Roleplaying

The giant laughed again, this time too hard to deal out any damage with her ladle. “Wooh! Good on yeh, son, if I had whole I'd give ih to yeh jes' cuz yeh have th' moxie teh ask! Raw on bone will 'ave teh  do, then.”

A voice sounded, and she perked up, quickly turning and waddling off to 'tend tah stew', leaving the company for her fire pit. They stood around for a moment before Celeste motioned in the direction Mellie had gone off in. The boys nodded and, gently, she pulled at the ghoul's leash and set off for the fire.

It would be sheer luck if there was enough room for them all at the cook's fire – she was one of the more popular stew makers and meat grillers in the camp, and it wasn't unusual for short term feuds between friends to crop up overnight for selling one another out to get a seat at her pit. Celeste had to admit that she'd never had food quite like Mellie's, who managed to turn just about any garbage into something blissful to the tongue. It had been a while since she'd last gotten to eat anything fresh off the fire from the cook, yet even the leftovers (which often came into her possession by friends) were coveted and nearly just as good, in her opinion.

Jett took lead and began nudging people out of their way, and Celeste clung closely behind him. People parted at the sight of their patient, careful to step just out of his range, and, combined with Jett, this gave way to a sizable spot on the edge of the pit where Celeste tucked the ghoul between herself and Greg.

Lorin had been fortunate enough to procure a seat around a cook's fire. All of the food she had gathered for the day was plant based in origin, which she turned in to the camp. Typically she was able to hunt down an animal or two and feed herself and have some leftover for the camp, and would have no need to sit around a fire pit.

Her head perked up at what she recognized as a smell of danger. Danger in camp? Surely her nose must be deceiving her. Sure enough though, she saw a new ager being dragged around by a herd of halfwits. She had encountered new agers twice before, both encounters ending with her fleeing for her life. The new agers had been desperate enough to attempt eating a half breed. It wasn't safe to have one of those beasts nearby, every human in camp was in danger with that new ager around. She had only been in camp for a few months, and didn't know any of these morons, thankfully. Lorin turned to Celeste, as she looked to be the brightest out of the flock. "Don't tell me you think of keeping that beast as a pet! Have you seen how fast they can lunge?" Her voice was laced with concern, she had heard of how fast new agers could kill.

Verit's grin disappeared the moment the human turned its back, and with the tug of his leashes the group set off once again. As they made their way through the crowd, Verit's unsettling gaze landed on many a human unfortunate enough to have been within the range of his predatory stare. He hoped to plant into their minds the thought that none of them were safe. Terrorizing things was totally enjoyable.

Verit eyed those situated around the pit with deliberately morbid interest as he was seated, walled in by his ever-diligent convoy. There was a good chance he wasn't going to run into such a crowd in the future, and he made it his momentary goal to make as many as possible squirm under his gaze. Took his mind off of the tidal wave of scents which was already making him dizzy.

Verit's concentration on a single, mousy-haired human who had the misfortune of sitting within range of eye contact was broken when a voice cut across. Quickly locating its owner, Verit dragged his bored gaze across the crowd to the female mutt and stared at it, unimpressed. Some ghoul mutt with a rat's nest for hair. Thanks for recognizing my full potential, Rapunzel.

Celeste looked over at the stranger with a pleasant but surprised expression. For a moment her hands fluttered daintily as she searched for the proper words to send to Jett, and she even glanced at him for help, finding something there in his blank eyes. Her hands moved quickly, and though his gaze never left hers for a second he seemed to have no problem reading her and turned promptly to the girl to answer.

“Celeste says everyone has a right to be treated by a healer, and it's her duty to make sure those who come into her care are healed.”

Her hands moved again, catching Jett's attention and bringing him back to her. Her eyes lighted with something fun and sparkly, but it was muted as if she didn't fully believe or feel what she was signing. She nodded and gestured back at the stranger, and he turned, a tiny smile at the corners of his lips.

“She also says,” he added, “that the harness and leads are a fashion statement.”

Upon hearing that Greg snorted loudly, clapping his hands over his mouth in an attempt to hide his snickering, but his mirthful eyes and shaking shoulders gave him away. Celeste smiled and looked down at her hands, holding back laughter of her own but took a moment to glance at her human companion. A small sigh passed Jett's lips, and his smile grew somewhat larger, teeth and lips parted – he was unable to keep from catching the giddy attitude his friend had passed along like a sickness and tiled his head to look at the girl out of the corner of his eyes in an amused yet apologetic look.

Lorin raised an eyebrow, was she a mute? She wasn't able to interpret the meaning of her signing nor did she bother to. People were starving to death, she didn't have time to learn a whole new language. Her time was too valuable. She could only trust that the human was sending her the correct interpretation.

Their lack of concern was bothersome. "Yes, nurse him back to health so he might break free from his harness." They clearly didn't understand just how hostile these creatures were. They were giggling over something as trivial as fashion statements. There seemed to be no reasoning with them, but for the safety of the camp she attempted once more. "As soon as he breaks loose every human in this camp is in danger! What you did is move him into a feeding ground, " she growled. "Everyone's safer if he's dead."

At the human's comment, Verit couldn't help but roll his eyes in annoyance. Yeah, he looked great tied up. Soon he could be expecting to be wearing ribbons in his hair and a plethora of pet clothing. Parading around in full pony gear was so in fashion.

Oh yes, please do, Verit thought caustically. This isn't even my final form. Really, Verit was amazed that somebody was actually getting it. He had started to expect everybody in the quaint little camp was insane. To varying degrees, sure, but it was like he was being invited to the dinner table, getting free appetizers to a meal already on the house.

Somebody in the camp had some sort of head screwed onto their shoulders. Good for them. What the real challenge was now, however, was whether or not anybody would act upon it. Verit forced a small smile off of his face, ready to see some sort of drama unfold.

Jett's pinky furtively reached for Celeste's, wrapping around it tightly as a comfort. His face settled back into an emotionless state, though he felt his stomach churning with protectiveness and dislike. The first impression this girl gave was far from charming, and he didn't like what she had to say even if it was valid. She somehow set him on edge, and he could tell it was getting to Celeste, too.

Her breathing was tight, and her eyes were beginning to rim with tears of anger and words her hands couldn't express, thoughts that were too large for her to articulate the way she wanted to. Jett had been a victim to her passionate tantrums, and that was exactly how they started. He'd never met someone who could become so frustrated with communication, with emotions, and that frustration was brutal to witness.

“Are you here for the stew, or the steak? I like Mel's bread, personally,” Jett said, pointing a knuckle in the direction of the fire.

Verit didn't even need to resist the urge to facepalm. His hands were already restrained for him.

Closing his eyes with a silent exhalation, Verit just ignored the crew's utter stupidity. He was going to catch some sort of insanity flu the longer he stayed here, he called it. The little neighbourhood was going through an epidemic that was devastating the population, and he sure as hell didn't want to be around for its culmination. 

Six, seven days tops? Really depended on whether or not he was fed, but some sort of food every day would seem to be a constant. If he was lucky, they wouldn't even suspect a thing as he suddenly kills everybody.

Idiots.

Okay... So they were just going to pretend that conversation never happened? Ignore the fact that the new ager was a ticking time bomb? If they didn't want to hear the truth that was fine with her, but don't let every human in camp suffer as a consequence. She noticed Celeste's reaction, what did she actually care for that beast? She must not leave camp often. She also noticed how on edge the human was. Did he realize that if the ghoul escaped he'd be the first to be killed? No? Okay.

She almost wanted to move away from the perplexing pack. It was probably best not to feed their insanity and walk off, if she wasn't waiting on food. She was a hostage to the situation. She could always not answer the question, but that would make for the most awkward moments of her life. "Steak?" She didn't even bother to hide her confusion.

Jett nodded slowly. “Name?”

Before waiting for an answer he stood and grabbed a bowl of stew a helper was handling, passing off his credits as a trade. She glanced at them before spooning a few chunks of meat back into the pot closest to her and grabbing a roll, handing it and the spoon to him. Jett nodded in thanks, then sat down. He shifted things around, placed the roll on his knee, nestled the bowl between his legs, glanced upward, and mouthed something short in a ritualistic manner before turning on his stew.

Habits of childhood got the best of him, reminding him to eat slowly and spend a good time taking care that his food wasn't wasted in any way. Jett looked at the bandaged fingers that held his spoon. He gave them a fractional smile, reminded of a time long ago when they'd been smacked roughly by a reprimanding hand for allowing him to devour his meal too quickly. Those had been simpler days.

The first thought that crossed her mind was that she offended these people, and they wished to know her name to have her removed from camp. They couldn't do that unless she actually killed the ghoul... she hoped. The human was an odd one. Why was he staring at his fingers? What was he looking for ticks? Did he cut himself with the spoon? She mused herself with that last thought.

"It's Lorin." Great, she was catching the crazy too. She should have ignored the question. It was only a matter of time before she was using their hand flailing language and hugging the new ager, only to have her face torn off. It was best to avoid the band in the future.

Lorin spotted the helper who handled steak. Finally, an excuse to ignore them, if only for a few moments. She approached the helper who then asked her, "Credits?"

She reached in her pocket and pulled out a knife just quick enough to alarm the helper, who probably thought he was to be stabbed for food. She placed the knife's handle between her teeth, reaching into the same pocket for credits. From experience she found it best to have her knife and credits together. Any would be pick pockets would get a nasty cut if they dare to try and steal from her. She handed the helper the appropriate amount of credit's and pocketed her knife. In return he swiftly handed her a plate of steak, wanting her away as soon as possible.

She took her seat, hardly bothering to use the plate and eating with her hands. Normally she'd eat her food raw as cooking food removed some of it's nutrients. As of late though her stomach had been upset with her, so she decided to make things easier for it and eat cooked food.

Last minute preparations were made; hairs got tousled, clothes were arranged as to appear more shabby and grime was smeared on the expanse of visible skin. 'Make them look presentable' is what one would be told when assigned to the task. Members checked each-other's work thoroughly, giving constructive criticism and praises while their little models were carefully listening to the instructions given. The youngest ones, who could break the most stone hearts and make the saddest of faces were selected. The oldest was twelve years of age and the youngest barely nine. The others were lurking around the fire, scouting ahead. Some were standing out in the open, most were hidden in the shadows, signaling certain events and people, but most important of it all: if it was safe or not. Once the okay was given by everyone, the wee ones would be sent to do their task; hail in as much food as possible while also working as a distraction, so that the light-fingered could do the rest. A group of older members would hang back to play guard, and, if needed, to also help them escape.

Sem kept his ears open and his face devoid of any emotion, but he could not deny that he was anxious. His heart was doing a drum solo inside his ribcage and his hand palms were slick with sweat. There were so many things that could go wrong! Sem could not even count all the possibilities. So far what the boy had heard and what the others signaled seemed worrisome. His gaze flicked to the person standing next to him. A tall, nonchalant looking youth known as Cool, who, as his nickname implied, always keeps his cool. Sensing eyes on him, the older boy gave a curt nod of acknowledgement, keeping his eyes peeled and his attention focused on the fire. ''Whatta ya think, Is 't safe?'

''I don't kno','' Sem replied. He was wary but unsure. It was a risk, but was it worth taking? Another signal came in. ‘What did 't say?'' ''

''Take the risk.'' Came the blunt reply. Sem brows furrowed and he looked around, feeling he wasn't the only being doubtful, most members looked grim. If the others wanted to go along with it even though their doubts did that mean it could end in a success? Sem needed more time to think it over, a lot of time, a whole night preferably. He couldn’t not handle under pressure, Sem did not know what to think anymore. The boy sighed heavily and gave a signal.

 

Coming to the conclusion that nothing interesting was going to happen, Verit went back to staring down those around the fire. Amusingly enough, the scrawny mouse-haired human he had been eyeing earlier had moved a good few rows away, giving up its prime spot for a place near the back of the crowd.

Grin.

Pretending he didn't notice the move, Verit sought out another target. He would let the human believe it escaped him for the time being- it would make things lot more interesting later.

Ignoring whatever oddity the black-haired human situated beside him was up to, Verit swept his gaze once more across the crowd.

... Wait...

Verit squinted into the darkness beyond the pit, swearing he could have seen something lurking there. Maybe he had spotted the whites of eyes flash, momentarily illuminated by the light thrown by the crackling fire. Or maybe he had seen nothing at all and was having a fever trip. Who knew.

Verit went still and stiff, his breathing going quiet subconsciously as he focused his attention to where he suspected he had seen something. Maybe he could catch it again.

Celeste had sat quietly trying to ignore Jett's friendliness with the stranger, though she couldn't help but catch her name. A slab of raw meat had been plated and passed to her by one of Mellie's helpers, and she took it with a gentle smile. Cautiously, she placed the plate on her patient's lap and gave his wrist lead enough slack to grasp at the meat, though not enough for him to reach his mouth. She leaned in until she was within whispering range.

“Look,” she said, then signed something simple to him, a flick and curl of a finger. “Now you know how to call Greg a dipstick.”

The healer gave the ghoul a tiny smile before slackening his leash further. A hand fell on her shoulder, and she tilted her head backwards until she was staring up into Eol's face. He smiled at her before kneeling down behind her, enough to the right that she could see him in her peripheral view. The Agoarn leaned in until his head was between her and Jett.

“Border patrol found a hole in the fence. Think it was from the earlier attack. Keep a sharp lookout, we don't know if anyone's in the camp or not.”

Giving up as he detected no further movement, Verit's attention was drawn away as something- his nose quickly labeling it as 'human meat'- was placed in his lap. Looking down, he wasn't mistaken. His senses weren't fooling him either when it told him his cuffs were being loosened.

Immediately feeling something draw close to his ear, Verit made himself stay still instead of lean away, not moving his head as the mutt drew close. Just a bit closer and he could bite its face off-

It stopped, out of range, and Verit was quickly subject to a miniature lesson. Initially intending on ignoring and forgetting whatever the mutt was going to tell him, he would be lying if he didn't pay attention after he realized its insulting nature.

With neither his face nor his posture changing in the slightest to signify any sort of disturbance, Verit elbowed the ghoul-alien mutt situated on his left hard enough to get its attention. With the hand clearly in the mutt's line of sight, Verit copied the movement, intentionally substituting the original second finger for his middle. 

Earth is a dangerous place, whether in the hybrid-infested countryside or crumbling, dark cities, but no place is more dangerous or rough than New Chicago. Whether out on the streets or high in the penthouses, no one's truly safe.

The world has become a new place. Some people call it impossible, but others just call it apocalyptic. There's barely a government, and what's left of it is corrupt and dangerous - the people live in factions, gangs, or try to survive on their own, and the only peace between them are through the pacts that have been made. The rich thrive and keep themselves safe, but anyone unfortunate enough to be less than that spends every day hoping to stay alive.

Species:
Ghouls - they're intelligent beings, humanoid in appearance. Their skin rots, and their lifespan is determined by how long their meat stays on their bones.

Zombies - they're dumb and benign unless angered or bothered. They're brainless, so essentially they don't do anything except wander around, bump into things, and (on the occasion) turn into a terrifying killing and flesh-eating monster. These aren't characters, but they can be used by any writer as a tool, the way one would write about a pet or object a character interacts with. If you plan on using a zombie, PM me to clarify what you want to use one for.

Humans - just like us, but now they share their planet with many other species. Many feel cheated out of their home, and most scramble to keep their kind from dying out.

Aliens - there are many, many kinds, and over the years they've adapted to the newness of the world. From tall to small, these creatures come in all shapes, sizes, and origins. (PM me to clarify what kind of alien you would like to be - it has to be your own creation or one that someone else in the roleplay has made up).

Mutts - an alien-human, alien-alien, ghoul-alien offspring.

Hybrids - always different, always weird, hybrids are animal-human-zombie creatures. Whether four legs or two, each species of hybrids are as oddly animal as they are humanoid. Some can talk, most can't, but all have a highly feral nature and are willing to 'defend' themselves quickly through force.

Additional - any species you think should be on this list that isn't. PM me if you have any ideas.

None yet.

THE ROLEPLAY SLOGAN: Falcon hug that piece of beef jerkwad

No godmoding, guys - be cool

Come up with your own, unique charater, but make their personality realistic. No one likes a Mary Sue or an impossible character.

You only get to kill another character, or injure, if you have the writer's permission.

Don't let things that happen in character affect or influence how you treat someone out of character, and please don't use your character as a way to get at another roleplayer. Don't be cheap.

If you want to write a huge post, go for it! Write a huge one! But, before you do so, write up a message in the OOC chat to let everyone else know it might be a bit and to wait to post until you finish.

If you need to write a post that connects directly to a previous post, but you're worried that someone else might post before you can finish writing, say something in the OOC chat and everyone will wait to post until your done, but you only have a 4 hour window to finish up and post.

Always check the OOC before you post, just so you know what's up.

Breaking the rules can end up in being expelled (kicked out, or whatever you want to call it) from the roleplay depending on the offence.

Lastly, if you have any questions, hit me up. If you choose to be an alien, mutt, or hybrid, send me a message giving me more information on your character as well as an example of what your roleplay post might be like so I can get a sense of what kind of writer you are. If I like your moxie, you're in.