Dream Beach, Kingston - 06/11/2070 – 0050

Oh...

"Should we return to the shore then?"

Haywire is concerned about Makeda - it doesn't look dangerous, but one cannot underestimate the sea. And Makeda is important.

Dream Beach, Kingston - 06/11/2070 – 0055

Makeda wraps her arms around herself once she is out of the water and shivers slightly. "I'm sorry to be such a lame duck," she says, "I'm going to go inside and relax a bit by the fire before I go to sleep."

She looks up at where Fisheye is taking a good cut through a wave and asks, "are you going to stick around out here with them or come keep me company?"

Dream Beach, Kingston - 06/11/2070 – 0055

Haywire assures Makeda that she is nothing like a lame duck, and walks back to the mansion with the elf, after sending a small message to Mac through her commlink. Carrying her clothes and gun bundled in her hand, she looks down at herself, and laughs.

"I think I need to ask for a robe or something again... I really need to get used to stash a bikini in my bike."

Noticing the traces of salt left by the sea water, she adds:

"And a shower I think."

Dream Beach, Kingston - 06/11/2070 – 0110

Makeda gives Haywire another robe from the guest bedroom and a towel to take a shower with. By the time Haywire is cleaned up, she finds Makeda has done the same, and is curled up on some cushions by the fireplace in her living room. She has a bottle of wine and two glasses set on the floor and invites you to join her and talk.

After nearly an hour of pleasant small talk that passes like mere minutes, she takes to yawning and eventually she tells Haywire it's time for her to turn in for the night. As she stands up, she pulls on Haywire's hand lightly as if imploring her to join her, "you looked tired, hon, and I don't think the others are going to be done for quite a bit."

Dream Beach, Kingston - 06/11/2070 – 0200

Haywire nods, feeling tired as well. For a moment she's undecided, even though she doesn't know what she's undecided about, then smiles at Makeda, bids her good night, and heads to the guestroom.

Dream Beach, Kingston - 06/11/2070 – 0845

At some point in the night, Mac joins Haywire in the guest bedroom and promptly passes out on a corner of the bed.

The next morning Haywire wakes up to the now familiar sight of the sun shining brightly across the gleaming ocean through the balcony window. There are sounds of a couple people talking downstairs in the kitchen accompanied by the sounds of cooking in progress.

Dream Beach, Kingston - 06/11/2070 – 0845

Haywire smiles, slips into the robe, and heads down to the kitchen, the cold floor on her bare feet waking her up completely. She can almost smell the food getting prepared.

Mhh... breakfast. I wonder who is there.

Dream Beach, Kingston - 06/11/2070 – 0850

When Haywire steps into the kitchen she sees Merc - a spliff between his lips already at this early hour - leaning on a counter, Fisheye sitting on a stool drinking a mimosa, and Makeda by the kitchen island cooking up breakfast.

Haywire gets greeted and Fisheye makes her a mimosa so she can join in on the fun. No one ever seems to be sober around here. It’s a wonder that they get anything done.

“Breakfast will be ready in another ten minutes guys,� Makeda says cheerfully.

Dream Beach, Kingston - 06/11/2070 – 0850

Mhh...

Haywire greets the three friendly, thanks Fisheye for the drink, and looks for a spot on a counter to lean on. She also tries to arrange he robe better - she doesn't want to look disheveled in front of Makeda.

"How long did you surf last night?"

Dream Beach, Kingston - 06/11/2070 –0945

Fisheye says, “around three thirty the wind started dying down and the surf died so we called it a night around then.�

“Her ass is probably sore as shit from all the times she fell ass-first into a wave,� Merc quips. That gets a few laughs as Makeda continues to prepare breakfast.

A little while later breakfast is served in the sunroom where most of the talk is just back and forth shit-talking between people who are clearly used to going at it all day. Zack joints the group, but Mac continues to sleep, much to the amusement of everyone downstairs.

Dream Beach, Kingston - 06/11/2070 – 1000

Wonder what tired Mac out...

Haywire enjoys the breakfast, complimenting Makeda. She still feels a bit out of place, and underdressed, in Makeda's presence, but with the rest of the folks here it's not as overwhelming.

Dream Beach, Kingston - 06/11/2070 – 1155

The rest of them are indeed under dressed as well. Merc is just wearing a pair of shorts, Zach tops that by wearing a t-shirt that looks air dried and Fisheye is just wearing shorts and a tank top. Makeda however is dressed in a short silk kimono, neatly tied in all the right places.

After breakfast is served and eaten, Mac joins the crowd downstairs and more smack talk ensues.

It takes till about noon before people have to leave and Mac asks, “so, what are your plans for today anyway?�

Dream Beach, Kingston - 06/11/2070 – 1200

Haywire frowns slightly, and sighs. She got an appointment with Deanna at six.

"More work, I am sorry."

Don't even know what's it about, but can't be as bad as yesterday.

She makes a mental note to place a bikini in her bike though, during the afternoon.

"I got a couple of hours, then I have to be off."

Dream Beach, Kingston - 06/11/2070 – 1200

“Cool, you want to do something till then or you gotta do stuff on your own?� Mac asks, “looks like everyone else is splitting.�

Meanwhile Makeda is cleaning up after the guests that just left.

It’s very odd how she does seemingly all her house work by herself when she has so many alternatives. Surely she doesn’t clean the whole house by herself though and the place is constantly immaculate.

Dream Beach, Kingston - 06/11/2070 – 1200

Haywire stands up, trying to help Makeda clean up. She feels strange seeing Makeda do chores while doing nothing herself.

"I am not sure... "

Dream Beach, Kingston - 06/11/2070 – 1215

Makeda shoos Haywire away from the clean up. Perhaps she prefers her own brand of perfection.

Mac chit chats a little bit and suddenly seems to remember something he forgot about, "shit, I just realized I gotta be somewhere. I'm going to head out Haywire, you going to stick around here or what?"

Dream Beach, Kingston - 06/11/2070 – 1220

Hm... wonder if Makeda really keeps her house clean all by herself...

Haywire ponders while finishing her drink. She's got nuyen in her account, and shopping is beckoning, but... She decides to hang around a bit yet. She doesn't really know why.

"I've got enough time still, no need to rush out yet."

I should ask Makeda about Daddy Black Top, just in case I need some magical supplies.

Dream Beach, Kingston - 06/11/2070 – 1230

The house is now left empty with just you and Makeda.

She finishes up cleaning the sunroom and the kitchen before asking, “so, what’s your plan today? And don’t think I ask because I want you gone. You can stay as long as you like.�

Dream Beach, Kingston - 06/11/2070 – 1230

Haywire feels glad to hear that, and smiles at the elf, thanking her.

"I got no real plans. Shopping, maybe, or giving surfing a try, but with work later, I'd rather not tire myself out in advance."

And it's not enough time to start sailing...

Haywire hops on the kitchen top, letting her feet dangle.

"What plans do you have?"

Dream Beach, Kingston - 06/11/2070 – 1235

She grins as Haywire hops up on the counter, “I don’t know. Don’t really have plans today. I don’t really need to do any work for a few days, so I have tons of free time.�

“If you want I could teach you how to surf, or maybe you’d want to go shopping, but I gotta tell you. You can’t really find that much good stuff here.�

That last statement may just be from her perspective. While there are tons of fun things to buy on this Island, high-end luxury goods isn’t one of them.

Dream Beach, Kingston - 06/11/2070 – 1235

"Learning how to surf would be nice. Although as I said - I shouldn't tire myself out before work."

Haywire smiles, leaning forward a bit, just to the point where she's just short of losing her balance.

"I am not looking for luxury goods. Few more local clothes, more likely. And some supplies."

Haywire winces when she remembers what she thought of earlier.

"Speaking of supplies... I was wondering if you knew more about this houngan, Daddy Black Top. I haven't had any need for magical supplies yet, but that'll not endure, and he was said to be a source for such stuff."

Dream Beach, Kingston - 06/11/2070 – 1235

Makeda says, “I guess you could find that stuff just fine then.� As she says that she reaches over to correct one of the folds in Haywire’s robe, “though, you do look good in luxury clothes.�

Her smile then quickly fades as you switch topics, “I’d be careful around him. He is pretty much the place to go when you want magical supplies of any time – and fast too – but you have to be careful how you deal with him.

“He has a reputation for considering all profitable options when he is given a business opportunity, and he doesn’t much care if he gets that kind of reputation because most people who deal with him need to deal with him even if they don’t like him or think he is dangerous.�

“Just don’t get caught with your pants down around him,� she says as her smile returns and she winks, “save that for better company.�

Dream Beach, Kingston - 06/11/2070 – 1235

Haywire blushes, which puzzles her.

I haven't done that in some time... not since that locker room incident in basic training...

Flushed, and off-balance, Haywire slides a hand over her robe, flattening a wrinkle she most likely imagines.

Yeah, I'd look good in luxury clothes... but those are a tad pricey...still...

"So, what do you want to do?"

Dream Beach, Kingston - 06/11/2070 – 1240

Makeda raises an eyebrow, “I don’t know, we could go get something to eat and then maybe find you a couple of swim suits. You seem to need a couple good ones.�

“Otherwise, I tend to lay around on the beach, exercise, cook, and just enjoy myself with good people.�

Dream Beach, Kingston - 06/11/2070 – 1240

I wonder what she does for a living...

Haywire smiles at the suggestion, agreeing without much thinking. And Makeda is sure to pick good ones.

"Oh, that sounds good. What did you have in mind, swimsuit, or bikini?"

Dream Beach, Kingston - 06/11/2070 – 1245

“Swimsuits are for competitive swimmers,� she laughs, “real women wear bikinis.�

She taps your calf as if to get you to jump off the counter, “come on, go get dressed and we’ll take my car. I’ll get you back here in time so you don’t get to work late.�

Dream Beach, Kingston - 06/11/2070 – 1245

Haywire feels a tingle go through her calf at Makeda's touch again.

Oh...

She smiles, hops down from the counter, and heads to the guest room to change, then suddenly stops and turns to Makeda.

"Oh... what kind of shop are we going to? I am not exactly dressed for trés-chic."

And I'd rather not marr her impression...

Dream Beach, Kingston - 06/11/2070 – 1245

She smiles warmly, "don't worry about that. There are just a few places you need to be dressed tres-chic for on this island, and the shops we'll go to won't be any of them."

"I'll be down in a bit," she says and heads up stairs, her robe billowing behind her.

Dream Beach, Kingston - 06/11/2070 – 1245

Haywire smiles as well, and goes to change, her heart lighter than before. Again, she doesn't wonder why she'd even care what some luxury-shop aimed at corporate execs and their spouses would think of her. She's just happy Makeda doesn't mind.

A few minutes later she waits in the main hall, wearing her top and shorts, and her holster, and checking out the decor.

Not sure if my gun's appropriate, have to ask her once she's back.

Downtown, Kingston - 06/11/2070 – 1245

Makeda comes downstairs dressed in a Dior summer dress, elegant sandals and carrying a boutique brand purse.

She takes Haywire's hand and leads her to her car, a late model Ranger Rover - heavily and subtly armored - and drives to the nicer shopping district frequented by the sarariman tourist types.

"So, eat or shop first?"

Downtown, Kingston - 06/11/2070 – 1300

"Huh? Oh, we just ate, so let's shop first."

That'll put a dent into my pay, but I got another job lined up already, so I should be good...

Haywire studies the shops and the streets, trying to get a feel for the area. Do the locals frown on weapons, or are those part of the local "watch pirates, get thrilled" charm? Next to the dior-clad elf she feels very underdressed again.

Maybe I'll be mistaken for a bodyguard...

Downtown, Kingston - 06/11/2070 – 1310

Makeda valets her car in front of a pricy shopping plaza. The plaza is ringed by a hollow square of shops open on both sides and in the center is a grassy area with seating for the outdoor restaurants and the buildings and the restaurants are integrated with a variety of hanging gardens and lush greens.

She leads you into one of the larger shops – Saks, a UCAS export Haywire recognizes – and leads you to the summer clothes area. She is immediately greeted by the saleswomen in the store and Haywire is indeed treated like her “staff� until she politely points out that she is here for Haywire.

“Lets find the summer clothes,� she says as the saleswoman leads you to the beach wear section.

Downtown, Kingston - 06/11/2070 – 1310

Yeah, yeah, I get the pciture - I need better clothes. Well, Miss salesperson, you'd not go out biking in chanel cocktail dresses either...

Haywire is a bit miffed at the attitude of the staff of the shop, but doesn't let it show - she doesn't want to embarass Makeda.

I hope I don't get turned into a mannequin though...

Downtown, Kingston - 06/11/2070 – 1340

It quickly becomes obvious to Haywire that Makeda is a frequent customer here and she is used to having her every whim served.

They are offered comfortable seats, cappuccino is served as well as small pastries, while a parade of bikinis is modeled for them by a model who seems coincidentally to be the same measurements at Haywire.

Soon after another model, similar in size to Makeda, joins in as it seems she wants to buy something while she is here too.

Downtown, Kingston - 06/11/2070 – 1340

Definetly don't need to go eating now, not after those pastries...

Haywire enjoys the shopping, and takes her time, although she defers to Makeda's taste and fashion sense when it comes to picking the bikinis she buys. She feels the elf knows better what is fashionable and what looks good on her than herself.

Downtown, Kingston - 06/11/2070 – 1640

It is easy to defer to Makeda’s tastes as she naturally takes charge of the situation and suggests which outfits Haywire should try on and buy. Any request for a price check on any of the items is waved away and you end up leaving the store with more than just a few swimsuits and none of it at her own expense.

The day turns into a flurry of shopping, gossip and relaxation as the pair visit various stores in the area and they end up sitting at a small café drinking from small china cups with a neatly arrayed pile of shopping bags carried by a convenient livery drone.

Throughout the day Makeda puts Haywire more at ease through friendly conversation and before long they are talking more like long time friends than recent strangers.

Downtown, Kingston - 06/11/2070 – 1640

Haywire feels at ease, and happy, even though it's clear that her own upbringing, especially her time in Knight Errant, left her lacking in the fashion area. She mentions a few episodes here and there, without going into the gory parts. Time flies, and her commlink reminding her to get ready for her job comes as a surprise.

Damn... that late already?

Haywire is honestly sorry she has to cut the shopping trip short, and says so, when she explains that she needs to get back to her bike, so she can get ready for her job in time. She hopes Makeda will understand.

Downtown, Kingston - 06/11/2070 – 1715

Makeda doesn’t make an issue of it and says, “I’ll drive you back to my place and I’ll have your bags couriered over to your apartment. Can’t be lugging these bags on the back of a bike.�

After driving Haywire to her home to pick up her bike, she hugs Haywire goodbye and says, “stay safe, and don’t forget to come back with some of those new clothes on.�

Downtown, Kingston - 06/11/2070 – 1715

Haywire returns the hug, and mounts her bike, driving back to her flat. There she grabs her gear, checking if all her clips are full, and stashes it in her duffel bag again. After a longing look at her new clothes, she leaves, driving down to Pier 4.

I wonder what this mission is about...

Haywire is a bit distracted by the memory of the shopping trip still, but those are happy distractions. Makeda's uncanny way accidentally fluster her doesn't help, of course - Haywire has never met a person like her.

I'd rather have a flashback to a shop than to a massacre any day of the week.

Arriving at pier 4, she pushes the bike inside the warehouse, and looks around for Secoiya and Deanna, or Zoe.

Downtown, Kingston - 06/11/2070 – 1750

Inside the warehouse Haywire sees Zoe sitting on a stool, watching Deanna work on an odd looking drone. She has her commlink in her hand so it’s questionable whether she is actually paying attention.

Secoiya’s Jeep isn’t here yet so maybe something is keeping her a little late.

Zoe waves high when she sees you but Deanna does not seem to notice Haywire coming in.

Downtown, Kingston - 06/11/2070 – 1750

"Hi Boss, Hi Zoe."

Haywire walks over to them, putting her duffel bag down and stretching a bit.

"So, what's up in the matrix, kid?"

Haywire is in a good mood, even if she hasn't had a drink during the afternoon yet.

"And any idea what tonight's job is about?"

Downtown, Kingston - 06/11/2070 – 1800

"And any idea what tonight's job is about?"

Zoe smiles back, “nadda, just screwing around on some gossip nodes.�

Deanna gives a triumphant pat on the back of the drone after screws the back-plate back on, “there done. Thing shouldn’t leak anymore.�

She turns around and nods at you as if she just noticed you are here, “Hey Haywire, you don’t happen to know how to scuba do you?�

Downtown, Kingston - 06/11/2070 – 1800

Scuba diving? Uh...

"Hi boss... and no, I can't scuba dive. Unless you've got a spare "Deep Diver 3" skillsoft, in which case I'll be doing a credible imitation of Cousteau in 3 seconds."

Haywire thinks for a second.

"Of course, depending on what you need a scuba diver for, I could, if really needed, go down astrally and have a water elemental tag along for physical work. So, what exacrtly is this job?"

Downtown, Kingston - 06/11/2070 – 1805

“Yeah, I’d think that’d do, but I’ll dig around for a diving chip. There’s a chance I can find one,� she says.

Deanna gets a little faraway look for a second of a woman who’s conscience is jacked into a machine before coming back, “job’s gotta be fairly simply. There’s a research ship registered out of Europort that’s planning on doing some deep sea research and they hired me to provide security.

“So I figured I’d ask if it’s necessary. Water elemental thing seems like a good idea though,� she says. She does seem very pleasantly surprised. Haywire hasn’t worked with her for too long, and she’s never worked with an awakened crewmember before so she still gets surprised when she sees new tricks.

Downtown, Kingston - 06/11/2070 – 1810

There she goes all robot....

Haywire shudders internally. Seeing Deanna jump into drones like that is a bit unnerving for her.

"Ah, security. For an entire research ship? What's the corp's name?"

Hope we haven't bitten off more than we can chew...

Downtown, Kingston - 06/11/2070 – 1810

“It’s nothing like the other ship,� she says. Deanna doesn’t name the ship but it’s fairly obvious by her emphasis she meant the one that was recently “salvaged.�

“It’s a 130 footer and they have a small research sub. They have a little bit of their own security on board – who doesn’t right? – but they wanted something a little more substantial security for the research they are doing in pirate waters.�

Downtown, Kingston - 06/11/2070 – 1810

Haywire nods.

Not too big a target then... I don't fancy taking on the gingerbread man...

"So, when do we head out? And do we armor up? And where's Sec?"

Pier 4, Kingston - 06/11/2070 – 1810

"You know what I always say," Deanna says, and indeed, Haywire remembers, "better uncomfortable, ugly and alive, rather than comfortable, pretty and dead."

Zoe chuckles as she does every time she hears Deanna repeat that.

"And Secoiya will be here in a few minutes. She said she had some family trouble so she'd be about twenty minutes late," she says, "and don't worry about the armor now, we can do that after we are out of patrolled waters.

"Anyway, just get whatever you need ready, we should be leaving at seven."

Pier 4, Kingston - 06/11/2070 – 1810

Haywire nods, and re-checks her gear, making sure she has enough ammo for a trip.

Speaking of...

"Oh... how long will this take?"

I'll have to send a message to Makeda and Mac if we're gone for a few days...

Pier 4, Kingston - 06/11/2070 – 1820

"We'll be out there till 10:30 or so. Probably take about two hours to dock after that," she says. "I've got some food I'm bringing on board."

About a minute later she says, "there's Secoiya now," and a few moments later Haywire hears the sound of her Jeep. "Help her get her gear on board and we'll head out. I'm going to get the last f the drones in."