HangYourSecrets

In Bloom [HangYourSecrets x megatrash] [18+]

As Rob listened to Jane argue with the others about her roommate, he couldn’t help but look out his own window and laugh. Perhaps it wasn’t polite for him to get in on this one (it was already two against one), but Austin had already asked him to be in on the bet days ago. Rob remembered it distinctly:

---

I’m telling you.

The words jumped off Rob’s phone through beads of sweat that had poured onto his phone. He was in the middle of a practice session. J’s fucking Lena. Twenty bucks says so.

Rob couldn’t help but laugh. And he wanted in on it, too. He really did. But after the earlier argument the two had had over the single mastering, he figured it best not to involve himself.

Well, mostly.

Going to have to pass. This sounds right up Sam’s alley, though. Plus…yeah. She’s totally fucking her.

Rob hit send on his phone and smiled, before returning to his session.

---

Rob thought about that memory as the car returned to it’s quite state—minus the radio. The thought of Jane and Lena together definitely wasn’t appealing. Plus, one was definitely hotter than the other.

Rob jolted slightly when he felt Jane nudge him. He had always been jumpy, but Jane had been doing this recently. Like a week ago, when she had put a hand on his shoulder, and left it there—


“Are you fucking stoked, or what?” She had asked. Suddenly the past few moments caught up the Rob. He gave Jane a smile as he took the joint from her fingers a took a considerable hit, before offering it to the other two band-members. He kept the cigarette she offered him for later.

“Have you heard me play high?” Sam said. When Rob looked to Austin, he merely shook his head.

“Whatever,” Rob said, before taking another hit.

He turned his attention back to Jane; her unkempt hair blowing in the wind. He hadn’t noticed it before. Funny, how he hadn’t.

“Yeah, I’m starving,” he said, as-a-matter-of-factly. “Plus—“

Rob reached down to Jane’s feet, picking up her cell phone. He checked the time, but noticed a considerable number of voicemails from Lena.

“—We’ve got a few hours.”

He tossed the phone into Jane’s lap, by her purse, before looking back out the window. As they crossed the Arizona state line, a song from Rob’s driving playlist started up: Regular John - Queens of the Stone Age.

Rob nodded his head to the beat, tapping his upper legs with his hands, kicking the floorboards as a bass petal, mimicking the drum beat. His long hair slid out from his hoodie and poked at his eyes. Maybe growing this shit out isn’t worth it…

“I swear, if we eat fucking Taco Bell again…” he said absentmindedly. He knew Sam’s penchant for burritos. He was not about to do that to intestines before a show. Not again.

After the End

Amos had been staying by himself in an inn, just a hour’s pace from where Fort Washington stood, above the Potomac. It too nestled the rushing river, and it’s sound had lulled him into a deep slumber, in which he had remained until a knock came at his door in the early morning.

It had been another beggar child. Not that the their status had bothered him, particularly. But the fact that his namesake and his skills with the elements had spread so quickly among the poor bothered Amos. He was not a savior, but one man, willing to help those in need. He quickly gave the child a vile of a usual mixture; a green-tinted fluid meant to bring general healing to the body, and he was on his way.

As the walked to the keep, his long, dark locks remained in his eyes from the crosswind blowing through the alleyways. Something about the morning seemed off to the alchemist. Though the thought of a long travel with strangers was not a comforting one, it was something more. Perhaps it was the spirit above him, reminding him of the import of this mission. How this coin would help fund a lasting store to bring some help to this world. Heaven knows there hasn’t been anything but pain in recent years.

Amos, after arriving, wasn’t sure what to make of his new traveling companions. There was a younger man among them, seeming built for the trip, or at least the inevitable hunts. His looming horse casted a stark shadow o’er both his owner and the surrounding travelers.

The opposite side stood a much older man, scarred and marred no doubt from war. It was best there’d be altered men among there group, and Amos was glad to have an experienced member among them.

The third was surprisingly sleeker and smaller than the previous two. His mouth opened and a lighter, higher tone arose from what Amos had expected. He seemed a child in a much harsher world than himself. Amos made a mental note, but chose not to speak a word of his thoughts till the time proved himself wrong. Or right.

The third man suggested the third route. Fitting coincidences aside, Amos found himself wondering if this was the best option.

“The trip northward seems safer, aye,” he agreed, looking to his companions, and the third man in particular. “I’d be pressed to take it, but there’s the reason we came together in the first place.”

Amos nodded a head to the merchant whose gold had brought the team together on the count of the king.

“I’m willing to take either the inland path or the northern,” Amos continued, “but I suppose an argument could be made for both. It’d be wrong to choose so quickly without considering.”

In the back of his mind Amos knew his suggestion had come from his own fear of the sea options. He hadn’t the stomach for such long journeys. But, in his own mind, he felt as if the third option was smartest. Still, as he suggested, it couldn’t hurt to consider everything in front of them.

Amos watched as a boy, not yet a man, trudged back to the circle the strangers had formed from a hooded woman. He wasn’t sure what to make of the sight, so he held his judgement, and watched as her apparent servant spoke on her behalf.

In Bloom [HangYourSecrets x megatrash] [18+]

Rob closed his eyes, and for a moment, embraced the noise; the distorted endless ringing of an electric guitar.

He was exactly four minutes into Right In Two - Tool. His morning routine.

His hands moved over to the electric pads, and began their endless rhythm. Diddles, triplets, and syncopation galore. The guitars hummed along behind his tapping. There were no key signatures here. No coordination with the bassist or guitar. Just free-form tapping. For eighty seconds, the song would continue as it was. Just solo drums. Just the way Rob liked it.

Slowly, the other instruments would fade in. Chugging by the guitars and bass. Then, with a quick roll, Rob switched from the electronics to the acoustics.

Here, the toms dominated the songwriting. Timed crashes matched tones from the bass. The singer glided over the lines:


Fight, over life, over blood, over prayer. Overhead and light.

Next came more madness; and endless wall of noise in sight, and nothing but the drums in front of him to replicate the maddening tapestry. His eyes locked shut. Sweat poured down his face.

His mind strained to lock onto the 11/8 time signature. Slowly, the song devolved into syncopated hits. Here, there was nothing but noise. Wet locks of hair stuck onto Rob’s face and eyes. The sticks were beginning to slip through his fingers. And still he marched on.

Hit. Hit. Hit-hit. Hit. Hit. Hit-hit. Hit. Hit. Hit-hit.


Finally, with a final roll, Rob had propelled the song into it’s final chorus. In his mind, his job was complete. By the time he finished the song and jumped into the shower, it was only seven-thirty.

---

Rob’s life was always very organized. Especially today, at the beginning of the tour.

He made sure to pack everything, and dress well; his grey hoodie over a brown V-neck, black jeans, and converse. Sure…it was generic for him. But it was Rob. Everything was monochromatic in his wardrobe. No point in changing that now.

Rob wanted nothing to go wrong here. He had convinced his parents to help him with the cash to purchase a second touring kit, so that Rob didn’t need to bring his lavish, complex one on the road. He doubted he’d have the time to set the damn thing up if he had taken it instead of the new kit.

He thought about the new kit—which was lying, ready to be loaded near the front door—as he ate his morning breakfast.

Two hard-boiled eggs stared back at him from the plate. He knew this would be the last time he had the time or the money to eat so nice for a while.

A part of him was very glad the tour was happening. Their new single had been attracting enough attention to help pay for it, for once, and it would be good for the band. Sam, Austin, and Jane all seemed to be happy about it too, as far as he could tell.

The other part of him wasn’t exactly pleased, either. The single was great, sure, but it was undeniably basic. Rudimentary. Catchy. The kind of song radios would pick up, but not the kind Rob liked to play. What’s the point if there’s no need to even practice the song? Theres no fun with no challenge.

Jane had talked to him about it earlier that week, and gotten him more appreciative of the track than he was before. For all of their issues, Jane knew how to calm Rob down, and Rob knew how to manage Jane’s rougher edges. In some ways, they complimented each other like this. If she wasn’t in the band, Rob would surely quit. Sam and Austin were nice guys, and good at what they do, but the were friends of circumstance. Jane, Rob actually enjoyed being around.

When the room shook as Jane played on the horn, however, Rob considered changing his chain of thought.

“Fuck,” he muttered to himself, before standing up. He had forgotten the group message, and no matter how often she’d honk at him to leave, it was still startle him.

Heading outside, Rob silently opened the backdoors of the van and loaded his touring kit, before throwing in his own bag of shit atop the others. Just before closing the door, Rob opened the side compartment on his bag. Nestled inside was a leather-bound journal, just where he had placed it. Content, Rob turned, closed the doors and headed for his own reserved seat.

“Hey J,” Rob said through a smile as he sat in his seat. The way the words rolled off his tongue ensured he’d never stop saying it. “Sam. Austin,” he through out, looking back at them. By their looked, neither seemed too receptive of his happiness. Perhaps they had known him long enough to know it wouldn’t last long.

Taking the AUX chord, Rob through on another hardcore tune. Kill Me Quickly - Thrice.

Something about this specific song felt good to play. It was the first on the album it came from. And this was a first for his band, too. They hadn’t embarked on a tour this long before, and he hoped that that was a good thing. One step closer to finding a way out for him.

“Fuckin’ unreal,” he said aloud, thinking about all that was happening. “This oughta be fun.”

In Bloom [HangYourSecrets x megatrash] [18+]

Name: Jackson Robert Pennie

Nicknames: Known by his middle name, Robert, but more specifically, Rob. Hates being called “Jack.”

Age: 24

Favorite Song: Panic Attack - Dream Theater. Rob practiced the drums to this song constantly, and still does on occasion, although his technical skill has moved far past this.

Appearance:



Rob is in the middle of what he deems a “transitional period.” After deciding to grow out his thick brown hair some time ago, hoodies have been making a comeback with him, and fast. His beard, however, had been on his face since he’d been able to grow one.

Physically fit, although slightly malproportioned, Rob is extraordinary strong in the arms and chest but albeit normal below the waist. He’s taking up hiking to compensate in recent years.

Hobbies: Drumming, hiking, drinking, smoking (old habits), and most things seclusive. He has a habit of journaling, although he tried quite hard to hide it.

Personality: Most people erroneously assume Rob to be generally bi-polar, and very nearly sociopathic. In reality, he can just be particular, forward, distant, and driven.

Balancing a rigorous, unyielding regimen on practicing his instrument and being seclusive with a loud, abrasive personality at night, Rob tends to throw people off with the things he deems with his time. Even those closest to him never really get to see a change in his pattern, or ever feel rather close to him. Simply put, Rob is aggressive about what he deems important. Whatever he desires, he goes for. He’s unconcerned with feelings, social structure, or rules.

History: Growing up in the same town as the rest of his bandmates, Rob faced a lot of personal conflict and issues with his own identity. He was the only adopted child of two very wealthy, but very busy parents, and eventually raised himself up. Rob juggled and toyed with many hobbies, before eventually settling on the drums, and managing to practice nearly every night since Junior High. His drive eventually led him to several of the friendships that resulted in the band. Whether these are genuine or circumstantial friendships, Rob still isn’t sure of. All he knows is that this band could be his ticket out of that dreadful town.

At the very least, this tour will be.

After the End

Amos Breckenridge

Amos Breckenridge / Male / 35

Appearance

Naturally tan-skinned and black of hair, Amos is naturally defined by stark, sharp features. A healthy beard constantly holds his face for ease of maintenance rather than definition or style. His thick, black locks of hair have slowly grown longer; Amos simply pushes the worst offenders back and out of his face.

His body build is naturally thinner than most, and the lack of strong physical activity in his life makes no improvements upon his leaner build. He is of average height, standing above most women but shorter than what most would consider to be a fighter’s height. His only truly defining features are his dark, expressive eyes and a long gash of charred skin across his back—that never fully healed.

Personality

Amos is naturally introverted, introspective, and dispassionate to a degree. His skill set and his build naturally set him up to be a follower; a position he’d happy oblige to fill, regardless of his own personal opinion. Amos, though quiet, enjoys small connections; a conversation over a meal, or a lively discussion between one or two others. People willing to listen will find Amos to be quite opinionated. His time listening to others fuels many thoughts and feelings that he’ll happily share with others if given the opportunity. He’ll develop close bonds to those who engage him verbally, perhaps too quickly.

Amos has a respect for those who are master’s in their own field, which leads to a short patience when it comes to those who do not respect his own skills. Amos knows exactly what he’s good at and exactly what he’s not.

Background

Amos was raised in a small village, just outside of one of the many city-states that create the tapestry of the Hundred Realms. Perhaps it was this upbringing that continues to persuade him to keep himself humbly clothed or socially introverted, but regardless, the life he led at the time was one of calm, and of peace. He grew up a normal child, albeit sheltered, and enjoyed the fruits of a living cultivated from soil. It was here where his first love was born; that of the earth, and of the elements that remained: air, water, and fire.

Amos apprenticed with the local alchemist, and soon learned far more than even his mentor in this field. The idea of the Predecessors and their advanced knowledge of the elements fueled the flame within Amos to continue on a route of study. Amos and his master would continue on experimenting with the elements, the things of the fields and of the elements within for many more years, until Amos eventually married. He and his new wife—a simple baker by the name of Adrianna, able to retire from the practice after wedlock—left his home, and traveled, living as a practicing Alchemist. Is was in these years that Adrianna taught Amos in the skill of cooking as well.

Amos traveled and lived well within the boundaries of the Hundred Realms until the sudden loss of his wife to illness stopped him dead in his tracks. She died a quick, painful death, and even Amos’ abilities in alchemy, and medicine could not save her.

She bore him no children.

He spent the next year in mourning, returning home to his father’s keep and working for him once more. After her face had faded away in his mind, Amos no longer felt the call to sit and wait, but rather to continue on. To become more learned, more skilled in his craft, and a better person.

He enjoyed the finer things of the world for a time, engaging in wines and socializing with the wealthy in order to access their own libraries, making sure to repay them with salves and, for those more demanding, even occasional poisons.

Near a decade past, and now the desire to knowledge and mastery has driven Amos to a need finance his academic endeavors. Wanting to finally settle down, Amos has taken the call to adventure in hopes of financing a permanent space of academia and alchemy, to teach others and to perhaps find solace in the world.

Motivation

Amos, along with a desire to see what lies beyond the Hundred Realms, needs the money and promised treasures to finally give himself a chance to settle down, and create a center in one of the more populous cities in the Realms for those willing to learn. It’s a project in the works for years, and driven by the early death of his wife Adrianna. Amos ultimately wants the solace and closure in knowing he spent his best days building something that helped others, and possibly prevent a fellow man from loosing his own loved ones.

Equipment

While unable to bring the total extent of his collection of tools, kits, and chemicals with him, Amos has prepared a bag full of pre-made salves, herbs, spices, and other conceptions he deemed necessary, along with the tools to create more if need be. He has also brought in his bag a few medical and cooking tools that could be needed, as well as a fighting knife, for protection. He also walks with a staff, simple and wooden, but possibly useful in combat if need be.

Traits

+1 Basic Weapons
+1 Thick-Skinned
+3 Alchemy
+2 Medic
+1 Chef
-1 Weak

After the End

@DeltaV Understood, and glad to be on board.

After the End

Amos Breckenridge

Amos Breckenridge / Male / 35

Appearance

Naturally tan-skinned and black of hair, Amos is naturally defined by stark, sharp features. A healthy beard constantly holds his face for ease of maintenance rather than definition or style. His thick, black locks of hair have slowly grown longer; Amos simply pushes the worst offenders back and out of his face.

His body build is naturally thinner than most, and the lack of strong physical activity in his life makes no improvements upon his leaner build. He is of average height, standing above most women but shorter than what most would consider to be a fighter’s height. His only truly defining features are his dark, expressive eyes and a long gash of charred skin across his back—that never fully healed.

Personality

Amos is naturally introverted, introspective, and dispassionate to a degree. His skill set and his build naturally set him up to be a follower; a position he’d happy oblige to fill, regardless of his own personal opinion. Amos, though quiet, enjoys small connections; a conversation over a meal, or a lively discussion between one or two others. People willing to listen will find Amos to be quite opinionated. His time listening to others fuels many thoughts and feelings that he’ll happily share with others if given the opportunity. He’ll develop close bonds to those who engage him verbally, perhaps too quickly.

Amos has a respect for those who are master’s in their own field, which leads to a short patience when it comes to those who do not respect his own skills. Amos knows exactly what he’s good at and exactly what he’s not.

Background

Amos was raised in a small village, just outside of one of the many city-states that create the tapestry of the Hundred Realms. Perhaps it was this upbringing that continues to persuade him to keep himself humbly clothed or socially introverted, but regardless, the life he led at the time was one of calm, and of peace. He grew up a normal child, albeit sheltered, and enjoyed the fruits of a living cultivated from soil. It was here where his first love was born; that of the earth, and of the elements that remained: air, water, and fire.

Amos apprenticed with the local alchemist, and soon learned far more than even his mentor in this field. The idea of the Predecessors and their advanced knowledge of the elements fueled the flame within Amos to continue on a route of study. Amos and his master would continue on experimenting with the elements, the things of the fields and of the elements within for many more years, until Amos eventually married. He and his new wife—a simple baker by the name of Adrianna, able to retire from the practice after wedlock—left his home, and traveled, living as a practicing Alchemist. Is was in these years that Adrianna taught Amos in the skill of cooking as well.

Amos traveled and lived well within the boundaries of the Hundred Realms until the sudden loss of his wife to illness stopped him dead in his tracks. She died a quick, painful death, and even Amos’ abilities in alchemy, and medicine could not save her.

She bore him no children.

He spent the next year in mourning, returning home to his father’s keep and working for him once more. After her face had faded away in his mind, Amos no longer felt the call to sit and wait, but rather to continue on. To become more learned, more skilled in his craft, and a better person.

He enjoyed the finer things of the world for a time, engaging in wines and socializing with the wealthy in order to access their own libraries, making sure to repay them with salves and, for those more demanding, even occasional poisons.

Near a decade past, and now the desire to knowledge and mastery has driven Amos to a need finance his academic endeavors. Wanting to finally settle down, Amos has taken the call to adventure in hopes of financing a permanent space of academia and alchemy, to teach others and to perhaps find solace in the world.

Motivation

Amos, along with a desire to see what lies beyond the Hundred Realms, needs the money and promised treasures to finally give himself a chance to settle down, and create a center in one of the more populous cities in the Realms for those willing to learn. It’s a project in the works for years, and driven by the early death of his wife Adrianna. Amos ultimately wants the solace and closure in knowing he spent his best days building something that helped others, and possibly prevent a fellow man from loosing his own loved ones.

Equipment

While unable to bring the total extent of his collection of tools, kits, and chemicals with him, Amos has prepared a bag full of pre-made salves, herbs, spices, and other conceptions he deemed necessary, along with the tools to create more if need be. He has also brought in his bag a few medical and cooking tools that could be needed, as well as a fighting knife, for protection. He also walks with a staff, simple and wooden, but possibly useful in combat if need be.

Traits

+1 Basic Weapons
+1 Thick-Skinned
+3 Alchemy
+2 Medic
+1 Chef
-1 Weak

EDIT: Fixed the hider.

After the End -- A Post-Apocalyptic Fantasy RP

This sounds very interesting. I've experienced too many issues in playing this genre of game in the Casual forms so I'd be more than interested in taking on an Advanced RP of this nature.

Just a quick question:

Everyone gets 7 points to work with. Positive traits costs points, while negative traits give you them. In other words, if you've already used up your five but absolutely must have another positive trait, you can take some negatives to balance things out

Just to be clear, there are 7 points, not 5, right? I'm already looking at possible trait options.

Open Waters (Slots Open!)

Thank you.

We should be starting up again real soon. Just waiting for two conversations to wrap up and we'll move forward to the next day. I'll be assuming anyone more than 2-3 weeks since activity on their accounts are uninterested in continuing, and look strongly for replacements once I have a good sense of who's still around.

We're absolutely moving forward, sorry for all the delays!

Open Waters (Slots Open!)

@PM Absolutely! You can check this post for some more information, but feel free to ignore the gender stuff. We've have a few more openings since then. Feel free to PM me if you're interested and we can work something out to fill you in.