2014.08.25:The Party to Die For II
| The Party to Die For II | |
|---|---|
| Misa and Liesl reconcile with an old enemy | |
| IC Date | Monday |
| IC Time | Day |
| Players | Velok (Storyteller), Liesl, Misa |
| Location | Chinatown, Prospect |
| Prp/Tp | The Party to Die For |
| Spheres | Mage and Mortal |
Log
Chinatown
The first sign of the cultural influence of the area is a change in architecture; many roofs and storefronts take on a distinctly East-Asian feel. The festive vermillion hue is stained upon maple storefront pillars and the overhangs have a matching red clay tiling that shows vividly through, despite the grime and wear of urban life. Likewise signs and waving banners in the area do not favor English, there are as many in the shared Kanji/Hansa alphabet of Japan and China as any with romanji characters. Other alphabets vary through the signage just as prominently, they are simply in a smaller minority. The squat two story building of the Apothecary is representative of the non-uniformity of the buildings that crowd the 'Chinatown' streets.
Restaurants in the area offer everything from Sushi to 'Japanese' Hibachi style steak houses, but there are other East Asian cuisine represented as well, such as Pho stands on wheels and Korean barbecue stalls. The scents of food are absolutely everywhere, as are lines of laundry hanging like colorful banners between apartments above. The cultural center acts as a pulse for the community, and its pell-mell of architecture speaks to the identity of said community in a mixture of East versus West that blends like scarlet clouds against a brilliant sunrise.
Chinatown. It's practically a whole different world in its own right. The place Misa and Liesl have chosen to be in is a open aired market, the farmer's market that never ends. Daytime, so there's plenty of hubbub. People hocking their wares, people buying said wares, people just being an overall tourist. While the predominate nationality within the market is asian, there's plenty of regular Prospect members looking for a great deal on food that it's not entirely out of the ordinary that the pair can be seen walking together.
Misa meets Liesl near teh market. Misa already has a cloth bag containing a days shopping, she doesn't get much chance to come out here for REAL food, so she takes the chance getting it while she can. "Thanks for comin ta see me sugar. I know you been kinda busy lately. This was about teh only time I could free up to." Even those her words are fairly serious, she has the same bright smile on her face as if they were just two friends meeting after work.
Liesl meets her friend's smile with her own bright smile. "I'm glad you asked me to meet. School hasn't started yet, so I've got a little free time." She's got her own cloth bag, though it seems to be empty at the moment. She nods to Misa's. "What have you gotten so far?"
Misa walks with Liesl towards one of the many stalls that have premade food nearby. "Well girl I thought he was talkin 'bout wasn't his sister. No real clue who he thought I was yet... at least he's moving around now though. He looks like he's alive now at least..." Misa's eyes trail off away from Liesl as she says the last part.
Liesl nods thoughtfully as Misa speaks, frowning a little. Once at the stall, she looks over the wares on display, before Misa's wandering attention has her looking back at her friend. "Everything okay?" she asks quietly, but she's not referring to the earlier topic right now. She splits her attention between Misa and the stall.
Misa nods as she looks back, smiling again. "Yeah, sorry thought I saw somethin." she explains. "You know though, alla these white people look the same." she giggles giving Liesl a wink. "He ever mention anyone named Amelia ta you? I know you guys were a lot closer."
Liesl nods a little as Misa sounds the all clear. She shakes her head at the question. "I don't think so. One of his ten, you think?" She points out an item or two for the stall vendor, snapping something in the native language as the vendor attempts to box up something of lesser quality. She glances to Misa, to see what she wants.
Misa shakes her head. "Well... I mean not one in this city anyway. I can say that much." she says with a shrug. She steps in and leans her head on Liesl's shoulder for a moment to say something quietly to Liesl. "Think someone's followin us..." before waving her bag towards the stall and heading for one of the many seats.
Liesl accepts the box from the stall, as she gives Misa a smile as her shoulder is leaned on. She also gives a tiny nod. She then follows Misa away from the stall, as she casually looks around the area.
In a busy market like this, it's difficult to tell when one is being followed or not. So many people to crowd, so many shops to look towards, it's no wonder that this man was able to slip around out of complete notice, despite his attire. He's wearing a black business suit with a white dress shirt underneath, covering up combat boots adorning his feet. His hair is perfectly kept, a brown with frosted tips. He's wearing black sunglasses, glasses that keep his eyes tinted and unrevealing with circled frames. He walks with his hands folded behind him in the square of his back, casually taking in the sights. That is...until he manages to get close to Misa and Liesl. (http://www.cityofhopemush.com/wiki/index.php/File:Leverage-Simon.jpg) The man waits until the pair are seated at a table, then slides into the seat at the table across from them. He folds his hands along the surface, staring directly at them. They've seen him before, but where? It might take a moment for some to remember exactly, but then it's a crash of bricks. Brazil. The Palace. The Room they tried to get in. The man talking with the Iguana. The children that were killed. The man starts to smile a rather devious smile before his first words. "Hello Connie." He says, looking to Misa. "And Stacy." He says, his voice a rather dull tone. "Or is it...Misa and Liesl? I'm sorry, I have a hard time keeping track."
Misa's phone buzzes at the WORST FUCKING TIME! She leaves it for now. Best not to read whatever that is outloud anyway. She gives the man a wink. "Heck if I remember what it says on my passport." she giggles. "Looks like you got us at a disadvantage though, mister. Can we ask yer name?"
Liesl's set her box on the table, looking across at the man that gives her serious chills. She just goes very quiet, and lets Misa do the talking. Which she pretty much did the last time they encountered this man. She nods a little as Misa asks his name, fingers loosening the top on the box, but still holding it in place.
The man sits there for a moment, his eyes going back and forth between the two women. He's placed himself in such a way that sudden movements can be accounted for, and no one has to actually turn or twist in a weird way to look to him. "Simon!" The man responds almost immediately, no hesitation at all in giving up his name. "My name is Simon, but you knew that already, didn't you? Yes? No? It is unimportant." The man waves his hand dismissively, letting the smile rise and fall off his lips. "What's important is why I'm here. So go on. Ask. Ask!" He seems insistant, even if he could just TELL them, he doesn't. "Basilisk asked. She was really sweet. I'm going to miss her when she dies."
Misa giggles and nods. "I might too... not often I see someone with more people mad at 'em than me!" she replies. "Well Simon gooda see ya again. I'll go ahead and bite though. I already got paid so not like I got any reason ta stick one one side'r the other. What brings ya here sugar? The beaches? I betcha look GREAT inna sarong."
And Liesl is still quiet, though she does nod as Misa asks her question, as though to agree that she's asking as well. A faint twitch of her lips does happen as Misa suggests that Simon might ever consider wearing a sarong. (Though, she might have misheard Misa, and thought she said 'thong'. Hard to tell.)
Simon looks back and forth between Misa and Liesl, smiling all the way. "See, THAT'S what I like." He says, pointing directly at Misa. "A true professional." He gets a little boisterous, raising his hand and gesturing. "HEY EVERYONE! Everyone! We have a real professional over here! The late, great, Misa!" Some people glance, but most just ignore it, and Simon returns his hands folded to the table. "See, no one cares. Not these days." A shiver runs down Simon's spine and he straightens his back, his smile fading away. "I'm here to invite you to my party. It's going to be great. I haven't seen you both in so long, not since Brazil. I gave you all my number. I thought you might call. Now I need to get all my friends back together, and you two are my closest of friends. It's going to be a /blast/." Simon stares dead serious at both of them and seems happy. "You'll both come, right? To my party? There's going to be cake there, I promise."
Misa bows to teh crowd anyway even if tehy don't respond. She never saw the movie sadly. "I do like cake." she agrees to the man before sighing. "And I was gonna call, but somen jerk smashed my phone all up."
Liesl seems a little confused. She's pretty sure there was no number given, but maybe this is why Misa's the professional. And, this is why she lets Misa do all the talking. But, Liesl does mutter to Misa, in Mandarin, "I knew we shoulda burnt the place to the ground." She also lets the cover of the box fully open now, revealing the hot food earlier purchased.
Simon smiles once more, the cheer returning into his form. The man certainly does go through mood swings fairly quickly. "Good! I'll put you both down for a spot." He starts to rap his fingers against the table, nodding several times. "You know, honestly I was a little worried? I thought you both wouldn't want to come. That you'd want to sit back and just watch your friends die." His head turns, looking towards Misa. She can tell, even without being able to see his eyes behind those dark sunglasses, that he's boring his pupils directly through the woman. "You know, like how you sat back and watched those children die. Watched them get stabbed and thrown into the lake. I'm glad you're willing to come for the cake, at least. I'd hate to think of you as just a spectator again." His head starts to tilt back and forth, shoulder to shoulder, like he's listening to some strange song. His head turns, and now it's Liesl's turn, those eyes fixated behind the glasses. "And you! So quiet, you haven't said a word yet! Is this a common theme? I do remember you talking a bit when we met. Were you always this quiet? Were you quiet when he chose her over you and left you that night at the coffee shop, in ruins?" He looks Liesl up and down, continuing to drum on the table. "Would it hurt to know that he came back after, with her, to try and find me, and all he found was an empty palace?" Simon quite clearly has information he shouldn't possibly have, yet does somehow. It's also pretty clear he's targetting exactly where he thinks he needs to for nerve striking.
Misa shrugs, showing no sign of pity or regret. Kids? Pfft. Screw 'em better them than her. "Hey wasn't gettin paida watch some brats, or get inna fight." she says, stretching her hands slowly over her head. "Cake sounds good though." she says with a nod. "If ya got enough money though I can do more'n just watch."
It does strike a nerve, and Liesl tosses the food box up and over towards Simon, giving it some oomph. Hopefully some of the hot bits strike and if not burn, at least sting. Or even, you know, stain. He's sitting right there, but he's shown himself to be a slippery one.
Simon looks back to Misa with curiousity, shaking his head. "Oh, no no no. I'm not going to PAY you to come to the party. That would be just weird. No, I'm going to kidnap you, and you're going to have to decide whether you want to watch, or not. Though you did give me a good reminder. I'll have to make sure I make the guards eunuchs so you can't suck them off to get out of the party." He purses his lips as his eyes go back to Liesl, not in time to dodge ALL the food box, but at least most of it. What still hits stains his suit, and gets a little bit of awkwardness on his cheek. The man shows no fear at all at being attacked. Barely even any recognition for self-preservation. "You've ruined my suit." He says, quite clearly. It's not exactly ruined at all, just a little messy, but that's enough for this man. "How rude. At least it's nice to see you've grown SOME sort of backbone." Another strike, as deft as a snake to clearly antagonize the pair, and yet it seems like Simon has no real interest in a fight. Here, in the middle of a crowded public market. Safety typically works both ways when using the public. "You know I'm a little surprised. When I told Basilisk I was going to murder three of her friends, she didn't even bat an eye before she jumped up and was all about defending you both, and yet now when I tell you I'm going to murder yours, not a care in the world. Ah well. I guess I'll kill her last." With that, Simon places his palms down on the table and pushes himself up into a standing position. "Or maybe I'll kill him first, and make you all watch. That would be fun." He stops, folding his hands behind him in the small of his back. "So, any last questions? I'd hate to think I left here with you all nervous and paranoid or something." Simon's smile returns in full force.
Misa cheers loudly as Liesl hucks the higher grade market fast food at the suited individual, laughing along and clapping. "Ha! Good thing yer so close ta alla the dry cleaners!" she laughs. It's not racist if she's Chinese... well probably still is. "As for the other thing, I don't stick my neck outfor no one anymore. Ya want me there, I'm there 'cause I wanna see what's goin on. So long as things are fun I keep 'em around!"
Liesl gets chatty, now that she's vented non-verbally. "If you're talking about /him/, you've already pointed out that he's left me. Why would I care what you do with him?" Pure bluff, but she's got her dander up, and she's going full force, rising to her own feet. She barely notices Misa cheering for her or even much what she is saying. She's looking around though, expecting someone, no doubt, to be Simon's muscle in this kidnapping.
Simon shakes his head, looking directly towards Misa. "If I want you there, you will be there. It's adorable that you think you have a choice in this." That goes along with that whole 'kidnapping' part. He turns his attention towards Liesl as she rises up to her feet. "I'm not asking you to care. I'm not killing him. He's way too fun to torment. Not yet, in either case. You, though, sure. Much better to take away all the things he cares about first." There is no muscles as Liesl looks around. No bodyguards or hired guns waiting to unload. Just Simon, just this weird man. "I tried kidnapping the kids to get his attention, but no biting. I need to up my game now. So.....a party. I can't wait for you guys to be there. It'll be a party to die for. No starting the party early though, so you both get to live. For now. I'd hate to have to increase the ante." He grins, bows at the waist, and turns to start walking away. As he does, he starts to whistle cheerfully. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CamXKi002Q
Misa waves happily to Simon as he leaves. "Have a good night sweety!" she cheers, obviously not understanding the danger of the situation. She looks from Liesl to Simon again. "Gotta way to talk to anyone withou him seein might wanna go for it... I better find someone big ta go ta bed with for tonight."
Liesl is clearly confused - again or still, it hardly matters. She glances to Misa at her comment, and frowns. "What's happening?" she mutters, not really a question to Misa, but she can answer if she's inclined. "I don't know how he's doing it, so I don't know where to find such a place." She just shakes her head, and looks frustrated.
