10386/opping Corks

opping Corks
Date of Scene:	08 March 2022
Location:	The Bar With No Name
Synopsis:	Drinks were had, Villainy happened (offscreen), and nobody died (that we know of)!
Cast of Characters:	Cain Marko, Julia Pennyworth, Lucy Blaze, Mika Yang

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Cain Marko has posed:
The Bar With No Name...

There are multiple such watering holes throughout the world. One in New York City, of course..and never in the same location for too long when it is there. Its location is passed around by word of mouth, often obtained by reputation alone and its use to the mercenary, criminal underworld and general community of ne'er do wells is well known. To look at it doesn't look especially fantastical or amazing in and of itself. No, it's the clients that add the flavor and color here and it is very rarely a dull moment.

One never knows who one might encounter in such a place and for many of them their reputation preceeds them. Few have a reputation like that of The Juggernaut. His presence practically fills the bar up despite its accomodations somehow being capable of entertaining his gigantic bulk given the unusual nature of some of the clients of the Bar. It doesn't stop his presence from feeling practically kaiju like. The floor rumbles and the walls shake as he passes by tables with wide eyed and silent mercenaries giving him long stares and or quick shuddering glances and more reputable mercenaries and criminals giving him a long look and managing good poker faces to hide their thoughts as he moves past them like a passing aircraft carrier.

It doesn't help that he's armored up as well. His red-brown gear wrapping about his monstrous physique tightly and creaking and groaning under the fiberous movements of his bulk, not to mention that helmet of his. It might imply he's here for just business and in truth, he does have business in the area. But he also wants a drink, if only to simulate an attempt at getting a buzz. Getting fully drunk isn't an option after all.

"'Sup Roscoe.." he rumbles as he finally reaches the bar and then lifts a hand up to remove his helmet with a flash of red light accompanying the gesture. His skull capped visage is revealed now along with an almost Great White Shark of a grin down to the burly bartender, "Y'know what I want. Make it fast."

Julia Pennyworth has posed:
Not only mercenaries were familiar with this particular bar, though the ex-British Military operative had come to the European locations for an entirely different reason. It was an excellent place to occasionally meet with those that could help on missions. Sometimes it helped to have an 'in' with a group, or even acquire the help of someone more familiar, if less savory, with the issue at hand. Now? Now those reasons were mostly gone for Julia. Now it was only a sense of self-preservation that had her seek out this Americanized version of the Bar with No Name so that she could keep an ear to the ground.

The pixie-cut woman with dark skin was almost out of place. Certainly she was a 'new face' in these parts which meant any fishing for information she might hope for was merely on standby in favor of getting a drink to familiarize herself with the place. Precisely why she's seated at the bar currently. Her attire is simple, practical, easy to blend into the crowd. Jeans. Combat boots, and a leather jacket pulled tight around her form in such a way that those who might know would suspect she was armed. Somehow. Some way.

A hand rests around her beer keeping it well within sight at all moments while she just sits, and listens, and drinks.

At least until the heavy footfalls and presence of The Juggernaut draws her attention as much as anyone else in this bar. Just as he grins down at the barkeep (ah, that was his name was it?) she dares to risk glancing up. And up. And up toward him. In comparison she was diminutive though she wasn't a midget herself. With the knowledge that THE JUGGERNAUT was right beside her she reacts in the only way she possibly could.

"Fuck, they grow you lot big in the States or are you a special case?" Ah, British snark.

Lucy Blaze has posed:
The Bar With No Name is about as old an institution as mercenaries themselves. And while Zealot doesn't -quite- fit the usual mold for a mercenary (she has personal lines she won't cross), she's done enough work through the millenia to warrant a heads up whenever the bar changes locations. With a kill count that trails all the way back beyond the history of earth, she's one of those that tends to be given a wide berth. That she's here at the same time as the Juggernaut? It's not terribly surprising that a few of the lower-level mercs and killers to quickly finish their drinks and beat feet out of the bar. The atmosphere a little too bloody for even their tastes.

While Cain has the weight and gravitas, Zealot represents the other end of that spectrum, all sleek stalking silent death prowling on around on two feet. The white hair is a dead giveaway, the red armor another clue, and the blades at her back tell a whole other story. One a katana that looks about as old as Japan itself, the other looks like an ancient longsword with a golden hilt bearing a red gem in the pommel. Of the two, oddly, its the longsword that seems to stand out. Something about it just menaces.

Joining the pair at the bar, she thumps a fist on the bartop and looks to the bartender. Roscoe. Keep them coming." Cold blue eyes travel along the bar, offer a respectful nod to Cain, then eyeing Julia cautiously. "You're new." Because that wasn't completely obvious.

Cain Marko has posed:
"What am I, on the C-List now? You drunk or just stupid?" questions Juggernaut with a tone that manages to mix mild bemusement with slight irritation and not just being recognized and acknowledged as such by Julia. He rests one massive hand against the bar itself, practically swamping over the top of it with his massive palm as he leans slightly and turns to look down at Julia with narrowed eyes. "But yeah I'm a special case. Hell, don'tcha know who I am? Not that I'm here to give autographs or something.."

As Roscue wordessly slides a massive keg of a drink Cain's way and then turns towards Zealot and nods respectfully before moving on to get her drink. Swiftly. He's effective. Fast and seemingly unbothered by the combined dread presence created by Zealot and Cain though he does giev Julia a quick glance.

For his part, Cain looks down to Zealot and inclines his head as he studies her but as she addresses Julia he looks back over towards the first woman. "New? Hmm..that explains somma it, I suppose..."

Mika Yang has posed:
    Well, its not long before before a pair of EMTs enter the bar. "Trust me, this place has some great drinks, though are you old enough to drink, Mika?", the male EMT asks. A small asian woman follows the man in, dressed in an EMT outfit as well. She takes in a deep breath, and nods her head a bit. She takes a moment to adjust her outfit as she looks at those in the bar. There's a few wolf whistles, and a few stares, but the woman is able to ignore the majority of them. The woman just follows her partner up to the bar.

    "It is odd to come to a place such as this. Are you sure that this place will be able to serve sake?", Mika asks. She does look around, and well, she does feel a bit out of place in here. The woman looks at Juggernaut for a long moment, and shakes her head a bit. "And please remember, don't do anything that makes me have to defend myself. The studio doesn't want me to get hit in the face...", she sighs. The woman looks...tiny, but has a bit of an atheletic build to her. "And you have to work tomorrow. I have to do several TV interviews tomorrow about the new season of my former show...", she tells.

Julia Pennyworth has posed:
Julia Pennyworth allows herself an amused grin which she flashes toward Zealot's remark as well as Juggernaut's reaction to her statement. "Oi," she greets with a tip of her head toward the heavily armed woman. "Right enough, I'm from across the pond. On 'vacation.'" Her hand lifts her beer to gaze down at the head of foam with a small scowl of annoyance. "Got made, so I'm laying low awhile until people forget my face again."

A light bump of her fist is idly swung out to rap against one of Juggernaut's rather impressive biceps. "Relax, big guy, I know who you are. You got a rep even over in Europe. That's just how we Brits say h'lo is all." There's a pause while she squints at her drink. "I'd need another five of these to be even halfway pissed-- this shit is horrible weak."

Just as she concludes this her attention is drawn over to the EMTs that come in to watch with a renewed sense of amusement. Her head tilts back toward the pair she'd been idly sort-of-chatting with. "Looks like I'm not the most out of place here any more."

Cain Marko has posed:
"Oh, well when you put it that way."

Juggernaut's response is sarcastic but amusement seems to rear its head once again and he doesn't react negatively to the rap against his monstrous arm. If anything it seems to raise his humor and relative cheer, so to speak, a touch higher as he leans over towards Zealot while offering that big grin again once again, "You hear that? I'm famous! You'd think I was some sort of viral sensation or something!"

It is then that he notes the EMT and the woman in their presence and he blinks a few times before giving Zealot and Julia both a few sidelong glances. Finally he turns his attention towards Roscoe who is himself looking on with a slightly raised eyebrow at the newcomers even as he cautiously studies the mood of the other bar patrons at their arrival.

"Hey Roscue. Uh, looks like it's time for The Bar to change locations again eh? Either that or we need a better way to keep track of who is passing the bar location around cause last I checked this aint supposed to be a Buffalo Wild Wings."

Lucy Blaze has posed:
Zealot stares at Julia for a long moment, then shakes her head. "No, you're -new-. I know the European No Name. And the Asian one. And the magic one. And Australia. And Africa. I still think they're missing out by not putting on in Antarctica. So. What did you do to get a bounty so soon into the game?" Her own drink arrives, something that looks dark, almost tar-like, but lacking the same viscosity. She takes a long swallow, then turns her attention to Juggernaut, lifting a brow at the grin. "Well, you -have- destoyed large swatches of propety across six of the seven continents. I would hope that would garner -some- level of fame and recognition."

Mika's entrance with another has her turning a long, level look towards the pair. Zealot meets Juggernaut's look, then shakes her head, then turns her accusatory look to Roscoe. Clearly this is management's fault. Then she's looking back to Mika and her companion, "Are you lost, perhaps? I don't think this is the bar you're looking for..."

Mika Yang has posed:
    The male EMT looks at the trio, and nods his head. "On the level, no, but I got the info from a street doc who tends to call me in to help with emergency cases. Such as when Juggernauts step on toes, or entire lower bodies...", he says.

    Mika sighs as she watches her partner a bit. "I was just hoping to get a good glass of sake, and all the bars in the area refuse to serve me. Something about legalities.", Mika says. The woman shakes her head a little bit as one of the patrons tries to slap her rear, and misses horribly as she steps away with ease. Another patron tries it, and misses again. She moves lightly, just enough to be out of the way. The pair start to get up, but Mika sits one back down by hooking his chair with her foot, and bringing it forward. He falls back into the chair, and looks at the other. "I don't want to fight. Mostly cause of the headaches I have to deal with, after winning.", she mutters.

    "Mika, just don't beat them up too badly. That means we have to take them to the hospital.", her partner says.

    "That is true, how about a round as an apology?", she asks. The woman then looks over at the trio. "And I am fairly new to this side of the world? Is it normal for such behaviours?", she asks. Her tone is waaay too polite and cultured. Way too educated...

Julia Pennyworth has posed:
Julia Pennyworth glances over toward Zealot once again as she points out the newness. Jovial joking aside she seems to grow far more serious at this point before glancing aside again. "Rarely came here. Either here," she states in a quiet tone. "My ex-partner usually did. I disagreed with some cargo he was helping move about, and decided to 'lose' it. I draw the line at considering kids cargo."

It's all stated quietly, without much emotion to her voice. This was clearly something she was trying to not draw too much attention to. Especially since there were other ears here now after all. She goes silent after that when the elder EMT explains how he got his info. A single eyebrow raises. Sharply.

"Ah, I'd say this is normal for *this* place when they spot potential fresh meat."

Lucy Blaze has posed:
Zealot looks to Julia from around Juggernaut and murmurs, "My apologies. You are not new." She looks to Mika, "YOU are new. New enough that you do not seem to understand who you insult with your prattle." New in this context doesn't seem to be a good thing. She looks to Juggernaut next and lifts a brow, seeing if he wants the honors.

Cain Marko has posed:
Juggernaut looks down to Julia as she speaks. HIs expression is neutral to her commentary on her newness and where she draws her moral event horizon though he does look away and seems momentarily thoughtful, if not full on engage in a bit of brief introspection.

But it is indeed brief. "Yeah, yeah." he rumbles..finally speaking up as the antics Mika is engaged in fully and throughly embaress the lowlifes that were trying to have their way with her. "You chumps know the rules. Keep it cordial. Cause if you get to break the rules..that means -I- get to break the rules..."

The threat is not subtle to say the least and it does the job of getting them to fall back in line and give Mika some breathing room else she take matters into her own hands. He then glances at Zealot as she speaks and he finally shrugs, rolling his mountainous shoulders as he leans back against the bar, "I mean..they in here now..but.. yeah.. Probably not the -smartest- thing to do to come into a place like this. Good info or no, you're just as likely to run into one of Kingpin's goons or The Green Goblin, right? I might be feeling nice and chatty at the moment but right now you both strike me more as sightseers then patrons even if she looks like she knows how to handle herself.."

Mika Yang has posed:
    "Well, its the only place that my partner says would let me drink, and its away from things that my normal...company will not interfere with me, since they won't go near it.", she tells. The woman watches the men as they sit back down, muttering a little bit. Mika looks confused a moment as she looks at Juggernaut, the apparent leader. "Who is this...Kingpin? And why would I fear goblins? They do not exist. Just a story to make children go to sleep? Though I am new to this land, and spent much of my time travelling back and forth from China and Japan.", she explains.

    The senior EMT coughs a little bit. "I think they're telling us it might be better if I just buy some sake, and give it to ya.", he says.

    Mika blinks a little bit. "I do not understand.", she says.

    "You might end up having to fight.", he explains. Mika just blinks at that, confused. Definitly not the slummer type of girl.

Julia Pennyworth has posed:
Julia Pennyworth just watches quietly for a few moments while Juggernaut lays down the law of the land. She does acknowledge Zealot's apology with a lift of her glass as well as a shrug. "I'm a new face, I expect it. No big. Just here to relax." And listen to things. Regardless, Mika and her friend being here has her attention right now as the girl seems utterly clueless.

"Ah, let me explain in an easier to understand way then. You're in a Yakuza bar, kid. Get your sake, but don't start a fight. It's a bad idea and against the rules. Neutral ground between all of the," here she pauses as she tries to think of a good analogy. "Various families." It's almost said as a question with a sidelong glance to Zealot, and Juggernaut, to see if she got the phrasing correct.

"Something like that. Any way. Get your drink, sit down. Don't ask questions."

Lucy Blaze has posed:
Zelot lifts her glass to Julia in return. Taking a swallow of the liquid, she looks back to Mika, then towards Julia again at the analogy, "Close enough. More like the Triad, likely. Multiple levels of organizations, some that owe fealty to none, others that work for a higher-ranking people within the organizations, but all capable of acting independently of one another while still working within a set framework of rules." She lifts her glass once more, taking another swallow.

Her gaze focuses back on Mika and her EMT friend, "MY concern is less her starting a fight and more to do with who she is. She's famous. Movie star. Which means paparazzi. Which means attention none of us need or want." Her gaze shifts to the EMT, "My suggestion? After tonight, lose this address and develop amnesia. You were never here, and NEVER bring another movie star here. You could have just bought her a bottle of sake and snuck it into her room. Far less dangerous than what you've done tonight." To Mika she states, "This is not a place you want to be. These are not people you want to know. Next time? Exercise some discipline and wait until you are where you can drink again." Advice given, Zealot swings back around on her stool and motions to Roscoe for a refill.

Mika Yang has posed:
    Her partner stares for a second. "Movie? Star?", he asks her. Mika coughs a little bit, and whistles innocently. "Slash world class martial artist.", the woman says coughing a little bit. "I took some time off to become an EMT.", the woman tells, while looking around.

    "My studio pays a high level security firm to make sure that photographers have sudden incidents happen to them. Japanese studios are very strict about that type of thing.", she tells. The woman rubs the back of her head lightly a little bit. "And they keep those groups away from the work. Thats why it can be so quiet when we work is that they set up a perimeter before we even get to where we're going.", she tells her partner, who gives her the evil eye.

    "I thought I mentioned that?", she comments.

    "No. No you didn't, or else I wouldn't have came here.", he says.

    "Oops.", Mika gives a fake giggle...

Cain Marko has posed:
Ouch. Juggernaut's invulnerable and even he felt that tongue lashing.

"Common sense kid. Get some." He says towards the EMT, "There's -no- reason you ever shoulda come here. If nothing else if you knew who I was you shoulda known better then to bring anyone. This aint a tourist trap."

Still, the fact that he's even addressing them could be taken as abit of a big moment now couldn't it? You just got lextured by The Juggernaut - share that with your pals.

Or don't. Zealot's advice is probably the best here, "Yeah you two better forget you were ever here .. then again..eh..no real harm done in the big picture I guess. Not like we spilled some trade secrets or secret identities or something... And aint none of us the murderin' sort to just take you out when you get outside.."

He gives Zealot a sidelong glance and then Julia as well, "..Well I aint and I wager she aint.." He then looks back to Zealot, "She might be."

Julia Pennyworth has posed:
Julia Pennyworth sips off of her beer again while resisting a deep sigh. Movie star. There she goes not watching movies as often as she should or else she may have recognized the woman too. "So you mean to say," she reasons while dropping her empty beer heavily to the bartop. "There's a protection detail from your studio currently outside scoping this place?" She shoots Roscoe a look before finally just sighing again. "Oi."

Then Juggernaut steps in as well earning a wry grin from her. "Ain't paid to kill anyone right now. Safe from me." She looks to Zealot again only shrug. "I don't think she's the sort without reason."

Lucy Blaze has posed:
Zealot lifts a shrug without looking up from her glass, "I'm not in the habit of killing children. And you might want to check in with the security firm to make sure none of their people have gone missing. YOU made it past for being non-threatening. People from a known security company would likely not fare so well around here. I would be highly, highly surprised if there aren't a few bodies that show up in the Hudson before morning." She takes another swallow of her strange-looking drink.

Hooking a thumb over her shoulder, she points to the now-empty table catty-corner to where she sits. "The trio there slipped out as soon as she mentioned security." Zealot stares in the glass, then frowns, and looks to Roscoe, "Get the security boys out or there's going to be trouble. It's not -technically- inside the bar, so the idiots that left think they're safe. You might want to remind them there's a radius around the bar."

Mika Yang has posed:
    Mika just kinda blinks a little bit. She tilts her head a little bit. "So, I need to call them to tell them not to follow? Won't that just make them follow even more?", she asks. "I mean, right now, they think I'm at a Taco church?"

    "Taco Bell.", her partner says.

    "Bell, church, same thing. Besides, are the tacos shaped like bells, or do they just ring when when you order", Mika asks. Yes...She asked that with a serious face. "Or is this...like the Fire place?", she asks. "The that one that is very upscale.", she mentions.

Cain Marko has posed:
The Juggernaut's face is...pretty neutral looking, if not wholly blank, as he hears Mika's response. He glances at Zealot and then Julia and finally Roscoe who just shakes his head.

"We're already on it." Roscue comments, "Mistakes happen but we're not that incompetent."

"Huh. You ask me I think you need to just let things play out as they are gonna play out. Girl over there is a missing a few screws from the sounds of it." remarks Juggernaut while shaking his head and then shrugging helplessly. "Maybe a few hard knocks outside would do 'em all some good but I aint the one tonight. "

Julia Pennyworth has posed:
Julia Pennyworth listens a few moments longer. That's all she allows before sliding off the stool to her feet with a light creak from the leather jacket she wears. "Kid, there's culture shock then there's just willful stupidity. You really seem like the latter here so I'm going to beat feet before this becomes an issue." Some money is slapped down on the bar. A quick grin is flashed to Zealot and Juggernaut. "Pleasure to chat with you both." Her head tips toward Mika and her partner. "Good luck. You guys are going to need it one way or another."