Roleplaying
2004 Archive
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Seminars
| When: | 10 October 2004 |
| Who: | Alexander, Genevieve, Hirah, Rufus, Danny, Zaman |
| What: | A random encounter between two angels erupts into fiery panic when two demons decide to spice up the exchange. |
Downtown - Austin
The downtown of Austin is well-maintained and not too hard to get around in for a large city's downtown. The streets are frequently lined with trees, many quite large and with several predating the city, such as the last of the Council Oaks, Treaty Oak; poisoned by vandals in 1989, the tree still lives, and some say that it is now a symbol of Austin's resiliance.
Downtown Austin has many places to go and things to see, ranging from historical landmarks like the Capitol building and the Governor's Mansion, to museums such as the Bob Bullock Texas State Museum. It also has the usual and more modern stores and businesses of any modern city, skyscrapers included. Nearby is Town Lake, along the Colorado River.
Alexander is just down the street from Fado's pub, sitting in a doorway out of the path of foot traffic. His jacket is pulled in close around him, and a battered beaten shapeless old hat sits in front of him, anchored by one of his feet. A weathered cardboard sign rests against his knee just reads 'Give'. He's smoking a cigarette, and watching the flicker and dance of the flame of his lighter in the slight breeze on the street.
Hirah has arrived.
It's about three thirtyish right now, and it appears that Genevieve has managed to weasel her way out of her part time work at the pet store. With a faint, disjointed hum, she flounces down the sidewalks, flashing a grin or two at the people passing by. Eventually, her eyes settle on the homeless man as she passes by. She pauses, and almost walks past, before an idea pops into her head. Whipping around, she hunkers forward, and begins to rummage around in the hat itself, counting the change.
Alexander blinks at the young woman who just shoved her hand into his hat and spare change. The fact that she hasn't taken off running yet is the only thing that keeps him from trying to lay her out right here and now, although he does grab for a wrist. "Hey! What'ya think you're doin'?" His other hand snaps the lighter shut as his whole position shifts to leaning towards Genevieve.
Up the street on the other side of Fado's from where the girl is rummaging for change, a slender young man is walking hand-in-hand with another young man with blond hair. The few curious and semi-hostile glances they receive from any pedestrians only seems to make the darker-haired one smile a little more while the blond one flushes each time. The first one turns his head and murmurs something apparently soothing, for the blond nods and seems to calm down. As they reach the corner nearest the bar, the first man gives the other's hand a squeeze and they part with a brief goodbye. The blond walks away down the street the other way and the dark-haired man turns and heads towards Fado's.
Rufus has arrived.
Genevieve managed to get through stacking and ordering about seven dollar's worth of assorted coins and the occasional bill, before he takes notice. With a yelp and a 'heeeeeeeeeey', she fixes him with a glower, as if he were the one out of line, not her. With eyes slightly crossed, she waggles one bracelet spangled arm to dislodge his hand. She says, "I was making change! I swear it! I was gonna give you bills so it'd be easier to carry around! Really!" She pauses for a moment as the dark-haired metrosexual sidles past, before planting her hands on her hips, and chastising the man slightly. "Besides, you could save some of that money if you weren't smoking. Odd, indeed, making conversation with the homeless.
Roll by Alexander: (2) (6) (1)
As he approaches the bar and sees the panhandler and young woman nearby, Devon stops and turns to watch them for a moment. A faint look of concern and focus crosses his face for a moment before he moves to lean against the wall and watch them. The conversation, though, is interesting enough to melt the look of frigid interest into a wry smile. Finally stepping forward, he reaches into a pocket and takes out a five-dollar bill. "How do you know he doesn't like the change? The weight of coin makes a man feel real and substantial, unlike how most people seem to treat the less fortunate." His green eyes swivel to regard the bum as he reaches down to place the fiver in front of him, "Besides, if he wants to smoke, it’s not your business."
Alexander glowers at Genevieve, tucking his lighter away in a pocket and checking to make sure all his money is still there. When his eyes meet hers, she may notice his eyes are actually yellow. He does, however, release her arm when she shakes it free. "Fine. But next time, give a body some warnin'. Otherwise, y'might get hurt, try that with the wrong fellas." He glances at the dark haired man - more of a glare really. "I don't care - money's money. And the smoking... reminds me of a friend."
Danny has arrived.
Roll by Alexander: (3) (6) (6)
Genevieve rolls her eyes slightly, at the magnanimous gesture of the stranger. Pretty or not, it made him look like a... "Show off," she uttered to herself, before blanching slightly at the glare from the homeless man. "I don't think he WANTS it," she says as she fishes out her own five from her pocket, and shoves it in his hand. "I'll take the dimes and pennies. I hate nickels and quarters." She winds up scooping out about $3.58 in change, before stating, "You know, you'd really do a lot better with income if you had any talents. Juggling, musical instruments... And not really talent, even, just attempts, come to think of it...
She pauses, furrowing her brow thoughtfully, not even heeding his warning about other less desirable street elements. She rocks back on her heels, and pulls out a small pack of chalk in different colors. "Like THIS!" Glancing around momentarily, she then stands, and finds a largish square of typically untrodden sidewalk soaked in afternoon sunlight. She begins to make arcing motions, sketching out the contours of a street mural.
It's whatever time of day/night it is as another stranger simply comes walking along, minding her own business, hands in her pockets, looking about here and there, coming down from the north section of the street.
Danny glances nonchaluantly about at the different people along the way as she passes by.
Alexander glances in Hirah's direction, and winces slightly for some reason. Shaking his head, he gathers up what's left in the hat - letting Genevieve take his pennies and dimes. The bills and the rest of the change is bundled away inside his coat. "I've got talents - but they're not useful fer' beggin'. I do alright appealing to the generosity of th' good folk of Austin." Both the sign and hat are tucked away before the man massages the bridge of his nose, watching the girl work. "C'mon now..."
Devon frowns at the woman's frugality and then again at her apparent inability to leave well enough alone. "For the love of... leave the poor man alone. It’s bad enough that he can't get any real social support from this /wonderfully/ run country of ours, but people like you have to come along and try to make him into something you consider morally acceptable." He crosses his arms and leans against the wall again, "You know, in some cultures being a beggar is considered quite holy and purifying. Relying on the -graciousness- of strangers, not their lecturing. Why don't you just leave us alone, young lady?"
Roll by Hirah: (1) (4) (6)
Rufus is in the neighborhood for a bite to eat. Lotsa good places to choose from around here, and conveniently close to FOX7 news. He perks up as he sees.... something happening up ahead. Trying not to look to interested, and, indeed, it may not even be worth his attention, he continues his walk, keeping an ear to the goings-on.
Roll by Genevieve: (5) (6) (5)
Genevieve breaks into bubbly laughter. "C'mon yourself. I'm not saying 'get a job'. Being in one place is way too boring for that. I'm just saying, do something while you're waiting. It doesn't have to be BEAUTIFUL, mind you..." A few arcs of white, slowly delineating the shape of two arms, one coming from each body, extending towards each other, with a fairly nebulous background. After a moment, the talking drones on, and her eyes glaze over slightly. "I didn't mean it THAT way, I...." She pauses for a moment, clapping her jaw shut as she begins to scrub furiously at the emerging scenery, before mmmmphing to herself irritably at the chalk art.
Alexander draws himself up to his full height, and glares at the dark haired man. "Hey now. Lady was just tryin' to help best she knows how." He shoulders past the smaller man, reaching over to lightly lay a chapped palm against Genevieve's shoulder. "I don' want the government's help - I don't need much, just enough to get by." The glower softens into a bright smile. "Keep on tryin' to help. Just... be a little careful about it, aight?"
Roll by Hirah: (1) (3) (4)
Danny slows down a bit as she comes up to the scene of people gathered along the street around the homeless man and watches for a moment.
Roll by Alexander: (4) (4) (6)
Rufus shakes his head. Not even of value as a human interest story. But... something could come up.
A sigh escapes from Hirah's lips as he gets yet more thankless gratitude for trying to help. As the homeless man bumps into him, the Habbalite channels into the other, doing what he does best. Inflaming people. "You're probably right. The government is really no different than the rich yuppies who walk around here. They'll toss you a penny or two, but don't really do anything to solve the problem. You're probably a veteran, right? Why should they care who defends their freedom?"
'Ah!' thinks Rufus. Finally this begins to get interesting, and withdraws his minicam. Not hiding, exactly, but trying not to be overly noticeable.
The big homeless man's lips curl back in a wordless snarl as the dark haired man's words sink into him, unbottling the eternal rage that always bubbles underneath the surface. His hands curl into fists as he litterally growls at the poor woman he's been unleashed on. Pulling his foot back, he lashes out at her with an angry kick. "Damn them all! Always twisting the knife whenever they can... making their lives a misery!"
Danny tilts her head to the side, stopping now, as she looks over at the building that she's next to then takes a position, leaning up against it, continuing to watch the situation with a neutral face.
Rufus can’t help but think... paydirt.
Roll by Genevieve: (6) (6) (1)
Roll by Alexander: (6) (2) (2)
Danny sees that there's a fight and immediately pulls out her badge hidden from under her flannel and states in a loud commanding voice, "Alright, everyone calm down, I'm a police officer. What seems to be the problem here?"
Rufus preys to all the powers for just a LITTLE more violence. This is a busy part of town, and This could easily become an.... admittedly minor.. riot, but a riot nonetheless.
Roll by Genevieve: (4) (1) (2)
Devon's eyes widen slightly in mock astonishment as the bum kicks and the cop steps forward. He himself continues to lean against the wall and shrug, looking mildly shocked. He may have incited the violence, but how could anyone ever prove that?
Genevieve squints some at the two talking, and then looks down at the slowly emerging depiction of Michaelangelo's "Creation of Man". She looks down at the scribbled in tones of yellow, white, and pink chalk to make the flesh tones, looks up towards the homeless man and the slick, well-dressed suburbanite, and groans internally. "Okay, thank you, sir. And hey, that's not very nice, rubbing it in like that." Her shoulders sag a bit, but she stands, her hands dusty. Another glimmer crosses her eyes, as she darts out her chalky hands in a feint towards the dark clothing on the trouble maker's arm. "Yeah, I bet that you don't like to look dirty, even you are... YEEEP!"
As the foot flies towards her, she makes a spring backwards, although she manages to do so with her earthly wares alone. Granted, it wasn't for lack of trying, but such as it is, she falls back on her ass, and then looks up from her sprawled position at the officer. "Trading?" she chirps out at the blonde.
Rufus grins, turning off the camera a moment, and begins looking into the alleyways, hoping to find some surly, easily agitated bums, or possibly, just some stupid inebriated frats would do...
Roll by Rufus: (4) (3) (3)
.... and comes up with Squat.
Alexander is apparently incoherent with rage, his attention switching over to the cop - but clearly he recognizes the badge, just barely. Teeth bared, the big man starts towards the fallen Genevieve nevertheless, in the grip of a fury too hot to deny.
Danny sees that the bum is meaning to attack the young woman and so draws her gun and exclaims in a loud voice, "Cease your action now or I WILL fire!"
Rufus has the camera back on.
Zaman has arrived.
Danny currently has her badge out and a gun pointed at Alexander.
Alexander clenches his fists at his sides, eyes on the gun. "Fuckin' cunt. They're always like that, thinking they know better. Better off fucking showing them what it's /really/ like down here on the street!" He glares at everyone around him. "All of ya! Just using and using and laughing about it the whole fuckin' time." He shakes his head, and braces his feet, growling under his breath.
Roll by Genevieve: (2) (5) (4)
Danny talks in a calm, respectful, yet rational voice to Alexander, "That's fine Sir, but for now you need to step away from the woman and lie down on the ground with your hands behind your back."
Hirah seems to suddenly realize the situation is getting out of control, and that he might even be in danger. Clearing his throat slightly, he edges away and around so that he's not in line of fire from the policewoman. He wasn't done with the bum and thinks he could do more along the lines of inciting more homeless into rage against, well, everyone. "Officer, this was really just a misunderstanding. There's no need to punish this poor, degraded man any further."
Roll by Hirah: (4) (5) (4)
Roll by Danny: (6) (1) (6)
Rufus decides this isn't out of hand enough yet. Letting his eyes settle on the gun, he... no...no, wait. .. too obvious... But what if.... YES! He focuses his mind on a section of the brick wall behind the raving homeless man. Just a bit. If this goes off, it'll look, and sound almost like a shot was fired from the policewoman's gun.
Roll by Rufus: (1) (6) (6)
Zaman strolls into Downtown from Midtown, hands pocketed away into the deep recesses of his jacket. The clip-clap of the man's fine shoes are the only sound his form makes as he strides confidently down the sidewalk.
Roll by Alexander: (4) (6) (4)
The drawing forgotten for now, the rather short female acks at the continued agitation. "This is totally wrong. He was fine until that tall guy -- yeah, HIM edging away -- started saying stuff to him. I even made change in his hat!" she says brightly, before tensing up slightly. She doesn't quite stand just yet, instead flicking her eyes shut momentarily as she runs slender fingers through her short-cropped hair. "Look, I've been there before, trust me, fella. Just settle down. Please?"
Roll by Alexander: (5) (6) (3)
The bum - Alexander - draws himself up to his full height, glaring at everyone around him. There's the pop from behind his head, just adding more fuel to the flames blazing behind his eyes. A snatch of song falls from his lips, a snatch filled with the hissing and roaring of fire itself. And those celestials in the crowd can hear the rush of essence that accompanies the action.
Roll by Alexander: (5) (2) (3)
Roll by Genevieve: (4) (6) (4)
Roll by Genevieve: (5) (6) (3)
Roll by Hirah: (4) (5) (1)
As Alexander suddenly and completely loses it, revealing himself, Hirah is too shocked to escape the blaze from the other Celestial's Song. As the flames lick at him, he screams. Not really in pain, for his sensation of such is much reduced, but mostly in frustration and surprise. "What in the name of Hell?!" Meanwhile, his clothes and hair are aflame and he stops, drops, and rolls. Something they teach in Dis -and- kindergarten.
Roll by Hirah: (1) (6) (2)
Zaman stops as flames erupt a little further down the street, watching the conflagration from behind his cool blue eyes. "Well now." He rasps, pulling one hand free of its pocket and dusting off the front of his jacket. "Some people have no sense of themselves. Such fools are good for business, I suppose." The man shakes his head, stuffing his hand back into his pocket.
Roll by Genevieve: (2) (1) (1)
Rufus makes sure he's well clear. DAMN! This is now going to take some editing to be allowed to go on the air...
Roll by Danny: (1) (1) (5)
"HEY! Spontaneous combustion, now that's aiiiieeeeeek!" At that point, Genevieve breaks into a shriek, and begins to swat at herself, although she EVENTUALLY has the sense to drop to her knees, and roll. Still, looks like someone's gonna have to deal with second degree and possibly third degree burns for the next couple of weeks. A faint whimper escapes her, as terribly singed hair sizzles, and she casts a sulking, accusatory glare towards the flaming homeless man.
Alexander himself is not afire - the flames roar in the air around him. Although part of him seems to be afire, for all that he cares. His hands blaze with greenish flames, flicking hungrily as they blaze, consuming nothing at all.
As soon as those flames come spewing forth out from the homeless man, Danny is ready in action, having been trained for dangerous surprise attacks. She tumbles out of the way and back up to take a knee, pointing the gun at the homeless man as she takes cover behind a car.
Rufus is still filming, by the way.
~Great. I happen to pick a crazy angel with a fire fetish, out of all the bums in this stupid city,~ goes through Hirah's mind as the fire finally goes out as he rolls outside the circle of flame. He stumbles to one knee and screams at the cop, "Don't just stand there, shoot him! He's crazy!" Not putting any sort of supernatural power into the suggestion, it just seems like a sensible thing to do. He coughs, his burned skin already blistering and shiny around his face and arms. Hopefully the moronic police officer will at least slow down the Malakite.
Genevieve tries to look moderately dignified, despite the angry red welts starting to lurch across her forearms and left cheek. "Look, now's really NOT the time. I could show you some neat tricks like that with circles," she mildly stresses the word to the angered homeless man, before she flat out asks, despite the tremble in her hands, "What is your name?" A wary glance is cast towards the others present, and for now, Genevieve is making an attempt to settle him down. "Seriously, we can talk this over a plate of salmon, or even just a plain burger, if you like. AFTER I get some aloe..."
Zaman starts to stride forward again, a smile spreading across his features. Once more the hand comes out of the jacket pocket to reach into the recesses of his jacket, gold buttons brushing past his golden tie. He withdraws a small slip of paper, keeping his pace measured and slow, stopping at the perimeter of spectators and waiting.
Rufus gets as close as he dares, his handcam doing its thing, moving occasionally to get good angles, but definatley not putting himsefl in the line of fire. Not that he's a coward, but... this is too good to pass up filming. Even if it's unsuitable for earth news, it'll be a riot in Shal-Mari.
Roll by Alexander: (1) (6) (2)
Danny takes fire out on the arsonist that's spreading flames out all over the place and setting buildings on fire and burning people up.
Roll by Danny: (4) (4) (2)
Alexander straightens up slowly as Genevieve's words sink in. There's a CRACK from Danny's gun, and an answering puff from Alexander's jacket. The big man rocks only slightly as the fire around his hands dims and dies, rationality coming back into his odd yellow eyes. To the madness, he says the following.
" Fuck."
He fixes Danny with his gaze for a moment, and glances around. "Fuckin' Habbies. I don't know for CERTAIN," he glares at the dark haired man for a moment, "which of you it was... but I'll find out." He nods to Genevieve. "M'sorry. But I think it's time we got out of here. Know which way's the best way to run?" He glances at Danny again, shaking his head. "Put it away girl. Y'don't know what you're playing with. Don't get burned."
Danny looks Alexander straight in the eyes, but simply keeps her gun lined on his sight, though doesn't fire again unless any other actions of his seem to be attacks of any kind.
Genevieve's eyes widen, and she points out a reddened arm to jab at the shot man, before emitting a quiet, 'ow' as the broiled flesh protests against the vigorous motion. "Eeesh, I don't think you're in any shape to run much of anywhere. You're gonna bleed out in a moment!" Rufus will likely get several lovely shots of her, even as she finally staggers up to her feet. "Urm... well, we're not being tackled down to the ground, that seems like a good enough excuse to make a run for it, but..." She shakes her head, puzzled. "I just wanted to draw, too..." She glances at the starburst pattern of scorch marks through the chalk art. Although intended to be ephemeral, there was perhaps some metaphor to be had of the ruined pattern of Michaelangelo's rendition of God reaching out to Adam in the 'Creation of Man'. With a half-pained lurch, she begins to limp towards a reasonable approximation of the direction of Fado's.
And that would confirm what has pretty much already been made clear to Hirah. His lovely target, and probably the girl too, are misguided angels. He doesn't outwardly react to the threat against him, the 'Habbie,' but internally he's scared and enraged at the same time. However, manifesting even a little of his power would be all the Malakite needed to finish the job and destroy his vessel. 'Devon' begins to make his way over to where an ambulance is surely pulling up by now. "Maybe you should call for backup, officer? This crazy man is soaked in gasoline or something. Who knows what else he might try."
Zaman doesn't even flinch as the bullet flies, palming the slip of paper and stuffing it into his pocket. Cold eyes roam over the players assembled at the scene, "Damn. I wanted him as a client." The man slowly shakes his head, turning away.
Danny is already on the call for backup before Devon needs to tell her. Her hand on her radio as quick as you can say shiznit, she's calling in dispatch for those squad cars.
Roll by Alexander: (5) (1) (1)
The big homeless man doesn't seem overly bothered by the bullet - he's certainly not bleeding out. He raises his hand to his head in a bit of a salute to the officer before there is another pinging of disturbance and the big man just... vanishes.
Or at least seems to. To those who can see it (successful perception roll), there is a shape in his place, moving back through the wall behind him. A dark shadowy shape, with wings of black feathers glistening with a hint of blue-black irridescence. And silvery chains wrapped around it.
Roll by Genevieve: (5) (2) (1)
.Roll by Hirah: (2) (1) (3)
Roll by Rufus: (2) (1) (3)
Roll by Danny: (5) (2) (5)
Rufus curses under his breath in ....whatever language it is, it sets your teeth on edge, well, if it could be heard over the noise of the crowd. Can't do that on Camera! Idiot. Hmm, I wonder what the game would make of this. Maybe they could get it to the Dominicans...
Danny does what any good cop would do and waits for that back up to arrive before even touching the scene. Important evidence can't be destroyed.
Danny gets on her radio again and calls in for an ambulence to assist with those that are injured as well as she holsters her gun.
Genevieve seems intent on being difficult. Even as the entity fades out of existance, she drops her jaw, before uttering a curse. "I should have stayed at the pet store and cleaned the fish tanks," she laments, before making another attempt to scramble out of sight.
Rufus is REALLY glad the Malakite didn't take offense at being filmed. A lot of freaky stuff on this tape.
Hirah makes a show of going over toward the ambulance, but as the medics arrive he slips around a corner to hide in a doorway. The last thing he needs now is to answer a lot of questions and be prodded by human 'doctors.' But as Alexander goes Celestial, Hirah manages to spot the dark winged form within. Eyes narrowed, he hisses under his breath and attempts to slink away to hide and heal.
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