Charm City II [IC] Options

[pbangarth]

Bongo produces his credstick. "Same price for another batch of incentives?" he asks of Lana.

[sunnyside]

Lana thinks about asking for more money for more time, but she figures she can just take her cut out of the product which, at the moment, is what she wants since she feels like she shorted herself on the first batch, so she says "Ok." and holds out her credstick for another 50 nuyen. She then adds, "We'll have to go back up for a sec while I get more, then we can ride down to 49. "

As the group gets into the elevator to ride up, Bongo is scanning the world around him as he always does. The Orc in the distance doesn't seem even slightly out of place, a young orc with long hair in a Shiawase hoodie.

But he sticks out in Bongo's specialized memory as being in one of the pictures with the deceased.

(OOC: You weren't explicitly looking, and I figured finding the people in pictures would require having a hacker get into the photo registration system on the first floor. But Bongo does have the special ability and perception boosts up the wazoo. Seemed a little unfair to let it slide. With two characters you could split up and let Selena take point on 49 with Willie. Maybe taking Lenny with Bongo if he's worried about being solo. Though in principle, he's not in a hostile situation. )

[pbangarth]

Bongo sets up his credstick to pass Lana another 150 nuyen, as he did before. Might as well have Lana as an eager helper.

"Uh, you guys go on up to get more ... incentive for floor 49. I see someone I would like to talk to here in the walkway. Young guy with long hair and wearing a Shiawase hoodie. I think I noticed him in one of the images. Maybe you could pick me up on the way back down."

He sees the others off, and gives a nod to Willie who looks a little concerned about feeble, fragile Bongo going it alone. Once the elevator door closes, he saunters over to the young man. "I got a cigarette to trade for a light. Can you help a man out?"

[sunnyside]

(Up to Thanee where Selina or Fiona go. There might be some risk if Fiona goes out of the apartment as the spirit could pop in anytime, though it seems to be on a pattern watching for outside approaches. In principle Fiona could fly around through walls. This doesn't seem like the kinda place where there would be serious magical threats just sitting around somewhere, but that sort of movement does entail repeatedly popping blind into rooms.)

Bongo arrived unnoticed next to the group or Orks talking to each other. There are enough people just moving around or hanging out on the promenade that he doesn't stick out to much.

As he starts talking, he can see surprise on their faces. His perception and etiquette take stock of the situation. These floors are small enough that folks seem to vaguely know each other, and he's an outsider, even if he does now have access to a room. He's also a human among Orks. At least this floor seems more mixed than the top ones. And finally it's odd for anyone to offer anything.

However, as Lana said, people are eager for an excuse to take something. The three Orks look him over skeptically but soon they are conferring with each other, and the one Bongo recognizes fiddles in his hoodie pockets to produce a glass pipe and a lighter, apparently not normally for cigarettes.

"Alright, let's see those nicosticks chummer." Though he holds the lighter back, "I'll do the lighting, yeah? "

[pbangarth]

"No problem," Bongo replies. He holds out a pack of cigarettes, offering one to each of the orks, and then takes one out for himself, holding it ready to be lit.

[sunnyside]

The Orks eye Bongo warily. Or, more specifically, he notes, they're warily eyeing everyone else around, as if worried Bongo was just a distraction.

Finding that he does actually have cigarettes and nobody else seems to be moving in they take the offerings and waste not time getting theirs and Bongo's lit.

The familiar Ork eyes him a little and then smiles as if he's figured something out. He takes the cigarette out of his mouth and waggles it at Bongo. "By any chance are you new here? Maybe figure you a need a few big tough friends?"

His friends seem to like the sound of that and stand up a little straighter after hearing it.

[pbangarth]

Hmmm, Bongo thinks. Are they looking for a job or preparing for a shakedown?

"Buddy can always use some more friends. Me? My team and I are looking for information. The folks up on 100 are stymied by what's going these days and hired us to figure out what they can't. I'm pulling on a thread that might lead to something, might not.

"A while back some weird shit happened around here. Dead people with flowers stuck in them. You know anything about that?"

He turns Missile Mastery and Power Throw back on. For now, he surrenders Improved ability (artisan), Enthralling Performance, and Three Dimensional Memory to the background count.

[ Spoiler ]

??Etiquette?? Con, Leadership, Negotiation all at the same dice.
Etiquette: 8 dice: 5 hits

(OOC: question for GM:)

[ Spoiler ]

Could I please have a GM's opinion on how Nimble Fingers (SM p. 179) affects the drawing of knives from their holsters?

[sunnyside]

(OOC: I was thinking of how to handle that, but that's a solid roll, so I think I'll let him get some extra info he'd probably be looking for. Actually Bongo is sort of explicitly asking for it at the beginning there.

I think you're feeling like that was a "roll for initiative" sort of response, but Bongo could pick up on the subtleties that it was a bit more of a "Ah, it's weird to share, but he's trying to share to make friends because he's new and this place is scary maybe if we play nice we'll get other stuff out of him."

So you could chose to not have Bongo say what you wrote there and work the first tack, or just stick with the direct approach....maybe throwing in a little extra exposition explaining his clothing. Though Bongo has plenty of gear to flash that's pricier if he wanted to. In terms of what to roll on the direct path, just think of the tack Bongo wants to go down. I.e. is he trying to intimidate them into talking, convince them of some reason they should care what happens on 100, or letting the nuyen do the talking. I guess he might also be able to work some angle if the one Ork is looking for vengeance for his friend or worried whoever did that might come for him someday. The "I'm a newbie" path would be more circuitous, like Bongo mentions something about his new digs, maybe mentioning some "rumors" he's heard, to try and get the one Ork talking.

As for Nimble fingers, I think clearly it would work for trying to draw a weapon without anybody seeing, and other knife related slight of hand. But I'm guessing you're asking about drawing with a free action. They're trying to differentiate it from quick draw in that it's for things like clips not weapons. Throwing knives do seem to be a grey area between ammo and weapons. My inclination is to allow a single throwing knife.)

[pbangarth]

Bongo sees the thought bubbles above their heads. Better keep the banter going. It doesn't look like they are going to jump him, for now.

"Yeah, you're right. I shouldn't jump right into the task at hand.

"We are new here in Baltimore, and planning to stay a while. We take jobs as a team, but sometimes one of us feels like branching out on a side hustle. For me, a few strong young men who can handle themselves when things get heavy, and look like it too, are a definite asset. Worth some nuyen. When my friends and I are done this job, I might have a thing that requires the kind of look you three have. Think about it."

Bongo actually does have something in mind: that bit about putting on a show to get in good with Vex.

"Meantime, I came to you three, and you in particular," he looks at the one who was in the photo. " because there's an image that shows you near a deceased person who had that kind of flower stuck in them. If that was someone you know, my finding out what did it could answer a question or two of yours."

[sunnyside]

The group seems a little surprised by Bongo's speech.

Then the biggest of the Orks, a dark skinned fellow with even taller hair, snorted and said, "Das big talk coming from a breeder inna freebie hoodie!"

But the Ork Bongo was speaking with held up his hand . " So that fucking freaky flower thing has something to do with what's going on a hundred? That did seem like a hell of a lotta effort for this neighborhood."

He then paused and stared at Bongo a moment. "Though lots of people claim to be working for Monifa for some clout. Are you just a nobody hoping some rumors you heard around here will get you an audience upstairs? Don't fuck with me like that. But if you want in on that freaky tale and can convince us there's some cash in it for us, you've got a crew."

He looks around to make sure there isn't anybody else too close. "Showing some nuyen might be convincing on both counts."

He was eagerly getting going there, thoughts of opportunities prodding his mouth along faster than his mind was keeping up. After a little pause, he blanches just a little and adds. "Though we're not your cannon fodder if you start messing with folks outa your league."

[sunnyside]

The group seems a little surprised by Bongo's speech.

Then the biggest of the Orks, a dark skinned fellow with even taller hair, snorted and said, "Das big talk coming from a breeder inna freebie hoodie!"

But the Ork Bongo was speaking with held up his hand . " So that fucking freaky flower thing has something to do with what's going on a hundred? That did seem like a hell of a lotta effort for this neighborhood."

He then paused and stared at Bongo a moment. "Though lots of people claim to be working for Monifa for some clout. Are you just a nobody hoping some rumors you heard around here will get you an audience upstairs? Don't fuck with me like that. But if you want in on that freaky tale and can convince us there's some cash in it for us, you've got a crew."

He looks around to make sure there isn't anybody else too close. "Showing some nuyen might be convincing on both counts."

He was eagerly getting going there, thoughts of opportunities prodding his mouth along faster than his mind was keeping up. After a little pause, he blanches just a little and adds. "Though we're not your cannon fodder if you start messing with folks outa your league."

[pbangarth]

Bongo replies with a wink to the big ork, and varies his tone of voice slowly from his to that of the big guy and back using his Voice Control Power.

[ Spoiler ]

Not really trying to fool them into thinking he is the big guy, but rolling just to see how strong the effect is.
Con 4 + CHA 6 = 10 dice: 3 hits. Serviceable.

And as he speaks, he uses the Power to raise the source of his voice above and then to behind the crew, and then back to him.

"Neither I nor my team need cannon fodder. I am the eyes and ears of my team, and I want eyes and ears everywhere I can have them. We've already been upstairs and pulled their hoops out of some fire when a swarm of drones attacked them. Some of the bits and pieces fell down this way. You probably saw some of that.

"I'll give each of you 50 nuyen to sign on, give me names and contact info, and tell me what you know about those weird flowers. They might have something to do with whoever has been attacking Monifa, or not. But I wanna know for sure, so we don't go off on some dead end.

"Deal?"

[ Spoiler ]

Negotiation 4 + CHA 6 = 10 dice, and I figure 50 nuyen offered up front adds 1 for advantageous to the NPCs = 11 dice:
6 hits!!

[sunnyside]

The Orks first look around, trying to spot speakers or drones.

The Ork from the Photo said, "Ok, that's whiz. You got some fancy tech or you some kinda wizworm is disguise up in this creepy place? I guess whatever you say the fifty nuyen will go a long way towards getting help."

The other two are a little reluctant, and the big Ork says "Hey. If we wanted to be gang bangers we'd be up on the hundredth now ourselves."

The third Ork says, "Or it's somehow a scam to get what little we've got."

The Ork from the photo replies. "Hey. This was all a little freaky. I can be the point of contact. If it gets too spooky you can jet. But maybe it's better if the creeps who geeked my friends get got instead of whatever is going on. If we don't get ripped off I'll buy you guys some stuff with your shares."


He takes out one of the old used commlinks, with a credstick adapter, if Bongo would prefer to use that. His basic details down his name as Cameron. No last name listed, and there doesn't seem to be a SIN either. Of course it's really easy to set up a fake ID this limited, more like a login for some game. Though, for all Bongo knows, that's all this guy has. But a comcode is all the matrix really cares about, so it'll work.

(OOC: Assuming Bongo hands over some funds)

Cameron says, "Ok, well, I can take you to the room where it happened. It was really weird thing. Nobody heard any gunshots or anything. But weirder was that the place didn't seem looted or turned over."

[sunnyside]

The Orks first look around, trying to spot speakers or drones.

The Ork from the Photo said, "Ok, that's whiz. You got some fancy tech or you some kinda wizworm is disguise up in this creepy place? I guess whatever you say the fifty nuyen will go a long way towards getting help."

The other two are a little reluctant, and the big Ork says "Hey. If we wanted to be gang bangers we'd be up on the hundredth now ourselves."

The third Ork says, "Or it's somehow a scam to get what little we've got."

The Ork from the photo replies. "Hey. This was all a little freaky. I can be the point of contact. If it gets too spooky you can jet. But maybe it's better if the creeps who geeked my friends get got instead of whatever is going on. If we don't get ripped off I'll buy you guys some stuff with your shares."


He takes out one of the old used commlinks, with a credstick adapter, if Bongo would prefer to use that. His basic details down his name as Cameron. No last name listed, and there doesn't seem to be a SIN either. Of course it's really easy to set up a fake ID this limited, more like a login for some game. Though, for all Bongo knows, that's all this guy has. But a comcode is all the matrix really cares about, so it'll work.

(OOC: Assuming Bongo hands over some funds)

Cameron says, "Ok, well, I can take you to the room where it happened. It was really weird thing. Nobody heard any gunshots or anything. But weirder was that the place didn't seem looted or turned over."

[pbangarth]

"Well, I'll transfer the 150 to you, then, Cameron, and the three of you can work it out later." Bongo does so. He looks at the other two. "I value life over profit. I wouldn't throw anyone's life away for some nuyen. Doesn't mean there wouldn't be some risk sometime, but, what point is there to a life without risk, right?" He grins.

To Cameron he says, "Sure, show me where it happened and tell me everything you can about what happened. The more we know, the more likely we are to figuring out who did ... whatever it was. So the ones who died were your friends. Sorry to hear that."

[sunnyside]

Cameron looks pleased at having an amount on his comlink/credstick. the other Orks seem more apprehensive. But they follow as he leads the way towards the room that the Orks had been found in..

He spoke as they walked the relatively short distance back to the apartment Bongo had been in. "It was really strange. Far as I know they just geeked everybody there, and then just left the door open. You do drek like that to make a message. But I dunno who to. The hundredth floor maybe, if they know of the flower crew? "

As he gets to the door he notes the lock. " Huh. I guess somebody finally moved in. "

[Thanee]

Selina had agreed to accompany Lana, while she was getting the goods. Fiona keeps close for the time being, always wary about potential threats in the astral, and also not looking to disturbing those that were only here to protect the place. She is well aware, that she might be seen as an intruder to such entities, as they havn't been introduced, so she keeps her senses keen and a hiding place nearby.

"Alright, Lana. Let's go get your stuff."

With Willie also heading upstairs, they should be well enough protected, in case there is any trouble on the way.

[sunnyside]

As Selina heads up to the 98th for Lana to resupply she is able to look at the 100th floor through the open center of the building, except where the maintenance tower going up the middle blocks her view. To looks like Bello or someone like him has been busy as blankets, sheets, or printed bits of art cover up any damage to the walls. Bodies and blood seem to have been cleaned up to at least a basic extent. A few gangers are standing around chatting, but it looks pretty quiet on the floors that saw combat, and nobody seems inclined to visit as theirs is the only elevator heading up that far.


So there isn't anyone around as the group gets off the elevator to wait for Lana, who isn't gone long.

Soon the group arrives on 49. Again, it has a lower background count of 1. People seem especially chill here. Lana heads out to talk to people with the same line about looking for new digs and implying she has something to share.

Selina doesn't have to step in as quickly enough Lana is leading the group to a corner of the floor. One of the spaces that was supposed to have a business, clinic, school or some other function that was supposed to make these towers essentially low rent arcologies.

There's no business, just a space with a variety of metahumans lying on beanbags or blankets. The drugs are shared in small amounts with a circle Lana sits down at.

She leans over to Willie and Selina to whusper "I figured all the floors would make up their drama, turf battles, hustles for money. As far as I can tell on this floor they kinda just lay around.. Well,maybe just in this corner. Hopefully they gossip at least. I'm not quite sure how to strike up a convo with the weirdos. It's like they're already on drugs, but I don't think they are, they just...are lying down. . "

Looking around, Selina doesn't spot any elves, but the rest of meta humanity is present. Still mostly Orks. Some of whom look pregnant.

(Presumably Fiona is still trying to be sneaky, at least in the open elevator area where the spirit sometimes patrols. In rooms on floors seems safer at least away from the windows. )

[Thanee]

Selina listens to what Lana has to say, musing... "That is interesting. Maybe there is something that influences their behavior?"

Having said that, she asks Fiona, who is far better at interpreting auras, even with the annoyance of the background count hitting her harder, to take a look at the people. Maybe there is some lingering magical influence? Flowers, ... there certainly is some line of thinking where this all fits into one big picture.

[ Spoiler ]

Fiona Assensing: just 1 hit, unfortunately

Other than that, the ally spirit sticks to nearby rooms to not show her astral presence too obviously.

[pbangarth]

Willie is content to allow Selina to do the talking. Bongo does that when the two of them work. But just on a lark, Willie removes a radiation film patch from its protective packaging and checks to see if it shows anything like that happening here. Radiation sickness could cause lethargy, he remembers.

He doesn't remember where he learned that, though. That happens a lot since his cerebral upgrade.

[sunnyside]

(OOC: I noticed a typo in my last post for Bongo. The last quote should have been Huh. I guess somebody finally moved in. " As in he can't get into the room where the men died because Bongo had Lenny key the door to the team. He appears to have expected to find the door unlocked.)

------------------------------

Both Willie and Fiona find the environment relatively clean in terms of radiation and astral pollutants. There's still a sort of depressed miasma to all these people lying around the room that isn't helpful with the background count, if anything the drugs are lightening things, temporarily.

Lana whispers to Selina, "Up to you how you want to play it. The baggie should get the mood up here a little. But there are enough people I don't know if I'll be able to get a dance party going, or if that's especially welcome. Though I guess you could plop down next to anybody to talk. I don't know how things are on this floor, but they don't seem overly stabby."

[pbangarth]

In a way none can see the code, Bongo enters the passcode and opens the door. He chuckles at Cameron's observation. "Yeah, we did. So, tell me everything you can about what you found and saw. Please point out the locations in the room if you can."

[sunnyside]

His move gets a crooked smile out of Cameron, but he doesn't comment on it.

He follows Bongo into the apartment and looks around.

"Everybody in the apartment got geeked. So I wasn't around. Well, I guess the killers didn't get got. You know what I mean. Though nobody spotted anyone leaving. But I mean it isn't like this is a corpo office with a guard desk. Prolly they just dressed like you are now, didn't make a whole lot of noise, and then just strolled out all casual like.

Anyway we figured they got done that way to leave a message because that's just a weird thing to do and whoever did it didn't loot the place or anything. They just left with the door open. You do that and sooner or later. Well, sooner, somebody is going to poke their nose in hopes of nabbing something. I don't remember who found them, but they decided to yell about it. So there was a swarm of people coming in to grab everything that wasn't nasty and catch a gander of the bodies."

He paused to look at the hidey hole in the wall and pointed at it. "Maybe I'm a little sore they didn't tell me about their hidey hole, but I guess fair enough, somebody else go that. All I got was a few things off their bodies, 'cause people were afraid of touching 'em. I ended up hauling 'em outside for pickup."

He seems to be racking his brain for useful information, "Uh. They didn't have guns. So maybe there could have been a fight without much noise. They did some small time shakedown stuff. But like with knives and a hammer they filed down to make it scary. Wait, no, they still had those on them. So I guess they got taken down fast enough they didn't arm up?"

Cameron seems to be enjoying this, mentally imagining himself as in a cop drama. " They were in the back room too. So not jumped at their front door. Unless the bodies were moved to all be near each other in the back room. Which they coulda been because there really wasn't much blood. Maybe coulda been poisoned, and someone jimmied the door?

Uhhhh I didn't try tugging on the flowers. I figure it was like fake store stuff an, like, the wire the fake flowers come on was jammed into their eyeballs. "

[pbangarth]

"Hmmm. What did you get from the bodies?" Bongo sees a look starting on Cameron's face and jumps in. "No, no. I don't care you took stuff. Wasn't gonna do them any good anyway. I'm just looking for clues, no matter how small. "

The fact the flowers were artificial and stuck in the eyes means whoever did this had to carry material in. That kind of thing doesn't go astral.

[sunnyside]

Cameron eyes Bongo for a few seconds, and looks to his friends. But then he says, "I got my comlink, a big knife, a little knife, dime bag, a lighter, and some trodes. They've been real useful to me. Sentimental value. So if you want 'em it'll cost extra"

He frowns a little and continue.

"That was just off of one body. They got popular once I got in there and nothing bad or gross happened to me."

(OOC: Judging by their surprise at Bongo throwing his voice, they aren't very used to magic. Judging by the area they probably aren't very knowledgeable about real flowers either. His knowledge of fake flowers at least extends to the cheap ones on wire, but he said he didn't actually mess with them. Just what he thought. )