This room is well adorned but much smaller than the others. It is furnished with comfortable chairs and a few tables. An unlit fireplace rests on the southern wall and a soft run covers most of the floor. A bookshelf sits on the north wall, adorned with weird tomes in various tongues from various worlds.

The room is fine... normally Mason sweeps a room for bugs and Dreamwalker would check for any astral intruders, but for some reason, this doesn't seem really necessary here.  But he does instinctively step over to a chair that has it's back to a wall, a chair where he can see both the door and the window.  He holds another chair out for Vanessa to sit on.  Even in the later part of the 21st century there are still manners.

"It isn't that long of a story, but long enough."

Following Mason in, Vanessa paused for a moment, watching the man as he scoped the room.  Leaning against the wall, her arms folded across her chest.  She smiled slightly as he held the chair.

Not like I have places to be and autographs to sign. She joked, pushing her self off the door frame and coming to sit in the chair offered.  You don't have to tell me any particular story... you just seemed... She paused, searching for the right set of words.

Some times strangers can be better friends. She shrugged, and added, You were willing to help me... the least I can do is return the favor.

More out of habit than anything, Mason switches on the small box.

"One story in particular.  A story I have never given before.  First let me tell you, Mason is not the name I was given at birth.  It is a street name, something I earned on my early jobs.  I was called the stone man... cold, emotionless.  It isn't the name I was given but the name I earned.  It is what I am known by now."

He stretches his neck, rotating his head around once.  His voice is cold and devoid of emotion when he continues.

"First let me tell you a bit more about Goblinization.  It was a world wide phenomenon where slightly over 10% of the world's population spontaneously changed into orks, trolls, and other rather frightening races.  I told you this.  What I didn't tell you was the effect that this had on people.  It tore people apart, it tore families apart.  Many were killed by their own family members.  There were riots.  Tens of thousands of people were killed.  Groups sprung up to protect meta human rights and to squash them.

I told you I was a cop with the NYPD Inc.  What I didn't tell you was that I was a card carrying member of the Humanis Policlub.  The group that hated, harassed and even killed meta humans.  It was how I was raised.  My entire family and most of the NYPD were also members."

He waits a few moments for this to sink in.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:21, Tue 10 Mar 2009.

"My father was a cop before me.  Killed in the line of duty by a group of orks.  I was the man of the house at the age of 16.  I took care of my mother and of my baby sister, Elise, 12 years my junior.  Even before that, I was a member of the humanis policlub.  I went to an all homo sapien school and joined the Humanis Poli club my freshman year in high school like you might have joined the chess team.

I joined NYPD Inc. when I graduated from high school.  After 3 years, I was assigned to the Cyber Psycho Squad.  It was my team's job to put down people, well people like me.  In the Psych Squad, I met Janice, a fellow cop and member of the humanis poli club as well.  We fell in love and got engaged.  A couple of years later we were ready to get ready when one of those moments happened that can completely change your life.  Elise, my baby sister, Goblinized into a Troll.  When the change started, my mother called me in a hysteria, she wanted me to kill her and get rid of the body.  Instead I took her to my apartment and took care of her.  I never really knew how hard the change was on the people it happened to.  She grew 3 feet over the course of a month.  It was horrible, she was in constant pain.  I stole medical equipment to treat her and ease her pain.  The only one who knew was Janice.  It took about two months for the change to happen.  When it was done, I took over as her legal guardian.  I moved to a brown stone in the city where she could go to school.

At the age of 10 she was as tall as me, and just as strong.  But she was still my little sister.  It was still my job to take care of her.  I didn't have much in the way of cyber ware back then.  A basic reflex enhancer and a smart link.  It wasn't long till we were fitting in fine.  Janice and I fought constantly about Elise, but we were still planning on getting married.

I was sitting on the front porch watching Elise play when the car came around the corner.  They shot her, they shot her in the street.  I tried to help her but I wasn't fast enough."

Again he stops... for the first time, a little emotion slips into his voice.

"That was when I got my obsession with speed from.  There were three of them in the car.  The driver and two gunners, one in the front seat, the other in the back.  She was dead on the street.  Shot four times with high caliber hand guns.  There were only four shots fired.  All were hits on Elise.  Any one of them could have been lethal.  The people in the car were wearing masks, but I didn't need to see their faces to know who they were.  They were members of my squad.  I knew them all and I knew where they would go.  When the ambulance got there, I didn't go with them.  I knew she was dead.  Instead I went down to my station house.

Janice met me as I entered the squad room.  She knew by the look on my face that that I knew.  She tried to convince me that it was for me that they had done it.  That it was to set me free.  I drew my flechette pistol and shot her in the forehead.  I killed the other members of my team, a single shot to the head for each one.  I collected the gear that I could carry, set a satchel charge of C-XII and left.

I am not saying I was justified in what I did.  I am not innocent.  I am not a victim.  The only victim, the only one that was innocent in all of this was Elise.  I left New York for Seattle.  Seattle is the biggest shadow community in the world.  I cold blend in and disappear, I don't look the same as when I left New York and I haven't gone by my given name since then."

He stops, his face blank, again devoid of emotion.

"I am sure you have already guessed, my ghost was Janice."
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:28, Tue 10 Mar 2009.

Vanessa had listened to Mason, a slight frown of concentration and empathy creasing her forehead.  She nodded, when he we was done and sat, quietly for a long minute.

She had lots of questions, but it was not the right time to ask. She understood the currents that carried his tale and the batterings that they could produce, drowning one without the release of death. She also knew the irritation of trite platitudes and annoyance of polite untruths.  She was rather...honored that he had shared the story with her, and would not devalue that with careless comment.

Finally she spoke, Perhaps the curse of sentient beings is their emotion?She smiled grimly No one is clean in that story, but none are monsters either, you know? She shook her head solemnly.

She reached a gentle hand out to place it on the man’s arm, You’re still human, Mason. Whether you like that or want to be or not, you were then and I don’t care how much of you is synthetic, you are still.

"Elise was clean.  She was innocent.  She was killed because of who I was."

Taking the glasses off, his smile shows some emotion but it is still very controlled.

"I have run a razor's edge for a long time.  I have kept just enough of my soul.  There are people with more... modifications than I have.  They are cyber zombies.  Their soul has to be tricked by magic to be kept in the body.  They sometimes forget to breath.  I am much closer to that, than I am to normal, but I do still feel."

"My switch to Narco-Jet was an emotional decision as well as a practical one.  Live but unconscious guards leave fewer enemies than piles of bodies.  But, it was also the thought of the wives and children of those same security guards that really made the decision."

This whole conversation is one that he has never had.  He has gone into so many situations with Dream Walker and Peppin, but has never told them.  Vanessa was little more than a stranger, but it was more than that.  It was the fact that she wasn't from his world.  How could he have told his best chummer, the dwarf that had saved is life so any times that he had been a member of the Humanis Policlub?

She was innocent. Vanessa agreed, But she was killed because of who she was, not because of you. She said firmly. And maybe you shouldn't take that away from her? She added more gently.

Things happen.  Things change. Nessa shrugged. It seems that's how it works...  I'm not saying everything happens for some great reason or purpose or any of that She added with disdain, But that it's the pattern of existence. And the interpretation is very subjective.

She thought for a long moment. For those of us who travel that edge, there are options that are very easy. Options for which the interpretations can be very simple. I don't know why some of us don't chose the easy, simple options... She gazed away, thinking of her self as much as the man, But I know when we don't, our world is more complex and its ridiculous to think we can be the same person as when we started... but maybe the complexity is important?

"It was a series of events that helped to define who I was to become.  Since then I have seen the best and the worst of my world.  I have seen a dragon corrupted by an ancient evil, I have seen the beauty of the spirit of an old home filled with love manifest."

He stands up, instictivly moving towards the door.  Placing himself between the wall to the bar and Vanessa.  If there was trouble, bullets could pierce wooden walls without much difficulty, but his armored jacket could help absorb most impacts.

Vanessa smiled and shook her head. She too had heard the comotion from the other room. Trying to protect me is a full time job, and I'm not hiring. She joked, still shaking her head and coming to stand up.

Thank you for telling me. She faced him and spoke sincerely, before coming to before him. If you ask me, and I know you didn't, but I'm going to tell you anyway. She smiled.  You need to stop beating yourself up.  Believe me, I know...easier said then done. You've done bad things.  You've also done good things. Haven't we all?  All any of us can do is be true to ourselves and deal with what's in front of us.

She paused and sighed, And right now in front of us, it sounds like the ...peopleShe knew it was probably the wrong word, but she didn't have a better one. It sounds like those out there need baby sitters.  Some of them are really rather annoying, but maybe we can keep the troops from acting out. C'mon. She suggested arms coming to fold again across her chest as she stood in her typical crooked stance. Though she had to admit, there was something tempting about ignoring it and letting a few of them kill each other.

"Sorry, force of habit.  I have been shot quite a few times and I am still here.  I spoke with the bar tender, this place is protected by ancient and powerful magics.  Any who attempt to fight in here will be the worse for the attempt.  It truly is neutral ground."

Though tempted to let the people out there fight it out just to see what would happen, there was at least one that he was starting to consider a friend.  The smile he gives is actually warm, showing more emotion than anything before.

"Thank you for listening."

In just a moment, all expression drops away as he puts the sunglasses back on and moves to the door, picking up the now uncharged box on the table.

Any time Mason. It was my pleasure ....And I don't care what you call your self. Vanessa patted his arm and smiled at the man.

She followed him to the door, knowing that he would not move from it until he had surveyed the scene and deemed it safe.  In most she would have found this excessively annoying, but in this case, she did believe it had nothing to do with her, and in that, it made it almost acceptible.

[To Main Tavern]

<<<To the main room.>>>

[From the Main Room]

Carrying the drinks carefully in his hands, Rafael had nudged open the door to one of the side rooms with his elbow and then pushed it fully open with his knee. Once inside, he put the drinks down carefully on one of the side tables and slumped into one of the easy chairs as he waited for Jethro and Scott to come in and make themselves comfortable.

Jethro sat down and put his feet up on an ottoman.  He took off his hat and rested it in his lap.

He wasn't sure what to say to break the tension. There was a heavy air around the room, the tension was almost tangible.  Before Scott came in, he looked over to Rafi.

"Think he can handle it? He shows a lot of potential, but I can't tell if its from necessity or just how he is."

Rafi just shrugged,

"The kid's tougher than he first looks. I wasn't just boosting when I said he did good on our trip. He knew that the situation was difficult and he kept his head." He took a long draw on his pint and shook his head,

"We'll just have to make sure he's OK." He paused and shook his head, "Perhaps I am more worried that he will handle it too well, too quickly. This isn't exactly the best of lifepaths."

[From Tavern]

He'd stopped to tie his sneaker...then the other shoe, then to convince himself a monster looking thing was not wearing a bug hat, and finally a last glance at Kisa who was just walking in, so it had taken a minute or two to catch up.  Now Scott walked into the side room, placing his charge very carefull down at the foot of a chair and sitting.

He glanced between his two new friends, and squinted.  What? He asked with the distinct feeling either he had been talked about or he was being called to the principal's office... or both.

As Scott entered the room, Rafael saluted him,

"I was just worrying, sunshine" He shrugged a little, "You seem to be taking all this pretty well... no, damn well... but if you need to scream, shout, freak or beat me around the head for letting this shit happen, then now's the time." He relaxed into his chair slightly, pulling up his legs and crossing them beneath him and drinking some of his pint,

"We have to trust each other and that means being open, not nursing apparent slights or sulking. For my part, I promise you that if I'm going to criticize you, I'll say it directly." He grinned, "Believe me, I am hardly noted for tact." He then looked to them both,

"I know we were interrupted, but I disgorged a fair amount of info just before. Did you have any questions about it? Better to be clear now than confused later."

Awwww. You’re worried about me?  Isn’t that special.  Scott answered in the most annoying voice he could muster.   Stop calling me ‘sunshine’ or I’m going  to have to hurt you and  start calling you d***head. He  growled, though he wasn’t really all that upset, about it, he did trust Raf.

Why would I be upset with you? He grew serious and looked at Rafi as if the guy was nuts.  That made no sense.  It WAS all a little surreal, but he’d always told people he ‘wanted to believe’, it was just that aliens had never landed in his back yard or MIT.  Well, now they had, so to speak.

So... All the stories are real? Scott asked  frowning and leaning forward, resting his arms on his knees. Why’d he give that stuff to me?  You know, I think I would have chosen someone... better. He said sarcastically.

"Sod off, sun... beam." Rafael grinned, then shrugged,

"Not all the stories, I'm sure. There's some real wacky sh*t out there and some of the stuff that people believe? Blimey... " He shook his head, "Little green men probing where the sun don't shine? Why would any self-respecting alien want to shove probes up the arse of some fat loser from Peoria? Not likely," He became more serious,

"But, yeah, the stuff about the demons, about Lucifer and his right hand man, that's real. To be honest, I don't know why the mage gave it to you. But he did. We'll just have to deal with it."

"So," Jethro chimed in. "What is it that he gave you? A piece of the true cross? Longinus' spear's head? A danish made from the fruit of wisdom? If Old Scratch's General was chasing you for it, it must be something important."

"Chance would be a fine thing." Rafael muttered, "Nothing so pleasant." He paused and considered, "Pity, as the danish sounds damn tempting... No..."

"We were interrupted before. I was going to show you, if you'll let me..."

Jethro's was the question Scott was dying to know, and afraid to ask.  He had no idea what those things were that Jethro listed, and wondered why they were in the pleasent catagory, but there was just too much he didn't know.  What WAS in his pocket seemed more pressing.

Go for it... Just don't touch them, Cupcake. He grinned back at Rafi.

Rafael pulled a face at Scott but he was glad that the tension seemed to have dissipated.

"Why don't you put the jacket and those things on the floor? No-one's going to be touching them. Hell, when we're done... well, let's just say, I hope you're not really attached to that jacket." He stood up and took a sip of scotch,

"So Jethro, want to see with my eyes for a bit?"

Jethro perked up at the thought.

"As long as there is no surgery involved, sure. Is it going to show whats in the jacket?"
 He sat up straight, showing hes completely up for anything.

What falls out of the pocket of the jacket is 3 small, ancient silver coins.  Two land with the face of a man up.  One lands with a symbol face up.  There is something quite disturbing about the symbol.

"Roman silver?" Asks Jethro as he looks at the coins, careful not to get too close, but trying to read the Latin on the face up coins.

"I haven't seen ancient coins in such brilliant shape, in, well. . . ever."

As the coins fell to the floor, Rafael frowned, motioned Jethro and Scott closer to him "Close your eyes,". Touching them both, he murmured a few words in Latin and then said, "Open them and take a look at the coins," Without waiting to see the result, Rafael went over to the coins and crouched down, taking a closer look at them, attempting to make out the symbol, the faces, to see if he recognized anything at all. As he did so, he spoke back to the others,

"What you seeing is the magic of the infernal realms. These coins are powerful demonic artifacts. Scott, notice how different it feels to arcane magic? "

Scott had shrugged off any concerns about the jacket.  It was just a jacket and nothing he was particularly attached to.  But the face Rafi had made was gratifying.

A little nervous, Scott watched the coins fall to the floor, wondering how something that seemed so benign could carry such a weighty warning.  But then, things were not what they appeared in this strange place.

He closed his eyes as directed, and opened them once again to a different perspective.

Whoa. He muttered again, this time its tone held last fascination and more foreboding.  Yeah, different. Scott shuddered, Really different. His voice was hushed.  Though rooted to one spot, he was still shrinking back away from the coins.

Wh…wh…what happens if you touch it?  It wasn’t that he had any plan or inclination to do so, absolutely not.  The question was clearly born from curiosity,  he’d seen enough movies to have some ideas and now he was wondering just how much of what he’d always scoffed at and dismissed he shouldn’t.

With the third sight given by Rafael, you look at the coins.  There is a palpable feeling of power coming from each.  Each has it's own aura, each differing slightly from each other, but each feels wrong, evil on an epic scale.  The symbol on the coin is incomprehensible.  It isn't that you can't see what it is, something just prevents your mind from even trying to understand it.  On the side of the symbol one word can be made out: Ordiel

"Don't touch them." Rafael shot back, looking at Scott in visible alarm, then when it appeared that the question was a theoretical one breathed a little easier and said rather more calmly, "Bad shit. Really bad shit. Think of them as the infernal version of radioactive rods." He looked over at Jethro with a slight smile,

"Yep, Roman silver. Put it this way, I've heard there are thirty of `em, each with a coin." He continued to focus on the coins, reaching out with a little magic to flip them over. He wanted to see the symbols on the other two.

The circuits started clicking in Jethro's head as he started piecing the situation up.

"Thirty pieces of roman silver? You don't mean . . . "

He watched the darkness aura pulse from each coin as he tried to read them still.

Scott shrunk back further.  Like he would reach for them, no bloody way.  He gave Rafi a look like duh?

What? He looked between Rafi and Jethro, frowning again, wondering if he was going to be feeling like an idiot around these two for the rest of his life.

"Kid, do you remember the story of the betrayal of Christ? The Roman legionaries paid Judas 30 pieces of silver in exchange for his location."

He looked over to the coins. Looking intently at each one.

"Upon recieving the reward, Judas killed himself.  Some say the coins were taken by the soldiers, others say they were brought back to Pontius Pilate himself. Every hidden gospel says different things. It seems you are holding 3 of those pieces, kid."

Rafi shrugged at Jethro, "Who knows? Probably.Or perhaps they're symbolic representations. Sometimes symbols can be as powerful as the real thing." He looked over at Scott,

"That's what you get for a secular education. Thirty pieces of silver, Roman coins, was the price that Judas was paid to betray Jesus." He looked apologetically to the young man, "Sorry I snapped but touch them, even the slightest brush against your skin and the fallen angel associated with that coin..." He grimaced, "... they get a direct line to your brain."

The coins flip over, as Rafiel flips them over using his magic, two different symbols appear.  Two different words... Varthiel and Urumviel.

Giving a vague nod at the others explanation.  He had never been one to pay much attention to things of that nature and while both his grandparents were devoutly religious in their own particular traditions, both his parents had rebelled.  The result was he had warped knowledge with huge gaps.  He frowned still in concentration, trying to remember things and piece it together,

As Raf's magic turned the keys he stepped back further.  He wasn't even happy to have had those things in his pocket, the thought of coming in contact with it made his stomach lurch.

Fallen angel associated ... He parroted, thinking. Those coins are named. He glanced at Raf.  Why are they together? His mind was racing with potential explanations, all of the probably wrong, but it had to be something big if the Big Bad wanted them.  Otherwise, it seemed logical to him that Big Bad would have wanted these coins dispersed and dispersed to many.  But the the dead guy had kept them together and wanted them delivered together.  That did not seem insignificant.

Rafael looked at the other coins carefully and then stood up and put a supportive hand on Scott's arm,

"It's OK. You didn't touch them. We can't dwell on what could have been." He nodded at Scott's comments, "They are named. The names of the Fallen." He thought a moment,

"The mage who gave them to you was probably involved in collecting them. No-one in their right minds wants those things out in the real world. He was probably taking them somewhere to be kept safe." He looked at both of them,

"We have to get them to that place. I don't know why our special friend was after them, but whatever reason, it can't have been good."

Scott shook his head.  In part to reaffirm, he had NOT touched anything, but also thinking that it made no sense.  He said... Now self doubt plagued him, regardless of what he knew. Had he heard right? Remembered right? What if he was wrong?  New York City...Father... Father Flanigan? How could a priest help? Nothing good ever came out of New York.

Jethro glared at the kid. Now wasn't the time for a normal rivalry so he let it slide.

"Best place to look I guess would be St. Patrick's. With a name like Flanigan, it's sort of a fitting place to look.  Looks like I am going home, huh?"

Rafael caught the look between the two Americans and rolled his eyes, "No sports rivalries, boys... " He grinned, "Everyone knows the best sports team in the world is Liverpool FC." Although he knew they should be focused, he found the occasional moment of relaxation or levity comforting: otherwise, they'd all go nuts. Still, he shook off the comment and thought a moment,

"A Father Flanigan in New York. Christ, talk about a needle in a haystack." He grimaced, "A priest will make sense." He looked at them both, "True faith is one of the most effective forces against the infernal. Not the only one, fortunately... "

"Needle in a haystack? Not so."

The singer leans back in the chair and puts his feet up once more as he takes a drink.

"He called him Father, so he most likely will be Roman Catholic. New York City has quite a few churches, but luckily, they are all are interconnected. No one priest works at one church their entire life. Most of the higher ups would know each other. I still say we start at Pat's. If anyone can track down someone that can handle this, they would be there."

Standing up he began pacing a bit.
"I'd say we throw them into a volcano, but that is probably a literal highway to hell. If we are going to wander in New York, its not as common as people think, but the chance of someone lifting them from us it too high. I'll be right back."

Now with his guitar he sits down near the coins and takes a multitool from inside the case. He begins to open the guitar and slide around some of the guts.

"Well, like I was saying, spare change in a pocket is a target. If people want to take something, they avoid big things. It slows them down on the getaway."

Using the tongs, he pushes the coins into the case for the multitool. Being extra careful, and still using the tongs, he puts the case inside the guitar and sealed it back up.

"If you cant tell, I've used this trick before," he commented with a smile. "If you got a better transport method, speak up. These things just sitting on the floor, though, was starting to bother me"

"No, no, that's good." Rafael had watched Jethro carefully, flinching just slightly but ready to intervene if necessary. He was glad they were out of the way too: just having them in sight made him uneasy.

"I've been to New York a little, but if you're a native, I guess we should follow your lead to find this Flanigan." He looked to Scott, "How's about it, boss?"

Scott winced and shrunk back as Jethro dealt with case an tongs.  He knew he didn't have to remind him to not touch, but still the words were choked in his throat.

He had to admit, he was happier with the coins less open, but even with them away, he was not happy.  He'd listened to the guys discussion.  Nodding the more Jethro talked, Boston was like that too.

Someone that knows New York would be good. The unease was clear in his voice. The City scared him a little.  Boston was his back yard, New York was "The City."  He had the sense it was big, dirty, crime ridden ... Been to the Garden a couple times, but that's been it. He said mostly to Jethro and reminding himself that those occassions what he had seen and watched out the bus window were not the same as his mental images.

He nodded at Rafi.

Besides, he told himself, he'd just met a demon...  he'd traveled to this place... he'd seen a creature with a bug hat...What was New York? He wasn't convinced.

Rafael gave Scott an encouraging grin,

"New York's easy, especially in the last few years" He glanced over to Jethro, "We mustn't forget that your New York might be a little different from ours," He then shook his head a little,

"Believe me, once you've walked through the Victorian London slums at night, NYC is a walk in the park." He took a big swig of beer, "Anyhow, between the three of us, who's going to stop us?" He drained his pint and finished his scotch and looked to the two of them,

"Sooner we get going, the sooner we get rid of those things. "

Stumbles into the room and looks around to see how many people are here and decides to lean on a wall instead of taking a seat.

Jethro takes a deep sigh when then giant walks into the room. Realizing he should have locked the door, he shook his head. There was little he could do now. Now he was just glad that the coins were out of sight. Heaven and Valhalla forbid the orc getting in contact with one of them. He turned back over to Rafi and Scott.

"I haven't been home in over half a decade. I don't know what New York to even go to though. I don't know if mine would be right. Though, if you can get us to were I was, I have a plane waiting for me that can get us anywhere. I still don't think my time is right. Rafi's is probably our best bet. Now, how the hell, erm, Hades do we get back?"

As the orc entered the side room, Rafi just stopped and looked at him, holding back a grimace at the intensity of the stench in the small room,

"Excuse me." He looked more surprised than anything else, "Can I help you?"

None of the conversation was giving Scott encouragement.  He was trying to think of anything he'd over heard about traveling back since he'd gotten there.  When the ... big thing, guy entered he smiled at him.

Best to be friendly to a large creature with a bug hat.  He shot Raf a look thinking his tone was not nearly polite enough.

Maybe he comes from New York? Scott whispered, thinking if he had to go to the city, a ... thing like him would be handy.

Jethro glared at Scott.

"I don't think so, kid. Something tells me he has more in common with the Metal Marine than anyone else."

As the great stinking thing just stood there, Rafael could finally take it no more. If nothing else, the room was just too damn small to be that close to whatever it was on the orc's head. Shrugging to Jethro and Scott and grabbing his bag, he went to the door,

"C'mon lads. We can continue this as we walk. If you're ready."

[To the Tavern]

Scott looked pained at Jethro's words and shrunk back some.  Perhaps it was best that it was kind of occupied.  He decided then that he was being prejudice and if he stayed alive and made it back to where this...it, he? was, he'd talk to him.  Ask about his bug hat, maybe?

With a friendly nod to ... bug hat, and Raf, Scott followed along.

[To Tavern]

Follows after the large group of people as sneaky as possible for an orc, which isn't very. [To Tavern]

======>  From Tavern

Yana follows Boone into the side room, closing the door behind her.

 Advancing on a table, Boone holds out a chair for Yana to sit, then joins her by sitting across from her. He places the ornate container he has for her on the table between them. Looking at the beautiful girl before him, he starts Yana, I have a couple of things for you, and the first is not dependent on what you have to say to me. Keeping the box's lid towards himself, he opens it and extracts a vial of effervescent blue liquid. Handing this vial to her, he says this is the secret of my extreme longevity, and I offer it to you regardless of our future together. He hands her the vial, and holding her hand in his, asks what is it that you wanted to talk to me about?

The dark-haired lass looks like she's in pain.
Um....(sigh) since I have no idea how to  say this with any kind of tact or subtlety, I'll just blurt it out like I promised myself I wouldn't:   Boone, I'm very attracted to you, but I'm in love with someone else.   

She sighs, and closes her eyes, almost as if she expects to be struck.

I feel like an evil, selfish wench for saying this.  I feel like I'm betraying you.   As much as your gift would mean the world to me, I think you should keep it.  I don't deserve it.  Not the way I treated you.   I'm sorry.

Her big brown eyes begin to fill with tears.

Boone pulls out a hankerchief and starts wiping her tears away. I was afraid it was something like that. You love Aramendal, just as he loves you. He sighs heavily. He hands to vial to her please, take it. It will give the two of you a good, long life together. The elixir will extend your life by about 800 years, and it would please me if I could extend your happiness with this small token. He looks at the box, as if making a decision. Then, visibly steeling himself, asks I do not know your customs, but would you accept a further gift from me? He opens the box and pulls out a pair of white gold bands, each with a black rose atop it carved from what appears to be an obsidian-like gemstone. I had intended to ask you to be my wife, but please accept this pair of rings for yourself and Aramen. Not only are they beautiful, but they allow a constant mental communion with your ring-partner. Consider it my wedding gift to both of you. He rises, leans over and kisses her lightly on the cheek.

Yana's face gets visibly paler when Boone mentions marriage.

Marr-marr-marriage? 
She seems at a loss for words for a moment, but tries to recover her composure.

Um...Th-that's, um, that's very sweet and romantic.
Her strained voice seems to indicate a certain discrepancy betwixt words and belief.
She clears her throat and looks at Boone. smiling in a self-depracating way.

I guess it was obvious as to WHO I meant, after the scene he pulled the last time I was here, right?

Um...listen, you don't have to give me anything, Boone.  Your magic potion HAS been on my mind, I have to admit, although for other reasons than Aramendel, but I'd feel wrong accepting a gift from you after the way I treated you.

And the rings are beautiful, but they would only make me think of the harm I've done and I'd feel guilty whenever I looked at them. 

She looks up into Boone's dark eyes, sighing a little.

This would be SO much easier if you weren't so painfully handsome.
She actually giggles a little at that., than bites her lower lip, nervously.

You'll always be special to me, Boone.  You're really the first person to take such an... active interest in me.  It was a bit overwhelming, to be honest, but wonderful, like a vivid dream.   I'll always love you for that.   Thank you. 

I can understand about the rings, and I hold no hard feelings or grudges. I know Aramen is a good person and will treat you well. But I will still offer you the elixir. I'd like you to be able to enjoy long years in Aramen's company. And I can think of no greater gift to give to Aramen than an additional 800 years with you. So please accept the elixir. I'd like you both to have a long, happy partnership. Boone actually smiles in acceptance of what he knows was meant to be. His simple wish for Yana's happiness seems to supercede any other considerations. I know we haven't known each other long; it's only been about 7 months for me, but you'll always hold a special place in my heart, my dear. I wish you the very best, and Aramen as well.

Yana's big brown eyes get even bigger.
Wait. What!?!  Are you saying that it's been seven MONTHS since I've been here?

She groans.
I'm sorry, Boone.  I hadn't meant to stay away that long.  I was hoping the strange magic of time would work the other way, like it did for Aramendel when he left while I was here the first time.   Kord's Smelly Loincloth!!!  Not only do I come back here and do this...horrible thing, but I make you wait SEVEN months to hear it? 

She puts her head down and sighs.
Holding the vial close to her heart, she looks up at the tall man.

You're truly a better friend than someone like me deserves, Boone.

No, no , no, you misunderstand. While it has been 7 months for me, the bulk of that 7 months was spent on my own world, making this sample of the elixir for you, making or having made several gifts for the people I know here, consolidating some wealth to bring here, and miniaturizing and packing my tools and equipment to utilize my skills on your world, if you and I had a future together. I was prepared to give up my world, my existence there, to live with you in yours, if you had accepted me. Ah,well, at least I'll be able to ply my trade while I'm here. As far as the time 'here' that passed since our last meeting here, I believe it was only a scant few days, relatively speaking. Although, truth to tell, I think I missed you every day that we were apart. Still, will you consent to remain my friend, no matter which worlds hold us apart?

Yana's brows scrunch together in confusion.

After....well, after everything I've done, I'm not sure why you'd WANT me as a friend, but...well, yes, I'd love to stay friends.   

She chuckles a little.
You're a strange man, Boone, but I'd be honored to be your friend.   If I were you, I'd be more upset than a Goblin miner on payday, but if you can find it in your heart to forgive me, then....(sigh), then how can I NOT be your friend.  Truly you're a better friend than I deserve.

Impulsively, Yana steps forward to hug the big man, warmly.

Boone returns the hug with a smile. So, shall we tell Aramen the good news? Or he says with a sly grin, should I make him a little nervous by 'challenging' him for your companionship? After all, no one here knows what sort of 'strange' customs might be practiced on my world. Think of it as a little 'revenge' for him holding back his feelings for you. But only if you'd like me to , of course.

From Boone's strong embrace, Yana giggled.

As tempting as they might be, Boone, I'd like to avoid any more drama if I can do it. Making a scene sounds funny on paper, but I'd be mortified to be at the center of attention like that.
 Gods, I'd be disgusted by anyone who honestly thought that they could "win" me by beating someone up.

Pulling away, with some reluctance, Yana looked up at the big man.
We can go tell him, though, that we're "friends' again, though.  I'd like that.

She smiled warmly.

Well, I'd planned on a gift for Aramen if he showed up. He's a very lucky fellow, and I hope he knows that. Boone reluctantly steps back from Yana and ushers her towards the doorway, holding it open for her. He raises his hat and sweeps it towards the assembled group. After you, lovely lady he offers. And the gift I gave you ..... I hope as your life flowers with Aramen that you spare a few moments to think of me fondly.

Yana smiles warmly at her friend Boone, her eyes full of happy tears.

Fondly?  Always, my friend, always.

She heads out into the main room.

=======> To Tavern

Boone follows her out.


=================>To the tavern

[From Tavern]

Dave walks into the room with the girl in his arms, stops and looks around. When he spots a couch he immediately heads to it and lays Alice down with her head on a pillow. Then he pulls up a chair by the couch and sits quietly thinking.

"Hello, deary. I'm just checking in on the young lady, is she okay?"

I think shes alright, but shes still unconscious
Dave takes the cold compress and places it on Alice's forehead
You can pull up a seat if you want to help me keep an eye on her, whats your name anyway?

"Names mean little here for the staff, but I used to be called Bethany. Do you think she will wake up soon?"

I think so, she didn't hit her head that hard Dave glances over at the girl on the couch If not, we may have a problem

After a while of sitting and thinking and waiting for Alice to stir Dave moves over to Alice once again checking to see if she's alive. Determining that she is still alive he checks on the cold compress.
Bethany would you mind watching Alice while I go and get a pitcher of cold water and another beer? Would you like anything?

"Don't worry about me, Deary, I'll watch after her."

Alice let out a loud moan as her eyes began to flicker. Her brain had been overloaded by the sudden removal of panic, then the return of it. But as she stirred, peace was brought back. A talking lizard wasn't- Actually it was pretty strange, but everyone had said that it was safe here. Her semi conscious face began to smile lightly. It felt nice to be safe. If only she could stay here forever... Then she would always be safe.

Aye, you be awake now, deary?  How ya feelin' The woman leaned over Alice and asked softly.

Scratch that Dave says when the girl begins to stir

He walks over to her

How you feeling kiddo

"Hmmm?" Alice mumbled softly, still slightly dazed. "I think I'm okay... But just to make sure, there was a talking lizard right?" she said, rubbing her eyes before looking pleadingly at the two people in the room with her. "I'm not insane right? I don't want to be insane." she mumbled, wringing her hands in her lap as she did so. "Just tell me I'm insane, and get it over with..."

Your as sane as the rest of us, which isn't really saying much I suppose, but still your fine Dave says reassuringly

<< tavern>>

Tori walked up to the door and knocked before just entering.  She opened the door a bit and then spoke " It's Tori, just coming to check and make sure that everything is alright. "

We're fine, the young lady is just a bit overwhelmed is all

Dave motions twords a chair

Pull up a seat if you want, its nice and calm in here

Tori chuckled slightly and then tilted her head as she entered the room.

" Am I that transparent?  It is definitely a mixture of different people out there. "

She moves and pulls up a chair next to him and sits.

" I can definitely understand being overwhelmed with the differences "  her own mind was just spinning

"So may I ask where you are from? "

Sure, I came here from a planet called Far Away, which is part of The Intrasolar Commonwealth, though what planet i was born on Dave shrugs I'm not sure, what about your self?

Tori smiled " Earth, 2009 A.D.  Its not exactly spectacular and certainly boring enough to myself.  I think perhaps we are a little less advanced than some of the people here.  Perhaps even yourself.  we have very little space travel. "

She tilted her head " Why did you come to the Tavern?  "

I was hunting on a planet called Far Away during my leave, and I just kind of showed up here. So not a clue. Dave says with a shrug

Tori smiled a bit and then chuckled " Well that is something I've never done.  I've gone searching for artifacts, but I've never hunted. "

The Hunting was more of excuse to get away from the hustle of over-civilized worlds there's not really to much in the way of game there, especially after the StarFlayer incident, but its peaceful

Tori smiled a bit " Ah, so in essence you were looking for peace more than anything.  Perhaps that is why you are here... it is a peaceable enough place to be. "

I'm not too sure about peace, I showed up here to a battle between Parker and a huge space soldier, and have since been interrogated by Satan's best friend, conflict is what I'm more suited twords. It's what I was made for, for lack of a better term. Dave says in a resigned matter

ooc- sorry for the really slow responses works been crazy lately

Tori shook her head slightly.  " Well if that were true, it would mean I was fated to be in a studious and rather boring life for the rest of eternity and somehow i'm beginning to doubt it.  "

she chuckled a bit at his explanation " Though I have to be honest, those things would be a bit exciting and nonpeaceful. "

She then leaned back crossing her legs and placingher hands on them. ' Did you ever think you might need to think a different way or perhaps look at things differently.  The tussel between the space man and parker would have happened whether you had been there or not...so its not as though it was violence against you.   now the questioning part, I have no idea how to reason with "

OOC:  its okay, i hope everything is going well :)

The fight between Parker and the space man is what drew me to this place, its kind of hard to ignore that kind of noise in a supposedly peaceful forest. dave says with a half shrug
I try to avoid causing a conflict if I can, going looking for a fight is just being stupid, but it never worst to be prepared for the worst, even if your hoping for the best. As for being questioned, I'm at a loss as well, I'm going to need some advice form someone more knowledgeable in that area.

Tori chuckled.  " Well at least I know that you aren't from my universe.  There aren't many men who would admit to needing to ask someone with more knowledge about things.  They would rather be stupid, stumped, or in most cases ignorant. "

She tilted her head " So I'm guessing you don't have much fun?  I'm asking because it would be interesting to know what you do for fun, or perhaps the better question is what you do during the off times. "

Actually there are a lot of things to do for fun where/when in from. There are Total Sensory Immersion plays, Hundreds of Thousands shows, Sports, ect. Entertainment is a given when your essentially guaranteed to live for ever, it also makes for very interesting social dynamics. Though personally I'm rather new to entertainment. Dave says as he trys to find a more comfortable position in his chair he settles in the same position he was in.

The Commonwealth has just survived the most destructive and costly war ever waged by humanity. I was a soldier in that war so for about 2 years all I did was fight, and I have no memory of before the war so leisure is kind of new to me.

Tori chuckled slightly. " Okay now you've got me curious.  How old are you? "

She leaned down in the chair and propped her legs up on the bed not to disturb Alice.  She wondered if Dave's fidgeting was because he was uncomfortable

Approximately 230 years old, though i can't really give an exact age, though I only remember about 3 years of it Dave says with a shrug I'm nowhere near the oldest in the commonwealth either

Tori's eyes widened and she shook her head.  " Well that makes my time on earth seem really puny and short. "

She tilted her head a bit " How is it that you have such extended lives? "

There are a few ways actually Dave says matter-of-factly The most common and pleasant is called rejuvenation, Basically your body's biological clock is rolled back to your early 20's but your mind is untouched. so you become 20 again. The next is our memorycell inserts
Dave taps his fingers a couple of times on a place on the back of his head where his skull meets his spine
If we some how die or are killed our memory cells can be recovered and placed into new clone's of our selves, though I've heard that waking up is rather "unpleasant", we can also upload our memories and minds to what is called a "secure store" so we have a backup copy in case we disappear for some reason.

Tori's mouth rounded a bit and then cleared her throat  " Wow, seems like it would be nice to be able to experience everything over a long period of time.  I do think it could be a bit lonely though.  I imagine it must get a bit old after a while. "

When you measure time in lives a lot of things change, including relationships. Usually you marry someone until you rejuvenate or decide to mutually split. There are marriage contracts which usually include a "fling" clause, and in general relationships are more fluid. There is no need to be stuck with one person for eternity, and when rejuvenation comes around you go to a silent world and cavort to your hearts content.

Tori's eyes went wide for a second and then shook her head slightly as she cleared her throat " Well that is certainly a new way to look at things "  she wasn't sure what to make of his revelation.

Seeing Tori's taken aback by his description of relationships in his time he replies
If you think about it that's the logical conclusion, humans are opposed to stagnation by nature, stagnation in every way including relationships. Look at all the diseases caused by seditary living, diabetes, obesity, heart disease, among other diseases; and look at how most long term relationships in the 21th century end. Its only natural.

Sorry its taking so long to post things are getting hectic around here so feel free to wander off if I'm holding you up

Dave stands up from the chair he was sitting in, stretching slightly then looks around, not seeing what he wants he looks over at tori

I'll be back in a bit I'm going to use the john

With that Dave heads back to the tavern

[to Tavern]