This thread is permanently archived
(Setting) The Tango Down Divebar
| >A particularly enormous one, easily the size of four heads, sits on the corner of the bar, its toothsome, gaping maw sporting a sign that says "FEED ME" underneath.
| >A tall, young man chuckles at the pumpkins as he walks up to the divebar and enters, holding a large grocery bag with him, on top of everything else he's always carrying around.
"H-Hello? I-It's CN."
| >Suddenly the lights dim- thanks to your low light vision, you still manage to see everything pretty clearly. The speakers on the walls reverberate with corny vampire music and a badly autotuned voice.
"WhoOOOoooOoOooo gooooOoOoOOesss thereeeeeEEeeE?" >Says a super spooky voice!
| >>50924
>CN holds up the grocery bag
"The one who has brought the proper sacrifice to appease you spirits!"
| >There's a flash of smoke and light, and suddenly a caped girl with a pale face and red eyes appears in front of you!
"FoOOOooLish Mortal! Only by sucCCking yer bLo000000Dd can I be APPEASEDDD..."
"But perhaAAps I can SUCCCKKKkk somethinG eLsE insTEAADDDD..."
| >Strobe lights flare throughout the room as the girl stalks closer, towering above you! Their hair brushes the ceiling!
| "Suck? But I don't think I bought any hard candy in the supermarket?"
>CN ponders to himself as he pretends to act oblivious
| "YoUr wORds aRe AS eMPTY aS Your BAnK AcCOUNTTT!" >The girl shrills, leaning in to get closer to you.
"ALLoW MeeE to ClEAn Up the REESSSSSSSSSAHHHHHHHHHHHH" >The girl yells, tilting too far and falling down toward you!
| "Wow careful!"
>He reaches towards the top gurl to try and break her fall
| >The girl falls onto you, stilts and all, her costume and makeup falling to disarray!
>The lights turn on abruptly and Rocky appears behind the bar table, facepalming.
| "Ugh... a-are you okay?"
>CN barely manages to say since the wind was knocked out of him from the fall.
| >With the lights on, you see Strawberry collapsed on top of you in a daze, her shoulder length red hair a mess all over yours. She has a large red welt on her forehead and appears to be mumbling incoherently!
| >Rocky walks over and pulls the girl up by her cloak, and undoes her stilts. The poles fall to the side as she gently throws the girl onto a nearby couch.
>She looks to you apologetically.
"...care for a drink?"
| "N-No I'm fine thank you."
>CN stands up from the ground and makes sure the groceries are okay
"Was that supposed to be revenge for something?"
| >>51535
>She sighs.
"No, that's just her being a lovestruck idiot, as always..."
>Rocky rolls her eyes, then heads over to flip the lights on a wall near the bar. A small dining area has been set up here, with a few wooden tables and a set of windows looking outside. She begins to set the table.
| >CN sets the grocery bag on the bar table and helps her setup.
"Do you gurls always eat like together like this?"
| >>51602
>She shrugs.
"Surprised?"
>She finishes setting the place mats and begins adding plates and silverware. She nods over to a shelf where a set of glassware is.
| >>51618
"Honestly a little, I can't when remember the last time my team ate together like this... although I guess there's multiple reasons for that."
>He speaks as he walks over to the shelf and sets up the glassware
| "Such as?" >Rocky says as she sets out heat pads in the center of the table. She arranges a variety of small, decorated pumpkins around the pads, each carved with a miniature, ghastly visage.
| >>51901
"Hmm... I guess cause we always have different schedules and stuff. We're more like a ragtag group than a team sometimes I feel I guess. Could also be that we're larger than just be six people, so there's that as well."
| "Really... sounds more like a small militia than a shadowrunner team," >She says. Having finished setting up the table, Rocky heads back toward the bar and begins to look through the top shelf liquors.
"I'm guessing you have some kind of financial backing to support all of them."
| >>51937
"Eh I mean I wouldn't go that far either. Although I suppose it's probably true that the DynamoFucks wouldn't have even formed in the first place if it wasn't for VeriaTech, I feel like we've gotten relatively close to each other. As for money just mostly odd jobs here and there, we try to finance ourselves when we can."
| "Veriatech?" >The woman says, stopping midway as she pulls a thick amber liquid from the top shelf.
"You used to *work* for them?"
| "N-No that's not what a meant."
>He vehemently shakes his head
"I meant that we all first formed our group when VeriaTech attacked us. None of us ever worked for them before, at least, as far as I know..."
| "I see..." >Rocky says as she selects a small bottle of Angostura and a Jack Daniels.
"That's kind of unorthodox. Why did VeriaTech attack you?" >She mixes the Angostura with some sugar in a short glass, crushing the ingredients as she does so.
| >>51950
"Well the exact reasoning was before I joined the team so I'm not sure on the details but I think it was related to some info being leaked and them trying to tie up loose ends. I need to ask the ones involved in that for some details again. How about you? How did your team form?"
| >>51954
>She drops a billiard ball sized ice cube into the glass and slowly pours the Jack Daniels in, stirring as she does so.
"Nothing so special. Even before VeriaTech started throwing their weight around, Vita-Life knew they needed to field something more than ex police officers and soldiers to protect their interests..."
| "So, they started asking asking around for some... specialized security consulting, and they got us. Not from the same venue, mind." >She raises the completed Old Fashioned to her lips.
"My contract had just ended, and I needed a new gig pretty quick. Bills, you know. Problem is, I didn't expect my new job duties to consist of babysitting and... asset recovery."
| "...but the pay's nice, along with the health benefits. And our boss is more relaxed than most. Guess I can't complain too much." >She sips.
| "... Can't say the same for the others, though."
| (rip ignore that)
| >>51963
>She chuckles.
"God forbid that you have to find out, right?" >She says, smirking.
"Though I suppose Cocoa and Blackberry are already pretty obvious."
| (lol too late)
| >>51966
"Well whatever your specialties are, it definitely seems your crew is always running around when I see you all. Although I guess that's everybody nowadays."
| >>51968
"Staying in one place is a death sentence in this line of work. Not even sure how long we'll get to stay here until its compromised again."
| >>51971
"That reminds me, I wonder why your comms keep getting leaked? It seems whoever or whatever is doing it isn't gaining anything from it... so it begs the question."
| >>51972
"Well it's a question that needs to be answered -soon-, before Cocoa drives all of us up the wall with her tantrums..." >She says, downing the rest of her Old Fashioned.
"The best that we can tell is that it's someone unrelated to VeriaTech, we -think-."
| >She looks toward you suspiciously.
"...or maybe it's nearer than we think."
| >>51977
"I-It's not me, honest. I don't even know what your comms systems run on. Plus if I was the one behind it, why would I bring up the issue in the first place?"
| >>51987
"Fair enough..."
>She says, cleaning the glass. The entrance cracks open, followed quickly by a chilly breeze in its wake as a familiar blonde woman in a thick white lab coat enters. She sets down a suitcase and removes her shades.
"...CN," >She says, looking from you to Rocky to the still incapacitated Strawberry before back to you again.
"We're having you for dinner, I see."
| >>51993
"O-Oh yes, hello Vanilla. I don't mean to intrude though, I just came to apology to Cocoa really. I would hate to be a bother."
| >>52008
"Really... that's... sweet of you," >Vanilla says, scrutinizing CN's face as she closes, and bolts, the door behind her.
"She's in our medical wing, but I can check to see if she's decent."
| "Y-Yes please. I've just felt real bad about the whole thing... I really messed up at my first attempt at properly decking..."
>He sighs, somewhat dejected
| >She just stares at you, and the corners of her lips curl into a slight smile.
"You certainly did. Cocoa could have been *seriously* injured," >She says, exaggerating her expression.
"Why, she'll probably be absolutely ecstatic that you've arrived. I simply *must* wheel her over here," >She says, disappearing into the back. You hear soft chortling as her hair vanishes around a corner.
| >On the couch, Strawberry stirs.
"Yer gunna die, geekboy."
| >Rocky tuts loudly enough to hear. She raises a newly filled glass to you.
"It was nice knowing you, geekboy."
| "*Sigh* Just fuck me..."
>CN slumps his shoulder, having either mentally preparing himself or resigning himself to his own fate
| >>52054
"Thaaat can be arraaaanged..." >Strawberry says, grabbing onto your arm out of nowhere. She brushes her head against your shoulder, and raises a hand gently to your face...
| >>52334
"I-I didn't mean it like that... *sigh* I should think more about what I say first..."
>He looks away from Strawberry's gaze, somewhat flustered
| >Strawberry burrows her face in your shoulder! She starts making "nyoom, nyoom" noises when Rocky walks over and unceremoniously pulls her off, like scraping a limpet off the side of a ship.
| >Her belly grumbles loudly as she does so. The taller woman grits her teeth, and she pulls out a phone, angrily jamming in a number.
"Pick up, Mint... damnit..."
| >>52354
"YEP!" >Rocky says, angrily gripping her phone. You can hear a soft melody and what sounds like an automated voice on the other end of the phone.
"And she has a knack for disappearing at the WORST times, too! Bloody hell, girl!" >She closes her phone and pulls hair out of her face.
| "I really... really don't want to dig out the rations. You know, for once."
| >>52368
"I mean I did bring food. I'm not the greatest cook but I can probs do something with what I brought. I just hope Mint is okay though."
| >>52371
>She rolls her eyes.
"She's probably just stoned off her ass again," >She leads you toward the kitchen behind the dinner table.
| >>52386
>CN starts unpacking the ingredients for needed to make some pizza and other food stuff
"Has she always been like this? Maybe you can help her detox or something?"
| >>52406
"Always. And don't even bother trying to detox her- after the last incident, Vanilla decided to let her keep the pot- er, "prescription medication," and that's saying something for Vanilla."
| >Her belly grumbles loudly.
"...still, if she doesn't get here soon, there will be hell to pay." >She looks over your groceries.
"...God you really did come over for dinner, didn't you?"
| >>54959
"I didn't know how much food to get for your crew so I kind of overdid it I know, it's a bad habit I picked up from my dad. He would always cook up too much food. It shouldn't take too long though, I only bought stuff that wouldn't take too long to make..."
| "Huh, well if Mint doesn't get here soon... like, in the next few minutes..." >Her belly grumbles again, louder this time,
"We might have to take you up on that."
| >Just then, the door next to the kitchen opens, soft voices following in its wake. A wheelchair squeaks its way through, containing a familiar short woman, her beret replaced by a coldpack.
>As she looks up at you, her left eye twitches.
| >>55490
"H-Hello Cocoa. Um, I'm sure you're mad after what happened last time so I wanted to apologize for what happened. I even brought some sweets and some f-food... I know it's not much, but I hope you'll forgive my incompetence..."
>CN gives her a small bow
| >Her eye twitching has given way to full blown mania.
"Y-you... you,">She says, seething,
"...think you can give me a LITERAL HEART ATTACK TWICE IN ONE MONTH, AND THEN, STUFF FOOD IN MY FACE, AND EVERYTHING WOULD be PEACH!?" >She says, her voice increasing,
"I am going to RIP YOUR SKULL OUT and FUCK IT, YOU DECK SLOTTING, DREK EATING FUCKING FJSK#()#(#()## (indecipherable)"
| >Powered by the kind of anger that only a severely bruised pride and smol woman syndrome can muster, Cocoa manages to launch herself out of the wheel chair... but only gets as far as your feet, which she slams into, face first.
| >Behind her, Vanilla struggles to retain a chortle; Rocky is rolling her eyes, and Strawberry is laughing so hard that she's bent over in pain.
| "N-no of course not but I didn't really know you well enough to get you something more personal, a-and I just want to at least start repairing things between the two of us... especially since we've started on such bad terms. Uh... Are you okay? D-Do you need help?"
| >She grips your ankle weakly as she tries to stand up.
"I...hate... you..."
| >He frowns deeply
"I-I'm sorry... let me help you up..."
>He bends down to help support back to the wheelchair
| >With some difficulty, and avoiding Cocoa's feeble attempts to gnaw on your fingers, you manage to get the girl back in the wheelchair and wheel her to the table. The room is soon filled with the smell of freshly made coffee.
| "So uh... that being all done and said. It seems Mint hasn't arrived yet. Should I start cooking then?"
| >Vanilla gestures to the kitchen.
"Go right ahead..."
>She takes Rocky aside and whispers to her.
"...watch him."
| >CN goes to wash his hands before beginning to cook. He takes his time preparing the pizza, as well as some bread and salad. He doesn't seem to be doing anything out of the ordinary... eventually he sets the salad and bread down on the dinner table.
"The pizza should be done in about 10 minutes. Here's some stuff to munch on in the meantime."
| >Rocky proceeds to help where she can as you take charge of the kitchen. Cocoa picks at the salad suspiciously, but Strawberry dives in immediately, inhaling both the bread and the salad within minutes. Vanilla chuckles as she sips her coffee.
| "I get the sneaking impression that you don't belong in this line of work, CN," >Vanilla says, watching you work.
| "Hmm? What makes you say that?"
| "You're far too charitable, for one," >She says, sipping the coffee,
"Making dinner for a group of strangers that you only know tenuously. What if we're VeriaTech spies?"
| >He shrugs
"Then I guess I feed some spies a meal. Besides you're all too personable to be VT spies. That and with how many times I've visited here by myself you would have tried to ball and gag me again by now. Subtlety is not their strong suit."
| "I'd like to ball and gag you..." >Strawberry said, winking suggestively at CN as she took her place. Her pleasure gave way to pain immediately after, with Rocky's fist on her head.
| "Hm... fair enough." >Vanilla said, sipping her coffee.
| >CN rolls his eyes at Strawberry's comment but otherwise doesn't respond, instead focusing on the pizza. After a few minutes the pizza is done is slowly take it out of the oven, before bringing out to the table.
"There we go. Bon appetit."
| >The women dig into the pizza with abandon that you've only seen rivaled by the Justice Wardrobe and Mercury. At least, after Vanilla tests it for toxins by squirting a small droplet on one of the crusts.
| >Within minutes, half the crew lean back in their seats, their expressions one of deep satisfaction. Even Cocoa seems to be less angry now than she was fifteen minutes ago.
>Vanilla dabs a napkin on her lips before straightening her clothing up, her familiarly business demeanor returning.
"Well, that was pleasant," >She says, straightening her glasses.
"Aside from making sure we didn't starve to death, what other reasons did you have for stopping by?"
| >He shrugs
"That's pretty much it really. Just wanted to apologize about what happened back in Main and check up on you guys after the whole Midnight District thing. Debris flew everywhere from the orbital laser during then, so anyone could had been hurt."
| "That... is a fair assessment," >Vanilla says, sighing. She finishes her coffee.
"I suppose we will need to return the favor some time."
| >Vanilla winces in pain, reaching a hand to her head. She glances up- obscures her expression with her glasses, and quickly looks over to the girls at the table.
"It appears that I have some work to attend to in our... clinic," >She says, straightening her hair.
"Thank you again for the meal, CN. We'll be in touch..."
| "Uh no prob Bob. I guess I'll leave you to yourselves then. Until next time then."
>After a short bow and wave, CN leaves.
| >As you walk down the steps leaving the dive bar, a lithe, somewhat androgynous looking teen lazily makes their way past you up the steps. They're wearing a dark blue striped beanie and an open button down wool hoodie. What few strands of their hair that peeks out is a bright blueish-green.
>They reek of a familiar smell. Marijuana.
>On their back appears to be an enormous knapsack, with bits of frozen baguettes sticking out.
| >CN turns around towards the teen, looking somewhat contemplative.
"Mint?"
| >The girl turns around lazily, looking you up and down with vague interest. She has a very... how we say... "glassy eyed" look, with a smile as wide as her face.
"Dat's me name, don't wear it out..." >She says, walking up to and looking up at you.
"How ya doin?"
>She tilts her head.
"Do ah know you?"
| "Uh... sort of...? We've haven't really talked until now though, I'm CN. The guy that Cocoa kind of tied up that one time?"
| >She twists her head sideways like an owl, which is physically impossible for humans so she ends up shifting her entire upper body to perform it, which looks more comical than it should be.
"She tied you up?" >She says blinking. She brings a finger to her mouth.
"Wow, uh, I didn't know she swung that way... Normally she just ties up Strawberry~"
| "T-Thats not what I meant... And I think I found out a little bit too much about Cocoa just now..."
>He sighs somewhat firefly
"I'm uh... that guy who someone keeps messaging your team through the board, they've probably called me geekboy or something a couple of times."
| (*somewhat tired)
| >>87319
>She straightens up, thinking to herself...
"...nope! Doesn't ring any bells, an' ah have lots of bells, that ring..." >She says. Her belly grumbles loudly, and she winces in pain.
"Fancy supper, geekperson? We're having chili pizza toda-"
>She's cut off as a loud crashing noise resounds from somewhere behind the bar, along with shouting. She straightens up immediately, and then shoves her significant groceries in your arms!
"Hold on a mo', chummer..."
| >She sprints away from you, toward the sound!
| "Huh!? What was that noise?"
>CN follows after Mint to find the source of the sound
| >You follow as Mint disappears around a corner- in the narrow alleyway, you just barely get hit by the familiar, heavily armored form of Blackberry, who crashes through a thick metal grate, shattering it as she comes to a stop. She gets up shakily, and you observe that one of her knees is throwing off sparks. Her armor is covered in deep slashes, and has actually been penetrated in several places. Her helmet has also been cracked, from a force too strong to have been the ground.
| >Through a hole, you can see green cybereyes which glow in the dark. It focuses on you.
"CN. Stand back, please."
| "W-what the hell is happening!?"
>CN instinctively takes a step back as he stares back at the cybereyes
| "That's need to know-" >Blackberry says, before a sound of scuffling is heard from the other end of the alley. Within, a shock of mint green hair appears to be wrestling... something. Something in rags.
>It lashes out at her, and for a moment you see five long carbide blades scrape the air- Mint ducks, and jams her fist into the assailant's chest with a force that sounds like a thunderclap from this distance.
| >She then grabs the assailant from above with her elbow, and slams down on its back with her other elbow. The assailant gasps, and you see it spit blood and other viscera onto the ground in the process, before it stops moving.
>Mint raises her head up, wiping sweat from her face as she tosses the hunk of... whatever Vanilla, who has just appeared out from a concealed door. Her glasses are covered in grime, as is her coat, and her hair is a mess.
| >They both look back at you and Blackberry.
| "Uh... should I even bother asking asking what is happening here...?"
| >Instead of answering, Mint stumbles lazily over to you, all pretense of the earlier seriousness extinguished as easily as a match. She takes the bulging groceries out of your hands!
"Asking what tho?" >She says, as her belly grumbles again.
"Come on, ah'm starvin'"
| "Mint. CN already ate with us," >She says, crossing her arms.
"We all did, in fact. You're on your own."
| "Whaaaaaaat!?" >Mint says, looking teary eyed,
"But whyyyyyyy?"
| "You're over two hours late..."
>Both women seem to forget about you as they launch into an argument, which ends in Vanilla taking and pulling Mint by one of her ear lobes while carrying the ragged- personthing in the other. Blackberry takes her helmet off, revealing a deathly pale face and white hair. She turns to look at you.
"See no evil, speak no evil, hear no evil," >She says, softly, before heading in the direction of the building, too.
| "..."
>CN waits somewhat awkwardly until they leave to check out the body
| >Unfortunately, it looks like Vanilla brought the body inside... and this time, the door is locked. Wherever it leads.
| "Dammit just what is going on..."
>CN scratches the back of his head somewhat frustrated
"I'm getting *really* sick and tired of all these secret Corp experiments..."
>CN decides to leave for the time being
| "Thank GOD, a bar that's not brim filled."
>a guy? walks in, dressed in a Parka and combat pants, hoping to find peace and a drink. He sits down at the bar, and tries to catch the attention of the bartender.
| (Please have mercy, first timer here)
| "Hey bartender, you got some 26 year whiskey?"
| >>87492
>As you walk across the shag carpeting to the bar, a tall woman with a black newsgirl hat and short black hair approaches, straightening her tie as she nears. She's frowning, but as she looks up to meet you, she smiles politely.
"...welcome to the Tango Down. A 26 year whiskey then?" >She says, reaching for a glass.
"On the rocks?"
| >The smell of something cooking slowly wafts into the room- like burger meat and peppers.
| "Yes, rocks please. Would you happen to serve food at the same time? All I've had is Supplements and Ramen."
| >>87528
>She passes you a short glass with a single large round ice cube in the center, around which is the amber colored whiskey.
"We... do," >She says, looking back.
"Chili pizza on the menu... as the name implies, burger meat, beans, tomatoes, and peppers, cheese. Sour cream on the side, if you like."
| >Removing His Mask to take a sip of the whiskey, and questioning the... Interesting toppings He orders.
"One Chili pizza, hold the cream, double the cheese."
>He proceeds to pull out his wallet to pay for the drink and food, while looking for someone matching CN's description.
| >The woman nods and excuses herself to the kitchen. You can overhear her relaying your specifics to whom you can only assume is the cook.
| >She returns and idly takes out a glass and begins to wipe it.
| >He takes a larger sip, and pulls out a retro console, setting it on the table, and you can see some scratched etching on the back "N!N###D0 SW##(H". He continues to drink slowly, but keeping partial focus on the screen.
(It what I'm doing rn, so excuse for delays)
| "How come it's quiet here at this time?"
| > Just within this, the doors creak to.. Another customer? A man with a blood stained right hand and hat makes his way to the counter, finding a seat. Upon him is a tweed Herringbone.. A suit as if he's from centuries ago. Where does he find this apparel? He sits near the man in the parka and waits for the bartender.
| >"Parka" Pauses his console, and takes a good look at the man
"I Don't know what you got in or out of, but have a drink on me. Names' AnoMeat."
| > The man takes a glance to him and nods, looking back down to the counter.
"Make it whiskey, if ya' got, Irish."
| "Thomas Shelby."
> He finishes and looks to his phone, reading words that light up upon it.
| >>87569
>The woman shrugs.
"Was never one for too many visitors. We keep to ourselves... entertain the occasional guest."
>She looks over to the newcomer.
"...sometimes a couple."
| >>87582
>Soon enough, a stout glass arrives in the man's non-ruined hand, filled to the brim, no ice.
| > AnoMeat looks at the bartender and asks
"Irish Whiskey on the rocks for Thomas, please."
>He hesitates, but procceds to ask,
"Would you happen to know CN?"
| "CN... CN, CN..."
> Shelby takes his time to think, gaping his mouth lightly as if to breath, or yawn. Or both.
"Only seen those letters together on old news broadcasters or on forum boards, never in person."
> He takes the glass and doesn't sip, instead downing it quickly.
| > He takes a second before looking to AnoMeat.
"I might be able to find him however, if you know E.R."
| >>87595
"...funny. I was about to ask you the same thing." >She says, continuing to idly wipe her glass.
"What about him?"
| "Ahhhh, ER... Doesn't ring a bell."
>AnoMeat Proceeds to bend over and pick up a scrap piece of paper and hands it over to Shelby
"I think you dropped this"
>the paper reads "We have eyes on to us. The staff here are on a Terminal, and are on to me. Stick to the now encrypted Thread."
| > Shelby, with a quick eye, reads it and crumbles the paper. He puts it in his pocket and takes the last drink out of his glass.
"Yes, 'twas nothing important."
| >The door to the kitchen bursts open as a short, half-asleep looking girl pops out, carrying a large pan of steaming-hot pizza toward the bar table. To the girl's credit, the pizza actually *looks* appetizing.
>She plops it down in front of Mr. Parka and Mr. Tweed before the tender could protest, and props herself up on a seat as well, digging in without a second thought.
| >The girl is lithe, somewhat androgynous looking, and wears a dark blue striped beanie and an open button down wool hoodie. What few strands of their hair that peeks out is a bright blueish-green.
>They also smell like pot.
| > Shelby looks down at the pizza without losing his bland facial expression. He doesn't look to the girl, either as he turns to AnoMeat
"Aye, suppose I should tell you what happened, then. I've got nothing better t'do at this moment, plus, 'tis a bar. Bars have stories."
> He raises his red hand, but upon close inspection there's.. No damage? At all?
"Look at the hand, will ya'? Then to the hat."
| "How the hell are you eating that pizza half asleep?"
>AnoMeat turns to the bartender
"I got a proposition for him, it's about a button."
>He finishes his drink, and begins to take a slice and carefully eat it, trying not to get any grease on himself.
| >>87632
>The tender shrugs apologetically.
"I'm sorry for my... coworker..." >She sends a dagger glare at the mint-haired cook.
"She can be a handful sometimes. We've had a long day."
"A proposition, though?" >She says, raising an eyebrow.
"Involving... buttons."
| > Shelby watches both, interested in the converesation.
| (Conversation*)
| >AnoMeat takes a quick look at the hand, then does a double take
"Jesus, what expensive gene mods did you get?"
>he composes himself, but barely and tells what he knows to Shelby.
"I alreadly know what happened. a Dozen reported injured, A missing wheelman and kidnapee."
>He then gestures to the bartender to go somehere a bit further from minty looking girl and Shelby.
| (AHHHHH I can't hit refresh often enough, I take too long to write, and by the time I post it, other posts have shown up.)
| >The tender takes her glass with her as she casually walks toward a dining table that's been set up near the back of the room.
| > Shelby nods, amused.
"Nice to see that you know what happened already.. But eh, wasn't any mods."
> He clears his throat, taking off the hat and handing it to AnoMeat.
"That dozen won't survive past the hour, half are already lost. One's missin' a tongue. Guess whose blood this is."
> He snaps his fingers and gestures to the hat.
| >AnoMeat Pulls out a cube-shaped device, adjusts some settings on his phone, and presses the big red button on the cube. A deafening silence surrounds the two, blocking all noise from the outside, isolating the two. The device also disables their phones and any bugs that might be in its vicinity
"This is The Mute Button, it ensures private conversations."
| > Shelby nods, taking a small look around before looking back to his new ally.
"Pretty advanced, innit? So.. What's the deal, here?"
| >In the corner, the tender blinks and abruptly lowers their glass and the rag onto the table. She looks in the direction of the gentlemen, eyes cold.
| >In the silence, you just barely hear a burping noise- the mint-haired girl stretches her back- below her, more than 3/4 of the fourteen inch sized pizza has vanished.
| >The tender near the table stands.
| "its to do with CN, that's all I can say for now. As much as I would like to help you with your case Shelby, I am unable to, we will need CN. But if you don't mind, I got to do some business"
>AnoMeat reminds himself that he still hasn't moved, and moves to the private table with the bartender.
"If you haven't noticed, you where unable to hear any of that, and that's what this device can do, enable discrete conversations."
| (Had to do a bit of creative thinking to write out of that one, I stupidly assumed I moved.)
| >She blinks, and a crease of a smile enters her lips.
"I figured as much."
| >The mint haired girl yawns, cracking her back and rubbing her eyes. She looks over to Mr. Tweed and his untouched pizza.
"Hey bro, are you going to eat that?"
| > He looks to her without reaction, giving a minute of silence, seemingly contemplating before looking back to AnoMeat.
"No. Are you?"
| > Thomas waves his hand lightly to try and get the attention of either him, or the bartender to get him.
| >AnoMeat thinks carefully, being cautious of the bartender.
"Anyway, before I continue, I need to get to know you better. Trust issues and the such."
| >>>87694 >>87696
>The tender nods over to Mr. Tweed with her eyes.
"Your food's getting cold honey- my friend's a bit peckish."
| >AnoMeat notices Thomas' wave, and discreetly tries gestures a message... He probably said something about being busy, bees, and how it is imperative that he stays seated, because Thomas is possibly the only ally he has at the moment.
| >Anomeat finally finishes with his "discreet" gesture, and faces the Bartender.
"I have to remind you, they can not hear what e are saying. Anyway, What is your name?"
| > He sighs and turns back to his food, understanding most of what he sent. Thomas begins to eat, focusing on his phone once more.
| (We*)
| >The mint-haired girl frowns and sits back down, glumly. After a few moments, she digs around in her hoodie and produces a vapor cig.
"Ey, mind if I smoke?"
| "and you are definitely not hiding any guns on you at the moment?"
>AnoMeat rests his hand on his 1911, defensively.
| >>87713
>The girl puffs happily, the distinct smell of cannabis spiced with something to mask the awful smell filtering through the air. Perhaps lavender. Or spearmint.
>She sits still for a few moments more before popping up,
"Just to let you know... uh, yer friend of yours should probably shut off that device he's got runnin'"
| "No, but it be nice not have to use it everytime I show the button."
>AnoMeat says, keeping his hand on his gun, hoping they have a laser gun.
| >She pokes her fingers together as she puffs.
"Our decker really takes pride in her work, y'see," >She says, exhaling.
"And she's under the weather- so if she thinks someone broke it again, she's going to go..."
>She makes a booming expression with her arms.
| >>87717
>She moves her face slightly closer to Mr. Parka, and brings her voice to a whisper.
"...Normally when someone is asked to get undressed, it's in a bedroom."
| > Thomas nods, glaring up at the girl, he thinks, he thinks, before he looks to AnoMeat.
"A'ight then.. Well, if your decker ever seems to have a problem with me or him, tell her to stop by south rose to see who gives a shit."
> He finishes his piece of pizza before checking the time on his phone, reading any recent messages.
| >AnoMeat keeps steady, removing his hand from his gun to his phone, tapping at some settings, disable the weapon functions on the Bartender.
"Sub-Skin weaponry, Impressive. Sorry for those pressing questions. On to the Main subject, Where Can I find CN?"
| "Sub-Skin weaponry, its where a hand is a hand, and then its a gun. Did you mean something else?"
>AnoMeat lowers his head in shame, jumping to conclusions...
| >Suddenly, the door to the kitchen bursts open as a wheelchair flies through it, carrying a short girl with a bob of black hair, large glasses, and wearing a hospital gown. Her face is puffy and red, and on her lap she holds a black beret, steadily being warped by her small, IV-stuck hands.
"I KNOW IT'S ONE OF YOU FRAGGING DREKSHITS!" >She SCREECHES, loudly enough to break glass,
"WHICH ONE OF YOU COCKSUCKERS IS SLICING MY NETWORK!?"
| >The smol immediately rolls her wheelchair to face the mint-haired girl and Mr. Tweed.
"YOU! PULP NOVEL REJECT!" >She says, her mouth beginning to froth.
"IS THIS YOUR DOING!?"
| >The mint-haired girl winces and smiles, embarassed, putting her fingers in both of her ears.
"Ah...ah warned you..."
| > Thomas looks at her with no reaction, however confusion strikes his face.
"Hm? I'm sorry, I didn't hear you."
| "WHEN I GET MY HANDS ON THAT FUCKING CN I WILL JAM THAT DECK SO FAR UP HIS ASS THAT HE'LL BE SHITTING KEYBOARD KEYS FOR A WEEK!"
| >AnoMeat quickly disables the button, and stand up, facing the wheelchair-bound girl.
"I was, pardon the slice."
| "Now could you tell me more about CN?"
| >>87728
>She rolls her eyes, and then pulls a Colt Manhunter heavy pistol out from underneath the table and points it at your chest.
"I was alluding to disarming being the same as getting caught naked, but..."
>She nods over to Mr. Tweed, Mint-girl, and the angery, disabled loli.
"It looks like he's already gone off half-cocked."
| (Have to drive home- will continue in a bit. BBL.)
| (Ouch. Looks y'need some backup there.)
| >AnoMeat is mildly amused, but in a slight panic this time.
"Looks like you have me with my pants down, How about we all just relax a little, I can explain the whole reason I'm here."
| "Hold on, hol' on.."
> Thomas stands and makes his way over to AnoMeat.
| "I am here to meet CN, about the "Mute" device. Hopefully he ill be here soon."
>He finally pulls his gun, carefully, out of his pocket, and places it on the table. It's a 1911 Delta, With a suppressor attached to it.
| (And everything has gone FUBAR, nice going Ano.)
| "Fancy y'two having these things. Eh?"
> Thomas makes his way besides AnoMeat, putting his hands on each shoulder.
| (lol)
| >AnoMeat turns his head to Thomas and whispers
"I am so sorry, I guess I owe you another drink after this blows over..."
| > He shakes his head with a chuckle, however not smiling since he's entered.
"No, no no no.. I've been in worse than this, I owe *you* a drink. I'm about to give you a hat, inspect closely."
>He whispers back, staying a softly as he can to keep the others from hearing. He reaches into his coat and pulls out a Brixon newsboy flat cap, same as the one on his head, just.. Clean.
| >AnoMeat whispers back
"And this is where you tell me what the hat does, right?"
| > Tommy clicks his tongue.
"Put it on and look up with your eyes. You'll see it, clear as day. You gave up your gun, this'll give ya' a chance."
> Finishing with his low words, Thomas Shelby puts the cap into AnoMeat's hands.
"I meant to give this t'ya when I walked in. You sir.. Are officially a blinder. Peaky n', at that. I don't suppose we can.. call quits with these guns, eh? Have a proper drink?"
| >AnoMeat takes a look and sees...
(I Kinda didn't get the effect of the hat, my character is as dense as I am at times...)
| (No problem, here. I've based my character solely (If not already already noticed) Off Cillian Murphy's Thomas Shelby. It's a basic weapon: Newsboy cap with a razor blade sewed in, completely hidden.)
| > Inside the cap, the only place the defect is noticed -unless used- a razor is seen, sewn into the brim of the cap.
| (And I've just repeated myself*)
| >AnoMeat notices and understands his way out, somewhat.
"Shelby, I can barely shave myself without having to go to the hospital, this is the polar opposite of my specialties. But I have to say its a nice hat."
>Anomeat carefully puts the hat on, and puts his hands on some smoke nades in his pockets, hoping that CN would Be here any second.
| >Suddenly the front door to the bar bursts open as a tall, young man runs into the bar. He seems winded from running.
"E-Everybody stop! No one shoot anyone!"
| >Mint turns around to face the tol man!
"Eyyy, you came back!" >She says, gleefully!
"I saved you a slice of pizza!"
| >The disabled loli turns slowly to face the tol man, a massive pressure coming from her.
"You," >She says, hee voice sharp enough to cut through durasteel.
| > Thomas looks between the three and relaxes a bit.
"Well then.. That was rather interesting."
| >Rocky rolls her eyes as the tol bursts in.
"And here he is..."
| >AnoMeat Squints, then proceeds to put his face to his palm, but secretly thanking whatever god there is out there...
| >>87801
>He turns towards Cocoa
"W-Wait this isn't even my own fault for a change, we weren't going to meet up and buy the item until a party later in the week..."
| >Stuck at the barrel of a gun, AnoMeat shouts
"I AM SO SORRY, THIS IS NOT HOW I PLANNED TONIGHT"
| > Thomas grabs his shoulder once more and shakes him.
"Shut the fuck up, you're not helping your own situation right now."
| "Will you put the gun away 'fore he has an aneurysm?"
> He looks to the bartender.
| >AnoMeat decides to actually listen to someone for once, and promptly shuts the fuck up.
| >Rocky lowers the gun but then looks toward the entrance.
"BLACKBERRY, NO!"
| >A distinctive whirring noise is heard behind CN as a tall, heavily armored humanoid steps through, the barrels of their vindicator minigun whirring joyously.
>>ROUNDABOUT PLAYS
| (Gonna eat supper really quick. FYI the newcomer does not fire, just stands there and looks scary.)
| (Oof, I was in the middle of typing something about Tommy getting CN and AnoMeat immediately to the ground before the nice little power outage there.)
| > AnoMeat ducks, dives, and dodges in to cover, preparing to pop smoke.
| > Thomas begins to move, but stops on sight of AnoMeat's movement, and CN's comment.
"The hell is happening here?"
| >AnoMeat is currently clutching his knees, rocking back and forth... He is currently in Bahrain in his head seeing his squad die all over again.
"..."
| > Noticing his movement, Thomas looks to presumably 'Blackberry', then to CN, before finally approaching AnoMeat.
"Hey, it's just noise, lad. It's just noise, whatever ya' see, non'it's real, ey? Hush up, it's just noise."
> With a guess, He attempts to calm Anon down, crouching next to him with a gentle voice.
| (AnoMeat*)
| "AHHHHHHH DANGER CLOSE, DANGER CLOSE!"
>AnoMeat begins to clutch at a grenade, but all he sees is a Radio, while the sight of his fireteam lying still.
| "...no threats detected." >Blackberry says, turning off the minigun. The barrels wind down slowly.
| >He looks over to Anomeat
"Well... this turned into quite a mess..."
| > Thomas shoots a glance back to someone for help before beginning to, not pin but.. A practical embrace, hug him and keep him from doing anything irrational.
"Hey, hey! What'd I tell ya'? It's alright, none of it's there! It's just noise! Just breathe, no-one's there."
| >CN looks over to Rocky
"Hey, can you get him a glass of water?"
| >>87844
>Mint walks over and abruptly sticks her e-cig into the panicky man's mouth, and twists it, turning it on.
| >As the barrels wind down, so does AnoMeat. He sees Shelby next to him, staring in a worrisome emotion, and his hand on a grenade. He quickly puts it away, and brushes himself off, tying to pretend away the last 30 seconds.
"Tell not a soul, Thank you."
>He stands up and begins to grab his gun and the cube, and faces everyone.
"I am deeply sorry for causing a commotion. uhh... Free round on me?"
| "and when did I start smoking?"
| "Ask her."
> Thomas points to the girl before sighing some relief, letting him go completely before putting his hands in his pocket.
"You can keep that cap, also. I'd feel better if free rounds were on me, instead of your money."
| (I might have stretched that one a bit far...)
| "Mint do you always just share your weed like that..."
| "No, No, I feel like I've caused enough trouble for one day, Rocky, Please pour me a Bad Touch."
| >AnoMeat proceeds to return the e-cig to Mint, but not before taking a small puff.
| "Well this certainly has been the most interesting bazaar deal I've been in so far..."
| "Pfft, as if there haven't been enough bad touches for a week..." >Rocky says as she returns to the bar. (Thread death imminent, new one made.)
This thread is permanently archived
| >The divebar hasn't changed too much since your last visit- there is still an open area at the entrance with shag carpeting and old, comfy sofas lining the walls and corners, and in the back is still the same smol bar with a variety of liquors displayed in front of plates of glass.
>However, it appears that someone has dumped a metric ton of leaves everywhere. Dried pumpkins with grisly visages are displayed damn near everywhere.