine keeping his distance from Wanda and Miho, Jason had noticed it, mostly because the cabin wasn't that big. It was a point of concern but not necessarily a problem, just something to keep in mind when planning a strike or splitting up.

Heine's question made him smile a little sardonically. He couldn't have picked out better people if he'd tried; he was lucky they all came to him instead. "Still about ten hours. What do we call you?"

[likeahousecat]

Miho was a little ball of black cloth and pale skin, curled up in her seat. She'd been like that since she took her seat, neatly arranging herself before closing her eyes. Her swords were out of sight and she looked for all the world like a small, harmless girl.

For her part, Miho wasn't really terribly concerned with results. She was here for the blood and the kill. And if the blood she spilled happened to belong to some disreputable types, that was all right then. Regardless of who actually ended up in charge of this particular campaign, Miho knows she'll follow Jason. Aside from that, she has what she considers her orders.

The plane rocks a little as they reach some turbulence. Miho doesn't move, but her eyes open.

[deadredbird]

About then, Jason sits next to her, and though circumstances aren't ideal, he seems to be in good enough spirits. His gaze is still active, traveling the cabin with interest in each person, but it comes back to rest on Miho. To most observers, there's nothing of note in his expression or body language to indicate special interest or emotion. He isn't stoic, but simply at ease.

And that's what's notable, considering the situation. He should probably be more keyed up than he is, possibly irritated, or just more intense in general in his observation of the others. Planning (but he did that earlier), going through scenarios, preparing. Maybe it's the engine noise.

Jason casually reaches over and twirls a bit of Miho's hair around his finger.

[likeahousecat]

Her blank, sleepy eyed expression doesn't really change when Jason sits next to her, but she does shift, changing her position slightly to lean against him. She does look up when she feels the light tug at the lock of hair. Her head inclines a little to look up at him with a small ghost of a smile.

If she has any concerns or curiosity about his state of calm, it doesn't show beyond the questioning tilt in her head and the raised eyebrow. The small white speech bubble appears briefly, with it's little black question mark.

[deadredbird]

It may not be exactly what she's asking, but Jason chooses to answer in his own, roundabout way: "They're good. No weak spots. No ego problems. Heine doesn't like women, but we can work around that. Still have to see what they're like in action, but it feels good. The only concern now is how well they're going to work together. Ideally, we would've had a lot more time to run simulations, learn each other's strengths and weaknesses."

Jason pauses and smiles a typical Jason smile, which is sharply defined confidence, contrariness, and amusement all at once, this time with an extra curl of eagerness. "But that's no fun."