Shadowrun - Chapter FIve - Welcome to the Sprawl

[Micula]

August 15th 1:28 pm 2058 - Outside Crusher 495 -kahlia

As the body flew into the bike's path, Kahlia reacted, rolling from the back of the bike and wincing at the crunching noise it made as it swept along the road. Her body armour absorbed the impact damage and her ears rang from the noise her helmet made as it bounced of the tarmac. The lithe bodied biker slowed to a stop and pulled herself into a sitting position. The bike lay on it's side, several large dents and scratches along it's body. A mental calculation told her the repair requirements and she hit the roof.

"Holy fucking shit!" She swore loudly as she stood upright and headed for the downed guy. Reaching forward, she seized him by the ear and pulled him upright, before delivering a devasting blow to his face and breaking his nose.

"Never fall in front of my bike again!" She warned angrily as she pulled the injured guy by his ear towards the small crowd. "I don't care if you're fucking dying and need someplace warm to curl up, never get in the way!"

"Hey!" She shouted across at the anarchist, still holding the guy by the ear. "Since you ruined my paint job by sending your boyfriend into my wheels, I'm sure you'll be willing to pay me for it! So cough up some credits and nothing more will be said."

She seemed indifferent to the mexican standoff before her and stood before the group with an almost casual ease, yet a taut, alert stance told otherwise. If anyone tried to kick off, she'd be ready.

[LadyJallyn]

OOC: Claire hun can I pls beg you to use a brighter purple. My corneas are exploding again  :crybaby2:

You can take a look at some of the colors here http://elmwood-rpg.com/index.php?topic=35.msg24084#new Im thinking plum or orchid might work for ya

[Maxx]

August 15th 1:29 pm 2058 - Outside Crusher 495 - Rainbow Anarchist

"How about I let you suck my dick and we call it even,"  the rainbow haired elf said.  It wasn't entirely clear whether he was responding to Kahlia or making an offer to the man with the shotgun.  From the expression on his face, the man with the shotgun wasn't sure either.

[Trellin]

August 15th 1:29 pm 2058 - Inside Crusher 495 - Stalker

Stalker leaned back comfortably against the bar, signaled Issac for another beer, and asked, "OK, so whats the scorecard like? Who's the wiya and does anyone have any preference on the outcome of a conflict between she and Rainbow? 'Cause it may come to that given his mood if she doesn't."

[Honcho]

August 15th 1:30 pm 2058 - Inside Crusher 495 - Patch

"I on Rainbow's side" he said without thinking much about the comment. The three on one unsettled him enough, and addition of the women concerned him even more. He really didn't want to have to wait for the fixed sight to sell on the street market before he got paid. This women could mean the difference between eating inside Crusher or eating from the Crusher dumpster. She could obviously handle herself. So the question remained is this someone he knows or not?

"You think they know each other?"

[LadyJallyn]

August 15th 1:30 pm 2058 - Inside Crusher 495 - Raven

"Can't say I do. But then again Seattle's a big city and well yeah more than likely she can handle herself in a fight. Against Rainbow though?" She paused trying to look thoughtful. "I haven't checked to see if shes cybered or magically active. If shes not wired out the ying yang shes likely to get owned. Seems like today was a bad day to come down here for a bite to eat. Sorry Stalker, usually Crusher is a pretty laid back place. Its cozy and my home away from home. This sort of shit tends to irk me. Come on children cant we all just play nice and get along."

Raven shrugged and sipped her piping hot coffee. "Apparently not. Maybe I should offer her one of Aaron's cards. He could fix her bike and give her a good price. Most shops charge a left nut to fix stuff that really doesn't cost that much. And shes kinda cute and feisty he might like that in a gal."

[Trellin]

August 15th 1:30 pm 2058 - Inside Crusher 495 - Stalker

"She's chipped, looks like at least headware of some type at a glance but not sure what offhand without taking a long look. Can't tell if they know each other or not but she's not very worried so she thinks she's up to the situation, at least.", He glanced at Raven and smiled, "I've only been in a few times in the past and it was always pretty laid back. No worries on the action, doesn't offend me in the least and it's always interesting to see how the reputation holds up when you it isn't your ass on the line."

[Maxx]

August 15th 1:30 pm 2058 - Inside Crusher 495 - Lobo

"She's fast and agile, so if she's chipped, she's chipped pretty heavily,"  Lobo said.  "Trigger happy, though.  I saw her blow a guy away because he didn't move fast enough for her.  Don't know her well but I've worked with her.  Might do it again if the price is right but it would need to be a very right price."

[Trellin]

August 15th 1:30 pm 2058 - Inside Crusher 495 - Stalker

"Duly noted. I can understand jumping in a tense situation but if it was pulling the trigger out of impatience, that's a little on the psycho edge for my taste if I can avoid it. Maybe she's got a little too much 'ware implanted than is healthy. It's been known to happen occasionally."

[Maxx]

August 15th 1:30 pm 2058 - Inside Crusher 495 - Lobo

"What, you mean the cyber psycho?"  Lobo snorted.  "Urban myth, Chummer.  I mean we've all heard the stories but it's always happened to your neighbour's cousin's girlfriend's art history teacher, never somebody you know.  You're more likely going to be ganked by some street punk with a Saturday Night Special than a guy who's gone off the deep end because of too much cyberware."

[Trellin]

August 15th 1:31 pm 2058 - Inside Crusher 495 - Stalker

Stalker held his hands up in front of him, palms out, "Ok, no argument about getting ganked by some idiot with a gun than someone who's lost it due to turning himself into a machine and I'm not saying it's even remotely common but you have to admit, there's some pretty weird drek out there and I'm sure we've all seen our share of it that's less likely than someone losing touch with their humanity because they've deliberately replaced as much flesh and blood as they can afford."

[LadyJallyn]

August 15th 1:31 pm 2058 - Inside Crusher 495 - Raven

"Yeah I've heard thats really common with mages actually. Its why you shouldn't mix magic and wires. And truthfully I've seen auras that were almost pure black. A guy I dated once was like that. Wired out completely." Raven frowned. "But yeah it didn't really work out. Men... Hmmph, uh... present company excluded of course."

[Micula]

August 15th 1:29 pm 2058 - Outside Crusher 495 -Kahlia

Kahlia looked him up and down through the tinted visor of her helmet and slowly pushed it upright, revealing flawlessly pale skin against raven black hair. Her features were almost fragile, yet there was nothing fragile or weak about the expression on her face. A hard, pissed off line creased her brows and a mocking, sarcastic smile played on her lips. "Much as I appreciate the offer, that ain't going to fix my fender." She replied finally, after looking at Rainbow with the expression of a buyer at a butchers. One quick push sent the guy in her hands sprawling to the dirt and she laid a foot across the back of his neck pinning him there.

"Look!" She spread her arms wide in an expansive gesture. "I'm not asking for a new set of wheels.. just the repair bill. Now as you sent this poor piece of dogmeat into my way, it's only fair to pay me the dough. If you don't want to, I'll be forced to take the price either out of your own transport or from your skin. I'm already in a bad mood, so the price I take from your skin will be more than would be necessary. Your choice sparky!"

Kahlia closed her fists and returned her arms to her sides, readying the monowhip concealed in her bike gloves. She would be happy to not fight this evening, but she was always betting on stupidity and the rainbow haired nutjob had thick bruiser written all over him in bright blue letters, too braindead to know when he'd caught shark.

[LadyJallyn]

August 15th 1:31 pm 2058 - Outside Crusher 495 -Raven

Raven set her coffee down on the counter and hopped off the stool. With care she opened up her guitar case and pulled out a card.

With even more care she opened the door to the diner. The exchange outside had been loud enough for everyone inside to hear because everyone had stopped talking and were now watching and listening.

The Five foot nothing dark haired girl peered out at the scene. "Um miss can I have a moment of your time before you start a royal rumble out here. It seems like you are having a bad day but the guy that hit your bike maybe you can have him pay for it rather than the colorful fella. Also I do happen to have a friend that fixes bikes. I think we could work out a deal. Would you be willing to maybe let things calm down a bit and come inside to discuss things. No one wants to see anymore violence in here and I'm sure everyone involved doesn't want the police involved."

[Trellin]

August 15th 1:31 pm 2058 - Inside Crusher 495 -Stalker

Stalker watched Raven curiously and then started growing concerned as she headed to the door. Well, crap, my new potential job pool has just thrown herself in the line of fire to play peace-maker. He looked at Lobo, "Ok, now we may need to do something. If I go out there to back her up, it's just going to accelerate things. The girl is gearing up for a fight but she knows you. Maybe if we you and I went she would slow down. If not, it stacks the odds in favor of Raven not getting shot cause shes trying to play peace-maker."

[Maxx]

August 15th 1:32 pm 2058 - Outside Crusher 495 - Rainbow Anarchist

"That would be my ride sitting underneath this bozo's pick-up truck,"  the elf said, making no obvious change in his attitude.  "I should point out that the girl with her foot on your friend's neck is far more likely to snap it with a quick flick of her foot than I am to snap baldy's neck, so if you want to point your shotgun at a real threat, point it at her, because I'm all about resolving this with my skin intact and I'm sure you are.  She's the one with no real stake in this and the most chance of just walking away.  You hear me, Honey?  Cut your losses and walk away before we end up with more corpses on the ground then there were a few minutes ago."

"Careful, Rainbow,"  Lobo said.  "She's got a huge problem with inappropriate escalation of violence and coming from me, that's saying something."  The tall physical adept waved at Kahlia.  "Afternoon, Chica.  How's the body count this morning?  Have you hit your numbers or are you still under a dozen?"

The man with the shotgun took a step back so he could cover Kahlia and the Rainbow Anarchist.  He was starting to sweat and it was clear that he was going to be the one who cracked first.

[Trellin]

August 15th 1:32 pm 2058 - Outside Crusher 495 - Stalker

"Hey Raven, lets go back in and we can get a cup of coffee. You've helped out and given an alternative but there's no need for you to be part of anything bloody. You won't be much help to anyone in the aftermath with a bullet in your gut if things go south." Pitched in hopes of only Lobo and Raven to hearing him, "Baldie reeks of fear and adrenaline, he's gonna snap any second", positioning himself for a clear dive through the door with Raven in case this explodes.

[LadyJallyn]

August 15th 1:32 pm 2058 - Outside Crusher 495 - Raven

Raven sighed and held a finger up to indicate to give her just a few more moments. Her hazel eyes flicked back over to the woman in hopes of hearing her consent and just come in for a few moments.

Despite the tense situation she doubted any of the participants were stupid enough to actually shoot anything other than their mouths. With a diner full of witnesses it would be assanine. Yes she was mildly nervous but she had faith that she was relatively safe. Being at the door or in a booth wouldn't help much anyhow if gun fire did break out.  Bullets could still come through the diners windows to hurt the people inside. And Raven felt the risk was worth it. If she could defuse the situation it meant everyone inside would be safe as well as maybe everyone outside would be in better condition as well.

[Honcho]

August 15th 1:33 pm 2058 - Inside Crusher 495 - Patch

Seeing his new friends run out the door, Patch took a moment to collect his thoughts. Raven was cute and cheery she may have some hope of easing the tense. Lobo knew the woman on the bike and might have a chance of talking some sense into her. Stalker, he was probably hoping for a fight. Me, I'm big and ugly and definitely wouldn't put anyone at ease. It was unlikely that they would say, Oh look a big, ugly, misfigured troll, let's all put down our weapons and sing Kumbayah.

Another thought kept playing through his head. A phrase one of the men on the ship use to tell him all the time. Don't bring a knife to a gunfight. He learned that it meant don't go into a fight under powered. But how fitting it was that the only weapon he had on him was his hunting knife and everyone outside had guns drawn. He truly would be bringing a knife to a gunfight.

He thought it best to wait inside until he had a proper opening, if needed.

[Micula]

August 15th 1:35 pm 2058 - Outside Crusher 495 - Kahlia

"Morning!" Kahlia replied to Lobo's hello with a calm cheeriness that could have been considered eerie. She glanced around the small group, she wasn't getting anywhere with the meat sack and Raven's offer did have merit. Still keeping her eyes on the rainbow hued moron, she removed her foot from her captive's neck and knelt at his side. "I think the lady has a point, your body did do the damage to my wheels. So just give me the money and you walk, I walk and we all go home happy!"
With shaking fingers, the man on the floor removed a credit stick and handed it over, Kahlia checked it, deducted what she needed and returned it before facing the rainbow haired guy before her.

"You can get back to what you were doing before you knocked me off my bike now!" She called over as she returned to her wrecked machine and looked at it sorrowfully. Reaching down, she seized hold of the large machine and slowly levered it upright, grunting slightly as she did so. Wheeling the large, heavily rigged machine from the road, she finally reached Raven.

"You said you knew someone who could fix bikes?" She asked as she propped the bike up on its stand.

[LadyJallyn]

August 15th 1:35 pm 2058 - Outside Crusher 495 - Raven

Raven relaxed a bit as the tension of the Mexican stand off calmed down a touch. "Yeah I do." she replied as she shook her head and held the out a distance from behind the half open door. "Just tell him Raven highly recommended his work and you can go from there. Likely an  afternoon in the shop and he can get rid of the dents and the scratches."

[Maxx]

OOC:  Claire, please stop deciding how the NPCs are going to act.  The guy on the ground would not have handed over any cash.  I'll let it go this time but not in the future...

August 15th 1:36 pm 2058 - Outside Crusher 495 - Rainbow Anarchist

"Thanks for the lack of assist, turning him loose just when I had the guns pointed at you,"  the elf said, his tone nothing short of dripping with sarcasm.  He gave Baldy a violent shove, driving him into the man with the shotgun.  When the short scuffle was over, it was the rainbow haired street samurai who held the shotgun.  "Now, would one of you three kindly tell me what the fuck possessed you to drive your truck over my bike?"

"You damned near geeked Dave,"  Baldy said.

"Dave?"  The elf frowned, looking puzzled but the shotgun never wavered.  "Oh, wait.  Is Dave missing a tooth, part of his face and a pint or two of blood, not to mention his anal virginity and one of his testicles?  His interference almost cost me fifty large, just because he didn't want me in his backyard.  The real estate kind, not the butthole kind.  I think he actually enjoyed that." 

[Honcho]

August 15th 1:36 pm 2058 - Inside Crusher 495 - Patch

Seeing the way the elf quickly reversed the situation, he could only shake his head. These punks have no idea what the hell they're doing. And now he was getting the story behind the damaged gun sight. He really should inspect that weapon carefully, the bio material that could be stuck in the barrel could cause problems in the future. That's if he can get the elf to listen to reason. At this point the altercation was all but over. The punks would be dead if they moved an inch in the wrong direction. I think it would be safe to get back to now, but I think I'll wait til everyone stands down just in case stupidity takes over.

[Trellin]

August 15th 1:36 pm 2058 - Outside Crusher 495 - Stalker

Stalker was glad that the woman had stepped back from the edge that she was about to jump from and began to listen curiously to the story that emerged about what had happened to inspire the stupidity that had ensued while waiting to escort Raven back to her seat. It never hurt to be a little cautious when dealing with the unknown.

[Micula]

August 15th 1:36 pm 2058 - Outside Crusher 495 - Kahlia

"Thanks!" Kahlia took the card and headed inside the club, pulling her helmet from her head as she did so. The noise level increased as the heavy bike helmet cleared her ears and the burst of sound covered the remarks from behind her. The dark hair bounced lightly off her shoulders as she headed for the bar and ordered a drink. She paid the barman and took a long drink, unwilling to deal with Lobo until she had properly calmed down.