Indominus just shook his head and finished cleaning up the camb, packing whatever was left and throwing a party invite to the fox girl. She accepted the shiny green yes button thingy predictably. Dom frowned as he grabbed her by the waist and pulled her in close, despite his old body he was strong with a grip like iron. His opposite hand raised the crystal and he spoke, the soft glow enveloping both of them as it built up into a glare of bright light forcing him to squint. "Teleport! Bulls Run!" In a flash they were gone

-----------------
Bulls run
-----------------

The glow faded away instantaneously to reveal the fur-clothed bearded fighter in his glory, released Nena to go about her devices, if she had the thought power to have any. Maybe they would set her free and she could regain a bit of her old self before whatever bootleg batshit nonsense had invaded her head. Realistically, how long could she have been in that gorge to be so off her rocker. The thought was useless and summarily discarded. Dom slapped Smart on the back and nodded, starting the long walk to the Inn. All players knew its location, having a quest giver in the town of beginnings make them do a delivery of food and drink to the tavern as a way to familiarize everyone. For once it had been worth the waste of time.
Dom glanced at Smart as they approached the door and tossed him a wink. Slouching over and seeming to shrivel up ever so slightly, the proud straight back of Indominus gave way to the weak appearance of his elderly self. Practically shuffling as he 'struggled' to open the door. A quick glance found Scarlet at a far table with two men. One masked, the other a simple face, guardian pet at their ankles. Scarlets eye had been covered and the- Scarlets eye was covered?! Dom hid his shock and rage expertly as the two men made their way over, giving a slight shout to alert the table of their approach.

"Scarlett, my granddaughter, you are ok! I feared the worst." Even his voice had taken on an meeker tone.

"These must be the two men you were with."

Not knowing the details of the event didn't mean he wasn't about to do something really stupid. It just meant he was willing to do it with more emphasis. The two heard the the implication that he was her grandfather, and tensed up from what could likely just be the awkwardness of the situation but he pat his hands in the air with an inviting smile to relax them and show he meant no harm. Both visibly calmed and even dropped their guard.

"I heard what you did."

It was almost like a dream, a man who crouched over heavily and shuffled his feet had taken a running stride and leapt clear across the table, hands touching the wooden surface for perfect balance as both his heels slammed dead center into the masked ones chest. Now, in a safe zone you could not physically injure anyone, that was common knowledge, but little known fact was that you could still attack players barehanded.
Dom used the momentum from the kick to flip back on the table into a standing position, in the same fluid motion he tilted the table and bulled forward, using its bulk to carry reaper further into a nearby wall.

"Touch MY granddaughter will you! I'll show you pain!" Doms eyes sparkled with the ghost of tears, truly believing he was protecting the purity of his last shining treasure. He growled and pushed harder on the table, hoping to prevent the masked fighter from gaining any advantage at all.
Smart would have to take care of Edgar.

--------------------------------

-Delcastle-
-Afternoon / day 17 / LvL 12-

Delcastle had returned from the shopping district with a series of items in his inventory, nothing expensive or rare, but enough to make progress. Armor had been made, a token for a weapon of choice from a reliable vendor had been crafted (It could be given to any player, allowing them to charge Delcastle VIA PM for gold on completion), and a small pouch of coin. Enough for a weeks stay at the inn with food and drink. It wasn't much but money was always going to be tight on the first floor. Very few things were going to pick up if the players as a whole did not advance to better tiers of loot and better rewards for quests.
Bags in hand, Delcastle opened the door to the room he had rented for the two girls, thankfully not noticing the barfight that was just beginning downstairs, and entered without bothering to look around. Used to sharing a room with Bulwar, it was never an issue of what might be seen or not. The moment he closed the door he heard to soft moan and froze in place, only now glancing up to see the fox girl and Cinera.. exploring their options?

"I uh.. Clothes. You. You're uh.. carry on."

Delcastle bowed in what could be seen as a moment of embarassment but was infact just him being polite. He had never been ashamed of his actions and misunderstandings could be explained. It was just a little strange for him to stumble into that situation so completely off guard. When they were finished, they would find him standing outside the door with a bright red face. Nobody in the Inn would ever know..

@DestinyStar@Zelosse@BlackPanther@Tracyarmav
Smarter'n'me
Lvl 15/Day 17/Morning
[HP]98%/////////[]

Smart didn't feel the need to stay close to Dimitri as he executed his old man routine. He just hung back a bit until all eyes were on his friend. Then, in that moment when great flashing blows were slamming into the masked youth, Smart made his move with a feral smile.

It wasn't hard to spot the table that was about to erupt into chaos. Two men and one familiar girl. He didn't know what to expect, but her having breakfast with the two after sleeping in the same room was going to make this ugly. If she was making choices like that then she wouldn't take kindly to what they were about to do. But, Dan had worked hard his whole life with long hours and wretched coworkers. He knew that a single smudge on a reputation could shatter a career before it begins. And, curse it, she was going to have a career or a husband with one and no filthy digital prison was going to impede that!

Walking through the door in his snake skin leather armor, including tights, he suddenly seemed to tip forward and fall. But, shortly before face planting onto the floor he vanished in a puff of dust only to reappear with his feet against the ceiling above the other young man. His right hand began to glow with the activation of a combat skill. He jumped down with all his force and drove the skill into the young man who hadn't been assaulted yet at the place where the neck meets the shoulder. The flash was dramatic as the boy was driven through his chair and into the unyielding floor in an instant. The poor chair shattered into pieces that flew across the room before scattering into azure sparkles. Smart followed up with a staccato series of flashes as he let fall a rain of unyielding blows on his victim, striking many sensitive points repeatedly.

He was also shouting in his customary shriek as he sought to hold his victim to the ground with his legs.

"You pre-pubescent-cat-kissing-soda-sodomizing-wretched-ingratiating-bastard-son-of-a-llama and a blow-up-doll!" Amazingly enough, he never seemed to take a breath. "Maggot-addict-weasel-huffer! Your house was made of fermented pubic hair and diseased reputation you leech-fingered-operatic-onomatopoeia-centipede-stripper!" And so he continued, in like manner.

@Zelosse@Haeo@Tracyarmav
Ikanus nods to Scarlet. "Deal" He then looks between the two. "So we can st-" cut off as an older man shuffles in. He knew better then to think the man was as frail as he was acting. Considering that the guy had that armor and something about him was telling ikanus not to slip up. When he says that he is scarlet's grandfather his guard drops. Figuring that he would be happy to see his granddaughter.

Apparently that was a mistake. Before he could react he gets both feet to the chest, knocking him back, this cause him to immediately unequal his cape figuring that the guy would use that to his advantage. He stands just in time to get pushed into the wall with a table. "The hell...What did you want me to do let her bleed to death in the gorge" Being caught off guard lets his full emotions out. With a glare that could murder a person if it was able to he leaps straight up and lands on the table legs. "You have misunderstood a situation" He flips off the table and picks up Anubis who has started reacting. The canine snaps his jaws and lurches trying hard to get to the attacker his growls deep and loud. "If you would put the table back and get your friend off of my party member I could explain what happened" Trying to diffuse the situation even though he's a bit angry about being attacked. His chest still hurts now....his grip on the lurching snapping canine increases just to make sure it doesn't make things worse. He's also quite insulted that anyone would assume he would take advantage of a woman. That isn't who he is.

At first Sapphira was quite amused by Cinera's bumbling tries to de-embarrass he situation even laughing about her wrong words. But when, after Delcastle had seen he scene and probably misinterpreted it, Cinera seriously seemed hit.
Through all the beatings she had taken in the last couple of days, Sapphira's caring attitude had never actually completely vanished and so, when she noticed Cinera crying over this, the tiny fox girl put her similarly small and petite hand on Cinera's back and petted said back.

"You like him, don't you?", the fox whispered endearingly. She knew she had to like him, such a reaction would otherwise be highly unlikely. "I'm sorry I put you into this position... I can go outside and explain it to him.

She had just noticed the clothing Delcastle had brought in and frowned a little at the hooded robe.

Indominus dropped his offensive posture and stared at the masked man. Was he deaf or just dumb, to not realize this was going to be a fight like it or not. Scarlet had raised no opposition beyond a curse, to which he shot her a look that promised a smack in the mouth to her too, and turned his attention back to Reaper and the barking dog. Dom calmly grabbed the table and gently put it back into upright position. But did not motion for Smart to stop what he was doing. Instead, Dom kicked the table into reaper all over again and launched another violent flurry of punches forward, one such attack took Anubis in the face and sent the dog away, where it did not stand to retaliate. Pets did not attack in town. They barked and growled but that was about it.

"A misunderstanding eh? I can believe the lass got hurt, that's pretty obvious," Dom threw an uppercut hoping to connect with Reapers chin but instead managed to clip the mask. Dom followed up the strike with a straight thrust. "But I cannot, will not, ignore what you may have done while she was asleep. Take off the mask and apologize or I'm kickin' your pretty face up and down this tavern."

Dom crashed into the wall with a thud that should have turned bones to powder. His vision swam as he slumped to the ground in a heap, mouth open and a blank stare. Despite not feeling much of the pain or taking damage it was excruciatingly disorientating and every sense left screamed to get up and fight off whatever hellhound he had just unleashed, to see it dead at his feet and protect himself and everything he held onto in his lifetime. Those small amount of years, months, days, he had left to live. That same horrible mounting dread of a life ended had him at wits end and for once he felt it keenly.
With a groan he managed to rise to his feet and shake off the debree, unaware that the other patrons had all but fled the inn incase they be caught up in this. Others were blissfully making sure nobody else entered warning of a couple of town-killers on the loose and prepared themselves to keep them from exiting the town. Fear continued to play on everyones sense. Even his own..

Before he could even mutter a swear he saw her there in the light screaming. Felt her pain like a hot knife enter his heart and forced him to choke back that last bit of pride. He had acted like a fool, a big one, and made a gigantic scene over something that was not his to control. He had dragged Smart along too, AGAIN, into his crazy delusional old rampages and forced everyone to participate in his nonsense and violent selfish actions. There she was now pouring her heart out, screaming her fury and cussing like a sailor so bad it made his hand tense with the urge to silence that mouth good but the words finally clicked. Her mother.

So that's it.. That's been it all along. I tried too hard to get in and you didn't want me to.. The memories came in a rush of mixed emotions as he half remembered her talking of her mother and father, his own son who had shamed himself and his father by abandoning the girl and just disappearing. Dimitri had tried hard to reconcile with that fact but couldn't bring himself to be angry with his own child, let alone Scarlet. When Scarlets mother had relinquished custody to him it had been one of the hardest days of his life. Taking in such a young girl had been difficult to say the least. He was old now, nearing 70. It hurt to just walk around the house, to go up the stairs, to stay awake.
But he had ignored everything to try and make his Granddaughter feel welcome and comfortable. Tried to give her whatever she needed, get her where she wanted to go, and keep her from feeling guilty or worried about her parents.

Can I do nothing right. Decorated officer, chief of police, and a complete fuck up of a father.. of a grand father..

Dom took some cautionary steps forward, ignoring Reaper entirely, as he tried to approach Scarlet. His precious jewel. That last bit of sunshine in the darkness that was his life after retirement. His feet would not move and he could not lift his arms in an invitation for any kind of hug, all they did was hang uselessly at his side as he stared at her.

"Scarlet..." He took another step forward. "Why didn't you tell me? You came to my home and I just.. I wanted to spend time with you. To see you let go of it all and start new.. I.. I can't.." The words were stuck in his head as the jumble of emotions took hold but only one could grip him now. He straightened his back and pointed a finger at her. "You want to be scolded for doin' wrong? Fine. Why did you never tell me you felt this way? Why did you never tell me any of the damn feelings stuck in that head and heart of yours! You're fourteen! If you wanted space just tell me. If you wanted to talk just TELL me. If you were hurt just tell me. You say you hate me but you hate what I do. What I do is CARE, care for you, care for your emotional well being, care for how you adjust to living with two 60 year old men."

He slumped his shoulders and took an aggressive step forward, planting both hands on her shoulders and squeezing tight as he could. "I am 65 years old and retired. I am tired, girl. I raised a child before and look how that turned out. My inability has gone down a whole generation and I was trying to fix it. To be a better parent. I was strict with your father. I didn't want that for you. But I cannot give you that space, and do you know why? You have your whole life to live. In 51 years you will be my age, in five years I may be nothing but a memory to you." the faint ghost of tears had begun to swell in his eyes as he expressed that fear once more. "To you I am your grandfather, to me you are my daughter now. You are my responsibility and I love you, Scarlet, with every bit of my soul. You're all I have left. You will survive this even if I have to kill every man that glances at you. Do you understand me?"

---------------------------------------------------

-Delcastle-
-Afternoon / day 17 / LvL 12-

Delcastle leaned on the railing and grinned ear to ear as he turned to look at Cinera all in a blush. The writing was on the wall and even if she didn't admit it he knew the truth. They were compatible, they worked well together, and something like that was more humerous than anything. He put his finger to his mouth and arched an eyebrow, motioning with his head to the fight below. It was coming to an emotional end and that was important to Delcastle who never liked a one-sided fight. He had briefly considered jumping into the fray if this turned into a big event.
Thankfully the Inn was almost empty.

"Dramas high in town today in seems. First you and Sapphira now the old dudes." He couldn't help but laugh as he leaned and and turned to face Cinera. "For the record you don't have to be shy. Truth be told I wanna touch the fox girls tail but I doubt she would like it." He arched an eyebrow again with a dirty grin. "I'd rather grab yours." He gave another laugh and held up his hands. "Kidding. Kidding." Del leaned against the railing and crossed his arms. "Finally come to a conclusion then?" With a little luck she would admit her feelings. A good step forward.

Sapphira smiled when Cinera left the room up to the point when she closed the door. "I am so stupid...", she whispered. She was sure, her short burst of feelings was only because Cinera had nursed her to health, but she was still quite... well... jealous? She didn't exactly know and couldn't figure out her feelings at all. On the one hand, she was pretty happy for her finding somebody to get close to, on the other hand she wanted her just for herself. Of course she knew how selfish that was and Cinera most certainly only saw her as a friend, nothing else, and that was pretty okay for her, or at least that she thought right now.
"Hey, don't beat yourself up that much, Saya, there are a lot of good and nice girls out there. One of them will be your soulmate...", she said loudly to herself. "Now for the clothing..."

She stared intently at the pile of clothing, Delcastle had brought in and picked up a few pieces. "What... how did he manage...", Sapphira exclaimed surprised as she picked up a pair of white-blue striped panties and a similarly coloured bra. "Besides that... how did he get my measurements...", she muttered when, after putting both on, they fit perfectly. This was definitely worth investigating... after she was completely dressed, of course. Quickly she slipped into the skirt and into the cloak, which just covered the hem of the short skirt.
She'd have to be careful, the clothing designer was probably a bit of a pervert, since the skirt, with sufficient lift, could really reveal her underwear. Somehow though, this was a bit of a thrill for Sapphira and also not as likely, since she was so short anyway.
In her last VRMMORPG, she had tried pants, but skirts allowed her more freedom of movement and it cooled her legs down as well, so she stored the pants in her inventory, then turned around and opened, with the hood of the cloak not over her head, the door to find Cinera and Delcastle in conversation of some kind, so she just butted in, starting her investigation.

"Two questions, Del... how did you manage to buy a bra and panties... and how did you know my measurements... for everything... including the underwear...", Sapphira said staring into Delcastle's eyes suspiciously and then into Cinera's as well, which must have looked quite amusing, seeing as the fox girl was almost foot shorter than even Cinera and more for Delcastle.

@Tracyarmav@DestinyStar@Zelosse

Ikanus gets shoved yet again, but he refuses to fight. The first punch glancing off the edge of his mask along with several more punches that he manages to start dodging. "I refuse to apologize for things I did not do" a look aimed the old mans way. One that seemed to be very defiant. He was about to leap up again when scarlet ran through.

He slowly stands up and heads over to Edgar to help him up. Making sure he's okay...once Edgar is up he looks at scarlet, hearing everything. He stays back, giving the both of them space, after all it isn't his business. He watches as the grandfather approaches her both of them dishing out their feelings. He quietly gets Anubis by him and goes through his inventory and states. Basically giving them as much space as he can without leaving the room. When he's done with that, he starts crafting leather things. Still giving them space and remaining quiet. In his mjnd he thinks over where and how he plans on helping strengthen and level them. It would be tough on them but he thinks they can do it.

@Zelosse@DestinyStar@BlackPanther@Tracyarmav

Smarter'n'me
Lvl 15/Day 17/Afternoon
[HP]98%/////////[]

Smart was actually almost done. He could tell that the boy under him hadn't taken advantage, he would have been far more embarrassed if he had. Though, biting was a bit too desperate a move, in Smart's opinion, for a safe zone fight. Still, he was about to jump off and take stock when he suddenly heard a decisive clang followed by a crash. Scarlet was screaming.

Then everything went black for a little while.

When his eyes opened he was hanging halfway out of one of the back windows with an uninspiring view of the back of the next building in line. He blinked. They were talking, something that hardly ever happened at the house. He pulled himself back inside and crouched there below the broken window. Listening hurt. Seeing her eye hurt worse.

So, these two had saved her life, behaved themselves, and formed a party with her. He looked piercingly at the two boys. The older was keeping a respectful distance from the conversation. His level of maturity was actually impressive for one so young yet. The other was both honest and decent. At least, that's what it had felt like while he was beating him. But, all of this brought about two important conclusions.

First, he owed Scarlet and the boys an apology. But, after following Dimitri on such a fools mission, he couldn't think of a way to do it. His eyes grew sad and hard and his bearded chin drooped toward the floor. It might not be too late for those two to fix things but, in the end, Smart wasn't anything but her grandpa's housemate.

"Boys." He said at last, turning his grieved gaze on the two victims of their assault. "Thank you for saving her. And, sorry." His voice was serious and flat, the same voice he used to use in court. The voice he hadn't used in almost twenty years.

He turned the same look toward Scarlet. "I'm sorry, Scarlet." Then he started walking slowly toward one of the undamaged tables that still had undisturbed chairs. It happened to be in a far corner. On his way, he looked at Dom.

"Scarlet slept in a room with a couple of boys, they are in for a world of hurt." He quoted cooly. That was all he said to his friend. His head still rang and his eyes just didn't want to focus well. He stumbled once on the way to a chair and missed it with his hand on his first try, sinking onto it exhaustedly. Once again, he was on the fish-butt-end of a situation and he wasn't even getting yelled at. Just like at the house. It really made him feel... expendable.

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

Tracking was proving to be a difficult skill to train. Perhaps he just needed to gain a few more levels and keep practicing. Dark blue eyes slowly closed. Tailpin took a deep breath where he crouched in a patch of high grass. Then he squeezed his eyes shut, hard. The lack of progress was frustrating. But, even more frustrating than that was the fact that he was just treading water.

As much as he wanted to make progress and advance the guild's development, he couldn't forget his limits and become careless. This meant that he wasn't able to hunt solo at his own level. The monsters here, near Bull's Run, weren't any help for training combat skills or gaining experience anymore. Materials and money came in at a tolerable pace but that wasn't so important right now. He needed to be prepared for the upcoming mission and for going up against other players.

If Delcastle tried to recruit that merchant, and he probably would, then there was a chance that the entire guild would become a target of these "Glitch Fixers". He was one of the lowest level members of the World Walkers. Range wouldn't be such an advantage against other players. He needed more power and better close combat practice. The upcoming mission would give him a major boost if he took advantage of it properly.

He opened his eyes again. He had to stop worrying and start concentrating. There wasn't time to be reckless or distracted. He had to be efficient and effective. Since this method wasn't working, it was time to switch tactics. He started running toward town at a ground eating jog. He would see what he could find at an info broker.

------------------------------
@DestinyStar@BlackPanther@Zelosse@Tracyarmav
Smarter'n'me
Lvl 15/Day 17/Afternoon
[HP]100%//////////[]

Dan had been waiting for this reunion for a long time. But, it was bittersweet to watch from a corner while the storm of buried feelings raged between his closest friend and the deepest and truest love of his life. This little girl was precious. She was the reason his heart had grown so much in retirement. That organ that had tightened and shriveled while he handled one courtroom after another, making them see things the way he wanted them to. This brave girl was the reason why he could feel it beating again.

The ache in his chest felt hot and tight. Smart felt pretty dumb for following Dim-the-dom in here like he had. But, he couldn't bring himself to regret it. This result was well worth it. He was happy for the two of them, seeing them finally build that bridge that they needed. But, he couldn't smile. He was sad for the long memories of things not going right, watching his friend try to fix something that couldn't be fixed. But, his eyes wouldn't shed any tears. He'd been right there, watching and waiting for the two of them to figure it out. And here he was, at the end of his vigil, with the most important lady in the world standing in front of him like a school girl waiting for a scolding.

Dan waited and listened, as he had before. But, with her arms around him and her tears wet on his shoulder, he finally found a tear of his own. It traced a lonely path down his face as his arms came up to rub her back with his bony hands. He knew what she was getting at.

"Shhh." He whispered softly. There were so many things that he wanted to say that they crowded each other and got stuck in his throat. He wanted to tell her that they'd find some way to fix her eye, that he knew things would get better. He wanted to tell her that he was relieved that she and her Grandpappi had finally made up. He wanted to tell her that he was proud of her, more than ever. He wanted to tell her that she was right. Strength is like happiness and faith and hope. You have to build it yourself. Other people can only give bricks and time. And she was really starting to do it right.

He was so very glad that he had lasted long enough to see this. He wrapped his arms around her and squeezed tightly, tighter than his weakened body ever could have in real life. After all his noise and rowdy behavior, after waiting for so many years for this moment, the ex-lawyer was speechless. It took him a long few moments before he found a few words that worked.

"You're not just our pride and joy. You're our glory and treasure too. Keep on shining bright and keep on winning battles." His voice was hoarse but he managed a smile as he loosened his grip. "Just, let us keep close enough to watch. Alright? I still want to tease that old tangle-beard for crying at your wedding one day, you know."

Dom could only stare on in shocked and blissful silence, the weight of existence itself had seemed to lift from his tired old soul. Scarlet, beautiful little scarlet, was growing up and was gonna be a queen in her own right. If she could get used to having two old fleshheaps with her it would make his world all the better. Truth be told Dimitri and Dan had been playing games their whole lives, some virtual and others on friends and family alike, since they were just a pair of ankle biters no bigger than she was. Something had changed though, the years in the courthouse had shriveled them both. Years of police work and yellow tape had taken the humanity from Dimitri as surely as speaking to those idiot jury members had ruined Danny. Stopped being about enjoying the fun and more about escaping the little white death of their existences.
He turned to look at Reaper and Edgar, both boys hadn't intervened a word and did their best to wait it out. Not run off, not defend themselves, not speak a word of anger. They had acted like the men and women Dimitri had called partners for years and felt a kinship form. These were boys who would grow to be men, real men, with a morale compass that may yet steer the world to a better place.
While Scarlet and Smart shared their moment he moved over to stand in front of both of the two mistreated lads. Clearing his throat and standing tall as possible before offering his hand out.

"I don't usually get the chance to apologize in my line of work. Jumped the gun a bit here, and I appreciate you both for bein' good sports about this mess. Promise ta make it up to you both. I uh.. Been through the gorge, whole thing, and can guide your little group through to the fresh spots. Not much for compensation but it's a start. What say ye' both?"
His face was a brimming smile of unfamiliar warmth, it spread through him like fire as both men clasped his hand and nodded. Smart and Scarlet had finished up so he gave a light bow and told them to wait just one more moment.
He came up from behind Scarlet and wrapped his arms around both of his long time best friend and his Granddaughter, crushing them as he felt a trickle roll down his eye. His virtual body denied the appearance of a frail old man he was as he lifted them from the ground with a hearty laugh and enjoyed the fleeting moment.

"A weddin' if she don't scare them off. Girls pure fire and boys won't know what ta do with er! Now girl I want you to know honest and true that issues with your parents ain't ever your fault. People aren't always black and white. Only thing you can do is keep your chin high and swear by the sun and stars never to lose sight of yourself."

He put them both down and tossed a wink her way, playful and meant to tease her. Lass would figure boys out one day and if they got a bit grabby well.. Dom figured he knew how ta solve that issue now. Granted he would investigate a little further before dragging Smart into this mess again. Turning attentions back to the boys, he waved them both over.

"Come on lads, bring 'er over. Got some wrongs to right." He glanced at Smart. Starting with.. And waited for what was inevitably coming.

@DestinyStar@Zelosse@Tracyarmav
Ikanus looks up when Dom speaks to him, holding a belt for each of them except for himself, made this a little bit comical. He tilts his head. "Accepted, and as for a gorge run...two days. We are going to train some...get prepared." He watches Edgar leave and makes a mental note to follow him in a few. "I understand how protective families tend to be" Well....understand and experiencing it are two different things. There is more then one reason he refuses to remove the mask. "With that in mind if you would like to watch from the sidelines you may" He sends a map his way, a map that appears to be of a forest...a forest with a few sparse clearings. "To warn you...my methods are a bit...different but edgar should be bumped up by two levels in two days and scarlet will be better at fighting" He then walks to the table and lays down the belts, each one unique. A red one seems to match scarlet's eye patch and it too has stats designed for her. There is one that is black and white and seems to be of snake skin...apparently he had taken down a snake and got hide from it. It has good stats, but he wasn't sure which o exactly go with so they are a bit general. The next is a solid black belt, designed for Dan. Again not certain on the stats so they are a mix. The last is a rust colored belt...clearly meant for Edgar and he doesnt put that down, rather puts it in his inventory.

He then turns to the older man. "....I don't mean to sounds rude but....please...dont...hug me" He looks down. "I um..." He rubs the back of his neck...he suddenly seems...very young...and very vulnerable. His voice goes down to a whisper. "Ive had some...bad....experiences" He seems to tense up waiting for the question...the why. The explanation...the uncomfortableness...the things that usually come as soon as people see his face. Though now...its because he is afraid...afraid of being enclosed. Afraid of being close to someone else body...mainly...afraid of being held close to another man. A fear engrained in him early on. Even though he actually likes interacting with other people...his real life job and his goals showing that despite everything he still likes people.

@DestinyStar@BlackPanther@Zelosse

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

Smart was in a great mood to share hugs of glowing affirmation and filial love with Scarlet. Dom, on the other hand, was owed a very different kind of affirmative contact. The crushing hug was something he could easily bear and Dom's words did deserve to be heard. So, he didn't complain or fight. He just stayed relaxed until it was over.

Dom looked at him. He knew what was coming. It was almost impossible for him to not know how far over the line he'd gone this time. But, the other people around them were a more urgent and important thing to pay attention to.

One of the boys had left in a huff, justified though it was, with a parting flip for Dom alone. At least he seemed to respect Smart's own apology enough to not send him a share of the bird. The more mature one was offering the fruits of his labors to them. Mask or not, he really was the leader type. But, for all his planning and strategy, Scarlet had more raw magnetism. It would be fun watching how they sorted their group dynamic out. The boy was offering belts for all, but he was paying most of his attention to the dominating-hug-master. So, Smart didn't respond right away.

But he found himself laughing softly at Scarlet's embarrassment. Of course she would get a boyfriend someday. Their were going to be plenty of eager candidates for that spot with how she was developing. But, that meant a different problem. Where to hide the bodies.

"Scarlet, you talk like there's doubt. Of course they wont be good enough for you. Hell, the right one wont be good enough for you ether." He said with a chuckle and a smirk. "You vouching is all that'll save that one." The smirk froze for just a second when she touched the patch. It was hurting her, but she was handling it.

Smart stood up and crossed the space between him and the clearly-uncomfortable-mask-wearing-leather-and-buckles-fan. He accepted the trade quickly for the belt that was offered to him. It had the same armor as the one he had but the stat boosts were a plus so he put it on right away. Besides, those stats would come in handy sooner rather than later.

"Thank you, young man. If you pick up a trade in real life like you have here, you're sure to be successful." He said, smiling. "Now, if you'll excuse me for a moment."

He equipped his tonfa. The two weapons materialized at his hips and he readied them quietly before jumping straight up. With a flip, he planted his feet against a rafter and kicked off powerfully. His downward lunge drove his reinforced punch into Dom's chest hard enough to carry him through one chair, which shattered to bits, and into another which slid backwards until it fetched up against the wall with a thump. The moment after that thump, a crash signaled the end of another chair as it careened into Dom's head, shattering into shards that bounced about the room, providing colorful lighting for the split instant when Smart landed just in front of Dom.

All of that jumping power went into an uppercut with the blunt tonfa. Only the immortal object status of the ceiling spared the room above from having a suddenly installed emergency exit. For the briefest moment, the two old men hung there. One with his head pinned between the ceiling and a tonfa, the other with an expression similar to a man conducting a somewhat unpleasant dissection. Their eyes met. Then they started falling and Smart raised his knee and kicked backward, throwing himself into a forward spin that abruptly ended in a single blurry instant.

Then he hit the ground, landing on his feet. He stood up and returned his tonfa to his inventory. His boney hands briskly brushed his sleeves as though to remove dust.

"Now, we're even." Said the ex-lawyer.

As for Dom, he landed outside, in the remnants of the window through which he had been ejected by the force of Smart's downward slash. While the remnants were reduced to shards of light, the bearded man remained. Smart approached the window and raised his voice to announce a matter of great importance to the slowly thinning crowd outside that was now frozen in place by surprise.

"And, THAT! My good people, is how you conduct a proper defenestration! Thank you. Have nice day."