2020-11-17: A Contract To Prove the Warm Affection From a Spider to a Spy
Contents
| A Contract To Prove the Warm Affection[1] From a Spider to a Spy | |
|---|---|
| Gogh and Parker meet in the same alley again and formalize their contractual relationship | |
| IC Date | November 17th, 2020 |
| IC Time | early morning, around dawn |
| Players | Gogh and Parker |
| Location | An alley off of Comet Street adjacent to Prospect Roasters |
| Spheres | Ananasi & Ratkin |
The pre-dawn glow diffusing though the city illuminates Parker sitting on the edge of the roof over Prospect Roasters. With her legs dangling beneath her, Parker has a white paper bag with a Golden Arch symbol on it sitting next to her while she's eating a bacon, egg and cheese biscuit and watching the alley. She is not attempting to hide, just a gal in a risky position eating a cheap breakfast.
Gogh skulks along. She has a bundle in one arm, and a worn, split plastic bag in the other, lined with newspaper. Still trying to be neat, looking satisfied. She peeks down the alley as she passes it, and up - and then steps in, nodding up with a look just short of derision "Hey" SHe offers
Parker smiles down at Gogh and, having finished her biscuit sandwich, pulls a wrapped plain biscuit out of the bag and calls down, "Catch," as she tosses the not quite empty bag down towards her friend.
Gogh snatches it out of the air. In her teeth. And then she crunches it, a deep and quick and smooth motion. And a toothy grin up "Tasty" She nods contentedly "Not best meal of day. How are you?" She asks, pondering climbing
In the bag is another biscuit, yummy but perhaps not the most nutritious thing that could be eaten as called out by Gogh.
From her perch, Parker calls down, "I'm good," and then asks, "You coming up or should I come down to join you?" as she opens her biscuit and begins to eat it.
"Coming up" Gogh says. She ties her bags to her belt loops, and begins scrambling up, moving smoothly and sleekly up to perch beside Parker "been good?" She asks cheerfully
Parker nods. "Pretty much," she says, "Got someone pissed at me recently because of calling his far extended family something true but not entirely favorable," and then finishes the biscuit and nods at the Golden Arches bag and says, "Hope you don't mind that, figured have something to offer you in case you showed up."
"We accept your offering" Gogh says seriously, sniffing at the bag and then reaching to take it, peek inside "Did you think about the Contract?" Straight to business, as her feet swing cheerfully
"Not really," Parker says with a choppy, bark-like laugh, "You were going to write it up so until I see it there's not much for me to think about is there?"
"Sure. But what you want to offer" And Gogh moves to take a sheet of paper, passing it across. It is cheap, stained paper, scribbled badly in ballpoint. https://pastebin.com/gh98f39s "Let me know what you think?" She says, eating a little contentedly, eyes fixed on Parker
Parker balls up the wrappers for her biscuits and tucks them beneath herself. Only then does she take the paper and reviews the contract. "Contract looks sound," she says, "I'm willing to agree to that. First monthly satisfied with a box with a half-dozen prepaid ready to use flip phones perhaps?"
"Sealed and boxed" Gogh nods seriously "And something for the nest. Clothes or food or something. Nothing much, but something I can give with."
"Well, I'll be getting you something relatively soon just for you also, so the phones can be for the nest." Perker thinks on the matter and asks, "Phones aren't cheap so what's the monetary value you're thinking the payments?"
"I don't know how much phones are. But cheap ones are fine. Just ones that will work for long enough, then we can take apart" Gogh's eyes gleam "Special labor for a couple hours a month? Doesn't have to be much. Hundred bucks, and anything on top of that is goodwill. Not stored against future months"
Parker nods. "So the phones are half of it," she says, "I've the box in the back storage of Velvet Dreams and can get it to you today." She then asks, "Pants and coats and the like are what you're looking for clothing-wise for the nest I'm assuming?"
Gogh nods quickly "Warm and soft. Things to keep family warm as winter comes in" She notes with a bright smile "And I shall share information of value to you. Are you ready for first installments?" She asks, with a sly little smile "As good faith and to seal our bargain, as you sign and note the contract?"
"With a special focus on anything that would be of importance to the safety of my person as well as my interests as you understand them," Parker says somewhat questioningly while she also nods. "That said, yes I'd like that," she says as she takes the (offered?) pen so that she can fill in the blanks and sign the contract.
Gogh signs the Contract as well, but not with the pen. She uses it to stab her hand, pressing fingers against it as she bleeds, leaving her mark on the paper. She heals quickly, as well, and smiles brightly "Yes. It is good" She taps the paper "You want copy?" She asks, swinging her legs again "So. Information. There is a caern which fell to the Wyrm. Ambushed by Spirals" Her large eyes blink, and a hiss comes to her voice "There is one called Bergin, arranging a strike to reclaim it. They seek scouts. Assassins. Should you wish to assist them, in killing those invaders, this would gain you favor with the local garou. A fine thing, for one commonly mistrusted, yes?"
Parker nods at the question, indicating that she will want to have a copy of it without speaking, yes. After listening to the information she smiles. "This is good information," she confirms and then asks directly, "Do you know how I can find and identify this Bergin person, my friend?"
"I will find" Gogh nods contentedly "When you have sent some details to the burner-phone you give me, I will pass them to this Bergin, as I assume you also have a burner-phone so you are not traced" She swings her feet again, and looks down, sniffing "I can go make a copy. If you get the payment?"
Parker nods. "The six phones in the Dream over there," she says indicating Velvet Dreams down the street with a jerk of her head to point her chin towards the store, "They are burner phones, common tech versions. I've a deal in the works to get something more... flexible. Is there any chance you could dedicate that to you or... would a low-tech version be better for you?"
"Less tech. Things don't work so good around us" Gogh lies perfectly, cheerfully "Tend to blow up or stuff. It's a shame, what can you do" She hisses in mild amusement, and then drops to the ground, calling up "Gonna get copy made. Bee Arrr Bee!" As she trots out, dropping trash into a little pile in the corner of the alleyway
After watching Gogh depart, Parker navigates her way from the roof to the ground in the alley. She heads over to Velvet Dreams and uses her Open Seal gift to open the store. A few moments later she exits carrying a nondescript cardboard box, locking the door behind her again. She returns to the alley and sets the box down, crouching next to it to wait for the return of the (literal) rat she's forging an alliance with.
Gogh returns after a little. It is a literal copy of the contract, and she holds it out brightly for Parker, smiling with all her teeth on display "There. It is good" She exclaims, tucking her own copy back into her shirt.
Parker glances at the contract and nods. She then repeats, "It is good," as she folds the contract up and slips it into a her bra. She then stands and, using her foot, slides the box over to Gogh. "I've included some knitted fingerless gloves in there, still not quite the hundred dollars but closer to it. I'll get you the rest." She then also says, "Call me from any of the phones, I have their numbers. I wrote mine on the inside of the box."
Gogh nods, picking up the box and peeking inside "When can I have the rest?" She asks eagerly "Getting colder, after all." A little sniff, plucking at her thin, almost-worn shirt
Parker nods. "Yeah, I'll get it for you as soon as possible, some pants and shirts... would blankets help out also?"
"Yes. Many warm things. For many people. Not expensive, not have to be nice, but proper to keep warm and covered" Gogh preens "Hope to have proper nest soon. Maybe have children." The young looking woman sighs contentedly
Parker nods again. "Alright then," she says and, musing aloud, asks, "Have you ever heard of the Salvation Army and would you be willing to accompany me there to pick out a bunch of cheap shirts and pants there?" She thinks again for a moment and says, "Socks, I'll get a few dozen packages of socks also. That will /not/ be a monthly thing however," and asks, "Agreed?"
"I know it. Don't go. Leave it for those who can't get their own things" Gogh puffs out her chest "I can. Doing that now." She notes with a bright smile "Will call you, and pass your number to this one who seeks people to strike against the Wyrm. And you call me when you have the rest of things, yes?"
Parker replies, "If you must pass my number to him you must, but..." she pauses and says, "I'd rather approach him myself. If that would cause you to break a promise though we can do it the other way."
"Pass your details to one another, so you can agree a meeting" Gogh nods "Neutral ground. I don't want to tell you where he is, just like I'd not tell him where you are" She beams "But it's all well"
"I understand and appreciate this," Parker says, "Its why I didn't insist on it." She smiles then and asks, "You mentioned families, I assume then at some point you'll be breeding as well?"
"Of course" Gogh sounds surprised "It is a sacred duty. Am old enough, after all" She nods contentedly "Just have to find a proper mate" No shame. Not a fucking jot. She muses, adjusting her grip "Will get these somewhere safe and keep one close by to check. Send texts and will call at time you send, yes?"
"That works," Parker says with a sharp nod. "If I find a proper mate that'll be my duty as well," she says with a smirk. She waves a hand, "Get them and yourself safe. Tell me if there is anything specific that your nest requires and I'll see if there's anything I can do to help satisfy that need." Notably, she never once attempted to use Gogh's name in the entire conversation.
Gogh nods once more, and lifts a hand cheerfully. She balances the box easily, and trips on and away, humming cheerfully to herself to stash things!
Epilogue
A couple of days later on 19 Nov...
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References
- ↑ Quote from the poem "The Spider and the Fly
