IC : STARDUST, In-Character thread for Stardust Options

[FrostyNSO]

Act I : Children of the Grave

The rain fell hard upon the night-black Seattle streets, the Emerald City's many lights dancing a convoluted waltze on it's glossy surface. Each raindrop changed the flicker of lights forever as it ended it's long journey from the cloudy heights above and came to rest on the midnight street.

Somewhere, a child was losing it's innocence. Another, fists bloodied for the first time, stared at the Seattle skyline. Another, was learning not to trust anyone. Still another was walking the path of ruin, revelling in the temporal delights of drugs and alcohol.

These children, those who were of the world. The children who had forgotten how to love, how to feel and how to grow up.

Jack

[ Spoiler ]

Your wristphone, set to vibrate, suddenly comes to life in the middle of the night. You glance at the built-in digital clock on it's surface. 2 a.m. Nobody calls this line unless it's business. You answer and are greeted by Nathan's familiar voice.
"Heyz Jacky D, I didn't wakes you up didz I? I got a little somethin'z for you tonight. A friend of a friend called me up lookzin for someonez to do a jobz for him. I told him you wuz daman for the job. I meanz, hey, I owed you one. Anywayz, he wants to meet tomorrowz, 8 p.m. sharp at...letz me check...Matchstickz. He sayz you'll meet him and other peoplez there...probablyz your coworkerz." Nathan pauses, as if trying to remember something. "Oh, and hiz name is Randy. Randy Stone. He sayz he'll be there waitin'...So howz you been doin'?"

Ludi

[ Spoiler ]

It's late. Rather, it's early. Really early. You feel a soft vibration from your wrist, followed by a quiet beeping. Flipping up the small digital screen, you are greeted by Varya's youthful face.
"Hey Ludi, i hope you weren't sleeping." She punctuates her sentence with a alcohol-aided giggle. "You won't believe who I met at Matchsticks. His name's Rick, and he manages models. He said he might have me come by to put together a portfolio, isn't that great?" Varya tries to stop for a reaction but instead launches into her next staement. "He also told me he was looking for some local talent for a job, so I naturally thought of you. If you're interested, he said to be there at 8 tomorrow night." Varya raises an eyebrow and looks sideways at you. "You weren't sleeping at this hour were you?"

"Dirty" Ernie

[ Spoiler ]

Your telecom sounds out from the depths of your crummy apartment. Finding your way by the only the dim light of the trid at 2 in the morning, you pick up the phone.
"Hey Dirty. I think I've got something for you." Your fixer begins. "I don't want to hear about your life right now. Be at Matchsticks in the evening, at 8 tomorrow. You're meeting a Mr. Stone for a job opportunity. Did you get all that?"

Hank

[ Spoiler ]

A shrill beeping wakes you from a pleasant dream as you lay comfortably in your bed. You first grab your Beretta, it's dark frame glistening through the dim light that snuck it's way in between the blinds in your immaculate bedroom. You then realize the shrill beep came from your wristphone, it's wristband curled uselessly around itself on the nightstand. Picking up the stray unit, you glance at the display before picking up. 2 a.m.
"Hey Hank, it's me, Craig." Craig Winster, your decker buddy comes alive on the wristphone. "Somebody contacted me and said they wanted you. I told them I wasn't giving out your number to some swank, so he told me to pass something on to you. A guy name Rick Stone is looking for a contractor, if you catch my drift. 8 tomorrow night at Matchsticks. Appearantly, you won't be the only one." Craig laughs out loud, "Should I tell the swank to forget it?"

[Qillin]

It's 2AM in DOwntown on 3rd ST.

Jack: I've been doing real good Nathan how about you? I haven't seen you in over a month i was thinkin you had got yourself killed of somethan. Thx for the heads up on the job, it's been alittle slow lately and i could use the work. We need to meet up and get a drink together maybe after this job's done.
( Jack gently slaps his hand on his wrist and the phone turns off. He flips up his coat collar and hunches over alittle more as the rain starts coming down alittle harder. The wind blows him slightly and he staggers into the gutter, maybe he did drink to much tonight. He continues his way home.)


perseption

[ Spoiler ]

10 05 02 01

[HobbeGoblin]

2 AM in a small dirty apartment in the slums of Intercity Everret

Dirty Ernie replies."Yeah Tommy I got it, and thanks chummer." Ernie sets the handset to the old Telecom on the cluttered kitchen countertop and walks to the ancient refrigerator. The handle long ago broken off has been replaced with a pair of vice grips wedged into the hole the handle was bolted into, there it holds onto a thin piece of metal in its teeth. Ernie opens it and the light sparks to life dimly and then flickers on and off. Ernie shifts through the take out boxes and occassionally sniffs the contents of one. Finally settleing on the box of Mu-sho pork that was at least a week old and a carton of soy-milk. Moving to the old couch he places the carton of milk and chinese food on the scuffed up coffee table in front of him. Before he can settle in and eat there's a light knock at his door. Ernie takes the large revolver from under a seat cushion and tucks it into his leather pants. Ernie walks silently to the door and peers through the peep hole in his door. Lucy Rocker the local working girl stood on the other side of the door darting glances down both sides of the hallway.

Ernie opens the door for her and noticing her wet hair asks." Raining outside?" Lucy looks down at the floor and replies softly."No, work" She used to shower here at Ernies when she worked the streets. The Bunraku parlor that employs her as a meat puppet provided that little convience for their employees. The Bunraku parlor also made sure she didnt remember her time with her clients which was also a convience.Lucy walks straight to the couch and removes her long coat placing it on the top of the couch. Ernie can see some bruises on her thigh and upper arms. Lucy tries to cover them by moving clothing around as Ernie steps closer to her." Bad one tonight?" she replies." It's alright, i dont remember it at all." Ernie begins lifting up her clothes as he says." Lets see how bad." Lucy is covered in bruises. Her neck has strangle marks, a rod or whip has been applied to her back, chest, butt and.....something was brutally forced into her. Lucy places both hands on Ernies face gentlely and whispers." I dont remember anything, ok...?" Her hands are cool on Ernies face.

Ernie stretches his hands over her, and moving them over her bruises he begins to weave the magical energy into healing properties. The bruising wont completely leave right away but the pain is gone and the bruising is lightening up. Lucy sits on the couch naked and pulls a cigarette from a pack in her long coat.Lighting it she says." I want to trance out tonight." Ernie smiles and brings out a shoebox from under the couch and fishs behind the couch for the old bamboo pipe. Lucy breaks apart a cigarette onto the coffee table as Ernie gets a cup of water from the dish filled sink. Ernie mixes the powdered Bliss with a small part of water till it's gummy, then mixes the tobaccoo into it, forming a greasy blackish ball. As Ernie places the Bliss on the pipe, Lucy slaps some yen on the coffee table and says." I'll be paying cash instead of...favors tonight." Ernie isnt much concerned, to him it wasnt payment just something that happened. Ernie hands her the pipe and lights it for her as she draws from it deeply. Lucy quickly straddles Ernie on the couch, her eyes already turning glassy from the bliss. Lucy leans down her red wet hair falls into Ernies face as she kisses him and blows the Bliss laden smoke into his mouth and lungs. Ernie breaks from her kiss long enough to exhale and gasp out." I thought you werent paying in favors." " I'm not paying, i want to."

[Mister Juan]

Somewhere in a crummy apartment in Renton.

For a few seconds, Ludmila simply stared blankly at Varya's face, unsure where to start. Even through the small screen, she could smell the alcohol.

Another quick glance toward the clock. Da... she was probably already smashed beyond salvage. Ludi's eyes felt like they were burning, and she knew it wasn't from being groggy.

"Dobri dien Varya... Have no worries, I was not asleep. Thank you for you concern."

Ludmila hated the way her voice sounded in english. She always seemed to accentuate her O's, and overly "roll" her R's. No matter how much she spoke english, her thick slavic accent would not get out of the way. Varya had been born in America, and probably had never been taught russian at all.

"I would not want to break your dreams, but you should be careful about this "Rick"... You do remember what happened last time someone tried that pick up attempt on you... or me for that matter, da?"

Ludmila permitted herself a sigh. She wasn't particularly sleepy, or even annoyed that her friend called her. It was mainly that Varya always reminded her of her earlier days: when she had no worries in the world, and spent her time club hopping around Seattle. But fate, it seemed, had the habit of bitting you in the ass at the prime of you time. She wanted nothing more than to dress up a bit, and go join her friend... but the lines would be endless... and it was raining outside... and she deeply needed to rest... and it probably wouldn't be that fun...

Ludi was trying to convince herself not go. She ran a quick hand through her hair before continuing.

"Well, I am glad you are having fun Varya... Maybe I will join you this weekend. I believe Zina is closing shop for that time, which should give you some free time. Would you happen to catch Rick's last name? Thank you for the information concerning the job. I will be there."

When the conversation was over, she wished her friend a good and safe night, and flip the screen down, closing phone unit. Ludmila looked at the clock, again. Barely a few minutes had passed. She had been sitting, for almost 2 hours, on her beaten up brown couch, the one that was sitting on the far wall of the small living room, agaisn't the window. She had brought her knees up to her chin, resting her head on them. The window was slightly ajar, letting a soothing cold wind inside. She closed her eyes for a few minutes, hearing nothing but the rain hitting the roof, the window, the pavement. She missed the snow in Volgograd. It always snowed. Here.... it always rained. She finally decided to get a move on and got up in the dark apartment. The cheap carpeted floor felt like sand paper under her barefoot, and she had to make a few steps before remembering the close the window.

"Last thing Lana needs is a cold..."

She quickly found the big woolen cover she was looking for. Slowly, she crept in Lana's room, covering her with an extra blanket. Kissing her softly on her forehead, she watched her sleep. She was so beautiful, so calm...

Grabbing both her guns, she made sure each had a full clip in, and took one extra for each. She then through a dark green hoody on, and her used russian army jacket. Stuffer shack was always open: she could definitely find enough things to make pancakes for tomorrow's breakfast. She'd also take the opportunity to grab a pack of flavored cigarettes, and make a few telecom calls from a public booth.

[Mister Juan]

Ludi only had to walk for a mere few minutes before getting to her local Stuffer Shack. Those mere few minutes, however short, had been quite enough to get her drentched wet. She stepped at the door, quickly scoping out the inside through the windows, making sure the coast was clear. Old habits die hard...

perception

[ Spoiler ]

9 9 4 2 1 and -1 to perception target because of edge

She could feel the rain seeping through the hood of her sweater, making the synthwool even heavier than it already was. When she finally crossed into dry land, she only gave a quick nod to the night shift attendee before making her way to the "cookin" isle.

"Flour........ Sugar........ Butter....."

She stopped dead in her track... She wasn't sure if they were out of milk or not... maybe they were. Ludmila draged her wet combat boots, squeaking on the floor, to the refigirated area. Out of habit, she went and grabbed a carton of milk, but froze when she saw the chocolate milk next to it. Lana loved chocolate milk...

"... It's almost 3 more UCAS dollar..."

Ludmila already felt guilty for leaving her daughter alone, with her aunt, for the night. And she knew that because of tomorrow, she wouldn't be there for supper. So, she reached in and took two more cartons of chocolate milk. Browsing around, her mind kept drifting back to Varya's call. The nuyens were running really short, and she still needed to get Lana in a good school, as well as pay the rent. Ludi had tried, or at least that's what she always told herself, to lead her life in a correct and honest fashion: but cutting hair, doing nails, bagging groceries and waiting tables was just not as good as running the city's shadows. Eggs! She had almost forgot to grab some eggs!

After paying for all her items, and a fresh pack of cigarettes, she ran across the street to a public telecom unit. Her first call was to Swarna, a decker and fellow rock enthusiast she knew from her clubbing years, and the second to Mikhail. Knowing it was late, she decided to simply leave them voice messages. The whole time, Ludi kept looking around to make sure no one was close enough to hear her.

perception

[ Spoiler ]

10 3 2 2 1

"Hello Swarna, it is Ludmila. I am calling you because I need your talents. I need you to get me the general layout of the Matchsticks. I was also wondering if you could get a quick look on the net to see if any one regularly deals out of there. Johnsons and such. Maybe an individual who goes by the name of Rick."

She was about to hang up when she remembered something.

"Oh... could you please look for someone of that name, Rick, that would be working for fashion or modelling agencies, or corporation, or maybe he is independent in the fashion field. Thank you very much. Call me, if you need anything. We should go out sometime, see a concert. By the way, I need all those before tomorrow, 6 pm. Thank you Swarna. I talk to you later"

etiquette/street

[ Spoiler ]

11 5 4 3 2

That was one call done. The second one went a lot more smoothly, mostly due to the fact that Ludmila was speaking in her native language.

"Hey Mikhail. I hope I'm not disturbing you or anything of the kind. I was calling simply to see how you were doing. I know your wife doesn't really like it when we talk, so that's why I decided to simply voice mail you this. Anyways, I was wondering if anyone had come around asking questions about me recently. Since you're the one who knows me the best around town... I know it sounds a bit silly, but I'm just curious, and cautious, I guess. Well; you can call me back anytime you get this message. And.... I would like to know if you're free on friday. Dinner? By the way, Lana really loved that stuffed sasquatsh you got her. Thanks again for that. Call me! Bye bye!"

etiquette/street

[ Spoiler ]

5 3 2 2 1

On that note, Ludmila walked home at a hurried pace, shielding her groceries from the rain as much as she could.

[Qillin]

It's 2:42AM in Downtown on 19th ST. out at Jacks building

Jack finally makes it to his building and out of the rain. He is drenched, more so then any time that can come to his memory. As he opens the double glass doors he notices the rent a fat ass, they call security around here isn't sitting at his small desk.

perception

[ Spoiler ]

10 09 05 03

Jack walks up to the small desk. Before he get to it he can already see Joey passed out, head in his hands. Jack moves to the elevator while taking off his coat. He is getting water every where. If Joey woke up at the sound of the elevator doors closing ding he might think( with the amount of water on the floor) that a group of 3-5 just came through.
Jack almost falls over as the elevator rushes up to his condo on the 19th floor. Jack steps off and makes his way down the hall to his door, opens it and falls onto the sofa, with a big thud and cracking sound from the wooden frame of the sofa. Jacks out.

[HankWS]

Hank replies. "Na thats ok you can tell the swank 8pm tomorrow sounds fine." He says this as he gets up cautiously looking around.

perception

[ Spoiler ]

05 04 04 04 01

Hank being a person who never wastes a chance at making sure his home is free of intruders. Continuing his conversation. "But don't give him my number I'll let the swank know my number after meeting him." Hank proceeds to check the rest of the house, only to find he is just to paranoid for his own good. He already knew that though. While finishing up his inspection he ends his conversation with Craig. "Oh yea thx for the info heres 100 :nuyen: for the trouble of calling me this early let me know if you wanna hit a club later. Night man." Hank hangs up the phone and gets back to getting some zzzz.

[HobbeGoblin]

1:30PM Dirty Ernies small apartment

Ernie wakes to the sun shinning on his face. A sound unfamiliar to the apartment is coming from the direction of the small kitchen. Ernie squints from the sunlight as he looks over. Lucy in only her halter top is washing dishes. The sun is shining on her fair skin and redhair as she works. Ernie begins to notice how young she looks in the light of day with no make up on. She told him once she was 16 but, that was almost a year ago...he thinks. Ernie sits up admiring her delicate frame and wonders where her panties went to, not that he minded seeing her half naked.

Ernie stands and stumbles a bit, Bliss then sleep has an altering effect on the equilibrium. Ernie stretches his arms out to help wake himself, then rubs his hands on his scruffy, close clipped hair. Ernie had long hair up to almost 3 weeks ago when he ran into a small case of head lice. Lucy sprung for the medicated shampoo to rid them, but it was easier to just have his head shaved than bath twice aday for a week Ernie figured.

Ernie walks towards Lucy in the kitchen who turns as he approaches.Smiling she says." Good morning...afternoon." Ernie gently grasps her by her shoulder an turns her around, checking to see how much healing had been done. Lucy giggles as she says." What to play doctor do we?" "Just checking my handy work is all." Ernie replies. "Well if my check up is done, then how about my prescription?" Lucy says with pouty lips over her shoulder. "You'll have to fly solo, I have somewhere to be tonight." Ernie says as he examines a particularly nasty spot he healed last night. Lucy turns and faces Ernie" I have the night off, I hoped to spend it with you." "Biz is Biz" Ernie cooly tells her. Lucy's temper flares in her eyes for a moment then passes." When do you have to go?" "Have to be downtown by 8" Ernie replies. Lucy sheepishly asks Ernie" Do you want company today or should I beat feet?"

"We could go shopping along the 'Ave' since you have to be downtown anyways?" Lucy asks. Ernie thinks that maybe alittle "normal" activity might be fun and she has such a wonderful smile."Sure." "I've already showered today so, i'll be ready by the time youre done." she says excitedly. Ernie walks down the short hall into the bathroom, and brushes his teeth. Fumbling in the cluttered medicine cabinet Ernie finds his deodorant/ cleaner spray. Ernie sprays himself down including a short spray into his pants. "Done." He shouts out the bathroom door, then walks into his living room as Lucy is using a compact mirror to check her hair that's in a pony tail." I'm going to have to go in there and scrub you myself arent I ?" she jokingly asks. "Yeah, probly." is all Ernie replies.

[FrostyNSO]

Jack

[ Spoiler ]

You awaken suddenly to a knock on your door. Opening your eyes, you squint from the flood of light coming through your livingroom window. Beyond the balcony you see the glittering Seattle skyline and the famous Space Needle. It must be morning, or maybe late afternoon. A quick glance at your wrist shows 1 o'clock. You have a splitting headache, probably from last night. You remember Nathan calling you about a job, 8 o'clock tonight at Matchsticks. the knocker raps lightly on your door once more.

Ludi

[ Spoiler ]

The next day, Swarna returns your call. "Hey Ludi, I made a quick lookup for you on Matchsticks. I couldn't find a floorplan, so I apolagize. I have been there once, though. I remember it being smoky, a lot of tables, secluded booths, and with some back rooms I never had access to." Swarna sighs deeply. "Your friend Rick I did find something about, but not much." Swarna pauses, "I don't know if this is the same man, but there is a Rick Stone who is an executive for a company called West Coast Modeling, or at least he was an executive two years ago when one of the girls under his care was found face down in Puget Sound. The girl's name was Anne Keller, or at least that was her modeling name. The agency claimed she was 19, but from the article it's believed she was younger. She was SINless so there was no investigation, just a paragraph clip on the back page of the metro section of the Seattle Tribune." The decker waits for a reaction, then continues. "I couldn't find anything more so I apolagize. This may not even be the same man...I don't have a lot of free time today, but if there's anything I can help you find, I might be able to call in sick for work if you understand me."

As Swarna poses his question, you notice a small digital envelope in the corner of the tiny screen indicates you have recieved a text message sometime during the night. Not bothering to interupt Swarna, you open the message and the translucent text displays over Swarna's face. It was Mikhail:
Thank you for your discretion. None have come with inquiries about you. Tell Lana that Miki said hello, and tell her to practice her russian.
-Mikhail

Hank

[ Spoiler ]

"Thanks bud." Craig says gratefully. "Catchya later."

You get back to sleep without difficulty. As you sleep, you have a pleasant dream, playing darts with your father on a board brought in by an old irishman. You laugh when your father misses the board completely and the dart falls to the ground. He hefts you up with his strong arms and holds you above his head. The pawn shop looks gigantic to you. An enormous clutter of adventures waiting to happen for a small youth.
You awake to your alarm clock at 8:30 a.m. You smell the bitter-smooth aroma of the coffee machine as it brews a fresh batch of soykaf. The dream and memories of your father still fresh in your mind, you throw on a bathrobe and pour yourself a steaming mug. Pulling the blinds up, you see your backyard. The grass needs watering. Opening the window to let in fresh air, you're met by the crisp feel of the cold air after a fresh rain. It's a beautiful day, but unfortunately, you can't spend it in liesure. There's work to be done.

Ernie

[ Spoiler ]

You spend a day shopping with Lucy. Her poor-girl background doesn't stay her natural tendency to try on every piece of clothing in the mall! You sit down for lunch at the food court at around 3 o'clock, a shared plate of Thai, Lucy's choice, sitting on the table between you. A young girl approaches you cautiously. As she gets closer, she stumbles on her words. In her hands, she clutches a bouquet of gerber daisies of every color imaginable.
"M-m-mister...do you want to buy a flower for your friend? They're 1 nuyen."

[Mister Juan]

As she red over Mikhail's message, Ludi couldn't help it but smile. Who would have ever thought that a russian mobster could have such a big heart. Swarna's voice finally drew her back to reality.

"Thank you very much Swarna! That is more than I was expecting you to find out. Again, you prove that you are... how to say... on top of your game. We should try to get togheter some time later. I promise I will keep you posted if I need some... closer support. Of course, you will not have to help me simply out of goodwill. Alright, I have to go Swarna. Nice talking to you. Bye"

Ludmila sank back in the sofa she had spent the night on. Since the apartment was holding 3 people, her, Lana and her aunt, and it had only two bedrooms, Ludmila always slept on the couch. It was supposed to be one of those foldable couch/bed, but the matress probably dated from before the awakening... if not earlier. She lifted her eyes, from the quick notes she had scribbled down in cyrillic, to glance at Lana. She was currently enrolled at the local public elementary school... which wasn't especially highly regarded. But Lana was just like her mom: SINless. Something that made it really hard for her to get into one of the better schools. As always, the 7 year old came home, from 12:30 to 13:30 to eat her lunch. The school was only a few blocks away.

"Lana! Don't sit so close to the trid while you eat... It's bad for your eyes!"

The little girl took a sheepish look and slid herself back a bit. It was around 1 pm... and the meeting was at 8. Like any good runner, Ludi would be sure to get at the club for 7. Which means, she'd have to leave at around 6:20 some... That gave her 4 hours to help her aunt around the beauty parlor. When Lana was done with her lunch, she walked her to school and then was off to work.

[Qillin]

1pm in Jacks Condo on the 19th floorin Downtown

Jack sit's up and wipes the puke from his with onto his sleeve. He hears the persistant knocking again and stands up. Making his way to the door he takes off his shirt and tosses it on his coat thats next to the door. Puting his hand on his Colt which is holster on his back, he slids the 2" by 2" peep whole open with his left hand and looks who's been raping at his door.

perseption

[ Spoiler ]

17 10 05 02

[HankWS]

Hank takes another quick glance outside and decides its time to start his day. He heads to the door takes a cautious look through the peep hole. Then Hank quickly undoes his 5 locks steps slightly outside grabs his paper and heads inside.

Then Hank goes back to the kitchen and filles his coffee mug up whilst singing to him self "I like coffee, I like tea, Java Java Java Java Just for me." He does this to please the coffee gods, For if the song is not done his coffee and his day are sure to go poorly to say the least. Sitting at his table he drinks his delicious java and looks over the paper.

After a good 30minutes Hank finishes the paper. "Time to clean and repair my weapons" he thinks to himself. So just like he does every day he pulls out his tool kits and checks every nook and crany of his firearms for defects then cleans them up. Once finished he cleans himself up, gets on his long coat and vest, arms him self with to chest holstered pistols, one ankle holstered and finaly 2 knives sheathed in his coat.

Hank decides its time to go heads out side takes a good look around.

Perception

[ Spoiler ]

10 05 04 03 02

On his way out he was going to water his lawn when he remembered it rained last night hitting himself in the noggin. He heads out to get a look at this matchstick place.

[FrostyNSO]

Jack

[ Spoiler ]

You peer through the peepdoor and see nothing but the drab wall accross the hall. Perplexed, you squint your eyes and look around. Below the peepdoor stands a lone girl scout, an oversized rucksack strapped to her back.
After having already knocked twice, and not noticing you looking through the peepdoor, the girl jauntily skips off to the next door down the hall.

Hank

[ Spoiler ]

You get in your van and drive to Matchsticks, using the autonav to give you directions as you go. The place looks old, but not run down. A deactivated neon sign tops the double doors that mark the entrance to the place and a well-dressed elf is placing bollards and ropes that you guess would mark the line. Obviously, they are just opening up. The busy downtown streets are packed with suits and drones, most of which are probably heading back to work after lunch. You realize that cleaning weapons takes more out of your day that you realize, but you do enjoy it so. The lot next to Matchsticks is mostly empty and has an un-manned valet booth at the driveway.

Ludi

[ Spoiler ]

You spend the day helping out at your aunt's beauty parlor. All day you see these poor women, so obsessed with how the trid tells them to look, come in and spend away their lives to obtain something that is in essence unattainable through makeup and pretty hair, self esteem. Some make good conversation, still. Your clients run the gamut, from the lower-middle class housewife coming as a treat to herself, to the wealthy daddy's girl who is just looking to kill and afternoon when she ought to be in school.
You diligently do your job, and are quite good at it, if you must say so yourself. Luckily, you don't have to, the :nuyen: 98 you made in tips does that just fine. Eventually however, 6 o'clock rolls around.

[HankWS]

Hank Figures now is the perfect time to do some recon being that the place is just opening. So he he takes a quick look around before he gets out his ride.

Perception

[ Spoiler ]

07 05 04 04 03

The Hank proceeds to get out of his car walks cross the street and heads over to the matchstick. He knows he's getting in hes just not sure how. So he walks up to the elven bouncer. Hank asks "So what kind of crowds you get up in this joint? Do you get many shady characters coming through? Bout how many people come through this joint a night? Oh and one more thing whats might chances of getting in right now?" Hank says this as he slips the bounce 200 :nuyen: .

Etiquette

[ Spoiler ]

11 03 03 02 02

[Qillin]

1:05pm in Jack's condo Downtown.

Jack slids the peep door shut and picks up his cloths. He puts them in the washer/dryer as he going to take a shower.

1:52pm in Jack's condo Downtown.

As jack steps out of his shower he sees his phone watch vibrate off the counter. The phone answers it self as it hits the floor and Jack and hear. Nathans voice.
Nathan say's:Jacky D youz awake yet...
Jack leans over and picks it up saying: Yeah Nathen whats happanin, is that thing still going down tonight?
Nathan: Yeahz i was just a a callin to see if you remembered last nights call.
Jack: yeah vaguely, tell me whats about this guy what was his name?
waits for rely
Jack: How did you meet him, and can i trust him? and whats this jobs he has? give me the goods, well whatever you know.

[FrostyNSO]

Hank

[ Spoiler ]

The bouncer laughs out loud. "You're a smooth one huh? You can't just come up here and start grilling the staff." He says in a jovial voice. "You gotta play it smooth, cat. I'll take your money, 'cause I'm cool too, but c'mon sly, you gotta be more easy-going in the future." He slaps you on the shoulder, "Go on in, but watch yourself in the evenings. A lot of our customers don't take kindly to interrogators."
With the bouncer's blessing, you head into the empty club and quickly realize that you're the first one in the door. Round tables stand as a silent audience to a slightly raised stage in the center of the back wall, complete with staff working to set up a well-weathered drum set. On the far left is a long bar with scarlet leather barstols every few feet or so. A lone bartender in stylish dress wipes down the bar with a floursack cloth. Calmly, he reaches with his cybered arm for a pack of cigarettes and lights one up as he tosses the cloth over his shoulder, oblivious or at least appearantly oblivious to your appearance. To the right is an emergency exit, it's lit sign flickering softly and in bad need of replacement. The right wall is lined with secluded booths, including one to the near right corner. In the far right corner is a sturdy-looking oaken door varnished to a slick appearance, leading somewhere.

Jack

[ Spoiler ]

Nathan smiles goofily, showing all of his jagged troll teeth. "I knowed you wuz a little hammered lazt night. The guyz name wuz Ricky and no I don't knowz if you canz trust him. Duzn't youz remember what kinda jobz we're in?" Nathan's tone becomes more serious, though his voice remains flat. "Lookz, I never metted the guy. Allz I knowz iz that I gotz a call lookin for someonez to do a job. You don't ask too many queztions in this biz, ezpecially if youz not interezted. So I callz you to tell you where to go, so you getz to be the lucky onez."
You try to get a little more information from Nathan but realize he is in fact telling you all he knows.
"Heyz, I gotta get to the store for beerz. Talkz to ya later, Jacky D."
unable to work any more information from Nathan, you dig through your own memories for anything you might've heard about Matchsticks, the meeting place. Though you hadn't been there many times, you do remember it always seemed to be smoky, was a bit stylish, but old-fashioned. It sortof looked like an old jazz club. One part you made a point of remembering was that it was a definate shadowrunner haunt. The kind of place people go when they're looking for business.

[HobbeGoblin]

4:15 PM Capitol Hill market square

Ernie smiles at the young girl and pulls out a 20 yen bill."I'll take them all" Ernie says as he hands her the money. Lucy hugs Ernies arm and whispers."That was sweet of you." "I just want you thinking about me later tonight." Ernie replies slyly. Lucy smiles as she stands and grabs the flowers in one hand and Ernies hand in her other. Leading him by the hand they run into a coffee house. Once inside Lucy leads them both to the back. Lucy peeks into the womens bathroom and convinced no one is there pushes Ernie inside. Lucy backs herself towards the sink while holding Ernies hands. They find themselves clinched together in moments Lucys legs wrapped around Ernies waist.Lucy places both hands on Ernies face saying." Look me in the eyes, Please it's important you look at me." Ernie does as she wishes, never taking his eyes off of her.

By the time Lucy is washing herself in the sink, the anxious customers waiting outside the door begin knocking. Holding Ernies hand yet again, Lucy unlocks the door, throws it open, and runs out leading Ernie, laughing all the while. Running out into the square they dont stop until a block away. They spend the next 2 hours walking around looking at shops through the windows. Ernie checks the time. It's 6:30 pm and Ernie needs to be going." I need to go now" Ernie says to her. Lucy smiles softly."I know." "You have the fare? or you need some yen?" Ernie asks. Lucy
smiles widely "I'm a big girl." Ernie watches her walk down the street, Rat whispers...much like us.

[Qillin]

2:01PM in Jacks condo Downtown

Jack tells Nathan: Thx for the tip about the job again. Lates.
And Jack presses his thumb on the face of the watch hanging up.
Jacks dry's off and thinks to himself that a beer does sound good right about now and walks naked to his kitchen to get one. Drinkin one while he gets his cloths out of the drying and puts on the same exact thing he was wearing yesterday, well it's almost always the same thing.
Finishing the beer off he grabs his 2 colts and tucks them into his belt on his back, he grabs an extra clip for both and put them in his front baggy jeans pocked. He grabs his coat on his way out the door.
putting his coat on in the elevator to conceal his firearms better so that Bob the day lobby security guard doesn't stop him on his way out the door. Bob took his job alittle more seriously then joey the night guard. He didn't let anymore other then the tenants into the building without ringing the person they are coming to see and making sure it's alright. Thou bob wasn't a vary well build fellow and wasn't aloud to carry a firearm, it just had a night stick not even a stunbaton just a regular night stick. So jack was never that worried about him.
The elevator doors open to the lobby and jack walks out nodding to Bob and takes a quick look around.

perception

[ Spoiler ]

05 03 02 02

Moving out the doors into the street jacks starts walking to I Slop for some lunch. and then to match sticks on foot.

Jack knows the waitriss Betty by name and always sitts at the last seat at the end of the counter. As Bettie sees Jack walk in he yells at teh cook to make up Jacky D's Useal.

3:10 in I Slop, Downtown
Jack thx Bettie for the food and pays up with 15yen tip. and starts his way to matchsticks, Jack treis to think of the fastest way, and cuts through from allys and side streets to get half way across town.

[HankWS]

Hank walks up to the bar and orders a sam adams and tips the bar tender 10 :nuyen: .

Alchol resist

[ Spoiler ]

15 13 11 07 05 02

While sitting at the bar he takes a good look around.

Perception

[ Spoiler ]

04 04 03 01 01

About 15 minutes after he finishes his first beer he proceeds to the nice oak door in the corner, as if he was going to the bathroom.

Possible outcomes
If know one stops Hank he'll proceed in side and look around.

perception

[ Spoiler ]

11 05 05 03 02

He does this in a matter as though he were still looking for a bathroom till he gets removed. At which point he politly says he's sorryand asks for directions to the restroom.

etiquette

[ Spoiler ]

07 05 03 01 01

If Hank isn't able to get in because the doors locked he looks around for the real restrooms and if unable to find them he will ask the bartender.
If the his path is blocked by a person he will politly say he's sorry and asks for directions to the restroom.
End of possible outcomes

After that Hank will proceed to the restrooms and use it. Then he'll head up to the bar to have a drink an hour. He'll tip the bar tender 5 :nuyen: every 2 hours. He will continue to look around and chat with ppl till its time to meet this rick character. At which point he will ask the bartender for directions.

[HobbeGoblin]

6:45 PM Alley across from Matchsticks

Ernie watches the bouncer from across the street in the alley. Ernie slinks back into the shadows of the alley. Ernie concentrates, closing his eyes and centering his life mana with the flow of mana around him. Ernie whispers the words of power, the concealing forces of nature.

[ Spoiler ]

Improved Invisibility5. Sorcery 9,4,3,3,2,1 Drain 5,5,3,3,3,2 Pool for drain 4,4,3

Ernie steps from the shadows of the alley, a shadow himself in the minds and survellence equipment of those around him.

[Qillin]

6:25pm DownTown on the street.

Jack's getting tired from the walking he thinks to himself, shouldn't I be there already, I must have taken a wrong turn somewhere.
Jack stop into a corner market and buys himself a supergiantslaming icy cola, to cool him self down, and comments to the clerk, "it's quite a hot and humid day out there"
Jack leaves the market and sick and tired of walking he hails a cab.

[FrostyNSO]

Hank

[ Spoiler ]

After tipping back a Sam Adams for a bit, you remove yourself from the barstool and make your way over to the oak door in the back. The place is still empty, aside from the bartender and a few guys setting up the stage for the band which doesn't seem to have arrived yet.
You approach the door and open it outwards. Inside you see a small hallway with two doors on the left and two on the right, with an exit at the end. The doors on the right have placards that read "men" and "women" respectively. As the large oak door shuts behind you, you take a look into the doors on the left. The rooms are richly furnished, each featuring a long meeting table and a projection system that projects directly onto the table's surface. One of the end seats has a suite of controls built into the table which you recognize as some sort of counter-surveilance suite. The doors to the rooms feature a sophisticated maglock system, controllable from the buttons at the head seat of the table.
Making a note of all you've seen, you proceed to the bathroom and take a leak in order to "keep up appearances".
After you're done, you head back out to the bar and slam back a beer every hour or so, making sure to tip the bartender regularly. It turns out the bartender is a big pistol guy and you guys hit it off, discussing the merits of the new Browning line of pistols. At around 3 o'clock, people start trickling into the bar and the bartender has to get to work. His name is Hector, and you know where to find him. As you continue nursing your beer(s), the place starts to steadily fill up. Many are corp wageslaves, coming in to have a drink before heading home after work, though a few customers look a little more rough. Dress isn't casual, but isn't quite formal, rather understatedly stylish. At about 6:30, the band takes the stage. The singer spouts lyrical-prose, while backed up by a clarinet, sax, and drums. At around 7, a tall woman with short-cut hair and a long coat comes in and has a seat at an unattended table. She appears to be scoping the place out.
At 7:30, you see a well-dresses young man, his hair dark and slicked back enter the club escorted by two large orks, one so cybered he seems to "hum". The young man and what you assume are his bodyguards head towards the oak door in the back and are met by the elven bouncer. The two exchange greetings and the young man and his friends are escorted through the door. As you are watching this, you notice the woman who came in earlier is paying special attention to the new arrivals as well. Shortly afterwards, a large troll enters the club from the main entrance. At first glance, he looks like another of the young man's escorts, but then he makes his way to the bar where you watch him flag down the bartender.

Ludi

[ Spoiler ]

You take your truck down to Matchsticks, arriving at around 7. After waiting in the short line, you head inside where you take a seat at an unattended table in a dark corner of the room. Looking around, you see suits who just scream corp, along with the occasional barfly, one of whom, an addled-looking human with brown, buzzcut hair watches you as you sit down at the table. The human is not overtly attractive, but has something rugged and interesting about him. His fists are adorned with scars of all types, mostly on the fingers and knuckles. As a waitress approaches you, he turns and looks away. You order a drink and take the place in. On stage, a four-man jazz band plays away through the ghostly smoke that hovers around the ceiling and glows in the dim light. Not exactly your type of music, but you do recognize musicians who are good at what they do.
At about 7:30, you see a young, well-dressed man with dark hair, slicked back and reflecting in the club's lighting. On his flanks walk a pair of orks, obviously bodyguards, who walk with him to a strong-looking oaken door to the right of the stage. Exchanging greetings with a tough-looking elf, the man and his bodyguards head through the oak door and disappear behind it as it swings shut.
Just a short wile afterwards, A large troll comes through the front door. Being the only troll in the place, he stands out like a sore thumb. Appearantly unbothered, he heads to the bar and flags down the bartender.

Jack

[ Spoiler ]

After walking for some time, you realize that you're prolly going to be late! You grab yourself a large drink and flag down a cab. You squeeze your bulk into the orange americar and an ork cabbie greets you.
"Yo, where to bradda?"
You tell him Matchsticks and he proceeds to punch it, hopping onto the I-90, where you are met with hellish traffic. You hear the ork chuckle to himself as he checks the meter on the dash. Reaching over to the radio, he turns up the radio. After sitting in traffic for some time and listening to KRED, a native american station based out of the Salish, you guys make it through the traffic and the rest of the drive to Matchsticks is smooth sailing.
Arriving at the place, the cabbie looks back at you.
"238 bradda."
Grudgingly, you pay him and withhold the tip. He could've avoided that traffic and you both know it. You take a quick look at your watch and head into Matchsticks at a quarter to 8. Inside your head swims among the smoke that gathers near the club's ceiling. Bumping your head to the easy-listening jazz music, you walk over to the bar and order a drink. Taking a quick look around, you see your standard jazz-club clientelle. Corp, barflies, and the rest. You notice a rugged human giving you a once over as you order your drink, a long line of empty bottles sitting beside him at the bar.

Ernie

[ Spoiler ]

Knowing that you cannot be seen, you approach the bar unseen and slink in through the front door. The bouncer, unaware of your presence, continues about his business without so much as a flinch as you brush up slightly against his jacket.
Once inside, you see a 4-man jazz band just beginning their set and numerous corp wageslaves nursing drinks and blowing off steam after work. At the bar a lone human sits with about 6 empty beer bottles lined up in front of him. You take in the place, quite invisable, and keep track of new arrivals as they come. At around 7, you see a tall woman with short hair come in sporting a rugged longcoat. The woman has a seat at a table near you, though quite unaware of you, and orders a drink. Later on, about 7:30, a young, stylish man comes in with a pair of ugly ork escorts. The man heads to a door near the stage at the back of the club and is greeted by an elf bouncer. As quickly as they came, the group disappears behind the door. You are convinced that these must be the people you were here to meet. Not much time afterwards, a big troll strolls in with a bothered look on his face. He takes a big look around and makes his way to the bar where he orders a drink.

[Mister Juan]

Getting into Matchsticks had been a lot easier than Ludmila had expected. For the occasion, and knowing the club's mood, she had sligthly altered her appearance. Lightly spiking her hair here and there, she had opted for an almost brand new pair of black "chic" pants, a clean and plain white shirt. On top, she had thrown her Mortimer jacket. She actually looked a bit more like a corporate secretary than anything else, but her manners (and hair) clearly marked her as something more.

When the young man, and his two bodyguards walked in, Ludmila immediately spotted them. Nothing about them was subtle, which did a bit worry her. If she had singled them out so easily, it meant that others would have and could. That, she didn't like... Using her cyber eyes, she snapped a few shots of the trio, for later identification. When they disappeared through the oak door, she went back to her drink. Straight vodka in an old fashion glass, with a single cube of ice. Slowly, she savored the "little water" while letting herself being carried by the jazz music. It wasn't her style, but still suited her ears, calming her. Ludi wasn't new to this kind of business meeting, but she was, as always, nervous... But she didn't fight it. She could have let tried to fit it, or control it, but she preferred to accept her: it kept her on her toes.

When her glass was empty, she left the table she was at and made her way toward the tough-looking elf the trio had spoken with earlier.

"I'm here to see Mister Rick Stone."

What in the hell had Varya been doing in such a club...

[HobbeGoblin]

6:58 PM Matchsticks

Ernie still invisible moves towards the back looking for a bathroom. Finally finding it he looks making sure no one can see him. Opening the door Ernie walks into the bathroom and finds the nearest empty stall. Ernie sits on the toilet and as he begins to conjure he drops the Invisibility spell. Ernies spirit form merges with the rest of the spirit world to speak. Ernie attempts to convince a Hearth Spirit to speak with him.

[ Spoiler ]

conjuring force 4 spirit

5,4,4,3

drain
11,10,5,5,5,4

[FrostyNSO]

Ernie

[ Spoiler ]

The spirit's homogenous, somewhat humanoid, manifested form swirls into existance in your mind's eye. In your mind you feel the creature's gentle voice.
"Rat calls?"