New Fangled Techno-Rology (Ari, Closed)

[Ari]

She pursed her lips as Hematite pointed out the damage to her most precious artifact, then she shrugged,"Well you know, it's got a little wear and tear is all," Ari stood, straightening her back, then stepped carefully onto the disk. The surface crunched a little bit with the weight of her body on it. She cringed, and lifted her foot up to make sure she hadn't snapped the thing in half. Her eyes trailed up to Hematite's and she gave a campy grin,"Or, well...extensive damage. I don't have the materials to fix it just yet. It works fine-- it'll get us to the nearest warp-- or if it doesn't, it'll take us around thirty kilometers out in any direction," Or anywhere on the planet really, but it was rare for the disk to make such an expense of energy just to mess with Ari. The gem within had a bit of an attitude, but she wouldn't take it too far; even before that Celestine had become a portable warp pad, she'd known what happened to tools who were broken beyond repair. 

There would be a feeling of giddy anticipation tinging the air; not just Ari's own anticipation for using the object that was her crowning achievement, but perhaps radiating from another gem consciousness. The arsenic engineer let her grin sober up, and her eyes flicked down to the cracked geode suspended between the crystal disks encasing it. She glared at it for a moment, then looked up, hoping this would be fine by Hematite, but she sensed that the gem fusion might need some more convincing,"Okay okay, I know it sounds bad, but it's so much better than walking all that way or wasting money on a taxi, and it's not like I can call in a Kamov in the middle of Empire City,"  

[Hematite]

The rabbit-eared gem could only throw a glare at Ari, a little wear and tear? Of course not she'd think as Ari revealed that this device was actually quite damaged and in need of repair. The last time she was with this gem and one of her contraptions went out of whack, it almost ended in a catastrophe; she crossed her arms, “Ari-sama, it’s not that I distrust your ... expertise in this field. But the last time you said something like that …” She started to tap her finger against her forearm and then sighed as she decided it was better than what the gem suggested in the advance.

She cast her eyes down at the device, certainly sensing that it too seemed just as excited that it was finally getting a chance to show off its stuff. Or was that it? She frowned at it, she really didn’t want to know why this thing felt this way all of sudden, she was afraid it might prop them over the ocean or something. She wasn't entirely sure what a Kamov was, but the Taxi was starting to sound like an excellent idea. “It looks like you should retire this device, but knowing you, I doubt you will.”

[Ari]

Her brows shot up as she was reminded of the last disaster that had unfolded after trying to stretch a broken artifact passed it's limits; she thought it fair enough that Hematite didn't want to take the risk, Ari wondered herself at times whether she should shelf the celestial warp-- especially when it sent her to volcanic peaks, the bottom of the ocean, or the pantry of a world leader's secret vacation home. However, the factor of convenience was a strong force, perhaps stronger than gravity itself for a gem as lackadaisical as Ari. 

She wasn't offended, but it was a bit disappointing she wouldn't be able to show off the fact that it could actually teleport despite being a one-gem job. She decided that Hematite would take her word for it, and her grin widened as she shook her head, "Oh, not just yet! It can be repaired," She began, then she stepped off of the device and leaned down to pick it up,"The materials are just ridiculously rare, most of them anyway. It's a big ol' tedious odyssey to find them but not too difficult. The biggest issue here though is..." She held the disk up, and tapped it right in the center,"The gem is cracked. If we weren't on Earth, there'd be no hope of fixing it-- but I've actually heard rumors about a healing fountain the rebels constructed," She started walking as she spoke, and the door-bell chimed as the arsenic gem went to hold the door for Hematite while she continued to speak,"Something I plan on investigating in the future, but for now we have some pressing business don't we?" Her good humored expression remained as she tapped her belt again, banishing the artifact into an ethereal state once again, and she glanced around, scoping the traffic out for open cabs. 
 

[Hematite]

Hematite listened carefully, and at the words of a cracked gem she recalled that she also had a minor amount of damage scarring one of her own, it honestly worked out actually, with Red Spinel’s gem slightly impaired, the influence of the gem wasn’t as strong—though she worried that the structure of the gem could fail at any moment and despite the feelings she held for that part of herself, she didn’t want to see it shattered beyond repair. “A healing fountain,” she’d say as she tilted her head away slightly enough, it was obvious that the red gemstone at the back of her head showed mild chipping. “This is something I’ll have to look into as well.” She said as she stepped through the door and watched as Ari began to flag down a cab.

As she waited, she began to almost subconsciously ping her sonar, when her senses picked up on another gem, her eyes narrowed, this gem was indeed displaying an oddly suspicious emotional aura. It was intent for sure—but it was intent directed as herself. She started to cast her gaze in the direction she sensed it from, but didn’t move—watching carefully, trying to stay as calm and straight-faced as possible. But she couldn’t see anything other than busy people walking the streets, no there wasn’t a single sign of a gem. She knew her powers weren’t lying, Ari and Hematite were surely being watched by amysterious interloper.

It wasn’t long before the driver of a peach colored cab caught sight of Ari’s waving and pulled up in front of them, she would open the door herself this time, allowing Ari inside first while she kept her gaze on the direction in question.

[Ari]

She nodded, but internally wondered for a moment why Hematite might be interested in such a place aside from planning for future damage-- then her eyes snagged onto the damage that had already been done. Ari stared for a half second, unsure of how to feel or what to say, other than the deeply discomforting feeling that compelled her to grimace at the sight of the chipping on the red spinel gemstone. Her eyes flicked away and her lips pressed together as she attempted to stifle her reaction.  

Before she said anything, she felt the chill of Hematite's radar; For the time being she was oblivious to the reasoning, but Ari's expression became more sober and intent as she realized the fusion was scoping something out. There was something ominous about the ability, and even after knowing this gem for so long, it was something she had little grasp on. Her gaze narrowed slightly, but she pulled her eyes away quickly and decided not to ask questions; if Hematite had noticed something, Ari was sure the gem would let her know when it was advantageous to know. 

"I'll be sure to let you know when I find leads about the fountain, then," She mentioned as she settled into her seat, and leaned forward to give the cab driver directions,"Beach City, main," The driver let her brows float slightly, but nodded. 

"It's gonna be a bit of a drive ladies," The driver said, and waited for Hematite to get into the cab. Ari leaned back and propped her chin up on her palm as she thought to herself with the din of the city's commute weaving around them. 

[Hematite]

Hema kept her expression as blank as possible, before shifting her gaze, she would set herself into the cab which smelt of a strong incense unlike the ones she often found Lloyd using to cover the smell of his own smoking habits. “I’m more than patient,” she’d reply to the driver though her expression flashed back to something serious as she peered out the window, eyes locked on the position of which she sensed this gem. She’d let the driver begin to pull away before straightening out, there were thoughts obviously mulling through her mind—but it was the questions she wanted to ask that was the whole of it.

“Ari-sama,” she’d say rather calmly, “I doubt it’s possible but,” her gaze shifted to the gem with some discomfort, “you wouldn’t happen to have any unfamiliar guest accompanying you here, would you?” she held a lot of trust for this gem, but even she knew Ari wasn’t as … perceptive as the herself, and that she could be trailed if she wasn’t careful enough. Honestly, she felt it was almost impossible really, especially if Ari was using the device at her waist to travel—if so, then how exactly did they track her here and were they even tracking her?

It was strange, she didn’t want to hold any suspicions for the gem next to her, she couldn’t see a motive for Ari betraying her considering the position both of the gems were in. Yet, something was out there, watching either her or the gem beside her and somehow remained hidden from her sight. A clear sign they held a certain stealth training that was almost too familiar.

[Ari]

As the gem asked her question, it came together-- they were being followed. A shade cast over Ari's face, her eyes flicked to the pocket her phone was in. Any number of enemies could be after her, but if Hematite were sensing them, then it wasn't connected to any human trifle. Instead this must've been any number of gemmic enemies who would want her core, whether to make it into a pendant or to throw it into the nearest bin. The arsenic outlaw combed through all the names and faces that could be after them, weighing probabilities as she became increasingly nervous. While the gem showed little outward hint as to her confusion, she internally picked every piece of her journey to Empire City apart. 

"I didn't expect to meet any friends today, aside from yourself," She answered, then paused as her bright, acidic eyes cast surreptitiously into the direction the fusion been glaring. Ari didn't catch sight of anything herself, but a frown tugged at the corner of her lip. Her eyes trailed back to Hematite; the gem was treading the thin line of the law herself, but it was hard to think this gem fusion would be easy to track, especially considering her penchant for using older technology that was outside the reach of modern satellites. 

There had been situations like this before, but it never failed to put her on edge. Ari reclined in her seat as she continued to speak,"It's all good, we'll treat them to some hospitality when we get to Beach City," She tilted her head, half-smirking at Hematite as the old gem kept her composure, but her fingers tapped in rhythm against the door's armrest. 

The tapping stopped as she reached into her pocket, and stared down at her phone. She pressed the button that would open the window, and flung the smartphone out, where it would smack into the asphalt and be subsequently crushed by a passing truck. 

[Hematite]

Ari’s answer seemed genuine enough, though Hema couldn’t help but be a bit touched she referred to her as a friend. Just as Ari was thinking Hema’s own thoughts returned to how this suspicious pursuer was able to find her, let alone how they knew what she looked like with her disguises in place and where to look for her. The signs weren’t adding up, she didn’t want to pin Ari as being negligent, though to be honest she was unsure if her companion here was as sought after as herself—and even still, she could only think of one gem who was so adamant at hunting her down, but she seemed far more forthright—unless that is she was learning her lesson.

“Of course,” she’d say as she, with sleight-of-hand that was almost inhuman, produced a kunai from under the sleeves of her blouse with almost fluid grace and in the flash that it was seen, it was gone. “I might get to test some homemade fireworks too,” she said it more jokingly, but there was a hint of a more serious undertone beneath it, “I have quite the workshop at my current stay.”

Her smile however, immediately went crooked as Ari would toss what seemed like a perfectly good phone from the window and into the streets, unfortunately ending in a quick demise. Hema, with her love for a simple humble life, had little in cash savings, but she knew Ari lived a much more prosperous and financial living than herself, that phone was possibly worthless to the gem, though she wondered what exactly prompted it, “Ari-sama?” She didn’t want to pry, but it was an odd move.

[Ari]

Ari's eyes flicked over just in time to see the glint of metal before it vanished; it seemed the other gem was already prepared for something like this, but she hoped that whatever foe this was wouldn't themselves be prepared for something like that. The word workshop was like the beginning of a sweet song to her, and it had piqued her curiosity about what sort of things Hema might be putting together. She supposed she would see when they got there, but the surprise guest would have to be dealt with first, in order to prevent compromising Hematite's hideout. For now she would forget about the phone; if her strategy worked, then it would give them at least a momentary advantage, and if it didn't, then that was that.

At the implied question, the engineer glanced to Hematite as if entirely bamboozled, eyes wide and lips tugging down,"Huh? What?" She shook her head, and gave a light smile,"Oh, well, it's been a few years since I've seen any good fireworks, perhaps today is the day," She shrugged-- mostly to try to shrug away her nerves. Good fireworks were something she didn't often want to see, especially in this sort of context. Without any knowledge about the pursuer, there was no telling what would happen once they reached Beach City's main street. She slipped both of her hands into the pockets of her dark duffel coat, and watched cars zip by for a moment. The cab continued out of the city, into the surrounding suburbs as it continued toward their destination. 

"Can you still get a read on them?" Ari asked quietly, still milling through ideas in her head. Whether Hematite could still sense the gem would give some insight into what sort of abilities they would have to be prepared for.    

[Hematite]

She was still a little confused at what just happened, but she decided to trust that whatever the motive was, it was a smart one. For a moment she registered the gem’s emotional aura as a certain excitement swept over her, she could only surmise it was because of the mentioning of a workshop to which the two could perform their trades, it was spacious even though she had filled it with items of her own use, she knew Ari would need some room to perform her own labors if necessary, there may have been space for others as well.

At the response to fireworks, she smiled something of a devil’s grin where her eyes became venomous for a split moment. She was known for making a rather potent example of black-powder, but Ari would know that the fusions explosives were about as versatile as they were incredibly dangerous. Given enough time she could make bombs strong enough to level small buildings if she wanted—but even more gruesome was the iron-shard fragmentation grenades she could make. She was even currently testing out a design for crude mines and tripwire activated IED’s.

She seemed to pull herself from her imaginings and though she was pinging her sonar, she wasn’t pinging it at its strongest. She’d begin to do so, and immediately her eyes went into almond slits once again, the gem was somehow following them, but … it was odd, even as their vehicle pulled around and managed to enter the freeway, somehow this gem managed to keep up, one minute they were out of range, next they were there again, she even reared around carefully, confused by what she was sensing … but, as they started to reach a greater speed, it would seem the gem simply couldn’t keep up, or at least she hoped so.

“They were … for a moment.” She’d say keeping her eyes behind them, confusion and alertness in her eyes—it was bewildering for sure.

[Ari]

Ari wasn't great at reading others, but she could recognize that glint in a gem's eyes. She found herself glad to be on this fusion's good side; there was no telling what other manner of menacing equipment Hematite had on her person at the moment, let alone what she had stashed away at her current hideout. The engineer almost felt bad for whoever was trying to follow them, for they might soon be on the receiving end of Hematite's time-honed combat skills, and Ari's own experimental manner of getting to her enemies. A combo not to be trifled with, but she was sure the stranger would have something up their sleeve.

It was a bit unsettling to hear Hematite's report, but many underlying fears had been swiftly quashed, narrowing down the options as for who this could be. Ari absently tapped the side of her head as she drilled through her own options here; the worst part of situations like this was waiting for the enemy to reveal themselves. "Good, but I doubt they'll give up easily," She sighed, still keeping her voice down. Gems had almost limitless capabilities, a gem like Ari knew that well; she wouldn't be caught underestimating the enemy despite how confident she was that this would end in their favor,"Maybe they're a squirrelly foe, but we don't have to participate in any explosive car chases just yet," She tried to put on a more mirthful expression. The driver of the cab shifted in her seat a bit as her eyes flicked curiously to the back mirror.      

While Ari ruminated, the cab zipped passed signs indicating the exit for Beach City. Her nerves continued to buzz as the driver took them around the swooping asphalt, onto the long, winding road to the small ocean-side town. Green hills rolled out around them, forests dappling the more open country side along with picturesque ranch houses, but not even the serene surroundings could put Ari at ease-- especially not now, because their pursuer could easily surmise that there was only one place they could possibly be heading. 

[Hematite]

She agreed with Ari’s conclusion on the matter, the gem most likely wouldn’t give up, if they kept watching, she was sure they’d be able to guess where they were headed, especially with Beach City’s reputation as a hideout for rebels and exiles alike. She managed to catch the drivers uneasy squirming for a moment, their conversation was quite odd, “If we keep this up, we might just end up famous,” she add, “maybe we should become actors, I’ve been thinking about taking on modeling, how about you?” she decided a change in subject was necessary.

Despite this, her eyes drifted some as they pulled in the evolving tundra that seemed to tuck into a vast landscape of rolling green hills, a large sign with a beckoning shadow passed over them—a familiar greeting that they were entering the winding roads leading to Beach City.

-

Meanwhile, barely able to trial them, something like spontaneous explosions of black smoke ruptured in and out of existence, but as the vehicle hit the highway and sped off toward an exit, a Grey Gem appeared from the periodic-burst of clouds stumbling as her eyes were practically drained of life, pupils dilated with heavy eyelids and a tired expression, she collapse to her knees, never expecting her target to grab a human vehicle and speed away like this. Not even her warp-dash abilities could keep up with such a constant vehicle and to her surprise there was a limit to how far and how much she could abuse this power.

She managed to, with the last of her energy, bring up her holopanel system, sending a direct video message to a certain Padparadscha, “This is … Grey Onyx,” she said between heaves, “located the target, but she jumped into some human transport with another gem I think, the vehicle outran me, she’s heading for the rebel outpost location, Beach City—going to …” Her eyes gleaned and rolled back for a moment, “Going to …” she muttered in one last breath as she collapsed against the soft grass and wildflowers of the tundra to the city.

[Ari]

Ari chuckled; humans were amusing to say the least, but the ways they entertained themselves had a sort of irony to it. She wondered what stories this cab driver would tell to her fellow Earthlings about today, though their drive fortunately continued without any kind of impediment. "Modeling? A lucrative venture-- go for it. I could help you find an agent, if you'd like," She smirked, then tapped the side of her head while she actually considered it,"I'm not so much for the spotlight myself, but being in a chase scene would be fun," Fun, as long as she had a stunt double and got paid at the end of the day,"Or maybe I'll be the antihero's sidekick in a post-modern western drama? Been a while since I've ridden a horse, or done any gun slinging," She shrugged, her tone as if she were seriously considering it, then shook her head,"Ah, maybe not, it's all about super hero movies these days, isn't it?" 

As she spoke, the cab brought them all the way to Beach City, which was amazing to Ari. The driver looked up as she pulled onto Main Street,"Is this okay?" She asked. Ari gave a bob of her head in response, then reached into her pocket and pulled out her card again; a sleek, almost featureless silver card. She leaned over and stuck it chip-side into the driver's card reader before the woman had a chance to tell them what the total was, then the gem swung open her door,"Oh! Enjoy your time!" The driver's voice was almost sing song when she peered down at those numbers on the screen. 

"Enjoy your tip," The arsenic gave an uncharacteristically cordial smile to the driver, then stuck her card back into her pocket. She tapped the side of her head, conjuring her goggles, and used them to glance around for suspicious activity. So far so good, but her goggles were not so nearly as useful for a task of this type as Hematite's internal radar was. "Anyway, what was I on about? Finding you an agent?"  

[Hematite]

“Ah?” Hematite would seem to coo, wondering if she could get her companion to elaborate, the idea of being a model passed her mind again. She wasn’t sure how Lloyd would feel about it—she definitely didn’t have a supermodel’s body, she felt herself attractive, but lacked those almost ‘templated,’ bodies they often looked for in those women—she wondered if there was some way she could do something more introspective, solo-photography with an artistic direction that could be stunning, it would require quite the mind, but it would be fun nonetheless to have something so eccentric and and with such abstract direction. For a moment a few memories of her forgone exploits in Japan ran through her mind and the Ukiyo-e artwork she had posed for with former artist of that time. Her face showed unsettling embarrassment as she realized now that some of it may have been a little ... explicit. She was having one of those moments, she wondered if any of that ancient art was still circulating.

She certainly hoped not. She was a young ignorant gem at the time, she honestly found the woman who painted her’s advances rather flattering and though the pictures in question were questionable enough. It didn’t take her until many years later to realize they were indeed very suggestive—lewd even.

The octopus was probably too much as well.

“W-well. I will certainly think of it, though I think I’m having a change of heart.” It didn’t take long for them to pull onto the main street with its familiar small-cityscape and humble bits of on-foot traffic. She was ready to pay for herself, but then watched as Ari simply slid a card through the ETS panel and paid the woman handsomely. Yes, the gem was still … as prosperous as always. The thought of Ari in a movie garnered her a rather genuine smile, it was humorous as she’d never see the gem as action hero’s sidekick, but then she wasn’t too up to such things.

She’d begin to ping her sonar, but after sensing nothing of interesting, she assumed they had lost their pursuer, for now at least—the quicker they got out of sight, the better. “Come, let’s head to the estate.” She’d say as she beckoned her friend to follow her, the cab driving off with the driver beaming happily at what was a wonderful bonus for a day’s work.

[Ari]

She wondered if she had taken the speculation over careers a bit too seriously, but gave a shrug,"Well, consider wisely. A great agent can be the difference between a high profile career, and something perhaps...hmm...less well respected," She figured Hematite would get the gist of what she was saying. Her goggles remained on her face as Hematite waved for her to follow, and though she knew the ability was in affect due to the uncanny chills that were invoked when she used it, Ari still felt nervous about the pursuer; she'd never gotten a look at them, and therefore had no way to do checks on them and who they might be working for in the meantime. However, she quickly followed, knowing that it would be best to get there as soon as possible. 

The arsenic judged all of the buildings they passed as Hematite walked, wondering which one would be the gem's hideaway. Ari herself had never actually stepped foot in this small town before today, and she found herself impressed with just how quaint it was, quiet too. Beach City made an excellent hiding place because of that, though she wouldn't want to crowd Hematite out of her place, and rumors of Crystal Gems hiding here made it a more heated zone than it would seem at a glance. "I'm looking forward to seeing it, and being out of the sun," Ari grinned, but she kept her eyes moving, on the look-out for suspicious activity,"Is there anyone else we should expect to see there at this time?" She wanted to make absolutely sure.