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Post by Valencia Donahue on Dec 2, 2007 21:20:05 GMT 1
((OOC: Rollin’ rollin’ rollin’~♪ ))
Mr. Joaquin smiled briefly when Odin made a reference to the Jabberwocky’s sight. The truth of the matter was the sound of Odin’s voice was familiar and the hunch was confirmed by his very own words. If he could see as well as he did a long time ago, he wouldn’t bother asking. Some faces and names can never be forgotten… No matter how many dark nights pass by as your men traverse the streets and alleys of Manhattan and Brooklyn (and occasionally run into folks like Reeves) as you lived comfortably in New Jersey. The host stopped reminiscing about the past and contained his nostalgia after hearing the faint creaking of chairs as the guests leaned back in them. After hearing Odin’s proposal, however, his mind was at work again.
[MR. JOAQUIN]: “I will be frank, I am surprised at your fairly civil suggestion after the prior turn of events.”
No matter how benevolent this man was trying to appear, with hosting a party and offering protection, the truth will always remain that this Jabberwocky has customers to serve, people to be killed, and all sorts of other things that would suggest quite plainly that he doesn’t want to be that helpful unless it helps him in the end. He tilted his head a smidge toward Tiao as though expecting something to be said from his neighbor from across the street, then answered coolly.
[MR. JOAQUIN]: “Please, do elaborate. I am interested in what you have in mind and I’m sure that Mr. Avci would like a couple more details to be sure that he doesn’t get the short end of the stick. It’s not every day that someone suggests an alternative that combines both mannerly and feral conducts, if that’s what I’m understanding.”
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Post by Odin Reeves on Dec 5, 2007 9:12:53 GMT 1
‘It’s not that civil.’ Odin amused himself with his thoughts, playing over what he believed to be a short glimpse into the future. There was nothing that he wanted more to be standing over top of Mr. Avci’s motionless body, a smile across his lips and blood staining his knuckles. Cops swarming around them, closing in and finally arresting the man they came for. Odin would back off, wiping sweat from his brow as Garrett Avci is put into cuffs and towed away on a stretcher.
Coming back to the world made of real actions he sighed softly as his day dreamed passed. Mr. Joaquin was still going through his spiel regarding Odin’s plans and conditions, but the Gambit impersonator wasn’t interested in divulging his idea until he had more facts on the three sides of the conflict.
“Before I tell you what you want to know Joaquin, your going to tell me what I want to know. Like what exactly will my father tell me about you when I give him a phone call? I won’t just ask about your file, but speculation as well. So you better tell the truth now, as his knowledge is just a phone call away.”
The prove he wasn’t bluffing he reached into his right side jean pocket, pulling the silver phone out by it’s strap and flipping it open. Scrolling through the names on its list he stopped at ‘O.Reeves Snr’. His thumb hovered slowly over the green phone button, swaying back and forth like two freshmen kids at their first dance.
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Post by Tiao Lei Shen on Dec 5, 2007 20:02:49 GMT 1
While Mr. Joaquin and Odin continued to discuss, Tiao increasingly became restless. He began to reposition himself several times. The constant talk of "fathers" began to make Tiao more anxious. The association for that word in his own family wasn't a pleasant one. He scowled as he continued to think how ridiculous this was. Rather than wait for Mr. Joaquin to answer Odin, Tiao cut in. It was rude, but Tiao had only meant to be so to Mr. Joaquin, rather than Odin. If he took offense regardless, Tiao wouldn't be too bothered by it anyhow.
"Am I done here?" Tiao leaned forward, uncrossing his arms and placing one on the armrest as the other rest in his lap.
"I don't want anything to do with the cannibal. If he comes near me, I'll tear out his throat, but I'm not looking for a meeting. Whether its to talk out your differences, or fight, I just don't care. Anything else you need from me?"
Odin was a big boy, and he could take care of himself. If he wanted to fight out his differences then all the power to him, as long as it didn't put others at risk like it did back in the parlor. As Tiao sat and thought, he wondered again about Ruth and Gladys. After Mr. Avci and the paintball shot, things were beginning to seem even stranger. He then sent his thoughts the way of Valencia, concerned about how she was doing.
"Hold up. Earlier my friend was hit with a paintball, and you had cameras set up in that room. You're playing tricks, watching us, and placing us in rooms with killers. What the hell is really going on here, Mr. Joaquin?" Tiao stood up, sliding the chair back as he did so. With his good arm, Tiao palmed the desk, giving off a resounding thud in the room.
"I suggest you start talking in less vague terms, before I get testy."
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Post by Valencia Donahue on Dec 6, 2007 10:31:16 GMT 1
Mr. Joaquin wasn’t going to forget this meeting any time soon and he made it an objective to not let Mr. Avci forget this as well, even though he wasn’t present. The things people do for their friends… He heard the flipping of the phone and his desk being struck. Odin was digging deeper than the Jabberwocky could fill the holes and Tiao was doing more than the Jabberwocky can handle at a time. Needless to say, the numbers weren’t on his side… But that wasn’t to say that they’ve won.
[MR. JOAQUIN]: “The Halloween theme called for trickery of some sort and Mr. Withers volunteered to handle that end, on the condition that no one gets hurt. As much I trust my head servant, he gets carried away when he sets his mind on something. The cameras are mostly for security purposes, but you can say that this time around, it’s to make sure that Mr. Withers keeps his promise if he wants me to sign his paycheck. By the sounds of it, Mr. Withers may get let go by the end of this month. It wouldn’t do to have my guests harmed and this party turned into a publicity circus any more than it is.”
Though Mr. Withers was a trustworthy aide according to Mr. Joaquin, this Jabberwocky wasn’t the sort to depend on others as much as they depend on him. He reached for a button on his phone and gave some orders to disable all the potentially dangerous pranks throughout his home. He also told his servants to seek out whatever injured guests they could find and tend to them immediately instead of letting them wander around aimlessly any longer. Mr. Withers will be gone for a while after getting fired, but he knows as well as Mr. Joaquin does that he will never be gone for too long.
[MR. JOAQUIN]: “And Mr. Reeves, let’s just say that I’m an influential man. Your father came across plenty of my associates and acquaintances in New York. I used to live in New Jersey and we only met face to face once about some touchy matters. We met on accident when he was after another bounty, who was a guest at a party I was hosting at the Hudson.”
The Jabberwocky paused and thought through his words carefully, then continued.
[MR. JOAQUIN]: “I’m not sure how much he will tell you, but I was part of one of those shady businesses under the watch and regulation of the government. Like, the mafia still exists, but they can’t do the same extreme things they did back then. I think that’s what got me off the hook and my trying to blend back into society by providing benefits is good for my image. I don’t kill people, not anymore or none that can be proven anyways. In the end, it’s hard to touch me unless I can’t help it.”
Those were the Jabberwocky’s true colors. If there was only one lie in all he said, it would be that he’s still part of some sort of organized crime syndicate… Except this time, more illegal than the government will put up with should they ever find out. Not that anyone will know, but if Odin asks his father, he may or may not say that Mr. Joaquin still walks an illegal life… He just won’t be able to say specifically what kind. The door opened and two servants entered the room to wait at the door. Jabez Joaquin thought little about them and added finally…
[MR. JOAQUIN]: “I believe it is your turn, Mr. Reeves. And pay no real mind to my servants for now. They only show up when there is business to do and it can wait until you are finished. And Mr. Shen, I have spoken as clearly as I am willing. I will not detain you if you wish to leave, for I wanted you to come here and hear me out before filing a lawsuit. If you have to sue anyone, please sue Mr. Avci, though I once again suggest that you don’t on the consideration of his skilled and adept lawyers.”
Meanwhile…
Valencia couldn’t stand this party any longer. Sure, there were all sorts of things she wished she could have someday in the course of her lifetime, fine comforts and whatnot, but her observant nature and perceptive senses gave her more chills than the Halloween theme of this event. Most of the adults had screwed up, messed up auras that didn’t even seem like theirs. They felt fake and artificial and she didn’t need to talk to anyone to figure that out. Had she spoken to anyone at the party aside from those at the beginning, she would’ve learned all sorts of things that’d plague her mind more than the usual concerns. Valencia didn’t like the feeling of being watched unless she wanted to be watched and she certainly didn’t want to be watched by the eerie eyes that occasionally lilted upon the wraith. She exited through the front door and sat off to the side to get some fresh night air. Maybe after some time, after she shakes off the spook in her system, she’ll head on back in and try to convince her lesbian friends to go home with her.
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Post by Odin Reeves on Dec 11, 2007 11:00:48 GMT 1
[Holy crap, it sucks, but it's my thoughts on the matter.]
Odin couldn’t help but smile as Mr. Joaquin began to speak, oh how the past can come up to haunt you. As the Jabberwocky spilled the beans, albeit rather calmly Odin flicked back from the phone list to the main screen, and from there to the video camera feature. Sure, it wasn’t the best angle, but the sound was actually pretty good on his phone, which was probably due to its size. He needed the bigger one’s in order to press the correct series of button, and so the mic was better, surprisingly, and the camera had okay if not decent video feed, but that wasn’t the main point as half the Jabberwocky’s face remained in frame at all time.
“Shen, I’m pretty sure that if you want to get this Mr. Withers guy behind bars, Mr. Joaquin’s confession and your testimony, as well as anyone with you, will work nicely.”
Clicking over the save feature on his cell he flipped the phone closed, a smile growing ever wider as he recorded the hosts ‘testimony’ from beginning to end. While not incriminating, if shown to any police official it would raise questions, and then if handed to members of the press would raise questions that would want answers. Folks always loved suburban mysteries, and if the tabloids were involved… Oh, the possibilities to make Mr. Joaquin’s life miserable.
“In this situation Mr. Joaquin, I believe you can’t help it. Now, either send your servants from the room or put them in view of my peripherals. I’m a very paranoid individual, who knows what I might be provoked to do when under stress. I might have a mental break down and lash out, destroying your office and injuring countless members of your staff… Perhaps even yourself.”
Was it a threat? Possible. Was it a possible situation? One could say so, and without a complete mental analysis from a professional Mr. Joaquin would have to take his word for it. “But anyways, it’s simple, my life or his. A signed contract combined with a permit for a legal fight. The ending sum won’t be money, but one’s life. Should he win I’ll give him my body after death. Should I win he’ll be plead guilty to every crime he’s committed, be sentenced to jail time… Or is there a death penalty in this state? Hm, either or.”
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Post by Tiao Lei Shen on Dec 13, 2007 23:57:40 GMT 1
(OOC: Got bored, forcing a reply out. Sorry if its terrible.)
While Tiao Lei Shen was still as much against Mr. Joaquins stories as Odin was, the pillar found himself detesting to Odin's suggestions as well. While he had no qualms about screwing over the blind man and his associates, Tiao was just as resistant to publicity. While he didn't want to seem any more lenient towards Mr. Joaquin, Tiao couldn't let this turn into more of a circus where his father would be alerted to Tiao's sloppy actions.
"Odin, I don't care if you go crazy on his staff, in fact I encourage it, but there won't be a contract. I don't know about Varron and New York, but California certainly doesn't permit gladiator battles to the death. Murder is still murder, and if you'd kill Avci you'd be just as accountable as he is for what Mr. Joaquin has said he's done."
Tiao turned to Odin as he spoke, speaking in a less harsh of a tone than he had to Mr. Joaquin. In places like Canada it was legal for fights to take place as long as terms were agreed to before hand, but as far as Tiao knew, America was the opposite. Any fight, organized or not, outside of sport were always illegal. It was funny, since the pillar system was constructed schools became the most lenient places to fight.
"I really don't want anything more to do with this." Tiao said, turning back to look at Mr. Joaquin.
"Sorry Odin, I won't be giving any testimonies. But sorry to you too, Mr. Joaquin, as I won't be letting you go without incidence. I'll keep it private of course, but don't expect that you'll run so free for long."
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Post by Valencia Donahue on Dec 15, 2007 19:05:39 GMT 1
The Jabberwocky was beginning to wonder why he couldn’t just shoot Odin and get it over with. Self-control reminded him why. Thankfully, Tiao didn’t make things even more complicated and backed off, which was something Mr. Joaquin appreciated after dealing with ticked off teens like Odin. The host nodded to the Pillar, then addressed the last man remaining.
[MR. JOAQUIN]: “I would like to add to Mr. Shen’s statement. Mr. Reeves, I don’t know about you, but California State Law makes it hard to use recorded audio evidence in a trial without consent on the basis that it’s considered invasion of privacy and you’re infringing upon federal wire-tapping law. It’s a 2-party state, so your evidence would only be valid if there were any sort of ‘implied’ consent… Like that annoying beep when you leave a message on the answering machine. Not to mention, if your mental stability or lack thereof can put my staff and myself at risk, it can also put my guests at risk, like Mr. Avci among others. In short, I do have a countersuit should you choose to make this more difficult than it already is.”
There really wasn’t much else to say than that in his defense. The Jabberwocky motioned for the two undead servants to come forward, regardless of believing or not believing Odin’s statement about getting mental breakdowns. One whispered something into his ear while the other kept a close watch of the young man who was more likely than ever staring back. Mr. Joaquin rose from his seat with a surprised and shocked expression on his face and felt the urgency to rush this to a close… What he wanted was here.
[MR. JOAQUIN]: “As for Mr. Avci, Mr. Reeves, his doings are shady as is, so I’ll let him know all about your idea when I get the chance. I do apologize, but there is something very, very important I must get to… May the evening treat you well.”
He hurriedly followed the servant out of the room leaving Odin with the other one still staring at him. The Jabberwocky’s eyes had a shining quality to them that implied a murder he was looking forward to committing…
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