Emerald Town - Out of Control

[Torque]

It was supposed to be a quiet day. He'd go into town. Do his business. Deliver some repairs. Pick up some supplies.

You know, routine. Torque thrived on routine. Being left to his own devices, his privacy, and not making waves. As long as he had work, the grizzled old bear was happy. And he had no real reason to assume that things would go differently, today of all days.

But then, fate had a way of randomly upsetting things.

Of course, it wasn't fate's fault Torque's vehicle chose that moment to malfunction. It was Torque's. He'd installed a new guidance system that could make his ATV home in on his position and come to him when the distance between them was too far away. In fairness, he'd thought he'd gotten it working pretty well, but he'd ran just a few two many tests on whether other radio signals might throw it off. So, when he'd tried to call for it, well...

His vehicle was now crashing through the streets, homing in on god knows what signal, and NOT the transponder Torque had hooked to his belt. And following behind it? It was Torque himself, a turquoise-colored grizzly bear, shouting in frustration as he tried to catch up to his wayward machine. Hot on his heels was a red-colored Chao, who echoed his companion's shouting in characteristic Chao babble.

"Consarnit! Stop! Stop already! Augh, get out of the way! Ah, dangit, I'm sorry, I'm gonna have to pay for all these damages aren't I?!"

[Jammerlee]

"Whoa nelly!"

A tawny colored rabbit's head snapped from one side to the other as the out-of-control machine whizzed past her. All she's come to Emerald Town for was to take care of some shopping and return to her cozy little home in Emerald Hill. Now a spectacle befell her as the machine's owner came rushing past roughly. Other people were beginning to step aside to gawk, or stepping out of buildings to catch a glimpse.

The rabbit sighed to herself, dropping her groceries to the ground. Well, if nobody else was going to help, she supposed that left her. A spark of light alighted from her mechanical feet, causing her to left a couple of inches from the ground. She took off, skating after the wayward vehicle. Whizzing past Torque, she latched onto the back of the ATV with a mechanical hand, then switched gears, using the power from her skates to try to slow the machine down.

"Whoa there, WHOA THERE," she cried as the machine tried to buck her. "Git in there'n turn it off!" she hollered.

[Torque]

Torque's eyes widened when the rabbit came out of seemingly nowhere, but it quickly came as a welcome relief. He let out a quick sigh and charged forward once she grabbed a hold of the ATV, the vehicle's wheels squealing all the while, hopping onto it and quickly moving to turn the ignition.

After a moment, he let out a second sigh of relief, visibly relaxing. For now, the crisis was over.

You know, until people showed up who had a problem with it. And there were already gawkers. But for now... he turned towards his would-be savior.

"Thanks, miss. Can't say I expected this sort of help, but I'm pretty thankful for it."

[Jammerlee]

"Hooey..." Bunnie sighed, running a hand through her hair. "No problem, hon, but ya'll owe me a latte. What in the heck even happened?"

[Torque]

Torque let out a groan of frustration. "It's all my fault. I've been testin' a new guidance system for my vehicle. It's supposed to come when I call for it, and home in on my transponder. But I probably didn't test the effects of other signals interferin' enough."

He sighed, and looked his ramshackle-looking rig over, looking rather cross with himself all the while. "It's supposed to avoid obstacles, not charge through 'em, too... man, this messed up everything. I'm supposed to be more careful than this..."

[Jammerlee]

Bunnie listened thoughtfully to the bear's grievances, humming a bit to herself. "Hon, I'm willing to bet even ol' Eggman screws up his inventions from time to time. Ain't nobody that's perfect," she said, placing her metal hand on his shoulder and giving it a good pat. "And trust me when I say I ain't no stranger to mechanical failures. Now how's we gonna get this rig outta here?"

[Torque]

Torque paused when she mentioned Eggman. Some of the parts in his rig had come from scrapped Eggman tech. He wasn't exactly nervous, but it reminded him of the thin line he walked on.

But nevertheless, she was trying to reassure him.

"Well, when ya put it that way, you're right. I just wish I hadn't messed up in a way that damaged the businesses of a lot of my best customers."

Torque looked up, and started to say, "It's not going anywhere until I settle things square with some folks. But are you a mechanic t-"

He blinked, as he realized the hand on his shoulder wasn't armor or a glove or something like that. "Oh."

[Jammerlee]

Bunnie laughed. "Nah, ain't no mechanic. Just a beautician-slash-artist m'afraid," and with that, she shoved her hand at Torque. "Name's Bunnie by the way. If ye like I can keep an eye on yer rig while ya'll square things off? I just need to go back and g--" she paused at what she'd been about to say, realization blooming in her face. "Mah groceries! Ain't nobody better took 'em!"

[Torque]

Torque stared for a moment longer, but he didn't want to end up gaping at it lest he come off as being put off by it. Really, he's more intrigued than anything.

But then she realized something she forgot, and lets out a chuckle, before shaking his head. "It's fine, kid. The engine still works. You better go get your stuff, though."

[Scarz]

Not too far away from the pair, the sounds of clacking boots could be heard, seemingly approaching their general direction. In fact, they were heading specifically for them, as if with some objective in mind. The owner of the boots appears to be a very well dressed (and two toned) Doberman, eyes and motives hidden by a pair of shades and a smile and hair made to distract even the most concentrated of people.

She suddenly halted in front of some dropped groceries, most likely by one of the two she'd been heading for. Without hesitation, she picks up the bag and suddenly, she rummages through its contents. Eventually, she pulls out an apple and began eating it in front of both of them. She lifted her head to speak, mouth full of apple.

"My... that was some crashing and thrashing you two did. Someone coulda' got hurt. Someone important. You know, Like me!" She pauses briefly to continue eating the apple. "Good thing I wasn't. Cause that would be... bad. Very, very bad."

[Jammerlee]

Bunnie set her jaw at this haughty lady's approach. Unimpressed by her well-dressed appearance, Bunnie moved toward her, snatching her grocery bags away and hooking them back onto her own arm.

"Ye owe me fer that apple. Now excuse me, sugah, but who in the cat-hair do ya think you are?"

[Scarz]

She took a moment to think, then examine herself. After a brief moment she stares down the rabbit, a thoughtful look on her face.

"Well... last I checked, I wasn't in "cat-hair". What a strange thing to sa--- Oh! Oh I see, that was slang! Well now I feel silly!" She erupted into a huge laugh, as if to be tickled by this phrasing. She eventually calmed down, a little embarrassed. She then politely bowed before the rabbit.

"Oh I'm sorry, that was a bit rude of me. My name is Rita Allegra, but you can call me... Redolence." Upon saying her moniker, she smiled a big, fanged smile, which could be perceived as genuine. Or sinister.

[Torque]

Torque stared for a moment, before shaking his head. "I'm sorry, but I don't have time for this," he said, gruffly. "I've got to go handle the damage I've done today."

And with a polite nod to both of them, he led off on his way with his bike and pet chao.

[Jammerlee]

Bunnie watched as the guy she was trying to help wandered off. Then looked back at Redolence. She sighed and pressed a palm to her forehead. "S'gonna be onea them days, ain't it..."

[Scarz]

Redolence inched a little closer to her, pouting just a little bit.

"Oh now don't be like thaaaaat! We could have a great day! We could totally make it one! We're practically 'Grocerie-Gal-Pals" now! Why... I could even help you with your little... accident. As a sign of new friendship!"

With a sudden quick movement of her hand, she pulled out a business card from within her jacket and held it out in front of her ever so slightly.

[Jammerlee]

"... Umm..."

Bunnie's mind set about racing. Who was this strange woman? Where did some come from? Why was she continuing to pester her? Something about this woman didn't sit right. Something about her rubbed the rabbit wrong. Her forwardness came off as more than a little bit unsettling.

Bunnie inched away from Redolence. "N-no thanks, hon, I gotta get these here groceries home."

[Scarz]

Redolence's extended hand shook a little and while she did her best to hide it, she gritted her teeth a little and twitched slightly in irritation.

"Now now, hear me out here! I could help you get anything you want. No price is too great when you want something..."

She leaned in toward her, voice down to a whisper and focused on her metal limbs. "And I do mean. Any. Price." Her accompanying smile seemed a lot more sinister.

[Jammerlee]

Well that caught Bunnie's attention. She furrowed her brow and looked slightly sideways. "Just what are ya'll tryin' to imply?"

[Scarz]

Redolence was slightly caught off guard. She didn't expect that to work but either way, she rolled with her gamble.

"Why... I could make whoever did this to you gets their just dues. I could make them take responsibility for their actions. I could make them and these... vanish. So long as you have no guilt, I would make sure you got your just dues. All you have to do... is take it."

She offered her card up again. This time it felt less like the friendly gesture it once appeared to be and more like an opening to the unknown itself.

[Jammerlee]

Bunnie frowned deeply, turning and squaring up her shoulders as she glared Redolence down. Still she refused to take the card.

"Ye have some nerve, lady," Bunnie said in a low voice. "I ain't got no interest in makin' nobody pay fer nothin'. Weren't nobody did this in the first place. Besides which, that's some mighty private business yer poking yer nose into, ye think?"

[Scarz]

Redolence was surprised by this notion. This "Rabbot" was of some stern stuff and not in any way consumed by vengeance, she thought to herself. Slowly, she stood back upright and for the first time since they began to converse, her smile slowly vanished into a dry looking frown and she pulled back her extended arm. She then stared down Bunnie in such a way as if to not only examine her, but see through her for secrets.

"...I see. Well... that's rather disappointing then." her card holding hand clenched into a fist, crushing the business card viciously within it.

[Jammerlee]

Bunnie's own expression remained locked into that of pure unamused irritation. "Ye still owe me an apple," she said in a dry tone. "Now if ye'll excuse me, mah groceries."

She turned, beginning to walk off, her nose held high in the air.

[Scarz]

With her fist still clenched and her calm demeanor fading fast, she found herself getting into a situation neither would appreciate. Still, she couldn't let this go. Her initial "trap" didn't work and to some degree she could accept that this Rabbot wasn't bent on revenge, but she could neither accept she was innocent, so she would assume her last ditch effort. Without thinking or hesitation, she slammed her clenched fist into a glass window, shattering it completely to grab the Rabbot's attention.

"Oh no no no, my little Robo-Fun-Bun. I can't let you go just yet... I'm not even sure if you're entirely... innocent. Shame really. I could have made it easy for you to admit your sins in the courtroom. Maybe attest to your complete innocence. I liked you, you know so I'd have been generous but.. Oh well. if I can't have you judged in a Courtroom... THEN I'LL JUDGE YOU MYSELF, HERE AND NOW!"

Her smile was wicked and cruel, her stance prepared for combat. She was not about to let the Rabbot go quietly, one way or another.

[Jammerlee]

One of the rabbot's eyes twisted back toward the source of the noise well before she stopped and the rest of her followed. One of her brows hiked skyward.

"Fer someone so concerned about innocence ye sure break a lot of laws."

[Scarz]

Redolence paused for a moment, then suddenly burst out laughing boisterously, as if she heard the best joke in the world.

"Ahahaha! Oh that's rich, coming from someone like you who stinks of guilt! I'm a true defender of of the peace! I try to play by the books and maybe I have to break a few eggs or windows here and there, but no price is ever too great to bring miserable guilt ridden punks like you to justice! Now quit yer yappin' and--"

She paused and cleared her throat a little, realizing how unbecoming she was being.

"Whoops, started to lose my cool a bit there. But I can't let you leave, not yet. Not until I press my charges in your face!"

And without warning (bar the clear agitation) she threw a punch right at Bunnie.

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[Jammerlee]

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Caught off guard, Bunnie gasped as the punch landed on her chest. Bunnie smacked Redolence's hand away, her grocery bags rustling as they were swung by the momentum.

"What the hell is your problem?!" she snarled.

[Scarz]

Redolence scoffed at this question. She couldn't tell if this Rabbot was trying to be funny or insulting. Regardless, she answered her 'question' as plainly as she could.

"The hell my problem is right now... is you. You and anyone else who thinks they can circumvent any rule or law they think they can get away with." she answered with a snarl on her face. "You all act so high and so mighty thinking you're the infallible when really, you're just as bad as everyone else I've met. You make me want to vomit."

Redolence slowly approached her in the middle of her monologue.

"Now be a good little Jail-Bun and get ready for your sentence."

[Jammerlee]

Rubbing at the spot she'd been hit, Bunnie merely rolled her eyes at the rant. Clearly this woman was insane, and Bunnie wasn't in the mood for it.

"Listen you, I'll let yer lil lapse of judgment slide, but ya'll lay one more hand on me and we will have a problem. Now leave. Me. A. Lone."

With a resolute nod, Bunnie turned, attempting to walk away.

[Scarz]

Redolence was getting increasingly aggravated. The nerve of this woman! Walking away from her own judgement like it was no more than a joke!? This wasn't going to stand, not on her watch. She stormed up to Bunnie, blocking off her path.

"MY... lapse of judgement!? You question MY judgement!? Who do you even think you are!? WHO. ARE. YOU?!"

Redolence's nerve was shot. If there was one thing she didn't like having questioned, it was her judgement and her beliefs (however tainted) in the law.

[Jammerlee]

Growling, Bunnie merely made an attempt to side-step Redolence to continue on walking.