[Monday April 4th, 2072 | 9:09pm | At the Artiste]
Kreskin | PAN = passive | Fake SIN = Cody Demasi

Kreskin flicked through the links to the game, and smirked and nodded. "Sure, why don't you get us started. While we're at it, you wanna put any money on how many letters we get through before we're politely asked to leave the restaurant?" He nodded at the 100-nuyen credstick that was still sitting between them on the table, and pulled one of his own out and set it down next to hers.

[Monday April 4th, 2072 | 11:00 pm | Shinner's Sports Bar]
Riot: PAN = passive | Fake SiN = Jim Smith

Riot had celebrated his "victory" but not too hard. He had a couple long days of mindnumbing work coming up, fiddling with his commlink to get it up to snuff. They'd caroused with the only decent looking putas in the bar, but no luck. Eventually, his slightly somber mood, brought the party down a notch and they gathered up around him as Riot began to tell the tale of their run.

He described the various members of the team in turn. Kim was the hot elf, who didn't know when to hold her tongue. Doc was the cruel dwarf, with the big ass shotgun. Wolf, or Wolfie, as Riot liked to call him, was the injun who spoke little, but looked like he could back up the few words he did say. And finally there wasKreskin , who was the sneaky breeder, who seemed like the most normal of group.

He described the tense moment in the first coyote path on their way into the CAS and the near shootout with the Triads and Yaks. He embelished his role in spoofing the truck in front of him into the crowded toughs and of his daredevil escape of the trap. He told them of Peaches, the cute Ork coyote, that helped them into the UCAS and his plans to "get some" from her in the future. Finally he told them of the run in with the Fronts, and how he cut off one of the chipheads and send him tumbling into the gravel. They asked about who he met with, but he declined to say, telling them all were better off not knowing too many specifics in case something came back to bite him.

[Monday April 4th, 2072 | 12:23 pm | Riot's Apartment]

After another hour, things started winding down...it was a Monday night after all. Everyone headed out and he went back to his crib, popped on the trid porn and in about 3 to 4 minutes later, he was passed out.

[Monday April 4th, 2072 | 9:09pm | At the Artiste]
Kim: PAN = passive | Fake SiN = Angel Snow

“Well, with you putting money on the table I’d only have to scream asshole and slap you in the face to win. I’m not sure about you, but I’m starving, so please put your stick away. I’ll start with ass … phyxiation”

[Monday April 4th, 2072 | 9:14pm | At the Artiste]
Kreskin | PAN = passive | Fake SIN = Cody Demasi

Kreskin picked up his stick and used it to roll Angel's across the table towards her, before putting his away. "Amateur" he countered, smirking. The two of them went back and forth (both of them resorting to some drinking) while they waited for their appetizers. Kreskin wasn't particularly shy, and had a respectable repertoire of dirty words to bring to bear - but he tended to spend a few seconds thinking, which suggested that not all of his suggestions were insights into his character. A few times, he was a tad louder than necessary when one of the staff brought something by to one of the other tables - usually surreptitiously gesturing in the direction of the anatomy in question using the staff as reference - but if anyone overheard, they were professional enough not to mention it, and the manager did not come out to ask them to leave.

By the time their appetizers arrived, they had made a respectable dip in the champagne - and the game had proved to be pretty evenly matched, and both participants had come up with a number of good (and humorously unexpected) suggestions. Kreskin had fewer good ideas, but proved to be particularly good at negotiating whether or not some of his more creative innuendos should count (since there was no majority between them).

[Monday April 4th, 2072 | 9:14pm | At the Artiste]
Kim: PAN = passive | Fake SiN = Angel Snow

Kim picks up her snail tong and fork and starts to eat. “I just love getting these tasty little things out of their shell.” [b]Kim [/b]says while looking at Kreskin. She checks if he needs help before dipping a piece of French bread in the wine sauce.

When they’re finished, Kim says, “Enough with the silly games. Let’s just split these last drops …” She fills both glasses. “… and play Truth or Dare.”

[Monday April 4th, 2072 | 9:14pm | At the Artiste]
Kreskin | PAN = passive | Fake SIN = Cody Demasi

Kreskin seems to fumble with his food a little - clearly not accustomed to this kind of food - but he is able to draw attention away from his mistakes well, with a well-placed joke or gesture, and doesn't make too much of a fool of himself. "Sounds like fun." He takes a sip from his refilled glass. "So... truth or dare?"

[Monday April 4th, 2072 | 9:15pm | At the Artiste]
Kim: PAN = passive | Fake SiN = Angel Snow

“Truth … but let me explain the rules first. Dare will end the game, you either do it and win, or you let the other do it him or herself and lose. Doing your best will be good enough and of course failing to tell the truth will make you lose too. To make things really interesting we’ll play for oral satisfaction, if you know what I mean.”

When they’re done eating Kim warns Kreskin: “This will be the last time I ask for truth, next will be dare.”

[Monday April 4th, 2072 | 10:38pm | At the Artiste]
Kreskin | PAN = passive | Fake SIN = Cody Demasi

"Okay," Krekin considered his first question for a moment. He was usually pretty good at truth-or-dare. His background as a con-man gave him a pretty good edge. "What's your real name?" He grinned, quite big, expecting that was one of the few questions any Shadowrunner would attempt to lie about. "If we're going to continue going out like this, I need to know what to call you..." His justification was pretty weak, but he stood by it.

After the aggressive start, they exchanged 'truths' over dinner - each prying into personal details to try to get a picture of the other. Kreskin lied about a few things, of course - the penalty for loosing seemed pretty mild, and he suspected Angel would want to keep the game going a while. For example, he gave a fake name, and after letting it slip that he was from Seattle, he put together some bull-drek excuse for what really brought him to Denver - but he did let he know some true things about him too. He admitted to being a con-artist, as well as a pickpocket, and to his interest in gambling and stage magic. He explained that he had picked the alias "Kreskin" based on the name of some famous magician whose name he had run across right before the run, and went into detail about the idea that he might pick a different magician for each run, since he wasn't exactly looking to build up a glowing resume in Denver - also, it was sort of an old habit from dropping IDs after cons. Next run, for example, he was thinking about introducing himself as "Blaine," if the opportunity arose.

In the middle of the meal, a message came in from Riot, which Kreskin responded to while Angel was considering one of his questions. <<Kreskin: @Riot: Going great. Probably heading home late, so I'll just catch you this weekend, unless I hear back about the GL.>>

After their meal concluded, the check had been dropped off, and Angel had all but ended the game by calling "Dare". Kreskin thought about it for a bit while she paid for their meal, and then suggested, "Fair enough, I dare you to come out with me this Saturday... to see a Combat Biker game with Riot... aaaand to have a good time, while you are there." The disappointment on her face was obvious - first at the idea of there being unable to win until Saturday, and then again a moment later at the idea of having to have a good time at a biker game with Riot around as a third wheel. Kreskin seemed a little pleased with himself, and raised an eyebrow as if daring her to concede.

[Tuesday April 5th, 2072 | 9:15 am | Riot's Apartment]

Having been up for an hour already, getting his tools and parts organized, he remembered that he wanted to let everyone know to grab some flare comp and thermal graphic enhancements on their eyeware, since he'd be lobbing flash-bangs and smoke grenades now.

<<Riot@Wolf, Angel, Kreskin, Doc: FYI, if you can get some flare comp and thermal for your eyeware. Getting a new toy, might be good to have those upgrades to keep you at 100% capacity>>

<<Riot@Kreskin: My commlink is going to be out, but you can ping me at the apt, here's the code, its encrypted, but the password is my nickname for our mutual injun friend with the big xbow.>>

With that, he began the process of upgrading his comms.

[Friday April 8th, 2072 | 1:32 am | Riot's Apartment]

After two solid days of progress, he had hit a slight snag. Thankfully, Kreskin had delivered some good news and the goods. He was having the Ares Antioch fitted with a smartlink and airburst link, which would improve the accuracy of his new toy. He trudged on with the tedious work, getting partially annoyed. He was going to need some action after sitting on his ass all week.

[Friday April 7th, 2072 | 9:48 pm | Riot's Apartment]

He had finally finished the commlink upgrade. The increased response was noticable, very noticable. Programs loaded faster, his commands were enacted quicker, and he felt a small amount of pride at the accomplishment. He definitely couldn't make a living off doing this, but he could save himself some cash with his own personal upgrades in the future. Plus, the Ironsiders could use his new talents for their chop shop business.

<<Riot@Wolf: Hey, I know you don't know many ppl in Denver. If you're bored tomorrow, Kreskin and I are headed to Shinner's, a bar in the CAS, to watch Combat Biker. Interested?>>

[Tuesday April 5th, 2072 | 1:48am | Back in the PCC]
Kreskin | PAN = passive | Fake SIN = Cody Demasi

After desert, the two of them decided it was a bit too early to call it a night, and Angel picked out a club - a high-end sort where a tux and a nice dress wouldn't look too out of place - and they killed another couple of hours there before heading back into the PCC. The border crossing on the way back was no problem - at that time of night, they were mostly looking for intoxicated drivers, and although both Kreskin and Angel had kept their buzz up all night, the cabbie was sober. They managed to keep their stories straight, and get through security without a problem.

When they swung by the hotel, to drop Angel off, she invited Kreskin up for a nightcap, and Kreskin hesitated, but let the cabbie take off without him. It was clear he was interested, and still drunk enough to make bad choices and blame it on the booze, but he said, "Call me old fashioned," a grin crept across his face, "but I usually don't take a Runner home until we've completed our third job together." He winked. "... mixing business with pleasure and all of that..." He protested, but he was still walking towards the elevator with her, with his hand around her waist. "I had a great time tonight, and I wouldn't want things to get weird, and end up being the reason the team has to find a new magician or face," he admitted as the elevator doors closed....



[Wednesday April 6th, 2072 | 7:25pm | Luk-E Market]
Kreskin | PAN = passive | Fake SIN = Cody Demasi

It wasn't until Wednesday evening that Cody got anything back from his contacts regarding the weaponry he was looking for. Kim Luk dropped him a message saying he had found some of the holsters Cody had wanted, but when he showed up to pick them up, the pawn-shop owner admitted he had had a bit more luck than that. He mumbled some nonsense in broken English about a friend-of-a-friend-of-a-friend but the bottom line was, some small-time hood had unloaded some (probably red hot) guns in Kim's shop, and Kim had arranged some kind of meet the next day to try to turn a profit on them. He had asked around a little, and the buyer agreed to bring the grenade launcher that Cody wanted, but they had specified that they wanted to negotiate separately with whoever was interested in such a gun. Cody also had to give Kim a few hundred cred up front, so they could show the dealer they were serious about buying, which was pretty much par for the course. Cody sent Riot a message letting him know a deal was at least in the works - and that if he didn't show up Saturday, it was because some arms-dealer geeked him.

[Thursday April 7th, 2072 | 11:00pm | Behind the Luk-E Market]
Kreskin | PAN = passive | Fake SIN = Cody Demasi

When the unmarked black van pulled up into the alley behind Kim Luk's pawn shop, Cody tried to remain calm, and look confident. However, when the van opened up, and three guys stepped out, they looked a lot more like Runners than arms-dealers. One of them, in a cowboy hat, went off with Kim to look at the handguns, and a big cybered-up troll looked Cody up and down, and snorted. "You the guy dat want da Antioch?" he asked, patting a box he held in one of his massive arms. Cody nodded, "Guess day sent da face." He said, smiling back at his friends, like they were sharing some inside joke. "No prob, chumma, but you gatta talk wit ours den."

One of his buddies, an elf, of course, stepped forward and introduced himself, in a pleasant tone, and began to discuss a fair price with Cody. The guy was good, but Cody held his own, and after looking the item over (not that he knew what he was looking for) and making a decent impression with the team, the negotiations eased up a bit and they eventually settled on a price that seemed surprisingly reasonable (including a fee, they insisted on, for delivery). The elf and troll seemed pleased - they were getting a lot more than they would fencing it anywhere else, and Cody was pleased that it lined up with Riot expectations. He handed over the remaining cred, and shook hands with both the elf, and the troll (who nearly crushed his hand, before pushing the box in his arms). Once all business was completed, he escorted Kim back into the shop, and hung out for a little while making smalltalk before heading out.

He dropped Riot a line, asking for a good time to swing buy with the box - which Kreskin was busily padding with random junk to conceal the launcher, if anyone asked him to open it up. He came up with some cover story, in which he was taking some stuff to an artist friend of his. That night, he managed to make it across the border with the thing, which he thought might be a bit dicey, but the guard was busy, and didn't even seem to notice the box (which Kreskin had stuffed down by his feet).

[Friday April 8th, 2072 | 1:00am | Behind the Luk-E Mart]
Kreskin | PAN = passive | Fake SIN = Cody Demasi

He showed up at Riot's place, dropped the thing off, and hung out for a bit. He wanted to make sure he got the order right, before taking off, and make sure it was cool if he brought Angel along to see the Combat Biker game on Saturday. Riot seemed eager to play with his new toy, so Kreskin didn't hold him up, but make a little smalltalk before heading back.

[Saturday April 9th, 2072 | 10:00am | Denver, PCC, Omni Interlocken Hotel]
Kreskin | PAN = passive | Fake SIN = Cody Demasi

Kreskin's bus dropped him off outside the Omni Interlocken Hotel pretty early that Saturday morning - he was definitely more of a night-person. He hoped Angel had not forgotten his "dare," and hoped he wouldn't be waking her up. The game wasn't until noon, but he wasn't sure if they needed to go somewhere else from Riot's place, or not - and figured he'd make sure they were earlier rather than later, if he could.

He left the tux at home, today, and was dressed in casual clothes, again - although it did look like he had made some effort to make himself look nice before coming over. He pinged her commlink as he entered the hotel, to let her know he was on his way up.

[Tuesday April 5th, 2072 | 1:48am | Denver, PCC, Omni Interlocken Hotel]
Kim: PAN = active | Fake SiN = Angel Snow

The elevator doors close and so do Kim’s eyes. This certainly hadn’t been one of her brightest ideas. She had just meant to say she wanted to screw his brains out tonight, but then he changed it into a long-term offer with his dare. Clearly, he wasn’t that into her; he wanted dessert and even to dance before coming here. Now he was just making her look desperate. Kim thinks about her options.

“You know what, I think you’re right. This is probably not … going to be helpful.”

Back in her room she takes off her heels and dress and sends a video message to Suzuki
<<Angel@CSuzuki - It’s Tuesday, so come here now and we can talk in the morning.>>

(A little dip back in time for Kreskin)
[Tuesday April 5th, 2072 | 1:48am | Denver, PCC, Omni Interlocken Hotel]
Kreskin | PAN = passive | Fake SIN = Cody Demasi

When Angel changes her mind in the elevator, Kreskin tried to not take it personally - after all, that was the out he had been trying to give her. Still, even if it was the better move long-term, it was a shitty way to end the night. "I'll just... " he flicked one of the floor buttons, hoping to step out early and catch a different elevator back down. She seemed to understand what he was doing, and probably wouldn't have enjoyed an uncomfortable elevator ride all the way up anymore than he would. "If you still want to catch the Combat Biker game on Saturday, let me know." There wasn't any grin, or witty remark as he disembarked on some random floor.

Time to head home and take a nice long cold shower.

[Tuesday April 5th, 2072 | 1:52am | Denver, PCC, Omni Interlocken Hotel]


Kim's just barely able to finish comfortable when she gets a reply from Suzuki.

<<[CSuzuki] @Angel: You're up late. I suspect you've been out celebrating. I will be there as quickly as I may. No more than 40 minutes.>>

Given that kind of breathing room, Kim is unable to withstand it any longer. The tub calleth. With plenty of time to relax, a bubble bath is drawn and enjoyed before Suzuki arrives.

And arrive he does, at just after 2:30. He is full of apologies and sweetness, and has brought flowers.

"It has been too long since we saw one another last. And so much has changed since then." You can see that, for all his affectations, he is under an immense burden. Under your gentle pressure, he tells you his thoughts.

"You did me a great favor today. I was under orders by the Oyabun to find someone that I could rely upon to help carry that package, with the hopes that it would be spirited away from you by other operatives under his control. I had no time to give you any orders to that effect," he says, with eyebrows raised, "but that is for the best. You see, I have found myself under the yoke of more than one master. The Koshari, Longfeather..." he pauses, troubled.

"I am unlikely to be affiliated with the Yakuza much longer, sweet girl. I only hope that it means I have been able to make a new life under the leadership of the Hopi organization."

"I'm sorry to have dragged you into this, you and your fortuitous arrival, but the job you did has helped to pave my path to a different future."

[Tuesday April 5th, 2072 | 1pm | Denver, PCC, Raven's bar]

A rather hungover Comanche had managed, barely, to get back to the Pueblo sector without getting scalped by the border guards. The cheap booze had possibly helped, at the first border, an overeager guard had rapidly turned his attention elsewhere when hit by the stench of too much synthahol.

After making it back to the flophouse and taking a hot shower, Wolf felt considerably better. Putting on fresh street clothes, he decided to walk off the last of the lingering after-effects and forgoing the bus, headed out to Raven's place on foot.

Finally arriving, he headed inside and slid on to a stool at the bar.

[Tuesday April 5th, 2072 | 1pm | Denver, PCC, Raven's bar]

Early afternoon at the bar means all the wageslaves who were having a liquid lunch have begun to lurch back to their jobs. Raven approaches the big ork with a wry grin.

"Buddy of yours was by here last night. You must really fraggin' well trust me, to let him drop this off with me, in your name."

She produces the credsticks and slaps them into your open palm?

"The other Raven, old man Longfeather, he spoke very well of you. 'a respectful young man' he called you. I 'spect you'll be hearing from him again sometime or other, as jobs become available."

She gives you the once over. "I know it's a bar and all that, but I'm not sure you're interested in the hair of the dog this afternoon. Soykaf?" She pulls up a pot and two cups, and holds the pot over them, expectantly.

[Tuesday April 5th, 2072 | 1pm | Denver, PCC, Raven's bar]

Wolf nodded, sliding the 'stick back across the bar. "No one else to trust." he said, shrugging slightly.. "Take 10 percent off the top for holding it for me.

As to Longfeather, helps if you don't try talking to a Hopi in Sioux. Think it was Sioux, anyway."

[Tuesday April 5th, 2072 | 1:05pm | Denver, PCC, Raven's bar]

She pushes the stick back in your direction again. "Nonsense. You're new in town, and I get paid a finders fee as it is. I'm not coming out behind on your operation. Fixer's gotta eat, too, y'know." She finishes with a wink.

"So tell me," she asks, as she pours the kaf, "do you think you have the makings of a team out of this bunch? Other jobs do sometimes come my way..."

Tuesday April 5th 2072 105pm Denver PCC Raven's bar"

Wolf picked up the stick and pocketed it. "Maybe. If I don't kill one of them first.

Tuesday April 5th 2072 105pm Denver PCC Raven's bar

Raven laughs at Wolf's joke, and takes another sip of soykaf. Then she lowers her cup and her brow furrows as she gives Wolf a sidelong glance, not entirely sure he was joking.

"Well, I'll give you a buzz if there's any word on biz, for a solo bruiser like you, or for your aggravating team..."

Tuesday April 5th 2072 105pm Denver PCC Raven's bar

Wolf chugged down his kaf with rather less elegance than Raven was doing. "If there's more biz I'll need more gear. You help with that?"

Tuesday April 5th 2072 105pm Denver PCC Raven's bar


"You give me your shopping list, and I'll see what I can come up with..." she offers

Tuesday April 5th 2072 105pm Denver PCC Raven's bar

"I'll need some more of that soykaf..." Wolf returned, pulling out his commlink.

[Tuesday April 5th, 2072 | 2:30am | Denver, PCC, Omni Interlocken Hotel]
Kim: PAN = passive | Fake SiN = Angel Snow

Kim takes the flowers and smells them “Thank you.” She looks around for something to put them in and places them on the table while Chikao apologizes or whatever. She just didn’t pay much attention.

“Ssssssh … no more talking.” Putting a finger on his lips, she opens a mindlink and explains “Just feelings.” She lets the towel she was wearing drop on the floor and leads him to the bed.

A few hours later, she asks “Will you be here when I wake up?”

[Tuesday April 5th, 2072 | 4:15am | Denver, PCC, Omni Interlocken Hotel]

Chikao smiles benignly. "You know better than that..." he says, as Kim drifts off, the stress of the day and the night and the energetic early morning taking their toll.

Tuesday April 5th 2072 105pm Denver PCC Raven's bar

Raven pours again, while Wolf tinkers with his comm, coming up with a wishlist.

[Tuesday April 5th, 2072 | 1:08pm | Denver, PCC, Omni Interlocken Hotel]
Kim: PAN = passive | Fake SiN = Angel Snow

Kim wakes up and casts a spell, hoping the headache will be gone once she took care of the hangover. Feeling great, she showers, get dressed and goes down to eat in the hotel’s restaurant. She checks her commlink and finds Riot’s message. That reminded her to buy AR glasses.

After lunch, she takes a shuttle to the largest shopping mall in the area: the Flatiron Premium Mall. When the salesperson asks what kind she wants, Kim takes out her commlink to read the message again. “A pretty one with flare comp and thermal.”

[Tuesday April 5th, 2072 | 1:08pm | Denver, PCC, Omni Interlocken Hotel]

Feeling fine, recovered, in balance, Kim finds a store with a very nice pair of Rigoberto Versace glasses.

"Highest quality, made from polished coral, available in a variety of shades. Each pair offers a wireless link to your comm for display of augmented reality, high speed polarization to protect you from even the brightest of lights - you could watch a solar eclipse with these on! - and, a fun new add-on this year is thermal imaging - the latest thing to have when you're at a club or a rave, with all of those hot bodies." The saleswoman is good, Kim can barely tell she's reading from a projected script describing the value of these glasses. "400Y and they're all yours."

Tuesday April 5th 2072 115pm Denver PCC Raven#39s bar"]

10 minutes later, Wolf was done and he pushed his comm across the bar so Raven could see the 'list'. "That's what I can't get local. That and an introduction."

[Tuesday April 5th 2072 115pm Denver PCC Raven's bar"]


"I'm going to have to send you two different directions on this one. The first is fairly easy - guy named Todd, about eight blocks from here. Works in exotic animals. Does some work with hunters and poachers. He'll have what you need. Tell him I sent you. The other, let me get back to you. Might not be until tomorrow..."

Tuesday April 5th 2072 115pm Denver PCC Raven' bar"]

"Other thing I need is somewhere to get crossbow bolts. The interesting kind. Todd have those too?

[Tuesday April 5th, 2072 | 1:39pm | Denver, PCC, Flatiron Premium Mall]
Kim: PAN = active | Fake SiN = Angel Snow

Kim tries on several glasses and decides on one of the darker shades.
"I’ll take this one, could you remove the RFID tag for me please?"

She keeps it on and returns to the hotel, playing with it the rest of the day. After reading the news, latest gossip and fashion, she even looks at Combat Biking.
<<Angel@Kreskin - What time will you pick me up again for that Combat Biker game?>>