‡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]

[Anyone else might think he's pulling a prank, but Chloe's heard stranger requests before, and usually the most bizarre ones are the ones with the most payout...or the most trouble.]

And what makes this window so special, might I ask?

[implying]

It leads to a place named Cittagazze. I've left quite a few friends there, and not to mention a hundred windows to other worlds. [ He smiles. ] Perhaps one to yours, if you've any interest in going home.

[totallytrustworthy]

[She'd never really taken the time to consider that. Going home seems more like wishful thinking rather than practicality, and she's not sure if she's ready to place faith in that idea just yet...]

So you're gunning for home. Can't say I blame you.

All right, I'll bite. You give me half of what you earn each month until it's found, or until you hit the three thousand mark. If you get out of here and I don't, I'll have something for the time spent searching.

If we both get out, I doubt this money will do either of us any good anyway.

[implying]

[ He grimaces at the idea of half of what he earns, but, well, this is worth it. And he doesn't bother to correct her, that he wants to go to Cittagazze, but home is the last place he wants to see— no real point dampening the conversation. ]

Alright. Call it a deal, my dear. [ He sticks out a gloved hand for a handshake. ] And if we do find it, I can think of a few perfectly lovely worlds for you to spend some of that money in.

[totallytrustworthy]

[She grasps his hand firmly without the slightest hesitation. Doesn't matter what you are, if you pay her that much, she's your new buddy, bottom line.]

So...how will I know it when I see it?

[implying]

[ Okay, he'd considered keeping it just a handshake, but he really can't resist, even with a serious topic on hand. Rather than let go immediately, he switches his hold on her hand to lift her fingers and press a quick kiss against them, then relinquishes it. ]

You're gods sent, my dear. [ He sits back, picking up his drink again. ] You'll know it because you'll quite suddenly be looking into an entirely different—and rather abandoned—city. Only from one very particular angle, though. Were you to lean left or right after sighting it, it would vanish.

[totallytrustworthy]

Can't possibly miss that, can we?

[A look of approval washes over her face as she drums her fingers against the surface of the bar.]

Well don't you worry. If anyone has a chance in hell of finding it, it's me.

[implying]

Thank you, Chloe. [ That sounds a little more genuine than flirty. He really misses that place, okay.

As an afterthought he pauses, glancing over again. ]

Ah, perhaps I should add— I'm Vanadi.

[totallytrustworthy]

It's a pleasure. [She can't miss the honesty there. For someone like her, who's used to dealing with lies and half-truths 99% of the time, it wins him just a few more points in her book.]

So, in the meanwhile, what exactly is your plan for the rest of your hopefully quick stay?

[implying]

I believe I'll enjoy myself. Of course, that tends to be the plan everywhere I go, but I see no reason to make this place an exception! And what of yourself?

[totallytrustworthy]

Enjoying yourself while being expected to fight in a war that's not your own. Good luck to you with that.

[Tadaaaaa] Work, of course.

[implying]

Work! Surely not only work. [ He leans in a little closer, grinning. ] I've heard that enough of it can drive one quite mad.

[totallytrustworthy]

Well they've clearly never been in the business of treasure hunting.

...though that also has a habit of leading to a different sort of madness.

[implying]

An interesting job or no, I do hope you take breaks now and then, my dear.

[totallytrustworthy]

I've been known to relax every now and then. Particularly when celebrating a job well done.

I'm even letting myself enjoy this little moment, right now. Shocking, I know.

[implying]

I'm glad to hear it! I would sincerely hope not to be viewed as a work-only situation, despite this deal we've arranged.

[totallytrustworthy]

I don't imagine you'd like any moment to be a work-only situation.

[ She slides away her recently emptied bottle, waving down the bartender for another order.] So, hedonism aside, do you have any hobbies? Talents?

[implying]

Hedonism aside? [ He makes a face— or at least the downturn of his mouth below the mask would lead one to think he does. ] That's knocking aside quite a sizable portion of my hobbies and talents right there!

[totallytrustworthy]

All right, all right. I suppose I should have known better.

Feel free to enlighten me with all the little hedonistic details included.

[implying]

[ He makes a thoughtful noise, one finger tapping at his chin. ]

A question, if you would. What would you prefer to be the rating of this conversation?

[totallytrustworthy]

[She blinks a few times.]...what, you mean like, 'pg 13', 'general audiences' sort of thing?

I suppose I'd never put a rating on any conversation.

[implying]

Yes, precisely like that! I don't often need it, I'm usually quite capable of gauging my audience— but there are times a lovely lady happens to ask what your hedonistic hobbies and talents are, and it's really better to ask.

[totallytrustworthy]

Fair enough. I guess that gives me a rough idea of things, doesn't it?

[implying]

I should sincerely hope so! Ah, but all that aside, I also quite enjoy cooking.

[totallytrustworthy]

Oh yeah? What a coincidence, I love to eat.

As long as it's-- you know-- the regular, human sort of food.