[Mercy Merchant]

Ni Ni will look at you peculiarly and say, "There are several men in Chinatown that pander to the tourist need for awakened items and mystical souvenirs, but only one I would send you to.  Gong Xin has a shop a bit off the main thoroughfare.  This is not a good place to be if you are not Chinese so I will send a man to escort you there and back.  Provide Gong Xin with my name and he will help you.  Please be careful; this is not your usual Chinatown."  She turns to one of the men in front of her shop and speaks to him in rapid-fire Chinese, telling him to walk with you and keep you safe.  She turns back you and introduces you.  "Marisa, this is Ling Sho.  He will escort you to the shop and back.  Again, thank you for your assistance.  I will be calling on you shortly."

Ling Sho bows to you and motions for you to walk with him as he turns and begins to walk down the street.  After two blocks, he turns off the main street onto a much narrower one, entering a Chinatown not normally seen by tourists, who would be discouraged to enter by the four men standing at the intersection.  As it is, one of them steps forward to talk to you, but Ling Sho intercepts him and motions you forward after a few words with the man.  The street might be narrower, but it is probably busier. It is also far grimier.  Gone are the bright lights and gay decorations as you enter a place just a step or two better than the Redmond Barrens. There are still a number of shops along the street, but their lit windows do not contain the same merchandise as on the main thoroughfare.  Even narrower alleyways lead off from the street, many with young toughs or nearly naked women beckoning you to experience one sort of pleasure or another.  As you walk, you see a number of people approach these alleys, disappearing into the darkness there.  There is a small part of you that wonders at what is hidden down the alleys.  Ling Sho walks close to you and must notice that you look down some of the narrow alleys.  "If you are interested in some of the things offered by the Triads, I can see you safely to ones that will provide such entertainment after your visit to Gong Xin.  Unless you would like to go to his shop afterwards.  There are many things to offer your senses down here, and you will be safe as long as you are with me.  Are you interested in some high quality drugs or a new sexual experience?"

[VegasRigged]

I cast him a sharp look at the mention of sex. His informality will be mentioned to his superior. The other offer intrigues me though.

"Take me to a dealer who might provide high end substances, specifically the compound known as 'Laes' to most."

I've heard horror stories from co-workers, mostly date-rape and missing valuables, but a drug that can erase recent memories and makes a person complaint could be extensively useful for the process of vetting my new 'friends'

Besides, I could pick up some other items while here, and I have a few ideas about where I could put them to use.

As we walk I try my best to stay present in the moment but find it a little overwhelming, anyone could be a threat and most are close enough for a grab or a lunge. This man says he can protect me, but only from those who know who he works for. I Imaging gutter punks would be perfectly willing to try their luck against us. Not that it would go well for them, but the thought of imminent attack puts me on edge.

[Mercy Merchant]

Ling Sho looks at you and nods before leading you to where three young toughs and an even younger girl are standing in front of an alley.  Your estimate of the people down here may be correct.  One of the men swings forward, flipping out a knife, but the girls swings an arm at him.  In Chinese, she berates the man for being stupid and tells him to back off.  The young tough looks like he is ready to defy her, but steps back, nodding.  As she turns to you, you think you catch a glint of a green light from her eyes, but it goes away by the time she is facing you.  She cannot be more then fourteen or fifteen years old, but she seems to have these three men cowed.  She nods to the two of you and speaks to your escort, still talking in Chinese.  "Ling Sho.  It has been a while since you visited here.  what do you need and why are you escorting this woman?"

Ling Sho nods to her.  "She is a friend of Ni Ni Xiaolu and I am escorting her to see Gong Xin.  But she is also looking for Laes."

The girl looks at you and steps forward, now speaking in an accented English.  "My name is Sian.  Why go look Gong Xin?"  She waves her hands.  "Are interested in magic?  Sian can sell you more and better  What you need?  Ling Sho say you also want maybe just some drugs?  Have money?"

[VegasRigged]

I make no attempt to hide my disdain for her broken English, or the interaction in general.

"I need three doses of leas, 10 doses of lael and 3 doses of cereprax. I have nuyen, I assume that will serve."

I ignore her offer of magical goods, confident anything I could buy here would be sub-standard. I also assense her and her bodyguards.

I'm still a bit on edge, and I'm glad for my guide, even if he forgot his place for a moment.

[Mercy Merchant]

Sian's eyes narrow a bit and she turns to wave the three toughs and Ling Sho farther away.  It says something that all four men do so without questioning her.  She steps forward a pace so she can lower her voice and still be heard.  Your scan shows that she is very powerful but the three toughs are not,  More, all three seem to have almost all of their essence.  "These are very special requirements, but you may have come to the right place.  I might be able to hand these to you, but the price will be steep.  Are you able to pay on the spot or will you need to return with nuyen?  I belong to no Triad, but I respect Ni Ni Xiaolu and if you are a friend of hers I will give you a good deal."

[VegasRigged]

In response I withdraw a cred stick from my pocket, slot it into my commlink and set it to the appropriate amount. I show her the money and put my comm away and await the appearance of the drugs. I remain cold and professional, ignoring her implication that I might not be able to offord what I've requested.

[Mercy Merchant]

SIan smiles.  "Whoa, do not go too fast.  We have not even haggled over the price yet.  Follow me if you are interested."  She looks over your shoulder and speaks a bit louder.  "Ling Sho will not be needed.  And I no longer require the services of you three tonight.  You may leave."  Ling Sho looks a bit troubled and seems to be about to speak, but closes his mouth and nods.  The three young toughs shrug and leave, casting unfriendly glances your way.  The girl looks at you as she motions for you to follow her.  "Those three give their loyalty to a gang allied to the 88s and are not particularly friendly to the Octagon.  She smiles at you and steps into the alley, giving a sharp whistle as she does.  Two huge shapes rise from the shadows farther down the alley and pad silently to her side, red eyes glaring at you.  Sian ruffles furry heads that seem focused on you.  "Please put your hand out carefully and let them smell you."

[VegasRigged]

As soon as my bodyguard is dismissed I summon a spirit to replace him. I can easily call forth a force 4 earth spirit and though these new creatures put me further on edge, I still need to complete my transaction. What I'm buying is essential to the larger plan.

I extend a hand to the creatures, letting them sniff and confirm my identity. I assense them as well, though a already suspect what they are.

[Mercy Merchant]

As you move into the darkness, Ling Sho calls out in a somewhat shaken voice, "I will be waiting here for your return.  You bring her back safely when you are done, Sian, or face the wrath of the Octagon."  Even he does not sound too confident and Sian raises a hand to wave at him and laughs softly as she focuses on the massive Hell Hounds.  The beasts are dual natured so your scan sees their presence on the astral plane.  She looks sharply at you as you summon your new escort, saying, "You are in no danger her, friend of Ni Ni Xiaolu, if that is indeed true.  As I said, I respect her and will do you no harm."  She shrugs, "But keep your guardian if it makes you feel safer."  The hounds' breath feels warm on your hand and there is a faint scent in the air as if someone were burning something nearby, but they do nothing more than sniff at you before falling to either side of the girl as she moves down the dark alleyway.

[VegasRigged]

I follow her with my most confident facade. "It would seem I misjudged you, Sian. I assumed a fairly standard drug deal would follow my request; you are far from standard. Your dogs alone speak highly of you, and my guides concern speaks even more highly. I wonder though, why not train Barghasts instead, they are loyal and submissive, not to mention their useful howl."

Despite her reassurance I maintain the spirit. I'm not going to be caught off guard by some rogue drug dealer. In truth I'm hoping this transaction wraps up with speed, it's already become more involved then my usual security needs would prefer, but I'm buying something high end, I should honestly have known this would happen. That said I'm not about to have my time wasted, and if this girl thinks she's going to play games with me she will quickly regret it.

[Mercy Merchant]

Sian chuckles as she walks near her guards.  "Thank you for the compliment.  And I applaud your caution.  I would not trust me, either, in similar circumstances."  The alleyway is dark and you are constantly assaulted by the odors of bad hygiene, sex, and vomit.  You can see people standing against the walls or in the doorways of the buildings you pass.  The distinctive odor of opium comes from more than one open door.  Half naked and more than a few totally naked men and women begin to ask if you are interested in some company, but most of these offers go unfinished and the speakers disappear into the darkness.  Sian turns her head to you and you clearly notice that her eyes are glowing as green as her hounds are red.  She smiles at you and says, "They do not usually give me this sort of respect, so it must be you they are afraid of.  Many of these people have never seen a Caucasian woman in their lives.  Ah, here we are."

She turns into a building, followed by her hounds, who take up position on the floor at each side of the door.  "Please leave your guest out here.  At some point there needs to be a certain modicum of trust to these transactions, don't you think?"  She steps back and motions to a curtained doorway.  "Through here."  Without looking back at you she goes through the curtain.

[VegasRigged]

I decide to add a little bravado to my mask of calm and mention that their first Caucasian might be the last thing they see if they can't keep to themselves.

I glance around as we enter, taking in every detail I can manage before ordering the spirit to wait and follow this mysterious women into our high level drug deal.

My instincts continue to mag at me, the feeling of paranoia I've felt since being 'freed' informs me clearly that I could be killed and sold for parts in this room and nobody but me wold have a thing to say about it.

[Mercy Merchant]

The outer room is on the small side, barely large enough for the hounds and a small table with two chairs.  There are no decorations on the walls and no indication of glass in the shuttered windows.  Sian leads you down a short hallway to another curtain and another room that is remarkable similar to the first, except that there are no dogs or windows here.  She motions for you to stand at the curtain and calls out some words and the room shifts to something different as the illusion is removed.  The feeling of being cramped is lifted as the room is revealed to be larger than it had seemed, with comfortable chairs and a larger table in the middle of the larger space.  There are a number of racks and cupboards on the walls and another door to the left.  Sian is all business as she motions for you to take a seat and bustles about among the cupboards.  She gathers several items and comes to the table, setting then down and taking a seat opposite you.  "Three Laes, ten Lael, and four Cereprax.  All yours for 10000 nuyen.  No questions asked and none expected.  There are other dealers down here, some even cheaper, but few will have all of the order in one place."  She looks at you, waiting for your response.

[VegasRigged]

Alright, business is on.

I make no debate, the amount seems fair and I'm slightly more interested in making the women an ally then I expected to be. She respects Ni Ni, but something tells me Sian would kill her and assume her power if the opportunity presents itself. While that seems unlikely, she might make a good fall-girl if a job goes wrong, and her natural command of this underworld could make her very useful.

Further more, she's showing her teeth, bring out these dogs and flashing me the glowing eyes means she want's me to know she's powerful, only reason to give away that information is to avoid a fight which  means either that she thinks she'll lose or that she knows what kind of power will come down on her if she wins. Ni Ni and the 'Octegon' have the power in this room, and as a result, so do I.

Finally.

Furthermore she's a powerful player in the criminal underworld, and if I'm going to understand my dear friend Ni Ni, I need to know her  world inside and out. I've paid the desired amount onto the cred stick, but I'm still holding it as I ask her to tell me about the neighborhood and her place in it, local gangs, their relations and if she knows anyone who could do some work for steady pay. My last request leaving open in an almost flirtatious manor that she might be capable of the task I have in mind.

[Mercy Merchant]

Sian narrows her eyes.  "Are you holding the payment hostage for information?  I like you, friend of Ni Ni Xiaolu, but do not press your luck too far.  I am a bit player in the circles down here, but I do have knowledge.  Some of it for sale..........................and some I will give as a favor and a thank you for your business.  Down here are three gods; these are the Triads.  Each has about the same amount of power and all are interested in sort of maintaining the status quo.  They manipulate the smaller gangs into acting as proxies, and around here all it takes to form a gang is three thugs with a common idea.  There are lots of independents like me, who tread the narrow wire and try to avoid being gobbled up.  Some of us are strong enough to remain independent, while others are not and either get eaten or die.  And lots of people die out here.  The Barrens get the publicity, but this part of Chinatown is larger and worse off.  Around here, you can find someone for any sort of work.  What sort of work and what sort of steady pay?  I might be able to recommend someone."