After that slog from the campsite to here, ordering a beer was worth it. Even if he didn't normally drink on the job, Mal figured it was enough unlike his normal job that it wouldn't be that big a deal.
Even nearly being run over by a stampede of kids trying too hard to be interesting wasn't so terrible. He ordered whatever was on tap, and listened to the bartender. But mostly he studied the bartender's face, and the way he scowled.
"Were those regulars? The lot that just left? Or locals?" Not that Mal knew a lot about vaudun (he wished Finn was here, Finn seemed to know a lot about everything you'd think would be useless), but he didn't really think the bayou was the right place.
"They're local, but the...look...is new." There was distante in his voice, a frown turned on Mal. "The last few months, they went from mostly good kids to...that."
Seiana_ZI
So that was probably the most important answer: the Chosen they were looking for had clearly been this way already.
Perhaps what they were asking about might give a clue as to where they had gone.
Zebulon wasn't oblivious, though, and he noticed the way the bartender became considerably less agitated when the dreadlocked Chosen ordered something. He probably should order something, too. He took a few minutes to glance over the list of Standard Bar Food the kitchen offered, and ordered himself a water first, and then the most cajun thing he could find on the menu to make sure it was clear he would be spending money.
Then, once his food order was taken, he asked, "Do you remember anything they all," he gestured to the shield again, in case 'they all' wasn't obvious, "asked about?"
"They were asking about the local wildlife, mostly. Some things about one of the shops downtown --"
Shaddaling
With a beer in hand, certainly nothing bad but nothing great. Lex was not a fan of beer. He set it down and nodded. "Could you tell us what is around town? Anything interesting? Or any place that might have some local maps and sunscreen?"
He had his priories straight. Not to end up looking like a lobster and information. Preferably in solid form.
"There's this place, and then there's the drug store, the supermarket..." He hesitated just a little, frowning. "A bookstore and an antiques place, and then the tea shop down the way."
Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2016 5:47 pm
Interesting, she thought. The locals changing their look wasn't a red flag but she had to wonder what had caused it. The bartender certainly wasn't fond of their new attitude or attire.
The local wildlife was a good thing to ask about. That made sense and was a logical thing any them might to need to know. The shops, though. She wondered which shop it was. With the way his demeanor changed after revealing the drug store and supermarket, it seemed more likely it was the bookstore, antiques place, or the tea shop. More importantly what about it.
"Which shop were they curious about?" she asked, deciding that angle was more unique than the other. She thought Olivia's group might be finding out about the wildlife anyway.
Character Name:Marisol Whelan Brief description of character: Marisol is a young woman who is adept at fitting in and capable of charming most of those she meets. A thrill seeker at heart, she does not shy away from difficult tasks or the spotlight.
Deity: Hermes Weapon: Whip HP: 47 Minicert:
anemosagkelos
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Shaddaling
Wrathful Shapeshifter
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Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2016 5:49 pm
"Ooh? A book store and an antiques dealer? Could I get the address for them? And the tea shop?" Lex asked and paused. "If you would be so obliging to write them down for me." One of those three... and well, having all three couldn't hurt.
And maybe he had a small interest in antiques. "Are they newer business?" He asked.
Character Name:Lex/Sasha Tavei Brief description of character: Impulsive to the bone and flamboyant, Lex is a ball of energy, making rash decisions and depending on his/their luck to carry him/they out of trouble.
Rob sipped his Abita thoughtfully, listening to the questions the other Chosen were asking and the answers they were getting from the bartender. It definitely seemed as though the man was less than thrilled with the recent turn the local youth had taken, at least with regards to their look and attitude. That may not have been a red flag to Marisol, but it was to the dreadlocked punk.
"Wonder what caused them kids to turn like that," he mused aloud, taking another sip of beer. "Reckon it was something... That s**t don't just happen like that."
Character Name:Robin Attewood Brief description of character: Rob is a dreadlocked punk who's secretly a Boy Scout, a grump with a heart of gold. Pugnacious, fiercely independent and "on" all the time, he loves wine, women and song and is the biggest beer snob on the planet.
Interesting, she thought. The locals changing their look wasn't a red flag but she had to wonder what had caused it. The bartender certainly wasn't fond of their new attitude or attire.
The local wildlife was a good thing to ask about. That made sense and was a logical thing any them might to need to know. The shops, though. She wondered which shop it was. With the way his demeanor changed after revealing the drug store and supermarket, it seemed more likely it was the bookstore, antiques place, or the tea shop. More importantly what about it.
"Which shop were they curious about?" she asked, deciding that angle was more unique than the other. She thought Olivia's group might be finding out about the wildlife anyway.
"Tea shop, mostly, I guess. It's got summa that crystal bullshit."
Shaddaling
"Ooh? A book store and an antiques dealer? Could I get the address for them? And the tea shop?" Lex asked and paused. "If you would be so obliging to write them down for me." One of those three... and well, having all three couldn't hurt.
And maybe he had a small interest in antiques. "Are they newer business?" He asked.
"Been here forever. And it's all on this street, down a ways. We only got the one street, really." Lex got a disapproving sort of look. "Does this look like New York City to you?"
tatterpixie
Rob sipped his Abita thoughtfully, listening to the questions the other Chosen were asking and the answers they were getting from the bartender. It definitely seemed as though the man was less than thrilled with the recent turn the local youth had taken, at least with regards to their look and attitude. That may not have been a red flag to Marisol, but it was to the dreadlocked punk.
"Wonder what caused them kids to turn like that," he mused aloud, taking another sip of beer. "Reckon it was something... That s**t don't just happen like that."
Once again, only Rob got an expression that approached anything like approval -- even with his crazy hair and clothes. The bartender nodded. "They got a new friend, she came in a while ago, putting ideas in their heads."
Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2016 8:05 pm
Huh. Crystal bullshit at the tea shop and a new friend. Marisol wondered if those tidbits were connected. Although she couldn't help a dry chuckle escaping at the comparison.
"Definitely not New York City. It's far more homey here," she grinned at the bartender. He didn't seem terribly fond of her or any of them. Except Rob. She wondered why he was so likeable right now. Maybe it was the look or the similarity in attitude--they both seemed to have a gruff vibe that shielded a kinder heart than they'd ever want advertised.
"With a friend like that, who needs enemies?" she considered, wryly. "Did this friend happen to arrive before the people who asked about the tea shop?"
Character Name:Marisol Whelan Brief description of character: Marisol is a young woman who is adept at fitting in and capable of charming most of those she meets. A thrill seeker at heart, she does not shy away from difficult tasks or the spotlight.
Deity: Hermes Weapon: Whip HP: 47 Minicert:
anemosagkelos
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xelhaspixiestix Crew
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Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2016 6:17 am
But Mal looked mildly disturbed as he drank his beer. In his experience, teenagers were a lot like cats; you could have a bunch in one area but without some outside influence, they were unlikely to work together or even coexist well together. And what might do it was a charismatic leader. Charismatic leaders were always dangerous.
"I bet it's a new look for around here, too. Did the change happen all at once, d'you know?"
Teenagers were, generally, pretty dumb about some things. So he doubted they were dealing with a Manson or someone of that caliber, if a charismatic leader had gotten to them, but -- after the Alps, Mal didn't like to not think about collateral damage. Especially not teenagers, who-- while dumb-- were honestly (generally) too dumb to know any better.
(381)
Character Name:Mal Gherig Brief description of character: Mal is the the quintessential ice prince; cool in a crisis, he keeps a space of calm around himself even when the world is falling to pieces, but what you see on the surface isn't necessarily what's going on beneath. He has no fear of appearing like an a*****e in order to play devil's advocate, and will frequently go out of his way to do so in order to force others to think about their choices.
Huh. Crystal bullshit at the tea shop and a new friend. Marisol wondered if those tidbits were connected. Although she couldn't help a dry chuckle escaping at the comparison.
"Definitely not New York City. It's far more homey here," she grinned at the bartender. He didn't seem terribly fond of her or any of them. Except Rob. She wondered why he was so likeable right now. Maybe it was the look or the similarity in attitude--they both seemed to have a gruff vibe that shielded a kinder heart than they'd ever want advertised.
"With a friend like that, who needs enemies?" she considered, wryly. "Did this friend happen to arrive before the people who asked about the tea shop?"
"Uh huh. She's been here, I dunno, a month or so? Two? It's hard to say; she doesn't come into town proper much, she's got her own place somewhere."
xelhaspixiestix
But Mal looked mildly disturbed as he drank his beer. In his experience, teenagers were a lot like cats; you could have a bunch in one area but without some outside influence, they were unlikely to work together or even coexist well together. And what might do it was a charismatic leader. Charismatic leaders were always dangerous.
"I bet it's a new look for around here, too. Did the change happen all at once, d'you know?"
Teenagers were, generally, pretty dumb about some things. So he doubted they were dealing with a Manson or someone of that caliber, if a charismatic leader had gotten to them, but -- after the Alps, Mal didn't like to not think about collateral damage. Especially not teenagers, who-- while dumb-- were honestly (generally) too dumb to know any better.
"Yeah, more or less. Like overnight they all started painting themselves up and dressing in all that black and calling themselves witches." He couldn't help but roll his eyes at that last.
With a single long draught Rob finished his beer and signaled the bartender for another. If there was one thing he knew how to do, it was communicate with barkeeps. Not all were willing to chitchat with their clientele, and this fellow was no exception; he seemed about as thrilled with their presence in his establishment as he was with the kids.
"Witches," Rob snorted, picking up his fresh bottle of Abita and shaking his head. He didn't know anything about witches, but he knew cockiness and overconfidence when he saw it, and those kids had radiated both. "I bet they hang about at that tea shop with the crystal bullshit." He was beginning to put two and two together and coming up with four, and he was willing to bet good money that the witchy kids and the tea shop had something to do with each other.
Character Name:Robin Attewood Brief description of character: Rob is a dreadlocked punk who's secretly a Boy Scout, a grump with a heart of gold. Pugnacious, fiercely independent and "on" all the time, he loves wine, women and song and is the biggest beer snob on the planet.
At the comment that they called themselves witches, Zebulon couldn't help his laughter. Witches. That was almost precious.
"Please, they looked like they tripped into a vat of black paint and took the wrong turn to a My Chemical Romance concert."
He swallowed down the bite of food he was eating before washing it down with some of the water he had ordered before trying to speak again. "So Witch Queen," that's what he was going with, "isn't from here then. Why does she come in town then? Just to make people act stupid?"
He was fairly sure at this point that this new arrival who lived outside of town who was making people act like cocky goths who loved "witch" stuff was probably the crux of the situation. Best to try and find out as much as they could about her.
Character Name:Zebulon Castaneda Brief description of character: Zebulon accompanies his even temper and clear mind with an oft-frustrating tendency to be snarky even in the most serious moments, needling people far past the point he should. Tagging along is a need for control, tempered by the fact that he does usually know what he's talking about. His normal ease seems lessened at current, though his control over himself is back now that he's removed enough from the conflict with the metal vulture.
Deity: Athena Weapon: Shield HP: 56 Minicert: n/a
Seiana_ZI
Codebreaking Conversationalist
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anemosagkelos
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Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2016 12:36 pm
Well it was nice to see they all seemed to be catching onto the same wavelength. This new friend, the change in the kids, the tea shop, the missing Chosen... It all seemed to be relatively intertwined.
The new woman--she smirked at Zeb's nickname--was probably someone they should consider looking into. The kids, too. Most important might be the tea shop since the people they were searching for had been interested in it. And she figured Rob was right, the tea shop might be the hangout of all involved in witch magic and crystal farces. (At this point though, should they really think anything wasn't possible? She decided to worry about that later.)
"Witch Queen comes into town, corrupts the kiddos, people come in asking about the tea shop, then vanish..." she mused as a possible summary of events. She wondered, though--
"Did this Witch Queen, as it was so eloquently put, ever meet the people asking about the tea shop?" There was a chance they hadn't done so here and therefore he wouldn't know about it. If he did though, she'd like to know. Honestly, she'd be more surprised if this woman was entirely innocent and had nothing to do with the missing Chosen than if she was guilty of summoning some bayou-flavored monsters like they'd fought in the alps.
Character Name:Marisol Whelan Brief description of character: Marisol is a young woman who is adept at fitting in and capable of charming most of those she meets. A thrill seeker at heart, she does not shy away from difficult tasks or the spotlight.
Deity: Hermes Weapon: Whip HP: 47 Minicert:
Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2016 2:19 pm
Okay, so the shops have been there forever but in all, a book store and an antiques dealer and a tea shop in a one road town? Lex was calling something fishy with all of those shops. Not just the tea shop. How was any of these places still in business? Not to mention the pause before the bar tender listed all three.
"They certainly seem disruptive, at the very least. Why hasn't the owner of the tea shop done anything about them gathering there? Certainly, it seems bad for business." Lex questioned, toying with his beer before finishing it off.
Character Name:Lex/Sasha Tavei Brief description of character: Impulsive to the bone and flamboyant, Lex is a ball of energy, making rash decisions and depending on his/their luck to carry him/they out of trouble.
Sylvia was enjoying sticking to the edges of the group, observing their surroundings as they made their way towards the town, thankful in the sticky heat that she had been wearing a sundress and a light sweater. She heard Brynn’s question, but had already talked to Brynn a bit when she had been recruited, so she kept quiet and let others speak up first. She would have eventually contributed, but they made it to town before she had the chance, and she was distracted enough following the smoke and laughing at the ridiculous group that pushed past them once they found the bar that she forgot the question entirely.
She watched after the group and took a moment to scan the establishment before finally wandering over to lean on one side of the bar and debate whether or not she wanted to order a drink. The others in the group seemed to have the basic beginning questions down, so she continued to tune in and listen rather than contribute much for the moment, aside from ordering a water and something with rum in it. It was certainly good to know that the others had been through the town, though she wondered how recently – but the bartender said it had been ‘more quiet recently’, so it wasn’t the last couple days, it seemed. The fact they’d been asking about local wildlife didn’t really surprise her, though she wondered what shop it was they were after. She’d just taken a sip of her drink or she would have asked; luckily, Marisol was also curious.
Rob’s comment elicited a dark sort of smirk from Sylvia. Every kid had phases, though she wasn’t sure it was always a single event that made them shift. Her own foray into other styles, at the very least, was usually encouraged by one or more friends also exploring whatever new style it was. She had thankfully figured out her own style a bit quicker than other kids she knew.
She was interested when the bartender confirmed her suspicions and said it was a newcomer who had precipitated the kids’ change in style. Another smirk crossed her lips when he mentioned they called themselves ‘witches’~ what a notion. Then again, the Greek Gods were real, so who was she to question the existence of magic and those who could harness it? She wasn’t sure anymore. If nothing else, it could be worth looking into. She was intrigued that the tea shop was where all of the ‘crystal bullshit’ was, which for some reason line up with her idea of a shop that would sell such, but so be it. Everyone was asking good questions, but she was curious about a couple untouched things.
“How old is this new ‘friend’? What does she do, if she doesn’t come into town often – do you know?” Depending on her age, she might just be a student, but she could easily be an older ‘role model’ sort of type. Either way, Sylvia was very curious about her. Anyone who called themselves a witch, or encouraged kids to embrace being witches, in an area where Chosen had been investigating seemed to warrant some curiosity.
[530 words]
Character Name:Sylvia Owens Brief description of character: Sweet, optimistic, always trying to be helpful – even if it means bluntly telling you how stupid you’re being. Remains tentative about her new life as a Chosen, having never been a fighter…
With a single long draught Rob finished his beer and signaled the bartender for another. If there was one thing he knew how to do, it was communicate with barkeeps. Not all were willing to chitchat with their clientele, and this fellow was no exception; he seemed about as thrilled with their presence in his establishment as he was with the kids.
"Witches," Rob snorted, picking up his fresh bottle of Abita and shaking his head. He didn't know anything about witches, but he knew cockiness and overconfidence when he saw it, and those kids had radiated both. "I bet they hang about at that tea shop with the crystal bullshit." He was beginning to put two and two together and coming up with four, and he was willing to bet good money that the witchy kids and the tea shop had something to do with each other.
"Sometimes. Not that much. They used to hang around more; dunno what they've been doing recently..." Thinking about it deepens his frown further. "Like I said, it's been quiet around here in general, recently. Clientele's been down. Sales have been down...folks on vacation, I guess..."
Seiana_ZI
At the comment that they called themselves witches, Zebulon couldn't help his laughter. Witches. That was almost precious.
"Please, they looked like they tripped into a vat of black paint and took the wrong turn to a My Chemical Romance concert."
He swallowed down the bite of food he was eating before washing it down with some of the water he had ordered before trying to speak again. "So Witch Queen," that's what he was going with, "isn't from here then. Why does she come in town then? Just to make people act stupid?"
He was fairly sure at this point that this new arrival who lived outside of town who was making people act like cocky goths who loved "witch" stuff was probably the crux of the situation. Best to try and find out as much as they could about her.
"To buy supplies." He levelled that look on Zebulon instead. "Why the hell do you think? Or maybe she's hungry. She's just a woman..."
anemosagkelos
Well it was nice to see they all seemed to be catching onto the same wavelength. This new friend, the change in the kids, the tea shop, the missing Chosen... It all seemed to be relatively intertwined.
The new woman--she smirked at Zeb's nickname--was probably someone they should consider looking into. The kids, too. Most important might be the tea shop since the people they were searching for had been interested in it. And she figured Rob was right, the tea shop might be the hangout of all involved in witch magic and crystal farces. (At this point though, should they really think anything wasn't possible? She decided to worry about that later.)
"Witch Queen comes into town, corrupts the kiddos, people come in asking about the tea shop, then vanish..." she mused as a possible summary of events. She wondered, though--
"Did this Witch Queen, as it was so eloquently put, ever meet the people asking about the tea shop?" There was a chance they hadn't done so here and therefore he wouldn't know about it. If he did though, she'd like to know. Honestly, she'd be more surprised if this woman was entirely innocent and had nothing to do with the missing Chosen than if she was guilty of summoning some bayou-flavored monsters like they'd fought in the alps
"How the hell should I know? Not in here, anyway." He rolled his eyes just a little.
But Brynn leaned in, quietly. "If they'd found something, they probably would have sent in a report..."
Shaddaling
Okay, so the shops have been there forever but in all, a book store and an antiques dealer and a tea shop in a one road town? Lex was calling something fishy with all of those shops. Not just the tea shop. How was any of these places still in business? Not to mention the pause before the bar tender listed all three.
"They certainly seem disruptive, at the very least. Why hasn't the owner of the tea shop done anything about them gathering there? Certainly, it seems bad for business." Lex questioned, toying with his beer before finishing it off.
"What? They don't much gather there. Who said they did? I don't know where they hang out." He shook his head at Lex. "Around. Making trouble. In the swamp, maybe, though how they manage in all that black..."
Mika_Yumi
“How old is this new ‘friend’? What does she do, if she doesn’t come into town often – do you know?” Depending on her age, she might just be a student, but she could easily be an older ‘role model’ sort of type. Either way, Sylvia was very curious about her. Anyone who called themselves a witch, or encouraged kids to embrace being witches, in an area where Chosen had been investigating seemed to warrant some curiosity.
"She's not my type, I don't follow her around. But she's..." He hesitated, eyes raking over the crowd, and maybe all at once he realized he should have been asking for IDs. He didn't. Just easily poured Robert another drink. "Older than you lot, I guess. Mid-thirties? Why are y'all asking so many questions, anyway..."
"Assuming they knew they found something," Marisol whispered back to Brynn with a shrug. "Do you send in a report for everyone you meet?" she wondered, her voice serious and the look in her eyes clearly dreading all the paperwork that would require.
"I'm not assuming she waltzed up to our people and introduced herself as 'Highly Suspicious Kid-Converting Witch Queen' but it's worth considering she might be of interest," she explained quietly to Brynn.
and be blue
Character Name:Marisol Whelan Brief description of character: Marisol is a young woman who is adept at fitting in and capable of charming most of those she meets. A thrill seeker at heart, she does not shy away from difficult tasks or the spotlight.
