Ethan Young

[Vonapier]

We last left off at the hotel threatening to drink that cola! But more importantly trying to stop a fight between my mom and my dad.....LOL

[Chris Chandler]

Yes - you mind telling everyone just what you think is happening right now? I mean, not to Ethan's parents, of course. They're confused enough. Do you mind presenting a timeline?

[Vonapier]

As of yesterday, i was on a plane home to get my things for college and say goodbye to my parents for at least a year. I get home only to find out that my house has been broken into and completely smashed. Although nothing that could be sold at a pawn shop was stolen, instead some papers of mine were. These papers apparently were proof that i was adopted and i am a child to 2 dead scientists from Lithuania. After the cops were called but no mention to the stolen papers, we went next door to let the cops check the place out. Of course they didn't find anything because "these guys are professionals". Seems like everyones a professional these days. Professionally stupid. After the cops, who i don't think found a damn thing, left, we went back home and started to clean up. It was then when i found out about the (Novastar??) Project. Apparently I've got something to do with it. The parents are worried that I'm gona be kidnapped or some jazz but comon. I think we can get some protection if we just told the police that those men might come back and try it again to take valuables. This first year of college is not what i planned it out to be.:\

[Vonapier]

"Hey, its just a bunch of papers guy. So what that some people have some papers of mine. i say we just enjoy what we have right here, right now. If something like this is gona make us fight and tear us apart then i dont see any reason to pursue it. My parents were part of a project, fine and dandy. You found some papers on it, mom, to check up on me. I know you wana keep me safe but comon, the guys got what they came for. I dont see why they would want more. I mean its not like i was part of it. Besides, we can just tell the cops that they might want to come back to harm us so they might be willing to send over protection. It was a break-in but nothing was stolen, so we can tell them they they might have broken into the home to see what was in there so they could see what they could get out of this type of neighborhood. So lets just get back home, clean up the mess and get my stuff ready for college. Ive got the rest of my life to live up to. Its my turn to get my education and take care of you guys. So lets just put this behind us and start living our lives."

I go get my stuff and get ready for a shower and go to bed.

[Chris Chandler]

Your parents continue to bicker through your speech (I'm picturing you talking loudly trying to speak over them).

Eventually, where you start with "...mess and get my stuff ready ready..." they quiet down a bit, and end up with just smiling at you.

Your father speaks up -

Eh, alright. Fine. Let's get some rest and... I dunno, put everything together. What a mess.

Your mom nods her head, as well.

Sure, hon. Rest up...

She wipes her eyes (of course she's been crying during most of the argument).

So - let's just kick back for a bit, get a pay movie, maybe. Did they have popcorn in that vending machine?

She's smiling, but just looks a wreck. Your father slumps his shoulders, grabs a towel, and heads to the bathroom.

Yeah, let's just rest up...

[Vonapier]

I think back and cannot recall if there was any popcorn in the vending machine.

"Yup, rest and relaxation. Now you two stop worrying and just sit tight, Ill see if that vendor is sellin any popcorn. If not ill just bring back some pop."

I grab the wad of money my dad gave me and i go to the vendor. My mind is on the recent happenings though.

Even though i told them to put the happenings behind us, I'm sure that will never happen. At least not anytime soon. I really need to know for sure they aren't gonna come back after me. I need to find out about that Novastar program................Ill call the police in the morning and explain the situation.

I grab out change as i near the vending machine.

[Chris Chandler]

You get back with the treats (complete with popcorn) and your parents are already settling in on a movie:


The Ring II
War of the Worlds
King Kong
Mr. and Mrs. Smith
Madagascar
Sin City


So, honey, which one would you like?

[Vonapier]

i look through the movies.

Hmm, Mr. and Ms. smith, already saw that.....heh. King Kong....na. Madagascar......it looks funny but im really liking the way Sin City looks. Sorry cruise, looks like sin city is making the spotlight tonight.

"Id have to say Sin City. I'm really enjoying the way they put that together. Looks like a classic too."

[Chris Chandler]

Sin City it is!

You all curl up on the beds and have one last family movie night.

Wait... what do you mean last?

Pay no attention to that...

After that, time for bed, or did you have anything else you've though of?

[Vonapier]

Na the movie is about it. I will put the dvd back in its case and then shut everything out. Get a drink of water and then head to bed.

[Chris Chandler]

The rest of the night goes swimmingly, and all three of you get some hard, deep sleep.

Morning's here, and so is continental breakfast. Horray!

What to do now?

[Vonapier]

what else is there to do? PIG OUT ON BREAKFAST! we get a little of this, alot of that, and a tad of everything else. And some water and coffee. I open up a conversation about Marie while i eat.

[Chris Chandler]

Perhaps it's the breakfast, or the good weather, but everyone seems in very good spirits. You head out after your breakfast, and get to the house.

The house wasn't disturbed while you were gone, and it won't take long to take care of business. What specifically are you getting together?

[Vonapier]

I plan to take:

My pc.
Most my clothing, it doesnt get too cold but! ill take a jacket.
Ill be taking some pictures.
And all my games.

Other than that im good.

[Chris Chandler]

Well, San Francisco does get pretty cold at any time during the year. It's a weird place. Your mom will help you get what you need, specifically.


That list actually won't take you long at all, especially with your parents' help. The entire morning you work on, first, your packing, then your room, then the rest of the house. Believe it or not, by lunchtime you manage to get the house back in order, outside of the actual damaged property (all those cushions, the mattresses, most of the picture frames. Your mother spends time making up a list of what to repair and what to replace, and she actually heads out to the Hancock Fabric on Decatur right around lunchtime.

We won't see her 'til dark now.

Your father shrugs, and starts on some of the woodwork. He breaks just for a bit, but really is trying to get stuff done now, while the wreckage is still smoking, so to speak.

Son, I really don't know what to say about your past. I really always wanted to focus on your present and future - your mother thought it important, and apparently, even though she didn't mean to, stepped on some toes to get the information that we've now lost. I... thanks for giving her some slack about it.

He gets back to work -

So - tell me more about this Marie. She sounds hot.

He smirks at you.

[Vonapier]

I disregard the smirk.

"She's the one who got me into college. She basically gave me my education free. Plus, shes nice. I liker her. You don't disapprove of her i hope."

[Chris Chandler]

Are you kidding? You had that verbal diarrhea, and she didn't run away. Be happy. She sounds very sweet, but, kid, don't set your stars by her. You crowd a girl right off the bat and it will not stand.

He's still smiling - he hands you a hammer and a few nails.

See what you can do with that shelf over there. I've got some issues with this table.

He turns back to his work -

Who's Whit?

[Vonapier]

After holding the hammer for a few seconds and giving it that look of "thats not what i wanted to hear" i move on to the shelf and start on the shelf, fixing it to the best of my ability. I'm no carpenter but I'm pretty sure i can put a shelf back together.

"Whit is more of a tutor. Not officially but he knows his stuff. Hes gonna teach me about computer programming or another of the sort. All and all he seems like a pretty nice guy. Pretty responsible too. When that accident happened at the beach, he was there in a flash."

[Chris Chandler]

You continue to have a relatively decent afternoon, repairing the big things. Your mom comes in a bit later, carrying bolts of fabric and other sewing material and tools.

Things shape up to be pretty decent, all things considered.

Let me ask you. Is there anything that you actually want to accomplish (that you haven't yet) in Las Vegas before you head back to San Francisco?

[Vonapier]

(na i came here to be pretty straight forward. Say hello to my mom and dad, get my things together, spend some time with the fam, then go back)

[Chris Chandler]

All right. Since that's the case, we can move to two days from now - The house is close to repaired, you have your stuff shipped out, and you are ready to go. In fact, unless you want to walk through the uncomfortable goodbyes, we can get back to SFSU.

[Vonapier]

oh no, ill take those uncomfortable goodbyes. I KNOW im gonna miss em.

When i get back to SFSU, i'll unpack all of my belongings and put them in their correct spots. I plan to put that pc somewhere under or over a vent or near a window because the heat from these thing is just amazing, great for a heater as well. I might need to find a job too, maybe beginning an apprenticeship at a programming firm placey thing. Learning the trade and all that jazz. Lets see what it takes to make a program and what goes into it. I'm pretty sure the lessons and good habits i could learn will come in handy with my education. I want to be great friends with Whit and Marie. These guys basically gave me my life and i owe them for that. I can at least do what ever i can to help them out.

I will in fact go to a near-by book store and hang out there from time-to-time to read up on academic material. I fear college will be tough and i want to be prepared for it. (i might need rolls on those study days.)

And as for Marie, I will try to be considerate about her personal space such as hugging her or that classic arm-over-the-shoulder move. I do not want another incident like on the beach.

[Chris Chandler]

Part of the financial aid that was set up for you is, indeed, a workstudy. You'll actually start come August, working in the Craft Shop, as an assistant. If you are in need of funds before then, there's stuff to find.

So... We'll establish that these things are in place. Now then, we can pick up three days from your arrival. Where would you be say, right at around 10:00 AM on a Tuesday?

[Vonapier]

Well putting it like that, id be trying to stay in shape. Id be exploring the town while jogging. Ill be going to the beach after the jog. Ill even invite Whit and Marie. Ill talk to them about what there is for me. For the love of god, no fast food restaurants. After a few hours of fun in the sun and chit chat, ill go back to whit's get a shower and a change of clothing then its job search time. Lets start with something simple, like a clothing store or something like best buy.

[Chris Chandler]

Okay, that sounds like an idea.

The store that's closest to you is a Fry's. It's sort of like a Best Buy for nerds - better stuff, but it's disorganized and there's nothing in the way of customer service. That means, in essence, you can look at fun electronic toys without being pestered.

So, for what are you looking?

[Vonapier]

well i really don't care. Stocking, cash register, inventory, customer service. Its all good for me.

[Chris Chandler]

No sweat - you'll be able to start in the morning as a stocker (as long as your background check, drug test, and references check out).

[Vonapier]

well we wont know anything till i give it a shot. Lets start as the stock boy! i dont do drugs and i haven't gotten into any trouble with the police. I have nothing to worry about!

I smile at my new future job.

[Chris Chandler]

Not to drag it out any more, but will you be working first shift or graveyard shift?

[Vonapier]

hmm..graveyard seem a lot better for me. During the day ill need to go to class, study (but i can study at work) and stay in shape. Plus, i think it would give me sort of like a quiet time for me to relax...while...lifting....boxes... Ok not so much as relaxing but it will give time to myself if i had a annoying day.

[Chris Chandler]

Alright, well, let's pick it up at your first shift, since you've got a pretty good routine during the day (hang out, pre-study, make google eyes at Marie).

The Fry's that you work at is in Palo Alto, a bit south of San Francisco, and you work with one of Whit's friends, a guy named Mark. He is, in fact the contact that helped you land this job. You catch a ride with him (splitting gas) and work the same schedule. He's a friendly guy, small and bookish, and has a great sense of humor. He's not as laid back as Whit, or crap, you even, but is still a good sort. You'd met him at the pizza place, though he got lost in the crowd at the time.

Fry's is a big sprawling place with electronics all over the store. It's a bit disorganized, which is generally what your job is, to get things in "fighting shape" each night. Like you realize, it's pretty mindless work, and you are able to keep quiet and ponder, hold a conversation, sing to the ovehead music, and not slow down.

Mr. Mac (George MacKenzie) is your boss, and is a portly middle aged guy with a greying black beard and a penchant for talking to folks like they are children. Case in point:

Day two on the job, and you are sorting some hard drives on an end-cap. Arrange by size, then price, top down, which you do, and you hear him walk toward you.

Good, good, Ethan. That's right, big-to-small, cheap-to-costly. That's very good that you are able to organize things so well.

He talks so that you aren't sure if he's making fun of you, being sarcasic, or is just really bad at giving a compliment.

[Vonapier]

"Mmm hmmm."

is all i respond.

Wonder why he talks down to people like that. What made him that way? I'm gonna keep an eye out on him. He could help me out. He will be my test subject.

By the end of my shift ill see if he is around. If he is ill go to him and go up to shake his hand and thank him for letting me have this job. As I'm shaking his hand ill try to think about what i was feeling when i touched Marie. If nothing happens ill just leave for the night.

[Chris Chandler]

You suddenly have an immediate knowledge of the security outlay of this place - Alarm codes, camera placements, security staff. You also seem to have a unexplainable understanding of SCUBA diving.

So, what to do now?

[Vonapier]

I leave. I walk at a slow pace thinking about the newly obtained knowledge.

This is awesome. If i were to tell anyone i might get the same reaction my mother gave me. I think it best to just keep it a secret. I mean i can use this as much as i want!

i just go home and get ready for tomorrow.

[Chris Chandler]

You have about a half-hour ride from school to work, even in the dead of night (stupid traffic lights on timers) and Mark is pretty talkative, though he's not rude about it. He mostly likes to "talk shop", that is graphic design, industrial art, and similar topics. He's pretty low key, though, so he's fine with quiet time, too.

The night you "experiment" on your boss gives you the specific knowledge for a few minutes, then fades during your trip home - you really can't pinpoint a time when you knew and when you stopped knowing.

You head on back to campus and crash. What to do after you wake up?

[Vonapier]

well ill get in touch with Mark, i don't want him to think that im being stupid about not talking to him. I just had something important on my mind and thats what im gonna tell him.

Infact, im gona spend the day with him to hang out or something. Ill find out what his interests are, what he listens to. All that jazz.

[Chris Chandler]

He'll be all for that, but he'll prefer a group thing, Whit and some of the other students from the Fine Arts department. Nothing big - in fact, when Mark sets up something, apparently, it means a sort of "working holiday", that is he likes his socialization to be project-oriented.

Today, for instance - He's getting the group together to put up some temporary metalwork sculpture in the quad over near Whit's room. There are hunks of scrap metal, wire, cable, acetylene torches, grinders, and other implements of destruction.

Mark smiles and pushes up the sleeves to his chambray shirt -

So, today's theme will be forests.

[Vonapier]

i sit back for a minute and kind of fret over the fact that i dont have a very good imagination for this. But ill say what the heck, what harm could it do if i pitch in. Ill give it my all and learn a few things here and there. Im in college why not be attentive and outgoing.

im gonna help as much as i can with these guys. I want to get a feel for this project. Hell i might get credit for this too so thats a plus.

((will this need a roll?))

[Chris Chandler]

This is a definite artisitic endeavor, but you've got the handle on things industrial, yes? I mean, do you have any talent or skill in construction, engineering, or building, in general? Anything relevant, really.

[Vonapier]

haha nope. I just know my way around a pc, mathmatics and athletic.

[Chris Chandler]

Ah - well, that's something different, entirely. You'll find your niche in the design stage, rather than the build stage. You'll be with Matt and a tall lanky freckled blond named Julie working on the "blueprint" that everyone else will follow.

[Vonapier]

sweetness. Well, im not gonna pretend like i know what im doing, thats for sure. But i will help in any way i can.

"I know we cant just make a huge metal tree and stick it somewhere. I'm pretty sure were gonna make a representation of forests. ugg im just not coming up with anything artistic here. I guess it has to come to me in time. Or i could be just trying to be logical about art, which i don't think will work. Am I supposed to be like Yoda and let the power flow throu.......my power. I don't think using my power on friends would bode well at all. Besides look what happened to Marie. People might get think something was up. Everyone who has been around me suddenly gets light headed, feints, gets hurt or something of the like. Well ill try to do this with out sucking knowledge away."

[Chris Chandler]

So - sounds good. Let's see an... IQ roll please.

[Vonapier]

11, with "Gifted Artist" Advantage

[Chris Chandler]

And see, there it is. Mark has some conceptual ideas with metals that he wants to try out, and Julie wants to create something with the feeling of three dimensions with two-dimensional constructs. You manage to bring both ideas together with a bit of work and discussion. The rest of the group begins to divide up into crews and starts on the actual project. It's going to take all day and into the night. So - let's see two rolls:

1. Perception
2. Health

[Vonapier]

Perception made by 4.
Health made by 4.

[Chris Chandler]

There is a woman, early 30s, she seems vaguely familiar but you can't put your finger on it. It's just an early memory or she reminds you of somebody or something. She stops by and watches the progress a little bit and then leaves. She doesn't interact with anybody and she doesn't pay any close attention to you specifically.

Oh, and you don't get dehydrated and pass out like Mark does. Good job on that.

[Vonapier]

lol...mark, mark, mark...

Now more about this woman, Ill try to get a mental picture so as i can find her in a crowd if i had to. And ill tell Marie about this woman and she might be connected to the persons who destroyed my house.

[Chris Chandler]

Now I'll need an IQ check.

[Vonapier]

made it spot on.

[Chris Chandler]

She's blond and average height, attractive, but not overly so. She has a very... regular face - not common, just very well proportioned. You think you could pick her out from a crowd, certainly. You still, though, can't place from where you know her.

[Vonapier]

((ok sorry for the LOOOOOONG wait to post but i just totally could not get into character.))

Well, now that we have lil' miss familiar here to a recognizable state, ill worry about mark. I know dehydration is minor, but it can cause problems if not dealt with in a certain period of time. So lets get Mark up to his room, pad, place, crib, or hole in the wall and be sure that he gets hydrated and rest. I may be a new friend, but i am a friend non the less. :)

[Chris Chandler]

With that one little bit of a bump in the road out of the way, the project can continue without incident.

Like you've said, this isn't exactly your strength, or really your cup of tea, and while you've walked around the quad, you hear similar thoughts from most everyone involved - the main thing here is that while they say things like, "Man, I just do not get the big iron monstrosity sculpture", or "how is this a forest?" everyone is smiling and having a great time. They are all doing their own thing - Marie for instance. She's an illustrator and a painter - nothing at all like this. She's the one doing the outlines for the "cutter", the guy with the acetylene torch. She's doing what she likes and is good at doing, even though the project isn't her cup of tea.

When it's finished, late in the afternoon, everyone is sweaty and dirty and tired. The project is about 15 feet by 20 feet and is shart and jagged and full of depth. It looks like a forest, but only if you step back and not think about leaves or wind or anything soft. This is a hard forest.

[Vonapier]

Ah oh well, ive actually participated in completing a project with some friends. Wasn't that bad, it was just a ton of work and we have a statue to show for it. Im ok with it. Ill make sure Mark is ok one last time before i go take a chower. (heh sorry me and my dad were making fun of the mexican accent, just had to throw that in there. :D) And what of work? do i work every other day or every week day?

But other than that, im tired but the next free moment ive got ill go and read up on some programming books. I want to see what i can put forth, start a project of my own and see what i can do.

[Chris Chandler]

You work all around the weekend - that's Thursday through Monday, graveyards, leaving Tuesday through Thursday wide open..

Okay - as far as the productive reading is concerned, let's get a Research roll. If you don't have the research skill, just give me an IQ check.

[Vonapier]

okie dokie, research roll is......11...made by 3

[Chris Chandler]

Okay - This is a basic modelling book. It's taking common programming procedures and moving it into creating and manipulating models. The context of the book is in architectual drafting, but you are able to apply some of the lessons - wire mesh modelling and proportional agreement specifically - to your interests. What are some things that you'd like to try and do with this?

[Vonapier]

(well if i understand ya right ill give it my best shot.)

Yea im tired of all these people with all these blocky animations with the games. Lets change all that and strive for a better more fluid motion of character. And next lets learn about physics. It will be a big plus noticing how physics in real time actually works. So lets get that wire mesh movin!

[Chris Chandler]

That's a pretty good lesson. You, theoretically are getting a bit of a feel for what needs to be done in order to achieve the results you seek. The main constraint, of course, is processing power. It's always that compromise about high performance and practical application that seems to be the sticking point - even here.

[Vonapier]

processing power, pppssshhhh

Lets just get this project completed and full then ill find ways to improve the program so its not so hard hitting on the cpu. Im pretty sure there are ways around the programming bit so as its not to be so hard on the average pc. Such as, instead of making so many polygons with all their own textures, we can have just one texture of lets say a ball. The ball will have just a basic shape of a sphere with just one polygon. (its possible, ive done it in RL with cad.) Also, instead of making lets say a city where everything is a different polygon, ill instead make everything ONE object and just put pictures of lets say a brick wall from an old factory for a brickwall of a side of a house or something. Yes all these pictures will be taxing, but it will be taxing mostly your Video card with little load on your processor instead of all those objects and textures haveing to load up at once. *breath* lets give that a chance.

[Chris Chandler]

This project works you for the rest of the evening, and you find yourself waking up, a bit drooly, face down in your book.

We'll get to some action during the week, if you are able.

[Vonapier]

sleep? who needs sleep? .....stupid...slee......zzzZZZzzzZZz.

But as i progress ill ask help from whit. Ask him for a few pointers in programming. Im not gonna be prideful at all.

So! along side that project. If i get too "programmers blocked??" ill just hang with whit, mark, or Marie. (preferably Marie.) come to think of it. I dont know what type of music Marie likes. What she likes to do most! what her favorite color! all the things are on a MUST know basis. but im not gonna be rude about getting them.

[Chris Chandler]

Ah... the real questions. Interesting. Okay - well, Marie definitely seems more than willing to hang out. The only issue is that she is, when you get down to it, a pretty traditional girl when it comes to dating. In short, what are you going to do?

[Vonapier]

(ok how do you mean old fashioned, like loves to show her parents? Dinner and a movie? ol Dead mans curve up top of the mountain in a car above the city? lol)

Like what does she listen too, what are her pet peeves? ill want to pick on her from time to time. And what about games? Lets take her to dinner, what kind of food does she favor? Im pretty sure shes one of those chick flicky girls haha. ill just stick to action movies and Comedy.

(sorry for not being on tonight. just company is keepin me busy.)

[Chris Chandler]

I mean she's expecting you to "come-a-courtin'", with flowers and a shirt and tie and no second base, mister!.

Set up the date, first, then you'll get those answers.

Now then, if company is there, don't feel pressure - do your thing, and have a nice evening.

[Vonapier]

Well well, ill be a nervous wreck all damn day if i were to go up with flowers and such. those flowers will be wrentched and rung by the time i get to the front door. BUT those are memories!

[Chris Chandler]

Give me a layout - your "plan" for what you want to do with Marie. We'll go from there.

[Vonapier]

Well, a tux would over do it, Jeans and a shirt would just not do at all. Lets go with that suit peter wore on spiderman3. Seemed to look good on him. lets try it out on me. White T-shirt under neath a Black button down with black slacks to match it, and some good ol' glossy black dress shoes! But, if i wore all black it would seem like i was at a funeral or something. so no. Lets try a white t, white button down with beige slacks and black dress shoes! i guess that would do.

OH SNAP! What kind of flowers does Marie like? Ill ask Whit! he might know! He might know a lot of things! Ive gotta find him..pronto. Ill ask whit what Marie likes to do. Dinner and a Movie sounds so cliche at this point. Would she like that? Something else whit would know about.....i hope. And wh........*mind goes numb*

How about bowling? Im pretty good with that. the only way we know what she likes is to find out on your own buddy.

So its bowling then a light evening meal. that sounds pretty good, what about the meal? where shall we dine? (......TONIGHT WE DINE IN HELL!!! haha just had to throw that in there) ill ask whit what fine cuisine we have here in San Fransisco.

[Chris Chandler]

*screech*

You're flying her out to New Orleans? Whit doesn't know any restaurants out there.

He does tell you, though, that she likes roses and tulips, and no particular color - all of them.

[Vonapier]

Well, there isnt any reason not to ask her now. Im just gona march up to her and ask her. Im gona go to the nearest florist and get her some flowers and deliver them to her myself. Ill just go as is, i can dress up later if she accepts. Im just gonna ask her "would you like to go out sometime?"

[Chris Chandler]

It is, of course, a no-brainer, and she just flips for the flowers, tossing out a bunch of cut carnations in the trash and immediately sets them in the middle of her small kitchen table.

Marie smiles at your forward approach -

Of course, Ethan. I'd love it. So... where're we going?

[Vonapier]

Dammit, im not the one for the best night on the town.

"Well, i was sorta itchin to get out of the dorm and away from the pc. I was thinking bowling, haven't been in quite some time. Dinner afterwards, hows greek food sound? Then a movie to cool things off later on. Whatcha think?"

if we go today then shes gonna want to get ready. I can call Whit for the location of a good restaurant.

[Chris Chandler]

That sounds great. It'll take me a little bit to get ready. See you in an hour?

She gives you a hug and skips off. You can hear her giggle as she leaves.

You call Whit, who laughs loud -

Man, she wants Greek food? You're in trou-ble man. Daphne's is just down the street - it's awesome. Serra Bowl's a few blocks from Daphne's. Just head down to Daly City and... you... don't have a vehicle. Right. You can borrow my Wrangler, if you want.

[Vonapier]

well, ill take this time to get into some flashy clothing. lookin all spiffy and all. Ill check to see how much money ive got just to be sure i can cover all the expenses. If i cant ill just call my parents to wire me money on my account real quick. or as quick as quick gets when wiring money....n' stuff. As for WHICH restaurant, ill let her pick between the few. This night is for her, if shes havin fun then im havin fun.

[Chris Chandler]

Whit hits it on the head. She digs Daphne's and Serra Bowl's the place to bowl.

You don't have a whole lot of money, but you have enough to buy a nice shirt and some decent slacks, and still have enough for supper and a few frames.

Anything else before you go and pick her up?

[Vonapier]

yea, ill call the flourist and have them make one flower, just to put in her hair next to her ear. :D then we will get our date started. :calm:

[Chris Chandler]

Most excellent -

Daphne's is a nice restaraunt, but nothing fancy. You get taken to your seat and get your menus. Marie fidgets a little with the flower in her hair - When she put it in, she had to move her hair from in front of her face, and now she seems a bit self conscious, as if everyone were looking at her.

So... topics of discussion, menu suggestions, etc? Let's hear them, if you will.

[Vonapier]

When she looks self conscious, ill hold her hand and tell her to don't worry about it. I look her dead in the eye when i say this.
"You look beautiful. The only reason anyone would be looking at you is because they are envious."

Once she has her confidence back ill ask her how she came to know whit. lets open that up.

[Chris Chandler]

Oh, you know, let me think! Gosh, I've known Whit since I walked on this campus...

She seriously ponders the questions, as if you just asked her something that took place 20 years ago -

Oh, right!

She laughs at what might be a painful memory -

Yeah, I got in a wreck with him. No wonder I've forgotten - he totally wrecked my car with that jeep of his. He felt so bad that he played chauffer for my whole semester - he seriously would just drop what he was doing and come and get me. Whit's awesome.

She smiles and all you see is her.

[Vonapier]

I smile at her.

"He really goes out for you doesn't he? He almost treats you like you were his little sister or something. Man, id love to have a brother or sister i could help out, bug, or even just hang out with. I don't remember you telling me but did you have a brother or sister?"

[Chris Chandler]

Oh...

Her face actually goes blank for a moment, but she recovers and flashes that smile of hers.

N...no brothers. No sisters. You?

[Vonapier]

i sit there for a split second and think about the nova project then decide against bringing it up on a DATE for HER.

"No, i don't have any siblings. I wonder what its like to have a brother or sister. Don't you? Ever wonder how awesome it would be to have someone almost identical to you to share most of your life with, to rely on, to care for. Gha, gives me goosebumps even thinking about it."

[Chris Chandler]

Marie frowns, clearly thinking about something, but seeming to not want to discuss it.

Yeah, sure. I think that'd be... great, Ethan. So, your dad, he seems really nice, and pretty funny, too? Why'd you think to call me last week? I mean, you had your whole support system right there, but, you called me. I'm not complaining - it's just surprising. It was... nice.

[Vonapier]

crap.

"did i say something wrong?"

[Chris Chandler]

She smiles, and you can tell that she just blinked away a tear.

Look... It... It's nothing. You didn't know, how could you know?

She sighs, and smiles, and reaches for your hand across the table.

I really don't know if I have any brothers or sisters. My mom that I told you about? She's my foster mom. I was in foster care for 13 years or so. I... I really don't have any real memories of my birth parents. I went through the system for a while, then landed with Martha for the last five years before I went to school. She's as much of a mother as I've ever known, but she never... she wouldn't adopt me or anything.

She gives you a smile, but it's a bit worrisome, like she's really hoping that stigma doesn't make you feel less toward you. In fact, her grip tightens on your hand as she speaks. Her voice cracks by the end of it.

[Vonapier]

When she squeezes my hand, i grasp her hand with both of mine.

"I'm sorry if i hurt your feelings Marie, i didn't mean to bring up something so upsetting. I hope this doesn't ruin the date for you, Marie. We can talk about something else if you would like."

[Chris Chandler]

I tell you what. I guess a half hour ago someone snuck in here and hit me upside the head with a sledgehammer. LG is typing this because otherwise it'll take it a half hour to type this little thing because my brain just. Went. Dead. I took some medicine, but I have a screaming headache. Yes, it sucks, no, I don't want to stop. I don't think I have a choice though. I'm sorry that I suck. So, understand why I'm going to need to sit on this one. Though, OutlawJC is chanting "CHEEZE!!" at you. :P

[Vonapier]

hahhahahahah, hey i got this program called skype its soo friggin awsome, it works JUST like a freakin phone, i promise.

[Vonapier]

oh and if you want to call it then lets call it, just give me your cell phone number though, i wanna call you on this program to prove it to yas.

[Chris Chandler]

She just rolls her eyes, batting away a tear -

Sure, that's fine. Hey, did you ever find out about what was going on with your house, back home?

[Vonapier]

Feeling a bit down from the previous sentences, i just continue on.

"Yea, we did find out. The people who wrecked the place stole my birth records and stuff. Come to find out my parents were scientists from this project called Novastar or something. I might have something to do with it."

[Chris Chandler]

Novawhat? Your dad - the guy I spoke to? He didn't sound like any scientist.

[Vonapier]

"Thats because he isnt my real father."

[Chris Chandler]

Marie's eyes go wide, and she blinks back another tear -

Wow. Y... you too?

Her southern accent creeps in right then, uncharacteristically even.

She squeezes your hand hard -

You first, p...please.

[Vonapier]

"Well, apparently, my parents were Lithuanian scientists that ran or where a part of the Novastar project. I dont know how i got separated from my birth parents to begin with. The parents that raised me wouldnt say. There might have been an accident or they just didnt want me or something, ive no clue. All i know is they are/were in Lithuania and they were scientists."

[Chris Chandler]

Marie smirks and laughs.

That sounds decidedly like some science-fiction story! Are you serious? Wow, that is crazy, Ethan. Do you know anything about this Novastar thingy?

She is genuinely interested.

[Vonapier]

"Well, i just know little things like, Novastar is just a translation for a russian word so im guessing it originated in Russia. I dunno what they did in these programs. you can look on the internet and you wont find anything about a Novastar project. Guess they didnt want to exist or something. This sounds like a bad MIB remake."

I kind of chuckle at the MIB remark.

[Chris Chandler]

She laughs -

That is so funny. Oh... I really don't know much about my family - they really didn't... make any sort of effort to ever contact me. Foster care was... less than... I really don't know. I lost track of the foster families. Miss Martha was just the last of the string. It's okay - I think I came out of it alright.

[Vonapier]

"You came out more than alright. And i really dont know if i wana know about my birth parents. I mean look at the situation, im in college and im callin for my parents i hardly know, they might think im just wanting money. I dont want anyone thinking that way about me. it just isnt right."

[Chris Chandler]

And the food arrives - wonderfully prepared. The meal is great, and Marie's the type that isn't a talker when there's food, but she nods in great agreement at the end of your statement.

By the end of the meal, Marie has moved her plate over to your side of the booth, and sits close to you. The conversation has been so engaging that you really didn't notice it before, but when you start eating, you can hear the swinging pop standards of Sinatra, Martin, and Torme.

[Vonapier]

( would give you a list of what i want but i dunno the names for it but i DO want some gyros from this palce, and that cheese that you get, it comes in a square and its fried, and you put that in a pita or that bread and eat it that way.)

[Chris Chandler]

Fried Cheese? http://www.online-roleplaying.com/forums/images/smilies/smiley%20-%20ponder.gif

Don't sweat the details here - You'll be able to eat pretty much what you want, and it will be very tasty. The meal is yummy.

The food itself goes well, but you can tell that Marie's ready to get out of here. In fact -

So, are you ready to get your butt handed to you, boy? It's time to set 'em up!

[Vonapier]

i smile at her.

"Haha, you bet!"

i pay the bill and escort her to the car and we go bowling!

[Chris Chandler]

The drive to the bowling alley is quick, and she turns the radio in Whit's Jeep up loudly -

I used to think maybe you loved me, now I know that it's true
But I just can't spend my whole life just-a waiting for you
I don't want you back for the weekend, not back for a day
'Cause baby I just want you back and I want you to stay
Now I'm walking on sunshine, oh oh!
I'm walking on sunshine, oh oh!
I'm walking on sunshine, oh oh!
And don't it feel good!

You arrive at the bowling alley, and she runs out, nearly skipping. You don't think it's Katrina and the Waves that has put her in a good mood. She flashes a smile as she goes to the door.

You are on Lane 7 - it's a nice alley, the hardwood is new and oiled, the scorekeeping is computerized, and there's a decent, but not a big crowd.

Age before beauty!

[Vonapier]

Heh, i act like an old man and hunch over.

"when i was your age..! haha, lets see how this "old man" fairs in this game of young-un's!"

i smile and pick up a bowling ball.

[Chris Chandler]

(Okay, I don't know if you have "games" as a skill perhaps, but I know you don't have "bowling" as a skill, so we're going to assume this is a friendly competition. Go ahead and give me 3 dex checks for general success in your frames. You're not going to try to throw the game are you, or otherwise embarrass yourself? ;))

"Go ahead, old man. Let's see what you've got."

[Vonapier]

i really dont care what i look like, im gonna try my best :P

made by 5
missed by 2
made by 3

[Chris Chandler]

Okay, you bowl pretty blandly, getting a 130, a 90 (?!), and at 115. She skunks you hard, not dipping below a 160. She definitely seems to have some practice. She ribs you good-naturedly, but is a polite, good winner overall.

During the bowling match, to pass the time, she'll ask you about your mom and dad, your (now) adoptive ones.

[Vonapier]

well im having a grand old time if she is. as for the family chatter ill tell her all about them

"Well my moms sort of those generic moms you see in like those old 1970ish commercials. Always dusting, cleaning house, washing clothes. Heh, one of those manikin dolls you see in an antiques shop. Her names Mary (i dunno if we called her that but thats what im stickin with lol) i tease her every chance i get. My dad is always messing with electronics like they were new or something. Hes always tryin to improve them in some way form or fashion. He never was with fashion though, but hes smart. I guess smart is always in where as fashion comes and goes. Gha i miss them."

((Jeez chris, i have been STUCK on this song for about 4 hours now. go to projectplaylist.com and search for The Dallas Guild. it will be the first one on the list. its STUCK in my head. i usually can listen to it a few times to get tired of it but not this song. i just cant get over it.))

[Chris Chandler]

Marie smiles -

That sounds positively lovely. You know, I really had to fight to stay in a decent foster home. I'm really a little jealous of you, now.

She's not upset, but rather seems very happy.

You finish up the last frame, she does her "in your face" dance, and that's that. Any plans now that you've been skunked?

[Vonapier]

well lets finish off this night with a movie! a perfect way to wind down after being full and bowling it off. a movie will just bring out the mood to relax. We need something moving for a movie, like The Fountain with Hugh Jackman.

[Chris Chandler]

(It isn't out yet - Remember, '05, mang)

[Vonapier]

then what about Batman: Begins? It came out in June 2005. lets go see that!

[Chris Chandler]

Will do - You catch a showing over at the Century, down Junipero Serra, that is, real close to the bowling alley. It's a nice theatre with a bunch of screens. She kindly requests Red Vines and a Pepsi and you enjoy Christian Bale and Michael Caine in an excellent installment to the series.

She'll cozy up to you, lifting the armrest, but only cozying, mister.

[Vonapier]

haha i got it got it. I will enjoy the movie, ill poke her side on the scary parts jokingly and whisper.

"oooh your jumpy!"

haha that should get a laugh out of her.

[Chris Chandler]

She will, indeed, use one Red Vine as a coachwhip, whacking you playfully on the head for each tickle.

[Vonapier]

i smile

"sticks and stones may break my bones but red vines will never hurt me."

I take a bite out of one

"In fact, they are quiet tasty."

[Chris Chandler]

The movie ends up great, a good installment, and very entertaining. Anything else you'd like to do in and around the movie period, before it finishes up? She'll be content to just lay on your shoulder through the hole picture, outside of the redvine war.

[Vonapier]

na, ill enjoy Marie and i will enjoy the movie aside from the red vine war. Nothing too spectacular.

[Chris Chandler]

Okay - you guys get up and head out. You leave the theater and head to Marie's car, when... well, let's see a Perception check, please.

[Vonapier]

no luck dude i rolled a 17. Im too busy havin a grand time with marie and could care less about the world at the moment.

[Chris Chandler]

Well, Marie is so pretty.

You hear the chamber being loaded, but it's too late. You know the pistol is in a firing position.

Alright, we've got a van waiting. No trouble now, okay?

It's a woman's voice, and she has a... strange accent - eastern bloc, definitely. She isn't speaking very loudly.

Marie gives you a very alarmed look and freezes stock still.

[Vonapier]

i grab Marie and put myself between her and the gun.

"I suggest you put that gun down before someone gets hurt."

(ive got intimidate and at 17 too. sweet. i think my intelligence was a 12. please check for me. i plan to try to get the gun away from her.)

[Chris Chandler]

o_O

Okay, then, that's fine, but my question to you is this - What are you going to do about the other two guys? You know the type, big and thick necked, dark suits, semiautomatic pistols with silencers.

I'm not even suggesting that force a change to your plans, but I just thought you'd like to know what to expect.

[Vonapier]

hahaha.......yes my plans did change.

"As long as My girl can go safely home, ill go."

i think i can touch them and make them feint? ill see if i can. But first i need to make sure Marie gets home safely.

[Chris Chandler]

The woman, a tall, pale, blond beauty, smiles. She looks like she's from Lithuania or Moldova or Albania - some "No, I'm not Russian" ex-Soviet type Eastern European country.

Young man, what would possibly make you think that we would be interested in you? Come along Katja.

Marie doesn't budge, but her hand tightens reflexively on yours (as you are still holding hands) when she hears that name.

[Vonapier]

"And what makes you so sure that shes goin with you? You had best find your kicks elsewhere."

I wrap my arm around her and walk into public hoping she wont try anything

[Chris Chandler]

There's less than "public" around here. The parking lot to the theater is largely empty. There are some stragglers near the entrance of the theater, but the full-sized van this woman mentioned is making a very effective blind. You head back toward the crowd, trying to skirt the trio.

The woman shakes her head and points two fingers at the two of you.

Stun, not kill, Ivan. Do not kill.

In less than an instant you see that both men have their pistols in their off hands, and have pulled out what look to be tasers. They both fire.

I'll need a health check by a good amount, please.

[Vonapier]

well i made my roll by 3. My HT is 10 and i rolled a 7 but im guessing a 3 isn't making it by a lot.

[Chris Chandler]

You take the step, they fire and your chest explodes, but only for a second. You do not move for a long time.

When you do wake up, you cannot see. You hear your own breath, as well as Marie's shallow breathing. Your cheek is numb from cold, because you are laying on cold concrete. Your hands and feet are bound. You aren't blindfolded - it's just that dark. You hear dripping water.

[Vonapier]

Is i lay there i listen for any other signs of life.

Also i whisper out to marie quietly.

[Chris Chandler]

Give me a perception check. (You whisper to Marie quietly... what?)

[Vonapier]

i made it by 8. rolled a 6 and IQ is 14.

I just whisper to her to see if she is conscious.

[Chris Chandler]

You hear the dripping water, clearly - Marie does not respond.

You listen carefully for a long moment. The water drop echoes enough that you can determine that you are in a very large, or at least a high-ceilinged room. Your eyes are adapted to the darkness well enough, there just doesn't seem much to see - no windows, not light under doors, nothing. You just don't see anything.

You hear a mechanical humming, very low, thrumming though the floor.

[Vonapier]

Well my first instinct would be to try and get loose. then try and get Marie loose and we make a daring escape with blazing guns and lost of explosions, but then i come back to reality and try to get these binds off my limbs.

[Chris Chandler]

Well, knowing that you don't have anything similar "escape artist", would Ethan, honestly, be the kind of guy to carry a pocket knife? I'm not saying that he wouldn't. I'm honestly curious. Think about it, base it on his personality and background, and then let me know.

[Vonapier]

lol honestly no, but i wish i had a knife i wish i had a knife i wish... but i dont lol. BUT I CAN STILL WIGGLE!! lol

[Chris Chandler]

Okay, choose whichever ability is higher (ST or DX) and roll against that. We'll go from there.

[Vonapier]

okie dokie, that would be a 12 and i made it by 1, so i stopped the bad guy, saved the girl and made it home in time for supper right? :D

[Chris Chandler]

I am so glad I wasn't drinking anything right then. I'd have had to buy a new monitor.

Yeah, so you are still, most assuredly, bound. What now?

[Vonapier]

im gonna try to scoot over to marie and untie her binds as well as try to wake her up.

[Chris Chandler]

Interesting - Okay...

You are easily able to move over in that direction, but the actual skill you present in untying her is dependent on your skill*. Let's go ahead and try a DX check again.

Regardless, Marie does not respond to you moving toward her.

---
*Or lack thereof.

[Vonapier]

Well i made it by 2 awesome. even if i do fail at it ill just keep at it.

[Chris Chandler]

Alright... persistent effort will not loosen Marie's bonds, but it will wake her up.

You can tell that she is awake and aware, but she doesn't say a thing.

Marie immediately starts to thrash about, clearly trying to get her feet free. She makes no indication of recognizing you.

[Vonapier]

ill try to calm her down

"Hey, calm down, im in this with you. Just let me help you get your ropes off."

[Chris Chandler]

She spins over and starts slamming your legs down on you. She makes no indication of recognizing you.

You may choose to dodge, at a penalty of course.

She isn't saying anything.

[Vonapier]

arrg

"what is your problem?!"

and i dodge (because i fat fingered a 6) :P

[Chris Chandler]

She does actually land some leg on your back, but you are able to position yourself in such a way that her blows don't hurt you.

How do I know they're not making you do this!? How do I know you didn't set me up!? You never kissed me!!! Whoever's here, I'm NOT COMING EASY!!! WHY CAN'T I SEE

IOW:

http://a153.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/53/m_b18b44ac1eb3480fcdc28429aa2cc4e8.png

So she's freaking out.

[Vonapier]

"Ahh...whos....they? Och! what are you....talkin about?"

[Chris Chandler]

She starts crying a little -

I don't know what's going on, I just know that things have just gotten weird since I've known you, you've got some weird story with your parents and Russia and those folks were like Russian and I don't know where I am!!! What the hell is going on?!

[Vonapier]

"Marie, i honestly dont know. now i think if we can work together we can get each other untied. now come here."

[Chris Chandler]

((alright - I give. Fading... fast... post in... morning!))

[Chris Chandler]

Marie moves away, at first, but then stops -

D... Do you know where we are? I seriously cannot see anything!

[Vonapier]

"No, Marie, i dont. Now come here. If we can just get upright we can find a switch or something. Maybe a switch on the wall or a pull string thingy."

i shuffle towards her general direction.

[Chris Chandler]

She complies, finally -

Go ahead and give me a roll of 2d6. Tell me the result of each individual die, please.

[Vonapier]

I got a 3 and a 1.

[Chris Chandler]

excellent...


So you begin your work, trying to get your bindings loose, and, between the two of you, you make just enough progress to get hopeful. That's when you hear footfalls in the distance - a big echo bounces throughout this large room, whatever it might be, and it is heading toward you. You can't tell who or what is walking in your direction - the room is distorting the sound too much. It is direct enough, though, that Marie stops stock still. She whispers very quietly -

Oh, crap, honey, what do we do?

[Vonapier]

"Just keep at it. I think we can at least get our hands undone. go go go!"

I try as hard as i can to get her untied.

[Chris Chandler]

a. Net has been a little screwy - sorry for the slow progress. b. Since you're "forcing the issue" let's go ahead and see a ST check.

[Vonapier]

i missed by one.

[Chris Chandler]

Okay, that's actually not bad, to a point. Between the two of you, the rope around your wrists actually gives, and you get one of your arms free, and Marie manages to free both of hers. The timing is a bit off though, and the footsteps arrive. You hear a key go in a lock, then a padlock-lock disengage, rusty hinges, and a gate clang open. From the echo, it sounds like a fenced-in pen, like you are in a chain-link "cage".

The footfalls approach, and you smell the sweat of a hard days' labor on the person - most likely a man. He breaths with a little bit of a wheeze. He is standing right next to you, Ethan, right at about your knees.

[Vonapier]

I continue to mess with my binds to get free.

"Oh, what im gonna do to you when i get to ya." in a threating tone.

Intimidate (17)

rolled 10 so i made it by 7

[Chris Chandler]

You hear a shuffle as the figure in front of you move back quickly. You hear the *click* of a snap being undone, something... metal or plastic being pulled out of a holder of some form, then another click.

Stay on the ground - I can see you just fine. The same can't be said of yourself.

There definitely some doubt in the tone of that thick Eastern European accent. The man might not be scared, but he's definitely unsure of the situation.

Your right hand is now free (so that now both are free).

He's about a foot away.

[Vonapier]

they always have guns. maybe i should get one sometime.

"Fine. What the hell do you want from us anyway?"

[Chris Chandler]

You'll find out soon enough. Now sit up nice and slow, both of you. We are going to take a walk you and I, but first I need to take care of a little business with the devochka here.

His voice sounds menacing and his footsteps suggest that he is walking around to behind you.

[Vonapier]

"Devochka? What the hell is a Devochka? What are ya some russian guy?"

I will be keeping an eye out on him. If he harms Marie in anyway im just gonna go off on this guy.

[Chris Chandler]

Oh, I believe that he specifically intends to harm Marie, after he has his way with her. You hear Marie whimper in understanding. He's past your feet, after a yard away.

[Vonapier]

im gonna kill em. hes dead. Wheres his gun? i heard him click it. im gonna kill him.

[Chris Chandler]

You can't see, remember? It's on him, he's closing on Marie - What are you going to do?

[Vonapier]

im takin him down, im gonna hold on as tight as i can. Im gonna....WAIT ive got that weird touchy thing. ill just touch the guy while i go for the gun!! i expect it to be on his waist. im goin for it. i want to try to knock this guy down too. keep em off his feet.

[Chris Chandler]

As you close in on your opponent, quick as you can, you get a feeling of unusual insight, a strange feeling of... martial competence, as if you suddenly know Tang tsu do, whatever the hell that is. By any means you instinctfully understand that you could disarm and bring him down if you wanted. Intent now?

[Vonapier]

All the way. im goin to go all out on this guy. Disarm and take down, have the gun when i scramble away and pop a few shots at him.

[Chris Chandler]

You move in blindly, but your footwork is expert - in fact, you notice that you instictively close your eyes, as if following a technique. You step in, and put your hand on where his sidearm ought to be, while moving in such a way that he'll stumble backward.

As soon as he feels contact, he responds similarly, but his sidearm is out, and he hairtriggers! It discharges!!!

The good news (if such is the case), is that it is not a pistol, but a taser.

The bad news is that you are hit - Let's see that HT check (don't worry - you're holding onto him, he's got one to make, as well).

[Vonapier]

Well thats good to hear but i only made it by 1.

[Chris Chandler]

You both fall back to the ground, and you are stunned. You can't move for some bit of time. You really aren't sure - you're eggs are a little scrambled, honestly. You can sense Marie moving about, but can't really tell what she is doing. You know, however, that your opponent is out he's not moving at all. You can at least flounder about.

[Vonapier]

well ima gonna flounder my best to get to Marie. if were together im sure we can make it out of here. alive and unharmed for the most part. what i want to know is am i blind due to no light or blindfolded, and how was he able to know where to go? when i get my head straight im gonna check his head for any nightvision gear or what not.

[Chris Chandler]

As soon as you get settled - a few minutes, you can function. Marie's actually beating you to alot of what you intend. You can hear her speak -

He... crap! He's got some keys and Oh, geeze, Ethan please say something! Um, what - he's got some sort of goggles and... and... oh crap, a real gun! Oh crap, oh crap, oh crap!

You can move soon after.

[Vonapier]

Ill get the gun from marie and the goggles. Ill tazer the bastard once more for good measure. I really dont have it in me to accually kill someone. Not yet but these guys sure like to push it. Ill put an arm around marie and start to lead her out.

"We ARE going to make it out of here marie. I promise you that. And what is a devochka?"

[Chris Chandler]

You put the goggles on, and the landscape loosely unfolds around you in an eerie green and black. You see Marie, frightened teary-eyed, and the man, whom you tase once more, is down for the count.

She fumbles for your hand, grabs it, and replies -

Um, I don't know Russian, or whatever that was, but it certainly sounded like he meant girl, or something. Am I wrong - he... he was...

She starts crying.

[Vonapier]

i hug her to comfort her. but also keeping a watchful eye out.

"Hey hey hey. That part is over with now. Lets focus on getting out of here first then we can worry about what someone called ya."

[Chris Chandler]

Okay - you are in a sort of makeshift cell - it looks like chain-link. The door, of course, is open, and you find that you are in a large room. There is an enormous depression directly in front of the cell, which, after you look hard enough, decide is probably an empty swimming pool.

((I completely misunderstood what Vash had told me. I thought you were out for the night. It's totally my fault. I'm sorry that I did not post tonight!:cry:))

[Vonapier]

well lets get out of here then. I want to make as little noise as possible. These guys are probably a terrorist group holding us for ransom. Ill be watching out for cameras. ill use the tazer gun for stealth but if stuff gets too serious ill use the gun. By the way, how many bullets is in this thing?

[Chris Chandler]

Well, it's a semiautomatic pistol - you can't just glance at the chamber and figure it out. Do you have any skill with a pistol?

[Vonapier]

nope. no skill in guns of any type.

Im gonna guess 7 bullets, 7s a lucky number. I like 7. Im gonna say there are 7 bullets in this. Now lets climb out of this pool, by the darkness im guessin its night time. but it shouldnt be because we would see at least some light so i bet were in a building. public swimming pool. I like swimming. keeps you fit. wheres that ladder? Heh, wheres the shallow end.

"lets go marie. i know we both want out of this place. after we get out ill have us stay at whits or something. hes a big guy he can help keep us safe."

I grab Marie's hand and start forward.

[Chris Chandler]

Sorry for the misinterpretation - You are on the edge of the pool, looking down at it - it is still empty, but you are not in it.

The goggles you've procured have made navigation easier but you still have trouble seeing both ends of this room. It looks like there is a door at the near end, to your left about 90 feet away, but your righthand side fades into darkness.

[Vonapier]

Ah, ok.

Well ill head straight for the door and listen. Im gonna tell Marie to be as quite as possible. Ill look for light under the door. Listen for sounds not made by me. and keep looking around and behind me. Ill get to the door and try to open it slowly. ill be keeping an eye out on any movement while opening the door.

lets see how far that gets us

[Chris Chandler]

Okay, you get to the door, and Marie is like a mouse. The fact is that you are making more noise than she is. You listen at the door, then slowly open it, not seeing any light sources or movment. The door leads to a very short hallway with what looks to be a utility closet on the right, then stairs leading up into the dark.

[Vonapier]

Crap, stairs. Are we in a basement? or a facility? Gha! ok well ill head for the stairs. but ill keep an eye out on that "utility closet" door. when i get to the stairs ill make sure i raise her hand to signify that we are indeed at a flight of steps.

ill whisper in her ear.
"Keep an ear out. I can see somewhat but its still very disorientating."

[Chris Chandler]

You scale the steps without an issue. This doorway opens up into a wide hallway, linoleum flooring, and dented, open, or otherwise damaged lockers lining both walls, as far as you can see. You see occasional breaks between lockers indicating another passaged or perhaps a room. You still do not see any sources of light.

[Vonapier]

"No, this doesn't seem right. We need to get away from this facility, not go up. Ill check around and see exactly what floor im on. If i don't see any windows. Ill go back down and check for a way out of here....Is this a school?"

Ill go into one of the rooms and check for a window.

[Chris Chandler]

You don't see any windows from your vantage point here at the stairwell. You see no ambient light anywhere.

You move toward on of the breaks in the lockers and see that yes, indeed, there is a door to a room, the window taped up with paper. You open the door, and there is some light coming from this room - moonlight, or a streetlamp. It is nighttime.

Marie, sounding a little relieved -

Oh, we're in a school - I thought I recognized that smell.

The room itself is completely empty - there is an old chalkboard along the length of the wall to your left, but there aren't even any sappy inspirational posters on the walls. The windows are "security glass", that is, thick-paned with chicken wire in them to keep a broken window from shattering, and causing an injury.

[Vonapier]

"Well do you know what school where at?"

I look out side, are we on the ground floor? or are we a couple of stories up?

Were gonna have to find a way out of here. im guessing i can find and axe or shovel on the way to break the glass. Im almost positive that the doors to this place is chained.

(this post is brought to you by Vonapier, posting LIVE from the Staybridge Hotel in Orlando, Florida!)

[Chris Chandler]

Marie replies -

No - I have no idea. Just that smell of ass and pine-sol reminded me of my own school. I don't know where we are.

So you are looking for a heavy tool of some sort. Hmm... Well, tell me where you plan to look, and we'll go from there. From your vantage right now (still not actually looking out the window), you can't tell much of your surroundings, but if the hall and this classroom is any indication, the school is stripped bare.

Mind you, I'm not saying that there isn't anything in here, just that you don't see anything readily available.

[Vonapier]

Well, lets find out what floor were on then we can see about which tool we can come up with. I dont mind using the gun to bust the glass but it would cause so much noise and i dont know who else is down here with us. So im lookin for a fire axe, extinguisher, metal pipe, or a chair.

[Chris Chandler]

The easiest means to determine your floor takes you to the window, and you see the moonlit sky reflecting dewy grass not 6 feet below you. You are on the first floor, here.

Let's make an IQ check.

[Vonapier]

made my IQ by 2.

[Chris Chandler]

The "best" thing that you find is a broken mop handle. It isn't much, but you could break a window with it.

[Vonapier]

I look at the broken handle in my hand and then a marie.

"Ok Marie, im gonna bust this window and were gonna jet for the nearest road and get outa here. Were going to find a police station and then were goin to tell them what happened. Your goin out the window first."

I close the door to the room were in and lock it. Then i attempt to bust the window and clear it out so we wont get cut on any of the residual glass. Ill help marie out and then im climbing out. and then were both jetting from this place.

[Chris Chandler]

It's a non-issue once you close the door. The window is in shards in no time. You and Marie carefully get out of the windon onto the grass, and make the sprint.

Let's get a Perception check, please.

[Vonapier]

lets see i made my roll by 2

[Chris Chandler]

You make your escape from the school without notice, as far as you know. So, where are you headed now, as you really have no idea where you actually are?

[Vonapier]

well i DO know that we need to get to a road. not the nearest one but the one after that. if were near some wooded areas then the first one will suffice.

[Vonapier]

try to get a ride to the police station and tell them whats up! tell them my story and ive got faces baby ill draw a friggin picture. Ill ask where we are and how we can get to our local town and then ill take marie home from our...."Date".

[Chris Chandler]

It is a run down urban area - no trees, but rather abandoned low-story buildings, parking lots, and a few deserted streets. You see no cars around. You and Marie take no time to cover a couple blocks, gaining some cover from an abandoned office building, the sign For Lease by Williamson Realty on the side. As you continue, looking for any signs of life, you hear a few shouts, and the echo of an engine starting. The buildings around you sort of obscure the direction of the sound, but you think that it's coming from where you just left.

What to do now?

[Vonapier]

We have to continue on. I dont know who we can trust in a place like this.

[Vonapier]

We have to continue on. I dont know who we can trust in a place like this. we gotta get out of here on our own. Ill try to find a bike or something we gotta get out of here.

[Chris Chandler]

The 'net crapped just as I as posting to you this last time. Sorry for the delay!
---

Scrounging about, the best you find are a couple of skateboards that have clearly been stashed in a hidey-hole. They are in good repair.

[Vonapier]

Well well skateboards. we could make a ton of noise with that eh? yea. id rather foot it. but we will take them anyway. we gotta find a map. or something a store? ask for directions. a pay phone! gotta call whit and tell em what has happened.

[Chris Chandler]

Smart boy!

You really don't have an idea as to where you are, but as far as any sort of retail establishment, there isn't one that you can see. You stop by two pay phones (nearby), and will note that they are in various stages of completely ripped out of the booth.

Marie starts limping after your second foray for a phone -

Crap, crap, crap!!! I think I stepped on a nail! Oh, crap!

She sits down quickly, then screeches!!! She is bawling -

Oh! Owwwwwwww! I s... s... sat on one too!!!

[Vonapier]

Pay phone might work.

I check on Marie and comfort her but try and get her to get into someplace more hidden than this place.

"Marie i know it hurts but im gonna ask you to try to be quite here. Theres no telling to what they might do to us if they catch us so please. I don't know where we are but i intend on finding out. I'm gonna go check on those pay phones to try and call whit. It might not work but its worth a try. Ill be right back ok?"

ok i look both ways to make sure nobody is near or in sight. Ill listen to hear if any noise besides us. When its clear ill sneak my way over to one of the pay phones and try to stand near them to kind of blend in with the environment. and of course, try it to see if it works.

[Chris Chandler]

It is not in any sort of working order - sorry. The handset has been ripped from the phone.

You catch the flow from a nearby vehicle's headlight from a block down. It passes by a block away without slowing. You don't think you were seen.

[Vonapier]

ok well this is bust. were gonna get outta here. I promise marie, i will get us out of this place.

i look around to check for any bodies then i start my way back over to marie. were getting out of here.

[Chris Chandler]

You don't see anything from your vantage.

Now, you don't recognize any landmarks around here, and Marie doesn't seem to have an idea, either. It might or might not matter, per se, but which direction would you like to travel. There aren't even street signs, though there are holes where they should have been.

[Vonapier]

I try and pick up Marie off the ground and ask if she is alright.

Were going to need a car to actually escape this town. I plan on everyone being against me, even old people, so ill just commandeer their vehicle and get Marie and we will jet.

So how do i get a car to stop for me? I can throw debris at it and they will stop and get out and say WTF? that might work, thats all I've got to go on. i will NOT play the bait in the street idea. i don't want me or Marie getting ran over. So ill wait till we hear a car pull around and ill throw a brick at the car. Ill have the stun gun on me and ready for use. ill give the pistol to Marie and have her shoot IF ANYTHING GOES WRONG.

[Chris Chandler]

Interesting tactic, though there is the issue of you being in a very, very quiet area.

I tell you what - go ahead and give me a number 3-18, and I'll make a luck roll against it. We'll see who or who does not show up.

[Vonapier]

i rolled a 9.

[Chris Chandler]

You walk for a few blocks, Marie limping along with you helping her. Eventually you catch the glimpse of headlights as a car begins to swing down in your general direction. You set up the ambush, and let fly when you see the car - a riced up civic with some expensive custom mods - smashing the rear passenger window.

The car nearly does a donught, and a kid - maybe two years your junior busts out of the driver's seat. He look like your typical white suburban troublemaker, wearing bagging jeans with a wallet chain and a wife-beater, showing off his 140 pound physique. He moves to you like he's a prize boxer, though, and in a deep baritone he shouts at you -

Hey stupidass, why you throwin' rocks at my ride?! I'm gonna kill you, bitch!!!

He reaches around behind like he's pulling a weapon out!

What to do?

[Vonapier]

i use intimidation.

rolled a nine, made by 8

"Is THAT what your goin to do?"

I punch him in the jaw full force. I'm aiming PAST his jaw to break it off and snap his neck. Hes is a threat to me and Marie by pulling out a weapon. That might be a gun and if it goes off and hits Marie it would be my fault for not stopping him.

once i hit him ill hold the stun gun to his body and look. If he pulls anything out after that ill just shock him.

ill give you a roll for the punch after my pc boots up.

[Chris Chandler]

((Remember, not all the skills that you have are ones that you actually have - you've been absorbing them, but they don't stay.))

[Vonapier]

i know but ive GOT intimidation. And i was hoping that i could get a point across that i hit him once hard enough to mess this dude up for him to think "maybe pulling something on this guy isn't going to help my case." so, ive got no worries, ive got my tazer gun right here pointed at him if anything should get out of hand. I had actually planned to just tazer the dude as he was getting out of the car and walking up to me but you had already said what happened but im cool. :)

[Chris Chandler]

Your bravado gets the job done - You take a wild swing, and, while you don't land a jaw-shatterer, the shot to his temple as he ducks away is enough to cower him.

Do you still want to tazer him?

[Vonapier]

hahaha yea. the backstabbing little punk needs a lesson in life. he ISN'T the biggest baddest dude on the block. He shouldn't pull a weapon out unless he means to kill someone, and you NEVER mean to kill someone unless you can.

i tazer him. Get Marie. Get the car. GTFO of this city.

[Chris Chandler]

You do so. His ride is pretty nice, though ostentatious and way over the top. There are car-part stickers all over the dashboard and rear window. The good news is it can fly.

Once you and Marie get your bearings, where would you like to go?

[Vonapier]

WERE GETTING OUT OF THIS CITY and onto the next. i don't care where, were just gonna go one direction and get out. We will keep on driving from there.

.....but first, i cant stand to leave that poor guy on these streets. Ill bind him and stuff him in the back seat. I'm not gonna keep this car any who. i just need a ride out of this city and back home. hell ill even pay for his gas. but the window is his ordeal. he can pay for a spiffy ride like this then he can sure as hell pay for the friggin window. Once were all set, guy gagged and bound, we in our seats and belted in. were ready to go.

"I told you marie, ill get us out of here. we will be home in no time."

[Chris Chandler]

We can finesse this into getting back close to home - You'll get back to Daly City (south of SFSU) just as morning starts creeping in. You drop the car off and leave the guy with some cash (if not his dignity).

Marie, at this point, is pretty mute, exhausted, a little injured, and upset.

You make it to Whit's and he, sleepily, lets you in, heading back to bed without hardly acknowledging your arrival. You are left standing in his front room.

[Vonapier]

Ill talk to Marie before i let her go.

"Marie, id like to apologize for the completely rotten night. But i told you id get you home and ive done that but id feel a lot better if you came over with me to whit's place. chances are they will be back and lookin for yas, or im planning for the worst so would you come over to whits with me?"

[Chris Chandler]

Oh, she's not going anywhere. As far as she's concerned, you both are staying right here.

She takes the couch. That leaves you the chair, or... the other chair, or the floor.

[Vonapier]

oh im gonna be sitting infront of the door. on the floor with my back against the door and my head resting back. if anyone is getting in our doorway ill know about it. i want to keep Marie and me safe so im guessing that this is what i can for now.

some nerve people have. Always think they are above the law, pick on us people. they have..no right...to...pick........zZZZZZzzzZZZzZZzzzzz.

[Chris Chandler]

You both sleep hard. It's Whit that will wake you both up, quietly. He's already gone to the trouble of fixing breakfast, (a big bowl of oatmeal, microwaved, then split amongst you, and toast) and waits until you are both eating, or otherwise awake and moving about.

So, are you two going to tell me where you've been for the past three days?

[Vonapier]

i drop my spoon and stare at whit.

"Its been three days?!"

i give a quick glance to Marie and back at whit.

[Chris Chandler]

Whit, not skipping a beat, smirks -

Yeah... figured you'd headed off for a trip. Let a guy now, though?

Marie interjects -

No we -

Look, Marie, it's okay. Ethan's cool, I trust you both. I'm your best friend, though, I just would like some consideration.

Whit, as far as either of us know, the last thing we did was leave the bowling alley after our date... Like... three days ago! Tell him, Ethan -

Now Whit squares up on you, putting his own spoon down. He's cautious, and not smiling anymore.

[Vonapier]

"Look Whit, i didn't do anything to Marie. We were kidnapped."

I reach out to grab Marie's hand.

[Chris Chandler]

Marie nods and Whit sits back -

What? What the hell happened?

[Vonapier]

i relax a bit to know a big guy isnt going to pummel me.

"Ok, After we got done with our date, this lady told us to get in the car. Well of course, i didnt take them seriously so i started to lead us away from them. They tazered me with those guns cops use and i went out cold. this must be where i was out for 3 days? Anyway, i awoke tied up and in the dark next to Marie, who likewise was tied up. There we proceeded to get free of our binds. by the time i got sort of free, this guy was wanting to do "business" with Marie. I would NOT have any of that so i downed the guy. Soon there after we found out we were in an abandoned school. So we broke a window and got out to the city. Which city im not sure of, but i promised Marie i would get us out of there so here we are. Look whit im not sure who these people where but ive dont think they would stop there. Im sure they are looking for us right now. I feared last night that they would look for Marie at her place so i asked her to stay here for the night. Im sure we should report this to the police but im gonna be paranoid for a minute and say that these guys own the police. Im just not sure what to do now whit. I might be able to get Marie and me out of a tight fix but i cant deal with conspiracies at all."

I breath and try to relax.

[Chris Chandler]

Whit just looks dumfounded -

What... girl? What are you talking about? School? Wait, you don't know where you were?


Marie interjects -

We wandered 'til I recognized San Mateo - it was the middle of a city block, but everything was abandoned. I really don't know where we were, Whit. It was real strange.

Whit narrows his eyes -

Strange? You lost three days! I'd say it's a sight more than strange.

[Vonapier]

"Look Whit I really dont know how we lost 3 days and thats something to be concerned about. But im more concerned about the fact that we are in it deep right now from a group we know nothing about. I dont know what we did to piss these people off but they seem to be after Marie more than me. They called her something, another name. I cant remember for the life of me what they called you Marie."

[Chris Chandler]

Sh... she called me Katja, I think. I don't know why, though.

Whit looks incredulous, but nods at Marie's reply -

Katja, huh, and you said they were a group? What do you mean - what sort of group?

[Vonapier]

"Well i there was a lady who pointed two bruisers around to do her work and then a dude met us once we woke up so im guessing this is a group or organization of some sort. Or maybe im wrong and these are just a bunch of punks who try to act big. Either way we have some people after us and they dont mean us well so i think it best to report this to the cops and let them deal with it. We have a location and ive got faces so i think that might be enough dont you think? And about that name, i think we should look it up online and see what we cant pull up."

(chew.......chew..........chew..........chew.....h ahahaha jk)

[Chris Chandler]

Marie adds -

They weren't from around here, either. The lady, and that one guy... they, I don't know, they both sounded Russian, or something from that part of the world.

Whit laughs -

Are you trying to tell me that Lil' Orphan Marie and Ethan No-One-in-Particular Young from Vegas are targets of the Russian Mob?

He shakes his head -

Like I said, this is beyond weird. What are you going to do?

[Vonapier]

"Quite honestly Whit, i don't know what were goin to do. Ive never been a target of anyone. Nobody has ever hated me the way these people do. Right now ive got no clue what to do. Thats why i come to you Whit. Is there anything you would suggest?"

kind of frustrated, i pick up my spoon and start eating again.

[Chris Chandler]

Well, you got here in pretty good shape. I just wonder what they were after. School doesn't begin for some weeks yet, so why don't you keep a low profile. Work and here. Keep low, is the best I can say. Your dorm's just in the next quad, so that's not too far. My friend Jacob is over there. We'll network out and keep you both safe. I -

he looks at Marie then you -

have a feeling you don't want to alert the university administration of Russian mobsters, or whatever, on the lookout for you?

He smiles, trying to inject a little humor into the situation.

[Vonapier]

"Heh, funny."

I smile and put my hand on Marie to give a sign of reassurance that everything will be ok

(and i chew my gum.




chew




chew Hardy har har!!!)

[Chris Chandler]

So, what's the plan?

[Vonapier]

Well, ill do what whit has suggested. Marie and i will work at the campus, laying low, for the duration of the break. Besides we have some back up. Whit and his buddy, Jacob, lookin out for us. This will give me a chance to get some money for Marie and i to get a second date! But i wont be takin her out. Maybe just some pizza ordering and just a night at my place or her place or what ever place for some media viewing.

that should about cover the extent of my stay.

[Chris Chandler]

What about your job at Fry's?

[Vonapier]

Ill call in and tell him i was caring for my dying grandmother. If he is a dick about it he can go screw himself.

[Chris Chandler]

Fair enough - we'll consider that issue resolved then. Your workmate will vouch for you, and can pull the strings necessary to get you back on, should you want to return.

Okay, Whit speaks with the professor he's assisting this coming semester, and he manages to get you a job with the shop staff. You'll be one of the operators of the big machines, plus doing cleanup and other odds and ends. Marie already has an office gig in another department.

Alright - so, we can put all that into early afternoon - about lunchtime or so. What would you like to do now?

[Vonapier]

Ill ask whit, to call in for pizza and ill invite marie over to whit's house....or try to.

"Marie, i know our last date was goin pretty good with the exception of...ya know, and i just wanted if you would just like to sort of..come over tonight and just sit back and relax? Ya know, just spend some time together. So....what do ya say."

heart beating, almost sweating. Nervous ticks and all.

[Chris Chandler]

Wait - maybe I wasn't clear. Outside of work, Marie's not leaving your side.

[Vonapier]

Ah, OK, well i don't say that. BUT, id like it TO be some quality time and just watch a movie of her choice. Id like to take care of those wounds she sat on when we were escaping. I want her to feel like what it was like BEFORE we were kidnapped. But other than that night that is what it is going to be like until classes start.

So, in a nut shell, i will make Marie feel as secure as humanly possible so we can go back to normal. She will be happy. That i will make sure of, no matter what.