[foxglove]

I’m good with moving forward with something. Now that Haydee has been introduced, I don’t have any other major plans for the “party takes a walk” scene.

[foxglove]

I see that Al has a pretty good read on Ilario’s proclivities XD

[foxglove]

At the questions about her age an mortality, Haydee gave the others a bright, little grin. She took another couple steps forward toward the group, but then stopped and stiffened when she felt that edge of the magical black hole. She didn’t flicker or fritz, her form staying as solid as a normal human body would, but her eyes narrowed and flicked over those before her until they landed on the source. Her lips twitched up into a snarl that would have bared fangs if she’d had them, and she let out a snake-like hiss, her blue eyes flashing red for a brief moment.

A gloved hand on her shoulder brought her out of her staredown, and she looked up at the elf beside her. “That’s quite enough, darling.” Ilario’s voice was soft and his lips were pulled up in a smile, but there was something about the way it didn’t quite reach his eyes and something in his tone that sent warning prickles up the girl’s spine and over her neck, “Mr. Shrike is a friend on this little quest of ours.”

Haydee forced herself to relax, slightly, though her back was still straight as a board as she made another, smaller curtsy to the man, and her voice was strained in the way of someone forcing the niceties, “My apologies, Sir Shrike.” And with that, the girl spun on the ball of her foot and began walking in the direction the group had been going previously.

With her back turned, Ilario gave the others an apologetic smile and a hopeless shrug before continuing to move along.

An interesting trip, this should be, indeed.

#24-12

[foxglove]

By the time Calista and Colibri had been ushered to their seats, Ryoko and Foxglove had arrived. Her new Draco had been given a gunmetal grey makeover, streaked up the middle by two, pitch black racing stripes and accented here and there with chrome to match the two women’s outfits and jewelry.

Fox was the first one out, coming around the side to open the door for the tiny decker who swung her legs out and stood with the grace of the well-practiced. Her steel gaze regarded the crowd with the haughtiness of the High Class before stepping away from the vehicle to allow her escort to close the door. With that done and the keys passed to the valet, she slid her hand into the crook of the arm proffered by the gillette and allowed herself to be led to the door.

While these two were also strangers to this part of society and therefore garnered attention, it was of a rather different sort. Photos were taken, certainly, but otherwise the two dark women with the soulless stares were given a wide berth for fear of what might happen to anyone stupid enough to get in their way.

Likewise, it was with many apologies for any waiting or inconvenience that they were ushered by some poor bastard to their own, orchestra seats. Once they were seated and were certain they did not need anything, the little man scurried off before the two decided to change their minds about keeping him alive. When he was out of sight, the two couldn’t help but exchange an amused smirk and a snicker.

While Ryoko settled to get comfortable, Foxglove turned her gaze upward, quickly spotting the other two in their little band. That was all she needed to know, and so turned her attention back to the stage as the House lights flickered, then dimmed, then went out and the curtain rose. The performance began and, as the two had discussed on the drive over, Ryoko began subvocally feeding Foxglove information about each piece played and the instruments used in case anyone decided to ask her about it during the gala. It wasn’t her favorite form of music, but Fox was able to appreciate it all the same, particularly the skill and timing that was involved in it all. By the end, the two were standing with the rest of the audience in applause, and even they were smiling with the delight of the experience.

When people began moving out, Fox and Ryoko moved with them, the elf looking back up to box five to catch Calista’s eye for a quick confirmation of their exit before once again offering her arm to the decker and heading out. Cali would certainly make her entrance, but not before Death and Famine could scope the place, first, and allow Ryoko her chance to get into the security system.

The Draco was brought around, and the two got in to make their way to the Opera House. “You sure you’re alright being so close to the action?” Foxglove asked, even though she was already pretty certain of the answer.

As expected, Ryoko gave a nod. “Yeah. I’m good.” Foxglove returned the gesture, saying no more on the subject. Usually, she would be skeptical or even a little opposed to bringing the decker in with them where the action might get heated, but Ryoko seemed to know how to handle herself. She was probably trained in one of those dreadful Japanese martial arts with the word “gentle” in the name, something like the “Gentle Art of Beheading”… or the “Gentle Art of Disemboweling Your Enemy and Strangling Him With His Own Intestines”…

#33-16

[foxglove]

Colibri scoffed, though it was more of an amused sound than anything else, “Of course I can drive stick. Don’t worry,” she added with a grin and taking the proffered keys, “I won’t scratch her.”

Foxglove came out of the bathroom after putting on the final touches, her suit similar to Colibri’s, but with a grey pocket square instead of red, and the matching horse-head lapel pin had a cloudy diamond in its eye. The most striking thing about her, however, was that she looked…normal. Her usually-purple skin had been covered by a synthskin, and her glowing pink hair had been colored grey, giving her the appearance of your run-of-the-mill elf. She nodded to the two other women, adjusting her cuff and looking rather uncomfortable. “I never thought looking normal would look so strange…” she muttered, her gunmetal grey eyes flicking to the grey lock of hair that hung in front of her face.

There was a sound behind her, and the gillette looked over her shoulder to see Ryoko striding over to join them. She wore a black, overbust corset dress, the satin skirt reaching her ankles, but with a single slit up the right side, revealing in flashes the ballet ribbons crisscrossing up to her mid thigh. Her shoulders were bare with the exception of two, wide, silver-colored necklaces, completed with a black choker around her neck, holding her own, onyx-eyed horsehead pendant. Her long, black hair was half up in a bun held in place by silver chopsticks, and her wrists were circled with silver-colored bracelets. “I’m ready.”

With the two standing side-by-side, it was an eerie sight. Both cybered within an inch of their lives, both women held the deadpan expression of one that was not amused. With the exception of Ryoko being human, the two Japanese chromejobs could have been sisters.

The four of them together, their coloring of white, red, black, and grey, essentially made up Pestilence, War, Famine, and Death of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. The decision had been made somewhat last-minute, but pull it off they had. Christine, they’d decided, represented Chaos (the Horseman that left before they got popular). She even came with a chariot.

#32-16

[foxglove]

Calista, Christine, and Foxglove
Late Afternoon, Thursday, December 23, 2077, Digitalis Motors at 214th and 109th, Puyallup

An incredulous eyebrow rose when Christine interjected in such a manner, but as she spoke, Foxglove leaned back to give the woman some speaking room.

Well, turned out Calista managed to get not just a free spirit, but a free spirit that knew her business. And quite well, it seemed.

She nodded when the spirit’s speech seemed to slow to a stop, for the moment. “Skylights are good. So, what you’re suggesting is that I watch until she heads off with one of those poor saps and follow them in? I suppose that could work, but there’s still too many variables for comfort.” Fox reached down and picked up a bottle of cider, for herself.

Instead of popping the cap with a bottle opener, or her thumb like Christine, she decided, in a rare moment of odd curiosity, that she wanted to show off a little. So, with the bottle in one hand, she held her other near the cap as if to twist it off. Instead, she waited for a moment when the spirit was looking her direction, slid out her arm blade just far enough to catch the edge of the cap, then a little more to pop it off before it slid back into its hidden sheath. All the while, the gillette’s eyes were on the other two as she listened to their discussion.

#31-15

[foxglove]

@Mercy Good luck!! I’m so glad to hear these threads have been helping, but like ByB said, let us know if there’s anything else we can do for you!

[foxglove]

Those eyebrows rose again, this time accompanied by a surprised blink. “A free spirit?” Foxglove looked over at Calista, then back to Christine before pulling up a chair of her own, flipping it around on one leg to mirror the steel spirit’s position.

Curiouser and curiouser.

When Calista spoke again, Foxglove’s attention was pulled back to her, considering her words. Then gave an amused smirk and snort at the price for Christine’s joining them, giving her best, flattest sarcasm in response, “Oh no. I have to work on a car? Whatever shall I do?”

She stood, easily flipping the chair back to where it had been and waving Christine over to the table. “I’m thinking the side entrance might be our best bet.”

#30-15

[foxglove]

Calista, Christine, and Foxglove
Late Afternoon, Thursday, December 23, 2077, Digitalis Motors at 214th and 109th, Puyallup

Foxglove nodded at Calista’s assessment, considering their options. “Colibri might have better luck than me with the talking, but unless she has hidden depths I’m not aware of I get the feeling she’d be more likely to offend than to convince. If you’re the main distraction, maybe she can knock out the ones in the path to the door while I carry her out unconscious. Ryoko could probably do something to the cameras to block out what’s happen-“ Fox looked up at the same time as Calista at the sound of the rumble and the movement of the Challenger pulling in, “-ing.” She completed with a frown.

She glanced at Cali, then looked back to the woman getting out of the car. The woman waved in a familiar manner, and Foxglove’s confusion deepened. Who the hell…?

The elf straightened, turning away from the table to face the oncoming cheerfulness, only to be presented with a hand to shake. She obliged, clasping the woman’s hand with a firm grip, and only when she introduced herself did recognition flood into Foxglove’s features. Ah, right, this must be the one Calista had called the night they left that apartment. She gave a nod and brief introduction of her own, “Foxglove.” Then the question about whether she knew what Christine was or not came up, and Fox’s eyebrows rose as she, too, glanced back at the Banshee. “So far she’s failed to mention anything about it,” she said, turning her attention back to the new girl, “then again, we’ve been a little preoccupied,” came the added comment, her head tilting down to indicate the table-map.

#29-14

[foxglove]

Ilario listened to the conversation with the expression of mild amusement and self-satisfaction that he usually held, but internally he was doing an interesting form of mental math. A vampire from another realm, two immortal elves, a….whatever-Shrike-was, and a very talented human as far as he could tell. And on top of it all, they all seemed to be sponsored either by a dragon or the Courts.

Interesting.

When the topic of relationship preferences came up, he gave a light shake of his head. “I don’t see why one wouldn’t have flings. If I were to speak honestly, I would have to say that I don’t see the logic in the more ‘long term’ bondings. The little mayflies will just die soon, anyway, so why get attached?”

He shrugged theatrically, then gave something of a wistful smile, “And that is why I have my beautiful darling…” there was a pause and a frown as his eyes darted around at the surrounding trees. “Where is that girl, anwyay?”

As if on cue, the next ridge they crested revealed a tiny slip of a human girl, who looked like she couldn’t be any older than 16, standing before a close gathering of trees. She was pale, short, and thin with the exception of her rather considerable bust and round buttocks, wearing a sort of corset dress with short, ruffled skirts and thick black boots and thigh-high stockings to match. The black flowers in her hair contrasted nicely with the deep red curls that framed her round face, made even more rounded by the angry pout she was wearing. Her arms were crossed, and her shoulders set as she glared at the foppish elf heading toward her.

The only thing that seemed out of place on the girl was the single rapier at her hip.

“There you are! How dare you drag me all the way out here without telling me where you would be?! Do you know how many bugs are out here? I’m being eaten alive!”

“Haydee! My dulcet darling!” Ilario cooed in a sing-song voice, heading down to her with arms spread wide. The girl gave a ‘harrumph!’ and turned her head away in a snooting fashion, but couldn’t keep it up. It quickly melted away and she gave in to the elf’s embrace.

“Edmond! It’s been so long, why didn’t you call me sooner?” She said after the embrace had been broken, looking up at him with large, watery, blue eyes, and her crimson lower lip began to quiver.

“Ah, it’s ‘Ilario Dionisio’, this century, darling. Come, I would like you to meet my new associates!” Ilario’s hand swept out to indicate the group, and the side-step of her question seemed to work since her gaze was then turned to them. “Alessandra, a good friend of mine, Al Guthrie, Mr. Shrike, and the recently-joined Ms. Sian. We will be joining them on this little venture!”

The girl smiled sweetly and stepped forward toward the group, looking each in the eye before giving a curtsy, thin fingers lightly gripping the sides of her skirts as she did so, though, since the ruffles held them out from her hips well enough, she didn’t have to move them far. “A pleasure to meet all of you. My name is Haydee.”

#23-11

[foxglove]

Calista and Foxglove
Night, Tuesday, December 21, 2077, Digitalis Motors at 214th and 109th, Puyallup

Foxglove gave a small smile with Calista’s last bit of description about Robyn, “I look forward to meeting her.”

When mention was made of an idea, she drained the rest of her beer and leaned forward to listen. Then she smirked as she began to see where this idea of Cali’s was going. “Meanwhile, I make off with our target.” She thought about it for a moment, and nodded, “Yeah, I think that can work. Though, we might want to consider calling in Colibri or someone else to be a third, even if they’re just outside keeping the engine warm or keeping overwatch.”

She stood, going over to the minifridge that was on the upper level with them and checking it. Sure enough, it was stocked, and Fox grabbed two more beers to bring back to the table.

There was a small thrill and an odd satisfaction in being able to be even more like the two, tridshow brothers. Talking and planning over beers and take-out food. The elf shook her head and gave a huff at her own thoughts…she’d never considered herself a “fan girl” before, but she imagined that this was what it felt like.

Yes, she would have to protect this, and part of her deeply hoped that this new thing with Calista being able to eat and drink normally was here to stay, as well.

#28-14

[foxglove]

Calista and Foxglove
Night, Tuesday, December 21, 2077, Digitalis Motors at 214th and 109th, Puyallup

Foxglove considered the story, deciding then that they weren’t quite so different, Calista and her. They had both seen horror, albeit different kinds, they had both lost people along the way, and yet they both pushed onward. While Fox’s emotions were mostly kept in check by the massive amounts of chrome and wires that had stripped away a goodly chunk of her soul (with the exception of reacting to incredibly generous acts, apparently), and Calista had the chance to regain the one she had lost, they were both broken, lost, and alone.

Well, they had been alone.

Now, they had each other, and Foxglove made a silent vow, right then and there, that she would do anything to protect her friend…no, her family. She had been on the fence about going to that concert, but now she was determined to get them both in there, even if it meant Calista’s possible reactions made them miss their opportunity to nab their target. She doubted that would happen, but if it did it didn’t matter; they would have other chances.

“She sounds like a very special woman,” Foxglove said with all honesty. She paused, reassuring herself of her decision, and then nodded before speaking, “We’ll go to that concert, and we will get your songbird back again.”

#27-13

[foxglove]

Foxglove listened silently, though continued to munch on the food before her. Not necessarily because she was still hungry, but more because it was there and because it was something to do to keep her move-by-wire tremors at bay.

When Calista faltered and curled, she had reached out a hand to attempt a comforting squeeze to her friend’s hand or arm, but then the girl gave the signal not to, so she lifted it away with a single, slow nod. “Take your time. It’s alright,” she said instead. As she drew her hand back, she grabbed the box of fried rice and set in on that while she waited for Calista to gather herself again.

Thankfully, patience was one of the things the gillette had in droves.

#26-13

[foxglove]

Foxglove smiled in amusement when Calista burped, and seeing her reaction to it. It was…good to see her friend being able to revel in something so human, so normal. And for Fox, sharing a meal like this was something she hadn’t realized she’d missed.

Calista’s inability to eat meals with her had been a little strange, at first, but that was because the Banshee didn’t “eat,” not because of some desire to dine together. But doing this…it reminded her of the occasional happy moments when she was a child, eating dinner with her foster parents on that godsforsaken island in Japan. Of scarfing down rations out in the field with her unit after a particularly hard day, the joking and banter that kept them from going completely off the rails. She hadn’t known that she missed this.

She hadn’t known that she wanted this.

‘Runners couldn’t have a normal life. Some people dabbled in it, but get deep enough into the Shadows and there was no turning back. Foxglove had spent so long in those deep shadows that she had unintentionally taken a rather Buddhist approach to life in the way that she kept as few attachments as possible.

What strange sorceries, they were, that this girl wove that made her want that life again…after all this time.

“Family…” Foxglove mused with a smile, and then a nod, “yeah. I like that.” Silver eyes looked up at Calista, and the elf’s head tilted slightly with curiosity, “And I would like to hear more about Robyn, if you’re willing to tell. I’m curious what kind of woman would get my sister in such a tizzy.” She smirked, “You say you won’t go running off, but I don’t think you can deny wanting to.”

#25-12

[foxglove]

Foxglove nodded emphatically to the suggestion that they ask a specialist about whatever was happening. This sort of thing simply didn’t happen. She wasn’t exactly an expert on Infected, but she knew enough that someone that was infected didn’t just suddenly regain the ability to consume normally.

But hell, the girl might as well enjoy it while she had it, right?

She took the bite that had been lingering on her chopsticks, then set the box of broccoli beef down on Calista’s side of the table. Fox then cracked both beers, and set one of them next to the box before taking a swig of her own and grabbing some of the chicken with a snort at the monster comment. “I think the chicken would disagree.”

Watching Calista, Foxglove chewed and thought. After washing that bite down with another drink from her bottle, she gave a decisive nod. “I think I have someone better suited to finding an expert. Ryoko might be able to locate them for us, but I know a guy who’s tied in to the medical side of things. He helped repair my ‘ware and even installed an upgrade or two during my time in Germany. She used the points of the chopsticks to tap at the corner of her eye, “He runs his shop at night, since he caters mostly to ‘runners, so most wouldn’t suspect that he was Infected. He’ll probably have a good idea who we can talk to.”

#24-12

[foxglove]

She nodded, giving the girl a light smile, “I’m glad you’re doing better. Had me worried for a bit.”

Foxglove shook her head with the mention of the supercharger, defeated. The girl just wouldn’t stop with the presents, would she? Once again, Fox had the thought that she didn’t think she’d ever get used to it, but now she was even more determined to try.

Or, at least, to not go crying every damn time.

Gods that was embarrassing.

“That doesn’t sound normal,” she noted, gathering up another bunch of beef and a broccoli stalk. She glanced up to see Calista grabbing at one of the orange chicken tidbits with chopsticks and popping it into her mouth. At first, Foxglove’s mind didn’t think twice about it; it was a person eating food. It wasn’t until her own food was an inch away from her lips that realization hit, and everything she was doing froze as she stared at her friend.

Calista didn’t eat food.

In fact, she couldn’t

Fox watched in mild horror, surprise, and anticipation as the girl chewed, swallowed, and didn’t vomit it back up. Finally, Calista spoke, and Foxglove’s trance was broken by the girl’s own surprised exclamation. “How the frag?“

#23-11

[foxglove]

Foxglove had spent a little more time learning her way around the streets before heading back to the Garage. With the sign lit up, it really was hard to miss.

She flipped the Draco around and pulled in backwards so that the nose of the vehicle would be pointed outward and ready to go at a moment’s notice. That wicked grin was turned up to face Calista as she spoke to her, giving a snort at the joking reprimand, “Then someone should teach them how to choose their battles.” After the new car was secured, she moved the Phoenix inside, as well, to sit next to Calista’s Mitsubishi, and made sure to close and lock the garage doors. The welcoming outside lights were turned off, as they were currently closed for business, and the go-bags and duffles were brought out of The Impala.

When she got upstairs to the sleeping loft, Foxglove found Calista looking much better, and had even thought to get her food. Though, there seemed to be more of everything than the elf really needed for just herself. Leftovers, maybe? Wait, two beers…

She set down the bags, looking at Calista and the spread before her with curiosity, before taking a seat at the table. She was also curious about these ideas the girl had, but for now food was the priority; Foxglove was starving. She nodded in agreement that the conversation would be better after food, and reached for a set of chopsticks and the broccoli beef. “Like a dream,” she said, responding to the question as she gathered up several pieces of the Chinese food with the bamboo sticks. “Absolutely beautiful. Though, I’m already getting the itch to tinker with it.”

Fox considered asking Calista how she was holding up, but feared it might bring everything flooding back again, and the girl really didn’t need that, right now. Maybe she would in a moment. For now, it was food, cars, and beer.

#22-11

[foxglove]

Foxglove
Late Evening, Tuesday, December 21, 2077, Digitalis Motors at 214th and 109th, Puyallup

Foxglove’s heart was racing as she tore through the streets of Puyallup. The Draco was wonderful! Smooth as a dream and much more maneuverable than The Impala. At the same time that she was learning the vehicle’s little quirks, she was learning the lay of the land, keeping track of shops, possible problem gangers, as well as possible ally gangers.

Eventually, she hit a red light, and she allowed herself a moment’s rest.

That was not meant to last, however, as some punk in a Hyundai Shin-hyung pulled up next to her, his music blaring loud enough that she could make out the words even with the thing’s window’s up. Little Drekhead even had a pink mohawk, for slot’s sake.

Mohawk sneered at her, gave an upward nod, and revved his engine.

Foxglove smirked. The punk’s engine might have sounded impressive if it was among other ricers, or sitting there all on its own, but this time he was sitting next to Fox. The Hyundai’s screaming whine of a challenge was answered, and therefore drowned out, buy the bestial snarl of the Draco. The elf got the satisfaction of watching Mohawk’s sneer drop away just before the light turned green, and the two took off with screeching, smoking tires, Foxglove flying through the gears and easily leaving the punk in her dust.

#21-10

[foxglove]

Calista and Foxglove
Late Evening, Tuesday, December 21, 2077, Digitalis Motors at 214th and 109th, Puyallup

Fox gave a huff of a chuckle at Calista’s words. All things considered, the two of them really hadn’t known each other for very long, but with all the time spent together during the trip, the side jobs, and the run where they helped KillAssist break from their gilded cage, they’d gotten to know each other quite well. The Banshee was right, of course, and Fox knew to leave the girl alone when she needed to be.

“You’re right. Way too mushy. Go,” she added, flicking her head toward the inner-most area of the new garage, “I’ll be back.” She gave her friend a firm pat on her shoulder, apparently not realizing she’d inadvertently quoted another old flatvid or how fitting it was, considering all the chrome she sported.

She waited until Calista was just about out of sight before turning to fully admire the beauty of the new car. The elf made a slow circuit around it, gently running her fingers over the lines and curves with the lightest of smiles on her face. Foxglove opened the door when her path brought her back to the driver’s side, sat down, closed the door, and took in a deep breath through her nose. She let the scent wash over her; that smell of new plastic and synthleather, of oil and exhaust, and that very particular smell that the fabric of new seats always has. It was wonderful.

Fox then reached out to grip the steering wheel, wringing it with her hands enough to make the synthleather wheel cover squeak before checking everything else over, learning where everything was. Once that was done, she was ready to start her up.

It was only then that she realized she didn’t have the keys.

Foxglove paused, wondering if Calista had simply forgotten about them in that horrible mess of a state the two of them had been in just moments before. Then a thought came to her: old trids. A hand reached up to the sun-visor that was folded against the roof of the car, pulled it down, and caught the falling keys with her other hand.

Of course.

She made quick work of finding the right one, placed it into the ignition, and sparked the beast to life. The sound was heaven, and she revved the engine a few times, just to hear her sing, before putting her into gear and taking off down the street.

#20-10

[foxglove]

After a moment, the trembling and crying stopped. It was then that she realized Calista was crying again, too. Her position shifted, their roles reversing as Foxglove became the one comforting. She’d never really been great at the whole thing, but Calista seemed just fine hanging on to her and crying into her shoulder, and now that her usual emotional calm had returned she was perfectly fine staying there as long as the Banshee needed.

When the sobbing finally subsided and Calista’s grip slackened, Foxglove pulled away to arm’s length, her hands on the girl’s shoulders. She made sure to catch the vampire’s gaze with her own and willed her expression into one as earnest as she could muster. “Thank you, Calista. I love it.”

Her hands moved away, lowering back to her sides, and she looked around. “So. How about that ten-nuyen tour?”

#19-9