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

[Bearclaw]

1700 Jan 1, 2063 - Klaus's Doss

Well crap, there goes my profit margin
Kluas heads back to his meat, hits the john, nukes two giant bean burrito's, grabs a 1 Liter Saporo, and kicks back to watch some American football.


900 Jan 2, 2063 - Klaus's Doss
The morning looks like the other mornings in Seattle. Grey, with a steady drizzle of cold rain. Heavy enough to make the trash in the gutters wet, but not heavy enough to sweep it away. Putting on his hat and trenchcoat, Klaus heads out into the street.
He walks 5 blocks south, and slots his certified stick into the payphone. Speaking into Lucy's dead drop, Klaus says, "I need a mage to assist me in a ritual. No actual spell casting, and virtually no risk. 2 to 6 hours of work. I need some one competent but not greedy. I'll have my phone with me."
Klaus heads down to the Starbucks to have a triple mocha grande, read a scream sheet or two and wait for a call.

[WinterRat1]

1113 Jan 2, 2063- Local Starbucks

Lucy calls Klaus back as he's about to finish up with the local screamsheet. "I've got a couple people I could send your way. How much are you offering, and is there any follow up to the ritual to speak of?"

[Bearclaw]

1113 Jan 2, 2063- Local Starbucks
Klaus says "I am willing to part with :nuyen: 500 for the ritual, and offer first crack at any additional work generated by my current job."

[WinterRat1]

1114 Jan 2, 2063- Local Starbucks

"All right, I can have someone for you in a few hours or so. Where do you want them to meet you, and when?" Lucy replies.

[Bearclaw]

1114 Jan 2, 2063- Local Starbucks

Klaus replies, "Same place as the last meet, at 2000. By the You Should Not Eat So Much stand."
Lucy smiles into the phone, "Clever. OK, 2000. I'll give him a discription. Keep your hat on."
"You got it. Thanks."

Klaus finishes his coffee, drops the paper on the table and heads out the door. Walking to the trusty phone booth, he calls Norman.
"Hey Norman, I need a ride at about five. Can you pick me up at the Starbucks?"
Noman shouts over squeeling tires and the occasional gunshot "Yea, no problem. You won't be wanting to head into the barrens tonight, will you? I'll have to charge for ammo. The Rusty Stillettos are feeling upitty."
"No I won't Norman. Sounds like your busy, I'll see you this evening."
"OK Klaus, I'll be there".

Klaus laughs, hangs the phone up and heads home. After some soy-egg rolls, and some Sports Center, Klaus switches from recieve to interactive, calls up the Yellow pages and looks for "talismongers" listed in the Renton area.
With a couple addresses written down, Klaus hits the bed about 1400 for a two hour nap.

1645 Jan 2 2063 - Klaus's Doss
Klaus makes sure he's got everything, puts his hat on and heads out the door to meet Norman. He gives Norman the address to The Magic Touch in Renton, and relaxes for the long drive.

[paul_HArkonen]

1203 January 1, 2063- Miner’s Landing

My aunt, This woman was either high on some sort of mega chip causing halucinations, trying to trick me into something and kill me, unlikely given that she knows my old name. Or its possible I just found some of my family.

the sheer amazement at her comment obviously aparent on his face Blaze continued his few questions. "How did you find me? Have you talked with Irving? why haven't you gotten in touch with me before?" after speaking each of his questions he gives her a brief moment to answer before continuing on. finally getting to the one most important to him. "Finally what do you know about that night?"

[WinterRat1]

1725 Jan 2 2063 - The Magic Touch

Klaus arrives at The Magic Touch.

1205 January 1, 2063- Miner’s Landing

Looking at him sadly, Margaret replies, "It was really hard sweetie. I...I've taken a lot of personal risks in finding you, and it cost...a lot. Irving...no, I haven't been able to find Irving yet. I was hoping that you might have been in touch with him."

She looks down for a few moments, and when she looks up again, her face is streaked with tears. "I...I...didn't look for you for a long time because I didn't think you'd want anything to do with us...I actually found you several years ago. But I found out that you hated corps, all corps, and you had a reputation for doing...terrible things to corps and people who were a part of corps. I didn't want you to hate me...for things I had to do."

She turns away, and sobs silently into a tissue. After a minute or two, she composes herself and looks up again. She's visibly shaking, but appears to be a bit more in control of herself. "I know you have a lot of questions...I might have some of the answers for you...but right now...I need your help. I know I have no right to come out here and ask you for help, after all this time, but I have nowhere else to go..."

Margaret reaches into her purse and rummages through it for a bit. Pulling out a tattered old photo, she slides it across the table. Although old and worn, the image is still clear and strong. It almost leaps out to Blaze as he looks down at it.

Stunned, almost unable to speak, he manages to choke out in a whisper, "Where...where did you get this?" On the photo is unmistakably him, albeit a much younger him.

It is a picture of his whole family. They are at the Seattle Aquarium, and they're all smiling and looking alive and happy. He's maybe about 3 or 4, smiling, holding an ice cream cone, and being held in the air by his father. His brother is holding their mother's hand, and both Blaze and his brother are wearing big smiles on their faces and matching shirts that say, "I went to the Seattle Aquarium and saw the sharks!" with a big picture of a shark on it.

Smiling through her tears, Margaret whispers, "They were so proud of you both. They loved you so much. They sent it to me, not long...not long before they passed away." Pulling out another tattered old photo, she slides it across the table.

It is a photo of a much younger woman, but unmistakably the woman sitting across from him. She was with his parents, also younger. His mother was younger, not having carried the weight of two pregnancies yet, and his father hadn't quite packed on those extra pounds. They looked young and happy, and all of them were smiling the smiles of those who life hasn't quite smacked in the face yet with the hard grim weapon called reality.

Old times Blaze thought. Better times than these. Looking up, blinking the tears out of his eyes, he clears his throat and gruffly replies, "You said you needed my help?"

Nodding, Margaret replies shakily, "It's...your cousin...she's missing, and I think the corp she used to work for wants her back. One way or another."

Cousin...corp...corp employee...possible death sentence...looks like all those family problems Blaze missed out on growing up just came back to dump on him. With interest...

[paul_HArkonen]

1205 January 1, 2063- Miner’s Landing

A job now that is something I can understand. All this just continues to prove to me that corps have no right to exist in this world, but I'll help them this once. For family I'll do anything.

Looking up from his reverie and masking his sadness and anger behind his face Blaze looks directly at his aunt. "What do you want done, who do you want it done to, and finally when do you want it done?" after pausing to let her respond Blaze continues on. "What extra information can you give me on what might have happened to her?"

meanwhile behind his all business face Blaze mourned. each of these pictures had hurt him, torn into the shield that he used to protect himself from their pain. When the job was done and he had time for himself it would be weeks before he properly recovered from it.

My mom, dad, Irving. Why did those happy times have to come to an end, why? What did those people ever do to others? Those corps never had a right to take that away from them, and one way or another they are going to pay for it.

[WinterRat1]

1210 January 1, 2063- Miner’s Landing

Shaking her head fearfully, Margaret stutters, "No no no, don't get me wrong honey. I didn't find you because I wanted you to do something for me...I came because I wanted to find you and see you again. I just...I waited so long because I thought you'd hate me. I just got desperate because I had no one else to turn to. I thought that maybe even if you hated me, you'd help Melissa and I because we're family."

She looks down. "Melissa was a good girl. She didn't deserve this...Just like your family...they didn't deserve it either..."

She breaks down and completely starts crying, covering her face with her hands. It's painfully apparent to Blaze that she's a normal woman in an abnormal situation, and her lack of experience in dealing with the pressure, as well as the relief of finding her nephew again, combined to make for an emotional experience that's a little too much for her to bear, let alone deal with in the professional, businesslike way that Blaze is used to conducted himself with.

[WinterRat1]

1725 Jan 2 2063 - The Magic Touch

Klaus walks into The Magic Touch. Like most talismongering shops, it's a small, individually owned operation. One of the workers, a young teenager probably there just to clean up and dust the shelves, looks over at him and asks, "Can I help you with something today sir?"

[paul_HArkonen]

1212 January 1, 2063- Miner’s Landing

Standing up Blaze reaches his arm around his Aunt's back. "I'm sorry I understand that this is difficult for you, I've had many years to get used to running the shadows, You haven't. I didn't mean to be so harsh, its just how i stay alive, and its hard not to act that way. I'm very glad to see you, and thankful that I still have family that's alive. I will do anything to help Melissa, I promise, but for the time being let's just eat and talk about something other than corps. You know anything about magic?" continuing on Blaze tries to make small talk with Margaret in order to calm her down.

[WinterRat1]

1213 January 1, 2063- Miner’s Landing

As Blaze reaches around Margaret's back, she wraps her arms around him. He suddenly feels a crushing pressure on his waist and lungs. The air rushes out of him and almost immediately his combat honed reflexes nearly kick into high gear. Then he realizes that it isn't an attack; rather, it's something he hasn't felt for a long, long time: a genuine, loving, hug. His aunt is squeezing him tightly, happy and relieved to have found her nephew again.

Partly relieved it isn't an attack and partly pleasantly surprised, as he gets used to the sensation, Blaze reflects, Has it really been so long? Perhaps I've lost a bit of my own humanity when my family died. More than I realized maybe. Oh well, it's so good to be with family again.

After a few moments in which both of them seem to be relieved and relaxed, enjoying the moments of genuine warmth in so dark and cold a world, they disengage from the hug. Margaret wipes her tears with a napkin and says, "Oh dear, I'm sorry Richard. It's been a very overwhelming meal for me. Don't," she takes a deep breath, calming herself, "don't you worry about upsetting me. You've been through a lot, and I understand it's not always pretty sometimes, the things one has to do in life."

She gives him a wan smile, and continues, "Oh yes, magic. Melissa used to show me just the most wonderful things she could do with magic. So amazing, really. You two would have so much to talk about and so very much in common! I just can't wait for you two to meet."

She's smiling broadly, almost gushing as she thinks of the idea of them meeting for the first time. With a dismissive hand gestures, she continues, "Oh dear, but listen to me babble on. Please, tell me about magic. I'd love to learn more about it from you. I'm sure there's quite a few things you could tell me about magic that she couldn't." Placing her elbows on the table, she rests her chin on top of her hands, gently folded on top of each other, and looks at Blaze, eagerly listening.

[Bearclaw]

1725 Jan 2 2063 - The Magic Touch

Klaussmiles and says "Yes my dear, I need a few things. I need materials for a big shamanic lodge, I need ritual materials, and I need to speak with the proprietor of this establishment."

After a half an hour of rummaging around, Klaus slots his stick and watches :nuyen:3500 tick off. As Klaus is stuffing his new stuff into his new synth-leather patchwork backpack, the girl disappears through one of the beaded doorways, and Daisy appears.

So far as stunningly beautiful elven mages go, she's nothing special Klaus thinks. Until she smiles. Great, I'm in love.
Attempting to keep his composure, Klaus smiles and says "Hi. I have a favor to ask. It's one I'm willing to pay for, but I'll understand if you say no.
You have a beautiful place out here. There is natural beauty all around. I have a ritual I must conduct, and I was wondering if I could use a space in the woods in back. It's not an attack or anything, I'm just looking for some one."

[WinterRat1]

1726 Jan 2 2063 - The Magic Touch

Daisy purses her lips slightly. It's quite an appealing look. "Well, I don't know...how long do you plan on keeping the lodge up there? If it's a temporary thing, I don't see why not, especially if it won't bring trouble..."

She looks up at Klaus. "How much time do you need to rent back there?" she asks, cutting directly to the chase.

[Madda_Gaska]

1415 January 1, 2063 - The Crimson Sickles' disused fast food joint (HQ)

Jaan nods to Tiny.

"That would be most helpful, thank you."

[Bearclaw]

1726 Jan 2 2063 - The Magic Touch

Klaus ponders for a moment, then says "overnight should take care of it. I'll be gone before you open in the morning."

[WinterRat1]

1727 Jan 2 2063 - The Magic Touch

Daisy smiles winningly at Klaus. Despite his valiant attempts to maintain his composure...he fails miserably. He blushes slightly and clears his throat. "Ahem...so, um...er...would that be ok with you?" He stammers, and then quickly recovers towards the end of his sentence.

None of this is lost on Daisy. Giving him a wink, she says, "Well, I close in about two hours, at 1930. And unfortuantely, it's been such a busy day, I don't think I have the energy to cook dinner. How about you take me out to dinner and we can talk about your little ritual then?"

Just as Klaus is about to respond, "HECK YEAH!" or something much more controlled and less overly enthusiastic (but nonetheless something to that effect), he remembers Curses! I have a meet at 2000. But a dinner date with Daisy? Don't know if she likes me or whatever, but still! Blast! Decisions decisions...

[WinterRat1]

1416 January 1, 2063 - The Crimson Sickles' disused fast food joint (HQ)

Tiny nods, like Cao Jaan made a good decison. " 'Aight. 'Ere's 'is number." She enters a number into his pocket secretary. "E's 'ere in the Barrens, so ya shouldn't be havin' no trouble trackin' 'im down. I dun member where he is. Just moved to a biggar place, sos youll hafta buzz him and ask him yerself. Oh, and lemme kno where hes at now, wouldya?"

[Bearclaw]

1727 Jan 2 2063 - The Magic Touch

Klaus does some quick math in his head, and it adds up to making a quick phone call.
“That would be most excellent. Please allow me to take a few minutes to reschedule a couple of things.”

Still grinning, Klaus walks out the door into the parking lot. Keying his cell he calls Lucy’s drop. A mans voice answers “You’ve reached J&L’s pest control. We are currently away from the phone, please leave a message.”
“Hi, it is me. Can’t make the meet. Reschedule for midnight at Club Penumbra. I’ll throw in an extra hundred for the inconvenience. Please get back to me if there’s a problem.”
Calling information next, Klaus gets the LTG for Aztecha International, 16206(42-2309).
“Hello, Aztecha International? My name is Klaus Ebert, and I need a table for tonight. Yes, I’m aware that it’s short notice. Get me a decent table for two, and I promise to leave a generous tip. Yes, 9:00 is fine, thank you very much.”
Stepping back in, Klaus finds Daisy again and says, “So, I’ll pick you up at 8:30 if that’s all right?”

[WinterRat1]

1730 Jan 2 2063 - The Magic Touch

Daisy smiles at Klaus's response. "Sounds great! I'll be ready at 8:30." Her smile widens. "I can have my assistant close up while I get ready."

Turning to her assistant, she says, "Sharon, I'm going to run home early to start getting ready in a little while. Can you close up the store for me today?"

Sharon replies with a smile, "No problem Daisy. Enjoy your date." Half turning towards Klaus but technically still talking to Sharon, she says, "Oh I am quite certain that I will, won't I Klaus?"

Smiling back at the two ladies, Klaus assures both of them that he will make quite certain Daisy has a good time. Bidding both of them a good evening, he leaves the store, feeling pretty darn good.

Reflecting back on it, he thinks to himself, Hmm...if my watcher hadn't failed, I wouldn't have ended up coming here and needing to cast a ritual...and so forth and so forth and so forth...Bottom line, I got a place to do the ritual AND a hot date with Daisy. Maybe I should ask my watchers to fail me more often. Grinning, he debates how to spend the next two hours...

[paul_HArkonen]

1217 January 1, 2063- Miner’s Landing

Looking to his Aunt with care and actual happiness in his eyes Blaze begins talking about his magic. "The energy to cast spells comes from the power of Leopard. He grants me the strength to manipulate and see manaflows. Once you can see them getting them to follow your will is a relatively simple matter of focusing your conscious and uncouncious mind on creating the desired result with those manaflows. Think of it as weaving them into what you want to occur. But, I know that how I do it is distinctly different from how everyone else casts spells." Losing himself in the discussion of different ways of bringing about the same effect Blaze begins to go back to his childhood moments and his time with James.


1230 January 1, 2063- Miner’s Landing

looking across at a clock Blaze wakes out of his discussion. Now before I go, and I'm sorry but I really do have to go, what can you tell me about Melissa's disappearance or what corp she worked for and who might have taken her away?"
This time in his questions he fights to keep his voice human and forces himself out of the void that he enters when normally taking a job.

[WinterRat1]

1233 January 1, 2063- Miner’s Landing

Giving him a wan smile, Margaret pats Blaze's hand affectionately. "Of course dear. I know you're a busy person, and you have lots you need to be doing. Her full name is Melissa Walker, she married David Walker, and he died in an accident just last week, at his lab. They both worked for Universal Omnitech as researchers."

Digging into her pocket, she hands him a photograph. Smiling at him from the photo is an attractive blond, about 5'8-5'10, roughly 135-145lbs. She has deep blue eyes that sparkle, and she seems to have a genuine joy in her smile.

Looking up, Blaze says, "She's very pretty. So she worked for Universal Omnitech since..." Picking up the unspoken question, Margaret answers, "She's been working there for the last six years. She didn't manifest her magical abilities until about two years ago. It was very hard on her emotionally. I don't know what might have happened to her after her husband's death, she was very distraught about poor David. I think it is Universal Omnitech that wants her back; yesterday, some members of their HR department came asking about her. They were very unfriendly, almost threatening. I'm really not sure what they want with her, but I'm worried it isn't good."

She looks up at Blaze. "Please find her Richard. I don't think the company really cares about her, I don't know where she is or who she's with or even if she's still alive. I haven't heard from her in two days and that visit from those men just scared me." Absently paying the check, she slides a phone number and address over to him. "You can get in touch with me here. If there's anything more I can do to assist you, please let me know."

[Shev]

1147 January 1, 2063- Club Abraxis

"Hey man, wake up."

Avalanche groaned and blearily opened his eyes. A gigantic werewolf was shaking him lightly. "Hey, it's almost noon. You told me to wake you at ten til."

With a pounding headache, Avalanche managed to slide off the bar stool and onto his feet. "Thanks Fuzz. Hey, could you gimme one of those anti-hangover progs? Reality is nice, but this pounder is a little too real."

"Hey, you can do it yourself. End the buzz program."

"Ah, didn't see it still going. Thanks."

With a thought, Avalanche ended the "buzzer" program that simulated the effects of alchohol. His headache immediately stopped, and he rubbed his virtual forehead gratefully. "Well Fuzz, I guess I need to get back to the shop." With a virtual hand (made entirely of snow, like the rest of his snowman icon) he gestured in the direction of the various icons passed out around the virtual Matrix nightclub. "Let the boys know I had a good time, eh?"

"Sure thing, Ave. See you around." Nodding at the bartender, Avalanche jacked out of the Matrix, pulling the deck lead out of his head.

1148 January 1, 2063- An apartment in Renton

Yawning, Avalanche changed his clothes, careful to keep his sheet-white skin away from the sunlight streaming in through his window. Hmmm, another year. What should my resolutions be? the decker thought as he stashed his beloved cyberdeck in it's usual place underneath the floorboards in his closet. Drink less? Hell, when was the last time I actually even had a real drink? Be more cautious? Hah, like I've ever had that problem. Besides, a good decker is a cautious one. Hmmmm... not kill anyone?

Heading downstairs to his electronics shop, Avalanche paused. Hey, not bad. Okay, that'll be it. Stick to my taser in my meat bod, and just non-lethal attack prog in the 'trix. Oh, that reminds me, I need to BUY a lethal attack prog first. The deck-head smiled at his own joke. And of course, I resolve to become one of the best hackers to ever grace the shadows of the Space Needle. And to...gah, let's not kid ourselves. Girls like that don't go for guys like me. Opening the door to his shop, Avalanche flipped his sign from "Closed" to "Open".

[Madda_Gaska]

1425 January 1, 2063- 'Nasty by name...' store

Jaan thanks Tiny, and promises to return with the new location of her friend for her.

Jaan then walks over to Keith Nasty's store, where he knows he can find a working (just) telecom.

I'd better pick up some supplies before I head back too.

With a moment's hesitation, Jaan inputs the number Tiny gave him and waits for an answer.

[WinterRat1]

1430 January 1, 2063- 'Nasty by name...' store

A recorded voice picks up Jaan's call. "Hello, you have reached Dr. George's Quick Fix Medical Clinic. We are currently closed for New Year's Day. Please leave a message and we will get back to you as soon as possible." *BEEP*

1700 January 1, 2063- An apartment in Renton

It's been a long, slow day at Key to the Future for Avalanche. Probably because it was New Year's Day or something. Oh well, he just sat around and browsed the latest tech developments. No sweat off his back, even if he wasn't making money. Sorta like a day off, yet not.

At 1700 hours, a small human man walked in. He takes a few minutes to casually glance around at the stuff before silding up to the counter. Leaning over it, he asks Avalanche, "Hey man. You the owner?" Avalanche nods affirmatively. "Can I help you with something?"

Glancing around, the man replies, "Nice place you got here. Anyway, yeah, I was wondering, do you do um, custom work?"

Avalanche raises an eyebrow. Custom work, huh? Interesting...