[Irn0rchid]

"Don't worry about her, she's definitely good. I wouldn't just abandon her like that," she grins. "What you feel for us is fairly akin to what I feel for her." Smiling at Tanya, teasingly, "Yes, it certainly sounds like we're 'bloody' good." Marveling in the difference that different partners can bring to what is essentially the same act, Rose greatly enjoys the experience that Tanya brings to the night.

Waking up in the morning, Rose again pleads biological needs and retreats to the bathroom. Snapping her fingers, she's only able to see the drone reenter her purse because she was specifically watching for it. Turning it off and then finishing her business, she returns to the bedroom. "I'm afraid I'm going to have to decline, I still have a job I need to keep up on and I've got to deliver Robin her toiletries and such. Maybe we could come watch you some other day, and you could meet her?"

[Mercy Merchant]

Tanya nods in understanding and looks at Elaine, who also politely declines.  Tanya sighs, "Well, I had hoped.  And I need a shower before I go play racquetball or all the men in a near radius will know what I was doing.  If you two are interested, the showers are right through here.  If you are going home as is, I will have Monique escort you to the elevator as you will need a special code to get them to open.  I would like to do this again some time, and by all means include Robin."

[Irn0rchid]

"I think I'm going to go ahead and head out, as entertaining as the shower sounds. Plus, you'd probably end up late," she grins. "Should I just contact you here in the future?" Turning to Elaine, she lays out her plan for the day, "I need to drop stuff by your house and then I've got to go to work. I'll come back over tonight, if that's okay?"

Allowing Monique to retrieve her coat and escort her to the elevator, Rose returns to the opulent lobby and heads back out the the garage. Returning to her car, she directs it to Elaine's house and then contacts Robin. <<So that was an interesting night. Sounds like yours was as well. I'm coming by now to drop off clothes and toiletries but I'll try not to wake you. I've got to go to work and I'm going to check in with the client, but I'll be back over later. Hopefully you'll have recovered by then. *grinemoji*>> Arriving at the house, Rose parks and retrieves the toiletries from the trunk and lets herself in. Poking her head in their bedroom she checks to see if Robin is awake before depositing the bundle in the bathroom.

Returning to the car, she drives to her Bellvue house to change clothes, take a quick shower, and then check in with her dispatcher to register availability for calls. While waiting for the first one, she reaches out to the number provided by Ni Ni, <<I've come up with some information that I'm assuming is related to your interests. I'm available to meet this afternoon if you'd like to discuss it.>>

[Mercy Merchant]

Elaine nods and indicates that you coming back after work is very much OK.  Tanya exchanges comm codes with you and steps into the shower.  Robin does not immediately answer your text and when you get to the house you find that she is asleep.  For some reason, you stop and watch your friend as she sleeps and notice a few of the things that make her special in your eyes.  Perhaps this is not just some fling but maybe the Real Deal?  Youi must make some noise because she stirs and lifts a sleepy face to look at you.  Her smile is genuine as she says, "Oh. how I missed you, dear.  I so look forward to spending some alone time with you.  Hmmm.  I see you sent a text.  I will look at when I wake up.  Are you off to work?"

Even at this time of the morning, you get an almost immediate response form Ni Ni.  >>!400, if that is convenient.  My shop?<<

[Irn0rchid]

"Yup, still need to keep the day job going as a fallback. Things are looking up here but you never know... You should go back to sleep and rest up!"
<<1400 at your shop is fine>>

The morning passes as per usual: two motorists stranded on the 202, a car that won't start in Bellevue, and a car that had been shot into undriveability just outside Touristville. She was able to help the first three but could only recommend a junk service for the young couple that made the wrong turn. "I'll never understand that 'Oh, it can't happen to us,' attitude. Yes, it can, and will, happen to you." Once 1 oclock hits, she signs out from the dispatcher having put in a good five hours and heads back to Bellvue for a quick shower and change of clothes before repeating her trek to Ni Ni's store from 3 days ago. "Was it really only three days ago? It feels like so much has changed in my life now. So far it all seems to be for the better, but I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop... Hopefully I'll get paid today and that will be even better!"

[Irn0rchid]

Robin does not need much convincing and is already asleep by the time
you finish putting the toiletry articles away.

Elaine arrives home as you are leaving and gives you wishes for a good
day. "Thank you so much for what you have done for me so far.  I hope
that I can make this worth something for you as well.  Maybe Robin and
I can go out shopping while you are working.  We'll call you."

The steps to Ni Ni's shop take you past several other shops and a
restaurant.  The afternoon foot traffic is heavy with tourists coming
down for some souvenir from Chinatown that they can take home.  The
girl behind the counter is talking to a customer but nods at you and
waves you through the curtain, where you are met by the small man.  He
bows low to you and motions for you to follow him, taking you out to
the work room and the table.  Tea is already poured and steaming in
small cups and you note that there are none of the small bowls for
anything that could polute the tea.  Ni Ni comes up from behind you
and takes a seat in one of the chairs while pointing to the other.
"Good afternoon.  I appreciate that you did not preface your call with
a request for additional expense money.  Does that mean that you have
information I can use to determine your value to me?"

[Irn0rchid]

To Elaine, "Sure, just let me know. I'll be busy till around dinner time most likely."

"No additional expenses were incurred, so no request was needed, I mainly wanted to be sure you were serious about such an open ended assignment. I can't be positive of the assessment of value since you didn't give me anything to go on as far as what you wanted to know, but based on your business I'm guessing you're interested in The Gateway to Heaven?" The capital letters are obvious in her voice. "I'm assuming you're already aware of the minutiae of his Yakuza ties and his sham marriage?" Rose watches Ni Ni's face for any sign of reaction to her two statements.

[Irn0rchid]

The only detectable reaction you get from Ni Ni is a smile.  "I am
absolutely serious about the open ended test I gave you.  This is an
exercise to see how much you can provide with as little guidance as
possible.  I am testing your initiative as well as the quality of the
information you provide.  I will tell you that you are correct in your
assessment of where my interest is.  That Howard has ties to the
Yakuza is how he has what I want and it would please me and my
superiors to take something from them without being discovered.
However, I fully respect their capabilities and their desire to punish
those who thwart their goals, and I would urge you to have the same
concerns.  You are not playing with amateurs, Rachel, but very
dangerous and violent people.  His sham marriage is of no concern to
me at this time, but it may be a way to get the information I need."

"What can you tell me of the Gateway to Heaven collection that Harold
has in his possession?"

[Irn0rchid]

Rose smiles back at Ni Ni, "Yes, I've gathered that Howard is both powerful and vindictive. His collection currently resides in a hidden room in his house that he keeps well secured and he rarely allows anyone into it. Additionally, there is a timing factor with the pottery as he thinks it will increase in value soon. Possibly in relation to the prophecy associated with the collection? I didn't want to spend too much time on it in case it wasn't something you were interested in."

[Irn0rchid]

Ni Ni places a credstick on the table and slides it over to you. "I
am satisfied that you have met the requirements for the first part of
our working relationship.  This is payment in full plus a forty
percent bonus for the speed at which you provided the information.  I
am pleased and hope that you are as well.  I would like to hire you to
continue your current job, but focusing on the collection we have
mentioned and its specialized location.  Are you interested?"

[Irn0rchid]

Picking up the stick from the table, "Thank you. The bonus is appreciated, and I'm pleased to conclude our first arrangement satisfactorily." Slipping the credstick into her bag, she cocks her head and considers the new request, "Potentially. What did you have in mind?" To herself, "This should be interesting. I wonder if she just wants more information or if she's expecting more of a breaking and entering type job. I need to be real careful what I agree to here..."

[Irn0rchid]

"This part of the job is more focused, but no less dangerous, and
perhaps more so.  I have already contracted with another person to
take what I need, but I would like any information you can gain
regarding the physical, astral, and or matrix security systems of the
house, the room, and the collection.  Also, I am somewhat concerned
about your comment that Howard expects the value to increase shortly.
Please try to find out what he means by that as it could impact on my
contractor if an unexpected time limit is to be imposed.  I will pay
you twice what I just gave you for this information due to the
increased exposure and danger you may face.  I will provide you with Y
10K for expenses, as you may need to hire others to assist you with
astral surveillance.  Are you willing to accept my offer?"

[Irn0rchid]

"Excellent, I was afraid you were going to request I actually try and retrieve some of the pottery, and that's not where my skills lie. Subcontracting out an astral survey is no problem, but further information on security measures past the initial doorway might prove... interesting. That plus the possibly shortened time frame... 10k plus expenses sounds more reasonable to me. Especially if rumors of the value of the collection are true."

[Mercy Merchant]

Ni Ni's face goes calm.  "Do not put too much faith in what others value the pottery to be.  It's monetary worth will shortly be decreasing significantly.  The terms are agreeable.  Do your best to determine the information asked."  She places another credstick on the table and pushes it to you for the expense money.  "Do you have any questions for me, Rachel?"

[Irn0rchid]

"Just one, do I need to watch out for the other contractor you've hired? I don't want to get it their way when they come calling. Otherwise, this is agreeable." She snags the credstick from the table and puts it with the other one.