[Shaman_Yuri]

Being Minnie is intoxicating, especially in this environment.  I'm in my element - the Queen of All I Survey.  And like a drug, it had made me dumb.  Earth to Yulia...

He's right, we are supposed to be hiding.  A troll and a mouse girl is about as notable as it gets.  They might not be able to act right here and now, but leaving is going to be...tricky.  Damn...

"You're right, Onii," I respond with just a touch of ear droop.  Yulia's in charge again.  "I was so caught up in the moment that I forgot we're supposed to be hiding.  Getting out may be tricky and there's been no sign of an ork with a cyber arm.  Any ideas?"

[Mercy Merchant]

Athos grins.  "Hey.  Ears up.  Focus on the mission.  We will worry about all else as it happens.  Put Minnie back in charge; you need to own the hotel and make everyone here want you in their bed.  Venom is probably knocking off some cheap ass somewhere.  All we have to do is find him.  Opening doors is one way.  Who could fault you for looking for an empty room to use?  It would a natural thing for Minnie.  So go to it.  You can do this."

[gilga]

Maxwell feels pangs of confusion as he processes what he's hearing.  "Something feels off.  I expected him to fly into a rage at the sight of me, not act this level-headed.  I think the elf is copulating with him as well, weird.  Maybe I can goad him into following me."  Mockingly he talks back to him.  "I know that you're a coward who'd rather hire people to fight his battles instead of manning up and facing them himself.  Oh and you can call security all you like but it won't do you any good.  I have ties with Horizon and Ares and i'm an honored guest here.  Untouchable if you will.  So you can bitch and moan all you want.  I'm not gonna leave you alone."

"Fight my battles? hire people? Like my special friend here realized, there is only one way. My way, what you seen so far was just how easily I can get to you. That was without even trying, you have some skill, I'll give you that but you narrowly cheated death, twice already. It only take one unlucky moment and you are gone forever. Things are going to change in this city, big changes and the cooperate world can never be trusted. You do not strike me like the one to play with the losing team... why not go for the winning team?"


Where is the out of control raging maniac, you met previously. The one that tried to suffocate you even-tough he was well armed. Perhaps he did not want to kill you back then? The person you speak too, is cold and emotionless. Disturbingly enough he is also very comfortable in his naked body, unlike his female keeb friend that tries to cover herself up.

[gilga]

@Minnie when you hug Michael he grabs you and pushes you toward his body, since you know him so well you are certain that although it appears sexual he is completely business, but what business exactly you do not understand. It is only few moments later that you find a small note in your purse that you understand why Michael was not handsy as you expected. 

“My Flower, If this message ever finds its way to you then know wear diamonds tonight as NH is not safe. There is a storm coming. Tony”

@Minnie and Athos
The interior of the house holds a reception room with armed guards in heavy armor guarding the stairs. The inside does not look like a house at all, it looks as a premadorial beach. Untouched by men it is gorgeous, the water seems clean and you can feel the cold wind in your air. This illusion was masterfully created and there is attention to any small details. It is just the wooden staircase and the well armed guards that reminds you that it is an illusion.

There are more people enjoying the illusion some of them are bathing in the sea or taking a boat cruise tough it is confusing to think what they are actually doing. You are quite certain that the few scattered longhouses are offices but again there is no venom in there, nobody that fits the description at least. You can feel something in your mind, a sensation pleasant one. You feel calm and relaxed and it is easy to just forget yourself into this wonderful illusion.

[Jack_Spade]

While Kynos finally moved inside to see what the caterers provided (and if they are still using propane) he sent another message: <<Oh, one thing: If you find Venom, remember he most likely was the guest of a vampire. You can expect him to have a little extra edge - either because he has become a vampire - in that case he most likely has lost most of his cyberware - or because he is now a Renfield slave - those don't go down easy. Love Kynos>>

While he walked along the buffet, Kynos grabbed all available toothpicks and looked for some garlic bread. He also found a soup cup and began filling it with olive oil from the antipasti. At one of the smoking rooms, he grabbed a cigar lighter...

[Shaman_Yuri]

What a pleasant illusion...

Still, it's just an illusion.  As nice as the ambiance here is, it's got nothing on Strawberry.  Business, Minnie.  Business.

"He's not here," I say with confidence Yulia doesn't feel, but I can...tell.  Someone like this Venom wouldn't allow himself to be influenced by something like this.

Still...this is a pretty potent illusion.  I wonder what's powering it?

Best to get back to where our head is clear.  I take Athos by a finger, my tiny hand can barely wrap around his thumb, and lead us both back outside.  With any luck, the strange illusion helped mask us.

"Onii," I ask softly to my friend once we're back outside, "have your friends found anything in the garden?  It seems the next best bet."

[Mercy Merchant]

Athos allows Yulia to guide him back outside.  He shakes his head.  "I do not know.  Kynos is waiting outside the house for us to lead Venom to him.  I had thought that the mage was with him, but I have not heard from him for a bit.  Let me try to raise them while we walk to the garden.  He lifts the 'link and says, >>Team.  Yulia and I have looked in the house and cannot find Venom.  We are going to the garden to look there.  We might want to shift to that location.  There are probably a number of places in a maze that we can do our work on Venom.  Getting him out of there might be a problem.  Any ideas?<<

[Mulcarn]

Maxwell's commlink had been buzzing throughout the entire conversation.  It didn't matter though, he ignored them for he was focused on the man in front of him.  Venom's calm demeanor began to unsettle Maxwell, because this isn't what he planned for.  This isn't what he was expecting.  Had he been tricked from the start?  Had he been manipulated into believing the wrong things?  Was he a pawn when he thought himself to be king?  Hate spikes are driven through Maxwell's mind as Venom's words settle in.  "Something is wrong, but I have no inkling as to what though.  He has the answers I seek, or at least part of them.  Still, he seems too calm considering everything that has happened.  This haze of half-truths and misdirection is maddening.  I need to have a word with Strawberry later.  She might have twisted his heart full of emotion magic, and set him upon me.  Perhaps not even, perhaps this is Grail's doing.  I have little idea as to what vampirism actually does to the body and mind.  Assuming he is a vampire.  One thing is certain, I will not stray from the path I've been set upon."

Maxwell starts laughing sinisterly and looks Venom dead in the eyes.  "No... I see what you're trying to do.  You're afraid of me.  I remember how you ran screaming from me during our first encounter.  How you ran screaming from the hellfire I command.  You know that you've been caught and you're trying to bargain your way out of this.  There is no winning team.  There is me and then there is rest of this world.  Full of monstrous denizens like you that I will burn.  I fear no reproach, and i'm definitely not siding with you.  I'll find my own brand of darkness to wield and control."

[gilga]

Venom laugh, "talking about a buzzkill... You are no more resistant to spirits than I am. There is no shame in fear there is only shame in failure. " He say, the elf now a bit more covered say "You are in the dark, angry misguided and are working for people that play you like a puppet on strings. You clearly had an unpleasant experience with my lover.   You are angry and misguided.. Why won't you stay here with me while V brings us some drinks, I will explain everything."

She say and seductively approaches Maxwell. She is beautiful, long legs, blue eyes blond her and red red lips.... Lips that unless Maxwell acts quickly are going to be kissing him. As the lady makes her move on you you can see Venom leaves the 'room' and the vegetation is already starting to close behind him. The lady whispers... in your ear, pushing you next to the bush moving her weight on top of you. She say "Just tell me what it is you want more than anything in the world".

[Mulcarn]

Maxwell's gaze darts from Venom to the elf speaking to him.  Her words are like honey, her movements hypnotic.  His heart begins to beat in an increasingly uncontrolled fashion as she presses against him.  Not wanting to lose control of himself, he tries to slip out of her embrace.  His smug smile had broken and he speaks back to her in a lower, softer voice.  "What I want... are answers... and for you to control yourself."

Once he had distanced himself a little he further reiterates.  "Yes i'm angry, i'm always angry.  It's just my nature to be.  Misguided?  Maybe I am.  It's hard to discern the machinations of those around me when i'm being pulled in a thousand different directions.  Also your lover tried to kill me on three separate occasions.  What I feel is more than simply unpleasant.  The whole reason I didn't waste him as soon as I saw him was because I didn't want you to be caught in those flames.  Don't make me regret that."

As a precautionary measure, Maxwell calls out to his spirit.  "Mortality, I feel as though I might soon come under life threatening duress.  If I start to bleed or hurt, then you are to appear and defend me."

[Mercy Merchant]

Athos and Yulia approach the maze entrance and pass into it.  "Stay close, Yulia.  This is probably not a good place to get lost."

[gilga]

@Maxwell the keeb smiles and seemed amused by your allure to her."Tried to kill you you say? Oddly enough you seem to have a trail of bodies following you. Everybody wants something... It is human nature, you want something Venom wants something... 
That poor flower girl she wanted something.
You are powerful, but you are still not ready, you hesitate when you should strike... if Venom is what you really want go after him, before he is out of sight."

[Mulcarn]

Curious as to who and what he's speaking to, Maxwell shifts perception to find out.  Defensively talking back to her too.  "Thought he was coming back with drinks.  Thought you had answers.  Or was that all a lie?  Make no mistake, i'm no fool.  This is a heavily monitored party after all.  It is out of prudence that I waited, not hesitation.  He'd be a pile of ash right now if I truly wanted."

Maxwell regains a little more of his former stance and flares up in renewed vigor.  "If he's just running off to hide while you stay here and distract me, then we're done talking.  Hinder me anymore and I won't hold back."

Astral Perception: 6d6t5 2

[Shaman_Yuri]

I keep hold of Athos' finger, although now he leads.  He has a much better view from up there, so I am content to follow for now.  That said, I have a sight he doesn't.  Keeping hold of the troll, I slip into astral view and look around me to see if that might help.

Assensing when entering the garden maze: 6d6t5: 3 [6d6t5=1, 5, 6, 6, 2, 4]

[Mercy Merchant]

Athos feels that it as Minnie slows down a bit and slows his pace as well.  "Sorry, Yulia.  Sometimes I still forget that my legs are longer.  I will try to let you keep up."

Athos suddenly realizes that he has rarely felt the touch of his friend and finds it enjoyable, even given the situation.