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(Setting) The Lock & Barrel
| >A women who looks to be in her mid-to-late twenties walks into the bar. Her long, platinum blonde hair is perfectly straight, styled in a hime cut.
>She's dressed casually in tight jeans and a graphic tee with a stylized print of a Shiba Inu wielding a laser. White sneakers and a thin, black glove covering her left hand complete her outfit.
"One Cobalt Velvet, please."
| A beer
| >A vaguely once familiar face walks in. His hair pulled back in a ponytail, his sleek black and gold trim suit fitted his toned frame well.
>He took a separate seat toward the end of the bar.
"If I could get a Marsblast, that would be good to pass my time while waiting."
| >A tall, young man soon enters afterwards and sits towards the middle of the bar
"Sugar Rush please."
| >A man in a suit, wearing a covert bulletproof vest walks in. You can note the bullet holes to his vest. He sits next to the tall, young man.
"One very Bad Touch please, and pills if you have 'em."
>His face dosent show a hint of laughter at the name, rather annoyance.
| >>244057
"Coming right up," >The tender says, gently dropping the ingredients, including ice, into a shaker and shaking it thoroughly. She passes a smooth round glass into your hands.
>>244064
>A frothy short mug of some golden lager meets your fingers!
>>244085
>The tender blends together the drink and slides it to the suited man.
"Long time no see. I suppose your bounty's run out?"
>>244122
>The tender makes the cute pink drink and adds just a touch of karmotrine.
"Geekboy," >She says, not unkindly.
>>244177
>A small small dish with two pills touches your hand.
"Codeine," >The tender says,
"There are easier ways to die than mixing alcohol and painkillers, love."
| >>246249
"Mmm... picking up a bit. Had to kick out a couple of razorboys fresh from a chop shop the other day- seems like they got their augments on the cheap. Not in a good way."
>She says, wiping a glass with a knowing grin.
"At least our door survived this time."
| >>246254
"Feels like that's been happening a lot more lately, although it must be a pain to get an augment with how cold it still is. It feels like we're about to skip right over summer and all the nice days at the beach."
| >>246285
"Ugh, don't remind me..." >She says, frowning.
"Makes me wish when I still lived in a place with a climate controller."
| >>246229
>He takes a moment to grab his drink and moves closer, sitting a seat away from CN now before taking a chance to respond to Verana
"Hey, when your bounty is that low you only get a number of small time hunters. I actually had more trouble escorting you know who than taking care of that issue."
>He took a sip of the Blast.
"How have you been since then? Sorry I've not been in, but I think I don't need to explain why."
>He smirked a little as he spoke.
| "And CN, I trust I'll see at least one of your friends, right?"
>He adds taking his attention to his pseudo-cohort.
| >>246301
"You're not originally from GC then?"
>>246324
"They're both on their way right now in fact."
| >>246341
>He exhales heavily and takes another drink.
"Good to hear. Truth be told, i'm relatively nervous about this, but yeah. Here goes nothing, right?"
>He puts on a smile again as he pulls out a pair of pictures.
"By the way, mind keeping you eyes peeled for this girl?"
>The picture is of a smaller girl with a black bob hair cut and large red hoodie. She has a huge smile on her face and looks like an excited angel with her appearance.
"Verana you too, if you'd be so kind."
| >>246363
"Well, remember when I got stabbed a while back? This is her. Turns out Hoods has found a trio of bodies all matching up with the same characteristics of that same knife. It leaves a specific residue that wouldn't be found on any normal knife. This residue is also how it was able to cut through my shirt."
>He sips his drink thoughfully.
"All three bodies have that same residue, hold a resemblance to you, outside of the 3rd victim, and have 20+ stabs each."
>He said quietly
| >>246322
>Verana shrugs.
"The more things change, the more they stay the same. Though it feels like the city only came alive two years ago- not long after the White Knights disbanded the first time. Since then it's been a non stop rush of tragedy or calamity- sometimes both."
>>246341
"Solar, no. You couldn't tell from the accent?" >She winks.
>>246352
>Verana briefly glances down at the image- you think you see something sparkle in her eye, but only for a moment.
"Of course."
| >>246375
"Jeez why me... I thought that were after you?"
>>246385
"I guess not, although you always seem to have your own surprises, not that that's a bad thing."
| >>246385
"There's some good here and there too. Just maybe not for our kind, but that's what we're trying to help makes I suppose. Shoulder the weight ourselves and all that."
>His eyebrow cocks up as he catches it Verana's own interest.
"Any info you may have heard would be great if you already are in the know."
>He asks before finishing his first drink, tapping the rim of the glass to request another.
| >>246397
"Well, I'm thinking she has her info mixed up or something. She doesn't seem particularly intelligent. She's also seen you with me so she must assume you're a Collar as well in some case. They're probably using the murders as a threat to lure me out which honestly it's working but I'm not catching her in person."
| >>246401
"*Sigh* Well if they plan on killing me, they're going to face to get in line, I got quite a few sights aimed on me already."
| >>246421
"You can say that again. It's been publically announced I'm the target though. You remember that 'Inquisitor' from a few weeks ago? Turns out they've been hunting Black Collar Personnel for a while now. But their movements have been so erratic we haven't been able to get our scouts to pin them down."
>He sighs a little.
"Similar stabbing profiles on some of those suits, too, by the way..."
| "Sounds like a job on your hands. You got an opening for it?"
>The suited guy takes his pills dry.
"Can I get a sugar rush?"
| >>246462
>He nods to Verana tipping his glass to her slightly.
>>246452
"Yeah. It's about like that wherever I'm stationed though so I'm used to it. Aside from the reliance on Tech in day-to-day life. As mentioned, would be nice if I had more than just Hakase to talk to on a regular basis. But now my favorite Bartender is back in action so that'll be a great incentive."
>He'd been speaking to CN but threw a wink at Verana at the end.
| >>246718
"Honestly, fella I've got two outsiders helping already on it from what my informant tells me. One of them is a high profile vigilante like myself, the other is a bartender as far as I know."
>Markus shrugged.
"Honestly I typically work alone."
| >The doors creak open to reveal a tol woman wearing a worn white and purple techwear long coat, obscuring most of her body aside from her pale face. Her blue eyes seem to glow in the faint light of the tavern, matched by the blue tips poking at the ends of her short, messy, blonde hair.
|
>Behind her, a much shorter woman pops her head around a corner, wearing a wool, dark purple coat and a matching scarf. She adjusts her enormous, round glasses as she spies the Geekboy.
"Hey!"
| >Fox saunters in, looking equal parts tired and bored, two emotions that he himself had difficulty determining in humans. He wanders to the bar and plops down, digging in his jacket and throwing down his credstick
"Hey, can I get a strong Blue fairy, please? It's been... been a day."
| >A gentleman of slightly tanned skin, brown hair and eyes: Walks in wearing a stylish business suits of azure; a matching fedora barely covering a data jack over his right ear. His eyes are hidden behind a black set of display goggles that rapidly show readouts and what is likely some sort of HUD.
"Hm, they remodeled."
>he remarked as he approached the bar.
"Something sour, please."
>he asked of the bartender as he removed his fedora and settled down at the bar.
| >>247108 >>247109
>CN sees the pair and walks over to them with his drink
"Hey there you two, was starting to get worried."
>He quickly kisses the shorter of the two and grabs one of her hands
"Want a drink?"
| >>247460
>Markus just took the chance to watch as CN made his way over to the ladies who entered. He took a large drink of his Marsblast before catching the eye of either lady and as he did, he'd give a single wave to them, and an ungloved hand, and a nod to simply show he was there at least.
| >>246718
>A familiar pink drink arrives in your hands, minus the karmotrine.
>>247159
>A tall glass of brilliantly blue colored contents makes it way to you.
>>247435
>The fancy blue of a wine glass with a key shaped into the handle makes its way to you, a "Piano Man."
>Shortly thereafter, a familiar drink that is also blue, with the appearance of a "moon" in its center, slowly slides next to the Piano Man.
"Long time no see, chief," >Verana says, winking.
| >>760d50
>Corbinion looks down at the drink and grins before looking back up at Verana.
"Nice to see you, but..."
>he pointed to his drink.
"Not exactly what I ordered, then again..."
>he picks up the drink and sips the warm and spicy tea and sighs.
"I can never refuse a Blue Moon Tea. Wasn't sure if you still knew how to make it."
| >Fox takes a drink of his drink, enjoying the karmotine soaking his circuits, so to speak. The odd people around almost put him at ease. The oddities of GC make anything feel more comfortable.
| >>247460
>The shorter girl smiles and blushes slightly.
"I'll have a... Old Fashioned, please. With maple syrup, if there's any."
| >A young man enters the Bar. He wears a long Black coat and around his neck hangs an vintage skii glasses. His gaze wanders searching through the inside before he closes the door and comes in finally. Then goes to the bar counter. he asks the bartender.
'Excuse me, is someone named Cain already here?'
| >>249197
>Verana raises an eyebrow.
"Awfully specific, have a story behind that?" >She says as she prepares the drink.
>>249263
"Hmm? No one by that handle, no."
| >>249265
'Well then i will wait. I guess i am also a little bit to early. Can u give me a gut punch meanwhile?'
>Asks the young men the bartender
| >>249265
"Maple syrup is kind of unique now that I think about it, why that particular taste?"
>CN turns towards Engy
| >>249289
>She shrugs.
"It takes the edge off. It's like... sliding a razor blade across your skin but you just feel a tingly sensation instead of the blade itself."
| 'Another Gut punch pls mrs. Bartender'
| > sayed the young men in the black coat. He looks now very bored
| >All along, The fella with his pills has been quietly listening along to the surrounding conversations, with a parched throat. He clears his throat, and speaks to the bartender.
"So what can I get after some codeine?"
| >>249431
>The man realises his minor discrepancy, and quickly downs the Sugar Rush, leaving an empty glass.
"So yeah. Anything good?"
| "I was hoping for a Gut Punch, the codeine is taking too long to kick in."
>The man replies.
| >The Guy Stares at it, already knowing there is no Karmotrine.
"Well, Thanks for the drink, but I got to go."
>The drops a 2k zenny cred stick, and heads out of the bar in to the chilly night.
| >>249263
(I did not spot your post... sorry)
>A woman, dressed in a rag tag of normal and military clothes comes in after a shift at the Cathedral-3 recovery site. She takes a seat at a booth, looking at the patrons. It must be Cain.
| >The blonde girl in the laser doge shirt takes her time with her drink, savoring the flavor of each sip as patrons fill in the bar. Eventually, she finds only a few drops left in the round glass.
"Barkeep? Verana, was it? Could I get another round in the same glass, please?"
>Her voice is soothing and calm, if somewhat deep for a woman.
"Looks like this place really filled up after I arrived."
>She says with a small smile.
| >>249308
>Markus side eyes Engy as she sits down. General nervousness is written on his normally composed face. He finishes off his Marsblast a second time before taking a chance to say anything.
"Uhh, hello. I'm Markus. It's a pleasure to... properly meet you."
>He extends an open hand over, for a handshake.
| >>250055
>The men in the black coat stand up from his seat and walks to the other side of the booth, next to the woman in the military clothes he stops.
'I looks like that you also searching someone. You aren't by chance Cain?'
>He asks the woman
( i Was sleeping. hopefully u didn't wait long for a action)
| "I am. You must be the engineer."
>Cain leans on the table, tired.
| >>250257
'jep you are right'
>Ritrivia takes the seat nearby her
'You look exhaust? Long day?' his voice sounds a little bit caring
| >Corbinion drinks his tea dry with a satisfied sigh. He almost raises his hand to get Verana's attention before finally noticing the Piano Man next to where he set down his tea cup. He puts his hand down, his shaded eyes focusing on the drink before he grins, shakes his head, and sips at the drink he had originally ordered.
>He also slots a cred chit into the countertop and uploads the cost of the two drinks plus a tip of about 700.
| >a man walks in.
>he makes his way to a barstool somewhat isolated from the rest of the patrons.
Scuse me bartender a piano man if you would.
| >>250306
"It was a long day. But we are making progress. So here's the deal, good news, you might have a job. Bad news, it might only be temporary."
>Cain waves to get Verana's attention.
"I have a client who wants a VTOL, and I want your technical skill."
| >>250869
>He inhales deep and slowly. Than exhales strong and quickly. It looks like he hoped for a better offer than a temporary job.
'Puh... Okay, well how high will be my reward for this job? And i need more Information about the VTOL.'
| >>250869(I guess u refer to the other thread with the customer who want a plane right?)
| >>250938
(Yep, r's VTOL.)
"The VTOL is a Bunjil V-52. So the flyaway cost is about 400 million zenny, but the client wants modifications done for it. You get a hefty 40% of the profits, as the one building and developing solutions for the client. Do this well and you might land a permanent job."
>Cain puts her hand on the head.
"I know temp jobs aren't the best, but right now I only have the VTOL job and another one in Cathedral-3."
| >>250086
>Another Cobalt Velvet graces your fingertips!
>>250775
>Verana smiles.
"Your patronage flatters me, chief. Need to know anything from the A.C.B? (Association of Curious Bartenders, a neutral rumormill group.)"
>>250782
"Right away, good sir."
>And so it does!
>>250869
>Verana arrives!
"What may I serve you?"
| >>250994
'Hmmm'
>his left hand goes to his chin
'How long should the development take? And just to ask... What i the other job about?
| >>251017
"May I please get a Piano Man and a Sugar Rush?"
>Cain says to Verana's, before returning to the engineer.
>>251019
"Development can vary between 2 to 6 months, really depends on what the client wants. The other job is not simple eather. You've seen the Cathedral-3 disaster, right? Well I am leading the resurgence of the district, but it's beginning to wear on me."
| >>251035
>He looks surprised.
'Oh god, i can imagine how wearing this job must be... Well the vehicle sounds way better to be honest' >The last sentence comes with a little carefully smile.
'If I can assume that i gain a little bit of salary every month dependent on the work i have done, so i can pay life cost and my little apartment, we will have a deal. Because i guess, if i gain the money after the whole work, i will die before.'
| >>250196
>The girl politely takes your hand and shakes it, but she's quick to release her grip.
"Yes... yes indeed. I go by my, uh, handle, Sentient Engine," >She says, somewhat awkwardly. She then reflexively reaches for her glass, takes a gulp, and continues.
"Nice to meet you!"
| >>251102
>Markus scratches his head after the shake.
"You may have heard my own handle a lot more, Gold Knuckles or GK. I know CN typically refers to me as that so... yeah."
>An awkward silence.
"I'm assuming Engine would be fine to call you, right? Pretty cool name though, I've gotta say."
>He taps his glass again for Verana to fill his drink again, still trying to beat out his own anxiety.
| >>251045
"Thanks~"
>Cain happily accepts the drinks taking a big gulp of the sugar rush.
>>251100
"That can be arranged. Where are you from by the way?"
| 'Well that would be great. I am from Germany. Arrived GC 3 weeks ago.'
| >>251115
'will there be another meeting to sign the employment contract. And where is your company and how are the working hours.'
>He askes during he massage his neck.
| >>251130 >>251136
"You can come by our gallery in Uptown, there we can sign the contract. Working hours I trust to you, how much work you do is how much you get paid."
>Cain begins to drink her Piano Man, leaving some Sugar rush for later.
| >>251189
>his eyebrows goes up after hearing the working times.
'Well ookaay... Than i will visit your gallery in a few days. Do you have any questions left?'
>while she drinks he looks slowly from her face over the body to there foods and then back. He does this unobtrusively so she shouldn't notice.
| "You want a drink?"
>Cain sets down her drink. She glances suspiciusly, but lets it go, it was probably nothing.
| >>251223
'For celebrating the comming assignment? With pleasure. i will take a piano men.'
>A slightly smile on his face.
| >Fox finally finished his drink, seemingly in a trance. He still lifts the glass as if there's liquid in it, but doesn't even open his mouth. He doesn't even realise he's doing it, eyes locked forward
| >>251228 >>251223
>After he finished the Piano men he stood up and payed the other drinks he had.
'Well then, see you tomorrow Mrs. Cain'
>He noded slightly into Cains direction and then went of the Bar.
| >>251017
>Corbinion looks up from sipping his Piano man.
"I am looking for a man known as Carrot."
>he said with an even tone and a firm grip on his glass.
"Master disguiser, playboy, probably a syndicate made man, and in stern need of a..."
>Corbinion turns his head ever so slightly, taking in the room of patrons, before turning his gaze back to Verana.
"...conversation with me."
| >Zee takes the refilled Cobalt Velevet from Verana with a grateful smile.
"Carrot? What kind of name is that?"
>She interjects with a chuckle
"I'm Zee by the way."
>She extends her hand towards him
"She called you chief. You wouldn't happen to be the owner of this fine establishment?"
| >>252443
"Pleasure to meet, Zee."
>He reaches out and grips her hand firmly but amicably.
"Carrot is a street name or handle of some sort. Rumor is he has a bodyguard called Stick."
>He slowly shook his head.
"As for myself well..."
>He turned his gaze to Verana and then back to Zee.
"Let's just say I am a long time friend of the establishment."
| >Zee stretches her arms above her head.
"Sounds like the cheesiest names for good cop/bad cop."
| >>252659
"Indeed. Carrot, so I'm told, fancies himself rather clever. Although recently his cunning has gotten him into some rather serious trouble."
>Corbinion sips at his drink.
"So, I wager you don't know anything about Carrot, then?"
| >Zee scratches her chin before taking another sip of Cobalt Velvet, savoring the burn.
"Can't say I do, but if it's data you're after, I'm you're gal!"
>She replies cheerfully.
"Although it seems like you've got plenty of that to deal with already."
>Her eyes drift from his dapper suit up to his strange goggles.
| >>252712
>Cobinion smiles and sips the last of his Piano man dry, pushing it a little toward the bartender.
"Something without any karmo, please."
>He turns his gaze toward her, streams of
lettering flowing across his vision.
"When data mining, we all have our unique tools. My tools have only gotten me so far, when it comes to finding people with a variety of tools I don't possess: I find it prudent to check in with folk who enjoy a good drink at the best bar in the city."
| <<OOC: RIP when you typo the red text wrongly.>>
| >>252720
>Zee tips back the rest of her drink, letting it rush down her throat.
"Hit me with a Mercuryblast, please."
>She turns back to Corbinion, the slightest hint of pink tingeing her pale skin.
"Oh trust me, honey, I've got plenty of tools, if ya catch my drift."
>She says with a husky voice, leaning in closer to him. She holds that pose for a moment before bursting out in laughter, leaning back against the bar.
| >>252742
>Corbinion shakes his head but smiles.
"Use any of them you wish Zee. Get me a sit-down with Carrot and I will show my... appreciation."
| >>252830
"Carrots help humans see in the dark. Carrots remind me that crunchy food has odd textures. Tex-tu-uresssssssss... text-tur-essss... te-xture-ssssss....
>Fox is still looking forward, listening but clearly not paying any attention, simply parroting. His glass is now upside down on the bartop and he taps it as if it were a bongo drum
| >>252362 >>252742
"Mm... I wouldn't say I know a 'Carrot,' but there's been more than one ginger haired gang banger around town. However, I do know about a "gardner" of sorts. Not sure if there's a relation... unless your mark's into genetic engineering."
>>252720
>Verana pushes a cool green glass that had been topped with limes- a Fluffy Dream- toward you.
>>252742
>The blended, blue drink reaches your fingertips.
| >>252934
>Verana sighs and picks up the glass; she gently places it in the sink and then mops up the table around Fox with a rag.
| >>251142
>The tol blonde woman appears to have disappeared- in the back of the bar, you see a faint blue light emanating from a familiar electronic cigarette. The glow sometimes catches two blue eyes, which watch the bar with a predator's glare.
| >>253738
>CN rolls his eyes
"What does she think this is, a spy trideo..."
>He mumbles as he turns back to the pair.
>>253740 >>251114
"So... maybe we should get a table in the back so we can all talk to ourselves?"
| >>253742
"Thanks much!"
>Markus gestures with the glass in hand.
>>253740
"And perfect. 2 syllables is always more convenient for names."
>>253744
>He catches where CN is looking initially and nods as he speaks.l to confirm.
"Yeah, I'd say that might be best. Since someone's playing hard to approach, anyway."
>Markus grabs hold of his drink and stands up, but would prefer to follow CN over instead of taking the Lead.
| >>253734
"Hold up hold up."
>Zee turns from Corb to Verana and back again, her hair swirling with the exaggerated motion.
"You're telling me he goes by 'Carrot' AND he's a ginger? How the hell does he ever get laid?!"
>She cracks up a bit at her own joke before taking a swig of the new drink, grimacing a bit at the sour flavor.
"On a serious note, I could do some crosschecking for you, but a third data point would be helpful... plus a little 'compensation.'"
| >>253846
>Markus inhales deeply as he walks over. He focuses on her own glare, choosing not to return any sort of hostility back. He sat his glass on table first, staring at her.
"Hey, Verana. I forgot to mention. But everything our group has tonight is on my pay, okay?"
>His words leave with a small smile on his face, but he bows deeply to Merc, his right hand reaching over his chest.
"I apologize for the previous threat I made to you. Please understand my situation."
| >>254017
>The blonde's eyes open wide as the trio approaches. She rolls them and looks away as you speak to her.
>She pulls out her cigarette.
"Is demonboy with you?"
| >>258268
"He has been contained back at my homeland and is under heavy supervision under our lead exorcist, you can call him. He's only allowed to practice and rehabilitate himself for 2 hours a day, the rest is in a Confinement. The new bindings that woman placed on him actually did a number to his system, so to speak so it has been harder for him to perform, so to speak."
| >Markus stands straight, snapping his fingers to allow a small flame to burn just over his index tip, and holds it slightly forward for Merc, if she would like.
"If there was no way to get him back, I would have killed him myself, just so you know."
| >>258275
>Mercury sighs, then shows that the cigarette is electronic.
"Fair enuff, then," >She says, smiling wryly. Then she examines your flaming finger.
"Er... what's that for?"
| >>258278
"He's trying and failing to do a nice gesture."
>CN sighs and sits down, leaving room between him and Merc for Engy to sit
"Why are you sitting in a dark corner like you're in some trideo noir?"
| "Does.... Does it not need a light...?"
>Markus asks, staring at it. He'd seen smoke from it earlier too. He quickly puts his flame out and looks away, slightly embarrassed.
"Even though I've been in this environment for a year, I'm still learning stuff, huh..."
| >>258284 >>258283
>Mercury blinks her eyes, now also confused.
"Er... why would it need a light...?"
| >>258309
"There's non-electronic cigs Merc. Also we spend our days as drama filled runners. I'd prefer a little more slice of life than noir."
| >>258309
>He sighs slightly,
"We don't have stuff like... that back where I'm from. You could say a lot of our technology is a bit lacking, to put it simply."
>He says, Nodding along with CN.
| >>258312 >>258313
"... so you're telling me... that people take like, meat, and then light it on fire, and then snuff it?" >Mercury says, straight faced.
"And ah'll have you know that noir is a lifestyle with plenty of practical applications..."
| >Engy facepalms as she takes a seat and sips her Old Fashioned.
| >>258318
"Not meat, plants. And it has nothing to do with practically. Sometimes it would be nice to live worry free is all."
| >>258331
>CN rolls his eyes
"Well you're plenty happy going wherever the action takes you but that's not what we came here to talk about."
| >>258331
"If this was a couple years ago, I'd agree with you but after everything I've had I'd rather it be slow like this. Filler episodes can be important too, as my friend Hakase would say."
>Markus finally took his own seat, taking hold of his marsblast.
"Honestly, looking at the three of you reminds me of my old days when I first started doing this."
| >>272232
"Me, The Troublemaker and The Assassin were almost always on missions together as the three of us. Just something nostalgic about seeing you three together, I guess."
>He said fondly with a smile.
| >>272356
"Well, CN, you're definitely the Troublemaker. Granted, you can take care of yourself in a number of situations but you can't do it all. Engine is pretty similar to my Assassin from back then too, and I guess that just leaves me and Merc, right? The Action One that saves the other two's asses when they get in trouble, yeah?"
>Markus took another drink, a genuine smile on his face, however, as he set the glass down.
| >>273133
"I'm sure, given that I've gotten in over my head too, but at the same time, you probably need saving more than she does, yeah?"
| >>273139 >>274380
"*Sigh* Just cause it's true doesn't mean you need to say it... makes me seem useless..."
| >>274389
"Oh come on, you know I don't mean your useless. Everyone has a place to sit for a reason. My Troublemaker is the same way. Without him, I wouldn't have been able to get out of situations without his personal Expertise."
>Markus smiled gently.
"Besides, if you want to be more useful in a fight, you know who I can call."
>He raises his glass to Merc with a nod and a smile.
"Do this for long enough, you notice the patterns."
>He finishes his Marsblast and sets it down.
| >>274504
"No if I'm going to do this, I'm going to do it my way. I may just be a burden but I just got to do it like this."
| >>274511
"Even after this past year huh...?"
>He smirked and then laughed out loud.
"Now that's what I like to see. Determination like that will get you far. Do it your way, I'd like to see it done then!"
This thread is permanently archived
| >Very quietly, a watering hole of suspiciously ancient pedigree popped on halogen lights, opened its doors, and began to play soft music from an analog jukebox, set to tunes recorded before the Purge as well as after. It has all the appearance of an old Irish tavern, with wooden flooring, musty lights, and a large, ornate bar area stretching about a third of the length of the inside.
>Aside from a plethora of tables and chairs neatly organized along the center of the dining space, there are numerous booths along the walls, each installed with cushions that are filled with more holes than they ought to. The cracking leather speaks to the building's longevity, but time has only made them more comfy, not less.
>In one corner stands a slightly raised platform, replete with dusty speakers and other audio equipment, waiting to be used. A mic and its stand sits near the edge of the platform, along with a pop filter.
>If one asks the bartender, they could receive a key to a set of one of a number of closed rooms near the back of the bar. At first glance, these appear to be private booths- not unlike the public ones, except with little doors with shaded, one way windows. It won't take long to realize that cellphone and wireless Matrix signals cut off inside the rooms, in addition to any other electronic communication devices, and on more than one occasion, shouting and screaming have fallen on deaf ears to anyone outside the booths- quite literally.
>The tender today is a young woman with her brunette hair cut into a bob. She has a discreet device nestled in her right ear, but other than that, she looks like any other tender- vest, white blouse, a smol black bow tie and a very large handgun discreetly attached to a holster in her back.
>She waves to you as you enter!
"Welcome to the Lock and Barrel! How may I serve you?"