Description: ... for information. After a run-in with the thief, an information exchange with Aranha, and an argument with Drake, the punk princess is off on the search for more incriminating evidence. While the nervous contact doesn't provide much more than what Arika already knows, one can't shake the feeling that the woman knows more than she's willing to part with. Is Arika getting in over her head, or has she just ensured that someone will get what's coming to them?
Even in the most busy, populated corner of Southtown it never truly feels safe.
The epicenter of the coastal city, massive edifices of glass and steel surround Geese Tower like crown jewels. The sidewalks are rarely visible beneath the hustle and bustle of metropolitan life as suits and dresses alike flock this way and that. All dance to the tune of flashing traffic lights and screeching tires. Conversations fly in thousands of directions as the drone of the upwardly mobile achieves a sonorous hum.
Even here, financial brokers and lawyers alike shuffle across refined streets quickly. Always looking both ways, always looking over their shoulder. Always in the shadow of the highest tower, always. Crime knows no boundaries in this berg, muggings and gang violence are merely uncommon here. As opposed to a constant threat in less civilized neighborhoods.
No girl would be walking here alone, unless she was on a mission. Or was a great deal tougher than they look. And for those on a mission, this district is the right place to come when one is looking for answers. Many people 'in the know' work here. Secrets traded like any other commodity, albeit with less governing oversight. Anybody who does business in Southtown has their footprints and paper trails littered here.
Blackjack was no exception.
While the name of that organization has cooled down precipitously since the absence of its ambitious leader and death of her psychotic number one, the star of that organization has certainly faded. But traces remain, here and there.. If one looks carefully enough. Some remember that name..
Take for instance, 'Neddy'. A name that the Rock Diva heard from an associate of a friend of someone she met a few hours ago. Neddy did business with Blackjack a few months ago when they were running strong. She might know 'something', it was suggested. A good a lead as any. Thankfully, one doesn't have to go far to meet this 'Neddy'. She works as a clerk at a warehousing and shipping firm and always hangs out at a Cafe on the corner of Market and Main. The 'Cafe Lugano'. A respectable enough place, for a pseudo-European deal on a street corner for those who absolutely positively avoid Starbucks like the plague and willing to pay through the nose for a good Espresso.
The day really couldn't get any worse for the punk princess. Running into the thief last night, getting the whole story (or as much as he was willing to part with) from Aranha, and having a blowout argument with Drake over it all has really left her in a mood.
These moods are usually -not- conducive to being safe.
These moods usually have her out and about doing 'research' or finding herself in a lot more trouble than she would normally bargain for.
Tonight's mood hasn't really been any different. More information is needed. Even though she has files from both Jinchuu and what Aranha managed to take months ago, plus the added information garnered during the dawn's breaking light, it is apparently not enough.
Wasn't hard to get a lead, albeit, she's not entirely sure it's a good one. May as well check it out though, even if the associate of a friend of someone she met while beating on a random thug isn't all that reliable. What's she got to lose?
So it is with narrowed eyes, a hardset jaw, and a complete look of irritation that Arika opens the door to Cafe Lugano. She takes a few basic measures to ensure that she at least looks outwardly calm -- unfortunately, these measures aren't working as much as she'd like. As such, more than one patron seems to steer clear of her as she looks for this 'Neddy' contact.
Sore Thumb, say hello to Cafe Lugano.
Cafe Lugano, Sore Thumb.
As the Punk Princess arrives, she receives a handful of curious glances from the assembled crowd. Two dozen suits crowd themselves into this close little cafe. Most individuals paired off with various business associates doing 'lunch', sipping double-shots of espresso and nibbling on salami and formaggia cheese paninis. The house specialty. Flat-screen TVs play CNN, ESPN and the BBC to round out the busy atmosphere. A few of the older, middle-aged crowd recognize the fighting celebrity but know better than to ask for an autograph. Rumors of her temper precede her.
Thankfully, Neddy is as easy to spot as her description suggested. A short red-head with freckles sporting the widest glasses the human head can permit. Hair arranged in a professional bun, the rest of her wears a simple white blouse, green jacket and matching skirt, and black pumps. The newspaper half-folded in one hand with a small cup hovering within the other, her magnified green eyes roaming the stocks at random.
Either the coffee is off or her stocks are, either way, her frown is almost as pronounced as the Punk Rocker's own. The market has been taking a pounding over the quarter and even Southtown has been feeling it.
Sometimes it's better to get a rep for being an angry bitch, especially in situations like this. It keeps the autograph hopefuls at bay, and it allows her to wander into an establishment that likely has a dress code out the wazoo, dressed in her typical fight garb. Though as one middle-aged man shifts his gaze to her, she surprisingly has a smile to return.
A smile that works like a mask which finally forces her outward appearance to relax, despite the raging ire that boils within.
The huge glasses are what gives this particular contact away. Very few people wear glasses that size for the fun of it, so it must be her. Skirting around another table, she finally seats herself across from Neddy, yet says nothing. The frown returns, deepening only slightly as she crosses her arms over her chest and peers at the woman.
As the Punk Princess takes the seat across from the small woman at the equally small table, the be-speckled office clerk somehow manages to not immediately notice. So en-rapt is she by her newspaper, that she sets her coffee cup down just long enough to unfold the crinkled, inky mess to the next page. Perhaps her bottle-glasses give her tunnel vision or the woman just isn't terribly perceptive.
"Mmmm.. Mmmm! They're doing better.. thats a good thing, that's a good thiiiiiEEEEP!" Her voice trails as the paper sags in the middle until Arika's visage is revealed to her at last. The startled yelp shocks the into a short, seated hop! Her glasses bounces on her pert nose while her cup rattles about threateningly. With an awkward catch, she steadies her swirling coffee with one hand as she lets the newsprint fall away to the side. Eyes blinking as she struggles to focus, "H..Hello? I.. I'm not taking your spot am I? You need this seat? Uuuh.." The meek woman stammers at the severe expression presented to her. Color leaving her face as she wonders what she did to perturb the young girl so!
Boogety.
Yes, the big, bad, scary Punk Princess is just sitting there almost glowering at the woman. The reaction forces her to bite the inside of her cheek so that she doesn't laugh aloud and spoil this stellar bad mood she's in. While she attempts to hide her wry amusement, she fiddles with the black fingerless gloves she happens to be wearing -- less conspicuous than bloody bandages.
"No, you ain't takin' me spot. Oi don't need the seat." Pausing, Arika leans forward in the chair, elbows resting on the table. "Y'know why Oi'm 'ere, Neddy. Oi'm lookin' for a spot of information, y'know, the kind Oi can't just pick up a paper to read."
As Arika doesn't immediately evict the nervous Neddy, the woman slowly straightens the massive glasses dominating her face. Small lips trembling as if prepared to break out into full-on terror at the drop of a hat. As the punk straightens her gloves, doubtlessly soiled with the blood of other smaller, nervous people, the business lady swallows audibly. Gulp.
"I.. I do?" Neddy confusedly asks. Her eyes crossing a moment as if processing some mal-computing factoid before the light dawns, "Oh! Oh yes, yes! Aah.. Oh.."
Her gaze drifts to the newspaper in question. At least these printed pages offer information vastly safer than the subjects that are usually mentioned in hushed voices such as these, "..Y..Yes.. Ah. You wanted to k.. know about that mercenary outfit or another right? Ah.. B..Blackjack?" Wide eyes roaming back and forth frantically as the word is mentioned.
Appearances to the contrary, this is the perfect locale to conduct such secretive business. Dozens of eyes and witnesses. Dozens of voices all competing with eachother against four seperate audio news feeds to confuse listening devices. Of course.. Arika stands out from the crowd altogether too well, but Neddy is invisible for all intents and purposes. Especially in this dog-eat-dog corporate world. Invisibility has its advantages. Like doing business on the side with.. other people of less repute.
W..Well.. W.. what do you w..want to know?" The woman reaches down for her cup, cradling the vessel in both hands. The contents still manage to ripple and tremble unsteadily.
Well, yes. Had the punk princess -intended- on coming to a high-end coffee shop in the middle of some big-wig financial district, she likely would have had the forethought to bring a change of clothing in order to blend in. Arika, however, is not all that great with the stealth. Frankly, she doesn't care who knows she's looking for information, provided that the rumors get back to the very people she's looking for. She's got every intention of wanting to make a certain thief's life as miserable as humanly possible -- preferably with a very long jail sentence.
"That'd be the ones Oi'm interested in, yeah."
Arika pops her neck from side to side, and were the sounds in Cafe Lugano not drowning everything around them out, it would likely be very audible. "Why's that always the first question you people ask?" Didn't Aranha just ask her that this morning? "'ow 'bout you tell me wot'cha know, and Oi'll tell ya if it's wot Oi'm lookin' for."
The meek clerk sinks into her chair a few inches beneath the smoldering look. Shrugging her neck until it disappears into her shoulders, Neddy replies quietly, "I.. I thought someone to.. told me ..uh.." Wondering if, perhaps, she was misinformed as to what this potential client was interested in. However, as Arika verifies the needed topic, the nervous executive nods again quickly, "W..Well! I..I know a few things..erm.." Pouting as she looks back to the woman from the corner of her massive glasses, "I .. I did some bookings for them. Shipments of.. well.. I. I really don't ask questions see but.. shipments for things overseas. Especially Southeast Asia but.. Mostly heavy weight cargo. I.. I mean. w.. what are you looking for e..exactly?" Nudging her glasses upwards with a fingertip, "Blackjack got.. p..pretty big. Lots of people.. D.. did they steal something o..or?"
"Mm."
Size isn't the issue. Back in the files she's still got, she's probably go names of people that were only with that group for a short period. What she really wants is...
"Wait... -wot-? Shipping things overseas, and you never questioned wot was in those crates?" Her mind drifts back to Jinchuu for a moment, and then Arika decides she'll have to 'run into' the ninja again at some point to see if he'll feel charitable enough to offer her some information.
"Wotever. Oi'll worry 'bout that later. Wot Oi'm really interested in 'earin' 'bout is a thief. 'bout five-three, strawberry blonde 'air, goes by a bunch'a different names..." Frown. "And one that came later, rose in the ranks quickly and was Belmounte's roight 'and..." Or left hand, or SiC, or whatever they want to call it.
The Clerk squirms in her seat at the shocked outburst. Eyes shifting about, giving the distinct impression she'd rather be anywhere in Southtown other than here. How can she defend the indefensible? Its how some things are done in this town. 'Looking the other way' is a fact of business here. A well-paying commodity that Neddy had to grow accustomed to after working here for so long. She has no reply for that, instead, suffering in silence until the Princess helpfully switches subjects.
Neddy eagerly attaches herself to the new topic as she answers, "Thief? I don't.." Lips forming a small 'o' in sudden recall, "Ooooooh yeaaaaah. Had a ribbon in her hair right? Oh! Oh yeah. I think I remember her with Elle once! Yeah..Umm.." She tilts her head to the side quizzically, blinking like a very red owl, "..Wh.. what about her? Did she.. ..s..steal something?"
"Wot's it matter wot that little bit--" Arika presses her hands into fists, getting a small wince as the material of the gloves presses against her still raw wounds. "Look. You got the information or not? If not, Oi'm sure Oi can find it from some other contact." Or beat the living hell out of them until they sing. "If so, stop playin' games and tell me wot'cha know. Oi ain't got all day."
Especially not when she's got someone she cares about off making what she figures is the biggest mistake of his life.
"So spill or quit wastin' me time."
The mousy clerk lifts her hands wardingly, the coffee sloshing within the porcelin, "H..Hey! C..Calm down!" The nervous thing hastily adds. Wide eyes staring, "I.. I was only told someone w..wanted information! I.. I don't know -what-! G..Give me a second h..here.." Setting down her shaking cup slowly. Wishing she didn't order the double-shot of espresso as her heart beats a hundred miles per hour. A hand covers over her heart as she exhales slowly, forcing herself to calm and allowing herself to think.
"..A..Ayame was he.. her name. R..Right?" She frowns, "T.. there isn't much known about her. I.. I know she.. she did a lot of business in Blackjack.. N..Not sure where she came fr..from. Or even w..what her real name was.. uh.." Her eyes shifting to the table then back up curiously.
"..W..What DID she do to you a..anyway?"
Deep blue eyes narrow upon the skittish woman. See this? This is Arika's 'serious' face. As though she wasn't getting the point across already, she repeats, "Don't matter wot she did or didn't do, does it? Wot matters is that Oi came for information and you don't seem to be spillin' it at all." Knuckles crack, and she leans in toward the table. "Look, if it makes any different to ya, Oi ain't 'bout to beat the information outta you, but wotever you do 'ave would be moighty 'andy. 'angouts, marks, intended targets'd be good. Information on any kidnappings she was involved with..."
The woman looks faint. Color draining from her freckled cheeks and her eyes widen half again at the rising threat. Her hands held defensively before her as she half-turns her face away from the threatening glare. However, as the Punk Princess relents in her threatened aggression only then does Neddy dare to open both unveil both fishbowl glassed eyes. Swallowing audibly again she yields, "L..Look.. K..Kidnappings?? That's.. I.. I don't... That's not.." This is why she never asks. This is why nobody asks. They're always afraid of what it may be that they're secretly facilitating. It helps them sleep at night, you see.
However, Neddy's gaze steels a fraction. Perhaps, curious to see just how deep this rabbit hole goes, "F..Fine. I.. I can tell you what I know if.. If!" Lifting a hand, finger pointed ceiling-ward, "..You tell me why you want t.. the information on Ayame.. T.. Tell me what she did to y.. you and I.. I'll te.. tell you everything I.. I know a..about her.." Perhaps getting a little more brave now that the threat of physical harm is no longer a factor. Or so Arika says..
Or so Arika says. But one can never be -too- sure when dealing with someone who's said to have a legendary volatile anger. Granted, what's said usually isn't the truth, but it's good to maintain the image sometimes. Fingers drum upon the table momentarily, eyes narrowing again before she begins to look throughout the cafe at the different faces. One can be sure that each and every face present is going to be remembered at this point.
"She tried to take somethin' from me. Didn't exactly like'er doin' it, and she's attemptin' to do it again." Shoulders rise up in a miniscule shrug as though the reasoning doesn't matter. "Not to mention, she 'urt some'a me associates." Probably best not to come right out and admit that at least one of these 'associates' is someone she cares (cared?) for. "So Oi wanna know who and -wot- Oi'm dealin' with 'ere, so loik Oi said... any information you can give me is gonna 'elp matters greatly..."
Neddy absorbs this information like a sponge. Her frightened demeanor relaxing with every word spoken as she intently leans closer. Nodding upon occasion, her glasses balancing more precariously with every movement.
"Mmm.. S..Sounds like her.." Neddy mumbles to herself at the description. Leaning back into her chair then, folding one arm over her stomach while propping her glasses higher with a fingertip. Nodding firmly, the clerk gives information in kind, "..I know s..she was trained. Trained really, really well. T..They had some underground fighting ring.. The Seventh Circle I.. I think they called it. Ayame was the 'star' attraction I.. I think. S.. She's an amazing fighter. S.. Some say almost as t..tough as Elle herself or that crazy pet w..witch she had. R..really smart. E..extremely smart. She w.. was sky-rocketing in Blackjack's ranks. S..Smart money w.. was that she'd run the thing s..someday. B..But a..after what went d..down in Metro w..well.."
Neddy shrugs, "I.. I d.. don't think she.. she's working for B..Blackjack anymore. N..Not many are. S.. She's prob..probably g..gone independent n..now.."
Glasses glinting, "W..Where d..did you l..last see her? A..Anyway?"
Call her suspicious, but for someone who was wary of giving information this 'Neddy' woman sure seems to know a lot. Not only that, but she's asking an awful lot of questions. All of which just has Arika pressing her lips together tightly, forming a thin white line with them. Nothing new here either, since Aranha has said pretty much the same thing -- although the information about Ayame taking over Blackjack just makes the diva smirk.
"So that why Belmounte ain't 'round anymore? Figured her prodigy was ready to take care'a things?" Heh. The question is voiced in such a way that it seems as though it doesn't matter whether it's answered or not. She's already made her mind up.
"Oh, y'know 'ow thieves can be. She's been 'round." Exact whereabouts, or last known whereabouts going unprovided.
As for why Elle isn't around anymore, Neddy offers a simple shrug. To be honest, she doesn't know. But, it appears that bit of information Arika isn't after anyway.
"Ah.." Neddy mildly muses. Pressing her glasses higher upon the bridge of her nose with her first two fingers, "..Pity."
She does seem to know an awful lot. But then, if she wasn't well informed then what could would an informant be? Still, it would seem that Arika is at the end of her purchased information as the red-head deflates a bit, "S..Sorry but.. I don't have much more on her th.. than that. Personnel w.. wasn't m.. my area. And the t..trail has gone cold s..since Blackjack all but f..fell apart. S..Soo..." Tilting her head, "A..around huh? Interesting.." Her gaze sweeping back to a nearby window and the busy streets beyond. "I.. I'm sure a person like that.."
Eyes narrowing, "Will get everything she deserves. Sooner or later. Everyone does.."
A happy smile returns to Arika as she grins sheepishly, "S..sorry? I..If I hear anything I.. I'll let you kn.. know?"
"Heh."
Arika has no doubts that the thieving little wench will get what she deserves eventually. The problem she's having stems from the fact that there's a lot of havoc to be wreaked in the meantime. Problems caused for friends. Problems caused for -her-.
But these things... well they're not things she can blame the informant for, really. The poor woman only knows so much, after all. One person can't be expected to carry all the information on Blackjack, can they?
Pet witch.
Naerose.
While it's doubtful that the witch will provide her any -useful- information, it won't hurt to see what she -can- find out with regards to what she wants.
The thought actually brings a quirky smile to her lips and she nods at Neddy. "Great. Perfect. Yes, keep in touch... you 'ear anything, Oi wanna know." A gloved hand dips into the pocket on her cargoes and she pulls out a few bills, tossing them on the table to cover the cost of whatever it is the woman was drinking.
"Oh, and Oi think it goes without sayin'. Oi wasn't 'ere..." Pause. "'least not for information gatherin'." That said, she pushes the chair back and stands, arms crossing over her chest once more as she just stares at the woman. "Thanks for the 'elp," she offers softly in comparison to the anger she's been exuding.
Neddy visibly relaxes as the Punk Princess seems sated on what little information she did have to offer. Slumping in her chair as she dares to lift her coffee cup once more, cradling the cooling vessel in both hands as she smiles to the tossed bills. Not even bothering to count them, the informant nods her head in thanks, "S.Sure! If I hear anything, you bet!"
At the request of anonymity, Neddy grins yet more brightly, "R.right, right! The espresso is really good here, I heartily recommend!" Offering her story in the form of honest advice. Sipping her cup demonstratively, her smile warms. Pausing to appreciate the sampled flavor, she offers in turn, "I.. I hope it is helpful to you. I.. I'd hate t.. to think if anything I did.." Frowning before shaking her head, ".. I.. It's alright. T.. take care.. Okay? T.. These are ... These are very dangerous people.." Neddy's voice ends in a whisper. Her coke-bottle glasses glinting intensely.
Smirking, the diva nods. See, she knows they're dangerous and untrustworthy. Aranha's aware of this as well. Now a -new- informant is telling her the same thing. Yet, even with this, she knows that the person she's trying to look out for will be stubborn and refuse to see what's right in front of him.
"Oh, Oi'll definitely be back to try it," Arika says, dipping her head in a curt nod.
As an after thought, she leans over the table so that she can scribble something onto the corner of the newspaper Neddy was reading. "Watch your back, and if one'a them types starts makin' problems for you, call that number." It's not a personal line or a business line, but the number to a disposable pay-as-you-go variety cell phone that the punk princess has been keeping handy in order to touch base with a few contacts. "Oi want to know immediately."
Then she's off, walking back through the cafe and out the door without so much as a nod to any of the other patrons.
Seems her search for information is only just beginning.
Neddy quietly accepts the written note. Picking up the edge of the crinkling newspaper as she keeps her eyes to the Diva, the clerk nods with a pleased smile at the kind offer, "T. Thank you.. I.. I appreciate it. I.. I will call.."
And as the Diva then walks exaunt with purpose, Neddy turns her gaze back to the number on the paper in question.
"Yes..." Fingertips pulling down the rims of those glasses, revealing inhuman, golden irises with black-slitted pupils dilating as they focus upon the information given. Finally, a lead on where that traitorous little animal is and it fell right into her lap. The Diva's indiscriminate questioning didn't go unnoticed and the Devil still has a few contacts in Southtown. Arranging this little 'identity' was simplicity itself. Its good to be back 'in the loop' as it were.
Especially with all the transgressions that have yet to be repaid in kind.
"Dangerous indeed." Glasses pushed back into place, returning those unassuming green eyes as she grins to a nearby waitress, "Check please!" Snatching up the tossed bills and offering them with a wave.
Keeping an eye on this one should lead her right to that little thief. And then..
..She will come to know what it means to cross the Devil of Koga.
Log created on 20:59:28 08/05/2008 by Arika, and last modified on 11:01:38 08/06/2008.