[SgtBoomCloud]

It clearly took a few moments for little Arc to refocus herself after that experience.  Well that was...different...  Shaking her head, she crossed her arms under her chest and couldn't help but chuckle at the elf's apparent calmness to the whole bizarre event.  We'll have to make a quick stop before heading to the garage to give it a try, I guess.  at least before we do this run.  We closer to the Sound here than my place though, that's for drek sure.

She sighed, scooping up her bowl and placing it in the sink, wiping her hands on her pant legs before turning to the others.  Alrighty...from what it sounds like, we gots ourselves a plan together.  And I got a nova team to make it happen.  Thanks.  Unless there's other concerns to be made, perhaps we should make best use of the daylight we got?"  She hefted up the medkit Marco was loaning to the effort in her hand, testing the weight.  "It...might be a squeeze to fit all us in my car...but it could work...maybe?"

[Shaman_Yuri]

Subaru shrugs from her spot by the bookshelves, her eyes fixed on Yelena's extensive bodyart.  "All of us except Marco made it here in your car and he could make the return trip as a house cat if he wanted to.  Or maybe a carp in a glass?"

[gilga]

House cat ? carp in a glass ?! I have obviously made myself a joke. Was it something I said?  A taxi can work and perhaps I need to think about wheels of my own now that ‘uncle Blake’ paid us handsomely. I say... “Shapechange may be a nice idea to do if Arc is ever chased with an overloaded ford but if you are talking about getting to Jimmy... I can use taxi magic.“

[SgtBoomCloud]

Arc actually liked the idea of Marco shapechanging to have everyone fit into the car without a problem.  But, if her recent experience with Firefly, she learned that magic sometimes takes a toll on the body.  A fact that was going through her mind when Marco turned down the idea and came up with an alternative...he ride in a taxi separate from them.  Shrugging, the mechanic reached for her coat, slipping her arms into the sleeves as she tossed it over her shoulders.

"All goes wiz to me, chip truth dat.  Long as we can get there.  Marco, you give me a location, and we'll meet up there asap?"  Grinning, she glanced over at the rest of the team.  Yelena seemed to be readjusting back to having a metahuman body.  Firefly seemed ready for action, and Arc couldn't really tell she was hurting that much at this point.  Tuskaloosa was back in the corner trying to be unnoticed, it seems, and when the two made eye contact that human gave a confident nod of her head.  "Let's go while we still got daylight, eh?"

The trip down was not so different than the trip up the elevator, but the key difference this time, notably in Arc at least, was the confidence held.  Her back was a little straighter, head a little higher as she held her hands in her pockets, quietly humming what sounded like a metal riff to the tune of the ambient music the elevator offered.  Once in the car, she let the others pile in how they wished, and with Marco's direction, took off for Jimmy's.

With the light snowfall dropping this day, and with the recent snowfall still fresh in minds, it seemed the general public tried to avoid car use today, as the roads were markedly less full of traffic than usual.  This helped, and even with the conditions, the mechanic was able to make good time driving down to their destination, wherever it was.  As they arrived, Arc silently pondered what they'll be able to find that's of use...

[Mercy Merchant]

Yelena dresses and accompanies the others down to the car.  If she seems quiet and lost in thought, it is because she is.  Nikolai was to contact her today about her crew going to Poland and had not.  From the conversation she had judged that Hrock was to be at the garage in the early evening and she certainly did not need Nikolai doing any harm to the man just because.  And in her mind, Nikolai was very much now the do it just because sort of person she hoped not to become.

Yelena stops before getting in the car.  "Arc call Hrock?  Tell not go garage unless call first.  Yelena not want him meet Nikolai alone."

[gilga]

... and just like that my guests are leaving. I ask James, the building owner, to call me a taxi. I prefer to ride alone so that I can continue studying on the way. The taxi offers a good opportunity for that. I barely notice the traffic or the outside world as my entire attention is given to the information provided to me by Blake. That is artfully projected on my glasses. After all, if I mess it up I die and any free moment is better spent practicing and studying.

Jimmy’s place is at the back of a pizza shop. A real pizza shop, his cover business actually ship quality pizza all over town. Rated 4.6/5 on trip assistant, but only for deliveries. When I arrive Arc and the rest are already waiting for me. I show them in the small Pizza place and it only take a minute facial expression to the the chef to get in the basement.  For a while I suspect that that chef is actually a body guard as his skills with knifes are fascinating to behold and if this is what he can to with vegetables I am afraid to ask what else he can do.

The secret entrance in the kitchen is located under a several crates of bread and as we descended downstairs we are greeted with the endless shelves that are somehow always populated. The place is significantly bigger than the tiny Pizza place and I suspect that there are more fronts to this business.   It is designed in a way that one client can be long gone before another arrives. I actually know very little at Jimmy and it took all my charm and a genuine plea for help at Joy to have him equip me for my first mission with Shilla.

Like usual, Jimmy was forging a masterpiece, Van Goch this time.  Either he has a con man that is going to sell a famous painting to some silly rich man or he is just practicing. He is painting “The Red Vineyards near Arles” and is fascinating to watch. The piece is the only one that Van Gogh was able to sell in his lifetime.  His assistant Damian seems all business and I let him talk to the girls to see what they would like buy while I seat a bit with Jimmy.
 
“Salve signiore Jimmy, ho portato i clienti.  Grazie ancora per i prezzi speciali ti ha dato il mio amico Phoenix.   Il vigneto rosso? Vostro è meglio dell'originale.  i colori sono più vivi. ”

Translate: Hello mister Jimmy (with respect). I brought clients. Thanks again for the special prices you gave my friend Phoenix. Tthe Red Vineyard? Yours is better than the original, the colors are more alive.


Jimmy grins and say without raising his head from the painting “Quando sono finito che sarà esattamente come l'originale, l'originale anche un aspetto migliore quando era nuovo”

Translation: “When I am done, it will be exactly like the original. The original likely looked better when it was new.”


It make sense actually, I assume that there are other methods of making drawings age faster. The colors should be the ones originally used and not the colors that seem apparent after many years. Time is a cruel master, and everything constantly changes. This is the first time that Jimmy gave me a real answer and I suddenly understand. It was not flattery telling him that his drawings looked better than the original. I was being perceptive and honest. To Jimmy I just noted that the paintings were not yet done, that's all. He knows that things look better when freshly painted.

I wonder just how much he taught me about art. It is a shame that someone of so much talent and artistic versatility spends his time copying the works of lesser talents. Perhaps getting famous is truly random, like with Van Goch that only sold the red vineyard and no other painting.

[SgtBoomCloud]

At the car, Arc gave a pause before looking back at the older elf woman, her green cyber eyes scanning her with a note of concern.  But, after a quick moment, she gave a nod with a nonspecific vocalizations denoting recognition and acknowledgement.

Inside, her head was a whir at this information.  If Molokai, or whoever he is, is so dangerous as to be a threat to uninvolved people then is he really a good one to work with?  She gave a shrug as she belted in, trusting her blood sister to not lead them into a death trap.  Pulling up her commlink, she mentally composed and sent a message to Hrock on the way.

<<Hey Uncle. Thanks again for picking those parts up and delivering em today.  Hey, just got wind of devil rats that could be slinking around in my basement.  Check with me and get the all clear before swinging by, aight?  Thanks again>>

She trusted that he would understand her doublespeak and get the underlying message.  Satisfied with that, she pulled up to park, awaiting Marco before descending into the shop.

She had to admit, she was a little impressed with the setup. Cleverly disguised and guarded, and the selection was decent too.  Not as specialized as TriggerT, but this Jimmy made up for it in breadth.  "Hookah, lets see what they got here, eh?"

[Mercy Merchant]

Yelena follows the others into the pizza place, her mouth watering as much as anyone's at the aromas coming from the kitchen.  She is full from the pasta lunch, but marks the location on her 'link for later.  Marco is smooth, controlling the action with simple gestures or even a look and Yelena is impressed.  Once in the basement, Yelena stops to look at the painting, not recognizing it as anything spectacular.  She does recognize some of the spoken Italian from her several months in Italy, but not enough to even begin to understand what Marco and Jimmy are saying, but is not concerned since their gestures seem to indicate it is about the painting.  She shrugs and moves on to talk to Damian, who seems to be the man with the knowledge they have come to get. 

While waiting, Yelena peruses the shelves for some armor.  She looks over to Arc, "Srui.  Yelena remember Arc say get armor.  What recommend?  Yelena not normally use."

[SgtBoomCloud]

Arc's attention was definitely on the various apparel pieces, which cinvengiently seemed to be arranged by size where applicable.  Since armor was the goal for at least half their group at this stop, the mechanic made sure to keep an eye out for something of note.  Thumbing through a few garments, she caught Yelena's question, giving a little nod, recalling the last major firefight Yelena was in. 

"Well, I'm no expert, Y, but in the event we have to be doing like we did in the playground, you'll want somethin. Here...". She found a stack of armored jackets lined up, fishing out a slender piece, the dusky fabric held in shape by the numerous plates sewn into the fabric.  "I just got one like this from Trigger T.  Can't hide what you wearing, but it's good cover.  Won't slow you down none either.  It probably ain't fancy or nothing..." .She glanced over at Firefly and Tuskaloosa, nodding for them to join in the conversation.

"But it'll get the job done.  They really do got a bit o everything in here.  Telling ya, I'll eat my coveralls if they just happened .to have a full set of stealth suits in our sizes.  Any buyers?" She grinned, the mechanic in good spirits while Marco discussed with Jimmy in some odd tongue..

[Mercy Merchant]

Yelena nods as she goes to look at what Arc is holding up.  Taking it, she tries it on, flexing her body to test the fit then drops prone and splays her arms out as if holding her rifle, moving to several positions.  Rising, she repeats the process several times before looking at Arc and nodding.  "Yelena like.  Arc right.  Yelena still move.  Not hard get up and down.  Is good.  Yelena like."  She smiles as she continues, "Yelena have stealth suit once.  Yelena liked.  Much cost.  Much good.  Yelena lose as bet on cards when out of money once.  Would like one.  Can customize, but add to cost."

[SgtBoomCloud]

Arc gave a nod at that, crossing her arms as she watched her try the fit out.  "From what Marco picked up offa Blake, we may be not worryin about cost too much if the drek is necessary, eh?". As the elf got up, the mechanic noticed how the others hadn't quite joined in yet, getting distracted by something or other.  Dropping her voice low, she turned to her.

"Srui, need to level with ya.  I took care of that warning you dropped on me, but I need to know.  This Milo guy what wrecked my place to drek with ya that sketch?  My fight is your fight, no question there, but if we are taking these others with us...". She held a sidelong glance at their three comrades in turn. "If they going into dangerous death drek, Srui, it's on us.  Can you trust this hoop to not slot us sideways?"

[Shaman_Yuri]

What is it with these people?

I can't figure them out.  Why wouldn't Yelena-sensei sit in front now that she's awake?  Instead she's sitting in back with the troll.  I'm just a hired hand...maybe an apprentice or squire.  But I'm about to owe them the value of this car...new!  Why do they keep treating me so nice?

And what to make of this new place?  I'd have felt more comfortable left in the car, honestly, but Yelena insists that I come "help her try on gear."  Okay, I'm game.  I should be helping her with stuff like that.  But when we finally navigate to the gear, she shoos me off to look at stuff on my own.  I can't afford anything here!  That's why I need the loan.

In an effort to avoid venting my frustration, I find an unobtrusive corner to stand in and via AR work on processing data.  I have far more data than time right now.  I'll take every quiet moment I can get.

[gilga]

When I am done with Jimmy I go and look at the armors as well. I find myself a leather jacket that I feel handsome in, a fancy model with fire and electricity resistance, gel packs, electromagnetic color change and it can even glow in the dark. I will never need a flashlight. It seems very wiz for me, and I am so happy that I can finally afford such armor as my previous model was a plain armor with no upgrades.

However, unlike Yelena I must admit that most of my time is spent in front of the mirror. As I try different color combinations, to try and connect with my inner badass.  It is almost stylish and a lot nicer than my previous low end model. I add a matching ballistic mask and I feel powerful and well armored. If anyone is going to be shooting at me, I'd better be wearing my new armor. I then spot Firefly just standing in the corner and taking a deep and focused look into thin air.

I walk by her and wave a little bit, just to see that she is still conscious.  When I finally get her attention I ask "What do you think?" and spin so she can see how the armor seats. "Aren't you interested in armors? They have some,  wiz things." I then add. 

[Duck N. Cover]

Tuskaloosa entered the pizza place last, taking the extra time to stretch surreptitiously after the car trip.  While she understood the value of an Americar and Arc was as sympathetic a driver as she could hope for, the the troll looked forward to being able to get around and not feel claustrophobic.  Even if it was on a temporary basis...

She followed the lead of the line.  They were ushered to the back and through the kitchen. Must have some special dining area that requires going through the kitchen she thought as Marco slipped behind a stack of crates. How else do you explain to the other customers?  As she waited her turn, she watched the head chef pound a ball of dough and throw it from one hand to another. Hand tossed?  Now that's a dead art...
"What'll ya have on your cover?"
"What...?", then understood.  "We just ate," she said apologetically. "Do you make a dessert pizza?"
"Heathen," he muttered.   
Tuskaloosa wasn't fooled though.  She remembered in some trivia cache on the Matrix that she was probably more Italian than what most people in the UCAS considered "authentic" pizza. "What's Italian for Omakase?"
He waved her away with a flour-coated arm.  "So ka, so ka."
She left him to surprise them and took her turn behind the crates.

The "basement" was huge--less a large cellar and more like a domesticated cavern. I wonder if this attaches to the Orc Underground?
Marco stood chatting to a gentleman behind an easel, light engineered to be as natural as possible flooding the spot.
Arc and Yelena had made a beeline to an open crate brimming with armored jackets.  Arc gave her a nod and she threaded her way over.
"But it'll get the job done," the mechanic was saying.  They really do got a bit o everything in here.  Telling ya, I'll eat my coveralls if they just happened to have a full set of stealth suits in our sizes.  Any buyers?"
The troll shook her head. "I'm about as stealthy as a powered lawn mower over a loose gravel road.  To hide this sequoia in the redwood , I'd settle for a set of go-gang regulation combat gear with electrochromics.  Some fireproofing and nonconductivity would be wiz, but nothing gets you a pass like being able to fly colors at will."

Yelena had been checking the fit of an armored jacket and talking about stealth armor, Tusk will add "don't forget to add Thermal Dampening to your must-haves, or you'll look like a warm ghost."

[Shaman_Yuri]

I had developed a rhythm, finally making some progress, when a hand passes before my eyes and refocuses my attention from AR realspace.  I turn my neck slightly to face Marco. 

 "What do you think?" he says and twirls. "Aren't you interested in armor?"

I look away briefly, than down at my abaya-covered form which covers the rather tight fit underneath.  Only the legs of the currently black jumpsuit are apparent beneath the folds of traditional matching dark fabric.  "I have my jumpsuit which is armored.  I'm pretty good at ducking when shooting starts.  I...should be okay."