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Post by Croupier on May 11, 2022 16:32:08 GMT -8
Croupier bit his lip as he tested the weight of his new sword. The more he thought about Bastille's warnings, the more unsure he was feeling about the whole endeavor. He wanted to dive, that was not a question - but as Croupier appraised the two fresh, raw rookies who were joining him, he couldn't help but feel like this was asking for trouble. He was not exempt himself from the appraisal - he could hardly remember his own escape from the Hedge, much less remember times he dove down for fun. But he had made a promise to his friend, and that promise wasn't going to do any good if it ended in three dead rookie Hedge Divers.
Replacing his sword for his phone, Croupier thumbed through his contacts and found a familiar name and number. His frown turned into a smile and he looked back at the group, "Guys, I'll be back in just a second."
Stepping out of sight and to a place where he could get reception, Croupier tapped on Gavin's number and waited for the rings to go through.
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Post by Gavin Graves on May 11, 2022 17:33:51 GMT -8
Sifting through the detritus that had accumulated around the apartment, Gavin had grown annoyed at the mess and decided to do something about it. A cluttered home led to a cluttered mind as his mother always liked to remind him.
The obvious gap in his music and telltale vibrating across the glass tabletop drew his attention.
Miller.
"Yeah, mate, what's up?" He craned the phone against his shoulder and continued puttering around throwing out fast food packaging, empty paper cups, and moving dishes to the right room.
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Post by Croupier on May 11, 2022 17:45:58 GMT -8
For a moment, Croupier is taken aback. Surprised he answered so quick.
"Y-yeah hey man, doing all right." Croupier answered, fishing through his pockets for a cigarette. "Was wondering if you were up to anything tonight, and if you wouldn't mind me and some friends with a little project."
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Post by Gavin Graves on May 11, 2022 17:54:38 GMT -8
The Beast wished he could just stay in and tidy. It had been a burden on his mind for a while now, but the man calling, he owed some consideration to. No questions asked
Croupier had driven across town to pick him and Aster up while they were being hunted by a gang a mob of raging infected and eventually a Huntsman. The least he could do was hear him out.
"Good to hear. Right, what'd'ya have in mind?" Still talking toward his shoulder.
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Post by Croupier on May 11, 2022 18:04:00 GMT -8
A smile crossed Croupier at the sound of that, making him almost drop the cigarette. He fished for a lighter with one hand whilst he gave the info to Gavin, "Well, I'm with a guy right now who wants to do a little Hedge Diving. Do you know Bosko; the big jovial elemental that runs the food truck? That's the guy. Him, another kin and I are all getting ready to go take a dive, look for some goblin fruit to help the town. Only... he's about as green as I am, and I'm pretty sure the girl joining us hasn't been in the Hedge since her own escape. I remember what you said about Diving; about how dangerous it is. Last thing any of us need are three raw divers stumbling around to either be food for the beasts or dragged away by a Huntsman."
Croupier paused long enough to light his cigarette. Wisps of white smoke played off his gossamer glow. "So what I'm asking is... would you be willing to help us out?"
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Post by Gavin Graves on May 11, 2022 18:43:59 GMT -8
"Alright. Yeah, it can be dangerous. If you're just after Fruit, the options are Aftermath--a local market enclave, to go off Trod and forage outside of town, or to the Sunset Canyon Market. Easiest is Aftermath. The other two, more interesting. Off road could be anything. Market has a Title and a Huntsman roving around in it, but it always has the Fruit Vendor crow Hob. This time of year though, unless the Huntsman is after one of us in particular, it can't swing on ya unless you start it. It can however peer into your soul and find every little important person to you and go fuck with them until you become it's puppet." The Grimm wasn't eager for another Spring run in with the Torchlight Rogue. Having had run ins with at least three of the horrors prior and since learned much of their inner workings, he was far more cautious about an encounter.
Croupier was handy in a chase. He knew a bit of his fellow in the Autumn Court. Unnamed party, not so much to go on.
"Need a breakdown on the crew though. This third person. What's she about?" The Razorhand needed to know if anyone involved would be a hard carry if a fight broke out and he wouldn't beat around the bush about it either: asset or liability.
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Post by Croupier on May 12, 2022 6:32:21 GMT -8
Croupier paused to take a drag of his cigarette and ponder Gavin's question. "Her name's Aisling, which I think is the most definite thing I can tell you about her, sadly. Quiet girl, white silver hair with mottled skin. She hasn't offered up any information related to what she can do, which I don't know if that makes Aisling a quiet badass or if she's wondering what she can do to help. Haven't seen her in Spring Court and she's too shy to be Summer, so I figure either Autumn or Winter?"
The Leechfinger took a quick look behind him to make sure no one had come out to eavesdrop on the conversation, "Does she sound familiar to you?"
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Post by Gavin Graves on May 12, 2022 22:13:09 GMT -8
"Haven't had the chance to meet, but heard something about her. Bit of a quiet prophetic type from the Leaden Mirror." The Beast's tone didn't shift. It wasn't enough information to base any kind of judgement on. Prophecy and Fate were useful and had served to help with a number of great tasks. The Hedge was an unforgiving and chaotic mercurial place. Even with his powerful authority to understand its weaving paths and select the ideal one for a given group, the larger the travelling group the less likely there would be a good path for them all to follow well. It was a rare group that held a universally common skillset where the ideal path would be obvious. Not everyone can swim across a river of eels. Not everyone can sing the right note to a crystal spire. Not everyone can stare down a basilisk stone. Pick the path where everyone is merely passable and you risk them all.
"Ideally a group should have a skill in common throughout its members. I can only pick the path from among those available. Everyone each faces the same challenge along the way at each step or gives the Hedge a compounding edge against those who go against the grain by trying something else to overcome it."
"For that equation, don't worry about me. I can do whatever I need to without problem regardless of what it ends up being." Miller didn't need to know that the Razorhand would nearly always be clawing a hole through the savage underbrush nearby where the party couldn't follow directly. Following Gavin in a dive was quite the spooky affair.
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Post by Croupier on May 15, 2022 6:35:26 GMT -8
By the time Gavin finished his rundown, Croupier's cigarette had reached its end. The Leechfinger kept silent for most of the time, asking only the occasional question when something needed to be further explained. Croupier tossed out the remains of his cigarette and nodded, "Okay, I will relay that to the rest of the group, and once everyone is ready I'll let you know."
Before he hung up, Croupier added, "And thanks, Gavin. Dinner and drinks on me when we're done."
So long as you pick a cheap venue.
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Post by Gavin Graves on May 16, 2022 20:23:28 GMT -8
"Alright. Bring me in before you lot swear your task pledge. There's a trick with the words and glamour that can help us know where we all are in relation to each other. Otherwise you'd be relying on your tracking to find your way back to me if you fall off the track. Catch you then, yeah." The Beast had halfway immersed himself back into his cleaning task. "Oh, and bring an antique time piece. Cuckoo clock, pocket watch, whatever. Cheaper is better. It's not going to survive the trip."
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Post by Croupier on May 17, 2022 10:43:33 GMT -8
"Cheap antique, I think I can manage that." Croupier acknowledged. "I'll let the group know and keep them from swearing any oaths until you get here. We're over by Bastille's."
He added, "Thanks again, man."
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