Kynos replied to the message:
<<Hi Sovereign - or person pretending to be Sovereign. We are homing in on your position and are loaded for bear. Can you tell me something, only the real Sovereign could know? (That won't rule out someone using mind mojo on you, but you can't have everything perfectly safe).
Strawberrys fate isn't yet decided, but those bug spirits are going down.
Do you have one of your signature spirits around? One of those could lead us to you directly - Simone should have some of your stuff still in her car.
Oh, by the way: You wouldn't have seen Ayato around? It looks like he is the one responsible for your abduction... And I intend to show him just how not ok I am with turn coats and traitors.

Don't stay longer with them than absolutely necessary and meet up with us asap. After that we can discuss topics like "wholesale destruction", "retaliation strikes" and "cutting Andu's fucking ant-spirit loving balls off".>>

@Maxwell your spirit frowns "This yelp? what could she possibly know about these topics? A finite creature and one so young. She is not much older than you baby mage. I do not have to speak on these topics with you or with anyone else, this knowledge was not part of my contract. This is not part of my contract. My actions are for you but my knowledge will be my own. Know thy place mortal."

M replies "Gamer term yes, I game alright. I cannot use VR but I am fast enough in AR. I go by the username EM64, look me up if you want to play. When you grab your link M asks "Do you need guidance to the surface?"

"It was Alliance. But they've been bad boys and the current mess with the city's security contract allowed the Finnigans to take over." She paused "You don't have to worry about the Alliance though, an agreement has already been reached between all involved parties."

Strawberry shrugs "If the farm was taken legally and I will need a lawyer of my own choosing to verify it. In that case, I am willing to purchase it. It will be my business fair and square and whatever profits I can make will be my own. I will work *with* the Finnigans to ensure my own, and my business security and I can offer them a delivery contract to ensure that my shipments are safe. I'd rather work with the Finnigans than with the Alliance."

She shrugs "I am also aware that the Finnigans do not have a mage, I am willing to offer my services in exchange for their security for my shipments."

For an insane Dryad woman, Strawberry is business savvy and negotiates well. Nyx may be a bit surprised.

Nyx squinted "You will rent it for a year, the cumulated rent serving as a down payment for the purchase itself, should you still wish too. It's not much different than what you offer, but it adds a layer of security. For the Finnigans and yourself for that matter." She paused, then nodded "As for the rest, I suppose it's fine in principle. The details will have to be decided at a later point, I'm not empowered to do more than that." She glanced at Finnestra "She might, but she's in no state for it."

Strawberry smiled "Finestra will thank me in the morning. She will feel happy and satisfied like she has not felt in a long time. I cannot make the same promises for you. We do not have to close all the details now, I'll come to whoever makes the decisions tomorrow.

About business, I am not very fond of long-term commitments to criminal organizations. We can discuss the price, but I want to own it. I will also get better terms with the Alliance than the Finnigans because I am not am *I think*..."

She looks pensive.

"I think that I am a legitimate person, SINNer and everything. Paying taxes, no criminal record, one of the good guys. I'll have to ask someone - but I am almost certain that I am. This means that me owning the farm instead of the Finnigans has value for the Alliance, which means more profits for me, which means that I can pay more for the business, it would be irrational to decline my offer to buy this business unless its value is a front for something illegal and in that case I am not interested. I'll leave the city or something, I am a resourceful woman."

About the long-term, with criminals, you get the money right here right now. Who knows what might happen. These people play with fire and there is going to be a new police force - I am not taking any chances. "[/color]

"She seemed a bit down, yeah." She shook her head "But good reason or not, good outcome or not, I wouldn't like anyone messing with my head."

After a second or two, she shrugged "I can only relay your conditions. After that..." She shrugged "You'd need to see the farm to be able to give a reasonable offer anyway. Like you said however, things are moving fast..."

Strawberry shakes her head "It is not my doing Nyx, this is Pan. She is playing her flute and we dance. She comes from a very interesting meta-plane where past and future merge and live together. I assure you that Finestra can stop dancing just like you did. If you ask her to join she would, she is charmed by Pan but she does not *have* to do anything. Different people react differently to Pan, I am certain that Kynos would not dance for example." She laughed... "Do you want to go and fetch Finestra? I am a bit wary about her reaction to my voice though. Not everyone can contain it."

"I'll talk to her when we leave." She shrugged "She's the one driving after all, I can hardly leave her there. Since you spoke of it..." She raised an eyebrow "Kynos and Maxwell seemed pretty...angry...with you. Anything I should know about before we leave to talk to the Finnigans?"

@Nyx Strawberry replies Maxwell... we have a history he took a job from me to protect someone and then tried to kill that very someone. I interfered, of course, the man was the child of a high-ranking Yakuza contact of mine. If he was killed under my watch... It was not very good. You see, not all Yakuza want me dead - just Andu and he will be replaced soon. Wheels are in motion, but this is another story.

Anyhow, Maxwell was so furious that I dared to stop him from killing my ward that he burned down another business I owned. A bar with some cheap guest rooms, Maxwell also Killed a bunch of my workers too... I almost killed him, but Yulia convinced me to avoid that course of action. Nevertheless, I did something very bad to him and he will not be the same man after my curse. I do not want to get into more detail.

As for Kynos - he is insanely loyal to Maxwell when I kidnapped Maxwell he tried to rescue him and failed. Humiliating many of Andu's man, I had to work my magic and use all kind of leverages I had on the man to prevent him from seeking vengeance for that insult. This may mean that Kynos will be in grave danger soon."

Nyx shrugged. She didn't think Strawberry had said everything, but one way or another, it wasn't really her problem at the moment "Alright. Then I guess we're done for now." She gave her commcode to Strawberry "Contact me when you want to visit the farm. I'll make sure someone will be there to take you in and maybe hammer out the terms of your agreement with the Finnigans."

Strawberry said, "Let's meet there in the morning.". She hesitated and said
"Perhaps you want to stay with me? The park is dangerous at night but you are safe here."

Nyx shook her head "I can't, I have to talk to the Finnigans to tell them you're considering the offer, and on what conditions. Plus, Kynos would... Well, I don't know how he would react exactly, but considering you're supposed to have kidnapped Maxwell..." She cocked an eyebrow at that.

Her smile widened as you refuse and she said "Alright, go get your girl. I'll go partying for a couple of hours more" She escorted you outside of the lighthouse and closed the door after herself.
Things look different on the way back, Finestra is laying on her back, unconcerned with the dress, at first, you are worried but as you approach closer she seems to be looking at the sky. When you approach she says without looking at you "All the nymphs went to the party but did not let me follow them. They were so beautiful Nyx, too bad we could not find Strawberry."

Nyx swore lightly, then sighed at the door. Whatever happened... She glanced at Finnestra "Yeah... Right... We'll talk about it when you're ready to go..."

In the meantime, she sent a message >>Team [Nyx]: Just finished talking to Strawberry. There was some weird shit going on, but nothing dangerous. Or at least it wasn't dangerous for us anyway. I didn't see anything regarding Maxwell though. Are you sure Strawberry is the one who has him?<<

Kynos replied to Nyx:
<<Positive, we have made contact with someone claiming to be Sovereign. As I told you: Strawberry uses doubles and has spirits masquerading as her. There is a good chance that neither you nor him have been actually in contact with the real Strawberry. She has a strong affinity to fuck with anyone's head. Not to mention that she's crazy and likely a narcissist. But it's good that you are both alive and well. Don't forget to ask the Finnegans for payment before you finalize the bargain.>>

@Nyx Finestra stands up and cleans the dress a bit, it is hopeless but she feels compelled to at least try.
"Let's get to the bike, there are some problems with the safe house, we will need a different place to hole up for the night. Cats apartment or Gates?" she asks you.

@Maxwell M leads you through the tunnels until she says -"Proceed here and you will exit right next to my tree where the Joke used to be. " She then turns back and heads for her room.

Maxwell was having trouble keeping up with three different conversations, on three different fronts. His eyebrows beetled in vexation as his spirit refused his request and from Strawberry or Melissa or whatever the hell she wanted to be called was trying to show him the door. Then, all of a sudden, a rather devilish thought crossed his mind. One that exemplifies his psychopathy. The pyromaniac nods craftily at Strawberry and says. "I'll keep that in mind I suppose. One more thing I need to remind you of before we part ways..." Having ended that statement on an ominous note, Maxwell sends another telepathic command to his unbound elemental. "So be it. I've thought of a more fitting way for this churl to recognize me as Sovereign. I want you to manifest directly in front of her. And before she has time to gasp, to even form a thought, I want you to create a shock wave of terror to wrack her mind. To envelope this upstart mana construct with absolute dread. I want her to see visions of an all-consuming inferno. I want her to see the end of everything she is in your eyes. I'll brook no nonsense from them anymore." As he left Strawberry alone to be confronted by Sirius, he scrolls down to the message Kynos sent him and compiles a response. Excitement raced in his blood as he walked further away from Strawberry and her imminent fearful screams.


@Kynos - <<Even though you're skeleton is comprised of titanium, I'm still more metal and brutal than you. Facts aside, I'm on my way out to where the Joke used to be. We can rendezvous there if you can manage it. Also, yeah I do have a spirit of mine who could guide you to me. Give me a moment on that one though. He's busy having a 'talk' with Strawberry's ally spirit. And, really, Ayato was my kidnapper? Why is it that whenever there is a double agent of some sort in our midst that I'm the one who gets ploughed the hardest because of it? I'm getting very tired of Yakuza and their wacky antics. High time we eliminate the Seattle chapter of the yaks.>>

<<More metal? Eh, you are welcome to that title. As to why: Mages are a valuable commodity for those fraggers. And they never learn. Ayato can kiss his ass goodbye.
And yeah, Andu has overstayed his welcome in this world. We are close to the Joke again. By the way: Nyx claims to have made contact with Strawberry too. Which one did you meet?>>
Kynos replied.

@Maxwell the spirit manifests in front of M and uses its fear power, creating rages of terror that should knock just about anyone, M resists for a moment but then dematerialize without saying another word.

Nyx didn't answer straight away, looking pensive. In the end, she just shrugged "Strawberry wants to see the farm in the morning, so you'll need to talk to the Finnigans about that and the result of our discussion. Outside of those considerations, I don't really care one way or another."

Finestra said "Gates it is, Valentina instructed no matrix communication about delicate business topics. She practically lives there since the attempt of her life... " She drives to the Gates, following sideways in a very indirect manner. It takes you over an hour to get there, apparently, it is almost impossible to enter certain parts of the city during the night. Nyx can see two cred sticks changing hands in exchange for passage at two different roadblocks.

When you arrive Nyx says "Valentina said she'll be here in an hour. She asked for you can go to your room if you wish, or you can join me for some quality Whiskey at the bar and explain to me what exactly happened in that insane asylom of a safe house."

With that Finestra texts Simone - " >>Simon Hi, Finestra. I recently learned about a pack of wild vampires living in the discovery park and hunting for pixies. This raises many questions - but to remind you wild vamps pay 5k a piece by the federal government. Might be good cash if you can assemble the right team... It seems difficult to find paying jobs - so you might be interested.

P.S Don't forget some finder's fee if you pull it out. "

The mage lets out a shrieking cackle as Sirius frightens Strawberry into hiding. His laughter echoing down the tunneled halls. He holds the commlink close to his mouth and uses the voice-to-text function on the device.

@Kynos - <<The dryad's ally spirit. Calls herself M. In case you forgot about her. I think the M is short for 'Mana Construct' or 'Make Believe'. I'll call the little doll Strawberry to lessen the confusion. Her conjurer's name is Melissa. Supposedly, the two swapped identities after an accident happened a long time ago. I'll tell you more about that when we meet in person. After we talk I need to head to my talismonger and to the Brain Eaters HQ to pick up the rest of my stuff. I left an implement there that I'll need later today or tomorrow night. Hold on... I see something. An exit I think. I'm nearing the ashen remains of the Joke. I'm hanging up, see you soon.>>

Maxwell pockets the commlink as he treads outward of the labyrinthine darkness. He reaches a metal door at the end. A hatch bars the way between him and the surface. He blindly fumbles around until he feels his hand upon a handle of some kind. With a bit of effort he unbolts the hatch and swings open the door in a loud screeching motion. Maxwell climbs out of the tunnel to exactly where Strawberry said he'd be, next to a tree. One that marked the ruins of her old home. There he was left to awkwardly look around for his partners in crime. He sees Simone's van and impatiently waves them over to his location.

Nyx shrugged "I don't mind explaining, but... There's not all that much to say. There were a bunch of free spirits in there, and one of them that Strawberry calls Pan likes to dance and...well, it's contagious. So you did." She grimaced "Alright, we did. After a while, not sure how long, we were brought to Strawberry to talk. You didn't leave that... Well, you weren't in any position to say anything, but somehow when she talked I regained my senses. Not sure why..." She shook her head "Anyway, we talked, she's interested, and expressed some conditions to take over the farm, which is why we need to talk to Valentina."

Simone is surprised by the call from Finestra and sends a reply after thinking about it for a moment. >>Thank you, FInestra. I could be in for a pack of vampires. Let me talk to the guys and see if they are interested.<<

After driving Kynos around for his shopping, she drives back to the tree to help with the gas bombs and wait for Sovereign to appear. She is running through scenarios in her mind for killing a bunch of vampires when she notices the scary mage pop out of the ground next to the tree. Smiling, she lets Kynos know and drives over to the man.

@Nyx Finestra looked strangely at Nyx "Funny enough I remember us dancing but I do not remember Strawberry or you leaving to talk to her. " She shrugged ..."Magic." and ordered high-quality whiskey on ice. Looking at you asking if you needed a drink.
Grimacing she added "but it was fun to dance in the woods with you and these spirits... not a care in the world.

Sipping it she continued "That's good, looks like you are moving up - and that we are going to see some revenue soon."

@Simone Finestra texts, ">> Sure, there is no special rush just a lead we accidentally encountered.

Nyx smiled "Oh we didn't leave you. You were with us all along, just a few steps away." She looked at the glass, a bit unsure, but ended up nodding. She stopped Finestra from pouring more than a few mouthfuls, since she had to keep her wits to talk to Valentina "Moving up?" She shook her head "I don't see how. But revenue will be nice for sure. It'll at least keep Kynos and Maxwell off my back."

Finestra grimaced "Do you 'know' Valentina?" she continued "I mean you somehow got her attention, but it takes one many years before Valentina trusts you enough. Her office is in one of the top floors - hence moving up, she does not meet with many people Nyx. She has many other people, like Casa to distance her from people like us." Finestra quickly downed the first glass and then carefully nursed the second one... trying not to get drunk beyond driving.

@Kynos, Simone, Wheely, Maxwell
With Maxwell exiting the well-disguised hatch in a wooded area east of the joke the way is clear for you to make a little bug hunt. Or to leave - but you will not be able to stay for much longer without drawing more attention to yourself.


@Irris Matrix perception shows a single icon, that of the car itself, it is being driven on autopilot. In fact, there are no other icons with the close proximity which makes you a bit worried.

Kynos got out to have a look at Sovereign. By now there had been too many attempts to fool, betray and mislead them.
"Good to have you back. But just to be sure, could you tell me something that only the real Sovereign would know? For example: Who triggered that flyer in that mall that nearly grilled us both?"

"Oh..." For a moment, Nyx didn't say anything more than that. In the end, she just shrugged "I've been in her office a few times now, it's not that special... Plus... At what point can someone say he knows anyone anyway?"

@Nyx, Finestra discreetly points out at a very large troll in a suit that seems to be working security at the Gates. He is currently off duty and is seating with a very attractive woman in one of the tables.
She speaks softly, almost with a whisper.
"Do you remember Athos, the head of security? He spent five or six years before he started working for Valentina directly. Rumor has it that he got one mission and she was not satisfied with his performance, so he is sticking to his day job. So five years... is a good number as any. Not many youngsters raise beyond middle management. Anyhow, most of the Finnigan's members never do, not even after 20 years of service"

Nyx knows Athos as a somewhat socially awkward but reliable senior security at the Gates. He is also about as large as trolls get and just having him around has a calming effect on the patrons.

"Oh, well, considering that I had never met Valentina...or anyone here for that matter...a few weeks ago, I can't say I know anyone then." Nyx smiled humourlessly. She cocked an eyebrow then "You may want to slow down on the whisky, or you're going to be dancing again soon..."

@Nyx Finestra giggled and said "Well, my fake girlfriend took me to the worst pickup bar in town..." She does slow down on the whiskey though.


(Feel free to RP going up to Valentina when you think it is best).

Nyx snorted "Considering that you brought me to a dark forest, where we almost got bitten by vampires, then got mind-fucked by a spirit for hours, I'm pretty sure I'm ahead at this point." For the rest of the hour, Nyx spent the time chatting a bit about everything and nothing, until looking at her 'link she got up "Alright, time to go. I'll let you know what's the plan as soon as I can."

She went to the elevator then, going up to Valentina's floor. There, she rasped on her door and called "Hello?"

@Nyx Finestra seems to feel comfortable with you and it seems that both of you needed some social time.

When you arrive at Valentina's floor at the 12th floor, you reach a central room. The offices with chess pieces on them instead of names are dark. On the table, you spot Athos, a man that introduces himself as Jim and a middle-aged man named Tony. When you arrive each of the mans introduces himself - Athos chief of security, Jim head of operations and Valentina's second and Tony introduces himself as an instructor and a consultant.

The group clearly was talking before you arrived and Tony gives you an update. "We secured the farm and can legally hold it for now. It will take some time, perhaps a year before we finalize the purchase. Tell your boys congrats. Now, we heard that you met up with Strawberry - what do you think about her? Can she be trusted?"

Maxwell covers his mouth to hack and cough a little bit before rasping out his answer. "Grilled us both? Bah! Hardly. Twas me that nearly succumbed to the flames. We were advised to show up unarmored since it would have been poor decorum otherwise. The five of us gathered around a quaint little table. You, me, Athos, our employer and her bodyguard. I can't remember who gave her the pamphlet but I do remember scouting the astral for any unwanted listeners. It was then that I noticed the preparation. A great magical fireball instilled into a mundane flyer. I reacted without thinking and shielded everyone from the blast right as it went off. You and Athos were barely harmed by it. I, on the other hand, nearly bit the dust because of it. Oh, and our would-be employer nearly died as well. Probably would have if not for me. Anyway, to answer your question - It was what's-her-face's unintentional doing that nearly got me killed. And the machinations of a deranged alchemist that made the bomb." He looks at the van again and waves those still inside to come on out.

"Good enough for me. Welcome back.
Alright, what was the situation down there? Bugs, Yaks or both? We've got some grenade bundles and Molotov cocktails ready to go.
Alternatively, we could go and hunt Andu before he can mobilize some of his death squads."
Kynos replied, while he handed Sovereign his possessions.

Wheely gets out of his car at the sight of the mage and stay silent while Kynos exchange with him.

"Can she be trusted?" Nyx thought about the question for a while. In the end, she couldn't give any other answer - any other reasonable answer - than "I have no idea. She seemed interested enough by the idea, or at least she negotiated like she did, and she wants to see the farm tomorrow, so there's that." She paused for a second before she resumed "On the other hand, some in the team pretended she had just kidnapped Maxwell. I didn't see any indication about it when I went to see her, but she could have sent someone else. Not that I'd weep if something happened to him but..." She shook her head "Anyway, I'm still waiting for news on that front. On the other hand... Strawberry wants to buy the farm and run it herself. She'd work with you for security, her own, the farm's and the deliveries', and she'd be willing to do other Mage stuff for you, but she wants to own the farm herself. So in a way, she has every possible interest in playing nicely, especially if the mouse is along for the ride." She raised an eyebrow at that, as if she had remembered something "Oh by the way, if she has the same type of implants as Nagisa, you'd better deactivate it... Whatever Strawberry does, voluntarily or not, messes with Nagisa's something bad, and it seems even worse with the mouse. Not saying she has one but it would explain a few things."

She paused long enough for that to sink in, then continued "Anyway, her arguments for owning the farm herself is that she'd be a perfectly legitimate and legal owner, which would make things easier for the Alliance, so more profit for her...and a higher buying price for the farm. All that on the condition that it's not a front for something illegal, but she'd prefer working with you than with the Alliance."

Tony stood up and approached Nyx, "Valerie honey, try to separate the wheat from the chaff. I asked you for one thing and you give me something else. Place yourself in Valentina's shoes, imagine that you own 80% of Eggs! Would you deal with Strawberry? Would you trust her to follow her end of the deal? "

He pauses and explains "Strawberry will see the farm tomorrow and then we will take her to this very room to negotiate. Whatever she said in that magic castle of hers is meaningless, you were under god knows what magical influence at the time - she will have to repeat it again in this magic free environment. I will even allow you to help with the negotiations if you like. First, you represent a group of runners holding 20% of the rights to this farm. Second, I got intrigued with what you did to Casa. I am certain that you were lucky - but such luck shows potential. A potential that can be refined if you will be interested. However, we are wasting the time of some very senior Finnigans so please answer the question.

It is your farm, how much would you trust Strawberry? Which way would lead to the best result? What makes her tick."

Nyx snorted "I know what you asked, but as you said, we were in...let's say a magic rich environment. Hell, we spent hours dancing without a care in the world because a spirit mind-fucked us. And Strawberry is... I don't know how much of it was theatre, how much real, but she seemed...let's say too close to the spirits. For a good while anyway, it got a bit better at some point. So yes, I think you can trust her." She paused, then added "But. I have no way to know if that opinion is formed on facts, of my own free will, or if she influenced me at some point. Maybe I'm only able to consider the facts that help her." She shook her head "And I don't even have all the facts. I may not like Kynos much, and Maxwell not at all, but they do know things about her I do not and don't have a high opinion of her."

She grimaced "So if it were my eggs... Yeah, probably, especially considering that her relations with the Yaks would go sour in a hurry with that. But I'd keep a very close eye on her. However, it's not, and it's not my decision to make. The best I can do in that situation is tell you what I know, and let you decide. As for negotiations..." She paused, obviously considering saying something more, but closed her mouth and didn't add anything after that.

@Nyx Valentina says softly "Alright, I heard enough. Thank you for bringing Strawberry to the table, and thank you for your opinion. " Tony, excuses himself and accompanies you to the elevator. On the elevator, he asks "Have you thought about my offer?"

Simone looks at Sovereign and nods as she speaks in a soft voice. "Are you well, scary mage or do you need some more medical care? And, by the way, I received a message from Finestra just a couple of minutes ago. She gave me the location of a place infested by vampires and reminded me of the 5K bounty on them. just letting you know in case any of you are interested in going out there when we are finished here."

Beyond that, she walks over to stand near Wheely and wait.

Nyx nodded, then followed Tony. In front of the elevator, she nodded again "Oh sure. I don't know if I can be useful in any way though. I may have resisted her influence back there...or I think I did anyway... But I may not be so lucky twice..."

Tony said "Well... I can teach you to be more resistant to external influences as well. Perhaps how to better conceal what you are. You seem to have the potential for doing so much more than you do - but good guidance is difficult to come by. You know that I trained Valentina, gave her the basics to build up what she is today."

For a moment, Nyx didn't say a word. What did that what you are meant exactly? Finally, she rubbed her neck tiredly "Can we talk about it again once this is over? It sounds like the kind of decision to make carefully, and..." She shrugged "It's been a long day, I'm not sure I'd be able to decide anything important right now."

Taking his stuff out of the keeb's hands, Maxwell does his best to bundle it all together in his arms. He take a long, drawn-out breath to inhale as much air as possible. He'd need it for the tale he was going to tell. "Well... it sorta goes like this. Last thing I remember before this all began was being driven to the safehouse. I kicked off my boots and undressed for bed. I guess that's when Ayato comes in and takes advantage of me being off guard. As you probably already knew. I come to in an underground room or something like that. It was dark. I was alone. And someone else I guess took the liberty to dress me in my sleep." He pauses to look down at himself and frowns at his new clothing, then looks back at his teammates. "There was also a letter from a woman called Gefen sitting on a nightstand. An ant spirit in actuality. But I didn't know that at the time. The gist of the letter tells me that she's sorry that was I brought here against my will and that everything will be explained in due time."

He stops again. This time from Simone interrupting him. Her concerns about his well being makes him grin in mirth. As does her offer to go bounty hunting. "Physically I'm fine. I think." Shrugged Maxwell. Now rubbing the spot on the back of his head from where the Yakuza adept had struck him. "I would like it if you performed a physical on me though. When they knocked me out they could have planted a bug on me, no pun intended. Or they could have injected me with one. As for vampire hunting, I'd love to. But, you know, later. After we get this mess situated. Now... where was I? Oh yeah I remember! After I read the note I did the practical thing and summoned a spirit. I made my way out of the room and into some kind of recreational room or gym or something along those lines. Big open area I mean. There I find twenty or so jack-offs just standing around. They were all in pairs though. Some in triplets. I walk up and bravely introduce myself and then this where shit starts getting weird. Or... weirder."

The tone in his dramatic reenactment shifts from mildly annoyed to jokingly satirical to dead serious as he gets further and further into his story. Maxwell even pantomimes some of it as to add extra effect to his performance. "All of them, all at once, stop and turn to stare... at me. Then, a woman walks ups to and introduces herself as Gefen. She told me, well, everything. Why I was there and who brought me. Who, and more importantly, what she and the rest of them are." He waits a few seconds before saying what was on the tips of everyone's tongues. "Ant spirits. Every last one of them. Metahuman on the outside, demon on the inside. Except, not the kind of demon with hooves and bat wings and forked tongues but the alien kind. Like they were from Lovecraft's old writings. They referred to me as the 'Chosen One' and their expressions, their faces, all of them awestruck! Hopeful even! As if I were some kind of eldritch insect messiah!" Maxwell's theatrics were getting the better of him the deeper his storytelling went. His time spent as a Vegas magician and showman were manifesting personality quirks and traits that normally went unused. He was forced to pause his story and ask the pertinent question. "Before I continue on, anyone lost or need something answered real quick? You're probably wondering why I have any relation to the bugs in the first place. There's a logical explanation I assure you. I just don't know how much Kynos has or hasn't told you two already."

Simone shakes her head. "Not much at all. If he did, I missed it, I am sorry. "