[IC] Of Shadow and Flame: Beginnings

[Raindrop Valkyrie]

Vixen caught Bark looking at her, and looked directly into his eyes for a split second. He seemed to be an overly open person. He didn't really hide who he was, highly extroverted and liked being around people. He seemed like a bit of a goof outside of combat, but he certainly had his head screwed on tight. He didn't lose his cool, and clearly was experienced. How experienced, Vixen wasn't sure, but clearly more than some of the kids here.

This Ozmoronodandy or whatever the hell he called himself... ugh... moving on.

No one else particularly struck her interest... But, she had no want to get attached to these people. Better to be alone, like she was used to. No one to care about... no one to worry about... other than herself. It was easier to focus, no need to worry... about that pain. She shook her head... not something she wanted to think about. She stood in the corner for now. She kept all of her arms on her, and the many... many knives.

[Chevaleresse]

Pixl (sorry about the wait, I've got a lot on my mind)

"You're in Japan, in the headquarters of the Protectors. We rescued you from dying in that field." She paused for a moment. "We have a proposition for you. Rather than holding this against you in some sort of debt, we request that you join our forces. You have something within you that you do not realize. You possess the potential within you to wield magical power in the defense of humanity. I will show you what I mean." The gaggle of teens around her took a few steps back. She flashed white, and a gust of wind seemed to blow through the room as the girl was replaced with a version of herself with two long braids of hair and a sort of white dress with long tails that circled around her. Four spears materialized, floating behind her, and most notably she floated an inch or two off the ground herself. "If you agree to join our cause and follow my leadership, we will unlock this power for you and forgive any debt you may owe us."

[Hiss13]

Nagi set down her rifle case in a corner and carefully placed the girl she was carrying on a comfortable sleeping position on a mattress before putting a blanket on her.

She then took off her trenchcoat and sat down on one of the sofas. "I have three questions. The first is 'Why is there such a weird gathering of magi and non-combatants in one place? I honestly doubt that it is because of that on beast?"

She paused and looked at herself. "Also, does this place have working showers or a bath? I haven't really gotten a chance to take a shower in the past couple of days." She scratched her head before giving a sheepish smile. "You don't really get the chance to do so when you spend two days tailing somebody while waiting for the best opportunity to stealthily put a bullet between his eyes. Lastly, I take it that you have no problem with me staying here for the night. This is honestly more convenient than heading back to one of my own bases."

Edited April 5, 2015 by Hiss13

[Chevaleresse]

"I'm not really sure why people were pulled so strongly there, though it's not unheard of. If you've got the potential then you can sense beasts - especially fresh ones like that, who haven't had time to settle down into real physical form. Every single 'civilian' here has the potential, which is why I wanted to bring everyone here. Well, and I'm sure Astros would love to chat with you too." He said this last sentence while looking over the people there toward the door. "Speaking of, I wonder when he'll get here." Takeshi finished digging in the closet and produced what he had been looking for; of all things, it was a light machine gun. He hefted it in one arm, the weight of the weapon having a clear effect on him as it was rather large for Takeshi's less than bulky frame. "I've been on edge a bit, lately. Everyone's been more pissy than usual; not sure if they just decided they want me gone, or if it's the big critter some of the Mediators keep talking about." He slung the weapon over his shoulders so that the stock hung around his hip, then walked over and flopped onto one of the couches.

"As for your last two questions, there's a shower over there, although the heat can be spotty. You can stay here for as long as you like, but the factions don't really appreciate big groups of loners forming."

[Yash]

Krys heard what the others were asking and some of her questions were answered, but nobody asked the most basic question in her mind. "Umm, Takeshi.. Could you tell me what that all was about? Beasts and magical powers, transformations and factions. Why can I see these creatures? Who are the Mediators? This whole thing seems like a dream I can't wake up from. I really don't understand what is happening. I'm sorry if I seem like a fool. I got lost on my way and wound up at the scene." Krys started sobbing slightly, from exhaustion, fright and anxiety. She was spiraling out of control. She sat down on one of the sofas and hid her face in her hands, trying to control her self. Slowly she wiped her eyes and stopped crying. "I'm sorry. Please could I have some water.", she asked Takeshi.

[Cyaloom]

"Ok, I'll follow you there..." said Dexter before going downstairs and following Astros. By the time they were outside of the building, Takeshi and the other people were already ahead. "Well... Since the other group of people is already there, could you stay with me and show me the way to Takeshi's dwelling? I'd really appreciate it." he whispered to Astros.

After about twenty minutes Dexter arrived in that place and knocked on the door, before entering. That place was not that bad for a shelter built in an abandoned neighborhood. Dexter took a look around the place, then introduced himself to the group of people. "Hello everyone, my name is Dexter... Some of you might already have noticed me before, where you fought the beast." Then Dexter called Takeshi and said "Takeshi, right? Astros is here with me. He offered me a contract and... I accepted it."

[Pixl]

[[Don't worry, it's fine! I was just making sure]]

Gavriil looked on in awe at the scene before him. This girl... transformed? What sort of magic is this, he wondered. There were many aspects about this situation that he could not quite understand. "Japan, eh?" The boy thought a moment. He then nodded, as if he understood that. Gavriil's mind, as a protective measure, went through the events methodically, in order for him to better understand them. Once he accepted his location, he thought about the next bit of information; it was definitely a more difficult mountain to tackle. Magical power, in him? He looked down at his hands, opened and closed them, and returned his gaze to the girl. She was clearly changed. This was no joke. Gavriil had a strong enough confidence in himself to believe he was not hallucinating. This was real.

Then he remembered. He remembered his past life, being brought out of the burning house and into the arms of the Russian mafia. "Save me, and I join you, is it?" There was almost a minor twitch of a wistful smile in the corner of his mouth, but if there had been, it was for less than a millisecond. In fact, such a smile probably never materialized itself on the boy's face, though one might imagine seeing it there if one had the imagination to emulate what his thought process was; indeed, anyone who knew his past might expect a display of emotion in that sense, but at the same time, anyone who knew his past would also know why it could never happen.

Gavriil looked around at the various faces in the room once more. He had already accepted it. He knew there was nowhere else for him to go. What kind of life could he live, excommunicated from the Russian mafia and with no knowledge of how to live a normal life? The decision was a practical one. He probably knew his answer before the question was even asked. Thus, when he returned his gaze once again to this defender of humanity, this leader, this girl, the words that came out of his stone face were strong and showed no signs of wavering; "Very well. I accept."

Edited April 5, 2015 by Pixl

[Raindrop Valkyrie]

Krys's reaction had proved Vixen's hunch that she was completely new to this... but it didn't make her feel good for calling it. Krys was in the stage Vixen was when her own powers manifested. It was confusing, frightening, and certainly not something that Vixen would ever want to go through again. However, she went through it alone, with no one. Krys was at least, in the company of people who understood what was happening. She wouldn't have to muddle through it herself... or be afraid of...

Vixen pushed those thoughts from her mind again. She didn't want to think on them, dwell on them. It was the past, she needed to look forward and not miles behind. She tossed a canteen over onto the couch, one of a few she had on her. "It's fresh, has been filtered and boiled so there is no need to worry about drinking it." she said to Krys. She didn't make much more of an effort to move, or really to explain anything to Krys, she figured Takeshi would handle it. It probably seemed rather cold on the surface, that she had no want to do anything and was only doing it to get the girl to be quiet. But, if people looked past that, they would know people never go out of their way if they don't care. Of course, Vixen didn't believe that she did. To her, one didn't ignore a simple request or just let someone die... what kind of person could have left this girl out there on that battlefield to die? Not one that Vixen would understand to any extent.

[Jory]

Bark looked on with interest as the new guy, Dexter, walked in. Then, he dropped the tidbit about accepting Astros's contract. Poor sod. He doesn't even know what's coming, he thought to himself. A life of servitude to a being he knows nothing about. Certainly not the way I would have wanted to be awakened, but then again who am I to complain? A look of shock came over Bark's face as he looked across the room and saw Vixen engaging in a rare act of compassion, giving her water to the young girl who had begun to break down. Interesting. So you're a softie at heart, he noted. He then stood up, his sheer size making him quite noticeable in the relatively low-celiinged room. "So is there any particular plan here, or are we just planning to sit around and chat and have a slumber party? Because it it's the latter, I'd like to suggest a pillow fight and hair-braiding." He chuckled lightly and turned to Takeshi. "Turn on the news. I'd like to see if the normies caught on."

[Chevaleresse]

Pixl

"Very well then." They had obviously planned on what they would do should Gavriil accept, as six people transformed and formed a ring around him. They looked a bit nervous, and for good reason - none of them had the opportunity to really practice this before. They all closed their eyes and focused for a few moments without anything happening. Then, Gavriil could feel a strange feeling enveloping his body, not unlike the one he had felt when he healed them. . .

Takeshi's place

Takeshi gestured at Dexter. "I'll preemptively welcome you to the magical world. As for the other normals here, well, it's still up to you, but I wouldn't trade this life for anything. As for your questions," he said looking now at Krys, "I'd rather only explain once, so I'll wait for Astros to do his thing." He did, however, reach for the remote and flip the TV on and to the local news.

The Mediator in cat form looked straight at Dexter. "I will unlock your potential now with an infusion of energy. Every person reacts differently, so this may be unpleasant." His eyes seemed to light up as he stared intently at Dexter, who felt a highly unusual sensation over his entire being. . .

(Dexter and Pixl: in your next post, detail how you react. You could have basically nothing happen, you could collapse, you could feel searing pain across your body, pretty much anything.)

[Hiss13]

"That's weird. I never encountered something like that happening when I worked with the Protectors. Though the group I was with generally cordoned off the areas in which the beasts would appear so I guess that was also meant to prevent things like this from happening." Nagi spoke with a nonchalant tone. "However... the big one? I'll ask you to fill me in on that once I get out of the shower then."

She got up out of her seat as the guy from the other building walked in explaining that he had made a contract with Astros. She simply clicked hee tongue and watched as she made her way to where she had been directed.

It was at this moment when she noticed Vixen passing a canteen of water to the girl she had saved. Nagi chuckled to herself as she saw this. Even after all of that grandstanding, you're still a big softie, huh? Textbook tsundere right there.

She continued onwards as she walked out to the shower. She needed to loosen some of the fatigue after all.

[Pixl]

The anxiousness on the faces of the six was obvious to the boy laying in the center of their ring. However, there was no need for him to be anxious himself; he was already resigned to his decision. Then, a familiar feeling hit. A strange sensation it was, as the boy had only felt it once before. Gavriil did not know what to think of this, but he did his best to assess the situation. Some swell of feeling from the core of his very being surged forth within him. Did he feel stronger? He wasn't sure. But he did feel... different.

[Cyaloom]

"Did I make the wrong choice on such an important decision?" thought Dexter as he began to feel strange. Takeshi said "I wouldn't trade this life for anything", but Dexter seemed to misunderstand him. "You mean your past life as a human or this one? I hope it's the second, of course" Dexter whispered to him. He was trembling, he almost fell on the ground one time, and constantly staring at Astros. He was feeling pain; but not very strong; so he thought it was just normal. Dexter, however, noticed that his eyes hurt more than the rest of his body. "My eyes? Why is this happening?" he thought. Maybe his different coloured eyes would interfere with this infusion? Maybe they would have been the source of his power? "Maybe that's why my eyes are so... special".

But, all of this was not very important: the thing that bothered Dexter the most was just that he felt so different... like if he was another person, and not the same, human Dexter who saw that Beast.

[Chevaleresse]

"Hmm. I had migraines for a week after I accepted my contract with Astros. Looks like you got off pretty lucky in that regard - though it could be something that shows up later. Lemme know if you need painkillers or anything." Takeshi shifted about in his seat, the weapon in his lap clinking faintly as he did so. "And yeah, I meant the second." He looked over at the sobbing girl. "I'll explain everything here soon enough, but first nudge that girl awake." He gestured at the fiery girl that had apparently decided it was bedtime already. "Astros is probably gonna want to talk to her and then I'll explain everything to her as well."

"I would also like to speak with you," Astros said, padding toward the girl. "I know you have very little understanding of what is going on, but you saw Takeshi and the others in action, correct?"

Takeshi waved his hand at the apparent cat. "Hold on one sec- we should probably at least learn one another's names. I'm Takeshi as you all already know, and this is Astros. He's what we call a Mediator, and no, they're not all cats. You'll learn more about them later if you don't know of them already." Astros's tail swished back and forth a bit, but otherwise remained still for the moment.

In the background, the news played at a low volume. There didn't seem to be anything about their area yet, but a report was on about a rise in unexpected and unexplained deaths in the city, particularly due to suicides.

Pixl

"Are you feeling any pain? Some find this process excruciating. No? Good." The girl transformed back into her normal self, along with the others in the room. "I am Noriko, and I head the Protectors in this area." She continued to hold a very businesslike tone as she abruptly moved on to the next subject. "I will explain everything to you, but first I would like to see you transform. Get up off that bed, if you are able, and try to do so. It is different for everyone, but many have had success by imagining themselves stronger or more powerful, or 'reaching' within themselves toward something."

[Yash]

Krys managed to stop her crying and composed herself. "Thank you for the water." She looked at the lady and smiled. She wiped her face and looked at the cat. The talking cat. This is going to take some time to get used to. "Yes, I did. They.. Transformed into something else. Human and yet not. Like something out of an anime." Takeshi stopped the cat from saying anything further and asked everybody their names. "My name is Krys. I'll wait for you to explain it to everybody." She put her elbows on her thighs and cupped her hands to rest her chin on. She sat like that while watching the news report about the mysterious suicides.

[Raindrop Valkyrie]

((Vixen did tell Krys her "name" just so you know Yash lol.))

"My name isn't important." Vixen said coldly. She didn't want to be on a name by name basis with these people. It was the first step to having to care about people, them knowing what you called yourself. Names added all that much more emotion... all that much more attachment to the faces. She would rather be alone, But for now, they weren't going to let her leave no matter how much she wanted to.

The boy, Takeshi was his name, had a Mediator with him. A rather small cat. The ones Vixen had seen usually took... grander forms thinking themselves high and mighty for some reason. They did have the power to unlock the latent potential in humans, but they couldn't defend themselves. Many of them seemed to forget this fact, or were experts of holding the powers they had given over their lackey's head. She didn't believe they could strip the powers from those they had given... so she didn't understand how some of them had this power. However, Astros didn't seem to be this way. He knew his situation, that one's whose powers he unlocked... were the only ones keeping him from being a small corpse. Vixen respected that, he knew that his place wasn't to wield the ones he gave powers like they were his playthings. He treated them like people, because they were. Up until this point... Vixen had seen few Mediators... but all of them that she had seen took strange over the top shapes, becoming impossible collections of animals, usually styling themselves after gods. They were merely pathetic copies... ones who had no real power and tried to abuse the ones they did have. They treated those that took a contract with them like puppets after tricking them into signing it the first place. Nothing more than gilded thieves. It was good to see they weren't all like that. Vixen wondered if it was those she had seen were the norm for Mediators, or if Astros was the actual norm. She hoped it was the latter.

[Cyaloom]

Dexter tried to wake up the girl Takeshi mentioned. "Well, I'll say this again for the girl who's just waken up, my name's Dexter and... Astros just unlocked my potential." he said, before turning towards Takeshi. "But if I have to tell the truth, I'm not "fine"... Right now I don't see very well, even with the glasses, and I just feel strange" he complained.

As there was nothing he could do, he just decided to sit down and listen to the news: the increase in suicided that was mentioned was surely a bit strange and unexplained, there were in fact no apparent reasons that could lead to a lot of sucides. Could it be another Beast? When his father was killed by one, the news were talking about strange weather and a thunderstorm - and that day was actually a rainy day, with strong winds blowing in that place.

Edited April 9, 2015 by Cyaloom

[Felicity]

Bobby was frankly getting kinda bored hearing the induction of the other two happen around him. Other peoples stories were boring, especially when they were just learning about their powers. At least, every novel, film and comic had taught him that. With that, Bobby decided to ask some questions of his own. "So, Iceniper" Bobby said, giggling in his mind at the little mix of names. If she didn't like it serves her right, she jabbed him with ice needles. And she has a sniper. It fit. "I kinda want to clarify something thst I saw during our little fight with the big beasty. Well, your fight, Ozzy was strangely in control at that point..." Bobby was still confused about that, but unlike in every other story he'd seen where the alter ego was a thing he could not interact with Ozzy even if he did share the memories. "Was it you who sent that weird, lightning bolt? I think it was a lightning bolt. It definitely didn't come from nearby and from the looks of you, you don't do close combat, yeah?"

[Sutoratosu]

Faust stayed right where he was throughout the entire little chat, only moving once to let the new guy and the cat through the doorway. It was funny though- to hear someone just now bring up the bolt after all this time. "I was actually starting to think it had been completely unnoticed by anyone but the beast..." He lifted his gaze away from the little coalition, attention gluing itself to the news as he finally managed to secure the proper papers and turn the little vagrant of a smudge away, freeing his glasses and putting them back on. "Not like I'm going to admit to anything though. I don't quite know about some of these- who they are, how they act, what they'll do... might as well maintain the element of surprise encase they decide to go crazy or stupid someday and cause issues for both the norms and the magic folk alike. Afterall, there's nothing quite as surprising as getting a hand shake and then instantly feeling your heart stop."

[Hiss13]

Nagi paused at the door. "Headaches, huh. You got lucky. Back when I made the contract, it felt like all of my nociceptors were firing for four days straight. It was near impossible to do everyday tasks and I was dead tired at the end of it due to the lack of sleep."

She then looked to the reason she had paused--the report on the TV about the increase in incidences of suicides. Such information did not bode well with her, especially the fact that it was suicides.

"This is insane, Shinka! This entire revenge plan of yours seems like a crazy suicide plot! You said they are specialized in ANTI-MEDIATOR SUPPRESSION! If you fail,--and you likely will--you will be killed to prevent further leaks. If you succeed, the contract will demand that I kill you! No matter what, you die! Shinka, just stop this crazy suicidal plan of yours!"

Nagi flashed back to those memories at the sound of the word 'suicide'. In the end, that past had continued to haunt her and even drive her motivations. She decided to continue her actions to prevent another Shinka from existing again. But the sound of the word 'suicide' made her realize that she had not even made much of an impression in the world if things like that were continuing to happen. But simply dwelling on that would never change anything. All she could do was ground herself in reality and continue on the path she paved for herself.

So, she slapped her cheeks and brought herself out of her minor slump. "I agree with Ice Queen on this. It would not be prudent to give out our names so haphazardly. Let me just say that if you want to refer to me by something, just pick a nickname. As long as it isn't something ridiculously stupid, I really have no qualms about it. Even the 'acrobatic minx' nickname someone else used before works just fine."

In the next second, she heard Bobby's comment and then thought back. She had seen some of the capabilities of the others. Simply based on process of elimination, it was likely that the lightning user was the German...either him or the boy named Takeshi (although the latter was far less likely based on what she had seen). When she thought about it, she realized that those powers were a really good counter to her own--too good of a counter. She would definitely need to come up with some good countermeasures. After Bobby had finished speaking, she gave a furtive glance at the German in order to signal to him that she knew athe lightning user was him. Depending on how he reacted, she could possibly eliminate any doubt.

Edited April 9, 2015 by Hiss13

[Jory]

Bark shrugged. "I don't really understand why you're all so up in arms over names. I'd rather die with a legacy than without," he noted. He then looked toward the newly initiated Dexter. "Kid, you're lucky you got to transform. At least now you have a fighting chance," he explained. "Humans are fragile, like little balloons filled with meat. One hit from a Beast and SPLAT!" he shouted, clapping his hands together. "They should at least be allowed to know what they're up against. Wouldn't you agree?" he asked the others around him.

[Sutoratosu]

Faust met the girl's gaze, but only in passing, then his attention was more prioritized on the story coming out of the news anchors mouth than the room around him, shaking his head letting out a simple sigh of "It's a damn shame..." as if in sympathy to the report

He was by no means oblivious to what was being said though. The others seemed to all be preoccupied talking to one another... except for this one. Hell, from what he could tell, it seemed as though no one else had much even so much as noted his presence here... and yet she alone was glancing at him like that. Blue Lightning had been mentioned, questions made as to who had done it, who had turned night into day for those breif few seconds over that small area? And yet, it seemed no one else felt the need to pay any attention to the blonde man in the doorway... except for this woman here.

What, precisely, where the mathematical odds this occurrence, this correlation, was mere coincidence? Faust had been standing here the whole time, and no attention had been diverted away from the socializing because of it- but yet only after this talk of sky fire does even ONE person deign to figure out he's even there? Why so? Why is that?

sure, it could be that maybe she was just now noticing the silent man in the doorway, was just now only realizing anyone was even there and was attempting an acknowledgement. But at the same time, the possibility also blared to Faust like a fire alarm that she could well suspect him in relation to his blue bolt for whatever reason. Maybe she truly did suspect him, maybe she did not. Maybe the first train of thought was right, or maybe he should take caution and board the second. maybe Faust was being paranoid, or maybe he was spot on with something. the amount of maybe's piling up about it all could've fed a starving african village for a year if people could eat half hearted deductions of uncertainty stuck half way between yes and no. But It mattered not. For Faust had learned that you hope for the best but prepare for the worst, not the other way around. You go with thine gut if it tells you something, and you only follow the road signs so long as they keep making sense. Either way, whether it was simple curiosity, an attempt at courtesy, or downright actual suspicion, Faust cared not- he would give this woman here no response beyond the passing glance he had already. If he came off as the biggest ass hole in the world for doing so, then so be it- for even that fate was far better than being dead.

This was honestly about intelligence and counter intelligence, afterall. it was surveillance in a way- A very, very blatant and frankly not very efficient surveillance, given the fact he was standing right in the god damn room and not listening through a bug somewhere instead- but it was still surveillance none the less. He knew how versatile electrical magic was from his own varied experiences over the last few months... and how that versatility could be mistaken for power, and that perceived power could make many enemies. It would be like a cop going undercover, and then making the blunder of blowing his cover on accident... something he'd had to experience with his father as a boy.

While yes, he wanted to maintain the element of surprise if he someday needed it, but Faust also did not want to end up in the hospital with multiple gun-shot wounds barely clinging to life and ending up crippled from the whole ordeal afterwards. Nor did he want to become a mangled little pile of meat under the sword of some other Magi from one of the other factions. He had seen the logic of what he'd been told when the peacekeepers found him. As one of them, he could do as his father once did- keep the peace... just like the name suggested. And as one of them... he could also perhaps avoid a bit of attention he would get as a loner.

That was of course, all depending on how well he kept such information as his power hidden. And so unsure whether such a glance as what he'd received was meant as some friendly gesture of acknowledgment to a silent man, or some condemning gesture of a witch hunt, Faust simply stood there like a statue, eyes glued to that television screen, not a single word or look more to the girl as he kept listening to the anchor elaborate.

He was going to play it safe here. For it only took one domino to start the fall. And though she might be nothing more than a leaf in the wind- Faust could not ignore the other possibility that she was infact, A domino waiting to set it off.

And He refused to die from a single moment of stupidity or lapse in judgement. He would not stand to be killed by a domino. Those were deaths suitable for other men, but deaths he would spend an eternity scolding himself if he dared allowed himself to suffer.

[Yash]

Krys was wondering why the others were reluctant to share something as simple as their names. Oh well, it doesn't matter right now. We have Vixen, Takeshi, Dexter, Bobby/Ozymandias and Astros the Mediator. Then there is the sleeping girl and the one who is going for a shower. That is when Bobby said something about blue lightening. Oh yeah, there is that guy I saw, the one with the blue lightening. It wasn't any of these people. She looked around, trying to see who was the guy with the lightening. Standing with his back to the wall was a blonde haired guy, wearing a pair of black framed glasses. It must be him. Though it could also be the friendly guy on the sofa. She was listening to him, glad that he wanted to tell everybody the whole story. It would really help settle things for her. She decided to ask him his name. "So, what is your name? If you don't mind me asking." She shifted in her seat to face him.

[Hiss13]

Nagi kept her glance on the German but got...nothing. He seemed to have at least noticed her as he did catch her gaze. However, his remaining actions seemed to be more focused on the report on the TV. In the end, she got nothing. His lack of a reaction prevented her from reading anything from him. It did not matter anyway. She just knew that one of two people she had not eliminated were holding a power that she considered dangerous and she had to prepare countermeasures. That was all.

With her attempt to probe for information a general failure, she simply smiled and chuckled silently. She then turned to Bark. "It's not a question of dying with or without a legacy though I will not stop you if those are the terms you wish to die on. It's a matter of trust and I have no reason to trust any of you yet. Please understand that. However, if you wish to buy my services, then it's another story."

Edited April 11, 2015 by Hiss13

[Felicity]

Barks clap just jarred Bobby from his blissful daze, with only one ear to the world. "Dude, please don't talk about meat balloons in my vicinity, that's just nasty" Then the girl spoke up, something about services. He only really heard half of the conversation really. So what would he resort to? Hooker joke, of course. "I'll buy your services, hop down onto this matt- oh fuck it, that's just crude. Ignore me, I'll get back to you when I'm feeling wittier." Bobby then continued to nestle his face on the mattress. He had made himself quite at home, all he needed was what was beneath him, a nice, soft bed.