Re: Rifts Dead Man's Hand - Festival Day - Dane
Re: Re: Rifts Dead Man's Hand - Festival Day - Dane
Dane gingerly takes a sip, and his face immediately scrunches as the lemon hits first — sharp and unexpected. He gives a small twitch of his head, like he’s trying to reset his taste buds, then takes a moment to evaluate the rest. The sweetness from the apple and ginger ale cuts through nicely, though the vodka still leaves a bit of a bite to his inexperienced taste buds. Not great, but not terrible either.
“Good... I think,” he says to Meg, giving a small, uncertain grin. “Let me try it again.”
He takes another sip, considers it, then goes in for a third. This time, it’s not so bad — the flavors start to blend, the alcohol edge dulling under the sweetness. “Actually, I kinda like it,” he admits. “Took me a second to get used to the alcohol taste, but now it’s mostly just the other stuff — and that’s pretty good together.”
Meg laughs and leads the way, "Come on, let's check out some of the stands and booths," as she begins checking out different crafts, clothing, antiques and knick knacks. Some of the booths sell crafted weapons and outdoor gear. One seems to catch her eye. A booth with crudely hand carved wooden dolls. The both recognise the old man behind the booth, Dusty Sky, the local hermit, who lives out of town and prefers to be alone. Today, he's achieved stage three of the obstacle course without failing. And now he's mingling, trying to sell some of his handiwork, created out of boredom.
Looking at some of the dolls, most painted, some left unpainted in case someone wants to do it themselves. Dane finds that a small portion of the dolls seem to resemble someone, but he can't quite place who. Purple hair and bluish purple eyes, slender, with a painted windbreaker jacket. Meg seems focused on a large puzzle box, asking, "Dusty, how much for this?"
"I normally sell that for twenty credits, but I can drop it to fifteen for you!" He gives a snaggle toothed smile from behind his matted gray hair.
“Good... I think,” he says to Meg, giving a small, uncertain grin. “Let me try it again.”
He takes another sip, considers it, then goes in for a third. This time, it’s not so bad — the flavors start to blend, the alcohol edge dulling under the sweetness. “Actually, I kinda like it,” he admits. “Took me a second to get used to the alcohol taste, but now it’s mostly just the other stuff — and that’s pretty good together.”
Meg laughs and leads the way, "Come on, let's check out some of the stands and booths," as she begins checking out different crafts, clothing, antiques and knick knacks. Some of the booths sell crafted weapons and outdoor gear. One seems to catch her eye. A booth with crudely hand carved wooden dolls. The both recognise the old man behind the booth, Dusty Sky, the local hermit, who lives out of town and prefers to be alone. Today, he's achieved stage three of the obstacle course without failing. And now he's mingling, trying to sell some of his handiwork, created out of boredom.
Looking at some of the dolls, most painted, some left unpainted in case someone wants to do it themselves. Dane finds that a small portion of the dolls seem to resemble someone, but he can't quite place who. Purple hair and bluish purple eyes, slender, with a painted windbreaker jacket. Meg seems focused on a large puzzle box, asking, "Dusty, how much for this?"
"I normally sell that for twenty credits, but I can drop it to fifteen for you!" He gives a snaggle toothed smile from behind his matted gray hair.
"I plan to live forever. Or die trying..." Vila - Blakes 7
Re: Re: Rifts Dead Man's Hand - Festival Day - Dane
Dane looks over the dolls again, brow furrowing a little as he studies the purple-haired one, trying to figure out why it looks familiar. Maybe someone from town? Or just his imagination filling in the blanks.
He glances over at Meg, who’s clearly taken by the puzzle box. “That’s pretty cool,” he says, leaning a bit closer for a better look. “You think you can figure it out?” His tone carries a light tease, but there’s genuine curiosity behind it.
He takes another sip from his drink, trying to match Meg’s pace without thinking too hard about it.
He glances over at Meg, who’s clearly taken by the puzzle box. “That’s pretty cool,” he says, leaning a bit closer for a better look. “You think you can figure it out?” His tone carries a light tease, but there’s genuine curiosity behind it.
He takes another sip from his drink, trying to match Meg’s pace without thinking too hard about it.
Re: Re: Rifts Dead Man's Hand - Festival Day - Dane
Dane looks over the dolls again, brow furrowing a little as he studies the purple-haired one, trying to figure out why it looks familiar. Maybe someone from town? Or just his imagination filling in the blanks. The doll does seem to resemble Vi, which seems odd. With knowing that, Dane notices that a few of the dolls resemble Ted, with bruises all over his face. He then notices that there are boxing glove accessories to add to the dolls.
He glances over at Meg, who’s clearly taken by the puzzle box. “That’s pretty cool,” he says, leaning a bit closer for a better look. “You think you can figure it out?” His tone carries a light tease, but there’s genuine curiosity behind it.
"Of course I can. If not, then you can," she laughs. He takes another sip from his drink, trying to match Meg’s pace without thinking too hard about it. Suddenly, she just downs her drink. Dane follows suit. He feels like he has extra energy and a little more confident.
Dusty leans forward and asks, "Hey kid," looking at Dane, "Is your father a collector of rare, yet slightly dangerous antiques?"
He glances over at Meg, who’s clearly taken by the puzzle box. “That’s pretty cool,” he says, leaning a bit closer for a better look. “You think you can figure it out?” His tone carries a light tease, but there’s genuine curiosity behind it.
"Of course I can. If not, then you can," she laughs. He takes another sip from his drink, trying to match Meg’s pace without thinking too hard about it. Suddenly, she just downs her drink. Dane follows suit. He feels like he has extra energy and a little more confident.
Dusty leans forward and asks, "Hey kid," looking at Dane, "Is your father a collector of rare, yet slightly dangerous antiques?"
"I plan to live forever. Or die trying..." Vila - Blakes 7
Re: Re: Rifts Dead Man's Hand - Festival Day - Dane
As Dusty leans forward to ask about his dad, Dane sets the Vi-looking doll back down, his mind still churning over why the old hermit would have dolls that look like Vi and Ted. And, honestly, he can’t help but like the idea of a bruised-up Teddy — for more than one reason, probably.
“Well… I mean, some rare antiques anyway,” he says carefully. “I guess anything can be dangerous in the right hands — or harmless in someone else’s.” He tries to keep his tone casual as his mind shifts paths, running through the possibilities of what angle Dusty might be working.
“Well… I mean, some rare antiques anyway,” he says carefully. “I guess anything can be dangerous in the right hands — or harmless in someone else’s.” He tries to keep his tone casual as his mind shifts paths, running through the possibilities of what angle Dusty might be working.
Re: Re: Rifts Dead Man's Hand - Festival Day - Dane
As Dusty leans forward to ask about his dad, Dane sets the Vi-looking doll back down, his mind still churning over why the old hermit would have dolls that look like Vi and Ted. And, honestly, he can’t help but like the idea of a bruised-up Teddy — for more than one reason, probably. “Well… I mean, some rare antiques anyway,” he says carefully. “I guess anything can be dangerous in the right hands — or harmless in someone else’s.” He tries to keep his tone casual as his mind shifts paths, running through the possibilities of what angle Dusty might be working.
"Well," he begins, "I've got an old military weapon that ole George might appreciate. I've got it back in pretty good shape. Let him know, I only ask two thousand credits for it. If he can afford it." he has a disarming smile, "How're your friends doing? I see that you found my Vi boxing creations." Dusty sighs, "But sales are poor since the fight isn't going to happen. I was going to start a collectibles line. Next would have been Megana racing and the Coulee boy's obstacle course run. He's keeping up with me," as he lets out a stereotypical old man hermit laugh with all of his chest. He then begins coughing, trying to clear his throat and lungs from years of cigar smoking.
"You shouldn't inhale those cigars, Mr. Sky," Meg adds in.
Dusty considers Meg for an uncomfortable moment, letting a smile creep into his expression, "Well, I gotta die of something... The only thing that gives me solace in this terrible world." He grins, "I'll have more trinkets by tonight! Hahaaaa!"
Meg pays him for the puzzle box.
"Well," he begins, "I've got an old military weapon that ole George might appreciate. I've got it back in pretty good shape. Let him know, I only ask two thousand credits for it. If he can afford it." he has a disarming smile, "How're your friends doing? I see that you found my Vi boxing creations." Dusty sighs, "But sales are poor since the fight isn't going to happen. I was going to start a collectibles line. Next would have been Megana racing and the Coulee boy's obstacle course run. He's keeping up with me," as he lets out a stereotypical old man hermit laugh with all of his chest. He then begins coughing, trying to clear his throat and lungs from years of cigar smoking.
"You shouldn't inhale those cigars, Mr. Sky," Meg adds in.
Dusty considers Meg for an uncomfortable moment, letting a smile creep into his expression, "Well, I gotta die of something... The only thing that gives me solace in this terrible world." He grins, "I'll have more trinkets by tonight! Hahaaaa!"
Meg pays him for the puzzle box.
"I plan to live forever. Or die trying..." Vila - Blakes 7
Re: Re: Rifts Dead Man's Hand - Festival Day - Dane
“Sure, I’ll let him know,” Dane replies. “You want me to tell him what kind of weapon it is too?” He doesn’t really expect an answer — if Dusty wanted to share that, he would’ve already.
“Seems like it’s been a mix of ups and downs for my friends,” he adds after a moment. “Megana won the first horse race — even though it was rigged against her. The obstacle course has been hit or miss, depending who you ask. I tried my hand at the greased pole earlier and managed to snag a few credits, so I’ll call that a win.”
He sidesteps the comment about the figurines — interesting, sure, but not something he’d really buy for himself… unless he thought Meg might like one.
Turning toward her, he asks, “You want to go watch Megana race again? Maybe we can win a few more credits. Without Thunder in the race, though, the payout odds probably won’t be as good.”
“Seems like it’s been a mix of ups and downs for my friends,” he adds after a moment. “Megana won the first horse race — even though it was rigged against her. The obstacle course has been hit or miss, depending who you ask. I tried my hand at the greased pole earlier and managed to snag a few credits, so I’ll call that a win.”
He sidesteps the comment about the figurines — interesting, sure, but not something he’d really buy for himself… unless he thought Meg might like one.
Turning toward her, he asks, “You want to go watch Megana race again? Maybe we can win a few more credits. Without Thunder in the race, though, the payout odds probably won’t be as good.”
Re: Re: Rifts Dead Man's Hand - Festival Day - Dane
“Sure, I’ll let him know,” Dane replies. “You want me to tell him what kind of weapon it is too?” He doesn’t really expect an answer — if Dusty wanted to share that, he would’ve already.
"Let's just say, it's military issue," Dusty taps his nose and winks.
“Seems like it’s been a mix of ups and downs for my friends,” he adds after a moment. “Megana won the first horse race — even though it was rigged against her. The obstacle course has been hit or miss, depending who you ask. I tried my hand at the greased pole earlier and managed to snag a few credits, so I’ll call that a win.”
He sidesteps the comment about the figurines — interesting, sure, but not something he’d really buy for himself… unless he thought Meg might like one. Turning toward her, he asks, “You want to go watch Megana race again? Maybe we can win a few more credits. Without Thunder in the race, though, the payout odds probably won’t be as good.”
"Oh! That's an idea. I hear her odds were increased to one for one. Meaning we could double our money." Meg laughs, "Let's go!" She clutches her new puzzle box in one hand, along with her purse, and yanks Dane away with the other.
The two eventually arrive at the betting booth, just moments before bets are closing. Meg bets ten credits on Midnight.
OOC: Dane bet?
"Let's just say, it's military issue," Dusty taps his nose and winks.
“Seems like it’s been a mix of ups and downs for my friends,” he adds after a moment. “Megana won the first horse race — even though it was rigged against her. The obstacle course has been hit or miss, depending who you ask. I tried my hand at the greased pole earlier and managed to snag a few credits, so I’ll call that a win.”
He sidesteps the comment about the figurines — interesting, sure, but not something he’d really buy for himself… unless he thought Meg might like one. Turning toward her, he asks, “You want to go watch Megana race again? Maybe we can win a few more credits. Without Thunder in the race, though, the payout odds probably won’t be as good.”
"Oh! That's an idea. I hear her odds were increased to one for one. Meaning we could double our money." Meg laughs, "Let's go!" She clutches her new puzzle box in one hand, along with her purse, and yanks Dane away with the other.
The two eventually arrive at the betting booth, just moments before bets are closing. Meg bets ten credits on Midnight.
OOC: Dane bet?
"I plan to live forever. Or die trying..." Vila - Blakes 7
Re: Re: Rifts Dead Man's Hand - Festival Day - Dane
Dane pulls out the 20 credits he won earlier, figuring it’s a fair gamble. “Guess it can’t hurt to try doubling what I already won,” he says with a faint grin. “Worst case, I break even for the day.” He places his bet alongside Meg’s, trying not to overthink the odds this time — or how close her hand still is to his.
OOC: Dane bets 20 credits — the same amount he won from the last race.
OOC: Dane bets 20 credits — the same amount he won from the last race.
Re: Re: Rifts Dead Man's Hand - Festival Day - Dane
Dane pulls out the 20 credits he won earlier, figuring it’s a fair gamble. “Guess it can’t hurt to try doubling what I already won,” he says with a faint grin. “Worst case, I break even for the day.” He places his bet alongside Meg’s, trying not to overthink the odds this time — or how close her hand still is to his.
They're both handed their tickets as Meg takes his hand and casually walks towards the racetrack. An electronic drone is already flying above the starting line, filming the race to a live stream on a large projection screen for spectators.
"Riders! Prepare your horses!" The announcer booms over some loudspeakers.
Dane spots Emily, who was at the veterinary clinic with Megana, excitedly jumping up and down, cheering Megana on. The guy that was with Megana earlier, Sam, is also there supporting her. He hears a distant loudspeaker announce, "Cooking competition signups will close in 20 minutes!"
"Wooh! I'm feeling it a little now," Meg states as she pulls out some bottled water and takes a sip, then offers some to Dane.
They're both handed their tickets as Meg takes his hand and casually walks towards the racetrack. An electronic drone is already flying above the starting line, filming the race to a live stream on a large projection screen for spectators.
"Riders! Prepare your horses!" The announcer booms over some loudspeakers.
Dane spots Emily, who was at the veterinary clinic with Megana, excitedly jumping up and down, cheering Megana on. The guy that was with Megana earlier, Sam, is also there supporting her. He hears a distant loudspeaker announce, "Cooking competition signups will close in 20 minutes!"
"Wooh! I'm feeling it a little now," Meg states as she pulls out some bottled water and takes a sip, then offers some to Dane.
"I plan to live forever. Or die trying..." Vila - Blakes 7
Re: Re: Rifts Dead Man's Hand - Festival Day - Dane
Dane takes a sip of the water, realizing he’s not really feeling much effect from the alcohol — at least, not that he can tell. A quick cascade of thoughts runs through his head: maybe it’s the weight difference, or maybe guys just process it differently. Or maybe he’s simply too inexperienced to recognize what “buzzed” is supposed to feel like. He hands the bottle back to Meg with a quiet “Thanks,” then does a quick internal check — physically fine, mentally… analyzing. .oO And there it is — thinking about thinking again instead of just being here. Nice one, Dane. Oo.