[Mercy Merchant]

Wednesday 12 June 2075 2055 Isla's Apartment Seattle


Sian waves her hand. "You have not kept me waiting at all, which certainly pleases me."

She looks around the large room and motions at the expanse.  "It does look large enough, but I will have to take your word that it has enough space for the lodge.  May I look about?"

[Ennui]

I hope you don't mind me just making this up, it's half convenience and half describing my "home".  If you think I need to actually go through the process of finding a more suitable place I'm happy to do so and I'll edit it


Sure.  I think the place may have a few squatters, gangers mostly, but I don't think anyone actually rents this place but us.  My fixer still hasn't gotten back to me about renting out the rest of the place.  I give her the tour. 

The center of the ground floor has a lobby and an enclosed, quartered section once used as offices or boutiques during more affluent ages.  Six medium sized apartments flank on both sides and the stair case and elevator take up the back area along with the maintenance tunnels.  The second floor is basically the same floor plan but instead of a lobby there are three more apartments and the central area where the businesses stood is a disused courtyard and defunct terrarium.  The third floor is us.  My apartment, the guest room that is now Glinda's and workshop take up a bit over half the top floor while Corbin and Shelly have the other side.

I open the door and introduce our guest.  Sian, this is Corbin and Shelly.  Chummers this is Sian.  She is our partner in China Town.

[Mercy Merchant]

Wednesday 12 June 2075 2100 Isla's Apartment Seattle


Sian walks around with you.  "Is it your intent to leave the squatters in place or do you have plans for them?"

By the time you get to your floor, she is smiling.  "Yes. I can see some potential here, although I hope that your living space is better kept than the other floors."

Corbin and Shelly stand as you enter and acknowledge Sian.  Corbin smiles.  "Am I supposed to know we have a partner in Chinatown?"

[Ennui]

I was just going to put them on notice that they could stay until we needed the rooms at which point they would be expected to clear out.  I doubt that will be any time soon really  I don't like to skip straight to kicking people out of their homes.

After the introductions I answer Corbin's question.  You are now, that's why I'm telling you.  Glinda and Sian have expressed some interest in our magical group idea.  They are attempting to do something similar to our goals here in Redmond in Chinatown, so it seems we have both common interests and common cause.  I figured everyone should get to know each other.

[Mercy Merchant]

Wednesday 12 June 2075 2102 Isla's Apartment Seattle


Corbin and Shelly nod, but Shelly says, "Are we moving too fast, Lizzie?  I mean, this could all backfire on us, couldn't it?"

Sian nods. "Smart girl.  Yes, it could and we do need to move slowly.  Too much exposure too soon could be very bad for us.  That is one reason Glinda and I are here; to talk and make plans.  But first we need to see if we can be compatible partners.  Lizzie asked us here because she and the two of you are such good friends and she wants you both to be comfortable with what we are doing and with who we are, individually and as a group.  Right, Lizzie?"

[Ennui]

Things are moving a little faster than I had anticipated.  Nothing we can't handle though but it has instilled a little urgency in the getting to know you part of things.  There will be tribulations ahead, of course, but with the right people I believe we can overcome anything and I believe the right people are here with us in this room.  The J's also seem promising but I am not tying us quite so firmly to them.  They have a bond much like ours but I am an outsider with them and I don't want them to feel like I'm intruding.  They also share the caution we do but I wasn't expecting to court them as allies as quickly as I have needed to.  This is have no such compunctions.  I find Sian and Glinda to be refreshing company and we share goals and experiences that I believe make us...well, soul mates if I can use such a corny cliche.  Frankly I've been wanting to introduce you all since I met her and Glinda, but Sian is a bit more...reclusive than Glinda for some reason.

So yes.  I want you to be comfortable with each other and understand each other that we might all be friends here.  I get up and grab glasses and Ice and break out a few bottles.   I pour shots of my ginger vitae, let a bottle of wine begin to breath and open up a bottle of scotch.  I start passing out glasses to everyone then raise a toast Shall we have drinks?  A toast to new friendships perhaps.

[Mercy Merchant]

Wednesday 12 June 2075 2103 Isla's Apartment Seattle


Corbin and Shelly look at each other and then smile at everyone in a welcoming manner.  Shelly accompanies you to the kitchen when you go for the drinks and catches your arm as she speaks in a whisper. "Lizzie, what is going on?  The girl, Sian?  She can't be more than fifteen.  What sort of partner can she be.  And what the frag are we doing in Chinatown?"

[Ennui]

Appearances can be deceiving Shelly.  That girl is nothing that she seems.  Try to get past the eccentricities of her appearance and get to know her.  WE aren't really doing anything in Chinatown.  SHE is attempting to gentrify the neighborhood, much like our goals here.  She leads a distribution ring on that side of things

[Mercy Merchant]

Wednesday 12 June 2075 2104 Isla's Apartment Seattle


Shelly nods.  "Got it.  Make nice and get to know her.  It just seems strange looking at someone that looks like her and not thinking that she is only fifteen.  But if you say she is alright, I will see what I can do."  She squares her shoulders and gives you a pat on the back before walking back into the living room with you and a tray of drinks. 

Sian and Corbin are sitting on the couch and Glinda is standing at the large window, looking out at the sprawl below.  She turns and thanks Shelly when offered a drink and lifts her glass in a silent toast to you.  Shelly places the tray on the table near the other two and joins them on the couch.  After some small talk, it seems that the ice is broken and Sian looks over to you. "Well, Lizzie, you have some very nice friends and a nice home.  But I think I was asked here to talk about a circle of some kind.  Can you please explain that to me?"

Corbin and Shelly both turn to look at you with questions on their faces.

[Ennui]

The main reason was so everyone could get to know each other.  Since Shelly isn't awakened I didn't want to bore her with that stuff and have her feeling left out, though she is of course involved in the proposed goal of the venture.  I go over the things we discussed earlier.  Corbin has heard most of it before but I hit the high points and specifics we had discussed earlier.  I keep it clear of magical jargon so that Shelly can follow along with the conversation and doesn't feel left out.

OOC:  I'm assuming you didn't need me to repeat myself again for some reason,

[Mercy Merchant]

Wednesday 12 June 2075 2150 Isla's Apartment Seattle


After some back and forth and some quite serious questions and answers, Corbin seems convinced.  Shelly looks concerned, most likely because she does not really grasp what you are saying.  Sian looks at you and says, "So, Lizzie, when are you looking it do this?"

[Ennui]

Soon, hopefully.  I want to make sure we can all work together and be comfortable with each other.  This kind of bonding requires a fair bit of trust. from all parties.

[Mercy Merchant]

Wednesday 12 June 2075 2152 Isla's Apartment Seattle


Sian nods and looks at you. "Lizzie, would it be possible to chat for a bit with Corbin and Shelly in private for a few minutes?  It will not take long, but I am interested in trying to get to know them better."

[Ennui]

Surely there isn't anything you could say to them that you can't say with me here.  I say smiling.  Slowly it fades as I realize I'm balking at this.

Odd.  I have no trouble putting myself at risk with these two but am I unwilling to put my friends in danger?  It's not that I don't trust Sian and Glinda so why am I suddenly so concerned?  Is it that I care more about my friends safety, or am I concerned there is something they want to hide from me?  Something they don't trust me with? I glance at Glinda for some sign.

Very well.  I say begrudgingly. I was hoping this could be an open forum but clearly there is something you wish to keep from me.  I will leave my precious friends in your care.  I will be in my lab.  When you are done I'll show it to you.

[Mercy Merchant]

Wednesday 12 June 2075 2154 Isla's Apartment Seattle


Glinda comes over to you and takes your hand.  "I will come with you, Isla.  This conversation is not for me, either, apparently."  She lifts your hand to her lips then lets it down while still holding onto it.  "They will not be long enough for us to do much in the lab.  Perhaps a walk?"