NationStates Jolt Archive

'dear god, the weathers awful. I'm Maria, Maria Peyton,a friend of Ju's, the new bar maid' her complexion bright and perky under her rain coat. She shuffled in.

((http://www.styledivas.com/images/actress.jpg))

"Can I help with the bags?" he offered to take a few

'thanks' her accent distinctly irish.

Her bags were light, after putting them in a room, she slumped in the worn in sofa in the lounge. she wore a short ruffle skirt and big baggy shirt, it looked a little mix and match, but not bad style.

"Is there anything else you need help with?" he smiled at her

'ummm.....could I be a pain and have a drink? been driving for three hours to get here.....' she said, she looked tired and needed a shower, her make-up was faded, she duely got her mirror out and sorted it

Krieg went behind the bar and brough her a soft drink with just a little bit of kick. "Here you are no pain at all."

she smiled , quite warmly, her skin had a soft auburn glow.

OOC: going now xxx

ooc Ciao again

Sam shook her head as she spoke to Junii, looking after Krieg and the woman who'd accompanied him upstairs.

"Some folks," she murmured, "delight in borrowing trouble."

Her eyes softened a little, and a ghost of a smile played around her lips. "Thanks. I know you had my back."

Maria was up bright and early and down polishing the bar wood sides, she had her hair in a pony tail, she washed the windows and made them sparkle.

She then looked out a window she had just made sparkle and there was a man out there is a long trench coat he was at least 7'5ft and he was looking right threw her.

Maria looked and shuddered, she then rushed to behind the bar and locked the main tavern door.

"Thanks. I know you had my back."

I support those who protect others.

as long as I am able, I'll have your back.

*ju watched as the woman locked the doors.*

Sorry Ms, but we are open for business.

*Ju walks towards the door to unlock them.*

A man staggers to the bar as if from nowhere... He barely manages to stand and is gasping. He's clutching an old and tatered piece of paper, with some sort of strange writing on it...

He reaches for a stool and falls upon it. He wearily, painfully and desperately looks up at the counter and looks as though he is about to shout in agony.

All that comes out is one feeble whisper...

"I can haz cheezeburger plz? Kthx."

'sorry..'she said quietly.
'I am Maria Peyton, i was sent her to work.....' she said, she wore tight white jeans with a light blue sparkle top, she smiled, she looked europen with olive skin and green eyes. She gazed at Ju.

Sam looks at the old fellow, shrugs, and heads into the kitchen as it seems this Maria person was speaking with Ju.

A few minutes later, she comes out of the kitchen with a cheeseburger on a seeded bun, with lettuce, tomato, pickles and onions on the side. She sets the plate down gently in front of the old man with her right hand, setting some containers of mustard, ketchup and mayonnaise down as well.

She looked at the burger for a moment as if she hadn't seen food in a LONG time, then walked back into the kitchen.

Maria turned to Sam.
'Hi I am Maria....' she said

Sam nodded, her dark bangs sliding into her eyes for a moment before she flicked them aside with shake of her head.

"Sam. Nice to meet you." Her eyes scan the room quickly, taking in the usuals along with the unusuals who were sitting around, and then focused back on Maria. "Watch your step in here... seems we have an overabundance of testosterone, or whatever equivalent fits the bill, in here."

Sam shrugged, and said, "I'll be back in a few -- I'm so hungry I could eat a horse." She then continued on past the swinging doors into the kitchen.

'sorry..'she said quietly.
'I am Maria Peyton, i was sent her to work.....'
well, one can't work if the doors are locked shut.

*Ju helps the man up to a table and smiles as sam enters with the requested food.*

'again...i am sorry...there was a man outside who looked ominous' she said quietly, she sorted all the drinks and made herself busy.

She passed the mirror and saw a small part of her back, the lash marks were nearly gone, she sighed with relief.

Martin strode down the stairs into the bar, a broad grin on his face. He was dressed unusually extravagantly, and in a somewhat archaic style. He wore black tights and a red doublet with waterfalls of white lace spilling out of the cuffs. His glasses were gone, but he seemed to have no trouble seeing.


He sat at the bar, still grinning, and ordered eggs, toast, and a glass of juice.

Once in the kitchen, Sam went into the refrigeration unit and pulled out some steak. She ran it under some warm water, long enough to take the chill off it. Looking briefly over her shoulder, she sat down near a countertop in the kitchen and proceeded to eat the slab of meat.

Once done, she got up, washed her face and hands, and headed back out toward the main room to take up her post again.

'again...i am sorry...there was a man outside who looked ominous'
in our business, you can't turn someone away by their looks. -.^

Maria smiled and she felt a little more relaxed.

She saw Martin and went over to him.
'do you live here?' she seemed mature, but still naive.
'I am Maria...the new bar maid'

Martin's grin broadened slightly at Ju's comment. yeah, especially in a place like this.


He produced a number of brightly colored balls seemingly from thin air, and began to juggle.

Maria smiled and she felt a little more relaxed.

She saw Martin and went over to him.
'do you live here?' she seemed mature, but still naive.
'I am Maria...the new bar maid'

Martin laughed hugely. "Live here? Oh no, I'm not from this planet at all. I am, however, staying here for some little while. I am Martin the Tumbler. It is a pleasure to meet you. Barmaid, eh? Well well, Grim really must be raking it in."

Martin glanced at the chronometer on the wall, and his eyes widened a little in surprise. He caught all of the balls out of the air and each vanished from his hand almost as soon as he grabbed it.

"I would love to stay and chat, but I am afraid that I have a rather important engagement. I must be off. Goodbye, Maria."

He stood up and strode quickly out of the tavern.

Squorn walked into the tavern, making a rare daytime appearance. His eyes played briefly across the people within. A few familiar faces, along with one or two he didn't recognize. He quickly picked out Martin at the bar with a plate of something, and nodded to the man as he hurried out.

He walked over to the bar, his long stride setting the ends of his trenchcoat flicking around his ankles. He nodded in greeting to Ju.

"Afternoon."

"Afternoon."
*nods a return greeting.*

"Martin's made an interesting wardrobe choice today," it was a blunt observation, almost as if Squorn were talking to himself. He blinked and then looked at Ju.
"You wouldn't have any insight into that mystery would you?"
He leaned against the bar.


ooc: I seem to have frightened everyone off.

"Martin's made an interesting wardrobe choice today," it was a blunt observation, almost as if Squorn were talking to himself. He blinked and then looked at Ju.
"You wouldn't have any insight into that mystery would you?"
He leaned against the bar.


ooc: I seem to have frightened everyone off.

OoC: sorry, fustrating call from a Doctor... makes me wonder... Doctors are supposed to recognize the importance of following directions... right? :headbang:

IC: New barmaid.

*points to Maria*

Need I say more?

His eyes widened very slightly as he turned his gaze to the young woman. Martin certainly did seem the type to dress up for the ladies.
"Not surprising, but I imagine if that was his only reason for dressing up he wouldn't have rushed out as he did."
He took one last look at Maria and turned his eeys back to Ju.
"Could I have a glass of ice water."

"Not surprising, but I imagine if that was his only reason for dressing up he wouldn't have rushed out as he did."
He took one last look at Maria and turned his eeys back to Ju.
"Could I have a glass of ice water."

glass? or bucket?

*hands over a chilled glass filled with ice water.*

He laughed quietly.
"The glass will be just fine, thanks."
He lifted it and took a sip.
"So what else is new around this place?"

well, you came in while the sun's up. so I figure the Devil should be in shortly to buy some Ice Skates.

"Do you sell those now as well?"
Squorn grinned.
"A man can't walk in the shadows all of his life. Most of it, sure, but not all the time."

Sam nodded to Squorn, and smiled slightly. She then moved the table Krieg had carved into the back, and rearranged the rest of the furniture so as not to leave a noticeable gap.

He nodded and smiled back at Sam.
"Grim has certainly been in a hiring mood lately."
Again, he seemed to be speaking to himself.

He nodded and smiled back at Sam.
"Grim has certainly been in a hiring mood lately."
Again, he seemed to be speaking to himself.

you know Grim. the less work he has to do...

speaking of which...

*checks his watch, then he goes to the office door and pounds on it.*

"WHEN WILL WE DISCUSS MY PAYMENT FOR THIS JOB!"

*walks back to the bar. I do that every hour... till he tells me what this gig pays. *

Squorn burst out laughing.

He put one hand one the bar to steady himself and ran the other over his face, composing himself enough to speak.
"It all falls into place now. That's how he can afford to hire all this new help," he gestured at Grim's three newest emplyees, grinning widely.

"It all falls into place now. That's how he can afford to hire all this new help," he gestured at Grim's three newest emplyees, grinning widely.
he's lucky that I was bored... else he wouldn't have me here.

"I believe you."
Squorn finished off his glass of water.
"I should probably get going, things to do and all that. Nice talking with you though."

"I believe you."
Squorn finished off his glass of water.
"I should probably get going, things to do and all that. Nice talking with you though."

take care!

Maria walked in with some supplies.
'we should have a party this evening....it'll be great for business' she said smiling

OOC: Ju - you know who i am? does Serafima & Three United Isles sound familiar? :rolleyes: :) :D

Maria walked in with some supplies.
'we should have a party this evening....it'll be great for business' she said smiling

OOC: Ju - you know who i am? does Serafima & Three United Isles sound familiar? :rolleyes: :) :D

dunno if a party is what we need right now. and besides, the money comes in when someone else commissions us to have the party here.

OoC: I thought so. :p but wether or not I remember Maria... that remains to be seen. ;)

Krieg was sitting in his chair in the corner he had fallen asleep and was leaning back agianst the wall

shelby wondered down the old wooded stairs, and looked around at the people in the tavern, she smiled at Maria and sat down.

Maria smiled back at Shelby and carried on serving various people.

dunno if a party is what we need right now. and besides, the money comes in when someone else commissions us to have the party here.

OoC: I thought so. :p but wether or not I remember Maria... that remains to be seen. ;)

OOC: lol...dam being so predictable! add me to msn! dressage_diva_star@hotmail.co.uk- Maria is a new character I dont think Letisha and Fenella (Tish and Fen) would be welcome lol

Krieg yawned streached and got tipped out of his chair

Maria saw this and walked over.
'are you alright?' she asked concerned.

He smiled up at her. "yeah I'm fine thanks." he stiid up rubbing his elbow. "Your the one I helped the other night yes?"

OOC: lol...dam being so predictable! add me to msn! dressage_diva_star@hotmail.co.uk- Maria is a new character I dont think Letisha and Fenella (Tish and Fen) would be welcome lol

ooc: sorry, can't IM. but will Email you.

'yep!...thanks again...the weather was crap, glad someone answered the door quickly'

'why?'

ooc: sorry, can't IM. but will Email you.

OOC: the better email for just emails is horsecrazy@btinternet.com. What were u saying earlier about the doctors...? are you ok :confused:

"Just making sure I remembered right wanna take a seat?" offers her a chair

'I have to work....' she turned and looked at the pretty empty bar apart from Ju and shelby.

'I guess i could for a little while...' she said with a smile, sitting down.

"So you just started work here?" he sipped something from a flas he had just pulled out

'yup, Im from Ireland, I am here to earn some money then move out and live in town....how about you?'

Squorn walked through the front door, his hands deep in the outer pockets of his coat. He saw the young woman whom Ju had introduced eariler as a new barmaid, as well as Ju himself, and two other faces he didn't recognize immediately, although the man in the corner was familiar in a vague sort of way, just a faint tugging at the back of his mind.

He strode to the bar.
"Hello again. Sun's down so I'm back around again."
He smiled crookedly at his own joke.

"Me I am from Kronos. but I guess that dosen mean much to you?" he smiled and took another sip

Shelby walked in with some borrowed overalls, covered in grease.
'can anyone fix cars here?' she asked, she sounded exhausted with oil streaks on her face.

Maria smiled.
'I am a nosey little pigeon...give me about you...if you would like to of course...'

"I have a little knowledge of cars"

"Well what would you like to know?" smiles

Squorn shook his head.
"I'm afraid I've never had much use for cars, so I won't be much help to you."

'well, I think its an oil leak, I just need something to block it until I can afford parts' she said. She went and temperorily fixed the problem, showered and went back into the bar, she wore cropped trousers and a short top which showed her brown muscley chest, she sat and flopped her head on the table.

'so...about you?' Maria asked.

"What about me exactly?"

'like...job? your nation? kids? wife?'

Shelby lifted her head up, glared at Maria who was talking to the guy she liked and then looked around with a melancholy expression and gave a mutual smile to Squorn.

"Well I am a Marine and theres not really anyone in my life right now."he shrugged

Squorn noticed rather suddenly that one of the women was smiling at him. Zoned out for a moment there, he thought to himself, I should try to do that less often.

He smiled back at her. Squorn then shot his eyes over at Maria and Kriege and then brought them back to Shelby. He shrugged and gave a little half grin.

'well thats good, im sure your doing your country proud' she smiled.
'you play cards?' she slid out of a pack.
'wanna play something?'

Squorn noticed rather suddenly that one of the women was smiling at him. Zoned out for a moment there, he thought to himself, I should try to do that less often.

He smiled back at her. Squorn then shot his eyes over at Maria and Kriege and then brought them back to Shelby. He shrugged and gave a little half grin.

Shelby smiled and gestured to the seat next to him with her big doe eyes.

Sam stretched, and shook her bangs out of her eyes. Tonight she was dressed in faded khakis, a white t-shirt that just hugged her curves, a brown leather bomber jacket, and brown hiking boots. Everything looked worn in and comfortable.

She took up her station near the door again, arms crossed just under her chest.

Maria saw Sam and gave a little wave.
'brr...getting chilly out there'

Squorn noticed her eying the stool next to him and gestured at it with his hand.
"Be my guest."

He turned and ordered a black russian from Grim before settling into his seat, nodding in greeting to Sam as she entered

'well thats good, im sure your doing your country proud' she smiled.
'you play cards?' she slid out of a pack.
'wanna play something?'

"Not right now thanks I do more tricks then play."

she smiled and sat next to him, she smelt of summer flowers which was refreshing on a cold night.
'so how long have you known Grim for...what do you think of the barmaid?'

Maria smiled and put the pack away.
'are there are any more blankets....its gonna be a cold night'

He shrugged "I dont know Ju might though"

Squorn almost laughed at her inquisitive nature. Lots of questions, she's lucky she's pretty or her curiosity could get her into trouble someday.
"I haven't known Grim too terribly long, but it only takes a day or too to learn all about him, grumpy short-spoken cheapskate that he is, isn't that right Grim."
The bar owner grumbled incoherently by way of a response, and Squorn's grin widened considerably.
"See what I mean?" he paused before answering the next question, "as for the barmaid, I haven't met her yet, so I can't really form any opinion about her as of yet."

'ahhhh ok...' she said smiling, she got a bit of paper out and made it into a plaited piece of string as if by magic and gave it to him.
'origami southern style'

"Nice" he smiled mildly impressed

OOC: sorry that action was between shelby and squorn.

ooc: no prob

ooc: it was a little hard to tell

ic:
He reached out and took the paper string between thumb and forefinger, twirling it back and forth.
"Impressive," his eyes left the string and moved back to her face, "thanks."

'no problem' she said smiling.

her eyes suddenly had a flickering of hypnosis.

OOC: its late...long day...got hurt by a youngster we were working with today, as in a young horse, took him to the field and he went crazy and got my shoulder :mad: *crying*

ooc: hypnosis?

ic:
Squorn smiled back.
"I'm afraid I don't have any craftmaking skills to repay you with though."

OOC: as in shes trying to draw him in?

Ic:
'I dont expect anything in return except your friendship'

ooc: that's what I thought, but people in these kind of threads have a tendancy for wierd powers and abilities, so I wanted to be sure.

ic:
"Well that I can give," he smiled, "my name is Squorn."

'my name is Shelby' she said, she found a blanket and wrapped it around herself, she looked all warm and cuddly in her fleece nest.

"Nice to meet you Shelby."
Squorn finished off his drink and again had to supress a laugh as she wrapped herself in a blanket.
"Feeling a little cold?"

'yehh' she said in a little squeaky voice. she didnt a mock shiver and shuffled closer to him.
'why do you radiate warmth and I dont'

This time he couldn't quite suppress all the laughter and chuckled quietly.
"That's a question for a physician I'd imagine. Not something a layperson such as myself could answer. It's probably something to do with Grim's penny pinching ways, saving a little money on the heating bill."
He turned to Grim.
"You're putting your customers into a deep freeze here Grim, bump the heater up just a bit won't you?"

Melanie found herself suddenly standing in the bar room she'd seen a few days ago, and looked around herself in momentary confusion. She realized that it had happened again... Sam had taken over, and gotten her into who knows what?

She felt something crackle in her jacket pocket as she fidgeted, and pulled out a slip of paper.

Got us a job. Bouncer. Keep aware of everyone, don't let anyone give you any shit. Room and board included.

Melanie sighed internally. Bouncer. Well, it could have been worse.

In the other pocket, there was a comfortingly heavy object.

she smiled and cuddled close to him, knowing he'd probably push her away.

Squorn caught a movement out of the corner of his eye. The new bouncer had started suddenly, and was now looking around herself as if surprised by her surroundings. She pulled something out of her pocket and looked at it for a moment before putting it back.

He frowned slightly, and stood up, facing her.
"Feeling all right?"

Shelby hid in her blanket and watched the action.

Squorn caught a movement out of the corner of his eye. The new bouncer had started suddenly, and was now looking around herself as if surprised by her surroundings. She pulled something out of her pocket and looked at it for a moment before putting it back.

He frowned slightly, and stood up, facing her.
"Feeling all right?"

"Yeah, thanks..." She stretched, smiled a little in a half-embarrassed way, and shrugged. "Must not have got quite enough sleep there. I better rustle up some coffee."

(OOC: Gnight!)

Maria bundled into the tavern clumsily with some bags of supplies and cleanin products, she dumped them down, turned on the television and let the fire as it was another cold day. She wore jeans, fur boots and a wooly roll neck.

Krieg Was snoozing in his corner chair tipped back slightly

Maria glanced over then continued looking up new recipes the tavern could offer customers.

Krieg yawned sifted then fell outout of his seat

Krieg stood uo and sat back in his chair ollking around

Martin staggered through the rain towards the one place he knew on this wretched planet: Grim's Tavern. He knew he was dying. He had no visible wounds, and his doublet and hose appeared immaculate, but he staggered drunkenly and his eyes were unfocused.


Damn Alex! That son of a bitch always did love poisons. And he said there's no antidote. He wouldn't lie...not if I know him.

Martin blearily recognized the entrance to Grim's. He moved towards it, his breathing ragged. He leaned against the door for a moment to catch his breath, and it swung open, dumping him onto the floor just inside. In the light of the bar, it was obvious that Martin now wore none of his eleven rings around his fingers.

Grim, who had been polishing a glass behind the bar, put it down and hurried towards Martin, who was slowly pushing himself to his knees. When Grim arrived, Martin was kneeling, but he did not have the strength to lift himself further. Grim offered his hand, but Martin waved him away. His eyes were clouded and unfocused, and he didn't seem to recognize the old man.

Martin knelt for a moment, swaying slightly, and then slowly brought his right hand up to his face, with his thumb and forefinger out, parallel to his lips. He blew gently in between the two fingers, and a single green ring appeared between them. Martin brought the ring to his eye and looked through it, smiling slightly. He looked back at Grim and his smile broadened.

"T-t-t-the f-f-f-f-fool...c-c-couldn't imagine that I m-m-m-might..." Martin stuttered and had trouble speaking. As he spoke, a slow trickle of blood started to ooze out of the corner of his mouth. He seemed to go into a dazed trance, and didn't speak again for a moment.


Martin grabbed Grim's hand quickly, his fingers clamping around the old man's wrist. Grim tried to pull away, but he could not break Martin's vise-like grip on his wrist. Martin put the ring into Grim's hand and slowly folded it closed.

He looked up at grim again, this time a look of intense pleading in his eyes. "P-p-p-please...he mustn't...k-keep it safe...give it to...someone, anyone who will keep it safe.... just not him." Martin had to make a tremendous effort to speak, and he seemed to be at the end of his reserves.

Grim frowned down at Martin. He knew he shouldn't get involved, but...it was an obviously dying man's last wish.

"I will keep it safe, Tumbler. He will not take it," the barkeep said gruffly. Whoever he is... Grim put the ring in the pocket of his apron, resolved to put it in his secret safe, for now, at least. Martin seemed to want it passed on to someone else.

Martin looked up at Grim, and tears of gratitude flowed down his cheeks. He began to cough, great wracking coughs that seemed likely to rip the man apart. Spots of blood appeared on the floor with each heaving spasm. Martin fell over, his knees no longer supporting him. He coughed for a few moment more, and then shuddered and was still. After a moment, grim reached down and picked up his wrist, feeling for a pulse.


"He's dead."


OOC: Going on a weeks vacation, so I felt it was best to remove Martin from the picture. I may return with a new character after I get back (assuming this thread is still around).

Maria saw what was happening, she shed a few tears, he seemed a nice man..what a shame.

Martin staggered through the rain towards the one place he knew on this wretched planet: Grim's Tavern. He knew he was dying. He had no visible wounds, and his doublet and hose appeared immaculate, but he staggered drunkenly and his eyes were unfocused.


Damn Alex! That son of a bitch always did love poisons. And he said there's no antidote. He wouldn't lie...not if I know him.

Martin blearily recognized the entrance to Grim's. He moved towards it, his breathing ragged. He leaned against the door for a moment to catch his breath, and it swung open, dumping him onto the floor just inside. In the light of the bar, it was obvious that Martin now wore no rings around his fingers.

Grim, who had been polishing a glass behind the bar, put it down and hurried towards Martin, who was slowly pushing himself to his knees. When Grim arrived, Martin was kneeling, but he did not have the strength to lift himself further. Grim offered his hand, but Martin waved him away. His eyes were clouded and unfocused, and he didn't seem to recognize the old man.

Martin knelt for a moment, swaying slightly, and then slowly brought his right hand up to his face, with his thumb and forefinger out, parallel to his lips. He blew gently in between the two fingers, and a single green ring appeared between them. Martin brought the ring to his eye and looked through it, smiling slightly. He looked back at Grim and his smile broadened.

"T-t-t-the f-f-f-f-fool...c-c-couldn't imagine that I m-m-m-might..." Martin stuttered and had trouble speaking. As he spoke, a slow trickle of blood started to ooze out of the corner of his mouth. He seemed to go into a dazed trance, and didn't speak again for a moment.


Martin grabbed Grim's hand quickly, his fingers clamping around the old man's wrist. Grim tried to pull away, but he could not break Martin's vise-like grip on his wrist. Martin put the ring into Grim's hand and slowly folded it closed.

He looked up at grim again, this time a look of intense pleading in his eyes. "P-p-p-please...he mustn't...k-keep it safe...give it to...someone, anyone who will keep it safe.... just not him." Martin had to make a tremendous effort to speak, and he seemed to be at the end of his reserves.

Grim frowned down at Martin. He knew he shouldn't get involved, but...it was an obviously dying man's last wish.

"I will keep it safe, Tumbler. He will not take it," the barkeep said gruffly. Whoever he is... Grim put the ring in the pocket of his apron, resolved to put it in his secret safe, for now, at least. Martin seemed to want it passed on to someone else.

Martin looked up at Grim, and tears of gratitude flowed down his cheeks. He began to cough, great wracking coughs that seemed likely to rip the man apart. Spots of blood appeared on the floor with each heaving spasm. Martin fell over, his knees no longer supporting him. He coughed for a few moment more, and then shuddered and was still. After a moment, grim reached down and picked up his wrist, feeling for a pulse.


"He's dead."


OOC: Going on a weeks vacation, so I felt it was best to remove Martin from the picture. I may return with a new character after I get back (assuming this thread is still around).



The seccond Martin had stumbled into the bar, Draconis's gun had been out. As Grim approached the man, Draconis dashed to the door looking out. The coast was clear. Letting his hands drop to his side he approached teh man unconcious on the floor, and when Grimm declaired his fate, he hung his head.

Grimm started to pull the man across the floor but he struggled greatley. Draconis knelt, and picked up Martins body aflinging it over his left shoulder. Years of being a bounty hunter had hardened him, but occasionally he came across people who meant something to him. Martin was one such man.

Patrons in the bar tipped their hats and bowed their heads as Draconis carried his friend behind the bar and into the kitchen. Grimm went ahead of him and opened the incinerator door. Draconis moved to put him in and then stopped.

"No, this was a great man,... he deserves better than being thrown in the incinerator like some common drunk killed in a bar fight."

He then moved to the back door and preceded through it into the back ally pausing only to grab the spade that leaned against the wall near teh door. Out side he lay Martin's body on the ground. Mournfully he pulled off his jacket exposing his array of weapons and covered Martin's body with it. He then, picked up teh spade and started to dig.

Maria hurried out.
'who are you?' she asked, the rain fell hard she had a roll neck and a short denim skirt.

Maria hurried out.
'who are you?' she asked, the rain fell hard she had a roll neck and a short denim skirt.

As maria had ran out the door, she came face to face with Draconis's drawn pistol. His battle hardned reflexes sometimes got him into trouble. Sensing no danger he put the Glock in his thigh holster and resumed digging.

"Just a friend, paying respects to a man who saved his life."

'he was a good man....' she said,
'can I help?' she asked.
'are you hungry...thirsty?'

'he was a good man....' she said,
'can I help?' she asked.
'are you hungry...thirsty?'

Draconis chuckled slightly a small grin coming to his face as he dug. "I'm quite alright, if you want to help you can head down to the end of that ally, and keep watch, this is a dangerous neighbor hood." He stopped digging and pulled out a small PPK pistol, and held it out for her, " you may want this if you do"

she looked scared and vulnerable in the rain, her little hand glasped the gun and stood and kept watch, she hadnt got a coat and was freezing.

she looked scared and vulnerable in the rain, her little hand glasped the gun and stood and kept watch, she hadnt got a coat and was freezing.

Draconis finally stopped and whiped the sweat from his head. Or was it the rain? His boots were covered in mud but he'd have Grimm clean them. He looked up at the top of the hole, the lip was higher than he was tall. But that was no problem for the bounty hunter. He quickly scrambled up and brushed himself off. He pulled his coat from Martins body and stopped. His eyes were still open. Draconis kneeled and with two fingers closed his friends eyes for the last time. He took his jacket and moving up behind the girl draped it over her shoulders. ITs fur removable fur lining would keep her warm until he was finished. Ignoring her thanks he returned to martins body and lowerd it into the grave. He then started to fill it again.

she smiled and snuggled into the big jacket, she looked at him as he walked away and smiled. She saw a car pull in and then go again...

Draconis had noticed the car and his hand had momentarily dropped to his glock, but it turned away again. He resumed filling the dirt when that was done smoothed the ground out with his spade. Nodding he turned and opened the door. He whistled for the girl and held the door open as she returned. Draconis made one last look at the grave. No marker for a man like that. He wouldn't want to be remembered by random strangers seeing a headstone. Only those who knew him, would know where he lay. Draconis then went inside.

Marias hair was soaked, she was shivering, she followed him in.
She made him some soup.
'a little something for doing a good deed' she said, smiling, she put more logs on the fire and found a blanket

Marias hair was soaked, she was shivering, she followed him in.
She made him some soup.
'a little something for doing a good deed' she said, smiling, she put more logs on the fire and found a blanket


Draconis nodded his gratitude before dashing to his room to hang his coat out to dry. He returned and sat at the bar nodding to Grimm as he pulled the bowl towards him.

she smiled and sat the serving side of the bar with some hot chocolate.
'why is the weather so bad....' she said sighing.
'I need to buy some cold weather gear..' she giggled.

OOC: Grape eater, you want one of us to claim the ring or are you gonna bestow it upon one of us

OOC: Since he gave it to Grim, it would make sense for Grape-eaters to decide who gets it when he gets back. Otherwise, people are going to be fussing about who got to it first and why Martin would want them to have it.

OOC: Since he gave it to Grim, it would make sense for Grape-eaters to decide who gets it when he gets back. Otherwise, people are going to be fussing about who got to it first and why Martin would want them to have it.

good thinkin, i see being a mod requires more than just a pretty face :p

good thinkin, i see being a mod requires more than just a pretty face :p

OOC: *curtseys*
btw: that was NOT a mod decision -- merely a suggestion based on past RP experience.

OOC: *curtseys*
btw: that was NOT a mod decision -- merely a suggestion based on past RP experience.

ooc: lol cant you take a compliment like a normal person?

OOC: Who ya callin' normal? ;)

she smiled and sat the serving side of the bar with some hot chocolate.
'why is the weather so bad....' she said sighing.
'I need to buy some cold weather gear..' she giggled.

She saw sam and smiled, still a little cold.

OOC: I'm not leaving for a few hours, and I was just about to start a little something that should help move things on a little, at least for now (although it may not finally decide who gets the ring).


IC: The front door of Grim's Tavern slammed open, and a trio of men stepped in. First in was a short, wiry man with short jet-black hair and polarized sunglasses. He wore an extremely well-tailored (and expensive) black suit, and his face wore an arrogant smirk. He had 18 green rings on his left hand, but his right was bare.

Behind him came two very large and powerfully built men who also wore sunglasses and suits (which were also well-tailored, though less expensive). One of them took up station by the door, while the other followed the short man. They were obviously bodyguards of some kind.

Together, the three looked impressive, but the smaller man seemed much more dangerous than either of his goons. He sat at the bar and ordered a large whiskey. He sipped meditatively for a while, and glanced at the other patrons. He noticed one girl who seemed small and a little frightened, although a rather large man sat next to her.

The man allowed himself an inward smile. Good...

He approached the other two, a sad frown replacing the smirk.

"Excuse me, but I am looking for a very good friend of mine and I was wondering if you could help me. He was nicknamed the Tumbler, and I fear he may be grievously injured. I heard he was staying here, and thought he might have tried to come back this way..."

OOC: I'm not leaving for a few hours, and I was just about to start a little something that should help move things on a little, at least for now (although it may not finally decide who gets the ring).


IC: The front door of Grim's Tavern slammed open, and a trio of men stepped in. First in was a short, wiry man with short jet-black hair and polarized sunglasses. He wore an extremely well-tailored (and expensive) black suit, and his face wore an arrogant smirk. He had 18 green rings on his left hand, but his right was bare.

Behind him came two very large and powerfully built men who also wore sunglasses and suits (which were also well-tailored, though less expensive). One of them took up station by the door, while the other followed the short man. They were obviously bodyguards of some kind.

Together, the three looked impressive, but the smaller man seemed much more dangerous than either of his goons. He sat at the bar and ordered a large whiskey. He sipped meditatively for a while, and glanced at the other patrons. He noticed one girl who seemed small and a little frightened, although a rather large man sat next to her.

The man allowed himself an inward smile. Good...

He approached the other two, a sad frown replacing the smirk.

"Excuse me, but I am looking for a very good friend of mine and I was wondering if you could help me. He was nicknamed the Tumbler, and I fear he may be grievously injured. I heard he was staying here, and thought he might have tried to come back this way..."

Draconis looked teh man up and down. "Never heard of him." Moron, you should know never to look forsomeone till atleast 72 hours after you kill him. Draconis thought. "why do you ask?"

Maria shot a questioning glance at Draconis, almost as if she was thinking what he was, she just sat quietly flicking through her journal.

OOC: grape would you mind oh so terribly if the need should arise, that i RP the demise of your characters body guards?

Draconis looked teh man up and down. "Never heard of him." Moron, you should know never to look forsomeone till atleast 72 hours after you kill him. "why do you ask?"

The man's expression turned to one of anger. It wasn't all false, either.

"Because my best friend might be fucking dying alone somewhere, godsdamnit!"


He sighed and wiped a hand across his face. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have snapped at you, I am just very concerned. Look, are you sure you haven't seen him? He was a bit taller than me, thin...he wore rings round his fingers much like these," the man said, holding up his left hand. "Thats how we knew we'd recognize each other forever. Please, I'm afraid. He was all I had. We grew up together," the man pleaded, a hint of desperation in his voice.

OOC: grape would you mind oh so terribly if the need should arise, that i RP the demise of your characters body guards?

OOC: Not at all.

The man's expression turned to one of anger. It wasn't all false, either.

"Because my best friend might be fucking dying alone somewhere, godsdamnit!"


He sighed and wiped a hand across his face. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have snapped at you, I am just very concerned. Look, are you sure you haven't seen him? He was a bit taller than me, thin...he wore rings round his fingers much like these," the man said, holding up his left hand. "Thats how we knew we'd recognize each other forever. Please, I'm afraid. He was all I had. We grew up together," the man pleaded, a hint of desperation in his voice.

As the man raised his hand, out of the corner of his eye Draconis saw Grim's left eyebrow twitch. Draconis was startled but gave no movement to show so. He knew grim, he was a man as hard as they come. And that simple eye movement spoke louder than if someone had justs started screaming bloody murder.

"Can't help you friend. I'm sorry." Draconis said, but then his voice became commanding. "Now why don't you take your friends and show yourselves the door."

Maria was a little tense, she didnt want an uproar to happen, she still had his gun and she ran her hand along it softly.

The man sighed. "Very well, I can see I am not welcome. If you do see my friend, I'd ask that you let me know. If nothing else, I'd like to see him again." He made a gesture with his right hand, and a business card appeared between his fingers. He frowned for a moment. "Here, let me write a number where you can reach me on it."

he made a similar gesture with his left hand, and a pen appeared. He put the card upside down on the table and leaned forward over the table to scribble on it for a moment. He looked up smiling and gestured the pen away. As he did so, his other hand came up from under the table where he had let it fall for a moment, and the man was holding a small pistol on them. Simultaneously, his bodyguards had drawn larger pistols and were covering everyone in the room. The guard by the door remained there, but the other moved to cover Grim.

When the smaller man spoke again his voice was harsh and grating, unlike the pleasant sonorous sounds of a moment before. "Now where is it? I know he died here, and I know he had it with him."

Squorn had been about to open the door and walk into the tavern when he suddenly caught a quick movement through the glass. He realized that there was an armed man standing just inside the door, and he could hear the muted sound of voices.
Looks like this isn't they best way to enter.
As he had done a week or so ago, he quickly crept away from the door and scaled the outside of the building to the second story window. It was simple work to reopen the small hole he'd already made in the glass and let himself inside. From there, he crept to the top of the stairs to listen.

From where he stood, was near to Shelbys room, she walked out looking pale and wobbly and still in her pyjamas, she bumped into him.
'I'm sorry...' she mumbled, she looked very ill.

The man sighed. "Very well, I can see I am not welcome. If you do see my friend, I'd ask that you let me know. If nothing else, I'd like to see him again." He made a gesture with his right hand, and a business card appeared between his fingers. He frowned for a moment. "Here, let me write a number where you can reach me on it."

he made a similar gesture with his left hand, and a pen appeared. He put the card upside down on the table and leaned forward over the table to scribble on it for a moment. He looked up smiling and gestured the pen away. As he did so, his other hand came up from under the table where he had let it fall for a moment, and the man was holding a small pistol on them. Simultaneously, his bodyguards had drawn larger pistols and were covering everyone in the room. The guard by the door remained there, but the other moved to cover Grim.

When the smaller man spoke again his voice was harsh and grating, unlike the pleasant sonorous sounds of a moment before. "Now where is it? I know he died here, and I know he had it with him."

Draconis stared the man down. He saw maria going for his own gun and he made gesture indicating for her to calm down. That would not be beneficial at the moment. "Well if you must have it..." Draconis placed a rubber duckie he had found in his room on the bar... he could see the man's temple begin to throb.

At that moment a drunk man completely oblivious to the happenings in teh bar walked down the steps... "HEY EVERYBODY!" The mans turned his head to look at the drunk and it was then draconis reacted and what happened next occured in a matter of secconds. In one fluid motion he grab the mans pistol arm pulling it spinning the man around on the rotating stool, and put his hand on the mans face and smashed his head into the bar. Leaping from teh stool he stopped the body gaurd from bring his arm around grabbing it just below the elbow and smashing his own elbow into the body gaurds face. He then spun the gaurd around using him as a human shield just as the other 2nd gaurd opened fire. 5 rounds impacted into the body guard he held and the body went limp. Draconis quickly pulled his glock and fired one shot that impacted in the 2nd gaurd's forhead. He then spun around pointing his glock at the small man as the guard dropped to the floor.


"I think its time for you to leave."

Maria was shocked, she hid behind the bar and hoped Draconis wouldnt get hurt

OOC: sons of tarsonis - tg...

Squorn turned his head and silently raised a finger to his lips, just before a quick flurry of gunfire erupted from downstairs. He stayed, crouching motionless at the top of the stairs.

"I think it's time for you to leave."

He didn't recognize the voice, but judging by the sounds he was hearing someone was being held at gunpoint. Either that or the speaker had a very morbid sense of humor. It was probably safe to move down the stairs.

Just to be on the safe side, Squorn pulled out a long dagger, and crept silently downward, avoiding the steps that he knew would squeak and give him away. He peered out from the bottom of the steps and watched.

Shelby felt sad that he ignored her, she went back to her room and got changed.

The small man lifted his head quickly from the bar. His nose was obviously broken and blood poured down his face, but he grinned fiercely. A real fight...haven't had one of those in a long time.

The man was pointing a gun at him. He could have laughed.

the small man tensed his legs invisibly and then jumped. He rose a seemingly impossible distance, too quickly for the other man to follow with his gun. he twisted during his rise so that his feet met the ceiling. He pushed off again, changing his motion entirely. He hurtled though the air towards the man with the gun, curling into a ball and aiming his feet at the other man's chest. The man quickly loosed several shots, one of which hit the small suited man in the foot, and another of which ripped through his thigh. A third creased his ear, but it went almost unnoticed. The small man collided with Draconis' chest and they both went down. The small man grabbed Draconis' gun arm and smashed it against the floor incredibly hard. There was a sound of splintering bone, and the man lost his grip on his gun, which was a moment later pointed at his temple.


"Now I know at least some of you have weapons," he called to the other patrons. "but one move for them and he dies."

The small man lifted his head quickly from the bar. His nose was obviously broken and blood poured down his face, but he grinned fiercely. A real fight...haven't had one of those in a long time.

The man was pointing a gun at him. He could have laughed.

the small man tensed his legs invisibly and then jumped. He rose a seemingly impossible distance, too quickly for the other man to follow with his gun. The small man twisted during his rise so that his feet met the ceiling. He pushed off again, changing his motion entirely. He hurtled though the air towards the man with the gun, curling into a ball and aiming his feet at the other man's chest. The man quickly loosed several shots, one of which hit the small suited man in the foot, and another of which ripped through his thigh. A third creased his ear, but it went almost unnoticed. The small man collided with Draconis' chest and they both went down. The small man grabbed Draconis' gun arm and smashed it against the floor incredibly hard. There was a sound of splintering bone, and the man lost his grip on his gun, which was a moment later pointed at his temple.


"Now I know at least some of you have weapons," he called to the other patrons. "but one move for them and he dies."

Draconis smirked as his arm lay broken and the man held his own gun to his temple. the man seemed oblivious to the fact that Draconis had pulled a knife in the scuffle and now had it pressed against the mans throat. A stalemate..or so it seemed... "One problem with that assesment there chief.....THE CHAMBERS EMPTY"

Squorn continued to wait at the bottom of the stairs. Chances were the small man hadn't noticed him yet, but even with that advantage he didn't fancy his chances of hitting someone who could move that fast with a thrown knife. Besides, he didn't know the man who'd until recently been holding the gun, there was no particular reason for him to get involved yet.

The small man began to laugh. It started as a small chuckle, but quickly coalesced into a rolling gut-laugh that the man seemed unable to control. He rolled off of Draconis, still laughing almost hysterically. The gun dropped from his fingers and he writhed on the floor laughing.

He trailed off into giggles after a moment, and realized that a multitude of weapons were now pointed at him, which sent him into a further fit of laughter. When he finally recovered, his sunglasses had come off, revealing pale blue eyes which danced with amusement.



"Well, looks as if I am done for. A good joke though, sir." He said, inclining his head towards Draconis. "I don't suppose there is any way to convince you to let me live through this, is there?"

OOC: why didnt squorn acknowledge shelby?

IC:
Maria smiled to see Draconis wasnt hurt, she wanted the bad men out, she could feel the aura disappearing.

ooc: because he was concerned about armed men and gunshots in the tavern and didn't have time for small talk

ic:

Squorn blinked in surprise, before standing up and slowly walking forward to stand a few meters from the two men. He was wary of any move either one might make to threaten him. While he appeared somewhat relaxed, his senses were on hair trigger, ready to use the knife held loosely at his side.

OOC: why didnt squorn acknowledge shelby?

IC:
Maria smiled to see Draconis wasnt hurt, she wanted the bad men out, she could feel the aura disappearing.

Draconis climbed to his feet and with out wincing snapped his elbow back into its socket. A few people around him cringed. He then precedded to the bar well Grimm tossed him the Ak he had placed under the bar specially for him. "Let you live..." He leveled the gun pointing it at the mans head. "Like you let Martin live?"

OOC: hes your character Grape eater, up to you.

Shelby stayed upstairs, and Maria was getting even more nervous, she couldnt keep her eyes off the bad man.

Maria heard the click and considered getting the first aid kit, then decided against it.

Squorn's face darkened as the full meaning of what he'd just heard sunk in. his grip on the knife tightened and his eyes narrowed as he looked at the man. He spoke quietly to Draconis.
"Martin's dead?"

Squorn's face darkened as the full meaning of what he'd just heard sunk in. his grip on the knife tightened and his eyes narrowed as he looked at the man. He spoke quietly to Draconis.
"Martin's dead?"

"I'm afraid so...i buried him in the back alley."

Maria gave a little nod in Squorns direction.
does this man not know hes not welcome!!

OOC: sorry grape, though im sure theres more to this story.

Draconis leveled his Ak. "you took martin's life. So now, we take yours." He gently squeezed the trigger and the bullet rocketed into the mans smirking face. As the body fell to the floor Draconis nodded to Grimm. "Incinerator."

Draconis laid the Ak on the bar and reached over grabbing a bottle of Tequila and a Glass. he didnt care about anythign right now, all he wanted to do was get drunk. But one thing still puzzled him. What was it that he was looking for He suspected Grim knew something but resolved to ask him later.

Squorn watched as the bullets tore through the man's body and continued to stare at it for a few moments after Draconis had turned away. His face was an expressionless mask.

After a long while he blinked, and then carefully replaced his dagger within it's sheath inside his trenchcoat. He stepped over the body without looking at it and strode quickly out the door, his coat flapping in the wind of his passage.

Once outside, he walked a few meters from the door and then stopped, leaning with his back against the wall, he stared blankly at the ground a few feet in front of him.

For a moment, the small man's smile had almost disappeared. At Draconis' harsh words, however, he grinned.


"yes, very well, I admit, I killed the Tumbler. And it pained me to do so, because we really were best friends, years ago...in our Master's place. But when our master died, we both agreed to play this game. We two, and the eighteen others." The small man frowned. "I am...well, call me the Juggler. I was named Alex by the Master, before I attained my title, and the Tumbler was named Martin. But I have worn many names since we left there, and I expect the Tumbler did, as well." The Juggler trailed off for a moment, deep in reminiscence. "We were both orphans, saved from a slow death by the Master, and brought by secret means to a hidden place, where she helped us, and trained us." He smiled faintly.

"the Tumbler and I...we grew immediately close. I don't know why. We found each other the first night we were all brought together, and immediately took to each other. We used to do everything together, including training. In fact, I recall that once when the Master wanted us to split up for individual training,she had to box both our ears to get us apart. In any case, over the years we grew closer, until we were like twins. I rather suspect that is why the master named us Tumbler and Juggler."

"Eventually, when we were all masters of our arts and the Master was a frail old woman (though still able to beat us all into submission with ease), she told us of her secret. She had always worn twenty green rings, the same rings that I am wearing 18 of now. She said that somehow these rings enabled her to perform almost superhuman feats of strength, and allowed her the ability to knock the stuffing out of any of us." The Juggler laughed quietly.

"None of us believed her, but we all wanted the rings--after all, what if she was right? She knew this, of course, and turned obtaining the rings into a game. She gave each of us one ring and sent us off into space in prepared spacecraft that took us to distant corners of known space, with only the clothes on our backs and a small transmitter that would let us know whenever a ring transferred ownership. Don't ask me how. Our goal was to track down the others and acquire their rings by any means necessary." He smiled again.

"The old bitch must have had it planned years in advance. She claimed that the student who gathered all of the rings would have as much power as his heart desired. Well, none of us could pass up a chance like that, could we? I still don't know why she did all this, but I'm certain now that it is for some reason more than her desire to see one student rise above and become a new Master."

"I found myself on this planet, and immediately began to insinuate myself into the local underworld. At first my start was quite shaky--my Mastwer had trained us in all the arts she considered necessary, but never taught much in the way of history or current politics. Eventually though, I rose through the criminal ranks and began to build an empire."

"In any case, we each set about looking for the others...except the Acrobat, strangely. But we slowly found each other, and some began to succumb. The Rat was the first to give up his ring--he was always prepared to sell out. Slowly, the others lost their rings...until finally it was only the Tumbler, myself, the Acrobat, and the Dancer. I had acquired seven rings, but the Tumbler had ten. I had spent a lot of time building my power base here, content for the most part to let the others come to me."

the Juggler frowned. "I heard almost immediately when the Tumbler landed--I had stationed agents at every port, of course. Unfortunately, my man lost him around here. I was so preoccupied with him that I missed the Dancer's landing, and even missed it when the Tumbler found her and took her ring--I don't know how, but I doubt she is still alive. She was headstrong, and wouldn't have given in."

"when I finally managed to get the Tumbler, I took his rings and left him to die, but I didn't realise he had eleven rings now. He secreted one before he came to me, suspecting a trap. So I came to get it. he wasn't hard to follow, as fucked up as he was."

So now it is just me and the Acrobat, but I don't know where he is. I came so close..." the Jugglers shoulders slumped in defeat.

He looked Draconis in the eye. "Kill me. I've killed my best friend, and I've been defeated by a damn bounty hunter, all in the same day. But I would ask that you keep my rings safe." The man smiled a twisted smile. "And give them to the Acrobat if ever he wanders this way. But hide the Tumbler's last ring. Make it a challenge for him to find it, at least. It'd hardly be fair to have him come in and collect without having done anything at all--though that was always his style."


OOC: Sons of Tarsonis, if you want we might be able to claim this post is retroactive before you kill me, but otherwise i'll delete it.

For a moment, the small man's smile had almost disappeared. At Draconis' harsh words, however, he grinned.


"yes, very well, I admit, I killed the Tumbler. And it pained me to do so, because we really were best friends, years ago...in our Master's place. But when our master died, we both agreed to play this game. We two, and the eighteen others." The small man frowned. "I am...well, call me the Juggler. I was named Alex by the Master, before I attained my title, and the Tumbler was named Martin. But I have worn many names since we left there, and I expect the Tumbler did, as well." The Juggler trailed off for a moment, deep in reminiscence. "We were both orphans, saved from a slow death by the Master, and brought by secret means to a hidden place, where she helped us, and trained us." He smiled faintly.

"the Tumbler and I...we grew immediately close. I don't know why. We found each other the first night we were all brought together, and immediately took to each other. We used to do everything together, including training. In fact, I recall that once when the Master wanted us to split up for individual training,she had to box both our ears to get us apart. In any case, over the years we grew closer, until we were like twins. I rather suspect that is why the master named us Tumbler and Juggler."

"Eventually, when we were all masters of our arts and the Master was a frail old woman (though still able to beat us all into submission with ease), she told us of her secret. She had always worn twenty green rings, the same rings that I am wearing 18 of now. She said that somehow these rings enabled her to perform almost superhuman feats of strength, and allowed her the ability to knock the stuffing out of any of us." The Juggler laughed quietly.

"None of us believed her, but we all wanted the rings--after all, what if she was right? She knew this, of course, and turned obtaining the rings into a game. She gave each of us one ring and sent us off into space in prepared spacecraft that took us to distant corners of known space, with only the clothes on our backs and a small transmitter that would let us know whenever a ring transferred ownership. Don't ask me how. Our goal was to track down the others and acquire their rings by any means necessary." He smiled again.

"The old bitch must have had it planned years in advance. She claimed that the student who gathered all of the rings would have as much power as his heart desired. Well, none of us could pass up a chance like that, could we? I still don't know why she did all this, but I'm certain now that it is for some reason more than her desire to see one student rise above and become a new Master."

"I found myself on this planet, and immediately began to insinuate myself into the local underworld. At first my start was quite shaky--my Mastwer had trained us in all the arts she considered necessary, but never taught much in the way of history or current politics. Eventually though, I rose through the criminal ranks and began to build an empire."

"In any case, we each set about looking for the others...except the Acrobat, strangely. But we slowly found each other, and some began to succumb. The Rat was the first to give up his ring--he was always prepared to sell out. Slowly, the others lost their rings...until finally it was only the Tumbler, myself, the Acrobat, and the Dancer. I had acquired seven rings, but the Tumbler had ten. I had spent a lot of time building my power base here, content for the most part to let the others come to me."

the Juggler frowned. "I heard almost immediately when the Tumbler landed--I had stationed agents at every port, of course. Unfortunately, my man lost him around here. I was so preoccupied with him that I missed the Dancer's landing, and even missed it when the Tumbler found her and took her ring--I don't know how, but I doubt she is still alive. She was headstrong, and wouldn't have given in."

"when I finally managed to get the Tumbler, I took his rings and left him to die, but I didn't realise he had eleven rings now. He secreted one before he came to me, suspecting a trap. So I came to get it. he wasn't hard to follow, as fucked up as he was."

So now it is just me and the Acrobat, but I don't know where he is. I came so close..." the Jugglers shoulders slumped in defeat.

He looked Draconis in the eye. "Kill me. I've killed my best friend, and I've been defeated by a damn bounty hunter, all in the same day. But I would ask that you keep my rings safe." The man smiled a twisted smile. "And give them to the Acrobat if ever he wanders this way. But hide the Tumbler's last ring. Make it a challenge for him to find it, at least. It'd hardly be fair to have him come in and collect without having done anything at all--though that was always his style."


OOC: Sons of Tarsonis, if you want we might be able to claim this post is retroactive before you kill me, but otherwise i'll delete it.

no thats cool... leave it up, cause now im assuming the acrobat is coming to do some damage?

no thats cool... leave it up, cause now im assuming the master is coming to do some damage?

OOC: I haven't decided yet--might bring in the master, but maybe the Acrobat. I'll leave that until I get back from my vacation.

OOC: I haven't decided yet--might bring in the master, but maybe the Acrobat. I'll leave that until I get back from my vacation.

Draconis pilled the rings on the bar. THey seemed to be made out of some precious material. He could probably make alot of money pawning them. But he decided he'd keep them safe. For now, it would be him, who would be getting paid a visit soon enough. Better him than anyone else. He looked up to grim. "Im assuming you have the hidden one?"

OOC: thats cool i think ill bury martin's ring with him.

Draconis pilled the rings on the bar. THey seemed to be made out of some precious material. He could probably make alot of money pawning them. But he decided he'd keep them safe. For now, it would be him, who would be getting paid a visit soon enough. Better him than anyone else. He looked up to grim. "Im assuming you have the hidden one?"

OOC: thats cool i think ill bury martin's ring with him.

OOC: Sounds like a pretty good idea. Hah. Oh, and just for future reference, the rings appear to be made of Jade or something very similar, but are nigh unbreakable and will fit any finger.

OOC: Sounds like a pretty good idea. Hah. Oh, and just for future reference, the rings appear to be made of Jade or something very similar, but are nigh unbreakable and will fit any finger.

sounds good, im gonna head to bed now, have a good trip man.

Maria sat quietly through the whole thing, she was use to death and murder, she shed a tear and then poured some whisky for those who wanted it.

Abruptly, Squorn appeared again through the front door. He walked quickly across the room, not looking aside from his path, and proceeded up the stairs and down the hall to his room. Once inside he locked the door and collapsed onto his bed, pausing only to remove his coat.

Maria saw this and gathered he was probably mentally exhausted. she made him some soup and took it up to him, she felt awkward, but she wanted to help, she wanted to help everyone but she got overlooked or looked down to.
'I have made you some soup.....' she said quietly after she knocked.

*Something was telling her to go to the bar.
It was nothing tangible, just a vague feeling flowing through her body as though it was being carried around by her blood.
She sat up and tried to analyse her thoughts but nothing happened, so she followed her instincts and went into the bar.*

Nothing happening here except for the usual group of drunks.

*She eyed them all with suspicion before settling herself at the very end of the bar.*

From Sam's corner of the bar came a low, ugly growl... then as soon as it started, the sound stopped.

She blinked, and shaking her head, told JuNii, "I'll be back in a few. I've got to lie down for a while."

Slowly, the woman climbed the stairs, trying to sort her feelings. Had she known Martin long? no. Was she sorry he was dead? Decidedly, yes.

Was a day ever going to go by where someone DIDN'T get killed in Grim's? Apparently not.

Unlocking the door to her room, she went in, locked it behind her, and curled up on top of the mattress, trying to gain that precious commodity: sleep.

*The woman bouncer let out a menacing growl and after speaking quietly to Ju went from the bar leaving it largely unprotected, although she had the feeling that Ju would be more than able to cope it things became rowdy.*

This must be one of the deadest bars in the whole of this Gods forsaken planet.

*She started to tap boredly on the bar top.*

...several quiet hours later....


Samantha opened her eyes.

Blood. She smelled blood... downstairs? Again?

She put the thin leather jacket back on, and walked downstairs, frowning. She hated waking up and not knowing what was going on -- not that that simp Melanie could or would tell her. Better to play it cool and see what was going on.

Sam headed into the kitchen, past Ju. "Gonna grab something to eat... be right out."

Maria strolled in looking happy with herself. she did her normal routine and waited for it to get busy...

bump?

A large black centipede crawled across the cealing then droped to the floor as it fell it changed and man landed and looked around the tavern he was barly 3ft tall thin and wiry his hair was short and bone white. he smiled his wings rustled as the leathery membrane rubagianst eachother.

*She watched as what appeared to be a new barmaid busied herself wiping down the bar and polishing glasses.
She watched as a creeping thing turned into a little winged man and eyed him with distaste.
Still she tapped on the bar top.

One of the drunks from the corner approached her with a leer and offered to get her a drink.*

No thanks, I don't drink.

*As he grabbed her arm she turned her black eyes on him. The blue and red sparks that darted from her eyes sent him flying backwards, rubbing the hand that had touched her.
She turned away from him and continued tapping on the bar top.*

Squorn wearily walked into the tavern and made his way to the bar. Once there, he hunched over in a stool and ordered a shot of vodka, downing it as soon as it arrived.

A man well on his way to unconcioussness staggered over and sat down next to him. Apparantly not caring that they'd never met, he began to regale Squorn with a story about the 'good ole days' punctuated with many 'don't you remember's. Squorn ignored him up until the point when the drunk sloppily laid a heavy hand on his shoulder. Squorn's arm flashed out quickly, a flat palm impacting the front of the man's shoulder, pitching him off the stool onto the floor.

Squorn glanced over at him, then turned forward again and ordered another shot.

After once again warming a slab of meat under running water and gobbling it down swiftly, Sam walked out into the bar, just in time to see Squorn straight-arm a drunk onto the floor.

Without comment, Sam picked the drunk up, dusted him off, and deposited him into an empty chair.

She shook her head as she stood beside Squorn. "This place is so NOT what I expected."

Squorn looked to the side, his eyes brushing over her features.
"Life seldom is."
He sighed heavily.
"Who would have anticipated that there were people who wanted to kill Martin over a bunch of rings?"
An expression halfway between a smirk and a grimace slid onto his face.
"See what I mean?"

Sam nodded. What was there to say about Martin's murder? It seemed he'd found what he'd been searching for -- after a fashion -- and it had killed him.

"But is it any better to wander aimlessly, I wonder..." she mused absently. Better to seek your road, or drift from thing to thing...?"

Snorting softly, she motioned the barmaid for a drink herself. "And to think I thought this place would be a safe harbor... safer than what's out there, anyhow." She tossed back her shot, grimacing at the taste.

"Safe? Safe is a state of mind, not a state of being. No one is ever really safe."
He downed another shot and gestured randomly with the empty glass.
"We just find a place we like being and then pretend nothing can happen to us in the place we call home."

A hard glint came into Sam's eyes for a moment there, then faded almost immediately. In my experience, she thought to herself, home is where you're least safe.

"When the man is right, the man is right." She continued to sit near Squorn, but did not indulge in a second shot. Instead, she ran her eyes over the clientèle.

"I tell you what," she said softly to him, setting her glass down solidly. "Anyone coming in looking for trouble here tonight is damned well going to find it."

He grinned and looked over at her.
"Now that, I believe. We've had too many people coming in here to find trouble. I think it's about time that trouble started finding those types."

Krieg Leaned back snoozing in his chair he yawned and muttered in his sleep eyes flickering a memory from a distant battlefield.

Shelby walked down and saw Squorn and smiled, she sat down and opened her racing journal.

Kriegs eyes moved under their lids his right index finger twitched as if simulating a trigger squeeze he mumbled more cold sweat apearing on his brow

Squorn walked hurriedly through a light, but windblown rain, along the alleyways that lead to Grim's. The water plastered his hair down against his forehead and the back ofhis neck, dripping uncomfortably inside his collar. He ducked quickly in through the front door, taking off his dripping coat and shaking some water off of it.

Proceeding to the bar, he draped the coat over one stool and sat down next to it, ordering a cup of coffee, which arrived steaming. He picked it up in both hands, letting the warmth spread into his chilled fingers.

Sam walked over, leaving the jacket a wide berth, and sat on the other side of Squorn.

"Quiet so far," she murmured. "How you feeling today?"

"Quite a lot better now that I can feel." He wiggled his fingers and took a sip of coffee. Looking around at the largely deserted room he shrugged.
"Wouldn't expect a lot of business with weather like that. Anyway, how're you?"

"Calm. And considering." She looked around the quiet room. "I'm thinking those of us who are regulars here might want to have a little 'chat' about... in a very broad sense... what kind of lost luggage and long lost 'friends' might be finding their way here. It's not that I want to know anyone's business, and I'm not precisely keen on sharing mine but for in the most general sense...but it would be nice if the next time that door opens and the shit is about to hit the fan, we're not all standing here with our proverbial pants down around our ankles."

Squorn stared thoughtfully into his coffe for a few moments before responding, "That's probably a very good idea. It would certainly help in these situations to have some idea of what might be going on."
He drained his coffee cup, the warmth of the drink filling his stomach and driving the chill of the rain completely from his body.
"I, for one, don't have anyone out to get me, at least, not that I know of. No prices on my head or old partners I've double-crossed."
He smirked slightly.
"I would of course, put the word out if that changed, for reasons of self-preservation if nothing else."

"That's good to hear," Sam said, her lips quirking into a faint smile. "I'd just as soon not see you becoming an interesting pattern on the wallpaper."

She sobered a bit, and told him quietly, "As far as I know there's no one chasing uh... chasing me, either." She grimaced, looking around the room. "I don't much care for change," she continued. "I like some things remaining constants... and right now, having a home base is what need. And would be willing to defend, if necessary."

"I appreciate your concern," he grinned back at her, " and I'm sure Grim's glad of your, ah, loyalty." he smiled slightly.
"I'm not sure where I stand as far as protection goes. I tend to look after myself first and foremost. Luckily, most of the people I deem worth protecting are quite capable of looking after themselves."

He glanced around at the interior of the tavern. Was he starting to get attatched to this place? It wasn't something he often let himself do, preferring to keep on the move, never putting down roots in any particular place. Maybe I do care enough about this place to protect it.

"Heh. Well, even if we're all just defending ourselves... we all do that at the same time when some troublemaker decides to make himself known... I'd say the response could be a bit formidable."

She glanced around, wincing. "Then again, there appear to be one or two around here that remind me of sweating dynamite."

He laughed quietly, "Very formidable indeed, especially with the heat this tavern's crowd likes to carry. Although, as you say, not everyone around her is entirely stable."
He tapped his fingers randomly on the bar.
"Just shows that it pays to be careful."

Maria sighed as she sat at the bar, she rubbed her belly and a little tear ran down her cheek, she hadnt really spoken to anyone since she attempted to offer Sqourn some soup, she looked around humming a little tune.

He glanced over at Maria. She looked decidedly unhappy about something. Whether it was Martin's death or something else he didn't know.

"Are you feeling all right?"

'It doesnt matter now, nothing but a pipe dream' she sighed, then a small smile tried to creap on her face.

'how was your soup?'

Sam looked amused. Here she and Squorn were talking seriously about the tavern, its denizens, and survival in the face of the many murders and unusual violence that had taken place in and around it -- and there was the new barmaid, apparently upset because Squorn apparently wasn't paying attention to her attempts to get to know him.

Sam got up from her stool, smiled at the girl, and headed into the kitchen. We can talk logistics later -- I believe I'll give that young lady the opportunity to have his complete and undivided attention for the moment. Besides... time to eat, and I don't think anyone here wants to, or needs to, see that.

Once more, Sam took a steak out of the refrigerator, heated it gently under hot water until it came to above room temperature, and ate it, without fuss, in the kitchen.

Grim can take it outta my pay.

Krieg walked in and sat at the table he had carved up his first day there he scrached one of the many scars he had. this one bothered him because he couldnt rember where it had come from two circular puncture marks on the side of his neck. he laughed because he was reminded of a vampire but he didnt exibit any of the tendincies of a vampire. he smiled knowing there was a fully logical explination for the scars

*Ju walked in and looked around.*

*with a sigh, he sits at the bar and thinks back on his exploratory trip of this new world.*

"Good afternoon" Krieg greeted the new arival, new being a realitive term.

"Good afternoon" Krieg greeted the new arival, new being a realitive term.

Hello. you still carving up anymore of our tables? *Ju replies with a joking grin*

"Not today." Krieg said with a shrug "I've had my fill of that and dont feel like provoking anyone into an undue rage."

"Not today." Krieg said with a shrug "I've had my fill of that and dont feel like provoking anyone into an undue rage."

Good to hear that. want anything to drink?

"sure you got Dr. Pepper?" he leaned back in his chair

"sure you got Dr. Pepper?" he leaned back in his chair

*places a chilled bottle and a glass of ice infront of Krieg.*

"tah. Thanks mate" pops the top and pours himself a glass

Sam walked out of the kitchen, wiping her mouth on a napkin which she tossed in a trash receptacle behind the bar. "Hey, Ju," she said, then nodded to Krieg on her way to standing by the door.

Sam walked out of the kitchen, wiping her mouth on a napkin which she tossed in a trash receptacle behind the bar. "Hey, Ju," she said, then nodded to Krieg on her way to standing by the door.

Hey there...

you know... I can cook things for you sam. call it one of the job's perks...

I mean it's not like we're in this for the money... :p

There seems to be more staff here now than customers!

*She kept a wary eye on the drunks in the corner, but they were keeping their distance since she had given one of their number the 'look'.
The barmaid seemed self occupied as did the man at the table who Ju had called Krieg.
That left the bouncer woman.
She tried making an effort at friendly conversation.*

Hi, quiet here at the moment , isn't it?

*She didn't expect to get much back in the way of an answer, the woman didn't look the sort to make small talk very easily.*


OOC
Yay...been trying to post for an hour and a half...

OOC
Yay...been trying to post for an hour and a half...

OoC: damn DB error...

Sam looked a little... what, guilty? at Ju's offer, then laughed it off. "Sure, uh, that'd be nice. Yeah, I figure the least Grim can do is feed us..."

She turned to face the woman who'd addressed her. "Afternoon," she said. "Yes, it is quiet for once, thank whatever God or Gods are listening. Could do with a few days of relaxation."

She looked at the woman -- not unfriendly -- just seeming to take in everything about her -- just as she did with everything and everyone else in the tavern. "So, uh, anything interesting in the neighborhood? I haven't been out in a few."

*At the womans reply she laughed loudly*

Sorry, I couldn't say what has been going on out there, as I haven't left this building in...oh I don't know...a couple of weeks!
Anything interesting happened in here of late?
I'm...um..Orchid by the way.

*She held out her hand, hesitantly at first, but then thrusting it forwards with a smile.*

"The moss and plant life on 098 are varying in both sight, scent and diet. some have developed a taste for meat and should be avoided... other plant life are semi-intelligent and can be trained as pets or service."

*Ju puts down the travel panphlet and looks towards the kitchen.*

Trained huh?

I wonder...

Krieg slept peacefully in his chair leaning back agianst the wall

Maria scurried upstairs with a small carry case, she didnt want anyone to see, she came back down and composed herself.

'how is everyone today?' she asked.

'how is everyone today?' Fine. and you...

*Ju's nose was buried in a book titled... "Training your houseplants"

'I am alright' she said, she seemed a little out of breath.

'my mother had a fantastic recipe for houseplant syrup, its really good for them' Maria added.

'I am alright' she said, she seemed a little out of breath.

'my mother had a fantastic recipe for houseplant syrup, its really good for them' Maria added.

... don't think so... this one likes it's food right off the bone... if you get my meaning...

her eyes bulged momentarily.

'ah ok....welll....good luck with that...' she giggled.

'can I get you a drink or something....wanna try my new idea for a take away soup idea...wouldnt cost much to set up and would be a great hit with people passing through'

her eyes bulged momentarily.

'ah ok....welll....good luck with that...' she giggled.

'can I get you a drink or something....wanna try my new idea for a take away soup idea...wouldnt cost much to set up and would be a great hit with people passing through'

I'm fine... but sure, go ahead. I don't mind being a guinea pig for any new experimentations...



concerning food that is.

she smiled, she wanted to fit in there, she never fitted in, she went out the back and brought him mushroom and herb.

'what do you think?'

she smiled, she wanted to fit in there, she never fitted in, she went out the back and brought him mushroom and herb.

'what do you think?'

OoC: Mushroom and herb soup?

*Ju puts the book down and examines the dish. taking a taste...*
Not bad. but if this is to go... how will it be transported?

'I have soem cheap small flask things, wont cost a fortune or people can bring their own and the soup changes everyday...' she said, hoping he liked it and liked her.

'do i fit in here?' she asked quietly.

'I have some cheap small flask things, wont cost a fortune or people can bring their own and the soup changes everyday...' she said, hoping he liked it and liked her.

'do i fit in here?' she asked quietly.
hmmm... you could chop the mushrooms finer. so they flow through the opening better. Other than that, its very good. you made this yourself?


fitting in? just be yourself and don't try so hard to have people like you. I think you'll find people being more accepting if you are honest with and about yourself.

Squorn strolled liesurely into the tavern, carefully navigating his way across the room toward the bar. There was a lingering smell of mushrooms about the place. Seems like Ju's been experimenting again. He sat down at the bar, noting with a slight feeling of disappointment that there didn't seem to be anyone he reckognized around, aside from the nearly ever-present Grim of course.

"Just ice water for me tonight Grim, thanks."

Maria turned and smiled.
'I can always get you the drink, seeing as I am the bar maid'

Squorn started slightly, turning to look at Maria.
"Oh, sorry, didn't see you there Maria."

she sighed.
'ice water?' she served it to him with a slight smile.

"Thanks," he smiled back.
"Sorry about kind of vanishing the other night."

Ahh... alls well in the world.

*Ju takes another sip from the Soup and goes back to his book.*

'don't worry' she said, she felt a shooting pain in her stomach and clutched it tight and looked in pain, then it passed.

'i guess im not going to get the pleasure of knowing where you went' she said smiling, still feeling the tingling.

"Well sometimes business requires that I keep quiet about where I am and what I'm doing. Sorry."

He looked concerned though, about her brief wince.

"Are you sure you're feeling okay?"

she smiled.
'can i tell you something?' she asked.

She slid her top up to reveal a bandage around her stomach. and lower abdomen.

"Sure."

His eyes widened a little as he saw the bandage.

"What happened?"

'ummm....well....I had to have an..... *she let a big sigh out* an emergency caesarian.....and.. *tears started to prickle* I lost the baby'

He was silent for just a few seconds.
"I'm. . ."
He broke off, searching for words.
Shit, what the hell can you say in a situation like this?
"I'm very sorry for your loss."

'thanks, well....yeh thanks' she said.
'Its kinda a weird thing to say to stranger I guess' she said, she had a stray tear down her cheek, she didnt know about it.

"Sometimes when it's something painful, you just have to get it out, no matter who you're talking to. I understand."

He took a sip of water to help fill the silence he anticipated following his response. Ending awkward silences was not one of his specialties.

'thanks' she said smiling, she applied some lip gloss.
'Its getting cold out there, remember to wrap up' she said, in a maternal warm tone. She liked him, but....she didnt seem to be attracting anyone here, she sighed.

"Anytime."

He laughed good naturedly at her advice to him, "I'll be sure to dress warmly."



ooc: don't be too discouraged about not charming Squorn
He's a loner, cynic and nihilist who believes in the meaninglessness of life and the evilness of human nature. It's not in his character to be charmed by a pretty face and some small talk, he's far too screwed up psychologically for that.

OOC: so are you saying she can flirt then...or not....im confused...:confused: :rolleyes:

OOC: so are you saying she can flirt then...or not....im confused...:confused: :rolleyes:

OoC: he's saying that you can try, but don't be surprised if nothing happens. :p

OoC: he's saying that you can try, but don't be surprised if nothing happens. :p

ooc: exactly, Squorn is pretty much immune to being charmed. He's only really attracted to complete psychological train wrecks like himself.:p

OOC: ahhhhhh ok :(

Maria smiled at him.
'are you going to stay long, theres no one else here and the nights cold and I dont finish for another 2 hours' she said, she went around the other side and sat on the stool next to him and smiled, she brushed his leg with hers.

*ju quietly pockets his book and turns to walk up the stairs.*

I'll try these techniques tomorrow... I wonder if I can train that moss patch...

Night folks. see ya tomorrow.

OOC: bye bye..have a fluffle :fluffle:

Squorn sat up and gave a little wave in Ju's direction.
"See ya round."

He then turned to Maria.
"Sure, I'll hang around for a while. There's certainly nothing else interesting going on."

she smiled, she wanted to make him smile, make him interested, she knew it would be difficult.

she smiled.
'so do you believe in having your palm read?' she asked, she slid her little hand over his.

He grinned slightly and quirked an eyebrow at her.
"No, but you're welcome to try if you like."

He turned his hand over and spread out the long thin fingers.

Sam sniffed appreciatively. That mushroom soup smelled wonderful. Maybe this place WOULD work out ok after all.

Maria saw Sam walk in.
'give me a minute' she said to Squorn.

'hey Sam, smells good huh, my mamas recipe...want to try some, its a new idea for the tavern' she said, smiling, offering her a hot bowl.

She went back to squorn, her touch was light and delicate, she did her best, her romanian roots helped her greatly.

Squorn nodded to Sam as she entered.

"So that's your soup I've been smelling then. If it tastes half as good as it smells you'll have more business than you know what to do with."

she blushed and moved closer.
'yeah I hope so.....here try some....' she poured some out and spoon fed it to him.

Squorn quickly swallowed before laughing.

"That's good, but I can help myself. I do have one free hand."

"Thanks," Sam said, and nibbled the soup appreciatively. Hot and tasty... it would probably sell pretty well.

She nodded at Squorn, and smiled a little. "Hope it's a good fortune..."

she blushed and pulled her hand away.
'sorry...' she whispered, she looked outside and saw a woman with two children getting into car, a few tears crept down her face.