A Bitter Pill To Swallow

GRAYBRIDGE, 6 NOV 2023
Empty Warehouse
Auggie drives them towards a section of abandoned warehouses by the waterfront of Graybridge, left behind by some bankrupted company. Breaking open a door was no problem before and there still doesn't appear to be any guards patrolling in this part, so they should have enough privacy here for now. Auggie thinks that coming back here a third time might be pushing their luck.

She parks the car around the side, under a shadow at least where a shadow would be if it wasn't cloudy and raining so often.

She hides the car in a fog that conveniently rolls in, and "helps" Eva with the unconscious man. Mostly that means holding doors open. Under cover, they enter the warehouse and she hold a chair in place for Brian to be chained.

OOC:

Spending a PP to activate Hydrokinesis. Control Water; Limit: Cold; Special: Spend to Create thick fog (d8 Useful Detail)

Eva

Harrigan

Nov 4, 2023 4:33 am

GRAYBRIDGE, 6 NOV 2023
Empty Warehouse
Exiting the van, Eva has Brian over her shoulder and is headed for the warehouse door when she sees the fog.

"That... you, that mist and fog?" she asks as she goes inside, placing the unconscious man in the chair so they can work on restraining him.

Brian Floyd

Nov 4, 2023 10:04 am

Brian Floyd

GRAYBRIDGE, 6 NOV 2023
Empty Warehouse
Brian is still unconscious when Eva carries him into the warehouse. Together with Augusta, she puts him into an old metal chair and restrains him, making sure that even if he tries, he's not going to get free. Fifteen minutes later, Melissa and Dave arrive as well. Brian is slowly beginning to stir at this point. He definitely looks very different than he did in the restaurant, without his superior smile and with the lower half of his face and the front of his shirt covered in blood. His jacket luckily got spared as Melissa is still wearing it.

OOC:

Okay, I'm not interested in having the characters actually torture someone. And it won't give you any mechanical advantage, so let's stick to a verbal interrogation.
The way I'm planning to run this is the following:
You can take turns initiating a contest with him as you talk to him to try and get him to give in and tell you what you want to know. He won't give in immediately, but if you beat him in the contests, he'll take stress, which will make him more likely to give in. If you stress him out (increase his stress die above a D12 or have him fail his contest roll by more than 10), he will also tell you what he knows.
If he manages to stress one of you out or get you to give in, the interrogation fails. Since you are four and can take turns and he is one, that puts you at a big advantage, but it keeps a bit of a chance for you to fail. And it will let us play this out a bit.
Sounds good?

Augusta Ang

Qralloq

Nov 4, 2023 4:22 pm

GRAYBRIDGE, 6 NOV 2023
Empty Warehouse

"Yes, it is my stranger gift. I don't understand it, but it is useful for hiding your actions."

OOC:

Okay on the interrogation method. I'll start with the first initiationing.

Augusta waits for Brian to wake up, shaking him and lightly slapping his probably concussed face. When he awakes, she stands back. "This is going badly for you Brian. We know some of what Plaxo is up to, and so we will probably know when you're lying. Or maybe you can keep playing stupid. Either way, your chances of leaving this warehouse aren't great. What has been done to me has changed my life in ways I can't even comprehend, and what has been done to Eva is unfathomably harsh. So play dumb if you want, but innocence isn't going to save you. After all, it didn't save me, did it?"

OOC:

Justice or Power make sense, both are d6. I'll start with Justice.
Eva is here and I'm calling on her presence.
Savage: her demeanor is that someone is going to pay, and she doesn't really care who.

Rolls

Justice, Eva, Savage - (1d6, 1d8, 1d6)

1d6 : (6) = 6

1d8 : (6) = 6

1d6 : (2) = 2

Brian Floyd

Nov 4, 2023 4:31 pm

Brian Floyd

GRAYBRIDGE, 6 NOV 2023
Empty Warehouse
As Augusta slaps Brian and wakes him up, the man looks around for a moment, trying to get an idea of where he is. He tests his restraints but finds them firm and solid, then he lets his eyes wander over his four captors until they fix on Augusta and he smiles through the blood on his face. "Yeah, I was kind of hoping I could actually just have a nice conversation with Melissa, but you guys seem really mad, so I guess it's going to be like this." For someone currently chained up in some remote warehouse, he still maintains at least a pretty solid facade of confidence. Rather than respond to the bulk of Augusta's words, he says, "So my chances to walk out of here aren't good? That's interesting. I guess you're eager to let out the monster. Is that what you call it? When you turn into her?" He chuckles briefly. "I bet you have a name for it."

OOC:

Augusta set a target number of 12. I'm spending one Plot Point (which Augusta receives) to add a third die to my total to make Brian's counter a 14. It's Augusta's turn to either try and beat that or to give in.

For this contest, I'm assuming Augusta's goal is: "Get Brian to tell us everything"
Brian's goal is: "Get them to let me go."

Rolls

Brian: Duty, Augusta, Manipulative - (1D6, 1D6, 1D6)

1D6 : (6) = 6

1D6 : (4) = 4

Augusta Ang

Qralloq

Nov 4, 2023 4:55 pm

GRAYBRIDGE, 6 NOV 2023
Empty Warehouse

"I've given you several opportunities to tell me the truth Brian. When I broke it off with you, you knew why I was doing it, didn't you? And said nothing. When I convinced Melissa to bring me to that diner with you, again, you claimed ignorance. So I don't know what you expect to get out of this charade, but I'm done hoping for your better nature to arise."

She doesn't like this, this casual attempt to pass off what is happening as mundane, and worse, the romantic rivalry hurts more than she thinks it should. She's way hotter than Melissa and wants Brian to understand that. "Don't mention Melissa! She's my friend not yours, so leave her out of this!"

Rolls

Glory, Melissa, Attractive - (1d8, 1d8, 1d6)

1d8 : (2) = 2

1d8 : (5) = 5

1d6 : (5) = 5

Brian Floyd

Nov 4, 2023 5:11 pm

Brian Floyd

GRAYBRIDGE, 6 NOV 2023
Empty Warehouse
"Of course I knew why you did it," Brian confirms. "You were scared because you were changing. I offered to help you figure it out, Augie. I mean, I know better than anyone what's going on with you. I could have helped you. But you rejected my offer and dumped me." Noticing her frustration regarding him and Melissa, he then turns his eyes to the blonde standing back before saying, "I moved on. But it seems like you haven't." He can barely manage to hide a smile as he adds, "I'm sorry, Augie."

OOC:

1D6 Insecure for Augusta. And then the next person can go ahead and take their shot.

Dave Draven

witchdoctor

Nov 6, 2023 8:23 am

Dave returned from outside, hands in his pockets as the conversation...or interrogation...hit a moment of lull. The big man walked across the damp concrete floor towards the bound captive, the grit of the floor echoing on the bare walls. Bending down, Dave got eyeball to eyeball with Floyd as if trying to see in through the once pretty man's eyes. Awkward minutes passed with the two right up close to each other, Dave's expression neutral, before he spoke. "You gave Augusta powers, you probably gave other people powers too. You got any? I think you're a telepath. Probably not a good one, not a strong one. Maybe just enough to skim surface thoughts, ferret out intentions maybe." He was reaching but it had to be said. Maybe he's just good at reading people; something a good faceman or salesman would benefit from. Maybe not.
"Either way, doesn't matter to me. Or them..." he nodded over to Augusta, Eva and Melissa. "We've got questions and you've got answers. Could just let the girls beat, carve or stomp it out of you but why threaten them with a good time?" he chuckled. "You've probably tried to prepare for something like that. Saw it coming eventually, probably. So let's try a different angle." Dave let that hang in the air for a minute, noting Floyd's smug denmeanor,"I had a devil of a time getting your phone to do facial recognition on you all busted up like that..but hold it at juuuust the right angle and it opened right up. Went through your contacts drafted up a couple of break-up texts, deleted the nudes, and oh...um, sent out a few texts to people that you were turning state's evidence against your employers now that you'd had someone render 'extraordinary rendition' to get free from them." Dave pulled Floyd's phone out of his own pocket and waved it under the light to let the screen flash in the harsh sodium light above them. "I could drop this on a truck headed out of town so they'll track it halfway to Hillsburg and you go free. OR I could tape it to your chest and let those very, very unpleasant people you work for find you already giftwrapped. Your call..."

OOC:

The pool I'll try with is Justice d8, Augusta d8, Vicious d6s and I wanna spend a PP to invoke a fourth die in Eva d8.

Rolls

Interrogation - (1d8, 1d8, 1d6, 1d8)

1d8 : (4) = 4

1d6 : (6) = 6

1d8 : (5) = 5

Brian Floyd

Nov 6, 2023 8:33 am

Brian Floyd

OOC:

That's a target number of 11 set for Brian. He counters with a 14, which Dave will then have to beat next.

"Telepathic?" Brian asks. "I guess I'll take that as a compliment, but no. I gave Melissa and Augusta what they needed. But I never needed an edge like that, so I prefer not to experiment on myself." He tests his restraints again and adds, "Well, I never needed it until today."

He then listens to the rest of Dave's threat and for a moment, he does look concerned as he runs in his mind over the possibility that he may be telling the truth. He does then, however, settle on it being a bluff and says, "Come on, David, we both know you're not smart enough for this." Smiling through the blood on his face and letting his eyes wander over Melissa and Augusta, he adds, "Though I would be curious whom you'd have sent those breakup texts to, considering that out of the last three women I've been involved with, two are in this room and the third doesn't own a phone."
Returning his focus on Dave, he adds, "You're a pretty tough guy, David, but you're out of your depth. You've always been out of your depth. That's why everyone you ever cared about is either dead or in prison." He chuckles, which in turn makes him wince with pain and grow a bit more serious again. "Well, not everyone. Not your doctor friend, Rebecca. Would be a shame if something were to happen to her, wouldn't it?"

Rolls

Brian: Duty, Melissa, Manipulative - (1D6, 1D8, 1D6)

1D6 : (1) = 1

1D8 : (8) = 8

1D6 : (6) = 6

Nov 6, 2023 2:56 pm

Melissa had followed Dave into the place and eagerly watched the exchange between the two, stopping a safe distance from the two men, until Brian mentioned that he had given her and Augusta what they needed. Clenching her fists she interrupted and spit out her question.

"What we needed? Who the hell are you to play God and decide what we do or don't need, you coward?"

Dave Draven

witchdoctor

Nov 7, 2023 7:03 am

"Dunno who all I sent the break-up texts to..." Dave shrugged. "Probably your cleaning lady so you might be in the market for someone to wash your underwear from here on out." Dave listened to Floyd start his not so subtle jibes trying to get under his skin. Floyd knew enough not to bother threatening him: Dave would've gotten a good laugh out of that. Floyd was good at getting under people's skin, like a nasty fungal infection, but Dave had heard a lot of the same crap from far worse than Brian Floyd. People that didn't have secrecy or decency or morals or appearances to keep up. He just sat back, arms folded, and let Melissa's righteous indignation vent itself on the worm restrained in the chair. He had it coming and both Augusta and especially Melissa really needed to hear it from Floyd's own pie-hole.
"I dunno if I'd go around threatening the daughter of one of the best snipers in the world." Dave offered Floyd a choice bit of advice. "The guy can circumcise you from over a klick away. Buddy, choose your battles wisely. You already got enough trouble with just us..." He clapped Floyd hard on the shoulder, "Thanks for letting us know you're just a pusher and not a user too. Gives me a few good ideas."
The big man took a deep breath and squatted down to lock gaze with Floyd, right in his swollen eyes, "So, what's your game plan? Just seduce some people looking for a connection and then dose them up for kicks? Charm people into being your guinea pigs and watch the results? This your doing or on orders from Wyvern Lake or Plaxo or what?"

OOC:

Same pool as last time: spending another PP.

Rolls

Interrogation - (1d8, 1d8, 1d6, 1d8)

1d8 : (2) = 2

1d8 : (3) = 3

1d6 : (2) = 2

1d8 : (3) = 3

Brian Floyd

Nov 7, 2023 8:47 am

Brian Floyd

Brian turns his eyes to Melissa when she curses him out. With a smile, he challenges, "Look me in the eyes and tell me you would give your power back if I said it's possible."

To Dave's joke about his cleaning lady, Brian laughs, which once again makes him wince with pain. "Well, if you're ever looking for a job..." he then replies.
To the man's advice about Rebecca, he nods. "Thank you for looking out for me. But did you know how many restaurants burn down each year because they don't keep up with safety regulations? It's a tragedy. Especially if the owners don't make it out." He shakes his head, then meets Dave's eyes. There aren't many people who can keep up prolonged eye contact with an angry Dave, but Brian, despite his condition, seems to be one of them. "I have genuine feelings for Melissa. As I did for Augusta. So I did what was best for them. You probably don't know what that's like. Do you still have the capacity for actual human emotions, David? Aside from impotent anger, I mean."

OOC:

Okay, Dave takes 1D8 stress. I think Insecure is a good fit, but feel free to argue for a different one.

Rolls

Stress Pool - (1D8, 1D6)

1D8 : (6) = 6

1D6 : (4) = 4

Nov 7, 2023 2:45 pm

"How is x-ray vision good for me exactly, Brian?" Melissa who is obviously fuming, continues on her tirade. "And Augusta? How is she better off? You're deranged, you know that?"

Spending a PP to add a Brian die and adding a further question if that's ok...

"Tell me the truth about Belinda, all of it, you selfish prick!"

OOC:

WTF!?

Last edited November 7, 2023 9:54 pm

Rolls

Justice, Belinda, Attractive, Brian - (1d8, 1d8, 1d6, 1d6)

1d8 : (1) = 1

1d6 : (4) = 4

Brian Floyd

Nov 8, 2023 7:03 am

Brian Floyd

Brian's smug smile disappears for a moment when Melissa approaches, clearly furious with him. He seems actually surprised by the strength of her emotion. "Mel, it's not just x-ray vision. You have so much more potential. Once you figure out how to harness your abilities, you'll be able to learn everyone's dirty secrets. That kind of knowledge is power. And don't tell me you didn't always want power." Looking past her at Augusta, he says, "And Augusta needed an outlet for all her pent-up anger, a way to get away from all those expectations put on her. I gave her that."

His eyes turn to Melissa again at her next question and he says, "Eva knows that answer. Has she not told you? Maybe she doesn't trust you." It's not quite as sharp a verbal stab as the ones he had for Augusta and Dave, but it's an indication that he's not quite giving up yet, even if Melissa did take him off-balance for a moment.

OOC:

Melissa would now have to reroll her dice pool to determine the die size of the stress she inflicts on Brian, but since both D8s rolled 1s, they're out of the pool, leaving only D6, which would make this unnecessary.
However, Melissa's Likeable Distinction offers this trigger: Earn a Plot Point when you Decrease your own Afraid or Insecure Stress pool—you don’t really mean to upset anyone!
Meaning she can choose to step one of those D6 down to a D4 and roll, which would earn her a Plot Point (if she decides to put the stress Brian receives into Afraid or Insecure). Windy's choice. It would mean a chance that Brian takes a bit less stress, but it does give her a Plot Point.
Also, Windy, you decide which type of stress Brian takes. Overall, you should all be targeting the same type if you want to stress him out.

Rolls

Brian: Love, Melissa, Attractive - (1D6, 1D8, 1D8)

1D6 : (1) = 1

1D8 : (3) = 3

Nov 9, 2023 3:51 am

"Oh I see. So you're doing us a good service is that it? Did it ever occur to you to ask either of us if we wanted your ... uh ... how should I put it ... intervention?"

Turning to Eva she asks, "What answer? What does he mean, Eva?"

Brian Floyd

Nov 9, 2023 6:55 am

Brian Floyd

"I couldn't ask you," Brian replies, his eyes briefly darting towards Augusta as well, but then returning their focus to Melissa. "You would have said No. But sooner or later, you will thank me for it."

Nov 9, 2023 3:00 pm

"Oh fuck off Brian. Really, you're an arrogant asshole." She only now realizes that her fists are still clenched and her nails have dug little divots in the palms of her hands. She would not give him the satisfaction of seeing her rub her palms

Eva

Harrigan

Nov 11, 2023 4:42 am

"Arrogant?" Eva says, coming forward, finally fed up enough with all this that she can hold herself back no longer. Somewhere she's hoping Dave is going to keep her in check, because she feels like hurting Brian Floyd, and hurting him seriously.

"Melissa, he's a fucking monster. What he did to you and Augusta might eventually kill you. Or make you kill someone you love, accidentally. It might make you addicted to a fucking mystery drug cocktail you need just to live. I have no idea what the story is with Belinda, except that she's all mixed up with this Wyvern Lake, Plaxco, TANC shit as well. She's got ties and a history she probably doesn't even understand -- just like me."

Grabbing Brian by the neck after saying more words in a row than anyone of them have ever heard, the powerful blonde takes him and his chair and drags them towards the wall, which they impact heavily. Choking the man for a moment as she grits her teeth, she finally lets him go but stays right in his face.

"Time to tell us everything, Brian. Everyone who is involved, everything that's going on."

OOC:

Assembling the pool. Truth d10. Dave d10. Super-Strength d8. Is Wyvern Lake still available as a Location? That would be what, an extra d8? And does he have a stress die she should be rolling?

Edit: I'll spend her last PP and include the 5, making the result here 20.

Last edited November 12, 2023 5:17 pm

Rolls

Truth, Dave, Super-Strength - (1d10, 1d10, 1d8)

1d10 : (8) = 8

1d10 : (7) = 7

1d8 : (5) = 5

Brian Floyd

Nov 12, 2023 5:36 pm