General Voice Test

[back_to_the_past]

-1-

[There's a stranger in town, at the local watering hole, be that a high class cafe or a seedy bar. He orders his drink with an aura of watchful calm.]

Hot water please.

[Apparently he's making tea. Join him for tea? Mock the wussy drink? Just generally feeling chatty?]

-2-

[Rumor has it you have access to or at least have heard of a time machine. Whether or not this is actually TRUE, Jack has come to find out.]

Excuse me, I was hoping I might speak with you.

-3-

[There he is. The man with the biggest bounty you've ever heard of. The so called most dangerous man in the world, and whether it's by design or pure chance, he has crossed paths with you.

He doesn't look like all that.]

I'm sorry, but I am in something of a hurry. Please let me by.

Comments

1

[echo_of_a_jedi]

I've been in almost any place you can imagine getting a drink, and I think that's the first time I've ever heard someone order a hot water.

[back_to_the_past]

[The hatted figure glances up at the hooded figure, then down out the small teapot of hot water he was given.]

It is for tea.

[echo_of_a_jedi]

You carry your own tea leaves and order the water? I'm not sure what to make of that, either.

Mind if I join you, though?

[back_to_the_past]

Tea leaves are very light, water is not. It makes sense.

[After a moment, he nods slightly at the other seat across from his.]

[echo_of_a_jedi]

[The robed woman sits, making sure her hood's pushed back before giving the guy a slight smile.]

Guess I'm just used to carrying everything around, including water and a heater. It's been a while since I had a nice cup of tea, though.

[back_to_the_past]

Do you have a cup?

[echo_of_a_jedi]

[A largish mug appears from somewhere within her robes and ends up on the table.]

Like I said...

[back_to_the_past]

[Water, leaves...in short order Ms. Jedi has some tea.]

[echo_of_a_jedi]

Well, this smells delicious...thank you for sharing it with a stranger.

[As she waits for it to cool...]

Speaking of which, my name is Meetra Surik.

[back_to_the_past]

Good tea is one of the great pleasures of life.

[He does not, cautiously sipping the piping hot beverage.]

They call me Jack.

[echo_of_a_jedi]

You look like someone who's spent a lot of time fighting, Jack.

[She doesn't even have to cheat with the Force to see it in his build and how he sits. Frankly if she was only looking at posture, she'd be half-certain he was a Jedi.]

What brings you here, particularly?

[back_to_the_past]

[He doesn't deny it.]

Rumors.

[echo_of_a_jedi]

Rumors of what?

[She blows a cloud of steam off of her tea, all logic aside for a moment, and begins sipping at it.]

[back_to_the_past]

[The taste is good, but a bit faded, like the tea leaves have been traveling with the man for a long enough time to lose some flavor.]

A cave, to the north. No two people say the same thing of what lies within, so I am here to see for myself.

[echo_of_a_jedi]

Sounds interesting.

[Especially since everything of Jedi interest is invariably in a cave of some kind.]

Planning to go it alone?

[back_to_the_past]

I don't have any traveling companions, so...

Yes.

[echo_of_a_jedi]

Need an extra sword? It could be dangerous, and I'm curious now.

[back_to_the_past]

If you wish. It cannot hurt.

[echo_of_a_jedi]

Glad to hear it.

After we finish our tea, then?

[back_to_the_past]

Very well.

3

[sunshine_maiden]

And where are you headed in such a rush? Running around like this is just going to get you killed faster, with the absurd bounty on your head. I could live for years on that, if I were of a mind to try for it.

[The redhead glances pointedly at a wanted poster with Jack's face on it, conveniently right next to her.]

[back_to_the_past]

[At the mention of the bounty, his hand casually drifts to his sword.]

My business is my own.

[sunshine_maiden]

Well, damn. This wasn't what I wanted. [At the sight of the samurai going for his sword, the girl's response is for a hand to start discreetly glowing a sunny yellow. She does shift slightly aside as well.]

Fair enough. But you realize there are hundreds of people in this city alone that are willing to lose their honor, or their lives, in search of that money? You stand out like a sore thumb.

[back_to_the_past]

[As long as she doesn't ACTUALLY attack, the sword remains in its sheath.]

I realize, but I cannot accomplish anything by hiding.

[sunshine_maiden]

A wise answer. It also does you credit that you haven't attacked me, even if I'm... well, perhaps not openly hostile. [Or maybe she's just not a threat to him, her mind can't help but add.]

That has to be a lonely life.

[back_to_the_past]

At times.

Why are you here?

[sunshine_maiden]

Why am I here in front of you? Because I've got nothing better to do, and you seemed an intriguing person to confront.

Why am I out here in the middle of nowhere? Well... I'm getting too dependent on my comrades. I'm trying to do a little training without them to polish my own skills without others ready to defend me if I miss something.

[back_to_the_past]

I see...

Well I would hate to interrupt your training, so I will be on my way.

3)

[lastfeather]

[Ryou sighs. Tempting as it was, there was no way he was going to claim this bounty. Not on foot at least. On the plus side with Jack here, any guys hunting Ryou for HIS bounty would be blinded by the bigger cash prize.]

Polite...

[He steps aside before walking next to Jack and subtly motioning to an alley.]

Three. Might have been eying me, but I think you just caught their interest.

[back_to_the_past]

[Jack continues walking, returning the whisper.]

I know. They have been following me for three days, waiting for the right moment.

[lastfeather]

Hm.. well good luck with that. If you're even half as good as they say... I don't think there'll be anyone to collect on you.

[Samurai Jack... the white whale of every desperate mercenary. Once upon a time he would've been stupid enough to try.]

[back_to_the_past]

[He can tell, of course. Against all but the most tightly self-controlled warriors, Jack can feel aggression from people as easily as you can see a campfire in the darkness. This man is not planning to attack today.]

I am not worried.