video UN: vault thief

[phaseflex]

[opening up, amara is beaming at the camera. she's clearly in an alleyway of the willful machine, if the light and bustle a little ways off from her is any indication. she has a huge bag of popcorn in one hand, the other holding the omni-- her signature tattoos glow across her arms and neck, though right now they're a bright orange instead of the usual blue.]

Yoooo! This market has orange popcorn! You have no idea how long it's been since I've had some! [a truly unfortunate and very strange looking dog briefly pops into frame as it makes a lunge for the popcorn with a long, prehensile tongue. amara doesn't seem too bothered by it, responding by lifting the bag up and chiding it;] Not for you, Skag. This is people food.

[moving on...]

I'm Amara! I am known as the Tiger of Partali, the wisest cowboy to ever walk the land and possible brain surgeon! That last one involves a lot more metaphysical punching than you would expect. Anyway! That giant snake is an equally giant pain in the ass, so I'm gonna tear its head off and give it to the Hunters in lieu of a resumé. Anyone down to join? It'll be a fun evening out!

Comments

[phaseflex]

Good. [it's a path she's chosen, at least, rather than feeling like she had to be the leader of FEAR, like in deerington. amara wonders if she let vira-lorr down by not takin command herself, but she knows in her heart of hearts she's not a good leader. she works in a team or alone.] To all of that. I don't think it was a good idea.

[not that she would've done anything about it.]

I haven't really absorbed how different this is from Deerington. An entire city!

[onerthes]

[It had been desperate times when Bucky had stepped down. At a certain point they'd all had to do what they had to do. She was glad there people stepping up again this time around. It was easier not to be that person this time around.]

It makes more sense now... but in community with the townspeople. They're actually people for one. So we can work with them finally. But that can be done... over time. There's no hurry.

Oh trust me. there's a lot to absorb about this place. It both reminds me of the dream sometimes, and then sometimes it is so surreally different.

[phaseflex]

No, of course not. Deerington had that looming time issue, didn't it? I'm glad it feels more relaxed here. Well-- I assume it will, when I've settled in more.

[everyone gets those antsy feelings when they first arrive, don't they? even if they'd been in deerington.]

That is just how reality works. I'm sure there are aspects of our own realities that would make us both think, "I never left the dream." Haha.

[haha. ha. this is fine.]

[onerthes]

It's never completely relaxed, but I have a bit of a suspicion that you will feel more relaxed in it, just for the lack of ... well everything collapsing around your ears.

[She shook her head sadly.]

I try very hard not to imagine that I'm still slumbering in her nightmare everyday and this is all a joke that will end with Superior laughing. I really do. [she laughed a bit too nervously there.] But it likely isn't the dream. Even if we are afraid sometimes.

[phaseflex]

I'm always relaxed.

[except those times she isn't, which are not as far between as she claims they are.]

Whatever it is, we still feel it. Also, can I borrow some money?

[onerthes]

Amara, dear, you're going to love this so much. But this place doesn't really run on money. They use the barter system. Some folks try to trade clam shells, but really they don't have a normal sort of currency.

But you're a sleeper. They'll take care of you to start just assuming that you will be a benefit to have around, which we both know you will. [Pause] But if this is a way of asking me to treat you to lunch?

Now that I can do.

[phaseflex]

It wasn't, but now it is.

[clowned yourself, girl.]

[onerthes]

Well well, how fortuitous that it seems to be just as much my plan to feed you!

And a good excuse for me to let you know some of the stupid, basic ways things work around here. You'd probably not be surprised how much of a headache it is.

[phaseflex]

Really? You're the first one who's mentioned it's a headache. [she's moving now, to their location.] Some weird stuff about blood was mentioned, but not in-depth...

[onerthes]

Trust me. There's a few issues. The lack of money's caused kind of a pervasive headache. The fact that Night Walkers are so important for avoiding corruption's caused issues. Religious fanatics being the source of protective incense. Trust me. There's a few things.

Oh and the blood. Always with the blood. But let's grab some lunch.

[Likewise she was on her way to a little place where they could meet, sending directions. It was over in the Willful Machine, where the artisans met for meals. Easy and comfortable like all things.]

[phaseflex]

I'm going to start my own bitcoin. I do not like headaches and having to do math and remember huge trading lists all the time.

[her expression pinches.]

I only enjoy that fanatic concept in the sense that I will get to punch many of them.

[onerthes]

Do... I even want to know what "Bitcoin" is?

[Please don't explain Blockhain and NFTs to her. Hahaha.]

Oh, you're going to get plenty of chances to punch them, with all of your fists.

[phaseflex]

Fake money for stupid men. [and she'll leave it at that, because amara isn't exactly up to date on it all, anyway.] Where are we headed? I don't know my way around this new place.

[onerthes]

So, I think I know a good bar. Go to the creepy gray fellows around the lanterns and think 'Cellar Door.' I'll meet you at the entrance and take you through the district. See you soon.

[phaseflex]

[it takes her a while to get there, still trying to find her way around the place and still a little too prideful to keep asking for directions. eventually she finds the place, where vira-lorr will find amara pacing around with mud all over her legs and a very intense expression, no doubt thinking cellar door over and over and as loudly as she can.]

[onerthes]

You, my dear, look like you're about to battle the Rancor.

[Ya know... she actually kind of wished she didn't know what that was, but knowing Maul meant knowing about a lot of strange, horrible monsters. You picked up things. That sort of told the story of much of this world. Walking up, she waved at her friend and motioned for her to follow.]

The place is just down the road. It's one of the bigger nightclubs in the area, but it's quite good for taking a load off.

[phaseflex]

And I'd win! [she barks with a laugh, delighted to see vira. where vira waves, amara gallops over like a horse released from its pen with the promise of many salt-licks in the distance, picking her up and swinging her around.] I'll take your load off! See!

[onerthes]

Haha, Amara! What do you?!? ACK!

[She was laughing as she was hefted in the air and hauled around, hands gripping the other's wrists to keep stable before she found the ground again.]

Did you miss my smiling face, I take it?

[phaseflex]

Oh, so much! All three of your beautiful sparkling eyes! [amara puts vira down, as she should. not to be impolite and keep her up in her arms!] We must have so much gossip to share!

[onerthes]

Haha. Oh, a fair bit. There's at least a few of us still from the old days around. Fewer, though, but that shouldn't surprise you. It's how it always is.

[She put an arm around her waist and grinned at her as they walked.]

Has any time passed for you at home, or did you arrive here fresh like I did?

[phaseflex]

Ah, time passed for me. A year or so. I don't know if I'm 30 at the moment or not? I had that time in Deerington, but does that count? Maybe I'll just go and get myself something every day for the next year.

[she is no stranger to treating herself.]

It doesn't surprise me, no, but it's still sad to hear. I heard about Peter. That one hurt.

[onerthes]

It only counts if you say it counts.

[Well, considering she was in her 300s, she was a firm person on "you're only as old as you feel and say you are.]

But that sounds like an excellent plan. Lots of little treats to get yourself after all... [She coughed uncomfortably.] Yes, he and Eddie are gone both. I don't know how close you were to him. The number of us from near the beginning is small. Shiro's still here, and so is Reaper god help us all. But even Bruce has disappeared.

[She may? Or she may not... have ever figured out he was "Big Green."]

[phaseflex]

It doesn't. I'm 24 and in my prime forever. Call me Amazon, baby. [she laughs, but it's cut short.] Ah, Eddie... quite close to Peter, less so to Edward. I know for certain he deserved better than anything waiting for him back home.

[she may not.]

Bruce?

[onerthes]

Banner. He used to cook at a diner back in the dream, the only decent diner that was run by sleepers. [She shook her head] Shame it blew up. they never did figure out why.

[Because weirdly the Joker didn't leave his calling card that time.]

Yes. I think Peter's going back to a decent situation, but Eddie... well, there's several of our friends we could toast quite easily the memory of, aren't there?

[phaseflex]

A heaping of nonsense, I'd imagine. That's how these things go. [she wouldn't remember, anyway, deerington is so long ago for her and gets fainter with all the new memories and experiences every day. it still doesn't quite feel real.] I'm ready to toast them all. I haven't had a good drink in too long, and you're paying!