[Mirikon]

>>>>>[Indeed, that is the risk of using that method of assassination. But it is better to have a tool and not need it, than to need it and not have it. Afterall, some people only let down their guard for the sweet young thing they bring in to entertain them, thinking they are safe in the middle of their fortress.

And yes, sex is a great way to turn a contact, or to gain their loyalty. Then again, there might be a reason why more than a few of my contacts are women. It is certainly a fun way to get an asset to do something for you. But even so, if it is going to be a long term relationship, it has to go beyond sex, and come down to what they can do for you, and what you can do for them, just like any contact. I mix biz and pleasure, but those are both separate from actual romance.

Speaking of which, Xerena just arrived, so I'll cut this short.]<<<<<

--Iceblade (23:28:33/03-06-74)

[Keita]

>>>>>[ Smiley...it's called marketing. Or advertising, if you prefer that term. That's all a public image really is. You're very good at it, and so is Miri, because you're both constantly aware of it. That's where many young runners make a mistake.

Mmm...and a good thing you did cut it short, Miri my dear.  ]<<<<<
       -- Madrecita (13:13:27/03-07-74)

[Mirikon]

>>>>>[Indeed. I do hate to keep a beautiful woman waiting.

Anyways, we started the day with a bit of a sparring match, to show the starlet what a real fight looked like. She was a bit shocked how different it was from the trids she'd seen. For those of you who don't have any experience with blades, the trid image of two swordsmen dueling across rooftops, doing incredibly complex maneuvers and 'special moves' is, frankly, bunk. Just like the image of people getting in a running gunfight down a crowded street, with no civilians getting caught in the crossfire, and guns that never seem to run out of ammo are bunk.

As for image, yes, too few runners are aware of it, which is why you see so many runners ending up caught or dead. Now there are things that, no matter what, image won't help you with. If you're a troll who finds himself in the middle of a Humanis rally, you're pretty much fragged, no matter what you're wearing. But having the proper image can keep you from ending up in situations like that in the first place. Go to a meet looking like a trid screen runner or a brat straight out of the Barrens, and the Johnson immediately thinks "cannon fodder". Go in looking like professionals, and they start taking you more seriously. And yes, if you are part of a regular team that has been called in on a run, the image of your team as a whole matters.]<<<<<

--Iceblade (16:01:23/03-08-74)

[Keita]

>>>>>[ It was an interesting experience. I've never fought anyone with a claymore before. Miri taught me a thing or two about fighting with blades too. It was quite exhilerating. I'll have a go at the starlet tomorrow, see how she responds to the Bat'Leth. It requires a different techique to combat from what she's used to. With the Bat'Leth, you must always be on the attack, or you lose the advantage the weapon gives you. To beat someone weilding one, you have to be prepared to die be stepping into its reach. We'll see how she fares. ]<<<<<
       -- Madrecita (00:13:27/03-08-74)

[Mirikon]

>>>>>[And before anyone asks, yes, we're using wooden blades. So while she might get bruised up, the starlet isn't in any real danger. And she's going to learn a good bit about defending herself. As for how I would defend against someone with a bat'leth? Depends on the weapon I'm using. Play to your weapon's strengths. A claymore is too heavy to try blocking with it, so concentrate on dodging, and wait for an opening. A katana is quicker, but the nature of the blade makes it better for parrying to get inside the opponent's guard, and stabbing or slashing. For the snap-blades, because of their size and strength, blocking is your best bet. If you have one on each hand, this makes it easier. Block the blow, and then give them a kick to the knee, or an elbow to the face, before going in for the kill.]<<<<<

--Iceblade (06:29:33/03-08-74)

[Keita]

>>>>>[ Girl-talk. Never underestimate two female's ability to unite in sisterhood. Starlet spent a great deal of time opening her heart to me. Why do so many people pick me as mother-surrogate figure?

I think I've shown her most of what she needed to know. Miri could teach her blade-craft. I focussed more on building her confidence. Technique backed up with attitude. And a good dollop of Spanish passion and pride. She'll do just fine. ]<<<<<
       -- Madrecita (15:09:27/03-13-74)

[Mirikon]

>>>>>[The flip side being that girls tend to be utterly vindictive to eachother for reasons that leave men scratching their heads. Only thing to do in those situations is to step back, and try not to get drawn into the fray.

Anyways, the starlet's learning, which is good. She's not going to be an expert fighter anytime soon, but she's at least got enough control that she can actually do the moves without killing someone.

It's odd being back in the mansion for so long. Haven't spent much time here since the revolution. Some good memories here.]<<<<<

--Iceblade (15:55:55/03-13-74)

[Keita]

>>>>>[ For the same reason men get into pissing contests, and who's dick is bigger stuff. Unlike most men, a woman knows when she's beaten, and some women can't stand that. It's rivalry. It's even jealousy sometimes. And it's mostly young women who do it.  ]<<<<<
       -- Madrecita (17:26:27/03-13-74)

[Smiley]

>>>>>[Women, vindictive? Tell me about it! I heard there's some kind of group of woman dedicated to making my life miserable.

Talking about women, after months of abstinence, I'll finally get back to my old habits. Which is getting drunk and laid at the Powerline. I avoided such places because I didn't want to expose Autumn to such things during mental training. Too much dangers for her to develop a bad coping mechanism instead of forging a character and getting mentally tougher to all the things we've seen and done. But now that I don't need her with me at all times anymore, I can finally get back to some fun!]<<<<<
       -- Smiley (14:00:20/03-14-74)

[Mirikon]

>>>>>[Good call on that, Smiley. A crutch like that can be a major weakness, especially if it gets out of control, or someone learns about it and exploits it. Of course, after a while most of us develop the crutches anyway, to get a bit of routine and 'normalcy' between runs. The trick is being able to put the crutch down when you have to. When Xerena and I went down south, I stayed off the drink the whole time. Had to stay sharp, right? I would have been utterly miserable if I didn't have a few little things (like running for my life) to distract me. But I did it. There are people who couldn't, and I'm better about it now than I used to be.

But when you develop a coping mechanism, some things are easier to deal with than others. Booze, cigs, sports, these things aren't that bad, unless they get out of control, since you blend in with all the norms with them, and they're legal. Hard drugs, kinky fetishes, BTLs, and other such things can be a problem, since just getting a fix can be illegal or dangerous. You don't want to pull the perfect crime, just to get caught by the Knights getting your novacoke prescription filled.]<<<<<

--Iceblade (14:46:23/03-14-74)

[Wolfboy]

>>>>>[Its funny, my coping mechanism for the most part is either talking on this thing with you guys or putting rounds down range. After Denver I spent to much time in a bottle, dropped it cold turkey but the hurt that caused it is still there, just older.

Ice, I have a driver that needs a little blade training that i cant do, she's in good shape and all, and i've honed her adept and firearms skills as much as can be done. Put her behind any wheel and as long as the fraggin thing has a working engine, your flying out of the situation. The problem is that her runs have started finding her running into spirits and having to watch the group's mage's back and she needs to be able to defend the mage physically, you know what I mean.

Your boy by the way is progressing nicely. Pistols, shotguns, sniper rifle, he's alright and getting better. Like me he doesn't seem to have a good hand with the automatics, but if spray and pray works, hell, who am I to cast stones.]<<<<<

--Wolfgar (18:11:23/03-16-74)

[Mirikon]

>>>>>[We are no longer in Seattle. The Angel heard the call, and wishes to go to her people, and help the struggle. The Redeemer and I go with her. I know not what will happen. But I will follow the Angel where she goes.]<<<<<

--Faust (18:10:02/03-16-74)

[Mirikon]

>>>>>[Wolf, if she can get into Tir Tairngir, send her my way. I'll have someone meet her in Cara'sir. Is she Awakened at all? If so, when I'm through teaching her, she should look into getting a weapon focus of some sort. I'll have a talk with her, and see what kind of training would work best for her.

Glad to hear the kid is doing well. Personally, I haven't so much as held an assault rifle since my army days, and even then it was just during boot camp, to show I could hit the broad side of a barn. As a mage and a noble, I went straight from boot to officer school, and had my blade and sidearm. Still not that good with the pistol, though.

You guys hear some of the political drek going around? Seems ol' Zincan didn't know who he was getting into bed with when he brought Horizon in after the High Prince left. From what I hear, the High Prince's supporters are practically jumping for joy, looking to get the old regime back in power. Anything that hurts Horizon's work in the Tir hurts Zincan, and helps the movement to restore the Tir to its roots.]<<<<<

--Iceblade (18:30:23/03-16-74)

[Morg]

>>>>>[A  chummer pointed me here, said I can get a hookup  with a Fixer and access to a Shadowsea and a P2 account i have the cre....wait a tic I think this place can run some of my old Sapphire for Hire sims...hey as a way of saying hi I will upload what I have]<<<<<
     -- Morg (05:47:45/03-17-74)

>>>>>[File Transfer 45396 MPs complete]<<<<<

[Chrona]

>>>>>[Where yah based kid, I do some Seattle fixing.]<<<<<
     -- Chrona (13:18:45/03-17-74)