Author Topic: The Evernight Chronicles, Chapter I: Usual Suspects (Read 64836 times)

sirpercival · « **Reply #40 on:** May 01, 2012, 06:18:17 PM »

Meanwhile, elsewhere...

The door to Trent's basement medlab bangs open, and Zero stumbles in, eyes squinting through a curtain of blood and skin hanging from his forehead. His left arm hangs limply at his side, while his right is waving an energy pistol dangerously around the room. The young man mumbles, "I..." before dropping heavily into an exam chair.

"Ouch," he says lucidly, then slumps as he passes out.

Through the open door, Trent can faintly hear the sound of sporadic gunfire upstairs (it's no surprise he didn't hear anything before, because the medlab had been soundproofed quite well after the Boss complained about all the screaming). After a moment's silence, there's another sharp retort, and a very loud thud from directly above.

Wrex · « **Reply #41 on:** May 01, 2012, 07:16:52 PM »

He sighs, Not another bloody gunfight. That's...what, the third one this week? With practiced hands, he delivers a jolt of negative energy to the worst of the wounds, watching as the undead flesh begins to knit itself back together. He idly wonders what happened to the poor bastard, and reaches for the combat baton at his belt. Taking a moment to secure his Flak Vest, he walks up the stairs to see just what the hell is going on.

(click to show/hide)

Shiki · « **Reply #42 on:** May 02, 2012, 02:07:55 PM »

Cecilia glared back at the boy, and as if she was ignoring the others, she goes on saying enticingly "What're ya doin' here, honey~?" all while blinking a few times.

Nanshork · « **Reply #43 on:** May 02, 2012, 02:41:41 PM »

Ravage remains on guard, unsure of what to do as the boy poses no threat but Strom is no longer paying attention to any of them.

Sneaky_Sable · « **Reply #44 on:** May 02, 2012, 03:22:32 PM »

Unique kept an eye on Strom, though she opted not to lean over and read over his shoulder. He was just accessing the Oracle to validate her retelling of the story. She really hoped the Oracle sensors in this room got her good side.

She smiled. Who was she kidding? Her good side was her outside...

She gave a slide glance to Cecilia, and seeing her work the boy, she couldn't help but smirk. That girl had talent, and who knows... maybe the Natural side of her was the appeal. It wasn't Unique's fault that she was so well .. constructed. Like a piece of art, Ravage said.

Time to keep the heat off her to let the girl work her magic and find out about their new arrival. Unique made her way to Strom, standing so that to pay attention to her, he'd be looking away from the direction of Cecilia and the boy. (Left side vs. Right side)

"Simply atrocious man, that ruffian, and such a tacky ensemble. I can only imagine what war crime to fashion his companion was. Graces that he was hardly visible."

(click to show/hide)

sirpercival · « **Reply #45 on:** May 05, 2012, 09:32:51 PM »

Strom glances at Unique, then finishes reading the sensor with a stormy expression on his face. He turns back to the rest of the group. "I'm sorry about that; such is not usually the way we do things here at L.U.C.R.E. I'll see what I can find out about the attack -- are any of you injured? If so, I can provide healing at no cost to you. Otherwise, you're all free to go, though I may contact you in the future if I have any more questions."

The kid, trying to evade Strom's notice, slips off the chair and sidles over to Cecilia. "Hey," he whispers while Strom is talking. "I'm Worm. What's your name?" Then he scowls up at Strom briefly. "I always get picked up for this kind of shit, just because I stole that guy's CAC that one time. Why they always gotta pick on me?"

After a moment, he glances at Cecilia again out of the corner of his eye, murmuring almost below the level of hearing. "So, what's your story?"

sirpercival · « **Reply #46 on:** May 05, 2012, 09:37:12 PM »

Quote from: Wrex on May 01, 2012, 07:16:52 PM

He sighs, Not another bloody gunfight. That's...what, the third one this week? With practiced hands, he delivers a jolt of negative energy to the worst of the wounds, watching as the undead flesh begins to knit itself back together. He idly wonders what happened to the poor bastard, and reaches for the combat baton at his belt. Taking a moment to secure his Flak Vest, he walks up the stairs to see just what the hell is going on.

Zero seems appreciative of the jolt, but doesn't look like he's going to move any time soon.

As Trent heads up the stairs, there's another gunshot, louder this time, and then two more solid thumps. He reaches the landing at the top, and sees Happy roll slowly toward him, a bloody hole right smack in the middle of the paper face. There are a couple bodies littering the ground, guys that he recognizes.

Suddenly there's the ear-splitting rat-tat-tat of a machine gun, and the back wall of the room is chewed up by bullets. Whoever's firing can't see Trent, it seems.

Wrex · « **Reply #47 on:** May 05, 2012, 10:32:23 PM »

Quote

Zero seems appreciative of the jolt, but doesn't look like he's going to move any time soon.

As Trent heads up the stairs, there's another gunshot, louder this time, and then two more solid thumps. He reaches the landing at the top, and sees Happy roll slowly toward him, a bloody hole right smack in the middle of the paper face. There are a couple bodies littering the ground, guys that he recognizes.

Suddenly there's the ear-splitting rat-tat-tat of a machine gun, and the back wall of the room is chewed up by bullets. Whoever's firing can't see Trent, it seems.

Trent swears under his breath. Someone with that kind of firepower would kill him in an instant, armor or no armor. He moves back down the stairs, shuts the door quietly, and locks it tight behind him.

As he steps into the room, he begins the motions for his first aid treatment, drawing threads of arcane energy from the world around him. As he coaxes them forwards, they snake into Zero's unconscious body and begin to knit his injuries closed, pinching the wounds together and sealing them tightly. With his free hand, he summons up his own energy, sending crackling waves of negative energy pulsing through his arm. Carefully, he directs the hungry forces into Zero's battered frame, where they concentrate around his greatest injuries, feasting on the wounds and devouring contaminants. It would hurt like hell if Zero were a living being, but the nerves of the dead don't function quite like they used to, and all he felt was a wonderful sensation of coolness, like the refreshing chill of a mortuary.

(click to show/hide)

Shiki · « **Reply #48 on:** May 05, 2012, 11:59:12 PM »

All while keeping her eyes on Strom, rapidly replying to the boy's questions in between everything he said, Cecilia whispered back at the boy: "I'm Cecilia." ... "Just taking a guess here; maybe they've come to like you, eh?" ... "My story? That could take hours to tell, you know?"

Flay Crimsonwind · « **Reply #49 on:** May 06, 2012, 07:01:38 PM »

"The assailant knew you, and seemed to come for us for specific reasons. Do you think it wise to separate the targets, especially when the assailant, describing us as prey, made indication that he would come again?"

sirpercival · « **Reply #50 on:** May 06, 2012, 07:38:09 PM »

Quote from: Shiki on May 05, 2012, 11:59:12 PM

All while keeping her eyes on Strom, rapidly replying to the boy's questions in between everything he said, Cecilia whispered back at the boy: "I'm Cecilia." ... "Just taking a guess here; maybe they've come to like you, eh?" ... "My story? That could take hours to tell, you know?"

Worm shakes his head. "I hope not," he whispers fiercely. "Can't stand these official types. They think they can boss you around just 'cause they got a job. Well, I got a job too."

He looks sideways again at Cecilia. "You got a job? 'Cause my boss is always hirin'..."

Quote from: Flay Crimsonwind on May 06, 2012, 07:01:38 PM

"The assailant knew you, and seemed to come for us for specific reasons. Do you think it wise to separate the targets, especially when the assailant, describing us as prey, made indication that he would come again?"

Strom smiles humorlessly. "While I very much appreciate your cooperation, I have an investigation to run. I don't have time to babysit you. You may wish to stay together, or not, as is your choice. You can even stay here if you like, though my lease is up in an hour. Good day to you."

Then with one final glare at Worm, Strom turns on his heel and leaves.

Flay Crimsonwind · « **Reply #51 on:** May 09, 2012, 10:33:53 PM »

An eyebrow momentarily raised at Strom's response, but quickly the lifetorn's face returned to the blank slate it should have been. As soon as his arm was healed, he approached the gladiator and the strange woman. "I am more than willing to accompany you to your abodes. We will have to prepare for the fact that we will be targeted. Alternatively, my company would be more than willing to shelter you at my request. As I am a target, and an investment, the bigger draw of all of us would be a lure that my company would not want to miss. And at the least we could offer you armed shelter."

Sneaky_Sable · « **Reply #52 on:** May 10, 2012, 12:55:30 AM »

"Well, there's no way I'm going to let some hooligan think he's gotten the better of me. And by me, I certainly mean us..." Unique started, that pride welling up, "Though, I wouldn't want to be alone." a pause, then she turned to Ravage, "I don't suppose I could twist your arm into staying with me for a little while longer? It'd mean the world to me." She said with a smile. A bit of a show, a bit more then usual perhaps, to keep the attention to herself, and off her new little protege, Cecilia. Let her work her magic with the new kid.

"Oh, but I simply cannot be seen in this dress outside! I make it a point, in the fashion ear, to not be seen in the same dress twice. That, and our assailant could easily track us by this fabulous ensemble." she pointed out. "And after all, even if we are laying low, as it sounds like we might be for a while, that's no excuse to disregard one's fashion sense. Let me just change real quick before we go."

Almost as though it heard her, her garb started to change. The elegant white slip changed into something simpler, almost plain. Knee-cut shorts, a jacket made of processed fabric, and a shirt that read "Silverheart", the name of a semi-prominent Powerbard.

"There. Not my best work, I assure you, but Unique you certainly know your style. Right then, ummm, you were saying?." Her attention fell on the Lifetorn.

(click to show/hide)

Nanshork · « **Reply #53 on:** May 10, 2012, 11:46:11 AM »

Ravage ponders for a moment after the Lifetorn speaks, then replies. "I have no need of your protective services, however Unique should not be left alone." He then turns to Unique. "I will accompany you for as long as I can, but I only have a Daypass and am still the property of another so I cannot remain with you. This Lifetorn is an effective combatant, he and his company should be able to sufficiently protect you."

Shiki · « **Reply #54 on:** May 10, 2012, 02:43:43 PM »

Cecilia waited for Strom to leave the room and then she replied to the kid "I have a job, but I'm my own boss," winking on that last word. "My schedule's normally pretty tight, but not too much as of late. Sooo... What kind of job that boss of yours is hiring for?" She raised her voice just so everyone in the room could hear her.

sirpercival · « **Reply #55 on:** May 11, 2012, 03:25:17 PM »

Worm glances around the room, suddenly self-conscious at the audience. Then he looks meaningfully at the sensor which is still hanging unobtrusively in the corner of the ceiling.

"Oh, nothing, nothing at all...

Hey, does anyone want some lunch? I'm hungry."

He heads toward the door, shooting another glance at Cecilia and taking a wide berth around Ash and Ravage.

Quote from: Wrex on May 05, 2012, 10:32:23 PM

Trent swears under his breath. Someone with that kind of firepower would kill him in an instant, armor or no armor. He moves back down the stairs, shuts the door quietly, and locks it tight behind him.

As he steps into the room, he begins the motions for his first aid treatment, drawing threads of arcane energy from the world around him. As he coaxes them forwards, they snake into Zero's unconscious body and begin to knit his injuries closed, pinching the wounds together and sealing them tightly. With his free hand, he summons up his own energy, sending crackling waves of negative energy pulsing through his arm. Carefully, he directs the hungry forces into Zero's battered frame, where they concentrate around his greatest injuries, feasting on the wounds and devouring contaminants. It would hurt like hell if Zero were a living being, but the nerves of the dead don't function quite like they used to, and all he felt was a wonderful sensation of coolness, like the refreshing chill of a mortuary.

After a moment, Zero resurfaces. At just about the same time, the righteous din from upstairs stops, leaving the memory of ringing in Trent's ears.

"Wh- what happened?" Zero suddenly jumps up, gun in hand, then sways, leaning on the table for support.

Sneaky_Sable · « **Reply #56 on:** May 11, 2012, 03:50:35 PM »

She got him to ask her out to lunch already. What a little vixen. And it was adorable that he covered by making the invite open to everyone.

"I think that maybe a bite to eat outside of... donuts and coffee... would do wonders." Unique started, then gave Worm a soft smile, "And such a gentleman."

Flirt as she might, this one was Cecilia's. She didn't want the poor streetgirl to have to compete. She offered an arm to Ravage, "Well then, if I have your company for the day... shall we?" and while she didn't offer an arm to Ash, she did offer a smile. After all, this lifetorn was instrumental to saving her life, and while she had nothing against lifetorn... either specifically or in general, she really had no opinion on them.

Were she a more intellectual lady, she'd ponder the prospect of having no opinion of something that, in itself, generally has no opinion. Though, she was hardly the pondering type.

Nanshork · « **Reply #57 on:** May 11, 2012, 04:12:45 PM »

Ravage takes his arm graciously, he's been hired as a protective escort before and knows what is expected of him. At least time his companion is someone that is coming to enjoy conversing with, Ravage is coming to consider Unique one of the few friends that he has. "I do not eat, but I would enjoy accompanying you regardless," he says to her.

Wrex · « **Reply #58 on:** May 11, 2012, 07:44:33 PM »

Quote

After a moment, Zero resurfaces. At just about the same time, the righteous din from upstairs stops, leaving the memory of ringing in Trent's ears.

"Wh- what happened?" Zero suddenly jumps up, gun in hand, then sways, leaning on the table for support.

"Hell if I know. Shots, lots of them. Tore you up pretty good"

He continues mending Zero

"Automatic rifle fire. This wasn't an amateur hit. Got most of the guys upstairs, so I think. The door is locked behind us. Do you have any ammo left?"

Flay Crimsonwind · « **Reply #59 on:** May 12, 2012, 12:22:45 AM »

As the group began to leave, Ash considered whether being in public was a particularly good idea. He could have left them to fend for themselves, but something about them drew his interest. Something akin to a memory, an impulse. He found himself following them, and shrugged it off as one of his oddities. He was supposed to act on them - part of the agreement of the Heavenly Dead.

Strapping his short rifle back on, he followed them out. He didn't need food, but there might be something else of value.

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Author Topic: The Evernight Chronicles, Chapter I: Usual Suspects (Read 64836 times)