The realities of an outdoor life penetrate Blue's sheltered world view, as they soak through his clothing. +++ Yeah, I'll have to do something about my means of travel. +++
Winters in Toronto since the climate changed are not much different from this. Nevertheless, it takes a resilient and strong-willed Blue to decide to forge on rather than turn back.
+++I will have to try to see if Fashion or Makeover can dry clothing as well as restyle it. It'd be nice. +++
He continues on to the facility.
Full Version: Behind the Crown [IC]
Pages: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29
By the looks of the exterior of the building, it's a three storey building with substantial bars on all the windows. It faces directly onto a thoroughfare, with a locked double door for customers to pass, during working hours. There are substantial warnings posted on the outside, which can be summarised as:
Guns will not help you. The goods for sale here will eat you.
These warnings are lent additional weight by a display window, through which can be seen something that looks like a pit viper three feet in diameter. On Blue's passing, its head slowly turns to stay facing him, and its tongue flickers in and out.
Somehow, the trickle of water oozing its way down the back of Blue's collar seems a very slight amount less annoying, with that reflection on his mind. Not that it came as any great surprise, of course.
Guns will not help you. The goods for sale here will eat you.
These warnings are lent additional weight by a display window, through which can be seen something that looks like a pit viper three feet in diameter. On Blue's passing, its head slowly turns to stay facing him, and its tongue flickers in and out.
Somehow, the trickle of water oozing its way down the back of Blue's collar seems a very slight amount less annoying, with that reflection on his mind. Not that it came as any great surprise, of course.
Blue circumnavigates the facility, making note of landmarks both in the physical and the astral planes that would help him navigate here while projecting astrally. If any activity such as shipping or receiving goes on during this reconnaissance, he will surreptitiously watch the activity. Water down his back be damned.
Once the recce is complete, Blue will return to Betty's place to see if she has figured anything out about the contract.
Once the recce is complete, Blue will return to Betty's place to see if she has figured anything out about the contract.
There is no activity; things seem to be locked up tight.
Circumnavigation as such is difficult; it has a parking lot, capable of handling fair-sized cargo vehicles, but that is surrounded by two eighteen foot fences, sandwiching a thirty foot fence, all grown through with blackberries and packed with coil after coil of razor wire. The gate seems to swing up and in, hinged at the top, but it's elaborately padlocked at four points. By itself, Blue could have circumnavigated the parking lot and building together, except that these border on other delivery lots. The best that he can do without an active intrusion is to walk down the back alley, which showcases a variety of dumpsters, barred and blast-grilled windows, graffiti and ... actually, there don't seem to be any homeless in this alleyway. Not anywhere near Petsonal.
In fact, wait a moment. Blue hasn't seen any drifters, vagrants, homeless or other street occupants for at least the last half a kilometre.
But he's pretty sure that over the dripping of the rain and occasional noises from the urban environment, he hears something panting and snuffling and scratching behind the back door in the alleyway.
In the front, that pit viper turns its head toward him again, and its tongue flicks in and out.
That tongue is as thick as Blue's wrist.
Circumnavigation as such is difficult; it has a parking lot, capable of handling fair-sized cargo vehicles, but that is surrounded by two eighteen foot fences, sandwiching a thirty foot fence, all grown through with blackberries and packed with coil after coil of razor wire. The gate seems to swing up and in, hinged at the top, but it's elaborately padlocked at four points. By itself, Blue could have circumnavigated the parking lot and building together, except that these border on other delivery lots. The best that he can do without an active intrusion is to walk down the back alley, which showcases a variety of dumpsters, barred and blast-grilled windows, graffiti and ... actually, there don't seem to be any homeless in this alleyway. Not anywhere near Petsonal.
In fact, wait a moment. Blue hasn't seen any drifters, vagrants, homeless or other street occupants for at least the last half a kilometre.
But he's pretty sure that over the dripping of the rain and occasional noises from the urban environment, he hears something panting and snuffling and scratching behind the back door in the alleyway.
In the front, that pit viper turns its head toward him again, and its tongue flicks in and out.
That tongue is as thick as Blue's wrist.
Blue is considering the effectiveness of trying to get the mist spirit to try to determine astral barriers, without negating itself, when two thoughts intrude on Blue's mind. The first is, +++ I bet I know how the facility keeps food costs down. +++
The second is, +++ GET THE $&^$&^$ OUT OF HERE, NOW! +++
Blue proceeds to do just that, in the most direct fashion, with the continued aid of the spirit, which Blue keeps ready in the astral. If nothing comes to try to eat him, he heads back to Betty's place. As he heads out, and the serpent image seems to track him, the idea that this seems to be a neat way to survey the surroundings of the facility comes in third. +++ Surveillance that looks like advertisement. Huh. +++
The second is, +++ GET THE $&^$&^$ OUT OF HERE, NOW! +++
Blue proceeds to do just that, in the most direct fashion, with the continued aid of the spirit, which Blue keeps ready in the astral. If nothing comes to try to eat him, he heads back to Betty's place. As he heads out, and the serpent image seems to track him, the idea that this seems to be a neat way to survey the surroundings of the facility comes in third. +++ Surveillance that looks like advertisement. Huh. +++
Blue walks back to Betty's place unmolested by anything other than lurking suspicions that seem to drift right behind his occipital lobe, and a continued haze of atmospheric moisture compounded by the fact that the playful breeze is picking up a bit, and blowing right into his face on the way back.
He does get a last look at the serpent on his way, and ... it really doesn't look like a projection. It looks like a snake that could eat a devil rat and still feel hungry for more.
But by the time Blue reaches Betty's place and her security informs her that a short, wet, broad individual is at her door, things feel a little more normal.
And, you know? In the big scheme of things, it looked like a legitimate enterprise. What could possibly be wrong with a pet store specialising in lethal exotics for the high rollers, in sight of the Space Needle?
He does get a last look at the serpent on his way, and ... it really doesn't look like a projection. It looks like a snake that could eat a devil rat and still feel hungry for more.
But by the time Blue reaches Betty's place and her security informs her that a short, wet, broad individual is at her door, things feel a little more normal.
And, you know? In the big scheme of things, it looked like a legitimate enterprise. What could possibly be wrong with a pet store specialising in lethal exotics for the high rollers, in sight of the Space Needle?
+++ Hmmm. No key to get in. That was well thought out. +++
Blue knocks ion the door. It sounds wet.
Blue knocks ion the door. It sounds wet.
Betty answers the door. Depending on the hour, she might be in a bathrobe.
"""Welcome back. Let's get you out of those wet things. The bathroom is right this way."""
Betty will let Blue in, shut the door behind him and show him to the bathroom, stopping on the way to get more towels.
"""Your contract is a maze of twisty little clauses. I can't make sense out of it. A good contract lawyer might have better luck."""
"""Welcome back. Let's get you out of those wet things. The bathroom is right this way."""
Betty will let Blue in, shut the door behind him and show him to the bathroom, stopping on the way to get more towels.
"""Your contract is a maze of twisty little clauses. I can't make sense out of it. A good contract lawyer might have better luck."""
""" Yes, I had little luck figuring it out myself. I have a sense of what I. no we are looking for, but I hoped that you could corroborate.
""" Thanks for the towels. Actually, this soaking gives me a chance to try something I had been wondering about. Let me see if I can dry out my clothes and myself with a little magic. """
Blue tries to change himself from wet to dry, keep the same colour, and with some luck make the style even sharper.
Blue grimaces at what he sees in the mirror """ Well, that didn't work all that well. I'll try again """
""" I think I need to take some tailoring lessons. Still no good. Is this entertaining, Betty? """
""" Finally. That looks pretty good. """
""" Thanks for the towels. Actually, this soaking gives me a chance to try something I had been wondering about. Let me see if I can dry out my clothes and myself with a little magic. """
Blue tries to change himself from wet to dry, keep the same colour, and with some luck make the style even sharper.
[ Spoiler ]
Blue grimaces at what he sees in the mirror """ Well, that didn't work all that well. I'll try again """
[ Spoiler ]
""" I think I need to take some tailoring lessons. Still no good. Is this entertaining, Betty? """
[ Spoiler ]
""" Finally. That looks pretty good. """
To look at Blue's clothing is to suffer bewilderment. First he goes from a wet, but fairly dapper coated individual to one whose clothing appeared to have shrunk in the wash - no, the rain, to be a skin-tight embrace of cloth, moisture oozing from the tight cloth as if it were being wrung out. His next effort goes from one extreme to the other, with clothing baggier than a zoot suit for an ork ... no, wait, at last there's balance in the world, and Blue is nattily dressed and dry as a gentleman who'd just stepped from a limousine to attend a dinner party.
"""It's... interesting,""" Betty replies. She applauds when Blue finally gets the clothing right.
Betty goes to arrange something hot to drink. Her voice floats back from the kitchen. """Do you know the old Scott Adams cartoons? That contract is more evil than Catbert can manage."""
Betty goes to arrange something hot to drink. Her voice floats back from the kitchen. """Do you know the old Scott Adams cartoons? That contract is more evil than Catbert can manage."""
""" No, I'm not familiar with that story. I'm sad you're finding the contract difficult, too. I've been loath to bring in a lawyer as I figured even one stranger involved in our business is one too many. I had hoped you could figure out, at the least, where the animals are supposed to be delivered. And maybe some kind of expected schedule. That would really help.
""" I know we are off-shift from each other. Tonight, while you get some rest, I'd like to project astrally and get a different look at the facility. There's a ... guard of some sort, a honking big snake that at first I thought was a hologram or something, but it seemed to pay attention to me as I walked around the facility. I'd like to find out if it perceives astrally. That would affect how I approach the facility should I want to enter it.
""" In the morning, how about we contact Billy and see if we can sub-contract him to find a communication trail between the two parties? That might give us info we haven't found in the contract. """
""" I know we are off-shift from each other. Tonight, while you get some rest, I'd like to project astrally and get a different look at the facility. There's a ... guard of some sort, a honking big snake that at first I thought was a hologram or something, but it seemed to pay attention to me as I walked around the facility. I'd like to find out if it perceives astrally. That would affect how I approach the facility should I want to enter it.
""" In the morning, how about we contact Billy and see if we can sub-contract him to find a communication trail between the two parties? That might give us info we haven't found in the contract. """
"""Contacting Billy sounds like a good idea,""" Betty answers as she brings the hot drinks out of the kitchen. """I wonder if that business could use some clerical help? On the inside, I can find out all sorts of things."""
"""Just let me know how many pillows and blankets you want to settle down with. Again, I'm really sorry about that contract."""
"""Just let me know how many pillows and blankets you want to settle down with. Again, I'm really sorry about that contract."""
""" Ooohhh. I like that inside spy idea. Betty, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
""" Maybe you or Billy could figure out if they use a temp agency or something. One pillow, one blanket should be enough. """ Blue switches to a gruff voice. """ Dwarfs are tough! """
He switches back to his own voice. """ I'll be out-of-body for at most a few hours. Longer is a bad idea. So I should be back in time to make breakfast. Am I allowed to make use of the kitchen? Some householders are particular that way. """
""" Maybe you or Billy could figure out if they use a temp agency or something. One pillow, one blanket should be enough. """ Blue switches to a gruff voice. """ Dwarfs are tough! """
He switches back to his own voice. """ I'll be out-of-body for at most a few hours. Longer is a bad idea. So I should be back in time to make breakfast. Am I allowed to make use of the kitchen? Some householders are particular that way. """
"""Help yourself to the kitchen, Blue. It's not much."""
"""What's the name of the target? This isn't really Billy's style. I'll have to call on a friend of mine, unless they're advertising for help."""
Betty fetches a pillow and blanket for Blue. """Good luck."""
"""What's the name of the target? This isn't really Billy's style. I'll have to call on a friend of mine, unless they're advertising for help."""
Betty fetches a pillow and blanket for Blue. """Good luck."""
""" Thanks. I'll probably be hungry when I return.
""" The target is Petsonal Petsonalities, a business that supplies paranormal animals to those who can pay. The best I can make of the contract is that a policlub by the name of PoliDemos has contracted Petsonal to provide a certain form of basilisk to them, and only them. Why a strongarm group of idealogues wants basilisks, I don't know. Whether they are a front for someone else? I don't know. What leads them to believe that Petsonal is not dealing with them fairly? I don't know. But in just under two weeks I have to give a report on the activities of at least Petsonal to my Mr. Johnson.
""" Ostensibly, Polidemos is the bankroll here for us.
""" I figure a stakeout of Petsonal is the minimum we can do to meet the requirements of our contract. If Petsonal appears to be selling these atavophid basilisks, whatever they are, to someone else, we may be required to convince them to go straight. Negotiation or more severe methods. That extra step is where we might earn another 5000.
""" Thanks for the bedding. I likely won't use it to sleep till after we check in with reach other in the morning. I will have to let my safehouse host know what I am doing, just so she doesn't go off the deep end hunting for me to see if I have been scooped by ... """ He ponders a moment. """ ... well, you might as well know. Mitsuhama wants me. My knowledge of the workings of the tech company they just absorbed makes me valuable to them. """
Blue fetches one of the Heal spell one-offs from inside his coat. """ Here. """ He instructs Betty on its use. """ I get the sense you also have something after you. This good and strong Heal spell you can use might come in handy. I can make more once I can get a hold of supplies and set up a Lodge. """ Blue makes up the couch-bed, grabs something light to eat, visits the bathroom, and settles down on the couch, his coat and pistol handy.
Astral projection always feels to Blue like going naked into the cafeteria. Can't summon spirits. Can't have a spirit guard his body, because as soon as he flies out the window, the spirit disappears. Even the minimal service of a watcher doesn't do much here. By the time it finds him to warn him that Mitsuhama is knocking down the door, they have his body and therefore him secured. Ideally a teammate does overwatch. A lot to ask of Betty so soon in their first assignment together. And she is off-schedule from him. Fallen asleep Betty is not a protector.
""" Betty, I know you need to sleep, but if there is any trouble that wakes you, please try to get my body to safety. I will be out an hour or two on a first reconnaissance. """
""" Off to the land of fey I go. """ He breaths a few deep breaths, settles his mind, and brings on the familiar feeling of floating as his astral self leaves his body behind. Zip! Off through the sleetless astral he goes, back to Petsonal Petsonalities' facility. Part A of the plan is to approach slowly and circle from a distance. In particular, will that damn snake watch him?
""" The target is Petsonal Petsonalities, a business that supplies paranormal animals to those who can pay. The best I can make of the contract is that a policlub by the name of PoliDemos has contracted Petsonal to provide a certain form of basilisk to them, and only them. Why a strongarm group of idealogues wants basilisks, I don't know. Whether they are a front for someone else? I don't know. What leads them to believe that Petsonal is not dealing with them fairly? I don't know. But in just under two weeks I have to give a report on the activities of at least Petsonal to my Mr. Johnson.
""" Ostensibly, Polidemos is the bankroll here for us.
""" I figure a stakeout of Petsonal is the minimum we can do to meet the requirements of our contract. If Petsonal appears to be selling these atavophid basilisks, whatever they are, to someone else, we may be required to convince them to go straight. Negotiation or more severe methods. That extra step is where we might earn another 5000.
""" Thanks for the bedding. I likely won't use it to sleep till after we check in with reach other in the morning. I will have to let my safehouse host know what I am doing, just so she doesn't go off the deep end hunting for me to see if I have been scooped by ... """ He ponders a moment. """ ... well, you might as well know. Mitsuhama wants me. My knowledge of the workings of the tech company they just absorbed makes me valuable to them. """
Blue fetches one of the Heal spell one-offs from inside his coat. """ Here. """ He instructs Betty on its use. """ I get the sense you also have something after you. This good and strong Heal spell you can use might come in handy. I can make more once I can get a hold of supplies and set up a Lodge. """ Blue makes up the couch-bed, grabs something light to eat, visits the bathroom, and settles down on the couch, his coat and pistol handy.
Astral projection always feels to Blue like going naked into the cafeteria. Can't summon spirits. Can't have a spirit guard his body, because as soon as he flies out the window, the spirit disappears. Even the minimal service of a watcher doesn't do much here. By the time it finds him to warn him that Mitsuhama is knocking down the door, they have his body and therefore him secured. Ideally a teammate does overwatch. A lot to ask of Betty so soon in their first assignment together. And she is off-schedule from him. Fallen asleep Betty is not a protector.
""" Betty, I know you need to sleep, but if there is any trouble that wakes you, please try to get my body to safety. I will be out an hour or two on a first reconnaissance. """
""" Off to the land of fey I go. """ He breaths a few deep breaths, settles his mind, and brings on the familiar feeling of floating as his astral self leaves his body behind. Zip! Off through the sleetless astral he goes, back to Petsonal Petsonalities' facility. Part A of the plan is to approach slowly and circle from a distance. In particular, will that damn snake watch him?
Betty's apartment is about as mundane as could have been expected. The immediate environment offers little of interest, so Blue's quick zip over to Petsonal's offices is a mere flit of consciousness.
On arrival, he gets to take stock of the situation. The blackberries in the fence are naturally a barrier, but of little immediate import, given that the building itself abuts the street.
It looks different.
It's still recognisable as the building in that place, but instead of a rather quaint modern revamp of an old building with a few modern add-ons, the building gives the distinct impression of the rough-knuckled, blue collar days of seventy or eighty years ago. What might it have been - a chandlery? Marine engineering? Whatever it was smells of solvents and seawater. But it is also humming with spirit activity. This is clearly a vital corner of the spiritual aspect of southern Ballard, although whether that is due to some inherent virtue of the spot, or the activities of the current owners isn't apparent.
The whole place might have been expected to be warded, but in point of fact it clearly is not. Blue can glimpse things moving inside. And yes, through a large set of gratings in the front a pit viper large enough to engulf a mastiff lies coiled. As Blue moves by, its tongue flicks in and out, and it turns it head to face him.
On arrival, he gets to take stock of the situation. The blackberries in the fence are naturally a barrier, but of little immediate import, given that the building itself abuts the street.
It looks different.
It's still recognisable as the building in that place, but instead of a rather quaint modern revamp of an old building with a few modern add-ons, the building gives the distinct impression of the rough-knuckled, blue collar days of seventy or eighty years ago. What might it have been - a chandlery? Marine engineering? Whatever it was smells of solvents and seawater. But it is also humming with spirit activity. This is clearly a vital corner of the spiritual aspect of southern Ballard, although whether that is due to some inherent virtue of the spot, or the activities of the current owners isn't apparent.
The whole place might have been expected to be warded, but in point of fact it clearly is not. Blue can glimpse things moving inside. And yes, through a large set of gratings in the front a pit viper large enough to engulf a mastiff lies coiled. As Blue moves by, its tongue flicks in and out, and it turns it head to face him.
QUOTE (pbangarth @ Dec 20 2020, 06:24 PM) 
""" Thanks. I'll probably be hungry when I return.
""" The target is Petsonal Petsonalities, a business that supplies paranormal animals to those who can pay. The best I can make of the contract is that a policlub by the name of PoliDemos has contracted Petsonal to provide a certain form of basilisk to them, and only them. Why a strongarm group of idealogues wants basilisks, I don't know. Whether they are a front for someone else? I don't know. What leads them to believe that Petsonal is not dealing with them fairly? I don't know. But in just under two weeks I have to give a report on the activities of at least Petsonal to my Mr. Johnson.
Betty takes a few notes. """I don't know why a policlub would want basilisks, but it's probably for nothing good."""
""" Thanks for the bedding. I likely won't use it to sleep till after we check in with reach other in the morning. I will have to let my safehouse host know what I am doing, just so she doesn't go off the deep end hunting for me to see if I have been scooped by ... """ He ponders a moment. """ ... well, you might as well know. Mitsuhama wants me. My knowledge of the workings of the tech company they just absorbed makes me valuable to them. """
Betty explains, """I have no idea what going astral entails. I thought you might get cold. Mitsuhama is bad news. If they find you here, we're going to have to run."""
Blue fetches one of the Heal spell one-offs from inside his coat. """ Here. """ He instructs Betty on its use. """ I get the sense you also have something after you. This good and strong Heal spell you can use might come in handy. I can make more once I can get a hold of supplies and set up a Lodge. """ Blue makes up the couch-bed, grabs something light to eat, visits the bathroom, and settles down on the couch, his coat and pistol handy.
Betty is visibly touched by the gift. """Thank you, Blue. That's the nicest thing anyone's done for me in ages."""
""" The target is Petsonal Petsonalities, a business that supplies paranormal animals to those who can pay. The best I can make of the contract is that a policlub by the name of PoliDemos has contracted Petsonal to provide a certain form of basilisk to them, and only them. Why a strongarm group of idealogues wants basilisks, I don't know. Whether they are a front for someone else? I don't know. What leads them to believe that Petsonal is not dealing with them fairly? I don't know. But in just under two weeks I have to give a report on the activities of at least Petsonal to my Mr. Johnson.
Betty takes a few notes. """I don't know why a policlub would want basilisks, but it's probably for nothing good."""
""" Thanks for the bedding. I likely won't use it to sleep till after we check in with reach other in the morning. I will have to let my safehouse host know what I am doing, just so she doesn't go off the deep end hunting for me to see if I have been scooped by ... """ He ponders a moment. """ ... well, you might as well know. Mitsuhama wants me. My knowledge of the workings of the tech company they just absorbed makes me valuable to them. """
Betty explains, """I have no idea what going astral entails. I thought you might get cold. Mitsuhama is bad news. If they find you here, we're going to have to run."""
Blue fetches one of the Heal spell one-offs from inside his coat. """ Here. """ He instructs Betty on its use. """ I get the sense you also have something after you. This good and strong Heal spell you can use might come in handy. I can make more once I can get a hold of supplies and set up a Lodge. """ Blue makes up the couch-bed, grabs something light to eat, visits the bathroom, and settles down on the couch, his coat and pistol handy.
Betty is visibly touched by the gift. """Thank you, Blue. That's the nicest thing anyone's done for me in ages."""
Betty tries to sit up and watch Blue, but eventually has to sleep. In the morning she will call her headhunter and see if Petsonal Petsonalities is looking for help.
Blue wonders about the lack of a ward.
+++ Well, it would be a pain to move dual beings in and out of a warded building, and one errant wander by one of the Pets and the ward gets zapped. +++
There is the other possibility, and that is that there is a ward inside the building, or several partial ones in there. Caution is called for. Blue circles the building getting the lay of it in astral before he tries to poke through somewhere.
+++ Well, it would be a pain to move dual beings in and out of a warded building, and one errant wander by one of the Pets and the ward gets zapped. +++
There is the other possibility, and that is that there is a ward inside the building, or several partial ones in there. Caution is called for. Blue circles the building getting the lay of it in astral before he tries to poke through somewhere.
Petsonal Petsonalities looks, at a distance, largely like what he might have expected from his mundane inspection. However, there does seem to be quite a bit of spirit traffic in and out. The serpent in front only really has a view toward the front from within, so there are ample approaches for Blue that in no way reveal him to it. Spirits around the building drift in and around - many of them seem to be aquatic in some degree, but it's by no means uniform. This reinforces the initial impression of Petsonal being something of a spiritual hotspot for the area. The one slightly unusual thing is something that looks like a smouldering cock roosting on a corner of the building, with its head tucked under its wing.
A quick poke at the wall doesn't offer Blue any notable resistance at all. Apparently Blue's analysis that they didn't put up a large-scale ward to make transport of dual-natured creatures easier is holding up. However, he feels certain that something inside ... touched him.
Just a snuffle.
There is a loading dock, but it's completely shut - although there is activity. There are glowing things. Maggots? No, they look like more like worms. Leeches? Maybe not. Some kind of arthropod nymph? They don't seem entirely anchored to the ground, but drift around.
Oh well, it was a decorative, interesting sight-seeing experience. Blue has no trouble getting back to his body.
A quick poke at the wall doesn't offer Blue any notable resistance at all. Apparently Blue's analysis that they didn't put up a large-scale ward to make transport of dual-natured creatures easier is holding up. However, he feels certain that something inside ... touched him.
Just a snuffle.
There is a loading dock, but it's completely shut - although there is activity. There are glowing things. Maggots? No, they look like more like worms. Leeches? Maybe not. Some kind of arthropod nymph? They don't seem entirely anchored to the ground, but drift around.
Oh well, it was a decorative, interesting sight-seeing experience. Blue has no trouble getting back to his body.
Blue returns to the docking area with the speed of familiarity, and leans in for a nice, close look at those wriggly things around the corner of the dock.
It's a strangely misplaced marine environment. He's looking at a cluster of sea anemones, with a couple of lurking starfish among them. This corner does seem rather stronger on the smell of seawater, but why - Blue could only speculate.
While he watches, a few small scurrying arthropods shuffle around.
It's a strangely misplaced marine environment. He's looking at a cluster of sea anemones, with a couple of lurking starfish among them. This corner does seem rather stronger on the smell of seawater, but why - Blue could only speculate.
While he watches, a few small scurrying arthropods shuffle around.
The facility doesn't seem to be in any way close to the sea, and certainly the dock is not a marine environment. So Blue gets the sense that some kind of elemental, hermetic thing is going on here, rather than a shamanic presence. He has a long way to go before he can determine whether there is some kind of metaplanar aspect to what is happening here. But, this is just weird.
What on Earth, or elsewhere, is going on here? And does this hint of the sea have anything to do with the task at hand? There are too many questions. More importantly, Blue is not ready to poke himself fully into this facility, especially since something in there 'snuffled' at him already. He quickly suppresses the thought that on occasion rises from the depths of his subconscious that the hermetic path has its advantages, at least in summoning support. Coming with a spirit to support him is going to take some help from Betty. Be outside, summon a spirit, go astral, and have her take his meat body safely inside.
Blue returns to Betty's place and assumes his physical form. He uses the burner to send a message to Hopalong to let her know he is safe and not in the clutches of 'Big Brother'.
Then he grabs something to eat and starts to plan how he and Betty can approach the more mundane aspects of legwork.
What on Earth, or elsewhere, is going on here? And does this hint of the sea have anything to do with the task at hand? There are too many questions. More importantly, Blue is not ready to poke himself fully into this facility, especially since something in there 'snuffled' at him already. He quickly suppresses the thought that on occasion rises from the depths of his subconscious that the hermetic path has its advantages, at least in summoning support. Coming with a spirit to support him is going to take some help from Betty. Be outside, summon a spirit, go astral, and have her take his meat body safely inside.
Blue returns to Betty's place and assumes his physical form. He uses the burner to send a message to Hopalong to let her know he is safe and not in the clutches of 'Big Brother'.
Then he grabs something to eat and starts to plan how he and Betty can approach the more mundane aspects of legwork.
Actual proximity to the roar of the open ocean is certainly not the case, but salt water isn't that far away. The Ballard locks are a few minutes' walk away at most, and the bridge that Blue crossed to reach the place stands over salt water. Even a poor shot with a pistol would have no trouble, from the roof of Petsonal, hitting a boat in the old fishing harbour.
Wait a minute. When Mount Rainier blew its top and there were all those quakes and everything, didn't seawater slosh up quite a way all along the coast of Puget Sound? It's quite possible that there's some element of the spiritual side of the waters clinging to the area as some sort of long run intertidal zone?
Wait a minute. When Mount Rainier blew its top and there were all those quakes and everything, didn't seawater slosh up quite a way all along the coast of Puget Sound? It's quite possible that there's some element of the spiritual side of the waters clinging to the area as some sort of long run intertidal zone?
Blue pondered these questions and more, over a mug of soycaf, and started making plans when Betty came into the kitchen, dressed to go outside. """Whoa. Kind of early for you, isn't it, Betty?"""
"""Yeah, well, I got some bad news just now. Family. I'm afraid I can't continue this job. I have to leave town and deal with something right away. I don't know when I'll be back. Sorry, Blue. """
Blue mulls this over, then responds. """ You have to do what you have to do. Family is important, to most of us anyway. It wouldn't do for me to be here while you are away. It looks like you are set to go. On the way, can you give me a ride back to my other place. """
"""I think I can swing that. grab your things and let's go. """
Blue packs his bag quickly and follows Betty out to the car. He looks around to see if there are any 'for rent' signs up.
"""Yeah, well, I got some bad news just now. Family. I'm afraid I can't continue this job. I have to leave town and deal with something right away. I don't know when I'll be back. Sorry, Blue. """
Blue mulls this over, then responds. """ You have to do what you have to do. Family is important, to most of us anyway. It wouldn't do for me to be here while you are away. It looks like you are set to go. On the way, can you give me a ride back to my other place. """
"""I think I can swing that. grab your things and let's go. """
Blue packs his bag quickly and follows Betty out to the car. He looks around to see if there are any 'for rent' signs up.
Yet one more thought strikes Blue as he heads out. +++ Is it just my perception, or are women starting to not want to work with me? +++
Regardless of Blue's difficulties with labour relations vis-a-vis the fairer sex, the early morning is much what he'd expect. The sky is a silver-grey, the city is rumbling with the sounds of industry, and there are some virtual signs up advertising space for rent.
Of course, once Blue filters those down to something approximating a viable budget, the selection tanks similarly. On the other hand, if he's willing to put up with a basement studio apartment under an all-night dance club, maybe that's just what he needs.
Of course, once Blue filters those down to something approximating a viable budget, the selection tanks similarly. On the other hand, if he's willing to put up with a basement studio apartment under an all-night dance club, maybe that's just what he needs.
Blue makes a note of the contact information for the dance club studio. It seems like a good fit for his lifestyle right now. He decides not to ask Betty for a side trip though. She seems very distracted and eager to be rid of him.
Oh well. He'll make contact once he gets back to Hopalong's place. Outside, of course.
Oh well. He'll make contact once he gets back to Hopalong's place. Outside, of course.
Betty drives Blue back, but on their approach to the street, Blue notices a column of smoke rising - and on looking down the street, he sees a roadblock, an armoured van, and a lot of grunts motioning people away. In the distance he hears what sounds like gunfire.
Hm. This isn't quite the happy homecoming that he'd anticipated.
Hm. This isn't quite the happy homecoming that he'd anticipated.
Blue gapes for a moment, and then decides. """Betty, please stop here. """ Once she has done so, he continues. """ The smart thing to do would be to just turn around and walk away. Ditch the burner as I do so.
"""But in there somewhere are people who helped me. This is one of those turning points in a person's life. Just had one a few days ago, and here comes another. Safer to walk away, but what kind of thing would I have protected, would I become? """
+++ What did Nietzche say? 'Any human being who does not wish to be part of the masses need only stop making things easy for himself. Let him follow his conscience'. Console yourself, boy. Isn't it smart to help those who might be coerced to help find you?+++
"""Betty, could you do one last favour for me, please? While I call in some help, could you find some kind of map of the transit tunnels in this area? I might need to find a back way in. Send the info to my burner when you have something. After that, get out of here as fast as you can. This isn't your fight."""
Blue steps out of the car, with his gear, and over to a tree, to be less obvious. He calls on the city to send him aid.
A little bit woozy, he waits for anything Betty has to offer. Mentally he ticks off his inventory and counts potential adversaries.
"""But in there somewhere are people who helped me. This is one of those turning points in a person's life. Just had one a few days ago, and here comes another. Safer to walk away, but what kind of thing would I have protected, would I become? """
+++ What did Nietzche say? 'Any human being who does not wish to be part of the masses need only stop making things easy for himself. Let him follow his conscience'. Console yourself, boy. Isn't it smart to help those who might be coerced to help find you?+++
"""Betty, could you do one last favour for me, please? While I call in some help, could you find some kind of map of the transit tunnels in this area? I might need to find a back way in. Send the info to my burner when you have something. After that, get out of here as fast as you can. This isn't your fight."""
Blue steps out of the car, with his gear, and over to a tree, to be less obvious. He calls on the city to send him aid.
[ Spoiler ]
A little bit woozy, he waits for anything Betty has to offer. Mentally he ticks off his inventory and counts potential adversaries.
Betty stops, and as soon as Blue exits the vehicle, turns around and drives away.
It takes a bit, but maybe she was working on it while she let the autopilot take over. Blue gets a map - not exactly super-detailed, but probably close enough for general use. He could presumably figure out which tunnel is near this area with a little work.
The city spirit shows up, in the form of a semi-automated garbage truck, and sits nearby, its hydraulics whining a little at Blue - but in a generally cooperative way. Or maybe that's just tinnitus from the summoning.
From what Blue can see, there are at least a dozen enforcers in some form of armour standing around, protecting a perimeter around half the street. Overhead, a few drones are buzzing - no, wait, there seems to be a drone firefight going on. Is that where the gunfire is?
The smoke does seem to be coming from Hopalong's safehouse.
It takes a bit, but maybe she was working on it while she let the autopilot take over. Blue gets a map - not exactly super-detailed, but probably close enough for general use. He could presumably figure out which tunnel is near this area with a little work.
The city spirit shows up, in the form of a semi-automated garbage truck, and sits nearby, its hydraulics whining a little at Blue - but in a generally cooperative way. Or maybe that's just tinnitus from the summoning.
From what Blue can see, there are at least a dozen enforcers in some form of armour standing around, protecting a perimeter around half the street. Overhead, a few drones are buzzing - no, wait, there seems to be a drone firefight going on. Is that where the gunfire is?
The smoke does seem to be coming from Hopalong's safehouse.
+++ A dozen visible, maybe more? They must have a healthy regard for our capabilities. +++
Blue considers his course of action. First, he opens to the astral to see if there is any astral activity associated with the mundane forces. It would surprise him if there were not, as they know about him.
Blue considers his course of action. First, he opens to the astral to see if there is any astral activity associated with the mundane forces. It would surprise him if there were not, as they know about him.
It's a little hard to be sure, but Blue seems to see a watcher, or a couple of watchers, scooting around the perimeter of the action. They look rather like puppies.
There's a big, wolfhound-like thing sitting in front of the door. It doesn't seem to be doing anything.
No magicians are in clear evidence, and presumably any that are around, are inside the building already.
He does see the telltale signatures of prepared magical formulae on the persons of a few of the goons on the perimeter - but he couldn't say what they actually were without analysis. Chances, are, something like emergency medical use spells.
There's a big, wolfhound-like thing sitting in front of the door. It doesn't seem to be doing anything.
No magicians are in clear evidence, and presumably any that are around, are inside the building already.
He does see the telltale signatures of prepared magical formulae on the persons of a few of the goons on the perimeter - but he couldn't say what they actually were without analysis. Chances, are, something like emergency medical use spells.
Blue had thought to send the spirit in to create chaos above ground and draw outside a mage or two while he went in through the transit system to help inside. Two things changed his mind.
First, he remembered he didn't check earlier how to get in the back door. Being stuck in the transit tunnel would suck. Second, the spirits and the drone dogfight led him to believe he would be more useful out here. Fighting drones meant Carlos was still active. If Carlos, then likely Hopalong. The nature of the spirits out here was canine. If there was a Dog shaman around, they would have to be outside, possibly in the van.
The magical shootout was going to be out here. +++ It looks like they don't know I'm here. Time to disabuse them of that error. +++
::: Trucker, it's time to clear the streets! Conceal me first, and then drive the guards on the streets away. Get rid of them any way you like. Then see what damage you can do to the van and anyone inside. Have fun, big guy! :::
With the concealment on him, Blue decides to deal with the wolfhound.
First, he remembered he didn't check earlier how to get in the back door. Being stuck in the transit tunnel would suck. Second, the spirits and the drone dogfight led him to believe he would be more useful out here. Fighting drones meant Carlos was still active. If Carlos, then likely Hopalong. The nature of the spirits out here was canine. If there was a Dog shaman around, they would have to be outside, possibly in the van.
The magical shootout was going to be out here. +++ It looks like they don't know I'm here. Time to disabuse them of that error. +++
::: Trucker, it's time to clear the streets! Conceal me first, and then drive the guards on the streets away. Get rid of them any way you like. Then see what damage you can do to the van and anyone inside. Have fun, big guy! :::
With the concealment on him, Blue decides to deal with the wolfhound.
[ Spoiler ]
Blue's spell travels straight out like the fist of an angry troll, and catches the waiting wolfhoud spirit in the heart. It slumps, and fades. Not even a whimper.
Blue's view of the garbage truck seems to shift - and he realises that it is materialising. The puppy-watchers bark at it for a moment, then scoot away at spirit-speed.
As Blue glances back at the material world, he sees the garbage truck making for the goons with its grabber-claws reaching for them. They wail and sprint away at their best speed, while the spirit-truck upturns a bulldog van and shoves it down the street with an agonising scrape of metal and glass on the road surface. One goon stands his ground and pours a magazine of bullets into the spirit, but he might as well have been urinating on its wheels. Moments later, he turns tail and flees with the rest. Another van tips up, and the garbage truck keeps shoving them down the road while goons pound frantically on house doors and windows, trying to escape the street.
About this time, a goon comes out of Hopalong's safehouse, with a slumped figure over his shoulder. Blue can't see much, but judging by the size and the hair, it might be Cindy. He stops, drops her, and backpedals rapidly. The door slams, and Blue can see Cindy, and a pool of red spreading onto the concrete steps where she lies.
Blue's view of the garbage truck seems to shift - and he realises that it is materialising. The puppy-watchers bark at it for a moment, then scoot away at spirit-speed.
As Blue glances back at the material world, he sees the garbage truck making for the goons with its grabber-claws reaching for them. They wail and sprint away at their best speed, while the spirit-truck upturns a bulldog van and shoves it down the street with an agonising scrape of metal and glass on the road surface. One goon stands his ground and pours a magazine of bullets into the spirit, but he might as well have been urinating on its wheels. Moments later, he turns tail and flees with the rest. Another van tips up, and the garbage truck keeps shoving them down the road while goons pound frantically on house doors and windows, trying to escape the street.
About this time, a goon comes out of Hopalong's safehouse, with a slumped figure over his shoulder. Blue can't see much, but judging by the size and the hair, it might be Cindy. He stops, drops her, and backpedals rapidly. The door slams, and Blue can see Cindy, and a pool of red spreading onto the concrete steps where she lies.
The sight of Cindy's slumped form on the steps raises Blue's ire. Pain in the ass that she was, she didn't deserve this. +++ If you didn't want her, then just leave her. Not this. +++
No immediate threat presents itself, so Blue considers the drones. +++ If that is Carlos controlling those, then he has a window out of the Faraday cage. Maybe I can contact him. +++
He fires up the burner, keeping an eye out for the inevitable. It's not like they don't know he's here, now. <<< Carlos. You there? Blue here, stirring things up outside. Cindy looks dead. How about the rest of you? >>>
No immediate threat presents itself, so Blue considers the drones. +++ If that is Carlos controlling those, then he has a window out of the Faraday cage. Maybe I can contact him. +++
He fires up the burner, keeping an eye out for the inevitable. It's not like they don't know he's here, now. <<< Carlos. You there? Blue here, stirring things up outside. Cindy looks dead. How about the rest of you? >>>
It takes agonising minutes, waiting for a response. Or perhaps it was seconds, but it felt like minutes. The spirit trashes both vans comprehensively, while the goons break windows and kick in doors and race into houses. From these covered positions they open fire on the spirit - to no substantial effect whatsoever - while it engages in lurid truck-on-van pornography and overhead a drone dogfight continues.
Someone dashes into the doorway of the safehouse, and possibly shouts while waving something at the spirit. This distracts the spirit, when a response comes in from Carlos:
<<<Frag her. Went rogue. Sold us out. Bugging out. Detonation pending.>>>
While Blue digests this epic narrative, there's a barely-muffled *C*R*U*M*P* from up the street. Bits of roofing tile and glass start to shower from the sky, and dirty orange flames burst from a hole in what used to be the roof of the safehouse.
Whoever's in there is having a very bad day.
Someone dashes into the doorway of the safehouse, and possibly shouts while waving something at the spirit. This distracts the spirit, when a response comes in from Carlos:
<<<Frag her. Went rogue. Sold us out. Bugging out. Detonation pending.>>>
While Blue digests this epic narrative, there's a barely-muffled *C*R*U*M*P* from up the street. Bits of roofing tile and glass start to shower from the sky, and dirty orange flames burst from a hole in what used to be the roof of the safehouse.
Whoever's in there is having a very bad day.
Blue messages Carlos. <<<Tell me where we can meet up.>>>
He would dearly love to get into the burned house to get a piece of it to try to keep Madel going. ( Yes, Madel is how he has started thinking of the gnarly Hearth spirit of the place. ) But the people in the windows shooting are a real problem. All it would take is one to break through the Concealment and Blue would be a yellow little duck in a shooting gallery. Ding ding ding, Yessir, goon number seven wins the cupie doll!
There might be a better way.
::: Hey, trucker. Looks like you are having a good time. Sorry to interrupt, but please dig into the burning house and bring me a piece of the furnace that heats it. Especially good would be part of the burner mechanism. After that you are home free, big guy. :::
While the spirit completes that last task, Blue works on clearing the astral signature of his spell. This could take a while.
After nearly a minute of headache inducing concentration, Blue waits behind the tree for Trucker to return, hoping no reinforcements arrive in the meantime. He prepares for the possibility that he will have to send the spirit home before he gets a piece of the house.
He would dearly love to get into the burned house to get a piece of it to try to keep Madel going. ( Yes, Madel is how he has started thinking of the gnarly Hearth spirit of the place. ) But the people in the windows shooting are a real problem. All it would take is one to break through the Concealment and Blue would be a yellow little duck in a shooting gallery. Ding ding ding, Yessir, goon number seven wins the cupie doll!
There might be a better way.
::: Hey, trucker. Looks like you are having a good time. Sorry to interrupt, but please dig into the burning house and bring me a piece of the furnace that heats it. Especially good would be part of the burner mechanism. After that you are home free, big guy. :::
While the spirit completes that last task, Blue works on clearing the astral signature of his spell. This could take a while.
[ Spoiler ]
After nearly a minute of headache inducing concentration, Blue waits behind the tree for Trucker to return, hoping no reinforcements arrive in the meantime. He prepares for the possibility that he will have to send the spirit home before he gets a piece of the house.
The garbage truck winks out of the material plane, and then ... winks out completely.
Apparently the hearth domain is still active, regardless of how harmed it might be, and asking the city spirit to cross into it was just too much.
Oh well, at least Blue's behind a nice tree.
Apparently the hearth domain is still active, regardless of how harmed it might be, and asking the city spirit to cross into it was just too much.
Oh well, at least Blue's behind a nice tree.
A second or two after Trucker winks out, a smile comes across Blue's face. ::: Sorry for the shock, Trucker, but you just told me something good. If the house's domain is strong enough to zap you, then for now it's strong enough to hold on to Madel. I'll be back, old girl, when it's safe for me to do so. :::
Of course neither of them could ... hear ... him, but Blue was mostly talking to himself, anyway. He turned and slunk off into the night, heading for the nearest entrance to the underground transit system Betty's map showed. Hopefully to find Carlos and Hopalong (maybe Chuck too?) And hopefully some rest to get rid of that wicked headache. A tree here, a parked car there. Keep those prying eyes off.
+++ How the hell did I not resist the Drain of that? It should have been a slam-dunk. Well, "That which does not kill us ..." +++
Of course neither of them could ... hear ... him, but Blue was mostly talking to himself, anyway. He turned and slunk off into the night, heading for the nearest entrance to the underground transit system Betty's map showed. Hopefully to find Carlos and Hopalong (maybe Chuck too?) And hopefully some rest to get rid of that wicked headache. A tree here, a parked car there. Keep those prying eyes off.
+++ How the hell did I not resist the Drain of that? It should have been a slam-dunk. Well, "That which does not kill us ..." +++
Blue's clothing has the advantage that it's appropriate for the climate, so he doesn't get any more discomfited than he did on his stroll to find Petsonal Petsonalities' facility. This time he has the additional comfort that the screaming and bleeding is mostly behind him, and perhaps that some of the breeze is soothing to his headache even if the gunfire is not.
How on earth is that drone firefight not over yet? It may have intensified, even. Either way, Blue trudges down the steps to the underground transit system with the distant du-du-du-du-du of automatic weaponry in the background, softened by the echoes of the city's angles and corners. A bored-looking rentacop supervises the station, which isn't entirely deserted as early commuters filter in. There is a maintenance walkway down the tunnel, but it's past a door marked STAFF ONLY, and it's a cinch that there's some kind of alarm on it.
Around the commuters are viewscreens, and there is a talking head overlaid on an enhanced newsdrone view of what looks like the firefight, but it isn't clearly informative. There is a view of a DocWagon team extracting someone. Cindy? Maybe. Goons? Likely.
A readout shows a five minute delay in transit bus arrival times. Nobody seems surprised, nor particularly distressed.
How on earth is that drone firefight not over yet? It may have intensified, even. Either way, Blue trudges down the steps to the underground transit system with the distant du-du-du-du-du of automatic weaponry in the background, softened by the echoes of the city's angles and corners. A bored-looking rentacop supervises the station, which isn't entirely deserted as early commuters filter in. There is a maintenance walkway down the tunnel, but it's past a door marked STAFF ONLY, and it's a cinch that there's some kind of alarm on it.
Around the commuters are viewscreens, and there is a talking head overlaid on an enhanced newsdrone view of what looks like the firefight, but it isn't clearly informative. There is a view of a DocWagon team extracting someone. Cindy? Maybe. Goons? Likely.
A readout shows a five minute delay in transit bus arrival times. Nobody seems surprised, nor particularly distressed.
Blue finds a comfortable (?) seat off by itself, with a view of his surroundings, and settles in, looking just like any number of bored commuters do every day of their mundane lives. Nope, no one hunting this man. No need to pay him any attention at all. He sinks a bit deeper into a still, quiet space. Let the headache abate as he waits for whoever survived the house explosion.
As he waits for the pain to go away, Blue considers an interesting change in him. He never used to name the spirits he summoned. Or care much about them. But Trucker, and more clearly Madel, have brought up actual feelings in him. Suspecting the blown up house will be demolished, he really means to take a stab at finding a new home for Madel. He has very little idea how that will happen.
Maybe Mary Margaret will know something. Or Henry. After the headache goes. After the group rejoins. After there is a safe place to make a call.
All this while he has a job to do as well. And a place to stay to find. And a triple A corp to evade. Life is certainly more ... interesting now. Nietzche's observation comes to mind again. Yeah, certainly not part of the masses now!
[ Spoiler ]
As he waits for the pain to go away, Blue considers an interesting change in him. He never used to name the spirits he summoned. Or care much about them. But Trucker, and more clearly Madel, have brought up actual feelings in him. Suspecting the blown up house will be demolished, he really means to take a stab at finding a new home for Madel. He has very little idea how that will happen.
Maybe Mary Margaret will know something. Or Henry. After the headache goes. After the group rejoins. After there is a safe place to make a call.
All this while he has a job to do as well. And a place to stay to find. And a triple A corp to evade. Life is certainly more ... interesting now. Nietzche's observation comes to mind again. Yeah, certainly not part of the masses now!
Blue's burner chirrups at him while he's waiting for blessed relief.
<<<Splitting. Hoppy bailed already. Chuck bit it in the boom. Ditching this burner. You should too. If I see you again, I owe you a drink. Stay alive, chummer.>>>
A little cryptic, perhaps, but presumably he's distracted with whatever heavy firefight is going on. Or maybe he already dropped out of that? Blue can't hear anything outside the tunnel, with the noise of passing vehicles and people commuting.
<<<Splitting. Hoppy bailed already. Chuck bit it in the boom. Ditching this burner. You should too. If I see you again, I owe you a drink. Stay alive, chummer.>>>
A little cryptic, perhaps, but presumably he's distracted with whatever heavy firefight is going on. Or maybe he already dropped out of that? Blue can't hear anything outside the tunnel, with the noise of passing vehicles and people commuting.
Blue pondered the loss of life and property since he ditched Mitsuhama. Was his freedom worth it all? It took only a moment for him to decide that the losses were a result of the AAA's lust for control and winning, not his break for freedom. Seeing as they lost a lot of valuable assets in this last debacle, he could only hope that some accountant somewhere would decide to cut losses and let the shaman go.
Yeah.
He ditched the burner, removing any traces of his calls, removing the SIM chip, whatever he could do. Burner into a garbage can, SIM chip crushed under his heel. He grabbed the first transport available to take him to a Stuffer Shack for a new burner, and then to the nightclub he saw earlier to arrange a place to stay. Get some rest, clear the head, plan the next move.
Yeah.
He ditched the burner, removing any traces of his calls, removing the SIM chip, whatever he could do. Burner into a garbage can, SIM chip crushed under his heel. He grabbed the first transport available to take him to a Stuffer Shack for a new burner, and then to the nightclub he saw earlier to arrange a place to stay. Get some rest, clear the head, plan the next move.
Blue made it to the nightclub substantially unmolested (not counting the sloppy drunk woman who wanted to assure him that she's not racist against dwarves, all her dwarf boyfriends have been great, and she loved the sex every time) and disembarked not three blocks from it. It presents itself as a dive, but its clientele is definitely well heeled. Interbay, but close enough to the bright lights of downtown that all sorts of naughty boys and girls will come from their jobs, or from their parents' boring homes, to stomp and gyrate for a while.
It's named BrainLaser. It has a glowing TriD sign of a woman with jacks in her skull, from which shoot lasers. Classy.
But more to the point, they have a basement apartment.
The bouncer takes a minute to understand what Blue is talking about, but then realises that they found a lunatic who actually had an interest in the apartment, so not long after that, Blue's in a relatively quiet office in the back, talking to the manager. This worthy is a lean elf woman, whose personal decor is somewhere between up to the minute, and ten minutes ago. Cutting edge enough to showcase her business, far enough not to threaten the egos of the clientele who come for the courting dance.
She's friendly, businesslike, and makes it clear: it's a furnished studio apartment, it's soundproofed up to a point, but no power on earth can block out the monstrous bass noise from upstairs, there's a sanitary facility, a 'trix hookup, power is included in the rent. Don't do anything illegal or destructive, and there won't be a problem. The ceiling is 6 feet exactly, so frankly they've had trouble renting it, but at least that won't be a problem for Blue.
It's named BrainLaser. It has a glowing TriD sign of a woman with jacks in her skull, from which shoot lasers. Classy.
But more to the point, they have a basement apartment.
The bouncer takes a minute to understand what Blue is talking about, but then realises that they found a lunatic who actually had an interest in the apartment, so not long after that, Blue's in a relatively quiet office in the back, talking to the manager. This worthy is a lean elf woman, whose personal decor is somewhere between up to the minute, and ten minutes ago. Cutting edge enough to showcase her business, far enough not to threaten the egos of the clientele who come for the courting dance.
She's friendly, businesslike, and makes it clear: it's a furnished studio apartment, it's soundproofed up to a point, but no power on earth can block out the monstrous bass noise from upstairs, there's a sanitary facility, a 'trix hookup, power is included in the rent. Don't do anything illegal or destructive, and there won't be a problem. The ceiling is 6 feet exactly, so frankly they've had trouble renting it, but at least that won't be a problem for Blue.
It sounds idyllic to Blue. Noisy at night when he is up anyway, and probably out, at least in the short term, and hopefully relatively quiet during the daytime.
""" I would like to take a look at it before I commit, and am interested in your rental terms. Also, what are the hours of operation, hours when the music is playing? """
""" I would like to take a look at it before I commit, and am interested in your rental terms. Also, what are the hours of operation, hours when the music is playing? """
"""Three hundred a month, with first, last and security in advance. We turn on the sound at 4:30PM, and admit customers at 5:30."""
She leads Blue outside the building, and down a separate staircase. It actually isn't bad, if one can ignore the THUMPTHUMPTHUMP from above. She, of course, has to lean over to fit in, but the ceiling height is fine for Blue.
The outfit isn't really spartan, but it isn't luxurious. Water and electricity are unrationed, 'trix access too is based off the club's accounts, so there's no problem there. No bathtub, but there is a shower stall, and a kitchenette. There are hefty locks on the door, the windows are high and narrow, and the furnishings mostly look free of obvious vermin. A bed. Two chairs. A dresser. A closet.
Paradise in the city.
She leads Blue outside the building, and down a separate staircase. It actually isn't bad, if one can ignore the THUMPTHUMPTHUMP from above. She, of course, has to lean over to fit in, but the ceiling height is fine for Blue.
The outfit isn't really spartan, but it isn't luxurious. Water and electricity are unrationed, 'trix access too is based off the club's accounts, so there's no problem there. No bathtub, but there is a shower stall, and a kitchenette. There are hefty locks on the door, the windows are high and narrow, and the furnishings mostly look free of obvious vermin. A bed. Two chairs. A dresser. A closet.
Paradise in the city.
""" Sounds reasonable. """ Blue pulls out the credstick. """A couple more questions. When does the music shut off, and where can I do laundry? """
The manager flops down into a chair to save her neck and back, and crosses her legs. Nice legs, if you like them elf-shaped. """We send the last customers out at 6AM, and drop the music down ten decibels then. Music off at more or less 6:30AM because the crew are cleaning up and closing. If you work nights, this should be perfect for you. The windows here are all triple glazing, plus the sound absorption reduces ambient traffic noise a lot. It's pretty quiet in here during the days. Laundry - well, if you have one of those little dorm washers, you can use that. Alternatively, there are two robolaundries within three blocks. If you don't like one, there's always the other."""
""" Night shift is my preference. Your place here is fine. Let's make the deposits and I'll settle in. """ Once the money is transferred, Blue continues, """ As an aside, you ever have trouble upstairs? Anything I need to be cautious of? """
"""Touch wood, never except the occasional drunk or fistfight - same as any club, really - and my security takes care of it pretty quickly. Worst ever was three orks trying to yank a girl away from her boyfriend. They were kicked out and banned, but that was three years ago. Nothing that worries me at all, and I'm here every night."""
She takes payment, and hands Blue a couple of keys: one physical, one maglock. They open the door.
She takes payment, and hands Blue a couple of keys: one physical, one maglock. They open the door.
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