2017-09-18: After A Stampede
- Log: After A Stampede
- Cast: Gwen Whitlock, Meryl Stryfe, Josephine Lovelace
- Where: November City - Market Street
- Date: September 18th 2017
- Summary: Meryl and Milly ask around about Vash the Stampede. In the process, they run into Josie and Gwen. Josie causes trouble for Gwen.
<Pose Tracker> Gwen Whitlock has posed.
"Yeah, I believe I saw him last... in Boot Hill, I think? He was lookin' for ya. Next time I'm around there I'll give him word you're fine, just sportin' a cast on account of that broken arm you got."
The impromptu move forced on a lot of Drifters previously located in the East portion of the continent to move west, leaving the woes and problems of Adlehyde to the Drifters and natives there. As with any forced move, there's a number of displaced people, not all Drifters, but all wishing to find out what happened to the friends and family they may have had to separate from during the explosive reingnition of the Kislev-Aveh conflict.
And there's only one person that can help resolve some of that anxiety. Okay, there's probably more than one, and ones far better at it, and really, the Memory Cube does a great job of establishing communication between lost people. But Gwen is the one that's here. And she goes to many places. Like Boot Hill. And November City. Which is why she's here, alongside her drinking horse, squinting at a scraggly man in his forties, who is, indeed, sporting a cast. "Why the heck didn't you send a message to him usin' your left hand? Or ask someone to type for you?"
"Well, er, there are some things a man don't talk about in polite company," the man says, protectively. "... A-also my left hand can't write worth a damn."
"W-well, I guess that's understandable." Gwen says, itching her head with her left hand. "That don't have anythin' to do with those fake Adlehyde Exhibition medals you two were gonna try to sell, was it?"
The man winces, then attempts an innocent smile. "I-I don't know whatcher talkin' about, Miss Whitlock! I swear on- uh-"
His eyes dart around, looking for something, anything to help him change the subject.
<Pose Tracker> Meryl Stryfe has posed.
"Come on Milly! We're late!" Meryl calls to her partner, sighing in frustration. "If we don't get there on time it's going to be your fault!" While she waits at the front of the hotel, the insurance lady alternates between watching people, looking at the time, and checking to see if Milly was down.
Milly finally catches up to her, out of breath. "Sorry Meryl! I got distracted!" She smiles warmly, unshaken by Meryl's frustration.
"It's fine. We need to hurry though!" Meryl takes off down the street, not waiting for Milly again and soon they both arrive in the marketplace. It wasn't that far but having to rush means they're both tired and thirsty when they get there and while Milly looks for drinks Meryl stands outside idly.
The conversation of two strangers though catches her attention and as she eavesdrops more, she squints a little at them. Finally, after a few minutes of silently debating, Meryl interrupts. "Hey, I was wondering if you guys had heard anything about this man?" She raises a WANTED poster towards them. "I am here following up on leads so if you had any information my partner and I would appreciate it." For now, she doesn't elaborate on why she wants to know more about him.
<Pose Tracker> Josephine Lovelace has posed.
No one seems to recognize her.
Sure, in any other town, 'not getting recognized' wouldn't mean squat. Here, though, there's actually such a thing as law and order...
Nominally.
Case in point, the little bit of conversation taking place right here, right now. Josie had spotted a familiar face -- or rather, heard a familiar voice -- and moseyed her way on over.
"Really? You don't?"
Like it or not, Gwen, Josie is inserting herself into this conversation. "What a shame. You know, I heard a thing or two from my little niece. Seems she got her hands on what she thought was a real exhibition medal. Thing damn near snapped in two, and she cried for days. I was thinking about giving the person who sold her that a piece of my mind, right?"
She shrugs, smiling broadly. Like the cat who stole the cream. "But, you know, I think I could be persuaded..."
That, the archaeologist leaves to hang in the air. Her smile doesn't waver.
A poster is thrust into their midst. Josie leans back, blinking at it. "Uh." She squints, the pigeon on her shoulder shifting to stare down at Meryl.
Either this is the tiniest law enforcement officer she's seen in a while or...
"...Vash the Stampede? Sure, but..." Josie shrugs, helplessly. "Only that he's ten feet tall, lives on the Old Moon and drinks sunlight. In other words, just garbage~ Sorry!"
<Pose Tracker> Gwen Whitlock has posed.
"U-uh." Like a deer in headlights, the male Drifter stares at the suddenly appearing Josie. "W-well, I ain't got nothin' to do wit' that, I swear! There's TONS of people sellin' fake medals all over! How could you be sure if was one of mine?!" He blanches, which is a pretty great feat due to the reddened tan on his skin, courtesy of the sun's glare rays over the Badlands. "Er, uh, I mean-"
Let's see what candidate number two holds!
The three Drifters peer at the poster thrust up at them. Meryl's first clue may be flicker of recognition in Gwen's eyes, the courier belatedly looking away from the poster.
If Meryl missed that, the other Drifter is ready to give the dark-haired woman a more direct clue in his eagerness to get away from the courier. "WHY YES," says the Drifter with sudden enthusiasm, causing Gwen to look back at him with alarm. "I know a man JUST like that. Real tall, got that spiky hair, and even that red coat! I see him bummin' in Miss Whitlock's wagon from time to time. I bet you could get REAL good infermation from her about 'im!"
"Wait a sec! That guy is *so not* Vash the Stampede, and you know it!" Gwen yells at the Drifter, before looking towards Meryl. "Sorry, it's a misunderstandin', Mr. Baldurdash isn't Vash at all, he's just-"
She looks back.
There is a Drifter-shaped cloud where the scraggly man was, moments ago. In the distance, there's a man sprinting away, his cast keeping his arm safe as the injured arm dangles behind him.
<Pose Tracker> Meryl Stryfe has posed.
Meryl is definitely not law enforcement, as probably evidenced by her non-interest in the fake medals. Her interest seems to be single focused on Vash and getting more information about him from whomever she could. Her previous meeting had proven more fruitful than others but still she still felt like they were getting nowhere with their search and that fact was making her nervous. Still, Meryl hoped that progress would be made soon.
"Oh?" Meryl says to Josie but then her expression drops. "I see... that's pretty much what we are getting from everyone." She sighs a little, rubbing the back of her neck and glancing towards the shop as Milly approaches. "Here Meryl! I got us dri-" She pauses. "Ah, sorry am I interrupting?" The tall agent steps backwards a little and sips her drink while Meryl shakes her head.
Gwen's expression though catches her attention and she seems to notice something there. Some brief flicker of recognition and then as the conversation continues, Meryl just watches with surprise. Finally, she interrupts. "So you believe that this man is Vash and..." There is a look given to Gwen, "...he was at your wagon?" This seems like it could be promising and the agent gets very excited.
Before she continues though Meryl pauses, "Oh I guess I should introduce myself. I am Meryl Stryfe from the Bernardelli Insurance Society and this-" she gestures to Milly. "...is my partner Milly Thompson. We are seeking information on Vash due to a number of claims our company has received where he was involved." The introduction seems well-rehearsed and like something she has to say often the way she says it so quickly.
Before she can get anymore information, the drifter explains it's not him and quickly makes an escape. Meryl glances to Milly and then back to the other two women. "Well...that was strange." She frowns. "Anyway, can you be sure it's not Vash? I mean it's possible he goes by an alias... or two." A fact she realizes that would only make their pursuit of him even that much more complicated.
<Pose Tracker> Josephine Lovelace has posed.
Josie doesn't say a word when the man puts his foot in his own mouth. Just raises one pale eyebrow, an intrigued glint in her dark eyes.
And that smile hasn't departed. Without moving, the tall archaeologist almost appears to take up additional space as she subtlely leans forward, as if to listen to his explanations--
well hello there officer (??) i didn't see nothing
--until her attention is most definitely stolen away.
And the dealer-of-fake-medals -- critical point of fact, Josie doesn't have a niece whatsoever -- offers up his own observations on the subject.
Josie. Just. Looks over at Gwen, in silence.
"You keep some interesting company, kiddo."
Or not-so-silence.
"--Hey--?!"
And they have a runner, it seems. So much for some effortless cash. Josie exhales a sigh, closing her eyes. Penelope, as if sensing her distress, bites her on the earlobe, prompting a yelp and, of course, a brief explosion of what can best be described as Antics, right behind Gwen.
As introductions take place. As Gwen attempts to explain.
It's a few moments later that a somewhat sour-faced Josephine approaches the gaggle of ladies, squirming pigeon held stiffly between both hands.
"Josephine Lovelace, archaeologist," she says, by way of introductions herself. Oh, just insurance, huh?
"...And this bad girl is Penelope."
Penelope glares dully.
<Pose Tracker> Gwen Whitlock has posed.
"Damn it..." Taking out an extra handkerchief from her vest, Gwen sighs and wipes the sweat from her face. "I *knew* that guy was trouble the first time I set eyes on him n' his partner..."
Belatedly, Gwen adds, "Mr. Welty, I mean. Not Mr. Balderdash! He's been a real big help!" As Josie adds a helpful comment, Gwen's body just begins to sag. "C'monnnn.. You get what I mean, Josie. Help me here!" Help her explain to this person you just met that this person you've never met is not this other dangerous person you've never met.
Penelope, however, has plans of her own. Gwen flinches, then turns back to Meryl. "See, it's just a misunderstandin', so..." She trails off as she finally looks up to the face of the joining Milly. "Ah..."
Wow, this woman is *tall*. "Pleased to meet you both," the redhead says, her eyes darting back and forth between Meryl and Milly, comparing their heights. "Oh, uh, yeah, my name's Gwen Whitlock. Super, uh, courier?" She gestures to the grey horse behind her, and the covered wagon parked next to that. "I sometimes get people who bum rides from me. Just a part of the job. They listen to me yak on and on, and I give them a free ride. Kinda like I'm, uh, mailin' them!"
THIS IS HORRIBLE, CAN SHE START THIS OVER
"And I'm *very* sure he's not Vash!" Gwen says, folding her arms. "Look, Vash the Stampede is the guy who caused Lost July, right? That was, what, uh, fifty years ago? He'd havta be in his fifties! Er, wait." She wipes the handkerchief underneath her hat. "I guess he'd be sixty, then? But then he'd be causing all of that when he was ten... Man, that's a rough thing for a kid to deal with..." Her mouth twists in thought. "Okay, he'd havta be, like, sixty-five, maybe."
Gwen looks over at the resettled Josie for guidance, then, looking at Penelope, she decides against it. "Anyway, point bein', Mr. Balderdash ain't that old-lookin'! And I should know my ages."
<Pose Tracker> Meryl Stryfe has posed.
The antics behind Gwen causes Meryl to look with surprise at Josephine. She starts to question it but then as the woman approaches, she sees the squirming bird in her hands. "Nice to meet you Josephine..." She looks at the bird. "...Penelope." Meryl doesn't seem overly interested in why she has a pigeon but Milly is very interested.
Without much hesitation, the tall agent walks over to them. "Is that yours? You have a pet pigeon?!" It seems like it's taking a lot of willpower for her not to reach out and pet the bird, even after it bit Josephine. On the other side, Meryl puts a hand over her face and shakes her head. "Milly! Can you please keep your mind on the job?" Meryl may be tiny but it's clear she is definitely not a fan of non-sense.
As Gwen explains her job, Meryl's expression softens. "That sounds like an interesting job. It makes sense that you could have possibly ran into Vash." She raises a hand to her forehead, pinching in between her eyes. "Ugh. This search is proving more difficult than even I imagined." Milly reaches out and puts a comforting hand on Meryl's shoulder but stays silent for the moment.
Even at the explanation that the guy couldn't be Vash, Meryl just shrugs. "I know you say that and trust me, it makes sense but I just need to follow up on every lead. Even if it's a minor one. If he fits the description then it's still possible." She pauses. "I mean, maybe he's not exactly normal considering he is said to have destroyed a whole city?"
She glances between the two women, "I just want more information that is all. We won't know until we talk to him about it so can you tell me more Gwen?" She looks hopefully towards them while shifting a bit on her toes. "If not, we will just have to keep searching I guess..."
<Pose Tracker> Josephine Lovelace has posed.
Penelope has ways of making her displeasure known.
Which, tragically, leaves Gwen high and dry as far as Meryl's questions run. At least until, Penelope secured (if struggling) and some sort of composure (??) regained, she returns to the flock that's gathered.
"Please, call me Josie! Josephine is a bit of a mouthful, don't you think? ...So, you're with Bernadelli? Hmmm."
She gazes between the two of them, as if considering something.
Maybe it's just the disparity in builds and heights. And demeanor.
Good to see another lady about the same size as her, though.
"I raised her from a hatchling," she says to Milly, raising up the squirming bird. Penelope kicks her feet uselessly. There's not a small bit of pride in her voice. "--Wouldn't touch her right now, though. She's in a biting mood."
Penelope's black eyes glitter in the sunlight.
Josie jerks a head Gwen's way. "That's how she does it. I grabbed a ride off her once. Besides, it goes both ways, kiddo," and this is said to Gwen apparently. "You had to listen to me run my mouth too."
Josie finally stoops, releasing Penelope onto the pavement. Irritatedly, the pigeon starts to groom herself. Dusting off her hands on her longcoat, Josie just shrugs, turning her hands palms-up. "That, or Vash the Stampede is actually an elf," she suggests, though that lopsided grin suggests she's not being serious about it.
"Actually, I think it's an inherited name. It's the only explanation for it. I heard once about the name of a pirate being handed down, man to man to man, for hundreds of years..."
Once again, she glances between the two insurance agents.
"Have you girls tried asking around Little Twister? November City's got its seedy side, but I'm sure most people know who you are and why you're asking by now." She winks, knowingly. "...I hate to say it, but most people's loyalty runs deeper than the law... or sometimes, even a big bounty. If this Vash's some bandit, or has a gang, or something..." Even 60 billion Gella of it.
Maybe because there's 60 billion Gella of it. It sounds like a joke.
Rather suddenly, she moves to clap a hand on Gwen's shoulder. "So, how about it, kiddo? Give the nice ladies a hand and take 'em on by that little piece of real estate sometime. I'm sure they could use a local to show them the ropes..."
The fact that Josie grins a little too cheerfully at this might not be entirely comforting.
"Anyway, I'd love to stay and chat, but I've got to see a man about some parts. Hey, Penelope~"
Though there is a pregnant pause while Josie... waits, the pigeon eventually does take flight to roost on the archaeologist's arm.
"See you around," she says as she departs, jovial wave and all.
"Happy hunting~"
<Pose Tracker> Gwen Whitlock has posed.
Would it be worth it to tell Vash? Not that he *is* Vash.
If she didn't see that display of his, not matter how brief it was, during the siege at Adlehyde Castle, Gwen would have been more than glad to properly lie to herself over Vash's true identity. Now?
... She still does. And Josie's explanation seems to fit just why the 'Vash' Gwen knows is about her age, as well.
Gwen's expression grows conflicted. "Look, what exactly do you want with this Vash guy? The guy I know is..." She leans against the side of the nearby wagon and resumes crossing her arms. "Okay, so, he's just a guy, y'know? Likes to eat donuts, is a goofball," she starts, holding up a gloved right hand to count down her list of attributes. "Uh, well, like, he's just a guy. Likes things to be resolved all peaceful. Honestly, I haven't seen him since comin' over to the Badlands. He could be back over in Adlehyde. With the war goin' on, you're probably not gonna see him here if that's the case."
The mention of Lost July throws Gwen's expression into further conflict. "That can't be Mr. Balderdash, if you're lookin' for the guy who did that. No way. He's too nice of a guy."
... The sort of person no one would expect to do something so terrible. The sort of person she would act like herself, in order to hide the secret of her ARM.
"H-hey!" Jostled by that hand clapped on her shoulder, Gwen sighs, her expression properly crestfallen. "I'd rather not have people know that, especially insurance agents," she mumbles at the cheerful Josie. Who is now leaving. "Hey! Don't leave me here like this!"
Bah. With a sigh, Gwen turns back. "Okay, I suppose I could help you two 'round Little Twister. People'd eat you right up there if you went around askin' like this." She grins. "Or you'll get tons of cards and names of Drifters who want a date! You never know with Little Twister." ALWAYS LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE. "I'll make sure you make it out alive! Unless you've been there before. Then, well, er, you guys'd know the drill, eh?"
<Pose Tracker> Meryl Stryfe has posed.
Meryl nods at Josephine. "It's a pleasure Josie." She smiles, as Milly inches closer to Penelope but then she is given a warning about the birds current 'state' and she pulls her hand back with a look of disappointment.
Next time Penelope!
"An elf?" Her eyes are raised to Josie. "Well... maybe it's not so far-fetched." The idea of a pirate name though... "I am not sure that it's that but I guess we'll have to see." She was starting to wonder if they would ever make sense of this mystery.
Meryl gets a little defensive at Gwen's remarks. "As I said, the guy we are looking for is a major liability to my company. My orders are to find him and thereby backup the claims that he is some kind of human catastrophe." She pauses a minute to catch her breath. "If he's as nice as you say he is then we will have to report that back to our supervisors." Somehow she doubts that's the case but Gwen isn't the first person to tell them that he wasn't a bad guy. The rumours weren't adding up which makes her job a whole lot more difficult.
"Little Twister?" Meryl shakes her head at the name. "We haven't gotten that far yet but I guess you could be right about that. We will look into it!" She makes a mental note of it but Milly on the other hand seems to be completely tuned out, having bent down to watch Penelope on the ground.
Meryl nods to Josie, "I was nice meeting you and Penelope. Thank you for the information!" She smiles warmly and waves Josie off.
Then she looks back to Gwen, "Well, if you could help us out in any way I would appreciate it. It does seem like a shady place and we haven't been there before." Of course, Meryl and Milly could hold their own but she doesn't add that helpful information or the fact that she is from November and familiar with the city for the most part.
"Anyway, I think that I have taken enough of your time. We're already very late for another appointment so we better get moving." Meryl gestures to Milly who joins her side. "Thank you again!" Even if this conversation hadn't proven as useful as she hoped, it still gave them another direction to pursue in the end.