[VegasRigged]

Here my kind and enigmatic air takes on a shade of playfulness "It's at Dante's Inferno and I can get you in without a second look."

[Imladir]

[Cynthia Rawson - Sunday June 10th, 2075; Cynthia's appartment] #33

Cynthia whines. "But this place is hell!" She pauses, blinking for a bit at the involuntary pun.  "In all senses of the term!"
Then, she shrugs "And they wouldn't need two looks, one will be enough. Or...well... If you can allow someone in jeans and t-shirt to get there, I want to know how to become a house decorator. Seems to be more important people than I thought..."

[VegasRigged]

"The job has some small perks, and offords many opportunities for the spreading of favors. Now while I could get you in dressed as you are, it will be easier if you are dressed in a more appropriate fashion. Would you be willing to go shopping with a very good friend of mine?"

[Imladir]

[Cynthia Rawson - Sunday June 10th, 2075; Cynthia's appartment] #34

"Shopping, as in going to purgatory before being sent to hell? Seems fitting I suppose. But in this case it doesn't really matter: I don't have the money to buy things like that, even if I wanted to. I'm perfectly fine in my t-shirts and jeans, and would look ridiculous in anything else. Believe me, I tried." *Probably best not telling her when I tried. Or how many times...*
"Oh but don't worry, you'll be paid for the redecoration." She stares into space for a bit, seeming pensive. Maybe trying to remember something. "Wait, you said  Dante's Inferno? And am I too understand that since you could allow someone in t-shirt and jeans to get in, it's in the VIP section?" She cocks an eyebrow. "If that's the case I...I think I could...There's...err...there's a...some kind of small exhibition thing by Concrete Dreams tonight and..." She shrugs, as if she didn't think finishing her sentence was needed.


The part about Concrete Dreams is of course completely fabricated, so Mercy don't hesitate to squish that hard if it doesn't belong.
I just felt that it would be a perfect reason for Cynthia to accept to go there and shamelessly jumped on the idea as soon as I had it

[Mercy Merchant]

OOC:  No, I can run with the Concrete Dreams thing.  The game is meant to be a collaborative creation.  I will indeed say something if things get out of hand and go beyond my plot line, but this sort of stuff is good.  It adds flavor without being a game changer.  And if it provides you with a reason to go, it is even better.

[VegasRigged]

"A no thank you would suffice, and of course the offer is only that, if you decide to join us you have my number, otherwise I'll bring the designs around in a few days. Now I have another meeting to get to, was there anything else?"

[Imladir]

[Cynthia Rawson - Sunday June 10th, 2075; Cynthia's appartment] #35

Cynthia stammers. "I...I...Ok!" She breathes deeply, calming herself. "I'll try to find something else than jeans. I suppose I could buy some kind of black pants and a blouse. And shoes I suppose..." She cringes, having no idea where she will find something like that. Sure it won't fit her and she will be a mess. Still, if it's what's needed... "But..." she frowns. "Why? I don't believe for an instant that you propose this to all your clients."

She pauses, considering something, then adds. "And please, don't lie to me. I'm horrible at all this social thing, and yes, even talking to someone is...challenging... And I know I tend to put my foot in my mouth more often than not. That doesn't mean I'm stupid though. And I know it's not my charming personality" she says with dripping irony, "that convinced you to offer that. And while I have no doubts you would be able to lie and I wouldn't see a thing, the truth has this ability to often surface at odd moments. And while I'm not good when interacting with people, I'm good at finding truths" She smiles proudly at that for a moment "And I hate being lied too. Maybe some day I'll tell you what happened to someone who thought he could."

She hesitates for a bit, before continuing "I really want to see the Concrete Dreams live. I won't say it's a once in a lifetime opportunity, but it's certainly an opportunity that doesn't present itself often. And I'd be ready to do some shopping or something. But that doesn't mean I will put my hand in a meat grinder for that. Or that I'll be lead by the nose like a fool."

[VegasRigged]

"Very well, I  won't lie to you. This evening relates as much to business as pleasure, and if you want to know more you'll have to find out for yourself. 9 pm, I very much hope to see you there. Good evening."

And with that final enigmatic remark I depart the building to take care of my other type of client.

During the cab ride I'll summon a small spirit and ask that it deliver a message to Sylvia 'I have found a potential Decker and she will most likely be joining us this evening at Dante's Inferno, to which I've also procured VIP passes for all. I'd like you to follow her when she goes shopping, help her pick out something that will fit for the club and evaluate her to the best of you abilities. It goes without saying that a disguise is warranted'

[Imladir]

[Cynthia Rawson - Sunday June 10th, 2075; Cynthia's appartment] #36

The door closed, Cynthia swears. *Frag, what have I gotten myself into now... Still, Concrete Dreams... It's at least worth listening to some boring business speech, whatever she wants. Maybe to find data on her competition? Or tracking down some piece of furniture or something? I don't imagine a decorator of all things looking for something big... Anyway...*

Going back to her sanctuary, Cynthia checks the time. *So, I have to go buy some stuff, be at Dante's by nine, and I still have someone to see at the Digital... Huh. First? Between shopping and the Dante's? Do I even have time today? Wait, first, I should check on Arsène.*
To do so, Cynthia dives in the Matrix. There, she asks news about Barbara to Arsène, hopping that the package was successfully received so that they can trace her to get to the bottom of this. Or at least, the bottom of this side of the situation.

[Mercy Merchant]

Arsene is waiting for you when you get to the matrix.  "Ah, Cherie, your plan has only half worked so far.  The package sat for a while then was picked.  Yes, triumph, No?  No.  Not triumph.  The package was side-sent to a safe box and left unopened for a bit then was carefully searched and the other file removed.  This woman is smart.  Did I not warn you that this might be the case.  Fortunately, there is almost no way that you can be traced as the source of the code.  She would need to be very, very good to do that.  But perhaps she is that good, eh, Cherie?  So what do you wish me to do?  I will give advice, yes?  Why not try to contact her directly?"

[Imladir]

[Cynthia Rawson - Sunday June 10th, 2075 - Somewhere in the Matrix] #37

*Back to the Cherie now, eh...*
Cynthia sighs. {Thank you Arsène. I suppose I could contact her, but that would be much less fun. I suppose I could just stalk the box and wait for her to come. But that wouldn't be much more fun either.}
*And I have places to be, people to see...Best not telling him that though...*
{I could listen in on the box, or even try to make it believe it has to contact Barbara for whatever reason. Unless it's a host of course. Ok, ok, you win. Maybe it can still be fun after that? And if it doesn't... My evening is booked anyway, and tomorrow's situation will probably be so different that odds are I'll be behind the competition.}
Decided, Cynthia sends a message to Barbara's comcode:
<<Hello there. Nice system you have with the box. Not sure it will work for long though, there are ways around that, ways someone really determined could use. Oh and if you didn't know yet, you'd probably be better off not going back home, you're expected, in the meat and the 'trix. Good luck though, I think you'll need it o/>>

[Mercy Merchant]

@Eva   Your appointment calendar shows that Mr. Smith checks into one of the smaller no-tells in Renton in every two weeks for your meeting with him.    He is a regular at the shabby motel and must pay well in advance because he always manages to get the same room.  He is waiting for you when you arrive and tells you that, per your agreement, he has swept the room for bugs and cameras once already and will do it again now that you are here.  Your client is in his fifties and a bit heavy, but after the security sweep, he becomes completely submissive for the ninety minutes he has your attention.


@Cynthia   You do not get an immediate answer to your message to Barbara.

[Imladir]

[Cynthia Rawson - Sunday June 10th, 2075 - Somewhere in the Matrix] #38

Message sent, Cynthia goes back to her meat. She grabs her comlink, slips her old - and only, except for the running ones - shoes, and takes her car. On the way, she sends a quick message to the hacker she beat earlier: <<Gotta run some errand, and be in downtown by nine. I don't know how long it'll take so It might a bit tight for today. Unless you're there?>>
She will also launch a quick matrix search to find a shopping centre where she will be able to find something to wear a bit better than what she's used too.


Speaking of time, what time is it (approximately at least)? I don't expect the shopping to take more than an hour (and probably much less than that), but would I have time to go to the Digital?

As I was reading (once again) the Matrix section in the CRB, I paid a little more attention to the little box p242, where it says that if a snooped target calls someone's comcode, it would be possible (with a perception roll) to find the callee. So if Barbara's box is a device (and not something on a host somewhere), I could have marked it, targeted it with a snoop, with a resonance veil made it to call (saying there's a file to review or whatever), and I could have followed the call.
Would something like that be possible? Not  to change my actions here of course just to know for future reference. I'm still a bit green at all this matrix stuff, and it shows ^^

[Mercy Merchant]

Sunday  10 June 2075  1700  Cynthia's Apartment


The response from the hacker is almost instant.  >>Too bad about the timing.  I was looking forward to meeting you.  You certainly got the better of me.  Would any time tomorrow be better for you?<<

Your search provides you with the name and location of several inexpensive shopping marts near you that should be able to satisfy your clothing needs.

[Imladir]

[Cynthia Rawson - Sunday June 10th, 2075 - Shopping mart] #39

<<There are tons of people better than us though. As for time...>> before saying something stupid, Cynthia checks. *Let's say at worse I spend an hour in this shopping thing, I'll have three hours before I have to be in front of the Dante. So, let's say...19:00 at the Digital? Should give me enough time to go there. I'll have to change in between, but I suppose that's not a problem.* <<No guarantee yet, but I might be able to make it around 19:00, if that's ok? If you prefer to be sure, I don't have anything set tomorrow so...>>

In front of the mall, Cynthia stops. Some people glance at her, wondering what is this girl doing here like she's going to her execution. *Shopping... Erk... Still... Concrete Dreams. Might be worth it. Let's just pretend it's a...an icon overhaul...*

While this thought doesn't do much to increase Cynthia's spirit, she enters the mall. *This might be the hardest quest I've ever had to do. No no, not exaggerating at all. Ok, maybe a bit. What's that clerk want? No no, leave me alone, just browsing. Good, thank you obnoxious lady.*

Navigating in the mall, Cynthia tries to avoid for as long as possible the "help" of the clerks. At some point though, she has to recognize that doing so, she would have to spend the evening just finding what she's looking for. After a few minutes, she draws the attention of one of them, a tired woman who's probably working too many hours - and jobs - to feed her family. Trying hard to not say anything she shouldn't, she explains that she has to go to a club later tonight. As she currently has nothing else to wear, she's looking for some kind of black pants, white blouse and matching shoes. Something simple, she doesn't need anything too...too much.

I was thinking about something like that:

Not really sexy, probably completely wrong for a VIP night at the Dante's, but something that Cynthia thinks should be enough to get her in given what was promised, and that she could wear. For an evening at least.
Of course, with no make-up, it will leave something to be desired, but...