Sevoyius sighs, as if he expected this response.
The item in question was stolen from one of the Rain Queen's shamans. It is an awakened orchid variant, known to drain the essence of any awakened creature it touches. It was never meant to be in the hands of such ruthless monsters as the men who have it now. It is imperative that the orchid is returned to it's rightful owner... it is not safe where it is now. There is no measure to the harm it could do if left.

Ok so that's the prototype. Won't they have samples in a lab or something? They should have some sort of back up sample shouldn't they? Or is that part of the job too?

Is there even a safe way to handle this thing? Hell, for that matter, if it's so dangerous, why not just destroy it? What would the Shamans want with something so deadly?

From my understanding, they have been unable to cultivate the species in their labs. I believe they are using the cutting they have to bolster their claims. You are not our only contact in this endeavor. Another woman has infiltrated their labs, and has been able to tell us that each sample they have taken of the plant has died, unable to thrive in their environments. I believe that the shaman may know something of the magic that they don't.
I still do not understand what the shaman intends for the plant. But, I do know that I trust them. I know that might not be enough for you... and if it is not, I understand. I am asking of you a great thing. It is for you to decide.

Drachen thinks inwardly for a good long while.

This could very definetely be a set up. I'd like to say that I trust James, but I don't really know him that well. What might this do to my rep? Ripping off another team .... What the hell would shamans want with something lihe that anyway? Thing would be worth a fortune to a corp. Enough to kill to get it back certainly. Not to mention the team I'd be turning on.

For a dragon...

I suppose if I ask how long I have to think on this, you'll say something along the lines of "not a lot, decide within the next few minutes"?

Now might be a good time for a little mentor spirit guidance. Would be great if the thing had a pager or something. Sometimes this weird shamanic bent can be really inconvenient.

Sevoyius seems to consider your request for a moment. The other team's meet is tomorrow and so time is of the essence. I can give you three hours to decide.

Drachen - Saturday October 13th, 1630 2070 - The Painted Banyan

Alright, I'm considering it. So two more questions. First, what's the pay. Second, do I have any reassurances for my safety after the run, or am I on my own?

Nico - Saturday October 13th, 2070: 11:30 - Cape Town

Nico looks for the self-destruct button on the message then leaves the site. He exits VR and looks around the recreation area. He was in VR twelve seconds top, but now sitting here it felt like hours. He checks the time. Too early. He spends the next fifteen minutes in quiet meditation. His bags sitting near him. "Focus on the breath. One breath, then another". At the time, he'd thought it nonsense. Amazing how time changes your perspective.

Checking the time again, he is finally satisfied. He gets up and returns to the elevator. His mind is hardening; He is leaving this world for a time. This plush soft, world. "Don't pray for an easy life. Pray to be strong" Sensei always used to say shit like that. Amazing how much of it stuck.

Riding the elevator down he opens up his senses to the world around him. Begins to harden himself against the decedent life he had been living. A little over one day. One day to prepare.

Stepping off the elevator, walks through the lobby and under the awning at the front of the building. He looks straight ahead avoiding eye-contact with any and all he passes. He hails a cab and heads off into the bustling late morning traffic.

His first destination is the edge of the district. There he has the cabbie drop him off near a fast food joint. One of the American chains, Kentucky Taco Hut. He slips in through the early lunch crowd and to the bathrooms. An empty stall is all he needs and he changes from the suit to his street cloths. Armor jacket instead of the Actioneer suit.

Walking back into the street, he now looks considerably different. His PAN is still in hidden mode, but now Sid Rossi is the loaded SIN, Fank Delaguchi encrypted and stored away on a data chip.

He's heading for a lower rent portion of town, down near the docks. He's headed for Blue Diamond territory. Cheap rooms to be had down there and he had friends down there. First thing is first though. He hails another cab. Dressed as he is, its the third one before he gets them to stop. On the way there he activates his com connecting to the LTG as Sid and routes a call through the shadow relay servers using Sid's accounts. The target of this call: Spike.

OOC: Calling Spike. Ganger buddy.

Rave, Friday October 12th, 2070: 2300 - The Magus
Rave turns to the girl/woman with fluid grace and gives her a smile. A full smile, showing her all of his teeth. If this doen't turn her off nothing will He continues, I hope you're used to being with someone who has cyber he extends a single finger tip razor. I can be a little interesting at times

Nico - Saturday October 13th, 2070: 11:30 - Cape Town

Passing the usual street trash that litters the outsides of the bars and stip clubs along the docks, you place your call. It's remarkably different then calling someone like Kyle. The phone rings three times and then is answered. The screen shows what looks to be a party in full swing; several very naked ladies dancing on tables and someone chugging jello shots. A moment later the phone swings around in a vertigo inducing arc to reveal the face of Spike. He looks plastered.

Nic.. my man. What up? He wipes a large hand across his face and laughs as someone yells something off screen. His eyes roll back towards yours and he stumbles a bit.

Rave, Friday October 12th, 2070: 2300 - The Magus

The woman eyes you for a good thirty seconds before responding.
You want it rough? That's another 2K... but I can do it. Let me grab my bag and we can get out of here. The woman starts shuffling through her things. Gully watches you wide eyed. Apparently he saw your razor tipped reply.
'Ell I'll be mate! I n'ver pictured you as a Dom. Ha! 'Earn somethin' new e'vry day, right?

Nico - Saturday October 13th, 2070: 11:30 - Cape Town

Seeing the party in motion, Nico has a few deliciously evil thoughts run through his mind. Those in turn bring a malevolent grin to his face. One of those times he really looks a little scary, not because of he is frightening to look at, rather because there in something of his potential shining from deep within and reflecting through his eyes. Extended conversation appears not to be on the menu today, "Where's the party, chummer?"

Nico - Saturday October 13th, 2070: 11:30 - Cape Town

Spike's smile broadens.
The 'Edge, chummer. Where it always is. Also known as "The Razor's Edge", the bar Spike mentions is famous for it's bar brawls and cheap beer.
You comin'? Luna's dancin' tonight. Spike's silver capped faux fangs gleam as he grins.

Drachen - Saturday October 13th, 1630 2070 - The Painted Banyan

Sevoyius looks genuinely hurt for a moment but continues.
We can pay you 20 thousand for your part in the run, plus provide you with raw summoning and conjuring materials for 20% of the cost. Sevoyius pauses, searching your face. We are not a rich tribe, Drachen, but the figures are negotiable ... to an extent. As for your safety, you would have the protection of the Rain Queen's shamans and be named "Veilig", one of the protected. I would also personally vouch for your well-being... how much that means to you ... well, that's for you to decide.

Drachen sits and thinks on it for a long while.

Ok, but not 20K. Make it 10K and access to the lands for purposes of gathering telesma for enchanting. I'm not talking exploitation or anything like that. For my own uses. I'll need the 5K up front in case I have to run.

As long as that works for you, give me the meet intel. I'll do it.

10K then. Yes. Sevoyius nods and continues. The meet is being held at the Cricket Fields at four o'clock tomorrow afternoon, it is a private room. Number F43. You will be meeting with an English man. His name is Sanderson. Sevoyius pulls a slightly wrinkled photo from under his wrap. This is the man you will be looking for.
It's strange to see an actual photo, it's colors realistic but nowhere near the vibrancy you're used to. Besides that... it's flat. There's no dimension... strange.
Anyway, the photo shows a blonde haired man in his late 30's, perhaps early 40's. He's human with bright green eyes and a thick blonde mustache. A ropy scar runs down the right side of his face from his hairline down, snaking into the collar of his Polo shirt. In the photo, the man appears serious and is caught in a three-fourths profile.
Sevoyius continues: Your money will be sent to you once you re-enter the city proper. The air he waves his hands, indicating the land around you it is bad for connections. He smiles slightly.

understood. Where do I get the materials?

There is a small ranch five miles to the east of here. I can send you precise coordinates later. A woman, Anhya, owns the land. She gathers her own materials and is the finest provider of telesma in Cape Town. You will go to her for your materials to recieve our agreed upon price. I believe she has a location in town, but she has requested you go to her home to meet her first. Sevoyius brushes his hand up along the trunk and then steps back.
Do you have any other questions, my friend?

No, that will work. Hopefully I'll be seeing you again some time soon.

I can't beleive I'm taking a job against my own team for such a cheap price.

I know that the telesma rights will pay off in the long run, but that's assuming I'm still around here to spend it, and not running somewhere else in hiding.

Drachen climbs back on to his bike and drives to his 'shop'. Mostly it's his home, with a good amount of space set aside for enchanting purposes. It made dinner time interesting ,trying to figure out which oven was cooking meat, and which one was cooking up raw reagents that could be spoiled by being exposed to open air too soon.

An hour later, Drachen was back out of the 'shop' heading back up in to the hills, the last of his own materials in the bag.

Alright ,the air spirit was pretty easy. Let's try for something with some fire power this time. I can't skimp on this one. Going to need an arsenal on call.

An hour later, some fresh energy bars in his stomach, and having given up on his brief search for another mamba, Drachen begins his summoning of the fire elemental.

Nico - Saturday October 13th, 2070: 11:31 - Cape Town

The fangs are new. I guess I forgot to have the talk with him about distinguishing features.... "The Edge. Luna, huh? Say, what motel is under the Diamonds.... protection these days?"

Nico - Saturday October 13th, 2070: 11:31 - Cape Town

Spike thinks for a moment (obviously not among his strong suits tonight)...
I think we got the 'Reef and the 'Ivory. Why? ... oh, sorry... man. You're business an' all. Apparently Spike is still cognizant enough to remember that particular gleam in your eye and to remember your dislike of questions.
The hotels he's referring to are Morrigan's Reef and the Ivory Coast. Both are shadier and seedier then there names would imply, and both sit near the port. They are most often used as a waypoint for sailor's one night stands and local drug exchanges.

Nico - Saturday October 13th, 2070: 11:35 - Cape Town

"Reef and the Ivory. Check." Nico weighs in his mind the vices available to him by meeting up Spike. He wasn't one for those that pollute the body, except an occasional drink of alcohol. The drugs & smokes took away his edge.. And simply looking at his hands when using them he could see the pollutants coursing through his body. There's something about seeing that crap in your body that deters you from using it. "I'll try to swing by and check Luna out if I get time. Later." And with that he let Spike return to the party.

His multiple encounters with Nisa over the last 24 hours had really sated he desire for vices of the flesh right now. Perhaps later.

As he walked towards the Reef and Ivory he began to let his senses expand to the world around him. The young mother carrying her child on her left hip. The two street tuffs sizing Nico up and deciding his shoulders were a little too broad for their taste. The throngs of people going about their pitiful, wasted lives. It is time to become re-attuned to the streets. Time to leave the soft life behind for a few days.

Rave, Friday October 12th, 2070: 2320 - The Magus

But that was supposed to..... Ancestors! She's fearless! I like that. And it's been awhile. Rave stands smoothly and addresses Gully in English. Gully mater, thank you for the data, you may tell Mr Sanderson I will be there. He turns to the prostitute and speaks to her in Afrikaans. Come meisie, we'll go to your place He crooks his arm for her. When she threads her arm through his Rave says We'll discuss something a little less painful on the way, after all there's no point in damaging that lovely skin. Rave cups his free hand around her closest breast. He and the girl leave.

Desert Eagle Smith - Saturday October 13th, 2070: ~ 1100 - Jeremiah's Teepee

flowers...

Ignoring the tantalizing aroma, he settled himself down in an awkward pile on his rump and composed himself and a communication.

Do the Trade Winds carry the scent of orchids? attach::<<Sangre de Diablos>> attach::<<Universal Omnitech Announces New Find>> This is where my dreams lead me.

@Owl Usual encryption and send to Vicki

Giving up, DES lurches to his feet and scrambles over to the fire. "Tell me again about the the spirits calling to you."

and the earth swallowing them up... note to self, no visiting mines.

Drachen - Saturday October 13th, 2070: 21:31 - Cape Town

Drachen lets the auto pilot do most of the work on the way down the mountain.

I feel like that brawl player 'the Wall' just sat on my dammn head. Note t oself: Fire Elementals not as nice as air spirits. I should have known it wouldn't be as easy. Hell, shouldn't have tried to major invokings in one day. Nothign to eb done for it now. Go home and take some nerps to get to sleep, see if I can do one more in the morning.

True to his word, Drachen sets his alarms for 0900, ,summoning a watcher to awaken him when the alarm goes off, not really trusting the tech. Four nerps down the pipe, and he's out within 20 minutes.

Do I dare even try for one more tomorrow? Before the meet. Could be dangero.....Zzzzzz

Nico - Saturday October 13th, 2070: Midnight - Cape Town

Spike nods and hangs up, already distracted by booze and bare flesh.

Wandering the streets of Cape Town, you find yourself by the docks around midnight. The water is black, reflecting the occasional streetlight or eyeshine from the cats prowling the shores. A slight mist is rolling in, blanketing the wooden pilings and softening the sound of your footsteps.

From somewhere in front of you, you hear the sound of a car approaching. Their running lights must be off, there's no light coming from anywhere. Then there's the sound of a car door opening, then slamming closed. This happens three more times. Then there's the sound of a woman... maybe crying? Then a muffled thump... and then a splash. For a moment afterwards, there's no sound but then a car engine purrs back to life and there's sound of tires on wood. The car revs its engines and speeds away.

Rave, Friday October 12th, 2070: 2330 - The Magus

The girl raises an eyebrow and lets you escort her from the bar. Once outside, she nods to a battered looking hotel a few buildings down. The faded marquee outside reads "The Roosevelt".

Looking at the girl under the glare of the streetlight, she looks maybe sixteen. She smiles at you, a pretty smile although her eyes still have that slightly vacant look.

I'm over there. We can have our own little party. Don't need someone like that Gully creep. She speaks in native Afrikanns.

She takes your hand and pulls you further down the street, her short pink pleather mini riding higher with every step she takes. Occasionally, she'll use her free hand to yank it back down. She looks at you again over her shoulder, biting her lip and doing her best "come hither" look. She winks and presses her body closer to yours as you walk. Within minutes you're standing in front of an antique looking elevator, listening to it rattle down to the ground floor.

Desert Eagle Smith - Saturday October 13th, 2070: ~ 1100 - Jeremiah's Teepee

There's a slight beep from your 'link, indicating the message was received.

Settling himself by the fire, Jeremiah looks at you and then takes a long inhale off of his pipe. He lets the smoke out slowly, apparently savoring the taste.

The spirits have given you an important message. They have spoken to you. They have foretold of your future, and possibly your past.... these things I do not know. He passes the pipe to you. What I do know is that soon, you will be directed by the spirits. You must follow. You must heed their voice and their warnings. They will keep you safe, as they have kept our family safe.

Drachen - Sunday October 13th, 2070: 03:00 - Cape Town

Blinking wearily awake, you find yourself sprawled out half on your bed, half on your floor. Your head is smashed against the thick pile of the carpet and it feels like something crawled into your mouth and died. Your head pounds. It's not helped by the sudden loud blaring of some type of vehicle horn outside.
Staggering to your feet, the pounding increases until you're sure your brain is trying to escape. A sudden chill blows across your back, raising the hair on the back of your neck. It carries the sweet smell of Jasmine.

Drachen - Sunday October 14th, 2070: 03:00 - Cape Town

Drachen decides that life at this point is not worth living. He sets the clocks alarm for an hour later, pops some NERPS again, and does his best to shut out the world.

By the spirits, I hate drain. *ow*

Rave, Friday October 12th, 2070: 2330 - Outside The Magus
Rave flashes the girl a genuine smile. You know what dearie, you're right, he is a creep, but let's not let him spoil our fun He walks her to her room and closes the door.

Saturday October 13th, 2070: 1000 A Hotel Roosevelt Room
Rave wakes to the familiar song of a Cape Town morning. He rolls out of bed and begins his morning routine, twenty reps of calistenics. He wanders into the the bathroom and showers. He then carefully cleans his lenses . Returning to the bedroom he glances down at the naked hooker peacefully sleeping. He smiles and pats a firm buttock. The sleepy girl rolls over revealing a generously rounded breast. Beautiful but her heart is gone, such a pity, at least I treated her well last night Dearie I must go, give me your comm and we'll do this again sometime The sleepy girl reaches over, grabs her comm and sends Rave her number. He returns the favour by sending her the agreed apon price with a small tip. He leaves the room and heads into the city.

Desert Eagle Smith - Saturday October 13th, 2070: ~ 1100 - Jeremiah's Teepee

After accepting the pipe, and after a short puff followed by a long smothered fit of coughing, DES nods, "I .. cough... hear you."

and I really like bacon... sacrifices must have meaning

Inwardly grimacing, he reaches into the pan and pulls out a strip of bacon, flipping it to his other hand to get a better grip as it cools, he takes a breath to clear his lungs as he reaches up to the sky with hsi offering and starts voicing the standard praises in salish.

"Rain bringer! I offer you meat..."

Nico - Saturday October 13th, 2070: Midnight - Cape Town

Earlier, Nico dropped off his gear at the Reef and the Ivory. When he checked in, he tagged his payment with a Blue Diamond ARO. This would establish for the owner that he was affiliated with the gang that provided his protection. He wasn't looking to get a discount, rather to insure that the clerk knew that he was to be treated as a ghost... and that if his aninimity or the sanctity of his room were not maintained the reprisal would not be afforded any protections.

Nico spent some time at the Edge shortly there after. He spread a little yen around for drinks for Spike and the other Blue Diamond gang members who were there. Luna was just drop dead gorgeous and oozing sexual magnetism. Resisting her charms were challenging, but he managed and snuck out while she was on stage.

The rest of the afternoon was spent among the people of the district. Walk like them. Talk like them. Briefly shrug off the culturing from his life in lofty towers.

OOC: Nico has the adept power of Linguistics. Can I pick up the native language at a rating of 1?

Since his early teens, Nico only ever needed a few hours sleep. By midnight, he was back around at the docks. While the result of the sounds are predictable, Nico was still curious and closed in on the area of the splash. I should probably walk away, but I am curious and if some amateur half-baked the job they deserve it being screwed up..

OOC: Perception Test: 2 hits

Rave - Saturday October 13th, 2070: 1030: Outside the Hotel Roosevelt

The sun shines unwelcomingly down upon your skin. It's not even noon and the thermometer is resting at a stifling 104 degrees farenheit. A faint sheen of sweat covers your brow before you've even made it to your bike.
All along the street, people huddle in the shade offered by the buildings. A few of them call half-heartedly out to you as you pass, begging for anything you can spare.
Checking your comm, the time blinks at you in a muti-hued strobe. 10:30. The meet's at 3 p.m. Still a few hours to kill...

Desert Eagle Smith - Saturday October 13th, 2070: ~ 1100 - Jeremiah's Teepee

From far around you, the speed of the wind picks up. A shower of small stones, branches and dead leaves pelt your face and swirl around you. The fire flares, and from deep within it a face is almost visible for the most fleeting of moments.
The bacon burns quickly, the grease splattering the ground and your arms, stinging where it lands. The wind cools the sting and under the scent of the frying bacon you catch a faint whiff of rain.
The astral swirls and beckons, inviting you to dance, to sing. It waits.

Nico - Saturday October 13th, 2070: Midnight - Cape Town

OOC: Yes, you can have Africaans at 1.

Moving through the shadows you can see a figure moaning, thrashing limply in the water. Experience tells you that the victim is almost gone, its head sinking over and over again under the oil-slicked water of the harbor.
By now, the car is only distant brakelights. You can hear its brakes squeal around a corner and then even the brakelights disappear.
The victim moans again and as though it senses you in the darkness, calls out. The voice is feminine and soft.
... help me... please.

Drachen - Sunday October 13th, 2070: 03:00 - Cape Town

Setting the NERPS bottle back down on your nightstand you hear the faint sound of water running from somewhere. Suddenly it stops, replaced by the maddening drip-drip you recognize as that of your bathroom sink.
The scent of jasmine still floats on the air, seeming to shift from place to place about your room. From outside, you can hear the familiar sounds of Cape Town at night; car horns, people yelling, trains running...
But inside, your apartment seems strangely silent. The familiar scratching of the mice in the walls and the howling of the neigbor's cat are absent. All that remains is that steady drip-drip of water in the sink.
Looking around, straining your eyes to take in any changes in shadow or light you catch the faint gleam of glass to your left. Turning your head, you spy a half-full glass of water setting where there was none before. It's edge is pushed up against the bottle of NERPS. The water shakes ever so slightly in the cup... as if its just been moved.

Drachen - Sunday October 13th, 2070: 03:00 - Cape Town

Huh?

Wonderful. Brownies. Didn't know they had your sort down here.

Well , feel free to help your self to something to eat.

Drachen throws back the NERPS with the water, stops, realized he already took the NERPS, worries slightly about the possiblity of overdosing on NERPS, then shrugs it off and lays back down.

Thanks!

Nico - Sunday October 14th, 2070: Just after Midnight - Cape Town

Seeing the woman's head, hearing her fading pleas, Nico considerings helping. Then he considers walking away. The debate was not as great as it might be with a man of morales. To Nico it was a matter of economics. Getting involved was messy; People wanted her dead and wouldn't appreciate his messing that up. Swimming in the nasty water would soil his clothes; Luckily they are his street clothes. She might be able to compensate him for saving her... or she might be a worthless whore or worse.

Computing the economics of it one last time he comes to one indisputable conclusion, If she drowns I'll never know whether I would have profited. If she cannot compensate me, I simply need toss her back in and walk away....

He drops his jacket, including his com link and other gear in the pockets as well as his pistol, on dry land and jumps into the water. As he hits the nasty water he simply has one thought, That's gonna cost extra..

Nico - Sunday October 14th, 2070: Just after Midnight - Cape Town

The taste of polluted and briny water spills past your lips and down your throat, burning on the way down. Thick seaweed clutches at your ankles and at your thigh you feel something slick and undulating move past.
In front of you the woman thrashes weakly, reaching out to clutch at you. Her fingers find purchase in your shirt, digging in for dear life.
She pulls herself to you and even in the murky water you can feel the swell of her abdomen press against you.
Help me. she whispers again.

Nico - Sunday October 14th, 2070: Just after Midnight - Cape Town

Somewhere the merciless fates sit stirring their pot, reveling in the stew that they are brewing... Nico spins her around, wrapping his arm around her throat. For a brief moment he considers granting her a quick death, but sticks with his original plan. He begins swimming towards the shore.

Nico is not only strong, but a skilled swimmer. He moves slow and steady keeping her head above water as he moves towards the shore. What the hell am I doing? Finish her, cut and run with losses already incurred. But he stays on task, his decision already made....

Pulling the woman onto the pilings littering the shore, you can begin to pick out details otherwise obscured by shadows and murky water. The woman's face is bruised, her lip busted and swollen. Her skin is a rich mocha dotted here and there with henna tattoos. Long, dark hair is plastered against her skin and across her upper arms.
Strangely, the woman is clad in a long, black sequined evening dress. One ballet style high heel hangs to her ankle by a strap... the other is gone.
Her hand goes to her belly and her face contorts in momentary pain before she turns to one side and wretches... foul seawater coming up in waves. With her back to you, you can see a fresh wound across the back of her shoulder... it looks like it was made with a small caliber weapon. Close range.
She shudders and falls back into your lap, looking up at you. She stares at you for a long moment and then speaks, her voice barely a whisper.
Please, don't leave me here. Don't let me die.

Nico - Sunday October 14th, 2070: Just after Midnight - Cape Town

Life is about balance. Tonight the quality of her dress buys her a little more life, but brings another question: will she be more trouble than she is worth?
"Who are you? Why did they try to kill you?" He grabs his gear as he speaks, pulling his goggles on to use the thermo-graphics to better survey the area and insure that he doesn't have an audience. He also reviews the various paths back to the hotel. He needs a path that keeps to the shadows...

OOC: Intuition(4) + Street Knowledge(3): 3,3,6,3,4,2,6 = 2 hits
PS: He has multi-tasking and is able to to use perception observe in detail while doing everything else.

Desert Eagle Smith - Saturday October 13th, 2070: ~ 1100 - Jeremiah's Teepee

A quick scan of his softs revealed what he already knew. There were no dancing or singing softs, and out here, he wasn't going to download any soon.

sacrifices must have meaning

Bemused, DES lurched to his feet and awkwardly started shuffling and intoning the long ago learned words and moves.

He knew the words, he knew the steps, and he knew he was lousy at this. Controlling a flight of shot up RPVs was something he could handle far better then the ancient song and dance.

then again. it is the spirit of the the thing, not the ASIST control protocols

DES shuffled and intoned the words, projecting his will.

Nico - Sunday October 14th, 2070: Just after Midnight - Cape Town

Scanning the area around you, you can see a side alley that runs perpendicular to the pier you rest on now. The alley should run through the four city blocks you need to transverse to get home.

Out of your peripheral vision you see the woman stir, one hand still wound in your shirt... the other presses down against her belly. She appears to be fading, loosing conciousness fast. Her lips form a soundless word, over and over.

OOC: Roll Logic + Intuition (-1 for defaulting) to decipher the word.

The aura of magic that surrounds you while you maintain your perceptions in every direction grows stronger... as it often does when something else approaches. From off in the distance of the harbor, the early morning fog begins to roll in... deadening the sounds coming from the city across the way. Thin tendrils of murky brown-grey extend past the pilings you sit upon. Something in the air feels unsettled with its coming. You are left with the curious feeling that you don't belong here... that now is not YOUR time.

From behind you, a trio of drunken voices ring out in song. Most likely a group of sailors returning to their ship after a night of debauchery and mayhem. The crash of glass on the ground tells you that they've probably not yet had their fill of whatever the night might bring them. The voices pass you, close enough to hear their strange language and to smell the alcohol dousing their clothes. A moment later they've passed. The woman in your arms stares up at you frightened. Her fingers curl tightly around your arm.

Nico realized that there would be no payday if she died here. He moved quickly and quietly to stabilize the wound. The fog is a hidden blessing at the moment and he'll take it. He commits the word to his memory and places a finger across her lips gesturing for her to be quiet at the moment. He was curious as to the circumstances, but needed silence for the moment.

He sweeps her up, her weight little in comparison to his bulging muscles; His strength a benefit of his ork genes, despite having little resemblance to the average ork. He begins to move silently into the coming fog towards the motel...

Drachen - Sunday October 13th, 2070: 03:00 - Cape Town

The sounds of the city outside seem to fade as sleep finally takes you. The last thing you're concious of (whether it's a dream or reality is unknown) is of a beautiful woman in a rainbow headdress watching you sleep.

******

The morning dawns earlier then you would have liked. 9 a.m. Way to early for one such as you... yet, you feel strangely refreshed. Savoring the feel of the cool sheets on your skin, you lie there for a moment drinking in the quiet sun, soaking it up through your scales... err... skin. You shake your head. Strange thought.
Slipping out of bed, you pad into the bathroom. The scent of jasmine is strong in here. Soon, the hot water slicing over you skin clears your head of it's morning muddiness. A cup of even hotter coffee helps to complete the task.
Savoring the taste, your eyes sweep over the room, mentally catalouging your possessions, their places and their worth. Satisifed that everything is in its place, you get down to the business of doing your business.

Drachen - Sunday October 13th, 2070: 09:00 - Cape Town

Mmmm.... I love the way this place smells in the mornings. Even if it is hotter than hell half the time.

Wait , why does it smell like jasmine?!

Drachen takes a minute to look around the place, and remember what was going on last night, trying to sort out reality from dream. Recalling something he's suspicious might have actually happened, he rushes in to his room, and picks up the half full glass of water by his bed side. He lifts it and inspects it suspiciously.

After a moment ...
I'm inspecting a glass. Suspiciously. I'm an idiot.

Shrugging, Drachen drinks down the last of the water.
Hmmm... "half full". Wonder if that means I'll be having a good day?

Shrugging it off, Drachen prepares his things to head out again and get one last summoning in before going to the meet.

But first, breakfast!

He hits the market on his way out of town, picking up some good cooked meat, and some raw , for an offering.

Desert Eagle Smith - Saturday October 13th, 2070: ~ 1100 - Jeremiah's Teepee

The dance becomes easier after a few minutes. It's no longer an act of thought to move your legs, but more natural... more like breathing.

The dance lasts for a minute or for an hour... it's hard to decipher time. Soon, he's panting beside the fire... or what's left of it. Cooling embers emit a faint but steady stream of smoke. A feeling of completeness surrounds you. Whatever it is that you have done; be it the dreamquest, the sacrifice or the dance... it has pleased the spirits. A feeling of fulfilment enters your heart. What you ask will be given. The ritual is done.

Nico - Sunday October 14th, 2070: Just after Midnight - Cape Town

The mouthed word is difficult to make out. Mordrinn? Mandarin? Martin? It's a mystery that will need to wait until later to puzzle out.
Moving your hands over her wet form, you find her body a patchwork of bruises, wounds and cuts. Her wrists are red and raw, most likely from being bound by a slick rope or thick wire. Her ankles have a single contusion mark, almost as if they were cuffed. Her face is bruised and battered. But by far, her shoulder carries the most serious of her injuries. A small caliber gunshot wound fired at close range. The woman was lucky. It appears to have inserted just above the scapula and right underneath the collarbone on the right side. From the lack of blood, it's just barely missed the jumble of veins and arteries that runs through the neck and shoulder. Whoever did this was in a hurry, was a very poor shot or didn't intend for the shot to kill her. The harbor was known for its marine life... perhaps they had simply intended on the blood attracting the thing that would have killed her.
If that was the case, the person responsible must have wanted a death that could be disguised or must have had a serious hate on for this woman.

Hefting her slight form onto your shoulder is both easy and problematic. Her rounded abdomen forces you to carry her in your arms, as one would a child. She whimpers as you lift her and cries out in pain with your first step. After that, she's silent. A look at her face tells you she's finally slipped into unconciousness. The small amount of First Aid you've been able to do should staunch the bleeding until you can find better supplies. You'll need saline if you're to clean out that wound before infection sets in.

The fog continues to roil around you, acting as a strange sort of god-send. Your footsteps are muffled in the haze, and those you pass seem oblivious to your presence. Without having to slow, you manage to make it to the side entrance of your hotel in less then five minutes. The woman's face is pale and drawn. She moans again in her sleep and then whispers something unintelligible.

Nico - Sunday October 14th, 2070: Just after Midnight - Cape Town

Moving quietly, an inner turmoil initiates inside Nico. What the hell am I doing? This is more trouble than I need and definitely a complication that does not fit in my life... He'd quiz Spike later about local crime bosses and see if any had a name that came close.

As he reaches the motel, he slips around to the fire escape; He'd lucked out having a room there. Looking up at escape, he summons his inner strength and steels it channeling the mana into his legs. He then positions his cargo into a tender cradle then squats down and springs straight up into the air. He'd always been able to jump higher and farther than the other kids. He didn't much understand it, just took it as one of the things that set him apart from everyone else.

He aborted his first attempt quickly realizing he had neither properly positioned himself, nor compensated for his additional load. Looking around quickly to insure the area was still clear he jumped again reaching with his free hand and raising one leg high to gain additional height reaching for the ladder. This time he sprung nearly three meters off the ground, grabbing for the solid portion of the fire escape.