[GP] Check-In Day: What a nice surprise; bring your alibis

[st_alksthroughwalls]

Every check-in day conjured memories of her first, and all of the others, which inevitably meant she spent the day with Lara on her mind, and Petey, Illyana, and Wyatt. She'd been blessed with dear friends and loves arriving, and yet she never stopped hoping she'd figure out the mess that was this pocket universe and get home.

It was starting to become complicated, though, almost a year later. It would hurt to lose the people she'd grown fond of here, almost as much as it would be good to get home. She didn't know what to do with that feeling, but it was what it was. All she could do was tend the bar with patience and understanding, and keep an eye on the readings her crude energy measuring devices out on the road sent to her.

For all the people that came in and out, it was a quiet day. So between drinks, she spent most of it bent over a notebook with a cup of coffee in her hand, trying to design better instruments to dismantle Yana's shackles. Maybe Percy could help her build them.

Comments

Re: Lillith - Assigned Threads (before Pike or any Vox Machina members arrive)

[st_rummer]

She was a lot more practical than he'd been at first. Coby was impressed. On the other hand, he'd been figuring out how to introduce himself to somebody he'd slept with more than once back in London. Priorities were maybe different.

"Vending machines take US currency. Dollars, quarters, that kind of thing. But honestly? You don't have to worry about money here. If we're stuck, at least the place provides. Food, drink, even clothes and stuff if you aren't picky. It's all free. People try to find ways to help out – the staff's mostly useless unless you want towels or to eat chicken – but you don't have to pay for anything."

Re: Lillith - Assigned Threads (before Pike or any Vox Machina members arrive)

[st_rangepalette]

Vending machines. The word conjured images of a market space filled with loud, noisy machines that did the work of a guild member. She did not think this would be a thing she liked. Percy would find it fascinating, though. She would have to tell him the next time they met or she set a letter to Vox Machina.

The thought she might not occurred to her, but was tucked aside for later. Instead, she focused on the other things Coby said to her. "I am afraid I have no 'U.S. currency'. I do not even know what it is. But I can earn my keep as a chamber maid, unless there is much call for signs and portraits here."

These were practical questions, too. Ones she had learned to make a first priority while she and Beatrycze lived on the run. How could coin be earned? Where could supplies be acquired? And, "Is there anyone I should know to avoid or not run afoul of?"

Re: Lillith - Assigned Threads (before Pike or any Vox Machina members arrive)

[st_rummer]

Coby shook his head. "The people here are okay. We're all in this together, yeah? Pulled here against our will, with no way out. The staff are creepy. I don't think they're people exactly, but they're harmless. I know it's a lot to take in, but so far, it's safe here."

Re: Lillith - Assigned Threads (before Pike or any Vox Machina members arrive)

[st_rangepalette]

He seemed like a nice man, but Lillith had not survived on the run by trusting in seemings. "You will not be offended if I trust to my own counsel on that, I hope?" She offered him a pretty smile to smooth the way.

Re: Lillith - Assigned Threads (before Pike or any Vox Machina members arrive)

[st_rummer]

"Not one bit." Coby was a guy. And not just a guy, but a cis white guy. He tried to remember he didn't have to think about safety in the same ways some people did. And he couldn't promise they'd stay safe here. That was the point of Kash's meeting or whatever the other day that Coby hadn't gone to because what did he know about fighting other than the occasional, very satisfying bar brawl?

"See what you can see, make up your own mind. If you talk to creepy Daryl up at the desk – he doesn't seem to have a name, but somebody around here started calling him Daryl and it stuck – there'll be a room waiting for you."

Re: Lillith - Assigned Threads (before Pike or any Vox Machina members arrive)

[st_rangepalette]

"Waiting for me? But how did they know I was coming?" That was the strangest thing he had told her by far. "I did not know I was coming."

Lillith frowned worriedly now. It was incautious but she needed to know. "Have you heard the names Bellenore, Nethspira or Nephitiri since you arrived?"

Re: Lillith - Assigned Threads (before Pike or any Vox Machina members arrive)

[st_rummer]

Coby shook his head slowly. None of those names meant anything to him. "Never heard of them. Sorry, if they're friends of yours. And I don't know. None of us knew we were coming, but all of us had a room in our names. Something or somebody has to be behind it, but nobody knows who."

Re: Lillith - Assigned Threads (before Pike or any Vox Machina members arrive)

[st_rangepalette]

"You seem like a nice man. So I will tell you--" Lillith leaned in, voice dropping to a conspiratorial low. "If you ever hear those names, you would best served to remove yourself from this place. They are no one's friends." Not even their own.

Re: Lillith - Assigned Threads (before Pike or any Vox Machina members arrive)

[st_rummer]

The hint of uneasiness in Coby's gut got stronger at her insistence. "I'll remember.

"Were you in some kind of trouble, where you were?"

Re: Lillith - Assigned Threads (before Pike or any Vox Machina members arrive)

[st_rangepalette]

"Let us leave it at, there was a disagreement over a matter of inheritance," she replied, less cagey than not wishing to involve him in a quarrel between three warlocks and a wizard, and all of them with fangs and claws. "I have been safe for some time, but such things..." She shrugged expressively. "You understand, yes?"

Re: Lillith - Assigned Threads (before Pike or any Vox Machina members arrive)

[st_rummer]

Coby was quiet a moment, then nodded. "Yeah, I think I get it. Enough anyway.

"If it helps, I'm sorry you got dragged here with the rest of us, but I'm looking forward to getting to know you, once you've had a chance to get your bearings."

Re: Lillith - Assigned Threads (before Pike or any Vox Machina members arrive)

[st_rangepalette]

"I also will look forward to knowing you."

And then with a tip of her head and a sweet smile, she stood from the table. "As much as I wish to stay and enjoy your kindness longer, the realities must be faced. My thanks, Coby."

Re: Lillith - Assigned Threads (before Pike or any Vox Machina members arrive)

[st_rummer]

"My pleasure, Lilli. I'm in 182. Building three," he offered as she stood to go. "If want to talk some more sometime."