ROLEPLAY HQ - misplaced-normality

@Deleted User here we go :)

Ben Gordon sighed as he was rattled awake by the sound of an alarm clock going off at 6:00am exactly, he was so tired of that sound every morning of his life. The normal routine would begin minutes later. Rolling out of his full sized bed and letting two feet rest on the carpeted floor of his one bedroom apartment, he staggered up and walked across the room to his bathroom. Stopping at the sink, he grabbed a toothbrush and toothpaste, beginning to brush his teeth as he turned the knobs of the shower, allowing to begin to warm up. Quickly getting in and out of the shower, he went back to his room, pulling a shirt and jeans out of his closet. He began to dress for his I.T. job at Galaxicorp headquarters in town. After getting ready and skipping breakfast again, he slowly drug himself out of the apartment to the beat down old Honda Civic he drove. It took a couple of cranks like usual to get the car started, but he was slowly making his way to work. At this point, all of this was routine to him, he was just ready to for the day to be over and back home. Nothing more, nothing less. He sat in mostly silence, ignoring the radio as he pulled into work. Getting out of the car, avoiding all contact with anyone else he could, he made his way back to the I.T. office with all the equipment surrounding his hidden cubicle against the back wall. He pulled the laptop out of his back and placed it on the desk, waiting for the day to be over already.

This was every day for Mac. A new adventure... New tasks and goals... and money. Everyone is willing to pay for something. There is a slip from Anatoan to cities all over the world. A gate of sorts in most wooded areas. Nothing more than a crack in a tree that can only be accessed by one that possesses a travel talisman. They're not hard to get... A smooth Jade rune on a slate coin no bigger than your palm. From the edge of Anatoan she took one last look at her phone to be sure of her tasks, and practically skipped straight into the first slip she came to. Chicago was not somewhere magic frequented. Between the crimes and all the people, it was hard to keep it hidden... Which made it perfect for black market trade and sketchy deals. See? As the world adapts... So must magic if we intent to survive. Washington park spit her out among the very few trees midday. Sun shining bright and pleasant warmth... Mac wasnt worried about how out of place she was. Most would assume drugs and steer clear. A simple deliver job. Go collect a few swords from some old smith and bring them back. Then she could pay her debts and stop running... Or buy that really handy amulet from the shop... 50/50. Mack wanders into a very average little shop downtown. Swords hand on the walls next to plaques, various engravings, teeshirt prints. Anything you could personalize... Its here. Impatient sky blue orbs look over the insanely average trinkets... Wonder which ones held magical value... And why.

"Ben!" A loud voice bellowed over his shoulder, Ben knew the voice and rolled his eyes before turning to meet the voice which continued, "Ben, I need you to make a run to the trophy shop downtown to get this months order of plaques for the employees of the month and anniversaries." The voice came from Randy, who was the office manager of the building who pretty much ran facilities in the building, which I.T. fell under in this wing, "Randy, I would love to but I have to run these security scans on all the computers in the building, we had that ransomware attack last week and everything..." "Now, Ben," Randy said as he walked in the office, the balding man with a mustache continued, "I know that I.T. doesn't have to do anything but click a button to check this kinda stuff. I have important business to take care of with the client up front, so I am gonna need you to go get that. Who knows? It might be you on one of those plaques next month. Here is the address of the place." Before Ben could object anymore, he was already out the door and down the hall. Ben sighed. At least it was right down the street, who could walk and not have to worry about his car. Ben grabbed his laptop, locking it in his desk and began out the door. It was a short walk to the destination in the midtown, he was glad he avoided taking the car as traffic was back to back in this area right now. He walked up to the door of Ye Olde Smithing Company in the plaza. He walked in, "Hello?"

Mac's head whipped around to the bell on the doors. Another customer. Makes sense, gotta have a business. She gave a nodd and continued perusing.

"I'll be up in just a minute!" A muffled voice from the back of the shop barely makes it to the storefront.

"Pick up for Greg!" She called back pleasant enough. Tied leather boots sat over skin tight dark jeans. Well worn ties keeping them around her calf and just below the knee. Her hip popped out just a bit as she rested on her elbow, soft charcoal sweater hugging her curves only to be interrupted by the strap of her messenger bag. All pretty normal looking... The thick blue hair and face paint might throw one off though. She probably could have cleaned it off and put her hair up. People are getting brash with their colors these days. Might fit in.

Ben first glance into the store spotted a woman with blue hair and a painted face, admiring her for a moment, he stopped and stared back to the ground. He didn't want to be branded as that kinda guy, but she was stunning to him. He stood in line behind the woman, but admired her for a few moments when she was paying him no attention. The blue hair was not so uncommon anymore, but the face paint stood out to him. It was a beautiful design, but while makeup choices were around now a days, face paint was not. He smiled as he stared down at the floor, waiting for them to finish conducting their business, but something about her made his mind trigger. He never did this, especially with beautiful women, but he felt compelled. "Hi," he said, looking toward the woman with blue hair, "I just wanted to say I love your face paint...? Make up? I am not sure what you would call it, but it really sets off your eyes, hair, and skin tone."

"Paint." She answered through a smile. "Flattery will get you everywhere... Especially with a beard like that." Mackenzie had no issues flirting and playing with people. They were fun, and he was far from bad looking himself. She shamelessly looking him up and down, turning to give him her full attention and gauge his reaction.

"Sorry about that." He wiped grime from his hands and wandered out behind the counter. "Im here by myself today... How can I help?' He gave a friendly smile to both customers.

"Pick up for Greg... He said you'd know what it was?" Mackenzie asked with interest. A few playful glances to the compliment filled man beside her.

Ben smiled back at the girl, especially with a compliment over his beard. He did take a bit of pride in the way his beard looked. As she looked him up and down, he felt a giddiness come over him. He was not use to someone giving him this much attention. If he was to be honest, he felt he was just average at best. "So, I don't think I have ever seen you around town, are you new in town?" He asked as the person stepped away from the counter to grab the order, "I would certainly remember you."

Lynn headed back through the door, stopping and looking back. "Are you here for a pickup? Im headed that way..." He figured there was no need to make two trips.

Mackenzie snorted through a grin and looked over the store. And guestured to the shop keeper, unsure if he was flirting too hard to notice.

@Deleted User

"Oh, uh," Ben stammered for a second, returning to his awkward, shy, normal self, "Yeah, pick up for Randy at Galaxicorp." He stared at the floor for a moment after her laugh, yep, blew that one too, he thought to himself.

Mac smirked and covered her mouth to hide a laugh. A nod of acknowledgment as Lynn disappeared to get their orders. "Names Mac." She stuck her hand out and introduced herself. "I'd ask if you come here often..." Amusement in her voice and wide white smile. "But I'd hope not." She looked around the shop.

"I definitely don't," he said with a smirk, extending his hand to meet hers, his confidence slowly regaining, "I definitely do not, just making a plaque run for my boss. As if I have nothing better to do with my day. I am sure your trip is just as exciting, Mac." He smiled.

Lynn emerged with two identical boxes long and folded logo out. Both boxes set infront of their respective customers. "Theyre already paid for, ya'll have a good day." His customer service voice practiced and pleasant.

Mackenzie dragged her box off the counter and let it rest across her legs. "It was nice meeting you Randy." She winked and headed for the door.

@Deleted User

( Inside the plain shop box is a beautiful old hand-carved wooden case with iron hinges and a turn latch handle. Three blank sheets of partchment folded under a button strap in the top corner. Two persian Dao swords nestled in emerald green velvet. Opalecent glow along the razor-sharp blades. The black walnut handle is studded with obsidian. Upon touching the blades, they are magically tied to him. If he tries to set them back in the box, they will appear as large tattoos across his shoulderblades. Two beautiful small matching daggers tattooed on his forearm. One dagger brings sleep. No wounds even when you stab someone as long as it is in them... Deep sleep. All three other weapons are defensive and will appear if hes in danger. (Think master swordsman even if he doesnt want to do it in defense of itself) He can hand them to someone, but as soon as theyre a certain distance away they go back to him as tattoos. But welcome to the shitshow Ben!)

@Deleted User friendly reminder ping

@Deleted User i'm gonna have this moved to inactive soon... Dont wanna clog up the channels