[SgtBoomCloud]

Arc was all smiles and content as the community listened to the music, all drama of the Barrens seemingly forgotten as the sense of community that the human imagined should be present was starting to actually look like a reality.  She sighed a little wistfully as she took a sip from the soycaf, nodding to Yelena with a small thumbs up in approval of her idea, turning around at the sound of a bike to notice her tall, dark-skinned Vruk approaching her.

And then, as if on the fragging queue, reality started to rear its ugly head again.

The pro's fighting was nothing new...they were always hypersensitive about their turf.  The human glanced over to her Russian Sruiken'kal, exchanging a silent nod that a brief intercession may be in order.  Their bond must have run deeper than they thought, as without a word, the older elf and the younger human split their attention, Yelena going to settle the pro's while Arc turned to the forming standoff between the Whollyhells and the Howlers.

Arc blinked as her two strides were halted by the figure of her man standing in front of her, side facing her as he scanned the scene with a protective nature.  She blushed a bit, almost unsure how to respond to that action.  ...he cares, that for much is a fact...but he's in over his head if he thinks he can take them all on.  Oh, Jaime...  Silently chuckling and shaking her head, the short girl brushed her hair from her eyes, stepping up and putting her right cyberhand gently on the center of his back.  As he turned his head to glance at her, he would meet her green cybernetic eyes staring intently up at him, the glow from her lamplights revealing the look of assurance and determination.  She stepped forward again, letting her hand drift to wrap around his waist with a light embrace as she stepped over his leg, pressing her forehead to his before taking the lead, adopting a wide stance, her back straightening as she stood between the two factions.  Clearing her throat, she spoke evenly at just enough volume to be heard.

"This don't gotta be this way.  Y'all got beef, take it elsewhere, cuz this here is neutral turf.  Everyone who's ever had work done by me or rolls with someone of the same knows this. Splat..."  She shot a look at the squat-face, tubby ork on the Howler end.  "Lupo and I had this arrangement from the beginning, and you and I both know y'all ain't gonna be wanting to piss him off.  BloodMoney.."  She turned her head, activating the bike and rolling it out, good as new.  "Your work is done as ya wanted it.  Better have the payment ready, wiz?"

Sighing, the girl lifted her hands up to either side.  "Right now, we all are looking to enjoy some music and good company with chummers, wiz?  If you want in, nova.  If not, and ya think to violate the neutral agreement, then I close up to you and yours.   Which would not be wiz.  Where else you gon' get your hardware fixed without worry of a corp check or price tag, hm?  I thought so..."  Clapping her hands together, she eyed either side cooly, wondering how they'd react.  "It don't gotta be this way."

[Mercy Merchant]

Yelena puts the sax down in a safe corner and goes over to where Tori and Willa are squaring off, stepping between them.  "Hey.  Is party.  All know is Tori corner.  Willa talking.  Not poaching.  Be nice and dance.  Tori, is Spooner over there.  Go to regular client."  The two women look at each other for a minute then break off.  Tori heads over to see Spooner, who wraps his arm around her, consoling her as they walk over to the walk up Tori does business out of.  Willa smiles at Yelena and returns to talking to the White Serenity guy.  Yelena advises them to take it indoors and the both nod and move off.

That done, Yelena looks to see if her Srui needs backup.  That stand-off is not completely resolved yet, but it looks like Arc and Jamie are working it.  She checks her internal clock and sees that it is almost 2000 and the various members of the team should be arriving soon.

[Mercy Merchant]

Ginny nods as she finishes her meal, then rises and gathers her bags.  She is quiet during the ride to Marco's apartment.  She smiles at him in the elevator, "I will be nice."  She pauses a bit.  "So can I ask a personal question?  This escort thing you do, it seems to pay well.  Are you the boss or just an employee?"

[gilga]

@Marco size Ginny up and and then say: “I am both the boss and employee, and it pays really good. The richer they are the better they pays. I actually have the opportunity of a lifetime tonight. My most important client just texted.  He said that he wants me to show some good time to some dignitary for the CAS. They are both doctors and his guest seems to be attracted to females with postdocs. Now I can do female very easily but a postdoc in just a few hours can be a bit difficult.
 
Any chance you’d like to accompany me tonight and just be yourself? You don’t have to sleep with the guy - just chat him up and enjoy yourself. I’ll come with you wearing my feminine shape and I will make all three of you very comfortable and well entertained. I’ll even pay you half of what I make tonight.”

[Mercy Merchant]

Ginny actually looks stunned when you make the offer.  Her mouth open and closes several times without a sound coming out.  She lowers her head, then shrugs her shoulders and looks back up at Marco."What do you want me to say?  I have very, very limited experience in any sort of social circle that does not involve science or computers."  She laughs softly.  "And even less experience with men in any sort of circle.  My entire adult life has been in a university.  Two doctorates and a masters leave little time for anything else.  And are you sure that there is no sex involved?  I am not a virgin, but you could hardly say I am experienced.  I might blow it for you if it comes to that."

[gilga]

Marco said “I offered to sleep someplace else so that you will feel comfortable - I won’t change my skin and pressure you into sleeping with a guy you never met.  Some things cannot be entirely faked.  That said, I do believe that you will genuinely enjoy their company.  They are very smart and knowledgeable in fields close to your own. Perhaps one of them is even influential enough to get you a job interview. A real job that can challenge and excite you... not escort nonsense. 

I’ll make you very comfortable - break the ice and get the conversation going. Don’t do anything you are not comfortable with. Be yourself and if you do end up sleeping with him. Do it because you want to do it, you do not have to do it. If it does happen, it will feel real for both of you. The real thing is better than anything money can buy”

Marco looks in Ginny’s eyes and say “Just be yourself and have fun... when was the last time you allowed yourself to have fun?.”

[Mercy Merchant]

Ginny seems lost in thought, her scientific brain weighing the options.  Then she squares her shoulders and says, "Alright.  I an use the money to begin to pay you back what you spent on me.  And if it leads to a job, even better."  She picks up the bags she had set down.  "You think something in here will be right for tonight?"

[SmilinIrish]

@ Jed. As you assense Snowdon his aura shows damage. His energy levels are markedly less than before. And that 'shine' that signifies awakened isn't nearly as bright. He looks at you, "My name is. My name is. My name is..

. What's my name? Why don't I know my name. He's visibly upset. He looks at you and says, You say you rescued me Why don't I know my name? He starts trembling and then he grabs you and starts shaking you And shouting, "What's My name. Tell me my name."

Spirits.  Give me a break.  Hysterical girl..  Jed can't physically restrain him.  Placing his palms on Snowden's shoulders, Jed pressed as gently and firmly as he could.

Your name is Josh.  Josh Snow.  Things will start coming back to you, but right now, you need to calm yourself down.  Sit down, close your eyes and try to think about who you are.  What is your favorite food, what music do you like.  What kind of things rub you the wrong way when someone does them.  Don't focus on what you remember right now.  Just think about who you are, what you like.  The other stuff will come back when it's time.  You've been through something traumatic.  You were vulnerable because you were alone.  Now you aren't alone.  With some time, you'll be even less alone.  Go sit down while I make breakfast.  Eggs or Pancakes? 

Jed starts rummaging around in Marco's pantry.  Coffee.  That's what we need first.  Coffee.

[gilga]

Marco grins at Ginny and say “perhaps that sexy black dress we just bought, you look really classy in that one, and wear that sexy lingerie underneath... the one with the black lace.  it will make you feel desired and will keep your options open. But lets get in the apartment yet.”

Marco’s heart skipped a bit when he entered the apartment it was too messy for his taste, not exactly the impression he wanted to do on Ginny. “I am sorry about that” he mumbled as he looked at his living room. Having two men sleeping in - and by the look of it waking up not long ago made it disorganized.

“Jed... are you guys alright?” He said out loud, he was going to say Snowden but he figured that as his name should be in the news he did not want Ginny to think that Marco and Jed have just kidnapped Snowden.

Marco texted the doc >> Sure thing doc, it is your lucky day I am bringing a hot brainyac with me. She is quite a looker and actually has a Phd in both chemistry and biology - exactly your friend's type.  She agreed to help me but is not a professional so go easy on her. She genuinely comes to have some fun and stay away for her books. It is a huge favor I asked her for you, I hope I won't regret it. 

We'll be two sexy ladies on night out in that restaurant - you guys can make your move and it'll all look natural, not like you fixed your friend or anything like that. Can also go different plan, let me know.
P.s. I'll text you a picture so you can recognize us.
Can't wait to meet you, M.

[Mercy Merchant]

Ginny nods and follows Marco into the apartment.  She stops at the door and looks around in amazement.  She barely registers the few things on the floor as she takes in the opulence and the sheer size of the place.  "Frag, Marco.  This place is huge.  I could get two of the dorm rooms I have been living in for the past ten years in this living room.  And there are bedrooms besides?  Frag."

She does notice the man in the kitchen and another sitting at the small dinette beyond and nods to them.  Turning to Marco, she asks.  "Are they employees, too?  And where should I put these things?"

[gilga]

Marco grins, "It was difficult to get this place but I really like it. They are friends, we returned late yesterday after a night out and they sort of crushed in here... I have no employees, not yet anyhow." Marco takes Ginny to his spare room, he is lucky that he cleaned it few days ago. 

That room is his old magical lodge, he and Agrat trashed it place in a huge fight few months ago. Marco broke up with her and she did not take it very well... Technically Marco was the one trashing this place but when a powerful demon like Agrat feels angry she knows just what strings to pull. Trashing his magical lodge was her revenge. Marco cleaned that room not long ago thinking that Yelena might want a place to crush. Before he met Yelena, the memories from that room were so painful that he just locked the door and forgot about it. 

The room has a nice sofa used for reading, and a single bed. There is also a closet full of canned food. Some magical studies require the mage to stay inside his magical lodge for a long while.  Marco's was equipped to allow just that. The is also a bookshelf  filled with Christian mystic texts and small saint pictures. Their mana is now all drained out, but to the mundane eye they look exactly the same.  "I afraid that my spare room is a bit of a catholic shrine and my pray area... I hope you will feel comfortable in there. I can move anything that bothers you to the storage unit, we can only do so tomorrow as we are in a bit of a hurry. Are you christian Ginny?"

[ismilealot]

@ Marco. "No, I'm Buddhist." Ginny answers looking around wide eyed. "But it's ok. You don't have to move anything for me." She swallows. "I'm starting to think I majored in the wrong fields." She gives a small  self conscious laugh and shakes her head. She looks at you. And you can tell she's afraid. "I. Well I.    I." She looks down at her feet and then back up again. "The thing is. I've never really done anything like this before. I know girls are supposed to have feminine wiles and drek all knows what. But I don't. I've been plain all my life. I mean sure I've hadda few dates. Even boyfriend for a few weeks here and there. But flirting and how to act and signals and......frag it. I just can't do it." She looks down at her feet again, clearly embarrassed at the confession.

[ismilealot]

@ Jed  Snowden looks confused. "I don't like that." He answers as he's looking around. He reaches over and grabs an apple from the dish And hunts in the drawers untill he finds a knife. He rinses and cuts the apple. Then he looks at you and says, "I need some hazelnut butter. Where do you keep it?"

[SmilinIrish]

Its not my house Josh, I don't know if there is any hazelnut butter. But the fact that you're  asking for it tells you that you come from a privileged background. Normal people don't get to eat hazelnut butter.  Soy paste flavored with synthetic nut extract.

Was that the beginning of a headache?  Yep. It sure was.  Be patient with him you cranky bastard. 

Thats nice though. My favorite lunch when I was young was sliced apples with peanut butter and a tall cold glass of milk.

Jed watched as Snowden retreated to the table, turning the apple in his hands thoughtfully.  Let me see if I can find some. Hey, I found some almond butter!  How about that?

At that moment Marco walked through the door with company and waved as they walked past the kitchen. Jed gave him a look that said "oh boy, thus is rough". 

[ismilealot]

@ Arc & Yelena. BloodMoney is in a hurry to complete the credit transaction And he says loudly, "Yeah we have a job and we need to go." But one of the thugs on the bike looks over at the Howlers and says, "You didn't tell me you did business with Howler trash. Word is she slotted every ork in that gang just to get in. And they kicked her out cuz she was even stupider than she was ugly." Jamie moves forward around you, but he's beaten to the head of that line by Blue. "Stupid is being on the turf of the pack when you smell so bad we could hunt you with our eyes closed. Arc said this was neutral turf. Now ride away, 'cause the turf surrounding it ain't. The pack keeps trouble from this door. It always has. And if you're looking to start it now. We will end it." The Howlers have been moving forward. And there is now  a wall of them between you and Jaime and the WhollyHells.