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Nalani
Heading back to the Hotel Paradiso and the attentions of Hoshiko, Nalani is intercepted in Reception where she is informed that she has a message - and that her hotel bills have been paid until the end of the week!

The message is from R.R. Sabbana.

Ms Nālani Shiraishi, I have recieved instruction from my client that, pursuant to her daughters expressed preference, you should be declared her legal guardian while my client is detained. Should you agree to this, please sign the attached in the presence of a witness, who must sign also to confirm that it was you that did so without duress. I will check with the hotel in the morning for the signed papers. (In case of doubt, the use of real paper in these cases is still legal) Should you wish to do so, I urge you do so promptly or the powers that be may determine her to be "Not properly cared for" and seek to make the child a ward of court, and declare her a runaway.

I have been informed by the police that they wish to interview the child concerned as they suspect her of materially interfering with their investigation. Having spoken with the officers, I can assure you that they have no direct evidence of her actually doing so (the so-called "missing evidence" was not properly logged and both the Police and National Security Protectorate Agents involved each blame the other) and thus any such interview would have to be voluntary and in the presence of a responsible adult.

I have advised my client that they should make no comment, and (as I am not currently aware that you may be a person of interest) suggest that you take a similar line should they contact you over your history with the Queen of the Belt.

Yours
Rafe Sabbana
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Hoshiko appears glad to see you and, while you prepare for the evening, only makes one attempt at murder-by-tripping.

Nālani is anxious when intercepted, but the message soon lifts her mood.

Her first thought is to use the receptionist as witness and courier the papers immediately, but her habit of secrecy tells her to reveal as little as possible to as few as possible. She will ask Arnwolf later.

She is about to program her Autochef when she remembers that her bill is covered. Room service Hoshiko! Fresh food. I doubt they have mouse though. Salmon? Yes, salmon sushi for two.

As they eat: I am sorry I have to leave you alone again this evening Hoshiko, but I have things to do. I promise, we will have a ship soon and you will grow bored of my company again. I will be surprised if you do not find plenty of mice to keep you busy there, real ones. I will be the one pining for you.

Nālani finds some tissue and ribbon from a boutique, an empty box. a chunky necklace and a scarf. Putting her flechette pistol in the scarf with the jewellery on top she wraps the whole thing as though it were a gift and places it in her bag.

Needing to dress for two different venues she prioritises the den of iniquity over the gallery. She does not want to look as though she works at the establishment after all. She layers some nice items over her Protec suit, does her hair, nails and make-up, pockets both her comms, holsters her Stunner at her waist and scoops up Hoshiko. Saying Lend me some of your luck, she kisses the cat's head and releases her onto the bed.

After setting up Hoshiko's devices she heads to the exhibition. She is eager to see the work but she also wants to see the venue, paying attention to security, crowds, access and the possibilities for quiet conversation on a subsequent visit.

The grooming takes longer that Nalani might wish, but the effect appears quite distracting - Use every advantage in a card game!

Try new active hair tints by Daveed. Latest cyber-active colouration techniques can be applied to your hair to allow you to change colour and pattern at the merest whim.

The Jerome U exhibition is like many pop-up exhibitions - the Art Crowd all saw it at some private do and the public are a mixed bunch. It isn't crowded. The artist seems to be deliberately trying to provoke...placing the Prelate of Santa Maria as Judas was never going to ingratiate but would provoke a headline!

And after a good 90 minutes, you conclude that the fabrication of the various exhibits is variable and the ideas brilliant to obscure. At his best, he's brilliant - but he seems to have an editing problem. He clearly doesn't like chucking out bad ideas.

And after this - a cab, back to collect Arnwulf.

The Blue Monkey is tastelessly decorated in Blue Neon advertising "Girls, Girls, Girls" and sporting a huge blue gorilla-sculpture on a canopy over the entrance. It appears to have been damaged more than once by thrown objects.

The doorman appears to have some genetic relationship with the statue, and the lighting makes him look blue!

On the way over Nālani talks to Arnwolf : I am here to play cards. I have no intention of causing trouble, and I never cheat, but... this is a Nepenthe-controlled operation. Which is why I asked you to escort me. I will be concentrating on the game, I need you to watch the room for me.

Telling him about the gift-wrapped pistol in her bag: It is silent. I hope we do not need to shoot at all, but if we do the fewer people who hear it the better.

Just pull on the bow and it will come undone, the lid on the box is loose and the tissue thin.

Arnwolf, I may ask to borrow money. You know the rules. If I am losing and have run out of cash do not give me any. If I am winning and need to fund the run, perhaps back the hand, but no more. If I hit a good run and win too often, tell me. It is not good to win too much, especially in a place like this.

Ah! I make this too serious, it will be fun. We are here to make friends.

The cab arrives and she looks at the neon... Tcha! But not to rent them.

The Doorman gives both of you a quick look up and down, knocks on the door and, after a brief pause, drags the door open. Inside the room is small and attended by a young man who appears to be suffering from a lack of sleep - or a lack of something addictive.

Somewhat monotonously: Cr10 entrance. Please check firearms here. What is your pleasure.

Nālani smiles broadly: I am here to play cards. My friend likes to watch. I may let him carry my winnings too.

She peels off the entrance fee from a clip of ten Cr10 in her purse and shows the Stunner at her waist: Does this count as a firearm?

It shoots.

And for two, Cr20.

The doorman will issue tickets for items deposited.

Arnwulf

The former marine limps to the nightclub behind Nalani. At the bouncer's raised eyebrows he raises a trouser leg revealing the fading outlines of a long shin bone scar and a pattern of bonding staples.

"A war wound. I still have a bullet lodged in the bone and metal inserts at the hip." He points to the neon lights and muses to the bouncer with a wink, "You know the ladies like to trace their fingers softly along the scar tissue, caressing my leg from ankle to thigh ...

Oh. I almost forgot this." He pulls out a shorn off shotgun, handing it over by the barrel. "An old peacemaker. But if course you are the first line of enforcing the peace."

He walks stiffly away, probably to the nearest waiter carrying a tray of complimentary drinks.

"Complementary drinks" is not a concept the place has heard of! This is a dingy place. You want a drink, a hostess will (closely) accompany it and she'll be charging!

Arnwulf's combination of Streetwise and Recon suggests that the management are paying most of the wages in "medical care" and "board". The bouncer and doorman appear to mostly be there to keep the staff in.

Nalani starts to head towards a side-room marked "Tables".

Nālani hands Arnwolf two Cr10 and tells him Bottled beer, and see the caps pop.

Arnwulf heads to the bar, sits and orders the beer...and attract a young woman who sidles up in a "Friendly" manner...

You seem to be doing me out of a job. I call that very unfriendly. But perhaps you could make it up to me? I'm Star.

The bar area is empty except for the bar tender, a bouncer type by the main exit and some women lounging about, watching your companion's efforts. There are two corridors - one marked "Conveniences" and the other marked "Chambers".

Nalani has peered through the door.

Six tables in the room, but stairs up to a mezzanine floor - with a member of staff at the bottom. There is another bar - with a connecting passage to the one Arnwulf is currently extracting the bottles from. Somehow, the smell of the place seems cloying and stale at the same time. There is also, in the far corner, a staircase going down and marked "Fire-Exit".

The tables are each about half full. 2-5 people at each (Including croupiers) and two slightly more tastefully clad waitresses. Nalani is possibly over-dressed - although there are some quite flamboyant styles being worn.

Could I have a 2D6 INT Roll from you each please

Nālani is usually overdressed for any occasion and in this case she really didn't want to look like she belonged here.

She scans the tables looking for a likely game. No obvious gangsters or professionals.

Int: [2d6]=3

Unless that was a "roll under stat" its an "Oops". Glad I brought a friend.

Arnwulf

Momentarily distracted by a pretty face

Arnwulf intell check [2d6]=5

"Well you are a heavenly body that's for sure." he compliments the woman. "Now it is my friend over there who has come to get a little action. So which of these tables do you recommend?"

Clutching thier bottles, Arnwulf continues to be distracted and Nalani has zero'd in on a table with three other players that look like they have been playing a while. Her presence has provided a commotion. Definitely a cut above the usual clientele.

As you pass, there is a bit of disaster at one of the tables involving a spilled drink but this passes Nalani by and Arnwulf doesn't reckon it's any of his business - and keeping his prospective hostess at arms length is a full time occupation only temporarily solved by sending her for refills. (OK Honey!) Its only after the croupier vanishes down the far staircase that he wonders why the whole thing looked like the guy was trying to avoid Nalani's gaze.

Arnwulf

Sits at a private table against a wall, with a view of Nalani but not the cards. Behind her preferably. Larconically he places the empty and half filled beer bottles on the table and plinks on them as if playing percussion. Resting his war wound, he has a booted foot up on the table edge. He smiles at a couple of the working girls inviting one to come sit in his lap.

When the croupier leaves the table for the fire exit it alerts him 'something may be going down' but doesn't otherwise make any false moves or alert Nalani.

How are the other players reacting to the present atmosphere?

Nalani & Arnwulf
Nalani takes a seat at the table and plays a few small hands to get a feel of the place. How much risk are you willing to play for? 6,8,10 or 12+ (or more)? Arnwulf seems to be courting trouble...Shotgun in his trousers and Girl on his lap could be over-relying on the girl's discretion! How good is Arnwulf's Carousing? Roll please.

The room is relatively quiet, except for an annoying, discordant plinking bottles and the sound of an angry punter on another table...that Croupier never did come back.

[2d6]=3

Two rolls of 3 in a row for this character. Now she has to play again to break even

Nalani
The opening strategy sees Nalani out foxed by two factors: The house drops out when Nalani has big hands losing little and when Nalani makes a risky move the cards really come out unexpectedly badly. The nagging feeling that the arrival was marred by something important having been overlooked doesn't help...And Arnwulf doesn't appear to have his mind on the job...Possibly a side-effect of oxygen starvation. Hopefully appearances can be deceiving.

She regathers her mind and considers a second campaign for the evening.