Marseilles Madness IC
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Marseilles Madness IC
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Monday, March 22, 2077; 08:43
Autocab to Orly, Paris; BakuBaku follows the lady’s lead again, and gets comfortable on the seat next to her without bothering to dress. He is momentarily distracted as the thought of where his clothes are, and are they getting wrinkled, barges into his consciousness. But he chases it off by letting his eyes glide over her body while wistfully wanting his body to be willing some more. Then she finishes her second pitch.
“Do you tempt me?!??” Baku bursts out into a deep, belly laugh that brings tears to his eyes. If the lovely creature sharing the cab with him is concerned he is laughing at her, he can’t tell through his tear blurred vision. “Do you tempt me?” Baku wipes the tears from his eyes. “Chérie, I have put serious consideration to just not showing up to my job no less than two dozen times since you entered this cab with me. Do you tempt me…” He smiles at her with an honest, full facial, smile with twinkling in his eyes. “I’m afraid you tempt me more than the Sun tempts the flowers to bloom.”
She gets a rather pleased-with-herself look on her face and sits back as if she was the cat pondering what to do with the mouse she was looking at.
He wonders if this is a rare offer of hers. And if he should feel honored. But then he remembers how she has shown him what a fool he is for ever thinking he has her figured out, so he dismisses the thought.
He sits back and appears thoughtful. He allows himself to dream about what the future might hold. He and this woman doing the work of investigators by day, and fucking into oblivion at night. The fact his daydream leaves no time for sleep is lost to him.
“We would need to come up with a reason for you to be with me as I work. The easiest, and most obvious, would be secretary or assistant.” He turns to her and she wrinkles up her nose and shakes her head in objection as he continues to speak. “But you are not the sort to put up with that on a long term basis, I see.” He nods slightly to acknowledge his mistake.
”There is employee then, but that is just another way to say assistant… How do you feel about, do you think you would like to, and do you believe it will interest you enough…” He pauses and looks her in the eyes to add a little drama to his pitch. “To be a partner to a Private Investigator?”
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Baku – Monday, March 22, 2077, 0843, Autocab to Orly, Paris
The girl bows her head and is blushing when she looks back up. “I do not understand the difference between partner and assistant, but I can help you. You should know that I am uneducated and can barely read or write, so printed words get all jumbled up for me. I have other skills, though, that are useful.”
She stops talking for a few moments, thinking again. “Where is the job and what do you mean by long term basis? And I should know your name, I think. Mine is Iliena, Iliena Czeszcu.”
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Monday, March 22, 2077; 08:44
Autocab to Orly, Paris; BakuBaku waves off Iliena’s declaration of a lack of education. When she pauses, he interjects an explanation. “A partner is an equal. You wouldn’t appear on any of the documentation, at least for some time due to… Legal difficulties. But otherwise you would have a hand in the day to day operations and input in the jobs we do – or don’t. Your education will barely slow us down. And if you should be wanting to change that, we can get you the training you desire.”
He was going to say more at this point, but stops abruptly when Iliena posses her questions.
He takes a few moments to practice mouthing her name. “Iliena, Iliena Czeszcu. A very intriguing name. Not half as intriguing as the woman who wears it though.” Baku smiles to her before continuing. “I am certain you have guessed, but I wear many names. For this job, and wearing this form that I believe you have seen through,” he indicates himself “in any formal settings, including out in public, you should call me Dominik. Dominik Ripnu. On informal occasions, you can call me simply Baku.”
“The job is in Marseilles, and by long term basis, I mean when ever we are working together. The story we present to clients needs to be consistent. If you are a secretary one month, we can’t turn around and call you a partner the next.” Baku pauses a moment, clearly chewing on a thought. He continues quickly enough that Iliena couldn’t form a thought about it and interrupt his train of thought.
“I fear I might have overstepped my boundaries. I had thought this would be an on going arrangement. However, your questions have me thinking you had not considered continuing this relationship beyond this job.” His enthusiasm has clearly deflated, but there is no sign of being hurt or disappointed. “My deepest apologies,” he says giving her as low a bow as can be done while sitting naked in the back of an autocab.
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Baku – Monday, March 22, 2077, 0845, Autocab to Orly, Paris
Iliena puts a hand on your thigh, stroking it gently as she talks. “No one has ever wanted me to be part of an ongoing arrangement before. Is that really what you are asking? You do not have to lie to me. I would understand if you were only interested in the sex during your breaks in the next job.” She moves her hand to your limp member and strokes it, bringing a tingle of life back to it, but probably not enough to take full advantage of yet. “Oh, look, there is a spark of life left in him. I should let this monster rest a bit more, though, eh?”
She doesn’t move her hand away, but stops the stroking as she looks back up to your face. “So, as partners, does that mean we share the costs and profits equally? If so, I guess that means you get the sex for free after this, but can I get the two hundred I earned this morning?” She motions to her naked body and the small pile of clothes on the floor. “What you see is all I have. I should buy some clothing and I will need to clean up a bit. Speaking of which……………………..”
She slides down the seat so that her head is poised above your waist and lowers it to suck at you, licking you clean. When finishes, she looks back up at you with a grin. “He has awakened a bit more, but still not enough, I think.” She pats your slightly stiffened erection and sits up. Bending over, she reaches for her coat, pulling out a few tissues that she uses to clean herself. Laughing, she shakes her head. “You really made a mess here, Dominik. This will have to do for now, but I will really need to use the bathroom when we get to the airport. Hmmmm, would you be able to advance your partner the cost of a ticket on the plane? It would be a business expense, would it not?”
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Monday, March 22, 2077; 08:46
Autocab to Orly, Paris; BakuAs penance for presuming Iliena would share her life with him for the rest of time, Baku just sits back and lets her get all of her thoughts out. He watches her intently, with the joy that being in her presence brings him obvious over every bit of his face. He is nearly brought to tears of joy as she licks him clean, and whimpers lightly at the enticement of the act.
When she appears to have gotten things off of her perfect chest, he places his arm around her shoulders and pulls her close to him. He kisses the top of her head before speaking.
“Chérie, no!” He mentally chastises himself for not honoring her by using the name she gave him. “Iliena. I will freely admit that I have not been forthright in telling you many details about my life. Something I believe you,” he gently touches the tip of her nose with a finger “are intimate with as well. I am afraid that is something that will not change in the near future. But I have been completely honest with you. And will continue to do so.” He sheepishly adds a heartbeat later, “As far as my obligations allow.”
Baku plays with strands of her hair with genuine interest. “You are a rare gem. One I have no intention of losing from my life completely. It would be a lie to tell you that every centimeter of my body does not desire you to be by my side, and in my bed, at all times. But I would be blessed if I could simply call you friend.” He does reach over and squeeze her breast with some force, but not at all harshly. “With some… gifts, as often as possible.” He smiles lustfully. She leans into him and rests against his chest.
He takes this time to practice his observational skills and memory to try and address her other points in order.
“As for partnership. Should it please you, and you agree, then yes we would share costs and profits equally. I fear we have a detailed, and perhaps boring, conversation about that in our future as we cover all details so that I won’t overstep again…” He winks at her. “But for now I will cover costs since this job was negotiated for me alone. Once you start receiving the money you earn, you will be as independent as is possible. And I would never dare to keep the money you earned from you. Of course you will get what I owe you today. Right now, if you have an account of some form I can transfer it to.”
Baku does lean his head back to rest against the seat back. His headache from the hotel finally returning, amplified by the unplanned exertion he recently had. He regrets nothing about it at all.
“As for the ticket, if I had the means I would buy you your own plane.” After Baku mentions the plane, he tenses up when a thought occurs to him. Iliena senses something is wrong, and asks “What is it?”
“My flight. It was arranged by my employer. It would not be appropriate for me to ask my employer to add another seat at this time. And I have no details about what it is. It could be a small personal plane. I do not believe it is a commercial flight.” Iliena can feel his muscles cycling between tightening and relaxing as the small battle forming in Baku’s brain radiates through his body. “I have no doubt we could get you aboard. But without knowing what the plane is, it could be dangerous. We will have to asses that when we get to the airport. It might not be so easy to bring you with me.”
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Baku – Monday, March 22, 2077, 0847, Autocab to Orly, Paris
Iliena smiles and puts a hand on your chest. “You are over thinking this, Dominik. I am on board until you decide you do not want me, which may come some day.” She shrugs her bare shoulders. “It has happened before. I would expect that you will tire of me at some point and then we will see if you still want me anyway. I do like the way you say that you want me now, though, and hope that it takes you a while to tire of me.”
She pauses and bends over to her coat again, pulling a comlink from a pocket and offering it. “You can slot the two hundred here, if you like, and I will use it to buy some clothes.”
When you get to the part about the ticket, she shrugs again. “It will work out if it is meant to. Fate has a way of stepping in with this sort of thing. Just think; I was just standing outside a hotel, wondering if my next client would walk out the door before I froze my tits off, and then you came out and here I am. Fate. I was reading my fortune just this morning before I went over there and I just knew it was where I should be. I can do your fortune when we have some time. I do cards, leaves, or palms.”
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Monday, March 22, 2077; 08:48
Autocab to Orly, Paris; BakuBaku lets out a slow breath, and then kisses Iliena on her forehead. “Fate you say? One of these days, you will have to introduce me to this Fate woman. I will need to thank her.” He relaxes completely again, and fishes through his jacket until he finds the case that stores his small electronic devices. He opens it up and slides out the standard credstick he had loaded earlier in the day. “Open up your transfer app, and turn the comm towards me.” When she does so, he attaches the credstick and sets up a transfer of two hundred and fifty nuyen and confirms it.
“You are very much correct. I tend to over think things. That is what I am good at, and why I am good at my job. You may also be right. One day I may grow tired of you. It is almost certain that one day we will grow apart. Change is the center of existence. But as long as you don’t betray my trust, I can’t imagine ever growing tired of you. We may go separate ways, find others that fulfill us better, but I can’t believe I will ever grow tired of you.”
He stretches, then picks up his Pulse Wave commlink to check the time. When he looks at the display, his eyes widen a bit but he recovers fairly quickly. He taps an icon and goes back to his electronics case and takes out one of his empty datachips. Which he proceeds to copy the recording he has taken of the autocab ride onto. He hands the datachip to Iliena.
“What is this?” She asks a touch suspiciously. “That is the recording I was making of our cab ride.” Iliena tilts her head in a manner that Baku takes as accusatory. “When we entered the cab, I wasn’t convinced that you wouldn’t drug me and rob me.” He looks apologetic. “I wanted evidence should I need to report a crime. The only crime on that ‘chip is against delicate sensibilities.”
He brings up the “Delete File” option box for the recording on his comm, and turns it to Iliena. He shows her the screen and says, ”Your decision what happens to the original.” He feels momentarily guilty when he remembers her statement of not having good reading skills, but trusts she can make out the difference between the color coded options.
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Baku – Monday, March 22, 2077, 0848, Autocab to Orly, Paris
Iliena squints a bit at the display then presses the save button. “What we did was not illegal and I think it was very well done. You may share that with whomever you please and maybe, just maybe, we can watch it together when we are old. I do not fault you wanting to be sure, but what makes you sure now that I will not rob you? I won’t, but how do you know?”
She does not wait for a response from you before she bends over to pick up her clothes, such as they are. It takes all of about a minute for her to get dressed. She notices your look of disappointment and smiles. “We are not far from Orly Main Terminal and should be dressed. I can promise you that I will get naked again as soon as we can do it and I will rock your world so much that you really might not want to get rid of me.”
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Lany- Monday, March 22, 2077, 00:30 Club Nior, Marseilles
Lany loved the moshpit. The music that was so loud it seemed to make the entire club vibrate, and the crowd lost in the intensity of the performance. She may have looked like a small child in the middle of the chaotic scene, but she was more than holding her own despite her lack of mass. Awakened Daze, an Astral Rock/Powernoize band, was directing the madness, jamming on their instruments with a speed that could only be possible thanks to the miracles of cyberware. Lany hoped it would never end.
Just then, Lany saw the icon for her burner comm pop up in her AR display. “Fuck” , was all she said, knowing it was a job. She quickly retreated from the moshpit and made a bee-line for the exit. Once she had gathered her personal effects from security, she began her walk towards the subway that would take her back to her apartment. As she started walking, she collected her appearance and opened up the call. The name was listed as Rhea Kynn, Lany didn’t know it, but figured it was likely about a job. <<“Good evening, Ms. Kynn. What can I do for you this fine night?”>> Lany said cheerfully, her face still aglow from the sheer joy she has just been experiencing.
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Monday, March 22, 2077; 08:49
Autocab to Orly, Paris; BakuBaku is about to retort Iliena’s playful banter, but before he could she is dressed. He has seen magic before. Of various types. But never has he witnessed magic that bends space and time like she just did. He is bewildered how she could get back into her clothes in such an awkward space. But she has a point. Play time is over.
Baku gathers his clothes and proceeds to put them on. But compared to Iliena’s display, he looks like an elephant trying to put on a 19th century wedding dress. He fights off his need to plan and counterplan every way to approach getting Iliena on the plane with him, by musing about his new companion.
“This woman.” He has no choice but to smile as he thinks of her. “When my ego fills my head, she pops the balloon. When I am manically dreaming about a future that may never arrive, she wakes me up. When I am about to start brooding, she lifts my head. If the Chinese are correct about Yin and Yang, this seems like convincing proof to me. The only people who could grow tired of that, are the ones whose self image is too fragile.”
Baku graciously accepts Iliena’s help, and with it has actually returned to an image of presentability by the time the cab arrives at the airport main terminal. As he gathers his bag and drone, he asks her “Have you got a clean ID to use?” She gives him a playful but stern glare. “Right. Right. Fate.” He winks at her and they enter the main terminal.
Baku looks around the terminal, at first ignoring the décor and instead assessing the layout and potential security measures that will hinder his plans. He switches from “normal” vision to spirit sight and back again as needed to get a quick overview. He then turns to Iliena, “Looks like the bathrooms are over there, and there are some shops here where you could get clothes. But I suspect you will not get as much quality for your money here. Should my work permit it, I could take you shopping when we get to Marseilles.” She snaps her head around to him with that playful but stern glare. “I am not to be a kept woman.”
Baku’s face is a mask of confusion and befuddlement. But then he spots his error. “Of course. You are capable, and welcome, to go shopping on your own. I was simply thinking I would do as I said and cover your costs until we work out our partnership.” He smiled easily as a show he was not hurt at all, and gave her a moderate bow. “My apologies.”
Now that he was taking in the terminal without planning approaches and exit strategies, it is a spacious and open industrial style. Like they converted a warehouse, and dressed it up to a crisp and clean look, but never tried to hide what it was. Baku could appreciate the open feeling it gave him, but wondered why they would leave so much wasted space. “I’ll be over there,” he points to a row of seats “when you have finished what you are doing. Should you need more money, come and find me.”
Iliena rolls her eyes at Baku’s comment and slips into the crowd so quickly that he can’t help but wonder if she was even ever really there or if she was a spirit.
With the distraction gone, his mind snaps back to formulating “the plan” and calculating the odds of success. Baku heads over to the Information Kiosk, and begins to navigate the menus. He first calls up an airport map to locate “Private Gate 2.” To his disappointment, he learns that they aren’t even in the right building. Turns out, airports are not limited to only one. The Kiosk helpfully informs him that there are shuttles, and of course taxis, to get him there and back. It doesn’t take the sting out of the fact that he blundered into a situation unprepared. “I meant to look up the map on the ‘trix on the cab ride here. 畜生“ He imagines Iliena standing next to him, and how she would react to his brooding. He calms down almost immediately.
“Right. It can’t be helped.” He says out loud to any who might be listening. Baku then returns his attention to the Kiosk menus and calls up any and all information he could about the plane that was his flight out of Orly. Or rather, he attempts to. He can’t seem to find anything on it, other than the scheduled departure time, and the reassurance that he – indeed – needs to take one of those helpful shuttles or cabs to the other building. “Another reminder of what happens when you fail to properly plan…” This time he snaps himself out of the foul mood that was brewing and heads over to the seats he told Iliena to find him.
Baku sits down and takes out his trodes and AR gloves. He connects the datachip that holds the audio recording left over from Miss Kynn’s call earlier to his main commlink, and syncs the ‘link up with the interface devices he just pulled out and puts them on. He then proceeds to get some of his overdue work done.
Baku starts with calling up an AR workspace with an editor on the left half, and a browser window with a media player underneath it on the right half. He plays back the recording and transcribes everything Miss Kynn told him about the job. When that is finished, he disconnects the datachip and returns it to his device case. He enters his first search term “Maitre Armand” in the browser while he works on redacting the transcription down to a very sanitized summary of what is known so far, what is required to find out, and what is expected of him. Needless to say, it doesn’t take long. He saves the transcription, and opens a second instance of the editor in the bottom half of this screen. Baku then starts listing his search terms in this new file.
He then commands the media player to resume the Russian tutorsoft, and verifies his subvocal mic is still working and synced. He then gets lost in the familiar and comfortable jungle that is his work.
Baku has lost track of time when Iliena returns. He almost gets absorbed in the thought that he might have actually felt her return before she announced it by pushing his shoulder roughly. But shakes it off as he saves his workspace and pauses all playback then minimizes the workspace. He blinks his eyes to clear away the images of his work as he takes in his companion. Iliena has managed what Baku considered impossible. She has taken what the poorly stocked and overpriced stores had available, and turned it into a stylish outfit. He smiles in admiration as he speaks to her in revered tones, “That… You… Look amazing. Did you really find all that here?”
Iliena beams as she explains her design to Baku. “This floral print top is actually a sun dress that was discounted due to someone spilling soykaf on the skirt part. I just tucked it into these suit pants that were on sale because the matching jacket walked off without them. The coat,” she adjusts the lapels of tan overcoat, “I actually had to pay full price for.” She pouts a little bit. “But this bag,” she holds up a newly acquired backpack probably holding her other clothes, “I liberated to make up for the extra I paid for the coat.”
Baku sits in stunned silence. If he could apply even half of her resolve and resourcefulness to his work, she would be one of the best investigators ever. He blinks his eyes, “Impressive. To do so much with so little…” He looks her over again. “It is not really my style, but if we are to look like professionals, I think it will do nicely.” Iliena has the rather pleased-with-herself look again as she lets him stare at her.
He shakes the porno trid images beginning to play out in his head away, and stammers out “Um. I. Uh. I have not-so-good news, and more not-so-good news. The not-so-good news is that we are in the wrong building. Our gate is in Annex C. The not-so-good news, on the other hand, is that I still don’t know what the details are on the flight. On the bright side, we do have plenty of time before takeoff, if you would like to have some lunch with me?” Iliena thinks a moment, then nods in agreement.
Monday, March 22, 2077; 09:43
Orly Airport, Annex C, Paris; Baku and IlienaAfter a pleasant meal and conversation, Baku and Iliena arrive outside the building that houses their departure gate. Iliena senses him tense up at facing the unknown inside the building. She fights the urge to shake her head and sigh, and instead runs her hand down his chest. It releases his tension immediately. “You are going to have to lighten up. At worst we can get to Marseilles on our own. This,” she indicates the building before them, “doesn’t matter. It is one moment in time. It doesn’t define you, or your work.”
Baku nods, and tries to adopt her easy going nature as his own. It doesn’t fit well, but it has a noticeable effect. He begins his overview sweep as they enter the building. Alternating between standard vision and spirit sight as needed to get a solid sense of what awaits them. Outside of Gate 2, there are three armed men standing guard. “This is far beyond what I was expecting…” Baku turns to his companion, “Should things get crazy, I should make sure you know I am a mage. I don’t yet know what you know about mages or not, so forgive me if I sound like I think you are stupid. But it isn’t like the trids. My abilities are less visual in nature. But some strange things can happen, so don’t get lost on the details and focus on keeping yourself safe.”
Iliena smiles, “Relax. They aren’t here to shoot just everyone. Don’t get stupid, and no matter what else, we will walk out of here unharmed.” Baku again tries to mimic her attitude, and heads towards the guards. “Excuse me, I am scheduled to be here for a flight leaving at eleven.” The middle guard, that must have some Dwarf blood in his family tree given his mass, approaches and the two that flank him clearly adjust their position to keep clear sight lines around him. “I. D.” rumbles from his chest.
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Baku – Monday, March 22, 2077, 0943, Orly Airport, Private Gate 2, Paris
You are aware that the two men staying back have moved so that they can cover their companion without him being in their firing zones should it come to a firefight. Their SMG are not trained on you in any sort of threatening manner, but their hands and alert stance certainly has you convinced that they could be in no time at all. The man who has approached you does not have his hands on his weapon, letting it hang free from its strap, but again the idea goes through your mind that he could probably remedy that situation pretty quickly. It also goes through your mind that these are not the sort of guards that you can joke with about such things as terrorists or bombs or…………….well, you get the point.
As you and Iliena hold out your ‘links with your IDs, she looks closely at the man’s name tag and begins talking in what you think is Russian, but the speed of her conversation is quite a bit more than your very basic knowledge can keep up with. You do, however, catch a few words here and there, which pleases you. Your copious memory is clearly working. The biggest problem is the speed of delivery. The man nods a few times and straightens before talking into the ‘link at his shoulder. After a short conversation by ‘link, he motions to a small waiting lounge and speaks in French, accented by his Russian. “Please wait in the lounge. Miss Garrett will be out to see to your needs in a few minutes.”
Iliena thanks him and takes your arm. “See, useful already. He told me that he had been told to expect just the one passenger but I told him that I was your partner and he is checking to see if there is an error. So, if this is a private plane, there may not be too much difficulty in getting me a seat, but if there is, I can always just go to Marseilles on my own and meet you somewhere.”
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Lany- Monday, March 22, 2077, 0535 Outside Club Nior, Marseilles
>>Good morning to you as well. I have a job for you if you are interested. It involves looking into a man in Marseilles that goes by the name Maitre Armand. My current information is that he is a small time mage who uses some minimal skill in summoning spirits to entertain at parties and clubs. Normally I could care less about such a man, but he has used a spirit to follow an aircraft I have an interest in. There is too much coincidence involved in this and I would like to know why this man is showing an interest in this particular aircraft. There is a better then even chance that he is selling his skills to someone else and I would like that information. I am contacting a good private investigator out of Paris to work with you on this as well as a local contact that may have information. Give me what you wish to have them use to contact you and I will pass that along. His flight from Paris leaves there at 1100 so he should be in Marseilles by early afternoon at the latest. I will pay you two thousand nuyen a day to drop what other things you are doing and to provide me with good, current information. I require that you follow up any additional leads you might gather from your investigation. Can you accept the task and do you have any questions at this time?<<
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[Margot Freneau – 08:50, Monday March 22nd, 2077 – Marseilles] #2
There is a pause “This a joke?” There’s a pause, but Margot starts talking again before Rhea can add anything “Sure I know of Maître Armand. Well, more of him. But… Wait, you’re talking about assets and legwork and all that, is that spy stuff? Aren’t you supposed to be working with Caroline on her expedition in South America?”
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Lany- Monday March 22, 2077, 00:40 Av de Saint-Julien, Marseilles
Lany forwarded her link info to Kynn. >>”2000 a day sounds compelling enough to me.”<< she replied with a grin. >>”But I do have a few questions. For starters, are we the only interested party here? Jobs like this that cross paths with similar jobs underway often lead to heated exchanges of bullets. Also, finding this mages motives for following your plane of interest may require certain levels of force, how far do you want it to go? And lastly, shall I wait until your P.I. gets in from Paris to begin my part of this investigation.”<<
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Margot Freneau – 08:50, Monday March 22nd, 2077 – Marseilles
There is a slight pause on the line. >>I do not joke about such things, Miss Freneau. This is related to what Caroline is doing. If you are interested in acting as the local contact for this mission, I need to know how you want my other two operatives to contact you. Location or comcode would be helpful. Please?<<
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Lany- Monday March 22, 2077, 0535 Av de Saint-Julien, Marseilles
>>I do not know if there are others on the track of this man. His summoned spirit was disrupted and whoever hired him may now try to tie up loose ends if they think we will try to find this man. Any use of force to accomplish the mission is authorized, but you should temper the decision to use that force with not only your own safety, but that of innocent people near you. It is unacceptable to inflict collateral damage in that way. I would like you and the PI to work together. I am contacting a local to act as liaison and guide. You will be given the means to contact her when that is set up.<<
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Monday, March 22, 2077; 09:44
Orly Airport, Private Gate 2, Paris; Baku and IlienaAs Iliena leads him away, Baku leans in to her to help ensure he isn’t overheard. “If it should be necessary, just explain that you returned unexpectedly early from another case. You said you speak German, perhaps in Hamburg? If anyone should press about details, claim client privilege. We do not discuss details without the express consent of the client.” Half a heartbeat later he adds, “Or, just wing it. That seems to be one of your many talents. I’d like to learn that skill, if I am capable of knowing it.”
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Baku – Monday, March 22, 2077, 0944, Orly Airport, Private Gate 2, Paris
Iliena nods and smiles at you. “Thank you for the compliment, Dominik. By the way, did you notice the ink on that man’s hand? On the top of his hand? Have you seen it before, because I have.”
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Lany- Monday, March 22, 2077, 05:40 Av de Saint-Julien Subway Station, Marseilles
Lany shot Kynn an indignant look, >>” Come now, Ms. Kynn. If you are calling me in on this job, I hope my reputation speaks better of me than to imply I’d shed innocent blood to protect my own arse.”<< Lany stated flatly, her Scottish brogue coming through. She had arrived at her subway station, and as she boarded the near empty subway car she continued, >>”I’ll keep an eye out for his previous employers; assets like this mage are often cashed out after performing their part of the job, especially if his employers are determined on maintaining secrecy. I’ll make the necessary preparations and be ready to meet your people later this morning to begin our investigation.”<<
Closing the call, Lany stared into the rushing shadows of the subway tunnel, quietly preparing herself for the challenges ahead.
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Lany- Monday, March 22, 2077, 0555 Av de Saint-Julien Subway Station, Marseilles
You car is indeed nearly empty as you board it. You see two women sitting apart from each other at the far end of the car and a young couple sitting very close together indeed about half way down. One of the women gives you a half smile and nods in your direction but the other just stares straight ahead as if not noticing anything. The couple seem lost in themselves and do not acknowledge your presence. The clacking of the car’s wheels on the track is the only sound you hear for a bit, but you do become aware of some soft moans from the couple and a glance in their direction lets you see that the boy’s hand is up under the girl’s short skirt and the motion of his arm leaves little doubt what he is doing to her to elicit the moans.
The dim light of the overhead lights does not let you see much of the tunnel you are passing through, but the lit signs on the subway walls let you gauge your passage along your route. No one gets on your car at either of the next two stops and yours is the next one,several minutes away. The sounds of pleasure get a bit louder. As the man’s arm moves quicker, you hear the girl softly crying out that she is about to cum. The woman who had nodded to you cannot seem to keep her eyes off the couple except to glance at you once or twice and give you a guilty smile. The girl gasps and her body spasms a bit as she puts her face into the shoulder of the boy and cries out.
Finished, the boy moves aside and sits in the seat next to the girl and you recognize him as one of the young thugs that roams your neighborhood. The girl you still do not recognize. The boy looks over at you and smiles as he nods at you. Neither say anything, but the girl reaches under her skirt to rearrange herself then sits close to the boy until the car arrives at the station. They are the first up and are waiting as the door opens, disappearing into the abandoned station. The two women both seem to be going on and do not move from their seats, although the one gives you a slight smile as you stand to exit the car.
The station does indeed seem almost abandoned at this time of day, although you know that within the hour the place will be abuzz with people heading off to work. You hear echoes of the two young people as they race up the stairs to the street above. Following more sedately, you see a young girl laying on a small woolen blanket against the wall of the tunnel just short of the stairs. She has a small violin clutched in her hands and an open case at her feet. You have seen her here before as she plays for a bit of money from the people using the subway. There are a few coins in the case, but not much. The girl looks dirty and ill-clothed, but the violin looks cared for. She stirs a bit as you pass by.
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