Yelena listens to her friend then looks at her before quietly responding. "Yelena sorry, Arc. Not mean to get in Arc's personal life. It just seem that you not think much of self. And you wrong. You are very smart, funny, nice to be with, and very pretty. Interested person see through grime armor and garage clothes. Have skills and talents. Have job and assets. Only blind person not see and wish for relationship. Yelena stop talking now in case you stop car and make walk home."
We will go to the club tomorrow - you'll need a really good dress this place is for the rich, famous and wannabees like us. Imagine like you live in the better parts of the city with all the goodies you could imagine. We still have today tough, we're already here and it is evening someplace I am sure. I'd say lets try the drinks here. We could all use some introduction. Will make us feel more comfortable tomorrow at the club. he smiled... Sam will treat us for a couple of drinks, are you guys interested? .
Yelena looks at the strange Keeb with interest as she pulls on her cigar. Smiling, she says, "Am Yelena Petrovna. We need get to know each other. Maybe buy vodka at bar?"
"fair nuff Marco. Means you ain't total drek in the trust department eh? You can call me Arc. Everyone else in this hood call me that."
"you pick the place, tell me where I go and drek. If not, I recommend the Drake Pit. It's a bit of a dive, but the booze is legit."
After the drinks arrive she turns to Marco, lowers her voice and says, "Now, tell what did not say in room. Who is staff, what club like. Drinks, drugs, sex, other?"[/color][/color][/color]
@ Phoenix & Blackhat The waitress comes over smiling. "I always knew I'd be serving the two of you either together, or competing over the same woman. Both of you always so spiffed up & proper all the time." She places each of your favorite drinks on the table before you. "Nychella owes me a drink now! She bet you two wouldn't be able to be in the same room together on accounta you two being like as two peas in a pod." She beams at the both of you and then waddles off to collect her winnings.
"Hello. Is Yelena. You friend of Arc?"
"Guess we both needed a hand, huh? Appreciation recipro'ed, chummer. Name's Arc. Feel free to join us."Stahl nodded once in a polite manner, responding. "Good to meet you, Arc." Stahl wasn't entirely expecting that sort of street accent, though he was pleasantly surprised by the woman's attitude. Her use of a street name was also rather curious, though Stahl had other things to worry about. He decides against ordering any drink, instead chatting with and meeting the rest of the group at the table. His gaze lingered on Feathers for a few moments, his brows furrowing lightly. Where have I seen him before?
Hoi, you're not looking to score a free partay, are yeh?"
"Thanks, chummer. Take a pic, who knows if I'll wear it again."". With a.Marco was not sure if she meant it literally, but since he really wanted a picture with her he asked a nice lady to take their picture with his comlink.
"Stahl miss friend? Yelena know how feel. Hope you find."
@ Arc The bartender replies, "Ancestor's Blessings" and in Or'Zet, "Grifter, smart enough to know his face won't last forever."
@Arc::> "Don't worry about it. Got a cab. Going anywhere at nine? Curious."
@Stahl{Arc}>>
<<So far, nowhere, but I'll admit I'm a bit of a mess. Think I got a little carried away, ehe...why, you needing a lift somewhere or summat?
@Arc>> - Yeah, actually. I'd really appreciate it. Beats walking around everywhere. It's at some place called The Skeleton. Shouldn't take long.
@ Ambrose 'Office hours' are long past. But the Yak head of security can always be reached by an operative and Ambrose's call to report finds him responding on the first ring. Kato is curt as always, >>Report<< ,is the only thing he says and is then silent, waiting.
" Yeah...set up the sensor network to help pinpoint the blood mage and her spirit responsible and took her down. Lotsa people died.. I shoulda died too. Guess you could say I got lucky, with lots of strings attached."". She indicated her arm at this time, her green cybereyes glancing to him at a stoplight. "Guess I wasn't meant for a normal UCAS life, eh?"
"Anyhow, here we are. I know this place well: territory of the Night Howlers. Nasty bunch. Shouldn't have much presence this early, but still. I can cover your back if you want...I ain't got anywhere to be for a bit anyhow."[/b]. With that, Arc wheeled the car to park in front of the club, her mind fletti g through her memories of the place, waiting for the elf to make a move.
"Hello, I'm Sam. Pleased to meet you. Marco tells me you're missing your friend. I admit I've been doing some surveillance there. But, before I show you the images I need to know. What do you intend to do with this information? "
@ Arc The fly spy only gets a flash of Stahl going into a room, and what looks to be a man greeting him before the door closes. You can hear voices, but some of the noises coming from other rooms are louder and you're not really able to make out more than a few words here and there. But, it's not long before Arc is greeted. And Bo-Peep starts talking to her about fixing up his bike for more speed. When Stahl finally leaves Arc gets a brief 3/4 view of a tall, lanky man.
Yelena shakes her head and laughs. "Money only illusion to people who have. To others money is way eat, sleep, live. Is real." She listens carefully as Marco talks about not bringing people here. "Yelena sorry Marco break own rule. Not mean to. Have to say Marco sex was best sex Yelena ever had. Maybe not all from link. Yelena want Marco without link and that important. Yelena want Marco now."
She takes a few steps and stops. Not looking at him, she softly says, "Yelena not know what woman she be. Marco might need take what Yelena is."
Yelena Listens carefully to all Marco says without adding comment. When he offers her the clothes she looks at him, picking her words carefully. "Clothes belong Marco. Yelena accept as gift and thank." After a short pause, she continues. "Marco very nice. Very different. Yelena interested living here with Marco, but after finish job. Maybe Marco not want Yelena after. Most do not. Longest lover except sax man two weeks. Yelena has too much death. Too many past bodies. Sometimes wake at night from dreams. Sometimes drink much to forget. All together is too much for lovers. Ask Yelena leave. Maybe Marco ask Yelena leave. Maybe not. Marco want take chance?"
Yelena waves her hand at the room. "Yelena not need wealth. Only drink, gamble away. Yelena not need. Not know what need. But know what want." She will step up to Marco and unless he pulls back she will kiss him with such passion that if he is normal he will remember the kiss for some time. Pulling back after what could be minutes, she will look up at him and smile. "Yelena like Marco kiss. We go jazz club if like. Yelena play there before. After finish come here. Yelena show Marco what is like without drugs and without link. Promise not disappoint. Hope Marco walls not thin.[/color][/color][/color]
@ Arc Stahl comes down the stairs looking relieved, and when he spots Arc his chin lifts and he comes close, "He wasn't there. Thanks for the ride. I know you've got other things to do and it was kind of you to make time for me to try and help me find my friend." The ride back to his place is uneventful and he tells Arc a little it about Heidi and Abigail. And if Reiner isn't among the kidnapped that this group is looking for, well then at least he won't have to worry so much about who he could get to babysit her when Abigail had to go to her sisters.
The afternoon wears on and you receive the comm from Sam.
"Yelena very sorry for lamps. Will buy new. And breakfast smell good."
Marco.[/color][/color][/color][/color]
"Yelena thank Marco. Was best night ever. Not know if can do all again, but Marco want try sometime?" [/color][/color][/color][/color]Marco smiles at her, he quietly say: “of course... I’ll be happy to see you again. Maybe tonight or after the party in monday... I really enjoyed you at the club and we should also do that again... I want to take you to my regular drinking place when we have some time.”
Yelena takes Arc by the arm as they ascend the stairs. She bumps against her friend and says, "So, what did really think Josie and club? You seemed hitting off well with him. Josie seems nice. Yelena meet soon after come Seattle for job. Always look for club to do sax in and find ARO for Josie club. Yelena think Josie like Arc. Not normal he stay at table so long to talk. And Yelena see Josie look Arc. Maybe Arc have new boyfriend? Could do worse."
@ Ambrose That should be cheap and almost impossible to track down. And if you think you can get it there in sufficient quantities to do the job I need I'll defer to your judgment. As I said, usual fee 1/2 up-front & the remainder, including your bonus when I get the detonator.
@ Ambrose Frank's reply back is prompt, and unexpectedly bad. >>Food inspectors shut the restaurant down. Something about rats. I can get you your order. It's just going to have to come from a restaurant out of town and so it'll take a little longer, and they don't have the chimichangas. But their chilies rellenos are even better in my opinion. And cheaper, but their kinda on the small side so you'll need probably half again as many in order to feel full. But if they don't let you know they're there it's 'cause you're already dead. Let me know if that's ok or if you want to change your order.<<
"Monsters?" Asked Marco surprised. "Just the package... is okay... Mr. reporter... I heard tomorrow's headlines are going to be a blast. Don't you think? "
Marco replied - <<even if we follow our own plan... that is obviously null an void... she is in her *role* way too soon. Remember... being loud? drawing attention... toss to heroes stuff like that... This is the rock and roll part... sex and drugs are to happen later in the night when we know we do not need to make a quick getaway... At least make sure she is with you until it is over... she will die if the basement gig does not go well and she is doing her thing. >><<We can fraggin' argue about shouldashoulda all night, but it ain't doin' nothin' for us. I got eyes on your girl, don't worry about it. Eyes on you too. Attached: vidfeedM.aro Something goes down, we won't be drek caught>>
@ Arc The fly-spy's lock onto their signals without ant difficulty and Arc can rest easy knowing that at least that part of the plan is going smoothly. There are certainly worse things than having a cyberarm. Arc thinks as she smokes to keep up the ruse. And now that she's here she realizes she needs it for her nerves as well. She takes a deep drag and looks out over the balcony. The moon is full tonight, a hunters moon, at least a according to the Howlers. It's throwing a beautiful silver on the trees in the distance. The club is close enough to the Salish Shidhe border that she can see them. Trees don't really grow in the Barrens, the weak, scraggly few don't grow well in the pollution and soil. And Arc is amazed that these are so tall she can see them at this distance. But, she doesn't have long to admire them. A voice behind her says, "How about I buy you something a little stronger and we can dance. Afterall, I met never get to see the, 'famous celebrity' Arc, again." The voice is familiar, and when you turn it only takes you a few seconds to recognize NineLives. Wow he's gotten tall, and a little heavier than his championship hopscotch days when you last saw him, but it's him all right. One of the few humans that you know that made it out of the Barrens.
<<We can fraggin' argue about shouldashoulda all night, but it ain't doin' nothin' for us. I got eyes on your girl, don't worry about it. Eyes on you too. Attached: vidfeedM.aro Something goes down, we won't be drek caught>>
<<SpittingCobra - Where the hell are you? Clearly you've noticed I'm not at the club by now, There is trouble in the parking lot.>>
"You're right. I don't have a death wish.. Hence why I'm not coming with you. Perhaps you don't know just who the hell I am you miserable piles of wasted puke. I'm The Pheonix. Do you know how many places I've burned down? Even if I kill myself today, I will come back from the fires and flame and the ashes of it all. Now, do you feel like really taking the gamble with an oldman who's already lived too long? "
@ Arc NineLives tells her, "I know what that's like. After the Worlds Competition when I didn't win the money dried up. Went to the next up and coming star. I tried to get a few things going, tried to coach, even opened my own gym. But, without the education in business and math and drek knows what else, everything got taken from me, only I was left with all the bills and expenses. I owed money everywhere. But, I knew people. People just like me, Barrens born and bred. And say what you want about us, we're survivors. I started doing a bit of work for a guy. And now I've worked my way up to quarter-ownership of this club. And as a part of it I know I could get work for you, if you want it. Your "in" with the Howlers and other peeps in this hood can't be bought by an outsider, an your smart enough to maybe help open up other lines of communication. Even your friend might help, if you can trust her to do her part and not use during work time. You can think about it. I'm not pressuring you. But I could use you and your connections if your smart." he stops there and signals the bartender for another drink.
"Coffee, and Lots of sugar." he hoped it was real sugar, then at least he'd have that starting to go for him. "What is in a name? As of currently, I don't have anything to it, but whatever. Phoenix. Your employer should have told you that much at least before he hired you to take his fall. Though I admit that Spittingcobra and the army wrench probably screwed with something on my plans. And if you can fix my leg, fine. There is more important things than my leg though. I need equipment, and as far as I'm concerned you work for your employer, and your employer owes me."
"Besides. I didn't set the place to explode. You must be mistaken, I never make mistakes like that." Ambrose says to Marco after having sip of coffee stuff. "A little fire, but mostly contained to the yard. Thank you for saving my life." sip. He looks out the window. "Nevermind about the whole bit about me chasing your employer through you and what not, I'll get my own way through." Amazing what a little cup of joe could do for a tired beated, battered, scared man, but alas, he could go somewhere else and start again. That would be easier than attempting to take out the Club before they torch his home to the ground. From this day forward, Ambrose was dead.. And someone new would take his place. Perhaps Steve. Ambrose did like the name a bit.
Yelena is sitting with her back to a large tree on the perimeter of the parking lot, smoking one of her cigars when she notices the familiar Americar and gets the comm ping from Arc. Standing, she finishes her cigar and field strips the butt as she waves to the car and steps onto the pavement. Her eyes take in that there is a passenger in the front seat and wonders if Marco is with her friend before recognizing Jamie. Yelena looks a bit more used than a cheap whore as she walks to the car; her fine evening gown is tattered and in disarray. Her left sleeve had torn at the shoulder so she had ripped both arms off; the front gaped, exposing more than a significant amount of her cleavage; the hem was torn and frayed, with strips hanging down. Her snowy tresses were a mess, too. All in all, the effect was almost laughable.
Arc pops the trunk of the car as Yelena approaches and the Keeb roots in her go-bag for some jeans and a tee shirt. Shutting the trunk, she goes to the car and slides into the rear seat, where she slides her ruined dress over her head. "Yelena thank Arc for come get. Hello Jamie. How is rigger man life? Thank for come." Yelena is a bit too tired to care if Jamie looks over the seat as she strips in the car and wriggles into her jeans before slipping the tee over her head. She pulls the micro drone from its location on her head and hands it over the seat to her friend. "Here, Arc. Drone took much pictures of party. Then later party. Then this morning. Yelena still coming down from drugs and vodka. Much drugs. And need shower. Smell of sex and sweat and smoke." Yelena chuckles and smiles before adding, "Much of all three."
Yelena leans over the center console of the car. "OK. Yelena is large gorilla in room so talk first. Arc best friend Yelena ever have. Yelena look for love and hope to find, but does not in years of try. Then meet Arc and all change. Yelena love Arc and would have been Vruk for all life if was good for Arc. But Arc not love Yelena same way, but does love Jamie. Arc has rigger man as Vruk and Arc is happy. So Yelena happy too. Is true. Yelena happy for Arc. And for rigger man. Yelena not.......Yelena not........Oh frag it. Yelena tired." She sits back in the rear seat and shuts her eyes, trying to keep the tears from escaping.
"The drugs they serve there are alchemical creations with a powerful spell caster behind them. And its about time one of you spoke up about him, Ever since I've been here, its been Sam this, and sam that. I was beginning to wonder about you lot. And well, I'm grateful you've helped get me set up and out of there, but don't expect me to go running in to help you lot out if you get into trouble." He lets the comment sit there for a moment, so he could watch how they take that news. "I don't mean that of course in a cold heartless way. Quite the opposite actually.. My skills are not for front line support. I can rig stuff up to blow, but I do that in the background. Doing too much in the foreground, and well, I get captured. My skills are more suited to draw them out.. and take them out enmass."