(no subject)

[allegations]

Who: Neal Caffrey & OPEN
Broadcast: The first part!
Action: Yes!
When: Video: Today. Action: Anytime this week.

video
[Neal is standing in one of the abandoned way-stations, right in front of a very thoroughly looted vending machine. There's not even half a chocolate bar left, not that he's checked.

But that's not important, because he's grinning into the camera, wearing a white shirt that's clearly tailored to him (sleeves folded up to just below his elbows), wavy hair styled back as carefully as is possible without all his usual product. He might be standing in a mess of debris, but that doesn't mean he has to match the decor.]

Hi there. I'm Neal. I didn't introduce myself before, since everything seemed to get a bit busy around here.

[He smiles, 100% friendly.]

I was wondering, though, has anyone had any more luck with these way-stations? So far, all of the machines I've found have been emptied. There's not even a pack of peanuts.

[He shrugs.]

What's the point in giving us money if we can't spend it, right?


action
[Anyone exploring the way-stations might come across Neal. He's not straying too far from the entrances, in case they're as dangerous as he knows the mysterious ship is, but his curiosity is gradually getting the better of him. He's checking out any wending machine or abandoned shop he can find, just in case something has been left behind.

Eventually he will come across a still-functioning vending machine, too. Instead of buying anything, though, he'll be crouched down next to it, hands touching the edges, trying to figure out how it works. It might even look like he's trying to get it open.

If only there was a convenient keyhole he could get a pick into.]

Comments

Action

[cabbagedetective]

[In order to stay well away from all the fighting on the mystery ship but still appear helpful, Adachi had volunteered himself to scavenge around the abandoned waystations. He had been told to look for any supplies or clues that could be relevant to what was going on aboard the large, bug-infested ship, but, as usual, Adachi was half-assing it. As he was kicking around debris at one such waystation, he caught sight of another man, crouched next to a vending machine. He seemed to be... studying it? Though if Adachi had to guess, it was more like the guy was trying to figure out how to break into it.]

You know... just because it's working, doesn't mean there's anything inside worth breaking into it for.

[allegations]

[Neal half turns, still crouching, at the sound of someone approaching, but only grins at the words.]

Are you saying I should save my efforts for actual valuables? Because I don't want to disappoint, but I can't seem to find any.

[His smile broadens, and he stands, holding his arms out to his sides in the universal sign for 'nothing up my sleeves']

I'm just curious how they work. And I wanted to make sure it was safe to use.

[cabbagedetective]

[Adachi turns his attention to the vending machine, tapping it lightly with the toe of his foot.]

There isn't much left around here that I would call valuable. Whoever or whatever came through here, they were sure thorough.

[Then Adachi looks back at the stranger. He has to be from the Fleet, dressed the way he is, not to mention the fact that they were seemingly out in the middle of nowhere.]

I'm guessing you're relatively new?

[allegations]

Too thorough. They couldn't have left us a pack of nuts?

[He's not really looking for any nuts. Or well, not just nuts, but he'd take them at this point, for a snack.

He'll also hold out a hand to shake.]

I am, yes. I'm Neal Caffrey.

[cabbagedetective]

[Adachi shakes Neal's hand, offering a warm grin in response.]

Tohru Adachi. I'm a security officer on the Golden.

[allegations]

Security? So it's your job to defend us?

[...Adachi doesn't really look like the type, but he's not going to say that.]

I'm Personnel Support on the Caprine, which, as far as I can tell, just means they make the ship bigger. Not that I mind.

[cabbagedetective]

[Even though Neal doesn't say it, he can kind of guess what the subtle message is behind Neal's question. And what was with the ship comment? Was he bragging or something?]

Uh, well, I guess so? [He feigns a nervous chuckle.] I just figured I was given the job since I used to be a detective back home.

What does a "Personnel Support" do exactly?

[allegations]

You're a cop?

[He's usually pretty good at spotting a cop, but then, they're all a little bit out of their element and that's put Neal a little bit off his game.]

I'm not sure. [the three words are slightly dragged out.] Right now I'm just trying to locate anything we might need.

action;

[paeon]

Neal?

[ Yep, it's your catgirl security officer. She's been back and forth from the ship and the waystations, exploring and taking breaks as necessary. That ship is less like a stronghold and more like a gauntlet, and she isn't stupid enough to try and force the way through. She's dressed practically, bow strapped to her back rather than at the ready, when she approaches her crewmate. ]

What is it that you're looking for here?

[allegations]

[Neal looks around as she talks to him, and his smile is exactly as friendly as it always is, bright and just a little challenging.]

We need supplies, right? This is the first machine I've found that isn't already looted.

[It doesn't really contain anything good, but.]

[paeon]

[ She considers that, then reaches to her belt and retrieves a knife which she holds out handle-first. Seeing where this one came from, it's obvious she has a second, as well. ]

Perhaps this will help. These machines are not like the sort I've encountered myself; I wouldn't know where to start with disassembling them. Are you more familiar?

[allegations]

[He looks a bit surprised, then pleased. Good taste in clothes, and a thief; now he's gotten past the cat ears, he's definitely starting to like her.]

No. Where I'm from, you usually just need a key. Or a lockpick.

[He'll take the knife, and insert it along one crack, carefully at first just to see if anything feels different.]

I'm not even sure these open from the front, since they're built into the walls.

[paeon]

[ She's a part of the Rogues' Guild, even if part of it is only in name. Adventuring means she doesn't really have time to do it as her regular job... but that doesn't mean she isn't quite the land-locked pirate at times. ]

Yes, that would make it simpler.

[ While he checks with the knife, she's going to try the seam between the wall and the machine with the tip of an arrow. ]

If nothing else, I've more tools back on the Caprine that may be useful in trying to pry it loose. Those other looters must have had some similar technique, wouldn't you say?

[allegations]

I think they mostly used brute force.

[Brute force, his tone says, is something to be ashamed of. Unless you're desperate.]

I'd like to be able to close it up again, too. Hide the fact that we broke into it.

[paeon]

[ She tilts her head to consider him, then nods. Her own work is brute in nature, but there's something to be said for playing fair while using physical measures. ]

To keep our trail hidden from what bandits may have passed?

In such case, there must be an entrance somewhere that would provide better access. How else would one restock such a stall? Perhaps we're looking from the wrong direction.

[allegations]

And from anyone in else from the fleet, too.

[Too many people frown upon stealing. For some reason. It's not like this is even stealing from people, since they're just machines, and abandoned by the looks of it. Not to mention: All's fair when you've been kidnapped.

Also. He's going to hand the knife back, now.]

You might be right. [Grin.] I bet we can figure it out if we study one of the machines that's already broken open.

action;

[redactions]

[ Bucky's also making his way through the waystation, knife in hand, and as quietly as possible. The ones around the main ship have been abandoned and stripped, but given the nature of the bugs and how they swarm, he's not taking chances. He stops at the entrance to the hallway Neal's in, fiddling with the vending machine, and listens for tense seconds. That doesn't sound like a bug, it's too irregular. It's not shifting its weight like an ambush predator, either. So he calls, ]

Anyone here?

[allegations]

[Neal jumps a little at the sound of someone speaking. He hadn't heard them approach, and Neal is always on guard for anyone approaching him. And whoever it is, it sounds like someone ready for a fight.

Another thing he's not a fan of.]

I'm here. And unarmed, too.

[Just saying. In fact, he's going to stand up, and hold his arms out from his body, just to emphasize that point.]

[redactions]

All right. I'm coming in.

[ The knife goes back in his belt, but his footsteps are still quiet and posture tense, though it relaxes a fraction when he sees Neal clearly unarmed. Doesn't seem like there's anything in the sleeves. ]

That one's stripped too, huh?

[allegations]

[Absolutely nothing up his sleeves- Well, no weapons anyway, he's always got something up his sleeves, even when they're folded up as they are now.]

It's not, actually, just a bit scratched up. Whoever looted this place must have missed it.

[redactions]

Yeah?

[ His eyebrow quirks in faint interest, and he ends up standing beside Neal, examining the machine. ]

That's weird. All the others are empty. Anyhow. What've we got here?

[allegations]

Nothing good. Snacks and... socks, for some reason.

[He shrugs, then sticks his hands in his pocket, using his head to indicate that he should look for himself.]

[redactions]

Fresh pairs...

[ Airily said, as he does just that: examining the machine from front and sides. ]

Do you mind if I — ?

[ He gestures, miming slamming his fist into the glass. ]

[allegations]

Not at all.

[He steps back, to a slightly exaggeratedly safe distance. He will never understand brute force, or the point in breaking things. Not when subtlety is so much more impressive.]

Running out of clean laundry?

video;

[peacockherald]

_{[ Have another new face appearing Neal - an early thirties something with dark black hair and a silver streak running near his temple and back into his pony tail. ]}

It is good to meet you, Neal. I am Vanyel Ashkevron.

I am a bit late, but I wanted to make sure you had all your questions answered? This is your first one, is it not?