[gilga]

@Minnie:  This is an interrogation room -  every casino has one we have three. This is where big cheaters are taken to. You see, small cheaters they get roughed up by security and then tossed off to the Barrens. For big cheaters there are two options, recruitment or death. This room is my office, you can say. I look at talented people, sense them talk to them and decide if they are more useful dead or alive. I’ve been doing that for many years now. Do you know why you are here right now?

[Shaman_Yuri]

Minnie thought hard on her answer.  She doubted deferential silence would cut it again.  On the other hand, she wasn’t confident enough to give her answer right off.  This may be an offer to graduate to a rook in his game.  It could be that she wanted his little pawn to march to her likely lethal fate.  Maybe she could fish a bit before she answered…

“If you wanted me back between the sheets full time, I’d be there and not here.”  It wasn’t much, but this may have been the first time in years she’d done anything but immediately respond to his command.  When he didn’t immediately frown, or worse, it gave her confidence and her ears perked up just a smidge.  “You wouldn’t need to bring me here to make that happen.”

She waited to discover his response to her reasoning.

[gilga]

Valentina looks as if she genuinely consider what you say and finally says. “Your plan is a bit naive, but I can see that your heart is in the right place. The family made a plan in that spirit, less ambitious than what you suggest but more inline with our long term goals.

The family is not going to figure out this crisis but, we are going to establish our own perimeter in addition to Bellevue perimeter. She shows you an AR map of Seattle, there are some crucial services in the Barrens that we already have a lot of influence in - these need to be protected at all costs. Then we expanded it a little to include residential areas as well as some successful business. The yellow area is where we want to establish Mafia influence.

We are going to establish a secure neighborhood adjacent to Bellevue, where businesses can prosper and crime can be eliminated. This will benefit the family greatly regardless of how real this new threat is. Our neighborhood will have its own perimeter, that is similar to the Bellevue perimeter only with our own people. 

As you can see there are some problems, this expansion, We have a common border to the east, with Yakuza territory, and the land we want overlaps with the territory of a small gang called the Brain Eaters. So there are two obstacles, first we want to negotiate with the Yakuza and establish an agreed border with them.

The Yakuza are too powerful for direct confrontation, they seem to be building their own army, and the Family wants minimal contact with them.  We made initial agreements to buy a warehouse that is on the wrong side of our border so that our contact with them can be kept to minimum.

I need you to close that deal, there are also two buildings near this warhouse that need to submit to Mafia influence and pay our taxes, or leave. We are going to have a many expenses in keeping the area safe, we need the support of the local population.

The other challenge is to completely eliminate the brain eaters, they are violent they terrorize bushiness and prevent growth, and they are too brutal and cannot be tolerated in a good neighborhood. But all in good time, for tonight you have 3 buildings to handle. A warehouse to buy and two that need to submit to Mafia influence. "

[gilga]

@Minnie
Tony looks at you softly and let just a tiny bit of sympathy. “This prostitution really scared you, I wish it could be different.” This is as far as he goes. “You are not going to be full time between the sheets... not now not ever. You are growing too powerful for that.” He sizes you up, and pause for a second to let you digest the fact that your prostitution days are almost over.

“ You are approaching the critical point, as your talent improves,  your recruit or die moment. Your loyalty and emotional stability will be tested by someone like me. He will try to break you in many different ways. You must keep your cool. I wish I could do that for you, but after our long relationship I am emotionally connected to you. I wanted you to be in this room once before that moment, so that you can feel it, so that you can be ready. Everything I did to you these recent years was aimed for that test

[Jayde Moon]

Artie noted the dealer and smiled when their eyes met before simply continuing on to her purpose.  She wasn't here to cause trouble for the casino and the casino wasn't where she expected trouble to come from.  Well, not that she could handle.  If Athos's people had it in for him, there was little she could do, here in this place.

If something else were to happen, she and the dealer would likely be allies.

That said, the watchful eye was a reminder that any attempt at cheating was probably the most horrible idea she could come up with, and so she kept her game small and made no pushes to big wins.

[Shaman_Yuri]

Minnie managed to maintain her compose at Tony’s revelation that his future plans for her did not involve the sheets.  True, she wasn’t being let off the hook of her remaining clients, at least not yet, but at least she knew…with the possible exception of Tony himself…how to satisfy them and none were overly…difficult.

As Tony continued, though, her relief was moderated.  So, she thought, the currency the Family is asking of me is changing, but they still expect to be paid.  She never believed she’d be allowed to just slip away from the Family, nor did she necessarily want that.  The Family was her life – she knew little else.  Athos was deep with them, and she was deep with him.  She also loved Nagisa, or at least thought she did.  She wanted to follow them where they went, and that path was paved by the Finnigan Family.  She would pass through the challenge Tony was laying before her.  She was smart enough to realize that to say no wasn’t an option.  It would end up with her dead or, worse, back in the sheets - brain-dim and her rapport with Mouse gone.

She’d never permit that.  She’d end herself before that happened.

No, the path Tony was laying before her was arduous, but it was the path she must take.

“I understand and accept,” was all she said, but her bright eyes, erect ears, and proud tail expressed far, far more than words ever could.

[gilga]

@Minnie, Tony approaches you so close that you can smell him and feel his breath. whispers in your ear “this test will be the most difficult thing you have ever experienced. They may hit you, torture you anything you can possibly think about is fair game. If you squick a bad word or try to defend yourself you will be killed. No matter what they will do to you you have to humbly accept it. You will never become an agent otherwise. Before the family can trust you they need to break you, emotionally, physically and mentally. You will be in this room for few days and you will come close to death.”

Then he tell you “You had sex recently, maybe few hours ago. I can still smell him.”. Examining your cloths he say “You seem to kept your clothes clean... almost” He shows you some little drool stain on your blouse. “You got a little dirty before you stripped; This is not good enough! You should always carry an extra set of clothes." He unbuttons your blouse and examines your chest and belly.“ Some minor scratches... on the back too - the lucky guy clearly enjoyed himself.” His hand wanders up your skirt, “But you didn’t... your mind was somewhere else.”

He sighs hold your hands and look you in the eyes. You can sense that these words are difficult for him.  “I have a confession Yulia, In my 20 years of service to the family, you are the first time that I disobeyed. I shouldn’t have told you that but I find the thought of you enduring this kind of torture more difficult than I thought, are you sure that these are the life you want? After this process is done there is no going back.”

Tony disobeyed an order, he just confessed that. If Yulia is loyal to the family she is expected to report it, but if she does, Tony might be killed, disobeying an order is the worst of crimes. Then again, why did he confess to her?

[Shaman_Yuri]

Tony’s description of the trial sounded little different from her experience as a Finnigan whore.  You gave the client the experience he or she desired.  Her reality didn’t matter.  Her feelings didn’t matter.  She was exactly what her client desired, acted as her client desired, felt as her client desired…suffered as her client desired.  She’d bent beyond breaking, yet here she was.  She’d persevered through the bedroom and was now being offered the world.  Maybe it would kill her.  Maybe it wouldn’t.  She knew the sheets would kill her, so the world was a good bet despite the risks.  She’d make Athos proud, or die trying.  Hopefully she’d have a chance to send a note to Nagisa beforehand, but if not…well she’d trust the Family to tie up her loose ends.

Tony’s next words also didn’t surprise her.  He was tougher than any UCAS drill instructor ever born.  She could give some great excuses – she didn’t expect to have sex when she prepared, she had nothing to carry more clothes in, heck she didn’t have two suits.  But those were excuses.  At her level you never gave excuses.  You made sure it never happens again…if you were lucky enough to get another chance.  At least he didn’t criticize her for taking a client less than seriously.  He would have been right to chide her for that, too.  Whether she was servicing the Chief Justice of the Seattle Superior Court or some Humanis flunky, if someone recieved her ministrations he or she deserved her best.

She was so intense absorbing the warnings and criticism that it took her a moment to recognise the gravity of Tony’s gaze into her eyes.  The vulnerability she saw there, fleeting but real, rocked her world.  She’d never seen this man vulnerable.  Heck, she didn’t think he was capable of being vulnerable.  Only then did she realize the meaning of some of his previous words.  She meant more to him than a valuable tool…a pawn.  He actually cared for her.  Enough to disobey.

The momentousness of his ‘confession’ was not lost on her.  Her pulse quickened not only from his touch but also as she processed what that meant.  She carefully considered his words and was relieved to realize Tony never did explain just WHAT he had done to disobey.  No…not one of his words crossed the line.  And she wanted to keep it that way.

She quickly raised her right hand to Tony’s face and placed a finger on his lips.  She didn’t say a word.  They’d both said enough.  She’d forever treasure the look in his eyes at this moment.  Come what may, she wanted his last image of her to be her soft smile.

[gilga]

@Minnie Tonny looks at you silently for a short moment. His eyes are different, all soft you can sense that he feels weak and vulnerable. He then passionately grabs you, and just smells you.  It is just as if he is trying to memorize your scent, perhaps it is his way to say goodbye. With a tear in his right eye he tells you, “I told Valentina that I wanted to have you one last time before your big day. Her condition was that I do not hint you anything. It was my test and I just failed it. You know what you have to do now.”

[Shaman_Yuri]

Minnie stays silent as Tony speaks, but the gears of her mind are turning.  Ironically, intimacy sharpened her mind.  It made sense when you thought about it.  Her moments of greatest strain, the times she needed her wits the most, had all happened between the sheets.

This is part of my test, she realized while in Tony's arms.  This is just too different from the Tony I know.

She didn't let on to her epiphany, and her smile remained genuine.  She truly did believe Tony cared for her, but not enough to ruin his career, perhaps his life.  Certainly not when she had given him an easy out.  She wasn't sure when this knowledge would be most useful and so she stored it away.  She looked Tony in the eye, standing as tall as her 145cm frame would permit, and said simply, "I'm ready,Tony."

[gilga]

@Minnie, Tony just sit in the room looking all defeated, he does not form eye contact, nor does he even open his eyes. He said his goodbye already, he does not want to ruin the moment.

If this was your loyalty test, Tony has no idea if you passed or not. If it was his own he has no idea what you are going to do about it. Either way,  he seems to just enjoy your last moment together.

[Shaman_Yuri]

Minnie honestly doesn't know what is real and what is performance from Tony since they entered the room, although once more she is certain some of Tony's affection is not feigned.  Still, the man has any number of strings he could pluck within her.  He's had years of fine tuning the instrument that is Yulia Kriedich.  But this show of emotion isn't on the play list.  His goal might have been to throw her off balance, but if anything the display has done the opposite.  She feels more emboldened, more sure of her ability to weather whatever is coming.  It isn't going to be easy, but she's now confident of her ability to see this through.

That said, she knows nothing Tony just shared with her may be right.  She knows no more about this test than she had when she first heard about it.  She decides she'll just remain silent, alert, and ready to handle whatever comes next.

Deciding that the fact she was possibly being tested this moment gave her freedom to start using her skills, she scans the empty room with all three of her senses.

Assensing: 1 [6d6t5=6, 1, 3, 3, 1, 1]

Perception: 2 [5d6t5=2, 5, 4, 1, 5]

AR via her eyeglasses: 2 [3d6t5=5, 5, 1]

[gilga]

@Minnie - the room seems to be completely separated from the rest of the world. It is enveloped by a powerful ward, there is no matrix access at all, and your perception shows that it as some advanced sound proofing technology embedded to the walls. It is likely possible to do almost anything in that room without anyone outside hearing about it. You do not spot any recording equipment or any other technological device in the room.

[Mercy Merchant]

Athos acceptance.  "Of course, Dona Valentina.  You may consider this done.  Am I assigned a crew and what are the resources I have to spend to finalize the purchase?  I also need the locations of the buildings."

[gilga]

Valentina answers youYou get an access to a Family account with 1,000,000 nuyen. The warehouse should go for half of that, but the Yaks are notorious  in the way they do buissness, nothing is sure until you complete the transaction.  You are allowed to pay 5k a head yourself included. You can hire as many people as you see fit but be reasonable.

She gives you a warm smile and kisses you on both cheeks, "Welcome to my crew" she say and warmly hug you. Now lets see what's going on with your friend. , it is funny because she never seemed to even notice that Yulia was there.

Valentina takes you to the reception room that by now is empty, she takes a seat and suggest you to do the same. "It may take a while" she said. She seats in silent she seems very comfortable with her silence, but Athos feels a little bit awkward. Until a moment ago, she was so friendly toward him. She seem to be hyper alert and completely focused at the door of Room 3.


@Minnie Tony takes off the key from his pocket and throw it to you. "You'll need it  to get out" He says.