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furry games and gaming discussions => furry role-playing => Topic started by: T-Yoshi45 on January 20, 2016, 02:32:26 pm
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Been roughly a week since the D.U.P. began entering Pittsburgh much to the mixed reactions of the people. Sure they were providing security but at what cost exactly? Things didn't seem all that bad before they stepped in after all.
Blades was coming off of a decent day for once, he'd managed to get someone to let him take a shower and he'd made some money from peddling street art so he decided to treat himself to a hibachi restaurant for dinner. Now he was simply lounging in Highland Park under a pavilion, sketchbook in hand. "Sure it cost a lot but...gotta feel like a decent person sometimes, right?"
Leilani had managed to get a one-time job and was now getting her dinner from a small pub. After that she'd headed to her little hovel so to speak, an abandoned house on Pittsburgh's outskirts where she had an array of papers and pictures pinned up similar to a police investigation but much cruder.
Abbi was out playing some basketball despite the rain, it was one of the things she found some relief in these days. It was a more secluded court with a chain-link fence around it.
(Characters DUPs will be introed a littler later)
Laura was having an evening meal at the very diner Helena was working at, looking out at the rainy day and the people rushing to and fro "City life sure is different..." Laura thought to herself as she sat alone at the counter of the diner.
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Alex locked the large inner door to his place, more like a hovel covering an old shut down train tunnel. He grabbed some money from an old table that was obviously cobbled together and headed out, locking his other door before he headed out into the city. Plugging in his music player to his headphones and strolled down to a local diner. He shook off some excess water from his coat and hat before sitting down and stretching a bit.
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"You freak," one of the locals said as he pushed Faris closer towards the middle of the circle he was surrounded in. "I... I'm not hurting anyone," Faris said, refusing to even clench his hands into fists as he was continued to be pushed. "Yeah right. But who knows when you would. It's only a matter of time before scumbags like you snap and kill us all."
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As Alex sat at the counter, right near Laura. Helena saw him come in. "Vell hello zhere..." her Romanian accent very prevalent as she walked over notepad in hand. "I'm Helena and i vill be your waitress today. Can i get you something to drink?"
Leilani wondering what all the ruckus was about, peered out of a window carefully to see a crowd. Had they found her out? Was someone in trouble? She hopped out a back window and snuck down a house or two first careful to make sure her hideout wasn't compromised. She slowly approached the crowd "Care to tell what all the ruckus is about? Trying to have a quiet evening for once if you don't mind."
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"Hello, nice to meet you, and yes, may I start out with some coffee with cream and extra sugar please." Alex asked kindly as he silenced his music player and removed his headphones.
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"Shut up kid. Get outta here. This conduit freak is gonna be with us for a bit longer," one said as they continued to push Faris around. He made no attempts to fight back, but only chose to look at with Leilani with shame in his eyes.
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Jacoby was in an alley nearby, his coat pulled open in front of a vending machine as if to search for his wallet, but in reality he was blocking the view as he drained the coins out of the machine and into his large pockets. He'd made sure beforehand that he couldn't be seen and that there were no cameras around to watch. He was finishing up when he heard the words "Conduit freak" and walked to the end of the alley, leaning against the wall watching for a moment observing them for any metal on their person before speaking up. "Don't you kids know conduits are dangerous? You should go play somewhere else" he reached into is pocket, hand tight around his ingot just in case.
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Leilani just looked at Faris for a minute while she took a second to think. "I can't just leave this guy to the mercy of the crowd...if i just bubbled one or two members of the crowd that might scare them off...but wait...time out Leilani, you'd be outing yourself as a conduit if you act. That'll complicate everything..."
Helena nodded "Alright, i'll be back very shortly sir..." she then walked through a door to the kitchen. As Helena left, Laura, the girl sitting next to him turned her head. "Hi there...haven't seen you around before..."
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"Well, I just finished setting up shop nearby, gonna try to set up a dance club or something fun." Alex said as he looked up the menu for what he wanted. "I think that, even in times like these, that people should be able to enjoy themselves even a little." He turned to the friendly girl with a smile. "There's some pretty bad stuff happening, so what's the point of it all if you can't have fun too? That's what I think."
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"Oh please. This is why we're teaching him now," said one of the locals to Jacoby as he socked Faris across the jaw. Faris crumpled to the ground and seemed to almost go out cold as his head hit the ground. Then they all proceeded to begin kicking Faris while he was down.
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Leilani knew now there was no other choice...Suddenly a couple members of the crowd found their hands and feet encased in water bubbles, rendering them useless but not pin them to the ground. "That's enough...you need to learn a little respect..."
Turns out the crowd was not too far from where Abbi was playing basketball as she'd overheard and clicked into action, striking one of the crowd members on the back of the head with her basketball, charged with neon. "Hey! You got a problem with conduits, you answer to me!" she said going up to the biggest guy in the crowd she could find.
At the Diner Alex and Laura were at, turns out Blades decided to stop in for a quick drink when he'd overheard the idea of a dance club. Maybe he could get some temp work helping out...Clubs need atmosphere after all. "So...overheard the idea of a dance club. You ever need an artist for the finer details, i can more than help with that endeavor."
"That's sounds cool actually." Laura answered. "I just....i rarely seem to find time to just relax or cut loose a bit. Nursing is a very difficult curriculum after all. But...i'd be willing to go." she finished before Blades sat down and interjected.
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The crowd members that had their hands encased in water were quickly becoming panicked. Those who could get away immediately ran as they began to freak out at how many conduits began to show. Soom Faris was alone on the ground, struggling to gain consciousness.
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"I'm going for an underground junk garage theme." Axel explained. "The idea that beauty can come from ramshackle parts is amazing." He said with a smile. "Makes you think about how much you need things and what can be reused." He didn't really care about who heard but enjoyed that others were interested. "Everything clean though. Banging music and bright lights, it's all planned in my head."
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As Leilani released the water bubbles on the remaining peoples' hands, they ran off allowing Leilani to get closer to Faris "Hey there...are...are you okay?" giving him a light shake to try and stir him.
Abbi looked as the large man ran off from her. "Pfft, hard fall as usual...think they're so tough..." she picked up her basketball, uncharging it. She looked at Faris as he lie there "Ya got real lucky we was around when this 'appened..." even though he probably wouldn't hear it.
Just as Alex finished, Helena came back with his coffee. "Here you go, are you ready to order yet or vill you be needing some time?"
Meanwhile Laura decided to ask Blades a question or two "So...what brought you to Pittsburgh might i ask." Blades paused for a second and answered. "Well i'm an artist and i was in town for a convention but thanks to the DUP crackdown, i'm kinda stuck here...but at least Pittsburgh's a fun city."
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Faris began to stir, but it was clear that he ached. "Ohhhh... that stings... just a bit," Faris said holding his ribs as he tried to sit up but failed multiple times. It was after the fifth time trying he succeeded, but not without a gasp of pain. "Where did those locals go?"
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Alex nodded. "Thank you very much, may I have a cheese burger medium rare? If that's no bother." He asked kindly before he slowly sipped his drink.
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"I ummm..." Leilani started before Abbi abruptly cut in "Scared the off, made sure they knew not to screw with us conduits..." she looked over to the passed out man she'd hit with her neon ball. "He'll have some permanent reminders of that lesson i can guarantee you." Leilani looked over the man in a cursory manner, seeing the neon mark on the back of his head and part of his back "Isn't that a little...excessive, don't you think? I mean sure they did this to a living person..." pointing out Faris "...but this guy'll possibly end up paraplegic."
Helena nodded, writing down the order "Should not be problem far as i'm avare...I'll get this right to ze cook." walking away into the back once again, quickly taking Laura's order for a stack of pancakes with bananas and Blades' for a strawberry milkshake.
Laura nodded at Alex's idea "That...sounds like a lot of fun actually. I'm kind of a busy person between studies and activism but i'm sure i can find time to come in once it opens...or possibly help if you need it."
Blades entered into the convo again "I'll pitch in too, since the lockdown i'm always lookin' for work."
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"Sounds excellent." Alex said with a smile. "If either of you need a place or whatever it's fine with me. I'm thinking of occupying one of the abandoned train tunnels, most of the electrical systems are busted and the tracks are gone so it'll be perfectly safe and nobody will complain about the noise. I've already planned most of the auditory layout."
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jacoby calmly wandered over to the aftermath, his coat billowing in the breeze. The others hadn't seen him reveal his power, or that he was a conduit, but him helping Faris to his feet at least told him that he was friendly. He began poking and pressing along the mans sides checking for broken bones "tell me where it hurts to touch, and how they found out you are one of them" he said with a not to Leilani and Abbi.
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Faris took in quick gasps of breath as Jacoby pressed his finger along his ribs. "Stop it. And... they just. Caught me using my powers... I guess," Faris said looking to Leilani and Abbi. "Thanks."
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Leilani looked over at Faris "Oh good, you're alright. Got worried when I saw you go down there." she offered Faris a hand up "My name's Leilani by the way. Who do i have the pleasure of saving?"
"Well, you was real lucky we was here when we were. That looked like a pretty bad crowd gathered 'round ya. What'cha do to get 'em goin'? Rob a bank or somethin' of that like?" Abbi asked, looking his direction. "I know i done my fair share of things to get by."
Blades smiled at Alex's offer. "Actually a place would be really good. Hotels get expensive and all that, but till i can get out the city and back home i just been living on the kindness of strangers."
"Well i do have an apartment but i'd love to help with whatever time i can spare." Laura answered, drinking her iced tea. "Just tell me where to be and i'll gladly pitch in. Probably starting tomorrow though, kind of committed to something tonight. Real big event and all..."
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"Sounds good." Alex said with a smile. "What event if you don't mind my asking?" He asked as he sipped his coffee. "I don't intend to intrude, so if it botheres, ignore the question."
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"Faris. Name's Faris. And... no. I didn't rob a bank. I wouldn't wanna hurt anyone. Despite... that kinda thing. I just... find it hard to control them sometimes. My powers," Faris said taking Leilani's help. "Just... yeah. Thanks anyways though," he said taking in another gasp of pain. "I should probably get going."
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"My name is Jacoby Quinn, and I'm poking you to see if you have broken bones, it seems your ribs fall in that category, so you need to get those wrapped up" he turned to the others "Impressive uses of your powers by the way " he grinned they still didn't really know if he was a conduit or not. Personally he'd like to keep everyone that way,
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Abbi smirked "T'hanks, Jacoby." she bounced her basketball a couple of times. "Little trick i discovered after i started playin' streetball as a means of income."
"Are you sure Faris? that was quite a hit you took..." Leilani responded but then paused for a second. "Wait...i...i just outed myself as a conduit. Damn...this is gonna screw up everything..." sitting on the curb for a second.
Laura stopped for a minute "Well...you uh...what's your opinion on..." she darted her eyes around a bit to see if anyone suspicious was around "...Conduits?" hoping they'd recognise the proper term as opposed to bio-terrorists.
Blades' ear perked up at her mention of Conduits, he'd mostly heard bio-terrorists in the local chatter he'd picked up here and there. Needless to say, that caught his attention as she spoke.
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"Honestly, if anything...I think most of them are regular people, couldn't have helped it as much as you could help being born female." Alex said thoughtfully. "Yes, some can be crazy, but non-conduits also commit horrible things too. They have the same capacity for good or evil as anyone else, it just depends on the person." He hushed his voice for a second before continuing. "Take me for example, I sell Drowsing equipment, basically sounds that can cause hallucinations among other things. Does that make me a bad guy? Not really, but at least it's not drugs. Yes I do take their money, but at least it won't kill anybody."
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"And you fear being outed as a conduit?" his ears perked in a curious manner, but he remained calm "I understand your concern with being hunted, but you all have gifts" he leaned against his walking stick "hone them, defend yourselves'
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"Yeah yeah. I'm fine," Faris said breathing in and out as best he could without his breathing sounding shallow or stuttered. He turned to Jacoby. "I don't wanna hurt anybody," Faris said shaking his head.
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"Well i gotta get my parents out of jail somehow." Leilani responded to Jacoby. "Least i had the element of surprise but now i gotta rethink everything...Word's gonna spread fast with the D.U.P. going around like they are right now." Leilani now had her face in her hands. "Sure i took a thing or two here and there...but it was all because i needed it."
Abbi looked around. "No one'll ever get people like me...coming here turned into a living nightmare but now i'm fighting back against it. Any DUP, protester or cop comes after me they get a taste of neon..." her voice somewhat cold. "I just wanted to go home but could i...no, not like everyone else at least. Beg, steal, lie and cheat...it's the only way i'll have any hope of escape."
Laura nodded "Good, then i can share with you." she cleared her throat. "I'm actually a member of a group known as P.A.C.C., it stands for People Against Conduit Cruelty. We hold up signs and protest against DUP actions against conduits, we're even trying to cycle a movement to shut down Curden Cay. I'm mostly sharing my story tonight at this rally..."
Blades nodded "Good to see like you then, I don't think conduits are all bad after all..." his eyes darting around a bit. Helena came back with his milkshake "Thank you very much..."
Helena had overheard Laura talking "I personally don't have a view on zhese 'conduits' of vich you speak but i do not like vhat ze DUP is doing here in the city. Poking into our everyday lives like zis..." Laura smiled then you should come to the rally tonight, we're trying to help end all of...this.." Helena nodded "I vill...consider it..."
(Alright DUPs, time for your entrance.) (Undisclosed location, roughly fifty miles away from Pittsburgh)
It was a very large meeting room, tile floor and white walls. The speaker, a Tiger in a full suit with military decor from his tours and service. "Fellow agents, brave men and women...allow me to be the first to commend you all for your bravery and service. Chasing after these bio-terrorists and making the world safer is not an easy task, but alas it must be done." The large powerpoint behind him lit up with the D.U.P. logo. "We are the ones who do the dirty work...the street cleaners and peacekeepers..." Ed, Jillian, and Kyrios sat in the row with the rest of their squadron.
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"Then don't hurt anyone, ensnare, trap, block, defend, escape" he smiled "you do have a disadvantage, they've seen your face, but in a city as crowded as this, does that matter? Tell me, do you know my face?"
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"Knowing the DUP, they'll not take something like that laying down...so...be careful..." Alex said with a sigh. "They'll find a reason to cause issues, government has done it before, even faked reports of attacks in war times to incentivise retaliation. History is important, but so are so many other things. It's nearly impossible to keep track of it all." He thought a bit and nodded. "All you can do is try your best, everything happens for a reason, cause and effect. If you put your heart out there, people listen. They appreciate honesty and in a way, crave the truth. Everyone has opinions, but those that speak from the heart win over those that shout with their wallets."
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"Pardon, but i have one question that i feel like needs to be addressed. In the past we haven't had much in the way of run ins with these Bio-Terrorists sympathizers. Well naturally this is a larger city and some bleeding hearts will feel the need to protect them from us. What's protocol say about dealing with these......people." As Kyrios spoke his last word was forced through gritted teeth, it was apparent that he felt no quarter should be given to those that impede what the D.U.P is trying to accomplish.
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"Ah yes, excellent question Private First Class Avagnar." the speaker answered. The slide reel moved again to show a group of people holding signs in protest "We understand that there's a group in paticular that may prove to be a...thorn in our sides. They go by the name of P.A.C.C. or People against conduit cruelty. As of now there's been no reports of violence and they are protected by the first amendment but...should they get in your way non-lethal restrainment is allowed. If you need more training in that department i'd speak to your squad leader Sargent Tanlin, he's an expert at all that."
Laura nodded. "I know it's not an easy path i'm taking but violence didn't stop Martin Luther King or Gandhi now did it...and the only weapons they had were their words. One thing i learned is you can't just let the world shut you up cause they don't agree..."
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"Yeah, but a bullet sure stopped the good doctor...poor guy. Never lived to see his dream." Alex said with a long sip of his coffee. "Still, if he didn't, who would have? Somebody had to take the risk, and it bettered the country...in time. No change is immediate in anybody."
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"Alrighty, well then my next question is when do we get to mobilize and put those Bio-Terrorists in their place?" Kyrios was standing and stretching, clearly ready to be let off the leash and get out there and start crackin' skulls.
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"Umm... no. I don't. I suppose I see your point," Faris said quietly. "But there will always be the fear of being caught."
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Leilani turned to Faris, realizing he's probably got nowhere to go right now "Yeah wanna stay far away from whatever constructed hell they've created for us. But umm...If you need a place to rest your head for the night i'll let you hold up with me if you'd like. It's a bit old and run down but it's home."
Abbi looked off in the distance "It's only a matter of time before the DUPs start rolling in full-bore, better get to training fast lest ya wanna end up in Curden Cay like i almost did."
Blades seemed to strike up a conversation With Helena as Laura and Alex carried on with their conversation "Life isn't all just living forever, it's what you leave behind for the world after you've come and gone. Granted living longer gives one more opportunities for leaving good things for the world...But yeah, if yours is creating a club in a traincar i'll aid in that endeavor. We can meet up after my P.A.C.C. event in done tonight, don't have classes tomorrow so i'll have plenty of time."
"We all ship out tomorrow morning, bright and breezy at first light. We'll be in Pittsburgh in time for lunch." The tiger said jokingly. "But you all should get some idea of what's to come in the following weeks...according to recent reports there's five confirmed Bio-terrorists crawling about the city and there's probably a decent number more lurking around. One in particular we suspect is present is Abbi Morris or as she's taken to calling herself 'Juke'. She was originally in a halfway facility before we could get her processed into Curden Cay but managed to escape thanks to faulty restraints. Now's she got a rap sheet ranging from assault to armed robbery. If she's any inkling of what the rest are like, we need to lock them up..."
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"That sounds pretty cool." Alex said with a smile. "Everyone has their own ways to help or hurt, some get it done in different measures and methods. I just want to make a place where people can forget their troubles if only briefly and have a good time. I hope you have good luck with your event, and...well...be careful."
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"All this talk about peace though...this isn't about politics, it's not about civil rights, it's about survival. They wanted the slaves to continue serving, us? They just want us gone." he started to wander off, not looking over his shoulder as he spoke "I'm going for lunch, you can join me if you'd like, but I don't suggest sticking around here"
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"Lock them up? No no, we need to put them down." Kyrios shook his head. "Orders are orders I guess. Well imma hit the chow then if we're done here."
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"Well I try to follow that moral compass and hope it's pointing the right direction. What more's there to do really?" Laura answered. She leaned in a bit closer to Alex "And...no worry, since what...happened to me, I do carry a stun gun."
Abbi's ears perked up at the thought of lunch "Alright rabbit boy, i'll take ya up on that...but we're goin' dutch on tha' bill. No skimpin' on the payment." She gave the basketball she had a few bounces "No need to worry about me I have some cash for once. What waterin' hole ya wanna head to?"
"Remember ladies and gentlemen, bright tomorrow morning we have a final debriefing before we ship out. We also decided to have some...higher-class food in the defac for all of you today. Give you a little taste of the high life before you go marching on into hell...enjoy yourselves today and get some rest cause come tomorrow boys and girls it's Work, work, work!" With that the Tiger dismissed all the squadrons to meal time. Kyrios found himself followed by his squadmates including his leader Sargent Tanlin and and his second in command Corporal Montoro.
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"I was hoping you could tell me what's good around here, not really from the neighborhood, and I could really go for a good burger...some fries, and a salad." he rattled his coat "I won't skimp on the bill, got plenty to pay with here, anyone else joining us?"
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"So what are you thinking Sarge? You gonna get the steak or the lasagna?" Kyrios licked his lips. "If I can swing it imma get both."
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"Forgive me if I'm intruding, but what happend may I ask?" Alex asked quietly, some concern in his voice. "Someone try something funny?...I shouldn't assume anything." He said, the last bit more directing toward himself, thinking out loud probably.
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(Since Wise hasn't posted in a bit, i'll just move his character out of the way for now.)
Leilani helped Faris up and got him to her hideout to let him recover from his ordeal with the rowdy locals.
"Well i know some o' ta cheaper places around 'ere." Abbi answered to Jacoby. "And a decent spread of choices...italian, indian, chinese...you name it i probably know a place in ya' price bracket. What'll it be?"
"Well yes I was assaulted, i'm not afraid to admit that." Laura answered with a nod "Amazing what some people do for the paper in someone's pocket...but I dare not go too further, kind of central in my...speech tonight." she brushed her hair out of her face. "I don't let one thing stop me from living...least that's what my brother taught me and he's gotten places."
"I gotta go for the steak, cooked medium in a spicy rub..." Sgt. Tanlin answered. "Also...glad to have you on board kid. Bio-terrorist hunting ain't exactly easy but you'll be learnin' from the best i guarantee." A serval, Cpl. Montoro joined in "I want the lasagna personally, not exactly like my dad's recipe but it's actually not bad here."
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"Price bracket? I guess I'll try to keep it under $20" he sighed "So all of you...Conduits? What can you manipulate?"