[Mercy Merchant]

Corbin is sitting on the couch and looking out the window in the living room.  He waves his hand in a lazy manner.  "Not yet.  You know how she gets when she is out working all night.  Anyway, I really think she will be all for the idea.  Glinda went to look at the room and is probably measuring it for furniture.  She is nice and very sexy, but are you sure that you want her here?  I mean, we just met her.  I am for the idea, but what about you?  Really?"

[Ennui]

Having second thoughts?  I don't know.  I trust her though and it's convenient.  She says she isn't the jealous type and that's all that really worries me.  I shrug at Corbin and commune with my altar for a bit attempting to understand the spells and alchemical processes that I want.  I open myself to the astral seeking guidance.

[Mercy Merchant]

Corbin shakes his head emphatically.  "Frag no; I am not changing my mind.  Just wondering if I made an offer to her that you really did not like.  She is easy on the eyes and exciting in bed, if the first time was any indication.  And she can apparently help us in our operation.  Very neat package, all in all."  He goes silent as you move to your altar.

OOC What sort of astral guidance are you looking for and how would that manifest?  Are you asking a specific spirit for aid?

[Ennui]

Corbin you are and Shelly are my family.  If I had a problem with it I would tell you. 

Do you trust my judgement Corbin?  We've put out lives at risk with each other countless times, but if I were to put you in harms way would you trust that I believed I had all of our best interests at heart?  I know I come off as a hard ass with others but you know I keep yours and Shelly's safety foremost in my mind right?

Do you think I'm easily swayed or naive?  I ask in all seriousness and I want a straight answer, no matter how you think I might react.  Unfettered truth, so-ka?

Nothing specific allowing Seductress to teach me something.  Practicing Magical theory.  turning cluttered ideas into sharp focus in ways to manipulate mana.  General magical training and spell/alchemy formula research etc. basically

[Mercy Merchant]

"So-ka, Lizzie.  Alright, unfettered truth it is.  I like her and I think she is a good fit here.  I believe that you have our best interests at heart, even if you are taking us into dangerous waters, which I do, by the way.  Very dangerous.  I can handle most low-life ganger scum, hell, we could easily be classified as that, given what we do to get by.  But what you are doing now is dangerous.  Those two people we met last night spooked me.  Similar names and they put off similar vibes.  Ruthless and scary is how I would describe them.  The girl has already made her move on a gang and I think it is only a matter of time before the dude does the same with that other gang.  And then there is the whole idea that we might just get big enough to get some of the major players interested in us.  Mafia or Yak or Triad?  Maybe the Vory?  Are you sure that you want to play in that league?"

One of the minor servants of the Seductress enters the room you are using to examine the blood you were given.  "Mmmm.  A gift for our Mistress?  What have you for me?"

[Ennui]

Yes.  They are dangerous people for sure.  I don't know that I could respect them if they weren't.  It was actually a refreshing change of pace from normal ganger scum as you put it.  They've instilled discipline in their people.  They are smart and even a little charismatic.  They have secrets and I will have to find out those secrets to keep them tied to me.  I don't see this as a bad thing, it will be dangerous, but I believe we can handle it. 

What i need from you and Shelly is to keep your ear to the ground and keep me appraised of any rumors you hear about our product, these gangs, our neighborhood and chinatown.  I want to keep you out of the line of fire, I know you and Shelly too well to hope you will stick with distributing and not get involved in anything else, but come to me with anything.  What comes next will take some planning and precision.

Don't worry about the big boys.  They may be in our future but right now they have no interest in this area...yet.  Nor are we alone in this endeavor,  I have been sworn to secrecy, but I will tell you both when I am able.  Thank you for being straight with me.

I look over at my workshop and see the spirit peeking in side.  Just a moment.

I take a seat and project and stride up to the spirit.  That is not for your nor our mistress.  I doubt she would even want it.  I have been studying its properties while attempting to develop and alchemical formula for healing magic.  Are you here to  teach me or do you have a message.  Surely you aren't nosing about my lodge out of sheer curiosity.

[Mercy Merchant]

"Do not act huffy with me, mortal.  I am a servant of our Mistress, just as you are.  She sends me with a message to you that she needs a favor."  The spirit moves, swirling and eddying about the room.  "You are to see to the needs of a man by the name of Alvin Corse.  Find him and seduce him and get the secret of his wealth.  The Mistress desires that this man be left alive to do her bidding in the future, but you may toy with him as you desire.  You will be rewarded for success.  Do you understand?"

[Ennui]

Find Alvin Corse and discover the source of his wealth.  Who is the man and where do I find him?  I am rather busy at the moment but I will do my best to help.

[Mercy Merchant]

"our Mistress is not overly concerned with how busy you are, but she does have mercy in her heart for you, mortal, although I fail to see why."  The spirit motions with a wispy arm and a small card falls to the floor.  "The man's contact information is provided.  I am told that you now have enough to perform your task.  I am also supposed to tell you that you are to be cautious in this.  I do not see why She has to work through mortals, but that is not my decision and I bow to the wishes of our Mistress, even as you must."

The spirit swirls about the room a bit more then dissipates.

[Ennui]

What a little shit.  I come out of my trance and go to the spot and pick up the card.

I'll have Summer check this guy out.

Hoi Summer.  I need info on a mark name of Alvin Corse.  I've got contact info and apparently he's got money.  Think you can put together a profile on this guy?  Its a paying gig of course.

I go knock on Shelly's door.  Shelly?  You awake yet?

[Mercy Merchant]

>>Hoi back.  Sure, I will give it a shot.  How much detail and how fast?<<

"Mmmhmmm.  I am now.  Just don't turn on the light when you come in.  I think I had a bit too much to drink.  Corbin make it back OK?"

[Ennui]

Give me anything you can today.  I will let you know if I need more.

Ah another spell I need to pick up.  Corbin is fine.  I go in and sit down next to her and stroke her hair.  Who were you drinking with?  Anyone I should know about?  Glinda has decided to join us here pending your blessing of course.  You can finally lure her to your room at your leisure.

[Mercy Merchant]

Shelly visibly perks up at your words then puts her hands to her temples.  "Got no problem with her staying a bit.  But why?  Is her place being sold or something?  And I don;t think you need to worry about the punks I was with.  A couple of hotshots tried to prove they could drink me under the table.  I showed them."  Her face scrunches up a bit as she tries to remember something then her arm moves under the sheet.  "Frag.  I seem to have lost my panties somewhere, so that means that I probably got fucked.  I hope that I did not embarrass myself too much in the process.  Sucks that I cannot remember it, though."

[Ennui]

No she just said her place was small and she liked the company.  I trust your judgement but do try not to let yourself get taken advantage of dear.  I'll go get you a hangover kit.  I grab a few packs of aspirin and a hit of bliss just in case, a few bottle of generic electrolyte solutions and a shot of my aqua vitae for a little hair of the dog.  You know the drill.  Drink lots of fluids, the bliss is last resort.

I sit with her a moment stroking her hair making sure she takes and aspirin and drinks plenty of the electrolytes.  Feel better sweetness I'd stay with you but I have some deliveries to make.

I go back to the others.  Glinda Shelly has given her blessing so you are welcome to move in,  However I have some deliveries to make.  If you would be so kind as to join me Glinda I would appreciate.  Shelly is indisposed.  Corbin you can come if you like but you had a pretty late night to if you want to get back to sleep for a bit.

Time to go make the deliveries for Jessie and Jess..

[Mercy Merchant]

Shelly does as directed then lays back down.  "Thanks dear.  Very tired so I think it is back to sleep for me."

Back out in the main room, you see that Glinda has rejoined Corbin and the two are chatting.  Both look happy when you make the invitation to move in formal.  Glinda nods when you mention the deliveries and Corbin takes advantage of your offer.  "I think I will stay here and get some more rest, if you don't mind."

Glinda moves to your side, saying, "Ready when you are."