phantasmavore

The Press Gang!

Mar 11th, 2020
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  1. ===> COH <===> 3/11/2020, 10:11:11 AM <===
  2. Lucky Cat Roadhouse - Loft(#14336RU)
  3.  
  4. A simple loft apartment that runs the length and width of the roadhouse below. Its divided up into several sections across the open floorplan: living area, bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, a workshop of sorts, and meditation/exercise.
  5.  
  6. The furnishings are both antiquated (circa World War I), and spartan (nothing particularly fancy or lavish), if well cared for and immaculately maintained.
  7.  
  8. Contents:
  9. Wick
  10. Obvious Exits:
  11. Fire Escape <FE> Roadhouse <Ro>
  12.  
  13. Mo had sent a raven for Wick. And by a raven, he means a raven-spirit. And by raven-spirit, he means one that could Materialize and deliver a message. Thus? Mo waited. Wick would have to come up all the way to Fern Valley, north of Prospect proper. It was no short journey.
  14.  
  15. Wick arrives sooner than one might expect. That motorcycle of his gets up to some impressive speeds thanks to Emrick's skill as a mechanic. But he leaves his helmet with the bike before climbing the steps to Mo's loft. He knocks first. And at Mo's invitation, he steps inside. His dark gaze shines with curiosity as he watches the man. "I... got your message."
  16.  
  17. Mo was seated on the floor, in the middle of the central living space. An assortment of maps, charts, tomes and scrolls were scattered on the floor, along with a few leatherbound scrapbooks for lack of a better descriptor. They contained black and white photographs, newspaper clippings and other such memorabilia. He beckoned Wick to come and join him. "Want a snack? Beer?"
  18.  
  19. Wick smiles with warmth at Mo and nods with a half-shrug. "Sure. If you're having one." He drifts over towards him, taking care not to disturb the charts and maps strewn across the floor. He pauses and looks to him. "How have you been, Mo?"
  20.  
  21. Mo reaches for a six pack near by and hands a bottle to Wick. "These are from the local craft brew place down the street. I like'em well enough." Then he rummages around in a paper bag and pulls out some sort of animal jerky, tossing a piece over. "Goes good with the beer," he says with a smile before looking to the maps and charts. "Eh. Keeping busy. Got called on by an old pal for help. But its not something I can handle alone, so - "A shrug. "I sent a raven for you."
  22. Wick folds his legs as he settles down on the floor next to Mo. He seems quite comfortable. He catches the jerky out of the air with a grin. "Thanks." He tears off a bite before popping open the beer. But he pauses as Mo explains why he sent that raven. A broad smile emerges upon his lips. "Well... I... It means a lot that you'd think of me. I've still got a lot to learn, but... I'll do whatever I can. Anything. Just tell me."
  23.  
  24. Mo nods, knocking back a swallow of beer. "One of my old teammates needs help. She went a got herself killed by some badass motherfucker - we'll call him the Night King, for short. He wants her for his harem. She wouldn't even have been in that position, 'cept he kidnapped the soul of one of my other teammates, whom she loves." A pause as he flips open the scrapbook and turns it around to show Wick various old photos. "That's her - and that's him." The woman is southeast asian, dark haired, dark skinned, with a mouth full of unnaturally sharp teeth, not just fangs. The man is blond haired, light eyed. Lean like a scarecrow. "Anyway, I gotta help her out with rescuing his soul, and make sure she doesn't get left behind as some sorta ghost concubine." A shrug. Mo's life? It was interesting!
  25.  
  26. Wick tilts his head back, taking a sip, but his gaze never leaves Mo. He leans in to peer at the photograph, his eyes ken with interest. "She died... but needs your help?" He glances to the man. This seems like something new for him to process. But he takes it in relative stride. "Mm. Well... If I can help, I will. I definitely will. I don't think I can see ghosts, but... how can I help?"
  27.  
  28. Mo nods. "Yeah. You never dealt with ghosts before? Its not really my bag, but also not my first ride on the merry-go-round either." He flips the scrapbook back the other way and leafs through the pages. Candid photographs of a younger Mo and a motley cast of characters abound. "I need level headed folk around. This isn't a murderhobo type job - One does not simply walk into Kakuri. Its Black Gates are guarded by more than just shikome. There is evil there that does not sleep, and the the souls captive there are constantly flayed by a frozen wind full of jagged ice shards. Fire does not last, only turning blue and sputtering out in the wind."
  29. Wick smiles as he leans in to gaze at those photos of Mo and the others. Taking a swig of beer, he glances up at him. "This would be my first ride. But... for Emrick's best friend... anything you need. A level head I can offer. And... well, I can move fast. Make doors. Affect emotion... But yeah, I'm still learning."
  30.  
  31. Mo nods, "Those are all useful things!" Then his brow furrows. "You think - you think Em might be able to come along? I need to check in on him. I've just been wrapped up in prep."
  32.  
  33. Wick hesitates. With a slight shake of his head, he says, "Mm. I don't know. He's been caught up in his work a lot the last few days. Lots of orders all at once. Been making sure he's eating. Bringing him food. But... well... I expect you know how absorbed he can get. But he should be done soon. I hope he is. When were you thinking of heading out?"
  34.  
  35. Mo nods. "Yeah, he's real handy that way. I guess I should wait until he can come along. Em's like, super resourceful. These away missions, you never know what you're gonna need, other than a level head, so someone like Em brings a lotta value to the proceedings."
  36.  
  37. Wick's eyes shine with warmth as he smiles. He nods. "Emrick is wonderful. I don't think there's anything he can't fix. Never met someone as clever as him... And he can even fight. I've seen how he can throw a knife. He's amazing. And... yeah, having him along... he'll help me keep up. Cause... well... yeah, I'm new to all this still." He runs a hand back through his hair, smiling with a slight wince.
  38.  
  39. Mo eyes Wick, then considers. "Well, I can help make improve your odds, easy-peasy. It'll be less helpful once you get your feet under you, but initially, its like, waaaaaaay helpful." A grin and then he knocks back the last of the beer in his bottle and sets the empty aside.
  40.  
  41. Wick hesitates a bit as Mo eyes him. But then he blinks, tilting his head. "Improve my odds? How so?" He pauses before tilting his head back and draining the last of his beer.
  42.  
  43. "I'm an astrologer. I can read your stars, nudge'em this way an' that, make sure you get more lucky breaks than unlucky ones. The Captain used to call me the team's lucky charm. I wasn't just like, the mascot, y'know? Not that being' the mascot wasn't loads of fun."
  44.  
  45. "The one thing you can never have enough of on an away team? Is luck. 'cause no one can plan for everything."
  46. Wick has reconnected.
  47.  
  48. A broad smile flashes across Wick's features. "Oh! That's brilliant. Thank you. I think that would be very helpful. Um... so for that, I just need to tell you my birthday? I was born October 23rd. In 1998." He pauses. "Do you need anything else?"
  49.  
  50. Mo shakes his head, "I mean, technically? I didn't even need that. I can see luck the way most folks can see weather, y'know? But having more information, like birthdays and stuff, and tools like charts, def makes it easier."
  51.  
  52. Wick leans to the side on his palm, watching Mo with a tilt his head. "Can you really? That's amazing. I've never wanted to look ahead much. I wouldn't want to know when my luck will change. I know it will and that's enough. But if I could see it and change it? That's different."
  53.  
  54. Mo nods. "I've never known any different. I mean, when I was just a pup, it was all just coincidences and stuff. But as I grew older, I learned to see the angles. Then how to nudge'em this way and that. Once the Captain took me in, he helped me learn how to use tools to enhance my affinities and aptitudes."
  55.  
  56. Wick smiles with warmth and nods. "Mm. I'm glad you had someone as good and kind as him to take you in. To guide you. You seem like you've got your footing so well. Though perhaps that's something that just comes natural to you. Me, I... I was fortunate as well. But I've got a lot of gaps I still need to fill."
  57. Wick has partially disconnected.
  58.  
  59. Mo enhs. "It was pretty awesome, but most outlanders thought of us as outsiders. Marauds, y'know? Like we were some sorta Agents of Chaos, with a capital A and capital C. But I know we did a lotta good things. Things that needed doing. I may not be welcome everywhere with everyone, but we made our share of pals along the way."
  60.  
  61. Wick can't help but laugh. "Ah, Luciana /was/ an agent of chaos. My mentor. That was her nature. Wild and even from the start a bit mad. But she had a lot of good days." He pauses before adding in a soft tone, "I'm sorry about your captain."
  62. Writing reality out to disk. Please wait...
  63. Reality saved. Thank you for your patience.
  64.  
  65. Mo grows quiet for a bit. Subdued. "Em said he can't make the hollow-captain be the REAL captain. But its better'n nothing. There's a lotta him in it, even if it isn't him. Like stuff the Captain knew. Mannerisms, things like that." A shrug as its all a bit beyond Mo's ken. "I appreciate your sentiment, tho."
  66.  
  67. Wick gives a small nod. His voice comes rather soft and gentle. "Well... I understand what it's like to lose a mentor. Luciana... she's gone. Lost in her madness. Wish I had a piece of her still, but." He shrugs a bit. "I hope it's a comfort to have that echo of him. Though... I can imagine it also hurts."
  68.  
  69. Mo nods, "Maybe someday, I dunno. Maybe I can fix stuff. My magic isn't particularly big or mighty, but like I said, I do get more than my fair share of lucky breaks." He flips the scrapbook shut. "Anyway, I gotta figure out what we can offer to barter for the Fenghuang avatar. Other'n Fatima's infinite servitude, I mean."
  70.  
  71. Wick nods and shifts a bit. "Sure. I can head back to town if you need. But... other than souls, what sort of things might they want? I suppose they'd want more than a song or something." He pauses. "Perhaps Emrick can make something... anything he touches - there's nothing more beautiful."
  72.  
  73. Mo smiles. "You'd be surprised - a song can go a long way. Joy, things warm and light, they're a precious commodity in the Night Realm. Emma-O has tons of beautiful things, but warmth - that not so much."
  74.  
  75. "If you have any you can bring, that'd be much appreciated."
  76.  
  77. Wick brightens with a broad smile. "Ah! Well... That's the one thing I can really do. Make music. Even in the dead, I might be able to draw out joy. Warmth and light. It's what I do. And Emrick... he has made the most beautiful instrument for me. I can bring that with." He rises. "I'll head home now and prepare... I'll practice."
  78.  
  79. Mo nods and scrambles up to his feet. "I knew it! Another lucky break!" A smile. "Thanks for coming. Never know how folks are gonna react to a raven spirit summoning them,"
  80. ===> Log ended by user <===> 3/11/2020, 12:21:08 PM <===
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