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Post by Julie Loire on Jun 25, 2007 10:01:29 GMT -5
((OOC - This is probably a closed storyline, between me and Rainii. Since we control at least six or seven major characters just by ourselves. I don't plan on making a habit of that. )) :: At a nondescript cafe across the street from Galbadia Hotel, a blonde girl in a waitress uniform offers a friendly smile to her latest group of customers before leaving to relay their orders to the kitchen staff. As she leaves, two shady-looking men in suits enter the cafe, walking up to the front counter immediately. The middle-aged man at the counter, the manager of the cafe, frowns. He doesn't like the look of these two. :: Manager: "What is it?" :: One of the men reaches into his jacket, while the other speaks. :: Suit A: "We're looking for a girl. She's been missing for quite some time, now, and it's imperative that we find her and bring her back to her father." :: The other man takes a photograph out of his jacket and places it on the counter. :: Suit B: "She goes by the name Julie." :: The manager takes one look at the photo, and recognizes Julie's face. :: Manager: "Don't know who that girl is. Now, unless you plan on taking a seat..." :: Suit A moves with lightning-fast reflexes, drawing his concealed handgun and aiming it at the manager. :: Suit A: "Come on. You expect us to believe that? It's written all over your face. You know this girl." :: The manager chuckles :: Manager: "Sure, maybe I've seen her before. Lots of people come in here. But I don't know who she is." :: While the suits continue to threaten the manager, Julie steps out of the kitchen. She only sees the suits from behind, and they already give her the chills. Before she can take another step, though, she sees the manager trying not to notice her. :: "Um... is everything okay, sir?" :: At the sound of her voice, the manager lashes out at Suit A, so the reactionary gunfire grazes his partner's shoulder instead. :: Manager: "Julie, run! Get the hell out of here!!! NOW!!!" :: For a moment, Julie doesn't exactly comprehend everything that's going on. She just stands there, watching as the manager fights with the man in the suit. After a few seconds, though, the manager's instructions finally process, and she turns around and dashes through the kitchen, to the back exit. :: :: Suit A struggles with the manager a bit more, but eventually gains the upper hand and clubs the aging man over the head with his firearm, knocking him unconscious. Suit B slowly stands up, grasping at his wounded shoulder. :: Suit A: "I'll go after her. You take care of that wound." Suit B: "Fair enough. I'll call in backup. We'll block off the whole city." Suit A: "Are you sure? That's a bit obvious..." :: Suit B nods :: Suit B: "We can afford to be noticed when we're this close."
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Post by Julie Loire on Jun 26, 2007 4:25:32 GMT -5
((OOC - Probably the last post here until Laguna and company show up. Then we'll see how things progress.))
:: Julie runs through the streets of Deling City, taking many turns and hoping she could at least hold on to a homefield advantage of some kind. She had just barely had time to grab her duffel bag before she left, and she was still in her waitress uniform. Including moderate, but currently very uncomfortable, high heels. She was tempted to just slip them off and drop them in the streets, but she didn't want to leave any evidence behind. Besides, they were nice shoes. When one wasn't on the run from mysterious men in suits. ::
:: As she rounded one particular corner, she ran to the door of a recently abandoned building. ::
Please be unlocked...
:: To her relief, the door swung open. She rushed inside, checking her surroundings to make sure there were several alternate exits before finding a more private place to change. ::
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Post by Rainii Loire on Jun 26, 2007 14:48:23 GMT -5
::Rainii,Laguna, Kiros, and Ward come out from the clocktower. As soon as they are out on the street, Rainii turns to Laguna.::
"Which way do we go?"
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Laguna Loire
Determined Individual
Ex-soldier, traveller, journalist... oh, and President of Esthar too
Posts: 151
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Post by Laguna Loire on Jun 26, 2007 14:55:50 GMT -5
((OOC - Pretty soon, I'll have to go out for a couple of hours. I don't know if I'll get Julie's next post in before I do, but feel free to continue from this anyway. All you need to know about the cafe is pretty much in the first post. The manager's just a generic NPC, so feel free to use him.))
:: Laguna points to the left ::
"That way!"
:: He, Kiros, Ward, and Moomba all run in the direction he pointed. They're technically running in the street, but the roads are eerily silent tonight. ::
"Take a left turn at this corner, then it's straight on to Galbadia Hotel."
:: Kiros gives a quick nod, whether anyone can see it or not ::
Kiros: "The cafe's right next door."
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Post by Rainii Loire on Jun 26, 2007 17:59:09 GMT -5
::The group runs all the way to the cafe, and stop in front of it's doors. Rainii notices that Laguna has a dreamy look on his face, as if he's reliving things she cannot see. They decide to all go inside the cafe together, and sit down at a table. The manager had been looking at them rather suspisiously since they entered, and now comes over to where they are seated.::
Manager:"May I help you?"
::All four turn and look at him.::
"Um....well..."
::Rainii points to Laguna, who looks offended.::
"Talk to him."
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Laguna Loire
Determined Individual
Ex-soldier, traveller, journalist... oh, and President of Esthar too
Posts: 151
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Post by Laguna Loire on Jun 26, 2007 18:10:43 GMT -5
:: Laguna sighs ::
"Guess nobody remembers us anymore. Well, anyway..."
:: He looks at the manager, pauses for a second, then turns to Kiros ::
"What was our usual again?"
:: Kiros shrugs ::
Kiros: "I'm not sure. I just remember ordering 'the usual' every time. Same as the hotel."
Ward: "......"
:: Laguna nods ::
"You're right... probably new management, anyway."
:: He clears his throat and stands up ::
"Sir, we're here looking for Julie..."
:: As soon as the words are out of his mouth, the manager pulls a small handgun on him ::
Manager: "Don't move."
:: Laguna freezes, obviously not expecting this sudden reaction ::
"Um... we're just here to..."
:: The manager's hand is visibly shaking, but he keeps the gun trained on the group. It's obvious he's not used to handling weaponry. ::
Manager: "Just... d-don't move. I'm not going to let anyone take Julie!"
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Post by Rainii Loire on Jun 26, 2007 18:18:13 GMT -5
"We aren't trying to take her."
::Rainii's voice remains calm, and steady. Her eyes are focused on the gun.::
"We just need to talk to her, is all. You can even be here for it, to watch us. But we need to know where she is."
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Laguna Loire
Determined Individual
Ex-soldier, traveller, journalist... oh, and President of Esthar too
Posts: 151
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Post by Laguna Loire on Jun 26, 2007 18:27:46 GMT -5
((OOC - My posts are long. That's what I get for controlling all these characters at once.)) :: The manager looks back and forth between Rainii and Laguna, eventually turning to Kiros, Ward, and Moomba, then back at Rainii. The sudden tension slowly starts to dissipate, and he lowers the gun. :: Manager: "I... she... um, are you really here to help?" :: Laguna smiles :: "Don'tcha know who you're talking to? This is Rainii Loire, co-president of Esthar. And I'm her father, Laguna." :: At the mention of his name, everything in the cafe stops. Several customers turn to face him. :: Customer 1: "You're THE Laguna Loire?" Customer 2: "Oh, hey, Laguna! We were in the army together, remember?" Customer 3: "Wait... you have TWO daughters?" :: Laguna starts feeling just a bit nervous getting all this attention :: "Um... yeah, I'm Laguna... and hey, nice to see you again... whoever you are..." :: At the last question, though, he tenses up a bit :: "Two...? Wait... no, see, that's why we're here. This Julie girl thinks she's my daughter, but she's not, and, well..." :: He turns to the manager :: "Where did you say she is again?" :: The manager shrugs :: Manager: "I don't know. She ran away after those strange men in suits showed up looking for her." :: Kiros stands up :: Kiros: "What did they say?" Manager: "I dunno... something about her being missing, and bringing her back to her father." :: Kiros looks at Ward, who nods in agreement. :: Ward: "......" Kiros: "Yes, someone is apparently after the wrong girl."
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Post by Rainii Loire on Jun 26, 2007 18:52:15 GMT -5
"You ARE sure that there is no possible way that this girl could be yours,right?"
::And, to make him nervous, she shoots him that odd look again. She then turns to Kiros.::
"If the girl they're looking for isn't Julie, who is it?"
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Laguna Loire
Determined Individual
Ex-soldier, traveller, journalist... oh, and President of Esthar too
Posts: 151
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Post by Laguna Loire on Jun 26, 2007 19:01:28 GMT -5
:: Laguna almost winces a bit, but is starting to get used to the constant jibes from Rainii. The only thing that does make him nervous is the fact that it's only 99% impossible. Rather than acknowledge it, though, he talks to the manager ::
"Don't you at least know where she went?"
:: The manager shakes his head ::
Manager: "No... I just told her to run."
:: Meanwhile, Kiros moves next to Rainii to answer her question. ::
Kiros: "Isn't it obvious? They're after the Esthar President's daughter."
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Post by Rainii Loire on Jun 26, 2007 19:08:04 GMT -5
"They must really think she's the real deal then, if they're after her like this."
::Rainii looks back at the manager.::
"Well, do you know the direction she ran in?"
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Post by Julie Loire on Jun 26, 2007 19:12:37 GMT -5
*-*-* Elsewhere in the city *-*-*
:: Julie crept out of the alcove in the building. Her duffel bag, with her waitress uniform inside, had been hidden away under a floorboard somewhere, and she was now in her regular street clothes. Considering the condition she had found herself in, her semi-automatic pistol was currently strapped to her thigh, and her survival knife was folded and attached to her belt. ::
:: She slowly walked through the building, her boots making far less noise on the hard floor than the high heels she had worn with her uniform. The nearest exit was only a few feet away, then once she was out in the street she could start running again. For now, she needed to keep quiet... in case someone had found their way into the building. ::
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Laguna Loire
Determined Individual
Ex-soldier, traveller, journalist... oh, and President of Esthar too
Posts: 151
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Post by Laguna Loire on Jun 26, 2007 19:18:48 GMT -5
:: At Rainii's question, the manager snaps his fingers ::
Manager: "Oh! I remember... she used to tell stories of a secret place she knew as a child. An abandoned building, about a mile down the road."
:: Laguna smiles ::
"Say no more! We know that place. Right, guys?"
:: Kiros and Ward both nod. Moomba tilts its head curiously. ::
Moomba: "Laguna?"
:: Laguna, Kiros, and Ward all head for the exit ::
"Just follow us, Rainii. Moomba, you watch our backs, okay?"
:: Moomba jumps excitedly, glad that it's been trusted with a task ::
Moomba: "Laguna! R-r-right!"
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Post by Rainii Loire on Jun 26, 2007 19:24:51 GMT -5
::Rainii follows them out the door, Moomba right behind her.::
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Post by Julie Loire on Jun 26, 2007 19:30:25 GMT -5
*-*-* Same "Elsewhere" as before *-*-*
:: Julie finally reaches the doorway, kicks it open, and runs full-tilt out into the street. A man wearing a similar suit to the ones from the restaurant comes out of the shadows in the building and starts to chase after her. ::
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Laguna Loire
Determined Individual
Ex-soldier, traveller, journalist... oh, and President of Esthar too
Posts: 151
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Post by Laguna Loire on Jun 26, 2007 19:34:43 GMT -5
:: Laguna, with his friends and family in tow, runs through the street, cornering a turn suddenly. ::
"This way... it's shorter through here!"
:: Kiros groans ::
Kiros: "Brace yourselves. Laguna's shortcuts are... interesting..."
:: The route takes them around one building, past a small side road, and straight through a fully occupied office building. Finally, as they reach their destination, they see a blonde girl running from a man in a suit as she exits her hiding place. ::
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Post by Rainii Loire on Jun 26, 2007 19:41:43 GMT -5
"That has to be her!"
::Rainii takes off after them::
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Post by Julie Loire on Jun 26, 2007 19:45:40 GMT -5
:: As she runs, Julie is visibly strained a bit. She's not used to endurance running of any kind, and this definitely falls under that category. The suit-wearer is slowly beginning to catch up. ::
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Laguna Loire
Determined Individual
Ex-soldier, traveller, journalist... oh, and President of Esthar too
Posts: 151
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Post by Laguna Loire on Jun 26, 2007 19:52:43 GMT -5
:: Laguna and the others run after Rainii, both out of instinct to protect both her and the blonde girl and because they don't want to miss all of whatever action might be involved. ::
:: With no warning, at least none that was noticeable to anyone else, Ward suddenly hurls his harpoon into the air. It lands dead-center in the street, right in front of the man chasing the girl. Unfortunately for him, there wasn't enough time to stop, and his head made very rough contact with the solid weapon lodged in the ground. The team very quickly catches up to the unconscious man, and Laguna glances up at where Julie is running. ::
"Rainii, you take Moomba and go after her. We'll see what we can find out here..."
((OOC - I'll control Moomba from Julie's account while they're dealing with the "suit". Instead of posting their conversation with him, I'll just have Laguna and the others enter back in later and explain to Rainii.))
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Post by Rainii Loire on Jun 26, 2007 19:55:45 GMT -5
::Rainii nods, and her and moomba rush to catch up with the blond-haired girl.::
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