Tangled Currents - Vexboy, Stormy Waters subthread Options

[adamu]

Tuesday, 19 November, 2075, 2333; Chalka, Fifth and Olive, Seattle Center

Despite being uncomfortable in the place, Vexboy waited around for a while in case she showed up - at least an hour, he'd promised himself. He tried to use what he'd learned to appear at ease and aloof. And he kept an eye on Pyotr - his only lead so far - without being obvious about it.

Half an hour in, he had his back to the bar and was watching it in a mirror. A beautiful woman in a skin-tight black, stretegically see-through dress was speaking to the barkeep for longer than it took to order a drink, and then he was sure the looked in his direction briefly.

[Raiderj]

"Look alive. And calm your hormones." The Dragonslayer said. "Easy for you to say. Jesus Christ I thought porn stars only existed in fairy tails." Vexboy thought and took a sip of his drink. Vexboy coughed and thought of children being raped... he straightened his back and a serious gleam came into his yellow eyes. He remembered his business and the waves of hormones ebbed. He locked eyes with Pyotr briefly and nodded slightly patting his pocket with his credstick.

[Raiderj]

Vexboy walked in and sat on his couch. "Well that was... a day." He logged into the Matrix... and... despite the nausua he was going to get he felt like now was a good time to enter the Noodlepost host. He put on his trodes and gulped. Soon he closed and hooked up to his Metalink. It wasn't much but... he felt himself slide into the matrix. The public grid did nothing to ease him of his stomach's aches but he went along, his persona the form of a Knight with two guns holstered to his sides, the grid. He never really... saw the matrix... it was more a swerve of lights and color. He did manage to navigate the field of icons until he hit the local Host for Noodlepost. Noodlepost is the succesor to 4chan that was shut down during the social media wars in 2015. Its creator... "Timmy the Troll" was a decker who had escaped Japan and became a car mechanic and amatuer decker and wanted a place where people could have unlimited free speech... This worked?... depending on who you ask. It doens't help that there were dozens of Black IC who were specifically made to dumpshock anyone who dared bring in child porn... and the fact that this was needed concerned many about Noodlepost. But once you got past the degeneracy it was quite nice if you could stomach the crazed style and shifting lingo and memes. The host took the form of a series of hallways with doors that lead to various rooms. The rooms were coded by a minor admin and a team of mods. There were hundreds of rooms each with a different topic. The various IC took the form of paintings of art that there voted on from /art/, a room in the host, that slide across the walls of the hallway. The Black IC however took the form of cup ramen... because... reasons. He came to the door to /strek/. There was a disclaimer on the door... legal stuff. He put his mark, the door to Moria from Lord of the Rings, on the doorknob and it unlocked. A star trek emblem appeared on his chest. It was an icon that revealed his Noodlepost user as "Retrosgr8". Putting a mark on would bring up his profile info. There was a pure text and image program one could access on the matrix but the host had its charms. The whole place was set up like the Enterprise from Star Trek. Vexboy, or Retrosgr8, was in the common room. People were talking around. Various personas, some in character and some just in costume... and some like Vexboy who just appeared as whatever they liked. There were several stormtroopers all around the place pretending to search for droids. Most likely bored kids who had nothing better to do... it looked fun though. Vexboy went down and went to a special room. It required permission from the owner of the room to open. Then the mark could open it then. He opened the room and it was a floating island on a hill with an office desk and pink cloud seats. A drill armed robot was at the desk.)

[Raiderj]

The persona spoke with a yawn then looked at him. "Just got on to perform maintenance on my room. What's up?" Drillbit asked. "I just wanted to talk. You know... Running is hard." Vexboy said with a sigh. "Well it could be worse. You could be dead." Drillbit said simply. "Yeah there is that... you can't stay and talk?" Vexboy asked. "Nice for you to stop by but I have a life outside of NP. See you "Vexboy." Her persona left and Vexboy was alone. "Damnit..." He left the Matrix himself. "Well I do believe your almost alone..." The Dragonslayer imparted as Vexboy ran to his sink to vomit... "Almost..." Vexboy said when he was done.

[adamu]

Wednesday, 20 November, 2075, 2355; Chalka, Downtown Seattle Seattle Metroplex

Using the lessons he'd learned from his new social mentor, Vexboy had felt slightly more at ease entering the club. He didn't have the limo tonight, and he wore the white tux again. It wasn't as though his personal wardrobe included a lot of other club-appropriate choices.

Apparently the doorman remembered him, because he got in without trouble, though he sensed a certain chill from the man that suggested his free pass might not last forever.

He had arrived around eleven, and did not see his new ally. He had his eyes peeled for anyone that might fit D-Pop's description, but in a place like this there were dozens of beautiful women in nova fashions.

Remembering Pyotr's warning not to approach him, Vexboy was nonetheless reassured when the barman caught his eye from across the room and gave him a friendly wink but a shake of his head.

Well, the evening was young, and the woman was supposed to be here tonight....

[Raiderj]

Vexboy took a shower and looked on his SINner Metalink. He messaged his sister. "Hey. I had an adventure. It was fun. I may have a date. He waited for a bit then got a message. "OTJ." On the job. He wouldn't hear from her until the investigation was up. He couldn't help but pity her quarry. He smiled and went to sleep. A new path to follow the next day...

[adamu]

Saturday, 23 November, 2075; Vexboy's palace

Vexboy reclined on his lounger, in his relax-room. The high ceiling replicated a clear starry sky. The circular walls featured huge high-definition screens at each compass point, each featuring the latest interactive anime. The wall spaces between the screens were stone, and clear water flowed gently down them into the softly gurgling stream that ringed the room. An unobtrusive door swished upen and a large gray tabby crossed the small stone bridge to the island of plushly carpeted floor, bearing a tray of tasty beverages and succulent viands. It purred as it handed Vexboy his cold milk, not spilling a drop from the bone china saucer. Behind him, the svelte calico grazed his shoulders and neck with her claws only occasionally as she kneaded the muscles to ecstasy.

"Thank you," the youthful lord said.

"Meow," came the tabby's reply.

And then he woke up.

[Raiderj]

"No more dating sims." said the Dragonslayer sternly. "They are fucking with your mind." Vexboy groaned as he brushed his teeth. "But I haven't finished Tabitha's route in "I am the King of Cats... Its not like I am actually attracted..." DID I FUCKING STUTTER KID?" Vexboy rolled his eyes. He typed up a text to Rico... Then he thought for a moment... He had an idea. He instead sent a message to a contact he had yet to contact. Silk. He sent a message on his Renraku.

Vexboy>>>Silk: "This is Vexboy. We have each others contact info but we haven't made contact as of yet but I would like to start us off on a high note. I need some specialty gear for staying about Glow City and keeping my hair and I am willing to pay for being pointed in the right direction."

[adamu]

Saturday, 23 November, 2075; Vexboy's place

Silk replied an hour later. <<Try Cannon.>> That was it, aside from a dead-drop commcode - you sent a message, it got rerouted likely a dozen times, with the first commcode disconnected probably before the first of the transfers completed.

So Vexboy would have one shot at a message to convince this person to call him back....

[Raiderj]

Vexboy steeled his nerves and sent a message.

Vexboy>>>Cannon: "Our mutual associate Silk says you have some equipment for travelling around Glow City. I have some funds to purchase it. I need it in a hurry and can pay for that as well. Willing to do business?"

[adamu]

Saturday, 23 November, 2075; Vexboy's place

The reply came back after five minutes.

It listed an intersection, and the following: <<Personal security screenings are rigorous until I know you. If that's a problem, don't come. If it it's not, be here no later than two hours from now.>>

The sender field was blank.

Vexboy was there in less than two hours. The intersection in the working class neighborhood of Auburn had shops on three corners - a Stuffer Shack, a second hand clothing shop, and a laundromat. The fourth corner was a vacant lot with a semi parked in it. An ork in fatigue trousers and a heavy black jacket with mirrored cybereyes leaned against one huge tire. He was looking right at Vexboy.

[Raiderj]

Vexboy had his combat knife in open view(since it was street legal) and replaced his streetline with a Fichetti behind his back. He walked over to the ork. He brought his Silver Credstick fully loaded and his normal for good measure. "Hello." He didn't know how to be intimitating so he stood expressionless and focused. "I am on time?" He asked simply.

[adamu]

Saturday, 23 November, 2075; Vexboy's place

"Depends on for what," the ork said. He led Vexboy over the weed-infested gravel to a small metal staircase at the back end of the container. On the top step was a plaswood tomato crate. He indicated it with a look. "Put any weapons in there. Or anything I might think is a weapon. Then turn around, spread your legs, and raise your arms. If I find any weapons still on you - or in you - then I will kill you."

[Raiderj]

Vexboy put his knife in and... Reluctently... Placed his gun. Unarmed but not harmless he spead for the ork.

[adamu]

Saturday, 23 November, 2075, 1345; Auburn, Seattle Metroplex

The ork patted the young man down thoroughly, then nodded wordlessly and indicated Vexboy should step inside…inside proved to be a gun nut’s wet dream, weapons and tech lining the walls of the trailer, AROs displaying stats and tellingly, no prices. Sitting behind a real wood desk with inset comms was a greying but physically imposing man of indeterminate age. He was dressed in casual clothes but had a pistol in a shoulder holster next to the expensive jumper…

"You're Vexboy. You can call me Cannon. I understand you want to be safe in the Glow."

[Raiderj]

"Y..yes sir.." He said once his awe stopped overtaking him. "I have heard horror stories about Awakened who get exposed to radiation, besides the usual dangers. Do you have anything for that?"

[adamu]

Saturday, 23 November, 2075, 1345; Auburn, Seattle Metroplex

Cannon stared hard at Vexboy for a few moments. Then shrugged slightly and pulled open a couple of cabinets, revealing an array of protective gear and other radioactivity countermeasures. "Full specs are there on AROs for you, as are the brand names if you want to go straight to the grid for your info. Cash and carry, no returns."

[Raiderj]

Vexboy found a MCT EE suit in the section under Radiation Defense. He checked the stats. "It looks nice... But I am liable to look like a weirdo then a runner without..." Then he noticed a few things. He smiled a bit. "This has potential." He took a minute then took a ballestic mask that had a set of trodes, vision magnification, flare compensation, and an image link. Furthermore it had some sort of celtic warpaint design with a rather creepy looking face. Some blue metallic looking armguards. And the suit itself. "This might work a bit better... Provided I calculated correctly from the prices listed... 3995?" He pulls out his standard credstick. "And everything is street legal if not obscurely so." He says like a kid buying candy.

[adamu]

Saturday, 23 November, 2075, 1345; Auburn, Seattle Metroplex

The older man couldn't help but crack a smile at the younger fellow's enthusiasm. But he straightened his face to say, "Yes, it's all legal. I only deal in legal merchandise." He took the proferred credstick, slotted it, and passed it back. "The gear will stand up if used correctly, and you seem at least passingly familiar with it. So I think that concludes our business. If you'd like to deal again, reach out to me through Silk as before."

[Raiderj]

"Well... There is one more thing. I noticed you sell the... Sleeping Tiger?" I point to the side. A single model is hung up with "Display only. Custom fit required". "If I had that I would never have to worry about formal wear again. Plus I hear its hyper durable. Plus its literally the only legal way to get the camoflauge fabric..." Vexboy said. He took out his silver credstick. "I got the full 20000 nuyen on here. I can pay the 13000 plus fitting fees."

[adamu]

Saturday, 23 November, 2075, 1345; Auburn, Seattle Metroplex

The man was clearly now more impressed with Vexboy than when the kid had first walked in. "Man knows what he wants, and has the cred to back it up. And of course 'Display Only' just means 'Display Only Until The Chummer With The Right Cred Shows Up And Buys It.'"

He hit a button on the desk and said, "No interruptions for the next thirty." Then he pulled the outfit off the wall and took out a 3D imager and said, "Let's get started."

[Raiderj]

"Thanks. You wouldn't believe me if I told you how I got it... I have one request if possible... Could you add a concealable hood? I don't want my hair recognized and don't want any dye at my place. From now on this look will be Vexboy." He says placing the credstick down."

[adamu]

Saturday, 23 November, 2075, 1345; Auburn, Seattle Metroplex

"Whoa, slow down there, Giorgio. I'm..." and then the man shifted gears. "Sure. Tack on five hundred, come back tomorrow, and it'll be done."

[Raiderj]

After slotting the money Vexboy leaves for home with his new gains in a backpack... That now looks very full. Too full. Beyond the odd looks he makes it home. He messages Mr Mouse. Vexboy>>>Mr Mouse: "Long story. I need to find someone in Glow City named Felix. Any ideas where to start?"

[adamu]

Saturday, 23 November, 2075, 1600; Vexboy's place, Seattle Metroplex

<<Felix? Not sure where he dosses, but people around the Glow know him. You can try a place called Paco's - place isn't registered, but easy enough to get coordinates off a 'trix search. Or just ask around, if you can find anyone up there that ain't crazy as the day is long. Felix, he's a few beers short of a six-pack himself, I hear. Keeps strange company, too. Good luck, man.>>