Gal's Place (Open RP)

((OOC: Sorry so late, long weekend. I bet Manion and Beth's food will be showing up soon.))

"I keep forgetting to get my license changed. I'm always asked for my Security Card instead that it just became a low priority." He grinned and took a sip of his beer. "I don't know if you would call a hero's life normal, but maybe you would in this town. I work mainly with my Supergroup, the Portal Defense Force, and, well, we run around and thwart attempts, by other dimension, to invade Earth. Not all of the time, well I haven't actually done it at all, but I'm supposed to go if I'm ever needed. Instead a group of us stay here in Paragon and help take of her."

He took another swallow. "I sure hope I'm not boring you with my lack of a story, but ya see my roommate and best friend is off world right now and well it is his first time and I'm kinda worried about him. Don't get me wrong they wouldn't have picked him if he wasn't ready, but he is like the only family I got here, even if he is a robot." He paused and reflected inward for a moment. "Look at me babbling on like that. So, tell me, who is this Gemini you mentioned earlier, I don't think I've met her." He leaned forward and rested his chin on his propped up hands.

*Boring* he said, *Guys go around throwing forklifts, chopping up giant robots and shooting lasers from their eyes. Boring?* She thought not, but it might be just the crowd you run with.

"Gemini," she smiled, "Lady Gemini is her correct name, should use it more. I act like she's a friend, when she only knows me from saving my butt. She's really quiet, sort'a mysterious I guess. Maybe you saw her in here the other night, with her group?" His stare and shake of the head indicated no.

"Well, she's a member of The Order, Sisters, Ladies of the Lake. All that, the women that live on the Island out in Talos. Gal's one, and Nar," she hooked a thumb at the minute woman tending bar. Supergroup, you know. She rubbed at one arm, under a heavy sleeve. "Basically, she is bad news with a katana wrapped up with razor wire, but she has a bod to die for. Nar says she's from the Ming Dynasty, but I don't know if that was her old group or what.

"She always seems to be there when I really need it, like a guardian angel," she paused, considering, "one that swings a katana. She pulled me an' the kids out of a building during the Rikti War. Later, when my old man was getting rough, she shows up, Bang! Out of nowhere." Her tone indicated there was some time in-between, "and gets us all out. Took us to a friend of her's, lady named Jing, that runs a battered women's shelter. Been living there since, the only place I feel safe except for here." Her hand had been constantly rubbing at the arm, unthinking but definitely a habit.

She had been involved in the story, not paying much attention to Jack. Finishing, she looked up, sheepishly, at her rudeness.

"More than that about Lady Gemini, I couldn't even guess at. I remember watching the attacks from some caves in Talos, her and a group of Sisters evacuated a whole bunch of civvies there. There was an Island, never saw it before, one of their ships was attacking it and she wanted to go to help. Don't know what happened, they shoved us all into the caves and left a few to protect us.

"So, enough of that Jack," she took another drink of the Cola, watching the time. "How'd you end up with a robot partner?" She casually crossed her legs, the modest skirt tucked just above the knee and showing that for middle-age, with calves like that, she had to work out. "I got some time left on my break."

((OOC: No harm, no foul Lusus. That Arena is definitely pulling the RPers. I love having you, and Gertrude would wait in the rain, in the cold on Friday night holding a bowling ball for Jack. He'd have Hel to pay, but she'd wait ))

((OOC: If somehow, in the melee, I have forgotten to respond to someone, my apologies. I try hard to give each patron a personal response, and never mean to slight anyone. I get a little behind sometimes, but please don't take it wrong. I am having a great time here. If someone dropped the ball on you, tell Gal, she'll straighten them out and I'll make sure not to do it again ))

Gal kicked the kitchen door open hard enough to bring Martin, unflustered but quick.

"Dam! I got people out there waitin' on food, drinks. What's going on around here? I let Beth have one minute of privacy, and some time off, and you all think this is the holidays!" Her smile was small, but it showed this was all about bluster.

"Ms. Gal," Martin's unflappable voice, "I shall see to it. Consider the staff warned, the written documents will be on your desk in an hour, and placed in personnel files."

Gal looked right into the much shorter, much paler, much more refined man's eyes, and neither blinked. Seconds passed, Gal's shoulders slowly rolling over and her tiara growing warm.

"I joke, mum." Gal's jaw dropped, here out of view of any guest, in company the tight Englishman felt was of equal stature, he had actually made a joke. Then he turned, his mouth souring again for public display, and strode back to the restaurant.

((OOC: Now, now. Don't be too hard on the girls. I know it got a little busy in here, and figured I'd let things calm down a little before jumping back in. Im still reading and enjoying everyone's posts though. Just consider that Beth and Manion are enjoying the quiet moment together until our food arrives. I know he's not in any rush, and hopes she isnt either. ))

[ QUOTE ]
It’d probably be best that I go after this drink though, gotta find a place to stash the, uh, spare parts before my roommate comes home, anyway.

[/ QUOTE ]

Basilisk nodded.

"One of the nice things about living alone. No questions asked. You're probably right, though. It's just about time to get back out there and earn my keep."

He withdrew from his pocket a small pad of paper and a pen, and scribbled down a phone number. He tore off the sheet and handed it to her.

"There. That's my cell phone number. If you find yourself in too deep, give me a ring and I'll try to help."

He finished off the last of the steak which he had been working on. Daubing his mouth with a napkin to remove any traces of sauce, he sat back, apparently content to stay there for a few more minutes, at least.

He had watched when she spoke about the past and what Gemini had done for her. He had seen the sadness of the war and the joy and relief of being safe. He couldn't relate though, the Rikti had never made it near his home in Texas, but that is what brought him here. He also had watched her touch her arm over and over again. He wasn't sure what to make of it, but he didn't really think that he was close enough to ask. So he just filed it away under stuff he wanted to know about Gertrude.

He grins. "Lady Gemini seems like a very noble person. I definately wouldn't mind having her watch my back. My friends name is Project 23 and we have never been partnered up on a mission. You see we met when I joined up with the PDF, he was already a member and I was just leaving an SG that fell apart. Kinda sad, but life changes people." He took a slow swig of his beer and seemed to be thinking as he did so. "Anyway he was my guide to the PDF. Basically he showed me around, explained the rules and regulations, went over the expectations and got me set up with my uniform. During all this we got to talking and it turned out that he didn't actually stay anywhere. Which kinda makes sense since he doesn't need to sleep. He does need to recharge though so... Ok so I offered him a place to stay." He smiled. "I seem to be getting off topic. Project has a personality built in. He is very much like a human. Well, he is very much like a very grumpy human. He hasn't mastered tact yet and sometimes has a problem understanding normal human situations. I took him to a hockey match and had the hardest time explaining that the fighting was ok." He gave one of those nostalgic laughs.

Leaning back in his chair he gave a big sigh. "Project listens really well and to be honest his cold rational view of things is pretty insightful when it comes to dealing with ones own choices in life. He is way off though when it comes to dealing with other people's emotions, but he's getting better. Mainly we have long drawn out discussions over a card game or chess, both of which I lose on a regular basis."

[ QUOTE ]
"One of the nice things about living alone. No questions asked. You're probably right, though. It's just about time to get back out there and earn my keep."


[/ QUOTE ]

"Hehe. You don't know the half of it. My roomate's an ex cop. Part of the ahem, agreement, I have with the city is that I have a permanent address. Security chief 'highly reccomended' that I settle in with this friend of his. I guess they sort of figured in leiu of a probation officer..."

She watched with interest as he jotted down his phone number on the little pad of paper. When he handed it to her, she accepted it graciously, but shifted nervously in her seat. She had always been a loner by nature, and between all the contacts, city officials, police and other heroes she had to interract with as of late, she felt more than a little overwhelmed.

"Thank you. Truth is, I usually just go down kicking and screaming before I remember that I can call someone for help, but I guess that's one of the things Professor Ventro says I need to work on, so you may yet hear from me sometime."

She folded the little piece of paper up into a tiny little square and then opened a compartment in the side of the armor, pulling out a wad of crumpled bills and various small mechanical ephemera. She left all the money on the bar in a pile, neglecting to count it (there's enough there to pay for both meals, drinks and probably a good portion of the President's request so either Narshawn's getting a very big tip or it could be considered a donation towards fighting the good fight out by the portals). She replaced the asortment of small parts along with the paper. She got the feeling that perhaps she was forgetting soemthing and realized that perhaps she was supposed to give her own number in exchange. She fished out a stubby pencil and then fumbled with the phone again, finding it necessary to look up her own number. She scratched it down on a napkin and handed it to him.

"Don't worry," she said ofhandedly, "If you call it won't be a stand up, that's just special treatment for the Professor."

She hopped off the stool, feeling slightly more wobbly from the drinks than she expected, stuck the clockwork arm back under her own and folded the towel it had been wrapped in neatly and set it on the bar next to the money.

"Well, thanks. It's been a very long time since I've had dinner with anybody. I can say I've had lots worse experiences after picking myself up off the ground."

She left via the doors leading directly to the street from the bar, stopping to turn and give a short wave to Narshawn before disappearing through the doors.

((TO Jack))

Gertrude looked a little unbelieving, but earnest in her interest. After all, not many civvies saw intelligent robots that weren't stripping old Chevy's for the King's diabolical plans.

"He has a personality, programmed, but that is his?" She wondered how that worked. "Can you just...turn him off if he gets out of control?"

That occurred to her to be better sometimes than children. Maybe an "off" switch on her son...

"Seriously, Jack, that sounds like some kind of roomie you have there."


((TO Betty))

"Be well, my sister," Narshawn ((belatedly)) called to Betty as she left through the doors. "I will keep a place for you, should you stop in again."

She glanced at the money left on the bar, well more than the few drinks cost. Gertrude handled money, Narshawn would not touch it, no Sister would handle money except to transfer it to another. She knew the young waitress was still on her break, so it would sit until she returned.

It looked as though there would be a healthy tip left over. This made the small woman's smile widen, she personally liked Gertrude's children, and would send them gifts from anonymous sources. It was easy with a Sister as head of the Shelter, she often wanted to rush to meet Lady Gemini when she came in, but this was not the place. Another sly smile as she thought that Gertrude would not know how Lady Gemini could know so much about her...

((OOC: Sorry, have been off whining about some issues with the latest patch, and let this slide. OK, off my trip now, please accept my apologies and chat away!))

((OOC: OK, not to rush you all out, but I have a request to start a new night so some friends can spend quality time together. Consider the last call going around, thank you for your patronage ))

"Jack, Nar's gonna need help closing the bar, but you sit and relax. I can make an exception if you want to keep your feet up, let you enjoy a little longer..."she looked aside at him and batted an eyelash, "I sure am enjoying."

Standing, she patted his hand on the table and gave him one of her REAL smiles.

((OOC: She likes you Jack.))

((Fair enough. ))

All in all it had been a wonderful evening. Good food, and a wonderful conversation with the beautiful Beth left Manion feeling warm inside.

"Sounds like things are getting ready to wind down." he said to her. "Shall we head out, or did you want to stay a little longer and talk some more?"

He had a smile on his face that hadn't left all night once they had relaxed and the heaviness of the early talk had dissolved. He had even ventured to reach across the table to hold her hands in his once Martin had cleared the empty dishes.

He gave them a light squeeze as he waited for her answer.

((Forgive my absence, please. Hope this is an ok return.))

Dark Basilisk accepted the phone number, and watched as Betty left. He sat back, relaxing for a moment, then fished a small silver pocketwatch out of his pocket. Suddenly realizing the time, he got up and hurried to the door, looking somewhat like the White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland.

((OOC: Sorry about the late reply. I've been slightly distracted these past few days, and this sort of fell through the cracks.))

((OOC: Been sucked into E3insider this week. Which made me even more mad at microsoft for its failure with Fable. See, right there!, you might not have noticed, but I just switched over to E3insider for like 5 minutes. I'm gonna do that a lot so um... deal.))

Jack returned her smile. "Thanks Gertrude but I'm sure you wanna get home and relax so I'll get out of your hair." He flipped open his wallet and dug enough bills out to leave a good tip, and handed it to her. "There ya go. Are ya working tomorrow? I'd like to convince ya to waste your break with me again." He wasn't in any hurry to leave but he didn't want her to feel obligated to stay open up for him. Perhaps he would get a chance to talk with her another day.

"For you, rich and handsome, I think I can make time." Her smile was a blend of saucy and sincere, just enough of both to make him wonder. "And don't worry about keeping me, I'm not out of here for another hour. Have to get the stock, fill up the bar shelves, feed the bar and tables, clear the register..." She trailed off, catching his surprised look.

"Oh, you surprised about clearing the till or the tables? Nar won't touch money, none of the girls in their SG will. The tables, well, let's just say they get some water and vitamins." She winked and held out his change, when he made no move to take it, she reached for his hand and laid it in his palm. An earnest and somehow serious look came over her face.

"You don't have to pay me to sit here, Jack. I'll take a fair tip, and a little spare for good measure, but that's way too much." She folded his fingers over the remaining bills gently and pecked him on the cheek quickly before moving off to help Narshawn.

Funny the people you meet in a bar...

As she moved away to speak with Narshawn, what she said was just sinking in. 'I wasn't paying her to sit with me. Well she didn't seem to take offense at the thought, but I'll have to make it clear to her that I wasn't doing that. Guess I'll take my time finishing my beer, but try not to be that last one out Jack.' He leaned back in his seat and nursed his beer, letting his mind run as it will. 'Hey I'm not rich! I am handsome though no denying that slick.' He tried to spy his reflection in the mug. 'Cut that out you egomaniac, you're not that good looking Narcissus.' Quickly his head darted around to see if anyone had seen him.

Jack finishes his beer, says his goodbyes to the staff, and then wanders out into the dark street.

((OOC: Just wanted to get rid of him, incase you were waiting for him to leave before you started the new day. If you were just kick him out next time.))

((OOC: Never kick you out Jack, Gertrude might get miffed, lol.

OK, new day, and the sign says:

"Squid and Calamari Special, Fresh Caught in IP"

Yes, Gypsy got the Squiddie!))

((OOC: OK, hello all you wonderful players. If any of you cruise the boards, you know Sibling has been having issues since I4 arrived. Petty, spiteful issues, but issues none-the-less.

To allow for cooling off, to hopefully allow for resolution to the numerous bugs and defects that are negatively affecting my game, I will be taking a two week sabatical from CoH.

Have fun at the Bar, enjoy the Recruits and good hunting otherwise. Me? My unhappy meter is pegged with the problems that are being visited upon us. I love those players that post with me, game with me and otherwise enjoy being with me. To you who are RP-ers or players, thank you. You will see me in two weeks, when I will decide if I can play again.))

[there can be no gal's place without Gal, Martin, Gypsy, Narshawn and the others.
We, your affectionate customers, will wait for you here, girl, don't stay away too long!]

I agree, if there's no Beth... well, Im sure you get the idea. Love what you've done here, but enjoy the time off. Relax and have a few drinks on us, please.

((OOC: Sorry to hear, Sibling. I really hope that your problems get resolved so Gal can get back in business. Take care.

Basilisk))

(( Well I've read your frustration across the boards and I hope that your hiatus will bring you back to CoH. Hope to keep this thread going when you return. All the best. ))

AJ Baker, AKA Adavan, struggles though the door carrying 3 large crates. "Excuse me sir. Uh where can I put these?" he asks the stuffy gentleman behind the counter. "These are the wines Gal asked me to bring back for her". Ada strains as he slowly lowers the crates to the gound with out throwing his back out.

"Deliveries," Martin looked askance at the man bearing the crates, "are generally handled through the back." He looked over the man setting the crates down. Sunglasses, short, trimmed hair, stocky build.

"I will need to get the manifest, and will meet you at the delivery entrance," he purposefully looked over the crates, "with your delivery."

The place was empty, still some time before the restaurant or Bar actually opened. In the back, pans and plates could be heard, voices of the staff. Beth and another young woman were laying out the dinner ware and flower vases. Typical pre-open operations for Gal's.

"Who are you talking to, Martin?" Movement behind the pass-through from the kitchen could be seen. The long opening allowed the main kitchen to move food through to the front without always using the doors, and allowed a short female face to peek through to the front area.

Adavan was still concealed by the entrance drape, his crates between Martin and the door. The woman could not see who was there, only the wooden boxes.

"Vegas is at the dock now, is that part of the wine shipment?" Sibling pushed the kitchen doors apart and entered the restaurant, loud cooking sounds echoing behind them as the doors swung. They were dressed in a loose silk jacket and long skirt, casual wear for the twins.

"I can have someone come around for the crates..." The female voice trailed off as Ad's head stabbed through the curtains.

"Ad! Where have you been?" They hurried across the floor, soft leather slippers sliding over the polished wood. Sibling paused a step away, bowing and still smiling wide.

"Martin, tell Gal that her special wine is here. And realize this is our friend, Adavan." They didn't have to be mind-readers, but it helped with Martin. "Yes, that Adavan. It all turned out well, we and Diva made it back safe, even Gal has forgiven his company."

They winked at their friend, and saw Adavan's smile return. Martin paced away in his typical detached way, likely to put a sour spin on the arrival. Gal would know.

((OOC: Welcome to the esteemed Adavan, there's time before open for a beer if you like. Sibling has some stories to tell you, that the debrief didn't cover. ))

AJ's smile slowly faded as Martin walked away. "I do not get the feeling she has truly forgiven me", he said as he sat on the top crate "but as usual you have more insight to the situation than I do". His smiled returned, as the controller looked over the three wood boxes with burned in labels. "Cool huh! There not all here yet, I have one case and two bottles still in Quarantine back at Portal Corp", he hopped off and unlatched the top of the first crate "The case is held cause it is made from curry peppers, and the two bottles are giving off residual magic so they need to be tested. The rest is stuff that you could get in this dimension if they made it". Ada hands Sibling a bottle of red wine dated 1997, they smile as they read the label and saw the picture of a drunken goat. Bully Hill-I love MY Goat.

((OCC: Adavan works at Portal Corp. as a Biologist and more recently as Mission Leader. He is part of an information exchange program between P.C. and Genstar (a Major laboratory from his home dimension). He was way too busy to stop by the bar much earlier but now has ample time while his team is pending an investigation. Right now he feels obligated to Sibling and Trollkin-Diva for what happened to them while under his care at Portal Corp.))((…….I R a Hi-skewl gradeueight….i donnit speel or tiep so good. My cumpuder doosnit have Microsoft word™ so plees don’t kill meh!!1!11 ))

"Don't worry so much about Gal," Sibling smiled slowly, "We have our ways of getting her to relax. We are heroes after all, sometimes we have to do dangerous things."

The controller stood a short distance from Adavan, not moving to shake hands or hug, as old friends normally would do. Ad understood the way Sibling felt about physical contact, they had been in enough fights and traveled enough together to know. Almost since the controller had picked up a badge, the blaster had been there, a great tutor and friend.

"Speaking of such," Sibling handled the bottle gently, admiring the brand and the humor in it. "One of the Sisters that...visited, asked if you were spoken for." The woman's sparkling green eyes dimmed slightly, a sign there was humor and no little mischief in the comment.

"We told her we would ask, even though we already know. Maybe it would boost your ego some," her smile curled up at the corners, showing dimples. "You are far too modest."

((OOC: Ad, you wound me, to think they would hold a grudge, any of them Nothing like standing down an AV that con's purple and has more HP than Statesman. Ah, the good times...))