Joe Vellim: Nah nah, ya dumb shmuch- look heah... *The bullish man turns on the stool to finally address some drunk. He's listened to the man in good humor for the last hour.. he's funny.. goes on and on with one tall tale after another. Fights, women, the usual drunken haze of testosterone.. one tall tale too many- never tell a boxing legend how to punch...* Look look- 'Ey! Shaddap an' listen nitwit! *As the man quiets Joe rases a fist.* Look.. nevah hiddaguy widda back two knuckles less'n ya gaht a glove on, heah? Jes' dem foyst two. Uddahwise, ya gahnna be broken up and cryin. Fekkin liah.. *He waves the man away and raises the glass for the tender to refill... again.*

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: He's sitting at a particular table in O'Malley's, the Irish Pub across from Battery Park. Same table he always sits at. Near the back, with a large hole in the wall, like someone's head went through it. He's dressed as per normal, with the leather trench and the red lace-up shirt...jeans and steel-toed boots. A bottle of 18-year-old Chivas Regal single malt sits in front of him, and a tall glass. The man is pensive about something, his hand on the glass. The Indigo Girl's Ghost plays on the jukebox.

Joe Vellim: *He darts a look back at the man as he makes comment about the bandage over Joe's eye.. a glare that lasts for a beat too long before he laughs good naturedly.* Wha... O'Malley- Ah gahtta giddit mahself?? Jeezus!

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: The sound of a familar voice at the bar draws his attention away from the glass, and he blinks as he realizes who it is. He shakes his head chuckling a little...both for being inobservant enough not to notice his mate's...other...friend...person? At the bar, and for the irnoy of the situation. He sighs a little bit, taking a strong drink off the glass, watching Joe for a moment.

Joe Vellim: *Beer replenished, Joe stands with the dark stout to head for the bathroom.*

Joe Vellim: d10: : 2,3,5,10,2,

Joe Vellim: *The warm, reddish glow of O'Malley's joint paints Joe in very suprised tones- he stops... a deer in headlights for a moment as blue eyes widen slowly... nahway...*

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: He raises an eyebrow as Joe stands and looks his way...ah, hell. Didn't this make for awkward. He smiles to the man, waving him over in his direction, a friendly, open gesture.

Erin Madigan: And the other Erin pulls up on a rather suped up motorcycle, finding a parking spot, and securing it, before heading inside. She takes her helmet in with her, shaking out her chestnut hair some from helmet hair. She's wearing tight leather pants, the ride low on the hips, showing part of a celtic tattoo in the small of her back, going down further. She has on a simple black leather vest with a short to the waist leather jacket, also black, and black riding boots.

Joe Vellim: We... live... gahddamn Casablanca. Yew know dat? *A rueful chuckle as he turns to tromp toward Aerin.*

Ness: (open?)

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: ((Looks like. *S*))

Joe Vellim: *Broad, and very short- upon first glance the irishman looks a little like a pit bull. That sort of vaguely dangerous person one doesn't chose to mess with just offhand. Bulky, powerful muscle ripples across his frame and gives a resolute touch to each stride. The faded remains of what was once an athlete's grace hangs about him like an old coat- that ease of movement that hints at once being very aquainted with the limits to which the human body may be pressed- and perhaps excel. A worn face that hints at an age above 30- but bright blue eyes seem open and hint that the violence of form has faded into an edgy sort of gregarious wisdom. Not a very attractive man, but from time to time the smile hints at a face that once could dazzle cameras. Bald headed, broken nose, and a latticework of scars that hatch across the knuckles of bratwurst sized fingers.*

Erin Madigan: ((I jumped in. So I'd say sure.))

Ness: She's tall and inhumanly thin. The twig-like girl steps in from the cold in a heavy drab green parka, thick wool touque, and large pink wool mittens. She stomps her feet at the door of the pub to get the water from her giant winter boots, then starts to walk toward a empty.

Ness: a empty table.

Joe Vellim: *He crosses the bar- nervous or not, the blunt shortman is no coward. He nods to Aerin, a quaint, faintly apologetic smile painted across his roughened face.* 'Ey, uh... Aerin.. yannow.. ya don' gahtta... Ahmean, if ya wanna be alone an all, huh?

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: "No, it's okay, Joe." He nods to the man, gesturing to the table. "Feel free. How are you?"

Erin Madigan: Brown eyes glance around the place, trying to find a place to sit, once she grabs a drink from the bar. A cherry coke with a few cherries added to it. Lots of ice.

Erin Madigan: d10: per/alert: 1,1,7,9,6,

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: Aerin is a very average-looking person. He stands 5'11", and is a little bit thin at 145 pounds. At 28 years of age, he still has a baby-face, despite the goatee he's wearing, he is commonly mistaken for 18-20 years old. His hair, a medium-brown, goes down to about his mid-back, and is pulled back into a ponytail. As stated before, he has a very youthful face, with bright blue eyes that flash with intelligence and full cheeks. His right canine is missing, but that's neither here nor there. Something about his features suggests maybe a Welsh origin. He's dressed in a red lace-up shirt and black slacks, with steel-toed Doc Martins and a black leather trench coat over the whole thing. (PB 3)

Erin Madigan: She does spot who she thinks might be someone she's seen before on a second glance. She thinks for a long moment, then remembers. Name sake.

Ness: She stands next to the last empty table and starts to peel off layers of winter clothing, setting them on the chair beside her. Underneath the parka she's wearing a military green sweater with a large pocket on the front. She's so very thin. The woman sits down finally at the table and glances around casually.

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: d10: Per+Alert: 7,2,5,5,8,4,

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: ((Subtract the last two for Ness, of course))

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: d10: Intelligence: 7,9,10,8,

Sadie Blackfoot: *Enters the pub.*

Ness: ((Arcane down unless stated))

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: His eyes scan over the bar, noting Erin...he gives her a brief smile. His eyes pass over Ness the first time, before catching her on the rebound. His eyes narrow just a little, remembering her, but he shows no other reaction. He looks back to Joe.

Sadie Blackfoot: Ebony hair so dark the highlights are violet frames a sharp face with high cheek bones. Her skin is fair, and eyes are a brilliant sapphire blue, underlain with the darkest of mysteries (animal magnetism). She moves like something feral, whether hunter or hunted it’s hard to say. Her blood calls to those who can recognize it (PB5). http://www.wodnyc.net/modules.php?name=coppermine&file=displayimagepopup&pid=440&fullsize=1

Joe Vellim: *Joe slides into the chair across from Aerin with the resolute air of someone making an uneasy decision. He pauses for a moment to untangle a wallet chain from plaid braces nearly brown with age and fading. Thick forearms settle on the table after a glance around.. cute ass on that one. He takes a moment and a drink before swiveling to face Aerin again.* Yeah, well... woykin'. *He rubs his nose with one thick finger, scratches the tape over one eye before he gestures toward Aerin with his chin.* Yew?

Sadie Blackfoot: d10: per + alert: 3,1,9,5,3,

Erin Madigan: She grabs the coke and walks over toward Aerin's table, helmet held under her free arm. As she moves, the cropped vest slips up over her midsection, revealing an emerald belly ring.

Ness: The watiress approaches the twenty seven year old with a swagger and a chippy greeting. Ness looks up at her with an odd and curious expression, wondering what the girl was on to be so happy and chipper. She liked it. "A taco plate and what is on tap, for me, tonight." She trips over her words a little, staring up at this stupidly happy woman.

Sadie Blackfoot: She takes a careful look around, but her eyes aren't adjusted to the change in light yet, as she moves through the room to find a seat.

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: d10: Per+Alert: 7,2,2,4,5,2,

Joe Vellim: *Once Aerin looks, Joe's bright eyes are drug to the side along with his stout, transferred again to his mouth as he swivels one eye toward Erin. Fekkin' Aerin... alla luck.. he knows the one wit da cute ass too, huh?* Figgahs... *he grumbles morosely.*

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: He looks up at Erin, pursing his lips. One other besides him was good. Two's going to get crowded. And then he sees Sadie. Oh, Christ. Three would be WAY too much. "Oh, you know, Joe." He shrugs a little bit. "Same old, same old me. Good as I ever am." A faint smirk at that, maybe a touch bitter.

Erin Madigan: "Hey Aerin," she smiles to him, sipping her drink, rocking back and forth on the heels of the boots.

Sadie Blackfoot: She settles into a chair, glad to be off her feet after working all night at the club, and waits for the waitress to get around to her.

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: "Hey, Erin." He nods to her. "Erin, this is my friend Joe Vellim. Joe, Erin Madigan." He sits back in his booth, leaning his head a little toward the hole in the wall.

Joe Vellim: Heyas cutie. Been tryin' ta geddim ta sheah deah... *One worn Doc Martin flicks out to nudge the other chair several inches toward the woman as he winks.* Mebbe yew could help, yeah? *He nods without looking toward Aerin's bottle.*

Ness: The waitress brings her plate of food and her mug of beer. The tall woman hands her money and a large tip, telling her, "Did you know that in China and other parts of eastern Asia, kittens are grown in bottles? As they grow they begin to take the shape of the bottle. The people stick little straws in the lids to pass food and water to kittens as they grow. In Japan, they're called Bonsai Kittens. You should see the pictures. The cats are all deformed and gross." She nods seriously to the waitress and then begins on her food.

Erin Madigan: "Nice to meet you Joe," she grins. "Me? Help?" she takes the chair offered, sets the drink down on the table and helmet on the floor before sitting down.

Sadie Blackfoot: When the waitress comes around she patiently listens to her spiel then orders just a cup of coffee, and nothing else.

Joe Vellim: *He raises his eyebrows a bit, watching with a strangely honest sort of ogle as the woman takes the seat. remembering himself, he looks around for a waitress.* 'Ey Katie- baby- gettin' kinda old ovah heah! *He raises his glass, then points to Aerin's bottle.

Joe Vellim: *He shrugs shoulders that bear a certain resemblace to boulders as "Katie", who's nametag says "Susan" casually flips him off.*

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: He smiles faintly to Erin and pulls a cigarette from the pack, putting it in his mouth, and picking up his lighter. He flicks it to life and pulls the ahstray closer to him, refilling his glass from the bottle of Chivas Regal.

Sadie Blackfoot: Ogling men, of course, are patently ignored unless they get pushy. She takes her coffee to go, paying cash. Then rises and heads to the door with it. ((Sorry, decided I'm not in a Sadie mood. *s* Gonna bring out someone a little friendlier.))

Ness: She sips her drink and watches the nearby television.

Erin Madigan: She watches Joe, waiting to see what it was he might have wanted her to help with. "How've you been Aerin?"

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: "So how are you, Erin?" He tilts his head, looking in her direction.

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: A little chuckle as the A/Erins ask almost the exact same question, word-for-word. "Same as ever. I'm here, alive, and fightin' the good fight. Even not losing one or two of them."

Erin Madigan: She laughs as they ask each other about the same time. "Been doing pretty good."

Joe Vellim: *He looks around between the two, bright eyes flicking from one to the other as he suddenly giggles- then waves them off.* ahem. Sahrry... *Apparently contrite he tilts the glass back until its empty.*

Ziahl: The door jingles as yet another night owl enters the pub.

Ness: She's starting to get bored. She looks around for a convenient victim of her amusement.

Ziahl: The light caught her features just so, and for a moment, there was no denying you were in the presence of something inexplicable: the archetype Nubian queen in NY. It was ludicrous of course. Material for a B comedy with Eddy Murphy as the sidekick. Still the mahogany skin looked like mocha cream silk, and those amber eyes, golden when the light touched them at just the right angle. Maybe you just imagined it. Her nose is straight and wide, a strong feature that somehow manages to fit nicely above full, thick lips which could only have been crafted by cupid. Her cheek bones are sculpted high above a strong jaw. Nobility has replaced delicacy in her features, and something about her simply breathes of strength and passion. (pic in gallery, last page)

Joe Vellim: *Only a touch bleary, Joe considers the woman across the room. hmmm... nnnnewp.. not one coyve...damn shame.. his attention is drawn to the waitress as she brings a beer and a bottle. He drops a short stack of bills, mostly ones, on her tray and winks.* Thanks Sweets. *He appears not to hear the returned* Susan. Learn to read asshole...

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: "It's all right Joe." He smiles a tiny bit to the man and takes a drag from his cigarette, exhaling the smoke into the air. The jukebox changes over to Three Door's Down's Here Without You. It's theme night on the jukebox, it seems, and Aerin's packed it.

Erin Madigan: She drinks a bit more of the Coke and offers to buy their next round of drinks, pulling out some money from a pocket of her vest and setting it out on the table.

Ziahl: She looks around as she makes her way through the bar, giving anyone who meets her eyes a friendly smile.

Ness: Her brown eyes fall on a group of rowdy men in the corner. She watches them quietly, a slow smile spreading across her lips.

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: Aerin shakes his head faintly and waves off Erin's offer. "Not speaking for Joe, Erin, but I'm set." He gestures to the mostly still-full bottle of Chivas. "If you need to buy me another one of those, a trip to the hospital for stomach-pumping will be next."

Ziahl: Settles at a table, amber eyes drifting towards the rowdy men in the corner. Smiles at them.

Erin Madigan: "Oh goodness now.....not hospital visits...." she laughs softly.

Erin Madigan: (now=no)

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: d10: Per+Alert: 6,2,7,9,2,5,

Joe Vellim: *Battered features are drawn to the side.. following the words of the music as he looks into the beer for a full minute, then pours a shot from the bottle. After a moment he clears a roughness from his throat, pours Erin a shot as well, and tinks his tiny glass against Aerin's bottle. He does not, however, look at the man. He clears his throat after swallowing.*

Ness: A small PSP is taken out from a pocket and set on the table. She covertly plugs earbuds into the machine and puts them on as if she is simply planning to listen to music. The machine powers on slowly.

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: He glances up at Ziahl, eyeing her apprasingly as she walks over to a table. Sizing her up, and hardly sexually. The man is ever-paranoid. Erin's comment draws his attention away from the black woman, though, and he smiles to her. "Sorry. I spent more then enough time with doctors last year. Not too keen on repeating in '06." A smirk lights his face, green eyes a tad bit dull.

Erin Madigan: She really shouldn't drink and she knows it, but it would be very rude not to take the shot. So she gulps it down.

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: He looks to Joe and nods a little bit, picking up the glass and emptying it before pouring himself another good, tall amount.

Ziahl: She notices the menu and picks it up, curiously flipping it open, tilting her head as she makes a grand discovery. THAT'S how you know how much something costs! The realization is followed by a brief flare of rage as she recalls the man last week that took ten dollars from her for coffee. Oh, she'll be going back there again.

Erin Madigan: "Don't blame you one bit. I hate doctors."

Ness: A cute little anime avatar flashes a smile on the screen, then a odd assortment of multicoloured numbers and pictures begin to scroll across the screen. Ness picks the machine up and starts pressing keys. ((Roll awareness if you got it and wanna.))

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: "Erin..." He takes another shot of his glass, and then a drag from his cigarette. "You couldn't POSSIBLY fathom how much I agree with that statement."

Ness: d10: Arete: 7,4,2,

Ziahl: Quite engrossed in the menu, she misses Aerin's look.

Joe Vellim: *a squirm... then another before he brightens and looks up at Erin.* Jes' getting stahted, babe. Sa stick aroun' we'll see what's what aftah dis one, huh? *He flicks a bratwurst sized finger against the bottle with a loud ping- his bravado clearly hiding a hollow pain somewhere behind eyes that struggle to laugh.* Jeezus... dat Juke went all Teary onme- scuze me. *He rises from his seat- movements suprisingly confident for such a broad man- his feet skate across the floor on his way toward the jukebox. Again the shade of grace colors his form... once, the man was clearly something rather grand on his feet.* YEW do dat Tom? *He blares at a man at the bar and points at the jukebox.* Balls aint dropped yet, huh? Don' wahrry- Cherie'll gibbem back aftah th' divorce, yeah? *He chuckles loudly and stops before the machine, quieting.*

Joe Vellim: d10: : 7,2,2,9,

Ziahl: Although her eyes do flash golden for an instant as she lifts her head.

Ziahl: Looks over at the burly man with a cat's grace when he gets loud with the bar tender.

Erin Madigan: She nods a few times. "Likely not but at least I can sure some of your strong dislike." She watches Joe with interest. When he's gone she whispers to Aerin. "Not a good night for him huh?"

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: As Joe makes his way over to the jukebox, Aerin's last choice of songs hits. Creed's My Own Prison.

Joe Vellim: *Suddenly the stout man spins around... no drunken reeling- it is swift and precise, as though he'd been smacked. Bright eyes narrow, hunting through faces as his attention slowly sifts through the crowd...*

Ness: She's just playing a video game, eating taco ships, drinking beer.

Ness: d10: Arete: 7,10,4,

Ziahl: Blinks as she watches his strange behavior, then looks slowly around too, then back at the odd man.

Joe Vellim: *One broad hand rises to rub against the back of his neck... an odd gesture.. not scratching an itch.. more the gesture of the chronically alone.. comforting themselves. His eyes remain sharp, hard... he keeps looking.*

Ziahl: Sniffs the air, trying to detect if something is amiss.

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: He leans over a little bit to Erin, voice going low.

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub] -> Erin Madigan: "It often is. He...we have a complex sort of friendship. Kind of hard to explain. He's a really good guy, and we like each other...I think he does, anyway. We're just...never quite comfortable around each other."

Ziahl: With a sort of idle grace, she rises from her seat and moves towards the juke box.

David Poe: * The boys ducks in from off the street with one last look over his shoulder before heading up to the bar. *

Ness: She fiddles around on the PSP, sewing concepts and ideas together like a seamstress.

Joe Vellim: *Slowly Creed slips past the sudden, edgy wariness... his hand drops to his pocket, where he digs for quarters.. he takes a moment longer watching Ziahl, face faintly accusatory.. measuring.. she doesn't look ~anything~ like dat guy in Dracula.. naaaaah.. he turns back around, determined that the next song will be "Bastards on Parade" by the Dropkick Murphys.*

Ness: d10: Arete: 3,5,7,

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub] -> Erin Madigan: ((is=isn't))

Ziahl: "Allo," she says as she moves close, and the man gives her a look.

Erin Madigan: She nods, then leans in and whispers back.

David Poe: * He takes a stool and looks over his options before settleing on Crown Royal. *

Erin Madigan -> Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: "Nah, it makes sense in a way. Just feel a little sad for him is all. But glad you two got what you have. I'm sure it helps."

Ravyn: One of the rowdy guys in the corner seems to take offense at what one of the others said, and he gets an angry glare on his face, shoving the other away from the table, onto the floor. "Motherfucker!"

David Poe: d10: Aware: 4,10,2,7,7,1,

Joe Vellim: *He gives Ziahl an upward nod, grumbling a single, phrase. Its edgy, but her beauty is not entirely ineffectual.* lemme see ya teef, gahgeous.

Ziahl: Looks towards the disturbance, frowning. She's had quite enough of bad tempers tonight already.

Ness: She sets the device down on the table and smiles gleefully! She watches the group excitedly, hoping for a show.

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: d10: Per+Alert: 3,6,4,2,4,4,

Ziahl: d10: g: 9,10,6,6,6,5,3,

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: He seems about to say something, but then he glances over, frowning deeply at the bar fight about to start.

Ziahl -> Ravyn: (burning a gnosis, effect is aimed at the men who are arguing) Spirits of Laughter (1) burn 1 gn; roll gn. For each sux one remark will cause everyone to laugh merrily. Dif:6(friends), 7(strangers), 9(enemies).

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: ((Wyv, I dunno what you've done, but the Die Roller is your bitch now, not mine! I want her back!))

Erin Madigan: She looks the direction Erin does, and she sighs, not happy about it either.

Erin Madigan: Aerin even))

David Poe: * While waiting for his shooter the boy glances up and over to the table. Ah well, one drink and I am out of here I guess. *

Ravyn -> Ziahl: ((Laugh Merrily? But will their mood acutally change? And is there any resistance to it?))

Joe Vellim: *Joe looks away from Ziahl as well, spreading his arms.* Dutch yew ignan't bahstahd! *apparently directed toward the rowdy corner.*

Ravyn: ((Another Awareness roll allowed, Aware-types))

Ziahl: A slow blink and she looks away from the brawl and at the man again. "Tief?"

Joe Vellim: d10: : 8,6,6,4,

David Poe: d10: Aware: 8,1,2,4,7,6,

Ravyn -> Joe Vellim: Ziahl just did something funky.

Ravyn -> David Poe: Someone at the jukebox just did something funky.

Ziahl -> Ravyn: ((I think so, double checking the book))

Ziahl -> Ravyn: The book says: This gift allows the Midnight Sun to invoke Laughter-spirits which make everyting seem funny.

Joe Vellim: *His eyes narrow as he sliiiides one foot back.. a grimace as he ponders actually hitting a female.. ah well... dem vampiah's is bad news, dame or not. His fingers sink into his pockets, feeling the cold brass therein. He states it again for the comely black woman- beauty forgotten, she's an enemy framed in dangerous blue eyes.* Yah mudda fukkin teef..

Ziahl -> Ravyn: ((No resistance roll is stated))

Ziahl: "I don't understand what you want," she says, tilting her head. Is he cussing at her? Perhaps its slang for money. *Blinks* He's mugging her?

Ness: She leans back on the chair, proud of her work for the day.

David Poe: * His eyes slowly take in the room, but then the shot is infront of him and he puts it down. Then he looks too the door again. *

Ravyn -> Ziahl: And is it literally everyone? And any statement? Does Ziahl get to pick and choose?

Ravyn: ((Guys, gimme a second here. Getting clarification on a gift being used.))

Ziahl -> Ravyn: I think the implication is that it's an area affect. The book isn't all that specific though. It's your call. What I gave you pretty much sums up all it says.

Joe Vellim: *Brawl ignored... she could be heah ta shadow Aerin.. get ta Eeda.. dat's what dem bahstahds do, yeah? He continues to try to work himself around deep seated chivalry... hit a girl...?* Ya tellin' me... you don' know what fekkin teef ah, yeah? Ya stupit? Ya eidah gahnna open ya mouf... an' show me dem teef, ah its gahnna be a moot point anyhow, get me? Don' wanna hidda goyl if'n ah don' hafta..

Ziahl -> Ravyn: (The only thing I left out was: A mockingbird spirit teaches this gift.)

Ravyn -> Ziahl: ((Just checked with Ashton...he's saying area effect, but a WP roll vs. 7 is being allowed to resist this gift.))

Ravyn -> Ziahl: ((Ashton & Uktena both, rather. Checked with them since I don't know Mokole worth crud. :) ))

Ziahl -> Ravyn: (Thanks, I'll not that on my sheet.)

Ravyn: ((Okay, everyone gets a WP roll vs. 7 to resist the gift. If you fail, you find yourself laughing giddily at Ziahl's next 2 statements. Assuming no one here is a friend of Ziahl, 2 succ are needed, if you are a friend, meaning you know and are friendly-inclined, 5 are needed.))

Joe Vellim: d10: : 1,8,8,4,

Ziahl: Studies the man, trying to work around his accents. Mouf? Mouth? Teeth? "You want to see my teeth?" She can't have it right. Why would anyone want to look at her teeth?

Ravyn: d10: Aggressive guy WP: 5,3,7,4,

Ravyn: d10: Pushed guy WP: 3,7,3,

Erin Madigan: d10: : 4,5,9,6,9,

Ness: d10: Willpower: 9,9,9,6,3,

Ravyn: d10: Other Guy WP: 4,6,8,

David Poe: d10: WP: 4,8,1,5,7,

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: d10: WP: 3,9,5,7,4,4,

Ravyn: ((Proceed. Thanks for patience, guys.))

Joe Vellim: *While nodding at Ziahl, the man laughs like he looks.. open, honest, no guile at all- and none too pretty.*

Ravyn: The three guys who were just getting aggressive and rowdy happen to overhear Ziahl's comment, and start busting up. Apparently, they find her incredibly amusing. Even over Creed's self-hating lyrics.

Ness: Ness frowns and whispers to herself. "What the fuck?"

Joe Vellim: ((uh... provided he can nod, that is.))

Ziahl: Grins as the mood in the room starts to lift. "Are you a dentist?"

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: He quirks a faint grin as he looks around, eyebrow raised. The laughing, he finds amusing, if a bit odd.

David Poe: * He gets about halfway to the door and then starts to chuckle. *

Erin Madigan: She blinks a bit surprised at the sudden change of the rowdies, glancing over to Aerin for a moment, even he is laughing. She's not.

Ravyn: ((Yes, he can nod. Figure like you're on laughing gas.))

David Poe: * And then he is gone. *

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: Oh, he's not laughing. He's just...well, laughter is contagious. He does look oddly concerned. She's not that funny.

Ness: "But..." She glances around the room, and then back at the previous rowdy crowd, then around the room again. "Doubyateeeff!" She slumps down in her chair quietly.

Erin Madigan: ((oops...grinning then :) ))

Ravyn: "Is he a DENTIST!!!" The guy who's still on the floor breaks into peals of giggles. His two compatiroits fall back into their chairs, holding their sides alughing.

Ness: d10: Per + Alert: 5,6,6,2,

Ziahl: Glances at Ness when she says something about teef as well, and runs a finger across her front teeth.

Joe Vellim: *His eyes widen as he opens his mouth to blare more raucous laughter- for a moment his thick fingers- now graced with a gleaming set of brass knuckles- clutch at his throat- the other hand reaching for the woman... it too ridden by a matching set of the ugly weapons. Warm... if she's warm.. she aint no bloodsuckah.. Jeezus an' Mahry.. be wahm.. its like a mantra as he tries to touch Ziahl.*

Ness: This is fucked up, and it wasn't even her fault! Ness hits a button on her PSP that's still sitting on the table, initiating an area concept scan.

Ravyn: The guy on the floor staggers to his feet, slipping into the booth, still giggling. The others slap knees and cackle.

Ness: d10: Arete: 2,2,4,

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: "Okay...that was just fucked up."

Ravyn: ((Awareness roll))

Erin Madigan: Erin nods. "Way fucked up....." definitely agreeing.

Joe Vellim: d10: : 3,9,8,2,

Ziahl: Her eyes follow the hand that's reaching for her, and she suddenly takes a step back as she eyes his 'jewelry'.

Ravyn -> Joe Vellim: Someone in the vicinity of Ness's table just did something.

Ravyn -> Ness: Fading affect around Ziahl. Primal, very dynamic. Ancient.

Ness: Ness suddenly looks up from the device's screen and glares straight at Ziahl. She's damn angry.

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: His eyes flick from the guys in the bar, to Ness, to Ziahl. Back to Ness. He KNOWS she's done stuff before. Mental stuff. "I'll be right back," he mutters to Erin, rising from his chair and stalking straight toward Ness.

Erin Madigan: She stays where she's at, trusting his judgement on this, watching carefully.

Ziahl: d10: per + alert: 9,7,5,6,10,3,

Ziahl: Catches Ness' angry look in the corner of her eye.

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: On the way over, he focuses, calling on his ability to be more persuasive.

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: d10: Persuasion: 4,9,4,4,9,1,7,

Ravyn: ((And another Awareness roll. WHEE!))

Ness: She begins to stand up from her chair, rising up to her full six foot height. She's abnormally thin in her loose green sweater.

Joe Vellim: *His features grows hard and cold as he turns his face toward Ness' table..*

Joe Vellim: d10: : 4,4,7,3,

Ziahl: When the man with the scary jewelry turns away, she too looks towards Ness.

Joe Vellim: *Ah, shit... how many of'em are here... he holds off on Ziahl- beating a woman to death- vampire or not- is reinforced with his assumption of their number in the place.. he begins to edge toward the door quickly- but doesn't leave Aerin behind.* Look- we gahtta go. Deah heah, damnit!

Ravyn -> Joe Vellim: ((More funky, source intederminate. *G*))

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: "Sit. Down." He glares directly at Ness, stopping right in front of her. Not looking happy at all. "NOW." ((Intim roll coming))

Ness: d10: Willpower: 4,3,7,2,9,

Joe Vellim: ((edit: vampire or not, turns his stomach- turns him from that course. Its reinforced with his..))

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: d10: Manip+Intimid (WP): 9,7,8,5,

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: ((Diff 5 due to Persuasion, any successes are super-duper effective per gift.))

Ziahl: Looks all around, then back at Joe and then at Ness. Who is hear?

Ziahl: ((er, here))

Ness: She slowly sits back down again, suddenly scared for her life.

Ziahl: Looks at Aerin who is suddenly scarier than brass knuckles man.

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: He leans in close to Ness, his expression hard and cold, the true image of the badass enforcer. It appears that the man's bodyguard experience and trench coat look suit him tonight. He mutters in her ear, lips inches from it.

Ziahl: Glances towards the door.

Ziahl: Edges closer to the door.

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub] -> Ness: "What did I tell you last time I caught you pulling shit, Nes? Do you remember?" It's cold, almost an emotionless purr.

Joe Vellim: *Aerin's sudden shift in demeanor bring him up short.. he looks to Ness again, his eyes shifting across her face. So, two. Right here, in goddamn O'Malleys..*

Ziahl: Looks over at Joe who seems to be guarding the exit and feels her rage start to simmer.

Ness: "No?" She says and she sinks down in the chair, wondering if he's going to kill her in front of all these people. Everyone had been so happy too...

Ziahl: ((*L*@Ness! Oh, so NOW she's wishing everyone was happy again. *thumps*))

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub] -> Ness: "One chance. I said you had one. Single. Warning. And now, you didn't just fuck with people's minds. You ruined my perfectly good drinking opportunity. Give me your little mind-altering toy."

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: He mutters something back to Ness, pausing after to shoot a quick glance toward the door, and Ziahl and Joe there.

Ness: "You shouldn't touch it. It'll mess with you." She lies up at the scary primal and brutishly long haired man above her. She sinks farther down in the chair. ((Rolling to lie.))

Ness: d10: Manip + Sub (WP): 1,2,1,9,

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: d10: Per+Subterfuge: 3,9,3,7,9,8,2,

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: ((Poor Ness. Lying and Empathy are Aerin's Specialties! Except around Ita))

Joe Vellim: ((Joe stopped away from the door. He's been waiting for Aerin to respond to him. He hasn't so Joe is lingering and watching.))

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: ((Whoops. Sorry. So just Ziahl at the door.))

Erin Madigan: Erin just watches the table where Aerin is quietly and with keen interest.

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: He smirks a little bit, easily noticing the tremor in Ness's voice. He brings his hand up, murmuring once more.

Ziahl: (Is not at the door, but moved closer to it, just in case a hasty exit was called for.)

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub] -> Ness: "Don't fuck with me, little girl. The toy, or your ribcage. One of them is leaving with me. I dont. Care. Which." And damn if it doesn't sound as if he means it.

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: ((Ahh, hell, he's just lookin' at the door, then. *L*))

Ravyn: ((Killing this nick, I don't think it's needed anymore))

Ziahl: ((Thanks Rav!))

Ness: She's virtually sitting on her back in the chair now, tears forming in her eyes. That was a direct threat. She was in danger. Escape or perish. Escape or perish. Escape or PERISH! She takes the ear buds from her ears and begins to hand the little device over to the bigger man. As she's passing it over her thump slides along the buttons quickly, holding them all down.

Joe Vellim: *murmured* fuckah yew doin...?

Ness: d10: Arete (WP): 5,8,6,

Joe Vellim: *Bright eyes swivel to the... what.. PDF? Ona dem classy computah thingys? Comeon..*

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: ((......ow.))

Erin Madigan: Continues to keep watching, actually standing up some so she can see better what's going on.

Joe Vellim: d10: : 3,3,7,6,

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: ((Ooh. Awareness.))

Joe Vellim: *His hand whips up to scratch the back of his neck, and lingers to rub.* aaaaaaah what the FUCK!

Ziahl: Looking confused, feeling edgy, her rage close now, as she watches events unfold.

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: And out of nowhere, the PSP emits a charge of static electricity, blasting Aerin and FRYING him. He flies back a good six feet, twitching and smoking, as he falls to the ground, BADLY electrocuted. ((6 AGG))

Ziahl: THAT sets her off! She literally EXPLODES into war form!

Erin Madigan: "FUCK!" She's a bit afraid to go running to Aerin at this point, but looks scared for him too as she watches him go flying and smoking, dropping to the ground.

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: d10: Paradox: 7,6,9,1,2,8,

Ness: She sits up again, looking down with a sneer at the guy a few feet away on the ground. "I guess I wasn't lying..." Her voice is gravelly and rough.

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: ((Actually, check that Paradox, my bad. It is conceivable, so I'm calling it Coincidential. Sorry, brain-farted.))

Joe Vellim: ((alright- pause please.))

Ziahl: Double take if you must, but you still see a dragon. And if you've ever dreamed of dragons, this one came from your worst night mare. Her heavily armored body sports keeled scales that form sharp blades and spines. The beast is fully the size of two mastodons, thirty feet long from nose to tail with great leathery wings tipped with fingered spines that are tucked between two ridges of sharp, bladelike scales. The long sinuous neck sports a crest of articulate spines that rise and fall revealing blood red webbing, a flag of sorts that does little more than add to the ferocious countenance of the great beast. The long tail lashes like an angry cat's and looks heavy enough to knock down a draft horse. Eyes as big as your head are golden orbs split with vertical pupils in a body banded in black yellow blue and red. The maw bristles with dagger-like teeth. She is the perfect portrait of delirium.

Joe Vellim: ((nevermind- forgot ST's are here.*LOL*))

Ziahl: ((pauses))

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: ((I think we call this...INITIATIVE, folks. Keeping this nick to be ST-ish, just taking my ST color. Aerin's OUT of the fight for now.))

Ness: d10: Init plus six: 9,

Ziahl: d10: init: 5,

Joe Vellim: ((Holding action, discussing with ST))

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: d10: Rowdy Trio Init: 2,

Ziahl: ((11))

Ziahl -> Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: (Dragon Masque puts all at -1 wp on the delirium chart)

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: ((Rowdy Trio goes on 5. Yay, Rowdy Trio))

Ness: ((15))

Erin Madigan: d10: init: 5,

Erin Madigan: ((11))

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: ((Joe, still roll Initiative, just so we know where you go in.))

Joe Vellim: *Somewhere deep, beneath morphine and alcohol, Joe proves his worth in a single, blinding moment. From youth he'd known he was different. Posessed a bravery others rarely matched. Run? Nope. The bullish little irishman apparently posesses pluck in spades- buddy down? Well, obviously its time for Sir George to slay the Dragon! With a nearly feral roar the little man throws himself bodily at Ziahl's war form.* ((ST ruling, Joe's WP=4. That equals Berserk reaction to Delerium.))

Joe Vellim: d10: : 5,

Joe Vellim: ((8))

Joe Vellim: ((sorry- thought you guys already went by now.))

Erin Madigan: ((*lol* Joe!))

Ziahl -> Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: ((And just so you know, Thorny Devil- 2 Agg to anyone that strikes her with their own body parts, as opposed to a weapon))

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: ((StreamLined Combat, Declare and roll, Declare in reverse order, then I recap at the end. Init Order: Rowdy Trio, Joe, Erin & Ziahl, Ness. All mortals (Trio & Joe) are at -1 WP on the Delirium Chart for Ziahl.)) Which means that the Rowdy Trio are all high-tailing it toward the bathroom, panicked.

Ziahl: ((Thinks her shift might have squished a few people between her and the walls and various furniture. *c*))

Joe Vellim: *Its big and Scaly, and getting punched. Good thing he brought his...brass knuckles?*

Ziahl: ((*L* Oh yeah, that's gonna help!))

Joe Vellim: d10: punch: 8,2,10,8,3,10,

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: ((Ziahl & Erin's actions. Will roll Damages after the fact, to avoid rerolls in cases of dodges and the like.))

Joe Vellim: ((Good Right Hook: +2 dam pool. knucks, +1. +2 sux for 9 dice))

Joe Vellim: ((oh- whoops))

Ziahl: (splitting actions) She quite simply lifts a massive taloned foot with the intention of stepping on Joe, that long neck snaking out to snap at Ness.

Erin Madigan: Erin may look small and plucky, but the girl is strong and dexterous. Her first concern now in this is Aerin. She moves as fast as she can to grab him and pull him away and to safety. ((What would you like me to roll for that?))

Ziahl -> Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: Has 5 dice, I roll 5 and 4, or is it 4 and 3 to split?

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub] -> Ziahl: ((If your die pool is 5, then it's 3 and 2. Subtract total # of actions from first die pool, and one more from each one.))

Ziahl: (first action - squish Joe)

Ziahl: d10: : 9,3,5,

Ziahl: d10: Bite Ness: 7,8,

Ziahl: (And by bite, I mean grab her in her teeth and not let go.)

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: ((Roll a Dex+Athletics, Erin.))

Erin Madigan: d10: : 1,7,9,6,3,7,

Ness: Ness' eyes go wide while she is taking in the dragon. She pitches herself to try and remember exactly which world she logged into this morning. Is the goal of the game to defeat the dragon or to save the princess? Maybe it's simply to run away. Her hand quickly reaches toward her green parka on the chair beside her, pulling it close. She was going to wait to see what the other players do first and then follow along. She notes that Joe is attacking it, and considering the size of the dragon it may be better to let higher level fighters handle this situation. The risk associated with this sort of special event has been described in detail in several online articles, and they concluded that teaming along with high level players can be a valuable learning experience. She decides to step back with her things to find a good corner to hide in. ((Dodge: backing up and heading for cover.))

Ness: d10: Dodge: 3,9,6,8,

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: ((Hold for one moment, guys...Joe's WP and Delirium result is being called into Question due to Ziahl's Dragon Masque Form.))

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: ((EDIT: Joe's WP is 4, so his effective WP for Ziahl is 3. He is in Disbelief: The human refuses to accept what he sees, and he will likely retreat to a corner and stare at the "hallucination" until it passes. Based on that, Joe...restate your action, please. *S*))

Joe Vellim: ((awwwwwuh. DL2P))*Disbelief sweeps across Joe's face. He stands still, staring..*

Joe Vellim: ((Will begin retreating next move? sound right?))

Ziahl: ((If he doesn't come after her, then he doesn't require immediate squishing. Can I dlp too?))

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: ((Sure, guys. Sorry about this. I had thought the WP of 4 had INCLUDED the -1. :P))

Ness: ((Then dlp as well. We'll do this.))

Ziahl: No split with only one target, she tries to get Ness in her teeth.

Erin Madigan: ((And that was my fault...I didn't even consider that after I saw the post of that -1 and forgot to factor it in on the reaction))

Ziahl: d10: Chomp!: 6,6,2,4,10,

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: RECAP: NESS successfully dodges ZIAHL-MONSTER'S bite attack; ERIN pulls the smoking AERIN away from the scene...which is probably good, he was right in ZIAHL-MONSTER'S path toward NESS. JOE stares in disbelief...the three JERKY BOYS scatter to the bathroom, shrieking. Gods know what happened to the bartender, he's probably hiding behind the bar right now. Smells like pee back there, for those sniffing.

Ziahl: Fortunately she has a very long neck and doesn't have to trample the place.

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: AERIN...smokes. And not the way he usually does.

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: ((New Round: Initiative Order is Joe, Erin & Ziahl, Ness))

Ziahl -> Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: Her neck is 10 ft. long. Huge Size 1 (+28 ft. long) Wings (Can fly 20mph for 1 hr./Sta Thorny Devil (2 Agg to strike bare-handed) Long Neck (ST call on perception bonus, plus can bite at a distance) Dragon Masque (1 extra die to induce fear; -1 dif social roles involving reptiles. Opponents are -1 wp on delirium chart). Binocular Vision (-2 dif for sight related tasks)

Joe Vellim: *Goddamn O'Malley.. gettin' new drugs in 'is booze... dint even tell 'is old buddy? Joe's kickin' his ass- he's decided. Damn confusing though.. that good lookin' black lady suddenly looks lika... wha.. dragon? Sheeeeeit. Vampiah uh naht, Joe backs toward a corner, watching.. just feh now. Aftah th' acid wears off, den we see what's what..*

Ziahl: Her massive tail sweeps furniture aside as the sinuous neck stretches to seek out her prey like a snake striking at a mouse.

Ziahl: d10: Snap at Ness: 9,3,5,5,6,

Ziahl: Joe is getting that look at her teeth that he wanted.

Erin Madigan: Erin's going to keep getting Aerin in any direction of safety as she can at this point, the farther away from the dragon the better.

Erin Madigan: d10: dex + ath: 8,1,5,2,8,9,

Ness: She runs out of range of the creature, or tries to. Once she is out of range of the creature, she will have time to prepare for the ultimate battle. She will dig into her parka and pull out her glasses case, slipping the rose-tinted lens on over her brown eyes. Expensive brown gloveswill be slipped on as well, and the parka can be dropped on the ground. The fights between heroes and dragons are epic, and deserves epic poses. She'll pose something fierce; She's a thin wiry stick figure of doom! ((Dodge with a WP, and a Dex + Ath to get on her battle gear at the same time.))

Ness: d10: Dodge + Dex (WP): 2,4,

Ness: (damn...)

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: ((You can roll the Dex+Ath if you want still, Ness.))

Ness: ((Nah, I can't. Just realized she doesn't have enough dice for that in the "real world".))

Joe Vellim: *Wiehd... when he covers one eye, it sorta looks like Aerin's on fire. Wow... that's some baaaaaad acid.*

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: ((Ahh, okie.))

Ziahl -> Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: ((Has 10 damage dice for bite, but she's not going to try to kill Ness. She'll crunch her good if the roll his high, seeking to incapacitate, but will hold back completely crushing her to goo.))

Ziahl -> Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: ((Oh, make that 11 dice with the one sux to grab her))

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: RECAP: The ZIAHL-MONSTER snaps down on Ness (Str+1 Damage). ERIN gets AERIN further out of the way, JOE backs up and thinks he's on bad acid.

Ziahl: d10: damage: 3,8,2,5,2,3,8,4,5,5,7,

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub] -> Ziahl: ((Always take off 1 success of the hit successes when calculating damage. Ness dodged on, so she only got 1 succ to hit.))

Ziahl -> Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: (str +3 in archid form)

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub] -> Ziahl: ((Gotcha.))

Ziahl: (rerolling, wrong number of dice)

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: NESS is a lucky little mageling and only takes 3 Agg.

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: ((Or not.))

Ness: She cries out in pain, clutching her parka desperately as she's grasped by slimy teeth, losing some of her desperately needed flesh. She doesn't have much to begin with.

Ziahl: (Or you want to just drop the last die? Which might be better for Ness.)

Ness: (nodmod)

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: ((Let's go with that. I'm flexible. Ask my wife. 2 Agg, Ness.))

Ziahl: And is holding Ness in her jaws. (str 7)

Ness: ((How is she holding her? It's important.))

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: d10: Initative plus one: 6,

Ziahl: (with only one sux I'd say Ness is probably dangling with maybe her head and a shoulder inside the dragon, looks at ST to okay that)

Ness: ((Her head?!))

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: ((That works for me.))

Ziahl: ((She was upright when Z snapped at her. So the teeth would be buried across her back and chest?))

Ziahl: ((Z has a very large maw. *g* Could probably swallow a human whole if she tried.))

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: ((Correct, Ziahl. Not held around the neck...held from like left/right Shoulder to the opposite mid-arm. Ness can still breath and all, she's just like a lion-tamer with her head in the lion. Only a Dragon-Tamer. Who's Dragon isn't very tame. So Ness still has access of her arms, one from the elbow down, the other fully, and both of her legs. And thus access to her PSP.))

Ziahl: ((If she can concentrate like that, is another matter. *L*))

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: AERIN groans a little bit, and the lights flutter back on. It appears he's...SOMEWHAT active this next round. ((Aerin was stunned by the 6 agg, gave him two rounds because of the amount and because it was agg, rather then the standard 1))

Ness: ((Her PSP blew up.))

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: ((New Round. Init order is Aerin, Joe, Ziahl, Erin, Ness.)) Aerin shakes his head woozily...WHOA, DRAGON. First thought...he's fucked up. Help self. ((Rage spend to ignore Wound Penalties))

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: ((I thought it just emitted the static charge, didn't actually EXPLODE.))

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: d10: Luna&#;s Armor: 9,2,6,

Ziahl: The errant human who dared attack someone in her presence gets shaken like a rag doll, as she tightens her grip.

Joe Vellim: *How long does this stuff last again? Suddenly Joe scowls, pointing at the bar and shouting* O'Malley! Ah can't see yew, cause uh yeh stuff- but Ah'm naht drinkin' heah evah again! On accountah dat yeh a deGENerate BAHstahd! Yew heah me? Soonas dis' fine lookin' black lady aint a fekkin' DRAGON no moah, Ah'm kickin' yeh invisible ass! *He continues to point at the empty bar for a moment, nodding once satisfied with his tirade.*

Ziahl: d10: shake like a ragdoll: 2,5,2,1,4,

Ziahl: Ooops Ness goes flying!

Ziahl: Maybe she should have held on tighter.

Ziahl: (or should I roll str to hang on? Last roll was dex + ath for shaking her)

Erin Madigan: Erin stays close to Aerin at this point unless he's crazy enough to try and move toward the dragon. (Holding action)

Ness: ((I just reread all the posts. You're right. I guess I had a different image in my head than what I typed.)) She presses all the buttons down again franticly. A panic command? Damn right! She clings desperately to the little device, not letting go. This happens before the beast lets her go.

Ness: d10: Arete (WP): 2,6,6,

Ness: ((Same effect))

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: ((Naah. Ya dropped her, Ziahl. *G*))

Ziahl: ((She's gonna bounce off the wall. *g* Want a str roll for bashing?))

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: RECAP: NESS blasts off another electric charge, zapping the living CRAP out of ZIAHL-MONSTER, which causes her to lose her grip on NESS ((Soak 6 Agg, Ziahl)). ERIN stays close to the woozy, singed AERIN, who gets a bit Soak-ier. JOE is yelling at no one.

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: ((Nope. Ness acted before you, so it logistically makes sense that the electric shock simply made Ziahl spasmodically jerk back, jaws opening to let go. Your botch, not Ness's. *S*))

Ziahl: d10: soak: 2,7,3,6,2,

Ziahl: ((forgot Ness was first)) The dragon ROARS!

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: ((New Round with Wound Penalties in effect: Order, Aerin, Joe, Ziahl, Erin, Ness.))

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: Aerin pulls out his Glock, raising it with a shaking, twitching hand. Either Ness or Ziahl come near him or Erin, he won't do much, but he'll...shoot. Maybe hit. Maybe. ((Just drawing weapon this round.))

Ziahl: d10: (wp) Snap!: 2,6,9,

Ziahl: (Burning rage for next round, if it doesn't count as an action.)

Joe Vellim: *Did he remember to shave? Joe raises one hand to check his cheek. Sooner or later the dragon will go away.. even old guys have to look their best before throwing down game- I mean, comeon...*

Ziahl: ((*L*@Joe!))

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: ((Burning Rage is reflexive, and the action applies to the Current round, unlike Celerity. Balances out 1 Rage = 1 extar Action vs. 1 BP = 1-5 extra actions.))

Ziahl: ((kk, burns it))

Erin Madigan: Erin, seeing what Aerin's doing figures it might be a damn good idea, reaches behind her and pulls out a Baretta, just drawing it for added protection, keeping it raised as well if anyone goes near them.

Ness: She's bleeding profusely from her back and chest, soaking her nice green sweater in more blood than the time Mr Rogers went crazy and killed all his puppets. She's going to try and get off a blast before the dragon kills her completely. She holds the buttons down again one last time. This is her only chance, because she fails, well, then she's dead. ((Her Last WP on this Effect. This is her Second Last Quint.))

Ness: d10: Arete (WP): 3,2,7,

Ness: ((Damn.))

Ziahl: (waits for damage before taking the rage action in case penalties go up)

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: RECAP: NESS gets her shock blast off, Zapping the fuck out of Ziahl again ((4 Agg)), and Ziahl Snaps around Ness ((Bite Damage +2)). Both A/ERIN's both pull out guns, and JOE checks his Five O'Clock Shadow.

Ziahl: d10: Chomp!: 9,5,5,4,7,8,8,1,7,1,

Ziahl: d10: soak: 5,5,2,

Ziahl: (penalties count for soak?)

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: ((Die Penalties don't could on Reflexives, Ziahl. Roll 2 more dice for soak.))

Ziahl: d10: more soak: 4,3,

Ziahl: Damn.

Ness: ((It was either me or you, gal. Good game.))

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: ((Checking ONE thing...one sec.))

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: ZIAHL falls to the ground with the last zap, brought down and Incapacitated by Ness's PSP of Doom. Ness is fucked up, but still alive.

Ziahl -> Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: Dead?

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub] -> Ziahl: ((Nope. Huge Size gives you an Extra Health Level, so you have 8 HL. You took 8 Agg.))

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: And ZIAHL reverts back to her Breed Form. Smoking and singed.

Ziahl -> Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: (Oh, I forgot about that! Yay!)

Ziahl: Shrinks down to a teensie weenie little 10 foot long smoking crocodile.

Erin Madigan: ((*lol* awwwww...aint it cute))

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: ((Is anyone planning on being offensively combative this Round? Post no or yes))

Ness: She looks down at the monster, stunned. Red blotchs are slowly spreading across the green of her sweater. Her dark brown eyes take in its form and grace curiously. She glances over at the other people still in the place, who are pointing guns at her.

Ness: ((no))

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: ((No))

Ziahl: (no)

Joe Vellim: ((no))

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: ((COMBAT OVER! Dropping ST Color))

Erin Madigan: Erin's not letting go of her gun until it looks like the coast is clear. The gun stays ready and aimed toward the last one standing...the one who hurt Aerin.

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: ((Unless Erin does something. KNEW I missed One.))

Joe Vellim: *He shakes himself for a moment... leveraging himself away from the wall. Dozed off? well.. wouldn't be the first time.. he looks to Ness.. Aerin.. apparently she's no longer making with the creepy... and Aerin caught on fire?*

Ness: The stick figure standing among the smoke and the dim lights of the pub, breathing shakily.

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: He keeps the gun leveled at Ness, as much as his hand is shaking. Staring a hole through her. "Walk. Out the fucking door. If I ever see you again, Nes...I WILL KILL YOU."

Ziahl: It smells like there's been a barbecue.

Erin Madigan: And if his hand is shaking, Erin's isn't. She won't hestitate to shoot if he does.

Joe Vellim: *The crocodile takes longer. A bit of staring, moving his silent mouth.. Right- kill her. Dude... crocodile? Over here.*

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: His voice is coming out raw and scorched, and he coughs up some blood as he talks. Man probably can't even see straight. But dammit if he doesn't mean it.

Joe Vellim: d10: wp: 8,3,5,10,

Ness: She seems frozen, trying to make sense of the pain she's feeling, the smoke around her, and the intense sense of accomplishmentshe has. ((Asking for willpower back since she just achieved something fantasic all on her own.))

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: ((I'll grant that, Miss Loner. *S*))

Ness: She takes a deep breath and sits down at her table again. She brings out a cellphone and dials 911. "Operator? I'm dying and require medical attention."

Joe Vellim: *There ~were~ people... he's sure of it. They've been replaced by a large reptile- an idea he doesn't delve too deeply into. Amidst the confusion one thing remains certain- New Yorkers are like rats- if they ran away, it was for a damn good reason... therefore, best if he and Captain Crispy skee- daddled too. Gingerly, he steps around the Crocodile to come to Aerin across the room.* Wegahttago. Wuh yew on fiah uh summat? *he waves a hand* nevahmind- need help?

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: "I said.." Cough cough. Racking coughs. He tries to yell at Ness, but it's too much...he doubles over. "Erin...get me.." Cough. "Out..." Cough, cough, cough. "Here..."

Ziahl -> Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: ((Hey, don't leave the smoking croc behind! *L* She saved yer butt!))

Erin Madigan: She puts the gun back into coat pocket now and puls an arm around Aerin, trying to keep him up. "I can get you back to someone who can take care of you...just not on my bike...." and that reminds her of that helmet on the table. She's got to get that too our she'll get in trouble for losing it.

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub] -> Ziahl: ((I know! Trying to think of a way a human who just suffered Delirium, a Kinfolk, and a Crippled Garou are gonna drag a 10' long crocodile out of a bar! :) ))

Ziahl -> Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: ((*LOL* Roll her up in table cloths.))

Ziahl -> Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: ((Steve Irwin could do it!))

Ness: She glances over toward the A/Erins with a frown as she gives the address of the place to the lady on the other side of the connection.

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: "Lizard...thing..." He points at it as he tries to struggle to his feet. Whoa, woozy. Muscles twitching from electircal residue. "Gotta get..." *Cough* "Veil...fuck."

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub] -> Ness: The woman on the other side asks what happened.

Ness: "It will be taken care of, sir. Go away." She tells Aerin.

Erin Madigan: "I know..." she sighs. There's no way she could even drag the thing out. "Animal services...." Dragging him along with her, grabbing the helmet as she passes the table. "Gonna have to get you on my bike I think before the fucking police get here."

Ness: "It's hard to describe," she tells the person on the phone, "But please get here as fast as possible. I'm losing a lot of blood."

Ziahl -> Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: She has to be in non birth form to heal right?

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: He spits a loogie of blood on the floor and glares at Ness, clear enough to talk. "I'm serious. I see you again. I'll kill you." More coughs, as he's drug out.

Joe Vellim: *Joe settles his hands on his hips... taking a step back and looking around... slowly it sinks in.. why was he hanging around? O'Malley's got a fire escape.. a glance at Aerin, Ness, and Erin.. and he sidles quickly for the back door.*

Ness: "Sir, I did warn you. This is your fault." She covers up the mic as she talks.

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: "WAIT!" He pauses and makes a limping drag back inside, limping his way to the crocodile. He drops to his knees nearby it, a hand coming to press against it.

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: ((WP to ignore Wound Penalties for the round))

Erin Madigan: She keeps going on out the door and over to her bike. Damn the one night she decides to not take the SUV out. Then again, she'd get in trouble for all the blood she'd get in it likely. "Aerin, think you can hold on to me on the bike?"

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub] -> Ness: They'll be there soon.

Erin Madigan: ((oops...okay...dlp))

Ness: "Why not simply wait for the ambulance?" She asks the two.

Ness: "Thank you," She says into the phone.

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: d10: Mothers Touch: 7,9,10,6,3,7,

Joe Vellim: *Solid boots clang quietly against the fire escape. One building over, then one south- around here they're close enough to go from one to another with relative ease..*

Ziahl: ((Bows to the all mighty dice bot.))

Ziahl -> Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: (rage is 4)

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: And NOW he allows himself to be drug away, as Ziahl stops smoking.

Ziahl -> Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: ((how many sux was that? Is it dif= rage + 3?))

Erin Madigan: She starts back outside with him, going to the bike. "Can you hold on to me to get us a little away from here? Or do we try and stumble away to a back alleyway or something while I go get help?"

Ziahl: The crocodile stirs and parts its jaws, letting out a long low hisss.

Joe Vellim: clomp- Joe impacts the ground just outside of the subway station a block over from O'Malleys. He gets only a few wierd looks from whinos after climbing down the fire escape.. Getting here lower, street level, and traffic cameras would have seen him. As it stands he is just another guy descending to the station to catch a train.*

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: Ness's question about waiting for the ambulance is ignored. Mainly because it would be answered by a bullet to the face. Which, knowing Aerin's state right now, would be a bullet to the dart board three feet to Ness's right.

Ziahl: d10: primal urge (wp): 7,3,3,

Ness: She watches the Beast become healed, and she grows quiet. "What's going on here. This is Real Life, right? Holy shit." She stumbles back from her chair, holding the PSP tight. "Not again..."

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: "I'll hold on," he rasps, leaning on Erin. "Amazingly, I've..." Hack hack. "Been worse. Ever..." Hack cough. "Heard of rhino tranq?" He moves to get onto the back of the bike with her.

Ziahl: It's banded body darkens to brown as it slowly shifts into a woman, who is quite naked and looking fairly dazed.

Erin Madigan: "Nope," she gets on the bike and waits for him to get on, and get a very secure hold onto her. She doesn't tell him it's the first time she's ever done this. The bike is very secure and balanced luckily nicely modified. And takes off for the Black Stag.

Ness: It respawned! That man did it, and she saw him do it! This isn't right. And now it just... transformed... Holy shit!

Ziahl: Little bits of fabric litter the floor and crushed furniture, what's left of her clothes after her explosive shift.

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: And he holds on tight the whole way, trying not to cough on Erin's shoulder.

Ziahl: She slowly lifts her head, golden eyes focusing on Ness. "Don't..." she says in raspy tone.

Ness: They are now alone in the smoking Irish pub. Ness is clutching her PSP, hoping the ambulance shows up at any moment. She selects the Hermetic guys number from her phone list and hits dial. "Dragon dragon dragon..."

Ziahl: Climbs to her feet, feeling like she was the main course at a barbecue.

Erin Madigan -> Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: Anyway, to quickly wrap up since I need to head to bed, they get to the Black Stag and she takes Aerin to her room she has there, up three flights of stairs and has him rest on her bed while she gets Ryanne to heal him...I can do the rolls if you want to see how long it takes.

Ziahl: Apparently the dragon has been electrocuted enough for one day, she staggers towards the door.

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub] -> Erin Madigan: ((Sounds good to me. Sure, roll away. *S*))

Ness: "An ambulance is coming." She offers cautiously. Perhaps they are all criminals.

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub] -> Ness: Not surprisingly, Ness gets voicemail. It's the middle of the night (since the fight took a couple minutes, not a couple hours *S*), and he had to sleep SOME time...

Erin Madigan: d10: wp mother&#;s touch: 7,3,5,2,2,8,3,

Ziahl: She doesn't answer the woman, just shoving the door open and staggering out into the street.

Erin Madigan: d10: wp mother&#;s touch: 4,5,3,8,6,4,5,

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub] -> Erin Madigan: ((Rage 4, so there's 4. 2 more and he's good.))

Ness: Ness doesn't follow, waiting in the smoking ruins for medical attention. She sits down and finishes her beer and taco chips as the red spreads to cover the rest of her sweater.

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub] -> Erin Madigan: ((There we go. He thanks Ryanne & Erin both, offering his services in return for the healing, and assuming they let him, he leaves to go home for the night.))

Erin Madigan -> Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: ((Success *grin* so he's healed. He can stay there in Erin's room for the night to rest and Ryanne can keep an eye on him. She says she's going back to stay with her boss.))

Ziahl: Slips into the nearest alley to hole up.

Ness: She talks into the phone, "I fought a dragon. It transformed into a woman and walked away. I just thought you would be interested. My name is Ness, and I just fought a frickin' dragon and lived. We should talk. Seeya." Click.

Erin Madigan -> Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: ((cool.. I forgot it was the rage for diff...just so tired...but as long as he's up to it then Ryanne will let him go home and see that he gets transportation, or Erin can drop him off. ))

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: The ambulance arrives, as well as a two police cars and a fire truck. A police officer gets Ness's statement while they tend to her wounds, so she doesn't bleed out.

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: The others in the bar, of course, give WILDLY conflicting stories as to what happens.

Ness: She tells them that a crocadile attacked her, and this is what scared away the rest of the patrons as well. Luckily, someone had a stun device on them and zapped the creature away.

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub] -> Erin Madigan: ((Either tansportation's fine with him. He has them take him back to Ethan's apartment, as he's in the city for sure, having just arrived today.))

Erin Madigan -> Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: ((Sounds good. Erin will take him back since she's going back to her bosses so he can help her feel secure...she may not have looked scared but she was. And she'll be trying to find out more stuff about that woman from Aerin later. Good night! Thanks for the scene!))

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: They take Ness's statement, which is no more or less insane then anyone else's really, and take her overnight to the hospital for observation, unless she resists and signs a waiver waiving their responsibility for her welfare.

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub] -> Erin Madigan: ((Night. *S*))

Erin Madigan: ((Goodnight!!! :) ))

Ness: Nope. She has money. She'll take treatment at the hospital.

Ness: ((Night!))

Ziahl: She had to let a wino feel her up for fifty cents, but she makes it to a pay phone and places a quick call before retreating back to the alley.

Joe Vellim: ((reporters?))

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: Then off to the hospital they wisk her. ((And unless anyone has anything else, I have the brain capacity of a Buffalo Wing. I'm outtie.))

Ness: ((Ness will be glad to talk to any reporters that want to talk to her.))

Joe Vellim: ((Nevermind- thanks folks!*G*))

Ziahl: ((Thanks Rav! And everyone else for a wild scene!))

Aerin Thomas [O'Malley's Irish Pub]: ((Reporters...there will be a news article up in the Forums. Someone remind me tomorrow, can't quite deal with it right now. *G*))

Ness: ((Cool. Well, good night everyone, and thanks for the scene. I hope everyone had fun.))

Ziahl: ((Is now the mythical crocodile flushed down the toilet to emerge in monsterous proportions and terrorize the city! *L*))

SUBWAY

Joe Vellim: *The rattle of the nearly empty train lulls him... slows frenzied thoughts. Tension slowly trickles from powerful shoulders as the old boxer cradles his face in his hands, trying to make sense of a series of impossible events, and the gaps between.*

Joe Vellim: *Funny how things work sometimes.. it isn't until after his breathing returns to normal.. he's leaned back and closed his eyes for a moment... that he begins nerve- sweats.. the air inside the train suddenly stifling.*

Joe Vellim: d10: : 7,4,2,5,

Joe Vellim: *Barely, only barely does he keep his cool.. he licks moisture from his lip.. bald head begins to gleam in the sickly, harsh flourescent light of the train.*

Joe Vellim: *Time to go home. To re- prioritize. To change things. Shit like that.. happening only blocks away from the Kitchen. His home... literally all he could call his. Where he lived, where he was likely to die.. he should start loving it. Just like it's loved him in its own hard, pragmatic way. Funny. A hero in sports.. maybe its time to be a hero for real.*

Joe Vellim: *That fuckin' tremor.. always the tremor after adrenaline, made worse through the ever present pain of lingering battle scars.. a little horse'll fix him up.. then, time ta figgah stuff out. He looks up, exits at his stop, jowly face not jovial, rather set in grim determination.*

Phone: Joe's Phone goes ringy ringy ringy

Joe Vellim: Bwah! *He shouts in the echoing empty of the subway car.. shaking hands extract the phone from one jacket pocket. He looks at the number.. rather as though it will bite him.. but presses "recieve" on the cheap phone anyway.*

Phone -> Joe Vellim: "Joe?" It's Aerin's voice, frantic, worried. "Are you there? Are you okay?"

Joe Vellim: 'lo? *His eyes glaze as he answers it.*

Joe Vellim: *He looks around for a moment before answering.. paranoia rising in him.. Ita told him many things- and the brutish irishman tries to sift through them all.. grasps for purchase.* Ah'm awright.. yew? Ya.. lookt like ya.. someone took uh lightah to ya uh summat.. *he winces.. damn that was a bad lie..*

Lurker: (open?)

Joe Vellim: ((Subway, last night. Empty car except for a harried bald guy and an old man at the other end.))

Phone -> Joe Vellim: "I'm fine. Well, I'm not fine, but I'll be okay." He sighs, relieved. "Fuck...I...when did you make it out? I was...well, I don't know, I got shocked or something by that woman. My brain's still all misfiring and shit. I didn't really see you leave. Erin got me out, though. What happened?"

Lurker: ((thank you, will wait for an appropriate opening, like a stop somewhere. *s*))

Lurker: ((Never having been on a real subway, can people move between cars?))

Joe Vellim: I uh.. crocodile.. lessee... buncha.. fuckt up folks doin- uh.. *he wonders for a moment just how big Aerin is when he's pissed.. he hopes for something Lon Chaney Jr. sized as he continues.* Dat skinny bitch hadda liddle box uh summat.. shocked ya up goodt.. then ah passed out from.. *he furrows his brow* whatevah fekkin O'Malley puts innis whiskey.. when ah woke up dat dame widda cute ass was helpin' ya out.. the skinny chick was callin' somebahdy.. deah was a big fekkin crocodile onna floah.. ah took off- ah know da back way. Yew seemed awright.. Ah tink deah was vampiahs deah dough.. tried t' getcha ta leave in case dey was followin' ya feh.. well.. yannow.. *He starts a bit as the train grinds to a stop.*

Phone: ((According to all the movies I've seen, you can.))

Joe Vellim: ((yes you can. small doors and a closed walkway connect each car.))

Joe Vellim: ((They've got a twenty pound lock and are lockable, but a stiff kick will jolt it off the catch. Just fyi for chase scenes.))

Lurker: ((*LOL* Hopefully there won't be any chasing.))

Phone -> Joe Vellim: "Ummm...wow. Shit." He sighs. "But you're alright, then, right? I mean, you're okay? Jesus...I don't know, I was kind of running on auto-pilot after I woke up. You're fine?"

Alice Newcomb: Climbs into the car when it stops, grinning wildly. It's her first time on the subway. Her parents would have a fit. Cousin Adrian would say she's crazy. But he says that anyway.

Alice Newcomb: The girl is thin but athletic looking with a dark tan and wheat blonde hair. Her features are regular... pretty, with an oval face and pale blue eyes. She tends to wear whatever the latest style is, to fit in and of course to look cool. Her clothes are new, all yuppie brand names. A warm coat beats back the winter chill. She looks to be in her teens, at the dangerous height of puberty.

Joe Vellim: Yeh- look... ya really shouldt gota hospital.. *He glances around- a touch nervous- though it seems Joe may be a bit together.. gotta act the part. The rather unattractive man tosses Alice a broad, Vellim grin and a saucy wink. Friendly- but he looks away before it gets unnerving, in case she's the sort to startle easy.* Yeh don' really fallah dem Mets much meself.. moah a Yankee's fan, see?

Phone -> Joe Vellim: ((If you want, I can roll Man+Sub again, since it's IN scene now.))

Joe Vellim: *Broad, and very short- upon first glance the irishman looks a little like a pit bull. That sort of vaguely dangerous person one doesn't chose to mess with just offhand. Bulky, powerful muscle ripples across his frame and gives a resolute touch to each stride. The faded remains of what was once an athlete's grace hangs about him like an old coat- that ease of movement that hints at once being very aquainted with the limits to which the human body may be pressed- and perhaps excel. A worn face that hints at an age above 30- but bright blue eyes seem open and hint that the violence of form has faded into an edgy sort of gregarious wisdom. Not a very attractive man, but from time to time the smile hints at a face that once could dazzle cameras. Bald headed, broken nose, and a latticework of scars that hatch across the knuckles of bratwurst sized fingers.*

Joe Vellim -> Phone: ((no go ahead with your other one- I'm good with that.))

Alice Newcomb: She gives the tough looking man an easy smile and hops up on a seat, on her knees, and peers through the dirty glass, then looks around again, reading the graffiti. Culture! Ambiance! It's just what the budding artist needs to inspire her next masterpiece.

Joe Vellim: *Currently wearing a black flannel shirt, blue jeans, black boots, and a pair of thin plaid suspenders that faded to brown some time ago about his hips. A thick wallet chain tinkles against the plastic seat he's leaning back in.*

Alice Newcomb: She spares a glance to the bum in the corner then looks over the man on the phone. He looks vaguely familiar, but she can't quite place it. Mostly he reminds her of a character from that art noveou flick that came out a while back. What was it called? Her eyes play thoughtfully over him. Superhero material if ever she's seen it.

Phone -> Joe Vellim: "I'm..." He sighs. "I'll be okay. I'm gonna call Ita in a bit. I sense that someone's there with you...damn. I...Joe, can we get together sometime, maybe you and I can try to put together what happened a little more? I'm...my head's a litte twitchy, and I really need to understand this a little better. Would that be okay? Besides, I had something I wanted to ask you about...but I didn't get the chance, because we had company rather quickly. Nothing bad, I just..." He sighs. "Would you mind?"

Joe Vellim: Imona... kinna... needa bit, dude. Ahmean... deah's bad shit out deah.. an'... *Its hard for him to continue.. he braces hairy forearms on his knees and leans over, rubbing his head. Less scratching an itch, it seems he may be soothing himself.*an uh.. ah gahtta figgah whatah'm ganna do abahtit..

Alice Newcomb: She rather shamelessly listens in on his part of the phone conversation, pale blue eyes studying him when it seems he's not looking.

Joe Vellim: uh... soon. awright? *Bright blue eyes swivel back to Alice.. for a moment he worries about making the kid nervous- but she seem nearly fearless, enjoying the car's... wha... ambiansh or whatevah? yeh.. ambi summat.. anyway- she looks awright. He smiles again, straightening back up.*

Phone -> Joe Vellim: "Soon, then. Please. I know there's bad shit out there, Joe...it's what I've been trying to protect Ita from. And I think you and I can do it more effectively as a team, you know? Just...please, soon, all right?"

Joe Vellim: Yeh.. yeh... *As he speaks, he seems to grow more resolute. He points his chin, pugnacious, at some imagined spectre across the vehicle, before glancing at the teen again and clearing his throat.* Tamarrah?

Alice Newcomb: Looks quickly away so she's not caught staring, then glances back and smiles at him. She doesn't seem put off by his gruff appearance, nor the least bit afraid. People talking on phones isn't all the scary to her and where others fall into the judgement of stereotypes, the overly curious girl is more apt to explore them.

Phone -> Joe Vellim: "Tomorrow's good...I'll call you. Thank you, Joe. I'll see you soon...take care, all right?"

Alice Newcomb: She flips out a notepad and plucks a pencil from behind her ear, as she contemplates how she could capture his accent in imagery, jotting down bits of his conversation and spelling the words the way he pronounces them.

Joe Vellim: Ga ta th' hospital. Comumbia even.. dey gaht one deah.. its not fah. Yeh.. talk tomorrow. Hospital- ah she's.. gahnna shidda brick.

Alice Newcomb: Scribbles away on the pad, glancing at him now and then. Dey gaht on deah... not fah..gahnna shidda brick. Grins and tries not to giggle.

Phone -> Joe Vellim: "Yeah, I know she is." He sighs. "It's okay. I'll talk to her...it'll be fine. See you then." *Click*

Alice Newcomb: The serious tone of the conversation helps her contain her amusement with his accent and choice of words. It sounds like someone he knows may be sick.

Joe Vellim: Yeh- yeh awright- *he hangs up as well.* ...crispy..*the phone is shoved into one pocket as he looks back at the girl, then around the car. The bum seems distracted enough, meditating his way deep into a bottle of gin. He withdraws a brown flask from one pocket, unscrewing the cap and tilting it back.... for a while.*

Joe Vellim: *aaah.. liquid courage. The bullish man considers for a moment, morose. He used to have plenty of that without help.. but that was a while ago.*

Alice Newcomb: Looks back up at him when he puts away the phone. "Hi."