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Post by Agrippa on Feb 17, 2021 20:03:18 GMT -8
If Sedna wanted to focus on them, Agrippa was more than willing to oblige. Anything to help them aggressively ignore Chugunkin's verbal curb stomping of the fairest, who flew just a little too close to the sun. While it didn't surprise the beast that the the Winter Princess would leave Archie and the Knight alone to their one-sided battle, it didn't escape them that her interests shied away from Ivory as well. Both Agrippa and Riley had presented themselves as social paragons first and foremost, to Agrippa's ears at least- was this a similarity that caught the Lady's fancy? Or...was it something else?
Agrippa loosened themselves, dropping hooks to see which, if any Sedna would tug: writing, physical infiltration, social infiltration, heists, athleticism...
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 17, 2021 21:07:20 GMT -8
Oof...bit of a slip...bit of an oopsie...bit of a booboo...bit of a misstep...bit of a wowza...bit of a yikes from me dawg. Rank had its own level of intimidation, rumours without fact only furthered that fear, and lastly Archie had more or less thrown a kitchen sink. Well he only had himself to blame for that matter, so hey, he might as well take the opportunity to apply his day job to his second life and see if he actually had the chops to cut his teeth. The recent history he had experienced told him he was likely to face some intense backlash and that did leave a churning feeling in his stomach - but he couldn’t let past snarling from beasts hamper him, now could he? “I won’t insult your intuition, and fact finding which is very much on the nose - but one does grow to walk as a Lost for 40 years - and a successful one as that without sharpening their wits do they?”
Admit he was caught, no point in lying about it now the Knight had him dead to rights. He had inserted a boast, so play to it - just a touch but not too much. Respect what he has accomplished by not only surviving but succeeding in the game of those who escaped Arcadia. “The group of us, we have been courting and preening, teasing and highlighting about what we all bring to the table, what we can and would like to accomplish, so on and so forth. Ambition and Ability are two hallmarks of those willing to achieve more. So I was simply keeping with the trend but chose to show versus tell. An asset really more than anything. Also a far better demonstration simply trying to kick down doors like some who wield the crown, since I was aiming for more of a showcase than anything more obvious.”
Now there was a reason - you courted us about what these youngin’s could do, and whether the answer of somewhat scandalous they were only talking about one person right now. If Chugunkin chose to take this purely as insult, it was going to be ugly. If Archie could swing the perspective, a different story may unfurl. “What do you do though? You continue to see what value was left off the table, across the board, as such is the enterprising nature of the Antler Crown.”
You saw what was unsaid, what else may have been left out, eh? By any and all of these sprouts in fact! He encouraged the Knight to continue to find what the value of what he had in front of him was, because if they were just going to clam up now they weren’t really extraordinary, were they? Strong King - ArchieToday at 9:05 PM
Dead Heading
Archie sell's the situation to Chugunkin
Manipulation + Persuasion + Fast Talk
@dicecord-CoD roll 8
Dicecord-CoD
BOT
Today at 9:05 PM
@strong King - Archie rolled 8 dice and got 1 success. 5 9 3 1 3 2 7 6
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Oren
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written by Hiver
Posts: 242
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Post by Oren on Feb 19, 2021 9:28:01 GMT -8
All he had needed to do was straighten his back, puff up his chest, and a run a practiced hand through thinner, tamed hair. Gelled--no--waxed. The watch was a gift from a doting director and the tattoos were just...seasoning. Texture. Penrose was back in action, a Mask tailored for the underworld, a Man who had seen its jaws and cut its gums. As with all things done in service of the Iron Spear, Oren would lie, schmooze, and act invited through layers of Spring finery and effervescence until he made it into the Room Where It Happens. There he would just sit, and make himself comfortable, but not too comfortable. He did have a job after all. Security. Conscious security. He couldn't have too much fun. He spotted Archie and felt a pang of mischief. It ebbed very quickly, for there was a time and place for everything. Riley was also here. Here he was in the company of artists, and yet he felt the sneaking, sinking feeling that he was, in truth, in a nest of vipers? Maybe that's what they always were.
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Post by Krakenbox on Feb 19, 2021 13:39:59 GMT -8
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Post by Rudolph Chugunkin on Feb 19, 2021 17:46:59 GMT -8
The Wizened's expression remained neutral as he listened to Archie talk, taking a drink from Sedna's gifted champagne without blinking. He held up a finger when he was unsure if the Fairest was going to keep going.
"You don't need to tell me what to think, Hartman."
They had spend the last several minutes letting him form his own opinion, after all. He rubbed his chin, gold splashing across his slate-grey jaw before flaking and fading. "Some people like to go on and on and on. I am not one of those people. Wash the bullshit out of your mouth for five seconds. There's worse drinks, and you're disappointing the Lady," he laughs. Chugunkin proffered the glass, staring at Archie until he drank all of it.
"You are showing me a fairy trick. We all have them. I like results... No," he snapped his finger between the meaningful pause, whether the Chatelaine opened his mouth or not. "Don't talk about your money and business. I already know. You told me."
There was another forced gap in the conversation, forcing the Americans to quiet down. Only when he was satisfied with Archie's posture in the calm — or anxious waiting — he continued.
"You just wasted my time telling me to ignore the insult, and instead see how great you and your friends are. If you think I asked you to beg for mercy and distract me from the truth, you see me as a threat. We are on the same side, Hartman. Don't give me a reason to think otherwise."
He spread his hands again, gesturing with two fingers while the rest threatened to snap the neck of the fluted glass. "You still have a seat at the table, Chatelaine. Now instead of trying to sell me a lie... One sentence. Give weight to your choices if you want respect."
Sniff.
"Answer the fucking question."
He wasn't going to repeat it.
Sedna's black painted lips smiled evenly at the rest of them, seeing if they were willing to throw Archie under the bus for a stumble that could easily be smoothed, if not for their fear of dirtying their reputations. That was the interesting observation she was looking for.
What did these individuals value?
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Riley Sorsa
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Presence (3) Captivating | SL(1) Stylish Mantle (2)Spring | Status(1) Entertainment
Posts: 913
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Post by Riley Sorsa on Feb 20, 2021 8:27:32 GMT -8
While Riley would like nothing more than to soak up the attention that Sedna was giving to Riley and Agrippa, the conversation at the other part of the table had become the central focus. Threatening to get perhaps ugly.
The moth's black eyes soaked up the tension between Chungunkin and Hartman. Their antennae flattened back as if focused or out of anxiety. Speaking to Archie at this moment to help him might make the man look a bit more the fool, but it was better he looked the fool and highlighted the authority that Chungunkin held.
“Archie…” Riley leaned in to give him some soft advice.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2021 9:03:38 GMT -8
Strong King - ArchieToday at 8:35 AM
Dead Heading
Okay Chungus, what do you want (Riley gives some solid advice as his street lawyer)
Wits + Streetwise + 2 assist - 1
@dicecord-CoD#1854 roll 4
@dicecord-CoD roll 4
Dicecord-CoD
BOT
Today at 8:35 AM
@strong King - Archie rolled 4 dice and got 2 successes. 1 1 10(10)(1) 6 Krakenbox
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Ivory
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Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588
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Post by Ivory on Feb 20, 2021 16:10:49 GMT -8
It would be a lie to state the Pale Dragon was not enjoying the show in front of her. Archie had overplayed his hand - twice. Chugunkin was unwilling to let the man fast-talk his way out of the situation which Ivory, frankly, supported. The man had to learn when it was time to fold his cards, apologize, and offer favors or service. That is what Ivory suspected he would need to do now.
Nonetheless, Ivory, unlike Riley, did not rush to the man's aid. Archie was not an ally of hers and the Pale Dragon saw no need to invest in him after what she considered a dangerous play.
Riley's assistance to him earned the Moth a perked eyebrow. They better know what they're doing... Riley was someone Ivory had some liking to. She enjoyed the dancer and did not want this to blow up in their face... but the decision was theirs.
So it was that Ivory observed the scene with relaxed ease, her attitude towards Archie markedly indifferent. Given the excitement of it all, however, the Pale Dragon hadn't noticed Sedna's glance.
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Oren
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written by Hiver
Posts: 242
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Post by Oren on Feb 20, 2021 17:51:56 GMT -8
Awkward...
Oren would have smiled. Penrose remained tight lipped, mulling over what could possibly be said. Guns had not been drawn, and yet he could feel the heat of well-worn barrels and sharper daggers poking into sensitive areas. Chugunkin looked the type to sick a pack of wild dogs on those he did not like; dogs that he kept fed on raw meat and people that owed him money.
Tony Soprano. No...that wasn't it....
A question was asked. An opportunity unlikely to be seized the squeamish, the anxious, or the ones inclined towards self-preservation. But Oren was on-the-clock. It was time to put on a show. He simply rose a hand, in petition. He would not speak over anyone. He would simply wait, and when given the chance to speak, he would keep it straight and simple.
Straight...and simple. Short and sweet.
"Give him a shovel and see how well he digs."
If asked to expound, he would continue.
"Make him a grave-keeper, should his arms prove strong enough for your honored dead."
He acknowledged that Chugunkin was more than capable of attending to his own affairs. He was suggesting that Archie be given a chance to prove his worth with something menial; something simple, with enough rope to hang himself or better yet, tie some loose ends for the good Knight.
All the same, he had to act like he knew what was talking about; these measures of worth and value, to a bespoke Knight of Spring in his own domain.
Any lesser actor would tremble.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2021 20:48:56 GMT -8
Well, he would have to play his role in this berating now wouldn’t he? It seemed that his time sitting at desks, and bars had not prepared him for the tire fire that was the underworld, and this seemed like much more a culture thing than a faerie thing. So the point was taken if not sore. Some may take the Fairest for a sucker for punishment at some point but you could only call them growing pains and move on. Thought, drink finished - less he prolonged this entire thing there was a brief moment of anxiety, despite doing his best to hold a poker face...Do it for Gaga. He had a blank, where precious seconds felt like minutes, and even though he looked calm, cool, and collected he was sweating bullets on the inside until… A whisper, a breath on his ear, a shiver as he felt like there was a fluttering in his stomach over taking the anxiety. Riley stepped up and whispered something… Well it may as well have been the Godfather Trilogy (mostly parts 1 and 2) but it clicked that there was an angle here. This man wasn’t doing business at the moment, he was putting his dick on the table. “It seems that I now know that I know nothing, particularly by comparison. So I defer to someone who does know, and ask you, Sir, how can I best make this up to and repay you for this teachable moment?”Smooth Ar- what the fuck? His own voice, with the psychedelics turned on high warranted a glance from Archie only to find their newest voice at the table giving a slightly different answer. In the shock and confusion there was also a ping that his answer wasn’t going to be taken seriously. Strong King - ArchieToday at 8:30 PM
Dead Heading
What are you even...(doing?) @hiver
Wits + Empathy + Specialty
@dicecord-CoD roll 7
Dicecord-CoD
BOT
Today at 8:30 PM
@strong King - Archie rolled 7 dice and got 4 successes. 1 6 1 5 3 8 10(10)(9)
Exceptional for Chatelaine
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Oren
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written by Hiver
Posts: 242
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Post by Oren on Feb 20, 2021 21:23:47 GMT -8
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Post by Agrippa on Feb 21, 2021 6:52:51 GMT -8
Guilt was starting to gnaw at Agrippa, as Sedna focused her attentions on Archie and the beast lost their excuse for distraction. Empathy was doing a fantastic job grinding down their instincts of self-preservation. They were just about to say something, anything to the fairest, when Riley beat them to it. It was likely for the best- mob etiquette wasn't exactly their forte, and they were glad they weren't left the chance to make all of this even worse with questionable advice. Yet, reading the interests of the Winter Princess, Agrippa made sure she saw them lean a little towards the fairest as if they had the intentions of light interference, before politely backing off and 'letting' Riley take lead.
Maybe this thing wasn't going to be that bad after all. Maybe Riley's advice would be worth its weight in gold and this whole thing would simmer down... Or maybe an Ogre would speak up and volunteer Archie to dig goddamned graves, as if he hadn't been digging a deep enough one for himself already. The Knight's mind could have gone in that direction, but there was no need to encourage that result, even if it would be nice for Archie to learn that he should perhaps not aim to swindle the most powerful man in the room for personal gain.
Of course Agrippa couldn't speak up to object- that would be futile at best, and honestly would likely drag them down into the abyss alongside the talent agent. But, while the unicorn may not have understood the underworld too well, they did recognize a man trying to assert authority and dominance when they saw one. Archie had finally submitted, and if that was Chugunkin's goal he might just leave things at that if he felt his power was no longer being challenged. So Agrippa set to work reinforcing that notion, locking eyes brimming with deference and anticipation onto the Knight of Coin. It was a stare that demanded the others follow suit.
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Post by Krakenbox on Feb 21, 2021 19:07:12 GMT -8
Agrippa emotes with the controlled body language of a projecting stage actor, their intention obvious to everyone. They aren't interrupting, but weaving their influence in a masterful fashion of passive intervention. Whether they were correct or not in their silent willing to kowtow to the Knight of Coin remained unknown, but damn did they seem to know what they were doing.
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Post by Rudolph Chugunkin on Feb 21, 2021 22:18:32 GMT -8
Chugunkin seems just as surprised when Pendragon speaks up. His lip curls a bit as he calls out to the Ogre in a string of Russian, who responds with a shrug, and prompting a throaty laugh from Sedna as champagne ungraciously bubbles out of her nose. She patted the Knight on the shoulder, calling out to Oren to properly join them,
"What? I thought he was pretty," she said to her old ally. "Someone who carries the favour of Summer, but doesn't show his face must have a story." The Winter noble gave Oren a wink, adding to her retinue of attractive dream-chasers.
Chugunkin watches Agrippa signal to their group, "You're all so nervous. What do I look like, Cartel?" he said, shaking his head with another chuckle.
"Cheer up, Hartman. If you offended me so grievously, I wouldn't be forcing you to dance around and draw more attention to the situation. If I was going to take you outback and pull the trigger, you wouldn't be hearing about it." He flashed an easy smirk, like that was supposed to be reassuring, but he was radiating gallows humour and leaning on their shared Oath.
"Here is what you can do: we have a big construction project. In Whitney. But there is a neighbourhood that wouldn't take the payouts. It feels like stading up to big bag city hall right now, but in several years, none of those people will be able to afford the spike in housing taxes as the block gentrifies." He shrugs, "It is not Spring's business to force the struggling into homelessness. Even if it's going to take a while; I've been doing this sort of thing for a long time. I need them to leave, before the project goes to a Mundane team that will not give a rat's ass." He had to respect the stubbornness and sentimental attachment to territory.
"Now, you," he gestures with a new drink at Archie, "You are going to convince Mitchell Carr to assist you. It's time for that boy to stop wasting his assets within the court. But, he doesn't trust me," his gin was razored,
"I cannot imagine why."
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Oren
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written by Hiver
Posts: 242
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Post by Oren on Feb 22, 2021 6:26:41 GMT -8
Mitchell Carr.
That got his attention. That really got his attention. Oren felt phantom blisters on his heels. Ephemeral cuts on his soles. Bruises painting his calves like watercolours. Somewhere very deep inside, was a little boy that wanted to scream. Luckily, that pipsqueak was drowning in a sea of n'er-do-wells, prophets, and strangely enough...one beekeeper.
Sedna made eyes at him, curled a finger and beckoned him forward. Oren would glide. But Penrose simply got up, button his suit jacket, and walked with purpose in his stride, not so stiffly as to parody the Knight of Scales. The Mask remained rigid. Penrose, solidified. And now, he found himself among them fully, sitting closer to the assortment of Lost.
He thought of Mitchell. The smile. The white wine. The teeth. Why would he dislike Chugunkin?
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