Participants:
NPC's: Wayne (Max), Taggon & Roegan (Kaskan), Destron (Max/Kaskan)
Pertinent Non-Participant:
| Date: | June 15, 2011 |
|---|---|
| Location: | Max's Quarters |
| Synopsis: | Despite Max's effort of putting a tag on Jhorn, two of the boy's friends report that the Southern Boll heir has gone missing. |
| Rating: | PG |
| Logger: | Kaskan |
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS:
Max
With some growing still to do, Lomaxin stands at an average 5 feet and 9.5 inches tall. Physical work outdoors has given this young man an overall wiry build of smooth taut muscle that stretches over a defined chest, flat stomach, lean hips, toned legs and sinewy arms.Dark brown hair is kept short at the back and sides with a fringe worn long enough to fall in his eyes at times. Prominent nose and dark expressive eyes pair with brooding brows and a mouth prone to near perpetual smirk. Chin, jaw and upper lip seem to perpetually be darkened with at least a day's growth of stubble.
Prepared for a hard day's work, Max wears a pair of tan trousers of good, thick material that seem loose enough and comfortable for hard labor in the stables, and yet tailored enough in fit that he's not tripping over himself or risking anything getting caught in loose fabric. Tucked into these trousers is a light button-down, long-sleeved shirt, the sleeves almost always rolled up to the elbows, with a wide, flat collar that is usually kept open and comfortable for his work around the runners and herdbeasts. Completing the look are the heavy leather boots that look like they've seen better days, but are still sturdy and functional if not pretty, and the brimmed hat is rarely seen too far from his head. — 22 turns
ROOM DESCRIPTION:
Max's Quarters
There is little about this stall that separates it from all the others, except perhaps for it's larger than usual size. Converted by the beast manager to serve as both office and sleeping quarters, the only noticeable modification made has been to replace the half-door affair with a solid wooden one that is kept under lock and key.
Upon entering, the first item to garner one's notice would be the battered old desk placed with its shorter end to the door with a chair on either side of it. Above it are two shelves holding various books covering such topics as breeding and racing runners, stable management, and two volumes dealing with the anatomy and physiology of human and runner alike.
To the left and across from the desk is what would be termed Max's personal area, holding a mattress with bedding and a heavy wooden chest at its foot. Placed against the opposite wooden siding is a double cupboard with wooden pegs set into its side upon which hangs at least two brimmed hats at any give time. A riding switch and a hooded oilskin cape occupy the third peg. All that separates work and sleeping areas is a rope upon which one can only assume a curtain of some design is supposed to hang.
LOG:
The soft shuffling of multiple pairs of feet invade the cavern's silence, two of them notably louder as they drag and hesitate the closer they get to the Beast manager's lair. The teenage boys may have initiated this meeting but now that it looms things seem dimmer than ever.
The more the boys feet start to drag, the more impatient Destron, their tag appointed by said beast manager starts to become. Eventually with things slowing down to a near standstill he reaches forward, takes up a fistful of their collars and pushes them on forward, "He's not going to bite…much." Oh yes, that will help won't it?
Waine backing out of the office with a crude comment forming in response to his boss almost knocks into the little party and turns mid insult to set them with an amused look. "Going somewhere boys?"
Disgruntled remarks are muffled along with resentful looks cast sidelong at the youths guide, neither taking the physical encouragement well. Only fear for their missing friend's safety stills their testosterone-driven tongues. When they reach the door pent-up nervousness jerks them both back with a squawk of surprise as someone exits, directing attention on them. "In there. We're not afraid of him," remarks the older of the two, putting on a good show of confidence for the other boy.
It's the older boy's latter remark that serves to deepen Waine's amusement and draw Max's attention to his newly arrived 'visitors', however once the burly second's attention lands on the tight expression Destron wears, humour falls away and he steps back inside the office, leaving the way clear for the trio to enter.
The boys themselves, Max doesn't recognize, Destron however is a different story and so catching a glimpse of the young man his eyes narrow and he sets aside the map he'd been studying. "Where's Jhorn?" apprehension causing him to almost snap the question out before the lads are able to say anything.
The quick question cuts right to the core of the visit, surprising the boys and only adding to Max's reputation. A flinch echoes across both of them at the tone of his voice, the older boy automatically speaking first. "He's missing, sir." The younger, slightly shorter youth bobs his head in silent agreement, hands jammed into the pocket of his pants. Both boys are dressed rather well for a casual evening at the weyr.
Waine, Destron and Max exchange glances for the older boy's reply, the beast manager's expression tightening. "Shit," the curse muttered and then moving out from around his desk and planting himself firmly in front of the two he gives them both a thorough eyeballing, taking in their chosen attire. "Explain," the missive clipped as he shoots their tag a heavy look for clearly having failed in his task to keep an eye on his Blooded mark and then drops his dark regard back onto the boys before him.
In unison, both boys take a step back at Max's approach, the man's demeanor dropping their earlier confidence by several degrees. The younger stares wide-eyed and looks ready to bolt completely if not for Destron behind them blocking retreat. The taller boy runs a hand through his hair and clears his throat, pulling all sixteen turns into a straight-backed stance he hopes will look somewhat responsible despite what he's about to admit.
"Roe and Jhorn and I were invited to a party at Landing so we hitched a ride with a friend of Roe's dad who's a bluerider. We met up with some… other friends and got seperated. Then we realized Jhorn was gone." He stops there, having long since learned that offering too much information voluntarily is the fastest way to get yourself in hot water. Better to let the adults fish for what they think they need and react accordingly.
As the boys step backward, so Destron holds his ground allowing them no leeway for escape, an uneasy expression cast across his features for the bollocksing he knows he's going to get when all is said and done. Max is aware that his curt manner is quite likely intimidating to the lads but right now with Jhorn's safety on the line, it can't be helped, not with the likes of Stud and Crud stalking the boy's guardian. He needs answers and he needs them now for every minute wasted could be putting the Bollian teen at further risk.
What the self-appointed spokesman of the pair confesses draws a dark curse to fall from the beast manager's lips though his ire goes to Destron first, "And you didn't think fillin' me in might be a good idea? How the fuck was lettin' 'em head off to Landin', clever!?" - "I…uhh…they," the shag-haired tag starts and stops and them clamps his mouth shut and simply glowers at his boss knowing that no matter what he says now, he's in the shit with just the depth varying accordingly.
It's Waine that's quick to the door and down the aisle at a run, shouting as he goes, "I'll get M'las." Dark eyes flicker after his second and then snap back to the boys again. "How long ago, did you notice him missin'?" already pulling on his jacket that was hanging on a nearby peg and sheathing knives to belt and boots alike.
Max's outburst sends the younger Roegan over the edge, arms jerked from his pockets to roll in exagerrated gestures. Youthful voice pitched at pre-puberty levels he blurts, "We looked for'im, sir! We looked everywhere thinkin' he'd just went to use the latrine or even gettin' on with Leesa but no one'd seen him. He never just disappears like that." A small noise from Taggon at mention of the girl garners a quick glance but the boy is on a roll of unleashed nerves. "We'd seen /him/ back at the weyr," he says with a quick jerk of thumb toward Destron, "And Jhorn figured out he was tailing us so when we realized Jhorn was gone we came back to find him figure'in he'd be the best one to do something quick. Jhorn's gotta be ok! Where could he 'ave gone?? He doesn't know the area well enough to 'ave wandered far. You aren't gonna tell my parents, are ya?" At the last hastily added question Taggon mutters a disgusted snort, the other boy crossing his arms and shooting daggers at his freaked-out cohort.
A brow goes up as Roegan comes to life and all but busts apart at the seams, frustration fuelling anger when it becomes evident the boys had deliberately given their tag the slip. But given that the younger of the pair looks fit to wet himself with fright as it is Max turns his ire on Destron instead. "You," a finger stabs at the shag-haired youth, "Go find Kaskan and tell him to meet us out in the bowl. Tell him what happened and then if he lets you live you can get these two back to their parents," so much for that. To the boys themselves goes his next missive, "You two stay here and don't move 'til he comes to get you." That last growled out as he clamps his hat onto his head and strides out of his office. Really? At night and of a mind to Between to Landing, he's going to wear his hat? What can we say; a cowboy and his hat are never parted. Pausing in the doorway as he realizes they'd not answered his earlier question Max forces himself to modulate his voice and cuts out with a grim voiced, "When??" in reiteration thereof.
The quick urgency that rises as Max starts issuing orders spurs both boys into a shuffling dance of nervous feet and anxious expressions. Things are obviously worse than they thought though they don't know why. Both snap to attention when Max turns his sharp tongue on them, heads nodding in quick succession. "Yes, sir!" they chime in unison. As soon as Max turns away Tagg gives Roe a jab in the ribs, the younger boy moaning over the upcoming reunion with his rider parents. Faces grim, they start with surprise when Max reiterates his earlier question that they didn't answer. Tagg blinks, the first to recover. "Don't know exactly, sir. Probably 'bout… three hours since we first noticed but no tellin' how long he was gone 'fore that."
Destron looking more than a little discomforted by having to go and wake the young Bollian's guard up gives a quick nod and is gone before his boss's orders to him have faded on the air. Max's lips then purse about an unhappy line, for three hours was a long time and who knows how long before that Jhorn had gone missing. A curt nod is given to the information supplied and then dark eyes land on each of the boys in turn, "You did good comin' to find someone." Praise given, such as it is, he's off and down the aisle of the beast caverns at a run to meet M'las and Waine out in the bowl.
When Destron catches up with Max not much later his expression is dire - and he is alone. Coming to a skidding halt nearly atop the beast manager he jerks himself aright despite being out of breath. "He's gone, boss! Kaskan wasn't there!" Jabbing his arm out he wags a scrap of hide at the man. "I looked around and found this." Closer inspection reveals the hide is a note written in scribbled handwriting and addressed to the Bollian guard, saying that the thug brothers have taken Jhorn and Kaskan is to come immediately - alone - or the boy dies. "He's gone after them," Destron repeats once Max has looked at the bleak missive.
Growing impatient though its only be a few minutes since Destron was sent to find Kaskan, Max in terse conversation with M'las and Waine turns to shoot a glance toward the Weyr proper only to be almost bowled over by the arriving 'hand who isalone. That earns Destron a narrowed look which devolves into a heavy frown once he explains, "Whaddya mean Kaskan ain't there!?" He demands to know, looking over the 'hand's shoulder as if expecting to see the Bollian guard hard on his heels.
The scrap of hide held out to him is taken and read, Max's jaw tightening and a curse enough to send a sailor blushing spills as his worst fears are confirmed. Without a word he hands it over to Waine to read and then drops a flat, "No shit," to Destron for Kaskan having gone after Jhorn on his own. "Fuckin' eejit's gonna get himself killed," worry for his friend coupled with that for Jhorn makes for one very pissed off crimelord.
"You get the lads back to their parents," that to Destron and then the young hand is dismissed from his interest. As he and Waine mount up and strap in, "I think I know where he's gone, if we're lucky we'll catch up with him there." That to M'las along with a grim, "Landin'," as the brown unfurls its wings and leaps to the dark night skies.
Destron hesitates, guilt weighing heavily on the young man's shoulders. Max's reaction is expected, but still makes him cringe and set his jaw with determination. "Boss, I…" he starts, only to be cut off with a curt new order. He takes a few steps back but doesn't dash off immediately, debating whether to push for the man's attention or not. It's hard to brave the anger peeling off the young crimelord in stark waves. Hesitation makes the decision for him as Max launches off on the back of the dragon. Frustrated, Destron kicks the dirt, then reaches down to pick up a stone and throw it as hard as he can. With a sharp sigh he turns toward the beast cavern and the boys waiting within. If they thought the worst was over they're sorely mistaken. They're gonna wish Max /had/ flayed them alive by time Destron gets done with them.
RELATED LOGS:
Two Thugs and a Computer Geek – The thugs arrive and start asking questions.
Two Thugs and a Gem Girl
Two Thugs and a Little Kid
— (side log) “Walk much, Jaya?” – Kaskan tells Jaya his history with the thugs.
— (side log) “C’mon little man, show me what you got.” – Max gets to know Jhorn.
“Can you keep a secret?” – Kaskan gives Nenienne the carving.
“I like the way you negotiate.” – Kaskan and Max make a plan.
“Where’s Jhorn?” – Jhorn’s disappearance is reported to Max.
“Now, let the lady go.” – The thugs go after Nenienne.
“Kas, you down there?” – Max and Wayne rescue Kaskan.
You are gonna die, little man. – Everyone races to rescue Jhorn.
