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It's another sunless, brutally hot day in the wastes. The clouds that might offer relief from the sun just allow the light to pass through them, making the whole sky look as if it were ablaze with fire, and the light reflects off the jagged, rusted metal of the hold. for a moment, the air doesn't smell of anything but diesel and dust, and the parched ground cracks underfoot. But, that brief calm is shattered as the ground begins to shake. Everyone in the hold knows what's coming. People are walking around armed to the teeth, clutching everything the have just a little bit closer than normal. There's increasingly loud cries coming down from the gate to the hold, and suddenly, the gates fling open! An invading army is swarming through the streets, yelling and screaming and running and pushing. People are stuffing their faces with half burnt, scaley meat while shoving shiny doodads towards a old, wrinkled woman brandishing a cleaver. Some young fool tries to ransack the armory but only gets a beating for his trouble. But, none of this is really that surprising. After all, it's Market Day. Duchess: Well, it's Market Day, and that means that EVERYONE from out in the wastes around here is in the hold right now. Your boys are gonna try and keep the peace, but who got killed last time you had a Market Day? Why do you think Jazz might have done it? What do you usually do on Market Day, anyway? Also, what does your hold always have the hardest time getting hold of, Food or Medicine? What'd you have to go through last time you ran out? Eye You're ambling into the hold, making your way through the marketplace as everyone's setting up their stalls. Nothing's broken... yet. But you never know... Anyway, what's your first stop? Also, what'd you report recently that's got Mox, one of Needles' assistants, pissed off at you? How'd she make her displeasure known? What'd Steiner give you a lead on outside the hold that sounds too good to be true? Oh, and how'd you get your water today? Don't forget to roll Breaking Now Aurica you're spending the morning cleaning most of your glasses from last night. Which of your employees left them undone, and what are you gonna do when they come in tonight looking to get paid? Also, who just left you holding the bag with no show tonight, on Market Day of all days? What got broken the last time you didn't have a show on Market Day? Who's ambling in that you haven't seen in a long while? Why do you feel mixed about seeing them? Sundown, were you here for the last Market Day? What'd you learn about Pastor James, that stick in the mud that wants to shut down the Eye of the Storm, by watching him sleep last night? What do you think about the Eye of the Storm? Why were you watching him, anyway? Anyway, what's your plan for the day with all these strangers in town? Needles, how'd Rowlf already end up in your clinic, with Zepher refusing to leave until he's better? What did you have planned to do for Market Day? Which one of your assistants is out running the errands you were planning on doing? Also, where did you get your current set of Angel kit supplies from? It's still full and everything. I'm just curious. Mastiff So, you're sitting in the Eye of the Storm, waiting for Zeb to show up. Why did you need his help to get to the latest trove of books you heard about? Who'd you hear about it from? What oddity did one of the traders want to give you for your last bit of salvage, and why'd you take them up on it? When Zeb finally shows up, he's blunt and clearly in a hurry. "Make it worth my while, and you'll get what you need." What do you offer?
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Oct 18, 2016 16:49
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 Hard +1 | Cool +1 | Hot -2 | Sharp +1 | Weird +2 Harm 0:00 | Experience: 1/5 | 1-armor | 8-barter I can feel the press of new minds and bodies in the marketplace from where I sit in Pastor James's small church. His congregation is out among them, of course. Who would worship on the day of such a celebration of material goods and radical consumption? The stories of Market Day do it justice -- the Maelstrom was right to draw me here. My more immediate concern is the discoveries of the prior evening. I had spent it watching the man while he slept. The dreams he had were of fire and blood, an angry reckoning. I saw flashes of a mob driven by zealous rage, hints of coming violence. The unmistakable image of Aurica broken and bloody. I claim no allegiance to her, but I will admit that her establishment pleases me -- and the Maelstrom. I have seen this man, this so-called Pastor, skulking around her establishment, but I pay little attention to most such. What does a Wolf have to fear from the sheep she is amidst? This one, though, this one had been marked by the Maelstrom. It had echoed throughout my mind with a simple command. Show him My Glory. Were I to bring him into the true faith, to bring those he leads into the service of the Maelstrom? That would please us greatly. Perhaps too there would be other strangers that deserved the Maelstrom's attentions on this day. Few in town did, but with such an influx? I reached for the heart of the storm and let the madness wash through me. Visions drifted and spun through my mind. Hints of the true face of this world. A howl split the air. quote:[08:08:09] <Tricky> Sundown is going to Open Her Brain Tricky fucked around with this message at 17:42 on Oct 18, 2016 |
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Oct 18, 2016 17:37
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 Cool+3 Hard-1 Hot+1 Sharp+1 Weird=0 Harm 0:00 XP 0/5 2 Armor 2 Barter I choose the Eye for all the meetings I set up. This has two benefits. People think to look for me at the Eye when they have a job for me. And the second is that I like the cushions here so I don't mind the wait. I need the help of Duchess' people for a score I've caught wind of. Not my first choice. I am never her first choice either. Our colorful relationship is a result of this dynamic. I heard about the stash from Ageless Abe. He was raving about how prefall they had their own market day and then gave the stuff to their friends and family a month later. It's hard to tell the signal from noise with him. But he likes books too so I can typically count on him to get some. He didn't have any to trade for, but he did have something nice. A little box with a crank that made nice noises. It had "the battle hymn of the republic" written on it. He started raving again as soon as I read it aloud. The idea of having a song for battle amused me so I traded for the box. I was listening to it while I waited for Zeb. What I needed him for was his wheels. The books were locked up in a strong house. You strap a pole to the hood of a car and there's only a few types of doors that stand up to that. He shows up and wants to go straight to business, which suits me just fine. I pull the engine belts and set them on the table. "This is sufficient, right?" Spending 1 barter to manipulate Zeb into helping me break into the bunker. quote:Mastiff
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Oct 18, 2016 19:40
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Eye, the News Hard +1 | Cool +0 | Hot +2 | Sharp +1 | Weird -1 Barter=1 | Harm=0:00 | XP ●○○○○» I smile to myself as I meander through the market, the warm sun on my face. I’ve forgone the ‘clava this morning as it gets stuffy on a hot day like this, and the… oddly decorative scars the Cutting Cult left on me are quite unremarkable when compared to the mass of humanity surging forth for Market Day. A laugh is stifled by the soreness in my ribs, and I remember why I’m here. It was supposed to be a simple human interest piece, a continuation of my ‘Folk of the Flats’ series. Mox seemed fine when I interviewed her, even a little excited to be ‘cast across the air. But I always do my background, and it seems no-one had told her that her family was wiped out by those raiders that came through last week. She found me after the show, tears in her eyes and anger in her fists. She didn’t do any real damage, but I hate being the Baron of Bad News like that for a kid. Which is why I’m standing in front of Albatross’ stall. Let’s be Truthful here: I can’t stand Albatross, she’s a fraud and a charlatan that’s never been considered important enough by the Holders to squash. But when she isn’t peddling elixirs and miracles, she’s got the knowing of the Feathered Faith that Mox’s people hold. We regard each other warily for a bit before I swing my mic away from my face, indicating that I’m Not Recording. “Hey Alba, I’m not here to bust you. For now. Need one of your legit goods, a ‘Honor-to-the-Dead’ charm.” I wave off her half-hearted protest about the complete legitimacy of her goods. “Yes, yes, I know you’d never sell rad-murk to folks as a curative, it was all one big misunderstanding. And if you dig out that charm for me, I’ll even pretend it makes up for one or two of your misunderstandings. You get all helpful-like, might make folk think of you in a different light.” (I want her to give me the charm out of the goodness of her heart. Manipulate a Person: 2d6+2 8) I meet her calculating expression with a mildly impatient gaze. In the background, Her Ladyship’s dulcet tones fade away on a nearby radio, replaced by Jazz’s voice. “ITS MARKET DAY MOTHERFUCKERS! GET YOUR ASSES TO SLURRY AND BUY poo poo! BUYING poo poo IN SLURRY MAKES DUCHESS HAPPY, AND SHE’S SUPER-POWERFUL SO LET’S MAKE HER HAPPY! MARKET DAY BITCHES!” I flinch internally. Granted turnout today looks higher than normal so running the ads was definitely worth the water for Duchess. But perhaps its a bit too soon to let him go solo on writing the copy. Still, if Steiner wasn’t yankin’ my leash about seeing a bit of a tower like KUSS sticking up outta the Ash-flow out in the Margin, I’ll have to get Jazz up to running the goods by himself. Salvage or repair, getting that far out and back would leave me away from Beggar’s Bluff for at least a week. PoultryGeist fucked around with this message at 03:12 on Oct 19, 2016 |
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Oct 18, 2016 23:57
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 Cool +1 Hard +2 Hot +1 Sharp +1 Weird -2 Barter=3 | Harm=0:00 | XP 0/5 quote:Duchess: Well, it's Market Day, and that means that EVERYONE from out in the wastes around here is in the hold right now. Your boys are gonna try and keep the peace, but who got killed last time you had a Market Day? Why do you think Jazz might have done it? What do you usually do on Market Day, anyway? The only thing worse than a good Market Day is a bad Market Day - every idiot who can stand the journey converges on my hold looking for something, be it food, water, sex, drugs, guns or worst of all: justice. It doesn't exist. If someone's wronged you and you can't personally take revenge or afford a mercenary you're pretty much poo poo out of luck. I keep order in Slurry, but the only 'law' is my word. That doesn't stop the complaints, of course - "the Night Creche stole my baby", "some rear end in a top hat keeps driving through my crops", "I shot myself because a spirit told me too" - it never ends. Until I get sick of holding court and clear the room, anyway. Today's not all that different, except that one of the outriders (Leadfoot) from the Last Convoy is here demanding - loving DEMANDING - that I account for the death of one of their radio ops. Got shanked five or six times and dumped in one of their fuel tankers the last time they were in town, they only just found the body. I know Jazz had some kind of grudge against the Convoy - used to be with them before he signed up with Eye, I think. I wouldn't ordinarily give a gently caress, but I did guarantee their safety within my walls... "My word is good, Convoy man. Accounting will be in blood or water. If I don't have the killer for you by close of market you'll leave here with a man's weight in finest aqua" Expensive proposition, but if the Convoy decide not to do business with me it'll cost much more. I signal Flan and Erfboi to start moving the crowd along and gesture Hoods and Creek over to me. "Find Eye. Tell him I want to talk to Jazz about something important." I'd go myself, but I need to track down (sigh) Mastiff. I have a job needs doing and as little as I like the exhibitionist the job calls for exactly her kind of expertise. quote:Also, what does your hold always have the hardest time getting hold of, Food or Medicine? What'd you have to go through last time you ran out? Food isn't exactly easy to come by, but with access to the Pump we can boil and clean things enough that we rarely starve. I say we, I mean Slurry - I don't go hungry unless poo poo is really bad. Medicine, though... That can be tricky. Old world drugs still survive in their plastic packaging, some people even know how to make things that kind of work the same, but the Big Farmer who could grow chillstabs from the ground is long gone. If a sickness sets in and supplies are cut off then all you can do is wall the poor bastards up and let them die alone so it doesn't spread. They bang on the walls and cry for a while, then they stop. If you're feeling extra tough you can burn the place down but fire doesn't exactly discriminate, and fuel is expensive. The last time we needed to do that was...rough. Some kind of blood disease got into a cult-family called the Creche, and we boarded them up until they went quiet. There's rumors they survived and escaped and went strange, calling themselves the Night Creche and stealing kids for food or replacements. No proof though.
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Oct 19, 2016 01:12
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"Needles" Skip D'Wa, the Angel Cool+1 | Hard=0 | Hot+1 | Sharp+2 | Weird-1 Harm 0:00 EXP 0/5 Armor 1 Barter 2 "Aw gently caress" I say, surveying the mess of cuts on Rowlf's face and arms. "What the hell did you say to Erfboi to get him to deserve an asskicking like this?" I glance up at Zephyr, who in turn is staring daggers at me, as if I'm the one who did this to him instead of the guy trying to make sure these cuts don't get infected and lead a a slow as hell agonizing death. "Hand me that bottle over there." I say to her, gesturing towards a purple glass bottle sealed with a wooden stopper. She mosey's over and pulls out the stopper, taking a sniff before she hands it to me with a raised eyebrow. I know what that look means, Old Gil's moonshine isn't what you'd hope your medic has on hand, but it's the best thing I have to wash my hands at the moment. I give a good rub and pour some into the bowl that I have my collection of sewing needles in. Most of my supplies are like this unfortunately, re-purposed poo poo is mostly what I have around to try to keep these idiots alive. I even resort to having them chew the Narc-root that I grow in the basement. It puts them out cold and cleaning up the inevitable vomit helps build Mox and Shugusa's character. There's some other plants around here that can help out too. The roots of the ditchweed will slow the heartbeat during surgery for example. None of it compares to the Old Stuff though, that's what I really want. A trader came by last Market day who'd managed to score a good haul of supplies, chill coils, injectible turniquoets,, chill coils and all that good stuff. Now I'm down to my last couple packets of coffee reddener a tube of meatmesh and a few chillstabs that I'm saving for a real emergency. Not that Rowlf need's any of that thank the North Star. Still I was planning on going shopping today, and Mox is such a mess thanks to that asswad News so I had to send Shugusa out to find any good supplies. Hopefully he won't come back with some magic apple seeds like the boy in the story Mom used to tell me. Shug's got a good head on his shoulders, he just doesn't use it all of the time. He's supposed to bring any good trader back to me so I can negotiate but I had to give him some scratch in case he had to buy in a hurry. Rowlf's as happy as he'll be at the moment though, so I grab a bucket of freshly boiled water and my needle and thread and get to work cleaning the cuts and stitching them closed. "Nothing" Zepher finally speaks up. "'least, nothing that deserved this." She says, gesturing to Rowlf's face. "Told a bad joke maybe, got a little too drunk. I wasn't around to protect my boy. I see that rear end in a top hat Erfboi though, and he might be your next patient." Whatever, not my problem. I patch them back up, they go out and gently caress up my work, just means I'll stay busy. Better they kick the poo poo out eachother then hurt someone who can't hit back.
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Oct 19, 2016 02:22
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 Hard +0 | Cool +0 | Hot +2 | Sharp +1 | Weird +0 Harm 0:00 | Experience: 1/5 | 1-armor | 2-barter Lots to do. The Eye's quiet, nearly empty except for me, a few early-bird customers, and some staff. They're sweeping up, getting chairs and tables set back up, while I get the bar set. Decidedly not here is Jackson. Should have known he'd be unreliable. Begged for the job, even as he snorted and sniffed from his latest huff high. Easy on the eyes, thought he'd be a draw, but who cares what you see when he can't serve a drink for poo poo? No me. No, I'm not even sure I'll pay him when he shows up - I told the whole crew Market Day could make or break us. Screw him. The bar looks nicer on their side than mine. They see smooth wood and smooth polished metal facing out. I can see the slapped-together shelves and the rough timbers holding the whole thing up. Still, it's big enough for three comfortably, four in a crunch, which is what we need for big events, like market day. We'll clear the booths out as we get closer to the big concert tonight. For now, plenty of dishes to finish washing. The few customers here won't mind. "Boss! Boss!" Always funny to me. Megan's known me for years, since before the Eye, but she still calls me boss. She drifted out and back, took up a fair bit of mercenary work, which taught her the 'boss' bit. A reminder of the different lives we've led. "What?" I asked, knowing she had that tone, the something's gone wrong tone. "Edith ain't coming." "Fuuuuck!" I cursed, shouting up at the ceiling, my voice echoing around. Edith and the Valkryires could light up a show. Hard, fast, sexy, intense. Crowd pleasers. I shouldn't be all that surprised...Edith and I didn't leave on the best of notes when she left on her last tour, thinking I valued the Eye over her. Think it pissed her off most that I didn't really argue the point. But Market Day! loving Market Day! She said she'd come...her people had, at least...and they'd get paid. Business. I never let the personal stop good business. Particularly since last time this happened, a couple years ago, we'd had to improvise. That lead to a minor riot and half my lighting rig getting destroyed, which cost so my jingle it still pains me, deep down. I pound my fists on the bar. "She's in town, isn't she?" I ask Megan, who just replies with a non-comittal, you didn't hear it from me shrug. "I'm..." I'm actually half way over the bar when I stop myself. Arguing her into playing isn't going to get me much. Best case I get a bad show, destroy her and me both. I relax and sit on the bar, kicking the metal front with my shoes. "Track her down," I say to Megan as if she doesn't know where the Valks are. "And *ask* her to reconsider. I'm willing to renegotiate and...hell, tell her we need it." Which is the truth. As I contemplate the best way to survive another riot, I spy somebody slinking into the Eye. It's Xon, a rather ragged wanderer. Used to be a regular, about a year ago, until he stopped showing up. Figured he'd drifted away or gotten himself dead in the flats - if he'd been killed would have heard about it or seen some of his stuff. I slide off the bar and land already walking, heading to him. "Xon! My brother!" I call and catch his hand and pull in for a greeting. He does not look good. Eyes tired and puffy, and...there's dried blood down his side and the leg of his pants. Everything he wears is exceptionally dirty. I take a step back and look him over. "gently caress happened to you?" <Platonicsolid> Reading Xon <Platonicsolid> .roll 2d6+1 <Platonibot> Platonicsolid: 10 (2d6+1=6, 3) Maestro D' posted:
Eye of the Storm posted:
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Oct 19, 2016 02:40
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Duchess, Hoods and Creek nod and split off to search the place for Eye. While the rest of the petitions come along, which one do you accept? Which one is so insulting you kick them out of your hold for the day? Anyway, as that circus wraps up for the day, you give a thought to finding Mastiff, and if you were to guess, she's somewhere where she'll get plenty of attention while not actually being in the press of people. So, that'd be the Eye. Anything else you wanna take care of before you go out amongst the people? Eye, Albatross knows how the game's played, and she hems and haws, pushing for an endorsement on air that she knows she won't get over something so petty. Of course, just when it's looking like she'll fold, that's when Creek shows up and claps a hand on your shoulder. He says, "Boss lady wants you. Gotta talk to you about Jazz." Albatross pounces on the opening, saying, "Oh, if you have to go, don't worry. I'll hold on to this for you." She flashes the charm and adds, "Anyway, I'm really glad I had the chance to explain all those misunderstandings for you. After all, I'm known far and wide in only dealing in the best quality I can get my hands on!" Creek looks a bit confused and says, "Dat true? Thought she was a 'no good, lying, thieving charlatan.'" When he quotes your last announcement on the subject, his voice sounds exactly like yours did on the radio. Static and all It's... honestly a little disturbing. Albatross gives you another flash of the charm and smiles serenely. Also, how far is the KUSS from the hold? By foot and by wheel? An Hour? An Day? Also, where is Jazz, anyway? Was that him, or was it just a recording? What do you do? Sundown, You catch a flicker of movement, and then it looks like there's two of the Pastor, both overlapping the other. One is his normal, mundane self, but the other? Oh, that's a sight to see. A faceless man dressed in shining light and on his brow is a diadem made of rire. In his left hand hand, an endless cornucopia of blessings. As for his right hand? Drenched in blood, wielding an unseen weapon that destroys all it touches. And his other hand holds someone's face, ripped off and bloody. The third hand holds it in place on his head, wearing it as a mask for the whole world. That's when you realize that it's the pastor's own face he's holding up. This one is interesting! But, how do you plan show him the glory of the Maelstrom? How did you come to understand its glory? Do you view yourself as a prophet? Or is it a demanding ally? Or something else? Oh, and if you were to go and kill Aurica now, how would you do it? Aurica, you get a sudden chill down your spine, despite the heat. Like... someone just wished you dead and had half a mind to do it. But that's crazy, right? When's the last time you felt that much hate directed at you? Your weird feelings aside, Megan gives another non-committal shrug, but she walks out the door to try and get Edith (or her people) into the Eye so you can talk things out. For the record, that's Fingers in Every Pie. So roll that up, and we'll see what happens. As you nigh glide over to Xorn, he gives you a cheery smile (sans a few teeth that you're pretty sure he had last time you saw him). He says, "Oh, this? Just had a disagreement 'bout what some of my scrap was worth. They were pretty persuasive, so I ended up agreeing to half what I asked." Then, he collapses in a chair and says, "So, how's business been for you? Glad to see you got the place fixed up again" As he drips a bit of blood onto your floor, you hear the jingle of valuables in his pocket. What do you do? Needles, after you finish cleaning up Rolf, he's lying in bed in the back. He's gonna be blitzed out of his gourd for the rest of the day, but after that, he should be fine. Zephyr hems and haws, but eventually decides that she's gotta go out and get business done. She says, "If anything happens to him while I'm not around, I'll burn this place to the ground." You don't think she's joking, either. Fortunately, that cheerful thought is interrupted by Shugusa returning. He looks pretty smug as he introduces someone in waaaaay too much clothing for the weather. Three layers of robes, cloaks and others. M, as they apparently go by, says, "Heard you're a good medic out here. Heard about an old factory out in the wastes that. Heard it churns out some no-poo poo drugs. Seen it, too. Ain't anyone else round here heard about it. If I heard the right price, you'd hear a more about it. Hear enough to lead you right to the doorstep" When he names his price, you realize that it's more than you got on hand, but... that's pretty tempting, right? Get him four barter, and he'll give you directions to something he claims will count as a supplier for your kit. What do you do? Mastiff, without a word, he snatches it up and says, "Done. But it's not gonna be today. It's Market Day, in case you haven't noticed, so I can't go out for a joyride. Get some food here on Duchess while you cool your heels." Whatever you order, some twig of a guy takes your order and brings it out fast. Not like there's much else going on here. Well, except that guy half-bleeding to death over by Aurica. Also, you overheard most of the argument about Edith not showing up. Anything you wanna stick your nose in, or you content to keep reading and enjoying the hospitality?
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Oct 19, 2016 18:52
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Cool+3 Hard-1 Hot+1 Sharp+1 Weird=0 Harm 0:00 XP 0/5 2 Armor 2 Barter I let Zeb leave with the last word in. I wouldn't expect him to have the wheels ready same day even if it was a regular day. But no sense in sassing when he's picking up the tab. The house beer is an acquired taste. But it's mysterious recipe doesn't involve anything too expensive. It's easy to afford a few and savor them in the comfort of the Storm. Rootwalla kebab sounded the least dangerous on the menu today so that was what I settled on. Market day always had the worst selection ironically. It was whatever there was enough of for the crowd, quantity over quality. The crowd might have bigger problems than their tolerance for certain fungi. Aurica certianly makes a show of her problem whether she is trying to or not. There's a lot to be gained in the long term by helping her out. That is, if she has any use for my skills. Cajoling isn't my forte unless it involves a show of force. But nothing ventured... "Seems like a bad day for both of you already," I call from my seat. "I suppose I'm lucky I have nothing planned myself or I might find myself with such cursed luck." Just throw it out there and I'm free and see where that takes me.
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Oct 19, 2016 22:29
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Cool +1 Hard +2 Hot +1 Sharp +1 Weird -2 Barter=3 | Harm=0:00 | XP 1/5 quote:Duchess, Hoods and Creek nod and split off to search the place for Eye. While the rest of the petitions come along, which one do you accept? Which one is so insulting you kick them out of your hold for the day? Tin-leg is a hunter out of Jawbone who goes after those lizard-birds, the ones that scream like a siren when they get scared. He's come along to ask permission to go after a pack that moved in to my territory. They take a lot of patience to stalk so no-one usually bothers with them, but the skin makes good leather. I grant him a permit to operate, contingent on selling his goods here (which he probably would have done anyway, the Elders of Jawbone have no appreciation for commerce). If he's any good I'll see about getting him to stay on permanently. The perennial argument between Gorky and Fever over their shared market stall has brewed over into a fight again, and Gorky has come to ask me to rule in her favor. Again. Fever might be a pain in the rear end but she's not a serial whiner, so when Gorky tries to bribe me with a lovely trinket of copper and teeth she gets to go for a long walk off a short wall. The fall doesn't do more than bruise her, but the gate crew know not to let her in before sundown. That sours my mood enough that I stop taking requests. quote:Anyway, as that circus wraps up for the day, you give a thought to finding Mastiff, and if you were to guess, she's somewhere where she'll get plenty of attention while not actually being in the press of people. So, that'd be the Eye. Anything else you wanna take care of before you go out amongst the people? Review my notes. The Eye reported that Rash is over in Big Mound working on some kind of weapon. I thought he was dead, but if he isn't I don't want him working for those trash-hoarding assholes. I don't want war, but I am going to make some kind of response. I tell Laki to prep the barter I offered Leadfoot in case we can't (or won't) get hold of Jazz, and then take a small crew over to the Storm for a chat.
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Oct 20, 2016 01:20
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 Hard +1 | Cool +0 | Hot +2 | Sharp +1 | Weird -1 Barter=1 | Harm=0:00 | XP ●○○○○» Creek posted:"Dat true? Thought she was a 'no good, lying, thieving charlatan.'" I’ve fixed Albatross with a glare for her impertinence, but now one eye edges towards Creek speculatively. The overall effect just gives me a headache. “That she is Creek, but then again so are many people in this hosed-up world. But as the Bell-Man said, ‘The Truth is Out There for us all.’ I’m hoping a soft hand can lead her to the Light.” I swing my mike down and speak into it softly. “Hey Jazz, give me a five-count and cut me in.” At Jazz’s count, I take a deep breath and put my ‘Cast-Face on. “Hey-ho folks! Hope your Market Day is super-green so far. Just a quick special announcement, tomorrow on Shared Stories, Albatross will be on to share her knowing of Feather-Talk, and the ins-and-outs of being a free trader on the Flats. Sounds interesting, so tune in! Eye-out!” I count to five in my head, and my face loses its good cheer. “Good job Jazz. And stick close to the ‘ceiver, seems La Jefa wants to talk to us.” Its never a good thing when Duchess sends for you, if she’s happy she’ll call herself. But at least it was Creek that came, when she sends Erfboi, those folk don’t come back. I entertained the thought of getting Jazz to bug out, but Beggar’s Bluff is only an hour by bike, less by a technical. And its not like the Flats offer much in the way of hidey-holes. Hopefully we can talk our way out of whatever’s going on. I focus my fears into annoyance at Albatross. “That airtime you’re getting is more than you deserve, so get that charm to Miss Mox at Needle’s.” I turn and leave with Creek, cutting off any rebuttal. I give Creek a look or two as we push our way through the crush of humanity. He’s not much of a chatterbox, and I’d rather not annoy him by peppering him with questions. But I break after only a few minutes of silence. “Soo, can you tell me what Duchess wants with us?” I pause, and decide to go for broke. “And does Duchess know you’re Made?” This is asked in a near-whisper. But Carebear said her folks had good hearing.
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Oct 20, 2016 02:02
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Hard +1 | Cool +1 | Hot -2 | Sharp +1 | Weird +2 Harm 0:00 | Experience: 2/5 | 0-armor | 8-barter The Pastor in the flesh. How opportune. My mind reels as I consider the images the Maelstrom has bestowed upon me. His true self is fascinating. A killer of men, a powerful man of conviction, and a consummate liar. What is he? Has he been marked by power as well? My thoughts spin back to my own baptism and rebirth. A small child. Alone in the desert, forsaken by all. Thirst. Hunger. Desperation. That child died. The Maelstrom filled her and I rose. A messenger of the beauty and terror of this new world. An instrument of its will. This all brought to mind Aurica. Would it become evident that the Pastor deserved the Maelstrom's attention more than her? I may indeed find myself with the need to eliminate her to fully bring the Pastor into the fold. My usual strategy would be to suborn and co-opt her guards. With time, I would compromise those sworn to protect her. It does always bring the most delightful looks of anguish when the enemies of the Maelstrom are felled by those who they trusted most. I stared at him, bringing the full measure of the Maelstrom's gift to bear on his will. My mind probed and tweaked the deepest recesses of his brain, bringing forth untold pleasure as he met my eyes. The seals on my environmental suit hissed and released, the helmet and outer layers dropping onto the pew where I sat. I walked toward him, clad only in the suit's skin-tight interior layer. My hand reached up to the man's face. I wanted to know the real Pastor. Not this skin-mask he presented to the world, but the true creature behind it. My breath caressed his face as my mind continued its work, "Come to me. Give me the truth of your being." quote:[17:09:25] <Tricky> Sundown's gonna psychically hit on the Pastor Tricky fucked around with this message at 23:02 on Oct 20, 2016 |
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Oct 20, 2016 02:40
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Hard +0 | Cool +0 | Hot +2 | Sharp +1 | Weird +0 Harm 0:00 | Experience: 2/5 | 1-armor | 2-barter Belated roll to find Edith with Fingers in Every Pie Platonicsolid> Fingers in Every Pie: Finding Edith <Platonicsolid> .roll 2d6+2 <Platonibot> Platonicsolid: 13 (2d6+2=5, 6) I watch Megan take off. She might look non-commital, but I know she'll do her best. She's solid like that. I have more pressing problems. I slide up to Xon and get up under his arm, helping to boost him up and get him to a chair. "Better when my floor's not bloody." I make a face, then grab a chair and take a seat opposite him, leaning in to press on his wound, which oozes slowly. I take one of the cleaning cloths and press it to Xon's injury to help stop the dripping. "So you're saying you can pay your tab?" I say in half-jest. "poo poo, you are not going to hold out long." I straighten up and call out, "Mastiff!" in response to her own hails. "Gonna need a hand getting my brother here to Needles. Then we may have a dispute to settle." I focus on Xon again. "Want to tell me who did this?" I ask in a tone of studied neutrality.
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Oct 20, 2016 14:49
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Cool+3 Hard-1 Hot+1 Sharp+1 Weird=0 Harm 0:00 XP 0/5 2 Armor 2 Barter "I don't want him bleeding on me. But yeah I can help. I'll get Tib ready." A simple ride isn't too much. I would ask for enough to bother getting an agreement over it. I walk outside to Tib sitting in the motorbike pen. I need to shuffle around my stuff to fit more people.
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Oct 20, 2016 20:21
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"Needles" Skip D'Wa, the Angel Cool+1 | Hard=0 | Hot+1 | Sharp+2 | Weird-1 Harm 0:00 EXP 0/5 Armor 1 Barter 2 "I'm not your watchdog!" I should after Zephyr before turning back to the clinic. poo poo she probably will, not like I can do much if Erfboi came around to finish the job or anything. I don't think he will though, the Duchess and I get along fine and part of that is respecting the neutrality of my shop. I check on Rolf again anyways. He's stable, shouldn't give me any problems. I'm about to go chek on Mox when I hear Shugusa running back, calling my name as he returns pulling some stranger with him. Whoever it is sure stands out, I take off my gloves and offer a hand anyway, trading introductions. "How far out in the wastes?" I ask "You don't exactly look like a neighbor, no offense mind. I'm not a big traveller, don't go wheels and too many responsibilities around here. Plus, people are liable to shoot you dead out there, whereas here it's a bit more civilized" I gesture to Rolf's beaten form behind me. I'm interested though, what they're talking about could make a big difference for me, not that I have the money to pay up at the moment, but I don't need to let that card slip right now. Now Duchess, she has bling from here to al-Sabt. And the hold could use some medicine... On the other hand if this guy is just yanking our chain I'm likely to fall out of Duchess' good graces, but can't win if you don't play. "Shug, go check on Rolf, make sure he doesn't choke on his own vomit and yell like hell if you see Erfboi." Once the kid's gone I give my best hard-rear end look to M, which isn't great but it's what I have to work with. "Now let's go talk to the boss lady, I'm sure she'd love to hear this news and make a deal. Of course, she'd kill you if it turned out you were trying to gently caress with us, but that's not an issue eh? If you have any pressing appointments you just remembered that's fine by me, otherwise come along." I say, grabbing my sunshade and raising it over my head before I take my new friend M off to see the Duchess.
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Oct 21, 2016 00:39
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Duchess, Nothing like leaving your court and enduring the press of the people to remind you why it's good to be in charge. Who do you take with you and why? When you get to the Storm, it looks like you caught Mastiff in time. She's and Aurica are loading up some beaten man on her weird mechanical animal. What do you do? Eye, Albatross rolls her eyes but says, "Fine." After a moment, they add, "I'll get it to 'em at the end of the day, anyway. I'm not ready to pack it in yet." ------------------------------- Creek shakes his head, saying, "Can't." He thinks for a moment and adds, "Sorry. Really like your show." When you mention him being Made, he shrugs, saying, "Nope. Don't think she'd care, but never came up." He gives you a side eye and asks, "You care?" Assuming you don't try to make a run for it, you'll get directed to the Storm, with the others. Needles, the person pauses and then nods, saying "Heard she has a lot of valuables. Fine." Who lets you know where to find Duchess and what odd thing do you notice about your companion as they follow you to the Storm? What do you do? Aurica, he shrugs, wincing as he does, "Some folks from out by Jawbone. Had the masks and everything." Mastiff and Aurica, as you're loading the half dead man up on Tib, you notice the small crowd forming up in front of the Storm. What do you do? Sundown, as you reveal yourself to him, he unconsciously takes a step forward before lurching back as if burned. He whispers, "Who... what are you?" Your response "A Wolf of the Maelstrom" sets off the last trigger you left in his brain, and he's yours. While you're together in one of the first pews, you wander through his mind. What was your character’s lowest moment? He watched his flock be beaten by the former hardholder's goons for not giving enough in "taxes." The cowardliness he felt for not doing anything haunts him to this day. In what ways are your character’s mind and soul vulnerable? He's worked so hard to become a hard enough man that he can protect his flock, but he fears that he may not yet be strong enough for the trials ahead. He'll do most anything to get his hands on enough power to guarantee their safety. What are your character’s secret pains? He knows he'll die without having worked the miracles he's heard real men of faith can do. When you're done, he looks up at you, confused about his actions. "What did you do to me?" What do you do?
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Oct 23, 2016 20:22
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Hard +1 | Cool +1 | Hot -2 | Sharp +1 | Weird +2 Harm 0:00 | Experience: 4/5 | 1-armor | 8-barter Marking +XP for the Deep Brain Scan. His mind was as an open book, powerless to resist my will as our bodies intertwined. The discoveries I made were not entirely unexpected -- was it not the way of this new world? The strong exercised their will and shaped the future, while the weak merely wept with grief and anger. The determination I felt? That was promising. He was not ready for the true vision of the world. Not yet. He would need to cast off his last remnants of hesitation, the moral compunctions that held him back from his heart's desire. I stared at him, ignoring his question for the moment, as my hand once again brushed his face. The violation glove tore through what little resistance he had mustered up. I've often wondered what it feels like to be on the receiving end. From the slack look on the Pastor's face, I can only imagine he was cast into the furthest depths of pleasure -- or pain. They do tend to mix themselves after a point. My voice whispered, echoing throughout his consciousness, "The great power of this world -- the true power -- has honored you with its touch. Prove yourself worthy of its gifts. You must destroy the Eye of the Storm. Bring forth your flock, arm them, and show all that you are no longer too soft for the new world. Slurry will fear your name and you will walk among them as a wolf among sheep. We will be watching." After a moment, I stood up and once again donned my suit and mask. The seed had been planted. Whether he would grow into a vessel of the Maelstrom or be revealed unworthy was now up to him. Aurica, too, would be shaped by the coming conflict. One would demonstrate a true will to rise up over all who would challenge them. That would be who would truly deserve the Maelstrom's touch. quote:[15:48:12] <Tricky> Sundown gonna Sundown (by brain-string'ing the Pastor)
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Oct 24, 2016 02:12
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Cool +1 Hard +2 Hot +1 Sharp +1 Weird -2 Barter=3 | Harm=0:00 | XP 1+1/5 quote:Duchess, Nothing like leaving your court and enduring the press of the people to remind you why it's good to be in charge. Who do you take with you and why? "Jobber, Torg, Mink, Pink-eye, Fingat. You're with me. Everyone else, keep the peace till I get back or I'll string you up myself." Those five are the least likely to do something stupid like start poo poo with Mastiff or Aurica - plus Fingat is a decent driver. We roll out in Issues - my errand isn't really urgent enough to justify the gas, but gently caress walking when you don't have to. If I took more people or one of the armed vehicles people would freak out, but this is just a nice Market Day drive. Long live the chief, right? When we pull up I leave everyone but Mink in the car and stroll over to the little drama unfolding, "You better not have Mastiff running errands for you right now, Aurica. I got something important needs doing. Big reward, better than whatever the bounty is on this poor assho- Is that Xon? poo poo, I thought he was all the way dead, not just half." Idle curiosity briefly gets the better of me as I walk up close to have a look. While rubbernecking I whisper to Mastiff: "Rash is in Big Mound, working on something for the glowing rear end in a top hat Brotherhood. You go over there, you kill him, I have a pile of jingle with your name on it. You bring him back to me alive and able to work, the pile gets twice as big. Whatever this is (gesturing at Xon) can wait, right?" Manipulate Mastiff: 2d6+1 7 Marking XP for Hot. If Mastiff drops what she's doing and does my job instead she gets XP.
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Oct 24, 2016 03:35
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Cool+3 Hard-1 Hot+1 Sharp+1 Weird=0 Harm 0:00 XP 1/5 2 Armor 2 Barter I put my hands on my hips and frown. "I'm pretty sure bleeding out is a time sensitive situation, Duchess," I hiss back. I sigh and hold my forehead. "I'm going to need some details before I agree to anything. Am I going to be riding solo on this? Or am I bolstering the ranks?" I press closer to her and smile. "And is there anything interesting in that pile? You know I'm not impressed with basic salvage." She is going to agree but is playing hard to get. Just wants to play hard to get.
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Oct 24, 2016 04:29
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Cool +1 Hard +2 Hot +1 Sharp +1 Weird -2 Barter=3 | Harm=0:00 | XP 2/5 This is why doing business with Mastiff is a pain in my rear end - questions and theatrics and the constant low grade flirting. Give me a simple killer any day. But she's a loving artist when it comes to murder, and I'm prepared to put up with her bullshit to get this job done right. I don't do her the satisfaction of pulling away and return her smile with a cold one of my own. "Solo run. I don't have time for war right now, so it has to be quiet. And for payment...I'm sure I can find you something nice if you don't want beans and bullets. After all, it's market day." I signal for Fingat to bring the car over. "I'll get Xon to Needle. My job takes first priority, understand?"
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Oct 24, 2016 06:22
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Cool+3 Hard-1 Hot+1 Sharp+1 Weird=0 Harm 0:00 XP 1/5 2 Armor 2 Barter I flash Duchess a beaming grin and offer my hand to shake. "Perfect! I'm sure one woman can do it, moving unseen." I'll admit I'm so happy because Duchess is so clearly annoyed. I typically like to challenge myself, but there is something satisfying by how consistently simple it is to get under her skin.
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Oct 24, 2016 11:48
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Hard +1 | Cool +0 | Hot +2 | Sharp +1 | Weird -1 Barter=1 | Harm=0:00 | XP ●○○○○» Creek’s refusal to answer and confession about my show does nothing to ally my fears, it has a note of… finality to it. It sets my brains a-churning, which is why I’m caught off-guard by his open admission. “What? No, no. Why one of my best friends is-” I shut my mouth before I shove even more of my boot into it and wave my hand in embarrassment. “Sorry, I seem to have a history of bein’ stupid on Market Day. But no, I’ve no problem. I’ve always thought that folks are folks, no matter what they come out of.” I give him a rueful smile. “Besides, I know a thing or two about not being quite like everyone else.” There’s silence for a bit, but as we head out of the gates towards the Eye of the Storm my curiosity pushing up again. Quite possibly in order to distract me from the clenching in my guts, but I also admit to just being nosy. “Soooo, is it true that there are some of your folks that remember the Before? Carebear has said that might be the case, be she’s only a little older than myself.”
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Oct 24, 2016 23:35
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"Needles" Skip D'Wa, the Angel Cool+1 | Hard=0 | Hot+1 | Sharp+2 | Weird-1 Harm 0:00 EXP 0/5 Armor 1 Barter 2 I go to the Court first. It's a Market Day, and that's where Duchess always is on a Market Day. I walk forward confidently, trying to project to an era of Confidence to M as he walks behind me, his arms moving at his side as he strokes his chin, wait what? I glance back and he's back to just two arms, but who knows what's underneath all those layers. Something loving weird, but I can deal with weird, weird raised me. When we get to the Court that dope-head Rather tells me that I just missed Duchess. Apparently she's out looking for Mastiff for some reason. Luckily she took a small gang in a car with her so their path is easy to find. I'm sure M thinks I'm an idiot now though, I don't say anything to him, don't want him thinking that I have to explain poo poo to him. I do hurry up though, but M has no problem keeping pace with me. I finally catch up to them, there's Duchesss' car and Mastiff's weird thingy. I'm just going to stand there and wait for them to finish talking when I hear my name mentioned which seems like a good opportunity to but in. "Howdy gang, can't help but feel like someone's walking on my grave, you wouldn't be talking about me would you?" I give them my best smile before gesturing to M beside me. "I have a fellow who wants to talk to us about our medicine shortage Duchess, I'd be happy to talk while I worked if I can get a ride back to my office. Just make sure Erfboi doesn't come by."
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Oct 25, 2016 03:12
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Hard +0 | Cool +0 | Hot +2 | Sharp +1 | Weird +0 Harm 0:00 | Experience: 2/5 | 1-armor | 2-barter With Mastiff's help, I haul Xon towards her robo-donkey. It'll still be the best way to move him to Needles, better than hauling him through the streets like this. And the gently caress is Duchess doing here? With a crowd, no less? "He'll live to annoy another day," I tell Duchess. Her, probably me, but Xon and I go way back. I'd rather have him annoying me than not annoying me. Duchess' offer seems unexpectedly magnanimous. Xon groans, reminding me I don't have a lot of time for a choice. I hold him until the car swings in and help hustle him into the back seat. "I need to be going with him?" I ask Duchess, looking her right in the eyes. If she's got real beef with Xon, really wants him dead, nothing I can do to stop it, but damned if I'll be the one to deliver him. That said, I'm distinctly not eager to go with the crowd filling in around the Eye. Something seems...off about it. Platonicsolid fucked around with this message at 21:16 on Oct 25, 2016 |
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Oct 25, 2016 21:07
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Sundown: you leave him behind, gradually rising out of his daze as your talons sink deeper into him. So, what do you have planned for the rest of the day? Also, what's the common word in the hold about you? What do you do? Needles: Wait, first off, who's paying you for this? Or are you gonna do it out of the goodness of your heart? Spend a stock, and he'll be fine. Mastiff: So, dropping what you're doing and going out on a rescue mission, huh? Just gonna pack up Tib and head out, or you have any preparations you wanna make? By your reckoning, you can get to Big Mound in about an hour and a half, so with any luck, you'll be back before sundown. Also, you planning on trying to bring the guy back alive or not gonna try? Or just playing it by ear? What do you do? Duchess, something that would be interesting to Mastiff, huh? Did you see something good on your way here? Or are you just thinking you can find something by the time she gets back? Also, Eye's here, spoutin' nonsense questions like usual, and Aurica's talking about coming along for the ride, which might not even be happening since Needles just up and showed up with news of a source of medicine from some weird fellow in full ? Your boys are behaving themselves, but you catch a few of 'em glancing inside the Storm with longing in their eyes. What do you do?
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Oct 25, 2016 22:13
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Hard +1 | Cool +1 | Hot -2 | Sharp +1 | Weird +2 Harm 0:00 | Experience: 4/5 | 1-armor | 8-barter The matter with the Pastor was finished for now. Market Day called. Surely there would be something -- or someone -- deserving of my attention there. I walked over towards the main crush of people and stalls. As I strode through the lines of shops, I noticed that there was a bubble forming around me despite the crowds. None seemed willing to step next to me. Smart. I had been forced to demonstrate the power of the Maelstrom once or twice when a fool had decided me to be an easy mark. Their screams that day surely made my reputation firm. I was not to be hosed with. My eyes scanned through the stalls and crowds even as my mind did the same. It was unlikely, but there may be something that could help me manifest the Maelstrom's power more clearly. I still had the jingle from that last hold -- it would do little good collecting dust.
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Oct 25, 2016 23:26
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Cool+3 Hard-1 Hot+1 Sharp+1 Weird=0 Harm 0:00 XP 2/5 2 Armor 2 Barter I already have everything so after a polite farewell to Aurica and a nod to Duchess I'm on my way. I'll have to get a good idea of what's going on at the Big Mound to decide how to go about this. It is simple risk reward management. I obviously want the bigger pay. But if the target is exposed and I can just plug him from a dune over why break a sweat? What is the most important step is intelligence gathering. When I get close enough I park Tib behind a large dune of ash. I lay down and peek over the top of it with my scope to gleam what I can of the place. I'm not sure what kind of operation is being run at this mound. Maybe it's a few knuckleheads and I can depopulate the place. Maybe it's a loving fortress. I'll take all the time I need for this. There's always more time. But I only have so much blood to lose. Read a sitch 11 What is my best way in? What should I look out for? What is my enemy's true position? (am I allowed to use this to ask where the dude I need is?) SHY NUDIST GRRL fucked around with this message at 03:05 on Oct 28, 2016 |
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Oct 26, 2016 04:01
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Cool +1 Hard +2 Hot +1 Sharp +1 Weird -2 Barter=3 | Harm=0:00 | XP 2/5 A handshake, and Mastiff is gone like the wind on her creepy leg-bike. There's several ways this can go really well for me, and only one bad outcome - if she gets caught and talks and the Brotherhood believe her, it could mean war. Well, worst comes to worst we can take anything they throw at us. I can pay her in her preferred currency - I have few books, but it's worth disposing of some to solve a problem. Failing that, I'm pretty sure I saw a trader selling some gear that looked like it would fit 'Tib'. I'll look into it. It's looks like Xon's lucky day, as Needles rocks up with an offer to fix him, and some kind of offer for me. "Get him loaded and stabilized, I have a couple of things to take care of before we head back. You and your...new friend? can ride along." Aurica is nervous, but I don't think it's about me. More than usual anyway. I shake my head at her question. "I don't need you as well, the suspension on Issues is having enough troubles. Besides, going to be a big party tonight, yeah? You gotta get ready for that." I put an unsubtle emphasis on tonight - the gang will pick up on it. I don't need them drunk or high until later. Once the sun goes down, they can do whatever for the night. And here's Eye and Creek, bang on time. I got no reason to make these words soft, but catching Eye on their own drat code will be satisfying. "Eye. I have a problem I hope the Truth can help me solve. A Convoy man, killed the last time they came through Slurry. Killed by someone who knew their way around a blade, knew where to hide a body on those trucks, and had plenty of hate for him or his. Those are Facts. Far as I know your boy Jazz fits those facts, at least most of the way. You tell me I've got the wrong of it, I'll trust you. But the Convoy are loving mad over this body, so unless you have someone else for me to give them by sundown I'm going to be out of pocket in a big way." Read a Person: 2d6+1 7 What does Eye intend to do? Sell Jazz down the river? Let Duchess buy trouble off? Find another
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Oct 27, 2016 02:58
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"Needles" Skip D'Wa, the Angel Cool+1 | Hard=0 | Hot+1 | Sharp+2 | Weird-1 Harm 0:00 EXP 0/5 Armor 1 Barter 2 Stock 5 "Ayeaye Chief." I say before taking a look at Xon. He's hurt but I've seen way worse, I'll need to get him to the infirmary though, there's some nice small cuts for Shugusa to to practice stitching on. It's going to cut into my supplies, but hopefully that won't be as big of a problem soon enough. "OK boys." I say pointing to Torg and Fingat, "help me lift him up and put him in the back of the truck. And be gentle, I'm gonna have enough to do without you making my job any harder." While they move Xon I make my way over to Duchess before she disappears. "This is M, says he knows where a poo poo-ton of old world medicines can be found out in the Wastes. I don't have the jingle myself to make the deal, but I'd be up for splitting it with you."
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Oct 27, 2016 03:17
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Hard +0 | Cool +0 | Hot +2 | Sharp +1 | Weird +0 Harm 0:00 | Experience: 2/5 | 1-armor | 2-barter "Needles," I say with clear relief. I pass Xon off to the folks to get him laid down. Just having Needles here makes me calm down. I can't be too pissed with Mastiff for taking off. Xon's going to get taken care of, and she needs to get paid, and if she gets paid, I get paid. "Doing our best," I tell Duchess with a guarded smile. "Can't let the people down on Market Day." Which is true, there'd be lost of upset, not to mention a lack of jingle in my purse. The crowd gives me pause. "Y'all are early!" I call out to the crowd. "Open for lunch in a few hours!" Because even if some special customers, like Mastiff, get in, we're really not ready for a crowd this size.
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Oct 27, 2016 20:04
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Eye, the News Hard +1 | Cool +0 | Hot +2 | Sharp +1 | Weird -1 Barter=1 | Harm=0:00 | XP ●●○○○» Out of all the things Duchess could have wanted to talk about, accusing Jazz of murder wasn’t even on the list. I cycle through anger and surprise and fear before I finally regain control. I look her square in the eyes and perform something half-way between a nod and a bow. “Thank you for speaking to me and not simply collecting him Your Grace. And since you speak of Truth I shall respond in kind: while Jazz is no murderer I was not at his side for the entire Day to guarantee his Where to you. But it is my nature to dig into events unclear, so I can bring the murderer to you by sundown if you’d. However, first I must know-” I step closer to Duchess (but not close enough to annoy her or her bodyguards) and speak the rest of my question softer. “Is it more important to you that the guilty are brought to justice or you don’t have to pay the bloodprice?” To answer Duchess' RaP: Eye will find the killer or offer themselves up to keep Jazz off the chopping block Read a Person: 2d6+1 6 What does your character wish I’d do? (does Duchess really want Eye to go poking around about this)
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Oct 27, 2016 22:54
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Hard +1 | Cool +1 | Hot -2 | Sharp +1 | Weird +2 Harm 0:00 | Experience: 0/5 | 1-armor | 8-barter The vast majority of the trinkets and people on display were worthless. Trash fit only for incineration under the blazing sun. I could feel the call of something worthwhile, though, whispering at the edges of my perception. My mind spread through the market, trying to locate what so desperately wanted to be found, as I continued to idly browse the rows and rows of stalls. Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a wolf slinking down a side alley. A sign, to be sure! My step quickened and I followed it through the twisting rows of scraps and flesh. quote:[14:01:58] <Tricky> Sundown's going to Open Her Brain to find some sweet deals Taking Spooky Intense from the Savvyhead as my first off-playbook move.
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Oct 27, 2016 23:27
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Cool +1 Hard +2 Hot +1 Sharp +1 Weird -2 Barter=3 | Harm=0:00 | XP 2/5 I narrow my eyes at Eye's question. It's fair, but still loving impertinent. My reply is full of quiet menace: "Find the fucker who did this, bring them to me by sundown, and I'll show you what I do when the guilty try to avoid 'justice' in my town. If I have to pay the price, I'll collect from you later. Blood or barter, I'll stay ahead either way." Almost as an afterthought I add: "Blood would be my preference." Duchess would love you to find someone to offer up, and would rather not pay the bounty. The actual culprit would be nice. "Needles, tell your contact I'm interested in funding their expedition, but I'm not putting money down until I see proof this stash exists. I got enough demands on my purse today"
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Oct 29, 2016 07:32
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Eye, the News Hard +1 | Cool +0 | Hot +2 | Sharp +1 | Weird -1 Barter=1 | Harm=0:00 | XP ●●○○○» I can see immediately that I’ve pushed Duchess wrong. Back away quickly, trying to cover my fear with a deep bow. “As you say, Your Grace. By sundown Ma’am.” I skidaddle with what small amount of dignity I’ve retained, hoping Duchess doesn’t decide to rough me up. Once I’m out of earshot, I clear my throat into the mic. “I’m assuming you heard all of that Jazz, so I ain’t gonna repeat it. Raise Sunny Jim, tell her I need to talk to her nowabout. Out back of Mis-Cheef’s as usual.” I pause for a bit, loyalty and the Truth warring in my soul. “A-and if you happen to know of any poo poo-kicking that went down that night, I’d be interested to have that knowning. Call me back in five, I need to make an enormous mistake right now.” I click off the station’s back-channel and take a deep, shuddering breath. I’m hoping I can pull the Truth out of Slurry, or at least offer up an unfound killer, my way. But Jazz’s life is too important to risk on my investigative abilities alone. So I twist the selector-dial to the dead channel. Ain’t supposed to be anything on here, its too far from KUSS’s ‘casts to get any bleed. But just above the hiss and pops, you can hear a woman crying, chanting numbers between the sobs. I close my eyes, click ‘SMIT, and say the words I hate to say: “Sundown, we need to talk.”
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Oct 29, 2016 23:49
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"Needles" Skip D'Wa, the Angel Cool+1 | Hard=0 | Hot+1 | Sharp+2 | Weird-1 Harm 0:00 EXP 0/5 Armor 1 Barter 2 Stock 5/6 I look at M and give him a shrug. "You heard the boss lady, no cash without proof. Can you bring us some pills? Some coffee reddener? Butterfly bandages or frosty-patches?" I move my hands wide to indicate the Hold "Duchess is in charge of all this, and she'll do right by you if you do right by her. She'll loving kill you if this doesn't work out right though. So how soon can you go out to your hidey-hole and bring us back our goodies?" Whatever his answer is I get in the truck with Xon and take another look at him before talking to the driver. "Go slow and avoid the bumps, we'll get Xon over here up and walking in no-time."
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Oct 30, 2016 05:30
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Sundown, as your eyes snap open, you get the faintest scent of chaos. Blood, yells, smoke, the works. What's it remind you of? You follow your nose through the press of people, and despite all the unwashed, diseased scavengers here today kicking up dust after every step, you can make out the scent as clear as anything. It leads you to the darkened rear of a canvas tent, where the press of people dissipates and only having a few passerbys everh hours. A man missing an arm and half a leg is sitting back there, mixing powders and and tapping off wiring in the dim light of the tent. And that's when you see it. It's a pile of explosives, all wired together into something that'll make the closest thing to a portal to hell this side of the maelstrom. When it goes off (complete with timer or remote option, anything near it is gonna get vaporized. Comes with a complementary cart to wheel it around in, too. You don't know why, but the maelstrom wants you to have it. If you bring up buying the hellbomb, the man doesn't look up as he asks for asking for enough that'll make it two bits of barter. What do you do? Eye, you get a message back from Jazz, and you can hear the panic in his voice. "I... I mighta messed him up some, but I'm sure he was alive when I left him! Mighta needed a crutch, but he was alive, drat it!" It's hard to get the Truth from that staticky voice, but you think he's telling the truth. But is that just the loyalty talking? Feel free to track Sundown... down after they figure out what they're doing with their new potential toy. Needles and Duchess, H shakes his head, saying, "Ain't goin' back out there. Heard about all sorts of dangers between here and there. That's why I'm not just selling the meds." He pauses and adds, "Well... heard she's got some vehicles that could give me a ride. If I get that, I'll bring back something to show what I heard is worth it. But I'll want a bit more for the trouble, then." If you make him go get proof too, he's gonna charge 5 barter in total. But, you'll get a supply right off the bat, Needles. What do you do? Mastiff, You take a look around the place before getting any closer. What's my best way in? First off, it's only inhabited on one side. The other side is covered in mirrors and other shiny junk that they're famous for, which would give you plenty of places to climb up towards the town. It'd be mighty hot under them, though. What should I look out for? Well, outside of guards and normal residence who might take offense at a naked lady strutting around looking like a mean cuss? The place looks sort of empty right now, but some dust up in the distance says that there's a band of cars on the way back. What is my enemy's true position? It's the middle of the day, so you there's no way they got him working in the mirror fields. But, they probably don't keep him too far from them, so he's probably in one of the clay sheds just outside the fields, near the top of the hill. What do you do? Aurica, between your statement and Duchess' order, her men have gotten the hint. They do look a bit grumbly, though. A sign of things to come tonight? Which one is still on "probation" from your place? What'd he do? Anyway, that's Edith shows up with Megan in tow. Megan starts to speak before Edith blows up, saying, "I ain't just leaving you high and dry for no reason, girl! You think I'm that fuckin' petty? No, my stage folk all vanished this morning in the market, and I haven't heard anything from them all day! I can make due without most of 'em if you give me a hand, but I need Farn! He's a fuckin' genius when it comes to the lights and sound. So, yes, I'd love to perform for you..." She gives you a wink before adding, "And your crowds, too, but I can't do poo poo without him! But if you figure out where they all went, I guarantee the show will be loving amazing. Knock your socks right off." What do you do?
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Oct 30, 2016 06:38
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Cool +1 Hard +2 Hot +1 Sharp +1 Weird -2 Barter=3 | Harm=0:00 | XP 2+1/5 I round up everyone I bought with me back on to Issues and bang on the cab when Needles and M are on board. "Take it easy, Fingat, don't want Xon bleeding any more than he needs to. Straight to the Doc's place." I look at M. They seem pretty confident about their discovery, but if I have to pay Mastiff and Leadfoot tonight there's no way I'm putting money down on a risky venture. I shake my head and look vaguely disappointed. "Sorry pal, can't afford to drop anything at the moment. Market Day keeps my time and money very busy, y'dig? Tell you what, I don't want you going off and selling this stash to someone else - stick around on my dime and in a few days we can make a proper run at it, pay you as a guide and give you a finders fee." Manipulate M: 2d6+1 7 I want M to keep the stash a secret until I can pay him, and am prepared to offer hospitality to keep him quiet marking XP for rolling hot
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Oct 30, 2016 13:19
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Cool+3 Hard-1 Hot+1 Sharp+1 Weird=0 Harm 0:00 XP 3/5 2 Armor 2 Barter It makes sense that the shimmer side would be unguarded. It's basically unapproachable with that glare. But keeping to the ground I can get to the base of the hill without being seen at a distance or having the fury of a thousand suns in my eyes. Honestly it's easier once I get under the junk. It's sweltering under there but I'm equipped for such an ordeal. The peace of mind of moving under cover makes it bearable. When I finally reach the peak I poke my head out to see if the coast is clear. And if I can identify which hut the guy is in. What's his name. Act Under Fire 10. Sneaking up the hill. if I'm able to use the roll to get to the hut with the guy I'll do that.
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Oct 30, 2016 23:48
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Hard +1 | Cool +1 | Hot -2 | Sharp +1 | Weird +2 Harm 0:00 | Experience: 0/5 | 1-armor | 6-barter The chaos filled me, brought forth memories of the girl once more. Her home had been a settlement much like this. Ravaged by the armies of a ruler much stronger -- and more ruthless. Smoke filled the air, as did the screams of the dying. The girl's parents died in front of her. They were helpless in the face of the new world. The girl ran then. Ran until her shoes were worn and her feet bloody. Ran into the endless desert. I shook my head, focusing back on the present. The Maelstrom had led me to a true treasure. Never before had I seen such a device. It promised the end of anything. Everything. And it had an unusual odor -- the scent of ozone and something deeper. Something primal. There was more to this bomb than met the eye. I considered it, then considered the objects lining my suit. I would surely have enough to sate any price. I spoke softly, "How much for the device?" It would not do to be rude to one so obviously touched by power. The man named his price and my eyebrows raised. A princely sum, but far less than I had expected. I withdrew a tight loop of wires and a container with several microchips. The man looked them over and nodded. The deal was struck. I inspected the remote that the man handed me. There was a small digital screen where a code could be entered to activate the bomb and the remaining time until detonation was displayed. There was a second button, unlabeled and the plastic covering was taped shut. Evidently the option for a more immediate detonation. Bought the hellbomb for 2-barter. I covered the device with a tarp and began rolling it back to the house I had assumed control of. The former inhabitants had been quick to leave when I expressed interest in it. A wise decision. A signal tickled my ear as I walked -- the one they called Eye's voice echoed out of the speakers in my suit, distorted and tinny, "Sundown, we need to talk." Interesting. He had been resolute in his dedication to his false god of Truth. What could tempt him to reach out to me? I had no love for Truth and he knew it. It was curious enough that I could hardly deny his request. My mind reached out, further and further, finding the woman of numbers. She too served the Maelstrom, though not by choice. I slipped into her brain. Her voice became mine. We said, "You have my attention."
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Oct 31, 2016 02:24
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Eye, the News Hard +1 | Cool +0 | Hot +2 | Sharp +1 | Weird -1 Barter=1 | Harm=0:00 | XP ●●○○○» I shudder. “Gah, I hate it when you do that. But you know that, don’t you.” I take a breath. “Listen, looks like a bit of murderdeathkill broke out last Market Day and my boy Jazz is on the block for it. I’m hoping to find who actually did it my way, but I may need your skillz if I can’t. Meet at MikuDees’ in an hour?” As I wait for Sundowner’s response, I work my way through the Market Day crowd. Trying to see the Truth of last Day’s murder in the crush would be fruitless, but I sigh anyways. The Callers have given tell of the vast Truth monitors in the Bell-Man’s days, the watching eyes even on the jingle. But I am only one person, so I have to concentrate my efforts. Which is why I siddle down the alley in back of Mis-Cheef’s. The place is doing hot biz, which is why Sunny Jim is useful to me. She’s a gofer at the bar, and just unhot enough to not be noticed. Folks’ll talk about alot a stuff when juiced up and awaitin’ their next ride. I push my headset down around my neck and put on my best smile as the back door opens. “Heya girlie, whatcha got for old Eye?”
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Nov 1, 2016 00:55
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