[Mirikon]

>>>>>[Well, Predator, you're still over a decade younger than I am, so that qualifies you as 'young' in my book.

I know that feeling well, Smiley. Though in my case, they always lead with 'Count Mollen' or some such. Outside of Seattle and the Tir, I have memberships in clubs in Sacramento, LA, Vegas, Denver, Atlanta, the FDC, Metropole, London, Paris, Asamando, Hong Kong, and Neo-Tokyo. Don't ask about the one in Asamando. Unless you're able to see the astral, you'll be bumping into the walls.

On that note, while Asamando is one of the few places in Africa that isn't a hellhole of pain and suffering, the place still gives me the creeps. Probably because I look like lunch to most of the people there. Still, it is one of the few places on the continent that an Awakened patient can be guarnateed of getting good medical care that won't kill your aura. I was there for a few months once on a 'goodwill' mission, helping train a group of combat mages, so they could train others. Incidentally, if you have the credentials and skills, a military training gig can be some good money. Still, after my three months were up, I got out of the country, quick. No offense to Chrona or any other Infected on the board, but being around people who look at me like I'm a steak all the time is not exactly comfortable. Small doses is one thing, living there is another.]<<<<<

--Iceblade (01:05:09/12-27-74)

[All4BigGuns]

>>>>>[Guess I'm not as good at judging age as I thought.]<<<<<

--Predator (01:19:31/12-27-2074)

[Kylen]

>>>>>[I'm early/mid twenties, easy enough to find out either way.

I'm glad to know I'm on people's "To Call" lists, especially influencials like Ice and Smiley (even if I'm more likely to do one then the other, no offense Smiley). It helps me remember that people are watching me, and looking to see what becomes of me. Not saying I have huge plans, but it's good to know what roads I have available to me.

Also, can't wait for this bloody party. I'm ALMOST bored enough to consider messing with some of the girls, but I know the party is just getting ready to get off the ground.

On the topic of places to be seen, remember that even the most open clubs can be inclusive. For instance, a lot of small area clubs and bars are fairly tight knit groups, and even if you look like you belong there, you can be just as shunned as if you wore brown paper bags to Dante's for the smallest reasons. Is it a bit easier to get yourself a spot there? Maybe, but sometimes the blue collars have a longer memory about who screwed which pooch then the more exclusive places.]<<<<<

     -- Card (18:06:30/12-27-74)

[Mirikon]

>>>>>[Reminds me of the time I knocked back a couple beers with the Ancients at Aces out in Redmond. One of the regulars noticed I wasn't a member, and thought he could pull something. I might not be the best when it comes to fistfights, but magic gives you an edge over your typical drunk at a dive bar. Afterwards, I bought a round, and I was in. Also, when the guy came back with some of his Humanis buddies, I called a spirit to possess me, and the engine block of the truck they were driving in two with a single swing of my blade, which got me a chance to have a couple drinks with a fiery Ancients lady. That night was a lot of fun. More fun even than a party on Royal Hill.]<<<<<

--Iceblade (21:00:00/12-27-74)

[All4BigGuns]

>>>>>[I used to like going to the dives on a regular basis. I don't know, maybe it's getting older or something else, but I'm finding I prefer the nicer places these days.]<<<<<

--Predator (23:36:00/12-27-2074)

[Mirikon]

>>>>>[I like the dive bars because everyone is honest. The guy next to you will gladly kill you for a free drink of cheap beer, but at least he's honest about it. Gives me a break from juggling intrigues.

Plus, if you need a distraction, then there are a bunch of people hungry for a break that will do anything for nuyen, especially if they know you from the local watering hole. Not talking about top talent, of course. Gangers and worse are what you're looking at in such places. You won't get them to take out a corpsec HTR team, but if you need twenty guys to stir up mayhem to get the Knights off your back, then knowing the kind of people who frequent dive bars is a good thing. Hell, just tell the Halloweeners you'll pay 100 nuyen a head plus the first round of drinks if they'll drive from A to B, and you've got instant chaos across half the sprawl.]<<<<<

--Iceblade (01:59:22/12-28-74)

[DWC]

>>>>>[They're not honest.  They're just too stupid to be subtle effectively.  I've had to leave way too many bodies on floors or in alleys because some local at the watering hole thought he was clever.

As for making use of the locals, it's a point well worth remembering.  I was no green bean, but I've done more with less.

Oh, and Happy Holidays from Montevideo.  Being retired is still the best thing ever.]<<<<<

--Vice (09:04:14/12-28-74)

[Mirikon]

>>>>>[Different kind of honesty I'm talking about. They will lie, cheat, and steal, but they do so for reasons they know and understand full well, primarily things like paying bills and keeping food on the table (or drugs in their system). But you don't have the myriad intrigues where one person starts a rumor about a person and claims a third person told them about it so the second person starts action against the third person, and so on, all so that they can get a better result at the next Rite of Progression for their kid. The webs of intrigue are so thick you can cut them with a knife when you get into high society. And much of it is just as lacking in subtlety as the guy who tries to shank you in the dive bar for your wallet, but where barbed tongues and the occasional bit of poison or 'accident' takes the place of a stand-up fight.]<<<<<

--Iceblade (09:48:22/12-28-74)

[DWC]

>>>>>[Sure they do.  I've had two separate guys try to kill me because someone they'd pissed off over something trivial started a rumor that forced them to come gunning for me to preserve their standing within their gangs and communities, and that was just my first spring in Miami. 

Being poor doesn't mean you can't be petty, vindictive, or scheming.  It usually just means no one is around to teach them to do it particularly well and that no one outside their neighborhood is effected by any of it.

Kind of funny that a pair of silver spoon brats like us are wasting our morning talking about it, though.]<<<<<

--Vice (10:49:37/12-28-74)

[Mirikon]

>>>>>[Heh. I guess I should have said 'comparatively' honest, then? But yeah, intrigue is like breathing in high society, probably because they can't just go outside and fight it out without losing their position. My time in the Peace Forces was a good cure for that. In boot camp, there were no social ranks, so I had to deal with things like any other soldier, and that's where I started getting exposed to all the places that a nobleman like me normally would never go, but a simple officer in the Peace Forces could.

As for why two kids from good families would be talking about this, that's because most kids born to less well off families will never know the high life to be able to compare the two.]<<<<<

--Iceblade (17:22:26/12-28-74)

[All4BigGuns]

>>>>>[Yeah, these days, from the lack of practice, I'd probably end up eaten alive in the high society areas. That's one reason I was wanting to try getting back into those circles.

Don't know about silver spoon. Sure we were comfortable when I was a kid, but we weren't on the level of nobility sorts.]<<<<<

--Predator (23:30:00/12-29-2074)

[Smiley]

>>>>>[No offense taken Card. I noticed how very uncomfortable you were with the kind of people I work with. Hahaha!

As for high society... that's where the money is! I wasn't born into it, in fact I was lucky if I could eat everyday when I was a youngling, but it's something everyone can and should learn about.

I'm already in town with Autumn and the girls visiting a little before the party. Been a long time since I spoke to Maria, we had a lot of fun the last time. I'll try to be on my best behavior, as far as I can have one in a good party! It's going to be a little practice for Ice's brother birthday party! Hahaha!

Speaking of which, if you remember, Autumn is not an elf... I hope it won't be a problem.]<<<<<
     -- Smiley (00:14:40/12-30-74)

[Mirikon]

>>>>>[With Mother? No. With some of the other guests? Maybe. But the fact that you'll be Mother's guest, and Autumn's accompanying you, will keep any trouble down to 'polite shunning'. Between the two of you, I doubt anyone would go so far as to explicitly insult her to her face during the party. If there's any trouble, Mother and I will simply invite the troublemakers back to a private room, and Autumn can give a demonstration of her talents. But really, as long as she stays near you or any of my family at the start, she'll be safe enough. And once the gossip spreads that Mother called an assassin and his apprentice to the party especially, they should be trying to chat her up and figure out just what you're doing there, and whether they can turn the information to their advantage. And there are a few who will be just checking to make sure that you aren't there because of them.

So yes, at the party (and on the estate) your reputation, and Mother's, will keep her safe. Outside the estate, there are plenty of areas that a human would be safer walking naked through the Ork Underground in Seattle than venturing fully armed and armored in the Tir. But you two know enough to avoid those places (or how to have fun while you're there).

Oh, yeah. Mother's seen the logs of you speaking about your apprentice here. She says that for her to overcome her 'unfortunate upbringing' to impress an elven assassin like you, she must be quite exceptional for a human. Like a very well-trained hellhound. Her words, not mine. As long as she is fine with such compliments, there shouldn't be a problem. For comparison, her thoughts on Zincan might make even Brackhaven blush, but then, she was a great admirer of Princes Hestaby and Oakforest.]<<<<<

--Iceblade (12:51:22/12-30-74)

[All4BigGuns]

>>>>>[Whenever that gathering happens, pass on birthday wishes to your brother, Ice.]<<<<<

--Predator (00:59:07/12-30-2074)

[Wolfboy]

>>>>>[Family is GONE finally, love them to death but really. Oh, Card, the girls wearing RED ribbons are "negotiable" as to their time. Also, i have to appologize a bit. Pensacola during the winter is kind of slow, come back during the summertime and you'll be up to your eye balls in action.

Dives are all very well and good, but honestly i do work out of Penumbra on occasion, makes some johnsons squirm. I know, childish of me but i have to get my fun where i can.]<<<<<

Wolfgar (19:46:57/12-30-2074)