Tira, on seeing the door open and being able to see what looked like Garrus somewhere behind the doorframe, suddenly smiled as she waved her hand wildly at him.
Oh, hi Gary! She yelled as she swayed dangerously back and forth. I'm really glad to-
At this point, Tira's already tenuous grip on the roof with her feet fell, and she suddenly fell, crashing down on the floor in a heap.
......owwie. That hurt...
Coco’s Penthouse
“Well, talk about timing,” Victoria said when she saw the people gathered outside the door.
Before Garrus could answer, the man with the sunglasses would step forward and extend his hand to the mayor.
“Vinny Vegas. And this is my partner, Jimmy Jacobs. We’re here to see where we can get some gambling permits, though it seems you’ve got a thing going on.”
Jimmy let out a whistle as his eyes swept around the interior, though he cut his whistle a bit short when he (presumably) saw Tira.
edited 3rd Oct '17 6:03:37 PM by CathariSarad
Lizard Metabolism
Tyranid Pest Control
"Well, if you told me ten years ago that we would be living in a post-apo world or even that I would cross entire Europe just to get here, I'd probably laugh you off then." Monica hummed, watching Professor Phillips retreat to his office.
"But yeah, we should be fine." Monica smiled at Piper. "Be seeing you." Once Sebastian left, she nodded at Swarmlord. With a small shrug, the creature lumbered behind the blonde as they made their way to the basement, getting the tech ready for a disinfestation. The plan was to send in Rippers as forward scouts, have some food and matter to process, then use them to corral the remaining rats into a cloud of death.
How do lizards fly?
University, Crawford Hall
Sebastian Piper left the two to their work.
It did not take particularly long for the Rippers to find rats. A few rats appeared in plain sight, though they quickly began to scurry away once they caught whiff of the Tyranids.
The main hall within the basement was dimly lit. A number of doors, some partially open, branched out into a number of small but windowless classrooms. It did not seem as though any of these classrooms had been used since the beginning of the Clown Crisis, aside from the building’s main lecture hall which had entrances in both the basement and the first floor. That was not to say that it was entirely empty, as people may have passed down here out of curiosity, and Professor Phillips may have seen the rats while down here.
There were all sorts of other signs that rats had been down here. Grease and droppings were scattered across the floor. Aside from a lone, lifeless vending machine near the part where the hall wrapped itself around the lecture hall. Near this section, there was also a single cockroach whose antennae flicked this way and that, but otherwise stood motionless by the wall. There was also a trash can sitting in the left branch of the part surrounding the lecture hall, which one of the rats looked like it had climbed into.
There was also a pair of restrooms situated on opposite sides of the lecture hall, with the men’s restroom on the right and the women’s restroom on the left. Their labels had long since faded, but they were nevertheless still visible. Both doors seemed to have holes near their bottoms, likely created by rats.
Monica, Swarmlord, or the Rippers might also find that the two branches would also join back up after circling around the lecture hall, whose bottom entrances were on the far ends of each hall. The rejoined hall would then go on, and eventually link up to a stairwell on the opposite side of the building.
2 Spooky 4 U
And before Garrus could have said or do anything the duo started to talk to Coco about their casino. Straight to the point it seems. "Oh, they aren't with me. They almost jumped out of their skin when I walked up to them in the hallway," explained Garrus to Coco as he walked inside her home and past her........
And straight to Tira. Squatting down near the ground and her, Garrus told her half-jokingly, "Now, do we need to have a talk about this Tira? First it's you hiding under a stage and now it's hanging off the Mayor's roof. Not to ruin your thing but maybe try standing on the ground like the rest of us?" and then he would offer a hand to her.
Bethany wondered, back during the golden years of not having clowns messing everything up, if anyone cared about the town of Lakeside. Answer: probably not.
"What I meant was, where from out of town are you...I'm sorry If I'm being too pushy about it, though."
Coco - Penthouse
"Is that so?" Coco said, shaking the offered hand."Well, as surprising as it may be, gentlemen, my private residence is not suited for handling this sort of business," she added. "For those sorts of things, I'm afraid you'll have to head down to City Hall. Our Gaming Control department will be more than happy to approve your permit. Simply go there, and then once you've gotten approval from the Departments of Planning, Building, Code Enforcement, and Development for your facilities, conduct an environmental impact study, passed an inspection by the Fire Marshall, and gotten approval for your liquor license, it'll be no time at all until you're up and running."
She gave the two men a smile and a nod. "Now is that all, or is there something else I can help you with? As you can see, I have company, but if you schedule an appointment with my secretary I'll be glad to discuss things in finer detail."
Coco’s Penthouse
The two men looked on with awe while listening to Coco rattle off all the various requirements for getting a permit.
“And here I thought Chicago was bad,” said Jimmy, turning to his partner.
“So, uh, do you have something we can write all this down on?”
Upon hearing Vinny say this, Victoria pulled her notepad out of sight, and watched as the two suits talked their talk.
“We’re not exactly good with remembering all these sorts of details and procedures. I don’t suppose you’d also happen know how to get in touch with all these departments, or at least talk to the people we need to talk to? We didn’t really expect we’d have to go through all these hoops when we got here.”
Vinny scratched a bit behind his right ear, while Jimmy crossed his arms and looked out towards the terrace.
Tira dragged herself off the ground, head hunched over and eyes dropped, which signaled her other personality had taken over.
You're wasting your time, she'll do whatever the hell she wants if it amuses her.
She clutched her head, clearly somewhat in pain from the hit.
Fucking idiot, why the fuck couldn't you have just gotten on the fucking ground when she told you to, goddamned-
She suddenly stopped as she caught sight of Jimmy staring in her direction Jimmy would proceed to receive a hate filled glare from Tira, as she gave him the kind of look that one would give someone only when they were considering what the most painful way to brutally murder them would be.
And what the fuck are you looking at? What, you think something's funny, you goddamned suited jackass?
Coco’s Penthouse
Jimmy tapped the back of Vinny’s shoulder and said, “Uh, Vinny, maybe we should do this some other time.”
Vinny raised his finger up towards Jimmy’s mouth, “Not right now. I’m in the middle of something here.”
Jimmy turned around and leaned over by the entrance, looking mostly to the side though occasionally and swiftly glancing at Tira.
By contrast, Victoria turned towards Tira upon hearing her outburst, before then turning back forward and seating herself if she had not already done so. For the time being, her sight would stay forward as if in contemplation, though Victoria would occasionally tap the notepad which was now in her lap.
Ainz and Shalltear - Moving on
Ainz nodded as Monica departed with Swarmlord and Sebastian, Sebas... Shalltear just looked away, only the underlings of the swarmlord showed them some kind of respect. He looked back at Johnny who was already eyeing his next potential lady and going off in his own direction. All alone again just the two of them, Ainz gestured forward. "Shall we proceed Shalltear?" "Ah, of course Ainz-sama!"
The pair proceeded to the sushi bar and Ainz made appropriate orders for Shalltear who was unfamiliar with this kind of food. "Ah this is quite good Ainz-sama!" "I'm glad you like it Shalltear." Ainz ate none himself, for of course as a skeleton even trying to eat would just fall through and soil his nicely kept clothes, or get it all over the little red orb floating at the bottom of his ribcage.
edited 4th Oct '17 6:20:19 AM by StephanReiken
Coco - Penthouse
"As you can see, it's perhaps not the best time," Coco said to Jimmy and Vinny, raising an eyebrow behind her sunglasses at Tira's outburst."If you talk to Kimmy at the reception desk in City Hall, she can point you where you need to go. As mayor, my role is more supervisory than anything else. Approving staff, vetoing legislation, attending social engagements - those sorts of things. You'll have to interact with the departments yourself and gain their approval for whatever needs you have. Now that that's settled, I wish you boys luck with your permits."
Peace said, she closed the door.
Jaroline- Coco's Penhouse
Gosh Darn It Anime
"Oh, uh... Thanks, will do!" Jaroline responded to the mayor.
It seemed the clown- oh, wait, outdated term. Harlequin? Jester? She'd have to ask later, anyways, the girl that was in the window has slipped into the room.
Nothing too odd, considering her entrances.
She believed she heard something about a Casino? There probably would be someone who'd like it, but that's up to the Mayor. She's no politician, but she also has heard of the kind of attention Casinos bring...
Anyways, Bethany, Who upon second glance was actually quite older than Jaroline thought (Must have been the face), mentioned most people come into here.
"Huh? Where'd all the residents go? Oh and... Places. I'm a woman of mystery."
Nep could only facepalm and sigh, not that anyone would notice her.
"No, your not being pushy, don't worry, I'm asked this all the time."
And then the girl completely inverted her personality. This week was getting stranger by the minute.
edited 4th Oct '17 4:19:57 PM by Boomer75
Outside Coco’s Penthouse
Vinny looked to his partner and shrugged as the two of them were kicked out of the party.
About a minute or so later, they’d reach ground level and step into their car. For about another minute or so, Vinny would call someone on his phone, though not much was audible from outside it. Once that was over, they would drive off.
Inside Coco’s Penthouse
“Well, that was an amusing diversion,” Victoria remarked once the two buffoons were out of sight.
After temporarily placing her notepad and writing utensils on the table, Victoria stood up from her seat and let out a yawn. She would then gather her things up and begin wandering around the penthouse until she met up where Jaroline and Bethany were gathered.
“Good afternoon, Miss Misaki. I do apologize if I might have offhandedly dismissed you earlier.”
Victoria then turned to Jaroline and said, “I don’t think I ever quite got your name.”
As she awaited a response, Victoria would seat herself nearby.
Army Base
The raven that was stationed here would see a black car drive towards the base. One of the other ravens patrolling above the city might have noticed it as it entered the city through the southern fields, though it might not have seemed all that significant until it arrived at the army base.
The car would drive up to the gate. Once there, the driver would present some form of identification, along with a number of other forms which the guard seemed to look over. Should the raven have positioned itself at a sufficient angle, it would observe that the driver wore glasses and a business suit. He also had blond hair fashioned in a business cut. There did not seem to be anyone else inside the vehicle, aside from the suitcase which rested in the front passenger’s side.
The guard at the station would then pick up a phone and speak into it.
“Lieutenant Colonel, Sir, Mr. Benson has just arrived at the gate.”
After a short delay, the guard would hang up and say, “The Lieutenant Colonel will see you inside.”
After returning the forms and ID to the blond gentleman, the guard opened the gate to the complex. Once Mr. Benson had found a place to park, the doors to the complex’s main building would open. An older, somewhat decorated man would step out with a small escort. The Lieutenant Colonel would invite the blond man inside, and once everyone was in, the doors would close.
Coco - Penthouse
With the two respectable gentlemen - and uninvited guests - left, Coco returned to the sofa. Having to answer your own door was such a hassle sometimes. And then they were asking her such basic questions, the sort of thing that anyone could find out simply by going to City Hall and asking the first person they saw seated behind a desk. Other mayors had people to do this for a reason, after all. But resources were tight in this new, post-clown-apocalyptic world. Where was she possibly going to find...."Say, Jaroline...." Coco said, an idea forming in her head. "You said you were passing through, wasn't it? Would that happen to mean you are otherwise unengaged? Because there just happens to be a job opening at City Hall. My assistant, actually."
Bethany started to slide off to the side a little, which became pretty easy when Tira started to swear out everyone involved, businessmen jumped into the proceedings and just as quickly walked back out, and Jaroline was offered a—wait, hold on!
Her eyes started to slowly drift to Coco, because, you know, that's kind of what she was here for as well. Not an assistant's job, you know, but something else. Something important. Something plant-y.
2 Spooky 4 U
"I see it's Miss Sunshines turn at the wheel," wisecracked Garrus as Gloomy took control and started being her joyful self. Luckily for her, he was used to pissed off, grumpy woman. He offered his hand more directly at Tira and asked, "Now, you going to keep enjoying yourself down there or do you want to get up?" and afterward he asked more sincerely, "Is anything hurt?"
Tira swatted away the offered hand, and pushed herself to her feet.
I'm fine, I don't need help fro-
Suddenly she reached her hand to her forehead as she suddenly was contacted by one of her ravens.
Just give me a minute.....
The Raven took notice of the strange man, seemingly out of place among the uniformed personnel of the base. It watched silently from its perch as the man started walking toward the base, then mentally contacted Tira.
Mistress, a strange man is visiting the military base. He does not look like one of the men here.
Tira quickly viewed the scene through her raven's eyes, seeing the man. The military base was among the top of Tira's priorities for keeping an eye on the activities of, just under the police station, given the proximity to her own house and the relative importance of the base to the city as a whole. Thus, she liked to keep extra tabs on whatever might be going on over there.
Ohhhh, he looks really stupid in that suit, it looks really stiff. And what's that shiny case?
Whatever it is, it's probably why he's there. But focus on what we can learn. Look at the car, the plate on the back. See if you can identify the name on it, find some slip of paper on his window, something that might tell you where he comes from. A name would be better, but I don't know if you'll be that lucky. See if they wrote it down when he went in at the guard booth if the risk is not too high, these people love to keep records of everything. I'll contact another raven to tail him when he leaves.
Oh, oh, and when you're done, crap on his window! It'll be really funny!
Don't be stupid, you idiot-
The mental link faded as Tira broke contact, and the raven in question flew down near the car, aiming not to get too close to it as it looked first at the license plate, then at anything else that might be on the car to give it additional information. It would then fly over the entrance guard station to evaluate its chances of being able to see or overhear anything of interest.
Once she had finished with the raven and contacted another to get moving to the base for the tailing, she looked back up at Garrus, assuming he was still standing in front of her.
I told you already, I'm fine, why don't you go run away and talk behind your back about the insane bird girl like everyone else does?
edited 5th Oct '17 9:17:16 PM by Meanken
Army Base
The man’s license plate, which had a sky-blue background, a few city buildings silhouetted in white, and half of Abraham Lincoln’s head and shoulder on the left side, indicated the man was probably from Illinois, most likely the Chicagoland area. The license plate read, “AC8 5829,” a series of numbers and letters which did not indicate much in themselves except for people who kept log of such designations.
The inside of the car was astonishingly devoid of belongings that the man might have brought with him, though it was possible that some things might have been stored in the car’s trunk. The man had also brought his suitcase and prepared forms with him into the base.
The car also seemed to be a Ford Fusion, as indicated by a logo and label on the back.
Glancing inside the booth, the raven would see the man’s full name, Alfred Benson, written down on a log sheet on a counter next to where the guard was seated. Aside from when the raven briefly heard the guard mention the man’s last name, it was unlikely that the name would garner any immediate recognition from Tira.
After the encounter with Mr. Benson, the guard did not speak.
One of the raven’s from Tira’s house would eventually find its way to the army base, assuming Tira did not wish to relieve one of the other patrols of their duty. However, it did not seem as though Mr. Benson or the Lieutenant Colonel would exit the building for some time.
Coco’s Penthouse
Victoria frowned indignantly as Bethany seemed to ignore her presence and greeting.
She leaned back in her seat, crossed her arms, and tapped her feet as she waited for Jaroline to introduce herself.
“Mayor,” Victoria called out after some time, “I don’t suppose you would have activities or business planned for this get-together, would you?”
edited 6th Oct '17 11:12:00 AM by CathariSarad
Jaroline- Coco's Penthouse
Application
A assistant's job. Woahwoahwoahwoahwoah. That would solve... quite a lot of her issues, and it's not like she had anywhere else to go...
Might be better to ask for details, though, in the most professional way possible.
"I...Uh... Y-yeah! Just... what does the work entail?" Jaroline responded.
Coco's Penthouse
"Grrrrgh..."
Victoria did not seem particularly pleased that Jaroline also seemed to ignore her.
2 Spooky 4 U
Garrus waited with his arms crossed in wait for Tira to get done with...........whatever she is doing and then informed her in a matter-of-fact way, "Miss Sunshine, take a good look at me. I'm a alien soldier turned vigilante from over 200 or so years in the future that is now stuck on a Earth where most of the people on this planet have no clue what I am. Asides, I've worked with odder people. Do you want the story of the tank born Krogan that I had to help through puberty by killing things or the one about the friendly combat robot that had over 1000 minds controlling it?"
Done with making it clear that Tira wasn't the craziest person Garrus had ever personally knew by a long shot, Garrrus turned around and started to walk toward the others, stopping once to look back and tell her, "Now, you want to stand out here by yourself or do you want to try acting nice?" before continuing to walk in.
edited 6th Oct '17 2:30:41 PM by LightToAll
Coco - Her Penthouse
"Well, I take it that you're interested, then?" Coco stated, more than asked, Jaroline. "As Special Assistant to the Mayor you would be responsible for taking care of my schedule, doing preliminary research into issues before I have to handle them, and organizing things around the office. Sadly, there is a slight problem in that I'm only able to budget it as a part time position."She frowned - slightly, at least. It would be unbecoming to contort one's face too much. In the post-clown world, it wasn't like beggars could be choosers when it came to getting employment of any sort, but she did have an image to preserve. She couldn't have some... some poor assistant. Probably one who could only afford to live in the slums, even. In fact....
"But fortunately for you, I could hire you on as a personal assistant as well," she added. "It would be out of my own pocket, so it wouldn't be very much, but I do have a spare bedroom which would let you avoid having to find a place of your own to rent. I only have the one parking space, though, you'll need to find somewhere for your bike on the street or in the guest parking."
"Of course, I was just in the middle of making lunch - salmon burgers with a side of tofu salad," she said to Victoria. "Would any of you care to help me set the table and put the finishing touches on the food? It should be ready any minute."
Coco’s Penthouse
“That sounds lovely,” Victoria said rather unenthusiastically upon hearing the lunch selection.
After about a second or so in contemplation, Victoria stood up, bringing her belongings with her, “I suppose there’s no harm in helping out.”
Victoria would then follow Coco into the kitchen or wherever she needed to go, assuming no one chose to interrupt her.
Coco - Penthouse
"Well, in any case we are glad you're here, and I hope you decide to stay. Lakeside could always use more people like you," Coco said, standing up. "Excuse me for a moment.""Oh my Garrus, I didn't know you had so many friends," she said, opening the front door only to find the Turian law enforcement officer joined by two men. "You're becoming quite the social butterfly. Your ladyfriend with the feathers is already here waiting for you. I have no doubt that as glad as I am that you could make it today, she has me beat in that regard. Now are you going to stand there or introduce me to these gentlemen?"