[VegasRigged]

I lean back into her hands, I'm still exhausted and at this point bordering on delirium, but her touch is comforting and begins to wear away some of the emotional deadening I've been feeling since all those mind reads.

"Don't talk about work right now, just wash me and take me to bed you beautiful killer."

[Mercy Merchant]

Sylvia laughs softly and does as you have directed.  She carefully soaps you down then rinses you off before leading you from the shower and drying you.  You are barely awake when she leads you to the bed and are asleep within seconds of being tucked into the sheets.

Your sleep is sound and you make it until almost eleven before waking.  Sylvia is already gone from the bed, but you hear her voice from out in the main room.  She is apparently having a small party because you hear others talking as well.  Much of what is said is in one foreign language or another and, while you can recognize German. French, and Russian, you have no idea what she is saying.

[VegasRigged]

I stand and stretch, feeling physically and emotionally refreshed. I gently brush away thoughts of the day before, I have much to do and dwelling now will only put me in a bad mood for the day.

Instead I summon a task spirit of Linguistics to translate the conversation next door while I begin a series of yoga poses.

[Mercy Merchant]

Sunday  10 June 2075  1046    Sylvia's Suite  Seattle


At no point in the conversation are any names used, only numbers.  Sylvia seems to be #6.  All voices are women and you can attach accents to each of the others.  #1 is speaking French, #2 is German, #3 is British English, #4 is Russian.  The conversation goes as follows:

".....nd that you had a different sort of day yesterday (French)."

"I did indeed, 1.  Different and interesting.  Not sure there is much for us there yet, but I am leaving that option open for the future.  My contact seems to be very driven and ambitious.  My guess is that there may be work for us at a later time."

"And what of this new contact.  What do we know and do you need a full write up of her? (Russian)"

"No, my gut tells me that she is genuine.  I would like to maintain a very minor surveillance on her while I am away, but nothing overt.  Can you please see to that, 2?"

"Got it, 6.  Coverage while you are away.  23 and 24 are due for some down time and I can give this to them. (German)"

"OK, then, and on to other things.  Is everything set for the flight in and out, 4, and were you able to get me a contact in-country for support?"

"Yes, 6, sending you the contact details now.  Airline tickets are already bought and your identity is provided for your perusal.  Secondary tickets away from the country are purchased and ready for use if needed.

"Fine and thanks.  Is the client still up for this, 3?"

"Green light so far, 6.  The bloody initial deposit is already in the bank and the remaining owed is in escrow."

"Everything sounds great.  As usual, any contact me if you even get a whiff of anything bad.  Thanks for the teamwork on this.  I will be contacting each of you as the departure date gets nearer.  6 out"

The voices stop and you can hear Sylvia moving around and the aroma of coffee wafts into the bedroom.  The door opens and Sylvia si standing there with a cup of coffee in her hand that she puts on a small table near where you are meditating.  "Thank you for waiting in here.  I have ordered some breakfast, but can get something else if you prefer.  I have scrambled eggs, bacon, sausages, and toast with an assortment of jams and jellies..  Interested?"

[VegasRigged]

"Wonderful, I'm famished." I take the cup of coffee and kiss her cheek as I walk past her into the living room.

From the conversation it seems clear that Sylvia will be leaving on a 'vacation' quite soon. I will have to make good use of the time, and suss out these two surveillance operatives while I'm at it. Perhaps hiring someone will prove efficient.

I quickly glance across the group in the living room with astral perception and have my spirit avoid the gaze of the awakened.

[Mercy Merchant]

As you walk across the living area you notice that the two of you seem to be alone.  Sylvia sits at the table and begins serving herself from several platters of food.  She motions to the platters as she says, "Dig in.  The chef here is quite good and the ambiance is loads better than yesterday."  After a short pause to sip some coffee, she adds, "I was talking to some of my people about my upcoming mission.  I would like to take you with me if you want to come."

[VegasRigged]

As soon as I see the food I realize its been almost twenty-four hours since I've eaten anything and I am in fact starving. I quickly sit and pile a plate with food before address the empty room or the request.

"I assumed it was a social call, though the languages would have been a strange choice for over drinks. Can I ask where and when we'd be going?"

[Mercy Merchant]

Sunday  10 June 2075  1128    Sylvia's Suite  Seattle


"No, hardly a social call.  Just making sure of some of the final arrangements.  I leave in six days for Indonesia.  You could learn more of what I do and help me.  And I would hope that the side perks are not so bad."

[VegasRigged]

My smile is nothing short of coy and suggestive "The perks are second to none, and Indonesia sounds like a wonderful place to visit." I lean back and glance over my day planner while working through the next week in my head  "This does set me a fairly aggressive timetable for making my own businesses self-sustaining, but after my meetings tonight and some rearrangements of responsibilities I suspect I can have things running smoothly by then."

I have Tea with Tanya in a few hours, a meeting with one of my 'clients' this evening and I should check in with Ni Ni some time soon. I also need to update my look for Barrens Travel, 'scarf lady' doesn't really inspire the masses.

[Mercy Merchant]

Her smile at your response is amazing.  "Super.  I hope that it does work out.  I will arrange for an additional ticket just in case..  Now what are your plans for today?  I will be occupied until the middle of the afternoon with planning, so will not be able to go with you if you need to return to the Chinatown Barrens.  I would ask that you be careful if you intend on going there."

[VegasRigged]

I try the eggs, leaving sausage and bacon where they are and decide to let her in on my plans, at least partially. "I have to get to the office, despite my many other activities I have a day job and should at least show up once in a while.

As for the Barrens, no. If I go back in right away it will either be seen as overly ambitious or distrusting of my new employees. Unless Sian calls my burner with a specific problem I will be attending to real people things all day. As for evening plans I have a few things, but mostly I'm free. How about we hit a club? I haven't been dancing since I was in high school."

[Mercy Merchant]

Sunday  10 June 2075  1133    Sylvia's Suite  Seattle


Sylvia notices that you have not eaten the meats and says, "The restaurant here does a great salad, and it is well into the lunch meal.  I can order one sent up?  And I am glad that you are not going back there today.  You show great sense in your thinking.  I can do a club, but after dinner, perhaps nine-ish?  I have a pass to Dante's Inferno and think the place might interest you."

[VegasRigged]

"That is both kind and eerily observant of you, but I should skip the salad and get to the office. So much to do, so little time in a day, and what do people even wear to clubs in this city? I've heard Dante's is quite something, I look forward to an interesting evening."

I stand and gather my things, still chewing on one of the jelly donuts. If Sylvia has nothing more I'll head to my room and get dressed with a touch of extra for my meeting with Tanya.

[Mercy Merchant]

Your closet is stocked with a number of outfits and you see items that are casual, business, and even a couple of slinky black numbers that would double as cocktail dresses or evening dresses for clubbing.  After selecting your outfit for the day, you also consider what you will be wearing for your late afternoon appointment with your client.  Looking around in the closet, you find a case that is remarkable like the one you had lost in the bar.  Opening it, you see a second set of dom clothing, to include some steep heels and a whip with a furry tip.  The latter is designed to give just a hint of pain and some pleasure at the same time.

[VegasRigged]

It would seem that my former self planned ahead, her lack of ambition has been a bit disappointing, but at least she was prepared for a few things. I dress for my meeting with Tanya and take  the bag and the club dress, though it's mostly a backup to my better plan.

First stop is the office, check in with my receptionist, maybe learn her name and invite her out  to Dante's so I can vet her and her boyfriend.