Regaldo’s Saturday afternoon odd encounter(Axle)
Date: 2026-05-16 14:44
(Regaldo’s Saturday afternoon odd encounter(Axle):Axle)
[Sat May 16 2026]
On a New York City street passing a large office building/span
This street is bustling, at any time of day. Men and women in business attire rush back and forth between the offices along the street, and a fair few carry coffee cups from one of a few scattered cafes along the way. Standing alongside the street is one of the larger office buildings in the row, its highest windows disappearing into the distance of the sky.
It is morning/span, about 76F(24C) degrees, and there are a few wispy white clouds in the sky. The mist is heaviest At Autumn and Blackstone/span
Once the whole reality-warping and -distorting ceases, and she finds herself in N.Y.C, Selene can’t help but take a moment to play tourist. Real briefly. It’s a first time in this famous city, and its bustle alone is enough to provide ample distraction. It’s as she is looking around that her eyes cross over an office building that quite catches the attention if not for its sheer size compared to the others around. Up the eyes go, tracking it all the way as far as the eyes can see, and that’s what gets her to scrunch the nose. “.. Don’t tell me we’re destinated all the fucking way up there..”
This time when the group emerges from the mirror, it is not to a dingy street… but a small, cramped office. The mirror has been placed against the wall opposite the door, providing, a little space for the emerging team, but not much. The office is bare, save a window, which looks down on a busy street just a floor below. Across the way, a similar office building, though this one much, much taller, rises into the sky. Below, men and women in business attire bustle back in forth, some armed heavily with briefcases, while others are carrying coffees in styrofoam cups. A few are returning from lunch at this hour, while others are hurrying along on some other task that is incomprehensible to the average viewer. The door has been left unlocked, allowing the group to exit and descend to the street level with little issue.
It would seem that Yukino has actually dressed quite appropriately for the weather here. Crop top, jeans. She does glance at the windows, then asks. “Might one be reminded if openly carrying a firearm might be alright in this city?”
Following Selene’s gaze out the window, Axle nods. “That’s it. I never saw it from outside. But that’s it. I’d recognize that god awful climb anywhere.” He strides to the window, staring down at the street for a moment. “Busy day. We should be able to get across without trouble.”
Regaldo puffs out his cheeks briefly and looks up towards the skyline for a good place to set up as he mentions, “Yea, I need to get off the street with this rifle.” softly.
“If we hurry…” Axle ponders, glancing back to his own weapons. “Your probably right…” He rubs his beard. “But I’d not feel too right going in unarmed.”
Yukino takes her phone from her harness pocket and looks down at starts doing something on it.
After less than a minute, Yukino looks up and mentions. “One might say it won’t be too difficult to avoid police troubles with these weapons, it seems.” She does not elaborate.
“I won’t ask questions.” Regaldo assures with a grin, “So, am I coming in with you guys or finding a perch?”
“Your choice.” Axle tells Regaldo, giving Yukino a strange look as he moves to the door.
Well. That’s no good news. Lord knows how many stories up that skyscraper goes, but Selene looks like that number is far too big either way. At least the matter’s forgotten as the others around her begin worrying over their equipment, the fact that they’re strapped up in public view. “You could try being a bit less overt about it..” she remarks, understanding the concerns of showing up without a weapon on your person, but looking amused at the current approach. But that’s when good news comes from Yukino, who cleverly helps set the group up to actually continue on right away. “.. Full of surprises, huh?” With Axle then moving on, she makes to join him, keeping her weaponry stowed away securely in its holsters and hidden sheaths.
Regaldo doesn’t comment as he gives a two-fingered salute and heads off to a nearby building. He seems to be humming ‘Secret Tunnel’ or something close to it.
“One might only be able to provide a little bit of help, it seems.” Yukino says, her phone is slid back into the pocket of her harness. “If we were to consider a little bit, perhaps we might conclude that sir Regaldo’s perching or accompanying might depend on if sir Axle and miss Selene might prefer approaching diplomatically or violently.”
“I’d rather diplomacy.” Axle admits. “But, it could be better to have insurance.” He opens the door for Regaldo, before leading the others out, down to the street level.
“You think you’d be able to see jack-shit when we’re possibly all the way up there.” the question that Selene has comes voiced, once Yukino’s asked her question to the group. Again, she turns her eye up towards the office building and how high up it climbs.
The street is still bustling as the group emerges, people flowing by in an endless tide of clamoring noise and cheap cologne. The office building across the street is, if not completely clear, a little less crowded than the street. A few people enter and exit, enough to disguise notice, but not quite enough to be a deluge of bodies.
“One wonders if it might have been better to have worn her more business centered attire today, perhaps.” Yukino says, looking across the street. “One might say… there might have been a little more to consider before arriving, one thinks.”
“Maybe…” Axle muses, staring across the street as he lingers with the others by the initial office building. “We might stick out a bit. But if we want to talk, that could get us in quicker?”
Regaldo taps his earpiece as he heads off into the building, transmitting with a faint bit of static, “Just advise me of what floor and which side you’re on so I can get eyes on you as you go up. If things go south, also let me know that. Good luck you lot.”
Reaching for his own earpiece, Axle taps it. “Will do. I’ll tell you when we’re in.” He says, before dropping his hand and continuing to stare across the street.
“Give me your phone..” Selene remarks, just before Regaldo steps away. She steps over to him, extending a hand. “.. I’ll link it with an app of mine. You should be able to properly track inside. You can follow us without us having to, you know.. obviously talk into an earpiece. Be kind of a give-away if we keep reporting our floors and rooms.”
Regaldo does this before wandering off, it would seem, handing his phone over to Selene to link it with her app.
Regaldo wonders if Selene actually needs the phone?
Yukino gives Axle a blank look, then looks at Selene. Her eyes darken a little bit, she takes a deep breath in, exhales and then picks up her phone again. This time, she makes a call. The language drops into Japanese. “Nishimura-sama. One finds herself needing to consult a place in New York City. Might the Boardroom be able to arrange a meeting, if it is alright to ask?”
What can go wrong, handing your phone to someone who then installs an app, creates a tunnel to link it with her own phone, and establish a link between two broadcasting devices. It’s work that gets done remarkably quickly, at least. Once it’s setup, the phone is handed back, along with a last, “.. keep your eyes sharp, either way. Let us know if suspicious people enter the building after us.” Then, Selene joins the others again.
Maeve makes her way down, catching a few words from Yukino’s call, but remaining quiet as she listens.
For his part, Regaldo departs around the time Maeve shows up, heading off into a different building while humming to himself.
When Yukino turns back, this time it might have taken a few minutes, she slides the phone away. “One might say there could be a visitor’s arrangement made, perhaps. It might be best if sir Axle leads, one thinks.” She says, looking up at Axle.
Again turning to stare at Yukino, Axle nods slowly, seemingly noticing Maeve just then and giving her one as well. “Alright…” He says slowly, before turning and waving the group forward, moving on into the pressing wave of pedestrians.
Maeve slips to follow in Axle’s shadow, as is proper, with a quiet, “Sorry, Ax, had a family… let’s call it a family meeting I had to phone into,” she mutters.
Yukino looks just a little concerned when she follows after Axle across the street.
That’s taken care of handily, with that phone of Yukino’s proving helpful in securing them a path forward again. “Two-oh for tech.” Selene remarks lightly, to herself mostly, expressions light and optimistic as she tags along with Axle Inc. Helps it’s quite delightful out, and she’s still a bit high on that tourist air of a first-time N.Y.C. visit.
The group crosses over to the other side with little issue, Axle’s size easily clearing a path for the others to walk relatively unharassed by elbows and dress shoes across to the other side. When they make it, however, there is already someone waiting. A woman in a dark suit, eyes down, stands just inside the doors. When all of the group are within sight, she makes a beckoning motion, before turning, beginning to walk further into the building. In that brief moment of the turn, something metallic catches the light, reflecting sharply back before she is already moving, heading deeper in.
Yukino makes a little huff before she adjusts into her more formal posture, shoulders settling, chin lifting slightly, hands folding at her front. She falls into step behind Axle, her eyes tracking the metallic glint on the suited woman before returning forward.
Maeve notices the glint, but doesn’t seem too concerned with it – after all, who knows how many knives she carries on her person at any given time? Certainly nothing to be worried about.
While tagging along, Selene makes little effort to really stand out. She’s got the benefits of short height and a 6’9 barrier to kind of obscure around, to look at those that pass them by, stealing a quick peak into a random room or two possibly walked by. Not like she knows where they’re even supposed to be going, other than an elevator. Maybe some sign tells people what floor to go to, for what kind of businesses. They’re looking for a financial consultants.
Regaldo starts ascending the adjacent building with his phone flipped open, curiously eying the app Selene installed on it. “Now let’s see, which button was it…” mumbles out of the short man while he fidgets with the new tech on his phone.
Continuing through the sliding glass doors, the group finds themselves in a wide lobby, with a set of elevators opposite them, along with two halls curving away out of sight on either side. The elevators, indeed, seem to be the intended target of their impromptu guide, as she stops to allow them to catch up, before pressing the up button. The elevator dings, a neon “39” flashing up on the display, which begins to slowly drop as the elevator descends. The woman turns. She is rather plain featured, with brown eyes and auburn hair, which has been tied back in a severe knot behind her head. Whatever flash of metal was seen, it does not show again as she gives the group a cordial smile. “Good afternoon. I am Vivian Samson, the Secretary for Dr. McBriar. You have a meeting with him, yes?” She pauses, studying the rather odd assortment of people. “He is expecting you.” Just then the elevator dings, showing a “1.b” On the display, and the doors slide open. “Right this way please.” And, turning on a heel, Vivian steps onto the elevator, a rather expansive car large enough to hold the entire party and then some.
Yukino steps onto the elevator after Axle, positioning herself toward the back. Her hands remain folded at her front. She glances briefly at the floor indicator, then at Vivian Samson, then forward again. She says nothing.
“Well shit.” Regaldo grouses as he sees the floor the rest of the party stops on as he makes his way onto the elevator in his building. “Going up.” he utters as he presses a button as close to the floor the others are on as he can.
Maeve settles in at Axle’s left, putting herself near the doors, just in case, eyes tracing over Ms. Samson. She does not offer a name, or more than a polite nod and smile, the latter forced.
Regaldo misread that apparently the party went down.
does indeed lead the way onto the elevator, taking a position near the doors.
‘1.b’ is an odd thing to see on the display, or at least it certain is nothing like the ’39’ they saw previously. Soon as the doors open and the group parts from the elevators, Selene just has to make sure they’re even above ground at this point. Because if not, there’s a certain someone who might struggle to provide overwatch for them. Not that this concern becomes a visible one, with her offering a polite ‘thank you’ to Vivian as they part from her. Another quick survey follows once those doors are shut, perhaps to look over name plates on office doors or something along those lines.
Selene also assumed we went down?
The group has not went anywhere yet, the elevator currently on the “1.b” floor with Vivian waiting in the car along with Axle and Yukino.
Regaldo withdraws emote. apparently jumped the gun.
As the elevator doors close, Vivian reaches out, tapping a button labeled “40.a”. The elevator immediately begins to rise, steadily ascending through the shaft. Then, she speaks once more. “We appolagize for the mix up with your appointment. There was a filing error. Which one would be Dr. Mikage?” She turns to scan the car’s occupants, eyes passing over each in turn.
Regaldo mutters something about leg day as he heads towards the stairs for now, ascending that way until the rest of the group solidly winds up on a floor.
Yukino winces, as subtly as she might, before taking a deep breath in. She glances up at Vivian and says, with a faint, friendly smile that does not reach her eyes. “One might be Dr. Mikage, it seems. One might have heard things were prepared.” She does not elaborate.
Well. After a particular rumour in town, nobody’d be surprised to learn that Selene is not a doctor. The apology for the confusion gets dismissived with a smile ‘don’t worry’, and her eyes are already tracked onto Yukino as the inquiry comes for Doctor Mikage. “I’m only her assistants.” gets bluffed, but hey, she’s seen a specific badge on those bodyguards of the short Asian before, which gets briefly flashed as a way to try dismiss inquiries cast her way.
“I see.” Vivian studies Yukino for a moment, before nodding. “Welcome, Dr. Mikage.” The elevator floor indicator continues to rise, though sometimes the floor number is followed by a letter, mostly A and then B, though in some cases, C is also used. Faintly audible, elevator music compliments the boredom of the ride up the long, long elevator shaft. The car is lit, though not by the best of lighting, a bit too harshly done for comfort, similar to that of the tunnels beneath Boston.
Axle eyes Yukino as they rise, though he doesn’t necessarily look surprised by the revelation of her status.
Yukino makes a very faint dip of her head to Vivian. Her hands remain folded, but she stands a little more upright. Her expression is settled to something more professional. “One is grateful for the welcome, Miss Samson. One might say Dr. McBriar’s time is appreciated, perhaps.”
Maeve taps at something on her phone, resting rich bitch face on, a little smug, a bit haughty, as she plays what is absolutely a tamagotchi ripoff, but with an imp, though in reality she is observing their guide, just more subtly. Her surprise is pushed under the RBF, something to question later.
“Dr. McBriar is of course, very enthusiastic to meet you, Dr. Mikage.” Vivian responds, smile still set firmly in place. “He has been looking forward to this appointment for quite some time.”
Yukino keeps herself sttled as she is. “One might say the feeling is mutual, perhaps. One hopes the meeting might prove useful for everyone, one thinks.”
Finally, a light ding sounds. And then… the back wall opens. Twin doors disconnect, cracking open to reveal a brightly lit hall. The sound of soft jazz music drifts out of the opening, as Vivian steps off the elevator. “Right this way please.” She says over a shoulder to the group.
Yukino turns around, looking not surprised at all, and follows after Vivian, walking a little quicker at first and then slowing to get ahead. For better or worse.
Maeve settles in to flank Yukino, presuming Selene takes her other side, letting the giant follow behind. A joke could be made about Axle’s Angels.
There isn’t much for Selene to provide, supply, or talk about. Heck, if she’d probably open her mouth and start trying to talk finances or Doctor stuff, it likely wouldn’t be long or the entire jig was up and they’d see right through this act. She just keeps her expressions pleasant, nods or ‘mmhm’s politely here or there, while following along. “Well, this is a pleasant welcome.” gets remarked, though, as they enter into the next well-lit area, a soft-voiced comment not meant to fish for a real reply.
Regaldo sucks air through his teeth briefly from the positioning. “Mildly inconvenient.” is uttered as he looks about for an indication of how much further to the roof he would be while also keeping an eye out for a window or unoccupied office to make a perch for the time being. Might not have direct line of site to the party but can keep an eye on the entrance and give details of movement on the floors above and below.
Static comes over the comms briefly as Regaldo reports, “No direct line of sight from currently location. Adjusting.” and then the line goes quiet again.
Axle falls in behind the others, seemingly not having expected the back of the elevator opening.
The hallway the group now travels down is long, expanding out into the distance, with soft lighting easing the white of the wallpaper. Posters on the walls depict smiling people, with some baring little writings on their bottom right corners. A few doors open off the hall, and it is through one of these that Vivian eventually brings them.
This next room looks more like a conference room than an office, one wall entirely made of glass to look over the gap across to a few other buildings. Standing around the room are a few more dressed as Vivian is, and it is there that she moves, stepping aside to take up one corner. In the center of the room, sitting at a long oak table, are nine well dressed men and women. At the head, a particularly elderly looking man sits, a rather grandfatherly smile on his face. “Come in! Do come in, have a seat, all of you. Welcome to the Seventh Ring. It is my true, pleasure, to be Dr. Marcus McBriar.” He gestures to several seats arranged around the foot of the table, opposite himself. “I hear you have a proposition? I am, very, interested to hear.”
Yukino steps into the conference room with her hands folded at her front. She makes a small, precise dip of her head to Dr. McBriar, following in her cultural tradition. “One might say it is an honor to meet Dr. McBriar, perhaps. One is Doctor Mikage Yukino, honored to represent various parties today.” A brief pause, and she turns slightly first to Selene and then to Maeve. “One might suggest a colleague might introduce the purpose of our visit, if that would be agreeable, perhaps. One might follow on the details in the follow-up, one thinks.”
There’s nine people at the table, so that’s nine faces to quickly take note of, to try recognize or remember. At least none of them directly come off as people armed and dangerous. But Selene is pulled out of her efforts of people-watcing when Yukino said her part, and gives the field to one of her colleagues. That makes her step aside, not looking to even claim a hint of spotlight. She’s honestly not sure what to even bring up, what to propose, or what kind of an alliance or deal Axle would have suggested or proposed.
Humming softly to himself, Regaldo starts getting set up. He wedges a chair against the door handle as to not be disturbed for the interim future along with locking the door (provided it locks from the inside). He then sets to work getting the range while looking about for any flags or curtains flapping in the breeze, or lack thereof.
All that considered, he then unslings his rifle and uses the desk to steady as he takes aim, while using his free hand to tap his ear piece.
“Hernandez in position.” is all that comes across the line.
Stepping forward, Axle takes a seat at the table, as the doctor had asked. “We’re here to cut a deal.” He says brusquely. “The Ninth is getting a bit too open about operations. You, want to be calling the shots.” He points to Dr. McBriar with one gloved hand. “I want to offer you this. We won’t come down on you. You’ll be clear of what happened to the Third. You know about that right? Of course you do. In exchange…” He pauses. “We want your help with the Ninth.” Simple. Direct. Not the most tact, but who could really expect as much from the giant.
Pausing for a long moment, Dr. McBriar stares down the table at Axle. “Surely. Surely!” He smiles broadly, leaning forward as his hands come together. “You do not mean to threaten me in my own Ring? I must have misheard.” He laughs, friendly enough, though several of the suits around the walls shift nervously. “But, I must have. For surely, there is more you have to offer than some… ill, thought threats? Certainly.” His eyes sweep over the group.
The doctor has been opened in conversation, though he is clearly not convinced of alliance.
Yukino makes a little tilt of her head when Axle is the one that ends up stepping forward. She listens, then straightens to properly look back at the nine. “One might add… that the arrangement proposed might be mutually beneficial, perhaps. One might say that stability tends to serve everyone’s interests rather well, one thinks. The Director might wish to mention that one particular group might be of salvagable potential for the seventh. One might say a group identified as the Last Vigil finds itself in members some might wish to look away from, were something to happen to them.” She says, and while Axle star down, she keeps standing. “One might say those in the Director’s position might find value in handling the most concerning of extremes through cooperation rather than conflict, perhaps. If it is alright to say.”
Man. If only this group could communicate electropathically with one another. Would have made sharing those findings damn easy. Maybe the group is less worried about these details anyways, with them already assuming each and every single person in this room has something weaponizable on their person, and she’s the odd one out having to make sure of it. Those eyes continue trailing over faces, across the walls, with particular care given to sniff out that tell-tale glimmer of a lens or that faint red glow of a camera’s ‘on’ light. It’s not that she is worried about being captured on one, which alone would prove useless as dirt against her thanks to some other handy charm on her, but it can’t hurt to know for sure whether or not others might be observing their dealings.
However, when Axle’s talk comes out and does so rather tactlessly, bluntly, and probably ineffectively, a single silent sigh slips out before she takes a turn, “.. The Ninth is fucked. Between the Syndicate, the Boardroom, my own mobsters.. their ties are breaking. The inefficacy of their operations was already demonstrated to be lacking, when we needed but a few explosives to cripple their entire slave ring operation right from the inside.” A pause, as arms cross and she lets her eyes track over those at the table, until coming to rest on the Doctor. With a bit of telempathy, one might help make him feel a bit cornered, a bit concerned, as she pushes on, “.. I’ve arrangements we could make. You clearly know how to operate a front.. I’ve loads to launder. The Ninth aren’t the only hellish organizations we’re working on deconstructing.”
“It’s up to you to decide if you want to be fucked, too, or if you’d want them to take it up the ole’ brownie-cannon.” Selene adds.
Selene used the wrong contact. Has one with Boardroom and Syndicate, too, all at same level.
“One merely suggests the nine present might consider the benefits carefully.” Yukino follows up on, turning to Selene and then back.
Maeve cracks her knuckles, then rests her hands on Axle’s shoulders, peering just past him. “Let me enlighten you on precisely who and what I am,” she says, her diction crisp, every inch the boarding school, famous family, model citizen. “I am Maevelynn Eloise Pierce, of that family, yes. I am also, shortly, going to be speaker for a local branch of the Hollow Conclave. I have my own resources in and out of Hell, from both sides. I also am neither intimidatable, nor concerned with if we do not gain your direct aid. If you wish to survive this and not be fed through a sadist’s playtime, I would suggest considering what the four of us represent, rather than dismissing us outright.”
Regaldo curiously raises a brow as he watches the going ons across the gap through his scope. “Really wish someone left their mic open.” he grouches while easing back the bolt to chamber a round. “Probably should’ve gone over what the signal was for take the shot. I’ll just wing it.” And then he starts in with ‘Mah nah ma nah’ to himself.
Dr. McBriar sits through the threats. The attempts… then, raises a hand, cutting off the last of Maeve’s words with a dismissive gesture. “That’s all very well and good of course… but naturally, when I have you in here… and your mobsters. Family. Contacts? Are all out there… I see not, why a few million dollars won’t quiet any, investigations into the, tragic, mishaps?” He smiles, still so kindly, and yet… it does not reach his eyes. “I would rethink your approach, if I were you.” He suggests, tone light.
The doctor seems to be growing, slightly less friendly. The intimidation is not exactly going to plan.
At this point, Selene is pretty close to making ‘the signal’. There isn’t any decided upon, but if their gunman has them in their sights, surely she can think of something to give him the go-ahead. Would help all the more if they’d have thought to give him a laser with which to paint the target, perhaps provide some ranged intimidation. Nobody likes knowing a gun’s trained on them from lord-knows-where.
“You genuinely think you make a kingpin, a Pierce, and the Temple’s Commander vanish without inquiry?” she asks, genuinely, with an arched-up brow that looks, equally, unimpressed by the intimidation.
“I’ll take shit that wouldn’t happen even if Jesus’d comes back down and starts making miracles happen..” Selene adds, shooting a glance at Axle.
Yukino has been quiet through all of it. When Dr. McBriar finishes, her expression does not change. She considers him for a moment. “One might say…” She pauses, deliberately. “…that a few million dollars handles a great many things, perhaps. One might agree.” Her eyes stay on McBriar’s. “One might also say that two individuals who are in regular correspondence with a great many people; including those at a considerable distance, and who represent interests that extend considerably beyond what is in this room… might prove more difficult to quietly address than the sir might prefer, one thinks.” A small pause. “One might also note that one’s family maintains certain arrangements. With people who are very good at finding things that were meant to stay hidden. One might consider whether the doctor has looked carefully at who is in this room, perhaps. And who is not.”
Maeve can’t help but outright laugh, mirth not lighting her eyes. “A million, for disappearing a Pierce?” she wonders, laughing quietly. “Oh, oh darling. That is a rounding error for my family. That’s a budget for a single clinic in our network. You may be in control of some money… I assure you, you would not like what happens if I disappear and my last signal is tied to you.” She brushes fingers along Axle’s shoulder, as though sweeping away lint. “You are also very confident that we came alone, as four individuals, without any backing. An interesting assumption.”
Yukino will assist if there is a roll.
Regaldo shall add bravado and being Regaldo to said roll.
“It’d be a bit unwise to target the Director of the Temple with only a million.” Axle adds, a smirk flashing across his features. “Really. what do you think it’d do?”
Up comes a hand, to tap at her ear-piece. “.. You think we’ve backing of all those groups, but.. yes.. We come here alone. Without actively pinging out location for snipers to keep watch of who we deal with.” The device is turned on, and to further that bluff, Selene remarks, knowing fully well it is only Regaldo that should hear it. “.. One of you guys. Feel free to let them know they’re all marked if you want to. Just.. don’t hit anyone, or anything vital. Yet.”
Yukino stares at the nine with the look of someone who’s great patience is finally reaching a limit.
Static fills the comms briefly as a single, “Copy.” comes across.
Taking his time, Regaldo lines up his shot aiming for something of minor importance; A phone. A cup. A shoulder. He’s indifferent. “Time to make donuts.” is muttered as his finger slides to the trigger. A breath is exhaled.
BANG!
The combined stare, and the truth of the words finally seems to hit the doctor. His eyes narrow, his lips parting for a rebuke…
Then the window shatters behind him, a cup set on the table exploding as the bullet rips through it like tissue paper. A gasp goes up around the table. The doctor himself jerks back, the coffee once in the cup splattering over his face. Immediately, there is the click of hammers as guns come out all around the room. But then, the doctor rights himself. His smile returning, though… is that a hint of fear this time. “Put your weapons away. There is, no need for alarm I’m sure, yes, surely not.” He reaches up with one hand, shaking slightly as he wipes the liquid from his face. “I, seem to have lost my manners… do forgive me. I’m sure there is… some arrangement possible? The Seventh Ring will, gladly offer its aid for, a small price, truly small.” He leans forward. “We, will of course assist such, prestigious figures! For, the small price… of a little blood.” He grins toothily. “Oh not much… but, surely, you can see the benefits of working with the most, wealthy, of the Rings. If I—we, that is, were to die… it could ruin your entire operation! Surely you can see this, yes?”
The doctor is coming around. The fear put into him is palpable. But its still not quite a full set alliance. Not just yet. But it is tremendous, progress.
Maeve checks her backpack, shuffling things around, and mutters, “Damn, my blood vial’s at home.”
Yukino does not blink at the sound of a gunshot. Her eyes stay on McBriar. Her expression doesn’t change. She says nothing.
putting on her serious face, the one with dead eyes and a warm smile, Maeve/span says, simply, “I am a haemomancer, a ritualist, and an occultist. I would slit every throat in this room with my athame before I would willingly give a drop of my people’s blood to you. I know precisely what can be done with it.”
“You want a little blood..?” asks Selene, looking at the doctor with palpable surprise. A crooked grin flits by her lips, as she looks back at where a single bullet’s impact is marked on the table. Up comes that hand again, to ‘mock’ open the comms channel to their supposed team of snipers this time. Sorry Regaldo, no opportunity to snipe a sucker in the neck (yet). “.. They want blood. Don’t aim for jugulars, mind you.. How many of these suits do you reckon we can miss?”
Hey. The Doc may be playing boss, but who knows if the rest at the table wouldn’t like knowing they might just become spent assets over his failure to strike a deal.
Regaldo eases the bolt of his rifle back and catches the spent brass to slide into his pocket only to chamber another round. “Copy.” accompanies the static. He, for now, holds his fire.
Regaldo seems there was no need to be Regaldo, yet, it remains.
“Oh, but we certainly have vials apl—” Dr. McBriar is cut off suddenly by one of the board members, lifting a shout of “Oh hell no!” Before a hand snaps out, dragging down the raised hand of the doctor. “We are not getting ourselves killed.” The woman says, pinning the doctor’s hand in place as she turns. “You have a deal. So long as the Boardroom doesn’t come for us next… we’ll help. Sign on our troops to your attack. Just, contact us about the time.” She says, offering a bit of a shaky smile. It doesn’t take long for the other members to give their vote as well. Suffice to say… the doctor is outnumbered. “Fine!” He says, sagging back into his chair. “You shall have, the assistance of the Seventh, in your attack. Now. Leave. You have, surely, overstayed your welcome here, yes?” The doctor raises a wrinkled hand, waving them off, before subtly wiping some coffee from his face with the back of that hand, only managing to clear a bit more of the liquid from his skin.
Axle’s face splits with a slow smirk. “Gladly. And glad doing business with you. McBriar.” Axle stands slowly, turning to put his back to the table, as he walks to rejoin the others.
Seeing Axle turn, Regaldo starts to pack up. “Time to get out of Dodge.” He stretches with a grunt and shoulders his rifle only to hobble over towards the door. “Damned leg. Thursday needs to get here sooner.” he grouches while moving the chair out of the way then he’s off to find an emergency exit.
“Standing down.” comes over the comms as Regaldo starts to depart.
On the world assault, Yukino does lightly raise her brows. This is new information to her and she turns back to look at Axle briefly. She says nothing, right now, but then turns fully around and starts walking towards the elevator. “One might say there is always the option out of the window and up into the skies, perhaps…”
As the others at the table begin to speak up, her tactic to turn the group against the Doc working, she lifts a hand. All ‘hold your fire’. She’s seen those kinds of military hand-signals in games like Ready Or Not. “.. We’ll be in touch, Doc.” Selene offers him, before that hand lowers itself to stuff itself in a pocket. Fish out a candy bar. All this talk makes one hungry. Her eyes turn to Maeve, a little smirk and nod offered, and the same goes for Yukino. She offers another one of her ‘thank you’s, though this one is actually pushed through the comms channel with Regaldo, before the little lass joins the group to make their way back to the elevator.
Maeve slips her fingers from the handle of her athame, a polite, bitchy smile, before she says, “Glad to have you reasoned with. If I had to bring in my own men, well, that’d get messy.” Then she’s following, just behind Axle.
As the group departs, Vivian again steps out, with a polite smile. “Allow me, if you would be so kind?” And then, she is slipping through the door, leading them down the hallway, and back to that elevator, back to the ground floor, and, in time, back out to the street, whereupon she pauses just inside the doors. “Thank you for visiting McLean Consulting Agency. Please, come back soon.” And then, she turns, disappearing back into the building.
Yukino steps out into the street and exhales once, slowly. “One might say… they might have enjoyed talking so much they forgot there might be difficulties if they are rude, perhaps.”
Conversationally, Maeve asks Axle, “If I were to call in my thornbearers, not all of them from topside, how bad would that reflect on you?” as they step out.
Stalking out of the adjacent building strutting like a proud turkey, Regaldo rejoins the group, unless otherwise waylaid. Yes his rifle is still swung across his should because he’s Gods damned Regaldo.
“Quite badly.” Axle says, shrugging his shoulders. “They may not have completely realized… But I’m sure the doc could’ve carried out at least a few of those threats.” He admits. “I’m not too concerned about it though. We have them. We should, have the Ninth. Soon.” He then glances around. Then, he strides across the street to rejoin the proud Regaldo. Stopping by the other man, he pats him on the back. “Well fucking done. Excellent shot there.” He grins broadly. “I thought the doc’d piss himself.”
“Think I tore my stitches.” Regaldo bitches as he glances at his right arm with the bandages darkening. “Wilson’s gonna be pissed.” Putting that aside for later, he grins at Axle, nodding, “Glad things went smoothly. Smoothish? Smooth enough. You lot came out still in one piece and I got to shoot a cup. Good times had by all.”
“Sir Axle… there might be… protection on some people that extend beyond most expectations, perhaps.” Yukino says, and she looks at Maeve when she says so. “The sir might have made an attempt and perhaps caused damage, and one merely wishes to note… but one might know the attention might be… like the sun forever vanishing for them.”
“Good.” Axle tells Yukino, guiding them up the stairs and to mirror. “I don’t give a fuck what happens to them, so long as its after we use them for the Ninth.”
There’s a few things Selene has to take care of, perhaps part of preparations to ‘associate’ with this group, but eventually Selene focuses back on the group. And with Regaldo joining them, she offers him a fist-bump. “Damn well shot, Reg.. I’d lie if I said I wasn’t half wondering what’d happen you’d whiff and hit one of ’em.” Once that’s exchanged, if at all, the lass looks at Axle again, just as they make it to the mirror. “.. I’ll see what I can find out about those involved. Might pinch one or two of them if they’ve a particularly handy skill-set.”
Regaldo returns the fist-bump in kind, “I mean. If I had missed and hit one of them would it have been so bad?”
“If you want.” Axle shrugs to Selene, stepping up to the mirror. “Alright. Gather here, lets get home.” He blows out a breath, reaching for the mirror.
Maeve tips her head to peek at Yukino, wonderin aloud, “Which… particular flavor? Lots of bad choices in harming me, but…”
Regaldo ambles up to the rest of the crew while lightly rubbing his arm. “Fucking itches.”
“That’s the healing, Natural,” Maeve teases Regaldo.