EVENT ★ WELCOME TO LERAMZEN

[futurologists]

WELCOME TO LERAMZEN After nearly three weeks of "relaxation" in Oska, Audentes is given 48 hours to prepare for their next mission. Right on time, they are rifted to a different dimension, landing them in the futuristic city of Leramzen. Instead of appearing in a large group, recruits are spread throughout the city center so as not to draw attention to themselves, arriving in isolated areas: behind buildings hidden from the street, in public restrooms, stepping into the street from behind parked cars. The key is to blend in, though the metropolitan nature of Leramzen allows for some wiggle room; the locals see enough country bumpkins from all over the galaxy that they're willing to overlook a faux pas here or there from an obvious tourist. Recruits have two weeks before the day of the museum heist. During this time, they should contact their mission analyst, George, but the rest is up to them -- a perfect time to explore the luxuries that Leramzen has to offer. CITY LIFE Leramzen is a highly cultured city, with many museums and theatres, including its prized Lyushny Theatre which homes the galaxy famous Lyushny Ballet. While the natives of this planet are human, recruits will see a wide variety of other life forms in Leramzen, some humanoid and some most definitely not. Try not to stare! The generous stipend will more than allow recruits to take in the sights and treat themselves to a luxury meal or two, but of particular interest should be the clothing and jewelry stores found in the city center. There are shops that cater to any style and taste, including a few bespoke tailors that have a convenient turnaround time of two weeks. In addition to shopping and cultural pursuits, there is an ice rink in the city center, maintained for the long winter season, and horse-drawn carriages that will take passengers on a ride through Leramzen's historic Old Town. This is also a good chance to observe the State History Museum to get a lay of the land before the mission begins. But remember -- don't draw attention to yourselves, so going in all together might not be a good idea. Settle in and take in some sights, and get ready -- because when the mission begins, you never know what you'll be in for. OOC NOTES Welcome to the new mission! Heist sign-ups are now closed for current players, but all characters accepted after May 21st will still have the opportunity to sign up. For more information on the mission, please check the dossier and direct all questions about Leramzen to this thread. Questions about the game in general should be directed to the FAQ and you may submit mission ideas or player plots at any time.

Comments

[competing]

[ of all the people to come across when he's in such a miserable state, lance can't quite decide if keith registers as very high or very low on that list. on the one hand, he's glad to see his boyfriend, like a glimmer of light during an otherwise gloomy turn of events.

on the other hand, he'd really rather not have him smelling like old and rotten food and who knows what else be one of the memories keith retains of him.

at keith's question, he stops in the middle of the empty street, shoulders slumping. in his hand he grips his rolled up jacket, which makes a horrible squelching sound in response. ]

Bad luck happened, [ he grumbles. ] I think one of those black kitties on cat planet rubbed a little too hard against my leg. I rifted straight into a dumpster.

[secondnature]

[Okay.

Okay.

He knows he shouldn't grin at what happened to Lance, but it's hard not to break into a smirking grin, head tilted down as if he's trying to hide the ease of his expression. Keith can't really help it. This is just the kind of thing that would happen to Lance.]

Maybe they wanted to give you another excuse to spend a day at a spa. You're gonna wanna be careful not to get stopped at the door, though.

[competing]

[ it shouldn't be possible for lance's expression to get any flatter, but somehow he manages it. ]

Keep smiling like that, and the money for that spa day is coming out of your stipend. [ he sounds more put out than actually mad about it; even the shake of his fist (and jacket) was weak and half-hearted. ]

It's not that bad is it? [ he eyes the wide berth keith's given him, then slowly sniffs down at his shoulder. ] I thought I aired out pretty alright...

[ or maybe the stench has just burned his nose to the point that he can't even smell anymore. ]

[secondnature]

You can't just take my stipend. It's my stipend. [Keith would never call himself stingy about his money, but then again, any money he's had throughout his life has been primarily to eat, clothe himself, and survive. That sounds dire, but for Keith, having the basics was probably good enough. He's a simple boy that way.]

Look ... if it were anyone else, would you say they aired out? No. You don't even like how I smell after I work out.

[Which is fair. But. Just a point!]

[competing]

Don't do the crime if you can't do the time, [ is all lance says in response, but was it in regards to the money, or the body odor? hard to say. probably both, to be honest. ]

But alright, I can't live like this. [ he can practically feel the stink settling into his pores. ] Where were you heading? To the hotel? Perfect — I'll just run in for a quick soak [ read: an hour or two ] and then I'll be back to my immaculate self in no time.

[secondnature]

What crime? Do you think working out is a crime? [Keith knows that the moment they get back to the hotel, they're going to split off for a couple hours. Because it's Lance, and that's how he is. He doesn't remark on the second questions, though, too caught up in this ... crime business.

Because of course he is.]

[competing]

[ it's "i say vol, you say tron" all over again. sometimes it just isn't worth the headache.]

It's just a saying, forget it. [ he already turns on his heel, moving in the direction keith had been going. ] It's this way, right?

[secondnature]

[Keith will now think that Lance thinks that working out is a crime.]

Yeah, it's this way. [A beat.] Did you plan on staying with anyone this time?

[competing]

[ smh... ]

Didn't really think that far ahead, honestly. [ he was starting to... and then his face landed in old space cabbage.

though now it's his turn to take a beat, eyes sliding slowly towards the other. ]

Are you?

[secondnature]

I forgot to ask. So, I'm asking you. [A beat. Another beat.] Though we should get a room with separate beds. I don't know if your bath will solve everything right away.

[competing]

[ he just barely stops himself from asking who else keith would have wanted to room with, instead barreling into the other part of what he'd said. ]

If I have to spend the entire night smelling like this I'm gonna shoot myself with my own bayard. This is luxury planet, isn't it? There's bound to be something that'll work.

[secondnature]

[The reality: there is no one. Keith forgot he was supposed to ask anyone period, so he's acting on the fly right now.]

Just don't spend all your money fixing it. I can't afford the room by myself.

[competing]

Don't worry, they gave us a pretty sizable stipend.

[ OH speaking of which—

he turns to the other excitedly. ]

Oh man we even have an excuse to buy some sweet threads. I'm thinking three-piece. Get a nice waistcoat in, you know? Make it real classy. What about you?

[secondnature]

You've been thinking about what you're going to wear? [Keith clearly hasn't been. The fact that he had something for the non-denominational ball in December was a big deal.

Which, well, means he'd like to wear something similar.]

[competing]

You haven't?

[ though, as soon as lance says that, he realizes how stupid it is for him to even question it. of course keith hasn't thought about what he's going to wear. he's keith. ]

That's our whole big cover, isn't it? We gotta look like we belong there, otherwise people are gonna get suspicious.

[secondnature]

That's the cover for one night, right? I'll figure it out. [Keith just hopes that he doesn't have to ... work too hard at it. Casing the place will be easy enough. He's done something like that before. But beyond that, being a guy in a suit—eh, he wishes he could pass.]

[competing]

[ now keith had cleaned up pretty nicely during that winter ball, even lance will admit that. but he also knows they were largely helped out by (magic wizard elves???) alastair, too, so excuse him if he looks a little... doubtful... ]

You sure...? You can ask for help, you know.

[ like from your super fashionable boyfriend. ]

[secondnature]

It's just clothing. I'll buy whatever fits. [After a beat, he adds:] And doesn't look ... stupid. I can dress myself just fine.

[Better than you, Lance!

(Okay, they are likely about even in their default cartoon garb.)]

[competing]

[ lance has some Thoughts about that crop top but tbh that's probably totally in-fashion in their world considering it aligns more closely with what everyone else is wearing, whereas lance's clothes stand out more so the likelihood of his stuff being almost entirely hand-me-downs is pretty high.

but anyway. ]

Alright, alright, I was just offering. [ cue his hands coming up in that universal signal for surrender.

which is just in time because that sure does look like a hotel coming up! ]

There it is! My salvation! [ he starts to run towards it, which definitely doesn't help him in the smell department but oh well... ]

[secondnature]

[Oh, yeah. Lance running forward means that Keith gets a nice, long smell of him as he rushes, and he comes to a stop as he tries to contain his gagging. Lance can never say he smells bad again. Ever. Not after this episode. No amount of overworking himself in a gym will ever be this bad.

He picks up the pace after a few seconds, trying to breathe as little as possible.]

Maybe I should check us in. You should try to avoid as many people as possible.

[competing]

What — seriously?

[ he stops just at the large revolving doors, one of which lets out a heavily scaled creature, who doesn't seem to have any actual nose on its person... and yet it still turns away from lance with what is definitely a look of disgust once it draws near.

lance lets his arms drop to his sides, shoulders slumping. ]

Fine... But make it snappy, okay? I feel like its seeped into my pores by now.

[secondnature]

When have I ever done anything slowly? [Keith is the very picture of impatience. There is the matter of how they're going to pay for the hotel out of his pocket alone, but he ... figures that can be worked out later. He wants some distance from his smelly boyfriend, too. Because he smells.]

I'll be done quickly. Just get over to ... to somewhere so that you keep everyone safe. [From you.]

[competing]

[ lance throws keith a Look just before the other boy departs for the front desk, because he definitely catches your unspoken meaning there mister. but he makes no other complaint, instead moving towards the very back of the lobby, in the corner, right beside a bright pink plant-thing that thankfully does not wither in his near presence.

arms crossed, expression sullen, he makes for a pretty good keith imitation right about now... ]