OOC

[hardrocks]

Whilst Kar is oblivous to any difficulties in completing the done deal with Medusa. Comm signals are blocked in the room you are in.
I have a thought or two, aren't we supposed to be using this merchandise in a couple of hours, for the "meeting" with the Aslan.
There is no benefit to a fight here, it would ony mess up our plan.
I did think Medusa was on the level with us and we are doing what she and we want.

[Tiglath]

You are absolutely right on all counts.

Alas, Raven is "enjoying cultural exchange" with the Blackrock professional criminals!

And, why yes, they spilled her pint...

[The Bindoner]

I think a re-read of this post might be useful (while I work on my next post):

https://www.unseenservant.us/forum/view ... 65#p656965

You're bringing cash to the buy, with advice to be nice.

[Tiglath]

As to the aspect of payment I can say that Raven has already made a good faith "down payment in advance" so her claims of having paid (or at least partially paid) in the appropriate "negotiable" are valid (even if Kar's earlier "indicated action of payment" was less precisely defined by posts). OOC I was of the mind we paid upfront (if off screen) and so we were only "collecting our order" in the current action. However there is this IC as below:

Raven places an order with Medusa "We will take two thousand rounds of Aslan bane snub ammunition and thirty of your grenades. We might take more if they work as described and with no drawbacks. Eleven thousand Imperial. I will send you a note with my additional needs". She fishes in a pocket set into her leather bodice and draws out two slim ingots. "Two fingers of silver to open my account - one thousand Imperial each. The balance on delivery. Take them for assay if you wish".

Emphasis mine for clarity re: "action hidden in dialogue". Slack PbP style by me. Mon May 08, 2023 2:07 am [Ref Page 25]

I must add that even though I was absolutely sure Raven had put in some sort of payment this passage of play took me ages to find even though I wrote it... and then mid-search... I began to doubt that I had! )

I believe it was simply "overtaken by events" in the context of the main thread.

So, please forgive the above pedantry but all is in the hope of avoiding the characters (guided by our own mis/understanding) being at "angry dolphins"... Or did I mean "cross porposies"...

[The Bindoner]

I had forgotten that too

It helps.

A bit.

[Tiglath]

Raven's (perhaps very personal) issue is that the "bouncer" at the establishment she was invited to is giving her gyp.

As an Oghman Officer in a "meritocracy of hyperviolence" and reputation she's not taking that - especially from someone else's monkey.

The insult, in the eye of the Oghman beholder , is exponential in effect because he doesn't even offer a duel or even initiate combat. In ambush (door slams separating the Tech Commander from support (on Raven's watch!!!) and comms fail - all with no warning) he just threatens murder after being helplessly gassed (no access to Valhalla) versus immediate dishonourable compliance/surrender? Warwick Hunt!

Given the "Kobayashi Maru" nature here surely the only properly Viking response was exactly that which he received: "Come on then!" and go out fighting!

Raven has only stayed her hand (twice!!!) as she's convinced Medusa is a valid ally and is convinced this bloke's lost the plot albeit she might well be out of "cultural context" - but see the reasoning above.

I hope the above shows my working / is some help in understanding the actions in hand.

[The Bindoner]

Sound IC Oghma reasoning.

Which is mirrored by the NPCs.

Two different violent criminal cultures tripping over their trivial differences...

I'm sure we'll settle things without too many casualties

Working on that.

[Thumper]

FYI, I’m preoccupied with family and professional training at the moment and the next couple weeks. I’ll post when I can (I welcome the escapist break). But don’t wait on me to advance the storyline for the next couple weeks.

[The Bindoner]

I'm pretty swamped with "stuff" too.

We'll declare Tiv "groggy" with lucid moments (when you can contribute).

I'll try and come up with a post that doesn't escalate the situation tomorrow. (This is difficult, because everyone involved have very similar codes of honour, reputation and violence - they just wear different clothes. Also, now both sides have come to believe the other is trying to rob them )

[Tiglath]

Well, as per Raven's verbals the "Oghman delegation" aren't intent on robbery (although arguably the word "currently" might have to be included there). They are apparently planning on pulling back from the "ambush" and kidnapping Aristotelis in order to secure the deal. They are also the only party currently out of pocket.

If it's any consolation my house has both a tribe builders and the entire contents of a student flat rammed into it all of which needs cleaning/washing. Of course, the "laundry list" expands to include anything that has at any time come into contact with the builders...

[The Bindoner]

I've just cleaned windows so they, and their surrounds, look nice for the builders when they take them out and board up the hole prior to replacing them. Apparently it is essential they are sparkly for the short period before tools are deployed

Re: robbery - It isn't a matter of intentions, but perceptions. Raven isn't the only paranoid killer in the equation

[Tiglath]

Wisdom there. Builders are notoriously fickle creatures and have indeed been known to refuse to turn folks' houses into an industrial warzone simply on the grounds of grubby windows!

My deepest condolences - we appear to be suffering the exact same fate but in parallel space and time. This morning we enjoyed the Painter and, of course, the necessary ritual of "the one that didn't turn up" so perhaps the worst (constant "blessings from The Prince of Darkness" - why, yes, that was the fuse agaiiinnn! / survival of the plaster flinger: mirror smooth walls - everything else covered in plaster) might be over...

Raven isn't paranoid - she knows a harsh universe is out to get her!

With 20/20 hindsight I now wonder if the crew should have consulted the ever useful Debrett's Guide to Etiquette and Deportment for some guidance on meeting (other) homicidal maniacs... perhaps a deft touch with the seating plan could avoided any escalation...

Maybe a "grown up" will intercede...

[The Bindoner]

I just had three crash/restarts in a row. Very few of the open documents survived in up-to-date form. The Oghma draft was not one of them - I shall begin again.

[Thumper]

Maybe a "grown up" will intercede...

When Tiv regains consciousness and wits, be absolutely will want to!!

[Tiglath]

Apologies all - I'm suddenly not getting email notifications!

Now catching up!

[The Bindoner]

A summer cold is kicking my arse. Brain fog, lethargy, light-headed, everything aches.

Tomorrow is, hopefully, a better day.

[Tiglath]

There seems to be a variant of some lurgy or other doing the rounds...

Rest up and get well soon!

[Thumper]

You doing any better, Bindoner? Hope so.

[The Bindoner]

I'm better, but my wife's got the thing now

Also, her friend, who invites herself every summer, has arrived anyway

[Ecthelion]

I use this pause to understand how I can interact in the main topic without seem rude and without divert the attention from the main scene.
How could I do it?