[Keita]

>>>>>[ My head was ringing, yes. But it was the only way I could do it. The dress didn't allow for comlinks, and I very much doubt you knew the song. It's from over 70 years ago. You did very well indeed. It was worth a little pain. 

It did scare me a bit when you started bleeding...but...first rule of performing: the show must go on. I still feel bad about the pain defending me caused you. I had to sing that song though. It was Moncita's greatest hit. That was the one everyone was waiting to hear. ]<<<<<
        -- Madrecita (11:34:35/19-02-74)

[Chrona]

>>>>>[ I'm thinking of getting a Mitsuhama Chinpira or two for home defence and training, what do you guys think? ]<<<<<
        -- Chrona (20:50:35/19-02-74)

[Smiley]

>>>>>[If you think you need drones to defend your turf and can afford them, why the frag not not? But from what I remember they are friggin' expensive!]<<<<<
       -- Smiley (16:08:36/02-19-74)

[Chrona]

>>>>>[Wouldn't be asking if I couldn't afford them, heh. I just don't know much about Drones.]<<<<<
          -- Chrona (21:15:35/19-02-74)

[Mirikon]

>>>>>[I've seen a Chinpira in action, once. Some damn fool thought it would be a good idea to have a few of them guard a Zero zone as a dry run before opening them up for military sales. Won't say where or when, natch, but those things scragged two of the team before we even knew what hit us. We scrapped the run then and there, and got the hell out. Only reason I'm alive is because they keyed on the troll with the assault cannon as the highest priority and reduced her to a fine red mist in an instant.

For home defense, one of those things will put the fear of god into anyone who isn't too far around the bend to care. Just remember you'll need to have it networked to take advantage of the tacnet. For training, though, you're likely better off with one of the Otomo models. The Chinpira is really just an excuse to carry multiple heavy guns to bear on the same target. The Otomo is metahuman-sized and -shaped, and can use metahuman gear, which makes it a better sparring partner. Unless your view of 'training' involves dodging tank rounds.

And yeah, Xerena, it worried me for a bit, too. I could barely cast the spell at all with the mana that weak, so I was stretching my abilities to even bring that off. That's why I try to avoid overcasting if I can. In a real fight, messing yourself up like that can mean the difference between getting out or getting killed. And against the things that I'd really think it was necessary, like the dragon, there wouldn't be any point in using spells against it directly. Better to channel everything into calling a large enough spirit that, when it rides me, I can count on its power adding serious strength to my blows, and allowing my blade to cut through armor easier.]<<<<<

--Iceblade (17:28:39/02-19-74)

[Keita]

>>>>>[ Xerena, it is done. You are dead. ]<<<<<
        -- The Tokoloshe (15:47:35/02-20-74)

[Chrona]

>>>>>[ If The Tokoloshe is scanning the truth at least the flirting will be over. ]<<<<<
        -- Chrona (21:21:35/02-20-74)

[Keita]

>>>>>[ Hayibo! You don't understand, ghoul. Hau! You think bad things. ]<<<<<
        -- The Tokoloshe (16:32:25/02-20-74)

[Chrona]

>>>>>[ I have a name, use it. I guess you mean she's gone to ground, fair enough.]<<<<<
        -- Chrona (00:18:25/02-20-74)

[Keita]

>>>>>[ Don't take him too seriously, Chrona. Old Tokoloshe loves his machines far more than he loves anything organic. In his view of the world, the only people that exist as individuals are the ones he knows personally. I have the dubious distinction of being one of them.

As for what he meant by his cryptic statement...let's just say he's been spreading false trails for the Azzies to follow. They finally caught up with 'me' at one of my boltholes and bombed it. They've also retrieved certain recordings I made of the run Miri and I did. So as far as the Azzies are concerned, they've killed me and retrieved the info I'd gathered.

I don't really see why the flirting is such a problem for you, Chrona. Miri and I are just being playful. What else do you do on vacation? Once we get back, we'll be in business again. I think, afte the runs we took, we deserve a chance to just unwind and help each other forget and come to terms with what we've seen and what we've lost. ]<<<<<
        -- Madrecita (00:17:35/02-21-74)

[Mirikon]

>>>>>[Lost and gained.

There will be time for getting serious, but it has only been a couple weeks since we got out of the most dangerous (and disturbing) run either of us have ever been on. A bit of fun keeps people from going crazy, and crazy mages tend to cause lots of problems. Either they become twisted, or they start listening to voices from... other places. Which is how you find people listening to the call of Insect spirits. *shudder* I've met dragons, and fought them, and other than what we saw in the pyramid, nothing makes my skin crawl like the bugs. Better dead than invested, I say.

But enough of such things. I'm on vacation, and there's a nobleman from England here who took classes from Schwartzkopf. I would love to sit in on a couple of those lectures. I purchased a couple recordings (made using his translator, obviously) and they were fascinating. If I ever went to university to further my magical education, I'd want to go there. I can think of few beings as knowledgeable about magic, and none of them are exactly eager to teach others their secrets.]<<<<<

--Iceblade (12:02:34/02-21-74)

[Keita]

>>>>>[  Lost and gained, yes. And this is the time to explore that.

I've been looking out for a new car and house. Now that "Xerena Veracruz" is dead, I'll need replacements. Gagh. And just after I paid Hands As Wings a small fortune to fix up my Hispano-Suiza...That is the one loss I'm going to deeply feel. I loved that car...Oh well. Anyone have any suggestions? Preferably something European. I just...cannot bring myself to drive something Ameri-Canadian.

That and all the bother of having to set up a new magical lodge.

Time to go mingle. Miri's been coaching me in the fine art of 'picking up information and subtly probing'. ]<<<<<
        -- Madrecita (15:42:35/02-21-74)

[Mirikon]

>>>>>[Well, if you need a place to crash, I have a lovely suite in the Elven District in Seattle. The neighbors are quite friendly to me. The women because I 'forget' to close the curtains before my morning workout, and the men because I give them a point to use against their wives when they get caught leering when an attractive woman walks by.

As far as the car, a paint job, fresh plates, change the vehicle ID, and you're good.

And yes, these situations are great for making new contacts. Civilians lower their guard when they're on vacation, especially at a luxury resort, because anyone who isn't a staff member is clearly not one of the masses. Makes them easier to talk to than they might be normally. I've got contact info from at least a dozen people so far this trip, including that nobleman who offered me a place to stay next time I was in London.]<<<<<

--Iceblade (16:13:10/02-21-74)

[Keita]

>>>>>[ Mmm...maybe. Thank you for the offer. I'll consider it. As for the car...no. I better not do the respray and fresh plates thing. The Azzies might be watching the disposition of my former property. Better to start out fresh. The Tokoloshe and Ysoni will take care of it.

I do think there's something to be said for your style of 'running, Miri. Since that performance I gave the other night, its as if whole new worlds have opened up. I don't think I properly appreciated before how well being highly visible in certain circles helps. I still don't like the people and their attitudes though. But they are useful. I've been offered a few corporate gigs. I think I'll pursue this and see where it leads. ]<<<<<
        -- Madrecita (17:11:31/02-21-74)

[Mirikon]

>>>>>[Same game, different circles. Dealing with the glitterati and the corporate bigwigs is much the same as dealing with gang leaders and made men. Just have different rules to work under. The military was a good way to prep me for walking both worlds, as it was the first time I was really exposed to members of the Gentry to any appreciable extent. I had a good commander, who cared less about social rank, and more about unit cohesion. Whipped me into shape but good.

But yes, the egos can get annoying when you deal with the upper crust. Only difference is that when a glitterati gets pissy with you, instead of trying to shoot you like a go-ganger would, the glitterati starts badmouthing you and playing the kind of gossip games that can hurt your rep long term. And people care a good bit more if you beat the annoying glitterati into their place at Dante's than if you shoot a gang member in Aces. But the jobs tend to pay more. Between my cover 'work' and runs, I live comfortably enough, and maybe go on one or two runs a month.]<<<<<

--Iceblade (18:07:34/02-21-74)