Nyx shrugged "He said he was impressed by how I negotiated with Strawberry, and proposed to train me. She frowned "He didn't say in what, for what, or at what cost though. I don't plan on becoming anyone's whore though, so if that's the plan, I'll pass." She paused, then added "Of course, that's not exactly how Valentina turned out, is it?"

She thought about that for a second, then shrugged "Anyway, I didn't know much about Tony, except that he was some high-ranker there, and like you say, the one who dealt with cheaters, etc. So I figured I should ask." She shook her head "I'll have to talk to him directly to know more about what he offers and what he expects, but that's the kind of conversation where the more you know, the better you can deal with. But I suppose that's enough for now..."

@Maxwell - when you come back a week later it is like a whole different world. Wasp spirits are all you see patrolling the astral and a group of them approaches you before you even reach that metaplane. They are not attacking, but they are not backing down and as time passes more spirits are flocking to their side. The message is pretty clear - stay out.

@Nyx Finestra frowned "Valentina, is careful and calculated, she is nothing like Minnie. The only similarity is that both have this natural gift for physical magic. " When you mention Tony again Finestra said "I guess you need to eventually choose your allegiances, but I am not sure if you can actually easily refuse this offer. Considering where you are hiding and who is currently protecting you."

She then grins and adds "... but we can continue this talk when you wake up next to me in the morning. We going dancing now." She stood up and extended her hand. The waitress was quick to identify your impending departure and rushed to get your coats.

"Yeah, well… I'll see what he has to say about it and decide then." She shrugged "It's not like I really have to stay here after all, so…"

For a second or two, she looked at Finnestra's hand, the ghost of a smile on her lips "Well… You are pretty sure of yourself at least…" She took the offered hand "Dance it is then." Her coat on, she added "Do keep in mind though that I didn't have many occasions to practice… Well, except at Strawberry's anyway… I may be a bit… stiff…" After a second or two, she added "And depending on the type of dance you have in mind, I only know the woman's part…"

@Nyx Finestra replied "Oh princess... let your wild side come to play for a while. This is not the kind of dancing where women and men are so different... you will see... Just allow yourself to enjoy for a night."

Finestra accompanied Nyx to her bike and rode off to the banshee. The place is packed, but there too you are treated as VIP's and do not have to wait in line. The bouncer, is an elderly orc named MXN just lets you in. Finestra wishes his family well as the two of you enter. The club, at stage performing, is a band called Ritalin which Finestra seem to love. They play an odd combination of pop and metal which is quite trendy in the musical scene. The atmosphere is filled with energy and Finestra leads the way to the front row, where what she described as 'dancing' boils down to jumping and occasionally singing alone or more like yelling. The songs are quite simple and catchy and the entire crowd seems to be chanting them as they jump along to the music.

Nyx looked at the…dancing… crowd with some surprise "Well… I see what you mean…" It didn't take a genius - or even a particularly observant person - to notice that Nyx wasn't really comfortable there. This was clearly not the kind of place she would have gone to by herself, and it showed. She didn't refuse reject Finnestra's efforts, but it certainly took quite a bit of them before she finally let herself go with the flow. Mostly anyway.

As the moment's progress Nyx finds herself enticed by the music, rhythm and energy at least to a degree. Finestra does what she can to make her feel comfortable and seem to immensely enjoy herself. The two women are jumping and hugging. Rita the lead singer on stage is a pale, very pale elf with heavy and strange makeup and impressive vocal abilities. She molds the crowd into higher and higher levels of excitement, after about an hour the band leaves and a DJ replaces them with a casual neo classical trans music.

Some people continue dancing but most are going back to their comlinkas or to buy something to drink or eat. As the crowd disburses, Finestra pulls Nyx close together and speak to her ear "Did you enjoy the show?" she asked.

Maxwell squints at the bug-filled horizon. Cursing himself for letting too much time pass on by. "Hatespark, Svarog, Doom-bringer, all of you come to me!" Each one of them heard their hateful conjurer's rallying call and were roused from their resting state. To his side they joined him. One took the shape of a pillar of flame with a countless number of screaming faces shifting in and about the swirling mass. Another was a thing of pure fire, its body seemingly made of amorphous lava and its eyes two pinpricks of baleful light radiating from its core. The last looked like charred, winged skeleton exhaling a toxic miasma of black smoke. Individually they were a frightening sight. Manifestations of Maxwell's warped personality. Together, a nightmare made real. "We all go as one. I'm not going to let these vermin impede my craft. If they dare to strike then we'll smash them down!"

@MaxwellThe flocking spirits are weaker than your own spirits but still, they eye you with malice in their eyes. you hear them whispering "Undo the puppeteer and the powerful puppets leave."

Nyx didn't answer straight away. The fact that she was catching her breath certainly had something to do with it, but there was also something else. When she answered, she seemed surprised "I did yes. I... Well, I wasn't expecting to, but it was... I don't know... Liberating?"

@Nyx Finestra did not verbally respond, but her face lit with happiness, she pulled Nyx closer and turned her head leaning for a kiss with the slightly taller elf.

After a small hesitation, Nyx lowered her head a bit, brushing Finnestra's lips with her own, while her left hand when to rest on Finnestra's lower back.

@Maxwell The spirits which are modest compared to your fire spirits are not affected by your words. Or the sight of the fire spirit - their combat tactic is also a very clear GTMF. "Free the slaves, kill the mage" their leader cries and the minor spirits dash you.



@Nyx Finestra's hands hugged your shoulders and said "I enjoyed your company"
She then briefly kissed you again and added "a lot...". Her brown eyes were bright and she grinned and suggested "...let's get a room.". It was evident that Finestra was eager for more but there was no pressure in that suggestion.

Nyx smiled a bit shyly, and nodded "Okay." She paused, then added "I'm pretty sure you know where to find one."

She frowned slightly, feeling...Weird? There was some... Well... It wasn't concern exactly but... She had little experience in things like that, and never with a woman, so she was feeling a bit...unsure. There was however something else, something she hadn't felt for a long time: anticipation.

@Maxwell your spirits clearly outclass this bunch of riff raffs, their astral assault ends in nothing much but they were not very far as you have painful but harmless pounding. It takes a few seconds for the spirits to retreat into hiding and the way to that plane is open to you.

@Nyx Finestra indeed had some hotel room in mind, the new Hilton not very far from where you are. Holding her on the bike into the night sends all the right signals. Your lover is clearly into discreetness and you arrive straightly from the parking to the room. A luxurious one, with impressive city view and an in-house jakuzi and a sexy theme music, already playing. The temperature is also just right and a bottle of champagne is waiting for you by the jakuzi. Once the door closes she gently pushes you toward the door and kisses you passionately. One thing is certain, Finestra seemed to have gone to great lengths to make that night a memorable one.

The wasps charged Maxwell after he had failed to bully them out of his way. They chattered and buzzed incessantly as they advanced. Maxwell extended a pointed index finger and blasted the biggest one with what should have been a non-lethal stunbolt. But instead an arcing beam of energizing decay shot out and struck the spirit face first. Melting and evaporating part of the wasp's head and face. It screeched in pain and retaliated by trying to impale the mage on it's stinger. Not wanting to get stung, Maxwell assumed a defensive stance and narrowly dodged the attack. The fire elementals all laughed amongst themselves and went about a divide and conquer strategy. Scaring the smaller wasp spirits into scurrying away. The two small ones that didn't flee both managed to get an attack in and grazed Maxwell with their mandibles. Again, one of the fire elementals laughed hideously as it played a cruel mind trick on the wasp leader. Maliciously distorting it's senses. The bugs surely must have felt that they were being sadistically toyed with and had no real chance at stopping the magician or his servants from progressing. They fled from the mage's sight and from the presence of his elemental's sick jokes.

@Maxwell with the spirits scattering - your way to the desolate plane is clear. You can see that the ant spirits are building some constructs for the wasps and generally there are few idle spirits in this world, the ants are - busy as ants.

The constant hubbub of the barren world reminded Maxwell of the miserable life that wageslaves enjoyed back home. Endlessly toiling away for their corporate overlords so that they might scratch out a meager living in some ramshackle hovel. He sent a telepathic message to his bound spirits. Telling them to be ready. "We're close. I feel the other end of my pact pulling me tight. Weighing me down. We'll set this pigsty alight if we must!" The elementals giggled to themselves and roiled with anticipation. Their purpose was to cause destruction and to sow as much chaos as possible. To fight. To terrorize. To destroy. Whenever and wherever. The gang searched throughout the village for the ant spirit that held the other end of Maxwell's contract. A fruitless effort that led him to simply ask a nearby bug. "Know where I can find our queen? She has to be here! Or somewhere nearby at least!"

@Maxwell The queen is nowhere to be found - asking a nearby ant spirit yields an answer which seems obvious "The wasps have her... they keep her in their front hive. If you release her we drive them out of here but as long as they do, we have to do what they say."

Maxwell nods and says. "Then to the front hive we go." And off they went. To stir up a literal wasps nest. The task ahead, and the bleak land that stretched out far, all of it filled him with a certain grim determination. So soon he'd remind these pests why he was called Sovereign.

@Maxwell - the front hive is a large structure - a beautiful and fortified one made with many barriers and physical objects. It roughly resembles hive in shapes but the best description would be a ring. With the walls surrounding it and the gem-like stones that envelope the hive, it would look just like a diamond ring from a birds eye. It is clear that a frontal assault is no option there are numerous spirits patrolling and some of these are more forceful than your guardians.

"Damnation!" Exclaimed Maxwell, his guts seething with nervous bile. The gem-like fortress, though a marvel to behold, dampened his hopes of reaching the ant queen. He felt lost. Defeated almost. Uncertain on what his next plan of action should be. The mage held his hands to his head and wracked his noggin for anything that could resemble an idea on how to proceed. He couldn't charge his way through, too many wasps. Big ones too. He couldn't ignore them and phase through the structure itself, it was too heavily warded. What option did that leave him? Maxwell turned his weary head toward the village he came from. A spark of creativity magicked into his mind as he watched the hustle and bustle from the distance. Giving him the outline of an ingenious scheme.

The mage bid his elementals to follow as he changed direction. They glided over dusty dunes and the carapace scraps of fallen bugs. Again, the gang arrived at the ant village. This time, with them dead center in the middle of the village. Maxwell cleared his throat and yelled out at the top of his lungs. "All of you, stop! Stop what you're doing! Cease and desist! Not a single one of you move a muscle or twitch an antenna! Or so help me the wasps will be the least of your concerns!"

@Maxwell your erratic behavior has the ants confused several spirits are looking at you puzzled and then a bunch of wasps eye you with suspicion.

Quick on his feet, Maxwell started to lay into the ants and wasps the way a braggart would. Whilst still shouting as loud as his voice could carry. For he wanted as many bugs to hear his insults as possible. "What good has ever come from a wasp I ask you? I'll tell you, nothing! They don't do anything productive! They're parasites! Humans hate them! They spray them with wasp killer and stomp on them when they're wriggling pathetically on the ground! Did you know that their brains are connected to their stingers? That's right! All they know how to do is be a useless pest! They buzz lamely and do nothing all day but bite and sting other better and useful insects and animals! Do you know why they are forcing you to build their nests for them? It's 'cause they're dumb and lazy! That's right, dumb and lazy! Even a stag beetle could outwit them! Hell, even flies are better than them! At least they help with decomposition! If you look up pointless in the dictionary they're ugly faces are right next to it! That reminds me! Have you ever bothered to stop and look at how ugly a wasp is? Well I have! I've seen dung rolled up into a ball that's better looking than a wasp's face!"

Out of breath from all that yelling. If such a thing were even possible in the astral. Maxwell sent another telepathic command to his spirits. "Try to goad and provoke the wasps into fighting. We need them to get angry and attack. We need the ants and wasps to have an all-out battle."

@Maxwell your words create confusion in the ants - they are not excited by your speech but more likely calculating your words. In a deep and meaningful manner, and then Chaos breaks out with violent attacks on nearby wasps. You are their Messiah after all - that gives you a certain influence.

Despite her first inhibitions, Nyx quickly focused on the moment, her pleasure and Finnestra's. While she didn't have much experience to unlearn, she had never considered doing "it" with another woman so she didn't know much about how to please another woman, which is why she mostly followed Finnestra's instructions, even if she took some initiatives here and there, and didn't hesitate to make known what she liked or not.

@Nyx The two of you spend an intoxicating night, Nyx discovers that her lover is very attentive to her needs and is responsive to please. That night in its entirety felt like entering an uncharted realm and it had its excitement and pleasure. The dynamics were different than what she knew as each pleasure led to another until eventually the two of you are in the bed, exhausted and are catching your breath. Finestra grinned and said "That was some incredible slotting princess. " while it was perhaps not her wittiest thing to say her expression spoke larger, she was content - a bit euphoric perhaps, and as she stretched her body on the bed, Nyx knew that sleep was approaching the woman.

Scores of bugs clash with one another in a mania-induced frenzy. Normally the ants wouldn't dare act with such ferocity without a leader guiding them. To give them purpose and direction. Hence the reason why they were so easily subdued once their connection to their queen had been severed. But with Maxwell there rallying them with cries of havoc and inane insults, he could stimulate an otherwise timid flock. They moved and attacked with military efficiency. Overwhelming the wasps with coordinated strikes. Maxwell wasn't idle either and directed his fire elementals to aid the ants in any way they could. Burning and terrorizing the wasps as they saw fit. Soon, the entire village was turned into a bedlam of chaos and mayhem. Corpses of wasps and ants littered the ground they walked. Ants were seen tearing apart and eating the eating the spiritual energies that bind the wasp's astral form together. Eventually the last of the wasps were killed and the mage and ant spirits were victorious.

The fun didn't stop there. It simply couldn't. Their queen was still imprisoned and they couldn't live or function without her. The wasps forced the ants to build them an unassailable fortress to house their stolen monarch. Except, they had them build it the way a real life wasp would build it's nest on earth. Which left it exposed underneath itself. Maxwell directed the ants to tunnel underground into the wasp's nest itself. That way they could infiltrate it unseen and bypass the structure's wards and defenses. After telling the ants a detailed description of the front hive and giving them the means to get inside, or at least the idea on how, he departed and left the insect metaplane. His work in the astral was done. He led a successful revolt against the wasps and potentially gave the ants back there queen. This, however, was not what he had set out to accomplish. His true intentions were to assassinate the ant queen and undo the strictures of his pact. Although, once he saw where she was being kept and the forces that guarded her, Maxwell decided that such an effort would likely spell his doom.

Having returned to the material plane, he finds himself sitting again on the cold floor of Simone's van with a bony, skeletal spirit staring at him. The spirit clicks and cracks it's bones and says indignantly. "About time you got back. I could have died again from all that waiting." It snaps it's fingers and departs to whatever grave mound that Maxwell summoned it from. The mage looks at the clock on his commlink and sees that only a couple of hours had passed since his journey into the astral. He sighs wearily and realizes that tomorrow is when the moon reaches its full zenith. He'd have to gather the pixies in the sewers along with the magical lodge materials he bought and bring them to Gefen. Maxwell still didn't know the specifics of the calling ritual he had to perform and thought she'd be the proper spirit to ask.

@Maxwell your rebellion gains the initial momentum and your elementals do their job. As you return to the physical world something follows you. You were not the only one there - a beautiful entity - you are uncertain if it was a unicorn, a schoolgirl or some terrifying insect spirit. No, you do not remember the entity at all but along with the fact that it was spectacular. Or perhaps it was your overactive imagination.

January 22nd 5:00 AM (Full Moon Tonight)

Contact with Gefen was made in person the following morning. Maxwell went in alone for this and didn't make any mention of it to Simone or anyone else. The most he said was that he had a few more errands to go run and needed some alone time for awhile. He wanted to remain as enigmatic as possible. Some semblance of plausible deniability could be maintained in that manner. He hoped at least. Gefen, along with the other bugs, were elated to see their aspiring shaman return. Word travels fast in the astral and they were ecstatic over what the magician had done for them. It was the happiest they've been since Melissa first summoned them into this world. Maxwell continued to talk with Gefen and asked for her help in discreetly procuring the pixies that Kynos had hidden away. She eagerly agreed and sent a few worker ants to gather them. In the meantime, the chaos mage went about setting up a lodge necessary for the ritual to take place. He had told Gefen he would need three days time to properly aspect the local mana to the nature of chaos magic itself.

Three Days Later...

Everything was prepared and in it's place. A large pentagram was drawn and etched with archaic runes in the middle of the den area where the ants liked to congregate and socialize at. The pixies themselves were placed in alongside the edges of the circle. Almost like a clock. Gefen and Maxwell were standing far on the outside of the circle. She though, waited with anticipation. Before he would begin, Maxwell had a few questions that needed answering. "I'm going to need some specifics before I go any further. What exactly am I doing here? You guys imprinted the formula for the ritual into my mind and how to go about performing it, but I'm still confused on how it works? Why are awakened metahumans needed for it? I theorize it's because awakened souls function as beacons for spirits. Which would let your kind know where exactly they are to go. But now... I'm not so sure."

@Gefen chuckled - "It is not that complicated... Ritual magic is the most basic form of magic - it is funny that you had no knowledge of it. The idea is to widen passage between both realms to allow a spirit inside to merge with the sacrifice. Thank goodness your government solved the moral issues. I don't understand strictly why awakened, but the queen strictly ordered awakened."

"Ritual sorcery is a lot more complicated than throwing fire or healing broken bones. It's expensive and time consuming as well. I never bothered with that particular field of magic because it simply isn't pragmatic. The only rituals I care to conduct is that of spirit binding. More money involved and more dangerous to be sure, but loads more pragmatical." Remarked Maxwell. He leaves Gefen's side and walks toward the edge of the circle. The bio-mechanical cages just barely inside that kept the pixies in a perpetual state of slumber. The little winged ones never knew what it meant to be awake, to be alive. Trapped forever in a chip dream. Disgust starts to fill the mage's head, causing goosebumps to run up and down his arms and back. This very same revulsion reminded him of the time he looked at the astral surrounding a bunraku parlor, back in Nevada. He remembers the bitter misery that congested that horrid place. Where kidnapped men, women and children would be mutilated into sex puppets.

Maxwell pushes these rancid thoughts as far from his mind as possible. He didn't know why he was thinking about such things. Or why the image of seeing caged pixies reminded him of such in the first place. Now wasn't the time or place to be dwelling upon past depressions. He held out his arms, open-handed with his black robes on. Focusing his mind to reach for the ritual's formula. With it in his mind's grasp he recites it back into the astral. "My eyes are shut I cannot see. Though clear is thy despair, I drift away, far away. From places of which you seek. Though I seek thy hell you close the gate before me. You say your life is right, and I'm to follow your paradise. I cannot fall in love with you. Love is for them, lusting for the sky heaven. Why did I come to this world? Oh sorrow, why is this true? Where is my dagger of sacrifice?" The bridge is open. A breach between worlds. One where wretched, dark spirits lie dormant in waiting. Watching the other side with hunger and envy. Manifested in form en mass, The Ants had been allowed a passage way through.

"Gefen shrugged ... For a spell slinger cowboy like yourself perhaps. Most of our agriculture magic is rituals, you can feed all the people in a city with the right ritual and enough mages. Ritual magic is the most basic and powerful form of magic - but yes it does not help you when somebody is shooting at you or something like that... I get why you think it is useless."


...

The pixie begs for its life and cries, terrified of what is about to happen and as an awakened critter it feels like she can feel the damage your ritual is doing to the world. She begs you to stop to no avail, mumbling "I am innocent, I am innocent please let me go..." Gefen looks the other way, seems that despite being part of multiple rituals like that, it still affects her. Other than that, it takes a degree of cruelty to take the knife and stab the little pixie and as you practice that art the pixie cries in terror as it is being devoured by a minor ant spirit. With a strange tone, the now inhabited pixie grins and introduce herself as "Luz".

Gefen looks at you with a combination of respect, love, and hate and seem like she is about to say something but she cannot. She then breaks the silence with a "Thank you.". You feel evil - as if you lost some of your empathy, some of your humanity. Only 9 more times to go...

Step by step, Maxwell went from one cage to the next. He would physically open the mechanical casing and pry out the sleeping paracritter. At first there would be confusion for the pixie. It would awaken from it's blissful dream and be pulled into a completely different and alien environment. Then... then it would see Maxwell with a knife in hand and a manifested ant spirit hovering slightly overhead. Then shock and horror would overwhelm him or her as they figured out what was about to happen to them. Meticulously, Maxwell took the bloodied knife and stabbed the pixie in the chest. Not too deep that it would kill the pixie, but deep enough that he could effortlessly carve a small mark into the little one. Each time he did he heard cries of pain and anguish erupt from the flailing thing in his hand. A small pool of blood trickled down to his feet with every marking. And as soon as he finished his knife-work the nearest astral form would enter the pixie and mold the small humanoid from within. Devouring the pixie's soul in it's entirety. Maxwell helped with the merging process the best he could. And most of them fortunately did turn out well. You couldn't even tell that a horrific insect demon was wearing their skin like a flesh-suit. Save for a few that mutated into grotesque ant-pixie hybrids. Those... "mistakes" were obvious bug spirits.

Now that it was all done, Maxwell turned and looked at Gefen. His eyes seemed darker than normal. Crueler, and colder. "It is done. My obligations have been met. In three days time when the spirits are finished gestating I shall return and collect the rest of my lodge materials."

Gefen is clearly ambivalent with all that process... yes it had to be done - yes the alternative is slavery, yes - they are bio-engineered pixies and not 'real people', yes the alternative is to have a vampire eat them. Yet, she seemed horrified. She bows slightly and seems like she feels awkward in her own skin "Well thank you Sovereign, you did us a great service and a hell of a lot faster than Strawberry. It is shown that you really put your heart into it, and I apologize for the manner of your recruitment. We are getting quite numerous in here - and until the queen gets here I am in charge. For what its worth, we owe you. We will continue to look for someone powerful enough to summon her. Please, do not let your prejudice guide you, we did not come to this world to cause harm. We came as refugees to live our lives. Nothing more. If you are ever in need of our services, give me a buzz"

She then addresses the crowd "Come little ones, you have much to learn before you can appear human."

Sovereign shook the knife hard a few times to get the remainder of the blood off before sheathing it. Splattering the earthen ground with more crimson droplets. "As always I outshine my peers. Though, that mageling could hardly be called my equal." Said the mage gruffly. The iron scent of freshly shed blood permeated the area. Filling his nose with its heavy stench. He notices how unpleasant the whole ordeal had been for Gefen and in a voice that sounded like oil he says to her. "Listen, I know you've had no choice regarding much of what has happened to me. So, for the time being, do take care." In his departure, Sovereign reflected upon the ant spirit's words. He knew at some point down the road he probably would have to come to blows with the bugs once they found a magician mad or desperate to agree to their terms. He wondered how long he'd have to prepare before then. Weeks? Months? At any rate he put these thoughts behind him and decided he'd cross that bridge as soon as he got to it. For now, Sovereign had his scheduled cleared up and the time to deepen his understanding of magic. But first, he made a few calls to the new police chief about a certain vampire and the location of his harem of young enslaved women.

Nyx smiled a bit shyly "It was." With Finnestra ready to get to sleep, Nyx hesitated a bit, then put her head on the other woman's shoulder, content to go to sleep to. There was much to talk about…or maybe to avoid talking about, she wasn't sure exactly, but whatever it was, it could wait the night.

@Nyx sleep comes easy within the warmth of a lover after a long time. Without such warmth - when you wake up, however, Finestra is not there. So whatever awkward call you had in mind would wait a bit. A little-handwritten note left on the nightstand by the bed says "Had a good time, F" your lover seems cheap on words, but near the note, there are beautiful golden earrings. A gift perhaps? Checking them closely there is a little bird drawn on a white gem like a stone. The bird is almost a signature - as it is barely visible.

Nyx read the note, then looked at the earrings for a long time, playing with them, considering what she wanted to do with those. With… Well, pretty much everything if she were to be honest. Finally, she resolutely put the earrings on - they were pretty nice after all, and she didn't feel like refusing a gift - then went to take a shower. Before she decided on pretty much anything, she had one important conversation to have.

Once dressed, she left Finnestra's place and took a taxi to the casino: she had to talk to Tony about that training business. More precisely, what he was expecting out of it. And what she'd had to do.

Simone has not given up hope, but the waiting is killing her. The scary mage had left and refused to say where or why or even when he might be back. She spends her days in her van, taking the small jobs that come her way. She spends her nights wondering if he will ever come back. The other woman is often in her mind and she feels that she has already lost that battle, but hope is a powerful emotion. Still, she has to accept that the mage had told her that she was just about valueless in his eyes because she has so little essence remaining.

In the morning, she wakes and reaches out, wishing he were there but finding him still away. Sighing, she showers and dresses before opening the side window of the van to let people know that she is ready for business.

@Simone It is a slow day. Little works come and you end up fiddling with equipment to keep occupied. There is little news from the mage, but the news speaks of a valiant Lonestar operation rescuing a Harmon of women from a vicious vampire. At the evening of that endless day, you receive a message. "I know that you fucked him" it is a burner link without an id associated with it.

@Nyx The Gates is a bit slow, except for the regulars and some employees that are gambling away some of their wages. Athos is there keeping the place like a bodyguard, and you quickly spot Nagisa as well, she is meeting a man in a suit that seems a bit awkward and uncomfortable. Tony is rarely on the Casino's floor, he typically never leaves the basement and allows cheaters to get to him rather than the other way around.

As you enter it feels a bit different, what you did was not publicized yet your colleagues look at you a bit differently. As you enter a young new hostess nicked Trix approaches you and greets you "Valerie... You are back. Welcome!, the young elf seems to be excited just to speak with you.

Simone looks at the message for a few minutes, realizing the there is only one person who would be sending such a note to her. She then sends one back. "Can we meet?"

@Simone >> How about now? attached to the message is a mark to a secure host. There is no metadata describing what that host is for though.

Simone pauses to consider her options then shrugs. She closes her shop window and puts out a sign indicating that she will return shortly before going to the host and waiting to see who will approach her.

The is shaped like a city in the cloud, a flying fortress filled with security turrets and flying helicopters that were coming and going. As Simone enters the host she is guided by an arrow leading her toward a tall tower. Right next to the tower there awaits an avatar of blue fox-lady hybird. Her lush blue hair overwhelms, and let room for pointy ears and overly large green eyes. She seems remarkable, and the graphic is the hand of a skilled painter a masterpiece. Gracefully she observes Simone's default icon, circling her as she sensually moves her blue tail and shakes her ass. She seems amused by this meet, but unimpressed with Simone.

"Not quite a woman of the matrix, are you, Simone?

Simone carefully walks up to the fox, a bit embarrassed that she does not have a better avatar. "No, I am not, I guess. I can use the matrix to find things, but that is about it. What do you want of me?"

Amy laughed, "You do not recognize me even, I am a celebrity in certain aspects of this city. A decker and software designer one of the best that can be found in the shadows. Blue Vixen - look that up... Do your homework next time you fixate on someone.
...
...
but I am not here to talk about Maxwell, he thinks that he can 'save' me. I am here because I want to taste you, feel what you are, smell you up real close and make you loyal only to me. There is something I need from you Simone, but I would not ask unless I feel that you are completely faithful to me. I can show you pleasures that would make you forget all about your mage. Would give you a sense purpuse in life, would make you genuinely happy.

But someone has to die at your hand, not someone that you'll morally object to killing. A powerful vampire, a criminal, and a terrorist. Do that for me and I would take care of your happiness.

As she speaks, her avatar sensually approaches Simone and gently touches her back. If Simone is in simulation mode she can feel a euphoric sensation filling her body like a potent drug. In AR/regular call she can only appreciate the breathtaking aesthetics and sensuality of the Blue Vixen. That kind of avatar so rich in color, so complex and so appealing that it is unlike anything else in the matrix - even professional designers would struggle to create such a marvel. It is the work of a genius artist - someone creative and flexible in a world where these qualities are on short demand.

Simone's avatar shivers and she is not sure if it is from fear or attraction. It is probably a bit of both. "I did not even know your name. He would not talk about you. I am not sure why you think I am qualified to kill a powerful vampire, but I am willing to listen. Tell me what you need." Simone can feel every aspect of the attraction this woman is putting out and her meat body is quivering as much as her avatar is.

The vixen said, "His name is Grail and he is my maker. Took me against my will and did things to me that are unforgivable. He says that he is not into women anymore, that he would feed exclusively on pixies as if it makes things better.

... but Pixies are his weakness he is like a heroin addict looking for the next fix, you do not need to be more powerful than the vampire - you can't he is one of the strongest mages in the shadows. Even Maxwell the arrogant refuses to admit that Grail is too powerful. You would infiltrate our organization, I would provide you with the necessary documents, SIN background to make an infiltration possible. You would poison one of the Pixies and then when Grail drains her, the poison would weaken him to a point where you can just end him. Use your combat axe for that, it would make things sensual and interesting.

The man deserves it, he is the worst kind of monster there is... Do that for me and you will be in paradise and this is no metaphor. I can open your brain to pleasures you did not know are imaginable... your senses all of them, even senses you never used before. I can overload them all with pleasure, your entire body will twist and squeeze and you will cry my name in passion. Noone else in this world can offer you this kind of reward, you would never want any other lover again."

After a moment of surprise, time it took for her to remember that Valerie was her, Nyx stopped and looked at Trix. She smiled a bit in greetings "Hmm, yes? Hi. Is someone waiting for me?"

@Nyx Trix rolled her eyes "You did not know? Tony said that he was expecting for you in his own underworld. He did not say what he wanted though, but common - he never is interested in anything but cheaters. This is exciting! Good for you!" she hi-fived Nyx in a somewhat juvenile manner, clearly excited to a point she gets a bit weird. Like a teenager embarrassing herself in front of her crush.