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(Setting) Gray's cab
| >A man in a bomber jacket sits in the driver's seat, smoking a cigarette and staring at a small plastic bag with a lone strand of hair in it. He takes a big drag on his cigarette.
"Three corpses in a month, and nobody has even reported on it. I really didn't want to get back into this kind of work..."
>The man kicks his feet up across the passenger seat.
"Maybe I'll get a customer, that'll take my mind off this"
>He picks up his phone and starts browsing the net while waiting
| >Grasped in his hand, the phone starts to ring! Granted, this one's the newer one, right?
| >The man drops the phone, startled by the sudden call. He picks it up and answers.
"Gray's cab, where can I take ya?"
| >..But then it goes dead? The other one on the line hung up.
| "ah, damn. Missed it. Just my luck."
>The man sighs and goes back to browsing.
| >Oh, no. Not a prank call - It starts ringing again. Perhaps their fingers slipped?
| >The man answers yet again.
"Gray's cab, where can I take ya?"
| "H-hello!"
>A voice calls out nervously. They sound familiar..
"Could you pick me up?"
| "Ah! Of course, of course! Where am I meeting you?"
>The man purposely avoids saying any names, not quite putting his finger on who the voice belongs to yet
| "Sports bar. Moody's, I'm outside of it,
>Passing conversation bleeds into the call, nothing more than murmurs.
"Downtown, as I recall?"
| "Alrighty, I'm on my way!"
>The man sits up and starts the engine.
"Be there in about five!"
>He hangs up the call and pulls away, heading to his caller
| >a few minutes later he arrives, pulling up outside the sports bar.
| >Among the crowd is a short girl close to the edge of the sidewalk. She holds her hands to her chest, watching for something carefully.. Until she spots the arriving cab. She runs over to the back row car door, inadvertently at the same time some of the crowd hovering in and out of the bar starts to cheer. Is there a game going on?
| >The man looks in the rear view mirror at the girl as she enters the cab.
"Where to, miss?"
| >Silence drags on a moment longer before she responds, pulling the seatbelt closest over her shoulder.
"Change of plans, I think."
The girl looks to be no older than sixteen but dresses modest and neatly. Her hair is made up in a bun. ..There's something off about her, though.
| (orz what i get for typing too fast)
| >Silence drags on a moment longer before she responds, pulling the seatbelt closest over her shoulder.
"Change of plans, I think."
>The girl looks to be no older than sixteen but dresses modest and neatly. Her hair is made up in a bun. ..There's something off about her, though.
| (ignore the one before that ;-;)
| "Could you take me to this address? Just an apartment,"
>She spells it out for you clearly and slowly. It's somewhere in Glitz but near the border of it.
| "sure thing! You wouldn't happen to be miss Blues, would you?"
>The man starts driving
| "You knew?"
>Eyebrows raise.
"Well, you heard me before, so I shouldn't be that surprised.."
>She settles back into her seat, upholstery squeaking.
| "Well, I always try my best to remember my clients."
>The man smiles
"So what brings you out to Glitz, if you don't mind my asking?"
| >She smiles at the rear view mirror, and in that also at you.
"Just heading back. Would've done some work but my mood's been spoiled.. And so are my tickets, I think. Might not be going to the concert after all."
| "Oh no, did something happen?"
>The man frowns
"How awful..."
| >The girl continues to smile but it look strained. "Something like that, yes."
| "well, it's not much, but this ride is on me, ok? Cheer up!"
>He gives a warm smile
"Do you mind if I ask what happened?”
| >She waves at him dismissively. "No, you don't have to do that. I would have payed when I went to the concert. Not really fair,"
>Or so she says, but it doesn't look like she wants to give up the idea of a free ride.
| (orz x2)
| "In fact, it's entirely about the concert. To go.. I don't think that would be a good idea. Or a safe one."
>Her gaze suddenly hardens. She seems serious about it.
| >The man laughs a bit.
"I insist! A free ride doesn't come around often these days, y'know?"
>He scratches his head.
"We're almost there, anyways. Just remember me next time you need a ride and we'll call it even. A regular customer is more valuable than any cash reward, after all."
>The man smiles again
| "ah, the concert itself is the issue. I see.
>He frowns
"Well, if anything does happen, I'd be happy to provide a swift exit if need be"
| "I know, I know. It's too kind of you, that's all."
>She looks out the window to affirm the progress of their drive.
"Of course. I have to agree with that, knowing it first hand.."
| >Another pause.
"Are you sure about that? I wouldn't expect anyone to do so, especially since there's a clearer picture now.."
>Alternatively, her statement becomes a little vague and confusing.
| >the cab pulls up at the address, and the driver looks back towards the passenger.
"Here, I'll give you the number for my private line. Call this if you ever need anything, and I'll be sure to come. And don't give up on that concert just yet!"
>The man smiles
"I have a feeling it's going to turn out ok. You be safe out there now, alright?"
>The driver turns back in his seat and pulls out a cigarette, patiently waiting for the passenger's exit before smoking
| (I really need to start refreshing before posting, lol)
| >The man grins
"Miss, nothing much scares me these days. I've already died once, after all. Can't be much worse than that."
>The statement is cryptic, to say the least, but the man's genuine earnest smile somehow makes it seem less strange.
| (rip, have the same problem)
| >Her previously resting hands leave her lap to unbuckle.
"Thank you, sir. Maybe I won't,"
>She's gone from disappointment and concern to looking quite confident. Oh dear..
| "And to think that could happen to me. It seems terrifying,"
>Is her own odd reply thrown back. The car door opens as soon as the credits transfer.
| "Farewell, Miss Blues! Enjoy your evening. I'll see you in a few days."
>He smiles again.
| >As soon as the door closes the man lights his cigarette and turns off the ringer on his work phone.
"Alrighty, off to neko park I guess"
>With that, Asher begins driving.
| "See you, sir!"
>She closes the door as soon as she exits, walking past the driver's to wave and grin.
| >after several minutes driving, he arrives outside the entrance to neko park and parks himself nearby.
"Let's see what else is going on"
| >Soon, there's a break in the silence, the device of Asher begins ringing to life.
| >Asher picks up the line
"Asher speaking, what can I do for you?"
| >A hopefully familiar male voice seems a bit panicked, wind can be heard interfering, are they running?
"H-Hey... How close are you to Neko park?"
| "I'm already there. Hop in as soon as you see me."
>He hangs up and sighs.
"Was supposed to be off duty right now..."
| >There's a few minutes of relaxation before the man himself, Kazuki is seen dead sprinting to the cab. As soon as he gets close, he opens the door and swings himself into the back seat.
| >As soon as the door closes Asher slams on the gas and takes off, whipping around a corner and losing sight of the park
"Ah, Mr. Kazuki! Sell your tickets alright?"
| "M-Most, yes!"
>He controls his balance fairly well in the back. Sitting up, he combs his hand through his hair.
"I have two stops, possibly three. Last one isn't a rush, but my apartment is down in Chapel-3. Could you get me there? I'll pay much extra.. I still have another ticket if you need one to the concert."
| >Asher laughs
"Nah, I'm afraid business that night is too good to enjoy the concert, but I appreciate it! So, what's the hurry kid?"
| >Kazuki nods and draws his phone, finding and starting a thread on a known forum
"I think I may have sparked a small fight. Whatever the case is, I lost some expensive camera equipment and now I need to work on a- ehh, project for some friends."
>He immediately stutters into uneasiness on the last few words.
| "Alrighty, so first the apartment, then where next?"
| "There's a noodle stall on 4th and 5th a bit outwards of Chapel, but I'm attending a meet at 23:00."
>Kazuki keeps a close eye on his phone, watching the surroundings pass by out the window.
| >The driver nods, and the rest of the trip to the apartment goes by quietly. As they pull up, Asher looks at kazuki in his rear view mirror
"Kid, if there's something going on, don't try to handle it yourself, alright? Talk to someone."
>He looks back ahead silently
| >the youth nods, a freah look at Kazuki behind his sidecut gives the impression lf his age, most probable 17-18.
"I understand. Right now I'm sort of picking-and-choosing, I believe I can handle this so far."
>He begins to open the door, stopping mid-way to speak
"I'm hoping not to take longer than fifteen minutes."
| (Fresh*)
| (of* my words get caught so easily on mobile)
| >Kazuki fully stepa out of the Cab, heading straight for the small stairway and entering into the building. Not too ling later, he has changed and made his way out to the cab, now noticeably ready with light clothing and a large-ish bag.
He re-enters the cab and looks to the driver.
"Alright. We're ready."
| >the driver takes off as soon as the boy enters.
"Alright, noodle stand time. Sorry if I seem to be in a bit of a rush, got things to do."
>He punches the gas and goes much faster than he probably should, as if his task is urgent
| >Kazuki nods, holding on lightly through the next part of the ride.
"N-no problem."
| "Did you know the Kira Miki concert is being targeted?"
>The man glances back in the mirror to see the reaction.
| >Kazuki nods without hesitation, but freezes to a thought. What is he thinking?
"Mhm. It's big news in some places. I don't see how authorities aren't worried, or canceling for a later date."
| "You're still selling tickets, though."
>The man sighs
"Profiteering is never good, kid"
| >completely defeated, Kazuki looks away.
"I haven't been selling the tickets without the persons knowledge. Everyone was willing to go knowing the circumstances. Besides, I haven't made anything off them."
>He clears his throat, relaxing lightly.
| "well, stop two. I'll be here."
>He pulls up a bit away from the stall and parks, waiting for the boy
| >Kazuki nods, leaving a large bit of Zen before he takes off.
"Hopefully he meets me here im the first place.."
| >>SOME TIME LATER
>The cab is parked in a secluded alley away from the rioting in the city proper. As he sits there smoking one of his last few cigarettes, his phone buzzes, receiving the address he was waiting for. He starts his engine and takes off for the apartment
| >The cab makes it way to the address, taking side roads whenever possible to avoid the riots. Eventually he arrives at the apartment. He pulls up to the curb outside and takes out his revolver, scanning the area for any signs of trouble.
| >In the distance, you can see thick plumes of smoke; they're followed by the occasional popping noise, crashing sounds of broken glass and debris, as well as shouting. You can't tell from here what direction the chaos is going, however.
| "God dammit, this isn't how things were supposed to go. I hope Miss Blues and that kid are ok."
>Asher sighs and takes a drag of his cigarette
| >>74271
>Suddenly a figure runs out of the building. A cat kennel in one hand and a sawed-off shotgun in the other. On his back seems to be a guitar case. He quickly runs into the cab quickly throwing his shotgun down.
"Hiya..."
>He says out of breath.
| "Hey kid."
>He tosses the cigarette out the window
"Alright, you have a place in mind? If not I want to scope out the guy from the thread's place."
| >>74325
"Ruby's Workshop should work..."
>He sighs as he pulls out his own cigarette.
"Someone I know..."
| >As you prepare to drive off- horrors- a crowd of looters makes their way around a corner. These people seem to be stopping at every apartment building, trying doors and smashing windows. As they break into a complex just ahead of you, you hear screaming punctuated by several gun shots as they push their way inside.
| >>74366
"Oh shit, shit, shit, shit!"
>Graham hesitates for moment.
"God fucking shit shes dead..."
>He sighs as he feels like crying.
"They just fucking killed my neighbor..."
| "Fuck!"
>He turns sharply and goes down a side alley.
"Listen, we need to go. We can fight later, but for now we need to find others. We need strength in numbers"
| >Several of them point in your direction, clearly noticing the cab!
>A group of seven, armed with baseball bats and crowbars, nears the cab!
| >They yell and fly into a sprint as you take off!
| "Shit should I shoot?"
>He yells as he spins the sawed-off on his finger and checks to make sure he has shells. He puts the cat cage under the seat as the cat itself meows loudly.
| "No! We need to avoid killing unless absolutely necessary!"
>He reaches into his glove box and puls out a grenade. He pulls the pin and tosses it out the window. The moment it hits the ground it starts spitting smoke, buying them the time to escape
| >The smokescreen makes short work of your pursuers as you flee down the alleyway...
| "Shit... How long til we get there?"
>He sighs as he puts his gun on safety and sets it aside.
| "Only a couple more minutes. Good thing I memorized the city layout..."
>The rest of the drive is uneventful, as Asher weaves through back alleys away from any major establishments that may be targeted. In no time they arrive at Ruby's, and Asher parks around the corner.
"Alright, let's go."
>As he gets out, he activates the nanocamo on the car, making it appear to be a dumpster in the alley. He keeps a tight grip on his revolver as he makes his way to the building.
| "Shit"
>He mutters under his breath... He gives his cat a treat so it will stop meowing its ass off.
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| >A fairly generic looking black and white style cab, with the word "Gray's Cabs" and the number 507-xxxxx plastered on the side. The interior is leather, with an adjustable glass pane separating the driver from the back passenger seats. The dashboard has two phones resting on it, one modern smart phone and one extremely vintage style flip phone.