A Taste For Adventure

Eliza Kaylocke, loyal servant of Queen and Country, expert Explorer at your service!

[dynamiteandquickwits-blog]

With a decent mask and a good moustache. [Open RP]

Eliza felt like vomiting. She nearly had vomited whilst watching the horrifying death of a girl she'd come to call her friend, and she'd seen a variety of brutal things in her time. Sitting on the bed in the room she shared -- used to share, with Nia, she allowed herself to cry, something that she usually tried her best to avoid in front of others, taking her hat off as her body shook with deep sobs, her tears dripping onto her coat. 

Well, you did want to be able to have the room to yourself, and now you do, don't you? She thought to herself bitterly. Of course, it would be ridiculous to blame herself for her friend's death. There wasn't any way Eliza could have known what she was planning, but still... 

Eliza had a gun and knew how to use it and more importantly, threaten with it. Eliza had known Nia and shared a room with her. Eliza had promised that nobody would die, Eliza should have dealt with Keiko in a non-lethal way, Eliza should have...

She forced herself to stop, tears still dripping down her face. With a deep sigh, she pulled her scarf tighter around her throat to reassure herself and lay face down on her bed, sobbing into her pillow, forgetting that she'd left the door open. 

[akarisshootingstars]

The Fault Is In Our Stars [Open RP]

[akarisshootingstars]

"Oh!" Akari was a bit startled when the other girl spoke, but tilted his head with a pleasant smile on her face. "I can imagine, but I still need to investigate, right?" She then sighed, crossing her arms in front of herself and looking down, suddenly looking sad. "I’m disappointed. I didn’t think this would happen." She was quite vague, but on her mind it was clear that she was talking about the universe.

"Oh, would you like to investigate with me? I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name!"

[dynamiteandquickwits-blog]

Eliza politely tipped her hat, although inwardly she was slightly confused. Had this girl really not anticipated a murder? She herself had tried to stop it, even going so far as to point a gun at someone to try and prevent them from committing a murder. She would have felt much worse about this failure had the victim been someone other than Keiko Kenode, a girl who had harassed one of her closest friends, 

She decided to ignore that comment, and focused on the end of the girl's speech. "I wouldn't mind terribly. I really do wish to warn you, if you haven't seen a corpse before the sight of this one may be rather... shocking. And as far as names are concerned, I'm Elizabeth Kaylocke, at your service." 

[akarisshootingstars]

The Fault Is In Our Stars [Open RP]

What…?

A body? This couldn’t be true… Akari found it hard to believe someone had gone through with it, but again, it wasn’t her place to question fate.

She had been on her dorm room when she heard the announcement. After witnessing the death of a girl by Monotus’ hands (or wings), she decided it would be better to stay hidden for a while. She knew she couldn’t escape her fate, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t be scared. In fact, she was terrified. No, she couldn’t question fate, and for the first time in her life, that blind trust scared her.

Akari left the room, intending to help with the investigation. Becoming a detective… she didn’t think she would be any good at it, but it wouldn’t hurt trying, right? After all, her life depended on it… Even if it was her fate to die at the trial, there was no way she would know if she didn’t try to survive.

[dynamiteandquickwits-blog]

Eliza was walking down the corridor, using her umbrella to support herself. After seeing the corpse of Keiko, she was feeling somewhat queasy. Of course, in her days, she'd seen quite the amount of corpses, but never one killed so... cruelly.

As she continued, she saw a girl she didn't recognize. In a friendly voice, she spoke. "If you're going towards the body, be warned it's quite gruesome. Not what one would consider a pleasant sight." 

[dynamiteandquickwits-blog]

Talk of Murder, That's so Tawdry [Open RP]

When she first saw the corpse, Eliza nearly vomited. The mutilated corpse formerly known as Keiko Kanode was a disgusting sight, completely sickening her. Of course, Eliza hadn't liked the girl one bit, but the thought of the agony she must have gone through to leave her corpse looking like this made Eliza's stomach turn. 

However, Eliza's delicate sensibilities aside, there was a murder that had to be solved. She walked towards the body, forcing herself to make a cursory examination. 

Oh, Elizabeth Kaylocke, you've seen worse. She chided herself as she began to investigate, searching for anything that might help her find the culprit. 

[dynamiteandquickwits-blog]

What are your knot tying skills like?

Why, I can't see any particular reason for this question to be asked of me, but, although I don't wish to brag, adventuring like I do will teach anyone to tie at least a dozen different knots to a very high calibre. In fact, if one's knots aren't up to scratch, one can hardly be an explorer at all. 

[superillegalactivities-blog]

"Or we can just hang out in this cozy cafe. I quite like it. There’s food here." She chucked a chocolate chip into the air, failing to catch it with her mouth, so it just bounced against her head. Damn, and right in front of the cutie too. Play it cool, Valu. "I also like the Gift Shop too. I mean, maybe more if there was money there."

Valu glanced at the tea and chocolate chips they had. “It’s a rough start then,” she shrugged. “It’s better than nothing. I don’t think there’s some five course meal here either. And there’s nothing better than sweet edible items, hmm?” Valu ate another chip as she went on. 

Blinking in surprise, the drug dealer watched as Eliza pour at least seven cubes of sugar into her tea. “Um. Are you sure that poor cup of tea isn’t toxic by now? Even with that much sugar, I wouldn’t drink it.”

[dynamiteandquickwits-blog]

Eliza pondered the dealer's suggestion briefly before replying. "Well, I have nothing against this cafe. In fact, it's a rather good place in which to make, and take, one's tea, which is always a point in the favour of anything."

She laughed again, the same polite, garden-party laugh, but with a touch more sincerity in it, actual humour tangible behind the formality. "Why, Miss Nalak, I believe there are few things that wouldn't be enhanced by a bit of money, don't you think?"

She sighed, lamenting the unfortunate shortstoppings of the cafe. "It's far from perfect, and laughably distantly removed from anything so much as resembling romantic, but at the very least there are the ingredients to make a decent cup of tea."   

This led her on to Valu's question, at which she blushed slightly. Her attempt to act casual hadn't worked, but that was no deterrent to Eliza, who brazenly lifted the cup of incredibly sugary tea, sipping it, her face still flushed sightly reddish. To Eliza's credit, she could have looked more disgusted at the taste than she did. The disgusted expression jarred clearly with the cheerful tone in which she replied. "Oh, no, Miss Nalak, I just happen to...enjoy... it like that, you see." 

[dynamiteandquickwits-blog]

Unforeseen Circumstances

[forebodingwings]

"Threats do not make for danger?" Dai raised an eyebrow, scoffing in amusement. "Now that’s a statement I never thought that I’d hear. You realise a threat states your intention of inflicting pain? If you have the intention, I wouldn’t hesitate to think that you also have the capability for violent actions." He took a breath, watching her like a hawk. "This place is uncivilised, and the people more so. Whilst we can retain our humanity, we need to react accordingly to the dark potential inside people. Are you so foolish to think that the others are not going to cause harm even if we ourselves come to a peaceful agreement?"

Eventually the Ornithologist fell silent, listening to her words with astonishment. Was she being serious, or simply trying to catch him off guard? She had put away the gun in the least, and that had to mean something. His raised arm wavered, cape fluttering slightly. “You are backing down…?” He mused, finally lowering his arm. Quickly returning the bow, surprised at her performing the action in the first place, he began to speak again. “Interesting. Perhaps I should apologise to you also, I did not realise that you would understand.” Perhaps he wouldn’t smash the case right that second. If she left without trying to stop him, he’d at least be courteous and take a weapon when she wasn’t about. But the moment things turned nasty? He’d dive straight for the closest blade if he needed it. So he stood poised with his arm at his side, cape still just in his grip. “If you also need my aid, I am willing to provide it.”

Although he was content with her answer for a moment, a frown fell over his face as he realised she hadn’t answered his question. His confident persona faltered for a moment, and concern flickered over his features. What did the silence mean? Quickly he cleared his throat and straightened his body, attitude restored. “Hmm. I’m assuming your silence means that this is indeed truly happening…? We’re locked inside a museum, an owl looking over us, with the prospect of murder at our heels? This is worse than I thought…” Scratching at the back of his neck, he looked away. “My, I think I might be acting somewhat irrationally…” His tone was ever so slightly nervous. Of course he was still going to follow up on what he came here for, but quickly he was coming to question everything. After all, he was as suspicious of the surroundings as he was of the other students.

[dynamiteandquickwits-blog]

Eliza's finger didn't move once from its position on the trigger of the gun in her pocket, but she smiled politely, her face the picture of apology. "I don't see why you seem so surprised I listened, my dear boy. I am capable of listening to reason, after all." her voice became deadly serious, with a steely tone. "The very last thing I want is a death on my hands. Allow me to warn you this instant that if you kill somebody, I will find out, and I will put a bullet in your head myself."

The polite smile remained, and her voice quickly shifted back to a lighter, more cheerful tone. "But I'm sure it won't come to that. You seem like a civilized enough person, a decent human being, and I very much hope this is an accurate analysis of your character."

At his next comment, she let out a short laugh/ "Oh, no, my dear boy, I couldn't possibly ask a favour of you after I pointed a gun at you, don't be so ridiculous. The error, and the debt is all mine."

Then, finally, she frowned slightly. Every passing moment made this boy seem slightly more unstable. "Don't be foolish. Of course this is real, it would be naught but wishful thinking and idiocy to assume anything otherwise, Mister...."

She blushed as she suddenly realized that they'd never exchanged names. "I'm awfully sorry." she said, in a manner that was almost comically out of place to the circumstances. "I didn't catch your name, Mister...?" 

[superillegalactivities-blog]

Man she hated that proper sounding laugh, she wanted to hit that laugh in the face. It was just mocking her. “A date or two…?” Valu repeated, making sure she heard the right thing. “Where would you take me out to? One of the exhibits?” With dead things and old junk? That last part was prevented from being said since Eliza was into that kind of thing.

Valu held in a snicker as she heard Eliza muttering something about experience. Looks like she was just as clueless in relationships as she was! Not that Valu wasn’t in a relationship before. Fake relationships probably didn’t count. Sure was a nice income of money though.

"But hey, technically this could count as our first date. Woo hoo. Getting to know each other."

[dynamiteandquickwits-blog]

Eliza sighed, almost theatrically. "Oh, I'm sure there are plenty of good opportunities for dates in this godforsaken place if one looks hard enough, Miss Nalak. Or at least, not mind-numbingly terrible, which is close enough to good to earn a pass in my books."

Eliza folded her fingers together and rested her chin on them, smiling serenely. "Well, Miss Nalak, one can hardly call this brief conversation over tea and chocolate chips a real date, don't you think? Why, the very idea is utterly absurd."

She was a still a bit red from being forced to admit that she had pretty much no idea what she was doing, and tried to disguise it by dropping a sugar cube into her tea, not realizing she should stop until she'd placed about seven of them into the beverage, at which point she tried very very hard to look like she was doing something normal

[superillegalactivities-blog]

Dynamite? That sounded dangerous, like deathly. Maybe this dame murdered someone before? Who would do such a thing? Then again she totally got blood on her hands once, er… multiple times in the past. Valu tossed the thought away as she focused back to the conversation. 

"Well then doll, I’m sure we have the same chance of dying as everyone else. But hey what do I know,” she gave a shrug at the end of her sentence. But she had stiffened as Eliza went on. A red tint covered her face once more. “Now that’s going way fast if you’re talking about doin’ the struggle. Which I don’t think would be appropriate in this place…”

That nerd exploring chick was just about to make her melt. “W-we haven’t even held hands yet- or smooched or something… This is waaaay too quick, let’s just give it some time before we get ahead of ourselves here. Besides, we’re not going to end up dead in such a short time.”

[dynamiteandquickwits-blog]

Eliza smiled when Valu blushed again. So, the dealer wasn't as unflappable as she was trying to be, that was a useful piece of information for when Eliza wanted to see her squirm. 

She laughed lightly, a polite laugh that would not sound out of place at an aristocratic tea party. "Oh, my dear girl, I meant no such thing, pray don't be so ridiculous. I'm fairly sure it's considered polite to go on a date or two first, hmm, find out a little bit about each other."

She blushed slightly, looking away and muttering quietly. "N-not that... one can say one has a great deal of experience in the matter..." 

[superillegalactivities-blog]

"Hey I was the one that never got caught," she snickered. "I mean, maybe a few times. N-not that it’s important. I’m dropping this illegal subject." She crossed her arms against her chest, trying to recover from that slip up. Prison was so cold. Of course she escaped pretty easily. 

From what it looked like, it seemed like Lizzie was a little upset she pulled away so soon. “No-can-do? Surely you could wait.” Although the drug dealer listened in on what her excuse was. Perhaps she was just too excited that she wanted in on the smacking lips action. Or maybe she was ready to go steady, who knew. 

Valu blinked as the other brushed another strand of hair away. This hair business sure was awkward but hey whatever. “Aren’t you fun at parties. Anyone with common sense wouldn’t end up dying. Besides we only knew each other in such a short amount of time. D-don’t you think you’re going a little too fast?”

[dynamiteandquickwits-blog]

Eliza stirred her tea languidly, taking another small sip before looking back up at the other girl with a focused stare. "Hmm, I can't imagine that would have been very enjoyable. I've been in a few prisons myself, most of which ended up being on the receiving end of some handy dynamite." she said, somewhat distractedly. 

She steepled her fingers, looking Valu in the eyes with a sly smile. "Well, sweetheart, I certainly don't plan on dying, and I'm sure the same applies for you, but all plans go awry, don't you find? Of course, Miss Nalak, we could definitely get to know each other better." she continued, her tone of voice making it quite dubious what she meant by getting to know each other. 

"In fact, it would be my pleasure entirely." 

[shslpsycologicalapproach]

Sorella [Open]

[shslpsycologicalapproach]

He sighed and reached out accepting the handshake. “It seems you and my sister there have something in common then. Although she prefers ‘Lizzie’. She moans about how the name is too long sometimes.” He laughed slightly and sighed. “You seem to be somewhat confident in languages.”

He guessed she came from one of ‘those’ countries. America? England? Probably. He briefly remembered when his father took a trip away when he was small. He came back with some sort of bus money box. That was useless. He spent a little while guessing where she came from after followed by everything else that would have made up this persons history.

Marco’s attention was quickly turned to the response she had given about his clumsy talking. He didn’t agree with the no death idea but he didn’t agree with it either. For now, he wasn’t going to play Monotus’ game but he would have preferred it if the others did. Not only would it be interesting to study but it was something to liven up his day a little. He was getting so bored recently.

"I do not think that murder is just going to go ahead alone but with this motive it seems likely. With the right words or actions anyone could easily kill another. That is just how the world works. Anyway a death would make things pass a lot faster." He paused for a moment and looked across the lobby. "We seem to have been talking for quite the while however. As much as I hate to I may need to leave soon."

[dynamiteandquickwits-blog]

Eliza nodded. "Well, I don't wish to brag" she said, her tone of voice giving away the she most certainly did. "But I can speak around a dozen languages, give or take a few, and I'm fluent in a great deal of them. It's a most useful skill for one to have in my line of expertise."

She listened to his analysis of the situation carefully before replying in a calm and measured voice. "Yes, I do suppose there's always the possibility of a death, but there won't be if I have anything to do with the matter."

When he mentioned leaving, she leisurely pulled a pocket-watch from one of her coat pockets, glancing at it before replacing it. "Well, I suppose, Signor D'Amore, if go you must then be gone! I'm sure there will be ample time to converse later, don't you think?" 

[superillegalactivities-blog]

About time she drank the tea. That thing was left out of the conversation for so long. “Isn’t that quite the trouble? I’m sure that’s pretty illegal. You could go to jail for that type of stuff.” Not like drug dealing was illegal either.

Oh shit she was actually hitting on her. What was she going to do. “O-oh, okay then. Wow what a turn of events.” Looks like it was time to hit back, she supposed. “Well then. I’m glad there was some form of an answer.” Valu had leaned over the table, closer to the other’s face. Noses almost touching.

"I’m sure a relationship deal would be a pleasure," she purred with a smirk. "However," Valu pulled herself back in a smug manner. "I don’t think this is the right time to date. So your admiration of your’s truly will have to wait until we get out of this museum."

[dynamiteandquickwits-blog]

Eliza raised an eyebrow at the other girl, her tone of voice gently mocking, tapping her fingers on the table. "Miss Nalak, do you really believe you are in a position to criticize me for illegal activities?"

She smiled serenely when it seemed that the realization had finally dawned on the  criminal in front of her. Finally, she seemed to be getting somewhere and wait what why was Valu leaning over the table she was getting really close their faces were almost touching and this was nice this was very nice but a little unexpected. 

She blushed lightly, starting to say something indignant as the drug dealer pulled away before falling silent, composing herself before replying. "Well, Miss Nalak, there's plenty to admire, allow me to tell you, but I'm afraid that it's a no-can-do on the waiting matter."

She reached forwards, brushing a wayward lock of hair away from Valu's face, her fingertips definitely lingering longer than they should be, taking another small sip of her tea. "I'm a very impatient person as a rule, you ought to know, Miss Nalak. And there's always the chance neither of us is getting out of this place alive, you know. A small chance, but a chance nonetheless." 

[superillegalactivities-blog]

"Oh, have you now? Well I can only imagine what they get worked up about you," Valu hummed as glanced at the other’s tea. When was this chick going to drink that, it looks stirred enough. Valu had lifted her head back up as she realized Eliza was a fan of her? Weird but she didn’t comment on it.

Squinting in a confused manner, Valu had glanced away. “That’s…. quite a lot… Those are mostly things I say to the mirror but…” She awkwardly scratched her head. “Are you actually… trying to hook up with me?” She asked while raising a brow.

[dynamiteandquickwits-blog]

Eliza smiled conversationally, taking a small sip of the now rather lukewarm tea. "Oh, silly little things really. Breaking and entering, trespassing into nature reserves, getting into shootouts, petty nonsense like that sort of thing, you know?"

Eliza sighed when the girl looked away. Although she felt a little splash of satisfaction at seeing Valu flustered and embarrassed as a consequence of her own actions,  she did rather like being able to see her face. 

Folding her hands beneath her chin, she chuckled briefly. "Am I indeed, Miss Nalak. That, I think you'll find, is something that is for me to know and for you to find out, sweetheart."

[beatriceofthemutants]

If you keep it together when everything comes untethered you are whole. | Open RP

[beatriceofthemutants]

I just roll my eyes at Eliza’s response as if she’d just said she wants to be a tiger when she grows up. It feels too casual a response really, like I don’t care what happens. I do care but I can see what Eliza can’t; there’s no stopping it. We can’t do anything, the only choice we have to make is deciding whether to watch or shut our eyes. “Good luck.” If she wants a denial she isn’t getting one, enjoy your doubts.

I consider pointing out that the wheels are attached immediately to the board and there are no nails involved but I figure that, like a lot of things, it would be lost on Eliza. “You know most people are more complex than a single hobby? Maybe you don’t, actually. Oh well, your problem, not mine.”

[dynamiteandquickwits-blog]

Eliza raised an eyebrow, fixing the other girl with a cold glare. "I suppose you think you're funny, Miss Evans. You don't seem to give a damn about my initiative to stop murders which means one of two things; either you're resigned to a murder happening anyways or you're happy for it to happen as long as it doesn't happen to you."

She tapped her umbrella testily on the floor for emphasis. "And as I'm sure you know, or perhaps not, given how evidently poor your upbringing was, neither apathy nor selfishness are considered desirable traits in someone, don't you think?"

Then, she smiled politely, although there was no sincerity to the smile. "And my dear girl, it's fairly obvious you assign far more importance to moving around on a bit of wood than anyone in their right minds ought to; it holding sentimental value is only a bit further down the steps to madness, don't you think? It seems to me to be a perfectly reasonable assumption to make."

[shslpsycologicalapproach]

Sorella [Open]

[shslpsycologicalapproach]

He felt slightly flattered that she’d bother to remember his name. They only met briefly earlier. Marco thought for a moment wondering how he should address her. He don’t think she ever had.

"Excuse me but I do not think I know what your name is yet." He let out a slight sigh. This brought him a little closer to earth again. "Anyway, if the culprit is one of these students I wouldn’t be surprised. Or even if one of us is just involved with whoever planned this. It looks like I have to start talking to people again." He started to mutter things about hopes peak along with random names of people he probably knew.

"Hopefully someone will die before my sister does. Eighteen is a very uncomfortable number. Around fifteen would be nice but that would mean three people would have to go and that would be difficult to achieve without doing anything. If someone broke the rules maybe we would get somewhere. Fifteen is still not too pleasant however. But wouldn’t death distress everyone else. Then you just can not talk to people." He thought of that one case where he was punched for being insensitive to that one case. "Ugh."

It was only after this he realized he had just said most of his thoughts out loud.

[dynamiteandquickwits-blog]

Eliza tipped her hat slightly, offering a hand to shake as per her usual method of introduction. "Elizabeth Kaylocke at your service, Signor D'Amore, but please, call me Eliza. Lo preferisco."

She assumed that with a name like that, the boy was Italian, and so found the language appropriate. Her knowledge was far from fluent, making at all the more important to try and learn it better. It also doubled as a convenient way for her to show off without looking like she was, although she would steadfastly refuse to acknowledge that. 

Eliza was slightly gobsmacked by the thought processes the boy proceeded to vocalize. Did he really want people to kill each other? Well, she supposed it made sense for the sake of his sister, and at least he didn't seem to be openly plotting murder, but the emotionless way he talked about how good it would be for people to die unnerved her slightly.

She tried not to show it, and merely wore a solemn expression. "In all honesty, I'd rather there be no deaths at all, Signore D'Amore, but each to one's own and all that."

[superillegalactivities-blog]

If Valu was some sort of mind reader, or drank enough to imagine what other people are thinking about. She would had exited the room by now and hide under the bed. Oh just the thought about sharing her merchandise was a horrible thought!

Wait did she call her ‘sweetheart’? How sweet of her. “Well. I’m not sure if the law sees it that way. But hey it’s nice to have a… odd fan,” Valu twirled a strand of hair awkwardly. “You really don’t need to sugar coat the fact, Darling.” 

Twisting a frown, Valu sighed and looked away. “Fine, fine. Quit it with the flirting again. You’re making me feel like some high class hotsy totsy or something. Just make it quick, alright?”

[dynamiteandquickwits-blog]

Eliza waved a hand airily. "In all honesty, I say that out of ego more than flattery, Miss Nalak. One has, believe or not, had a few problems with the government. Several governments. Only about a dozen is all. And I'm not so much a fan of your job as I am  fan of you, Miss Nalak."

Then, she refocused her efforts, resting her chin on her hands and looking directly at the drug dealer's face. "Well, if I can call you whatever I like as long as I make it quick, allow me to begin, sweetheart, my love, venus, aphrodite, goddess, mistress, and to round it all off, hot stuff, if you'll pardon my vulgarity."

[beatriceofthemutants]

If you keep it together when everything comes untethered you are whole. | Open RP

[beatriceofthemutants]

“What are you? A life coach now?” And like a life coach her words accomplish nothing and help no one but she gets to go to sleep pretending they matter.

I still don’t look at her as the conversation continues, hoping she’ll get exasperated enough to fuck off eventually. She thinks her pathetic comment counts as preventing murders. “Is that your idea of crime fighting? Going up to everyone you see and asking them if they plan to kill?” I finally turn to face Eliza and allow myself to laugh at her, a cold laugh while my eyes are full of scorn. “What are you expecting? Someone will say yes? Say who they’re planning to off? Even give you a nice detailed twelve step plan explaining everything, maybe with illustrations and shit? God, you’re so naïve.” She thinks she can avoid a murder, of course she’s naïve.

[dynamiteandquickwits-blog]

Eliza rolled her eyes, adjusting the brim of her hat. "A life coach, Miss Evans? No. I simply believe in being decent and civil to one's fellow human being." 

She sighed, applauding sarcastically. "Very very funny, Miss Evans. But no, in all seriousness, that is not my plan. I'm simply looking for those who are likely to commit a murder and I can't help but notice that you haven't denied anything yet. On the offchance I decided someone was likely to commit an act of murder, I have ways I could stop them, believe me."

She fingered the revolver in her pocket, although Josie couldn't see it, the unloaded weapon gave her a sense of security. "So, what have they locked up of yours, hmm? Some plank with wheels nailed into it perhaps?"