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Post by Slytherclaw on Mar 16, 2016 22:26:32 GMT
Amber is...alarmed. The food they're given is good, she supposes, but it's very ...different. It seems like everything is flavored with everything else, unlike the rather bland food from the vaults. She grimaces a bit at some of the unexpected tastes, but it certainly isn't terrible and she adapts well enough after a while. She does find herself particularly fond of some sort of sliced beige thing, sort of crunchy but soft on the inside. Fries, they called them? They provide a strong tasting sauce that she tries and then pushes away before enjoying their more simple flavor alone, with nothing but the hint of salt.
"What are these made of?" She mutters to herself, peering into a half bitten fry.
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Post by Seya on Mar 16, 2016 22:48:30 GMT
Kat chugged back more drink to stop from choking on her meal. The vault dwellers' expressions were just so damn funny. Every time she looked up at one of them mid-bite, their ecstatic/horrified/curious examinations of the food in front of them made her tear up with laughter. Laughter and swallowing didn't mix.
"Potatoes, of course," she says when she finally catches her breath. "Don't tell me you don't even have potatoes in the... uh, region you're from? What'd you lot grow, exactly?"
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Post by Lockdown on Mar 16, 2016 23:51:40 GMT
The meal continues for a bit longer, as outside the storm begins to grow stronger. Peals of thunder roll through the air and the occasional flashes of lightning are visible through the rain-smeared windows. More patrons trickle in, and the Drip begins to get slightly crowded. Anyone keeping an eye on Lucian notes that the man appears to be doing brisk business, the weather driving people to find distractions, either in their cups or in other activities. But as Amber is finishing the last of her meal, she notices something else. Something on her Vault-Dex. Two small flashing words at the bottom of screen, followed by two strings of letters and numbers. Connections Lost: VDX002, VDX005You know those numbers. Each of the Vault-Dexes in the original group had an ID number, from 001 to 005. Those numbers... belong to Bunnie and Joe's Vault-Dexes. And according to Skrub, the connection range for these things should be a few miles. Maybe the weather is messing with it?
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Post by Slytherclaw on Mar 17, 2016 0:00:18 GMT
Amber glances down at her vault-dex with one of the last few fries halfway to her mouth and freezes. She stares at her wrist, the treat falling to her plate from limp fingers. "...we have a problem..." She says softly. "...Bunnie and Joe have moved out of range."
She frowns, thinking. A few miles, outside of their dex range, might still have them in town somewhere. This doesn't necessarily mean anything has gone wrong, and the weather might be messing with the signal a bit. Still...for both of them to have gone missing...had someone overheard their discussions about the Vault and decided to act? A shiver traces down her spine.
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Post by DataNinja on Mar 17, 2016 0:15:13 GMT
"Wait, what?" Christine says, alarmed. "Aargh, I knew we should have stuck together. This is all y-" -our fault DeLoria. She stops short of making the accusation, remembering what she had promised. He may have set a bad precedent going off on his own, and not even questioning the other's leaving...but, then again, neither did she. She didn't even notice when they left. That was wrong. She takes a deep breath, and then continues. "Let's not worry... What could have happened in such a short time. It's...probably just equipment failure. When we find them, you should check those out, Amber."
She tries not to think about the fact that if something happened to them...it could be worse than just losing Joe and Bunny. If someone found those Dexes, they'd have access to everything that the Vault-Dwellers had for info in there.
Everything.
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Mar 28, 2024 21:17:21 GMT
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Post by Robot on Mar 17, 2016 17:59:54 GMT
"Two things. One, if you're going to go whipping blame around..." Cecil was socially savvy enough to see where that particular lilt was going. "I ain't going to just shrug off the issue. Two, they knew where and when to meet us. It's my business now, 'as their protector'." Cecil paraphrased Christine's earlier directive for him in physical air quotes. Half a meal left, what a waste. So much for a relaxing evening.
"I won't leave the Drip, but I'm going to ask around, see who saw them. No point in asking about Joe, guy had that look about him that just made him blend in, but Bunnie stood out." Cecil's jaw tightened. "Might ask Lucian, he's more connected then most in this town. Damnit Bunnie."
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Post by Seya on Mar 18, 2016 1:01:36 GMT
It takes Kat a while to figure out what the others are yammerin' on about-- mainly because she's still not sure how the handy and fixed Vault Dex strapped to her limb is supposed to work.
"Outta range?" she asks, taking another drink. Looks like they aren't joking around anymore, so she does her very very best to be serious with them. "What's this range, exactly? Few hundred feet? A mile? Dependin' on your answer what you might find is bad, or even worse. Let me know if I should be helpin' or stayin' put. I gotta way of talkin to people myself, y'see," she says with an off-kilter grin that's more predatory than amused.
Bunnie and her may not have history--yet--but she'd be damned if an fine piece like that chicky got swept up into the wrong hands.
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Post by Robot on Mar 18, 2016 1:41:43 GMT
Right, right. Group effort. Cecil worked a finger into the corner of his left eye. "We should all split off and poke around for word of Bunnie in the Drip. Christine, you and Amber stay away from Lucian. Kat or I will take that area of the place." Pausing the greaser ran a hand through his hair, a nervous habit, as he collected his thoughts.
"When you ask about her, bring up Joe being with her. There's a small chance someone might've noticed him, and even without that, keeps Bunnie a bit safer leaving whoever thinking she's got an escort. Please, please! Be casual about this. If you voice it in a panic, it draws more attention to us then we want."
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Post by DataNinja on Mar 19, 2016 23:00:03 GMT
"You don't need to remind me to stay away, DeLoria," Christine says. "I read you loud and clear the first time you brought him up."
She heads for...somewhere else in the building, before realizing, Oh, god, I actually have to talk to these people that I know nothing about. Okay, missy, you can do it. Plus, I'm sure DeLoria expects you to not be able to, so show him he's wrong.
Her first thought was to ask the people working here...but then she realized that they were probably the worst ones to ask. If they'd seen Bunny and Joe, that'd mean that they'd probably still be in here. So, steeling herself, and still a bit wary after the Lucien comment, she goes up to the nearest woman and asks, "Pardon me, miss, but I've only arrived in town recently, and seem to have gotten separated from some of my companions. I was wondering if you might have seen them elsewhere in town." She then gives a short description of the two of them, and hopes for the best.
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Post by Slytherclaw on Mar 20, 2016 16:18:22 GMT
"The range is a few miles, give or take. I don't have a specific number, but I could maybe play around with them, find out when it's less of an emergency." Amber says. She flushes a bit. "I don't actually have much of a concept for what a mile is, to be honest...but that's what I was told."
As they split, Amber follows meekly at Christine's heels. She looks around at the people in the bar--and absentmindedly notes that their matching jumpsuits might make them stand out a bit. Maybe they should look into less...unusual clothing?
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Post by Seya on Mar 21, 2016 1:29:53 GMT
"Lucian, huh?" Kat flicked her eyes in the man's direction. "Not my ideal chitchat, but what needs to be done, I suppose... ain't sure how well he'll take my kinda questioning. You an me both going over, or leaving it just to me?"
She saunters forward, wondering how best to word her questions... but first glances over her shoulder to see if Cecil plans on following.
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Post by Robot on Mar 21, 2016 16:47:02 GMT
"I'll go with you. If we're going to be in these parts for any real length of time, I should at least get a feel for the guy." Cecil loosened up his shoulders and stepped into stride with Kat, keeping himself looking as casual as possible, falling into his reliable bored slouch.
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Post by Lockdown on Mar 21, 2016 16:59:46 GMT
The woman that Christine and Amber approach thinks for a long moment, before nodding her head slowly. "I think I saw someone matching that description heading down towards the outer edges of the town. She was talking with some traders I think." Her brow furrows. "I didn't recognize them though, but they had a Tauros with them that was carrying some boxes..."
As Kat and Cecil approach the man on the couch, he looks up. One brow raises, and he gives a leer as he rakes his eyes across Kat. "Ah sweet kitty-Kat, you finally gonna accept my offer? Pay's good, and you'll never want for a warm bed after all." He chuckles at his own (poor) joke, the woman on his arm tittering in an alarmingly empty-headed manner; before turning a much sharper gaze on Cecil. "Hmm, and who're you?" Cecil the gaze he gives you is unnervingly like Amber assessing a new piece of tech, figuring out exactly how much it can do, how far it can be pressed before it breaks, and how to best make use of it. "You looking for work too? Or maybe you're looking for a bit of fun?" The girl next to him bats her eyes at Cecil, showing off the cut of her dress as she leans forward. "Either way, I'm sure that we can come to an accommodation..." he gestures languidly for the two of you to sit on the couch opposite him.
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Post by DataNinja on Mar 21, 2016 18:16:04 GMT
"Oh, thank you, miss." Christine says, gratefully. "Oh, uh, which direction were they, from here? I don't know which way people around here refer to as 'the edge of town'. Sorry if that's a bother." She's making sure to tread a lot more carefully after that encounter outside the shop. Who knows who could be important in this place...
And what the heck was a Tauros? Maybe Kat would know. She didn't want to seem as if she knew nothing, after all. Maybe everyone in these parts knew what it was.
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Post by Seya on Mar 23, 2016 1:52:45 GMT
Kat giggles at Lucian's offer-- then abruptly curls herself into Cecil's side in a mockery of the other girl. "Sorry Luce, but this kitten's found a fun new bunch of toys. A matching set, they were. 'Cept two're missing now." She blinks slowly at Lucian before dragging one finger down the side of Cecil's neck, tracing the skin from the curve of his jaw down, down to the edge of his collarbone. One there, she unravels herself from him and stalks around behind him in a near-predatory manner. "And I'm feelin', shall we say-- a bit wild without one of 'em to keep me in check." She wrenches her gaze away from the hard lines of Cecil's body to stare at Lucian again, smiling as widely as her cheeks would allow. The grin doesn't even try to meet her eyes. Her teeth squeak as she grinds them. "If you've bagged her up... I dunno what I'd be capable of doin' to get her back, y'know?" It's hard, she thinks, when she has so little to go off of. Bunnie disappearing so quickly after their first meeting darkens all goodness the day had brought in. Knowing the lithely-built woman was not going to be around in the night cloaked her in anger. It barely takes a nudge to set her off kilter, these days. "Her name is Bunnie, and I ain't much bothered by the other one. This sweetheart here can describe them best. I'm afraid even picturing her in anyone else's paws makes this kitty-Kat think horrible, savage things..." She winks once from wide eyes before flashing her grin at Cecil, letting him get his words in. Probably the worst post I have ever made... ever. Sorry for the god-awful quality, I just can't get into character tonight. ;___;
Intimidate (Kat's isn't a growly intimidate, as Lock knows): QvDlHQuz4d6 4d6
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Post by Robot on Mar 23, 2016 11:40:41 GMT
As Kat pressed in against him, Cecil let a hand settle around her waist, affording her just the appropriate amount of smirk to not come off as lewd. More possessive and a bit cocky. Letting the girl slide free of his arms, Cecil's eyes followed Kat. He didn't so much as acknowledge Lucian until the other had finished speaking. "Cecil DeLoria." He finally introduced himself, taking the offered seating.
"We can chat about work, or merchandise later. Man with an eye like yours wouldn't have been able to miss her." Cecil fished the pack of Oddish Offshoots from his pocket and lazily set about opening it, clearly not in any hurry. "A nine easy, full ten if she was trying. Long blonde hair, dressed in tight clothes with her midriff, arms, and calves exposed. The girls were all holed up near the general store for about two hours mid-afternoon." Cecil lit up and tried the 'new world flavor' for the first time. The cherry blazed red, Cecil let his eyes wander.
"Kat's tagging along with us, don't really know her well enough to say what she will or won't do to you if she's got it into her head you're responsible." The greaser shrugged, finally letting his eyes return to Lucian's face. "That said, if you've got any details, we can discuss business arrangements later. I don't forget faces, or when someone does me a solid."
(15 Guile)
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Post by Lockdown on Mar 26, 2016 19:35:33 GMT
The woman purses her lips and thinks for a moment. "I believe they were over near the western gate dear. It was perhaps a good hour and a half ago." Across the bar, Lucien is now eyeing Kat extremely warily, before looking at Cecil with a combination of mild respect and disbelief. "I-ah, mighta been admirin' the lady in question during some rounds I was making. Thought about approaching her, seeing if she might be interested in joining my business venture..." he holds up his hands in a placating gesture though, "Didn't get the chance though, swear on my lockbox. She was talking with some traders with a Tauros. Seemed really interested in what they had to say too. She and her twitchy shadow followed em towards the west gate." Lucien frowns slightly, even as the girl on his arm is eyeing Kat like a grounded bird before a cat. "Funny thing though. For all the packs an' stuff it had on it, the Tauros was steppin' pretty light. Seemed to be really well-groomed too for a pack animal." He shrugs with feigned disinterest. "After that I saw the way the weather was turnin' and decided to set up shop before it really started coming down." A peal of thunder underscores his words as the light of the nearby lightning strike highlights his face in strange shadows. "Course since then it's been pretty steady business for about two hours. Not much to do in weather like this but drink, get high and screw," he leers at Kat and Cecil for a moment, light glinting off a golden tooth. "I'll look forward to talking real business later then my man, but unless you've got a more, ahem material need I can help fill, I think we're done talkin' for now." ɍɣɩȔɚəəɠȔɕȔɗɜɝɠɠȔɦɩɢȔɘɣɫɢȔɭɣɩɦȔɧɤɝɢəȔɫɜəɢȔɀɩɗɝəɢȔɡəɢɨɝɣɢɧȔɨɜɕɨȔɨɜəȔɈɕɩɦɣɧȔɫɕɧȔɤɕɦɨɝɗɩɠɕɦɠɭȔɫəɠɠȡɛɦɣɣɡəɘȢȔȔɋɜɝɠəȔɡɣɧɨȔɨɦɕɘəɦɧȔɨɕɟəȔɗɕɦəȔɣɚȔɨɜəɝɦȔɤɕɗɟȔɕɢɝɡɕɠɧȠȔɨɜəɭȔɛəɢəɦɕɠɠɭȔɘɣɢțɨȔɛɣȔɧɣȔɚɕɦȔɕɧȔɨɣȔɕɗɨɝɪəɠɭȔɛɦɣɣɡȔɨɜəɡȢȔȔȶɩɨȔɨɜəɦəțɧȔɕɢɣɨɜəɦȔɧəɗɨȔɣɚȔɤəɣɤɠəȔɫɜɣȔɫɣɩɠɘȢȔȔɈɜəȔȻəɢəȡȷɜɝɠɘɦəɢȢȢȢØ
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Post by DataNinja on Mar 26, 2016 19:45:56 GMT
"Thank you again, miss," Christine says, relieved that they had something to go on. She begins to head back to Kat and Cecil... but then remembers halfway there who they were planning on talking to. So, instead, she heads back to the table, and waits for the group to reconvene.
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Post by Seya on Mar 26, 2016 19:53:02 GMT
Kat internally recoiled at the mention of the Tauros being groomed, but the only hint of this distress on the surface was a sudden grimace. Every curse in her lexicon rose to mind at that moment and she barely heard the rest of Lucian's drawl as she glanced back and forth between the door and her new female companions, tongue absently worrying her upper lip.
Bunnie coulda avoided them, right? Surely the pretty girl wouldn't have run off so quick without the rest of her crew? There were worse possibilities, of course... but not by much.
"Aiiighh...right," she said at last, losing her words somewhere between the thoughts of there's still a chance and shit shit shit curious vaulties should never be left alone. "That's. Hm. Okay. Thanks a million, Luce. I owe y'a drink sometime, but for now we got a bunny to hunt." She tilts her head back towards the girls, catching Cecil's eye with the suggestion.
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Post by Robot on Mar 26, 2016 21:25:07 GMT
"Just a thought, but ah, when was the last time slavers were ballsy enough to just pick a few stragglers off here in town? Weather rolling in like it was, doesn't make a lick of sense to pack it in and leave town unless they were in a hurry. Might be a bit before we can have that talk." Rising, and trailing after Kat, Cecil gave Lucian a respectful nod and moved sleek and quiet back to the table with the others.
"Fuck me running." Cecil lead in with what Kat was very likely thinking. "It's sounding like Bunnie left town with some questionable traders, Joe in tow. I don't feel like she'd have fallen for just any rub, but if one of them was a pretty face and a sweet talker she'd have gone alright. Joe woulda meekly followed, protesting or not, the whole way to boot." Stress mottled his features.
"Visibility is trash out there, and they have at least an hour lead on us. Where do we go from here?"
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