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

[WinterRat1]

0341 Saturday January 6, 2063 - Entering the Paradigm Shift

The elf looks at him quizzically, and both Blaze and Alleycat sense genuine confusion on his part. "Pardon me, but perhaps there has been some mistake? It is you who have come here, quite obviously with intent to do something other than relax and have a good time. I do not know who you are, and I certainly have no idea who this cousin is you refer to."

Gesturing to them both to sit in soft, cushy chairs across from him, he takes a seat himself. "I admit, it is odd for me to be so forthcoming about what I do and do not know, but in this particular case I feel I have nothing to lose by being honest with you."

Steepling his fingers in front of him, he continues, "There, I have laid out my position for you and answered your question. Perhaps you will be so good as to answer one of mine? Who are you and what do you really want here at the Paradigm Shift?"

[Sedna]

0341 Saturday January 6, 2063 - Entering the Paradigm Shift

As though it were on an invisible string and with just a wisp of regret, Alianna's gaze drifts involuntarily back toward the back wall -- and is brought up with an abrupt halt by the two massive forms still there. With a sigh she gives it up, settles deeply into one of the chairs and crosses her legs. "Whatever else," she says, "your two men there recognised him," and her hand slips across to enlace itsef in Blaze's, "and that's why they brought him up here. If you're being honest with him, why aren't you telling him why you wanted to meet him?"

[WinterRat1]

0341 Saturday January 6, 2063 - Entering the Paradigm Shift

With a thin smile, Atriel replies, "My dear lady, you will find that the security here at the Paradigm Shift is quite good, since that is after all one of our major selling points. Your friend here is... distinctive , and made quite an impression the last time he was here. When it was made known to me that he was trying to sneak in, naturally I assumed that his intentions were somewhat less than benevolent, and decided that it would be in our mutual interest to discuss those intentions in a non-confrontational way."

The two massive goons crowding the room seem to contradict this statement, but Alleycat decides not to press the point for the moment. "Allow me to reiterate. You are quite obviously a competent individual, Mr. Blaze, and you sought illicit entry for more than just wanting your lovely companion here to see our band backstage. So I ask you again, why are you here, and what do you want with the Paradigm Shift?"

[paul_HArkonen]

0342 Saturday January 6, 2063 - Entering the Paradigm Shift

*ooc: after Alleycat/Alianna's comment*

"I told you the Leopard's truth. I'm here to find my cousin. I have been tracking her for a few days now. I had found where she was hiding from the people who were after her. However, when I arrived I found her hiding place empty and burned. The only thing I found in that building, whether astral or physical, was a half used pack of matches with this institution's name on them. So naturally I followed that lead. I am here to discover her where abouts, and right now, this building is the only lead I have."

While speaking Blaze's mind slips quickly to his hand, now intertwined with Alleycat's Is this part of her cover, or for real. No, bussiness and family first. Focus Blaze, focus!

"So now I ask you for the truth, why was this pack of matches in a building that had been severly burned, except this one pack?"

[Sedna]

0341 Saturday January 6, 2063 - Entering the Paradigm Shift

"Oh, I can definitely believe he made an impression," smiles Alianna. "You're the owner of this place? Wicked cool! Pleasure to meet you," and you can tell she means it. "You've got an amazing place here." She laughs, pulling out the half-burnt book of matches and lighting a cigarette. "Me, now, that's different: soon as we get out of this I'm so there -- but why would you think he'd want to sneak in?"

[banditf50]

1332 Saturday January 6th, 2063 - Puyallup Street Clinic

Bursting through the double-steel front doors of the clinic Virgil was barely aware that Dragon was still at the car with Sybersnake . . .barely aware because their was someone who needed help far more urgently. At the curb in front of the clinic the girl's sudden convulsing had forced Tiffany to hook under her shoulders as Virgil grabbed her legs.

Crossing the threshold into the chess-board tiled reception area, a waiting Trank pushed a wheeled stretcher towards Virgil and Tiffany. The girls convusions were now violent enough that Virgil was sturggling to keep her legs grasped and the chance to lie her down on the stretcher did not come an instant too soon.

Trank begins fumbling with Tiffany to try and strap the girls legs to the bed. Standing over the violently sick girl Virgil could only feel helpless to come to her aid . . . and the helplessness bore out in his shout.

"Juliette, Galina we need help now!"

[Sedna]

1332 Saturday January 6th, 2063 - Puyallup Street Clinic

In seconds the small reception area is a hornet's nest of activity, as three, four gloved, masked people join Trank and Virgil in forcing her onto the stretcher, strapping her down and covering her in some kind of plastic tent. Galina joins them then, identifiable only by her build for she too is gloved and masked.

"Another one," she sighs. And then roughly, unquestioned command: "Virgil, you --" in Tiffany's direction "-- come."

With a sudden, sinking feeling, Virgil realises what that moment of hesitation had been before Trank had wheeled out the stretcher to meet them: he'd stopped to put on elbow-length surgical gloves and the mask.

[WinterRat1]

0342 Saturday January 6, 2063 - Entering the Paradigm Shift

Atriel shrugs nonchalantly. "We have many customers, and those packs of matches are available right by the front door as well as the bars. If you want an unburned one, I can get you about fifty of them in seconds."

Looking directly at Blaze he adds, "I am sorry about your cousin. But you are looking in the wrong place, my friend. Many people by now probably carry those matchbooks, and while it is quite logical that you would come here seeking answers, I can assure you, that while someone who has been here may hold the answers you seek, the Paradigm Shift itself does not."

Idly flicking a speck of lint from his sleeve cuff, he concludes, "The next time you have reason to come, please take the front door. I assure you, there is nothing here that you want any part of," and his tone quite clearly conveys the double-meaning behind his words. Smiling once again, he finishes, "Now that that's been settled, is there anything else I can do for you? Perhaps get a VIP room for you and your lovely companion here for the evening?"

[paul_HArkonen]

0342 Saturday January 6, 2063 - Paradigm Shift

Blaze shifts his attention over to the astral plane, Studying the Elf's aura, trying to see if he's speaking the truth, or lies.

[SentineloftheMou...]

2005 Monday, January 8, 2063 - Land's End Magic Shop

I wonder why I thought of that particular memory just now. I hope Sara is alright.... He thinks to himself.

Andie shakes himself awake, stands up, and stretches his cramped muscles from sitting on that stool for so long in one position. He finds the phone and the number Solomon had given to him and trys it again. Dial...

The liquid within the furnace crucible is percolating nicely. I may have to run a separation process soon on the batch as more material is generated over the next week which is a good sign...

[WinterRat1]

1332 Saturday January 6th, 2063 - A Street outside the Puyallup Street Clinic

Without allowing himself to be riled by Sybersnake, (or was it just his increasing inability to feel?) Dragon calmly stated the obvious. At least, to him. "We don't know if there was a drone in the sky at all. We don't know if we lost it when we stopped at the safehouse and took off. The alley covered us pretty well along with the spirit, and for all they know we're just a decoy. But if you step outside and there is a drone, we've just marked ourselves as a confirmed target."

Angrily, the decker began climbing out of the car, starting to retort, "Oh, you mean we aren't targets already? I almost got killed not a few hours ago, so don't talk to me about..."

Staring down at her, through sheer force of will Dragon stared her back into the car. Of course, it helps when one's eyes are mechanical and don't need to blink. And when one talked about killing an innocent, or at least, relatively innocent child, as one might discuss the weather, or what they would wear the next day, that helps too.

"Sit. Down." Each word carried the force of a sledgehammer, as Dragon made it crystal clear that despite their earlier emotional discussions throughout the day, this was business, and all business. "I received word on the crew that's coming after us. There's still five of them left. We killed their mage back at the restaurant and we almost killed their street samurai too. You think they're happy about that? Hell, they'll have an even more serious mad on for you now, and us, because it's personal now.'

Staring at him fiercely, the Latina refused to back down, despite her obedience to his wishes to stay in the car. "If that's not enough for you, if you're willing to be careless with your life and ours, consider this," he went on in that same dreadful monotone. "These people ambushed us outside a restaurant in broad daylight during lunch hour. They were using elementals and sniper rifles, and if we hadn't taken out their mage when we did, high powered magic as well. Do they strike you as the types to care about human life? You think they'd even give it a second thought before coming in here and burning this place to the ground if that's what it took to find us? Or slaughtering everyone here after we've gone in the name of 'interrogation' just to track us down?"

Sitting back in the car, her silence acknowledged Dragon's words as correct, but the pouting stillness that lingered showed she wasn't happy about it.

Keeping his eyes peeled on the street around them, one hand rested easily on the Spas, which was concealed underneath his coat. Not very subtle, but this was the Barrens. He didn't have to be subtle.

"Planning on shooting anyone with that anytime soon?" Sybersnake couldn't resist lashing out, just a little, to vent her frustration.

Absently, Dragon replied, "Is this about having to go to the bathroom that badly, or is there something else here that you're not saying? You seem to be doing a lot of that today, and honestly, I'm kind of busy trying to keep you alive. So why don't you help me out and fill in the holes for me, cause I don't have time for these games right now, ok chica?"

[Sedna]

1332 Saturday January 6th, 2063 - A Street outside the Puyallup Street Clinic

"Give me my deck and I'll fragging well try. Oh, wait, you can't do that now, can you -- because they bloody well shot it! Ah, chingalo!"

But with that last "fuck it" she subsides, and disappears back fully into the car, back, shoulders, entire posture crying out her frustration -- and even Dragon can tell that, this time, it isn't really focused on him. He can hear the sound of her hands and her head striking the headrest in front of her as he turns to contemplate events at the clinic.

[paul_HArkonen]

0342 Saturday January 6, 2063 - Paradigm Shift

"In that case I'm sorry, and you have my deapest apologies for taking you away from whatever work you have tonight. How much will the VIP room cost us, and will my compnanion still be able to see the band?"

Blaze's voice has an element of resignation in it. However, as he speaks his one hand is still intertwined with Alleycat's.

[WinterRat1]

0342 Saturday January 6, 2063 - Paradigm Shift

Rising to his feet, Atriel replies, "Normally 200 nuyen an hour, but for the sake of clearing up this unpleasantness, 150 nuyen an hour. As for the band, have no worries." Reaching into his coat, he pulls out a pair of backstage passes. "Please, take these with my compliments. Enjoy yourselves tonight, and I wish you luck in finding your cousin."

Exiting the room, the two goons fall into step behind him, leaving Blaze sighing over the hit on his credstick tonight.

It is only then he realizes that despite the fact there's only the two of them still in the room, Alleycat is still holding his hand.

[WinterRat1]

1332 Saturday January 6th, 2063 - A Street outside the Puyallup Street Clinic

Dragon turns to walk into the clinic, when it occurs to him that perhaps it is better, maybe even more important, to stay out here with Sybersnake. Not because he needs to, or has to, but maybe...because he actually wants to.

Hesitantly, not wanting to anger Sybersnake anymore, he takes a firm grip on the Spas with his left hand and extends his free hand into the open door of the car.

Holding his hand out for what seems like an eternity without a response, his face burns with embarassment. Angrily, Dragon starts to withdraw his hand and go into the clinic. This is a dumb idea. I can't believe I even bothered to try. I'm wasting my time out here. I may as well go help in the interrogation.

Before he can leave, he feels Sybersnake's hand latch onto his and hold it tightly. Closing his eyes for a second, he allows himself to appreciate, to feel the warmth of her hand against his own. Suddenly his eyes snap open and his body tenses with alertness as he feels a warm, wet liquid begin dripping down onto his hand.

Frantically looking around, he immediately thinks, Drek! Sniper! Where the frag is he hiding! How could I have been so fragging careless???

Then his enhanced hearing picks up a small sniffle, and it hits him what the liquid really is. Like a ton of bricks just fell on his head, Dragon is stunned not only by the raw emotion, but that she's actually letting him see her like this. Silently he squeezes her hand, being careful not to look into the car, preserving Sybersnake, no, Selina's pride and dignity. A gentle, tender squeeze is returned, and in the silence that follows, Dragon stands guard over the car and the woman inside, as her tears fall gently on his hand.

[Shadowrunner13]

12:32:12 Thursday 03 January 2063 - Seattle, UCAS

Checking his bag from the day before, Tenmou swapped out the SCK for the more compact Ingram Smartgun. He transferred bullets from one clip to the other, ensuring to pack a equal number of regular and gel rounds. He hoped the weapons wouldn't be required on a job that sounded straightforward, but he had been in the shadows long enough to know that nothing was straightforward.

He wanted to head out early to check out the destination before heading to pick up Miss Omura. If he knew exactly where it was, it would help him make a direct line to the building. Plus it might give him some insight as to whether he might expect some resistance from Miss Omura herself.

Tenmou locked up his apartment and walked out to the waiting cab.

"905 West Park Avenue, Tacoma, please."

[Sedna]

0342 Saturday January 6, 2063 - Paradigm Shift

"You know," she says quietly, "I've lost a bit of the mood."

Blaze doesn't nod, but he knows what she means: the one lead they had, completely dissipated.

"Listen," she says then, emphasising it with a slight squeeze of her fingers, "why don't I hit the dance floor for a bit, while you go sit at a table or something and make yourself visible? I've got to wait until they finish their set before I go backstage anyway."

And then it hits Blaze what she's really saying. Bait.

Just maybe ...

[Sedna]

1333 Saturday January 6th, 2063 - Puyallup Street Clinic

With an almost military efficiency -- Dragon would appreciate this, flashes through the shaman's mind, anything to keep him from thinking too much about what all this really means -- the two of them are stripped bare and shoved -- well, it was probably intended as a slight push, but coming from Galina -- into a small, cold, cubicle just slightly larger than a medium-sized shower. There go the rest of my clothes. "Er -- there's things I need in there!"

The reporter's not really embarrassed, more puzzled and just the barest edge of frightened. "What does she mean, 'another one'?"

"I don't know, Tiffany." Last he'd seen of the girl being wheeled away, she'd started vomiting -- vomiting blood; and blood was pouring from her eyes, ears, mouth.

"This looks like some sort of decontamination chamber," she muses as she studies the tiles and the narrow bench built into one of the walls, a professional examining and explaining her surroundings out loud for her audience. "I suppose that's a good sign."

By the time her examination's reached the intercom, Galina's voice comes out of it: "Sterilise, mojo, drug. Mist safe, breathe in, deep. Got to get it in everywhere."

At her words a soft cloud begins billowing from the ceiling vents.

[grendel]

12:55:12 Thursday 04 January 2063 - Seattle, UCAS

"Right away, mac." The cabbie accelerates away from the curb into the rain. Earlier in the day it hinted at sunshine, but that quickly faded into a misty gray afternoon. The wind is fresh and chill from the Sound, though, cutting through the midday lunch crowds as they bunch and cluster around the street shops and vendors. The trip across town is complicated by the noon traffic snarling the streets, taking at least ten minutes longer than usual. The address turns out to be located in one of the many working class slums of Tacoma, a roadway narrowed by homeless squatters and abandoned cars, littered with trash and refuse. Narrow, hungry faces peer out from shadowed doorways. The building with 905 stenciled on it in white reflective tape is otherwise unlabeled, windows dark and doorway unlit.

[paul_HArkonen]

0343 Saturday January 6, 2063 - Paradigm Shift

"Yeah, that sounds good, I think we might as well head down, the room is a little expensive for me, and unless you see a good reason to take it, we might as well pass."

Still holding Alleycat's hand Blaze stands up and the two of them head down to the floor.

A few minutes and a short elevator ride later Blaze and Alleycat step out of the Elevator and onto the dance floor. Scanning the room Blaze looks for an empty table for two.

[WinterRat1]

0345 Saturday January 6, 2063 - Paradigm Shift

Even at this late hour, the Paradigm Shift is still nearly full, and Alleycat quickly finds herself laying claim to a small square of dance floor as her own. Her moves and sensous with a tinge of the exotic, as she moves her body to the music, it is quite obvious that she is a crowd favorite to watch.

Meanwhile, Blaze finds himself a seat where he can see and be seen, scanning the dance floor for anyone who might be suspicious. Unfortunately for him, pretty much the entire crowd qualifies. Letting his gaze roam, it finally ends up settling for a bit on Alleycat, just in time to catch a glimpse of some interesting events.

Out on the dance floor, Alleycat is losing herself in the music, moving with it, letting it flow in and through her. Despite this, she's keeping a careful watch out for anything interesting, and as such, is neither surprised nor taken unawares when a tall, well-muscled, and even neatly groomed ork comes up to her and begins grinding against her from behind. Whispering into her ear, his voice nonetheless sounds clearly in her ear against the music, "Hey chica...you got some serious move. You here with anyone? Maybe you leave them, get to know me, we have a good time together, you know what I'm saying?"

Blaze can't hear the ork's words, but he thinks he's got an educated guess. A hot flash of jealousy surges through him, and he immediately thinks Who does that guy think he is, getting all up on her like that. I oughta...wait, wait...calm down man, just calm down. Ah crap. Calming...down...not...going...so...well...

The frustration of looking for his cousin, watching this skeeze hit on Alleycat, the emotional surges from their little 'act' upstairs (and was it even an act?), the wrestling with himself over what (if any) feelings he has for her...it all adds up, and pretty soon, sitting in his booth off to the side, Blaze is seeing red. And it isn't from the lights.

[Sedna]

0345 Saturday January 6, 2063 - Paradigm Shift

"Oh, yeah?" says Alianna gently, allowing her gaze to drift downwards in poorly concealed amusement. "Think highly of yourself, do you?"

The ork either ignores the hint, or else it goes right over his head: "Oh yeah, chica. You better believe I got it where it counts."

He's behind her, breathing heavily into her ear. Alianna's already searching out dance floor allies in front of her and she thinks she's found a couple: Get me away from this guy, say her shoulders and arms, he's bothering me. "Now what on earth makes you think that I could possibly find a good time with you?" she asks coolly. This time, her voice carries.

[banditf50]

1335 January 6th, 2063 - Puyallup Street Clinic

The thin cloud of mist billowing around them carries an pungent yet familiar scent. The aroma of a kitchen that has just been scrubbed down, the aroma of 'clean'. The reality of his nakedness sinking in , Virgil turns away from both Tiffany and the small observation window into the chamber. Chuckling to himself a bit to lighten is own mood . . .I have know this women for less than a day and now we're naked together in a cramped room. And Dragon thinks that I cause odd things to happen.

Raising his arms up over his head Virgil turns his face back towards Tiffany and motions for her to do the same. Breathing in the mist brings on a small fit of coughing, the lungs of a person not wanting to take on any outside fluid.
At least this mist is warm . . it could be worse.

Lowering his eyes to the ground so as not to allow an errant gaze to spend time upon
Tiffany's obviously stunning figure, Virgil attempts to de-mystify the situation for her.

"The girl we brought in is not suffering from a simple drug overdose as we thought, she has contracted some sort of disease which Galina and her co-workers have noticed in at least one other patient. It may or may not be contagious, but the limited resources of this place require that no chances be taken."

Virgil had pegged Tiffany for being quite intelligent soon after meeting her and he was glad to see that her better sense kept her from drifting into anything that could be called a paniced response.

"Just worry about wiping your body down for now. We'll be given plenty of explanation soon enough."

Shooting the shaman an awkard smile, Tiffany proceeds to scrub herself down as thoughly as possible, or whatever can be passed when adults are shoved into a chamber built for one.

[paul_HArkonen]

0346 Saturday January 6, 2063 - Paradigm Shift

Blaze manages to cool his temper slightly, the red fading slightly, but only slightly from his vision. Alleycat can take care of herself, and unless this ork decides to do something else I should sit back. As he tries to force his instinct to believe this he continues scanning the crowd, but his gaze keeps drifting back to alleycat and the ork.

[Sedna]

1340 January 6th, 2063 - Puyallup Street Clinic

Tiffany flashes him a Thank you so much for the explanation look -- "Nice to see you think I'm intelligent for an ... girl" -- then quickly covers the statement with an awkward, if professional, smile. The lighting of the chamber is absolutely pitiless to the fine canvas of lines around her mouth and the corners of her eyes. Unlike Virgil, she seems not really to be aware of her own nakedness at all -- or else she's so far elsewhere focused that it doesn't matter to her. As far as he can tell, she hasn't even checked him out. Figures. Although considering the size of that chip on her shoulder ...

The cycle of mist and rinse ends, and the door sighs open. "Negative pressure," comments the reporter as she quickly pulls on one of the threadbare clinic robes waiting for them. "I'll bet this entire area is sealed off." Her gaze quickly evaluates the place around them, catching briefly on the small monitoring camera and again on each of the bubbled-glass doors entering into this area -- not cybereyes, but just as cool and calculating. When her hand twitches, Virgil can almost see the camera she should have been holding.

They're not left to wonder long before Juliette enters through the door they'd come in, carrying a plastic milk crate filled with various items they'd been carrying ... and once again the rest of the room fades away in the presence of her eyes. It really isn't the same, even with a vidphone. The slight hissing of air pressure equalisation tugs the door closed behind her.

"Just how many cases of Ebola do you have here?" asks the reporter suddenly. She'd retrieved her glasses and the hand cam and was now staring owlishly at Juliette.

"One active," answers Juliette quietly. "We've had four, but three of them are dead. You're welcome to film her, if you'd like."

"Mind if I interview you first?" The camera had already clicked on.

Juliette smiles at the shaman, but her words are addressed to Tiffany: "Galina says I'm to help you any way I can ... but if you want film footage of the girl you brought in, you'd better hurry. I don't think she's long for this world."

The reporter stares at her, then quickly pulls on mask and gloves and leaves through the door Juliette indicates, still wearing only the clinic robe.

"She'll have to go through decon again when she leaves," says Juliette, her gaze on the shaman slightly unfocused, as always, "but we all think it's important that the story gets out. And if you can find out who's doing this ..."

"You said nothing about this three days ago!" finally bursts out the shaman. "And what about yesterday ..."

"This is since yesterday," says Juliette quietly. "First one came in just after you left. We've talked to some of the other shelters and clinics in the area, and warned the ones that didn't know yet. Some of the street kids, they've seen something that could be this around for weeks, but for whatever reason those didn't spread. So far we've been lucky ... maybe it's the weather ... but now it seems to be transmitting through body fluids. Thanks to -- we've got the ventilation and decon equipment here, and Galina's absolutely anal about isolating active cases and decon of everyone who's been exposed. Just the spell itself doesn't always seem to do it. I don't know why. I'm sorry, Virgil, but we had to burn your clothes. They're hunting through the donations for something that might fit you and her."