99 replies to this topic

[Thom Frankfurt]

Oni Storm, on 30 August 2012 - 07:20 PM, said:

At this, James requested three drinks from the bartender, and as the young man from the FedSuns placed a hand upon Graf's shoulder and asked him how he was, there was a sudden disturbance in the conversation; "Oh my Gawsh, Grafvitnir. Who's your friend?" She stabbed out her hand at James and the young minx. "HI, I'M KAYLEE!" She layed it on thick while she beamed.

(OMG I can't believe he ignored her, what was he thinking) Katie quickly kicked the back of James' ankle [hard] and as the drink arrived, quickly handed hers to Kaylee's outstretched hand. "I swear these men and getting caught up in the glorious past. Never living in the here and now for long huh? Well I for one welcome a conspiritus sister in arms, if you care to join me. Why don't we leave these chatter boxes here and see what we can get into out on the dance floor hmmm? [she winked at Kaylee] Maybe then they won't forget their manners so quickly in the future, hum? What do you say? Come on let's have a little fun." she says excitedly as she bumps hips with Kaylee then and tries to get her moving towards the dance floor.

OMFG who is this crazy b!tch, and where is she talking me?!

Kaylee casted a pleading look DeMarkus' way but found him busy talking with the buisness man which was handing him his card. The young girl them bumbed hips with Kaylee which brought her back to the matter at hand, getting half dragged out onto the dance floor. Soon Kaylee found herself in the middile of a sea of nobles and overdressed stuffy f**ks.

"Uh... alright, Hey is that the Archon?" Kaylee asked while standing up upon her tippytoes.

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DeMarkus looked over the card then placed it into his pocket, with the gleeful thought of having a bit of a technological edge in the various arenas on Solaris. Smiling he motioned the bar wench over as Kristian walked off with a confident spring in his step.

"Black label, please." He muttered to the serving girl when she arrived, then looked to where Kaylee was last, only to find her gone.

"Oh's s**t." He reached/wandered over to where Graf stood at the bar talking with the young officer from the Draconis March.

"Yo's excuse me's, Graff... You's see where my's wife went?"

[Listless Nomad]

The woman's voice rang out like a shot from behind James, and he couldn't help but jump slightly. A sharp kick to the back of his ankle further disoriented James, causing him to flail slightly in an attempt to regain his balance.

What in the holy..who the..what is going on?!

In a flash, Katie was up off of her seat and handing a drink to a mystery woman that had appeared behind James. Between his mind drifting to the smoke of Vekfahren, and the myriad of sounds from the party - he'd quite missed the approach of the woman. Before he could even begin to recover and introduce himself, Katie was in the process of whisking her away.

"I swear these men and getting caught up in the glorious past. Never living in the here and now for long huh? Well I for one welcome a conspiritus sister in arms, if you care to join me. Why don't we leave these chatter boxes here and see what we can get into out on the dance floor hmmm? Maybe then they won't forget their manners so quickly in the future, hum? What do you say? Come on let's have a little fun."

His mouth agape, James let out a large sigh and leaned once more against the bar, an all too familiar position that he thought he had escaped for the time being. Grabbing his drink from the bar, he raised his glass in toast to Graf before taking a big swig.

Women...

Moments later, the grinning older gentleman from earlier appeared, sporting an all too familiar accent.

"Yo's excuse me's, Graff... You's see where my's wife went?"

Before Graf could respond, James spoke up between sips from his drink.

"I believe she has just been whisked away by The Lady Katie Pride of Epsilon. Evidently she grew bored of me and decided to get into a little mischief with your wife." James snorted a laugh into his own drink before setting it on the bar and drawing himself up to his full height. After smoothing his Jacket, he took a few steps forward and stuck out his hand to the older man. "Major James Soederlund, 1st Robinson Rangers, Bravo Company Commanding. I'm afraid I do not know who you are, though your accent is exceedingly familiar. You don't have a son by any chance? Around my age? Been in the FRR recently?"

[Sparks Murphey]

On the outskirts of the dance floor, they danced. It wasn’t any real kind of dance, being mostly made up as they went along and shot through with Ariha’s self-consciousness.

“You said you were an engineer?” he prompted, trying to get her mind away from the danger that someone might be watching.

“Hmm? Well, intern, yeah. I mostly get the coffees and stuff, the engineers are the ones doing the heavy design work. I’m still working on my degree.”

She looked at him skeptically. “See, this is where I start talking about technical stuff, and you nod and pretend to be interested before wandering away and ignoring me for the rest of the night.”

“No, really. I’m not much of an engineer, but I’m fond enough of technology. I’m...”

Kristian almost said that he was a marketing assistant with Quickscell, but caught himself. Arielle had told him to forget about work for the night, and honestly, he didn’t want Ariha thinking he was trying to sell her something.

“...a big Solaris 7 fan,” he finished.

“Okay,” Ariha said, with a look that suggested she didn’t entirely believe him, “Well, you know the new extralight fusion engines? They’re made possible by using crystalline and semicrystalline polymers to replace the tungsten carbide components normally found in standard fusion engines. But those are just a sample of the materials that we could use.”

Her eyes lit up as she dove into a subject obviously dear to her heart. “For example, what about molecular hybrid ceramics? They’re not as light as polymers, but they’re not as vulnerable either. I mean, most BattleMechs that succumb to complete XL engine failure have sustained damage that would only slow a machine with a standard engine.”

“So ceramics are your main focus?” Kristian asked, finding himself genuinely intrigued.

Ariha nodded. “I’ve got a cannibalised Strand 255 in my lab. I’m slowly stripping out its doubleyousee parts and replacing them with hybrid parts, mainly ultra-high temperature ceramic structures embedded with cuprate-perovskite superconductors and nano-coolant pores. The superconductors allow us to build most of the high voltage components directly into the walls of the reactor, and we use thermal convection through the very walls to take some of the load off the pumps.

“It’s lighter than it was originally, while still being more compact than an equivalent rated extralight. The main drawback at the moment is the ceramics, which aren’t exactly off the shelf parts. There are literally two companies in the entire Inner Sphere who have the ability to manufacture them, and even they look at us like we’re crazy when we order them. The university was concerned I’d bankrupt the project at one point.

She shrugged. “But, that’s where Blankenburg come in, and why they gave me the internship. They want the technology for their Crockett, if we can ever bring it to mass-producible prices, and in return I get funding and the chance to work with their engineers.”

Kristian felt his heart chill. She worked for Blankenburg. He was dancing with the enemy.

“Kristian? I’ve bored you, haven’t I?” she asked.

“No. No, that, that was really, uh, a revelation. Um, I going to grab a drink, would you like something?”

[Oni Storm]

"Uh... alright, Hey is that the Archon?" Kaylee asked while standing up upon her tippytoes.

"Oh you mean Miss Melissa? Don't worry I'll introduce you to later, ok? Cat and I were counselors at Camp Davion [think Camp David] back when dad was teaching at the New Avalon Institute of Science. Katherine was such a doll back then, and Miss Melissa couldn't help but want to keep her safe and always insisted that someone get in touch with her nightly for a report on her. I remember this one time when her and brother had got into this big fight over him beating her at tennis. She was so upset, and kept bal1ing her eyes out til there were no more tears left, it was heart breaking. [she looks very sad and her eyes begin to redden for just a moment] but Oh man, you should have seen his cabin by the time we... uh I mean she.. got done with it. There was ice cream and plastic wrap everywhere, and oh those ants just about ate him alive that night. Not mention what I had to do to lure a pimply faced thirteen year old away from there to begin with [she blushed slightly] Any-who, I'll take you over there later, right now I hope you know how to Rumba." With that Katie brings them closer to the band and after a quick whisper and hundred c-bill exchange with the director gently glides Kaylee into position beside her. "Don't worry I told him to start off with an easy one then move to a samba and we'll knock them dead with our finisher." she looked at Kaylee with a devilish childlike smile and with the hunger of excitement and anticipation as the music began to play.

Edited by Oni Storm, 05 September 2012 - 10:24 PM.

[Thom Frankfurt]

Listless Nomad, on 05 September 2012 - 08:47 PM, said:

Before Graf could respond, James spoke up between sips from his drink.

"I believe she has just been whisked away by The Lady Katie Pride of Epsilon. Evidently she grew bored of me and decided to get into a little mischief with your wife." James snorted a laugh into his own drink before setting it on the bar and drawing himself up to his full height. After smoothing his Jacket, he took a few steps forward and stuck out his hand to the older man. "Major James Soederlund, 1st Robinson Rangers, Bravo Company Commanding. I'm afraid I do not know who you are, though your accent is exceedingly familiar. You don't have a son by any chance? Around my age? Been in the FRR recently?"

DeMarkus looked on out the bar in the direction of the dancefloor, he could have sworn he saw a sliver of sapphire out of the corner of his eye get swallowed up by the myriad of colors that made up the dresses and uniforms of the throng of people swirling about on the dance floor. He then turned to reguard the young Davion officer as he stood to his full height, and after smoothing down his uniform, extend a hand in D's direction. It was then that the last of the man's words sunk in.

"Wait's, what?!" he shook the Davie's hand in a bone straining grip. "you's aknow wer my boy, Thom, is?" Kaylee's absence was still a concern, but he knew that while the tech had gentle and kind demeanour, she could take care of herself. Afterall she layed the mighty Rick Turven (hope I spelt his last name right, too lazy to look at the other pages for his name ATM) low with a crack to the face with an actuator wrench, she could most defineately handly some party animal Leaguer socialite. He then took a seat at the bar next to the James and leaned in to drill the Davie for information on his wayward son.

"Wat was he's doing out en da FRR? Last time I's aheard he's was stationed on Pacifica with da rest of da Black Hearts? Did he's..." DeMarkus suddenly closed his mouth. "Oh ****, where's my's manners? Demarkus Frankfurt, ah's.. owner of Warlock stables."

DeMarkus gave him an odd sideways look as recognition did not dawn on the officer.

"Ah... my's boy was alone?" DeMarkus nibbled on his lip nervously as the realisation that Thom was no longer with the Black Hearts dawned on him.

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Oni Storm, on 05 September 2012 - 10:15 PM, said:

"Uh... alright, Hey is that the Archon?" Kaylee asked while standing up upon her tippytoes.

"Oh you mean Miss Melissa? Don't worry I'll introduce you to later, ok? Cat and I were counselors at Camp Davion [think Camp David] back when dad was teaching at the New Avalon Institute of Science. Katherine was such a doll back then, and Miss Melissa couldn't help but want to keep her safe and always insisted that someone get in touch with her nightly for a report on her. I remember this one time when her and brother had got into this big fight over him beating her at tennis. She was so upset, and kept bal1ing her eyes out til there were no more tears left, it was heart breaking. [she looks very sad and her eyes begin to redden for just a moment] but Oh man, you should have seen his cabin by the time we... uh I mean she.. got done with it. There was ice cream and plastic wrap everywhere, and oh those ants just about ate him alive that night. Not mention what I had to do to lure a pimply faced thirteen year old away from there to begin with [she blushed slightly] Any-who, I'll take you over there later, right now I hope you know how to Rumba." With that Katie brings them closer to the band and after a quick whisper and hundred c-bill exchange with the director gently glides Kaylee into position beside her. "Don't worry I told him to start off with an easy one then move to a samba and we'll knock them dead with our finisher." she looked at Kaylee with a devilish childlike smile and with the hunger of excitement and anticipation as the music began to play.

Kaylee's eyes grew wide as the woman told tales (tall tales?) of babysitting a young (an not so evil?) Katherine Steiner-Davion.

"You know the Archon?" Kaylee's voice dripped awe.

Kaylee looked in the direction of the bar but couldn't see it as a rather obese general from the Isle of Skye obscured her view. Frowning when DeMarkus didn't appear didn't appear cutting through the sea of stuffy socialites an social generals like an ice cutter. She then turned to the strange girl who dragger her onto the dance floor and returned her devilish smile with a wicked one of her own just as the music began to play.

(Hey dude, I'm not into dancing so I'm avoiding discriptions of Kay dancing. She should be a fair dancer but just the basic stuff, Samba and Rumba? may be out of Kay's skill though.)

[Oni Storm]

Kaylee looked in the direction of the bar but couldn't see it as a rather obese general from the Isle of Skye obscured her view. Frowning when DeMarkus didn't appear didn't appear cutting through the sea of stuffy socialites an social generals like an ice cutter. She then turned to the strange girl who dragger her onto the dance floor and returned her devilish smile with a wicked one of her own just as the music began to play.

Katie slid right and in behind Kaylee just as the music began, reaching forward she placed her hands lightly and gently upon her senior partner's hips. Allowing her slight rubs and pressure to flow to Kaylee as a pulsating rhythm grew from both the music and her demonstrating presses and rubbing to the beat. Kaylee seemed to catch on rather quick and with little more than the occasional pat and rubbing sway of small circles, she picked up fast that the small fast pulses and meant to gyrate and the taps meant to do a fast leg sway. Katie found herself in awe and a slight jealously as to just how quickly her senior picked up on the moves and soon released her to her own as she came up beside her and they both began to grove for the next two songs. The eyes of many a vulture and wolf staring at their increasingly heat building and sweat beading bodies upon the dance floor.

The two were almost approaching Deva status as the third song began to play, but then much to the surprise of those gathered here watching, a third and even more stunning and beautiful visage appeared on the floor, joining the other two, that of the Archon's daughter. Yes Katherine Steiner-Davion herself had appeared and wasn't about to let anyone upstage her when it came to glances and awe inspiring inspiration to the masses and heads of the great Houses...

Sixteen year old Katherine glided effortlessly onto the dance floor clad in the purest of blue and silver samite gown, she held it aloft now at just above her knee and began to gyrate and swing her hips to the sound of the music and just as the crescendo was about to begin, the music suddenly changed and as she spun to face off against these two would be upstarts. A devilish smile came across her face as she locked eyes with Katie and a raging Tango began to play. Her former teacher was about to learn just how far her pupil had come and with the advanced lessons and training that her privilege afforded her she knew that Katie didn't stand a chance, and a small part of her swelled with this anticipation of victory that soon would be hers. She lead off then with a few snaps and the rapping and tapping of her feet as they hit the tiles in the beat of this new vicious cycle of musical engagement, and found herself swept away in the moment of this new exhilaration.

Edited by Oni Storm, 12 September 2012 - 02:55 PM.

[RogueSpear]

Vantas sipped at the smoky whiskey, enjoying the flavour. The toasts had been drunk to, and now he was engaging polite small talk with 'Catherine Pride' and 'Victor von Laxsinger'. Well, he and Victor had exchanged a few small pleasantries, but just as he'd established the other man was a mechwarrior, the girl had begun babbling about something. Despite the seamless streams of petty drivel coming out of her mouth, Vantas was impressed by the girl's intelligence. Every response she eked out of him was forcing him to tell a little more about himself, and she revealed nothing about herself or her partner in doing so. He honestly thought he wouldn't notice if it wasn't for the fact that he wasn't used to high society, and didn't care enough to actually listen to what she was saying.
Rather his attention was focused on the mechwarrior, or former mechwarrior he thought, Victor. Vantas eyed the man over discreetly, in stages over the course of the conversation, sipping away at his scotch, so as not to be noticed. Every inch of exposed skin was marked by some scar or blemish.
Fire? A terrible thing to endure.
Sighing in appreciation at the whiskey, he held up a hand to quiet Catherine as he swallowed. "My apologies dear lady, but I must interrupt. Sir von Laxsinger, you said you were a mechwarrior? Did you perhaps fight on Solaris? I am trying to figure out why I recognise your face and name."

[Oni Storm]

"My apologies dear lady, but I must interrupt. Sir von Laxsinger, you said you were a mechwarrior? Did you perhaps fight on Solaris? I am trying to figure out why I recognise your face and name."

Catherine looked shocked and taken aback, she knew this was bound to happen, but still hadn't decided with just how Victor would deal with or herself for that matter. A bead of sweat broke upon her brow and her palms were becoming as ice cold as the glacier running down her back when Victor spoke. "Indeed I was there for a few years. I even won every match up to that day. Then, Then well my career there went up in smoke so to say." The words were hollow and empty as if coming from the void in the man's soul, they were almost robotic and contrived yet there was no emotion to any of them, just a cold factual tone of some instructor trying to put an assembly to sleep with his words. He stared into his drink lost in the sea of crimson and gold as it swirled round and round at the edges from his hands swaying.

[Victor was lost then, caught up in the numerous holo-vids he'd seen time and time again since his recovery from "the bout". He could.. could still see the form of the ruby and crimson Dragon as it spewed forth flame and then toppled his Swayback into a slow motion backward fall all the while continuing with the belching flames upon the shoulders and head as his mech fell lifeless and limp. Even after the horn had signaled the pilot's victory, he had continued to breath flame upon the downed mech til the medevac teams approached. It was funny though, try as he might Victor couldn't remember the battle, not from a cockpit prospective anyway. He'd watched from numerous angles, seen the maneuverings, watched the constant jockeying for shots or fields of fire, but for the life of him, he couldn't remember the feeling, the adrenaline or rushes associated with "typical" combat. He remembered waking up on the operating table briefly and the doctors hovered around him, the dimming and strobing light that seemed to sway in the distance. The reds and blacks as he would flicker his eyes for a second and then close them again winching in pain. The countless surgeries, the smells and sounds of the buzz saws, the tearing of flesh as it was parted by a scalpel, ever the burnt ashy taste of bone as it was being mechanically filed. All of these things he could remember as crystal clear as if they had happened just scant seconds ago, but the combat the flames, the fear. These were things that were missing, and he still couldn't understand why. Were they too painful? Had his subconsious blocked them out? Why? Why couldn't he remember his failure, and his fate? Why wouldn't his mind let him deal with the past? He'd seen pictures he must have been happy back then. So why oh why couldn't he force himself to end the pain and return fully to the land of the living to embrace all that he'd been given back to this day?]

Catherine noticed the glassy eyed reflection and none responsiveness first and quickly tried to pick up the conversation as Victor went swimming in his drink and lost thoughts. "Well you're probably wondering more about what happened after the incident, really. That's what most people are into anyways. The vids are still shown to this day, however what they fail to follow up on is how Victor here clawed his way back to the living and of the wonderful yet hard recovery and treatments he's had to endure over the last year. Through large contributions from his father's company Laxsinger Medical Research Group, to the various medical professions within the Sphere and beyond and my own father's pull with the New Avalon Institute of Science, he's had the best doctors and grafting money and favors can buy. You can hardly even notice unless you're as close as we are now, and the doctors say that even those should fade in time. [She looked again to Victor and wistful childlike smile of awe appeared on her face] The rehab has been hardest on him though. Victor's been been nothing but cardio thirteen hours a day straight since January, and as you see it's really paid off [she sighed a wistful sigh again] in his physique. Is there anything else you'd care to discuss? It might be awhile before he snaps out of wherever he goes of to." she smiled politely and waved her head slowly from side to side staring deeply into Vantas' eyes and through him, it seemed to his very soul, as if she was rating and taking value of his life's worth.

Edited by Oni Storm, 13 September 2012 - 08:48 PM.

[Listless Nomad]

"Wait's, what?!"

James shook the older man's hand, who had a surprisingly strong grip. When their hands parted, James' was a little sore. "you's aknow wer my boy, Thom, is?"

At the mention of the name Thom, James confirmed his suspicions. Their accents were identical. The older fellow's face had darkened significantly, and it was obvious that he was worried about his son. James suspected that they hadn't spoken in some time. The Vekfahren incident was well publicized, and if he didn't know Thom was there, then there was an obvious disconnect. The older man then took a seat at the bar next to the James. Graf was busy chatting to the bartender at the moment. It would appear that where James had failed, Graf was succeeding quite well.

"Wat was he's doing out en da FRR? Last time I's aheard he's was stationed on Pacifica with da rest of da Black Hearts? Did he's..." The older man suddenly closed his mouth. "Oh ****, where's my's manners? Demarkus Frankfurt, ah's.. owner of Warlock stables."

James had never been a big Solaris fan, so the mention of his name and the stable he ran meant nothing to James.

"The first and only time I met your son was on the Rasalhague planet of Vekfahren sir. I met him in a rather seedy bar, but he seemed to be enjoying himself.

"Ah... my's boy was alone?" DeMarkus nibbled on his lip nervously.

"He appeared to be alone, or at least not traveling with anyone. I confess that I didn't interact a whole lot with him during my time there, as we became separated. I could never forget that accent however, if you'll forgive me. Unfortunately suffered life threatening injuries during the action, and did not see first hand what became of him, but in my communications with Graf - he told me Thom made it out just fine. I wish I could tell you more. What brings you here to Tharkad sir?"

[Thom Frankfurt]

Listless Nomad, on 13 September 2012 - 10:33 AM, said:

"Wait's, what?!"

James shook the older man's hand, who had a surprisingly strong grip. When their hands parted, James' was a little sore. "you's aknow wer my boy, Thom, is?"

At the mention of the name Thom, James confirmed his suspicions. Their accents were identical. The older fellow's face had darkened significantly, and it was obvious that he was worried about his son. James suspected that they hadn't spoken in some time. The Vekfahren incident was well publicized, and if he didn't know Thom was there, then there was an obvious disconnect. The older man then took a seat at the bar next to the James. Graf was busy chatting to the bartender at the moment. It would appear that where James had failed, Graf was succeeding quite well.

"Wat was he's doing out en da FRR? Last time I's aheard he's was stationed on Pacifica with da rest of da Black Hearts? Did he's..." The older man suddenly closed his mouth. "Oh ****, where's my's manners? Demarkus Frankfurt, ah's.. owner of Warlock stables."

James had never been a big Solaris fan, so the mention of his name and the stable he ran meant nothing to James.

"The first and only time I met your son was on the Rasalhague planet of Vekfahren sir. I met him in a rather seedy bar, but he seemed to be enjoying himself.

"Ah... my's boy was alone?" DeMarkus nibbled on his lip nervously.

"He appeared to be alone, or at least not traveling with anyone. I confess that I didn't interact a whole lot with him during my time there, as we became separated. I could never forget that accent however, if you'll forgive me. Unfortunately suffered life threatening injuries during the action, and did not see first hand what became of him, but in my communications with Graf - he told me Thom made it out just fine. I wish I could tell you more. What brings you here to Tharkad sir?"

Demarkus felt a wave of relief as the young officer told his tale. Of course he had heard of Vekfahren, it had become famous from some low rated mercenary company going rogue and broke almost every article of the Ares Conventions that they could. From the tale he was able to gather that his son had fought alongside Graf and James as one of the 'good guys' But the absence of any of the other Black Hearts left him with more questions than answers.

If his boy was able to survive that scuffle...

"Ah.. wht was dat again? Wat brings me's ahere? Well I's atrying to get some of dem fancy pancy new wonder weapons da big weapon producers are's amaking. Get a bit of's a technological edge in da games... Dat an Kay," He looked out towards the dancefloor where he could tell something was going on. "My's wife, been anagging for us to's take a vacation..."

He took a sip of the pinkish wine, still trying to place the slightly cotton candy taste.

"So's wat abrings a's officers from da Draconis March ahere?"
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Kaylee was having a blast.

The two were almost approaching Deva status as the third song began to play, but then much to the surprise of those gathered here watching, a third and even more stunning and beautiful visage appeared on the floor, joining the other two, that of the Archon's daughter. Yes Katherine Steiner-Davion herself had appeared and wasn't about to let anyone upstage her when it came to glances and awe inspiring inspiration to the masses and heads of the great Houses...

Sixteen year old Katherine glided effortlessly onto the dance floor clad in the purest of blue and silver samite gown, she held it aloft now at just above her knee and began to gyrate and swing her hips to the sound of the music and just as the crescendo was about to begin, the music suddenly changed and as she spun to face off against these two would be upstarts. A devilish smile came across her face as she locked eyes with Katie and a raging Tango began to play. Her former teacher was about to learn just how far her pupil had come and with the advanced lessons and training that her privilege afforded her she knew that Katie didn't stand a chance, and a small part of her swelled with this anticipation of victory that soon would be hers. She lead off then with a few snaps and the rapping and tapping of her feet as they hit the tiles in the beat of this new vicious cycle of musical engagement, and found herself swept away in the moment of this new exhilaration.

Eventually Kay gave up as the two dueled on the dancefloor. She knew her place. Though welcomed here and looking as regal as possible, Kaylee was just a simple girl who grew up working in countless mech garages scattered around the gameworld. She wasn't royalty and nobility and quickly retreated to the shadows as the spotlight shone upon young Katherine and Lady Katie. Slinkering back off towards the bar and her husband, Kaylee was forgotten by the two nobles swirling around on the dancefloor.

[RogueSpear]

"Ah..." Vantas watched the other man fade into nonresponsiveness with distress. "I am terribly sorry, I did not mean to bring up harsh memories. May I ask what happened?"


Briefly and with distaste the woman sketched out what had happened, her eyes still boring into his own. Try as he might, Vantas could not hide a wince at the thought of the injuries the scarred man had endured. But it was clear the man was not just scarred in flesh.

"The work your doctors have done are incredible." Vantas' face twisted slightly as he tried to choose his words carefully. "But rehab is not the place for a warrior. A warrior must regain his own strength. Your doctors have saved his life, but they have not saved him. I apologize for being so blunt but it is the truth, any fool can see." Was that a reaction I see? Thought Vantas. Did he look up? "Is it true what he said, that he never lost?"

Catherine, taken aback by his stark words nodded stiffly. Vantas sighed.

"It is as I feared. You have a true warrior with you, my lady. It is a great calling, terrible and noble, honourable and horrible all at once. But it is a tender, fragile thing. Victor, my brother." He looked the man in the eyes, urging silently for the man to meet his gaze. "You had known only glory, only victory, never defeat. You did not know how to lose, brother. Your power was taken away by another, given back by others still. I have felt your pain. It is a hard thing. You have been surrounded only by those who pity you, who pamper you, who see you as one broken. It is hard to believe you can fight when your allies believe you cannot. A warrior must fight, to regain his strength and power in his own eyes. Surround yourself not with these prancing fops, not you of course Ms. Pride, nor with nurses and attendants. You need warriors by your side, you need to see yourself as one again." He clapped the man hard on the shoulder, startling Victor into spilling his drink slightly, Vantas leaning forward, eyes locked, searching for what he needed to see. "Brother, can you pilot? Will you walk again?"

[Oni Storm]

Vantas clapped Victor hard on the shoulder, startling him into spilling his drink slightly, Vantas leaned forward, eyes locked, searching for what he needed to see. "Brother, can you pilot? Will you walk again?"

Victor noticed a splash and felt a cold wetness hit his thigh. It startled him awake like a shot and he really noticed the man staring into his eyes for the first time (Whooe I'm really going to have to be more careful about dozing. I mean anything could have happened here right? Oh Gawd..where's Catherine?) Victor looked around quickly ascertaining the situation. Cat was setting next to him somewhat sad and somber. There was some form of a quick beated music. Lots of conversations, the smell of sweat and alcohol, and this somewhat daft looking military man in his face. He clinched his right hand hard, and prepared his left for a quick throat hook grab. When suddenly it all came flooding back to him, where they were, why they were here, everything. He let himself relax again and released his tensions, placing his hands at his sides. "I'm sorry sir. you were saying or asking me something rather?"

There it was; that cold, calculating, methodical voice again. With it Baron Von Laxsinger had returned Catherine knew, but not.. not her Victor. Not the man she longed for and truly desired with every being of her fiber, to one day see again, even if only for a second. [a small tear ran down her outside cheek and she quickly whipped it away before he could see. Then she turned to him a bright smile on her face] "The Gentleman here was asking if you could still fight or pilot a Mech or be useful at all to get back into combat. Isn't that right Mister Vantas, one of the founding members of Rogue's Armored Irregulars? Yes that's right I remember you now Mister Vantas. you and your Irregulars, you used to bounce through all the circuits when we were there didn't you? Probably even had an eye on Victor back then too I'd bet. Well we've not interested! He's just now getting back to form and I'm not going to have you or anyone risk his health like that again. not now at the very least, anyway. Please just GO!.!." Her raised voice and harsh tone were really beginning to make a scene and even some of the onlookers of the dance off were having difficulty trying to divide their attention of the two spectacles.

"Don't I get a say in this.?." His words were cold and stuck like daggers into Catherine's soul. "What? You'd want this? Really..??" Her mouth became a quiver and her knees gave way as she sank back into her chair eyes puffy and red right before the streams started pouring down her face. Victor continued almost robotically as he caught the man's gaze once again. "Yes I am fluent in over 22 combat styles from Aikido to Shaolin Kendo, some examples would be Bajutsu, Crane Gungfu, Tiger Gungfu, Ju Jet Li, Kenjutsu, Iaijutsu, Bajutsu, Kyudo, Kajutsu, and even the Drunken Monkey fighting style. I have been trained to harness the concepts of Aiki and Bushido to employ decisive blows and strategies while inside or out of a cockpit. I can pilot 12 different Mech chassis types including the Awesome, Banshee, Catapult, Catapult K, Charger, Cicada, Guillotine, Highlander, Orion, Raven, Swayback and lastly the family heirloom a Icarus II but my personnel favorite is the Swayback [a momentary bit of excitement crept in at that word and disappeared just as quickly] Anyway just what is it you are proposing or wanting from us here, kind Sir? Make it quick and to the point if you will please as I'm afraid I may need to see to my companion here and get Miss Pride away from the festivities. They seem to their toll and bother her so from time to time."

Edited by Oni Storm, 14 September 2012 - 01:02 PM.

[RogueSpear]

Vantas bit down on his instinctive reactions as the argument unfolded before him. A cold man this is. "Ms. Pride is correct, I am one of the founding Irregulars and we do fight on Solaris. But we never had any intent to poach you, Sir von Laxsinger. To be true, I barely recognised your face and name because I never deemed you relevant - we fought lance matches and you did not." He bit his lip briefly as he continued. "Solaris is a crazy place with too many folk, I mean no offence. But now I find you integral. I did not ask what knowledge you hold ser, nor do I want something of you. I merely sought to see if a warrior yet remained. I asked if you would walk again my brother. Not with your own legs, but with those of a mech. Will you walk?"

[Oni Storm]

"I asked if you would walk again my brother. Not with your own legs, but with those of a mech. Will you walk?"

The words seemed hollow and foreign to Victor at first and it took more than a minute for him to process them fully before he began rubbing at his left temple and begins giving his reply "Depends" He looks up, the winter gray eyes flashing as a evil predatory smile curls upon his lips "What do you have in mind?" A gleam in his eyes seems to shine through then, but not of something natural or from the modest lights above. No this was something deeper, something more, and something most foul.

Catherine's sobs stop abruptly as she hears Victor's voice and response, the chills freezing her actions as they run down her spine. (Oh Gawd no! No No NO NO NO... What has he done? You fool you stupid stupid fool. He's not ready for this.. We're not ready for this. Hell I'm not sure anyone is ready for what you're about to unleash... Gawd help us all..) She forced yet another contrived smile then and stood to stand beside her man. She knew she wouldn't like it, but through thick or thin she'd be there right beside him all the way.

Edited by Oni Storm, 14 September 2012 - 10:35 PM.

[RogueSpear]

Vantas leaned back and spread his arms. "Simplicity itself brother. I have no mech here, but I do know where they have simulators that mimic piloting a mech to a truly impressive degree of reality and how to get in at them. Even generates heat. It is the best I can do for now. But it will let you discover if your old self is truly in there after all."

[Listless Nomad]

"Ah.. what was dat again? Wat brings me's ahere? Well I's atrying to get some of dem fancy pancy new wonder weapons da big weapon producers are's amaking. Get a bit of's a technological edge in da games... Dat an Kay," Demarkus looked out towards the dancefloor where he could tell something was going on. "My's wife, been anagging for us to's take a vacation..."

James smiled politely as Demarkus explained his reasoning for being at the party. He had already seen a large number of representatives from the major weapons manufacturers here at the party, handing out business cards to anyone who would listen. If Demarkus was as influential on Solaris VII as he claimed, it made sense for him to make the long trip in the hop of making a lucrative deal.

"So's wat abrings a's officers from da Draconis March ahere?"

James finished the last of his drink and set it on the bar before answering.

"Well, I'm here representing Duke Sandoval and the Draconis March. There are other members of the delegation here of course, nearly all of them more important than me. They just chose me to come along as some kind of PR stunt, because of all the press about Vekfahren. Since I've gotten here I've tried to schmooze a little, but it's not exactly my forte. I'd honestly be more comfortable in the cockpit of my mech on Luthien than here right now. I had that young lady to keep me company earlier, but it now appears that she's kidnapped your wife."

James paused for a moment and looked off into the crowd as Demarkus' wife reemerged. "Actually, here she is." James tipped his hat to the beautiful woman before turning to Demarkus once more. "I'll let the two of you enjoy your evening. It has been a pleasure meeting you Demarkus. I'm sure I'll see you later."

With that James walked off to find a wall to lean up against. He was fairly buzzed at this point, and didn't feel like pretending to care as another noble droned on. Rather than lean against a wall, he found a seemingly unoccupied table and sat down, pulling out his personal reader to catch up on the news from the day.

[Oni Storm]

Katie was exhausted... and she knew that she'd been beat. Lady Katherine had certainly come a long way and was growing into a fine, if not over-competitive, young woman. Katie bowed then in appreciation of her opponent and stopped her own dancing, and watched as Young Katherine finished out the song. Many smiles and claps and curtsies accompanied the finish as the lime light shone of lovely Kathrine and Katie too was about to disappear into the shadows and background. When the band leader interjected, "How about those ladies folks? Give it up for undisputed dance off champion The Lady Kathrine Steiner-Davion, now then I think all three of these women deserve a big hand for entertaining us." and with that the spot lights shone onto the crowd washing them in a wave of blinding light, not stopping the search until they found all three women and shone on each illuminating them for the crowd. "Come on ladies go ahead and take your bows. The next song is for you gals.. and gents that means it's ladies choice for the next few songs, so you better brush up those manners and put down those drinks. The ballad of the Stars is about to begin. Ladies if you'll find your partners and lead us off. i'm sure we'd all be honored."

Katie took her bows and looked around quickly trying to find her escort for the evening. Spotting him back at a lone table back against the walls, she hurried over. "Come on soldier boy, you didn't think I was going to let you off that easy did you?" She reached out her hand and once more lead the poor James onto the dance floor this time into the spotlight for everyone to see. She smiled at him again with that childlike innocence that belied true evil behind it's intentions and put her head on his shoulder as the music slowly and softly began to play.

Edited by Oni Storm, 19 September 2012 - 09:46 AM.

[Sparks Murphey]

“So what did she say?”

Arielle’s voice snapped Kristian out of his worried thoughts and back to the here and now. The bartender, it seemed, was still too busy to serve him, but his boss had time for chit-chat.

“What?” he managed to stumble back.

“The redhead. Did she mention anything about what she does, what she’s interested in...?” Arielle replied.

Kristian’s eyes narrowed. “You knew. You knew who she worked for before you sent me over there. Jeez, you played me.”

Arielle sighed and beckoned to the bartender, who annoyingly answered her call instantly. As the bartender poured their drinks, she said, “Kristian, look around you. This hall is filled with members of great and minor houses who, yesterday, would have liked nothing better than to brutally kill one another. And tomorrow, they’ll do the same. But today, they wear masks of civility, and pretend to be interested in peaceful solutions to their problems, all the while posturing and planning to manoeuvre one another into positions where they can most easily backstab one another without exposing their own backs.

“And we sit in the middle, smiling as we hand out the knives, to each and every one of them, as if we weren’t handing them out to their bitter enemies. No...because we are handing them out. ‘What’s that, Mr Kurita? You just heard Ms Steiner got a new shipment of tanks? Well, perhaps the best solution is more tanks of your own!’

“So yeah, I played you. As you will play her in turn to find out whatever trade secrets she lets slip. The difference being that you and I are on the same team, working for the same goal. So when I play you, know that I’m doing it in your interests, even if that means that you don’t get to know what those interests are. You and that girl were never going to be together, but play your cards right and she might be the ticket to a salary bonus or even a promotion. Heck, you might even bed her before the night's out. But don’t worry about breaking her heart, because that was decided well before tonight.”

Kristian scowled and picked up Arielle’s untouched drink as well as his own. “I’m going take Ariha her drink now. I’ll see you around, Ms Falatti.”

Edited by Sparks Murphey, 19 September 2012 - 09:15 PM.

[Thom Frankfurt]

"How about those ladies folks? Give it up for undisputed dance off champion The Lady Kathrine Steiner-Davion, now then I think all three of these women deserve a big hand for entertaining us." and with that the spot lights shone onto the crowd washing them in a wave of blinding light, not stopping the search until they found all three women and shone on each illuminating them for the crowd. "Come on ladies go ahead and take your bows. The next song is for you gals.. and gents that means it's ladies choice for the next few songs, so you better brush up those manners and put down those drinks. The ballad of the Stars is about to begin. Ladies if you'll find your partners and lead us off. i'm sure we'd all be honored."

Kaylee stopped two steps within the bar, standing half in the gloom of the waterhole and half in the stark white light of the ballroom's spot light. She sighed heavily as she looked over to where her husband sat leaning back upon a stool with his back towards the bar. In his hand he swirled a glass of dark amber liquid, while he had a far away look upon his scarred face.

Gonna have to dance, don't want to cause a scene and unset the nobles... Mar will never get himself those weapon contracts and won't be able to secure any decent fights, if any... God, why'd I let that trolop drag me out there?

Kaylee stormed over to where D sat and kicked him in the ankle.

"Ow's! what the H3ll Kay?!" her partner demanded.

"We're dancing." She stated matter-of-factly as she dragged him out into the spotlight on the dancefloor just as a Waltz began to play. He followed suit and took the lead as they began twirling about the dancefloor, feeling like the eyes of the entire Inner Shpere where upon them.
Her husband seemed distracted though, with the far away look in his eye, even if he was dancing as devinely as normal.

Feeling concerned she leaned in to whisper into DeMarkus' ear.

"Mar, what happened? You're not here."

"I's had word on my's boy. Da guy from da Draconis March said he's in da Free Rasha..Rash..lea," He stumbled over the word. "Da FRR, he fought at Vekfaren." He stamperd out, and she half stopped mid swirl.

"Oh my gawsh, is he okay." She stumbled out and he nodded.

"Well that's a relief." She added but he shook his head no.

"He was alone..." DeMarkus stated in the flat tone ending the subject.

Kaylee's mind raced at the implications of that statement. Thom was alone, but where were all the Black Hearts? Where was 'Uncle Po?' And just what the Heck was he doing in the FRR to begin with? Last they heard the BlackHearts were pulling garrison duty on Pacifica. Something must have happened, but what? She would have to pull their 'Green Heart' champerone that she'd arranged to escort them about Tharkad to the side and drill him for info. It was the least she could do for her hubby, and the drunken reject she called step-son.

[Listless Nomad]

"How about those ladies folks? Give it up for undisputed dance off champion The Lady Kathrine Steiner-Davion, now then I think all three of these women deserve a big hand for entertaining us."

James looked up briefly from his newsreader as the announcer's voice boomed across the great hall, and a thunderous applause from the assembled nobles followed. James smirked at the mention of Lady Katherine.

I wonder how Katie took losing...she doesn't seem the type to be outclassed easily. Must have been some dance.

James returned to reading a story about an Anniversary marking ten years since the fall of Quentin and Independence Weaponry to the Combine. James' smirk turned to a frown as he reflected on the news. He was sure that there would be members of his company back on Robinson agitating for a raid on Kuritan space to retaliate. In the long time it had taken for him to reach Tharkad, he had been away from his company for quite some time, and reports on readiness were taking a long time to reach him. He just hoped his XO was able to quell the more reactionary elements of his unit until he got back.

"Come on ladies go ahead and take your bows. The next song is for you gals.. and gents that means it's ladies choice for the next few songs, so you better brush up those manners and put down those drinks. The ballad of the Stars is about to begin. Ladies if you'll find your partners and lead us off. i'm sure we'd all be honored."

As he read, James wondered what lucky guy was going to be selected to dance with the Lady Katherine. There had to be a fair amount of politics involved, but one never knew with impetuous teenagers. By choosing a boy who was simply "cute", the young royal could alter the future of the Inner Sphere, or the entire course of a Noble's family. He'd have to make an effort to see who it was in a minute or two.

"Come on soldier boy, you didn't think I was going to let you off that easy did you?"

James snapped his head up bewildered as the distinctive, sweet, voice of Katie rang out directly in front of where he was seated.

"M'Lady Pride?"

Without another word from her, she reached out her hand and once more lead James onto the dance floor. As James made the short walk to the dance floor, it took a moment for him to notice that a spot light had been following Katie, and was now shining brightly on the pair of them. In addition, the throngs of nobles ringing the dance floor parted easily for the two of them. James gulped quickly as Katie gave him her best "innocent" grin as the music began in earnest. The nobles closed around them and the spotlight shut off, as the room became much darker. A soft, slow, song was playing, and illuminated on the vast ceiling was an effect intended to make it appear water was rippling. Pleasant, Steiner, blue tones appeared from wall sconces; the entire effect succeeding in making the casual observed think they were dancing in a giant underwater ballroom. The effect was quite calming, as was the gentle pressure of Katie's head laying softly on his shoulder. The two danced slowly for a few minutes, just relaxing and enjoying the dance together. As the song began to finish, James noticed that half of the wall sconces began to slowly transition from Steiner blue, to a distinctively more Davion red and orange composition. Gradual as it was, the effect was meant to represent a ocean sunrise, and the union of the two great houses not too long ago.

In honor of the now more aggressive color scheme, a more lively waltz began to play. As James took Katie's hand to begin the dance, he spoke for the first time in several minutes.

"Well my Lady Pride, you now know an awful lot about me and my recent history, my I know next to nothing about you, save your superb dancing skills, and your penchant for getting me into trouble. What of your exploits? Care to share with a poor Draconis March soldier what Katie Pride does to keep herself busy late at night? <wink>"

Over her shoulder, James spied Demarkus and his wife dancing not too far away. His wife kept throwing concerned and questioning glances his way. James shrugged it off as Katie began to speak.

She smiled at him again with that childlike innocence that belied true evil behind it's intentions and put her head on his shoulder as the music slowly and softly began to play.

Edited by Listless Nomad, 14 October 2012 - 05:42 PM.