[Shaman_Yuri]

She didn't even give me a goodnight kiss...

I wasn't sure whether to feel disappointed or relieved at how quickly Matsuuri dumped me off.  And the confusion did not help my mood.

I hurt like hell...

It's around 4am.  Adrenaline had done a lot to help me push aside the pain from my stomach, but now that it is all over the gnawing discomfort grows to near agony levels.  I'm as polite as I can be with the gentlemen who hit me up as I walk the steps to the third floor, but I end up snapping at the damned insistent woman from downstairs.  "I need sleep, not sex!" I growl.

I'm a mess by the time I make it to the door, fumbling the freezing cold lock with my key.  I slip inside, locking behind me and take in the room.  I'm kinda glad Jenna is jacked in since that means I'm off the hook for now with the apologies for Matsuuri's behavior.  I also don't need to face yet what it will mean for Jenna if I really do move out.  Guilt joins pain and exhaustion and I barely manage to crawl onto my futon, pull out the jack from my head, and crash atop my pillows still pushed up against the wall from Matsuuri's time here earlier.  I'm out within seconds, dress, makeup, and all...

[gilga]

Flashback
===========
Marco tells Blake “okay tuesday morning I get it, where is the deed going to happen? I take it a hot shot lawyer does not work at a sleazy club. Probably an office somewhere? How do I get there, a care reasonable for him? a Taxi? Some fancy car? What about security in that place can I get away with magic or just mundane disguises ? What happens if I am caught what level of security are we talking about?”

Morning.
=======
I wake up early in the morning and cook myself a wonderful breakfast. Life are incredible, I was not sold to slavery and I met Eagle. The message from Yelena is really good news.
  “Dear Yelena, I am glad you are okay, you had us worried. ”
Then I text Subaru “Good morning Firefly, did you enjoy the party last night?” Figuring that if she was captured she will just not text back, not the most sophisticated kind but should not raise much suspicion.  Then I text Arc and Yelena “I have some gifts from uncle B, do you mind meeting me for lunch? There were so many guests yesterday, you seemed busy.”

Then Arc >> Dear Arc, I was wondering if you can give me a hand. What gang would be the one harassing me in that location (attached). They seem to want some protection money. Also what would you suggest fight or flight in this case? Do you mind sending a drone or two for some surveillance. Me and Lady are trying to establish a soup kitchen and this gang nonsense is getting in the way. We are trying for a legit establishment with authorizations and everything.
 

Then Lady (from his burner) >> Hi, I hope you are safe I got that message from Deen, forwarding the message. I’ll look into it more, I have placed some astral and possibly drone surveillance to see who is fucking with us. I am checking this comlink twice a day, call me here if you need me.

I then summon a daemon and order it, “watch the construction site until sunset and if anyone sabotage the equipment in there follow him to see who it is and where he lives.”

[spoiler]
Summon F5 Spirit of water: 12d6t5 4
resist summon: 5d6t5 1
drain: 11d6t5 4
[/spoiler]
Then Jed >> This is enough friend, was a favor for Ginny just to see that there is a research lab waiting for her before she pay with money she does not have on a one way flight to Tokyo. 

I then make a brief checkup at the construction site evaluating the damage done, and casually talking to Deen and the workers and the rest of my morning is consumed by studying the material Blake provided for me. I take great effort and practice a lot and study like I never did when the material was arcana. Impersonating people is something that I really love in a way it is part of my life goal because to really be able to impersonate someone you need to see the world from that someone's eyes and it is a challenge.

[Shaman_Yuri]

Did my comm just beep?  My brain is muddled and honestly I can't tell for sure.  What I do know is I'm still exhausted.  I move one pillow over my head against both noise and the daytime light and go back to sleep.

[SgtBoomCloud]

Still waiting near the rendezvous point for Tuskaloosa to arrive, Arc was tapping on the wheel of her Americar, idly trying to pass the time as her thoughts sorted out, drifting to the mission she's got on hand for this very night.  An armored and armed truck or van of some kind with at least two likely Jade Dragons vehicles escorting it, both likely armed.  Our subject is a target of the Stardust, so they won't want to get caught...weird, I thought the Stardust was backed by the Triads...they must just be an influencing group, and getting suspicious of some drek.  Either way, this mage won't like us, but if I can be careful, he or she may prove useful..this is gonna be tight..."

Groaning, she held her head as she slammed it back into her seat, trying to form a plan until her thoughts were distracted by her comm messages coming into view.  Surprisingly enough, none of them were the contacts she was expecting to hear back from...instead from Yelena and Marco.  Reading through them, she gave a little sigh of relief and a small smile.

Good.  Yelena survived the night.  And Marco has got news from Blake and wants to meet?  And now he wants some help with some gangs.  hmm...  Mulling over everything for a few moments, Arc pulled up her messenger app again and started a few replies.

<<@Yelena:  Arc here.  Happy to hear you're okay.  Get some rest, I'm picking up Tuskaloosa and Firefly and bringing them over.  Sounds like Marco wants lunch to.  If you're up to it, you can hitch a ride with me when it's time.  It'll be good to have us all talking with Poland happening.  Rest up, Srui>>

<<@Marco: Hey, it's Arc.  Thanks for committing to helping me out, I know it prolly ain't easy, even if it's to help me get in with deeper in the Stardust's good grace.  Still, I think this job will be good for us.  I think I can swing lunch, nothing else is coming up, and I'll try to bring Yelena along.  ...I will have our two recruits, Firefly and Tuskaloosa, with me.  You mind if I bring them along too?  Might be a good thing.  Lemme know>>

Satisfied with that, Arc mentally thumbed through her notes, getting little ideas and thinking them over, for the extraction, for the club, for Poland, and so on...just a matter of killing time now...

[Duck N. Cover]

      Tuskaloosa read the message again, to be sure.

<<@Tuskaloosa: Wiz.  I'm making an errand now, you're next on my list.  Bring anything you'd need for a wild night.  You watch combat biking much?  Might be a factor, hehe.  See ya in a beat>>

     Did I watch combat biking much?  Only clips of my technique drills, over and over.  And the tactical preview sessions of our next opponents.
...And performance clips from some of the bigger names in the sport, for inspiration...

     No, the question was not if she had watched combat biking in her time, but what “combat biking” had to do with a “wild night” tonight:  since there were no referees for fans, watching a match from the stands could be more harrowing than participating in the match itself.

     Still, a quick check confirmed that the Hogs had an away game and the Timberwolves were off tonight.    Arc's night might still include the spectator sport of watching the Hogs game from a local bar, but that being what put the “wild” in wild night was looking less likely.

     Arc's earlier message had referred to tonight's business as something her talents would be useful for, and the mechanic had pegged her as a sport racer of one form or another from the looks of her Better Half. A street-level, for-keeps match?  A stronger possibility.  Although she hadn't got the sense that the woman was a bookie, Arc was definitely a gambler.

So, what do I do about that?  Stay casual or...
     
     Her thoughts brought her gaze to the large canvas bag in the corner.  She couldn't honestly call what was in it a set of biker armor: the boots fit, but they were of two different styles--let alone colors.  The armor was a size too big and none of its electronic suite worked.  She was still looking for a left glove.  If pressed, it would work.
     Then again, it might not.

<<@Arc:  I'll bring what I have, but a shopping trip may be in order before tonight.  I hope there is time--I believe in the old saying: dress for success.>>
 
     As her message went out, she found a reply from Arr-Arr-Arr:

>>Washer be makin' yer brown eyes blue? I be on the lookout fer ya. Thinkin' maybe da hose fer da Sony H179A swamp cooler be fittin' it wid a little work an some clamps. You wanna try it I kin get it in a coupla hours. Have it to ya this afternoon.<<


     She brought up the schematics on the device; from what she could see the scrounger extraordinaire was absolutely right.

<<@ Arr-Arr-Arr: I like how you think.  I won't be home today though, so no rush.>>

     Finally, Tuskaloosa jacked out.  She slipped her control console into the top of the bag, tossed in a couple of empty spare clips for the Guardian for good measure, and shouldered it. The Kanmushi went into a padded ring box and then into her coat pocket.  She grabbed her helmet, locked up and strode down the hall to the lobby.
   
     As she thought, the manager of the U-Live Here was not in his office and there was no indicator of when he would return.
   
     The troll knew where in the complex he lived.   After a couple of polite taps yielded nothing, she hit the kick plate of the door every other second.

     The count was thirty when the door flew open.  “Are you brain damaged--”
   
       “It's Sunday.”

     She was certain the man had no headware; if he had, the top of his skull would have surely popped off.  “What's that got to do with kicking my drekking door down--”

      You don't get off that easily, omae.  “My notice for One-thirty-one.  You'll get the keys on Saturday.”

     For the first time she'd met him, the man was speechless.  It didn't last long.  “I...I need it in writing.”

     He flinched when she put her foot in the doorway.  She set her burdens down, fished out a piece of e-paper and scribbled the date, her apartment number, the words I'm outta here and Saturday's date.  The signature she doodled could have been interpreted as just about anything.

     “In writing,” she grunted as she handed him the scrip and stood back.
     
     “You'll still have to pay the new rate for this week,” he said.

     She picked up her things, turned and walked away.
   
      “And if that room isn't spotless you can kiss your deposit,” he added, some of his temper returning.

    I never expected to see it anyway.

     Tuskaloosa let herself out of the lobby door with a lighter heart, however.

[Mercy Merchant]

Finding no one at home when she got there, Yelena made a beeline to the living area and a shower.  After toweling off, she put her comm on "Hold Calls" mode and fell into the bed.  She was asleep in seconds.

[gilga]

<<@Marco: Hey, it's Arc.  Thanks for committing to helping me out, I know it prolly ain't easy, even if it's to help me get in with deeper in the Stardust's good grace.  Still, I think this job will be good for us.  I think I can swing lunch, nothing else is coming up, and I'll try to bring Yelena along.  ...I will have our two recruits, Firefly and Tuskaloosa, with me.  You mind if I bring them along too?  Might be a good thing.  Lemme know>>

>> Dearest Arc, I just wish I knew they are with us when I negotiated with uncle B, I trust your judgement and can always make more.  About our wild night out? You had me at hello,  easy or not we'll pull it off one way or the other. Food will be ready at 14:00... now I really need to make it happen.


Keep it cool Marco, we have a party of five and one of them is a big troll, do not embarrass yourself, how much is it in human portions? six? perhaps even seven? I have to admit that I have no idea just how much trolls eat. My social cycles have very few of them.

I calm myself down, and decide to cook as if we are seven as it is better to be safe than sorry.  I'll need  something tasty and quick. Something that I can just scale up the portions without problem... My initial plan is not going to fly, I simply do not have enough Salmon for the sandwiches I planned. It may be stereotypical, but when things are tough I place my trust in pasta. After all, what other food can scale up to more than double the portions with only minor modifications? 

This lunch we are having  linguine with clam sauce... 20 minutes and I am done.

As I cook I listen to a mixed playlist from my past, It was made by no other than my Shilla, back when she was an incredible girlfriend and before she demolished our relationship.  It  is my favorite classical music, Earth Wind & Fire and I usually cry when I hear them but not today.  How can I deny my body of dancing with their wonderful beat and innocent voices? The world was in a better place hundred years ago and life were simpler.

When the sweet angles of Disco begin singing about their wonderful wonderland, I only wish that I could Boogie my problems away. I imagine a dance off with my childhood friends. The thought makes me smile, it is completely ridiculous. I can imagine them publicly executing some lost soul but dancing? Really dancing? it is too passionate... too sinful. How did we get life so wrong?

“Shilla was such a good lover before she messed it up... but that was all a lie, a sweet lie, the sweetest one.”

I continue to sing, and cheerfully move my body as I cook and meticulously keep my work area spotless.  Shortly after the food is ready and neatly placed on the table in my best set of plates and two bottles of the most appropriate wine I could think of. I am trying to pull a  perfect lunch and I hope they are hungry. 

I am  done and can finally place myself at the mercy of the disco angles. I am happy, passionate and completely moved by the music. I close my eyes and dance as I submerge into my own world. Completely in sync with the rhythm. In a way my life are perfect and I got the greatest gift of them all, the gift of music and emotion and love, I am a lucky man.  Even with my eyes closed I can see the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. She is dancing with me and moving her delicate and blissful body close to mine. Agrat is touching me and gently embracing me, I can feel that even her most casual touch burns me down to my soul.

I think at her
“You are the only one that is always true for me, I love you deeply and I need you in my soul you are music and love and lust.”

The lady strokes my back and her touch is intoxicating, I can barely breath she is both inside and outside and I feel protected and I suddenly understand.  Eternity is not about time as there is enough time in a single moment for a full and complete life. I know this, If I am going to die at this very moment I would die happy as I am embraced by my immortal lover.

“This is what you give your lovers before they die, isn’t it?” I do not need to ask and she does not need to answer. My senses are going insane and I cannot explain what is happening to me. Agrat is a lover and a friend. She is also the closest thing I have to a parent. She is everything to me, how could I ever leave her.

“I need a new mentor spirit, this uncontrollable passion burn me I need a template to channel it to build something pretty out of it, otherwise I will just wither and die.”

My lady just keep dancing with me, and is teaching me new disco moves. Moves that were previously unknown to humanity, or at least were unknown to me. But why would a powerful succubus teach me new dance moves?  I ask her to introduce me to a new mentor and her response is to teach me how to Boogie?!  It does not make any sense, although I enjoy our dance very much and my body and soul are moved in ways that they never were before. I am in complete sync with the music and with life and I feel that me and Agrat move like one. 

“You are awfully quiet love, did I hurt your feelings?”

I get no answer still, but I continue to enjoy the best dance partner I ever had.  Agrat moves with the precision of a ballerina and with the sensuality of an exotic dancer. I feel that my mortal moves cannot possibly compare to hers. Yet, she dances with me and seems to enjoy me.

“You never danced with me, love what changed?”

Agrat remains silent and I know what changed. It is me who changed. What else? She is a force of nature, as ancient as the world itself. She is what she was when we met and she is giving me what I asked her for.  A template to channel my passion so that my emotions do not become numb.   Dancing! She introduced dancing to the world.

What is dancing if not a socially acceptable and non destructive method of showing passion. She enabled etiquette and complex social structures and I only saw her as an uncontrollable passion but passion could be controlled. It could be channeled to dancing and music and to art. It can be an explosive orgasm or a delicate flower. I dance with Agrat and lose myself into her I am seeing her in a completely new light. Only when the song is over, she talk to me and her voice is the sweetest one. She is not offended and is not mocking me. Her words echo directly into my soul.

“Try and see me for what I really am... I am so much more than you understand.”

I open my eyes and Agrat is fully clothed, dressed like a disco diva and holding a red rose, she  kisses me a long, soft and delicate kiss, full of love and emotion. I can barely contain her kiss, and eventually I need to catch my breath. When I disengage,  Agrat hands me her flower. “Take it, love” She say and then disappears. The red rose is all that is left from our dance. I place the rose in a small ertl on the table and continue dancing alone until my guests arrive. I can feel the heat but it is not Agrat. These are my own cheeks and I am blushed like a teenager who just had his first kiss.

I thought that I was going to teach her about passion?! My new discoveries are all obvious to her. Yet, she contained my anger and my arrogance. My anger was on my own social limitations.  I was wrong to direct it at her.  She was open enough to let me make my own mistakes even if I treated her badly. She is immortal and has patience that I do not. Could Agrat be the mentor I need to be happy? Is it me that is incapable of understanding her?

[ismilealot]

@ Arc  Sarge replies, >>You don't ask fer much do ya slitch. But, I got yer back. I got a guy who just broke an arm a leg and 5 hand bones and needs to lay low fer a bit. But his bike's mostly good. Little bit of body work an it'll be driveable, an it don' count towards the three, ya feel me. He'll appreciate the fix an I'll appreciate a little hopscotch drek done on my grand-dau's bike. She's showing talent an I want her kitt'd out. I'll bring both by this morning. An stay out'ta Green Goblins territory fer the next few. Drek going down there.<<

@ Yelena when you wake up the trid has articles about a local band getting their first big break on a larger stage as their latest song has gone viral. The Timberwolves second biker has been hospitalized, the club is saying it's just a precaution but rumors have been flying that she's pregnant and this has invited speculation about complications. Gang violence has increased in the Barrens. A local gang having been found dead and publically displayed in their own territory. Calls for the mayor to create a task force targeting the gangs have increased. Local business man Joshua Snowden is still missing after having been declared DOA. The CEO was found murdered in his home just hours away from signing a merger that would have made his company a major player on an international scale. The Nippon has taken a dip as the market responds to rumors that the Emperor is ill and looking to place his grandson on the throne. The palace has denied all such rumors but can not deny that the Emperor has cancelled all public appearances in the last month and there are no plans for an apprearance being announced.

@ Tusk  Ar-Ar-Ar responds, >>I'm a man o' means by no means. But I'm king of the road. You let me know when you be wanting it an I'll be on the road to ya.<<

@ Subaru  Jen is gone when you wake up. An AR message says. >>I've got a job out of town. Gone for the next three days. Make sure you lock everything up and no eating my brownies.<<

@ Marco  You get a call from 'her'. >>Thank you dearest Marco for keeping me safe. I leave everything in your capable hands. I should be back in less than a week.<<

@ Marco  Blake answers you, "It'll have to be at his office. You'll come in about an hour before his plane is due to leave. It'll explain the rush and why you can't stop and talk to anyone. We've got an exact replica of his car down to the plates and registration and garage pass. Security is going to scan you. It'll do a full body scan and you'll have to match his specs exactly. It's why we need someone with your particular talents. Only a flesh-changer can be that exact under scan. If somehow you're caught try to talk your way out, but above all stall. I will be in the building. Use the codephrase. "You're not my date tonight." and I will get you out. You'll have the buildings exits and security codes as part of your package. But, that's one of the things that's been my primary responsibility. To know all of that and have passcodes for every exit and mousehole in the place. The level of security is high. Lockdown will happen in under a minute. But, it's not maximum security prison high. There are still ways out. But, I prefer a non-violent solution of possible. That's why I've got the data I've got. It's to give you every opportunity to bluff your way through this and get out without anyone the wiser."

[Mercy Merchant]

Yelena stretches lazily and turns mentally turns her comm on to retrieve messages and look at local news feeds.  Checking the time she notes it is just after noon, gets out of bed, and goes to the bathroom to use the toilet and brush her teeth and hair.  Returning to the bedroom, Yelena places her dress of the evening before in the pile of clothes to be washed and dresses in jeans and shirt before going out to the garage.

[ismilealot]

@ Arc  Hrock replies, >>Sorry fer the delay in answerin' ya Cricket, but I was waitin' ta hear back from a guy about two of those items. He told me he could get 'em fer me today prolly and I wanted ta give ya a definite. Turns out prolly means ta' morrow. But, I got everything else. Kids comms look like a safety pin, a hairbrush, a lip gloss, an inhaler, an a belt buckle. I'll bring what I got by so's ya ken check it an compare the models 'en drek this afternoon.<<

@ Arc Angel replies, >>I always be knowing how'ta treat a lady. Know what kinda toys ta bring 'em too. Cost ya a little extra fer the delivery service.<<

@ Arc  TriggerT says, >>Ta spicey sausage with a side o' hot sauce ya ordered fer the holidays be ready. I ken have it delivered or you ken pick it up.<<

@ Arc  Samuel Brotherton replies, >>I'll need to verify your referral as I deal with very few outsiders. Once you give me the information and I've verified it we can make an appointment to discuss your needs.<<

@ Arc  Jaime calls you back, >>Hey hon, I'm booked solid until eight which means I'll be out by around eight-thiry, no later than nine. Hopefully that's early enough for dinner, and if not then I'm at least hoping it's early enough for something else.<<

[SgtBoomCloud]

And, just like that, the messages came in.  Like a flood, the windows of messages Arc had set to pop up immediately practically covered her AR view as she snapped up, awake and alert.  She couldn't help but chuckle at the various code used and the practically died laughing from the words of warning given by Sarge.  I did get away with it.  Drek, man, that is too much!  Nodding to herself as the information filtered through her mind and was compartmentalized, the mechanic started to work on the replies she needed.

<<@Sarge:  I don't ask often, so I gotta keep the balance eh?  Haha, thanks for the heads up, I'll keep clear.  I'd be happy to fix up the bike you're loanin' and your grandau's as well.  Send me the specs for both, and I should be at my place in an hour or two.  Word>>

<<@Angel: You throw in some sturdy apparel to match I'll throw in twenty percent for nova service.  I know how your eyes work, skraacha, so I know you got her sizes figured out.  How soon can you get that drek?>>

<<@Hrock: Null sheen, Uncle.  When should we meet up for the stuff?  Cred's good to go whenever, but whatever I can get by tonight will be wiz.  Thanks >>

<<@SamuelBrotherton: Sure thing.  My mate was given your name by his brother-in-law Henri Pearson, an engineer who lives locally.  I hope that will work for reference>>

<<@Jaime: Hehe, time permitting, we may have to multitask~.  Either way, that should not interfere, my thing isn't until a few hours after.  I will make it work, you can bet your hoop on it>>

<<@TriggerT: well that was quick.  I'll be right on by>>

As she sat back, she looked over to see a familiar tall figuring lumbering to the meetup point.  Nodding, Arc fired up the engine and pulled around, driving right up next and unlocking the doors, popping the trunk for the bag over the other's shoulder.  "Hoi.."  she said with a little smile on her face, letting Tuskaloosa hop in before driving off and rejoining the roads, heading back to TriggerT's for her pickup. 

"So, new surprise, we got lunch in a few hours, Marco's treat...that keeb boy you saw at my place last.  Supposed to pick up Firefly, but that might be later, she ain't answering comms.  I gotta quick stop for a pickup, then it's back to the place and we figure some stuff out, eh?"

She gave a nod, sighing a bit as she rounded a turn..gently for her passenger.  "If y'all didn't pick up on it, our job tonight's gonna be straight outta some action trid by the looks...I'm getting a loaner bike for tonight you can use.  Think you're up to it?"

It didn't take long for the two of them to pull up to the unassuming little sprawl shack that TriggerT had set up shop in, Arc leaving the engine running as she glanced back to the troll.  "Be just a tick..."  As she hopped inside, she exchanged handshakes with the gruff-looking dwarf before picking up the parcel that he was promising her.  It was taped up, rather unassuming...but quite impressive in size.  Carrying the package to her car, she stuck it in the trunk before waving off to the dwarf, hopping back in.  "Dude's great for stocking up on ammo 'n' drek.  He'll be your backup if Angel falls through.  which he won't.  Just waiting on a reply and we'll see what he had in mind eh?"

Checking her time again, Arc decided to send a second message to Firefly.  She doesn't seem the type to ignore texts...

<<@Firefly: Hoi, don't tell me you got up and kipped out on us, girly.  Everything alright???>>

[Shaman_Yuri]

Exhaustion warred with the urge to relieve my bladder all morning with exhausting winning.  But the balance slowly shifted as time went by, and when the tide turned, as it were, it was like a dam bursting.

Dayum I have to pee!

The realization came to me quickly as I realized the difference between bio and bedwetting was measured in seconds.  I bounced up from my futon and rushed to void, sighing in relief as the urgency passed despite the protest of my gut at the rapid movement.  I remained long moments there just enjoying the sensation of emptiness when I heard a beep come from back in the main room.

My comm.  Wait, wasn't it going off earlier?

I may have a perfect memory usually, but the morning is more than a little fuzzy.  I finish my business and make my way back to my futon.

Oh right, Marco-san did ask me to tell him when I got home.  Then again, I don't really even remember getting home!

Yelena contacted me too - oh good, she's safe.  And Arc, twice.  Damn, I worried her!

>>{12:45pm} Sorry Arc-sensei. Up late last night working for Yak.  Will explain later.  Came home exhausted and slept through a lot of messages, including yours.  Am up now.  I can be ready fast if you need me to be.  Please advise.  ~FF<<

The message sent, I look around and note the message from Jenna.  I hope she's okay.  But there's not much I can do except wait to see what happens with her.  Still, I had hoped to talk with her before I paid off the Yak.  Blast.

While I wait for Arc to reply, I drag myself and my Erika into the bathroom to peel myself out of the dress Matsuuri gave me for last night and clear off the makeup that had stayed with me all night long. 

I look like Hell.

That thought just serves to remind me that I am long overdue for prayers.  I quickly clean myself up and don my abaya and hijab again so that I can properly perform my duty to God.  Only then will I consider responding to the other messages and prepare myself for another busy day.

[SgtBoomCloud]

The drive back to Arc's garage was mostly uneventful, thankfully.  And thankfully by then most of the snow-shoveling autodrones had finished their work on all the main roads, making the conditions much safer for driving.  The chatting between the two had been mostly idle, but pleasant.  A quick stop for a round of soycaf for themselves and another for Yelena if she wanted it, and the cold was well staved off by the time the two pulled into Arc's garage.  Setting the parcel down on a workbench in the corner, Arc gestured to the area.

"Think the white-haired one is sleeping off the night, so make yourself at home.  Got a little time to kill before we need to be anywhere.."  It wasn't long after that that the sounds of a truck's motor pulling up signaled they had company, the mechanic hopping to get the door open and greet the visitor...who turned out to be the old troll known as Sarge, the Howler tattoo on his leathery arm confirmation of that.  Giving a two-finger salute, Arc grinned a bit as she saw the contents of the truck's flatbed: a troll-sized Harley-Davidson, the troll-suited King Scorpion model printed on the gas tank in gold lettering, looking pretty sturdy and only needing some body work and realignment, and a smaller-ish bike...likely his grandau's.  And a Yamaha Rapier at that...Sarge's family started em /young/, didn't they...

"Whoo...ain't these a coupla beauts.  Wiz bang, Sarge, this is a real solid." As she helped the old trog wheel the pair into the space in her garage, the big troll rumbled out a small warning.  "This set o'wheels gets pulled into drek and traced to us, you know it'll be hell to pay with th'boss, right?"  Arc could only give a grin, nodding. "It's null sheen, omae.  I'll get this fixed up and tune'n'trick your grandau's bike for hopscotch, she'll love it.  Don't let me keep ya, I'll hit you up when I get this thing good to return, aight?"  "...Yup.  Hunt well under the moon, little Arcwelder."  Letting out a deep bark from his throat, the big guy got back into the truck and pulled away, leaving the young she-troll and the mechanic alone.

Immediately, Arc got to work, diagnosing the King Scorp in a matter of minutes before pulling the tools she needed...namely some heat to rebend the body, tools to work the axles, and run some basic diagnostics.  At most, the job would take a couple hours, and easily done before it was needed.  "So, Tuska, whaddya think?  I know it ain't your baby, but it'll take ya...here, hand me that 3/4" allen wrench...."

Some time later, Arc barely heard the shower running inside, figuring Yelena had woken up, followed closely by another comm message...this time from Firefly.  ..overslept.  Ahh, okay.  I forget...most people don't get beaten for oversleeping around that age, hehe...  Sighing a little, she set down her wrench and sat up on a workbench, grabbing a rag to wipe off the grease in her hands.

<<@Firefly{12:47}: It's all null sweat, girly, you're good.  Thanks for the heads up.  Marco is making lunch for us at 2PM, so I'll pick you up then with Yelena and Tuskaloosa.  Thinking.... 1:30 will work for ya?>>

Sending that off, Arc looked up at the ceiling, losing herself in thought as her head swirled a little bit, all the wheels turning as she bounced from one to the next.  What a day...need a fraggin' holiday...

[Shaman_Yuri]

A quick shower and clean underwear, combined with a night's sleep, makes me feel like a new woman.  At least Arc seems cool with the delay in my response.  And it looks like I'll soon get to thank Marco for being right, even if I'm still not sure I like how cavalier he was about Yelena-sensei's situation.  I guess it shows I still have a lot to learn.

With the time left after i get myself ready, I work with my Erika to continue packaging up the data for the Yak.  I want to make sure that close examination won't show evidence that I snipped footage from the room where Yelena-sensei was kept, or the passageway from the kitchen to the basement.  Everything else they can have.  Once I have it good, I copy it all to a data stick for delivery to George as soon as I can find a way to get it to him.  I message my Yak benefactor that the data is ready and also include the 'keys' to the security system back door.  From now on they can look at all the camera feeds to their heart's content.  That was what I was hired for and I delivered.

For Arc, though, I'll give her the benefit of my data collating and detailed examination skills.  Between the two of us, we should be be able to glean as much as anyone could about this place, and keep looking for more as long as the back door remains.

At 1:25pm I wrap up and get myself down to street level.  I'm back to wearing my abaya and hijab over my jumpsuit, ready for whatever action might come my way.

[ismilealot]

@ Arc Angel replies, >>Dayum straight my eyes work slitch. An I knows how to dress a lady in some dayum fine evening wear. I be by in an hour.<<

@ Arc Hrock answers you, >>I've got a turkey sandwich and some roasted grasshoppers ta deliver this afternoon so's I ken swing by sometime early evening, say around six.<<