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?"

(Ysadora) "Ah, yeah, actually. It's good you've got the envelope. Good to hear that it's not going to be a problem, too. I'll let you talk the details over with the boss, though." Jarvis turns to the kitchen as though he's about to call out, but the sound dies in his throat. A mechanical whirring sound rises in pitch as a mobile chair creeps out from the kitchen. A poodle with faded white hair is sitting in the device, wearing a sensible feminine blazer and a skirt that reaches her ankles. The skin around her snout is pinched and her body appears thin under her fur. She narrows her eyes at the other poodle.

"Jarvis! Don't just stand there, serve coffee to our guests." With another buzz of the engine, as Jarvis leaps the couch and heads for the kitchen, the newcomer maneuvers her mechanical chair up before the party. "Good afternoon. Jarvis may be charming but he's not very clever, I apologize for him. My name is Colonel Rose Fletcher. Retired." As she leans forward to look at the group, a gold necklace swings from her neck. A series of military medals are attached on the cord where jewels or pendants might usually be affixed. "I already know of some of you, but introductions would still be appropriate." The poodle's milky eyes look at you expectantly.

(Junes) Junes nodded and introduced themselves "junes, nice to meet you and its safe to assume you're the one to talk to about this?" showing the envelope to rose "i can understand the tension with the three around here so no hard feelings about before, should we take this to the table?"

(Yew) Yew gave a short bow, still unsure as to the current status of the poodle before them. They decided it would be best to show respect and introduce themselves regardless. "You. Nice to meet you, Colonel." It was hard to hide the suspicion on their face, but Yew tried their best.

(Umeko) Umeko was a bit surprised again as she older poodle, and gave a little bow as well. "Umeko Hanazawa, pleasure to meet you. Also yes, we can definitely see the concern with the papers and all, and I believe we'll certainly have some common ground."

(Pteryx) Pteryx sits up from the floor hearing a machine whirr. A electric wheel chair? He could use one of those! Walking is so much work... As he was about to ask the older poodle where to get such a thing, he noticed some not so mobility focused enhancements on the wheel chair. Looking to the Colonel's arm, some complicated device was on it, though judging by the way its positioned it could just be some fancy high tech IV drip. Whatever it's drippin into the Colonel he ain't sure, could be medicine, the poodle could be high as fuck right now in the most direct way, or... actually why does he even have this job? Just shovin nanites inta things seem to heal em well enough, could be pumpin them Colonel full of them stuff too! Having stared at the Colonel's arm device fer too long, he tries ta refocus ta not seem rude. "Howdy! Nice chair ya got there, where'd ya get it? Looks way easier than walkin 'round! The names Pteryx, with a P at the start, ain't know why, it don't sound like it has a P... Hey ever heard this joke! Why can't ya hear me when I pee? "Cause the P is silent! Get it!" He guffaws at his own joke... rather loudly at that.

(Theia) Theia visibly relaxes as she seems the elder poodle enter the room, her arm hanging dropping away from the holster at her hip and hanging loosely by her side. Whatever was going on, physical danger did not seem to be a part of it. She stoically ignores the dad-jokes preceeding her introduction, *just* about managing to keep a straight face at the lame humour. "Theia. We've not met before... I don't think?"

(Ysadora) Colonel Fletcher smiles wryly at Pteryx's joke. "That's the kind of humor I remember from when I was in the army. No, we haven't met. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance." With some small effort, she maneuvers her chair to the side of the coffee table and motions Junes toward the couch with her snout. "You may also know me as the 'concerned citizen' who asked young Jarvis to intercept you and that package. I'm on close terms with the mayor of this city, you see, and the civil powers that be were not pleased at the idea of Zephyr representatives reaching out to the Termites before we established our own dialogue."

At this point, Jarvis bustles back in with some coffee on a platter, handing a cup to everyone who doesn't refuse. The drink is dark with a strong, floral aroma. He lingers by Junes just a moment longer than the others, then steps to the side to allow Fletcher to talk. "Now if you would be so kind, we can move on to the topic of just what this diplomatic package contained," she says after a long sip.

(Ysadora) The concept of branded coffee blends more or less vanished with P-Day. If forced to guess, one might wager this batch was personally cultivated. It's strong and rich, but nothing about it seems off. Pteryx certainly doesn't sense the tang of any medical compounds in its fragrance, and Umeko's keen senses can likewise only detect an above-average cup of coffee.

(Junes) Junes reached to hand the envelope to the poodle "just the letter, but the contents are where it gets interesting, an exclusive trade route with zephyr AND rsx so long as they dont trade with eureka...and the enigma group... their willing to put aside their differences for this, no clue if promeheans have any stake or just weren't involved but not great seeing two behemoths at each other's teeth willing to strike a deal for bringing people down...and dont worry we gave our detailed experiences and bias against zephyr and rsx and the termites turned it down" once done speaking they clasped their hands lightly and looked to rose wondering what her take would be

(Junes) Junes nodded in thanks when seeing the coffee and raised it "thank you" normally they wouldn't drink from anybody but seeing this could be a test gave a brief smile, downing a big gulp and appreciating the flavor, hopefully if this is something dangerous their pharmaceutical nanomagic can kick in otherwise...either it's just tasty or we'll see what happens next "great roast, what kind of extract do you get for the floral taste, rose or maybe lavender?"

(Yew) Yew relaxes sigificantly at hearing Fletcher is tied with city government, but it's not visible at all. Their face still carries a wary glare as their mind processes the potential dangers, powers, and influences of the poodle and their assumed group. They deny the drink, "Sorry, not a fan of coffee. I prefer my drinks to be... Not bitter..." Yew stays quiet throughout the conversation, not having much to add, though they stay calmly alert as they watch the room for anything suspicious that might pop up.