[VegasRigged]

My tension eases. Bartering is the sign of a serious deal, if she'd intended to betray me or let her end of the bargain fall through, she'd have agreed. Probably. More to the point, she'd given me information about her limitations. Building another tower was beyond her, which meant other things were as well. She had only so much sway in the world, and if I can find the edges of her influence, maybe I can get on the upside of this dangerous partnership.

I allow a long pause before nodding "Of course, the tower was a massive endeavor and even the creation of a smaller replica would be a serious undertaking. Do as you've indicated and find out who set me up, perhaps the Chief is Security during construction would be a good place to start, Fu Lin Huwong. If I were to need entry to a location, or to be employed in my official capacity by a client of my choosing, could you make that happen?"

[Mercy Merchant]

Clearly more comfortable once you turn the conversation away from the Tower, Ni Ni nods.  "Perhaps.  It may depend on the client, but I have a large circle of influential associates that can assist me in that.  Do you have someone in mind or is the question more rhetorical than real?

[VegasRigged]

"It is a hypothetical for the moment, I've had people in the past who crossed me, and I always wanted someone who could help me get back at them. You seem amenable to that, and I wont ask often. More important, however will be my introduction to our shared social circles, and some idea of who my friends are before I meet them. That to can wait until later. As to right now-" I mentally command the spirit to retrieve the two remaining coffees and the GALE file before dismissing him and opening to the pictures of the vases in their stand "tell me about these vases, and your plan regarding them."

[Mercy Merchant]

The Chinese woman nods.  She does not seem unduly surprised or alarmed by the presence of the spirit; in fact she does not even mention it if you do not.  "You were already feeling a bit of stress when you took these and the quality is not your best.  A bit of a disappointment, actually.  Through an outside source, I believe that Mr. Gale has already replaced two of the vases with good fakes and I wish to steal the real ones."  She takes a piece of paper from a pocket and slides it across the table to you.  There are two Chinese characters written on the paper.  She points to the first one.  "This is the personal sigil of the artist and will appear in precisely this manner on the lower edge of any vase the master created.  The genuine ones will also have this sigil concealed within the drawings of the vase.  The artist was careful to not sign his name in the same place every time.  However, I am armed with the information as to where to look on each vase for the second sigil and will provide you with that knowledge."

"Your task is twofold.  First, it is obvious to you and me that the curio cabinet they are stored in is woefully inadequate for these treasures.  I would like you to show her some pictures of one that would be perfect.  One I just happen to have for sale in my shop.  Please mention this to her.  And second, I need you to try to identify the two genuine vases from the good copies.  I would hate to steal the fakes.  Do you have any questions?"

[VegasRigged]

I nod and study the pictures carefully. After she finishes look back to her "This all seems fairly organized and well with my abilities. Inwill finish my reading and see mr gale in the morning."

I stand, indicating an desire to end our meeting "My thanks hardly seem sufficient, so allow my completion of this task to signal my gratitude towards you for having saved my life. I assure you, I will never forget it. Is their anything more I can do for you now?"

I'm hoping my stab at politeness seems sincere, it mostly is, but part of me knows I haven't made a friend, just found a part time job to go with my new full time. At least it's not likely to be boring.

[Mercy Merchant]

Miss Xiaolu stands as well and lets you walk her to the door of the shop, where she turns to you and says, "I am sure that we will be in touch.  Good evening."  She walks out into the night and almost immediately you get a ping on your commlink. Checking it, you see that she has sent you a data file with her comm code and business address in Chinatown.  Standing in the doorway, you can almost smell the rain that is building up in the air around you.

[VegasRigged]

I return to my desk and sit carefully and await the panic. I've just made a deal with a Triad, to steal something, the consequences of failure are potentially dire and even success one puts me further into this dark and dangerous new world.

So why am I not panicking? I take another sip of my coffee, it tastes fine. I life up the gale file again, my hand is steady. For the first time since the news broke about the Tower and feel calm. And active. I gather the documents and call another cab back to my apartment. I'll go for a swim then fall asleep studying like I did in college, waking up in time to make myself up for the meeting.

[Mercy Merchant]

The ride back to your apartment is uneventful.  The rain that has been threatening the sprawl for hours finally lets loose in torrents just before you arrive.  A uniformed doorman steps forward with an open umbrella to assist you from the cab and welcomes you back.  Changing into a bathing suit, you return to the lobby and locate the pool and sauna.  Looking around, you see that the pool is fairly small, but large enough to get some laps in, although it is too shallow to do any diving.  There is a bubbling hot tub just off the right end and you can see the wooden door to the sauna across the way.  You are pleased to note that the hour means that you have the place to yourself.  Before you know it, an hour passes, then the door opens and you see a young woman enter the room.  She seems a bit startled to see you and says, "Wow.  And here I thought I was the only night owl that came down to use the pool at night.  You don't mind, do you?  I am Silvia, by the way.  Silvia Rafter."

[VegasRigged]

I swim for almost the full hour, my muscles aren't what they were before my imprisonment, but I intend to make up for lost time. Still I've earned my tired muscles and expect to be sore tomorrow.

I look her over for a moment, then gesture for her to join me in the hot tub "A Rafter who swims, I suppose that's fitting. Do you live here Silvia?"

As she approaches I asense her and wonder if perhaps the happy surprises of the evening are still to come.

[Mercy Merchant]

Silvia smiles at the joke as she removes her robe to lay it across one of the chairs.  She would appear to be in her early twenties, is about five foot four with a nice, eye-catching figure and dark hair that hangs in curls to just below her shoulders.  She is wearing a two piece suit and slides into the water of the hot tub, letting a slight "ahhhhhh" escape.  You assense that she is not awakened, but her essence is down so there must be some chrome.  "I do, yes, actually.  Up in 1401.  You?"  From your recollection of the elevators, there are only fourteen floors in the building.

[VegasRigged]

I make no secret of watching her get in with me. Upon noting her now essence, perhaps enough to warrant concern, I summon a powerful water spirit and order it to manifest in the tub with us without revealing that it is more then water. Now more comfortable with my security I reply "703, middle of the road, perhaps you could show me the view later? I suspect it's quiet something."

Force 8, 6 hits
Drain 5 hits

[Mercy Merchant]

Sylvia nods and smiles.  "It does have a nice view.  The veranda wraps around and you can see most of the city, even when it is raining, as the cover can be deployed.  But 703 should have  a decent view from the balcony.  That is the Downtown and lake side, right?  I think the even numbers have a view out to the Sound, but I could have it mixed up.  Have you lived here long?  And I am sorry, but I did not catch your name?"

[VegasRigged]

Part of my mind thanks my good fortune, but the gears won't let her 'ware slide. What does she have, is she a threat? If so, who sent her and why?

Still I sidle a little closer "Marisa, and it isn't bad but it isn't the penthouse, besides...the view isn't the real reason I brought up your room."

[Mercy Merchant]

She does not move away as you sidle over.  Her large eyes contemplate you for the space of three blinks.  "Marisa is a nice name.  Are you sure that there won't be a jealous husband or boyfriend.....................or girlfriend..................banging on my door in the morning?"

[VegasRigged]

I came to the pool to flex unused muscles, it would seem in more ways then I'd planned

"No such individual exists, and none who would try so foolishly to control me would remain long in my life for long. One more thing though before you invite me into your bed-" I give the water elemental a warning that danger may be about to occur "I assensed you when you entered and noted a fair degree of cyberware, and I'd be remiss not to inquire.  One cannot be to careful, you understand."