Thursday June 13th, 2075 1257- Estate Agent Cajun Town Seattle


The man gives you an odd look. "Why don't we talk buying and renting after you see the place. Do you have some time? The walk is not far."

[Cynthia Rawson - 12:57, Thursday June 13th, 2075 - Estate Agent, Cajun Town, Seattle] #749

Cynthia seemed to hesitate a bit, her agenda for the day was already quite full after all. With only one fixed appointment, in what order she did things was pretty much open though, which probably allowed her to do that visit right now. Especially considering that when she bought the dress she also took care of the shopping for the other clothes, something that would normally have taken quite a bit of time. Now, she "only" had the university, the SIN problem and the doctor's appointment to take care of. In addition to that "meeting" at 15:00 of course.

That's why she nodded "Alright, I suppose we have the time for that. Do you mind if I leave this here for now?" she lifted the bag with her old shoes and clothes as an explanation, then followed the man "Oh, by the way, your hat is on your head."

Thursday June 13th, 2075 1257- Estate Agent Cajun Town Seattle


LeBeouf smiles and motions to a corner of the room that seems less cluttered with fishing paraphernalia. "Sure, put it there. No one will bother it while we're gone." He puts a hand to his head and grins. "Why so it is. Thank you, Miss Cynthia. Who knows how long I would have had it there and not known. Most kind of you."

He puts some things aside and opens his drawer to fish out a large iron ring with some keys on it. He points to the door. "After you, ladies, please."

The walk is indeed not too long and he leads you to a wide path the follows the river, giving you the shade of the large, mossy trees at its bank. "Now, the family that owned this place used to own most of the land hereabouts, going all the way back to the slavery days afore the American Civil War, or as some folks around her still call it, the War for Southern Independence. What ever you want to call it, the South lost and this place started to go downhill. Some of the family tried to make it work, but little by little, much of the land was sold off to pay debts. Still got a few hundred acres attached to the house, though, so it is not completely bereft of assets. The last man there did a lot to get the place up to code and modernized a bit on the inside while keeping the exterior as it should be." He points a bit off in the distance and you can see the top floor and roof of a large mansion through the trees before it disappears again behind the foliage. "There it is. About ten minutes away from here."

[Cynthia Rawson - 12:57, Thursday June 13th, 2075 - Estate Agent, Cajun Town, Seattle] #750

Cynthia listened silently to the history lesson, not feeling the need to make any comment. Especially considering that she had learn about all this in school at some point. Probably... When the house's roof became visible, she considered it for a few seconds, before saying "Well... At least it's out of the way. I guess noisy neighbours is not an issue." Still, with how big the place seemed to be, she was almost sure there was no way she could afford to rent it. At least not from her trust fund. And considering that she was not planning to finance this any other way, for the foreseeable future anyway... Just a visit didn't commit her to anything though, so she might as well continue.

Speaking about money, it was the moment Neil Tiploft chose to contact her.
>>Cynthia [Neil]: Hey Girl. You here? I was finally able to sell some of the stuff you sent me.<<
>>Neil [Cynthia]: Oh? Well, that's nice to know, thanks.<<
>>Cynthia [Neil]: Girl, it's more than nice, I don't know what you did - and I don't want to know - but you're filthy rich now.<<
>>Neil [Cynthia]: Then I guess you're not bad off yourself.<< She took a moment to check her account's balance, her eyes opening quite a bit in surprise >>Neil [Cynthia]: Oh. I see what you mean... Yeah...<< with a groan, she added >>Neil [Cynthia]: Erk, I hate taxes.<< Neil snorted. Taxes or no taxes, it was still an insane amount of money.
>>Cynthia [Neil]: If you say so. Anyway, if you have more... Always a pleasure making business with you.<<
>>Neil [Cynthia]: Nothing new at the moment. I'll contact you in a few days I suppose. Thanks.<<
>>Cynthia [Neil]: My pleasure, my pleasure. You'll put my kids through college if you continue.<<

Cynthia didn't bother answering to that. She doubted Neil had kids - though since she had never investigated him, maybe he did after all - and instead thought about what she would use the money for. At the very least, her 15:00 appointment would probably be happy. When she had decided to sell what she had though, it had been with the intention to spend most of it in augmentations. The amount was rather more than what she thought it would be but it simply meant she'd be able to get much better quality stuff. Even if she thought a moment about that house stuff, it was pretty secondary at the moment, and it could wait. Getting those augmentations though, and the best available on the market, seemed much more urgent given all that was happening. Plus, if she became better at what she did, she would be be able to get money more easily, right? She may use the leftover - if there was some - for the house, but whatever was left in the end wouldn't be enough for more than a few months of rent. Of course, it could also be a down payment for a purchase, but she was just seventeen: buying a house right now was the last thing she had in mind.

After a couple more seconds, she focuses back on the meat world, replaying what was said while she had been talking to Neil.



In addition to the nuyens update, I'm spending some karma for First Aid 2 and Performance 2. Just one more skill planned to broaden Cynthia's capacities and then I'll focus back on the main stuff.

#56

Okay, I'll follow you.

On the way over Spokane drops a line on his fixer Feather. @feather: Hey I'm looking for a clean vehicle that my friends can use as a kind of mobile command center. I was thinking a tricked out GMC Bulldog. I'm sending the specs over.


~~OOC~~
basically just want the bulldog with chameleon coating morphing license plate spoof chips and a large smuggling compartment. Rigger interface of course.

Thursday June 13th, 2075 1310- Estate Agent Cajun Town and Richland Mall, Seattle



@Cynthia: As you round a bend in the river you can see the house to your front. Three stories tall, it sits back from the river on a small rise that overlooks the land around it. The outer structure is stone and wood and the roof is tinted green. The place is actually more of a mansion than a house, with a huge, columned porch leading to a wide double door. Large glass windows stare out from the front and side that you can see. A cobbled pathway leads from the porch to a large boathouse on the river. LeBeouf points to the smaller structure. "I understand that in the heyday of this place, guests would arrive by boat and make their way to the house by horse cart or foot to be entertained in a very grand style." He sighs. "Sadly, there has not been a party of that sort here for a long time. Although I am told that people passing by have occasionally told of hearing old-style waltz music coming from the place."

When you reach the wide pathway, you can see ruts in the cobblestones and places where time and climate have worked to push the stones aside for small trees and weeds. Lebeouf sweeps his arm at the area. "All of this leading up to the house was manicured lawn and gardens but it is pretty much overgrown now. Let me show you the interior." Ho motions for you to precede him up the walkway to the house.


@Spokane: Steve leads you out of the small living museum that Cajun Town reminds you of, returning the nod and greeting from the man wearing a tin star standing at the archway. She shakes her head as you walk to the bikes. "Wow. What a place, eh? Good food, but do they all have to be so......so authentic?"

A bit later and the two of you pull up to the Richland Mall, a small strip mall enclave of several stores. The surrounding area is a prime example of what Seattle had once promised to be but it has fallen on hard times. Several of the storefronts are empty and two have squatters sitting inside the abandoned frames on cement blocks and huddled about a burn barrel. Steve frowns at the catcalls she gets and shows her gang jacket, which seems to shut up the worst of them. She walks with you up to an into a small store that advertises itself as renting and selling prom and wedding gowns and tuxes. A small bell above the door tinkles as you walk in and a young girl looks up from the counter, where she is reading a magazine of some kind that she puts away. A smile creases her worn face as she says, "Steve! So nice to see you. And who is the hunk?"

Steve nods at the girl. "Wanda, Spokane. Spokane, Wanda. We are here to get snazzed up for some sort of charity gala tonight. I thought of you. Can you help us?"

Wanda nods and looks at you. "Probably. Depends on what you need and how fast I can work. Nice to meet you, Spokane. Anytime you want the dirt on your girl here, just ask me. I could tell you stories................."

[Cynthia Rawson - 13 : 10, Thursday June 13th, 2075 - Estate Agent, Cajun Town, Seattle] #751

"People heard waltz coming from the house? Are you trying to tell me that 'some' people believe the house to be haunted?" Cynthia shook her head in disbelief. Magic, alright, she could believe in. It was hard to do otherwise anyway. But ghosts? No way. Even with Magic coming 'back' into the world, there hadn't been a single proof that ghosts did indeed exist.

When invited to enter the house, she looked at the passing time with a grimace. This was just a waste of time. Haunted or no, 'cheap' or no, in need of fixing here and there or no, there was no way she was going to be able to afford the place. Even if somehow Sandy were able to pay half the rent which would not be the case. Still, at this point, there wasn't much she could do, except nod and step on the walkway, which she did.

Thursday June 13th, 2075 1310- Estate Agent Cajun Town and Richland Mall, Seattle


@cynthia: And that single step is.....................something else. For a split second of time that seems to last a minute, you can see the mansion in all its former glory. Every window is lit by chandeliers and torches line the walkway all the way to the boathouse. Uniformed footmen stand at intervals to render any assistance needed to those walking on the right half of the cobblestone way while small horse carts ferried other guests. Laughter and the strains of stringed instruments waft to your ears on a light breeze that reduces the otherwise oppressive mugginess to bearable. The people you are looking at are dressed as if attending a costume ball as the gowns and...and whatever the men are wearing is certainly not modern style. A couple is passing you and the gentleman tips his hat in your direction as he does.

You are brought back by a hand tightly clasping yours and Sandy leaning in to whisper. "The fuck! I just had the oddest experience."

Lebeouf had walked a couple of steps in front of you and turns to look at you. "Ladies? Are you alright?"

[Cynthia Rawson - 13 : 10, Thursday June 13th, 2075 - Estate Agent, Cajun Town, Seattle] #752

Cynthia answered to Sandy clasping her hand tightly by pretty much doing the same. She glances at the other girl, then back at the house and shook her head "Err... Yeah... So did I..."

For a moment, she looked at the man in front of them, appearing suspicious. Who better than him to make then see that after all? After a second though, she seemed to realise that his surprise seemed genuine "Your description took a rather...vivid...turn suddenly... That was... Disturbing... If it had not been recommended by Sophie I'd thought someone was playing a trick on us... And I really hope that's not it."

Thursday June 13th, 2075 1310- Estate Agent Cajun Town and Richland Mall, Seattle


@Cynthia: The man shakes his head and motions for you to continue. The walk winds through what must have been lovely gardens once but are now weeds. There is, of course, no music playing. LeBeouf points to one of the stairs leading up to the porch. "Please watch your step, this slab of marble is a bit loose." He taps it to demonstrate and you can see it move a bit. The porch is about twenty feet across and you can see some chains hanging from overhead rafters that might have supported a couple of large swings. From here, you can see that some of the windows have been broken, giving you a look into the interior, where you can see cloths covering furniture. Your guide takes the large iron ring of keys from his pocket and opens the door. He motions for you to go in and smiles even as he says, "Watch your step, please."

Even before you step into the house, you get an odd feeling of deja vu, as if you already know what the next room will look like.

[Cynthia Rawson - 13:10, Thursday June 13th, 2075 - Estate Agent, Cajun Town, Seattle] #753

Cynthia looked around suspiciously. There was no way she had ever set foot in a place like that in general, to say nothing of this house in particular. Maybe it - or one much like it - had served as a decor of some trid she saw in the past? That would certainly explain this feeling of deja-vu, but... Somehow, it didn't feel like it. After a second though, she shook her head: what else could it be?

Watching her steps as warned, she followed into the house a bit dubiously. The rent was not even on her mind when she said "It's not really in good shape..." with a foot, she moved the unstable slab of marble, then waved at the broken windows "It would need some serious work... To say nothing of the garden. It was probably nice in its prime...I suppose... But now... It feels... Like an old star, loved by all in her youth and now wilting away in some retirement home, waiting for her last breath with only memories to keep her company." she paused, looking at the house, then shrugged "Though the house could get better if someone cared enough I suppose."

Shaking her head, she followed, trying to dispel this weird feeling. By now, the house could have been in perfect condition and exceptionally cheap that she probably wouldn't have wanted to rent it. It was not yet creepy but...she could understand why some thought the house haunted. Not one to run for this much though, she went in anyway... But held tightly on Sandy's hand.

Thursday June 13th, 2075 1312- Riverview Hall, Cajun Town, Seattle


If you thought you were gripping Sandy's hand, she is certainly returning the favor. As you pass through the doorway, she shivers a bit and whispers, "I have been here before. No, not that, exactly, but something like it. It's like I was supposed to be here. Fragging odd is what it is."

You are standing in a large hall that is about forty feet wide. Four doors open off to the sides and a massive stairway leads to the upper floors. Several pieces of furniture are draped with cloths but somehow you know what the pieces are just by the shapes. or at least you think you know. Lebeouf nods at your comments. "Yes, some parts are a bit off, but the core is still vibrant, waiting for the right people to come along and care for it. The last few generations of owners were more interested in selling off the valuable land to cover their gambling debts, mistresses, and drug habits than in properly maintaining the place. All but the last one. Not a nice man, actually, but he cared for the house and tried to fix it up. Sadly, he died before he got too far. Now the house is waiting for someone else."

He motions to the first door on the right. "That is the..........."

Sandy interrupts him as she walks in that direction, pulling at your hand. "The main parlor."

Without knowing how you know, you know that she is correct.

[Cynthia Rawson - 13:12, Thursday June 13th, 2075 - Riverview Hall, Cajun Town, Seattle] #754

Cynthia nodded, agreeing with Sandy, when she expressed out loud what they were both thinking. She rubbed her forearm as she went forward, listening almost distractedly to LeBoeuf. At the mention of gambling debts, she grimaced "Gambling debts, eh..." Yeah, maybe she should take care of hers... She had almost forgotten but now that her bank account was kinda fat... She shrugged though. She'd have to see what was left the day after, it could at least wait for the end of the month, it wouldn't change much. Well except that by that time she could have forgotten again of course...

She was interrupted when Sandy declared that the next room was the parlor, and she knew she was correct. She frowned, looking at the man in front of them "What didn't you tell us? There's no way the both of us would feel exactly the same thing. If I believed in such things, I would be sure I lived here in a past life. What kind of mojo is going in around here? I'm sure I could tell you what each and every room is, and more than that, I...think...I could tell you what it looked like a century or two ago. Frag, I could probably draw you some of the people who went through here and you'd be able to match them to old paintings if you had them." she shook her head "There's no way this is normal, and I doubt very much we're the first to get that treatment."

Thursday June 13th, 2075 1312- Riverview Hall, Cajun Town, Seattle


The man gives you an odd look. "I am sure that I do not know what you are meaning, Miss Cynthia. I hope that you are not playing some sort of joke on me by having snuck in here some time and looking around. I have not shown this property to anyone in quite some time. None of the locals will touch it and damn few outsiders have even heard of our small town, much less this old plantation house. Are you sure you are feeling alright? Would you like to sit down? I can get you a glass of water." The man leaves the room.

Sandy's eyes are very large. "I know I have been here, Cynthia. Anyway, it seems that I have. And you feel it, too, right? It is all so real, isn't it? Do you have any idea what is happening?"

[Cynthia Rawson - 13:12, Thursday June 13th, 2075 - Riverview Hall, Cajun Town, Seattle] #755

Cynthia shook her head "I have the same feeling yes, but..." she shrugged "No idea what it is. If it were a Matrix thing, I could probably have an idea, but whatever this is has nothing to do with the Matrix." she rubbed her neck for a moment while she looked around "So no, I have no idea what is happening. I mean, it could be some Trid we both saw took place in a similar decor but..." she grimaced "It doesn't feel right. The only explanation I see is Magic, but who would do that to us and to what end? It's weird, a bit creepy, but that's all..." Despite that, Cynthia stayed pretty calm, more intrigued than worried, absent-mindedly rubbing Sandy's hand with her thumb in a soothing gesture.

When LeBoeuf came back, she took the glass of water but didn't drink. Instead, she offered it to Sandy if she wanted while she answered to the man's suspicions "No, I never came here. Given the tracks we're leaving in the dust, it's pretty easy to see I'd say. But it doesn't change the fact that I feel... We both feel like we came here. That we know the place, that we lived in here in fact. Frag, just as we were coming here I saw a man that must have lived two centuries ago greet me. Old school style, with his hat and all." she mimicked the gesture then, as if it could make the other believe her more easily. She shook her head again "Hell, even if we had come before, I'm sure it would be impossible to recognise most of the rooms as they are now, so if it were just a case of us having come here already we'd be unable to tell one room from another in some cases." she paused for a second "And I'd bet you we could identify each and every room without a single mistake, even the most obscure ones."

Thursday June 13th, 2075 1314- Riverview Hall, Cajun Town, Seattle


Sandy responds to you rubbing her hand with a small sigh and a smile. She takes the glass of water you giver after LeBeouf returns and takes a sip or two. The man looks closely at you and shrugs. "Perhaps the place resonates with you in some manner, non? Perhaps you two are meant to have this house and make it yours?"

Sandy gently squeezes your hand as he says that.

[Cynthia Rawson - 13:14, Thursday June 13th, 2075 - Riverview Hall, Cajun Town, Seattle] #756

"Uh..." Cynthia stayed silent for a moment, thinking about that. Clearly not convinced, she added "Maybe..." she thought about it some more, adding "It's damn weird though."

In the end, she snorted "'Having' or not 'having' the house will have more to do with finances than a supposed resonance between it and us." she shrugged then "And while the house is not in a really good shape, I don't believe for one second we'd be able to afford it. But you may as well tell us for how much you'd consider renting the house, we'll know fore sure then."

Thursday June 13th, 2075 1314- Riverview Hall, Cajun Town, Seattle


LeBeouf opens his mouth to say something then closes it. After a minute of silence, he shakes his head. "I have an idea. Why don't you take possession for a month and get to know the house better. After that, we can talk money. I am sure that we can work out an arrangement if you really like it."

[Cynthia Rawson - 13:14, Thursday June 13th, 2075 - Riverview Hall, Cajun Town, Seattle] #757

Cynthia frowned, clearly unsure. Finally, she asked "I suppose that would be possible, but what about the necessary works? We could just release a drone or two to take care of the dust, but what about replacing the windows and so on? What if we clean up the garden and then we don't manage to agree on anything?" she waved around her "It's not exactly in the best conditions to live in right now, but such an agreement doesn't really incite us to invest in the first month." She paused, then shrugged "Then again, I suppose we can't ask you to reimburse whatever we spend if we don't agree in a month."

Hesitating a bit, she added "But... I suppose I could agree to this." Looking at Sandy, she asked "What do you think?"

Thursday June 13th, 2075 1315- Riverview Hall, Cajun Town, Seattle


The estate agent nods and says, "Why don't you talk about it. I can leave you alone here for a few minutes, if you like?


Sandy nods at him and turns to you after he leaves the room, taking both of your hands in hers. "I don't know about you, Cynthia, but this place feels like home. Like OUR home. I say go for it. We are bound to get paid more by Tanya and we might be able to swing it. But I want you to agree, too. This is not just about me anymore, but it could seriously be about us, wherever we move to. I could be happy staying is a shack as long as you were there." She blushes a bit and looks down at the floor before turning her face up and looking you in the eyes. "There, I guess I said it. I want to live with you wherever you want to live. Here, the boarding house............anywhere. Still, this place........................"

[Cynthia Rawson - 13:15, Thursday June 13th, 2075 - Riverview Hall, Cajun Town, Seattle] #758

With a smile, Cynthia pressed her lips on Sandy's in a chaste kiss "Alright." she blushed a bit, but didn't seem particularly troubled either "Let's see how we can make this work then." She seemed pensive for a second, then seemed to decide something "Let's go through the bedrooms, the bathroom and the kitchen, to see what we really need asap then. I guess we'll be able to buy - or reprocess, or liberate, whatever - a couple of cleaning drones to take care of the basics when we're in town later, but we'll need to hire someone to at least take care of the windows." She taped her lips with her fingers, then shrugged "I suppose Mr. LeBoeuf will know who to ask for that. We might as well ask for a gardener too."

Still holding Sandy's hand, Cynthia walks a bit in the house, looking for the rooms she just talked about and making a list of the things that would need to be taken care of as soon as possible, checking that water flows and the facilities work. Once she's done, she hunts Mr. LeBoeuf "Alright, let's do this. Do you have anyone to recommend to take care of the windows, and maybe of the most pressing stuff? A gardener would be nice too, though that's not too urgent I suppose."

Thursday June 13th, 2075 1330- Riverview Hall, Cajun Town, Seattle


By the time you have walked through most of the house you have tried all of the faucets, although you get no hot water, but that could be that the furnace is not on. A number of the upper floor windows are broken, but not all of them. You do notice quite a lot of dust and some debris scattered about due to open windows and you find two bird nests in the rafters of the attic.

Back on the main floor, you find LeBeouf waiting for you. He nods, "Yes, there is some cleaning up to do and I can get someone out here to look at the furnace tomorrow and get it fired up for you. If you want, I can look around and see if I can get some estimates on the needed repairs." He holds up his hands. "Nothing spent on your part unless and until you agree to the costs. If you like, and are comfortable with it, we can sign some papers giving you free access to the place for the next month and talk terms after you see if you like it."

[Cynthia Rawson - 13:30, Thursday June 13th, 2075 - Riverview Hall, Cajun Town, Seattle] #759

Cynthia nodded "Works for me. I mean, works for us" she grimaced a bit then "I guess I'll have some reading to do, I have no idea what we'll need. I'd probably miss half of the most important things to have..."

She paused, looking around, then nodded again "Alright, let's sign this stuff and then I'm afraid we'll have to leave. Plenty of stuff planned for the day, and we're already late. Sort of." she frowned, then asked "Though maybe we want to do that the other way around: you prepare whatever you need, and we'll take care of signature and so on later, a bit before 6pm. We'll drop cleaning drones in here at that time, so we'll be able to sign some papers here or at your place, whatever is more convenient. As long as we can be at Renee's at 6 sharp anyway."

Thursday June 13th, 2075 1330- Riverview Hall, Cajun Town, Seattle


LeBeouf nods his head as you talk. "I can try to work something up, but I am afraid it might be hard to get people out here to look at the house for estimates until tomorrow. I will do what I can, but will have the document available for you to sign if you stop by the office after five."

While he is talking, Sandy nudges you and motions to the large window to the left of the entrance. "Excuse me, but wasn't that window one of the broken ones?"

The estate agent frowns at being interrupted and looks to the window, shaking his head. "No, I don't think so. Now, the other one is clearly broken, so perhaps you mixed them up."

You are pretty sure that Sandy is right, but the glass in the window frame is now intact.

[Cynthia Rawson - 13:30, Thursday June 13th, 2075 - Riverview Hall, Cajun Town, Seattle] #760

Cynthia looked at the window, then closed her eyes for a second. When she opened them again, she answered "Pretty sure you're right. But...let's not think about what it could mean, eh?"

Turning back to LeBoeuf, she said "We should be able to drop by after five yes. As for the rest, tomorrow will be fine, we do not need to go that fast after all. It would be nice and all, but not necessary." Turning back to the window, obviously unable to just brush it off, she adds, half joking half serious "Especially if the house repairs itself since the longer we wait, the less we'd need." Now completely serious, she adds "Though we'll at least need someone to start the furnace."

Too curious to do anything else, Cynthia goes to check a few of the other broken windows as well as some of the things she noticed that were broken, half expecting some of those to now be intact.

#57

Ooh, dirt. Dish please. He says with a wink.

Thursday June 13th, 2075 1340- Riverview Hall, Cajun Town, Seattle


You do not notice any physical changes in the interior as you wander through the house, but you notice that the air smells a bit fresher, perhaps due to the rain that had fallen while you were inside. There is still a slight niggling feeling of something indefinable...........the place feels a bit like home, but you do not know why. After all, before today, you have never even seen the place. When you return to the main hall, you find Sandy waiting for you. She holds up the key ring. "LeBeouf took off. I told him that we could lock up if he had something to do. We just need to drop the keys off at his office on the way through town"

She looks around then comes up to you, putting her hands on your waist. "Something about this place just feels......right, I guess is the word I am looking for. It feels right. I hope that you agree and don't feel like I pushed you into a decision you do not want to make."

Thursday June 13th, 2075 1405- Wanda's Boutique, Seattle


Steve gives the girl behind the counter a look and Wanda holds up her arms. "OK, OK. No dirt. Sorry, Spokane, I guess you will have to get all that from the source. Just remember to ask her about last Halloween. Now let's see what I can get you into."

Over the next hour, she takes your measurements and shows you several tuxes that fit you well enough. "I could size these to you if you want to buy one?"

Steve tries on several dresses and looks nice in all of them, although she seems a bit uncomfortable wearing something out of her comfort zone.

[Cynthia Rawson - 13:40, Thursday June 13th, 2075 - Riverview Hall, Cajun Town, Seattle] #761

When she returned, Cynthia seemed pensive as she was trying to put her finger on what she was feeling exactly. When shown the keys, she cocked an eyebrow "Keys? Old school keys? That's such a bother... Maybe we should replace that with something more modern... Rusticity has its charm, but modernity isn't bad in some places either..." she squinted "Marrying the two seemlessly should be an interesting challenge..." One she seemed almost eager to get to.

As Sandy put her hands on her waist, Cynthia looked like a deer in the headlights, a shiver running down her spine. Swallowing, and slowly putting a hand on Sandy's, she answered with a small smile "I'm the one who asked for the house, aren't I? So don't worry about that." She looked around, wondering out loud "And... Yes... It feels like home, it's...weird... I never felt anything like that. My parents' was just... Theirs, I was just...there. My apartment was...home...but... Well, not home. Here however..."

She paused, and taking a half joking, half serious tone, added "But don't get too carried away, two bedrooms." Maybe thinking she had been to harsh - despite a tone that wasn't anything like it - she added much lower "For now anyway." At that thought, a new shiver ran down her spine, goosebumps on her arms as she placed a hand on Sandy's arm, her head cocked on the side and hair falling freely from her shoulders, her lips slightly parted as she seemed lost in some kind of fantasy for a second.

Thursday June 13th, 2075 1345- Riverview Hall, Cajun Town, Seattle


Sandy does not need a second invitation and steps in to kiss you. She is gentle at first, almost feather-light, but her intensity will increase if you allow it and her tongue will brush against your lips and go inside, feeling its way around. She gives a small sigh of contentment.

[Cynthia Rawson - 13:45, Thursday June 13th, 2075 - Riverview Hall, Cajun Town, Seattle] #762

An invitation it may have been, but not one Cynthia realised she had issued which is why she was surprised by the kiss. A pleasant surprise mind, but surprise nonetheless. She quickly put a hand on Sandy's shoulder to stabilise herself as she got lost in the kiss. She hadn't expected the tongue action at all though, which came as a jolt. It took her a bit of time to answer to it before she tentatively felt Sandy's tongue with her own, something completely new to her but also something she seemed to enjoy quite a bit judging by her body's reactions: butterflies took residence in her belly, to say nothing of what was happening in her lower region. The most visible reaction came as a consequence of not wearing a bra though, when her nipples hardened under her blouse.

Well, the most visible reaction expect for the fact that she hugged Sandy then, as if she wanted to melt into her, her heart beating rapidly in her chest. After maybe half a minute, she withdrew from the kiss but, still hugging Sandy, put her head on her shoulder, eyes closed, her unsteady breath tickling Sandy's neck. She seemed content to just stay like that for a moment, while her heartbeat stabilized itself a bit. Finally, after a light kiss on the offered neck, she shakily drew back, her eyes not quite focused yet, her hands, always in contact with Sandy, going from her back to her arms. She would probably need some time before she were able to say anything. Anything intelligible anyway.

Thursday June 13th, 2075 1348- Riverview Hall, Cajun Town, Seattle


If Sandy's reaction is any measure, she is as much surprised by the way she reacts to your touch as you are to hers. Her breathing is certainly as ragged and she is panting by the time you break the kiss and it takes a couple of minutes for her to be able to say anything, and then it is a whisper. "Wow! OK. Frag, that was............something. I could do that again, but my legs are so wobbly right now that I am afraid I would fall down if we did. Wow oh wow."

A slight breeze from the open door stirs your skirt but does not really cool the heat within you all that much. Sandy smiles at you. "I hate to rain on this, but don't you have a doctor's appointment in about an hour. We would need to leave about now if we want to go there and get back in time for the clothes."

[Cynthia Rawson - 13:48, Thursday June 13th, 2075 - Riverview Hall, Cajun Town, Seattle] #763

When Sandy is finally able to speak, so too is Cynthia, and except for the red on her cheeks and ears, all outward signs of excitation have disappeared and she's once again in control of herself. Mostly. She half nodded, half shook her head at the mention of the appointment "The appointment at three is to get some stuff, namely protection and maybe a couple of weapons. If I'm...we're...going to continue sticking our noses in the mercemaries' business, theirs and their bosses', I figured it would be best to have the right equipment."

She squirmed a bit then "It's not a bad thing that the doctor's appointment is not just yet, it would be...awkward..." she blushed, really embarrassed "I didn't get any news from Tanya about the doc' she knows though. I'll try to get one myself when we're on the way. Shouldn't be too hard, and if I manage to get it for four, I might even be able to have the time to go to the university before coming back here for the clothes at six." she grimaced "Would be tight though." And for some reason, she furiously blushed.

Shaking her head to clear it, she started to walk to the door, where she waited for Sandy to lock it. Once done, she didn't hesitate for long before she took her hand. She didn't say much on the way to LeBoeuf's house, her mind obviously going back to what just happened. Unless the perspective of getting new stuff made her blush anew from time to time of course.

Once the keys are dropped and the dropped sack picked up, they both started to walk to the exit of the town and Cynthia seemed to focus back "Alright, Mama Lini now."

Thursday June 13th, 2075 1348- Riverview Hall, Cajun Town, Seattle


As you wait out on the porch for Sandy to lock up, you notice that the broken step seems to be whole. And are there a few less weeds in the yard? It is hard to tell since you had not made a detailed look about outside.

LeBeouf is not in when you get there but you see a sign on his door indicating that he is fishing and will be back at five. There is an obvious drop box for the keys and Sandy slips them in before taking your hand again and walking down the street towards the entry arch and Mama Lini's shop. There is not small bell tinkling at the door to alert anyone of your presence, but you notice a largish woman sitting at a table with some cards placed on the table in front of her. The woman has a kind but care-worn face as she looks up at you. "Ah, Miss Cynthia and Miss Sandy. I have been expecting you. Please sit. It is a warm day out by the old Hall so may I get you some iced tea?"

[Cynthia Rawson - 13:48, Thursday June 13th, 2075 - Mama Lini's, Cajun Town, Seattle] #764

With a grimace, Cynthia grumbled about her sack with her old clothes and shoes, which stayed inside. She didn't exactly need it though, so she ended up shrugging the problem away. Once at Mama Lini's, she shook her head when offered tea "That won't be necessary. Thanks." she wasn't exactly here for a friendly chat after all. Yet anyway. After that maybe. It may not have been entirely due to the temperature, but she was hot, and some iced tea could be nice.

She seemed to hesitate a bit, looking at the content of the shop, before she turned back to Mama Lini. She had noted the mention to the house they just left, but didn't get sidetracked: after all, she already more or less knew that Mama Lini was tracking her. "Yesterday, some spirit-like dogs and men killed...and ate...some people I had a few words with. Or who tried to kill us, depends how you want to present things." she drew the pendant Mama Lini had given her from under her blouse "Two days ago, you gave me this. It's hard to avoid making a connection between the two, considering the only - other? - Mage I know would never help me. For free anyway."

She stopped there, waiting for a reaction. She wasn't exactly accusing anyone of anything. After all, even if she thought she would have been fine without that "help", it probably was just that: help. Plus, she could be mistaken, and maybe Mama Lini had nothing to do with that. She doubted it though, and if it was indeed from Mama Lini, then she had some explanations to give: after all, who would go that far for someone they just met? She didn't think Mama Lini was working against her. That would be a pretty dumb way to do it. But she didn't like being in the dark, especially when her life might be involved.

Thursday June 13th, 2075 1348- Riverview Hall, Cajun Town, Seattle


Mama Lini frowns a bit then smiles again. "You do not have to say that like you think I may have had anything to do with it, child, but I can understand your feelings. But it was not I who sent those spirits to you and the enchantment of that amulet is not strong enough to do so. My voodoo does not work in that manner. You will need to look elsewhere for your mage."

She motions to the two chairs opposite her. "I could do a reading for you. To let you know your future. Or at least a possible future."

[Cynthia Rawson - 13:48, Thursday June 13th, 2075 - Mama Lini's, Cajun Town, Seattle] #765

"Frag." It was barely audible, but said with real feelings. She was so sure it was the only explanation that she hadn't even begun to think about other possibilities. Then again... If not Mama Lini, then who? It sure as hell was not Marisa, she would have heard from her a while back, with some kind of payment request. And outside of those two... She didn't know any other Mage... Or did she? The only other possibility she saw was someone working for Tanya but... One way or the other, it looked like she wouldn't get the answer any time soon...

She shook her head, and with a sigh, shrugged "As long as it doesn't take too much time, we're kinda busy, and supposed to be here to buy some jewellery for tonight, not..." she waved to the table.

Thursday June 13th, 2075 1348- Riverview Hall, Cajun Town, Seattle


The woman laughs. "Child, a rushed future is as bad as not doing it in the first place and I am no tea-tent gypsy. So, if you have no time, then best to hold off on it 'til later."

She nods and chuckles as she bends over in her chair to reach to the floor and brings up two carved wooden boxes with some odd designs on it. She holds a hand over each box and says some words in her odd creole language and the lids begins to glow. She holds the boxes out to each of you and motions to the glow. "Now you put your hand in the glow and attune the box to you. After that, only a god could open that box without your hand on it. Or maybe a nuclear bomb. I don't know if it could stand up to that and not sure I want to test it. So go ahead and open them."

[Cynthia Rawson - 13:48, Thursday June 13th, 2075 - Mama Lini's, Cajun Town, Seattle] #766

Confused, Cynthia looks at the boxes, wondering what the hell they are for. Tentatively, as if she expected the glow or the box to bite, she approached her hand, not at all sure she'd prefer that to be a trick or genuine. In any case, since she was more curious than worried, she put her hand onto the glow, not at all sure what she was supposed to do to "attune" herself with the box.

While she did though, squinting at the box, she asked "Say, you wouldn't happen to know anything about a house fixing itself by chance?"

Thursday June 13th, 2075 1349- Riverview Hall, Cajun Town, Seattle


The glow feels a bit warm for a second then goes out as does Sandy's as she also puts her palm on the lid. Mama Lini watches your reaction and smiles. "There now, you can open the boxes at any time, but no one else can. These are meant to be jewelry boxes, but you could put other small things inside as well, I suppose. Hmmm, houses fixing themselves? There are old stories of living structures that can do that if someone loves them enough. Not ever really seen on, though. Why do you ask?"

Sandy opens her box while you are talking and gasps. She turns the box to show you the contents and you see a necklace with matching earrings and bracelet. Hers are of a color that would go with the gown she is wearing to the gala.

[Cynthia Rawson - 13:49, Thursday June 13th, 2075 - Mama Lini's, Cajun Town, Seattle] #767

Cynthia shrugged "Because that's what happened... Or more like, is happening... To the house we visited." she glanced at Sandy "And decided to make ours. At least for the time being and maybe more if we can afford it. If you want to see one, I suppose you can go see it for yourself, by the time we left, there was already one broken window and a broken step fixed, as well as a notable decrease in the amount of weeds in the garden." All of that was said in a perfectly neutral tone, as if she still wasn't exactly sure what to think about a house that fixed itself. She rubbed her chin "As for 'loving' the house enough... Don't take me wrong, it's a nice house, and I'm sure I'll enjoy living there but... We weren't even inside when things started to go weird..."

She glanced at the content of Sandy's box then. Had her day started any differently, she probably would have flipped. Or simply thought that Mama Lini got a call from Renee to explain things. Now however, she looked at the jewellery almost dispassionately for a few seconds, then nodded "Should fit nicely." She opened her own box then, expecting to see pretty much the same, with differences in colours to match her own circumstances.

Thursday June 13th, 2075 1349- Riverview Hall, Cajun Town, Seattle


Mama Lini looks a little surprised. "Are you saying that the house is here? I know that you went out to see the old Hall so are you talking of that place? My, my, my. It is possible that a place that was build as long ago as that one was might develop some sort of spirit awakening. Still, to attach that to a person......or persons in this case.............is, well, different. Are certain of what you saw? I do not remember a broken front step, but it has been a couple of years since I have been out there."

The contents of your box are not exactly like Sandy's at all. Yours holds a ring with a single large blood red stone set onto a white band.

[Cynthia Rawson - 13:49, Thursday June 13th, 2075 - Mama Lini's, Cajun Town, Seattle] #768

Cynthia took the ring in hand, and played with it a bit as she answered "I'm quite sure of it yes, I happen to have a pretty good memory, so while I may have chalked a single window fixing itself as mistake on my part, there was a bit too much." grimacing, she added half-jokingly "And I hope the house didn't break itself beforehand to appear even more impressive... It's weird enough as it is... Plus, even without speaking of fixing itself, we both felt like we intimately knew the house to the point that we could identify every room without even entering. And of course, there was the first vision of those people when we arrived..."

She looked at her ring now, glancing back in the box to make sure it was the only thing there. She was a bit disapointed there wasn't more but it probably wasn't that bad. Especially considering earrings since while she had had her ears pierced when she was a kid (a decision she certainly hadn't made herself), it had been so long ago that the holes had filled themselves. And even if they hadn't, odds were that they'd have disappeared when ears changed shape in the night any way, and she wasn't exactly eager to pierce them...

She tried the ring then, until she found the right finger, expecting to find this quite strange, since she had not worn any kind of jewellery for a while.

Thursday June 13th, 2075 1349- Riverview Hall, Cajun Town, Seattle


"There were other people at the Hall? How odd. No one has shown an interest in that place in years. I certainly cannot explain how you could know the rooms, but maybe the house told you."

The ring seems only to fit the forefinger of your right hand, but it seems to have been made for it. You experience a short, electric shock that fades immediately and Mama Lini puts her hands together. "Perfect. I wondered if it would fit, but I just had a feeling it would."

[Cynthia Rawson - 13:49, Thursday June 13th, 2075 - Mama Lini's, Cajun Town, Seattle] #769

Cynthia grumbled "More like people who were there two hundred years ago... And the house told us..." she shook her head "I'm quite sure if I said that to pretty much anyone they'd think I'm crazy..."

She grimaced as she felt the shock, and rubbing her finger asked with a sigh "So, what is it supposed to do?" Tentatively, she tried to remove the ring, half-expecting it to be stuck. In which case, she would probably be pissed...

Thursday June 13th, 2075 1349- Riverview Hall, Cajun Town, Seattle


The woman opposite you laughs. "You aren't crazy, child, especially since both of you saw the same thing. There are wonders and mysteries in this world and the next that are still not known and it sounds like this is one of them. As to the ring, I do not rightly know. It has been sitting on a shelf in that box for a might long time. Not even I knew what was in it because I could not open it. It was meant for you only and then you came in."

The ring is a good fit but you can get it off easily enough. As you do, you experience a very brief prick of sadness, but you barely notice it.

[Cynthia Rawson - 13:49, Thursday June 13th, 2075 - Mama Lini's, Cajun Town, Seattle] #770

"I bet it was my twin who ordered it." Cynthia grumbled, as she put the ring back on, satisfied that she could remove it whenever she wished. And now a bit anaesthetized by all this weird stuff going on around her this morning. She glanced at Sandy who was looking at her own jewellery, then asked to Mama Lini "You think it will be enough for tonight or do I need more? I don't know much about all that but I was led to understand that I'd need a few more things..."

She frowned then, as she realised something "You have no idea what this ring is and where it comes from... But do you at least know how much it costs? It will be an important question at some point... Probably not a deal breaker but still... Speaking of that, what kind of metal and stone is it made of?"

Thursday June 13th, 2075 1350- Riverview Hall, Cajun Town, Seattle


Sandy cries out that the pieces a re a bit warm to the touch when she puts them on but not when she is just holding them.

Mama Lini nods her head. "Yes, child, that ring is very special, but it might not be all you need. That will be up to you. So many women wear way too much and some not enough. I do not rightly know what to tell you, but the basics would be a necklace and maybe some earrings. Renee sent over a list of what you were wearing tonight and I am sure I can match that. Mostly costume stuff, really, but I might have a genuine stone here and there."

She holds out a hand for the ring. "I can look at it if you like."

[Cynthia Rawson - 13:50, Thursday June 13th, 2075 - Mama Lini's, Cajun Town, Seattle] #771

Cynthia shook her head at Sandy's exclamation. Yet another mystery... When Mama Lini proposed to study the ring, she held her hand to her while she thought. It didn't take long for her to agree "I don't mind the necklace. But I want the real deal, not costume stuff. As for the earrings..." she seemed a lot less sure then "I don't know... My ears aren't pierced. Anymore." she shifted a bit uncomfortably on her chair, then shrugged "So unless you have something I really like, I suppose no earrings." with a small grimace, she added "And to be honest, I'm not sure I'd like something enough to pierce my ears.." at that, she touched her ear with her free hand, as if she wanted to protect it.

Thursday June 13th, 2075 1350- Riverview Hall, Cajun Town, Seattle


Mama Lini nods as she takes a jeweler's loupe from a pocket and puts it in her eye. "Sure thing, hun. We can look at some of the real stuff after I take a look see here." She holds the ring up to her eye then takes it back down. "Say, have you ever thought of using a clamp on one of those long ears? I have some that we can look at that you might find interesting."

She puts the ring back up and peers at it from several angles before giving it back to you. "Damnedest thing. I have no idea what the stone is, or the metal either, for that matter, although I could probably figure them both out if I had more time."