>>28774359
>> Burglar.

>>28774359
> Burglar.

>>28774359
>Burglar

>>28774418

Huh. Drunkard doesn't sound criminal. Nuisance, perhaps, unless he beat someone up - but then that would not just be 'being a drunkard', then. A thief, on the other hand...

'I think the burglar sounds a bit more criminal,' you say. Let's not stop with the hand, actually; Callie is clearly enjoying it, squirming around as you graze. 'So, what's this, there's a burglar near the pub?'

'Not near the pub, man,' she says. 'Like, right here. Around these blocks.'

'What, just one burglar around here?' You withdraw your hand and Callie sits up, feigning a look of annoyance. 'Well... this place does look worryingly dodgy, to be honest. I'm mostly concerned about you.'

'I've got my mace. And every now and then I suppose you'll be around?' She leans in and kisses your lips lightly. 'Anyway. I'm sure there's more than one pickpocket or shoplifter - there's plenty of those - but I'm talking about, like, someone who does break-ins. I think just last week, there was someone downstairs on the 3rd floor whose window was smashed, and the thief crawled in and took quite a few things. A box of jewellery, things like that.'

Holy shit. That sounds serious. 'That's the only case?'

'No, the second. A few days before that someone in the next block over, 112, also got burgled. Or so I heard, not very clear on that one. This one I heard from the neighbours around, not at the pub, so consider it a bonus tip,' she grins triumphantly.

> What do/say?

>>28774604

Reward her for the bonus tip with a kiss.

"So, what's the reward for finding this guy?"

>>28774604
"This doesn't have to be a one-off thing if you don't want it to be."

>>28774604
Give her her reward. Thank her for the info, there is not much to go on but we'll look around.

>>28774776
>>28774806
>>28774821

'What, asking for a reward already?' But then Callie gives a pout, so you end up having to appease her with a long kiss. 'This doesn't have to be a one-off thing, you know. I mean, I'm living here now. It's a long story, but now I'm here... for the time being, it seems.'

'So this is going to be a thing?' She grabs your head while kissing again, giggling. 'I don't know if I'd mind. Probably not...'

'Hmm. It's up to you, of course. I'm the gentlemanly sort, can't help myself. But then come think of it, so what'll be *my* reward for catching the thief? And there's not much to go on, is there now?'

'Well, the thing is, the woman downstairs who got burgled - she actually has a camera in her house and so she's seen the burglar before. But she's a bit... cuckoo, I suppose, is the word. Paranoid, I guess?'

'It's only paranoia if she's never been burgled...'

'Still. She might want your help. She says it's a guy but she won't let anyone see the footage, so you could go ask her.' As she speaks, Callie's slowly shifting towards you, eventually putting her hands on your shoulders while her legs curl around your waist. 'I don't know what kind of reward she'd give, but the rumour mill might do good for your name, perhaps? Is that a good enough reward?'

> Fair enough. Reward her. (Roll d100)
> Doesn't sound like a job worth taking, but thanks...
> Other.

Rolled 52

>>28774978

> Reward her.

This doesn't actually sound like it's worth taking, but a tip needs a reward.

Rolled 76

>>28774978

Reward her.

Rolled 5

>>28774978
Give her the Gift. By which I mean the D.

Rolled 43

>>28774978
Time to be a hero.

Rolled 23

>>28774978
Hrrm. Hopefully this last roll isn't too crappy.

> 76, but with 6, 5: ;_;

'A good name, eh?' Well, that is important, for sure. Your great-uncle went around the City based on that, after all. 'That sounds good. Maybe the woman will even consent to giving me some money or something.'

'Well, maybe.' Callie doesn't sound too hopeful about that. She does sound... well, seeing as she's moved to sit on your lap and is reaching for your hyperweapon, you don't really need to hear her talk to be clear about her intentions. Except, to be honest, you've had a bit too much last night and today, and your appendage hurts when Callie tries to wake it up. A slightly hard stroke makes you hiss in pain, and she looks up.

'What... does it hurt?'

'I think it's a little exhausted.' You shrug, preferring to omit the details about Janice. Oh god, you're meeting her tomorrow. 'And I need to go in about 40 minutes.'

'Awww...' Callie wiggles on your lap, pouts again. Clearly only one way to cheer her up; you kiss her while reaching down again, wondering how is it she's so up for it. Looking at - and caressing all over - her figure, you can't imagine she's too sexually frustrated, but nonetheless she moans once you explore her entrance, and then encourages you to enter.

Callie presses closer as you use your fingers on her, muscles clamping down on you. Maybe she's tired too, though; you aren't trying to rush her over the edge, but it only takes a couple minutes before she pulls away from you, eyes closed. She humps your hand, hard, a few more times, and then smiles, returning to earth.

'Mmm. You said you need to go?' She gets up quickly this time and puts on something.

> What do/say before you go?
> Ask Callie to keep an eye/ear out for anything in particular?

>>28775438
Are 6 and 5 crit failures or something?

I know we have Callie's number, but have we given her ours? Just in case we haven't, let's just hand it to her and tell her that she can call us anytime for anything. Like if there's trouble in her neighborhood. Or if she just wants to go "watch" a movie again.

>>28775438
"I'll see you around and you got my number, give me a call whenever you want."

>>28775514

This.

Ask if there are any gangs or extortionists or something in the neighbourhood, and if there are to tell us. One-off things like burglary can be quite hard to investigate.

>>28775596
>>28775593
>>28775514

You get dressed as well, and then write your number down on her phone while you're at it. Callie looks at it, leaning next to the door.

'Nice. Well, it's good to meet you,' she says. 'I kind of suspected you were never in doubt of your sexuality.'

'Don't listen to Anna. She's a dirty, dirty liar. Also an enormous eater.'

'Is she dirty, dirty in other ways too?' She mimes a punch to your belly, but then kisses you. 'You little stud. Well, I suppose if there's trouble in the neighbourhood I perhaps ought to call you? And then maybe you can come over?'

'It doesn't need to be trouble. You can call me when you want... or need... something. You know what I mean. Seriously, though, Callie?'

'Yeah?'

'Are there any... like, gangs, you know, or criminal groups that I ought to know about in Lotus Ponds? Since our house is, you know, getting into the line of fighting them? Like, solo crimes are one thing, but then organised crime, well...'

'Wow. Well, there's plenty of small do's here. Also plenty of people who might do some pretty awful things. Like with the loansharks and that theatre. But I'll tell you what I know.' She kisses you, then kisses a few more times. 'Ciao!'

On the way to the station, someone comes up asking if you want heroin; you don't. A few guys smoking weed ask if you want a good time; you've already had one, so you don't. The trip is uneventful otherwise, and when you get home Charlie is sitting there with a barrel-chested man, laughing. Who is-

'Hey there!' Charlie gets up when you enter, then comes up and gives you a hug and two kisses. There's worse ways to enter a house!

> What do/say?

>>28775660
Greet Charlie and her friend. Introduce ourselves and let him name himself to us.

>>28775660
"Hey Charlie you seem in a good mood."
After that lets learn who the man is.

>>28775677
>>28775724

'Someone's in a good mood,' you say, taking the opportunity to give Charlie another hug. She doesn't mind, anyway, or she'd break your nose if she did.

'Oh, I guess it's the endorphins!' Pulling away, she pulls up her t-shirt to show you a nasty, purple-green bruise just below her ribs, grinning as you blink.

'Uh... holy shit.'

'It's fine! It's fine. I was sparring with Anna! Her bruise is a bit worse, actually,' she whispers the second bit. 'But anyway, then Anthony came, and...'

'Hey. Antsy here.' Oh *this* is Antsy. Nice handlebar moustache, you have to admit, and also a firm handshake. 'Heard Anna raving about this place, so I thought I'd have to come in early and take a look. Thanks for coming along to help, by the way... though I'm not sure why you need to do this sort of work if you've got a house like that.'

You smile, nod, smile some more, sit down, and then Anna comes down the stairs and heads straight for the kitchen. Catching movement, you turn to see her - holding an ice pack to her face. Charlie quickly shifts over towards her.

'You all right, love?'

'Should be fine!' Comes the cheery reply. 'Need more ice.'

'Sounds like you've got some pretty fierce tenants,' Antsy says, nodding. For someone who looks so much like a lumberjack, he sure seems a bit demure. 'So, we're going to Hangton to try and negotiate with some hipsters and artists about their art. I'm trying to promote talent, you know?'

> Ask more about Hangton.
> Ask more about the job.
> Ask more about Antsy and Anna.
> Other.

>>28775778
> Ask more about the job.

>>28775778
>demure

Definitely an artsy guy.

> Ask more about Antsy and Anna.
You meant to say Charlie here, right? Not Anna?

Ask him about the job and what Hangton is like. Also, we did say that art was a part of our interests? I feel like, if it was, we'd be interested in talking to Antsy about it.

Finally, ask if Charlie is interested in art.

>>28775778
>Ask more about the job.
>Ask more about Hangton
its good to know what you are getting into.

>>28776076
It's not our job, though. It's Charlie's.

>>28775876
>>28775847

> I meant Anna, because Anna is the one who recommended you for the job, which implies she knows Antsy from before.

'Well, you know, just need something to do. Even when I have tenants whose money I can ruthlessly rob.'

'At least you're honest about it, then.' You grin at Charlie.

'So, anyway, about the job - so what's it you've got in mind to do?'

'You're a persistent one.' Antsy grins. 'Well, you see, the inside of the New Districts is filled with the old estates, built by the Republic, or by the City government during the early years. Lots of them are shit now, really run down, but that also means the rents are cheap, you know? Anna used to live there for a year.'

'It was a good year. I got practice on the streets every day.' Anna sits down, lowers her ice pack, and you see the equally angry, dark patch on her right cheek. Damn, looks like domestic abuse.

'Anyway, so because of that, those places are really attractive to art students who go to the old factories and warehouses. Hangton, Cameltown, New Tampa - which is nothing like Tampa, Melbourne, Braybourne... all these parts inland. Full of art, crime, and stuff like that.'

> Sounds like a place that needs our, uh, collective services.
> Sounds good, let's go.
> Charlie, are you up for this job instead?
> Other.

>>28776175
> Sounds good, let's go.

>>28776175
So what is it that he wants us to do? I thought this was a gardening job.

>>28776207
>>28776194

'Huh.' You nod. That... sounds like a pretty rich environment, then, for any shenanigans you may have planned. Of course, if you think that way, then it must be an old idea...

'Yeah, so long story short, we're headed there to go talk to some dudes. Mostly, though, is this guy called Pickles.'

'Why's he called Pickles?' Charlie leans in.

'His brain's pickled, it's why. But that said, he's quite the sculptor, so I'm going to fetch some of his sculptures and head on to Whitegrove. Three of those I'm taking have already got clients, but there's one that might be a bit iffy. Not sure the guy wants to buy it.'

'You know,' Charlotte butts in before you can say more, 'can I come along?'

'I didn't know you were interested in art.'

'Well, not really. Except the martial ones. And the other physical ones, I suppose.' That statement is open to interpretation, as you're aware. 'But can I come along?'

'Oh, cut the lady a share, Antsy,' Anna says.

'But-'

'You know very well you can,' she gives a suddenly threatening look you weren't quite expecting. Antsy sighs and turns to you. 'You okay with that?'

> Yeah, sure.
> Nah, Charlie, rest your ribs.
> Actually... this job sounds rather weird. I'll pass.
> Other.

>>28776301
Yeah, sure. The more the merrier.

>>28776301
> Yeah, sure.

>>28776320
>>28776326

> Okay. Last post for this evening.
> Thanks for playing.

Why did Anna give Antsy that look? There's got to be something about this job that she's not letting on, that Polish girl. But when you give her a look, she simply sits back and presses the icepack to her face, letting out a pained hiss.

But the thought that danger might be involved suddenly makes bringing Charlie along a very good idea, so without thinking too much about it, you nod. 'Yeah, sure. More the merrier... I'll just go and get changed.'

Antsy agrees; Charlotte follows him out the door immediately, but you go up to Anna. 'What was that look about?'

'Hmm? Oh. It's because Antsy is a little dishonest sometimes with his business, and I know he is.' She shrugs when you probe. 'He's been known to get his sculptures for 50 G's, sell them to people in the Promontory or the Islands for about 5,000, and then come back and say he's lost the statue, so here's another 50 G's with my condolences.'

'Oh dude. That sucks.' You frown. 'Why do you work with him?'

'Because other than that he's a nice guy. And he's always up for a good, high class dinner,' she grins. Holy shit, treating Anna to a dinner in a good restaurant must wreck the finances. 'But do what I do, and keep an eye on him. He's supposed to be paying Pickles today. A few hundred G's at least.'

With that in mind, you hop into his van, driving through nice residential areas and then a forest. On the other side of the woods, suddenly, is a poorly lit industrial area, stacks of containers and six-storey buildings along narrow streets, and the occasional metal-frame warehouse. Eventually Antsy grinds to a stop. 'Pickles lives upstairs. You coming along?'

'I'll watch the van,' Charlie says. You go up piss-stinking stairways, and hear a fight going on in the building, then Antsy sighs and knocks on a half-broken door which creaks open.

'Someone looking for Pickles?'

> Take the lead.
> Keep quiet.
> Other.

>>28776418
Seems like it'd be a good idea to take the initiative here, if we don't want Antsy to rip off Pickles (who's apparently a bit brain damaged).

>>28776418
Stay back and make sure Pickles gets his money.

>>28776460

This. We should take care of Pickles.

on a side note, background music
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69qguTB5hkg

> Damn. Turns out dinner was a short affair, and I'm back.
> I can update, albeit a little slower; is that okay with those here today?

>>28776919
Oh, I'm still here. I'll be working late myself, so I'll be around for a couple of hours at least. And it seems like 2 other guys are still here.

>>28776919
Sure

>>28776919
S'cool

>>28776739
>>28776491
>>28776460

Antsy probably should talk - or you think so until you see Pickles. Unkempt hair, wearing a tattered singlet and shorts with flip flops, he smells... rather bad. You're quite relieved that he smokes, since the tobacco smoke at least covers the stench a little. You don't know, but something about Pickles makes you think he might be... slow in the head.

Antsy nods and goes into the building, but you stay outside, watching Pickles stare at Antsy and then back to you. 'Can I come in, Pickles?'

'Oh. Oh sure. Come on in.' He grins, showing some pretty poorly maintained teeth. Dude, why is this guy here on his own, and is he really all right? He closes the door behind you and then yells at Antsy in the hall. 'Pickles has the statues! He has them, don't touch those. He has them here, right here.'

'See, reliable guy isn't he?' Antsy smiles, crossing his arms, and suddenly you don't feel he's all that benevolent anymore. Then again... probably everyone in the City lives by feeding off someone, don't they? Even you, a newcomer - you're reliant on three women for your income. That's just how it is. But the least you can do is to be honest.

'Statues,' Pickles comes out, arms heaving with four... wow, these are pretty nice works, actually. There's two of what look like sitting Buddhas, and two of what look like... well, nude women bathing. For the tasteful sex fiend, perhaps. 'Here.'

'Nice. So...' Antsy reaches into his wallet and pulls out a 50. 'For your expenses, eh?'

Wait, just 50 for four? You watch as Pickles reaches for the note, grinning at the look of money.

> Let them.
> Um, hold on...
> Wait a fecking minute!
> Other.

>>28776919
yeah

>>28776992

> Um, hold on...

Did Pickles make these?

>>28776992
*cough cough*

Antsyyyy.....

No need to blow up in his face about it (Anna did tell us that, aside from being this huge bargain hunter, he's an alright guy), but gotta make it clear that we don't approve of him taking advantage of people like Pickles.

>>28777019
Yeah. Antsy is buying the statues from him and is supposed to pay him something in the hundreds.

>>28776992
Hold on there, Antsy. Those statues are worth four times as much.

>>28776992
That's not art dealing that's exploiting

>>28776992
Meekly ask if he's not worried about getting maimed by Anna.

>>28776992
>Let them.
they are both happy. who the fuck are we to mess with them?

>>28777082
Cause we can't let a retard be exploited.

>>28777092
Mm. It's not like we're going to exhaust ourselves to death to try and fix everything that's wrong in this city. But if we see something wrong happening right in front of us, we might as well do what we can to help.

>>28777067
Seconding this
>>28777110
yeah but ignoring shit that happens right under your nose is another story

>>28777043
>>28777025
>>28777045
>>28777019

Right, you probably need to be quite subtle about this... 'Pickles. Hey, Pickles!'

'Huh?' he stops halfway to the money and looks up at you. 'What?'

'I'm thirsty. You have anything to drink? Water?' You call your thanks after him, and Antsy gives you a look that makes it clear he's figured you out.

'So this is why Anna sent you, eh?' He shakes his head. 'Look, mate, it's not me alone who wants the price. Maybe Pickles doesn't know what that stuff is worth. But we agree on the price, I don't force him. Don't take everything Anna says at face value, man.'

'Still. The least you could do is cut him a fair deal,' you say, as reasonably as you know how.

'And then what? So someone else can come in and swindle him of his money?'

> What say to that, landlord? Also, come think of it, why *does* Anna follow Antsy?

>>28777132

"What, what other people are those?"

This place is pretty near ours. Maybe we can extend our control here as well. We need to find a nice case we can handle that'll make us notorious...

>>28777132
Pay him fairly, what he spends the money on is none of your concern.

>>28777132
Let's just trust Anna's reading of Antsy for now.

Anyway, he's right. We can't stop other people from swindling Pickles out of his money. And seeing as how Antsy seems to be a bit of a miser (there could be valid and understandable reasons for that), his main argument/worry seems to be on where the money ends up.

Well, we can suggest to Antsy that, if he's really willing to try and give Pickles his due, maybe he could pay Pickles in a different manner. Perhaps give him something with utility.

But that's for a different time; it's just a suggestion for future dealings. For now, just to see if Antsy is actually willing to be fairer in his dealings with Pickles, he should give him what he really thinks his works are worth.

>>28777132
You're telling me robbing him is fine because everybody else does it? I thought _he_ was the one with the fifth grader mental patterns

>>28777224
His perspective is that Pickles would waste less if he had less to waste. Although we've taken the opposite position; that Pickles has less for himself because others have taken so much from him. So the least we can do is take a little less.

>>28777191
>>28777193
>>28777213
>>28777224

'Wait a minute. Swindling him as in...?'

'You don't know anything about Hangton, man,' Antsy says, gesturing this way and that as he talks. 'Who gives this dude his supplies? Who lets him live here, who gets in contact with him? Look at the beer over there, do you reckon he went out to buy it? No, people come up, take his money or his work, and they fuck off.'

'Everyone doing it is not quite an excuse to do it as well,' you say.

'Well, damn me for being maybe one of two people who pay this dude for his stuff,' he says, but before he can continue, Pickles comes out with a cup of water. You look in it and see little bits of rust floating about from the cup itself. Riiight.

'Anyway,' he looks at Antsy, 'money.'

'Yeah, sure- wait, what's that?'

At first you think it's Antsy maybe coming up with another trick to bugger off, but damn if it isn't an actual noise - a sudden rise in the hubbub, as if some intruder has suddenly entered and broken the peace of the place. The three of you head to the window, where you see a van driving in and then hear Antsy swearing.

'What?'

'It's the bloody food van! They'll key my van while they're there- take care of things here.' Antsy bolts out the door. Oh wait a minute, Charlie's in the van...

'Bread van,' Pickles says, nodding. 'Always a good time. Many poor here. Homeless or squatting. When they come to flatten the place, will be very bad.'

> Do your business and head down with the statues.
> Talk to Pickles. (What say?)
> Other. (No jumping out of windows. This is four floors up and you could die.)

>>28777300
>Do your business and head down with the statues.

>>28777300
Ask about the people who work the bread van.

And ask who "they" are. The ones who are coming to flatten this place.

If the people at the bread van are part of a charity group, I feel like that's something we can ask Pickles to put his money towards. Pickles probably doesn't need to live on much for himself, so perhaps for the excess, he could donate it to charity to help out other people in situations like his?

>>28777332

You're asking a guy who's intellectually delayed, and constantly getting swindled, to put the rest of his money into charity.

Putting money into charity is noble, yes, but I'm not sure this is very advisable.

>>28777345
That's no different than swindling him. Only different is you use the money for a good cause but it doesn't change the fact that you are swindling a retard.

>>28777345
The problem as I see it is that Pickles doesn't really know what to do with his money. He may well be satisfied with what he already has.

The alternative to putting his money into an organization that wants to help the poor is having it taken away from him by swindlers. To put the situation into simple terms.

I'm not saying that in real life things would work out without any problem, but this isn't really real life. There's no need to inject the complexity of real life into a story like this.

>>28777370
>I'm not saying that in real life things would work out without any problem, but this isn't really real life. There's no need to inject the complexity of real life into a story like this.
you just talked a bunch of crap.

>>28777385
?

There's no need to be rude, anon.

>>28777345
>>28777363
>>28777385
>>28777392
Just to make my reasoning more clear, let me bring up an example that fits this situation; in Assassin's Creed, you can put money into building establishments so that they'd do better. But just throwing money at something (in real life) doesn't necessarily mean that it'll do better. Video games don't have to worry about that, though. And stories like this don't need to either.

>>28777329
>>28777332
>>28777345
>>28777363
>>28777370

You probably ought to take the statues and - oh, thank goodness, they're made of wood and partly hollow. One of them is noticeably lighter than the others, come think of it. Well, you don't have to worry about rushing downstairs at least, then...

'So, Pickles?'

'Hmm? You don't want the water?' Argh, that rust-filled metal cup. When you shake your head, Pickles drains it, no doubt ingesting quite a bit of iron along with it.

'So, who runs the bread van?'

'Dunno. I think this one is called Street Van or something. They bring some soup, some bread, I tried it before. Not bad.'

Huh. Maybe another thing you could look into helping.

'And who's them, then? You were saying when they come to flatten the place...'

'Well, they will. It used to be like this in the east, and then they flattened that. So we moved out here. But they will come again one day. Make it into nice flats. Then we have nowhere to go. But Pickles should be dead by then, so-' he shrugs. 'Antsy has not paid me...'

Oh, so he hasn't. You could ask him for 50 G's back later... but you don't need to pay Pickles 50 G's now. Checking your wallet, you see there's about 150 G's in there...

> How much do you pay Pickles?

>>28777415
100G and take a 100 from Antsy later.

>>28777415
So is there no reason why we couldn't wait for Antsy to come back up?

>>28777448

> Other than the fact that there is now quite a ruckus downstairs, and you notice the bread van is parked next to Antsy's van, not really.

>>28777473
> Other than the fact that there is now quite a ruckus downstairs, and you notice the bread van is parked next to Antsy's van, not really.
Ah, I see. So it might be awhile before he gets back up.

Well, let's give him a 100G. Antsy can afford to reimburse us that amount, heh.

>>28777437

This.

>>28777437
>>28777501
>>28777415
I'd say give him 100 and then use it as leverage with Antsy so he'll look after Pickles properly in the future. He doesn't want his money to end up with some scumbag or another, I can understand that, but according to Anna he should be a nice guy

>>28777437
>>28777501
Ah, but let's be sure to be good natured about it when we ask Antsy to reimburse us (since he IS supposed to be Anna's friend). Rib him a bit on how he can afford it.

>>28777437
>>28777501
>>28777505

As you look down the window a third time, you actually hear the engine of the van starting, as if Antsy's preparing to drive out any time now. Oh damn! Well, there are people swarming round the place like zombies...

Turning and grabbing the statues, you pay Pickles two 50's and then dash down as quickly as you can, driven by the sheer stench of the place. When you reach the bottom, the van is already completely swamped, but thankfully Antsy's moved your van down. Someone is yelling on a loudspeaker for the bread line to please keep calm, and you see three or four men and women trying to distribute the food.

Damn! To think that just 15 minutes from where you live are huge swathes of towns like this - and they must be huge, since as Antsy said, there's at least five such towns. That's just in your bit of the region as well. You have no real idea how big the city is, but you sense there's plenty of these.

Charlie grins and pulls you in the van. 'Thought they ate you out there.'

'Wouldn't be surprised if they did.'

'What did you pay Pickles?'

'A hundred. Come on, it's one more piece of blue paper,' you rib him. 'Please, Antsy? Try to dig it out of the hundreds and hundreds you'll make out of those things?'

'Goddamn it, fine,' Antsy sighs. 'Okay. Later we have some deliveries to make, and one negotiation. The deliveries are fine, you can join in if you want. The negotiation, I might need your help...'

You are already leaving for the hills, and then the concrete nightmare of the Peninsula, heading for its nicer, low-rise portions.

> Stay in the van for the deliveries.
> Follow Antsy. (Roll d100)
> Other.

Rolled 87

>>28777571
Let's prove our worth to the man, guys.

Rolled 71

>>28777571
Follow

Rolled 97

>>28777571
smooth is what we are

Rolled 36

>>28777578
>>28777618
Fucking smooth.

>>28777627
>>28777618
>>28777607
>>28777578

> 97, 87: Oh yes.

In the interests of networking, you quickly decide you'll go along with Antsy, and so does Charlie. The first house you go to is a little bit of a dud; it turns out that everyone's out, wherever one goes out on Thursday if they're rich. You remember Callie saying the weekends can start by now.

Instead a rather intimidated-looking servant takes over the statue, finds the envelope and gives it to Antsy. 'Please, sir,' she says, in heavily accented English. 'Please check, make sure it's correct, and then tell my sir.'

What's that supposed to imply? She sounds really scared of her sir, and Antsy pats her shoulder and takes out his phone immediately, doing a cursory check of the money at the same time. Charlie shakes her head as he calls.

'She's a Filipina, I think.'

'Sounds bullied.'

'Yeah, think she's been kicked around. Damn.'

'Hey. Yes, so I've delivered the statue. Yes, the payment's here. Yes, it's all here. No worries. Good, excellent, yes. Yes. Great to do business with you, sir. No, she's great. No, no, she's been great. Thank you.' He hangs up, and the servant nods in gratitude.

'Thank you so much, sir.'

There is a silence as you begin to drive off. Antsy shakes his head. 'Last time I was here? Girl had bruises on her arm. Cane bruises. After that I always made sure about the damned psycho. But he pays well, so what am I to say?'

> What say on the way to house 2 and 3?
> Also your rolls are taken into account, yes.

>>28777733
>After that I always made sure about the damned psycho.
What is this supposed to mean?

Anyway. Yeeesh. Sounds like a complicated situation. Ask Antsy how often he has to deal with cases like this.

>>28777759

Think it means what he did. Make sure the psycho always gets his assurance, so he won't rough up the maid.

"Shit man. Does this happen a lot?"

>>28777769
>>28777759

'Shit,' you say. 'Does this happen a lot?'

'More than you want to know, mate. Welcome to the City. The rich rinse their mouths with shark's fin, and the poor get to rinse their mouth with drain water.'

You think shit again, but Charlie says it out loud this time, with a depth of anger that surprises you. You glance at her, and she looks up in surprise.

'What?'

'Oh, nothing.' But for some reason you are inclined to take that little exclamation as a certain sign of decency. If she feels angry at this sort of thing, then she must be a good person, right?

The second house is also rather normal - it looks quite like your house, actually, except perhaps in a nicer area with a better view. But as you drive up to the third house, it doesn't take long to realise it's something less usual. For one, there's a long driveway, like yours; but the gate itself is nearly a hundred yards from the house. Security guards at the gate quickly force you guys to get off, and pat all of you down, seeming to give special attention to Charlotte.

'Hey, watch where you're touching!'

'Doing my job, lady,' he says. Yeah, of course. Eventually you're let in, and the reason for the security becomes clear - there's a huge party going on. Just as you scan the surroundings, dance music suddenly starts blasting from the pool to a resounding wave of whoops, and Charlie nods.

'Eh. Not bad...'

> cont'd.

>>28777836

The three of you, with you holding a Buddha's head, walk into the inner compound and are immediately swept into the festivities. Near the entrance and the house, the men are still in suits and the women in dresses; but clearly the party's been going on a bit, since there are already people in board shorts and trunks and bikinis availing themselves of the three - three! - swimming pools.

'Quail eggs wrapped in bacon and sauteed with parsley, sir?' A waiter comes. Sounds good.

'Champagne, sir, ma'am?' The waitress is ginger, rather like Charlie. Champagne's good too, except you haven't got hands. Charlotte raises your glass to your lips.

'Look at you, sucking on the milk of human kindness,' she says. Mmm. Just then Antsy gestures in one direction, but before he can reach for your Buddha head, a man walks out of the crowd towards him, flanked by two beautifully dressed young women. One's presumably the wife... well, a trophy wife, in a golden satin dress. The other's probably the daughter, of another wife, slouching in denim shorts and a tank top.

'Antsy! Oh, my slippery, powdery, smoky friend. That's the Buddha head I wanted.'

'I think so,' he grabs it from your hands.

'These your friends?' He smiles at you, not offering his hand. 'Please. Enjoy the party. I just need Antsy. Give them your keys, Antsy. Then they can run when the party bores them too much!'

And with that he's swept away. You haven't got the keys. Charlotte makes a 'huh' face, and you do too... the women are still there, now talking to each other.

> ... what do? There's a pool party going on, you're in the front lawn, there's clearly a back lawn, and then there's the side hall to the right, and then there's the house itself. Dear heavens.

>>28777888
Well, I'm finally off to sleep. See ya guys when I wake up.

I do think we should avoid the pool area. It just wouldn't do for us to get wet. And be offered a change of clothes by a beautiful woman who, through charm and happenstance, we end up bedding. Right in this very house. Oh no, that'd just be uncouth. We're on the job, after all!

>>28777940

Besides we have a 97 roll. That bodes ill.

>>28777888
Lay low and hang with Charlotte?

>>28778022
>>28777991
>>28777940

> Okay. I'm heading off to bed soon, so one more post after this and I'm done for the evening.
> Thanks for playing (again)!

You look around the place, and then lean towards Charlotte to sip your champagne, but she just passes you the glass instead. Oh yeah. Forgot about that.

'You sounded pretty angry at what you heard just now,' you mutter.

'Can't stand it when people do that,' she replies. 'I, uh... well, family reasons. But let's not talk about it for the party. Guess what I'm wearing under my shirt.'

'I was just saying, maybe we should stick together,' you say.

'It's a bikini top,' she grins as if not hearing you at all.

'I was also thinking, maybe let's not go to the pool...'

'Let's head for the pool.' Is this something inherent to all Australians? But isn't the sea around Australia really dangerous? Stop heading for the- you- Charlie- okay, she's taking off her top and a young valet in a suit quickly swoops in to receive it from her, folding the top carefully. He gives her a towel; she gives him a tip.

Right. So that leaves you rather underdressed in the front lawn. You glance nervously around the swirling crowds of black suits and dresses - why would someone dress like a marshmallow for this? And is that supposed to be a Disney princess dress? - before settling back on the owner's presumed daughter, one of just a few not in formal. She takes a champagne, glances around, knocks it back and then realises you caught her.

> What do/say, landlord? She's about 10 paces away, plenty of people milling around. So much talking, dear god!

>>28778221

"Can you stand this? Me neither."

>>28778221
Thanks for running

Unless we by some miracles have swimtrunks on maybe we should ask the chick where we could find some?

Or we could just shamelessly flirt.

>>28778316
>>28778317

These, either way.

>>28778383
But we still need to give the Little Master a break, he's going to snap off if we keep this pace up.

>>28778383
>>28778317
>>28778316
>>28778406

> Little Master. I'll use that. I like that name.

Meh. It's not like you're about to squeeze into any of the ongoing conversations, so you simply knock back your champagne as well and then go up to her. She's got a pretty pale complexion, and her hair is either wet from swimming or just unpleasantly greasy. Nah, probably wet. You hope it's wet, anyway.

One way to find out. 'So... just came back from a swim?'

She gives you a look that seems designed to make you shrink back or feel fear, and that gives you a pretty good guess as to her age. Probably late teen - you know, that sort of hostility. You've seen worse since, so it doesn't intimidate you, and you just raise an eyebrow which makes her look away.

'Why're you asking? Need some trunks?'

'I don't think too much temptation is a good thing now.' Mind, there's a lot of temptation around the pool - lots of pretty young things flouncing around. You catch sight of the one who happens to be your new friend; Charlie's sitting on the edge of the pool chatting. She's good at socialising, man. 'Can you stand this? Me neither.'

'I didn't say I couldn't stand it. Course I can stand it.' That's a no, then. 'Anyway, not every day one has a birthday, right?'

'Oh, so this is a birthday bash. And who-'

'Julian Avernus Calaban Kentron,' she says. 'My brother. And I'm Mariella Alexandra Rose Yseult, so nice to meet you too.'

... well, someone hasn't inherited her parents' sense of humour.

> Talk to, uh, Mariella?
> Go ask for the trunks. Little Master is stressed and achey, though.
> Other.

>>28778491
Lets see if we can find out anything about the workings of the upper class around here

>>28778553

> Makes sense. How might you go about doing so?

>>28778571
Might as well just ask Mariella here.

bump

>>28778491

> Talk to, uh, Mariella?

Perhaps we could just refer to them as Jack and Mary?

>>28778491
>chat with princess Mariella

>>28778491
Oh, can't be rude to the princess and not introduce ourselves, since she already has.

>>28778643
Mm. She'd probably be offended at someone who'd ask that so bluntly. Best go get friendly first.

Just chat with her, I'd say.

>>28779195
>Perhaps we could just refer to them as Jack and Mary?
You mean J.A.C.K. and M.A.R.Y.?

>>28783255
this, too

>>28781577
Does the MX even have a name?

>>28783360
MC*

>>28783947
Not as far as I know. He is the nameless Landlord.

'Right, right,' you say, and then introduce yourself formally as well. You haven't got that many names, thank heavens. 'So, uh, which of these names would you rather I-'

'Just don't call me Mary, I don't know. Just not that. Hey.' She snaps her fingers, and immediately one of the servants hurries over, a young man with hair in a vague crest. 'Two champagnes.'

'Um-'

'Certainly, ma'am,' he hurries off.

'Shall I call you... Mariella, then? Or maybe, like, Rose?' You push the point, though gently, sensing her already high levels of latent annoyance. Maybe you should lead her somewhere quieter, except this is already one of the quieter areas - at least people are chatting and giggling, not whooping and jumping into pools.

'Meh, Rose is fine. I've never seen you here at the house before. Are you a thief?'

You tell her what you're here to do, and suddenly her face brightens up into a smile - though not really a sincere smile, plenty of sarcasm there. 'Wait, so you're with the Antsy Express?'

'You'll have to explain that.'

Rose leans up. 'That statue's half filled with weed, I bet. Special birthday orders.'

... *what*? You blink, and then automatically take the glass of champagne and sip on it. Rose glances around again, as if quite afraid to be caught having alcohol in a house where marijuana is possibly about to be smoked, and knocks it back. That's not really how you drink champagne, girl...

> Uh... how do you react?

>>28784563
So do they break open the statue? Seems like a waste.

>>28784563
correct her champagne drinking technique

>>28784563
I suppose that's what her brother wants? It's, uh, nice that his parents support his hobbies....

Ask Rose why she seems so nervous.

>>28784563
"...huh. Well, this city's certainly a massive learning experience."

>>28784668
Yeah, this. I mean, really? First thing, your brother's about to blaze it, a little underaged drinking under adult supervision is no big deal. Second, even if it IS practically candy, hammering champagne just isn't how it's done.

>>28784710
>>28784668
>>28784646
>>28784601
>>28784740

You can't help chuckling at the way Rose knocked that back, and then winces, before putting the stem glass behind her on the table.

'I don't see why you're so worried about sipping a little wine, seeing as your brother's aiming to be high as a kite by midnight,' you say when Rose catches your giggle and gives you a slightly angry questioning look.

'That's because he's the son, so he can do what the fuck he wants. As for me, well, I don't get the penis advantage.' There's an edge of aggression in her voice now. Please don't tell me you're drunk after two champagnes, lady.

'Even so,' you sip your own champagne, 'that's not the way it's done.'

'Why're you bothering to teach me?'

Rose turns around and starts walking, but you follow her, suddenly slightly worried. She actually does look tipsy. You follow her through the crowd, shoving aside some big dude who's just stepped into your path and nearly upended your drink, until finally you're at a rather quiet spot - behind a pavilion, between it and the wall. Okay this might be a bit too suspicious.

'So, Rose, you're saying they'll cut the statue open or something? That seems like a waste.'

'Meh. It's a fucking Buddha head. There's a million of those.' She shrugs. 'The shit inside is worth a lot more.'

'Heh.' You can't really dispute that point.

'So how do I drink champagne, master?' She pokes your arm. 'And if I want to knock something back, what do I drink, eh, master? Enlighten me, eh?'

Geez.

> Vodka, of course.
> Best not drink anything if that's what you're doing.

> Also, you can attempt to steer Rose elsewhere. Do suggest topics if you're talking to her. If you want to ask about what life for the rich is like, go on ahead with the questions.

>>28784925
> Vodka, of course.

>>28784925
SHOTS TIME
SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS

EVERYBODY

SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS

>>28784925
"Vodka, although I've never been able to hold my liqueur well."

>>28784925
>A
Vodka or tequila, cause you don't want either one in your mouth for very long. Swallow it and get it over with.

Anything else should be savored.

>>28784925
Let's go ahead and ask her what her life is like here. Just get her talking about herself.

>>28784925
>> Vodka, of course.

Easily disguised as water if used correctly.

>>28785079
"Toki, are you drinking straight vodka? Drinking isn't a contest, you know."

>>28785137
"It's not?"

'What, something you want to just kill yourself with?' You shrug. 'Whiskey's a bit too precious for that. Rum's a bit too nice. Vodka, maybe? Or tequila.'

'Wait, vodka?'

'Yeah,' you say, temporarily forgetting your qualms about inducing a... she's not underage at least, right, girl into getting completely smashed. You've done that before back home... it's worked, some times, if by work you mean you get to wake up with a girl on you. There've also been backfires. But this isn't what you're after to start with, man! You need to let your hyperweapon recharge, and-

Wait, is Rose going somewhere? She has a strange grin on her face, grabbing your wrist and gesturing.

'Uh, where're we going exactly?'

She stops, quickly pulls you behind a pillar, and you end up with her against the wall. Okay, too suspicious now! You don't want to get bludgeoned by security for sullying the young ma'am! But the young ma'am giggles, covering her mouth in a sudden fit of manners.

'Shhh! Shhh, I mean. Shh. My dad has a cellar underground. It's got... like, lots of vodka. Let's go raid it.'

> ... Sure.
> No, mate, that's not cool.
> Other.

>>28785186
"Now you're making this interesting."

>>28785186
>> ... Sure.

Because doing silly things with women seems to be our thing.

>>28785186
ok

>>28785186
We've still got a house or two left to go to, right? We're technically still on the job.

But a little won't hurt, right?

But let's not sex her up. If she was older, it'd be alright, but she's young, drunk, and seems a bit rebellious. Let's just have some innocent fun. As innocent as stealing drinks from someone's cellar can be.

>>28785186
> Other.

I'm a bit of a light weight.

>>28785271
Agree with that.

Besides, we're kinda sexed out. Either that or we need to start charging.

You look her over while continuing to stand in this, uh, rather compromising position. Okay, you now know for sure her hair is wet, not greasy; smells a bit of chlorine mixed with shampoo. Rose's eyes are bright, a light grey-blue, and she returns your gaze with fervour.

'... Are you trying to make out with me now?'

'What? No.' For once you kind of mean it. Fatigue and decency, man. 'How old are you, even?'

'I'll be nineteen in three months,' she giggles, and you glance around nervously. 'I'm not a virgin. The basketball-'

'Yes, yes, that'll do.'

'I'll tell you all the dirty things we did,' she slurs her words, 'if you don't go with me to the cellar.'

'I never said I wasn't going! Let's go.'

'Let's go, bitch.'

You roll your eyes and move off her, gesturing. 'Fine, lead the way, bitch.'

Of course, being the daughter of the house owner, Rose can walk about doing whatever the fuck she wants; she doesn't seem to have realised that does not apply to you, however. Thankfully, the door to the cellar turns out to be in a backroom of the kitchen. You ignore everyone on your way into the little walkway as sounds echo up it from the room itself.

'Ahh, yes, YES, Ahh, AHH, oh God, fuck me...' There's three of them, and none of them are really paying attention. Rose leads the way into- wow.

Racks upon racks upon racks face you. It's not a particularly large room, but that's because of all the racks. The whole place feels rather chilly, actually, and then Rose goes for the fridge and pulls out a bottle of... Sobieski? Heh. Anna might approve. You wonder if they drink.

'Come on,' Rose fumbles it open, and offers it to you. No glasses here. A scream of pleasure is faintly heard in the distance.

> Roll d100.
> Ask Rose about life at home.
> Ask Rose about school.
> Ask Rose about potential jobs.
> Other.

Rolled 91

>>28785437

>>28785437

> Sorry, I meant, roll d100 whatever you choose. But do choose something, unless you intend to drink the Finnish way.

> Don't drink the Finnish way. That way lies madness.

>>28785486

>Potential jobs.

Rolled 5

>>28785437

>>28785520
....jobs

Rolled 15

>>28785437
Ask about her home life, while subtly indicating how this doesn't seem like the most wholesome place to live in.

Rolled 71

>>28785437

> Home life.

Rolled 60

>>28785437
>> Ask Rose about life at home.

Rolled 82

>>28785437
Jobs

>>28785603
>>28785486
Pretty good.

Rolled 19

>>28785437
>Ask Rose about life at home.

> 91, 82: well, turns out you do have a liquor liver.

You take the bottle. Well, we all have to die, don't we? Maybe not now, but eventually! Godfuckingdamnit this burns! But it doesn't burn as much as you kind of expected, and after a while the heat spreads out quickly and you shudder as the room doesn't seem so cold anymore. Rose laughs.

'Oi, give me that.'

'We're gonna need chairs.' You guide her to a concrete ledge in the corner, where both of you sit down after you kick some cobwebs away. Rose takes one glug, and then another, and OKAY THAT IS ENOUGH you grab the bottle from her. Coughing and sputtering horribly, her face turning red, she flops onto your shoulder. Oh fuck is she choking?

'Uh, woah, this is... my insides are on fire,' she manages to cough.

'Yeah, vodka does that to you.' Oh fuck. You take a small mouthful and then hold it out of Rose's grasp, and she practically embraces you trying to get it. 'No, slowly. Slowly!'

'I'll kiss you if you let me have it,' she says, giving you the teenage version of a sultry look. Pffthehehehe.

'If you sit down and talk to me, I'll let you have it.' Okay that sounded a bit wrong. 'But slowly. We'll do this slowly.' WRONG AGAIN. Rose headbutts you, but then concedes in the end and slides off onto the ledge.

> cont'd.

>>28785767

'What do you want to talk about?' You ask her about any potential jobs for someone who might know how to fight, and Rose giggles.

'Well... we're always in need of security. Or like, bodyguards. Or, I don't know, you could join a paid fight. There's lots of legal ones, and then there's lots and lots of illegal ones. You know that Taylor is in the high school fight club now?'

'Who's Taylor?'

'Oh fuck, you don't know Taylor.' She giggles. 'You never heard it! I never said anything.'

'Okay, fine.' Hmm. 'But what about, like, problem solving jobs?'

'Well, you could always look to the companies to be a fixer-upper for them. Corporations are doing all sorts of things in the City that they give to people to do the dirty work and then it's a bit hard but if you want to do things like that then...' She blinks. 'Hey, give me the vodka.'

'Finish your sent-' no, damnit, she's grabbed you and is pressing her lips to yours. You'd have no problem with this otherwise, but this time you push her away. Rose is drunk and this is taking advantage. She laughs and curls her knees up.

'You're the gentlemanly sort,' she says. 'That's nice. Are you the only one left in the world, eh? This place is shit. Look, just give me my...'

But as you hold the vodka away - maybe you should hold this permanently - you can hear sounds from upstairs. It isn't that threesome anymore, you don't think...

> What do/say to/with Rose?

>>28785964
"Cheese it, the Feds."

>>28785964
take her and hide in a spot.

>>28785964
"We need to go our we're going to get caught like you didn't want too."

If anyone sees us, we play the drunker one. Or at least try to.

>>28786029
>>28786020
>>28786001
Whatever we do, be a gentleman and don't do anything, she'll remember that.

>>28786029
>>28786020
>>28786001
>>28786083

'Oh damn, it's the Feds,' you say, getting to your - woah there, better lean on the wall. The room wobbles and rotates for a while before you manage to identify the stairs again. 'Rose. *Rose*. Get up.'

'Huh? What?' She gets up, but then stumbles more heavily this time, and you barely have time to grab her and lean her against the wall before hearing the door open. Oh fuck! Putting the bottle of Sobieski down, you hurry towards the stairs, making a remarkably straight line - only to see a man coming down with two women, whooping and cheering as they stumble down. The man is in the remnants of formal dress, his shirt open and the nice pants hanging precariously loose; the two girls are both in the remnants of bikinis, skin gleaming as they do hand bras. Then one of them spots you and screeches.

'Jack! Jack! Someone's here!'

Oh fucking hell. You turn around to Rose, who looks up and then freezes. Wait, by Jack, it can't be the fucking birthday boy, can it? Sighing, you look back as the girls yelp again. Jack's shoved them, roughly, towards the stairs.

'Close the doors. And what the *fuck* are you doing in my cellar?'

He doesn't look high. He doesn't *feel* high. He looks and sounds drunk, and he looks and sounds like the dangerously angry - also horny - kind of drunk.

'Hey, Jack, it's... it's fine, like,' Rose quickly hurries up, her voice changing to something like a pleading tone. 'I brought him. I did it-'

Jack shoves her back, and Rose crumples onto the floor. Woah.

> Let Rose deal. She's experienced with this. Help her up and let her deal.
> Hey. That's not cool, not with your sister or anyone.
> Other.

>>28786375

>Hey. That's not cool, not with your sister or anyone.

>>28786375
>> Hey. That's not cool, not with your sister or anyone.

>>28786375
> Hey. That's not cool, not with your sister or anyone.
Yeesh. This guy.

>>28786375
>> Hey. That's not cool, not with your sister or anyone.

Drunken master fighting go!

>>28786375
>Other
Help Rose to her feet, position ourselves near her as a physical warning that any "tough guy" shit won't fly. But let Rose do the talking.

>>28786375
It's a good thing that this guy is drunk. If he forces us into a fight, he hopefully won't remember our face.

>>28786463
That sounds reasonable.

>>28786463
>>28786439
>>28786429
>>28786421
>>28786419

'Hey. Hey.' Okay, no, this is crossing the line. You rush over to help Rose, but then quickly sense that he's approaching, and turn around once you get her sitting up. Jack sneers.

'What the hell, Rose? How much you pay for the bodyguard?'

'Nothing,' you answer. 'But that's not cool, shoving girls. Or people.'

'Is it, now?' He comes right up to you and then places his hands on your chest, giving you a light shove. When you don't budge, he laughs. 'So you're saying I should pick on someone my own size, is that right?'

'Always a good idea-' you raise your hand, to block his fist, then remember your movement. Red Phoenix moves. He raises both his hands to his face, but you just swing round to grab his arms under the elbows and shove him instead, putting him two steps back.

'No, Jack, no!' But Jack is coming for you again now. The bikini girls have since escaped, which is probably for the best. That first one with the yellow bottom is nicely stacked, too... ANYWAY.

> Block, divert, escape.
> Take him out.
> Roll d100 for the above actions.

> Other.

Rolled 87

>>28786612
> Take him out.

Rolled 14

>>28786612
>Block, divert, escape

>>28786612
>block, divert, escape
And scoop up Rose on the way out.

Rolled 46

>>28786612
>> Block, divert, escape.

Rolled 88

>>28786612
Let's vamoose with Rose.

>>28786629
Might not be a good idea to knock the birthday boy unconscious.

Rolled 53

>>28786612
>> Other.
Wait, how about this: We restrain him

>>28786648
Bottle of vodka spilled over him and then put in his hand, nobody believes him.

Rolled 43

>>28786612
>Block, divert, escape.

>>28786666

It's called a massive bruise from a right hook, man.

Rolled 93

>>28786666
The girls he was with may.

>>28786612
k guys we have an 88 and an 87, lets not risk a 1

divert and escape him

>>28786681
Yeesh, anon. There's no need to talk like that. You know, it's a tad bit off putting when an anon comes up and tells everyone to stop rolling.

>>28786677
>>28786678
Hey, its just my opinion and there are ways to subdue without leaving noticeable marks.

Looks like you guys are winning anyway.

>>28786739
I agree entirely. Just saying that we have potential witnesses (assuming they were sober enough).

>>28786739
Rose would take the heat for it. Even if neither Jack or the girls he was with recognize us, they'd all know that Rose was there in the cellar with a guy.

>>28786773
>>28786784
Hey, my original idea was to try and give him a concussion so he wouldn't remember and make it look like he slipped and hit his head.

I know it's not smart, I just take very strong issue with brothers who are mean to their sisters.

>>28786839
And.....we understand that? I just don't see how that relates to what we're saying. Of knocking him out being possibly a bad thing to do.

> 88 vs. 11: Nice success!
> You gain 1 level in Red Phoenix. Results later.

Jack is drunk, wobbly, but fuck his punch is strong. This doesn't seem like something you should block, and Anna's training - along with great-uncle's advice - ring in your brain, and in a moment of calm you realise what exactly to do.

Holy shit, why is everything slowing down suddenly? Is this part of the drunkenness, or your improved training? You almost smile at how sluggish Jack looks, as you step into the punch and turn sideways, offering him a shoulder to crash against while his fist pummels the air. He takes it full on the chin, jolting, and then you grab the still-outstretched arm and turn around.

As you swivel on your feel, you bend a little at the waist away from the arm, so that your leg is in the way of Jack's feet. He trips over them and hits concrete, shoulder first, with a grunt and another jolt.

And then the world returns to normal. Rose cries out Jack's name, but you grab her by the shoulders and drag her out. She's pretty light, and doesn't resist as you drag her up the stairway. No one's here, and you get out into the kitchen, right into a huddle of guests.

'Hey, Rose,' a blonde dude says, recognising her. 'What's up?'

> What do/say?

>>28786879
I'm really not sure what we're talking about either, seeing as how I'm not sure what you're trying to tell me. I get your points, I just probably wouldn't care about them in character.

>>28786892
>"Rockin party bro!"

>>28786892
> You gain 1 level in Red Phoenix. Results later.
We're gonna need a way to keep tabs on this sort of stuff. Maybe just state it in the first post?

>>28786903
If we're talking about in-character, then we have to talk about what kind of character the MC is: is he brash or is he thoughtful? We can develop him either way.

>>28786892
>>28786920
As good a response as any other.

Also, tell him that Rose's brother got a little too drunk. We found him binging on vodka in the cellar and he might be passed out.

>>28786892
would
"just getting smashed" be an acceptable response?

>>28786944
That's fine. Just consider me in this choice to be that little angry voice you ignore most of the time.

>>28786892
"Needs some air."

'Uh...' Rose hesitates, blinks, and is clearly a little too sozzled and/or shocked to come up with anything. But you just straight her up with an arm round the shoulder and grin.

'Pretty good party, isn't it?'

'Well, it's a bit overdressed for your tastes, I can tell,' he says coolly, to some chuckling. 'How's Rose, then? You seem a bit-'

'We're going out to the garden,' you cut him off, and then take her out with you, slowly retracing your steps until you reach that quiet corner of the house near the pavilion. No one's here making out or talking which is fine; except Rose is not fine. She's leaning against you, trying to hold back tears.

'Damnit,' she mutters. 'Wait, he's going to be okay, right?'

You somehow sense you might have to leave the party soon after this...

> What do/say to Rose before you go?

>>28787106
"A little banged up, but he should be fine."

>>28787106
Yeah, just tripped him. Sorry about that. I probably need to get leaving soon.

>>28787106
lol of course
my awesome kung fu merely disabled him is all

>>28787106
Reassure her that her brother will be fine. He seems like he's got a strong body, so a little fall like that probably won't have any lasting harm. Just tell her to think of it as a little justice for acting like a jerk earlier.

We might as well give her our contact number, on the pretense of business (it's always good to have another contact), but let her know if she ever wants to have fun outside of home, we'd be happy to show her a good time out in the city.

>>28787208
Disabled is probably the wrong word here.

I vote >>28787148

>>28787216
Seconding this. Leaving without any purpose is suspicious, so best to help cement that business context. Plus it's a networking opportunity.

>>28787148
>>28787150
>>28787208
>>28787216

'Nah, don't worry about him,' you shrug and pat her shoulder. 'He'll be fine. It was just a little trip in return for what he did to you.'

'Okay,' she says quietly. 'Okay.'

'Look, are you fine? Can you walk around by yourself?' She nods. 'Well, I don't know if this is too forward, but would you mind if we exchanged contacts?'

Again, Rose nods a little shakily, and then fishes out her phone and gives you her contact. 'Well then, bye I suppose,' she says when you lead her back out and ask the waiter for a Coke for her.

'If you want to hang out, do call me though.' You pat her shoulder, then make your way through the crowd where Charlotte is already waiting near the entrance.

'Where've you been?' She says, and then leans in to sniff. 'Have you been *drinking*?'

You shrug. 'You did too.'

'No, I gave the champagne away.' She sounds unusually serious about that, and shakes her head while taking you back to the van, where Antsy looks quite cheery and gives you 300 G's.

'Negotiation took place here as well. Was successful. They paid 1,500 for it,' he smiles. 'What's up?'

'He's been letting himself go and drinking,' Charlotte mutters, closing the door.

> Do/say anything on the way home?

>>28787441
"I didn't drink much, and I might have even got future work!"

>>28787441
I had a little in exchange for picking up job leads and making a friend.

>>28787441
Apologize. We met with the daughter of the house, and it seemed rude not to accept a drink from her.

Rolled 2

>>28787496
this

>>28787496
It'd be good to show some contrition to mollify Charlie a bit, but we can go ahead and slap in that we might have some future work too.

>>28787530
I like this better.

>>28787530
yeah this is actually the best

>>28787530
Sure.

Why is Charlie so hung-up about a bit of drinking? You'd think that, someone like her who likes parties... then again, come think of it, you didn't see her drink at all while you were at the beach. Mostly you were playing frisbee, and then you kind of snuck off with Janice and...

Anyway. Yeah, turns out she doesn't drink, then, probably. You sigh a little. 'Sorry about it. I kind of ran into the daughter of the host, and she just plied me with some stuff. Seemed a bit rude to say no.'

'Fair enough,' Antsy chips in. 'That Mariella girl is an odd one, though.'

Charlotte still looks a bit sullen, though she relents a bit when you point out that you also got her contact. 'Might be able to get some contacts,' you say, 'and then some work, right?'

'Maybe, maybe...'

The atmosphere seems a bit odd. You're really not aware Charlie would be this offended all of a sudden, and all of you are quite quiet until you finally go back into the house...

... to see Anna, also looking strangely sullen, sitting and tapping at her smartphone. Charlie turns to you. 'Well, good night, I suppose...'

> Try to talk to Charlotte.
> Talk to Anna.
> Do/contact something else.
> Other.

>>28787794
>> Try to talk to Charlotte.

>>28787794
> Try to talk to Charlotte.

>>28787794
>Try to talk to Charlotte.

>>28787813
>>28787819
>>28787827
This.

Also, make some coffee for yourself, first.

>>28787794
>talk to anna
already outnumbered x4
:(

>>28787794
Mm. Talk to Charlie.

>>28787794
Talk to charlie first, then anna

>>28787794
Ask Charlie if she's had any bad experiences with people who drink when on the job. Because that seems like it may be the problem.

Charlie's about to go, still seeming a little cold, but you reach and gently nudge her; while she doesn't respond very positively, she nonetheless doesn't brush you off.

'Hmm? What?'

You scratch your head. 'Uh... I'm sorry about the drinking, I guess?'

'No, it's no problem. I'm not your mom, it's up to you.'

'Is it because of someone drinking on the job before, that you didn't like or something...?' You then raise your hands in front of you, almost anticipating some Bajiquan beating. 'Of course, you don't have to say-'

'It's a bit worse than that, actually. But like I said, it's my problem, not yours.' With that she goes upstairs, and then you turn round to see the newer arrival and older acquaintance, still at her handphone. She's muttering something that sounds like it's in Polish, and grunts when you sit down.

'Hmm.'

> What do you say to Anna? Coffee doesn't sound like a good idea now. You need sleep more than coffee.

>>28788140
"So, how was your day?"

>>28788140
>>28788167
The only reasonable thing to say.

>>28788167
definitely

also wren nice job not fucking up ranger quest rolls

>>28788223
it's only a matter of time

>>28788167
>>28788180
>>28788223
>>28788238

'Uh... Anna?'

'Hmm?' She looks up. Woah. What's this, Showing People New Faces Evening? You've been used to Anna looking emotionless in a cool manner except when she smiles slyly, and Charlotte being quite smiley and a little flirty, and now Charlie's shown you her evidently miffed face and Anna... you don't really know what face this is, really. Sullen? Frustrated? Something's happened. To be honest, it throw you so that you can't really remember what you were going to say.

'Oh. Well, just... how's your day been?' Then, remembering what it was finally, you point to her face and smile. 'Nice work removing the bruise.'

'Hmm, yeah.' She puts the handphone on her lap, gives you a look while still wearing the frustrated face, almost like she's trying to tell you something without telling you. But then she shakes her head and picks up the phone again.

'So...'

'Fine,' she says. 'It's gone fine. And now I need to go and work.'

'Oh right, yes...' you watch as she strides over to the stairs and goes up, two steps at a time. Uh... right. Well. Maybe you should sleep it off too... you have a perfunctory shower, a proper brushing, and then settle in bed.

> ... What did you think of their behaviour?
> Also, you can call or text someone if you'd like. Maybe not the old friends, that's quite expensive.

>>28788550
Confused, there are obviously issues we don't know about that need dealing with or at least acknowledging but we can't do a lot right now except ask because we're really not that great of friends yet.

>>28788550

Well, it was going to happen. No one's always laid back.

Suppose we'll have to get to know them a bit better then, somehow.

Call Callie, ask how she is.

>>28788550
Worried

>>28788550
Rest on the couch. Wait for her to leave.

Before she gets out the door, say, "Your evil landlord thinks something's bothering you. If you get into trouble then you can't pay your rent, and we can't have that now, can we?

...Seriously, what's wrong? Anything I can do to help?"

>>28788713
Nah, they seemed to be in various states of vexation, continued prying would probably backfire at this point.

>>28788713
Yeah. Suggest toning it down to a "text me if you need anything" vibe, shout while we're cooking dinner or something.

>>28788713
>>28788645
>>28788635
>>28788605

You lie in your bed and, after thinking a bit about it, shrug. Man, do landlords even get this involved at all with their tenants? But then why shouldn't you?

There's clearly issues with the lot of them. Well, everyone's got those. Anna being laid-back, Charlie being a bro - that could be a frequent thing, but no one's *always* like that. Probably just stumbled on a bad time or did something silly, is all.

Charlie you don't worry too much about, since you already know what's miffed her. A little odd she seems to be so against it, but if she says it's serious... whatever. Anna, though. She seemed quite fine earlier today. Maybe it's some news she got on the phone?

That girl's got interesting roots in this place anyway. There's that Sinead bitch who nearly crushed your knee, then there's Antsy... she and maybe Chenglin are definitely in their territory here, kind of. And with that, well, might come trouble. And if a girl who knows kung fu as well as she does is sullen about trouble, then...

Sitting up, you head out, but Anna's door is closed and you're not about to knock. Soft music is coming from inside - jazz, it sounds like. Heck. You write a note - 'Text me if you need anything' - and put it near the door, before going to bed. You should probably call Callie, maybe, and...

... oh fuck, it's half 7 in the morning now. Friday, though! You open your door to see that Charlie's door is closed, Anna's room is empty, and - wow. It's *neat*. And there's a note at the bottom of the door, exactly where you put yours.

'Cheers. I got breakfast, it's in the kitchen. A.'

You head down to see quite a lot of breakfast - rice congee, fried dough sticks, soy milk, noodles. Not everyone eats the way you do, Anna...!

> Eat as much as you can.
> This sounds weird. Leave the breakfast.
> What do after you eat/do not eat?

>>28789067
>Chow down

No need to put any of that food to waste.

Let's go train a bit in the dojo afterward.

>>28789067
>> Eat as much as you can.
sounds like a normal breakfast to me.

Go return the pendant to Janice

>>28789067
Eat a good amount but don't stuff ourselves.

Afterwards is time for morning training.

>>28789136
It's still morning, and Janice said that she'd be the one to come over to pick it in the afternoon.

>>28789138
2nding

>>28789185
sorry, forgot about that.

In that case, let's do some more training. Acceptable?

Rolled 9 + 2

>>28789138
this

>>28789185
Wait, no, not afternoon. Just noon.

It's 7:30 right now, so we've got 4 and a half hours to ourselves.

>>28789067
>This sounds weird. Leave the breakfast.
Get a hard workout in, then eat.

File: 1386735937176.jpg-(11 KB, 274x184, url.jpg)

11 KB JPG

Wait, was it... was it eat first and then exercise? No wait, exercise first and then eat, isn't it? But then the stuff smells really good, and you know the dough sticks will get greasy if they're left out too long...

Fuck it. You eat the dough sticks, one thing leads to another, and before you know it you're slurping noodles while dipping the sticks into porridge and drinking the soy milk. Damn, the soy milk is tasty, and the porridge has got slices of fish and plenty of scallions and some ginger - really good stuff. Where'd Anna get these?

Nice to know someone who knows the area, really. After eating, you shower and rest for a while, and around 9 you head into the dojo, stretch thoroughly, and begin practicing routines by memory. Maybe you'd like to focus on a certain area...

> Roll d100 for training insights. Giving a focus on how and what you'd like to train can lead to bonuses. (eg. Meditate on producing power from the whole body, or something like that)

> I'm ironing out the skill tree right now, and will give you more details next thread. But currently you are eligible to learn one skill, since you're at Level 2 for the Red Phoenix now. Just to say.

Rolled 5

>>28789428

Rolled 46

>>28789428
Red Phoenix is footwork and dexterity of defense, right? Let's work on our movements.

Rolled 98

>>28789428
Focus on the torrent fist, specifically using it to punch people.

>>28789480
God damnit Wren

Rolled 96

>>28789428
Flexibility and agility?

>>28789495
>>28789503
Looks like we had no need to worry at all.

What was the torrent fist again?

Rolled 60

>>28789428
>>28789494
red phoenix!

>>28789519

> It's the style that your great-uncle taught you. And presumably the style he used to beat everyone else in the City and flatten 32 people in a single fight.

> ... strong stuff, this.

>>28789563
We should definitely practice it, then. FAMILY TRADITION STRONG!

>>28789519
Torrent Fist - every time you throw a punch, roll 1d100

Nat 100 - you download a car

> 98, 96: Holy shit.

For some reason, once you enter the place and begin practicing, you feel that familiar tingle of energy in your abdomen, coursing up your chest and down your spine, yet again. As you practice the routines, one by one, you feel your strength being increasingly augmented, and begin punching the air as hard as you can while retracing your steps. Be conscious of how your body moves! Put your weight, and your muscles, behind the punch!

Your great-uncle once showed you a great trick when you asked him about the huge westerners boxing on TV. 'Once those people close in, then they just hug each other,' he explains, placing a brick on several other bricks. 'But for us, we have different powers. A long punch should have the weight of the body behind it, but not the whole weight. As for a short punch, however...'

> cont'd.

>>28789810

You watch him place his hand just above the brick so his fingertips touch its surface. Then the hand - it's not a very big fist, never was - balls into a fist and seems to just push down gently - except that when it hits the brick, the brick cracks immediately into two, little bits spalling off the bottom. H-holy shit! Throwing the appallingly damaged brick away, he smiles at you.

... you maybe ought to practice that routine. The Black Tortoise is about toughness, about gathering the strength of the body in one point to defend - or to attack, and you end up punching the sandbag as well as a big rock pillar. At first it hurts like a fucking *bitch*, but then you begin to get into the rhythm of it, finding out the strengths and weaknesses of your hand itself, and the engines behind it that drive it.

Suddenly, after punching and in a fit of joy and energy, you let out a loud yell, the feeling of power washing over you. That... that felt good. It really did! But your fists are skinned and bleeding, and then you go 'owwww'.

> You gain 2 levels in the Black Tortoise.
> Now you are also eligible for a skill in the Black Tortoise genre, focusing on defence and short-distance attacks.

> Right! You... phew. You feel ready for anything. Also, you hear the door opening outside. Probably Anna, then.
> What do/say, landlord?

File: 1386737208444.gif-(15 KB, 544x213, quotYou-wouldnt-download-(...).gif)

15 KB GIF

>>28789758
Heh. I lol'd

>>28789841
"Hey, you're not too busy, are you?"

maybe we can spar with her and test out our skills?

>>28789841
Say hi as we go to clean up and bandage our knuckles.

>>28789847
>635TB
You must have one hell of a storage array set up.

>>28789971

It's like a garage, full of HDD's.

>>28789872
>>28789951

Ooh, Anna's back! You head out, considering asking her to join you in sparring again, but then take a look at her and decide against it. She's in her sportswear, hair falling from the ponytail all over her face. 'Hey, good morning Anna.'

'Hey.'

'... thanks for the breakfast.'

'Was it good?' She smiles, a rather... sweet smile now, tempered by fatigue. She just nods when you affirm that it was pretty damn good.

'You'll have to bring me around to the place. You do know the City very well, don't you?'

'I've lived here a few years, so I guess...' instead of sitting on the couch, she sits on the wooden chair and begins towelling the sweat off her. 'That was a good run. I, uh, I'm sorry about last night. Please don't hold it against me. What happened to your knuckles?'

'Practicing,' you grin, miming the motion. 'Hey, I can't just run around on my 36 humping styles, can I?'

'I was kidding about that too, you know,' she says, quietly. For a moment you wonder if her humour detector's been turned off for the morning as well, but she smiles - though more a sort of relieved smile, as if she's glad you're able to take a joke. This is slightly strange, given how Anna's been ribbing you the last few days, but not unpleasant.

'Well, I'll rectify it. 36 punching *and* humping technique.'

'Don't punch and hump someone at the same time, that's called domestic violence or rape. Just saying, so I don't get evicted from your place because you were being daft. Do you need help with the knuckles?'

... phew. Anna's back. Kinda.

> Yeah, sure.
> I'll manage, thanks.
> Other.

> It's about 11 now. Janice is coming in an hour.

>>28789841
Wrap knuckles and challenge Anna. Charlotte has a reasonable respect for our kung fu, but Anna has only ever seen us suck.

We must correct this.

>>28790278
>> Yeah, sure.

>>28790278
What if they're into it?
Also I can manage, thanks.

>prepare for Janice in a totally non sexual way
>like just get whatever she forgot and have it ready.

>>28790278
>> Yeah, sure.

Ok, so maybe we can take some time to relax. Watch a tv show?

>>28790296
sure

>>28790296
>>28790339
>>28790344
>>28790350
>>28790401

'But wait, Anna, what if that's their fetish?' You feel the urge to really poke Anna out of whatever funk she was in last night. Maybe it's best you don't know too much, but if you can lighten the atmosphere then why not, eh?

'You can explain that to the cops, then,' she says. 'So, knuckles?'

'You're a star, man.' You go to the toilet and Anna fetches some bandages, and then grabs your hand. Man, her grip is as strong as always, and you hiss in pain.

'Might sting a bit,' is all she says. It stings. IT STINGS. She washes thoroughly, then dabs you dry, all the while trying to keep your hand steady as the pain makes you start and flinch and jerk and feel a bit of a dweeb at the same time. 'Dude, haven't you ever gotten skinned before?'

'Yeah, but this sort of tender loving care, not so much. Ow! Oww for fuck's sake, Anna! I swear I'm going to challenge you to a duel after this.'

'I think you've lost most honour by now, with all your whining,' she says, grinning. Finally, your hands dry, she begins wrapping the bandages around your knuckles with expert ease. Given how strong her fingers are, the movements are actually pretty gentle; sure it stings, but after that it feels quite comfy.

You look at Anna's face from the side, noticing how... prominent her nose actually is. Heh. Her eyes are half closed as she focuses; she's clearly a little tired even while doing this for you. Why *is* she doing this for you?

'So what've you got today, Anna?'

'Classes, mostly. For once.' She shrugs. 'So how's your scheme to get into trouble with local thugs going? You know, one day, I might get you into trouble myself...'

You remember Sinead. How many other Sineads are there here? Are there people in Anna's past she's trying to keep at bay? Maybe one of them got in touch last night...?

> That sounds worrying.
> Meh, bring it on. There's four fighters in this house.
> Keep quiet, prepare for Janice.
> Other.

>>28790623
>> Keep quiet, prepare for Janice.

>>28790623
"Trouble seems to come to me whether I want it or not. Don't worry too much about it. So, are you heading out now or do you have time to watch the telly with me?"

>>28790623
>> Meh, bring it on.

"I think you're more reliable than that."

>>28790623
Meh, we got 4 fighters and space for more

>>28790623
"What's on your mind Anna? You've been out of it since last night."

>>28790718
>>28790736
>>28790747
>>28790753

'Meh,' you say, shaking Sinead and Paul and the others out of your mind and watching Anna's lithe arms moving around your hands. She looks up in surprise.

'Meh?'

'Like, meh, trouble schmouble,' you shrug. 'I've had a house dropped on me, so it seems like it's karma that trouble follows it, right? Like, when we met, I was just buying apples and then someone tries to grab my phone and things like that. But we've got four fighters in this house, right? We'll deal. Bring them on.'

Anna smiles, but then shakes her head. 'I guess. Thanks for that.'

'You, on the other hand, you sound and look like you're miles away.' You risk a nudge on her upper arm. 'And you've been like that since last night. What's happening?'

'Eh? Well... look, man, that guy who attacked you wasn't after your phone. He was... kind of after *you*. Or at least what people think this house, and you, might have to offer.'

'What's that supposed to mean?'

'Look, the City's a big place. It's got a huge scene of people who fight and punch and kick, as a hobby or for a living.' Anna shrugs. 'I'd know, I was one of those. Just to save up for the masters, mostly.'

That begs the question of what she'll be doing *after* the masters, come think of it... 'and what about that, then? So you're saying there'll be competition for our vigilante thing?'

'No, not that... it's that because you're Fourth Master's descendant, people will look towards you... kind of naturally. No one's doing that now, not the bigger groups, because they kind of figure you're still young and new, you know? But all the schools in the City... many of the gangs... many of the contractors for the corporations, and the well known individual fighters... they kind of already know your name. Or at least your surname.'

You sigh. You'd suspected as much. Was Anna worrying about *you*, then?

> What do/say/ask Anna?

>>28790990
"As long as you're there to patch me up... Totally worth it.

"Besides, I promised uncle to train. I think self-defense falls under that."

>>28790990
"Well, guess that's good reason to get to training harder."

>>28791068
seconded

>>28790990
Thank her for worrying about us and then these two >>28791068
>>28791102

>>28791136
>>28791135
>>28791102
>>28791068

> All right. Last post for this thread.
> Thanks everyone for playing!

You do as silly a grin as you can manage, positively fecal-matter-eating, as a reply to Anna's serious face; and she frowns before reaching up to slap you. It's a joke move though, and you dodge it easily.

'Dude. I'm serious.'

'And me too. I was just thinking, well, if I get beaten up, then Anna's here to patch me up. I think that's a positive result, man.'

'Are you flirting now? Who turned on the flirt activator?' She looks around while both of you laugh. 'Thing is, Charlie doesn't know too much about these. I think she has her own concerns, but you know. Chenglin knows, of course. She was born into this world.'

'Good for her. I just have to train harder, I suppose. It was part of the promise when I inherited the house, that I'd train.'

'Fourth Master has foresight, as always.' Finally she lets go of your arms. That's a little disappointing. 'So how was that... Callie? Did you manage to pump anything out of her? Was there pumping?'

'I don't kiss and tell. But she mentioned a burglar. Not sure that's of much use. I asked her to look out for, like, gangs and groupings and bullies.' You omit what you were doing with your hands while asking her that. Maybe she didn't hear it. Nah she probably did. 'Is this also why we're doing the vigilante group thing, Anna?'

'I just thought that if we built a name, it should probably be a positive name,' she says. Man, she's been thinking through this as well... 'anyway, I'm off then. Probably late for class. See you.'

She gives you a quick, one armed hug before running off. Going upstairs, you find the silver leaf pendant, and then realise Janice sent you a message about an hour ago. Oh dear...

'Hey, sorry about this but stuck in group work here. I could go to yours at around 3. Or maybe you could come to mine whenever?'

... Hmm.

> Go to Janice's.
> Wait for her at 3.
> Other.

>>28791613
Thanks for running, mate.

>>28791613
>Wait for her
little master still overworked

>>28791613
go to janice's place.

>>28791613
Good run. good night

>>28791613
We could do some training that doesn't require hitting things in the meantime.

>>28791667

This. Let's see what it's like.

>>28791613
I'm curious as to what her place looks like, so let's go and see her.

Rolled 34

>>28791667
>>28791791
>>28791815

You guys know what's happening when we get there, right?

> Rolling for willing friends.

>>28791613
>> Wait for her at 3.
Perhaps if we have time we could get some meditation in. We made some progress in tecnique, might be nice to capitalize on it spiritually.

Rolled 93

>>28791892

I'm rollin too.