The Secret Life of Poodles - RPLOG

Participants

• Junes
• Pteryx
• Theia
• Umeko
• Yew
• Ysadora

Date

25/6/2023

Log

(Ysadora) The sun is hot and high overhead, casting a shallow shadow under the eaves of the burned-out building. This place must have been a result of shelling during the war, or perhaps an accidental explosion. Nobody in Eureka really seems to know, or perhaps they just don't want to remember. Regardless, it didn't take long for some of the more enterprising residents of the city to realize the free real estate here was going unused. Repair efforts are now underway, likely funded by whatever criminal organization has control over this slice of Eureka at the moment. So far, they've built out some of the rooms on the first and second floor. It's common knowledge these can be rented out for a private place to conduct business lewd or nefarious.

An array of singed concrete chunks clutters the path as your party approaches. The carnation in Junes' possession feels heavy with import; that should be the key to get you access to this mysterious meeting. As for the rest of you, perhaps Junes asked for backup, perhaps you're representing the Enigma Complex's interests, or perhaps you're here for your own reasons. Ahead, a low-hanging shard of blasted floor creates a pool of shade in which a makeshift desk has been set up. A Termite woman is sitting behind it, hooked feet kicked up and a magazine in her talons. She's not looking at the magazine, though, but rather at your group. Her expression says "boredom," but the twinkling of jewels around her neck says "influence."

(Junes) Junes headed closer and nodded to the woman and tilted their head towards the party behind "their with me, know if the florist is still here? i have something else for him but for now" from their hoodie bringing the pink carnation out to the lady "we have a meeting?"

(Yew) Yew tagged along. Already in Eureka, they figured this was another good excuse to learn about the city. They felt a little uneasy with the nature of the figures and groups of Eureka, and friendly faces were hard to find. Even if they were in the headquarters of the biggest baddies in the city, being in a group this big probably made it a bit safer than exploring the streets on their own.

(Pteryx) Pteryx looks lost really, constantly hovering near Junes. Some burnt building? Guess they could use the fresh air instead of possibly getting filled with mushroom spores experimenting on the terrariums of samples he's got to crack. "Uh, where'd ya say ya got that flower? It sure don't look like part of them local flora."

(Umeko) Umeko was a little bit surprised to see a termite separate from the hive and working at the desk, though she soon nodded to Junes in agreement. "Indeed, he was a poodle fellow, kind of with a pompadour of fluff..." she added, just in case the 'florist' description was a little too vague or just a temporary cover he used.

(Theia) A grey-furred feline elegantly clambers over the rubble, springing from one chunk of brick or concrete to the next to catch up with the rest of the group. Theia gives a friendly grin and a finger-wave to Junes, recognising the shortner hissah immediately. She opens her mouth to call out a friendly greeting, but cuts that short when she sees the suspicious termite hiding in the shade, instead keeping silent and closing the distance to her companions.

(Ysadora) The termite's head turns from Junes to to the carnation, then scans across the others. Her dark ponytail mirrors the movements behind her. "All of you? I was told to expect the little one, but... Eh." She shrugs in the listless way of one who isn't invested enough to care about the details. This close up, you can see that the jewels at her neck aren't clasped their by a chain, but rather artfully embedded into her carapace itself. A similar array of rubies are studded into the fingers of her talons. "The poodle with a pompadour checks out, though. And that one makes three," she motions vaguely at Yew. "Head on over whenever ya like, hallway right over there, room three on the right side." After a moment of hesitation, looking particularly hard at the more active Theia, she adds, "And don't go into any other rooms. The people here value their privacy."

(Junes) Junes nodded and waved a hand to follow "just remember, keep privacy, stick together and no snitching to the big three okay? otherwise we'll all suffer, anyone need to mention something before we head in?"

(Yew) Yew offered a short glare of confusion when motioned at, wondering what the third could've been. They decided to keep low as much as they could, staying silent and shaking their head in response to Junes' question.

(Umeko) Umeko shook her head at Junes, though spoke quietly. "Nothing really, just be careful. We still don't entirely know his motives after all..."

(Pteryx) Pteryx just continues to hover close to Junes, "Eyup, I can try ta remember them 3 stuff..." His socks and sandals squick, as he walked, the sky blue Hawaiian shirt would make him stick out like a sore thumb. Pulling his jeans back up he looks around the area... Not the most perceptive he didn't really pay much attention to the termite. He sure had no idea where he was or what Junes was up to but it was safer to hang around the familiar face then get lost in the city.

(Theia) Theia nods along at Junes' words. "As my mother also used to say, 'snitches get stiches!'" she quips, with enough of a smile playing at the corners of her mouth to make one wonder if she was actually being serious. She pulls off her black gloves and rolls down the sleeves of her leather jacket, trying to look at least vaguely presentable before they enter the building proper. "And nothing important. Shall we head in?"

(Ysadora) It doesn't seem as though there's an entry door, as such. Whatever portal once led into this hallway went the way of the rest of the building. Instead, the first hallway simply opens into the outside, shabby carpet abruptly running into gravel. It's oddly quiet as the group presses inside. Perhaps there's no one else here at this hour, or perhaps the rooms are soundproofed. The door marked "3" is about halfway down, past a dingy-looking lightbulb that flickers overhead. Before you reach it, a surly-looking badger elbows their way out of room "2" and passes on the other side. Sparing a look and a snort for Pteryx, they otherwise don't slow down. Just after, you arrive in front of the proper room. The door is solidly closed, although a little slot with a sliding blinder has been installed at its top to allow for someone to look outside.

(Ysadora) By the telltale molding around the door and a brief glimpse inside the room the badger left, Theia can say with confidence that these rooms are soundproofed.

(Junes) Junes looked back looking to everybody with their hand on the doorknob "safe word is soups on, everyone ready?"

(Yew) Yew gives a clear look of confusion at the suggestion of a safe word, but nods hesitantly.

(Umeko) Umeko nodded to Junes, ready to go. "Sounds good to me..."

(Pteryx) Pteryx lowers his trucker hat's brim on his face, clearly them folk ain't a fan of colour, their lost. "Safe word? Ain't nothin seems safe with this place..."

(Theia) Speaking almost more to herself than to anyone in particular, Theia remarks "Wait what? Why are these doors all soundproofed... what are these rooms for...?" as she follows the group down the hallway, pointed ears swivelling at any slight hint of a sound. So lost in her own thoughts is the snow leopardess that she almost runs into the back of Umeko as they arrive at their destination. "Safe word... sure. All goods!"

(Ysadora) The door swings open easily under Junes' touch. Inside, a well-lit room awaits them. The carpet underfoot is plush and the wallpaper a warm yellow. Old pictures, no doubt relics from pre P-Day, hang in frames placed artfully around the place. Near the rear, a small archway leads off into a tiled room, most likely a kitchen or a bathroom. A single couch dominates the room, situated across from a battered but serviceable television set. Jarvis is lounging on this, sunglasses off, pompadour swaying as he rocks to some unseen tune. His pawed feet are spread out on a coffee table with a doily upon it, but he removes them with a start as your group enters. A look of almost childlike guilt passes across his face, quickly replaced by the usual cool demeanor. He stands. "Hey hey! Looks like you made it in here just fine. With friends too, huh? Coffee's on, so come on in. Make yourselves comfortable. Sorry there ain't enough chairs for the squad, but you know how it is, yeah?" His leather-clad shoulders rise and fall with a shrug as he offers a lopsided smile. "Close the door after ya, then tell me if you've got the goods."

(Junes) Junes walked inside and saw jarvis but didn't mind the casual nature, bringing their bag and revealing the envelope and adding "things are shaking up, but before we get into it" bringing their comm unit up they clicked away before jarvis got a notice "for the trouble before and then setting this meeting, thanks for that by the way and maybe sometime we could share some floral tips" heading to the couch and taking a seat

Junes spends 2000000 Freecred for RP reasons.

(Yew) Yew was warry of the poodle. The friendly hospitality was nice, but the taste of having guns pointed at them wouldn't leave their mouth whenever they looked at him. They casually glanced around the room, looking for any traps, cameras, or even weapons hidden in plain sight, admiring the room alongside, "Nice place you got here. I would've paid good shit for this. You lived here since pre-day?" Yew wasn't sure if casual chatter was appropriate, and kept their question quiet enough to be shrugged off as talking to themselves.

(Ysadora) Yew can tell Jarvis is not currently holding a weapon and there are no obvious signs of traps or cameras elsewhere in the room.

(Ysadora) Junes cases the room and finds no sign of hidden cameras or listening equipment. They can tell by the tilt of Umeko's gaze, though, that the oni has spotted something. Next to the light fixture on the ceiling, mostly hidden by it glow, a hole about an inch in width has been drilled in. It could hide a tiny camera or a microphone, but probably not a weapon.

(Ysadora) Theia hears a soft clatter coming from the kitchen. Umeko picks up on this as well. It seems Jarvis isn't the only other one here.

(Ysadora) Pteryx notes that Jarvis isn't obviously wounded, nor is he holding himself in such a way as to indicate injury. What's more, his forepaws are soft and unmarred. It seems whatever shady business Jarvis might get into, he rarely gets his own hands dirty.

(Umeko) Umeko took a moment to inspect the place as she entered, but soon enough she looked at Junes with a slight degree of visible disbelief as he was apologizing and -paying- the guy who held them up and pointed guns at them earlier, though she soon composed herself. "Some coffee would be nice, thank you. I think we have some news that you'll enjoy, if you haven't already been informed. Nothing to worry about with what's in that envelope anymore."

(Pteryx) Pteryx's sandals stop squicking in the room, carpet, a good muffler. Lookin 'round the room, it looked like it had character with all them decor and stuff. Having no context for whatever situation was going on, Pteryx was just rather relaxed around the poodle, waving to them followed by a quick "Howdy!" Looking over to what Junes was doing... payment? He guesses that the poodle must be some kind of overpriced or importer florist, gees that much fer one flower!? Lookin Jarvis over they looked purdy well groomed, must be a purdy calm life just tendin and sellin flowers. With no where to really sit, Pteryx opts to just lie down on the plush carpet. "Nice place ya got here." He'd say to the poodle... having been zoned out by the comfy floor to hear Yew asking first.

(Theia) Entering last and closing the door behind her, Theia leans against the wood in a half-hearted attempt to mirror the poodle's cool demeanor, trying to conceal the way her eyes scanned the room. She raises a single eyebrow at Junes quite clearly paying Jarvis an unknown sum of money, completely in the dark about this deal. On the face of it this all seems like a friendly tea party - there must have been a reason Junes had asked her along, right?

Her head snaps round at the sound of a soft clatter in the kitchen, perhaps of a spoon or mug. She keeps a steady face, and without changing her gaze she asks "Jarvis... you didn't introduce us to your friend?"