[hotel room 106 (Tsadro, Nymue, Arthur)]
When she started talking again, this time to complain about her tablet, he immediately cut her off. "Excellent. I don't need to explain what I am all over again. Now, your captain mentioned underground laboratories, and you've mentioned robots. He has been dancing around needing my help with some directive, you'll see it in the logs from this past hour. Do you want me to start assisting you with it now, or are we spending the rest of the night getting to know each other? Either is acceptable."
Tsadro half-guessed she was going to choose the latter, given that she was tired, but it was good to know the capabilities of one's help. And hopefully she would get the hint that he wasn't a fan of speech just to fill silence when he cut her off. As far as he could tell, she didn't even have the old Doctor Acquati excuse of verbally working through a problem, she was just trying to converse.
"Jack, you have debauched my sloth."
Crazy Kiwi
Grand Hotel - Presidential Suite
"Survivor guilt," Wolfe observed after Vic left the room. "Why did I survive when others didn't? Quite a common phenomenon for survivors of traumatic events." He finished off the last of a large slice of cake and licked the last traces of icing from his fingers.James pursed his lips. "He also probably feels guilty for his former involvement with the enemy. They played on his anger at his life and, now he sees it for the sham it was, he feels bad for allowing himself to join them and being present when they took Todd captive."
Karl nodded. He could empathise with the young lad.
Northwestern Desert - Fort (Stockade)
Gwion shrugged when Rin asked him about Texas and replied in an equally low voice. "Texas is a part of a rather large country—" he was mindful that she had probably never heard of The United States of America and wasn't even sure if she knew what a 'State' was. "At least, it is on my version of Earth."David shook his head at Rin's question. "We were all that was left after the government's troops had finished with us and Jason figured it would require every man we had to take this place, even with our advantages. We didn't count on there being others here, with advanced weapons, cybernetics and-" he looked at Sophia and Gwion, "berserkers."
He looked directly at Rin, trying to impress upon her how honest he was being. "No, there are no more coming." He paused and looked stricken. "Did anyone else in my group survive? Or am I the last?"
edited 14th Dec '15 12:03:14 AM by Wolf1066
Paladin of Light
[[Rail Siding - Kaito, Trinity, Gray Guy, Chisa/Jeanette + Crew (nearby)]]
When the aberrant creature emerged from the ground, Kaito looked up at it and couldn't believe what he was seeing. The thing was huge, at least compared to the rest of them there; it even dwarfed the tanks by comparison. "Good God... They have them here too?" he muttered to himself, mainly out of shock and awe.
For once the gray guy wasn't far off with describing it, but it was also very similar to something from where the young agent was from—either it was a Renegade Being that somehow found its way into this place in some way, or it had once been a person, but now completely consumed by what had laid dormant within them. Either way, this THING was staring them all down and it was standing between both his and Trinity's objective.
When the thing had slammed into the tanks, Kaito tensed up, he swore under his breath, realizing that he would have to up his firepower if he were to even make a dent in this creature's hide. So following Trinity's lead; Kaito reached under his coat a concealed assault rifle and brought it up to rest against his shoulder, took aim, and spoke into his headset. "Control, this is Raiden. Engaging alien hostile." With that he pulled the trigger, taking a few shots at the beast's many eyes, hoping to blind it, then shifted to another position a few meters to his left.
Eat my dust!
The grey man disappeared and reappeared beside the tank just as the monster hit it, bracing one hand casually against the metal vehicle. It was more than enough to stop it from toppling over.
Unfortunately, this also had the side effect of turning the inside of the tank into a gravity-free zone.
"Sorry about that!" he yelled as he heard whatever loose objects that were inside the tank bounce and clatter around. "Just bear with it, okay! There's a big dumb lizard out here and you won't be able to move fast enough to dodge in this thing!"
He used his other hand to grip the tank, and focused. If that thing tried to attack the tank again, he'd move it out of the way, simple as that.
edited 14th Dec '15 5:39:40 PM by gameknight102xx
"SAID CLOUD TO THE CARTOON PONIES AND UNICORNS WITH PICTURES OF FLOWERS ON THEIR ASSES. A DURR HURR HURR." ~Game Spazzer
[Mountain Pass]
Brin considered. She was trusting by nature, something all her years as a cop had failed to completely rub away, but wasn't about to immediately assume the pair were completely harmless. "Alright," she said, "if the boss says it's okay, I'm willing to lend you a spare tent. Maybe a bit of food, get poor Cloudsplitter," she motioned at Suela's burdened camel, "less to carry." One could almost swear Cloudsplitter understood as he gave the group a rueful look, studying them with a camel's innate skepticism. "But you're not included in the watch rotation. Which, really, we do need to figure out." Then she stood slightly more at attention and said, "I'm Brin, detective for the Republic City Police Department. Right now working privately for Suela, the bald woman in the dress. And you've met Kito," she glanced down at the massive wolf. "I'll let the others make their introductions. What brings you out here, if you're not looking for the Dead God?"
Once Suela was satisfied that the situation was under control, she answered Cyrus. "No," she said, shaking her head as she prepared the fire pit Brin had dug out with her powers earlier, handling the logs carefully to avoid damaging her dress. She smiled, tiredly — her stimulant tea was very clearly wearing off. "I wasn't really thinking about stars, though. Just how far away from home I am." She didn't seem bothered by this as she tossed another log into the pit. "I do love travel... to discover evidence and challenging ideas I would have never found in Icegate." She glanced over at Cyrus's weapon, then back at him, as she put the last log in the fire pit — now all that remained was to light it. "You as well, perhaps? There must be a reason you are not simply testing that on whatever your people hunt in your homeland."
Attitude is prohibited
[Fort] (Stockade)
"That's need-to-know." Rin responded, quickly. "In any case, you've been very helpful, David. But I have another question for you: this 'Jason' you keep mentioning, he was part of this little raid of yours, yes? Can you tell me what he looks like?"
If the bodies weren't already disposed of, and if David kept cooperating, her plan was to go and inspect the bodies to try and find a match. If their captive was truly being being honest with the description, making sure their leader hadn't escaped during the firefight would be nice. With luck, the body might even have something valuable on it, like further intel to corroborate David's story.
But other than that, no other pressing questions came to her mind, at least for the time being.
[Mountain Pass]
"Oh, hey!" Remarked Hoshi, looking off in the direction of the newcomers. "New people! Hopefully they won't have sticks up their asses, like the last bunch." She chuckled. Miyuki also noticed the newcomers, but for the moment, said nothing.
The two of them walked up next to Brin, and Hoshi called out to the newcomers. "Hi there!" She said. Miyuki, meanwhile, turned to Brin and simply said "I can take the first watch, if you want."
Not entirely dead.
Crazy Kiwi
Northwestern Desert - Fort (Stockade)
David nodded, eager to be seen to be cooperative. "Yes, Jason was with us. He's shorter and lighter than me with short dark hair and a moustache - he's the only one of us with a moustache so he should be easy to identify.""Need to know" - does that mean that there are other survivors being questioned to cross-check my story or that everyone's been wiped out but me? He couldn't tell which and it troubled him. If there was another survivor, would they say something that contradicted what he said in some small detail? If there wasn't, that would make him the only survivor of the Movement; a wanted man with no one to help him.
At least no one was getting angry or making moves to open the door.
There is indeed a person approximately fitting the description amongst the dead. He differs mainly in that he has a rather obvious sword-hole in him... Like all the others, he will be wearing a high-tech bracelet and in his pocket will be a device with a screen and an alphanumeric keypad that seems to have been constructed in the same style.
Drummer Boy
[Hotel Room 106]
Even less of a conversationalist than Merlin or Gwen, apparently. Well, Nymue could deal. She wasn't a fan, but she could deal. She shifted in her chair and brushed some stray hair out of her face, looking a bit more serious than before. Gotta be careful now, or I'll just piss him off again. "Gonna scroll through the logs while I explain this, 'cause I figure there's some stuff you deserve to know by now. Thanks Arthur. The bottom line is, we're after some lab records, but we're having trouble figuring out where they are, exactly. All the facilities we've managed to find so far have been underground bunkers, so we're assuming this one's no different. Dunno if you care about any details beyond that."
She paused here to grab a metal thermos next to her tablet and take a gulp of its contents. "You caught Arthur's attention because your general look reminded him of the robots we found before. So I'm guessing he was hoping you'd be some kind of a lead, or at least someone familiar with the area. And even if you weren't, I'm not surprised he'd stick with you anyway. He sure likes being around interesting people, even if he sucks at thinking of things to say to them."
[Mountain Pass]
Kito seemed satisfied, and he continued on his way to the forest. I know you're feeling chatty, Cyrus, but don't forget to—
Right! "Hello!" He waved at the two new people. "I'm Cyrus! I build weapons and do other science-y stuff. Nice to meet you! And Kito's my Wolfram partner, our souls are fused and we talk to each other in our heads. He also says it's nice to meet you!"
Again with that horrid lie. For shame.
Shooooosh. He put his goggles back over his eyes and, with a bit of magic, set the logs ablaze. The flames were reflected in his tinted goggle lenses as he smiled brightly at Suela. "We share the same reasons, more or less. I was quite a sheltered child, and not always for the best reasons, I think, but now that I'm sort of grown up I'm trying to make up for it. I want to meet different people, learn things from them, have some adventures. The weapons are partly for self-defense, and partly so I have things to tinker with when I'm taking a break, in case they need maintenance or anything. They're not for hunting anything for the hell of it, though, that's where bows and arrows come in. And fangs, if your Wolfram is with you. Do you only travel for the pursuit of knowledge, Suela?"
edited 15th Dec '15 5:18:16 PM by SnowyFoxes
The last battle's curtains will open on stage!
Attitude is prohibited
[Grand Hotel] (Lobby)
"Ah," Said Hana. "You must be Scents' colleague. Doctor Iraal... Vo Sotin, correct?" She extended a hand. "I'm Hana, and this is my associate, Maya. Pleasure to meet you."
Maya, though still rather embarrassed from Scents' remark a moment ago, bowed politely and offered a small smile, but said nothing.
Not entirely dead.
[Town ~ Grand Hotel (Room 204)]
Joseph sighed, regretting that he had said anything at all almost immediately. He stared at the phone for a second or two longer—as though he was actually going to pick it up and make a call—then turned around.
Before he could collect any thoughts to form the first hair of a semi-adequate explanation, the bathroom door opened and John rejoined them. Before Joseph could refocus his mind to drum up the first few words of a passable answer for John, the man had been filled in on all the key details of Joseph's regrettable question, and now shared in James's confusion.
"...right, right... uh, what I meant was..." his large eyes shifted uncertainly between the two men while his mind shuffled through all the thoughts and words he could piece together to somehow relate the rest of his situation to anything the two men had possibly experienced. He was coming up short. "I guess what I was trying to say is that..."
He tried to concentrate.
Nothing. He joined his hands and began clicking his claws together. His nervously swishing tail brushed against the leg of a nearby table. What a stupid thing to say. What a stupid thing to bring up. He wasn't ready to bring it up. He didn't even want to think about it. And he couldn't see any way to the heart of his question except through bringing up the situation. It all looped in a terrible mental circle and he was stuck in the center with no way out.
Joseph blinked his large eyes.
"I think I'm just stalling here." he said, then turned back around, grabbed the phone, and began feverishly dialing a number.
edited 18th Dec '15 2:30:17 AM by Ryuhza
the color today
Mountain Pass
It took a fair bit of effort for Roscoe not to frown. The reaction had nothing to do with Brin, or Kito or the others. She supposed she had just misread Blair. She had thought that the point of her magic lesson was to practice dimensional travel; as in, try to do it, see if it worked, and if it did, be happy and go back home. But Blair did not seem interested in going back home. At Brin’s mention of a spare tent, he responded with a smile and a grateful nod. Roscoe kept her thoughts to herself. Well spoiled, she was hardly accustomed to camping out. And she could hardly "snuggle" Blair the way she wanted to in a tent surrounded by strangers in a random camp.
“That would be wonderful,” Blair said of the tent, and the food. “Pleased to meet you, Detective Brin. You as well, Kito,” he added, reaching a thin but gloved hand out to pet Kito if the Wolfram allowed it. Generally, being of nature himself, animals tended to like Blair; but occasionally some could tell he was not exactly what he seemed to be. Not a threat, particularly, but not quite right.
They were joined by two more, although one seemed a bit less enthusiastic than the other. That was all right; Blair would have been wary as well. In fact, he was wary anyway. “Hi there,” he answered, with a smile, then nudged Roscoe slightly, who also smiled. And when Cyrus called to them, they offered him a smile as well, although the delight at meeting another scientist did become plain on his face for a moment. The weapons part was interesting, though. As was the touch of magic Cyrus used to set the fire. It missed Roscoe, but Blair could not help noticing it, no matter how faint.
“Hello! Blair and Roscoe. We’re just wandering about.”
Although he supposed he was, after all, also looking for the Dead God. He was certainly looking for something; the legends had simply been hazy on what it was. Some mystic, some technological, but all very vague. “We’re explorers,” Blair explained instead. “Cartographers, in a practical sense. We take note of the places we visit, for a university we work for.”
Well, they did work at a university. The best lies were always wrapped in truths.
“I suspect information on a Dead God would be invaluable to our bosses, in fact,” Blair added in a thoughtful tone. “What is it, exactly?”
edited 15th Dec '15 3:33:02 PM by savlamar
[Mountain Pass]
Suela nodded and said, "I wouldn't have any other reason to leave Icegate, except occasional political stuff. Most everything goes through the Emperor so it's mostly back and forth from the Solar Bastion — er, the capital. Which is nice, because the Emperor usually has interesting guests from far-away lands." She was tempted to go into detail, but knew Cyrus would have no idea what it really meant to have scholars all the way from Iten itself meant.
So she returned to the topic at hand. "Of course, it's usually with my husband and his manservant. My husband handles all the political things, and in my own journeys... a woman can't really travel alone in Elashu or even the more backward parts of our own empire." She frowned. "No offense, but it's not a feeling I can really explain to, well, a man."
Brin, meanwhile, gave Miyuki an affirmative nod. She still didn't entirely like the pair, but she had to admit they were competent and thus far women of their word, so she'd come to respect them. Then, answering Blair, Brin said, "Suela would be the one to ask, really, but apparently it's a really big... thing." She gave a bemused shrug. "Suela listed a dozen theories. It might be dead, sleeping, waiting. It might have been an actual god, some sort of machine, or leftover from before the universe was created. Only things Suela were sure about was that it was really big, surrounded by some sort of dangerous wasteland, harmless if you're careful around it, and certain death if you draw its attention. Oh, and it's the only option I haven't tried to get back to Republic City."
edited 16th Dec '15 6:15:14 AM by KillerClowns
Drummer Boy
[Mountain Pass]
Kito paused to sniff Blair's hand, but didn't linger long enough to be petted. He allowed very few people to touch him; it came off as degrading if they were unaware of his true nature.
Meanwhile, Cyrus's smile wavered for a second. Ha... haha... ha.
Isn't it good that she has no idea? As Kito moved closer to the forest, his presence grew fainter. Soon, they wouldn't be able to do anything other than transmit pure emotion.
I just thought it was kind of funny. I mean, not humorous, but, you know.
Hmm, you know what this conversation reminds me of?
Wh—oh, damn! I did it again! He reached into his satchel and took out the huge wool overcoat he had been wearing that morning. After he put it on and buttoned it up, anyone sensitive to magic might be able to tell that he was using it, though nothing appeared to be happening. "Don't worry! I get it. I mean, I get why... I won't... get it. Y-you know what I mean, right?" Why am I so awful?
edited 16th Dec '15 2:10:51 PM by SnowyFoxes
The last battle's curtains will open on stage!
[Hotel-Room 204]
Now they were more lost.
John shrugged. "Ok...once you're done, we can get something to eat, and then we'll get some rest. It's been a long day."
James quirked an eyebrow. "What about his shower?"
"Oh, that dirt can be cleaned off with a rag." John noticed that Pancake had got off his lap and trotted over to Joseph, climbing to his shoulder. He smiled. "Well, there's someone to keep you company."
James still wanted to know what he meant by time warp. Perhaps he really did mean that he was just stalling out of nervousness, but he still couldn't help but feel like there was more to this. Still, he didn't want to press him any further about this.
Besides, Joseph needed some support; he was about to call home and nobody knew what was gonna happen next.
"Do you remember her number?" James finally asked.
I'm so sorry for the shortness. x_x
Mr ship
[Fort-Stockade]
Fucking redneck amuture. I've seen CIA agents last longer Henry thought to himself as the prisoner gave them more information.
"Well thank you for the information Mr. David. We'll be sure to keep your level of cooperation in mind when we decide your fate. Now unless some of the others have any more questions to ask you, we're going to investigate a bit further. For now though we'll keep you here." He told David pleasantly before turning to Gwion and whispered to him.
"After we find the leader I'm calling in help to take care of the wounded and to take a closer look at their technology."
Mountain Pass
Both Blair and Roscoe listened carefully as Brin shared what she did know about the Dead God. The woman Brin had pointed out as Suela seemed to be in conversation with Cyrus, so more details would have to wait. But what Brin was saying actually meant more to the two of them than Brin might have known.
Blair watched Kito run off for a moment, while considering several implications. “Thank you, Brin. If it helps you get back to Republic City, we’ll be especially glad to help out.” He was assuming that “Republic City” was Brin’s home. Whatever the case, it seemed important to her.
He and Roscoe ventured a little farther into the camp just for a bit of privacy. Their sort-of-psychic communication successfully kept matters between them, but it was occasionally obvious when they were “talking” to each other because their facial expressions reflected their responses.
Roscoe looked up at Blair. We aren’t going home any time soon, are we? This Dead God has thoroughly caught your interest.
Blair glanced at her. Yes, I must admit that it has.
But Blair, a god? Or something from before the universe? This is so dangerous.
I’ve dealt with gods. They never live up to expectations. Machinery is simple. And you predate the universe, so I think you’ll know it when you see it.
That’s not necessarily a good thing! Roscoe pouted. Also, dangerous wasteland? Certain death?
If it catches you. Don’t be so pessimistic, Ros. This is an adventure.
Blair, do you know something I don’t?
No. Had she asked that before Brin’s explanation, he would have had to lie again. At the moment, though, they were equally informed.
She sighed. Fine. Let’s make friends and set up for the night. Blair? “Blair?”
He blinked and looked at her. “You zoned out for a moment there,” Roscoe said. “Everything all right?”
I’m not sure. There is another magic user in this camp. I’m trying to measure his potency.
Roscoe followed Blair’s gaze to where Cyrus, now wearing an overcoat, was acting a bit spastically. She looked up to meet Blair’s pale eyes again.
We’ll have to tread carefully. Nothing in this camp is one hundred percent; and that man and his Wolfram are especially not what they seem.
Great. What do we do?
You talk to Suela. I’ll just be over here.
Blair squeezed her hand and then wandered off. Roscoe sighed again and went over to Suela, as the conversation seemed to be finished. “Hi,” the little woman said, extending a hand to Suela. “I’m Roscoe, and the tall man over there is my partner, Blair. We were talking to Brin, and I kinda wanted to introduce myself, since we’ve kind of walked into your camp.”
Meanwhile, Blair had made his way over to Cyrus. “Cyrus, right? You said you’re a scientist? I dabble in the sciences a bit myself.” A gross understatement. “Is that what brings you out here?”
edited 16th Dec '15 8:14:31 PM by savlamar
[Mountain Pass]
Suela raised an eyebrow at Cyrus' response. She could tell she'd hit a nerve, but had no idea how. A small part of her was tempted to investigate, but manners, decorum, and basic decency told her to let the matter lie.
Besides, the two newcomers had waded into the conversation, mercifully rescuing Cyrus and Suela from their own tongues, Brin following behind to loom over them and perhaps pull the ground out from beneath their feet if they tried anything funny. Out of sheer habit, Suela almost muttered a brief prayer of thanks to the spirits she had long ago recanted as fairy tales. She said, "a pleasure to meet you, Roscoe." She failed to recognize the meaning of the offered hand, but with a sweeping curtsy, said, "I am Suela of House Crystal, Countess of Icegate, natural philosopher and mathematician, at your service."
Brin said, "and Roscoe here is apparently a cartographer."
"Fascinating topic," Suela said, regaining a flicker of her previous energy despite the lack of whatever that tea of her contained in her system, "absolutely fascinating! I'm afraid I don't really know much about it myself, but it is an incredible art and science alike. To just think of the time, effort, and genius that goes into the production of the imperial roadmaps... you know, I really should consider studying the matter myself as part of my studies on geometry, who knows what theorems the cartographers have derived simply as part of their practice..."
She paused to take a breath, but it was clear that Suela would, if left undisturbed, continue on the topic indefinitely.
Mountain Pass
Fortunately, Suela seemed nice enough. The missed handshake was not a problem, as Roscoe had traveled many places, including some where handshakes were not the normal greeting. And indeed, this Suela turned out to be royalty, which made more sense too. Roscoe offered as much of a curtsy as she could in her blouse and jeans. “The pleasure is mine, Countess,” Roscoe said with a smile.
Brin was close behind, though, and brought up the cartographer bit. Why, oh why did Blair always have to rope her into his lies? Roscoe knew next to nothing about the actual processes of cartography. Her real job was as an archivist. But as an archivist, she often dealt with maps, different versions of maps, so at least she had a start.
“Oh, it’s a brilliant line of work,” Roscoe said. If she chose her words carefully, then she could avoid outright lying and just stick to omitting. “And it gives the opportunity to see so much. It’s definitely worth looking into if you like geometry.” Okay, time to change the topic, clearly. “We hadn’t expected to stumble upon any sort of, well, discoveries like the Dead God out here, though. We just expected mountains and plains.” She tried to laugh; it came out a bit dry. “Now that kind of thing, that would be huge where we’re from. Detective Brin was telling us you had some theories as to what it is?”
Suela was clearly very much a talker; if Roscoe could get her going on the subject of whatever danger she was about to be thrown into, she figured that would be a win for both of them.
edited 16th Dec '15 9:27:41 PM by savlamar
[hotel room 106 (Tsadro, Nymue, Arthur)]
"Don't sugarcoat it- he thought I was one of those robots, didn't he?" He turned away, his expression loosening. "That's funny- he's not far off." A faint shrug.
For a moment, he paused. Not because he needed to do just what he was about to tell her, as his distaste for 'motor mouths' was something he's had to explain many times over, but more to see what she did with a moment of silence. She definitely had no problems talking while reading the logs, so how could now be any different?
"It is a waste of space to just talk in the eventual hope that something of importance is said." Finally, Tsadro looked at her directly, keeping his tone low. "That's not conversation- that's filling space. Arthur might have difficulty conversing, yes, but he has at least considered his words, even if he is not always right. Had you slowed down and thought about what you wanted to accomplish, perhaps you wouldn't have revealed to me that he uses another name. I suppose that will have to be our secret," he said, casting a glance at the bathroom door. He seemed to have timed it right- Arthur could be turning off the water any minute now.
Shifting a little in his seat, he added, "I still wish to help your captain. If you were holding back details about these laboratories and robots, I think those would be useful for me to know." Unlike four or five qualifiers to the fact that she and the rest of Unit Psi were tired and frustrated.
edited 16th Dec '15 11:50:54 PM by CrystalGlacia
"Jack, you have debauched my sloth."
Friendly Neighborhood Lich
OOC: And now for a highly unusual means of entering this town:
Hotel - Main Lobby
Right near the main lobby of a hotel, one of the stalls of the women's restrooms had been occupied for the last several minutes. The young woman sitting in there was pale with shock. Actually, she was pale in general, and just happened to be in shock. And understandably, given the events of the last few moments. She was just now retracing them in her mind - she had been sitting at the table at a restaurant with her seven companions and needed to use the restroom, so she got up and wandered down a hallway in the rear of the building. She remembered feeling a strange sensation in her mind, as if she was walking through an invisible fog. And just as she was about to open the door to the women's restrooms, she suddenly felt very dizzy, and her surroundings became unrecognizable. It wasn't long before she felt her knees give out and the rest of her body fall. Next thing she knew, she was sitting on the bathroom floor, not a soul around. The interior seemed very strange, and very unlike the rest of the place. She could no longer hear the music that had been playing out of speakers in the hallway. It certainly was bizarre...
Cautiously, she exited the stall and made her way over to the sink to wash her hands. As she glanced into the mirror before her, she noticed that her long silvery-white hair looked a bit frazzled for some reason, so she spent the next several moments straightening them back out again. In that moment she was glad that her hair was not curly, for that would make it harder to manage. And as she gazed into the reflections of her glassy blue eyes, she saw again that strange ethereal presence behind them, the sense that she was looking at a ghost. She did kind of look like one, as had been pointed out by many a schoolmate over the years, and her quiet and mysterious nature and the fact that she was an albino certainly contributed to that. And it was strange, since due to the events of the past week or so, she felt even more like a ghost than ever.
Having finished washing her hands, she exited the restroom, her long periwinkle skirt brushing past the tall grey socks she was wearing. When she emerged, she looked confused, as the hallway didn't look like how she remembered it. And then she let out a gasp of surprise. There before her was what looked like the lobby of a hotel, as evidenced by the reception desk on one side and the overall welcoming and spacious air. A pretty fancy hotel at that, judging by the magnificent chandelier glistening above, and several smaller ones like it lining a few of the far-off halls. What is this place? she wondered. How did I—I don't remember there being a hotel nearby.
The place had an old-fashioned air about it, as if she had stepped into the Roaring Twenties or perhaps an old western. The receptionist lady even looked to be in some Western-ish garb. Which was strange, because the restaurant apparently associated with itor not was Japanese and very modern style-wise. And the place only got weirder as she looked around more. As she looked around at a group of people who were conversing nearby, she noticed that one of them had green skin and another had the head of what seemed to be a fox or badger (she couldn't tell, as she only saw the back of its head) and was wearing armor that belonged in a science fiction novel. The young woman blinked. What is this, some sort of comic book convention?
Feeling lost, she decided to speak to the receptionist, who looked a bit more... normal than most everyone else here. As she approached, she rested her pale forearms, exposed beneath the rolled-up sleeves of her sky blue sweater, on the reception desk. "Um, excuse me," she uttered, peering over to get the receptionist's attention, "...which way is the restaurant? The um... Kaizo Sushi restaurant?"
"Kai what?" the receptionist replied. "I'm sorry madam, but there ain't nothing like that 'round here." Her accent sounded like she came right out of the old West. "We do have our own restaurant, if any of the saloons in town are not to your likin'."
"Saloons?" the young woman asked, furrowing her brow and playing with her right earring - a blue crystal moon just like the left one - the latter a frequent sign that she was deep in thought. "You mean, like they have in the Wild West?" She was even more confused, as she knew the neighborhood pretty well. And what would a saloon—or a large fancy hotel for that matter— be doing in such a compact and modern section of Cambridge anyway?
"Madam, what is your name?" the receptionist asked, seeming awkwardly understanding of the situation. "...Zuri." "Zuri, you didn't just arrive here, did you?" "Arrive... wait a minute..." The woman named Zuri closed her eyes for a bit and fingered her pendant - which consisted of two crystal blue moons (matching her earrings) flanking a circlenote . She recalled something one of her more educated companions had said at the dinner table. Something about reports of people getting dragged into alternate dimensions and then disappearing for days at a time... speculations of a sort of psychic imbalance going on in the city, perhaps even the world... was this her fate for now? Getting stuck in one of these alternate dimensions, only to reappear who-knows-when? She did seem a bit nervous and was now clutching the pendant tight against the dainty white blouse she wore beneath the open sweater, but she was not one to panic or get too worked up. She had a calm sort of grace about her, attributing even further to the ghostly air she gave off.
"Uh miss, are you okay?" "Oh, yeah," Zuri blurted out, opening her eyes and tapping a white sandal against the floor. "I guess I... did just arrive here." Here she took another glance behind her at the group containing the apparently costumed characters. "Would you like a room for the night?" "Uh, I'm not sure... Let me look around a bit first." "All right, just feel free to ask if you need anything."
Pleased by the hospitality of the place for now, Zuri turned around, wondering what to check out first. The group of four before her seemed the most unusual. By then, she noticed that in addition to the green-skinned person and the furry space soldier(both of whom were a bit unusually tall), there was a more ordinary-looking woman in a sort of militaristic outfit, and another woman in a black bodysuit who appeared to have red eyes. She also noticed the armoured beast had three eyes. Not knowing much about sci-fi in general (she was mainly more into fantasy novels as far as fiction goes), she seemed a bit nervous as she approached them.
"Um, pardon my interruption," she said to them after a break in conversation, "but is there uh... some sort of convention here going on? I just arrived here, and am kind of lost, so..."
edited 17th Dec '15 9:46:46 PM by ladytanuki
Come, my child of the devil. Your mother is calling you. Hear my call in Hell's grand hall, where all our dreams come true.
Attitude is prohibited
[Mountain Pass]
"Countess this, detective that." Hoshi said, casually strolling up next to Brin, Suela and Roscoe. Miyuki walked with her, but seemed more interested in the stars. "You're so formal. We're in the middle of nowhere, remember? Decorum's not gonna be much help to you here." She chuckled. "I'm Hoshi, by the way." She bowed politely. "Of course, if you want to get all formal with me, the closest thing I have to a title is 'Five.' Oh!" She turned and indicated her friend. "And this is Miyuki! Even if she seems like a bit of a sourpuss, we're both pleased to meet you!"
Miyuki rolled her eyes at her friend's comment, but took a second to bow to Roscoe all the same.
[Fort] (Stockade >>> Morgue/Storage)
Rin shrugged. "Yes, thank you, David. Those are all the questions I had in mind, for now, and a deal's a deal, I suppose. As long as you stay in there, we'll stay out here. Try anything, though, and... Well..." She glanced over at Sophia and smiled. "See you later, David."
And with that, she turned and headed for the door, fully intending to go and search the invaders' bodies for one that matched the description of 'Jason.'
Not entirely dead.
[Grand Hotel (Lobby)]
"Yes, of the University of Lesser Sorkral," Iraal said. It was possible that she didn't need to always add that further specification, after the last few years, but it was equally possible (and indeed more probable) that it wouldn't make a difference either way when introducing herself to someone in one of these places, so she thought it could not hurt.
Following the advice of her social interaction software, she shook Hana's hand firmly and replied "I'm pleased to meet you as well."
Scents kept her expression blank again, but inside she wasn't happy. The doc had done a decent job at sounding genuinely warm, but still, hard not to realize that she was reading lines off a script. For Scents at least, and it'd probably be even easier for a human, since they were a lot closer to orl.
Sometimes translation software did its job too well. (If that was what was at work in this town. She knew Iraal thought otherwise).
She kept her ears still as she heard the newcomer move in, then approach, but she did shift her head slightly to keep one eye on her. The woman didn't look specially suspicious - a faintly ethereal-seeming young female human wasn't going to scare anyone - but it paid, literally and figuratively to be cautious. (And there were a few of the less professional hired goods out there who specifically went in for that kind of weird look).
Scents said nothing as Zuri approached, but Iraal turned to blink in her direction. "A convention?" she replied. "Not that I'm aware of. We - well, Scents mostly - were just speaking for a moment, before going to find some food."
BTW, I'm planning to work on giving vayen more unique body language over the holidays, so there may be some inconsistencies with Scents soon.
[Town ~ Grand Hotel (Room 204)] (Joseph, James, John, Pancake)
After punching in the majority of the number in rapid succession, Joseph's clawed thumb hovered over the phone's dial pad as he prepared to input the final digit. It wasn't his memory holding him back.
He stared at the phone in his hand, breathing slow, deep breaths. It is, or it isn't. It works, or it doesn't. It was, or it wasn't.
James's question pulled him away from the threat of his growing stupor. Joe glanced back at the man, opening his mouth to speak, though in the end he only nodded, offering a toothy smile that he hoped would reassure the two men that everything was A-OK. Pancake's sudden and rather assertive arrival on his shoulder just about cleared his mind entirely, so that—after recovering from the surprise while also avoiding accidentally shaking the kitten off of his small shoulder—he was able to focus on the matter at hand. On what he had to do, and why he had to do it. To remind himself that he wanted to do it. He really did, against every nervous instinct and idle worry telling him otherwise.
He pressed the last number and put the phone to his ear. He closed his eyes. He held his breath.
bzzzzzt
bzzzzzt
bzzz-
be-BE-BEEP
We're sorry; you have reached a number...
Joseph's eyes opened and his heart sank. He wasn't immediately sure what to think; whether to be relieved or depressed. Maybe the fact that he hadn't become either in any obvious measure was a good thing.
He pulled the phone away from his ear and looked at it. A small screen displayed the number he had punched in. There was no doubt about it; it was his home number. He ended the call and dialed in the number again. Slowly this time, just to be sure beyond a shadow of a doubt. To leave all the petty argumentative sides and rampant speculative sides with indisputable proof.
Joe brought the phone back to his ear.
bzzzzzt
bzzzzzt
be-BE-
He ended the call again and set the hotel's phone back in it's roosting place. His eyelids drooped slowly until only a narrow glimpse of his eyes was visible. But they never fully closed, and his mouth didn't move at all, remaining set in what now seemed like a stiff neutral frown. He looked at the phone in that way for several long seconds. In the end, he had only half expected anything more. He reached one hand up and found Pancake's small, friendly, and so blissfully unaware head, and tickled it with his claws.
A second later, Joseph turned around, glanced at John, then at James, then shrugged his free shoulder, smiled unhappily and said, "Not in service."
the color today
[THE FORT - STOCKADE]
Tana perked up at the word "technology", letting a smile slip onto her face.
"You need someone who specializes in tech?" She interjected, "Technology just so happens to be Chris' middle name! I'll go get 'im, if you want."
Mountain Pass
On the outskirts of the camp, aside from the tents and such, the first thing Roscoe and Blair noticed was a woman. Standing guard, at first, but then clearly noticed them. Roscoe tilted her head a bit, but continued to follow Blair’s lead, even as a really big wolf bounded toward them as well.
The woman called put to them, and at that Roscoe blinked and glanced up at Blair. The what of the what?
For his part, Blair looked completely unshaken or surprised. “Friends, definitely friends,” he called back to the woman, in a pleasant tone. “We’re just wanderers. Perhaps we could help you find your Valley.”
Reaching for Roscoe’s hand, Blair stepped into the moonlight to allow the woman to see them better, and also gave the wolf a little smile. As usual, Roscoe just hoped Blair knew what he was doing.
“You picked a good place to camp,” Blair told the woman approvingly. “Oh, please pardon my manners. I’m Blair, and this is Roscoe.”
edited 14th Dec '15 11:20:29 AM by savlamar