Re: Rifts Dead Man's Hand - Festival Day - Dane

[Chaser1]

Lysanthra can't believe she was trying to protect Emily in her dream. She must have forgotten what a brat she acts like all the time. "Nice to meet you too Megana. I guess we haven't really met." Liz says hoping that she doesn't sound odd. Then she looks for a seat nearby Ingrid.

Ingrid sits at a table across from the rest. As Lysanthra sits, Steve asks, "Everything okay, Liz? You look troubled."

[jawildey]

The conversations around him, the noise of the busy restaurant, and everything else that’s happened today could be a distraction—but Dane is in his element now. Using his mind to solve a problem, he focuses on the board alone, shutting everything else out. Still, one thought manages to brush the outer edge of his otherwise impenetrable wall: Would Meg be more upset if I win… or if she thinks I let her? The question flickers through his mind and is gone again, like a leaf glancing off the fur of a great cat just before it pounces on unsuspecting prey.

[lysanthra]

Lysanthra shakes her head and smiles at Steve, "I'm good," she lies. Hopefully he won't pry because she doesn't want anyone else knowing about the dream except Ingrid. She looks at Ingrid hoping she won't say anything. "We should get a couple sodas," she suggests to her.

[Icy_Drake]

Megana remains silent observing trying to figure out whats happening as she leans back with her drink

[Norgarth]

OOC: sorry for the delay. Part of it was trying to get caught up on this and the other threads. (doh)

IC:
Brad wander over to the group. "Hi everybody. How are your days going?"

after initial greetings, he'll head into the bar to get a burger, fries and a drink before coming back out to sit with the group.

[Chaser1]

Lysanthra shakes her head and smiles at Steve, "I'm good," she lies. Hopefully he won't pry because she doesn't want anyone else knowing about the dream except Ingrid. She looks at Ingrid hoping she won't say anything. "We should get a couple sodas," she suggests to her.

Megana remains silent; observing, trying to figure out what's happening as she leans back with her drink.

Brad wanders over to the group. "Hi everybody. How are your days going?"

Steve, Sam and Maya all wave and say their hellos. Miss Hoffman seems as glued to the chess game as Dane is. The younger girl, Emily, seems to produce a flirty stare that lasts a second too long and Megana seems entertained by what Lysanthra wants. Brad nods his acknowledgement to each.

The conversations around him, the noise of the busy restaurant, and everything else that’s happened today could be a distraction — but Dane is in his element now. Using his mind to solve a problem, he focuses on the board alone, shutting everything else out. Still, one thought manages to brush the outer edge of his otherwise impenetrable wall: Would Meg be more upset if I win… or if she thinks I let her? The question flickers through his mind and is gone again, like a leaf glancing off the fur of a great cat just before it pounces on unsuspecting prey.

Within a few moves, Dane catches Miss Hoffman in a mistake and promptly puts her in checkmate. She sits back in shocked disbelief. "Wow," is all she can mutter.

At that moment, Margaret returns to take everyone's order, starting with Miss Hoffman, who simply says, "I'll just get a bag of potato chips and a refill on my drink."

She then peers Dane and Brad, who's standing close by.

[jawildey]

Dane doesn’t feel the rush he usually expects when a problem resolves cleanly. What lingers instead is the thought that maybe the game wasn’t just a game, and that winning it might have been a mistake. Seeing Meg’s disbelief, he feels a faint, unwelcome pinch of doubt—not about the game itself, but about what it might have cost. Letting her win would have felt dishonest. Winning outright feels… complicated.

Grateful for the distraction, he drops his gaze to his drink and notices he’s barely touched it. When Margaret asks, he shakes his head slightly and says, “I’m fine for now, thanks.” The remaining chicken wings should be enough.

Dane looks back at Meg, trying to read her expression for any sign of what might be going on behind those beautiful eyes.

[Norgarth]

Brad smiles at Margret and says, "A burger, fries, and a cola please."

After she departs with the orders, he'll comment, "Well, my attempt at the obstacle course ran into an earlier complication," and hold up his (presumably still swollen thumb. "Manged to get stung by a bee on the rope swing." he says with a wry smile.

[Chaser1]

OOC: All characters present:
Megana
Sam Kessler
Maya Nguyen
Steve Campbell
Emily Jones
Dane Stryker
Meg Hoffman
Brad Greenwood
Ingrid Lewis
Lysanthra Di'Artigo
Vi Trent
Marshal Hewlett
Nearby: a packed dining area of random festival goers and waiters/waitresses

OOC2: The background information on each can be found at https://ivyandchrome.wildeyenterprises. ... 56f4125aea Under 'People of Smith Falls' and 'Folks of Fort Hammer' threads.

Within a few moves, Dane catches Miss Hoffman in a mistake and promptly puts her in checkmate. She sits back in shocked disbelief. "Wow," is all she can mutter. She then peers Dane and Brad, who's standing close by. Dane doesn’t feel the rush he usually expects when a problem resolves cleanly. What lingers instead is the thought that maybe the game wasn’t just a game, and that winning it might have been a mistake. Seeing Meg’s disbelief, he feels a faint, unwelcome pinch of doubt—not about the game itself, but about what it might have cost. Letting her win would have felt dishonest. Winning outright feels… complicated.

At that moment, Margaret returns to take everyone's order, starting with Miss Hoffman, who simply says, "I'll just get a bag of potato chips and a refill on my drink."

Grateful for the distraction, Dane drops his gaze to his drink and notices he’s barely touched it. When Margaret asks, he shakes his head slightly and says, “I’m fine for now, thanks.” The remaining chicken wings should be enough. He looks back at Meg, trying to read her expression for any sign of what might be going on behind those beautiful eyes.

Brad smiles for Margret and says, "A burger, fries, and a cola please." As she departs with the orders, he comments, "Well, my attempt at the obstacle course ran into an earlier complication," and hold up his (presumably still swollen thumb. "Managed to get stung by a bee on the rope swing." he says with a wry smile.

Right after Margaret takes Brad's order, everyone sees that Vi and Marshal are approaching. She promptly takes Vi's order. Lysanthra sees that Marshal isn't impressed to see both of his sisters around, yet he stays quiet. Vi is beautiful, with purplish blue eyes and dyed purple hair.

Steve laughs at Brad, "Woah! You're thumb is fat!" He bemusedly scoffs, "I remember this one time, I skated into this park in Smith Falls. While I was in there, I fell of my board right into one of those wasps nests that grow out of the ground! Dude, was a bad day."

Sam laughs, "I remember that. You looked like you had leprosy for like two days!"

"What's that?" Steve looks confused.

"It's some bacterial disease that eats away cartilage, leaving people deformed. During the Dark Times, people who caught it were banished into the wastes," Maya interjects.

"And you can get that from wasps?" Steve's eyebrow raises.

"I doubt it. Otherwise, more people would have it." She replies.

Emily notices Marshal approach, "No!" She sternly says, "Vi is MY friend!" She tries to make room on her chair for Vi, "You can sit with me!" As Marshal visibly facepalms and just stays quiet.

Dane notices that Miss Hoffman has conveniently become distracted by the newcomers. Most of the others wave Margaret away stating that they're fine with what they have. Ingrid seemingly gives Miss Hoffman a wry look, but says nothing.

Meanwhile Steve addresses Brad again, "I saw your run on there. I wondered why you just suddenly fell. You were doing awesome! You should try it again. It only happens once a year." Sam nods in agreement.

Megana continues to just observe, wondering what Lysanthra's angle is.

[Icy_Drake]

With more folks joining in, Megana decided its best tonstep up and help out the location joining her mom with serving food.