Description: Right after the unveiling of the ship, and the arrival of the buses for the tournament...a certain Red Witch approaches another to try to convince them to work together against each other's respective opponents. But will the Punk Rock Princess fall for her tricks?
After the ninja person stoped explaining, it was about time to wrap up and begin. The witch and Elle, having previously been on top of the crates, would be going their own ways now. Getting on buses, different buses, but that didn't bother the witch. They were all very capable of doing their stuff independently and so after zipping down the crates, the witch starts to take a cursory glance around and gathering of information. What she needed to know was who was doing what. She had her 'opponent' Skullomania. She had little knowledge of this guy, even as a fight commentator he just wasn't that big on the market, so it was an unknown. Next thing was to see with who was who. . She recognized a bunch of people, adjusting her shades in the night it was terribly hard to see much, but she saw her bus and headed in that direction.
Adjusting her shades, her hat, trying to look cool, look around, at various people. .
"Right.." she murmurs to herself, what now.
There is one thing that a person learns growing up in a well-to-do family; showing up fashionably late for something sometimes provides you a better scope of the 'event'.
In other words, the punk rock princess is late. Not just fashionably so, but it's really surprising that she's made it on time for anything (or anyone) to be left. A last minute emergency back home in London drew her away from the expected rendezvous, and a quick pit stop to pick up a few extra needed things was in order. So it comes as very little surprise that she's likely the last one to show up. Even less of a surprise is the fact that she's lingering back by the buses, trying to see if any of the other Stars had the same idea as her - show up to the 'event' and determine exactly what this little cultist group is up to.
Fighting off the jet lag, Arika stretches back slowly, adjusting the bag on her shoulder. One good thing about being called away and then coming here as soon as she could? She's probably one of the few that's actually prepared for a road-trip of sorts.
Of all the people there, the witch had to be selective and actually, there weren't that many people she was on reasonable terms with, come to think of it. . Looking around there were either a lot of strangers, or people who seemed uneasy with her, must be shy, she reasons. Then she spots the punk rocker. Yes, she gave the witch OJ and that was awesome. Yes they had some problems with Drake from time to time, but it was the best lead she had. So, slapping her broom over her shoulder, the red witch makes her way over to Arika with a biiiig winning smile.
"Hey, remember me?" She asks trying to will her to be remembered.
Considering there are very few people in Southtown (or anywhere for that matter) that look like Naerose and carry a broom with them, it's kind of hard to pretend you -don't- know her. Shifting her gaze over to the witch, the diva shrugs her shoulders in a somewhat nonchalant manner and adjusts the bag again.
Maybe she's feeling slightly out of sorts because she's here on her own. Without her partner in crime (figuratively!), without her training partner... without any other members of the Stars? But surely she saw Eva just a few minutes ago, didn't she? Could just be a trick of the lights. Whatever it is, Arika pushes away the personal issues that are at the forefront of her mind and puts her slightly coarse look and attitude back into place.
"S'pose I do."
Pause.
"Better get a tag for that thing," she adds with a nod to the broom. "Doubt it'd fit under the seat or in one'a those over'ead storage bins."
"Huuuuuhh?!" Asks the witch in utter horror, cause lets face it, a witch, stowing her broom? No way. So she shakes her head, clutches her broom like it was a very dear and loved relative and then looks around shifty like. Yeah, she's up to something, but what? Well she'll tell you.
"Hey, you know what you're supposed to do for this shindig yet? Cause, I was talking to a reliable source, " Read: Elle "who seemed to think that there is like, a trick to all of this or something, like , er you're supposed to use your brain, not just your food, you dig?" She's hip. Yeah.
Meanwhile to ensure her words have a special impact, Naerose smiles brightly to Arika, her shades glimmering, like her eyes were glimmering, except it's just the reflection of a street lamp.
"Oh, yeah. They'd likely consider it a weapon of sorts. Might toss ya out for bein' a terrorist." Arika tries her very best to stifle the inkling of a grin that's fighting to push up the corners of her mouth. Stoicism is very hard to accomplish when your emotions are running through the entire gamut that they possibly could be.
Issuing a soft 'heh', the diva rolls her eyes. She's fairly certain that entering into this whole 'cult fight' is a really foolish thing to be doing at this point, but she's not going to pass up an opportunity for further information; even if the source is somewhat less than reliable.
"Ya think so, hmm?" Tapping her right index finger lightly against her cheek, she quirks up an eyebrow. "A trick? Beyond survivin'?" Shoulders lift slowly up and then dropped unceremoniously. "Could be somethin' in that. Could be nothin' in it. Could just be that the plan is to find the best fighters, get'em out there on that ship and then sink it."
As for the 'not just your food' comment, while it doesn't go wholly unnoticed the poor jet-lagged punk rock princess is just -hoping- she misheard.
"Yeah yeah, " Naerose says, seemingly thinking that she's on to something and this is going just the way that it should be going and after all, why not?
"So listen, the organizers are not trying to put you up to well even matches, you know? They're ninjas they like to use smoke and sneaky tactics.. So.. I have er a proposal, you help me, I help you, we both make it on the ship and don't have to break any rules doing it. "
She's certain she has herself on a roll. Mostly because she is just that bad at reading social situations.
"So listen, I'll tell you my opponent, you tell me yours, if you and your crew agree to lock mine in a trunk for a few days, or at least slow him down in the attempt, I'll get a crew to do the same to yours.. Figure it will be a lot easier if my opponent has already gotten stomped, or better yet, " *wink wink* " Just doesn't show up." The witch offers.
"And since we wouldn't be doing it to our own opponents, it wouldn't count against us."
"Ah."
Such a simple little word, isn't it? Two letters. One whole syllable. Yet it says a lot while at the same time saying nothing at all.
Silence intervenes on the conversation for a long period while Arika seemingly contemplates the offer. Processing what it is the witch is saying as well as her proposal of sorts. Sneaky tactics. Smoke and mirrors. The way of the Ninja.
Sure.
Could be considered that way.
But the diva is sticking to her theory about it all, until it's proven otherwise.
"Just a few flaws in wot'cha want." A single finger is held up as she starts, "One, yer presumin' we'll all 'ave access to one another before we reach our destinations. Two, yer presumin' that I actually want to get on that ship." A second finger is held up as she counts off the points. A third as she continues, "Three, yer presumin' I'd want to be 'elpin' -you- get aboard. Last but not least, yer presumin' I've got any kind'a 'crew' with me that'd be willin' to participate in that type of a thing."
Though she does bring up a lot of points, it doesn't mean it's not being contemplated. The punk rock princess just likes pointing out the inherent flaws in things.
Well the witch sort of expected some resistance but this was more than she was expecting by far! Her jaw literally drops opened and she gapes with utter shock at the points brought up.
"Err.. hold on, I thought we got along? you offered me OJ, arn't we friends?" The witch pouts then brings up other points, "And I know you have a crew, you have at least Drake." that was actually all she knew about,
"And sides, why would you not want me on the ship? I'm willing to help you right? And you probably think I'm a silly witch so not much competition, that's for the best right?" Then the final point.
"Yeah, okay so time before destination. That's your best point and I have an answer to that too." The witch gives a winning smile again,
"See, not everyone boards at the same time, prolly a fair few of us won't even get a chance to board tonight, you heard him right ? He said we'd get instructions, and he didn't say when things had to happen. If you wanna do this I'll move tonight on your opponent, if you don't wanna do it.. . Good luck." The witch lowers her spectacles to wink over the rim.
"Mm." Again with the monosyllabic response. At least at first. Smirking, the diva just shakes her head and gestures around herself. "You see 'im 'ere?" Case in point, she's got no Drake in her entourage. Just herself and a bag. "Beyond that, it's not somethin' 'e'd be willin' to do any'ow. 'e's one'a the good guys'n' all. Believes in a fair fight."
So, is Arika saying she's -not- one of the good guys? Not in the least, but she knows a thing or two about temptation. Fact is, she wants on that boat likely more than anyone else here. Not so much to win whatever 'great prize' is being offered up, but to actually find the information she needs (or thinks she needs!) to prove her theory and expose a little bit of cult activity.
"Don't know wot you've been told, but seems I'm needed on one'a these 'ere buses. So wot's yer deal, OJ-girl? Worried ya might not make it fair and square, or just tryin' to beat the games with a wee spot of fun attached to it?"
Well now this is getting interesting, so the witch lowers her voice quite a lot and looks around shifty like over the rims of her shades before addressing Arika.
"Look, there is a buncha people here ,the buses won't leave right away, I'll go find your opponent and toss a motorcycle at him or something, . . and as to why, well see I'm a reporter and we like a little drama. . . " She wets her lips and adjusts her hat and then fixes her dress and then looks around some more before looking back at Arika.
"There isn't any such thing as a fair fight anyway. Look, the whole point of this tournament is to use any resources you have, like your brain. . You see any other chances to deal out here?" She shifts a little and leans on her broom,
"I really do love a good intrigue."
Hearing the idea of her opponent being destroyed by a motorcycle bandied about in such an easy manner does catch Arika off guard, but she quickly covers her surprise with a dry, edgy laugh. "Don't bother. Difference is, I'm gettin' on that ship win or lose. Got a lil' unfinished business with the wee little poppet that decided to bring it up from the briny deep."
Arms cross over her chest and she shakes her head. "You want a sure way on the fun-cruise, there's a better way of doin' it than lockin' your opponent up for a spell." Pun entirely intended. Witches... spell... *ahem*. Anyhow.
"If it's intrigue you be wantin', 'ave someone watch yer opponent and stall 'im a wee bit so that you can get to the rendezvous point -first-." Though a careful glance at Naerose tells her that's precisely what the witch -doesn't- want. "Get a 'ead start so to speak. Put yourself in position and rely on the element of surprise."
A little groan expels from the witch as she hears what the rocker has to say and slaps her hand over her face, smothering herself briefly with her hat before looking at the dark sky, which she can't see the stars, it's a city, she has shades, but she stares at them for a while anyway.
"Err. Yeah, that's kind of the idea, you know? I am trying to convince you to stall my opponent and I'll stall yours, get it? Sort of what happens when you get locked in the trunk of a car." The witch mutters,
"But is it worth the price?" May pay to have allies, but the question that's on everyone's mind is... does the diva trust the witch.
To which the resounding answer is a most definite 'no'.
Truth be told, there is only one person on the face of the Earth that Arika trusts nearly as much as she trusts herself, and, well... he's not here.
"Like I said, don't bother. I can 'andle my opponent. Ain't no skin off me back to be fightin', and besides, I need the practice." Confidence in her abilities as an up-and-coming professional wrestler notwithstanding, she should be immersing herself in the fighting scene and not just relying on her sparring partner for techniques.
Moistening her lips, her face takes on a sly little expression. A devilish glint gleams in her deep blue eyes (yet another trick of dock lighting?), and she exhales a slow, drawn out sigh. "I'll see wot I can do. No promises, no guarantees. Still think you should be 'andlin' this on yer own, but let's just say if I do this... you owe me later on. Those're me terms."
Moistening her lips, her face takes on a sly little expression. A devilish glint gleams in her deep blue eyes (yet another trick of dock lighting?), and she exhales a slow, drawn out sigh. "I'll see wot I can do. No promises, no guarantees. Still think you should be 'andlin' this on yer own, but let's just say if I do this... you owe me later on. Those're me terms."
Very very few people did trust Naerose, more didn't trust her than did and those who didn't distrust her yet usually at least felt uneasy with a woman who dressed in red all the time, with a witches hat and shades and a broom, I mean come on, that's gotta be something else for most people to witness, but still, that didn't bother Naerose, she still has a big winning smile.
"Yeah, if you can slow him down, or something, anything, I'll pay you back. . " The witch replies, never one to refuse a hand out, the sorrt who could get way in dept if people actually loaned her enough money. Usually banks won't.
"So.. I guess that's that, good luck and you know how to find me..?" She says, looking like there wasn't much more to say yet.
Unease with the witch? Not hardly. Considering all of the things Arika has seen in her life so far, what would it matter that a woman wants to wear red, call herself a witch and just cement the image by carrying around a broomstick? There are -far- odder things to be seen, like fuzzy green beast-men who can send blasts of electricity at a person.
"Fair enough then. Best you tell me who the person is though. Would 'ate to be lockin' up the wrong one and 'avin' to deal with an extra fight before me own." While she waits for the information, she just shrugs her shoulders. "If you make it on that boat, I'll find you. If not, we'll call it even."
There's only one question that remains to be answered: Can Naerose actually trust the diva?
Perhaps it's an utter lack of foresight that Naerose doesn't know consider the matter of trust and instead almost like a childish carelessness gives the information without second thought,
"Skullomania, er.. he wears I guess a skull mask or something, he should really be hard to miss, but I hardly know anything else about the guy." She admits. Frankly trust wasn't a big concern for the witch oddly enough, usually she had nothing to take.
"So.. I'll see you on the boat." The witch replies and gives a winning smile.
Log created on 14:53:19 08/20/2007 by Naerose, and last modified on 22:02:53 08/20/2007.