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(Setting) The Tango Down Divebar 2!
| "Heh. Nice."
>AM smiles.
| >CN turns back to the bartender
"So uh... anyways, back to the uh 'security's consultation..."
| "So yeah. Ferris. How does home sound, you alki."
>AM pokes fun at Ferris.
| >>161297
"Why do you keep trying to take me home"
>Ferris lifts her head to look AM straight in the eyes
"If you're still looking for a crazy night. just remember who's going to be wearing the handcuffs"
>She slumps her head back down
| "Fuck it."
>AM finishes his mojito, and pours his whiskey in to the same glass.
"You want to hep me finish tis?"
| "I'm joking by the way. I Actually don't even know how that works really. Just rememburrred that thousand shades of gay movie trailerr I saw that one time"
>Ferris drunkenly laughs
>>161304
"I probably shouldn't. But i won'ttt turn dowwn a drink on an offf dayy~"
|
| "Oh my. Will anyone object If I escort these two home after they've had their fill?"
>Zhang tries to ask aloud but politely.
| >>161313
>Elena shakes her head
''You won't get anything from me, I hate dealing with drunkards, they have a knack for giving me headaches''
>She turns to the bartender, her green eyes glowing with renewed intensity
''Could I get a Suplex?''
| "Don't worry, were not drunkards, we're alcoholics."
>AM answers for Ferris and himself to Elena
| >Elena looks at AM and Ferris, and sighs
"That's soooo much better"
>She pauses, and then gives AM a sideway glance
"atleast you look like you can handle yourself"
>She looks rapidly at your arm
"Make sure she doesn't get into any trouble, eh. Would hate to arrest a fellow officer"
| >AM chuckles
"It be pretty funny seeing GCPD arest one of ther own."
| >>162263
>Ferris doesn't move her face off the table.
"Heavy work, Heavy problems, Heavy drinking"
"And don't worry, I take pride in having my track record as clean as it is"
| >Elena looks at Ferris
"That's good, admirable even, I wish more people thought that way"
>She sighs deeply
"Is the counter really that comfortable?"
| >Eidin walks in with her guitar strapped to her back as usual. She looks around and smiles.
"Hello~! The musician has arrived! Any requests?"
>The teal haired woman made her way to the stairs closely after speaking.
| >Elena turns around, noticing the new arrival
"A musician? Huh, You know any old songs? New stuff just isnt my cup of tea at all"
>She drinks the rest of her glass
| >>162559
(Oh hey, you're back! :D I thought you disappeared after the last Lock and Barrel thread!)
| >>162585
"Hehe! Old stuff is my specialty~. You wouldn't believe the songs I know~."
>Eidin replied proudly while strumming her guitar. The more she strummed the more amplified and electric it sounded. It seemed she had one of those 'play-by-the-charge' or 'Play-chage' type guitars
"What would you like to hear?"
>>162589
(Yup! It me! :D )
| >>162559
>Compared to the much larger Lock and Barrel, the Tango Down Divebar is much smoller but does have an open space in the foyer where the shag carpeting is surrounded by couches on all four corners and sides. The fireplace continues to roar joyously.
>The bartender, a woman in her twenties wearing a white blouse with a black bowtie at first gives you a confused look, but then smiles and gestures at the center of the room.
"All yours."
| >>162594
"Ah."
>Eidin paused looking around realizing this was actually a different place! But the bartender didn't seem to mind. She grinned and nodded once.
"Thanks much~! I'll make the atmosphere even better for a drink."
| >>162593
>Elena thinks for an instant, before snapping her fingers smiling a little.
"Can you play Nothing else matters? By Metallica, if you know that one, of course"
>She looks at the bar tender
"Can I get a pianoman, please?"
| >Ferris raises a hand. Face -still- on the table
"I'll have something light and classy"
>>162282
"Vodka. Sleep comfortably anywhere and everywhere."
"Even in a warzone"
| >>162614
>Elena laughs a bit, her cheeks flushed
"Well, that makes sense, whisky gets me comfy anytime"
>She rests her head on her palm, her eyes narrowing down
"So, you've been to war zones huh"
| > A solemn, sobering tune fills the air and alters the atmosphere. Eidin's fingers and pick dance across the chords with emotion practically spilling from their tips. After a length of time of pure instrumental play, Eidin finally added her vocals to the tune...audibly contemplative and distant, her voice breathy with each lyric.
>'So close no matter how far..'
>'...Couldn't be much more from the heart.'
>'..Forever trusting who we are~..'
>' ...And nothing else matters~."
| "Now this is nice."
> An EMT walks through the doors, instantly taking a liking to the music as they fill space at the bar.
| >Elena looks peaceful, signing along slowly while moving her head to the rythm.
"Ah... This is nice, I haven't heard this song in years, brings back memories"
>She slowly drops her head onto the counter
"So cold~ so comfortable~"
| "Oh! A nice quiet bar~ This is wonderful~"
>At the door a small girl with long black hair and bangs covering her eyes was peeking in. She looked much too young to be in a place like this. Her outfit was a simple t-shirt with a rabbit on it accompanied by a pair of black shorts.
| >>162599
>The bartender obliges with a Fringe Weaver!
>>162609
>A pianoman makes its way to your hand!
>>162614
>A pianowoman reaches your hand!
| >>161289
>The bartender turns to CN.
"This *your* doing?" >She whispers, "Not everyday that a front becomes this popular."
"You'll have to discuss that with Cocoa and the Boss. I'm just here to keep everyone alive and make sure we don't lose another safehouse."
| >>162653
>The tender turns to the newcomer.
"Welcome to the Tango Down! Take a seat and enjoy your stay~"
| >A mint haired youth in a striped hoodie and chucks stumbles into the foyer, her face red and her body smelling of cannabis. In both arms she carried dozens of bulging grocery store bags.
"Whooooo wantssss pizzzzaaaaaa?" >She cries, to no one in particular. She looks around at the increasing throng of people and the (by this time) stuffed bartable.
"Looks like big sis is feeding a party tonight!"
| >>162716
>The girl smiles softly and goes over to the bar, taking a seat
"Tango Down? That's an interesting name. Was the owner a soldier or something?"
| >>162719
"You could say that..." >The woman smiles knowingly as she begins cleaning used glassware.
| >Elena raises her face from the bar counter, taking her glass and drinking it in a single movement
''Hmn?''
>She turns toward the new arrival, an inquisitive look on her face
| >>162721
"Oh~? Is there something you're hiding from me, Miss Bartender~?"
>The girl leans over the bar, nearly out of her seat with wide curious eyes.
| >>162732
>Elena puts her arm in front of the girl, before dropping it down
''I know it's tempting to ask questions like that, but I wouldn't want you to make the person serving us drinks nervous or angry, some things are better left unsaid after-all.''
>She then turns to the tender, empty glass in hand
''Mind giving me a gut punch?''
| >>162744
>The girl sits back down giving a nervous chuckle, rubbing the back of her head
"My apologies~ I used to be a soldier myself, so hearing stories from others is always exciting to me. I'll behave myself, promise~"
| >>162723
(Which one lol? Ah well...)
>The mint-green haired girl stumbles over to the bartable, as high as a kite. The smell of pot is so strong that there's a real danger of getting a secondhand high. She dances around the musician gracefully and plops down the large bags and begins unloading foodstuffs, from cans of tomato sauce to pounds of soyakafe.
| >>162744
>A gut punch makes its way to your hand, along with a thankful grin.
>>162753
"You're fine, honey. And you guessed right- used to be with an outfit myself. Name of the place was my idea, but I'm just one of the tenders."
>She looks back toward the entrance.
"Speaking of... I wonder where she is..." >The tender says to herself.
| >>162614
>Ferris finally raises her head. Her normally pale skin flush with redness to take a drink
"да. And while some would have painkillers, heated suits or antidepressants. We had alcohol"
| >>162753
>Elena looks at the girl, her eyes glowing a bit dimmer than before.
''Good to hear, I like reasonble people.''
>She then turns a sideway gaze to the mint-haired youth, fanning her hand in front of her face, trying to get rid of the smell, her face showing clear disdain.
| >>162763
>The woman turns toward Ferris
''Wish I could say the same, but my life was mostly routine boring work, got into the force, worked my way up to LT and now i'm still wondering what the hell i'm doing with my life''
>She shrugs
''I'm 28, single, and alcoholic, god i'm fucking pathetic''
>She laughs a little
| >>162761
"Ooh, that's pretty nice~ And I'm glad I didn't make you upset, that's never my intention~"
>The girl relaxes in her seat, a wide smile on her face, turning her attention to >>162766
"I think everyone enjoys reasonable people~"
>She giggles quietly, stopping for a moment sniffing the air picking up the scent of pot
"Oh dear..."
| >>162713
>He shrugs
"Maybe it's just a busy day for you gurls"
>He whispers back
"Well anyone I can talk to them then? I doubt you want me just stumbling my way through the back of the place."
| >AM waves over at the smol mint loli.
"Pizza monster!"
>>162769
"Yeah? Well welcome to the hussle. At least your job was more legal than mine."
| >>162769
"No. There's nothing good about war. Only that it is necessary"
>Ferris takes a big swig out of her 'classy' drink
"Ahh but I'd still rather be out there fighting than here"
>>>
"And don't wallow. There are people that have it agonizingly worse"
| "single at 28 beats firebombed"
>It's hard to tell if she's joking or serious
| "Well there's Gassed, Shot, bombed, crushed and starved. Dead is dead really. Some just more painfully than others"
>She continues referring to the casualties of war rather than herself.
| "And this was serving who?"
>AM raises an eyebrow.
| "Shit. I'm sorry."
>AM finishes his drink.
| >Ferris looks over confused
>>162940
"Sorry for what? Did you think I was a merc?"
"Then you should be"
| "The fuck? Are Mercs worthless people now because of their job?"
>AM turns, scowl on his face.
| >Ferris shakes her head. Simply annoyed at the sudden outburst
"Did you think that that was what I meant"
"Or that I wouldn't be so patriotic about money"
| >AM settles down, easing back in to his barstool, grumbling.
"I know you don't give 2 shits about money, but your wording was stupid."
| >>162957
>Ferris laughs
"Hehee~ I almost thought you were going to start a commotion in such a nice place"
"That's good progress"
>she gives a satisfied smirk
| "Good progress? That means you owe me a shot."
>AM smirks back at her.
| (I'll be taking my leave for now, hopefully I can join in some more tomorrow~)
| >>162966
"Oh you sly dog. Bartender, we will be going shot for shot!"
>AM smiles deviously.
>>162967
(Come back soon!)
| "Alright bartender... I ned a bad touch... Just a normal one, I can't handle big ones heh..."
>Graham gives a light chuckle at hos own joke.
| "Alright bartender... I ned a bad touch... Just a normal one, I can't handle big ones heh..."
>Graham gives a light chuckle at hos own joke.
| >>162966
>An absinthe in the proof you requested arrives.
>>162967
(See ya!)
>>162975
>A normal touch arrives in front of you, the bartender smirking as it does.
| >>162975
>AM sees the Bad Touch, giving Graham a nudge.
"And I though I was the only one..."
>>163003
"A shot for me too, 'tender."
| >>162810
>The bartender sighs, and whispers back.
"Let me see if I can coax Cocoa back up here..."
| "This has gotten incredibly unhealthy. Financially, Morally and especially physiologically"
>Ferris clasps her fingers together in front of her face. Contemplating the night's mistakes
"A cobalt velvet please"
| >>163014
>An absinthe arrives! The bartender is about to take away the Big, Bad, Touch, when suddenly the mint-haired girl snatches it!
>Before anyone could react, she chugs about half of the bottle, and burps loudly!
"Ah! Nowwww ah cann wooork..." >She says, stumbling over to behind the counter and beyond a door. A cacophony of noise begins to emanate from what *has* to be the kitchen.
>The tender looks to you apologetically.
| >>163028
"She better have some dank weed."
>AM downs his shot, but instead of slamming it, he gently places it.
"So 'hwat is your strongest drink?"
| >>163028
"You know the more I see her the more I wonder what she's like when not high..."
>CN mumbles to himself
| >>163031
"Mm... probably a 'Blood of Ymir,'" >The tender says, thinking.
"... are you still you can still drink? I think you might have had enough..."
| "Oh my..."
"Well then I'll have a Zen star and Xhu says a suplex."
>Zhang sits cross legged, cooling herself with an ornamental paper fan. Xhu clearly said nothing
"Oh and Xhu would you mind arranging for a 'larger transport'. Just in case?"
| >>163032
"Let's just say that she originally went into martial arts for reasons completely different from what you've thought."
| >>163038
>Both cocktails, a study in contrasts, arrives to your hands.
>>163045
"...honey, you're not going to be able to walk home..."
| "This is not how I want to die"
>Ferris continues contemplating while on the verge of social suicide: vomiting
| "We probably should all go home..."
>Graham says taking one swig of the bad touch finishing it in one gulp.
| "This is why I stick to 'girly' drinks."
| >>163053 >>163064 >>163067
>The tender sighs.
"...Tell you what. If you agree to let us lock up your weapons, you can stay here the night." >She points toward the various couches and other comfy appointments in the foyer.
"Those are there for a reason, you know."
| >>163067
>The tender, recognizing the signs of nausea and impending weaponized stomach bile, steps out from behind the counter and goes to the woman.
"Easy there," >She says, gently grabbing your arm.
"Let's head to the lady's room, shall we...?"
| >AM flicks open his mechanical arm, putting down his VP9 on the table, along with a spare magazine. He then puts his hand behind his back, and pulls out a nanocarbon-knife, engraved with a graveyard.
"There. Now can I please drink till I pass out?"
| >>163077
"Am I even still a lady?!"
>Ferris follows along in drunken stupor
"My father vould die to see me act so shameful and iirresponsible"
| >>163085
>The knife and pistol are left alone on the table as the tender leads >>163086 the very drunken officer behind a bend, disappearing to the lady's restroom.
>(Incidentally, said restroom is just a normal restroom, with absolutely no hidden panels, traps, interrogation rooms, prisons, torture devices, or etc.)
"That's not true, I'm sure your father is very proud of you..." >The tender's voice disappears around the corner.
| >A few minutes pass as the smell of something surprisingly delicious peels out from the kitchen.
| >When the door creaks open, ushering in a tall man covered in a thick, brown cloak which obscures much of his form. He wears a large, wide brimmed fedora and appears to have a large "hump" on his back, obscuring who knows what. He closes the door behind him and slowly drags both of his feet across the welcome mat, before observing the surroundings- the dancing fire, the musician, the admittedly numerous guests.
| >As he approaches the bartable he turns to a coatrack and slowly removes his enormous hat and his cloak...
>...revealing a much shorter, (about six feet), much scrawnier, definitely less intimidating person altogether. The hump turns out to be a large knapsack of some kind, and he's wearing a light green colored suit, well polished dress shoes, and shiny, combed hair. As he turns, you see that he's wearing large round spectacles, which he makes a show of straightening.
| >>163106
>He has a slightly pointed chin and blinks at you, smiling amicably. His eyes are partly closed and you can see the beginning of stress lines or crows feet at the edges of his eyes, and yet there's something oddly young about him. He straightens his grey hair, and then approaches the table.
"My my, quite here today, isn't it?" >He says, taking time to examine each and every one of the guests.
"If anything, I'd say this is the farthest thing from a shitshow. Music, warmth."
| >He takes his large hands out of his pockets- both seem to be covered in thin, grey gloves, with little patches on the fingertips made of a different material. He reaches out to shake the hands of all the men, and bows slightly, feigning taking off his hat for the ladies.
"Is this a party? Not often that the establishment gets much business... much less music," >He says, winking at the guitarist.
| >>163114
"Uh huh..."
>AM Shakes his hand with his cold metal one, feeling perturbed by the newcomer.
| >>163115
"C...N...?" >He says, tasting the name. His glasses glint slightly. He pushes them back onto his face.
"Ah, yes... CN. Vanny has told me all about you."
"As for me, call me Mister King. Excuse the presumptuous sounding name. I assure you I'm anything but."
| >>163118
>The man's smile doesn't break in the slightest.
"Glad to meet you. But where are my manners? Have you all been served?"
>He notices the missing bartender.
"Odd, I see that neither of them are available..."
>He sniffs the air.
"And I suppose Mint is in the cucina again..."
| >>163124
"Yes, Vanny- a nickname she's picked up over the years, although formally her preferred name is 'Vanilla.'"
| "I am aware that you, or your subordinates, have provided aid to her on several occasions- for which I am most grateful."
| >>163126
"Oh that makes sense I suppose. And Rocky is 'helping' a customer in the bathroom at the moment."
| >>163129
"Oh i-its no problem, we've had our own shares of misunderstandings as well so I'm not sure how much help I've really been."
| >>163136
>The man chuckles deeply, starting as a low rumble and growing lighter as it escapes his lips.
"Believe me, the help has greatly outweighed the... minor misunderstandings."
| >>163137
"Yes this isn't a party but people have been drinking like one."
>>163139
"W-Well I'm glad things worked out in the end then."
| >>163145
"I am, as well. Many a loose end has been conveniently tied up by your acti-"
>The cucina doors suddenly burst open as Mint returns, carrying a pizza that is at least five times the size of the previous one!
"PIZZA'S HERE!" >She yells throughout the building! And what a pizza it is...
| "D-Do I get a slice?"
>Graham cocks his head his eyes rather droopy and drunk looking.
| "Son of a gun..."
>AM stares hungrily at the pizza
| >If she was high and/or drunk before, she's even more so now. The girl stumbles while carrying an excessively large pan above her head that looks large enough to crush her. As she makes her way toward the dinner table, wobbling to and fro, she finally sets down the prize- a three cheese, tomato and olive and mystery sausage and mushroom and assorted herbs pizza, its thin crust barely containing the excessive amounts of cheese and tomato sauce.
| >The bloody thing looks more delicious than should be possible for a drunk pothead smol.
>>163149 >>163150
>She dings a roller pizza knife and a large pizza triangle carrying thinger together!
"COME AND GETTTTTTTTTTTT ITTTTT..." >She says, her own mouth salivating.
"Or there won't be anyyyyyyy leftttttyyy...."
| >Mister King chuckles, watching the display.
"Still feeding the customers complimentary pizza, I see. That was always young Mint's specialty." >He heads toward the dinner table and begins to pull out seats for all the guests involved, beckoning people to approach.
| >AM casually gets up, taking a second to find his balance, and walks over, grabbing a slice, biting it.
"MMMmmmmm."
| >>163148
"What do you m-"
>He suddenly stops at the arrival of Mint
>>163153
"She certainly is always full of energy..."
| >>163160
"Yes, yes she is..." >He says as he approaches the table with the pizza. He beckons to you.
"Won't you join us, CN? It's free."
| "I WILL!"
>Graham gets up faster than a blink of an eye and grabs two slices quickly gobbling them down.
| >>163189
>The man pauses; his smile and half-closed eyes never leave his features.
"...I see. Anytime, CN." >He then comically grabs his stomach in pain.
"As for me, I am *quite* famished..."
>He turns to Mint,
"Mint, dear, will you carve out a slice for me? Make it generous... I am *very* hungry." >He places a hand on her shoulder.
| >The mint-haired smol gleefully rolls the pizza cutter down a side, slicing a very generous cut of pizza for Mister King, before looking up at him with a slight turn. If one is being observant, they can see a slight change in the girl's demeanor- a trickle of sweat that wasn't there before, a small bobbing motion of her adam's apple. She hands the slice of pizza to the man, and he withdraws, leaning against a wall as he consumes it.
"...delicious, as always, Mint. Delicious."
| >Mint takes a seat, but her movements seem less... exaggerated, and less drunken- as if she is making a conscious effort to act more sober. She cuts a ridiculously small slice for herself and begins to nibble at it, looking away from everyone, staring at a wall.
| >>163198
>CN noticing the change in demeanor stands up and approaches the table
"Oh what the hell, I can't say no to pizza, pass me a slice Mint?"
>He stands in such a manner that blocks eyesight between her and King.
| >>163209
>Mint takes the pizza roller and begins to carve you up a slice, but her movements are somewhat shaky. Eventually she hands you a greasy piece, the scent of pot expertly masked by a considerable helping of oregano and rosemary seasoning.
| >>163217
"Thanks."
>He grins towards her to show his appreciation before taking a bite
"So how's things been Mint? Do you help with the bartending too?"
| >>163228
"Nuh....not... really..." >The girl says, relaxing slightly but still obviously tense,
"Too scattered brain... Vanny's orders..." >She says, taking a bite out of her pizza.
| >>163230
"Well not to scatter brained to make pizza though, how long have you known how to make them? They're pretty good."
| >Two girls loitering outside decide to come in now. They look... very similar, almost like twins. Anyone well versed in robot history can tell that their appearances are at least based off of an ancient line of medical androids, one that was only ever produced in pairs. Hm... Coincidence? Probably not. Regardless, they're here, with rather curious looks on their faces. But hey, cut 'em some slack, they're first timers.
| >>163237
"For-eh-ver," >She says, kinda lazily as she chews at her pizza. Seconds later she's chewing at empty air and seems to have forgotten that she had a pizza in her hands at all.
"Ah taught myself. Watched trideo shows all day, found cooking channel. Cooking with puppets. Puppet Pastries Theatre." >She says, grabbing the roller and cutting herself another slice.
"Talking oven mittssssss commercialsss. Large pie. Pie with tomato sauce. And cheeeese."
>She noms the pizza.
| "Hooked ever since," >She finishes, munching loudly.
| >>163238
>Mister King watches the two new girls enter the bar and spies around for signs of the barkeep. He frowns slightly but, having finished his pizza, he leaves the dining area and heads to the bartable itself.
"Welcome. Welcome to the Tango Down," >He says, smiling.
"What may I serve you?"
| >>163248
>One of the sisters, the scruffy-haired one, turns to look at King.
"...eh, we're not fussy- What's the strongest you've got?"
| >>163254
"Nahhhhhh, ah can fire up a good charred /burg/ too, when its worm and sunneh outside," >She says, slurring. The absinthe from before must be finally kicking in.
>>163261
>King looks through and pulls down a thick purple bottle.
"...how about some Vudka? Aged and originating from the Thulun royal house," >He says, setting it on the table.
| >>163269
"Oh okay. Do you have a favorite kind of pizza that you like to make or do you not have a preference?"
| >>163277
"Noooo preferenceeee..." >She says, further slurring her words,
"Ah just like mixing things... togetherrr..."
| >The door to the bathroom opens, and the bartender reappears, carrying the police woman slung over one shoulder. She follows the smell of pizza and arrives in the dining room, where several of the others have seated.
"Mint? You're back? Great! Can you help me with this?" >She says, gently shrugging the woman into a chair. She seems knocked out cold.
>The bartender wipes her brow and turns back to the bartable to come face to face with Mister King.
| "...Rocky." >Mister King says, looking her up and down. The barkeeper stands still, but noticeably straighter, as if she was subconsciously coming to attention.
>The silence breaks with Mister King smiling.
"I was just offering these guests some of our finest Vudka. Would you be a dear and obtain some glassware?" >He says, not taking his eyes off of her.
>The barkeeper obliges, breaking eye contact and looking slightly downward as she acquires the requested glasses.
| >She places them on the bartable and quickly pops open the venerable drink, pouring an immaculately clear liquid into both glasses. She reseals the bottle immediately.
"Goodness you're good at this, aren't you?" >Mister King says, chuckling with that deep laugh from before.
"Tell me, where is dear Vanilla? Busy as usual?"
| "..." >The barkeeper turns to face Mister King, looking him directly in the eye.
"...She's adding yeast to the brewery..." >The barkeeper thinks for a bit, before continuing, "... and rotating the barrels used."
| "...I see," >Mister King says,
"Would you kindly summon her here? We have pleasantries to exchange."
>The barkeeper nods and disappears behind a door again.
| >Mister King smiles.
"Good help is hard to find these days."
| >AM sits back down, noticing these strange signs, he dismisses them, being to drunk and probably seeing things.
"Can I please get 2 doubles of 'Blood of Ymir'?"
| >>163284
"Oh okay well keep it up them, they definitely come out great."
>CN quietly observes how the scene plays out around him between the gurls and King
| >>163302
"Two doubles? Someone's a gambler," >Mister King jokes, moving to create the drinks.
"I suppose you will catch a cab?"
| >>163307
"I'll wander. But I wonder, what's the relation between you and the staff?"
>AM treads lightly, rhyming his question to make it seem lighter.
| >>163304
"T-thanks, ah guess," >Mint says, not ungratefully. She continues munching on her pizza, somewhat lost in thought, however.
| "Miss Mint... W-What are you thinking about?"
>Graham who was obviously drunk stood up almost stumbling over and sits on the couch.
| >>163311
>Mister King smiles, shrugging.
"Platonic, though sometimes bordering on paternal," >He says, pulling down a bottle of scotch and some club soda.
"I'm like a godfather to them, although I suspect they do not feel the same." >He feigns tears, makes a show of sad expressions, rubbing his eyes.
"Oh, woe is me, to not have a familial love returned..."
| >>163317
"Errythin'.... nothin'..." >Mint says, zoning out. The pizza in her hand remains seemingly forgotten.
| "Why would they be like that?"
>AM plays along, alcohol muddling his thought.
| >>163321
"Who knows?" >Mister King says, sipping his scotch and soda,
"Who knows the minds of... individuals?" >He says, placing emphasis on the word.
"Do we even know ourselves, I wonder?" >The door opens again, and a tall blonde woman in a long, white lab coat arrives.
"Ah, but those are thoughts for another time. Hello, Vanny."
| >The woman smiles, brings her glasses downward slightly and winks.
"Yubari."
| "No need to be so formal, Vanny!" >He gestures to the rest of the crowd.
"I was just, you know, mingling with the crowd... you have quite a number of guests tonight," >He says, looking to the barkeeper, whose face looks down, her hands together as she stands behind the bar table, and then to Mint, who is still zoning out.
"No doubt due to the exceptional service of your staff."
| >The blonde smirks.
"Despite our attempts to the contrary, yes..." >She whispers to herself.
"What brings you today?"
| "Ah, always to business with you, then," >King says, tutting.
"Impatient, impatient... I heard through the grapevine that some your freshest vineyards have needed more watering than usual. Which is bizarre, since it's been *quite* rainy..." >He says, his eyes narrowing.
"... surely the harvest has been... saved?"
>The woman paused, meeting his gaze. Her smile did not drop even a centimeter.
"...Vineyards are a delicate thing, Sir King."
| "...we will, of course, work to continue caring for the vineyard, but... some losses, are to be expected..."
>She paused- Mister King waited- his expression frozen.
"...Perhaps you could requisition some... outside consulting..." >He said- for a moment, one of his eyes darted in the direction of the pizza table- and that of where the girl and a decker sat,
"...I hear that outsiders are in high demand. Even necessary."
| >The woman's smile turned down slightly.
"...We will continue to plow the fields." >She said.
| "See that you do, Vanilla. See that you do." >Mister King said. He moved over to the coat rack and began to gently replace his cloak. He takes the hat in hand and turns back to the crowd.
"My friends... new, and familiar! It has been a pleasure to share a meal and drink with you all. Please- feel free to come back at *any* time. I will sure to be in attendance..."
>He looks to Vanilla.
"...so long as the air remains... ever... so... hospitable."
| >With a flourish, he pushes the glasses back up the bridge of his nose, which glint in the fireplace's light. He sets his enormous hat back on his head... and disappears out the door, just as quickly as he first arrived.
| >AM, hearing the conversation, takes his shots of Ymir, and plops down a cred stick.
"This will kick in any second, so I will be on my way."
>He stands up, and collapses.
| "..."
>CN gives a small wave as he leaves but otherwise stays silent, running through the possibility of the conversation in his mind
| (*as He watches king leave)
| >The barkeeper removes her hands from her lap and grabs the nearest glass- she begins to rub it down, somewhat harder than usual.
>The mint-haired girl blinks. Her belly suddenly rumbles, and she immediately slices herself an enormous helping of pizza and gobbles it down.
| >Vanilla sighs. She goes behind the counter, edging behind the barkeeper, and pulls out a bottle of cabernet sauvignon. She pours herself a glass and takes a seat at the dinner table, sipping it. She avoids eye contact with everyone.
| >>163348
"Huh?" >Vanilla says, sipping the drink. She still doesn't look at you.
"...sure. Why not."
| >>163339
>Vanilla sighs, seeing AM's crumpled form. She gets up, picks up the man with one arm while the other still has the wine glass, and drags him to a nearby couch, where she plops him down.
>She then returns to the table.
| >AM eventually returns to consciousness, getting himself up, holding on to the table for his dear life to keep balance.
"i'l be seein' me self back 'ome."
>He begins stumbling towards the entrance, feet wandering, struggling to carry him.
| >>163354
"Eating ice cream and watching that stupid tv show about some interstellar space prostitute."
| >>163357
>You feel someone pull you back. It's the barkeep. She has surprisingly strong fists.
"Get back here. You're sleeping it off."
| "Or, I'll call you a cab," >The barkeep continues.
| >>163359
"Wait... she watches Andromeda!?"
>CN's surprise and excitement almost betrays the seriousness of the earlier scene
| >>163365
>Vanilla guffaws.
"*Does* she watch Andromeda? They all do," >She says with disdain.
"You couldn't get me drunk enough to sit through that trash."
| >AM shrugs her off ith his drunken strenght.
"No need to give a shit 'bout ol me. i'll walk it of"
>He stugles to get words out of his mouth
| >>163368
"T-Trash..."
>CN seems slightly hurt but decides to drop the issue for now.
"I-I guess I can just go find her myself then in the meanwhile..."
| "Let me go lass. I hav to find her."
>AM keeps struggling against the bartender
| >>163382
"Its not like you could possibly upset me more than you already have," >She says, downing the rest of her wine.
"Come on in."
>>163384
"For who? Lady Death?" >She says, refusing to let go.
| >AM mishears, and only gets angrey
"Shut UP! My family is not dead! It's not true! They are out there!"
| >AM's eyes begin to get wet from sadness.
| >AM only eases up, but keeps pushing the bartender away, nudging Graham's hand away.
" 'We' always die, So I have to do this, on my own, so let me go!"
| >>163402
"Never! I want to help you! even if it means crushing a few skulls!"
>Graham stumbles a bit.
| >AM finally nudges the bartender off (Hopefully), giving him a chance to run.
"I don't even know you!"
| >>163387 >>163392 >>163402 >>163404 >>163405
>The bartender loses their grip on AM as you run off into the night, stomping down the flight of stairs leading down from the bar (it's stuck in the side of an apartment complex, real sneaky like). The bartender calls after him;
"This isn't like the trideo, you know!" >She says, finding herself yelling louder to her surprise,
"PLAYING SUICIDAL HERO DOESN'T WORK IN REAL LIFE!" >She yells after him!
| >>163390
>You follow her into the backrooms and walk down a series of unfurnished hallways- probably maintenance tunnels of some kind. You exit a door and find cheap carpeting and wall furniture that jumps between garish and muddy, when not broken up by the occasional broken bottle or odd stain.
>Eventually you knock on a door- room 302. Looks like you're in the apartment complex proper.
| >A few moments later, the door opens slightly to reveal short, messy, brunette hair, eye glasses, and... pajamas. Bunny pajamas, in fact. Pink colored.
>Vanilla groans.
"...Put on some clothes Cocoa. You have a visitor."
>The loli rubs her eyes and is about to leave before she does a double take, seeing CN.
"...you have got to be fucking kidding me-" >She says.
"Well, I'm not. Now get decent- or you can get to work in your jammies," >Vanilla said, forcing the door open.
| >The apartment room appears much larger in side-in fact, it looks like it consists of both this floor and the room directly above, albeit with the ceiling mostly removed. None of the walls reach said ceiling in typical loft-manner, and Vanilla follows you in, locking the door behind her with a keycard... and a deadbolt.
"Glorious, isn't it?" >Vanilla says, gesturing to... a living room that looks like it had just suffered a college superbowl party.
"Here is our "secret base.""
| "Not so secret anymore with this fat sack of shit," >Cocoa says, grumbling as she runs behind a corner,
"What the hell are you DOING Boss!?"
>Vanilla gives Cocoa a glare that shuts up the smol immediately. You feel a cold chill.
"...Yubari."
>The smol freezes.
"...What...what about him?" >She says.
"He *visited.* the bar," >Vanilla said.
"...Do you want him to visit *you*?"
>Cocoa looks downcast, unable to meet Vanilla's gaze.
"I'll get dressed."
| >>163414
>CN covers his eyes with one hand so he doesn't see Cocoa as he covers his belly with the other protectively
"I'll uh... let you get changed. A-And take it easy on the weight insults, i-im sensitive about it. How I haven't lost it despite everything I've gone through I have no idea..."
| (Also meant to say "along." Rip.)
| >At the bottom of the stairs is AM, sobbing in to his hands.
"I m-m-miss you."
>He seems to say to nobody in particular.
| >>163459
(She's taking him downstairs to help pick up AM, and to try and get him back inside the bar before he gets shot up by a roving go-ganger or before he tries and wanders home while shitfaced with enough alcohol to kill a fraternity house full of big, beefy guys.)
| "W-Why me??""
>Graham sobs drunkenly as he rolls his head back and forth.
| >>163475
"Because it's a shit ton of stairs and I've had a long day," >Rocky says as you both stumble down toward AM.
| "Also..." >She says, breathing hard as you both arrive,
"Also, he left his gear inside. He's going to be defenseless if he left now."
| "I don't see why I have to suffer..."
>He say dusting off his flannel.
| >>163482
>You see AM as you head down the stairs, but the closer you come, the more the situation unfolds. You can see that AM's fists are covered in blood, and so are his shoes.
>The door is open to the stairs, and just outside it, lays a go-ganger, head caved in.
"I tried... I tried to save them."
| >>163497
>Rocky looks over the dead body of the go-ganger, along with his destroyed motorbike. Upon closer inspection, her face turns slightly white- there on the lapel of the dead ganger are the letters "RIDERZZZ"
>"How the hell did they get this far into Downtown?" She thought to herself, but then she turns back to AM.
"Tried to save who, honey?"
| "My squad. One p-person. She was all I cared for."
>AM cries harder.
| >>163505
>Rocky rubs the big man's back gently while scanning around the immediate area. This part of town was dead. For now. She would need to get rid of the bike... and the corpse.
| "Listen big guy... I don't know who those people were to you, but I doubt they'd want to see you out here in a rut," >She says, gently trying to get him to his feet.
"Come on, let's get you inside, sober you up a bit."
| "Does it matter? Does anything?"
>AM looks up at her, his bandages wet from crying.
| >>163515
>Rocky shrugs.
"I doubt this would make you feel better, but it matters to *me* that one of our customers doesn't die just outside our establishment," >She says, hauling AM to his feet and slinging him over her shoulder.
"Makes everyone feel like drek, you know?"
| "And in my opinion..."
>She starts back up toward the bar,
"There's more than enough drek to go around."
| >AM simply complies.
"I'm not worth it. Just let me get out of here"
>He makes a pointless effort to reach for the ganger and bike.
| >>163521
"*You* might not think you have any worth..." >They're both halfway up now,
"But unfortunately for you, *I* think you do. Hell of a predicament, innit?" >She closes the door behind herself, Graham, and AM, and gently lays the big guy on an empty couch next to the fireplace.
>Rocky wipes her brow.
"Guess that's my good deed for the year."
| >>163525
>By the time AM is on the couch, he is fast asleep, the second shot finally getting to him.
"Tinna..."
>He murmurs in his sleep.
| "Well... What should I do now?"
>Graham tilts his head.
| >>163528
>Rocky shrugs.
"Beats me. Pay your tab and head home... crash here. Up to you." >She sighs.
"I need to see to the others."
| >She pulls one of the synth-wool shawls covering the couches over to where AM lays and covers him with it.
| >thisishorribleIclearlywenttoofastIdontevenknowthesepeopletoowellwhathappenedwhatamIdoingatleastnoonegotintoafightanddieditcouldhavebeenalotworsethiswasthekindofirresponsibleonlyacceptablebehindcloseddoorswellnothingwasreallylostorwasitisthereapriceondignitywillthisbeaproblemwaitwouldthisbeconsidereddisorderlyconductdoIhavetomakeanarrestohnodoIhavetomakeanarredonmyselfwaitIcantarrestmyselfsoIshouldcallbackupincasewaitwhatevenconstitutesdisorderlyconduct
>Back in the bar. Ferris
| >sits at a table staring at nothing with intensity
| >>163531
"Ferris... Just sleep it off... you'll be okay alright"
>Graham slides the tender money.
"This should work... I'll sleep here if thats fine..."
| >>163085
>Elena raises her head from the counter, smiling a little
>she gives a look to your knife, before shaking her head
"How about something strong? I feel like this night is coming to a close soon and I dont wanna walk home sober"
| >>163535
>>163552
"Ahh yes I'll be fine"
"I've always been one of the weaker drinkers. But I've seen much worse"
>Ferris laughs nostalgically as she takes out a collapsible shock baton and a fiveseven/marked am/ from the holster at her hip. Placing it on the table
>She then looks as if she's remembered something and takes two grenades out of her coat. Also placing them on the table
| >>163580
>Another 'Blood of Ymir' is poured out, just for Elena.
>>163584
>The barkeep smiles as she begins to file the various weapons on the bartable in a hidden gunsafe that's beneath the table itself.
"Sweet dreams, sheriff."
>>163580
>She turns back to Elena.
"Oh no you don't. Make yourself comfortable."
| >The roaring sound of multiple bikes approach from outside. Eventually stopping into their idle purrs. Then there is only swearing
"THE HELL HAPPENED TO JIMMY"
| "Guess I won't be sleeping..."
>Graham mumbles....
| a pale woman in a trenchcoat strolls into the bar, mildly confused.
"Excuse me, is a 'Sairento' here?"
|
|
| >AM wakes up the tho noise of bikes, reaching for his gun instinctively, but finding nothing.
"...Shit, my head..."
| >>164243
>The two sisters from earlier (see post #163238) turn to the trenchcoated woman. The scruffy-haired one walks over, giving her a small wave.
"You called?"
| >>164301
The woman waves back and walks over to the group
"You're the gunsmith right?"
>She sighs and shakes her head at the bikers outside
"so uncivilized..."
| "AH FUCKIT KNOCK DOWN EVERY DOOR AND FIND WHO DID THIS"
"CALL THE OTHERS TELL EM TO BRING FAHHHYYRRREEE"
>The go-gangers outside get especially unruly. They take out their guns and start knocking on doors. Violently. Some rev their bikes to further incite each other.
| >The woman takes out her gun and unloads it, but upon hearing the yelling, roloads it
"Maybe we should do this at a bettet time"
| (thread reaching critical mass)
(gonna make a new one in a bit.)
| (finish off the last five posts here. :P)
| >>164315
"...or a better place." >The other redheaded 'droid, the one with relatively organized hair, joins her sister, nodding in agreement.
"Of course, if you still want to do it here, we've got no shortage of combat experience."
| >The woman ponders for a moment, looking around
"What do you mean? a bar full of passed out drunks is the *perfect* place for a shoot out.
>She laughs then hands the loaded pistol to the droid
"It's a simple request anyway. First: Could you engrave the words 'Memento Mori' on the side? Second: I know the IWI50 is already one of the *loudest* handguns you can own but uh... can you nake it even louder? I want it to be memorable."
| >>164338
>The scruffy-haired lass, the Devola of the pair, begins to laugh.
"CAN we do either of those things? Hell yeah." >She rolls up the sleeve on her leather jacket.
"It might take a day or two, though. Emphasis on the *might*. What do you say?"
| >Dahk gives a sigh of relief and laughs too
"Well, what's the price then? I'll pay upfront now,"
| (new thread up!)
This thread is permanently archived
| (Decided to make another thread since the bump limit was reached)
"I remember I got drunk real bad at a party and woke up in a boomer's bed... A RICH boomer to be exact, her Butler gave me a fuzzy robe and some pills for the hangover. I still have her number somewhere in my boxes in my closet.
>Graham gives a smirk.