[Imveros]

Sat evening 19:20

Johnny tries not to look too hungry as Jimma hands the 4 pies over the counter. "Thanks again, sorry I couldn't offer you a job here." Jima calls out to him as she heads into the back room Null Sheen I'll keep tryin elsewhere Johnny walks out of the store into the brisk air as he notices the flash lights moving around. Johnny moves off to the side to avoid their lights. He couldn't afford any delays or the prospect of losing the pizzas. They were his first decent meal in over a week, and ghost did they smell amazing. The streets were quite, but there was a contant rustling each time he passed by a drain pipe. Something has those toothy bastards riled up tonight He makes it home without incident. The pizza's were more heavenly than they smelled. Johnny took it as a sign of good things to come

Sunday morning 6:05

<<To Lash: Here is the address to meet your ward>>

Johnny checks the calender on his comlink Damn two more days till my shower ration. Hope this raven likes em o natural Johnny sends Tommy off to his lessons, gears up, and heads for the address. Why cant this place be as close as the pizza joint was? Almost two hours of mile chewing strides Johnny arrived at the address. A garage huh? as good a place as any other i suppose Johnny rounds the corner MORNING, ANYONE HOME? I'm supposed to meet a girl named raven here. Jimma sent me Johnny notices the open garage door and heads toward it. He looks around for a moment and notices the slight human woman with the tools in her lap. Wait a second those aren't tools?! Jeeze lady i don't mean no trouble but it sure as drek looks like you're ready for it

[Csjarrat]

Of that i have no doubt officer, If she should run into trouble or require aid, pass on my commcode and I'll make sure she receives immediate aid.
Feathers signed off the call and sipped at his tea.
Fuck! the sensor net!
Nearly choking on his tea, he remembered the sensors had been up and running in places. He scanned through their recordings, gasping as he saw the frames crawl by in slow motion of the girl.


<<@team>>//Just seen this delayed transmission from sensor 2, looks like we've got a possible on this one, or at least a lead. Ask around, perhaps someone saw her or has a name {Video clip attached}//

[SgtBoomCloud]

<<@team>>//Just seen this delayed transmission from sensor 2, looks like we've got a possible on this one, or at least a lead. Ask around, perhaps someone saw her or has a name {Video clip attached}//

Before anyone managed to arrive, Arc saw this message pop up.  Hrm...the sensor display must be eating at my processing speed.  No matter, this hoop needs to regroup  Pulling up a message, she quick-fired one right back to the older mage.

<<@Feathers (Arc), 6:03 AM
<<Am aware of that clip.  Saw it live as it was happening.  Slitch popped up again a couple three fragging hours ago on W-4, eating something.  Get to my place asap, got team here, need a plan.  Any idea why ghouls would be scared to drek of this witch?  See you soon

Dismissing that, she looked up just in time to see the garage opening met with a hulking, lumbering figure.  The short, stout girl leaned forward a bit to identify him, only to hear his voice, and then lean back as he was the biggest fragging troll she'd laid eyes on...and Lupo was a big un.

MORNING, ANYONE HOME? I'm supposed to meet a girl named raven here. Jimma sent me Johnny notices the open garage door and heads toward it. He looks around for a moment and notices the slight human woman with the tools in her lap. Wait a second those aren't tools?! Jeeze lady i don't mean no trouble but it sure as drek looks like you're ready for it

She had a brow raised, jaw hanging open slightly as she realized his cowboy getup, complete with six shooter.  Glancing to him once, then down to her Ingram, she gave a shrug and set it on the bench next to her.  Drek prolly wouldn't do much anyhoozle  "Whaddya fraggin' expect, the hood going to drek like it is?  Smile hoop spirits going round, freaky slitches outta old bad horror trids on the streets, a girl gotta protect herself, ya heard?"  She hopped down from the bench, stepping forward with hands on her hips.  She have looked menacing, were it not for the fact that she looked like she had been up all night, hair sticking out of place in a few spots.  "'Name's Arc.  This is my place.  What's a trog's deal with a girl named Raven, huh?"

[Imveros]

Johnny listens with an odd look on his face Fraggin expect, smile hoop, ya heard? Honey this here is the united Canadian states of AMERICA was that even English? I caught most of the profanity though. You kiss your mama with that mouth? Jesh why don't you sit back down little missy and rest a little bit. Dont worry though, I was hired by Jamma to keep Raven safe from some flying tentacle beast. Need a body guard? Find the biggest body. Prolly the same smile hoop spirit you're talkin about about. Now point me to the owner of this place. Maybe he knows where raven is. I need the low down on the situation if I'm going to keep her safe

[Csjarrat]

People swung by as he finished the call, heading into the kitchen to make some chow.
Feathers thanks the mages for their support, reassuring them one-by-one that they'd be part of a larger team working together and that the authorities were chucking in their hat too. It certainly felt a lot more doable to Feathers and he hoped that he'd imparted some of that confidence into his guests.
He smiled at two-bit, clicking the kettle back on. Its been a long couple of days, Its taking it out of me and I feel a decade older already
He laughs as he finished up a bowl of fairly flavourless noodles and sets to pouring out a couple of cups, letting the tea brew for a while before chucking in a splash of nearly-fresh soymilk. This plot just keeps getting thicker. I'm glad to see you out and about. How you feeling?

<<@Feathers (Arc), 6:03 AM
<<Am aware of that clip.  Saw it live as it was happening.  Slitch popped up again a couple three fragging hours ago on W-4, eating something.  Get to my place asap, got team here, need a plan.  Any idea why ghouls would be scared to drek of this witch?  See you soon

I think I have an idea, and Its not one with a happy ending I'm afraid, I'll hop in a taxi and be over soon.

[ismilealot]

Sat. 14:00
@ Feathers  Webster tells you, >>Will do.<< and signs off.

Sat 19:38
Two-Bit tells you, "Well. I've got a little part-time job teaching said young troll. The extra jing helped me buy a good heavy jacket at the consignment store. I wasn't looking forward to another winter in that old one of mine, all the paddings worn out and it wasn't much better than going without. So, you're getting a team together for this. What all is the plan?" She listens carefully as you tell her what you know and about the ritual. When you're done she says, "Since you have your Judas goat I'd suggest you place the ritual circle at the house where the Howlers murdered that rival gang a few nights ago. It's pain is still fresh and since they murdered mages there under the pretense of getting rid of this thing they will have created a temporary false nexus point that'll make casting easier. It'll should be like adding 2 extra reagents into the ritual without changing the ritual at all." She discusses a few more of the details with you, but finally gets up to leave saying, "Thanks for the cuppa. But I promised Tom I'd take those fragging drugs for the next three nights. It's not like I need those things. They just make me worse. I ought show him a thing or two. He and the order don't know anything. Saying I can't stay here if I don't take them" She's growing irritable. It's obvious that the drugs are wearing off, first was always the temper, next came rage, after that either she'd drink herself into oblivion or worse, begin casting at anyone who crossed her. She takes her pill resentfully right in front you. "Now you can tell those fragging drekheads that I keep my word." She goes back to her apartment then, muttering resentfully down the hall.

Sun 04:52
Your comm goes off with Arc's message and you watch the feed thinking it's still live. When you get her reply over an hour later and note the timestamps for all of the messages it's obvious that there is a significant amount of lag.

[SgtBoomCloud]

Arc lifted a brow as the troll spoke, that cowboy drawl coming out in full and assaulting her ears..much like her street speak assaulted his more than likely.  Little missy?  Who the drek this hoop think he is, huh?  The 1800s called.  They wanted their views back, fragger.  Sighing, she gave a little smirk and clapped her hands, giving a little curtsy.  "Well, Ex-CUUSE me, pardner.  Please, allow me to away and seek the owner of this fine establishment and have him help you, cuz I am merely a woman, and surely am just visiting this here mechanic shop on my own free time between getting mah nails done and readin' a Cosmo"  Her mimicry of the western drawl was dripping with sarcasm, but still was pretty decent as the human turned around, taking to steps towards the door and then rounding again, leaning on one hip with arms crossed as she faced him.

"I'm the owner of this place, ya hear me trog?  Ain't no fraggin' lie about that, I built this place up from nothin'.  Big man thinks he knows so much (Or'Zet).  I might know a Raven, and I ain't afraid to tell you I'm in on a team taking down that spirit.  Why you got hired as bodyguard I dunno.  You some mojo hoop or somethin'?  From what I know, that's the only way to do drek against this thing.."  She paused, taking another step forward.  "Unless you be signed on what to protect this hood to take down the slitchwitch this thing be bound to?  Hope you know how to fight ghouls and geek wiz.  This ain't no party, trog.  So I say again, and speak slowly and plainly.  My--name--is--Arc.  To--who--am--I--speaking?"

[ismilealot]

Sun 08:30

It's a bright and sunny day. The sun already warming yesterday's chill. And in the space of 30 minutes Arc's garage is a beehive of activity. Masquerade, having fallen asleep watching the sensor network with Arc is now sitting on the "couch". The front seat of an old Chevy that had seen better days. Johnny filled most of the open bay door for a few moments blocking out the sun followed closely by Duckdown. Yelena arrives on her bike a few minutes later. Feathers is the last to arrive by taxi and the "meet" is in full swing.

[Triskavanski]

Raven came up closer, crossing her arms as she spoke, her face hidden by the black raven mask.


"Now, play Nice. I asked her to get him for me, so you all can focus on killing it, and he can focus on not allowing me to cross over to the other side. Everyone focused on both will likely result in my death, and if you don't like it.. Tough."

[Mercy Merchant]

Yelena makes a detour to stop at a small café.  Villa d’Arte claims to serve real coffee and the taste certainly is much better than the normal soy-drek served in most places.  They claim that the beans are imported from places like South America and Asia, but Yelena could give a frag.  All she knows or cares about is that the coffee here tastes good.  *They probably have some major gang behind them, but who knows these days.*  She patiently waits for the two people in front of her to finish ordering and looks up at the cute girl behind the counter.  “Two large go-cups, please.  A Silky Columbiana and a Turkish Special.  And four of those berry tarts over there.”  She loves the bitter flavor of the Turkish blend and hopes that Arc will like the creamy smoothness of the Columbiana.  Stepping outside the door to wait, she takes the time to smoke one of her small Russian cigars and consider her options for the kill.  That the target is a child does not bother her; she has killed many and this one seems to be a killer herself.  Yelena had been a child with a gun and it amuses her to think that in another time and place she might have been the target.  However, she needs more information, as “somewhere in the sewers” is a bit vague.  She hopes that one of her gang contacts will come through.  Yelena is brought out of her reverie when her number is called and she throws some cream and sugar packets into the carry-sack she gets from the barista, dropping some of the change from yesterday into the tip jar.  The cost at the register makes her blink, but she just got paid for the Ancients job and the investment should be worth it.

 

She takes the sack out to her scorp and stashes it carefully in one of the cargo boxes, then leaves the parking lot and heads to Arc’s garage.  *That should have given her time to call for reinforcements from the Howlers if she is going to, but any others will have to get their own fragging coffee.  I should give that Raven a call, just in case this thing with Arc does not get me closer to the mage.*  She looks for the record from Sam and calls up the contact number.  <Raven.  Wanderer.  You do not know me.  I was given your contact information by Faux Paw.  Please check with him.  I need talk to you about Smiley Face killer and mage.  Can you be free today some time?> 

 

That sent, she drives the rest of the way to the garage mostly by autopilot.  She does not have a good idea of the streets of this sprawl and she finds that she wants to.  And that surprises her.  She has never let it bother her before that she has no home, so what has changed this time?  With this sprawl?  Over the years she has lived for various lengths of time in bigger places and smaller places; nicer ones as well as ones she wishes she could forget.  Certainly her time in the London sprawl was the most exciting.  So what makes this one different?  Shaking her head, she notices that the auto pilot has brought her to the area where Arc’s shop should be.  Pulling up to the garage she does not see the assortment of crap vehicles normally associated with gangers, so if Arc called for help it must be hidden.  She dismounts the rig and takes the carry-sack from the cargo box, removing the to-go cups.  She holds one cup in each hand, adding the small sack with the tarts and the cream and sugar packets to her right hand in a gesture of trust, hoping that the obvious display of not having weapons in her hands will give her a chance to talk and perhaps relax any itchy trigger fingers that might be waiting inside.

 

Yelena notes that the garage door is half open and heads that way.  She stops at the entrance to the building and calls out in her accented English, "Arc.  Is Olena.  I hope like coffee and pastry.  Can talk?”

[Imveros]

Johnny takes a step back as if Arc had slapped him Damn i gone and put my foot in my mouth again ain't i? Why wasn't it shower day? Wasn't tryin to start nothing. It's just you seemed more like hired gun like myself here and less like a successful business woman. Johnny removes his hat and holds it over his chest. Sorry mam, it's a mighty fine shop you have here. Ifin my mama saw me behaving that way my hide would have been tan for a week. Name's Johnny, but most folks call me Lash Johnny puts the hat back on his head and a stern look comes across his face I wasn't brought on to kill nothing. I try not to do that anymore. Though i have been in my share of scraps, a few too many with those toothy bastards. I was hired to keep Raven alive, nothing more, nothing less

Johnny turns towards the new comer and tips his hat as raven enters the garage. Mornin mam. Name is Johnny. Jimma said you were in a jam and could use a hand. The bigger the better Johnny turns back to arc You mentioned something about a team? Just how many of us are there against this thing?

[Triskavanski]

Raven interjects "There is him, about three or four others, a mage, profess and a bunch of gangers. Plus whatever stuff they got while I was away on business. Oh and of course, the local citizens who might be wanting to get a piece of the action here."

[SgtBoomCloud]

Arc gave a nod, relaxing a little but still wary of the big troll.  At the very least, the hoop gets some manners when he realizes his size don't mean drek here.  Good  Letting herself give a smile, she waited until Raven said her piece before giving a nod to the both of them.  "Alright, so you supposed to be here then.  Good to know, thanks for clearing that up, 'Rave.  Well frag, you think you could find someone bigger?"  She laughed, waving the troll over to enter the garage proper.  "Pleasure to meetcha, Lash.  So you on protection duty, huh?  I wish you luck, but you'll be able to know more.  The head on the spirit team be coming here some point anyhow, I'll let him explain the drek"  Luckily, her garage was sizeable enough for the crew that accumulated as the morning progressed.

Later that morning, when everyone except Feathers was keyed in to arrive and be present, Arc, blinked and looked up upon hearing a familiar, accented voice.

"Arc.  Is Olena.  I hope like coffee and pastry.  Can talk?”

Frowning a bit, she glanced at the others in the garage, putting a hand on the Predator in the small of her back defensively, though only someone really good or really insane would try to take them down.  Clearing her throat, she called out.  "Huh, this some date or something, miss Olena?  Come on in"  She stood boldly in the middle of the garage, Duckdown's words about her being an Ancients hitgirl echoing in her mind as she watched the elf enter through the opening, the morning sun glinting on her blonde hair.  The bedheaded and just a bit frayed human very obviously looked like she went a full night without sleep, but lacked all the cues of being tired.  She wasn't sure if Raven wanted to hide, but Arc was sure Johnny stood there on his own, ready to make some polite cowboy jibe.  "Didn't think you'd actually take my offer on looking at your Scorp.  Much less ask around about ol' Smiley.  What drek do you know?"

[Mercy Merchant]

Yelena looks at the people gathered in the open garage area, gauging and evaluating the threat.  *Fragging large troll.  He might be hard to stop.  Still, no one looks to be wearing Howler colors.*  She turns her attention back to the short human and smiles, holding out one of the to-go cups.  "Coffee?  Hope you like.  Cream and sugar in sack if want.  And berry tarts.  Sadly, not enough for all."  She will put the coffee and pastries down if Arc does not move to take them then say, "May I remove coat?"

[SgtBoomCloud]

Arc gave a bit of a smile, stepping forward and putting on the polite front, giving a bit of a vibe that logically she would not pursue violence at this point.  "I could go for some coffee.  The stuff I have here is kind of drek, haha...thanks"  She grabbed her cup and a tart, taking a bite and a sip.  "Woah..drek, this the real thing?  Frag, you go all out.  Yeah, you can take your coat off"  She gestured towards a space heater humming in the corner, the machine making the area at the very least hospitable, if not a little brisk.  "Now...why you wanna be talking to me about the killer going round this hood, hm?"