Hariim starts with an image, a 3d composite of MRI and CT scans. It's his head, and it's a [I]mess[/I].
"That was me. This is a composite image that I was given upon request. As you can see, the shot went in through my left eye and destroyed the optic nerve on its way in. The round started to really tumble once it hit the end of my optic nerve, plowed through my left hemisphere, and took a chunk of my skull with it when it exited. My squad's medic got on me in a second, saved me by applying nanite packages and sealing me up with biofoam."
He switches the image to a recording from his squad's medic. A younger Hariim, dressed in Marine Corp battledress, with a computer unit mounted onto his wrist, lays in a pool of his own blood. A comically big hole is plainly visible in his head. The medic does his bloody work, and gets Hariim extracted. Hariim swaps the display over to some footage of his surgery, showing the implantation of his cybernetic enhancements as well as the operations necessary to save or repair what remained of his brain.
"Surgery took 18 hours, and my heart stopped 6 times on the table. Which was amazing because it'd already stopped 10 times when I was getting extracted from the AO where I got shot. The bullet damaged a lot of the core pieces of my brain. Amygdala, visual cortex, frontal lobe, motor cortex. What they couldn't save or fix they replaced with cybernetics."
He puts up another composite shot of his head, this time all sealed up and with his extensive cyberware highlighted. The stuff fills in most of where the left hemisphere ought to be. "I'm alive because of my cybernetics, Yuga. You talk about how I mess with that 'natural order'? This stuff in my skull is what lets me even be part of that order to begin with. I'm not some superman, I'm not some creature hellbent on becoming the ultimate being. Borgs like me are just people with new tools at their disposal that are happy to be alive. Technology has always been used to improve people's lives, it's just that my technology allows me to live, period."
He shrugs, looks at Yuga with a friendly smile. "They also help me experience more of what it means to be human in the first place. I can communicate and express more freely than ever before. I can make art out of code that I can share with my borg friends. I can reach out to and help my normie friends better than ever too, and I can even understand and work with clankers like Bucky better.
Yeah, I've got a few things over the people that don't have what I do, but in the end I'm just as human as them, and I don't want to be any other way."
Yuga viewed the the presentation. Undoubtedly Hariim really had to thank cybernetic advancements for his continued existance. However, analyzing the things he had had to replace with cold technology ahd made him less of the person he was from the start, but Yuga would refrain from elaborating on that regard.
She looked at Hariim with her token blank face, "For someone who seems to enjoy helping his fellow man, you seem quite eager to divide them into specific groups."
...
Markus had noticed Maddox's message and had headed to the cargo hold where he usually tinkered.
Looking around he noticed he was the only one who had showed up so far.
"Looks like everyones already got what they need, mate. Ya might be offerin yer skills to the wrong company" he quipped as he walked over to the workbench.
((One more health update: it wasn't actually stomach flu, and I'm going to be okay. What actually happened was that I was dehydrated earlier in the month thanks to all this crazy Florida heat, which resulted in low blood pressure. This lead to excess adrenaline in my system, because my body was trying to compensate by increasing my heart rate. That's why I thought I was having a nervous breakdown. However, it turns out that when adrenaline is plentiful, the liver also releases glucose components because the body is in "fight or flight" mode, and under normal, non-diabetic circumstances, the body utilizes the energy immediately. In diabetics, it results in ketones, nausea, and vomiting, which is why I thought I had the stomach flu.
Regardless, I lost somewhere around 16 pounds due to illness. I spent some time in a hospital and had an IV inserted, and I've since regained about 6. I feel much better now and I'm confident that I'll be able to resume running this game before the end of the weekend.))
(( You were skinny as fuck and it was terrifying.
Do not. ))
((Stay strong, bobby))
((Holy shit Sega.))
Maddox picked up a sleek white rifle with black details such as rails and scopes. He inserted a mag and pulled back the safety, before looking at Markus.
"Stand over there." he pointed to a red mark on the floor, located at the center of the armory's firing range.
Markus rolled his eyes, "Ya even painted a gun the SDF colors? The lay ya off cause you were too obsessive?"
He looked over to the red dot on the floor.
"I may look like a dumb grunt but ain't no way I'm standin on a firing range if ya don't cough up some details bout dat gun o' yers."
Hariim sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose. "Yuga, what do you think I am? A monster? A racist? You seem very intent on making me out to be a bad person, if you even think I am a person to begin with."
[gonna be gone for a while. Sorry to call a pause. This is getting interesting!]
Maddox grinned. "Trust me on this." He mounted a bulky scope and some kind of device at the left side of the barrel before assuming firing position.
"It'll be fun."
Yuga squinted her eyes in a condescending fashion, "I would suggest you refrain from jumping to conclusions. I would also advice you from incorrectly quoting me."
Yuga tapped on the holoscreen to open up the publicly available archives of the Royal Explores Guild on Ayr to search for something resembling Frostys newly acquired gear.
She turned to Hariim, "Seeing as my suspicions that this discussion will devolve into further discussions about personal ideologies, I suggest we end this conversation."
...
Markus let out a hearty laugh, before turning his face into a frown, "I've known ya for less than a week and now you want me to step infront of a gun without ya tellin me anything bout it? Get yer head outta yer arse, boy. I've been playin nice with ya seeing as we 'appen to be workin for the same company, but this ain't a deal I have to agree too."
Markus walked up beside Maddox, "Now ya either spill the beans an' I'll give it a chance our I'm gonna fuck right off an' do somethin more productive with my time."
"Fine." Said Maddox, he pointed at the rail attachment. "If this works as intended I have built a weapon attachment which can scan and mark friendlies and hostiles. Paired with this specific weapon it means you can curve your bullets around your buddies."
"Talk about curving the bullet." said Valkyrie as she strolled into the armory. She had got bored outside waiting on Rask to reply to her message, so she had decided to come back in to see what the others were up to. She strolled past them both, out onto the range as she shoved her hands in her jacket's pockets. She stopped on the red mark, and turned to face them.
"Make it a body shot. I like my face too much." she said, with a faint smile. She had been shot at several times before so this would really be nothing.
Markus let out a small chuckle, "See? That wasn't so hard now was it?"
He straightened his posture and crossed his arms, "But, the words I don' like one bit are [I]works as intended[/I]. But I'll make a deal for ya. Ya tell me 'ow to operate it an you go stand on the mark. If it gives a friendly read-out I'll am for yer leg and pull the trigger."
He put his hand on Maddox's shoulder, a smug squint showing behind his mask with a glimmer in his eye. Markus reasoned that this might be a good opportunity to maim Maddox without getting into trouble. But he also really wanted to see if the system could actually work, and if Maddox decided to trust him, it would signal that Maddox was confident in his own work.
Markus gave Maddox a wink, "C'mon, mate, it'll be like a friendly trust-building exercise."
They were interrupted when Valkyrie suddenly made an entrance and instantly volunteered as target practice.
Markus and Maddox exchanged looks, and he turned to Valkyrie, "Ya get off from gettin shot at or what, luv?"
((heading to bed. Viper and Infab has control over Markus and Blorgy and FT over Yuga.
PS. Blorgy, if I wake up tomorrow and find you've [I]persuaded[/I] Yuga to like cyborgs, I'll mail you glitter.
Cheerio.))
[QUOTE]"Ya get off from gettin shot at or what, luv?"[/QUOTE]
"[I]Totally.[/I]" she said sarcastically, doing a 'wanker' gesture with her hand.
She then turned her attention to Mad. "Lets hope that toy of yours works, Mad. If it doesn't, its only fair that I shoot you back." she said, flashing him a toothy grin.
[QUOTE=Radley;50043296]((PS. Blorgy, if I wake up tomorrow and find you've [I]persuaded[/I] Yuga to like cyborgs, I'll mail you glitter.[/QUOTE]
[Dude, I RP and play RPGs as a hobby. I'm not that kind of asshole, just who the hell do you think I am? I'm leaving Yuga to FT.]
Hariim shrugs, and replies. "Alright, Yuga. But you were kind of heavily implying stuff about my nature there. Think about what I've said, not all borgs are the unnatural pariahs you seem to think we are." And with that he turns back to the holotable and puts his attention back on improving the ship's computer systems.
Elsewhere, Bucky leaves John's room and goes to the mess hall to get something tasty to eat.
Maddox chuckled and bumped Markus in the shoulder. "Looks like someone found their balls faster than you. Now pay attention." He said as he aimed down.
As the scanner came to life, it detected Valkyrie. "Unkown signature." Said a small window inside the scope.
"Friendly, designation 'Valkyrie'." Said Maddox calmly. The scope HUD changed, giving Valkyrie a greenish outline.
It then detected the practice target behind her. "New target. Hostile detected."
Unlike Valkyrie, the practice target had a red outline. "Lock on." Two quick beeps signaled that the weapon had now locked on.
Without further due, Maddox pulled the trigger while aiming on Valkyrie.
A single kinetic round was fired off, at first it would appear that the slug would strike Valkyrie into her torso untill it adjusted itself, whistling past her arm and slamming into the target with a bang.
Maddox fired off another shot, this time aiming a little bit higher. The slug flew above Valkyries head before hitting the top of the target behind her.
Slowly strafing to the right Maddox begun to fire in short bursts. Each shot curved around Valkyrie and hit the target.
With a smile Maddox secured the weapon and stood down. "Nice work Valk, you make Markus here look like party animal considering how calm you were."
He walked up to Markus and handed him the weapon. "I'm already registered as a friendly, so don't try anything."
Maddox then walked out onto the range, trading places with Valkyrie. Still wearing his full set of armor aside from the helmet currently sitting onnhis desk, Maddox crossed his arms behind his back and looked at Markus with a face set in stone.
Meanwhile Abraxas decided it was time to check his email, he walked to his chair and sat down while typing through his service. One thing that already popped up was some strange subject called [b]Crimson Incarnate.[/b] Shrugging, he clicked it and an image was exposed
[i]The year is 2490, you play as an average fella when an invasion on your home world has occurred a hundred and eight years ago. With your homeworld destroyed and left in a Galaxy of confusion you are met with unknown allies to fight against an unknown enemy bent on destroying your entire civilization. Take part in good ol action, romance, and space opera as you save the Galaxy from destruction. Form your crew and create your own race and feats. Your choices can change fate itself.[/i]
"That's the dumbest idea in the history of the Galaxy." Abraxas commented. He had the biggest feeling some jackass with too much time on his hands apparently decided to inflict his misery on those around him. Some joke that was. Abraxas deleted the mail and got back to work.
Markus picked up the gun from the table, "Well then it ain't no fun, is it?"
He aimed with the scope, noticing the green outline around Maddox.
Markus put the gun on his hip and fired away at full auto, the hail of bullets curving around Maddox as intended.
When the gun clicked, he inspected it and put it down on the table. "Impressive tehcnology, but if ya want my two cents it's a gimmick."
Maddox chuckled and tapped Markus on the shoulder. "You're missing the bigger picture here, if I can develop this further it would mean that we'll have sniper rifles, machineguns and shotguns capable of targeting hostile targets on their own with no risk of friendly fire."
He walked up to the workbench and put down the gun next to his helmet. "You'll see."
Maddox then looked at Valkyrie.
"It's a good thing you're here, I was going to message you about your machinepistol."
He picked up the compact weapon and weighed it in his hands.
"I redid the magwell and interior mechanics so that it can load even bigger cylinder magazines while also retaining a lower temperature during sustained fire. It'll essentially be a pocket machinegun.
I also took the liberty to add a holographic flip-up/flip-down sight for those mid-range engagements."
Maddox then put the weapon in a compact weapons case which he handed over to Valkyrie.
"Store it somewhere safe in your quarters. Preferably behind a lock. I crafted five more magazines for you, let me know when you need a restock."
[I]Six years ago...[/I]
[QUOTE][video=youtube;mfA0KzsuGf0]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfA0KzsuGf0[/video][/QUOTE]
Valkyrie's hands moved along with the sounds of the violin as they sounded from the speakers nearby, gently gliding through the air. Probably the only thing she actually liked from that fucking orphanage. Just...the violin that one of the other girls loved to play. That she herself actually learned to play. She smiled a bit, and continued.
As the drums kicked in, she reached over and tapped a blinking button on a nearby data-pad. A voice sounded off. "[I]VALENCIA MARK I AUTONOMOUS COMBAT DRONE: ONLINE.[/I]" The large machine before her shifted slightly, then slowly stood upright. Machinery moving about, lights and other gizmos flickering on, and the fusion cell firmly implanted in its chest glowing a BRIGHT blue. It stood a towering ten feet tall, nearly twice her own height. She continued playing her imaginary violin till the sound of it faded in the song, then stopped and looked up at the looming drone. "And lo, thou art alive. Fucking [I]finally.[/I]"
At least this time, it didn't snap in half when it stood up. Or spontaneously combust. Or short circuit when it tried to actually say something. She watched it for a few moments, studying it. She finally made her first drone...now she had to name it. Well, yeah. It was called the 'Valencia Mark I Autonomous Combat Drone' but she wanted something that everyone else could pronounce. She thought for a few seconds, then said the first name that came to mind.
"I'll call you Adam." she said, with a smirk. The drone seemed to almost nod. "[I]CONFIRMED. DESIGNATION IS NOW 'ADAM'.[/I]" it responded. "Good. Now, lets take a walk around and see how you do." she said, standing.
[B].....[/B]
"Thanks. Now I'll actually have a way to defend myself 'till I can get a Drone up and running." she said, looking the case over. She gave Mad a faux salute, and wandered out of the Armory. She carried her firearm to her room, tossing the case on the bed, before heading back out onto the dock to the mech suit. She stood and looked at it for a moment, folding her arms. Maybe...she could disassemble it and make a drone from it?
"Now sir. Are you sure about your chances when you say no?"
Alex stared Ryan down, not letting the drunk find comfort in his security arrangements. The Mafia's hired goon, leaned up near a doorway at the rear corner of the bar, was beginning to grow weary of the outsiders talking to the driver. Steadying up while Alex spoke quietly, too quietly for him to hear, he reached into his coat and pulled out... a communicator. He murmured something into his collar before slipping it away again.
Alex:
CH Estimate: 2/5
[B]Actual: 1[/B]
Roll Failed.
Ryan rubbed his eyes with his palms and leaned back in his chair. "Look, man," he said. "I'm not askin' for much outta the world. I did my best... Gave 'er my best shot... and look at me now. An old, washed up hunk of nothin'. You an' your friends... they come 'ere, tellin' me I ain't got no chance if I go an' do my thing out there. Don't you know, I know that I'm... stick a fork in me, for cryin' out..." Ryan's arms landed on the table in front of him with a limp crash. Tears formed around the edges of his dull, squinted eyes, and his stubble-covered face looked like a crumbling statue. He was a man reaching retirement in the worst way.
Alex almost felt sorry for him, until he noticed a momentary glance, a leap of his pupils from his baggy eyelids up to meet Alex's visage eye-to-eye. Ryan was faking it! There was a wily side to him after all, and the tactic of playing the drunken old man had almost paid off. "You're not as drunk as you look," Alex grumbled. Ryan kept the act up a moment longer before his desperate eyes hardened into a more lively gaze, like those of a chess player.
"Listen," he said, sitting up and scratching his stubble. "I know how dangerous this game is. And I know there are other groups trying to get their way in this damned Grand Prix. It's a madhouse- you should see the offers I've been given. But the Mafia [I]owns[/I] me, if I don't get out there and do my part, then no one's going to be able to help me. Not you, not Sol, not even Buddha or Jesus H. Christ- wherever they are..."
"Not my problem," Alex remarked.
"Shit, I know. I'm sure you've got orders, just like everyone else." Ryan leaned back in his chair again.
---
Hariim:
CH Estimate: 1/3
[B]Actual: 2[/B]
Roll Failed.
((Note: Hariim doesn't need to roll to interface with a computer, but to [I]improve[/I] computer systems requires a roll just like everyone else.))
Setting out to optimize the computer systems throughout the ship, Hariim found his task to be deceptive in its simplicity. Behind the ship's streamlined interface laid a metaphorical rat's nest of logical sub-processes, some written or adapted decades ago by human shipwrights working partially from public domain code libraries, others patched over, revised, or otherwise dummied out by technicians during the ship's conversion into a fighting vessel, and most recently, a highly-sophisticated superstructure of programs working parallel to the primary system, and installed [I]over top[/I] of the existing network with a near schizophrenic lack of logical continuity. The comment sections were written in a mixture of English and Kanad and sometimes appeared to be [I]arguing with each other.[/I]
Yet, despite the horrific complexity, simply monitoring the system taught Hariim much about how the computers were designed to function, how they had been modified, and how they function in practice. And watching the circus go on was quite a show- the resource management was impeccable, despite the lack of structure, sort of like a bureaucracy which has lost all its department heads and yet works at an astounding level of productivity because every worker has tasks left on the to-do list and no supervisors to suppress their creative control. Simply placing the system into debug mode came with a flood of warnings not to disturb the ecosystem. Hariim held off for the time being.
---
"If you seen what happened to him I suggest you reconsider trying to take me on, weakling."
Dio brandished the knife at Yanim confidently, but the latter only paused her advance, rather than backing off. Standing in the middle of the street, she held her arms out to each side, displaying her empty-handedness. "There's a pistol in my waistband," she informed him. "I'm not with the Mafia. In fact, I'd pay a good price for Mafia blood. I want to know your story, that's all," she said.
---
[B]Player Character Stat Update:[/B]
((Decided it was time to start tracking my own characters' stats and finally assign them feats...))
Neasha:
Leverage (Can disarm any opponent via melee attack once per chapter, x1.5 blunt weapon DMG)
Migrant (Noncombat CH rolls twice as likely while onboard home ship)
HP: 63
ATK: 1.0
DEF: 5
[I]New racial feat discovered: serek leverage[/I]
Rask:
Malevolence (All combat CH rolls twice as likely, surprise attacks deal x2 DMG)
Brinkmanship (Can roll to interrogate multiple enemies at gunpoint simultaneously)
HP: 50
ATK: 1.0
DEF: 6
Yanim:
Malevolence (All combat CH rolls twice as likely, surprise attacks deal x2 DMG)
Kerostasia (x2.5 DMG when attacking enemies with personal feats)
HP: 50
ATK: 1.25
DEF: 5
((To clarify, Yanim's feat is designed as an anti-elite power, to apply to mini-boss and boss-level characters, who have a personal feat in addition to their faction and racial feats. Player characters are also vulnerable to this, of course, but that's not what it's for.))
While listening to Ryan lay out his carefully crafted lie, Alex had picked up a toothpick and started chewing on it. An old habit he could never shake off from his past career.
"You know what they say. Bad times come and go, but the bad guys stick around." After his exchange with Ryan he got up from his seat and started walking towards the others. He gave a quick glance at Sledge and said. "If you still want to drink him under the table, you can try. If somehow that doesn't work, I'm breaking a leg."
After Bucky left the Brig, János checked his guns once more before leaving the Brig himself to return to his room. After he returned the C269 and P80 to their rightful places, he restarted his online search for the emblem he saw on the mining vessel. Thinking that an image search could potentially help, he [URL="http://i.imgur.com/xe55cCS.png"]drew up the emblem[/URL] from memory. He then attempted an image search..... to find no results. He found this very odd.
Vakarus, sitting at the gunnery console, decided to do some quick meditation at his post. Having raised a minor mental wall, he closed his eyes to relive a moment of his past.
-----
The sound of the psionic drums echoed across the plaza, filling Vakarus with energy. He took several deep breaths before grabbing the helmet from the nearby table.
"Allow me to help you with that."
He turned around and smiled. A slender albeit well-built female Vakr had entered the room. Dressed in colorful garments underneath her golden armor she was as impressive as she was beautiful.
Vakarus bowed his head and carefully exented his arms with the decorated helmet in hand.
"Of course, sister."
Kalana of House Va'un gently took the helmet in her hands and approached Vakarus, still bowing. She placed the decorated helmet on his head.
"Rise, son of the Vakr." She said.
Vakarus stood up and then bowed again, this time putting his forehead against his sister's.
"It is good to see you sister, I feared the work at the temple would've prevented you from arriving in time."
Kalana chuckled. "Fear not brother, for there is no god who could stop me from witnessing your [i]Ratik Valaan[/i]." The Rite of Light.
After finishing greeting eachother Vakarus made sure that his armor was in perfect condition and working order. Kalana waited next to the door. "Are you ready, brother?"
"I am."
With that said she knocked on the door leading out into the plaza. "The son of the Vakr is ready."
Kalana then stepped aside as Vakarus approached the door. As he steeled himself she tied a mask of blue fabric to her lower face, obscuring the mouth and nose.
The double doors suddenly opened up, letting in a combination of a hundred lights.
Vakarus stepped out onto the platform at the top of the platform. Two Va'un honorguards stood at his side, dressed in the signature gold and white armor of House Va'un. White cloaks obscured the figures and allowed them to blend in with the walls of the Va'un [i]Akiin[/i]. Homestead.
As Vakarus stepped out, the two honorguards slammed the bottom of the their golden staffs into the ground three times.
It was the signal.
Vakarus began his descent of the platform, walking down the stairs. Kalana followed shortly behind on his left side, as it was custom for at least one member of the family to escort a son or daughter of the Vakr during Ratik Valaan.
Alongside the far walls were two rows of priests loyal to house Va'un. Playing their iconic instrument, the psionic drums channeled the strong energy of the priests into the large crowd. Each heart clapping alongside the rythm of the drums.
For each step Vakarus took, a pair of guards on each side slammed their staffs in perfect synchronization with the drums.
Soon Vakarus reached the bottom of the stairs, walking alongside a path of stone at the center of the crowd.
He observed the many Vakr present and nodded to those which greeted him.
The Ratik Valaan was primarily an in-house event however there were some outsiders, guests of honor, present. While mainly there to witness the event, it was also a honorable position as anyone invited were either from the same house or close friends.
Walking past the crowd Vakarus spotted friendly faces everywhere, he could name all but a small few of the Vakr present as many were family, through house, or friends he had grown up with.
He noted several key members from several allied houses, namely Vakr from houses Dal'ik, Ter'an, Lok'un, Niv'an and Ka'ik.
All male Vakr were dressed in full armor, carrying their warstaffs at their sides. Those who were not leaders of their respective houses wore decorated helmets which covered all but their faces. All the femal Vakr were, like the males, dressed in armor. Much like the male Vakr, all females wore helmets aside from key members of their houses, who wore the small piece of facecloth covering the lower part of their face.
Each facecloth was different however, as they all matched the signature color of their house.
As Vakarus continued to move forward he had almost reached the end of the path. Still observing those within the crowd he spotted her. Lanassa Niv'an, Atvan of House Niv'an. Dressed in masterfully crafted armor made out of a rare onyx-colored metal dotted with purple crystals and gems, the clothing underneath only added to her already elegant curves.
Two deep dark blue eyes looked at Vakarus who bowed with his head. She smiled and returned the bow.
Moving on, he reached the end of the path; a medium-sized platform occupied by the leaders and other key figures from House Va'un. At the center was a small cylinder with a hole. A blue light was emitted from its core.
As he stepped up onto the platform the drums stopped.
Vakarus kneeled. "[i]Adaan avok.[/i]" Honor to your house.
Vakanis Va'un, Atvan of House Va'un and father of Vakarus stepped forward. "Rise, son of the Vakr."
Vakarus rose up and looked his father right into the eyes. Meanwhile Kalana took up position next to Navala Va'un, Vakarus's mother.
A fith figure, a muscular and tall male Vakr despite his age, was also present at the platform. He was Akanok Va'un, [i]Kanat[/i] (advisor) of House Va'un.
"Vakarus of House Va'un, you are here to complete the Ratik Valaan. The Rite of Light. Upon completion, you have earned your place amongst the Vakr. You will be given the command of a company of our warriors, you will be my heir and you will have the choice to take a wife and continue the Va'un bloodline or, even if it would pain me, start a house of your own."
Vakanis paused and gave Vakarus a fatherly smile. Full of pride. "I am proud to be your father, as you have grown beyond the expectations of myself, your mother and even our house as a whole.." His face returned to a neutral expression.
"However, for you to pass you must first pledge your loyalty towards the Vakr. Are you ready?"
Vakarus nodded. "I am ready, Vakanis'atvan."
His father nodded and looked towards Akanok who stepped forward.
The tall and muscular Vakr was an imposing figure no doubt, having been the advisor of House Va'un for decades he had never doubted the word, or work, of Vakanis.
Like all Vakr advisors, he was more than a calm voice of reason. He was also the bodyguard of Vakanis, alongside the ceremonial master of House Va'un.
"Vakarus Va'un, repeat my words exactly as they are uttered. You will speak truthfully, for the gods themselves are watching above."
Akanok cleared his throat.
"I, Vakarus, vow to remain loyal towards the Vakr people."
"I, Vakarus, vow to remain loyal towards the Vakr people." Said Vakarus firmly.
"I will not falter, nor will I doubt. With staff in hand I will keep Vakrosia safe."
"I will not falter, nor will I doubt. With staff in hand I will keep Vakrosia safe." Many of the Vakr in the crowd repeated the phrase silently.
"In times of need, I will rise to face the challenge. I will rise to keep the Vakr safe."
"In times of need, I will rise to face the challenge. I will rise to keep the Vakr safe." A tear fell from Vakanis.
"I will fight for the Vakr and I will die for the Vakr, for they are my people. My blood."
"I will fight for the Vakr and I will die for the Vakr, for they are my people. My blood." Several of the honorguards repeated the last part several times in silent.
"I am of the Vakr."
"I am of the Vakr."
With the final sentence said, Akanok stepped aside, clearing the way to the center of the platform.
Vakarus walked towards the center with decisive steps before putting the bottom of his staff into the hole, causing it to be supercharged with energy.
He retrived the staff and turned around before slamming the staff into the ground, sending a small orb of blue energy into the sky.
In response everyone in the crowd slammed their staffs as well, sending off additional orbs.
"Hmph, I rather not bore you to death over something that could take hours to explain. And certainly not to someone who I've only met for a few seconds." Dio said as he withdrew his knife, taking out a napkin and proceed to wipe off the blood from it. "However, hearing how you said you'd pay a good price for Mafia blood, I will say this: Have you heard of the mafia called Passione?"
[QUOTE=kilerabv;50053203]While listening to Ryan lay out his carefully crafted lie, Alex had picked up a toothpick and started chewing on it. An old habit he could never shake off from his past career.
"You know what they say. Bad times come and go, but the bad guys stick around." After his exchange with Ryan he got up from his seat and started walking towards the others. He gave a quick glance at Sledge and said. "If you still want to drink him under the table, you can try. If somehow that doesn't work, I'm breaking a leg."[/QUOTE]
Sledge didn't really realize what was going on. He had stopped outside to [del]window-shop some authentic Italian pastries[/del] beat down some rowdy street thugs and had literally just entered the bar when Alex spoke to him. And Sledge didn't really hear what he said but he didn't want to sound stupid so he didn't react and instead moved forward unflinchingly. To the casual observer, it probably seemed like Sledge wasn't with the others and had walked in on his own, and that was completely on purpose.
Looking out over the mostly empty bar Sledge spied the mafia bodyguard in the corner of the room. He seemed on edge but was still just sorta hanging out. He must have been instructed to not cause trouble unless Ryan was in immediate danger of being harmed. Or they were lazy. Possibly both.
Further away from the mafioso than he probably should be was a man with a tear-stained face. Owen's words echoed in his mind. [i]They call him Cryin' Ryan...! Ryan...! Ryan...![/i] Neat. That made things easy.
As he approached Ryan's table the bodyguard stiffened, anxious at the man mountain that was approaching their charge. Sledge needed to assure him that he wasn't a threat.
"Ryan Schafer? Well here's a pleasant surprise! Didn't expect to run into a racing legend in a place like this!"
Sledge could practically [i]hear[/i] the bodyguard's butt unclench.
"L-Legend?" Ryan said, his face brightening a little.
"Yeah! I'm a huge fan! Say, can I buy you a drink?"
Sledge didn't wait for Ryan to answer. He flagged down the bartender and pointed to Ryan's glass. "Hey, barkeep! We'll have two more of whatever my friend's drinking here."
The bartender nodded gruffly and got to work. Grabbing a couple of glasses he opened a frosty container labelled "frozen vodka cubes" in black Sharpie and dropped a few cubes in each glass. Next he shuffled over to a container of "Jackson Family Co. Quantum Moonshine, 240 Proof" and filled each glass. The frozen vodka cubes made weird cracking and hissing sounds as he did. The barkeep then grabbed an eyedropper from a bottle marked "Actual Horse Tranquilizer". Finally, he fished out a couple of maraschino cherries and plopped one in each glass before placing them in front of Sledge and Ryan. "Two Vainglorious Bastards. That'll be $26.50."
"On my tab, good man," Sledge replied, eyeballing the drink that the cherry had already dissolved into.
Ryan had polished off his first drink and bit his lip pensively at the second. He looked up at Sledge, who was holding his drink out and encouraging Ryan to toast him.
(( Roll to see if Ryan accepts the drink or leaves Sledge hanging ))
Ahaz asks Amelia, "What do you like on your pizza?"
Amelia puts her hand up to her chin, scratching it gently, "Um... pepperoni, sausage, and bacon." she then puts both hands behind her back, leaning forward and backward.
"Any space left for cheese?"
"That's, like, the main ingredient."
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