Living in the Shadows: IC, your run might be over... Options

[WinterRat1]

?? : ?? : ?? - Saturday, January 6, 2063 - Someone's Thinking of You

The Easter Bunny shakes his head. "We're trying to help you. But you refuse to let us. We are hoping to help you come to a better understanding and acceptance of self."

Waving a paw, the Easter Bunny gestures to the house around them. "Tell me, what do you think of when you see this future? How do you view it? And why?"

She remains silent, allowing him to continue his minor rant.

Pointing the paw at her, he concludes, "In the midst of all your stubborn refusals to see anything out of your preconceived definitions, have you learned nothing in your time here? That perhaps what you believe a word or idea to be is not necessarily what it actually is?"

[Sedna]

?? : ?? : ?? - Saturday, January 6, 2063 - Someone's Thinking of You

She resists the sudden wish to sink into that couch and never get up. "And what is this ephemeral idea, then? Just give me one solid example.

"Or, just tell me what I'm supposed to learn, here. Not vague things, flimsy concepts: give me a solid objective to work with."

[WinterRat1]

?? : ?? : ?? - Saturday, January 6, 2063 - Someone's Thinking of You

The bunny lowers its head sadly. "I can't tell you who you are. You of all people should know that discovery of self is not something any one can do for you. You can be nurtured to be certain way, built to become a certain thing."

It looks up and pierces her with its gaze. "But you must choose for yourself how you will respond with what you have been given. What you will do in each situation."

It leans back, and odd looking picture, and says, "But as far as it goes, for a specific, let's take your continued refusal to believe that we're here to help. Why? Because in your experience you don't believe it is possible for people to do something just to help. Correct?"

It crosses its paws and reminds her, "You still didn't answer my questions. What do you think of when you see this future? How do you view it? And why? This is important."

[banditf50]

16:49:33 Saturday, 6 January, 2063 - at the Fox and Hound

His first inclination was to call Dragon and say that the meet was off for the night, but a hunger pang in his stomach reminded Virgil of several key issues, not the least of which was that he had not eaten in hours.

"Thank you very much, I think I will take a seat at the table."

"Excellent choice sir, please follow me."

Falling in step behind the cheerful hostess the shaman's mind began to inventory the needs of the immediate situation. There is always a chance that Inleat could still show up, I can also try to reach him by phone while we're here. We can also call back to the clinic and see if Bob has had any sort of luck with those Corp Devo files.

"Here you are sir." The hostess chirps upon reaching a booth situated near the right-back corner of the tavern. "Mandy will be your server this evening and she will be right with you."

"Thank you kindly miss. Oh. . . I am expecting a guest in about 20 minutes, an asian gentleman, can you send him this way?"

"Of course sir," she said with a perky smile, "have a wonderful evening."

Their only two leads had been seeking Jonah at his apartment and meeting Inleat and his ASPS associates. With Jonah vanished with nary a trace, and Inleat engaged for the time being there was not much of a trail left for them at the moment.

I would like to avoid heading back to the clinic for now, at least until I am sure enough that we won't bring any more trouble that way. Galina, Bob, Juliette, I will have to do all I can to compensate them for the trouble that has been brought to them over the past 48 hours.

His silent musings were interrupted by the arrival of another 20-something women, this one a brunette. "Hi, my name is Mandy and I will be taking care of you this evening. Can I start you off with something to drink?"

"That would be wonderful. I'll have a Boddington's Pub Ale please, served room temp."
Virgil remembered that it was with Inleat that he'd first come to this tavern, and it was the mage who had first introduced the shaman to drinking English ales at room temperature.

"I'll be right back with that sir."

Easing back into the well padded booth Virgil absently rubbed his temples, the headache that had plagued him since the drain of his mental probe of Cindy was finally starting to subside, just not quick enough.

A moment later Mandy returned with his ale, he'd wait until speaking with Dragon to place a meal order. I probably still have a few minutes until Dragon arrives . . .

At that the shaman keys up Inleat's number on his cell phone and set's to calling the mage, if anything to leave a thank-you message for dinner.

[Sedna]

?? : ?? : ?? - Saturday, January 6, 2063 - Someone's Thinking of You

"Sorry." Talia is surprised to find that she actually means it. "I can't answer your previous questions. They don't make sense to me. But I can try with these." A smile flirts with her lips. "Actually, I think you just asked me one question that is essentially four parts. 'Why?' I assume that means why do I refuse to believe that you're here to help, with the following sentence and question as qualifiers. 'What do you think of when you see this future?' 'How do you view it?' 'And why?'"

She pauses, and then she begins a steady pacing, measuring her thoughts to the words and her words to her steps. "Your qualifier does come close, but it isn't exact. I understand 'help', I know it as a concept that I know how to make use of. I can't see why I would possibly ask it. And don't say that I need it: I think you know what I would answer to that. I take assistance, I get people to assist me. I don't ask it. Why on earth would I? Think about it."

She stops suddenly, turns to face the bunny. "Actually, I can do better than that. There's an old joke that the deckers used to tell about Mara. Drowning in the sea (that might have been a wish-fulfillment thing), everyone's on the docks reaching out their hands to help her. 'Give me your hand,' they cry, but Mara continues to thrash and drown, until one person, who doesn't know any better, reaches out to her and says, 'Take my hand.'

"So there's Part One." She's into movement again, wondering idly if this reality is willing to let her alter her appearance, testing it as she's talking. "Part Two: I can't see myself in this future. There's nothing in here of who I know myself to be. It's wrong on so many levels, I can't begin to describe it. And that leads to Part Three: I view it as hell. It's not the same hell I left back there, and it's not the same hell that's likely waiting for me if Mara ever catches up with me, but we both know that hell has many layers. It's a perfectly adequate interpretation of the choice I accepted when I opened that door, but like so many of the other questions you chose to answer it with a 'what if', and I prefer looking at what is now. Did you really think I would have taken any other choice?"

She stops. "And I think, with that, I've answered your Part Four as well."

[Morgannah]

11:31:14 Wednesday 03 January 2063 - Riverwalk Apartment Complex - Los Angeles, CFS

A small, secret smile quirked across Cosmo's lips as the line went dead. She flipped her cell shut with a soft "click" and chuckled because she was looking forward to the evening, drive-in or not. Taking a second to shrug into a long black robe, she settles down onto the sofa and dials Tino's number, her voice warm and satiny.

"Tino can we try this again?"

[paul_HArkonen]

17:20:25Saturday, January 6, 2063 - Home

Blaze paced slowly around his room. He and Max hadn't sat down just to eat and talk in soo long, and he didn't want to ruin it. I've never been any good at this. I always seem to say something that makes it all go down the tubes.

Continuing his slow pace around the room Blaze worked at composing himself, and working out how to start his conversation with Max. Maybe ask him about the evening. No, He's working and that means he shouldn't be telling me, even if he's willing. Maybe Melissa...? I guess we can talk about that, he's helped me with my quest, maybe it'll be enough to "break the Ice"

Blaze's pacing had ceased, leaving him standing in front of a mirror, looking at himself. God, I look like a train wreck. I guess not sleeping, and not really stopping to shave can do that to a man. Heading back into his bathroom Blaze turned up the water. As steam poured slowly out of the shower Blaze stripped off his pants. Turning the temperature down slightly Blaze stepped into the shower, leting the hot water wash away some of his fatque, both mental and physical. Standing in the stream of water he let the pounding of each drop help wash away his tension. I'm doing all that I can to help Melissa, now we have to leave it to the Leopard's will.

Stepping out of the Shower Blaze's skin was covered by goose bumps. Drying himself he began to focus on the evening. Two hours till I have to be there. Pulling his worn Razor out of its stand he cleaned himself off. Stepping into a clean pair of pants he slid the chain of his Focus over his head. Light danced off the silver head of the Leopard on his chest as he stretched his limbs.

Sliding on a shirt he adjusted the Necklace to place it in a more comfortable, and concealed position. Walking towards the Garage under his home he prepared to go talk to the one person he ever truly considered family.

[grendel]

11:32:03 Wednesday 03 January 2063 - Riverwalk Apartment Complex - Los Angeles, CFS

"Ah, bella signora, if i had a nuyen for every time a woman said that to me...." Drago chuckles ruefully. "In any case, I assume you're referring to our most rudely interrupted meeting? If so, the deal still stands. You know where to find me."

[WinterRat1]

?? : ?? : ?? - Saturday, January 6, 2063 - Someone's Thinking of You

The Easter Bunny laughs and shakes its head ruefully. "So then, we could perhaps say that pride, stubbornness, and survival instinct prevent you from asking for help then? Fair enough, I suppose. At least as an answer to my question."

He continues talking, either not noticing (or not caring) that Talia is trying to change her appearance, which incidentally, is not happening. "What makes you so certain there is nothing of you in this 'future'. Are you so self-aware that you can say this with total confidence?"

He grins, an odd thing coming from a rabbit. "One person's hell is another person's heaven. Are you so certain that this hell of yours today will not be your paradise tomorrow? What do you live for then, in the 'normal' world? Tell me, when your time is up, what circumstances do you wish to be living under when it's time to go?"

[banditf50]

16:51:38 Saturday, 6 January, 2063 - at the Fox and Hound

" . . .please leave a message after the beep. Beep!"

Eh, it was worth a try.
"Good evening Inleat, Virgil here. My associate and I will be enjoying yoru hospitality at the tavern for some time this evening, if you get a chance give me a call and we can discuss some new meeting plans. I hope that everything is going ok with you. Thanks again for the fine meal tonight."

With that the shaman set to sipping his ale and browsing the menu as he waited for Dragon to arrive, perhaps a warm meal holding down his stomach would help his headache to subside.

[Sedna]

?? : ?? : ?? - Saturday, January 6, 2063 - Someone's Thinking of You

Pride, oh yes. Maybe above all.

"I don't know what will be the case tomorrow," she states bluntly in answer to the first question, the latent irritation over not having control over her own appearance expressing through the increasingly caged-feline stride. "I know what is the case now. Like I said, I don't go in for divination."

What do you live for then ...?

"Tell me first what's the normal world and I'll tell you if I live in it or not. If we match, it'll be a first. Actually, tell me first: what do you live for?"

[Cedric Rolfsson]

21:15:20 Saturday January 6, 2063 - Caveman Kate's

Erebus took a couple of seconds to review the data, looking for angles and wondering what risks this task posed.

Hmmmm, I'm just riding shotgun for another runner. That means that I have a least a minimal amount of mobility, I'm not going to have to set myself up as the clay pigeon to get the job done. Thats a plus. It also means I get to work with a local runner without having to put it totally on the line. Another plus. I wonder who this other runner is?

"Hmmm, I like the sound of it Max but who is the other runner? Do you know who that is and maybe a way I can contact them prior to pick up? It sounds like a good deal but I'm not keen on showing up and asking around in the crowd to determine which of them I will be preforming semi legal activities with."

[WinterRat1]

?? : ?? : ?? - Saturday, January 6, 2063 - Someone's Thinking of You

The bunny shrugs. "I keep telling you, and you keep hearing, but not listening. I, all of us that you've met thus far, the little girl, the woman about your age. We are all here to help you. But like your 'friend' Mara, you refuse to give us your hand. Unfortunately, we cannot say to you 'take our hand'."

He shakes his head. "Our time here is fast coming to an end. Make no mistake, no matter how it ends, you will be back. This may be the first time you are here, but it will not be the last."

Before she can snarl defiance, that none control her destiny but her, before she can say the almost requisite, 'or so you'd like to think' or the always classic 'or else what', he concludes, "Or you will never grow, despite your best efforts. And whether you like it or not, such will be the case."

"Allow me to be clear. We live to help you. You refuse our help. Unfortunately, it is not our choice in this matter. It was none of our choices, yours included. Our situation is the result of the choices of others, and like it or not, we must all live with it. So tell me, how do you want this visit to end?"

He extends a paw. "Will you give us your hand? Or continue to thrash and drown? And if I may remind you, forks not taken cease to exist."

[Morgannah]

11:32:47 Wednesday 03 January 2063 - Riverwalk Apartment Complex - Los Angeles, CFS

Cosmo laughed softly. "Mm, somehow I doubt you get that a lot, Signor, but yes, I was referring to our business. I'll see you soon." She flipped the phone shut again, and took one last glance over Megan Richards' bank statements. She could live like this for three months, according to her records, but the discretionary fund was a good deal smaller than she was used to.

"Details," she chuckled, gracefully uncurling from her comfortable little perch and striding off toward her bedroom and the first costume change of the day.

...

It was a solid half hour before she deemed herself ready to face the outside world; all traces of her earlier turmoil had vanished and as if to illustrate the point, she tied a pretty pink scarf around her neck and brushed her cheeks with a light dust of shimmering powder. While there were some who faced life with body armor and a revolver, or even magic, Cosmo knew that a few cosmetics and a silken scarf made her just as deadly.

She grabbed a buttery soft ivory handbag and very nearly laughed out loud as she twirled on her way out the door, having thought of the perfect costume for her dinner date.

Il Grano first, though, she amended, even as the prospect of a bit of shopping gave her a giddy thrill. A quick run over to Sean's place, too, and then we shop.

[Sedna]

?? : ?? : ?? - Saturday, January 6, 2063 - Someone's Thinking of You

They live to help me. I suppose it passes for an answer, for now. She'd shake her head in sheer disbelief; but instead she shrugs: why not? It's an upside down world. If those are the rules they exist by, so be it. I'll figure the rest of it out later. Sounds like there'll be a lot of later's.

The sudden weight of all this, plus a day and a night and a good deal more flirting with little or no rest, comes crashing down on her all at once.

And, as she takes the paw in her left hand -- and has an interesting moment battling down an unexpected direction of sudden perceived escape, the instinct strong enough in her that the edges of the rabbit's fur should have been sacrificed to it --

[grendel]

11:55:07 Wednesday 03 January 2063 - Riverwalk Apartment Complex - Los Angeles, CFS

Drago nurses a mojito at the bar, shaking his head ruefully at Cosmo's approach.

"You're getting cruel in your young age, insulting my skills at the manly art of wenching. I had to rearrange my entire morning just to prove you wrong. And now these old bones are aching because of it. But, down to business. Show me what you've got."

[Morgannah]

11:55:17 Wednesday 03 January 2063 - Il Grano Restaurant, Los Angeles, CFS

Cosmo breezed into the restaurant, a playful smile teasing around the corners of her lips as she caught sight of her exhausted fixer. She laughed softly, lightly patting his cheek while she slid onto the barstool beside his.

"I think you heard what you wanted to, Tino," she dimpled though her eyes darkened meaningfully, "but I'm sure your women are glad I called."

"As for business, I brought three boxes; these are their serial numbers in case you wanted to confirm before I wheeled them in." Cosmo slid a small sheet of paper across the bar.

[grendel]

11:55:41 Wednesday 03 January 2063 - Il Grano Restaurant, Los Angeles, CFS

"It matters not. Take them around back to Ilia, he'll take care of them. What did we agree on? Eight k each? Five per box, three boxes, means one twenty k. Fifteen percent off the top is eighteen k for me, one oh two k for you. Certified cred acceptable?"

Drago offers a slim credstick.

[Morgannah]

11:56:02 Wednesday 03 January 2063 - Il Grano Restaurant, Los Angeles, CFS

An eyebrow arches delicately as Tino very nearly pushes the credstick on her; a hint of a chuckle twitches around her lips but never escapes.

Good thing I didn't order a drink .. he'd be funnelling it down my throat!

"If I didn't know any better, Drago, I'd say you were trying to get rid of me." Cosmo chuckles and leans back casually. "And we'd discussed twenty percent as your cut this time 'round. I can bring you the change later on today, if this is a bad time...."

[grendel]

11:56:36 Wednesday 03 January 2063 - Il Grano Restaurant, Los Angeles, CFS

"Prego, signora, do not impugn my honor further. I would never seek to cut short one of your visits. Keep the six for now, as a marker for future use of your services. Someone of your talents could be of great use to me."

Drago sips from his glass again, dipping his head to Cosmo.

[Tiredronin]

16:47:38 Saturday, 6 January, 2063 - Once again outside the Puyallup Street Clinic

Daedalus snaps off a picture of the retrival drone and turns his attention back toward the clinic to see what the drone had left behind.

Drat, I'd love to find out where this guy is working from, but I guess we don't have many options to work with just yet.

Far off in the distance, Daedalus is dimly aware of his stomach speaking up to remind that he hasn't had anything to eat since he woke up.

[Morgannah]

11:56:51 Wednesday 03 January 2063 - Il Grano Restaurant, Los Angeles, CFS

"Agreed." Cosmo inclined her head slightly and grinned. "I'll look forward to hearing from you." The credstick disappeared into the folds of her longcoat between one blink of an eye and the next and even though she'd teased him earlier about cutting their meeting short, she slid off the barstool.

"Take care of yourself, Signor." She wiggled her eyebrows and was gone as quickly as she had come in, pausing in her headlong rush toward Chanel only long enough to bring the three boxes around to Ilia. She barely saw the hundred nuyen tip she pressed into his hands.

...

18:07:11 Wednesday 03 January 2063 - Riverwalk Apartment Complex, Los Angeles, CFS

Her head was still spinning more than six hours later when she'd finally made her way back to her little apartment, a garment bag slung carefully over her arm. Cosmo thought back to the veritable storm of shopping she'd just put herself through (with still more "work" to finish up in the morning) and couldn't help but laugh. The personal shopper she'd hired for today and tomorrow was earning her pay, doing a fabulous job of bringing the best that the City of Angels had to offer. She had a suite at the Argyle for crying out loud, enough new accessories to sink a battleship, and all those lovely new clothes strewn haphazardly over every surface in the sitting room made her seriously reconsider her plans for the evening.

Well, she reconsidered for half a second and chuckled, discarding the idea just as quickly.

"No," she whispered, settling a few items beside the vanity mirror. There was no way she was going to pass up on 'dinner and a movie'....

[grendel]

18:25:03 Wednesday 03 January 2063 - Riverwalk Apartment Complex, Los Angeles, CFS

Sliding past the security with the same ease as before, Caska makes his way to Cosmo's door. Knocking twice, he stands to the side again, listening to the soft footfalls from within. This time, he holds a single orchid in front of the peephole.

[Morgannah]

18:25:11 Wednesday 03 January 2063 - Riverwalk Apartment Complex, Los Angeles, CFS

Cosmo had been fiddling with her hair for a solid ten minutes before she heard a familiar (insistent) knock on her door. Laughing softly as she spied the single bloom, she tied off the long silky robe that was still settling about her and opened the door. The one eyebrow that arched so severely at his earliness in arriving was wholly at odds with the deep dimples that peeked out of her cheeks. Clearly, she was glad to see him.

[grendel]

18:27:43 Wednesday 03 January 2063 - Riverwalk Apartment Complex, Los Angeles, CFS

Caska smiles, a mixture of genuine pleasure and predatory hunger.

"Perhaps I should come ten minutes early next time?"

He steps inside, closing the door behind him and leaning against it. He's dressed a little more casually this time: a dark gray long coat over a black Vashon Island Actioneer suit. Only the electric blue of his shirt sets off the severity of the outfit. A heavy pistol is tucked in a holster behind his right hip.