Jarod Freeman: Jarod flicks a cigarette into the gutter as he makes his way down the long, winding alleyway. His head is bowed slightly, though pale blue eyes keep watch on the vicinity as he moves. The man is on the prowl, platinum hair tied back as he makes his way.

Gunther Kasimir Berg: Gunther makes a heavy tromp down the sidewalk, in one of the seedier neighborhoods. Feeling rather good about himself, having just made a substantial dropoff. He takes a puff from his black n mild, dark aryan eyes scanning the area in his usual paranoid manner. Not nervous, really. Just careful.

Jarod Freeman: He frowns a little bit as he looks around...not even the bums are around here. Means he's no closer to tracking his quarry. He shakes head, frowning a bit, and steps out of the alleyway, pulling a clove out of his pocket to place in his lips.

Gunther Kasimir Berg: d10: per+alert: 5,8,10,6,4,6,

Gunther Kasimir Berg: He takes another puff from his mild, making his way through with a heavy tromp.

Jarod Freeman: d10: Per+Alert: 2,7,8,2,2,

Jarod Freeman: He looks around, eyes falling on Gunther, and a pale brow quirks. He nods a little bit at the man. "Hey...you got a light?"

Gunther Kasimir Berg: Gunther locks eyes on the man. A menacing squint, but only for a second. Sizing him up, perhaps. He gives a gruff nod. "Ja." Gunther digs out a cheapo bic and extends it to the man.

Jarod Freeman: "Thanks." He takes the lighter from Gunther and flicks it to life, bringing it to the end of the cigarette. A deep drag is taken and exhaled, then he hands the lighter back, looking around with a smirk. "You know, the slums just ain't what they're cracked up to be anymore, are they?"

Gunther Kasimir Berg: He gives a low chuckle and shoves the lighter back in his pocket. "What were ya 'spectin, pretty boy?"

Jarod Freeman: "People," he says with a shrug. "People around. Things are as bad as they are...you'd figure there would be more people in this kind of living, not less. Or maybe I just haven't hit the rock bottom neighborhood yet."

Gunther Kasimir Berg: He smirks, shaking his head. "Nah.. this area ain't nothin. Ain't a lotta traffic come through here. If yer lookin fer some real hard places, try a few blocks atta way" He motions with a gruff hand. "If yer up fer it, at is. I ain't about ta run round an babysit yer ass." He takes another heavy puff from the small cigar.

Jarod Freeman: "That way?" He looks off in the direction Gunther indicated, head tilting a little bit. "Hmm. Yeah, not needing the babysitting, though. What brings you out this way?" A little idle conversation. Maybe the skinhead can help him find what he's looking for.

Gunther Kasimir Berg: He sneers "None a yer fuckin business, bitchboy." Gunther gruffs out, taking another puff from his mild. He starts to tromp off in the direction he was heading.

Jarod Freeman: His eyes narrow to the man, and he scowls momentarily in Gunther's direction as he walks off. The scowl quickly fades, though, as he decides the man's going to help, whether he intends to or not.

Jarod Freeman: d10: Read Emotions: 8,2,5,6,6,6,2,

Jarod Freeman: "Hey...wait up!" He moves to follow after Gunther, quickening his steps a little bit. "Maybe you can give me a hand, if you're so willing...and for the right price, I imagine."

Gunther Kasimir Berg: He looks over his shoulder with narrowed eyes. "The fuck you want my help with, Fotze?"

Jarod Freeman: He smiles a little as he comes up close to the man. "That depends on what you know. Looking for a couple people. Depending on how much you know, this could be a profitable night for you." He takes a drag off his cigarette, watching the man. "What's your name?"

Gunther Kasimir Berg: Gunther sneers, looking the man over. He spits on his shoes. "Fuck off. I ain't know you." He starts to tromp off again.

Jarod Freeman: His eyes narrow a little bit, but he keeps his pleasant demanor. For now. "No, but you know Benjamin, don't you?" He digs into his coat, pulling out a bill. "And his friends Mr. Jackson and Mr. Grant?"

Jarod Freeman: d10: Cha+Expression+Bonus: 7,2,8,3,10,5,8,7,6,10,

Gunther Kasimir Berg: d10: wp.. for fun: 6,5,8,2,5,

Gunther Kasimir Berg: Gunther stops, planting heavy boots in the concrete. He turns around with a subtle nod. "Ja. I know em." He gruffs.

Jarod Freeman: "Good." He keeps the hand held up, but close to him. No grabbing the money and running if he can help it. "Now, let's start over. Hi. Nice to meet you. I'm looking for a couple, separate, people. One's a musician. The other's a homeless person. I'm led to believe they may both be in this general area of life. Would you like to make some quick cash and help me out?"

Gunther Kasimir Berg: "Got any names.. anythin bout these folks what'd help narrow it down? Lotta both round here."

Jarod Freeman: He nods a bit. "The homeless girl, I only know as Malice. Probably a street name. Youngish. Nasty. The musician's named Gunther. Metal...I think he's a guitarist."

Gunther Kasimir Berg -> Jarod Freeman: (would I get some sort of streetwise roll to see if he'd come across a malice before?)

Jarod Freeman -> Gunther Kasimir Berg: ((Absolutely. *Nods*))

Gunther Kasimir Berg -> Jarod Freeman: streetwise... and what? manip? per?

Jarod Freeman -> Gunther Kasimir Berg: ((Oh, sorry. *Smacks self* Per+Streetwise.))

Gunther Kasimir Berg: d10: per+sw: 4,9,3,1,5,

Gunther Kasimir Berg: Gunther gives a hard squint to the man. "Ain't never hearda no Malice afore." He gruffs. "Why ya lookin fer Gunther?"

Jarod Freeman: "We've got a mutual friend. Someone I'm worried about. He's got a...closer connection to her then I do. So I thought I should talk to him, but...I don't want her to know about it, you know?" He does his best to look concerned...and honestly, it's not that hard. He really is worried about her.

Gunther Kasimir Berg: He frowns, eyeing the man. "The fucksa matter? She alright?" He gruffs, a protective tone coming out. Maybe a hint of posessiveness that someone uninvolved wouldn't carry.

Jarod Freeman: His brow furrows a little bit, and he eyes the other speculatively. "That depends entirely. What does it matter to you?"

Gunther Kasimir Berg: Gunther sneers, fists balling at his sides. "If someone's fuckin with Nia.. you'd better tell me now, bitchboy. Been a long night.. an I ain't got time ta gutcha." (rolling manip+intim)

Gunther Kasimir Berg: d10: : 2,2,3,7,8,3,

Jarod Freeman: d10: Willpower: 1,10,2,2,5,

Jarod Freeman: He takes a step back instinctively, surprised by the ferocity and the sudden realization of who this is in front of him. His eyes twitch a little bit, looking the man over with new eyes. "Oh. So YOU'RE Gunther. Guess I got lucky after all."

Gunther Kasimir Berg: Gunther takes a step back and shoves a gruff hand in his pocket. "How do you know Nia? Who's fuckin with er?"

Jarod Freeman: He looks around the street and shakes his head. "Not here. It's a bit public. I know Nia very well...we're friends. You got somewhere we can go?"

Gunther Kasimir Berg: He sneers. "Fuck you, bitchboy. You tell me why yer lookin fer me. Now. I got a short temper fer assholes who ain't talk fast nuff."

Jarod Freeman: "You know what, Gunther...you're not the only one who doesn't like assholes who take too long to answer a simple question. And I think it would be wise not to discuss this in public...if you get my drift."

Gunther Kasimir Berg: Gunther pulls out his Smith & Wesson .45 and points it at Jarod. Stepping back again. "This is as private as it's getting, faggot. Talk." (another manip+intim)

Gunther Kasimir Berg: d10: man+intim: 6,4,2,4,9,1,

Jarod Freeman: d10: WP: 6,2,7,1,1,

Jarod Freeman: His eyes widen, and he tenses visibly, staring at the gun. "Look. I'm worried about her...and I think, if you care anything about her, you probably are too. Right?" In his mind, he's already planning...but he wants to see if this pans out, first.

Gunther Kasimir Berg: He gives a menacing glare to the man. "Ja. No shit. Why're you lookin fer me? Who ya fuckin work fer?"

Jarod Freeman: "I work for me. No one else." He pauses, and frowns. "Why, who the fuck would I be working for?"

Gunther Kasimir Berg: He scowls. Gahh.. the logic of this one is too much for the simple skinhead. "Uhhh..." he tenses, still glaring at the man. Jolting the gun in a pointing motion at the man. "Shut tha fuck up. Why're you lookin fer me? Just talked ta Nia on tha phone tanight an she said she's fine. What tha fuck happent?"

Jarod Freeman: "Yeah," he snorts, scowling a bit. "I bet she did." He sighs a little bit and looks at the man. "Look, Gunther. We're not going to get anywhere with you pointing a gun at me. Why don't you put it aside and we can just talk?" ((Roll coming))

Jarod Freeman: d10: Empathic Response: 8,1,8,4,2,7,3,

Gunther Kasimir Berg: Gunther squints at the man and slowly puts his gun away. Maybe he's not all that bad. Any friend of Nia's a friend of his, right? "Ja. Alright." He grumbles, his voice less menacing than before. "Talked ta Nia on tha phone tanight. She ain't come see me cause she's hard on her little statues an shit. I'da gone up an seen er.. but had a gig tanight. Ain't wanna fuck up tha job I got."

Gunther Kasimir Berg: (workin hard.. that is.)

Jarod Freeman: "Yeah, I..." He blinks suddenly. "What? She's sculpting again?"

Gunther Kasimir Berg: He nods, frowning at the man. "Bitch better be. She told me she quit.. packed up all er shit ta some little frienda hers.. Jarod er some shit. Said she lost er thoughts er somethin. I told er she had til tha enda tha week ta sculpt me somethin cool an she ain't been doin nothin else since."

Jarod Freeman: He...honestly doesn't know how to respond to that. Torn between anger and a strange gratitude. "Oh. Well...good for her. She needs to sculpt...it used to be her passion. Made her happy. She loved it."

Gunther Kasimir Berg: He nods, still sneering. "Sie is gut." He gruffs. "Also been tryin ta get er ta work on some cool shit fer an album cover. Put that off ta get er ta work on er little statues though. She's good. Real good." He shoves his hands in his pockets. Not seeming overtly paranoid about the man in front of him. He gives a concerned look. "What'sa matter with er? You said you's worried.. what's wrong?"

Jarod Freeman: He purses his lips, considering the man for a long moment, as if weighing a couple things. Finally, he speaks. "Gunther...I need you to help me. Someone's been hurting Nia...hurting her very badly. She denies it...she tries to hide it, desperately so, but I can see it in everything she does. I can see the bruises she tries to cover up, the flinch in her eyes when someone moves too quickly and unexpectedly...the complete ass-beating her spirit has become. She tries to make everyone else happy, and she suffers for it. It's destroying her."

Jarod Freeman: ((her spirit has taken))

Gunther Kasimir Berg: He narrows his eyes at Jarod. "Whatdya want Gunther ta do bout it? Tell me who's hurtin er... I'll gut em." he gruffs, obviously missing the point.

Jarod Freeman: His eyes harden a little bit, and he regards the man calmly. "You wanna gut the guy that bruises her up and makes her hurt, Gunther, then you'd best turn that knife inward."

Gunther Kasimir Berg: He narrows his eyes on the man. "Gunther ain't done shit ta at bitch. She'sa one what moved all up on my business. She wanted me ta teach er how ta fight.. I been tryin. She sucks at it. Bad."

Jarod Freeman: "Bullshit," he says calmly, with a shake of his head. "She's an abused woman, Gunther. Something I've seen many times. You don't think I know the signs? You've got a chance, though. Stop doing it. She's not going to leave you...because she cares too much about you to walk away. And one day, you're going to beat her too badly, and she won't recover. This, right here, right now, is your chance to change that."

Jarod Freeman: d10: Cha+Expression (WP): 7,5,10,3,5,6,3,9,2,5,

Gunther Kasimir Berg: He squints at the man. "Man.. I ain't beat that woman. Not like BEAT that woman. Shit.. if I's tryin ta hurt a cunt.. she wouldn't be able ta hide tha fuckin bruises. I only hit er when she fuckin deserves it. I done told er I ain't want er all up in my business, but tha bitch won't leave me lone." He pauses and defensively adds "An I ain't slapped a ho once since she got erself all knockered up."

Gunther Kasimir Berg: (weeeeeeeeee... nm. what exactly are you trying to do social-god?)

Gunther Kasimir Berg: d10: wp.. for fun: 2,6,3,2,9,

Gunther Kasimir Berg: (if he's just trying to persuade him, he'd say the same thing in defense.)

Jarod Freeman: ((Impress upon Gunther the wrongness of what he's doing, and that Nia not only deserves better then being abused, but that the power to help her is in his hands. Essentially, he's trying to make Gunther realize what he's doing, and empower him with the desire to stop.))

Jarod Freeman: His eyes widen. "She's pregnant? She's...oh, Jesus." He shakes his head. "Yours, I can assume?"

Gunther Kasimir Berg: Gunther frowns, slumping down a little. What is it with strangers and guilt trips in this city.. that's two this month that've hit home with the skinhead. He gives a tiny nod but remains silent.

Gunther Kasimir Berg: (no no.. that post is scratched. my bad. if it's a guilt trip he's going for.. he wouldnt have gotten defensive. because he knows damn well he's guilty.)

Jarod Freeman: ((Oh. DLP. Figured that was just falling under persuasion. *S*))

Gunther Kasimir Berg: He reaches up to scratch the back of his bald head. "I.. uhh.. I think I'ma head to her place. Talk bout shit." He squints at the man "Who are you?"

Jarod Freeman: He nods as he sees the man's reaction, calming down some. "That's all I'm going to say, Gunther. You've got this chance to do this...to do right by her. And I believe you can. Because she cares for you, and I have faith in her. So I have faith in you, too. Don't waste this chance."

Gunther Kasimir Berg: He sneers, taking a step back from the man. "Alright.. yer talkin all gay. Don't do that. I gotta rep round here, ya know." He snorts and looks around. Hoping no one saw their little heart to heart.

Gunther Kasimir Berg: (and I have GOT to go. passing out) Gunther sneers and moves off from the man. Pulling out his cell to call Nia as he tromps off toward his granny ride.

Jarod Freeman: He smiles a little bit. "Fair enough...didn't mean to ruin your rep. I'm the little friend. Jarod or some shit. And please...don't tell her I talked to you. Let her know this is coming from you." He takes a couple steps back, and tilts his chin up to the guy. "I'll see you around."

Jarod Freeman: ((Cool. Thanks for the scene.))