Big City Living (Midpoint Mingle)

[midpointmods]

The town of Midpoint: called thus because it is at the exact center of the game arena, a busy little Western town full of strange people, many of whom don’t look remotely human, because this is where all the players gather and live. Midpoint Saloon: called thus because it is the only bar in Midpoint. It’s also the biggest building in town, four stories high, dotted with windows, painted a jaunty yellow and decorated with red and green flowers in all the window boxes.

This is where your veteran teammate points you. Or just stomps off to and hopes you follow.

Downstairs is a bar and tavern, Old West style, right down to the upright piano in one corner and a raucous crowd of locals - largely locals, but with a healthy smattering of unusual or downright alien faces that clearly indicate the presence of other Players - eating, drinking, gambling, and getting into trouble. There’s a broad, bearded man behind the bar, waving cheerfully at you as you enter.

The rest of the night and the next day is yours to do with what you see fit. Explore the town, take a long nap in your new room, try to get to know people... everyone is here for the next twenty-four hours before travel to the mission site, so it’s a good chance to scope out the competition, at the very least.

Comments

[knifecollecting]

[That was not the reply she was expecting.

More correctly, that wasn't the attitude she expected with it. It's a common line, but not commonly delivered without looking at her. Not with the speaker seemingly embarrassed about it.

She runs through her options, curious about who he might be thinking of to be so nervous. She wants to pry but he seems like he might bolt if she tries.]

Okay. [She leans against the bar for a moment, watching him thoughtfully.]

Is she here?

[worthallthis]

[Is the Jo from Beacon here? They wish. (Or maybe we don't. There's already a lot of people to worry about, now. Just like the old days. Social riches. Yeah, except you might hafta kill them, now.) They shake their head a little, looking at their hands, metal and flesh clasped on the tabletop.]

No. So I was surprised. It's okay, I won't bother you about it.

[Even if they badly want to bother her about it.]

[knifecollecting]

[Interesting.

Jo, for a moment, stares at his hands as well, rolling around her options about politely questioning the metal arm. By the time he finishes speaking she's decided it might not be a good path to take right now.

No need to make him feel worse. She can tell he's...nervous? Or at least very uncomfortable. She doesn't know how he will react if pushed.]

I guess we'll see if that's true. [It could be threatening, but she says it with a slight smile and light tone. She knows how to walk the line.]

[worthallthis]

It's true.

[They don't like to lie. They're not as good at it as they know they used to be. (Not sure I want to be. It is a lot of work.)]

What's your name?

[knifecollecting]

[That question makes Jo pause for a moment. If this is a trap of some sort, they all already know who she is.

It doesn't take her long to make a decision.]

Jo. I'm Jo.

[worthallthis]

[Yep. That's her. Not that there was really any doubt, honestly. They look a little bit sad when they say,]

It's nice to meet you, Jo.

[knifecollecting]

[She notices the sorrow and files it away for the future. What an interesting reaction.]

You gonna tell me your name?

[worthallthis]

[That gets a little pause. No one here really... knows their name. Either of their names. North and Booker, but they're kind and never use it. Misty and Sam, now.

But if they're trying to be social, they're going to have to start actually using a name. And some names are still easier than others.]

Soldat.

[knifecollecting]

That sounds more like a call sign than a name. [Jo shrugs after she says it. It isn't her business, even if he started this conversation by staring.

She holds out her hand for a handshake.]

Nice to meet you, Soldat.

[worthallthis]

[Soldat's still shaky on handshakes, now, but they do stand up to take hers in a single, oddly careful shake before settling back in their chair again.]

I know. Technically it is. I lost mine. A long time ago. I picked this one instead.

[knifecollecting]

So you like it?

[It's an interesting choice. The question is out before she can stop it.

Whoops.]

[worthallthis]

[They shrug, not really minding the question.]

It's mine. There are good things and bad things about it. Do you like yours?

[knifecollecting]

[It's a fair question. Since she asked him and he answered, she'll tell him. She looks down the bar with a slightly wistful look on her face.]

My mom and dad picked it out. Dad really liked it. [Well, it's kind of an answer.]

Like you said. Good things and bad things.

[worthallthis]

There you go.

[She gets a small smile.]

Let me know if there's anything I can do to help. I know this is. Hard.

[knifecollecting]

[Jo sighs quietly. This is ridiculous.]

How much of what we know is actually true?

[worthallthis]

There's no way to know that. Not really. But I would guess most of what we know is true.

[They shrug once, looking out across the saloon.]

It's not really very much, though, that we know. Only the things we've experienced. Not much about the people behind them.

[knifecollecting]

[Jo frowns as he looks away. Not helpful information at all.]

Should I trust you when you say that? [She laughs nervously. This is a mess, isn't it?]

[worthallthis]

[Soldat drops their gaze to the tabletop again.]

I won't lie about this place. That don't help anyone, and I'm not that great at it, anyway.

[knifecollecting]

[Despite the suckiness of the entire situation, she smiles at that line. Most men don't even make jokes about not being able to lie.

It's often easiest to just let them think she believes them.]

I guess we'll see about that.

[worthallthis]

Guess we will.

[They pick themselves up again, finally, easing the chair out behind them.]

I'm for bed. I promise, I won't stare at you like that again.

[knifecollecting]

[Jo steps back to give him room, aware that people of his build need space to move.

She has more questions, but if he's tired...]

Good night.