[ismilealot]

Finally they arrive at the shooting range and a young man steps out. "Hello, you must be Yelena, TriggerT told me you were a looker with a bad habit. I see you've brought some company. No worries, the range is big enough if they're here for business" His lips twitch as he says it and looks at your hands. "C'mon, I've got 300 rounds with your name 'em. Let's go feed your habit. This is a solid little piece I've made you with some pretty custom work to make it worthy of you."

@ Marco  Blake says, >>Yeah, I'd love to go. Sounds like just what I need after this. I'll meet you there at around 21:30.<< 

[Mulcarn]

She spoke grimly.  She spoke with unfaltering conviction.  Yet Anders barely believed a word she had said.  Firefly wasn't truly alone like she thought.  Yesterday's and today's events proved otherwise.  Unlike him, she isn't some unheard foreign vagrant of no importance.  She mattered.  And she had people who cared for her well being.  Arc and Yelena at least if no one else.  Perhaps the shadows of doubt plague the young woman into this mindset.  The Nordic summoner shakes his head in disbelief, trying not to smile as well too.  He locks eyes with Firefly and calls her out.  "No offense, but the first part of what you said sounds like bullshit.  You got two really cool lady friends who like you and worry about you.  Look there's one of them sitting right next to you!"  To emphases his point, he points an index finger at Yelena.

After a few seconds of this, he let's his hand drop back to his side and picks up where he left off.  "Being afraid isn't a weakness.  And fear isn't some powerful flame that tempers you into something stronger.  It's standing up to your fears that's the actual awesome deed.  I mean, i'm afraid of a lot of shit.  Everyone is.  For example, you stood up to a demon and won!  That's pretty metal in my opinion!  I doubt many can say the same thing!"  Anders stops himself when he starts to become too excited.  When his feelings level out, he leans back in his seat.  Hanging his head low again and saying solemnly.  "I'm not here to change your mind.  What you want to do is what you want to do.  All i'm trying to say is that maybe you should just be yourself.  I mean, is there anything wrong with what you are now?"

[Mercy Merchant]

Yelena nods at the conversation.  "Yelena believe Firefly transitioning.  Was something.  Needs to be something else.  Now in middle.  And Yelena use fear to be strong.  Fear did temper starving Keeb.  Fear of death.  Fear of guards.  Fear of much rape.  But cannot let fear win,  Firefly must grow strong.  Child Yelena grow strong and find shadow.  Firefly find way.  Maybe shadow, maybe different way.  Yelena help.  Arc help.  Even Marco and Anders help.  All decker mage do leads to what you become.  Walk next to Yelena and I get you there."

[gilga]

Marco returns home, shower get dressed and then back out - he wants to hear some music and is surprised there is no response to his texts. "At least Blake will be there - and everybody likes to get piles of cash."  He thinks.  The steamy hot water are a special treat  - "a treat better shared" he thinks. Marco leaves Yelena a message on the mirror "I love you, Scary Lady!" he writes with his finger - not knowing if Yelena will ever get the message. Ready he makes his way down and takes a taxi to Josie's.

[Shaman_Yuri]

I listen to what both Anders and Yelena have to say, but before I could formulate a response we arrive at our destination.  I really don't have much to say, so I leave it alone as we exit the car and the proprietor a approaches Yelena-sensei.

[ismilealot]

@ Anders, Subaru & Yelena  Leading you around the back your host smiles down and says, "You can call me Jack. TriggerT tells me you're an Ares fan because of your hand shape. Makes sense, that slight shortening of your second finger and your palm shape would make it a comfortable draw and fire for you. And Ares is a good weapon, not prone to over-heating even with an extended clip and a heavy fire rate and well balanced. I'll have you fire the weapon I modded for you and we'll see your accuracy at fifty and a hundred rounds and then make some adjustments. After that we'll run you through the full course to see how you fire under different conditions to see if you need further adjustments." He looks back at Subaru, "Now you, because of your longer fingers but small palm size you're really are going to need a modded Nissan if you want to improve your skills. Give me about thirty minutes to make some tweaks to a Nissan hand gun I've got and you can try it. But, you'd probably really benefit from a full custom piece." He looks over at Anders, "You're hand is going to be ok with several models and I've got machine pistols, grenade launchers, shotguns, and a full range of tactical support drones depending on your preferences. And once I see you fire I'll be able to tell more about what you need."

@ Arc  the day is a long one for Arc. Her favorite welder decides to go on the fritz and the part she needs to fix it can't be had for love or cred until Friday. But, there's a good second-hand model she can rent" 

@ Marco  Josies is busy but he greets you by name and recommends the fresh water trout. 
 

[Duck N. Cover]

 Hrock pulled up behind the van, the headlights reflecting off the bulky vehicle's rear.
   Tuskaloosa got out and circled the GMC Universe in front of Arc's garage.  So this is the new van in her life, huh...
   
     The troll made no attempt to take it any more than at face value; looking underneath or under the hood before being properly introduced was, in her mind, a breech of etiquette.  From what she could see however, the van could have been anything from a delivery truck to a small bus, and anywhere in between.
   She saw no overt signs of damage or unique add-ons.  Given a few more days outside to get the dealer's spit-n-polish worn down a bit, and aside from the paint and AR job, it would look no different from any other modest company rig: just another pigeon in the flock.
   ...Or rat in the race...
    
     “Well,”  Arc offered behind her.  “Whattaya shink?”
   Tuskaloosa turned around, concerned.  Arc had been incarcerated last week, so the troll figured there had been time for her friend to heal...unless she had added more injury to herself since then.  Shink?  What's that about—busted lip, or jaw?  Or...
   Arc jogged up, sporting what could only be described as a wide, tusky grin.
   “Well, well!  Look who got a visit from the Tusk Fairy”, the troll chuckled in immediate relief.
   “...Tushk Fairy?”     
   “Don't look at me,”  Hrock shrugged.  “I got nothing.”
   Right.  “Where I come from, the Tooth Fairy did the pick-ups and the Tusk Fairy made deliveries.  So... how's the adjustment?”
   “Ish all good.”  The grin Arc sported widened even more.  She nodded at the new rig.  “Sho...”
   
    “I like how you think...and from your shopping list, I like your ideas for add-ons.  We already have the arms you wanted,”  the troll added.
   “That'sh shwag newsh, omae—I've got jobsh in front of it, but I'm lookin forward to the inshtalls.”
   “Then let's get these parts inside and do something about shortening your To-do list.”

[Mercy Merchant]

Yelena greets Jack with a smile.  "Yelena ready.  No one set guns for finger before."  She walks with the others into the range building and follows Jack to where he has the weapons laid out.  She picks up the modified assault rifle and checks to make sure it is unloaded before examining it closely and getting the feel of the slightly modified weapon.  It feels completely at home in her hand, fitting her grip perfectly.  She smiles as she ejects the rounds loaded into the clips and inspects them before reloading them.  The weight of the rifle is a difference, as is the under-barrel  grenade launcher.  She realizes that she will need some serious practice with this to account for the different feel of the weight and its distribution. 

While waiting for the others to get ready, she gets a ping from Marco on her commlink.  With a start, she notices that he had sent the message yesterday and wonders why she is only getting it now.  The thought runs through her mind that the device might be malfunctioning somehow and hopes that is not correct.  She almost laughs when she sees the message and sends one back to him.  >>Marco.  Is Scary Lady.  Only get message today.  Was at Josie's last night, but left early for drive around.  Must have just missed Marco.  Yelena very sad.  Was alone at Josie's and would have stayed for Marco.  Got home late and Marco asleep so just crawl into bed.  Leave early in morning to meet Anders and Firefly.  At shooting range with new rifle.  Here most of day.  Send message and Yelena meet Marco somewhere for dinner.  Much love.<<

[SgtBoomCloud]

The fact that she was getting honest, trustworthy help on all these jobs on her plate was a huge relief for Arc.  The fact that Tusk was able to resurface and looked fine added to that.  And he r positive reaction to her tusks?  Icing on the cake, especially after the last person to react to her new appearance.  Hugging her adoptive uncle, the short mechanic nodded as she waved the troll inside...as Brock was busy as well himself, staying only to help unload the parts.

"excellent, let'sh get to it then eh?"  she clapped meat hand and cyber hand together as she opened the garage door.  "yknow, I wash getting worried aboutcha.  Off the grid for abut a week eh?  Big job in that place some here not here or no, I don't like my friendsh so quiet. Whasshup?"

Before the question could be mulled over, Arc started to go over the jobs, pointing in turn.  "that car'sh null shweat, just a front bumper and some hood paint to fix.  The King Scorp jusht needs reconditioned, and the grandau's bike refitted.  That hopscotcsh bike needsh a repathed muffler to exhausht behind the leg during a kangaroo maneuver.  And here..."

She pulled aside a draping tarp, revealing the most interesting piece the troll sized Mirage.  It looked remarkably whole...a back fender, electrical, and paint, and the bike would be just as she had remembered it.  Grinning wider, Arc crossed her arms and tilted her head up, pausing only to lurch bur as her stomach turned.  "Gnnh...shorry, still workin off the shedation, hehe.  Whaddya think?"

[ismilealot]

Hrock grinned seeing the pieces spread out in the garage. "Yo Cricket, that bumper job is gonna be trickier than you think. That model has some underpinning and an extra interior bumper configuration that makes putting it in a fraggin' two man four hour job. Makes the vehicle much safer, crashes rarely even dent the car. But, makes it extra money ta put one in. Guys will often bring 'em ta small garages hoping the mech. don't know that an give 'em a good price. Now, I got a set of mag U-clamps what'll make the install much quicker without sacrificing more than 10% on the crash safety. They're a hunnert. But you'll save that four times over in time 'n frustration." As he's saying that he walks over to the Mirage and gives a whistle. "Nice, body still solid an ta engines in real good shape. Some love an it'll be your main man Tusks. Although I'm sure it'll break a few hearts when it gets out you found your new squeeze." he chuckles and pats the body of the bike. Then he turns to Arc and says. "I heard what ya said 'bout the modded Mitsubishi. Did ya think 'bout puttin' in a smaller muffler what's insulated. You'd lose a little pick-up and speed. But, if it's only bein' used fer hopscotch it'd be a good trade. Or, go up in the quality with a much higher efficiency rating and you can get the same thing. Just double the cost of the part is all." Hrock's been unloading parts from his van as he's been talking shop and now the garage is crowded between vehicles and boxes. He looks at Arc concerned when he sees her gag and says, "Whoa girl! When was ta last time you ate? You're lookin green." He goes over to the van and fishes out a brown paper bag. "I got a bag of fire roasted grasshoppers here. Had 'em put extra ancho powder on 'em." He passes them to Arc who's stomach turns at the named treat, but, as she eats to please Hrock, and it is her favorite after all, her stomach settles down and she finds she's starving.

[gilga]

Marco enters Josie and is quickly submerged with the wonderful music. Finding a dance partner is almost effortless for the handsome keeb. At one point during the evening Marco even gets to exchange a few words with Joise, that mentions:  "You just missed Yelena, it was one good jam" he said. Marco grins "I am dancing with Antea tonight." The short lady had Greek heritage and was a natural dancer.  When Marco proudly said her name and smiled at his dance partner he suddenly became aware how little he actually knew about her.  Marco longed for the mind link that could speed up their introduction, tough he had to admit - not knowing had a charm. After his recent experiences with magic and with being creepy - Marco decided to try and keep it all to himself.  When Blake arrives Marco finds out that he has been dancing for an hour - and did not have anything to eat. "Just in time" he thought.

[ismilealot]

Antea brightens at hearing that Marco is only concerned with her, and as the evening wears on and the drinks are liberal she relaxes and enjoys herself more. Marco learns that she's a bank teller, and that her boyfriend is out of town. She tells him she's just there to dance and introduces him to her girlfriends. Soon Marco is dancing with all three ladies and the soloist on stage obliges with several upbeat numbers and soon the small dance floor is full.

When Blake comes in Josie points out Marco and the grin and the thumbs up as Blake drinks his beer and watches him tells Marco who's adept at reading body language that things are going well and he's in the mood to just relax. When Marco joins him at the table the girls invite themselves over and soon everyone's ordered and Jee-O, short for Georgette, is displaying a very obvious interest in Blake who's relaxed and enjoying the game.

[gilga]

Letting go is a wonderful feeling, Marco feels happy as weeks of constant fear and tension are washed away with dancing ad alcohol. Finally, he can get back to his former self, a party lover a charmer and a player. The oddest thing in this evening for Marco was trying not to cross his boundaries. For the first time in a while he does not want the night to end with a new random lover. "I am in an actual relationship - for the first time and Yelena is simply more... *intense* than anyone I met before. I just hope I don't ruin it all He thinks.  Another thought in his head is about Tammie who did not answer his text and Marco finds a moment for a silent prayer for her. Thinking "I just hope she was not arrested, I pray that she was not part of this evil.".

Marco allows Jee-O to do her flirting with Blake and focuses on Anthea and her friend. He quickly learn that Anthea is a description of nature used to describe Hera the queen of the Gods in Greek mythology and that her friends name Pamela also originated from Greek and meant 'all the sweetness' in the crush course of Greek Marco slowly repeats: "Pan" and then "Melli"  or All honey in English.   He then say  "I wish I had such an interesting background to my name... what about you Blake how did you came by that name?" He says trying to keep Blake in the conversation.

[ismilealot]

Blake looks over at you as he puts his arm aroundarm Jee-O and says, "I was named for my dad's best friend. He saved his life when they were hunting just before I was born."

[SgtBoomCloud]

Arc could feel her cheeks flushing as she was called out by Hrock for her lapse in composure, but nodded her head as she gave a shrug, forcing herself upright.  "Nnnh...been tryna avoid eatin' mosht of today, huu.  With the way my shtomach be turnin'...thank the Tushk Fairy for that, I guessh..."  She shot a grinning glance over to Tuska at that joke as she picked up the bag.  Her nose crinkled at the strong fishy scent of the grasshoppers, making her lurch a bit again, but she fought it down.  After the initial reaction, her memory was triggered by the scent...after all, it was the snack of choice that Hrock shared when he gave Arc her first mechanic's lesson...7 or so years ago.  With that in mind, she warmed up to the fragrant treat, munching away as she mulled over the options.

"Well frag...mmph....can't believe I didn't catch that on the bumper..mm...heh, guessh I shtill got a lot to learn, eh?"  She shook her head, bag in hand as she walked over each vehicle in turn, glancing to see Tuska taking in the bike in detail.  "-munch-  Yeah I'll take that U-clamp shet fo sho, thanks.  As for the muffler..."  A few more chews as she ran a hand over where the short-cut insulated piece would go.  Nodding, she gave a thumbs up.  "I'll take that option.  Since thish is a makeup job.. -munch-  I'll save any cosht I can get, mmph...huh"

She blinked as she looked down, seeing the bag of grasshoppers more than half empty by her hand alone.  Flushing red, she handed the bag back to her uncle before scratching her head, still feeling hungry.  "I'll uh...I'll get a pizza...Tushka!  Pizza tonight, I'm buyin'!"  Already making the order via AR, she pursed her lips a bit before nodding and giving Hrock a hug.  "I gotta get all thish drek done in a week...I'll be out of town for a while.  You jusht made these jobs a lot more doable...I owe ya, Tary'kart..."