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 Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 7:54 am
((Azreal))
So that was it. He was going to check this out, then. It was now or never, really...
Oh. It was a hatch. Well. That's, uh...nice. Yep. The wood chips were merely hiding the brass hinges, but it was totally a hatch. Where it led was another story.
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Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 7:57 am
Curiosity got the better of him, and it didn't take long. Reaching into the tree slowly but with determination, he brushed the wood chips away from the hinges and slid his hand under the lid of the "hatch", trying to pull it up.
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Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 8:00 am
((Azreal))
[Moved to sidequest: The Hunters' Sanctum]
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Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 8:02 am
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Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 8:05 am
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Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2007 4:58 pm
He really was being unfair. Relaxation was forced throughout his body (in no way thanks to his "gift") as he strode down the hall. Grand carpet and soothing lights passed, ever moving, ever stretching. Janus had a habit of thinking fast- not as in reflexes, as in a panicked, enhanced sort of thought speed. He got the opportunity to think of a lot as he walked. In this cascade of tidbits, the girl always reoccurred.
Freaks.
Freaks.
Are there others like me?
Am I not alone?
A pain shot through his lower lip; he'd bitten it to keep from laughing out loud. That kind of sentimental bullshit was not him at all. Janus was really out of wack lately.
No. I don't need them. I'm a lonar.
Suddenly, he frowned. Didn't he mean loner? Sure, they sounded about the same, but his mind clearly intended an 'a'. Janus shook his head. Totally unimportant, totally irrelevant. Just a slip.
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Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2007 7:59 pm
((Janus))
Well-so much for a restaurant.
The little bistro had room for TWO tables. Though the tiny room was elegantly designed, it was no more than the size of two halway-decent walk-in closets.
Jona was already sitting at table, his head propped politely in his hands as he leaned forward on the puny piece of furniture.
Without losing his "winning smile", the George Hamilton lookalike motioned to the seat across from himself.
"Please. Take a seat, Janus."
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Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2007 10:18 am
Bringing back his own warm demeanor, Janus approached the table as he gave the room a good look. This seemed more a dining room than a restaurant. He couldn't imagine many of the Grand Dakota's visitors wanted to cram in here for a continental breakfast.
As the merc sat down, he said, very pleasantly, "Cozy."
What a disappointment. Ah well. Who cares what the room's like, as long as I can get some food!
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Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2007 8:17 pm
((Janus))
Jona apologized for the poor furnishings in a haste.
"Never fear, boy...this place will grow in time. Now, we don't really have time, so order anything you like. Uh, Waiter?"
Within seconds, two well-dressed servants were by the man's side, notebooks at the ready. Sweet deal.
"Yes, I'll have a glass of mineral water. Still, please. And...my friend here would like - "
His beady eyes darted to yours, awating a response.
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Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 5:04 pm
"Steak," he said, without missing a beat, "well done. And I could really go for some mashed potatoes. Just water to drink, thanks."
It was always well done with Janus. The only thing he'd tolerate bleeding were women and enemies. With that out of the way, he watched Jona with the same faked politeness. He supposed Jona would wait, but Janus was eager to discuss his payment.
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Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 8:35 pm
((Janus))
[Colorizing speech now.]
Janus kept close tabs on his little...secret weapon.
Contemplating just what to say here...he wondered about the man's future. The several paths it could take...where he could end up, what he could become...the possibilities were endless...
It all would be decided with one simple question.
And one simple answer.
"So...are you willing to take on another hunt, or is this the end of the road, friend?"
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Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 9:10 am
Janus hadn't been expecting that. Doing his best to not look taken aback or surprised, he began to seriously consider the question. He brought his elbows to the edge of the table, folded his fingers, and rested his chin. As he looked away he couldn't help a small, thoughtful frown.
The uneasyness came back. Janus couldn't tell for all the world what it was, but he was getting these vibes from Jona. Inexplicably, he didn't like Jona. Too suddenly there was this sense of foreboding... suddenly his answer was more important than it was. Was it? Or had Janus Gold finally cracked?
Slowly, his eyes met Jona's again.
"My crossbow is your crossbow. What did you have in mind?"
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Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2007 12:13 pm
((Janus))
Without missing a beat, the man continued on, as if he had expected this answer. The only thing that changed was his demeanor. Becoming now, once again, jovial and inviting, he explained,
"Well, friend, we seem to have found ourselves a criminal. As always, I cannot explain the details, but let's just say he's a very dangerous man. I want him back alive or dead...preferrably alive. I'll pay you double for that effect. My associates and I will provide you with means necessary to take this man on...after a good night's sleep. You map will be marked as well, in two places.
The first: Amandilla. Sources have told me that the man you seek has been tracked to this small town, where he is currently plotting...something. We're, uh...not really sure what it is, but it involves a group of Dark Hunters, nasty men who use vile tactics to maim their opponents. If he's got that guild on his side, there's no question evil's afoot.
The second is a rather large circle, highlighting some far-north, hard to reach areas in the Arctic. We overheard one of these Dark Hunters, possibly their leader, mention the man's name...Azreal Lockheart...and the notion of traveling far North.
So...still up for this? Everything will be arranged, as well as your payment from last time. Just give the word and I'll have a room key for your night's stay..."
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Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2007 12:25 pm
Dangerous man. Ha. All the very dangerous individuals Janus had met never walked away intact, if alive at all. Some crazy cult wasn't going to hinder him this time. But... the Arctic? what business could someone possibly have there? He supposed he didn't care, but it was still curious.
"If you can outfit it, I can run it," Janus said, "I'll get you your madman, even if I have to drag a corpse through a snowstorm."
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Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2007 12:53 pm
((Janus))
"Good. Then you begin tomorrow."
With that finalization, the conversation basically ended. Before long, the food came. It wasn't terrible, but Janus had definitely had better steak before. This was the nature of the Grand Dakota...growth. Before long, the bistro would "mysteriously develop" into a Five-Star restaurant capable of holding over 300 customers at once, despite the fact that it would never even see more than ten at a time.
This was just another fact of life. It was the way Jona worked. Sure, something was...off about him, but he sure as hell paid the bills. After the meal, he left the table to answer an "important call"...did that mean telephone? Hm. And here all the history books listed telephone conversation as "Archaic technology directly linked with the Safetime and the Safetime alone".
Strange place.
As Jona took his leave, he dropped a simple gold (the oxymoron was blaring, yet accurate) keycard on the table. It must've been some sort of room key.
Obtained Room 305 Key!
Used for opening room 305 in the Grand Dakota Hotel; good for one day's use.
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