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Post by DataNinja on Jun 22, 2016 17:49:26 GMT
Leslie
You see a lot of people passing through, but none are doing anything that might hold your interest. It's almost as if they have other reasons to be here than to stick around in the entranceway acting interesting for you.
Soleil isn't anywhere to be found.
Soleil
"Yeah, okay, whatever," the man says, in a tone of voice that screams that he doesn't care. "Just shut up, and let us get on with our game. I came here to win, and you're putting a halt to that. So scram."
Silas
The man snorts at the question. "Look, buddy, do you honestly think I could live down here without some alcohol? You must not be from around here. If a person's life's good, they'll drink to celebrate. If it's bad, it'll be to forget. Only difference is the quality. As for any of that other stuff? Nope. Other than, uh, whatever thing you think I might have... I'm healthy as a horse. Or, at least that's the expression my wife uses. Supposedly it's a good thing."
Thoron
You can definitely hear that the man isn't being entirely truthful...
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Post by Major on Jun 23, 2016 11:03:56 GMT
"I'm not stopping the game. You can keep playing. I'm just waiting for the next hand. If you can't win its just because you are bad, not because of anything I'm doing." Soleil said keeping her normal grin up as she spoke cheerfully.
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Post by Gear Skitty on Jun 25, 2016 0:43:47 GMT
Leslie begins to look outwardly agitated. At the same time, she begins to be inwardly agitated.
Did they have to pick the men's room? I can go in, but then people will nooootice and there'd be queeeeestions and people would talk at me about jeopardizing mission thiiiiings. And I can't just sleeeeeep here, cause of those same reasonsssss.
THIS IS BORING.
The Bare Minimum considers sleeping in her position. She is saddened that the only people she told about her sleeping particulars so far were a few of the trainers. Maybe there's something to this whole communication between teammates thing.
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Post by ThRevanchist on Jun 25, 2016 0:54:03 GMT
Something the target has said just oozed dishonesty... it probably wasn't the alcohol; lesser citizens of Arcadia needed some way to cope with their lot (and he was fairly certain this man didn't belong in the former group... under normal circumstances). Even in spite of any confirmation bias, it was suspicious how defensive the man had become; going directly from hesitance to aggression so quickly could indicate something the target was sensitive about? Obviously, the prescient powder, but a confession seemed unlikely, if he was still this resistant.
Still, if he were too overt, it could shatter any rapport Silas had built thus far, and most likely permanently set this man as uncooperative. Perhaps if he vouched for the Doctor's skill, it would encourage the 'patient' to open up? Resolving to test the idea, Thoron 'asks' Silas, in his most amicable tone, "A new patient, eh Doc?", then, after sizing up the 'patient', he continues, "Yeesh, it's a good thing you found him when you did! Remember the last guy who tried to sell you that line?", before making an exaggeratedly somber expression, and shaking his head.
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Sept 23, 2023 4:13:40 GMT
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Post by Moriya on Jun 25, 2016 1:34:58 GMT
Silas is glad to see Thoron step in, as he hit a wall in the previous line of questioning. As a result, the grin he gives his teammate is mostly genuine. The grin is accompanied by a knowing look as Silas replies to Thoron. "Ha, saying 'the last guy' like it was someone else. Well, I found this guy earlier than I found you. And you've learned your lesson about those 'performance enhancers' now."
Silas supposes that the man's reluctance to admit to drug usage is an artifact of being in a place with proper law enforcement. Back at the clinic, everyone just knew that nothing would get reported to the 'official authorities', so they would usually admit their habits once the dangers were made clear. He has no plans of arresting this druggie either. The mission is to find the higher-ups, and any commotion could cause the clues to vanish.
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Post by DataNinja on Jun 25, 2016 2:40:08 GMT
Soleil
"Look, you keep talking, missy. And that's holding up the game." He squints at her. "And how do I know you aren't working with someone else here, and aren't just going to signal what cards everyone else has to your partner. Now read my lips: beat it. Or don't you understand Arcadian very well?"
Leslie
A whole lot more nothing happens. It seems as if the people are simply being uninteresting just to spite you.
Silas and Thoron
"Uh, 'performance enhanceres'?" the man asks hesitantly. "What kind? Uh, merely so that I can avoid them, of course. Also... uh, what exactly happened to you?" He looks a little nervous now...
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Post by ThRevanchist on Jun 25, 2016 3:14:46 GMT
Immensely pleased their joint bluff was working, Thoron tries to continue the charade. Transitioning from a sheepish grin, to a much less innocent one, he explains, staring at the target the entire time, "Probably not the kind you're thinking of. No, the body is one thing, but I was hooked to a drug that affects your mind... at first.". Pausing for a moment, he continues, "I guess it wouldn't be fair to say it affected the mind, specifically. As the Good Doctor explained to me, I was hooked on a more esoteric point; this particular 'performance enhancer' actually gave me precognition. Of course, anyone watching would have thought I was just lucky, you know how it is".
He lets that comment sink in, too, before resuming, "Anyways, you're probably more concerned with what happened. Sure, I got rich quick, it'd take a total idiot not to... but it wasn't long before I couldn't function without that prescience. Then it got worse, you know, as they do. I started building up an immunity to the enhancer, even as it started taking it's toll on me. It started out small enough, aches and pains for no reason. Then it got to the point where even walking was difficult... and so on. The Doc told me that by the time he found me, well... It's a good thing he's so skilled. We'll leave it at that.", he finished, dropping the stare. If he'd known he was going to have to bluff about this, he might have asked Omega about some more detailed symptoms... as it stood, he was forced to extrapolate from what he knew the man was suffering, and add some dramatic flair.
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Post by Major on Jun 25, 2016 4:17:52 GMT
Soleil tilts her head, "Do you normally hold your cards in a way that someone sitting at the table can see them?" She said with a blink. "I think I know why you aren't doing so well..." Soleil says. "Besides, I'm just replying to you. If you weren't whining I wouldn't have much to reply to." She said still looking happy as if wasn't arguing. "Sooooo...shhhhhh play the game. And don't show your cards to others. That's my tip for you. You're welcome. Free of charge."
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Sept 23, 2023 4:13:40 GMT
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Post by Moriya on Jun 25, 2016 16:53:52 GMT
Silas is equally pleased with Thoron's acting. They have the guy hooked now, so it's time to explain why they would want information about the prescience powder. Silas starts talking to the man again. "You see why I wanted to talk when I noticed the first signs, right? I like to keep track of the stuff that's common on the street, since I usually end up treating it. This is a newer drug, so there might be side-effects I haven't seen yet."
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Post by DataNinja on Jun 25, 2016 18:20:46 GMT
Soleil
"If you're not playing, you aren't at the table. That's the way the rules work, right?" The person in the casino uniform merely nods, tactfully staying out of any actual discussion. "So while people at the table might not see my cards... I can't guarantee for shifty people not at the table. Ka-peesh?"
Silas and Thoron
The man starts muttering "I'll kill him if it starts becoming useless," before composing himself again. "So, uh... what can I do?"
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Post by ThRevanchist on Jun 25, 2016 21:11:47 GMT
Quietly noting the target's change of heart, Thoron was pleased. They should be able to get the desired information out of him with little difficulty, now. The only problem was that he couldn't really act on that front, without jeopardizing the bluff their target had bought, being just another (recovered) patient. Unfortunate, but Silas had done well thus far, so there was little doubt they would accomplish their goal. It just left him in an awkward position, until they did...
Trying to avoid anything overt, Thoron reminds him, "Perhaps you should declare everything, to help the good Doctor?"
If the Doctor, or more likely, the patient is looking reluctant to talk in front of an audience, Thoron will leave the restroom (and take up residence somewhere nearby). Within earshot, preferably, but anywhere close is fine.
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Post by Gear Skitty on Jun 26, 2016 19:24:11 GMT
Leslie sinks further into her chair, wishing for the end of the world. Or, barring that, for the guys to finish up in the bathroom so she wouldn't have to wait any longer.
I could just go hoooome. Tell 'em I got a -tummy aaaaache-. . . . Wait, but like, one of them is a male nuuuuurse, right?? Darnnnnnnn.
She starts plucking at her filmy yellow shawl while quietly humming a song that, knowing her, is likely from some game or animated show.
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Post by Moriya on Jun 27, 2016 3:18:20 GMT
Unlike, Thoron, Silas is less pleased about the man's attitude. He clearly has no desire to stop using the drug, and it is impossible to force someone to quit. It also appears that he could get violent if he isn't told what he wants to hear. Still, he can at least get the needed information out of the guy. At this stage, he probably shouldn't put pressure on man in a direction that's not strictly necessary. "Eh, that's not too important at this point. Here's the deal though: severe addiction will kill you. You'll end up needing the drug more often than the body can heal the damage. As long as you can keep about five days between doses, the short term effects shouldn't be lethal. However. I haven't studied it enough, so I can't speak on the long-term effects, side effects, or drug interactions. I'd like to get my hands on a sample of the stuff to figure that out."
Ideally, this will put him in contact with the dealer, allowing the mission to progress in the desired fashion. It would also be nice if the man would make a life-saving decision about now, but Silas isn't optimistic. The man's reaction to the general prognosis will determine if Silas writes him off as just another addict.
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Post by Major on Jun 27, 2016 6:21:40 GMT
"Well I would think if my goal was to cheat and signal people it would be easier watching from a distance instead of sitting here waiting for the next round..." Soleil noted. "I mean if your cards are visible from a seat that is usually meant for players I think you are doing it wrong."
Soleil twirled in the seat while waiting. She didn't actually even care to play this T-Rexas Cold Em or whatever it was called with the rude man. But she also didn't want to walk off and give the jerk what he wanted.
As she waited for his reply she glanced down at the seats wondering if there was anyway to use her wind powers to knock it over without it looking obvious. She doubted it, but the jerk needed to be embarrassed.
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Post by DataNinja on Jun 27, 2016 7:33:14 GMT
Thoron and Silas
"You aren't getting any of my lucky charm," the man says sharply, then seems to think. "But for, say, five thousand credits, I might be able to point you in the direction of a friend who could help you..."
Soleil
"Exactly! That's what makes it such a perfect trick. I'm on to you, sister." The man glowers. "No one is actually that inept at using the casino."
Leslie
Tiiiiiiiiiiick toooooooooooooock... Man, it seems like they've been in there for days.
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Post by Major on Jun 27, 2016 12:44:36 GMT
"Hey! I'm not inept!" Soleil says with a frown. "You just don't want me here because next hand I'll totally kick your butt."
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Post by Moriya on Jun 28, 2016 4:11:52 GMT
When the man tries to squeeze some money out of Silas and Thoron, the medic forces himself to stay a bit more empathetic toward the man. He needs money, or he wouldn't be in this situation. At the same time, Silas has (hopefully) save the mans life by informing him about the potential risks of the drug. One would think that would earn some measure of gratitude, but it's best not to expect too much out of an addict. In the worst case, they could probably find another drug user easily enough, given how easy it was to find the first one. Silas negotiates a better price for the information, bringing up his thoughts on the matter as it seems appropriate. After deciding on a value, Silas pays the agreed-upon sum and waits to hear what he needs to know. And a thoroughly mediocre roll: Charm for negotiations: 9
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Post by ThRevanchist on Jun 28, 2016 4:44:59 GMT
Thoron takes the back seat, for these negotiations, rationalizing that Silas was not only better-suited to persuading their target, but that he would have no plausible reason to ask for the information, especially with his "Doctor" right there... For the five thousand credits, their informant probably wouldn't care that he was still there at all, at least.
For the sake of his money, this addict was unlikely to try and trick them, or so Thoron thought, so he busied himself with watching for anyone entering the restroom. It wouldn't do to have someone interrupt them mid-transaction.
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Post by DataNinja on Jun 28, 2016 5:03:16 GMT
Soleil
The man looks like he's about to say something, but then the casino employee finally interrupts. "Both of you are causing a disruption to this table, and the ones around. So both of you can leave." "But- She-" He gets up with a huff and a grumble, grabbing his chips and walking off in a huff.
Silas and Thoron
The man grudgingly takes it down to four and a half thousand. "You're looking for a guy, he answers to the name of 'Chris'. Don't know if that's his real name or not, but it's the only one I have. He's a stocky, well-built man, brown eyes, about yay high," he gives a gesture with his hand about five and a half feet of the ground, "with dark hair that's slicked back with what looks like a bucket of grease. Don't know exactly where he lives out of, but you can often find him in thee casino, looking for more... customers."
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Post by ThRevanchist on Jun 28, 2016 15:50:56 GMT
Thoron commits the description to memory, questioning if the information had been worth the 4.5 thousand credits. He supposed that would depend on whether they found 'Chris', wouldn't it?
To that end, he didn't see any further point in wasting time interacting with the addict. Ordinarily, Thoron wouldn't put it past him to inform his supplier that a suspicious "Doctor and Patient" duo were looking for them... it was fortunate they had caught him as he was leaving, protecting his winnings would no doubt rank far higher on his priority list.
Speaking of leaving, he waits to see if the addict leaves, thoroughly ready to do so himself. With him still there, the restroom was missing its only advantage... nor could they begin to plan the next phase, with an audience.
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