This thread is permanently archived
(Setting) Ankara Lounge
| >Past the doors, the sweet aroma of of cardamon and rose masks the fruity scents of brass hookas at the center of the main room. Waiters dress like medieval Arabs, turbans and all, and waitresses wear colorful silky harem dress. The walls, with arches and pillars like a mosque, project holographic vistas of glass spired arab metropolises, as if the lounge was simultaneously in Neo Dubai, Istanbul, Mega Qatar, and Baghdad.
>...
| >The bar offers a standard collection of drinks and cocktails, plus Turkish soykafe, black tea, mint tea, and unsweetened lemonade. A holosign advertises a full menu of arabian and Mediterranean dishes, especially desserts. Baklava is displayed as the most popular treat. An animation of a rotating baklava piece notes "all desserts made genuinely!"
>Behind the counter is a short redhead with the unusual nametag "Qxwhzzynmmg" which she wears upside-down.
>...
| >"Qxwgzzynmmrg" glances impatiently at her phone, barely engaging with the customers.
>Customers who clash with the usual Glitz clientelle. Four young women in what can only be called a frilly parody of traditional Chinese dress excitedly discuss the implications of digitally simulating each other. Two young men with tall fiber optic mohawks argue about the nature of reality. At the bar three lilim poets review each other's work.
| "A grand place in the midst of the chaotic town. My."
> A suited woman walks into the lounge, fazed by the many differing decors and architectural wonders. She scans through them, a sparkling amazement shows in her emotion.
"—How can one miss such a place?"
> She mumbles quietly to herself, looking around the deeper insides of the building.
| > A man, dressed in jeans and a floral shirt, complete with shoulder holsters, occupied by a 1911. He takes a seat at the bar, hand going over his bald head.
"Bartender, some Moroccan tea and baklava, please."
| > Right after, a younger man follows closely behind the bald man, taking a look around as they enter.
"I'll have the same thing he's having."
| "So what now, Kaz. You've payed back, you've seem to be normal the whole time..."
>The Bald guy comments.
| "Not sure."
> He replies, finding a seat.
"I can't ever tell myself when it happens. I don't even know if it's triggered or not."
| "But can you feel it when it happens?"
| > Entering is a blonde woman with short hair, wearing a white hoodie and blue jeans. A German flag is patched onto the shoulder. She finds a seat a promptly waits for the bartender.
| >>359771
>Before he can turn away, she spots him! The woman turns her head slightly and winks at him.
| > She doesn't make any moves from where she is, turning and waiting for his response.
| >>359779
> Kazuki nods before standing and heading over to sit next to the blonde.
>>359782
"Well, I've got your call. Now how about a drink?"
| >>359786
> With a smile, she nods softly and speaks up with a heavy German Accent.
"I'd love one from a cutie like you, Ja."
| >>359792
> Kaz orders two strawberry daiquiris. Chuckling at her comment.
"So, is there a name to go with?"
| >>359800
"Monika, I like that.. This young man is Kazuki Nakamura. I assume you're from Germany, yes?"
| "—Ah, so Monika and Kazuki; I endow you two this moment."
> Suddenly, a suited woman intrudes the conversation! She barges in smiling at the two, but Kazuki in particular.
"—I'll just be right over there."
> She brushes past them and heads over to sit quite further away from Kazuki.
| >>359806
"Balding doesn't suit you."
> The woman sits next to the bald man, not realizing whether the man was trying to hide himself.
"—So, what are you doing here? With Kazuki no less."
| >>359809
"Leipzig? That's.. That's amazing, really. A true Fighter. aren't you?"
> He jokes.
"You can't be the only one outside, however. I'm straight from Neo-Tokyo."
| >>359808
"Kazuki had to pay for my operation over at VeriaTech. Mass skull fracture."
>John sighs.
"Would have lost my hearing eventually with out it. But... I got a pretty neat beard."
| "Tokyo? You're one for the nightlife, I can tell."
> She laughs at his fighting comment!
"Of course, of course. That's why I joined the polizei.. I couldn't just deal with anarchy running around. I had to do something about it!"
| >>359814
> Uni stares at the aforementioned beard, not at all giving a good impression.
"—I will retract my judgment for now."
| >>359819
"Well, if I told you that, you'd have to keep secret."
> She laughs lightly.
"Or, atleast stay with me for awhile."
> She grows a bit quieter, leaning into Kazuki.
| >>359820
> He watches her for a second before turning back to John and Uni. If either were watching, it was notable that something clicked in his eyes, something out of place. He looks back to Monika and quickly draws her into a kiss.
| >>359824
"Ah- Mm~!"
> With small surprise, she doesn't lean back, instead letting him get through to her.
| >>359824
>John looks past his stare at Uni, and at Kaz, seeing the click. John muttered to himself.
"Son of a..."
| >>359824
"—So, about Kaz.."
> Uni was turning to see Kazuki, but she goes back to John after seeing what Kazuki is currently doing.
"—Well, I-I should order something."
| >>359830
"Just let the kid get his moves on. I'll probably keep track of him, just at a distance."
>John looks back to Uni.
"Are you blushing?"
| >>359828
> He gets his time in with Monika before pulling back.
"Oh- Sorry about that... So, staying with you, huh?"
| >>359832
> She licks her lips, and opens her eyes, having them closed midway.
"You're really interested, huh? Alright. Let's get less eyes on us."
> Standing, Monika takes his hand, tugging playfully for her to follow out the door.
| >>359835
> He stands and follows her closely. And once they're out the door, He's immediately a different person.
| >John sighs.
"So, Police, huh."
>He counts to 3, and begins to trail the two.
| >>359836
> Monika leads him out to the back alley atleast a block or so down, waiting until silence dawns upon the outside of both of them.
| "W-was I blushing?"
> Uni says to herself, seeing John already stepping out to follow Kazuki.
"Wait a minute—.. I'm going with you."
> She says as she too, walks out of her seat.
| >>359840
"Quite a private place, you don't mean to do something a little more fun with me, do you?"
> He smiles a bit.
| >>359843
"Great. I'd rather you kept yourself safe, but fine."
>John keeps following down the block, and stops before the corner to the back alley, pulling out his gun from his shoulder holster.
| >A young woman in her 20s enters the well-lit place wearing a black graphene dress, with a texture similar to silk.
>She sits down at the bar and activates the heater of a smokeless cigarette.
"A Transatlantic, please"
>She takes a puff of her cigarette and savors it, discreetly scanning the room with her left enhanced eye
| >>359845
"—Keep myself safe? I don't want to see you both bloodied again."
> Uni remarks as she is digging through her pocket; finding nothing.
"... I promise I won't be a hindrance."
| >>359844
"Actually, yes, I do.."
> She laughs quietly, drawing a knife! She puts it right against his neck, losing her happy attitude.
"Turn around and put your hands on your head."
| "... Why did I not see this coming."
> Kaz sighs, looking down both ways of the ally before doing what she's told.
| >>359848
>John hand's her his gun, a 1911 10mm Delta. As he rolls up his left sleeve, showing off the entirety of his prosthetic arm, which opens and unfolds a gun. A B&P VP9.
>>359849
>John hears the commotion, and tunrs the corner in to the alleyway.
| "—Why did I see this coming."
> Uni whispers, looking at the situation.
"Do you need a distraction? The knife doesn't look dangerous."
| >>359850
> She pats him down thoroughly, before.. Putting the knife away? She doesn't notice the on coming John and Uni, but calls out in the opposite direction.
"Ash, He's clear."
> Another person cam be seen approaching from the otherwise of the alley..
| "Looks like you got a mean one, Kaz."
>John laughs, as he comes closer.
| > Uni sighs, monitoring the situation as it seems to go down in a better road.
"—At least she isn't piercing him dead with the knife."
| > The person down the alley raises their weapon, an automatic rifle ready to fire as Monika looks to John.
"Stop where You are!"
> The person draws closer, and the first thing visible is their cap, reading 'FBI'.
| >multiple lazer sights flare up around the area
>thats a *lot* of snipers...
| "FB.. FBI?!"
> Uni goes out of her cover to provide John a hand, recognizing the text written at the cap very clearly.
| >>359869
"Friendlies! Friendlies!"
>John raises one of his hands, while keeping his gun down.
"I'm not here to take him from you, just to laugh in his face."
| "This is just slotting great."
> Kaz mutters.
| >>359873
> The woman, cautious of the lasers, stops next to Kaz and monika, lowering her rifle.
"Friendlies.. Civilians or otherwise?"
> Monika states as she hands over Kazuki to Ash.
>>359880
"Kazuki Nakamura, right? You're the shepherd we're looking for."
| >>359883
"Otherwise, if you couldn't tell by the guns."
>John says, but then mouths something else.
>"Not our lasers."
| "So, what jurisdiction do the FBI have here?"
> Uni asks, her hands already up, showing no firearms whatsoever.
"—And what purpose do they need with the Shepherd?"
| "Somewhere completely safe."
> Uni says discreetly, not minding much of the question.
"I guess his date didn't go as well as expected, hmh."
> It's quite apparent which 'his' Uni is pointing at.
| "No, but would it be strange if I said that I expected this?"
>John smirks.
| "Are you sure now is the time for that?"
> Uni volleys back a question, making the conversation feel as though they aren't at a gunpoint.
"—Never mind that. How much of the Shepherd is Kazuki?"
| "We're not sure on his progression, but we know he doesn't got much time."
> Ash responds to >>359915.
"That's why, we're placing you-"
> She looks to Kazuki.
"Under watch by federal agents. Congratulations, Kaz. you're the first one, too."
| "I've never heard of this. I want answers. Who the hell Are you, anyway?"
> Kaz groans, seeing over the situation and comparing to how it could've went.
| >>360516
"Kaz, this would be one of those times where shutting up would be better. I guess I'll no longer have to watch over you, but these fine... agents, will do."
>John smirks.
"Well, if you are FBI, then I better start walking."
| >>360516
>>360519
> Monika looks to Ash and sighs.
"Knew you shouldn't of worn that."
> Ash shakes her head and looks to John.
"No, we're not FBI, I am. We're Rainbow team. We're worse. And we're not gonna be the ones watching this young man."
| "I-I knew I shouldn't have raised my hopes."
> Uni says, disappointed in something.
"—So, what you are writing down this play is that someone else is looking for Kazuki."
| "Oh, the rainbow kids? Hear you guys died out, but I guess the whispers died out."
>John sighs, unhappy with their appearance.
"Well, If it's not you, then who's going to watch Kaz? I know someone who can enforce it, but not watch."
| >>360526
"Almost, died out. And by we, I meant us two. There's a team of operatives already set at his apartment as we speak. What we're doing here was a confirmation routine. Otherwise, Me and Qs job's are done."
> Ash looks to Uni.
"However, I can still play FBI agent if that's what you wish upon yourself. All I need is the badge."
| >>360527
"You guys are idiots. Have you even bothered to go to his farm first?"
>John berates them.
| "No, no. I don't need a cosplay."
> Uni waves off the suggestion.
"Either way, there is no taking Kazuki, hm?"
| (*taking back)
| >>360528
"His farm? Under what reason?"
> Monika, putting her knife away shakes her head.
"We got a report that no one was at the farm, so we let the local police force handle it."
"That's also why you're under house arrest."
| >>360535
"Well you better haul ass, because I don't think they can handle a whole cult, armed with military grade firearms. Well, it was great talking to you, but I've got tea, waiting in the lounge."
>John waves, and begins to walk back to the lounge.
| "W-Wait a minute, John—..."
> Uni follows John, still looking dead confused.
"—Are we.. are we going to let Kazuki go that easily?"
> She doubts John's decision, but couldn't stop walking to the lounge herself.
| >>360547
"You too, pal."
> Ash watches him go, looking to Uni.
"Going with your chummer there, or what?"
| >>360558
(Retcon that)
"You too, pal."
> Monika returns to Kazuki.
"Now that they're leaving, we can get on to serious business."
| >>360557
"You think I don't have Kaz on watch? I've got people to watch, I just had to give him a show for a few days, make sure he thinks I'm alone in what I do."
>John takes a seat at the lounge.
"And I've got to keep tabs on those two. Oh, and gun, please."
>John politely hold out his hand.
| "Serious business, like this wasn't enough?"
> Kazuki watches them leave, a bit angry.
| >>360564
"Here you go,"
> Uni.. hands out a gun that was apparently in her hand this whole time?
"—I still need to order something. Do they have tea? I need a drink to jolt myself back to reality."
> She tries looking around for a menu of sorts.
| >>360569
>John grabs it from her with a handkerchief, and slides it in to his holster.
"I'm not even going to ask where you kept my gun."
| >>360566
"Shut up and listen."
> Ash focuses on Kazuki.
"I want to know everything you know on this cult, then I want you to tell me who runs the corps. The ones that started this mess."
| "Oh, I have been holding it all this time. Why the question?"
> Uni looks to John with a too-oblivious expression.
| "Because I saw you put both hands up, without the gun. Anyway, I hear the pomegranate tea is very good."
>John avoids the conversation, just giving his gun a clean.
| >>360578
"Oh! I have tasted that one before, but I don't know how it would taste here."
> Uni turns, looking for the mention of the name.
"—I say, I have a bad feeling about Kazuki, but maybe that's only my anxiety at play."
| >>360583
"It's either you're knowledge, or you're life. I do hope you know, you're not going to win this one either way." (optional d20)
| "You can say that, but anything involving the Shepherd brings me negativity."
> Uni gazes off into the distance, giving the two a silence in the their talk.
| >>360597 >>360594
"Call an ambulance, will you? Because as much as I hate what he has become, he's still a shell of a chummer."
>John sips at his tea.
| >>360597
> Kaz sits on the ground, against the wall behind him. retracing his thoughts and trying to figure out how he'd make it to here. The bullet went into his chest and through him fully.
| >>360602
"You keep thinking about it for me, alright?"
> Ash holsters her gun and leads Monika out of the alleyway. They disappear quicker than they came.
| >>360601
"Now is not the time to be nonchalant."
> Uni rushes from where she was, taking out what was in her pocket: a small dose of unrecognizable painkiller, ready to be shot.
"Come now, I didn't have this with me for no reason."
> She steps outside briskly.
| >>360619
>John sighs.
"Fine. But he sort of deserved it."
>John follows, gun drawn out of it's holster once more.
| > Uni spots Kazuki in exactly the same place as before, this time in a much worse condition.
"I'm sorry, I wish I could have done my act differently—"
> She clears out a path in Kazuki's apparel to inject the painkiller.
"—Live on and let me see that mongrel again."
> And with a swift push, she planted the syringe down; letting the dose of painkiller subdue Kazuki.
| > He jumps a bit, not expecting the sudden syringe. As soon as it's out, he falls over on his side.
"Uni..?"
| "—Yours truly."
> Uni smiles at him before taking out a phone.
"Now, let's not leave you wounded here."
> She quickly presses the buttons on her phone, attempting to call the emergency service.
"—John, lend me a hand here. We need to bring him inside."
| "I don't know, he looks pretty happy here, but if you say so."
>John grabs his legs.
"Grab his hands, will you?"
| > Uni does as instructed, heaving the shared weight of Kazuki and taking him along inside.
"—I know you like to be less involved here, John; bear with me, I want to see where it ends."
> She says as she slowly walks back to the lounge, with Kazuki in tow.
|
| >John tries to prop Kaz in one of the bathrooms, while they wait.
"All I want is Kaz, out of this buisness, so I can go after the ringleader, but if he slips up one more time, it'll have to be plan b."
| "Plan B?"
> Uni turns to John, head tilted in confusion.
"—Never mind that; what did Kazuki do to be tangled in this story?"
| >John sighs, knowing Uni would get flustered in a second.
"He fucked Ada."
| "Initiation rites."
> Uni reacts almost too flatly to the sentence.
"I say, that's not the worst rites I have seen and heard people sign."
| >Adelaide enjoyed places like this. She'd been relaxing for bout an hour, before rising, and stalking her way towards the restroom, which she opened nonchalantly- and blinked.
| >>360662
"Well it's one of those I wish I didn't walk in on."
>John tries hard to scrub the image out of his head.
| "I'll be outside to wait for the ambulance then. Don't stay for too long unless you have a good exc—"
> Uni didn't notice Adelaide until far too late.
"—Oh.. uhm.. hello there, stranger?"
| >>360665
"Remember what I said on walking in on things that you don't want to see? This might be one of those. Now can you give me a hand, while she calls an ambulance?"
>John rushingly says, mildly embarrassed in being caught in the female restrooms.
| >She was in nice clothes for once. A cute, if short white gown. Her hair color and style had changed- now cyan twintails. Though the lilim sighed, looked at her dress, and moved to help John. It would be a long night.
| "You know, I expected you to run screaming. My name's John, nice to meet ya."
>John finally propped Kaz up in one of the stalls.
| > Uni didn't pay much attention to the Lilim; her blushing was all she tried to hide.
"—T-then, outside a-and ambulance."
> She repeats what she had said, going outside before frantically taking out her phone.
| "Adelaide. We've met." >The DFC-72 said backing away now.
"So-what did I walk in on?"
| >John scratches his beard, thinking.
"Uhh... Girl saw a pervert in the female stalls, and shot him out of horror... Yeah, that's a decent story."
>He closes the stall, leaving Kaz left with a hand down his pants.
| >Adelaide opens the stall, and pulls out her pistol, bringing the body forward to shoot a bullet into the wall behind him. She silently praises silencers.
"I'll play the part of scared killer?"
| "Go wild, or join me in the lounge later, while the paramedics come."
>John stands, and keeps the door open, ready for the ambulance.
| "You two sure is enjoying the toilet talk."
> Uni steps back inside, less flustered this time.
| >She pauses.
"Actually- no. I don't feel like being the killer today." >Her leg opens up, and she reholsters the pistol, the skin sealing itself again. And with that, she exits.
| "T-that lady seems like a strange one."
> Uni comments, turning back to see the Lilim.
"—I.. I hope she understands what happened; this isn't anything normal to see."
| >Of course to people like her, this was normal. Gunshots. Coverups. Blood on dresses, blood on heels. Everything blended together on days like this, and she was remarkably calm as she approached Uni.
"Can't help but wonder how you know John." >There's a pause.
"You don't seem like a runner. Danger/u/, then?"
| "You make accurate assumption, my lady."
> Uni remarks.
"Uni. Here and in the boards. I know John due to some very accidental happenings that was quite similar to this."
> She extends a hand, introducing herself.
| >The lilim smiles, and accepts the hand.
"Adelaide, here. s y h capital K on the boards." >She pauses, and glances around, but seems to calm down after.
| "syh.. Oh! It's syhk! I have seen you around; quite definitely so."
> After introducing herself, Uni nods and smile, recognizing Adelaide from the anonymous boards.
"—I take it you also know John? It's hard not to, I think."
> She giggles, glancing at the bald man.
| "We went hunting, once." >She replies calmly. After a quick pause, she adds.
"There were a few others, but."
| "—Hunting.. for what?"
> Uni stares at Adelaide with a firmly considerate gaze.
".. I hope it's not anything sentient."
| "Mutated deer?" >she's unsure, but shrugs.
"John's pretty unique, though." >She leaves off the 'and you're pretty cute.'
| "I.. see."
> Uni stops, peeks around, and immediately remembers that the two are talking in a bathroom.
"—I'll treat you for a drink if we talk anywhere else—"
> She smiles but also tries to signal that bathrooms are not the best place for conversations.
| >>360822
"You kids have fun, I'll make sure the paramedics know where to go."
>John stands at the doorway, and as suddenly, blue and red lights shine through the lobby, and in to the lounge.
"I swear to god, this drek happens every time I go to a bar."
>The paramedics rush to Kaz, getting him out of the bathroom, hand still in his pants.
| "Sounds good- let's move." >It was a smiple enough phrase, and she didn't mind the change of scenery.
| > Uni took a seat she had before with John, making sure that the seats next to her are empty for Adelaide to use.
"—Here!"
> She waves to Adelaide, gesturing the Lilim to sit next to her.
This thread is permanently archived
| >Among the Glitz District, where the roar of crowds and the digital victory chimes of gaming machines are ubiquitous, is the quiet and laconic, yet garishly Ottomon-themed, Ankara Hookah Lounge. Its heavy blue and white tiled doors contrast with the minimalist decor of the mazelike Hyperion Hotel and Casino where it hides. Between an upcoming HubKlub Jungle, and an upscale Wild Palms Apparel, Ankara Lounge's golden star and crescent sign is still easy to miss.
>...