Kynos gave Wheely the go ahead to share the address. The place was no longer secret any way and now that the nanite problem was over - seemingly - he could look for a new place somewhere with a few more amenities.

While he waited for the others to return, he opened up a cot for himself and took some Z-time, but not before he had asked wheely to root the sensor feed from his car to him, so he would be alerted if anyone came near here.

Simone pulls up to the address Sovereign has provided her and turns to him. "You need me inside, scary mage, or is this a one-man show?"

The drive to the ganger's base of operations had been rather quiet. Inconceivably boring and uneventful even. There was hardly any traffic on the roads for that matter. No surprise really. Only the brave or the foolhardy would venture out into these zombie infested streets, these death filled alleyways. No longer is Touristville a bustling attraction of entrepreneurs and thrill-seekers. But instead a mecca of madness and morbidity. Fit only for the damned. Strangely enough, there seems to be no sight of the baleful wights. It wasn't but a few days ago that Maxwell had his first actual encounter with the rotted ones not too far from here. Only he had the courage to stand up to them head on. Or stupidity, depending on how you want to look at it. He finally received the chance to experience firsthand their tactics and behavior. And in turn, they got to witness the full might of his resolve. And that of his magic.

Before leaving the van, Maxwell ponders Simone's question. He bites his bottom lip in thought as he weighs the pros and cons of having her accompany him. Versus staying behind and keeping watch. "Better play it safe and have you come with me. We're easy pickings when we are by ourselves. I don't anticipate us having to worry about dealing with anyone or anything tonight. But in case I'm wrong we should stay grouped up." Said the mage as he left the vehicle and started crossing the school parking lot.

Simone nods and sets the alarm system on the van before following Sovereign.

Undaunted by the task set out ahead, Simone and Maxwell make their steady way to the school front doors. The roto-drones above ignore the sleuths traipsing about. Maxwell's history with the Brain Eaters comes with a few added perks. One being is that he isn't forced to sneak in or out if he ever has the need for a quick council. He throws open the door and leads his partner in crime to follow. There was no doorman or robotic cadaver to greet their unannounced arrival. No traps for that matter. The halls seemed eerily empty as far as the eye could tell. Knowing the gangers, they'd probably all be holed up underground burning the midnight oil in some needlessly elaborate VR computer nerd game. Or they could all be launching in concert a brute force cyber-attack on a rival gang or corp. Either way, there appeared to be no obstacle of any sort in their path. The mage delightfully mused to himself about this observation and bid the medic to wait here until his return.

After a few minutes spent navigating the school hallways and class rooms, Maxwell finds the one he had previously laid out for himself. He enters the abandoned room filled with vacant desks and chairs. Most of them overturned or moved to the side. There, in the corner, lay a mattress and blanket. Along with his duffel bag. He takes several steps towards the makeshift bedding and grabs and shoulders the large black bag. With it's strap pulled tight over his shoulder due to the weight of it's contents. He leaves the class room for the final time and meets up with Simone. The mage saddles right up in front of her and unzips the container. Flashing her the standard-issue Knight Errant full body armor and helmet. Grinning, he says. "Here love. I think you'll make better use of this than me. You were nearly gunned down during the assault. Had I not intervened, you probably would have been. We have one more stop ahead. At Papa Midnight's shop. He has a whole store filled with occult paraphernalia and alchemical solutions that I'll need to supply myself with. Also, he might be more knowledgeable regarding certain a fore mentioned arcana."

Simone nods and smiles as she reaches for the duffel bag and shoulders it. "Thank you, Sovereign, I am sure that this will indeed come in handy." She turns and follows the scary mage back to the van, where she stores the bag and calmly waits for the man to give her the address. Once she has it, she puts the van in gear and drives to the indicated location.

"You need me in with you, Scary Mage? I can be good backup if you expect any trouble."

After sending the location to Irris Wheely lean on the bed and start chilling in VR, giving his body some rest.

I roll into town looking for tell tale signs of being followed and pull up to the nondescript hole in the ground that I was given directions too.

"I think that's Wheelies car? I think to myself. "I wonder where everyone is.

@Nyx: Hey Nyx I want to buy a gun. You seem to be easy on the eyes and able to get a good deal. I can give you the specs now or if you'd rather do it in person, I'm back in town.

Noticing Irris' approach through the sensor feed from wheely's car, Kynos went out to guide her in:
"Had a pleasant trip? Please tell me, you weren't in on that whole "let's abduct our mage and deliver him to bug spirits" thing."

Bug Spirits? No, god no. As for the trip I spent most of the time unconscious in the trunk so... I shrug. I met him for the first time when I met the rest of you. I was just as surprised and a bit more put out.

"Good enough I guess. Come in, I bought some chow."
Kynos nodded towards the hole and lead the way down to his hideout.

>>>>Finnestra [Nyx]: Shopping? Erm... I suppose it's not completely impossible but... If my closet is empty, it's not just because it's easier to move away. It might also have something to do with money. Or the lack of it to be precise... No way I could afford anything really fancy. A simple dress and shoes maybe, but probably not much more.<<

>>Irris [Nyx]: A gun? Erm... I suppose I would be able to get you one cheap... If I knew where to look. I never had to for myself, so if you're in a hurry, it might be better to look somewhere else. If not, I can try, sure.<<

@Nyx Finestra texts. "you got a big payday... live a little. Will pick you out soon. Find somthing in your budget."
@ Max, Irris. The Brain eaters are indeed submerged in VR they have a small body of drones protecting the place and the rooms of the school look like they have seen combat. There are bullet holes and dried bloid stains on the walls. Max's bag is found where he left it.

>>Finnestra [Nyx]: I didn't get a big payday. I will get a big payday. Which makes things a bit difficult actually. Eh, some people survive without eating for a month, I could try to see if I'm one of those people... Anyway, I'll try my best.<<

For the rest of the morning, Nyx went to a few shops, trying to see what she could find. Or more exactly, trying to find the best she could, the cheapest possible. She wasn't exactly sure what Finnestra had planned after that was such a good idea - after all, when she had said she wasn't exactly interested by women was the truth, even if she wasn't completely against it - but she supposed owning a dress and shoes wouldn't hurt. Much.

@Nyx The Red Phonix is a Asian restaurant with whose chef is known for her fusion food. In normal days, most of the clientele is very upscale. You would feel a bit underdressed, but tonight there is a casual theme to the restaurant.


As the two of you enter, the host quickly recognizes Finestra and seats you in a private booth with a nice city view. Apparently, you have a dedicated waitress that gingerly that their menu is a fusion of five different Asian cuisines and that dishes arrive as they are ready and they encourage you to share.

Finestra selects a fine bottle of red wine and then goes over the menu with you. Saying "Don't worry about the prices - owner and I have an arrangement. Just order what you like."

Maxwell leaned back in the passenger side seat with his arms behind his head acting as a cushion. He listened to her offer nonchalantly and considered if it'd be apropos to have her accompany him or not. "If you want. I have some magical biz to discuss with a friend that could end up being boring for a mundane to have to endure. Really it makes no difference to me." The mage remained cool and collected as he was driven from one part of Touristville to the next. Unused cars and trucks and motorcycles of various brands are parked alongside the roads. And with some even ditched in the middle of the way. Making it slightly more difficult to progress than usual. For all the advances of modern science and the convenience it ushers within it's wake, there can be no remedy for the mercurial nature of the metahuman heart. It doesn't take much to unhinge the common man from his apathetic rituals. Or, for that matter, to dislodge him from his home. All that's required nowadays is a shadowy boogeyman to creep out from underneath their bed at night. What form that boogeyman in question takes however varies from person to person, gang to gang, corporation to corporation.

Without a complaint, Simone manages to take Maxwell to his talismonger. Barely took twenty minutes to get there. She finds a spot to park near the entrance of the emporium. The store itself could be mistaken for a rather nondescript antique shop if it weren't for the giant glowing neon sign that hung in front of the door. As well as the two bins parallel to each other that burned with some kind of pale blue ghost-fire. To be honest, he never knew what function those magical braziers served. Other than to make the place look more authentic he guess. The mage said his thanks to Simone and planted a kiss on her cheek before getting out of the van. He made his way through the door and into the building itself. In a way, it was a small wonder to behold every time one would walk into a talismonger shop. Trinkets and baubles of antediluvian make lay stocked inside glass casings for public purchase. Morbid displays such as full skeletons and disembodied monster heads are propped up on shelves or set aside in corners. Rows of bookshelves lined with tomes of esoteric arcana fill the empty spaces of the walls. Truly, the magician was home here.

Simone nods. "Probably best for me to remain in the van, then." She parks and leans back in her seat as the scary mage goes inside the building.

@Nyx: I'm looking for a Krime Boss with internal smartlink, long barrel and a custom grip. It should be fairly easy to find between the two of us.

OOC: if we can teamwork the rolls

@Maxwell The store is open and is at its usual creepy/mystical atmosphere- but your contact is not there. "Midnight is occupied." explained a young black man, wearing what appears to be traditional tribal outfit - perhaps a spirit thing. The man has a striking resemblance to your contact but is clearly younger. Somewhere between a teenager and a young man. "I am afraid we are limited, with the services we can offer until he gets back. Is there anything you require?"

The mage was initially lost in thought perusing a certain volume of anachronistic lore that he didn't notice the boy at first. Upon recognition of the young man's presence and his approach caused Maxwell to close the book he was idly reading and to shelve it again. He regarded him with suspicion but eventually dismissed the pervasive feelings of dubiousness and returned the greeting. "Much." Said Maxwell in response. "I need five hundred and twenty five drams of raw alchemical reagents. I need a fetish too. Preferably in the form of a ring or an amulet. I need a shaman's tuxedo as well. One suited for chaos magic and the summoning of fire spirits. Also, I need as many books or chip-drives containing information on the subjects of insect spirits, shedim and ritual sacrifice. I can pay for all of this today and in advance."

The man frowned "Well some of this stuff we have here, drams are relatively easy to come by. a Fetish needs to be crafted for you so it would take a few days. I'll see what I can do about the books and the tux."

Maxwell smiles, ever so slightly and proceeds to elaborate and give the young man an earful. He was at no loss for words in describing the specifics towards the designs of the tuxedo and the soon to be constructed fetish. They both had to be pragmatic in function, yet devilishly stylish and imposing when it came to looks. After exhausting his list of various ideas based upon old black magic themes framed within new chaos magic terminology, Maxwell went on to pay the boy in full. After the money had been exchanged Midnight's younger lookalike gave the magician the digital books he had requested and the reagents as well. The tuxedo would require a few days time to be tailored appropriately. The fetish on the other hand would just need a night's worth of tinkering. Then, once completed, the talisman could be attuned to a particular few of Maxwell's spells.

Merrily, he left the shop and rejoined Simone in her van. There was much he had to do. The moon continued to wax with each passing night. Threatening his life like a celestial guillotine. He had to pay the piper soon. As in tomorrow kind of soon, or else it'll end up being curtains for him. Not just that, he still had to decide what to do with Grail's former blood supplicants. The vampire recommended informing the city's new chief of police about their status and location so that Maxwell might win a favor or two from them in case something bad happened to him somewhere down along the road. He decided to consign both of those tasks to the rest of the tomorrow's activities. And, even more importantly, he prayed Grail wouldn't busy himself by shoving his slimy cock into Amy now that his slave cult is going to be liberated.

Simone looks aver to Sovereign and notes that he seems to be in a mood of some kind. What sort of mood is not clear to her, though. "So, where next, scary mage?"

Maxwell shook his head. Still brandishing that faint smile of his. Like he was in on a joke that no one else in existence was privy to. "Nowhere love. It's time we call it a night. I need several hours to myself though. I have a project to work on deep within the astral. I should be done by sunrise." On that note he gets up out of his chair and walks to an empty space in the back of the van. He sits down cross-legged on the cold metal floor and reaches inside his leather jacket. Maxwell pulls out a small brown sachet bag. He unloosens the bag and pours out a tiny amount of it's contents into his hand. With his hand held in front of his chest, Maxwell closes his eyes and begins chanting sub-vocally to himself. The reagents in his hand spontaneously combusts into a darkened black flame. A faint mist then fills the small area he occupies. Shaping the mana around him to suit his needs. Spending most of the night in a ritualistic trance.

For the evening, Nyx had chosen a small black dress: you couldn't do wrong with that, and it was pretty easy to find for a reasonable price. For her shoes, she had selected small heels in a matching colour. It clearly wasn't expensive but somehow, she seemed able to get the most out of it, as if anything more would have been too much. Once seated, she nodded at Finnestra's explanation and glanced at the menu. The only reason her eyebrows didn't go up then was thanks to her perfect control over her features. She didn't mind sharing, but the price… No matter what arrangement she had with the owner, there was no way it would be anything else than expensive.

In a situation like that one, people tended to react one of two ways: the first one was to indulge oneself, and take whatever one wanted, or on the contrary, restrain oneself, and only pick the less expensive dishes. Nyx was definitely in the second category and while she didn't order the cheapest dish on the menu, it wasn't far from it. After that, she asked "So, what is this arrangement that you have with the owner?"

»Iris [Nyx]: No idea what it is just now, as you may have noticed, I'm not really a gun person. But unless it's something really scarce, I should be able to get it for you.«

@Nyx Finestra was wearing a Nightshade dress which combined safety and style. It was black dotted with blue and red stars that gently twinkled. At some places, the cloth was transparent to show some legs and cleavage, but it was still there and still offered its protection. She ordered what was her favorite dish - a sushi plate. She also orders a bottle of a light and fruity sparkling wine for the two of you and pours a glass.

When you ask her about the 'arrangement' she answers
"A barter. I get treated like a princess when I visit and the owner calls me when he needs my services. You'll be surprised how challenging supplying a high-end restaurant can be at times."

@Maxwell You spend most of the night uselessly trying to get into a meditative state you are about to give up when you find yourself in a place familiar. Your world lies behind you like a ball of colors, as you repeat your mantra it gets smaller and smaller. Until you reach nothingness, infinite open spaces to anywhere you go.

and you are not alone in there, there is another entity a guardian. You might be ready for this encounter if you did enough reading but that entity seems to block you from moving further. It envelopes the entire space like a sphere of blackness and there is nothing except the two of you in there. "Where are you going, Slave?" the entity asks.

Being transported from an earthly plane to an unfathomable void had to be the equivalent of taking a child from it's crib and throwing it into a cold, bottomless lake. No amount of life experiences can prepare oneself from the shock of such an event. Maxwell, despite his tragic upbringing, isn't either. He felt like he was going to be swallowed by the sheer emptiness all around. As if he was but a single spark that shot out from a bonfire. Only to meets it's fate and fade in the wind. Yet, all that paled to the fact that something else was there with him. Of all of the inconceivable possibilities, he had to find the one thing that would ward him off. "I'm no slave." Declared the mage defiantly. Maxwell stops himself from engaging whatever it is that's talking to him in a battle of words and considers his next ones carefully. "Years ago... I had a dream. I saw a bloodied wasteland. Filled with countless upon countless of corpses. The sky was dark, blackened. No moon was there. No voice to be heard. No sound of beating heart, a sight profound. Thunder cracked the sky. Making it bleed with lightning. Flames danced in the air and scorched the ground. Burning from body to body. It was in this hellish nightmare that I beheld a lonesome armored knight. And it was he who would become the source of my magic. However, since then he's been... distant to me. Entirely silent. What I seek is his audience once more."

Simone watches the scary mage go to the rear of the van and settle down then drives the van to a location where she can park it in relative security. Once there, she sends a quick message to the rest of the team to let them know where she and Sovereign are and opens the floor panels to her bed. Stripping, she slips under the covers and goes to sleep.

@Maxwell there is no reply from the entity, but you are suddenly aware of the astral manifestation of your spirit pact which manifests as a rope entangling you and spreading out to the horizon.

Perhaps that was the reply or perhaps accidental you are uncertain but the entity is void and a dark barrier is still preventing you from moving onwards toward most metaplanes.

The mad magician gazed out onward. Towards the endless cosmic sea. A great vastness of astral space stretched out between him and his destination. Engorging his ocular ardor. He had a long voyage ahead of him. Not one that could be measured in nautical miles. But instead, maybe light years. Maxwell sighed as he floated in stillness. He didn't anticipate this to be his response. He turned around and looked back at earth. At the splendid sphere. He wondered how far he must travel before he could return to it's vibrant sanctuary. He shook his head, then went in the another direction. Gliding his way to the end of his contractual spirit tether.

"Oh." Nyx kept silent for a second or two, then grimaced "I imagined something more sinister than that. Sorry… It's nice then. Is this the only place where you have an arrangement like that with the owner?"

While obviously a bit tense in the beginning, Nyx started to become more comfortable as time went on, participating more readily to the discussion. What she didn't do however, was talk about her past, and barely about herself at all.

@Maxwell - the path leads you to a small place, considerably smaller than the plane you left, it is perhaps the size of a village and looks like a desolate desert with a few scattered villages. The place is populated with what seem to be two different kinds of spirits, wasp spirits and ant spirits. It is not obvious which spirit you are interested in - there are several hundreds of them.

@Nyx You are indeed being treated with utmost respect, and the stay is enjoyable. Your glass is never empty and you only need a minute gesture to summon the waitress.
Finestra answers "Yes the only one... I don't work with much with legit business. Normally when someone needs my services they pay with cred-sticks... When it is a legitimate business it is difficult to pay with hard untraceable currency." She giggles "Perhaps not my wisest business decision... she says, and then takes a sip from her wine, closes her eyes and says "but it is fun, isn't it" it was unclear what exactly she referred to though.

Maxwell raised an eyebrow at the eclectic scene. He internally inquired as to why these two different breeds are working in such close proximity with one another. Instead of being at each other's throats. Nonetheless, the aspiring mage ignored his own questions and marched on. Visibly scanning each spirit as he went. Trying to tell the difference between one ant and another was maddeningly difficult. He figured the best approach would be to simply ask a group of them of the whereabouts of his contractor. Once he came across a certain set of ants not busying themselves with mindless grunt work he introduced himself and proceeded to say. "Greetings. My name is Sovereign. I'm looking for some spirit pals of mine. Well, I'm looking for the one that holds the rights to my spirit pact in particular. There's some things we need to discuss. Specifics and whatnot. Can you point me in the right direction?"

"Hmm". For a long time, Nyx didn't answer. She looked pensive, maybe melancholic even. She didn't know if it was "fun", but it was certainly nice. The meal was much better than the rations she ate most of the time anyway. Being on the road or hiding in a hole didn't allow for luxurious meals after all. The change was welcome, enjoyable. But… She sighed "It is nice. But it will make leaving that much harder."

@Maxwell The ants quickly shhsh you "You should not be here chosen one... the wasps will kill you."

@Nyx Finestra does not verbally respond but Nyx can feel her leg stroking her thigh under the table. Shortly after she straightens up and smiles trying to gauge Nyx's reaction. "This drek that you are in, is there any hope that it ends? It seems to me that you are on the path to very lonely and depressing existence... and as you avoid all the pleasures of life you make yourself susceptible to be tempted by these things you miss, affection, friendship... "

The pyromaniac was about to ask the meaning behind that statement, but before he did he suddenly remembered Gefen mentioning something about her hive perishing due to the dryad's negligence. He began to put two and two together and came to the realization that the wasps have been competing against the ants for planar dominance. Probably for quite some time given the state of things. With that in mind, Maxwell sought to actively conceal his true intentions for his astral foray and thought it be wisest to omit a few details here and there. Misleadingly he says. "That's part of the reason of why I'm here. I now have the means to bring a few of you over. To Gaia. But before I can get the ball rolling I need to know what I've managed to scrounge up will suffice or not. Where are the guys I talked to before? Surely they can shed some light."

@Maxwell The ant replies "You are bound to our queen, but the wasps have her, this is how they enslaved us. Do you think that you can obtain her?"

Nodding yes, the mage says. "I can. Or I can try at least. I'll need some time to prepare before I'll be able to lead the charge. If time flows in my favor then I should be ready in about a week. Although, how that translates here could be a different story all together." He bids the bugs farewell and leaves the barren, dusty village. Traversing the expansive astral cosmos proved again to be lengthy adventure to him. How long it took him to return, Maxwell couldn't think to know. But after what felt like forever and a half, he saw the delightful glow of his world. A rainbow of colors shifting in and around the earthly sphere. A planet rich with life, with mana. A stark contrast of appearance and substance between here, and where he had just come from. Maxwell soars with glee as he flies to his body. Ghosting past city and countryside until he found the right van in Touristville. Once spirit and flesh rejoin, his trance comes to an abrupt end. He awakens and gets up off the cold metal floor. Noticing Simone to be asleep, he tread carefully so not to wake her. He yawned quietly to himself as he tip-toed around. His body needed rest. Even though his mind be energized and active. He too removed one article of clothing after another and joined the woman in bed. With one arm snugly wrapped around her chest and with his head resting next to hers.

Nyx flinched when Finnestra's leg brushed hers, but she didn't react all that much. While she didn't initiate another contact, she didn't move her leg away either. In fact, she seems rather more focused on the discussion than anything else.

"End?" She snorted, a bit uncomfortably "There are only two ways for it to end: with me either dead or a slave. I'm not sure which one I'd prefer to be honest..." She shrugged "So yes, it's lonely, and often really uncomfortable but it beats those two other options, so..." She sighed "So yes, the temptation to get those things that others take for granted is there from time to time. But it has never been worth the price..." As she said that, she seemed to look far behind, in the past "Not for me, and even less for those few whom I got close to, before I learned that lesson..."

@Nyx Finestra sighed "Seattle is not my first city, I take precautions and once I get too famous in a certain place it is time to move. I get your lifestyle - I really do. "

She leans forward and adds "... but safety is not just laying low, these things help for a short while but at the end of the day. You are an easy target. You know nobody and nobody has a vested interest in your safety. You face powerful enemies but have no allies. You are counting the days to the time you need to run again. My safety is tied to my networking skills. To have the leverages to motivate powerful people to keep me safe."

Seeming relaxed she commented. "But I agree, romances are always dangerous... this is why I only planned on getting laid tonight."

Simone stirs a bit as Sovereign slips into bed with her and gives a sleepy smile as he wraps an arm about her. She puts her hands on the man's arm and snuggles against him, drawing a deep breath at his aroma. "Hey there, scary mage, you made it back. Mmmm, this feels nice. You must be exhausted, so get some sleep. I am not going anywhere."

When he wakes, the mage finds that Simone has shifted about and is looking at his face, her eyes wide open. She reaches up to stroke his cheek and speaks softly. "Good morning. I like waking up to you in my bed. Would you allow me to kiss you?"

Even in dreams, there would be little rest for the mage. A metaphysical drama continued to play out in his sleep. Overworking his mental faculties with reverberating depravity. Turning himself against himself. "Twilit visions re-flowers my shackled mood. It's time to heal, to join the unearthly gallant show. My spirit hungers for the night's remedies. Which breeds in the depths of mother nature's mutilated womb. Waiting for the augury, the full moon's appearance. Enchanting primary forces in the four elements. With the intention to unite micro and macrocosm. On a quest to diffuse areas, physically afar. I open the atlas to solitary spheres, thousand maps drawn with blood. Subconsciously descending into the context of these archaic alignments. As the moon rises to release my esteemed emotions. The lunar aurora, the spirits productive grain. Guide me into a landscape, astral and arcane. I can feel the towering mountain, as well as the abyss-like sea. In my veins the wildest river, and every growing tree. A visitor in a void with veil-capped fields. Climbing the ladder of sagacity. Touched by the vast starry sky's nocturnal kiss, the most passionate romance between lovers. Observing, obeying, obtaining the absolute. Leaving my physical host. In the cave of dreams a courier I am, passing visions to the body. A twilight child in twilight zones. Fated to find the key. To unlock the soul from the flesh-prison. Striving endlessly."

His dream-nonsense dissipates as his body feels outside stimuli. Sleepily, Maxwell opens one eyelid, then another. The focusing blur fades from his sight and he sees Simone on the other end. Watching him. Caressing him. Asking if she could kiss him. It's strange for someone with less than an ounce's worth of essence to be so oddly animated. To him, at least. He half wondered if he was exploiting her in all this. Seeing as how he is the root cause of her enamored behavior. For making her feel so strongly about him in a way that she probably couldn't normally feel with someone else. Then again, is that such a bad thing? He dismissed these thoughts and in an equally soft voice spoke back to her. "You may." On cue, Simone shimmied closer to him and placed her plump lips on his. He felt her tongue slide into his mouth and coil around. Doing more than simply kissing him. After both of them decided they had their fair share of a good morning smooch, their lips broke off from one another. Maxwell grinned at Simone and began taking the bed's blanket off of her. He positions himself over her and started kissing the woman's navel. Slowly, inch by inch, his mouth trailed south along her belly till he reached her fabric covered sex. Gently, he bites the elastic part of her underwear and pulls it down with his teeth. Exposing her for him to fuck her proper.

The next following days were spent pouring over digital textbooks and, when his summoner garb was ready, binding spirits into long-term contracts. Maxwell had successfully bound three fire elementals into his service. Of hefty size and power one might add. He was approaching another night since his departure from whatever deep metaplane he had visited nearly a week ago. It was time for him to return. Again, he sat down in the back of Simone's van and fished inside his pocket for a bag of alchemical reagents. Maxwell chants repetitively a simple ritual to create a temporary lodge. This took a couple of hours before the mana around could be properly aspected. Altering it to glow like a darkened black and reddish mist. He knew he needed to tip the scales as much in his favor as humanly imaginable. Maxwell took out a pill bottle and popped a dose of Psyche. Once it's effects sunk in, he focused his will and tried to summon a spirit of man.

"Formulas of an ethereal intellect strayed through black and empty planes, into the auditorium of evolution. In devious ways magic came and created a spectra of fiery celestial bodies. Since then they've been a cynosure to ulterior worlds, beyond the fifth element. The bodies are like a stratum of dust on a dark livid background, spherical architectures vomiting coronas. The sacred hemispheres are the compass to eternity, my notion is unison with its sidereal modesty. Risen solar spirits in the caravan of supernovas, give me the palmist visual sensation. I'm a newborn in this omnipotent laboratory! Fulfilled with balance and harmony in a timeless nexus. Galactic powers astir as the magnitude expands. I watch the vista transform, blessed by the stellar-wind. Somehow it seems to be built on mathematics, but it hides in the dress of obscurity. Cosmic chaos unfolds, since the dawn of chronology in the arms of the spiral galaxy."

Simone avidly participates in the lovemaking, giving at least as good as she gets, taking as much of the scary mage as he is willing and able to give to her. She knows that he will never be hers, but she also feels that he may actually need her, and no man has ever needed her in the past. She can use her body to help him regain some bit of himself after his long trips away. She has no idea where he goes, but he usually returns in some state of exhaustion and she is there to help him.

Over the next couple of days, Simone finishes the work on Wheely's drone and calls him to let him know that he can swing by and pick it up at any time, but that he should contact her first. The rest of the time, she works on whatever small jobs come her way during the day. At night, she gives her being to the scary mage to use as he wishes. She is an energetic lover and he need not look farther than her eyes to find someone willing to love him, but she can still feel the presence of the other woman. That bothers her a bit, but she forgets it all when she is in his arms.

As the first week draws to an end, she senses that Sovereign is planning something something major. She wrestles with herself for a bit then comes to him. "Scary mage, is there anything I can do to help you in what you are planning? Can you take me with you in some form? I have not much essence to give, but I would give it all to you if it would help you in any fashion."

Finnestra had hit a nerve when she mentioned the fact that by staying alone, Nyx had no one to call for help. Or to...motivate...to help her. There was something in there that made her pause, something she would need to think about: she had been alone for so long, so used to only rely on herself, that she wasn't sure she would even be able to do anything else even if she chose to.

She was prevented from thinking too much about it though when Finnestra talked about her plans for the night. For a moment, she seemed at a loss for words. "I see." After a short while, she added "You know, some people... Mostly women of course... Who wouldn't consider things like that if there are no feelings?"

She didn't say if she was one of those. Maybe it was a bit of a stalling technique. It's not like she was a die-hard straight. She had had precious few occasions - or desire - to get involved like that with a man after all. In fact, the last time she had been barely more than a teenager. So doing it with a woman... She wouldn't have gone out of her way to try it, but if it came to her, like it had obviously just done... Maybe she could try. What was the worse that could happen? She wouldn't like the experience? So what?

"I... That might be arranged I suppose..."

@Nyx Finestra seemed amused from your suggestion. Of only sleeping with someone for love. She raises her glass and then says "Luckily we are not some people heh?" she giggles softly. To honestly describe Finestra she clearly was not part of that crowd, as was evident by her no concealed black eye. She clearly was a utilitarian with regard to her body and how she used it. At least during work hours... "I see that the idea grows on you princess. That would make dancing all the more interesting..."

Finestra allows herself to be mildly tipsy which makes her a bit louder and quicker to laugh after three or perhaps five wine glasses. Nyx can feel how the conversation becomes less business voice and more casual and friendly. You are disrupted by the waitress suggesting you try some dessert before you go.

Maxwell looks up and sees the concern in Simone's eyes, her willingness to help. He smiles, faintly. "I can't take you with me. Even if I could I wouldn't. You don't possess the tools or means necessary to protect yourself from the astral or it's predators. It'd be like if I took you deep-sea diving in the Atlantic and you didn't know how to swim. You'd either drown to death or get eaten by a hungry shark. And as much as I appreciate your offer as well as the sentiment behind it, you shouldn't be giving out anymore of your essence. For one, it'll kill you if you lose anymore. Also, I don't know any spells or rituals that could directly make use of someone's essence. I could use your help in watching over my body while I'm gone. I don't know if this trip will take five minutes or five hours. Time gets a might bit wonky in other dimensions." The mage looks down and closes his eyes again. He finishes the meditative ritual and sends his soul outward into the vast emptiness of astral space. Following the tether of his spirit pact.

Nyx snorted "Let's say that I'm giving you the possibility to convince me." She shrugged, taking a sip from her glass "But more than that, I cannot say, of course…" She paused, tapping her fingers on the table, before adding "Though I suppose I have nothing against dance. As long as I'm not forced to anyway."

At the suggestion that they take some dessert, Nyx nodded and, unless Finestra had a better idea, selected a red bean pastry. At some point, she asked "What do you know about Tony?"

@Maxwell:


@Nyx Finestra chooses something with chocolate when you mention Tony she said "He is the one you meet if you are caught cheating in the Casino. It is very difficult to lie to him, he follows this crazy discipline where you learn to control every single muscle in your body. Your heart rate, breathing, body temperature, aura. He only trains physical mages, and he is most known for his 'flowers' as he calls them. He trained Lady Valentina that raised from obscurity to managing one of three Finnigan branches in just a few years. These two go way back, he trained her since she was a child. Or so this is what I heard.

In any case, Valentina brought Tony and other than her, he only trained Minnie. Made her the best prostitute the Finnigans had.
Insanely connected to all sort of powerful people. They negotiated her freedom and then she has gone awol and turned out bringing Strawberry to Valentina. I have no idea how much of it was due to the fact Tony made her a calculated super seductive bitch and how much of it is authentically a prostitute going awol once given the first chance of freedom and aligning herself with the next person of power she meets.

The strange thing is, nobody speaks of Tony. I only know him because of my connection with Minnie and what I tell you is her version of him. The person never leaves the Gates, and never shows himself in any of the public parts of the casino. It is like he is a prisoner there or perhaps hiding something big. Interesting that you mention him..."