[Lighthouse]

I will just hold on to this credstick for the moment and ride with the lady if no one minds.

[Mercy Merchant]

Tanya takes note of Elsa's reluctance to leave and correctly interprets it not as a weakness, but as a hidden desire to experience the pleasure of the opera.  She can well remember her own look at her first one.  Before they leave the box, she leans over to the sorceress.  "There is more opera coming in the near future.  I will send you an invite when something interesting comes to town.  I would love to introduce you to this sort of entertainment.  Think about it and let me know if you are interested."

At the auto, Tanya nods to those making their own way and welcomes Delila and Byron as they get in the limousine.  During the ride, she offers water to the other two and sits back to observe them.  She will play the hostess and try to get her guests to open up a bit about themselves if they are willing, but will respect their privacy if they indicate that is their desire.  When she arrives at the hotel she waits in the lobby for the two who drove themselves to gather then leads everyone to the private elevators to the sub-floors.  The group emerges from the elevator on U3 and walks along the plushly carpeted hallway to Suite A, where she unlocks the door and ushers her guests inside.  As expected, the concierge has already delivered the light refreshments.  Tanya welcomes all into the living room and says, "I had forgotten that I gave Monique the night off so had room service drop some things by.  Please let me know if there is anything you would like me to order up and do make yourselves at home.  I am going to change into something more comfortable."  She looks about at the rest then says, "How rude of me.  I do rather expect that everyone would like to change out of their posh clothes.  Elsa, you and I are very close to the same body form so I think that you can wear just about any of my things.  Delila, your height means that my jeans will not fit, but I do have some shorts and tees that will do nicely.  Hmmm, boys, I can get both of you something to wear that does not look too feminine, if you want out of your finery and into something more comfortable."  She puts her bottles in the wine cooler and goes to the large drapes.  Pushing the button causes the drapes to retract to the side, exposing the floor to ceiling window that looks into the water of the sound.  At this time of the night, hidden lights illuminate the water and the fish. 

Tanya disappears into her bedroom and re-emerges a couple of minutes later with jeans and tees that should fit both of the men if they were interested.  She points to one of the doors leading off from the large living room.  "You two may use that bedroom to change in.  It is vacant at the moment."  She moves back to the door to the master bedroom and holds it open, motioning for Elsa and Delila to come with her.  "We can change in here."  In the bedroom, Tanya opens the doors to the large closet and points to the dresser.  "Please rummage about to find something you like.  There are some nice shirts and blouses hanging in there and jeans and more shirts in the dresser."  A few minutes later the women emerge in jeans and tee shirts or blouses.  Tanya moves to unlock the planning room and shows everyone to the long table that she uses to lay out diagrams and blueprints.  She motions to the table and says, "We should be able to work in here.  I use the space for planning my own activities.  Now, I do think that it is important that we at least trust each other enough to offer up what we can add to the group in skills.  I will start if no one objects.  To put it briefly, I steal things.  I have an array of mechanical devices and skills that allow me to break into "secure" locations and then steal what I wish.  I am certain that I am not the best in the world at this, perhaps not even in Seattle, but I am pretty bloody good at it.  I usually do not go in for wet work and try to leave without being detected.  However, I can defend myself if necessary.  I do not really have a street name; going by Tanya, but I understand that is popular for runners.  I hope that it is not out of place to ask how people would like to be called among ourselves.  As it is, I really only know any of you by the name that James asked me to put on the opera admission tickets."  She looks about the room and adds,  "So, any questions for me?"

[Lighthouse]

"What lovely accomodations. Thank you. You may call me Mother."

[Mercy Merchant]

Tanya nods to the woman.  "Thank you, Mother.  And do you have anything to share with us about your skill set?  I feel that if all of you know more of what I can do, what each of us can do, that we can plan better on how to find and break into this office James mentioned and procure the information we are looking for."  She looks around and continues, "I most certainly do not wish to push my name forward to be the face here, not appear bossy.  Please accept my humble apologies if I appear to be doing either.  I just think that it is bloody important that we know enough about each other to be effective.  And I should have said earlier that besides breaking and entering, I am a dab hand at forgery, specializing in fake IDs..  I can also do a good work up on other documents if I have an example to work from and some time."

"I am a fan of working out a good plan, because plans can save lives and I would certainly like to live long enough to spend my share of the 60K."

[skulldixon]

Kumiho parks his motorcycle, jacking out as he does, and rides the elevator up with the others. He looks around a Tanya's decor gaining insight into the woman through her tastes in art and aesthetics. When she returns wearing more comfortable clothing, he notes this as well.

He takes a seat around the table when lead into the planning room and listens patiently to Tanya layout her skillset for the group.

I too offer my thanks for allowing us to conduct business within your home., he slightly bows towards Tanya.
As Mr. James stated, I will be of most use to retrieve any information stored on their off-line hosts. I am a Decker with some skill with drones - though only surveillance. However, I have been well trained in protecting myself as well as being helpful in firearm based combat. I am Called Kumiho.

Kumiho wonders if anyone here is into the underground matrix art scene and would even recognize the name.

[Mercy Merchant]

Tanya listens to the Korean talk.  Returning his slight bow, she says, "You are very welcome to my home.  I am impressed, Kumiho.  I have a good friend who is a hacker of some ability and she has told me more than once that rigging and decking together would be great but is a bit beyond her.  I have worked with both in my line of work.  It is such a pleasure to have the micro drones looking about and keeping tabs on things that would only be a distraction for me, and there are certainly alarm and security systems that I need help with."  She is momentarily lost in thought before snapping her fingers.  "Kumiho.  Kuhimo.  Where have I........  Of course.  Kumiho.  I had wondered where I had heard that name before.  My friend, Cora Lee the hacker I just spoke of, is a great fan of yours.  She has told me more than once how much she would love to meet you.  Apparently you are some sort of underground matrix art genius.  She has shown me some of your work and I am impressed.  I would consider it a personal favor if you would agree to meet her sometime."

[skulldixon]

Kumiho blushes, bowing his head.

Aigoo. Art Genus is a bit much. I just follow the flow of the matrix pulse, as it were.

[Lighthouse]

I am a practictioner of voodoo but I can walk softly and shoot straight.

Mother calls her car to park at the hotel so she can retreive her weapons.

[Mercy Merchant]

Tanya nods, "Voodoo?  A good friend of mine in Seattle just did a feature article on a man named King Willy.  He uses voodoo, or at least the article said so.  He uses a loa, or something like that, right?  So what sort of magic spells can you cast?"

[Lighthouse]

A girl can't divulge all her secrets. I have a few illusion spells that I think will come in handy. I have some offensive ones if need be. A little of this and little of that.

[obidancer]

Kachina followed Tanya and Mother to the room. Tanya's selection of clothes was impressive and almost made the Native woman ashamed of the handful of outfits that would fight for space in her crammed apartment.

After placing her commlink on a shelf, she without any sort hesitation unhook and dropped her dress on the floor, revealing her beautiful body. Not very muscular or even toned she had very charming proportions for her tiny body. Her hips were a bit more prominent but it gave her the right curves at the right place. Two tattoos were attractive the attention. An intricate dreamcatcher covered most of her chest, while a beautiful and mysterious looking Native American  woman portrait was covering her left shoulder. Though not shy about showing her almost naked body she quickly covered it with a selection of clothes from Tanya's collection. A comfortable pair of jeans and a shirt that she tied up above her stomach, the few op buttons open to reveal part of her chest tattoo.

Back in the meeting room, she stood and looked at each one of the other team, with a chilling intensity. Though petite, she had such a presence in the room, it was difficult to ignore. She addressed the group with a non-hesitant voice that clearly showed sign of a background in the Military.   

Tanya, your hospitality, prose and knowledge is to be recommended; be sure that we are all here very appreciative and impressed by it. Your talents will be of great use for many of our missions. And your ability to combine thieving skills with face skills is a formidable asset.

My name is Kachina Powaka, which translate to the Spirit Witch in my Hopi language. Most runners shorten it to 'Kay' though, and I don't mind it. I was trained as a Shaman and part of a Special Unit in the Pueblo Council Army that I was leading. We were used for scouting and data extraction:  I am specialized in all forms of interrogation techniques. I am competent with automatic weapons. but most importantly, I'm a follower of the mighty Thunderbird who provides me with most of my spellcasting abilities. I speak to the Spirits and somehow they have great interest in me. They help me with great compassion. And I am sure they will gladly extend their help to the entire team.

Mother, your ability to also communicate with the Spirit World is formidable. I am curious to learn about your craft and beliefs. Like Tanya mentioned the more we know about your prowess, the easier it will be to plan a run without second guessing the possibilities. As I said, my abilities come from the Thunderbird, whether it is flying or sending lighting bolts at my enemies. I can make anyone look like someone they're not and see far away without regard for the obstructions in front of me. The Thunderbird helps me with Healing and boosting of abilities

I volunteer to take charge of the mission parameters and lead the team  throughout the run. Among such professional runners, it would be a honor.

.   

[Mercy Merchant]

While changing clothes in the bedroom, Tanya is drawn to Elsa's beauty.  Her eyes play over the tattoo on the other woman's chest, lingering for perhaps a few seconds too long, and she barely resists running a hand down her bare back as she turns to look at the clothes available.  There is no denying that Tanya is attracted to her new acquaintance, but she pulls back from saying anything for the time being.  She does not know the woman well enough to assume she enjoys experimenting with other women and does not want any hard feelings to get in the way of the mission at hand.  She is very glad that her guess about Elsa being able to fit into her clothes was pretty spot on.

Once in the planning room, she listens to Elsa, no Kachina, talk and nods her head in acknowledgment of the thanks for providing the place to do the planning.  She thinks to herself, *So now we have at least two mages of some kind.  I know from Cora Lee that Kumiho is a well-known decker and matrix artist.  That leaves Byron.  I wonder what his specialty is?  And Kachina has stepped up to be group lead.  I am willing to give her the chance.  Certainly leadership is not my strong suit.*

Tanya waits to see if the quiet Elf will volunteer any information.  So far he has remained mostly quiet.  The time waiting gives her the opportunity to think on Kachina's words about changing faces.  Such a talent would be invaluable in Tanya's line of work.  She resolves to tread carefully with this one, as her continued friendship could lead to something quite useful, as well as something quite nice romantically.

[Aria]

Requiem arched an eyebrow at Spirit Witch’s pronouncement but didn’t comment.  So this was Spirit Witch from Needle? He returned to the others in jogging trousers and a loose fitting tee over his whipcord frame which only accentuated the vat grown musculature.  He seemed equally unabashed by the snub nosed pistol strapped to the inside of his forearm or the mass of scar tissue that was clearly visible.  Catching a glance he muttered something about “those that live by the sword…”

Folding himself comfortably into one of the chairs across from the others he said

“My handle is Requiem.  As I alluded to at the Opera I specialise in the precise application of violence.  I’m not a thug, I’ve been a professional soldier longer than most of you have been alive.  As we are being so honest with one another, and I applaud the trust being shown, I will tell you that I served as a Sergeant with Firewatch in Chicago.  I still have the nightmares to match the scars.  I’ve parted formal company with Ares some time ago and I have been lucky enough to run with the Balefire crew here in Seattle for the last three years.  Something that has taught me the benefits of magical intel.  If Kay is willing to lead us then I second her…”

[Mercy Merchant]

Tanya smiles at Requiem's words.  She rolls the words around on her tongue; precise application of violence.  She likes it.  She also likes that he jumped in and seconded Kachina as leader.  She turns to the Native sorceress and says, "Well, we certainly have talent here.  So, Kay, how do we get this done?"

[Lighthouse]

So I imagine that ...what was your name again? Kumiho darling? will see what he can find on the matrix for this Return safe was it? Then we call our contacts and ask them what they know."