[Mercy Merchant]

Sylvia smiles and chuckles.  "A woman of influence?  My love, you are talking an understatement of giant proportions.  This was a spur of the moment invite, yes?  For a club that rumor says is impossible to get a VIP slot here unless you reserve it weeks or months in advance.  And the type of service we have seen?  No, I would say that she has more than just influence here.  And I agree that we should get to know her better.  Are those drugs foolproof?  I think that you would have no trouble with your secretary, but that Tom guy strikes me as fairly willful.  Could he resist the drugs or the forgetting part and cause trouble?  What do you need to know about them that you cannot find out by conventional means?"

[VegasRigged]

"They are, more or less, but it would be a shame to find out that they are useful in such a way as to render them liabilities. Perhaps another strategy would serve, but we will see how the evening plays. The last item on the agenda is to try and recruit the decker I invited. She's not much for the social... Anything, so persuading her into our schemes will be a challenge, but if she becomes amenable I believe she could be extremely helpful. Besides, she's cute in an awkward kind of way."

[Mercy Merchant]

Sylvia smiles and puts a hand on your arm.  "She is hiding something, even though I think it is unintentional.  Her social ineptness may mean that she has developed other skills.  Her decking skills may be more than they appear.  And you are right about her being cute, but I think that she would not agree.  What use do you intend for her?"

[VegasRigged]

"I tend to assume everyone is hiding something, but you're right about that, she has something else gong on. As for her use my lover, I'm not sure we have reached the part of the story where I reveal my master plan." I give an exaggerated evil laugh and wrap my arms around her neck.

"Now, I'm going to get to work on this lot, we have much to do and only a night to do it."

[Mercy Merchant]

Sylvia wraps her arms around you and kisses you.  "Just remember, some people might resist your ideas of where they fit in your master plan.  And do not wait overlong to expose it to your allies, or you might lose one.  Some people have lived in the shadows far longer than you think and are pretty capable..................as ally or foe.  I am on your side in this, remember?"

[Imladir]

[Cynthia Rawson - Sunday June 10th, 2075 - Dante's Inferno, VIP Suite 3] #62

Cynthia seems a bit relieved when the Colonel leaves the room. Not by much, but still enough for it to be noticeable. She doesn't really react when she learns that he is a Mage himself however: neither concerned nor interested. As long as the Magic is not targetted at herself, she doesn't really care. And she certainly doesn't see the Colonel as dating - or worse, mariage - material.

It's no surprise then that she keeps silent in the ensuing discussion, having nothing to say. Ok, maybe even if she did have anything to say, she might not say it. Still...

When Tanya takes her arm, she follows. She's not really comfortable in this situation, and probably never will. After all, it probably the weirdest one she has ever been in. But she doesn't really hate it at the moment so...it might not be that bad...

And obviously, I'm back

[Mercy Merchant]

Tanya walks with Cynthia through the crowd of people that seems to be reaching the occupation limit for the establishment.  You only go a few feet when Tanya stops and turns to face you.  You seem a bit nervous, Cynthia.  Is it something I said or did?  Please let me know if there is anything I can do to make you more comfortable?  Now, we are going to be walking to the fourth circle for the concert and will be running into people I know.  These people can be bloody nosy and will want to know who the very good looking woman I am with is.  It is all part and parcel with who I am and you being with me.  What do you wish I tell them and how should I introduce you?"

[Imladir]

[Cynthia Rawson - Sunday June 10th, 2075 - Dante's Inferno, VIP Suite 3] #63

"What? Cynthia looks at Tanya for a bit, surprised. "Oh... No no." she shakes her head. She seems to hesitate for a bit, contemplating what to say next...and how to say it.

"I'm... Not good with people. I sometimes go to concerts, but it's always places where I don't have to leave my jeans and t-shirts behind or interact with anybody.". She looks around at the crowd, frowning. "It often seems I have no filter between my brain and my mouth, and as a result I often put my feet in there. It's easier and...less hurtful... to avoid talking to people I don't know." She shrugs. "When you add the fact that I'm not interested in meeting anyone..."

She pauses, thinking back to the beginning of her evening. With a small smile, she adds "Not in general at least. On some occasions I can be a bit curious I suppose." When she continues, her smile fades slowly. "Anyway... I'm not comfortable anywhere other than home." Pensive, she adds "Or at dawn for a jog in the streets, when it looks like I'm alone in the world, I suppose."

She frowns, glancing at Tanya. After a visible hesitation, thinking about how the evening went so far, she adds "But I much prefer the Matrix. There, I'm free. In control. I know the rules."

With a sigh, she lets a few seconds go by, as she watches the crowds. "And to answer your last question, I suppose it wouldn't come as a surprise if I told you I'd much prefer you didn't say anything about me. I don't like the idea of fleeing but maybe I could go there by myself while you took care of the noisy people?" With a groan, not even waiting for an answer, she continues "I guess it doesn't really matter since they already saw us."

She shifts uncomfortably. "I don't know... Something that won't draw attention to me? I could be a... A family friend or something?" with a grunt, she shakes her head "Er no, bad idea, given er... It would draw a drekstorm of attention. I have no idea what would be best, so just tell them what you want..." With an hopeful look, thinking of a good idea (or so she thinks at least...), she adds "I don't mind if you make me into a mute, an autistic or whatever! One of your charities work maybe?"

[Mercy Merchant]

Tanya looks at Cynthia for a bit then smiles.  "No, I don't mind lying to people, after all, I do it all the time.  But I prefer not to cause you more discomfort than necessary.  After all, you are here to see the concert, not worry about talking to other people.  I have an idea.  Let's go over to that alcove and see if I can make it happen."  She takes you over to a small niche in the wall and lets you step in while she waits just outside in the hall.  Soon after, a young man in the club uniform will show up and Tanya will bend her head to him and talk softly.  The man nods and Tanya turns to you.  "I have asked Harry here to take us the back way, where even our passes are not normally good.  That way we will bypass all the crowds and you will not have to meet anyone.  Will that be better?"

[Imladir]

[Cynthia Rawson - Sunday June 10th, 2075 - Dante's Inferno, VIP Suite 3] #64

Cynthia keeps silent for a while. Then she frowns, apparently displeased. With a shake of her head, she says "No." She looks at Harry and adds "I thank you for your help, but I don't think it would be necessary."

Turning to Tanya she adds "I don't want to interact with people I don't know. But I wont flee, tail between my legs. Let them come and believe whatever they want, I don't care. More than anything else here, I won't allow anything, and certainly not anyone, to dictate my actions. I'll go to that concert on my own two feet. So too speak at least."

She glances at the people behind her, and adds, a bit defiant: "And don't lie on my account, you can tell them the truth, I'm certainly not ashamed by it. And if they have any problem with it, that's their problem, not mine."
The slight quiver in her voice at the ends is proof that she's not as sure as she says. But her eyes stay firm, decided.

[Mercy Merchant]

Tanya looks closely at you after thanking Harry and sending him off.  "You are very brave, perhaps braver than I would be under the circumstances.  Very well, Miss Cynthia Rawson, let's just go do it.  I will just say that you are a young acquaintance of mine and let them wonder.  I must warn you, though, that your name and photo are likely to be splattered all over the bloody gossip trids tomorrow.  If you prefer, you may just make your way to the concert on your own and either join me at my table or simply find a seat on your own.  just bring up the ARO at the entrance and it will give you access to the concert and special seating.  I am sorry that I have put you in any sort of uncomfortable situation.  That was never my intention.  I truly appreciate your kindness in putting up with me."

[Imladir]

[Cynthia Rawson - Sunday June 10th, 2075 - Dante's Inferno, outside VIP Suite 3] #65

Cynthia shifts uncomfortably under Tanya's praises. "Just Cynthia, please. I'm not a Miss and probably not even a Rawson anymore, so... And let them wonder. Maybe some of them will choke on the mystery. As for the photos..."

A bit fatalist, she shrugs "Let them take what they want. I suppose some of them already got what they wanted anyway, so even if I left right now, it probably wouldn't make much of a difference." She frowns, pensive "Maybe I should make it so their tools got some...problems..." A small smile appears on her lips. Maybe not predatory, but certainly not kind "Or play with them a bit when they look for information on the 'trix..."

She seems to consider the idea for a while, enjoying some nice fantasy. Then, with a sigh, she comes back to reality "Pleasant as it would be, it would probably create more issues in the long run though, so...do what you have to do, and I'll just nod here and there, mostly ignoring them. As long as they're not rude anyway."

[Mercy Merchant]

Tanya laughs.  "I think that you are a person after my own heart.  Very well, off into the wild.  We will be as mysterious as possible and you may enjoy it more than you think.  And would it be possible to talk to you later about the trix?  Are you perhaps available for work?"

[Imladir]

[Cynthia Rawson - Sunday June 10th, 2075 - Dante's Inferno, outside VIP Suite 3] #66

Cynthia shrugs "When she invited me, Marissa spoke about doing some business tonight. I had another offer since then, but I already warned it would depend on what happened tonight. So yes I'm available. Not sure I can help you much though. I suppose you have access to many people much better than I am."

As an afterthought, she adds "Not that I'm bad. But I don't think I'm the hottest hac...er..." Flustered, her mouth working for a bit without any sound coming out of it, Cynthia looks at a reasonable way to finish her sentence "I mean, I'm not the hottest Matrix User ever..."

She frowns for a bit. Perfectly aware that she didn't recover anything and might as well have gone and said the word. Not dwelling on it, she adds "But yes, we can talk about it. I much prefer being in the Matrix than talking about it, but it's not bad either."

[Mercy Merchant]

"Do you by any chance play Vampyre Hunter?  I have several characters and one owns an in-game lodge.  If you get onto the game, I could give you a key and we could talk in the privacy of the matrix.  If you are into MMOs and have not tried it, I would recommend it to you.  But I am no trix wizard, so you might have a different place to meet?"