Mage: Chapter 1 "Beginnings"

[Grish]

Please disregard post, as method of forum posting changed.

Old post:
We'll start with the site admin, DoN.
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Chars: DoN: William Gardiner
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It's Thursday morning, an overcast day in Feb. Outside, a grey fog reflects the smog and gives a yellowish tinge to the sky. Staring out your window at the city, you noticed it snowed again last night, a light dusting that is already turning to a dirty muck from the never ending traffic and the march of countless feet.

Today's the day you meet with your publisher, John Polovski, over lunch. He's interested to see how the new book is coming and when you'll be finished.

He's meeting you at a Pho Hung's, corner of Spadina and St. Andrews, a small cheap popular Vietnamese restaurant that takes cash only (as most of China town does).

 

[Disciple of Nagash]

Restaurant: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&q=st+andrews,&sll=43.653947,-79.399406&sspn=0.002538,0.005681&ie=UTF8&split=1&rq=1&ev=zi&radius=0.14&hq=st+andrews,&hnear=&layer=c&cbll=43.654361,-79.398699&panoid=E13fd346_hkQ-FLKYpIBFA&cbp=12,309.36,,0,5&ll=43.654246,-79.399159&spn=0,359.994319&z=18

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Characters: William Gardner
Location: Pho Hungs
Date: Thursday, Feb. 25, 2010
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William gave himself a cursory glance in the mirror on his way out. He had never been one to be bothered about his appearance, but it was always best to double check, especially when meeting someone important.

The man who stared back out of the mirror never seemed to be him. He wore well made clothes, not tailored but obviously carefully chosen to be suit their function with a minimum of fuss. Black trousers and jacket were worn over a pale cream shirt with the top button open. Not full business dress but smart enough.

It was enough to hide the toned body, making him look just look slim. He face was sharp and angular, with almost black straight hair that ran to his shoulders, with bangs that he irritably brushed from his eyes. He had always been told that his eyes were his most striking feature, their dark almost black irises staring back. After a moment he turned away, the introspection giving him a distinctly uncomfortable feeling. In truth he was an unusual looking, if handsome man for Toronto, hell he was unusual looking for his home town of Leeds, all the way back in England.

A beep on his mobile reminded him of the time, and with a last check he left his apartment.

**************************

"Willy!" The man looked up with a cheery grin, before coughing as he caught the look, "ah...er.....William. It's beena while man. Sit down, sit down. Hey senorita!" A piercing whistle caught one of the serving girls attention, as well as pretty much everyone else as William slid into his seat.

John Polovski. A man that William could have quite happily lived without ever meeting, but he had been the only one who had been interested in William's proposed sequel. After the modest success of his first novel William had thought getting a publisher would be the last of his worries, but then he had not counted on his topic being spurned by so many. Investigation into the occult practise of energy working was apparently "old" now, and not much call for it.

John Polovski thought differently.

"So then, wotcha drinking then Willy - ah - am," John recovered at the last moment, his carefree attitude always off put by the serious and penetrating gaze of the author, " ah wait, lemme guess. Just plain water, right?" At the nod from William, John sighed before ordering himself a beer.

"Thought you might like this place," John said, waving his arms around. To say he was expressive was an understatement, the man in himself was a full blown performance, his gestures and facial expressions adding to every simple statement, "chinese. Their into all that....well spiritual stuff."

"Very true," William replied, the slightest rise of the corners of his mouth showing his amusement. In contrast the publisher William was so reserved it was difficult for anyone to see what mood he was in. Something which would garner a full bellied laugh from someone barely raised his lips, whilst rage was the faint narrowing of his eyes.

"I have actually spent many hours researching Chinese mythology and religions," he carried on, nodding in thanks to the server, and pointing the entry of the menu for his meal, "It was very interesting and enlightening, though perhaps not something I can pick up from a Chinese restaurant.....especially not this one."

"No?" John said, looking almost insulted, as if William have marked down his choice of restaurant, "and why's that then?"

"Because this is a Vietnamese restaurant, not Chinese."

John paused for a moment, before roaring in laughter,
"Ah caught me out. Always said you were a smart one William!"

The rest of the meal went by pleasantly, William hardly needing to speak over John's tirade of supposedly amusing anecdotes and gales of laughter. Finally after the plates were cleared and they were both enjoying a coffe, John let loose a massive belch before looking at William quizzically.

"Come on then," he finally said, "spit it out. You and I both know the reason why I asked you to lunch today, and it wasn't to admire that serving girl's arse, fine as it is." Now thing's were finally down to business his tone took an edge that caught many author's off edge. For all his bluster John knew his business, and many have underestimated him.

Not William though. As reserved as he was, he was an excellent judge of other people, and knew when was the time to bluff, and when was not. This was not one of those times. Like so many brusque people, John hated lies, and if he had so much of a sniff he was being deceived that would be William's sequel down the drain.

"Writing block," he replied simply, returning John's hard look with a calm one of his own, "Two thirds of the book is written, it's just the final part. I know it is past the deadline and all I can do is apologise. I-" John cut him off with a wave of his hand,

"Look I know how it is. But you also know I have my own deadlines. I'm stickin my neck out as it is on this........" His voice trailed off, a trap which many author's will have tried to fill by saying something. William knew better and he remained quiet until John spoke again,
"I got good hopes for this 'un, so here." He passed a piece of paper over, "don't say I never think about you. Be there tomorrow, and I want to see that goddamn draft in three weeks, goddit?"

Before William could answer John stood up, slapping down some money on the table,
"This ones on me. Don't let me down." With that the man walked out, but not before giving the serving girl a resounding slap on her arse on the way out.

To say the meeting had not gone how he expected was to say the least, and as he unfolded the paper, William was even more surprised to see what was written on it.

Richard Reinhart
Science Center @ 1000
New energy process discovered?

Followed by John's recognisable scrawl

Something for your final chapter?

 

[Onikaigo]

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Characters: Colt Church
Location: Ontario Science Centre
Date: Thursday, Feb. 25, 2010, 12:15 PM
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The world is different when you're above it. It seems more peaceful, a little less crowded.

Hanging by a safety harness, sparks fly in a red and blue cacophony as he presses the tip of the arc wielder to the I beam again, welding the bolt into the metal for extra security; the only way this part of the buildin' will come down is an act of god or a bomb. The sparks stop momentarily as he lifts up his visor, looking at the weld critically, then looking the two stories below him to the ground below; concrete mixers stand idle, waiting for the completion of the frame that he and others are working on, workers move around looking industrious like so many yellow beetles below him carrying bags, bolts and peering over blueprints.

With a flip of his wrist, he turns off his welder and calls down to his working partner,
"'Ey! Turn off the juice, I'm comin' down for a minute."

He hooks the gun into his workbelt and begins his slow descent, always making sure that he knows where his feet are landing. He's had the obvious few accidents that plague all new workmen, but that was years ago. He's learned since then that he doesn't like ramming into I beams, or getting hit by concrete mixers. Or that there's no such thing as a left handed wrench.

Setting feet on solid ground again, he unhooks the ascender and descender from the rope, and reaches down to pick a red dixie cup, spitting tobacco juice into it that he'd been saving for far too long. It's also not smart to spit chew from two stories up.

The sound of power tools and sparks flying are everywhere, but the crane is silent for now, all the frame essentially being in place, they'd only need it for the rooftop pieces once the support frame was ready. Several months, but at least it's not in the Texas heat.

A voice calls to him from inside the jungle gym of I beams and re-bar,

"Colt! You gonna chew your cud all day or actually do some work around here?"

Colt turns around, putting his mask on the ground and picking up his straw hat to shade his eyes, slapping it on his head as he walks around the edge of the construction zone. He's wearing an off white workvest, smudged with carbon stains, sweat, and dirt that's somehow found it's way up two stories along with jeans and sturdy steel toed boots. His muscled arms glisten where they're not smeared with dirt, his frame impressive from his time in the Marines, and the heavy labor he's involved in. His eyes catch on to the origin of the voice, and he hides a smile as he shouts back a playful reply.

"Not any more than your mother was working last night! She was sweating more than you at that dance club you like so much. What's the name? The Brokeback?"

Several men guffaw, taking a break by the bathrooms and drinking water (Or what they let their supervisor think was water), and the other man replies back, wiping his brow and trying to save some dignity.

"Brokeback? Wasn't that a documentary someone made for you? Go chew your cud Cowboy. You've got ten minutes before I except you back up there."

Bowing in an offhand manner, Colt replies,

"Yesa Masa. I'll be back up there after I finish here. You don't have a problem with that, right? Like mother like son?"

He closes the door to the porta potty to the laughter of the work crew, but soon it's quelled and they return to work. Shortly after this, Colt finds himself again hitched to his ascender after turning his own juice back on, and he begins his climb back up to his workstation. His heavily muscled arms easily pull him up hand over hand to the second floor.

While he's setting up his gear once more, his name is called from below him.

"Colt! You wanna come with me and the boys after work and grab a beer?"

The speaker is the under foreman; Richard Elwes. A friendly enough guy, he's been trying to get Colt to go out for a drink for a week. Colt shrugs his shoulders, saying in reply,

"You buyin'? You know I ain't got much money."

"I'll buy the first round Cowboy, I know how your kind can drink. I'll see you after work then. And for Gods sakes at least give us a warning if that cup of yours spills, alright?"

Raising the bottle in salute, Colt turns back to his work.

Years of constructions has a bonus to it, I s'pose. Free beer.

With one last look around, he puts his hat on the I beam next to him, and lifts his water bottle from his workbelt for his chew; damned if he's going to stay up here another 5 hours without his chew. With the bottle in his belt, his hat on the rail and his visor down, he touches metal to metal and lets the sparks fly.

Maybe someday things'll change.

A moment later spittle lands in his water bottle, and he replaces it and flips his visor back down. There's always more work to be done.

 

[AsdrubaelWho]

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Characters: Quint Zdebuuki
Location: Pho Hungs
Date: Thursday, Feb. 25, 2010
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As Quint held the door open for Melanie he heard a sharp crack. He looked up in time to see surprise, indignation, then anger, sweep across a young girl’s face as a boisterous man barreled past through the open door and off down the street.

“WHY!…YOU!… started the girl, before clamping her mouth shut at the stern look from the proprietor of the establishment. She then proceeded to stomp off back to the kitchen, mumbling the whole way.

“What was that?” exclaimed Melanie to Quint, as she walked through the door and headed to their favorite table.

“That treatment shouldn’t be tolerated.” stated Quint to the room in general as he held the chair for his wife. “If they are going to allow that type of behavior here at Pho Hung’s, we may need to find a new favorite place for lunch.

“Well I missed whatever it was completely, so let’s eat. I have a lecture in an hour.” Melanie said calmingly, knowing how easily her husband gets riled up.

“Ok,ok…but…”, Quint stopped with Melanie”s disapproving glance. “Alright” he said and sat down with a slight “humph”.

“Don’t be a child, dear. Shall we order?”

They proceeded to enjoy their time together and their lunch, as they always did on Thursdays.

Toward the end of their meal, Quint’s cell phone rang. He glanced down at it and said, “Excuse me dear, it’s Herbert. I wonder what he wants this time?”

“Oh, I’m sure he’s gotten himself into something he can’t handle himself again.” Said Melanie with a gentle smile. “See what he wants, dear.”

“Yes, yes……….Hello Herbert! How are things going?”

“Yes…….”

“Yes, you told me about that a few weeks ago, yes……”

“Well….this is somewhat short notice…..I understand…but…..”

“Herbert, you know you’ve had more then enough time to have taken care of this.”

“I’ll call you back in ten minutes, Melanie and I are just finishing lunch…….yes,yes,… I promise I’ll call you back.”

“Goodbye Herbert.”

Quint pressed the end call button with some exasperation.

“What does he need this time, dear?" Melanie said with a teasing “I told you so” look on her face.

“Do you remember him speaking of a guest physicist that was coming to give a speech?”

“Vaguely. Some one named Richard Reinhart if I recall correctly.”

“Yes, that’s right. It’s to be a well attended event, over 300 people, Herbert estimates.”

“Sooooo……what does he want you to do?”

“Well, it is this Saturday. He has managed to reserve the hall and has had pamphlets made up, but has failed to organize any workforce to help him set up, decorate, post announcements or anyone to assist greeting and seating people for the presentation.”

“Herbert, Herbert, Herbert, what are we going to do with him? What are you going to tell him?

“Well, I’m sure I can find some students to assist, and if, perhaps you too could find a few…….?”

“I’ll see what I can do. I need to be off now. I have my lecture. I’ll see you this evening at home.” And with that Melanie was gone.

Quint left money for the bill on the table, strolled out of the restaurant, dug for his cell phone and dialed Herbert.

“Hello? Quint? Ah, good. Can you lend me a hand?”

“Of course Herbert, that’s why you called me to begin with. I will help. Melanie will help too. By the way, why is this speaker commanding such a large audience? ……A new energy process?…..You don’t say..........Perhaps I’ll sit in myself…………"

 

[Get of W'soran]

Calinex Laboratories-Research Division-Lab 2C
10:28 am


Michael ran a hand through his hair cursing quietly at the data on the screen, the damned tests where not going at all according to plan.

“Dr Adams its half-ten shouldn't you be getting ready to leave?” Laura asked.

Sighing Michael turning and glanced back at his assistant, the young woman was fresh out of University and had a brilliant mind, indeed Michael was of the opinion that with ten years and a little help she would be as great a particle physicist as himself.
However she had the annoying ability to remind him of things he'd rather forget.

“She's right Michael.” John said with a grin.

Glaring angrily at the balding scientist he replied icily.
“Perhaps you'd like to take my place Dr Collins?”

John laughed faintly and shook his head.
“I'm sorry Boss but the Company wants their “Foremost Physicist” to go; I'm just a lowly Researcher.” he said sadly, his voice livid with sarcasm.

Michael shook his head slightly and began signing of his Account on the Computer.

“I still can't believe they want me to go and listen to Richard Reinhart, the man's a complete hack spewing garbage at his so called Seminars.” he muttered hitting the keyboard buttons a little harder than was needed. “He wouldn't even be capable of assisting Laura in her work.”

“All I do is tidy up after you.” the woman replied with a wink at John behind their boss's back.

“Precisely.” Michael said completely missing the gesture and her joking tone.

John shook his head leaning back in his chair giving the other man a look of feigned surprise.
“Come now Doctor, he's a respected man in his fields, a theoretical physicist without compare.” John told the other scientist.

“Even a real Theoretical Physicist wouldn't touch his theories with a ten foot pole.” he shot back.

John laughed and nodded.
“I agree that he's a little outlandish but I still believe he's an intelligent man but he's just gotten a bit...of track.”

Michael sneered slightly and shook his head, he had read a lot on the fool Reinhart and thoroughly believed the Scientific community would be far better without him, indeed a lot worst things could happen than the world losing that 'Scientist'.

Out loud however he ranted.
“Of course, what do I know? His Hyperspace theory was absolutely wondrous and intriguing, oh sure it was left incomplete but we can allow that of course and yes of course we'll let him base it on ideas that he personally believes but can't back it up, I mean who needs facts, right? Maybe he's just omniscient!”

Laura was laughing now, completely amused by his reaction.
“Perhaps he's God then.” she jested.

There is no God

“Perhaps indeed.” he replied.

Removing his Lab Coat he hung it next to the door and put on his Jacket and walked over to a Mirror, if he had to go to this thing then he might as well be presentable.
The man in the mirror stared back through his glasses and was of average height and leanly built, he had long brown hair pulled back into a ponytail and wore a suit of pitch black, straightening his shirt, waist coat and tie he buttoned the Jacket.
Michael turned and lifted the Bowler hat of the nearby table and shoved it onto his head.

“Bye Boss.” John said happily.

Fool

“I'll be back after this work is done, try not to blow the place up while I'm gone.”

“Laura will make sure I don't mess up.” John replied.

“Of course I will.” She told him.

Sighing Michael walked out of the labs, punching codes into locks of various doors along the way and flashing the identity card around his neck to the security guards at the door.

Once in the car park he made his way to his car.

I hate my life he thought miserably to himself.

 

[Knightofni]

"Oi, Hazzard."

Startled, Kade rolled out from underneath the chevy he was trying to fix and took his headphones out of his ears. Looming over him was his boss; all six foot five inches of his clip-board wielding, angry looking boss.. ah sh*t.. he rolled further out from under the car and clambered quickly to his feet.. this could not be good.

"Hazzard, would you care to tell me why I've been shouting your name across this garage for the past ten minutes and yet you managed to get your head so far up that chevy's ass that you couldn't hear me?" Kade's boss stared at him questioningly and Kade did his best to look sheepish.

"Sorry Boss, guess I had my music up too loud." He grinned and gestured to his headphones; he knew his boss wouldn't discipline him.. he was the best mechanic this poxy little sh*tehole of a garage had, and his boss knew it. Still, it was probably out of order for him to take liberties like he did.

His boss' angry exterior cracked, and he grinned as well.. Jason really was an alright guy most of the time, even when he ran this little garage like his own personal empire.

"Yeah well, your making me look like a jackass so keep the volume down yeah.."

"Sure, was there something you wanted Boss?" Kade indicated to the chevy behind him, "cause I'm a little busy right now."

"Oh yeah, gotta call-out I want you to go to." Jason was already turning away, scrutinising his clipboard.

"Why can't Rupert take it?" Kade's tone flooded with petulance, "Like I said, I'm a little busy."

Jason turned to face with Kade with a broad, unpleasant grin on his face; his second chin wobbling with some unknown humour.

"Oh.. Rupert is taking it.. but I'm sending you as well." Kade's boss' face exploded in silent laughter.. it was the ultimate punishment.. nobody wanted to go on call-out with Rupert, "Besides it'll teach you not to play your music so loud." Jason walked away, his stocky frame still shaking with laughter.

Son of a Bitch.

Kade swore loudly as he threw his goggles onto the office table, picking up the keys to the truck as he did so. It was the ultimate punishment; Rupert was.. to put it nicely.. a freak. He was a short, balding middle-aged man who still lived with his mother.. oh, and he was into batteries. He thought about batteries in ways that no human being, sane or otherwise, should every think about batteries.. they were his life and his love.

Unsurprisingly Rupert was unmarried.

Nobody wanted to work with him, and now Kade's day which had started out so pointlessly average had been thrown back into the darkest recesses of crappiness.. life sucks. He tied the upper part of his overalls around his waist and marched resignedly out to the truck, where Rupert had already belted himself up in the passenger seat and was humming something horribly tuneless. F*cking marvelous.

"Science Centre" Rupert's curt tone was clipped and professional.. and annoyingly nasal. Everything about the guy was positively unlikeable and Kade looked skyward for a moment.. Lord, kill me now. Better yet, kill him..

Kade put his foot on the gas and pulled out onto the busy road, it was going to be a long day.

 

[Dreadgrass]

"Chateu' de' Cunningham (aka Cunninghams apartment)
Friday Morning

David woke to the sound of his mobile blaring away on the nightstand, 2 thoughts immediately went through his mind. 'Who the hell could be calling me this early', and 'isn't it amazing how soon you come to loathe a song once you use it as a ringtone'. Promising himself for the hundredth time that he would change the ringer as soon as he got off the phone, He glanced over and groaned, he recognised the number. It was his "Supervisor" Jeff, who, among his many faults, had seemingly no concept of the correct timings to call someone on their day off.

With a resigned sigh Dave picked up the phone "If this isn't an insanely beautiful woman, I'm hanging up."

"Hello David, it's Jeff, sorry to disappoint you" replied a stern and mildly disapproving voice on the other end. "How are you enjoying your day off?"

With a brief glance at the bedside clock display which winked 06:04am back at him, Dave sarcastically replied "Great! I finished my shift at 2 this morning, came home, had a shower, grabbed maybe 2 hours sleep and then answered the phone."

"Sorry." replied Jeff in a tone that more dismissed the inconvenience than apologised. "We've got a contract for the convention this weekend, some big-shot scientist is giving a talk over at the Science center and they want a few extra bodies."

"No can do chief." Said David, "I can't pull another shift already, I need some downtime and I've got the weekend off." He knew what was coming, but felt he had to put up at least some resistance.

"David, Will and Ben are the only other guys I've got to call on, I'm sure you know Will's away with his Girlfriend for another 3 days and Ben's got family commitments. I need you to be at the center 2 hours before the presentation, no uniform for this one, smart casual, you know the routhine."

Cursing his luck for being the only 'on-call' guy without a decent excuse Dave knew he had no choice if he wanted to keep his job.

"Okay Jeff, I guess I can cover it, I'll see you then."

His ringtone once again forgotten, David drops his phone on the bed beside him and throws himself back down, determined to get a few more hours sleep before facing what would now be his "One-Day weekend."

 

[Sanai]

"DOUBLE-KILL!" screamed a voice, as Alice Tennants on screen character walljumped past an opponents rocket, responding with a sniper bullet to the head. Her Unreal Tournament 3 character, clad in red, then fired once more, being rewarded with the honourific of "WICKED SICK!" Alice's gray eyes focused intensely on the screen, as her character moved rapidly around, dodging yet more fire. A few shots later, and several dead and frustrated opponents, the game shouted "HEADHUNTER!" for a streak of sniper headshots, just before the power suddenly cut out on her laptop.

"WHAT THE FUCK!" Alice yelled in frustration, before looking up from beneath her curls, to see her friend standing there with the power plug in her hand. The two girls stared at one another for a moment, the curvy, fit girl sitting on the bed with her laptop wearing a womans tank top and faded jeans, and her friend, Danica, wearing her barmaids uniform and shaking her head. "Why on earth did you do that for? I was winning!" Alice said pointedly, folding her arms and glaring at Danica.

"You play those games too much. You oughta be working more, maybe do something with your life. What happened to sending off that enrolment to start up your vetinarianary training again?" Danica replied, dropping the power plug on the bed in the small apartment. Alice stood up, and replied,

"I lost it. Anyway, I don't need the money. I’m happy with what I have here."

Danica, with a skeptical look on her face, obviously did not believe a word.
"We will talk about that after work tomorrow."

Alice shook her head, her curls flying through the air.
"I don't have work tomorrow silly, its one of my days off...wait, you didn't go and organise work for me again? I hate it when you do that!" Alice replied. Danica reached into her pocket, and pulled out a flier, handing it to Alice.
"What? Some science thing? Looks pretty stupid, and you know those eggheads won't tip." Alice said as she read the pamphlet. Danica sighed, and then replied, with her hands on her hips

"The boss was asked for someone to fill a vacant bar position at the convention, and you are going to do it. I know you need the money, and you need a boyfriend. Those "eggheads" make good money, and there are some nice guys over at that science centre. Just please, be open minded, okay?" Danica replied, with a hint of pleading and worry in her voice, before sitting next to Alice.

"Well, I suppose I do need the cash, and I don't wan't to make you have to pay my rent again. Alright Danny, I'll do it for you. But I will not hook up with some silly scientist." Alice replied, with a downcast look on her face.

"Thats my girl. Now, did you hear about Kat? She got the most interesting new tat...."

 

[Knightofni]

"What did you say the guy's name was?"

Kade starred blankly at the car in front; he wasn't really interested in the 'where', 'who' or 'why', he just wanted to get the job done so he didn't have spend any more time with Rupert.. but the question at least stopped Rupert humming tunelessly to himself.

"A Mr C. Church." Rupert's nasal voice cut into what was undoubtedly an uncomfortable atmosphere inside the trucks cab.

Kade frowned for a moment, he was almost certain that he'd done some work for a Mr C. Church only last week.. something to do with brake pedals; what could possibly be wrong with that pile of junk now? His silent rhetorical question was interrupted but yet more of Rupert's tuneless humming, the bastard has started to tap his fingers on the glove compartment in tune to his tuneless humming.. the guy was positively killable.

"This Mr Church say what was wrong with his motor?" Again, the true purpose of the question was to stop Rupert's humming and generally awful musical behaviour.

"No he didn't. But I hope it's the battery."

Well you would, wouldn't you. Kade sighed, and steered the truck into the science centre's car park.

 

[Grish]

Ontario Science Centre
Saturday, Feb. 27/2010
1:40 PM

The meeting room was busy. Busy with the chatter of stuffy shirted old men and their sycophantic apprentices. Groups of them milled about, drinks in hand, paper plates piled high with the free hors d'oeuvres. There were professors, students, physicists and business men. Some came for the free booze, or the food, or they smelled money, or perhaps because it was expected of them and they thought it would earn them a higher wage or more opportunity. A very few were there out of sheer interest for what would be presented.

Long fold-away tables were arranged in an orderly fashion, with cheap plastic stackable chairs set behind them, each an equal distance from each other. A buffet table was set along the side, with a make-shift bar setup just inside the entrance way, where a pair of portly security guards in uniform lounged in what looked like deathly boredom, their fists stiffling yawns, their eyes searching for anything at all interesting to distract them in their duty.

A podium stood on a raised platform at the far end of the room, where a youngish man (~30) on a top-of-the-line laptop preparing his laptop for the presentation. Well-dressed, smiling and animated, he was addressing a group of older men who were standing in a semi-circle in front of him. Their frowns and questions he answered with smiles and flourishes. Obviously, this must be Reinhart.

Between talking and buttering up his guests, he was checking a large, sheet-covered *something* arranged beside the podium and central to the room.

 

[Onikaigo]

Ontario Science Centre
Saturday, Feb. 27/2010
1:45 PM

Colton uses his hat as a flag for a moment, waving it in the direction of the mechanics vehicle that just pulled into the lot. It's been a day or two now, and his car has been stuck in the same spot as it was; his foreman is getting a little antsy, as there's not supposed to be any equipment lying around that's not in use. Something to do with the new machine this wing of the facility is supposed to house. They've been working on it for months, and it's mostly done; they're even having some kind of shindig in the center section at the moment, a fund raiser or talkin' party or somesuch.

This part should be done within a month, the way it's going, but maybe this 'Mr. Reinhart' got a little excited about what he's trying to show off. There might still be some 'Buildin' scars' inside the show hall, but they'd all be doctored up by now. Wouldn't even be able to tell.

His boots carry him toward the oncoming mechanic, and he moves to the side, lifts his hat a little off his head and spits into the dirt, then looks up as the car stops beside him. His sweatstained face and clothes are pretty much commonplace, and he'd look at the Driver with a smile.

"Hazzard, right? Name's Church, Colton Church. You helped me out with my brakes two weeks ago now. Figures your boss would send the best out, I really 'preciate it. She's over there," He points to his old Ford, looking dejected about 60 yards away. "It's pretty bad. I noticed some corrosion on the battery cables, and it wasn't startin' smooth, so I cleaned em off and hooked it back up and tried again and the damned thing just don't start. I did a little fiddlin' around and found my radiator has all kinds of muck in it, so I've got to thinkin' it's my gasket that's sprung a leak."

He leans to the side, spitting again,

"You done good work for me in the past. If'n you could take a look at 'er and lemme know, I'll be sure to take 'er by your shop and make sure you get the money for fixin' 'er."

He looks over to where the parking lot is starting to get a bit full, some good lookin' girl just climbing out of a black Celica catches his eye; What's a good lookin' girl like that doing at a science project? He looks back to Hazzard, "Just stay away from the main center, Bosses orders. Apparently they don't want none of us workin' folk down there."

 

[Dreadgrass]

Standing inconspicuously by the bar, casting a cursory glance over the crowd, David swilled his drink in his right hand and wondered why this kind of do needed extra security...

'Most of these goofs are here for the free food and to be seen, not pay attention to the man on the pedestal, whatever the device is under the sheet, its got to be worth a bit for the stingy head honcho's here to fork out our rates...' he thought.

 

[Sweeney Todd]

------------------------------------
Character: James Lee
Location: Ontario Science Center
------------------------------------

James looked around to see his family dispersed amidst various exhibits. The thoughts inside his head was easily louder that the indistinct susurrous background noise generated by the mass of people currently milling around.

James found it very ironic that his parents constantly called him 'sheltered', when in fact it was they who constantly give him what he didn't ask for. Their very presence with him here was proof of that. They were here to see him off and make sure he got everything in order before returning home. Even his sister had grudgingly come along, complaining about how expensive stuff in America was along the way. After today they would no longer be here with him and he would beginning a brand new journey in life. That thought did not bring butterflies to his stomach the way oral exams used to when he was a small boy. For him there was only a minor sense of trepidation impinging on a cold awareness of what would happen soon.

Totally distracted by his own thoughts, he shuffled forward slowly on autopilot, unable to properly look at anything and anyone.

 

[Sanai]

Alice Tennant, dressed in a barmaids black skirt, tight white t-shirt and ponytail, stood behind the bar, looking really bored, and serving the occasional drink.
Jeeze...these scientist types are boring.... and where the hell are my tips? she thought, as she poured a weak light beer for a boring canadian scientist type.

 

[Dreadgrass]

Finishing his drink, David decided he's need something stronger to get him through this presentation.

He waits for the young lady behind the bar to finish serving, and asks,

"Can I get a Rum and coke thanks?" Noting that she seems similarly disgruntled in such company he decides to try and strike up a conversation, and so adds with an ironic smile, "Theres only so long I can last in this sort of crowd without something to keep me sane, on duty or not."

 

[Disciple of Nagash]

William paused as he entered the room, only for a moment, but a pause nonetheless. He has always done the same for many years, a habit that he couldn’t quite get out of. Of course it was something he would have never have admitted to, and quite possibly would have amazed the few women who have never seen past his secretive exterior.

His eyes scanned the room, noting a few key things that he always looked for. Exits, chokepoints where crowds could possible congest, alternative routes, the toilets and a few other points of interest, all taken in a moment. Whether what he saw satisfied him was a mystery, but it appeared to pass enough for him carry on into the exhibition.

The soft thud of his walking stick followed him as he walked, used as little as possible, but needed all the same. His left leg was obviously hurt in same way, stiff at the hip and he limped quite noticeably, using the plain wooden stick as support. A few people glanced his way, the usual looks of curiosity or even worse pity, like he was some kind of invalid who should be praised for managing to even dress himself.

The cool look in his eyes as he looked directly back at them had its usual affect however, eliciting red faces or embarrassed coughs as they turned to continue their conversations. Well nearly all of them turned back. One woman unfortunately took the look the wrong way and decided it was a plea for help.

“Are you ok?” she asked, "do you need any help?" A false glassy smile plastered on here face. Her eyes glanced around, no doubt making sure that everyone could see what a wonderful person she was by helping him.

“Oh yes,” William replied dryly, “as you can well imagine after the hundreds of steps I have already taken to get here, your help in the last three or four would no doubt be crucial.” The woman stared at him for a moment, unsure of how to respond. The snickers of laughter nearby, combined with the few heads that turned, certainly didn’t help as she turned in interesting shade of red.

“Um….is that yes?” she finally said hesitantly, the silly false smile stretching wider as if the glaringly white (and obviously expensive) teeth, would dazzle into him behaving like a proper grateful cripple.

“That is a no,” he replied curtly, walking off to find a seat.

 

[Get of W'soran]

Ontario Science Centre
Saturday, Feb. 27/2010
1:45 PM

Michael surveyed the crowd within the hall as he entered the Centre, despite himself he couldn't stop the sneer that came to his lips as he saw the occupants.

Half of these fools couldn't spell Doctorate

Shaking his head he moved on ignoring the smiles and nods of the people he passed, social niceties didn't concern him, not with this bunch anyway.

Luckily he did catch a glimpse of a few men that he recognised, professors and physicists that he had met in various conferences and they where at least competent, he was also pleased to see that they look as disgruntled at being here as he felt himself.

After a few silent moments Michael let out a hiss of annoyance as he caught sight of Reinhart show boating as usual, he had crossed the path of that fool a few times before and just hoped the man wouldn't recognise him. However despite himself Michael felt his curiosity pique at the cloth covering beside the so called physicist.

What have you brought for us to see? He pondered watching Reinhart grin at a few men who where throwing questions his way.

Sighing Michael strode to the front row, if he had to be here then he'd at least see the nonsense seminar.
Sitting down Michael removed his hat and sat it on the ground, then lifting and unzipping his bag he removed the laptop and turned it on.

Waiting for it to power up he glanced around noticing a man walking his way, he frowned for a moment before allowing himself a faint smile.

“Dr. Campbell” he said pleasantly.

The man, a senior in his 60's, smiled at the other scientist

“Please Michael, call me Robert.”

Michael nodded.
“Then hello Robert.”

Robert sat down with a sigh and shook his head glancing at Reinhart with undisguised contempt which caused Michael to smirk.
Robert was an established Theoretical Physicist and no doubt felt that Reinhart cast a dark cloud over his profession.

“I should have brought my Laptop, I could have done something fun...like google images of cats.” he muttered.

Michael raised an eyebrow before realising that Robert was making a joke and give the customary smile that would be expected.
“Indeed.”
Robert sighed and cast another glare at their host.
“Can you believe CERN give this man support with a project.” he whispered.

This time both of Michael's eyebrows shot up.
“Surely not? I had to literally beg before they let me into any of their projects a few years ago.” he hissed.

Robert snorted.
“So I've heard, I was in Geneva at the time so I would bet it is accurate.” he said with contempt before sighing “You really should come back over even if only for a month or two, we could use your help.”

Michael smiled, it was a familiar argument.
“I never worked for them full time and I doubt I ever will but perhaps I will come visit, how are the experiments going anyway?”

Robert shrugged.
“Expensively but well considered the problems we've had.”

Michael nodded again as he typed in his password.
“If I seem to lose attention in this little talk I'll just be playing a video game on my laptop.” Michael informed the other man.

Robert laughed causing Michael to shake his head slightly as he checked to ensure the game disk was in the DVD drive.

I wasn't joking. He thought to himself

 

[AsdrubaelWho]

Ontario Science Centre
Saturday, Feb. 27/2010
1:55 PM

Quint thought to himself "I need to hurry, I don't want to miss the presentation!"

His and Melanie's students were managing the crowd well, keeping them moving, giving directions and assistance, and keeping them from gathering in the doorways as people have a tendency to do.

Quint had been making another round to insure everything was going smoothly, but as he was apt, he spent too much time conversing with people he recognized and realized, just in time, that the presentation was starting in a few minutes.

As quickly as he could, in an almost skipping-like lope, he hurried back to the hall; his one short leg making it difficult to move in anything remotely resembling grace. Quint, unconscious of his own awkward appearance, returned to the chairs he had positioned at the back of the hall for himself and Melanie.

"Has he started yet?! Have I missed anything?!"

"No dear........and you shouldn't run" replied Melanie with gentle reproachfulness.

"Good, good.........is that my tea?"

 

[Knightofni]

Kade climbed out of the trucks cab and nodded to Colton as the man pointed out his car, a familiar looking Ford sat looking rather sorry for itself in the parking lot.

Some corrosion on the battery cables... Oh joy.

Kade rolled his eyes and muttered a curse under his breath; he half turned back to the truck and told, in a not-all-together polite manner, Rupert to get some tools out of the back; Rupert's reply didn't sound too much like a gracious accession but he went to fetch some tools nonetheless. Kade turned back to Colton, and grinned.

"No problem. We'll take a good look at the ol' girl and see what's up. Just pray it aint your battery, otherwise my colleague will... um..." Kade lowered his voice slightly, so that Rupert wouldn't overhear, "Well lets just say he's a bit of a weirdo for batteries."

He looked up at the Science Centre. It was, in his opinion, a astonishing feat of engineering with one small blemish... it was astoundingly ugly. Some kind of scientific seminar was on today, the centre had got in some 'expert' to give a lecture about something that Kade knew very little about.. his favourite science had been chemistry not physics so the seminar and this 'expert' held little interest.

"Some Science Seminar thingy today isn't it... they got some 'expert' in to talk nonsense to some over-paid muppets."

 

[Onikaigo]

Colton looks at the man that Hazzard brought with him and instantly grows a mild dislike for him. His balding, middle aged, I live at home look is quite obvious, and it irks a man who's worked for everything he's owned. So, Colt spits into the dirt again, replying to Hazzard.

"Well, 'Long as he don't do nothin' to my battery I ain't got nuthin' 'gainst him." He can't help but grin.
"Who'd you piss on to get stuck with 'im then? Maybe your boss don't like you so much."

The country in his voice is obvious. He takes his words slow, his chew often negating the first letter of most words and giving him a slightly uneducated sound. It's something he's tried to work on in the past, but when his chew is in it doesn't really matter anymore.

"Yessir, they got some kind o' display goin' on today. Dunno what it's about, but the boss says to stay away. Tho' I Heard rumors it was about some new power generator of some sort, s'posed to replace nuclear energy or somesuch. Poor fool prolly can't get enough money to get the project off the ground, so Mr. Reinhart sure as dirt will be down there kissin' all sorts of white ass."

Laughing, he starts walking toward his car.

"But if you had seen the ass I had Hazzard, I don't think we'd mind kissin' it. C'mon, let's go get my baby girl looked at."

 

[Sanai]

Having finished serving the boring Canadian scientist type, Alice served a Rum and Coke to David.
"Here is your drink sir..." she said, looking him up and down.
A small amount of interest and excitement creeped into her expression "Finally! A break from the eggheads. If I hear one more man try to impress me by talking about subatomic whatevers I will scream."
She then leaned forward, closer to him, and said softly "Drinking on duty hey? Thats naughty". She then winked, and turned to serve another customer.

 

[Disciple of Nagash]

William stopped at the bar, leaning on it as he rested and looked around the room. So far he had not see anything that impressed him, nor that helped his book. A room full of scientists was certainly not the best discussion group for occult workings, and he was really starting to wonder why on earth his publisher thought this would help him.

Seeing an unattached barstool nearby William deftly flipped the walking stick in his hand, so the hook that he normally held caught the stools leg and pulled it over to him. . As he sat down he caught the eye of a young barmaid who had just finished serving another person.

"A glass of water please."

 

[Sanai]

"A glass of water sir? Coming right up. Are you sure you would not like anything else with that?" Alice said, as she deftly filled a glass with ice and water, before placing it quickly on the bar in front of William.

 

[Dreadgrass]

David smiled, he would have liked to continue the conversation, but the lady was obviously busy, so he returned her smile, nodded his thanks, dropped a tip in the jar, then returned to surveying the room. Noting a more than slightly intoxicated man in the far corner getting a bit heated in his debate on 'fusion-whatsits' and the 'power of tomorrow' he moves to quieten the situation, only to be beaten to the punch by one of the facility securities.

"Just when I thought there might of actually been a point to me wasting my saturday here..." he thought, as he returned to his place by the bar... Glancing over at Alice once again, he pondered. Then again, maybe there is anyway. Most waitstaff tend to avoid dealing with us "hired help" like the plague... He decided to seek her out whilst the presentation is on and try and have a chat. It would at least while away part of this god-knows-how-long seminar...

 

[Sweeney Todd]

"I need a drink." James' sister announced after a while.

"Me too." was his parents' unanimous reply. With a shrug James headed towards them and this started a journey to find the nearest watering hole. Although they were following the signs that would eventually lead them to the bar, his family's route resembled Brownian motion more than anything else due to the sheer number of people they had to weave around.

James stopped to peer in at the bar as they reached the destination. Amidst of a sea of people that looked as though they would be perfectly at home in lab whites(if they weren't already wearing them), the barmaid, who was probably the only female in the room stood out like a sore thumb. Her boredom could not be more plain.

Bitches don't know about their additional pylons, he thought as he stopped to contemplate the situation. A nudge from behind brought him back to reality, and the Lees trooped in. Their (naturally occuring) black hair made them stand out, but tourists could hardly expect any different. After they had settled down on one of the few unoccupied tables, James headed over to the bar.

"Can I has - imeanuh, have a water, two Long Island Iced Teas and a Screwdriver?" He said to the barmaid, wondering if she managed to pick up the lolspeak that temporarily tied his tongue, or if she even knew what lolcats were.