Hell Bend

Locales found within the main city centers; primarily Inside, Riverside, and Skyside.
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Earl of Purple
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Re: Hell Bend

Post by Earl of Purple »

Back Outside

Frigate will stomp around to the front of the club and ask to be let back in. The doorman might not want to let Frigate back in without handing more money in, but he's just going to have to find out.
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Re: Hell Bend

Post by Ironsmith »

"Sorry, bud. Those chips are invalidated if they ever leave the casino. Otherwise anybody could buy a set and come in loaded with chips that don't have anything backing them. I'll take them off your hands, but you'll have to buy new ones."

Yep. Sounds like Frigate saw that coming.
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Re: Hell Bend

Post by Earl of Purple »

"Aye, I s'pose that be fair. Do I get a refund since I din't spend any?" Frigate will hand over the tokens he still has, bending slightly at the waist to look the doorman in the eye.
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Re: Hell Bend

Post by Ironsmith »

"What did I just say?" The doorman jeers, taking the tokens but offering nothing in return. "They're invalid. They're not worth anything. There's nothing to refund."

The doorman has a sadistic smile on his face as he says this. Clearly, he knows exactly what he's doing.
Who're you? ...Don't matter.

Want some rye? Course ya do!

Here's to us!
Who's like us?
Damn few,
And they're aaaaall dead.
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Re: Hell Bend

Post by Earl of Purple »

Outside

"Aye, ye said it. Very well. May I have me weapons, or do I need t' come out yon door t' get 'em?" Apparently giving up of going back inside, Frigate still doesn't hand the chips over.
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Murkus
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Re: Hell Bend

Post by Murkus »

[Upstairs]

"Well gee, thanks for sharing, Bap buddy," Tina says, bubbly and a little slurred for effect. A little more throatily, she adds, "I owe you one."

Fettina will set into playing, albeit not very well and without much of a mind for the odds, but she'll try to keep scanning the room for any sign of The Boss in the mean time. Who knows how much time her meagre gambling skills and a healthy dose of luck can buy her.
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Re: Hell Bend

Post by Thursday Violist »

[Street Vendors]

Beefcake.
Knight in shining armor, without the armor.
195 cm tall and as strong as an ox.
Carrying two massive swords almost as big as he is, on his back. Not quite identical: one's skyblue, and the other's bloodred.
The fact that he's neither a demon nor a scoundrel, but instead a paladin with just a tinge of dark holy energy seeping inside him.

There's actually a lot that makes Zophiel stand out.
In his hand, he's got a piece of paper that has a picture on it. About a week ago, a woman was reported missing. A few days ago, Zophiel started looking for her. And he's managed to trace, apparently, her last known location to here. In Hell Bend.

He's gone up to a few of the vendors and, after talking to them and asking them to no avail...decides to keep on trying. Maybe not someone who's so busy, though.
He goes up to someone who looks much less busy to ask them.
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Re: Hell Bend

Post by Gold »

[Blackjack]

Solenoid gives a mildly annoyed expression when the succubus boops her nose. "Oh? Well-" she begins, before being cut off by the dealer's objection.

"Apologies. I'll hit, thanks," she says, nodding to the dealer.

Back to the succubus, she regains her confident smile and says "That would depend on your asking price, my friend."
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Re: Hell Bend

Post by Ironsmith »

Earl of Purple wrote: Dec 15, 2022 5:00 pm Outside

"Aye, ye said it. Very well. May I have me weapons, or do I need t' come out yon door t' get 'em?" Apparently giving up of going back inside, Frigate still doesn't hand the chips over.
[Outside]

"...You really are new around here, aren't you? I want you to go over that again and tell me what part of it sounds like a good idea to you." The bouncer rumbles. "Is it the relinquishing of valuable items? Or perhaps arming what is likely to be an irate customer? In what sense does it benefit me to give you your weapons back?"
Murkus wrote: Dec 20, 2022 12:02 am [Upstairs]

"Well gee, thanks for sharing, Bap buddy," Tina says, bubbly and a little slurred for effect. A little more throatily, she adds, "I owe you one."

Fettina will set into playing, albeit not very well and without much of a mind for the odds, but she'll try to keep scanning the room for any sign of The Boss in the mean time. Who knows how much time her meagre gambling skills and a healthy dose of luck can buy her.
[Upstairs]

Luck... or a generous sponsor.

The incubus, it turns out, is more than happy to continue shelling out his hard-earned winnings to keep Tina's company. It doesn't seem to present him with much of an issue; between the stockpile he already had, and the fact that he seems to be able to earn more at approximately the rate Tina would lose it, it seems as though they could maintain this game indefinitely.

The trade-off being that the incubus is apparently expecting her to talk to him.

"...So, what's a pretty thing like you doing in a place like this?" The incubus asks. "Not for nothing, but you seem a bit... tender for Crimp's."

"Aren't we all?" The succubus quips, rolling the dice across the table.

"...You know what I mean. Just a smidge too innocent. And this neighborhood isn't known for being welcoming to strangers..."
Gold wrote: Jan 08, 2023 9:43 pm [Blackjack]

Solenoid gives a mildly annoyed expression when the succubus boops her nose. "Oh? Well-" she begins, before being cut off by the dealer's objection.

"Apologies. I'll hit, thanks," she says, nodding to the dealer.

Back to the succubus, she regains her confident smile and says "That would depend on your asking price, my friend."
The fancy succubus smirks as the dealer sets a three of clubs in front of Solenoid, bringing her total up to twelve. "Mm. Well, I think you already know. A pretty girl like you, a lady like me, we could get up to some real fun, if you know what I mean." She gives Solenoid a salacious giggle and leans in, whispering in her ear:

"I want you and your team to get me out. As far away from Riverside as physically possible. I can't stand it here, these people are crazy."

The succubus leans back and rests her chin on her hand, flashing the mercenary an unbroken grin. "If you're... flexible enough for that, of course." She chortles.
Thursday Violist wrote: Jan 06, 2023 7:08 am [Street Vendors]

Beefcake.
Knight in shining armor, without the armor.
195 cm tall and as strong as an ox.
Carrying two massive swords almost as big as he is, on his back. Not quite identical: one's skyblue, and the other's bloodred.
The fact that he's neither a demon nor a scoundrel, but instead a paladin with just a tinge of dark holy energy seeping inside him.

There's actually a lot that makes Zophiel stand out.
In his hand, he's got a piece of paper that has a picture on it. About a week ago, a woman was reported missing. A few days ago, Zophiel started looking for her. And he's managed to trace, apparently, her last known location to here. In Hell Bend.

He's gone up to a few of the vendors and, after talking to them and asking them to no avail...decides to keep on trying. Maybe not someone who's so busy, though.
He goes up to someone who looks much less busy to ask them.
[Street Vendors]

"Burgers! Get your burgers here! [Slightly exorbitant price] a pop!" A succubus calls from a nearby cart. As Zophiel will quickly learn to expect from these demons, she's pulling out the most infamous of marketing tricks in an attempt to sell her wares; she's standing in front of her cart, dressed in a short apron and nothing else, holding her product on a plate just in front of her chest.

Unfortunately for her, nobody seems interested in buying said product.

"...Hey there, cutie." The succubus purrs as Zophiel approaches. "You want a burger? Best food in Hell Bend, I tell ya! And since I like you, I'll even give you a discount! How's that sound to you?"
Who're you? ...Don't matter.

Want some rye? Course ya do!

Here's to us!
Who's like us?
Damn few,
And they're aaaaall dead.
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Re: Hell Bend

Post by Earl of Purple »

Outside

"Were ye ever plannin' on handin' me weapons back, or did ye think I be an easy mark t' rob an' had no way t' recover any property ye could relieve me of? I do be gettin' a bit annoyed right now, y'see, an' me curiosity be burning inside me heart, but I do not count meself as 'irate' yet. An' fer that ye should count yerself lucky. An' count yon fingers whilst ye're at it." Frigate's voice isn't the most expressive, and it remains even throughout. He'll tilt his torso forward and rotate his head as he looks around, hoping to find a strongbox, safe, or gun locker in which his weapons- as well as Solenoid's rifle- may be stored.
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Re: Hell Bend

Post by Thursday Violist »

[Street Vendors]

Honestly, Zophiel's not that interested in buying her product, either. He's not really hungry, the marketing trick isn't quite so attractive to someone who had the same life as him (okay, honestly, where he was from before the Nexus, the only people there were all male-paladins or succubi), the base price is too high to buy without haggling it down and he doesn't have the time to haggle, and...well, various reasons. Product barely even draws his attention towards it.
Various reasons all coming together.

But.

Buying her burger can easily translate into buying her time.
And that's more than he was able to get out of any other of the people on this street so far.

"Hey there," he replies, coming up to the succubus and stopping in front of her. He finally glances down at her burger for a moment. "Oh, is it the best?" he asks. Zophiel glances at some of the busier places around, as if he's wondering why the line here is so much emptier than the rest if it's so much better.

"Sure, I'll buy one," he says. "How much is the discount?" Then, fishing around for the likelihood this succubus would have been around here a few days ago, he asks in a tone suggesting that it'd explain why the line's so short, "Did you just open up?"

Then, the paladin sighs, puts a hand on his hip, and acts like he's confiding something important to the succubus, opening up to her because she's just that nice and seductive and that she can so easily tease out people to open up to her: "Truth is, I came here looking for someone who passed by here a few days ago. Haven't had any luck finding anyone who was around then."
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Re: Hell Bend

Post by Ironsmith »

[Outside]

No strongbox or vault to be seen... but Frigate will find his gun, as well as Solenoid's rifle, stored safely and securely by leaning them against a desk near the back of the room. The man hasn't even bothered to unload them (if that was a concern).

"Sir, I can assure you that my intentions when you entered Crimp's were strictly honorable." The doorman replies, holding out his arm in an attempt to check Frigate and keep him from going back inside. "But these aren't ordinary circumstances and so I will not be taking ordinary actions. I am not to allow an angry customer back into the building, regardless of how well they hide it. And you, sir, are very clearly angry. If you have a problem with this policy, I suggest you take it up with the police, or possibly MERC."

-

[Street Vendors]

"Everyone 'just opened up', honey." The succubus smirks, gesturing up and down the street. "None of us have been here more than a month, maybe two. But anyway..." She holds up the plate with the burger on it. "I'll tell you what I'll do. Normally, I'd just give you ten percent off, but how about instead..." She reaches into her cart and produces a chef's knife, deftly slicing out a chord of the burger. "First ten percent is free, the other ninety will be at full price. And if that isn't the most delicious thing you've ever tasted, I won't make you buy it."


...She's not exaggerating. This is not just a surprisingly good burger, it's likely one of the best Zophiel's had a chance to see, barring supernatural contenders. The meat is seared to perfection, and mixed with a hearty blend of spices that underscore its savory nature. The patty is topped with cheese melted just to the right consistency, along with an array of fresh vegetables that add a much-needed crunch to the sandwich without compromising the flavors already present. And unlike a lot of other demons here, who will "cheat" by adding magic to their foodstuffs in an attempt to get their customers addicted or make them open to a mugging, Zophiel won't be able to pick up any such trickery here; odds are, if he took her home with him, she'd be able to recreate the dish in a perfectly ordinary kitchen.


"...So, looking for someone, huh?" The succubus asks, stroking her chin. "...Hm. Well, there are a lot of someones around here, and most of them aren't eager to be found. But they don't really scare me. It's probably the other way around, actually." She gives Zophiel a little shrug and a smile. "What's this person look like? Maybe I saw them go by recently."
Who're you? ...Don't matter.

Want some rye? Course ya do!

Here's to us!
Who's like us?
Damn few,
And they're aaaaall dead.
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Re: Hell Bend

Post by Murkus »

[Upstairs]

Lucky boy. Fettina's spent a significant percentage of her life talking to guys in bars. Swindling them, specifically, in point of fact. This is a considerably lighter weight on her conscience, since the trade is all but a fair one. She lets out a husky laugh, playing casually with her hair.

"Innocent? Tender, even?" Fettina gives him an arch look. "I'm gonna be straight with you, Bap. I was never called either one of those things even before I had metal skin. You dig?"

"Whaddya say that for, hm? You gonna keep me safe, Bap?" She shows her teeth. "Maybe give me some good advice?"
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Re: Hell Bend

Post by Earl of Purple »

Outside

Gunpowder of the sort Frigate uses is slightly corrosive; keeping a flintlock loaded for long periods will damage it. So it would only be loaded right now if the demon loaded it first, and even then Frigate removed the flints before handing them over. He's more concerned about his cutlass. "Aye, fine. I be goin', then. Keep me gear safe, though. I do be plannin' on returnin' when I be, ah, calmer t' pick it up. An' if'n ye've flogged it or lost it, then I do truly believe ye shall see I angry. Aye?" Frigate will raise a hand to clap the doorman on the shoulder, with a considerable amount of force, and then turn and walk around to the back of the building.
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Re: Hell Bend

Post by Thursday Violist »

[Street Vendors]

Zophiel had hoped his question would've been interpreted as 'just opened today right now while everyone else opened up earlier this morning' and then he could've asked a follow-up question about how many days ago she opened up, but he admits it's his fault for not specifying and she deserves that smirk for seeing right through what he actually wanted to ask.
...
Well, regardless, he still got what he wanted out of that question.

The paladin tries the tithe of the burger.

Admittedly, it is delicious, but it also gives the suggestion of being meaninglessly high-class. As in, he can appreciate the freshness of the vegetables and the way it's cooked, but...it just gives him the impression that the taste would be better off appreciated by a food critic or a professional eater.

Even so, he agrees to buy the rest of the burger. The other 9/10ths.

"I have something better than a description," the paladin says. He has an actual picture of the person in question. He takes out the picture of the missing woman, and shows the food vendor. "Here she is."

Basically, a fairly normal human. Not really that much that stands out about her. Except, maybe, what a fairly normal woman like her was doing here in Hell Bend.

"The last people to have seen her, a few days ago, have said she looked panicked or 'out of it', but couldn't say anything about why." And anything else about her is still up in the air, since she's still pretty undefined.
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Re: Hell Bend

Post by Ironsmith »

[Upstairs]

"Well, I mean, compared to the girls that are usually around here..." Bap begins.

"He's saying you don't look like you've been around the block much, hon." The succubus helpfully chimes in. "It's not a compliment around here."

"...Well, it can be."

"But it's not."

Bap stammers helplessly for a moment, before turning back to Fettina and giving her a sheepish little shrug. "I... I only mean you seem nice. I'd hate to see something bad happen to ya, that's all."

"...Yeah, 'nice' isn't a compliment out here, either." The succubus frowns. "Lucky for you, you probably aren't either of those things. People like that get chewed up and left in a ditch."

"...Okay, you know what?" Bap shoves his chair back and scoops up his pile of vials. "I think I've had my fill of craps for tonight. If either of you two ladies need me, I'll be in a booth, counting my winnings." With that, the incubus turns and walks away, toward one of the curtained-off rooms in the back.

"...Well, shit." The succubus mutters, shooting Tina an annoyed look. "There goes the biggest tip I was going to get tonight."


[Outside]

And it was going so well, too.

When Frigate's hand comes down on the bouncer's shoulder, the demon snarls and clamps his own hand down on Frigate's wrist, a series of short, metal spikes attached to his palm making themselves known in the meantime, by liquifying the material they immediately touch. "Do. Not. Touch me." The bouncer snarls, his mortal guise temporarily giving way to reveal a rotting, skeletal face. If the point is taken, the bouncer will throw Frigate's hand off of him and gesture forcefully for him to leave, visibly irked.


[Street Vendors]

The succubus's eyes light up as soon as the photo comes out. "Oh! Her! Yeah, I remember her. She was sweet." She smiles. "Actually, since she didn't really have anywhere else to go, or much in the way of money, I let her stay at my place for a couple of nights. Can't say much about where she went from there, but she left a few things behind. You're welcome to come by and have a look." The succubus quietly accepts the money and goes to pocket it, only to remember that her apron does not, in fact, have pockets, so she does the next best thing and tucks the cash just over her sternum. "After you've finished eating, of course. We wouldn't want to deprive the world of that glorious figure." She grins and reaches up to Zophiel's upper arm, squeezing his bicep between her thumb and finger appreciatively.
Who're you? ...Don't matter.

Want some rye? Course ya do!

Here's to us!
Who's like us?
Damn few,
And they're aaaaall dead.
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Re: Hell Bend

Post by Earl of Purple »

Outside

The material the spikes touch is bronze plated stone, boring holes through the magically reinforced material. Frigate doesn't seem to notice, or particularly care, and doesn't react to the bouncer's attempt at a jumpscare.

Regardless, Frigate does in fact leave, headed around to the back of the building near the basement hatch he used to leave a short while ago. Then he's going to lift his more intact hand, bunch it into a fist, take a few steps back and... well, not run. Frigate's too heavy to run. But he's walking as fast as he can to build up momentum so he can smash through the wall, which after all is only made of brick. There might be something in the wall that would slow him down, but... Frigate's a mass of granite and bronze, and denting his fingers won't stop him.
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Re: Hell Bend

Post by Murkus »

[Upstairs]

Fettina looks after Bap as he goes, seemingly distraught, unsure what to do. She's tempted to bite back at the succubus, considering that from Tina's point of view the other woman had driven her tip off on her own, but the angel has another idea.

"I'll tell you what," Tina raps her fingertips on the table, thinking. "I'll try to sweet talk him back over here - or maybe let you have these vials he lent me flat out - if you drop me a little information. Like, how can I find the guy in charge here?"
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Re: Hell Bend

Post by Thursday Violist »

[Street Vendors]

Just like always finding something in the last place you look, it really is the last person you ask who knows the answer.

Zophiel would recommend the succubus get some clothes with pockets. Pockets, it turns out, are extremely useful. He's pretty sure, if she really wants, there's even aprons with pockets, too.

"That would be fantastic," the paladin says. "She might've left something behind that might hint where she went or what was going on." So far, he's gotten no concrete answers about what or why.
And...if she stayed with this succubus for 'a couple of nights' then it sounds like this is the second time that Zophiel just missed her by a few days.
As he eats the burger, he contemplates how if only he were a few days faster, he could have just asked her directly to find out what happened, why she suddenly disappeared without telling anyone, and if she's okay. It's not like he's an hourly worker doing a not-time-sensitive job.

Turns out his bicep is exactly as hard and defined as expected. Practically like it was made from sculpted and fired clay. Just as well, though: they'd need to be like that to even considering those swords that are nearly as large as he is.
Zophiel doesn't stop her from touching his arm. But, similarly, he doesn't exactly react to it either.

To signal he's done with the burger, Zophiel says, "It really was good. I wouldn't mind buying another one later."
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Re: Hell Bend

Post by Ironsmith »

Earl of Purple wrote: Feb 03, 2023 4:25 pm Outside

The material the spikes touch is bronze plated stone, boring holes through the magically reinforced material. Frigate doesn't seem to notice, or particularly care, and doesn't react to the bouncer's attempt at a jumpscare.

Regardless, Frigate does in fact leave, headed around to the back of the building near the basement hatch he used to leave a short while ago. Then he's going to lift his more intact hand, bunch it into a fist, take a few steps back and... well, not run. Frigate's too heavy to run. But he's walking as fast as he can to build up momentum so he can smash through the wall, which after all is only made of brick. There might be something in the wall that would slow him down, but... Frigate's a mass of granite and bronze, and denting his fingers won't stop him.
[Outside]

crash!

Frigate is, predictably, a rather effective battering ram when he puts his mind (and the rest of him) to it. The brickwork, already not exactly well-maintained, yields under the excessive force, shattering almost instantly as the warforged forces his way back into the building, where he is greeted with howls of approval from the patrons and staff, who apparently find his antics quite amusing.

The bouncer behind him appears less amused.
Murkus wrote: Feb 04, 2023 5:38 pm [Upstairs]

Fettina looks after Bap as he goes, seemingly distraught, unsure what to do. She's tempted to bite back at the succubus, considering that from Tina's point of view the other woman had driven her tip off on her own, but the angel has another idea.

"I'll tell you what," Tina raps her fingertips on the table, thinking. "I'll try to sweet talk him back over here - or maybe let you have these vials he lent me flat out - if you drop me a little information. Like, how can I find the guy in charge here?"
[Upstairs]

"Why? You looking for a job?" The succubus snarks. "You can do a lot better than here. The hours are terrible, the clientele are all..." She makes a vague gesture around the room, at the various patrons ogling the staff. "...and don't get me started on the pay. Well, I say 'pay', but that would imply we get wages. I work for tips, and paltry tips at that." She glances at the offered vials, then back up at Fettina. "...Or do you have some other business with him? Actually... forget I asked. If you want to see him, knock on that door right there, and when they ask for a password, say you want him to-"

Ooh. That's something Fettina probably shouldn't repeat when it comes time to debrief.

"...Yeah. Sucks a big one. Boss says it's more secure than a one-word password, but... come on. That's obviously crap. He's a sick man."
Thursday Violist wrote: Feb 04, 2023 7:01 pm [Street Vendors]

Just like always finding something in the last place you look, it really is the last person you ask who knows the answer.

Zophiel would recommend the succubus get some clothes with pockets. Pockets, it turns out, are extremely useful. He's pretty sure, if she really wants, there's even aprons with pockets, too.

"That would be fantastic," the paladin says. "She might've left something behind that might hint where she went or what was going on." So far, he's gotten no concrete answers about what or why.
And...if she stayed with this succubus for 'a couple of nights' then it sounds like this is the second time that Zophiel just missed her by a few days.
As he eats the burger, he contemplates how if only he were a few days faster, he could have just asked her directly to find out what happened, why she suddenly disappeared without telling anyone, and if she's okay. It's not like he's an hourly worker doing a not-time-sensitive job.

Turns out his bicep is exactly as hard and defined as expected. Practically like it was made from sculpted and fired clay. Just as well, though: they'd need to be like that to even considering those swords that are nearly as large as he is.
Zophiel doesn't stop her from touching his arm. But, similarly, he doesn't exactly react to it either.

To signal he's done with the burger, Zophiel says, "It really was good. I wouldn't mind buying another one later."
[Street Vendors -> Intact House]

"Aw, thank you!" The succubus grins, coyly wrapping her arms around her back. "I'm glad you like it. After a few hundred years of cooking, I'd like to think my recipe is good, but an artist always likes to hear her work be appreciated, you know?" She kicks out the wheel lock on her cart and starts down the street. "I'll go ahead and take you there right now. It's not like people are lining up for my burgers anyway."

The succubus leads Zophiel to a surprisingly-intact house at the end of the street, complete with a small garden in the front yard, marked with small green shoots and freshly-tilled soil. She leaves her cart behind on the sidewalk and makes her way up to the door, unlocking it and gesturing for him to follow, untying her apron on the way in.

The inside of the house is a bit more impressive. The front door opens into a spacious living room, with a couch and easy chair set around a low, antique coffee table and across from a large, flat-screened television. Off to his right, there's a short hallway leading to an open bathroom and a messy bedroom, with the dressers lined with various knickknacks and a permanently-disheveled bed as its primary features. On his left, the succubus is heading toward her kitchen, depositing the apron over the back of the couch as she goes, stopping short of a walk-in freezer and turning back just long enough to give him a little smile.

"Sorry about the smell." She says with a nonchalant wave. "I have a lot of visitors. Demon things, you know."

The smell in question, of course, being the vaguely acrid tang of ammonia in the air. If not for that, this place would probably be pretty comfortable. As it stands, Zophiel might not want to be in here too long if he values his olfactory senses.

"Make yourself at home!" The succubus calls, accompanying the sound of a frying pan clattering onto a stovetop. "I'll fix you up a little something. Have a look around as much as you want in the meantime!"
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Re: Hell Bend

Post by Earl of Purple »

Inside

"I wish t'be leavin' now. If'n I hand these t' you, which you gave I when I arrived, can I be gettin' me deposit back f'r the value that be printed on th' tokens?" Frigate doesn't really care about how pissed the bouncer's looking, and will offer the bag of chips to him again. "An' would it be possible t' retrieve me weapons, now I've demonstrated I be calm by talkin' t' ye an' comin' up with an alternative t' violence?" It might not work, as smashing through a wall isn't exactly violence-free.

Frigate thinks the fact he's willing to ask and not play 'loves me, loves me not' with the bouncer's limbs is proof enough he's not angry, Other people may not be so understanding.
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Re: Hell Bend

Post by Gold »

[Blackjack]

An expression of surprise momentarily crosses Solenoid's face as the succubus names her price. This surprise comes about partially due to the nature of the request itself, but also partially due to how... doable it seems. Granted, she doesn't know much about this world, but she reckons her "team" can help her on that front.

The surprised expression disappears, is replaced with a cool grin. "Well, I don't do things like that for just anyone, you know." she states, scratching her chin with a finger and thumb. "I'll be considering it, you can bet on that. But for now, let's just focus on the game. Fairly sure it's your move."

Can't be too reckless, after all. Frigate may be having... difficulty, as she could ascertain from his fall earlier, but she's sure Tina is also working towards finding out how to meet the big bosses. If Solenoid doesn't hear anything from her in the next couple minutes, that's when she'll want to come back to the succubus's offer.
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Re: Hell Bend

Post by Murkus »

[Upstairs]

Fettina's face doesn't curdle in distaste or anything. She just snorts, seemingly comfortable with crudity, or at least used to it enough not to shy away. She slides her vials across the table to the dealer and stands up. "Thanks, doll," she says, and heads off in the direction of the door. She'll rap the back of her knuckles daintily on the door and repeat the phrase.
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Re: Hell Bend

Post by Thursday Violist »

[Intact House]

The paladin follows the succubus.

The house does look pretty nice! Especially the garden. Zophiel likes the garden. He follows her in.
...
And, also, once her apron is gone, tries to avoid looking directly at her. Not that the apron was helping before, but it's still a thing. He takes his two swords off his back, and sets them just outside the house, since he doesn't expect he'll need them and they'll just get in the way.
Worried about someone stealing them? Nah, in the first place, they're really heavy. In the second place, they definitely give off vibes that even though they're fancy and very unique, they're better off left alone. And, in the third place, they seem to lock themselves in space, to the point that the impression they give is that only King Arthur himself could convince and cajole them into letting themselves get moved.

The smell, however, is unfortunate. It almost makes Zophiel crinkle his nose and wish he could do something to shut off his sense of smell.

"I grew up in a swamp, so this isn't that bad," he claims, in spite of the clear smell to the contrary.

He peeks into the kitchen.
"Where did she keep her things?" he asks. By way of explanation for his question (although he doesn't really need one), he adds: "So that way I can focus on what she left behind instead of accidentally looking through all your things."

And, after a pause, he adds, "By the way, I'm Zophiel. And what would you like me to call you?" Not outright asking her name, of course, since...apparently, sometimes, demons and knowledge of names can cause problems. Apparently. Or something like that.
They're like fairies, like that, he thinks.

Of course, though, once he's told where to look he starts his search there for any things, papers, and such left behind.
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Re: Hell Bend

Post by Ironsmith »

[Inside]

The bouncer frowns contemplatively, not seeming to entirely believe Frigate's claim. And not without reason... casually running through the wall wasn't exactly convincing evidence that Frigate was calm and unwilling to resort to violence. If anything, it was an indication of just how much damage he could cause if properly riled.

...Which would make it a bad idea to further provoke him. Even if the bouncer could rout him, it would likely be a pyrrhic victory.

"...Fine. Take it." The bouncer grumbles, gesturing toward the room with the party's gear.


[Blackjack]

"...All right, then." The succubus smiles at the dealer. "Hit me."

flick

There's a five.

"One more."

flick

Another five, for a total of nineteen.

"And I believe I'll stay." The fancy succubus turns to Solenoid as the dealer sets about drawing cards for himself. "That's my price for any advice. Surely it's not too much to ask?"

"Twenty-one for the house." The dealer declares, raking in both their chips.

"...Pity."


[Upstairs]

The door slowly creeks open, leading into an unlit office dominated by a large, mahogany desk. The room smells vaguely of alcohol and metal, and it's difficult to make out any major features... or, for that matter, occupants. The door must be set to open automatically when the password is said, either through magic or some unseen security system.

In one corner, there's a dented filing cabinet, the bottom drawer hanging slightly open as it doesn't appear to close properly. In the other corner, there's a bookshelf full of black, leatherbound journals, which appear to be homemade, lacking proper spines. A moldy green carpet covers most of the floor, stopping short of the desk and showing patches of bare hardwood at random places.

Not much else to see in here, though. Not unless Fettina brought a flashlight.


[Intact House]

"...Oh! Wow. Um... funny story there, actually." The succubus giggles as Zophiel peeks into the kitchen, catching a sideways view of her as she turns away from her soup pot to address him. "I actually don't have one! Well, sort of. I did when I was a mortal, but that was so long ago and I don't even remember what it was. It's not like anybody used it. Then, when I got to the Abyss... again, didn't really use it! So in the end... yeah, no name." She giggles. "It's okay, though! I'll answer to whatever name you give me. Maybe I'll even keep it after you leave, if it's good enough."

The succubus resumes stirring her pot and gestures toward the bedroom. "Anyway, you'll find her stuff in there. Happy hunting!"

The aformentioned bedroom is even more of a mess inside than out. The bed is, of course, strewed out over half the floor. The vanity is covered with a sundry collection of jewelery, toys, old photos, and other odds and ends. The wardrobe in the back of the room is hanging half-open, stuffed full of suits, dresses, shirts, skirts, pants, socks, and pretty much any other cloth good Zophiel could expect to find. And that's just what's visible; a closer examination might turn up more information, especially if he's looking some place that isn't readily obvious.
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Re: Hell Bend

Post by Earl of Purple »

Outside

It's not violence because Frigate didn't try hurting anyone. This is property damage. The distinction, to Frigate's mind, is clear.

"Thankee, sir." Frigate's going to take the weapons and grip them quite firmly before crossing the road and standing still, staring at the door, where he's going to patiently remain for the others to return.
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Re: Hell Bend

Post by Thursday Violist »

[Intact House]

Haha, that is a funny story. Not having a name, that's so hilarious. Or, rather, forgetting about one's name. Really? Nobody using it? Did she just go by 'hey you' all the time? That's the funniest thing ever!

Except, Zophiel disagrees, it isn't really all that hilarious. Cary? Caroline? Melissa? "Okay, I'll call you Mallory," he says.

Anyway.
The bedroom.
Of course, since his goal is to find where she went, the most important things to look for are papers, receipts, schedules, or notes that could've come from the missing woman to suggest where she was going or why she left, followed up by medicines or drugs or magical residue that would suggest an altered state of mind.

...
The Paladin Zophiel groans inwardly. If magical altered states of mind is on the table, he's going to have to use her power to look, right?

Before starting his search around the room, the Paladin grabs a brush from his belt, and a jar of magical ink. On the back of his hand, he starts painting a magic circle that absorbs ambient energy...which, in this case, being right here in Hell Bend with so many demons and whatnot around, there should be a lot of it. Before the ink has a chance to dry, he puts his palm over his eye, and -
- moments later, when he removes it, that eye is completely black except the iris, which is dark red. There. Now he can actually see traces of magic.

. . . .
He still hopes magic wasn't involved, but at least this could narrow it down.

And so, Zophiel begins his search: Since he's primarily searching for papers that would tell him where to go, the first place he searches are pockets. After all, he figures that's the most likely place to find loose papers that could tell him what he wants to know. The next best place, he thinks, is under the edges of the bed, wardrobe, or vanity since something that fell on the floor could've easily been pushed under and since it was only a few days ago it couldn't be far under: just on the edge.
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Re: Hell Bend

Post by Ironsmith »

[Outside]

The bouncer mumbles something undisparaging and goes back to standing guard, this time at the massive hole in the wall. He's in for a rough night.

While he's in the room, Frigate might realize he has a golden opportunity for looting, if he so chooses. The bouncer clearly isn't in any position to stop him. And the room is full of valuable items; other weapons, expensive jewelry, cut and uncut gemstones, a filing cabinet marked "assorted documents", several pokeballs and decks of valuable trading cards, a shelf of bottles filled with various multicolored liquids, and even some glazed pottery, though who had the brilliant idea to put that forward as collateral is anybody's guess.

Of course, some of these items might belong to people who are still in the casino. If he takes them now, he could very well be depriving their rightful owners of them... if the casino hasn't done that already.

-

[Intact House]

Tellingly, the moment Zophiel's hand comes away from his eye, the room goes dark. Incredibly dark. As in, he's more or less effectively blind in that one eye.

Though after he's had some time to adjust, Zophiel may realize that the pervasive darkness in the room has a source; the corners are marginally better lit than the rest of the room, and looking around will lead him to the conclusion that something on the floor is radiating out this oppressive darkness, functioning almost exactly like the inversion of a typical light source.

Apart from that, Zophiel will have his gaze drawn to the little pinpricks of light on the vanity that indicate some of the items there are enchanted. There's a ring there that seems to have a soul in it, though it's probably not one Zophiel wants to touch. There are a couple of children's toys that appear to be animate in some way, but they won't respond if Zophiel tries to get their attention. But most importantly, there are a pair of flower-shaped ear studs that appear to be bound to a soul far away from here, the remnants of some form of divination magic... and something Zophiel will recognize from the picture of his quarry.

Searching through the wardrobe won't turn up any receipts, but he will find another item of hers; her shirt and jeans, the same ones the woman is wearing in the photo, still saturated with the smells of detergent and fabric softener. He'll also find her shoes under the bed, alongside a collection of sneakers, boots, and sandals, all surprisingly clean; Mallory must take good care of them.

Still, no direct leads on where the woman could have gone. At least, none that are as obvious as a convenient scrap of paper with a forwarding address.
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Re: Hell Bend

Post by Earl of Purple »

Outside

Frigate's only interested in the weapons of himself and his colleagues. He's not a thief, he's a mercenary. He doesn't know why this lot's here; some of it might be weaponry intended to be handed back when the owners emerge, some might be collateral which has been lost by previous owners and some of it might belong to the bouncer. Besides, Frigate doesn't know what most of it is, and has no use for any of it. He's already likely to get in trouble with Dipsnig for destruction of a property; better not add theft on top of that.
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Re: Hell Bend

Post by Murkus »

[Upstairs]

Fettina looks around, frowning. She doesn't trust apparently empty rooms, especially where this place is concerned. She's been around the Nexus long enough to know that weirdness can happen anywhere, anytime, and for no apparent reason. She'll search for a light switch, then step inside and shut the door behind her whether she finds it or not. Wrinkling her nose against the smell of mold, she reaches out and seizes the air for the second time that day, calling her flaming spear into existence again. The burning brand lights the room's interior quite ably. "Hello?" says the angel.
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