She deftly removes the core, enclosed by the heavy lead so little radiation leaks out.
Danny walks into the shop, the keeper looks at him suspiciously, like a shop-keeper is wont to do. "I thought your boss, was coming back for the tea? You were meant to be going after the pair of scoundrels who threatened my life." Then he looks at the burly man; "Never mind. Yes it's ready."
He reaches under the counter and produces a black lacquer box, with an ornate pattern depicting snow falling upon a caricatured princess. He places this with reverence and shaking fingers upon the mahogany desk. "The tea is inside there, I would not wish to annoy your Boss or the Dragon-Emperor. His wrath is great, he was about to reach across the ocean and demand one of the four heads here, your Father." it's obvious he doesn't mean it in the family sense.
He then moves to the back, and out of sight. You can hear the clattering as the old man nervous obviously knocks over some of the stock that clutters up the back door.
The metallic core glints dully yet evilly in the light from the streets, warm in Sal's hands. She blows out a breath she hadn't even realized she was holding, looking up at Axemius in relief.
"It's real, Spartan. They were going to blow it right here in London. I don't know if it would actually fission or was just a dirty conventional explosive - it'll take an expert to determine that - but they were going to unleash some form of hell right here. I can't believe they would do it."
Rising, she hands the core to the armored man. "It might be best if you hold this. You have some metal shielding. Every little bit helps. We need to get that to authorities. They should be able to trace the source of the radioactive material. Every reactor is different. They need to account for it from the missing materials list or track down the new source. I... I can't do it. Can't risk it. Can you or... Trip!"
She dashes back out the door to where her friend leans against the wall, gasping. "Trip, we got it. It's disarmed. Are you... can you walk? We need to get you to a hospital. Wait, you had a car. Can you call the driver? You need help!"
London
"Sorry, must have passed out there for a second." Trip replies showing no trace of the earlier fear enduced panic. He presses his phone and speaks into the earpiece.
Getting off after a few moments; "Jolly good job; the both of you. Letty is coming around back. She says that the figure outside have gone!" he wheezes slightly whilst blinking slowly in pain.
Outside you can see a big black car squeeze down the alley outside; scratching the paint and bending the bodywork against rubbish bins. It's the car you came in, upon the back seat is a sheet for Trip.
Axe gives Sal a wry look; makes a quick prayer and runs it downstairs, literally; quick look at the guy on the ground an looks for a steel trashcan or dumpster or something to put this in; if he finds nothing; will set it down in the alley and step away from it; minimizing his contanct time and take off his gauntlets.
"Be right back," Sal murmurs to Trip, squeezing his arm reassuringly as Aximeus brushes past them and out the door with the radioactive core. Sal trots around the apartment checking bodies, quickly rifling the pockets of the fallen men for ID or information or cash or drugs or... well, anything she can salvage. Times are tight. She takes whatever she can find with a little grimace of distaste at corpse-picking. Loot goes in her pack in a compartment away from her precious rifle, along with that dandy little machine pistol. Sal's love for ballistic weapons trumps her paranoia, as usual.
Swinging the pack onto her back, she hustles back to see how far Trip has gotten towards the car, assisting him if he needs help embarking, then ducking in beside him to huddle down in the shadows of the back seat. "Mind if I ride with you until we get clear of this area?" she asks quietly, "Those shots will attract attention, and fast."
Aximeus finds a solid steel refuse bin, into which he places the core and covers it over. Trip walks down grimacing as he wanders down the steps, there's some relief to his visage at Sal's help.
Whilst Letitia looks worriedly both at the car and Trip as everyone embarks; "Is he alright? Are you alright? The bomb hasn't gone off....?" she leaves it hanging in the air. Then she puts her pedal to the floor, the car moves away smoothly not drawing to much attention.
There's also a key, letter telling him to pick up the 'package' and take it here - along with the youth's phone number (& a reference to the triads). Also it's on headed paper; for a place in North Yorkshire - the head of the "Royal Antediluvian Order of the Buffalo".
"The bomb has been defused, but Trip's hurt bad. He needs a hospital, but you know they'll ask questions." The worry in Sal's voice is plain.
The ache in her ribs grows as the adrenaline begins to wear off.
London
Letitia pulls some aspirin from the glove compartment and an emergency first aid kit Trip had left in there. She passes it over taking one hand off the steering wheel. "I have contacts that'll treat him, no questions asked." she winks and looks softly to Sal.
Danny makes no move when the shopkeeper places the small box reverently upon the counter. He merely nods then looks back out the window, looking for 'Mr Smith'. When the shopkeep moves to the back, Danny swiftly steps over to the box, he gingerly lifts the lid with one finger. He smirks to himself.
He pauses to make certain that he still hears the shopkeep muttering in the back and supposedly fiddling with the rear locks, then swiftly opens the lid all the way, picks up the small box, reaches under his illusion and dumps the contents into the outer pocket of his leather jacket. (He never puts anything in there usually, that's where his hands go!)
Carefully replacing the box on the counter, he opens his ziplock baggie of 'anti-tea' and empties it into the box. He slowly lowers the lid, sweeps any loose tea leaves on the counter into his hand, shoves them into his pocket with the baggie, and zips up his jacket pocket as he moves back to the window.
When the shopkeep reappears he is standing next to the window where he was before. When he hears the foot steps of the shopowner, he grunts and starts as if he saw something out the window. He turns back to the shop keep with a finger raised for silence.
Realizing belatedly that might not have been his best action, he resorts to his old standby, and pantomimes,...
:)
Playing on the fears of the shopkeeper, Danny/bodyguard slowly opens the door and slips out, (Wincing at the sound of the bell above the door), intently watching something down the street. He moves down the walk out of sight of the shopkeep, but maintains his stealthy, intimidating stride all the way to the abandoned wharehouse.
When he gets to the wharehouse, he opens the door, stepping inside with a soft but distinct "Ken! It's me!" And closes the door behind him.
Danny leans against the door with a sigh of relief, letting the song quiet in his mind and his illusion fade from sight.
"Well. THAT went better than I hoped!" He smirks, his eyes getting used to the darkness. He smiles unseen in the dim interior as he observes Kenneth's handiwork.
"And so did that, apparently! Nice! They aren't dead are they? Oh, good. Might I suggest the back door out? I'm fairly certain that 'daddy' will be back very soon. And I'm pretty sure I was watched while coming in." He suggests to Kenneth.
Sal pops open the first aid kit and tears open packages of gauze which she presses hard against Trip's side where the bullet hit. Unfortunately, the little kit made for cuts and scrapes cannot deal with a major injury and the gauze is soon saturated. The pressure isn't going to help the internal bleeding, and everyone knows it.
"Hang in there, Trip, we'll get you taken care of," she murmurs to the injured man.
"The name's Adriana, but you can call me Sal," she says more loudly, including both Axemius and Letitia in her self-introduction, "Trip here pulled me out of a lot of trouble once. Or twice. Possibly three times. I owe him big. I don't know what this nuke thing was all about, but if there's anything else I can help with, I'm all yours. Er, at your disposal. Sorry, we 'colonials' aren't as eloquent as you Brits." She flashes a battlefield grin at the rear view mirror, more grimace than smile, keeping pressure on the injury.
"I thought this was simple terrorism, until the shadows and the Men in Black... and that was some nifty sword work, Spartan. Didn't think anybody used those outside of movies anymore. You hobbled him right into my field of fire. We made a good team."
London
Letitia nods her head at the tale of Trips heroism, whilst barely taking her eyes off the road. She glances into the rear-view mirror; "'Colonials(?)' only a bore would call you such a thing! I'm Letitia; I'm a wizard and a Warden." she says calmly. Her long rapier is in the foot-well near the pedals and matches the fine cut suit that follows the contours of her form.
"Bold fashion choice, Sal!" she smiles, thought there is a catch in her voice indicating that it's not the first time she's seen such an outfit (or maybe even worn one). "We've come from York, up North. There was some indication this was to do with triad activity."
if the area is secure; Axe makes a call to his detective friend.
hey there; got a scoop for you; found the bomb; deactivated it; have the radioactive core; is currently in a steel trash bin; need some cleanup and containment; can you get here quick? <gives the address>
ok; I called in the calvary to take ownership of this thing; if that makes yoiu nervous; scoot a bit down the road; but wait for me.
London
"You getting out Aximeus? To wait for them?" Letitia asks as Trip drifts into unconsciousness now that the danger has passed.
"If you're safe here, Aximeus? maybe we can get Trip to an ER and swing back by for you," Sal says nervously, "After all, no need for further scrutiny from anybody official. And he's in a bad way."
Safe}
Axe chuckles.
no worries; got a headache; some ghost or something here, but take him, somebody should wait for the authorities; they aught to be here soon.
Axe uses the geiger counter on his armor....
Aximeus - the Geiger counter ticks, but it's within safe readings. The core must be fairly secure, with the radiation leak from your limited exposure. Comparable to about a few X-rays.
Also everyone can clear your boxes, you are stress-free!
Kenneth grits his teeth and reaches for his sword as the door opens, Blast, a third. That, I wasnae ready for---
Then hearing a familiar voice, he smiles, "Nae, Danny boy, they isnae dead. Just a sleeping off a wee spot of crate-induced headache."
He nods and smiles at Danny's suggestion, "Aye, the back door does seem rather inviting. Though I do wish we had a way to watch the rest of the events unfold."
Danny slaps his forehead.
"NOW you mention it! I could have slipped your magic wire thingy into the box with the tea! Ah well. Maybe next time. After you!" He says cheerfully, bowing to allow Ken to precede him to the back of the wharehouse.
"I'm sure we'll see the results at least, as soon as he has his next tea time." Danny adds, smirking evilly.
Kenneth nods, "Aye, I hope we will. And it's just as well -- I dinnae think that wire's a normal component of Sultan's Salamander blend. Better he drink his new, bonny medicine than we get tae hear him rage about it being wrong, ye ken."
Yea, were good Sal, good work; get that boy some care and swing back for me
Axe give a quick prayer of thanks to his Aunt and Mother
Sal nods to Aximeus as he exits and the car pulls away, leaving him to deal with the authorities.
"Nice to meet you Letitia, though I wish it had been under better circumstances. Triads are not a group I relish engaging, at least not publicly." She chuckles humorlessly. "My fashion options are not purely a matter of choice. This fancy look is a good way to stay invisible in this part of town. And if you don't mind my asking, what's a Warden?"
Kenneth & Danny
Aximeus
Blue flashing lights, soon arrive on the scene. As a trio of squad cars arrive; out of the third is a serious man in plain clothes alights. He looks in Aximeus direction, then instructs some of the young officers to secure the area with upmost care.
He then strolls over towards the towering Greco-Roman; "Axe? I presume? I have been sent by Det. Ramsbottom." He lets his coat open slight to expose a badge showing the insignia of the The Order of St. John. He gives a curt nod, as if very sure of himself.
"The package is out back? We have some boys on their way to dispose of it." he says in a restrainted manner.
Sal
Driving quickly but carefully through the streets of the capital; it's still quieter than you have ever seen it. The whole oppressive mood is not helped by a light rain that incessantly sprinkles. Splashing through the puddles the dark car glides smoothly, a magnificent machine that seems to take the rough with the smooth.
Letitia pauses; slightly flushing. "Yeah, of course, why else would you wear that." she replies guiltily.
"Wardens... oh darn... you mean you don't know?!?" she asks incredulously. "It's secret, but since you did save Trip, me & 5 million people."
She pauses; "So you know about Wizards right? Well we police them, make sure they don't do anything dangerous. Necromancy, summoning demons, messing with peoples heads or time are all crimes." She skims past a slow moving white van, not mentioning the punishment.
"Then there are vampires, we are at war with them. In York, it's generally a 'Cold War'. But there are plenty of hot-zones..." as she says this her tone has obvious changed, to one you have heard many times before. That of a PTSD sufferer...
She realises this and blinks slowly.
Sal nods sympathetically, then manages to reply softly, "Yeah, I know... that's sort of how I met Trip. In one of the hot zones. Anyway, don't worry about telling me about weird stuff. I know more than I ever wanted to and keep learning more." She checks Trip's pulse, looking out at the strangely deserted streets.
"So are wizards or those bloodsucking leeches involved with this nuke? Is there anything more going on? The streets still don't... feel... right. And don't tell me the Triads dabble in the supernatural. Please don't tell me that. All we need are gangs getting their grimy paws on those, er, abilities. I know quite a few who'd trade their humanity willingly to become vampires. At least, I know some in the States." She shivers, huddling into herself. "Bloodsucking freaks," she murmurs.
Kenneth says, "We should probably watch the pick up tae be sure. Mayhap that pub's got a wee table where we can raise a pint and watch the match as it happens... and listen for news out o' London, ye ken?"
Danny winces, hissing through a saccharine smile.
"I don't know" He says, managing to drag out the 'know' until all you hear is the 'o'.
"As much as I REALLY want to watch, I'm not sure that me being in close proximity to 'Daddy' is such a good idea. Apparently I haven't been as careful as I thought. I'd hate to have him spot me."
Then he smiles. The kind of smile that automatically makes you wonder what the other person is up to.
"On the other hand, what good is giving a performance if you don't know how your audience enjoyed it? And if we REALLY hurry, we can still make that party as 'entertainers'. I still want to know how this other group figures into all of the insanity going on around here lately! Man, I'm tired. Who knew that being popular would be so tiring?!" he grins.
Danny holds one arm straight out, then rotates it backwards until his palm is facing the ceiling. Then, in a deadpan voice says, "Ow. Stop twisting my arm. Alright ONE pint! Then off to the races. I want to see how the other half parties!"
Danny takes one last look at the pair of thugs sleeping off their crate-induced coma. He shudders.
"Let's just make it a table WAY in the back, Ok? 'Daddy's' not gonna be happy about this. I do NOT want him to have any reason to think I was anywhere near here!" He says with unfeigned nervousness as they quietly slip out the back door.
Sal
Her questions calms the wizard down; "Good! It's slightly complicated, so if you don't follow anything just point it out."
Letitia continues; "So during the Boxer Rebellion, the First Emperor of China tried to recover a relic that would allow him to travel anywhere and take on his true form. He's a Dragon, don't ya know."
"But a group of Western Adventurers took the relic, before the Emperor got it and took over the world. This sparked the Boxer rebellion." there is some awe in her voice. "They locked the item away."
"So the Dragon has travelled over here this year with his triad buddies; to find the relic! I don't know why they brought a nuke!"
Letitia takes a deep breath; "Fortunately, there is no interference from the vamps, Jericho & I made sure of that." there is a hint a happiness in her voice.
"Dragon. Of course. Naturally, there are dragons. Why wouldn't there be?" Sal mutters distractedly to herself, looking with some respect at the back of the head of a woman who can ensure that there is no interference from vampires.
Sal
Letitia smiles at the wry response; "Well actually, he's just a man in a suit of armour... well unless he gets the relic. He requires a key to open the portal, Jericho is guarding her." The woman cannot keep a slightly wistful tone from her voice at his name.
"Anyway, the Emperor has made a deal with some ghouls and some-one else. We heard about the nuke, so headed straight down here!" She continues as they pull up before a hospital. She gets out of the car and talks to an orderly, passing him something....
Trip groggily looks to Sal, he whispers:
Sal takes the keys from Trip, whispering back.
She helps the medics extract Trip from the car and get him to a stretcher, letting them wheel him off with an uncertain look at Letitia, then returns to the back seat. "Guess we swing by and get the Spartan now, eh?"
Sal
"It'll be alright, well.... Are you feeling ok? You seem to be favouring your ribs." Letitia asks Sal; a look of concern across her face.
"Yes, we will head back to Aximeus. Then....I think there might be some trouble around here. You in with one of the local factions? Will they protect you?" she asks softly and inquisitively.
Sal grimaces. "I'll live, thanks. I don't think anything is broken. As for Soho, well - I'm aligned in a manner of speaking. I have friends, yes. But the Ladies are not inclined to interfere with their own weaving, if you get my drift. However, they don't like it when others do, either." She sighs, then says with some embarrassment, "To be honest, they warned me away from here -- far away. And Trip offered me use of his place for the time being. So unless you have objections... do you, uh, mind giving me a ride? I don't have much. And to be even more honest, if they check prints on the place, it's better that I be gone."
Careful, girl, don't let too much slip. This may be another of Trip's friends, but you don't really know her.
Sal realizes the soft leather of the car is a bit too relaxing and sits up straighter, watching through the window as the lights of Soho slip past. "I'm not a criminal, don't worry. And if you folks are having trouble there, I'm handy in a fight."
Danny & Kenneth
From your position in a warm pub; it looks out from a large bay window upon the curio shop. The pub is slighty rough, but that means the lagers cheap, the buildings friendly and the conveniences unspeakable.
The regulars are watching a football match upon a big screen, jeering the opposition whilst drunkenly rallying behind Liverpool. Occasional curses and ribald comments ring out through the pub; whilst a balding gentleman and a busty bar-maid who has seen better days serve behind the bar.
Looking out from the safety of the window, the long black vehicle pulls up. Out front the front gets Min & lin's father - he walks into the shop. Then a few minutes later he exits the shop a small black Chinese patterned tea box under his arm. He then pulls away.
Danny's phone rings; "Hello lover-boy; you still up for entertaining? I'll pick you up by the train station at around 10pm, we have some girls coming along too." the throaty sorceress answers.
Sorry to make your aquaintence in this manner Detective, but here is the skinny. This man, I am not sure he is dead, is the one who activated the bomb; his fingerprint is on probably on the activation button if not the device. I was very careful when I brought it downstairs and put it in the trash bin, needed some metal to try to minimize the radiation leak. I heard him spout some things about cleanzing the area of immigrants who are polluting the area; political stuff about England letting any old person in and his groups desire to purge the area. He mentioned having files like a pysch profile on a vet friend I had with me who was able to deactivate the bomb ingition sequence. He was very highly trained if not inhuman quickness. He fully believed he would survive jumping from that window <Axe points>. I suggest you shackle him hand and foot with a short leash and assume he is playing possum; which is why I am standing next to him with this blade. Those cuts to his legs were an attempt to stop him from fleeing. There was an explosive device used upstairs; but it was before I got up there. There is or was some type of haunt or ghost in the doorway; only a vague shadow that made my head hurt, I dont know it's connection if any to this place or event. I hear London had several such things. So; seems this guy is part of a highly trained, informed group of dedicated radicals.
Aximeus
The man nods his head taking the debrief in with military precision, before coming back with his rebuttal; "Thank you, I will implement your suggestions with regards to the man. We will look into him, he appears to be alive & give you a full briefing once we have questioned and investigated him." the man gives you his mobile phone number.
An officer has come over to him once an ambulance has appeared; "He appears to be alive but in critical condition. Whether he lives or dies hangs upon the strands of fate."
"The ghostly shadow....well we have plenty of reports of them. I'll look into that as well." he concedes knowing it could be any number of creatures.
"The department nuclear containment and disposal are on their way." The man concludes with a grateful thanks to Aximeus!
Sal
Letitia keeps her eyes carefully on the road; "Yeah, I won't pry. If there's anything I can do?" she offers seemingly genuine.
Deciding to change the subject away from any potential criminality; "So the ladies are still here? Protecting SoHo, keeping it free. I'll have to drop in again next time I'm in the capital. Hopefully it'll be more of a fun and less business."
As they pull up towards Aximeus; Letitia adds "Don't worry about the ride. And Trip's place is very nice...." she says ominously as the vehicle drifts up to the curb and the passenger's door pops open although there is a small spark of a transistor exploding.
Aximeus
The black sleek car of Letitia's pulls up beside you, the passenger door opens.
Kenneth watches and smiles, "Seems we got ourselves a goal, lad. Now, time for part two of the plan... "
Kenneth reaches into his pocket and pulls out the wee pinch of anti-tea. "And this should do what we need it tae -- I willnae try to listen in again, but I would think it should lead us to the Salamander Sultan himself in a wee bit o' time. So, let's raise a glass and enjoy, then go find a nice quiet spot tae get back to work... one with less football hooliganism"
Axe gets in the car.
anyone got a drink? how fares our injured comrade.
Sal shakes her head. "He's in hospital, anyway, which is where he needs to be. He was pretty coherent when we left him, but weak."
She rummages in her pack for a moment and chuckles. "I don't have anything to drink, but our mellow friend left this for us." She tosses the giant bag of weed into the front seat.
"Do either of you mind stopping by my flat before we leave? Trip invited me to house-sit for him until he's on his feet, and I'd like to pick up a few things. I doubt this outfit will be very anonymous in his neighborhood." Sal waves at her mohawk, fishnets, and the rest of her outrageous getup.
Aximeus & Sal
"Certainly." Letitia replies, with a nod. After she queries where the place is, the warden heads straight there obviously knowing the area reasonably well. Before pulling up in the street, leaving the motor running in the quiet road. There being no parking along the usually busy streets.
Sal nods her thanks in the rearview mirror before slipping out of the car and disappearing into the side door of a shabby building. Ten or fifteen long minutes tick by before a young woman with dark auburn hair in a short, damp, wavy bob appears from the same door, missing most of the piercings. She's wearing a long duster over what seems to be a long skirt or pants and black flats and is carrying an overstuffed duffle bag.
Moving slowly to the boot, she taps gently and deposits the large bag, then closes the lid with a firm click and slips into the back seat again. "Sorry for the delay, but it was easier to clean up there than in the car," she smiles, "And I left a note and key for the landlady saying I wouldn't be back. It's time to move on. York will at least be a nice vacation."
Her eyes droop as she settles back into the soft leather. "I took a painkiller for my ribs and I think it's knocking me out. How long is the drive to York, Ms. Letitia?" she asks sleepily.
Winding down in the car; Aximeus put his helmet on the seat and gives thanks to the Gods that he and most of London have not been blasted to smithereens.
He cleans his gear; just happens to be cleaning a picture on his sheild of one saving many from a beast and surviving to tell the tale when he speaks:
It was good you were in the right place at the right time with the right skills, a true hero. The Gods must smile upon you. I did little and am quite proud of you and to have shared that trial with you. Call upon me if you are in need and the cause is worthy. I believe Mother Earth smiles upon you as you did not allow the bomb to scar her or hurt her children.
Text to Danny boy: Nuclear threat averted; disarmed and now in police custody; Sal is a heroine.
Unless someone speaks; Axe will drift in memories of so many wars and close calls, lost companions and the brave deeds of many.
Sal chuckles and replies drowsily. "Me, a hero? Not likely, though I... I thank you for saying that. And for letting me help. Maybe I can be worth something, someday. But watching you, there's something... I'm dunno. I was trained to be a soldier. You were a soldier when you were born, I think, and that armor that would look so strange on anyone else looks like a part of you, like..." Her voice trails off and her breathing slows. She remains curled up in the soft leather of the back seat until something happens to disturb her.
EVERYONE!
The car glides through the brightly lit metropolis, the arrays of buildings from different ages sit next to each other. Victorian to Baroque to Tudor, they are create a rich texture to the city. It takes a while as it glides through the narrow streets, surrounded by buildings. "7 hours at least, well usually with the streets clearer than ever... possibly significantly less."
Eventually the car reaches the motorway; universally boring as night has set in heavily. The three-lane behemoth that runs up the spine of the country is illuminated by orange iridescent lights that seem to strobe as the vehicle flies up it. Soft classical music plays over the radio, occasionally interrupted by traffic updates. There seems to be a media black-out upon the occurrence in London.
Letitia really guns the engine as they meet sporadic groups of cars, but otherwise the trip is really quick. She presses a button on the speaker-phone and with a crackling connection she calls Kenneth & Danny!
'Stupid Tech!' she thinks as her innate magic interferes.
"Danny, Kenneth we should be back in York by 9:45 where should we meet you?" she asks.
yeah, I know what you mean Sal, I been in more wars and skirmishes and police actions than I can easily count on nearly every continent...Aint been no invasion of Antartica yet. This armor; is a museaum piece, my aunt said my family paid for it in blood, it was made supossidly by the God Vulcan or Hepshestoas, if you please. I read about it in the Illiad; there is a whole page or three just on this sheild. I aint sure I believe my own life and all the things I fought. Glad to be with heroines like you with humility ta keep us all well grounded. Ya saved a lot of people who will probably never know about it nor thank you, but you did good.
later when nobody is on the phone and such
Warden, if you please, what do ya figure was that black inky thing outside the doorway back there. There were sparks and sparkles and my brain was like on fire when I moved through it; feel much better now though. Some kind of guardian or ghost maybe? Do ya think throwing salt at it would help?
Danny fishes the last few crumbs of Anti-tea from the plastic baggie he emptied earlier into Kenneth's hand.
"That's all that's left. And I would have dumped that too if I had the time!" he smirks. "Hopefully there's enough to do your mumbo jumbo."
He jumps slightly as his cell phone goes off silently. "Blasted joy-buzzers." he mutters as he checks the incoming call number before answering.
"Hello? Oh yes. I'm definitely game for some entertaining. I was just finishing up. Train station at 10pm? Sounds great. We'll be there. Ciao!" he grins as he closes the phone.
"So. Now that we're all warmed up, how about a little entertainment? meaning us of course!" he smirks.
"Not only do we get to party like the upper crust, we get to BE the party! I think I died and went to heaven!" he leers, then turns somber.
"Well, I hope I didn't REALLY,... you know. I wonder how those guys are doing?" he murmurs into his pint, watching 'Daddy' drive off with his switched tea box. He jumps, again, as his phone silently goes off once more. "Dangit!' He mutters, checking the text screen. Danny reads intently, then lets out a whoop. Unfortunately it is as the home team apparently loses a point, drawing unfriendly stares from the regulars.
"What? I got yahtzee!" Danny replies, waggling his cell phone.
His phone goes off again as the regulars turn grumpily back to the telly. "Hello? Yes? Yes! That's great. I think. I can't hear but every other word your saying. Are you driving through a tunnel? Ah no, it' s just your usual luck with cell phones. Gotcha. Listen, Ken and I have a meeting at 10. With the bigwigs. After words we're good to try and track down our old 'friend'. But this 'meeting' is important,.. did you,... can you,...? Ah nuts." Danny clicks his phone closed once more.
"The text was from Axe, they did it. Sounds like they ran into some opposition, but they got it. No fireworks. Judging from the static I think that was Letitia that called. They're headed back."
Danny finishes his pint with more enthusiasm than previously. He sighs contentedly.
"What time is it? Party Time!" He grins at Ken.
Kenneth nods, "Aye, indeed. And if the ol' Lizard drinks the tea, then these wee bits o' leaf should lead us right tae his weakened self. 'Twixt our success and the lack of a radioactive crater, it does sound like party material tae me. Though no more than two or three, pints..." He smiles at Danny, "...any more messes with the Lady's magic, ye ken."
The afternoon drifts away from you, drinking in the pub. Still the Emperor has not partaken of his special brew. Darkness outside and soon it'll be time to go to the train station; it's only across the other-side of town. It nears 10 and outside the train-station....
A mini-van and Saraya's flash red sports car pulls up!
The soft thrumming vibration as the car runs over some rough tarmac, as it glides above the speed limit. The soft lights, the warm vehicle and light music have a strong soporific effect upon those in the car after the exertions of the afternoon.
The radio seems to crackle from the classical music to a soft lilting voice with a low feminine voice, it has just a hint of Grecian origin.
"Be aware, he who you seek ~ leads you to him.
Actions and Inactions
They tried to remove us,
so favoured one & her son,
Join your friends;
They walk into the mouth of danger.
Though it takes them to the treasure,
Ware lest the jaws snap shut."
EVIL GM
Did that sound like my Aunt?