[adamu]

Al's eyebrows shot up at Isaint's delegation. Not out of surprise - who wouldn't tap him for leader? - but rather in dismay at such a responsibility.

No matter, though. Isaint would be back, and if he wasn't, the course was clear - they'd go looking for him. Dusted.

So next up was the whole wedding planner thing. He still expected it to be easy. Hang around while the women talked about women's things. He wasn't really sure why he even had to be there for it, but it seemed important to the crazy old coot from Team Fate, so what the hell.

He was feeling plum tuckered out though, and said so - "I am feelin' plum tuckered out." - to no one in particular. "Been a helluva day. Don't reckon it'd hurt to set ourselves up somewhere, get some shut-eye afore we get down launch our careers in matchmakin'."

[Jack_Spade]

Contrary to his expectations, Isaint and his companion weren't ambushed by any zombies, ninjas, pirates, cyborgs or zombie-ninja-pirate-cyborgs. Consequently they were back within the given time limit.
"Alright, time to move on. Looking at the current state of our health, I'd say we all could use some solid rest for a few hours. Since an above ground safe house hasn't worked out, we'll once again have to content with a hotel or guest house from Below. A temporary mana barrier against searching spirits and limited matrix activity should in theory allow us to have that time, before our enemy finds us through other methods.
After that I'd like to resupply a bit. That engagement took quite a bit of ammunition on my part.
Once we are safe we can start to plan how to facilitate an elopement / shotgun wedding down here.

And questions, suggestions or requests?"

[Mercy Merchant]

Robyn is still lost in the VR world, although the number of enemy has decreased significantly and seems to be manageable.  It had been like a wave of death has swept over the battlefield, felling huge numbers of the foe.  The ones remaining could be left to her companion.  She slides out of VR to catch the last part of ISaint's conversation.  I actually have a small place in Earl's Court.  It is not much, but it could serve as a place to rest and recuperate a bit.  We might find source to buy your ammunition needs as well, but I would have to ask around to be sure.  But in any case, it is not too far from Nightshade, where you can buy anything.  Of course, there are small hotels in the area that serve the occasional Overworld visitor, but I have never used one so cannot say anything about them beyond what I have heard.  Interested?"

[Jack_Spade]

"A generous offer. If you have enough room and your place is defensible enough I don't see a reason not to accept. But as you by now probably know, you are risking a lot of trouble coming down at your home - especially since I intent to ask Al to once again prepare an emergency exit through one of the walls. That tactic really saved our collective bacon."
Isaint stretched, creating various popping noises from his joints.
"Time to get the game face on."

Isaint set his ballistic mask on his face and chanced the electro chromic display to resemble a Roman legionnaire's helmet and likewise changed his coat to resemble antique Roman armor. The Ruthenium-Polymere Cloak once again was draped over Arthur and activated, turning the drone within the poor lighting of the corridors into a wraith like figure.

He made sure to reload his Savalette with gel, his Ruger with Ex-Ex and his Crocket with APDS. Arthur reloaded with a fresh drum of Flechette.

#400

[obidancer]

Deckard went with Isaint to bring back their temporary prisoner to the surface. He smirked at the irony of the Mystical Adept hunting down Mages, but as he has mentioned earlier, she was a runner, and as such had his respect.
Back down with the team, he couldn't agree more with getting some down time to recuperate. He knew he was going to hurt as soon as the Elemental within him would depart.

Whether he had been invited or not, it looked like he was now part of the wedding maker team. Which could have been fun, if not in the environment of Below.

He looked at Isaint changing appearance, then the rest of the team.

Al was his casual careless self ; Robyn with her steampunk style and 'branded' face tattoo, and well, quite charming elf face and features, was memorable, but easily discarded as just eccentric or stylish, and not so different from the bunch that was living Below ; Yukika was not obviously displaying any Magical affiliation. Now the rest was more of an issue.
Centurion ISaint with his Rifle and Quiet Jack in Full gel pack covered Body Armor would automatically flag them as ore than 'Tourists/Visitors. And that wasn't the kind of attention they all needed.

Guys, I trust we should keep a low profile down below, particularly if we are here to negotiate some sort of peace arrangements. Ballistic Masks and Military grade equipment don't really call for peace, if you know what I mean. I appreciate the dedication to protect us, really, and, sure, it does clearly say "don't mess with us". But I very much think this would attract the wrong kind of attention...

His words were true for himself as well ; walking around wrapped in an aura of Magical flames was not going to put people at ease, so he dismissed his Spirit after thanking it for the new experience and services.
Deckard almost felt his legs give away under him. The toll of extensive use of powerful magic was definitely there, and more than ever, was glad for Robyn to offer a place to rest.   

[adamu]

"Well Flame Off, Johnny Storm. Welcome back ta the land o' the un-possessed."

Al stood with a creaky grunt and stuck his hand into the back of his jeans to pull his boxers out of his ass crack. Other hand dropped his spent butt into the brackish puddle he'd been sitting in. Reached down to give Robyn a hand up. "jis hope yer place got some brews, toots. Treat me right, I might make the hole small."

Truth be told, he was going to have to work to make a hole at all - his boom-boom bag was running on empty after the stunt with the idol and then the last breach. Truth be told, he hadn't bothered restocking it since the last job, but there was no need to tell anyone else that. Still, ticking through a mental inventory, he reckoned he had enough odds and ends he could cobble one last bang together.

"Figure y'all metrosexuals can talk fashion while we walk. Sooner we git there sooner ol' Al gits his beauty rest."

[Mercy Merchant]

Robyn's heart almost bangs out of her chest at the touch of Al's hand on hers and it is all she can do to keep herself from completing the standing move and fall into his arms.  She sets her sensors back to full efficiency and lays a route on the map she sends to the team.  "This will be the shortest route from her to Below.  The link is an old abandoned tube tunnel station.  It was never finished and is not on most maps, but there is a connection to Below there, and not much else.  The Mechanica use it to ferry goods to and from clients Below and so we may meet some there, in which case they will help us and keep quiet about it."

As the team begins walking, she continues.  "My house there is a bit smallish but at all of us can fit in.  There are only two bedrooms and one bed in each, but I have a nice soft couch and two chairs as well.  The amenities are pretty basic, so don't expect fancy food.  In fact, it has been a couple of weeks since I was last there and I gave all the perishables away when I left, so that need to be restocked.  There is a small market near that can do that for us, but I do not think there are any munitions dealers there.  No, that we will have to go a bit farther afield for, but only to the Nightshade."

"I do understand that my house might be destroyed, but I hope it does not come to that.  It will likely be impossible to keep your presence a secret for long, but the Below people rarely talk to the Overworlders out of choice.  Questions?"

[Jack_Spade]

Isaint nodded at Rick: "How about a compromise." He held out his rifle and with a mental command it began fold in on itself until it was more like a compact block that he could stash in his back pack. Arthur likewise fed his rifle into the smart backpack.
"The Ruger will have to do at a moments notice. But my mask stays on and you all should at least put in a respirator. A sudden gas attack is the most likely opening to an ambush from the Druggies. If you have a gas mask, even better.

By the way, you wouldn't happen to have one more spirit in your service that could once again conceal us?

In any case: Everyone restart your electronic gear and be sure to have everything running silent."

Isaint and Arthur formed went to the end of the group, keeping an eye on their rear.
In periodic distances, Isaint opened his third eye to take a look into the astral. He didn't like what he saw: The team looked haggard with muted auras while their surroundings grew more and more sinister.

To Robyn he said: "Food shouldn't be a problem. I've got a few MREs with me. The only thing I require is a flat and dry surface to crash for an hour. And maybe a shower. A hot shower. A hot shower and a cold beer..."

[Mercy Merchant]

Robyn laughs.  "A hot shower and a cold beer I can do.  And you are certainly welcome to one of the beds.  I think we can all use some rest."

[obidancer]

Deckard grabbed a small bag of chips form his duffel bag hanging around his shoulder. Shoving a few crispy treats in his mouth, he didn't wait to finish chewing before adding:

No need to compromise with me, I'm just cautious about attracted unneeded attention once we get further down. I know you guys have history here and understand the desire to not go the same route again, but I think we should keep a low profile for as long as possible, you know, to please everyone and get them to wed!

He shoved a few more chips in his mouth and casually offered the opened bag to the Priestess.

#80

[adamu]

Listening to Isaint's advice, and knowing it made sense, Al fingered the high-end respirator in his shoulder bag. But then an equation ran through his head like some sort of AR-ticker board, scrolling across his field of vision uninvited: badass coolness factor 0 x physical comfort 0 x ability to smoke 0 = chance of wearing 0.

He shrugged and promised himself to shift to internal air whenever they ran into any suspicious-looking hippies, then cursed himself for using such a redundancy in terms.

[Jack_Spade]

"And you were quite right to say so. But my experience with Below so far tell me, that there is pretty much no way we can prevent from being spotted from one or more of the houses' spy networks." Isaint sighed behind his mask. "So, let's get a move on. I hope you all have comfortable shoes on. This will be a bit of a hike."
#402

[Mercy Merchant]

Robyn smiles and ruffles the hair on the head of her companion and sets off. The map she sends to the rest of the team shows the way and her sensors and drones are able to give her advance information on what is ahead of them and she passes that information on in the form of updated maps.  Before long, the team approaches the abandoned tube station and her drones detect several people who have made it their home as well as three of the Mechanica that are in the process of transferring trade goods to group of four Below denizens.  Robyn alerts the team of the people ahead.  "We have company at the station that leads to Below.  Three of my Mechanica friends are dealing with four others, who appear to be from Earl's Court.  I do not know two of them them, but two are inked as I am and I have met them before.  My mask may disguise me, but they might see through it.  Should we remain here and wait or go forward?"

[DireRadiant]

[Yukika Karasu - Sunday July 5th, 2076; Somewhere Below, London] #29

How dissappointing. The Koborokuru is to run free. It would be a blessing remove her traitorous soul from the ranks she claims to belong to, Us Professionals.

I refuse to escort The Koborokuru free. The Sorceror goes in my stead.

Does the Polite Oni not realize the Dirty Old Cheat is a cheater? The only place I trust him to lead us is the dirtiest dive and order drinks. In that I know he is reliable.

While they are gone I bring out my knife and burn away all the blood. The dirty hole we are in is lit by my lightning blade.

I cannot use it to clean the blood in my clothes, for that I will need a laundry machine.

Ah they return, and now they talk some more. More bullets? How can they carry enough? The Unclean Hound Mistress offers to sacrifice her home for us. So we can do her shopping! Masks, Respirators, more discussion, shouldn't we be moving? The Koborokuru knows where we are.

I speak, "Please, the Kami still conceals us. Till the next turning of the world."

"I do not have a respirator. But we may proceed."

I still have sore feet and now we walk some more.

And now we get to meet the residents of this fine place.

[Jack_Spade]

Isaint nodded to the Priestess: "Very sensible. The help of your Kamis is appreciated."
To Robyn he said: "The best course of action would be to wait for them to finish and go away.
But if you trust those Mechanica guys, you could ask them if they can wrap up their business, or  at least free up the way, so we can file past under the Concealment, without them taking notice of us."