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Post by Grace Forjacks on Jul 31, 2009 23:25:45 GMT -6
It was just on the cusp of evening when Grace made her way into the third bar of the day. It was a bit nicer than the other two she'd been in. The floor in this one was even visible under the various spilled drinks. And the mirror behind the bar only had a single crack in it. She might even order a drink here, instead of just paying for other men's watered down swill.
She was on the look out for a crew, but a very specific sort of crew: the kind who didn't answer to job listings posted on the Network. The sort of men who didn't make their services known unless you knew the right turn of phrase or looked like the sort of person who usually employed them. And judging by the look of the room, she'd found the mercenarys she was looking for.
Grace took a seat at the bar, ordering a beer from the surly looking bartender. He seemed a little less surly when she paid in cash. As she sipped at her mug, she looked into the mirror and scanned the room behind her. A few of them were watching her, but most were busy keeping their eyes on their own drinks. If no one approached her, she'd have to take herself to their tables and see if they were just out drinking, or looking for a little work.
She checked her eInkr. Six pm. Grace would have to be back out at the ship by ten to make sure Klove had gotten back safe with his haul from the Bottom. And if there weren't any bites here, she'd have to find another bar.
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Post by Jared Castle on Aug 1, 2009 0:01:26 GMT -6
Castle was sitting in the corner of the bar, feet on the table and enjoying a strong liquor. He deserved a little reward to himself after a hard day's work. His arms still hurt from all the blocked blows of the men he had taken down.
He wasn't sure what he wanted to do for tomorrow. He could go find another job, he could always use more money, or go to the hotel and rest for a day. He hadn't decided yet. We'll see how things turn out. He thought.He noticed a woman walk in but he didn't care much right now. Right now was his time to enjoy his freedom. Not to go and try to score with some girl he'd never met. Besides, he was terrible with women.
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Post by Enan Breese on Aug 1, 2009 0:02:29 GMT -6
The dark blue bike came to a halt perfectly, just outside a local bar. This place had been a typical hang out for Enan and his brother as they grew older. This was part of the reason Enan figured he's be able to find Caden quicker than just calling and waiting for him to pick up.
Pushing open the front door and slowly entering the building he passed some smiles and the casual "hey!" to familiar faces before going to order something for himself to drink. As predicted, the bartender was ready for him, sliding a large glass of cold beer to him as he sat down. That was one of the advantages of knowing people at some of your favorite places. Enan shook his head and snickered slightly in disbelief at the speed the bartender was able to get him his drink. "I think you just broke your record," he joked, placed a few coins onto the table and took a swing of the glass.
He turned halfway on the stool to look at all the people in the room to see if he could possibly spot his brother.
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Post by Grace Forjacks on Aug 1, 2009 0:17:18 GMT -6
There was a good prospect in the back. Everything about him screamed mercenary. He was by himself, which would make this easier. All she'd have to do is wander over, sit down, and ask if he happened to be a contractor looking for a contract.
This was the plan. Then someone sat beside her. As he turned around to look at the crowd, Grace snuck a look at him. He was handsome and sweet looking, and the least mercenary like man she'd seen in a while. But he was also big, and warm eyes didn't mean much. She'd seen plenty of sweet faces on cold blooded killers. Hell, she saw one everytime she looked in the mirror.
The merc didn't look like he was going anywhere. Likely he was just off a ship and he had some money burning a hole in his pocket. Dealing with him sober would be easier than dealing with him drunk. The man beside her was looking for someone, this might by her only chance to feel him out and see what he was.
The easiest way to find out would be to just ask. She turned to face the man beside her, "Looking for someone?"
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Post by Enan Breese on Aug 1, 2009 0:36:43 GMT -6
Enan raised an eyebrow at the sound of the woman's voice beside him. He turned to face the direction the voice had come from to see a rather stunning looking face staring back at him. "Hi! ...Yeah, uhh my brother actually..." He paused and scratched his head a bit awkwardly. How he missed her coming in? He'll never know. "I don't suppose you've seen him, have you? Looks a bit like me, only... well, smaller and I guess a bit rough around the edges."
He was a bit curious as to why she was in such a place. He'd never seen her around before. "I've never seen you around here before. Visiting anyone?" That was his pathetic attempt at conversation that he made fun of himself for in his head. After all he wasn't really expecting to be approached by someone quite like this.
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Post by Grace Forjacks on Aug 1, 2009 0:44:46 GMT -6
She smiled at him. He was even more handsome, and even more of a mark than she'd expected. But she wasn't here to cheat anyone tonight. "No, I haven't seen anyone like him tonight. Maybe he's late."
Hopefully he was late. Or not coming at all. The small ones were always a bit smarter than the big ones. They had to be. When you had size on your side, you could afford to be trusting and not wonder why things happened. But when you didn't, you had to be aware of everything.
"I just arrived in town. My ship's docked nearby. As for visiting, I didn't have any plans to do so. But I might now." She extended a hand, "Grace Forjacks."
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Post by Enan Breese on Aug 1, 2009 1:04:48 GMT -6
It was a small let down hearing that Caden hadn't been spotted. Hopefully he didn't go and do something stupid again... There have been points where he's had to pretty much drag his brother home to patch him up after getting in a fight. Usually caused by alcohol or his immensely short temper. But at this point his mind was slowly trailing off of meeting his brother. He was becoming more focused on the woman beside him.
A pilot? That alone was impressive, the majority of ship owners were men. It wasn't unheard of for a woman to own a ship but in these parts of Terra is wasn't that likely. But then again it was pretty much never done in the Above of Terra.
He smirked at her comment about visiting and gladly took her hand with a firm but still gentle grip, "Enan Breese. Welcome to my shabby hang out, where I like to waste time and let loose after a long day."
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Post by Grace Forjacks on Aug 1, 2009 1:15:11 GMT -6
His hands were surprisingly soft, lacking in callouses. Not a manual labourer then, though his build suggested otherwise. There was strength behind that grip, something she took careful note of. Was he a professional of some sort? Enan didn't look like like he belonged behind a desk. And most of the other professions she could think of wouldn't have him slumming in the Inbetween. There was an easy way to find out, and she took it.
"Oh I wouldn't call it shabby. Broken-in, maybe. It has a sort of charm to it." She picked up her beer and sipped it. "So, Enan Breese, what does a long day consist of for a man like yourself?"
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Post by Enan Breese on Aug 1, 2009 1:47:36 GMT -6
Some say you can tell a lot about someone through a hand shake. But Enan was slightly caught off guard. There was something about her he couldn't read.
She was right there had to be something to it to keep him coming back. "I guess you're right," He smiled. "Ah, a long day of patient after patient. Many times over flow patients from other hospitals and clinics." He took a quick sip of his beer between sentences. "And it sucks when you're stuck in a small clinic with only one operating table..." He paused to stop himself from entering a rant. "It's not always fun."
Taking a larger amount from his glass he set it back on the bar counter. He figured there was no need to in depth about what he did. It's not like he worked for one of the top hospitals in the district, but he preferred the smaller locations. Despite having to deal with overflow patients it was less stressful in the end.
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Post by Grace Forjacks on Aug 1, 2009 12:12:16 GMT -6
Grace let her eyes and smile widen. "You're a doctor? Well, no wonder you need a drink at the end of the day." She traced a finger over the top of her glass, "Saving lives may not be fun, but I can't think of a more selfless career."
Inside her mind raced. A medic? You rarely saw any in the Inbetween. Either you were good enough that you ended up in the Top, or bad enough that you ended up in the Below. The fact that Enan was drinking in the Inbetween said a lot about him. It also made Grace like him a little. The man had probably been born an Inbetweener, and while the Below part of her constantly resented those born into privilege and money, the rest of her was a little pleased to see he hadn't let some success go straight to his head.
She needed him for the ship. His availability didn't matter, but it would help if he wanted to leave. The trouble wasn't always getting men on her crew, but figuring out a way to keep them, and figuring out if they could be kept. Family was always messy to get involved with, especially little brothers who were rough enough around the edges to see through someone like Grace. Maybe the other one would be just as easy as a mark, but she doubted it. Enan had the openness of someone who had a brother in his life to watch out for him. "I don't think I'd be cut out for it. I've never been very good at staying in one place for very long."
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Post by Caden Breese on Aug 1, 2009 12:30:32 GMT -6
Someone's gotta have a lighter... It's all Caden wanted but for some reason couldn't find. He couldn't remember where he had left his and was frustrated. So off he headed to the bar, it was a guarantee he'd find one there.
He pushed the doors open and scanned over the crowd. The key was finding someone who was willing to lend it out. "Heh", he smirked as he spotted someone he knew would have something. He pushed through a few people and headed directly for his brother. "Fancy seeing you here, gimme your lighter." He didn't care if he was interrupting something or not. He was determined to get what he needed.
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Post by Enan Breese on Aug 1, 2009 12:43:54 GMT -6
"A good drink can help you keep your mind off things you don't need to constantly think about," He smiled, "and apparently helps you meet new faces." So far he liked her. Unless she was an amazing liar or actor, she seemed sweet with a hint of mystery that left him wondering.
Enan's focus was instantly broken by a familiar voice which, even though that's why he was originally at the bar, suddenly frustrated him. He closed his eyes for a second and let out an irritated sigh before turning to his brother.
"Really now. You burst in here, interrupt me, demand something and expect to get it?"
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Post by Grace Forjacks on Aug 1, 2009 13:02:32 GMT -6
Grace let out a quiet snort. Caden was such the archtypical little brother. Grace had four of them, and she was all-too familiar with their impatient demands. She pulled out a lighter and offered it to him, "The quicker you give them what they want, the faster the conversation is."
She took the opportunity to get a good look at Enan's brother. Grace could see the family resemblance, close enough that you might mistake them for one another if you weren't paying attention. He was smaller and scrappier, just as Enan had said. Unlike Enan, this one's hands were rough and dirty. She couldn't help but smile a little, recognizing those cuts and callouses. The man was a mechanic. How fascinating. One fixed humans and the other fixed engines.
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Post by Caden Breese on Aug 1, 2009 13:55:36 GMT -6
He gladly took the lighter and stuck his cigarette between his lips. "What she said," He grinned and lit the cigarette. He took a long drag and paused happily before blowing the smoke out his nose. "Thanks," he winked, tossed the lighter back and turned to leave. He got what he wanted and technically wasn't supposed to be smoking right by the bar anyway so he started to wander off before pausing.
"Oh yes," He reached around and pulled a small pistol from the back of his pants. "I borrowed this the other day. Thought you might want it back." He placed it on the counter by Enan and then left.
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Post by Grace Forjacks on Aug 1, 2009 14:40:57 GMT -6
Grace tucked the lighter back into her pocket and looked at the pistol. Nothing fancy, just standard issue. You could buy them everywhere on Terra. Grace smiled to herself. It was stupid, juvenile and such a boy thing to do, but she felt smug knowing her pistol was larger than Enan's.
"He's quite the firecracker." She said, taking another pull off her beer. Grace was going to have to switch to water after this one. While she could drink more, and had many times, it wasn't good to be drunk while trying to find mercs. You ended up waking up in strange places with signed contracts agreeing to pay someone twice what they were worth.
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