[gilga]

Something does not add up, the CW calling me Anglo any second word, DB leaving me as collateral without blinking and the rest of the scouts just abandoning and the two men suddenly accepting the deal so eagerly... what if THEY KNOW? Did I just made the best pitch as to why I should be sold as a wage mage?

The most idiotic idea ever, the megas did not take me when I was offering myself. Than again that was a long time ago and I learned a trick or two... am I okay with that plan? I mean I do not think that I am in immediate danger. I am certain that DB won’t just abandon me with these too, I mean the guy like me. Or does he? Just to be on the safe side I summon a demon if they can see the astral they can see the demon, If not then a little backup won’t hurt for safety I ask him to keep his distance until I need him. 

Once the men from Bleeding mountain are gone the two men let a wild laugh out, they are ecstatic. “So we can now sell YOU in his place and you are alone and unarmed, not only we are going to make 50k they will pay more for you because keebs live forever. How does forever in cooperation sound to you? “

“Bold move” I say and my face are not letting out any fear or doubt.  “I always wanted to be a wage mage, the security and safety of a cooperation without people trying to geek me all the time. ” Technically I do not lie, but I never imagined being carried to the doorstep of some office at gun point.

They laugh “Well you got what you wanted and we are going to be filthy rich. Like you said everybody wins.”

Everybody wins heh ? but what if it is not a mega they want to sell me to, what if it these are the Yakuza or someone nasty like that. I cannot let them take me but how? If they spotted my demon so far they haven’t said anything.

Shortly after and the moments feel like forever at gun points opportunity presents itself. 
Nature calls and Max answers.  For just a brief second Jerry is looking at Max instead of me, but that brief second is enough for me to attempt an escape. I change myself into a snake and dash towards the tall grass, if anything can hide me in the astral it is this tall grass. Asmodeus, my demon, materializes and I can sense that he is after a kill. I restrain him, my will is strong and he works for me afterall.  I only want him to scare them, but he is some dark demon - he scares me without even trying. I want him to keep them occupied long enough until I am far enough and out of reach for their hunting rifles.  Spotting a snake in the bush with a massive fire demon to distract you shows great skill and I am in big troubles if they spot me.

Asmodeus charges toward Jerry and roar and if Jerry spin his head toward Asmodeus than he missed me turning into a snake.  His cry is petrifying and his fiery eyes are difficult to behold and I hope I never have to witness this demon again, in hell without the bounds of magic to save me.    I pray to J that my ruse will get me off the hook. I am unarmed and unarmored and a single  bullet can be a death sentence to me.

Asmodeus will use his fear power  - and Marco will expend edge because he really cannot afford to come unarmed to a gunfight.
Fear + Edge: 16d6t5 5
Fear + Edge: 11d6t5 7
12 hits OMG!

This power gives a critter the power to fill its victims
with overwhelming terror. The victim flees in panic and
doesn’t stop until he is safely away and out of the critter’s sight. The critter makes an Opposed Test using its Willpower + Magic against the target’s Willpower + Logic. The terror lasts for 1 Combat Turn per net hit scored by the critter. Even once the fear fades, the target must
succeed in a Willpower + Logic (critter’s net hits) Test to gather the nerve to face the critter again


Reptilians are a unique experience and they are a lot more focused on survival instincts than mammals. My only tell sign is a small movement in the tall grass, a movement that can also be the wind howling and I advance surprisingly fast. My heart is pounding like crazy and I feel alive.
I figure that with a scary fiery demon that came from my darkest nightmares, nobody is going to notice a snake braving the bush.


Shape Change into mouse: 10d6t5 2
Shape Change Drain: 11d6t5 3

[SgtBoomCloud]

Arc couldn't help but give a smirk, nodding her head at her observations.  "Sounds about right.  And I think that is what he's skilled at doing...looking perfect.  That's how he gets in with stuff.  He's into the social and drek like that, so makes sense that he makes drek like that happen everywhere he goes.  It ain't perfect though...he ain't my type"  she gave a little wink at the younger one before sighing.

"I'll keep an eye on him for your sake as well, if you wanna.  For all the drek he's done that makes our lives rough, he's come through for us just as much if not more.  I think he may come through...but he may not.  I dunno."  She gave a little shrug, looking forward a moment before changing topics.

"...I hope I'm able to help Yelena.  I want to, and know that with some training I could not be a hindrance.  It's my Vrukart...he's gonna worry, ya know?  I doubt he gon' say no, but he won't like it, and if he needs me to stay, I'll stay.  End of story"  She thought about it for a moment before shrugging it off.

"That ain't drek you needa deal with though, sorry about that Firefly.  It's my mess.  All more I can say about Marco is I've never seen him want to harm anyone.  Intentionally, at least."  Another moment.  "You're gonna be running with us for a beat at least, and you haven't really met all of us.  What else you wanna know?"

[Shaman_Yuri]

I listen intently to the sharing, wondering what it must be like to have found someone you'd sacrifice like that for. I definitely trust Arc's judgement. I've staked my life on it and will live or die accordingly. She may be kafir, but she's loyal and faithful. I hope she'll be coming with us, but I will support her reasons if she cannot.

Her sense of Marco-san is helpful. She's not absolutely sure either, but she has reasons for her general trust that his intentions are good.  Reasons that don't appear to be driven by inconvenient and obstinate hormones. I'll keep my guard up with and around him, but until proven otherwise will give him the benefit of the doubt.

Where had I heard it before?  Trust but verify?

"I've seen little of Blake and only heard of a Jeb.  They were involved in your fight with the blood mage?  So many capable people you have fought with. I hope I can live up to such a standard."

[SgtBoomCloud]

Arc gave a little smile, chuckling and shaking her head.  "Nah, we didn't meet them until after we started doing the Stardust job.  Sam..the one who set us up..went missing early in, so Jed was hired on to look into it, and then to help us.  Mojo man as well, and decent when dealing with the astral and stuff like that as I've noticed.  Good heart, but pretty old to be doing drek like we're doing.  Blake...apparently worked with Sam before, but I saw him before as an Ork.  Thinking another disguiser, but he knows and organizes much.  Right now, we're letting him compile everything and work out a plan..."

She trailed off, closing her eyes and resting back in her seat, resting her head on her left hand, elbow propped up on the door as her right arm rested in her lap.  "The blood mage...and her spirit, Old Smiley as the streets called it.  Rampant serial geeker.  Killed about thirty people 'fore anyone could do anything about it, which is good because the law woulda just iced the whole 'hood.  Yelena and I were the only ones on this team that were part of that..."   She paused again, her eyes looking blankly ahead as she looked through her memories.

"No...not just us.  Feathers started the club job with us too, but he's missing as well.  Really good mage as well.  And then so many more that I lost touch of before that...Raven, Lash, Duckdown, Arachnid, Red, Khali.  We had a whole team of peeps to take this down...lotta people died.   Miya, Trala, Mermaid, Lance, James, Penny, Lugnut, Witless....just to name a few.  But we did something, and people can live safe now for it..."

She remained silent, pulling herself out of her reverie with a flushing of her cheeks, and checking her eyes.  "Sorry...normally don't think on drek like that.  Musta been somethin' in that pizza, eh?  Gettin' all emotional"  She laughed, letting her head fall against the headrest as she glanced over at the decker.  "You're deck...covering your front is the safest spot for it, then?"

[Shaman_Yuri]

The pain of the memories I unintentionally dredged up in the just slightly older woman is obvious even to me who has known her for so short a time, and despite her artificaial eyes which makes 'reading' her harder unless I slip into astral which I don't want to do at times like these.  Right now I wouldn't need to.

I've been on missions.  I've seen men and women on my team die.  A few of them died protecting me.  I won't get that kind of protection now.  If someone takes a shot at me, there's nothing taking the bullet except me.  The realization is sobering.  But it's what I signed up for, and if I can't handle it I will never take down the bastards who destroyed my family and my honor.

Still, so many names...

I wouldn't have known how to start again, but the woman mercifully provided me the opening.

"Yeah," I agree, patting my tummy again.  "When we designed the jumpsuit and the others like it at Renraku for my counter ops team, it was determined to be the most protected yet also practical place."  I smile thinking back to simpler times.  "We reasoned people might aim for heart shots and so we didn't want to place it there in case we got hit with a non-lethal blow but the impact broke the deck.  The tummy could be covered by arms or even a helmet or shield.  We spent so many countless hours coming up with ways to make sure we, meaning the young deckers who hadn't yet gotten our adult implants, were survivable.  Both decks and noodles."

[SgtBoomCloud]

Arc was grateful for the change in topics, her mood brightening a bit as the talk went to technical stuff, like the design of slipping a deck three times as expensive as the car they were in into someone's armor for ease of you.  "Ah, it makes more sense when you put it that way.  I had figured against the back would be more protected, but then again access would be harder...and you're less likely to fall flat on your gut than on your back, heh.."  She took a glance at herself, noting the physical differences between the two of them.

"..thinking that doesn't work for everyone's figure, huh?  Heh, tool kits got a similar setup to keep drek in mind.  When I was doing legit work for the Howlers...fourteen I think...they had to have me lug around all my own tools.  I'm no trog, so setting up where it was ready to use and not in my way was needed.  Backpack for the heavy stuff, and for the quick stuff I had designed a couple hip pouches.  I had one yesterday.."  She smiled a bit, her mood cheering up.  "And while I don't recommend losing an arm, there are some perks...don't have to carry as many tools"  She lifted her right arm up, activating a few of the tools she had installed to show off.  "Never hurts to be prepared~"

[Shaman_Yuri]

It had never occured to me that Arc's arm was anything more than a replacement arm.  The clever addition of usuful tools of her trade made perfect sense, though.  It was a high price to pay, but she'd made the best of the bum hand she'd been dealt.

"I had been scheduled for my adult deck, an implant that wouldn't have needed to be carried, for the new year.  If the drek with my parents had waited just another couple months, I wouldn't have had to hock my organs for the weakest deck on the market.  Then again, if it had happened while I was recovering from the surgery, I'd likely be dead already.  Or enslaved with neural hardware to enforce it.  I guess I should count myself lucky.  My mother said life is what happened when you are making other plans.

"And speaking of plans, if I hold you up much longer, your mate will likely send out searching parties and I my first time meeting him might be less ideal than I'd like.  I should let you go enjoy your evening, Arc-sensei.  You deserve it."

[SgtBoomCloud]

As Firefly related her tale of what could have happened, Arc couldn't help but admire the girl's ability to get through this situation she's in...without the prior school of hard knock's that Arc had to prepare herself for the world.  Could be stronger than me one-a these days.  heh.  I like her  At her last comment about letting her go, she audibly snorted at the prospect.  "hahah, nah.  Jaime is chill, he's aware of the drek I get into in my night life.  He worries every night, so I try to be with him when I can."

She sighed.  "I'll enjoy my evening when I'm with him again.  This whole meetup with Ninelives is makin' me want a smoke already and it ain't even over yet"  She had a grin that looked like some expression of pain, obviously this girl was a bit stressed over keeping this cover up.  Nodding again, Arc unlocked the car and let the passenger door pop open, the chill of the wintry evening breezing lightly into the car.  "But thanks anyway, Firefly.  Stay warm, let me know when and how to handle the Yaks.  I'm just a comm away."

Giving a casual salute, the mechanic watched the teen depart the car, walking along the path briskly towards the converted hotel, only occasionally stopping to turn back to glance at Arc, who stayed to make sure she made it inside.  Once the decker's jumpsuit-clad form was gone from view, Arc took a deep breath, letting out a sigh before withdrawing the pack of cigarettes from the center compartment and placing one of its contents on her lips.  Her right middle fingertip opened up into a lighter as she lit the smoke, taking a deep draw from the cig and letting it fill her lungs before letting it out with a sigh.

Much better...  Idly puffing from the smoke as she drove off, Arc did her best to prepare for the meet.  Compartmentalizing all her stresses to keep her calm, all her loving thoughts to keep her focused, all her pain to keep her strong, and all her drive to keep her fitting the part.  All that was left was Arc, the cred-starved street mechanic who's found a sympathetic Johnson who is willing to let her keep her lifestyle up...barely.  The time passed, and before she knew it, her cigarette was nothing but a stub and the Stardust was staring her in the face.

Arc paused as she hopped out of the car, checking her appearance in her window, she adjusted the jacket zipper to right under her bust, giving her just enough femininity to garner Ninelives' approval while still exuding a tougher personage.  Checking her Predator at her back, the mechanic locked up and strode confidently through the front door into the Stardust, approaching the front security without a word.  Lifting her arms to either side, she let them conduct the search, surrendering her pistol without much of a fuss before approaching the hostess..Tammy, was it the name Marco used?

"here to see Ninelives.  Said he'd have a table for me.."  "Certainly, miss.  You are expected.  Please come with me.."  Arc went through the club floor behind the professionally dressed woman, wordlessly striding straight into the VIP section and to a boothed table in a corner, nice and private.  "I'll go let him know you are here, so please wait here for him.  Can I interest you in a drink?"  "Ah...just water for now, thanks.  Maybe a good drink later"  Smiling politely, Arc sat herself in the booth, her expression hardening a bit as she waited for the quarter-owner of the club to arrive and say what he wanted to...

[gilga]

In my mind, I can watch the two men flee in terror, running away like maniacs in complete hysteria as my fiery demon hover above and laugh sadistically. For a minute I feel safe, but then comes a sharp pain, a claw of some sort and I am being picked up. It is an eagle and a large one.

I hear a voice in my mind “Enough of this nonsense.” I think that it is the eagle, so they have spirits too? Why don’t the eagle just toss me to the ground or break me in two I do not know, but there I am flying in the sky as a snake and I feel my body wrapping itself around the eagle desiring to bite it with my venomous bite this is apparently the only route of survival and I have to use all my composure not to bite the eagle.

“Are you the one outing me Eagle?”


“Indeed, how else can two mundanes overcome a mage but you show no respect.”


Show respect? he is carrying me helplessly in the sky and I am the one to show respect?  What is my crime? I am protecting myself from being sold to slavery. I did not try to kill them, why does he say that to me.

“What part of my behavior do you find distasteful Eagle?”


“Your spirit, it does not belong here - can’t you shape him like an angry buffalo or a large cat?”


If I could do these things my life were a lot easier. Theoretically it is possible, spirits manifest differently for different traditions but can I change my entire mentality just to shape the physical form of a spirit? This makes little sense to me.

“Forgive me Eagle, but I cannot do that. I know very little about spirits and have no idea how to shape them differently, perhaps it is me who is out of place.”


“You are young and foolish to be here. Why do you interfere with the affairs of this land?”


“I came to learn Eagle, and your followers they took my teacher. I do not know if you are aware of mundane politics but I worked out a deal that can be beneficial for both sides. When you outed me as awaken they got greedy. They wanted both the compromise and their initial conspiracy, all at my own expense. “

I explain Eagle the misbehavior of his followers perhaps like that Eagle will spare me.

“and what was it you wanted to learn?”


“I wanted to learn about spirits, I desired to understand them better and to accept what I am.”


“and what are you exactly ?”


“Are you going to kill me eagle? Because I need to pray if you do.”


“I do not talk to my prey”


“I think that I am a pacifist Eagle, I am not sure that I am even capable of violence. Even in snake body I do not struggle not even to save my own life.”


“Consider this a free lesson, you are not a part of nature. Any animal does anything it can to protect itself. You restrict yourself even when your own life are on the line. You disgust me. ”

Just like that Eagle tosses me like a rug doll, the moment that I admitted what I am he lost interest. My shapechange is broken and my demon is too far away to command further. It is a long way to the ground so I turn myself into a bird. I do have some survival instincts mind you Eagle. 

Why did Eagle helped these men doing this atrocity? Perhaps because they do it to survive, Eagle respect surviving. What disgusts him is that I think that violence is wrong, that his existence is wrong. I see things in right and wrong and these are foreign concepts to Eagle.

Not trying to bite him, made me pathetic and unworthy of hunting. Admitting to being a pacifist was met with disgust.  I have never met a great spirit that interfered so closely with mundane affairs and it seemed that anything I said was wrong.  Eagle did not mind if I killed his followers out of survival. In fact, he preferred it like that but what angered him was seeing my daemon. A Daemon that is taken from a different world of right and wrong. A world alien to the natural world of survival and he did not want my influence in his domain.

On one side he helped them so closely, but on the other side he did not mind at all that his help could lead to their death. Great spirits can sure backfire even when they try to help. I already know that the Bear spirit is not exactly my soul mate. A waste of time perhaps? What that Eagle said is so clear and briefly echos in my mind.  If I can’t kill then I am not part of nature and if I am not part of nature I have no place in this land.

Deep inside I feel something different, a dark side. I know that I am capable of violence, but I am more afraid of what will happen when I do violence than I am afraid to die. I am part of nature, I was born in nature. I chose to suppress that part of me in order to be something else. In order to do what is right. The sight of the natural wonders underneath is incredible, perhaps it was meant to be seen as a bird. My senses are sharp and I if birds could cry I would have as I feel completely lost. I have no room in all this majestic beauty as I am not a part of it. 

[ismilealot]

@ Marco Deen calls, >>Marco, there's been some equipment problems at the sight. A few things broken and some graffiti. I've already made a few calls to get it fixed and it's going to add a couple of days. But, my bet is that one of the local gangs is looking for protection money and it'll just get worse until they're paid. It's very small time stuff now but, if I'm right it'll get much worse.<<


@ Subaru. Jenna is with company when you get there. 

[Mercy Merchant]

Yelena enters the spacious room to be met by Bella, her husband, and Keshan.  She and Bella exchange cheek busses and Yelena is told that the other couple is in the club and will be here shortly.  Yelena goes to each of the men, giving them a passionate kiss.  Tossing her shawl onto the coat rack, she wanders over to the bar, where Keshan pours her out a shot of top-shelf Vodka.  Yelena tosses the drink back as she walks to the "party table", where she notes an array of the club's recreational drugs are displayed as well as six rows of already-poured drinks in fancy glasses.  Her senses are already on fire from the proximity to the drugs as Keshan comes up behind her, pulling her close and running his hands seductively down her dress.  He nuzzles her ear and whispers that he appreciates very much the gown, but it hides her true beauty from the world.  His hands find the catches on the side of the cheongsam and slowly begin undoing them.  As he does he explains the rows of drinks.

"I have been told of this drink called the Apollo.  Apparently it is a set of drinks, a different one for each of the early Apollo space missions.  The trick is to try to get through the entire series.  The beautiful Bella tells me there is a variation called the Apollo Orgasm.  In this, one must experience an orgasm between each drink."  He has half the clasps undone when Bella approaches, several capsules in her hand.  While Keshan continues to work on the dress, Bella says, "And we start it off with a Venetian Bottle Rocket.  This will send you into orbit, love."  Bella places two of the capsules in her mouth and pulls Yelena's head down to kiss her, using her tongue to pass one capsule into Yelena's mouth, where it dissolves into a liquid.  The sweet nectar of the drug flows down Yelena's throat, releasing its seductive power as it begins to react with her blood.  The effect is indeed very much a stimulant and Yelena's eyes fly open at the effect.  She pushes her mouth hard against Bella's and her hands freely roam over the other woman's torso.  Both women moan in excitement as the drug's effects combine to accentuate an already heightened arousal. 

Yelena feels her dress peel away from her into a pool on the floor.  Turning, she assists Keshan out of his clothes as Bella reaches down to pick up the first glasses in two of the rows.  "We each have our own row.  These will be yours and dear Keshan's.  Ours are here."  She hands Yelena and Keshan their drinks as the door announces the arrival of the other couple.  Keshan reaches into his pocket and pulls out his small toy.  Flicking it on, he says, "And this is to get the mood just right."  He runs the pain inducer across Yelena's breasts, eliciting a low moan of ecstasy and pleasure.  Both toss back the first round of drinks in the series and get busy at the first shared orgasm.

Already high from the combination of the Venetian drug and the drink, the pain and sexual gratification serve to take Yelena into another world; a world of excitement and exhilaration and sexual release.  She nods at the introduction of the other couple, barely registering their names but noting that they are very good looking.  Additional drugs are used between drinks and her body reacts as expected when she finds the Bliss and takes it.  Her drug of choice speeds into her system, increasing the euphoria of the evening.  The new couple is told the mission of the evening and both jump into the party.  Yelena's body reacts as she visually devours both the man and woman as they undress.  Several drinks into the series and several orgasms brought on by different partners later, Yelena is sipping at her next drink and watching the others when she notices some of the AROs in Bella's vicinity start wavering.  At first, she is sure that the combination of the drinks and drugs are causing her to see this and she giggles.

[Shaman_Yuri]

"Thank you again, Arc-sensei," I speak back toward the human as I stand at the door of the car.  "And likewise, send me a message when you're heading back to the garage.  I don't have much and will be ready to bring it back with me tomorrow when it's convenient for you.  By then I should also have a better idea of how we can tactfully clear my slate with the Yak.  I'm sure my sudden largesse will come as a surprise to them.  It would be a good idea for both of us to explain it to them gently."

Arc nods back and I turn to get myself inside.  It's cold and I am not used to such weather having spent much of my life in places like Mumbai, Rio, Daar es Salaam, and Singapore where snow was unheard of.  Yes, Berlin, Sydney, Kyoto, and Constantinople had snow, but all those places had been when I had been very young, or during the summer, and not for very long in any case.

Memories of the places I had been pass through my mind as I walk up the two flight of chipped concrete stairs to the third floor of the old motel.  I'd always had my perfect memory, so I can remember Berlin like it was yesterday despite having been only three at the time.  Still, for some reason, while I can remember things like making a snowman, I can't remember the cold with anywhere near as much detail.  It's always been like that.  Sights and sounds never leave me.  Smells and tastes almost as much.  But touch or temperature?  Not very well.  Weird.

The cold of the doorknob assaults my left hand as I fiddle with my right for my key, but I quickly discover the door is unlocked.  That's strange. Jenna's usually really good about that. 

Huh...

[SgtBoomCloud]

"Sure thing, Firefly.  I'll let you know tomorrow what's up..."

For some reason, Arc was thinking back to the parting words with the young decker that was going to be moving into her bachelorette bed.  Weird to think about, but it did make sense...especially if she was referring to herself as a student.  Ah, I liked the couch better anyhow...long as she don't start tryna wear my clothes, we're solid...heh.  Her reverie was broken as the familiar...and quite unnerving by now...voice of Ninelives snapped her to reality.

"Hoi, earth to slitch, you in there?  Thanks for comin'.  Drink?"

"Nah, I'm good, but thanks.  Hope your board'o'suits appreciated the disruption of competition, nawsayn?"

"Indeed.  You did good on that, slitch, better than anticipated.  That's why you're here now.  I got something for ya, a little different but just as important.  Got a mojo man that needs to be picked up.."

"I see.  Anyone I know?"

"Funny!  But doubt it.  Here's the challenge, though: your mark is being held by a go-gang, pushed by the triads.  We want this one, and we'll be willing to pay good for the extraction, you feel me?"

"....yeah, I feel you.  How much we talking here?  The last paycheck took care of some drek, but it won't keep me forever, yknow."

Arc was sporting a subtle grin through all this, but underneath the still service she felt a little sickened by the facade.  Rescue a mage..when they're making mojo drugs, that must mean this hoop's an asset.  which means I could learn a lot of drek in this job. Good.  Leaning back in the seat, the girl swung one leg over the other as she rested her hands on her lap as she eyed the club partner cooly.

"I'ma need to know some obvious deets, omae.  What kinda mage am I looking for, who all's holding him/her and where, and when you want this hoop back in your care, know what I'm sayin'?"

"Sure thing, slitch.  I'm going to assume you're all in on this one then.  Hope you are, I don't think you've got much choice, eh slitch?  Thought so.  Alright, here's the skinny..."

"Your mark is gonna be moved from one safehouse to another close to the harbor, where the next stop is Triad central in China.  This is your only shot at this.  The mage will be in an updated RV, so expect armor and on board firepower...nothin' you can't handle right slitch?  The go-gang they're using is local, and you should expect an escort of no less than four.  They're moving tomorrow night, and the best bet is out in the open, so make it count.  Got all that?"

Arc eyed him cooly, saving the map she drew up with the information she was given.  "...got it.  Ain't nothin' but a thang..."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It wasn't terribly later that the short mechanic was finished with the meeting, finally convinced by the older former street kid to share a quick drink with him...dark whiskey, smooth as silk, likely worth a small fortune for a full bottle, but it sealed the deal nicely.  Taking a deep breath, Arc said her farewells to Ninelives before getting up and being escorted out of the club, all confiscated possessions returned to her.  She seemed calm, but her mind was already into processing mode, taking the intel she had been given and forming a plan...research, find the problems, figure out solutions, execute.  As she crossed the parking lot, her boots forming dark footprints in the thin blanket of snow, her lips started to curl into a little smirk as a plan had started to form.

Hopping in the car, she let her safeguards retract, her emotions flooding back into her mind as she gave a shudder, her hand shakily grabbing another smoke for the night, lighting it and breathing in the nicotine, calming herself.  "huu....we need to be taking this drek down soon...."  She muttered to herself as she sat there, recollecting herself before she rechecked the time, nodding that Jaime would likely be getting off work within the hour.  Firing up the Americar's engine, she pulled out of the club's parking lot and heading to her Vruk's home....

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was late for the rehab technician, and Jaime was certainly feeling it as he arrived home, his shoulders slumped and eyes half closed as he entered his apartment.  Given the previous night, and several nights before, he only honestly expected his workaholic mate had yet to come home for several hours still, which meant he would likely be dead passed out as a corpse to be found on the bed.  He admits he kinda knew going into their (un)official bonding (think she'd go more official?) that she was very much an independent young woman, and given her locally famous standing as a killer of blood spirits and therefore a hero, it was not unheard of to think she might be taking on shadow work.  He respected that, and inside himself he kinda knew that she wouldn't take on work that she thought wouldn't help people she felt deserved it.  Hell, in some weird way he found the idea of her doing such exotic jobs alluring, adding to his attraction to her.  La guerrera pequeña de acero...  Still, she was his Vruken, and her work did carry with it no small amount of risk, and even with her word that there was nothing that could keep her from returning home to him, and he couldn't help but worry for her safety.  But how am i gonna tell her that I'm pretty much married to work for the next..

"...hey, Tarana'kah..."

Jaime's jaw visibly dropped at the sight in the bedroom that he walked right into.  The lamps by the bed had been dimmed and set to give off a soft, yellow glow to illuminate the room, some effort put into tidying the place up and the bed made..save for its current occupant.  Kept decent by a single sheet, Arc was laying on the bed, propped up a bit by a couple pillows so she could face him without craning her neck.  "Well, you just gonna stand there like some hoop waiting in line at a 'caf shack, or you gon' settle in for the night?"

Needless to say, Jaime did not need further encouragement...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Well, the room WAS tidied a bit...

Some time later, Arc was sprawled on her back, listless and completely reluctant to move, Jaime laying right next to him, his head propped up on her torso, all thoughts of cold and stress forgotten.  As they lay there, basking, Jaime was the first to stir, his confession the first to come to light.

"Babe...I hate to say this, but something happened at work.  Another rehab tech just went into labor...over a month early, it isn't good...and she's being put to bedrest, can't work.  Guess your ethic musta rubbed off on me, querida, because I kinda stepped up for most of her shifts.  That means I'll be doing doubles...for a couple months, which means you likely won't be seeing much of me...Henri asked if we would be coming by again tomorrow, and I had to tell him the same thing...I'm sorry.."

The way he looked up at her, eyes pooled not unlike a puppy's, was almost too much for Tessa, and she looked down at him, letting out a little sigh as she reached up with her left hand, running her fingers through his hair.  "...I understand you, hon.  I should be the one apologizing though...I-uh...you know my Sruiken kal.  She's asked me for help with something important to her...very important.  I wanted to say yes, right away....if Henri asked for your help, would you have said no?...but it will take me out of town for some time...way out of town."

"I know with my work that you don't expect me home every night...which may even be true this next week...and I thank you for understanding that..but I know how you worry about me, and going away for what could be a few weeks I could not commit to without you knowing first.  I..."  She paused a bit, her heartbeat racing in her chest as she found the words.  "..I love you, Jaime, and could not do anything you couldn't forgive me for.  Yelena understands if I cannot as well...do I...do I have your blessing?"

It was a long moment of silence before Jaime dared to stir, shifting a bit where he lay, his head resting gently on her stomach and looking up at her.  "...I would be lying if I said I was in love with the idea of you being gone for so long.  If I could, I'd have you all to myself every night.  You're right though.  Family is family, eth is eth.  Isn't nothing I wouldn't do for my sister Bettina, Henri, their kids, or even my blood brother Sail.  If your family and friends need you, and you chose to stay, then what kind of Vrukart would I be to not let you hold to that same belief?  It wouldn't make you the rosa carretera I fell for.  Tell your Srui that she has your help..."  He gave a pause, closing his eyes and kissing her torso gently where he lay.  "And if she doesn't come back with you, tell her I'm coming for her personally.."

After a little bit of the exchange, Arc pulled her Vrukart up to cuddle with him, holding him close with eyes closed.  "...it sounds like you're working tomorrow, right?  If you want, I can try to make a point to be there if for a bit...too long there, I may end up rolling home, the way your sister cooks, hehe.."  She joked, trailing off into a sigh as she looked down, seeing him straight passed out against her.  Sighing a little, she mulled over his response, eyes closed as she had some thoughts drill through her mind on her other things, setting out her agenda for tomorrow.

<<@Blake: Arc here.  Got some product samples and should be getting some interesting articles for review.  Shoulda handed off the former yesterday, sorry about that.  How can I get these to you?>>

<<@Tuskaloosa: Hoi, it's Arc.  Got some drek you might be interested in for your talents.  What's your sched looking like in the next number of days?>>

<<@TriggerT{Arc}: I don't know if you remember me, but i'm a friend of Hrock's and Wanderer's.  You don't happen to deal in drone sales, do you?>>

Satisfied with those messages sent out, Arc let herself drift off into a gentle, blissful sleep with her mate in her arms, keeping each other warm through the night...

[Duck N. Cover]

     Tuskaloosa had learned many things in life.  Among them: you could tell a lot about a person by the way they drove.     Folded up as she was in the back seat of Arc's car, she liked what she saw.
   
     This was not the first time—and she knew it wouldn't be the last—that she was forced to take a seat not intended for troll-sized folk.  On an occasion or two, the driver had been especially vindictive: using the most circuitous or traffic-plagued route to get to her destination, blatant or not.  Others went just the opposite: roaring through turns and slamming on brakes at the slightest provocation to bounce her into the doors and seats.  It put the driver's own life and permit on the line and thrashed rear suspensions, but to those people there seemed to be an award system going: bonus points if the troll hit the ceiling.
   
     They were rare, but they had happened.
   
     Aside from the comfort and care of their passengers, there was also the manner of control.  Some drivers took full control at all times, even when the situation could use an assist.  Some riggers jumped in every chance they got—even if it was just down the street for groceries.  It was hard to call anyone who simply put the dog brain in charge a “driver”, but she knew riggers who drove professionally that used the autopilot during transit time just to get a change of pace or multi-task; others were too good to drive a vehicle beneath their often self-proclaimed skills.
   
     Arc was plugged into the car, carrying on a conversation with Firefly.  The local seemed to have given the car's dog brain a long leash—it was Barrens traffic on a snowy Saturday night after all—and took back control before they approached situations the automatic pilot would falter on.
   
     Tuskaloosa knew better.  She couldn't feel the slight gear changes that came from back-and-forth switches from automatic to remote, and the handling didn't have the crisp perfection of remote control;  her 'chauffeur' was manual.
   
     Probably plugged in for the map and sensory package, she guessed.  Maybe as a just-in-case.  Not a bad way to drive.
   
     
     At a corner, two orcs and a troll leaned against a nearby wall.  Arc lowered her window briefly enough for an exchange of friendly greetings, before moving on.

     Tuskaloosa remembered her earlier conversation with Arc about gear, the locals and Angel, and hoped she had cleared up the confusion; she wanted there to be no friction between 'neighbors' because of a misunderstanding she caused.
   
      “If he was botherin' ya, I know just what to say to him.."
   
     “No more than I deserved,” she had quickly amended.  “And no harm no foul.  He just stung my pride a bit by snubbing my loadout—or lack of it.  If he thinks he knows the best protection for a lady--and can supply it—I'm more than willing to use what he offers.”  Five-to-one odds or not, “girl” or not, she was still a troll.
   
     “Unless,” she had added, “any of it is pink, 'feminine' drek.   I'll run him over if I see him again.  And if it includes a condom, I'll run him over twice.”
   
     "Ya know your bike won't be ready any time soon, aright?"

     "Who said I'd use a bike?"

     Arc had laughed at that.

   
     
     Tuskaloosa concentrated her attention on the windows, taking in as much of the route as sight permitted to further refine her own personal map.  The conversation started with names she did not know; if they wanted her in the discussion they would have included her.  She kept her ear out for her own name in case something was directed at her, but otherwise left the two in the front to their own business.
   
     She noted the overlaps in the places she already knew; based on her knowledge they were on the shortest sensible course for home.  Not a surprise.
   
     It was still a relief when they arrived and Arc popped the door.  Tuskaloosa wriggled her way free and grabbed her helmet.
   
     "You stay in touch and I'll do the same, aright?  Was a pleasure."
   
     “Likewise.”  She gave the door a flick of her finger--just enough energy to close it without slamming—and strode off in the direction of the front door to U-Live Here, shrugging to re-align her bunched-up coat as she went.
   
     All in all, today had been a very good day.  For the first time in a long while, she looked forward to what tomorrow would bring.
   
     Something caught her eye as out of place however, as she passed the gate through the flimsy cyclone fence that served as boundary to the scruffy lot:  medium-sized cylinders alternated sides of the decrepit web every 10 meters or so.  Curious, she approached the nearest.  There had been too little snow for them to be piles, and she was certain they had not been there when she left...
   
     Wait.  Is that...concrete?

     Sure enough:  someone had been very busy  making concrete roadblocks with a garbage can for a mold.  She doubted it would stop an irate mongrel, much less provide any stopping power against a determined Meta.
   
     If anything it was likely to attract more than deter: the Parkour crowd was going to see it as a new piece of playground equipment.  For as long as it lasted anyway:  it looked like the slap-dash construction it was.
   
     Curiosity satisfied, Tuskaloosa headed for the main door.  She fished a hairpin from her pocket, tapped her code onto the tiny keypad—take that, fat fingers!--and entered the lobby.
   
     "Wipe your feet,”  the desk clerk muttered without looking up.
   
    I would if there was a mat...
   
     She ambled for the main hallway, passing the tired notice board.  There was a new page beside the restaurant coupons and Matrix addresses for get-rich-quick schemes:

Attention
Due to the increased gang activity
New temporary countermeasures have been installed
 until more permanent solutions are in place.

   I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for anything permanent...
   The notice contiued:

In order to fund these unexpected costs,
All tennants should anticipate an increase
In overall monthly fees.

 
   Yep, she thought to herself, It's time to move out.

[Mercy Merchant]

Yelena watches the wavering AROs with interest.  Her mind struggles with trying to remember something........something..........nothing.  Fragging mind!  She turns back to Keshan with a smile, joining him and the new man on the couch and reveling in how the senses are magnified by the drugs she is slapping into her mouth.  She chuckles as she remembers that the quantity of alcohol is probably helping as well.  On the couch, she bends over Keshan's waist, taking his arousal into her mouth as she allows her other partner ready access to her from behind.  Keshan maneuvers his pain inducer along the branches of the tree that covers Yelena's back, eliciting small cries of pleasure.  Moans from the side indicate that Bella's husband and the new woman are clearly doing their best to get to the next round of drinks.

Keshan cries out as he coats Yelena's devouring mouth, then moves away to allow Bella to take his place.  Yelena lowers her head to the other woman's lap in an attempt to give as much pleasure as she is being given.  When all three have exploded in a shared orgasm, they lay in a group at the base of the couch, unable to move for several minutes.  Yelena and Bella crawl onto the couch, panting in near exhaustion.  The new woman brings them their next round of drinks and Yelena can tell that she well over halfway through the row.  She laughs to herself as she sips from the glass and sits back for a bit.  When she catches her breath, Yelena notes that the AROs near Bella are still wavering.  She does not have much time to wonder about it when the door announces the arrival of three of the club men.  The leader spends a couple of minutes talking with Bella's husband while the other two men leer at the three beautiful naked women sitting together on the couch.  Yelena waves at the men and motions with her hand to invite them over.  The men laugh and shake their heads, speaking softly to each other and laughing again.  Bella's husband goes to pick up her dress and hands it to the lead man from the club.  A few more words are spoken and the three depart, carrying the dress away with them.

Bella's husband comes over to the couch and says, "The club sensors picked up an anomaly in the room and they think it might be Bella's dress.  They have taken it away to look at its synth programming and will bring it or a temporary replacement back before we leave."  He shrugs his shoulders and Bella laughs.  "Not like I need the thing now, do I?"  Everyone laughs with her and quickly go back to pleasuring each other with shared drugs, alcohol, and sex.  Yelena is bothered anew by something she knows that she should remember.  She just cannot seem to lock the thought down.