Michael Collins
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Jul 19, 2021 20:22:23 GMT -8
Post by Michael Collins on Jul 19, 2021 20:22:23 GMT -8
And there he was sitting calmly. He watched. He listened. And he took things in, neatly placing each into a file. Such was the way that his mind operated. In reality all sentient beings minds worked in this manner. Collins mind simply performed this task in an exceptionally extreme way. Was why The Old man oft called him a 'Bloody walking compter'. All that said, the man's mind was far more than a filing cabinet. And in the moment A particular part of an illustrious past sprung out at him. There he stood behind a pile of rubble watching the street. Behind him stood what was once an office building 10 stories high. Offices of all manner of business, 3 cafeteria, rocking bays, and so on and so forth. Now it lie leveled flat to the ground, save sporadic portions of the building where his mind - what were left of them huddled defiantly in wait of the final charge. Small fires burned. Water showered from burst pipes. Bodies of the dead and dying lie riddled everywhere. Some screamed, some cried and many said nothing at all. Determining which of the three was more arresting was pointless. But Collins attention remained on the street. And there they were at the top of the street. The Royal Lancers mounted on orbaks. They were terrifying.Far more so than motorized units. So Collins believed. The charge began. He watched. Anything to slow, or to stupid to yield before them were shot and trampled. This was it, so he though. Turning he did a fast sweep with his eyes of the building. What was left of it anyways. And his people. There was no remaining central command. Pockets of small groups could be identified. No mattrr, all would be over soon he thought. He was uncertain which side fired first in this little portion of a much larger battle. And it didn't matter; one shot set all off. Those charging opened up and those trapped in the ruins did the same. And Collins was among them. Always exacting about almost anything he did, Collins avoided counting bodies, unless it was necessary. The rifle leaning up against the portion of wall he stood behind was the right weapon. Holstering the pistol in hand, He shouldered the rifle and fired. Once. Twice. Thrice. The first caught a Lancer in the neck, on the weak point between helmet and body armor, killing the man instantly he crumbled to the ground in a heap. The riderless steer bucked up on hind legs kicking another orbak, knocking down the beast and its' rider alike. two down with one stroke, just like the tired cliche tells us. His second shot not an orbak in the leg, dropping the animal and sending the Lancer sitting on the beasts back bouncing down the road, bones shattering all the way. The third bullet missed its'mark and blew the head clear off a pedestrian. A horrible mistake but all things considered, said person was not the sharpest tool in the shed wandering about in an active battle zone. Next, Collins lobbed a grenade at the advancing troops, who were almost upon him. Bang! And with that two riders and the beasts bellow them went dow violently. Shrapnel and the sheer impact of the explosion took out two more orbaks and their riders. He remembered the first hit that he sustained. It burned. And it hurt. He knew that he was told later that he was not twice more but could not describe either occurrence. The bat hit him in the head. Then a second wacked him before he could raise his hands to defend himself. Then the barrel of a gun cracked him in the ribcage. Things went black. Collins stood looked around frantically. He sound forward slightly realizing everything had been in his head. Memories.... Priceless artifacts of the past. Collins turned to An Tiarna and wondered if anything had been said whilst he was strolling down memory lane
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Bey Kahn
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Jul 20, 2021 8:41:25 GMT -8
Post by Bey Kahn on Jul 20, 2021 8:41:25 GMT -8
Somewhat more subdued after having his brains blown out his face hole, Greer was lacking for words when Morrigan was introduced. As An Tiarna introduced Greer as the Pig to Morrigan, the gamorrean bowed his head slightly, mustering a little show of respect for the lady. He wasn't entirely sure on the relations between all the souls at the table, but it seemed overall like the group gravitated around the Old Dead man, as one might expect of a patriarchy led family. Like how in life the boars of the clan gravitated towards the warlord, looking to their fearless leader for both wisdom and guidance. He sat back down at the table.Coming up with a plan was hurting his head. Or maybe that was from the bullet that passed through it a short time ago. Either way, he was done thinking for a while.A deck of playing cards appeared on the table."Sabacc?" He asked, then started dealing cards around the table.How exactly he learned about sabacc was another question in it of itself. Maybe the shot to the ol'brain knocked something loose, or maybe it crossed something that wasn't meant to be crossed. Either way things were about to get even more wierd.
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Mórrígan Dubh
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Jul 20, 2021 11:25:39 GMT -8
Post by Mórrígan Dubh on Jul 20, 2021 11:25:39 GMT -8
A chair materialized at the Sinister side of the small table between the the two men. Stepping forward, the woman, with the assistance of a finely put together Angel, parked her behind on the chair -Morrigan- " Deal me in led to thoill - please." Looking the new individual in the eye she asked -Morrigan- "And are we calling you by the moniker, or do you wish to be addressed by a name?"
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An Tiarna Dubh
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Jul 20, 2021 12:07:15 GMT -8
Post by An Tiarna Dubh on Jul 20, 2021 12:07:15 GMT -8
The Old Dead man stiffened up with Morrigan's insolent, alibi it reasonable question. He named her after all.... Looking straight ahead he spoke. Bellowed might be putting it more accurately but such was now he always spoke -An Tiarna- "Always grand to have you and that big mouth of yours around Morrigan.' Then right fist dropping on the table 'Ceart! & Pork Chop's the name.' With that he flipped a card. A seven revealed itself. The Angel at his Dexter side watched intently. So this was the dreaded Vice of Gambling! How exciting she tought. .Primitive savages they might well be but they were an interesting lot
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Mórrígan Dubh
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Jul 20, 2021 14:52:38 GMT -8
Post by Mórrígan Dubh on Jul 20, 2021 14:52:38 GMT -8
He certainly wasn't losing his way with people she thought. Still just as subtle as course sandpaper on a baby's bottom. 'Pork Chop.' A smile crossed her face; had a ring to it that name. Morrigan could actually hear her stomach grumble. Could it grumble? Did she even have internal organs here? Signing deeply she shook the stupid questions off and waited for some cards silently
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Bey Kahn
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Jul 21, 2021 5:03:06 GMT -8
Post by Bey Kahn on Jul 21, 2021 5:03:06 GMT -8
Greer dealt Morrigan in and the game began in earnest.
The game was just a distraction really, something to take his mind off the reality that had dawned on him. This truly was the end, so to speak. The time he had spent in life was over, forfeit the moment he took a sword through the heart. All that was a reality he could live with, or rather, continually exist with until the end of time. After all, his boy was still out there, hopefully carrying on the family name and having a few piglets of his own. What really troubled him, more even than the fact that they couldn't kill themselves and end this perpetual existence, was that he couldn't enact some form of post life vengeance on the man who had killed him. Even if he found him in one of these realms, he could kill him until the crows came home to roost and his foe would simply rise again a moment later. It was all...pointless.
"I had a cousin named Pork Chop, actually." He said between dealing cards. "Nice guy, good with an axe. Shame he was eaten by a rancor. He was the fastest log splitter in the clan."
Now that he was taking his mind off his own disappointing existence, his heart was able to take over where his mind had given up. The view of the universe beyond the table began to distort and change, focusing itself on a planet Greer had never seen before, but others at the table may have. Juvex. He didn't even notice, still too focused on the game.
"As for me, Pig is fine. It suits me I think."
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Mórrígan Dubh
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Jul 21, 2021 5:32:16 GMT -8
Post by Mórrígan Dubh on Jul 21, 2021 5:32:16 GMT -8
Morrigan listened closely to the exchange of words. As the newest spirit finished she responded - "You poor thing." Turning to him she explained -Morrigan- "His mind doesn't work like that." Stopping for a second she added quickly -Morrigan- "Quite often I wonder how it works at all. " Nodding down to the table -Morrigan- "Dealing me in?"
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Bey Kahn
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Jul 22, 2021 8:59:48 GMT -8
Post by Bey Kahn on Jul 22, 2021 8:59:48 GMT -8
"Of course." He replied, continuing to hand out cards, which was beginning to feel like he had been doing for a while. Did the gamorrean even know how to play? He listened intently as Morrigan explained the workings of An Tiarna's mind. Greer's head nodded as he listened, finding that even though he knew very little about the spirit sharing the table with him, he found that he agreed somewhat.
"I don't think death suits him." He said to Morrigan, still dealing an endless supply of cards it seems.
Around the table the projection of the universe, which at this point had settled on Juvex, began to slowly zoom in.
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An Tiarna Dubh
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Jul 22, 2021 22:36:27 GMT -8
Post by An Tiarna Dubh on Jul 22, 2021 22:36:27 GMT -8
An Tiarna watched, giant right index tapping on the table. Had this man ever played before -An Tiarna- 'Two cards face down. Two to each player, on the table, face down.' Explaining calmly. -An Tiarna- 'Place the remaining cards face down, center of the table.' From there he would aid the man, as would Morrigan. And with a nod he said -An Tiarna- 'Truly a shame about your fsmily; & The Pig it is.' Stare hitting the floor The Old Dead man continued -An Tiarna- 'Tis a learning experience to be sure but then again such is living too.' Looking up at Bey -An Tiarna- 'Maith go leor. Let's get out of here.'
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Michael Collins
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Jul 23, 2021 18:17:30 GMT -8
Post by Michael Collins on Jul 23, 2021 18:17:30 GMT -8
Collins watched the Uni in all it's heights of and depths of debauchery. And everything that rode between the two extremes. He missed life. Without of the corner of his eye he watched Morrigan and The Old man play cards with The Pig.Standing he turned his chair up to the table, across from Morrigan -Collins- "Deal me in mate."
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An Tiarna Dubh
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Jul 24, 2021 1:55:48 GMT -8
Post by An Tiarna Dubh on Jul 24, 2021 1:55:48 GMT -8
Ye Ole Dead man.... Scratch that sad attempt at Archaic Standard. Where was i ? Right! Standing for a stretch An Tiarna strolled over to the edge. The boundary that separated The Otherworld from Our Own. The distance between This & That seemed so small.... & he spied with his little eye seven of the dreaded Shite Hawks. Eyes glaring and teeth baring he withdrew two pistols, firing six shots from each. Flipping the pieces back into their holsters, he stood eavesdropping on everybody else's business. Involuntarily yawning, An Tiarna returned to his seat
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Michael Collins
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Jul 24, 2021 2:30:01 GMT -8
Post by Michael Collins on Jul 24, 2021 2:30:01 GMT -8
Abruptly Collins seemingly fell face forward towards the floor. Rolling gracefully off right arm he came up only to hit the clouds and roll again. Coming up on feet at the edge, Collins with right hurled The Holy Hand grenade of Harmony. BOOM!Returning to his seat Collins lit a cigarette then nodding upward asked -Collins- "Chief, how exactly does this work?" Taking a long drag -Collin- " I mean, if we were to be killed.... Since we're already dead wouldn't somebody actually be lifing us?"
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An Tiarna Dubh
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Jul 24, 2021 3:04:29 GMT -8
Post by An Tiarna Dubh on Jul 24, 2021 3:04:29 GMT -8
The Old Dead man listened as Collins spoke rambled on. It was painful. And it warranted a sharp response -An Tiarna- 'Collins not a day went by that I didn't grieve having to kill you.' Head shaking -An Tiarna- 'Then you talk this type of gibberish and have to wonder why it took so long before I put a bullet in the back of your head.'
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Bey Kahn
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Jul 26, 2021 6:01:07 GMT -8
Post by Bey Kahn on Jul 26, 2021 6:01:07 GMT -8
Greer dealt Michael Collins in as well.
There was an odd dynamic there. An Tiarna seemed to be responsible for ending Collins' life, yet the spirit didn't seem that perturbed by it. If anything it appeared to have improved their relationship. In death they were almost sort of stuck together to some degree, there being little escape except into less hospitable realms of the dead. Though the gamorrean ghost doubted the same would ever be true if he found the spirit that was responsible for ending his own life. There was a certain sort of eternal torment he wished to visit upon that particular soul.
Around the table, the view of the universe that had been slowly zooming in had come to a stop. Down through the clouds above Juvex's landscape, focusing on a grave and a number of beings nearby in attendance. The image showed quite a few members of the extended Dubh family, and a figure seated at a table that even Greer Kahn couldn't fail to misinterpret as his blood. His eye's widened in delight. There he is, my boy! But why was Bey Kahn sitting with members of An Tiarna's family? Things were getting even more strange.
The dead gamorrean lowered his cards, putting them face down on the table for a moment before looking across at An Tiarna, wondering if the Old Dead man was seeing the same thing he was.
"You still want to get out of here?" He inquired.
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An Tiarna Dubh
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Jul 26, 2021 12:09:17 GMT -8
Post by An Tiarna Dubh on Jul 26, 2021 12:09:17 GMT -8
The Old Dead man sat waiting to turn cards. But several words from Bey caught him and he answered -An Tiarna- 'Is that even a question?' Then adding fast -An Tiarna- 'Have bodies made and stored..... Life crystals too.....'
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Michael Collins
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Jul 26, 2021 12:47:04 GMT -8
Post by Michael Collins on Jul 26, 2021 12:47:04 GMT -8
Accepting his cards with a nod Collins actually laughed when An Tiarna spoke of shooting him. Shocked a lot of people that move did. The complaints that had been lodged against him forced The Old man's hand, leaving him with little choice. Still none expected him to shoot.... And that move shocked people. In that context alone Collins held no grudge. A smile crossed his face. No. He applauded the move. The momentary waltz down memory lane passed by as he looked at one cardard. A six
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Mórrígan Dubh
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Jul 26, 2021 21:53:11 GMT -8
Post by Mórrígan Dubh on Jul 26, 2021 21:53:11 GMT -8
Right hand ever so delicately turning the card up and taking a peak, Morrigan's eyes shot up cessing out her competitors. She smiled then the words from The Old man struck her ears -Morrigan- "Grace has those...." A smile crossed her face - Morrigan- "Not to mention control of the entire liquid capital of the IF...."
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Bey Kahn
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Jul 27, 2021 9:16:58 GMT -8
Post by Bey Kahn on Jul 27, 2021 9:16:58 GMT -8
? Liquid capital, bodies made, life crystals...Greer couldn't claim to understand all that was said, but there was an overarching point to all that was spoken that he did seem to pick up on. There were resources in play, planning that had been done well in advance, contingencies for just such a set of circumstance. Who were these people? Yes, he had a few names and general bits of information, but it dawned on the dead warlord of clan Murtog that he was well beyond his depth."So steps have already been taken? Then why are you still here?" If it sounded like an accusation, it wasn't really. He was genuinely curious. "It sounds like you have all the pieces you need, and from this view of the Uni I can see you have pawns in play."He leaned back in his chair, snorting."Ah. Your people need a good fire lit under their ass to motivate them."
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An Tiarna Dubh
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Jul 27, 2021 20:18:13 GMT -8
Post by An Tiarna Dubh on Jul 27, 2021 20:18:13 GMT -8
The Old Dead man listened to The Pig speak. The word 'pawn' did not ride right with him but he waited til his friend was finished speaking. Clearing his throat -An Tiarna- 'Freeze up there - Grace is no pawn; that's one of my little girl's there fella.' The distinction made, he continued -An Tiarna- 'Straight up though, as much as I'll s hand by her on name alone, she is quite fresh to all of this family business. But she'll do a stand up job to be sure.' Eyes sweeping the high Heavens as if daring a challenge to his declaration.' Looking back to the table in general he addressed Bey -An Tiarna- 'The girl's in possession of some of Morrigan's property. There will be life crystals there. My brother made having them a must some time back. She'll need a knowledgeable druid... how you say? Yes. Shaman in Standard. And a few other things.....' Voice lowering -An Tiarna- 'Some knowledgeable direction. A whole lot of it.'
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Bey Kahn
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Jul 29, 2021 6:30:12 GMT -8
Post by Bey Kahn on Jul 29, 2021 6:30:12 GMT -8
No, not pawns. Family then, an important distinction and a mistake Greer wouldn't make again. In life the way he had lived had been hard, brutal even. There wasn't a lot of room for sentimentality. In the forests of Pzob where clan boars battled with axe and spear for survival, life was cheap and easily snuffed out. When the warlord's wife had contracted snout-pox and died, Greer hadn't shed a tear. He understood it was the way of things. Yet even he wasn't entirely immune to emotion. He desired all that he possessed in life and more for his own son. He continued to listen as An Tiarna spoke of the need for a shaman and guidance. The gamorrean picked at one of his tusks with a pudgy finger.
"A shaman shouldn't be a problem. I can see my son brought along Sneetmuck on that flying boat of his." He said, squinting at the view of the universe. "She was my clan's shaman back when I was alive. Not sure how she's still ticking, mind you. She was old even when I was a child."
As he watched the events on Juvex unfold before the table they were all seated at, Greer grew irritable, banging a fist on the table and jerking a finger at the view.
"Wait a second, Bey, what the heck are you doing?" He spoke, but his words were for the view of Juvex, not for anybody at the table. It occurred to him that the group on Juvex probably couldn't hear what he was saying, but he still felt the need to make his opinion known. "Forget about that grey fur ball. Get Sneetmuck. A good shaman should be tall and thin, not short and squat, let alone covered in fur." He shook his head. "Kids these days, always trying to disappoint you."
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