zontar
The Thing From Space
The Black Star District, New Valky, Gladius III
Despite the neon skyline and all-seeing corporate presence, there were still a number of homeless people in the Black Star District. As long as they kept their heads down and didn't cause trouble for law-abiding citizens, it seemed that law enforcement didn't pay them much mind. In a crevice between the foundations of two massive housing blocks connected several stories above by footbridges, there was a small shantytown of such people- the destitute and downtrodden, who hadn't quite found their place in the well-oiled machine of the streets overhead. It was late, and many were settling in for rest. A shadow crept across the foundation the settlement was built against in a vain attempt to leach some of the heat from the structure. As the shadow came across the first tent, tentacles shot out, smothering the creature's victim as the alien was pulled into the giant stockpot. The pot bucked and rocked, before stopping. The creature expectorated a vaguely person-shaped lump of meat, pinkish-white from the intense scalding, before silently creeping to the next tent.
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The Black Star District, The Bowzock Clubhouse, Gladius-III
As Askelpiades entered the bar and grill, the jovial atmosphere was readily apparent- as was the smell of cooking steaks and freshly poured spirits. Neon green, blue, pink, and white humanoid aliens scuttled about, taking orders and delivering food. At a table in the back near the kitchen, but not close enough to the corner to draw suspicion, an alien in a subdued black suit and a blue, rather spiky alien looked over the new arrival as they sipped a cocktail of crystal fizzyglug and peach liquer.
"...Is that our man?"
"I believe so. He seems... unique enough, and we did ask for someone distinctive."
"I don't know. That's a little bit too distinctive."
"You see anyone else that looks like they fit the handle Mr. Black? Probably a mage or something."
"Yeah, I guess you're right."
The two aliens nonchalantly motioned Askelpiades over, one placing a plastic box with designs evoking the ocean waves. Well, presumably it was an ocean, but it was green, with numerous titanic creatures walking along drawn in child-friendly aesthetic. As he activated the white noise generator to mask the greek's approach, they finally began speaking to the man. The alien in the suit extended a hand.
"Greetings Mr. Black. I'm Mr. Johnson, and this is my associate, Mr. Smith. I understand this is a customary Earth greeting. Now please, join us for a meal, and we will discuss the task we hope to engage you in."
Despite the neon skyline and all-seeing corporate presence, there were still a number of homeless people in the Black Star District. As long as they kept their heads down and didn't cause trouble for law-abiding citizens, it seemed that law enforcement didn't pay them much mind. In a crevice between the foundations of two massive housing blocks connected several stories above by footbridges, there was a small shantytown of such people- the destitute and downtrodden, who hadn't quite found their place in the well-oiled machine of the streets overhead. It was late, and many were settling in for rest. A shadow crept across the foundation the settlement was built against in a vain attempt to leach some of the heat from the structure. As the shadow came across the first tent, tentacles shot out, smothering the creature's victim as the alien was pulled into the giant stockpot. The pot bucked and rocked, before stopping. The creature expectorated a vaguely person-shaped lump of meat, pinkish-white from the intense scalding, before silently creeping to the next tent.
-----
The Black Star District, The Bowzock Clubhouse, Gladius-III
As Askelpiades entered the bar and grill, the jovial atmosphere was readily apparent- as was the smell of cooking steaks and freshly poured spirits. Neon green, blue, pink, and white humanoid aliens scuttled about, taking orders and delivering food. At a table in the back near the kitchen, but not close enough to the corner to draw suspicion, an alien in a subdued black suit and a blue, rather spiky alien looked over the new arrival as they sipped a cocktail of crystal fizzyglug and peach liquer.
"...Is that our man?"
"I believe so. He seems... unique enough, and we did ask for someone distinctive."
"I don't know. That's a little bit too distinctive."
"You see anyone else that looks like they fit the handle Mr. Black? Probably a mage or something."
"Yeah, I guess you're right."
The two aliens nonchalantly motioned Askelpiades over, one placing a plastic box with designs evoking the ocean waves. Well, presumably it was an ocean, but it was green, with numerous titanic creatures walking along drawn in child-friendly aesthetic. As he activated the white noise generator to mask the greek's approach, they finally began speaking to the man. The alien in the suit extended a hand.
"Greetings Mr. Black. I'm Mr. Johnson, and this is my associate, Mr. Smith. I understand this is a customary Earth greeting. Now please, join us for a meal, and we will discuss the task we hope to engage you in."