It's an average night in the town of Terry's Juncture, a rural town on the planet of Hearth. Fields of grain growing to the south, dense forest to the north, and the town nestled comfortably in the middle.
On one odd corner of town there are three large windmills looming over four buildings; a garage, a pub, a warehouse, and a small private home. Every roof is covered in solar panels, and a few large groups of stand-alone panels line the dirt roads between the buildings. The doors have been sized for a very tall user with about 9' of clearance. There are buttons to open the doors on every public building to allow entry for shorter visitors.
Our story begins, like many others before it, begins in a tavern. This is a huge building that serves as pub and hotel for both the locals and travelers. The exterior is a simple wood building. The entryway has a simple sign with chalk writing declaring the following:
Here are the rules:
1. Don't be an asshole
2. Take fights outside
3. If Murdock tells you to get out of his chair, you get out of his chair.
4. Staff reserve the right to veto music
There is muffled pop music coming from the well lit interior, along with the inviting smell of food cooking.
Pea Pod
A very tall very thin squirrel person dressed to the 9's with a black suit long red hair walks into the tavern
Arbiter Dox
The interior is warmly lit by several hanging lamps. The shelves behind the solid bar boast an impressive variety of beverages on display. On the opposite wall is a large, open fireplace. It's early autumn, not quite time for there to be a fire there yet. There's an old plush couch with cup-holders on the armrests, a pair of normal sized armchairs, and one huge armchair that looks beat to hell arranged around it. There are also a few tables with chairs haphazardly arranged, all of which clearly get moved around frequently. One wall is dominated by a large flat screen display, and the opposite contains an old jukebox. There's an entrance to a stairwell that goes both up and down in one corner.
Esta
I slim well muscled opossum person enters quietly following several feet behind the squirrel and almost unnoticed in the noise. Her fur line reaches in a v up from her nose into a mohawk shape the fur line reaches into her collar. Loose clothes and sturdy sandals. She makes her way to an innocuous corner.
Arbiter Dox
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Behind the bar is a rat man in a vest and shirt with red tie, about 5'5" tall and of average weight. His fur is grey, and a nasty looking scar runs over his left eye. There's a piercing in his left ear.
He catches the newcomers' eyes and nods quietly.
As Esta gets into her seat, a young, slim cat woman with calico fur in shorts and a midriff revealing shirt approaches, brandishing a notepad. "Evenin'. Can I getcha anythin'?"
Esta
Etsa nods and just loud enough to be heard by the Cat..."a serving of whatever it is that smells so good, and something local to drink if you please"
Arbiter Dox
The waitress sniffs the air for a moment and says, "That'd be some pork chops an' a local, comin' right up. Anythin' else for ya?"
The ratman barkeep catches Peo Pod's eye. There are several bar stools open, as well as a few tables.
The flatscreen is on the local news for the moment. "--expecting clear skies for the remainder of the week. This'll be a great weekend to get out and about if you have the chance."
Esta
to the waitress "I think that will do, thanks"
Arbiter Dox
The waitress nods. A little later she's back with a beer. "Food'll be out inna bit."
H.Ex.E
Two women without much visible luggage enter the town. The smaller one is speaking to the taller one in a low and slightly annoyed voice while they approach the inn.
The smaller one is wearing a coat which collar covers her nose checks the sign.
"At least something went well for a change. Rule 3 could not make it more obvious. That should be the place."
She does a mocking bow and gestures towards the door as if inviting her companion to enter but ultimately takes the first step into the pup herself, glancing over the audience before she makes room for her companion to follow.
Arbiter Dox
The news on the flatscreen continues. "In other news, more local stores have been targeting by the Havocs. This marks the sixth store robbery in two weeks credited to the gang. In a statement today the local martials cite a lack of resources to explain their inability to capture the bandits. The latest store hit was--" the news goes on.
Dr. Skren
The taller one, a medium height, but somewhat scrawny looking rat woman, groans in response.
She's wearing what can only be described as a mix of a lab coat and what fans of early 2000's sci fi movies think hackers wear.
Arbiter Dox
Dr. Skrene and Hexe find the interior sparsely populated. The barman nods as they enter.
Pea Pod
Pea Pod heads to a bar stool takes out a tablet and introduces himself to the rat man. "Hello my name is Pea Pod, your name?"
Arbiter Dox
"Call me Rawlins, friend," the barman replies. "Can I pour you somethin'?"
Pea Pod
"Rawlins you say, R a w l y n s?"
Arbiter Dox
The barkeep raises an eyebrow. "Yep, that's m' name."
The waitress approaches Skren and Hexe. "Hey there, ya'll need a table?"
Pea Pod
Pea Pod pokes on his tablet. "Well Rawlins I will have a tall glass of water, gotta stay hydrated while on the job"
Arbiter Dox
The barman nods and produces a glass and fills it with tapwater. "On th' job, huh?" He murmurs as he fills the glass. "What kinda job's that?" Pea Pod's glass is served.
Dr. Skren
Dr. Skren looks up "Oh, yes please. And I already know I'll be having a... whatever you suggest for strong drink."
Arbiter Dox
The waitress nods and beckons for Skren and Hexe to follow, setting them in a booth next to a mohawked possum woman. "Right, so, shot a whiskey for you--" she nods to Skren, "--and what for you?" She looks to Hexe.
H.Ex.E
"Nothing."
A pause before she seems to remember something.
"Thank you." she hurries to add.
Dr. Skren
Skren nods approvingly
Arbiter Dox
"Alright. One sec," replies the waitress.
A little later, she returns with a tray. She passes the shot glass and whiskey bottle to Skren, and then moves the next table over to deliver a plate of pork chops to Esta. "Enjoy, ya'll let me know if you need anythin'."
Pea Pod
"Well you see I am investigating some strange happenings around here." Pea Pod takes a big gulp of water. "Do you happen to know anything about people seeing lights in the sky, eyes in the forests, weird sounds, even cattle mutilations?"
Arbiter Dox
Rawlins chuckles at that. "Buddy, folks've been talkin' about that kinda stuff for years around here. Just bored people makin' up somethin' t' be interested in." He pauses, then adds, "Though I have heard the Greenfield ranch up a ways east's lost some cattle recently, so..." He shrugs. "I dunno, there's always some kinda weirdness happenin' out here."
Dr. Skren
The rat woman pours herself a shot and downs it in one go before turning towards the girl. "And yes. I know I fucked up. At least partially."
H.Ex.E
Hexe uses the time while the Doctor pours and downs her shot to let her gaze (and sensors) wander across the room.
Esta
after thanking the waitress once again Esta tucks in taking slow and deliberate bites, and keeping an ear open.
H.Ex.E
"We made it. Next up is meeting this person here. Blame won't get us anywhere. Improvement does.", she replies coldly.
"And while you did..."
Her eyes narrow slightly.
"...it was probably more of a matter of biting off more than we could chew than actual incompetence. I know you are good in what you are doing." her voice is softer now, but the more gentle expression on her face is gone after a split second.
Dr. Skren
Skren takes a deep breath. "Yeah. Thank you."
H.Ex.E
"That aside... the locals are getting suspicious. We stand out. And so do or booth neighbour and the one in front of the bar. Don't look.", she continues in a slightly lower voice which tone is also back to the colder and yet emotionless voice.
"Let's find Murdock and get out of here."
Dr. Skren
The doctor twitches, just barely resisting the urge to look.
"Found him already?"
H.Ex.E
"Assuming rule three and the prominent armchair? The squirrel at the bar might have the size, but is not wide enough to fill that chair and also not a local. Thus I deduct he is not here. Ask the barkeeper. And be careful, he might have rifle below the counter."
Arbiter Dox
The low murmur of the bar is suddenly interrupted as a loud bang sounds from the front door. A man with the face of a pit bull confidently strives into the tavern, rifle in hand as a ragtag gang of thugs enter the bar. The leader shouts, "WAKE UP FOLKS, IT'S TIME FOR A STICKUP!" He points an old hunting rifle around the room.
The thugs fan out, brandishing weapons. "Time for the Havocs' slice! Just pass us your money and no one has to get hurt!"
Dr. Skren
"Seriously? Can't we catch a fucking break?" she whispers to Hexe
H.Ex.E
"I might have to violate pub rule 1 and 2, Doctor."
Hexe does not even look at her companion anymore but stares at the rowdy newcomers.
Dr. Skren
"...yeah, wait a second to see if the barkeep can handle it, but otherwise... you go, girl."
"Just... be careful and don't overdo it, please"
Arbiter Dox
Most of the bar patrons have put their hands up. Behind the bar, Rawlins looks around, frowning. Including their bulldog leader, there are seven of them.
The leader approaches him and says, "Open the cash register."
The barman sighs and complies.
Esta
very slowly raises hands like to locals around her
Arbiter Dox
One of the thugs, a tall weasle man, comes up to Skren, Hexe, and Esta. "Cash in the bag, now." He holds a plastic bag in one hand, a switchblade in the other.
Esta
glances at the blade, then the 2 people near her, and just as slowly as she raises her hands she slowly lowers one. whispers to the thug (in hopes to get his attention) "I'm reaching for my cash"
Dr. Skren
"Stay calm, Hexe." she then urns towards the thug and empties her almost empty wallet which is only slightly more than what's needed to pay for her drink "Wow, really worth it, huh?"
"Bet you're proud of yourself for such a big haul"
Arbiter Dox
The pit-bull leader waves the gun. "Faster, rat!"
Rawlins starts adding cash from the register to his bag.
The pack leader looks over to Pea Pod and sneers. "You too, fancypants."
The weasel man snatches the money up and says, "Bigger haul than yours, loser." He turns his attention to Esta next.
Pea Pod
Pea Pod will follow instructions
Dr. Skren
Skren grunts and pours herself another whiskey
H.Ex.E
Hexe does not move an inch as ordered. She has one eye on the switchblade, the other one on the thugs further away.
Esta
Esta moves her hand down to her bag and rummages around mumbles to herself, “my money is in here somewhere”, to the thug again in a whisper trying to get his attention off the others “you won’t get more off me then the others”
Dr. Skren
"This ain't worth causing a huge stink" Skren whipsers to Hexe after downing another shot
H.Ex.E
The switchblade-eye now is on the shot glass. Hexe slightly curls her lips.
Esta
Esta, finds her cash and passes it over backing away a step or two and putting her hand back up
Arbiter Dox
Over the next few minutes, the Havoc thugs move through the bar, collecting wallets, purses, a couple of watches and bits of jewelry. Once they're done, they start filing out, the leader shouting, "So long, suckers!" And cackling as he exits.
Once they're gone, Rawlins picks a pair of pistols up from behind the bar and starts moving toward the door. "Don't worry folks, management's on th' way. Anyone wanna join th' firework show?" He strides confidently to the exit.
H.Ex.E
Hexe's raised brow asks the Doctor an unvoiced question.
The faint smile of her mouth adds the subtle but of course also unvoiced 'Called it.' regarding the barkeeper's pistols.
Dr. Skren
Skren nods silently, downs a third shot and gets on her feet
Esta
Esta nods and steps forward
Pea Pod
Pea Pod taps a few things quickly on his tablet and then puts it away finishes his water, and then walks towards the door
H.Ex.E
Hexe follows reluctantly.
"Are you sure we should not just let the others handle it? And I want the non-drunk answer."
Short pause.
"Please."
Dr. Skren
"I honestly just wanna see what's gonna happen. My guess is that we're about to meet Murdock"
Arbiter Dox
Outside, Rawlins leans beside the door as he watches the hoodlums sprint towards an old beat up truck. The leader gets into the driver's seat and turns the key.
And turns it.
And turns it.
Nothing.
He shouts, "TURN ON YOU PIECE OF SHIT!"
H.Ex.E
Hexe's coat rustles as she shrugs and follows. She has another look at the robbers, looking for the one who would supposedly have the longest range.
Arbiter Dox
Suddenly a gigantic man appears next to the driver's window--a cloaking device being deactivate.
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This is one of the Stonesiblings, the natives of the planet Nox. He stands a bit over 8' tall, with broad shoulders and mottled, granite gray skin. His eyes are sunk deep into his skull, with dark rings around them. He has a flat nose and a broad, square jaw with a set of five blue crystal embedded into them, chiseled to near symmetry. He's currently shirtless. There's a small hole in his chest, and it looks like at some point he was nearly bisected; a crack runs through his side, held together by huge metal staples. He has a smoke in his mouth; the smell suggests it's a roach rather than a cigar. His right arm is a heavy robotic prosthetic.
Behind him a spherical robot hovers, about a foot in diameter. It has two anti-grav panels on its side. It wears a black pirate hat, complete with a skull and white feather.
He holds up a recently detached car part and says, "Hey fellas, you're gonna have a hard time drivin' off without a crankshaft. Maybe you aughta take it next door to my garage?"
"Th' fuck?" The leader is dumbfounded for a moment, then shouts, "Fucking kill that rock!"
Rawlins says to the group gathered, "Now's the fun part." He twirls his pistols and approaches the thugs.
Dr. Skren
Skren turns towards Hexe and smirks. "Called it!"
H.Ex.E
She just slightly tilts her head in response, while internally a lot more happens.
Pea Pod
Pea Pod quickly gets out his tablet again, idiot he thinks to himself, and taps a few things on it.
Esta
Esta doesn't say anything shrugs her shoulders and escrima sticks from under her partial robe .
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