[HydroRaven]

Clem, looking genuinely surprised for a moment, regained her composure and whispered "I have no idea what you're talking about" back to Sammy.

[farothel]

"You just look like the famous Ceshire cat who found a bowl of cream," Sammy said, putting slight emphasis on the word cream, "I've been there and done that, but if you don't want to share, no problem."

[Thvor]

[OOC: sorry for the delay.]

Sam spent most of the rest of the evening hanging out with the stuntmen at the bar; packing for the trip wasn't likely to take him very long. He could take most of his normal gear with him legally; after giving it some thought, he decided to add the Roomsweeper and its ammo to the "special" crate, but he kept the Self-Defender with him. It felt good to be back in his normal clothing; the Synergist outfit's concealed holsters made the Self-Defender almost invisible, and it just made him feel more professional.

When he met up with Sammy, Clem, and O'Connor at the airport, it didn't take him long to understand what the ladies were talking about, but he knew better than to make any comments.

[Necrogigas]

O'Connor was a bit weirded out at how content Clem seemed, but even he wasn't about to piss all over a small miracle, so he made no comment. He'd wandered off a bit from Clem and Sammy to get a better view of the various aircraft coming and going. He went into the shadows to finance his personal grudge, but he hadn't expected it to bring so many new experiences with it. He was starting to understand that his entire life had taken place inside one borough of one metroplex. Many of the people coming and going from this place would pass through more cities in a month than he'd ever likely see in a lifetime. The fact that he was even having this revelation bothered him.

Up to this point he'd been an existentially dead person, and he didn't understand why that was changing now. For instance, being apart of a team was a radically new experience for him and he did know why he was even putting any effort into making it work. It was at this point in his internal musings that Torley arrived, O'Connor gave the man a curt nod. Torley was, in a literal sense, the living embodiment of O'Connor's problems with the newly developing status quo. Under normal circumstances, O'Connor would've make the quick-talker swallow his teeth at a convenient opportunity, but that wasn't an option anymore. He didn't have a whole lot of experience with conflict resolution that didn't involve a firefight. The best, meaning least terrible, plan he could come up with was just to make small talk with the guy, try to normalize things between them. He turned to Torley, "You seem the kind of guy to make L.A. a place to see, if not set up shop permanently." O'Connor knew that, largely, he'd be spinning his wheels with this plan, but figured that making a poor effort still counted as making an effort.

[Thvor]

Sam was surprised at O'Connor's overture, but he could tell that he was making an effort, and decided to respond accordingly. "Well, I've never been outside of the Seattle area; our adventure in the woods was the farthest out I've ever been. But from what I've heard, L.A. is bigger, and that's where I feel best. I was nearly out of my mind in the woods...it was just too open, too...empty." He gave his head a small shake, as if tasting something bad. "So, yeah, I'm looking forward to this. Should be quite an opportunity. Anything in particular you'd like to try while we're there?"

[Necrogigas]

O'Connor shifted somewhat embarrassedly, "It's super touristy, but I'm hoping to hit up the Walk of Fame while we're down there. Its the only way to meet my childhood idols, at least short of time travel. I also kinda want to give surfing a shot. Anything you plan on crossing off your bucket list?"

[Thvor]

Ok, that's different, Sam thought to himself. He smiled at this surprisingly "human" aspect of O'Connor. "I'll confess, that's not what I expected you to say. But I'm sure we can arrange some tourist time. You got anyone who's still performing? We may be able to work out a behind the scenes tour, or dinner, or something. Everyone eats, right?" He chuckled.

"As for my bucket list...I dunno. Never really bothered to come up with one. Generally, if I want something, I can find someone who's willing to give it to me." A thought occurred to him, and he added, "Though...would you be willing to give me some pointers? I have a friend who showed me the basics of how to shoot, but I never really got very good at it. Things start getting ugly, I just tense up, you know?"

[Necrogigas]

O'Connor took a moment to consider his words before replying, "Most think its fear that causes you freeze up in a fight, that's wrong. Fear will make you quicker, stronger, and smarter. Fear is how your body tells you it doesn't want to die. If you keep a level head, fear will keep you alive. It's panic that causes you freeze up and make mistakes that'll get you killed. So when a fight breaks out, get to cover, take a few breathes, and then analyze the situation."

[Thvor]

Sam grimaced. "That wasn't what I meant. I mean--do you think you could train me? Maybe if I were more useful in combat, I wouldn't freeze up."

[Necrogigas]

O'Connor suppressed a sigh, but still shook his head at Torley. It was rare that O'Connor was the one thinking that someone was being thick, "You asked for pointers, marksmanship is only one part of surviving a firefight. Marksmanship is always something to improve, don't get me wrong, but it's mentality that's your real problem here. It doesn't matter if you can hit inside the ten ring at the range, when in combat your hands shake nonstop." It was clear that his words where only that to Torley, words. O'Connor wasn't sure how to explain academically what was basic instinct to him. He also wasn't sure on how to help Torley with his actual problem, "In any case, I ain't no teacher, so if you know the basics there ain't much I can do to improve you. Though I know a guy that might be able to. I'll hit him up when we get back."

[Crossbow]

   Yelena is at a bar, it is a very nice bar.  The glass in front of her is vodka, it is VERY nice vodka.   This is all very good because the man she is waiting for is NOT a very nice man.  He is 20 minutes late, if he wasn’t paying for both her time and her drink she would be gone.

   A man enters the bar, she knows him, but he is not the one she is meeting.  This elf is of her other life and she has a feeling her date is going to be lonely tonight. Fionn MacDarrach was a man she had met with twice since coming to Seattle, both times they investigated leads into what happened to their missing siblings, the second time he handed her actionable data that she wouldn’t have gotten on her own, he also gave her some insights that have helped her in her matrix education.  In short, she owed him and it was clear he had come to collect.

   “Ah my Ophelia, I am in a bit of a pinch.” It must be bad, his Irish accent is rarely this strong. “It is nothing about Olena, I am sorry, but it moight be me best chance yet of finding Maeve.  Problem is I am working with a crew and we are in the middle of a job, and they are quite possibly the biggest bunch of offliners you ever met.  We are doing off-the-books security for a movie and they want us to come back to LA with them in the marnin’.  You here about that bit of business at the Needle, that was us.”  The technomancer grabbed her hand, “I can’t leave town lass, please cover this for me, they are paying quite handsomely and you know you could use the sun.”

   The weak joke almost cost him, but she owed him too much to say no.  The rest of the details he gave her certainly made the repayment of the debt almost a pleasure.  Talking to the Johnson, a cowboy named Slade got her a spot on the plane and a place to stash her weapons, then Fionn put her in touch with the team early on the morning of their departure.

(OOC: You are up Mercy, you others give a chance make space.  We will hopefully get you in the air soon as we can.)

[Mercy Merchant]

The 5'6" Elf walks into the waiting area, removes her sunglasses and looks around.  Her below-the-ass length hair is the color of newly minted silver coins and sets off deep violet eyes and is braided into a rope behind her.  Many young simsense starlets would kill for her complexion and the Zoe Executive skirt/blouse/jacket combination was tailored to show her figure to perfection.  As she looks around she thinks, Slade said they would be here waiting for the flight.  Now where........, She spots a familiar face and smiles.  Her walk is designed to draw attention as she approaches.Sam Torley, is that you?  It's been what, four or five weeks and no phone call?  What is a girl to think?  Are you on this flight?  What seat?  Maybe we can get the nice stewardess to arrange our seating.  It will be like old times.  We can catch up on our mutual friend Fionn.  He was supposed to make the flight, but something came up about his sister.  You must tell me how you have been doing, you naughty man.  he did arrange with a kind gentleman by the name of Slade that I was to take his place for some gig in LA.  Fionn is so thoughtful.

[farothel]

Sammy had difficulties not to start laughing when the young (difficult to see with elves) elf walked up to Torley.
"Another cat who has clearly seen where the cream is," she whispered to Clem.  While Torley was not really her type, she could see why the elf did like him.

[HydroRaven]

Clementine nodded at Sammy's comment, trying to leave the sweet-talking member of the team to his affairs. At first, Clem dismissed the elf as another one of Torley's previous conquests. She couldn't help but overhear their conversation as she was preparing for the flight and stopped for a moment to make sure she had heard correctly. "She is Red's replacement?" thought the ork, having a good look at the newcomer. The flashiness of the elf's general appearance certainly didn't sit right with Clem, but who was she to bring that up. The cold ork simply decided to continue with her preparations and hope Ophelia wouldn't get matrix-technical with her.

[Mercy Merchant]

Ophelia is scanning the room with her second eyes, using the facial recognition software to see if the others of the team are waiting.    There seems to be two more over there.  Hmm, now where have I seen........She will put a hand on Torley's arm.  Her cultured tones do not completely hide a........Russian(?) accent as she saysSorry, love.  I did not mean to startle you.  I know it was just a thing.  And you were sweet with the tip.  But could you excuse me?  I have just seen someone I need to talk to.  I do hope that we can catch up later. Ta.Ophelia will walk over to where Sam and Clem are.Pardon me.  I do hope that I am not intruding, but I have to say I am a big fan of your work.  Even where I come from, you are a big hit.  I really liked you in "Dragon in the Mist".  The nomination was well deserved.  When Slade said this was some sort of security gig for a movie I did not realize that you were part of it.  Allow me to introduce myself.  She holds out her hand and adds, Ophelia Martin, but almost no one uses the Martin part.  She will look to the other Ork.  I am pleased to make your acquaintance as well.  I have the names and faces, and you look a bit familiar as well.  I think we may have already worked together, you and I.  Don't you do freelance bodyguard jobs for.....well, let's say women of my calling?  I rarely forget a face and yours is one I am sure I remember.  What a truly small world it is.