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Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2021 13:53:11 GMT -8
“Well if they aren’t Kosher then I don’t really have the time, as you can see I am completely observant.”
He said in a solemn voice as he took another chomp out of his shellfish roll. That was a chuckle worthy joke if anyone caught the scandal that was a Jewish man and his lobster.
“But no Fire starting or power tools on my end - I would give you my phone as proof but I don’t know if I fully trust you to not get up to no good. I don’t need you knowing what is on my grocery list after all, or seeing all the pictures of food that I don’t post on Instagram.”
He raised his eyebrows some.
“And Linden, please, I am not always looking to get something! I just figured that you know what - I want Lobster, and two people I wanted to set some time away to just catch up with happened to be friends. So I figured what's wrong with a three way dance.”
He had but one roll left, and hadn’t even popped the cap of his spicy water.
“If anything this was a check in to make sure that there wasn’t anything I could do for the two of you. I haven't been as attentive as I could - so I mean that could be good, no bail money has been needed - So enough about the doldrum of myself what do the two of you need? "
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Linden
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Post by Linden on Mar 2, 2021 21:28:22 GMT -8
"Oh, I just thought... I guess something about the text made me think we were getting together to talk business, with lobster rolls." It seemed Riley had understood him just fine, which made Linden a little embarrassed; they had definitely agreed as quickly as they did because they thought there was trouble. They would've said yes either way, of course, they just felt a little silly about it. "Not that I'm complaining! Like I said: I'll eat lobster with you anytime."
The crab roll promptly appeared in their hands, only intact because the Ogre's puzzled gaze was fixed on Archie. A moment later their mouth slanted into a crooked smile. "You keep mentioning bail money... how expensive of a crime can I commit? Or is it best to spread it out over a lot of little ones? I can pace myself." Clearly teasing, Linden shook their head. "I think... I need a potluck. Just, like, a little one. Friends, food, beer- we know anybody with a good backyard? Or a backyard at all? Other than that, man, I'm set."
In part their desires were simple, but it also made them uncomfortable to imagine asking Archie for anything. Beyond what they had already agreed on.
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Riley Sorsa
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Post by Riley Sorsa on Mar 3, 2021 8:20:26 GMT -8
Archie had moved past the conversation about him quickly. Not that was suspicious, many don't like to speak about themself. Linden was a great example of this. But Riley couldn't help but feel there was more to Archies life, or there had to be more right?
The Moth nibbled at the end of their combo roll giving Archie a look over, trying to get a read on what was on the man's mind as he spoke about his lack of romance...or life really.
At the mention of Bail that Linden also picked up Riley also spoke up. " I think we've given the man reason to believe we are criminals of some kind" They laugh a bit. "A backyard? Could check in with Icarus and Domarch. " Riley joked. " Sure Beans would love having a potluck" The Bright one laughed at the idea.
"Arch, How can you say you haven't been Attentive? Dude, you know that's not true for me" The moth shook their head thinking about all the work he had to have done to get things lined up with Zumanity.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 3, 2021 9:30:01 GMT -8
“Anything under ten thousand is basically free range, we only have to post a percentage anyway so we are fine. Plus with a little bit of wyrd I don’t have to worry about missed court dates. Plus I don’t believe you are both criminals - I just know that Linden is a sweet soul, and someone else here contemplated cutting three thousand dollar whiskey with Barqs Rootbeer. So that lets me know there is at least criminal psychopath amongst us.”
He looked Linden in the eye and nodded his head towards Riley.
“And you will be held to that, so expect plenty of shellfish. Either way - it is a check in, jokes aside. I made promises and I don’t try to skirt responsibility here so I was getting anxious that there was something I was missing so I saw fit to meet up and set out a game plan.”
While he spoke he was pulling out his phone, and was quickly typing away while talking.
“How does a Barbeque potluck sound? That way there is something for everyone to chow on, and we can just bring whatever. Think I have a place that would be great for rubbing elbows. Who should I send the invite out too?”
Archie was already setting something up.
“Icarus and Beans, solid invites - done!”
He pointed at Riley, finally setting his phone down.
“And don’t think last week was this week Riles. We have a party plan, guest list to curate, precautions to make. We can’t have your big reveal be at Bouncey World for Pete’s sake. By the way Linden, did you hear? Riley got a big role - or have they been shy about it.”
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Linden
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Post by Linden on Mar 5, 2021 21:51:43 GMT -8
Linden's lips pursed at the bail range Archie set; in day to day money that was a lot, but in terms of bail it would only get a person out of some pretty minor crimes. Not that they were planning any schemes, but it wouldn't hurt to refresh their memory on how degrees of assault were handled in Nevada. There weren't a lot of legal protections for people working under the table in unpredictable positions like theirs, and while they hadn't had any serious issues yet...
Distracted by their thoughts, it took the Ogre a moment to realize their offhanded request for a potluck was taking on a life of its own. "Small, Archie! A small gathering! But, Beans is cool." It wasn't everyday a person got to chill with a tiger, they could go in for more of that.
"Bouncey World? Yeah, Riles mentioned something but I don't think I've had the whole story... sounded like a good gig." Finally taking a bite of their crab roll, their eyes invited Riley to fill the silence.
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Riley Sorsa
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Post by Riley Sorsa on Mar 5, 2021 22:29:38 GMT -8
"Sorry, I don't think Arch knows how to do small."
Riley says with a shrug. The moth mused if they should clarify that Icarus and Domarch were a joke. Hearing about the bouncy world, Riley reaches out and gives Archie a soft punch to the shoulder before sticking out a tongue.
"Ugh, the worst. And yeah I was going to give more details once it all ...felt more real. But uh. Going to be cirque du soleil's Zumanity cast "
The moth conveniently leaves out the current scandal within the company around their hiring.
"Still hasn't sunk in yet,"
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Post by Deleted on Mar 5, 2021 22:40:38 GMT -8
“Small is a matter of scale.”
A wicked grin crossed his face as made the statement, sure it could be a small cook out - but small compared to what? The Super Bowl? Exactly. Check Mate.
“Oh yes, way to gush, way to scream to the world! Yes Linden, this is Riley, they are in the Cirque Du Soleil, the famous one, the French one, the weirdy and artsy one. We are right now watching a true star of the stage, a master of their craft - stuff their face with shellfish. So I suggest we take our phones out and take some embarrassing photos for us to sell to the tabloids later when we need to retire.”
He would stop and let everything sink in as it was said out loud and reaffirmed. It was real - damn real!
“We should be happy that a big time big deal dancer has time for us.”
He leaned back and elbowed Linden.
“But flip it, what about you indeed Linden? Still happy bouncing? Have you looked at finding a boss in the community?”
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Linden
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Post by Linden on Mar 6, 2021 22:34:31 GMT -8
"Holy shit! Cirque?! Riley!" Linden punched Riley's shoulder, gentle for them but with more force than they usually levelled at the moth. "That's amazing! If I'd known we would already be day drinking, please. Unless you can't now, as, you know, an artiste." They grinned, but there was truth in the teasing. "I can't wait to see you perform with them."
Taking another bite of their crab roll, Linden's eyebrows flew up as Archie drove the conversation back toward them. "Me? I mean..." They chewed thoughtfully, taking more time to consider the questions than they would normally. "Bouncing isn't the end-all-be-all, but I'm good at it and I like watching out for folks. There are some true shitheads in the bar scene; not that I imagine that's a surprise to either of you. Its more satisfying to be able to send them along than most jobs available to folks like me. With skills like me." It wasn't a good long-term plan, but getting started on a quote 'career' at this point sounded like hell.
"I'm not sure, about the community. I've only met one of the folks I could work for and I don't think he was that impressed? It's a little hard to imagine a future with any of them. Besides, my work keeps me grounded." It was nice, having a relatively low-stakes job. Sure, it was on them to intervene before something terrible happened, but it wasn't quite on the same level as some of the problems the Summer knights addressed.
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Riley Sorsa
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Post by Riley Sorsa on Mar 7, 2021 7:24:39 GMT -8
The lithe framed moth rocked to the side from the punch, almost tumbling from the chair. With a laugh, they gripped their seating and pulled themself back into their seat. Riley blushed at Linden's excitement, their light twinkled as it grew brighter. If there was one thing that Linden was, they were brutally honest. If they said it they meant it. It was something Riley admired in the Metalflesh.
" Thanks! " They squeaked. Don't cry. "I think most of the day drink because they are an artiste" They laugh before adding.
"Besides this is like the middle of the night for my normal schedule. I am down for a drink"
Riley took the last few bites of their roll as they listened to Linden mull over Archies question. The idea of bouncing forever made their shoulders hurt. But it sounded to the moth-like Linden was coasting the easy path for comfort, but that very well could be the Moth projecting their own experience onto Linden.
"I mean, I hear that, but like findin' one who could work might give some direction. Ya know, give you use for those skills. Might even find a gig that's as satisfactory as kickin' some asshole out of Salt bar. "
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Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2021 13:12:31 GMT -8
“There has to be something that has got your fancy, even as a passing interest. I mean yeah sure my job is a little narrow - but this isn’t entirely a work thing for me. I am sure we can tap something other than bouncing. Ever look into managing? Nothing kicks like a good general manager who can handle their business. Be nice, chit the chat, and when some yuppie makes a fuss - sure you can call the front door, but mmm mmm doing it yourself!”
Archie drummed the table. “I mean I am sure it sounds annoying and I am sure you are sick of being pestered but call it a sixth sense. I feel there is more than just a bouncer sitting at this table. Triggers me to want to do what I can to try and bridge the gap. It's a compulsion of sorts, so again, feel free to tell me to shove it.”
Water settled at the lowest point because of its nature, when it came to people they settled because they chose too. And unless someone Bruce Lee, Archie never liked to believe they were like water. Linden had been nothing but cordial, cool, collected...It compelled the nature of the Fairest to offer to do more, especially considering how easy it had been for Linden to offer their heavy lifting prowess if Archie was in a pinch. That had been an all wave of thoughts. Strong King - ArchieYesterday at 9:01 AM
What ya feel about that Linden, but sober (wits + empathy)
@dicecord-CoD roll 6
Dicecord-CoD
BOT
Yesterday at 9:01 AM
@strong King - Archie rolled 6 dice and got 1 success. 5 4 6 1 10(2) 2
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Linden
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Post by Linden on Mar 9, 2021 21:08:16 GMT -8
"Then I know what we're doing next," Linden ribbed, affection deep in the crow's feet beside their smiling eyes. Riley was talented, and driven- it was only right they should be catapulted out of the dives they usually ran and into something more. Big stages, real money. The thought of their friend's success touched the Ogre more than they wanted to let on and they busied themself with the rest of their meal as Archie spoke.
Linden listened, a little touched and a little annoyed at the prodding. The annoyance was ambiguous, hard to pin down. Something about other people having opinions about their life. But out of respect for Archie they set the last third of their crab roll down and really considered the question.
"There's some stuff I would need to square away before I could think about trying to be a manager. I work under the table right now, which can limit the options. Also might be too blunt to manage folks." They shrugged, and let out a long breath. "Honestly? Not sure what comes after what I've got. I spent a lot of time chasing stability and its hard to imagine beyond that."
It was extremely honest, the words of someone who had never quite allowed themself to dream beyond a home with the safety of walls, regular meals and maybe a kind face here and there. More than settling, they just didn't know how to dream any larger.
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Riley Sorsa
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Post by Riley Sorsa on Mar 10, 2021 7:38:13 GMT -8
Riley had finished their combination roll and was now sitting listening to the conversation while sipping their rootbeer. Linden could be hard to read sometimes. Over the last couple of years, Riley had only gotten peaks at what was beneath the metal flesh. The latest of course was Imbolc. The darkling couldn't how Linden felt about their statement.
For Riley though not seeing what came next sounded painfully familiar. They had lived in that space and sometimes still did. It was easier to do that than fail. Was that a defense for Linden as well? Or was it an honest desire, to find a state of stability. What was it Claire had once said. ' You can preform the next movement, till you finish the first.' or something like that.
"Well," Riley paused trying to find the words to the thought. "Have you reached stability yet? What does that look like?"
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Post by Deleted on Mar 10, 2021 16:48:35 GMT -8
“Did you ever get your name back? Or is still the other you out there somewhere?”
He had to ask the question, when he heard things like under the table or the same topic was broached when he was working with other Lost in the community he knew it was worth asking what their status was. It was always worth investing in a new face even if you had a moniker - it had allowed Archie to operate with relative ease since his own return. If even just for tax purposes. “Come on, you got something good going. You obviously got Riley here - and you keep dropping names from the Salt Bar, so you have found something that is more than scrounging. I don’t want to put you on the spot either - but it's kind of my thing, isn’t it? As much as I am not doing my thing...If that makes any sense. It is just, you are here now, and you can seize life as you see fit. Riley here seems happy to help you cross the Rubicon, and I am more than happy to lend what help I can!”
Archie gave a playful fist bump to Linden’s much more fearsome arm, and unless it was dodged, or some other action was taken to thwart the Chatelain the skin on skin contact would loose Cupid’s Arrow - hopefully allowing the Arch man an understanding of his ogre companion. Linden had stepped up for Archie with very few questions, and it meant a lot...They hadn’t even asked for money and let the wyrd speak alone. Archie wanted to help...needed to help...needed to repay the kindness that Linden had shown him for so little in return. Lobster rolls wouldn’t do it...So what...What was it that Linden really wanted, and what blocked its paths. Strong King - Archie — Today at 4:41 PM It Calls Cupid's Mothertruckin' Arrow on Linden saeyer + WP because he cares... @dicecord-CoD roll 10 Dicecord-CoD BOT — Today at 4:41 PM @strong King - Archie rolled 10 dice and got 7 successes. 8 4 1 8 8 10(6) 10(4) 9 5 9 Did you hack me, @strong King - Archie?
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Linden
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Post by Linden on Mar 10, 2021 18:30:34 GMT -8
"I've still got a double," Linden admitted, elbows propped on the edge of the table. "What I go by now isn't what they're known as, for a couple of reasons. And I'm not looking to get that life back." That was as far as they wanted to go on the topic of their fetch, for the moment. It felt a little jarring to discuss them at a mall, like they were gossiping about somebody from high school.
The question from Riley made them look down at their hands, inspecting their plated joints as if they could read something from them. "I don't know, man, things can flip on a dime." They looked for a moment like they were going to continue, try to explain further, but let the statement stand.
They laughed, a little forced, at the soft punch Archie landed on their shoulder. "Yeah, I appreciate that. It's really kind of you to offer. Salt Bar is important to me, I had an experience there when I was younger that meant a lot to me so I guess it feels right to try and keep it a sanctuary. For folks like me. Us." They gestured loosely between Riley and themself. "What could be a better use of my time?"
The question was rhetorical, but the undercurrent was one of aimlessness. Archie's knuckles were cold for a moment where they had met a scrap of metal buried in the Ogre's flesh, then flashed hot. The heat of shame and a whirl of other feelings all knotted together, thrashing against an embarrassingly simple desire: to be loved. But on their own terms, as they were; understood, seen, and stood by. Without reservation or caveat. There was no direct path they could follow that would lead them to the kind of platonic intimacy they craved, the sensation that they fit beautifully into someone else's life.
They didn't know where to start, beyond showing up in the ways people made clear to them and trying to earn that love. They didn't know how to ask for it, and wouldn't if they did: the idea of being cared for out of pity was worse than anything. So they worked, slowly, methodically, like grinding grain. Someday it had to pay off.
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Riley Sorsa
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Post by Riley Sorsa on Mar 10, 2021 21:48:44 GMT -8
The talk of...doubles put Riley off their pop. Placing the rootbeer on the table to listen. The thought of that...her being back there, like that, it made their skin crawl. When the topic subsided, Riley was thankful.
Riley shifted slightly as Linden spoke about their queer experience. It wasn't something that came up around Lost much, it kind of felt trivial in comparison. But it wasn't. Linden knew that sometimes better than the moth did.
" That place is better for it " Riley gave half-smile to Linden. The moth would put cards on the table that Saltbar was one of the safest queer spaces in Vegas because of Linden.
"That sounds as good of start on stability as any."
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