[VegasRigged]

the mention of international travel almost illicits a response. Does she know me and Syl are going away? Oh god, did I tell her?! No. I wouldn't, I'm far to organized and compartmentalized for that. But still, she braught it up, maybe she's thinking of leaving the country maybe, she's thinking of taking Cynthia? Maybe-

My racing thought are silenced by Cynthianwaking up. I raise an eyebrow at her as she sits up "Hound?"

I glance back at Tanya "Should I ask?"

[Imladir]

[Cynthia Rawson - Sunday June 10th, 2075 - Dante's Inferno, VIP Suite] #100

"Hound? Oh, it's a...an Agent. Protecting her 'link." She shrugs "I might be able to beat it, but it wouldn't be furtive at all, giving it time to shut down wireless functionalities. And it would probably hurt like hell to boot to. So..."

She seems pensive for a bit, then adds "With some time and preparations though, it can be done I think. Not easily, but possible." frowning, she amends "At least I know of some ways to do it. I wouldn't want to however. And I'm probably not good enough myself."

[VegasRigged]

I listen carefully, half understanding. She's talking herself down, that's not a good sign, either she isn't as good as I hoped and is admitting it, or she's short-selling her skills to stop us bidding for  her help. Or she actually means what she's saying, got to remember this one has no tact like everyone else you know. Lying isn't her way.

"Interesting, what makes you think you'd have trouble?"

[Imladir]

[Cynthia Rawson - Sunday June 10th, 2075 - Dante's Inferno, VIP Suite] #101

Cynthia cocks an eyebrow "Because I know what I'm talking about? You're a Mage so tell me, what would happen if you wanted to steal something from a Dragon? You may be able to know how it could be done, what would be needed, but would you be able to do it?" She shrugs "There's no shame admitting you're not good enough for something. Not doing it however, that's when you have problems."

[Mercy Merchant]

Tanya nods and smiles.  "Completely understandable.  In any case, you did very well to have found it.  I would appreciate knowing what tipped you and if there is anything I can do or have done to make it harder.  Maybe you can give me your impressions later.  For now, I will leave you with Marisa and go find my other guests, who seem to be having a good time on the fifth circle.  Ciao."  Tanya nods at the three women still in the suite and leaves.

[Imladir]

[Cynthia Rawson - Sunday June 10th, 2075 - Dante's Inferno, VIP Suite] #102

"Oh uh, sure." Cynthia looks at Marissa, waiting for her.

[VegasRigged]

I turn to Syl and give her a little kiss on the cheek "Give us a minute? Leaving our host with my secretary is a bit of a security concern." After Sylvia steps out intake the seat across from Cynthia.

my mind is spinning like a top. What do I tell her to make her join me? I could make up a dozen plots about people coming to kill one or both of us, I could say that she's meant to help me for some magical reason, I could play the simpler more professional card and simply hire her for money and not asking questions, I-

"I think I'm having a panic attack."

WHAT! No! Don't say that!

"I want you to help me take over a series of businesses in the Chinatown Barrems, coordinate a BDSM side business and ensure that nobody finds out I'm actually not who people think I am."

Holy shit. If she says no I have to kill her. This is unbelievable. Why did I say all those things? Why doni think I can trust this foolish child? What in the hell compelled me to mention the identity bit? 

[Imladir]

[Cynthia Rawson - Sunday June 10th, 2075 - Dante's Inferno, VIP Suite] #103

For a long moment, Cynthia looks at Marissa, completely surprised by the difference between how she was earlier in the day and how she is now. She doesn't seem shocked by the exact meaning of the words, or even fearful. But concerned, and only reacting to the tone and obvious - even to her - distress "Are you okay? Did you take something you shouldn't have?" she frowns, then as if she had just thought of something asks "Or maybe one of your spells backfired?"

She shakes her head, not really knowing how to handle all of this. Trying to sound helpful and not condescending or whatever, she says "You should take deep breaths and a glass of cold water, it can help when you're overwhelmed like that. Or maybe you want me to call someone? Maybe your girlfriend? Oh, unless she's the one making you act like that?"

In a lower voice, she adds "I probably won't surprise you if I say I have no idea how to react to that, so if you have an idea... Oh, I also heard that a cold splash of water on the face can work wonders. A hard slap too, even if it's not really pleasant." She frowns "Yeah I'm babbling but I hope you can overcome whatever is going on, otherwise we're screwed..."

[VegasRigged]

I sit for a moment, looking at an indistinct point between us and trying to wrap my head around this. It's as though someone took my entire view of the world and twisted it. I'm lost in a whirlpool of thoughts and feelings, terror and panic chief among them, but logic continues to function and recalls me to the moment.

I look up and her and for once have no idea what expression my face shows. I quickly produce my commlink and check my reflection, a habit from my early youth. For once I look fairly how I feel, and that as much as a throng worries me.

"I..."

What do I say to this? I've admitted weakness, and received a demonstration of compassion, or at least a good copy of one from someone I believe incapable of advanced falsehood. How do I respond?

"Thank... You." I choke up a bit, I'm not able to think much right now, but I wonder if I e ever actually meant those words before this very moment.

"I think I'll be alright, I just haven't been... A lot has happened. I don't think I can explain right now, but I would like your help with these business ventures, and I think talking about what I know will help me drown some of this out."

[Imladir]

[Cynthia Rawson - Sunday June 10th, 2075 - Dante's Inferno, VIP Suite] #104

Cynthia looks at the 'link, joking a bit "So, you decided to switch your 'link back on, eh? Told you you wouldn't last long." the smile fades a bit after a few seconds. She grabs her juice, drinking most of it while she thinks.

When she talks again, it's calmly, unfazed, as if she were talking about some shopping list "So. Just to be sure I got everything right." At each point, she raises a finger "First, you want to take over, and not amiably I suppose, businesses in what is arguably the worst area of Seattle, under the dominion of the triads. Second, you have a side business dealing into BDSM. Third, you're not who you're pretending to be." she cocks an eyebrow "Did I get all that right?"

She chuckles "All this in addition to your regular day job. You're a very busy woman." Shrugging, she adds "I suppose we can talk about it, but I don't see how I could help you regarding the BDSM stuff or the identity problem. Unless there are some 'trix footprints you'd want erased maybe? For the takeovers... Yeah, I can see why I, or someone with my...skill set shall we say... would be needed. But why the hell do you want to get involved in Chinatown? You have a death wish or something?"

[VegasRigged]

I have a worrying urge to say that, yes, i do in fact have a death wish, but that would only be drama for the most part. Instead I respond with simple answers.

"The Chinatown gambit is linked with the Triads, so we don't have to worry about them for a while. I want someone to help coordinate operations there, get all my business operating with a level of Matrix-based unity. I also need someone who can dig up dirt on my rivals, the sort of realistically provable dirt that makes powerful people second guess themselves or simply do what I want.

"I also need to be beyond certain the the side business can't be traced to me, especially after I transfer operation over to a new manager.

As to my identity... I don't know why I mentioned that, I really am having a nasty evening in many respects.

I'm going to get another drink."

I stand and walk to the bar, not sure what to make I bring up an ARO with recipes and go for something boozy.

[Imladir]

[Cynthia Rawson - Sunday June 10th, 2075 - Dante's Inferno, VIP Suite] #105

Cynthia contemplates warning Marissa that alcohol is probably not the smartest drink to take right now, but thinks better of it. Instead, she tackles the different problems presented to her. "So first, the easiest problem: I don't care who you are, or who you pretend to be, or whatever." she sips a new mouthful of her juice "Unless you're Humanis or something like that. Obviously I'm not a meta, but I don't like those morons. However, I'd of course need to have that information to be able to do anything about it. But like I said, I don't know what I could do there. Not unless you decide to tell me a lot more anyway." She smiles, clearly amused "And just so you know, if you decide you need my help for your other...ventures... there will come a point where I'll have enough to start digging if I feel like it. So the question is not really if I will learn what you hide, but how I find out. Your call, and you have time anyway."

Despite the clear amusement in her voice, she feels...calm. Not ignoring Marissa's emotions, but not impacted. "Now, for this BDSM thing. Best I could do, would be to look into the people who could know, and see if they have anything on you. Anything they store electronically of course, I obviously can't do anything as far as meat is concerned. I would need to know more about this...business. How, where, when, and most importantly, who. But certainly not what you do there." she grimaces, apparently a bit disgusted. "With all that, I can make some checks. And even if I could tell you if someone knows more than you'd like, no one can prove a negative, so no way I'll be able to prove nobody knows."

Standing up, she fills her glass of another juice she apparently chose at random. She sits back down, and resumes after a sip "Next, for very obvious reasons, I don't feel a burning desire to poke the Triads. As everywhere, at low level, their 'trix security is a joke. But that is only true at low level: their leaders have as good a protection as any high level executives. So if your rivals are at that level..." She shrugs "And while the 'trix security of the low level gangers is drek, they are helped by the disastrous levels of Noise there are in the Chinatown barrens. If they stay there, I'd need some noise cancellation tools. Since it would probably not be enough, I'd need to not be too far. Let's just say that a walk in the Chinatown Barrens is pretty damn low on my bucket list." scowling, she shakes her head. "Finally, I don't really know what you want with this Matrix-based unity. The most I could do would probably be to give some advice on how to protect important data, but I'm no expert on that...side of things. Anyone really determined, or with enough resources, would be able to get it in any case. The only true defence is to go full analog. And that comes with a hell of a lot of disadvantages."

Tapping her lips, she pauses for a second. Then says still quite calmly, as if she was saying that the sky is blue "And what you should have realised by now, is that if you want all this, and if I agree, I'd know pretty much everything there is to know about you. It would be childplay to really hurt you. And consequently, make sure that you wouldn't be able to do it to me, not without dire consequences for yourself."

[VegasRigged]

She's right. I'm vulnerable. I've made myself vulnerable to an information specialist and told her all the fun things I could get up to. If she doesn't give me anything back or at least say she's willing to work with me,  I'm going to have to play desperate until Sylvia or I or maybe even Sian can get to my new 'friend' here and silence her permanently. This whole honesty play could entirely blow up in my face, which would at least prove what I've always known, that lying is the best way to stay alive.

I also need something on her, something she can't get out of without getting into trouble.

OF COURSE! How have I been so blind? She's a decker, she breaks the law all the time, I could just point her out to the authorities and she would be hunted down. Mutually assured destruction aside, the nature of her work means I'll always have a card to play. For now though, I need to play it cool, hide my hand and wait to see her move.

My tone has retaken some of its professional coolness now, the familiarity of negotiating for my life is comforting, and from that inch of comfort I draw strength enough "The Barrens work is where I'd most like your advice and expertise. I want to improve matrix access throughout that neighborhood and haven't much idea how to do that. I understand your hesitation, but I will not  put you in danger of it can at all be avoided. And theirs the matter of mutual benefit. I'm asking to benefit from your talents, I'm certain you could also benefit from mine. And of course theirs money involved as well.

"I assure you though, my intentions are noble, and if you question working for me it will not be because you disagree with our course.

I lean forward in me seat, fingers laced between my knees and elbows rested in my thighs, my drink fogotten. "As for your final point I'll say this: it would be easy, with all I'm suggesting, to hurt me a great deal. I might never recover if half of what you'll learn of me where to be discovered by the public. However, releasing my every detail would be unlikely to kill me, and while I dislike bloodshed categorically, it must surely have crossed {/I} your {/} mind that as a player within the Chinatown Barrens, it is within my power to return that kind of treachery tenfold."

 My tone is slipping a little with the sencerity and potential wrath, I sit back and try to collect myself again. I'm afraid, both rationally and irrationally. I'm still having trouble getting big picture at the moment, my mind is a hyperactive buzzing that barely leaves room for the strategy I'm trying to play out here. It also precludes any further pondering a on what exactly about this frustrating child has me decided that she can help, but I've spent my life studying the natural energetic currents of our world, and something about this feels right, as if she's the right one at the right time. Besides, she was kind, that has t count for something.

[Imladir]

[Cynthia Rawson - Sunday June 10th, 2075 - Dante's Inferno, VIP Suite] #106

Cynthia smiles thinly "On the contrary, what has crossed my mind is that given what you told me, you're bound to step on the toes of at least one of the triads. And while I don't know much about the triads in question, I know they are not known for their...compassion. And there are other ways, one - or I, I suppose - just have to be inventive." She shrugs.

She pauses a second or two, then her tone changes when she says "Do you like fairytales? Let me tell you one. Once upon a time... There was a girl who made the mistake to trust someone she shouldn't have. Maybe she made a mistake, maybe the person she trusted changed or got corrupted one way or another. She doesn't know. What matters though is that the person tried to betray the girl. The girl heard ot it when she wanted to play a prank on that person, something they were doing quite often on each other. She didn't confront that betrayer herself, what could she have done? Instead, she did what she does best. There was a...glitch...in the record keepings of a LoneStar institution. A glitch that showed the would-be betrayer as an Awakened, marked with a bounty. Some bounty hunter was made aware of it, and did what bounty hunters do best. That bounty hunter collected the bounty when he delivered the mark, bound and unconscious to LoneStar. Now, of course, after a while, they realised there was a problem. But no one had asked any questions. And since it would have been really embarrassing to admit such a mistake... I'm told that would-be betrayer is still enjoying the hospitality of the corporation's quarters somewhere. Well enjoying... It might not be the right word though, since well... you probably know better than me how Awakened tend to be received in such fine institutions..."

Her smile is cold, almost ruthless. There is an undertone there though, certainly not pride, on the contrary she almost seems...hurt. "I really don't want to do this kind of things, but should it be necessary, I wouldn't hesitate. So if you contemplate using me and throwing me under the bus, please do us both a favour and just forget all this, and I will too. Oh and just so you know, you wouldn't be able to prove anything of what I just said. It could be just that, a fairytale. Or... Corporations can be quite helpful taking care of small inconsistencies when then don't want to be embarrassed. Who knows..."

With a sigh, she sips a mouthful of her juice, which seems to calm herself quite a bit. She looks into Marissa's eyes for a bit, a small smile on her lips, a bit depressed "Sorry if I seem rude but I have troubles associating Triads business with noble and I know most people make the mistake of thinking I'm weak or even dumb instead of just...er... Let's say thoroughly bad at all this social stuff..." she shrugs "Furthermore, once bitten, twice shy as they say..."

She shifts in her chair. Removing her shoes, she tucks her feet under her, finding some comfort in her new position. "Now, if you still want to do this?" she cocks an eyebrow, and seeming to see something, continues "You say I could benefit from your talents, but while you have some idea of mine, I don't have much on yours. I suppose I can't trust the trids, but it doesn't help much to know what you could do for me." she frowns "What I'm really curious to know however, before we talk about what I could get from this, is why you feel your intentions are noble."

[VegasRigged]

Fairy-tales? Really? I mean she's a kid, but really? God i wish i could be back in the corporate world where things made sense. She's baring her teeth, so am I, time to de-escalate the situation. She thinks she can bring me down with a few phone calls, let her think that, I have to double down at this point.

"So we are both worried about getting double-crossed. I think we can safely say that neither of us wants the other as an enemy, and since we're pretty well entwined at this point, lets try not to become enemies.

"As for talents I can affect peoples  moods, lift thing into the air, blast people around and summon spirits to complete basic tasks for me. Any of which are useful if people want to kill you."

The details of her story are a little disturbing, are theirs a part of me, even as I sit here, that wonders if she is the reason I was arresting by Wuxong. If so, I'll need to be extremely careful how i kill her and how I cover myself for any retaliating. It's going to be a long war of mutually assured destruction, and hopefully we can get things done while we're trying to get the upper hand on the other.