forum The League (small-ish group) (open, no need for a writing sample)

Started November 05, 2021 by Deleted user

tune

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(Honestly if I feel uncomfortable with one of my characters for any reason I just find a reason to omit them from a scene. Maybe he's just listening very intently?)

"Fine. Would anyone care to introduce himself, and, if so, could you tell us something about why you happen to be here?" M. said, if he felt any emotion besides annoyance at Nemo's comments he didn't show any. Rainsford stood up, thinking it would be best if he simply explained himself before people started asking questions about him anyways. "I'm a hunter, one of America's best. Not to say England doesn't have better, but I'd say I do quite well with my chosen field. I was taken hostage by a monstrous man on a trip jaguar hunting, stuck at an island better known as Ship-Trap. I don't know much about London's affairs, and I've been living here for the past few years not entirely involuntarily… but I yearn for home, even if my home has never treated me much better than England treats it's territories." not an entirely accurate word as it was quite clear that England had fully colonized many places, and overturned their government completely instead of allowing a peaceful country to let them occupy and trade, as well as have its name on the official paperwork for things. But Sanger also wanted to test the reactions of those in the room, as well as see if he, at least, could find common ground with Nemo. It was his problem, ever since he had been with that monster General he detested the idea of conflict, of expressing himself boisterously and proudly and especially in a way that would cause danger to his life by the host. And, well, he also took to Nemo a bit more than to M., being honest.

Nemo's gaze landed on Rainsford, considering him for a long moment. The older man did not yet choose to introduce himself, merely inclined his head in recognition of Rainsford's words. Nemo had no intention of giving a visible response to the American's words.

Tom cleared his throat faintly. "Well, uh, I figure I may as well go next." he said. His American accent was clearly heard, the slight twang and drawl of southern Missouri obvious in each word he spoke. "I'm from America too. St Petersburg, Missouri, to be specific. I'm not anything near so excitin' as Mr, uh, Rainsford here. My name is Agent Thomas Sawyer, but you can call me Tom if you like, I'm not very picky on all that." he shrugged his shoulders, pushing his hands into his pockets. "Can't say I love England neither, but I don't hate it. Just ambivalent, I suppose."

M. seemed to be crumbling with every word against his country, but underneath, he knew, it was all a facade. He had his own plans, none of which the Queen needed to know about. But he kept up the weak looks and the dogmatic loyalty face, it wasn't the first time he'd worn it. "I see…" he then gestured to Sherlock, and to Mina. "The Great Detective himself, and the… was it Transylvanian Terror, Miss Murray? It was before my time."

(sorry for the short reply, busy.)

(Yeah,,, I thought about giving Allan some extroversion but trying to come up with dialogue for him is difficult? So ig I’ll just stick with the introverted gruff instead of the extroverted gruff)

Mina inclined her head at her mention. “I believe that’s what they called me back then,” she affirmed. “A bit ridiculous, but no less accurate. I’ve lived too long to care much for politics, but I suppose we wouldn’t want the destruction of world peace, now would we?”

As each person introduced themselves, Efraim made a sketch of that person, writing down their names and again, anything about them that was important to remember. They hoped to use the notebook as a means of easy communication, but the idea of introducing themself here and now was rather nerve-wracking. Everyone here was so… intimidating.

Quatermain made a huff of disagreement at Nemo’s words, but nothing more. He raised his hand in a gesture of greeting. “Allan Quatermain,” they said. “I’ve lived in South Africa for a long time now, so I’m out of the loop with things happening here.” He stroked his beard before continuing, “But I don’t see why the sovereignty of the nation you were born into is something you shouldn’t care about.”

Sherlock shifted, eyes flickering about as each person introduced themselves. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. Some of you may had heard of me before. I'm a detective, and I am from England." he said slowly. "As a result, I do care about keeping England whole, along with world peace, I suppose." he was here for more personal reasons, really, but he was not going to share them all with a group of strangers that he hardly knew.

M. nodded, seeming simultaneously taken down by the group's comments whilst simultaneously pleased by their audacity and bold personalities. And then he noticed the floating notebook in the corner, and checked one box off of his mental list. "Well, you have your mission. The location of your next recruit is by the docks, a little house with the windows boarded up and the conspicuous 'do not enter' sign. It houses one Dorian Gray, once you have found him I will send you a message of where your next recruits are located."

Rainsford seemed all the more disquieted by this whole situation, but he said nothing. He was a foreigner in a land that didn't care for his kind, a murderer. Even if it was in twisted self defense. What if the others asked him questions? He'd already said too much, and Zaroff… the man was in prison, not dead. What of that?

(It’s ok Rainsford, we all murder a little at some point in our lives)

When Mina heard the name of the recruit, she stiffened. It wasn’t just a coincidence, right? For something like this, two immortals was better than one. It was only logical and necessary. Still, she couldn’t help the lump in her throat. The best she could hope for was an awkward reunion of sorts, at least.
She pushed those thoughts to the back of her mind. Better to think about it later. The questions she also had at first were put to rest the more she thought about the possible answers. Then again, this tends to happen. She could never think of good questions until a situation rose up later that prompted one.

(oof)

M. looked to Nemo. "My car will be outside waiting for you. I trust you parked your ship at the proper coordinates?" he said, then added, "of course you did. Well, that's enough from me, I suppose this is where I will be leaving." and with that, he left, as quickly as they all had arrived. Rainsford laughed shakily, looking to the group and away from Allan. "Well, this is quite the gathering. I suppose we'll all be getting to know each other over the course of these next few days quite closely, will we not?"

"Of course I did." Nemo replied, narrowing their gaze at M, then shaking his head very faintly. He straightened, watching the others in the room. Tom and Sherlock were both silent as they eyed the rest of the group. Tom wasn't quite sure what he had gotten himself into, and debated whether or not it was too late to back out now.

“Indeed,” Quatermain muttered thoughtfully before moving to where Rainsford was facing him. “Rainsford, old boy! Long time no see. Ship-Trap, eh? I’m surprised you’re still here.”
Mina and Efraim were also silent. The latter for obvious reasons, and the former was lost in thought.

(I have made the executive decision to make Allan kinda dumb. At least, when it comes to social situations)

“Indeed,” Quatermain muttered thoughtfully before moving to where Rainsford was facing him. “Rainsford, old boy! Long time no see. Ship-Trap, eh? I’m surprised you’re still here.”
Mina and Efraim were also silent. The latter for obvious reasons, and the former was lost in thought.

(I have made the executive decision to make Allan kinda dumb. At least, when it comes to social situations)

Sanger jumped, he had sort of zoned out after his last statement, brain going a bit dissociative. "Quartermain, you old dog!" he said with surprise. "Yes, I hardly expected myself to escape. But enough about me! What about you, what tricks have you been up to since I was away?" like it was a vacation, it was anything but.

“Ah, South Africa’s treating me well, better than England has, I’ll say. I’d tell you the tricks I’ve been up to, but the trip coming here is still fresh on my mind. So many days on the rocky Atlantic…” Quatermain shook his head. “I haven’t been at sea in a while.”

"I can tell, you still look weak in the knees." Rainsford said, without too much humor. "Should we be going, though? I'd think that our Mr. M. wouldn't want to be waiting long." he looked to the rest of the group with suspicion. "And I don't trust these fellows any more than I'd say I trust my own mind anymore. Better to be done with this whole thing sooner to avoid getting ourselves killed than later finding ourselves too late to save anyone."

Sherlock pushed himself to his feet, standing still for a moment as another small wave of nausea washed over him. He had no idea how he was going to handle being in Nemo's…whatever it was. Nemo, for his part, had been standing with crossed arms as they waited for the rest of the group to be ready to go.

“Ah, yes yes, better not waste any time,” Quatermain said quickly, some embarrassment showing on their face as they took a handkerchief from his coat pocket and briefly wiped it on his brow.
Hearing fragments of the others’ conversation, Mina turned and rose, taking her parasol in one hand. She placed her hand over her mouth to quietly yawn. She made her way to the entrance of the room.
Efraim looked up from their notebook, and seeing the others standing up, followed their example. Some nervousness filled them as they wondered if anyone other than Mr. M had noticed them yet.

Sanger nodded to Nemo, adding a small "Lead the way, sir." as the group made its way out of the house and spilled into the street. He stood at the doors of the building for one last moment, and then walked out, shrugging off the feeling of discomfort that creeped up his spine.