Coco - Gym
"Oh you'll find that Jaroline here has all manner of creativity up her sleeve," Coco said to Scarlet, approving of the other mayor's decision to put her sunglasses back on. Honestly, why she bothered to take them off in the first place was a puzzler. "Don't get too attached to her, of course. If you try to steal her away from me I'll run you out of town," she jokingly teased, ending with a small, posh laugh.
Lakeside University Gymnasium Building
“Oh, there is no need for you to worry, Mayor Adel,” replied Mayor Scarlet, adjusting her sunglasses. “I understand and respect your need to keep watch over your prized pupil. Besides, it will certainly do her wonders to study under such an accomplished fashionista as yourself.”
Around this point in time, Mayor Maria Lorenz had finished eating her wrap, and went to the nearest trash can to toss it out. As she went to move to the nearest front entrance, she seemed to eye CD-I Link, King Harkinian, Spongebob, and Mayor Towney.
While the CD-I characters were busy eating, Mayor Towney seemed to be the only one who noticed her presence and said, “Huh.”
As she began to make her way for the nearest entrance, her eyes eventually caught upon the group consisting of Mayor Scarlet, Mayor Adel, Tex, Garrus, Tira, and Jaroline.
For whatever reason, she chose not to approach the group at this time. Instead, she reclined over by a wall around the building’s corner and then pulled out a phone.
“So, how goes everything?”
“…I expect we’ll be seeing some of his men showing up for the carnival ride, but there’s no telling what his plans are until he makes his move. Until then, we’ll just have to wait and see.”
Stop Killing My Titles
Ticket Line
"You and me both, pal." Monica chuckled at the knight's indignation. The Swarmlord behind her wasn't particularly interested in spectacles, but it was prudent to keep her alive at all times, even if it seemed like htere was no danger.
Plus, walking around on its own in such a crowd invited possible hostility. "So what's your name, big guy? Been here in Lakeside for long?"
grah
LU Gymnasium Building, Ticket Line
“The name’s Theo. Haven’t really been around here for that long.”
2 Spooky 4 U
Garrus crossed his arms and let out a disappointed sounding, "Hmmmmmmm....." as he took a look over the armor again, walking around Tex to get a good look at it. With a full check it was clear to see that the tech wasn't anything from back home but was probably close enough. Accepting that he stood in front of Tex and let his arms drop to the side, explaining to her, "Figured so at first when I couldn't identify the make of the armor but doesn't hurt to check. Still, that's no simple armor. I'm guessing energy shields, medical systems, and some kind of ceramic material for protection?"
LU Gymnasium Building, With Garrus, Coco, Tira, Jaroline
“This thing’s tough, that’s for sure,” said Tex. “But as much as I wish it had that kind of setup, it doesn’t. Well, it’s got a convenient tracking system and a few other things I haven’t worked out yet, but other than that, the suit doesn’t seem to do much other than make you look spiffy.”
Across the Street from LU Gymnasium Building
For a brief moment, the raven perched on the west side of the building would see movement in one of the windows across the street. The edge of a curtain parted, and a pair of binoculars poked out from underneath. What could be seen of the inside of the room did not seem particularly well lit. Save for their gloveless hands, not much could be seen of the person holding the binoculars. After about a minute or so, the binoculars and the hands holding them would recede back into the room, though they would occasionally reappear, switching to the side of the curtain opposite their previous position.
LU Gymnasium Building, Outside
After some time, Theo and Monika were finally at the front of the line.
“Oh, hey, what do you know. Well, it’s been nice talkin with ya.”
The black knight would turn around to shake Monika’s hand, before purchasing his ticket and heading the inside of the building. He would pass by the group with Mayor Scarlet, though he would not make much note of them or stop to speak to them.
LU Gymnasium Building, With the Group
After a bit of awkward silence, Mayor Scarlet would speak once again, “So Jaroline, about that outfit.”
At around this point, Victoria emerged from the bathroom down the hall and then began to head outside. During her trek, the black knight passed her, and she instinctively jumped out of the way of his path. When she eventually caught sight of the group, her eyes widened a bit before returning to normal.
She approached the group and said, “Oh, why hello Mayor Adel, Garrus, Tira, Jaroline. I was just about to get something to drink.”
“So I take it you also must be part of this circle of friends?” said Mayor Scarlet. “A pleasure to meet you, I am Mayor Scarlet of Minneapolis.”
Mayor Scarlet extended her hand to shake it. Victoria hesitated a bit, but then ultimately decided to take the offer.
Tex seemed to look at Mayor Scarlet and then Victoria while this brief exchange was being made.
“Tex.”
Tex did not seem to say or do anything more than that.
If not spoken to, Victoria would then say, “Right, something to drink,” and head on her way to one of the nearby stalls that served coffee and tea.
The strange behavior in one of the windows caught the raven's attention. It was aware of what binoculars were in a vague sense, couldn't tell you how to use them but it knew what they were and what they did. Between that, and the weird pattern of watching and spying, the raven decided to report this.
Tira once again randomly went silent for a minute after Tex responded as one of her ravens contacted her and informed her of what he saw. Once this was done, Tira quietly walked up next to Garrus and whispered near where his ear probably would have been if he was a human and not an alien.
One of my ravens just contacted me. There's some jackass on the west side of the building with a pair of binoculars, watching the building and clearly trying to remain out of sight. Whoever it is is standing in a dark room, so he couldn't get a good look inside. I say it's time we take a walk, maybe crack some skulls if we have to. Coming?
2 Spooky 4 U
"As long as it stops you from being killed, right?" he replied to Tex's explanation about her armor. So not quite the same level as his armor but it sounded like her armor could be outfitted with it. Interesting. Garrus gave Victoria a short hello and was about to ask her what brought her to the event but Tira came over and whispered him some details one of her ravens picked up.......ok, saying that a few days after learning about it was still weird to Garrus. Must be some damn smart ravens. Anyway, Garrus whispered back to Tira, "Let me tell the Mayor," and then he walked up to Coco to tell her quietly, "There's a person in a building across the street that is peeping at the event using binoculars so Tira and me are going to check up on it. Could just be someone acting strange but with the report of some clowns turning up missing after the attack....well, better safe then sorry."
With the Mayor informed about the possible security risk, Garrus would announce to the group, "Well, we should continue our patrol. Can't rest on the job for too long and all of that. Come on Tira," and then he would walk away from the group with presumably Tira following behind and exit the Gymnasium. Not knowing the building of the reported spier, Garrus would ask his partner, "Ok, which way to the building? Try to act casually while going to it but get ready to whip out that ring of your's if things heat up."
edited 31st Oct '17 2:08:59 PM by LightToAll
Gym Group - Coco
Coco slightly inclined her head at Garrus's words, giving him a short nod. "Oh Garrus, you're such a cad," she said with a slight slap on his shoulder, using her other hand to look like she was covering up a giggle."Ah yes, of course, I think I could go for something to drink as well," Coco said, putting her hands on Victoria's arm. "Do let me join you. I believe I saw a stand selling lemonade towards the street" Giving the woman a tug in towards the south-west, she smiled and gave her a glance from behind her sunglasses.
Jaroline- LU Gym
"Well, you see-" Jaroline began, before her boss praised her.
After flustering around a bit at the sudden praise around her, She restored herself.
"Oh! Well, before I became her PA, I traveled around the country as a performer. When I was just starting out, I needed an outfit that would draw attention to me. So, I decided to float around a bit before finding someone selling a parade outfit. I had it tailored a bit and now you see the outfit here. The Cape came from the tailor, being a sheet of fabric they had lying around. I wear it because it looks cool.
Also, it seemed her bodyguard was named Tex. Seemed rather uptight. Then Victoria came in.
"Oh, Hello, Victoria. Lemonade? Sure."
LU Gymnasium Building
“Well, it certainly attracts a bit of attention,” said Mayor Scarlet.
As Garrus, Tira, Coco, and Jaroline began to head off, Mayor Scarlet took off her sunglasses and said, “Well anyway, take care!”
She then made a mopey expression, “Guess they don’t really want to talk to us anymore…”
Mayor Scarlet and her bodyguard began to make their way to the main gymnasium where the event would take place.
As the group headed along, Victoria said, “Actually, I was looking to get some tea. I think I can manage my own way around, thank you very much.”
She would then try to make her way to the nearest coffee/tea vendor, clearing her throat if Coco didn’t loosen her grip.
When the group began to approach the street, circling or otherwise cutting their way through the line to the ticket booth, the binoculars seemed to fix on the small group, before receding out of sight. After this, the binoculars would no longer intermittently appear through the curtains, nor the hands that held them.
A few people within the ticket line, including Professor Gordon, seemed to glance out of curiosity as the small group headed for the street.
At around this time, Mayor Lorenz had finished with her brief call, though she still held her phone in hand. She briefly glanced in the group’s direction, after which she then approached Mayor Towney, King Harkinian, and Link.
“The three of you might wish to head inside.”
“Oh boy!” said Link. “I sure hope there’s going to be a fight!”
Mayor Lorenz frowned slightly at Link’s remark.
“Uh, sure thing, mam,” said Mayor Towney. “But you know, there were quite a few other people with us.”
“I’ll see what I can do about them.”
Although Maria Lorenz glanced in the direction of Lord Farquaad and his knights (and King Arthur), she instead made her way for the front of the ticket booth.
“Can I help you, mayor?” said the person at the booth.
“I need you to help me get these people inside. There is a reception area inside so there should be no problem with moving ticket sales there.”
“Is something going on?”
“Quite likely.”
She then turned to address Monika.
“Miss, where are you from?”
While this was all happening, a light buzz could be heard from Spongebob’s pocket.
“Gee, I wonder who that could be?”
Spongebob Squarepants, who did not seem to have any patties on the grill at the moment, pulled out a phone from his pocket and looked at it, before swiftly putting it back. He pulled out a white sign which said “On break” from underneath his stand and placed it on top.
Spongebob stepped away from his stand and then stopped, scratching his chin as his eyes looked this way and that.
“Hmm…”
Tira motioned with her head toward the building where the man had been sighted.
"That one."
2 Spooky 4 U
"Right. Ok, so here's the plan Tira. We-" Garrus started to say, stopping when he realized that Jaroline and Coco followed behind them. He then looked at the two and told them, "Coco, me and Tira will have this handled. Why don't you and your assistance try to see about helping around with the event or go talk to the other mayors," and then he pulled out his Phaeston from his back, explaining that, "This is a job for the security force, not the mayor."
Done with that, he would cross the street with Tira unless Coco stopped him.
edited 3rd Nov '17 5:57:54 PM by LightToAll
LU Gymnasium Building, Outside
The building across the street from the gymnasium building spanned roughly a quarter to half the block it was sitting on. The building itself seemed to be four stories high, with numerous shop spaces facing the streets at ground level, though most of these were empty. Somewhere near the middle of this complex, just a bit north across the street from the gymnasium’s southern exists, was the entrance to the building’s main apartment complex. A single hinge-door made of glass with a metal frame led inside to a small reception area, though there did not seem to be anyone operating the desk. Behind said desk were a number of arrayed boxes presumably for holding the inhabitants’ keys. Should either Tira, Garrus, or anyone else have tried opening the door, they would have found it unlocked.
A small opening to the left side of the desk led to a pair of elevators, an emergency exit, and a set of stairs further back. The elevators, if tested, would appear to be functional, and anyone trying to use them would have no problems doing so. It was not clear if anyone would encounter anything once they got to the right floor, but there did not appear to be any immediate obstacles.
The window from which the Peeping Tom peeped was about two windows north from the reception area entrance on the third floor. Someone who had taken notice of the building’s rough layout and had a good sense of direction would not have had much difficulty locating it from inside. There were no balconies on the outside, though the windows may have been raised a bit from the floors they were on. Although the building’s surface may have been rough with brick, someone with enough skill and dexterity, or someone with the right toolkit, might be able to climb the side of the building.
Coco Adel - Drink Stand
"Why whatever do you mean, Garrus dear?" Coco asked completely innocently as she got in line at the drink booth, remaining there as the Turian continued on. "It's simply lemonade for a parched throat. I certainly hope that the police department doesn't consider it a security threat when I am thirsty."edited 5th Nov '17 11:52:28 AM by nman
Tira turned to Coco as she made her comment on drinks.
Oh, but it could be! If someone wants to attack you, but was too much of a frady cat to try to go through Gary, then they'll probably try to poison you! And they'd do it by poisoning your food and drink! Back in my time, kings and important people had people who took a bite or a sip of the food and drink first. If they were fine, then it was safe to eat. If they spat it out because it tasted horrible, they'd throw the chef out and get another. And if he dropped dead, then the king woulden't! You should get one of those. You could make them wear all sorts of fancy outfits too, make them do all the boring stuff you don't wanna do!
edited 5th Nov '17 2:15:42 PM by Meanken
Jaroline- Outside LU Gym
"Hm?" Jaroline could have sworn she saw somebody there, but did she?
Garrus's reaction seemed to indicate the former. Though maybe it was just a bird.
She then listened to Tira's proposal and proceeded to sweatdrop.
"Ah ha ha... Yeah." Jaroline found those were the best words she could say.
At least if Coco went through with it, she'll always have food on the table.
Coco Adel - Drink Stand
"What a wonderful idea. I'll keep that in mind, you can never be too careful," Coco said to Tira with a small laugh. She bought a bottle two bottles of lemonade from the stand and took a step back to be out of the line. Setting one bottle down on one of the picnic tables that had been set up for the event, and twisting the cap off of the other, she paused before she drank any of it, and held it out."What do you say, Jaroline," she asked the one-armed stuntwoman with a teasing grin. "Would you be a dear and give mine a taste first?"
Outside LU Gymnasium Building
Victoria seemed to listen or otherwise look as the others spoke. She also took a moment to glance toward the window Tira had pointed out, and then watched as Coco and others went for the picnic benches.
With her tea in hand, Victoria began to head south along the sidewalk.
Spongebob Squarepants began to pace back and forth through the line of stalls, singing excitedly about a “Krusty Krab pizza” or something along those lines. His eyes occasionally glanced at the various people about.
Jaroline- Outside LU Gym/Drink Stand
Oh, she's actually going through with it... Well, if her boss is willing to go that far for a joke, it's only fair she plays along.
"It would be a pleasure."
And with that, she takes a sip out of the lemonade bottle.
Gym Tables
"My hero," Coco laughed. "Though let's just give it a second.... Alright, thank you very much," she teased. Taking back her lemonade bottle, which she was now certain didn't contain a lethal dosage of cyanide, she took a refreshing sip of the cold golden drink."And of course, no good deed goes unrewarded, I bought a bottle for you as well," she added, tapping the second bottle of lemonade that was resting on the table.
She sighed and leaned back a bit. Yes, just a perfectly normal afternoon where a mayor, her assistant, and their new friend who definitely wasn't hiding anything were all just sitting around enjoying their lemonades and tea. Nothing more, and certainly not waiting around just in case a certain pair of officers had an incident.
2 Spooky 4 U
Garrus looked behind at Coco's response, held the look for a moment, and finally only said to her, "Righttttttt. Whatever you say Mayor," and then he started to walk off.....until he came back, telling Tira, "Come on Tira, time to get serious," and THEN he was off on the case. Navigating to the buildings entrance, Garrus didn't enter just quite yet for he need to explain the plan to Tira. "Ok Tira. Since you are the one who saw it, we are going to go in and you are going to lead us to the peeping man's room. Once there, I knock, announce it's the police, and wait for a response. If we get nothing, I knock again, give a warning, and then wait again. Still nothing, we knock the door open and search the perp's room. Got it? Smooth and clean," then he would enter the building after Tira's reply and the first thing would do is check for inhabitant keys.
Apartment Across the Street from LU
When Garrus would go to examine the boxes, most of the keys would still be in there, as there weren’t that many people who lived in this particular apartment complex.
Four boxes were emptied of their keys - two on the second floor, one on the third, and one on the fourth.
Although Garrus would not know this until Tira verified the room’s general location and until he had located a map/went up to the third floor himself, the emptied box for the room on the third floor did in fact correspond to the room Tira had seen the Peeping Tom in.
Lakeside University Gymnasium
With Coco, Tira, Garrus, and Jaroline
“Oh, a pleasure to meet you as well Lady Jaroline,” said Mayor Scarlet. “And nice to meet you too Garrus.”
“It’s been like this for as long as I can remember,” the black-armored marine said to Tira, in what was clearly a woman’s voice. “Whoever originally made this thing must have sprayed it, or applied some sort of advanced coating I’m not aware of.”
There was a slight pause before the black-armored marine decided to respond to Garrus’s question.
“I think you’ve got the wrong person, buddy. None of that stuff is ringing any bells.”
Before speaking once again, Mayor Scarlet decided to put on her sunglasses for some reason.
“I must apologize for my friend Tex here. She doesn’t seem to remember much about the place she came from, or about her experiences there. We found her holed up in a motel during our march to Fargo. She seemed to be one of the only survivors in the town she was in, or else all the others had fled. Ever since our first encounter, she has proven herself to be a very capable fighter, and I have taken her under my wing as my personal bodyguard.”
“Way to be gushy about that sort of thing,” said Tex.
“Oh,” Mayor Scarlet began to say to Jaroline, “before I forget to ask, I’m curious as to how you have procured that outfit. I don’t recall many vendors carrying that outfit in particular, at least, none that I have seen recently. I assume you must have made it yourself, or else someone else must have provided it to you as a gift. Was there any particular inspiration for your current arrangement?”
In Line for Tickets
“Yeah, sure,” said the black knight. “A bit too crowded for my liking. I was just lookin to see what the big fuss was all about an now I’m walkin into a pack full of jokers.”