(1809) Assembling!

Aug 25th, 2018 12:43 AM

Even with the mourning sound, having never been a part of a cabal himself he could only guess what Banshee was going through – especially the ‘once’ qualifier for Vauban as well. “’Least she got a beat down in before she went,” was the best he could offer.

“That’s gotta be insane to deal with. I mean, we all kinda run the risk of being called crazy, but having memories go all St. Elsewhere on ya must be nuts.” He polished off the rest of his cider and made moves for a second. “Aurora seems like she’s holding it together real well. I gotta chat her up more, but I’m kinda nervous.” He admitted as he popped open the second drink. “Don’t, like, blow the lid on it or whatever – it’s not a great look, but Maddie Cross is a pro on the scene and I’m just juggling rubbing chickens.”

His head tilted some at Banshee’s use of those nails on the expired poultry. Shit, people here are intense. He just outwardly nodded along with her talk of Seers though. “Seems like that’s our best bet. Hope they get a little too cocky somewhere along the way. Blows either way though. Much as I’m not a fan of Diamond oppression, at least that shit can get chatted out.”

He laughed then with being easy to read. “You mean the hobo clown shtick? Eh, bit of both I guess.” Like most things in his life, his career wasn’t exactly expertly planned. “My folks are black sheep of the family, just of the snooty academic variety. As long as I was doing something they could brag to their friends about, even low-tier Ahht like sideshow acts, they left me alone. Performance kind of saved my life. Got me out of my head and when I started doing charity gigs meant I could finally be proud of it too.”

He titled his jaw up towards Banshee. “What about you? Like, what do you – do, outside of all this junk? I mean, don’t actually matter much. It’s still kinda hard for me to defend what I do as ‘job’ or anything either.” He was glad to be here rather than in whatever the rest were up to. Actually getting to know someone first was the only way he’d ever known to make a real difference anyway.

**Banshee** · Aug 25th, 2018 01:59 PM

"Yes." Epitaph had left, yes. But she had left a victor.

With a grave nod, "Yes....this is the issue that befell Vauban. He required more time...before the realization of the temporal attacks, he held....much pain. A heavy weight upon his mind and soul. He has removed himself from the front, to heal." another nod is offered, and while she isn't star struck at the side of the blonde she knows that Cricket most definitely is. "She seems, sweet..?" the intonation leaves the phrase to sound a question, "I have not truly interacted with the women, so I would not know for certain, but she has many fans within the community." her head tilts, considering. "You are both Shamans, you are both part of that same entertainment sphere. You have many things to talk about."

She hums, "Some times....though others. Pride, goeth."

Turning upon a more interesting topic, "Then I am glad of your passion. Many times a creative outlet is what can save a soul, the same can be said of myself. I am an artist. Not famed yet, but I do paint. My pain, and passion. I did a piece for the Duel. None yet have seen it, it was a passion project to immortalize that moment, the interplay of Fate and Death. Both of which I am currently studying."

"What are your areas of arcane study? Are you cleaving close to your Path's Ruling or...." she leave it open, her corpse pale eyes curious, in a dull sort of way.

Her attention is arrested by Nebula speaking up, Banshee nods, and wonders if this will prompt the Diamond magi to move away from their corners and actually talk to the gathering as a whole.

As she contemplates, words begin to form within her mind. Not yet time to unleash them, were she to speak it would only be adding shit, and controversy. No one would take her words to heart. Not if she simply yells them across this hall.

**Nemo** · Aug 26th, 2018 01:17 AM

Having slipped past the tense showdown happening in the main hall, the blonde head of Nemo bops into the Assembly Hall.

"Hey, Girl!" she says brightly, waving at Banshee . "Love the ears, by the way! They natural? Or, like, not natural, but physical? Or just cosmetic? Either way, love them. Bet you've been getting an earful of what's going on out there, huh?

"Well, I think I've had about enough, thought I'd join you all here by the food. I looove food. Always have. And, my mother drilled a very important rule into me growing up. Never. Ever. Pass up free food," Nemo explained, grabbing a plate and piling several slices onto her plate.

"Also, dig the Ink, Tattoo Man!" she said with a bright grin, turning to grin at Cricket . "I could never get tattoos, though! They're too conspicuous. Would totally give me away."

Aug 26th, 2018 05:08 AM

“Sucks, but can’t blame him.” He offered between bites of cheesy delicious. “Yeah, I get that we're swimming in the same pond and it’s not like she spat on me when we first met or whatever. It’s just, like, don’t want to come on too strong or try to play it off like it’s nothing either. I know I’ve gotta put on my big boy pants and just go for it though.”

His eyes lit up hearing that Banshee didn’t just paint her face well. “Nice, that’s sick! The science behind painting is so rad. I mean, yeah – pretty colors and intricate detail stuff is cool, but color theory and all that is total nerd porn. Like, all that photo realism stuff people are into where they can get pretty dang close to mimicking how light passes through skin?” He released a soft, appreciative whistle.

“Yeah, I guess. Life is my jam, but with that and Matter can make sure nothing is ever really that dangerous in the show. I picked up the basics of Spirit, but yeah – politics are hard enough with humans.”

He went for another bite of pizza when Nebula’s voice rang through the stonework. He tilted his head back to look over his shoulder, pulling the pizza with it. He took in the proposal, chewing again once she finished. He gulped down the pizza and looked back to Banshee. “A'ight, so, if the buddy system gets approved, got my back? It’s a real blow to the ego getting picked last.” He followed up with a B to B+ smile.

Nemo ’s voice had him stepping back, opening up a space for the handsome lady to join in on the convo. “Thanks You Person!” He said waving some of his fingers from off his cider as she complimented his ink. “Yo, get that for sure. They make some real solid cover up these days though, get it's a pain though. But I’m not trying to be a nun or anything, so pulling focus is part of the gimmick.”

"Maybelline doesn't do shit for props though." He offered with a pointed look down to Nemo's impressive package. "You seem real happy to be here." Since the last time he had been here he'd seen a shotgun getting packed up he wasn't aghast that she was packing, but his head tilted at a quizzical angle all the same.

Sauron take notes. 6 suxx

**Banshee** · Aug 27th, 2018 08:11 PM

"You will." she nods spearing another piece of poultry. "If you require aid in practising a speech I am available, though there is someone else who would make a better practice partner." the Omen would simply need to introduce them, and ask a favour. Though the faceshifter seemed comparatively - fuck it - pretty chill for a Guardian.

Banshee's countenance lightens as the Clown enthuses upon her own passions, "Yes. It is something that requires more thought and skill then most would realize. I would enjoy showing you my work. As I said I've only really done one piece since my arrival in Sacramento. Though I am angling for a job. It's to do macabre art on Tarot cards. I hope that allowing some symbolism and imagery might help, spark a Soul's shedding that Abyssal shard. Awaken them to the Truth...." she trails off.

"Unlike many of my fellow Mori, I have let my studies of Matter fall to the way side in my search for Death. I have picked up the interplay of Forces, and I am attempting to study Fate - the Duel between Knot and Epitaph was enlightening."

"I do. Though...Knot's idea is certainly one that will have my vote." there was a wry twist to her lips, which falls as the blond women approaches them.

"Nemo?" Banshee hesitates for a moment before naming her, the blonde was unknown to her, but apparently knew her. Who else could it have been but a self introduced faceshifter. "They are not a prosthetic. With no Life, I allowed an artist to take a knife to my ear, split apart the cartilage, shape and stitch mine ears to points."

Her brow arches, "Ha," her lips curl. "Was that an intentional pun, or a coincidental play on words?"

**Nemo** · Aug 27th, 2018 09:26 PM

Behind the exterior of the happy blonde, Nemo felt something above her stomach clench and roil like a fist in her viscera.

He'd seen? What had gone wrong? How had he been able to tell?

It took all of her willpower not to look down, not to pull out her compact and flick open the mirror, not to go squeeze herself into the corner. There were only two people in the room, but suddenly, it felt like she'd just been stripped naked on stage, or forced to hobble through the streets with some bitch yelling "shame" behind her.

Retreating behind a face full of pizza, it was only once Nemo convinced herself to keep chewing that she realized Mr. Tattoo had been talking about her gun.

Fucking Oracles. Of course he would say something asinine like that. With that mustache? Yeah.

1 success to hide the feels

"Sooo happy," she replied around a piece of pizza, pretending that nothing was the matter. "Like, it's getting nasty out there. Like Mean Girls, but without Lohan.

"Speaking of which. I see no puns," Nemo replied, turning to Banshee with a wink.

"And Yup! You guessed it. It is I, Nemo. Like the fish, not the captain."

She shrugged. What could she say. The Magister had hated disney, but her dad had snuck her into the theaters for the underwater adventure, and she'd never forgotten.

"So, isn't it funny that pretty much everyone here is an American, but, like, no one gives a fuck about Democracy except for, like, you two and Knot? Why do you think that is?"

Aug 28th, 2018 12:51 AM

“Ah thanks, but I’ve always been best at improv anyway.” He responded to Banshee’s offer while he finish off his second slice and let drop the lightly stained paper plate back to the table. He had to force himself to pace a little. “I’d be totally down for more peeps and practice. I at least got common ground with Aurora, but I’m guessing I could use the help for everyone else.”

“Tarot after dark sounds badass.” He offered with real enthusiasm. “Keep me in the loop about it. I’m all for promoting merch, double when it’s for helping wake people up. Could do some kind of charity carnival thing to get the word out too. Tarot readings are always a big draw even if people don’t buy into ‘em at first.”

He gave a happy fist clench knowing he wouldn’t be last pick for Cabal dodge ball. “Nice, nice. Well, yeah that’s the primo plan if everyone actually goes for it.”

All Cricket sees beyond that is a pretty blonde. He laughed with Nemo's reference, blind to any offense. "Yeah, real different film if they had been stacking heat tho'. But that's how everything goes now, isn't it? Grimdark reboots? Ah, who am I kidding -- I'd be first in line for 'Mean Girls 2: We Need to Talk About Regina'.”

He sipped away at his cider and gave a shrug to her observation. “I’m betting having the ability to strong arm reality has something to do with it. Though – guess that’s kind of the American way now too.” Shockingly, he wasn’t thrilled to be an American currently.

What is up? Nothin'

**Banshee** · Aug 28th, 2018 10:05 PM

"I do enjoy improv comedy, seeing how quickly the scenario can spin in either direction." she says, for what might pass as cheer for her. "Of course, speaking with various individual is tedious at times. We could employ various scenarios and act on them in either role. Would most likely improve our reactions to the varied situations, and to the myriad of individuals." she offers. Her Sanctum had a stage for a reason. ~~and it wasn't like anyone else would use it~~

"Thank you," she returns with a smile, it fades after a moment, but there's a twinkle behind the colourless contact lenses. "I will keep you informed, we're here to raise everyone up, open their eyes, hearts and minds. If I can touch just one person...." another smile, a proper one. It's soft but sincere.

"Of course not. I remember quite vividly how it was to be the last chosen for team sports." she maintains her smile, and hides all the brittle broken glass behind it.

"But you might hear them." wryly said, a smirk in place, swiftly opting mentally move on. It would be better for everyone. "Haha," forced of course, "We could gather around an ancient device known as a television and what something prerecord on something else called a Dee Vee Dee player....many did in the before times of PCs and streaming."

Following up on Cricket's words, she deadpans, "Nemo, they just want to make America Great Again."

feeling...? what are feeelings?

2 successes

**Nemo** · Aug 29th, 2018 12:26 AM

"Like, oh my gawd, I just love Tarot," Nemo blurted out, bluntly inserting herself into the conversation again. She knew she was still feeling touchy about Cricket's comment, and everything was going to feel like a live wire brushing her skin for a bit, but she really hated feeling excluded.

...it might have also been a symptom of having grown up with her Parents and Aunt having secret conversations basically constantly in front of her. She sure as hell was going to make sure she'd finished learning Morse code before Thanksgiving hit.

"Like, I actually practice Tarot everyday! It helps me, you know, slip into character. Or, like, not get lost in character, either?"

The Faceshifter shrugged, feeling at once emboldened by her confession, as well as more than a little bare.

"Like, people talk about Improv, but you try living as someone else for more than a week, and then come back and talk to me about it, ok?"

She laughed, but there was definitely a serious edge riding her voice. Of course, that edge disappeared a moment later, and Nemo barked out a laugh at Banshee's MAGA joke.

"You're bad, girl," she observed with a giggle, before taking another bite of pizza.

Aug 29th, 2018 04:51 PM

Cricket chuckles at the idea Banshee’s words reanimated in his head. “Now there’s a show. It’s rule number one of clown-school to take the piss a bit. A little play poking some fun at everyone as thinly veiled characters would be a riot – this crowd might be a bit touchy for something like that, but from the sound of it, they have it coming.” He would risk anyway, he wasn’t a stranger to bombing either.

His head bobbed in excitement with Banshee’s archaic description of entertainment. “A movie night sounds dope. I pretty much stick to nature documentaries myself, but I won’t force that on anyone.” They weren’t always the most entertaining – at least not unless hovering in a cloud of smoke the way he usually did. Either way, his social calendar was filling up quick, but he was sure there was all the time in the world.

“I just like the pretty pictures.” Which was both true and about the extent of his understanding of Tarot.

He was puzzled by Nemo’s statement of being someone else, but he took it at face value the way he did most things. “Challenge accepted! Wait – so, would I be a different person, who also knows you and then reports back as myself – or them? I mean, is this method acting or Three Faces of Eve territory?” Not that the former didn’t always look like that latter when someone forgot acting was playing pretend.

He gave his own gaffaw with Banshee's excellent shot. It opened the floodgates though. “Speaking of – since, we’re at it -- want to hear a joke?” His belief was of course, of course. “What’s the most popular holiday song at the asylum?” He waited a beat. “Do You Hear What I Hear?” He beamed, unapologetically pleased with himself. It wasn’t an original, but almost nothing was since memes had become an art form, and he'd picked it up from a stint to one in his younger years even before the walls had started talking back for real.

Timing! 2 suxx

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2018-08-26 04:54:46		Cricket rolls 6 to Spot that piece (Wits 4 + Comp. 2) (10 Again)		5, 9, 8, 9, 10, 10, 10, 2, 7		6 successes

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2018-08-27 21:06:58		Nemo rolls 8 to Ouch~ Hide the feels... (manip3+subter5) (10 Again)		6, 2, 10, 2, 4, 1, 4, 2, 4		1 success

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2018-08-28 00:43:05		Cricket rolls 7 to Feel the feels (Wits 4 + Emp. 3) (10 Again)		5, 2, 5, 5, 7, 2, 7		failure

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2018-08-28 21:01:31		Banshee rolls 1 to What are feelings? (Wits 2 + -1unskilled) (10 Again)		6		failure

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2018-08-28 21:48:34		Banshee rolls 6 to hiding dem feels! (Wits 2 + Subterfuge 4) (10 Again)		3, 7, 7, 8, 8, 6		2 successes

(1809) Assembling!

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