‡1st Treasure‡

[totallytrustworthy]

[The video feed sparks to life as Chloe taps repeatedly at the screen, offering the net a view of a woman with shoulder-length dark hair and bright eyes, wearing a stylish biking jacket and a few layers of leather necklaces with various little charms hanging from their ends. The city's skyline is visible behind her from a particularly high vantage point, and it's likely that she's found herself a resting place somewhere atop the roof of one of the taller buildings. She wiggles a few fingers lazily in greeting before speaking up with a distinctly Australian accent.]

Evening, everyone. Chloe here. New arrival, in case you haven't noticed. All right, somewhat new. Got dragged into this mess a few days ago and decided to take my time getting settled; never know what's out there if you don't bother to look first.

I was a treasure hunter back home-- one of the best in the business, I might add. Problem is I'm getting the impression that there's not much treasure to be found here on Alcatraz, and I'd prefer to stay sharp while things are relatively quiet. So here's the deal: if you need something of value-- for a price-- I'm more than happy to lend a well-trained hand and fetch it for you.

[She moves to shut the call down before adding, thoughtfully]

And in the meantime, if anyone out there knows a place that serves good drinks, I'm all ears. After all this I could sure as hell use one.  

Comments

[totallytrustworthy]

Now that's a deal I'll gladly make.

What's your type of place?

[trustycrowbar]

Ngh, I suppose the quieter places, pubs, dive bars, there was even the occasional lounge in Innsbruck that was worth the stay... Not so much with clubs. [Not since the first and last time he tried one in Munich, and woke up the next morning in Paris. It wasn't his finest moment.]

[totallytrustworthy]

I think that's fair enough. Last time I was near a pub the whole place nearly fell to pieces, but it'll be nice to be around something familiar, if you know what I mean.

[Even if Charlie's not there to brag about his exploits at the bar.]

[trustycrowbar]

I know exactly what you mean. I doubt it'll fall apart this time around; it'd have to be a really rowdy night for that to happen.

[totallytrustworthy]

[That earns you a grin, sir.]

No, without Nate around the chances of anything in my life going to hell are significantly lessened. [It's not a particularly gleeful statement despite her smile; she's still missing him, even if they left each other on less than pleasant terms.] You don't seem like the brawling sort, anyway.

[trustycrowbar]

I'm not. I think my mentor Issac Kleiner said it best: "Violence is the refuge of the uncultured." I wouldn't have put it in such elitist terms, but I assure you the last thing I would want to do is start a fight.

[However, that doesn't mean that there weren't plenty that were started for him...]

So who was this Nate? Business competitor?

[totallytrustworthy]

Oh, well. [Chloe feigns the least serious look of offense possible.] Add my name to the uncultured roster.

At one time, yes. Recently, no. Friends. Partners. He was an idiot, but a damn good one. Never quite knew when to quit.

[trustycrowbar]

Hey, you don't exactly leave a trail of wanton destruction in your wake. I figured that pistol was used for more than trick-shooting off old statues, though.

[totallytrustworthy]

I've left a few trails in my day, I just don't feel the need to make them unless there's no other option.

It's not particularly practical.

[trustycrowbar]

Exactly. Physicists are lazy creatures. Even beyond the ivory tower rationale, it's just too damn much work to not find an alternative.

[totallytrustworthy]

[She chuckles darkly.]

And you, Gordon, have you ever failed to find an alternative?

[trustycrowbar]

...Once or twice.

[Some men are simply unreasonable. And that goddamn shark had it coming, too.]

[totallytrustworthy]

[She likes this; hearing it from someone like you is like christmas in her book. Her smile widens accordingly.]

Good. Very good. You'll need that here at some point, no doubt.

Still, sticking close to me lessens the chance of it all.

[trustycrowbar]

Does that mean you're my bodyguard, now?

[totallytrustworthy]

I wouldn't go so far as to say that, but I've a lot of experience in saving my own skin, and I'm willing to extend a favor or two if things start to go downhill.

Can't let all the decent people here lose their minds, now can we?

[trustycrowbar]

[He smiles again, fidgeting with his glasses.] ...Thanks, Chloe.

[He'd offer to reciprocate, but she'd probably just laugh. She'll find out eventually.]

[totallytrustworthy]

[All in due time.] Anytime, love.