It was the wee hours of the morning before Bernard stumbled through the doors to the main lobby of the Soaring Heights apartments towards the desk. Bending over and dropping his right shoulder he allowed the large duffle to slip to the floor near his feet. He could hear the low drone of television set come to an abrupt end as a man stepped from the back office. The Sensitive pulled back his hoodie and adjusted the “Welcome to Osiris” cap upon his head in a feeble attempt to look presentable as the man approached.
"Hello, welcome to the soaring heights apartments. How may I help you?" He greeted behind a polite smile while pressing a button on the computer to turn the screen on and tapped a few more buttons to get the system out of standby.
”I would like to inquire about a room.” Bernard replied reciprocating the smile.
Last Edit: Jan 27, 2012 12:09:05 GMT -5 by Bernard
The manager named Kim put on a friendly smile as he greeted his guest. "Ah," He pointed to the hat on top of Bernard's head. "Are you a tourist?" He waited for Bernard to respond while he checked the computers. "We have a unit free on the fifth floor for you. It has nice view of whole city. You like. It only $400. I can show you, yes?"
He steepled his fingers together and nodded his head eagerly a few times.
Last Edit: Jan 27, 2012 17:21:43 GMT -5 by FG Admin
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“We have unit free on fifth floor for you. Nice view of whole city. You like? Only $400, I show you, yes?”
Bernard had barely nodded to affirm the manager’s astute observational discovery before the middle-aged man finished his search and revealed his findings. Four hundred dollars a night seemed a tad expensive in respect to the drifter’s recent accommodations. Amenities apparently came at a steep price and it had been several months since the Sensitive had indulged in such luxuries.
“I don't know, it seems a little steep Mr. Kim.” Bernard replied sourly not wanting to eagerly embrace the offer. “I guess it wouldn’t hurt to look.
After what seemed like days fighting the winds and snow while toting an armload of goods Bernard finally made it to his destination. The door chimed as he passed through the lobby and headed toward the elevator. A familiar face peeked out through the office doorway from behind his television as the Sensitive pushed the elevator button. “Oh, hi there Mr. Kim,” Bernard acknowledged the presence of the building’s gate keeper. Are you feeling any better today? You did look a little green around the gills when we met last night.
The new tenant was well aware he had been the source of the man’s sudden ailment, though it wouldn’t hurt to at least give the appearance of concern. It wasn’t that he was unfeeling; Bernard would just as soon remain unnoticed. With the manager’s obsession with television, one unfortunate mannerism caught on film to tip him off and the aspiring scoundrel was as good as behind bars if Mr. Kim ever two and two together. A welcomed ding indicated its arrival as the doors to the elevator slid open.
There were two people standing in the hallway on the same floor as Bernard's apartment. Bernard's Neighbor's door was open and they had walked a few steps away to talk. One was a young woman, late twenties with shoulder length curly red hair. She was a small petite woman, dressed like she might work at a bank. Her boyfriend on the other hand was about 6'3 and well over 240lbs of muscle. It was hard to tell his age; he looked like bar fights and alcohol. He had a buzz cut hairstyle and a winged skull tattoo on his right bicep. He wore loose old jeans and a dirty white tank top. The two were arguing loud and didn't seem to care if people heard.
"-You know what, you are just like your mother! Always telling me what to do." That was from the man. "Oh, I'm like my mother? Well at least she taught me how to work. When was the last time you even had a job?" The woman shot back. The guy scoffed at her question.
"You know what, I don't need this. I pay the rent around here. You weren't complaining when I brought home the bacon. You need to learn some respect up in here." "Respect? Where exactly did that money come from, huh? You never did tell me." He sniffed in reply and wiped his nose with his thumb. He looked furious.
His girlfriend waved a hand. "You know what, we're done. I've had enough of this. I'm moving back in with my mother." She turned around to leave but he didn't let her. He grabbed her by her arm and yanked her back over to him. "What? Get back over here woman. You gonna leave me?" He raised a hand as if he were about to hit her...
Last Edit: Feb 6, 2012 18:25:00 GMT -5 by Deleted
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((ESP Roll-let it go- Roll =9 (where are these coming from??)+ 1 Reputation= Fail –Damn I should have listen to my own conscience and just walked on by!))
Bernard stepped off the elevator, a small bag cradled in each arm as he headed towards his apartment. He didn’t have to be a mind reader to recognize the situation with the two in the hallway arguing loudly without a care as to the audience. The situation had domestic violence written all over it, alcoholic military bruiser, and petite woman with fire.
"You know what, we're done. I've had enough of this. I'm moving back in with my mother."
His suspicions were confirmed as the redhead waived the “talk to the hand” signaling the end of the discussion. She turned around to leave but he didn't let her grabbing her by the arm and yanked her back over to him. ”Here we go,” thought Bernard trying his best not to stick his nose into the situation. Things would only turn out badly if he chose to intervene. Muscle head would no doubt take exception to his interference and turn his attention towards him. A vehement fight would ensue and the cops would become involved. And he had just assured Mr. Kim less than twenty four hours ago there would be no trouble.
"What? Get back over here woman. You gonna leave me?" He raised a hand as if he were about to hit her...
“Aw damn!”Bernard objected. The thing about a conscience was it almost always showed up at the most inopportune times. He was no hero, but he wasn’t about to stand by and watch as the man slapped a girl less than half his size into submission. Bernard shifted both bags into his right arm as he prepared to slip by the couple. Reaching out with his left hand he gently tapped it upon the bulging bicep and spoke softly.
Let it go bud.” he commanded, forcing the directive home.
The thought slipped into his head. Just let it go... But it didn't stick. It just pissed the big man off. He shoved his girlfriend over to the side and she bumped into the wall with a small yelp. "And what if I don't, huh? Who the hell are you?" He turned towards Bernard and walked closer to get up in his face. Both men were pretty tall, but the violent brute wasn't backing down. ((Attack roll: 13.))
"Get lost mutton chops!" He put a single hand out and attempted to shove Bernard's chest to knock him off his feet.
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((Defense Roll- RU swingin’ at me?- Roll = 22 +4 DEF +3 Agility =29)) miss ((Attack Roll- Billiards anyone?- Roll = 30 Critical hit +1 ATK= 31)) ((Submission Roll = 97 +5 = Success !!))
----- Bernard sized up the situation as he passed, the winged skull tattoo on the man’s right bicep was likely military or in the very least gang related. The good Samaritan as tall but lanky, giving the buzz cut brute a good sixty pounds on him. It was likely the intervening Sensitive would be able to intimidate such a hardened man. No, he would have to be smarter. It didn’t come as any big surprise when the steroid junkie tossed the petite redhead aside like a ragdoll at the interjection to get up in the interloper’s grill.
"And what if I don't, huh? Who the hell are you?"
Most hulking gorillas were predictable and slow, this chump was no exception as he shouted "Get lost mutton chops" thrusting out single right hand out towards Bernard's his chest in an attempt to knock him off his feet. Bernard simply rolled with the attack twisting back his left shoulder to allow the blow to slide by. As the brute’s momentum carried him forward, the Sensitive snapped his hips counter-clockwise brining a swift knee strike into the abuser’s billiard bag. The swift jolt instantly crumpled the hulking behemoth into whimpering mass while curled up in a fetal position as he clutched his testacies gasping for air upon the hallway floor. All this, while balancing the two bags full of goods from the MegaMart.
Subject effectively neutralized, Bernard turned toward the woman huddled in fear against the wall extending a helpful hand. “Get what you need and get as far away from this chump as you can.”You can do better than this.”
”Should have just let it go bud.The Sensitive reiterated shaking his head in shame towards the quivering flesh lump at his feet while she gathered her things. Bernard squatted down squishing the man’s cheeks into a tight pucker.”We’re not going to have any more trouble around here are we princess.? He said mockingly, removing his grip and giving the man a repeated love tap on the side of his cheek to emphasize the rhetorical nature of the question given the prompt ass whooping.
“And take that rent money he eludes to have earned with you. It’s the least he can do given the circumstances.”
The man didn't speak. He tried, but it just came out as a high pitched whimper that sounded much like a bird squealing in pain. He tried to answer Bernard, he really did, but the pain was just too severe.
The woman took Bernard's hand and followed his advice. "Oh, thank you..." She was now crying softly as she went back into her apartment room and began packing her bags. Some of the other neighbors cracked their doors open to see what was going. One woman could be heard whispering- "Maybe someone should call an ambulance. He's starting to look a bit green..."
Last Edit: Feb 8, 2012 14:15:25 GMT -5 by FG Admin
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“No need to be alarmed, I’m sure he’ll survive.” Bernard addressed the woman’s growing concern. “Just a matter of time before he catches his breath. That fetal position he has assumed isn’t helping matters any.”
It wasn’t long before the redheaded woman emerged suitcase in hand disappeared into the elevator. Bernard stepped by the fallen man and inserted his key into the lock. “I don’t want any trouble from you.” He assured the man. “Let it go! Next time I may not be as forgiving.” Entering his apartment he swung the door behind him throwing the deadbolt. Crossing the tile floor he set down the bags on the counter and took his coat off throwing it over the arm of the couch.
Not quite the low profile he wanted to retain with his neighbors but he couldn’t just ignore the situation could he? Perhaps he would have to visit Mr. Kim later and see about the option of relocating. Bernard finished stocking the fridge and shelves with the modest supplies he had purchased before kicking off his boots and flopping down upon the sleek modern sofa. It was more comfortable than one might imagine and it wasn’t long before the Sensitive drifted off weary from the morning’s activities.
((to be continued in Bernard Knapp's apartment)) ((modifying inventory))