[VegasRigged]

As we enter I swap over to astral perception and assense the staff and my fellow patrons, part of me insists that this is paranoia and an potential invasion of privacy but I got with the gears.

I order the Turkish blend as well as enjoy the first sip in silence before answering "I"m an interior decorator. I have a number of clients  who pay me to acquire the proper furniture and place it well to make the most of their homes. Many people think it's a simple matter of matching the drapes and the cushions, but I am an expert, and my services are well worth the price. In fact, that's part of the reason I did one last test last night, your place looks entirely unlike you, which brings me naturally to returning your question, what do you do that requires so much travel and allows a top shelf apartment you hardly use?"

[Mercy Merchant]

You sense that no one is awakened, but one of the staff and two of the patrons have some minor essence hits; the sort that might be implanted commlinks or something small like that.

Sylvia chuckles.  Then chuckles again.  "Interior decorator?  I would never have guessed.  So what is wrong with the furniture?  It is all what the apartment management provides, probably pretty standard stuff, I would think.  And me?  Hmmmm.  I guess you could say that I am good at solving personnel issues for companies.  Someone calls and I go someplace, look things over for a bit, devise a plan that should work, and then assist in completing the plan.  Then I go to the next place.  Sometimes I get a break for a week or two, but rarely longer.  You would be amazed at the number of companies that have personnel problems that need the special sort of services that I can provide.  But it does mean lots of travel, lots of foreign food, and little time to really enjoy anything but standard furniture."  She takes a long look at you before adding, "It also does not really allow me to really make friends."

[VegasRigged]

For a moment I wonder what exactly she's talking about, then it hits me. She's a Fixer, maybe even a Johnson. I hide my reaction behind my coffee cup as the gear kick into overdrive.

"Well, I'm pleased to be your companion here is Seattle for as long as you stay." She may know who I am, that would explain all of this. She could be trying to get on my good side, which having spent hours between my legs I have  to admit that she's accomplished. Maybe she wants me for a job, maybe I am the job. OH GOD. No she didn't want to kill me, she probably still doesn't. She may be planning to use me but I can work with that. First it was Wuxong, then Ni Ni, and perhaps now someone else. I am a very useful and unique tool to them.

"I'm surprised to hear your work for a Corp, most people I've met from the Big Ten tend to roll over everyone who isn't of use to them. Is it a human resources position? You hire the right people, with the right skills, to do the right job?" I let the question hang for just a moment "And as to your apartment, I have a few thoughts, I'll show you mine later and we can go over some designs. Their is a fabulous world of designer couches I think we could get some miles out of."

I check the time as the food arrives, my meeting is still essential for my survival, and will keep being so as long as Ni Ni holds the power in our relationship.

[Mercy Merchant]

Sylvia shakes her head as she sips at her coffee.  You notice that she does not seem to really look around much but is quite focused on you.  "Yes, it is sort of a human resource position, but I am actually more of a solo operator.  And you are very right about the AAAs; they do not really care about you if you have no value to them.  That is why it pays to develop a niche.  And it sounds like you have done that, too."

"Designer couches?  Do you think it makes a difference if I only stay there once in a while?"

[VegasRigged]

"I have at that."

Our breakfast arrives and I spin twenty minutes worth of tech speak about furniture and it's effects on ones health, wealth and fortune. Then an idea hits me.

"... Truth be told, the only difference between the Cestus and the Amroir as the price, and I know a women named Ni Ni who can get you a serious discount." I watch her face, measuring for a reaction to the name drop.

[Mercy Merchant]

Sylvia actually seems to pay attention to your talk about furnishings, asking some decent questions and nodding at your answers.  There is a very slight hesitation when you drop the name, and her eyes lose focus for just a second.  Her eyes clear and she softly says, "Well, well.  Yes, I have a familiarity with that name if you are talking about Ni Ni Xiaolu.  But not really in the capacity you are referring to."  She seems calm and relaxed as she looks at you. 

[VegasRigged]

I smile as if I've won something, for in a way I have.

"I find your meaning, and my relationship with ms Xiaolu is both a longstanding partnership and a very recent developments. In any case, I have a job to this afternoon which requires a fair amount of prep work I should be attending to soon. When it is complete I'd like to further discuss the chance of a lasting partnership between you and I. I think we could both find benefits beyond the purely physical."

[Mercy Merchant]

She smiles at that.  "As long as you can live with the absences, I am up for discussing such an arrangement.  I have to say that the physical part pleases me quite a lot and that I hope to include that in any discussion of a future.  The code to the elevator changes constantly and randomly.  Please use my personal comm code to get the current passcode or you will be left wondering what happened."  The two of you finish the small breakfast and leave the coffee bar.  She hails a cab and has it drop her off at the apartment building with instructions to take you where you need to go.  Before getting out, she bids you to have a nice day, telling you that she very much looks forward to seeing you again.

[VegasRigged]

I bid her goodbye and head to the Gale residence. I still have a little while so I find another place to sit and read while I await the appointed time.

The gears are still working, finding new angles, ways to play my way up, but being ms Johnsons new girlfriend gives me about as much access as I could ever need. Ni Ni remains another issue, she acts like an ally, and the mutual usefulness is clear, but if I mingle the job she's almost certainly going to sell me out. Better get it right then.

I lean back in the seat I've found in a small cafe and focus on where the body and the self connect, gently loosening the bond and leaving my phisical form reclining comfortably. I whip around the the gale house and check their security, cautious not to trip any ward or alert any spirits, then return to my body and head in on foot for the meeting.

[Mercy Merchant]

There is apparently no astral security at the Gale house.  It is certainly not the largest place you have seen, compared to what some of the high rollers at Wuxing live in back ho.......not home.  You have a new life and a new home, now.  So, while not huge, it is certainly substantially large.  The file had included a note that Mrs. Gale keeps a small dog by the name of Fufu and that the the dog likes buttered toast.  The café is able to provide you with some when you ask.  There is a locked security gate at the entrance to the drive and you have to use an intercom to announce yourself before the small pedestrian gate clicks open.  You can spot only two cameras focused on the drive and the front of the house, but there are probably others covering the sides and rear as well.  A uniformed maid greets you at the door and takes you in to meet Mrs. Gale in the sitting room.  The woman is in her mid-fifties and looks it, despite that you think she has had some lifts in the past.  She is dressed poorly for her color and weight and age, and has a small, fluffy dog on her lap when you come in.  She stands and welcomes you, but the dog barks a bit when put down and is no longer the center of attention. 

Mrs. Gale steps forward to shake your hand, welcoming you to the house.  She mentions that it is the second time you have been here, so please pardon Fufu, as he probably does not remember you well.   Remembering the toast, you open the sack and the dog is silenced and happy.  Magic.

[VegasRigged]

"It's lovely to see you again Mrs. Gale, how have you been?" I'm smiling, its a permanent attachment when I'm on show. Its not a real smile, just a casual one, as if I'm content and maybe know something others don't know. It, and a professional attitude, have gotten me through many a boardroom full of sharks looking to make me a meal, and I'm confident it will get me through this afternoon as well.

[Mercy Merchant]

The woman offers you tea and takes you back through the house.  The file compiled by the other Marisa is pretty complete on what the notes for each room are.  To her credit, you would have made almost all of the same recommendations.  There are some differences of opinion, but nothing major.  Marisa had clearly been in touch with the inner Feng Shui of the place.  She had even made notes regarding the various stores that would need to be contacted to provide the specific pieces of furniture and decorative pieces.  Mrs. Gale is completely willing to take your advice as you go from room to room.  Eventually, you end up in the library and immediately notice the curio display cabinet.  There are four magnificent urns on the two shelves.  You have seen similar pieces in the Wuxing corporate offices in Hong Kong and know that these are worth a fortune each if genuine.  Of course, the cabinet is nice, but it is totally wrong for the room and the pieces.  Your knowledge on the type of cabinet that Marisa was recommending is of the highest quality, but also has a reputation for being super secure and impossible to open without the correct key and at least two additional measures, depending on how the client sets the system on delivery. 

[VegasRigged]

My agreement with Marisa is a tad unnerving. Up until the point we have simply been in the same place, but now I wonder how we have become of such simaler minds. I continue to do as needed until we come to the vases, at which point I pause and approach them, telling Mrs. Gale how I've been giving them a great deal of thought, how, as such wonderful and unique pieces, they will require the proper furnishings.

As I speak I approach and examine the vases, if I'm unable to see the mark, I'll assense them and ask if they might be turned so as to get the lighting just right. Once I'm satisfied with which is which, I'll tell her about the 'special' cabnit I found and how it will be just perfect, but the vases will have to be split up.

[Mercy Merchant]

You can indeed see the mark as it was described to you, however the woman starts wringing her hands when you start talking about a new cabinet.  "What do you mean, split up, dear?  Like on different shelves or different cabinets?  I would have to talk to Edward about that.  He is quite particular about those vases, you see.  They are very valuable.  He may want to see this cabinet."

[VegasRigged]

"And he would be right to insist, but perhaps it will not be an issue, why don't we take some tea and I'll show you some pictures, build the castle in your mind."

We return to the sitting room where we first met and I show her the pictures, casually mentioning the shop and that it is a perfect fit, just what the priceless wonders need to fill the room. If she seems hesitant I will subtly cast Euphoria at force 2 to make her a tad more complaint with my recommendations.