[Dark Heresy] A Subtle Hand

[Xachariah]

Sawney Jag - Ishmael Nihilius
Apartment

"I'll just stick to the target, then, unless you look to be in too much danger."

I, uh, figure that we should probably get things going. I don't know what's up with Ketch - probably real life getting in the way or something - but it's been like ten days. So here's this. Yeah.

[sinistar]

Lekk
Apartment

Lekk frowned slightly. "'More than drug traffickers'? What else do we think they may be?"

[Ketch]

Mordechai Wollsey
Apartment

"If things start go get out of hand," he said, rubbing the back of his neck, "I'd rather you stay back. This woman is, at the moment, our only potential connection to the Saints. With any luck, the meeting will go smoothly, but if it doesn't then hopefully we can convince her to boot it rather than try and kill us, at which point you follow her and find out what you. Like I said, this meeting is all about gathering information, and we can't get anything out of her if she's dead." Turning to Lekk he went on. "And as for what they might be involved in beyond the drugs, well, I honestly have no idea," He shrugged and leaned on the table. "But what I do know is that if this was a simple drug trafficking operation the Arbites would be handling it, not us," He glanced at his Arbites ID. "I mean, the rest of the...you know, not..." he mumbled, looking around at the rest of the acolytes, "Whatever, you know what I mean." He ran his fingers through his hair and sighed. "Anyway, our first step is outfitting ourselves like drug traffickers. And by outfit," he said, looking down at his own drab attire, "I mean, well, outfit."

[Xachariah]

Sawney Jag - Ishmael Nihilius
Apartment

Sawney nods. "Sounds like a plan." His grin at Mordechai's stumble is a sharp-edged thing, though not unfriendly. "Our current outfits would stick out, wouldn't they? Do you have spare clothes for us, or is it time to do some shopping?"

[Inquisitor]

Moving back to school and the weather and stuff has kept me very occupied. I’m glad to see everyone’s still on board though! I won’t make anyone roll anything to get threads; poor-quality street clothing is ubiquitous in the area, and dressing up like a common thug won’t cost more than five thrones. To look like a well-to-do street thug, 10 thrones will cover common-quality street rags.

Sila ‘Scarlet’ Valiena
The Joygirl

How long have you been in this club now? A few hours, at least. You’ve gotten used to this place, though – the girls, the lecherous men, the drug exchange, the constant rattle and thump of the stereo systems. Plus, when you’re with the gang, it’s not hard to get a few drinks out the staff here.

After awhile, Gol looks towards the door and stands, approaching you.  “See that man, with the tall woman? Mandell. Been talking about trying to find a way to get initiated; now he’s showing up with muscle in tow? He’s been looking for me. Tell the bartender to send him a drink and a message – we’ll meet him back stage.”

Looking over,  slightly inebriated, this man looks awfully familiar to a certain picture you’ve stumbled upon…

Test against Carouse.

The Acolytes
The Joygirl

It’s night cycle on Sigurd IV. Whatever natural lighting that drifted down through the steel city above you is gone now; the streets are lit in the flickering, orange glow of lumien lights overhead. The streets are alive with those free of their work shifts, and perhaps more importantly, those who want to avoid the watchful eye of the Enforcer patrols. You can feel the ground thump with bass before you even show up in front of the Joygirl; the sound that is coming from the door is enough to make your ribs rattle. Drunken men laugh on the steps as they leave with pretty, under-dressed young girls with wild hairstyles and vibrant make up.  The doorman, tall and dark skinned with a network of tattoos covering his skin will look you over sternly, before firing off a few simple rules.

“No beatin’ on da girls without payin’ and no drawin’ out your guns. “

Inside, pound music drowns out almost all sound. Inside, the lights are a dim pink and purple, scantily-clad waitresses moving over the carpeted floors with trays of drink in hand. Looking around, it’s not hard to see the area of the club that’s reserved for high-profile guests, and more importantly, the local narcogangers who’ve moved into the establishment.
 
They make no move to approach you – this place is pretty big, so the Acolytes better stick close if they want to watch each other’s backs.  Immediately upon entering, the bar is prominent, lined with people and with a thick cloud of smoke hanging overhead. ‘Professional’ entertainment and a dance floor lined with people separates the entrance from the VIP section.
 
When Mordechai moves his way over towards the bar, he’s surprised to find a small glass of cheap amasec has already been poured for him. The bartender gives you a look in the eye and a smile that says she’s been working here for far, far too long, before speaking. “Gol says she wants to see you  and your friend back stage.”

If you want to make your rolls (to hide and move about or what have you) here’s your chance.

[sinistar]

Lekk
The Joygirl

Lekk shadows the Arbiter as a person of her role should, eyes alert. Ready for danger, or disagreements, or sour words that require a good punch in the stomach.

I'm going to roll Awareness. I did it in the dice log, but I'm not sure whether we're supposed to post it here as well. So, I got a 43; the characteristic is at 33.

[Xachariah]

Ishmael Nihilius
The Hooker Joygirl

Ishmael showed up early, as planned; he's been sitting at the bar for a while, doing his best to fit in, in solidly midrange ganger threads. Just like a thousand other dives, on a thousand other worlds; it's a taste of the good old days, when he wasn't being dragged around by some Inquisitor's whims - a reminder of freedom. He nurses his amasec slowly, like a man with just enough money to pay for it, and soaks in the music, the smoke.

When Mordechai and Lekk slip in, he does his best to not appear to take notice; if he started gawking, people might notice. Sure, maybe he glances over and gives them a once-over, but his job is to watch. Once they start moving out of sight, he'll begin to move after them, as unnoticed as possible, scanning for entrances and escape routes - both for personal use and just in case Magdela gets a bug in her ass. He'll hang back a little, giving them time to get ahead; it would attract attention if he tried to get too close.

Concealment vs 39: 98, fff - fate point: 87. ... and here I thought he was a hitman. Turns out he's a circus clown. Hopefully somebody'll just confuse him for somebody trying to kill Mordechai and Lekk or something. Seems like that wouldn't go over horribly with this crowd.
Silent Move vs 39: 32 ... a quiet circus clown?
Awareness vs 35: 46

[Ketch]

Mordechai Wollsey
The Joygirl

Dressed in what might have once been considered a fashionable jacket, faded and threadbare with age, Mordechai accepted the drink with a wink and a thank you. Lifting the glass to his lips he noticed Ishmael out of the corner of his eye. Once his was assured that the assassin was aware of their presence, he turned to Lekk and gave a nod for her to follow before making his way back stage. Scanning the area, he noticed Gol and another woman seated together, apparently waiting for him, and made his way toward them. Taking a seat at their table, he raised his glass and grinned.

"Evening, love, you must be the lady of the hour; Miss Magdela Gol, I presume," he began, giving her a nod and grinning wider. "Charmed."

[Daeva]

Sila ‘Scarlet’ Valiena
The Joygirl

The club bores her, but the drink helps. It makes everything a little more tolerable. But Gol wants her attention. She points to a figure at the door, a male with a female companion. Well, less 'companion' more deterrent. Even with her mind half in the drink, she recognizes this 'Mandell'. And that is not the name she was given. She smiles a little, happy to see her contact has a way in already. Makes her job easier. She sincerely hopes he doesn't so anything stupid before they get the chance to chat in private.

"Of course love." She almost coos the words, and sends instructions with the bartender, as she's asked. She rejoins Gol backstage, still smiling as Mordechai and his deterent approach, and greet Gol. She raises her glass to his greeting. "You play so nice with muscle in toe. Are you expecting trouble?" Scarlet looks hardly a threat compared to Lekk. Scarlet looks over the muscled female, looking for hints of where her allegiance lies. Is she just some thug, or hidden like the rest of them?

I forget what Carouse is untrained. Half willpower or toughness? Roll 72. Fate Point. Roll 9.  (That should pass right?)
Awareness vs. 43  Roll 45.
Scrutiny (Lekk) vs 16  Roll 37

Sry I'm rusty.

[Ketch]

Mordechai
The Joygirl

Mordechai's grin faded slightly as he turned to Scarlet with a hint of petulance.

"We're livin' in the Hive, love," he replied, his voice softening, "it's not a ma'er of expectin'," He stared at her a moment more before turning back to Gol, his grin returning. "And who's 'is one, then?" he continued, gesturing at the woman who'd addressed him. Mordechai had apparently decided that a change of clothes wasn't enough of a disguise; what had been a hint of an accent when Lekk had first met him was now so thick as to make understanding him a bit of a chore.

[Inquisitor]

Ishmael Nihilius
The Joygirl

Well, you're not exactly doing a great job at not sticking out, but at least you're in a club, so people walking around stupidly and opening up the wrong doors isn't exactly a problem. You do manage to open the door to the backstage quietly enough that no one has noticed you standing around with lights in your face. A long, dark hallway separates you from a pink-and-purple, dimly lit room filled with your comrades.

Sila 'Scarlet' Valiena
The Joygirl

Whether or not you were accustomed to imbibing copious amounts of liquor and drugs doesn't seem to matter, because even as you sit sippin' at your drink, you feel fine. Well, not fine, like "I'm definitely in control of my body" fine, not "I should go drive an autocar down the freeways as fast as I can" fine. Pleasantly intoxicated, at least. However, you're having a hard time picking up anything from the tall, tattoo'd woman who follows up behind Mandell. She seems like your stoic street-muscle that every person beyond your corner drug dealer seems to have hanging around at all times.

Mordechai Wollsey/Lekk
The Joygirl

The small back room has no table, just a ring of sofas that everyone can sit down in, and speak. Here, the constant thump of the music rattles the walls, but the general sound is dampened enough that at least you're at a sane level to actually hear one another speak. Magdela Gol seems content to let the two of you banter as she leans back a hand rolled lho stick, filling the room with acrid smoke.

"Someone who's a bit higher up then you so far, Mandell. Come on, we all know how much of a shit hole this place is. At least you seem to be making enough scratch to pay for someone to watch your back, eh?" She laughs a bit, before the tall woman leans back and stretches her arms out across the back of her seat. "So what have you got me? I'm in need of some really good news..."

[sinistar]

Lekk
The Joygirl

The warrior-mercenary stands at attention while the others in this room relax, or seem to, and chat. She is careful to check out their surroundings, as well as the others with whom her 'employer' is speaking.

I'll roll Awareness for the room and Scrutiny for both Gol and Valiena. Awareness (Per 33): 13. Scrutiny Gol (Per33, untrained): 84. Scrutiny Valiena (Per 33, untrained): 29.  

[Ketch]

Mordechai Wollsey
The Joygirl

"Well it's just like you said, love," he affirmed, "I happen to be doin' quite well for m'self." He leaned back as well, lacing his fingers behind his head. "More'n makin' ends meet. And that's no accident; I'm not a lucky man, Gol. Luck'll let you have a good day, maybe even a good year, but in the end luck'll let you die." He leaned forward again with his elbows on his knees. "Naw, I'm not a lucky man, Gol, I'm just good at what I do. I'm smart, and I know people, I know this business. I could be a big name on this here rock, if I wanted; build myself an empire. But at my age what's it gonna get me, yeah? By the time I get finished with it, I'd be too old to enjoy it." He shook his head. "Naw, buildin' an empire's a young man's game, and I don't need the stress. 'Sides, I got no interest in competin' with you lot. Matter of fact, I'd much rather be workin' with you, sharin' the wealth an' all that. I've got a lot to offer, Gol, all you gotta do is accept it." He leaned back once again, folding his hands in his lap and smiling. "Like any decent human bein', all I want is to live a life in service of the Saints."

[Xachariah]

Ishmael Nihilius
The Joygirl

Shutting the door behind him, Sawney/Ishmael pulls up his hood... these ganger clothes are starting to grow on him. Moving slowly, and close to the wall, he tries to get a look at Magdela Gol or her bodyguard - it's not much use following someone if you don't know who you're going to be following, after all. He continues to keep an eye out for escape routes.

(To move closer, for a better view:)Concealment vs 39: 1 Holy shit, he's not a circus clown anymore.
(To move closer, for a better view:)Silent Move vs 39: 37 And he's even quiet about moving.
(To spot escape routes) Awareness vs 35: 64 welp. Two outta three's pretty good.

[Daeva]

Sila 'Scarlet' Valiena
The Joygirl

She keeps her eyes on Morcechai, half tempted to give him trouble just to test his merit. But if he was a pour ally, she didn't want to ruin what little chance of success he might have. But he seemed to be carrying himself well enough. Boasting.  She leans back in her chair, holding her drink at her lips, but not taking a sip. She'd had quite enough already, and she wanted to concentrate.

"You got a lot of good to say about yourself love, but you give us nothing." She almost purrs at Mordechai.

Awareness vs.43         75.        I blame the booze.

[Xachariah]

I witnessed the roll; apparently she's having issues with Dicelog.

[sinistar]

Lekk
The Joygirl

Lekk stands stoically, studying the surroundings and surveying her charge.

[Inquisitor]

Ishmael Nihilius
The Joygirl

You slip forward, one foot calmly in front of the other, moving yourself down the hall and hugging tight to the wall. You position yourself expertly beside the door, and now you can hear quite clearly the going-ons within, but nothing that seems...out of place. Not yet, at least. At least you're reasonably sure no one's going to find you here!

The Acolytes
The Joygirl - VIP Lounge

Gol seems less than impressed - or at least she pulls it off well, snorting and leaning back, lighting up a lho-stick and leaning back to exhale smoke above her head, filling the small room with the thick, heady smoke. A rather massive hand for a woman falls on the table between them, drumming loudly across the scarred surface.

"Yeah? Is that so? You and every other drag in Golgotha wants to get into the Saints right now. We're the only thing this hell-hole has left that's going well. Even the nobility is setting off for greener pastures!" A laugh there at an old turn of phrase. Pastures aren't exactly common in a place like this. "But Golgotha hasn't gone Klybo yet, and there's still a helluva lot of Gelt to be made out here. Which brings us to an interesting situation here - look, I'll be frank with ya. I'm in a bind. My supplier didn't come through for me - and I owe someone higher up than me their cut. You can imagine how problematic this is. So look, you help me, I fast forward your initiation a bit..."

She waves her smoke through the air and raises a brow at Mordechai.

[Ketch]

Mordechai Wollsey
The Joygirl

Mordechai clenched his jaw, but maintained his grin, as Scarlet spoke again. As Gol made her offer, he scratched his chin and, taking a deep breath, he looked away and made the appearance of thinking the offer over.

"So what you're sayin' is you been workin' with unreliables and you owe money you haven't got?" he began, after a moment, "Gosh, Gol, that sort of information could really hurt your business, if people were to find out." Mordechai turned back to Gol and smiled with mock sympathy. "But don't you worry none, love, your secret's safe with me. Tell you what," he went on, pointing a finger at the woman, "you tell me how much you're out, and I'll see what I can dig up, yeah?" His grin spread wide. "We'll work it all out, love, no worries."

[Xachariah]

Ishmael Nihilius
The Joygirl

Sawney stays put in the hallway, simply listening in until events tell him otherwise.

I'm not actually sure if Sawney needs to roll anything here.