<<Saturday Morning - 14:30 - April 15, 2079 - SIS, Bellevue>>

It's a sunny spring Saturday afternoon and Corinne Potter is visiting the Highlands neighborhood for a local meet-and-greet. It's been about a week since your job with Sonja concluded. Dennis has not been seen or heard from since. Word is out that his friends are looking for him... or for the people who last saw him.

It didn't take long for Shir to respond to AM; they were able to find a mutually agreeable time the next weekend. The Potter campaign insisted on bringing refreshments. Traditionally these are provided by the hosts, but Potter wouldn't take no for an answer. Whether this is a security consideration, or a dietary necessity, or simply a control issue is an open question.

Corinne has brought iced tea and lemonade, along with cookies and sweet petit fours. Some people mix the iced tea and lemonade to make Arnold Palmers.

"These are so good!" Bao, the young Chinese mother, tells Corinne after eating a cookie. "Where did you get them??"

"Homemade!" Potter beams proudly. Bao is amazed. "It's my mother ... rest in peace ... my mother's recipe for Russian tea cakes. I grew up eating these!" Corinne continues. She seems to perfectly mimic Bao's bouncy energy. Bao looks charmed, even if she had disparaging things to say about Potter's fashion sense earlier.

Indeed, Corinne's personal style is more of an everywoman appearance. Mostly she wears blue jeans and white sneakers, but the weather is so nice today that she's wearing a pastel sundress with a lacy sweater, plus sensible shoes. Perhaps she's dressing up a bit since it's Bellevue. Her hair still isn't perfectly cooperative, but overall she has a cute, approachable, girl-next-door kind of look.

"It's almost Tax Day," says Danforth Ableworth, of Danforth Commercial Properties. Indeed, UCAS federal taxes are due two days from now. "What is your tax plan?" he asks.

"Well, as Governor of Seattle, I wouldn't have any say over federal tax rates, you understand," she begins, her tone quickly pivoting to one more for business and policy-making. "But from a local perspective I want to keep the Metroplex taxes as low as possible. I think it should each district should have more flexibility to change tax rates and prioritize spending as they see fit. The needs of Bellevue are not the same as the needs of Tacoma, so why should their tax plans be consistent?"

Danforth nods sagely at the wisdom of this. "Good. Keep the government out of our pocket. Lower taxes, limited government, and faith in the individual."

Hina, the older Japanese dwarf, asks, "What about the local megacorps? Can't they do more to help their communities?"

"The corporations do a lot," Corinne responds. "They're major drivers of the economy, and their local spending trickles down. I want the city to have a healthy, respectful relationship with local businesses both large and small. They are our customers after all. Like any business, the city should strive to not only meet the terms of its contracts, but also provide exceptional service as well."

Edie is there, buzzing around. Having so many people to snoop on at once is intoxicating for her. Shir is also on hand to coordinate. She has a capable look to her and carries herself as if she has military training.

"It's truly an honor to be here. Thank you so much for inviting me! I've always believed that neighborhoods like this are the heart and soul of our city." Corinne might repeat that line in every neighborhood, but the audience absolutely eats it up.

Sakutaro, the Japanese male from Sakura Security is also there, watching politely from a respectful distance. However, security is primarily being provided by two massive Knight-Errant orks. They are in their dress uniforms and their tusks have been polished to a high shine, but their purpose is clear. Both are extensively wired. They stand close to Corinne and scan the crowd continually.

The astral security is similar. There are two massive (F8) spirits hovering on standby, also looking for signs of trouble. Bobby recognizes them from the roof of Corinne's apartment building, so they must be bound spirits. The still look menacing; they look like sticks of dynamite ready to explode. Bobby will need to conceal his aura, or watch remotely, as it's possible that they are still searching for him.

"Hi, I'm Corinne," she says to each of you with a firm handshake (although her hands are soft) and a warm smile. "What's your name?" Up close, she smells of jasmine and honeysuckle. You feel a subtle, pleasant glow from the personal attention.

Interlude:
The money has been piling up, and I have had so many things I wanted to do with it, but after bleeding for cash in the past, I have grown appreciative of it. I have made arrangements to bring my mom here for good. I bought her a new identity and perhaps a better life on the right side of the law. As much as she drives me crazy, I love her. If it makes a difference, being so successful when she lives day by day is a bit alone for me. My father was never there, so I left her to search for my luck. She stayed home cleaning houses to scrape a living. The mere thought of being in the same city as her gets under my skin, but at the same time, she looks at me a bit differently - perhaps proud. Not that she would be proud when she realized that most of my money came as cash under the table from borderline illegal activities. Though truth be told - I don't feel like a criminal. I picked up a few spells, most notably the healthy glow spell that makes my skin softer and more excellent and provides me some confidence.

Potter's visit
I am genuinely curious to meet Potter. I wanted to go to the animal shelter, but that didn't happen. I arrived once more and avoided Potter and Ifeoma. I feel embarrassed to be there, but I am trying to find some soft side in myself. Unsuccessfully trying to be honest, real cats with real poop are just not as attractive when the woman has a magical cat that talks back and can see into her soul and provide a fresh and somewhat distant perspective about everything. Perhaps I should go to therapy like an average person rather than doing all this in direct stuff - or possibly Boxing is my therapy.

Since it is sunny, I wear short pants and a wide T-shirt that keeps me well covered. Showing off my new legs is a novelty for me, though, and I love them so much.
Praise the Trickster for the opportunity to shape myself. I am happy when Potter finally arrives, but then I feel a bit out of my element when the two coppers arrive with Potter. Of course she has security -but men in uniform are intimidating. I always avoided them. I am not that girl anymore. To prove that I have matured, I daydream about just how uncomfortable one of the coppers can make me feel if he searches me for weapons or something like that. Though I am unarmed, I don't feel the need for arms in this hood. I try not to look at the security.


I grab an Arnold Palmer and a cookie and listen. It would have been easier for me if Mato had been here since he is knowledgeable about this. I could nod and agree with him. Though, with my new social armor, I am happy to talk, listen, and agree with people. Honestly, I find democracy odd and don't have political opinions. As a SINless, nobody has ever included me in a democracy before, and it never became part of my identity. Who am I to vote for governor of Seattle? I don't have much money, wisdom, power, or influence. Though, it does not prevent my neighbors from being opinionated.

When I spot Shir, I approach her and introduce myself. "Shir! Hi... I am 'em'. So happy to finally see you in person.", I tell Shir Thanks for the cookies and drinks... If you are ever around and have some spare time. I can return the favor with herbal tea from my garden and chocolate cookies." I comment, assuming I'll never see the woman again unless she needs something of me, but I am genuinely thankful for this event. I needed it to be appreciated in the new neighborhood.


. As a detective, I feel like I see the worst of people, and after the background check we gave Corrine, I suspect she is as fake as the rest of them. Then I realized that I had just called her Corrine in my inner voice, and to my astonishment, I realized that I genuinely liked her for no reason. She is a suspect of murder or at least the direct benefactor of such murder, and yet I feel all warm inside. Perhaps it's her social magic; maybe the woman is so electable, and I am invested in her success.

I am Emma; it is so lovely to meet you finally. Please, call me 'em' like my friends. I say.

Her magical tradition isn't exactly formal, quite the opposite in fact. Nonetheless, Rachel had felt strangely satisfied by bringing some order into the chaos of the University archives during their extended stay there. As fickle as her personality can be, there is no denying that some things also require a bit of structure. She likes to have a clean place, and some things have to have their designated spot, instead of just lying around. It's the little things that bring that up in her sometimes. Tapping into that feeling, she has been able to bring some structure into her magic as well. She will need some more practice, but it is promising.

The majority of her earnings will go into the acquisition and creation of a fake identity, as she noticed that it could be handy to sometimes pretend to be someone else (and be able to back it up).

Rachel has also begun with preparations for her next initiation. Following the moon phases, she has set a date when to begin. Not quite yet, but soon. She has been working on being able to hide her talent from the curious, because in some places it is good not to be awakened, or at least not showing it, and this will be the next step in achieving that. She is capable of hiding her passive magic, already, but she wants to be able to hide some more active elements of her talent as well. Too bad, she cannot ask Potter about it in that upcoming visit to their neighborhood, that finally got confirmed. The governor candidate surely had some pointers when it comes to that certain skill-set, being well-experienced and practiced in the art of misdirection. It would make for a much more interesting topic than the same-old questions about politics. But it is what it is.

Speaking of politics. A few days later Corinne Potter actually arrives with her typical show of force. You cannot touch me, don't even try. That is what it says to her, and it's probably right. Rachel is a bit nervous about the whole thing. Is it really such a good idea to put themselves on her radar like that? Obviously, whoever is behind her is going to make a background check of the neighborhood prior to her visit. Her protection detail, physical and astral, already rivals that of any president. Anyways, what's done is done.

Her choice of clothes for the day is very casual, once more, and mostly meant to look average and not stand out in any way. Long, black leggings, bright red sneakers, a white tank top and a loose-fitting, green blouson on top, as well as a khaki ball cap and big sunglasses. Her hair is in a pony tail. She does not talk to Potter, mostly stays in the background and observes. No spells, her aura is fully masked and mundane.

Bobby had spent the last few days hanging around the area where the assassin had struck - incidentally looking in on the squatters there, bringing by another fruit basket, for some much needed vitamins.
He had stopped posting about the knife lady, but wasn't about to entirely let go of his bait tactic.

When the Potter visit finally happened, begrudgingly donned a conservative yet leger outfit, consisting of slacks shirt and a sweater vest.

His magic had once again grown in power - and so had his ability to change his body. He had subtly changed his cheeks and eye distance to fool facial recognition and sported a well groomed full beard with a few white strands, making him look older as well.

He topped it off by changing his aura to look different as well and kept mainly to the back. He didn't like the look of those spirits - it probably would be a good idea to not stand out.

He tuned out the speech about the well meaning corporations - otherwise he wouldn't have been sure if he could keep a polite face.

Yet when she came up close, he couldn't stop himself from asking:
"What are you going to do regarding gang and organized crime in Redmond? Commute around that area is always a hassle, because it's to dangerous to drive straight through."

Shir greets AM politely but either isn't as social as Corinne or is distracted by monitoring the situation and making sure everything flows smoothly. She has a professional, organized aura about her. She's friendly enough to be an asset, but clearly isn't there to do the campaigning herself. The strategy seems to be letting Potter shine.

"Em, yes, of course!" Corinne says with a pleasant smile. She leans in to whisper something. "I'm not miked up, am I? Your legs look dynamite. I'm a runner so legs are the first thing I see. That and someone's stride. If I weren't doing this I swear I'd be a running coach. Or something with dogs."

It's unclear whether she's being genuine or if this is just a calculated informality to win AM's confidence and trust. She does come across as grounded and relatable.

Bobby's question gets overheard by most of the neighbors, who get quiet to hear Potter's response. For her part, she doesn't look alarmed by the question.

"Yes, excellent question!" she agrees. She realizes she has a larger audience; you can practically see her mind shifting into a campaign speech.

"The persistent threats of organized crime and gang violence have cast a long shadow over our communities. Especially here!" She seems to be referring to your neighborhood being near the Redmond border. Your neighbors nod along eagerly.

"These forces prey on the vulnerable, erode public safety, and stifle the promise of a thriving society. Let me be clear: I understand the frustration, the fear, and the anger that many of you feel, especially when the threat is so close to home. These are not abstract problems of a foreign land; they are real threats to the lives and well-being of our families and neighbors.

"Our response must be multifaceted. First, we must prioritize law enforcement efforts. We will work tirelessly with our contracted security to disrupt criminal activity, dismantle gangs, and bring perpetrators to justice. However, enforcement alone is not enough.

"We must also invest in our communities. We need to create pathways to opportunity: quality education, job training, and meaningful programs that provide a lifeline for those most at risk. We need to rebuild the social fabric of our neighborhoods, fostering a sense of belonging and connection.

"This requires collaboration. We will work hand-in-hand with community leaders, educators, social workers, faith-based organizations, and local businesses. We will empower residents to be active participants in their own safety.

"This path forward will not be easy! It demands sustained commitment, innovation, and a willingness to work across lines. But I have unwavering faith in the resilience of our communities, the power of collective action, and the dedication of our law enforcement - like my friends, Wayne and Longin here." - She gestures to her K-E escorts, who don't visibly respond.

"Together, we can reclaim our streets, build a brighter future for our youth, and send a clear message: violence and criminal activity will not be tolerated! We will not allow fear to define us. We will stand together, united in our commitment to a safer, stronger future for all!"

It's a rousing speech. The neighbors all clap when it reaches its conclusion. They seem inspired.

Corinne makes eye contact with Bobby, perhaps the gauge his response to her answer. "Thank you for the question! What's your name, sir?"

Corrine's comment on my legs catches me off guard. "No way she is flirting with me..." is the first thought I get. I am unsure how to respond, so I say the first thing that comes to mind, hoping it is not too awkward. "Well, I jog every other morning if you are looking for a running partner who can keep up." I say half-seriously with an embarrassed smile. I hoped she would bite even though my senses told me a politician is probably not the right friend for a SINless woman. The sensible thing is to run and hide from her terrible attention, radiant power, copper friends, and charm, but I always wanted to have friends in high places, even if I could never have it. It's probably all in my head; the woman is a social genius who molds people's emotions like I hack computers... Well, better than I hack... Considering that I left her servers alone. I should stop thinking about being friends with her. It isn't real... It can't be.


I am relieved when Bobby asks about crime because it gives me a moment to gain composure. I look at her, and I appreciate her speech. I take a few mental notes on how she builds the anticipation, but she says very little. She has no concrete plan to do all these things, and I suspect they cost a fortune, and with low taxes, crime would be tolerated. Security is expensive, and the SINless don't vote. Nobody would ever care about them, especially not a charming politician.

Bobby nodded as if those were sage words. When asked he said:

"Robert Walker. I'm a member of the local neighborhood watch." Bobby was certain, that this humiliating approach would guarantee that the two KE thugs wouldn't waste another second taking him serious. But he couldn't help himself, he added:
"My heart felt condolences by the way, for the tragic loss of your fellow party member."

"Oh yeah?" Corrinne asks AM. "How do you feel about running in the pitch black?" Then she seems to remember that AM is an elf and would therefore be better able to see in the dark. "Well I guess that part would be fine for you, but getting up at 5am, rain or shine, is still hard.

"What are your splits?" she asks politely, inquiring about AM's pace and distances.

~~~

Bobby's comment seems to catch Corrinne off-guard. She doesn't look angry; she looks touched.

"Thank you, Mr. Walker," she says, her hand over her heart. "It's very kind of you to say so.

"The senseless murder of Howard Cannon perfectly illustrates your concerns about crime and violence, Mr. Walker." She pauses, seeming to mist up a bit. "Sorry... let me just collect myself for a moment," she says, and the neighbors look highly sympathetic. "Howard taught me everything. He was more than a mentor, he was a friend. It really should be him standing up here right now, not me." She looks a bit weepy but fights through it.

She gestures to her coppers. "This isn't my preference, believe me! If I had it my way, I'd be driving myself around. Nikola Taul can have the bodyguards and the parparazzi and the Mitsubishi Nightsky and the Rolls Royce Phaeton. A Cadillac Nocturne is more than enough for me!" This seems to be a calculated choice: a luxury sedan that suggests status, but is attainable by the audience members present. It's a much more practical choice than an armored limousine, like a Nightsky or Phaeton. It's clear how she's triangulating her image compared to Ms. Taul. Given the looks on the faces around you, it seems to be working.

I am excited when Corrine asks for more details. "I usually run a bit later, but I can try five." Having studied her schedule, I find it hardly surprising. I even know her pacing, so I aim for something she can run. I usually jog to commute to the gym and then back, about 8 km a lag in perhaps 25 minutes. I can go faster if the streets are still empty. How fast do you usually go? I ask.

Potter's eyes practically pop out.

"You're running, what, 19-20 kilometers per hour??" she asks, amazed. "That's, like, double my pace! No wonder your legs are so strong..."

She gives AM a stern look. "I don't like fast women," she says disapprovingly, but then her firm expression breaks into a laugh at the double entendre.

"Talk it over with Shir, if you want," she says, shaking her head. "There's some procedures that would need to be completed. Security checks, you know. They're pretty inflexible about it these days, especially after what happened to Howard..." Her voice trails off, and she seems momentarily lost in thought for her old boss.

The joke surprises me. " Perhaps she IS flirting?" I think and realize I am out of my element. I guess I am fast... I say with a grin. Playing on the double meaning of things. Though to be honest, I only run fast because if I were any greener in relationships, I'd be a maiden again. You are as accessible as Lady Capulet. I'm unsure if Corrine would get the reference, but you can realize that for context. I muse for a moment about all the obstacles I'll need to go through to run with her - and it is not worth it if she is playing me. I decided to up the game and gauge her intentions. It will take a while. I sigh; I'll need to upgrade my SIN to have a chance and not get myself arrested. I probe deeper to see if she sees me as something or is just polite. How stringent are we about texting?. I give her a sympathetic look when she mentions Howard, and the fact I know a bit about that murder stings me.

Bobby nodded as in agreement. Potter was well trained - or should he say, social adept...

He reminded himself once again, that this wasn't his fight. Politics. They were dirty all around. Having the corporations meddle that hard in the election was to be expected. And still, he fervently wished to be able to rip away the masks and expose them for what they were.

Since he was on the spot and appeared to have been promoted to ask softball questions, he added one final one to the Pott.
"Is there any news about who targeted you in your home? It seems like someone is targeting your whole party. Are your other party members safe?"

She's good, I will give her that... Rachel thinks to herself. She has been trying to look through her charade, knowing pretty well that it is just that. But Corinne Potter knows what she is doing. There was nothing less to be expected, considering the office she is running for. She needs to hold up to some pretty serious scrutiny herself, that's for sure.

Appreciating her talent, Rachel does not even think ill of her. Everyone that is in politics, at least from a certain level onwards, is just a facade. It's not like this is any different. And who knows, maybe she will bring some positive change even, if she wins the election. She obviously wants to be liked, and what better way to achieve that, than giving the people something they want.

She cannot think of any good questions to ask Ms. Potter, well, at least not ones that should be asked openly unless you want to become a target to whoever is behind her.

So, instead of getting closer to the politician, Rachel is moving next to Bao. "Hey, beautiful! How are the cookies?"

"You know, we still need to do that shopping trip sometimes." Leaning closer to her, she whispers conspiratorially: "Maybe we should invite Corinne, too. She might need some pointers. Though, to be fair, her dress today is lovely. So there is hope still!"

Of course, she does not really think that. Corinne knows fully well what she is wearing and why. It's all calculated.

"Very stringent," Corrinne tells AM. "Everything is reviewed before it is passed to me, and the same in reverse. It's not like life used to be, believe me. The last four months..." She just shakes her head and blows out her cheeks to express the magnitude of change in her life.

~~~

Bao gives Rachel a hug.

"These are soooo good!" she says of the cookies, holding up a half-eaten one as an example. "This is my third one; I can't stop eating them!" As if to illustrate the point, she eats the remaining half.

"I'm going to have to run soooo much to burn them off," she says. "That's, what, a thousand kilojoules? An extra 30 minutes of running!

"Can you believe that she made these herself? Like, how many of these campaign events does she do each day? Does she bring homemade cookies to all of them, or are we just special. Well we are special, duh, but still... does she just spend all her time baking, like when she's decompressing before bed?" Bao shakes her head in wonder.

"Yes, shopping! Soon! Let's get hired as her fashion consultants!" She cackles with glee and powdered sugar.

~~~

Corinne nods when Bobby brings up the break-in.

"It's a mystery," she says. "Nothing was stolen - not that there's anything to steal, mind you. It could be someone trying to intimidate me, or to send a message. Or maybe they thought there would be something valuable there, but there wasn't. Or maybe someone wanted to plant something there. Knight-Errant did a very thorough sweep and has doubled their efforts. I just used to have one copper; now I have two!

"As far as other party members, they're as safe as one can reasonably be. Mostly they want to live their lives in peace. I think it was Lucky Duck Phillips who compared a security detail to being in solitary confinement, but for your own protection, not your punishment. That's just not worth it to some people, and I get that, I truly do. But I'm a widower with no surviving family, so I can bear it better than most. And after what I've been through... this is nothing." She gives a strong, stoic look of resolution in the face of danger.

Bobby forbid himself from probing any more. Taunting her would make nothing better for himself or their mission. He looked around if anyone else was ready to ask a few questions. Usually, once someone had shown that something was possible without danger, others felt emboldened to follow suit.

Still, it seemed that he had to extricate himself out of the focus first:

"Seems like luck stays true to Phillips when he stepped back to let you take on the job. Sorry, I didn't want to hog your attention - my neighbors should also get a chance to talk to you."

With that Bobby stepped back strategically to put Edie on the spot to let her get a word in. Corinne and her certainly deserved each other.

Rachel smirks. "As long as you are not eating a full plate of them every day, I think you are pretty safe. The occasional indulgence is totally fine."

"No clue how she manages to make those with her schedule, but maybe that is one reason why it is so packed. I must say, it is quite different to see her in person. So glad this actually happened. Seeing her on the trid is quite different for sure. She is so much more relatable in person. But then again, they are all politicians. They do not get into these positions without some charm. Or ruthlessness, I guess, but that is not her, of course."

"It sounds terrible, Corinne." I say You know, you almost make me want to vote for the other lady. I say playfully implying that there would be less security if she loses. I bite my lip in frustration; "Campaigning is rough, and being in the spotlight all the time is even harder. Will it ever get better?

Even if she is a con artist in my life, having someone like that could be so much fun, but I don't think I'll be cleared past that security. I am a sorcerer; Shir would not let me anywhere near her. Oh dammit. It will never happen; this entire monologue is my head playing mind tricks on me and social skills that make Jawsey look like an amateur, perhaps subtle magic. How can someone so charming and exciting have such a boring life?

Corinne answers AM with a moment of candor.

"Look, if you want to vote for Nikola Taul, then please do. She's not a bad person; we just don't share the same values. She's done a good job with the Downtown district. It's just that now she thinks she can export that success to the Metroplex as a whole. I don't think it will work. I think that what works in Seattle won't work in Snohomish, and vice versa. I want to delegate as much responsibility to the districts as possible. There are still some things that need to be managed at the Metroplex level, like the Metroplex Guard. Governor Brackhaven implemented some questionable policies that need to be revisited."

"Like what?" asks Danforth Ableworth of Danforth Commercial Properties, his eyebrow raised.

"Take recruitment, for example. He significantly expanded the Guard's manpower, but only by recruiting Caucasian humans. The Guard is now 90% human, which just means that we're excluding a huge percentage of the available talent pool."

Danforth has a skeptical look on his face.

"I also want to review the promotion policies and ensure that they're based on merit, not political connections.

"Done correctly, the Metroplex Guard could be an awesome avenue for many of our citizens. We talked about it a minute ago, about the need to create pathways to opportunity: quality education, job training, and meaningful programs. Well the Metroplex Guard can check all of those boxes! We need a recruitment campaign that says, 'Be All That You Can Be'." She waves her hand from left to write, as if the slogan were written on a marquee. "That's the way to lift people up and make the city better at the same time."

Edie has her mouth slightly agape, looking spellbound. She seems to be hanging on Corinne's every word. She doesn't ask any questions of her own.

"Nonsense, I just want to run with a slow woman." I say to Corinne and then let Danforth take the lead. I spent enough of her time on a hopeless and silly pursuit. She is not going to be my friend. Though I talked to a candidate, it has to count for something... I let Danforth take the lead; she would be better off talking to people who can vote. I don't understand what she is talking about and how one governor or another will make my life any different. I take a step back and let the two talk. So I eye Edie and approach her. . "So fun that she is here. How are you?" I ask quietly.

Corinne continues to converse with the neighbors about a wide variety of topics, from schools to roads to utilities to arts, culture, and recreation. Her answers mostly return to local control, with districts taking the lead in taxation and decision-making while the Metroplex steps back.

"She's just so... wow!" Edie says, not really answering AM's question. "She's just so polished. She has an answer for everything. And, like, readily available! She never says 'uh' or 'um' or any of those verbal pauses.

"It's like she was born for this. Her parents would be so proud. I bet she wishes they were there to see this..."

Edie's voice trails off. AM looks over and sees that she's a bit weepy.

"I'm sorry, it's just I miss my Ron," Edie says, referring to her deceased husband. "Whenever I'm reminded about those who are no longer with us, I think of Ron."

She sniffles but composes herself over a few moments. She looks over at Bobby.

"Did, ah, he have some work done?" she inquires discretely to AM. "He looks different than he did before..."

Bobby heard the comment from Edie - the woman really had no concept of how to talk quietly.

He was impressed though about her powers of observation - his changes had been subtle. To defuse the situation he faked a sneeze:
"Damn, I should have taken my meds, my allergies are playing up, I feel my face swelling up.
Excuse me I have to go in."

Edie studies Bobby intently as he goes, no doubt thinking of ways of turning seasonal allergies into gossip, rumors, and drama.

I nod in agreement, although I am not impressed by the policies or politics, just by the technique, passion, and fluency. I guess I am too cynical and damaged to believe someone like Potter. "I wanted her to come; you are wonderful for going with it. You don't have to agree with Corinne, but it is difficult not to like her. "

"Ron must have been very special to you," I say. "I feel similar when I see happy families so I can relate. " When she mentions Bobby's appearance, I just skillfully deflect "You know, I see him every day, and he has changed so much in the last half a year. I think that the neighborhood watch does well for him. I answer.

Bobby went inside. He had enough of being in a crowd. Whatever else could be learned here, it certainly wasn't that Potter was doing all this against her will.
Not that he had had any doubts about that, but checking never hurt.

A corporation had found a young adept and groomed her into the perfect politician, putting her under a mentor and when the time was ripe, they killed off the mentor to make way for the protege who could win on social graces and sympathy for the death. It was an incredible callus but equally brilliant scheme.
He wouldn't have been surprised if a dragon had had its claw in play there.

Better to get some distance to it all.

Edie sniffles.

"Oh, Ron was just so big and strong!" she says, weepy. She brings up a picture of Ron on her commlink and shows it to AM. He doesn't really look that big or that strong. AM supposes there is a passing resemblance to Bobby, if Bobby were at least 30 years older. It appears that Ron was the hairy type, with dark hair up and down his arms, with chest hair poking through the collar of his shirt. He's not bad looking, and he has a friendly smile on his face

"That's when true loss occurs," Edie says, "when you lose something that you love more than yourself. Have you ever lost anything like that?" she asks AM, sniffing.

I replied to Edie, hoping she would not take advantage of it. "I was engaged to a lovely boy. I had my hopes and dreams, and it all shattered when his family pressured him to cancel the wedding. Feeling the pain of admitting it, I never mention Beaver because it is just a hole in my soul, but since Edie is vulnerable, I feel comfortable telling it. I think you have been lucky with Ron for all these years. I wanted nothing more than to have a meaningful relationship and a family. It still hurts to admit it, but this time, there is a beginning of acceptance in my tone.

"Oh, you poor, poor soul!" Edie exclaims sympathetically to AM's story. "It's dreadful what people can do to one another, isn't it?" She gives AM a hug whether she likes it or not.

"We find our strength with others, whether that's family, or friends, or neighbors." She puts her arm around AM's shoulders (or tries to, as AM is now quite a bit taller than she was before) in a show of solidarity.

~~~

Hanging out with Bao a bit, it is confirmed that she does have a husband, whose name is Jason. Jason is from Taiwan and plays golf and tennis too. They're a young, athletic, and attractive couple that are rising in the corporate world. Together they have a young daughter, Lily, just a year old or so. If Bao is out golfing or running or playing tennis, it generally means that Jason is with their daughter, and vice versa. Lily is a cute little dumpling with a huge head of rich, black hair for a young child. The hair is also shockingly soft and luxurious. Bao says the secret is to shave the baby's head right when they're born, and the hair that regrows will be much finer than it would have been otherwise.

Lily is fascinated with Rachel. Lily's eyes follow Rachel whenever she's nearby.

~~~

Bobby goes to check on the squatters. Life is hard, as it always is in the alleyways, but the coming of spring makes this a little more manageable. The rain is still a concern, but at least April is no longer freezing cold outside.

"Does increase the ghoul attacks," admits Agnes, the older lady. "In the winter, they just scavenge the ones who freeze to death. Cleans up the streets, keeps the attacks on the living down, everyone wins. But in the spring, they start to hunt again."

Rachel greets Bao's family in Mandarin. Not a native speaker by any means, but she is reasonably fluent. She does not remember, where she learned that, but she does know that Mandarin is also the main language spoken in Taiwan.

"Look at that little cutie. No wonder you look this good with those parents. You two must be very proud of your daughter! And rightfully so." She moves around a bit, as the little girl's eyes follow her every step. "She likes me, too, see?"

When they talk about sports, Rachel says: "I am still absolutely terrible at golf. I basically just started, but I will get there. Practice, practice, practice, right?"

Bao and Jason are pleased to hear Rachel speak Mandarin. Jason also speaks Cantonese because the Canton Confederation is directly across the water from Taiwan.

"Same!" Bao says excitedly when Rachel tells her she starting to golf. "I just picked it up in the last month! I wanted to know what Jason was doing with his weekends..."

"The execs like to golf," Jason says. "I think it's silly, but it's how you get face time with the big wigs."

"I like the skirts," Bao says with a mischievous glint in her eye. "I buy a new one each time I go."

Jason rolls his eyes but smiles lovingly.

"Yeah, I have seen that a bunch of the players fit that type. I guess, it's just the kind of activity these folks like. But it's always cool to see some younger players in the club as well. Otherwise, I tend to feel a little out of place there. As for the skirts, definitely have to agree with Bao on that one. Sorry, Jason! But, at least they are not that expensive, right?" Rachel smirks.

Bobby had taken his exit through the back garden - flying as a crow to visit the squatters, he once again wore a pair of flats hidden under a simple illusion.

"Yeah, the feral ghouls are a problem. I could organize a bunch of tasers for you. Legal stuff, but packs enough punch to take a typical ghoul down. It's not much, but a whole lot better than nothing. Meanwhile, keep your eyes and ears open - now that my company has relocated, I no longer have as much direct contact to the streets as I used to. So any rumors and news are welcome - especially where the gang activities are concerned. Now that the Halloweeners are once again decimated.
I'll come by tomorrow again with a bunch of tasers and some ammo."

I naturally don't touch people unless I need to shake their hand or something. Though I can hug Edie, I lean down so she can hug me and return the hug. It feels strange but not unpleasant; I am just not used to it. "Do you have a family?" I ask Edie, perhaps trying to change the subject. I'm maybe a bit nervous that my mom will be joining me in Seattle next month, and there are many preparations to do.

"The ones I buy are expensive, tee hee," Bao says, not looking the least bit guilty about it.

"Hey, I put a lot of work into these legs! I deserve to show them off! And if it's good for our careers?" She shrugs innocently. It turns out that Bao is in Finance and Jason is in Sales.

~~~

Edie shakes her head sadly. "No, my parents are gone. Ron and I never had children. Well, he had one from his first marriage, but she doesn't come around anymore now that he's gone.

"I guess that's why I spend so much time mothering the neighborhood!" she says bravely, seemingly oblivious to her real reputation as a noisy nag.

~~~

The squatters look skeptical about tazers.

"Don't you have to be, like, real close?" asks Agnes. "Kinda too late at that point. I mean, maybe as a last resort, but you really should be running."

The squatters are up in Snohomish. The Halloweeners split their time between Downtown and Redmond, so the squatters don't know much about the gang or its culling.

"You should bring us Uzis!" another squatter suggested.

"Yeah, we could be a gang!" another agrees.

The first one mimes shooting in the air. "BRRRRT! I'll be the Pigeon King!"

They like this plan a lot better than the taser plan.

Bobby shook his head and counted down on his fingers:

"First: You guys hunker down in alleys, under bridges and abandoned buildings. Short sightlines and small engagement ranges. If they are too close to run away, they are close enough for a taser to the face.
Second: Small firearms pack less punch than those modern tasers. You'd need to hit two or three times to get the same stopping power - time that you don't have when engaging with a ghoul in close quarters
Third: Automatic weapons require permits that you certainly won't get. Tasers are completely unregulated. If you are picked up by KE you don't want to have an illegal weapon on you.
Fourth: Beside stopping power, tasers circumvent most over the counter armor and even work to some degree against materialized spirits. They also slow down whoever they hit.
Fifth: You are all untrained and hang around in groups. Handing out automatic weapons is a sure fire way to get a serious friendly fire accident.
Sixth:..."
At that his middle finger came up again: "...I'm not a weapons dealer, so frag off with that bulldreck. I'll be back tomorrow with the tasers."

I consider a brief moment to tell Edie about my mother, but I am uncertain; I want more vulnerability. So I nod sympathetically. "That you do..." I say with a hint of a smile. I want to speak with Shir about running, but well... as Bobby broke into her apartment and I live with him I think better of it. "I have had enough politics, do you want herbal tea?" I ask Edie, on my way out home.

The squatters blow raspberries at Bobby.

"Man, you're just like the rest," says the first, waving him away.

"Yeah, always telling us what's best for us," agrees the second.

"Coming in here, lecturing us on how to live."

"You're just The Man, man!"

"Unless you're out here with us 24/7, you wouldn't understand."

"Nah, man."

They wander off, waving for Bobby to go away and leave them be. Agnes seems interested in a taser though.

~~~

"Oh!" Edit exclaims, surprised by the invitation.

"I don't know anything about herbal teas. You'll have to teach me! Do you have anything extra we can add to it?" Edie giggles mischeviously.

"Come, I'll show you," I say and grab her hand. I give her a small tour of our hydroponic farm with youthful glee. We grow all our veggies here, . I automate most of the process, but nothing like fresh produce exists. " I cut leaves for tea, Mint and Lemongrass, and Aloysia and serve them with cookies. I make the mixture, let it sit in the hot water, and pour us glasses. " There is sugar if you like, and we can add Eral grey if you need a stronger taste." I hold the steaming glass and enjoy the steam as I sip the cup of tea. Perhaps the best thing I learned in magic education - well aside for well - magic. Who would have thought that with all the addictive mind-altering drugs, I'd stick with herbal tea?

I make small talk but do not get into more personal things. I don't normally speak much about my past and feel exposed enough.

Edie intently studies the interior of the house, vacuuming up all the details to store away in her memory.

Edie makes a bit of a face at the first sip of tea, then adds quite a bit of sugar. She seems content with the results.

AM tries to avoid personal topics but Edie will not be deterred. "So what's your relationship with Robert?" she asks quietly so that nobody can overhear. "You can tell me."

Bobby is family. I smile, thinking about all he has done for me. Do you like cats?

Bobby sighed and turned to Agnes: "Are they always so enthusiastic to alienate anyone trying to help? I'll come by tomorrow and bring you the gear.
I'll add some laser sights and some extra ammo so you can train."

"We're all flawed," Agnes answers Bobby. "You don't get to be where we are without making some bad life decisions along the way. It's not just bad luck."

She nods to the two men leaving.

"They still have their pride. They use it as a life preserver, to keep themselves afloat in the storm. If that means biting the hand that feeds them, they will.

"Me? I've got no pride. It's a luxury I can't afford. If some of the tender-hearted souls want to pass out a sack lunch so they can go to sleep in their Bellevue mansions and feel good about themselves... well then that's just fine by me.

"But don't you be a tourist, neh? A bungee boss who bounces in, orders us all around, then bounces out. Be better than that."

"You cannot ever have enough nice outfits, am I right? Well, to be honest, I only got one set at the moment. Maybe I should get at least a second one, for some change. It is a pretty fun sport, though, and I also like that you are outside in nature. We are so blessed, that we can live in a nice neighborhood, where you do not just see old concrete walls all around."

Bobby shrugged: "I'm not your boss - if you want automatics, I'm not stopping you from getting them. I'm not handing out charity either. I'm investing in you guys as a private detective. You have my commlink number - and a commlink. I support you, you support me. If your friends prefer to not do that, I won't bother them - simple as that."

"They'll probably help," Agnes tells Bobby. "It's just that they need a bit more diplomacy." She looks at him, skeptical if Bobby can provide that.

~~~

When AM asks if Edie likes cats, she gets weepy again.

"Oh, I'm sorry, it's not your fault," she says. "It's just that Ron had a tabby cat named Abbey. A silly thing that would lay outside in the rain, or flop over in the middle of the street when a car was coming. But Ron was so devoted to her..."

She dabs her eyes with a tissue and collects herself. "I suppose I married into cats," she concludes.

~~~

Bao and Jason seem to agree that life is pretty good. They do seem to have a certain bubble around them and they are somewhat ignorant about what goes on outside of it. If it isn't related to work, or Lily, or golf/tennis then they don't pay it much mind. The plight of metahumanity in the Sixth World? Let them eat cake.

I spot Trouble eying us suspiciously and send happy thoughts their way. I never decided if spirits have genders; many seem to have, but what does it mean if they are not biological like us? Trouble has my entire memory, so females seem natural. I also see him as an embodiment of Iktomi, which I picture as male. Well... if I am the mother, then Iktomi is... I should decide if I want to give the cat spirit human form. A form that would allow for more accessible communication with metahumans after I am gone.

Edie's grief touches me, and I nod with sympathy. "Well, it is going to be similar if anyone ever marries me..." I say. It all looks pretty fresh with Ron; how long ago did it happen? I inquire politely.

"Diplomacy isn't my strong suite - loyalty is. I'll be back with the gear."

Bobby headed down to Weapons World to spend some hard earned cash on legal self defense gear. He made sure that each packet was contained in a small, seal-able plastic container, to keep it safe from bad weather.

About two hours later, he returned, handing Agnes the equipment and showing her with his own, personal taser, how to handle the weapon:

"... and no matter what happens, don't touch the wires once you shot. Eject them and fire again. Tell me if you need more ammo, but don't waste it either."

"Good," Agnes says of the taser with an approving look, "I got a feud with a devil rat that I'm squaring to settle. Only thing I hate more than a mean rooster is a uppity devil rat."

She doesn't take much instruction; the taser seems to come naturally to her.

"Grew up on a farm, I did," Agnes nods. "Right here in Snohomish. Could peg a squirrel out of a tree at a hundred paces before I turned 8. Adult paces too, mind you, not those of a child. Pa got me a shotgun for my sweet 16. I like those. I like the weight of them. They feel substantial. Comforting. And if you run out of ammo, you hit 'em with the stock!"

~~~

"Oh it was last year," Edie explains. "Or is it two now? It feels so remote and so fresh at the same time. Like I can remember it as if it were yesterday, but it feels like a lifetime ago..." She trails off, turning to her herbal tea for comfort.

"It was my first marriage but his second. Twenty years... wish it had been thirty."

I am so sorry, Edie... You must be very lonely. I say softly.

Bobby refrained from asking how she had ended on the street - losing a farm wasn't an uncommon occurrence.

"Take care then, I'll drop by in a few days." With that, Bobby went away, stopping by the office to check in on things as well as on Cutty an getting a bit of a workout in.

@AM
"That's why I pour all my heart into the neighborhood!" Edie tells AM. "You're the family I choose!

"I pour my heart and soul into the Highlands! And I don't know if anyone appreciates it. Everyone's so busy with their jobs or their golf or their kids." AM notes a little extra acidity on that last part. "They just come home and think that everything takes care of itself. Well it doesn't. I take care of it."

AM can tell that Edie is fishing for a compliment, or at least validation.

~~~

@Raven
"So what's your job like?" Bao asks Rachel. "What do you do all day? Is it exciting?"

~~~

@Bobby
Bobby goes to Cutty's. When he arrives, Cutty is working with some street kids. They're younger, maybe 8 or 10 years old. They stand near some heavy punching bags while Cutty demonstrates proper technique for jabs, hooks, and uppercuts. He also emphasizes head movement and footwork. Cutty gets down on one knee so he can show the kids things at their level. Bobby notes a high degree of care and patience; Cutty never gets frustrated and continues to pour time and energy into even the least athletic kids. Cutty seems to be a natural teacher.

Bobby fits in a workout while Cutty watches over the kids. When the kids are done and everyone is sweaty and tired, Cutty gives them a gift: little 250ml cartons of milk. Cutty even has a small carton of soy milk for the child who is lactose intolerant. It's a rare luxury in Redmond - you'd be hard-pressed to find milk sold anywhere within Redmond's borders, so it must have come from somewhere else - and the kids are quite excited. Cutty has them drink the milk before they leave. They're welcome to wash up in the bathrooms if they don't have running water at home.

Cutty approaches Bobby when it's done.

"Post-workout nutrition," he explains about the milk. "It'll get them about half their daily protein needs. Eh, maybe less than half for the orks and trolls. Plus it encourages them to keep coming back. If that's the price of keeping them off the streets, then it's a bargain."