The Found Arcana - Chapter 12 [IC] Options

[Jack_Spade]

"Sure, but it's always better if the operator doesn't have to concentrate on two things at once.

We'll likewise want a mark on the proprietor's link to see if he warms someone."

With that, he went to enter the shop.

[Beta]

Tamarind suggested to AM "You get the link, I'll go apologize for Bobby." She doesn't add that she doesn't entirely trust AM's patience or empathy right now, with how tired she is.

And she asks Mayo, you coming in? Or should I boot up the software?". And then she decides that she's given Bobby enough of a lead, and follows him into he shop.

[Tecumseh]

"Boot the software," Mato el Mayo tells Tamarind. He quickly confirms that the permissions are set up to let her access the subscription service. "I can't talk the talk in there."

Mato has not put much brainpower into understanding magical theory or application. It's was always so well covered by Jawsey, Bobby, AM, and now Raven and even Tamarind. That was fine with him; he was happy diversifying the agency's skillset. Besides, he figures that a heavily-cybered ork will send the wrong signal in a talismonger shop. His presence would undermine any cover story they might concoct.

If the weather is dry, he will stand outside leaning on the Gopher. If the weather is wet, he'll wait in the cab of the truck.

[Gilga]

I find Tamarind's suggestion a bit amusing. "Tam please... A mundane at a Talismonger shop is like a man at the gynecology clinic. I'll go and play nice; I'll be fine. I am used to fixing Bobby's mess anyhow. We're kind of good cop bad cop in day-to-day as well." Not that it wouldn't work, but it might not work.

[Jack_Spade]

Bobby entered the shop, looked around and headed straight for the sales person:

"Hi, I'm looking for some reagents - shamanistic ones. Can you help me out with that?

Also, can you tell me something about these?"

[Gilga]

AM follows, and has a look. Yawning a bit before entering. Perhaps she should have agreed to Tam, but well, it's common they did the previous talismonger shop just fine.

[Tecumseh]

Mato hums to himself. He is actually under the impression that mundanes were a significant source of business for talismongers. There is no lack of people who dreamed of magic, who desperately craved the power and control it offers, and the talismongers are only too happy to capitalize on this hope/hopelessness. If he were running a shop he'd have crystals, dreamcatchers, incense, essential oils, lodestone chips, hematite rings, maybe a dowsing rod... ya know, various New Age crap to please the poseurs and wannabes.

It sounds less profitable than an investigative agency so he shelves the idea for the time being.

[Thanee]

<<Tuesday Morning - 09:00 - May 16, 2079 - Horse Trot Ranch, Brighton, Denver>>

Tamarind's drones pick up absolutely no activity around the Hardpan in the morning hours. The talismonger shop Mystic Curiosities in Chinatown is still closed, it will open at 10:00. There is a lot more activity in the area, though, people getting to work, people getting home from a long night out, and so on. Nothing out of the ordinary.

Bobby's search for any troll hangouts yields two obvious hits. A bar called The Grind, located in the eastern parts of The Hub, and the restaurant Carnimore in Thornton, which caters to those with big appetites.

Mato can find an advertisement for freelance security work tagged with the name of Jack McPherson and a commcode for inquiries.


<<Tuesday Morning - 10:13 - May 16, 2079 - Mystic Curiosities, Chinatown, Lowry, Denver>>

The talismonger shop Mystic Curiosities is quite different compared to the one at Paradise Lane. It looks more tidy, and reminds you a bit of a souvenier shop. There is a lot of traditional chinese decoration. Your expert gaze spots numerous trinkets of various kinds, that surely won't have any magical value, but certainly look quite mystical.

The owner, Zhang Wong, is a middle-aged chinese man in traditional robes wearing narrow spectacles. He looks a bit like one of those ancient martial arts masters from the trids. His grey hair and beard show the signs of his age. He appears to be very friendly, and welcomes you with a smile and a slight bow.

As Bobby headed straight for him, he takes a step back and replies with a fairly strong accent: "Please. One thing after the other. Shamanistic reagents. Of course. Anything special?"

[Jack_Spade]

Bobby shrugged: "No, just the basic raw stuff, 20 drams. My friend is into ritual magic."

Bobby showed the feather: "I wanted to ask about that here. It was left in a kind of scavenger hunt - and I just can't figure it out."

[Beta]

Once AM goes in, Tamarind checks over the truck, and looks for any probable problems, then finding none and seeing that Mato is alert for danger, she let's herself shut down. She sits in the cab practices square breathing, and strokes Beauty, doing her best not to think.

[Gilga]

"There is some astral impression in there, but I can't recognize the caster. Mind to have a look?" I add once Bobby shows the feather.

[Thanee]

The talismonger nods to Bobby and fetches a small paper bag, which he fills with the requested reagents. He neatly folds it and hands it over.

"There you are. That will be 400 Nuyen. Now, let me see what else you have."

Zhang Wong takes a look at the feather, obviously concentrating for a moment. He nods again.

"Yes, I can see what you mean. This has been in the possession of someone else for some time. However, I do not recognize the imprint, if that is what you are asking. But it is obvious, that this feather has some meaning for the person it belongs to. Not very strong, but it's there."

[Jack_Spade]

"Shame. Do you know of anyone in the area, who could know?

And while we are at it: what can you tell us about this dagger?"

Bobby kept his focus on the man, trying to discern if he was being lied to.

[Thanee]

"Young man. How should I know someone, who knows someone else, that I do not know."

Zhang Wong takes a look at the dagger, and quickly dismisses it as a fake, pretty much confirming what Trinket has told you before. Bobby does not sense any deception.

"You have quite an interesting assortment of items there."

[Jack_Spade]

Bobby shrugged:

"The magic community isn't that large - at least where I'm from. Can't know who you know without asking.
Do you know any experts in ritual magic around here?"

[Thanee]

"The awakened are a secretive crowd. And even moreso around here, especially as of late. Obviously, I have my customers, and judging from the amount of reagents some of them buy, they very likely know a bit about ritual magic. Unless, they are using them for conjuration, but that is very unlikely, as you surely are aware. However, I cannot hand out their contact information, as you certainly understand. I could try and reach someone, if you tell me what it is you are looking for, and ask on your behalf," Zhang Wong offers. "But no promises. They could simply refuse."

[Jack_Spade]

"I see. We are looking for a specialist for tracking rituals. Or alternatively, someone specialized in aura reading. Here is my comlink number. We are a bit in a hurry though - sooner would be better."

Bobby didn't actually expect any results here, but increasing your contact list never hurt.

[Gilga]

Not wanting to add more information, I nod in approval. "That would help a lot.'' I say in agreement. Feeling the sting of actually looking for someone better than myself, but let's face it: I am only proficient in the basic ritual techniques, and specialists could achieve things that are far above my skill level. So it makes sense to use someone like that if we can.

[Thanee]

The talismonger saves Bobby's contact information and nods. "I will see what I can do."

"Be prepared to be asked a few detailed questions about who you are tracking. My customers, well, most of them, are not mercenaries. And they might even ask for something other than money in return for the favor. It will likely take a moment, there are certain protocols that have to be followed, but I should be able to give you an answer today."

"If what you are doing is dangerous, and it sure is giving me that vibe, know that I am a skilled healer. I also tend to not take sides. You know where to find me."

[Jack_Spade]

"Understood. Thanks for the help."

Over the team channel he said:

<<Now would be a great time to have a mark on his link to see who he is calling.>>

[Tecumseh]

Mato stands outside, leaning on the Gopher. He studies their surroundings, making mental notes about how things are the same and how they differ from other places he's been. His primary impression is that cities are mostly the same from place to place; it's the countryside where you find the soul of a nation. Sure, Denver had Ghostwalker and Seattle was the shadow capitol, but cities were cities.

"What's it like to be back?" he asks Tamarind to break the long silence.

[Beta]

"What's it like to be back?"

"Like I was saying before, mostly I was staying out in the less populated parts of the zone. It isn't big compared to the Sioux, but still big enough. A lot of the smugglers would fly in just over the border, land, off-load, and want to be back in the air in 15 minutes if possible. We'd be staged in a camp or the outer suburbs of Boulder or whatever, drive to the site, make the pick up and maybe give them part of a load of fuel, depending, then bug out with the cargo. A lot of careful driving, maybe just a kilometre to a stash point, maybe right into Denver for a hand-off, sometimes a change of vehicle along the way. Whatever it was, it was planned on high, we just got our instructions and followed them."

"Very different than when I was in the Sioux, when we'd stay at a camp for months and maybe be back the next year or the one after, and we'd have longer stretches of leave. Here in the Zone we never really had much down time, and were discouraged from spending much time mingling with the locals in case somebody reported outsiders. We felt paranoid all the time, ready to bug out at any time, no long term place to stay. It pretty much was drek, but it was the job that Captain Razak sent me to."

"So how does it feel to be back here? Honestly I mostly just feel that old anxiety. But it is nice to be staying somewhere comfortable, and not looking over my shoulder all of the time. Except I keep looking over my shoulder anyway."

[Tecumseh]

"Old habits die hard," Mato agrees. "Especially if they're the habits that helped you get old in the first place."

This is a bit rich, as Mato is like a month away from turning 25. He is simultaneously very young for a homo sapiens, but middle-aged for a homo sapiens robustus.

"As for me, I've had enough of the Sioux weather. Seattle is temperate; seems like a hospitable place to put down some roots."

[Jack_Spade]

Bobby left the shop and turned to the waiting colleagues:
"Alright, another bust. Time is ticking away. Who should we try next? The troll hangout?"

[Beta]

Bobby left the shop and turned to the waiting colleagues:
"Alright, another bust. Time is ticking away. Who should we try next? The troll hangout?"

"I guess we do. It feels like like the other team was slick enough not to leave much trace, at least not anywhere that people will talk, but we still should run down each track, just in case. How do want to approach a bunch of trolls?"