October: MANTA Board and Assorted Prompts

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Who: Darin Altway and YOU
Status: Open
Where: Around Eltrut and Nogard
What: MANTA Board and General Prompts
Warnings: None

1 FELL HOOFBEATS – OPEN

[Even though Darin is considerably better with ghosts now than he was last year, he’s still a bit skittish. The red moon in the sky doesn’t exactly comfort him given how close it resembles a particular moon from his home, which is why he’s planned this little outing in the late afternoon to early twilight. There’s enough light in the sky that it’s not so unsettling and the dreaded gamigins should just be coming out. He’s only assuming that they’re more aggressive the closer they are to midnight and he’d rather not take that chance, even though it’s likely he can handle whatever punishment these things can dish out.]

[There’s a particularly treacherous cove on Nogard where these beasts have begun appearing en masse and locals have begun to get spooked. So, Darin’s decided to take it upon himself to either cull the flock, chase them off, or send them onto the Farplace while earning a decent bounty in the process.]

[Sure enough, there’s a group of about six of them hoofing at the ground on a desolate expanse near the aforementioned cove. Darin leans over a rocky outcropping watching them.]

So...you think they’re actually demons and bad luck?

[He doesn’t have a plan yet, but that hasn’t deterred him before. He’s sure to come up with something.]

[Or he won’t and this will be a fool’s errand.]

2 FOR YOUR TRAVELING NEEDS – OPEN

[It’s been some time since be busted Cid’s chops so imagine Darin’s surprise when he finds out that Telamon Tech has put out a special cooler that Cid is hoping to market! And while he knows that Cid wouldn’t ever steal his work, Darin did, in fact, invent a cooler for his cookout several months back. Well, nothing breeds innovation like healthy competition, right? Which is why Darin has procured one of the Telamon Tech test units and is currently setting up a special demonstration in the marketplace of Eltrut. And he seems to have drawn a crowd.]

Now, I know what some of you are thinking. ‘You’re selling a cooler too? But Ser Altway, Telamon Tech is advertising a cooler just like yours! What makes yours better?’ Well, I am so glad you asked that, fictitious person I just now made up! See, the Telamon Tech design is reliant on a water cooling system. Water evaporates over time, right? You’ll have to constantly fill it up! And what if you’re in a place where water is scarce? Unlikely given the world we’re in but hey, you never know, right?

[Darin pats his own cooler with his hand.]

Now, this baby here? It does rely on water, but the source of it all is completely different! See this?

[Darin holds up a thin cartridge with looks like it slots neatly into the side of the cooler.]

This sleek little number will not only generate all the water you need, but it’s efficient and it cools the water to near freezing temperatures! The best part? They’re replaceable and a hell of a lot easier to carry!

Now, I’m not saying that Telamonn Tech’s design is bad...just that the chief engineer is...well, he’s getting a bit long in the tooth, am I right?

[He shoots the crowd a wink which draws a few laughs.]

All I’m saying is that maybe a fresh perspective is needed! So, if you’d like your own custom cooler, come on down the Starmetal Forge! In the meantime, do I have anyone in the audience here willing to do a little demo? Give some testimonials?

[Whether you’re in the crowd as a plant on Darin’s behalf, someone genuinely interested, or just want to screw around and goof on Cid, Darin would love to have you.]

3 WILDCARD: THE STARMETAL FORGE – OPEN

[Got some business with Darin? Want him to look into something for you or maybe craft something special? Or maybe you just miss the big, blue idiot and want to catch up and check in? You’ll find him working at the forge for most days! Stop on in and chat with him! Bring some gossip! Spill that tea!]

Comments

traveling needs

[ramuhs]

[Cid just chuckles to himself as he leans against the wall and watches Darin throwing his pitch. And once it's over, he'll just call out to him amused.]

Trying to poach my potential customers, are you? Of course, a young whelp still wet behind the ears would still have to follow behind the tails of someone more experience.

[A playful wink at the crowd in turn who find the "competition between them amusing and a few chuckle as Cid steps forward.

Really, Cid doesn't mind Darin doing this. If anything, giving people options is a good thing as everyone's needs will be different, and this little show will drum up business for the both of them. So sure, he'll play along, moving up alongside him to pat his own version of the cooler.]

But since you seem so confident, how about a demonstration?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Now now, all's fair in love and capitalism, right? Let's give it up for Cid, founder of Telamon Tech everyone!

[Darin starts clapping as Cid approaches, prompting the gathering crowd to do the same. At this point, it's practically a staged show and Darin is reveling in it.]

But, I can't let such comments like 'wet behind the ears' slide. Whelp though, I'll give to you. At your age, I know your vision's going~

[He winks playfully as he holds up the cartridge he'd just been displaying.]

But I am so glad you asked, Cid. You see, all you need to do is slide this panel on the side of the unit aside...

[Darin easily turns his unit and slides the panel, then hits a small button that releases the cartridge with a spring, like a toaster. He catches it easily enough and slots the next one in with a click. Once slotted, small puffs of visibly cold air start to spill from the cracked lid of the unit.]

Couldn't be more simple, right?

[ramuhs]

[There's just a wry chuckle and shake of his head, avoiding the bait for now. Instead, he watches the demonstration with intrigue.]

Quite. However, I have one question...

What happens if you lose the cartridge? Is it capable of functioning without it?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[Darin arches an eyebrow. Interesting. Truth be told, Darin hadn't accounted for someone losing the cartridge. He laughs easily and slaps the lid of his cooler.]

Without it? Unfortunately, it won't generate the level of temperature needed to keep things consistently cold. At that juncture, your best bet would be to fill it with regular ice. It'll hold it's chill for awhile given how well insulated it is!

But I'm not going to make promises of a feature that the cooler isn't designed for. Not my style of business. I prefer integrity.

Though, I have to wonder, your cooler's powered by water, right? What guarantees do you offer against rust, erosion, or just leaks in general?

[ramuhs]

[Cid just grins as he leans against his own.]

A good question, and while I can't give away all the trade secrets, the answer lies in the materials used not only for the cooler itself, but the mechanism that runs throughout it. They are no different than other components that utilize long term use of water—perhaps even better—so rust and erosion is a nonissue. As for leaks, well. While it's quite sturdy, if you bang up something hard enough of course cracks will form.

However, I have enough confidence in its craftsmanship that I include a warranty—whatever the damage, you can always bring it back for a full repair at no cost.

[A positive murmur in the crowd!]

But I do have to make a small correction. It's not just water. The system does utilize water crystals, and can even store and generate a certain amount for a limited time without the need of external source. But why rely on magic when there's plenty of water all around us? Best of all, the use of natural water will help keep the water crystals replenished—recycling it, if you will.

fell hoofbeats

[rokubro]

[Rokurou hums as he looks at the strange horses.]

They don't have any malevolence, so if they are daemons they're not like the ones in my world. Definitely give that kind of feel, though...

[A small shrug.]

Not that it matters. They look like they'd put up a decent fight.

[No, that's not what they're here for—]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Not all demons are malevolent, I've learned.

[Present company specifically.]

...Wait, hold on. Do you normally go around fighting horses? There was a guy back home who did the same thing. Pretty sure he was crazy. Kept saying the horses owed him money.

[rokubro]

[He'll have to explain the malevolence thing later, but it's also not that important. Instead—]

No, but—horses owed him money? How?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

No no no, the horses didn't owe him anything. He just thought they did.

[Wait.]

[Darin looks at this stranger a moment and a sly grin spreads across his face.]

See, these horses were different. He mistook them for a group of horses he lost a card game to.

1 HORSE

[thearchangel]

Does it matter? We're just here to take them out.

[How Darin managed to drag Garrus out here, he has no idea. But, it's a bounty. It's a job. Something that needs to get done. Even if he figures it's simple enough of one. Just shoot the creatures, collect the funds, go back to... somewhere. Not home.]

[He hasn't actually been back to the apartment since It Happened. It feels wrong. It feels too big.]

[For now, he's hunkered down over his rifle, checking it over. Last minute safety and cleaning for the mission ahead. A routine. Nice and simple.]

I can have at least half of them down before they see us.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Okay, but that's not fun. You seriously want to be done with this that quickly?

[Because he's sure Garrus won't be going home.]

[thearchangel]

[Darin is correct, but damned if Garrus is going to admit that.]

It's a job. It doesn't need to be fun. Not everything does.

[Take the stick out of your ass, Garrus.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Okay, I'm gonna stop you right there. If you're not getting enjoyment out of something, what's the point of it?

hoofbeats

[moremystyle]

It sure looks to me as though it'd be bad luck to cross them.

[Faris hasn't had much chance to talk to Darin since winding up back on this planet--this busy, haunted planet. Faris' impressions are still largely what he remembers of back then. Brash, free with his opinions, not a fan of ghosts. He's a little surprised to see Darin tackling this job given that last one, but the horses do look pretty solid even if they've got a ghostly rider occasionally.]

We'll need to break up that pack. Maybe lure one or two away at a time and deal with them that way.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Sounds like a good idea, but I don't exactly know what would make good 'hell horse lure.'

How do you lure away something unlucky?

[moremystyle]

[That's a good question. Supposedly, horses are big on carrots and apples, but it'd need a field of them to get this herd to scatter.

Faris taps his foot, thinking a bit. Maybe it's the time of year and the company, but one thought does come to mind...]

I've seen ghosts riding on the backs of these. Maybe they'd be attracted to the sound of wailing....

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Okay so...we just need to find someone to...scream? In horror?

Where the hell are we going to find someone willing to scream just to lure a bunch of demons towards them?

well I'M gonna do the COOLER ONE

[spinsandneedles]

[Sonic isn't typically the kind of person who makes a habit of attending tech demos, is that what this is? See, he doesn't even know the right context. But he's here now, chilling with the other spectators and mayhaps even looking a bit intrigued. Finally, a place to keep his spare chili dogs!]

That almost sounds less like a cooler and more like a portable mini-fridge. Only, powered by a magic thumb drive?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Isn't that what a cooler is to begin with? And I have absolutely zero idea why thumbs are driving.

Look, the point? Is that this is way better than the other cooler that Cid is selling.

[spinsandneedles]

Well nah, I think a cooler's more of a--

[he stops suddenly and just stares. Somehow the WHY THUMBS ARE DRIVING part really threw off his groove.

...He's not going to explain.]

...anyway. I dunno man, I think I'd have to see this Cid guy's cooler to make a fair comparison, y'know?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Well sure, but I'm hurt you won't take my word for it.

But, I get it, I may be a salesman and tradesman and all around amazing engineer and smith, but I'm not the type of guy to strongarm someone into buying something.

How've you been? Haven't seen you since the cookout.

The Starmetal Forge!

[gruffier]

[ As a loyal patron of the Starmetal forge, Clive is oftentimes visiting after a particularly rough battle or so, and this day was of no expectation.

He's still a little bruised from this last MANTA board's hunt— small cuts across his cheeks and the remains of dried blood that had been wiped away from his bottom lip. Yet in does the man come carrying his blade with two hands, a little chipped on the side from a good battle fought. ]

Good morning. [ The man will poke his head in, looking about. ] Are you open for business yet?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

For a friend? Always!

[Darin looks up from his workbench to give Clive large, welcoming grin. But he balks when he sees the state that Clive is in.]

...The hell happened to you?

[gruffier]

[ The reaction wasn't too surprising, so Clive will simply smile with a half-hearted shrug. ]

Just out for some air. [ He'll joke, motioning to the few shoebill feathers in his hair that were left behind. ]

Apologies for not washing up before I arrived. It was on the way.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Clive, you might be the only person I know that goes out for air and the air hits back.

[Darin waves off the apology and helps his friend inside then goes to get some clean rags and some water so Clive can clean himself up.]

So, what brings you in? I know I serve on a first aid ship, but Chopper's the doctor.