Cross Effects > Areas
Pine Garden
Bern:
--- Quote from: Kotomine_Rin on July 15, 2021, 09:53:53 PM ---Vega
Vega stopped, aye... but not because she asked him or anything, oh no. He put his finger on his chin and seemed deep in thought.
"So you're admitting you're old. How curious."
And with that, he snapped his fingers dramatically - the sound as loud as the crack of a whip. "And that won't do at all, head patting privileges are non-negotiable. And your hair is really nice too, I must ask, do you use some special shampoo?" He puffed up his own locks playfully as he said that, but his question was anything but a jest. Taking extreme care of one's grooming was a sign of pedigree, and he wanted to keep up with the best ways to take care of himself impeccably - at all times.
"Ah, don't worry. We'll have plenty of time to discuss that, and worry not - your request has not fallen on deaf years. In fact, I know a really nice place. Follow me."
And with that, he hurried off, grabbing something with a firm grip, something even more scandalous than her tail. Without hesitation, he was firmly holding her hand.
"Pwahhh~! This is the place."
It didn't take very long, no time at all. Or perhaps commoners do have some merit, the expression always holds true: time flies when you're having fun. But where could he have taken her? The streets weren't nearly as clean and orderly as the ones in the hill, though it was no pigsty. A noble frequenting the backstreets was simply unheard of - scandalous, even. Some rumors said it was enough to bring ruin to lesser families, and yet Vega of all people didn't seem to mind. He walked these streets as if he knew them by the back of his hand, and brought her 'there'.
The sound of knives hurriedly chopping in the background, metal clanging against metal, impossibly hot oil sizzling filled the busy atmosphere. The scent wok hay soared in the whole shack with the thick, pleasant aroma of burning hot spices.
"Smells nice, right?"
It certainly did. It smelled pretty good. But of all places a spaniard noble would drag a princess to, a traditional chinese hot-pot place was the last you'd expect. He pretty much stuck out like a sore thumb, despite seemingly knowing all the folks as if he were a regular.
--- End quote ---
Lily
"I am old to the perspective of a human like you, but comparatively I'm more like a 16 to 17 year old in human years.... And don't think some delicious food will be enough to sway me hmpfff..." She tried to look away from him, but actually looking away from him would be rude and she could be rude to the master, leaving her doing some half asked in between thing.
But as much as he stood out, she arguably did so even more. The skin tight suit hidden only by a trench coat and more notably the long tail with the heart shaped tip that swished behind her, really did give away where she was from. Any reputation loss from visiting this place would be inconsequential next to the rumors that would arise from him being seen on a date with a succubus. Those services were quiye known to be exceedingly expensive and not something anyone who'd just gotten their hands on a modest fortune could ever enjoy. This was a luxury for the truly rich.
"Master just so we clear here, food can't really sustain me, it's just delicacy to me. I need other things for that.."
SINIB:
--- Quote from: Kotomine_Rin on July 18, 2021, 01:42:20 AM ---Marc
Marc gulped in shock, shook and shooketh by the reaction. "U-uh? No no, don't worry hun. It just made me feel pretty tiny having to look up so high." He booped her on the nose casually. "Mwaha! Wahaha! You see, I have plans for tonight. I will teach you all - about the ways of my people." He crossed his arms and nodded wisely, like the theatric old man he totally wasn't - he was in his golden prime and no one was going to tell him otherwise.
"But first, dinner! I'll let you know I make a mean stew - and don't you dare say no. You kicked my ass thoroughly, so It's only fair I kick your taste buds straight to flavortown."
With that, he took his fancy suit off with a straight motion, revealing a perfectly dandy white apron with "Le shef." written in snazzy pink. "After you, milady." He bowed like a gentleman and waved to the entrance of his abode.
"I'm invincibleeeeee!"
It was a war zone.
Ingredients were being swapped and mixed intensively, chopped with surgical precision before being mixed into his gigantic concoction. The smell in the air was outright kickass, there was no better way to describe it.
He let her with a collection of instruction guides and books in his living room - since he'd be done in a few minutes tops, he figured she might find some of the history books and novels interesting. Not like he was a huge reader, but... ah, well, it was a long boring story.
He dipped a finger in the boiling mixture and licked the tasty stew. "Mhhh. Nah, needs a bit more salt."
...
...
...
[To the player - what book tickled this kid's curious radar fancy? Choose: ]
Great forests and lakes - history of the riverways (Punchline edition).
Streetlights and offices, a guide to official fixers and bounty hunter organizations. (A fancy golden signature, handmade: Lake's Office)
Hustles and bustles - Top 10 ways to get rich quick! (There were a ton of bookmarks on that one)
Pine Garden Families - Famed mages and wizards - record encyclopedia (It looks pretty used and worn)
--- End quote ---
Luthien
Luthien's nose wiggled at the devious poking finger. She shook her head and fluttered her ears in discomfort. "If it's not a problem, why bring it up..." Luthien complained. "But please, I'd be um, honored, to know the ways of your people!"
So she followed him inside, utterly and completely unprepared for the warzone she would find inside. She could barely follow the movements, even with her enhanced senses, and she had absolutely no idea what he was doing or how he was doing it!
Luthien grabbed all four of the tomes with her shadow and opened them all up at the same time, scanning through each book individually at the same time.
Kotomine_Rin:
Vega
"Ooh? And what could that be? Oh, don't tell me. I love surprises." He clasped his hands and leaned forward with a charming smile. "And how quaint, that makes us pre~tty close to the same age! I've turned 18 earlier this year myself, hohoho~!" He laughed cutely before moving forth with grace and deftness, taking a gentle hold of Lily's hand.
"To the wonders of youth. Know this, a life without luxury... ah, the mere thought is chilling." His smile caught the glances of other patrons when his lips brushed on the warm skin princely. "Ah, but back on track, I do recommend the Jiu gong ge - if you don't mind seafood that is. The spice levels are totally off the charts, most don't even last a minute. It's flavor is pretty great too." He slid the menu in front of them so they could read it together, close enough to be a legit couple. When the china-girl waitress came along, he tipped her like a regular - and she bowed.
"What will you have for today sir?" She asked with an earnest, honest tone that spoke of some experience.
"Oh! Well, we should start with the sake of course. Whet our appetites with the good stuff, I'll accept no less for my darling and I. I'm way too parched today." Probably because of the heat. He looked at his contracted GF like a kid who just got caught in a cookie jar. "I normally don't drink in business transactions - today's a special day though. I feel this will help us be more honest with eachother. Soooo, what do you say? Drink's good for you too?"
Bern:
Lily
Lily inched closer to him as he put the menu in front of them, they were a couple as far as she was concerned and she wouldn't shy from displaying her affection for him. She made of a point of finding the order he had recommended on the menu and decided on her course of action next. "I'll have the Jiu gong ge, extra spicy. And I'd love some sake too, I'm gonna be really hot once I get start digging in, and I wouldn't want my passion to consume you."
"Let's not make this a drinking contest though, I'd hate to see you under the table already on our first date Master~" She was still clinging to him even though they had finished looking at the menu. Lily hadn't been on a date like this in a long long time and it was getting kinda exciting, enough for her to already consider to sweep his past actions under the rug.
Kotomine_Rin:
--- Quote from: SINIB on July 18, 2021, 11:56:41 PM ---Luthien
Luthien's nose wiggled at the devious poking finger. She shook her head and fluttered her ears in discomfort. "If it's not a problem, why bring it up..." Luthien complained. "But please, I'd be um, honored, to know the ways of your people!"
So she followed him inside, utterly and completely unprepared for the warzone she would find inside. She could barely follow the movements, even with her enhanced senses, and she had absolutely no idea what he was doing or how he was doing it!
Luthien grabbed all four of the tomes with her shadow and opened them all up at the same time, scanning through each book individually at the same time.
--- End quote ---
The Great Riverways
The great divide was once a greater mass of water, cutting across the entire city with no hope of crossing it. Legends say that the former 'Devil of all Seas', Megicula, still lies dormant within the depths of the gash. With her curses, she caused men, women and children around nearby villages to swell-up like balloons and twist inside out, until beasts of water emerged to drown out the lands. Some even gained a mind of their own, and kept themselves hidden. Others bid their time and reemerged over the years as powerful sea beasts, causing disasters and mutations to those unfortunate enough to be touched by their poisonous waters. Even now, some claim to follow the fallen demon's will.
But that can't be so. Even one of the four would never reemerge once drawing out the true ire of the Chief of all Chiefs. The legendary battle was of such scale, it twisted and warped the great divide itself. Now, another scar runs across the Nexus. A line drawn from a single punch.
A punchline.
Noble Families
Since the Nobles are surrounded by such extravagant wealth in every concievable form, money itself has almost entirely lost value as a means of transaction between them. All that matters are the percieved prestige you posses and the exchange of favours. Favours can be almost anything from the smallest of things to lifedebts and most of them can be traded freely within this domain
Naturally down in the Valley things are a lot different. Regular old capitalism rules the day, although the gang activity is fairly high here. Some believe the gangs are merely pawns of the nobles above, that they influence them and pit them against each other for their amusement. Such thoughts however are better not spoken in public as the eyes and ears of the Nobility reach far and wide.
There are many different families, each ancient and prosperous in its own right.
Many portraits were circled over and marked. Whoever originally owned the book had done a hell of a lot of homework. Unfortunately, it made that book the hardest to parse.
Fixers and Offices
In essence, think of Fixer work as specialized, almost in the same vein as a spec ops group. The job of a Fixer is seen as an escape from a boring and dull lifestyle, since you get the chance to make a name for yourself and earn a large profit. Still, the life of a Fixer is filled with plenty of dangers. Not only do you run the risk of dying, but even large offices deal with syndicates and illicit organizations regularly, and strife between fixer offices isn't unheard of when dealing with interests of opposing parties.
Fixers are mostly a demand in the Backstreets, due to the high mortality rate and crime, but they appear in the Gardens and wealthier districts as well. Fixers often work as security for Corps, intel-gatherers, and hit men. The number of tasks and services providable are all-encompassing, but they mostly settle on similar hiring processes for consistency's sake.
Fixers work by signing contracts with their clients, this is proof of the deed done so that Associations or Offices can confirm that you did the work. Otherwise you won't get paid for it, completed contracts means more recognition for a Fixer's career, which will rise them through the ranks.
Due to the nature of Fixer work, social bonding isn't typically common. Seeing a dead colleague who was once your friend ends up messing up your focus and drags you through depression. As a result, veteran Fixers often focus on the task at hand, pushing away any sentimental thoughts. But while it's generally looked upon, it isn't unheard of for love to bloom on the battlefield. Who knows, if you join our office - you might just find the one! Bwahahaha!
...As a Fixer, you're bound to the Office or Association you work for, few if any have the chance to perform free-lance work, as every machination is tightly bound by contracts to offices and corporations, involving some that deal exclusively with forming said contracts - and the citadel, who uses its mysterious sorceries in order to tighten their grip in exchange for commissions with the higher grade offices.
To become a Fixer, one must obtain a "Fixer License" from the Association. To get the license, you'll have to meet the physical and mental requirements. After that, you should join one of the Offices. You can also strike out and take jobs on your own, but your very unlikely to make headway, as having the reputation of an Office boosts your chances for jobs considerably.
As Luthien flipped through the book's pages and scanned the intel diligently, something suddenly fell from one of the mercenary guide's pages. It was a photograph, however old, it didn't show its age at all. 12 people were crammed in one picture, some grinning and goofing around, others looked more stern, a few were panicking and trying to keep everything in order.
Surprisingly, Marc was something around the middle/right of the picture, kneeling while a tall blonde lady pinned him down in a painful-looking hammerlock, laughing while the poor man tried to keep it together. The picture was even signed with a buncha names and small notes. A large one scrawled over the photo too, witht he same golden ink the book was signed with.
Welcome to the club kiddo.
"Hm? Page turners, aren't they?" Marc's voice suddenly mused, riiiight behind Luthien.
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