[Stoneglobe]

"I do understand Ms Oaks. However I'm sure that the department is still as underfunded and overworked as it's always been and the ability to call on an additional pair of hands during a future investigation would be most helpful." Now was where I had to ensure that as promised I would remain as circumspect as possible whilst dealing with outside connections.

"Also should my current case not go successfully there is more than a possibility that the current level of cordiality between certain Oriental cousins might diminish leading to additional workload being placed upon the department. The case itself is a completely legitimate one, as far as I can ascertain, and success would allow me to help prevent that potential drop in cordiality happening."

I just hoped that Oaks would understand both what I was offering and that my additional comments were in no way meant as a threat but purely an observation on my current circumstances.

[skulldixon]

Kumiho waves off Tanya's comment No, I trust your people's handy work. Besides, I can always just set up some noise. Kumiho leads himself back to the planning room, since he has been here before.

[Señor T]

Cal watches Kumiho leave the room. Must not be hungry he thinks to himself. Oh well, more for me! He piles his plate high on both trips to the row of chafing trays, then eyes them another time, finally deciding that thirds might be a bit much if there was a chance he'd do anything strenuous today.

[Mercy Merchant]

Tanya looks at Kumiho as he stands.  "Not hungry, Kumiho?  I tell you, the food is quite good here."  She watches the others dig in and smiles.

[Jayde Moon]

"Fine," Dana said.  "You owe me, give me a minute."

Chance sighed softly and waited while everyone else dug into some food.

A few moments passed and she was back on the line.

"Well, it looks like you have stumbled across a pair of amateurs.  'Hodges and Benson, PI's' is who the car is registered to.  There's an address in Renton, I'll text it to you."

A few moments later the address is received on the commlink.

<<724 S 3rd St, Renton>>

[Stoneglobe]

"Thanks Dana, as you said, I owe you one. It's getting late and I'm sure you've got better things to do than jaw with me. But maybe when we've both got more time you'll let me buy you dinner as a thank you. Have a good night." Once Dana has replied and the call is over I slip the commlink back in my pocket, Just great John, let's just hope that favour doesn't turn out to be too expensive and head back through to the dinner table.

Returning to my seat, as well as the glass of Ardbeg I was happy to note, "Apologies once again for having to step away. I believe we were re-introducing ourselves with a little more information. If I missed anything I'm sure I'll catch up. I'm just a regular Joe who happens to have a bit of a background in investigation and psychology. I can get on fairly well with most people and generally prefer to talk than shoot. That being said I'm not a stranger to violence and have managed to learn the difference between the good and bad end of a gun." I shoot the gathered diners a smile before continuing, "I certainly don't believe in unnecessary or pointless violence or killing and tend to take exception with those who do. I also know my way round the city fairly well, both the good and bad, or dark and light if you prefer, sides."

I pause for a moment to take a drink and to add some food to a plate before continuing, "I seem to recall there was some talk of choosing a leader for this merry band of individuals. If this is something people still wish to do then might I suggest that Calico is the ideal person." Giving her a grin, "after all she has shown us the strength of her convictions and, call me old fashioned, but I for one have always believed that a leader should have a strong moral code and conviction to back it up."

Sitting back down at the table I take a few bites of the food before it get's too cold. "Oh, I almost forgot, I've managed to get the details of who the car's registered to and an address for it."

[skulldixon]

Kumiho sets down is gear and sets himself up with a spot at the table. Its about this time that he notices that he is starting to feel a bit peckish. He wanders back out to the main room where everyone else is picking out their food. He gives them enough to to get what they want before getting himself a small plate of various items with a cup of tea. Then without a word heads back to the table.

감사합니다/고맙습니다 Tanya he say to their host on his way. My mind was so caught up on the job it forgot about the needs of the body.

[Señor T]

"Wait, I thought we already decided you were point on the mission, John. Not that I care one way or the other, since I'm new to this. I'd just rather not play musical leaders is all." He pauses a moment, glancing at the others to gauge their reactions. He wasn't entirely sure he was remembering correctly, but he wasn't too concerned either. "Anyway, what you got on the car?"

[Mercy Merchant]

Tanya nods and raises her glass.  "I agree with both Cal and John.  John had said he could take lead temporarily at the temple, but that we should find a permanent leader later.  And I think Calico would be a good choice."  She looks over at her young friend.  "As long as you remember to make good use of your team strengths.  So I can second that choice.  Any comments?"

[trv123]

Never one to pass on free food, especially food of such high quality, food that was in such stark contrast to the Instamash and Blamco Mac and Cheese that she typically ate, Calico had been busily stuffing her face with an absolutely orgasmic seafood fettuccine.  The suggestion that she be the group's leader had come just as she was sliding a considerable mass of seafood delight into her mouth.  She turned to look at John, then Cal and Tanya in surprise, her mouth distended like a blowfish, a promptly forgotten noodle still dangling from her lips, waggling conspicuously with each turn of her head.

As they turned to her for her reaction, she stared blankly back get them for a moment, feeling distinctly like a deer in the headlights.  Realizing that she had to say something, and then realizing that her mouth was otherwise occupied at the moment, she quickly slurped up the errant noodle, privately dismayed at how loudly and distinctly the noise of it reverberated throughout the otherwise quiet room.

Thoroughly embarrassed, and feeling the moment now drawing out interminably, Calico held up a single finger to the group as she chewed her inadvisably large mouthful.  She chewed as quickly as possible without seeming desperate,  but as time drew out this became more and more difficult, the group patiently watching her and waiting as she continued to chew, still holding up that one finger.  Finally, after approximately six weeks of chewing, she managed to swallow.

"So," she began, intent that she would blow right by this whole "chewing" fiasco, "I almost objected earlier when somebody started talking about picking a group leader, but finally decided that if that's what the group wanted, I would go along with it.  But let's face it, we're not soldiers." She glanced at Cal, conceding, "Most of us, anyway.  We don't snap to attention when someone barks orders at us.  We're individuals, free thinkers.  Our strength is in our diversity, not in obedience."

"That said, when lead is flying is no time to have a committee meeting, and I do think there is value in everyone being on the same page in situations like that.  So, I suppose I'll just do what I was going to do anyway, which is speak my mind when I see a solution to a problem or opportunities for us to work together effectively in a tense situation. If people choose to act on my ideas, ok.  But at the end of the day this will be a decision each person will have to make for themselves. There are no court-martials in the shadows."

[trv123]

"Speaking of people choosing whether or not to act on my ideas…" she began with the start, as if the idea had only just occurred to her, "now that we have an address, seems like it's time for a little aerial reconnaissance, no?" Her gaze drifted from person to person, lingering a moment longer on Earlybird. "Now I volunteer for the job, but if there's anybody here who feels like they're … better suited…"  she trails off suggestively, this time making a point not to let her eyes linger on the only other obvious choice in the room.

[Stoneglobe]

Giving Calico a gentle smile, "Just remember, no one is forcing you and if you feel uncomfortable just say so.

As to the car. It's registered to what I've heard described as a pair of amateurs called Hodges and Benson. My understanding is that they like to think of themselves as private investigators. I don't know anything about them but given what I've been told it feels quite unlikely that they're our guys. However it is possible that they saw or heard something that could be of use to us and I would definitely be interested to know why they were at the temple last night." Turning to face our decker, "Kumiho perhaps you could do some digging in the matrix for us and see what you can turn up on these characters.

If I'm being honest I'm not fully convinced that we need to go to the lengths of running aerial reconnaissance on them, though the results of Kumiho's investigation might prove otherwise, but I'm not saying it isn't necessary either." I turn back to look at Calico as I recall some comment from one of the old flatvid sci fi shows I'd caught late one evening, "But, Ms Calico, you have the con."

[trv123]

"You're probably right," she says to John, "but I'd rather be over prepared than under. Nothing too in-depth, I just want a quick peek. So here's what I'm thinking… Earlybird grabs a cab and heads to his chopper, and just stands by there, ready for a quick response.  The rest of us pile into the lovely Lady Marisart's Royaltymobile," she says with mock disdain, playfully smirking and winking at Tanya, "and head to these clowns' house.  On the way, Kumiho does his computerey thing..."   she says, wiggling her fingers dramatically at the slight asian man to indicate the mysterious and unknowable nature of his skill set. "We stop a block out, I pop out for a quick looksee, then we go from there. That wiz with everybody?"

[Stoneglobe]

"If you're thinking inconspicuous I really wouldn't recommend using a chauffeur driven Rolls for travelling to Renton, or pretty much anywhere where you don't want to stand out." Damn this girl really doesn't seem to think on her feet and for someone who professed such outrage at Tanya's wealth and extravagance she sure is quick to want it when it suits her. She was disgusted at what a month's rent for this place could provide yet the Rolls she's so desperate to get back into would probably cover the costs for this place 4 or 5 years over. "If I may make a suggestion it may be better to travel in other ways. I can fit another 3, or even 4 at a push, into my car and Kumiho has his bike. Neither of those vehicles will draw another glance, they'll just blend into the background noise of the rest of the traffic."

[trv123]

"We're going to Renton??" she asked incredulously. "Yeah, I'd say a stretch limo might be a liiiittle too conspicuous around there, thanks for pointing that out, John." she said with a laugh. "Okay, so I guess Alphonse gets the night off, eh Tanya?" she asked, turning to their hostess. "Oh, and I hope you weren't offended by that whole 'Royaltymobile' crack ... I was just giving you a hard time."