[Ennui]

I look at Glinda and search her eyes.  I reach over and cup her face as I say, I'm sorry.  Sometimes we have to do distasteful thing in the short term for a long term gain.  If it makes you feel any better I talked you up and they were all ready to apologize to you for the slight.  You are welcome at future meetings, though I thought you might not be interested.

Of course you are my friend.  As for partners I am partners with you and Sian in your gentrification project in the Chinatown Barrens.  Did you want to be involved in my plans for Redmond?  I never actually considered that.  I've thought of you as a general ally and friend and I treasure your counsel, but I fear I never expected you to be invested in my work there.

[Mercy Merchant]

For an instant, Glinda closes her eyes and presses her cheek against your palm.  There is an odd look in her eyes when she opens them again; almost as if asking a question on their own.  After a short pause, she smiles and says, "Sorry.  I guess that even fifteen or sixteen hundred years cannot shake some of the the insecurities of my youth, eh?"  She leans over to kiss you, lightly flicking her tongue across your lips before probing.  After a few seconds she breaks but keeps her forehead against yours.  "I would like very much to be your partner in all that you do.  If you are not ready for that, then tell me so I know where I stand.  It might be hard to fathom, but being somewhere between alive and dead has not taken all emotion from me and I do have feelings and sensibilities and I can feel pain and heartache.  I will give you all the space you think you need, but I would like to know what that is before just being pushed aside.  It would have hurt far less if you had told me in advance that I should wait in the car."

[Ennui]

This sounds dangerously like a relationship talk.  I don't want to alienate Glinda but I can't just give up the reigns of my project.

I sigh and lean back in my seat.  Then look over at Glinda with a mischievous grin.  I'm a little surprised you didn't see through that little maneuver.  It was subtle but it both increased my value at the table and put the others at ease at the same time.  Giving me a hand up in the negotiations... Not to mention protecting your secret from some dangerous players.  You showed them I had powerful allies who deferred to my judgement.  I'm sorry it hurt your feelings, that wasn't my intention, but you have to trust me if we are going to work together. 

I am a con artist and you learn to recognize angles in fluid situations.  Sometimes things occur that need to be acted upon without prior collaboration and that was one of those times.  Please be assured I would never intentionally do something to harm you.

I value your counsel Glinda and I was going to share the details of our discussion with you, but frankly I'm just not ready to share the reigns on this project.  It's been my primary motivation for nearly a decade of my life.  I would love if you would work with me in this endeavor but I need to be in charge of this.  I hope that's not a deal breaker.

[Mercy Merchant]

Glinda looks at you as she processes what you have said.  She might make a good poker player since her face gives nothing away of what she is thinking.  When the silence gets to be several seconds, her face suddenly explodes into a smile that seems to mirror what is in her eyes.  "I am sorry about that.  I do trust you and want to help you.  I guess it is just that both of us are strong women who feel a need to be involved and in charge.  I will bow to you on this project, however; it is yours and I am merely along for the ride and to give you whatever support you ask of me.  I am sorry if I came across as selfish and bossy.  Sometimes I forget what being with someone I respect and admire is like as it has been far too long since I met anyone who fit that description, except for Sian, of course."

[Ennui]

I shake my head.  I don't want you to apologize Glinda.  Your feelings are valid.  I want you to tell me how you feel.  I'm not trying to shut down the conversation I just want you to know where I'm coming from so that we can be on the same page and hopefully make you feel better about it. 

I don't know why but you and Sian are the first people I've opened up to besides Shelly and Corbin since the rest of us were killed.  Maybe it's because we see things in a similar way or have similar goals but I feel closer to you two than anyone besides my friends.  I want you to realize that means something to me.  I'm a controlling manipulative bitch, and it's hard for me to let go of things that are important to me.  Please try to remember you are one of those things.

[Mercy Merchant]

Glinda looks at you and her features soften.  "Thank you, you are important to me, too.  So, home you said?"

[Ennui]

Yes home.  You need to arrange your room how you want it.  I'll let the spirit off the hook afterwards.  I need to get the next batch started too.  Once that's done and I grab the last of my stash for the Jessies and make another delivery.  Then we can go talk to Sian about starting the group and setting up a meeting with Corbin so she can get to know him.

Once home I direct the spirit to assist Glinda with arranging her room and then dismiss him from his services.  Thank you for your service.  I am glad we did not need to put you in danger.

I strip down and put on the protective gear and start the next batch while Glinda rearranges her room.  Afterwards I get ready to make the delivery for the Jessies.

[Mercy Merchant]

Everything goes smoothly with your batch preparation, which is about all you have time for if you are going to meet Jasmine on time.  Glinda is sitting cross-legged on the floor outside the prep room when you emerge, her eyes closed and her arms on her knees with her palms open and turned up.  Without opening her eyes, she says, "Are we ready to leave?  I was going to come in to help, but saw that you were nearly finished.  Are we returning to the club?"

[Ennui]

I'm not sure.  They said to call to set up the meet and see if Jessica can find anything on this guy Alvin Corse.

Hey I got the stuff you wanted.  You said to let you know in a few hours and we could meet.  Where are we going?  And bring Jezzabel for that report on Alvin too.

What are you doing?  Meditating?  I'm considering going on an astral quest and initiate myself.  I would prefer to do it with a group but I think that may take a little longer than I'm wanting to wait.  We can still make the group of course but I'm getting antsy.  I go over to my altar and inspect the grain of the black marble.  The smoothness of the cut. 

[Mercy Merchant]

The response from Jessica is almost instantaneous.  >>Lazy B in Touristville.  We will be there until 0200.  Oh, and I am supposed to tell you oatmeal, soy-bran muffin, and soy-orange juice.<<

"Yes, meditating. It helps clear my mind.  What is this about initiating?  I thought that you were already a sorceress?"

[Ennui]

nice!  I hope she got more than that though.

We're meeting at Lazy B.  Initiation is seeking the higher mysteries.  Like your ability to mask your aura or centering to reduce the fatigue cost of a spell or summoning and rituals.  Doing it as a group is easier but I'm impatient and we don't even know if Sian will be interested.  You ready?

[Mercy Merchant]

Glinda nods and rises to her feet.  It is more a sort of flowing than the physical effort of standing, but that should not be possible, right?  Anyway, she is on her feet and walks with you to the car.  "Lazy B.  Touristville.  That place has a rep for being wild and noisy.  Just us or will the others meet us there?"

[Ennui]

Probably.  Corbin and Shelly are usually back by now but if they are selling they could be out a while and I haven't heard them.  I'll link em just in case.  If they are near we will wait for them.

Hey guys we are going to meet at Lazy B if you guys are close to the building or there meet us there for a meet with the Jessies I'll  introduce you to a few more.

Once we determine who all will be coming I fill Glinda in on what was discussed at the meeting with the meta gang and consolidating power as well as the test for their hacker as we drive there.    Don't suppose you've heard of Alvin Corse?

[Mercy Merchant]

Unfortunately, both Corbin and Shelly are still out selling and no where near Tourisville.  Both indicate that they could drop what they are doing, although Corbin says that he has a potential heavy hitter on the hook that might need some more time and he would rather not break that off right now.

Glinda nods as you explain what went down at the meeting and grins when you talk of killing Jessie's boss.  "I think it is a good idea to let him fight your spirit off.  Would you like me to summon one of my.....associates or do you want to deal with this?"

"Alvin Corse?  No, I do not think I am familiar with the name.  Should I be?  Who is he and why is he important?"

[Ennui]

Now worries I doubt there will be a need I just didn't want you to feel left out.

I'll handle the spirit. 

No reason you should know, but with the amount of coincidences lately I figured I'd ask.  I just need to find out about the guy and run a game on him.

Once at the club I scope out a good position near a corner unless I see the Jessies first.