Behind the Crown [IC], Behind the crown are shadows Options Track this topic Email this topic Print this topic Download this topic Subscribe to this forum Display Modes Switch to: Outline Standard Switch to: Linear+

[Koekepan]

"""Well now, that's a question. You could scoot around the old town. Maybe some of them tried to camp out there for fun but I wouldn't. If she's not in there then chances are she is one of the lucky ones that already hitched a ride out. Oh, or maybe she's one of those who keep drifting out every time a truck comes out, trying to scam their way out. You could see her in the lot, I guess.""

[pbangarth]

Blue nods as good intel comes in. """Thanks for the info. You got any nutri-bars or something reasonably nutritious? I'm getting a bit peckish."""

[pbangarth]

Blue takes what he can get from the manager. """Thanks. Might see you later. """

Once they are outside, Blue starts a plan with Karmakaze. """ Well, let's try that building first. If we can't get a straight answer, I can use my spell-on-a-stick to see if she is in range."

+++Damn, +++ he thinks to himself. +++ I've almost run out of those sticks. They make me need money almost as much as a wired up samurai. +++

[Bastard]

Karma finds safer parking than offered by the neglected building. She parks the car where they can make a quick exit if needed, the row next to the building so they won't have to dodge gunfire in the open if it comes to it.

"""Well, let's get to it."""

[pbangarth]

Blue sets his spirit to Guard the car. Once they enter the building, the rest of its services will be lost, but it will keep doing this last one till dawn.

""" Wait, he says to Karmakaze. """ before we get into contact with anyone, let me make that mindlink with you , so we can communicate with each other privately. I will drop it if I need to get physical, well, or magical, so as to have the best chance to succeed. Till then, though, private comms with emotions and imagery that can't be hacked might be good. """

[OOC If Karmakaze agrees the roll is below]

[ Spoiler ]

Mindlink F1, Target 4: Spellcasting 6 + Spell Pool 3 = 9 dice: 3 successes Link established

Drain 2(S), WIL 12 + Spell Pool 4 = 16 dice: 15 successes No Drain

[Koekepan]

The air smells of refuse and petrochemicals. Tribal lands or not, this is a place of people and machinery in transit. On the other hand, it is also redolent of the wet coniferous forest so the odours of rot and mushrooms pervade as well.

[pbangarth]

Blue checks the link to Karmakaze. +++This getting through? +++

[pbangarth]

Blue tries a second time, thinking a little harder. +++ You there, Karmakaze? +++

[Bastard]

+++ Hello? Is it working? I don't think it is working. - Oh! I hear you now! +++

[pbangarth]

+++ Good. How do we proceed? This kind of investigation is right up your alley, I suspect." +++

Blue finds the mixture of smells oddly reminiscent of the Biozu premises. Wow. Only seven days ago he was in what seems like another world.

[Koekepan]

Unlike BioZu, here Blue has to buy his own cake. Or would, if there were any pastry shops around. Instead, there are a few people moving between buildings, dressed for the weather (which makes casual identification difficult). Surely most people are huddled inside.

[Bastard]

+++ Straight to the point. We are just looking for someone that her family hired us to find. Get as much information as we can, even if it seems unhelpful now, it may mean something more later. We don't play weak or too strong, just straight forward. Ready? +++

[pbangarth]

+++ Let's go. +++

[Bastard]

Karma nods in agreement, then leads the way to the front door.

[Koekepan]

The building is pretty much what it looked like from afar, even on close inspection. Dull, unpainted masonry with creepers starting to grow on it and, of course, abundant patches of moss and lichen. The doors are utilitarian but solid.

Nobody stops or even queries Karmakaze and Blue as they enter, but there are people drifting around.

There is an atrium of sorts, with a couple of staircases leading up from it. There is a trio of elevators as well. Two look normal, one has a wider door - presumably a freight elevator.

An ork who had been sitting up against the wall of the atrium, looking at rain beading on the dirty windows, stiffly gets to his feet and addresses Karmakaze. """Hoi, chummer. You rolling out to the city?"""

He's perhaps an inch shorter than Karmakaze, but easily as broad as Blue. His clothing could be described as well-worn Seattle street hodgepodge.

[pbangarth]

Blue lets Karmakaze do the schmooze. He opens his perception to the astral to see if anything of note is floating around here.

[Koekepan]

The only thing worth noting astrally is that the building is sick; it is under attack by environmental factors, and little leafy gremlins are chewing slowly at the concrete.

The building isn't about to collapse, but it's ill-maintained and Blue would definitely tell an insurer to refuse coverage.

[pbangarth]

As Karmakaze interacts with the ork staffer, Blue shares, +++ Nothing on the astral, but this place is really run down. +++

[Bastard]

+++Got it+++, Karma tells Blue.

"""We are actually looking for a someone,""" she tells the ork. ""Her family is looking for her. She is on hard times, and her last known location had her being removed from Seattle to here within the last week or two."""

She provides the description of Daisy.

"""I don't have a recent picture, because she had changed her appearance, and has been away from her family for some time. However, they are willing to pay for her return."""

[Koekepan]

The ork grunts and his face falls when Karmakaze dodges the point. Then he lifts his head again. """If I find this girl, I can ride out witchoo? I ride inna trunk, I don't care."""

It's quite obvious that he's not motivated by anything except getting the hell away from Concrete.

[pbangarth]

Blue emotes to Karmakaze. +++ Smuggling an Ork back to the city work for you?+++

[Bastard]

"""Well, we drove an Elektro, so every seat is like riding in the trunk."""

The ork doesn't answer right away, wanting a clear answer. Karmakaze makes it clear that she agrees to the terms of the deal.

"""If you find the girl, you got yourself a ride.

"""So what is your name, chummer?"""

She reaches out her hand to shake on the deal.

[Koekepan]

He half-grins, and shakes. """You gotcha. I'm Torquey. Mosta da girlz onna fifth floor, but they come down. Look, you c'n come with me an' we'll look. Betcha she's up there."""

Without waiting, he swings to the staircase and starts taking the stairs two at a time. Whether it's hope or confidence that has galvanised him is hard to say, but he certainly seems to be heading upstairs in complete contrast to his earlier lethargy.

[pbangarth]

Blue thinks for a split second. Of course, the thoughts transmit to Karmakaze. +++The orc is heavily invested in keeping the two of us alive, so he can take point. I'm the soft, squidgy one, so I'll go next. Karmakaze can cover the rear from the inevitable trouble that comes. +++

He jumps into the middle place and follows the orc.

[Bastard]

+++ Okay... but what if he is the threat? +++