NationStates Jolt Archive

Tired of Hamlet and seeing no longer need for the knife, she resheathed it, glanced around the room, a bit bored and a bit tired out, now that the adrenaline had halted its mad rush through her veins. The older man had slipped back in the door quietly and was now ascending the stairs with his guitar. Goddamn fucking bastard...

She fumed to herself, the adrenaline feebly poking at her blood, as if telling her to give up the bad mood for once and just be personable. Shrugging this off, she glanced around the room at the other patrons: the meek, raincoated man down the bar from her, a seemingly-just-awakened man at a table, clutching a drink in his fingers... others strewn about the cushy living area, two younger girls standing by the jukebox, gossiping away.

ooc: Sorry for my slow response, guys. Was doing reading.

With an abrupt start, Martin came awake. He realised he had fallen asleep at the bar.

He sighed and stared bleary-eyed at the other patrons as he reached beneath the bar for a bottle. His hand closed upon the first one it came across, and the bottle came up, the cork popping out seemingly of its own accord. He took several gulps straight form the bottle.


OOC: Apologies for rushing off earlier. Some RL affairs came up rather suddenly.

Not paying attention to her surroundings, Noire took a sip from the vodka bottle that appeared in her hand, turned the page, rustled the book a bit in an effort to get comfortable, and lapsed back into her reading.

ooc: It's chill.

Not paying attention to her surroundings, Noire took a sip from the vodka bottle that appeared in her hand, turned the page, rustled the book a bit in an effort to get comfortable, and lapsed back into her reading.

ooc: It's chill.

Martin glanced at Noire, noting the book she was reading.

"Rosencrantz and Guildenstern...they're fucking dead," he muttered to himself. He seemed to have become quite drunk, and still sounded as though he had just awoken.

She looked up, responded tartly, "No shit." Dogearing the page, she closed the book and shoved it back into its hiding place under the counter before taking another sip from the vodka bottle.

"And what brings you here, inebriated and groggy at this late hour?"
She checked the clock.
Well, guess it makes sense. Tavern, after all.

He walked briskly into the tavern, brushing past several people. Earning him the name 'asshole' in a reletivly short time. Alexandr Penatrikov could care less. His blonde hair was slicked back and his green eyes were shielded by sunglasses. Alexandr looked around for a second or two then walked up to the bar and ordered a glass of vodka. No ice, he liked it warm. He took a sip, set his elbows on the bar and removed his sunglasses. He sat transfixed for a moment or two, deep in thought. He took another sip of his drink and just sat there contently. Not paying attention to the people around, not paying attention to the noise, to the constant ruckus...

She looked up, responded tartly, "No shit." Dogearing the page, she closed the book and shoved it back into its hiding place under the counter before taking another sip from the vodka bottle.

"And what brings you here, inebriated and groggy at this late hour?"
She checked the clock.
Well, guess it makes sense. Tavern, after all.

"A desire to become more inebriated, I think. And what about yourself? What brings you back around?"

Martin took another long pull at the bottle.

She glared at the newcomer without really considering it; her anger was still occasionally ressurecting in her blood from time to time. Downing the last of her vodka only for it to fill itself once more, she took another sip, tacked on, "All my shit's up in my room. Granted, I could leave..." her voice trailed off. She took another sip.

Alexandr drained the last tentetive drop from his glass and ordered another.

"Yes, the same. No ice." slid the glass towards himself and drained half. He looked around him again. Really taking in the scene. The place was packed, at least by his standards, back home you had maybe ten or fifteen in a tavern at any given time. He wondered if the people around him would continue to glance his way and mutter if they knew who he was. Alexandr Penatrikov, Director of Foreign Affairs in the Dominion of General Alekseyev. No matter, he ceased examing his surroundings and again went back to his vodka.

She glared at the newcomer without really considering it; her anger was still occasionally ressurecting in her blood from time to time. Downing the last of her vodka only for it to fill itself once more, she took another sip, tacked on, "All my shit's up in my room. Granted, I could leave..." her voice trailed off. She took another sip.

Martin sighed and pushed himself to his feet slowly and unsteadily. He glanced around the room at all of the other patron,and for a moment his face was transfigured with hatred. An instant later and his face was set into a weary half-smile.

"I'd love to stay and chat," he told Noire, swaying slightly, "But my bed is calling me. Until another day."

Martin turned and climbed the stairs stiffly, opened the door to his room, and made it as far as the bed, where he collapsed, still fully clothed, and began to snore slightly.

OOC: Goodnight, all.

She drank, stifled a yawn, watched the man leave, drank again. Her eyelashes fluttered sleepily beneath her white hair, and she rested her head on the counter. Her mind spiralled through the beginnings of sleep, found itself in a maze. Her hands brushed the stone walls.

It was returning to her. It caught her light scent. And it began to stalk her.

Noire twitched involuntarily in her sleep.

ooc: G'night; sorry I'm running out on you, newcomer! :) Unfortunately, I should at least TRY to get some sort of sleep before the morrow. Talk to you then.

She drank, stifled a yawn, watched the man leave, drank again. Her eyelashes fluttered sleepily beneath her white hair, and she rested her head on the counter. Her mind spiralled through the beginnings of sleep, found itself in a maze. Her hands brushed the stone walls.

It was returning to her. It caught her light scent. And it began to stalk her.

Noire twitched involuntarily in her sleep.

ooc: G'night; sorry I'm running out on you, newcomer! :) Unfortunately, I should at least TRY to get some sort of sleep before the morrow. Talk to you then.

OOC: Cool. I'm probably going to make another valiant attempt at sleep as well.

A large black furred figure stands in the door. It looks around and makes its way in.

Small place... homey...

it looks around and closes it's slitted eyes.

Reminds me of too much like the other... but that place wasn't too bad.

soon it's cloak was divested and hanging on a peg, revealing the occupant, a Large Felinoid. black furred and tall, it made it's way to one of the barstools. it's tail lazily swaying from side to side.

it sat down, reached into a vest pocket and pulled out some coins and it waited.

*YAWN...* another day, another... what is my pay anyway?

*Ju walked downstairs and saw what was sitting at the bar.*

Woah... nice kitty...

"err... hello, welcome to Grims. anything I can get for you?"

the Furred being smiled.

I know that scent.

"I no u. af re met bifor?"

The structure of a felinoid's mouth made english... difficult.

Hans Zwittenscheiser of the German Death Metal band BloodOmenSacrifice, entered the bar
"ya, I am Hanz" he said loudly to the puzzlement of everyone. "My band iz soe amazing, zat iz becauze German metal rockz ya? Drinkz for everyone becauze I am soe daz crazy uber koole".

the Furred being smiled.

I know that scent.

"I no u. af re met bifor?"

The structure of a felinoid's mouth made english... difficult.*Ju puzzled over what the cat-man said.

"I no... I know you... af... af re... have we met before!"
"no... I don't think so sir. thi... this is my first time... on another planet and I'd remember if I met you before."

Hans Zwittenscheiser of the German Death Metal band BloodOmenSacrifice, entered the bar
"ya, I am Hanz" he said loudly to the puzzlement of everyone. "My band iz soe amazing, zat iz becauze German metal rockz ya? Drinkz for everyone becauze I am soe daz crazy uber koole".

*Ju paused... blinked at the newcomer.*

"Yo GRIM! do we have a universal translator or something!!! "

Melanie slipped away from the fireplace, shaking at the loud voices and potential violence she felt in the bar.

No... no... take it easy... get the heart rate down...

She ghosted over to the key rack, wrote her name shakily, and headed upstairs.

*Ju puzzled over what the cat-man said.

"I no... I know you... af... af re... have we met before!"
"no... I don't think so sir. thi... this is my first time... on another planet and I'd remember if I met you before." I haf bin to Ert bifor, a rog Teim go.

I van a fritunincrimsau. plez.

Melanie slipped away from the fireplace, shaking at the loud voices and potential violence she felt in the bar.

No... no... take it easy... get the heart rate down...

She ghosted over to the key rack, wrote her name shakily, and headed upstairs.

*Nekone watched the figure as it made it's way upstairs. *

I haf bin to Ert bifor, a rog Teim go.

I van a fritunincrimsau. plez.


??? ... you've been to earth before... a wro... long time ago.

and you want a frit.. fruitNut.. fruit... huh?

err... I can only make Earth foodstuf... but if you can describe it...

??? ... you've been to earth before... a wro... long time ago.

and you want a frit.. fruitNut.. fruit... huh?

err... I can only make Earth foodstuf... but if you can describe it...

Iz Ert fudztuf. Tun... fiz in vatr swem arun. u fri... mmmm taze gud. Crim... moo *makes milking motion with hand.* mek intu sau pur on fiz tu mek taze gudr.

Iz Ert fudztuf. Tun... fiz in vatr swem arun. u fri... mmmm taze gud. Crim... moo *makes milking motion with hand.* mek intu sau pur on fiz tu mek taze gudr.

... fiz... fish... tun... tuna! Fried tuna... cow... milk... crim... cream... cream sauce..

Fried tuna in Cream sause. :)

Coming up Sir.... or Ma'am... Gentle Being!


*Ju pops into the Kitchen and several minutes later, comes out with a fried tuna steak smuthered in a creamy sauce. some potatoes and steamed veggies garnish the dish.*

Enjoy Gentle being.

OoC: Thanks for the TG... would never have figured that one out.

Melanie shut and barred the door behind her, and sat on the bed, trying to slow her rapid breathing. She really, really, REALLY hated raised voices, raised blood pressure, adrenaline...

Her skin began to itch slightly, and she shut her eyes, concentrating on slowing her breathing. She took -- and held -- deeeeep breaths, which also helped her heart rate slow.

The last thing I need.... she thought to herself.

... fiz... fish... tun... tuna! Fried tuna... cow... milk... crim... cream... cream sauce..

Fried tuna in Cream sause. :)


Brains in black butter!
:p

He looked up from the table he had been using as a de facto pillow. "Ok, I get it. I'm hallucinating. Hey, Grim!" he called out "did you switch my scotch for absinthe while I wasn't looking?"

Binar 4 entered the tavern. Binar 4 was a robot. Binar 4 wanted android beer because he was a robot. Binar 4 liked android beer because it loosened up his logic circuits given that he was a robot. Binar 4 liked android beer because it loosened up his logic circuits which ensured greater neural efficiency later on because he was a robot. Binar 4 walked to the counter. Binar 4 said to the bartender:

0100100100100000011101110110111101110101011011000110010000100000011011000110100101101011011001010010 0000011101000110111100100000011100000111001001101111011000110111010101110010011001010010000001110011 0110111101101101011001010010000001100001011011100110010001110010011011110110100101100100001000000110 0010011001010110010101110010

and the bartender said: One bottle of android beer coming right up. That'll be 4 fusedollars.

Ed walked into the bar, he had been away on buisness. Quite a crowd had gathered, an android, several others people, and someone he recognized. He went over and stood next to her. "Haven't seen you in a while." She whipped out a pistol and placed it under his chin. His hands were quick enough to wrap around her throat. "Twitch and I break your neck." He said. She was quick to reply. "Twitch and you'll be missing your head." He chuckled. "Been a while Liz, whats your line of work these days?" She let out a small laugh and went back to her drink. "Pirating, ever since the fall no one needs my skills. You?" He chuckled. "Old habits die hard." She laughed again. "Still witht eh program? With the Imperialists ruling most of the sector, hink they would have given up." He took a seat. " No, not for the program, didn't you hear of the incident?" She turned to him. "Most of those invovled found dead? Yeah, really shook up a lot of the suits up top." Ed chuckled. "And everysingle one and the same thing, a single slash mark across the jugular, very thin and small, impossible to notice." She looked at him, stunned. " Only those involved knew that how did-?" He pulled out a small penknife. "I did it,brilliantly genius to, with the most common type of knife next to the kitchen variety." Liz sat back. "Still haven't forgotten have you..."

ooc: Wow, looks like this place has really taken off. I leave for a weekend and 12 more pages pile up. :D

ic:
Squorn wandered into the empty tavern after a weekend away, working out of town. The job had taken the whole weekend, but it had been lucrative, and he had plenty of cash in his pockets for a night at Grim's. He strode jauntily through the doorway, sporting a new black trenchcoat in place of his old battered leather jacked. A rare smile graced his face, until he saw the empty state of the tavern. His walk to the bar was a bit more subdued, and he quietly sat down, ordering a black russian.

He sipped his drink, feeling it burn its way down to his stomach, and waited, watching the door hopefully.

Sighing, Squorn looked at his empty glass and the matching room. He signalled to Grim for another drink and lazily spun his barstool around so he was facing the rest of the room, his elbows propped up on the counter behind him.

"Nothing takes the edge of a good weekend like nobody to talk with eh Grim?"

The barkeep grunted something that could have easily been an affirmation or a denial while mixing the second drink. He swept away the old glass and left one full of brown liquid. Squorn picked it up and held it up to the light, contemplating it for a few moments before drinking.
"I knew you'd agree."

Sighing, Squorn looked at his empty glass and the matching room. He signalled to Grim for another drink and lazily spun his barstool around so he was facing the rest of the room, his elbows propped up on the counter behind him.

"Nothing takes the edge of a good weekend like nobody to talk with eh Grim?"

The barkeep grunted something that could have easily been an affirmation or a denial while mixing the second drink. He swept away the old glass and left one full of brown liquid. Squorn picked it up and held it up to the light, contemplating it for a few moments before drinking.
"I knew you'd agree."

Jeremy White strolled down the staircase to the bar. His eyes scanned the crowd, hopeful to catch a glimpse of that now familiar pale hair. He was met with disappointment, however. Then he noticed another face that had become familiar to him.

He was sitting listlessly at the bar, talking to himself. Well, not so much talking to himself as to those who weren't listening. Jeremy felt bad for the man who had shown him such kindness. Perhaps he would do the same.

Besides, this man seemed to be at least loosely connected with Noire. Perhaps he could find out more about her whereabouts. If not, perhaps he could find good company.

He sauntered up and took a seat next to the man. "Hey there. My name's Jeremy."

Squorn turned abruptly. He hadn't heard the man enter. He quickly tossed back the rest of his drink to still his nerves and faced the man.
"Evening Jeremy, I go by Squorn."
He was about to turn and order another drink when something in the outline of Jeremy's face caught his eye. He stopped and frowned, almost imperceptibly. Something was familiar about this man, but he couldn't place it.
"I'm sorry, but have we met before?"

Squorn turned abruptly. He hadn't heard the man enter. He quickly tossed back the rest of his drink to still his nerves and faced the man.
"Evening Jeremy, I go by Squorn."
He was about to turn and order another drink when something in the outline of Jeremy's face caught his eye. He stopped and frowned, almost imperceptibly. Something was familiar about this man, but he couldn't place it.
"I'm sorry, but have we met before?"

"We certainly have, though you might not know it to look at me. Several days ago, at a tavern not too different from this one, you gave money to a man playing guitar. The man was destitute, dirty, slothful, and drunk. I am that man, though I seem to have somewhat improved my situation."

A mishievous light filled his eyes.

"Not everything, however, has completely changed. GRIM! Get me a beer!"

Grim stared at him, his eyes slightly cold. "I don't think I want you in here no more. Not after that incident a few nights ago. Roughin' up my patrons. I ain't seen her since that night either. I oughta kick you out for scarin' away my customers."

His voice was gruff, layered with subtle anger. Jeremy wondered if it was because of his actions towards Noire, or because he hasn't been able to collect rent from her room.

"Look, I promise I will make it up to you. Both of you. You and her. But a beer first, and allow me to have a chat with this gentleman here."

Grim reluctantly handed him a beer.

"Speaking of which, Squorn, you haven't seen Noire around have you?"

OOC: I think she's actually playing warcraft right now, but appearances must be kept /shrug.

OOC: I think she's actually playing warcraft right now, but appearances must be kept /shrug.

ooc: If her away message is to be trusted, then yes, that's right. She's quite addicted.

ic:
"Well let me congratulate you on your improvement."
Squorn smiled, remembering the man who'd been sitting outside in the rain strumming forlornly. His face darkened a bit upon overhearing the brief exchange between Jeremy and Grim, and a mild sense of alarm crept into the back of his mind when it seemed that the disagreement had something to de with Noire.
"No, I'm afraid I haven't seen her since last week. I've been away all weekend on a bit of business," he paused and quirked an eyebrow at Jeremy, "What's this business about roughing up customers?"

Having spent most of her time in her room, it was apperant upon entering the bar that she had slipped away two nights before unnoticed. Scanning the room again she made sure it was safe to enter the room.

Wearing and emerald colored shirt dress, and hair pulled back she hoped she would not stand out too much. Sitting once again at the bar she listened to the sounds of the few patrons there.

Grim, a vodka please. And this time a clean glass please.

Making her most innocent face possible, Grim grunted some reply, cleaned out a glass and poured her her vodka.

So Grim what have I missed out while I have been in my room???...

Squorn glanced over at the woman who'd just come down the steps. He couldn't be sure, but she looked like one of the ones he'd seen in Grim's last week. He caught her eye and nodded curtly in greeting while Jeremy gave his response.

ooc: If her away message is to be trusted, then yes, that's right. She's quite addicted.

ic:
"Well let me congratulate you on your improvement."
Squorn smiled, remembering the man who'd been sitting outside in the rain strumming forlornly. His face darkened a bit upon overhearing the brief exchange between Jeremy and Grim, and a mild sense of alarm crept into the back of his mind when it seemed that the disagreement had something to de with Noire.
"No, I'm afraid I haven't seen her since last week. I've been away all weekend on a bit of business," he paused and quirked an eyebrow at Jeremy, "What's this business about roughing up customers?"


Jeremy smiled an apologetic smile, and then laughed at the absurdity of it all.

"Ah... yea. You really don't need to worry. That friend of yours is definately capable of taking care of herself...

A few days ago we had a, hmm.... argument."

He wondered how to phrase it best, making him sound apologetic (which he was, at least to a certain extent) while also making it seem like it could happen to anyone.

"What happened was... it all seems ludicrous now, of course... See, my guitar was stolen. I don't know who stole it, though I have gotten it back, but I fully intend to kill who ever it is that did it. The thing is, a few days ago, I thought Noire had stolen it...

I told her I thought so, things got a little out of hand... One or both of us drew our knives..."

He stopped.

"She's not hurt, I knew from the moment I saw her handle her blade I couldn't take her. So I backed down. Subsequently, I found my guitar, and saw she was innocent... I'd kind of live want to make it up to her...

Was a bit of excitement though."

Smiling back at Squorn, DuWinter tried not to listen to their converstaion, but was unable to down out the details.

"so that was what all the commotion was about. I heard a few of the other guest taking about a fight, but wasn't about to stick my nose into it."

Realizing she had just invaded their converstaion, D.W. blushed a deep scarlet.

"Oh, excuse me. I really didn't mean to interrupt. I apologize. I'll let you two get back to your conversation.

Uh Grim Vodka and orange juice please, and if possible some cake or pie or something"

Grim mumbled again and shuffled off. Returing a few moments later with an entire cherry pie, a knife, a few plates and D.W.'s oj and vodka. Although he placed the glass down, the pie and utensils he plopped down with a great thud.

"thanks Grim" D.W. cut a piece out for herself and left the extra plates and pie out for any others who wanted some...

As Jeremy fully explained his story a smile very slowly grew on Squorn's face.

"Noire certainy can look out for herself," he laughed quietly, "as people have sometimes found out at a much greater cost than the loss of some dignity. You'd never expect it looking at her though."

He downed most of a third black russian that Grim had poured for him after fetching Jeremy's beer.
"That's what makes her so dangerous."

He finshed off the drink and set the glass down, patting Jeremy's shoulder with his other hand.
"It was good to meet you again Jeremy, hope to see you again later, but for now, I should be going."

Leaving a few bills on the bar, he strode off out the door and disappeared into the night.

ooc: sorry Duwinter, I don't mean to brush you off, but it's quite late here.

Smiling back at Squorn, DuWinter tried not to listen to their converstaion, but was unable to down out the details.

"so that was what all the commotion was about. I heard a few of the other guest taking about a fight, but wasn't about to stick my nose into it."

Realizing she had just invaded their converstaion, D.W. blushed a deep scarlet.

"Oh, excuse me. I really didn't mean to interrupt. I apologize. I'll let you two get back to your conversation.

Uh Grim Vodka and orange juice please, and if possible some cake or pie or something"

Grim mumbled again and shuffled off. Returing a few moments later with an entire cherry pie, a knife, a few plates and D.W.'s oj and vodka. Although he placed the glass down, the pie and utensils he plopped down with a great thud.

"thanks Grim" D.W. cut a piece out for herself and left the extra plates and pie out for any others who wanted some...

Perhaps none can explain why a southern drawl entered Jeremy's voice.

"Don't even worry about it, darlin'.

So what brings you to these parts?"

Unsure about exactly what to say, as this question could lead into a long complicated story, DuWinter took a moment to think through her answer.

Pushing the empty plate away, she swivled her chair as to be properly facing him.

"Lets just say, a little bit of business and a little bit of pleasure. My place of employment has sent me here to work on some plans, and its a mini vacation as well"

Hoping that her eyes were not giving away too much, she tried to smile convincingly.

"And you, why are you here, uhh I am sorry I didn't catch your name. I am Lady DuWinter, most just call me DuWinter."

Unsure about exactly what to say, as this question could lead into a long complicated story, DuWinter took a moment to think through her answer.

Pushing the empty plate away, she swivled her chair as to be properly facing him.

"Lets just say, a little bit of business and a little bit of pleasure. My place of employment has sent me here to work on some plans, and its a mini vacation as well"

Hoping that her eyes were not giving away too much, she tried to smile convincingly.

"And you, why are you here, uhh I am sorry I didn't catch your name. I am Lady DuWinter, most just call me DuWinter."

"The name's Jeremy. Jeremy White. How I got here is a long story, and most of it's not pleasant. I certainly wasn't here for pleasure, but now I'm hoping I can do some business again."

He unslung his guitar and quickly tuned it. He started playing a bluesy melody, but more upbeat than those before. No one would recognize this one, however. He was composing it on the spot.

"Can you sing, Ms. DuWinter?"

"Hello Jeremy, its my pleasure. wow, I haven't actually seen any one able to come up with songs all on their own. Most just duplicate others.
I don't know if you would call it singing but I try."

She smiled as she said this. And closed her eyes as she listened to him play.

"Its amazing the feeling one gets from listening to music. How just a few notes can create a mood..."

"Hello Jeremy, its my pleasure. wow, I haven't actually seen any one able to come up with songs all on their own. Most just duplicate others.
I don't know if you would call it singing but I try."

She smiled as she said this. And closed her eyes as she listened to him play.

"Its amazing the feeling one gets from listening to music. How just a few notes can create a mood..."

In time with the music, he still talked to her, forming it into a song.

"I used to be a pro. There were a thousand people all feeling what I wanted them to feel. But now I've got no one, and the law is on my tail."

He kept riffing on, becoming more and more reminiscent.


Suddenly he stops. "Sorry about that, doll. I get a little caught up in the music sometimes.


What business was it that brought you here?"

Martin the Tumbler staggered into the bar, eyes bloodshot and swaying slightly. he approached the bar and sat, but said nothing when Grim glanced at him inquiringly. He produced a glass seemingly out of thin air, and filled it out of a bottle he had stashed in his jacket.

Martin drank deeply and smiled to himself.

What a reunion...

Listening to him as he wove his story into the song, she couldn't help but to humm along.

"oh you stopped. You didn't have to. So your a rebel now. That must be a adventerous life. Well I work for my Country's government. Politics and all, that sort of stuff. Not too interesting you know. But anyways.."

Looking through one of the dusty widows a faint light looms in.

"what time is it, it cant be sunrise already, it was just 11 pm! Oh please exscuse me Jeremy I hate to be rude but I have a very important phone call soon, and I have to be prepaired. Thank you for playing for me. I very much enjoyed it. I gues i will see you tomarrow, or err I mean tonight I guess"

"Grim, put the charges to my room please"

Hopping out of her stool she gave Jeremy a warm little hug before she whisked away upstairs to her room. Leaving only a faint smell of vanilla and lilacs behind her...

ooc: sorry I've got to go, its late and I need to get some sleep. Laters...:

Ed looked up from the bar, he had fallen asleep on it, again he looked around. Theres got to be a better way to get intel then sitting around... He stood up and brushed off his shirt and noticed a small group of people clustered near the end of the bar. He strode over to them and sat down in a seat near them. "You guys are locals right?" He said, then extended his hand. "Names Edward Harrison, kinda new to this part of town."

*Ju wanders in though the front door*

Ok... interesting... planet...

*She had spent the entire weekend in deep thought, laying on the bed in room 7.
It wasn't too clean a room, but as she had no idea where else to go, she thought she could overlook the stained bedding and the continual drip drip drip of the plumbing.
The time spent deep in thought hadn't helped at all.
She still knew no more about herself than she had when she woke in the rain outside the Tavern.
Something she could feel deep inside her very being, told her she was searching, but for what or who she had no idea.
Coming to the conclusion that talking with some of the other patrons of the tavern might help, she strode out of her room and into the bar. The old grumpy fellow was behind the bar again, so she nodded towards him.*

Could I have a fruit juice of any kind please?

*He sighed but took the top from a bottle of pineapple juice and before he had the chance to pour it into the cracked glass she spoke again.*

Oh, don't worry about a glass, I can drink it from the bottle.

*With a please yourself shrug he slid the bottle across the bar to her.*

Thanks.

*Turning her back to him she leaned against the bar and looked around at all the other customers.*

Sam opened her eyes and looked around the unfamiliar room slowly, trying to figure out NOW where the hell have I ended up?

She unfolded herself from the bed, and looked in the mirror, frowning. When the hell did her hair get so long? Ugh, and who the hell dyed it black?

Shaking her head in disgust, she reached into a pocket and pulled out a sharply honed knife. Grabbing the braid, she pulled it tight and with a few deft strokes of the knife, cut it off.

She dampened her short hair in the bathroom sink, finger-spiked it, and tossing the braid in the wastepaper basket, headed downstairs to see where and when she was THIS time.

Next stop: drug store. Can't leave my hair looking like THAT.

Martin strode quickly into the room. He sat at the bar, looking around the room nervously. he sat at the bar and ordered a scotch from old Grim.

As he sat over the drink, he took a deep breath and appeared to relax. He smiled slightly and glanced around the room again, this time more slowly.


A very good nights hunting.

As Martin made a small, casual wave to several other patrons who were staring at him angrily, it was apparent that Martin now had two rings on the third finger of his right hand, where before there had been only one. The new ring appeared to be a twin to all of the others.

Bored

Ju rummages through the kitchen and comes out with some wire racks. he then scrubs them clean... then scrubs them again...

then soaks them in hot water...

then scrubs them untill he's damn sure they're clean.

Taking the wire frames out, he sets them up on one of the tables and goes back into the kitchen. half an hour later, he comes out with three trays filled with various cookies and pastries.

Ju begins arrainging them on the rack.

"Yo Grim... I set the table, you set the price!"

*Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the man who has tossed her drink into the air the last time she was in here.
She pretended she hadn't seen him, why she had no idea.
She took a gulp of the juice from the bottle.*

Marcus' thick salt and pepper colored hair slid and slapped against his blank face as his awkward strides took him ever farther into the darkening recesses of the city. What seemed like days earlier, he had placed pistol in his mouth- but had removed it after almost an hour-long standoff with himself. It wasn't fear that stopped him, nor was it acceptance. He was simply tired. He was too tired to live, but in the twisted logic of suicide, the permanence of death seemed as desolate as the days that dragged on in his life.

So he had begun walking. He had walked out of his post seven hours earlier and never stopped. His plan was to keep walking until the world around him eventually dissolved, but before that, the thick smell of liquor hit his nostrils like the cry of a siren.

He gazed up at the light and warmth emanating from the door. With effort, he pulled himself up the steps. He pushed open the door. immediately eyes all around shot up in surprise and then narrowed again.

Grim reached a steady hand under the bar before his cold raspy voice echoed around the now silent room, "Your kind aren' welcome 'ere."

Marcus stared down at the disheveled crimson military uniform he wore, decorated with a lifetime collection of honors and Distinctions.

"I just want a drink; I'll make no trouble here."

"I think I heard that one before," Grim snorted "No doubt from that pack of subordinate pups we threw outta here, before they came crying to you."

"I don’t know what you're talking about." Marcus whispered

"Get lost anyhow, you’re bad for business."

Marcus pulled a solid gold piece out of his pocket, his eyes locked onto Grim.

"Didn’t you hear me? Your money aint no good 'ere, no matter how much you got."

Marcus pulled another good piece and help it up next to the first one. Grim said nothing.

Marcus waited a few seconds, then pulled back the collar of his military vest revealing another medal that was hidden there. Decorative and distinctive, and far away from anything even resembling imperial design

Grim's eyes widened, then softened. "War is hell." Marcus stated softly.

"And so was Alpha Capri 7," Grim said, giving a salute that only Marcus seemed to recognize, which he returned. "Take a seat comrade, I'll see to it you're left alone.

*Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the man who has tossed her drink into the air the last time she was in here.
She pretended she hadn't seen him, why she had no idea.
She took a gulp of the juice from the bottle.*

Martin smiled when he noticed the girl he had met the other day glance at him. He hadn't been sure he wanted any further conversation with her, but her seeming lack of recognition made up his mind. He got up from his seat and walked slowly over to where the girl was standing. He smiled easily at her.

"Hello. Remember me?" His voice was playfully amused, but there was a hint of challenge in it.

*The...what was it he had called himself...Tumbler...yes that's it a Tumbler...came and stood beside her.
Did she remember him?
Him and that She Cat he had spoken to.....and the man who was busy at the other side of the bar....the one from inside her head....that about all she did remember though...*

Hello yes I remember you.

*Her eyes flashed at him, but she smiled back, looking around to see if She was back too.*

*The...what was it he had called himself...Tumbler...yes that's it a Tumbler...came and stood beside her.
Did she remember him?
Him and that She Cat he had spoken to.....and the man who was busy at the other side of the bar....the one from inside her head....that about all she did remember though...*

Hello yes I remember you.

*Her eyes flashed at him, but she smiled back, looking around to see if She was back too.*

"Oh, good. I'd hate to think that you'd..." He trailed off, frowning slightly.

Suddenly, his eyes widened in shock.

"Oh, shit." he said, under his breath. He seemed to notice the girl again, and instantly regained is composure.

"Pardon me, miss, but I must go. It was truly a pleasure to meet you again." He was laying it on a little thick, he knew, but he was in a hurry. Without waiting for a reply he turned and strode quickly out of the tavern.

Fine....see you around then....

*She shrugged and turned back to her drink, almost positive that she never had that affect on people before, but....who knew?

Her eyes strayed to the cracked mirror, she was certain that where the blue-black hair was now it should have been a copper colour, and the black eyes with the blue specks should have been green.*

Barman....could I have another bottle of this juice and do you have food please?

*Grim grumbled under his breath, but pushed another bottle of the pinapple her way and ungraciously plonked a sandwich on a plate.*

Thanks...

Sam walked up to the bar, leaned against it, and murmured huskily, "Whisky. Neat."

She looked around the bar, sizing up the other denizens as she waited for her drink, and paid for it. Then, she sipped her glass while studying the paths to the doors and windows.

??? guess service is different on other planets...

*Grim grumbled under his breath, but pushed another bottle of the pinapple her way and ungraciously plonked a sandwich on a plate.*

Thanks...

*Ju wanders by and grabs the plate Grim plonked down. walked into the kitchen and comes back out with a plate baring a proper sandwich and garnishes.*

hey Grim. nice to see ya in your normal good mood.

a simple note is written on a cookie. "Don't mind Grim. inside is gruff exterior is a heart made of carbon."

*Ju goes back and pulls out another wire rack.*

He got up, and went to the bar to refresh his scotch. As he approached , he heard the woman next to him order whiskey, neat.

"Nice to see a woman who knows how to order a real drink for a change, instead of one of those technicolor fruity things with an umbrella sticking out of it." he said.

??? guess service is different on other planets...

*Ju wanders by and grabs the plate Grim plonked down. walked into the kitchen and comes back out with a plate baring a proper sandwich and garnishes.*

hey Grim. nice to see ya in your normal good mood.

a simple note is written on a cookie. "Don't mind Grim. inside is gruff exterior is a heart made of carbon."

*Ju goes back and pulls out another wire rack.*
*Taken by surprise at this action her face softens and the smile she gives him reaches her eyes for the first time.*

Thanks...this looks much more appetising....err...Ju wasn't it?

*Inside her head, she feels a memory of other, much more sumptious meals.*

Sam walked up to the bar, leaned against it, and murmured huskily, "Whisky. Neat."

She looked around the bar, sizing up the other denizens as she waited for her drink, and paid for it. Then, she sipped her glass while studying the paths to the doors and windows.

*Ju looks at Grim*

*sigh*

*Places aglass of Whiskey next to the customer.*
want me to leave the bottle?

Thanks...this looks much more appetising....err...Ju wasn't it?

Yep. if you want somethin different, just ask Grim.

If you want something edible however...

*ducks as grim scowls and throws the glass he's cleaning at Ju.*

Gem tripped on her way down the stairs to the bar, but caught herself before crashing to the floor she glanced around gratefully noticing that no one has seen her. she quietly made her way over to the bar and took a seat.

*A chuckle starts in her stomach, and passes through till it escapes from her mouth.*

Have you worked here long?

He got up, and went to the bar to refresh his scotch. As he approached , he heard the woman next to him order whiskey, neat.

"Nice to see a woman who knows how to order a real drink for a change, instead of one of those technicolor fruity things with an umbrella sticking out of it." he said.

"I already got my daily allowance of fruits and veg. Taking care of grains."
She looked over at him, amused, and sipped her drink.

*A chuckle starts in her stomach, and passes through till it escapes from her mouth.*

Have you worked here long?

... second day... :p

Grim Scowls. "I ain't paying you to talk to wimem!"

Ju looks back. "Speaking of which... can we talk about my pay?"

Grim stares at Ju for a moment.

"Busy!" Grim mutters as he goes into his back office!

"I already got my daily allowance of fruits and veg. Taking care of grains."
She looked over at him, amused, and sipped her drink.

"And witty, too. Are you always this clever, or do you have to work your way up to it as the day progresses?"

Marcus sat simply staring at the bar for a while. He finally thought to ask for a full bottle of whiskey before overfilling the glass enough that it spilled. He brought it to his lips long enough that his vision was affected then set it down. His eyes drifted around the crowded room absently.

Feeling slightly emboldened by the alchohol, he lifted his eyes to regard the fresh look bar-keep.

"So, anything happening tonight?"

... second day... :p

Grim Scowls. "I ain't paying you to talk to wimem!"

Ju looks back. "Speaking of which... can we talk about my pay?"

Grim stares at Ju for a moment.

"Busy!" Grim mutters as he goes into his back office!

Oh...you're new here too then.
Sorry for getting you into trouble with your boss.

*She turns away and and tries not to overhear a conversation between another man and woman. None of her business.*

"And witty, too. Are you always this clever, or do you have to work your way up to it as the day progresses?"

She shrugged. "Day's early. Stick around and find out, if you've got a burning desire to."

She grabbed a handful of nuts from a bowl, and chewed them thoughtfully.

"So, anything happening tonight?"Depends on who comes in. one could have disembowments, a fight or two, or even a rare intelligent conversations. otherwise, it's the usual drunken stupor ended with a snoring contest.

Oh...you're new here too then.
Sorry for getting you into trouble with your boss.... no worries. I'd be worried if I wasn't in trouble with my bosses.

Gem sat quietly, a seat or two down sat a woman chatting with the bartender. she smiled slightly,then lapsed back into her thoughts.

Depends on who comes in. one could have disembowments, a fight or two, or even a rare intelligent conversations. otherwise, it's the usual drunken stupor ended with a snoring contest.

Sign me up for the last one, and bring me another bottle. Something without much kick and full-flavor. I'll ease myself the rest of the way.

Sign me up for the last one, and bring me another bottle. Something without much kick and full-flavor. I'll ease myself the rest of the way.

*Ju turns and stares at the wall of bottles all labeled in languages of unknown origins. he randomly selects one and puts it on the bar.*

here ya go. let me know how that sits in ya.

I'll just be waaaaaaaayyy over there...

*Ju turns and stares at the wall of bottles all labeled in languages of unknown origins. he randomly selects one and puts it on the bar.*

here ya go. let me know how that sits in ya.

I'll just be waaaaaaaayyy over there...

Marcus cautiously pulled the top off and sniffed at the drink. He didnt recignize the smell, but he had come across the language in his travels. He slid the bottle back, though, knowing enough of the people that produced it to want nothing to do with it.

The combination of his exhausted body and the more than moderate amounts of whiskey in his system had already had their effect. His eyes slowly rolled back into his head and his head slid down onto the bar.

*She places several notes on the bar.*

Thank you.
Keep the change.

*On her way to her room she nods to the girl sitting quietly with her own thoughts.*

OOC
Night....

ooc: so many familiar faces! :D

Squorn strode into Grim's much the same way he had the other night. Once again he had the rotten luck not to see anyone around to talk to. A few shadowy patrons were hunched over drinks in corner booths, but that wasn't the sort he was looking for, at least, not tonight.

Leaning on the bar, he ordered a mug and a bottle of dark rum and settled down to wait and see what the night had to offer.

Martin walked into the bar slowly, glancing at the near-empty bar. He smiled as he looked around, but he limped slightly on his left leg and he had small bloodstains on his shirt.

Martin took a seat at the bar and called Grim over. He ordered a whiskey, and told Grim to leave the bottle.

Gem woke, curled up on the couch in front of the fire. she sat up slowly reorienting her self,( ah yes). after a quiet after noon she had moved from her seat at the bar to the couch then fallen asleep. she looked around at the rather empty bar,( this must be a quiet place all the time)

Squorn had just lifted his mug to drink when the man walked in. While he smiled, his gait was unsteady, and Squorn watched him cross the room over the rim of the mug. After he had reached the bar and ordered, Squorn drank a few swallows and set his mug down. Closer up, he could see that the man's shirt was stained slightly with blood, how fresh he couldn't tell. He decided against being overly nosy, for now.

"Evening," he nodded in the man's direction.

Squorn had just lifted his mug to drink when the man walked in. While he smiled, his gait was unsteady, and Squorn watched him cross the room over the rim of the mug. After he had reached the bar and ordered, Squorn drank a few swallows and set his mug down. Closer up, he could see that the man's shirt was stained slightly with blood, how fresh he couldn't tell. He decided against being overly nosy, for now.

"Evening," he nodded in the man's direction.

Martin smiled a bright, sunshine smile at the man.

"Hello, sir. I am Martin the Tumbler, at your service," he said, pleasantly.

Martin drained his whiskey in one gulp, and poured another.

Squorn smiled. It was refreshing to encounter such etiquette in this day an age, especially in a dive like Grim's.

"Pleased to meet you Martin, I am Squorn."

He lifted his mug again, emptying half of it.

"And may I ask why you are called 'the Tumbler'?"

He noticed a woman waking up on one of the couches across the room and took a moment to smile at her.

Squorn smiled. It was refreshing to encounter such etiquette in this day an age, especially in a dive like Grim's.

"Pleased to meet you Martin, I am Squorn."

He lifted his mug again, emptying half of it.

"And may I ask why you are called 'the Tumbler'?"

Martin laughed aloud.

"I am, sir, exactly what I call myself: a tumbler. A simple performer of tricks and acrobatic feats."

He smiled again and began to juggle balls he had produced seemingly from nowhere. the balls flowed through the air, in a multitude of patterns. First a simple circle, with a few deft gestures Martin formed the balls into a figure eight, a fish, and finally the moving outline of a bird in flight.

Martin sighed. "I'd show you some minor acrobatics as well, but my leg is injured."

He looked quizzically at Squorn. "And what about yourself, sir? What is your trade?"

Gem stretched and walked over to the bar and took a seat near to men, after asking grim for a cup of hot tea. she wrapped her hands around the mug enjoying the warmth.

"And what about yourself, sir? What is your trade?"

Squorn's smile widened quite a bit.
"That's quite impressive. As for myself, I wouldn't exactly call what I do a trade, but I do have certain talents that are somewhat in demand. It doesn't make for very regular emplyment, but when I do have work it tends to be very profitable."
As he spoke he made a few quick movements with his fingers, appearing to produce a small knife and then a lockpick out of thin air. Each vanished behind one of his fingers and he made a small flourish to show his hand was empty.
"You might say that I have clever fingers."

Squorn's smile widened quite a bit.
"That's quite impressive. As for myself, I wouldn't exactly call what I do a trade, but I do have certain talents that are somewhat in demand. It doesn't make for very regular emplyment, but when I do have work it tends to be very profitable."
As he spoke he made a few quick movements with his fingers, appearing to produce a small knife and then a lockpick out of thin air. Each vanished behind one of his fingers and he made a small flourish to show his hand was empty.
"You might say that I have clever fingers."

Martin the Tumbler grinned so widely it seemed the top of his head might fall off.

"I am frankly astonished. Fingers such as those are in short supply." Martin drank deeply from his glass.

"You appear to be quite skilled, and yet you say you are only sometimes employed? Interesting...from what I have seen of this planet so far, I would imagine that a man of your talent would be in incredibly high demand."

"Well, I must admit, I'm somewhat selective about the, ah, assignments I take on. I like a certain sense of challenge and grandeur in my work."

He took a moment to finish off his rum.

"Petty, small scale jobs hold little interest for me, and since the big ones are less common, my income comes in fits and starts."

He plucked at the collar of the still new looking trenchcoat he wore.

"As you can see, I do all right."

Gem watched quite surprised as the man produced a small blade then a lock pick, the objects soon vanishing. knowing that its rude to stare she looked away then went back to her tea.

Gem watched quite surprised as the man produced a small blade then a lock pick, the objects soon vanishing. knowing that its rude to stare she looked away then went back to her tea.

Squorn grinned as he noticed her taking interest in his little trick, and winked at her the next time she looked his way. A little voice in the back of his head told him he shouldn't be making such a big scene, giving out information about oneself so freely was rarely a good idea, but a combination of rum and boredom suppressed it. Martin certainly didn't seem like a cop or the informing type. He'd keep an eye on the girl though, just to be safe.

she smiled softly a slight blush brushed her cheeks when he smiled and winked- she knew she had been caught staring. and she kept her eyes on her tea.

"Well, I must admit, I'm somewhat selective about the, ah, assignments I take on. I like a certain sense of challenge and grandeur in my work."

He took a moment to finish off his rum.

"Petty, small scale jobs hold little interest for me, and since the big ones are less common, my income comes in fits and starts."

He plucked at the collar of the still new looking trenchcoat he wore.

"As you can see, I do all right."

"Ah, I see. Indeed, I understand very well. I enjoy a challenge in my work, as well. Unfortunately, I may have bitten off more than I can chew, this time..."

He trailed off, aware that he had revealed far too much. The whiskey was loosening his tongue, but he was glad that even drunk he had been aware enough to hide his true story. This guy didn't seem likely to be loyal to him, but Martin could never be too careful. Besides, there were others in the bar.

Squorn continued to watch the girl past Martin's shoulder as she turned back to her tea again. She was either quite shy and very flustered by the attention he'd given her, or simply a very good actress playing hard to get. [i]Probably just a bit shy,[i] he thought, noting the flush of color on her face.

"If you'll excuse me for just a moment Martin."

He stepped around the Tumbler and walked over to lean on the bar one stool down from the woman.

"That must be a particularly interesting cup of tea."

Squorn continued to watch the girl past Martin's shoulder as she turned back to her tea again. She was either quite shy and very flustered by the attention he'd given her, or simply a very good actress playing hard to get. [i]Probably just a bit shy,[i] he thought, noting the flush of color on her face.

"If you'll excuse me for just a moment Martin."

He stepped around the Tumbler and walked over to lean on the bar one stool down from the woman.

"That must be a particularly interesting cup of tea."

The Tumbler swiveled on his seat to observe Squorn as he passed. His eyes twinkled with amusement and his lips quirked in a slight smile as he watched Squorn's antics with the lady.

Gem looked up surprised,"not really, just lost in thought" she looked away shyly.

He nodded and smiled. "Not the worst place to get lost I suppose."

He settled into the stool he was leaning over and signalled to Grim for another bottle.

she smiled slightly,"especially a long ways from home." the tea had long since grown cold but it was still goo so she continued to sip it.

"I see," he took a swallow of his rum, "and what brings you so far from home, if I may be so bold as to ask?"

" my brother was killed a few months ago...mom did not take the news so well... a friends taking care of her..i needed some time away" she spoke softly

He froze for a second, having inadvertantly brought up what was probably the most painful subject he could have.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to. . ." he trailed off into silence.
"Were you very close?"

she looked up at him kindly ," its not your fault"
she nodded," we were twins"

Striding back into the room, this time wearing a scarlet dress, her hair curled and and swaying past her shoulders, DuWinter could not help herself from beaming.

"Grim a round of your best vodka on me. Tonight is a night to celebrate!!"

Sitting happily at the bar DuWinter watches as Grim pours out shots of vodka for everyone in the tavern.

He fell silent for a moment. There wasn't much he could think to say, never having been one for trite reassurances following someone's death. All the typical sayings had always sounded very hollow to him. They were simply the ways people used to distance themselves emotionally, to keep from being hurt.
"Words fail," was all he said.

Striding back into the room, this time wearing a scarlet dress, her hair curled and and swaying past her shoulders, DuWinter could not help herself from beaming.

"Grim a round of your best vodka on me. Tonight is a night to celebrate!!"

Sitting happily at the bar DuWinter watches as Grim pours out shots of vodka for everyone in the tavern.

Martin accepted his shot a gulped it down immediately. He turned to look curiously at the woman who seemed so exuberant. He got up and approached her, smiling in gratitude.

"Thank you for the drink, miss. My name is Martin the Tumbler. I am entirely at your service." He made a leg, grimacing slightly as he put weight on his left leg.

"Pardon me, but might I ask what makes you so happy this night?"

she nodded slightly and was quiet for a moment," thanks for understanding" she said quietly.

"Hello Tumbler, I am Lady DuWinter, DuWinter to most. And tonight is a night to celebrate because I have just managed to close the biggest deal ever to be had in my country! And I have done it with out the help of anyone!!! 7 years of hard work has come to and end!!"

smiling to herself she couldn't help to conatin her emotion.

"Grim another round please. I do hope nobody minds :)"

she nodded slightly and was quiet for a moment," thanks for understanding" she said quietly.

He nodded. "It's nothing." He drained his mug and stood up slowly.
"I'm afraid I must be going now, hope to see you again though," he placed a hand very lightly on her shoulder, "If you ever want to talk, don't hesitate to ask."
He conversed briefly with Grim, and after paying him and arranging a room for the night, he returned.
"I'm sorry, I don't believe I asked your name."

He nodded. "It's nothing." He drained his mug and stood up slowly.
"I'm afraid I must be going now, hope to see you again though," he placed a hand very lightly on her shoulder, "If you ever want to talk, don't hesitate to ask."
He conversed briefly with Grim, and after paying him and arranging a room for the night, he returned.
"I'm sorry, I don't believe I asked your name."

"Good bye" she smiled softly and turned back to her thoughts. The man retuend asking her name," Gemma but i go by Gem" she smiled slighlty

"Good bye" she smiled softly and turned back to her thoughts. The man retuend asking her name," Gemma but i go by Gem" she smiled slighlty

He smiled back. "My name is Squorn. Good night Gem."
He turned and quickly vanished up the stairs.

ooc: I'm out for the night. Class tomorrow. really good to see you again!

"Hello Tumbler, I am Lady DuWinter, DuWinter to most. And tonight is a night to celebrate because I have just managed to close the biggest deal ever to be had in my country! And I have done it with out the help of anyone!!! 7 years of hard work has come to and end!!"

smiling to herself she couldn't help to conatin her emotion.

"Grim another round please. I do hope nobody minds :)"

"Thank you, kind lady. My my, seven years? That is quite an investment. And you were successful! This certainly calls for celebration!"

Martin smiled at DuWinter, cheer and good humour sparkling in his eyes. He took the vodka that Grim was offering him and held it in the air.

"I propose a toast to the generous Lady DuWinter! May her life be long and her successes abundant!"

Martin tossed back the shot with no further ado, and smiled slightly as it hit him.

"nice to meet you squorn" she smiled,"good night"


ooc:goodnight, good to see you as well

"Oh thank you Martin. Its my pleasure. After 7 years a few rounds is a great way to end it."

Smiling back at Martin, her eyes give off a great sparkle as if joy and accomplishment could burst through them.

"So tell me Martin what has brought you this little Tavern"

"Oh thank you Martin. Its my pleasure. After 7 years a few rounds is a great way to end it."

Smiling back at Martin, her eyes give off a great sparkle as if joy and accomplishment could burst through them.

"So tell me Martin what has brought you this little Tavern"

"I wish to ply my trade as a Tumbler, Lady. I am also looking for a close friend of mine that I lost touch with many years ago." He looked down, and a small frown appeared on his face. "I heard rumors about him being around here, but the trail seems to have gone cold."

He shook himself slightly, and looked back into DuWinter's eyes, smiling once more.

"Tell me, what deal did you make that took seven years to close? It seems to me to be a great deal of time to invest in something that is of anything less than paramount importance."

"I am sorry about your friend. Hopefully you will get some new leads.
As for this 7 year deal, well I work for my country's government and for the past 150 years we have been at war with a fellow nation. Many have tried to end the war, battles, treaties and so on, but when I was given the job, I took new measures, new ideas as to how to end it. And finally after 7 long years a very fair and well worked deal has been made. One that as of 2 hours and 13 minutes ago, both sides have signed to!"

Realizing that she was beging to babble DuWinter blushed a slight rose.

"Do forgive I dont wosh to bore you with details. I have probaly already said too much. But for now, I can just rest and relax. So umm do you know of anything this planet has fun to do??"

"Bore me?" Martin smiled. "On the contrary, I could not be more interested to hear of such an historic agreement. You must be a very innovative and skilled diplomat, to do what you have done. Please accept my congratulations, and my thanks for ending such a terrible conflict. I think this calls for another round of drinks, on me."

Martin turned and Signaled Grim for another round, which he dutifully distributed to the patrons. Martin turned back to DuWinter.

"I'm afraid I am quite new to this planet. I haven't had the chance to have any fun."

Raising her glass to Martin, DuWinters downs her shot. A warm tingle spreads down her spine, only causing the sparkle in her eye to increase.

"Thank you Martin, its always good to have someone celebrate with you. Well I think thats enough shots for me. Any more and I will be sauced. So martin do you dance? I could go dancing right now. As a matter of fact stay where you are."

Disappearing up to her room before Martin could reply, DuWinter was back down in the tavern in record time. This time sporting a strapless gold mini dress, black heels and hair curled luxeriously.

"Martin lets hit up a few clubs. What do you say???"

Raising her glass to Martin, DuWinters downs her shot. A warm tingle spreads down her spine, only causing the sparkle in her eye to increase.

"Thank you Martin, its always good to have someone celebrate with you. Well I think thats enough shots for me. Any more and I will be sauced. So martin do you dance? I could go dancing right now. As a matter of fact stay where you are."

Disappearing up to her room before Martin could reply, DuWinter was back down in the tavern in record time. This time sporting a strapless gold mini dress, black heels and hair curled luxeriously.

"Martin lets hit up a few clubs. What do you say???"

Martin watched bemusedly as the Lady ran up to her room and appeared again a moment later.

At her question, Martin smiled regretfully.

"I would love to, Lady DuWinter. However, I avoid nightclubs and popular bars. I have some enemies who might well find me if I went into places like those. Sticking to dives like this place helps me stay hidden."

Her smiled faultered for a moment at Martins answer. And she gave out a small sigh

"Well Martin I was hoping to have a dance partner, but no worries I was never a shy one. I hope you dont mind me leaving you. Its been a while since I have gone out, and tonight just seems like the night to do it. I'll probably only be out for a few hours and if your still up we can sit and chat. Is that ok?

Watching Martin's face for his reaction, DuWinter hoped no offensive would be taken...

Her smiled faultered for a moment at Martins answer. And she gave out a small sigh

"Well Martin I was hoping to have a dance partner, but no worries I was never a shy one. I hope you dont mind me leaving you. Its been a while since I have gone out, and tonight just seems like the night to do it. I'll probably only be out for a few hours and if your still up we can sit and chat. Is that ok?

Watching Martin's face for his reaction, DuWinter hoped no offensive would be taken...

Martin smiled, amused at DuWinter's seeming concern. He laughed softly. "But of course. As I said, I would love to dance with you, but I cannot. Perhaps some other time."

Hopping off her bar stool, DuWinter smiled at Martin as she reached for her purse.

"Thanks for understanding Martin. like you said, Maybe another time"

Giving his shoulder a gentle squeeze she headed for the door. But as she pulled on the handle a thought crept across her mind

*Are you stupid?? Trying to get yourself killed?? You can't just parade yourself around, they are still out there, and without your detail your open to anything, no one would be there to help you....*

Letting the door handel slip through her fingers, DuWinter turned around, the sparkle in her eyes completely gone. She walked back through the bar pausing by Martin.

"Actually maybe another night would be better to go out. It, it looks like its cold out there and it might rain again...."

Martin frowned slightly as DuWinter paused and came back. She seemed to have lost her energy, become somehow dulled.

"Is there something wrong?"

Looking at the floor DuWinter seemed lost in thought.

"Uh, umm no nothing is wrong Martin, I think maybe I have had one too many tonight. Yes, thats probably it. I think I'll just head back into my room, and go to bed. Or maybe a hot bath first. Thank you for sitting with me tonight. i will see you later then..."

Once again lightly sqeezing his shoulder, DuWinter tried to give a smile as she passed him and headed towards the stairs...

Martin smiled reassuringly at her as she excused herself.

"The pleasure was mine, Lady DuWinter. Sleep well. And if ever you have need of assistance, do not hesitate to call on me. I have some few talents." As he said this, a knife flashed into his hands and rolled quickly across his fingers before disappearing again. He maintained his smile as he watched her go up the stairs, but turned into a thoughtful frown as soon as she was out of sight.

She is an intriguing one. Perhaps she knows something. It might even be in my interests to actually help her if she asks...

Passing Martin and heading up the stairs, DuWinter drew the key out for room #17. Slipping out of her dress she laid down on her bed and waited for sleep to come...


OOC: Good night. I am heading off to bed. Thanks for staying up with me, laters then...:

Martin sighed, and settled back in his seat. It was going to be a long night...

The tumbler got up unsteadily, and looked around at the quiet tavern. He moved to the stairs and climbed them slowly. As he walked up, Marti cast one last glance over the tavern. He sighed and went to his room, where he promptly fell asleep.

By now it was 3 am, and she had had enough of her tiring job. She had left her life for some new adventure. Glacia stopped dead in her tracks when she saw the flickering lights of the tavern. She thought this would be a perfect place to test her new powers, and stay the night. Glacia pulled her ice blue cloak tighter around her pale throat, and pulled up the hood. Sleet had started to fall, and she damned the weather.
She pushed open the door, and asked the barkeeper wich rooms were available.

The Barkeeper, who introduced himself as Grim, said that there were enough rooms left, and that Glacia should take her pick. She chose room #13.
There she unpacked her stuff, and slept. The first time in over 300 years that she was safe enough to.

Ed got up from his seat and went back to the bar, it wasn't the first time he had been ignored by the locals. He plopped himself in his usual seat, close to the conversation, but far enough away to observe without obstruction. "'Ey, whats your story?" He looked up and saw grim standing behind the bar, polishing the same glass he always was. Ed looked around. "Give me a hot whiskey and keep them coming, I'll tell you." Grim came back a minute later with a heated bottle and set it down. "First a question, who are these imperialist folks?" Ed chuckled. "Its in my story, just relax. I'm a refugee, used to be in the Union Military, was an assasin and a damn good one to. The Imperialists were only a small political party, no idea how they ammasesd so many followers. All I know is one day I woke up to a gun against my head, and ever since then I've been on the run." Grim set down his glass. "And what are they doin' 'ere?" Ed chuckled. "They already overran the Union defenders back home, I made planetfall shortly after they did by the looks of it." Grim looked up. "So you're... an alien?" Ed laughed. "Oh no, human as the rest of you, technology may be a bit advanced, but no lasers or teleporters to speak of." He pulled out his pistol and set it on the bar. "Still fires good old fashioned bullets." Grim picked up his glas again and went back to polishing. "So, what are you doing 'ere" Ed turned away. "Following old orders." he muttered.

Glacia woke up. "Heck, where am I''? Then she remembered. She called a ball of flame towards her, and lit the candles with it. "Now that I can see, what to wear?'' She chose her usual outfit, black pants, black shirt, belt with knife holders, and her trackers boots. An outfit made to blend in, and not be noticed. As she checked each of her flat fighting knives to see if the were in good condition and reach, she heard a tapping at the window. Thinking it was only some stupid animal, she ignored it

*Ju wandered downstairs. He looked at Grim as he grumpily cleaned up from the night before.*

Hey Grim. *Ju noticed alot of the cookies, pastries and other confections were missing from the racks he set up yesterday.*

so... we making money.

"No!" the gruff reply came almost too quickly.

Translation... we're not making enough to make you happy.

Hoookay Grim... We'll earn todays keep.

"We?" Grim scowled as he put more glasses into the sanitizer. No, not we... YOU!

*Sigh* Yes Sir, Mr Grim Sir.

*Ju snapped off a salute and walked into the kitchen. he came out later with more confections to refill the racks.*

Glacia felt like a snack. It had been weeks since she had had something sweet, and sometimes you just don't deny yourself a sugar rush.
She walked up to the counter, and instead of seeing Grim, she saw someone new. "So, she asked, what brought you here?"

Sam looked around the bar, thinking hard. Just like the ninny, she thought. Take off running, land someplace -- who knows where -- and I bet nothing's been taken care of.

She slipped a hand in her pocket, and felt a pitiful few bills in there. This will get ugly soon. I'd better see what kind of work I can get set up with, or my ass'll be out in the street.

"So," she said to the fellow who'd talked to her, "what d'ya know about this area?"

"So, she asked, what brought you here?"

... wrong turn... :p

so... anything I can get for you? food, drink...

actually, that's probably all I can get for you. :p

Martin awoke slowly, lying in his bed. He felt better. When he got up, he tested his left leg. It seemed to have regained full functionality, although it still hurt a bit when he moved it too much.

Better keep the acrobatics to a minimum, for now...

As he dressed, he looked down at a swath of bandages across his chest. The sword had only grazed him, but still...

That was close. A little too close...


Martin exited the room and went down the stairs. He sat down at the bar, ordering a coffee. Maybe it would help clear the slight fuzz in his head from last night. He glanced at the other patrons, but everyone appeared to be either unconscious or unapproachable.

*Something was nagging in her subconscious to go to the bar.
So far the experience she had of it, she was reluctant to try again, but it was almost as though this was the only reason that she was here.
Besides, the sandwich that she had eaten yesterday had long since been forgotten, so she held her head up and walked through to the bar.
There were one or two people there already, the Tumbler for one, and Ju talking to some girl or another who she had not seen as yet.*

Hello Ju.
Do you have another of those sandwiches?

Martin drained the dregs of his coffee, and pushed the cup aside. He called Grim over, and asked if Grim had restocked on Mescal.

With a snort, Grim shook his head. "It was rare enough for me to have any in the first place. Besides, the bottles are still nearly full. All you took were the worms."

Martin's eyes flashed with rage at the barman's tone. However, he said nothing. After a moment, Grim walked away. Martin sighed, and glanced around when he heard footsteps.

He gave a smile and a wave to the girl, who had seated herself a few stools away.

*The Tumbler seemed to have had words with Grim, as the tense silence in the bar pounded through her nerves, but he turned and smiled at her, so she smiled and waved back.*

Hi, I was sorry you had to rush away yesterday.

... wrong turn... :p

so... anything I can get for you? food, drink...

actually, that's probably all I can get for you. :p

I'll just have a soda, and a big piece of that lemon pie.
Do you know any good places around here? Bars and the like?

*The Tumbler seemed to have had words with Grim, as the tense silence in the bar pounded through her nerves, but he turned and smiled at her, so she smiled and waved back.*

Hi, I was sorry you had to rush away yesterday.

"Yes. I was sorry to have to leave so suddenly Unfortunately, I found what I'd been hoping to avoid." He smiled. "I don't think I caught your name, miss...?"

*Not wishing to conduct a conversation over the other girls head, and not having been served yet, she took the couple of paces to wher the Tumbler was seated.*

You can call me Orchid....and you are?
I'm sorry if you told me already, but when i first came here I was feeling somewhat unlike myself.

You found something you wanted to avoid?
Sounds like trouble to me.

*She stood facing him, one hand on the bar, giving herself a good view of almost the whole area.*

*Not wishing to conduct a conversation over the other girls head, and not having been served yet, she took the couple of paces to wher the Tumbler was seated.*

You can call me Orchid....and you are?
I'm sorry if you told me already, but when i first came here I was feeling somewhat unlike myself.

You found something you wanted to avoid?
Sounds like trouble to me.

*She stood facing him, one hand on the bar, giving herself a good view of almost the whole area.*


"I am Martin the Tumbler, Orchid. It is a great pleasure to finally be introduced to you." He smiled, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

Then he looked away and frowned, and for a moment seemed to lose all of his good humour. "Yes, what I found was trouble. But as you can see, I escaped alive and relatively unscathed."

Suddenly, he looked back at Orchid, the glint of amusement once again in his eye. "So, What brings you around here?"

Hello Ju.
Do you have another of those sandwiches?Sure, coming up.
*Ju crouches behind the bar for a moment and slides a plate with a sandwich on it towards Orchid.*

I'll just have a soda, and a big piece of that lemon pie.
Do you know any good places around here? Bars and the like?
and one lemon pie and soda...

sorry, new here myself.

Oke. I was just wonderin' what folk do around here for amusement. :p
Mmm! This stuff is great! I can tell this is the best I've ever had. Who makes these pies? We never had them this good back home at the palace.

Oke. I was just wonderin' what folk do around here for amusement. :p
Mmm! This stuff is great! I can tell this is the best I've ever had. Who makes these pies? We never had them this good back home at the palace.

fresh made... really fresh made... can't get fresher...

*The plate with the sandwich stops beside her hand and she turns to smile at Ju.*

Thanks Ju...looks as good as the last one.

*Turning back to Martin she catches the impatient tone in his voice*

Well Martin the Tumbler...What brings me around here?
Well you might ask.

I am not certain myself, but something tells me that I'm soon going to find out.

Where are you from?

fresh made... really fresh made... can't get fresher...

The same way back home. Wel I guess it just might be that I haven't had it in a few years. Been on the run you know, ever since a mission went awfully wrong.

The same way back home. Wel I guess it just might be that I haven't had it in a few years. Been on the run you know, ever since a mission went awfully wrong.

.. Mission? I take it you don't mean helping people with education and medicine and stuff...

Nope. I worked for intelligence. You know, it might be in your best interest to keep whatever I say to you, between ourselves. Just a warning. As I said, I worked intelligence. I was a spy.

Nope. I worked for intelligence. You know, it might be in your best interest to keep whatever I say to you, between ourselves. Just a warning. As I said, I worked intelligence. I was a spy.

funny, you don't look like a spy *winks*

no worries... as a barman, I won't say anything to anyone.

*Ju leaned in closer*

that is... if you can trust me...

"Well, I do not remember where I was born, and I never learned the location of the place I spent most of my life. My life as an entertainer requires that I travel constantly, and I have no real home. So I am afraid I cannot really tell you where I am from."

Martin frowned and stared at his empty coffee mug, still sitting on the bar. A moment later he started slightly and looked at Orchid, as if surprised to find her there.

"You know, I could really go for one of those mescal worms. Seeing as how Grim is out, I shall have to scour the city. It has been a pleasure to talk to you again, Orchid. If you will excuse me..." Martin slid off his stool and walked towards the door. He smiled warmly at orchid as he passed her on his way to the door.

funny, you don't look like a spy *winks*

no worries... as a barman, I won't say anything to anyone.

*Ju leaned in closer*

that is... if you can trust me...

*She felt that this Ju was to be trusted. After all, as a barman, you are mainly the talking point, she figured.*

I feel I can trust you. This Mission, was a planned assasination, on the would be prime-minister. You see, he had started a plot to overthrow the Monarchy.
Half of my fellow spies were caught taking money from him, and sabotaging us from within. I killed him, but was discovered.
Just keep what I said between us;) But I've gotta go. I'll be back though, all I have to do is find a decent weapons shop. See ya later

*Glacia glances back at Ju over her shoulder, and winks while sauntering out the front door*

*As he slipped through the door, she had the feeling she should follow him, but didn't feel comfortable with that.*

Strange fellow that...

*She sat down on the seat he had just vacated and started to munch on the sandwich.*

Just keep what I said between us;) But I've gotta go. I'll be back though, all I have to do is find a decent weapons shop. See ya later

... looks like entertainment is the last of your worries...

*he begins to wipe down the bar.*

ooc: brb... ok, back.

*ju wanders towards...*


Orchid.. that's her name... orchid.

anything else I can get for you Miss?

*She sees an image of him in her head with a glass of pink liquid with a flower on it, then something stabbed her in the back of the head, completely taking the image away again.*

Thank you, maybe an iced lemon tea would be good.

*She gave him a half smile and rubbed the back of her head.*

Thank you, maybe an iced lemon tea would be good.

*She gave him a half smile and rubbed the back of her head.*

*Mixes the drink and places the glass infront of her.*

headache?

*She stares absently at the glass.*

Sorry?
Oh, no nothing like that, just my instructor.....

*She picks up the tea and sips it.*

Thanks for this...much better than the other drink the other day....

*Finishing the tea she wipes her mouth, leaving the glass on the bar.*

Thanks I must go for a lay down.

*She moves quickly out of the bar and to room 7 where she lays down staring unseeingly up at the cracked ceiling.*

Ed retired to room 10, the "luxury suite" of the bar. He sat down on his bed, unable to think. His mind kept returning to that day, it was ten years to this day that the Union fell.......



10 years ago....

Liuetenent First class Edward Harrison had been on the run for the last few hours. He had woken up to a guy in a crimson uniform pointing a gun at his head, and the day just got better from that momment on. Currently Ed said.he was being persued by a small group of people wearing similar coloured battle armour. He slid behind a flipped car only to have a gun shoved in his face. "Flash!" He said frantically. "Thunder." Said the soldier. "Harrison, good to see you." "Bradley?" "Bingo." Ed re-loaded his pistol and peeked over the edge only to be met with a couple of rounds. He quickly ducked back down. "They;ve been all over the city since morning." Said bradley. "Been more and more coming from the presidential building. Ed sighed then popped up quickly, losed a couple of rounds, then ducked back down. "What about the project?" Bradley looked at him. "All dead, we fried the mainframe, wiped all data. Liz managed to escape with Captain Winchester and a couple of marines, but I haven't been able to contact her." Ed sighed. "What are our chances of escaping." Bradley popped his AR-12 over the car and emptied ha;f a clip, several cries of pain followed. Ed shifted his leg, and a round tore through the car. "Jeez, what are they using now, AP shredders?" A flash of light followed a second shot. d traced the light source to a nearby roof, a sniper lay ther with an Urban guille suit on. Ed leveled his pistol an fired, he knew his round missed its mark by the way the rifle clattered to the street below. "Hey." Said Bradley. "I got an idea...."

The Present

Ed was interupted from his flashback by a nock on the door. He cursed at who ever it was, reviewing his memories helped him improve his future tactics. He got up of the bed with a creak then sumbled to the door. "Just...a minute.." He said, making his voice sound like he had just woken up. He opened the door and was promptly greeted by a a fist to his jaw. "Edward Harrison. ID: 001. Specilization, Assasin created by Project Hades." Ed looked up as he fingered his jaw. "What the hell do you want?" The man looked down, its movements seem to cold and precise for a human. "Subject, Edward Harrison. Target Status: terminated." And the man pulled a gun. The second after the shot had hit him, Edward laughed. He had missed all vital areas, appearently, this thing was intent on torturing him. "Subject Edward harrison is experiencing... Humour." Ed laughed again, then threw himself off the floor. "Subject Edward Harrison has regained mobility." Said the thing. He grabbed its neck and twisted it a full 360 degress. It gave an odd, alomost mechanical squawk before falling tot he floor silent.

Squorn had been about to enter the Tavern when the unmistakable bark of a handgun sounded from inside. He ducked his head instinctively, and then straightened up, feeling somewhat silly for ducking when the shot had obviously not been meant for him. Peering inside, he saw that the barroom was mostly empty, and more importantly, none of the people that were present were holding a weapon.
He glanced over to the bar and saw Grim emerge from underneath it with an ancient pump-action shotgun. Hurrying over to the stairs, he stood just off to the side, out of sight of anyone making their way down them, and slowly drew a long dagger from under his coat.

After a minute or two of waiting silently, Squorn slowly poked his head around to look up the stairway. It was empty, so he slowly and silently made his way up, listening intently for the slightest sound. He reached the corridor and ducked back into a corner to let his eyes adjust to the dimmer light up here.

A moment or two in the corner and Squorn's eyes were well adjusted. He stalked forward to where a figure lay prone and motionless on the floor. It appeared to be a person from down the hall, but on closer inspection, it seemed to be some sort of android. There was sever damage to the things neck, as if someone had tried to twist its head off. He tapped the nose with the flat of his blade and turned his attention to the rest of the hallway.

As it turned out, there wasn't anything there to catch his attention. He moved carefully back down the stairs, putting away his dagger on the way and took a seat at the bar, shrugging his shoulders at Grim.

Martin entered the bar, and immediately noticed the tension in the air. Grim was behind the bar with a shotgun sitting near him. The Tumbler frowned slightly--as far as he could tell, nothing seemed amiss. He walked up to the bar next to Squorn and sat down. After ordering a whiskey from Grim, he turned to Squorn and nodded at him.

"Hello, Squorn. Whats been going on?"

Gem quietly walked through the door and after a quick glance around she took a seat at the bar, ordering an other glass of hot tea. she nodded hello to the few patrons that she recognized.

Martin entered the bar, and immediately noticed the tension in the air. Grim was behind the bar with a shotgun sitting near him. The Tumbler frowned slightly--as far as he could tell, nothing seemed amiss. He walked up to the bar next to Squorn and sat down. After ordering a whiskey from Grim, he turned to Squorn and nodded at him.

"Hello, Squorn. Whats been going on?"

"Nothing and something," Squorn was often fond of speaking in riddles. "Thought I heard a gunshot from upstairs, when I checked it out there's an android with its head twisted off and no bullet holes."

He drained the black russian Grim had given him to calm his nerves and ordered another. "Wierd stuff."
He smiled and nodded hello to Gem as she walked in.

"And there was nothing but the android? No blood, bullet holes, that sort of thing?" Martin frowned.

"Quite the odd occurrence. Hmmm..." Martin frowned pensively, and tapped his finders on the side of his glass.

After a moment he seemed to become aware of what he was doing, and stopped his fingers. His eye focused on Squorn again, but now he was smiling.

"Oh well. Not much use in idle speculation, is there?"

"All I saw was the android."
Squorn took a sip of the fresh drink and looked over his shoulder at the foot of the stairs, as if he expected the misterious gunman to be standing there.
"I didn't knock on any doors, but I figure whoever wasted the droid got out quick. There're windows in the two closest to the street."

"Certainly. The only sensible option." Martin smiled again. "Like I said, no sense in speculation."

He produced a small plastic bag from under his coat and opened it, grinning. Martin pulled what appeared to be a worm from a bottle of Mescal out of the bag, and popped it in his mouth.

"I'm glad I had a successful day. Found a supply of worms." The Tumbler's speech was punctuated by the crunch of his steady chewing on the worm.

He swallowed and smiled again, proffering the bag.

"Care for one?"

Jeremy White awoke with a start. He had dreamed he heard gunshots and had smelled blood on the air. The dream had been so strong that the smell of blood still seemed to linger, despite the fact that he was awake.

He immediately made sure his guitar was still with him, and sighed.

He had been a little jumpy ever since he had killed that weasel faced man.

He decided to head down to the bar and get a drink to calm his shaky nerves. Then it was back to trying to reestablish himself as the galaxy's chief blues man.

He strolled down to the bar, and ordered a drink from Grim.

He asked Grim what he though about letting him play at the Tavern every Thursday, earning Grim some extra money through any patrons he might bring in and helping get exposed.

Grim grunted, as usual.

"Okay," Jeremy said aloud. "I can live with that answer."

Gem finished her tea and ordered another cup. she sat there sipping the hot liquid, letting her thoughts occupy her, as she didnt want to ease drop.

"Err, no thanks," Squorn blanched and pulled back slightly from the bag, "I'll stick with something a little more, ah, conventional."
He finished off his second black russian, setting the empty glass down next to the first. "Another one please Grim."
He swiveled the stool around so he could watch the room from where he sat, still not completely calmed down from the excitement of a few minutes ago.
He quickly spotted Jeremy and gave a smile and a little wave.

"Err, no thanks," Squorn blanched and pulled back slightly from the bag, "I'll stick with something a little more, ah, conventional."
He finished off his second black russian, setting the empty glass down next to the first. "Another one please Grim."
He swiveled the stool around so he could watch the room from where he sat, still not completely calmed down from the excitement of a few minutes ago.
He quickly spotted Jeremy and gave a smile and a little wave.

Jeremy gave him a nod back, and strolled over to Squorn's general area. Sitting next to Squorn was a curious little man happily munching what appeared to be worms.

"Hey there, Squorn. How you been?"

To the other he gave a curt nod. "The name's Jeremy."

"Are you sure? Oh well, I suppose they are something of an acquired taste." Martin smiled, and gestured. A tiny plastic sword appeared between his fingers, and he used it to spear another worm.

Martin brought the worm up to his mouth, and for a moment just before he bit down, the worm seemed to squirm, alive, on the sword. Then Martin's mouth closed, with a crunch, and he sighed contentedly.

Martin the Tumbler smiled politely at the newcomer and extended a hand.

"I am Martin the Tumbler. It is a pleasure to meet you. Any friend of Squorn's is a friend of mine, I'm sure."

Noire slunk in the door, black coat wet, short, damp white hair clinging to her head. Her left eye was purple, an angry bruise tickling it ferociously, and the shuriken dangling from her left ear glinted madly in the low light of the tavern.

She slung the loudly clanking coat over the back of a chair and collapsed into it gracefully, taking a long pull from the vodka bottle suddenly in her hand.

"Oh, I'm all right I suppose. A little excitement from upstairs as you may have overheard, but there wasn't much to it."
He sighed and stretched, still trying to loosen up the tensed muscles in his arms and legs.
"Loud noises always tend to get me a bit worked up. I wonder if I should go up there and have a look in the rooms."

Gem looked up from her tea and thoughts as a woman that she had seen her first few nights at the tavern sat a few chairs away. she nodded slightly in greeting.

ooc: Ooo another PB of sorts, good to see a few names that I still recognize.

*The creaky door of Grim's Tavern swings open and a young blonde boy wanders into the bar. He is about 6.2 ft tall and is probably Norwegian or Swedish, a smart dresser and probably a student at some institution of higher learning.

As the boy takes note of the three other patrons in the bar, the faint sound of the radio begins to play Blue Train by Tom Waits *

To Grim:

I couldn't think of a more appropriate song, its a wonder that I managed to find this place; One Pint of your best stuff please.

Martin the Tumbler smiled politely at the newcomer and extended a hand.

"I am Martin the Tumbler. It is a pleasure to meet you. Any friend of Squorn's is a friend of mine, I'm sure."

He took the proferred hand cautiously, knowing the kind of people you can find in these parts, but was intrigued by the man's apparent friendliness. A trait not found too often anymore.

"A man with manners. A pleasure to meet you. I'd ask why they call you 'the tumbler', but I'm sure it's a question you hear far too much."

ooc: Mmm, Tom Waits. Love the man.

ooc: Ooo another PB of sorts, good to see a few names that I still recognize.

*The creaky door of Grim's Tavern swings open and a young blonde boy wanders into the bar. He is about 6.2 ft tall and is probably Norwegian or Swedish, a smart dresser and probably a student at some institution of higher learning.

As the boy takes note of the three other patrons in the bar, the faint sound of the radio begins to play Blue Train by Tom Waits *

To Grim:

I couldn't think of a more appropriate song, its a wonder that I managed to find this place; One Pint of your best stuff please.

ooc: ALSO. PLANNERS. I remember you. This is exciting. Welcome back. :D

"Oh, I'm all right I suppose. A little excitement from upstairs as you may have overheard, but there wasn't much to it."
He sighed and stretched, still trying to loosen up the tensed muscles in his arms and legs.
"Loud noises always tend to get me a bit worked up. I wonder if I should go up there and have a look in the rooms."

"I was wondering about that. I thought I'd been dreaming. I've been a little shaky since... the past few days."

He paused, hoping Squorn wouldn't catch the near slip. To change the subject off of him, he added "What seems to have happened?"

Jeremy White noticed Noire walk in, and that she was sporting a shiner darker than the sky outside. He knew he should approach her to make amends from a few days previous, but was unsure how to go about it.

"Excuse me , Squorn. I've got something I have to do..."

And he strolled over to Noire.

She watched the older man approach, baleful through her bruised eyes, which, unnoticed, flared a pale light. The bruise began to fade, tiny bit by tiny bit, unnoticed.

She took another pull on her bottle of vodka. "What do you want?"

Noire slunk in the door, black coat wet, short, damp white hair clinging to her head. Her left eye was purple, an angry bruise tickling it ferociously, and the shuriken dangling from her left ear glinted madly in the low light of the tavern.

She slung the loudly clanking coat over the back of a chair and collapsed into it gracefully, taking a long pull from the vodka bottle suddenly in her hand.

Jeremy White noticed Noire walk in, and that she was sporting a shiner darker than the sky outside. He knew he should approach her to make amends from a few days previous, but was unsure how to go about it.

"Excuse me , Squorn. I've got something I have to do..."

And he strolled over to Noire.

ooc: I hate Jolt and all these time mix-ups on posts! UGH.

He took the proferred hand cautiously, knowing the kind of people you can find in these parts, but was intrigued by the man's apparent friendliness. A trait not found too often anymore.

"A man with manners. A pleasure to meet you. I'd ask why they call you 'the tumbler', but I'm sure it's a question you hear far too much."

Martin smiled as he shook the man's hand. He laughed softly at Jeremey's comment.

"Yes, people do ask me that quite often. There's hardly a story behind it--I am an entertainer, a performer of acrobatics and minor tricks, sleight of hand and the like."

Martin released the man's hand and indicated his guitaar. Do you play that thing for a living?"


Martin glanced over as he noticed Noire entering. He smiled and waved slightly at her.

"I was wondering about that. I thought I'd been dreaming. I've been a little shaky since... the past few days."

He paused, hoping Squorn wouldn't catch the near slip. To change the subject off of him, he added "What seems to have happened?"

"There was a gunshot, but no gun and no gunman. On top of that, there's a nearly decapitated android upstairs in the corridor," he shrugged and downed his drink in one go, "Obviously some odd things going on. I was just thinking about having a look in some of the rooms," with a twist of his hand a lockpick appeared and then disappeared between his fingers, "Doubt I'd find anything though. 'Scuse me one second please."

He walked over to where Noire had seated herself and pulled a chair up next to her.
"Hey, you don't look so good. How're things going?"

She watched the older man approach, baleful through her bruised eyes, which, unnoticed, flared a pale light. The bruise began to fade, tiny bit by tiny bit, unnoticed.

She took another pull on her bottle of vodka. "What do you want?"

"Listen, Noire... about the other day..."

He realized this was going to sound like a cheesy apology monologue, and so decided to change direction until he could find a better way to phrase it. Pretending he just noticed her eye, he asked with (mostly real) concern

"What happened to your eye? Are you alright?"

"There was a gunshot, but no gun and no gunman. On top of that, there's a nearly decapitated android upstairs in the corridor," he shrugged and downed his drink in one go, "Obviously some odd things going on. I was just thinking about having a look in some of the rooms," with a twist of his hand a lockpick appeared and then disappeared between his fingers, "Doubt I'd find anything though. 'Scuse me one second please."

He walked over to where Noire had seated herself and pulled a chair up next to her.
"Hey, you don't look so good. How're things going?"


OOC: HAHAHA, we just excused each other to talk to the same person. I'll see if I can't edit my side to make it work.

OOC: HAHAHA, we just excused each other to talk to the same person. I'll see if I can't edit my side to make it work.

ooc: amusing innit?

Noire saw Martin, noticed the other two that had approached her, and slouched lower in the rickety chair, took a longer pull on the vodka bottle. Eyeing Jeremy stormily, she replied shortly, "Work." The bruise was almost entirely faded now, and she turned to Squorn, tacking on, "The usual," in a tone that implied, "Like hell. Obviously." Propping her foot on the chair across from the table, she placed the vodka bottle on the table, held it loosely in her hands.

Noire saw Martin, noticed the other two that had approached her, and slouched lower in the rickety chair, took a longer pull on the vodka bottle. Eyeing Jeremy stormily, she replied shortly, "Work." The bruise was almost entirely faded now, and she turned to Squorn, tacking on, "The usual," in a tone that implied, "Like hell. Obviously." Propping her foot on the chair across from the table, she placed the vodka bottle on the table, held it loosely in her hands.

He nodded, expecting her to be a little chilly to him. He also noticed that Squorn wanted to talk to her, and so decided the best way to say it was plain and straight.

"Listen Noire. I'm sorry about my accusation. I was wrong, and hope that some day we can at least be sociable."

Before she could respond, he turned on his heel and strode up to his room, already unhitching his guitar for another night of moody blues.

ooc: Good to be back if probably only for awhile. I took too long to type a nice follow up post, so this one is short and sweet.

*The boy took notice of the shadowy figure who ungraciously slunked herself onto one of the chairs and sort of dampened the whole place.*

Whispering to Grim.

Can you get some nachos for the girl, it might cheer her up.

Squorn snorted and grinned. "Looks that way. Happens sometimes I guess."
He leaned back in the chair and played with a lockpick, working it back and forth through his fingers.
"Oh! I meant to ask you, how's Seth these days? What's he up to?"

Squorn snorted and grinned. "Looks that way. Happens sometimes I guess."
He leaned back in the chair and played with a lockpick, working it back and forth through his fingers.
"Oh! I meant to ask you, how's Seth these days? What's he up to?"


Noire's eyes narrowed briefly against Jeremy's back as he left, took a sip of vodka, contemplated the bottle, and twitched slightly at Squorn's question before gulping too much vodka and choking a bit on it.

"Oh... S-Seth? H-e.." this was broken by a spurt of coughing, "He's at his grandmother's. On Earth." She gestured vaguely, took another large gulp of vodka, this time avoiding choking, though only barely.

Another spurt of coughing wracked her ribs.

ooc: Haha, gotcha. Just nice to see you around again, even if only for a bit. :D

Gem finished her second cup, leaving a few coins on the bar, and headed up to her room,waving good night to those there


ooc: good night all

Gem finished her second cup, leaving a few coins on the bar, and headed up to her room,waving good night to those there


ooc: good night all

ooc: Night! :fluffle:

Squorn leaned forward, concerned as Noire spluttered. "You see, alchohol really is bad for your health."
He relaxed again when it became clear that she was not in imminient danger of choking to death. "Interplanetary travel not for him then?" it was more of a statement than a question. As a rule, Squorn avoided prying into other people's personal lives.

ooc: gnight Antikythera

Squorn leaned forward, concerned as Noire spluttered. "You see, alchohol really is bad for your health."
He relaxed again when it became clear that she was not in imminient danger of choking to death. "Interplanetary travel not for him then?" it was more of a statement than a question. As a rule, Squorn avoided prying into other people's personal lives.

ooc: gnight Antikythera

She glared at him momentarily, sipped at the bottle defiantly, answered. "Not the alcohol, just had... a moment." She sipped at it again, gestured a bit helplessly at the tavern around her. "I dunno, isn't exactly the type of planet you bring a kid to, no? I felt like... just with work... didn't know if anyone would be here... trustworthiness, after all, he's just a baby... well, five, but still... Besides, his grandmother's got a nice place..." She stuttered into a somewhat helpless silence and shrugged, sipped the vodka again.

Grim: Nachos!?

Boy: Yes the crunchy corn chips, that you use with salsa, cheese and lettuce. You know, good bar food for when you have the munchies.

Grim: *gives the boy a quizzical look and responds matter of factly* This isn't any old bar you know, I don't serve any old bar food.

Boy: *sighs* I figured that much already. * He turns around and watches as one man heads up stairs while another engages in conversation with girl*

I guess any kind gesture wouldn't be going too far tonight. Reluctantly, he takes out a pen and paper and begins to scribble.

Martin the Tumbler sat leaning back on the bar, facing out so that he could see all the other patrons. He frowned slightly and leaned forward intently as Noire began to choke, and after a moment he moved to rise, and abruptly sat back down as she began to regain her breath.

He drained his whiskey, and passed his hand above the glass. More whiskey began to pour into the glass, apparently out of thin air.

She glared at him momentarily, sipped at the bottle defiantly, answered. "Not the alcohol, just had... a moment." She sipped at it again, gestured a bit helplessly at the tavern around her. "I dunno, isn't exactly the type of planet you bring a kid to, no? I felt like... just with work... didn't know if anyone would be here... trustworthiness, after all, he's just a baby... well, five, but still... Besides, his grandmother's got a nice place..." She stuttered into a somewhat helpless silence and shrugged, sipped the vodka again.

"Hey," he held up his hands in a gesture of innocence, "you don't have to explain yourself to me. I was just wondering where he was. Sorry if I touched a nerve."
He slumped down in his chair, "Wasn't trying to make a statement about drinking either, just a weak attempt at humor."

"Hey," he held up his hands in a gesture of innocence, "you don't have to explain yourself to me. I was just wondering where he was. Sorry if I touched a nerve."
He slumped down in his chair, "Wasn't trying to make a statement about drinking either, just a weak attempt at humor."

She chuckled weakly. "Sorry... exhausted, a bit on edge lately... you know how it is..." a yawn interrupted her statement, and she took another sip of whiskey and stood.

"I should probably sleep; sorry, Squorn. I'll talk to you later."
She nodded, climbed the stairs to her room, locked the door behind her and collapsed across the bed into a deep sleep.

ooc: Deadbeattiredomgtalktoyoualllater.:fluffle:

As the lone conversation in the room began to drift over his way, he got a momentary shock and a sudden jolt of realization. *Turns the page in his notebook and begins to write*

Day 1

Date unknown. Apparently, on my way home from school, I made a wrong turn at Cottagen and Main. This was no mere wrong turn, I now seem to be in a new dimension and no longer on earth. Strange people, food and happenings everywhere. I am begininng to be afraid, very afraid.

Hopefully, after a good night sleep this will all turn out to be just a dream.

-Johan

She chuckled weakly. "Sorry... exhausted, a bit on edge lately... you know how it is..." a yawn interrupted her statement, and she took another sip of whiskey and stood.

"I should probably sleep; sorry, Squorn. I'll talk to you later."
She nodded, climbed the stairs to her room, locked the door behind her and collapsed across the bed into a deep sleep.

ooc: Deadbeattiredomgtalktoyoualllater.:fluffle:

"Yeah, not your fault. No offense taken. Should probably think about sleep myself."

Squorn walked over to the bar to pay his tab, bid the few remaining patrons goodnight, and headed up the stairs to his own room.

He nodded, expecting her to be a little chilly to him. He also noticed that Squorn wanted to talk to her, and so decided the best way to say it was plain and straight.

"Listen Noire. I'm sorry about my accusation. I was wrong, and hope that some day we can at least be sociable."

Before she could respond, he turned on his heel and strode up to his room, already unhitching his guitar for another night of moody blues.

He's left his friends, and it seems he will be alone. I hope he said everything he wanted to say. I think he did. He looked like he was speaking earnestly. I wonder what he had to say. Last time I saw anyone that earnest, two hearts broke and a world shattered.

My name is Obediah, and recently my best friend was killed. I still don't know why, but I know who did it. And he'll pay. My probation officer doesn't know I'm here, and if I'm not here, I can't murder.

I get up from the drink I was having, a 50/50 everclear and caffeine that kicks like a cannon and helps me be able to also, and begin to follow Jeremy up the stairs. He walks into his room and I hold back a minute, letting him settle in. His blues carries down the corridor, and for a moment I'm filled with heart break. A crack for my friend's death. A crack for my family not having spoken to me since I'd been to prison. And several for the fact that I hadn't had a woman's love since... I couldn't even remember.

This pain only lends credence to my idea that this man needs to die. Quickly I storm up to his door and knock it off it's hinges. He gives a start, and tries to avoid my groping hand. I grab hold of him and fling him against the wall. There's a cracking sound, and I wonder if it's the wall or his spine. I pick up the discarded guitar on the floor, and stroll up to him.

Seems suiting to die at the hands of the one you love...

After my gruesome work is done, I return downstairs as if nothing happened.

I down the rest of my drink, and it burns like fire all the way down. Then I head out the door. No need to get my parole officer worried.


This doesn't seem to be such a bad place though....
perhaps I'll come back on more friendly terms...

After my gruesome work is done, I return downstairs as if nothing happened.

I down the rest of my drink, and it burns like fire all the way down. Then I head out the door. No need to get my parole officer worried.


This doesn't seem to be such a bad place though....
perhaps I'll come back on morefriendly terms...

Martin started at the sound of a loud bang from upstairs. He paused in thought for a moment, and then ran up the stairs, passing another man coming down. As Martin reached the top of the steps, he glanced back at the man, but he was no longer in sight. the broken door was immediately noticeable, and he ran into the room.

"Oh, shit." He breathed. He realised instantly that the man he had passed on the way down the stairs must have killed Jeremy. Martin resisted the impulse to run after the man, and confront him.

This isn't something I can afford to get mixed up in.

Martin backed out of the room and strolled down the stairs, returning to his seat just as Grim emerged from the kitchen. Grim looked quizzically at Martin.

"I thought I heard a noise, a moment ago."

Martin shrugged, uncaring. "Yeah, I heard some sound from upstairs, but I didn't go check it out." His words were slightly slurred, and he seemed to have trouble keeping his eyes open.

Grim frowned and moved towards the stairs.

Martin sighed in relief as he watched Grim go up the stairs.

This seems an opportune time to make my exit...


He got up and walked out the door quickly, and vanished into the rain. Martin didn't like the idea of Jeremy's murderer not being punished, but he liked the idea of a run-in with the local police equivalents even less.

Glacia returned from her outing, with 10 bright new shiny and sharp fighting knives, and some more clothes. Walking in to the tavern, she passed one of the patrons she had seen earlier. Noting his hurried face, she wondered what had happend while she had been gone. She said hello to Grim, and asked:

"Grim, what just happend. One of the patrons I just passed looked, hurried."

"Lady, I ain't seen nothin'." But I overheard somethin' bout and android upstairs. Check that before ya bother me again will ya."

"Oke, thanks Grim."

She walked upstairs, but didn't see anything that even remotely looked like an android. She opend the door to her room, and unpacked the knives and clothes she'd bought. After replacing her old knives with the new ones, she put away her clothes, and went to lay down on the bed. Unbidden the image of that Ju came into her mind. "Amazing, how you find friends so easily sometimes..."

*Having spent the night staring at the ceiling once again, trying to make sense of the images that kept popping unbidden into her head, coping with the jabbing in the back of her head that sent the images fleeing for a short time, she suddenly sat up.*

Of course...that's it....

*Clapping her hand over her mouth lest someone should hear her and wonder what she was up to, she strode over to look in the small, dirty mirror on the dressing table.*

Now I completely understand everything.

*The almost white face that looked back at her smiled and the blue and red sparks flashed from her eyes.
She understood everything with a crystal clarity, and she felt ready to face the world.....or at least this small planet.
She made her way into the bar, which was practically empty.*

Hello Grim....could I have a large iced lemon tea please, and one of those sandwiches that Ju made.

*The grumpy old man grunted at her and shuffled off to get her order. When he returned, she placed a few notes on the bar with a smile, and turned to face the rest of the bar, sandwich in one hand...drink in the other.*

Thank you Grim...keep the change....

Squorn walked slowly in from outside. He'd heard some funny rumors about happenings around here, and he liked to avoid places that attracted attention of the wrong sort. First the destroyed android had turned up and now this. He might have to avoid the place for a little while if the authorities were snooping around.

For now he proceeded to the bar and ordered a glass of water. As Grim set it down in front of him, he spoke, "Is it true?"
Grim grunted and nodded curtly.
Shit! I must've been more tired than I thought. Just down the hall.
It was hard to believe that the old man he'd spoken with, who'd apparantly quarreled with Noire was dead. I hope they cleared the air between them before.
He sipped the water automatically. "Anyone come asking questions yet?"
Grim shook his head silently.

Martin the Tumbler strolled into the tavern, hoping it wouldn't be infested with people snooping. To his relief, the bar was nearly empty. However, as martin walked to the bar his eyes darted around the room, examining each patron. He sat near Squorn and ordered a glass of orange juice.


"Hello, Squorn." He said, nodding in the man's direction.

Martin the Tumbler strolled into the tavern, hoping it wouldn't be infested with people snooping. To his relief, the bar was nearly empty. However, as martin walked to the bar his eyes darted around the room, examining each patron. He sat near Squorn and ordered a glass of orange juice.


"Hello, Squorn." He said, nodding in the man's direction.

Squorn looked up and nodded at the Tumbler as he sat down, but did not smile. "Hello Martin."

There was a slightly awkward pause. "Have you heard?"

Ed stumbled out of his room, barely able to keep himself from blacking out, his wound still flowing blood. He tripped on one of the stairs and fell the rest of the way down, lcukily he didn't break anything. bullet must've severed an arttery he half stumbled, half crawled to the bar and pounded on it weakly. Grim looked over and shock went across his face. He lept over the bar and helped Ed into the seat. "Jesus, your worse for wear." Ed barley mumbled a reply. Grim went back behind the bar into a small room and brought out a tiny first aid kit. He snapped it open and selected a pouch of powder from it before pouring it into the wound, then slapped a large bandage over it. Ed slumped onto the bar and Grim let him be, he knew how to treat people with major blood loss, he had once witnessed a shoot out in his bar. The only prescription for it was a lot of rest, salt and sugar. He grabbed a glass and mixed the two into a nasty looking concotion, then forced Ed to drink it. He gased and sputered before falling asleep, a gentle snore coming from him.

Squorn looked up and nodded at the Tumbler as he sat down, but did not smile. "Hello Martin."

There was a slightly awkward pause. "Have you heard?"

"About Jeremy? Yeah. I was here when it happened. Unfortunately, the man who did it got out of here before I knew he was dead, and I left just after. The last thing I can afford is a run-in with the local authorities. Speaking of whom, have they been around asking questions?"

Martin frowned slightly as he spoke.

Ed woke up about a second later and heard something about local authorities. He looked over to his left and two people were chatting about someone named Jeremy. "The local authorities..." He managed to stutter. "..wearing bloody red uniforms?" He slumped back against the bar then managed the strength to pick himself up. He plunked several coins down. "Anything to wake me up." Grim came over and set down a plate of roasted meat and some cloudy water. "You need to save your strength soldier." He said. "Ain't gettin' anywhere with all that blood you lost. Blimey... probably redocrated your room to.." Ed slurped up the water and spit it back out, it tasted sweet and salty at the same time, both in the extremes. "Ah, see you noticed that, 'Fraid your gonna have to drink it anyway, salt and sugar help the blood count."

"About Jeremy? Yeah. I was here when it happened. Unfortunately, the man who did it got out of here before I knew he was dead, and I left just after. The last thing I can afford is a run-in with the local authorities. Speaking of whom, have they been around asking questions?"

Martin frowned slightly as he spoke.

"Grim says no one's been around yet," he paused and took another sip of water, "I'd rather avoid contact with the law as well if at all possible," he broke off and shook his head.
"Still, it seems wrong not to do anything."

Ed turned back to his meal and savored the slices of roasted beef. "What kind of spice is this?" He asked Grim. Grim laughed. "You can't tell? Usual Grim spices, salt and pepper." And shook his head and looked back at his meal. The door opening immidiatly caught his attention. In walked a beautiful bonde woman, piercing blue eys gazing around the room. She went and took the seat nearest to Ed. "Well, look who came back. Run into any trouble liz?" She shook her head then ordered a shot of vodka. She glanced over at Ed then gasped at his blood soaked leg. "Ed, you've been shot!" She said. "No really, had a run in with an Imperialist tinker toy." He went back to his meal. "And in you case you wondered, yes, I managed to ill it or whatever term is used for destroying an android." Grim set the vodka down. "An' he did a righ' good job to, nearly tore its 'ead clean off." Ed chuckled to himself. "What'd you do with it?" Grim smiled. "Put it where the rest of the trash goes."he jerked his thumb over to a large hatch, appearently leading to an incinerator. "That should teach them to come in and shoot paying customers." He said.

"Grim says no one's been around yet," he paused and took another sip of water, "I'd rather avoid contact with the law as well if at all possible," he broke off and shook his head.
"Still, it seems wrong not to do anything."

"Yeah, I understand the feeling. Unfortunately, not much we can do about it right now, is there?" Martin pulled a Mescal worm seemingly from thin air and popped it into his mouth, munching thoughtfully.

"I think I might recognize him if I saw him again, but I cannot afford to become embroiled in any kind of local conflict right now...or draw attention to myself in any other way."

"Yeah, I understand the feeling. Unfortunately, not much we can do about it right now, is there?" Martin pulled a Mescal worm seemingly from thin air and popped it into his mouth, munching thoughtfully.

"I think I might recognize him if I saw him again, but I cannot afford to become embroiled in any kind of local conflict right now...or draw attention to myself in any other way."

"Likewise, a man of my profession lives and dies with his discreteness." He finished off the glass of water. "I can't help but wonder why."

"Porfession." Said Ed and turned toward him. "Last time I heard someone speak like that, they were a proffesional assasin." Ed chuckled. "On the run from the law are we? Killed someone and got caught? Pity, but understandable. Not much assasins or other people who wlak the thin grey line of law and lawlessnes can do thse days, seems like military might is todays special order."

"Porfession." Said Ed and turned toward him. "Last time I heard someone speak like that, they were a proffesional assasin." Ed chuckled. "On the run from the law are we? Killed someone and got caught? Pity, but understandable. Not much assasins or other people who wlak the thin grey line of law and lawlessnes can do thse days, seems like military might is todays special order."

"I haven't killed anyone," Squorn spoke coolly, turning to face Ed, "and I certainly haven't been so clumsy as to be caught doing anything. All the same, I like to avoid the attention of the authorities."

"Hmm... so an outlaw eh?" Ed reache dinto his coat and pulled out a crumpled piece of paper and handed it to him. "This guy, Alexzander Connor, he's wonderful at erasing trails, digital and physical, You look him up if you need to, just tell him Harrison sent you and you'll have a new identity in less then thiry minutes." He placed it in front of him. "lets just say I don't like law and order either, at least not this kind."

Ed then turned to the other man. "And what are you on the run for, eh? Robbery? Political enemy? Anything that invlolves lawlessness? Let me tell you one thing, try and use solid chas whenever you can, don't leave a digital trail with plastic money."

Martin watched the stranger who had spoken, and smiled slightly at Squorn's reply. he thought about making his usual introduction to correct any ideas this man might have about him, but decided not to interrupt, when the man's attention was obviously directed at Squorn.

"Hmm... so an outlaw eh?" Ed reache dinto his coat and pulled out a crumpled piece of paper and handed it to him. "This guy, Alexzander Connor, he's wonderful at erasing trails, digital and physical, You look him up if you need to, just tell him Harrison sent you and you'll have a new identity in less then thiry minutes." He placed it in front of him. "lets just say I don't like law and order either, at least not this kind."

Squorn frowned very slightly. "I'm not an outlaw either, not wanted for anything. I haven't been clumsy enough to leave evidence, but I don't want any extra scrutiny on myself."
He was beginning to tire of this man's demeanor somewhat.

Ed then turned to the other man. "And what are you on the run for, eh? Robbery? Political enemy? Anything that invlolves lawlessness? Let me tell you one thing, try and use solid chas whenever you can, don't leave a digital trail with plastic money."

"Excuse me, sir? No, I am afraid you are quite mistaken. I am but a simple tumbler, and I am not on the run for anyone. Indeed, I am looking for someone. Nonetheless, I have my reasons for avoiding the authorities." He smiled humourlessly at the man. "And I've never used plastic in my life."

"hmm.. well then, let me start of with introductions." he stuck out his hand. "Names Edward Harriosn, former specilist with the Union Military, kinda trying to avoid the law myself." He looked around. "Sorry if I came off as a bit hasty, I always tend to rush through formalilities."

"hmm.. well then, let me start of with introductions." he stuck out his hand. "Names Edward Harriosn, former specilist with the Union Military, kinda trying to avoid the law myself." He looked around. "Sorry if I came off as a bit hasty, I always tend to rush through formalilities."

Squorn waved his hand as if brushing something aside, "Don't worry about it. I go by Squorn. I specialize in, ah, acquiring items that people want."
He shook the proffered hand and his frown faded away. "What brings you to this backwater place Edward?"

"hmm.. well then, let me start of with introductions." he stuck out his hand. "Names Edward Harriosn, former specilist with the Union Military, kinda trying to avoid the law myself." He looked around. "Sorry if I came off as a bit hasty, I always tend to rush through formalilities."

Martin seemed to loosen up a little bit as he took the mans hand and shook it. He smiled slightly.


"I am Martin the Tumbler, at your service. I find that a proper introduction right off the bat tends to ease conversation later on."

He frowned slightly. "As to my reasons for avoiding the law...I just don't want the man I'm looking for finding me again, so I'm avoiding all attention...or trying to."

"A tumbler eh? Kind of a drifter myself, drift from place to place keeping myself invisible. Thing is, what I was drifitng away from caught up to me, hope they don't come back to this bar.... and as a matter of fact, I'm looking for someone myself." He flipped a photo out of his jacket. In it three people stood side by side. Liz, Ed, and A slightly taller man with black hair and features as hard as iron. "This guy is Andrew Bradley, Captain of the hades special forces unit. Dissapeared arund the time of the fall, no one has seen him anywhere, and thats the problem."

Squorn stifled a yawn with one hand and raised the other to glance at his watch. "I hate to leave so soon after introductions but it really is getting quite late. Hope to see you later, good night martin, edward, it was nice meeting you."

With that, Squorn walked quickly up the stairs, and soon after, he was sound asleep.

ooc: I've really got to be going, later.

Squorn waved his hand as if brushing something aside, "Don't worry about it. I go by Squorn. I specialize in, ah, acquiring items that people want."
He shook the proffered hand and his frown faded away. "What brings you to this backwater place Edward?"

Aquiring items? A tressure hunter, hm? Always thought that was an interesting job.
Not much, like I told your friend, drifitng from place to place looking for somoen. Made planetfall only a couple of days ago, seems this place is way out of the way of everything."

"A tumbler eh? Kind of a drifter myself, drift from place to place keeping myself invisible. Thing is, what I was drifitng away from caught up to me, hope they don't come back to this bar.... and as a matter of fact, I'm looking for someone myself." He flipped a photo out of his jacket. In it three people stood side by side. Liz, Ed, and A slightly taller man with black hair and features as hard as iron. "This guy is Andrew Bradley, Captain of the hades special forces unit. Dissapeared arund the time of the fall, no one has seen him anywhere, and thats the problem."

Martin frowned slightly. "I'm not entirely sure you took my meaning, Ed. When I say tumbler, I mean that I am an entertainer, a performer of gymnastic feats and minor illusions." he examined the picture Ed was holding up carefully.

"As to your friend the Captain, I'm afraid I have never seen him in my life."

Martin paused and then continued in a lower tone. "I wonder if you might be able to help me find the man I am looking for. I am looking for a good friend of mine, Alex, although that may not be the name he uses here. He wears at least seven rings exactly like those I have"--at this, Martin waggled the fingers on his right hand--"and apparently has become the leader of some type of criminal organization on this planet. However, I don't know anything more than that."

"Criminal organization, huh? I could possibly help, free of charge to. All I have to do is find even the most minute trace of him, a digital fingerprint or a real fingerprint, and then go from there." He tapped his finger against his chin. He had recalled seeing someone with an enormous ammount of rings the other day, talking to a group of imperialists.... "Could it be possible that hes set himself up a puppet government here? Or at least has a hand in the current political situation?" He asked.

Martin smiled gratefully, amazed that he might finally have a solid lead.

"You can really help me? I don't know how to thank you."

Martin frowned, and thought about Ed's questions. "Oh, it is very possible. I only recently arrived on this planet, and apparently Alex has been here for some years. I guess he must have come here immediately after... Anyway, he is very capable of setting up a puppet government, or even taking over an existing government."

"It could be possible." Ed jerked out of his seat. "You seen the guys with the crimson uniforms? Those are the people I've been running from. Imperialists, thats what they're called. Managed to pull a coupe. Don't know what they'd be doing here... Hope your frined didn't call them here, Imperialists are always hungry for expansions, managed to take my home system in a matter of weeks. I bet he doesn't know what hes gotten himself into if he has..." Je picked up the piece of paper that he had set on the bar. "Maybe its time I call in a couple of favors..."

He handed him a piece of paper. "I need you to write down as many aliases that you know of, anything might help." He pulled out his phone and dialed a number. "Alex, its Harrison, gonna need your splicing skills buddy, you owe me one." He flicked the phone shut. "Splicings all set, now all we need are the names.

"He might have, but if he did, I assure you he knew exactly what he was doing. Alex is a very canny individual." Martin smiled warmly at this man who had appeared just when he was needed, almost as if by Providence.

Ed grabbed his coat and opened the door, it was pouring rain, just like it had for the last couple fo days. "I hate rain..." He muttered.

He handed him a piece of paper. "I need you to write down as many aliases that you know of, anything might help." He pulled out his phone and dialed a number. "Alex, its Harrison, gonna need your splicing skills buddy, you owe me one." He flicked the phone shut. "Splicings all set, now all we need are the names.

martin frowned as the concentrated.

"For the many years I knew him, he was only Alex, or Alexander. He used to go by 'Jack the Juggler' though. And he always said he wished his name was Gregor. He also enjoyed being called Apollo. Thats all that I know of at the moment, and unfortunately he never had a surname, and never seemed to want one."

he scribbled the names, and handed them over, sighing.

"Sorry, but that is all that I can think of. Alex might have used almost any name though."

"All right, that'll do." It was a fifteen minute walk to Alexzanders place. Alex greeted them the second they walked in. "Greetings Ed, make yourself comfertable!" Ed waved his hand. 'nah, need you to run something for me." He handed him the paper. "I need all possible didgital fingerprints for those names." Ale cracked his knuckles and sat down at the computer. Thirty minutes later he stood up. "Large fingerprint from all names, mosty arms, armour and man power, but what should interest you more... he's taken several donations from the Imperialists and has bribed most of the officials here in the city." Ed shook his head. "That doesn't tell me what my friend here needs to know, do we have a location?" Alex shook his head. "Closest ping I could get was tyhe governmental building, try there." Ed tipped his hat. "Thank you." He said, then strode out of the room.

Ed strode over and called a taxi. "We should be heading back to the tavern. its getting late, and if we want any succes at this, we need to do it discreetly, that means act like normal visitors in the morning. We'll have to wait."

"All right, that'll do." It was a fifteen minute walk to Alexzanders place. Alex greeted them the second they walked in. "Greetings Ed, make yourself comfertable!" Ed waved his hand. 'nah, need you to run something for me." He handed him the paper. "I need all possible didgital fingerprints for those names." Ale cracked his knuckles and sat down at the computer. Thirty minutes later he stood up. "Large fingerprint from all names, mosty arms, armour and man power, but what should interest you more... he's taken several donations from the Imperialists and has bribed most of the officials here in the city." Ed shook his head. "That doesn't tell me what my friend here needs to know, do we have a location?" Alex shook his head. "Closest ping I could get was tyhe governmental building, try there." Ed tipped his hat. "Thank you." He said, then strode out of the room.

Martin followed Ed, smiling hugely. Finally! not only did he have a friend helping his search, but they were already hot on Alex's trail. The speed at with everything was moving astounded him.

Martin began to finger his rings nervously, and he thought about how long it had been since he had last seen his best friend.

Ed strode over and called a taxi. "We should be heading back to the tavern. its getting late, and if we want any succes at this, we need to do it discreetly, that means act like normal visitors in the morning. We'll have to wait."

"Of course." Martin smiled.

I've waited half a dozen years for this. I can afford to wait a few more days.

He was silent as they rode back to the tavern, but he paid the cab fair in cash before Ed had a chance.

Ed walked back into the bar and flopped himself in his usual seat. He was exhausted, his wound didn't make things better. He tapped the bar twice and Grim emerged sleepy eyed from a small room towards the rear. "Customers...at this late?" he mumbled. "Oh, its you! What can I get you?" Ed looked around, I want to see what you have in the lock box. Grim chuckled. "Sure, but you can't take any guns that belong to the other patrons." Ed took the ey and unlocked the lockbox, sorting through the guns inside. Evidently, a large number of people never returend to collect there guns. He pulled out several that were okayed by Grim, then came upon a piece of beauty. A pristenly polsihed .357 magnum. Grim spoke up almost immdieatly. "That belonged to a former guest, went to his room one day and never came out." Ed looked back at him. "What did he look like?" Grim scratched his beard. "Older guy, kind of large build, face looked like chiseled stone." Ed flipped over the magnum and looked down the berrle, sure enough,, in the dim light he managed to see the name Bradley carved on the inside. "You can 'ave it if ye want." Said Grim. "Don't 'ave any ammo for it though." Ed shut and locked the box before handing him the keys. "Thanks." Grim looked up at him. "if you need anything, help yourselves but leave the cash, bars closed to the public now."

"locals." Ed said and stuck out his hand. "names Edward Harrison, always a pleasure to have another person join the party. Unfortunatly, everyones in bed as of now."

I walk into the bar again, and ask for a drink that will make my heart explode. Grim laughs like I'm joking, and pours me a tequila. These barmen are all so unimaginative...

I glance around the bar and notice only one person I recognize. Some twit that was presumably going off to his room to take the edge off the hard work of boozing. I wonder if he noticed my mess. Hope he didn't mind.

I take a sip at my tequila thoughtfully, then remember who I am and down the rest in a mouthful. I hope my burly appearance doesn't worry anyone. I also hope that the fellow from last night doesn't recognize me. Then I wonder if I really care.

He's with another fellow, and I'm sure that they're the ones who would best be able to inform me. I walk up to them and introduce myself.

"My name is Obediah. What do they call you gents?

Ed went over to Martin. 'you ever handled a firearm before? This thing goes sour, we might have to shoot our way out." He handed him a pistol. "Just for precautions, if we do get in a firefight, my advice is to get behind me."