HardCored - Chatroom

MagicIsTragic: YOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

TechnoGogo: Yo?

Saray: Did something happen, Magic?

The Silence: Her interview with Silhouette was today.

TechnoGogo: Ah, right. That.

(Mod)Seagullag: Yes, today was the first one. I heard they planned to have a few more for products and inventors, and after that, they plan to move on to administrative staff.

The Silence: That's the one I plan to seize. I have my place among the throne of shadows.

KillLaKrill: Silence, buddy, you're getting ridiculously edgy.

JamesIsInTheDark: So Magic, how did it go?

MagicIsTragic: Ok, first off, while the waiting room was pretty bland, his office was super creepy.

KillLaKrill: What, was it full of stuffed animals? Stuffed people?

MagicIsTragic: Nah, it was all black. But like, black-black. I couldn't tell the chair from the ground.

KillLaKrill: Oooh, sounds fun.

The Silence: A lord of shadows rules from the heart of his domain.

MagicIsTragic: Yeah. It was like walking into a stormy night, except everyone popped out like crazy. Like, they were just as easy to see as if they were outside in broad daylight. Aside from Silhouette himself, of course. I could somewhat tell the outlines, but yeah, hard to distinguish black from black.

(Mod)Seagullag: People? Plural?

MagicIsTragic: Yeah. Gods, Techno, you would have loved to go. Decanov was there, but also the dude who made the gadgets they sell.

TechnoGogo: Really? Did you get his name?

MagicIsTragic: Techlord. He sounded young. Probably a newcomer. He and Decanov loved bickering.

KillLaKrill: Fits him. But a newbie tech guy? What did he look like?

MagicIsTragic: Like a discount Mecha Man, kinda? Like, not a copycat, but still using the whole "advanced armor with weapons" thing.

(Mod)Seagullag: That does sound like someone Decanov wouldn't be the biggest fan of. He historically hates Mecha Man.

JamesIsInTheDark: Why?

(Mod)Seagullag: Mecha is a Hero, but he isn't really pro-robot rights. He isn't against them either, but the fact the biggest tech-oriented celebrity in the city doesn't support them got him a lot of resentment.

KillLaKrill: I mean, in interviews, he keeps calling Dominique "Dome" and "it". That's not great. I appreciate the work he does keeping the city safe, but he ain't the best person.

Saray: At the end of the day, Heroes are people too. They can't be flawless, even if they try.

KillLaKrill: I'm not sure he's trying, to be fair. Like, the dude screams "I'm only a Hero for the funding and because regular work was too boring".

Saray: You can't say that. You don't know him.

KillLaKrill: Neither do you.

Saray: Yes, but I'm not trying to psychoanalyze him.

KillLaKrill: Fair enough.

MagicIsTragic: Yeah, yeah, he's a douche. But this ain't about him!

JamesIsInTheDark: Right. Did anyone else catch your eye, Magic?

MagicIsTragic: I'm glad you asked! There was also one of those manager dudes from the opening day, a random runic scribe I'm not sure even they knew the name of, but most importantly there were two big guests!

Saray: Oh?

MagicIsTragic: First off, the big one for me. Mesker Duskenfer the Third.

KillLaKrill: Right, you mentioned him once. I think.

MagicIsTragic: Yeah, when talking about the rumors of Silhouette being a demon. Duskenfer is a recluse and might as well be retired by now, but he's a famous demonologist. He comes from a long line of exorcists. He probably is one of the best independent mages in the city. I don't know how he'd fare against the Wicked Witchcraft guys though, the head honchos aren't half bad.

KillLaKrill: Alright, so strong magic guy. You mentioned another big guest, right?

MagicIsTragic: Goddamn Blake Black.

Saray: What?

MagicIsTragic: He wasn't here in person, he was doing a teleconference through some weird robot thing, but he listened and commented on things.

Saray: I'm not sure how I'm supposed to feel about that. The Black family isn't exactly the greatest.

KillLaKrill: Sure, but I don't remember hearing anything about our local guy.

(Mod)Seagullag: Blake Black is supposedly one of the youngest existing adult members. He isn't one of the grand masterminds who can do as they please. Not to mention the way his powers work, he has to play by the rules. That's when he's the strongest.

KillLaKrill: Yeah, the fairy stuff.

MagicIsTragic: Fair Folk. Never let them hear you say the F word.

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KillLaKrill: Yeah, I know. It's not like they're watching here.

(Mod)Seagullag: Not presently, but don't tempt them.

KillLaKrill: Fine, I'll shut up. I don't wanna be turned into a pig anyway. So, our big bad banker guy was part of the jury for Silhouette's thing? That's interesting. Does that mean they're closer allies than they claimed?

MagicIsTragic: He was one of the least active ones though. But yeah, looks like Silhouette is climbing up the social ladder.

Saray: I still feel uncomfortable knowing that he's friends with Black.

KillLaKrill: Hey, the dude is officially an upstanding member of society. I'm not too fond of the bourgeoisie myself, but at least this one doesn't unleash a plague of undead "pets" to clear out "his garden" of "the filth".

JamesIsInTheDark: What?

KillLaKrill: Abyss Black. Nasty guy, the local manager where my family came from. He's too deep underwater and too inactive to be worth actively taking care of for the Union, but his neighbors aren't as lucky. Honestly, the biggest reason why he's getting away with it is because he's one of Noir's first kids, they're afraid to make daddy angry.

JamesIsInTheDark: Whoa. Sorry about that.

KillLaKrill: Don't worry. my parents and I never lived near the guy, but he traumatized our family enough he's our boogeyman.

MagicIsTragic: A tragedy, really, but can we get back on topic? I wasn't done talking about my meeting with Silhouette!

JamesIsInTheDark: Ah, sorry about that. How did it go?

MagicIsTragic: It went great! The place was creepy, but they were very friendly. They liked my stuff too!

JamesIsInTheDark: Great! What did you present?

MagicIsTragic: Something to help in summer. Can't tell more than that, I signed an exclusivity contract.

KillLaKrill: Already?

MagicIsTragic: Not because I'm hired! It's something everyone had to sign. We can't share the idea we presented until they tell us we're not hired or if they don't answer after a month. They can't use the idea unless they hire us either.

Saray: That sounds a little controlling.

TechnoGogo: It's standard industry fare, and it makes sense. You wouldn't want the competition to sell the same product as you because your future employee shared too much or tried multiple applications in the same period. They also usually pay a fee to compensate for possible losses and inactivity it may cause.

MagicIsTragic: Yup! They're giving me more than the last time I tried something like that, too.

Saray: Oh, okay then. I'm not too familiar with that sort of thing.

MagicIsTragic: Anyway, yeah, they liked me! They said my idea was good and my technique clever despite the flaws. The worst thing they had to say was about the base item, and that's because I used something store-bought to enchant on.

KillLaKrill: Wait, weren't you and Techno supposed to work together or something?

MagicIsTragic: Yeah, we wanted to make a magitech, but she couldn't do it. I told them and they understood. It sounds like if they hire me they plan to have me and Techlord work together to make it.

TechnoGogo: I told you I was sorry.

MagicIsTragic: I know. I'm not mad. I just wish we could have done it together. They really liked it as is, can you imagine how they would have reacted if it had been how we planned? We would have been hired on the spot. Are you sure you don't want to try and join Penumbra?

TechnoGogo: I don't know. And when I don't know, I'd rather not take risks.

MagicIsTragic: It's just... This is such a big opportunity!

The Silence: I agree with the apprentice magus. Silhouette's empire is in its early stages, joining now would be the best chance to seize the best benefits. If you wait too long, there will be too many others to contend with, people more experienced and valuable than you. Early loyalty can be a greater boon than pure talent.

MagicIsTragic: Yeah, like the drama queen says!

TechnoGogo: You say that like it's a cult.

JamesIsInTheDark: Guys, let Techno think. She's right that she shouldn't apply if she isn't sure. Even if she does they'll feel it, and they may not give her a second chance. Don't try to force your dreams and ambitions on others. And yeah, Silence, you really do sound like you're preaching for a cult.

Saray: Yes, listen to James.

The Silence: I will respect our comrade's decision. As for my vernacular, I disagree. I am merely expressing myself in more eloquent terms than you are used to.

KillLaKrill: Drama queen. For someone named silence, you sure do use a lot of big words.

The Silence: Shush.

TechnoGogo: Thanks, guys.

MagicIsTragic: I don't want to force you to or guilt trip you into doing anything. I just hoped we could have done this together.

TechnoGogo: Maybe another time.

MagisIsTragic: Sure.

KillLaKrill: For some reason, I'm not convinced you're satisfied.

(Mod)Seagullag: Krill, read the mood.

KillLaKrill: Sorry, sorry.

Saray: Anyway. I'm happy it went well for you Techno, and I hope you make the cut. Did they say how many people they planned on taking in?

MagicIsTragic: Nah, they were pretty vague on that. I'm guessing they're waiting to see what's available before making a choice. It isn't worth hiring ten people if only two are good, and limiting yourself to three spots if there are fourteen who impressed you.

Saray: Ah, right.

KillLaKrill: I mean, they don't have infinite money. There's a hard limit on what they can afford to do.

The Silence: Depending on Silhouette's bond with Blake Black, he may be allowed a friendlier loan than most.

KillLaKrill: Would you get into a loan with the Black Bank?

The Silence: No. But I also neither have a budding company nor a positive relationship with the local branch manager.

JamesIsInTheDark: Yeah, after hearing about them, I'm not sure I'd take a loan either. A regular loan is bad enough even if necessary, so a loan from a family like that... It sends shivers down my spine.

The Silence: They are operating legally.

KillLaKrill: And so are the Hivines. Your point is?

(Mod)Seagullag: Remember, as per Zalcian laws they are a recognized religion and need to be treated as such. Don't get the website plugged off again, please.

KillLaKrill: Right. Well, I don't like them, and I think they are doing plenty of weird stuff that should be looked into, but nothing is happening. Just look at what happened to Daisy.

Saray: Is she still around?

(Mod)Seagullag: She starts preaching whenever she's unmuted. She's doing the same on the forum's other chatrooms. I give it a try every now and then, but I don't think she'll be joining us back anytime soon.

KillLaKrill: I'm sure they brainwashed her with the Transformation Aspect.

(Mod)Seagullag: Krill, remember.

JamesIsInTheDark: I'm not sure it's Transformation, to be honest.

KillLaKrill: What?

Saray: Why?

JamesIsInTheDark: My boss and his friend. A pair of shapeshifting ones kept dropping at work trying to recruit us until the boss caught them breaking in and chased them off. After that, they discussed the fact those didn't match how Transformation works.

Saray: Your boss knows Transformation? Does that mean he has it?

JamesIsInTheDark: That or something that replicates it. His friend makes some weird stuff.

MagicIsTragic: Where do you even work?

JamesIsInTheDark: NDA.

MagicIsTragic: Drats.

KillLaKrill: So they got her another way.

JamesIsInTheDark: I don't know. If they did brainwash her, it wasn't with Transformation at least, unless those preachers were different somehow.

(Mod)Seagullag: Remember, behave. As for those preachers, I'm going to guess those were Siblings. They always travel in pairs, they keep changing looks, and they travel the city spreading their faith. No one is sure how many of them are exactly, aside from at least a dozen. What's sure is that their memory keeps on shifting. Sometimes they remember people, sometimes not. They're also the only high-ranking members to have had trouble with the law. If it isn't a loose follower or two cooking up a scheme on their own, it's a pair of these. It's how we know there are at least twelve: it's how many of them were imprisoned at the same time.

TechnoGogo: Sounds like you know a lot about them.

(Mod)Seagullag: I did my research, to check what was factual and could be said and what would fall under discrimination.

MagicIsTragic: We appreciate your sacrifice, soldier.

(Mod)Seagullag: I'm not a soldier.

MagicIsTragic: Right, sore topic, forgot, sorry.

(Mod)Seagullag: It's alright.

TechnoGogo: So... To get away from all the heavy topics, who wants to talk about the underwater hockey match?

KillLaKrill: The Gorgons are gonna take it, it's no secret.

(Mod)Seagullag: The Pelicans got a new trainer, don't dismiss them yet.

JamesIsInTheDark: I'm sorry, the what now?

And thus was James put through a thorough explanation of the number one sport in Zalcien.

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