Living in the Shadows: IC, Jan 8th-14th Options

[grendel]

06:24:39 Wednesday 10 January 2063 - 862 Lucile Ave, Apt. 2C, Los Angeles, CFS

"Significant, in this case. Death Valley Super Max was closed two and a half years ago after a deadly riot inside killed one hundred and sixty eight of the almost five hundred inmates incarcerated there. The buildings were condemned based on the structural damage incurred during the riot and the subsequent police action to retake the prison. It's been abandoned ever since."

[Vegas]

22:35:09 Wednesday, 10 January 2063 – Outside the Klassy Kat, Second and Virginia, Downtown Seattle

“You have to admit Kat, you can’t casually toss around things like bunraku and imply the guy’s connected without bristling some hairs. Even these guys don’t need or want that kind of hassle or the kind of trouble it could bring. And of course none of us want you to have the hassle either.”

She looked up towards the front seats for some verbal backup here, but the guys were keeping rather tight-lipped.

“Look Kat, I basically tried to talk to the guy and find out what his deal was. It didn’t go well and I got a good look at just how much of a sleazy creep this guy really is. Add to that he’s got a violent streak and he might be connected? It just goes from bad to worse. There’s got to be a way to get him to lay off, but I don’t think it’s gonna come from someone like me.”

[WinterRat1]

22:40:09 Wednesday, 10 January 2063 – Outside the Klassy Kat, Second and Virginia, Downtown Seattle

Kat doesn't say anything for several long minutes after Lana speaks, instead just looking down silently into her lap. When she finally starts talking, her voice is quiet and subdued. "I know Lana. I know. You tried your best. I just...where am I going to get anyone else to help me? It's like you said this afternoon. I can't pay someone to help me with this guy. I don't have anyone I can call to deal with this, no fragging knight in shining armor to save my hoop."

Practically spitting out the last few words, she turns and stares out the window. "Thanks again for trying everyone, I'll...do what I have to do I guess. Why don't you just take me home now, or," her voice turns slightly bitter, "is there anything else you need to know from me first?"

[Mister Juan]

08:33:44 Sunday 14, January 2063 – Outside “The Bakery”, Renton, Seattle, UCAS

Whipping her head around to look over her shoulder, Ludmilla gave Lev a good long look. The thug hovered not too far away from her, clearly prepared for any more outburst from her part. The speed he had displayed last time had indeed pushed the ante a little higher.

She smirked at him, her cigarette dangling from the corner of her mouth. The day was still early, and the woman already had a lot of aggression to vent out... or maybe it was just Sascha's presence that made her feel twitchy. If she could get someone to make the first move, it would give her plenty of an excuse.

“Hey cookie, why don't you go fetch me some tea?” she said to him, turning her head back to face Sascha.

Even with her back turned to the goon, all her senses were aimed at him.

“What I want to talk about, Sascha, is money. I need 5 grand to get the gear for your little side job. I need it before Monday morning.”

She took a long pull on her cigarette, making the tip glow in a fiery red.

[grendel]

08:34:05 Sunday 14, January 2063 – Outside “The Bakery”, Renton, Seattle, UCAS

Lev didn't move from his position by the door, grunting something disrespectful under his breath in Russian. Sascha leaned back in his chair, taking a long drag from his cigarette before exhaling the stream of smoke towards the ceiling.

"Five thousand nuyen, you say? I was hoping to keep the overhead down by utilizing in-house talent, but I see that your services do not come cheaply. Very well. If it is one thing that the rotten capitalists taught us is that you have to spend money to make money."

The slim Russian mobster withdraws a credstick from his jacket pocket, checking the balance on his commlink, before flipping it across the desk to Ludi. He takes one final drag from his cigarette before crushing it out in the ashtray next to the lamp. His cold, flat gaze stares at Ludmilla.

"Don't make me regret making this investment. You, of all people, should know the numerous and painful ways we have of recouping our losses."

[bclements]

19:24:01 Thursday, 11 January 2063 –West Galer St, Downtown Seattle, UCAS

“Jacob didn’t say anything about it to me.” Freya said, continuing to walk down the street, gathering looks while Leon blew on his hands to restore circulation.

“Nothing?” Leon said, ignoring the obvious looks for a moment.

“Nothing.” Freya said, “but I did find out a few things. You know how drek gets ‘round. I think that they’re wanting you to find out some stuff, follow someone, something like that. Something that they don’t want to do.”

“Jacob’s keeping it close to him, and I don’t think many people know about this thing. You sure you don’t want me to help you out? That coat doesn’t look like its doing much good. Wind’s pretty stiff out here,” she said, smiling an infuriating smile, or so it seemed to Leon.

[bclements]

19:37:55 Wednesday, 10 January 2063 – Pasha’s, 3900 Bryn Mawr Road, S Downtown Seattle, UCAS

The bus was late, but Leo planned for it. The semi-packed metahumanity in the drone driven conveyance bounced along, leaning along with the stops and goes of the MidSouth line. A few patches of skiddy ice didn’t help, and Leo idly wondered, while looking out at the skyline on the 5, as to some of the tactics used by the UCAS as the Arcology loomed over the horizon. The hoi polloi on the bus rode the waves of the bus as it made its stops, being passed by about every car in the 5.

20:18:55 Wednesday, 10 January 2063- The Sundowner Tavern, 14640 58th Ave S. Seattle, UCAS

Leo walked into the Sundowner, radiating cold off in almost visual waves in the well-heated diner. Early in the evening, none of the late night after party crowd had made it in the place yet.

“What’ll have, hon?” a slim ork waitress with a nametag that said Cortney asked as he settled into a small open stool at the end of the counter, not having seen anyone that came close the to what he imagined Roderick would look like in the sparse patronage.

[bclements]

10:32:01 Sunday 14 January 2063 - outside The Green Papaya, 600 East Pine St, Seattle, UCAS

Ya, and I'm in here tryin' da order something for breafast. Jou wanna give ma a hand here with dis menu? Got somedin may interest you, methinks. Roscoe said.

[grendel]

10:32:21 Sunday 14 January 2063 - The Green Papaya, 600 East Pine St, Seattle, UCAS

"Hold what you've got, I'll be right there."

Vedic closed his commlink, shutting down both the call and the text window he'd used to post to Shadowland. He scanned the street once more, moving left to right, high to low. Mentally he compared the current image with the one he first generated ten minutes ago after arriving. Nothing about the changes in the scene aroused his suspicion, and he turned up the collar on his longcoat against the rain before stepping out of the car. Moving quickly, he slid through the front door of The Green Papaya, noting the table occupied by by ex-special forces mage but not heading directly towards him. Instead, he snaked his way towards the counter in back, only moving laterally to where Roscoe sat after a scan of the restaurant revealed no overt interest in his presence or movement. Vedic brushed his longcoat back as he slid into the seat opposite his contact, clearing the way to his weapons if the situation required. He didn't bother looking at the menu.

"Stay away from the tom rang me, the tamarind sauce is a bit on the extreme side. Bo kho is more likely what you're looking for."

[Vegas]

22:40:25 Wednesday, 10 January 2063 – Outside the Klassy Kat, Second and Virginia, Downtown Seattle

“Jesus Kat, I didn’t mean I was gonna throw you to the dogs or anything. I just meant I don’t have the pull or the resources to get him off your ass myself. I can’t speak for Aidan or Razor but I’m not planning on just walking away from you and saying good luck or something. I just don’t know what more I can do besides try to help you find a way out. I’m just worried about the costs to everyone involved.”

She sighed heavily and continued in a much softer tone, more for Kat’s ears alone.

“Besides, I’m sure after tonight my own hoop could eventually be on the line if I really pissed him off.”

[WinterRat1]

22:41:08 Wednesday, 10 January 2063 – Outside the Klassy Kat, Second and Virginia, Downtown Seattle

Kat shakes her head. "No, you're right Lana. The last thing I want is for him to come after you too. I know what he wants from me. I don't want him to get pissed at you, because who knows what he'll want from you then?"

Forcing a smile, she adds, "Let's just forget about it, ok? I appreciate what you guys did for me tonight, but you're right, if he's connected none of us have the jam to do anything about it anyway, so why sweat it, right? Whatever happens happens. Why don't you guys just drop me off and we'll forget about it? The guys got a good show, and I got an evening of relative safety. I'll just see what happens and deal with it as it comes along."

It's blatantly obvious that Kat is scared spitless, but she's trying to be chill and brave about the whole thing. It's equally obvious that despite their cool demeanors, Aidan and Razor feel just as guilty as Lana about the possibility of hanging Kat out to dry. At the end of the day though, the problem remains. None of them have the pull to really do anything about it, especially if doing something about it involves crossing the Mob.

"Well babe, do we take you guys home?" Aidan's voice cuts through the tension like a wire, taut and wound tightly.

[Vegas]

22:41:45 Wednesday, 10 January 2063 – Outside the Klassy Kat, Second and Virginia, Downtown Seattle

Might already be too late to not have him pissed off at me, but then again he doesn’t exactly know who I am either..

But he had to have seen her with Kat at school today, even if he was blitzed out of his mind tonight he could easily put two and two together and figure it out. Hell he could lean on Kat hard enough and she’d likely give up info if the guy played his cards right.

A chill ran up and down Lana’s spine, one that lingered for a long while afterwards.

Like it or not, she was already wrapped up in this mess. Being a friend to Kat was seriously starting to have it’s downsides when it came to her personal safety it seemed. All kinds of trid-inspired dark thoughts raced through her mind until Aidan spoke up from the front seat. She thought for a bit before answering.

“Lets head back to my place. Kat can crash there if she wants for the night.”

[WinterRat1]

22:42:13 Wednesday, 10 January 2063 – Outside the Klassy Kat, Second and Virginia, Downtown Seattle

"No thanks Lana. Just take me home Aidan," Kat interrupts.

"But..."

"It's fine Lana, don't worry about it. Seriously. I don't want to drag you into any more trouble than I already have."

"Home Aidan," she repeats with finality as she turns to the front seat to face him.

Catching Lana's eye in the rearview mirror, Aidan looks at her questioningly, unsure if this is one of those times he should ignore what Kat wants or give in to her demand.

[Vegas]

22:42:33 Wednesday, 10 January 2063 – Outside the Klassy Kat, Second and Virginia, Downtown Seattle

She shrugged. It was all she could do. She was caught between a serious rock and a hard place. On one hand she didn't want to leave her friend out to dry, but on the other she didn't want to exactly invite any more trouble to her doorstep, literally for that matter. Besides she still had to have a conversation with Niki about the creepy ThinMan from the mall earlier.

She ran her fingers through her long dark hair and leaned back against the seat which seemed to swallow up her small frame into the shadows.

"So what am I supposed to do Kat? Pretend like tonight never happened?"

[WinterRat1]

22:42:54 Wednesday, 10 January 2063 – Outside the Klassy Kat, Second and Virginia, Downtown Seattle

"I don't know Lana, I don't know! I don't know anything, ok? I've got this fragging stalker trying to turn me into a mindless sex toy, no way out that I can see, and I'm trying to avoid getting you involved, all right! I don't want this to turn out like..."

She abruptly cuts off, her escalating volume suddenly silenced as she realizes Razor and even Aidan might not know what she's talking about, but she knows Lana knew exactly what she was about to say.

Like last time with the acting gig was what Lana knew Kat had stopped herself from saying. Suddenly she realized her friend was still carrying around a lot of guilt from a very, very close call that hadn't been all too long ago.

[Cthulhu449]

20:19:13 Wednesday, 10 January 2063- The Sundowner Tavern, 14640 58th Ave S. Seattle, UCAS

"Hot tea, please," Leo said, still discreetly scanning the dining area for Roderick. The patronage didn't offer many likely candidates. In the corner was a ragged human, his jacket leaking the newspaper he had stuffed it with in an effort to stay warm. He nursed a coffee, capturing as much of its heat as possible by cradling it in two hands and almost burying his nose in the steaming beverage.

Three college girls had taken another booth as far as possible from the homeless man, oblivious to the other patrons, chattering about a recent vacation to places with fairer climes. Near them, but seated at a stool like Leo, was a Lone Star officer, a troll of all things, using the only seat in the place designed to accomodate a meta of his size. The same couldn't be said of the design of the silverware, and Leo half-smiled as the giant clumsily poked at some pancakes with toy utensils.

It was a motley assortment, but along with the ork waitress even the least empathic person could sense one similarity - they all wanted to be somewhere else.

Leo agreed with the collective emotion as he sipped his tea and tried to patiently wait for Roderick.

[Morgannah]

06:26:27 Wednesday 10 January 2063 - 862 Lucile Ave, Apt. 2C, Los Angeles, CFS

The fact that she didn't consider that particular possibility first was mildly disturbing, just another indication of how well and truly stressed she'd become. Cosmo nodded curtly and stepped closer to the trid screen, examining the stills with a more critical eye.

"Understood. I have some work for you if you're up for it, then." Naturally, she paused a second, waiting for some sort of answer in the negative. When none came she proceeded, rattling off items from the checklist that existed only in her well-ordered mind.

"First, I need an eye kept on this location for any signs of activity. This place is significant and I need to know why. Second, I have a list of licence plate numbers registered to five Rolls Royce Phaeton limousines owned by Elite Limousines. I need a list of where these cars are headed this week, when, and with which drivers. Schedules are a plus and I'll pay extra for a rush on this. Third, and this is low priority for now, I'm going to forward notes that I've taken this week .. some crazy drek but maybe you can make more sense out of some of this than I've been able to."

"Sound all right?"

[grendel]

06:26:41 Wednesday 10 January 2063 - 862 Lucile Ave, Apt. 2C, Los Angeles, CFS

"I hate to break it to you, sweetheart, but it isn't like I've got twenty four hour access to mil-spec satellite recon. But don't despair! I've got one or two tricks up my sleeve that I think will cover what you need. For the rest, twenty four hours. Rush billing is double my usual exorbitant rates."

HardBitten's digital static icon grins wolfishly.

[Vegas]

22:43:01 Wednesday, 10 January 2063 – Outside the Klassy Kat, Second and Virginia, Downtown Seattle

Lana winced slightly as she expected Kat to keep talking about their very ugly close call that she had never told Aidan anything about for fear he'd go off and do something macho and in that right, stupid. When her friend stopped herself she shot Kat a thankful glance and nodded all too clear about where she was going with her words.

"Kat, we'll find an answer. Maybe not tonight but there has to be a way to get this creep off your back that doesn't involve you sacrificing your life to him. I'll help you find it, Ok? Just tonight especially I want to make sure you're safe so quit arguing and just come crash at my place already?"

[Morgannah]

06:27:09 Wednesday 10 January 2063 - 862 Lucile Ave, Apt. 2C, Los Angeles, CFS

Cosmo slipped one arm out of the flexible kevlar suit and shrugged lightly.

"I wouldn't ask if I didn't think you could handle it, sweetheart. Why do you think I keep coming back to you?" The smallest trace of a smile quirked across her lips as she pulled the other arm free and turned her back to the screen, pulling at the confining gray fabric until it hung more comfortably around her waist. Long fingers threaded through her hair until the mass was secured into a single high ponytail. The blonde runner chuckled without humor.

Spend a day in this dump? I'll go insane....

"Twenty four hours. Stay chill, HB."

[WinterRat1]

22:44:12 Wednesday, 10 January 2063 – Outside the Klassy Kat, Second and Virginia, Downtown Seattle

Sighing heavily, Kat leans back in her seat and answers in a tired voice, "OK Lana, ok. You win. I'll stay at your place tonight. Aidan, you mind swinging by my place so I can grab some stuff before going to Lana's?"

"Sure Kat, null perspiration." Looking at Lana in the rearview mirror, he asks, "Hey babe, you want me to stay with you ladies tonight at your place? You know, just in case?"

[Konsaki]

19:27:52 Thursday, 11 January 2063 – West Galer St, Downtown Seattle, UCAS
Leon Mordred

The taller of the two siblings just let out a slight snort through his nose and shoved his gloved hands back into his jacket pockets. “I’m good…”, was all he replied with as he silently cursed the cold again. He thought about the gloves he had on and how they weren’t doing a damn thing about keeping his hands warm, but he could only shake his head as he remembered that they weren’t designed for warmth but for something else entirely.
“When do you think this place is going to warm up? I’m tired of all this damn cold weather.”, Leon asked with a air of annoyance clear in his voice as he looked down to his left. He only saw his sister give a slight shrug and a toss of her head as a gust of wind blew over them both and flipped her hair around. “I’m guessing it shouldn’t last much longer, maybe a few days… but I’m not sure. I know it sucks for you, with your bike and all, but it doesn’t bother me much.”, she reiterated with a slight smile and an indication of her lack of warm clothing.
“Come on… now you’re just showing off. Yeah, not everyone has the ‘beck and call of the universe’ at their fingertips, but you don’t have to rub it in.”, the brown haired man voiced while waving his harms out to indicate something great and huge. “Sheesh… maybe they can teach you some humility in that mage school thing.”, he continued as he rolled his eyes before looking down at the grinning young woman.
“Aww… Your sooo cute when you’re annoyed and preachy!”, Freya mocked her elder brother while reaching up to scratch behind one of his cat ears. He hated to admit to himself that it did actually feel good, but had no hesitation in batting his sister’s hand away and rolling his eyes again. From that point on, the banter between the two devolved into something akin to what happened at the McHuge's.

19:35:32 Thursday, 11 January 2063 – Tooth and Nail, West Galer St, Downtown Seattle, UCAS


The conversation cut to a halt as the pair were forced to weave their way though a massive blob of people waiting around on the sidewalk. Leon was halfway used to this, as the changeling sometimes decided to use the subway instead of ride when the rain was too heavy in his mind. He didn’t even have to look at the building to know it was the right club, as the patrons outside sort of gave it away.
Changelings of every race, shape and color were interspersed with normal people as they waited for entry. Leon did glance at the bouncers at the door to see who were working tonight. The vision that greeted him was slightly entertaining no matter how many times he saw it and it made him feel a little guilty since he knew both of them were good people.
At the door a stand had been set up, which a man stood behind, his large horns sticking up like a stag’s. The problem was the fact that the man had to use a large stool to stand on just to look over, fore the man was a dwarf. The woman standing beside him was quite the opposite, with the troll woman a bright shade of blue skin and hornless, which was quite odd for the race.
“Jack and Marie tonight, huh? Not a bad pair really.”, Leon mumbled to himself as he thought about the pair. Talking to them both in the break lounge during the slight break they could pull every once in a while, he found out they were part time lovers, but it had been getting deeper for them both recently. It’s an odd combinations, but he could only shrug it off cause it was an odd situation.

Still, with only that glance, he and his sister made their way through and away from the crowd, moving towards the edge of the giant club and the alleyway that ran alongside it. “You have a way in other than that mob or you just taking a pretty girl into a dark alley alone?”, he heard Freya whisper up at him with amusement. “I’m going to try the worker’s entrance and save us some time and trouble.”, Leon replied with a low voice as they moved into the alley.
The alley was pretty clear of trash and bums, with only a couple of chip heads leaning against the walls in pure bliss, so they pair had little trouble walking down until they got to a door which was pretty non-descript bar the ‘Staff Entrance’ sign and a small sliding window. Looking around for a second, the long haired changeling reached out and knocked loudly on the door before saying, “Yo! It’s Leon. Open up.”

[Vegas]

22:44:18 Wednesday, 10 January 2063 – Outside the Klassy Kat, Second and Virginia, Downtown Seattle

Lana nodded in satisfaction to Kat's relenting to stay at her place. At least she could feel better about knowing what was up with her for a few more hours. When Aidan offered to stay over she smirked slightly. The only times Aidan had ever actually spent the night were the ones he snuck over in the middle of the night and up the fire escape through her window and out again before her sister ever found out.

"You're more than welcome to chill out babe, you too Razor if you've got nowhere else to be. Course the second Niki pitches a fit I have to toss you both out of your butts." She smiled softly, trying to lighten the dark mood in the car in any way possible.

[WinterRat1]

22:44:43 Wednesday, 10 January 2063 – Outside the Klassy Kat, Second and Virginia, Downtown Seattle

Shaking his head, Aidan makes a face. “Ugh, I forgot about your sister for a second there. No way I want her pissed at me for staying over at your place.”

“Isn’t she just a suit? What’s so scary her?” Razor glances at his fellow ganger curiously.

“She is definitely not just a suit buddy. You meet her and you’ll see what I mean. She’s just got this thing, you know? Like, you do not want her to get pissed off at you kinda thing. It’s hard to describe, but trust me when I say you do not want to get on this chick’s bad side.”

Lana stifled a small smile at Aidan’s description of Niki. Her sister didn’t actually dislike Aidan, but it was never a bad thing to have your man walking on eggshells around your family once in a while. Kind of kept him in line, and it was cute to watch.

“All right then Mr. Tough Guy,” Lana giggled, “take us to Kat’s and then back to my house. You can even drop us in front so you don’t have to meet my big bad sister.”

The girls looked at each other and giggled, the tension in the car gone, at least for the moment.

23:21:11 Wednesday, 10 January 2063 – Metropolitan Park Apartments, 601 S. Washington St., Seattle

After grabbing Kat’s stuff from her apartment, the four of them drove back to Lana’s place. As they turned onto Washington Street however, Aidan slowly cruised to a stop as they approached a police barricade sealing off one end of the street. Looking down the street, they saw there was an identical barricade sealing off the other end of the street, cordoning off the area.

Within the cordon were several fire trucks, a few ambulances, and numerous Lone Star Cruisers. People were milling around in their pajamas as officers swarmed the scene, getting witness reports and trying to keep people at a distance from one of the buildings. Though it was hard to make out, thick clouds of dark smoke billowed out into the night sky from one of the buildings up ahead as firefighters worked on putting out the remnants of what must have been a roaring fire. Paramedics helped people with blankets, quick checkups, and ever present cups of soykaf.

As they stared at the chaotic scene, trying to make sense of it all, Kat suddenly leaned over and shook Lana’s shoulder, pointing with her other hand. “Look Lana!, isn’t that…isn’t that…your apartment…” her voice trailed off.

With growing trepidation and a steadily increasing feeling of horror, Lana followed Kat’s pointing to note that the smoke was indeed coming from her apartment building. And not just anywhere on the apartment building. Somehow she knew even before her mind began numbingly and automatically counting off the floors. The fire had been on the 13th floor, and although she hoped against hope that it was just a coincidence, that nothing had happened to her apartment she shared with Nikol, her mind raced back to the conversation with ThinMan earlier today and wondered if this could really be just a coincidence…

[DireRadiant]

11:52:33 Thursday, 11 January 2063 - Outside the ABC Convenience Store #2071, 6350 Woodridge Road, Renton, Seattle UCAS

Laughing uncontrollably for a few moments at the woman's reaction, Litany took her lunch and skipped outside.

Lord knows I'm a Bad Girl...

Chewing on the sandwich while leaning on her scooter seat she scanned the street. This was a place where she'd gotten a minor hit, not much, but it was something to pay attention too instead of sitting around waiting. Given the exit and path the targets had taken she was going to take the risk and narrow the fly spy coverage and have it focus on the path taken by the people exiting the shop. She'd lose some overall coverage, but she really needed to get some better visuals to help identify the targets. With a nod to herself she sent the commands.

The whole situation was beginning to wear on her. Feelings reminiscent of her hunting days with the family men in the tall wet grass churned inside. Back then the boys would always be counseling her to wait for the best shot, let the ducks get flushed first and hit them when they were clear of cover, but not yet up to a speed that was hard to hit. They'd been indulgent about her shooting at the ducks through the reeds on sight, the bullets served to flush them out as much as the dogs would. And she'd been smart enough not to shoot when the dogs got close. The boys did start getting annoyed when she'd gotten good enough that the number of times her shooting wouldn't flush anything, because it was already dead. They'd eventually asked her nicely not to go hunting with them.

Waiting for a good clear shot was all well and good while hunting ducks you could flush, but a brain wiped Red Samurai assault team was an entirely different matter. They weren't going to be flushed by anything, and they tended to shoot back. Better to take your shot when you could.