Haeo

Shine City 3: Summer Sequel (Always Accepting)

... meep?

Shine City 3: Summer Sequel (Always Accepting)

... ah. The fun of being American and online.

Knowing that everything everyone says is absolutely true in the worst sense possible... but not finding it funny enough to laugh at. Oh, btw... George Washington killed democracy in America. Entertaining, no?

On a more important and relevant note, I still need to write a post up... gosh...

Shine City 3: Summer Sequel (Always Accepting)

<Snipped quote by Haeo>

Sorry I got confused, someone else asked me to make a bar. Creepy bookstore it is, I'll add a theme song too.

EDIT: woo you had a warplane! I might have to reboot that RP soon...

@Dynamo Frokane

Yup, don't worry about it. Bookstore = creepy. Bar = sleazy.

It took me weeks and talking with a specific friend before I found that little gem. Pre-jet flying wing. Coolness!

Shine City 3: Summer Sequel (Always Accepting)

@Dynamo Frokane X/YB-35. If that RP starts up again, that's my plane. I finally found it.

Edit: and... if it was a bar, then it would be. But it was a creepy and dusty bookstore instead.

Shine City 3: Summer Sequel (Always Accepting)

<Snipped quote by Haeo>

<Snipped quote by Dynamo Frokane>

In case you didn't see this, I think the location is now GM-approved. I'll modify Shizuka's CS to include the fact that she's working at Ink Sparks now. How long do you want her to have been working there? Long enough so that they sort of know each other, or just recently started so that we can RP 'getting to know each other'?

@Stern Algorithm

@Dynamo Frokane Firstly, thank you. I was thinking that Ink Sparks would be located on a slightly run-down side-street that actually ends awkwardly at one end of the mall parking lot in or around Shine Junction. It's one of those streets where the city planners goofed on the zoning and there's small residential, small commercial, and small industrial zoning all over the place. Ink Sparks is actually built on two lots that are zoned differently. The rear portion was originally, and still is, a warehouse. The front portion is zoned for a small company and so there is a small storefront and a wall separating the two businesses. You have to go outside to go from one to the other even though they share a wall. It's illegal for the two different zones to share the "same building". Usual legal silliness. Also, minimal parking, it probably only has room for three cars out front and the warehouse parking is in an even more poorly lit alley parking lot.

@Stern Algorithm
Thanks for the heads-up. I hadn't spotted that amid the rapidly fluxing currents of the ooc.

As for Shizuka's date of hire, she probably would have started a couple months ago while Mr. Smith was replacing some of the shadier members of the staff. She would have been one of three new hires for the store, one for management and two clerks. I don't think it's likely that she would have applied for the management position but, if she betrays her competence a little too much, she might find herself promoted. There are many ways of removing NPC managers and Vern is unlikely to fail to notice capable people, especially when he only has one business to run.

Shine City 3: Summer Sequel (Always Accepting)

...

@MyCatGinger

Pardon my obtuseness... but... huh?

Side Quest - Sword Art Online

@Zelosse

Smarter'n'me
Lvl 15/Day 17/Evening
[HP]100%//////////[]

Smart stayed quiet until after all of the other decision makers had left before slowly gathering the unconscious bones of his friend, renting a room for the night and hauling his boney butt upstairs. Once in the room, with Dom lying on the bed and his snoring face buried in the pillow, Smart settled down in the dark room to think. He had to line up his priorities and make sure that things went well for Scarlet. He looked at the shadowy, rumbling, form of his friend. They couldn't afford to die unless it was quietly in some bed, probably with her there. But, they couldn't leave her in the shape she was in now, either.

Delcastle described a group that was both fairly large for so early on and seemed to be well balanced. They even had an archer with enough skill to earn true respect from the Guild Leader. That counted for a lot. Though, the numbers problem remained an issue. Between Delcastle's guild and the two of them, there were only eight people. They would need two more just to get in. It looked like there was some information for this old lawyer to handle.

Just then, he received a PM with a ping from the brat. He opened and read it with a smile.

He began putting together an answering PM to Scarlet, though he hesitated partway through. He didn't want to be misunderstood... again.

GLAD YOU'RE ALRIGHT.
OLD GRAMPS IS STILL NAPPING BUT HE SHOULD BE UP SOON.
WE'LL DECIDE WHAT TO DO ONCE WE'RE BOTH AWAKE.

I BELIEVE THAT YOUR GROUP CHOSE TOO HASTILY.
GOT MORE DETAILS AFTER YOU LEFT. DUNGEON ENTRY REQUIRES MINIMUM 10 PLAYERS.
DELCASTLE HAS SIX, COUNTING HIMSELF, AS OF THE END OF OUR CONVERSATION.
RESTORATIVE IS AN UNLIMITED TERRAIN FEATURE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE DUNGEON.
DELCASTLE'S SOLE OBJECTIVE SEEMS TO BE THE RESTORATIVE AND HAS STATED THAT HE IS WILLING TO NEGOTIATE SHARES OF EVERYTHING ELSE.
IF HE'S LYING, THIS OLD LAWYER CAN'T TELL.

DON'T MISUNDERSTAND. STILL YOUR CHOICE. BUT INFO IS CRITICAL.
HE OFFERED A PROMISE TO BRING SOME RESTORATIVE BACK, IF AT ALL POSSIBLE.
WITH THIS, AND THE NUMBERS REQUIREMENT TO ENTER THE DUNGEON, IT SEEMS LIKELY THAT AT LEAST ONE OF US WILL GO WITH HIM TO HEDGE OUR BETS ON THAT CURE.

LOVE YOU TOO. WILL MESSAGE WHEN FINAL DECISION IS READY.
@DestinyStar

Smart looked to his left. The friend request was still there. No matter how this venture went, they would need contacts with supplies. He accepted the request and then began the tedious process of compiling a list of the supplies they would need for an extended expedition. It would be wise to prepare for at least a month away from town, just to be safe. The work rapidly consumed all of his attention. He even lost track of Dom's snoring.
------------------------

Tailpin
Lvl 11/Day 17/Evening
[HP]100%//////////[]

Luck was a monstrous and fickle harpy born of six month old, sun ripened, chicken and visits by the in-laws. He hadn't found anything out other than confirmation of that group's existence and general creed. These "Glitch Fixers" wouldn't be so easy to fix.

Tailpin was frustrated. But, more than that, he was impatient. It was very bad for him to be impatient. He couldn't afford to make any timing mistakes in a fight. He took shelter in an alley and leaned against the wall for awhile, willing himself to stillness. It was easier in real life. Or, at least that's what he told himself. His breathing slowed and steadied. His hands stopped twitching. He managed to finally settle down after a day of not knowing whose digital blood he had tracked that night. Now he had to get ready for the raid.

He already had supplies for staying out of town for up to a week but he would probably want to be extra prepared. Walking to the market, he found a few vendors who hadn't shut down for the night yet, purchasing another week's supplies along with a couple useful spare items like an extra bedroll, tent and lantern. It was while he was skimming over his inventory to make sure that everything was in order that he spotted Delcastle.

The guild leader seemed to be taking a moment to rest before the raid, using the quiet shade of an alley much as Tailpin had done earlier. Though he was in no mood for casual socializing, he was not rude enough to avoid his own boss. The archer began to close the distance between them but, seeing that Delcastle was deep in thought, he took pains to make his footfalls heavier and louder to announce his approach without startling the boss. As Tailpin approached within easy conversation distance he raised his hand in a wave and forced a small smile.

"Hey, Delcastle. I got the message and supplies for two weeks. How are the other preparations going?"

Shine City 3: Summer Sequel (Always Accepting)

<Snipped quote by Haeo>

Hey! I decided to have Shizuka change jobs. So instead of being a waitress at the Shining Kettle, I wanted her to become a bookstore clerk. I currently have it that she works at a place called the Bookmark, but it might be better for her to work at ink parks instead, just for some regular interactions with another PC. Would that be ok with you?

@Stern Algorithm

@Dynamo Frokane

Ink Sparks, so far, only exists as a background notation with a vague location. After all, it has no GM approval as of yet. However, should such approval be given then I have no problem with that at all. My vision is of a very small store front, a little bigger than a gas station, with a much larger back room area that handles the majority of the business. The neighborhood would have a history of drug dealing, though that is rapidly declining due to lack of cooperation from the remaining businesses in the area. It also is an area with gangs. However, they are more like street toughs than anything else. They aren't very dangerous with the dealers moving out of the area.

Shine City 3: Summer Sequel (Always Accepting)

Updated Vern has arrived. Business owner at last!

Shine City 3: Summer Sequel (Always Accepting)

Recent Events update located in Profession and at the bottom.

Name: Vern Closet Smith AKA:"The Limit Breaker"

Age: 29

Appearance: Loose, long sleeved, button down shirts with dark slacks, a black woven belt, and slip-on dark shoes make up Vern's normal attire. He has black hair with subtle brown streaks and dark brown eyes. Under his modest clothing, Vern is faintly defined all over. His entire body is evenly toned but he still has enough surface fat to be a comfortable pillow should the need arise.


Theme: youtube.com/watch?v=ND236ej70Tc
Height: 5'11"

Weight: 165lbs

Likes: complex and subtle flavors, natural medicines, exotic spices, cooking, subtlety and complexity in music or art, up-front honesty, decisiveness, quiet, discussion, people, Co-op gaming, thinking things through, clothes that fit the person and not just the persona, healthiness

Dislikes: Delusions, contempt, closed minds, passing judgement, crowds, plastic, PVP addicts, excessive improvization, excess in general, revealing outfits, predatory behavior, incompetence, guys who walk out on commitments, doctors and medicine

Party Trick: Vern knows a few things about getting the most out of the body he's got. In short, he can lift, break, bend, throw, or catch things that should be too heavy for someone with his build. But, "limit breaking" can cause deep bruising and other soft tissue injuries. He can also go from extremely coordinated and precise to epic clumsy as soon as he gets distracted by conversation. He can't walk and talk at the same time.

Profession: Recently managed to acquire his first business, a small bookstore and supply outfit called Ink Sparks located just off a shady corner of the mall parking lot. You know, the spot with the graffiti and the flickering streetlights. It turns out that this tiny storefront bookstore actually maintained wholesale connections and used its extra large backroom to process and ship large orders of books out to schools, libraries and other institutions. The prior owner had dabbled in... other kinds of shipping, damaging the store's reputation and attracting the wrong crowd of customers. However, the legitimate portion of the business was easily profitable as it was. Vern was lucky, and he only had to modify a little of the business. But, it would still take awhile for its reputation to recover from prior scandals, resulting in higher profits. In the meantime, Vern continued living in his apartment and caring for the building, carefully saving money and looking for his next business acquisition.
Bio/Personality: Vern started out as the youngest child in a successful family. His grandfather had started with a truck and passed on a farm, a store, a small shipping business, and a storage complex to his children when he died from a heart attack at 78. His widow never had to work for money after he passed and she never lacked for the company of her children since several of them stayed close to home, taking over the management of the family businesses.

Vern's father had the management of the shipping business. That kept him close enough to home and productive enough that, by the time Vern was 18, the man owned a locksmith's shop and a small auto body shop as well. He was well on his way to achieving what Vern's grandfather, his father-in-law, had. Then he started losing weight.

The cancer wasn't fast but it was stubborn. After almost two years Vern's father passed away, not from cancer, but from the chemo and radiation. The cancer had never gotten bigger than a small button. The condolences from the doctors felt less than hollow that day.

Not satisfied with the doctors and their excuses, Vern started studying alternatives to commonly accepted medical practice. His family supported him financially but retained some distance. In their eyes it was just a way of grieving the loss of his father. In a way, part of it was. But then he started finding things. Herbal remedies for cancer that had hardly any side-effects and were not toxic to the patient were the discovery that really turned it from a grief quest to a crusade. He was going to change the world, re-discover these millenia old cures that worked so well for so long, and fix all the evils of modern medicine.

Then the law stopped him. It had actually been made illegal to practice herbal medicine over a hundred years before, back when modern medicine was still in its infancy. So, no matter how hard he looked, Vern wasn't able to find anyone who could teach him the finer points of natural medicine. The crusader spirit died. But, he knew that people were stubborn. Somewhere, hidden in something legal, would be part of what he was looking for. Then he found martial arts, yoga, and the wonders of aroma therapy. Martial arts preserved the understanding of the body with an eye toward using it to break things without suffering injuries. Yoga preserved a profound respect for the body's own ability to heal and the belief that the body's energy could be generated and channeled. Aroma therapy used herbal effects to alter the mind and affect the body. Vern studied all of them but he was no super-student.

He aquired a part of two martial arts, Karate and Aikido, and pair those parts with yoga's emphasis on relaxed extension and mastery of the breath. Then he used what he learned from aroma therapy and began using the oils of medicinal herbs on himself directly, as well as the aroma. The effects were both subtle and significant. He gained a good amount of strength, mostly in his core muscles instead of his arms and legs, and he stopped getting sick as often or for as long. Still, even with those results, he wasn't able to go farther without a proper teacher who knew how to take personal health and make it professional. So, he was stuck. Vern's family were also beginning to lose patience with him. He was rapidly becoming the family's first "black sheep" in generations. They stopped sending money.

So, he looked for work. Being stubborn, upset, and 21, along with some odd situations of questionable legality, resulted in him setting off with a traveling freak show as their newest attraction, "The Limit Breaker". He wasn't on stage alone for months but shared the scene with the group's "Strong Man". It was a fact that he couldn't lift as much weight as the far larger man, but when he slipped during a trick and accidentally threw a 150lb barbell toward the small crowd Vern lived up to his stage name. He got a hand on the barbell and managed to plant it into the stage hard enough that it snapped some of the boards, and he did it with a smile and a victory pose as though it was all part of the act.

It took a week for his arm to heal and another week for it to change back to normal colors instead of a mix of lime green and royal purple, but he was famous. He was glad that he wore a mask and went shirtless during that performance. It was different enough from his normal dress that he was still able to disappear after shows. And there were a lot of shows. Videos captured by cell phones went viral on the internet and the size of the crowds trippled, seemingly overnight. The business was booming. But, the fangirls were becoming a problem.

He was having a harder and harder time getting away without letting anyone get a look at his face. They all had cell phones and the mask was creating a sense of mystery that just kept pulling them in. Eventually, after their last show in Shine Junction, "The Limit Breaker" quit the show and walked away at the height of his popularity with his earnings. He still exchanges e-mails with his former co-worker, the "Strongman". But, other than that he has no real connections other than family.

It took a couple nights at hostels before he found a place that suited him. It was small and out of the way. One of two small apartment additions built on top of a three story, four bedroom house. To get to it he had to follow the, fairly clean, alley around back and then climb three flights of wood stairs that were slippery when wet and worse when icy. But, the owner of the building hadn't been able to get any renters for the house or the other apartment so he cut Vern's rent in half in exchange for help with maintaining the building until it became profitable again. With the reduced rent, Vern could afford the place easily enough but he needed to find a job. Specifically, he needed a job where he could avoid talking to people or attracting attention while getting enough money to take care of business.

He had his personal goals but it was time to live up to the example his father and grandfather had given him. He needed to establish himself so that, if he ran into the right girl, he could take care of her properly so that she could have freedom to live worry free if he happened to die before he planned. It was time to take that budding tradition to the third generation. Step one, get back to earning money and work on finding businesses to buy.

Since coming to Shine City, Vern's outlook on life has changed only slightly. Being present for a murder, even when the details were out of his view, and befriending his cross-chasm neighbor have caused him to be even more careful about things in general. He is more inclined to worry than ever, especially since his new friend had a stalker problem and a couple neuroses to season her life with danger. Still, in spite of these factors, Vern has not seen or heard from his neighbor in weeks. He worries constantly but strives to distract himself with work, hoping to hear from her soon.

Also, though he has never been a very social person, he has begun to seek social venues for the sake of practice. He is a business owner now. He needs to be able to move casually in various social circles without embarrassing himself or weakening his business reputation. However, he has avoided clubs in favor of visiting various cafes and restaurants for these practices.