[IC] Sudden Payback (Session 1)

"Sure. Maybe get a lanyard for them if you're in a situation where you might end up not noticing during your actions." Max states looking around before jumping down. He'll check on Red to see how bad her legs are.

Seeing the group dispersing, Hank finally relaxes and takes stock. He takes off his heavy jacket and wraps the chain around his midsection, then up over his shoulder like a sash before clipping it at his waist. I need to figure out how to store this thing. This works, but I look like a friggin' junkyard girl scout.

Red huffs a sigh of relief, sitting down for a second to catch her breath. "That was...entirely unnecessary."

If possible...

Marv's muscles relax as the loudspeaker finishes its command. He watches the woman he'd just put on the ground carefully and steps forward to offer a hand up.

"No hard feelings. We're just trying to help our friend." He helps her to his feet. "Those spray cans, that's a little dirty pool, innit? Do like Hank over there. Chain's good, honest bashin'. Let's go get somethin' on that nose."

If not...

Marv rubs his knee. **"You're not wrong there, Red."**

The girl accepts the hand up, but rolls her eyes at the lecture. "Not sure what it's like in the Pickets, old man, but we have to do whatever it takes to keep what's ours."

Tyler takes his keys back and hops down to the dusty ground below, causing his zippers and jangle. He looks at Red where she's been bashed in the legs. "Can you walk?" he asks. "We have some meds in the concessions building." He then looks to Red's face, with her bloodshot eyes and runny nose from the spray attack. "And Tasha can take a look at your airways." He starts toward the building in the center of the field. "Welcome to the Hi-way Theater, folks."

Red manages to smile despite the serious turmoil she is experiencing. "That...would be just swell."

Maxwell gets down on a knee in case Red would prefer a piggyback ride there.

Tyler leads you toward the structure at the center of the theater field. With the other Pantones hobbling along and Tyler's nonchalant demeanor, you feel a bit more at ease despite the brawl.Inside the building looks like a bizarro podunk movie theater without the actual auditoriums. There's a concession stand with a popcorn popper and candy cases, with a kitchen area visible through an open door behind it. "This is where the magic happens," Tyler says with a shrug. "It's not much, but it's our turf." He leads you to another room with "PARTY ROOM" emblazoned over the door. "This is where Tasha hangs out. That was her over the loudspeakers."

As you step inside, you see the room is large, probably big enough to hold 20 kids or so with a few parents or chaperones. There's a long table running the length of the space with short, plastic stools attached to it. Sleeping bags and futons tell you that at least some of the Pantones must call this their bedroom.

A petite young woman with a hoodie and blue hair is seated on the stool farthest away from the door. She looks up and meets your gaze, but she doesn't smile.On the table are the Halloween masks you just bought a couple hours ago, arranged in a neat row.

"If the masks are a point of question have you heard what happened at the one two gym? Also have you heard of anyone in the area that may have been kidnapped that's been to prison in the last 10 years?" Max states.

She harrumphs. "How 'bout a hello first? I'm Tasha. I'm guessing these are yours?"

"Nice to meet you, Tasha. I'm Marv, that's Max." He gestures to Max, "We're here 'cause a friend of ours is in trouble. We think the same folks that snatched Fatima might be behind this. We were just hoping to see what you know and if we might be able to put our heads together." He tossed a nod toward the beaten and bruises Pantones. "Not that way. You know, like thinkin'."

"The masks were part of the plan when we thought you were a bunch of masked weirdos. When we got here and realized you were a bunch of hair-dyed w... people, we decided we didn't need 'em." Hank holds out his hand for a shake. "Henry Rodrigo. Pleased to meet ya."

"Listen... thanks for seeing us. We didn't mean to be rude, but figured maybe pleasantries went out the window when your friends whipped out the bats." He gives a crooked smile to show he has no hard feelings.

"Anyway, word on the street is you may have had issues with the masked weirdos too, so we thought maybe a meetup would be a good idea."

The mention of Fatima's name seems to cause Tasha to startle slightly, but she recovers quickly. She accepts Hank's hand. "We had to know it wasn't you," she says. "Our spotter found these in your car, so we thought'cha might be those yahoos comin' back for another round. But you didn't fight like them." She pauses and sighs. "But we had to make sure." She calls Red over. "Lemme take a look at'cha. I'm no doc, but I took some nursin' classes in community college once upon a time."

Tasha brings out a first-aid kit and asks Tyler for a hand looking after Red.

"So, you were there at One-Two? Masked guys with bottles and cattle-prods, right?"

"Guess you saw the videos. They also had rope and tried to dive down from the roof but I don't think they knew what they were doing... some died..." Max states wiping his mouth over the last part trying to glance over the facts a bit there.

"Yeah, it was a bad scene. Bottles and prods... is that how they came for your friend, too? Between your friend and ours, seems like they're seeking out leaders in the city. Tryin' to figure out what else they have in common..."

Hank snaps his fingers. "Say, I don't suppose Fatima spent time at Wholesome, did she? Seems like that may be the kinda place you could make enemies."

Tasha looks down at the word "friend," lost in thought. She looks back up and nods. "No ropes here. No roofs, really. But, yeah, saw that in the vids. Wacky. We were lucky no one died here." She furrows her brow. "Fatima got out of Wholesome a little while ago. Why's that matter though? Didn't they come for the mayor at the One-Two? That's what the news said."

"Ah, but that's what they- ow. That's what they want you to think." Red clutches her head from the dull pain still thumping around. Still, she looks grateful at everyone's friendly assistance during her time of need. "Barely bothered to look at her. Good thing to, I'd hate to see something happen to her."