exsiliumlogs | Gather 'round people, wherever you roam

Entry tags:

Gather 'round people, wherever you roam

Date & Time: Mid December onward
Location: New Exsilium
Characters: Victor Sullivan and YOU
Summary: Catching up, Christmas stuff, hanging around, whatever
Warnings: none at the moment.

A. Near His Shitty Ice-Shack

[Home sweet home it was not. Sully set up base near the shores of the Thames, in an abandoned little shack probably originally set up for ice-fishing. Over time he's managed to snag some creature comforts for it, starting with a generator and a heater and working his way up.

Strangers may find him hauling furniture or wood, trying to build an outhouse, or just walking to and from, either from an excursion to the nearest town or a trip to transporter. A friendly stranger might offer to help. A less friendly stranger might laugh their asses off as he tries to dig through the packed snow.]

B. In Town

Well, that could have gone better.

[Pawn shops were never where the big money was, but he didn't have a lot of options. With barely any cash to his name and a variety of sundry goods for trade it was that or nothing. It wasn't like he had any contact here, not a fence to be found.

Still, he was hoping for a little better than this. A lifetime of figuring out exchange rates meant that he knew exactly how little he'd really gotten out of the bargain. Certainly not a fortune. But hell, a bird in the hand. Which meant that he was ready to hit the town.

Blending in with the locals might not be too hard. If someone didn't spot him first.]

C. Other??

[Whatever suits your fancy!]

((OOC- If we've discussed doing something special before, you can either throw up a starter or let me know if you want me to make one!))

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[He waves his hand, drink still in it] Alright, fair point. Not all.

[And bingo. She gets a sideways grin for that, all crooked as he throws back the last of his drink.]

Plenty, but I'd be willing to bet you're a better partner than any of them.

[He managed not to pull too-much of a face as the booze goes down hard. This place is utter garbage. Apparently underground farming didn't lead to the best goddamn liquor in the world.

He was going to make a killing. A goddamn killing.]

And I'm sure it wouldn't hurt. But you know, I've actually got another suggestion. Not better, mind you. Figure we can attack this thing from all angles though.

[ Oh, well that is certainly an answer she likes. It's a good bet too, one he'd have no trouble winning. Her grin matches his while she happily watches his finish off his drink, shifting her body on the stool just enough that she can lean a bit closer to him when she gives a pointed answer of her own: ]

Much better.

[ Not a very modest woman, but then again, she backs up her claims well enough that it doesn't really matter if she is or not. ]

Yeah? [ When she knocks back the last of her drink then, there isn't even a second in which she feels the need to make a face. It's terrible booze and she knows it, but at this point in her alcoholic life, she's used to settling. Leaving her gaze rested on Sully still, she puts the glass down on the counter. ] I'm listenin'.

[He sets the glass down with a clink, and leans in closer to match her. From this distance she'd probably notice the crinkles around his eyes or the flecks of silver in his brows. Not something he's ever worried about.]

I look forward to you proving it.

[And there's a challenge there. His favorite sort.

Ah, but business first. He sat back up, shrugging ever so slightly. He hadn't practiced a pitch for her. Honestly, being as he thought he wouldn't ever talk to her again, it hadn't occurred to him she might want in. But now, sitting in front of her, hell. It seemed exactly like her kind of gig.]

Now I don't want you to think I agreed to this little soiree just to do business, but it'd be damn irresponsible of me not to mention it. Whatever you think about this proposition I expect we'll still be good friends.

[Sully says good friends the way some people say 'depraved hedonists'.]

That place I was telling you about, the next step? Not a house. Or at least, it won't be. What it will be is a bar, with a few card tables. Possibly some illegal fighting, we'll see how that goes. Which hell, good enough fun on it's own, but the real beauty of it, of course, is I don't gotta buy anything. That transporter, they just let anyone use it to get whatever they want. Hell, you know. So I'm thinking I use it, jump through time, pick up the best of the best from all around the world and bring it back here.

[ She does indeed notice the crinkles around his eyes and flecks of silver hair, and it's what her eyes are going over at first, but it isn't any sort of deterrent. He's likely quite a bit older than she is, then, but that hasn't exactly stopped her before. ]

Good, 'cause it won't be hard and you won't be disappointed.

[ A challenge, it seems, is always something Apollo loves to receive.

When he starts talking business, her expression takes on a more curious look. She listens to him speak as she steadily drinks away at a new whisky the bartender had put in front of her while they were talking, and she's clearly enjoying his little pitch the more he goes on about it. Especially the parts about illegal fighting. That and the thievery, those are definitely some pings for her. ]

So are you askin' me to help you pick up the best of the best from all around the world an' bring it back here, then?

[He doesn't think he will.]

I knew you were quick. [He props his elbow on the counter, drink almost abandoned for now. Not that he's not having a good time, but he knows from experience he'll have a better time if he's not trashed by the end of the night. Holding your liquor was one thing, holding it and performing at your best was another.]

I figure the first few runs I'll be able to do. Might need some help of course. But I'm thinking once the joint is up and running I'll have my hands full with it. And I figured that sort of piracy was right up your alley. You'll get paid, of course, whatever good money is. Far as I'm concerned that sort of investment makes you a partner in the business. You'd see a fair bit of the action.

[He's not ready to talk contracts yet, but he doesn't see any harm in making her an investor. It was better to have people invested]

Very quick!

[ Getting trashed off a few glasses of whisky is absolutely not a concern for her, so she's just going to continue drinking away. It takes an incredible amount of liquor to get her flat out drunk and hell, even what she's drank so far is just barely enough for a soft, pleasant buzz. She doesn't plan on getting trashed today, and even if she was, she'd have a ways to go before she got there. ]

What a grand fuckin' plan y'got there. Sweet of you to think of includin' me in it, too. [ In other words, hell yes this is right up her alley. ] Sounds like fun, so yeah, sure, I'll helpya out. Just lemme know when you need me, yeah?

[He flashed a quick finger-gun, only slightly embarrassing.]

Of course darlin', can't think of anyone better.

[Technically true. If only because his shadiest contacts were all going straight and narrow on him. Still, either she'd get it done or she wouldn't. And if she did, it would make things a whole lot easier.]

And I will. Gimme a bit, I'll get a plan together and you and I can see what we can't rustle up.

[He grinned again, held out his hand, sans drink] Sound like a deal?

Edited 2014-01-17 04:12 (UTC)

[ She can't help but laugh a bit at the finger gun; amused by the silliness of it, but not judgemental in the slightest. ]

Then y'got a keen eye and good judgement!

[ Things were probably going to be a whole lot easier for him then, as Apollo was pretty well immediately on board for this little operation. There have certainly been past situations in which she's been totally useless when she had promised to help, but Sully's plan had the advantage of alcohol, payment and piracy involved; which meant he had himself a redheaded partner in crime already.

With a delighted expression on her face, Apollo switches her drink to her left hand so she can grasp his with her right, and gives him a strong, solid handshake. ]

Deal! Always lookin' for excitin' new things to do 'round here anyway.

[Sully grinned. He guessed he'd see about that. Then he returns the handshake, equally firm, and just like that they're in business.]

That so? Well, I'll see what else we can't do to entertain you.

[Business done. Time for flirting. He signaled the barkeep for another drink and shifted his seat until he was facing her a little more. He didn't think he needed to lay on the charm really, but it was habit. Besides, it was fun.]

So, what's it like being a pirate? As exciting as it seems in the movies?

Mm, I can think of a couple things we can try already.

[ He doesn't necessarily need to lay on a whole lot of charm, no, but it definitely helps. Apollo loves flirting and flattery, it's just as much fun and habitual for her as it is for him, and it's not hard to see that her grin gets a little wider anytime he says or does something she likes. ]

Dunno, how excitin' is it in the movies? [ That kind of thing is still relatively new to her, so she hasn't exactly seen a whole lot of movies yet. ] Fuckin' eventful life either way, though! Stealin' things, shootin' things, drinkin' things, all kinds of things, really. Never known any other kinda way to live, don't fuckin' care to change it up now.

Sounds a lot like the movies. You've got, oh, a daring and bold pirate. Some damsels maybe. A bit of swinging down off the cross beams with a sword in your teeth. [He can see her doing that last one. The wings might help.]

Of course, the movies don't give a damn about proper sailing. Only about the danger.

[He wasn't honestly big on movies either way. Oh sure, there were a few classics, but it required a lot of sitting and waiting and hell if there weren't more interesting things to do.]

Oh? And how's a girl like you end up a pirate, anyway? I bet that's a story.

[ Well, that's an interesting take on pirates. She hadn't watched anything to do with pirates (or, well, anything to do with much else for that matter) for much the same reason: it involved too much sitting around when there were more interesting things to do. An abundance of energy meant Apollo didn't sit still for very long. ]

The danger's the fun part though! Fuck, even I don't get that worked up about the sailing. Always been in charge of weaponry, when I had a crew. [ A pause as she drinks away, as though she's been drinking water this entire time and not knocking back multiple glasses of whisky. ] Let the others fuck around with the ship herself, y'know? I'll just make sure nobody important fuckin' dies.

[ She just shrugs and laughs a bit at the question. ] Gramps was one of the greatest adventurers of his time, apparently, and he raised us so... dunno, guess there ain't a story. Just kinda always surrounded by piracy.

How 'bout you, then? You a sailor, or doya just go 'round settin' up shady bars?

Aw now darlin', don't be like that! Your ship's your girl.

[More importantly, your ship was your defense against the ocean and damn if you didn't need that. The ocean was a fucking bastard.]

Nobody important, eh? [He shoots her a sideways grin as he takes another drink. He was willing to bet she was pragmatic about that sort of thing.

Pirate family, huh? That was something you don't hear everyday. Well, it made sense, modern day pirates certainly made it a family affair. Still, it was hard to imagine you could appreciate how nuts being a pirate was when you grew up in the thick of it.]

Us? You got some brothers and sisters then?

[Then he laughed, shrugging easily] Nothing as exciting as your story. I was a Navy man. Did my years, found something better to do. Treasure hunting, mostly, if you catch my meaning.

[He meant he was a thief, con-man, and occasional mercenary. A bad man, if you will.]

Never had a bar before. Always wanted one though, figured this place gives me a damn good opportunity. Not much point in treasure-hunting. And who said anything about shady? I'm insulted.

[He certainly didn't look insulted.]

Been a while since I've been part of a proper crew, but yeah, keepin' the ship and her crew battle ready was my job. Master Gunner was my title. Normally you only get one on board, but the Nimirum had two 'cause Cap'n couldn't choose between me an' my twin sister. [ Pirate families aren't entirely common in her world either, but literally as far back as she can remember, it's always been her, Artemis, and their grandfather. ] Found another sister along the way too. We ain't blood related, but she might as well be.

[ It's been a while since she's talked much about her family here, but she doesn't mind. In any case, she's quickly distracted from her own history when he mentions that being in the Navy is a part of his. ]

Oh, good. Can't say I've ever gotten along with a Navy man before. [ A pause, that she strategically fills with some drinking and a shrug. ] Least not when he knows I'm a pirate, anyway. Good career change though, treasure huntin's a beautiful thing. [ Oh yeah, that grin of hers alone is indication enough that she catches his meaning.

His claim to being insulted gets a short little laugh out of her. ] Aw, sorry sugar. [ She's not sorry. ] It's just that most bars that host illegal fights and get supplies from pirates tend to be on the shady side, is all.

[He nodded. Made sense, she didn't seem like the patient sort. Guns suited her fine.]

Twins? You mean there's two of you floating around? Your world sure got lucky. [God, he loved twins. The concept of them, at least. In practice it could get a little messy.]

Ah well, probably never met a Navy man like me before. [His relationship with the Navy was complicated, to say the least. It should be the straight-laced world he tried to escape from, but really it was, hell, what took him to where he was now. He didn't throw the damn dog tags away, after all.] And yeah, I like it. It's never boring.

[Not strictly true, but it was the romantic way to phrase it. And it was a lot less predictable than a lot of other professions.]

I see where you're coming from, but you know, the rich are the biggest crooks of all. I'm thinking high-class debauchery.

[Or at least, middle range. Nothing too dark, else you'd make chump-change.]

There was. Just one now. [ The implication of that is pretty clear, and although she's come to terms with losing her sister by this stage in her life, she's well aware that 'my twin sister is dead' isn't exactly a topic that fits the mood here. So she's worded that answer carefully and, after knocking back what's left of her drink, is quick to give him a smile and move on. ]

Probably not! [ It's not hard to tell he's interested her enough to grow on her already, not with that amused, delighted expression of hers. ] Guess that's the fuckin' wonder of a multicultural world like this, huh?

[ Another drink is set down in front of her then, the bartender at this point not even needing any cues from Apollo to know she wants another. ]

'Course they are, how d'you think they got rich in the first place? So is that what you're goin' for, then? High class debauchery?

Oh.

[But she clearly doesn't want his sympathies, not with a smooth redirect like that. Instead he takes another drink, and lets her turn the conversation.]

So they say. Here's to multiculturalism. [He raises his glass, a clear invitation to another toast. He'd polish it off with another drink.

He shifted at that, shrugged a little and glanced off. Concrete plans were still incoming.]

Mmm, sort of. Thinking something in the middle. Something nice enough but not too-stuffy. Place to unwind. No bugs or anything, although I guess you don't really have to worry about that here.

[ She's not typically one for throwing around toasts and whatnot herself, but she'll happily clink her glass against his when he proposes one. ]

What a fuckin' world, yeah? [ And with that, wow her glass sure does go from full to empty in a matter of seconds. ]

Aw, sounds cute. [ Not exactly the right word for it, but she seems to think it's fitting enough. That or the whisky's making her care less about proper word choice at this point. ] It'd be nice to have a place like that. I mean sure you can unwind where ever the fuck you want if you just don't give a shit, but havin' somethin'... cozier than this set up here, [ Vague hand gesture to indicate she's referring to the bar they're in. ] that'd be fuckin' golden. Definitely a project I'm happy to helpya out with, too!

What a fuckin' world. [And down the hatch. He'd had enough by now that the bitterness didn't bite anymore. It was all fun from here.]

Cute? [Not exactly what he was going for. But he could work with it. He'd word with cute before.]

I thought it'd be nice to have a place the transports can relax a bit. And spend a bit of cash while they're at it. If we can wrangle a few locals in that'd be great, too.

[Time for a shift. He leaned in closer to her again, set his hand on her upper back, conscious all the time of her invisible wings. Hell, did those things make other activities difficult? Ah well, there were always work arounds.]

But enough business, we're here for pleasure, remember?

Or... y'know, some other word. Maybe a bit of cute would be cute, though.

[ There, some whisky inspired logic for him. Still though, other than that she's doing pretty alright. Definitely alright enough to start in on another drink, which is exactly what she's doing the second another glass is placed on the counter in front of her. ]

Good setup. [ The comment is idle anyway, but her mind is immediately taken away from business as soon as his hand is on her back. She's noticeably reactive to touch, it seems, since just that motion alone gets her to instantly shift a bit by turning her shoulders more towards him, and leaning in closer herself. Even if his hand moves low enough to brush invisible feathers she won't mind - Apollo loves her wings, she hates having to hide them, and they definitely don't make any other activities difficult, as far as she's concerned. ]

Mm, right, let's get back to that then, yeah?

I was thinking cute outfits for the barmaids. Little skirts, maybe something Bavarian themed.

[The way he's smiling it's hard to tell if he's joking or not. He's not, as it turns out.

The bartender puts another in front of him, and he shoots the guy a look that's all amusement. Apparently he didn't have any rules about giving more booze to the drunks. Not that Sully was drunk, but if he was the guy behind the counter he would have assumed that Apollo was. God bless pirate angels.

He nursed his drink lazily now, enjoying it as much as he could. No point in rushing at this point.]

Good. You havin' a good time? If you're bored it looks like there's a pool table or something near enough to it over there. Or darts, I bet you're a real pro. Of course, we could also just get out of here...

[It's trailed off casually enough. He didn't have any real preference at this point. The night was young and he was pretty sure he knew how it was going to end.]

[ She has no idea what 'Bavarian' means but apparently it involves short skirts, so her response is just a little noise of approval as her mouth is otherwise occupied with slowly but steadily drinking from yet another new glass. Apollo isn't to a point where she'd call herself drunk, although she'd definitely admit to feeling that familiar buzz that makes life so much better. She had been drinking even before Sully had arrived, after all, so by now that isn't too surprising anyway. ]

Not bored, but you're right about me bein' pro at darts. [ Being an excellent aim when it came to pistols and knives translated well into being excellent at throwing darts too. ] Think you'd be any match for me? Besides, I'm thinkin' you could do with a few more drinks anyway.

[ She isn't about to rush him, but apparently trying to get some more booze in him isn't off the table. A good time outside the bar isn't either, which she'll confirm by leaning into his space as she slides off of her stool, placing her fingers very briefly on his thigh, and speaking in a lower voice for a moment, her words clearly intended just for him: ] Then yeah, sugar, we'll get outta here.

[ And then she's removing herself from his personal bubble and smiling almost deviously over the rim of her glass. ] Let's fuck around here a bit more while we still got booze around, yeah?

Me? Well, I've fleeced more'n a few marks with a dartboard in my life. I dare say I can hold my own.

[Darts was one of those time-honored ways to blow time in the military and beyond. He'd been perfecting it since he was a drunken teenager. By now the little feathered shafts were like old friends.

Oh. Hello. He grins wickedly at the touch, doesn't do the slightest thing to disturb it. He liked this girl.]

Sounds like a plan I can get behind. Bartender?

[He gets the guy's attention and then points towards the dart board against the far wall.] Another couple for me and the lady, alright?

[With that he drops off his stool, takes the chance to rest his hand low on her back as he stands next to her.]

Ladies first.

Yeah? Show me, then.

[ That grin doesn't go unnoticed. It's a good reaction to get, and all she can do is match his expression with one of her own. She watches him as he talks to the bartender and slides off his stool, and makes a soft hum to indicate she likes the hand on her back when it rests there.

'Ladies first' gets another amused expression from her, and it prompts her to take him up on that too. It takes her a second to compose herself enough to move without showing that standing up after drinking so much sitting down kind of made the alcohol quite suddenly went to her head, but before long she's got herself a handful of darts and she's ready to go. ]

Betcha first one's a bullseye.

[ Bets typically involve the other person saying something, but Apollo doesn't seem to be serious about it since she's throwing the first one without waiting for an answer and - well, look at that, the dart sure is stuck right in the red in the middle. ] Ah! See? [ Not that she doubted herself in the first place, but it certainly amuses her nonetheless. ]

[And that's what he was hoping for. He lets his hand slide off her back when she heads off, takes the time to stare at her ass. He noticed the pause, so apparently she wasn't completely immune to the hard alcohol this place was slinging.

He trails after her, and grabs the other set of darts, twisting one between his fingers. Flashy. Some of the feathers were a little bent and he's pretty sure the balance is skewed, but the gentle twisting between his thumb and forefinger give him idea of how.

He grinned at her cock-sure attitude and gestured for her to go on. Not like she was waiting, anyway. And there she goes.]

Lucky shot!

[He slid into position in front of the board- a strange looking contraption, different rings and wedges than he was used to, and took a careful draw back before letting it fly. When it stuck firmly in the outer-bullseye he tried not to wince too-dramatically. He didn't want to give himself away.]

Damn!

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