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Post by waveshavebroken on Sept 7, 2014 15:32:25 GMT
Laykalar busied himself with tidying a desk while Rondor took charge of the inquisitive couple, not wishing to impose upon his employer's authority, but he stayed close. Upon hearing Rondor's answer to Mattias' probing questions, he felt an edge of displeasure enter the previously pleasant atmosphere of the room and so he decided to speak again, hoping to reassure the couple.
"If this one may, the others must be well aware of the terrible conditions suffered by many on the Citadel. The lives of all beings have been disrupted, and none can be expected to continue down the current they previously followed. If the others are concerned about the difficulty in 'putting oneself back together'" - what a pleasantly provocative phrase - "then while this one cannot speak to their grandson's soul, it has been privileged to observe the detail of Julian Snow's face." He wondered if the soul/face duality would be understood in this context, but he continued on, not wanting to distract them with explanations. For some reason, his words weren't coming as easily as they often did. "This one was fortunate to avoid the initial trials during the year of the Darkening; it was not at Sol then but in its home system, which was less damaged by the conflict. It respectfully observes that there was much confusion and suffering. This one's people often hold that to bring benevolent order to the tempestuous chaos is a calling that carries the true virtue of Enkindlement. The other's grandson established a functioning discourse that appealed to many lost young ones of the Citadel. This one cannot say what the other's grandson thinks, but it believes the other has worked enviously to build a beneficial future for many, and in doing so has surely bettered himself."
He pulsed softly, distracted slightly by his own thoughts about Snow, wondering where the human was and how he might be faring.
Reflexively dipping a biscuit in his tea, he allowed his mind to wander out past the bustle of Tayseri and to wherever his friend might be.
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snow
Traveller
[TI0]
Name: Julian Snow
Race: Human
Occupation: EVA specialist/troubleshooter
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Post by snow on Sept 8, 2014 10:02:35 GMT
Mattias and Karina took the offered tea, listening intently to both Michelle Rondor as she described Snow's role at Leaving the Ducts, and what they thought why he hadn't bothered to contact them or anyone else. "Miss Rondor did a good job of not answering my question about his specific role, but it seems being here sucked him in back into the gang war dynamic. Judging by her reaction to Karina's statement, his role probably wasn't passive community enforcement. Seems crime is crime everywhere you go", the lawman reflecting as he took a sip of the tea, the couple listening to Laykalar describe his wartime experiences, Karina hanging on every word the hanar was saying, though in her mind, he never merely spoke. "Heh, he doesn't just speak, he flat out explains, expounds and whether he knows it or not, is dangerously close to being a poet", Karina trying to hide her smile as she let him finish before replying.
"Well, I guess on one level I'm glad Julian found a way to help rebuild after this terrible war", giving Laykalar a sad, sympathetic smile, letting the young man know that despite the so called, 'relative light damage', the war was hell on everyone regardless of degree. "It sounds though that based on your observations, our grandson was on the frontlines during the war, and after he threw himself into the fray upon joining your group." Mattias turning his grey eyes to his drink on the table, taking a sip as he left his observation unsaid, his grandson was obviously suffering from PTSD but it sounded like Julian was suffering a nasty case of survivor guilt if he was that willing to fight again, let alone deal with gangs.
After a long moment, where the old yet still handsome couple sipped their tea some more before Mattias broke the silence, leveling his gaze on Miss Rondor again, "if you don't mind the question, do you have a name for the gang or gangs that your organization was clashing with? Because that might be a lead on why he might have left, or why he chose to pick a fight with them. Julian had a temper even before the war, they must have done something to set him off." Mattias took another tenative sip of tea, despite himself remembering how Lucian, his and Karina's son and Julian's father was broken by his experiences at Shanxi and how Julian paid the price for their willingness to 'let himself sort things out'. "It's history repeating all over again", the thought reverberating through the Harney County Sheriff's mind all the while.
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misswhiskers
Traveller
Name: Michelle Rondor
Race: Human
Occupation: Charity worker
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Post by misswhiskers on Sept 11, 2014 14:08:24 GMT
The question came as a complete surprise to Michelle who raised an eyebrow. She glanced at Laykalar, but if he was surprised too, she couldn't read it off him. She wasn't that good yet at reading hanar light patterns, and not practicing for so long didn't help. She made a mental note to resume the on and off hanar light pattern reading classes she had started taking. She turned back to the couple.
"Well they call themselves the Lower Taysery Elite, but they didn't have any connection to Mr Snow that I know of. They are just the gang that we happened to settle near. I really don't see how knowing their name could help you..."
A sudden doubt suddenly took her.
"Dear gods, you're not considering meeting with them are you??"
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Post by waveshavebroken on Sept 18, 2014 21:26:47 GMT
Multiple unspecified deities were invoked. This was usually a sign of shock on the part of a Human, and Laykalar agreed that the prospect was alarming. The elderly couple might well be the sort of well-connected, community-minded people who trusted that good intentions and a firm sense of righteousness were adequate protection and preparation. Particularly as Mattias Snow held authority as law enforcement. He was probably used to co-operation, or at least due respect.
An outside observer might have sniggered at the irony; Laykalar viewing others as naïve and blindly well-intentioned spoke to a rather impressive degree of cognitive dissonance. Still, said observer would probably have to acknowledge that the hanar had a point.
"The group in question is dangerous and unaccustomed to decorous discussion!" he offered. "This one might reference an incident at a charitable meal that -" He suddenly stopped, belatedly realizing that the incident in which their grandson nearly died might not be the best example to throw at them. It might cause distress.
Were the outsider familiar with hanar expressions, they might have noticed the equivalent of a blush.
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snow
Traveller
[TI0]
Name: Julian Snow
Race: Human
Occupation: EVA specialist/troubleshooter
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Post by snow on Sept 21, 2014 22:27:04 GMT
"Don't worry, I'm not proposing that I walk up to the Lower Tayseri...Elite's club house and asking for a sitdown", Mattias assuring both Laykalar and Michelle while gauging both of their reactions. The news of his grandson nearly getting killed wasn't a surprise to him. It saddened the old lawman considering how much effort both him and Karina put in trying to get Julian away from the gang life, but not surprising. "But what in the hell happened to make Julian stay away despite getting attacked like that, let alone leaving without saying a damn thing, seems that his boss and her assistant here aren't willing to talk on that score. Or just didn't want to know..." Seeing her husband's distress through his dispassionate questions Karina intervened, turning towards Miss Rondor, setting her proffered tea down on the table.
"Well, do you at least know where he might have stayed at perhaps, or maybe a hangout he frequented when he wasn't here Michelle?" Karina cajoling the plump, rather odd looking woman but was gaining a newfound respect for Michelle's circumspection. Giving Laykalar a nod in reply to his story, Karina noted the discomfort, or a hanar's version of it and decided to pass on asking about the 'charity meal' for the time being. "I mean, our boy need to sleep and eat didn't he?" Karina giving Michelle a knowing look as she finished, taking another sip of the tea offered by Leaving the Ducts.
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misswhiskers
Traveller
Name: Michelle Rondor
Race: Human
Occupation: Charity worker
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Post by misswhiskers on Oct 1, 2014 13:23:54 GMT
"Good idea", answered Michelle, relieved to see the conversation steer away from the gangs. She looked it up on her terminal. "Here is his address... Wait that can't be right, he stayed at a homeless hostel?" She immediately became flustered when looking at his grandparent. "I can assure you that his wage allowed him to afford an actual apartment Mr and Mrs Snow! I... I guess we can go have a look there, ask around."
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Post by waveshavebroken on Oct 12, 2014 16:58:56 GMT
"Perhaps these one's colleague wished to find a cove of common understanding with the homeless youth these ones aid?"
Laykalar's natural optimism reasserted itself, the positive interpretation coming to the fore in counterpoint to Rondor's fluster.
In response to the suggestion that they view the dwelling themselves, he flashed in delight.
"This one would very much enjoy the opportunity to guide the honourable others in viewing more of the ward". It was rare, after all, that he was able to truly take on the role of a settled station inhabitant, the flow of knowledge and experience about the holy structure and its bustling reefs moving from himself to receptive others, rather than from others to him. To take on the role of guide for this human couple was a prospect that pleased him. Also, he could reassure them of the good work their grandson had done, explain to them how the ward was improved.
(OOC: So sorry for the delay, guys - I've been so busy!)
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snow
Traveller
[TI0]
Name: Julian Snow
Race: Human
Occupation: EVA specialist/troubleshooter
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Post by snow on Oct 14, 2014 6:53:34 GMT
"Sounds good, where exactly is this hostel located, a few blocks away I hope? Or is it going to be a bit of a walk?" Finishing the tea, the 75 year old sheriff pulled himself up slowly, looking at the plump head of the charity and the cheery, talkative hanar assistant. In the mind of Mattias Snow, it was worse than he had hoped, but better than he had expected. If his grandson was staying at a hostel, someone would know about his personal habits and his next destination one way or another. "Least now I know he didn't just die or walk off the edge of the galaxy as the Alliance tried to have me believe", a grim look reasserting itself on Mattias's face, remembering the runaround he got at Alliance outposts in Eugene and Downtown Portland.
"Thank you for the tea Miss Rondor, and for what little you managed to tell us. Oh, before it slips my mind, if our grandson was staying at a hostel of that sort and hand enough to get an apartment, he must have been saving up for something. Did he ever mention that at all to you?" Karina made sure to keep her tone genial, but the evasiveness was not going unnoticed in her mind, it was as if everyone they had talked to until now had just told her and Mattias to give up searching for Julian, that he didn't want to be found, or saved. Right as she set the tea cup down the buzzer to the front door rang, "Were you expecting someone else today Miss Rondor?" The stately, redheaded woman replying cheefully, in a way grateful for the interruption.
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misswhiskers
Traveller
Name: Michelle Rondor
Race: Human
Occupation: Charity worker
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Post by misswhiskers on Oct 29, 2014 20:55:59 GMT
"No it's not far... Wait, who is that?"
Michelle went to the door and opened. Before stood her three kids, a batarian, a salarian and a turian. Junar, Klakho and Torr, three very common visitors to LTD. She hadn't seen them in months, and they were as surprised as she was. She fought an urge to just hug them, but she always made an effort to keep something of a professional distance. She still smiled warmly. "Hey there, the clawball pack, how is it going my young friends? You all look-" "MRS WHISKERS IS BACK! So cool!" shouted Klakho. "It's great to see you again ma'am", said the sterner Torr with an approving flick of mandibles. Junar slightly titled his head left in approval. "We were coming to see Laykalar", continued the young turian leader, "but we're glad you're here too. A kid we know is in trouble." "Is it urgent?" asked Michelle, "we have some visitors and we need to conclude our interview with them." "Well, I wouldn't say very urgent but..." "We may bring Mr Snow back to the fold with their help", interrupted Michelle. The three kids looked at each other. "It can wait them ma'am. Talk to you tomorrow?" "Tomorrow it is", answered Michelle with a smile. It was great to see those kids. She went back to the main room. "It was the clawball park kids Laykalar. They seemed well nourished, and they have grown up quite a lot as result. You took good care of them, as I know you would." She turned back to the Snows. "As I was saying it's not far at all. We may leave now if you wish."
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snow
Traveller
[TI0]
Name: Julian Snow
Race: Human
Occupation: EVA specialist/troubleshooter
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Post by snow on Nov 3, 2014 22:02:22 GMT
Mr. and Mrs. Snow kept quiet when the three children arrived, especially when the turian 'top boy' was doing the speaking. Mattias did perk up a bit more at how the trio suddenly got really quiet when their grandson was mentioned, "so Julian wasn't just playing middleman against the gangs, seems he was doing some outreach among the homeless and got a reputation. And just what did he do to get that kind of hero worship look from the batarian boy?" Mattias glancing over at Junar as he left, before turning back to Miss Rondor and Laykalar, Karina was busy waving goodbye to the three boys. "Yeah, that sounds good, maybe on the way you can share a few more details regarding our grandson's work here. I know you said he was your 'head of security', but if those kids expressions are any clue, you used him for much more."
Karina, who had kept quiet, content to give the three boys the silent 'grandmother' treatment piped up, "if that batarian boy's face is a clue, seems he has a slight case of hero worship when little Julian's name was mentioned. Mind telling us on the way how that came to be, if that's all right?" The still handsome looking grandmother giving her red hair a nonchalant toss as she stood up, holding up her arms so Mattias could put her coat on for her, "Oh, before I forget, the hostels we have in the UNAS are pretty bare bones, a cot, communal showers and that's about it. Are the citadel ones any different, or does it vary from place to place?" Mattias and Karina content to let Miss Rondor and Laykalar take the lead as they exited Leaving the Ducts, stepping foot onto Tayseri Ward's walkway at the height of the end of work rush.
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Post by waveshavebroken on Nov 8, 2014 13:40:03 GMT
As the small group of four left the charity headquarters, Laykalar flashed a comment to Rondor. "This one is gratified that the clawball park denizens are well". He had, of course, overheard the conversation, and resolved to contact the children through the usual channels the following day, to ascertain the "trouble" that had prompted their visit. He could rest assured that it supposedly wasn't in need of urgent attention. If anything, the youths' timing had been fortuitous and illuminating, to the extent that he resolved to reread the essays on serendipitous occurrence submitted by his old shipmate Reflyssar. With a surge of cheery confidence, he gestured toward the Snows with a tendril, one of the mannerisms he'd picked up to let humans and other asariform species know that a faceless hanar was addressing them. "It hopes that the others find reassurance in the regard held by the wards' youthful residents for the others' grandson. It was the dedication of Snow that permitted these ones' successful charitable work in the face of adversity! The other's grandson has earned much respect as a defender and role model to the youth. Together, these ones were able to provide a service conductive to restoration. This one considers it akin to the parable of Illuminated Vensili in the 27th..." He trailed off at a subtle gesture from Rondor. Yes, he should take care to keep to the point. That wasn't really answering their questions. It was still so easy to be swept out on a current of philosophical wonder. He injected a note of levity into his luminous speech: "As the others have now observed, the wards will surely come to these ones if they delay! It seconds the learned Rondor's notion that these ones should make a visit"
The crowds that defined the end of the work period flowed around them, a blend of every Citadel species. Laykalar wondered how well the human couple were coping; how enthralling it had been to him on first arrival! The Snows, though, if their prompting questions were any indication, were committed to answers. They were pleasant, but Laykalar could read the undercurrent of firm investigative pressure beneath the swells of their courteous words. They wished to clear the silt-clouded waters of their grandson's recent life, and wouldn't be deterred.
Steering around a large group of volus - talking and gesturing loudly about the latest import restrictions from Parnack - Laykalar addressed his next comment to Karina specifically. "This one cannot speak for the exact impact Mr. Snow had on each individual child, but it can say that for many of these young people, the sense that those possessed of strength and determination would act in their committed defence, rather than to exploit or neglect them, was a transformative observation".
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snow
Traveller
[TI0]
Name: Julian Snow
Race: Human
Occupation: EVA specialist/troubleshooter
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Post by snow on Nov 11, 2014 8:13:29 GMT
"Role Model? Sorry for the surprise Laykalar, but when our Julian was living with us, even at his most well behaved he was rather rough around the edges", Karina expressing her shock at Laykalar's observation that her grandson was a reasonable role model for the homeless children. Not that Julian was a bad kid in her eyes, but he still had a way to go when he enlisted in the Alliance Marines, "still, he was an idealist at heart, and in this area I suppose idealism is in short supply." Karina looking around the level of Tayseri where the hostel was located, the evidence of poverty and reconstruction evident in the dingy lighting and shadowy alleys in comparison to where Mattias and her disembarked. "Our Julian lived here? Why...", Karina's voice failing her, the woman turning to Mattias, only to see a grim, almost knowing look on his face as the foursome reached the entrance of the hostel.
"I don't know hon, but we won't find out by standing out here, c'mon, the sign says that the manager is in, maybe he'll know something", the lawman's voice a soft rumble as he opened the door, letting Miss Rondor, Laykalar and his wife go ahead before stepping inside. Looking around for the office, the hostel seemed relatively clean and orderly despite being so close to the foundations, with two security guards at the entrance and another beside the front desk. Reaching the desk, Mattias decided to begin, "excuse me miss? Are you the manager?" "Yes, it doesn't look like you four are here for a bed, is there something I can help you with?" The asari rising from her cluttered desk, giving the group an questioning look, not every day three humans show up with a hanar. "We're looking for our grandson and he was living here until last month, I was hoping to talk to whoever might have spoken to him, see if we can figure out where he left."
"It might help if you tell me who your grandson was. Most usually leave for better lodgings if possible, others head for the Foundations." The asari's cool indifference triggering something in the sheriff who leaned over the desk, his normally placid grey eyes showing anger that was similar to his grandsons, "my grandson is named Julian Snow, he lived here for a year and he wore a blood red hooded coat, now, if you can tell me anything it would be most appreciated." Mattias kept his voice level despite the irritation and anger starting to develop. "Wait, the Red Hood? The black haired bastard who was brawling with the Lower Tayseri Elite. You're his grandparents??? My condolences then." The name Julian Snow making the asari visibly blanche as she stood up, "it's true he stayed here for a a year, kept the gangs off our case and paid his rent on time, but after the beating he took from Durix he just up and disappeared. He did talk on occasion to the batarian contingent that stays here, I can point you to their bunks."
Leaving the manager at her desk, Mattias strode towards a contingent of batarians playing Skyllian Five Poker, looking for answers but all he was finding were more questions, "what made up and leave boy, and why couldn't you talk with us before you left?" Mattias's face a grim mask as he cleared his throat, getting the attention of the five batarians, "sorry for the interruption gentlemen, me and my party here are looking for information on Julian Snow. We're hoping you can help us with that." At the mention of the name of the Red Hood, two of the batarians cursed in their native tongue and another made to leave as Mattias leaned forward a touch, hoping for better answers than what he got from the asari...
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misswhiskers
Traveller
Name: Michelle Rondor
Race: Human
Occupation: Charity worker
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Post by misswhiskers on Nov 13, 2014 19:45:46 GMT
Michelle's ear went red with shame when Karina expressed distress at seeing where Julian lived. Michelle knew that she paid him enough to get a proper place and he would not have liked her intruding into his private life, but still...
Her shame switched to anger when the Asari receptionist reacted so callously at his mention. Insulting him like that in front his grandparents... It took a lot out of her not to make a scene. That, and the knowledge that the average Asari is physically much stronger than she is, biotics notwithstanding.
The Batarian crew was obviously not inclined to talk to a bunch of humans and a Hanar. Fortunately Michelle recognized one of them. She discreetly put her glasses to rest on her forehead and took a very assertive voice.
"Look at that, little Borj all grown up", she said, tilting her head ever so slightly to the right, asserting a smidge of dominance. "Remember that night where officer Cavallius and I picked you up? Want me to share with your friends what happened? No? How about you tell us about Snow's stay here? You owe me son", she added baring her teeth.
Michelle had actually studied Batarian body language for a while and it had paid off many times. The glasses on the forehead was a silly trick to negate the loss of credibility having only two eyes caused. It paid off when Borj grunted and made a sign. He got up and lead the group to another table. While his back was turned Michelle clumsily arranged her hipster glasses that were threatening to fall off, then resumed her tough gal mode.
"Nobody really knew him well here, he was very, very private. But we got to talk a little, he practiced Haraba you know, batarian boxing. Except he had learned a variant, the one the SIU used. The more brutal one. He did alright for a guy with only two eyes too we... I kind of arranged a few fights... He liked to fight..."
It didn't take a specialist in Batarian body language to see that Borj was ashamed of telling someone's grandparents that he arranged illegal fights for their grandson.
"What else? Did he talk to anyone else? Went somewhere that you know off?" asked Michelle.
"Yeah actually! That one time I kind of followed him, was a bit curious you see. He had his habits. There is a noodle and tea place he liked. He founded out I followed me thought, he said if I did it again he would... I didn't follow him again. I'll give you the address."
"Thank you Borj. That's a big help."
"So... Miss Whiskers, we're square now right?"
"We're square. Take care."
Borj joined his friends as Michelle put her glasses back.
"We have another destination", she simply said.
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Post by waveshavebroken on Nov 19, 2014 20:51:17 GMT
The honoured Rondor's calculated display of dominance may have seemed unusually aggressive to the uninitiated, but to a batarian her manner was essentially expected, and comfortably familiar. To gain respect, one needed to make their status clear. The batarians had always proven somewhat problematic for Laykalar; the race responded to assertions of dominance in a manner Laykalar had great difficulty making - and his physiology, as far from asariform as possible, didn't help. Usually, the more idealistic turian students - who followed his rules because they were the rules, a function of the turians' cultural conditioning toward collective good and loyal obedience - served as "enforcers"; the batarians followed them as they obeyed him. It was a workable approach to integrating multiple species.
Some species integrated more readily than others. Usually, the fact that Snow, a human, had embraced aspects of batarian culture would have been a proud reminder that Laykalar's friends were open-minded people. This time, though, the sense of distress and unease - maybe embarrassment - seemed to be shared by the whole group.
The young batarian's report on Snow's activities was a shock, and Laykalar struggled to understand it. To his people, physical conflict in any form was an admission that words had failed, that they were inadequate to a given situation: a blasphemous and nigh-incomprehensible concept. Practicality had forced the hanar to retain some degree of military power and readiness, but it was nothing compared to that of the Council races. Yet Laykalar was a student of the galaxy, and he knew that some cultures found honour and fulfilment in contests of the body. Fighting traditions existed for just such a reason, after all. Yet Laykalar felt slightly adrift, attempting to make sense of the revelation based on what he knew of his friend. It was distressing to consider that his body of knowledge on the subject still wasn't very extensive. Was Snow such a person, to find healthy affirmation in conflict, as a ritual test of his strength and determination? His physical skill had proven beneficial many a time, of course. Yet Laykalar also knew the drive to self-destruction that could take hold of the lost and the bitter, a spiral of self-defeat that proved its own terrible addiction. Snow was not so much a ritualistic person as an emotional one, working through his own guilt and anger at a galaxy that had betrayed his ideals, and a system that had betrayed him as much as he had become disgusted with it. As much of that disgust seemed self-directed as focused outward. He remembered vividly the wounded Snow in the aftermath of the break-in, on the night of the dinner. At that point, the human had seemed to welcome the end of the struggle.
Shifting in some manner of distress, Laykalar also wondered how Snow's grandparents would reconcile this with Laykalar's earlier insistence on Snow's positive influence. How did one explain? Especially when one didn't know everything to know about a person.
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snow
Traveller
[TI0]
Name: Julian Snow
Race: Human
Occupation: EVA specialist/troubleshooter
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Post by snow on Nov 21, 2014 0:02:51 GMT
"Just like Lucian, history repeating all over again", Mattias nodding in gratitude to Borj, inwardly the sheriff was raging at Julian for not seeking any help, this four eyed scumbag for taking advantage of his grandson, and Miss Rondor for not lifting a finger even knowing that Julian was that far down the spiral. Nearing the entrance, a younger asari beckoned for the foursome's attention, "excuse me, you all are asking about the Red Hood?" "We are, and your interest in this is?" "The manager would never admit it, not in front of the Single Order Solutions boys right there", the woman giving the guards a silent gesture, "the only reason this place stayed open without having to pay the Lower Tayseri Elite tribute or hiring mercs was your grandson's intervention. One other place you can find someone who might know him is the Casbah", the maiden pointing to a dimly lit sign at the end of the row, 'it's an...'hookah' bar? I hope I'm getting it right, anyways the Red Hood would be spotted going in, though I don't know why."
"Why's that ma'am, was Julian on drugs?" Mattias's anger had subsided a bit, though Karina still had a horrified look on her face as the elderly couple questioned the asari. "Dear Goddess no! The year he spent here, he never touched alcohol, red sand, aurora, or anything like that. He even, well, evicted a few people whom were dealing here. But I hear that the Casbah serves tea along with the other things I've mentioned. That's the other thing I noticed about the Red Hood, he always was drinking that bitter Jaeto Black blend when he wasn't sleeping or getting into street fights." "Thank you ma'am", the lawman rumbling, tipping his hat in farewell as he and the others exited the hostel.
"Hon...are you okay? It's not like Lucian, there's still time", Karina whispering to Mattias, her face losing the shock of before, replaced with a knowing desperation. When Lucian had returned to them from Shanxi, Karina and Mattias respected his wish to 'give him some space'. It resulted in Lucian becoming an alcoholic, beating their grandson and eventually chasing Julian away and forcing him to join a inner city gang. "I...I know Karina, just wondering what we did wrong..."
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