nysalogs | ( closed )

[ While he'd been fairly gung ho about this job going in - saving some pigeons seems like a nice, safe job—once they actually get to work investigating the neighbourhood, it becomes obvious early on that this might not be the sinister birdnapping plot he'd been envisioning. When they'd first wandered into the neighbourhood, he'd taken in the Old City and—with privilege that had yet to be beaten out of him—assumed the run down area meant that of course crime would be prevalent here.

It didn't take long to start to feel guilty for those assumptions now. He's not the greatest detective in the world either, but after talking to the people of the town, he'd already started to get a sense that there's no nefarious intent behind the disappearance of the birds - that it's probably desperation instead.

By the time they finally decide to break into the house, he's more hoping to be proven wrong than he is right. ]

What are we going to do? [ He whispers, as far from the woman, let's call her Brenda, as they can be. ] She's just a nice old lady.

[ He glances back at her, considering. ]

Unless it's an act?

Edited 2018-03-05 14:09 (UTC)

[By now Cam’s invisibility has worn off and, frankly, it’s not really necessary. He rocks back on his heels, arms crossed over his chest as the group huddles in a corner. JJ isn’t the only one disappointed by the mundane turn of events. Less because Cam wants action and adventure and more because who could be happy about hungry kids? Subduing criminal behavior is much simpler than deep rooted socioeconomic problems.]

Still feeding these kids, even if it’s all put up.

[As someone who has used… granny based espionage before, the idea that it could all be a front isn’t lost on Cam, but regardless of the motivations, there is good being done here, and Cam isn’t quick to throw that under the bus just because Cree told them to.]

[brenda...........

Allow Manley to air his long list of grievances about this whole affair, please—don't, or just don't listen to him, because he's been sharing them at random intervals as they become relevant and they include:

1. Wyver smells.
2. This whole neighborhood is dirty and he's going to get mud on his expensive shoes.
3. He's bored.
4. He can barely fit in this awful little shack and you tiny people with your comfortable necks are wearing on his last nerve!!

...But at the moment he's just standing there, uncomfortable, arms folded, glowering. They may be far away and whispering, but Manley takes all of these social cues and breaks them over his knee, speaking at an ordinary, carrying volume:]

Frankly, because it has been hours and I am very, very tired of being out here, I say we give her over to that incorrigible little man and be on our way with the pittance he's promised as a reward! Look!! It's right there! You can't honestly expect each and every one of us to turn a blind eye, can you? I couldn't possibly lie about this horrible woman.

[So, Manley is... present?]

[ It has been hours, and she is just as tired of the rest of the group, but that doesn't mean she's to the point where she's ready to do something so unforgivable as turn an old lady in for simply being kind. While Nami acknowledges that this whole thing could be a ruse, she can't actually sense any ill will from this old woman. She really just seems like a regular, kind old lady, and she would rather believe what she sees than harm someone who could actually be innocent. ]

Wait a second, now! [ Her voice is stern, and she wags her finger in scolding. ] I know there's a chance this is all a trick, but there's nothing about her that looks that way to me. Manley, how could you suggest we sacrifice an innocent old woman?! We're not doing that, so forget about it!

[ Yes, she is going to speak for everyone else. She's the boss here (in her mind).

Still, Nami does want the reward too. There has to be some sort of middle ground they can take, so everyone can win. ]

[ Are you all right there, dears? That's good ol' Brenda, apparently not at all concerned to see three hoodlums and a tree suddenly appear in the house. She barely even looks away from whatever it is she's doing in the kitchen, and JJ's reeling at how none of this is going according to plan. ]

All right, we can't fight in here. [ Even though JJ is also very much team anti-Manley. ] There's no way that we can turn her in, but you guys need to be more understanding of Manley's point of view.

[ Forewarning: JJ is not good at empathizing. ]

Manley doesn't need to eat, so he probably doesn't understand how important the work she's doing here. There has to be a plan we can all agree on. It's not like we'll be in trouble for not turning her in.

[JJ has too much faith in people. Or trees. Tree people? Treeple. Anyway. Manley used up Cam’s goodwill when he willingly beat the shit out of someone on stage.

Under his breath, but not that quiet,] I think Barkitus just needs to be less of a prick. [Then, addressing the group,] The problem is, if we come back with nothing, he’ll just keep sending people out until he finds out the truth.

[…And Cam lowkey wants the reward too. Just not at the cost of a poor, kind old woman and her philanthropy.]

I hardly see how making a mess of the local aviary is important, but perhaps crouching in this filthy hovel has given me some bias, hmm!! [aaaAAAAA

Anyway, he doesn't need to eat the way the rest of you fools do, that's true, but he's also just an asshole. He wants this cash and the rest doesn't matter.]

Perhaps we should listen to my very unique and valuable point of view, you know, the one you've been ignoring to call me names! [This he says, and pokes Cam in the back of the head. Shut up, little man.] Do make up your minds quickly, now. I think it goes without saying, at this point, so late in this mistake of an outing, that I couldn't care less as long as I'm compensated for my time!

[ Who knew there were mean trees ... Anyway, she could continue to get irritated at her attitude, or she could think about the moving forward. They all have similar goals here: CA$H MONEY. The problem is how to attain it without doing anything they would later feel sorry about.

Or Nami will, anyway. As much as she loves money, she would never put an innocent in danger for the sake of it. ]

Fine, fine. I know where you're coming from. I want the reward too. [ So, they just need to present a culprit to Cree without actually doing so. ]

Since they don't know who the culprits is, we don't actually have to turn her in. If we make a convincing case, we could turn anyone in for that reward.

[ Of course, she doesn't want to endanger a stranger for her own means either. She's much too nice for that. ] What if we told him the culprit has died?

[ Those are at least valid points. (Cam and Nami's, not Manley's.) It's highly unlikely that Cree will let this investigation go just because they fail, especially with that monetary reward and plenty of others willing to take up the mantle.

Furrowing his brows, he mulls over Nami's suggestion. ]

We could lie... But won't he get suspicious if the birds keep on disappearing?

[ Moreover... He gives Manley a disapproving look. ]

We need to make sure someone [ the tall dude ] doesn't rat us out either. Manley, you're supposed to be a tree man not a tin man.

[skips the order because manley is a scourge on this quest]

I haven't the slighest idea what you mean by that, and frankly, I'd like to keep it that way, or my opinion of you may very well suffer!

[His very valuable opinion..........]

Why don't you all make her sandwiches to bring on Saturdays, hiking out here into this awful place? That suits your purposes well, doesn't it? [he won't come, everyone wins]

[Why are you even here, Manley?]

Why don’t you use your— [He wiggles his fingers,] tree powers to grow them a bunch of fruit trees?

[You can do that, right?] Then they wouldn’t need to keep killing birds and everyone has fruit to eat.

[Checkmate]

[First: it's all for the $$$$$

Second: he could do that, probably, but fuck off??!!]

I'm not a tree, for one thing, and I'm not in the mood to handle your charity cases, either! Feel free to do it yourself, of course, don't let me stop you!!

[Now, he will literally turn away to sulk, so let him know when he gets his good good cash for this mistake of an outing.]

[ this log is just everyone vs manley

Nami also wants the $$$, but she's adamant about not hurting the sweet old lady in the process. They're all arguing right now and it's really detrimental to the goal at hand. There are two things they have to accomplish right now:

1) Provide an alternate food source, so no more birds disappear.
2) Gather evidence to convince the person who made the quest the culprit has died (or is at least out of commission).

Cam actually has a really good idea on how they can carry out their first goal. ] Hold it right there, Barkitus! You can sulk all you want later.

[ She doesn't really care if he does or not. ] Cam actually has a good idea here, and I notice you didn't deny you could do it. You can grow some fruit trees for these people, can't you?

["Cam has a good idea", his chest puffs up a little at that.]

Wait, you really can? [He was just spitballing, but if Manley could, that solves a lot of problems! And if Manley doesn't turn around at Nami's behest, he's going to go stand in Manley's way, hands on his hips like a tough guy.]

This would all be over if you would just do it!

[ Barkitus?? Is that Manley's last name? His first name? ]

Wait, so we're going to feed people things that... grew on Barkitus? [ Everyone else is doing it so maybe he should too?? ] Isn't that kind of disgusting?

[ Like feeding people hair...

He gives Cam and Nami an uncertain look before squinting at Manley. ]

Unless you can leave a part of yourself behind that can grow trees?

Edited 2018-03-08 00:14 (UTC)

[ALL OF YOU........ He does not turn around, but he at least looks over his shoulder because of this nonsense.] My name is Manley, you insolent little cretins!!

[Anyway it is super disgusting because he's not a tree... Don't let people eat parts of him?! JJ almost got a point in his favor, but then he had to go and ruin it with another weird suggestion...]

All of you are quite edible to other creatures, aren't you, hmm?! Leave behind an arm and a leg and see how you enjoyable you find that!

[He says... to the wall.]

[Cam frowns. It's gotta be like this then?]

Barkitus. [He touches Manley's shoulder, a gesture of understanding. Confide in me bro. In a stage whisper,] Are you having performance issues?

[Then, louder.] If you can't do it, you can just tell us. We won't think less of you.

Edited 2018-03-08 00:34 (UTC)

[ the saga of bullying continues ]

Ahh, so it's like that after all. To think, I put all my hopes in him for a second there. [ Her tone suggests that shes's trying to be nice about Manley's incapability to help them, while also feeling incredibly disappointed. A bit like a disappointed school-teacher.

How could you have failed them all, Manley? ]

Then you can go back to sulking all you want. We'll just have to think of something else.

[The indignity... Manley does not shrug Cam's hand off so much as peel it off with two fingers, like it's something gross and he's disgusted it touched him at all.

Ugh.]

You all won't do very well, in the end, if not everyone in the group is satisfied! Just some advice!

[u shits]

[ Manley is obviously not that interested in physical contact, which is exactly why he sets a hand on the shoulder that he was not defending. ]

You're right! We do all have to agree. You probably want to help out too, since if we save this place from poverty, we'll be heroes and they'll put up statues for us.

[ That seems like something Manley would like. At least, it's something JJ would like, and whatever JJ likes, everyone likes.

He looks at Cam. ]

You have a lot of magic trinkets, why don't you give the old lady something useful?

[Cam blinks.]

Uh. Not really? [Where did JJ get this impression... they live together. At least the distraction saves Manley from another round of Cam abuse.] All I have is my dagger and I don't think that would help.

[And there's no way he's losing Nimbus again. But speaking of magic... his eyes drift back over to Manley, who is really being a dick right now!] Manley. Go outside and make a fruit tree.

[And... there might be a little bit of magic lacing his words in the form of a suggestion spell.]

[JJ, please, you don't know him like that. You all suck, which is the real moral of this story. Manley frowns down at JJ now, like actually, a statue of himself would be pretty nice...

But then Cam gets his attention again and he blinks, then glances around like he isn't sure what's, uh, going on.]

Now, what was I saying? Do excuse me, thank you, for just a moment...

[Is he... actually going back outside to grow a fruit tree?? He's certainly going outside, but if anyone follows him, there's nothing happening to this yard that's productive - just a mess of nasty-looking vines, and Manley standing there overseeing them like this is what he was definitely told to do.]

[ The reverse psychology certainly didn't work. She doesn't quite expect blatantly stating the order to work either, and yet, it actually seems to? ] No way. He's actually going ...?

[ She turns to Cam, staring at him for a second and trying to figure out what just happened. Nami doesn't know much about magic, after all, so this is so strange. She then follows Manley out to the garden, curious and eager to see his power at work. If he grows those fruit trees, then the first hurdle in their little quest can be solved!

Suffice to say, what she actually finds is kind of disappointing. They've spent way too much time on this, and Nami's a short-tempered person to begin with, so -- ]

Hey, you! What the heck do you think you're doing?! Stop messing around, those look nothing like fruit trees!

[Cam shrugs at Nami, (what, haven’t you seen a Suggestion spell before?) then follows Manley to the door, frowning at the mess of vines and weeds growing where he was hoping there would be some fruit trees.]

Dang. Guess he really can’t.

[It was worth a shot, at least they know barking up that tree is a fruitless endeavor. Unfortunately, they only have a few seconds left before the spell wears off. It was nice while it lasted.]

[ JJ is definitely a leader and not a follower, but when everyone wanders outside to trail after to see Manley, he follows along... But only because he wants to see if Manley will actually grow a tree and solve all their problems.

As it is, that is not what ends up happening. ]

He can't grow trees, our bad for assuming he could. [ It's okay that you let down the entire team, Manley. ] We shouldn't have expected Manley to magically solve all our problems anyway, we're smarter than that.

[ Sounds fake.

But he crosses his arms and assumes a thinker pose nonetheless. ]

Maybe we could start a charity campaign? Nami, you live in Wyver. Why don't you just come here everyday to deliver food?

[ Maybe she had put too much pressure on Manley. She doesn't really feel bad, though. That guy's kind of an prissy jerk so far.

Also, why is everything suddenly being pushed to her? JJ??? ] JJ, as much as I would love to feed some children -- I don't exactly have a stable income right now.

[ With all the chaos going on, it's been kind of hard to find work. She's getting by so far by stealing from assholes and doing quests like these.

also i probably should have found nami a job instead of jojoing for 2 weeks. hm. ]

Why do you need a stable income? Aren't you a pirate?

[ JJ gives a confused look. And he's not trying to be mean, just logical. She is the only one of them that actually lives in Wyver. Neither him nor Cam can be expected to make the journey to Wyver, and Manley could obviously care less. ]

Maybe you could just teach the kids to steal, and they can live that way.

[ Though, that's what had gotten them into trouble in the first place... ]

Edited 2018-03-09 16:52 (UTC)

[Imagine Manley has spent the last minute or so looking confused about why he's outside and what these vines are doing here. Like, he gets that one part, he is aware he did this, but what the fuck? Why are we all outside now, motley crew???]

Oh! Crime! This has taken a very exciting, although I must say, completely expected given the caliber of this little group in terms of good ideas, turn!!

[Anyway, he'll wait? Is that his job now? Waiting.]

[ JJ, she literally has no money, and she's no longer in a shonen manga the plot somehow works out for her in the end. Nami can only make so much stealing from the occasional bandit, and it's definitely not enough to feed some random group of children. ]

I'm not teaching children how to steal ... [ She chose her questionable path. She's not going to try and influence young kids to break the law as well. ]

How about we figure that part out later, then? If we're still going with the plan to lie about the old lady, we should focus on what kind of story we're going to put together.

As for the kids, I could ... come over on occasion, but there's really so much I can do.

I don't think stealing is going to fix anything...

[Says the guy who looks like, but definitely isn't a rogue.]

What if we just tell Cree to send his birds a different way? He's not going to kill a nice old lady feeding some starving kids, is he?

[Is he? Cam's really not sure. He doesn't know much about Cree.]

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I'll stop cursing this log order i promise

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direct questions, sorry for ruining the order ...

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