Cross Effects > Areas

Pine Garden

<< < (297/309) > >>

Kotomine_Rin:

--- Quote from: Bern on July 22, 2021, 11:29:24 PM ---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.

--- End quote ---
Vega

"All right, it will be here shortly." The waitress bowed and stepped off to the kitchens. Back to Vega, he was absolutely enjoying himself, and the close contact was just the cherry on the top. "Haha, not happening dear. I've yet to see someone who's kept up by the eighth bottle." He chortled with smug satisfaction, inviting the challenge boldly. No, more than arrogance it was confidence, and that kind of confidence was the drive for him to follow up his words with actions.

He followed up with a kiss, full of the brim with passion, not too long nor too short - enough to convey his feelings earnestly. When he broke off, his hand clasped with hers.

"I want more... so much more. This world is just too small for me. And yet, desire seeks eternity. Seeks deep, deep eternity..." His eyes narrowed, but his smile grew. "I've long grown tired of baubles, but you intrigue me. I want to learn more about you." His fingers locked with hers lovingly. "But I am no selfish man. Why not play a game to learn more about eachother? Hrm... yes, feel free to ask me any question you like, any at all. I will return with an answer, and a question of my own. And lying is strictly off the table, ufufu."

Bern:
Lily

Lily blinked and touched her lips where he had so brazenly kissed her, that was unexpected. This man was just filled to the brim with passion, but that wasn't a bad thing. No on the contrary that was her favorite kind of man. "Have you ever thought about obtaining power thar actually matches that ego of yours?"

Seriously, claiming that the world was too small for him when he wasn't even top dog. It was admirable but also pitiful. This man was either a complete moron or someone worthy of her attention. But it all depended on his answer now. She grinned as she anticipated his response, both outcomes would be satisfying in their own way. Was he a fool? Or did he understand the true only thing that truly mattered? The redhead was eagerly awaiting his response, so much so that the restaurant around them faded away to nothingness in her mind.

Kotomine_Rin:
Vega

If he ever genuinely looked surprised, this was about as close as it got. But even his wide eyes soon washed off to reveal a smooth smile. It wasn't just his lips curling up, but his whole expression. Perhaps, even his soul.

"I am." Not a thought, not a hope, not even a dream. Fleeting beauty like that will burn to nothing before decisive actions. An answer like this only needed the slightest pause for dramatic effect, he didn't even hesitate to state that fact.

Such was his nature after all. Nature, that meant he didn't even need to reflect on something like this. For a man like him, no matter how high, there was nothing but the climb that mattered. To gain, to grab, to grasp, with the unwillingness to let go of anything. Everything he did was for that goal.

There was nothing but the climb.

"Why do you think I came all this way?"

SINIB:

--- Quote from: Kotomine_Rin on July 23, 2021, 04:59:28 AM ---

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.

--- End quote ---


Luthien

The brown elf held the three books up in shadow tendrils, rapidly turning the pages faster than any human would be able to read. Her eyes darted back and forth between the three manuscripts with almost machine precision.

Lu shrugged. "Not really, but learning about the human world is part of the mission my mother gave me. The information in them is interesting enough, I suppose." She turned to look at him. Her ears fluttered as she engaged in eye contact with the tall human man. She had to crane her neck to look up at his face.

"Would it be rude to ask you about the picture? It looks like you were having a pretty good time."

Bern:

--- Quote from: Kotomine_Rin on July 28, 2021, 04:38:34 PM ---Vega

If he ever genuinely looked surprised, this was about as close as it got. But even his wide eyes soon washed off to reveal a smooth smile. It wasn't just his lips curling up, but his whole expression. Perhaps, even his soul.

"I am." Not a thought, not a hope, not even a dream. Fleeting beauty like that will burn to nothing before decisive actions. An answer like this only needed the slightest pause for dramatic effect, he didn't even hesitate to state that fact.

Such was his nature after all. Nature, that meant he didn't even need to reflect on something like this. For a man like him, no matter how high, there was nothing but the climb that mattered. To gain, to grab, to grasp, with the unwillingness to let go of anything. Everything he did was for that goal.

There was nothing but the climb.

"Why do you think I came all this way?"

--- End quote ---

Lily

"Because you were dazzled by my radiance and now you want to charm me... few men would pay so much for a girl and then just take them out for dinner." The comforting heat spiked, she had liked his answer and it was further proven by the way her tail was happily swaying behind her.

"But you've barely made any advances either. Do you actually want to fuck me, or did you hire me for a different reason?" While her gaze was inquisitive, her tone was more accusatory. It was kind of strange, a few months ago she would have been relieved by this treatment, but now she felt somewhat offended by his lacking want for her.

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page

[*] Previous page