The Machine [Open/Accepting]

[lil_lollypop1]

Shadow said nothing and put a hand over his as if saying she preferred it if he led her. She then trailed behind him with awkward, hesitant steps to make sure she didn't accidentally kick him or trip over him. After a few steps, her movements became smoother as she followed where he led her.  

[Eternal_PrinceOfFire]

Damien led Shadow down to the undercover disguise department after having dismissed everyone who worked there and all the soldiers guarding the place. Once they were all in the room, he closed and locked the door before getting the Chief General to remove Shadow's blindfold. Damien had carried along the garment bag with the uniform in it.  

[lil_lollypop1]

Shadow looked around after Jian removed her blindfold and was surprised to only see the two of them there. "So um... you're disguising me as a soldier?" She asked. "What exactly are you going to have me do?"  

[Eternal_PrinceOfFire]

"Simple. You're going to be escorting us to a helicopter as a completely different person. Then, you'll be going with us as our 'protection'. We'll have to take another soldier or two, just to make sure you're not conspicuous." Damien said. "So you said you do your own disguises. Does that include fake facial alterations?"  

[lil_lollypop1]

"Fair enough, and yes." She replied, slowly walking over to the desk and looking at the equipment. "This is... good stuff." She muttered. "I should probably shower and change first. I don't want the makeup to be smeared, and no one's going to believe I'm a guard when I still smell like medicine, sweat, and whatever was in that cell." She told him, turning and walking into the bathroom, closing and locking the door behind her, but forgetting to take the bag of clothes. After about ten minutes, she finished and wrapped a towel around herself as her long hair still dripped wet. Slowly, she opened the door and peaked her head out. "Um... I'm done. Can you hand me the um... uniform?"  

[Eternal_PrinceOfFire]

Damien chuckled and walked over with the garment bag. "Forget something?" he teased as he handed it to her.  

[lil_lollypop1]

"Yes." She said, flushing red as she took the bag. "S-stop that!" She stuttered, blushing even deeper before quickly closing the door and locking it again. She let out a deep breath as she leaned against the door, rubbing her head. She then dried herself off and hair dried her long hair before putting the uniform on. She slowly unlocked the door and opened it, looking around nervously before stepping out. "Um... hum..." She muttered with a fake cough. Her black hair cascaded in rippling waves down her back as her pale skin stood out against the black. "Well, I... I suppose I should get started..." She stuttered, walking over to a desk and sitting at it. She could hardly recognize herself as it was considering all of the changes her body went through since this whole ordeal begun, but she knew it wasn't good enough. She started going through all of the fake parts. "Oh, I know. I'll give myself a long nose and paint my face green." She jested.  

[Eternal_PrinceOfFire]

"I see. While it would be interesting to make it look like intergalactic aliens have joined the ranks of the Diethelmian military, I doubt people would buy it. How about something that would actually be convincing. Besides, this isn't some children's party" Damien replied.  

[lil_lollypop1]

"Oh come now. You know I was joking. You don't even have green paint." She told him as she began to work. "Maybe I'll give myself a butt chin or a large mole." She said as the used some clay to reshape her face. "Oh, I know. Warts. Lots of warts." She said, but applied no warts. She gave herself a strait nose and distinct brows and cheeks. She kept a light tone, but made her skin more olive and gave herself golden eyes. Finally, she added some gold eye shadow and gave herself ruby red lips. "And wa-la! A monster is born!" She smiled as she turned back towards the pair, pushing back her long black waves of hair.

Jian was slightly taken aback as he tried to hide his slight flush from shock. He felt inclined to say something condescending, but lost the words. Of course, praise was out of the question considering he was with Monica.  

[Eternal_PrinceOfFire]

"You do realize you are trying to pose as a military soldier, right? What on duty soldier would wear that much makeup?" Damien stated.  

[lil_lollypop1]

"One trying to suck up and grab attention. That or a propaganda poster girl. Besides, no one seemed to complain at Monica for her sense of style." She replied, dusting some of the make up for a more natural look. "There. This better?" She asked.  

[Eternal_PrinceOfFire]

"Yes. Now we need you to blend into a crowd" Damien said and took out the little cell phone he took with him to call up a few young new soldiers, both male and female, that all had similar features to Shadow, whether in size or body shape. None of them knew each other as Damien made sure they all had different backgrounds and had been stationed at different places. It took a small while for some of them to get there, but Damien didn't mind waiting for his plan to work. He had made these calls while Shadow was showering. The soldiers also were blindfolded and Damien ordered Monica to have them led down to the entrance where they stood with their backs to the door. Once they were all ready and Monica knocked to give the signal, Damien let Shadow out into the group and had the rest remove their blindfolds. "This was an obedience test" he lied to them, "just to make sure you would follow orders without question. I decided to personally let you know you all passed". The soldiers considered it a huge honour to be face to face with the Absolute Leader and Chief General in the flesh.  

[lil_lollypop1]

Shadow said nothing as all the others were in awe at what was happening. Meaningless to say, she still stood out too much amid the group, as much as she tried to fake modesty and blend in.  

[Eternal_PrinceOfFire]

Damien sighed silently to himself and made a small gesture to Shadow to stay in the back of the group. "Now, your next task is to personally escort the Chief General and myself to the helicopter that awaits us and make sure that no trouble happens. You never know in such times what will go on" Damien ordered. He let a few go ahead then walked in the middle of the group with Jian, making sure that Shadow was just slightly behind him.  

[lil_lollypop1]

Shadow made sure to stay in the back as they were moved along. She noticed most of the soldiers were slightly squeamish to be given such an important task. Shadow, and two others were the only ones that seemed relatively calm. The other two, as Shadow examined them, were older and obviously war veterans. She took a deep breath, hoping that the anxiety of those around her wouldn't blow her cover as they moved to the helicopters