Valtri wasn't overly enthused about traipsing through Level 21 Crew territory, but they were hardly going to unravel the reason for the battle at the docks without encountering one or both gangs at some point.
For now, Valtri stuck reasonably close to the group, seeing what the occasional local had to say as the group progressed.
For the most part, the local people stonewall Ruhk, but aren't actually hostile. But with persistence, he is directed to a little bodega known as Momma Fats.
A chubby halfling woman known, coincidentally as Momma Fats, nods knowingly and invites you to come back in an hour.
Max is streetwise -- always show up at the meet early. He will encourage others to join him and thoroughly explore the area a half hour early. Using stealth and being small, he will look for threats and try to see if anyone is prepping something nefarious.
Ruhk meanwhile, will remain, doing his best to focus attention on himself, letting the others be more free to do what they might want more secretively.
When you come back to Mama Fats, the little halfling woman nods at you and opens a door to the back.
She guides you down a dark and narrow corridor, with only faint l.e.d. lights on the floor showing you aren't stepping into a shaft.
After a couple of confusing twists, Momma Fats stops beside another blank corridor panel, touches it and it whooshes aside. A single shaded light shows a table with a card game and liquour bottles on it. The smell of vapor cloud wafts out.
She motions you inside.
When you go in, you see a deluxe game table with a shaded light aimed down on it, and the other people in the room in shadow.
There are five seats at the table, apparently for you.
A surprisingly small Ysoki leaned into the light.
"Well, well, well, my new friends. Come! Sit!" He said with a grin.
He took a bottle of... something green and poured a shot glass of it for you all.
Those of you who have darkvision are even more obscured than those with regular vision. You cannot see details of the other people in the room. Or even how big the room is.
Max looks at the fellow Ysoki with a smile as he sits down.
"Bottoms up" He slams a shot in a blur and puts the empty glass back on the table.
He looks at Ruhk expectantly.
"Friends eh? Delightful!"
Ruhk, never the shy one, slides into one of the seats with ease and raise the proffered drink in a toast.
"And may i say I am quite appreciative of the invitation, why I am sure we ALL are, indeed."
Valtri found herself a seat and lifted her own glass in a toast before sipping a little more hesitantly. Strong liquor was rather discouraged back home - railings or no (and it was often 'no'), it was all too possible to stumble off the edge of a habitat.
Sensing a lull in the conversation -- Max jumps to his feet to scan the room.
You slug the green liquor down, and several seconds later you feel the effects as it puts a late hit on you, leaving you flushed and a little dizzy. Surely there is an illegal proportion of alcohol included in it.
The Ysoki spokesman slugged his shot down with no visible effects, and grinned at you.
"Yes! Good, good! You come looking for Level 21 crew; now you have found them! But..." He said, no longer grinning.
"Perhaps, you not REALLY friends, yes?"
You hear the snaps of safeties being unlocked, holsters clicking from closed to open, etc.
"Like when you shoot at Level 21 crew in hanger, yes?" He said, surprisingly menacing considering the small body.
Max holds up his hands:
"I am for the Hardscrabble Collective in this fight. We want to help them just as you are. We were caught in the middle of a firefight and we didn't know you guys were the good guys until I googled you."
He also mentions "Your wikipedia entry mentions you are good at graffiti too."
Max puts his custom Level 21 patch on with the scantily clad woman over a two card blackjack on his flight suit.
"I am declaring for you guys."
Ruhk gives an easy smile and holds up his hands mildly, showing they are empty.
"At the very worst, we might be considered guilty of self Defense.
I admit to not being well versed in gang culture and etiquette, but surely that cannot be considered a bad thing to do?"
Rubbing his nose slowly, Ruhk shakes his head and frowns.
"I do not really consider myself at fault for being caught in a bad situation where we could not possibly have avoided it."
”I am not much for fancy talking—pour me another!!”
"I for one would like to see the situation resolved with a minimum of further bloodshed," Valtri said sincerely. In the interests of diplomacy, she held off on elaborating on her opinion of the shootout.
"It isn't that I haven't had non-elven alcohol products, but I need to make myself clear - I'm here for information"
Bryn smiles, and swirls his tongue around inside the glass
"What we need to know is who would murder a Starfinder."
SOME TIME LATER…
You wake up slowly, your head pounding from the hangover that makes you consider putting your head into a paper press just for some relief. Your tongue tastes like the the waste reclaimater of a Drift drive.
Your eyes are blurred and sticky, and clearing your vision takes longer than you like.
When you do, you realize you’re in the same room, but it’s just you and your party; the Level 21 crew are gone.
The room looks like it was hit with several concussion grenades; debris, food, cards, empty bottles, clothing and yourselves are all sprawled and scattered everywhere.
The aftermath of a terrific party.
You aren’t absolutely sure you’re wearing the clothing you came in with.
Celebryn is wearing more than a dozen of the most horribly tacky plastic beads you’ve ever seen in known space.
Ruhk is covered with lipstick kisses (a few of which are less than human).
Max is holding a poker hand of cards
A holoprojector sits in the middle of the table.
You don’t remember what happened between the start of negotiations and now.
"Stunted rockball cyclones," Valtri groaned, shielding her eyes from the light. "This direnimbus hangover had better be worth it."
Gathering her faculties, Valtri mentally debated the merits of working out what was or wasn't her clothing before discarding the idea in favour of seeking out hydration.
This done, and having given the others the opportunity to similarly restore themselves as best they might, she turned her attention to holoprojector. "I daresay this is what we've bargained for," she observed. It would be helpful to know the details of that bargaining and what was on the other side of the ledger.
SOME TIME LATER…
The aftermath of a terrific party.
You aren’t absolutely sure you’re wearing the clothing you came in with.
Celebryn is wearing more than a dozen of the most horribly tacky plastic beads you’ve ever seen in known space.
"Max ... please confirm that there isn't any cam footage of this ... anywhere ... anywhere in the Pact Worlds."
Max looks at his cards and gathers up the creds to put in his cheeks.
”I think one or two more days of negotiations should do it. Maybe we add the footage to our list of asks—I am curious what happened too. Let’s find our hosts! Quad espressos will fix us all up!”
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After taking a few moments to try and force his mind to grow less blurry, Ruhk takes out a small mirror and checks his face.
Apparently pleased with what he sees, he chuckles, then winces in pain, and then chuckles some more.
"I believe this is what is known as a..."banging party" eh?
Its...a pity I don't actually REMEMBER much of it.
If I had some form of vow to get a kiss from a female of every known specie, I have no idea which to tick of the list, haha."
He then looks around a little more as he stroke his head.
"They say it is not a good party if someone has not stolen a traffic cone. Do any of you see one?"
When you start the holo, a semitransparent cylindrical display appears over the table. Loud driving music thumps out of the speakers.
That same Ysoki appeared on screen with a bottle in each hand and visibly staggering.
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”Hay, ya, before I forget, I wanna say sorry for the misunderstanding at the landing bay. Thought you were more o’ those Downside Kings wankers.
“Ya, the only reason we was there at all was the Hardscrabble Collective got wind there was a bunch of the King’s muscle down there ta mess with their people. They called in a favor, so we went down ta mess with ‘em back.
“Guess we didn’t do so good. Sorry yer friend got killed, but it weren’t us. We didn’t know he was there. Gotta be the Kings what did fer him.
“Anyway, ya wanna follow the trail ta why yer friend got killed, ya gotta go squeeze the Downside Kings.
“They gotta place called The Fusion Queen, down on level 40. Can’t help ya down there, they know all our faces.
“Anyway, gotta go. Jabaxa out!” He said, then jumping out of frame with a “Wooo!”
"Well I'll be!
A party AND information.
It's almost like we had a plan and it worked out, no?
I suppose we should return to base, refresh ourselves and then go hunting for the Kings instead?"
(to seem 'worldly' and aware and not convey disdain)
(He knows pretty much anywhere that ancient Elven artifacts are bought & sold)
(He knows that he could play the Crown Prince card if needed ...)
"I am ... 'aware' of this place."
"I am neither young enough, nor insipid enough to want to spend time there, but rich people often want to buy things that they shouldn't."
"It's a perfect place for that."
"While they normally body scan all entrants, I believe that I could get us through that: while there may not be much left of Kyonin, I am still the Crown Prince of it. That holds water with these types."
"Several of you who aren't Ruhk will need clothing, let's go shopping."
Max loads the winnings of his poker hands into his account.
”Level 40–let’s go!! A flight suit is the dress for all occasions!!”
Celebryn will cover the 60 credits: Rukh has to look like a dear friend, and the others need to look like actual entourage.
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Ruhk chuckles a little at the implications that he could be considered well dressed, before reaching up to adjust his tie very meticulously.
"A drear friend? Why thank you, I'm certainly moving up in the world now."
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"Any style tips for the assorted hangers-on?" Valtri asked mildly. She would be just as happy not to be occupying the centre of attention. Less chance of being recognised from having her image plastered across the infosphere.
"And do we have a plan for after we get in?" She was, frankly, at something of a loss on that front. Pumping staff for information seemed more likely to trigger a confrontation than anything else.
"Any style tips for the assorted hangers-on?" Valtri asked mildly. She would be just as happy not to be occupying the centre of attention. Less chance of being recognised from having her image plastered across the infosphere.
"And do we have a plan for after we get in?" She was, frankly, at something of a loss on that front. Pumping staff for information seemed more likely to trigger a confrontation than anything else.
"You are wise to ask this, and yes, entourage is in many ways its own culture. It could be something as simple as a loyalty badge, which for elves who pay homage to my heritage is a simple brooch or pendant symbolizing Kyonin. But any of you could go a little more "all in" and wear something culturally appropriate from Castrovel as well; to be honest Valtri, a touch more for you would be lovely, an elven silk scarf in Blue & White perhaps. Something like the Queen would have worn on holiday."
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Max laughs
”I’m your rakish private pilot. I will add the appropriate colored scarf as pilots still carry scarves from bygone day traditions.”
Max prints out a Velcro patch for his flight suit with a picture of Celebryn in all his glory and attaches it to his flight suit. He picks an elaborate scarf that almost touches the ground in the traditional colors.
It is all about accessorizing they say!!
Max laughs
”I’m your rakish private pilot. I will add the appropriate colored scarf as pilots still carry scarves from bygone day traditions.”Max prints out a Velcro patch for his flight suit with a picture of Celebryn in all his glory and attaches it to his flight suit. He picks an elaborate scarf that almost touches the ground in the traditional colors.
It is all about accessorizing they say!!
Celebryn bursts into a grin hearing this ...
"A rakish private pilot may be the one thing I didn't know I needed ... and it is also EXACTLY the kind of cover that dares people to question it. It is PERFECT."
”We will rent a proper jet bike for the day. Your time is so valuable you needed to be shuttled then biked around as fast as possible by the best in the business.”
Max links his watch to his laptop. An encrypted connection allows him to bring up local jet bike rentals.
I hope I get my deposit back this time.
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"Now, a Rakish pilot, one thing you need is a pair of goggles, even if they do nothing, it is just a must for that style.
And in addition, there needs to be a scarf."
"As for the various hangers on, this here long sleeved but short backed jacket, it's very easy to accessory up, a shoulder patch for example.
Or a particular kind of stitching on the back using a type of thread that stands out.
Perhaps a stitching of a Kyonin flower?
Hmm, that may take too much time to have done..."
Clearly, Ruhk is quickly coming into his element with clothing on the line.
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Max smiles and nods at Ruhk.
"Three things pilots like--scarves, goggles, AND Velcro. I will help whip up some nice designs with my printer."
All Max's flight suits have plenty of Velcro attachments for patches. He produces some more attachments that can be sewn on and continues to make two common patches: his caricature of Celebyn all dressed up and a Kyonin flower.
Max was going to explain how pilots don't wear goggles indoors when he finds online goggles with multiple visors that pop up to cover the eyes including a no visor option. Excited, he orders a pair and has them delivered to his location. He particularly likes the option to project eyes that are open and alert on the visor, and realizes that this has been used by many to fall asleep at meetings unnoticed. Probably also useful to cover his hangover eyes.
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You spend a day tracking down the most appropriate clothing your limited cash can accommodate, as well as the rental of a very used (but rakish) hoverbike.
I have placed you on the map on the lower right.
You are on the alleyway outside the club, there are several vehicles ahead of you dropping off or picking up patrons. Security guys are there wanding people for weapons.
You can just walk up to the entranceway, or you can take your rented hoverbike. How would you like to make your approach?
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Max drops Celebryn and as many others as fit up front and leaves the hover bike.
Like many pilots, he is expected to have the ride ready to go.
”No selfies or thumbprints!! No paparazzi!!”
Max immediately starts chatting up the security guards. He explains he may pop on for a drink, but his primary responsibility is making sure a quick exit can happen if needed.
Max neatly cuts in front of several other vehicles to park directly in front of the nightclub.
"GAZOOS!" blinks garishly over the entranceway.
The lead security guy comes forward hand extended palm out.
"Sorry sir, you can't park here."
"Yes yes, quite right, so true. Send out the young half-elf who parked for me before, we'll leave that right there." Celebryn hands the man a hundred credit cred stick ... "My new pilot is good, but a little brash, apologies. We're late, all of you, queue thru, I need to have been inside 30 minutes ago!"
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Ruhk quickly steps up, plastering his most affable and disarming smile on his face, leans in close and speaks to the security guard in a hushed tone.
"My good man, you're doing a fine job, and under normal circumstances I'd applaud you for your professionalism.
However, take a closer look at the elf before you.
Let me just tell you, right now, you may be slightly above your paygrade."
"Trust me, this is pretty much my job description, trying to make sure people like you don't get stepped on because "certain people" don't quite live in the same world as you and me."
"We'll be out of your hair in just a few shakes of a lambs tail, and nobody is geting hurt right?"
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The bouncers backed up and opened the doors for Prince Celebryn and entourage, clearly not sure who you are, but unwilling to risk offending a major celebrity. Pounding dance music washes over you as you enter.