Jun 17 14:14:08 107 PA - More Brains
From Chronicles
The current game time is: Sat Jun 17 14:14:08 107 PA.
Having met up with Cel before the arranged meeting, Sage eventually ends up in the park. She strolls the paths until she comes to a nice clearing where can wait. She wears a light jacket over her normal attire in case the clouds threaten to break out into rain. Her belt has a few extra items attached to it judging by the way the jacket rests as it draps over her waist. She looks around with a thoughtful expression as she waits.
Erica is wearing her usual comfy fatigues and is walking around the park, coming to the arranged meeting. She is humming a soft tune to herself as she walks up to Sage and Cel. A little smile curls her lips as she gives the women a quick wave in greeting.
Dressed somewhat more sparsely than her norm, Celaeno is accompanying Sage at a comfortable distance, smiling idly as she goes. Her cargo pants - lacking her normal swords or mace - hang somewhat loosely on her hips, the utility belt cinching at a slight angle, a simple black camisole and boots being the only other clothing of note. "Excited to be meeting the apparent man behind the man?" she asks Sage brightly as Erica approaches. "Hallo Erica, been a while, hey?"
"Excited might not be the word for it." Sage comments quietly as her gaze settles on the approaching Erica. A faint smile is offered in return, "Hey..." She replies simply, before her gaze shifts to check on whether Erica is noticeably accompanied.
"It is going ok Celaeno." Erica says with another smile as she puts her hands in her pockets. "Well no rush, but whenever you are ready we can head out to meet her. I know you both will get along with her wonderfully." She says with another smile while she rocks back and forth on her heels.
"Ooh, he's a lady," Celaeno grins, apparently excited at the prospects. "Haven't heard too much about her, but there's been some talk here and there. I'm always game to share a drink with somebody new. Speaking of, either of you happen to have one about your person?" Her eyebrows lift as her gaze flits between the two, "I only ask because I'm a lush."
When the initial glance seems to come up with no clear indication one way or the other, Sage looks back to Erica before glancing briefly to Cel. "Yes, a woman." She comments before looking back to Erica. "Where will we be going?" She asks simply.
Erica stops rocking on her heels as she smiles again at Sage. "Oh we are heading over by the riverside. A nice place there." She says as she motions for the two women to follow her as she starts walking in the direction of the river area of Kingsdale.
Falling in step next to Erica, Celaeno's eyebrows lift as she giving a shrug at the apparent lack of alcohol and Sage's sourpuss-ing. "Haven't been over that way in a while," is her main comment, though she bounces somewhat as they go. "It's nice enough, what with the … river. Cut through the graveyard, yeh?" Her gaze drifts idly from place to place as her hands find their ways to her pockets.
Sage purses her lips before offering a faint nod to the comment. "I see." She comments simply before she waits for a moment to Cel to begin to move with Erica before moving to walk by Cel's side. She walks normally for the time being.
Along the river here some elaborate mansions reside. The homes of the well to be of kingsdale society they are posh in every expected manner. One in particular thands out here as it seems to have about a dozen visitors lingering about the property.
Erica leads the other woman over along the river and eventually to the mansion where people seem to be lingering about. She looks about and waves her hand towards the mansion. "That is where she lives. It is a pretty cool place. Come on." She says as she heads over to the gate that leads to the mansion.
"Ah," Celaeno says in a brief aside to herself, "Just remembered why it was I don't make it out here so often." With a brief hum, she turns to Sage and then Erica, "This kind place has to have a bar, right? I mean, it's got to." She seems a little uncertain.
As they walk along, Sage lets her gaze wander to take in their surroundings. Her expression thoughtful. As they seem to have arrived at the destination, her gaze takes the mansion and the people around in it before she shifts her gaze to Erica. "It does seem to be a little crowded." She comments before allowing a faintly amused curl to come to her lips as Cel persists with the drinking angle. She'll remain near Cel.
Erica shrugs her shoulders quickly. "Well she is pretty popular afterall. Why wouldn't people want to hang around her?" She asks with a smile as she leads the way up to the door. She nods and smiles at various people as they make their way to the mansion. "So ready to meet her?"
The people milling about the grand estate return the waves and smile warmly to the approaching trio. But otherwise continue mingling. No concern is shown over ther arrival, no one moves to send word inside.
Celaeno's gaze flits quickly between the two, her shoulders slumping slightly as she falls ever-so-slightly behind the pace as perhaps the house truly doesn't have its own bar. Oh well. With a quick hop she's back in step and going, "I certainly hope she can live up to the hype you're laying on her." The smiles and waves are returned with a beaming smile of her own as they pass.
Despite realizing there's a reason all these people seem so happy, Sage lets a small smile come to her lips. She lets Cel take the more cheerful lead. She offers waves as well. "I suppose she must be." She replies before chuckling faintly to Cel's words. "I guess we'll see soon enough."
Heading down the street at a casual pace, with a thoughtful expression on his face comes Ash. The quick-flex apparently not in a hurry to get anywhere or perhaps doesn't have a destination or the like. He absently looks around now and again, but seems more lost in his own thoughts than anything else. He pays enough attention to his surroundings to not run into anyone on accident however.
Erica opens the dorr to the mansion as she waves for the other two women to enter. "I think there is a bar Cel, so you can have a few drinks after you meet her." She mentions as she holds the door. She smiles warmly at both Sage and Celaeno before looking around briefly.
Three people make their way to one of the mansions lining this wealthy street. The mansion stands out as a dozen or so folk congregate on its estate to be social.
Infused with a new vigor, Celaeno's beaming becomes slightly more wide, "I'd think drinks during would be more proper, really. But that's all right, maybe I'm not up on my etiquette, hey?" With a prolonged moments' peering at the door, she hums quietly to herself, before moving to continue with the others. "Think they ever smash it up over here? Big parties, bunch of sex drugs and politics?"
Catching sight of Erica, Celaeno, and Sage off in the distance Ash pauses for a moment and his expression goes from thoughtful to considering. After the slight pause Ash turns and heads to that side of the street but is in no hurry to approach, instead getting as good a look at the mansion they head towards as he can. He doesn't interrupt their travel however, instead offering only a wave and a, "Hey Erica, Celaeno, Sage." to all three.
With Cel being more upbeat, Sage is content to be the quieter one that looks around at her surroundings. She keeps a small smile on her lips and will wave readily enough to those that wave to her. "I guess you are a lush, after all." She comments simply with a little teasing quality to Cel. She pauses to look back at the voice that greets her by name, "Hey..." She comments simply, before considering Ash briefly with a thoughtful look.
Erica laughs softly to herself as she shakes her head. "Well I think there are parties. Not super crazy though." She mentions to Celaeno in a bemused manner. Looking up at Ash as he greets them. She raises her hand and gives Ash a quick wave in greeting. "Hello Ash." Turning to Sage she raises an eyebrow. "Well shall we go meet her?"
Celaeno waffles on the threshold, her smiles continuing to Ash's greeting, "Hey there, hey there," she chimes. "What brings a guy like you to a place like this?" The question is lighthearted as she waits on the decision, "Not entirely sure if we've got time to chat."
"Not much really..." Ash says, "Was just going for a walk..." He looks over towards the mansion, looks at Erica then the other two before he shrugs, "Have a good time with the rich and famous." The quick-flex chuckles as he moves to continue on walking past unless he gets stopped. He's certainly not tagging along to meet 'her' whomever she is. Giving a parting wave as he continues on his way unless stopped.
Forcing a larger smile onto her lips, Sage waves around in greeting once more. "Bet you all are having a great time." She says as she looks around once more before looking over to Erica with the smile still on her lips. "Ah... I think I just needed to see this place to know enough." She replies, "She's obviously wonderful... and I feel underdressed now." She glances to Cel, "And, Cel is probably right... we did leave the timing a bit short."
Erica waves away Sage's comment about being underdressed with a laugh and a smile. "Nah Sage you look good as always. Not like she is big on formalities anyhow." She mentions as she keeps holding the door for the two women. "Well if you want Ash I guess you can come along with." She calls out after the quick-flex alien.
Inside the ornate that is the mansion holds true to style. Deep and rich wood casing adorns the walls. A majestic stone staircase ascents from the foyer to the gallery of the second floor. To the side servants await to collect coats and such. A maid holds a platter with three glasses of very very fine wine.
With a glance at the passing quickflex, Celaeno gives a soft chuckle, "Hope I never have to try to shoot that bastard. He's a hell of a moving target," she comments in true mercenary style before she seems to notice the company she's keeping. Her grin deepens markedly before she shakes her head, gaze dropping for a moment. "Tch, we're letting in all the weather."
Ash considers, "This the same woman you met with Bridget Erica?" He asks curiously, pausing for a half a second before he chuckles at what he hears Celaeno say winking one wide dark eye towards her before he looks back towards Erica for an answer to his question.
"I suppose that's good to know..." Sage replies dubiously to Cel's comment regarding the quickflex. She shakes her head a little before glancing between the two other women. "Well, alright, but we should probably keep the meeting short... I'm sure she's busy with getting to know all her friends." She comments before gesturing forth into the mansion. And will follow Cel should the other woman decide to enter.
Erica shakes her head. "Nope Ash. This just a friend." She says to Ash as she walks into the mansion. She looks around as she enjoys the place. Reaching out she picks up a glass of wine and swirls it a little bit within the glass before taking a sip. "Anyways come on in if you want." She calls out over her shoulder as she walks inside the mansion.
With the decision mostly kind've made, Celaeno ducks her head as she slides through the doorway, giving a wave to the servants as she approaches the glasses, "Hallo, hallo," she says to them, before picking one of them up. "Guess I was right about etiquette," She gives a sniff, "What's the vintage?"
"That's alright. Doubt it's really my scene and no doubt I'd just make a bad impression." Ash says with smile and a parting wave, "Sorry for holding you ladies up. Hope you have a great time." He tips a less than formal or skilled bow before he turns and heads off down the street again, once more just studying the mansion as he walks quietly at his casual pace continuing on... though he does watch the three enter until out of sight.
Well, that another person might not get snared into this situation is a little load off Sage's mind. She smiles softly to the servants, but holds up her hand as she politely declines the beverage for the time being. "Thank you." She says simply.
Erica sips on her glass of wine again as she grins at Celaeno. "Does it matter? What vintage might you want?" She leads the way deeper into the mansion. "Anyways I am glad we finally got a time to meet her." She says over her shoulder as she opens a door leading into a library. "Alright she is back there." She says waving over to some double doors that lead out of the library.
"2010" The maid replies curtly to the approasing Celaeno. The aroma sits well, very antiquitated. Does the taste matcch though?
Holding the wine like Groucho Marx held his cigars, Celaeno's expression seems somewhat more complete, "Hey now, hey now, of course it matters. I wouldn't want them to think they can get away with the cheap stuff just because I'm from across the park," though when the maid makes her comment, she smiles and dips her head, "Sounds made up," and winks, rushing after Erica.
"A lush able to appreciate the finer things... it just keeps getting better and better." Sage replies with a faintly humourous tone before she considers the situation. She gives a faint nod to the direction given, but still doesn't stray far from Cel. "Well, I guess we're just waiting on Cel to see if she has enough booze for now before we move on."
Inside the library the pretnece can be dropped. The sheer horror of a seven foor slug with eleven inch teeth perhaps enough to encourage that. Behind the trio the servants follow and line up, more joining them until clog the entry way but that will take a few more moments yet. "Welcome friends to our humble abode." Xander bids, stepping out from behind a bookshelf.
Giant mind-control slugs... well, they tend to change the scenario somewhat, and a slight hiss of air intake interposes Celaeno between Xander and Sage, the supposedly ancient wine clattering to the floor woefully untasted. Her eyebrows furrow as she scowls, "Got anything helpful tucked away, hmm?" as her vision fixes on the creature.
Erica stands back ready to help if asked to, but is at this moment content to watch her friends get absorbed into the collective. Her hand is close to her vibro knife and laser pistol but she doesn't look very concerned. "Don't worry. Everything will be ok."
As Sage walks room where the slug is located, she slips her hand towards a particular pouch on her belt. "I told you that we'd seen enough at the door..." She grumbles as her finger jerks at the pouch causing it to noisily clatter to the ground as the pin to the smoke grenade remains in her hand. Figuring it'll just roll with a mind of its own, she looks towards Erica. Reaching out with her mind, she tries to influence the other woman into trusting her words. "You know, Erica, if we're to be initiated, its only fair if you give Cel your weapons ..."
Xander chuckles, reaching back behind the book shelf to pull out a pair of tw lightning maces. "I do not believe we have actually met Cel. Though the fact that Flare is among us tells me my mental capabilities will bev fruitless against you. How are you at hand to hand?" He asks, charging Celaeno with both maces.
The mace's direct hit seems to take Celaeno by surprise, and though it and its brother bounce away harmlessly, despite her delayed motion to move out of the way. "Move back and away," she hisses at Sage, sliding sideways, aiming a solid kick at Xander, "Then try again."
Erica shakes her head at the violence. She looks at Sage and looks confused. "Why would I want to do that?" She asks with obvious confusion. At Cel's kick she rushes forward to help and attempts to grab and hold Cel still.
When her ability seems to fizzle before its conception, Sage frowns faintly while repressing the sigh that threatens to escape her. "Cel? You going to handle that?" She calls over to the other woman. For her own part, she reaches to take out her own laser pistol and get a handful of salt from one of her other pouches. She'll begin to edge back towards the exit of the library. While she had considered using the salt on the slugs, she may just have to use it on servant's eyes instead... in a moment.
The advice may have been ment for Sage but Xander takes it as well as he realises the maces cannot hurt Cel uncharged. So hw might as well try them charged. Skipping back he takes a moment to focus and the maces crackle with electricity. "You know it was enteresting collecting this specimen. Most humans I collect are just meat, fodder to do my bidding. They barely think at all before my mind takes over so really i am their benefit. But this one is different. This one sees you as meat too. Its quite interesting, to see such similarities in a lesser life form dont you think?"
Meanwhile the slug lunches ate the slowly retreating Sage, aiming to bite her ankle..
Celaeno's hissing doesn't stop, Erica's charge and sudden adroitness of motion eliciting a scowl. Her gaze twists toward the woman, eyes blazing and eyebrows knit.
Erica freezes with her arms wrapped around Celaeno, unable to move.
"I'm not that easy..." Sage quips as she manages to get out of the way of the attempt to bite her ankle. "Bitch." She adds as she tosses the handful of salt at the slug. It works on garden variety ones, after all.
His maces now charged Xander closes in to swing again in a flury of attacks. Erica's paralysis is convenient in a way, she's not likely to be inadvertanly hit and vaporized.
Xander smirks as Celaeno grabs the shaft of one of his maces allowing the other to make a direct and good hit. "You're quite outmatched you know. Sage is one of us, all her experience with you is ours as well." He remarks at Cel's fate as her yanks the mace to break Cel's hold and swings the other at her some more.
Xander's onslaught continues almost unabated, the thuds from the mace mingling with the cracks of electricity coursing across a thin layer of ionized air. Her eyes shut tight for a moment against the noise and flashes of light. Once the moment is over her hand darts to her belt, sliding a vibroknife up, flicking it on and out at Xander as she backs her way toward the ever more crowded door.
Running towards the exit the other ensalved people seem to pause, stopping from moving the block the exits and then actually moving away. One might wonder if Cel feels dejected by this sign that she is not wanted by the cult. One complication too many perhaps.
