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Post by Big Martin on Aug 30, 2016 18:35:45 GMT -7
The black cat prowled quietly through the rainy night, passing in and out of shadows as it wandered by the bright lampposts, weaving around puddles and leaping aside whenever a car came past, to avoid the inevitable spray thrown up by its tires. Not that she wasn't soaked already. She knew Big Martin would reward her for this, but she still regretted accepting the job, which might end up forcing her to spend all night walking around the city in the rain. The whole reason she was out here was supposedly to find this one human called Azoth . The cat was one of the few who had managed to get a whiff of the super during the big fight at the Horizon building, and all of those who remembered the smell had been sent out to search for the human. Not to capture her, but to deliver a message. Apparently, Big Martin wanted to meet this person, and at home base too. If she was meant to lead them there, it had to be important, which had made the cat very excited at first. Now, however, after much fruitless roaming, she was beginning to doubt she'd ever complete her task. It was far more likely one of the other cats would find the Keeper first, and get all the attention and treats! Maybe she ought to try the rooftops. Supers liked rooftops, didn't they? After a minute's walk, the cat found a gutter she could climb, and hauled her poor wet self all the way up to the roof. From here, she could get a good view of the buildings for a ways around, and as her sharp eyes scanned the area for any signs of life, she caught a glimpse of what looked like a lone figure standing on top of a nearby building. Jackpot!She leaped towards the silhouette, letting out an enthusiastic meow of greeting- but as she got closer, that enthusiasm drained from her. It was a super all right, and a familiar one, but not the particular super she was looking for. Well, maybe this guy would know something. She recognized him from another old fight, and piped up. "Hey Geata ! You know where the human called Azoth is? Big Martin wants her for a top secret..." She hesitated. Secret meant she shouldn't tell other humans, right? "...a top secret thing."
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The Keepers
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Post by Geata on Aug 31, 2016 2:39:51 GMT -7
Geata loved the rain. It was honestly his favorite weather, seeing as of how the blandness of most everything else just grated on him. Even a stereotypical perfectly sunny day felt dreary due to a lack of anything actually interesting going on. And rain during the night was even better, especially during storms like the one that was going on that night. The crashing of thunder and bright streaks of lightning across the sky brought about a certain type of peace to a certain type of person, and Geata counted himself amongst their number. That was why he was standing on a roof, although not the tallest one by far, and in an area where there was a surplus of lightning rods. Maybe not the smartest place to stand, he'd admit, but certainly one of the safer ones in the area.
He was just about to depart from the spot, though, when a sight both familiar and strange approached him. He smiled underneath his mask as he crouched down, so as to look into the talking feline's eyes better. The request made was simple enough, and luckily was one that he could get a good answer for. He lifted up a finger as he pulled out his phone and texted Azoth, asking her to call him.
When she called him, Geata took a steadying breath before putting the phone on speaker and then speaking in a calm manner. "Hello, Azoth. I have before me a talking cat who is asking for you on behalf of Big Martin. It's apparently something secret, so I'd imagine it's important enough to warrant a call." With his piece said, he'd leave the questions to Azoth. She was the one they were wanting, after all.
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The Keepers
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Post by Azoth on Aug 31, 2016 15:50:51 GMT -7
Rainy days were not poor days in any regard, but they were best spent indoors. Rain lead to wet clothes, and wet clothes led to a chill no matter what the newscaster said today’s high was supposed to be. Azoth had business to take care of outside - tracking someone with information she wanted - and therefore she was wet and therefore cold. The gang member she was tailing was taking his sweet time waiting for someone, and she was finding her time spent waiting to be less than sweet. With little else to do, she formed her phone in her hand and waited for it to connect to the network.
A few messages from clients had come into her email. She was taking care of responding to a few of those, assuring a client she did, indeed, have the contact they wanted, if they would stop beating around the bush and give her a place to meet, and following up on an update from a contact of hers who was trying to track down an ex supplier who had attempted to turn her into the police, when a text come in from Geata, requesting a call. She closed the email and held the phone up to her ear.
She had been expecting a reply from Big Martin, but a call from Geata was certainly a strange way to go about it. But, in the end, it hardly mattered. She would take it.
“This is about the message I sent, correct?” She nodded to herself. “I’ll come immediately. Geata, I apologize, but could I bother you for some transportation?”
By this point the thug she’d been tailing had heard her and was taking his swift exit, but more pressing matters made this a non-issue. Azoth stood and gave her current location.
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Post by Big Martin on Sept 4, 2016 22:39:56 GMT -7
Geata's response elicited a joyful meow from the wet cat, who rubbed herself happily against his legs. She'd found a super who knew the super that she was supposed to be finding, which meant that soon she'd find the super she was meant to be finding and Big Martin would be super pleased and give her many treats! She paced excitedly back and forth as Geata made the phone call, ears pricked up and trying to listen in. "Is she coming? Do we need to go find her? Thank you so much for helping, you are the second-best human!"
Something stirred at the edges of her consciousness. Anything to report, agent?
The cat turned away and her voice lowered, as she seemingly whispered to herself. "I... think I found her, Big Martin!"
Excellent work! I'll be ready to receive her. Let her know the address, and she should be able to figure out the way here herself. If she comes, I shall reward you with one whole big fishy for your performance!
She tried and failed to stifle a gasp. A whole fishy! This really must be something important, to warrant such a juicy reward. The cat looked to Geata, hope clear in her wide eyes. "Well?"
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The Keepers
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Post by Geata on Sept 4, 2016 23:31:03 GMT -7
Geata smiled down at the wet cat as Azoth asked for transportation. Admittedly, the masked super was suspect of being dragged in between Azoth and her dealings with another super, given how every previous situation of the sort ended up with the pair of them being the targets of attack, but he had dealt with the cats before. He didn't expect that things would go wrong, and even if they did, he was confident in his ability to get away, at the very least. He didn't want to leave Azoth to deal with the potential of treachery alone, either, so he really had no reason not to help.
"Sure thing, Azoth," he said, taking note of her location and quickly trying to mentally map out his path. "I'll be there here shortly, just let me get the address first." With that said, he waited to hear the location of the meeting place from the cat before nodding and, with a quick "see you soon", stepping through a portal that closed fairly quickly behind him.
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Geata checked the address on the building as he stepped closer to it. Azoth had gotten down from his back once they had arrived, but there was still a few get between them and the door. Because of that, he figured he had a chance to ask what he wanted and get an answer before they were inside and business was conducted. "So, sweetheart," he said nonchalantly, in what he hoped to be a sly attempt at seeing how she would react to the pet name, "when did you and the King of Cats set up this little playdate, anyway?"
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The Keepers
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Post by Azoth on Sept 5, 2016 20:24:49 GMT -7
Azoth paid little mind to Geata’s newest nickname for her. He’d already gone through several, she’d noticed, but this was the first usage of ‘sweetheart’. It was the first time anyone had called her that, actually. It was inoffensive and made her think of candy, so she gave it the same reaction she had all his other nicknames: none besides an awareness that she’d been addressed. She stepped past him towards the given location’s door.
“It is not a playdate.” She stated. “Big Martin has managed to gather information about Horizons Incorporated, and I purposed to him a trade.” She paused with her hand on the door and let her voice quiet. “This information is highly valuable to me, so I have offered him a large amount in exchange for it. His request of a meeting in place of an acceptance or denial makes me fear he’s going to attempt further negotiations and name a price I cannot match. I can only hope it goes well.” She exhaled in preparation. “As for when this was set up, that was just now.”
And so she had done zero planning for this meeting. She was unprepared, walking into an unknown place to make a deal with someone she had only ever interacted with on the battlefield. On the opposite side of the battlefield. To say she was nervous, walking into what was a literal lion’s den, was an understatement, but she couldn’t allow herself to show it.
Now that they were here, Azoth had expected Geata to take his leave. When he didn’t, she gave him a tilted look. “Are you coming with?” In several ways, she wouldn’t mind at all having him along.
But she couldn’t keep Big Martin waiting any longer. Azoth pushed open the door and called inside, “Big Martin, you requested I meet you?”
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Post by Big Martin on Sept 11, 2016 22:25:33 GMT -7
At last, she had arrived. The mysterious super, who dared to approach Big Martin with an offer of trade- the trade of the darkest, deadliest secrets known to all the major powers of Emerald City! His agent, a black cat quite excited at her success in finding the target, had reported that Azoth would not be coming alone, that she had brought along Geata, the portal-maker. Big Martin didn't blame her for bringing an escape route, even he would be cautious when accepting an invitation to the lair of a powerful former opponent. Besides, he was curious. He'd thought Geata an independent, but it appeared he'd thrown in his lot with the Keepers, either as a member or merely a hired agent. With this in mind, he decided to accept this new development, and let the fellow tag along as well. If he traded secrets to Azoth, she'd probably tell her allies anyway, so it wouldn't do any harm to have someone else around to listen in.
None of his forces challenged the pair as they approached Big Martin's central base, though some gleaming eyes could be seen watching them from dark corners, making sure they didn't try anything suspicious. They did not, and thus strode unimpeded straight up to the front door of the old warehouse that was Cat Base One, shoving it open with a loud creak and inquiring within.
The inside was dimly lit, but it was immediately clear that the place was full of cats. The floor, the walls, the rafters, everywhere was filled with furry creatures large and small, gazing inquisitively at the newcomers. A moment after the door opened, they shifted to make room, forming a wide corridor down the center of the floor towards the opposite wall, where a figure sat shrouded in shadow and covered in cats. In addition to the usual swarm of pets to cover him, Big Martin had a comfy armchair to sit on, flanked by a pair of tigers upon which to rest his hands (the chair had armrests, but the best villains knew that presentation sometimes came before convenience).
For a moment, there was no sound but the patter of rain upon the roof. Then the cat lord spoke. "I wasn't expecting two of you, but I've decided to be accommodating." His voice was somewhat high-pitched, for a man, and he enunciated with care. "Please, sit down." On cue, a lion and a leopard padded out of a dark corner, each carrying a wooden stool in their mouth. They deposited these together around ten feet away from their master, then retreated back into the shadows, while Big Martin carried on.
"Geata, good to see you again. Azoth, pleasure to meet you at last. Tell me, is it mere curiosity that brought you here today, or did you have some inkling of what I was looking for, back when we fought?"
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The Keepers
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Post by Geata on Sept 12, 2016 0:13:16 GMT -7
Geata felt slightly dejected that there had been no response at all, but he wasn't going to press the subject. Instead, he took special note of the fact that Big Martin had apparently gotten information from Horizons Incorporated. That made it pretty clear what he had been going after, and Geata was admittedly curious about what was down there. He had been planning his own trip there to see what he could find, but it seemed he was spared the work.
Walking into the warehouse, he took note of all the cats before he took note of the chair in the middle. It was a clear attempt at showing off his power, but it was overdone. It made Geata think that he had little to actually offer and was simply trying to intimidate them into thinking otherwise. Still, he was aware that if he were to say anything it would probably only serve to make things that much worse, so he kept his mouth shut.
The greeting caused Geata to raise an eyebrow as he took the seat on his left, Big Martin's right. "It's a pleasure to almost see you too, Big Martin. I don't know about Azoth, but I'm pretty sure I know exactly what it was you were looking for." He leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees, a wide grin hidden underneath his mask.
"I take it since this is all happening right now that you found something nice in that secret cache, besides the expected loot. Judging by how you chose to have an exchange with Azoth as opposed to other supers, I'd say it's a something nice that's worth knowing, yeah?"
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The Keepers
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Post by Azoth on Sept 13, 2016 15:48:40 GMT -7
Azoth regarded the sea of cats hesitantly from the corner of her eye. A show of strength, to be sure, but she could not allow herself to be intimidated. Big Martin’s strength, relative to her own or otherwise, should play no part in this dealing. The same held true for her own, and for Geata. This was a deal between supers; it was not a fist fight, and it should be nothing but entirely fair.
“My apologizes, Big Martin, and thank you.” Azoth said, though she was neither sorry nor particularly grateful. He had asked them to his home turf; it should be expected that she bring enough strength on her side that she needn’t worry about a trap. It was simple hospitality that he allow Geata along. It was also why she was grateful Geata had decided to stay for the deal. Otherwise, she would have had to come alone, and, should this be a trap, she placed her chances of beating Big Martin, on his grounds, under his circumstances, as… very low.
Azoth took a seat on the other stool, resting her feet against its legs and her hands in her lap. “It is a pleasure to meet you in person as well. I will admit I know only as much about Horizons Incorporated as any of the other Keepers, but I do know you have obtained further information on the subject. The quality of that information, however, I’m afraid I do not know either.”
“I assume you recall what I have offered you for it? Regardless of the quality, I still see what you have found as worth two pieces of information from the Keeper archive, simply because no other Keepers know it. If it is at all useful and not another wild goose chase, its value to me increases to be worth an information-level favor from me in addition. Such a favor may be exchanged for my aid in battle, any information I have now or at a later point in time, or cash or items of monetary value approximating $500,000, taking into consideration how difficult obtaining items may be, or something else we both deam to be of equal value.” She spoke in a monetary tone, reciting rules she had stated many times and had already given to him. Even so, restating them was still necessary for the sake of clarity.
“If these terms are acceptable to you, I purpose this as means of exchange: I will first give you the two pieces of archived information. I can do so immediately, whichever ones you may request. Once you have confirmed they are as I have promised, you provide us with all that you found at Horizons Incorporated. I will discern its worth and determine if I will owe you a further favor. As Geata has stated, it is very likely to be worthwhile.”
She watched Big Marten expectantly. Negotiations were certainly open on her end, but she’d found it to be more efficient for both parties if she got immediately to suggesting terms and means of exchange. There was little point on wasting time on pleasantries or tripping over each other, waiting for one to make an offer.
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Post by Big Martin on Sept 23, 2016 14:19:26 GMT -7
The cats around Big Martin's head shifted lazily, parting their furry forms to reveal the lower half of his face, a mischievous smile and a delicate chin presenting themselves to his honored guests. "Ah, I wouldn't be worried about quality and worth- what I found down there might just change the fate of the city, if the knowledge is put to use well. And I'm sure a Keeper of all people would be capable of that." A flash of white grin appeared with the compliment, before vanishing beneath the cover of a more serious expression. "Mind, just because I'm sharing something with you doesn't mean I'm on your side. If you spread these secrets too liberally, or use them in a way that obstructs me, then I will ruin you. You know I can keep my word on that."
He remained silent for a moment, letting the threat hang in the air.
Then, suddenly, his arm blurred into motion- and he tossed an envelope over to Azoth, frisbee-style. Pure white, sealed, and just a little too heavy to contain only paper. "The favor I ask. If you're satisfied with our exchange today, then keep it, and open it only when the time comes." His hand fell back to his side, and his expression returned to one of levity. "I'm sure someone as clever as you will realize when it does." He clasped his hands together. In the shadows, cats shifted quietly. "Now! I understand you two have ferreted out some useful tidbits of your own over this past month. Well, let's see what you have. What interests me most is leads: unresolved cases, hints of hidden valuables, perhaps some closely-guarded secrets that seem to lead nowhere. Things similar to the knowledge that something was hidden under Horizon, for instance. I like a challenge, and being one step ahead. Perhaps there is something you might offer me in that regard."
As if to demonstrate his interest, he leaned forwards a little, the cats on his head stretching their necks out and staring at the two guests with wide, bright eyes.
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The Keepers
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Post by Geata on Sept 25, 2016 21:18:15 GMT -7
Geata more or less tuned out Azoth's offer in bulk. What he paid attention to was the fact that she was offering up to three favors for the one thing. The rest, however, he had heard before, more or less. Instead, he kept an eye on Martin. The warehouse reeked of two things: cats, and arrogance. The second was honestly more of note to the masked super.
Geata was aware of the fact that he was likely overconfident in his power. He had reason, though. If he used it well, he was practically impervious to physical attacks. Azoth felt similarly about her abilities, as well, and it was clear that her gift was a matter of personal pride. To most, it was likely that she could come across as overbearing with it. Geata thought it adorable, but it was one of the few things he was confident that he couldn't explain in a way that she'd approve of. However, Big Martin was in a whole other class, as far as confidence went. The man clearly though himself unbeatable, and the various displays of power were starting to strike Geata as, dare he think it, tacky. With a thought, any super was fully capable absolutely slaughtering an opponent, in most cases. It was ridiculous, honestly, to act as though any power was enough to stop a super with actual murderous intent. Still, Geata kept these thoughts to himself. He was smart enough to know that his opinion would only make matters worse on that subject.
Instead, he thought about what would be good to offer as an exchange. The categories the catomancer provided immediately brought two suggestions to mind, but Geata wondered if they'd be along the lines of what was wanted. Even if they weren't, though, he thought, he would only be suggesting them. He'd leave details on them to be provided by Azoth or requested by their host.
"I dunno if Azoth knows of anything that would be better suited for this exchange, but I've got a few things that strike me as topics that might interest you," he said with a shrug. "By chance, would the location of an anti-dragon bunker and the date of the next dragon attack be worth your time? The dragon info would certainly keep you one step ahead, and I imagine it's likely that either more information or valuables that they wouldn't want a dragon to destroy would be stashed somewhere in the bunker."
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The Keepers
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Post by Azoth on Oct 2, 2016 17:14:27 GMT -7
Knowing she would not be able to, Azoth did not attempt to catch the envelope. Under some circumstances, she would’ve used her powers to dissolve it, logging it securing and certainly; she had gotten more confident in using her powers in front of others in recent times, but something about being surrounded by cats belonging to an enemy, technically, faction played well into lowering confidence. What Big Martin stated afterwards about the letter only confirmed it was for the best she leave it be. Besides, if she was truly curious and wished to not be seen in opening it, she could simply pocket the letter and use her powers on it, removing it and reading its contents without so much as a twitch. She leaned down and picked up the letter where it’d skidded on the floor before her, and held it gingerly in her lap.
“I know the value of secrets. I assure you there will be no issue; the wider I spread it, the less value it holds for me as well.” Azoth said, casting a single glance to the cats that passed his face. Her tone was as emotionless as before; if anything, slightly bored, even in his threat and display of pride. She didn’t doubt he would hold to it, and that should he, it would prove a problem for her, but she was not particularly intimidated. There was a large difference between wishing to avoid conflict and intimidation, and now that the initial shock of the swarm of cats had passed, she’d settled down. She was unsure she would be able to beat him right now, or under certain later circumstances, but that did not mean he would be able to necessarily subdue her, and did not give him power over her or unrightful sway in this deal. Were he unpowered, she would have ended dealings with him for it. Possibly killed him if this was not his first transgression. As a super, she let it pass without further response. She could appreciate the pride he had an exuded in his powers, and, though somewhat contradictory, it was nice to see someone who knew the value of themselves and what they had.
Azoth nodded to Geata’s offer. “That is the best of what I have to offer as well. Due certain benefits of our faction and the common skillsets of those within, it is rare for Keepers to get leads on information in place of the actual information itself. We do have a date of estimation for the next dragon attack, as well as some information related to dragons as a whole.” She paused for a moment, letting her mind run through the contents of the archive. “Yes. Besides those, we lack anything else of the sort you have asked for. The bulk of our information surrounds dragons and what we currently know of powers, if either of those topics interest you more.”
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