The Found Arcana - Tenth Interlude - Seattle [IC] Options

[Gilga]

Trouble

"Yes! She thought you were in a bind when you didn't show up and sent me to help you," the cat exclaimes. Then, with a formal tone, it declares "Consider yourself protected even from Bobby! Now go get your payday, you earned it."

... but the cat spirit cannot ignore such juicy gossip about Bobby, so it whispers "What did you hear about Bobby? Did he literally eat someone or?..."

[Thanee]

While the rest is still out, chasing poor Rat around in Redmond, Rachel changes into actual, non-illusional casual clothes and continues with some preparations that she had begun on the previous days already. When she is done, she places the result on a table in the entrance area, where it is easy to see. It's a card wrapped with a red ribbon and a nice bow. Other than that, she keeps herself busy with anything that needs to be done around the house.

[Jack_Spade]

Bobby didn't hurry after rat - if he had wanted, he would have just changed into something faster. He certainly wasn't displeased, that his reputation was that grim. Though he was pretty sure he never ate anyone. And not just because it was really dangerous to have shapeshifting flesh in your stomach...

[Tecumseh]

It's the beginning of spring, but you haven't lived in the house that long so there's not a ton of spring cleaning for Rachel to do.

The hot tub in the back could use a weekly cleaning. Mato uses a sponge and some white vinegar on the spa’s shell and jets. It can also be used to scrub away the scum line at the water’s edge.

The sauna needs a quick scrubbing of the benches, walls, and backrests. It also needs to be aired out.

Plus there's anything Rachel might want to do in the garden.

~~~

"He's a werewolf!" Rat cries. "But not just at the full moon. He can explode into wolf form whenever he wants! That's why he's always wearing cheap clothes.

"His power depends on the flesh of his victims. He prefers children, because they're fattier and more innocent.

"Some people say he can only be killed with silver. Bullet will hurt, but only silver can kill him. Some people say they packing Ruger Super Warhawks with silver rounds to finish him off!"

He shakes his head.

"I didn't believe them, but the way he came after me yesterday..." His voice drifts off, horrified by the memory. "He said 'Piss off now before I make you' and... I pissed myself." He hangs his head in shame.

"If those witnesses hadn't been there, he would have eaten me right there. Or taken me back to his den to feed to his pups. I know it."

[ Spoiler ]

AM will need to talk Rat down with either Etiquette or Negotiation tests. You have to gradually undo Bobby's 7-hit Intimidation test.

[Gilga]

Trouble
Trouble says "You secret is safe with me Rat -- Bobby is a scary man, but he is just that.... the cat pauses and then continues, "but you know what, Rat, Mato is your friend now, and he is quite powerful and if you play nice AM is your friend as well - and she is a sorcerer, and most important - they are friends with Bobby; they all live together in a commune you know. Bobby would never harm you if you were friends with them. "

****
AM
Trouble informs me of the situation, and I am a bit proud of the cat for trying. I tell Bobby , "Bobby, it's better to keep your distance this time. The kid thinks you are a werewolf. Never seen anything like it with mundane techniques, the Wakan Tanaka has blessed you. Given the circumstances, I'll approach him alone and try to keep him as one of our contacts. "

I'll need some help because Bobby is terrifying, and a terrified kid is not helpful now. Besides, I'm not particularly eager to kick people when they are down. I mean, the rest of the world already does. I ask for Iktomi's blessing and quietly approach Rat. With my charm amped to a maximum, I try to show the kid some different angels of our tribe.
"Rat...? Please don't run. Can we talk about what happened in Bellevue?" I say quietly.

[ Spoiler ]

Drain: 11d6t5 3
Ettiquete or negotiation: 15d6t5 4
Edge: 11d6t5 3
7 vs 7 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) Can't beat the Bobby (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[Tecumseh]

AM - being a full-sized adult, double-sized in fact - has some trouble maneuvering to reach Rat. She has to crouch down and crawl in a few places. Eventually she arrives at the basement corner where Trouble had cornered him.

Rat relaxes a bit when he sees AM. He casts some glances over her shoulder to make sure she's alone. His aura shows that his fear is receding a bit. AM's magical charisma seems to be helping set him at ease.

He doesn't run. He slumps down in his corner, his head over his knees. AM sees him as he is, an eleven- or twelve-year-old boy who is largely on his own in the Barrens. He's exhausted. He smells bad and looks worse.

[Gilga]

I continued softly, "You two showed up and embarrassed us in front of our neighbors who have never seen a gang member up close or a street kid. They have millions of rules and regulations about everything and will make our lives miserable for that incident. I'll need to bake cookies and play nicer to some unpleasant people." I say truthfully without being judgmental or angry.

Then I look at the kid and add "I apologize for my behavior and Bobby's behavior. We did what we could to save face in our new residence. You did a nice job and deserve to be paid like Mato promised. I even learned something from your work. You are a creative person, Rat, and I am glad I can pay you in person rather than leave your credstick at Cutty's."

I take the credstick from my sports bra and hand it to Rat. Old habits die hard, and the bra is harder to pickpocket than the training 1k for you and Tom; I think it is what you agreed with Mato?
I also shared my link number - I got the most secure one once we got the last payday.Do call if you need me. If you can't call, I usually am in Redmond during the days; I spend a lot of time with the Five Fingers and at our old home... I wanted to introduce you to Cutty and show you our rooftop garden. The Gym has an excellent roof for some closed-loop hydroponics. Give me a buzz if you're interested."

[Tecumseh]

"You solve your problems by baking cookies?" Rat asks skeptically. "I wish I had those kinds of problems!"

He takes the credstick as a hungry man might seize food. The metaphor may be apt.

"I gotta go," he says. "Tom will be mad if he wakes up and finds that I've gone. He'll be mad anyway that I talked to you but..." He trails off.

He stands, then moves to leave.

[Gilga]

I take out of that cramp hole Rat has run into and head back to Bobby. "So Werewolf... heh?" I tease as I try to get the filth away from my clothes.

[Jack_Spade]

Bobby shrugged: "Not the worst rumor there could be. Hopefully, they do understand that they can't just show up at our home. At least not while they are wearing colors.
Any other plans for your birthday? I'm going back to my meditation. I'm this close to reaching the next level of enlightenment. I'll finally be able to change my aura as well as my form."

Bobby indicated towards the direction their new home lay: "I'll ask Cutty to accompany you back if you want to stay a bit longer."

[Gilga]

"You make a remarkable progress in that." I sigh I usually stay at the FiveFingers to study with Fenghuang, but the call of Iktomi is strong today. So, I had a few Jests for friends, contacts, and people I'd like to be more friendly with.

I smile at Bobby . You seem protective of me today. Is there any particular reason I need an escort? Do you think I overdid April's fool's pranks last night? Or...?

I quickly muse my pranks for the day; I sent Urubia a 5th world Dragon movie, saying, "They Know too much!" though go figure if she sees it. It's a drone delivery to her palace. Jawsie received a fake invitation for my wedding with Mato. Jhonney got a film about a Mossad agent who quits to open a barbershop. Not a prank per se - but I wonder if he'll figure out who it is from. I signed it Hummus Lover 31.

Clive should get a box of all the left shoes for his shop per his explicit request from the supplier (his Trix security is a joke), with the right shoes arriving tomorrow. Black gets a new Cyber 7 cyberdeck - well, just the box of it because it costs over half a million yen, and a greeting card, "Thanks for an unforgettable night, kisses." Heather Huxely should get a box of unlabeled mint pills, which she'll mistake for drugs if Iktomi finds it amusing enough. All in the theme of the holiday. I did not prank Andrew but sent him a greeting card saying Happy April's Fool. They don't play tricks in his culture - but I'd wish to keep things more friendly and personal. What can I say? I like that he treats me respectfully, even if he screws me over.


"I can go back, I usually study with Fenghung until evening, but I wanted to play a small jest on a few of our neighbors. If I am lucky I can spin Rat and Tom as an early April's fools jest. "

[Jack_Spade]

Bobby looked at AM incredulously:
"It's your birthday, you venerate the trickster and you played a lot of jokes on a lot of people - not to mention that the gangs have a crude sense of humor themselves. Drek yes, you need protection today."

[Gilga]

"That is sweet of you." I say, Well, if you have the time - Touristville is the perfect spot for shopping for the following jest. I wrote a fake HOA memo about the neighborhood watch's new uniform- green bandanas - gang style. I figured I'd deliver it to every volunteer's house with a matching bandana. I am genuinely happy saying it - as if this stuff is what I should be doing rather than the detective gig. It is fun to let go for a day of mischief.

If Bobby is willing, I'll stop at some shops to buy the Bandanas and then jog/walk back to Bellevue to deliver the memo while everyone is at work.

[Jack_Spade]

Bobby chuckled: "Oh boy, that will be great. The fallout will be horrible, but while it lasts, this will be really great. Rachel will have to work overtime to get the ruffled feathers back when they learn what this was about."

Bobby turned back into his wolf form to accompany AM with her shopping.

[Gilga]

I wanted to say something more but Bobby is a wolf again before I can open my mouth. It seems like it is going to be a quiet walk. I collect his clothes and help him into the critter armor, and off we go - me and my pet wolf. If one can call Bobby a pet without losing a hand...

It takes some time to find the Bandanas and to print the fake memo, but I dedicate it and make an effort for our would-be community. I'm not sure that everyone would appreciate my kind of humor - but some might -and these can be friends despite being rich. I found the duchess endearing, perhaps because she did not use her money to pull my strings. Like every other rich person I ever met. I bend to their will every single time - it is just a matter of price. Fixing my thoughts, I enjoy doing the jest, placing the bandanas and memos in the mailboxes of the neighborhood watch members. Legwork and all included - but when I return home, I am exhausted. I find it very nice to care for their entertainment. These guys at Bellevue play a jest on me every day of the year simply by existing and feeling safe, giving quality education to their children, having children to begin with, and in general, when they care about things like property value and shit which is not essential. Their mere existence constantly reminds me about the injustice in this world and how I was born on the other side of the fence. I never quite fit in - even if I do, it is by deception and trickery, which is the most apparent in my unofficial birthday.

There is a gift - or a fancy letter on the table where I usually place my bag. Per Bobby's paranoia - and mine usually I carefully inspect the letter with astral sight, matrix signals, and visually without touching it. Then I pick it up, embracing anything unpleasant or funny to happen.

[Tecumseh]

AM's shopping is somewhat complicated by the fact that she doesn't have her Erika, nor did she take a credstick with her to Cutty's. In fact, she's not even broadcasting a SIN, so she has to use Bobby's critter goggles to pretend to be Bobby, or Bobby's fake SIN. She can feel Iktomi's pleasure in the situation. But cred is cred and vendors are willing to do business, even if you are walking around with a wolf that may or may not be wearing goggles to authorize your purchases for you.

The deliveries are made - Trouble helps push AM to the peripheral vision of any onlookers - and then it's back home to find a card that says...

[Thanee]

... nothing.

AM does notice that the card is magical, however, when she examines it astrally.

It's an invisibility preparation, and she recognizes Raven's signature, of course.

But there is something else there, she cannot quite make it out with her astral sight, a very faint trace only.

If she still picks it up, she turns invisible. It's nothing but an empty card, though, at least on first glance.

[ Spoiler ]

Perception - visual and smell

[Gilga]

AM examines the card and relaxes when she identifies Raven's signature. However, as a good disciple of the Trickster, she activates her counter spelling, never-the-less in case the sexy lady has a very unorthodox sense of humor.

[ Spoiler ]

perception: 10d6t5 3

[Thanee]

It really is just an invisibility spell, that triggers as soon as AM touches the card.

Examining it further, she does notice there is something on it, but it is very, very faint.

There is also a faint smell of... is that citrus?

[Gilga]

"She shouldn't leave a preparation out of her envelope - it would lose potency," the pragmatic part of me says. When I smell citrus, I think of invisible ink. I bring the steam iron to heat the card. Hoping I don't look ridiculous. I should really learn a fire spell for such tasks. I place the card on a shirt and quickly give it a heating with the iron.

[Thanee]

AM's instinct is right, the invisibility preparation was probably meant as a hint, and under the heat of the iron, the script becomes visible.

It reads:

Happy Birthday!

... oh, and take a look underneath.

[Gilga]

I flip the card and look underneath, grinning like a girl.

[Thanee]

I flip the card and look underneath, grinning like a girl.

There is nothing there.

[Gilga]

I scratch my head, trying to figure out what Raven had in mind for underneath. I check the astral and also look under the table.

[Thanee]

After some head-scratching and looking around, AM checks underneath the table. There is nothing there on the astral, but her physical eyes make out something that is taped underneath the table plate.

It's a ... keychain for lack of a better word. A small card attached to a cut-out silhouette of a train with a small metal ring. The card has four numbers on it: 4-1-7-9.