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Post by Alaistair on Apr 28, 2017 9:03:35 GMT
(Thread PL: 226,032) Things were progressing more smoothly in Ocariin. A couple of factories were constructed, doubling up as repair shops for some of the basic commodities to survive on the desert planet! Housing, of course, was in constant need, but that house would prove naught against the weather of the sandy world! These factories would be focused around reasserting protection of these homes against the natural environment, as well as transportation and electrical appliances to cook food, heat homes, and assist in removing waste. Alaistair hadn't had the chance to examine the damages down beneath the city, which were more than likely damaged by the explosions. The Devil'd returned to the Loft from one of the new factories, which was focused on getting transportation back up and running for the civilians. He went over to the Lounge, legs spread out on the floor while sitting at the couch! He was exhausted and he'd been wanting sleep. However, even though it'd been the start of the evening there was still more work to be done..! Xylo's little visit, along with Cipher's acquisition of his thoughts and memories up until he departed from the palace, preparing plans to meet with the SSE AND the Earth, and having to keep his eyes and ears open for whatever destroyed Kanassa had been threats all around for Konats. This was wildly different with how he planned this out to begin with! "Aaauugh," Alaistair groaned, arms and hands resting on cushions of the couch, "This is getting a bit outta hand... Need to get this planet organized and ready to defend against more minor threats and build up to stand against... GAH!"He hated that Kizuki and Xylo had made themselves issues, instead of working with the Devil towards this common goal! Granted, the soft alliance Plato had made with Xylo for defenses was a good move, they couldn't fully rely on the Namekian. He turned on Al, after all! As for Kizuki, he seemed to deform into a angry child, mentally, and thought it best to shirk the Devil away. Alaistair was hoping they'd remain good allies, but apparently they'd been issues he just made much larger..! ( Cushaw it's a bit small, but here's the thread!  ) |
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Cushaw
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Post by Cushaw on Apr 28, 2017 21:07:23 GMT
Thread PL: 4,526
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The irony of narrowly escaping being fried to death in a malfunctioning space pod, only to catch sunburn the very next day, was not lost on Cushaw.
Honestly, she was at least able to laugh about it. After the innumerable days locked down in the darkness of the mines, her skin wasn't used to sunlight, let alone the blasting blaze Konats was subjected to. She chose to regard the angry pink colour of her skin as a badge of freedom. Still, Cushaw dearly wanted a cool shower right about now, to ease off some of the sting.
Temperatures on the desert planet seemed to vary between that of a potter's kiln and a full-blown blast furnace. That was during the daylight hours, though. When darkness fell, it brought with it a stone-cold chill that sapped into the bones and crackled in her marrow. This was a place of extremes. The fact that the elfin Konatsians had managed to establish any kind of society here, in the face of a hostile environment that seemed to be constantly trying to kill them, was rather admirable.
Cushaw had spent a solid chunk of her second day of Konats exploring the capital of Plato's realm. Ocariin was as bustling a hub of trade and commerce as she had ever seen within the Empire's vassal sectors. However, it resembled a hive of desperate ants scuttling over the remnants of their gutted home more than anything else. The scars left by the battle that had so recently been fought here were still plain to see. Cushaw found herself clenching and unclenching her fists reflexively as she strode through the milling crowds, spotting another piece of the empire's brutal handiwork wherever she looked.
Eventually, her route had led her back to the Loft, where she hoped to grab a bite to eat and rest up for the evening. Tomorrow, Cushaw planned to avail herself of whatever training facilities this place had to offer. After all that time wasted chained in the dark, breaking big rocks into little rocks, she was rusty. The first real fight she'd been in for ages had earned her a blaster wound in the side. She had to get her head back in the game. What was more, she had to be ready should the Saiyans decide to return to Konats.
As she stepped into the lounge area, a loud, pained groan cut through the background chatter of the refugees. Turning her head this way and that, Cushaw eventually identified the source of the noise. The horned devil, Alaistair, was reclining unabashedly on a couch, looking haggard and overwrought, in contrast to the impression of smooth confidence he had given her yesterday.
After a moment or two of thought, Cushaw made her way towards the couch. She stopped a couple of paces away from the devil's feet and looked down at him critically. "You look how I felt yesterday, pal. Who's pissed in your porridge?"
Alaistair
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Post by Alaistair on Apr 29, 2017 2:15:24 GMT
Alaistair didn't realize how loud he'd been, having acquired the attention of some of the refugees, before looking back to their business. However, one individual approached him, looking down and judging him while looking a bit like a half-baked lobster: Cushaw! Alaistair looked up to the large, sunburnt woman, straightening himself up a bit while patting the seat next to him. "More like who blew up the city... Newsflash, Breech," Alaistair said painstakingly, his tone then taking an immediate change to welcoming, "But enough about that. Have a seat! You look like a crab. How've ya been doing? Hadn't seen ya around the place, or the city in the last few days! Did ya go exploring Konats?"( Cushaw Keeping to the friendly banter, so there may be a series of short posts.) |
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Cushaw
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Post by Cushaw on Apr 29, 2017 10:24:25 GMT
Thread PL: 4,526
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The red demon straightened up almost instantly at the sound of Cushaw's voice. His initial response to her quip was a grim one. Clearly the red man was exhausted from dealing with the aftermath of the disturbed scientist's destruction. Cushaw found herself nodding along solemnly. "Yeah, that's right. Plato gave me the recap." From what she recalled, Alaistair had been among the fighters who had defended the capital. It wouldn't do to underestimate his power.
Still, Alaistair seemed to be in a friendly enough mood, offering her a seat and even making a crack about her sunburn. "Big talk from a guy who walks around lookin' like he escaped from a lobster tank," Cushaw grunted, but willingly dropped into the vacant seat next to Alaistair. Her scowl immediately flipped into an easy grin. "I'm just messin' around. Thanks for the food the other day, by the way. Really hit the spot. First solid bite of real rich food I'd had in longer than I care to remember. Feel like I'm already starting to fill out again, you know? Gotta bulk up a bit before I start building the ol' muscles back to what they used to be."
With another grunt, the Kabochan stretched out her legs, much like Alaistair had been doing. It felt good to take the weight off the soles of her feet. "I've been around the place. Seems like I'll be stickin' around here for a while, so I wanted to get the lay of the land." Her expression sobered again as she recalled the sorry state of the cityscape. "Shitting nebulas, man. When Plato said the Saiyans did a number on this place, he wasn't kidding around."
Alaistair
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Post by Alaistair on Apr 29, 2017 11:34:35 GMT
"Damn right it is," Alaistair spat back to the now seated and grinning Kabochan, "And you're quite welcome for the food! Although it's not the best food the place has to offer, though. Come around again in say a week or so and you're gonna see the food be hitting its 100% class, and not to mention all the fun games and exercise areas that'll be open on this floor and that blocked off area at the stairs going down."He clicked his mouth a couple of times, gave her a wink and two hands up as she sprawled legs out like Al, who returned to doing the same. She admitted to exploring, being amazed by the damage the saiyans had done to this world! The Devil shrugged, responding, "I wouldn't call that the fault of the SSE alone. They came to a world filled with mostly sands, a lack of mountains, and water sources scattered all over! Granted, if memory suits me right, it used to be more lush with plants and more varying environments before it got transported all the way out here. Real damagers are the the Kashvar. Nasty little group hiding around Konats..."After his little, 'history lesson,' if he could call it that, he'd slap her left arm's bicep, while asking her casually, "Hey, so what do you think of Plato, since ya brought him up?"( Cushaw)
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Cushaw
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Post by Cushaw on Apr 29, 2017 11:52:48 GMT
Thread PL: 4,526
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"All your handiwork, huh?" Cushaw paused to take a look around. The Loft was a rough and tumble place if ever she'd seen one, but it was clearly a work in progress. She perked up a bit at the mention of the food improving further, as well as some further additions to the facilities. "I'll look forward to it. 'Specially these exercise areas you mentioned."
The Kabochan rolled her shoulders, cracking her neck from side to side. It made a satisfying pop. "I'm aching to smack a few heads around, but since all's looking quiet around here for the time being, I could use something like that to get back in practice."
The banter briefly flipped into an impromptu history lesson, as Alaistair explained that the present state of Konats was only partly to do with Breech and the Saiyans. Cushaw let out a breath through her teeth. "Oh, sweet. So it's not just imperialist scumbag monkeys they gotta worry out about here, they've got enemies lurkin' out in their own back yard. All while scratchin' out a living on a frying pan of a planet that's constantly chucking sandstorms and droughts at 'em. Honestly, these Konatsians look like you could knock 'em down with a feather, but they can weather some rough shit."
She was slightly startled, at first, when the devil slapped her left arm in what was probably supposed to be a companionable spirit. Gestures of that sort were another thing she'd have to get used to again. Still, she rolled with it, furrowing her brow as she pondered his question. "Honest answer? I dunno. He seems powerful, but he doesn't have much common sense from what I've seen so far. He's got a big mouth on him for sure."
Cushaw's mouth worked from side to side for a moment. "Seems to care about his people, though. And he's no friend to the Saiyans and their Empire. That's good enough for me."
Alaistair
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Post by Alaistair on Apr 29, 2017 12:52:32 GMT
Alaistair noted that want to fight, while she responded to the questions and 'history lesson' he gave! She pointed out the lack of common sense, and the big mouth too. She seemed to be bobbing her head side to side, as though she were balancing the traits she noticed while giving him a compliment on his caring attitude. "Well," Alaistair spoke up, "The SSE, from what I hear, is under new management. Perhaps what can be done is we get to go in, bring out those who've wronged all of us in that Empire, and execute them for the damages they've done..."Alaistair was indifferent about the SSE. He was the sort of, 'Blame the person, not the nation,' type of individual. The SSE weren't unlike other Empires through the countless millennia: Small group of individuals get power and use that power in their own ways, which leads them to cause others to prosper and suffer, all the same..! He looked her in the eyes, processing a thought through his head. "She's a fighter, for sure," Alaistair thought to himself, "Maybe she can work with us."He turned to her, one leg of his going on to his other while he rested his arm on back of the couch. Alaistair asked her, maintaining that casual tone, "You mentioned aching for a fight, right? I'm guessing even Plato's gone on about how he'll probably be getting engaged in wars and stuff to ya?"( Cushaw and back to you.) |
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Cushaw
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Post by Cushaw on Apr 29, 2017 22:39:10 GMT
Thread PL: 4,526
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Cushaw threw Alaistair a skeptical look. "Plato gave me the run-down on that, too. Seems Zucceta took off and some new queen's taken her place. So what? One Saiyan Queen's as bad as any other." She shook her head, a bitter grin twisting her mouth. "Don't see that happening. Don't see it at all. Say you guys somehow manage to swing it so the Empire just up and lets you exact revenge on the bigwigs that messed up this planet, not that I see how you'd get them to do that in the first place."
"What happens next? All hold hands and sing around a campfire? Sooner or later, the same shit is gonna go down again. That's what the Saiyans do. They can't operate no other way! What they don't take over, they pound into cosmic dust, unless somehow you manage to wreck their asses so hard they scamper away with their tails between their legs. From what I'm hearing, that's what happened to Zucceta on Earth, which is why that planet and its entire solar system aren't dead yet."
Suffice to say, Cushaw didn't share Alaistair's stance on the Saiyan Empire. The devil obviously hadn't been present when the Kabochan had narrated her circumstances to Plato, else he might have known she would just scoff at the suggestion of peaceful terms between Konats and Vegeta. Then again, it was probably closer to the truth that Cushaw wasn't filling to entertain such a possibility. The Saiyans and their Empire were the enemy. She clung to that notion like a lifeline.
It seemed her eagerness for battle hadn't gone unnoticed by Alaistair. In response to his question, Cushaw wiggled one hand dismissively. "Not so much. He laid down the law pretty quick, told me if I was allied to the Saiyans I had one day to rest up before getting the hell off his planet. I'm paraphrasing here, obviously." The Kabochan scratched her head. "To be expected, that, I guess. Also, he gave me some spiel about how I could choose the path of diplomacy, or the path of revenge. And I told him I didn't know what to choose yet. All I knew was I had to get stronger somehow."
A hard gleam entered Cushaw's eye. "I'll tell ya, though. If there's anything to be done that'll spite the Empire some way or other, I want in on it. And any Saiyan who sets foot on this dusty rock again, I want dibs on, power levels be damned."
Alaistair
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Post by Alaistair on Apr 30, 2017 5:19:18 GMT
"Ah, so he did," Alaistair asked, crossing his arms as best he could across his chest in the leaning pose he was assuming. Cushaw, with bitterness in her smile, felt what Alaistair was talking about was a fool's dream. He understood that and wanted to respond, but she had plenty more to say and criticize! So he remained quiet, listening intently to her, but also thinking to himself, "She really... REALLY doesn't like the SSE! Making me wonder what happened to her."She wrapped up that opinion of hers, before wiggling a hand and responding to Alaistair's query about Plato and his future wars. He threatened her, in classic fashion, if she were allied with the SSE. He also did seem to give her a choice about either seeking revenge or diplomacy, not knowing what to choose. To that, Alaistair pointed to her, stating in what could be described as a sage-like tone, "The funny thing about that is that they're always hand in hand with each other. Strength, of course, is important to have, and if it strength you desire, then we can certainly help there. However, there is a delicate balance between seeking revenge and diplomacy, and it's why I'm Plato's ambassador... And also heading the rebuilding of Ocariin too!"Cushaw spoke up about also wanting slug with any saiyan who dared to land on Konats. To that, Alaistair asked her rhetorically, "What if that saiyan were wronged by their own people and came from a planet not in SSE territory? What if they were helping some of your people escape SSE slavers?"He raised his pointing finger up, to let her know he was wrapping up his explanation, "That's where the idiom, 'Taking life with a grain of salt,' comes to play. See, there is a chance that this is an actual thing, what I just described! However, it's a chance weighed against the universe... I got a proposition for ya, but first, tell me your thoughts on what I just said."( Cushaw)
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Cushaw
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Post by Cushaw on Apr 30, 2017 12:17:08 GMT
Thread PL: 4,526
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Cushaw barely managed to stop herself from rolling her eyes. Oh boy, another lecture incoming. And here she thought Plato was the only one who could run his mouth like nobody's business on this planet. But it seemed like the self-proclaimed ambassador could hold his own plenty. All this stuff about balancing revenge with diplomacy was starting to give her a migraine.
Still, Alaistair seemed to hint that they could help her cultivate the strength she needed. She kept a mental note of that, for future reference.
"No kidding," she replied noncommitally, once Alaistair seemed to have reached the end of his short diatribe. "About that. How'd you wind up tangled in this mess Plato's having to clean up? And where'd you come from the first place? No offence, but you don't exactly look like a local." Truth to tell, Cushaw had been curious about the horned man's appearance since she'd first gotten a proper look at him. He certainly didn't match any species or variety thereof she'd ever come across.
It seemed he was hell-bent on further souring her mood, though. Cushaw's expression gradually formed into a scowl as Alaistair questioned her seemingly universal animosity against Saiyan-kind. What was irking her more than anything else was that she knew he was bringing up a good point. On the balance of probability, there were probably lone Saiyan specimens somewhere out there, outliers who did not benefit from the Empire's system of conquest or oppression. Perhaps they had even suffered at the hands of their own people, much like Cushaw herself, by virtue of being hybrids or pariahs to the Saiyan way of life. But she wasn't in any mood to admit the red man was correct.
"A chance, fine. I guess it's as you say. Truthfully, though? If it were me, I'd be liable to slug 'um first, ask questions later." Cushaw slumped forward, bracing her arms against her knees, before twisting her neck to look back at Alaistair. "And that's all I got to say on the matter. I'm not some deep thinker or philosopher. So tell me this proposition you got for me, or don't. I'm not interested in a debate on ethics."
Alaistair
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Post by Alaistair on Apr 30, 2017 15:42:00 GMT
Cushaw didn't seem to visibly show comfort in what Alaistair was speaking about... Maybe this was the wrong time to talk about it. The Devil was asked about his meeting with Plato and how he tied in with this. "It started," Alaistair retorted, deciding to keep his words brief, "With us meeting by a fountain. We weren't on Konats at the time, so you're right there. He told me about what happened with his world, with that apparent psycho named Breech that he had mistrusted with the world and his people. So, we decided to take it back over the course of a month or so ago. We aimed precisely for him and his little group, knowing their identities somewhat because of that woman Denim you'd met with us."Cushaw did answer Alaistair's little idiom, admitting she'd punch first and ask questions later before requesting he tell her the proposition or don't bother. "Alright. How would you like to work with Plato and I, not as a warrior for hire, but as someone interested to getting revenge by becoming part of the Konatsian military," Alaistair asked her bluntly. He wasn't going to be super nitpicky with her, so he'd tell her, "You don't have to answer immediately. In fact, I'd say mull the thought over and maybe talk with the King if you'd wish about what I asked of you... Now off topic, lobster, do you want some grub and something for that sunburn? There should be some lotion in the medical bay to apply to that!"( Cushaw) |
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Cushaw
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Post by Cushaw on Apr 30, 2017 17:50:04 GMT
Thread PL: 4,526
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Cushaw's eyebrows slowly climbed up her brow as she listened to Alaistair explain how he and Plato had met, until they seemed in danger of vanishing into her platinum hairline. "He trusted the planet to Breech?" she demanded incredulously, once Alaistair seemed to be done. "Plato made it sound like he was banished and Breech was set up to rule in his stead. Naw, scratch that. He didn't make it sound like it, that's near enough word for word what he said."
Cushaw mentally replayed the conversation, trying to compare what she remembered Plato telling her with what Alaistair had just said. Granted, she didn't have to work with in either case, but stuff wasn't adding up. A dry chuckle escaped her lips. "So who's lying here? At the very least, y'all aren't telling me the full truth about this clusterfuck I've gone and landed myself in."
With the question of Plato and Alaistair's obscure agendas fresh in her mind, it was only logical for her to treat Alaistair's next suggestion with a degree of suspicion. Cushaw didn't answered immediately. For a few moments, she seemed to stare at nothing, her gaze lingering on the hustle and bustle of the Loft. When she finally spoke, her voice sounded distant, as if her mind were somewhere far away. "Not so long ago, I was nothing but another cannon fodder soldier for the Saiyans. After all the shit I've been through to gain my freedom, I'm not so keen to swap one military outfit for another."
Cushaw shook her head, almost imperceptibly, as if it clear. Then she turned back to Alaistair, fixing the devil with a somber look. "Like I said, if you all are going up against the Saiyans, I'll be ready and willing to fight on your side. But that's a far cry from signing onto the Konatsian military. I've no wish to be used for someone else's purposes, whether they're noble or not."
She hesitated, and added grudgingly: "Still, I appreciate the offer. I'll think it over some and come to a decision." At the mention of food and her sunburn, though, she couldn't help but laugh. "Hah. Sure. I got a craving for some more of that chilli, if there's some still going. And I could use some kinda cream to slap on my face, that's the truth. Lead on, Mister Ambassador."
Alaistair
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Post by Alaistair on Apr 30, 2017 18:18:33 GMT
Cushaw got suspicious, having been told that Plato was banished off his own world instead of having entrusted the planet. She accused of either them lying, or at the least, not telling them the whole truth. "The whole truth," Alaistair spoke, wagging his hand flatly in the air while grimacing, "Is a bit of both, but with so much in between that a analyst would have difficulty making heads or tails of it! To simply put it, he was tricked into leaving the planet, and leaving it to Breech's hands. This led Breech to basically getting the power to sully Plato's name as a irresponsible King and in turn was banished for his misdeeds."On the question Alaistair posed, Cushaw became distant, lost in the crowds of the people in the building. She spoke about wanting her freedom, wanting to not be swapped from one military force to the next. She seemed to try and shake the feeling off, looking somberly at Alaistair and telling him that she'd fight saiyans, but not be part of the Konatsian military. Cushaw would mull it over, she'd add on in a not so convincing manner. "Don't force yourself into something you don't want to be part of," Alaistair stated with a smile, his wagging hand put up in a stopping manner. She got a laugh out of Alaistair's 'lobster' comment, agreeing to the food and cream! Alaistair would stand up and, in a manner to could be described as light being stretched out, 2 Alaistair's would be standing before her. One walked away from them, while the other held a hand out to help her up. "Alright, let's get going! I'll be back with the cream shortly, so we can get the food and a place to sit quietly and talk," Alaistair stated with a wink to her. ( Cushaw) (Multiform [UT1] used! Both Alaistair's have 113,016 power level!) |
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Cushaw
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Post by Cushaw on Apr 30, 2017 18:43:44 GMT
Thread PL: 4,526
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Cushaw hadn't honestly expected an explanation in response to her skepticism, let alone one that made sense. The way Alaistair rephrased the sequence of events, it all sounded a whole lot likelier. Plus, it meant Plato would have had a personal motive for taking revenge on Breech. Still, while she nodded along with Alaistair's words and didn't offer further questions, she wasn't entirely convinced. He was still being evasive, avoiding telling the whole truth under the excuse that it was too complex for anyone to figure out.
Well and fine. She had no wish to get involved in some kind of political power-play, much less get bogged down in the sordid history that provided its foundations.
For now, Alaistair seemed content enough with Cushaw's refusal to commit to the Konatsian military. Still, she wasn't naive enought to think he'd drop the subject completely. She wasn't vain enough to overestimate her own value, either. Right now, Cushaw wasn't much of a valuable pawn except as, once again, cannon fodder. That didn't mean Alaistair was completely unlikely to try and use her for his and Plato's gain, for all that the man served up a damn fine bowl of chili.
Still, she resolved not to dwell on all this for the time being, not with the promise of a solid meal around the corner. Plus, the sight of Alaistair splitting himself into two in a flash of light momentarily drove all other thoughts from her mind. "Holy shit!" Cushaw gazed speechlessly after the retreating back of the second Alaistair. "The hell is that technique? There's two of you now?" She took the proferred hand, gripping Alaistair by the wrist as she hauled herself to her feet.
Alaistair
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Post by Alaistair on Apr 30, 2017 19:04:45 GMT
"It's called Multiform," Alaistair laughed in response, "I've split half my power up into this new form. So, yes, there's more than 1 of me now!"Cushaw got to her feet, grabbing Alaistair's wrist for assistance. She had a strong grip, despite her power level! Alaistair put his hands in his pockets as they sauntered over to the restaurant area. He waved over to one of the workers, a stone skinned looking old man that was standing at the front desk, writing down a bunch of information for a family of 5 trying to get a room set up. The man immediately handed over two menus while working and simply asked, "Private booth?""Yep.""Very well. I'll make sure Arthus knows.""It's alright, there's another me walking around from the medical area. I'll handle getting that order.""Alright, boss."Alaistair handed Cushaw one of the menus before heading past the well packed restaurant, 4 white skinned and red headed horned men walking from table to table with food and notepads in hand that all looked quite similar to the red headed woman that served Cushaw and Plato before! Alaistair'd lead Cushaw to a booth that seemed to be made of a few dozen bamboo shoots that were strung tightly together with a hand in the middle to slide the booth open on a rolling track it was on! He gestured Cushaw inside, warmingly offering, "After you, madam Cushaw!"( Cushaw)
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