Wheely slow down a bit on his mad rush while seeing the message and thinks a bit, well he lives mostly on instant soypasta so he knows jack shit about cooking fish but he does watch too many trids (including cooking ones).

Nyx shook her head "I'm not implying you would betray or anything. But people who already betrayed someone might not think long before doing it again, which is what I'm worried about. They betrayed the Finnigans, now they're betraying the Yaks, and after that?" She shook her head "I suppose all I'm saying is that we should be careful they don't have anything else in mind than what we were told. They might want to have the Finnagans and the yaks at each others' throats."

After a small pause, she shrugged "Anyway. Like I said, I don't mind the cats. They probably will have another opinion though." She slightly grimaced. She was pretty sure it was because somehow, they felt part of her nature: nothing she could do about that... "I don't mind holding hands. Pretty sure I'll survive that." She paused "But you know, often the main problem with that 'out of my league' business lies in a lack of nerve." She shook her head "I'm not saying that for me since I'm very much not looking for anyone. But what could happen? Only three possibilities: you get rejected and he or she is a dick. You get rejected, but he or she is nice about it. Or you get yourself a date. None of those results are bad. After all, if that person is a dick, you're better off alone, right?"

She pause, then grimaced and shrugged "Not that I have plenty of experience though." Especially considering that when it happened, she was the one doing the rejecting...

@Nyx Finestra said "About these girls, Nagisa is loyal to her girlfriend and Minnie is unexplainable. Either she is in deep cover or she is genuinely madly in-love with Strawberry. Let's hope they do not betray us. Though, I have your back if they do. I carry a pistol and know how to use it very well. I will protect you if things degrade to violence. Not that I am suggesting that you need my protection, but I will pull my weight to get us out alive."

When Nyx speaks of out of the league and rejection Finestra replies "There are worse things than rejection Nyx. She means her black eyes and adds "Not that I am implying that you are going to hit me.

She looked at Nyx as if sizing her up and said "Well a brief romance with you has its benefits girlfriend. You are discreet and careful. The only one I would actually consider out of this group of colleagues." She paused and said "In case that was not clear, I just offered you some physical intimacy, no strings attached. We both seem like we could use it and I bet neither of us can afford much more than that."

@Wheely Fugu is everything Andu said it is. It just looks a bit different in the movies than with the picture Kynos sent you. Go figure perhaps there is more than one way to spin a cat.

@Kynos, Simone Andu said softly "Whatever dirt you may think you have on our beloved Strawberry we already know it and we do not care. Like you said, mages are difficult to find and your pyromaniac friend is too volatile to be a part of anything organized. Not that he cannot be useful in occasions if we can only get him to stop burning our property. "

Strawberry eats and enjoys the meal, she looks at Kynos and then texts him. >> Are you mad at me Kynos? Why are you suddenly concerned for my safety? The last time we met I tried to somehow get you to not kidnap or expose me. Was kind of difficult to do without harming you. To be modest might have been just as difficult without that limitation.

Seriously though, I would not stir old wounds if I were you. I am the reason Andu did not send his men after you and Sovereign. Yakuza bosses rarely accept people burning their businesses and killing their men. The moment I am out of the picture you guys will have many new enemies. and yes, I know that I am not innocent and that I needed some pretty dark allies to be captured on my own terms, rather than be a slave.

Since Simone is pretty much in the dark about the past history of Kynos with Andu and Strawberry, she blithely puts another piece of fish in her mouth and enjoys it as much as she did the first. She tries to keep her attention on Strawberry. She slips one shoe off and slides her leg under the table to touch the Elven woman's leg to see what her reaction will be.

@Simone Strawberry allows your leg to stroke her, the effect is uncertain but she seems receptive to your leg. You then get a text >> Simone, will you do something for me?

Completely unaware of the text, but emboldened a bit by the apparent acceptance of her leg, Simone gives Strawberry's leg a few more rubs then pulls her leg back and slips her shoe back on. She had made her point and doing more might be too much. She continues to eat her meal while the men talk.

Strawberry texts ">>Simone! Stop it and listen! >> Dammit!

Then a short while after Simone's text she hears Strawberry's voice in her head. It feels strange, very intimate but also intruding. "Simone! Are you ignoring me on purpose? "

Kynos replied with a low voice barely above a whisper: "Maybe you should care. Mages who cooperate with bugs are really bad news. Trust me, a while ago I worked with a Firewatch crew. It was not pretty. No matter what you think about being in control, if you let the bugs in they'll undermine whatever you do and sooner or later it will come crashing down. The mighty Ares Corp tried to use the bugs as tools and even they failed. And as a consequence their empire is starting to rot from the core.
There are few things I truly hate, but things that take away your will and volition, trying to enslave you in your own body are at the top of my list. People who tell me that they can control these things are like addicts telling me they are in control of their habit.
I do not wish anyone to suffer such a fate. What Strawberry did to my friend can and will not be forgotten. Forgiven... maybe. But never forgotten."
Kynos had not yet taken a bite from his food but looked Andu in the eye with all the serious intensity he could muster. Just for a moment, Kynos prayed that the man understood in how much danger he and his operation were. To whom he prayed, Kynos did not know.
<<Simone: Careful now. The time to make a quick exit could be quite close now.>>

Simone listens to the byplay between Kynos and Andu and it does not take a specialist to know that there is a great deal of tension at the table. What history there is between Kynos and these people is coloring the conversation and she takes advantage of not being involved to look about the room and plan for a quick getaway. Given that perhaps everyone in the room is security of some sort, the odds are heavily against them should this come to a fight, but her foot massage of Strawberry's leg had an ulterior motive and she has already established that the table is not fastened to the floor and can be turned up if needed.

She is completely taken by surprise at the voice in her head but recovers quickly enough to send an answer back. {I would have thought that it is quite obvious that I am not ignoring you. Why would you think that?}

Andu makes a small hand gesture, almost invisible. He said softly "Your fish is getting cold Kynos. Eat if you want to continue our chat. Then you can tell me all about what your beloved Strawberry did to your friend." He looks at Strawberry with a blank look as if he looks through her. A subtle viewer will notice that she is distressed (judge intention 4 hits).

The ginger looks at Simone with a suggestive smile and Simone can hear her voice in her mind. She imagines it as the most beutiful voice she has ever heard - yet the entire conversation is passed almost instantly.

"You guys are on thin ice Simone, Andu will take offense if Kynos does not eat the fish and he can kill him for less than that. If Kynos insults him than even I cannot keep him safe and I pulled all my weight to have him and his pyromaniac friend un molested. Pacifism slowed my decay into madness as I will soon explain. I need you to tell my story to Kynos and Sovereign when they are receptive to it. Because as it seems now, they will never understand why they are hunted in such ferocity.

Look, it is the truth what he is talking about, the Yakuza took over my peaceful neighbourhood where I had lived for decades. I fought back, hiding and damaging them trying to get them to leave. They captured me and gave me two choices, capital punishment or becoming an Insect Shaman. I agreed and got my autonomous from the Yaks. Andu behaved as if we reached some understanding and mutual respect but Iam their slave nonetheless.

Ants are a new kind of insect spirits, unencountered so far. They are different than others but I could not say that they are a positive element in this world. They do not belong here and should not be here. Ant spirits reward their shamans with power, a power that is closely linked to blood and sacrifice. They provided me with unique knowledge which was previously unknown to our kind, but it came at a terrible cost.

Once a month I murdered a sapient awakened being as an offering. I tried to play around the rules, I contacted powerful vampires to supply me with their food. That way I could sacrifice the weakest of offering and gain the minimal amount of power in return. I was buying time, stalling. Fulfilling in essence what the Ants wanted me to do but denying them true power. I also made sure that my connection with magic remained too weak to summon their queen. I devoted my time into academic knowledge about magic and placed my distance from practical magic.

I fear that whatever good intentions Ants seem to have initially they will change one their queen is here and the Shaman is no longer needed. Now Sovereign burned my home and killed my friends. When I captured him I was in a rage, angry to the point of blindness.
I tied him to their altar and genuinely wanted to get it over with and sacrifice him as revenge. Though, Sovereign is no pixie - he is the strongest mage running the shadows right now. Had I sacrificed him I would have become powerful enough to summon the Ant queen.

If it was not for my lover Minnie, I would have killed him at that moment. Unleashing a terrible fate upon this city. Instead, I used subterfuge and exchanged my contracts with the ants with Sovereigns, he is now the Ant Shaman and I am free. It bought us some time - and there really was not much else that could be done given that I already placed him on their alter and did the rituals.

I am in mortal danger Simone, once Andu notices that I am no longer the Ant Shaman he will kill me. You will watch my lifeless body hanging from a tree for the world to see what happens when you insult him. He has leverage on me and I cannot escape until he loses his leverage. The one you call Finestra can explain more, there is a powerful spirit that has recently entered this world. She is confused and angry but she is the only one that can undo the contract that Sovereign has with the Ant spirits.

Regardless of my fate Simone, warn Maxwell that the entire Yakuza are going after him once my secret is exposed. Warn him to cure himself of this infliction before it is too late - he is very powerful but misguided. He seeks power at all costs, I fear for him. "

<<That fish doesn't look exactly like the Fugo I've seen on trids, Andu might not trust the cook as much as he wants us to believe or it just comes in more forms than I thought.>>

Kynos deliberately stabbed his fork at a piece of fish, possibly scratching the delicate china beneath it and put the piece into his mouth, chewed and swallowed.

"Delicious - if you like that stuff.
As for my friend - it certainly is not my place to tell his shame - suffice to say that his life is on the brink of ruin because of her actions and might very well be the cause for widespread destruction.
But rest assured that I have understood you and that I am heeding your words well."

Kynos had noticed Strawberry's nervousness. The little wheels in his mind began to spin and he used his DNI to send another message:
<<Team: Very bad news: The Yak boss knows about the bug connection and seems to approve it. This could mean that the Yakuza has already been subverted by the bugs or that Andu is just a fragging idiot that thinks he can control them. Either way he is too dangerous to be left alive.
Problem is: If I attack him now, there is a good chance that he might survive since I'll likely get only one strike before I'm gunned down by the zillion security guards around me. Not to mention that the Yaks would start hunting you down as well.
Simone: It's time for a tactical retreat. Place the tracer if you can and let us get out of here before Andu realizes that I still have the contacts to Firewatch.>>

Kynos noticed from the corner of his eyes that Simone didn't show any sign of having noticed the message. An impressive poker face or was there something wrong? Mental domination by Strawberry? Had she used the opportunity to send another possession spirit - this time enslaving his chummer?
<<Simone: Acknowledge. Exit strategy. Now.>>
To gain some time, he raised the glas of whiskey he had ordered before and took a sip as if to get rid of the taste.

Simone smiles at Strawberry then turns to their host. "Andu-san, I am in need of your restroom. Would you please excuse me?".

She stands and looks at Strawberry. "Would you care to show me the way, please?"

Strawberry nods and stands up, walking toward the restaurant. In the meantime, Andu leans in closer toward Kynos "You mean that Maxwell burns things because Strawberry broke his heart? I must say that I struggle to follow your line of thought."

"Broken heart... no. Torture, yes.
And no, he liked burning things before. But now parts of him are broken that would have ensured some restraint to his actions. Those are gone as far as I can tell."
With Simone and Strawberry gone, Kynos leaned back a bit and spoke in a more normal voice.
"Let me be clear: I have a small amount of influence on Sovereign. I am on speaking terms with him and can try to reason with him. On occasion he even listens to me. On the whole it is best to keep him occupied with constructive-destructive things. So if you have paid work lined up that requires mana slinging I might be able to arrange something."

Andu laughed "Torture? How did she do that? Explain again, what exactly did Strawberry do to your friend?"

Simone and Strawberry quail to the restroom, where Simone actually uses the toilet, where turns her 'link on to check on messages, seeing a ton. Feeling very stupid, she immediately sends a text to Kynos. >>Wow. I thought I was supposed to turn my 'link off. Are we really leaving or is that a maybe? I am trying to get your tag p!anted.<<

Leaving the stall she wiggles the 'link and puts it in her purse. She moves to the sink and Washington s her hands hoping that the mental link is still on. (I am sorry. My 'link was off. I want to help you and will warn them they are in danger as well.). She holds up a lipstick. (I have this tag. May I place it on you so we can know where you are if you need help?)

If she says yes Simone will move c!oser and put the tag Kynos gave her in Strawberry's hair. If Strawberry says no, Similar he will make show of putting the lipstick away and then still plant the real tracker in the elf's hair.

Strawberry takes the lipstick and thinks "Not my color, I hope it flies. Now go find Maxwell as your friend hinted Andu that he is the new Shaman. Their men may already be on the way to him."

Simone moves behind Strawberry and lifts her hair, slipping the tag into the hair. "Hmmm. That may not be your color after all. Sorry, I thought it would look better. Still, it matches your face color, just not your dress. Keep it and try it with something else.

(I will get the message to him. Thank you.)

>>Team. Strawberry says that Sovereign is in danger and that men might already be heading his way to harm him.<<

"No.
As I said, it is not my place to tell you about what perversions Strawberry did to Sovereign. I wasn't there and it's hardly a topic for polite conversation.
Suffice to say that he was and is part of my team. Any attack on my teammates is an attack on me. And I respond to attacks with disproportionate retribution. That doesn't mean I don't accept apologies - on the contrary - I am always open to mend fences. But I don't let things like that slide either.
If you are interested in a peaceful and productive, mutual beneficial relationship, you'll find that I am a good listener"
Kynos took the whiskey up again for a sip.
<<Listen closely, we are going now. Be ready for a sign from me, than ram a fork into a socket - or if you can, get to the breakers and throw them all.>>

@Kynos Andu says bluntly "You seem to be forgetting your place, Kynos. You will find that it is unwise to ask for a meeting just to threaten me. Leave now because we may not be in good terms the next time we meet."

"Rest assured that I didn't ask for this meeting to threaten you. Twice now I have offered my help, twice you have ignored it. I see therefore you have no need of my services and I will depart. Thanks for the invitation."
Kynos got up and nodded his head and turned to go, ready for any hostile action by the security.
<<Steady now Simone, don't go back to the table but meet me at the exit.>>

@Kynos and Simone Andu would not harm his guests, the old man had a sense of honor and restrictions on power. However, he already suspected Strawberry and her new highly trained ex-mafia lovers to be plotting against him. Andu only needed a single text to secure Maxwell. Maxwell was still in bed when Ayato stroke him with the hilt of his sword knocking the man unconscious. He loaded him up on a car and drove it to an unknown location. By the time the party returns, the two are gone and there are no signs of any struggle. Maxwell and Ayato have vanished.

@Nyx Regardless of your romantic interests and urges, Finestra is a professional and will not let you gals spend more than an hour and a half in the safehouse. By that time you two will be on a bike on the way to a meeting. The meeting takes place in an underground bunker and you can tell that Finestra is tense toward the meeting.

Simone texts: >>Got it. Are you sure that you are not too close to the issues to be an effective negotiator? Do you want to leave for a bit and let me try to talk to him?<<

Nyx frowned. On the one hand, she didn't seem shocked, disturbed or angered by the proposition. On the other hand, she wasn't exactly jumping in delight either. A bit sarcastically, she said "Well, I won't hit you..." she looked away then. She seemed...maybe a bit hesitant "But... I'm not exactly 'playing for that team' is one of your expressions I think?"

While she did say that, she seemed...maybe a bit curious. At least she hadn't rejected the idea straight away...

<<Negative. Exfil now. Andu is a psychopath - even more than me. And Strawberry might be right on this one: He showed an unhealthy interest in Sovereign. I don't think you want Andu to find out that you are potential leverage to get to Sovereign. This was always an intelligence gathering mission first and a negotiation second.
Andu knows about the bugs and approves. There is really nothing that this man has that I want to associate with. And I am honestly tempted to just grab my armor and rifle and take him out right now when he leaves the restaurant. So unless you come back now to convince me otherwise this is exactly what I'm going to do.
Also I need you to open the car. My stuff is inside and I don't want to break the window.>>

Kynos stood outside and seriously considered to do just as he had told Simone.
A message to Sovereign was greeted with the now almost customary bounce. Why on earth did he have to content with so many chummers who couldn't keep their comms on even if their life depended on it.

Simone and nods to Strawberry as they exit the restroom. She mouths for the Elf to contact her and heads for the exit. >>Roger. On the way out.<<

Outside the restaurant, she finds Kynos waiting, somewhat impatiently. "OK, back into the van and let's be off." She pauses as they get in the van then she looks around at him. "I don;t know why you think I would be any leverage to hurt Sovereign. That scary mage was only interested in a one-time stand from me. He does not even return my texts, so I fail to see how I mean enough to him to be leverage to Andu. Well, any more than nay other member of the team is. He is way wrapped up in the other girl and I am no competition for her looks or her history with him. Unless he has said something to you that puts a different light on anything?"

Much of what had been said by Finestra ended up leaving the mage speechless for a change. A new turn of events left an old mark of his in a rather delightfully vulnerable position. Aside, from maybe, a greater spirit under her thumb that might hinder his plans for revenge. But such a caveat is nothing compared to the chance to put this grand rivalry to rest. The warp and weft of his mind cranked like rusty clockwork. Crafting a masturbatory mental image of defeat and self-gratification. So engrossed in his own thoughts that he didn't even notice that Wheely asked for his input or even realize that he was traveling with Simone and Kynos. Not at first at least.

"This is just too perfect. I can scarcely believe it. Strawberry's death knell will ring soundly soon. Shamelessly sanctioned by another Yakuza cunt off in the distance. A score of pixies in the sewers will tie up all loose ends with my spiritual loan sharks. I'll need to rest up for a spell before I undertake that endeavor. Still though, that effectively kills two birds with one stone for me. What does that leave exactly? Grail I think would be all that remains. Can't think of anything else especially dire that would require my attention. Oh right! I need to see Midnight later about some supplies i'll need. And maybe some advice too while i'm at it. I've been feeling weird ever since I leveled the farm earlier. My magic feels... different... again. Maybe i'm just tired. Been running like mad since Grail came back.

Dammit! Why'd he have to show up again? Can't he just fuck off and die already? I'd be lounging in bed with Amy gracefully straddling me if not for him. Yet here I ride with my fellow shadowrunners instead. On our way to some dreg heap off in the middle of nowhere. One of whom which reminds me is a nympho with severe self-esteem issues. Think i'll need to address that soon. Or else she'll spiral out of control as a consequence. Wait... why am I thinking about sex with Simone and Amy? Alright that's a surefire sign that i'm way too tired for all this nonsense at the moment. I keep getting off track every two seconds. I'll stay at the hideout once we get there and get some much needed sleep."

Maxwell's deep contemplation abruptly ends upon arriving at the low-rent hotel. He grimaces at the sight of the gangers scattered about the lodging of the structure and the neighborhood that surrounds them. Even from the van they swivel like boils in his eyes. Merely waiting for a sharp stab to rupture their swollen selves. Spilling out blood, pus and whatever filth that constitutes their meaningless meanderings that they call a life. Again, he glowers at them as he exits the van. Giving Simone a fleeting kiss goodbye as he does so. Reluctantly, Maxwell makes his way toward the safehouse. Sending a overtly dramatic text to the team before he retires for the morning.

@Team - <<Well ladies and gentleman. I'll leave the negotiations and preparations in your very capable hands. For now at least. I have some business to see to later tonight that'll keep me preoccupied for some time. But fear not! As soon as I finish these errands I shall and will rejoin you in bringing down these dastardly bastards! On a more serious note, i'll be here at the safehouse in case i'm needed. Hopefully, you won't.>>

"I think you don't give him enough credit as a human. Besides, it doesn't matter what you or he thinks, but what Andu thinks you might mean to him.
Now, let's get back to the safehouse.
On the way you can fill me in on what that Strawberry clone told you on the toilette.
I hope you didn't fall for her glamour. Dryads are tricky customers when they lay on their mind whammy."
Kynos was rummaging in the back of the car, getting out of his suit and back into his armor, but took care to fold up the expensive piece of cloth orderly again.
"Sovereign isn't replying. Do you know who stayed with him? I didn't see Irris or Ayato leave either."
<<Irris, Ayato: State your position, please. Are you still with Sovereign? I need you to wake him asap and get him to answer his god-damn comm.>>

<<I was coming to your position but I assume your meeting is over, regroup at the safehouse? Haven't seen Sovereign since the farm.>>

<<Wheely: Your assumption is correct. It's time for a little team huddle.>>
Kynos replied.

@Nyx Finestra looked a bit disappointed but you can say that she anticipated rejection "Fair enough, I am feeling kind of crappy inside after my last fake relationship, but this is none of your concern. I'll go hear some self-help books or pick someone at a bar when we finish this gig. Feel free to use the clothes makeup and whatever you want, this is what this room is for.
When you are ready, I'll take you to meet Minnie and Nagisa if anyone knows where Strawberry is it is them."

Simone tries to tell Kynos as much as she can of the conversation she had with Strawberry. After giving him as much as she remembers, she summarizes. "So, it seems that Strawberry did some sort of ritual that made Sovereign the Ant Shaman, some sort of conduit to a group of ant spirits. Apparently, they are sort of benign right now, but I suppose they would not be that much different from the bugs that ate Chicago once their Ant Queen is brought over. The ant spirits will want Sovereign to do that for them and he may not have much of a choice, depending on what arrangement he has with them. There is some sort of free spirit of great power that can help the scary mage rid himself of this link to the spirits. Finestra is supposed to be able to help the spirit do that."

"I suppose we need to help him make that happen. To answer your other question, I do not know where Iris or Ayato are. either." She speeds up just a bit. "If none of them are answering, it could be that something has happened at the safehouse. Should we call FIniestra or Casa and ask them to check on the guards there?"

"Shit, shit, shit. That makes much too much sense to be a complete lie. Sovereign told me the part about being forced to accept the bargain in exchange for finding his way back. I actually helped him stock some of those pixies for just the same purpose as Strawberry supposedly did.
Her helping righting that would go a long way to remove her from the top of my list. As far as I know, Sovereign hasn't yet performed the ritual, but it's getting closer and closer. And if Andu dangles the option in front of him that he is allowed to sacrifice Strawberry he probably won't care too much about anything else.
Damn it. Now I can't even call in Firewatch without risking Sovereigns life - provided Strawberry did tell the truth and she isn't secretly still a bug shaman.

There is still the real possibility that she is deranged and told you that sob story to get me and Sovereign to go after her. She tried and have a spirit possess me once and failed while she was protecting a really bad Yak called Venom. By the way that's the same guy Minnie chose as a reason to betray the team. And now Minnie is a groupie to Strawberry...

Bah, thinking about underhanded shit like that makes my had hurt. One reason I prefer Sovereigns brash nature is that he doesn't bother much with lies. If he doesn't like your face he just burns it off - no turning your friends against you or cloak and dagger abductions or sending doubles and stand-ins.

And yeah, give this info to Finestra - only to Finestra. No need to let the whole mafia know about Sovereign's problem."

Kynos frowned again - still no reply from Sovereign.

Simone nods, her heart a bit cold with what the scary mage is going through. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Despite him turning away from her, when it comes down to it, she cannot control her heart that way. Damn the man, anyway, who asked him to make her fall in love. Maybe it is just lust, but Simone has lusted many times and this does not feel the same. Maybe it is just gas or something benign like that. Anyway, she needs to get her head in the game and get something done. She gooses the van a bit more, increasing its speed to just above the speed limit as she makes her way to the safehouse. She also sends out a message.

>>Hey, Finestra. I have something to pass on that needs to stay between the team and you. Please do not feel the need to bring your Mafia friends in on this. Kynos and I have just left a meeting with Andu and Strawberry. The woman told me some things that involve you and a major spirit that has come to the Seattle area just recently, apparently some kind of free spirit, if I have the terminology right. Anyway, Sovereign was trapped into becoming some sort of shaman to some ant spirits who want him to grow strong enough to summon their queen across, at which time it could be Chicago all over again. Strawberry says that this powerful spirit can help Sovereign and that you can help the spirit make it happen. To make matters worse, we have lost contact to three of our teammates who were stating at the safehouse. These would be Sovereign, Ayato, and Iris. Kynos and I are headed to the safehouse now as is Wheely. Can you join us there? Also, can you contact the gang that is supposed to be providing security there and find out if everything is OK?<<

@Simone Finestra texts >>Simone Hi,
I am Working with Nyx to gain access to the spirit and Strawberry.
To try and save an insect Shaman is going sideways and places me and Nyx in a conflict of interests when negotiating with the spirit. Valentina and Casa will go bananas if they hear about it. I will help you but do not talk to me about it again. I do not want any more digital traces linking me to this mess.

Simone turns to Kynos. "Message delivered. She is afraid of the Mafia finding out so I doubt she will tell anyone. She seems willing to help, but is concerned about a conflict of interest. She has said she will help me but asked that I not contact her by text on the matter as she does not want to have a matrix trail of this. I expect that I can contact her about other things, like maybe setting up a meet, but she has Nyx with her."

Nyx looked...a bit surprised that Finnestra hadn't tried a bit more. A bit surprised and...well...maybe a bit disapointed. It didn't last long though. Maybe when all of this was said and done she'd try to revisit the proposition, but she hadn't been lying when she had said she didn't do women. Mostly. She never had anyway. Not that she had had much experience with men though. With toys. That she did. At least the only problem they were likely to get her into was when their batteries died "Well, maybe I'll accompany you to that bar." Wether it was to be the one 'picked up', or to do some 'picking up' of her own though, she didn't say.

She looked at the room and nodded with a smile "Thanks, I'll take a shower and I'll be ready." With much appreciation, Nyx does just that, enjoying the feel of hot water on her skin. When she was done, she carefully selected some clothes, a long skirt and a blouse with a discreet cleavage. She then applied some makeup, not a lot, a touch around the eyes, a bit of colour on her lips and cheeks and no more. Finally, she went back to the main room and Finnestra, and nodded to her "Sorry, I hope I didn't make you wait too long?"

@Nyx Finestra wore a black dress with a slit which showed a well-groomed leg. It was also practical as it allowed Finestra to access her pistol which she placed on the inside of her hip. On top of that dress. Her black eyes were carefully concealed and to her ears, she placed golden earrings which were also a comlink, well disguised. She wore blue contact lenses and her cheeks had this reddish tint of life. If she was not a showrunner she clearly could do cosmetics for a living. She managed to make her look considerably more preventive and higher society whereas she previously looked like some street gal.

"Pretty girls are worth waiting for" She and then offered her hand as the two left for the elevator.

At the parking lot, Finestra drove with her bike through the night toward the city. She pulled it over next to Seattle's art museum and said "I hope you are the kind to appreciate art, I mean you may be the type. If you do not just fake it. There is a small restaurant there but we will not go directly to it. I want you to look interested in the exhibitions and move slowly so that I verify that we are not followed."

Nyx nodded "I won't have to pretend to be interested, since I am, but... While I know a thing or two about art, I'm far from being an expert. Never had the time for much more." Somehow, being on the run didn't allow her to find the time for that. Go figure.

She started to go through the exhibition, dutifully reading the presentation of each piece whenever there was one. Sh had her 'link in hand, sometimes checking things on the Matrix about one piece or another. Either she had completely forgotten what she was supposed to do, or she was a very good actor. In both cases, even if Finnestra took a couple of hours to do her thing, Nyx would still be looking as interested as in the beginning.

Finestra takes the time, she seems less interested in the art but still watches what Nyx watches and adds some insightful remarks on some of the pieces she seems interested. Finestra appears knowledgeable on the subject. It takes more than half an hour when Finestra gently stroke Nyx's back to get her attention and then said "I am getting a bit hungry girlfriend, there is a nice place at the top floor. What do you say?"

"Hum?" For a second, Nyx seemed confused "Oh, sure." She took Finnestra's hand then, and let her lead, while she was talking about some of the things she had seen.

Finestra gently leads toward the elevator and then the restaurant. It is relatively busy, but Finestra asks to join a table. She speaks briefly with the hostess that leads the two of you to a private booth. Nyx can identify Nagisa. On her lap seats a woman with mouse ears and a tail, dressed in a very short skirt, and a buttoned up shirt, that has too many buttons unbuttoned.

Nagisa seems embarrassed as you approach and then Minnie stands up and says gingerly says "Fabiana! ... I'd offer you a hand but considering where it has been... I'll pass." she laughed, her tail was wagging around happily.

Nagisa apologized... "Aham... We are not usually like that. It has been a while...Oh, I share too much... I better just shut up.". She said and blushed, covering her head with her hands. Yulia looked at Nagisa clearly amused and then looked at Nyx "Well, I am Yulia - and this brilliant but shy woman is Nagisa. I do not believe that I met you..." she said to Nyx grinning.

"Good. I admit I have a soft spot for Finestra since she helped me knock out Venom. No need to inconvenience her with an impending mafia war.
By the way, did you manage to place the bug on Strawberry? Currently I'm giving her 60:40 odds of telling the truth.

Alright, I'm calling it. Sovereign not responding is one thing, but both Ayato and Irris not replying at the same time? As the saying goes: One can happen, two is coincidence but three is enemy action.
Keep the motor running, I'll take a quick look into their rooms, see if anyone is bleeding out or strapped to a chair or some drek like that."

The car hadn't come to a total stop before Kynos opened the door and moved into the motel, closing the helmet on the move. The armor did not have the patches of KE, but the general appearance was distinctive enough to evoke instinctive responses from the occupants of the lobby. Kynos didn't wait for them to become curious about him though, but instead sprinted the stairs up to check on the rooms of the three chummers. Finding them empty, he wheeled around on his heels, checked - just to be sure - the washroom and ran down into the lobby again, grabbing the manager of the little shit hole from behind the reception:
"You. Did some Asians come here and drag out some reedy looking guy that looked as if he should get more sun and a hair cut?"
"I'm not sure what..."
"Listen, I'm not in the mood for any games. It's a simple question. Did that guy come through here and who was he with!"
"I, alright, yes, one of the guys you came here with, the Asian looking, he was dragging him out, had your friends arm draped over his shoulder. I thought the dweeb ODed or something and the Slit was taking care of him. Listen, I don't want any trouble..."

Kynos had already moved again before the man had finished his last sentence. He ran out of the building and towards Simone's van.
"No-one in there. No sign of a struggle, gasmask didn't register any knock out gas. Manager says he saw Ayato drag Sovereign out through the lobby - unconscious.
Damn. I liked Ayato. Fair hand in combat, team player, kept his mouth shut. No idea if Irris was in on it, but chances are we might have to geek both of them. I hope you axe is sharp."

Kynos had seated himself again on the seat next to Simone. <<Gotta go in VR for a moment.>>
Kynos switched on the illegal Hotsim Module on his link and dropped into the matrix. With a mental flick he opened a file on his comm and selected the code to the little bug he had given Sovereign all these months ago. 'Let's see if you were clever enough to keep it on you'
There was the icon of the bug - Kynos wasn't good enough with computers to sculpt a nice icon, but he sure was able to lable one propperly.

<<Wheely: I'm transferring three MARKs to a tracker I planted on Sovereign. Try to run a trace on him with your RCC on full noise compensation. I'll do the same on my end.>>

Simone does not even have time to nod before Kynos is out of the van and into the motel. She keeps a watch on the street near the van while the man is gone, looking for anything out of the ordinary. Kynos is not gone for long, but his news is not good. Before she can even nod that she is ready to watch over him, Kynos had gone off to VR land. Again she waits.

<<Copy that. I'm right behind you.>>

As he runs the scan Wheely finally join his teammates and park close to the van but not right next to it.

When she arrived in the room, without looking like it, Nyx observed the two women and the way they behaved with each others. She decided to play the shy and submissive of the two, which made sense in a lot of ways: Finnestra was the one who knew the two other women so she kinda had to take the lead and Nyx's clothes were more subdued than Finnestra's dress. It also had multiple advantages: Nagisa would probably be more comfortable with her, and more importantly...she'd avoid any land mine since there obviously was some history there...

When Yulia asked her question, she nodded "Hi. Uh... Yes... I'm..." She lifted her hand, still holding Finnestra's hand. She blushed slightly, as if she realised what she was was obvious, and the question was about her name "I'm Valerie."

@Jack The safe house is empty with no signs of coercion, Irris is nowhere to be found.

@Nyx Yulia grins "Nice to meet you, Valerie" she looks at Nagisa and laughs "Common Naggie, it is okay we are among friends." Finestra offered Nyx a chair and then sat for herself. She looked seriously at Yulia and said with a low voice "Tune it down Minnie, what is the matter with you?".
The mouse woman seems to respond, she straightens up and grabs her scarf, covering part of her cleavage. Finestra approved "Good! Now we can focus on business" Nagisa looked thankfully at Finestra with her beautiful green eyes.

"Fabiana, look I did not mean to go awol. One thing led to another we became renegades after the explosion and then Minnie fell in love with Strawberry and I did not realize what she did before it was too late. Please, I know what I did is inexcusable, tell Valentina to not hit the kill switch, I will do anything."

Finestra looked at Yulia "You seem to be very happy with this choice, why did you even come to meet me?" Yulia's tail wagged around intensely, it seemed to had a mind of its own. "Fabiana, I never knew any other life than that of an escort. Strawberry, is the real deal. She is wise and good and just and I admire and worship her. " Finestra looked at Nagisa with empathy and then back at Yulia that continued. Strawberry has some problems with the Yakuza, she recently escaped their grasp leaving a decoy in her place. Once the Mr. Andu finds out about it he will have her killed. I am certain of it. She needs a new patron.

Finestra asked " and this patron can be the Finnegans you run away from?" Minnie answered "Only if they are good to Strawberry." at that point Nagisa bust out of the room "Excuse me, I am going to the restroom" she said and barely suppressed her tears. She mumbled "She does not see me anymore.". Yulia shrugged but did not follow her, she looked at Finestra and said Naggie is very emotional recently

As Finnestra and the Changeling talked, Nyx didn't seem to pay too much attention, like someone in the same room as lovers in the middle of a quarrel. Despite that, she was of course attentive, especially at the mention of a decoy. While there were of courser ways to magically alter one's appearance, such subterfuge would be seen through pretty easily by any Mage. Surely the Yakuza had at least one or two at hand. Unless the one planting the decoy was very, very, good of course. Or an immensely powerful free spirit? Who knew what those guys were capable of...

When Nagisa went to the bathroom, Nyx let a few seconds go by. At some point in the discussion she was listening in, when it made sense, she winced and stood up "I'll go check on her." It was of course her main objective, but she mainly wanted to make it look like she was merely fleeing the discussion.

@Nyx Finestra nodes and focuses her attention on Yulia. When you enter the toilets you can hear Nagisa crying in one of the booths.