[Radio: (C) None] Eta XO Junk Man transmits, "...so Japanese tacos have occtopus in th-them? ...what if you want like, st=steak or something? I don't th-think steak and octopus go well together."

[Radio: (C) None] Reject Tengu Man transmits, "I don't think there ARE Japanese tacos."

[Radio: (C) None] Charge Man transmits, "Who died and made you the expert on japanese tacos!"

[Radio: (C) None] Reject Tengu Man transmits, "Uh... hello?"

[Radio: (C) None] Reject Tengu Man transmits, "I'm Tengu Man."

[Radio: (C) None] Charge Man transmits, "So?"

[Radio: (C) None] Eta XO Junk Man transmits, " ....ohh... okay. ...wait... but Burst s-said th-that... but if there's no tacos in japan, how can there be octopus Tacos?"

[Radio: (C) None] Top Man transmits, "I'm Zophar!"

[Radio: (C) None] Reject Tengu Man transmits, "There aren't octupus tacos, Junk!"

[Radio: (C) None] Charge Man transmits, "Yes there are! Stop trying to oppress our carnal desires for mexican food from the orient!"

[Radio: (C) None] Charge Man transmits, "Wait."

[Radio: (C) None] Charge Man transmits, "... yeah!"

[Radio: (C) None] Eta XO Junk Man transmits, "But... he said... but..."

[Radio: (C) None] Reject Tengu Man transmits, "Tch."

[Radio: (C) None] Heat Man transmits, "Tengu, please... You're lowering *snicker* morale..."

[Radio: (C) None] Eta XO Junk Man sounds very tired. "My head hurts.*zh*"

[Radio: (C) None] *statics* Burst Man transmits, "Grumble, think to mine..."

[Radio: (C) None] Reject Tengu Man transmits, "It's not MY fault they're dumb, Heat."

[Radio: (C) None] Charge Man transmits, "Who's dumb?"

[Radio: (C) None] Top Man transmits, "I"

[Radio: (C) None] *statics* Burst Man transmits, "I agree...mpf..."

[Radio: (C) None] Eta XO Junk Man transmits, "Tengu, don't be calling other people dumb, th-that's not a a good idea, nor is it particularly helpful at th-this point in time."

[Radio: (C) None] Top Man transmits, "... what were we talking about?"

[Radio: (C) None] Reject Tengu Man plays innocent. "Uh, nobody, Charge Man."

[Radio: (C) None] Eta XO Junk Man transmits soothingly. "Nothing really Top, it's okay.*zh*"

[Radio: (C) None] Reject Tengu Man transmits, "Hey, Junk, you're the one who thought there were octupus tacos."

[Radio: (C) None] *statics* Burst Man transmits, "Wait...that downtime keeps coming up, what's going on??"

[Radio: (C) None] Charge Man transmits, "What are you stupid, Tengu?"

[Radio: (C) None] Charge Man transmits, "There's no such thing as octopus tacos."

[Radio: (C) None] Top Man transmits, "I'm highest bidder!"

[Radio: (C) None] Charge Man transmits, "Jeez."

[Radio: (C) None] Eta XO Junk Man transmits, "I got confused, okay? And th-there's so much bastardizing of cultural and culinary territories abd boundaries, if they make a a mexican pizza, why not a japanes taco?"

[Radio: (C) None] Reject Tengu Man transmits, "... Charge, that's what *I* said!"

[Radio: (C) None] Charge Man transmits, "This isn't about you!"

[Radio: (C) None] Reject Tengu Man transmits, "..."

[Radio: (C) None] Reject Tengu Man just fails to come up with an answer to that.

[Radio: (C) None] Elec Man transmits, "...Japanese taco?"

[Radio: (C) None] Reject Tengu Man transmits, "No!"

[Radio: (C) None] Heat Man transmits, "Don't we have global chatter for this, bros?"

[Radio: (C) None] Elec Man transmits, "Uhmm... would that have like, won ton and dog?"

[Radio: (C) None] Reject Tengu Man transmits, "... Elec! Please!"

[Radio: (C) None] Elec Man transmits, "Hey, this is a very important conversation that nobody else needs to hear."

[Radio: (C) None] Eta XO Junk Man transmits, "No, I th-think it would be like, rice, tofu and octopus."

[Radio: (C) None] Reject Tengu Man transmits, "That'd be a Chinese taco, if there were such things!"

[Radio: (C) None] Elec Man transmits, "Bar bar bar..."

[Radio: (C) None] Eta XO Junk Man transmits, "Wiuth perhaps pickled bean sprouts. Like a bento bowl in a tortilla."

[Radio: (C) None] Reject Tengu Man transmits, "I /guess/."

You enter The Catacombs - Dance Floor and Bar.

The Catacombs - Dance Floor and Bar

Dark and serene, this place exudes an aura of calm even while the music is blaring. Most of the lighting comes from faux candles scattered about the tables, flickering away. Ironwork bats adorn the ceiling, giving a chilling presence with their skeletal forms while drapes of burgundy velvet cover parts of the otherwose cold stone walls. The bar itself is a stainless steel affair, the shelving behind backed with the same.

The dance floor is wide open, several coloured lights flashing at random to illuminate the writhing mass of bodies, the sparkle of a mirror ball playing acrossthe walls. A large performance stage dominates one end of the club, a DJ booth behind that for the every day operation.

Contents: Contents:

Rigger [Lab] [MH] Hien [Casual] [C]

South <S>: The Catacombs - Nightclub Entrance

[Radio] Transmission detected: I don't ... coffee ... ... ... ... ... ... ... erasers.

[Radio] Transmission detected: ... It does. ... ... ... ... bring ... ...

[Radio] Transmission detected: ... bad for me.

[Radio] Transmission detected: ... well. Your loss.

[Radio] Frequency Cracked! +setintercept to save it.

Cracked Frequency is saved.

[Radio: (A) None] Jazz transmits, "Command centers coffe's done. But I'm out of filter paper to use... Oh wait I'll just use this stack of paper that's right here instead... *Giggle*"

[Radio: (A) None] Main Rigger transmits, "Jazz... Put down the coffee pot."

[Radio: (A) None] Jazz transmits, "Why?"

[Radio: (A) None] Main Rigger transmits, "Do not tamper with a mechanic's source of caffiene."

[Radio: (A) None] Jazz transmits, "*Crash* Okay... One coffee pot put down. *Giggle*"

[Radio: (A) None] Main Rigger transmits, "I... ... Y'know, nevermind. I'm in a good mood."

[Radio: (A) None] Jazz transmits, "Ooooh.... Ummmm... Why?"

[Radio: (A) None] Main Rigger transmits, "Nothing. o/~ <3"

[Radio: (A) None] Anarchy Diptera transmits, "That sounds like a dangerous nothing."

[Radio: (A) None] Jazz transmits, "Yeah. So... Ummm... Where are you Rigger? I'll have a Ride Armor there to rescue you in a minute! *Giggle*"

[Radio: (A) None] Main Rigger transmits, "I don't need rescuing. I'm just shaking my squirrel tail."

[Radio: (A) None] Jazz transmits, "Uh-oh. That's worse. I'll get that squirrel right off of you! Yep! You can count on me!"

Today, amidst all the goth, dreary glamor, and general angsting that most folks that come to this club produce is a rather cheery, happy, hyper individual. Wearing a little red dress that makes folks stare partly due to it's clingy nature on it's wearer's body, and partly because it stands out so much among all the black everyone else seems fond of. Rigger pays them no mind. That is unless someone gets too close. Then, regardless of gender or species, she grabs hold of them and spins them around for a quick dance step or two before releasing them into the crowd again.

[Radio: (A) None] Jazz transmits, "So... ummmm... Where are you so I can get 'em off?"

[Radio: (A) None] Main Rigger transmits, "I don't want it off. How can I shake my squirrel tail if I don't have one?"

[Radio: (A) None] Main Rigger transmits, "Do you know how hard it is to catch a squirrel in the first place?"

[Radio: (A) None] Jazz transmits, "Ummm... Yea...Errrr.... No... Not really... Why? Is it hard?"

[Radio: (A) None] Jazz transmits, "Maybe later. I have to finish making all the coffee first."

White on black would show up one would think, wouldn't it? But it's amazing, when reasoned with the mind, that one must consider that white and black are, when you look at it from different if similar angles, the same thing. White is essentially the very idea behind what goth truly is; it rebuffs all light indiscriminantly, allowing no particular shade to taint it and turning away the entire spectrum. It is the very quintessential flavor of gothness. And people, upon seeing the figure clad in pure, ghostly white, usually stopped their staring after a few moments, finding themselves suddenly less wierded out by the figure of cream and brown... his skin a paleness that makes the pasty acne riddled teens naturally edge away from and genuflect in unconscious acknowledgement of a greater being... albeit a bit of an easy pick out of a crowd of all black and somber cool spectrums. He was currently standing there, the quintessential red vine twiddling in his mouth as he chewed it thoughtfully, watching all the black clad figures thoughtfully.

[Radio: (F) Public] Jazz transmits, "Ummmm.... Anyone willing to donate some erasers to the Maverick hunters?"

[Radio: (F) Public] King transmits, "Why do the Maverick Hunters need erasers?"

[Radio: (F) Public] Charge Man transmits, "How about I deliver my foot to your head!"

So he'd given the Bureau of Tourism his notice, and in response, they had booked him for every event they could manage in the space of two weeks. Damn the Bureau, he'd said; if they want me, well damn, they can have me. And I'm going to have fun doing it! His last number, they supposed, would be the biggest club in London. Naturally. Of course, they'd neglected to add the word 'goth', but hey.

The Fool is - on stage, towards that one end of the club. He strolls on, smiling for no readily apparent reason, as per normal. As he steps up to the mic, music starts up, a nice tune with plenty of drums beating out a regular beat. And for the Broadway fans in the crowd, it's... vaguely familiar...

o/` I'd be thinner, I'd be taller

Go clubbing in my collar... o/`

[Radio: (F) Public] Jazz transmits, "No thank you Charge. And we need erasers so I can finish making coffee silly!"

[Radio: (F) Public] Feste transmits, "Sounds like an excellent blend."

[Radio: (F) Public] Rigger transmits, "For making coffee of course, silly."

[Radio: (F) Public] Prismatic Spider transmits, "Why does one need erasers to make coffee?"

[Radio: (F) Public] King transmits, "Charge Man, make the delivery."

[Radio: (F) Public] Rigger transmits, "I find it less of a strain on my sanity not to question such foibles."

[Radio: (F) Public] Jazz transmits, "Bad coffee tastes like erasers. Coffee has caffeine which is a drug. Drugs are bad for you. Hence coffee must taste like erasers."

[Radio: (F) Public] Feste transmits, "Wise, m'lady Rigger."

[Radio: (F) Public] Prismatic Spider transmits, "... An intriguing chain of logic."

[Radio: (F) Public] Feste transmits, "Makes sense to me."

[Radio: (F) Public] King transmits, "Intriguing? It sounds like foolishness to us. Typical..."

[Radio: (F) Public] Thunderbolt Raven transmits, "...You mean there /was/ a chain of logic? My brain hurts. It's naptime."

[Radio: (F) Public] Feste transmits, "It's perfectly logical, I assure you."

[Radio: (F) Public] Prismatic Spider transmits, "I see the humor in it... King, were you given a sense of humor?"

[Radio: (F) Public] King transmits, "We find humor in some things."

[Radio: (F) Public] Jazz transmits, "Anyways... Anyone.. Erasers?"

[Radio: (F) Public] Prismatic Spider transmits, "Jazz, why not puchase some from an office supply store?"

[Radio: (F) Public] King transmits, "Because the Hunters are like bandits and refuse to purchase anything if they can steal it."

[Radio: (F) Public] Jazz transmits, "Because they don't work as well as partially /used/ old erasers."

[Radio: (F) Public] Prismatic Spider transmits, "Pray tell, King... What do you find humor in? I find myself curious to know."

[Radio: (F) Public] King transmits, "Irony, sir. We find humor in irony."

[Radio: (F) Public] Prismatic Spider transmits, "I see."

Blink. Raven strands go drifting faintly away at the brush of some fingers, and a long strip of twisted red candy goes swishing to the other side of his mouth as he idly turns to the sound of singing, moving a little towards the origin of said noises, his eyes thoughtful, ever the painful blue as he was wont to wear them, all devouring and mildly confused, his look thoughtful as he makes a subtle decision in his head. Hmm. Collar. Yes, he'd rather like to see Feste in a collar. Hmm. Hmm...

It wasn't hard to spot white among the crowd, really. Rigger's attention swerves towards the stage as she listens to Feste with a broad grin in approval of the tune, and in doing sets herself up for a good view of the white-clad Hien. Squealing in delight she squirms through the crowd only to end up launching herself at Hien with full intent to cling to his side like an overcaffienated toddler finding a human-sized candy to gnaw on. "Hey! Great! I need a dance partner who can keep up with me!"

The Fool is perfectly content to sit up onstage and croon. He'd even do it with his eyes closed, but then what be the use of them? Gazing out over the crowd, he notes the flash of white and red among black, but does not yet associate them with the people they're attached to. He's too busy singing.

o/` With skin as pale as a moth

Dressed in black, I'd go creepin'

When the normal folk are sleepin'

If I only were a Goth! o/`

Moosh goes the strider, swish goes the red vine as he turns to look at her, the smile warm all of a sudden as he looks her over for a moment. "Rigger! You look even more interesting! What's dancing?" He is all smiles; it never occurs to him that a female getting clingy and close might not be appropriate to be clung to in reverse, so Rigger might find herself getting very closely mooshed in return by a happy smily male, one who found that the people who spritz you with the spray things in the department store don't really like getting karate chopped to the neck and sell some nice smelling stuff. Yeah, he smells strongly of various nice things, one or two of which aren't really meant to be sold to males, but all of which sorta meld into a rather intoxicating smell, though thankfully one he didn't use too terribly much of. Um, yeah. He smiles at the singing, though he has no idea what a 'Goth' is.

Rigger doesn't seem to mind particularily much being counter-hugged by a strong, young, healthy male specimen! Though it does make her face go almost as red as her dress, but she laughs it off for once rather than letting the embarassment eat away at her good mood. "Fun!" She blurts in response to 'what's dancing?' in a rather less-than-explanatory manner. She leans her weight away to try and drag Hien farther onto the floor, and closer to the fool upon the stage. "C'mon, I'll show you! We'll shake some nasty squirrel tail!"

o/` With my hair up, I'd look fancy

Like Siouxsie and the Banshees

With silk or velvet cloth!

Dressed in boots, never sandals

And the room would be lit with candles

If I only were a Goth! o/`

Like any good performer, Feste sings with gusto, acting out the part of your typical angry goth. He even kicks the air at the mention of 'boots, never sandals'. Oh, hey, look, the red and white are getting closer! Hm.

For the most part, the audience reaction is -- mixed. The goths that take themselves serious are starting to get offended, while the 'normal people' who've come just to dance are laughing and, well, dancing. It's clear that Feste's intent is to mock, and mock heartily, although it's good-natured. Really. We promise.

Hien laughs enthusiastically, allowing himself to be all bonelessly dragged out on the floor, face warm and laugh easy. "But I don't have any squirrels, and the ones I've seen are rather nice, not nasty at all, but I like fun, so show me!" He liked the way the dress held on for dear life. It was nice in new and odd ways. He was all smiles, listening to the song. The question of why some of the people looked all grumpy confused him, but he figured it must be all the makeup dragging their face into a scowl, so he couldn't blame them. It was a LOT of makeup. And when Rigger turned all red like that, she got almost as hot as he was... that was interesting. Hmm...

"This," Rigger states with a swat to her skirted rear, "Is a 'squirrel tail.' It's an old dance really, called 'The Brown Squirrel.' Only kids do it but it's kinda fun and people always look funny at me when I say it." Which is why she says it. She releases her hold on Hien a moment to lift her arms above her head as she turns around so that he can properly see this 'dance.' "Mister squirrel, mister squirrel, shake your brown tail. Shake it left," and she indeed wiggles her hips to the left with a rolling hip bump. "Shake it to the right," And she repeats the process in the other direction. "Hop! Hop! Hop! Shake your brown squirrel tail all night!" Of course this might cut in with Feste's singing a bit, but she doesn't have a microphone at least.

[Radio] Transmission detected: :comes ... the ... -- ... ... nominal quiet rasp ... ... per usual ... it's faintness of Russian Accent. "Volunteers for ... raid ... ... ... ... ... ... primary ... ... within ... ... ... ... Eagle ... ... ... mandatory."

o/` Yes, I'd -- wanna die,

From the bottom of my heart impure!

Would I like another clove? Well, sure!

And after that, we'll go listen to The Cure! o/`

The Fool has been smiling all along, enjoying his own joke a lot more than most other people probably are. Hah. He finally fixes his eyes on Red and White, and -- it registers. Well! Isn't this fun! He continues on as if he hadn't noticed them yet.

[Radio] Transmission detected: At once...

[Radio] Transmission detected: On my ... ...

[Radio] Transmission detected: ... am coming my ...

[Radio: (C) None] Charge Man transmits, "HAW HAW HAW! Junk fall down go boom."

[Radio: (C) None] Eta XO Junk Man transmits, "...ouhh... th-the hell? What happened? *zh*"

Hien pauses a moment, watching her intently, his eyes taking in all the aspects she's laying on him, and after a moment, he pauses, trying to move as she does. It's... a bit odd, the faint feminine aspects he adds to it, pausing several times as he compensates for the fact that his chiselled chest won't accomidate the various gainaxes her own chest can do, and that his tight, narrow hips don't have that happy curve to them that hers did. But eventually, he managed to accomidate, his grin bright and warm and his movements... well... Hien. ;)

Kalinka arrives from The Catacombs - Nightclub Entrance.

Kalinka has arrived.

[Radio] Transmission detected: *A ... explosion sounds followed ... ... harried ... @#$ ... armor! It malfunctioned /again/!

[Radio] Transmission detected: ... you are ... ... to ... Osprey ... once. ... ... cannot guarantee your retrival.

[Radio] Transmission detected: I ... have to ... ... sir...

[Radio] Transmission detected: ... ... ... ... me with a *thump* ... of ice.

VICE_DESC [#153$v]: %r%tHe'd be noticeable if only for his height in some circles, just another pale face framed with far too much black and general ill-feeling towards the world. (grr.) Standing at 6'5", this fellow easily towers over most everyone else, reploid or human. He's thin and lithe with broad shoulders and a relatively slight frame otherwise.%RAlmost definitely Scandinavian in heritage, his face is ovallish, almost reminiscent of a fox. Rather than anything even mildly normal, his eyes are a bright, blazing red, clearly no longer organic. They've been outlined with black eyeliner, which does nothing to soften the glare. Unsurprisingly (or maybe just unfortunately), he's also wearing a light shade of black lipstick. Long blond hair is bound rather loosely in a ponytail, tied up with -- a black ribbon. (but we bet you were expecting this by now.)%r%tHis clothing is relatively simple and straightforward. A black sleeveless shirt, black slacks, black boots. Black black black. (jeez.)

[Radio] Transmission detected: ... pull back. Things ... ... to get ... ... in ...

The arms around him were warm and rather nice, and ...he'd never been kissed before, and although it didn't register that such usually didn't involve nose in mouth action he didn't really mind that fact... and just stares at her mutely for a moment, that look not really falling, though the general amalgm of emotions that makes up that which currently clouds those sharp painfully blue eyes turns more warm, less painful, less distant, less cold. He pauses a moment... but gently removes his nose, his eyes on her, and merely comments. "Sorry, it's hard not to." He blinks faintly... then gently leans his head over, letting his forehead come to rest against hers, his eyes going closed. He used to be this way to him, and it used to comfort him.

[Radio] Transmission detected: ... ... gross. ... ... still ... ...

[Radio] Transmission detected: Hold on ... ... He sounds ... ... disoriented. "I ... ... sure ... power's ... ... ... severed."

o/` I'd pretend to be a vampire

Like in stories 'round the campfire

I'd suck your bloody froth! *slurp*

Yes, the thing I'd be best at

Is impersonating Lestat

If I only were a Goth! o/`

Feste is still singing cheerfully onstage, all the while surreptitiously watching Hien and Rigger.

HEY. What's UP with Rigger and noses? Yeesh. The Fool stomachs any conflicting feelings that may produce in favor of the perfect finish for this song. It's only minor stirrings, however. He's a bit confused by this development.

He found his son.. just as he was kissed, and then embraced. By Rigger of all people. Kain smiles a bit, at least it's familiar company. He starts on his way over, reviewing what it is he wants to say and hoping Hien will listen to him. It's a slow walk, though.

Rigger had just meant the gesture to be a silly one, and indeed it was. Her own overly hyper nature subdues a bit for now as it seems Hien really is upset by something. She just remains standing near him as he leans down to press his forehead to hers. Well, this was a position familiar to her: Acting the comforter for those in pain. Much as she might claim to hate it, she couldn't help but try to help people who were upset. So she just lifts a hand from Hien's shoulder to run over his hair in a soothing manner. "Well. You figured out slow-dancing by yourself," she quips quietly in an effort to gain a grin.

[Radio] Transmission detected: ;'s ... ... ... ... ... something ... ... Max Headroom. ... report! ... are ... ... ... up ... ...

[Radio] Transmission detected: Raffy! Ya ... ...

[Radio] Transmission detected: ... to be ... ... several tons of ... ... ... here!

[Radio] Transmission detected: *a gurgling raspy voice comes ... ... I'm retreating to ... ...

[Radio] Transmission detected: ... Penguin ... ... retreat. Disable ... ...

[Radio] Transmission detected: ... remember ... ... us ... you can bleed to ... Get ... ... patch.

[Radio] Transmission detected: Yesh ...

[Radio] Transmission detected: ... sir!

He sighs a little, eyes opening and focusing on her, and to his credit he does indeed smile. Still masked, though it's shifting. Not breaking, but at least shifting. "If this is slow, then that was what, fast? If that's fast, maybe I shouldn't dance, if that's as fast as we can go." He smiles... then abruptly snugs her a little closer; he's not one to notice that such things might not be socially acceptable, that she might not particularly like the closeness of the contact. ...okay, so she probably would, but it would look a bit odd.

Worst thing is, Hien doesn't even really think about how it would look to others, namely a tall, stately norweigian gentleman. He's simply too young, too inexperienced. ...and some things just don't click.

[Radio: (F) Public] Riff Raffinato transmits, "*the sounds of meat can be heard......*"

[Radio: (F) Public] Tengu Man transmits, "...I hear meat."

[Radio: (F) Public] Tengu Man transmits, "I didn't know you COULD hear meat, but I do. Wow."

[Radio: (F) Public] Sasha transmits, "...How is it that I am hearing meat?"

[Radio: (F) Public] Dr. Doppler transmits, "(OOC: How can you hear meat?)"

[Radio: (F) Public] Guts Man transmits, "Are you at the Playgirl mansion by any chance? I hear there's lots of meat there."

[Radio: (F) Public] Cacophony Timberwolf transmits, "Of course you can. It's all, like, squishing and stuff when it's raw"

[Radio: (F) Public] Riff Raffinato transmits, "OOC: I mean the sounds of meat being squished, or whatever :>"

[Radio: (F) Public] Riff Raffinato transmits, "That infernal Hunter just blew most of the skin of my head off, and now I can't find any synthskin *grumbles*"

[Radio: (F) Public] Tengu Man transmits, "..."

[Radio: (F) Public] Tengu Man laughs.

[Radio: (F) Public] Guts Man transmits, "Well doesn't that suck?"

[Radio: (F) Public] Shield transmits, "*sarcasm* My heart goes out to you."

[Radio: (F) Public] Sasha transmits, "...Are you stapling meat to your head?"

[Radio: (F) Public] Riff Raffinato transmits, "Although, it's interesting to see my teeth without cheek tissue and my eye without lids...."

[Radio: (F) Public] Tengu Man transmits, "I think you should staple meat to your head."

[Radio: (F) Public] Tengu Man transmits, "And then take a long walk off a short pier."

[Radio: (F) Public] Sasha transmits, "Tengu Man, that was impolite."

[Radio: (F) Public] Tengu Man transmits, "So?"

[Radio: (F) Public] Riff Raffinato transmits, "He's a Yank; what can you expect? *sounds of surgical things like a knife cutting something*"

[Radio: (F) Public] Tengu Man transmits, "Excuse me!"

[Radio] Transmission detected: ... "Got out in ... Oops ... ... ... ...

[Radio: (F) Public] Tengu Man transmits, "At least get your racial stereotypes right, you limey whateveryacallit."

[Radio: (F) Public] Andrew Creeves transmits, "Don't blame Tengu Man, He's just programmed that way."

[Radio] Transmission detected: ... Hello! A systems ... ... ... ... unit #4582 designation ... ... ... ... ceased conscious ... ... ... 25-26-06 Feet,...) at 10:04:16::23:05:05. ... ... ... ... ... ... apologize for the ... of ... ... and ... that it does not cause ... ... ... inconvenience. ... ... list ... available Nishima-authorized technicians ... ... ... ... ... video ... ... press 5 ... emergency services. To ... ... override of ... failsafes and ... a hard boot ... ... ... ... speak ... required security ... following ... ... ... you and have a ... day! *BEEP!*

[Radio: (F) Public] Tengu Man transmits, "You're damn straight."

[Radio] Transmission detected: ... worried. "Is ... all ...

[Radio] Transmission detected: ... ... A systems ... ... that AGV ... ... designation "Ether Skunk ... has ceased conscious function ... coordinates ... (+450,...) Feet,...) ... ... We ... are ... ... Industries ... for the ... of our ... and ... ... it ... not ... you ... great inconvenience. ... a list ... ... ... ... dial 245-425-4650 ... ... ... ... ... and press ... for ... services. To attempt manual override ... system ... ... incur a hard ... ... dial NSH-5467 ... speak the required security clearance following this message. Thank you and have a ... ... *BEEP!*

[Radio: (F) Public] Sasha transmits, "Tengu Man is Japanese, not American."

[Radio: (F) Public] Andrew Creeves transmits, "I didn't say it was a good thing."

[Radio] Transmission detected: ... ... ... ... defeated.

[Radio: (F) Public] Riff Raffinato transmits, "Ah, not all Yanks are bad. Like comrade Distemper; he's an alright chap *a yelp of pain* STUPID KNIFE!"

[Radio] Transmission detected: ... ... ... remain engaged. ... out if ... Penguin or ... require ...

[Radio] Transmission detected: ....

[Radio] Transmission detected: :growls. ... ... an ... to this ...

[Radio] Transmission detected: That ... bad ...

[Radio] Transmission detected: Alloy - RUN. ... away from the building.

[Radio: (F) Public] Bass transmits, "Pfft. Tengu Man is German like the rest ofus."

[Radio: (F) Public] Andrew Creeves transmits, "Remember: Cut the piece of meat to size before attaching it to your face."

[Radio: (F) Public] Tengu Man transmits, "Yeah, I-- ... uh... wait..."

[Radio] Transmission detected: ...Do you ... an ...

[Radio: (F) Public] Guts Man transmits, "Och! Mein Bohlderz iz zin zee dangoorous mode!"

[Radio] Transmission detected: I'll handle ... ... ... eliminate Vile.

[Radio: (F) Public] Bass chuckles. "Da."

[Radio] Transmission detected: I'm ... ... ... Almost at ... ...

[Radio: (C) None] Cut Man insert here plenty of slashing, maiming and wolf growling. Then, Cut's voice comes in, weakly. "...Ow." THUD.

[Radio: (F) Public] Guts Man transmits, "Mein rage iz dangerouz."

[Radio: (C) None] Eta XO Junk Man transmits, "Dammit."

The 'stately' Norwegian gentleman is more /concerned/ than anything else. Rigger must be playing them all for all she can grab. Literally. (*ba-dum-chsh!*) It seems... unfair that Hien should have to learn about things like treachery and heartbreak so soon, no?

Yes. He has only noble intentions here. And, well, he's got to look out for himself, too. Hien might be doing just the same thing! Yes-- oh, screw it. Less introspection, more singing!

o/` In my casket purse I'm totin'

Einsturzende Neubauten

And pagan hymns to Thoth!

Yes, the world would be depressing,

Over death, I'd be obsessing,

And this corpse that I'm undressing

Would be sexier, I'm guessing!

With my diet I'd get scurvy,

And I'd worship Peter Murphy

If I only were a Goth! o/`

[Radio: (F) Public] Riff Raffinato transmits, "Ah well. The Americans did send us fast-food; it boosted our economy in Brit a bit..."

[Radio: (F) Public] Guts Man transmits, "Who cares about Americans, all that counts is being a Wilyian."

[Radio: (F) Public] Tengu Man transmits, "Yeah."

[Radio: (F) Public] Riff Raffinato transmits, "yeah, yeah"

Actually, this little moment.. Hien starting to get some social contact.. the father that Kain is becoming forces him to just stand and watch the scene as it unfolds. He's off to the side, idly listening to the music, watching Hien and Rigger. When should he intervene..

[Radio] Transmission detected: Oh man... ... ... nailed one ... ... ... I'm ... ... ... though ... ... ... ... ...

[Radio: (F) Public] Guts Man transmits, "All of the other nationalities are inferior to Wilyians!"

[Radio: (C) None] Beta CO Metal Man transmits, "how is it going bros?"

[Radio: (C) None] Magic Man transmits, "Cut Man just... well, need I finish the statement?"

Rigger makes a small noise akin to a squeak as she's hugged tightly. This causes her eyes to dart around nervously as she goes red-faced again but she allows the gesture. For a short while. Then she's forced to begin squirming in Hien's grip as standing on her toes, in heels, is not an easy thing to do for very long. "Um. No offense, but my balance is a little off right now..." she murmers. "And people can dance faster than that. That was just a warm-up."

[Radio: (C) None] Reject Tengu Man transmits, "What's going on?"

[Radio: (C) None] Cut Man transmits, "...pain..."

[Radio] Transmission detected: ... ... up ... Vorpal. ... passengers bound for ... ... ... ... ... Anyone can't ... it?

[Radio] Transmission detected: ... and ... ... the very ... ... still ... out here. ... Ether needs ...

[Radio: (C) None] Reject Tengu Man transmits, "And I'm missing out?"

[Radio] Transmission detected: Ether? Right. ... swing ... ... grab ...

[Radio] Transmission detected: ... is ... condition/

[Radio] Transmission detected: ... ... ... crackles and sputters. ... ... to ... ... up African talk ... ... ... ... ... ... "zzt- ... ... pourquoi nous devons voter immédiatement ... ... proposition ! ... diable mangera ... âmes ... nous pas ... ... âme dépend de cette propositio- ...

[Radio] Transmission detected: ...

[Radio] Transmission detected: ... on my ... for the ...

[Radio] Transmission detected: Someone ... Ether's radio. We need ... keep this ... ...

[Radio] Transmission detected: ... ... ... ... ...

[Radio] Transmission detected: :is ... ... ... the ... ... a ... cannon -- and ... ... and ... of fire around him. ... ... ... Chill Penguin. Retreat ... ... ... at ... -- ... get ... airborne. ... ... ... you within." *is ... off by the ... ... ... ... exploding*

[Radio] Transmission detected: ... ... ... to static ... the wake ... a... rather ... ...

[Radio] Transmission detected: ... ...

[Radio] Transmission detected: At ... ...

[Radio] Transmission detected: ... sir!

[Radio: (A) None] Signas coughs once. "...target... destroyed."

[Radio] Transmission detected: Im ... the ... command!

[Radio: (F) Public] Ether Skunk's radio coughs and sputters, channelling African talk radio. "Votre voix est pleine des vers!! Vous avez l'opinion politique d'un ver. Je vous détruirai avec mon poing. Satan mangera seulement votre sottise. Ce sont la politique d'un fou. Venez et voix pour mes orteils!!!"

[Radio: (C) None] Beta CO Metal Man transmits, "Qui?"

[Radio: (F) Public] Hailstorm Eagle transmits, "What in Doppler's..."

[Radio: (F) Public] Metal Man transmits, "Qui?"

[Radio: (F) Public] Metal Man transmits, "French"

[Radio: (F) Public] Riff Raffinato transmits, "AH HA HA HA"

[Radio: (F) Public] Guts Man transmits, "I am not a worm."

[Radio: (F) Public] Hailstorm Eagle transmits, "Uhm... okay..."

[Radio: (F) Public] Guts Man transmits, "And I don't want to see your toes..."

[Radio: (F) Public] Feste transmits, "Ahh. I love the sound of French North African talk radio in the evening."

[Radio] Transmission detected: ... hit ... ... ... ... stops ...

[Radio: (F) Public] Feste transmits, "Guts Man, do you speak French?"

[Radio] Transmission detected: ... *hit Ether's ... until ... stops transmitting

[Radio: (F) Public] Guts Man transmits, "Of course I do! After I was forced to study the french and their love of Jerry Lewis I was able to understand that craptastic language."

The white clad figure sorta steps back a bit, eyes on her for a moment, nodding a bit... he spies a chair, moving towards it, helping her carefully... before THERE NOTICE THERE RIGHT THERE the Voice snarls out, pointing out something he'd missed, and the white figure paused, turning slowly...

The eyes, painful blue, but painful in an entirely new way this time focused on the figure of Kain, and he said nothing, for long moments.

[Radio: (F) Public] Feste transmits, "Ah, tres bien!"

[Radio: (F) Public] Ether Skunk transmits, "zzt-zzt- "Non-sens, non-sens. Il n'y a aucun ver ici. Ayez un certain gâteau, il est le gâteau de la paix. Voulez-vous la paix? Le non, votre partie politique veut imposer seulement la règle du diable! Wily est le diable! Wily est le diable!!" 'Le non, non, wily n'est pas le diable. Wily est bon et brouillé'-zzt-zzt"

[Radio: (F) Public] Cut Man transmits, "...Pain. That was...painfull. Make it stop."

[Radio: (F) Public] Feste laughs.

[Radio: (F) Public] Sasha makes a quiet noise in the back of her throat.

[Radio: (F) Public] Feste transmits, "Le gâteau de la paix!"

[Radio: (F) Public] Feste transmits, "It's poetry, it is."

[Radio: (F) Public] Alpha Bomb Man transmits, "Okay, who isn't being nice."

[Radio: (F) Public] Hailstorm Eagle transmits, "OOC: a quiet noise?"

[Radio: (F) Public] Andrew Creeves transmits, "Thank you. I do believe my translater circuits overheated."

Rigger is grateful for being led to the chair as she silently wishes she hadn't worn heels now. They were nice, and looked good in this dress, but not really good for dancing. Pity, as she really wanted to do some dancing. Hien's attention shifting towards Kain causes her to look over as well though she seems entirely unaware of the tension between the two. Smiling in familiarity she calls out, "Hey, Special K'!"

Noticed.

Kain's eyes lock with Hien's, and somehow, he's able to smile a bit as he starts in that direction after the awkward moment passes. "It's good to see you're enjoying yourself," he comments. "And you as well, Rigger. You're both doing well?" A pause. "Well, as well as can be, that is?" The smile fades to neutrality as he looks back to Hien. He must -really- feel guilty.

Uh oh. Looks like something may be up over there. Good thing the song's over.

The Fool loads on the theatrics, taking a nice bow to ample applause, and promptly walks offstage. He has business to conduct. After vanishing backstage, he reappears to begin weaving his way through the crowd, trying to keep an eye on the trio in the process.

[Radio: (F) Public] Alpha Bomb Man transmits, "Whomever caused damage to my brother would be advised never to step out of his or her kennel ever again."

[Radio: (F) Public] Signas transmits, "So, it appears that the usual post battle threats continue."

[Radio: (F) Public] Ether Skunk transmits, ""NON!" 'OUI!' "NON!" 'OUI!' "NON!" 'OUI!' "NON!" 'OUI!' "NON!" 'OUI!' "NON!" 'OUI!' "NON!" 'OUI!' "NON!" 'OUI!' "NON!" 'OUI!' "NON!" 'OUI!' "NON!" 'OUI!' "NON!" 'OUI!' .... .... "... oui!" 'NON!' "OUI!" 'NON!' "OUI!" 'NON!'"

[Radio: (F) Public] Feste chuckles. "I do so love politics."

[Radio: (F) Public] Riff Raffinato transmits, "Freak. Doesn't help that she's a skunk...."

[Radio: (F) Public] Hailstorm Eagle transmits a click!

[Radio: (F) Public] Alpha Bomb Man transmits, "Nothing about me is usual anymore, Repliforcer."

[Radio: (F) Public] Metal Man transmits, "... She's busted."

[Radio: (F) Public] Metal Man transmits, "Hope the hunters got a warrante on her"

[Radio: (F) Public] Feste transmits, "Excuse me, but where is a lady skunk involved? It simply sounds as if someone tuned into French African political debate and left it on. Unfortunately."

[Radio: (F) Public] Ether Skunk herself is unconcious. Her radio is broken and channeling African talk radio. "NON, NON, NON!" 'OUI, OUI, OUI!'

[Radio: (F) Public] Cut Man transmits, "...urge...to drop..bombs on France...rising..."

[Radio: (F) Public] Metal Man transmits, "Same here man..."

[Radio: (F) Public] Feste transmits, "Tsk, tsk."

[Radio: (F) Public] Sasha transmits, "I find it interesting. If somewhat distressing."

[Radio: (F) Public] Feste transmits, "Naturellement!"

[Radio: (F) Public] Durandal transmits, "I just think it's inda funny. Granted, it have no idea what they're saying, but I guess that's what makes it funny."

[Radio: (F) Public] Metal Man transmits, "Nothing but MAvericks in France now... so far as I'm concered its one big target."

[Radio: (F) Public] Feste transmits, "Actually, it's a lot funnier if you do."

[Radio: (F) Public] Durandal transmits, "Really? Wow...I'm gonna need a translator."

[Radio: (F) Public] Feste transmits, "Indeed."

[Radio: (F) Public] Sasha transmits, "I can speak French."

[Radio: (F) Public] Feste transmits, "Can you?"

[Radio: (F) Public] Sasha transmits, "Oui."

[Radio: (F) Public] Metal Man transmits, "We are machines translation programs are easy enough to download."

[Radio: (F) Public] Rigger transmits, "Duraaan. o/~"

[Radio: (F) Public] Durandal transmits, "Well, yeah, that's true...but I don't have one handy....yes, Doctor?"

[Radio: (F) Public] Feste transmits, "Tres bien, madame."

[Radio: (F) Public] Rigger giggles oddly. "Hi!"

[Radio: (F) Public] Durandal transmits, "Heya...how's things?"

[Radio: (F) Public] Sasha transmits, "Doctor, you seem excited."

[Radio: (F) Public] Metal Man transmits, "Whats up with Rigger?"

[Radio: (F) Public] Rigger transmits, "Do I? Must be too much caffiene."

[Radio: (F) Public] Rigger resumes giggling.

[Radio: (F) Public] Feste tsks quietly.

[Radio: (F) Public] Durandal transmits, "I dunno, she sounds normal to me."

Durandal arrives from The Catacombs - Nightclub Entrance.

Durandal has arrived.

[Radio: (F) Public] Sasha transmits, "I see."

[Radio: (F) Public] Sasha transmits, "She does? I suppose I have not spoken to her when she was normal..."

The Special K comment happens without him even noticing. He'd normally find that odd, then, once the reference is understood, humorous. But for now, he merely stares, ...finding things abruptly complicated by a surge of something he doesn't much like at the moment. Anger. Well, more anger/frustration/defensive hurt. This trips the kill reflex, which immediately dies, considering he still respects Kain. Who hurt him. ~Kill~ ...but not Father. ...who hurt him. ~Kill~ ...but /NOT/ /Father/.

He narrows his eyes faintly. "Fun. I assume this assauges your mind? I could say yes, if it would help you, but no, I'm not letting what passed between us stop this. Losing my connection with you was painful enough, I do not wish to enhance the pain further by cutting other things that I normally would enjoy." He says it angrily, but not with the intent to strike out at Kain, whether that is the effect or not. Yet another sign of just how young this one really is.

[Radio: (F) Public] Durandal transmits, "OH! Where are you? I've got some news for you!"

[Radio: (F) Public] Rigger transmits, "Catacombs."

[Radio: (F) Public] Durandal transmits, "Gotcha. I'll be there in a few."

[Radio: (F) Public] Rigger transmits, "Bring your dancing shoes, kiddo."

[Radio: (F) Public] Durandal transmits, "Sure thing!"

Feste is finding himself held up by the people on the dance floor. Go figure. He's close enough to hear most of what's going on, and even see snatches of it.

For all of this that's going on, Feste is -- impassive, now. Just blank, observing carefully, figuring out what to do next. Feel, care, get involved in such a way? Heaven forbid!

Being careful not to bump into anyone, the Fool watches Kain and Rigger and Hien from the sidelines, and subvocalizes a nice, terse few words to Hien. F figures he needs them. Ayup.

Hien receives a radio transmission from Feste.

[Radio] You send Hien a direct message: "Good for you, my dear boy!"

Rigger slips into the seat that Hien had been leading her towards as father and son have their little confrontation. She's unaware of their relation however and so finds herself wearing a worried frown as her gaze darts between Hien and Kain. Something was most definately amiss here. She only hoped it wasn't the Red and Blue dragon rivalry... Else she'd really kick herself for assuming Hien wasn't one of the Red's for first meeting him in Cairo. "Oookaaay. What fire ants crawled up your guys shorts?"

Kain bows his head at the comment on severed connections. "I was wrong," he says rather softly. There's a broken connection. Broken by his own blinded hand. One that he means to repair, as best he can. One part will need to happen here, if at all, but the second.. that will have to wait for Sheena. "I know I've hurt you." He shuts up. He can't babble! That's even worse than silence. Thankfully, Rigger's comment forces a twisted, almost embarassed, grin, just for a moment, though. "It's a long story, and I'm not sure it needs to be retold.." Here he looks at Hien again, as if to ask, 'Only if you wish it so'.

Hien sends a radio transmission.

[Radio] Hien sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "*seems moody now, his words somewhat strained, though confused now, worried, and definitely seeming to know that in this at least he may be out of his depth* Things are not good at the moment, why do you say they are Feste? This I do not understand."

Hien receives a radio transmission.

[Radio] You send Hien a direct message: "It's hard to do the things you must, sometimes. And the results you obtain are not always painless, either. But it would appear that you are making an effort. Thus, I congratulate you."

Hien sends a radio transmission.

[Radio] Hien sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "*seems bitter, and in pain* He didn't want me anyomore..."

Hien receives a radio transmission.

[Radio] You send Hien a direct message: "Are you sure?"

And another form is making it's way through the crowded room. Occasionally jostling, occasionally receiving jostles himself, it's Durandal. Not big on the hip social activities offered by the establishment, he's half looking around in wonderment, half looking for Rigger. "Odd place...s'got a certain flair though."

Hien sends a radio transmission to Feste.

[Radio] Hien sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "*...it really really sounds like there's a note very similar to 'ready to cry' in his voice under the anger* He stood back and let the Sire try to claim my head. He wouldnt've been able to, but he let him try."

Job arrives from The Catacombs - Nightclub Entrance.

Job has arrived.

Hien receives a radio transmission from Feste.

[Radio] You send Hien a direct message: "*musing* The father's role is a difficult one. Oftentimes you must make a decision that will surely hurt your children, but is absolutely necessary for their growth."

"Hurt me? You would have stood back and calmly watched as I was ended. Not that it would have happened. And it was not confidence in me that your eyes spoke of... it was resignation. Hurt me? It would not have hurt. I know enough of those weapons to know it would not have hurt. You didn't want me anymore. Like HE doesn't. How do I know you don't still feel that way? How do I know that you don't feel the same way HE feels, and that you won't change your mind again? That in five minutes I won't be a /mistake/ again? That you won't try to find a convenient way of altering that mistake?"

He turns his back on him. It's a petulant gesture, but he's too inexperienced to understand this. "It's nothing really. I am no longer needed. My reason for being is without reason now, and I have merely overextended my welcome in this place evidently."

Durandal sends a radio transmission to Rigger.

Rigger receives a radio transmission from Durandal.

You intercept Durandal's transmission to Rigger: Crimminy it's crowded in here...where are you?

Rigger looks between the two as she hears both sides of this argument. She rises from the seat again with a slow shake of her head. "Okay..." She really had no clue what was going on but she could gather from the tone that someone had fucked up majorly. Scowling sternly she wracks her mind for something, anything to say that might help. "Always expecting someone to stab you in the back is a sad way to live. Second chances are hard, but... It's his job to earn it. Give him that chance at least, maybe?" She spreads her hands a little only to jerk her gaze away from the pair rather abruptly to stare off in some random direction. Not so random as she finds herself staring at Feste with an upraised eyebrow, but it wasn't her intent to look at him.

Rigger sends a radio transmission to Durandal.

Durandal receives a radio transmission from Rigger.

You intercept Rigger's transmission to Durandal: Over by the bar and dancefloor. Look for the tall guy wearing white.

Feste sneaksneaksneaks around through the crowd, winding up much closer to the scene of the confrontation, winding up somewhere off to the side, not too far away from Rigger. He crosses his arms, remaining silent still, excepting the occasional twitch of a lip as he subvocalizes words into his radio.

As Rigger looks over, he returns the glance, looking ever-so-slightly amused. 'Just look at them,' it would seem to say. 'Don't you just love it?'

Hien sends a radio transmission to Feste.

[Radio] Hien sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "You would say to me that his decidion to side with the Sire in this is a way of teaching me? *incredulous, and still thick with anger*"

The Catacombs has always been a favored hunt of Job. Along with the Repliod Room and a few of the bars on Eurasia this one of the most likely places to find him. Often he uses one of the bars as a location to close a deal or two. As of late business has kept him off the world scene as it were but now he shall once more become visable. The green armored form of Job pauses for a moment as he catches a few more scraps of converstation. "Evening and might I ask just what the problem might be?" Don't mind the optic he really ain't working for the masters at least at the moment.

Hien receives a radio transmission.

[Radio] You send Hien a direct message: "Maybe. I cannot speak for him, but you must remember that it is a possibility."

It was everything that Kain feared. The tale Hien tells, particularly about being a mistake, hits the nail right on the head. He did think those things. He was prepared to watch Hien die. He was nearly prepared to run Sheena through. His gaze does not lower from Hien's during the speech, but when Hien turns away, he draws a deep breath. Then Rigger intervenes. "Rigger.." he murmurs. "This was my blunder. I need to deal with it." He takes a step forward, pulling his trenchcoat a bit tighter around him -- he feels cold, suddenly. "I misinterpreted who my enemy was. The plan was perfect - Dynamo just got too close for his own good."

Hien sends a radio transmission.

[Radio] Hien sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "I have never felt pain before. But I know how it works. I know what one of our blades can do. ...it can't do as much as the look in his eyes did."

Hien receives a radio transmission from Feste.

[Radio] You send Hien a direct message: "Life is hard, Hien."

Hien receives a radio transmission from Feste.

[Radio] You send Hien a direct message: "Do what you must to be victorious."

Hien sends a radio transmission.

[Radio] Hien sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "...I want him back Feste. I want him back, but I still feel so angry inside. Why do I still feel angry inside? Why does he want me back? I'm still a mistake to him. You heard what he said!"

Durandal peers this way and that. "Bar...there it is...and, yup. That's definately a tall guy and hes definately wearing white." So he strides himself over to the gathering of Rigger and Striders, boldly walking into their little grouping and brightly anuncing his presence. "Heya!" Tact....what's this tact you speak of?

Hien receives a radio transmission.

[Radio] You send Hien a direct message: "*calmly* I do not believe, Hien, that he meant you were a blunder. I believe he means that the way he handled the situation was a grievous error."

Frustration and wounded anger still cloud his words. "Nobody will stab me. Nobody can. I am Hien. I am that which is Hien, which was named, which was created by Mother, she made me to be the sum. He would not be able to. No more than the Sire would be able to. Nobody can. Not him, not the Sire, not even Mother. I am more than all; the sum of the parts. But even if the Sire could not accomplish, he sided with him anyhow. I am a MISTAKE to him!" He turns a glare on Kain, the man now nearer to him. It hurt him worse than he thought it would.

...then the look falters...

It's raw pain now, as the sculpted young man stills, his posture broken. His words then are soft, almost resigned. "So, with Father dead, since there is nobody left to reunite... ... ...I suppose I really do no longer have a purpose..." A sick look, a thoughtful look. "...maybe I can't blame him for wanting to cut free the loose ends. I am a project without a purpose." He turns away, though his comment is almost panicked. "If you seek to end me you will have to work hard and catch me offguard for I am the sum of the parts and I would be able to defeat you easily, as I would with Father, do not strike me or I will try to kill you Father, please."

Hien sends a radio transmission to Feste.

[Radio] Hien sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "... he handled it wrong, that is right. He handled it simply by resigning himself. And now he wants to double back. But if I hhad been sliced, he wouldn'tve had to. ...he doesn't sound like he's doing it to salvage the situation, to put himself in the right side, not w that I'm not dead and cold, but how do I know? ...I wish I was older. Maybe I wouldn't be as confused, and wondering. If I let him near me, even if he did try to end me, I could see it and he would be unable to, bt I don't want to be on edge around him..."

"Duran," Rigger warns too late against his cheery entrance. Job is given an odd look, and then Kain one as well. She shakes her head with a sigh and slips from Hien's side to take up a position beside Durandal. Her hand lifts to give him a one-armed hug from the side as she keeps her gaze on the others. "Good to see you again, kiddo."

Hien receives a radio transmission from Feste.

[Radio] You send Hien a direct message: "People are imperfect, Hien. They make mistakes."

When Hien turns to him again, that word -- mistake -- rings in his mind again. Except now.. the word is misplaced. He holds his ground, and then Hien seems to break. "I only sought that for a single, confused minute," replies Kain after a deep breath, approaching another step, aiming to put a comforting hand on the young Strider's shoulder. "Your original purpose died with Matic. That much can't be disputed.. I'm sorry." The words by now are a whisper. He starts to say something else, but only shivers a bit.

Tori arrives from The Catacombs - Nightclub Entrance.

Tori has arrived.

The Fool remains on the sidelines, watching. This is ludicrous... why is he still here? He blinks suddenly, putting the thought out of his mind. He is a Fool, and he has a job to do here. Right?

It begins quietly, a tune hummed gently. Soon there are words to it. It's a subtle thing, just floating in the background. He is not singing for himself, you see.

o/` I know you don't believe me, and I know you don't understand, but honey, the way that you treat me, I don't even know who I am... o/`

Hien receives a radio transmission.

[Radio] You send Hien a direct message: "o/` I know you don't believe me, and I know you don't understand, but honey, the way that you treat me, I don't even know who I am... o/`"

Hien receives a radio transmission from Feste.

[Radio] You send Hien a direct message: "o/` And you tell me I'm the one you're not to blame, and you tell me I make you feel the same way, and we talk in circles but we never say -- It's just out of weakness that both of us stay... o/`"

Job watches for a moment and his optic rolls for a moment. "and I'm a walking pile of scrap parts with a mind of its own. I does not matter why we came into being but what we actually do with outselves." He looks back at Rigger and chuckles. "I get that look all the time, don't worry."

Job

What stands before you is what looks like a Sniper Joe. Or is it? At first he seems like one, but it seems like the normally spindly limbs of the normal Sniper Joe are thicker and appear to be from a Repliforce model ride Armour pilot. Also the fact that he has two hands unlike a Sniper Joe is another puzzle. The being turns to face you their blooded optic scanner looking you over. What are you going to do? Slung across his back over ais a Shield mush like one that all Sniper Joes use though it's a little beaten and battered. As for the rest of his gear it seems to be rigged for some sort ofg salvage operation He wears a backpack rig with a number of salvage tools and equipment and he also seems to have several other modifcations as a cable goes from his neck into a jack on the salvage rig. As for his sheild its mounted on the back of the rig to help protect it when its not inuse.

http://www.angelfire.com/art/Alty/Gallery/Rockman/JOB.jpg

Carrying:

M-4

He shies away like an animal, jerking down and back, though as Kain remains as he is, he tentatively moves into the contact. At the comment, he winces. "I don't know how important it is. I don't know. I don't... I have to talk to Mommy. I have to talk to her, if she says I still have a reason then I still have a reason and I don't have to think like that." Useless. Pointless. He'd felt it in Feste's eyes, in the Sire's hard, blistering comments. In the pain of Kain's miserable but stoic resignation.

"I won't go. I don't care if I'm not welcome here I don't have anywhere else to go and it's not my fault and you can't make me go. It's not my fault my Uncle made my brothers and sisters and it's not my fault he made me either. I won't let you make me go and I won't let the Sire make me go. I won't let it happen. It's not fair, and for once I won't let it be unfair this time. And anyone who tries will only try once." He seems to be shaking as he says this, though it's said heatedly. He twitches faintly.

Durandal blinks at the dramatics the Striders are flinging at each other and asides to Rigger. "I'm.....not interrupting anything, am I?" Go Captain Observant! "Well, anyway, it's good to see you again too. It's been...what, three weeks? A month? Well, that's gonna change soon. Y'see, the other day, I had this talk with a guy named Issac...and I move in tomorrow." He grins ear to ear at his creator. "Cool, huh?"

[Radio: (C) None] Reject Tengu Man transmits, "I'm goin' out."

[Radio: (C) None] Pharaoh Man transmits, "Another crush to stalk?"

[Radio: (C) None] Reject Tengu Man transmits, "Actually, I'm starting to think THEY'RE stalking ME."

[Radio: (C) None] Eta XO Junk Man snaps out faintly. "What the hell are you g-going on about now.

[Radio: (C) None] Reject Tengu Man transmits, "But who am I to refuse fr--"

[Radio: (C) None] Reject Tengu Man blinks.

[Radio: (C) None] Theta CO, Sword Man transmits, "Sir Tengu, what are you talking about?"

[Radio: (C) None] Reject Tengu Man transmits, "The-- the Cossack bot."

[Radio: (C) None] Reject Tengu Man transmits, "She won't leave me alone."

[Radio: (C) None] Theta CO, Sword Man transmits, "Are you certain?"

[Radio: (C) None] Reject Tengu Man transmits, "...yeah?"

As Hien shies away, Kain follows neither quickly nor immediately. He just lets Hien come back, which he apparently does. The hand is hardened from training, and Kain becomes rather self-conscious of it, but he does listen regardless. "You live. That is reason enough." There's a slight grin. Then a frown. "I'm not making you go anywhere.." Then the shaking. He lowers his head slightly, with a concerned expression. "Calm down. Please. Calm down... sit down if you need to... just... just don't strain yourself.."

[Radio: (C) None] Theta CO, Sword Man transmits, "...there is a certain irony here."

[Radio: (C) None] Reject Tengu Man transmits, "Ha ha ha."

[Radio: (C) None] Pharaoh Man transmits, "Ugh. What is your obsession with that bloodline!? Really, we can always get you a mail order russian bride like we did for Guts Man's birthday..."

[Radio: (C) None] Reject Tengu Man transmits, "Pharaoh."

[Radio: (C) None] Reject Tengu Man transmits, "Pay attention."

[Radio: (C) None] Reject Tengu Man transmits, "I was walking along, minding my own damn business."

Sword Man arrives from The Catacombs - Nightclub Entrance.

Sword Man has arrived.

[Radio: (C) None] Reject Tengu Man transmits, "And then she threw a car at me."

[Radio: (C) None] Reject Tengu Man transmits, "And now she's made me an /omelette/."

[Radio: (C) None] Pharaoh Man transmits, "Hrm."

Frequency c is now gagged.

[Radio] Transmission detected: ... ... You all are ... ... tah' ... ... "

[Radio] Transmission detected: Try ...

[Radio] Transmission detected: ... Cossacks newest ... ... his ... ... of angst ... ... ... ... Tengu ...

[Radio] Transmission detected: ... file ...

[Radio] Transmission detected: ... ... ... heaven's sake.

[Radio] Transmission detected: ... HIGHLY ... "Pavel never ... ANY breaks does he?"

Well. Even though the somber, dreary, and emotionally stressing conversation is still going on a rather gleefull squeal comes from Rigger. Any who happen to glance her and Durandal's way would find that she's flung her arms around his neck and is giving him a tight, firm hug. "That's great!" She plants a kiss to his temple which leaves a smear of lipstick behind and then she takes a slight step back to look Durandal over with a broad grin. "I'm so proud of you!"

[Radio] Transmission detected: It would appear not Sir. Between ... attempted ... a war ... ... ... ... of ... oddities...

[Radio] Transmission detected: Pavel? Honey ... ... what ... ... poor ... Sasha. ... ... ... one minute a ... and the next ... like ... ... ... girl. ... ... a ... ... ... and ... ... ... an /omelette/. Sound a ... '3rd ... to you?

[Radio] Transmission detected: Sounds ... ... frightening ... ...

[Radio] Transmission detected: ... "She ... ... ... if ... heard correctly."

[Radio] Transmission detected: The ... ... ... a ... ... the ultimate war machine...

[Radio] Transmission detected: ... ... ... ...

[Radio] Transmission detected: Part of me ... that Mr. ... ... ... ... ... need ... be ... ... ... ... to secure him perform ... ... ... ... he fails it incarcerate him ... a facility ... ... treatment.

[Radio] Transmission detected: ... is my advisory.

[Radio] Transmission detected: Yeah and ... I'll ... a Grammy.

[Radio] Transmission detected: Doctor. ... ... ... ... ... degrees on file.

[Radio] Transmission detected: ... Abernathy ... will sign ... for ... ... ... ...

[Radio] Transmission detected: No offense Director.

[Radio] Transmission detected: ... ...

[Radio] Transmission detected: ... in all honesty ... the ... were ... hiding behind ... black ... of ... ... ... is ... ... I'd ... ... ... ... ... of them

[Radio] Transmission detected: ... ...

He doesn't sit down, and indeed, his calming down is shutting down, his words guarded. "I don't deal with anger well. I don't know what to do with it besides what I was created to handle it with. Or pain, or someone trying to cut my head off. Maybe it is better that I did not have my weapon then; the sire is less than me, and you had sided with him, so when he fell you might have been angry. Why did you want to undo this? What AM I to you? Son or mistake? Tell me!" He locked eyes with Kain, a full stare. A STARE. From the pale one's eyes, he who could stare a hole in a carbide blast door. "Speak now, and we will be healed, or we will be dead to each other. But this is your last time, and you cannot make it up. I know it's not fair of me to ask something of that of you, but I think I'm kinda going out on a limb here. You can't kill me but you can hurt me and you have, and... and dammit, tell me. Please."

[Radio] Transmission detected: ... ... suggest testing you for even thinking ... ... ... round ... ... of ... ... not for the ... ... ... 'em ... ... be Maverick or ...

You know...you really wouldn't expect someone like him to come to a club like this. Despite the fact that he's been her a few times before...Sword Man is NOT exactly the type you'd think would frequent such a place...but he's here it seems. Decked out in his usual non-battle duds, he walks in, sans the fedora he usually wears with such an outfit, leaving but the black velvet slips over his earpieces to ofset his fairly human-looking head. Why is he here, though? Why, to unwind...or at least take some sort of R&R since that big brawl. "It has been a while since I have been to this place...I wonder if I should merely observe from a distance."

[Radio] Transmission detected: That ... what I ... aiming ... ... Fox.

[Radio] Transmission detected: And I'm ... ... Hunters are /good/ ... ...

Feste is not doing much of anything. He was singing earlier, but he's apparently quieted down. This is far too dramatic to interrupt, after all.

[Radio] Transmission detected: ... ... ... side and in ... ... loco ... ... ...

[Radio] Transmission detected: I'd rather ... ... in a position ... they ... ... the ... in any case. ... ... a ... organization and I ... ... that Mr. ... classifies as ... ... under our guidelines.

Hien sends a radio transmission.

[Radio] Hien sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "With adults, they can't undo their children, right? It doesn't work that way and they get in trouble, right?"

Durandal is rather uncomfortable as Rigger hugs him. "Uh...Moo~om. This is embarresing..." He catches his reflection in a glass for a moment, then pauses to take a second look. He appropreates a napin from the bar and wipes off the smudge. If he had blod vessels he'd be blushing about now...but it fades in a few seconds. "Well, you and I both know it was a matter of time, really. But...I am a tad suprised it was this quickly, myself."

"That's usually what I end up doing." Sword Man's companion speaks just loud enough to be heard over the music. Tori has one hand resting lightly on Sword's arm as if he's some sort of an escort, but it seems mostly out of caution that they not get separated. She gestures towards some lounge chairs and sofas not far from the bar and attempts to steer the both of them there, skirting the dancers. "Sit, drink, listen to the music, watch the people..." Remembering the last time she was here, she starts glancing about for any familiar faces.

Hien receives a radio transmission from Feste.

[Radio] You send Hien a direct message: "*soothingly* That's right."

(Hien is in so much pain it's not even funny.) Kain meets the stare with a determined expression. (He needs to know. So he can live in some stability. I hurt him, and he took it badly. I took it badly.) The thoughts run through Special K's mind. "I should never have considered you an enemy. Neither you nor Sheena. She had the perfect plan," he murmurs. "There's work to be done bringing back the Reds, and the one to blame for screwing it all up is Dynamo, not you." He takes a deep breath, the next words slow and meaningful. "You, Hien, are our son."

Rigger rolls her eyes a bit at Durandal's annoyance over her actions. Feh! At long last it was her turn to torment a child--Be damned if she intended to give that up! Her attention does shift over towards Hien and Kain again with a small frown though. "Seems ours is not the only family reunion tonight," she murmers. "And you could have very well chosen to go into some other profession, you know. Not that I'm complaining about you being in this one that is."

Job goes back to his business however Sword Man's arrival does get his attention. oO(Eh? Another job? naw likely here to kick back Sword was always one of the saner Wily's. Pitty he's stuck with the rest...)Oo He watches the Sword Master and then sendsa Radio to him.

Job sends a radio transmission.

Sword Man receives a radio transmission.

You intercept Job's transmission to Sword Man: Evening Mr Wily.

Sword Man nods to the Wily-assistant, letting her guide them over toward the lounge. "I believe that would be for the best, considering my lack of skills as far as these modern forms of dance go." After all, Sword's more used to the waltz and such, not the almost patternless tribal rhythm of newer dancing. As they reach the lounge, Sword joins Tori in scanning the crowd...after all, who knows when an enemy would choose to take advantage of such a situation. Yep, Sword, ever the soldier. And fittingly enough, a familiar face does poke through, in the form of a radio. "Hrm...seems there are common faces about today after all..." he asides to Tori as he takes a seat, ordering a quick brandy for his drink.

Sword Man sends a radio transmission to Job.

Job receives a radio transmission from Sword Man.

You intercept Sword Man's transmission to Job: Sir Job.

Job sends a radio transmission.

Sword Man receives a radio transmission.

You intercept Job's transmission to Sword Man: I might not always agree with everything you and your family does. However sticking it to the Mavericks does everyone good.

Hien stares at the other Strider for a slow second... before Kain might find a hand drifting once more through his hair, a forehead against his, though the face that is presented is not somber with empathic regret but with the harsh janglings of pain and of a full out hope and relief that's almost as painful as the actual pain itself. "I'm sorry if I was bad and said stuff that hurt you but I thought you didn't want me anymore and it hurt, I won't do it again Father I respect you still, don't think I don't." He murrs softly... then steps back, his face tight, thoughtful... a brief tightbeam is sent off. He shakes himself. "I still feel edgy. I need to..." He stops for a moment. The words Kill Something wouldn't set well with Father.

Durandal shrugs. "Well, I /guess/ so...but really, this is what I want to do! I mean...this is a chance to help make something better of the world, it'd almost be wrong to turn it down!" He orders a soda from the bar. "So, all in all, I think this has been a pretty good day."

Job watches Job and Tori for a moment and optic flickers wondering who Sir Sword's lady friend is? This is most curious, he gets up from his current seat and heards towards where the other two are. He pauses as he get near asking, "Mind if I join you two?"

The embrace.. the first one they'd shared. Kain lets either hand rest on either of his son's shoulders, and lets the moment go. But when Hien starts to apologize, Kain ponders interrupting him but lets him finish. "You... reacted as any abandoned person would. I don't blame you." A deep breath.. being close, like this, and hearing Hien forgive him.. it's a great relief.

"As you say." Tori nods to Sword, then inclines her head to Rigger politely. She doesn't think the blonde woman has noticed them, nor does she have any desire to cause a scene. She's well aware of the recent firefights between the Masters and the Hunters, and doesn't know how much of the bitterness involved might be personal. She sits down on one end of a small couch and crosses her legs primly, before scanning a drink list on the coffee table in front of her. WHen Job approaches them, she looks up curiously, then turns to Sword and shrugs. "I don't mind..."

Feste continues to stand around, just /watching/. Aw, look. Isn't that cute! Father and son, reconciled... ... ... he really should find a chair. All this standing around is just plain uncomfortable.

Hien sends a radio transmission to Feste.

[Radio] Hien sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Feste... ... ...I'm sorry, I didn't mean to ignore you. Truth be told I like spending time with you though half the time we don't do anything I usually think is interesting, but doing it seems to become interesting, then when I try it again later it isn't. I don't get it. But that's okay. Just don't be mad at me. ANd what Uncle Xiang made me for I don't exist for anymore, so I'm not some monster meant to hurt people and destroy, so don't think that either okay?"

Rigger glances away from the Striders as it seems their discussion has grown more personal. She would allow that to go without being oggled. So instead she hops up to sit on the bar counter itself as Durandal gets his soda. Once it arrives she snatches it out of his hand to take a quick sip before offering it back as if nothing were wrong at all by the gesture. "It'll be good having you around again," she offers with a grin as her attention begins to wander. "Fool! Get over here!"

Hien receives a radio transmission from Feste.

[Radio] You send Hien a direct message: "*audible smirk* Okay."

Sword Man doesn't notice Job at first. He has his eyes on another target at the moment, in the form of a certain Strider. One Sword's met all too many times before. "Indeed...many common faces..." he asides again as he shakes his head, turning and finally spotting Job, his shirt awkwardly twisted due his unique lack of a midsection underneath it. "Hrm...Sir Job...I suppose that I have no qualms to thee joining us."

Hien sends a radio transmission.

[Radio] Hien sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Good. Cause if I melt or grow wings and start eating people it's gonna be just as surprising for me ias it is for you. Though I don't think so."

Hien receives a radio transmission from Feste.

[Radio] You send Hien a direct message: "*chuckle*"

Job nods a bit and takes a seat near the Cyborg and the Android. "World has got odd ain't it? At one time you never would have thought that Dr Wily would make a better ruler than anyone would think no? Or the Mavericks having a strangle hold over Europe. Sure business is booming for some but I'd almost not mind taking losses if it ment the fighting had died down..."

Feste smirks. He is being called for.

From out of the crowd comes a tall blond man Durandal will likely not recognize. He could be any goth in this club, really -- spikes and all. He is, however, the only goth in the club that answers to 'Fool'.

F saunters over to Rigger and her boy, giving her a slight courtier's bow as he gets close. "You rang, my lady?"

Hien sends a radio transmission.

[Radio] Hien sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "...Feste... is there... do you know of any way of actually checking to see if there ARE anything unexepcected that could show up from XIang being my uncle?"

Hien receives a radio transmission from Feste.

[Radio] You send Hien a direct message: "I'm an English major, not a geneticist. But you have my sincerest apologies, and I shall look into the matter."

Durandal doesn't object to the soda theivery. Not like he's gonna miss a lone sip. He takes himself a seat and spins around to see whom it might be that Rigger's calling. Because he really hopes it's not him. But Feste makes his presence known, so all it right with the world. "Uh, hi there."

Hien sends a radio transmission to Feste.

[Radio] Hien sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Good. If I can find out that there isn't, then nobody has an excuse with not feeling comfortable about me when they know where I came from so I'll have a good excuse with being angry at them for acting that way."

Hien receives a radio transmission.

[Radio] You send Hien a direct message: "*chuckles quietly* I see that you are no stranger to subtlety. Very good, sir, very good."

Tori leans back in her seat as Job sits down and launches into conversation. Never mind she hasn't had an introduction -- it would be awkward to interject with one now. She does listen with interest, though it seems to her that Job is speaking more to Sword than to her. Her attention wanders, though to one blonde head. Feste is vaguely familiar, but not enough so that she can place a name to the face. Where has she seen him before? Oh, yes, the art exhibition at Europa.

Hien sends a radio transmission.

[Radio] Hien sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "...Subtlety. This is not in my vocabulary."

Rigger grins at Duran's rather surprised response to her calling someone a fool. Her head shakes breifly, before her attention shifts back to Feste. "Nice song," she offers with amusement. "Now sit down and look pretty. My eyecandy for the night has wandered off."

Hien hasn't wandered off. He's having a warm and touching conversation with daddy. Though he is eye candy.

Hien receives a radio transmission from Feste.

[Radio] You send Hien a direct message: "I'll tell you later."

Hien sends a radio transmission.

[Radio] Hien sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Okay. ANd what Frutcake means?"

Hien receives a radio transmission from Feste.

[Radio] You send Hien a direct message: "*sounds as if he's about to say something, and then stops* ... yes."

Hien sends a radio transmission to Feste.

[Radio] Hien sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "*auditory beam* Okay!"

Hien embraces his father, commenting softly. "I need to go find Mother. I need to talk to her." He waves softly to Rigger, his swords apologetic. "I'm sorry we were unable to dance." His comment to feste is tightbeamed, as he makes his way to the door.

The Fool gives Durandal a courteous nod, and fails to notice Tori from across the room. It's likely he doesn't remember her all that well, anyhow. Which is unfortunate.

"Yes, mother," says Feste, obediently pulling up a chair.

Hien sends a radio transmission.

[Radio] Hien sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "I wish to spend time with you, though work intervenes. And you sing, as always, beautifully."

Hien receives a radio transmission.

[Radio] You send Hien a direct message: "Certainly. Thank you, I do try."

Peering over toward Tori, Sword realizes that she likely has no idea who Job is...well, that should be rectified. "Sir Job, perhaps you should introduce thyself to Lady Reah..." While that goes on, Sword simply peers back over to Kain, watching the Strider intently, even as his brandy arrives. His sheathed blade taps at the ground idly, weathered leather meeting the floor. He has to wonder what he's doing here. . o O (I would not expect such a warrior to be in a place such as this...then again, many would likely say that of me...)

Hien has disconnected.

Job pauses for a moment and says, "Sorry, Ma'me. The name is Job and you are? I not met you before and I ain't heard about Sword Man dating anyone. So I'm quite the loss about you, my apologies for not introducing my self."

Kain offers no resistance to Hien's departure. "Go and find her, my son. She will help you too." He steps aside, and watches as Hien goes. Then his gaze meets Sword's. There's a blink.. then a smile and polite nod. "Ah, Sword Man. Didn't expect to see you here." He looks Sword's companions (Tori and Job) over.

Durandal blinks. Blinks again. "Eye...candy..........ewwwww." He takes a long pull at his soda. Once again with the blushing he can't do. So Mom's in one of those moods....he starts to peer around the room, taking in what he can. It's not long before his eyes narrow in on the most obvious weapon in the room. Sword Man's sword. "Hey, now that's a bastard sword and a half right there."

Rigger lifts a finger to waggle at Feste, "I'm not *that* old, thank you," she utters with bemusement. "How've you been anyway?" Her attention swivels back to Duran to stick her tongue out at him, "Oh shush. It's not like I get dates. I can look."

"We're not dating," Tori corrects Job's assumption hastily. She smiles a tad awkwardly in greeting, then holds out her hand. "Tori Reah. Pleased to meet you, Job." With her other hand, she takes a small, long-stemmed glass of cognac from a waiter, just as Kain approaches. She glances at Sword, then turns her full attention to the Strider.

The Fool smiles smugly, pleased by Durandal's reaction. Silly robot! He'd probably be even more confused if he spent a little more time listening to Feste.

"Oh, never," he answers, effortlessly flipping his ponytail over his shoulder and slumping back into the chair. Sitting is good! Woo! "I'm alive. Breathing. That sort of thing."

Sword Man coughs sharply at Job, brow furrowed a bit. "Nay, as Lady Reah has said, we are not 'dating', as you would put it. After all, I am not Sir Crash, for which I am thankful..." He adds on, giving a quick nod to Tori as he turns back. HOpefully, THAT'S cleared up...as if the incident with Tengu wasn't enough. And what do you know, the target of his earlier gaze approaches. Fancy that. A quick nod is given to the strider as Sword turns to him, a sip of his brandy taken before it's replaced on the table. "K. 'Tis strange to meet thee in a situation which doth not require both our blades bared. I trust thou hath been active..." Durandal's comment get's a curious glance and a hrm, but little else for now.

(I could SO ramble... but I won't.) "Yes," replies Kain. "And yourself? And.. who might your companions, here, be?" He crosses his arms behind his back, standing at ease with a bit of a smile. sure, he's a Robot Master, but he knows honor. Something Kain holds close to his heart.

Job would grin a bit if he could but he can't really so he does not. "Ah I stand corrected Miss Reah." He shrugs a bit sheepishly and says, "No your not Crash Man. You have taste sir knight and know how to treat someone better than he does." He looks over to Kain and gives the man a nod, "Evening sir, been a while since we met. Is Sarah doing well?"

Durandal

Durandal's civvy outfit isn't all that impressive, really. It's only a pair of blue cargo shorts and a lighter blue tee shirt. Minimalisim at it's finest. His hair is a tangled red mess, tuffs jut out this way and that. One eye blue, the other yellow in testament to she whom built him. Covering his right arm from wrist to elbow is a sleek crystalline formation. While it looks fairly innocuous, you get the distinct impression that it can be a "Not Nice Thing"(tm).

Durandal half turns back to stick his tounge out at Rigger. "Hey, I don't want to hear about your exploits and more then you want to hear about your Mother's." He snickers playfully. But his focus goes back to Sword Man's weapon. It's shiiiiiny...well, I'm sure that it would be, were it not sheathed. And he's fairly blunt about his staring at it, tact isn't his strongest suit. He's got his elbows on his legs, hands folded, and head resting on his fingers.

Rigger holds up her hands in defeat at Durandal's response. "Hey now, no talking about your grandmother that way," she points out with a smirk. Then she slips off her seat with a glance towards Feste, and then Duran. "I think I should be heading back. These shoes are killing my feet. Try to stay out of trouble, hm?"

Feste quirks an eyebrow at Rigger and Durandal's exchange, and then quirks an eyebrow when she looks at him. He does a lot of brow-quirking, this man.

"Fleeing so soon?" he asks, sounding disappointed. "I'll try, but I can't promise anything."

Tori's attention wanders again, to the young man (Reploid? Android? Cyborg? She can't tell at a glance) sitting with Rigger, who's gazing so raptly at Sword's sheathed weapon. That blatant stare of his makes her start to grin. Innocent enthusiasm is cute.

Sword Man coughs as he turns to his 2 current comrades he sits with...after all, introductions were asked for. "That is Sir Job, and she is Lady Reah. I trust thou knowest of Sir Job already, however..." He leaves it open for Tori to make her own introduction to Kain, while he eyes Duran. "Do not covet this blade, young one. It is one of a kind," he warns is a flat tone before looking over. . o O (A child of the Hunter mechanic, it seems...strange, that...)

Indeed, Kain recognizes Job, and bows to him. "Good to see you again.." and to Lady Reah, he also bows. "And you as well, Lady Reah."

Durandal nods to his mother, looking back for a second. "Yeah, no problem. Nothing that I can't handle, anyway." He makes a note to remember Feste's face and voice. He is an odd one, him. Brow quirking indeed! And if there is anything Duran's learn, is that brow quirks that aren't done by spry young hotshot pilots are done by mad scientists and evil people. And the Fool is hardly the mad scientist type. Back to Sword. "...huh? Oh, no, I don't want it. Swords are trite as melee weapons. I mean, practically everyone and their mother uses them."

Job has disconnected.

Rigger pauses as she stands in front of Feste's seat to swivel a glance over towards Durandal. Then, with a cheshire grin towards Feste. Rather abruptly she leans in towards the blonde man, hands raising up to capture the sides of his face, as she tips her head in close to his.

She doesn't actually *kiss* him, mind, but her nose bumps into his and her hair falls forward in such a manner that it looks as if she *is* kissing him.

Durandal blinks. His danger sense is going off in his head. He slowly turns around to see Rigger....and Feste....and they're....

"There is no way in hell that I'm gonna call him "Dad."" He states flatly.

Tori's attention returns to Kain with a start when she hears her name. "Ah-- Tori is fine, thank you. And you are?" She slumps just a bit when she hears Durandal diss Sword's weapon. Then Rigger kisses Feste, and Kain is still standing over them being strikingly attractive, and Sword is sitting beside her and pointedly not dating her and... Tori can't quite put her thoughts in order, but it all seems to coalesce into a knot of general angst. She gazes off at the dance floor, beginning to wish she were somewhere else.

Feste is evil, Durandal. Everyone may love him, but don't you be fooled for a second! He is secretly plotting to overthrow the world, and is not, in fact, an English major, but a mad scientist, despite whatever claims he makes to the contrary!

It would seem, for all purposes, that Feste kisses Rigger right back. Takes him a second to catch on to her game, but he does...

Rigger releases Feste with a sharp laugh at Durandal's remark. "Oh that's fine!" She chortles with eyes twinkling merrily. "You don't have a father anyway. So don't sweat it."

Abernathy arrives from The Catacombs - Nightclub Entrance.

Abernathy has arrived.

"My name is Kain, ma'am--" (... Great. Not now.) Abruptly, the Blue Strider appears distracted. "Forgive me, but I must go. Urgent matters." And just as abruptly, he turns to head out.

Sword Man coughs at Durandal's criticism of the sword as a weapon. "If thou thinketh so lowly of the art of the blade, then what reason do you have to stare at mine? For thy information, the art of the blade is universal. There is not one culture that was not forged by the steel of swords and blades. Many may wield them...but only a true master is worthy of the title of 'swordsman'. Know that, child..." He ignores the situation with Rigger and Feste, since, frankly, he doesn't want to know what that's about...instead, he looks over to Tori with a bit of worry. "Are you well, Lady Reah?"

Feste pulls away laughing as well, though more quietly. Putting an arm around the back of the chair, he looks over at Durandal, and casually responds as if all of this were completely normal. Which it is, really.

"You don't have to call me Dad. You can just call me Feste, dear boy."

"O-of course." Tori stammers out another reply, bringing herself back to the present just in time to watch Kain turn and slip away. She sighs, shakes her head at her own behavior, then down her cognac in one swift swallow. "Just fine." Her answer to Sword is mild, but terse. She sets down her glass, motioning to an attentive waiter that she would like another of the same.

Kain has disconnected.

Durandal blinks back at Feste in responce. "Right. Feste. Got it." He's gonna talk to Sword now. Yeah..."Oh, I didn't say it wasn't cool. I've got four swords myself. Two katanas, one Reversed, on Jin Tachi, plus a longsword and a rapier. All reproductions, myself. But no, I meant that melee combat with a sword is outdone. There are just too many defenses to put up against them any more. Now I myself preffer an Elctron Flux Whip...no one knows how to properly block them. Or what they're really capable of, for that matter. And I'm not saying that you aren't god, either, mind you. Heck, for all I know you could be Sword Man or someone like that." Funny logic, that.

"Given who his companion is, Duran, that's a very likely possibility." It seems Rigger wasn't as lax in paying attention as she seemed. Her attention has settled on Tori for now with an amused smirk as she takes to leaning on the back of the bar again. Apparently leaving was held off for a short while. "Nice to see you again, Tori."

Sword Man hhhhns at Tori. "Very well, if you say you are well..." Sword doesn't believe it one bit, of course. He's naive in many ways, sure, but not stupid. He'll leave her be, however, and instead focus on Durandal. "Your mother's words speak true. Your assumption is closer than you would believe..." With a slight smirk, he lifts up his shirt...revealing a distinct empty space where a stomach should be, as well as familiar red armorment and royal blue studded trim. "And it's not the amount of defenses or offenses one may be able to think of. It is whether one can muster the proper combination when the fires of battle are at full flame. The ability to apply thy skill in battle situations is as important as skill itself..."

Feste grins at Durandal before he turns away, and promptly zones out as he starts spewing weaponry technobabble. And the revelation that Sword's a Master? Pft. Job helpfully (if unknowingly) revealed that to Feste quite some time ago.

Due to seeming lack of interesting things in that direction, Feste turns his gaze back to the dance floor, idly watching. Isn't that nice.

"Hello, Rigger." Tori's greeting is fairly neutral. She's not yet sure what to make of the smirk on Rigger's face. "Life's treating you well, I hope." She smiles, possibly because a waiter has just placed another small, long-stemmed glass in her fingers, but it does lend the sentiment some sincerity.

Feste(#3650POenAC)

He'd be noticeable if only for his height in some circles, just another pale face framed with far too much black and general ill-feeling towards the world. (grr.) Standing at 6'5", this fellow easily towers over most everyone else, reploid or human. He's thin and lithe with broad shoulders and a relatively slight frame otherwise.

Almost definitely Scandinavian in heritage, his face is ovallish, almost reminiscent of a fox. Rather than anything even mildly normal, his eyes are a bright, blazing red, clearly no longer organic. They've been outlined with black eyeliner, which does nothing to soften the glare. Unsurprisingly (or maybe just unfortunately), he's also wearing a light shade of black lipstick. Long blond hair is bound rather loosely in a ponytail, tied up with -- a black ribbon. (but we bet you were expecting this by now.)

His clothing is relatively simple and straightforward. A black sleeveless shirt, black slacks, black boots. Black black black. (jeez.) Additionally, he's decked out with a spiked metal dog collar around his neck and a similar bracelet, covered in flat metal studs. Predictable.

Durandal nods as Sword talks. "Oh, well of course skill has a whole lot to do with it, but it doesn't really matter how good you are if someone takes you down from a half mile away with a positron cannon, now does it? Kinda like in Indiana Jones, when the dude with the sword was all swinging it around, and Indy just pulled out a gun and shot him." He smiles. "But that's neither here or their. See, my point is that when you go after someone with a sword, they know to a degree what to expect, especially since there are only so many elements that can be applied to a sword to improve it. And besides, a sword can't trip someone up the way a whip can." He swings his right arm in a sweeping motion in the direction of Sword's lower half. Well, that explains what the crystalline formation on that arm is for.

"However, a true Swordsman knows this and would know this and be able to counter this. As I said before, the true mark of a swordsman is the application of skill. The knowledge of fault and transcendance beyond it. Even a bullet can be stemmed by one's steel. Everything can be predictable, child, when you filter battle to it's core," Yep, Sword's in full on lecture mode. Strange to act so old, considering he's barely 5, maybe 6 years old. His lecture is stopped however as he peers toward Tori. "...I see thou hast met the Hunter Mechanic then?" Sword still remember Rigger from her 'fixing' of Astro, as well as the incident Metal got into with her Gellion project...messy messy messy. He knows well enough that even if she is human, she's not to be taken lightly. Scary woman, she...

Your six years trumps Durandal's month and a half, Sword. "Oh, I'm sure that's all well and good for someone like you, but not everyone can swing a sword with your calibur of skill, from what I've heard. See, John Q. Noonespecial doesn't actually know how to properly deflect a blow from a whip and not get hit in the process. See, it's not only about skill, and it's not only about tech, either. Youve got to know what you've got in your hands, but you have to know what the other guy is carrying as well. If you don't, how can you defend against it properly?"

Amidst all the talk of swords and fighting, Feste, rising from his chair, yawns. "Right, well, that was fun," he declares to no one in particular. "I've got to be off, then..."