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

[grendel]

16:08:18 Tuesday 09 January 2063 - Northbound Hwy 9, Redmond, Seattle

Kovacs smiles. "It's always best to begin at the beginning."

Silence once again descends between them, only this time it is more relaxed, more companionable than before. It didn't make Mac any less conscious of the debt she owed, but knowing his position on it somehow eased the burden of her worries a bit. For all the coldness to his persona, she felt a connection that she trusted. Call it instinct, call it intuition, whatever it was, it told her that Kovacs wasn't lying to her, hadn't lied to her in fact from the beginning. So she relaxed into the seat as best she could, watching the traffic pass by, trying to plan her way through the next few days.

16:29:52 Tuesday 09 January 2063 - R41035 Route 17E, Snohomish, Seattle

The Land Rover's heavy diesel growled as it pushed through the snow still piled in the drive leading up to the ramshackle ranch style house. Evergreen trees crowded close in, fencing off the drive and the building from the surrounding plots. Mac could make out another roof behind it, though, a barn style structure mostly obscured by the front building and the trees. Kovacs pulled up in front and killed the engine. He did not, however, make a move to get out of the car, simply folding his hands in his lap and waiting. Mac glanced around and then at him in question.

"Baendyrmal is eccentric. It wouldn't do for us to immediately knock on his door. He wouldn't answer. You have to give him a little bit of time to get used to the fact that he has visitors and prepare himself to meet with us."

He paused. "Oh, and whatever you do, no jokes about dwarven armorers, ok? He's a little sensitive to the stereotype."

Mac shrugged. After everything else that had happened today, commenting on someone's chosen profession in a derogatory manner was the furthest thing from her mind.

After five minutes or so, Kovacs nodded and they stepped out of the SUV, crunching through the twelve centimeters or so of snow to reach the front door. A deep, resonant chime sounded as Kovacs pulled a deer antler attached to a chain that disappeared through a runner into the eave. Footsteps stamped towards them from inside, and after a series of heavy deadbolts retract, the door swings open. A blast of warm air rolls over them, smelling of charcoal, sweat, and hot metal. Standing in the middle of the doorway is a thickset dwarf, his bald head beaded with sweat. He sports a thick beard of wiry black hair, though, and his eyes are a piercing blue.

"Kovacs," he greeted, his voice a bass rumble.

"Baendyrmal," replied Kovacs. "This is Mac. She's going to be working with me and needs some kit."

"She's too young," grunted the dwarf, his eyes raking over Mac. She returned the appraisal, although with slightly less blatant hostility.

"She needs kit, Baen, and you make the best blades in the metroplex. Now, move and let me see your stock before I have to bring up Vladivostok." Kovacs tensed without any visible change in posture, but Mac could feel the iron in his tone. Baendyrmal opened his mouth to snarl something back, thought about it, then turned and stepped back from the door, grumbling.

"Every time it's the same with you, always milking that one night for all its worth." He stomped down the hallway.

"I wouldn't have to if you weren't such a damn cantankerous old fart," replied Kovacs following the dwarf and motioning Mac to come in and close the door behind her. She shook her head, making sure the heavy panel shut completely before trailing after the sound of bickering coming from the large front room. She had to stop at the end of the hall and stare, though. The large front room of the house had been turned into a display room, with multiple shelves, cases, and hangars on the wall. From every one hung an edged weapon of some kind. Swords of all styles and lengths, axes, daggers, knives, and ones she didn't even have names for glittered in the bright illumination of overhead spotlights.

[Vegas]

16:31:01 Tuesday 09 January 2063 - R41035 Route 17E, Snohomish, Seattle

Mac could see the quality of Baendyrmal's work without even laying a finger on it though her fingers longed to wrap themselves around the hilt of one of his daggers. Her eyes roamed over the cases with the appreciation  one would have looking at the paintings of the Masters in a museum. 

Something inside her knew the balance would be perfect and with the right blade, it could positively sing in her hands. She spoke up, cutting through the witty bickering between the two men. She decided to turn on the charm instead of bristling at the comment on her age, at least this time the words she spoke would be sincere.

"I might be young Baendyrmal, but your work is truly beautiful, like fine art."

Her eyes lingered of a particular blade before she turned to face them both.

[grendel]

16:33:19 Tuesday 09 January 2063 - R41035 Route 17E, Snohomish, Seattle

Both Kovacs and Baendyrmal turn to look at Mac, although neither one speaks. After a moment the dwarf clears his throat, glancing back at the taller samurai.

"Fine. She can pick what she wants. But she's still too young!" He stomps out of the room, although Mac can hear him down the hall, muttering and cursing. Kovacs watches him go, then shakes his head, turning to join her where she stands next to the blade that caught her eye.

"I should come visit more often. I forget how he gets when he's out here by himself. Anyway, pick a straight blade that you like and that fits you. We'll get you a couple of commercial blades as well, a Cougar fineblade and one of the Benchmade survival knives."

[Vegas]

16:37:25 Tuesday 09 January 2063 - R41035 Route 17E, Snohomish, Seattle

Mac couldn’t help but smile at the irony as the cantankerous dwarf threw his temper tantrum down the hall. Something about Baendyrmal that she could identify with, and even with his gruff demeanor, she already kind of liked the guy.

“You should get up here more Kovacs, sounds like the two of you have history.” She chided softly, not missing the concern he was showing for his colleague.

Her eyes moved over the collection in front of her one more time, making sure a hidden gem hadn’t escaped her first pass as she moved between a couple of the cases. She came full circle back to the original that had caught her attention.

“That one.” She pointed, “Providing the weight’s right.”

[grendel]

16:39:34 Tuesday 09 January 2063 - R41035 Route 17E, Snohomish, Seattle

Kovacs lifts the knife from the shelf, examining the blade carefully as well as the handle. He flips it in his hands a couple of times, testing the grip, before passing it to Mac, hilt first.

"Good choice," he remarks.

"Of course it's a good choice," snaps Baendyrmal from the doorway, "I made it, didn't I?"

He seems somewhat mollified by the way Mac handles the knife, clearly familiar with having a blade in her hand. He rummages through a cabinet in the corner before coming out with a black nylon sheath, which he offers to her.

"The blade is D2 tool steel, hard but flexible. The handles are micarta, they'll grip when wet but they won't tear your hand up. Practice with it barehanded, the micarta will wear to your grip. Kiss it with oil after every use, every day if you're in a maritime environment. It comes with a lifetime warranty. If it breaks on you, bring it back. I'll fix it or replace it."

Mac glances from the dwarf back to Kovacs, just in time to see him place a certified credstick in the place where the knife rested. He puts his fingers to his lips, though, and tilts his head towards Baendyrmal. Mac nods.

[Mach_Ten]

10:15:14 Tuesday, 09 January 2063 - The Emporium, 8047 Fall City Road, Redmond, Seattle

"I's gunna be two secs!" Remy announces almost immediately on walking up to the front door.
His eye has tracked a wandering electronics merchant about twenty paces ahead in the crowd, his wares hanging from every available inch of the purpose built one-man-stand rig that he part carries and part wears.

"Hold on 'dere sonny!" A gravelly voice from about a metre above his head is suddenly accompanied by an interposng hand the size of a small car "you paid da toll?" The voice asks brusquely but not in a completely unfriendly manner.

Remy is transfixed by the giant figure before him, but more perplexed at how a being so large, took him so completely by surprise.
He stands still, mouth wide in a stare contemplating his next action, Not knowing if the fellows question was a play on an old nursery rhymes like the ones he heard as a child in Saint Sylvanus, where evil trolls lurked below bridges and ate unsusecting passersby if they refused to 'pay the toll'. Or, if he was merely indicating that Remy should 'pay the Troll' for entry into the emporium,
"pay the troll?" He finally asks, glancing around for the attendant behind the glass-steel grill to the right of the entry way.
"No! Dummy, pay the TOLL! You needs ta pay ta get in . Swaps days is ten nuyen chummer, or can't yous read?"
The arm that was holding Remy back swings upwards nearly incapacitating several customers who all step back and route themselves past the giant, the momentum of his swing rests pointing up at a large overhead sign that true to his word requests ten nuyen for entry.
"Oooh, the toll, goddit .. Yeah ummm my uncle over dere' he gots da cash, i'm just tryins ta catch that guy over dere!"
Remy points at the merchant and attempts to follow as he is rapidly swallowed by the mass of bodies that heave and swell in the cavernous place, wincing slightly as he realises he has possibly missed his chance he tries to hurry past the bouncer,

The thirty or so people in the vicinity make a remarkable show of indifference to the thunderous echo of a giant fist impacting the stone floor, Remy is almost knocked senseless by the shockwave and the action of the giant slamming the floor commandeers his full attention.
"Nuyen, or teefs! Your choice chummer!" Remy concedes defeat at this point, not wanting to even think about how that impact would affect a meta human skull, returning to the small queue to pay his toll.

Once done, he impatiently scans the crowd, hopeful of spotting the guy he needs but unsuccesful, he steps forward to move on toward the stalls but once more an anormous hand blocks his path.
"Ticket please"
...
"But you just sin me buyin da ticket" Remy pleads exasperated.
"Ticket please" the giant repeats robotically
"But, i just paid da toll over dere, and.... Fine, here, ticket!" Remy resigns himself to failure, handing over the stub.
"Fanks you, has a nice day at da imporium!" The giant beams at him, Remy bites down on a sarcastic reply and wanders off into the hall to buy parts for his toy.
Taking little time to scan the stalls for other interesting devices and stopping once for a fresh real meat, hot sammich with gravy.

[Vegas]

16:39:34 Tuesday 09 January 2063 - R41035 Route 17E, Snohomish, Seattle

Mac couldn’t help but grin when Baendyrmal boasted about his work in what appeared to be his standard crotchety way. When she took the blade carefully from Kovacs hands she was pleased to feel it’s weight in her own. It’s balance felt on point and just very right in her hands. A knife was much more her comfort zone compared to other weapons. She listened attentively to Baendyrmal’s instructions for taking care of the blade and nodded sagely.

“I promise I will take great care of her, Baendyrmal , it’s a truly beautiful blade. Thank you.”

She smiled at Kovacs’ subtlety of the payment as she carefully slipped the blade into the sheath, almost sad to have to put it away. She tilted her head and raised an eyebrow at Kovacs in a silent question of “what’s next?”

[DeliciousD]

10:25:10 Tuesday, 09 January 2063 - The Emporium, 8047 Fall City Road, Redmond, Seattle

Joslyn hefts a box from the back of Danny's van and glances around the carpark to see if he spots a Nomad SUV. He walks alongside the older man as Remy rushes off to look at parts.

"Your lad's got energy, I'll give him that." he remarks, shifting his load to hand the Troll twenty nuyen.

"He can be a handful." Danny agrees with a smile then nods towards an empty spot against the far wall "Over there'll do."

They wandered over to an empty table and dropped the boxes, Danny started unpacking the odds and ends that wouldn't move in the Pawn shop.

"You know, I've been in this city forever and I've never been to one of these," Joslyn commented, he eyed the cooling unit, still in it's box "I might have a look around."

Joslyn set off into the swap meet, wandering about the stalls and eyeing the wares, not looking for anything inparticular but keeping an eye out for any of the people Remy mentioned the day before then made his way back to Danny's stall.

"You need a hand with anything Danny? I'm afraid all this electronics stuff is a bit over my head."

[grendel]

16:42:18 Tuesday 09 January 2063 - R41035 Route 17E, Snohomish, Seattle

Kovacs nodded his head towards the door.

"Thanks, Baen. I'll be in touch."

Mac followed his lead, heading down the hall.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever. You Paras always were a sentimental bunch." Baendyrmal hunched his shoulders, stomping back into the kitchen.

Kovacs gestured Mac out before him, then closed the door behind them. He took a deep breath, staring out into the gray, sunless sky. Then he shook his head before climbing into SUV.

"Let's go get your bike."

[Vegas]

16:48:41 Tuesday 09 January 2063 - R41035 Route 17E, Snohomish, Seattle

Mac couldn’t help but quirk a brow at the exchanges between Kovacs and Baendyrmal. There was a story beneath the surface, but she had already learned it wasn’t the best idea to press her new benefactor much beyond a look, so that’s what she gave him.

Truthfully, she was ecstatic about getting her bike back, no matter what she ended up owing the valet gremlins. But curiosity got the better of her and they had a bit of a drive before they’d get to Shatter.

“So… Baendyrmal and Locus. How exactly does one in your line of work come across such assets?”

[grendel]

16:51:29 Tuesday 09 January 2063 - Southbound I5, Snohomish, Seattle

Kovacs shrugged. "You find them along the way. You have a sense for people in the profession. The way they talk, the way they walk, how they handle themselves. So you see someone that trips your radar at the gun range, or a gym, or an auction. So you watch, and after a couple of times, start a casual conversation. Or they're someone you work with. You meet at the fixer's place, or with the Johnson, and if they're competent, if they handle their business, then you stay in touch. You save their life, they save yours. You share good times and bad. They're the closest things to friends that you have. The closest thing to family."

His voice has gone soft and distant as his mind supplies the memories, scenes of mayhem and destruction playing out over the course of two decades spent plying the shadows of the urban jungle. He shakes his head softly, his lips curling in a rueful smile.

[Vegas]

17:25:17 Tuesday 09 January 2063 - Southbound I5, Outside Downtown, Seattle

Mac nodded along with his answer, realizing it wasn’t far off from her own line of work, just more lethal she supposed. The girls, and the good agency owners looked out for one another. Linda had been proof of that. They were her family and the reality was she’d probably go to the ends of the earth for one of them if she had to.

“Got it.”

She fell quiet in what seemed to be their comfortable routine as they drove South, a riot of thoughts and questions in her head and yet she found herself at a loss for words to articulate any of them. She was more tired and sore than she could remember in a long time and some part of her dreamed of a luxury hotel suite with a giant bubble bath just for her. A smile pulled at the corners of her mouth as she lost herself in her daydream.

It wasn’t until they hit the outskirts of the city itself did she come back from her reverie. Mac glanced over at Kovacs his attention focused on the roads and environment around them. Always alert, always ready. Something she was going to have to start focusing on herself.

“Sorry, I guess I took a bit of a mental vacation there. Do you have any plans after I get my bike? Do we?”

Mac wasn’t sure if their time spent together today would end the moment she picked up her bike, or if Kovacs still had more plans for her that evening. Either way, she was not looking forward to riding in the cold.

[grendel]

10:37:04 Tuesday, 09 January 2063 - The Emporium, 8047 Fall City Road, Redmond, Seattle

"Naw, I got it," replies Danny, clearly an old hand at handling the hustle and flow of The Emporium's swap meet. Josslyn nods, content to loiter around and scan the crowd for either familiar faces or familiar archetypes. After ten minutes or so, Remy swings back by the table.

"Haven't seen 'em at all," he mutters, his voice full of frustration.

"Me either," replies Josslyn. He's picked out perhaps half a dozen or so similar operators, but none which strike him as being in the same vein as the four individuals from the pawn shop the day before.

"I's asked a coupla' sellers dat I know runs electronics, they say they've been hearing the same thing. People are asking about liquid cooling units and grabbin' 'em up when they find 'em."

"I wonder if we're missing something they could be used for other than cooling electronics," mused Josslyn. "Maybe we need to find a motive for the purchases."

[grendel]

17:39:08 Tuesday 09 January 2063 - outside Shatter, 2815 Juneau St, Downtown, Seattle

Kovacs merely smiled, used to drives of solitary silence. He checked the list of tasks to accomplish against their timeline.

"Why don't you take the rest of the night off? We got a lot accomplished today. Meet me at my place tomorrow morning at oh eight hundred and we can start then. Wear your gym clothes and something warm, I prefer to run outside."

The Land Rover exits the interstate, moving onto the surface streets of downtown and within minutes, finding a place to idle at the curb across from Shatter. Mac can see the twin valets huddled next to their portable heater, breath steaming in the chill air as they handle the incoming dinner traffic.

[Mach_Ten]

10:37:04 Tuesday, 09 January 2063 - The Emporium, 8047 Fall City Road, Redmond, Seattle

"I wonder if we're missing something they could be used for other than cooling electronics," mused Josslyn. "Maybe we need to find a motive for the purchases."

Remy looks at the kit on the table before him with the question ringing in his ears.
"I dunno Joslyn, i means gimme five mins an I can strip it and re-assemble dis fing, but dere's a million fings it could be used for, we needs ta find your chummers buyin' more stuff an see if dere's more parts to the puzzle?"

[Vegas]

17:43:08 Tuesday 09 January 2063 - outside Shatter, 2815 Juneau St, Downtown, Seattle

Mac zipped up her borrowed coat, preparing herself for the assault of the cold that was to come as she nodded.

“Sure, I’ll be there. Might be a popsicle, but I’ll be there. On time or even early, I promise.”

She hesitated getting out of the Rover for so many reasons, the least of all the cold outside. She inwardly rolled her eyes at herself before smiling softly at Kovacs. Everything and yet nothing had changed in the last three days, she was just going to have to accept it and deal like she had all her life.

“Guess it’s time to pay the piper. Thanks again for everything you did to help me find my bike.”

She reached for the door and dashed out across the street, through the traffic that was building and made a beeline to where JoJo and Marcel were huddled. At first the Valets barely paid attention to her as she approached, writing her off as another piece of street trash looking for warmth. It wasn’t until she spoke up that they paid attention to the sultry voice wrapped in borrowed clothing.

“So word is on the street that I owe you boys big time for protecting my ride for a few days.”

Her eyes moved between both guys before glancing back across the street to where Kovacs had been parked.

[DeliciousD]

10:50:04 Tuesday, 09 January 2063 - The Emporium, 8047 Fall City Road, Redmond, Seattle

"It might be easier to have them come to us." Joslyn mused "If you'll excuse me."

What needs cooling? Electronics, Chemicals, Drugs?

Joslyn set off into the crowd again, at the first stall he comes to with larger goods, he chats with the seller.

"Hoi chummer," he says with a smile "I'm looking for a liquid cooling system for a project I'm working on, you got any?"

The rotund dwarf behind the stall shook his head

"I wish I did," he answers "I've heard a few guys asking around...I've not had any in stock for years." Joslyn sighs

"That's what I keep hearing," he told the Dwarf "I found some, guy called Danny has a bunch but he's not selling cheap."

"Danny? From down Newport Way?" the Dwarf asks

"Yeah, that's the guy," Joslyn answers "He says he just got a big shipment in...you know anyone else who might have some?"

"Afraid I can't help you there chummer." the Dwarf says apologetically "You not interested in anything else? What's this project you're working on?"

"Antique computer for the museum," Joslyn answers offhand "It's got everything but the cooling unit." the Dwarf laughs

"Why'd anyone want that? Does it even have Simsense?"

"Nah, it's barely got a screen, can't speak for the why, I'm just figuring the how." Joslyn tells him "Well thanks for your time anyway, I'd best check around."

He continues to make his way around the meet, giving the same story to a dozen sellers, always making sure they know Danny's got a shipment of cooling units in. If anyone happens to actually have one, he'll haggle for it and see if he can get it for a decent price then take it back to Danny's stall.

[grendel]

17:45:19 Tuesday 09 January 2063 - outside Shatter, 2815 Juneau St, Downtown, Seattle

"Oh, hey Josie!" Marcel smiled widely, a mix of relief and concern in his eyes. And not a small amount of lust, either. JoJo was more direct.

"Hell yeah, Josie! If it weren't for my boy and I, your bike would be buried under a mound of snow in the parking lot. So how's about a little personal thank you, maybe just the three of us get a drink sometime." He leered at her, his easy smile speaking volumes as to where he thought that drink would lead.

Mac laughed easily, popping her gum and throwing her arms around both of the young men. She planted a kiss first on JoJo's cheek, despite his attempt to turn his lips to hers, and then onto Marcel's lips, delighting in the heavy blush on his cheeks.

"You boys are the best! I promise a drink for both of you soon, but I can't stay tonight. Early morning tomorrow!" She slides them cred, surprised to find more on her credstick than she remembered. She shot another look at the Range Rover which still idled, curbside, as Kovacs waited to make sure she had no problems getting her bike back. Marcel offered up the keys, and with a heady sense of freedom, Mac kicks her leg over the saddle of the bike, thumbing the starter and silently cheering as the engine purred to life.

[grendel]

11:08:31 Tuesday, 09 January 2063 - The Emporium, 8047 Fall City Road, Redmond, Seattle

Remy is pacing restlessly by Danny's table by the time Josslyn returns, empty handed, from his expedition.

"I think our expedishun's a bust," he comments, then his stomach growls audibly. "And I think it's been too long since breakfast."

Josslyn nods, although he would be willing to wait a bit longer to see if the seeds of rumor bore any fruit. Regardless, the people here knew that the unit could be found at Danny's shop and could pass that information on as well. Silently he nods and begins to help the other two pack up.

They're just about to finish when a young boy accompanied by an couple approach. Remy turns towards the man, expecting the inquiry to come from him, but both he and Josslyn are surprised when the child speaks first. The boy is perhaps twelve years old, dressed in an unmarked khaki jumpsuit. Behind the sunglasses he wears, Josslyn can tell that his eyes are entirely white, without any indication of an iris whatsoever.

"I understand that you're selling a liquid cooling unit for home electronics. May I see it's condition?"

[Vegas]

18:52:31 Tuesday 09 January 2063 - 2356 E. Valley St., Apartment 423, Downtown, Seattle

She had watched Kovacs pull away as soon as she had sent him a nod and the engine of her bike roared to life. She had managed to do some damage on her credstick balance between a cool ¥350 to the valets for protecting her bike, Marcel pocketing the extra ¥50 for not being a creep, and stopping for some essentials at the store on the way home.

She had barely made it inside her apartment before the overwhelming fatigue took over. The past three days were starting to catch up with her. She quickly threw together something for dinner, triple checked the locks on the door and settled down on the couch to watch her cobbled together Trideo. The last thing she could remember was hitting power on the remote.


06:21:19 Wednesday 10 January 2063 - 2356 E. Valley St., Apartment 423, Downtown, Seattle

Mac woke up from a deep sleep, her dishes from last nights dinner still on the table and the Trid screen flickering in the early morning darkness. She let out an audible groan as she moved, everything was tight and sore from sleeping on the couch instead of her bed. She stretched everything out as much as possible while she glanced at the time.

“Frag me.” She whispered to her empty apartment.

Knowing she didn’t want to be late, she grabbed a quick shower to try to unknot some more muscles and grabbed a quick breakfast. Tossing a few miscellaneous extras into a backpack she quickly threw her hair back in a ponytail and layered warmer clothes over her gym gear in order not to freeze on the ride to Kovacs’ place.


07:53:01 Wednesday 10 January, 2063 - 35010 Von Schilling Way, Renton, Seattle

The ride to Kovacs’ house was cold, but uneventful. Mac pulled into his driveway just before eight and with her backpack over her shoulder, she bounded up the stairs to his front door before ringing the bell. She was pretty certain he had already known she was there many minutes before.

[DeliciousD]

11:10:31 Tuesday, 09 January 2063 - The Emporium, 8047 Fall City Road, Redmond, Seattle

Joslyn looks at Remy and Danny in turn before clearing his throat and slowly putting down what he had been packing away, he smiles at the young boy.

"I'm sorry lad," he says "We've sold all the ones we brought, there may be a couple back at the shop though...is that right Danny?"

Danny looks up in surprise

"Yeah, maybe one or two." he sputters out before quickly returning to packing up his inventory.

"We were just heading back there," Joslyn continues "If you came by in an hour or so, I'm sure we could have one ready. Is there anything else you might need for...what is it you're building?" he smiles, a look of innocent curiosity on his face.

[grendel]

08:17:11 Wednesday 10 January, 2063 - 35010 Von Schilling Way, Renton, Seattle

Kovacs answers the door dressed in the same, or similar, running gear she saw him in on Monday.

"C'mon in. You can stash your stuff in the studio." He leads her back to the workout room, gesturing to a corner that's been cleared. He leads her through a series of dynamic warm-ups designed to get the blood flowing and muscles stretched out. Mac has no trouble keeping up stamina wise, but she still feels twinges from her run in with Platt Saturday night.

The sweat on her skin is welcome, though, as her body awakes to the memory of her days taking Krav Maga classes. She watches Kovacs move through a practiced routine, his movements smooth and economical, without a hint of wasted motion or energy. After twenty minutes, they finish up with some static stretching before he's satisfied.

"All right, we're going to start with an easy two mile jog since I don't know your fitness level. If no one's talked to you about running dynamics before, the big thing to remember is to stay relaxed. Keep your shoulders and your arms relaxed. Swing your arms straight back and forth, try not to cross them over your body as that is inefficient. Try and let your feet land flat on the ground, then roll forward to push off the balls of your feet. Move your legs, not your torso, try and keep your shoulders level. Ready?"

Mac nodded, feeling less sure about this part of the workout than the rest. Together they headed out the front door, breath pluming in the chill morning air as they jogged down the street.

[grendel]

11:14:23 Tuesday, 09 January 2063 - The Emporium, 8047 Fall City Road, Redmond, Seattle

"What is the address of your shop?" asks the child.

"15710 SE Newport Way, Bellvue," replies Danny. "Danny's Pawn and Loan, you can't miss it."

The child cocks his head as if listening to faint, far off music. A minute passes by. Josslyn, Danny and Remy all trade looks. The man and the woman behind the child appear bored, glancing aimlessly around, although Josslyn thinks that's mostly an act to conceal the careful surveillance they place on their surroundings.

"Ah, yes," says the child at length. "One hour." Turning, he disappears into the crowd, trailed by the two humans.

"Did that strike anyone else as weird?" asks Remy.

[Vegas]

08:38:42 Wednesday 10 January, 2063 - 35010 Von Schilling Way, Renton, Seattle

Mac was hardly out of shape, but the fact that she was forcing herself to try to alter her run according to Kovacs’ direction was causing her lungs to catch fire halfway through their distance. Every pounding step of her feet against the pavement jarred both bones and bruises. She did however do her best to keep pace with Kovacs as they wound through the neighborhood.

Inwardly Mac cursed, she never gravitated to the treadmill during her workouts and the scenery of the neighborhood did nothing to change her overall dislike of running.

By the time they had looped back to the driveway of the house, Mac's chest was heaving and the deep inhales of cold air only encouraged her need to cough. She unzipped her jacket halfway, enjoying the rush of cool air over the bare, sweaty skin beneath. She bent at the waist, her hands on her hips and did her best to get her breathing under control as quickly as possible. She shot Kovacs a friendly look of distain before she worked herself upright again and tried to smile.

“So what do you have planned next to kill me today?”

[Mach_Ten]

11:14:23 Tuesday, 09 January 2063 - The Emporium, 8047 Fall City Road, Redmond, Seattle

"Did that strike anyone else as weird?" asks Remy, looking at them then returning his view to the child as he vanishes, the crowd parting like biblical oceans before clashing together again in a sea of haggling bodies.

"Gives me an idea likes tho, Hey Danny, froms now on you follows me everywhere and be's my body guard while I's zombies out and talks ta peoples all weird like!"
Danny gives him a quizical look with one raised eyebrow that says pretty much all he needs for Remy to get the hint.

"Where'd you get the impression that that ain't what I already do? follow you round while ya ask dumb questions, shut up and pack the truck kid, I'm getting coffees!"
with that he bustles off to the Kaf-vendor and pretzel shop.

"Hey Joslyn, what the frag was your chummer into? on the scale of weird drek happenin' dis jus' hit eleventy two!"