And old stone structure that has been patched often enough it's probably more quickcrete then stone any more. Visitors know better then to step into a part of the Barren so clearly for the 'locals'. Weapons, legal and illegal are carried openly, and the only threat that keeps most people in line is that of mutual sobriety. Anyone caught making a new hole in the walls won't be served, and the rest of the patrons are more then willing to haul the man outside for the promise of a free drink.
The world is full of screaming voices all demanding to be heard.
Salem grabbed a seat at the bar and swung it around to straddle the seat of the rickety old chair, "I'll have two fingers of your finest, and by finest I mean cheapest, rotgut, 'keep." She said with a dry humor and a smile on her lips that didn't reach her expressionless pale grey eyes. Accepting the glass handed to her, she slid over a credstick and tossed the shot back, "Let me know when that runs out." The alcohol burned it's way down the back of her throat like liquid fire, one part strong, one part just plain bad. She turned around to lean back on the counter and look over the room, men and women alike, dressed in what rags and scraps that could be scrounged to keep the cold out in the winter; more then a few of the nicer articles had stains on them, around little holes that were likely how the new owner had 'acquired' it from the old. Running her fingers through her hair to comb the wind-tangled mess out of her face, her eyes were peeled for anyone looking around a little too avidly or looking a little to well-dressed. That credstick wasn't going to last long, and before it ran out she wanted to make sure she had found someone who might get her the work she needed to get more cash before rent came due. When the second shot came out she slid it down the bar, quirking an eyebrow at the man who had come with her, his expression unreadable.
And yet the silence of those offering help... is deafening.
Post by redgrave277 on Dec 13, 2016 8:25:55 GMT -5
His head wouldn't stop pounding. It was the smell or something. Had to be. James looked down at Salem next to him as she knocked back whatever drain-cleaner passed for liquor here. He tried to clear his throat, sounding more like he was coughing up a small gravel pit. "Water please, on her." He cocked his head back at Salem, his hand fidgeting at the collar of his jacket. She had thrown it on him when she found him. It smelled, was stiff in the wrong places, and didn't quite fit him, but he didn't feel comfortable without it.
Choking back some "water", James leaned in to Salem. "So what are we supposed to be looking for?" James had no idea how to find a job, and even less idea what she meant by job. He hoped Salem knew what she was doing.
The world is full of screaming voices all demanding to be heard.
Salem grabbed the shot he had declined and downed it herself before pressing a hand to her face, and taking a deep breath. Picking up the little electronic devices she had picked up earlier and set them on his temples, lightly tapping them with a nail as they activated to the small commlink in her hand. [(1) 3 Successes] Sending a quick message from her commlink to the one she had just linked too, "Do you see the icon of the message you just got?" She asked grabbing a pair of gloves from her pockets and offering them to him with a gesture to slide them on as she had hers. "Now you can do open it with your hand once you get those gloves on, or..." She tapped a nail on the trodes, "You can activate it mentally through these."
And yet the silence of those offering help... is deafening.
Post by redgrave277 on Dec 14, 2016 13:22:26 GMT -5
James looked at the message floating in his vision, unconsciously scrolling with his hand. "Yeah, yeah I see it." James ignored the gloves, twitching his hand on the bar. Looking around, for what felt like the first time paying attention to where he was, he started scanning faces for who they were supposed to meet.
On two hits, you see about six barrens patrons, four in some various vending clothing and two wearing clothes of matching red and white. However, what catches your eye is a pale skinned man on the other end of the bar in what looks to be a real leather jacket.
Last Edit: Dec 14, 2016 15:54:33 GMT -5 by DellWolf
Post by redgrave277 on Dec 15, 2016 13:09:26 GMT -5
James sighed, giving Salem a nudge towards the man in the what-could-be-real leather jacket and downing the rest of his water. "I think that's our guy. Go do your thing." He shifted his focus, going back to paying attention to the AR overlays infront of him, trying to make heads or tails of the signals he was seeing. (Matrix Perception, 3 successes) Watching for any surprises as he followed Salem with his eyes, noting where she went and enjoying his water while keeping an eye on the rest of the bar. [Matrix Perception 8][5,1,3,3,4,6,5,4]
Last Edit: Dec 15, 2016 14:26:12 GMT -5 by redgrave277
The world is full of screaming voices all demanding to be heard.
Salem gave a small half shrug and tucked the spare gloves back into her pocket before looking around the room herself, sending a request to connect over DNI to the man beside her. [(1) 2 Successes] When the connection opened she replied where others wouldn't be able to hear her, I see him. Sauntering over to the man and motioned for the barkeeper to send her next drink over as she slipped into the booth beside the man, accepting the shot when it was brought over. "So..." She said raising her glass to her lips, "What bring you here tonight?" She asked her tone inviting without pushing. [(2) 4 Successes]
And yet the silence of those offering help... is deafening.
James; On three hits you notice five icons. The two in the red and white clothing having a matrix icon of a cube with the various metahuman faces on the surfaces. You notice two more but cannot place them in your current location of a key in a lock and a stonewall. The man in the coat has an ornate paper structure as his icon and is actively messing around with an AR screen.
Salem; You notice the shoulder rig that the man isn’t trying to hide carrying a heavy pistol. The man gives you a glance and sighs. “You know if the bartender is around?”
On the two hits, you over hear that one of the two in red and white clothing say "And when I find him I'll, I'll do somethin' you hear me."
Last Edit: Dec 15, 2016 14:04:54 GMT -5 by DellWolf
The world is full of screaming voices all demanding to be heard.
Salem ear twitched that snip bit of conversation she caught from the booth next to her, and relayed it over DNI, as she smiled charmingly at the man, "He was just behind the bar a minute ago. I can go grab him for you if you like..." She said already rather disappointed at the lack of interest the man was showing, he gave no inclination other then he perhaps wanted another drink.
And yet the silence of those offering help... is deafening.
Post by redgrave277 on Dec 15, 2016 14:10:10 GMT -5
James sat back,looking for the pair Salem clued him in on, taking a harder look at the cube they had in the matrix. (M. Perception 4 success) He flagged the bartender, trying to look the part of a suitor by sending Salem a drink from his end. He had no idea what she drank so he opted for a middle of the road synthol.
[M Perception 8][5,5,2,3,4,6,5,1] [Optional Hack on the fly 6][2,2,2,6,6,6](3 Successes)
Last Edit: Dec 15, 2016 14:27:41 GMT -5 by redgrave277
Salem; The man looks bored as the bartender comes out with what looks to be a deep brown bottle. “Well, took you fair a bit didn’t it, Henry.” The man says pulling out a shot glass that looks it’s made of metal. The bartender in a white suit and black slacks wearing a dark pair of sunglasses, smiles as he sees the man and Salem.
“Why yes it’s been awhile hasn’t it? Looks like you’ve find your help you were looking for as well. Salem looking as wonderful as ever is...what his face with you? Jerry here could use some help.” Henry says as he pulls off the top on the bottle.
James; You earned a mark on the commlink, you overhear Red and white clothing one, “Know who she left you for?” Red and white clothing two, “Ya, some asshole in the drags man, got no fucking clue where those bastards stay when I find him I’ll do somthing...I think...”
Last Edit: Dec 15, 2016 14:29:40 GMT -5 by DellWolf
James; You see a text message chain that end the following from a person named Becky, “To the limp dick moron, go to hell. You’ve wasted enough of my time and if you come around or anywhere near me David is going to beat your sorry ass to dust. P.S. Frag you and your silly little gang.” Followed by, a new contact line ending the following by someone listed as MM3, “Looking man, will find the bastard.”
The world is full of screaming voices all demanding to be heard.
Salem smiled at the bartender, "He's around her somewhere, I've just been calling him James." She said before turning back to the man beside her, and flicking her hands over her AR to send him a DNI in case he would prefer to keep this conversation private as she asked softly, "How can I help?"
DNI TO JAMES: Can you snag his number and send him a message offering to do it for him?
And yet the silence of those offering help... is deafening.
Salem; The man takes a long pull on his cup of his whiskey, reaching into his left pocket pulling out two folded a piece of paper. “I do have some work for people of particular skills. You see my brother lost a family knife in this,” He pauses a moment. “Wonderful slice of paradise. I am glad I choose to put a little tag onto the knife, so I’d like for you folks to find it. I was able to at least get pinpointed in about,” He pauses rubbing his chin. “In five and six kilometer radius near the Plastic Jungle. So are you folks interested?” The man finishes
James; You get your second mark on the same commlink. You see the ganger you sent the message looking around the bar confused. You see a message on your AR from the same commlink you hacked ‘Uh sure, I uh here’s the photo of the guy’ followed by a photo of a centaur with a bright red mohawk and from you can tell from just a glance a tattooed chest.
Last Edit: Dec 21, 2016 10:30:00 GMT -5 by DellWolf
Post by redgrave277 on Dec 20, 2016 15:20:56 GMT -5
James sighed at the bar, staring in to the dirty mirror behind the bartender. The bar's particular odor worsening his headache as he typed his response.
Now that we have a face, lets talk price. What is this worth to you?
DNI to Salem: Here's the picture, talking price now.
The world is full of screaming voices all demanding to be heard.
Salem nodded, "Do you have a picture of it... or the tracking signal on the tag?" She asked sipping her drink as she thought, "And after that, there's the discussion of price, I prefer to have a number agreed upon before the hand off... payable on completion of course."
DNI TO JAMES: How dead does he want him? Almost dead, mostly dead, dickless or fed-to-the-ghouls-dead? Salem saved the picture to her files so that she wouldn't lose it if something messed with her messages.
And yet the silence of those offering help... is deafening.