[OOC]
As a note, in downtown Chicago, there are gyms or small 'fitness centers' every few blocks.  Just FYI.

I thought it was in Pilsen, but didn't find it quickly when searching.  I'm at work and will try to verify later.

[IC]
The walk to Red's is pleasant.  Although not having been in Chicago long, you can see when the neighborhoods change.  From downtown, you make it through a few neighborhoods (University Village and Little Italy) and never feel unsafe.  Looking down a few streets (east or west, you've been traveling predominately south), you do see some areas that don't look safe, but where you are you see people walking, a lot of cars, and nothing to worry about, until you get to the garage in the Pilsen neighborhood.

[OOC]
Alright, thanks!

[IC]
Cathrin slowly walks towards the garage, not really decided what to do, yet. She can't just knock there, after all.

The area seems much like it did before, but with caution tape up some spots in the sidewalk.  The cars that were damaged are now gone.  Red's garage door is half open, but you don't see anything happening in the darkness within (all the lights are off and there are no noises coming from the inside).

[OOC]
Not sure what you want to do next.

Cathrin certainly doesn't want to sneak into Reds garage or to stay overly long just looking around.
After another glance towards the garage she decides to walk back, maybe look if she can get a drink at Xaviers place.


[OOC]
Was a bit (lot) busy in RL the last days

When you give the second look, you note two dots pop into being in the cool darkness.  To red diodes...like eyes, peering below the half down door out at you.

Cathrin swallows. That is unexpected and somewhat scary. Not really wanting to put her back towards what- or whoever that is she stops in midstep and turns towards these... eyes. But she vaguely remembers that there had been strange eyes of sorts when she was here last as well. "Hi. Do you know where Red is by any chance?" She is quite happy about the training she had, her voice sounds almost normal.

Upon saying something to the 'eyes', you immediate hear mechanical or computer clicks and beeps...rapped.  They have not resemblance to our language.  This is followed by heavy metallic 'foot falls' from inside the garage and a second pair of eyes coming into view.  These are wider apart and larger, but at approximately the same level.

This is when you note a boy...of maybe 14...roll-up on his bike.  He is disheveled, a little dirty, and sweaty.  His bike is old and has a box bungeed over the rear tire.  He gives you a funny look.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:30, Mon 23 May 2022.

Cathrin looks at the boy. "What's up?"

"Not much.  What do you need to do with Red's?"  He gets off his bike and grabs the box.  One eye is on you and one eye is on the garage door.

The small set of eyes has come closer to the door.  As the form gets closer, you see a human shaped/sized resolve.  The larger set of eyes holds their ground.

"There was some trouble here a few days ago. Just wanted to look if everything is alright now", Cathrin says casually.

The boy sets his box on the ground by the door, turns toward you, and pushes the box under the door with his foot.  "I didn't know about any trouble."

There is some beeping and chirps from inside and the boy seems to get a little annoyed.  In a hiss, not directed to you, "Yeah, yeah, yeah...it is what I found.  I'll head down to the pawn shop and see if I can get amp."

"In this case..." Cathrin shrugs a bit. "Seems as if everything's alright now." She gives the box a curious glance, though.

The box, not all the way in the garage, is pulled in the garage the wrest of the way by a hand.  There is some more clicking.  "Yeah...no trouble here lady."  A small wad of cash hits the ground just outside the door.  The boy scoops that up quickly and then looks back at you.

Cathrin pretends not to have noticed the cash. "Good", she says, "that's all I wanted to know." She nods at the boy with a smile and then turns to leave. Not in a hurry.
She does listen to what is happening behind her, though

As soon as you turn around, you hear more clicking and pops.  The boy, almost hissing, "I know.  No I don't know her.  And what the hell is that?  I don't know what that is...slow down...I barely got you when you talk slow...yeah..yeah...I can get a couple of amps.  Yeah...we cool."

The boy turns back to you and gives you a sideways glance, "You need anything?"

Cathrin shakes her head. "No." And then just leaves.

The kid watches you for a minute and turns to the door, "Yeah, yeah...amp.  Got it.  Later."  He then gets on his bike and starts down the road.

Cathrin walks down the road, away from the garage, back towards where she had come. Weird that the kid can understand the clicking noises from... whatever it is there in the garage.

A quick glance shows the kid riding off down the block.  The garage door remains open and the light within does not change.

Cathrin takes a breath, then another one, gathering some courage. She's probably too curious for her own good, but decides to sneak a peek into the garage.

The door is in the same 1/2 open position as it was before.  You note nothing on the dark interior as you approach.

[OOC]  What are going to say?

"Hey. You do understand English, right?" Though Cathrin feels a bit stupid to ask that into the dark.

The eyes pop into view only a few feet from your face.  You can see a metallic face lit mildly by the redness; robotic.
 At first, you get a few pops and clicks, but settles out into white noise that sounds like English. It is not creepy but machine look.

"What do you want?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:26, Tue 12 July 2022.