Flash Forward

[Van Rico]

The Crimson Tryst, formally the Crimson Scarf per upgraded ownership, was the place to be within the 'RRDL' Rhydin's Red Light District, a slice of reality taken from days gone by. For Jared it was the closest thing to the original Red Dragon Inn, and the Medieval Tavern(s) back in the day. It wasn't that he had not time to pay those former stomping grounds a visit because the former was where he came into his own per say. Last time he went in search of, it about came off as a near embarrassment for one with sea worthy skills such as he.

It was the name of the region that caught his attention, curiosity that lured him within, and overall impressed that kept him there. In short, a little bit of something for everyone, IE the sights, sounds and endless variation of eye candy depending upon one's personal flavor.

So the meeting place would be the fore mentioned Crimson Tryst, an uber entertainment establishment for the adventuring masses, where being human was considered secondary. The message had been left for him while upon his eventual return, nothing 'too' urgent, though it was whom the message was from that caught his eye. There would be no need for any weapons, because the Tryst was a bit of a stickler about that sort of thing, one just had to be ... Crafty enough to know how to conceal them, AND deal with the fallout if caught.

It wasn't peak time yet, so there was no near bumping into other patrons, nor the near ear drum bursting bass that normally surrounded one as you entered. What was it called again? Happy Hour. The long leather duster moved with it's owner as Jared came to a slight pause, glancing about the main floor, before checking out the upper levels, before a subtle wave from his left caught his attention. Lips twitching into a form of a smirk, where a nod was given in the form of a greeting, with a firm handshake to soon follow.

"I'm not going to lie mate. Wasn't sure who was callin' me on that number since I've gone through several means of communication since then. Was colored a bit curious really. I'm assuming this is more than just a social call?"

Smoke Tameron merely grinned, motioning to a passing server for what would be the first of several rounds.

[Van Rico]

So where nightfall brought about the coin flip change of the RRLD, this was the time that local vendors would make their living, peddling their wares of various interest, the sector had also been graced by two 'new' visitors that had been self relegated to voyeuristic tourists, and where they would usually find a rooftop high enough to do their own rendition of Assassin's Creed ... Sans the part where one would swan dive into an always available well place bale(s) of hay, not that either would still perform the same insane stunt to warrant the usual human reaction resulting from a sure death of such a perilous height.

Maybe later, for the night was young, and dusk was just waking up.

Either being totally oblivious and/or not caring one single iota about catching a few stares due to their appearance, they optioned out of venturing inside the Tryst for the time being, while deciding to be .... Social.

And playing the role of finger point, staring, and the occasional picture taking would be the 'lumbering' duo collectively known as Mr. Styxx and Mr. Stylz. They preferred the name Wham! but something about a pending trademark copyright infringement of a 20th century group who were long since on the other side of the mortal coil so .... WTF ???

Originally pegged as enigmatic gargoyles, the self dubbed trendy look was considered too 20th century, so it was all about changing with the times. Identical in height which was close to 7ft, their size could easily have them around 400 to 500 lbs. Styxx could best be classified as the closest thing to dinosaur, due to his brownish color hide like exterior, while Stylz had more of a bio granite like look to him. That would be the best apt description, because to get to know them? Well, that's another story altogether.

"We should have told Stonze."

"Not going there brother. Besides, he decided to roam the range with Pheus, and that's what this digital camera is for. Just color us lucky that JVR gave the green light for us to tag along, and didn't even bother with stay out of trouble speech."

"Pft. We're @$$ kicking insurance for watching his back. Just in case." Pausing long enough to cast an expression of annoyance ... "Yes human the tail is real and it also smells fear." Offering a rather sinister like grin before the fore mentioned human caught the hint and was gone quickly post haste, leaving a shared deep base chuckle between the two. "Damn that never gets old. I think I nailed the trademark smirk down somethin' fierce, eh?"

"The Man with the metal sounding name would be proud."

[Van Rico]

" ..... and that was when your name came to mind, vagabond. " Jared had remained quiet during Smoke's retelling of recent events, his only movements were lifting the glass, or allowing himself a casual gaze within the abode, over the thumping bass house tech tones that were rumbling inside the Tryst, as more club patrons were making their way inside. He had learned from the best about keeping one's facial expression neutral when it came listening to certain things. Another flicker of his eyes due to one of the opposite gender making similar eye contact played into his ploy, which would give the illusion that he wasn't 100% fully committed to the conversation, though enough that it held his interest .... For the moment.

"Already vagabond, enough with the Lady Gaga poker face. I know you are interested." A sly smirk of his own did present itself right then, easily visible through the light show that was beginning to build in intensity, along with the music. Smoke would lean back into the booth, before ordering himself another round.

There had to be some merit to what he had just been told, for Smoke was never one to go on another's say so ..... "I'm in ... Call me curious, Smoke. It's been too long since the last veil tear, and that was back during Rhydin ... Before it all went to Hades in and back and back again." The shot glass was quickly downed before slammed upside down onto the table top. There would be a few more 'details' discussed, which Smoke shook his head to several but eventually agreed to. The vagabond he figure would have been the hardest to convince, considering what he knew about his past, so for him to readily accept as quickly as he did, told Smoke all he needed know.

As for Jared, his main concern was if this turned out to be true, just how many more were going to be ... Get involved.

If one brings a small collection of strangers together in a restricted space and environment, provides a common goal and maybe a few ground rules, then a highly probable course of events will follow. Interaction between individuals is the basic requirement. At first, individuals will differentially interact in sets of twos or threes while seeking to interact with those with whom they share something in common: i.e., interests, skills, and cultural background. Relationships will develop some stability in these small sets, in that individuals may temporarily change from one set to another, but will return to the same pairs or trios rather consistently and resist change. Particular twosomes and threesomes will stake out their special spots within the overall space.

Again depending on the common goal, eventually twosomes and threesomes will integrate into larger sets of six or eight, with corresponding revisions of territory, dominance-ranking, and further differentiation of roles. All of this seldom takes place without some conflict or disagreement: for example, fighting over the distribution of resources, the choices of means and different sub goals, the development of what are appropriate norms, rewards and punishments. Some of these conflicts will be territorial in nature: i.e., jealousy over roles, or locations, or favored relationships. But most will be involved with struggles for status, ranging from mild protests to serious verbal conflicts and even dangerous violence.

Yeah ... Not like Jared had NOT gone through that already once before ..... Several times in fact. There would be one stop along the way ... A purchase of a sturdy satchel. His trench pocket just didn't hold enough space for apples.