[Nexus] The Black Dragon's Den XV

[Artemis97]

https://doc-14-as-docs.googleusercontent.com/docs/securesc/pbqgj66dii5k29lb57geppdb53ap58i9/7ibbmkmo2nm22pls3qadcila0v4qaj3g/1577167200000/07118877512368929492/07474053540692006070/0B5bKlQSiirV-dWg2Qk11MXoyTlE?authuser=0&nonce=fb90afkpdfdgi&user=07474053540692006070&hash=863mi6rf287ltfdrjmq5b4agaqcoppse

This old warehouse by the docks and on the edge of the city slums has numerous secret passageways and tunnels leading to it. When you walk in, either from the street or below, you see a freshly cleaned interior that actually looks somewhat welcoming, however, as a seedy hive of smugglers, pirates, and home of the local wererat assassin guild; this is a rough place to have a drink.

The back half of the building has been converted into a set of rooms, used by those who need a bit of privacy, whether to have a private card game, hold a secret meeting, or just to get away from the world while enjoying a dose of some of the more exotic items the Den serves. We don't care what you do here, just don't leave a mess. Just keep in mind, the walls are a little thin back there, and can be listened through (or busted through), so be careful.

The gambling scene is lively here, with craps, three-dragon ante, and darts, among other things. There are certainly not knife-fights held in the ring in the basement. Come early for a ringside seat. Gambling is permitted. Anyone caught betting against themselves will be killed, or worse. So don't do it.

The servers are all NPC goblins. They are: Blackeye, Hooktooth, and Daggernose.
The cook is a goblin woman named Sicklewort.
The NPC bouncer is Gnarl, the orc.

Floorplan:http://img845.imageshack.us/img845/8938/sdenfloorplan3.png
The menu is as follows:

Drinks

Common Drinks
All the common drinks are available in an extremely wide range of qualities, brands, and prices. Just remember- you pay for what you get.

Absinthe
Ale
Beer
Brandy
Coffee
Hard Cider
Kumis (Fermented milk)
Mead
Rum
Tea
Tequila
Vodka
Whiskey
Wine

Specialty Drinks
The specialty drinks are either crafted here or ordered specially from other sources. Normally they are higher class and more palatable, but that is not always the case...
Black Shadow-
A strong concoction guaranteed to send a chill down your spine at any temperature.
Damned Soul Nectar-
Yummy. Damned souls. Perfect for demons, devils, or anyone else lacking a conscience.
Devil Brew-
It tastes good, though drinking it will gradually corrupt your soul to evil.
Drow Spiderblood Wine-
A specialty drow wine with a strong bite, and a hint of spider venom. Alcohol isn't the only thing you have to worry about when drinking it... but it does taste good.
Firewine-
This wine is created in a way that literally leaves the top simmering and flaming. Only recommended to those who have a good fire resistance. However, it is extremely warm and has a fairly sweet taste.
Frenzywater-
You want to know what it is like to see red? Frenzywater will having you raging like a barbarian.
Goblin Thudrud Beer-
A favorite of goblins... but described by others as smelling like a rotten, flaming cow.
Hearth Brew Mead
This is a sweet mead with raspberries, rhubarb and some kind of ingredient that makes you feel warm when you drink it.
Ichor Liquor-
A mixture of blood and alcohol made especially for our vampiric friends. It can be served neat, on the rocks, or specially heated to 98.6 F.
Liquid Agony-
A drink brewed and distilled from the agony of victims, and quite sweet and tasty, but very addictive.
Mindflayer Mead-
A special brew for those squid-headed fellows. Also appropriate for Zombies, or anyoen else who likes the taste of brains.
Mushroom Wine
An Underdark drink fermented from mushrooms. It has a good deal of sugar added to it and tastes sweet, but may cause hallucinations...
Orc Kragg Liquor-
Strong. Disgusting. Manly.
Poisonbite Cocktail-
This brew is mixed of several poisons and rum. It induces extreme euphoria, and will drain the drinker's strength and mental capacities for a day or so.
Rat Mead-
This foul concoction is meant more for drinking games, and less for taste. You'll need a strong stomach to keep it down.


Other

Food
Like the drinks, the food ranges in quality and price... the menu is currently under improvement.
Bread-
Crusty, burnt, soggy, or rotten. It's not your choice. A better bakery is "under construction" in the back. Thanks to a newly built brick oven, the bread is actually quite good now, baked fresh daily.
Dragon Steak-
This tender, extremely tasty steak is excellently prepared, but its source is undisclosed...
Fish of the Day-
The catch of the day, or yesterday... be sure to specify "fresh."
Puffer fish liver-
Tetrodotoxin, anyone? Extreme poison is ahead.
Soup-
Most common soups are available, but pay for what you want, or you'll get something else. Served in a bread bowl.

Mushrooms
Our mushrooms are well acclaimed for their taste and subtle poisons. If you have enemies, make sure they you didn't get something other than what you asked for...
Amanita-
A hallucinogenic mushroom that is fairly toxic. May cause nausea, sensory distortions, mood changes, and loss of equilibrium. Retrograde amnesia frequently results following recovery. Serious poisonings cause delirium, seizures, or comas.
Chanterelle-
An edible but unremarkable mushroom. Available pickled or dried.
Lorchel-
Also known as false morels (due to similarity in appearance), eating these raw results in extreme liver failure or death. Properly prepared, however, they are quite delicious. Available both raw and parboiled (properly prepared).
Morchella-
Also known as morels, these very prized and tasty mushrooms are available raw.
Omphalotus-
This mushroom looks the same as the Chanterelle. It is extremely appealing in smell and appearance, but has a mild toxicity that will lead to vomiting and cramps.
Oyster-
Unlike other mushrooms, this one has no confusing look alikes, and is prized for that quality alone. Served raw or stuffed.
Porcini-
Also known as Boletus ("superior"), the porcini is highly regarded and is served raw or sautéed with butter.
Portabello-
While edible, this is either described as plain or only slightly sweet. Available raw or stuffed.
Psilocybin-
This mushroom is famed for its hallucinogenic effects, while lacking dangerous toxins. Available raw and dried.
Shiitake-
These mushrooms are normally added to ordered soups. Available dried or raw.

Drink Additives
Buy them for your drink, or for someone else's drink... everything goes here.
Doze Pill-
A combination of magical energies and herbs guaranteed to put the drinker to sleep in a few minutes.
Hanger's Drop-
Ask for this in someone's drink to put them six feet under. Commonly means poison, though other methods can be bought depending on the target.
Happy Juice-
As seen in Malleo's shop. Turns the hair pink, and makes the drinker extremely happy.
Wonder Trip-
A mixture of magic and poison that causes extreme hallucinations and delirium which are not directly harmful or toxic.

Other Additives are available, you just have to ask.

Other Drugs
If it doesn't get you drunk, and it isn't a mushroom... we still sell it.
Arhtorvin
A gray powder made by different magic plants, Arthorvin is extremely calming. It is ingested, and numbs emotions and reactions.
Baccaran
A paste made of numerous, undisclosed substances, this is a mild hallucinogen that becomes more powerful as it is used in repetition and increased dosage.
Dreammist
This drug is formed into a tea, and then the vapors are inhaled. It causes incredibly beautiful and wonderful hallucinations that make the world seem dull in comparison. Overdose is extremely debilitating, as is directly drinking the substance.
Devilweed
A tobacco-like substance that is moderately addictive and makes the smoker skittish and more easily confused. Users enjoy it because it glazes over the memories of whatever happens during its effective.
Luhix
A powder made from plants grown in the abyss. It is sprinkled on self inflicted wounds- initially it causes intense pain, then numbs the body entirely. It is one of the most addictive substances known amongst the planes, but overdosing even a little may cause terrible, painful death.
Mertoran Leaf
This leaf is dried and treated. It is not very addictive, but it is cheap, popular, and boosts confidence. Ingested, not smoked.
Redflower Leaves
These leaves are only moderately addictive, but are known to give a boost to hand-eye coordination, making them popular among those who often engage in knife tossing or dart throwing. They are consumed raw and chewed.
Sannish
This blue liquid is made out of unknown ingredients and causes euphoria. It has a tendency to stain flesh and anything else it touches. Overdosing causes intense numbness.

This is by no means the limit of what we can get our hands on, just ask and we'll see what we can do.

Games
As a new addition to the Black Dragon's Den, there is a back room where all kinds of gaming take place. Goblins generally oversee the games and make sure things are fair... but everyone here can be bribed. Best to keep an eye on things yourself.

Card Games
-Coming Soon-

Dice Games
We provide all of the dice used here... unless you slip them out of our sleeve. "Better" dice can be bought with a quiet word and a few coin, though we don't provide protection from those who find out that you've used them.

Coin Pass
This is a simple dice game played with a pair of six sided dice, and is generally best with four or more players.
Each player puts out two coins (generally one type of coin is chosen, copper, silver, gold, or platinum) and then, in turn, each player rolls the dice.
If a player rolls a one, they take one of their coins and place it in the pot.
If a player rolls a six, they take one of their coins and pass it to the person on the left. This continues until only one player has coins, at which time they take the pot.
If a player has no coins left, they have one round to wait for someone to pass them a coin (by roll of a six), after which they can buy their way back in. You can only buy your way back into a game once.

Serpent's Eyes
This game is played with a pair of six sided dice, and a game board in the shape of the world serpent.
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h107/sjunderw/Other/Serpenteye.png
Before the game begins, the number of rounds to play are determined, though the game may end ahead of time, or when one player runs out of coins/chips. Generally people play with a large number of rounds (double digits).
A round is completed once every player has rolled the dice once.
The dice start with the player closest to the seven on the board.
When a player rolls the dice, he does one of three things.
If he rolls any number 3-11, he places a coin on the corresponding number on the board, or, if the number is already filled with coins, they take the coins off of that number.
If he rolls a 2, he places a coin on every number on the board.
If he rolls a 12, he takes all coins from the board.


Warship
This game is played with five dice for each player. The person who rolls first is normally determined randomly.
The goal of the game is to create the best 'ship', where a 'ship' is a straight formed either forwards (1,2,3) or backwards (3,2,1). To create a straight, you roll the dice, and choose anywhere from 0-3 numbers from them. Your first chosen die is your starting number (IE, a number on either end of a straight), the second die chosen has to be the middle number of your straight, and the third die chosen is the last of your straight.
You have three rolls of the dice to form a straight. Whenever you choose one of these die, you remove it from the dice you roll to get the next number.
The game progresses like this:
1) Each player places an amount of money agreed on when the game starts.
2) Each player rolls the dice once, chooses any dice from their roll that they want, then either adds in the money first agreed on again, or passes from the game, but leaves any money they first bet in the pot (Note that everyone can see what die you have chosen, if you have chosen a die already).
3) Repeat the second step once more, then every player rolls the dice once more, and the person with the ship with the highest straight wins. If someone creates a ship one the first or second roll, they still bet, but do not have to roll until the last round (which is only done in case of ties).

If no one has a straight, the winner is based on the person with the highest number set aside (with only players with dice set aside competing). If there is a tie in highest numbers, they go to the second die set aside (with only players with two dice competing). If there is a tie between set aside die, they proceed with the same process into the dice they last rolled (excluding those set aside)

If two people have the same straight, they compare the numbers rolled on their last turn (not including the ones placed into their "ship"). The person with the highest numbers wins.

The winner takes all money in the pot. Generally, more than one game is played at once.

Other Games
These may be more or less 'games' as such... but are just as entertaining.

Darts
Bet on how well someone will throw, whether they can do it with their eyes closed... with their left hand... or if they can dodge a knife- it's all good. There are a few different dart boards, so any number of rings and scoring areas can be played with.

Knife Fights
We hold knife fights here every once in a while, down in the basement. To surrender or death. Place your bets, folks.
-No current list of PC fighters. Contact management to arrage something 'formal.'

Previous Threads
The Black Dragon's Den (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=165827)
The Black Dragon's Den II (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=171233)
The Black Dragon's Den III (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=174933)
The Black Dragon's Den IV (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=180536)
The Black Dragon's Den V (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=188036)
The Black Dragon's Den VI (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=195805)
The Black Dragon's Den VII (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=206103)
The Black Dragon's Den VIII (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=219840)
The Black Dragon's Den IX (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=229336)
The Black Dragon's Den X (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=243700)
The Black Dragon's Den XI (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?301076-Nexus-The-Black-Dragon-s-Den-XI)
The Black Dragon's Den XII (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?383134-Nexus-The-Black-Dragon-s-Den-XII)
The Black Dragon's Den XIII (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?433122-Nexus-The-Black-Dragon-s-Den-XIII)
The Black Dragon's Den XIV (https://forums.giantitp.com/showthread.php?566984-Nexus-The-Black-Dragon-s-Den-XIV)

[billtodamax]

In walks a shorter woman, red hair styled in a messy bob cut wearing a crop top and shorts, with long black boots and an array of colourful bead necklaces. She moves to the bar. Get me a platter of mushrooms and some baccaran. She says, leaning against the bar and surveying the room. Her face is flawless and beautiful, but her eyes are like a predator sizing up prey.

[mynkya]

A booth in the back, shaded as it was, revealed for a moment that someone resided there. A small circular orange glow as the end of a cigarette crackled with cinders. A puff of smoke later and its owner leaned forward, the corners of her eyes tightening as someone bustled into the shady bar. She looked like trouble, sounded like it too... Perfectly matched the rest of the crooks in here. Matched Chiyo herself aswell, clad in a modern bomber jacket, crop top, jeans and boots, with a face mask drawn down and creased around her neck.

Chiyo made a point of gazing across, finding nothing more worthwhile to do than to catch this stranger's eye, and hold it. "Looking for someone?" She asked pointedly, with an air of indignance in her voice, resettling herself in her seat so as to make it creak beneath her, with large pointed canine ears atop her head swivelling in the bar's direction.

[billtodamax]

Not anymore. She says under her breath, leaning her head back to the barkeep without breaking eye contact. Her eyes are golden, bright, and very hard to look away from. Bring us some scotch. Neat. Something nice. She says before walking over, sliding herself into the booth next to Chiyo. Tanwen, Tanwen Merrick. She says, trying to lean into the larger woman slightly, extending her hand to her. It'd only be polite to give her your name, right Chiyo?

She smells like smoke and flowers, and her body's warm.

[mynkya]

The canine in the corner almost regretted speaking up, though this interaction was sure to beat sitting here all evening half bored and with no work. Though she still showed a certain level of disdain on her face as the woman slid on in and got a little too close, earning a choice glare from the tall woman's dark eyes, and a puff of smoke blown out over the table. Still, this lady was apparently buying her drinks, and for that at least the delinquent in the booth could relax a little, and entertain her whims.

"Chiyo." She answers curtly, grinning in a way that showed off a pair of fangs, then leaning back in her seat and throwing her arm out over the top of a cushion, away from Tanwen. Peering down at the hand being extended for a shake she chose instead to pull the cigarette from her mouth, holding it between two fingers and cocking her chin up as she looks over. "You looking for muscle, or just company?"

[billtodamax]

Tanwen brushes off the snub with a chuckle and a wave of the proffered hand. She looks Chiyo up and down, clearly liking what she sees. Are the muscles on offer? She asks with a sly grin. The bartender arrives with her food and the drinks and she takes one and slides it across to Chiyo, watching her intently. She procures a pair of gold coins (from her pocket? it's not clear where they came from) and slides them to the bartender. For the food. I'm here looking for fun, Chiyo. She savours the name as she says it. What do you do for fun?

[mynkya]

For now the canine girl didn't make a move for the drink, because she was just simply comfortable, arms cocked up on the backrest and body sprawled lazily across cushions. She breathes heavily through her nose and squints her eyes slightly. "They always are." She replies with a dangerous tone to her voice, looking for all the world to be the violent thug she really was. But, she wasn't without heart, and given a few moments she took another drag of her smoke and loosened up again, not really feeling threatened at all by the presence near her, which was a good thing for the both of them.

"Fun? I used to hang out with my squad and mess around in clubs... Now? Do whatever comes my way, or whoever." She leans down off the backrest and stubs out the stumpy straight into an ashtray, then folds one arm over the table so that she might lean over it, with one hand touching its fingers near the glass of whisky. "Looks like nice stuff..." She idly comments, looking at the amber within the vessel. "You always splash out on strangers? Or am I a special girl tonight."

[billtodamax]

I hope so. Tanwen says, idly rolling the bottom of her glass on the table. You're special for tonight, Chiyo. Maybe longer. She trails off, breaking eye contact to blatantly check her out. She stares right back into Chiyo with intensity. You ever kill someone, Chiyo? Shank them in the gut and watch them bleed out in a ditch?

[mynkya]

"Damn right I am." Chiyo states with pride, as her arm extends just a little further, so that her fingers could curl around the glass before her. She lifts it up, regarding it for a moment, before the woman's question and stare genuinely catches her off guard, causing her to set the drink back down and squint across with a hard, foul little stare. Her silence almost answers the question in itself, but a woman of her self-confidence didn't let it just hang in the air.

Yeah... Didn't do it too much back on Bakunin or the Jaguars would come cut you down. But we defended out turf. Just change ditches for empty streets." Her shoulders roll up in a shrug, and she leans a little closer to Tanwen, reaching again for the drink, taking it up in her grasp. "After I left, I did whatever it took to protect those I cared for. Nothing more to it than that." She says, lying through her teeth. She was a violent troublemaker and she knew it all too well.

[billtodamax]

But maybe a little more. When they deserved it. When you wanted to. Tanwen licks her lips. She doesn't seem interested in her food or her drink anymore. What happened to them. Your squad. Chiyo has her full attention, and the rest of the bar seems to fade away. Her eyes are bright and wild, and her smile looks hungry.

[mynkya]

Chiyo took a long pause from the conversation, as she brought the glass of liquor up to her lips, tilting it back and enjoying the smoothness of it, a drink that practically begged to be drunk. She obliged, and half of its contents soon lay in her stomach. "Do you get off from talking to killers?" Chiyo asks, bluntly, sighing after. "Saitei..." She murmurs, then looks over again into the wild eyes of her drinking partner. Something was unsettling about this girl, but she shrugged it off for now. "Ask me any question you want, but my squad is off-limits. Nobody but me messes with them, got it?" There's a stern, hard look in her eye, though it's tinged with some small likeness of a sad soul.

[Hattish Thing]

[Help Wanted!]

A man has rented out a booth for the day. At the moment, it's absolutely covered in flyers advertising for a position as 'Lab Safety Assistant' to one Dr. Nicodemus Valiance. That very same man now reclines within his rented booth, humming along to a small radio set up on the table. He's a somewhat unremarkable looking person with long, curly hair and a plain - if angular - face. A pair of teashades rest upon his hooked nose. His clothing isn't much more exciting, his outfit composing of a ratty white turtleneck sweater worn beneath a stained labcoat. "Hrm..."

[Earl of Purple]

Help Wanted!

Someone approaches! They're young, about twenty or so, and a girl. Her skin is blackish-grey, like scorched wood, and her eyes are dark. She's shaved her head completely bald, even her eyebrows, and she's wearing a pale blue dress, slightly scorched at the edges, and a pair of hiking boots. "You, uh, looking for a lab tech? I can do that. I got experience. I worked for a chap called Professor Payne, up in Skyside, who works with empowered mutagenic substances. He let me go, because... I bought one of the chemicals he produces, and it's no longer possible for me to work safely close to an open flame." She sounds nervous, and unsure. If it's impossible to work with naked flames, what use is she in a lab setting? Well, she's hoping Dr. Valiance has either fume cupboards or doesn't work much with bunsen burners.

[Hattish Thing]

[Help Wanted!]

Dr. Valiance had spent the last twenty minutes or so tapping absentmindedly at the table, so when he's approached, he takes a second or two to rub his eyes. "Oh, uhh - hey! Hello there! All of that stuff." He smiles a little, though its slightly awkward. Christ, her weird dark eyes were so distracting. Was she okay? Is that some kind of disease? Is it contagious? Hopefully not. Probably not. "Why don't you have a seat?" He reaches for a bundle of 'paperwork' before setting it down gently on the table. "Ah, yes. Obviously, you're applying for the assistant position. The one I'm recruiting for!" Val blinks a few times before offering a hand.

He whistles a little as she mentions mutagenic whatevers. That stuff's crazy. "Oh, fascinating. I've never been much of a goo man. More of a roboticist, or - well, there's not a lot I don't do, really. But the point is that sounds interesting!" This was going really well! Then she mentions that open flame thing. What in the world could that mean? "Oh, are you - uh, little clumsy or something?"

"That's okay, you'd be helping me out with other stuff! Laboratory maintenance, uhh. Labeling things? That sort of stuff."

[Earl of Purple]

Help Wanted!

The woman sits down, and fidgets slightly. "Well, I was more of a biochemist, I suppose. And no, I'm not clumsy. Professor Payne's work... It's mutagenic, right? So I mutated." She licks her finger, draws a crude circle on the table with her spit- yes, not very hygienic- and pulls a lighter out of her pocket. She's very careful as she triggers the lighter to create the flame and holds it to the circle on the table. The spit ignites, a brief flare of fire immolating the circle and slightly scorching the wood underneath. "I can't work with naked flame because I burn very easily." She smiles nervously, running a hand over her shaved scalp and fidgeting again.

[Hattish Thing]

[Help Wanted!]

Dr. Valiance smiles warmly as the younger woman sinks into her chair, taking note of her fidgety gestures as she does. Was she nervous? That makes sense. For a brief second, Val recalls his first day working with the Conference. Christ, that was a stressful day. Let's try to keep things a little more casual. "You seem experienced, at least. That's a good thing!" Especially considering he hadn't been expecting anyone with even a degree to speak of to apply. "Mutated?" Was that why her eyebrows were gone? What could that possibly mean? Rarely ever a good thing, at least in Val's experience.

Then she starts to smear her own spit down upon the table. Ah, that's more the sort of behavior he expected. What a bizarre thing to do. The doctor blinks once or twice, leaning back as he just observes the following. As the fire roars into life and promptly burns away, he crosses his arms over his chest. "Oh, wow! That's - uhh, that's neat!"

"What did you say your name was, miss?"

[Earl of Purple]

Help Wanted!

"It's not just my spit that does that. My tears, sweat and hair do it too. My blood ignites on contact with the air. So if you're doing anything with fire, I won't be able to help you. Not safely, at least." Hopefully Doctor Valerian isn't as concerned with safety as Professor Payne is.

"Oh, right. Name. Felicity, most of the time. If you want to dress up and rob somewhere for materials, probably Teclu." She's willing to do that, in fact she's a little desperate. She's less certain as to how useful she would actually be in that situation, unless she just sets herself on fire and starts screaming at people.

[Hattish Thing]

Help Wanted!

With an intrigued expression upon his face, Dr. Valiance leans forward. "Felicity! That's a lovely name. I think it means luck, or something like that." Ironic, perhaps? Ha. Then she mentions something about robbing people? Ah, good. At least certain things were agreed upon already. Val is all good with skipping that conversation. "Ah, but - what was I saying? Oh, right! I'm touched by your story, in all honesty. Abnormalities are what make you who you are!" Plus, he was in no position to turn away even the least qualified person. "If anything, I'm impressed. You wouldn't believe the sort of applicants I've had over the last few days."

He clasps his hands together then. "Ahkay, let's rewind for a second, though."

"You said this... Payne guy did this to you?"

[Earl of Purple]

Help Wanted

...Oh, Felicity's getting bad vibes from this. But she needs the money, any money, if she's to stay off the streets trying to rob people with super burning skills. "Yes, because I paid for him to do this. Well, not this exactly, but something like this. He sells super-serum, and my... Tendency to burn is a superpower I have bought. I can't buy another one, because I don't have the money and it's not safe. I saw someone explode after getting a second injection." So not easily fixed, and just something Felicity has to live with.

[Hattish Thing]

Help Wanted!

For a brief second, Dr. Valiance's blue eyes narrow. He's deep in thought! "Why, it sounds like you've been had - tricked! Selling something like that, it seems unethical. To say the least!" Yes, absolutely. Something like that should be kept in a vault somewhere, perhaps VIGIL will make better use of it. More importantly, it means Valiance could have a good long look at whatever the hell was turning people into regular ol' supermen! "Something like that sounds unfathomably dangerous in the hands of people like this 'Payne' guy. I bet he's not even a real professor!" An ironic statement, coming from a man with a doctorate in art history.

A small smile forms upon his face. "How would you like to be a part of Valiance Enterprises?!"

"I think I've an excellent way in which you and I can, perhaps, make a real difference."

[Earl of Purple]

Help Wanted!

"I'd worked for him for three months. I knew the risks and what I was getting in to. He's not a real professor. He got fired from the Inside Institute of Instituted Informing's biochemical department, something about magic I think. He's got a real bee in his bonnet about that stuff." Since professor is a title given to academics and scholars who teach others at the highest level and perform independent research of their own, Professor Payne is no longer able to use the title... But he was a professor, once. "I'd love to be part of it. But, um, we aren't really gonna rob Professor Payne, are we?" Felicity thinks this is a really bad idea. But... She's desperate enough that she's taking it. Hopefully he'll pay her a few times before he decides to move against Professor Payne and she can sneak off without him being any the wiser. Either of them.

[Hattish Thing]

Help Wanted!

Valiance chortles as Felicity confirms his suspicions. This 'Payne' person seemed such a rogue! "Ha, I knew it! You can always tell with these people - huge egos." Not like him. He had earned his doctorate. It might be in a completely unrelated field, but at least it was legitimate! "You know, Felicity! We just might!" A wide grin appears on his face. This was exactly what was necessary right this moment! Oh, the possibilities. If he got his hands on something this powerful, well - it'd be yet another feather in his cap! Certainly VIGIL would see something like that as evidence of his brilliance. "I was thinking, how about we head somewhere a little less oppressively terrible."

"Not in the mood for another mugging." He sighs. Last time was just awful. "Don't have a lot on hand, but I can probably dip into the Valtech emergency fund for something like this. After all, we've great things in store for us, my friend!"

"How does Bloodsong's sound? On me!"

[Earl of Purple]

Help Wanted!

Felicity kind-of meant that in the sense of 'he's been a real professor', and... Doctor Valiance just doesn't seem to care. Oh, this is going to be trouble, she can feel it in her (probably explosive) bones.

But... Well, what's she got to lose? Her boyfriend dumped her when she shaved her head, her parents disowned her when she dropped out of college and moved to Skyside so she could work with a real scientist, Professor Payne fired her after she set part of the lab on fire by sneezing on a bunsen burner and the last of her money was spent on clean clothes and a ticket to Inside. "Sure. That sounds great." She smiles and stands up, wondering if they have candles in Bloodsong's or electric lighting. She hopes it's electric; she's a lot more paranoid around candles now.

[Shadowcaller]

Dena walks into the den and over to her usual seat in one of the corners of the main room. On her way she gives several nods of mutual recognition to some of the other patrons. The Den didn't have as many customers as Trog's but it had a number of regulars, Dena among them, who went here in rain or shine.

Both the servitors and the barkeeper knew how she wanted to start off her visit, with a glass of red wine which was put on her table minutes after she had taken her seat. But this wasn't just the reason she came here. Despite its reputation it had a more relaxed atmosphere than Trog's where all the patrons just minded their own business and didn't go up in arms or shock if a fight broke out. That was just a form of entertainment. As long as they didn't start to involve other tables it was perfectly fine.

[Purple Eagle]

[Dena and Chidi]

Chidi walks into the den a few minutes later, about the time Dena should be getting her wine served to her. It's his first time here, and being a newbie to the Nexus, has taken it upon himself to visit every available location he can reach at least once. His latest one-night stand had a lot of good things to say about this place, giving him even more reason to come here.

He starts to search for a seat when he spots Dena seated in a corner with a glass of wine. With a smile, he makes his way over to her table. "Mind if I join you, boss?" He says, taking a seat before she can answer. He gestures a server goblin over and makes his order. "Beer, bread and red stew."

"So, boss... or can I just call you Dena, since we're not at work?" She did say she's only his boss at work.

[Shadowcaller]

[Dena and Chidi]

"Why not?" She remarks with a smile. "Have a seat." She takes a small sip as he makes his order.
"You know I'm not the type to care for formalities, Chidi. 'Boss' isn't even much of a formal title in the first place y'know?" She lets her gaze linger. "So I haven't seen you here before. What makes you come to the den of all places? I had you pegged for a Trog's guy."

[Purple Eagle]

[Dena and Chidi]

"Yeah, Dena, I know... but I still insist on calling you 'boss' at work out of respect." Chidi accepts his meal gratefully and tears a piece of bread, dipping it in the stew. He nods after taking a bite, it's good stuff. "I'm new to the Nexus, I figured I'd try and visit every establishment at least once. I already like the chill vibe I'm getting from this place, however. Besides, a recent er... acquaintance of mine had good things to say about this place."

A random NPC elf passes their table and Chidi turns to admire her beauty for a moment, before returning to his meal. "I've never seen you at Trog's, I take it you prefer this place?"

[Shadowcaller]

[Dena and Chidi]

Dena doesn't have to guess where Chidi is looking. He certainly got easily distracted by certain outside stimuli.
"Someone recommended this place? What'd they tell you? Since this place is certainly not for everyone. It's an acquired taste you could say." She takes another sip of wine. "I wouldn't recommend doing heroics in here for one. It's not like anyone is gonna stop you but people get nervous you know?"

[Purple Eagle]

[Dena and Chidi]

"That this place is more exotic compared to Trog's, for one. I was warned about the seedy nature of this place, but I can handle it." Chidi responds, sipping his beer. He nods at her advice. "Roger. Can I ask why you prefer this place, though?"

[Shadowcaller]

[Dena and Chidi]

"Complicated question. The atmosphere I suppose, the lack of random encounters would be another one. Had way too many of those already. But while there's no monsters attacking all the time there's no weird magical mumbo jumbo that pacifies people like in dancing fox inn either." She pauses, trying to find the words. "I suppose I like how down to earth it is compared to the other taverns which I suppose is fitting considering that MERC is probably most down to earth of all the organizations. Or at least it was, dunno if it still is compared to say, GloG."

[Purple Eagle]

[Dena and Chidi]

Chidi's heard about the magic that causes conflict to be impossible in the Dancing Fox Inn. The knowledge's dampened any desire to visit the place; while he can understand why and would never cause trouble, it still feels invasive. "No random fights, no weird magic ****, down to earth? You've just given me reasons to make this place my regular spot. We just might be seeing more of each other! Does MERC license or membership get one discounts here though?" That's something to consider. "I'll still probably visit Trog's from time to time, depending on how easy it is to find some 'company'." He smirks a little, making it obvious what he really means by that.

Eating some more bread and stew, he asks. "What's your weapon of choice? I have the training to make and enhance any weapon, but the Nexus offers possibilities to widen my skill set in that regard."

[Shadowcaller]

[Dena and Chidi]

"Yeah, didn't I tell you about that? Must have been in some part of the contract that you missed. But yeah, you get a discount here, bloodsongs and trog's. So essentially every tavern besides the dancing fox." And a few others Dena forgot to mention.

She looks to be about to reply to his question when something seems have caught her attention.
If Chidi follows her gaze (though hopefully not literary) he can see that the bartender is gesturing in their direction on the behest of a boar-like humanoid who now turns their way.

"Looks like we got company... be ready for anything." Dena mumbles as the boarfolk starts walking up to them.

He doesn't appear particularly suspicious but the way he fidgets while he walks suggests that he's nervous even if his boar-like facial features won't tell Chidi much.
The boar man finally stops a few meters ahead of them and takes a deep breath before he speaks. "They say you're one of the leaders of MERC." He seems to be addressing Dena but his eyes never look directly at her. Seemingly preferring to stare at Chidi while he speaks.

Dena gestures at herself. "If you look a bit to the left... yeah, that would be me."
Her words makes him fidget again and he looks right at her but only for a split second before staring down at the floor. "Mm'exuse me. Don't think, ah, that would be a good idea." He doesn't clarify just what wouldn't be a good idea but Chidi could probably make a few guesses.
He then raises his hand as if to stop them. "Got info. KABAL info if you're paying."

Dena raises an eyebrow as her eyes starts scanning the rest of the inn the moment he mentions the word 'KABAL'. "Is that so?" Finally she looks back to Chidi. "Hey, if you were me would you give this guy your time? He doesn't look very trustworthy to me."

[Purple Eagle]

[Dena and Chidi]

"Cool! But then, with you coming here so often, obviously you'd have made arrangements to give members discounts here at some point." That's another reason to come here over Trog's.

When she changes the direction of her gaze, he turns to follow her line-of-sight with his eyes and notices the boar-man being pointed in their direction. "Roger." His friendly and cheerful demeanour gives way to a disciplined seriousness as he stares back at the boar man, bobbing his head in the gorgon's direction after hearing what he has to say. At his reaction to Dena's suggestion to look at her, all he can surmise is that he's wary of looking a gorgon straight in the eye.

Then he mentions KABAL, and Chidi narrows his eyes. Dena could tell him a bit more, but despite only being in MERC for a few days he's heard all about the organization. He scans the area and uses his power to focus on the conversations all around them, trying to pick up anything weird.

Turning to look at Dena at about he same time she does him (partially to show the guy that there's no risk of him being turned to stone), he nods once. "Could be worth hearing what he has to say."

[Shadowcaller]

[Dena and Chidi]

'Weird' is a rather wide term and many of the patrons seem to have shady dealings of their own. Indeed, you could say any of them looked suspicious if they had been anywhere else. A lot of them are even dressed like your standard hooded stranger in the back of any other fantasy inn.

But while most of them do seem to be minding their own business you have the occasional curious glance. Eyes that are reflecting the light of the bar looking at them from distant tables. The black dragons den did attract a certain type of customers and a lot of them seemed to have a well-developed night vision.

"Actually, that was the boss's doing." Dena replies to Chidi's question before the boar man walks over to their table.

She then nods to him once Chidi has said his piece. "Go on then. What kind of information?"

"KABAL's drug trafficking. BIG shipment, little to no defenses. Can tell you where it is." He declares, confident for a person not daring to look to the one he's talking to in the eyes or at least her sunglasses.

Dena doesn't reply right away. Instead she takes another sip of wine while seemingly mulling it over.
Finally, she speaks to the increasingly nervous boarfolk. "And what do you want in exchange?"

"Eh... m-money and protection. I want [outrageous large sum of money] in cash."

Dena seems amused at the offer but glances as Chidi as if wanting him to provide feedback once more.

[Purple Eagle]

[Dena and Chidi]

Chidi continues to stare at the boar man as he says his bit, occasionally looking back at those that send curious glances their way. Those glances don't seem to be malicious in any way, so he doesn't give them too much heed.

He turns to look at Dena when the boar man makes his declaration, but keeps quiet, letting her mull it over and ask for what he wants.

He is definitely just as amused when the guy responds to that. "First time, huh?" That'd explain why he thinks he can ask a boss of MERC for that outrageous amount. That, or maybe he wants to haggle. In response, Chidi ask. "How about we give you [less than half that amount] instead?" He wants to haggle, let's haggle then.

Hopefully, it won't require intimidation to get the boar man to fold.

[5a Violista]

June comes into the Black Dragon's Den and goes asks about working here. Busboy, server, stocker, whatever, he says it doesn't really matter: he recently arrived in the Nexus (without any money) so. . .he needs to be able to get food somehow. Sure, he could probably wander around Outside and pick fruit and such off of trees but that's not very sustainable especially when you don't really know what a lot of fruit around here is.

He's wearing a long-sleeve brown shirt (with a couple buttons at the top) and gray shiny-ish things that probably could be ankle-length athlete shorts, and black tennis shoes, and a pink-and-black ring on his left hand. And in his arms, he's got a black-and-white french maid dress (folded up, obviously). Since, to be honest, that's really all he has. And his appearance (and voice and everything) is pretty androgynous, to the point that the main reason the only reason he looks male is because he's wearing masculine clothes.

.
.
.
So, yeah. He's asking about working here, because anywhere else he could've possibly gotten a quick job (that he could find) were all closed for the evening.

[Artemis97]

The surly goblin behind the bar directs June to the drow sitting alone by the fire, tuning a guitar, quietly playing chords as he adjusts things. This is Raril Xar'Cha, the owner. He's dressed in high black boots and a blue silk shirt, and has a black bandanna covering his white hair. He looks up from his work when the young person approaches, his eyes glittering with interest, though growing sad as he listens to June's plight.

"Have a seat." He gestures to a nearby chair. "And let's see about getting you something to eat. Do you like stew?" A young man with red hair and eyes and blue skin comes by to take June's order.

[5a Violista]

Speaking of hair, June's is red too.
To be honest, June was expecting to have to work before eating. "Yeah, I like stew," he says. In a not-quite-conspiratorial whisper, he says, "Just between you and me, I'm actually pretty good at eating stew. I've done it at least four times." The smile that he cracks after a few moments confirms that, yes, that was a joke and no he's not actually a pro stew-eater.

So, he talks to the young man with the red hair and blue skin.

[Artemis97]

Raril chuckles at the joke and goes back to tuning his guitar.

"Stew, sure." Says the blue-skinned young man. "I hope you like mushrooms. Bread bowl ok?" He quirks an eye towards the drow, who gives a quick nod. Usually that was an upcharge, but Raril was a generous sort, besides the bread tends to go stale if its not used. "And.. water? Probably not an ale if you're discussing business." The young man decides.

"I'm Marcus, by the way." The young man says by was of introducing himself. "Been working here for a little while. Keeps a roof over my head. The boss is pretty fair. Pays just as well as some places in the nicer part of town."

Raril smirks a bit at the comment about 'the boss'.

[5a Violista]

He nods: he likes mushrooms.
"Yeah, water would be better," he agrees.

Unfortunately, because June is looking at Marcus, he doesn't see Raril's smirk. It's too bad, because smirking while tuning the guitar is the best.

"I'm June," he responds. "This place does look a bit nicer than some of the other places I passed on the way here." But he hasn't really been to the nicest parts of town yet, so all he can do is compare it to Trog's, the market street, and the various streets between here, there, and that place.

[Artemis97]

"Yeah, they had to rebuild the place pretty recently after someone blew up the old wooden building. It's all stone on the exterior now. Bigger and better than before." Marcus says. "Give me a sec to get your food, I'll be right back."

He walks off behind the bar and into the kitchen. Shortly he returns with a tray, on it: a steaming bread bowl filled with stew thick with cream and mushrooms, and a glass of water, with ice! He sets it all in front of June.

Being somewhere near the waterfront and the slums, the Den wasn't in the greatest area, but Raril took care of it, made sure to reinvest in it. Most of the staff had been working here since before he owned it, and he'd taken care of them in the turnover, retaining their loyalty.

"So you're thinking of working here?" Marcus asks, resting the now empty tray casually on his hip. "Have you ever worked in the restaurant before?"

[5a Violista]

Ooh, it smells good.
June takes a couple spoonfuls while Marcus is speaking, but keeps them small so that he can answer shortly after Marcus finishes with each question. "Yeah," he says to the first question. "Well, it'd be nice."

The second question, he shakes his head 'no' but clarifies: "Not in any restaurant, but I have done soup kitchens and some catering before at some events."

[Artemis97]

"That's probably good enough to get you started. Have any experience cooking?" Marcus asks next. "Help in the kitchen's always useful. If not we can just start you bussing and serving, like I do."

[5a Violista]

"..." June needs to swallow and pause a bit to process the question: "How much experience counts?" Doesn't everyone have at least some experience?
Well...probably not literally everyone. If you're from a family that only ever goes out to eat or if you're from a rich family that only has other people cook for you, then you probably don't.
He sets down his spoon to think, uninterrupted from eating.

After thinking about it a bit more, June actually kind-of deduces how much experience would probably count. "Well, I'm not a professional, but I probably have as much experience as most anyone else. Helped out in the kitchen growing up, six years living alone, three years married...Oh! I also designed a stovetop bread oven once, too." For a gas stove, the kind that you use on floating islands that you have to add more things to every couple weeks, so heavy ovens and stoves would just be a pain as they slowly sink into the water. And the kind of oven you can make with a pair of tin snips, sheet metal, a marker, and a couple small metal bars (small enough to bend by hand if you try hard enough). "Rarely follow recipes, though. Apparently I'm pretty good at eyeballing."
So maybe a bit better than the average person.

He picks up the spoon again, to continue.

Honestly, the fact that there's people who claim to be unable to cook kind-of weirds him out. Like, he's pretty sure every time he's heard someone say that they can't cook, it's just that they don't want to cook. Like, literally all you have to do to cook is mix things that do things and/or taste good when mixed and then make sure they get cooked properly?!? And if it doesn't turn out well, then make it better next time.

[Artemis97]

Marcus looks impressed, his red eyebrows shooting upward. "A bread oven, huh? We've got one here. Big brick thing. Sicklewort might have use for you, if you're any good with it."

[5a Violista]

"...yeah. It was pretty basic, though, and could really only cook one, maybe two, things at the same time. It was more of a cost-over-quality thing," June says, a little sheepishly. Not really sure why he even brought that part up, since designing a cheap portable bread oven really has nothing to do with actually cooking.

Speaking of bread, the bowl is kind-of getting soggy. Guess he should hurry up and eat it.

[Artemis97]

Marcus glances around the room. "I'd better get back to work." He says, realizing he'd been dawdling. "Good luck!" The blue-skinned young man wishes June, before moving off to help another table.

Raril chuckles a bit, and seems to have finished tuning his guitar. Letting June eat, he plays a simple song, finger style. Nothing recognizable, and occasionally he repeats a part or starts over. Maybe he was composing?

[5a Violista]

June says 'thanks' as well as he can with a spoon in his mouth (which is to say, he probably just waves and his eyes say it or something like that).

He eats.
...
And eats.
And then, soon, he finishes eating, and drinks the water to wash it down.

Once he's done, he turns to Raril: "Hey, what were you playing?" he asks. "I don't really recognize it." Which, to be honest, is kind-of obvious in retrospect: the Nexus probably obviously has a different musical history than where June comes from, so there's practically a zero percent chance some random guitar tune would be the same. Then again, guitars exist and look pretty much the same so there must have been some sort of musical interchange, right? Or musical echo. Or something. So maybe it's not that obvious in retrospect.

[Artemis97]

The drow smiles and rests his hand on the strings of the guitar to quiet them. "Oh just messing around. It's not anything yet, really." He sets the instrument aside and turns to June.

"So you need some cash, and quickly." Raril says. "Tell me, are you a gambler?" He asks. There's more to the question there though. What is it?

[5a Violista]

Oh. Just messing around on it.
...Yeah. That's actually a completely normal thing to do with musical instruments. "Sounds like it'll be something soon, though."

Anyway.
Important question.
"Saying I need cash quickly makes it sound like more than it really is," June says. It's more like...well, okay. It's actually kinda true. Yeah, he needs cash, and quickly, because he does need to find a place to stay tonight. He was recommended GLoG, but at this time of night that's too far away without a train ticket. "...but, I do," he admits.

However, he shakes his head: "Not really, I'm not," he says. "Any time I have, it was either no stakes or low stakes." Like, for candy. Or for bragging rights. Or the loser has to do some task. And so on.
Why that tone of voice, though? "...why?"

[Artemis97]

"Good good." Raril nods. "Just wondering, because we've got quite a few games running here. I need to be able to trust my employees, even if you usually can't trust the customers. Gambling's...dangerous. Especially if you know what you're doing." Wait shouldn't that be if you don't know what you're doing? The drow looks thought for a moment, then waves a hand dismissing whatever he was thinking.

The he points to the maid outfit June was carrying. "Is that what I think it is? Is it yours?" He asks, raising an eyebrow.

[5a Violista]

Oh. That's good to know. June nods as well.
"If I may...why is it moreso if you know what you're doing?" he asks...before having a realization: "Nevermind, I think I get it."

June raises the outfit to make it more visible. "It's probably what you think it is," he says, but doesn't know for sure because June doesn't know how to read minds. "Um...funny story."

It really is a kind-of funny story, in retrospect. "My welcoming party here was a bunch of...cultists? Or something along those lines. Dressed me up in this while holding me hostage, for some probably dumb reason. I kept it because I'm going to need to wear something while washing my clothes, and it fits." Plus, with a sewing kit, you could probably alter it or make it into a bag or whatever.

[Artemis97]

"Oh gods, not cultists!" Raril growls. "My wife deals with them all the time. They try to summon her when she's in the shower of all times!" The drow looks highly annoyed at the memory. It's quite upsetting to have one's wife disappear, especially if he were in the shower with her. Just *poof!*

Raril looks at June with some sympathy. "Well, I'll tell you right now if you can pull that thing off to any sort of degree, you're going to get all sorts of tips. You really just have the clothes on your back, hm? My sister's a seamstress, if you need more clothes, I'm sure she'd have some. If you work here, I can rent you one of the rooms upstairs for cheap, until you get on your feet. Are you any good at fighting? The Nexus is pretty dangerous. I make it a rule not to go anywhere unarmed."

[5a Violista]

Getting summoned in the shower?
"Oh, that sounds awful! They should learn to respect people's schedules, at the very least." Also, like, they should probably not be cultists or even try to summon her in general, but all that ought to be obvious.

He nods. Honestly, he hadn't really considered that, but it immediately makes sense: dressing as a woman would seem like it could get him tips a lot faster. Especially with a French Maid outfit. More tips means being able to settle in faster. Flirting should get more tips too, right? Shouldn't be that hard: June's been accused of flirting when he was just trying to be nice before. "Never tried that before, but I'll bet I could do it with a little time and practice." Shouldn't be that hard, even: Sekhmet already second-guessed his gender after rescuing him from those cultists. Plus, his player keeps on accidentally using the wrong pronouns and has to frequently double-check whole posts.

He nods some more: "I'll talk to you about price and such for more clothes after working a bit." Buying from Raril's sister also sounds a lot easier than wandering around the city trying to find somewhere that has a decent enough quality. If he's recommending it, it's got to be fine. And! Renting upstairs here actually sounds like a great deal: going to GLoG was recommended to June, but if he works here it'd be a really long commute, limiting how much time he'd have to hit up libraries or learning how to defend against mind control or anything else he feels like he could do. Besides, June's the type of guy who'd rather pay for his housing - even if it is at a discount at first - than getting trapped in the free housing that he'd get with GLoG.

But actually, fighting. "Not...really?" he guesses: "I've practiced swordplay and martial arts and shooting, but never actually gotten in a real fight," he admits, "so I'm not sure how I'd fare in an one. I've always been able to simmer tensions before it reaches that point. So, sounds like that's one more thing I need to learn."

[Artemis97]

Raril nods. "Avoiding a fight is usually the best course of action. But sometimes you can't reason or charm your way out of things." The drow advises. With a flick of his wrist a rather utilitarian dagger appears in his hand. He slides it across the table to June. "Take that, it may come in handy. At the very least you can fend off a handsy customer."

[5a Violista]

June is understandably impressed with how quickly that dagger appears. Like...all June saw was a flick of the wrist! Where did he get that dagger from? Was it in his sleeve, or was it a fancier trick, or...? But if he keeps it in his sleeve, how was he playing the guitar so naturally? Does he, like...?

Hold on!
Being impressed at how casually flicked out a knife is just a waste of time right now. He can be impressed later.
He closes his jaw, and reaches out to grab the knife. He nods. "Yeah, I know. Didn't really help with those cultists."
June considers where would be the best place to keep the dagger. Probably his hands or pocket, but he keeps it on the table under his hands for now. "Thanks." Honestly, he hopes not to use it, because he'd rather not stab someone, but if he needs to defend himself then it should be okay.

"...How often do you need to defend yourself?" To get a rough idea if getting attacked is a common thing or not; he's asked a question similar to this to Sekhmet already.

[Artemis97]

Raril thinks about that question for a long moment, his red eyes drifting upwards as he considers it. "Less often than I used to. Of course, I used to go looking for trouble. But sometimes trouble finds you. Things happen. Fights break out. Monsters attack. Someone comes wanting to conquer the place. Running is usually an option, but often you find yourself stuck. Now, I've got a bit of a reputation. People don't see me as a target as much as they once did. But a newbie like you? Stick to the safer streets. Maybe avoid Trog's Tavern. My wife manages the place, but it's got it's own set of troubles. She can usually kick the rowdier crowd out, but she can't always be there." Or could she? "Then there's those Random Encounters." Somehow his voice capitalized the words. "Haven't heard of one happening recently. They're not usually too dangerous, and if you survive you can get some nice loot. Just be sure to only take one thing, though. Don't get greedy." He pauses and frowns. "I'm not really answering your question, am I? Look, this city can be great, but it can also be really dangerous if you're not careful. It's settled down in recent years, but you never know when something'll pop up again that will upset everything."

[5a Violista]

"Oh." June looks down and away, remembering what happened. "Trog's Tavern." He pauses. "That's where the cultists happened. I went in there to get out of the sun and get a drink of water. Went in to the bathroom to wash off some mashed potato from my shirt, and then all of a sudden a sink came alive." It was pretty weird. Luckily Sekhmet got worried when he didn't come back, and then her and Zee went to go rescue him.

...
He blinks.
Then shakes his head, and returns his gaze. "No, you've answered plenty," he counters. "Just trying to get a sense of where's safer and what I should expect and what I should avoid. At least until i get a feel for things myself."

So, actually, June is starting to run out of questions.
But!
There is one!
"Speaking of," he says as a way of introducing the topic, "you know any local libraries or whatevers? To help read up on all sorts of things that are around. I've noticed that a lot of basic words and definitions mean something slightly different than I was expecting, so I had the thought that reading books might help with that."

[Hattish Thing]

[Assembling the Crew]

The largest of the private rooms out back has been rented out for the night. Tattered banners and tapestries hang from the walls, flanked by folding tables upon which several casks of honey mead have been stacked. An enormous cork board dominates the farthest end of the windowless chamber, upon which photographs of faction leaders, monarchs, and socialites have been pinned.

The eyes of those depicted upon the board have been crossed out, while hearts of different shades have been sloppily painted around their heads.
Careful attention has been paid to several photographs, now covered in colorful lipstick stains.

High backed chairs have been set around a circular table at the center of the room.
It's been painted to resemble a golden coin.

--

A wicked little creature sits upon the farthest chair, reclining upon an oversized cushion. No, not a "creature", a woman - clad all in grimy, mismatched clothing.
She's smaller in stature, somewhere around four and a half feet, yet she carries herself as if the largest thing in the room. All confidence, there.

With a toothy grin, the colorful goblin taps her painted claws against the table. A bottle is held in her other hand.

"C'moan then, tak' a seat, lads 'n' ladies! "

--

https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/453446266375110658/745578035796901898/finished_larza.png?width=846&height=677

[Shadowcaller]

[Assembling the Crew]

Jaahlyn arrived exactly at the appointed time for the meeting yet refused to take a seat until everyone else had been seated. Thus, she sits wherever no one else wanted to sit.
Either this means she has to stand or that she has to sit in the far end or the far back. Considering the rogue's gallery that have gathered here one would imagine that most of them prefered to sit as close to the exit as possible in case something would go down.

Either way, the satyr will probably sit somewhere with one furred leg crossed over the other, leaving one of her hooves dangling in the air.
Once Larza speaks up, she gets up and makes a well-practiced bow before the assembled. "I am Jaahlyn Hesperos, at your service." She then turns to Larza specifically. "A pleasure to be here, ma'm. I offer my services to you, and everyone else here. I have a lot of experience in these operations and like those skills to be put to good use. I am most interested in acquiring something from VIGIL, but I am willing to assist in other operations as well." Then she will sit back down.

Larza might spot the fact she have a note sticking out of her coats pocket. It's the same note that she found at trog's...

[5a Violista]

[=> Basement]

Wow, that was really well-timed, June says to Wanessa.
"Thanks," she says to the goblin.

So, she goes through and gets back to the Black Dragon's Den.

As this is a new scene in a new thread, I'd normally give a description of June and say that the redhead looks pretty androgynous etc etc but the clothes she's wearing are skimpy enough that there's very little left to the imagination (work boots, something that's a cross between boxer briefs and boyshorts, and webbing as a top) and she'd rather people pay as little attention to her as possible so long as she's dressed like this. And if you don't have a description then people usually pay less attention to you.

"Okay, so...probably going to have to get the backup key to my room, so..." she heads to the stairs to leave the basement, so that she can go to an employees-only area to get the spare key to her room.

[Ashen Lilies]

[Assembling the Crew]

Cue a couple more thieves for our merry band of rogues and vagabonds!

The first one to arrive is a young, androgynous looking man of average height, with golden hair going past his shoulders, and mismatched eyes the color of molten gold and clear azure skies. He quietly slips over to the far corner of the table without introducing himself to, or looking at anyone, sitting somewhat timidly on a chair, both knees drawn up to his chest. His skin is tan, and clear everywhere except his face, which is dusted with a sheen of golden scale-shaped blemishes over his cheek and nose, and he has two cloudy white horns that poke up out of his hair to twin points, the right horn clad with a golden band around the middle. He's dressed somewhat eclectically - a frilly sleeveless top, bright pink, with brass buttons, over a pair of black shorts and a contrasting pair of thigh-high socks, one banded blue and white, the other a solid pink color. On his feet he's wearing a pair of beat up and mismatched sneakers, though they both look to be sized correctly, and comfortable enough.

Aside from his clothes, he doesn't appear to have anything else on him in terms of equipment except a small beltpouch with a folding clasp, and nothing on him in terms of weaponry. He remains silent, alternately staring at the table or looking restlessly around the room (carefully avoiding the gaze of anyone present) until someone addresses him.


The second to arrive shows up with a good deal more style and panache. He's on the shorter side for a humanoid man, dressed in a long, sleek coat the color of night-time smog, with a pair of long tails that flap and flutter most impressively when he moves, breaking up his outline. Underneath the coat is an odd, dusky blue top of a heavy cloth, dusted with silver thread. It's paneled, fitted, and cut to be reminiscent of the shape of a vest, though it extends to cover the entire torso, with a hood that comes up to cover the wearer's head. Sharp eyes might notice that the vest seems to be subtly reinforced with stiffened panels, sewn into hidden pockets in the fabric. The bottom portion of his outfit appears to be similarly reinforced, and of a single piece - dark pants that extend down seamlessly into 'boots' on the feet, with a slight heel and platform to give him a few extra inches of height. Underneath his dusky blue hood, framed by a few errant locks of dark hair, is a full face mask with an enameled surface, colored dark blue and dotted with flecks of silver to resemble a swirling night sky. He wears gloves on both hands, though the right glove only covers the last two fingers of his hand, somewhat like an artist's glove, leaving a grey-skinned thumb, index, and middle finger exposed. The left glove covers all the fingers of that hand, and is backed by more stiffened plates, with sharp metal claws that look as though they could be mechanically extended over the tips of the fingers if needed.

In a holster on his hip hangs what looks like a flintlock pistol, with a brushed metal barrel and an ebony handle inset with a small amount of silver banding, though where the firing mechanism would be is instead what seems to be an inset glass capsule, which pulses softly with an internal energy of some kind. A close look at the barrel would reveal that the length of it has been carved with runes, making it likely to be magically powered in some way. He also has a dagger sheathed visibly by his right 'boot', and likely more secreted elsewhere besides.

Nocturne saunters across the room with a confident air, picking a chair seemingly at random and languorously dropping himself into it, before leaning forward slightly over the table, gracing their host with a polite bow of the head, and a shorter nod to everyone else in presence.

[Dr.Gunsforhands]

[Basement]

June and Wanessa have to make her way through a knife fight arena and a big storage room of kegs and casks before they find the stairs up to the kitchen. It's enough of a maze even before you account for the hundred secret doors that June can now easily sense in the walls and under the shelves. The smell of alcohol in various proofs and qualities is overwhelming.

They must have had a problem with someone sneaking into the storeroom since I was here last, Wanessa speculates. I know Rakdosbucks makes deliveries down here all the time, but I guess there's no reason to tell the password to anyone but the delivery drivers.

As June starts up the creaky spiral staircase, Wanessa stays behind. This is where we part ways, I think. Most of this place doesn't have windows, but I don't want to get stuck up there if some drunk juggernaut tries to open a new skylight.

[5a Violista]

[Basement] => [Upstairs] => [June's Room]

She still finds it pretty weird how she can sense things that she shouldn't be able to. And that's not to mention all the smells - even after adjusting to the smell of alcohol, there's also the smell of puke from upstairs, and blood from that direction, and. . .it's all just too much. Hopefully she can adapt quickly, because she's already been overwhelmed by sensory overload several times today.

Okay. That's a good point, she says back. Being trapped in the sunlight would be bad. So, um...I don't have a phone. How'll I be able to contact you later? June asks over thought...or whatever it is they're doing. Because, after all, she'll still have to learn magic or whatever another day. And there's the once-a-lunar-month blood donation she needs, because withdrawal doesn't sound very nice. And if she goes through withdrawal, she'll probably lose all these extra senses, or something, right? There's a lot to consider and worry about. Then again, I do know where you work, so... it's probably not that dire to figure everything out.
June takes off the work boots, so that she can hand them back to Wanessa. Already here, it won't be a problem walking around barefoot for just such a short distance.

Anyway.
Trying to avoid the public places and as much attention as possible, June goes upstairs.
After only a little work, she finds the spare key to her room, and heads there.

She unlocks the door. Oh...there's the key, on the table. Locking the door behind her, she goes to pick up the original key. Whatever took her out of the room last night didn't break down the door or unlock it. And there's the knife, just where she left it. And there's the maid outfit, folded up. Perfect, she does have something to wear. She starts messing with the webbing, trying to carefully take it off. Jeez, she'll need a bath, too, along with the nap. Bath first; don't want to make a mess with the webbing everywhere, and it probably won't completely come off without getting washed off, anyway. And there's...
shoes?
Confused, June looks closer: those are the exact same shoes she was wearing. Still black. Even the same uneven wear pattern from being worn while fencing, and everything. This is...weird.

She suddenly hears something from the bed, and finally looks over there:
asleep in the bed is a second June. Or...maybe a first June? Asleep, hugging a blanket like a body pillow, wearing the exact same outfit June was wearing (minus the shoes and socks) when she woke up last night out in the middle of nowhere.
What?
What?
W h a t ?

In shock,
June drops the keys.
They hit the ground.

[Earl of Purple]

Assembling the Crew

Two more people arrive! Supervillains, they're dressed the part. First in is a woman in a jester's motley of pink and yellow, resting a cricket bat with nails driven into it on her shoulder. She moves oddly; very quickly, but without moving a muscle, she zips around by teleporting. She only teleports a very short distance, but there's a very small gap between teleports. Her face is hidden behind a mask with a manic grin and a long nose, and a hood over her head has a peak ending in a small metal star. Following quite shortly behind is a tall man with dark skin, wearing a long black greatcoat and a gasmask with the filter and lower part of it cut away, so it covers the top of his head and his eyes. Under the coat he wears a pair of black trousers, hiking boots and a bandoleer across a dark grey hoody. He's not visibly armed, but the coat and bandoleer could be hiding many things.

The man nods at Larza, and the others, whilst the teleporting girl drops into a curtsy. They don't mind where they sit, but will sit next to each other, the cricket bat leaning against her chair.

[Dr.Gunsforhands]

[Downstairs]

Behind the spectators and coaches in the knife-fighting arena, a lone vending machine hums quietly in the corner, sporting a DxMon energy drink logo perfectly suiting the Den's aesthetic. Wanessa rifles through the ludicrous array of keys hanging from a carabiner on her belt, picks one out, and uses it to open up the machine and pick out a can of her favorite blood punch before closing it back up.

[5a Violista]

[June's Room] =>

Luckily, although the sleeper shifts after the clattering, he doesn't wake up.


June has no idea what's going on. Getting caught in here could be bad, right? What would the other June think? What even? Is?

She quietly crouches down to grab one of the keys again. She needs to get out of here to figure things out. Is Wanessa still around? How far can they even talk over telepathy? Can she get close enough to say something in time before Wanessa leaves?

Obviously, June doesn't want to run out of the room half-dressed again, so...she looks over at the french maid clothes. Guess that's really the only option, then. Just throwing on the dress (it gets a little stuck at the webbing, but at this point it has already lost most of its stickiness) and the shoes, she tip-toes out of the room and locks it again behind her.

She takes a deep breath. Okay.
June starts quickly walking back down, not wanting to run and make things worse. Hey, uh...Wanessa? Are you still there? Her 'voice' probably sounds a little panicked, confused, etc. Can you hear me?

After some sort of confirmation, June pauses, stuck on how to explain this. She keeps on going back and down, until she gets to the stairs again. There's a...there's a...jeez, how do I explain this? There's another [B]me in my room, still asleep. What should I do?

[Dr.Gunsforhands]

[Downstairs]

I can hear you, Wanessa replies as she cracks open her drink. She has to stop mid-sip to process the weird news. That is unusual. Another you?

So unusual, in fact, that she begins muttering aloud as well as in her telepathy as she speculates.

"Have you ruled out some kind of spirit? I could imagine an astral projection, or a twin that was already following you but invisible until now," but no, it's pretty easily conveyed that the other June seemed pretty corporeal. "Did anything else strange happen to you yesterday, before you went to sleep? Did you sign any contracts- yes, of course you did, you were hired here. But, no, This would be exceedingly weird for a contract, even if your double were kept as a slave why would it send one of you out to the country like that..."

[5a Violista]

[going Downstairs]

Hearing that Wanessa's there calms down June a bit. She's not entirely sure about how exactly she's supposed to feel about her, but it's definitely a bunch of positive emotions. She doesn't feel the need to walk as quickly now, and now just descends the stairs at a more casual pace.

I don't have a twin, she informs her. And I've never done astral projection so I don't even know if it's possible for me. Not to mention, the boss here seemed pretty nice, so I don't think he would do that.

Okay.
Thinking.
What else strange happened to her yesterday?
Not much happened. Woke up in a crater, walked to town. Met a friendly fiend, got kidnapped by cultists, got rescued, got rejected at multiple places for jobs, got a job, a room, and a free meal, prayed, went to sleep. She reaches the bottom of the stairs and starts feeling around for Wanessa. That's basically it. Nothing really out of the ordinary.

She starts going in the direction she feels Wanessa is. Door to the room was locked, too, and everything was exactly where I remember putting it last night. Even the wear patterns on the shoes were the same as what I was wearing earlier.

...but, thinking to an earlier question, I don't even know how I'd confirm or rule out it being a spirit. Even some basic words seem to mean different things here than where I came from, so I imagine 'spirit' is that way, too.

[Purple Eagle]

[Assembling the Crew]

The next time the door opens, it reveals a tall rotund man in his fifties. He is blue-eyed and green-skinned, with 3 pairs of webbed hands and white hair reaching up to his shoulders. He's wearing a light blue shirt, navy blue trousers and brown shoes under a white labcoat. In one of his hands, he clutches a piece of paper, the invitation the others likely also hold in their hands... or pockets.

Dr Lovelace purposefully strides into the room like he's the most important one there, but chooses to remain standing once he gets close enough to the group. "Greetings. Saw note. Will join, chance for... heh... 'field experiments'." He says in a deep, gravelly Southern-accented voice.

[Dr.Gunsforhands]

[Downstairs]

It's true. I'm not entirely sure what kind of spirit this could entail, either.

June reaches the doorway to the surprisingly well-lit knife-fighting room and spots Wanessa mid-argument.

"HEY! YOUS BETTIN' OR YOUS FIGHTIN'?"

"What? It's looking at me, but I'm clearly here to work on the machine. So, I guess the answer it's looking for is... no?"

Wanessa then notices June and runs to pull her aside behind a cask in the storeroom.

Alright. Your story introduces at least three possible lines of inquiry, but I'm most interested in the very first one. You woke up yesterday the same way you woke up last night? In a crater, in the country? How many other times has that happened?

[5a Violista]

[Downstairs]

Oh, right. Knife fights.
She heard about them but this is the first time she's actually seeing them.
June...isn't really sure she wants to watch.

Which is why she's thankful when Wanessa takes her over to a hidden place in the storeroom.

Yes, I did, she says. Same thing happened; I only remember it happening twice. Last night, and...yesterday morning.

June isn't really sure how it helps to know this. However, there is one other thing she hasn't really mentioned or..really hinted at to Wanessa. It's related to this, and since June can't tell how the rest of this is relevant, then not seeing how this is helpful doesn't say much.
June runs her hand through her hair. Also. There was a difference between the two times. The first time, I was physically male. So...not sure if this is relevant, either. But. Y'know.

[Hattish Thing]

[Assembling the Crew]

The goblin continues to comfortably recline within her chair, flashing little waves towards her fellow conspirators as they enter. She bears a special appreciation for the timid man's eclectic sense of fashion, as well as for the masked woman's clown-like aesthetic. Bright colors, assembled unusually, often stood out to her. There were killers here, too - she could feel it. Her eyes narrow as she glances towards the gunslinger in particular, batting her lashes somewhat suggestively as she welcomes him forward. She enjoyed what she saw, from his outlandish outfit to his exotic firearm.

What was under that mask of his? She was determined to find out, one way or another. The others were less enticing to her. The man with the arms, his accent was bothersome. Even worse, he was positively decrepit! The oldies were the worst of the mud people, failing even to perform the basic courtesy of being somewhat pleasant to look at. The figure in the gas mask was a little too spooky, his outfit did not speak to her. With any luck, he would prove useful despite his poor taste. Finally, the satyr was intriguing. She knew of their kind, having often traveled alongside them.

They were usually good fun, there's no denying that. This one appeared to be eager to please, very professional seeming. How unusual! She would have to find out more. So many exciting people, so many opportunities ahead! Larza cannot help but daydream for a moment or so, absentmindedly tapping her claws against the bottle of champagne in her lap. A barservant enters the room, passing out glasses. Once he leaves, the door is shut behind them. This is enough to draw the colorful goblin out of her fantasies. A toothy grin forms upon her runny face before she pops the cork.

She pours herself a glass before passing it to the person on her right. "A'richt, lads 'n' ladies. Na doubt ye'r wondering how come ye'r 'ere."

"Ye'r 'ere, mah lovelies, 'cause ye'v git talent! Ye'v th' wull tae dae th' impossible, tae tak' whit's rightly owed tae you!"

"Tell us, who urr ye tae join us 'ere?!" She points a finger to the person at her right, awaiting an introduction.

[Dr.Gunsforhands]

[Downstairs]

I see! Wanessa raises her hand to her chin to consider this. It's a good thing she thought to do pronouns earlier. Prior to that, which were you, physically speaking? Did you happen to notice whether the June in the bed was male?

[5a Violista]

[Downstairs]

Physically speaking, I was male, she says. She pauses, trying to think about the point of that question: to see which one is more 'original'? But also I was blonde, but both me and the...me upstairs aren't. Redhead is different from blonde.

And, on that note, ...And, no, I didn't really check. That would be a weird thing to check for, wouldn't it?

So...what are you thinking, then?

[Shadowcaller]

[Assembling the Crew]

Jaahlyn had already introduced herself, but some of the others might have missed it so it couldn't hurt to do it again. "As i said earlier, I am Jaahlyn Esperos and I'm mainly interested in acquiring and item from VIGIL. However, I can help out with any other endeavor as I'm specialized in utility. Mainly illusions and enchantments which I weave with my music." She gestures at the flute in her belt. "However, I can do even more things if its required."

[Dr.Gunsforhands]

[Downstairs]

I'm thinking that if you were clones, there'd be no reason you'd remember anything that happened to the clone who stayed in your room, says Wanessa, and that this would be a lot of effort for a doppelganger, all for a random job as a... maid? Bartender? No.

Based on the timing and circumstances, I was wondering if you might have summoned a dream self - a concept in some cultures of a you that wakes up in another world when your material self goes to sleep. It could be cult-related, or it could have quietly existed since long before either of you arrived. It would explain how you suddenly became a more ideal version of yourself, though not how the other June transformed to match you.

Wanessa doesn't take for granted that people change their sex and hair color on a normal day? What tiny sheltered corner of Nexus has she been living in?

That theory is testable, though. I could go up to your room and wake her up, then see if she remembers any of your experiences from tonight.

[5a Violista]

[Downstairs]

June almost wants to add that she'll also be helping out in the kitchen here, too, but honestly that's completely irrelevant and it's still too much for a doppelganger or whatever. So Wanessa is still correct. But also especially correct about the clones: there's no reason one clone would have the memories a different clone has.

June has never actually considered what an 'ideal version' of herself would look like. And if she did have one, she can't see why hair color would matter. All the other things, sure, could make sense with that explanation. Even makes sense, considering the job here at the tavern. But hair color just isn't something that's ever been on her mind. It is a little too coincidental that I woke up this time after remembering going to sleep, so that checks out and makes sense.

...But! Wait! I woke up in the same way in a crater twice, so does that change anything? Because, seriously, what's the chances of that happening twice? Not that this actually changes anything; they still have to test out the theories.

June has been crouched back here behind a cask for a bit too long, and feels the need to stretch her legs and shoulders. If there's one thing she can't stand, it's waiting in place for too long.

And, speaking of feeling like she can't stand crouching here for much longer, she then asks, And, besides, wouldn't it be better for me to go up? Y'know, just in case of sudden sunlight or something...on the other hand, being woken up by someone who looks just like you has got to be pretty scary. Almost as scary as when that exact same thing happens, but in a room that was locked.
Regardless, the stretching isn't helping. She stands up and walks around the cask.

[Dr.Gunsforhands]

[Downstairs]

I can figure that out, unless your room has a window and you left the blinds open. To see whether it recognizes me or not would be the easiest test for a psychic connection, Wanessa says. Nonetheless, while confirmation about the blinds would be appreciated, if June intends to go up and face herself then Wanessa will follow her to the stairs and no farther.

If I'm wrong and it turns out to be your evil twin or something... actually, you might have an unexpected advantage now. Even if it's a gaslighting savant, The Seer should easily be able to tell whether someone is you or not.

[5a Violista]

[Downstairs]

Wanessa is making a lot of sense. Yeah, seeing Wanessa would help test a lot more things at the same time.
June breathes in, closes her eyes, and breathes out. Okay, yeah, it would be better for you to go up, then. And, as an additional evidence, she says, I think you'll be able to tell whether it's me or not more easily.

Thinking about the route there, she helpfully adds, There's no sunlight getting in the room itself, but I saw a window in the hallway near the room. So... After all this, she's actually a little worried about Wanessa: be careful, okay?

And so, June will wait down here for Wanessa, then. They can still talk over mind-waves, right? Spirit-waves? Whatever this is. Not sure, exactly.

[Dr.Gunsforhands]

[Downstairs / June's Room]

After asking for directions, Wanessa walks away from the stairs. "...too cheap to put in proper vents or A/C, but electrified the residential rooms a long time ago. There should be a path up the walls from the panel..."

She finds a fenced-off area of the storeroom full of jury-rigged fuseboxes and obviously-tapped phone lines. A tattered poster featuring a diagram of the Den's electrical system hangs from the fence, covered with layered scrawls and paper notes and held together with tape and red string. It seems to be just enough for her to go by, though, because she identifies a certain conduit, dissolves into its shadow and follows it up into the ceiling with a muffled *shlorp*.

After a few moments of cartoon burrowing through the walls and confusing the rats and spiders, the power outlet in June's room taps. Then taps again. Then rattles a bit. Then its cover breaks off with a *snap* as a flood of liquid shadow pours into the room and congeals back into a fully-grown vampire maintenance worker.

Wanessa groans as she picks herself up off the floor, covered in dust and cobwebs. "It's just as unpleasant as I remember," she mutters. She looks at the other June in the bed. "Is it still asleep, after that? I suppose I wasn't all that loud."

[Purple Eagle]

[Assembling the Crew]

Dr Lovelace frowns a little, not liking that he has to repeat himself, but does so anyway after a deep breath. "You can call me, ah say you can call me Dr. Lovelace. It is mah desire to test out mah chemical creations out in the field for the advancement of science, at any cost. Thus, I can be mighty useful in incapacitatin' guards for you, and could even provide substances to boost your abilities, if y'all so wished." He says, clasping a pair of his hands while the other two pairs remain folded. "Bein' an octopus-type sea-orc mahself, I can also use said cephalopod abilities to aid in this venture', I say."

[5a Violista]

[Downstairs]

June paces while waiting.


[June's Room]

It would probably be good to find some way easy to distinguish the two, right? Well...they're in different rooms right now so there's probably no need at the moment. And I've been using he for this one so that's good enough for now.

June still sleeps.
The sound of a power outlet tapping, rattling, and snapping is comparable to a pair of keys clattering on the ground. And muttering isn't that loud, either.
However, comparing it to the drunken sounds coming through the walls, it's not really that much.
But at this time of day, the bar sounds have gone down a little so...
June stirs in the bed, apparently getting close to waking up. He rolls.
He looks...human. Basically the same the other June was when they first met at the train station.

Seems like Wanessa gets an option to wake him up however she wants. Can set things up, or just observe, or whatever.

[Dr.Gunsforhands]

[June's Room]

While this mystery June sleeps, there's not much for Wanessa to identify as a discrepancy. She'll have to wake him up and see what's behind his eyes.

"Someone's still in here?" she muses aloud. If that's not enough, she prods his shoulder with one hand while impatiently jangling her keys with the other. "It should wake up. I need to do maintenance."

As soon as his eyes open, Wanessa does the thing. He gets to see a spookily pale woman with straight brown hair that's speckled with plaster and dustbunnies, and she's staring right through him. Is he a person who went on to become the June she met last night?

[Earl of Purple]

Assembling the Crew

"I'm Flicker, I'm fast. That's Spewer, he's my boyfriend. He's... an empath. Yes. He has a superpower that affects people's emotions, particularly their sense of fear." Spewer chuckles a little as he's described as an empath. It's technically true, but he's a very messy empath.

"Either of us can work as distractions, but I can only speed with stuff I can lift off the floor. So I can't steal something big very easily." Since she doesn't have superstrength or touch-telekinesis.

[5a Violista]

[June's Room]

With the prod, the June is woken up.
He opens his eyes, looks at Wanessa, looks a bit confused, and then looks like he has a really intense migraine.
When Wanessa looks through him, she'll see...basically, yeah, the same person who went on to become the June she met last night. Maybe even the exact same person who she did meet. Looks basically the same.

The June opens his mouth, and almost says something.
He blinks.
Then, he says, "Maybe if I close my eyes..."
His eyes don't close, with the exception of another blink.

Instead, the June from downstairs says, This is so weird. Um. It's me. I think. It feels like I'm in two places at the same time. I... And the June here in the room finishes (Well, technically, both of them are speaking at the same time because it's too hard not to, but one of them is not in the room to be heard): "...I...this feels almost just as bad as that did in the office bathroom." Or suddenly getting The Seer. Basically the same thing: suddenly having many more senses appear at the same time.

...
Well
...
Mystery solved, I guess?
Glad it all ended well.

[Dr.Gunsforhands]

[June's Room]

"This is fascinating," Wanessa muses. "It looks like I was right, then. She probably had the gift of bilocation all along and never realized it." Same person, same pronouns, right? At the risk of getting The Den's blankets filthier than they already are, Wanessa sits on the foot of the bed next to the new June. "I guess I should call her something other than New June. If anything, she's probably the Elder June. We can workshop it once we work out more about her origins. Does she feel well-rested after sleeping through all of this? Has any of the blood vigor found its way into her system?"

She remembers that there is another June downstairs. At any rate, I imagine you could really use this bed right now. It's been an exhausting night. Are you able to come upstairs without getting too dizzy?

[5a Violista]

[June's Room]

It might be easier to keep on differentiating the two with different pronouns; using different names or titles might be easier, too. Then again, for June personally, she'd find it easier to probably use the same name - at least most of the time - because then it'll be easier when they're separated. But also, it might be easier to differentiate the two totally, in terms of appearance or attitude or...something else.
. . .
June will have to think about this. A lot. It's a very complicated situation that she has never had to deal with before.

"...how about Minerva?" he suggests, saying the first recommendation that comes to mind. Elder June might work, too. "...At least for now, until I can decide something."
"I feel rested," he says, "...but the other me still does not. I...don't feel that 'blood vigor'. Not directly." He swallows, but quickly adds, "But that's a good thing. It's...really the biggest thing helping me differentiate the two...of me." Gosh, grammar is awkward like this.

And then, it's time for the one up here to close his eyes and sit as still as possible, while the downstairs June says, If I go slowly, I think I can make it up. Sure, seeing two different things is hard, but you can just close your eyes. The hardest part is that you also have two senses of balance, two senses of proprioception, and so on. Be right there.

And so, she makes her way up the stairs and over to the room.

Eventually she gets there, says, I'm here, and unlocks the door to open it, come in, and close it behind her.

[Dr.Gunsforhands]

[June's Room]

This all seems to be adding up so far. Your consciousness is only used to driving one of you at a time. I'm not really sure how much differentiation is healthy for a dream self... but, I've already contributed to it, haven't I?

Wanessa gets up so that Magically-enhanced June can fall into bed. "At any rate, while you rest, I guess that means Minerva can get a head start on work and clothes shopping? But, I need to get going myself. I came up here because it was important, but I am still better off underground, and I think I've done all I can for you for now." She flips through her keys for a little pen and scribbles something on a receipt from her pocket. "Here, my phone number. You can call me once you have a phone of your own. You don't need to panic if I don't answer it; it's a landline. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy enjoy your extra life!"

After handing off the scribblenote, Wanessa melts back into the hole in the wall and returns to the basement to start her trek home.

[5a Violista]

[June's Room]

I don't know anything about what dream selves are so I guess that's one more thing I need to learn about. June makes her way to the bed, and flumps onto it.
Sure, she still needs to take care of the webbing and bathe and everything else, but. . .Minerva can get that all ready while June rests her eyes.

Minerva stands up to grab the receipt and the number. He nods and smiles and waves 'bye'.

Meanwhile, June has figured that it's easier to answer using the method of communication that only one of the two can do: Yeah. Um...thanks for coming up even though it was dangerous. Might take a week or two, but I'll call you. Thanks! Even if she has to use pay phones or whatever. If those are still around anywhere.

Once alone again, June/Minerva tries to get accustomed to this, get things ready, and so on so that June can sleep while Minerva starts the day.

[Ashen Lilies]

[Assembling the Crew]

As the glasses get passed around, Nocturne lifts a hand to his mask, pressing a hidden latch somewhere which detaches the bottom half of it, leaving the top half of his face covered, but revealing a grey-skinned lower half of his face, with a delicate jaw. He smiles wanly, taking a drink of the wine.

"My name is Nocturne," he says. "I do freelance mercenary work in Skyside, mostly, but I do like to... collect items of magical power. Trinkets, artifacts, rare scrolls and tomes of unusual origin... I'm not much of a practitioner of the arcane arts myself, but it's somewhat of a special interest of mine."


When the conversation gets to Jazirian, he'll merely introduce himself with a simple "Um. Jazirian. I like burglary. um."

He doesn't take a drink of his own, merely passing the bottle onward without pouring any for himself.

[Hattish Thing]

[Assembling the Crew]

Good, introductions had gone simply swimmingly!

Larza is quite pleased, especially so once she gets a better look at the face beneath the gunman's mask.

She loved a good bit of mystery around a man. Now was not the time to fixate on pretty mud people, though - there was business to do! With a confident smirk, she starts to speak up. "It's guid tae catch up wi` ye a'! Th'gither, we'll be able tae pull aff operations none o' us cuid dae alone!" The goblin will accentuate her boastful statement by guzzling down the contents of her glass of champagne. She's a messy drinker, sure to spill plenty of it down her front. In the process of making a mess of herself, she'll wink towards Nocturne.

A photograph is produced and then set upon the table. It depicts the VIGIL skybase.

"Ah trust ye a' ken whit ye'r keekin at?"

[Shadowcaller]

[Assembling the Crew]

Jaahlyn nods to Larza's question. "Indeed, I've already had some plans of breaking into the base involving their supply transports actually. If we could hijack one of them and pretend to be workers we could infiltrate the base. Perhaps with others acting as a distraction while the rest of the group gets into their security vaults. Getting through them safely in such a limited span of time might prove quite a task though. They keep things in there that could cause apocalypses if left unchecked and I don't believe we want that either." She gestures to the photograph. "Thus, is anyone here good at breaking through high-security vaults?" Now she turns to the rest of the gathering.

[Shadowcaller]

A drow-like elf in full uniform (https://i.imgur.com/bZXSGbK.png) pushes the door open, peers inside the tavern, and enters.

She sits down at a table near the entrance for a moment and to anyone that's still observing her it seems like she's studying her surroundings. She takes out a notebook and quickly notes something down in it before putting it away and getting up again. She seems to be looking for someone...

[Purple Eagle]

[Assembling the Crew]

Dr Grosvenor Lovelace listens to the goblin's words in silence. Though he doesn't say anything, he already has a low opinion on Larza, what with her uncouth behaviour and messy drinking. He has no problem taking a sip out of his drink, confident that years of experimenting on himself has boosted his poison resistance to the point any 'spice' to the drink would have a reduced effect.

It's only after taking a look at the photograph that he speaks. "Well, saddle mah back and call me a horse, if it ain't the VIGIL sky-base!" He expresses his mild surprise. A big dreamer, this one, aiming to break into an organization that would sooner kill them all. Looking up, he studies Larza with slightly more interest. Perhaps this foul creature can be of some use, after all.

Think of the possibilities! Testing out his substances on the residents of VIGIL is sure to yield some useful data.

At Jaahlyn's question, Dr Lovelace raises up one of his hands. "I might could whip somethin' up to ease the process by gettin' rid of security." He drawls.

[Hattish Thing]

[Fight Night]

There's an energy coursing through the Black Dragon's Den.

Excited taverngoers gossip at the bar or within private booths, discussing gambling strategies with regards to what they're describing as 'the fight of the century'.

If the dark elf is particularly perceptive, she'll be able to pick out snippets of dialogue from the people around her. It seems that the Black Dragon's Den will be hosting a multi-round boxing tournament in the basement. There's quite a bit of buzz surrounding a matchup between the reigning champion, a six armed Skysider known for his brutality in the ring, and a woman boxer called Billie.

It's a name that the dark elf might recognize, and according to a vocal minority, she's just the right person to unseat the reigning champion.

The first match starts in ten minutes.

[Shadowcaller]

[Fight Night]

As the elf gets up from her seat she simply stands there a moment as the crowd starts filing down into the basement. Only as the line starts to thin out does she start heading down too.

"No, I'm not with Intersection." She have to explain to a curious patron as she's pressed into crowded basement with the rest of the patrons. Having to empathize nearly every other word to be heard over through the clamor. "I'm from outside the city. And even if I was, there is nothing illegal going on here. The challenger is a detective, isn't she?" She turns to look at the ring, or at least what little she could see from this position.

Hopefully the event would start out soon...

[Hattish Thing]

[Fight Night]

Entry isn't cheap, but it's not overly expensive either.

The establishment made its real money through the gambling network housed within.

As the dark elf files into the basement, the first thing she'll sense is the stench of sweat and blood. Patrons surround a circular ring outlined with a three foot barrier of sharp, wooden planks. The arena is filled with bloody straw, water barrels, and sacks of sand. Illumination comes in the form of chandeliers which hang from above, upon which candles burn. A bar has been set up in one corner, manned by an aggressive looking minotaur.

Several ticket masters busy themselves with chalkboards upon which mathematical information is transcribed.

Already the crowd is unruly, with patrons shouting numbers towards the board.

The first fight is about to begin!

[Shadowcaller]

[Fight Night]

As there are no more patrons curious about her, the elf is eyeing the bar owner and the ticket masters though refrains from taking any notes.
While this environment doesn't seem to completely agree with her judging by her expression she wouldn't have to wait long by the looks of it.
She will head to the bar if the crowding is less severe there once the fight started and order whatever appeared to have the least amount of alcohol in it as she was on the job. It appears like she's intending to watch the fight from there.

[Hattish Thing]

[Fight Night]

The dark elf will be able to order a mug of swill.

It tastes terrible, but its not too strong. Just enough to provide a buzz.

The first match starts in earnest. It's a fair fight, well balanced - a contest of martial skill between a brawny ganger and a slender, humanoid lizard woman. It will soon become evident that these fights are overly violent and disorganized, with contestants encouraged to mutilate one another through any means available to them. Although its all hand to hand, objects within the arena are often utilized. After several moments, the ganger falls to his knees, defeated. The second, third, and fourth matches are even longer, featuring exotic inhabitants from all corners of the nexus.

The fifth match introduces the reigning champion, a six armed, super intelligent gorilla straight out of Skyside.

He goes by Bruiser, and wears his name well. His match is violent and short.

The sixth and final match was next.

[Shadowcaller]

[Fight Night]

She seems to intend to make this swill last most of the tournament the way she's sipping from it once per fight. The matches didn't seem to do much for her considering how silent she was during every fight. Though maybe it was the atmosphere down here rather than the fights themselves that made her almost look ill.
"So what can you tell me about this challenger? What makes so many think they can beat the the champion?" She asks the bartender in-between the fights.

[Hattish Thing]

[Fight Night]

The minotaur at the bar scoffs as he cleans a dirty glass.

It's clear that his opinion of the challenger is quite low, perhaps unsurprisingly so. "So many? Ha, where'd you get that, huh?

He sneers before finishing his work and slamming the clean glass down upon the grimy table. His expression sours the longer he speaks. "Beats me. She's just some tuskfaced detective." With an evil look, he goes on to explain his position. "Bruiser's gonna tear her apart. To the victor go the spoils, he says." It's fairly evident by his choice of words that he's mostly objecting to the challenger's gender, a commonly shared sentiment within these environments.

A heavily tattooed dwarven woman to the right cuts in at this point, interjecting with her own opinion as she guzzles down an enormous mug of ale. "Ha! Don't listen to this moron! He's just pissed that she's got bigger balls than him!" The dwarf cackles madly, much to the displeasure of the bartender. She continues on this topic. "Great, fat green balls!" An inquisitive expression forms on her face. "At least... probably green."

"Haven't seen her myself. Just know that she's an orc, and buff as hell!"

[Shadowcaller]

[Fight Night]

The elf have taken off her cap by this point, letting it rest in her lap as she carefully listens to the two. While otherwise keeping a neutral expression, she seems unable to keep herself from smiling at the dwarven woman's "green balls" comment. "A detective, huh? Guess you have to be pretty strong to arrest criminals in Inside. Never expected to see one fighting in the area though. Though this place was guard-free." Her own uniform didn't look like any of the guard uniforms in Inside thankfully.

[Hattish Thing]

[Fight Night]

The minotaur sneers and busies himself with his work once more.

Judging by his expression, it was unlikely the elf would be hearing from him again. Likely for the best.

Ava will recall that arrests are rarely made by police detectives. However, the dwarven woman doesn't know this, so she simply nods enthusiastically. "Och, I hope she kills the guy, I wanna some some blood! With a cackle, she finishes the rest of her mug and slams it down noisily upon the table. "Th' place is guard free, lass! Ain't nothing illegal here, the Den's got papers and all that." That was probably true, else things would probably get pretty complicated. She adopts an almost conspiratorial tone before leaning forward. "Folks 'round here weren't too pleased when she showed up anyhow. Got jumped, I heard. She beat them into the pavement."

With a grin, she continues. "Some far east type stuff, looks like martial arts to me!" This dwarf was likely not an expert.

But then, this challenger seemed quite unusual.

--

Meanwhile, Bruiser enters the ring. The crowd goes wild, with drunken patrons chanting and clamoring for blood!

The challenger would be arriving momentarily.

[Shadowcaller]

[Fight Night]

Ava also already knew a lot of other things she had asked about Billie, but the goal was to make people talk. Eventually they would tell her something she didn't know.
She takes one of those legendary tiny sips of alcohol as the dwarven woman finishes hers. "Sounds impressive, but let's see how she deals with the champion. Haven't seen anyone beat him so far." Since she's never been here before.

[Earl of Purple]

Assembling the Crew

"I can get down from there without being hurt. My power protects me from hitting the ground too hard. Spewer might have trouble, though." She leans forward, and so does Spewer.
"Robbing Vigil... it'll be hard, but they gotta have some goodies up there. We're in." Spewer hadn't yet spoken, and his voice is deeper than one might expect.

[Hattish Thing]

[Fight Night]

At this point, the six armed gorilla man has started to beat his chest.

The crowd loves it, growing rowdier as the stakes are raised. There was a lot of money involved, now.

A moment later, a woman walks through a side door. She's wearing a pair of textured athletic leggings paired with a matching gray tanktop. What little of her chest is visible is bound in bandages, as are her scarred hands and feet, which are otherwise bare. Geometric tattoos wind down her body in perfectly symmetrical bands of black ink. She's tall, and clearly quite fit - but she's far less imposing than her formidably built opponent. Despite the extreme difference in size between the two, the challenger strides forward unflinchingly, a steely expression upon her face.

She's not wearing anything in the way of makeup, but black warpaint has been painted around her eyes and cheeks.

Bruiser, the reigning champion, curses and hollers as he lumbers forward.

The woman is silent, her gaze unwavering. They meet at the middle.

A pistol is fired up into the air! It was beginning!

[Shadowcaller]

[Fight Night]

For the first time during the entire evening, Ava actually seems to pay close attention to what was happening in the ring.
She puts away her nearly empty glass on the counter and leans forward as she catches sight of Billie. The orc briefly reflected in her red eyes.

This was going to be interesting.

[Hattish Thing]

[Fight Night]

The six armed gorilla man is the first to act, tossing a brutal punch towards the woman's head.

Powerful muscles ripple beneath matted fur, and his fist flies through the air with incredible force. One solid shot would crush a lesser man.

The woman reacts quickly, bending at the knee before lunging inwards at the last moment. It's an aggressive move, one which the crowd was not expecting. Once up close, she pivots hard, her bare feet grinding into the bloody straw beneath her. She exhales sharply as she jabs forward, one fist connecting with her opponent's muscular front. He's not particularly hurt, but the woman wasn't done yet. Several blows follow, she's pummeling one specific spot on his body! Finally, the gorilla man manages to swat her away with an outstretched arm. Rather than resist, she moves with its momentum.

As she's pushed away, she shifts her weight and maneuvers herself behind his arm. Both of her hands wrap around a pair of her attacker's fingers. The woman will bend them backwards, her strength exacerbated by the momentum harnessed from his blow. Bones crack and splinter, blood spurts everywhere, and the crowd goes wild; but she's not done. Once she's finished with her little trick, she skids backwards several feet. Her opponent howls in pain before rushing towards her. There's no strategy in mind, he doesn't fight that way. He's seeing red now, and all he wants is to smear her against the barricade.

She's prepared, though. As he comes closer, she rushes at him and slides in between his legs. Once she's reached his other side, she settles onto her back before pressing her feet against his legs and pushing hard. She's using his own momentum against him once again! The gorilla man smashes his face into the barricade, wailing as several nails puncture his face and eyes. Now effectively blind, he turns around and starts swiping in her general direction. All he needed was one good jab at her, and there'd be nothing left. The woman rises to her feet as he approaches before stepping away and preparing herself.

He was hurt, and he wasn't thinking straight. This was as vulnerable as he was ever going to be. She knows this, and takes advantage of it. It was a risky move, but this was a risky game. She rushes back to the farthest end of the arena before running forward at full speed towards her opponent. As she draws closer, she leaps - legs first, one heel pointed forward. It connects directly with the gorilla man's jaw, instantly dislocating it. Her fist falls like a hammer upon his head shortly afterwards. He falls back, slamming his head against a barrel of water and shattering it in the process.

At this, the basement bursts into a cacophony of noise. Blood mixes with the water, but the woman doesn't stop. Half a dozen punches are delivered to the gorilla man, each blow bashing his head further into the stone.

Finally, he goes limp. The noise is overwhelming now. The woman is drenched in blood, but her opponent lives.

A ticketmaster rushes into the arena before rushing her back through a side door.

Chaos breaks loose afterwards.

[Shadowcaller]

[Fight Night]

As the fight plays out, Ava suddenly starts fumbling with her pockets and grabs her notebook, all without taking her eyes off the ring. She doesn't write anything in it until the fight is suddenly over. Just like that Billie beat the champion. Experience had beaten brute force this time.

Now she made a note before putting it all back in her pocket, dropping a coin at the counter, and started to head out of the basement in the middle of the chaos.
She's planning to head for the other exit which she assumed existed. She hadn't spotted one but if Billie was as by the book as she had heard, then surely she wouldn't take part in an event without at least one fire exit or something similar.

Either way though, Ava was not going to be able to get to Billie in all that chaos and the constant roar of the crowd made her ears hurt. She would prefer waiting outside rather than inside for Billie to show.

[Hattish Thing]

[Fight Night]

Fortunately for Ava, the crowd hasn't quite started to disperse.

This means that she's able to head out of the basement through a secondary exit out back.

Outside, it has started to rain. It's coming down cold and hard, forming a stream of murky water which rushes towards a flood drain. All manner of street refuse is carried with it, everything from cigarette butts, to plastic bags, to ruined newspapers. It's dark outside, the way illuminated only by a flickering streetlamp as well as by the lights which pour out from within the nudie theater across the way.

In short, the place was a dump - and it was only getting more miserable the longer Ava waited around.

After several moments, a hidden side door about twenty feet away opens.

--

A man steps out. He's wearing a ratty vest and a pair of trousers.

Ava will recognize him from his mustache; that was one of the ticketmasters at the Den.

He calls back over his shoulder as he steps out into the rain, sending his voice down the hall behind him. "Alright, I'll be back with more ice in a minute. Just stay put, Bee." The door shuts behind him, but becomes stuck on a bit of detritus. There's a way to slink inside, if Ava is careful.

[Shadowcaller]

[Fight Night]

Also fortunately for Ava, she seems to have had the foresight to bring an umbrella.
She doesn't even give the nudie theater a second glance as she stands there in the rain. Just as she impatiently glances down at her pocket watch, the door opens.

But rather than sneaking inside, she knocks on the door. Hopefully someone would let her inside...

[Hattish Thing]

[Fight Night]

Ava's knock goes unanswered.

However, she can hear someone grunting in pain from around a corner down the hall ahead.

It sounds like a woman's voice.

[Shadowcaller]

[Fight Night]

Ava seems to hesitate, turning to look back as if she's about to simply turn around and leave.
But ultimately, she decided otherwise as she gleans the door open and calls out. "Billie Banford?"

[Hattish Thing]

[Fight Night]

The door creaks open with some effort. It's heavy, and quite old.

There's a corridor just beyond. It's quite short, and rounds a corner. That's where those sounds had come from.

Graffiti has been painted upon the walls of the corridor, though numerous posters have been put up in an attempt to cover up the worst of it. An trash bin has toppled over inside, spilling its contents upon the tiled flooring. It's filthy, but it's not fresh. The garbage has been there for some time, it's just that no one has bothered to clean it up. Why should anyone? It's not like this part of the inn was open to the public.

Several seconds pass before Ava recieves an answer. "Who's asking?" There's a slight pause.

Her tone softens. "You can come in."

[Shadowcaller]

[Fight Night]

She has to use both hands, but the door does indeed open up.

Now for the introduction. "I'm detective Ava Farstride from Brendar. I'm here as an observer for the EXP program? You got recommended to me and I believe I left you a message..." She closes the door behind her and looks around as she starts pulling down her umbrella.
She appears a tad sheepish, this likely not the way she had wanted their meeting to be like.

[Hattish Thing]

[Fight Night]

This rather nondescript dressing room is quite small.

A few grimy tables have been slammed up against the walls, one of which boasts of a mirror.

Ava will recognize the woman from the fight reclining upon a ratty couch at one end of the room. She's leaning back, clearly in pain. One leg is elevated atop a wooden stool, and her knee has been bandaged. Two separate ice packs have been strapped there as well. Her scarred hands are submerged within two buckets of ice water. Billie hasn't had an opportunity to change out of her brawling uniform, though she has removed her tanktop in order to bandage up her muscular abdomen. Of course, it might be somewhat awkward to see her there in nothing else.

She doesn't seem particularly concerned, though. When the EXP program is brought up, she raises a brow.

Billie didn't know what that was. Still, first impressions were important.

She winces. "Good to meet you, Farstride."

[Shadowcaller]

[Fight Night]

Ava's expression is neutral as she spots Billie but the detective still politely turns to look away once she seems to realize the undressed state the orc is in. "Likewise."

She gives the wall she's facing a curt nod and puts her wet umbrella under her arm. "I had been planning to simply meet you in the inn but I got delayed by-" She glances at the other detective. "Doesn't matter. I did catch your match though. Can't say I was expecting something that impressive." She pauses as she turns herself to fully face Billie rather than talking to the wall.

[Hattish Thing]

[Fight Night]

Billie doesn't seem to mind Ava's presence, not now at least.

She wasn't particularly attracted to women, nor did she feel uncomfortable as she was.

The detective attempts to respond, but breathes in too deep. Pain shoots up her side, enough to take the words out of her mouth. She groans in discomfort, sneering all the while. The sharpness of her pain fades after several seconds, replaced by a dull throbbing. In truth, this was the worst part. It lasted longer than the sharpness, each beat threatening to bring tears to her eyes. Still, she wouldn't succumb. This was not her first fight, nor her first injury. Soon, her healing ointment would kick in properly. Perhaps a shot or two would help, though.

Billie gestures with her head towards a bottle of gin resting upon her desk. There's a small, chipped glass beside it.

Her intentions are clear, and her tone is soft. "Would you pour me a drink, Farstride?"

She just nods in response to Ava's kind words.

A smile. "Mm. Thanks."

[Shadowcaller]

[Fight Night]

Ava seems to share Billie's disinterest though also still seems unsure how to approach the other detective in this sort of situation.

"Do you need-" Ava starts when Billie gestures towards the glass.
This time she doesn't hesitate when she takes the bottle and pours the orc a glass. Careful not to spill any of the precious liquid.
As Billie takes a sip Ava takes the opportunity to comment further on what she had seen. "Hell of a way to blow off steam, Banford. I have colleagues that dabble but haven't met anyone who can claim the title of champion. Been doing this for a long time?"

[Hattish Thing]

[Fight Night]

Billie nods and settles back into the couch, her shoulders lowering.

Previously, she had been tense. She always was after a fight, especially in her current state.

Now though, she felt comfortable enough to sink into exhaustion. Adrenaline had started to cease, leaving her with the ache and little else. Still, she was satisfied - a thousand times more satisfied than she would be through any other activity. Alcohol would help with the ache, anyway. It's sweet embrace was all she needed now, that and a handful of those painkillers she was so fond of. As Ava leans over to set the glass against Billie's scarred lips, she drinks. There's a second there where her steely gray eyes meet with Ava's.

Her gaze is intense, withering all before her. She could stop a locomotive in its tracks with a glare. Yet there's softness there, hidden beneath the razor edge.

An unexpected moment of vulnerability between the two. Once she's had her fill, she sneers and gestures towards a navy blue reefer coat.

With a grunt, she speaks, "Pass me a smoke, if you wouldn't mind." Sure enough, there's a pack in her front pocket.

At Ava's last question, she nods solemnly. "I go where the going's good."

"Not much more to it."

[Shadowcaller]

[Fight Night]

"Nights like these do remind you of your own mortality." Ava remarks as she turns to fetch a smoke, carefully observing how many were left in the pack before handing it to Billie. Or if it seems appropriate, put it right in her mouth.
"Makes me far too... existential though. When I got nothing else to focus on, my mind can drift and you know what they say about wandering minds." She takes out a lighter from her own pocket and offers to light the smoke. "Guessing the fighting helps with that."

[Hattish Thing]

[Fight Night]

Billie just shrugs at that. This wasn't about mortality, not really.

No use going into further detail, however. Her reasons were her own - others didn't need to understand.

The pack of cigarettes is nearly depleted. Ava may notice that a date has been penned onto the front of the box. Billie was very careful about regulating her habit, restricting herself to one cigarette per day. Evenings only, after her work was done. Her smokes were just another tool by which she could attempt to achieve catharsis. The orc nods as Ava sets a cigarette between her lips.

She gestures once more towards her reefer coat. "Lighter's in the left pocket."

Her eyes narrow, "So." She raises a brow.

She's expecting something from Ava.

[Artemis97]

"Oh." June looks down and away, remembering what happened. "Trog's Tavern." He pauses. "That's where the cultists happened. I went in there to get out of the sun and get a drink of water. Went in to the bathroom to wash off some mashed potato from my shirt, and then all of a sudden a sink came alive." It was pretty weird. Luckily Sekhmet got worried when he didn't come back, and then her and Zee went to go rescue him.

...
He blinks.
Then shakes his head, and returns his gaze. "No, you've answered plenty," he counters. "Just trying to get a sense of where's safer and what I should expect and what I should avoid. At least until i get a feel for things myself."

So, actually, June is starting to run out of questions.
But!
There is one!
"Speaking of," he says as a way of introducing the topic, "you know any local libraries or whatevers? To help read up on all sorts of things that are around. I've noticed that a lot of basic words and definitions mean something slightly different than I was expecting, so I had the thought that reading books might help with that."


"Oh sure. There's a few." The drow digs in his pocket and pulls out a card, handing it to June. On one side, it had the name of Abrajin's Library, on the other side it had some basic information about Raril. On the other side, it had his book checkout limit, the weight he could carry before his spine snapped. "That's for Abrajin's. I don't know if you should go there, though. It's a strange place, easy to get lost, and you never know what you'll encounter in the next room. But I think there's literally everything in that library." He'll lean over to take the card back, once June was done looking at it.

"There's the Phillip Memorial Library, which, at least, exists in a regular building and obeys the laws of physics. Mostly. I think. But they're a niche place, specifically dedicated to knowledge about creatures from beyond our world, and how to combat them."

"I think your best bet is a newer place. Bookbinder's Library. Run by a little dragon. They have educational books, mostly, and some fiction for lending. Computers, too, for research. They sell books, too. Well, you can order ones to be printed and bound for you. That can get expensive, but paperbacks are pretty cheap."

[5a Violista]

June nods.

Abrajin's. "...It sounds like it'd be difficult to find things."

Phillip Memorial Library. "Seems like it'd be really useful to answer some of the questions I've got so far. Might even have books on ways to fight mind control." Since that was...priority #5 or something on June's list of priorities. Resisting mind control and mental influence definitely sounds like it falls under 'combat'. After all, books talking about how to combat things will usually go into enough detail to explain the differences and nuances.

And, Bookbinder's Library. "Yeah, you're right, that one does sound really helpful. Especially the computers, I think. Will make finding things really easy."

"So..." June looks down, then back up. "On the topic of work. For a full shift and assuming some basic training, I assume I start tomorrow?" June is assuming in the early afternoon, because that will give enough time to get a rundown of what to do before the evening rush. Since the evening rush is already here right now.

[Shadowcaller]

[Fight Night]

Billie just shrugs at that. This wasn't about mortality, not really.

No use going into further detail, however. Her reasons were her own - others didn't need to understand.

The pack of cigarettes is nearly depleted. Ava may notice that a date has been penned onto the front of the box. Billie was very careful about regulating her habit, restricting herself to one cigarette per day. Evenings only, after her work was done. Her smokes were just another tool by which she could attempt to achieve catharsis. The orc nods as Ava sets a cigarette between her lips.

She gestures once more towards her reefer coat. "Lighter's in the left pocket."

Her eyes narrow, "So." She raises a brow.

She's expecting something from Ava.

[Fight Night]

Ava takes a step back, clears her voice and straightens her back. "Right, the EXP program. It's a exchange program of sort. Intended to have law-enforcers share experiences between districts. While it didn't seem that way when I started working, Brend is very much a small town compared to Inside so I guess you could see me as a small-time guard coming to learn how things work in the big leagues."

[Hattish Thing]

[Fight Night]

Billie nods thoughtfully before resting her head back.

The pain was starting to dull, now she was just so tired. She'd need a proper rest.

In her own bed, where she felt safe. Not here. But then, it'd be rude to bail on this woman. Surely she'd understand, though. Her hands were an absolute mess. Blood had started to mix with the ice water. That knee wasn't healing particularly fast either, despite the ointment and the treated bandages. She takes a draw before exhaling a small cloud of scented smoke. It calmed her nerves, for sure.

Finally, she decides that being straightforward would be the best course of action here.

She says with a heavy sigh, "Right. You have a place you're staying at?"

"Let's meet for breakfast. I need... time."

It should be clear as to why.

[Shadowcaller]

[Fight Night]

Ava is quick to nod in agreement and gestures for the door. "Yeah, I was planning to get out of your hair as soon as possible. Tomorrow sounds fine. I'm staying at..." There's an awkward pause.
"...is there a place you can recommend?"

[Ashen Lilies]

[Assembling the Crew]

Good, introductions had gone simply swimmingly!

Larza is quite pleased, especially so once she gets a better look at the face beneath the gunman's mask.

She loved a good bit of mystery around a man. Now was not the time to fixate on pretty mud people, though - there was business to do! With a confident smirk, she starts to speak up. "It's guid tae catch up wi` ye a'! Th'gither, we'll be able tae pull aff operations none o' us cuid dae alone!" The goblin will accentuate her boastful statement by guzzling down the contents of her glass of champagne. She's a messy drinker, sure to spill plenty of it down her front. In the process of making a mess of herself, she'll wink towards Nocturne.

A photograph is produced and then set upon the table. It depicts the VIGIL skybase.

"Ah trust ye a' ken whit ye'r keekin at?"

[Assembling the Crew

Noc smirks a little as he notices Larza's attention. Okay then.

When the photograph turns up, however, his expression turns somber and thoughtful.

"Hmmm... Vigil are dangerous people to antagonize. I'd like to avoid getting my head chopped off by that commander of theirs. Or set on fire or buried under a mound of lava."

[Hattish Thing]

[Fight Night]

Billie takes a deep breath as she feels the affects of alcohol on her body.

Already, she felt more at ease. The nicotine was helping, as were the painkillers coursing through her bloodstream.

There's a small pause in the conversation. Judging by Ava's somewhat lackluster response, she didn't have a place to stay. This wouldn't be a problem had she not ventured out into perhaps the most dangerous part of Inside. This was not a good place to stay the night at. Her response is quiet, "I'm afraid not, Farstride. It's not safe."

"Especially for people like us. I've a spare room, if you like."

"At my place. It's not far."



[Assembling the Crew

Larza simply grins as the others start to respond to her declaration.

Some were shocked, others gleefully enthusiastic. There was fear in the air as well, the atmosphere was electric.

Oh yes, this was where the magic happened. The goblin goes on to explain the situation further, excitement in her voice. "Aye, it wilnae be easy. Bit we've git enough gaun fur us that we juist micht succeed."

"Ye see, a've a plan - 'n' th' contacts tae mak' this happen."

"We're aff tae steal th' treasure vault richt oot fae under thair noses!"

[Artemis97]

June nods.

Abrajin's. "...It sounds like it'd be difficult to find things."

Phillip Memorial Library. "Seems like it'd be really useful to answer some of the questions I've got so far. Might even have books on ways to fight mind control." Since that was...priority #5 or something on June's list of priorities. Resisting mind control and mental influence definitely sounds like it falls under 'combat'. After all, books talking about how to combat things will usually go into enough detail to explain the differences and nuances.

And, Bookbinder's Library. "Yeah, you're right, that one does sound really helpful. Especially the computers, I think. Will make finding things really easy."

"So..." June looks down, then back up. "On the topic of work. For a full shift and assuming some basic training, I assume I start tomorrow?" June is assuming in the early afternoon, because that will give enough time to get a rundown of what to do before the evening rush. Since the evening rush is already here right now.

Raril nods. "Sure. Report to Marcus, and shadow him. We'll give you a few days to get your feet wet, if you don't embarrass yourself, or me, we'll keep you on. Listen to the Goblins, they know more about this place than I do, honestly. Really, I just sign the checks." The drow admits with a laugh.

[5a Violista]

June chuckles along with the admission/joke.
He nods, and then asks, "Marcus is the one that I just met, right?" It sounds familiar, so it makes sense that'd be the one he already met and was introduced to. And goblins, got it. "I'll do my best to not be an embarrassment."

June stands. "I'll be honest, I'm kind-of exhausted," he says. What has he done today? Well, he basically walked to Inside, and then walked all over town. Now that he's no longer hungry or thirsty, the exhaustion in his legs is starting to set in. After grabbing the maid dress, he asks, "You mind if I just go get a room now?"

[Shadowcaller]

[Fight Night]

She raises an eyebrow at Billies warning, looking like she is about to object. But perhaps she thought better. "I shouldn't ask so much of you considering your state. But perhaps, considering the circumstances, I could hire your guest ro- bed for the night." Ava nods.

[Assembling the Crew]

Jaahlyn nods and smiles at Larza. "And I only want a single piece of it as my cut." She points out as she crosses her hooved leg over the other. "A grand plan with, I hope, a grand resolution. Ambition is its own reward."

[Purple Eagle]

[Assembling the Crew]

Of course, the foul little creature's goal is money. When is it not about money? Sure, funds will be useful for procuring more materials, but he was hoping for something more imaginative.

Ah, but what can he expect? Most people seem to be less intelligent than he'd like.

The satyr speaks, and he notes her words. Ambition indeed is its own reward, and following along with this plan will help achieve his goal of furthering scientific progress at any cost. He gets to test out his creations on VIGIL, gain some funding for his projects. If any of his teammates manage to be in the area of effect of his gases, more data for him. "In that case, you can count me in, missy." He finally says in his Southern drawl. "Mind tellin' us just what this plan o' yours entails?" He's not expecting much.

[Earl of Purple]

Assembling the Crew

"I can't teleport with more than I can lift. But I don't need to worry about the fall, I can get off the flying island on my own." And a share of the loot sounds good, even if she thinks she'd be best placed as a distraction, ideally getting people to chase her. That seems tricky, however.

[Artemis97]

"Of course." Raril says to June. "Just ask Blackeye for a key. He's the goblin behind the bar. He'll set you up."

[5a Violista]

"Blackeye," he repeats. He turns to look for Blackeye.
...
What, exactly does a goblin look like? he wonders. What even is a goblin? Seems like there's a lot of different options of what it could be.

Since there's not that many people behind the bar, though, it's not that hard to narrow down. "Again, thanks." He smiles.

Then goes over to the bar to ask which one of them is Blackeye and get the key and go rest.

[FireFox]

A young woman limps through the front door and up to the bar, leaving a bloody bootprint on the floor with every other step. She's clad in skintight armor made from the black hide of some mythical beast, burned through from her right knee to her ankle, and has a sheathed uchigatana tucked edge-up into her belt. She leans against the bar with one pale hand while the other pulls dark-red hair out of her battered and bruised face, tucking it behind her ear so she can squint at the menu. "Damned Soul Nectar... Liquid Agony... Poisonbite Cocktail?" She wonders out loud about those questionable drinks, to nobody in particular.

[Ashen Lilies]

"I personally favor the poisonbite cocktail in that set," says a masculine voice to the newcomer's left. It's smooth and polished, with a touch of accent to it. "Though not if you have anywhere to be the next couple of days. Hangovers, bad. Hangovers and severe poisoning? More bad."

The voice comes from a slender, androgynous looking person seated on a barstool next to the newcomer woman, half-turning towards her with a somewhat bemused smile on their face. The rest of their features are obscured, by a dark mask painted to resemble a night sky, with a pale crescent moon cutting through the left eye, and a dusting of silver stars splashed across a swirling, inky blue sky. The mask would ordinarily be of the full-face sort, though the bottom seems to have been conveniently detached, resting on the bar by a half-full glass of deep red wine. Even with the mask, the stranger is clearly elven, judging from the pointed ears poking out from a disheveled mop of raven-black hair, and their skin is a cool, pale grey, blushed to a bluebell color under the warm lighting of the den. Or maybe that's just the wine?

They're dressed in flattering, form fitting dark clothes - high boots, trousers, a top. The top garment is cut and shaped similarly to a vest, though it has sleeves and goes up to the neck, and is made of a heavy material that, on close inspection, appears to be backed with thin armor paneling stitched in behind the cloth. A long coat hangs from the back of their chair, and from a looped leather belt hangs a long dagger and what looks like an ornate flintlock pistol, though where the firing mechanism would be is instead a recessed well with a glass capsule that glows with an internal blue light.

They give the newcomer a quick glance over, and their expression shifts to one of mild concern, as much as can be told from behind the mask.
"Though in your case, maybe a restorative draught and a visit to a healer might be more suitable? You look as though you have some recovering to do, before you get any poisons into your system."

[FireFox]

The swordswoman turns to look at the masked elf, giving them a professional once-over with red irises glowing like gun sights. Their weapons, armor panels, hands, down to their feet, back up to their eyes. The important parts for making an assessment of trouble. But then her gaze returns to their pistol with an attitude more curious than cautious.
"What? Oh, my leg. See, the problem with magical healing is it takes away your chance to nurse the wound. Injuries are lessons: the more they hurt the more important they are to learn, then the scars remain to remind you." She sits down next to the elf, sighing as the weight gets taken off her busted leg like a student dropping their heavy backpack at the end of the day. "And if you could fix everything with a potion, you wouldn't have a good excuse to wallow in your own pain and misery every now and then." A mud bath for masochists. "Yeah, I could use a good poisoning right now. What's your reason for drinking it?"

[Ashen Lilies]

Noc does notice the swordswoman's appraisal, but pays it no mind. it's common enough behavior, especially in a place like the Den.

"Maybe, but you're bleeding all over the floor. That's a little bit concerning," says the elf, giving the swordswoman a wry smile. "Well, it's good fun. Though I'm not going to be partaking of that particular beverage tonight. Just regular ethanol today. I find the extreme euphoria and delirium the toxins cause interferes with proper brooding."

[FireFox]

"I... am?" She looks back over her shoulder at the bloody prints leading from the door and frowns in disappointment as if the stains had personally failed her. "Tch. That's a little embarrassing. I should have at least bandaged it before I came here." But she makes no move to patch up her wound, instead raising an eyebrow at the elf's last words. Conversation may prove to be a better mental distraction than inebriation. "I like your mask. It really elevates you from drinking alone to brooding in style. Can I ask what's on your mind?"

[Ashen Lilies]

The elf smiles at the woman, tilting his head in appreciation.

"Oh, a few usual preoccupations of mine. Identity, existence, nothing incredibly interesting I'm afraid," he says. "Hmm... maybe I could use some of the good stuff."

[FireFox]

The swordswoman laughs once, short and sharp like a rifle report. "I've been down those trails before. One is what you do and the other's what is done to you, but confusing them for each other is a trap. I gnawed my own leg off to escape the belief I was the thing I was made to be."

She catches the bartender's attention and orders two poisonbite cocktails and a bandage. "I hope your identity prevents my existence from having to drink both of these."

[Ashen Lilies]

The elf gives a chuckle of his own, nodding once graciously.

"Of course not. Sharing a drink is a sublime pleasure, especially with a woman so... interesting as yourself," he says. "So to whom is it that I owe this pleasure of sharing? You can call me Nocturne."

[5a Violista]

The drinks are given pretty quickly, placed one in front of each of the two patrons.

The bandage takes a little longer - it's not readily available at the bar.
After a short while, a server - the redhead (human) June, who would look androgynous too if not for the dress - brings it by and places it in front of the swordswoman. "Sorry for the delay," she says. "If you need anything else, feel free to ask."

She hurries off to go refill someone's drink.

[FireFox]

"You are offering a libation to the Goddess of Hunting: Kynegetis." Mischief dances in her eyes as she holds her glass up to him in salute and watches his reaction. "Well met, Nocturne."

Kyne takes a large sip and rolls it around her tongue like an interrogation while she waits for the bandage. When it arrives June receives a small smile and nod of thanks.

[Ashen Lilies]

Kyne will find her bombshell rewarded by an appropriate widening of the eyes and shocked expression - or at least, she would be, if Noc weren't wearing that damn mask. Alas! Still, even with the full reaction foiled, Kyne might still get a sense of his surprise as he matches her in toast, and takes his own sip, savoring the pleasure of the flavor, if not yet the psychoactive toxins contained within. Not yet, anyway.

"Well, I admit... never shared a drink with a goddess before. Not in the literal sense, at least."

Wow, really? Laying it on a bit thick, don't you think?
Oh shut up. I'm taking these lines from you, you know.
No. My lines are charming. I don't know where you're getting this cornball stuff from, but it's definitely not me.
Look, I'm new at this, okay? I'm not looking to *Rahvi* for help.
And yet, regrettably, I am here.

Nocturne grins awkwardly, seemingly trying to regain some of his composure from Kyne's unexpected reveal. Any semblance of distraction or loss of focus was probably just imagined, or a trick of the light, perhaps.
"So what brings a goddess to a-" Hey, take that back. It's *not* a hole! "-an establishment of such maligned repute as this?"

[Zefir]

A person in a dark purple robe enters the den. The cape is drawn close over his head so his face is barly visible. The robe itself got no ornaments, which makes it appear simplein one hand he holds a staff. On the top of the staff rests an eye or somethign that looks like one which is hold by tentacles. The hand holding the staff is pale white with black claws. It appears like only bone and muscles. As he speaks his voice is trangly loud, even if he doesn't yell. Kinda like his voice comes in thelepatic.

"Listen up dear fellowers.!" he says wating a moment to give everyone a moment to look at him.
"My masters are on the way to this world. They will destroy all that keeps things down and free us from our worldly shakels.
Yet they are on there way, but I was send here to offer you something. If you join our forces and prepare this world for the coming of my master, I can guarantee you great rewards. Whatever you desire can be yours, if you join us."

[5a Violista]

A person in a dark purple robe enters the den. The cape is drawn close over his head so his face is barly visible. The robe itself got no ornaments, which makes it appear simplein one hand he holds a staff. On the top of the staff rests an eye or somethign that looks like one which is hold by tentacles. The hand holding the staff is pale white with black claws. It appears like only bone and muscles. As he speaks his voice is trangly loud, even if he doesn't yell. Kinda like his voice comes in thelepatic.

"Listen up dear fellowers.!" he says wating a moment to give everyone a moment to look at him.
"My masters are on the way to this world. They will destroy all that keeps things down and free us from our worldly shakels.
Yet they are on there way, but I was send here to offer you something. If you join our forces and prepare this world for the coming of my master, I can guarantee you great rewards. Whatever you desire can be yours, if you join us."




One of the waitresses, June, looks at the purple-robed person.
She listens to what he has to say.

Well...
she doesn't really get what he's intending. But she feels like she has to say something.

She goes up to the dark-robed person. "Hi, would you like to sit down over here?" she asks, gesturing at an open table nearby. "Everyone will be able to come up and speak with you better that way," June says, selling the merits of him sitting down, "and between people speaking with you, I could get you a drink too."

[Zefir]

The robed man turns to June as she addresses him. His staff hitting on the ground as if it carries most of his weight.

"I keep standing here for a while longer, miss." he says. He does sound rather gentel and calm as he speaks to her. His voice, still coming mostly thelepathic, appears friendly.
"I'm aware that you have to run your business, so can you tell my what you can offer me? Something that is gentle to the voice while it's stressed. Or would you like to hear something my masters migth offer you?"

[5a Violista]

"I'll get your drink first," June says, "and then you can tell me about your masters."
She tells him the list of drinks they have, and then adds, "If it's for your voice, I'd recommend the Hearth Brew Mead."

After he orders a drink, she gets it and comes back to deliver it to him and listen to his speech.

[Zefir]

The man does order whatever she suggested and what sounds less possible to knock him out. He has to play a role after all.

"As I said, my masters are on their way. They will come to gather some good they value most. They didn't tell me what exactly it is, but they told me what it is not." he pauses to hear the whispers and confusion rising in the people who listen. "They are not behind things you desire. Gold, emeralds or art is worth nothing were they come from. When they come and leave destruction to the people those things will remain, if you are willing to follow they will let you grab whatever drops on their path and if this alliance works well they even offer to hunt anyone down for you..."

[5a Violista]

After a few moments, June returns with a drink and holds it in front of the man.
She listens for a few moments,
then says,
"So, who are your masters, anyway?"

Presumably it's important to know who you'd work for before agreeing to join a cult or whatever this is supposed to be.

[Zefir]

The man appears eager to answer the question.

"I haven't met them yet." he says. "They aren't from this planet. They are traveler from another Universe. It is hard to describe them as they can take any form they like. They call themself 'Et vires recepit'. They appear to have a high culture as there minds are able to manipulate their surroundings or communicate over a far distance. You shall recognize them. They got pale white skin and there blood is blue."

She might notice that the hand grabbing the staff is also pale white with blue veins running over it.

[5a Violista]

"Huh," June says. "I see."

She looks at him for a few moments.

Then, gesturing at the guy's staff and hand, June mentions, "You must be related to them, then." He's never met one, but he looks like one, so...maybe he's related.

[Zefir]

((Sorry, i misses it))

The prophet looks at her and then at his hand. He seems to be in thoughts for a moment as he looks at his own skin.

"Related is not the right expression." he replies. "The masters appreiacted my wok and blessed me with this. Another gift if you serve them."

[5a Violista]

"Oh," June says.
She glances around, just in case there's anybody around that needs her.
There's not, at the moment.

"If you ask me, a 'gift' that changes how you look is kind-of a strange gift."

[Zefir]

Poor June, but also poor prophet. The less customers she got the less people he can speak to, right?
The prophet looks at her for amoment befor he speaks.

"I don't think it's strange. After all evolution had many such things. It's a question of like and dislike. Just think of tatoos. While I have to say my gift also works in my favor."

Tatoos do change your appereance, not as drastic as this, but they do.

[5a Violista]

Don't worry, more people should come in later.
Hopefully.

June leans close as if telling a secret, and says, "Don't tell anyone, but I'm not much of a fan of tattoos." But, she leans back away, smiles, and winks at him.

Well.
She decides maybe another important question is warranted.
"Well, let's say someone already follows some other god. How would that affect things, with your masters?"