[VegasRigged]

Now she's being too nice. She also using this as a chance to get into my place, which she'd have done anyway eventually. Her eagerness is a point for concern, but I can check into that later. For now, I am going to need new clothes.

"That would be most kind of you, in fact all of this has been so very kind I hardly even know what to say. You may have saved my life, and I promise, out next date will be far more charming." I smile my warmest smile and blink a few years into my eyes. She really is going a long way to help me, almost as if she needs me for something.

[Mercy Merchant]

Sylvia nods and departs, leaving you with the German nurse and Italian mage.  Greta turns a small cock in the IV tube leading to your arm and you go off to sleep.  When you wake up you find the nurse is gone and so is most of the medical equipment.  You feel almost refreshed, as if you had slept quite well.  The Italian woman is still there and she smiles as she points to a clothes rack at the end of the bed before standing and leaving the room to give you some privacy.  The clothes on the rack are a smart suit that you do not recognize, but then you did not have a lot of time to look at all of the clothes that had been provided for you.

[VegasRigged]

I don the suit and take a brief look around, so far I've suspected a hospital, but I take a moment to confirm before heading down to the lobby to find Sylvia. Considering she was able to locate me, it seems likely she's watching me closely. All the more reason to play nice and suspect everything she does. Somewhere in my brain the realization that I'm being paranoid speaks up again, but I ignore it. Given all that's happened, paranoia is warranted.

I'm also composing a list of things I'll need, chief among them a bug sweeper. Gotta know how 'my girl' tracked me.

[Mercy Merchant]

Leaving the room you find Sylvia waiting for you in a very un-hospital like corridor.  "You look very nice in that, Marisa.  I will take you to your meeting, but I will have to sedate you.  I cannot yet let you know where you are as too much depends on the secrecy I demand here.  I have violated my own rules for you, but I do not think that you have seen enough to hurt me.  The sedative will wear off in a short while, leaving no after effects."  She holds up a syringe.  "Please?"

[VegasRigged]

"Well, that's quite the security measure, and I'm again eternally grateful for your help. Of course I'll submit to being sedated, not the first time I've slept in your arms."

I'm smiling still, and a little flirty. In truth I'm hoping we get back to that soon, but my mention has another motive; sedition. If she's breaking the rules to being me here, then mentioning how we know each other is likely to peak curiosity among her staff.

I sit back and allow her to use the needle. I need to move forward, and it's clear I'm not getting out of this without her.

[Mercy Merchant]

You feel a gentle poke to your shoulder.  "Hey, sleepy head.  Time to wake up.  Thanks for not making a fuss over this.  I was told that you might wake up very hungry and it is still almost two hours until your meeting.  The diner here has decent food if you want some lunch."  Sylvia will run a hand through your hair.  "I was very worried about you.  Probably much more than I should have been, and that has me in unfamiliar emotional territory.  We should maybe talk a bit later."  She bites her lower lip and looks at you.  "Um, may I see you tonight?  I can come get you if you give me a call when you are done.  I will respect your personal boundaries, though, and do not want to be pushy.  It is just that I really enjoyed last night and would like to try it again."

[VegasRigged]

I lean over and kiss her. "Of course I'll see you later. we have a lot to talk about now, if we get around to it."

I head in and get some food, eager to be back to work. At least that will be familiar, not the strangeness of this new day.

I eat quickly, and assense my surroundings carefully, casting detect threats as soon as I think I'm astrally unobserved.

Staring into my coffee I consider the board. Ni Ni, my handler. Playing like she wants to be friends, giving me access to her lover, asking minor favors for the time being. When she asks a greater task of me I can start to identify her place in the grand scheme of things. Tanya, a beautiful dupe? Does she know I'm not Marisa? Does she know I'm stealing for her girl? He invitation seems lagitiamit, so maybe she's innocent in all this? And Sylvia. No way she just happened upon me, and why take me to a special facility? What else did they do while I was under. I need a big sweeper, a good one, and an independent phisical of some kind, perhaps a task spirit to examine me for scars or signs of surgery. More importantly, how do we feel about her? The romance is nice, but it expands the boundaries of appropriate behavior, giving her a few extra slips I have to forgive, but I get a few too, so I'll just have to use mine better, and catch her at all of hers.

The coffee is bitter and a little oily, but soycaf is better then nothing on a day like today.

[Mercy Merchant]

As promised, the food is a bit better than just bearable and, combined with the soycaf, puts a better outlook on the day.  It is while you are sitting here that you realize you do not have your small case, the one with the suit, boots, and whips that you used with Mr. Smart.  You are certain that it was not in the room where you were being treated. 

A short cab ride after lunch and you are at the entrance to China Town and make the short walk to Ni Ni's antique shop.  Inside, you are greeted by a young woman behind the counter and a short minute later the short man comes from the rear of the shop to escort you into the rear to see Ni Ni, who is checking a crate.  She walks over to see you and gives you a short bow.  "I am pleased to see you, Marisa.  You look refreshed.  I hope that you are ready to work.  Would you like to see the piece I am recommending for Mr. Gale?"

[VegasRigged]

I take in the neighborhood carefully, noting our location and the other businesses nearby. Inside I assense the staff, taking its of their auras and disposition. I quickly run the little place through a matrix search, as well as the two
Employees.

As Ni Ni arrives I lower my laser focus and address her with my casual charm.

"Naturally, show me the piece so that I may sell it with full information."

I follow her into the back and cast an astral glance around before attending to the item in question.

[Mercy Merchant]

The neighborhood is pretty much the same as it was the last time you were here.  There are many non-Chinese walking among the shops, bars, and restaurants.  In this case non-Chinese is code for tourists with nuyen to spend.  There are some hard men in the area, but nothing really close to the shop until you get near the front door.  The two men standing on guard are well 'wared, at least that would be a safe guess based on their low essence.  The two employees are not awakened and both have almost all their essence, indicating perhaps an implanted 'link, which seems to be all the craze these days. 

The room she takes you to has several large wooden pieces of different designs.  Your quick scan of the astral here reveals nothing more than you already know.  Ni Ni is awakened and there is an air elemental hovering nearby.  The piece she points out is quite large and is very well decorated with fine carvings.  The design resonates with your idea of the Gale house and you actually believe that this would fit in well with them.  Ni Ni stands close to the piece and says, "So, what do you think of this piece?  You did find it, after all, even if you no longer remember that.  Here are the documents on it, if you would like to do some light reading while we wait."

[VegasRigged]

I take the item history and begin reading, noting the previous owners, how it's been handled and when and by whom it's been restored.

I make idle small talk with Ni Ni, subtly probing and leaving openings for her to ask about last nights antics. Part of me wants her to know so I can be angry that she didn't warn me, but part of me is glad it's a secret. If Marisa was keeping secrets, that might mean I can keep them too.

[Mercy Merchant]

The document details the passage of the cabinet from its beginnings in the shop of a master craftsman almost six hundred years ago.  Each owner is listed and every scratch and repair documented.  There has been surprisingly little restoration done, but that is documented in significant detail as well.  Ni Ni does not mention anything about Mr. Smart, nor does she rise to the bits of bait you scatter about.  Apparently she does not have knowledge about that part of Marisa's life, or else finds it less than important to talk about.

The Gales arrive on time and Ni Ni leads you to the outer office to greet them.  Mr. Gale is tall and leaning a bit to fat.  He appears to be several years older than his wife and does a lot of harrumphing about.  His eyes look at you hungrily when you are introduced and he finds some excuse to stand near you as Ni Ni walks them through the outer shop then takes everyone back to the rear.  Both of them are taken off guard by the device and you can almost feel the attraction it has for them.  Ni Ni had said that Marisa had picked this piece especially for them and you applaud her taste.  You employer asks that you cover the provenance of the piece for the Gales as you are the expert here.

[VegasRigged]

I offer both of them a drink, relay a brief history of the product and subtly imply that it is necessary to make their house complete. I also assense Mr Gale and finding him mundane cast euphoria on him to make him more open to my advice. I also take the time to mention the lovely shop, and thank the proprietor for allowing us to do business here. I don't mention Ni Ni by name, though I doubt the two would know it.

[Mercy Merchant]

Both of the Gales are quickly sold on the piece and all that is left is haggling over the price.  Your Euphoria spell makes this a bit easier as well and the final price is Y 480K, a price that seems to please Mr. Gale and Ni Ni, who had nodded very slightly when you had reached the Y 450K amount.  Papers are signed authorizing the transfer of funds from his bank and everyone seems happy.  Ni Ni arranges to have the piece delivered and set up and then you walk the couple to the front of the shop, where handshakes are exchanged and they leave.  Ni Ni is waiting for you when you go back inside and hands you a credstick as she says, "Very nicely done, Marisa.  Here is your five percent for the sale.  Thank you for your assistance in this matter.  I am jubilant that my idea for you has turned out so well.  I do hope that you will consider working with me again as I am quite sure that I will have something for you shortly."  She bows to you and escorts you from the shop.  In the street outside, she asks if you have any questions.

[VegasRigged]

I ask where I might find magical equipment and weapons, quality items from experts.

With Directions in hand I leave in a cab. On my way I take some time to summon an air spirit to check up on my secretary, her boyfriend and Sylvia if possible.