Florin
㋹ RACKETEERS ㋹
[P:0]
[i][color=F38080]Played by TheWhiteNinja[/color][/i]
Posts: 117
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Post by Florin on Feb 10, 2012 11:13:43 GMT -5
A wave of relief rushed over the cream-colored she-doll as she stepped inside the reminants of the library, the warm air inside enveloping around her like a blanket. She shook herself somewhat, flakes of snow flying off her body and landing scattered around her feet. Florin hated snow, she hated being wet, but she hated not getting what she wanted the most, and right now, that was to read.
Though there were books at the clocktower that she called home, they were limited. Many she'd already read, others were in too bad condition for her to even attempt, and then others were just plan uninteresting. Though they served little purpose to most of her kind, she preferred the fantasic stories the humans had created during their reign over the books that provided more useful knowledge. Often times the humans' stories were the only escape she could find from this dreadful, decaying world into which she'd been forced.
One would probably find it odd, or even threatening, a Racketeer waltzing into Savior territory. That was exactly the reason why she kept her faction membership hush hush. Not that she was ashamed of it; quite the opposite, in fact. She just found it more to her advantage if everyone just assumed she was a loner. It allowed her to roam freely as she pleased. Granted there were those who knew what she really was, but it seemed unlikely she'd run across them here.
A soft sigh slipped from Florin's lips as she gazed around the building. It must've been beautiful back before the war, she thought. It was still beautiful, compared to most other buildings that still stood. It seemed a shame that such a wonderful, valuable place should be in the hands of the Saviors. Perhaps that could change one day.
For now though, she focused her attention on her intended goal, and began towards the first shelf which fell within her view.
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Ulysses-Σ47
✱ LONE ✱
[P:0]
[sup]The Sellsword[/sup]
Posts: 68
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Post by Ulysses-Σ47 on Feb 14, 2012 1:17:17 GMT -5
Higher up was safer. well, as far as vantage points and long range accuracy went. Not that that really mattered where Ulysses was now. The outside was wet and disgusting, with snow coming down constantly, but in here, he could dry off, and, just as important, relax before returning to the cathedral.
The cathedral. while he didn't live anywhere in particular, he DID frequent certain locales more than others. The cathedral, with it's more respectable ragdolls and frequent escort and guarding contracts was certainly a favored one. The ragdoll shook himself a bit, removing the last of the moisture. Even in the warmth, his coat, mask, and hood were still on, as were his weapons. Not that he'd need them here.
The book spines loomed along the corridors formed by the shelves. Even though he knew it was safe, Ulysses couldn't help but keep his weapons. No machines were sighted in here. No bandits came looking for books. Walking along the shelf, his feet clicking only slightly, he browsed casually. Not interested in reading, but if something caught his eye, maybe.
It wasn't that he couldn't read; on the contrary, he could write and read quite well. It was just that he never had the time for it, or ever felt the need to. The world was big enough, with plenty to worry about as it was.
Why worry by adding anything more?
a quiet noise, a sigh, almost, caught his attention, and he immediately turned to it. He was near the entry way; if he ran, he could maybe find the source. A quick sprint, one or two gaps to cross, and he stared down at the main corridor, just in time to cat the beginnings of a fellow anima.
Aside from the hour, there was little odd about the anima. A fur collar, thinner than average, dainty even, that was it. The Sellsword blinked.
Odd hours. But then, who was he to judge?
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Florin
㋹ RACKETEERS ㋹
[P:0]
[i][color=F38080]Played by TheWhiteNinja[/color][/i]
Posts: 117
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Post by Florin on Feb 14, 2012 1:30:56 GMT -5
The female stitchpunk had yet to acknowledge the other's presence. The sheltered life she was used to had not equipped her with the sharpest sense of awareness, especially when her mind was focused on a specific goal.
She began to hum a soft song to herself as she browsed through the first collection of books she came to, her voice echoing gently throughout the otherwise lifeless building. She tilted her head slightly to read the title along the spines of each book. Little seemed to interest her. She gave each title less than a few seconds of observation before moving to the next, and eventually to another row of books in the bottom shelf of the next case.
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Ulysses-Σ47
✱ LONE ✱
[P:0]
[sup]The Sellsword[/sup]
Posts: 68
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Post by Ulysses-Σ47 on Feb 14, 2012 1:41:01 GMT -5
It was a her. Well, that explained why she was daintier, somewhat. The way she carried herself, though, amused Ulysses in a wry sort of way; as if she owned the emptiness, or all the other strongholds.
As if. In fact, he'd probably outright have dismissed her, if it wasn't for how clean she was. It was an anomaly; here, in the world of grit, fluids, and machines, this blaring white speck, this moving target, practically. He shook his head.
If the anima had a death wish, that was her own affair.
Still, he tracked her a ways, before finally running out of shelf. With no more left, he simply took out his grappling hook, and, hooking it to whatever was available, climbed down to the ground floor.
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Florin
㋹ RACKETEERS ㋹
[P:0]
[i][color=F38080]Played by TheWhiteNinja[/color][/i]
Posts: 117
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Post by Florin on Feb 14, 2012 1:52:21 GMT -5
Though not the most cautious doll in existence, Florin certainly wasn't deaf. The slightest noise Ulysses made was amplified by the walls of the library, enough to draw the she-doll's attention away from the books.
She stood straight up, her optics now wide and alert. Her head turned in different directions, searching for the original source of the noise, which was somewhat difficult to determine, thanks to the building's echoing effect.
"Hello? Is someone there?" She called out softly. It was a stupid thing to call out, she knew. There was always the chance that whatever was nearby may not be friendly, but in this place, it seemed unlikely.
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Ulysses-Σ47
✱ LONE ✱
[P:0]
[sup]The Sellsword[/sup]
Posts: 68
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Post by Ulysses-Σ47 on Feb 14, 2012 2:01:26 GMT -5
"Hello? Is someone there?"
Had Ulysses a functioning vocal processor, he would've chuckled, maybe even laughed. For now, the only hint of his emotion was a slight loosening of posture, and his eyes taking on a more humorous glint. Oh, one thing was clear; she wasn't used to combat. The way she was rotating, nervous. Should've kept her back against the books, or the wall. He shook his head as he got to the ground, and pulled his grappling hook free. She was facing directly away from him, her back turned. Storing the hook, he used his raised knuckles, and tapped on the bookcase three times.
Hello, over here.
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Florin
㋹ RACKETEERS ㋹
[P:0]
[i][color=F38080]Played by TheWhiteNinja[/color][/i]
Posts: 117
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Post by Florin on Feb 14, 2012 2:10:54 GMT -5
She gasped softly as she turned to finally face him. Her hand pressed to her chest where her heart would be, if she had one. She stared at the new doll for a moment, looking him over. Odd looking one he was, she thought. It was clear to her he was one of the adventurous types. Judging by his apparel, Florin guessed he was either a Rogue or a Loner. And that he must be terribly filthy. What was he doing in a library anyway? Could these strays that ran around outside even read? Oh lord, he wasn't a hitman, was he?
Nevertheless, Florin kept her thoughts to herself. She gave the doll a soft, somewhat shy smile. "Oh... hello. You startled me. I thought I was alone in here."
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Ulysses-Σ47
✱ LONE ✱
[P:0]
[sup]The Sellsword[/sup]
Posts: 68
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Post by Ulysses-Σ47 on Feb 14, 2012 2:20:45 GMT -5
Ulysses monitored the expressions she made, all the while listening to her speak. Not that there was much she said. He inwardly rolled his eyes.
Alone? You thought you were alone? She didn't even bother checking, she just came in, assuming? Either she could fight better than he or his Russian friend, or, more likely, she was just naive, at least in terms of surveillance. Her shy smile didn't really matter to him; he was already at ease, seeing as how he'd gotten to higher ground and at least did a preliminary sweep, albeit a lazy one.
Startled her? Startled was an understatement; she looked like an internal had blown a fuse. He shook his head slightly, attempting to show he meant no harm. He didn't get any closer, though; he liked a bit of space.
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Florin
㋹ RACKETEERS ㋹
[P:0]
[i][color=F38080]Played by TheWhiteNinja[/color][/i]
Posts: 117
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Post by Florin on Feb 14, 2012 2:35:11 GMT -5
She as well watched his movements, her eyes searching for the slightest gestures or movements that gave away any information. Working with the Racketeers, she had become a master of reading body language. It was quite handy when working with unsavory characters who overestimated themselves. The Racketeers were a group renown for their skills of deception, after all. It was a skill that proved invaluable when selling drugs, or hiring or providing services.
Florin kept her smile, which now seemed to take a more warm, gentle feel. "Forgive me if I bothered you at all. My name is Florin. Might I ask yours, my dear?"
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Ulysses-Σ47
✱ LONE ✱
[P:0]
[sup]The Sellsword[/sup]
Posts: 68
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Post by Ulysses-Σ47 on Feb 14, 2012 2:45:57 GMT -5
Ulysses listened. She seemed uncomfortable, but hid it in an instant. Then, she asked for his name. He blinked, before inwardly sighing.
Of course. He couldn't answer that. He couldn't answer any of her questions. Not without a pen and paper. Or at least paper. His eyes wandered momentarily, as he sought a way out. He stopped, blinked again, and then focused; he tapped his throat, and then made a slicing motion.
Can't speak. He proceeded to mime writing, then pointed at a book. Paper, pen. I can answer.
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Florin
㋹ RACKETEERS ㋹
[P:0]
[i][color=F38080]Played by TheWhiteNinja[/color][/i]
Posts: 117
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Post by Florin on Feb 14, 2012 15:51:14 GMT -5
She watched his movements. They were easy enough to decipher. "Oh, yes, I see. Well..." She took in her surroundings. Surely there was a spare piece of paper and a writing utensil somewhere in here...
For a moment, she thought about just ignoring him. She would have to find him pen and paper just to speak with him. Did he even have anything worth saying?
For the time, it seemed better to take the gamble than stand there bored. She looked at one of the books on the shelf, glancing over the title before pulling it out by the spine, letting it fall back with a loud 'thud'. If she was going to vandalize a book, better it at least be one she wasn't interested in. The book opened to it's center pages when it fell. Florin grabbed the edges of the pages, and flipped to the beginning of the book, to the mostly-blank titled page that the majority of books seemed to have.
This would work well enough. She took the edge in one hand, her other moving to the center of the book, where the page was connected. Her sharp, silver fingers acted as a knife as she slide them along the paper, forming a fairly neat cut that separated it from the book.
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Ulysses-Σ47
✱ LONE ✱
[P:0]
[sup]The Sellsword[/sup]
Posts: 68
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Post by Ulysses-Σ47 on Feb 14, 2012 16:10:36 GMT -5
Ulysses watched as the ragdoll looked about. He didn't move until she began tugging on a book. He moved to help her, only to be a bit late; the book fell open with a "thwump." As she flipped through the book, stopping at a blank page, Ulysses turned and ran. There had to be a pen, or ink around there somewhere.
He moved down the main hall, and slowly, the main desk loomed into his view. He made a B-line for an open side, sliding to a stop, and removing his grappling hook. A cursory inspection revealed there was nothing to- There. A handle on one of the drawers was intact. He swung the hook, aimed, and tossed it.
The hook found it's mark, and one wrap around and several tugs later, he was climbing, stopping only briefly at the end of the rope. The pull up onto the nob was easy; he'd done far more heavy lifting for his own weight to be a problem. Balancing, he managed to climb onto the counter top, and looked around. The thing was a mess of papers, filing cabinets and files laying out in a few locations. There were traces of ink, but it looked as if the bottle or what not had been spilled.
Ulysses proceeded down, along the top, the paper rustling. Absent mindedly, he picked up some scraps, and tucked them into his pack. Nothing, nothing, nothing. It was about three quarters of the way down the desk when he found something; in an open drawer, a fountain tip and inkwells. The Sellsword acted fast; while he could easily lift both the items, getting them down in one piece. . . He hurried back, and retrieved his grappling hook. A moment later, he was tying the rope into a make shift harness around the inkwell, and, after securing the hook end, lowering it down.
It stopped about six inches above the ground, but Ulysses was fine with that. He kept a firm grip on the fountain pen, and with a little spring, slid down the rope, sliding with his hand and his feet. He slowed, and stopped above the ink well, before jumping off, and setting the pen down. Undoing the harness, he retrieved the ink well, and pulled down his grappling hook, stowing it in one smooth motion. The items in tow, the inkwell on his right shoulder, hardly slowing him down, and the pen in his hand, he returned quickly.
It took a moment to set them up, and then to properly fill the pen with ink. But then, after a moment of deliberation, a word appeared.
Ulysses. Σ-47. A short salute was the only other action he gave.
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Florin
㋹ RACKETEERS ㋹
[P:0]
[i][color=F38080]Played by TheWhiteNinja[/color][/i]
Posts: 117
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Post by Florin on Feb 14, 2012 17:10:40 GMT -5
She watched him for a moment as he set up the items, restraining herself from tapping her foot or fingers impatiently. Finally, when he was ready, she watched him write.
"Ulysses. That's your name? Well, it's quite nice." She paid little attention to the number part of his name. That was one thing she never quite understood about those of her kind, the numbers in their names. She and her 'brother' had only been given names, never a number, so they seemed useless to her.
"It's a pleasure." She gave a polite curtsy.
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Ulysses-Σ47
✱ LONE ✱
[P:0]
[sup]The Sellsword[/sup]
Posts: 68
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Post by Ulysses-Σ47 on Feb 15, 2012 1:51:20 GMT -5
Ulysses, of course, couldn't show a smile, not with his mask on, and he wouldn't even if he could. As usual, his optics, posture, and gestures portrayed his intent; in this case, cautious, but polite. With a few more strokes, he managed a Pleasure to meet you. He maintained his distance, however, only extending a hand slightly.
The female ragdoll seemed a bit. . .reserved was one way of putting it. Though, to be fair, that may have been Ulysses' paranoia and natural distrust for others acting up. In the time he'd spent on his career, however, he'd learned very early on to never dismiss that feeling entirely.
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Florin
㋹ RACKETEERS ㋹
[P:0]
[i][color=F38080]Played by TheWhiteNinja[/color][/i]
Posts: 117
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Post by Florin on Feb 15, 2012 9:54:06 GMT -5
A soft smile spread across her face. At least he was polite. For now, anyways. One could never tell with most dolls. Manners, especially in males, were something she valued over most everything else. As long as he kept this up, they would get along just fine.
Florin stepped a bit closer to him, gingerly taking his hand with her own. He was wary of her, she could tell. More evidence he was probably used to running about outside. Perhaps he could prove useful.
"Forgive me, my dear, but are you one of the anima who claim this area?" She was sure she already knew the answer, but it couldn't hurt to be sure.
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