[Mercy Merchant]

Athos waits in the parking lot for a while to see if Artie comes back.  If she appears, he gives her 200 nuyen for gambling expenses and 100 for half of the agreed upon fee for being at the casino.  If she does not appear he stews for a bit before calming down.  After all there is nothing he can do for either of them at this point.  Climbing into his car he heads for home to change his clothes for the meeting with Valentina.  He did not want to wear his meeting clothes to breakfast in case he spilled something.  It would be bad form to show up to the meet with food stains on one's clothes.

At home, he receives the first message from Minnie and is relieved.  One worry down, but still one to go.  He believes that Artie must have managed to follow the bikers that had taken Jimmy, but why has she not called him?  He takes the time to get out one of his best suits, once again marveling at the artisanship of the tailor that could make even a Troll look good.  The suit was worth every nuyen he had paid for it.  Just wearing it almost made him feel that he had made it out of the Barrens.  Almost.  Some part of him would always be in the Barrens.  He gets two additional updates from Minnie as he is dressing and is satisfied that she is OK.  Checking his 'link for about the hundredth time for a message from Artie, he scowls.  *Frag.  I hope she is OK.  Girl can take care of herself, but .......*  Athos leaves the rest of that sentence unspoken in his mind.

[gilga]

Not wanting to cause a scene, Minnie goes through the motions of petting and even kissing while her real focus remains on Jimmy and Michael.  She had years of practice blowing an experienced client's mind while her own was off in places like the Caribbean Islands, Hogwarts, or Darkover.  Keeping a teenager hooked was nothing.  Unfortunately, although not at all surprisingly, the petting eventually leaves him wanting more.  While she'd have had no problem obliging the kid if it didn't pull her away from the debate up front, there was no way even giving the kid a blow wouldn't draw attention in the busy room.  Like the kid intimated, they'd have to leave for a 'vacant ' space.  And with her luck, the moment she headed down a hallway hand in hand with some random boy would be when Jimmy would notice her.  That thought seems to bother her the most.

She tries redirection.  "But what about that older guy?" she asks indicating Michael with her head even as her hands play the boy like a fine instrument.  With any luck, making the kid use his brain while his body experienced some of her more distracting foreplay that was still (more or less) appropriate in public might stall until she'd have to bail anyway to meet Athos.  "He seems really smart.  Have you met him?  What's he like?"

The teen seems amazed "That guy?!... he actually believes that nonsense about segregation, and how it is the best solution for us all... He is so naive, he ignores the fact that trogs are murder monsters that just want to enslave us all. " While you seem to keep the petting 'socially acceptable' the teenager is so turned on that he dose not seem to care at all who watches. His hands are getting more and more bold, and you feel that you are not the one initiating already. If you do not stop him somehow you will soon be half naked at the back of the hall. Apparently Minnie's sexual skills are a little to much for a teenage boy to contain. He is going insane.
 

[Shaman_Yuri]

Minnie sighs internally, but doesn't let it show.  She's gathered what she needs.  Anything else can wait until she can talk again to Jimmy.  The note she left at the bar should let him know of her interest. 

Trying to quietly guide the boy to the least likely exit to be noticed by someone in the front of the room, namely Jimmy, she coaxes the boy out of sight of the crowd.  Only then does she permit the now almost mindless teen to lead her wherever he had in mind.  The sooner she can leave the boy in exhausted bliss, the quicker she can bail, clean herself up, and ensure she's on time for pick up by Artos.  As they reach the 'vacant space' he had in mind, she focuses on ensuring her professional clothes are removed and piled in a manner which will leave them suitable afterwards for the planned meeting.  Once down to her lace, she toys with the boy using hands and tail, squeaking to his touch in a cutesy mousy manner to enhance the ambiance her marquee attributes allow.  She knows the longer she can keep him from bursting, the more torpid he will be after his release and the easier it will be for her to slip out before he can protest.  It's not easy given his inexperience to keep him from acting prematurely, but she manages.

Poor boy, she muses as she brings him to glorious climax.  I've broken him so nothing will ever compare again...

Only later does she realize, red faced, that her AR set had recorded the whole thing... 

[gilga]

@Minnie, the boy is like clay in your hands. You play his body like a musical instrument. The problem is, that the same boy that now tries to cuddle you and sends an innocent thankful, completely involve look at you. All he wants now is to snuggle.

[Shaman_Yuri]

Minnie notes the time on her glasses - 10:32am.  She knew it would take her about 10 minutes to make it to the nearest Stuffer Shack where she'd meet up with Artos. Okay, maybe 15 if she didn't want to sweat in her suit and mess up her makeup more than the boy's awkward kisses had already done.  She made soft noises and stroked the lazing kid in ways she knew to encourage postplay sleep.  She'd figured out years ago that her Family pimps didn't care what went on in her bedroom with clients as long as she kept them happy for their allotted time.  If that meant putting up with beatings (within limits) and total humiliation, well that's what they paid for.  If she could encourage them to sleep some of that time, though, better for her.

By 10:37 the boy was in dreamland.  She carefully slipped out of his arms and returned to her piled clothing.  She dressed herself again as best she could without a mirror and by 10:45am she was slipping quietly out the nearest exit she'd spotted and which didn't seem to be set to alarm when opened.  She then ran at an easy pace to get to the rendezvous point.

Note that I had set up a plan for getting to the meeting with Valentina in a previous post.

Note also that I like to write in prose style.  I'll include my rolls as links.  If one fails, indicate in the response where that happened and describe the result.  I'll mod the post to accommodate the change and then go from there in the new one.

[Jayde Moon]

Artie watched the exchange in the parking lt and then shrugged.  Mice will do whatever to survive.

After the bike rolled off, she hopped down from the roof.

"Well, Athos... there's that then."

He nodded and then handed her the nuyen.

"Right, I'll be there.  She patted him on the back and then left him to his thoughts.

-----

Getting to the Casino on time wasn't a problem, and neither was getting in.  A Barrens girl she might be, but she didn't dress like one, the Sleeping Tiger making her a fit for the streets and amongst the elite.  The folds of the coat and her own skills kept the security guards from finding anything she didn't't want them to find, and she took an hour to get a good feel for the place, the exits, the paths, and a route that would keep her close and able to see the most.

While doing so, she called her fixer.  Switz, so called because he was neutral, just like 'Switzerland'... whatever that meant, she thought Switzerland was some asshole country that was all fragged up, but whatever...

>>@Switz (Artie) Yo, chummer.  I need a quick hand.  You got a bithead (decker) who can check out a toy I got?  Nothing special, just someone who could use a handful of nuyen or maybe a favor.  Let me know.<<

[gilga]

@Artie Switz answer>> I know a girl... Roxxy. she is a bit different... you'll understand when you see her but a professional never the less. You are welcome!. Artie knew that nothing came free with Switz and that he will ask her some favor in the future. Switz gave her the comcode for Roxxy.

Yes, the PC feel free to contact Roxxy.

[Jayde Moon]

>>@Roxxy (Artie) Hoy, omae.  You don't know me, but we may have a mutual friend, fella we call 'Switz'.  Anyhow, I asked him for a bithead and he tossed me your name.  Looking at a mini-drone and hoping to figure out if it means anything.  Nothing big, just want it checked out for a... chummer of mine.  Figure out where it might have come from.  If that's something you can do, let me know.

[Mercy Merchant]

Athos carefully makes his way through traffic to get to the Stuffer Shack rendezvous with Minnie.  "You OK, Yulia?  Try not to worry me too much, would ya?"  He helps his friend into the car and gives her time to rearrange her hair and makeup.  He observes her through the rear-view mirror as he asks, "See Jimmy?  He alright?"

[Shaman_Yuri]

Minnie slips quickly into the car and belts in so that Athos can keep them moving.  She doesn't want to be seen here herself, and she definitely doesn't want her troll friend to draw any more attention than absolutely necessary.  "I'm soory, Onii," she says after settling in.  She then pulls out the touch up bag she keeps under Athos' enormous seat for just such occasions.  She fills Athos in on the skinny while working to spiff up her hair, fur, and face.

"I couldn't just abandon him if he was in trouble because of me," she continues while primping.  "In the end, I was silly to worry.  Like I said in my text, old man Gino was right - he went willingly. More than that, he seems right at home in front of a crowd arguing with some honcho of the Humanis peeps," she kept explaining as her hands worked her face with brush, sponge, and stick.  "He's a smooth talker, which kinda floored me since he can't seem to get three words out at a time around me." 

She smirks as she remembers the poor boy trying to ask her out.  Was that only three hours ago? she muses to herself.

"Anyway, once I was sure Jimmy would be fine I spent a few minutes tipping my ride there and then bolted for that Stuffer Shack.  Easy peasy lemon sqeezy."

[Mercy Merchant]

Athos watches her expression in the mirror.  "Must have been some tip.  You OK with that?  And you can quit worrying, you look great."  *Better than great.*

He watches the road the rest of the drive to the casino.  Once in the lot there, he opens the door for his friend and they go to the casino.  The Gates places is actually one of his favorite haunts.  Athos had laid out a bundle to get one of the exclusive membership passes to the club and casino and was known there.  The pass allowed him and Minnie to bypass the normal entrance line, something he rarely took advantage of, but today that aspect came in handy.  The large Troll at the door nodded at him and held open the velvet rope for them to enter.  "Good morning, Mr. Blue.  It is a pleasure to see you again.  And you as well, Miss.  Please enjoy your stay inside."

Athos shakes hands with the slightly smaller Troll, surreptitiously palming him a 30 nuyen note.  After all, it never hurts to show appreciation and Athos can remember when he might have killed for a job like this one.  At the entrance to the lounge, the hostess casually nods to the entrance next to the one with all the scanners.  Athos's position in the family means he does not have to go through the scans or leave his weapons at the door.  There is indeed something to be said for being a made man in the Finnigan family.

Entering the lounge, Athos does a quick scan for Artie, not really expecting to see her.  Minnie takes up a position a couple of feet back and to the left to signify her place as his special assistant and the pair head off to the section of the main restaurant reserved for the Finnigan bosses.  Athos spares a look at his companion and friend.  "Uncurl the tail and straighten the ears.  You are the prettiest girl here and if people are looking it is because they are jealous of me walking with you.  We are going in to meet our destiny.  Null sweat, Omae."

[Shaman_Yuri]

Minnie's curled tail and drooped ears had more to do with discovering that she recorded her "tipping" of the Humanis boy back at the community center than nervousness at what was in store for them with Dame Valentina.  THAT little show was something she never intended to share with Athos, but she saved the file just in case it might come in handy some day.  Who knew if in ten years that kid might be in a position where such a file might come in handy for 'persuasion'?  That was about the ONLY way it'd ever see the light of day if she could help it, though.

She let her tail rise proudly behind her and straightened her ears as Athos requested, giving him her bravest smile with his final words of encouragement.  She didn't speak, though, since her role now was to be just another useful device for her employer.  She brought up her business suite through her AR set and to perform whatever secretarial actions might be required.  At the same time, the action permitted her to scan their surroundings in AR as well as real sight.  As she entered new rooms or hallways she'd take a quick peek in astral as well.

By the time they approached the room where they'd meet Dame Valentina, Yulia was submerged into her Minnie persona insofar that she existed to give those she served, in this case Athos and Dame Valentina, exactly what was expected of her.  Her own feelings were buried to the point where she wasn't even aware of them anymore.

[Mercy Merchant]

Athos unconsciously straightens his suit as they approach the roped off area.  He nods to the two guards at the opening and casually hands one of them his huge revolver.  Even a made man has to surrender his weapons in the presence of Valentina Finnigan.  Once in he moves over to where Valentina is sitting and kneels in front of her to kiss her family ring, saying "Dona Finnigan".  When she motions for him to stand he does so, nodding to the family consiglieri sitting at her right.  Athos stands quietly, waiting for the words that will either promise greater responsibility and authority or send him to an ignoble death.  He is calm, having steadied himself for either.  He is cheered by the presence of a chair sized for a Troll, but does not let that show.

[Shaman_Yuri]

Minnie remains exactly two human paces behind and one to the left of Athos as they move into the room.  When Athos kneels she does as well, making sure to lower herself an equivalent amount and then just a little more.  She rises with Athos, but otherwise may as well be part of the furniture.  She pointedly does NOT assense when in the presence of Dame Valentina.  That would be rude and she was sure there were awakened security members nearby watching her for exactly such a misstep.  Her abilities were well known to the Family, of course.  Her glasses were still showing an AR overlay, however, and her meat senses were alert.  She knew if Dame Valentina wished her dead, she would become dead.  She accepted that.  But if something happened from any other quarter, she was prepared to protect Athos to the best of her ability.  Dame Valentina, too, as long as that didn't conflict with keeping Athos alive.  She didn't need weapons to be deadly...

[Jayde Moon]

Artie watched the two enter and move through the casino and into the back.  They did n't appear to notice her, which was fine, she was aiming not to be noticed.  While they walked through, she scanned to see who was taking note, if anyone, then moved through to ensure that she could keep track of anything suspicious.

She managed to get a few table games in and came out even, for the most part... there was nothing to indicate that she was here for any reason other than a little fun.