Billy likewise left his gun in the car and followed the others. Magic was a better defense for him anyways. "Too bad you can't see this..." Billy commented to Petty as he took in the aura of the place.

Feeling left out Sinjin pulls some lint and sea weed out of his pocket and hides it under the back seat. Smiling to himself he hurries to catch up to the group.

Shifting his vision so he could see the astral real David smiles.

"I'm with you Billy, this is amazing."

There standing before those members of the team lucky enough to be able to visit astral space, was a giant glowing white castle. It shimmered and seemed to change colors with each step, the fosflourescent aura that surrounded it glinting in the moon light with each step the group took towards it. As soon as they got close enough to hear the sounds of the dance floor a great dragon looking spirit greeted those who could see him with a friendly smile, twisting his body into the logo of the club, a broken heart.

Walking through the doors the runners see a wide arching ceiling with round incandescent lights placed neatly in rows. The top portion of the walls was a milky white, while the bottom was covered in dark redish wood. The floor was of the same wood, and standing just inside the doors were the two bouncers, one troll who's attire made him look more like a buisness man then a bouncer, and a small human woman, wearing a tight jumpsuit holding a clipboard. The woman shifted her weight from side to side accenting her stunning figure and asked, "You fellas have a reservation?"

Nobody knew quiet what to say, they were unsure if Mr. Grey had made reservations this early. A familiar face walked out from inside the bar, "they're with me."

"Oh, I'm sorry Mr. Grey, I didn't know," it was one thing for the staff at a particular establishment to recognize you, but it was something entirely different for the to know your name, espcecially in this day and age.

David's eyes are still stuck on the women, "um, are you going to frisk me? I mean, for the red chip...Not that I'm cheep or anything, I just wanted some steak....and maybe your number...."

In side his head he is kicking himself. He thinks to himself, I have spent way to much time at home in front of the trid, she is more likely to give me the middle finger after that display....Lets just get the red chip and eat steak. Ya, that’s it, stake has never let us down before.

After that David will wait to be searched or passed onto the troll with his luck.

Petty doesn't bother holding back a hearty laugh as he steps foward, pushing David through the MADs with him. "Smooth move buddy, smooth move."

Passing the MAD with flying colors (having left his gear in the car), Petty steps into the club at large and approaches Mr. Grey. Tipping his cowboy hat, Petty greets the fixer, "Evenin' sir. Sorry for bein' so early an all, we was gunna grab us some steak fer dinner before gettin' now ta bussiness. Wanna join us and get started?"

Gosh I am surprised DIMR hasn't shut this place down for all the astral noise and background count it's generating.

Sinjin glides through the MAD detector, waves and smiles at the girl and pats the top of the trolls shin, "good boy" he says as if the Trolls foot is a dog.

After being pushed through the scanner David collects his red chip and holds it firmly in his right hand.

"Oh, hello Mr. Grey, I did not see you there."

David Follows the flow of his group. If they are stopping to eat with Mr. Gray he follows suit as to avoid doing somethng out of place.

Billy was herded along with the others, still fascinated by the aura of the place. He was still too busy watching the dragon spirit to even notice the bouncers. Fortunatly he had joined the group in leaving his weapon in the car, so he was able to continue his gawking at his leisure.

Ol' Scratch could smell her before he even opened the door to the restaurant. She was wearing Clive Christian's No. 1 -- the subtle blend of Indian jasmine and white peach vitessence was a dead giveaway. Definately a classy dame whoever she was. It wasn't doing enough to mask the fact that she was in heat, though. And that was absolutely perfect in Scratch's estimation -- it would make his job a lot easier.

After stepping inside, he was actually a bit surprised to see that the scent belonged to the maitre d'; she must have someone high up on the food chain as her sugardaddy if she was wearing that kind of stink on her. He feigned a shy little smile at her as he let his eyes dance along her curves while the others drifted in behind him. But before he had the opportunity to say anything, David blurted out his magnificent pick-up line. A classic crash-and-burn wince found its way onto Scratch's face the more the drake talked, especially when coupled with the look of disgust growing in the chick's eyes with every word.

By the time he got around to asking for her digits, Scratch couldn't take anymore and moved in to 1) put David out of his self-inflicted misery and 2) make sure he didn't blow their chance at a steak dinner let alone the meet. He patted the dragon-boy on his back and let his hand rest on his neck as he pushed him through the scanner, squeezing it firmly to indicate that he should shut up while he was still ahead.

It was always fascinating to watch the satyr in action; a subtle shift in his posture caused his street-tough demeanor to melt away, and his drek-eating smile had the broad eating out of his hand before he even spoke his first word. She was blushing furiously while struggling to drag her eyes off of him to check her clipboard as he talked, his gravely voice soft, low, and nearly hypnotic while he worked his social mojo. The troll looming dangerously behind her was of absolutely no consequence to the satyr -- the two had simply stared each other down when he first entered the joint, predator to predator, and the mutual respect they earned for each other in that brief moment was the summation of their interaction with one another.

That aside, there was little doubt Scratch would have gotten the entire team into the joint even if Mr. Grey hadn't have come to their "rescue." That single act alone earned their long-time fixer a negative brownie point in his book, but he let it slide without phasing him too much -- he'd just get the guy to foot the bill for dinner tonight instead of Petty.

Despite having set off both scanners (mostly so he could enjoy the free frisking from the skirt) and declining the option to check his pistols in, he was twirling a token between the fingers of his meathand while he followed Grey back to his table. He had no intention of actually using the token to earn a discount, of course, not with Mr. Moneybags here to pay for it at least, but it might come in handy the next time he decided to come if the food was good. The fact that it had the maitre d's number hastily scribbled on the back of it was just icing on the cake.

Pouting, David sits down at the table and calls for the nearest waiter in a cold, harsh voice.
"Hay, you! I am ready to order."
When the waiter gets over to the table, even if the others are not seated, he places his order
"Bring me a Steak, and I mean the real kind, not some fake replica that would turn a dragons stomach. Baked potato, extra butter and sour cream. Steamed Spinach with lots of salt and something to drink...let’s try a nice red wine. I trust you can pick out something that would go well with a real steak."
With that David places his credstick and his red chip on the table in front of him. After the waiter leaves he starts to feel a little better, thinking about what Scratch did steamed him at first, but now looking back on it, Scratch pulled him out of a burning blaze. A smile comes over his face as he affirms that he will no longer speak out of place. "I am the muscle" he thinks to himself, "lets leave the talking to others".
With this new resolve he looks up to see who is at the table now.

Petty takes a seat, gingerly, as old bones groaned and his knees cracked. He takes off his coyboy hat and hangs it over the cover of his chair, then leans foward and grabs one of the hot rolls sitting in the basket in the center of the table. Tearing off a chunk of bread, he eats silently, waiting for someone else to kick off the conversation.

Sinjin moved through the crowd bumping into peoples legs with little care. He had watched the play with Ol'Scratch and wondered again for the hundredth time if he should put some sort of sign on the old goat. "Warning: Resistance is Futile".

He made his way to the table and was disappointed it was a booth. With out the embarrassment of some sort of booster chair things could get tricky. Before Scratch could get to the table Sinjin poked him in the leg.

"Hey, could you get me something to sit on, before I have to sit there?"

"Already a step ahead of you, man." With that, and while David did his best to make an ass out of himself a second time this evening, Ol' Scratch hunted down one of the waitors and arranged to have a dwarven-adjusted seat brought to their table.

Sinjin nods at the Satyr and smiles as the waiter brings over the 'booster seat'. He climbs up on the booth and into the seat, managing to only knock over one glass of water.

He doesn't seem to notice it though.

Once Sinjin knocks over the glass David quickly grabs the glass and sits it upright. Only half the water hit the table and he starts to mop it up. Since Sinjin did not notice he does not feel the need to say anything. David is reminded how hard it was for him to move around in his new larger form. A small form must present a few of the same problems.

August 29th, 2064, 2255, Torch Club, Seattle, UCAS

Stumbling out of the alleyway bar, Nova's drunken stupor slowly fades into his normal machine effecient gate. He pulls the BTL from his head, which he shakes after the chip is removed. So thats what Ol Scratch is talking about. Checking the time, he realizes he is late for his meet. The trip took a bit longer than expected, but it seems metahuman groups always have one straggler, why cant it be him.

"Give me about 50," Nova reaches into a small cardboard box the dealer has, grabbing a couple handfulls, shoving them into his coat pockets. "Please...I mean. Please give me 50." He pays the shady character, and walks smoothly onto the city streets, scanning the road for a cab. A few wonder why Nova doesnt own a car, but he feels its too impersonal, and its easier to get to know people, or at least observe them, in public transport, if not on foot.

Pulling his cellphone from his coat pocket, Nova dials Ol Scratch, to let him know he is on the way. He thought of installing headware, but thought an actual phone would not stand out as much as a large fellow talking to himself in the middle of Seattle, even in this day and age.

August 29th, 2064 · 10:55pm · Backseat of Maybeline

Scratch sort of jostles in his seat as he feels his cellphone vibrating in his pocket. Reaching in to pull it out, he's surprised to see Nova's number. "Hey man, what's up?" he asks, listening to what the droid has to say. "Right on. The rest of us are already on the way there. We'll keep a seat warm for ya."

With that, he hangs up and drops the phone back into his pocket. "Looks like Nova's going to be able to make it afterall."


Later, Back at the Lonely Hearts Club...

Goatboy doesn't seem phased at all as Sinjin accidently knocks over his glass of water. He just casually browses through the menu, reaching over to lift his own courtesy glass just in time to keep it from getting wet from the trinkling stream. After David is done mopping it up as best he can, Scratch sets his glass down and flags down one of the waitors.

"Yes, I'll have one of these 28-oz. porterhouses, medium rare, and... hmm... ooh, how about some of these all-you-can-eat fried clam strips, too? Throw in baked sweet potato, plain but with plenty of butter, one of these onion loafs, and... that'll about do it for now. Oh, and I'll take a Chango beer to boot. Bottle, no glass."

At the Lonely Hearts club...present time

Nova looks up at the entrance to the Lonely Hearts Club. They say its an aura display beyond belief, but he will never know. There are a lot of people there, so that always makes him a bit more comfortable, being able to blend with the crowd a bit more.

Entering through the MADD Systems is always a chore. Nova will never receive the glorious red token, but he doesnt really need the discount. Lonely Hearts oil bar usually isnt well stocked.

#Beep-beep-beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep# The security system greets the android as he passes through. He gives a cold smile, trying to be sheepish, but not very effectively.

"Sir," the nicely dressed and fragranced women says, "What kind of arsenal do you have under there?"

"Sorry, its cyber..."

She scans him with a hand wand, which continually beeps as it passes over his body. "I guess so..."

"...Yeah its an old Skiball accident."

She doesnt catch his try at humor, but allows him to pass, tokenless.


Nova scans the room, quickly spotting his team, seeing Sinjin and David mopping up some spilled water.

David waits for his steak or the Johnson. Until one of them present themselves he will wait quietly.

After talking with the maitre d for a moment Mr. Grey moved swiftly and quietly back to his table, satisfied that the group had bet him to it, "Lets eat first then we'll talk buisness." He subtly gestures to a near by waitress that he'd made his decision, and she comes ready.

"I'll have the Grilled Tenderloin of Beef, Black Truffle Madeira Sauce with a bottle of Montrachet 2038," Grey's taste in food was perfectly accented by the runner's own choices. After the other runner's, who hadn't already, ordered Mr. Grey sat patiently waiting for his food, watching the people he had invited here carefully.

Two waitress' came carrying large trays of food, distributing them to the appropriate customers. David looked curiously at the token and credstick still sitting exactly were he had left it. The waitress smiled at him warmly, "Mr. Grey and his guests always dine on the house," a small barely noticable smile crowned her face.

As the runners and thier Johnson ate the wonderfully prepared food set before them, the Owner of The Lonely Heart's Club, Ark Grueli, a very large troll, walked over to the table, "I trust everthing is to your expectations," he said to no one imparticular. Waiting for a response he place his large hand firmly on Mr. Grey's shoulder.

When the women makes the comment about the food being free David replys with.

"Well you know how to treat a guy. Thanks."

Once The troll speaks David swallows the chunk of cow in his mouth and quickly washes it down with some wine. Then he speaks.

"This is a great steak. You will be seeing more of me."

Other than that David stays silent and relaxed. He looks around to make sure he has a way out if things go south. Maybe a high window or skylight he could fly out.

"I will have a JD, on the rocks," Nova says flatly, "please," he adds after a short pause.

He hasn't quite got it down, but Ol' Scratch can't help but snicker, remembering the first night he met the out of place android. Trying to fit in an old blues bar, failing miserably, but not even realizing it. Nova almost has it down, but still cant deliver without sounding like its his first time out at the bar.

After the order has been taken, Nova looks back at the party gathered around the table and sees a couple of staring eyes. "What!?," he tries to sound confused, but he knows he probably did something odd.

To Scratch, "I love having him around, he makes me feel normal."

To Nova "come have a seat Nova, I saved you a spot."

Sinjin locks up a bit when the Johnson sits down at the table with them and starts ordering food. The breach in protocol and the presumed familiarity with them sends a chill down his little spine that gets him worrying. When it comes his turn to order he simply asks for more water.

Petty digs into his steak, figuring that even if this turns out to be bogus, at least he gets a free meal out of it.

The powerful troll thanks david for his kind words and leans over to Mr. Grey, whipsering something inaudible in his ear. Grey nodded in agreement and Ark walks over, back into the kitchen.

Mr. Grey takes his time finishing off the meal, it was too well prepared to eat quickly. The subtle nuances of the dish tickled his take buds and were perfectly accented by the choice of wine. As he finished the final bit of food, he leaned back in his chair and waited for the others to finish.

Now we play the waiting game, will they break my silence, or patiently wait it out...

Petty had finished his meal minutes before Grey was taking his last bites. As soon as the Johnson leaned back, Petty spoke up, "So whats the deal, partner?"

David, releaved some one broke the silence, speaks. "Ya, is it safe to talk in the open like this?"

Nova is on his third drink, not that he is slamming them down, just while the others have been eating, he has been sipping. Not too fast, not too slow, just about average speed. If you timed everyone in the club in their drinking speed, Nova would be right in the middle. That isnt by luck, in fact it is a well calculated action that he has taken to blend in.

Of course, those who know his true nature are wondering where that fluid is going. To keep the suspense from growing, it travels down his throat to his "stomach" which doesnt do much to the fluid except store it. If there were food injested it too could be later removed with some mechanical skill, but the fluid is easily voided the same way a meta/human male would. Only Nova doesnt take any guidence, nor make unlogical choices or actions based on this contraption.

"Not that I don't enjoy hanging out in public, but do you have any idea when you will be getting to the point?"

"Is this open?" Nova looks about, a bit confused, searching the ceiling for a hint of sky.

"Patience is wonderful, but it's good to see you all so eager for a challenge, because that is what it will be," Grey leaned forward satisfied his food had settled properly.

"My employer has lost something very close to him, and will go to great lengths and expense to get him back. The pay is very generous and if you retreive the requested," he pauses a moment to think of the right word, "charge and bring it safely to a local drop point you will be paid the remainder of this." Grey reaches underneath the table and produces a briefcase that had apparently been sitting at the table long before they were. So of the more aware runners think that it was odd he sat right where he had left his breifcase even though he sat down last. With a dull thud the breifcase was opened and spun around, sitting within the case was thirty thousand nuyen. "Theres twice that waiting when you finish," he again paused studying the faces watching the reactions of the runners.

David starts counting heads out loud, "One, two, three, four, five, six...well that covers rent for a month or two...This charge must not be as important or as challenging as I first was lead to belive, because this is the pay for a baby sitting job. Hay Scratch, what do you think?"

Petty leans back in his chair and crosses his arms over his chest, "Well, I fer one have a few questions 'fore I go talkin' 'bout cash. How tha hell we gunna know if thats a good offer or not? Fer starters, where's the job, what is the 'charge', was it lost or was it taken and we're going up against resistance? Partner, you gotta give us some info to go off of before throwing green in our face. We ain't that easily impressed."

Nova scans the team quickly, looking for the appropriate response. Seeing Ol' Scratch lean back with his arms crossed, and David giving Mr. Grey a harsh look, the android comments as well.

"This is horse drek. I can't even get a minor eye upgrade for 12,857.14 ."

He again scans the team, to get there response.

David pats Nova on the back in an approving manner and waits for words from Scratch or the Johnson.

"Well you see, my employer has lost his son, and you need to bring him back alive. I've got a suspicion that you will all want to renegotiate terms, so I'll fill you in completely since it's niether a security risk to tell you or a bargining tool to get more money out of me.

Perry, the charge in questions, was taking a little vacation down in the New Orleans area and happened to go missing, his car was discovered empty and with no signs of struggle yesterday. He's been missing for three days and no ransom note has turned up and no parties have claimed responsibility for the kidnapping, if it was infact such, so I need you to go down there, figure out what's going on and locate the charge." Grey knew what he had said about that information not giving them an edge was an outright lie, but it was always best to low ball them first and if they were fresh off the shelf they wouldn't be any the wiser, and he could keep the remainder of the genreous sum certain people had given to aquire these runners.

"What if he left on his own, by his own free will. Maybe he does not want to be found, and then he is not really missing."

"What if he was eaten by awakened gators?"

"Just the same, sounds like a blast. There is some scary stuff in the swamps that I have always wanted to see."

"So Johnson, if your boy is gator food before we get there do we still get paid?"

As everyone sits quietly, Nova scans himself over, seeing if he had done something odd, and maybe they are looking at him.