[Mercy Merchant]

Al smiles at you but does not say much.  She appears to be quite shy and lets Phil do most of her talking.  Her eyes do light up when you talk of the growler and she nods at your offer to ride with her.  Phil looks at your arms and nods in understanding.  "A vat, eh.  Heard about them them but never met anyone from one.  I hear that cost some serious nuyen, so you must be important.  Are you with a AAA and just slumming down here with the peasants or what?"  Steve tries to interject but Phil waves her off.  "No, Steve, it is a legit question.  No one just tosses someone unimportant into a vat and certainly no one just lets an investment like that sort of repair job just walk away.  Either he is still attached or he is on the run.  Or is there a third option, Spokane?"

[Stuttrboy]

Spokane's trademark grin wavers then falls away as Phil asks her questions.  Normally I'd tell someone who asked me a question like that to go fuck themselves.  It involves a lot of pain and it's not really something I'm comfortable sharing.  Seeing as how you are friends of Steve's and I can understand your instincts to protect her and because I've only told her part of the story...I'll go ahead and tell you but I would appreciate it if you kept it to yourselves and didn't ask about it any further once I'm done.

When I first came to Seattle I worked as a bounty hunter and a body guard.  My last job before I met Steve was as part of a team that was protecting the daughter of some Vory bigwig.  I won't go into details because discretion is part of the service to my clients, you understand.  Well this girl was being targetted by a nasty free spirit and we were on a protection detail that went on for about a month fleeing from safe house to safe house researching this thing chasing us it killed three other guys on our team during the course of this.  Well this client and I...fell in love...it was... it was a wild ride.  We had a breakthrough and the last three of us this girl, me and the mage Jack who had been doing most of the research found a way to get rid of it.  A special banishing spell.  Problem was someone had to distract the thing while he completes the ritual.  I volunteered, who else was it going to be and if I died protecting her... well I couldn't think of a better way to die. 

I wrestled that sunovabitch for what seemed like forever, he says swallowing hard.  I can still feel my skin melting off of me and the smell of the burnt meat.  I literally still feel it sometimes, phantom burning pains, the doc says that's normal and should fade in time.  The thing crushed me.  they say I had second degree burns over 90% of my body, crushed bones; I was told I died three times in the operating room and that Jacks magic had kept me from dying right there after he banished the thing.

Spokane clears his throat  The doc who fixed me up, is the one we're going to see.  Between what I had earned on my previous jobs and probably the client's pulling some strings for me I came out of it, bigger and badder I guess.   She had the connections and the money, and I assume she loved me...once. 

So I woke up about a week ago.  She's with Jack now.  I figure we are even now, he saved my life, so I didn't kill him.  Way I see it.  No ones got strings on me.  That answer your question?

Spokane pauses for a minute then excuses himself quietly and goes to the bathroom and locks the door.  He looks at himself in the mirror and takes long, controlled, deep breaths, calming himself.  He can feel the burning sensation again, just like he did every time he thought about it every time he really thought about, her.

Goddammit it had been going so smoothly.  Spokane rolls his head in a circle trying to loosen the stiffened muscles and relax.  After a few minutes he gets himself composed again and heads back into the dining area with a sigh.

So we about ready to head out?  I need a fucking drink.

[Mercy Merchant]

All three women are looking at you with wide eyes.  Phil is the first to shake her head and look closely at you then Steve the back to you.  "OK.  I have to say that was not what I expected.  I am sorry for bringing up bad drek for you.  Um.....I hope that you don't mind me saying something here, but I don't think you need a fucking drink.  I think you need a good fuck.  I know that you two were fooling around earlier, but I think you both need the fuck way more than a drink.  Now, Spokane, you may not have seen the way Steve was looking at you, frag, has been looking at you every time you turned your head, but I have.  You both need to admit this is stronger than some casual thing and say it to each other.  Al and I will just disappear and let you two go back to her place for a bit.  We got the address and the timeline and will see you there.  Don't drink to forget the other woman, make love to remember this one."

Steve had inched a hand closer to your as Phil spoke and now places it on top of your hand, squeezing it gently.

[Stuttrboy]

No.  He says to Phil.  He takes Steve's hands and twines his fingers with her and gives her an assuring squeeze back.

I'm not using her as a distraction.  I stay busy to keep my mind off... "things", when I'm distracted I can be myself and I can be into Steve on our own terms.  I thought I made it pretty clear I'm not interested in the whole casual thing and doing what you are suggesting would be distracting but it wouldn't be fair to Steve.  I care too much and these feelings are too fresh to keep them separated and she would become the rebound and that connection would lose part of whatever meaning it has for me. 

Maybe that doesn't make sense to you but it helps me keep things compartmentalized.  I need to go have some fun or do some work.  That's why I suggested getting a drink, it loosens me up and helps me relax.  I'm not looking to drink myself into oblivion before I go to meet someone I care about who may be in danger.  I'm sure you didn't mean to insinuate that so I won't take offense, you don't know me very well after all.

So in light of this information does anyone know of a decent distraction that doesn't weirdly link my new girlfriend with some of my most painful memories?

[Mercy Merchant]

Phil shrugs her shoulders.  "your call, Spokane.  There is a dive bar just a couple of blocks away.  We can go there, if you like.  Sort of quiet and the owner does not overcharge too much.  Sound good?"

[Stuttrboy]

Don't get me wrong.  I intend to do exactly what you were saying, but I have to get my head in the right space.  I think blowing off steam with some new friends sounds like a good way to do that, so lead the way.  First rounds on me.

At the dive bar Jeremiah orders two shots a piece and introduces the ladies to Russian toasts My friends like to tie it on with traditional Russian toasts, there's a ton of em but to get a party started right there's nothing better than the basic let's get started.  Poehali!  He raises his glass to the ladies and knocks one back.

You know this neighborhood is downright welcoming.  You don't usually see that with most of the other gangs.  Even before I met Steve.  Did I just get lucky or are you gals this hospitable with everyone?

[Mercy Merchant]

The women follow your lead with the toast and downing their drinks.  Steve and Al gasp a bit as the liquid fire slides down their throats, but Phil takes it like an old pro.  She chuckles while the others are still recovering.  "I would say that you made a good impression on Mike when you stopped to help us out.  Otherwise, we are pretty much like any other territorial gang.  And then you got Steve to like you and now you are almost part of the family."

[Stuttrboy]

Even before the thing with Mike though.  George was nice to us and let me and the kid right through, people waved at as as we passed through.  I don't think you are giving yourself enough credit.  Okay second round what shall we toast to?

Ah!  To lovely ladies.  za milyh dam!  He tosses back his drink.

It's tradition to do the whole shot but you can sip at it if you want you won't offend anyone.

Spokane continues on in this vein until it's time to go to Monica's.  He takes the drinking easy on the girls since he doesn't want them hammered for the meet either.

[Mercy Merchant]

Steve and Al appear to be lightweights when it comes to drinking, but Phil matches you one for one and does not seem the worse for wear.  Al remains the quiet one of the three, but Steve is letting Phil do most of the talking as well.  She does, however, pipe up when you mention passing into their territory.  "Yeah, George told us about that.  She has a soft spot for kids and you got her sympathy thing going.  otherwise, you might have had a tougher time.  But you would have made it in, anyway.  We generally do not bother people, but that night was a bit strange all around.  But, yes, we do try to do the honorable thing here.  We take in enough money as a sort of insurance, but Mike tells every new Amazon that we do not prey on the people that we protect.  As such, we barely pay the bills, but then the people here look out for us, too.  Some free food here and there, maintenance on the bikes or weapons, that sort of thing.  It all works out..................so far, at least."

All to soon, it is time for you to leave if you are going to make it to the Doc's on time.  Leaving the bar, you all walk back to Steve's, where she runs upstairs to get some things.  Phil and Al look at each other then back to you and Phil speaks, "You seem like a really nice guy, Spokane.  Please try your best not to hurt her?  You might be better in a scrap than any of us, but maybe not all of us and that would be the result if you do something bad to her.  She is an Amazon and that means something to us.  I am not thinking you intend to hurt her, but just asking that you be careful."

[Stuttrboy]

Spokane nods gravely at Phil.  There's a saying I've always loved.  "Live life like an unfettered howl."  Carefree, is not the same as careless.  I am in fact, quite earnest.  Believe me Phil...we are on the same page.

See you guys at Monica's.

When Steve comes down Spokane sweeps her into his arms, dips her as if dancing, supporting her back and head with his arms and plants his lips on hers.  When he stands her back up he winks.  Needed to show off to your friends a little.

To Monica's!  Spokane stops and purses his lips  That doesn't sound nearly as appropriate as it did in my head.  Let's go!

80

[Mercy Merchant]

Steve is wearing some riding garb and carrying her helmet.  She laughs after the dip and kiss.  I will go get my bike and meet you back here in a sec."  She disappears at a run and the other women nod at you and walk down the street after telling you they will see you at the meet.  In a few moments, you hear the roar of Steve's bike and she comes around the corner to pull up next to you.  she flips her visor up and calls over the engine noise that she is ready and for you to lead the way.  There is a click on your 'link as she asks permission to add the drone feeds to your vision.

[Stuttrboy]

Spokane accepts the link to the drone feeds and the broadcasts a quick message to everyone.  All right, Operations What's up doc is a go.  Everyone join us at your approximate times and the meet will occur shortly after.  Keep comms private but open to each other for communication, Steve and Laughing Dog will be primary lookouts but everyone keep their eyes peeled.  I'm not expecting trouble but we don't really know what we are up against yet.  See you soon.

At Monica's Spokane grabs a table and orders drinks, no toasts but nurses them as cover, occasionally pointing and whisper sweet nothings into Steve's ear, half play half cover.  As each party enters he suggests possible vantage points but makes no obvious notice of their arrival.  Once all parties have arrived and are in position  Spokane approaches the bar, finds Monica and asks to see Gabby.

[Mercy Merchant]

Eventually everyone gathers at Monica's as expected, each taking up different places within the dive bar.  Monica is wiping glasses down when you go up to the bar.  She casts a toothy grin your way and talks loud enough to be heard by others.  "So you brought your own with you tonight?  Looker, too.  Is she personal or are you renting her out?  I got one private room in the back available for twenty on the counter.  Number three."

[Stuttrboy]

We thought it would be fun to experiment.  She's not on the menu.Spokane lays out the bill and heads to number three and knocks on the door..

[Mercy Merchant]

Monica grins and nods to you, whispering as her hand closes on the bill you put on the counter.  "Good luck, Spokane." 

There are sounds of two people engaged in some sort of sexual activity from within the room and then a woman's voice calls out.  "Yes.  Who is it.  Can't you tell the room is occupied.?"  The voice sounds like Gabby's.