[SnowDragon]

Truth be told, Arachnid didn't really know when he returned home. The entire night, car trip, circling vehicle movements, all of it just sort of... blended into one neverending blur. Truth be told, Arachnid didn't wake up the sun shone in his very eyes, still in his kit, tactical belt, loaded gun, swords, not even under the handful of sheets that topped the matress. The groan that escaped his mouth was tennable, but it only took him a half second to snap eyes wide open and leap to his feet, nearly drawing at the ready. A moment to look around, and establish his surroundings with a fresh eye, wide awake. His commlink was vibrating every now and again, and he popped it open to read the messages left for him.

With little more than a quick "Thank you," in response, he stripped down completely, belt, clothes, all. A shower, which did little to relieve the thoughts in his head. Freshened up, he switched to the intricately detailed camouflaged blacks... and reached for the rack, and pulled the plate carrier vest off it, the overt tactical body armour he'd use on missions. The thought of that thing flashed in his mind still even now. He slid the vest up over his head and threaded his arms through it, shaking and rolling his shoulders as he adjusted to the weight of the steel-ceramic plates across his sides, front and back. Top left of the front section were three extra pistol magazine holders, and he replaced the two he was missing from his belt.

He opened another message for Arc. "Give me a word if you need me,"

[Tamesh]

Satisfied, she zoomed out of her street, making it to Red's apartment building in no time.  She pulled up outside, honking her horn twice.  While her hoodie and jeans were....relatively clean, she was a mess.  Stray hair lay strewn in a wild bedhead where her goggles and headband didn't hold it, and scuffs of diet were on her cheeks and arms.  Quite acontrast, likely, to the pretty Red...

Red comes out of the apartment in short order. She's well groomed at least, but it's not hard to tell she didn't sleep particularly well the previous night. The elf slides into the passenger side door. She gives a brief smile as her eyes flit around the vehicle before focusing on the driver. "Good afternoon," she says with a sort of politeness that's just barely concealing surprise.

[SgtBoomCloud]

Red comes out of the apartment in short order. She's well groomed at least, but it's not hard to tell she didn't sleep particularly well the previous night. The elf slides into the passenger side door. She gives a brief smile as her eyes flit around the vehicle before focusing on the driver. "Good afternoon," she says with a sort of politeness that's just barely concealing surprise.

It was clear that the Ford Americar seemed to have as rough a night as its driver immediately upon looking in.  Each of the seats were marred with dirt and a tad bit of damp, and an odd admixture of smells were still faintly permeating the interior's air.  If one's olfactories were good, they'd itentify traces of gunpowder, tobacco, zen, and vomit.  Lovely.  Flipping a polite grin, Arc allowed herself a low whistle as the well-dressed lady slipped inside.  "Whoo, good afternoon to ya too~"  She glanced at her, and then again at the elf that slipped into the backseat.  She almost did a doubletake, as she could swear that she was merely a disguised Arachnid, but held her tongue.  Making sure they were both situated, she shifted gears and drove off.

"Aight, just point the way, omae.  This the one what be with you last night?  Fraag, man, this is bein' a small world, because I'm telling ya, chip truth, that when you took that shot were were Right.  Fragging.  There.  Slotter nearly claimed a fifth vic but we gave it the one-two and pissed it right the drek off.  I"m telling you, omae, this 'hood's been gettin' nothin' but whack, whack, and more whack by the day, and we ain't knowing nothin' bout it?  Man, that some trog drek, know what I'm sayin'?"  the short human was talking quickly, traces of frayed nerves denoting the reason for the behavior.  Her grin lingered as she made a turn, realizing she had a quick message.

He opened another message for Arc. "Give me a word if you need me,"

Giving an absent-minded nod, she gave a reply, mentally firing it off with her trodes headband while driving.

<<Message to: Arachnid
<<Null sweat, omae.  Got a she-breeder leading the way.  Also a keebette what looks like borrowed your gear.  Hah.  You take after yourself, chummer, I'll keep you updated.

[Tamesh]

"Aight, just point the way, omae.  This the one what be with you last night?  Fraag, man, this is bein' a small world, because I'm telling ya, chip truth, that when you took that shot were were Right.  Fragging.  There.  Slotter nearly claimed a fifth vic but we gave it the one-two and pissed it right the drek off.  I"m telling you, omae, this 'hood's been gettin' nothin' but whack, whack, and more whack by the day, and we ain't knowing nothin' bout it?  Man, that some trog drek, know what I'm sayin'?"  the short human was talking quickly, traces of frayed nerves denoting the reason for the behavior.  Her grin lingered as she made a turn, realizing she had a quick message.

Red reclines in her seat, tapping away at some ARO's, sifting through customer reviews for local talismongers.

"Well, I'll be the first to admit this is a little beyond my area of expertise. My first inclination is to try and find someone with some level of expertise with spirits, so a business catering to summoners might be our best bet. Unfortunately I'm not personally familiar with anyone like that, and things could go very poorly if we go asking questions around someone who has a habit of running their mouth."

She compares and contrasts talismongers, keeping an eye out for words like 'discreet' and 'reputable.'

((Taking a Matrix Search action to try and find a good talismonger to hit up. (INT 4 + Computers 2), scored 2 hits http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4733343/))

[ismilealot]

@ Feathers  Nbungu leaves you to see to the customer and your spirit returns to you. It circles you for a moment. "It has awakened and dwells deep. We did not approach for it hungers. We will show you where it dwells. Though it's human slumbers, still it feeds." The image it shows you is mostly dark, lit by the other-worldly senses of the spirit you see everything in shades of energy, the brightness that is Awakened is in the center of the image, and you see clearly the very young mage at it's center. And you see the creature very, very clearly. Tentacles, talons and teeth and a nightmare grin as it's settled over the young mage, feeding. There is water there. Pipes? Limited as the image is to the spirits senses, there should still be more signs of life to support the young elven mage. Nbungu comes back to you. "There is someone I know of. A shaman, studied at MIT&T. Registered. He runs a shop in Snohomish a few blocks from Purgatory. He has contributed to several texts and has taught as a guest lecturer at a few small conferences. I think perhaps what you think is blood magic is a summoner who has gone mad. That is far more likely I think. His name is Dr Robert Tatsami. If you wish to go see him. I will message him and give you an introduction."

@ Duckdown  T-Ball looks at you, shock on his face. "Word man! You know I can't come-up with that kinda scrip! An hiring shadowrunners! You have lost your damn mind. Now, tell me everything. What's got you wanting to hire the spray & pray guys. We'll talk. I'll help. Just not that kinda help. He takes a swig of his drink and a long pull of his Zen and waits for you to tell him all about it.

@ Red, Arc & Khali  You find several talismongers listed. When you've read between the lines you narrow your choices down to Frederick Rimefire located in southwestern Ft Lewis and Dr Robert Tatsami in Snohomish. Both claim guest lecturer status at several well know conferences as well as consulting work. Dr Tatsami is also published. But Rimefire's rates for consulting work are about a third less. Either way, you're in for a drive. But at least it's not all the way to MIT&T or the University of the Salish-Sidhe.

[Landmine]

It was clear that the Ford Americar seemed to have as rough a night as its driver immediately upon looking in.  Each of the seats were marred with dirt and a tad bit of damp, and an odd admixture of smells were still faintly permeating the interior's air.  If one's olfactories were good, they'd itentify traces of gunpowder, tobacco, zen, and vomit.  Lovely.  Flipping a polite grin, Arc allowed herself a low whistle as the well-dressed lady slipped inside.  "Whoo, good afternoon to ya too~"  She glanced at her, and then again at the elf that slipped into the backseat.  She almost did a doubletake, as she could swear that she was merely a disguised Arachnid, but held her tongue.  Making sure they were both situated, she shifted gears and drove off.

"Aight, just point the way, omae.  This the one what be with you last night?  Fraag, man, this is bein' a small world, because I'm telling ya, chip truth, that when you took that shot were were Right.  Fragging.  There.  Slotter nearly claimed a fifth vic but we gave it the one-two and pissed it right the drek off.  I"m telling you, omae, this 'hood's been gettin' nothin' but whack, whack, and more whack by the day, and we ain't knowing nothin' bout it?  Man, that some trog drek, know what I'm sayin'?"  the short human was talking quickly, traces of frayed nerves denoting the reason for the behavior.  Her grin lingered as she made a turn, realizing she had a quick message.

Khali smiles at the nervous human. "I'm Khali, thanks for the lift. There is something terrible out there. But I'm reasonably sure we can kill it. We just need to find someone to make it hold still long enough. The worst it can do is kill us," she finishes with a decidedly wolf-life grin.

[Tamesh]

@ Red, Arc & Khali  You find several talismongers listed. When you've read between the lines you narrow your choices down to Frederick Rimefire located in southwestern Ft Lewis and Dr Robert Tatsami in Snohomish. Both claim guest lecturer status at several well know conferences as well as consulting work. Dr Tatsami is also published. But Rimefire's rates for consulting work are about a third less. Either way, you're in for a drive. But at least it's not all the way to MIT&T or the University of the Salish-Sidhe.

Red pipes up once she's found what she's looking for. Tatsami sounds promising, even if he is a little more expensive. Often times you get what you pay for, and this is no time to be pinching pennies when it might have an effect on results.

"I've got an address for one Doctor Tatsami in Snohomish. Hopefully we can get a little information about the situation at hand from him. There might be a consultation fee, but I'm willing to foot the bill if need be. Here, I'll forward the address to your car..."

[SgtBoomCloud]

Khali smiles at the nervous human. "I'm Khali, thanks for the lift. There is something terrible out there. But I'm reasonably sure we can kill it. We just need to find someone to make it hold still long enough. The worst it can do is kill us," she finishes with a decidedly wolf-life grin.

Arc laughed.  Loudly, abrasively, with just enough hint that she was forcing it, but a laugh.  "Bahaha!   Just kill us.   I never got keeb humor, I swear.  Ah, where are my manners?  Name's Arc.  You do standup?". She shook her head, trailing off before rounding a corner, listening to Red.

"I've got an address for one Doctor Tatsami in Snohomish. Hopefully we can get a little information about the situation at hand from him. There might be a consultation fee, but I'm willing to foot the bill if need be. Here, I'll forward the address to your car..."

With a nod, she received the coordinates and punched in her navigation ARO, driving there at a good pace.  As she spoke up after a couple miles, she fished a cigarette from the pack in her pocket, setting it between her lips.  "i can spare a little jing and I'm sure if ya break that much from it, we can start up a community collection or some drek.  Oh, either of you mind?". The last question was uttered as she held the lighter to the end of her cig.  All the while, a quick persona'd message rattled off to her friends.

<<Message to: Duckdown, Arachnid
<<Hoi.  Heading to  Snohomish.  Some talismonger hoop named Tatsami or whatever.  Likely a bit of cred for consult, but might know drek.  Peace.

[Triskavanski]

In a blur of all the events that had happened last night, Masquerade wasn't exactly sure how she got there, she might not have ever really left, as she slowly sits up from the back seat of the ford americar as it went down the street. She rubs her eyes, glancing at Arc. "Did.. you find something?" she asks still quite tired and hardly rested from her back seat napping.

She was still dressed like she was last night, but her mask was cleaned at the very least. Though the rest of her was still in shambles. Focusing for a  moment, she places her hands onto her face, and slowly spreads them back shifting her facial structure to not look so terrible anymore. Rather minor change really.

[Landmine]

Arc laughed.  Loudly, abrasively, with just enough hint that she was forcing it, but a laugh.  "Bahaha!   Just kill us.   I never got keeb humor, I swear.  Ah, where are my manners?  Name's Arc.  You do standup?". She shook her head, trailing off before rounding a corner, listening to Red.

Khali looks confused for a moment, "I apologize, that was meant to cheer  you up. Wait, did you say their was a fifth person? I only counted four bodies. Did someone survive that thing?"

"I've got an address for one Doctor Tatsami in Snohomish. Hopefully we can get a little information about the situation at hand from him. There might be a consultation fee, but I'm willing to foot the bill if need be. Here, I'll forward the address to your car..."

"I'm willing to help cover the costs."

In a blur of all the events that had happened last night, Masquerade wasn't exactly sure how she got there, she might not have ever really left, as she slowly sits up from the back seat of the ford americar as it went down the street. She rubs her eyes, glancing at Arc. "Did.. you find something?" she asks still quite tired and hardly rested from her back seat napping.

She was still dressed like she was last night, but her mask was cleaned at the very least. Though the rest of her was still in shambles. Focusing for a  moment, she places her hands onto her face, and slowly spreads them back shifting her facial structure to not look so terrible anymore. Rather minor change really.

"WOLF'S BALLS! Have you been there the whole time?"

[Tamesh]

"Well, with any luck I'll be able to talk the doctor down to some more reasonable rates. I don't imagine he'd be willing to do anything pro bono, but I'm no stranger when it comes to negotiating a price."

Red gets a little more comfortable now that they have a plan, but shoots bolt upright when an unfamiliar voice comes from the back of the car.

[SgtBoomCloud]

In a blur of all the events that had happened last night, Masquerade wasn't exactly sure how she got there, she might not have ever really left, as she slowly sits up from the back seat of the ford americar as it went down the street. She rubs her eyes, glancing at Arc. "Did.. you find something?" she asks still quite tired and hardly rested from her back seat napping.

I only counted four bodies. Did someone survive that thing?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"WOLF'S BALLS! Have you been there the whole time?"

Red gets a little more comfortable now that they have a plan, but shoots bolt upright when an unfamiliar voice comes from the back of the car.

Arc gave a shrug, as no objections were made as she lit her smoke, hopping on the highway to get to Snohomish.  When Masquerade awoke, she came close to slamming on her brakes, having quite forgotten in the haze that was the dead of night that the enigmatic girl never left the car.  "Hoopslotting fraghouse, you know how to make an entrance!"  She took a breath, starting to laugh as she focused on the driving.  "But good timing.  Red, Khali?  Meet number five.  Goes by Raven.  Rave, this is Khali and Red.  Saw the same thing we did, goin' to talk to some mojo dude or whatever for info.  Somethin' about a price tag too.  Don't worry about Rave, she's cool, and I owe 'er, hence why I'm in all this drek, heh~"

Taking a long pull of her cig, the miles were chipped down at a good clip before they finally went into Snohomish.  It wasn't too long before they arrived at their destination, the car pulling up to a curt stop as she put it into park.  "Aight...Red, I'm assuming you be doin' the whole talky talky biz, wiz?"

[Csjarrat]

Shit... Do you have any inkling as to what it is?
I don't want to risk drawing it's attention but I need to know where it resides, will you fly with me, show me where it is?
Feathers addresses Nbungu, look, that'd be great, but these guys aren't going to talk to me as a non-researcher without some kind of fee involved. You of all people know I'm not in a situation to pay the transport let alone consultancy.
Feathers rubbed his brow, looking deep into Nbungu's eyes trying to get the measure of him.
I get it, I do. It sounds ludicrous but whatever it is, it's a blood magic user. Eagle intervened directly. He's guided me well and this has got him more rattled than I've ever seen him in decades. The victims were dripping with the stench of it, everything I saw matched what I've read about it. Speaking of which, you got any datasofts I can borrow? I had an air spirit follow the trail, I'm going to do a fly over and scout it out later. You wanna come, see for yourself?.

[Tamesh]

Taking a long pull of her cig, the miles were chipped down at a good clip before they finally went into Snohomish.  It wasn't too long before they arrived at their destination, the car pulling up to a curt stop as she put it into park.  "Aight...Red, I'm assuming you be doin' the whole talky talky biz, wiz?"

Red steps out of the car and smooths out her dress with her palms. "That sounds like a plan. Though I wouldn't mind if any of you wanted to give a little back-up. It's not as if I know the first thing about what it is we're going after, after all."

With that she heads inside, and on up to the front counter. "Hello, I'd like to speak with Dr. Tatsami?"

[Poindexter]

[VR Hangout, Blinkies. 2:06PM]

"Word man! You know I can't come-up with that kinda scrip! An hiring shadowrunners! You have lost your damn mind. Now, tell me everything. What's got you wanting to hire the spray & pray guys. We'll talk. I'll help. Just not that kinda help.

The little thug goblin persona sits quietly frowning at the table for a few seconds before responding. "I aint in a position to be explainin shit and i aint lookin for spray n pray. If you can't help, that's cool, but I aint got time to sit here and flap gums about it. Thanks for meetin me on such short notice." He stands up to leave the table and walk out of the room, but as he does, he turns back to face T-Ball again with a smile on his face. "And T... 'word' is used as a term of agreement. You dont say it when you're telling someone 'no'. Stay away from that streetslang if you aint got it down, homey." Nerdy-ass dwarf always trying to be down.

In a few moments, he's back in his body, leaning against the wall of his drainpipe. Fuckin T. I know you got that kinda money layin around, jus be honest with a trog. Say you can't loan it out. Shit, what am I, a fuckin ten year old?

Frustrated, he fires up his comm and sends a text message to Arc.

<<@Arc [Duckdown] Yo, my shit fell through. No luck here. What's going on on your end?>>