On Today’s Episode of Barkbeast the Bounty Hunter
DM: [Welcome to outside the scenic Sangles Bail Bonds office! You're all here to look into hunting bounty for monies, as requested by the infamous Barkbeast the Bounty Hunter. The office is set up in a relatively busy corner of town, though most everyone seems to be too focused on their own business to pay much mind to anyone else. It isn't a fancy part of town by any means, but it is what it is. The outside of the building looks like any other small shop amongst the others on the square but for the sign that clearly reads Sangles Bail Bonds.]
REDGLARE: -Sh3's pr3tty conv1nc3d sh3 c4n h4ndl3 wh4t3v3r 1s go1ng on 1n h3r3. 1n f4ct sh3 do3sn't 3v3n h3s1t4t3 to push op3n th3 door 4nd h34d 1nto th3 off1c3, 34g3r to G3T TO WORK-
DAMARA: *Taking down baddies had gone fairly well the last time she'd been up and about, so helping out the ship with some funds from doing it would be good. She's less eager than Redglare though, peering out and about at the people bustling about.*
NEPETA: :33 < *Starts to wander around, it's not the SHADIEST place but maybe that means the money is really nice. Scrambles on in with Redglare, who's gonna get the bad end of these claws?* hello? hello!
PORRIM: *this isn't exactly her area of expertise, usually, but she can at least hold her own should she need to. mostly she's here to keep an eye on some quads who have proven to be a little wily sometimes. hmm.*
JOHN: *it's been a long time since he's been allowed into civilization, so for the job john has dressed in cargo shorts and a hawaiian shirt. if only the job was looking as douchey as possible, they would already have the money.* :D
NEPETA: :33 < *k33p an eye on THIS*
PORRIM: *no to all of you*
KURLOZ: *LOOK WHO"S ALSO HERE????*
PORRIM: *no especially to you*
DAMARA: *Say no. TO THIS!!! She tugs on Porrim's arm gently to point at someone passing by wearing a pair of tall tennis socks and sandals, complete with a one piece rainbowy body suit. Gentle tugs as they pass by. Porrim pls look at this and snicker with her.*
PORRIM: (Oh... Oh wo+w.) *covers her mouth, but snickering is definitely happening*
DM: [THAT'S OUR BEST BOUNTY HUNTER.]
NEPETA: :33 < *NOT FOR LONG*
DAMARA: *Snickers with her, pleased that she saw it.* (THINKING WAS FOUND WORST CRIMINAL ALREADY. )
JOHN: *well credit where credit is due.*
REDGLARE: -...u could 4t l34st try to look 4 l1l 1nt1m1d4t1ng plz-
REDGLARE: -MOSTLY LOOK1NG 4T JOHN'S SH1RT-
DM: [The office inside itself looks, for the most part, like any typical police office would. Desks and computers, a few different rooms, bulletin boards. A good number of people work here, processing the bounties and bails.
DM: But most notably, of course, is the presence of Barkbeast himself. He is quite the personality, and he's loudly chatting up his co-workers and having a giggle, mate.]
REDGLARE: -SO TH3R3'S OUR M4N-
NEPETA: :33 < *she likes giggles, gonna scamper on over that way*
KURLOZ: :o) *time for the kurloz smile, the smile everyone knows so well*
DM: [He seems to have noticed the little group trucking on in, though, and turns their way, his long flowing hair and sunglasses so very majestic. Tubular, even.]
REDGLARE: -jfc- W3 n33d work.
DAMARA: *She will sneakily take Porrim's hand and start walking inside after the rest. Totally not paranoid and hovering by her afraid she'll get hurt or anything like that!*
JOHN: -comes RIGHT ON UP- hey dude! nice hair!
REDGLARE: W3 h4v3 3xp3r13nc3 4nd comb4t tr41n1ng.
REDGLARE: W3'll t4k3 wh4t3v3r p4ys th3 most.
NEPETA: :33 < that means the biggest baddie!! *leans on the desk*
CEB ceased responding to memo.
DM: well hey right down to Business huh? haha... i like how you folks operate
DM: did you see any of our ads? we got a Big Bad on the run right now as a matter of fact...
NEPETA: :33 < *DRUMS on the table* 833 !!
PORRIM: *gives damara's hand a squeeze, hovering around the back of the group*
REDGLARE: ...R1ngs 4 b3ll.
REDGLARE: B4rr13 th3 Chopp3r?
REDGLARE: Susp3ct th3r3's 4 pr3tty cl34r modus op3r3nd1.
DAMARA: *Squeezes back and smiles, leans over to mumble.* (VERY BIG. MUCH BAD. SUCH WOW. LOT DANGER.)
CURRENT effluentBalatron [CEB] RIGHT NOW responded to memo.
JOHN: *idle animation bouncing.*
DM: yeah... were not sure whether the hogs name is Barrie or the guy But at least one of them is named Barrie, you feel me?
REDGLARE: Suppos3 1 do, y3s.
PORRIM: *more snickering. but also... what...*
JOHN: *he's glad redglare is here. she makes all of them look better by assoication.-
REDGLARE: So do you h4v3 som3 k1nd of f1l3? L4st known wh3r34bouts?
DAMARA: *Tilts her head to the side at "Brahmine". What does it mean? Language is weird. Mumbles "Brahmine" experimentally under her breath.*
JOHN: :o *THE PLOT THICKENS.*
DM: follow me this way and ill give you the low down
REDGLARE: -Sh3 gl4nc3s b3h1nd h3r 4nd nods curtly, th3n b3g1ns to FOLLOW th3 m4j3st1c dogg3-
NEPETA: :33 < are we going to a pawmatic and suspiciously dark location to whispurr about it?
DM: [With that, he's leading them around the desks toward a hallway.]
DM: we do things official like here
DAMARA: *..Furrows brows. Another mumble, more confused than the last.* (BRAHSEPHINA?)
NEPETA: :33 < oh boo >:P3
JOHN: oh...well that's cool too i guess. *slightly disappointed.*
DM: weve got a meeting room for Briefings like this
PORRIM: (He seems to+ speak a language all his o+wn, o+r maybe so+me kind o+f dialect native to+ this planet. Who+ can say?)
REDGLARE: -Sh3 do3sn't l1k3 th3 sound of TH4T but would b4rkb34st l34d th3m 1nto 4 tr4p???-
DAMARA: (OH. IS UNIQUE WAY. VERY GOOD. HAVING OWN WAY. EVEN IF STUPID CONFUSING.) *The most furrowed of bean brows.*
DM: [Speaking of official-like, there's a particularly buff bounty hunter or two in that hallway right now, all but dragging a cuffed individual from a room toward what appears to be a back door into the parking lot. Barkbeast backs up a little to make room for them.] whoa! looks like we got a live one
JOHN: *obviously doing a voice* excellent!
NEPETA: :33 < of course mew have to bring them in that way! *p33ps*
REDGLARE: -3Y3S TH3 L1V3 ON3.- 1t 1s good to know you g3t r3sults.
DAMARA: IS VERY ROWDY ONE. MUCH REWARD FOR MANY SQUIRMY KICKINGS MADE, NO?
DM: [The individual sure doesn't look happy. She's practically foaming with anger, squirming and glaring daggers at the entire group, but she appears to freeze up when she catches someone's gaze in particular.]
DM: HeY!!! IF YOU'Re TAKING Me YOU SHOULD Be TAKING HeR, TOO!!! THAT'S PeNUMBRA!! SHe'S RIGHT THeRe!!!
REDGLARE: Wh4t 4r3 you t4lk1ng 4bout?
NEPETA: :33 < this is why i tend to giftwrap mine :OO
NEPETA: :33 < also furr presentation!
DAMARA: *Seizes up, her hand for a moment clenching tight around Porrim's, but quickly looks off somewhere else.*
NEPETA: :33 < *but she's also curious*
PORRIM: *uh... that's a strange reaction that warrants a concerned look at damara*
REDGLARE: -Sh3 3y3s dog3 4g41n, 4nd th3 burly hunt3rs dr4gg1ng th3 l4dy.- ...Who 1s th1s wom4n?
DAMARA: *She's not meeting Porrim's eye at first, and when she does she simply gives Porrim a clueless shrug.* STRANGE THE RAVINGS OF GUILTY IS, NO?
DM: [The two bounty hunters dragging her along tell her to shut it and drag her out, leaving Barkbeast glancing at the group and laughing a little.] oh shes Been wanted for a lot of different things... nothing to worry aBout now though
DM: those ones will say just aBout anything to try to get out of it
DM: [He opens up a door, and inside, there's a relatively spacious meeting room with a long table and a projector screen on the wall.]
REDGLARE: -Sh3 st4r3s 4t D4m4r4. Sh3 low3rs h3r gl4ss3s to 3y3 h3r mor3 clos3ly, 4nd h3r 3y3s s33m to s4y 'th4t 1s by f4r on3 of th3 gu1lt13st 3xpr3ss1ons 1 h4v3 3v3r s33n,' b3for3 go1ng on to follow B4rkb34st 4g41n.-
REDGLARE: W3 h4v3 work to do.
REDGLARE: -Sh3 push3s h3r gl4ss3s b4ck up on h3r nos3-
DM: go ahead inside and ill graB our case files for you
JOHN: *THIS IS SO COOL IT'S LIKE A MOVIE.*
REDGLARE: -Sh3 nods qu1ckly, curtly st3pp1ng 1ns1d3.-
PORRIM: *despite what damara says, there's a unsettling feeling churning in her stomach. still, she says nothing and enters the room with the rest. now isn't the time... probably.*
NEPETA: :33 < *climbs on the table immediately*
DAMARA: *The look from Redglare is rewarded with one of polite confusion, head slightly tilted and brows furrowed. She doesn't say anything about it, and follows on after Porrim.*
DAMARA: MUCH PROFESSIONAL SPACE, IS NOT SO? MUST BE GOOD BUSINESS.
JOHN: yeah, i sort of thought we were just gonna lean on the bar and you were gonna grunt names and streets to us. hahaha.
DM: [Barkbeast wanders off as mentioned, though anyone still outside the meeting room might see him leaning over to mutter something to one of the officer workers before he actually starts gathering up files.]
JOHN: *jumps in a chair so fast it spins slightly.*
DAMARA: *Chuckles lowly at John.* SOUNDING VERY MUCH LIKE IN MOVIE. PERHAPS LESS EXCITINGS THIS THAN WHAT WAS THOUGHT.
REDGLARE: -Sh3 w4lks up to l34n on th3 w4ll n34r th3 door, k33p1ng 4 c4r3ful 3y3 on both th3 h4ll wh1l3 c4st1ng gl4nc3s b4ck tow4rds D4m4r4.-
DM: [A minute or so later, and Barkbeast returns.] alright Brahs lets get down to Business
REDGLARE: ...H4v3n't b33n to th1s pl4n3t b3for3, 1 suppos3, h4v3 you? -h3r ton3 1s conv3rs4t1on4l but-- oh, n3v3rm1nd. b4rkb34st's b4ck.-
REDGLARE: L3t's s33 wh4t you'v3 got.
PORRIM: *sitting there quietly, much more reserved than she had been before*
NEPETA: :33 < brahsness? *tail sway and curl*
KURLOZ: :o) *hovers uncomfortably close to damara and porrim*
DM: But this ones serious
DAMARA: *Turns her head to look at Redglare, mouth opening to answer, but Barkbeast is back and so she's cut off. She notes Kurloz and gives him a friendly wave, despite the very close hovering. He's a friendly mime.*
JOHN: -was snrking but tries to sober up quickly.*
DM: Barrie the chopper is much less than a Brah
NEPETA: :33 < *leans to john* (barrie the butt)
JOHN: *tries not to snort. stop it nepeta, he's too immature for this.*
DM: he chopped up no less than five people in a day last week and hes Been giving us the runaround on his hovering motorcycle and giving me an incrediBly unrighteous headache
NEPETA: :33 < *slams hands on table* he IS a butt!
JOHN: wait, wait, wait. you mean like....he murdured them? with an axe or something?
JOHN: sorry, i'll let you finish.
DM: the guys mo is his chopper
DM: goes mowing down crowds
REDGLARE: Th4t 1s not wh3r3 1 w4s 3xp3ct1ng th1s to go.
DM: yeah neither were we Brahkind
REDGLARE: Suppos3 1t would m4k3 th3 v3h1cl3 f41rly 34sy to 1d3nt1fy.
DM: [Barkbeast starts shuffling out papers on the table to set up on the projector, showing his last known locations.]
REDGLARE: ...Prov1d3d th3r3 4r3n't copyc4ts.
DAMARA: *Grimaces.* UGLY AFFAIRINGS.
DM: yeah well thats the problem too
DM: somehow he always manages to hide the damn thing
DM: id say its a pretty Big damn Brahblem
JOHN: well YEAH. i kind of really agree.
NEPETA: :33 < *these puns*
NEPETA: :33 < *shes likes him*
REDGLARE: -Sh3 folds h3r 4rms, t4k1ng 4 clos3 look 4t th3 known loc4t1ons.- ...Do you h4v3 4 mot1v3? Who do3s h3 t4rg3t?
DM: as far as we can tell the guy just has ill intent and thinks he can get away with it and so far he has
DM: But i intend to put a stop to that
DM: obviously he likes Big gatherings
JOHN: -chinhands- hmm. are there any parties or festivals going on right now?
NEPETA: :33 < *she wants to know how intact they want the criminal*
DM: weve Been trying to keep the city gatherings down to ward him off
DM: discourage him showing up
DM: makes it harder to find him But you know
DM: the less people chopped the Brahtter
JOHN: yeah we want to...reduce the chopping.
DM: thats what im saying Brather
DM: [He nods in sage agreeance.]
NEPETA: :33 < *crawls over and looks at the locations* do mew have any kind of campurras? does he come furrom any kind of general directions befur being spotted?
NEPETA: :33 < at least to narrow it down to a spawcific area
DAMARA: *This is all so grim, but while her face is trained on the projector she seems pretty lost in her thoughts.*
DM: well in the one downtown last week-- [There's a tapping at the door, and Barkbeast looks up. It's the office worker.]
NEPETA: :33 < *ear perks*
DM: I f()und a file here... y()u might want t() have a l()()k at it, Barkbeast. [She says, offering a little holotape out in her hand.]
NEPETA: :33 < *she wants to p33p at that holotape*
DM: huh... you folks dont mind if we switch gears for a second do you
NEPETA: :33 < not at pawll!
DAMARA: *Eyes the holotape.* ... IS NEW CHOPPINGS INCIDENT?
JOHN: *now he's just staring, bunched up on his chair.*
DM: [He's already reaching to take the holotape.] thanks Baeyth... let the guys know
DM: [He walks back over to the table, fiddling with the holotape.]
DM: [He angles it to project onto the screen on the wall, then hits the button to start it.]
DM: [When the holotape comes on it reveals a well lit office. A serious looking jadeblood (judging by the jade clothing she is wearing anyways) sitting behind a mahogony desk with her hands tented. With a sigh that appears saddened, her hands move from the desk to be folded in her lap. When she speaks her voice is unfaltering, stern yet gentle, like a teacher about to break some sad news about a failing grade to
student, but still insist there is hope for change.]
DM: I am the Mariposa of the Beforan rehabilitation {entre for trouble} trolls, lo{ate} off planet as of year 2632. Here we take in trolls that are }eeme} [She pauses, choosing her next word carefully.] problemati{. By the Beforan goverment.
DAMARA: *Tenses up immediately, hands balling in her skirt into fists.*
DM: To help them see the errors of their ways, so that they may on{e more be intro}u{e} ba{k into {ivilize} so{iety un}er the gui}an{e of a {arefully sele{te} {aretaker. [Her meticulously painted lips curving upwards in a small smile at the end of her explaination before it flattens once more into that serious line.]
DM: Now, here at our fa{ility we pri}e ourselves on our quality assuran{e, however in the time before our relo{ation to our new base of operations we en{ountere} [Her lips purse.] a hi{{up. As mu{h as it pains me to a}mit, this was not the first. A sweep or so prior this same in}ivi}ual assiste} another of our pupils in es{aping, however the latter was apprehen}e} soon after an} both re{ieve} proper punishment.<
DM: [The Mariposa sighs once more, hands brought up to the table in a low tent of her fingers.] I ha} hope} this woul} quell their }isturbe} behavior, though it woul} appear it, unfortunately, }i} quite the opposite for Miss Megi}o. [Speaking her name, The Mariposa's hands clench quite a bit before relaxing.] You might want to see for yourselves, I realize. [With a click of a button hidden out of view a screen i
projected from the middle of the desk, concealing the Mariposa halfway behind it.]
DM: [While the silent footage plays, The Mariposa speaks, her tone less controlled now as a bit of anger seeps through it. The footage shows that of a hallway, eerily white with three black and white paintings put up in perfect distance to each other. Nothing happens, then there's an explosion. The white wall bursting into debris, pictures shattering on the ground.
DM: A young ramhorned troll floats through the hole, hair and clothes rustling like she is in the middle of a storm. Uniformed trolls appear on either side of the hallway, mouths wide in shouts and wielding what appears to be something akin to cattle prods.
DM: They close in, but a burst of energy has them blow out of view. The footage unclear and frizzing at this point, and upon the return there's a hole in the opposite wall, and the ram troll is gone.]
DM: }amara Megi}o ma}e her, quite violent, es{ape (as I've mentione}) in the time before our relo{ation. We }i} our absolute best in trying to bring her ba{k to us, but to our great misfortune we lost her in the Alternian un}erworl}.
DM: [Pictures of a young Damara are now projected from the screen. She's wearing the same uniform as in the security footage, including some kind of collar. Her eyes downcast and lifeless, hair cut in a short bob that curtains her face.]
DM: }espite my better ju}gement I hope} that perhaps our lessons woul} sti{k. That she {oul} make a respe{table living for herself. As she was, before this, one of our more promising subje{ts. [She gives a condescending smile.] Surprising, I know.
DM: However not even in my wil}est of }reams {oul} I ever imagine the kin}s of lows she woul} sink to. Not long after we lost sight of her whereabouts, the name Penumbra began to float about. In so{ial {ir{les people su{h as yourself are no }oubt familiar with. I have more than enough reason to believe that this assassin-- this mur}erer. Is no other than our missing pupil herself.
DM: [The screen now shows more silent footage, along with pictures of varying scenes of places in a panic with a red circle around a retreating ramhorned silhouette wearing different clothes and hairstyles in every picture. The silent footage is that of a festival, then one of the people in the parade falling over, blood spilling from their head.
DM: The cameraperson flails about in a panic as the rest of the crowd does, and for a moment it pans over the roof of a building. Here the Mariposa stops the footage, revealing a silhouette there. Zooming in and clearing the image reveals the ramhorned troll woman again, about to put away a sniper rifle. She's wearing a black and maroon suit, complete with an eyepiece. The images and footage all stop at this.]</
DM: So. To the point. [The projected screen disappears as the Mariposa speaks once more, her jaw set and speaking stiffly.] I wish her returne} to my {are. She is as mu{h as a danger to herself as she has proven time and time again to be to others, an} I {annot allow it to go on in goo} {ons{ien{e.
DM: [Another sigh, forlorn in intent, but her eyes and tone are both cold as ice.] Harm her if you must, but no matter what shape she is in, I will not pay a single {re}it for a {orpse. I {an assure you that I will pay mu{h more than whoever else might be after her.
DM: [The recording of the Mariposa stops here, replaced by coordinates to what is likely the place whoever caught Damara should drop her off at. Then the screen goes black.]
NEPETA: :33 < *looks at the scr33n, then at barkbeast, then damara, sid33yes the door* ....so..... what about the butt? *this is our friend no thanks lady, who hasn't killed a few people these days honestly*
DAMARA: *All her muscles are tense, eyes wide and full of a panic she hasn't felt in a long time. She looks at Barkbeast, then at Porrim, eyes lingering, then at the door.*
PORRIM: *even after the recording is finished, porrim struggles to process what she just witnessed. she's almost afraid to look at damara, though she can't pinpoint the exact cause of that anxiety. she does manage to, however, eyes wide with questions she's can't seem to vocalize.*
DM: [Barkbeast sure seems thoughtful about this information.] well
DAMARA: *What can she honestly say at this point? Before, she had nothing to lose, and now she has everything. She could easily blow the walls apart here too, but that hole would be nothing to the one left in her heart. She stands up abruptly, the chair falling over behind her, but she's not moving.*
NEPETA: :33 < *barkbeast, focus on the butt*
REDGLARE: Wh3r3 4r3 you go1ng?
NEPETA: :33 < *ear perk, glances at Damara*
DM: that wasnt the Best news i got all day But-- [He looks at Damara when she stands, at the clatter of the chair.]
DAMARA: *She takes a step back, eyes big and frightened.* ではありません。私を取り戻します。その場所へ。いいえ。[[ Not. Taking me back. To that place. No. ]]
JOHN: *he feels similarily to nepeta. they're all kind of illegal right now, but he's worried since they are in the MIDDLE OF A BAILBONDS OFFICE. he's eyeing barkbeast* alright.... let's just...all relax....
PORRIM: *manages to find her voice* Damara-- *reaches to touch her arm*
NEPETA: :33 < *she still wants to k33p an eye on barkbeast but she's concern friend frowning at damara*
REDGLARE: --You d1dn't t3ll 4nyon3 4bout th1s. 4bout 4ny of th1s. Why?
DAMARA: *Her clothing is ruffling, though there is no wind, but it deflates as Porrim touches her arm. Her chest seizing up, expression twisting in pain, mouth open trying to find some words of comfort, but falling short. Another step back.*
DAMARA: *She finds one word, one that she hopes will explain, but she knows it won't fix the damage already done. Even when she's gone from that place, that witch manages to fuck up her life.* QUIT.
DAMARA: I. QUIT. *Repeats, insistant.*
DM: [Barkbeast looks like he's ready to grab someone at any second but is trying to stay a chill brah.] as much as i would love to give you all a Break unfortunately i cant let you walk out of my office right now darlin
REDGLARE: B3forus 1s gon3. Sh3 c4n't poss1bly st1ll hold h3r pos1t1on.
NEPETA: :33 < *nepeta frowns at barkbeast* pawwww
NEPETA: :33 < shes b33n our furriend for sw33ps!
JOHN: right! that's a good!...that! *points at redglare frowning.*
DM: Beforus or not penumbras wanted more than there
NEPETA: :33 < but that was furever ago! :CC
DAMARA: I QUIT! BEFORE! IS NOT ME! *She tries screaming, but she's choking on the words. Taking yet another step back.*
JOHN: ....well, obviously she is coming back with us. *getting ready to THROW DOWN if necessary. he doesn't know damara that well but she is a member of the crew*
NEPETA: :33 < *she doesnt like the rise of tension in the air, ears down*
PORRIM: *rises out of her chair when damara continues to step away so she can follow her should she try to flee more. as much as she wants to speak out in defense, it's a difficult thing to defend. she can only try to keep damara calm.* (It's o+kay...)
NEPETA: :33 < but what about THE BUTT isnt he meowre impurrtant?
NEPETA: :33 < as in happawning right meow!
REDGLARE: -Sh3's st1ll br1stl1ng, 4nd sh3 gl4nc3s 4t D4m4r4. Sh3'd r34lly L1K3 to l4y 1nto h3r-- but sh3's on th3 v3rg3 of 4 p4n1c 4tt4ck. 4nd 4ll 1n 4ll, m4yb3 sh3 c4n't b3 bl4m3d for k33p1ng 4 s3cr3t. Sh3's sur3 not th3 only on3 who h4s.-
DM: thats not how it works Brahcipice
DM: now we dont have to make this hard
NEPETA: :33 < *sighs sadly but gets her legs under her* but i raelly like purr puns
REDGLARE: L31jon 1s r1ght.
REDGLARE: Th3r3's mor3 4t pl4y h3r3 th4n you do1ng your job.
NEPETA: :33 < *they really are great puns right*
JOHN: *yeah nepeta is right about the puns, he was digging them. :/*
DM: this is sounding an awful lot like a threat...
DAMARA: *Her eyes are flitting about the room, mind racing. She could run out the door, but that would be obvious. They probably already set out people. She could burst through the wall itself, but that might hurl debris at the people in here. Maybe through the roof? No. Her hands are shaking, eyes snapping back to Porrim when she's suddenly there, and her face breaks down from grief.*
DAMARA: NO! NO IS! NOT OK! 私は残してしたくありません。これを失うこと。私は今、生活をしています。 私の人生。私はあなたを持っています！ これは間違っています！[[ I don't want to leave. To lose this. I have life now. MY life. I have you! This is all wrong! ]]
NEPETA: :33 < *tail perk, she's trying to talk a guy down here just *stands and shuffles back on the table* pawww cmon there arent any threats!
NEPETA: :33 < we just want to catch the choppurr guy hes a bigger purroblem
JOHN: -y i k e s- look brofessor. we can't let you detain her. do you really want a beef with our whole crew when you have fuckign ghost rider riding up and down the beach mowing down pedestrians?
NEPETA: :33 < *holds her face in her hands* plus we can catch him, itll be supurr easy :((
JOHN: yeah! *nepeta is on FIRE today.*
NEPETA: :33 < *high five later john!*
NEPETA: :33 < *this was also her last job so there is that*
JOHN: *probably has something to do with it.*
NEPETA: :33 < *only a little, she also wants to fight the chopper. She will either way but at least getting paid this way*
JOHN: *he just wanted to pretend to be in a movie. :(*
PORRIM: *she has only picked up a little bit of her dialect over time, but she doesn't really need to know what she's saying to understand. she quiets, reaching to touch her face.* (No+, it will be alright. We'll-- We'll figure it o+ut to+gether. We're no+t... go+ing to+ let anything happen to+ yo+u.)
DM: look i get where youre coming from Brahs... none of us want the headache... But if your crew is gonna Be harboring a fugitive we could take you in just as easy... But i dont want to have to do that
NEPETA: :33 < great! then dont! *happy trills*
NEPETA: :33 < mew would make such a fun penpawl, dont ruin the pawssible future!
REDGLARE: ...You'r3 only contr4ct3d to br1ng h3r to th3 4gr33d loc4t1on.
NEPETA: :33 < *she could make a friend today, a pun friend. don't be that way guy*
REDGLARE: Th4t would b3 1t, wouldn't 1t?
REDGLARE: So long 4s 1t's fulf1ll3d to th3 l3tt3r.
DAMARA: *Her eyes are blurred with tears, and as she winces from the touch on her face they begin to fall. She doesn't move from the touch, but stands as stiff as before, her knuckles whitening from her balled fists.*
DAMARA: あなたが関与することでしょう。私はすべてを台無しに。彼女はすべてを台無しにします。 [[ You'll be involved. I ruin everything. SHE will ruin everything. ]]
CURRENT gulesCamisade [CGC] RIGHT NOW responded to memo.
TEREZI: -Terezi hasn't really been doing much of anything this entire time except standing there with her mouth lolling open like a slackjawed idiot, but what she does know, and what H4S known for a very long time, is that pretty much no one was the person they had been. Terezi stepped between Barkbeast and Damara, her back to him as she took one of Damara's hands in hers and squeezed it meaningfully.-
DAMARA: *Head snaps up to look at Redglare, eyes wide.* まさか！[[ No! ]] SHE IS うそつき！[[ Liar! ]] THE BUTTERFLY 彼女はすべてを破壊します[[ She will break all. ]]
DAMARA: *Shaking inhale as the contact from another person made her wince again, tense as ever.*
DM: [Barkbeast looks at Redglare, then back at Damara for a second.] well youre not wrong
DM: [But he has to be careful.] look im just doing my job
DM: you do yours and ill do mine
TEREZI: -Turns around to face Barkbeast- >:\
DM: [He's staring at Redglare now.]
REDGLARE: -H3r 3xpr3ss1on do3sn't ch4ng3, but sh3 h3s1t4t3s 4 mom3nt long3r 4t D4m4r4's outburst. Of cours3.
REDGLARE: But sh3's 1n our custody r3g4rdl3ss. Cons1d3r1ng sh3's on our cr3w m4n1f3st, 4nd h4s s3rv3d w1th us 1n good st4nd1ng for cons1d3r4bl3 t1m3.
REDGLARE: 1t's only r34son4bl3 th4t 'our job' would 1nclud3 s3rv1ng 4s h3r 3scort 4s 1s n3c3ss4ry.
DM: if this is the job you want to take Brahmines.... But were gonna have to make it official
REDGLARE: W3'r3 go1ng to n33d 4 mom3nt to d1scuss 1t 4mongst ours3lv3s.
DAMARA: *Discuss? What is there to discuss? There is nothing to discuss about this! She wants to get the fuck out of here, but there's hands on her and those are keeping her grounded. Reminded that if she does leave she leaves behind more than she's ever had before.*
REDGLARE: -Sh3 turns sh4rply, T4k1ng 1n 4 br34th.- ...Not 1d34l. Know th4t 4lr34dy. But so f4r 1t m1ght b3 th3 b3st w3'v3 got.
REDGLARE: You'r3 4n 4dult. Th3r3's no mor3 cull1ng 4nd you 4r3 not 4lon3.
REDGLARE: 4nd w3 n33d to d34l w1th th1s.
PORRIM: *looks at redglare, rubbing at damara's arm to try and comfort her*
JOHN: ((uhh....no offense miss glare,but i do not understand the plan. how are we saving damara?)
REDGLARE: -Sh3 3y3s John.- ...W3'r3 not s4v1ng 4nyon3. W3 w1ll 4ll w1ll1ngly tr4v3l to th3 4gr33d loc4t1on 4s 1s st1pul4t3d by th3 contr4ct. 4nd th3n w3 w1ll pr3sum4bly coll3ct for 4 job don3 4nd l34v3. 4nd 1t w1ll b3 compl3t3ly 4bov3 bo4rd.
TEREZI: -squeezes Damara's hand that much tighter-
DAMARA: *The comfort is helping, but not much as she listens to what Redglare says.* NO! WHY? NOT THERE! I QUIT!
TEREZI: -takes out a UPod and hits play. 4 song from Sweeney Todd starts playing.-
REDGLARE: Puts on 4 good m4sk. Sh3's 1nt1m1d4t1ng.
REDGLARE: Sc4ry to 4 ch1ld. W1ggl3r.
TEREZI: -"Nothin's gonna harm you, not while 1'm around"-
REDGLARE: 1m4g1n3 th3r3's 4 lot sh3 could s4y, but 1t's 4ll t4lk.
REDGLARE: Op3n to oth3r 1d34s 1f 4nyon3 3ls3 h4s on3.
REDGLARE: B3cu4s3 w3'r3 not br34k1ng out of h3r3 4nd w3'r3 not st4rt1ng 4 f1ght w1th 4nyon3 1n th1s bu1ld1ng.
JOHN: ((eerrrrgh. well there goes my plan.))
JOHN: *BUSTIN BUSTIN BUSTIN*
TEREZI: -DR4GON? Redglare specifically stated no breaking OUT. What about breaking 1N?-
DAMARA: *There's that rustling of her clothes again, now reaching her hair.* NOT. ONLY TALK. DID NOT SEE? 彼女の目で見ますか？[[ See with her eyes? ]] *Raises a hand to grasp around her throat.* THE STICKS. THE COLLAR.
TEREZI: -but no. breaking of any kind probably isn't a good idea-
JOHN: *looks at damara.* ((make no mistake, you are not going anywhere with agatha trunchbull if i can help it. i don't care wht happens.))
DAMARA: FAKE. ALL FAKE. SHE IS モンスター. [[Monster.]]
PORRIM: (Damara... We wo+n't let her take yo+u...) *more arm rubs. shhh.*
TEREZI: -PUTS TH3 SONG ON R3P34T. Do u hear this Damara?-
REDGLARE: M4k3 sur3 to t3ll h3r r1ght to h3r f4c3. 4nd 1f sh3 tr13s 4nyth1ng oth3rw1s3, th3n h3r m3n w1ll b3 4ss4ult1ng 4 m3mb3r of th3 Unbr34k4bl3 Un1on.
REDGLARE: -Sh3 nods 4 h34d tow4rds B4rkb34st.- ...Show m3 th3 p4p3rwork. W3'r3 m4k1ng th1s off1c14l.
REDGLARE: No r3str41nts 4nywh3r3 n34r h3r, 4nd w3'll do our jobs to s4t1sf4ct1on.
REDGLARE: 4nd no l3g4l m3ss for 4nyon3 3ls3 1nvolv3d.
DM: sounds good to me Brahski
JOHN: *just nods as he hears her lay it all out, relaxing a bit.*
DM: [And with that he's getting one of his office workers to fetch the paperwork for them, handing it over to Redglare.]
DAMARA: *There's so much happening, comfort and panic and feelings swirling in her head like a incomprehensible soup. She doesn't want to go back. Never again. There's flashes before her eyes. Of white rooms and words sharper than the needles that would be pressed against skin. Knuckles darkened from diciplinary slaps of the pipe from speaking her own language. Her eyes are out of focus, breath hard and kinetics sizzlin
REDGLARE: -Sh3 nods sh4rply, f1ll1ng out th3 p4p3rwork w1th th3 3ff1c13ncy of 4 l1f3t1m3 bur3ucr4t-- s1gn1ng w1th 4 flour1sh 4s sh3 h4nds th3m 4ll b4ck ov3r.-
DM: [He takes the papers back.] good to Be working with you Brahmides
DM: shes in your official custody so i expect you to get the job done
TEREZI: -She's famliliar with this, but it's Redglare who is far more confident. She remembered why her younger self was in so much awe of her, and why she'd wanted to follow in her footsteps.-
DM: [Barkbeast the Bounty Hunter steps back and nods to them, glancing at the door to the meeting room.]
REDGLARE: -Sh3 w4lks on 4h34d. R1GHT. t1m3 to go do th3 job. Th1s 1s st1ll go1ng to b3 m3ssy.-
JOHN: *hopefully NOT messy as in getting chewed up by a knifey motorcycle.*
TEREZI: -She will literally jam her cane in the spokes.-
DAMARA: *Where is Damara? Well, she's standing there, but she doesn't appear to BE there. A steady stream of tears running down her face, hands shaking. An iron grip on Terezi's hand and her face against the hand on her cheek.*
PORRIM: *well, she certainly can't still do that job, and she doubts she should be encouraging damara to either.* (Damara... Let's go+ back to+ the ship, o+kay?)
DAMARA: *Her eyes go to Porrim, but she isn't seeing her. But she feels the hand on her face, a soft voice in her ears, and jade. Her heart churns, frozen over and boiling at the same time. And she nods. Nods like she did many times before, and like she now likely will countlessly more.*
PORRIM: *her heart aches seeing her like this, but she knows there's little more she can do besides remove her from their current environment and take her someplace that hopefully feels safer. she moves to take her hand, glancing at terezi, before she begins to leave.*
DAMARA: *And so she follows, mind full of white. A white that has no color, no shape, no weight, no end and no beginning. She walks, hoping foolishly that each step will bring her further from what she'd been running from all this time.*
