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Post by Major on May 18, 2017 0:01:35 GMT
Not seeing anything worth noting or any trouble yet, Soleil just maintains her guard as she shifts a bit. It was boring, but at the same time she was a sniper. She could wait and watch just fine no matter how long it took. Well, maybe not no matter...but still, this wasn't enough time to grow bored!
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Post by DataNinja on May 18, 2017 1:02:58 GMT
Silas
"Well, I hope for your sake that it doesn't keep you here too long," the bartender replies, as he starts to get Silas' drink. "This place drains you. I feel like I've spent eighty years down here. Hasn't even been half that. They say hope springs eternal, but I've seen and heard enough to know that's not true. They don't care about us down here."
Scanning along the line of patrons at the bar, you don't see anyone - besides the man that Thoron's talking to - with any obvious injuries. However, there's a brown-haired woman towards the middle of the bar who seems a little out of place. She has a small drink, and it seems to have just enough out of it to make it not seem untouched. Unlike the patrons around here, though, she certainly isn't drunk, and seems more interested in the people around than actually drinking.
Thoron
The man looks up, and cocks an eyebrow at Thoron. "Doesn't matter." There's tired resignation in his voice. "You drink enough, and you don't even notice the taste anymore. Eventually you just stop noticing the feelings." He stares at Thoron, a lack of focus in his eyes obvious. Up close, it doesn't seem like the man is any older than his late twenties, though he gave off an impression of age from a distance. "Just try and stop feeling before you lose everything."
Soleil
There's a steady stream of people walking in and staggering out, but no one really piques your interest. Except for one person, who seems to be an employee here, who's staring at you from across the way, with a little bit of a frown. Perhaps loitering isn't particularly encouraged here.
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Post by ThRevanchist on May 18, 2017 7:14:03 GMT
Pah! It figured that this one would be so pitifully apathetic. It was a good thing Leslie hadn't met him, they might have meshed too well... But, regardless, he was talking, that was a start. Not yet time to jump into anything serious, but the door was open. So to speak. Keeping any disgust out of his tone, Thoron replied, "I see. Perhaps that does make life easier. Even-" Remember, he is most likely in no state to have any deep discussion. Resigned, inebriated... Keep things simple. "Is that so? I take it you mean loss worse than some credits or a job."
While it seemed to Thoron that the man still had plenty to lose, he kept that sentiment well to himself, too. It wasn't like he would change the man's worldview overnight... Or into the next morning, even if he passed that hurdle. Anyways, watching the target as though he were prey might be off-putting even in the depths of his stupor, so the bulk of Thoron's attention went to skimming a menu for cheap, (ideally) non-alcoholic beverages.
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Post by Moriya on May 19, 2017 3:17:17 GMT
This conversation has darkened Silas's mood significantly. The air of this district is heavy in ways beyond pollution and poor circulation. His mother's insistence that he join the Technicians makes a bit more sense now. "Don't I know it. We can't even take care of our own in this pit. But enough of that. It'll take more than a rough job and some talk to get me stuck in this." Silas raises his glass for emphasis. A bartender profits from creating drunks, and this one is not going to give any more information without payment.
Silas grabs his drink, stands up, and slides the money for his drink across the bar. He then changes seats to end up next to the brown-haired woman that caught his eye. She's at the bar for the same reason as the team, and probably considers herself as higher on the Promethean food chain than the average bar patron. After the last conversation, the medic doesn't have the stomach for linguistic games, so he opts for a more direct approach. "Evening. How's the work? Find the person you're looking for yet?"
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Post by Major on May 20, 2017 5:01:55 GMT
As she waits, Soleil gives little indication she was planning to move. When she noticed the figure staring at her with a frown, she made eye contact and waved with her normal friendly smile.
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Post by DataNinja on May 20, 2017 5:58:18 GMT
Thoron
"I'm sure you can see for yourself," the man says, dryly, gesturing with his left arm to where his right would be. "But, beyond that, that damn sword felt like it took off part of myself, too." He sighs, becoming more melancholy. "The worst part, the pain that lasts the longest, is the thought that it's my own damn fault. I should have waited for the rest of them. Or gone further ahead. A minute earlier and I wouldn't be here. A minute later, I'd still have everything... either would be preferable to this."
For the menu, it doesn't seem as though there's much in the way of non-alcoholic beverages. Just ones with minimal content, at the very least.
Silas
Coolly, the woman swivels to look directly at Silas. In an icy tone, she says, "As pick up lines go, that's one of the worst I've ever heard." She fixes Silas with a cool blue stare that doesn't give anything away, looking him over. "You probably want to work on that. Unless I look like that easy of a person."
Soleil
The man that had previously spotted Soleil walks over to her, maneuvering through the flow of people. "I'm sorry, miss," he says, "but the premises are for paying customers only. If you're just waiting for someone, I must ask that you do so outside. We have limited space in here."
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Post by ThRevanchist on May 20, 2017 20:17:08 GMT
Selecting something cheap, and not much bothering with which, since they would all be unpleasant, Thoron hailed the barkeep before responding to the forlorn man. After all, he was 'here for a drink first, and a talk second'.
After that was taken care of, he said, "Aah, I get it... Say, what happened to the other guy, though? The rest of them just let him make off after that?" Whether he was interested in the topic or not (and in this case, he was), it seemed a safe path to pursue. The target wouldn't have brought it up if it were still so traumatic, so if he were to tread carefully, perhaps they might build some rapport. In any event, this was also a good way to learn about any potentially problematic individuals or groups.
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Post by DataNinja on May 20, 2017 20:43:02 GMT
Thoron
The man squints at Thoron, tilting his head, as though trying to parse what he's saying, "Huh? Sorry, what other guy?" He sounds confused.
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Post by ThRevanchist on May 21, 2017 4:49:11 GMT
Squinting in turn, and not entirely speciously, Thoron mirrored his target with a tilt of the head and a question, " The way you talked about the sword, it sounded like someone was using it against you...?" Or... Was it that he had encountered one of those sword-shaped Pokemon? While losing a 'part of oneself' may be a common sentiment, it could have been a more- less? There could be more meaning attached than the obvious. It would have been far more likely for 'guy' to have been taken as gender-neutral, and simply apply to 'the wielder of the sword', so his confusion could be taken as there being no obvious wielder. Given reports of what happened when one grasped the hilt, that... Wasn't surprising. In any event, it would be unwise to let him know he knew. Furrowing his brow, Thoron asked, doubtfully (or as near as he could fake), " Wait... There was someone swinging it... Right?" Pokemon Education, what's a sword that steals your soul, and is also a Pokemon? 18 says Honedge! Spent an AP on that...
Also spent an AP to Profile this guy.
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Post by Major on May 22, 2017 2:25:53 GMT
Soleil sighed and dug around in her bag for some of the money she had left over. She pulled out 25^ and held it out. "K, I'm paying you to leave me alone then in the mean time." She said with a smile still on her face. "Now I'm a paying customer."
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Post by Moriya on May 22, 2017 3:36:10 GMT
Silas pauses for a moment, at the woman's frigid tone. Perhaps the direct approach was not the best idea. After all, he doesn't expect her to be that 'easy'. Someone trying to be secretive isn't going to give out information like food slurry. "If that's what I was after, I wouldn't talk to someone who's nursing a drink and scanning the bar. Sometimes, it's best to be clear from the beginning." Unlike his conversation with the bartender, Silas would rather not be overheard. As such, he's turned the volume of his voice down a notch. "And besides, two people chatting idly is much more common than two people on opposite ends of the bar doing nothing but looking around."
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Post by DataNinja on May 22, 2017 17:27:48 GMT
Thoron
The man sadly chuckles. "I wish. Then I could have stabbed the guy. As it was, it almost seemed to be toying with me... there was nowhere to attack." He sighs. "I was young and stupid. Pokémon hunting seemed like a good way to liven up life. It was action-filled, rush of adrenaline, pay wasn't bad... it was the thrill I was looking for, until we ran into something we couldn't kill. I wish I could tell my old self to not bother, that it wasn't worth it." He swigs his drink. "But, in the end it doesn't matter. Nothing matters. There's nothing down here that's worth it."
Silas
She similarly drops her voice, but keeps looking him over, slightly pursing her lips. "I'm not going to discuss anything with you until I get at least a name and a reason I should continue talking." She takes a tiny sip from her glass. "I'd hope it's a good one. Or at least an entertaining one."
Soleil
He looks at her incredulously. "I'm... sorry? You have the gall to try and bribe me, and with such a paltry sum?" He gives a derisive chuckle. "Either try better, or get out."
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Post by Moriya on May 24, 2017 4:00:19 GMT
Silas nods at the woman's statement. Obviously, she's not going to say anything without getting anything in return. That said, she should have started with something that won't require a lie immediately. "You can call me Peter, and there are four people in the bar that aren't normal clients. I know more about them than you. If our interests align, even better."
Silas entertains the thought that this woman is genuinely just people-watching. Even if that is true, her hobby may have caused her to see useful things elsewhere.
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Post by ThRevanchist on May 24, 2017 4:52:29 GMT
A gloomy expression on his face, Thoron replied, "Mmm, I can see why you think so, really. People who think they can match those monsters truly are misguided, and anyone who thinks otherwise has just been riding a lucky streak to that point, right?"
Whether he really thought that or not, they were there to dismantle an operation that embodied everything this man had lost. That could come later, though. "Whatever did happen to the rest of your crew? Did they wisen up after that, or are they still gambling with their lives on some foolish blood-sport?"
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Post by DataNinja on May 24, 2017 5:29:11 GMT
Silas "Four people?" she asks, a hint of derision in her voice. "Are you one of them, pray tell? Because what makes you think I'd be interested?" There does seem to be a little raising of an eyebrow, and a glimmer of interest in her eyes, though.
Thoron
"Pretty much. Though, someone has to try and keep them in check, I suppose. Otherwise we'd be drowning in them. Not that anyone cares about us down here." The man apparently takes that as a cue to continue attempting to drown his emotions, before grimacing. "Anyways, I'm sure they're still around. Even if none of the members are the same. The stupidity of youth is eternal, after all. I'm sure there'll be members squirreled away in that dingy hole, making tallies and inflating their own self-importance until the end of time. Not that it matters. Nothing around here matters, it never changes. I wish I realized that before I got the spark of hope. Don't let that ignite, because it'll just get burnt behind you..."
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Post by ThRevanchist on May 25, 2017 0:57:11 GMT
Quietly, perhaps even quiet enough to be lost in the din of the bar, Thoron said, "Recently, there have been rumors floating around that some people who never lost that sickness have set up a system to fight those monsters for show. Utterly ridiculous, I think..." Either it would go unheard, or he would get a sense of what the drunk thought of such a system.
At the same time, he was struck by how bizarre drinking whatever this man chose to drink, when he obviously hated it, was. Out of curiosity, it might be worthwhile to see if that was typical behavior for those so affected... Well, anyways, it wouldn't do to let the conversation die off. The exact workings of whatever underground organization he had reported to way back when didn't matter, and if he didn't respond to the bait a new approach would be needed... "If you hate that 'drink' so much, I doubt anyone would notice if you went for something less unsavory. I mean... It hardly matters either way, right?"
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Post by Major on May 25, 2017 1:02:27 GMT
Soleil snorted, "Hardly a bribe. You don't bribe bartenders. I'm paying you so that I am a paying customer. But if you feel it has to be for a drink and not for a cup of go away..." She glanced toward the menu. "Lets go with a cup of whatever is cheapest cause it's just going to get dumped anyways."
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Post by Moriya on May 25, 2017 4:48:54 GMT
Silas is pleased to see a reaction from the woman. She's controlled the conversation so far, so it's time to recover some ground. "Of course I'm one of them; you don't know me. You seem to be looking or waiting for something, but if you aren't interested, then I'm not either."
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Post by DataNinja on May 25, 2017 5:31:18 GMT
Thoron
The man doesn't seem to hear Thoron, the whispered words avoiding notice. "It's what's cheapest. Sooner or later, probably sooner, I'm going to run out of money. And then I'll either have a choice of the Shaft, dodging the system, or being hauled off to the Under. As soon as it's noticed that you're just living off the system, whoosh," He makes, or at least attempts, a snap with his hand for emphasis, "Gone. I want to put that off as long as possible. Because as things get worse, I sometimes, deep down, get urges to go back knocking on the door. Seeing if they're still there. Trying my luck. And either coming back with some more money, or not coming back at all. Either would be preferable to this." He gives a derisive laugh. "And the cycle continues. Stupidity is eternal."
Soleil
"Miss," the man says, "This establishment is for drinking and socializing. Not your antisocial loitering. Especially with such a disrespectful attitude. You've clearly established that you don't want to partake in anything here. So, with that in mind, I'm going to have to ask you to leave, since you're clearly not a patron."
Silas
"I'm possibly interested," she admits, in a slightly less chilly tone, still looking Silas over. "Of course, that all depends what exactly you have. But, I assume since you haven't elaborated yet, you're looking for something in return."
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Post by Major on May 25, 2017 11:18:46 GMT
"Did I not just offer to buy a drink?" Soleil asked with a sigh.
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