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(Setting) The Alchoholic's Secret
| > The door opens and a man enters the place. Looking around to get a quick idea of the place and what is where, he heads to the bar.
"This place is new and I like it already"
> Speaking to himself in barely audible voice, he sits at the bar, a decent distance from the hooded man. Looking at the wooden furnishing everywhere he seems to enjoy it as much as the music, while patiently waiting for the Lilim bartender to take notice.
| >The hooded figure waves over to the man, revealing a woman's voice
"You the guy from the thread? come closer, It's just us for now."
> She points to the bartender
"He looks like a Lilim, but he really isn't. Lots of limitations in his personality. Can't notice shit until you ask for him"
| > The man turned to look at her with a bit of surprise. He wore alpine trousers and a dark green jacket, brown hair very slightly curly.
"Well... Uhm you probably mistake me for someone else miss, if you are waiting for someone that is."
> He looked at the lilim with a curious look as she spoke. Then nodding to her he replied.
"Is that so."
After a few seconds he smiled and continued.
"It would anyhow be nice if we could talk while you wait. Not much of a crowd here indeed."
| >The woman looks disappointed for a bit but shrugs
"Well, I'll buy you a drink any how, anything you want? Vizo! another please."
>The Lilim obliges, quickly getting out a beer
"Shouldn't you stop? This is your 20th beer of the night
"Shaddup"
>The woman turns her head back to the man
"Name's Dahk, what's yours?"
| > The man stood up and went to sit next to Dahk.
"Rass. And thank you for the beer."
> He listened at the exchange between her and the Lilim and raised an eyebrow.
"Didn't you say the Lilim didn't process information very well? He seems ok to me."
> Turning to the Lilim he added.
"One for me as well please."
| >Dahk shrugs as the lilim sets a beer infront of the man
"Well, an important thing about lilim is free will, This guy really doesn't have any. Can't leave his post, and if you punch him, he doesn't really register it."
| > Rass took the glass, quite liking that it was big, thick and heavy.
"Cheers!"
> After taking a gulp he put it down and looked once again at the Lilim then at Dahk again.
"Free will is overrated if you ask me. After all the guy is reliable to what he is supposed to do and you can be sure it is not him to blame if any trouble broke out."
| "Cheers"
>Dahk takes a smaller, sip
"Ah well, that's kind of the point. The owner wanted a place where you diddn't have to worry about being spied on while you drink, so he made this idiot."
>The lilim smiles smugly
"Atleast this idiot knows when he's being insulted"
>Dahk rolls her eyes
"So what brings you here?"
| > Rass almost broke into a laugh when he heared the Lilim's retort.
"I actually like this guy. If he rubbed off some of that cool of his on the streets, the city might become a better place to live."
> He looked at the Lilim again before continuing.
"Nothing unusual. Finished work and didn't feel like heading home so was roaming around. This place must be new or I didn't notice it before so I thought of checking it out for a change."
| >The door opens, and a slight-looking Lilim woman in a faded band tee and cargo pants walks in to take a seat at the far end of the bar. She orders something on the rocks and settles there, occasionally sneaking glances at the other two here.
| "Ah, well ever since the owner died there hasn't really been anyone to open house, I stop by ocasionally and open up the place and snag some beers, today's a semi special day though."
| >Upon noticing the woman, Dahk calls out to her too
"Hey are you the one from danger/u/!? Either way i'll buy you a drink! So come on over!"
>Vizo shakes his head
"You *are* paying for all these right? The last time you racked up this much of a tab the master died"
"Shhh..."
| > Rass nodded.
"You're practically at home here it seems."
> As the the newcomer stepped in and sat at the end of the bar, he looked at Dahk in a meaningful way as if wondering if that was the person she was waiting for. When she spoke, he looked at the newcomer again and slightly moved his seat to make space for the three of them to sit comfortably.
| >while waiting for the woman to make her move, dahk continues on
"Mind if i ask what you do?"
| >The newcomer shrugs and heads over to join the others.
"I was in the thread, but I'm not that guy. For obvious reasons."
>She nods to Vizo, who slides her another of what she was drinking.
"Appreciate the kind offer, by the way. You can call me Gem, if you want."
| >Dahk looks a the ceiling in wonder
Oh right... that was on a public site... Fuck I'm too drunk for this, so whay are you gonna do if he finnally arrives? kill 'im?
>she laughs and orders anothet beer
| "Hi Gem. I am Rass."
> Taking another gulp from the glass he then continued.
"Not a problem at all. I construct interior furniture. Not much work in this field I tell you. many just buy premade sets. But there are still some who would have their stuff made acording to measures. Usually when the home is small and space is at premium."
> He stops for a while and then nodding to the bartender.
"I think you were right. 21 now?"
| [[that was Rass above here]]
| >Vizo nods
"21 today, 3650 this year.
| >Gem shrugs in response, sipping her drink.
"I'm not going to kill him in here... I really do want to hear what he's got to say. Maybe even give him some help, if he's really repairing his victims... Or he might still be a murderous fuck, in which case..."
| > Rass looked at Gem an then at Dahk and then at Vizo.
"Some kind of Lilim mutilation fetish I see."
> He remained silent after that, not really sure of what to say for the moment.
| >Angus reaches to open the door, but retracts their hand. They were terrified. This was public. They could easily be murdered right there. There was so much left to do... It'd be horrible. They took a deep breath and pushed the door open. The change in lighting kind of bothered them. But not really. They'd be easy to see, some short girl with an astronaut helmet on. Had some cute cat ears on top of it too. She was almost quivering while she looked around the joint.
| >Dahk sighs
"I guess i should probably tell you ross, You know that killer that goes online by the name of Agnus? yeah i invited him over.
| >Dahk turns her head and smiles
"Speak of the devil, Diddn't expect it to be such a cutie. Or are you not the person I owe drinks?"
| "But he only goes after Lili, so... You've got nothing to worry about."
| >Vizo suddenly shakes his head confused
"W-why was i not told of this"
"Diddn't ask."
| > Rass nodded at Dahk's words.
"Well you kn..."
> He stopped as the short girl entered. He could be wrong but she seemed kind of frightened. As Dahk spoke, he only looked at Gem, remembering how she said she could kill this Agnus guy on sight.
"That's good to know."
> He shrugged and looked at the newcomer, curious now at what would she do.
| >Gem looks up to Vizo and taps her forearm meaningfully.
| >>153394
>Outside, you hear a familiar car ride up to the curb, and shut off. Seconds later, through the door, comes AM.
"Finally found the place."
>AM takes a seat, far from others.
| >Vizo looks at gem and suddenly resumes his professional look
"Ah, sorry do you need something miss?"
| "Just saying I can handle it if there's a... problem. I could use a refill, though. Hey, are all these on your tab... Shit, I didn't get your name."
| > Rass thought that something was needed to at least take the tension away from the moment. He felt sort of eerie for whatever reason. He stood up.
"Let's see if there is anything I recognize in there."
> Heading to the jukebox, he began to read through the titles.
| "Hey, Can I get some whiskey on the rocks, please?"
>AM calls out to the bartender.
| >Vizo laughs and strikes an overly dramatic pose
"Good to know miss Gem, but it's fine, I will gladly sacrifice my life in the same of service"
>Dahk sighs, getting up
"The name's Dahk, and sure, just don't bankrupt me miss"
>Dahk walks over to the newcomer, gesturing to them to take a seat with her
| >Vizo nods to AM
"My my aren't we busy tonight, Is this also going on your bill Dahk?"
| >Dahk waves and mumbles
"Sure sure... Jeez you open a bar for *one* night..."
| >Her teeth were chattering lightly. She should've just stayed at the workshop and fixed more. This was stupid.
"If you're Dahk, I'm... I'm Angus."
>A gentle voice creeps through the helmet very clearly. But her head remains behind the tinted plastic. She didn't bring any means of defense, whatever could happen, would happen. That's what scared her the most, she was an easy target. Angus had a fairly small frame and was wearing thigh highs and a skirt. Her shirt was the same color.
| > Rass was murmuring something as he read the title songs. Unfortunately there was no title he knew, so finally he gave up and just chose one randomly from the list. After a few seconds pause, the tune of 'Minnie the Moocher' filled the hall. He remained listening for a few seconds more and then with a cheerful face started to go back at the bar where he was before.
"Gotta love this kind of ancient music!"
| >Gem's glass cracks as her hand involuntarily tightens around it.
"Angus, huh? Not exactly what I was expecting..."
| >>153424
"I got me. Seperate bill please."
>AM puts down a cred stick.
"All prepaid."
>>153426
"Your Angus? The same one who's turning a leaf?"
>AM turns to face her.
| >Dahk smiles, incredibly tempted to pet Angus's cat ears
"Don't be scared, we're all friends here, if anyone tries to hurt you I'll hurt them back~"
>she gently leads her to the bar, helping her take a seat if needed and handing her a menu
"Feel free to order whatever you like! Drinks, food, anything is all on me tonight!"
| >Vizo shakes his head.
"I'm not equipped to cook you know
>Dahk waves it off again
"Shhhh I can cook tonight!"
| > Rass happened to be near Gem when Agnus spoke her name out. As he heared the crack, he slowly and gently touched Gem's shoulder.
"heidee heidee heidee hooo..."
> He sat again at his seat and lifted his glass with a smile to take another gulp and then turned to look at Agnus.
| >Gem doesn't react to the touch, or the growing crack in her glass. Instead she stares toward Angus and Dahk, steady and unblinking.
"All friends here. Sure."
| >Angus' eyes well up, not from sadness, but from fear. She gasped slightly as she was lead to the bar. There was a Lilim here. Not just the bartender, but another one. Talking to her. She was choking up. Angus trembled slightly in her seat. Finally she started to calm down.
"Yes. I am Angus. *That* Angus."
>She takes the menu but then sets it down in front of her.
"A Mercury Blast... Please."
>It felt weird speaking to Lilims. After all she'd done.
| "Hey kiddo, easy. After all, your siting net to Anomeat. *That* Anomeat."
>AM smiles at her, hoping to ease her nerves.
|
"Excuse me miss but even if you are dahk's friend..."
>Vizo glares at Angus
"Knock it off Vizo
"... i still need proof that you're old enough to drink"
>The Lilim laughs as his expression returns to pure hospitality
"I apologize if i made you unconfortable with my attempt at a joke, one Mercury blast coming up"
| "And here is an indoors beautifier. Modest as of now but I will be famous too one day too."
> Rass spoke the words with pride as he once again looked at Gem with a 'knock it off' face.
| >Dahk returns Gem's stare with a glare of her own, but quickly returns to a smile as she starts petting Angus
"Still can't believe a cutie like you could be the angus... ah, no offence!"
| "That Anomeat?"
>She sniffles a little. Remembering the name.
"I'm... Very, very sorry for what I'd said. About the Safe Zone effort, the fiasco that happened... I... I was a sheep. A mindless thing. It was horrid. And I'm sorry."
>She sniffles again, then does a slight bow in his direction.
>Angus shudders a little as she's pet. Most of it was just a helmet. But the ears felt odd.
"To be honest... I can't believe I was either. Nor will I ever forget."
>She sighed. Ashamed...
| >Gem's glass finally shatters in her grip as she looks around at the people around her.
"Okay, what the fuck? Do I actually have to remind everyone that this chick killed a *lot* of people, dismembered them, and posted the results like a fucking selfie? Yeah, I know, she's really sorry. Doesn't mean she gets a free pass for that shit!"
| "No, No. You were right. I uh.. I killed a lot of people that day with that one shot, and... and every night, I see their faces. I hear them. I've gotten to the point that sleep meds don't work."
>>153465
>AM turns to Gem.
"Having sleepless nights? Regrets everyday? WANTING TO DIE? THATS WHAT YOU CALL A FREE PASS?"
| (Initial speak was for Angus)
| "Considering she's not in a cell or a grave? Yeah, I do. Killing isn't supposed to be easy."
>Gem turns to Angus, eyes aglow.
"You say you kept your victims conscious. Did you even bother to deactivate their sensation before you tore them apart?"
| > Rass only heared in silence what was being said. Apparently he was the only one who was not up to date with what they were discussing.
> He took another gulp from his beer as he processed what they were saying.
| "Oh my oh my, guess i'll have to get you another drink just a moment"
>Vizo puts down Angus's drink and ignores the outburst, opting to just clean up the glass and liquid. Dahk on the other hand pulls out her pistol and starts to pull herself to shield Angus "She's turning over a new leaf. There's no reason to make a ruckus here. Killer or not, I *am* serious about protecting her."
| "And I was serious when I said I wanted to hear her out, so put the piece away and let me get what I came for."
| >AM keeps his hand on his gun, still feeling suspicious of Gem.
"As long as it's not someone's life."
| >Angus started to cry, but stopped herself. She deserved this. There was no getting past it, she'd killed several Lilim.
"I didn't turn off their sensation on the first... atrocity. I kept their minds in a database, I woke up and it hit me all at once. I don't expect forgiveness from you, Dahk, Ano, anyone. But being dead or locked up would be a waste of these Lilim's lives. They deserve their lives back. Do I? After this... I'm not sure."
>She spoke in montone, not turning to Gem
| >Dahk sighs and holsters her gun back into her trench coat. As she finishes, she smiles again
"Well, sorry for getting a little protective, free drinks are still on me!"
| > Rass looked at all of them and spoke to Angus.
"You seem to have fucked up a bit sweets. But then everyone is determined to hold on to their words. Dahk to protect you and Gem here to not whack you dead today and here. That is what they said at least."
| > Dahk turns back to Angus still smiling
"Everyone deserves a second chance, and if you follow up on your promise, then i have no reason to hold a grudge do i?"
| >Gem settles back into her seat, looking into the bar's surface.
"Fucking hell, they would've felt everything... Vizo, I'm gonna need a double Karmotrine shot."
| "Don't break the glass this time,"
| "Yeah, sorry. The feedback on this arm's crap..."
>Gem knocks back the shot and returns to watching Angus, trying to figure out what to do about the situation.
| >Angus bowed her head slightly to Vizo as her drink arrived. Thinking as she looked at the beverage.
"A bit is a dramatic understatement. I murdered nearly two dozen Lilim and bragged about it, thinking I was appeasing a false prophet. Thoth never cared. I was alone with a disgusting amalgamation of living things. That I was proud of. It disgusts me."
>Angus lifts the visor of her helmet up slightly and takes a sip from her drink. Her skin was pale, her lips were small and red.
| > Rass grinned at Gem.
"hopefully that arm is the only part of you that does not react that way in a strong emotion situation."
> Turning to Agnus he continued.
"What the Hell is this Thoth thing? You part of a cult or anything?"
| [does react* ]
| "What, getting tense? Organics do the same thing... It's just difficult to tell how hard I'm doing it. And yeah, I'm wondering about this Thoth myself..."
| "Thoth. I've encountered him before on the board. Or well, Shepherd did."
>AM drinks his drink.
| > Dahk looks curiously at AM
"Well... what was he like?"
| >Angus twitches at the Thoth questions. The name bothered her. It annoyed her.
"Thoth is a murderous person. They hate Lilim; they believe Lilim are holding society back. We've become over reliant on technology they believe, and slaughtering Lilim is their god awful answer. His followers are few, but very invested. I'm no longer one of them. Never will I be again."
>For the first time Angus turned to Gem, it felt strange. A Lilim being alive... It shouldn't feel this way.
| >The door slams open, and a loud laughter immediately comes in, before the source manages to stumble inside the bar. A pair of men comes in.
>The one laughing was a tall, blond, extremely long-haired young man in green military jacket and a blank pair of jeans. If AM were to look at his face he would choke on his drink, as it was a copy of a certain someone.
>Second man was a grumpy, old-looking man in grey suit. Surprisingly warm smile on his face made him look less intimidating.
| >Blond man looked around the bar and turned to his companion.
"Jo you sly fox you swore to me on the bible nobody evers comes to this bar and yet what i see is a huge welcoming party filled with girls not that i am against huge welcoming parties filled with girls but for fucks sake you could have told me id dress appropriately!"
>'Jo' suffered through the words barrage stoically.
"Do you want to go somwhere else then, Cola?"
"Nah its fine but really Jo tell me next time!"
| "Huh. So this wasn't the work of a lone killer, really... You were led toward that course by a radical..."
>Gem's eyes soften slightly, looking at Angus with some understanding.
"I think I'd like to know everything about them."
| >AM glances at the newcomers, gets up, takes his drink, and moves to a private room.
"I'll be here if I'm needed."
| >Dahk notices Angus starting to get worked up and decides to try and change the subject, thankfully some new faces walked in.
"Hey, take a seat and get a drink, it's all on me tonight!"
| >Vizo laughs
"Do you even know what your bill is?"
| > Rass turned his head to the men who showed up then looked at AM. As Gem asked the question and then Dahk intervening, he shrugged.
"I guess it goes both ways. Bad straws are everywhere. A couple of months ago there was also that army of Lilim lashing out on normals as a reaction of the same kind of bullshit they had been fed with. It could be the same group behind this too, for all we know. This Thoth absurdity."
| >Cola jumped at the greeting.
"Hell yeah Jo free drinks night how did you even know about it you are terrifying me sometimes with your knowle— oOoHooHoo!"
>Stream of words was interrupted when grumpy man took his companion's hand and started dragging him towards the nearest free pair of seats, throwing his victim on one and taking one himself.
"—dge of literally everything — Blond man turned to the barmen,
— big gut punch for this sly fox and a big bad touch for me please!"
| [[away for a bit. Hungry and will get me some food prepared. Steer Rass if you will need to in the meanwhile]]
| >Angus ignores Dahk's topic change attempt, while nonetheless appreciating it.
"I'd like to know everything about them too. I had a chance to meet them once, but I didn't entertain the idea. I wish I did. I could've at least known their face. They had some fancy language, but it's very easy to decipher. But they still scare me somewhat."
>She takes another sip of her drink, ignoring the new company's rowdy entrance.
| "I don't know everything, I just know what I know. And stop calling me a sly fox. And lower your voice a little. And—"
"—'Stop ordering me big gut punches every goddamn time'!"
>Cola finished his companion's line and bursted out into laughing.
>Grumpy man turned towards the rest of the people.
"Im sorry for this crazy idiot, please don't mind him too much."
| "I don't know everything, I just know what I know. And stop calling me a sly fox. And lower your voice a little. And—"
"—'Stop ordering me big gut punches every goddamn time'!"
>Cola finished his companion's line and bursted out into laughing.
>Grumpy man turned towards the rest of the people.
"Im sorry for this crazy idiot, please don't mind him too much."
| (oops sorry for that)
| >As Vizo serves the men theit drinks, Dahk casually hangs an arm around Angus's shoulder and asks the men.
"You're friend's right you know. this place's not open most of the time, sheer luck or are you also from the thread?"
| >>153563
"We are actually just from the mmmhhhmmmhmmmmhmmmhmmmmhm!"
>Cola started replying to the lady, but got his mouth covered by his grumpy companion.
"We are just having a day off finally, and decided to chill at some bar. We hoped for an empty one so that idiot—"
"Mmmmmhhhhhmmmhmmmmhmmmgnmmmhm!"
"Doesn't scare everyone away."
>'Jo' finished his reply and let his partner free.
| >AM finishes his drink, readying himself.
"Ah fuck it. They won't recognise me."
>AM comes back out, sitting down at the bar again.
"Viso? Can I get me a gut punch? Load it with karmotrine, as much as you can."
| "Need to forget something?"
>Viso smiles, but doesn't say anything more as he serves a shot that's pretty much just pure karmotrine.
| "I just want to forget it all. Can I also get another one ready?"
>AM slams the shot down.
| "Of course, just be mindful of your bill unlike a certain someone"
>Vizo gives Dahk a look and prepares another shot
| >Gem sighs, annoyed by the new arrivals.
"Can I get a Fringe Weaver over here? I've got a few things to forget, myself..."
| "Jooooo"
"No, Jamie."
"But Joooooooo"
"Do you remember what happened the last time you tried to pick up a lady?"
"She exploded!"
"Yeah, and why did she explode, Jamie?"
"She was a terrorist or something i dont really remember."
"Thats right. This is why you are not allowed to pick up girls while I'm within a five kilo radius from you, Jamie."
"But Jooooooooo"
"I swear to God, Cola, next time you will try to hit on some mass murderer."
"It doesnt matter if shes cute Jo you know."
| "I just want it all to end you know. The screaming. The faces. I haven't slept in days. I wear contacts so that people don't see my bloodshot eyes. I pretend to smile when nothing makes sense. Another one."
>AM slams the second shot.
| "Thought you'd want to bleed me out some more,"
>Dahk laughs, as she watches Vizo do his thing, but the rowdyness is starting to get to her too. Suddenly as Viz hands the men their drinks he speaks up
"Might I suggest a private room?"
| >As AM slams down anotber shot, Vizo is already preparing another one
| "If he keeps this up he's gonna have a private hospital bed."
>Gem shakes her head at AM, ignoring her own heavy drinking.
| >Blond man leaned to his companion and whispered.
>"Yo Jo remember Levi after the massacre at birna?"
>"Goddamnit Jamie do you have no sense of tact, I thought we had a day off." 'Jo whispered back.
>"Nononono i mean look at this dude"
>"Well?" Grumpy man looked in AMs direction.
>"He looks just like Levi that time"
>"And what do you want me to do? I am no doctor."
>"I dunno talk to him or something"
>"Why won't you talk to him, this is your speciality."
>"Joooooo"
>"Oh god."
| >Angus felt oddly soothed when Dahk's arm was put around her. She sighed deeply. The loudness was drowned out by the comfort. She took another sip of her drink. And slightly rested her head on Dahk's arm. Slightly.
| > Rass makes a gesture to Vizo.
"Another beer for me please."
> Turning to AM he said under voice so the two loud men would not overhear.
"Old friends? Or trouble if they recognize you?"
| >>153607
>AM slams that one down too.
"I just. I... I've lost the plot, my arm, my sanity, All of it. Some water please."
>>153627
"I don't really care."
| >>153606
"Oh I'm sorry, we'll be quieter."
>"Jamie, what did I fucking tell you?"
>"Im sorry okay i got it"
>"Shut up and drink your bad touch."
>"Pffft but really Jo talk to the chap"
>"And what will I tell him? That faces never go away? That I have nightmares every night?"
>"Nonomo that would be counterproductive tell him everything will be okay"
>"That's a lie, Jamie, and you know it."
>"Yeah thats about the whole idea"
>"No. Really no, Jamie, you want - you tell him lies."
| >>153625
> Dahk bristles with joy as she feels Angus's head gently rest on her arm. She leans in and drunkingly whispers.
"You know, maybe after this we could do something"
| >AM's drinks are finally hitting home, making him waver.
"S'cuse me."
>He leaves for the bathroom.
| > Rass looks around as everyone slowly retreats to their own drinks. Apparently he was the most problem-free person of them all.
"Interesting night all right. Who'd have thought."
> As he waits for his beer from Vizo he just looks around aimlessly, at the bar and at the furnishing. Whoever did it had good taste in old style. Something he knew was rare nowadays.
| >Vizo arrives with a glass of water, but puts ot down when AM leaves. Instead he look at Rass as he sets down his beer
"Like what you see?"
| >After much consideration, Gem finally stands and heads for a seat closer to Angus.
"Oi. I've still got questions..."
| >"Goddamnit Jo now he left"
>"I am not going to lie to random strangers for no reason, Jamie. This will help no one. It never did, it never will."
>"You are so boooring"
>"Yeah, but at least I dont make people want to kick me out the second I step into the bar, Jamie. You enjoy being interesting, I'll be okay with being able to have a drink."
>"This is why you dont have a girlfriend"
>"I don't want to hear that from you."
>'Jo' chugged his Gut Punch down.
"One Sugar Rush please."
| > Rass took the beer glass and holding it he looked once again around.
"Yes indeed. Wooden furniture is almost forgotten. Everywhere you find some kind of pressed laminata or whatever tricks to make it look like a spaceship. But here... the tables are oak, this surface is oak and pine. And the rafters up just make you feel so much like in a small island for the mind. And this glass too... A REAL beer glass!"
> He lifted the glass a bit as if to make a point showing it.
| >Dahk snaps out of her fantasy second as she looks at gem
"But of course"
| "Mostly for the one on your shoulder... Like, why the helmet?"
| "Just a moment"
>Vizo goes to make the men's drink, a sugar rush is simple enough, so hes back fairly quickly
"Ah yes, the master was always ones for the classics, he even owned his own private library, paper books and all! Such a terrible thing, his death."
| >Angus gets flustered when Dahk spoke to her.
"'Something' meaning what exactly? I don't exactly want any crazy stuff. And I'm pretty sure this is the Karmotrine talking for you..."
>She looks over at Gem as she takes a seat next to Angus.
"I can... Try and provide answers I guess. I don't know as much as you think I do though."
| >Dahk smiles as she muses
"Oh you know nothing serious... help you fix some lilim... exchange numbers... go on a date..."
| >AM returns from the bathroom, siting back down at his stool, and drinks his water.
"Why did I do that..."
| > Rass took a gulp at his drink.
"He must have been a man of culture. Say... what was that earlier of her having to do with it?"
> He looked at Dahk before his gaze fell on Vizo again.
| >"Jamie, look what you did."
>"I didn do nuthin"
>"Barmen is ignoring me, Jamie."
>"Try asking louder"
>"If now *I* will get louder, we will be kicked out of here."
>"Well that would be your fault Jo"
>"No, it would be your fault, Jamie, because you just can't shut up."
>"When I went to blue lantern everything was fine miss Yuko was such an angel you need to visit there as well sometime"
>"Whoever that miss Yuko is, I feel sorry for her,"
"Excuse me, can I get a Sugar rush?"
| >'Why the helmet?' Shit. Angus hated this question.
"Everyone has their own thing. Mine just so happens to be this helmet... But actually though. I value my privacy a lot. I also really, really like space. My fondest memories are from looking at the night sky. It's somewhat comforting."
>She didn't like discussing personal details. But Dahk snapped her attention back. She nearly choked on her drink.
"A... Date? Uh... Um... Let's fix Lilims for now..."
>She was beyond flustered.
| >After getting the man his sugar rush, Vizo leans in and whispers to ross
"I'm not supposed to talk about this but... We used to have real tap beer you too you know. Dahk would stop by every now and then, claimong to want info, but she really was just here for the beer. During the december riots, the Master kept the bar closed. But one day here comes Dahk knocking on the door saying she found a huge score and could finally pay off her tab. then..."
>Vizo closes his eyes
| Man, that sounds weird coming from you... I guess the helmet's no stranger than other people's quirks... Like I wear a mask everywhere."
| >Dahk looks slightly disappoonted, but is still ecstatic
"Ha, and like my note books, not much reason to use paper in this age right?"
| > Ross didn't respond to Vizo's words. He listened to the words with interest and calm.
> Not really wanting to rush or force Vizo into saying what he didn't want to say, he simply nodded. But clearly he was interested to hear more.
| >Angus leans into Dahk a bit more.
"I didn't say no though. Just... I need some time to think about things..."
>Another sigh; odd comfort.
| >Gem sighs and waves for another drink, wishing someone had mentioned her lack of a mask.
"Ugh, quit that.You're reminding me how single I am."
| "Thank you."
>Grumpy man began sipping his drink.
>"Jo how old are you"
>"You know well how old I am."
>"Jo really youre big boy already how can you drink it"
>"Fuck off Jamie, you only order bad touches because you find it funny."
>"Pffft."
>"Your sense of humor is killing me."
>"Thats because you have no sense of humor of your own."
>"Fuck off, Jamie. Why do I still repeat a mistake of keep ing you company."
>"My charm is irresistible"
| >Vizo opens her eyes and looks towards Dahk, who was thankfully distracted
"Let's just say she fucked up and was spotted. 3 men came in, asking for her head. The master was there, along with his grand daughter. He sprang to Dahk's defence, a lot of shots were fired, and well... Let's just say that the "Alchoholic's Secret" is how they live with the guilt."
| >Vizo suddenly dashed off to Gem, abandoning ross to get the lady another drink
"Would you lile another one after that?"
| "Yeah, something a little lighter. Don't want to break anything else."
| "Something a littler sobering then"
>Vizo starts to prepare a bleeding jane, As he goes back to ross's side of the bar.
| > Rass remained silent as well. As Vizo left towards Gem, he breathed in and looked at his beer but somehow with a different eye now than a few moments ago.
> Not wanting to brood over the story much, he looked at Vizo while nodding his head in quick succession a few times.
"Well... I don't think it was the booze that exposed the glitch in Gem's arm. What do you think?"
> He smiled a bit as he lifted the glass in cheers to Vizo.
| "well, i'm not allowed to think bad things about my customers
| "What do you mean by that? She said so herself about something with the feedback circuitry."
> He shook his head with a smile and shrugged.
"It was a joke, didn't mean anything bad about her."
| >Vizo returns the smile,
"but of course"
>Dahk meanwhiles continues to fawn over angus, pulling her closer
"Whatever you say!"
| (Going to bed soon so yeah)
| > Rass finally felt like he had resisted enough without using the toilet. Standing up his gaze searched it and finally saw the sign from the distance.
"Excuse me for a minute."
[[ am off for the time being as well. Laters all ]]
| >Angus smiles for once. Enjoying the attention, but the smile fades. She had Lilims to work on... But... Maybe they could wait..?
"So... Maaaybe a date... You're already getting my number, so..."
>Angus felt something weird. A sense of belonging. Or maybe it was her drink getting to her. She'd ended up finishing it. It wasn't her money so she didn't want to get another.
"So when do you want to head out? I'm sorry but you're going nowhere near the Lilim's like this."
>Angus giggled
| >"So what do you think?" Blond man asked sotto voce.
>"About?" Grumpy man returned.
>"The whole Victoria deal im afraid for Lily"
>"Lily is a big girl, she can stand for herself."
>"You are not honest"
>"She *is* a big girl, that *can* stand for herself."
>"You sly fox this says nothing"
>"What do you want me to say?"
>"That you are worried yourself"
>"No, I'm not."
>"Yes you are"
>"Even if I am, it changes nothing."
>"It changes everything Jósef" Jamie looked at his companion.
| >"I'm not the one who made the plan, Cola." He returned the stare. "I voted against it. They still pushed it through."
>"This is not what i meant"
>"How long do you plan on doing this Jo?"
>"On doing what?"
>"To keep lying to yourself Jo you cant trick yourself forever hell you cant even trick me youre a terrible liar Jo maybe its time to fucking stop?"
>"Fuck off Jamie."
>"You can ignore me but you cant run from yourself Jo you grew attached to Lily we all did just admit it"
| >"Jamie."
>"What"
>"You just ruined my day off."
>"Oh did I?"
>"Yes, you did." Grumpy man stood up and put the credstick near his drink, still half-full.
"See you tomorrow, Jamie."
>Jósef marched through the bar and exited the bar.
"You cant keep running away forever Jo!"
>Blond man shouted in his companion's back. He let out a sigh and turned to his drink, still untouched.
"The older you get the more stupid you become" >he said to no one in particular, and chugged down his drink.
| >Dahk suddenly starts blushing
"W-wait seriously?! R-right now, if possible. I'll drive!"
>Vizo taps dahk's shoulder knowingly
"Huh? oh... right, well, maybe i should sober up a little... B-but I'll promise to uh, sober up, then we can go work on some lilim... That's basically a date isn't it?!"
| >>154301
"I actually prefer the word G men it sounds a whole lot cooler spook is just not really intimidating you know like a harmless little ghost that you can look at and it will poof and disappear."
>Jamie took a sip from the Sugar Rush his partner left.
"And im not a spy anyway we just really looked for a bar where no one would try to kick me out for being annoying."
>Blond man chuckled.
| "Yeah. Neither spook nor g man works for you. Drone? Yeah, because you like to drone on. Anyway, You won't get kicked out here."
>AM laughs.
| >Vizo laughs
"Not till closing anyway."
| > Rass came back from the toilet. Back on his seat he looked relieved.
"Did I miss anything important?"
> After taking another gulp from his beer he stretched his neck left and right a couple of times with his eyes closed.
| "Thats great to hear it would really suck to get kicked out from the bar after having a fight like this anyway"
>Jamie took another sip from the Sugar Rush.
"God how can he drink this i can feel my teeth dissolving — he turned towards AM — so you mentioned something about seeing faces i can consult you on that matter if you want i see faces everyday and most of the are ugly"
| "Do you see faces when you close your eyes? Or when you lay in bed?"
>AM finishes his water.
"Another water, please."
| "If you like we can replace that drink, not likeb you're paying"
>Vizo laughs as Dahk groans at the mounting bill,
"And here's your water, shall i get some more?"
| "No not really usually when i close my eyes i only see a big timer that clocks the time thats left for me and it actually feels slightly disturbing to be honest i mean i would be fine seeing it like once a month maybe you know a useful reminder memento mori all that stuff but i usually see it every time i close my eyes and i gotta tell you the ticking really starts getting to you after the first couple years — >he turned to Vizo
— then Big Bad Touch please"
| "But its not like your problem i think so yeah i also got under thermobaric artillery barrage once now those were probably the kind of faces you mean eh but think on the positive side of things at least your faces do not tick you cant believe to what extents can simple ticking push a man."
| >A tall man in a hoodie quickly enters in looking exausted. He has glasses and messy hair than is neck length. He quickly sits down.
"This IS a bar right?"
>He looks around paying no mind to the people.
"I'll take... Hmm... crevice spike please..."
>He finishes the answer for the people.
| "Yes, though tonight is a special night, all drinks are free courtosey of our resident alchoholic"
>he gestured to Dahk, who groans in responce
"I'm NOT an alchoholic!"
| >A black-haired woman quietly walks in. She wears a man's business suit which was black and well-cut with matching black gloves.
>She takes a far seat by counter
| >Gem gives Dahl a wry grin as another person joins the group.
"You might be, once the bill arrives... Hey Vizo, put whatever I get on my own tab. And I'll have a Moonblast..."
| >Vizo hustles back and forth, amused by th amount of activity tonight.
"Alright one crevice spike and one... excuse me miss? did you order?"
| "A big gut punch. Loaded with karmotrine"
>she carries on in a deadpan
| >Vizo nods, preparing the drinm
"Alright, aren't you glad Dahk! You may get out of here with your wallet intact!"
| >Vizo laughs,
" need to forget something? you're not the only one tonight"
| "hmmm"
>She gives no words initially, but goes deeper into thought.
"Forgetting something? no. Stopping something. Yes"
| >She makes a sideways glance at the group at the bar and sighs.
"Although they seem to be doing well for needing to forget"
| > Vizo raises an eyebrow
"Oh? what are yoy supposed to be stopping? your liver?"
| >Blond man bursted into laughing.
| >The lady in the suit gives a good humored, yet somewhat pained smile
| "Make that two orders"
| >Vizo lauhgs, but makes no more comnents
"Well, here's your first drink, Give me a bit for the second one,"
| >She downs her first shot in one go. Then sets the glass back to her table leaning over staring at the bottom of her glass, her hair obscuring much of her face she laughs a little
"Sometimes I can't tell if this town is great, horrible, or so great at being horrible."
| "what a lovely crowd tonight"
>The tall man adds .
"Wheres my spike?"
| >She mutters to herself
| "Well, i spend all my time in this bar, so i really can't say"
>Vizo smiles and sets down the crevice spike
"Apologies for the wait"
| "And I thought I found a quiet bar..."
>AM moans.
| >>154592
"It's ok, I gave up"
>She takes out a small revolver, empties the rounds and slides it towards the far end of the room
"You guys just keep doing what you're doing and I'll sit over here"
| >AM gets up, leaving a cred stick.
"I should leave."
>He begins walking towards the exit.
| >Jamie winced at the sight of the revolver. His hand already made all the way towards his service pistol before he noticed girl emptying her gun. He pretended to be scratching his back.
| "..."
>The girl watches AM stand up and leave, feeling a little worse she looks back to Vizo for her second drink
| "Before I leave, Who are you?"
>AM turns around.
| "I... I dont matter"
"sorry for ruining your night"
>Her posture gets a little smaller. Keeping to herself in her chair
| >AM walks back over, sitting down next to her.
"Who said you did?"
| "Man, two gun scares in one night... Now I remember why I don't get out much."
| >The girl loses composure, slumping over the counter table covering her face in her arms. Distressed at suddenly being sat next to while in that state
"Make that three please"
>She says between deep, calming breaths
| >Vizo bows to AM
"Apolgies for the noise, but i don't choose our patrons"
| "God dammit... AM why are you everywhere I go?"
>The tall man sighs... Its of course Graham... He takes a sip of his spike.
| "Hey, hey. look. Me leaving has nothing to do with you. I just wanted to clarify that."
>AM worries and rambles, He's already caused someone else to nearly cry today.
| > Rass saw the revolver slide near and past his glass. The glass was almost empty anyhow. He lifted it to finish, produced some cash - yes, real cash, not credstick or anything electronic - and handed it to Vizo.
"I think I will be going now Vizo. It was real fun."
> He looked towards Dahk and Angus and AM and Gem and Vizo.
"I... I hope you see you again some day."
| "I could say the same to you, Graham."
>AM says.
| >Dahk waves to Rass and laughs
"Who knows, maybe i'll open the place up full time"
| > Another woman-in-suit enters the bar quietly, shuffling through the patrons and choosing a quiet spot for herself; although 'quiet' seems to be an overstatement.
> For a while now, she is scrolling through messages, not minding nor taking attention to her surroundings.
> As she sits, her azure hair rested on her shoulders, a look of distress visible in her face.
"Ah-uhm—.. bartender? Do you have anything sweet-tasting? Preferably without karmotrine."
| >Vizo looks up, pondering
"Well, i guess i know how to make a Virgin Fluffy Dream,"
>As he prepares and sets down the drink, he jokes
"Still, going to a bar with 'Alchoholic' in it's name isn't exactly where i would go for a karmotrine free drink."
| "I wonder if i just finally died and now ascended onto the heavens filled with girls and booze"
>Blond man said and turned to the barmen.
"Can I get another big bad touch?"
| >The lady looks up at Vizo
"There was an Angus here right? which one of them here"
>She asks almost pleadingly
| > Rass nods with a smile at Dahk;s words.
"That would be good."
With that he went outside and headed away from the city center's direction, walking.
| "Another one? take mercy on poor dahk's wallet please"
>Vizo laughs again, jolly ol town"
| >>154653
> The woman chuckles, not noticing the name earlier had meant something.
"You're right on that, but I needed a.. uhm—.. break. I have been circling around the city for augmentation repairs—"
> Her phone vibrates for a short moment, but she ignored it.
"—For repairs that can fix my augmentation. And the bar happens to be very close to where I'm headed next."
| >>154653
(Continuing because I accidentally cut the post like an idiot.)
"So, bartender, give me your best attempt at karmotrine-free drinks, despite it directly opposing this bar's name!"
> She exclaimed with a tone higher than before.
| "Have mercy on my poor soul im surrounded by beauties and yet the only bad touches im gonna be getting tonight are from you!"
>Jamie exclaimed dramatically.
| >Vizo nods thoughtfully
"Mind if i ask what kind of aug?"
| >Gem glances up at the mention of augmentations.
"Wouldn't happen to be optical? Saw someone asking about those..."
| >>154669
> The woman looks at the bartender — shortly, but surely, her left eye begins to glow in an iridescent blue.
"It's an accelerated pattern processor."
> She willfully tries to dissipates the light from the eye, but it glows brighter before shortly fading away.
"A-and it's very broken."
>>154675
> The woman notices the question and immediately answers it.
"Y-yes, it is optical, in a way."
| >The black haired woman approaches the more populated part of the room
"I-Is there an Angus here?"
>She tries to say aloud woth difficulty
| >Dahk almost says the wrong thing, but then catches herself
"M-naybe, why are you asking"
| >Angus stiffens at the mention of the screen name. She was worried again, and she pulled away from Dahk slightly.
"Yes, who wants to know, and why."
>She said placidly. As to not sound hostile. But she was still extremely cautious.
|
| >>154869
"An art pieces wife"
>She replied, tears roll down her face despite her best efforts of holding them back
| >Dahk grip on Angus's shoulder tightens.
"Yeah, she's here alright."
>She bites her lip, and eventually sighs and but keeps her eyes on the teary woman.
"You're looking at her."
|
| >Angus freezes. This WAS a terrible idea. Dahk was either worried or furious with her. Angus was worried. This was going to be impossible to explain without sounding fake. She sighs and turns around.
"For what it's worth, I'd like to give you my condolences. If you can telling me their name, I'll repair them next. But I can understand if my words carry the value of dirt. I don't think I'll ever forgive myself."
>Angus gave her a small bow, then looked at her again.
| (Oh, I should clarify Dahk was pointing to herself when she said 'you're looking at her'")
| >Angus froze at the mention of the 'art' again. It disgusted her. Dahk's grip on her tightened a bit, and she was panicking slightly. Was she mad? No. She was claiming... *She* was Angus? Angus didn't react and stayed facing forward. She didn't want to lie. But maybe Dahk had a plan of some sort.
| >Gem lifts an eyebrow toward Dahl, wondering if it was alcohol or a misplaced sense of heroism that made her so willing to risk a potential bullet.
| >Dahk gulps, she diddn't really have a plan, so was just going to have to wing it.
"That's right, I'm *that* Angus. And I'm sorry, though, I doubt that means much."
>Dahk's hand trembles a bit,
"If you're going to put a bullet in me, do it now. Otherwise... I promise, I will rebuild them. All I need is a name"
>Dahk finally lets go and closes her eyes, awaiting a verdict.
|
| >her teary face changes to one of severity and loathing
"He's not backed up"
>She throws a new-looking ring at dhak's feet.
"Dumbass thought he could save some money off the subscription"
|
| > Dahk opens her eyes, and picks up the ring slowly, examining it
"You know, I'm not an expert on Lilim but..."
>she casts an glance towards gem
"Besides the cloud, the AI is stored in the brain, like people right?"
>She tosses the ring back to the woman
"All i'm saying is, have some faith is all."
| "Actually lilim dataflow is spreadout all the way throughout their body — Jamie spinned around on his chair, some of his hair falling inside his glass,
— moreover positronic CPU processes are backtraceable it does require some big calculating capacity but as long as the CPU is relatively intact large part of shortterm memory can be restored actually even if the memory storage unit is destroyed and since dataflow is spread out the more of the body is intact the more is recoverable"
| "Although it will result in massive system errors and data corruption upon recovery as basic functions will require long term memory present to function and without such they can experience chain shutdown so for actual recovery you would need to rewrite all of the zero level code so it matches the original at least for the most part — >he inhaled,
— because if it will not match instead of chain shutdown you can get complete data corruption rendering recovery nigh impossible"
| >>157768
(Let's go with corruption then. This char is meant to fail as a face for all the normal people affected by things that go on)
| (>>157773 got it)
"So i can fill in a request to use M.E.R.L.I.N. poor guy chews on his empty databanks without anything to do anyway he might find trying to restore a personality interesting enough to spend a couple evenings on"
>Jamie finished his speech, some of his hair still floating inside his drink.
| >Dahk blinks for a bit, then bursts out laughing, tears streaming down her face.
"HaI'- I'm sorry, god I'm an awful person, I should've known known it wssn't going to be that simple, nothing is."
>She covers her faces and laughs again before finally calming down.
"Well, there you have it, from an expert, it may or may not be possible."
>She wipes off her tears and mumbles some more nonsense
"I don't even know why i bother sometimes..."
| >Vizo noticed the hair in Jamie's drink,
"Ah, would you like a replacement?"
| >Angus gets a little mad over the explanation of Lilim's. For no reason really. She'd kept every part despite the foul use. It'd be a long process but she could do it. She threw a light hearted punch at Dahk's shoulder.
"It will be possible. I'll make fucking sure."
>She turned around slightly to the woman behind her.
"And if he's paid for any months of back up ever, his info can be recovered, it just may be a month old. I've got a drunk murderer to drive home now."
>Angus sighs.
| >>157804
>Jamie turned around and finally noticed his hair floating around in the glass. He carefully took it out.
"You know what give me a big gut punch and on the rocks and a tissue im fed up with bad touches"
| >The woman's knees grow weak causing her to drop down on the floor sobbing
"I-I came to kill you. Kill you and myself... But if I can get him back... Everything will go back to normal"
| > The azure-haired woman took notice of the commotion, as she waits for her drink to arrive.
> Her gaze is mindful, taking note of each happenings in her mind.
"An art piece?"
> She mutters quietly, almost a whisper.
"... Thoth. Their followers."
> She concluded, again, in a quiet voice.
| >>158122 Vizo sets down her drink and sighs
"Abd who would've thought that a former follower of thoth would be so embarrassing, honestly.'
| > Flinched as Vizo gave a comment in-line with her mumblings, the woman paced back her thoughts a little.
"Y-yeah. We never know the many-sides of people after all. A killer can be a cute bunny the other day — all within a simple switch."
| >Dahk flinches at the punch
"H-hey, its been a long night, gimme a break... Oh and uh, thanks for the ride sweetie~"
>Dahk places a credstick on the counter and starts to get up.
>Vizo nods to Jamie and mixes his drink, though he tosses the credstick back at Dahk and winks
"Dahk is paying for those drinks, not you Angus. Now if i only knew where she went..."
|
| "Ugh... Bloody drunk..."
>Angus puts a hand on her hip and glares at Dahk.
"I'm Angus, not her. I don't know why Dahk had to be Angus for a minute or two there. But whatever. I won't take back what I said. It's not a matter of maybe, I will try my damnedest to bring back each Lilim who lost their life unjustly. Now I've got a workshop to get back to, and Lilim to restore."
>Angus crosses her arms and starts to leave.
"If you can't pay your monstrous tab, Dahk, I will."
| >Dahk shrugs and stumbles
"Oh come on, you heard the lady! She was gonna put a bullet in you~ I was only trying to protect you. And of coourse i can pay back my tab, i only bought uh
>She fumbles with another credstick and throws it at Vizo, hitting hom square in the face, before stumbling after Angus
"I'm sorry.. please don't leave without me"
| "Yeah, but we only found out she was maybe going to shoot me after she'd dropped the gun and spilled the bullets. Whatever, it's over. If anyone wants to kill me, at least wait two months when I'm done rebuilding Lilims."
>Angus turns to the poor woman crying on the floor.
"Never, end yourself. It's a massive waste. As someone said to me, 'Don't waste materials.'"
>Angus waits for Dahk again and continues out the door.
| >The karmotrine heavy drinks finally hit, along with the irregular breaths caused by her delirious sobbing. She passes out by a chair.
| >Gem looks down at the unconscious woman.
"Uh, Vizo... Can you call a cab? I'm gonna check her wallet and see where she lives."
| "already on it"
Vizo pulls out an phone from under the counter and begins to make the call, while Dahk follows Angus out the door.
"Oh, would you like any last drinks to go? I suppose I should start closing up shop now, it's getting pretty late.
| "Probably shouldn't... I'm surprised I'm not on the floor myself. Guess confronting a murderer has different effects on people."
| >Jamie stood up, swinging from side to side like a ship in storm.
"Yeah ill be going too i guess it looks like i jumped over my head a little ill leave this credstick here so the lady doesn't go bakrupt"
>He pointed to the credstick 'Jo' left earlier.
"Now if you excuse i have an appointment with headache tomorrow morning"
>He made his way towards the door and outside.
| "W-wait, you guys are closing?"
> The azure-haired woman gulps down a drink rapidly, only to choke and cough later on. Two heavy cough later, she finishes her drink.
"T-t—thanks."
> Still visibly coughing, she pulls out her wallet.
"Do you guys accept paper money here?"
| >Vizo yawns but smiles
"Of course."
| > The woman draws an arbitrary amount from the wallet, doing so, she might have pulled too much.
"Here. Thank you for the drink."
> She swiftly puts the money in front of her before pocketing her wallet back.
| >As Vizo watches the last person leaves, he presses a button under the counter, in mere moments the lights are out, shutters drop and the bar looks like the same it did yesterday, closed for good.
This thread is permanently archived
| > The inside of TAS is small and dimly lot, with only a few seats in the entire place. To the side are a few doors that lead to what seems to be private rooms, and At the bar is what appears to be a Lilim bartender and a hooded figure drinking alone. A jukebox playing some old Jazz sits in the corner.