[Sentinemodo]

"Face it you Fraggers. Denver is a sub-divided, pain-wracked, schizophrenic, self-serving, epileptic, sado-masochistic haven for the divinely warped. And I love each and every one of your bitter, thrice damned souls."

- Right Reverend Donald R. Byrne, Street Samurai

Once again fraggers, welcome to Denver !!!

SPOILER WARNING: this game is played using the official Missions 02 - 11 Rising Sin scenario. If you wish to ever play it do not read any further.

[Sentinemodo]

Another week, another night, another job.

Once again, you’ve received word of work waiting for you from your old friend, Tabby.

The changeling woman meets you at Marcel’s. You always wonder when you go in that place, although you’re not sure if it’s from the over-the-top body modifications the staff sports or the corp yuppie clientele gawking at them. At least the ribs are good, though.

Tabby is easy for you to spot. Joining her table, she gives you a polite smile as she picks at the plate of chicken wings in front of her.
I have a job for you – a little datasteal, with a spin. Should I go on? she adds innocently.

There is no real reason for you not ask her to continue so you did ask and she did go on.

I knew I could count on you. Here’s the skinny. I have a friend in need. Her name is Mayuri. She’s a geisha working for the Yakuza. She surveys the table and adds That doesn’t mean she’s a whore, by the way. Geishas are high-end escorts. They’re trained from a young age to serve as entertainers for upscale men. They make polite and witty conversation, play music, serve tea, that sort of stuff. They’re real popular with Japanacorp bigwigs.

Anyway, this geisha gig, it’s for life, a sort of slaver deal. My friend Mayuri wants out. I want you to meet with her and see what you can do.

Tabby finishes her wings, and pushes the plate away, while looking you directly in the eyes. This is just a prelude to the real job however. What I need you to do is to recover paydata. The catch is that only Mayuri knows where that data is kept and she won’t tell until we, meaning you, help her.

When you get the info from her, I want you to get me my file, and I'll give you 30 thousands nuyen for the file.

There is a time limit. The data will be of value only if'll be able use them. Meaning I need to get the file within 48 hours.

You're in?

[Netzgeist]

Fractal reflective-metal eyes met with the other changeling ones. The elf was looking pretty sharp, and he was not just wearing his best suit, but also his best smile.

For the ones who are already used to him, the guy is in a quite good demeanor. Some days after the Enrico deal, the group face has been a little more sober and direct than was his usual self. When he met the others to talk about the purchases he was doing or just to hang with them and see how everyone was doing, they could sense that not all of the effect of the "berserk button" that Enrico pushed on him had ended.

In fact, it could have ended, but the elf was enjoying exercising another facet of his being. But now he was back.

And, as far as the others can tell, he was hitting on Tabby.

"Tabby, my dear, you can always count on me. And, please, do not tire your beauty explaining a geisha professional profile: we know what a geisha is," - when Fractal says we, he is clearly implying an I - "after all, their doings are a traditional art form, and a quite pleasurable one."

His face goes serious for a while: "I'm sorry for the situation your friend Mayuri is in; I really can't stand any bound on someone's freedom. You can count that I, at the very least, will look into the situation."

He takes a moment before procceeding, as if making a mental note on something, and then goes on: "But about the proper job... it seems like a risky deal, isn't it? If we will only get the information on where the paydata is when and if we help Mayuri, then we will be working against the unknown... and last time it was really rough, to say the least. Also, a two day timeframe when the information to plan is just partial is an interesting challenge, but rushed jobs needs to be proper balanced, you know, sweet."

While this communication goes on, another one is happening through another channels, and the team receives a message through their 'links: @Team: "Guys, you know that refusing a job direct offered by our best fixer is bad form... but how much do you think we should ask for?"

[Sichr]

Encrypted channel used for team`s internal communication:
...static....
...Another night, another bitch to save...
...static...
...whatever...
...dogbrainz armed and ready...
...static...

[snake_eyes]

"Tabby, my dear, you can always count on me. And, please, do not tire your beauty explaining a geisha professional profile: we know what a geisha is," - when Fractal says we, he is clearly implying an I - "after all, their doings are a traditional art form, and a quite pleasurable one."

Mouse thinks to himself, I don't know if I would say pleasureable one. Most of the anime I've seen hasn't depicted that way. Besides, if it's so...pleasurable...then why does she want out. From the flicks I've seen, it doesn't bode well for the would be heroes who to try to "rescue" her.

His face goes serious for a while: "I'm sorry for the situation your friend Mayuri is in; I really can't stand any bound on someone's freedom. You can count that I, at the very least, will look into the situation."

...this thoughts continue...there are many different types of prisons, some better than others.

It had been only a couple of weeks since Mouse shot the hell hound. While he tried to occupy his mind with helping Unca Omar and engaging in his usual persuits, not to mention the new toys he acquired. The event is still fresh in his young mind. It was the first time he had killed anything human or animal. Definitely not like squashing a bug. So his mood was a little sour to start with; therefore, he tried to push his thoughts to more pleasant things. Like...

The waitresses in the bar and...

He was curious as to this Tabby person, whom he is finally getting to see in the meat.  The eloquent dialog that Mr. Fractal was lavishing upon her made him wonder if she was going to hiss at him or purr. Depending on her reaction, Mouse may want to make note of that for his own personal use later. Either way it sounded like another movie in the making...kick but...save the day...resuce the damsel in distress...

@Team: You guys know Tabby better than I do, but with the data being useful for only a certain amount of time, I think we don't want to waste much time negotiating over the price. We'd probably insult her if we didn't at least counter offer. And how about a bonus to our negotiated price if we get the data early...I don't know...say a day earlier?

[Kouryuu]

Another week, anouther job.
Sam was still not quite sure he should take it, he had some money he had where to live and the memory of the misfurtune of the last run was still fresh. Now looking at his new twin Manhunter he was sure, even it the guns are capable to kill,he is not, not while his life is not in danger. He hoped this job would not lead him towards that avenue.

Tabby was geourgous as always, and Fractal was doing his best as well, they would make a good couple, or at least it seemed fractal is playing with that idea.
Sams instincts told him otherwise, it was smalltalk, nothing more, just buisnes as usual.

The job itsel seemed OK, geting some one out of slavehood was reward enough for Sam,but of course getting paid for it is even better.
As far as the second part of the job was considered, he knew why they should not try, but extracting paydata had never been his responsibility, so he was not sure how he could help.

[Netzgeist]

Fractal was good reading people (on his better days, he thought as if he was the BEST in it), and so he didn't find strange the kind of answers that was given. Mouse was a polite boy, always wanting to help, and with a lot of thoughts going on in his mind that he keeps devising; Omar was sullen as ever, and his attitude towards women was something that even when not put into words, could be felt in the air. Sam is clearly unconfortable... probably an effect of their last endeavor. Is he still ashamed of his performance? Fractal hoped that no, a healthy dose of confidence is an important part of any difficult job. And Lips... well, being the new guy, Fractal had not so many elements to assense him; but he seemed sober as ever, and was probably just giving space for the team face to do his job.

"And by balance, I mean that the rewards and the risks must be equivalent. What do you say, 35 thousand nuyen... and maybe two and a half grand plus if we manage to deliver the data into your lovely pawns in half the timeframe?" He winks to her, and his playful face clearly says "You know us, kitty, and I know you knew I was going to raise the deal."

8 (Charisma) + 4 (Negotiation) + 3 (Tailored Pheromones 3) + 3 (Glamour) + 1 (Vocal Range Enhancer) = 19 dice pool = 6 hits, no glitch

[Sentinemodo]

She licked her lips removing the last bits of moisture after the wings. You can see that the spiciness had bring a little red on her cheeks and a light reflected in her cat eyes as she was weighting in Fractal. I am counting on you then. Something was definitely in the air.

The deal is as risky as your average day in town. People might be shooting at you, you'll find new people maybe friend and maybe enemies. You'll get paid for risking your skin which is much better than risking it for free coming out of home aimlessly. There are dozens of runners in town, I hadn't had a feeing yet that you're taking only the easiest jobs, actually I was thinking you're going to be my prime team very soon. I know you can handle combat I've been hearing about you here and there. I need to know first hand if you can handle more discreet jobs wihtout months of preparation.
She ordered vanilla latte with an extra milk and was served right away as if the service knew it coming. She sipped it and licked her lips again. Only Fractal was able to hear that yes, she indeed was purring slightly..

Modifiers:
she is friendly toward you +2
you got good reputation as a team and no notoriety +9
she is fixer with good reputation her self that you want to keep good relation with -3
she expect you to haggle so she has some reserves +0
the feromones have a slightly reduced effect due to the kitchen smells and air conditioning (-1)

in total you got +7 modifiers (remember on the cap on 2*(skill + attribute) ), make additional roll on the bonus dices

her own roll: Charisma (5) + Negotiation(6) + Specialization(Runner deals) (2) + Tailored pheromones(1, modifier included) -> 14d6.hits(5)=6

 

[Netzgeist]

Is it just impression, or did Fractal's smile just widen and brightened? In a really soft voice, the changeling elf replied:
"Tabby, I'm quite glad you are playing in this cute head of yours the idea of making us into your prime team; I can assure you that's an excelent choice"

Is this really what's being said, or is there some subtle subtext being exhanged between the two negotiators?

"As you were so kind as to open your plans and considerations for us, how about making that raise as a trust sign on you favorite team? We will make sure you will be well rewarded by this trust." The elf let a little pause mark his words, and then continue, with a voice as smooth as silk: "The more we get from this job, the better the place we can go after it to comemorate our success." - and in that an invitation for a date is clearly implied; that we does not bear more than two people -  "Has anyone told you how cute you look while bargaining, kitty?"

Fractal's maximun dice pool for Negotiation is 24 (Attribute + Skill = 12), and so he benefits from just 5 dice from the 7 additional one from the modifiers:
5 dice pool (additional dice) = 3 hits, and two additional 1s;
Final result = 9 hits, still no glitch

He mantains his smile and order a cappucino sprinkled with a generous amount of cinnamon.

[Sentinemodo]

I don't remember how many times. Men always get furry thoughts when they sit in front of me. It has certain uses ...
You've finally settled on thirty three thousands nuyen for a job two thousands five hundred more if you deliver within 24 hours and a dinner in a place of her choosing.

You also got an address of Mayuri. A teahouse place called “Aikiwa” in the Cherry Creek neighborhood of the CAS.

[Netzgeist]

"It's a pleasure making deals with you, Tabby-kitty."

Fractal turns to the team, quietly enjoying his coffee. The latte art was not the most primorous one, but it was fitting to the ambience, and the drink was quite good. A little caffeine could be useful to get his brain into another mood. The scent of the drink reminded him that now was work time.

@Team: "So, how did you feel about it? 33 to 35,5 grand is something, isn't it?" After some moments, when the coffee is finished, he shoots another message. "@Team: So, anyone got a contact on the Yakuza, or has any useful information to share, or are we going into the dark?"

[Larzarus]

Lips finished his meditations right when his comm starts to ring. He hadn't time to work through all the filter and spam settings so the comm still played the silly novatech jingle.

While he listen to the negotiation between Fractal and Tabby, Lips changed into his Mortimer business cloth.

@team: "Good day everybody, needless to say, that I will be at your service for this run. Since you are our face here Fractal, can you ask Tabby of the full name of Mayuri for some preventive research and secondly, do we have a budget in case we can simply buy her out of there or should we try 'other' ways."

Since Mayuri needs help to get out, this is for sure not done by asking nicely. So they have probably have to go to her boss and somehow convince him by blackmailing, doing some little stunt for him or, since
as far as Lips understands, geishas are usually seen as human ressources, by money.

[Netzgeist]

Fractal let his eyes went out of focus for a while, concentrating on the message from Lips. Then he turns to Tabitha: "Well, our magical support guy has asked me to make a question... Could you provide us with Mayuri's full name?"

At the same time, he streamed a message back to Lips: @Lips: "Excuse me for not asking your second question, Lips, but talking about money right after negotiations would be considered bad form... and also, if buying the girl would be in the possibilities, I doubt Tabby wouldn't have done it by now."

[Larzarus]

@Fractal: "No offence taken, we can call back on Tabby later anyway. However, Tabby might don't won't to deal with Mayuri's boss (we should find out who and what kind of character he/she is before talking to Mayuri herself) directly. Consider, Tabby would buys Mayuri free and one day later, the geisha house is robed with precise intel where to look for the data..."

The runners themself shouldn't have much troubles after the job is done clean. They are just hired to do a job, after all. They should however also ask Mayuri how she is planning to survive the aftermath. If her boss is intelligent to add one and one, he/she might take it personal with Mayuri.

[Sentinemodo]

Fractal let his eyes went out of focus for a while, concentrating on the message from Lips. Then he turns to Tabitha: "Well, our magical support guy has asked me to make a question... Could you provide us with Mayuri's full name?"

Her full name is Mayuri Wakabayashi.