Roleplaying
2004 Archive
2005 Archive
Seminars
| When: | 14 November 2004 ("Tears of God" Plot Event) |
| Who: | Asmodeus (as Vornamen, NPCed), Ellen, Megumi, Nalren (as Nathan) Zaman (as Zachary) |
| What: | The diabolical side of things revolving around the recent ruckus involving Nicodemus and Arthur gets some direction, while at the same time raising a dozen more questions about identities and motives. Evil genius stroking cat included! |
Goldenrod Bookshop
This bookstore feels like it's been here for decades and hasn't been maintained well in just about that time. Goldenrod Bookshop is a small theological bookshop that has books stacked high on shelves in every place that could hold them, ranging from all types of religions or philosophical topics. But while the bookstore may look like it's disorderly from the outside, it's all in perfect order within, every topic sorted and cross-listed in a book on the front counter. If there's something you are looking for, just talk to the owner, Ishaq al-Nasir.
"Humanity has always been small, even against the power of their own destructiveness," Nalren points out. "Look at their history of warfare for proof of that. Does the Earth really need an invasion from space to create a potential genocide scenario? I don't think so, we'll wipe /ourselves/ out before aliens can come along." He gestures lightly with one hand, expression thoughtful. "Although most fiction in the game genre revolves around finding the right prettyboy to beat up and kill, it seems that Halo lacks that particular aspect, and it truly does seem 'kill them before they kill you'... much like modern warfare. But with more lasers." LASAHS. "..Yes. Marathon had two or three crazy AIs, I think."
"Ah. I think serious questions make things more interesting," Ellen nods to Zaman. "What is Snowden's secret?" She whispers something back to Megumi, quietly, then listens to Nalren. She smiles a bit, "Small? I do not think the fact that we have the capacity for destruction makes us /small/. Rather, I see it as a source of energy that could potentially be turned in other directions." She chuckles, "I think if people knew that the Earth was being invaded by aliens, we would get ourselves together pretty quickly." Megumi pulls away with a sigh, "He can't tell you, you have to read it. Get Catch Twenty Two Now. Now! Now before it's too late!", she jabs a finger in the general direction of the appropriate book shelf. "Hurry! They might sell out!", she snickers a little, "I like crazy battleships."
"I'm afraid Megumi is right." Zaman says apologetically to Ellen. "I can't reveal Snowden's secret. You have to read Yossarian's revelation from Mr. Heller himself. I love the book too much, it's one of my favorites."
"Oh, we're very small, on a universal scale. In comparison to nature alone, we are downright puny. It is arrogance alone as a species that makes us think that perhaps we are in control of our own destinies!" Though - this is a library, and Nalren is careful to not raise his voice too much, even though it's clear he's rather ... enthuisastic about this subject. "Perhaps humanity could band together to ward of an alien threat, if they were aware of it, but how many nations would call it a trick by their enemies? ...Mm, crazy battleships. I wonder how hard it would be to make one." Uhoh, he's thinking. This can't end well. "I can do some minor programming, but I doubt I could come up with anything quite like a mad battleship, no matter how much fun that might be.."
"Ah, now you've whetted my curiosity," Ellen smiles at Megumi and Zaman. "I will have to check that out." She then responds to Nalren, "I think that in time, we can conquer these limitations. Research has already begun in molecular biology and nanotechnology, for instance. The current generation of humans may live to visit the stars." She smiles at Nalren, "A mad battleship? I'm not sure if that would be more difficult to program than a sane one."
The familiar thrum of a Disturbance in the Symphony strums out like the chords upon a full-sized harp toyed with by an errant hand. It's a bit difficult to tell just what occurred: a largish Disturbance on the edge of town, perhaps, or a smaller, closer one.
Nathan leans back on his heels again. "Well, actually, I agree that such advancements are not far from now. However contrary to popular belief, it would be much harder to create a mad ship than a sane-" Disturbance. Other than a faint wince and a breif pause in speech, he doesn't seem to skip a beat. "..one. Sanity can be relied to be practical, logical, and somewhat predictable, but the truly insane.. it'd take forever to program."
"You can dress up the wolf however you want, Ellen, but the wolf inside stays the same." Zaman comments. "You can't escape what humanity is through baubles of technology, as shiny as they are. There is no trascendence without destruction." He pauses, glancing at Nathan. "You can't program insanity. Insanity means that the rules are gone, that nothing now governs your actions. You can see why you can't program that."
Megumi is...curious. But unfortunately, if she can't calculate where the Disturbance is coming from, it would be odd to disengage herself to search for something that could be anywhere. "That's true, Nathan, though that may be for the best.", she steps back a bit, glancing around, as if looking for a book. And eventually she shrugs and just picks up the ones she dropped. "Well, this was a rather nice impromptu gathering..." she begins.
Some time passes, and in due time, a black sedan pulls up to the front of the bookstore, its arrival muted by the early sunsets provided by the time shift. A tall figure, aquiline features faintly gaunt, strides in, silver-browed visage falling upon the leatherbound blank books displayed at the front counter sternly. The click of designer shoes on the floor can be heard as he meanders back through the shelves, amber eyes intent upon business. A dark duster covers a finely tailored light grey suit. Oddly enough about him, a silver and black striped, long-haired grymalkin drowses in the crook of one arm, the ruff alternately secured, or stroked, by a gloved hand.
Disturbance aside, Nalren's entered Enthusiasm Mode. This might not bode well for the possibility of him NOT trying to program an insane sentience. "Technology both saves and damns us all, I suppose it's just part and parcel of picking your poison- BUT!" Finger goes up, pointing ceilingwards. "But I think it's possible to program insanity. Not at /first/, you'd have to start with rules and logic, but you could *make* it go mad afterwards. Assuming you could program an artificial intelligence to begin with. I'll have to send out some emails, and get ahold of some overseas programmers.. nothing beats the Japanese for that-- hm? Oh." Nathan pauses, dropping his hand back to his side. "Leaving, hm? Well, good luck on your reading. I'll let you know if I ever find a crazy battleship." The arrival of a well-dressed older man is .... not entirely missed, though for a moment he observes, Nalren's attention deliberately doesn't linger.
"Oh, some types of insanity are highly programmable," Ellen smiles. "Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, for instance. As for transcendence -- well, I think that even humanity's darkest tendencies can form the seed of something truly marvellous. I am a romantic that way." She looks at Megumi, "Have to go, Megumi?" then pauses to observe the wealthy old guy with the cat, with quiet curiosity.
The clip-clap of fine shoes can only mean one things, and that's money. Zaman's grin brightens at nothing in particular as the conversation continues along, "OCD isn't insanity. It's a mental disorder. Insanity is unpredictable while OCD is very predictable. You can keep your romanticisms, realism puts bread on my table and these fine buttons on my suit, as he so aptly pointed out." Zaman indicates Sammy.
Megumi looks towards the man, "Well, I-", she falls quiet, "I was just considering leaving, I have my books after all, and I should hardly deign to impose...", she doesn't, however, seem to be in much of a hurry. She seems distracted for a moment before she looks to Nathan, "Well, where would I be able to get ahold of you? I am worried we won't run into each other again otherwise."
Ian McKellen-like looks aside, the tall figure moves with clear intent towards the gathering that includes Zaman. "Mister Mann," he breaks into a thin smile, teeth barely visible. "I do apologize for interrupting your conversation, but your reputation precedes you. I am in need of retaining your services." The feline shifts weight uncomfortably, and a hand reaches out to press the animal's head close to his chest. "Apologies, Ashley's had some... difficulties for some time now."
"My romanticism seems to have done me well... my readers seem to appreciate it," Ellen smiles softly, then goes quiet as the tall man approaches Zachary. She can't help but look at the cat. It's a real pretty cat, and she's almost more impressed with it than its owner.
"It'll be something to experiment with, at least, over virtual battleship or something." And now he's going to actually toy with it for a while, just to see if he CAN do it. "..Well, mondays and wednesdays, I can usually be found lurking around in the science wing of the local college, scaring the students in some of the rooms there. Otherwise... hm. Are you familiar with the internet cafe not too far from here? I spend a lot of time there in the evenings." ..And then the old man approaches, and for some reason Nalren is left with the impression someone's about to be hired to do HIT MAN THINGS AHAHAH. Which means he shuts up and pretends to not be paying attention.
Zaman turns slowly and purposefully as the man addresses him, almost spinning on his heels and abandoning all other conversation. "No apologies necessary." Zaman replies with his winning smile. He looks the other man straight in the eye, not sizing him up at all, as if he already knows what kind of man he's looking at. "While I thank you for your consideration of my firm and the confidence you place in my personally I must confess that this is a highly unorthodox method of acquiring my services. Still, a client is a client. If you wish to discuss the nature of our arrangement now I would be happy to do so in a more private location."
Megumi has the same feeling as Nathan, or similar anyway. She glances to Nathan and murmurs, "I believe I know which one you are talking about, yes. I like that place, you want to meet there sometime?" She asks quietly.
Ellen's eyes flick over the others, noting their reactions. She still wants to pet the guy's cat, but figures this is not a good time to interrupt. She strolls over to the shelf to pick up a copy of 'Catch-22', glancing up at the scene as she thumbs idly through it.
Nalren makes a mental note to hire Zaman if he ever needs someone killed. Until then..! "Sure, feel free to come say something if you see me, I'll do the same." Voice pitched low to not disturb the other conversation, he's -trying- to be tactfully curteous.
"Your discretion is impeccable and commendable, Zachary. I would have waited to call your office during more typical business hours, but it is time-sensitive. You will be properly compensated, of that I can assure you." Perhaps in some perverse desire to toy with the curiosity of those gathered, he turns towards the door, his gait easy enough to follow. His voice seems to become more resonant, and a gleam of skittishness crosses the tabby's features as the words roll off his tongue. "Are you familiar with the recent exploits of Nicodemus Lyman the Fourth? Caused quite the furor recently on campus. Seems the students have caught a whiff of something they don't quite like about him."
Nalren exeunt, stage the other way from the Old Guy and the Hitman.
"Indeed?" Zaman replies, falling into step beside and slightly behind his client-to-be. "I am afraid that despite my contacts in the University staff I had not heard of Mr. Lyman. Perhaps if given more a background I could complete the research necessary on the subject, unless of course you were to tell me the pertinent facts of the matter." He says smoothly to the man, seemingly in his element as he works out the particulars of his job. "Nicodemus...Not a name you hear very often." He comments lightly.
Megumi glances after Nalren Nathan, and then frowns as she hears the words from the older man. Just before he's out of range too! And it's really unpleasant. Hmm... Perhaps she should be a little risky. "Actually, Zachary. I -have- seen Nicodemus, perhaps I could be of some help to you both." She smiles at them, "Sorry for intruding, but I've been around the rallies myself and you caught my attention. If you don't want my help though, I can just slink on over to the counter now."
Ellen's eyes widen, then narrow, as she hears the name of Nicodemus mentioned. She peeps at the group over the edge of her book, listening in.
The as-of-yet unnamed man's amber gaze settles on the 'help' offered by the black haired, shorter female. The forbidding gaze relents some, as if the man was struck by some kind of revelation. Lips curved like the bow of eagle's wings creep upwards slightly, and he nearly purrs out, "Why, yes, young lady, that could be useful." A quick, albeit cool, glance is cast towards Ellen. With a tremulous warble of the older cat, he finally steps out into the night. "Privacy will be of the utmost importance, of course."
Zaman stands at attention next to Sir McKellen's double, eyeing Megumi with a similarly critical air that comes off as more amused since he's smiling. "Of course." Zaman replies to the man, turning and exiting the bookshop with him.
Darn. Looks like Ellen won't get to pet the cat. She casts a worried glance at Megumi as she steps up to offer her 'help'. Setting the book down, she steps up to Megumi quietly. "Megumi? Are you sure this what you want to do?" she asks softly, just before Megumi can step through the door.
The Magneto-Gandalf lookalike twists to look towards Ellen, and deadpans, "Yes, she is certain that she wants to do this. As you are." A click of his heels is heard as he finally exits the door.
Ellen follows along, a bit woodenly, as if she's walking in a trance.
Zaman chuckles darkly at the man's methods, apparently pleased with how this is going. He follows along quite willing and with an extra bounce in his step.
Landmark Diner
Well polished, with valets, despite its twenty-four hour diner status. A few neon lights trim the outside walls, and although light music bearing Tuscan influence can be heard faintly from inside, no new customers are being allowed.
"Vornamen, reservations for four," the man says once the group settles in. He seems quite happy to stand, not addressing the others, until they have been shown to a booth with considerable unoccupied space around it. The cat's still present, casting constant, furtive looks about.
Megumi seems pretty cheery to be along on this trip. She's surprised Ellen's coming along, but she is rather thoughtful rather than paying too much attention to the surroundings. She should, after all, compile her information.
"Reservations for four?" Zaman questions with a degree of amusement as he settles into the booth. "I don't suppose it would be becoming of me to ask how you knew where I was and when in the face of you also knowing there would be four of us here this evening. It's irrelevant, at any rate." He seems to muse to himself.
Ellen walks in with the others, cautiously and anxiously, though trying to hide it. She's just here to keep an eye her friend Megumi and try to keep her out of trouble, that's all. Of course, there's something mysteriously compelling about that old guy, too. And his cat is just gorgeous. Ellen arranges herself to sit near Megumi, sliding into the booth with a quiet look around.
A wry smile crosses the corner of Mr. Vornamen's features, the crows' feet at his eyes scrunching up momentarily before he settles himself at the table. Not missing a beat, he actually slides the feline across the tabletop to Ellen, stating, "The old girl can go for a change of scenery every once in a while." And then, lacing his fingers together, he gets to the point. "Given that we're in mixed company," he doesn't indicate whether he means the individuals seated, or the few waiters that are still about this time of night, "I will try to be as discrete as possible. All of you now at least have the name of Mister Lyman memorized by now, at least. I am certain that all of you are very busy tending to matters given to you by life as well as your 'jobs', as it were, anwering to supervisors and so forth. I'll make a point of taking up as little of your time as possible. This Mister Lyman has recently acquired items of interest, and hasn't been very... forthcoming with their location."
Megumi just listens for now. No need to interrupt if she's getting information. She'll give out her own information if it is asked for. For now, howeer, she nods cheerfully. She won't have to switch sides by the sound of it, and that makes her very happy.
"Please continue, Mr. Vornamen. We are all ears." Zaman urges the other man on, steepling his fingers before him and thinking on what Vornamen as already said.
Ellen holds out her hands to the cat, letting the feline sniff her and get acquainted before offering a skritch to the ruff, gently. Ellen keeps her own expression as calm as she can, absorbing Vornamen's words silently, and trying to look like just one of the group.
"Now, typically, I wouldn't truly bother with diamonds, as they can be had easily enough on the South African market, or even the Ozark Plateau, now THERE'S a place most are not familiar with. They're not even terribly large, either. The clarity on them, however, is truly remarkable, and I've been trying my best to get back in touch with my dear friend. He's done well in industry, so I've been told, but in truth," his brows furrow with over-emphasized regret, "A good deal of that comes from illegal sources, namely organized crime. Extortion, money laundering, the usual. Were he to know that I myself were interested, then he could very well drop off the radar, and any benefit," he spreads his hands to indicate the group even as a few glasses of ice water and light appetizers of cheese slices and fruit are set down, "To ANY of us could be lost. It's not quite as simple as just calling a phone number or visiting a worksite, mind you."
Ellen scritches and strokes the cat; to her eyes, it appears to be no more than an ordinary feline. Meanwhile, she listens, trying to keep her mind from running wild with suspicions (founded or unfounded) and just take in the facts, for now. She casts a glance at Megumi to see how she's reacting to this.
"So you summon to you a lawyer, a student, and a writer-philosopher to strong arm your friend into revealing details about these diamonds?" Zaman asks, one brow archd upward. "This does not add up, Mr. Vornamen. I'm sure you can do better than a yarn like this. A college campus rabble rouser with diamonds? Forgive me if I am a little skeptical of the gains involved."
Diamonds? Just... -diamonds-? That's it? No, that isn't just it. Megumi gives Ellen a reassuring smile. She even reaches over to pat her on the hand. She looks back to the Vornamen and hmms a little, "You know, this, ah, diamond of yours? I expect you are not the only one beyond yourself and your friend that's interested in it. I have seen a lot of people getting good looks at Nicodemus the time he visited the Campus, Ellen and Zachary excluded, but others I have seen. They also seemed rather interested in the rallying, no offense, against your friend as well."
Mister Vornamen finally decides to let Ashley out of the bag, so to speak. Casting a gaze over towards the trio, he states, "Each of you has resources, as it were, that will aid you. And in reality, one diamond, really, Mister Mann." A name that would be meaningless, just a pretty, metaphorical title for highly coveted carbon, to the vast majority of the planet, comes from him. "I understand your skepticism. But there are rewards for obtaining this Tear of God." That blazing, intent gaze of his rests on the trio, debonair gloves clasped together, hiding well the iron fists that lie within. The feline cringes, pressing itself to Ellen's chest, as if aware, in some visceral way, of the implication of that heart-stopping gaze.
"Very well then, Mr. Vornamen." Zaman replies with a wide grin, defying the older man's gaze with his own electric stare. "If there is one thing I enjoy in this world it is a challenge; and this may prove just interesting enough to warrant my attention. I will do as you ask, I think. A diamond with that name sounds as if it could make a man, or a woman, very wealthy indeed." The last seems bent at persuading the other two.
Ellen holds the cat against herself, stroking it comfortingly. Her own heart is skipping a beat. Okay, now /this/ is really odd. "Tear of God, sir?" she asks quietly, keeping her voice smooth. "I will admit that I was unaware that Mister Lyman possessed illegal diamonds, until I heard it now. Wouldn't it seem that he is more than a local money-launderer, if he has the ties to obtain something so rare?"
Zaman rises after his speech, snagging a few slices of cheese for the road. "Ellen, Ellen, Ellen. It's no fun if you get all the questions answered up front. Now I must depart; there is too much waiting for me back at the office, I'm sure you will understand. You know how to find me, Mr. Vornamen." With that he turns and goes.
Megumi says to Zaman, "All I'm interested in is doing the right thing.", she sounds like she means it. Really. She does! She looks over to Ellen and hms. "Perhaps the conspiracy goes farther than we know, Ellen, perhaps even Arthur-", she glances to Vornamen, "Perhaps even he doesn't have all the answers on this fellow."
"A fine name for a fine prize, don't you agree?" The coat-wearing man lets the question hang, as he gives a sharp nod to Zachary. "That I do, and there will be much to talk about. No trouble, just securing the future," he says perhaps too cheerily, before returning his intense gaze back upon the two females. "It's quite possible that more is going on. The important matter is to find out if the fools have ruined it, have kept it close, or already moved it out of the city. Certainly enough of a puzzle to keep all of us busy. Ultimately it does fall to you two, but to think of all that could be experienced, or gained..." A faintly airy shrug is given by him, before he leaves an exorbitantly sized bill on the table to cover the snacks. "You know who, you know what. The hows and whys and whens all still need to be filled in. And it is with that, that I leave you. The cat, please." His demeanor is that of one quite well used to getting what he wants.
Megumi stands up and says, "Thank you, sir, for the help. And the food. Have a good evening.", she smiles charmingly, wishing she knew who it -really- was. Judging from the amount of money he plopped down, she has an idea.
Ellen hasn't touched any of the food herself, she's just poured some cream into a dish for Ashley's benefit. As the cat finishes licking it up, Ellen hands her back across the table, a bit regretfully. Poor kitty, having to go home with this beastly man. But she doesn't say so out loud. She just gives a quiet, respectful nod. "I understand that this is a matter of importance, sir. I will give it due consideration. Thank you for letting me pet your cat, and good evening." She, too, gets up to leave.
At least the animal doesn't spaz once he touches it. Instead, another yawn, revealing well-kept teeth, escapes the feline as she rests in the groove between the man's left arm and chest. A hand idly reaches up to stroke along her ruff, as he nods, and turns to briskly depart.
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