>>1833610
Ziren chugs a glass of wine- he had decided to have a bit of drink to drown his sorrows after he got knocked out, and the rest of the table had elected to have a bit as well. Nero was sipping on some strange green drink, while you had decided to stay sober for this one. Rochwald had also gamely resisted the sweet siren song of alcohol.

"Gah..." Nero scratches his head with the back of his hand. "All this has reminded me; Sis, did you talk to the guys upstairs about the big event?"

“Oh, riiiight…” She has the good grace to look embarrassed. "Forgot. I'll do it right after the game." She turns to you before you can even ask. "Don't tell anyone, but Interdiction's having this big recruitment exhibition in a few days. All the best of the best are going to be out there strutting their stuff in a special arena were we're allowed to really go whole hog. Doing demonstrations, talks, even a little friendly open challenges. It'll kinda be like a fair, and we're gonna hold it in the Festival District, even! Going to be offering sign-ups right then and there too for anyone interested!"

Well, now isn't that lovely.

>What are they doing that for? Aren't they already the biggest?
>Will you be doing anything for it?
>That's a little extravagant, isn't it?
>Other

>>1833637
>>Will you be doing anything for it?

I'm guessing this is the reason we were invited

>>1833637
"I've already got a job though." shrug. "Not a fan of show-offs."

10 more minutes, then I'll just go ahead.

Writing, yeah.

>>1833637
>>1833675
>>1833741
Well, might as well play to their expectations just a bit. "So, you going to be doing anything for it?"

"Yep! We're going to be holding a bit of a Q&A session for anyone interested in the life of an Interdiction member, and afterwards, we're going to be doing a bit of friendly sparring with each other- and anyone else who might be interested." She gives you a grin. "Sooo...if you want to show up..." she trails off there, but the implications are clear.

That said, you're not really all that interested, and you make this known as you shrug it off. "Well, I mean. I've already got a job. Besides, not really one for grandstanding."

"I wouldn't call it grandstanding," Nero interjects. "Just showin' folk what we're capable of when we're at our best, and given 'em the deets for if they want in on that kind of life. Besides, there'll be good food, lot of fun little games for all ages. Basically be a party. An' hey, who doesn't love a party?" You get the feeling that that particular question wasn't meant to be answered.

"It will be good for individuals to learn a bit more about us and realize what we do," Rochwald interjects. "I'm aware that a number of people here don't quite realize just how vital we Outgoers are for the community of this little demesne outside of space and time. We have all sacrificed a great deal in arriving here, and so we have to sacrifice more in order to sustain ourselves."

"Awwww, don't- don't start up the whole 'eternal duty and sacrifice' speech again," Ziren murmurs, taking another draught of wine. "Save that for when you're on the stage..."

Rochwald gives him a pitying look, before smiling and nodding his acquiescence. "Very well, very well. I'll postpone it."

For some reason, you find yourself exceedingly glad that he did. The idea of what he may have been about to say twists in your gut a little bit...

Before anyone can say anything else however, and just as you and Nero are about to face off yet again, both of your phones ring. You give each other a respectful nod before answering. "Hello, is this Miranda?" Hm? You don't recognize that voice... "This is Noreen Blanche, representative from Crystalock Developments. I'm calling in regards to one of your employees, and I understand this was listed as a contact number." You don't recall ever giving anyone your permission to...

...Damnit, Sal.

"Yes? May I ask who you're calling me about?" Not that you didn't have a good idea already...

"One Cylica Ferrous. I was wondering if perhaps you could meet with me about her shortly? We understand that she beat the Crystalock challenge, and if you're not too busy, we're wondering if you and her could come out to discuss a business deal within a few hours."

...Huh. "Have you spoken with her yet?"

"We haven't. We felt it better to speak with her overseer first." Oh. Well.

>She's not really in the market for another job right now...
>We'll be there, then.
>Wait, why?
>Other

>>1834231
>We'll be there, then.
>Other: What is the goal of this meeting?

>>1834231
>"I'll call you back after I've discussed this with her."

>>1834231
>Wait, why?

>>1834231
>>"I'll call you back after I've discussed this with her."

Locked. We'll ring you back.

>>1834332
cool.

>>1834231
>>1834263
>>1834264
>>1834323
Ugh. This seems a bit sudden. "Is it possible that I can call you back after I've discussed this with her?"

You can hear her make a noise of disapproval, but she doesn't say to the same. "Very well, although I insist that you make it quick. I'm afraid we're very busy, and this is a very limited time offer. I can tell you that we are hoping to...utilize her unique talents in ways that could benefit us, but I'm afraid I'm unallowed to go into specifics over the phone." She offers a curt goodbye, and the line goes dead.

Well, curious, if slightly unpleasant. Just as you're about to mention what just occurred, Nero gets up himself. "Ugh, sorry. I think we're going to have to call this one over for now. Just got a call from upstairs saying that they want us in for some sort of discussion. Not sayin' what, but I know we're not going to be the only ones there."

Claudi raises an eyebrow. "It's not about the recruitment event?"

He shrugs. "Might be, might not. Like I said, they didn't say. Which is kind of weird." He looks back at you, an apologetic frown on his face. "We'll come back to it another time. Go ahead and take your...huh, seven-thirty motes? Not bad." A brief grin cracks his face, but it fades soon enough. "But yeah, that's yours. Come on, folks, we've been called, and they're expecting an answer." A few brief good-byes, and you're quickly back in the front of the building after Claudi offers to guide you out. Very first thing you need to do now is to ring up the lady in question. Fortunately, she picks up after 2 rings. "Mmyeess? Cylica Ferrous here, to whom am I speaking?" She sounds tired. Wonder what she's been up to?

"Technically, your boss," you say.

You hear a sudden ruffling of movies in the background, and next you hear her, her voice is far less exhausted. "Oh, yes! Aha, what can I do for you?"

'Stop being quite so uppity,' you inwardly snark. "Crystalock Developments called. They want to talk with you about some sort of a deal since you beat their challenge. Want it done today though. You up for it?"

"Well, I have to say that does sound interesting. It would make sense that seeing a true Master at work would make them think." You're not sure how she managed to make the capitalization in the word 'master' audible, but somehow she did. "How would I be getting there?"

"I'll pick you up. Make sure you're ready by the time I'm there." Click. Good. That was easy.

A quick call back to Ms. Noreen, and she's already confirmed your presence. "Excellent. Then we'll be seeing you in an hour and a half. Mention your names in the lobby, and you'll be guided up. Thank you for your cooperation." Whatever they want, hopefully it's nothing too distracting from her actual job...
Shorter than I'd hoped. AC's out and I am just pissed. Will try to run tomorrow.

>>1834620
thanks for runnin, see you tomorrow.

>>1834620
Damn. Just missed it. Thanks for the run.

>>1834620
I got these big old balls of blue here man.

Hallo, folks.

>>1837090
hi, previous thread isn't archived yet

>>1837090
sup

>>1837090
Hi

>>1837098
Archived. Will be writing in a bit.

>>1837090
'Ello

>>1837177
Awesome possum

I said that and then QM curse happened so neeeevermind. I actually might not be around for a day or two thanks to Labor Day get-togethers.

>>1837404
You know what you must do.

>(hands a kitchen knife, rope, a bag of salt, a couple of d20s, a box of ball gags and burlap sacks, a jug of chloroform and a rag)

The Quest Gods demand sacrifice for their approval...

>(slips back into dark alleyway)

Do not fail them.

>Mono suddenly coughs violently, a jarring in her system right from out of nowhere. Huh. She was just practicing her notes, a few light tunes that didn't really do anything, nothing in particular too stressful...

>Maybe just a random cough. Could you get sick here? Maybe she should've asked before...

>Well, whatever. She needed to get back to practicing.

>Although for some reason, her mood was a lot less light than it just was. Like...she needed to sing a dirge.

>Well...she hadn't gotten this far not following her instincts.

>So she sang. She wasn't sure who it was for, her head tended to clear out in these moments. Maybe it was for herself? Maybe one of her old family?

>Whoever it was for, she hoped they heard it.

>>1838426
Aw shit, are we gonna lose talent to headhunters?

>>1838476
that would suck.

>>1838476
>>1838703

Nope, just a thing related to home.

>>1838742
One or more of her sisters have died?

>>1838767
In the latest Starborn thread, one of the main characters- a kid and the MC's younger brother figure- recently died in a battle. The MC lost her shit and currently she and the god the boy loved are in rage and mourning. As the MC was declared sisters with Mono's group, I felt it...appropriate.

>>1838780
that's kinda dark. well, at least we didn't lose anyone yet.hopefully it stays that way...

>>1838780
. . . Good?

Hey I just got through reading the first mission, I'm VERY new. And i have to say I'm hooked. I really love it! I'm glad i have a lot more to read as it's become kind of addicting to see what happens next.

>>1850489
Well, came at the right time. I'll try to run in a few hours. Been a bit distracted lately.