2019-01-27 Nightclub (casing)

2019-01-27 Nightclub (casing)
Jimmy, Wolf, Sydney, Hoxton, Dallas

[19:26:52] <Dallas> *So. What's everyone been up to post-Russia?*
[19:28:44] <Jimmy> *Jimmy's been.. relatively unseen. He's almost always in his van, working on this or that, rarely responding to attempts to talk to him. Dot, on the otherhand, has gone outside the van, but usually to just lay on the couch or bother the crew. Wolf's been in the living room as well, still stuck on that meth idea, buried in papers.*
[19:31:13] <Dallas> *Following their return from the mission, Dallas goes missing for several consecutive days, showing neither hide nor hair at the safehouse.*
[19:31:28] <Sydney> *Sydney's been recovering, both mentally and physically. And mourning her lost rocket launcher. Most nights she's out partying at clubs and bars; during the day, she's been working on her art a lot; her workstation at the safehouse is slowly growing and encroaching on the areas around it.*
[19:32:48] <Hoxton> *Ever since arriving and leaving, Hox has been gone as well. Only a muttered "Dont fuck shite up." at Jimmy before he left with Dallas. And since then? Silence but then no breaking news of him being thrown into jail again.*
[19:35:48] <Dallas> *Oh shit. Well, Dallas is driving down to Florida for a couple days. Looks like you're along for the ride whether you like it or not, Hox.*
[19:35:55] <Dallas> *Not too late to ask for a ride to the safehouse.*
[19:36:20] <Dallas> *Fleeing from his responsibilities? YOU BETCHA.*
[19:37:36] <Hoxton> *Hox will request a little hop to the safehouse before they go on their merry ride. "I dont have that many clothes, yet. Fuck's sake I need to go shoppin. Dont laught!".*
[19:39:03] <Jimmy> *Oh, Muffin's here, too. Wolf doesn't like to be alone without her. She smells dog. She doesn't like it.*
[19:46:16] <Dallas> *Actually--nix Florida. Dallas drives Hox to the safehouse to get his things, and while he's busy in there, he drives off without him and goes AWOL for three days straight.*
[19:46:47] <Dallas> *Not answering phone or messages. If anyone asks Bain about it, all he says is Dallas is fine.*
[19:52:55] <Sydney> *Sydney takes Dallas' disappearance in stride, though there's a not insignificant part of her that's concerned that her freakout had something to do with it. Better lock that shit down better.*
[19:54:03] <Dallas> *News about the incident in Russia is, unsurprisingly, vague as fuck. Some kind of explosion in the wilderness, a blazing fire that was quickly contained. No mention of any lab, or any clones--or anything implicating either them or Akan.*
[19:57:13] <Dallas> *A message from Bain arrives at the safehouse. Says Vlad needs help with a personal matter. Granted, they've only just finished with Russia, but Vlad was adamant about having the clowns on this job, and what Vlad wants, Vlad usually gets. He'll be coming by this evening.*
[19:57:27] <Hoxton> *Hox is ....well. Certainly not happy about the sudden vanishing act but then returns to the big mountain of clues and spends a lot of time in the range. Never seems to be satisfied with his aim. He's a little short tempered but visibly relieved to be back in the states and not trapped in some russian bunker. He follows the news with big interest.*
[19:58:00] <Hoxton> *Also clearly avoiding Dot. The dog seems to freak him out.*
[19:58:48] <Jimmy> *Wolf's been trying to contact Dallas, and sending memes and funny videos when he doesn't respond. He passes on the information about Vlad, as well, asking if he'll be coming back for it.*
[20:01:05] <Sydney> *The message from Bain came at a great time - Sydney's eager to get back to work. And Vlad can't be as crazy as a contractor as Jimmy was, can he?*
[20:04:36] <Dallas> *NO WAY. That evening, there's a sharp knock at the door, and a quick glance at the security camera over the safehouse door will reveal a mass of helium balloons obscuring the feed. Muffled* My friends! Kindly open the door before Uncle Vlad freezes his balls off, eh?
[20:05:58] <Hoxton> *A moment of stunned silence and Hox shaking his head. Balloons? Probably someone died and the madman is happy about it. Jesus. Hox gets up to answer the door.*
[20:08:55] <Dallas> *Balloons precede Vlad into the safehouse, huddling up into the ceiling. They read, "Happy birthday!" Vlad himself squeezes through, cursing profusely, then stands beaming at the lot of them.* My friends! Vlad is very happy to see you survived your trip to Russia. Have some curry! *He thrusts out a takeout bag.*
[20:10:36] <Jimmy> *Wolf glances up from his work, chuckling at Vlad's antics, Muffin hiding at the sight of the balloons. Scary floating things* ... Thanks, man.
[20:10:42] <Sydney> *Sydney arches an eyebrow at the balloons, but can't help but smile.*
[20:12:12] <Dallas> *Vlad looks up at the festoon of balloons, sighs wearily.* It's for my niece. Anyway-- *And he thrusts the bag of curry into Hoxton's arms.* Vlad has a problem. BIG problem.
[20:12:35] <Hoxton> Cheers, mate. *well standing there, Hox takes the curry and holds it suspiciously. No hidden coke?* Bain said ya have an offer for us eh? Well...ya know where to sit down. *he waves in the direction of the couches and goes to quickly. stow the curry. Shaking his head but smiling
[20:12:50] <Hoxton> *AHA. Getting handed the curry. Bueno.*
[20:14:42] <Hoxton> Big problem? Well...we are all ears, mate.
[20:16:05] <Jimmy> *Wolf's back to half-listening* Yeah, shoot.
[20:27:26] <Dallas> *It's curry from a takeout place downtown. Smells nice. Vlad waves them all over to the couches, takes a heavy seat. Long sigh. With a grim look on his face, he says* It's Dmitri. Bane of my fucking life, he's trying to put me out of business, suka. He stole my headliner--he stole my Annie for his... his fucking "Tasteful" Club. My friends--I want you to teach this Dmitri son of a whore a lesson in business ethics. Go to his club, and ruin everything. Steal everything that is not nailed to the ground, break everything, I don't give a fuck. But put him out of business. Make him regret taking Annie from me.
[20:28:19] <Sydney> *Sydney's smile turns into a grin.* And by break everything, you mean break _everything?_
[20:28:37] <Dallas> *Vlad leans in, showing teeth in a long hiss.* Everything.
[20:28:56] <Sydney> Aces.
[20:29:29] <Dallas> Vlad: But leave Annie alone, you understand? I do not want a single hair on her beautiful head harmed, clowns. Everything else is up to you.
[20:29:44] <Jimmy> *Dot's gone out into the living room at this point, too distracted by the balloons. So pretty..*
[20:29:53] <Sydney> What's she look like?
[20:30:10] <Hoxton> *Hox raises an eyebrow. Wow. That sounds...well. A smash and grab job shouldnt be too bad. Making sure that Dmitri twat wont see it coming.* Who is An....*he stops, thinking bettwe of it.* Well. I think we can help ya out, mate.
[20:31:31] <Dallas> *Vlad pulls out a phone, flicking through until he comes to a selfie of him with an elegant woman. Platinum blonde. She's looking at her phone in the photo while Vlad beams.*
[20:32:02] <Hoxton> *Hox could have sworn it would be a goat.*
[20:32:14] <Sydney> Pretty sheila, ain't she?
[20:32:19] <Hoxton> Well. Looker she is eh?
[20:32:41] <Jimmy> *Dot trots closer, yipping at the picture. Pretty lady.*
[20:33:07] <Hoxton> Right. No harmin her. Everthin else is a big fuckin playground. This dmitri twat. He's got people of his own? People with nasty guns for example?
[20:34:03] <Dallas> *A brief melancholy look comes over Vlad's face, and then he glances at his watch and spits out* FUCK. *jumping to his feet, hurriedly* Ahhh, ahaha, it was very nice seeing you, my friends, but Vlad must go. Bain will send you all the details, eh? You will do it, correct?
[20:34:34] <Sydney> I mean, it sounds easy enough.
[20:34:40] <Jimmy> .. Fuck's got you so panicked, man? *Wolf looks up, actually expressing an emotion.*
[20:34:50] <Hoxton> *Hox almost keels over, startled.* Jesus, mate! *He looks at the others*
[20:35:00] <Hoxton> Everythin alright?
[20:35:52] <Dallas> Vlad: I would love to stay, but I am late to my niece's birthday party. Talk to Bain, okay? ALSO. I will need to borrow your van. These squeaking balloon fucks got in my face while I was driving here, and I nearly crashed my car.
[20:38:20] <Sydney> How about someone gives you a ride there, yeah?
[20:40:50] <Dallas> *Vlad seems relieved.* Let's go, poekhali! *He scoops up the squeaky army of balloons and heads for the door, turning back to exclaim* Be good, my friends! Be very very kind to Dmitri. *with sudden vitriol* Kill him with kindness. If he lives, if you make him cry like a little baby, your Uncle Vlad will shower you in money. Bain will give you all the details!
[20:42:17] <Dallas> *Also yes, Vlad entirely ignored Hoxton's question about resistance.*
[20:44:13] <Dallas> *All right, who's getting voluntold to go to the party with Vlad?*
[20:44:16] <Hoxton> *Hox sits there, rather baffled. But damn, sometimes it is hard staying or being mad at Vlad. And yet he is happy not being on the russkies shit list*
[20:46:51] <Hoxton> *WELL. It seems heads are turning into Hox' direction* Wha. Me?
[20:47:15] <Sydney> It'll do ya good to get outta this place anyways, yeah?
[20:47:24] <Jimmy> *Wolf nods.* Children terrify me.
[20:47:26] <Sydney> When's the last time you went to a party?
[20:48:49] <Hoxton> *Hox sputters.* A party? For kids? Been a fuckin while. Uh. Well, mate. Seems I'll be the one to drop ya off.
[20:49:48] <Dallas> *HOXTON. MY FRIEND. BIG PAT ON THE BACK, and Vlad walks out with him, balloons bumping around behind them. Vlad is overjoyed to have his company on the drive over, regaling him with tales from his own 10-year stint in prison in a cheery show of solidarity. He does grow darker at one point, muttering how he'd like to wring the neck of whatever rat bastard turned Hoxton over to the feds. He, too, is convinced there was foul play involved. But he's quick to brighten up again as they arrive at the party, rather insistent Hoxton come in and say hello, and have a piece of cake. It's bad luck to refuse, after all.*
[20:53:41] <Hoxton> *Well. Playing taxi for Vlad. And yet it could be worse. Hox walks to the van with him, letting him in. Already hearing Houstons nagging in his head. Heh. And the drive turns out even enjoyable. The man is a power unto himself and he nods and comments, growing a little more cheerful. Hox will refuse at first but you cannot refuse Vlad it seems. He reluctantly agrees to ONE bit of cake. Of course. Work waitin for him.*
[20:59:58] <Dallas> *Surprising lack of any grim-looking Russian mafiya standing around the house. It's just a bunch of kids--Vlad's niece among them--excitedly opening presents. Vlad graciously accepts the party hat she puts on him, sitting atop his head at a jaunty angle, then hands one to Hox as well. Gotta fit in. The cake is very nice. Soon, Hox gets the opportunity to make an Irish exit, or bid them all a French adieu--whichever way you wanna put it. To make use of that low detection and slip away from the party and return home.*
[21:03:51] <Hoxton> *Ah well. Gotta fit in. The hat sits ontop his hair and he quietly eats his cake, lingering around. It's surprsingly normal for a man that is Vlad. After a while, when the kids are playing games happily, he'll make his exit. The cake was nice and well. A strange yet not entirely unpleasant evening. He drives home. Hat still perched on his head.*
[21:09:16] <Dallas> *He was introduced to them as Uncle Vlad's friend, and the kids just kinda took it in stride. After the noise and excitement of the party, it's a quiet drive back to the safehouse as the wind gently stirs the flurries falling over DC.*
[21:12:36] <Hoxton> *Well. Now it is Hox with a hat and a little smile. Fuckin' kids. They just take the strangest shite with stride. He looks up at the snow, sighing and turning the music up a little. That was...nice.*
[21:18:51] <Dallas> *They do get a call that night--but it's Bain. He's going to send over some photos taken on-site at the Tasteful, interiors and exteriors, along with a list of known employees. It almost sounds like a stealth, the way he describes it. Doesn't look like he's gotten the memo about smashing the place up.*
[21:19:44] <Sydney> *Sydney is sure to immediately clarify the mission objectives with Bain, given what Vlad said.*
[21:21:13] <Dallas> *Bain sounds... almost a little sad about it. Apparently he likes the place. He says he'll have a chat with Vlad, see if he'd be willing to accept some kind of compromise.*
[21:22:46] <Sydney> *Sydney offers the suggestion that the club might be easily bought once the property value's been lowered enough...*
[21:25:40] <Dallas> *A moment of silence, then Bain chuckles.* Good thinking! Just try to leave the building in one piece. Have a look at the place, and let me know what you need for the job.
[21:29:13] <Hoxton> *Hox returns sometime later. Party hat perched on his hat. Doesnt go to explain it but says he'll just have a smoke outside.*
[21:30:02] <Jimmy> Love the look, Hoxie. *Jimmy, you're not allowed outside. Fool.*
[21:31:12] <Sydney> *After a minute, Sydney makes her way outside, her own pack of cigarrettes in hand.* I take it the party went well? *She looks pointedly towards his hat.*
[21:32:10] <Hoxton> Fuckin killer. And it was actually a party. *he takes a drag.* Jesus, seemed way too normal.
[21:32:52] <Sydney> Figured it'd do ya good to actually go outside. I mean, I know you and Dallas go off sometimes, but I imagine you're not out on the town.
[21:34:35] <Hoxton> Cheers. I expected coke and hookers and well. Just kids bein kids. I got cake as well. *he lets out a billow of smoke* Well. Famous mug an all.
[21:36:57] <Sydney> Teenagers I can stand, but kid-kids? No fuckin way. *She lights up her cigarette, takes a puff*.
[21:40:18] <Hoxton> Teenagers? Hah. I aint a kids person either but not like I was a ...clown. Just weird seein Vlad doing normal shite for once.
[21:41:12] <Dallas> *Brief jump cut to Vlad humoring his niece as she plays out a tea party with stuffed animals. Tiny teacup in hand.*
[21:45:28] <Sydney> *She flicks some ash aside.* Kinda funny. For me, that shit's the worst part of all this. *She gestures back towards the safehouse.* That whole 'pretending to be normal' thing. Paying money for groceries when I could just take it, and no one'd dare stop me.
[21:46:16] <Sydney> ((grocery store heist when))
[21:46:26] <Dallas> (("Guys. The shopping cart. Go get it."))
[21:46:41] <Sydney> (("We need....baking so-da...))
[21:47:01] <Hoxton> ((LEMON ACID...NO WAIT.))
[21:47:17] <Dallas> (("WAIT. I messed up! It should've been limes!"))
[21:48:50] <Sydney> ((the shopping cart uses the same controls and stats as the forklift))
[21:49:19] <Dallas> ((If you aim for the wrong prompt, you end up sitting in it?))
[21:49:29] <Sydney> ((I THINK YOU MEAN RIGHT PROMPT))
[21:52:16] <Hoxton> *Hox is quiet for a moment. She has got a point though and he flicks some ash into the snow.* Dunno. Aint we normal in the end? Don't get me wrong. Cant be anythin but a bloody crook. But ya gotta....well. Have a backup plan ya see. I dont wanna die from bein shot by some lucky pig. Not anymore.
[21:52:39] <Hoxton> Or I am just gettin old.
[21:53:39] <Sydney> Yeah, I'm planning on dying young. *She takes a really long drag from her cigarrette.*
[21:56:45] <Hoxton> Jesus. Can ya fellas stop talkin about dyin? First fuckin robohead and now you?
[22:01:17] <Sydney> Christ, I'm not going to off myself or anything. I wanna go down fighting, doing something really epic. Holding off an army of dozers while you escape with a zillion dollars, or summat. *She shrugs.* Won't be anytime soon. I'm just getting started.
[22:07:47] <Hoxton> *Hox smiles, taking a drag.* Who doesnt? We all wanna die doing great shite....and not to rain on ya parade. Sounds fuckin badass. But aint gonna happen. It's gonna be some fuckin bad luck and dying without any grand last stand. It just doesnt work that way. It's inevitable so I'll focus on being the glorious fella I am. Fuckin with the feds because I bloody can.
[22:12:37] <Sydney> Eh. *She's clearly in denial about the possibility of not having her glorious last stand.* So. How much of a "normal' life would you lead if you didn't have your face plastered everywhere on wanted signs?
[22:19:03] <Hoxton> Me? Fook, I wouldnt do anything much differently. Just having a plan B to fall back, is bloody nice. *He looks at her.* Ya can go and leave the country. I cant like that. Ya can go ahead and buy yourself a fuckin villa in a year or two. Freedom, lassie. *Beat* Cant blame ya. Took me that two year stint to realize.
[22:28:06] <Sydney> *She nods, then gives him a curious look.* Question, and you don't have to answer if you don't want. If the alternative was going back to jail - and I mean a proper supermax, somethin we couldn't break you out from...would you eat a bullet rather than go back?
[22:31:34] <Sydney> ((let's be real, with all the shit they've done, there's a pretty high chance they'd end up here (because their crimes are primarily federal): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ADX_Florence ))
[22:34:01] <Dallas> ((Supermax, for sure.))
[22:34:23] <Dallas> ((Half an hour of circling a bare concrete room, no talking to even the guards who bring you your food.))
[22:34:44] <Dallas> ((Only human contact is when you get your hair cut by the prison barber.))
[22:35:59] <Dallas> ((:/ I get the feeling Sydney would grant him his request to put one in his head should he be captured. Dallas couldn't do it.))
[22:36:44] <Sydney> ((She would absolutely cry, but she'd do it))
[22:38:13] <Hoxton> *A long drag and Hox seems a little too unperturbed by the question. He has thought about it for himself for a long while.* Fuckin hell, next time I'll get me a drink first. *he is quietl, tapping his smoke* Course I'd eat the bullet. Aint no life in jail. Not a worthwhile on. FUckin hell, supermax are insane in this country. No, I'll fuckin pass.
[22:41:12] <Sydney> Same. But I'll take as many fuckers as I can with me.
[22:44:39] <Hoxton> Attagirl. Wouldnt do it differently. Fuckin twats. *A chuckle and he flicks the smoked stub into the snow*
[22:47:24] <Sydney> *She also drops hers to the ground, grinding it to the ground beneath her boot.* Fuck'em all.

2019-01-28
Jimmy, Wolf, Hoxton, Sydney

[19:31:15] <Dallas> *Their mark, the Tasteful Club, is a popular hangout located in Dupont Circle downtown. Twitch will be arriving shortly to pick them up. What's everybody bringing, and how are you gonna dress?*
[19:34:32] <Jimmy> *Jimmy's wearing the same suit he did before, but it's definitely been washed. He's got Dot on a leash. Wolf's wearing his usual attire as well, minus the gloves. They're on polar opposites of how they're feeling about this mission: Jimmy's fucking esctatic, and Wolf absolutely wants to die.*.
[19:38:22] <Hoxton> *Hox is casually dropping it that fancy is a must for this one, even if it is just casing. He is wearing a classy black suit though he'll probably stay back. Famous mug and all. When he sees Jimmy and Dot, he'll insist keeping the dog at his van. No way he'll be let inside with a dog anyway. It's a case so collecting information is paramount with n
[19:38:22] <Hoxton> ot getting their covers blown.*
[19:39:52] <Sydney> *Sydney is, frankly, barely recognizable in her clubwear. She's wearing an absurdly tight, long-sleeved black mini dress. The dress has cutouts on the sides and much of the back. Its long sleeves conceal her tattoos, and her hair has been temporarily dyed black. She's got her butterfly knife hidden in one of her boots, and has brought her 5/7, but
[19:39:52] <Sydney> she'll ask one of the others to hold onto it for her. She's dressed to draw attention.*
[19:43:27] <Jimmy> *Reluctantly, Jimmy agrees to leave Dot in the van, not wanting to challenge the others just yet.*
[19:49:26] <Dallas> *Twitch soon arrives to pick them up. No limo, just the same old getaway van, though he says he'll drop them off at a distance to let them keep up their fancy cover. It's pretty busy downtown, nice clear night and a little snow on the ground. And there's the Tasteful. Warmly lit entrance, unoccupied balcony overlooking the street. It's Friday night, and there's a line going down the block. Easier to blend in once inside if you can handle the initial wait.*
[19:50:24] <Dallas> *Dallas is not with them.*
[19:53:51] <Sydney> *Despite her coat, Sydney is clearly freezing. She tries to keep warm by fidgeting and keeping moving in place, but there's only so much she can do.* Fuckin' christ, could this line move any slower?
[19:58:46] <Dallas> *How sexy and fancy do you guys look?*
[20:02:24] <Hoxton> *Hox is wearing a dark three piece suit and a scarf wrapped around his neck. Sleek and shiny and he has donned a pair of dark shades. Trying to divert looks from his face. He even tried doing his hair somewhat fancy and the tie is silk. He is...trying his best.*
[20:04:39] <Dallas> *From where they're standing here in the cold line, they can hear muffled music thumping inside the club. Sounds like an amazing time in there. The bouncer, a deeply frowning rottweiler of a man, arms crossed over his chest, guards the entrance like Cerberus himself. Some people in line start to complain, and he rebuffs them, saying in a low growling Russian accent* Over capacity.
[20:05:06] <Dallas> *However--he looks around, picking out a pair of slender young women fidgeting in the cold. He asks them over, lets them through into the club. So they aren't over cap.*
[20:06:01] <Dallas> *One of the guys at the front starts loudly complaining about sexism.*
[20:07:21] <Hoxton> *Well Hox is trying his best not to look too nervous. He is scanning the entrance for cams. Already collecting little bits of info.*
[20:12:35] <Sydney> *As the frustrated people in the line ahead of them begin to disperse, Sydney leads the group towards the front of the line. She puts on her best smile for the bouncer, and plays up her Aussie accent.* G'day mate. Got any room left in there? I'm tryin' to show my friends a good time in America, was told this was the place to be.
[20:16:54] <Dallas> *At the sight of her, and the sound of her voice, the bouncer's frown lifts a little like a gray cloud dissipating. He looks her up and down, takes in her cohorts. Slight twitch of his mouth, appraising--nice young bunch, clean looking. Well dressed. He unclasps the velvet rope to let them through, much to the dismay of a small group of friends who'd just given up on the wait.* Heff a good evening, miss.
[20:17:54] <Dallas> *And no cameras out here, Hoxton. Though it'd be tricky doing anything without someone taking notice. Busy street.*
[20:18:51] <Sydney> *Sydney smiles.* Thanks, luv! *She all but struts inside, beckoning the others to follow.*
[20:21:36] <Hoxton> *A chuckle from Hox and he gives the bouncer a nod.* Worked ya magic, lassie.
[20:22:57] <Jimmy> *As Wolf walks in, he nods at Sydney.* Forgot to mention, you... you look stunning. *Wolf almost recoils at the fact that in no known universe would he ever think or say that about Sydney.*
[20:24:02] <Sydney> *She looks back at Wolf, almost as surprised as he is, but she does a bit of a better job of hiding it.* Yeah, I know. *Another grin.*
[20:25:51] <Hoxton> Yeah we are some good lookin wankas. Just focus on the job for now. Try and not get too drunk mates. And lemme know if ya....well. Go somethin else than the safehouse.
[20:27:09] <Sydney> *Sydney hands off her coat to the attendant, then shivers. Well, there's two good ways to warm up in a place like this. Get a drink, then hit the dancefloor.*
[20:30:09] <Dallas> *The music beats like a pulse inside the club. Walls of dark wood, abstract art, and a ceiling dotted with tiny lights like stars. They're invited to drop off their coats at the counter. Neon-outlined stairs leading upstairs to the lounge, and immediately to the left, the dance floor. Lights strobing, disco ball spinning, brightly lit panels shifting underfoot. Helluva lotta neon silhouetting the clubbers on the dance floor. A bar at the back,
[20:30:09] <Dallas> busy with people, and darker booths against the walls.*
[20:30:28] <Dallas> *It's pretty chaotic.*
[20:31:04] <Dallas> *Since you guys are thieves, you take note of the exits immediately. There's a doorway leading out behind the bar, and another exit apparently behind the DJ booth.*
[20:34:31] <Hoxton> *Hox pauses a moment as he sheds his coat, taking the scenery in. Marking the exits and taking note of the general layout. Blimey, it's gonna be a shame smashing this place up. Maybe there will be a way to resolve this without turning this into a pile of rubble. He heads for one of the booths, sitting down. Playing the observing game. Are there any
[20:34:32] <Hoxton>  people stationed conveniently? Certain groups keeping together?*
[20:35:11] <Jimmy> *Wolf looks up, wary, cautious.* ... First course of action is finding Annie, right?
[20:35:21] <Dallas> *What kind of groups? Patrons or employees?*
[20:36:18] <Hoxton> *Patrons for now. Gotta gauge how many are there on a night like this.*
[20:36:28] <Hoxton> *Employees. My bad.*
[20:39:02] <Sydney> *Sydney's already striking off on her own, headed towards the bar. She's going to try to score free drinks from any not-unpleasant looking guy she can find. Might as well put this get-up to use, and she's gotta make her act convincing, right?*
[20:42:28] <Dallas> *Two behind the bar--bartenders. DJ's going pretty wild back there in the booth. Half a dozen servers going back and forth, shuttling drinks and food to the tables. So there's a kitchen back there. Bain's list mentioned a chef and a prep cook. Difficult to get a handle on how many security personnel are present. Hoxton gets a glimpse of one solidly built guy making his way across the club and into the back. That's the one thing Bain wasn't sure
[20:42:28] <Dallas> about. No idea what's going on in the back.*
[20:44:03] <Jimmy> *Wolf's got his eye on nothing in particular, the picture of that woman in the back of his mind. Scanning faces, seeing if he can find a match.*
[20:45:20] <Hoxton> *Hm. Interesting though. He'll keep a look at the entrance to the back. How often and how many guys go in there. If there is an office or something, it will be probably there, he thinks to himself.*
[20:46:29] <Dallas> *Freed from her coat, Sydney's downright eyecatching. It's not long before a guy comes up to her at the brightly lit bar and offers to buy her a drink. He introduces himself, but his name really doesn't matter. Nice smile, though.*
[20:52:19] <Dallas> *Lots of people in the club, but no sign of the woman from Vlad's selfie. There is, however, a large poster on the wall with a glamorously dressed woman, the spitting image of the bored platinum blonde, staring out with piercing eyes. It reads, Heartbreaker Annie. She'll be performing here tomorrow night.*
[20:52:35] <Sydney> *Aside from a,* Thanks, luv.  Jack Daniels, neat. Make it a double, yeah? *she doesn't even really say anything to him. She lets him blather, nods every now and again, until she's finished her drinks. She then leaves the guy mid-sentence, and heads to the dance floor.*
[20:53:38] <Jimmy> *Wolf's got on the comms.* .... She's performing tomorrow night.
[20:54:18] <Dallas> *Hoxton--movement upstairs, over the DJ booth. Big glass panes. Looks like an office overlooking the dance floor. There's a guy moving around in there, gesticulating as he walks. On the phone, probably.*
[20:57:50] <Hoxton> *Hm. Interesting. Could this be this dimitri fella? He wonders about what the guy must have done in his past to annoy Vlad like this. Shagged some cousin or summat. He decides to have a little closer look. He stands up, heads towards the restroom where he disappears for a moment and then heads back, fetching him a drink on the way back to his booth. Shooting sneaky glances up the office.*
[21:05:55] <Dallas> *The night is still young, and patrons are dancing energetically to the beat, lighting the floor with their footwork. A cheerful dark-haired young woman tries to engage Sydney, calling over the music* I've never seen you here before! Do you want to dance?
[21:08:00] <Dallas> *Not too easy getting a clear view into the office with all the bright lights firing off on all cylinders over the dance floor. But it does look like the manager's office. Desk, bookshelves, good view. Has to be management, and if Vlad is to be believed, that should be Dmitri.*
[21:08:01] <Sydney> *Sydney eyes her for a brief moment, then smiles.* Fuck yeah I do! *She's leaving the business to the gents tonight.*
[21:09:13] <Dallas> *All right, all right, all right! Sydney, how's your dancing? If you're a confident dancer, roll 2d6 to see how impressive you are on the dance floor tonight.*
[21:09:22] <Dallas> *If you're just an average dancer, roll 1d6.*
[21:09:34] <Sydney> !roll 2d6
[21:09:35] <RNGesus> Sydney rolls the 2d6 and gets: 8 [5, 3]
[21:11:38] <Jimmy> *Wolf's gone to sitting on the sidelines, personally he's got more than enough data. He's just watching whatever piques his interest.*
[21:12:28] <Dallas> *Real bloody ripper of a dance move, Sydney. The brunette's eyes light up, and she eagerly mirrors Sydney's moves with lively quick movements, weaving closer to say in her ear* You're an amazing dancer! I'm Aishe, what's your name?
[21:12:35] <Hoxton> *And somewhat belayed reaction to Wolf.* Right. We gotta make sure to hit when she's not performin. *He goes to fetch himself a whiskey on the rocks to return to his booth. He keeps a lookout for the gang. Trying his darndest to relax.*
[21:14:17] <Sydney> *Sydney smiles.* Heather! Nice ta meecha.
[21:14:31] <Sydney> Come here a lot?
[21:18:19] <Dallas> *Aishe says yes, whenever she gets the chance. There's no better place in DC to just unwind and let loose, and she says she hopes the club has made a good first impression on Heather as well. Seems she's taken quite a shine to the heister, sticking with her through into the next song, then eagerly inviting her to come get some drinks with her at the bar so they can find a quiet spot and actually talk instead of shouting over the music.*
[21:20:06] <Dallas> *Meanwhile, the boys notice a disturbance. A harried looking woman in a chef's apron comes running out of the back, casting around. She exchanges words with one of the bartenders, and then a burly security guard is summoned, and they vanish into the back together.*
[21:21:50] <Sydney> *Sydney agrees, grabbing another shot of Jack Daniels while she's there.* So I've been hearing about someone here...was it Amy? Anna? Definitely an 'A' name. *Sydney frowns, faking trying to remember.*
[21:22:10] <Hoxton> *Hox looks up, squinting. Looks like trouble and he doesnt like it a bit. He slowly takes a sip, then peering up the office. Any disturbance there?*
[21:24:59] <Dallas> *Movement as the chef reappears upstairs, in the manager's office. Impossible to make out what's being said, but Dmitri touches his head in exasperation and makes a frustrated gesture, and they move out of sight, presumably headed downstairs.*
[21:28:18] <Hoxton> *He fidgets with his drink. Goddamn. The urge to have a look is strong but no way getting there undetected. He moves to mutter into the comms* Anyone can see into the back a little? Somethin's happenin.
[21:31:39] <Dallas> Aishe: Anna? *She thinks about it, nursing her drink.* No, I don't, I'm sorry. Does she work here? Or--oh, do you mean Annie? *She leans back, motions to where a poster has been tacked to the wall a short distance away.* Her?
[21:32:15] <Sydney> Yeah! What's that all about? People seemed kinda excited.
[21:41:10] <Dallas> *Aishe says Annie's a singer or something, but she hasn't seen her perform. Something about a live jazz band. She admits live music isn't really her thing; she's here for the DJs.*
[21:41:38] <Dallas> *A jazz band in a club like this? Incongruous.*
[21:42:35] <Sydney> *Sydney concurs. If it doesn't have a good beat, she's not interested.*
[21:42:46] <Jimmy> *Unsurprisigly, Wolf does a surprisingly good job at sticking to his own little corner, he's a- a lone- wolf. I- I'm sorry.*
[21:43:33] <Jimmy> *Oh right, Jimmy's here too. He's probably trying to sell coke to some teenager in the back alley. He doesn't matter.*
[21:43:58] <Dallas> *Is Jimmy making a profit?*
[21:44:14] <Jimmy> *Idk ask him I gotta roll some dice*
[21:47:46] <Dallas> *Three men come into the club from the front entrance. Walking with purpose. Heisters will recognize their gait as carrying concealed weapons, and one of them has his coat collar open, showing tattoos on his neck. Russian mob. They silently make their way through the club into the back.*
[21:49:26] <Hoxton> *quietly* Some mafia wankers enterin the back, fellas. Somethin tasty is goin on there.
[21:50:50] <Hoxton> *Right. Hox gets up to the bar. Trying to get a better view.*
[21:55:11] <Dallas> *A narrow view into a tight hallway. Staff only. If he leans just right, he can make out a tiny sliver of a back room. Where most of the Tasteful is lush wood and soft lighting, the back is gray and bare, like a storage room, or those back corridors you find at the mall where patrons don't go. Voices back there. Men talking in Russian.*
[21:57:01] <Hoxton> *A frown and he mutters into the comms, voice low* Jimmy. Need ya translatin here pronto. *He leans over a little, taking a casual sip of the whiskey. So there is the business area huh.*
[22:10:08] <Jimmy> *It's a moment.* Yeah, yeah, gotcha. Headed in now. Just had to- do something.
[22:10:35] <Hoxton> *A pointed sigh* Just make sure ya look presentable.
[22:11:22] <Jimmy> I do, I do. Promise. Gonna need a second to get in, though.
[22:12:33] <Dallas> *There's the bouncer, frowning deeply at the waiting crowd. Getting past him without the benefit of standing next to Sydney is gonna be tricky.*
[22:12:45] <Hoxton> Hang on. *He speaks a little louder into the coms* Sydney? If ya aint molar-deep in some snoggin, try an get Jimmy in through the main entrance.*
[22:13:35] <Dallas> *Aishe's currently enthusiastically asking Sydney about Australia. She's always wanted to visit.*
[22:14:36] <Jimmy> Nah, nah mate. I got this.  *He seems to shush someone on the other line, for the writers it's Dot telling him that no, no he does not.* I got this.
[22:15:00] <Sydney> *Sydney is happily telling her about it, and is indeed leaning close when she hears the message. She fakes that she got a text on her phone.* Hey, my cousin just got here! I'll be back in a sec.
[22:15:26] <Sydney> *She stalks off, snarling into the comms.* Cockblocking bastard, you are.
[22:15:38] <Dallas> *Aishe smiles, says she'll be right here.*
[22:15:49] <Jimmy> 'S not my fault you'd prefer eating carpet over doing your job.
[22:16:17] <Sydney> At least I'm in the place, not snorting coke off a fake dog's back.
[22:17:44] <Jimmy> EXCUSE ME, PRINCESS, *He clears his throat.* I currently have 25k from this fucking night alone. I'm getting shit done.
[22:17:59] <Hoxton> *Something that may sound like a snort.* Cheers, Sydney. I'll buy ya a drink later.
[22:18:20] <Sydney> *To Hoxton,* Wanker.
[22:23:14] <Dallas> *Hoxton--new voice in the back there. Loud, angry sounding. Might be Dmitri. The mob men laugh him off. Then, the voices move out of earshot, and Dmitri comes walking back, looking perturbed. There's blood on his immaculate shirt where someone grabbed it.*
[22:24:37] <Sydney> *Sydney makes her way to the lobby, waiting until she can see Jimmy before rushing out without her coat. She waves to him, then looks to the bouncer.* Hey, it's my cousin...Timmy. Can he come in? *She's absolutely freezing without her coat, looking to the bouncer with puppy eyes.*
[22:25:28] <Hoxton> *What the fook happened there. He shoots a sneaky glance at Dmitri. Blood on a shirt. Give fuckin trouble a badge and there ya go. The laughing feels off though. Why would they laugh at him? Is he maybe not such a big shot as he thought?*
[22:25:35] <Dallas> *The bouncer looks up in surprise. Quick look between the two, and he gently ushers Sydney back into the club, nodding for Jimmy to go along with her. In his low Russian rumble, he warns she might catch cold standing out here. Better go inside.*
[22:25:49] <Dallas> *Accent, that is. He speaks English just fine.*
[22:26:16] <Jimmy> *Jimmy mumbles, headed his way up to Hoxton, not speaking, preferring to listen.*
[22:28:20] <Sydney> *Sydney doesn't need to be told twice. She's walking inside, muttering snarkily,* Need me to carry you through anything else?
[22:29:13] <Jimmy> .. Go fuck your girlfriend.
[22:29:42] <Dallas> *And there's Aishe, perking up at Sydney's entrance. She smiles at the both of them, seemingly eager to meet Heather's cousin.*
[22:30:44] <Sydney> *Before making her way over, she hisses,* Why, you wanna watch?
[22:31:42] <Jimmy> *He's stopped on his way up, noticing the girl looking at Sydney.* .... Nah. Got better things to do. G'luck on your date. *And then he goes.*
[22:34:15] <Hoxton> *A nod whenever Jimmy is approaching, quietly.* Translate what they say. The important bits. Fella with the bloody shirt might be Dmitri.
[22:35:25] <Sydney> You're missing out. *Sydney rolls her eyes at him, then heads towards Aishe. Seeing no doubt Aishe's confusion at why Jimmy just left, Sydney heads it off at the pass.* Okay I might have lied, he's not actually my cousin, he's my dealer, and he needed me to get him past the bouncer.
[22:41:35] <Dallas> *Dmitri's come back down from his office. Smoking, restlessly pacing around in the back. The chef speaks to him in Russian, telling him to calm down, for the love of God--and then she lowers her voice and asks, how long will this go on? When will they move... that out of the basement? Dmitri says he doesn't know. Just mind your own business, blyat.*
[22:42:19] <Dallas> *Aishe, surprisingly, takes it all in stride. She suggests they maybe head back to her place later to smoke a joint, saying she had a really good time here with Heather.*
[22:42:44] <Jimmy> .... *He leans over to Hoxton.* ... Summin' in the basement. Chef's not a fan of it. Boss told her to can it.
[22:46:29] <Sydney> *Sydney seriously considers it, but no, she's got a job to do. At the moment, at least.* I would love to, I really would, but I gotta wait for that freakazoid *She gestures vaguely in the direction Jimmy went,* to finish doing...whatever he's doing. It'll probably be a whiiiiiile. *She huffs, pouting.*
[22:46:47] <Sydney> Could I getcha number though? Take a rain check?
[22:47:46] <Hoxton> *Hox mumbles quietly* Fuckin hell. Bet ya there is money launderin in he basement.
[22:53:13] <Dallas> *Aishe beams, and before Sydney can even reach for her phone, she brazenly pulls Sydney's hand over to write her number across her palm. Then she gets up, offers to get her another drink from the bar.*
[22:53:24] <Dallas> *A couple minutes pass, then Dmitri stops pacing and looks up as the mob men reappear from the basement. Dmitri says rather tensely, so? What happens now? They tell him not to worry, just business as usual. And don't look so nervous! People will start to think something's wrong.*
[22:54:58] <Jimmy> ... Doesn't seem like he's the ringleader of this. Too.. Too nervous to be. Dunno. *Jimmy looks down, thinking.*
[22:55:34] <Dallas> *Funny, Vlad never mentioned Dmitri had ties to the Russian mob.*
[22:56:20] <Jimmy> ..... Are we sure this is that Dimitri guy?
[22:59:20] <Sydney> *Sydney takes her up on it, getting yet another shot. She's hiding the resentment she's feeling, but it's simmering under the surface. And she's letting it build, so she can harness it. It'll be soon. Not when Aishe can see, but Sydney's looking forward to busting her knuckles on some dude's face.*

2019-01-29

[20:17:39] <Hoxton> No I am not. But he was pacin the office so I guess so. *He frowns. Yeah connections to the mob? Fook, bad news. Hit this Dmitri guy and they might summon fuckin hellfire down here. THe russkies dont fuck around.*
[20:18:12] <Dallas> *Funny you should mention that. Aishe takes a long time getting back. A glance towards the bar reveals there's a guy trying to chat her up. She rebuffs him politely, but he doesn't seem to be taking no for an answer, physically blocking her from leaving in that "c'mon, just gimme a chance" way that always seems to work in the movies. Not threatening, though she's starting to look annoyed. She's not smiling anymore.*
[20:20:18] <Sydney> *Sydney's expression darkens, and she radios in,* You ready for the party to start, dipshits?
[20:20:50] <Hoxton> Oh fuck. *into the coms* We casin, fellas. The fuck you gonna do?
[20:21:29] <Jimmy> *Wolf's seen the situation with Aishe as well, having been lurking.* .... 500 bucks if you kill him.
[20:21:40] <Hoxton> There's armed wankas here, probably. Fuckin make sure ya dont get us all swissed alright?
[20:22:32] <Sydney> ...I'm getting real mixed messages from you guys so Imma go with the one I like better. *She rolls her neck, cracks her knuckles, and storms up to the guy hassling Aishe.*
[20:23:35] <Dallas> *He's got her by the arm, trying to convince her to stick around and have a drink with him. She fights his hand off.* Not interested.
[20:23:37] <Hoxton> Oh shite. *he downs his drink quickly. Just to make sure the money is completely wasted.*
[20:24:14] <Jimmy> *Jimmy shifts a bit, ready to run if Sydney makes things messy.*
[20:25:29] <Dallas> *Back to her. Aishe hasn't noticed her yet, too busy fending the guy off.*
[20:27:13] <Sydney> *You know how in the movies the hero taps someone on the shoulder before punching them? Yeah, Sydney doesn't do that. She straight up punches the guy in the kidney, full force, before he even knows she's there.*
[20:28:25] <Dallas> *The guy seizes up in pain. Takes him a moment to react, and then he's turning to look at her with the most bewildered expression.* What the f--
[20:31:57] <Sydney> She's said she's not interested, fuckwit! *Sydney goes for the face this time.*
[20:32:41] <Sydney> !roll 1d6
[20:32:45] <RNGesus> Sydney rolls the 1d6 and gets: 4 [4]
[20:33:20] <Sydney> !roll 1d6
[20:33:20] <RNGesus> Sydney rolls the 1d6 and gets: 4 [4]
[20:34:49] <Dallas> *The guy barely manages to dodge out of the way of a broken nose, though her fist clips his cheek. He looks stunned, then angry.* What the f-- *And he gives her a hard shove.* Get off me, you crazy bitch!
[20:35:36] <Jimmy> *Wolf drops in on the comms again.* .. If you want me in, lemme know. Glad things're finally getting interesting.
[20:37:05] <Sydney> Yeah, I imagine that's what she was thinking! *Sydney goes for a kick this time, trying to get him on the floor.*
[20:37:09] <Sydney> !roll 1d6
[20:37:09] <RNGesus> Sydney rolls the 1d6 and gets: 3 [3]
[20:40:06] <Dallas> *The guy flinches at the kick, though it doesn't stagger him. Brief glimpse of Aishe, staring on all wide-eyed, then it's eclipsed as he takes a heavy swing at her, closed fist. Go ahead and roll dodge.*
[20:40:16] <Dallas> *Sydney, that is. Not Aishe.*
[20:40:17] <Sydney> !roll 1d6
[20:40:17] <RNGesus> Sydney rolls the 1d6 and gets: 4 [4]
[20:42:10] <Sydney> *Sydney's a small, agile target, and the guy whiffs. Sydney tries to counter, again aiming at the face.*
[20:42:13] <Sydney> !roll 1d6
[20:42:13] <RNGesus> Sydney rolls the 1d6 and gets: 6 [6]
[20:43:20] <Dallas> *Yelling from onlookers as the guy's punch narrowly misses Sydney's face. One of the bartenders is yelling over the noise for security, and those who aren't directly involved in the brawl will see two big guys crossing the club towards them--but not before Sydney's fist meets the guy's face and knocks him flat on his ass against the bar, nose broken, out cold.*
[20:43:51] <Jimmy> *Wolf's back on the comms, cheering.*
[20:43:52] <Dallas> *Aishe stares, then breaks out in a startled laugh, looking from him to Sydney.* Holy shit!
[20:44:24] <Hoxton> *Over the comms* Shite anyone dead yet or still havin fun?
[20:47:41] <Sydney> *Sydney's grin is half malevolent, half triumphant. She looks to Aishe.* You alright, luv?
[20:54:03] <Dallas> *Aishe nods breathlessly, but before she can say anything, two big guys push out of the crowd towards them. Sydney's quickly identified as one of the troublemakers, and the guards grimly tell her they're going to have to see her out.*
[20:55:23] <Sydney> *Realizing her own imminent fate, Sydney darts forward and briefly kisses Aishe.* I'll call you, yeah?
[20:56:41] <Dallas> *Aishe looks stunned, but then she smiles. She calls out too late, her words swallowed by the thumping music in the club, as one of the big guys politely, but firmly escort Sydney out to the door, stopping to get her her coat back.*
[20:58:04] <Sydney> *Sydney doesn't resist too much, though she does thoroughly question their moral fiber and the status of their mothers using some very choice words.*
[20:59:02] <Sydney> *When Sydney's pushed outside, she spits back in the direction of the club, then just starts laughing.*
[21:01:25] <Hoxton> *Over the coms* Oi. Sydney. Where are ya?
[21:01:43] <Sydney> In hell. The fuck you think I am, mate?
[21:02:12] <Hoxton> Dunno. Prison? That lassies bedroom? Good I fuckin finished my drink.
[21:03:00] <Sydney> Out in this stupid fucking cold stuff. Snow. Whatever.
[21:03:59] <Hoxton> Cold stuff eh? Try and not get arrested. *He sighs and gets up, motioning to Jimmy* Right. Let's not keep her waitin.
[21:04:17] <Hoxton> *To wolf over the radio* Oi Wolfie. Where are ya? We are goin.
[21:05:32] <Jimmy> *Jimmy stands up, grumbling. Wolf responds quickly.* Roger that. On my way out.
[21:06:40] <Hoxton> Cheer up, robocop. Nobody's gotten shot. Yet. *he makes his way out, shooting the bar a longing glance*
[21:12:21] <Dallas> *All right, buddies. Twitch is waiting to drive them back if they wanna do a debrief at the safehouse. Just let him know, and he'll come and pick you all up.*
[21:13:44] <Sydney> *Sydney's already called him before the guys make it outside - fuck waiting in the cold. She regales Twitch with a tale of her epic smiting and rescuing a damsel.*
[21:15:56] <Dallas> *She gets a chuckle out of Twitch at the stealthy sucker punch. He's swung the van around to pick her up, and now sits rumbling on the curb, waiting for the others.*
[21:16:06] <Hoxton> *Hox grumpily approaches Sydney and the others.* Ya wanna debrief tonight or tomorrow? Honestly I could use a bloody drink.
[21:16:41] <Jimmy> *Jimmy's quick behind Hox, Wolf not too far either.*
[21:17:57] <Sydney> *Sydney shrugs.* I just want to get out of this awful slinky thing.
[21:18:47] <Hoxton> *A raised eyebrow as he notices the number on her hand.* Blimey. *Witholding commentary for now. For now.*
[21:20:31] <Dallas> Twitch: Where to?
[21:21:11] <Jimmy> *Jimmy sits, awkwardly, before holding up a small stack of money. 25k.* .... So does anyone wanna know what I was doing for two thirds of the night?
[21:23:28] <Hoxton> *Hox is pondering meanwhile. There was stuff going on in the club, still. There could be more info to be squeezed out.* Oi Twitch. Can ya fetch me again in...an hour and half or summat?
[21:24:30] <Dallas> *Twitch checks his watch.* Make it two, and you got yourself a deal.
[21:24:43] <Sydney> *Sydney is tapping into her phone, when she suddenly starts cursing, and throws her phone aside.* FUCKING HELL. I forgot what fucking name I told her.
[21:26:00] <Hoxton> *Hox nods and steps back into the cold.* Bloody hell, alright. *A startled look at Sydney*The fuck's the matter? Ya alright?
[21:27:17] <Sydney> I'm just a complete drongo who forgot what alias she used for the lovely sheila whose honor I defended. *She grumbles, digging beneath the car seat where her phone has fallen.*
[21:28:48] <Hoxton> Well just tell her ya that madwoman who beat some motherfucker up. I bet she'll remember. *A chuckle and he heads towards the club.* I'll be there later, fellas. Wish me luck I dont get my other half fooked up.
[21:29:15] <Sydney> ...so crazy it just might work. You're a genius, Hox.
[21:30:03] <Hoxton> Tell me somethin new. *He gives a lazy salute and saunters off. To the booze it is!*
[21:33:20] <Jimmy> *Wolf looks over after a moment, quiet.* .... Heather. It.. It was Heather.
[21:35:34] <Sydney> *Sydney is halfway through writing a text message when she hears him, and it takes a second to compute.* Oh, you're a lifesaver, Wolfy. *She erases what she's written, then starts rewriting the message. She presses "Send", then looks back up to him with a sly smile.* Keeping an eye on me?
[21:37:42] <Dallas> *Hoxton returns to the club just in time to see the three big Russian mob guys making their exit. They brush past him on their way to the door. Whatever commotion brought them here in the first place appears to have been contained. The guy Sydney decked is gone too, escorted out with a bloody nose.*
[21:38:34] <Jimmy> *He shrugs.* Your little date was one of the only interesting things happening.
[21:40:25] <Hoxton> *Pfft. What a twat, that fella. Serves him right, probably. He shoots the mob fellas a look though. Something is afoot behind the facade of this club and the creeping feeling a simple thrash up job wont cut it here. He has also confirm who this Dmitri really. Work left to do. But for now he craves a nice and strong drink and heads for the bar to get himself some more whiskey before settling into his booth again.*
[21:41:26] <Dallas> *NO DANCING? LAME. BOO.*
[21:42:02] <Sydney> ...Fair enough. *She thinks for a moment, remembering something he said earlier, then sighs sadly.* Didn't end up killin' him. Pulled my punch a little. Probably shouldn't have.
[21:42:28] <Hoxton> *He is fiddling with his phone however once seated. He taps on it before putting it away. Leaning back and observing the partying crowd*
[22:06:20] <Dallas> *Ahh, I'll be nice. If Hoxton sent Dallas a selfie from the club, there is no reply message, but it does read as having been seen just a couple minutes after it was received.*

2019-01-30

[16:50:41] <Dallas> *The DJ says it's time for a throwback and moves on to a familiar song, the energetic pulsing beat of the intro to I Will Give You My All. Familiar, right? It's what was playing the night the gang broke into the Garnet Group. Helluva throwback. It's been years since they pulled that heist, and a lot has changed.*
[16:50:45] <Dallas> *Does Hox feel bold enough to dance? No sign of Dmitri up there in the manager's office, but the night is young. Might be an opportunity for him to slip into the employees only section, have a look around.*
[16:56:48] <Hoxton> *The song feels like a sudden little pang. Been a while, hell yes. And that particular heist. He takes a deep sip, allowing himself a moment to remember the feeling of dangling hundreds of feet above the ground and then sneaking in. The diamonds and sapphires shinier than ever. Fucking good one it was. Shadows slipping in and out. A moment passes and he feels  a little whoozy already, on his second whiskey. He ogles the dance floor for a moment. Waffling. He hasnt been a good dancer, or so he thinks. But the way to the bar ...he carefully gets up and makes his way through the dance floor. Maybe another drink will brighten his mood and provide enough cover should someone see him sneak in where he shouldnt.*
[17:02:02] <Dallas> *The music is loud here, rumbles through him. Couple soft bumps as dancers, lost in the music, brush into him, then a young woman unexpectedly stumbles right into his side, backing up with an apologetic smile. No recognition. In the neon twilight, he is anonymous, his scars erased.*
[17:05:17] <Hoxton> *He bites back a startled snap but does his best to force a smile onto his face. Yeah maybe he is scared she might point and yell. But as soon as she moves on, the nervous knot loosens a little. Jesus christ, it has been a goddamn while. And nothing like that since the crew busted him out of jail. He makes his way through, the bar a beacon which hefollows.*
[17:07:42] <Dallas> *Familiar face sitting at the busy bar--Aishe, looking faded now that she's not moving and laughing, nursing a drink and checking her phone. Takes a moment for the bartender to get to him. What's his poison?*
[17:11:34] <Hoxton> *Hopefully it is Sydney she is texting. God knows people need some fun in their lives. He throws her a sideway glance and then turns to the bar. Hmm. He has had two whiskeys and another doesnt ring his appetite. He's got a while till Twitch arrives anyway and might as well fancy shite up. He orders a gin tonic, something he can nurse for a while.*
[17:15:40] <Dallas> *The bartender gently slides thin slices of fruit into the tall clear glass, deftly crushes the lavender before it, too, is added. And then the sweet smelling cocktail is slid across the bar to him, ice cubes rattling softly. Taste of summer. Sitting nearby, Aishe breaks into a smile, starts writing a reply to a message.*
[17:17:20] <Hoxton> *He takes a sip, enjoying the taste for a moment. For a moment he sits there, lost in thoughts and then glances at the entrance to the back. Are there still guards going in and out?*
[17:22:27] <Dallas> *Things seem to have calmed down since the altercation at the bar. There's a guard standing around upstairs. Another one down here--a tipsy clubber's trying to chat him up, without much success, but the guard's looking a little annoyed while he tries to stay on task.*
[17:22:31] <Dallas> *A couple minutes in, something interesting happens. A pair of well dressed young men enter the club, bantering cheerily in Russian. No tats, don't look like mob men or employees. They vanish together into the back and do not return.*
[17:28:00] <Hoxton> *Huh. VIP area then? Or someone on the good side of Dmitri? Interesting. The guards could be a problem. But hopefully not as much of a problem that a few nice crisp bills couldnt fix. He continues to quietly drink his gin tonic. Not gonna let it go to waste. He is feeling more pleasantly buzzed now, his mood brightned a little. He gets up and waits till the nuisance is gone, to approach the guard the young russians have passed.*
[17:32:03] <Dallas> *The guard's frowning at the tipsy clubber, insisting that no, he cannot abandon his post and dance with her. Barely giving Hoxton more than a passing glance. But he does notice him hovering, and gently pushes her aside, giving Hoxton a nod. What's up?*
[17:34:59] <Hoxton> Hello. *A curt nod, not challenging but more open. Not here for trouble after all. A little smile and he looks past the guard.* Fine club, this is. But I wonder what a man has to do to get to the real good spot here?
[17:38:01] <Dallas> *The guard seems unmoved, giving a nod to the balcony upstairs. Indicating the lounge.* Nice view upstairs.
[17:39:28] <Hoxton> *A winnig smile and he nods.* Cheers! *And he tries to move past him. Hasnt told him to fuck off, yeah? Let boldness win.*
[17:55:15] <Dallas> *The guard starts to frown, his head swiveling--that is NOT the way to the stairs!--but Hoxton's through the door before he can stop him. He's in the kitchen behind the bar. Surprisingly spotless for mob-run club, and the chefs are busy working on some club sandwiches. Not so much as a glance up at him. To his right, a doorway into a lushly decorated lounge. Laughter and loud conversation in Russian. Card game in progress. To the left, however--a doorway with a view into the back room. Shelves and boxes. Looks like storage.*
[17:56:01] <Dallas> *Best to keep moving. The guard isn't suspicious of him, but it won't be long before he'll try and drag Hox back to the club proper.*
[17:58:48] <Hoxton> *Yeah best keep walking eh? He looks around the kitchen, trying not look perturbed. A man with a mission eh? The storage are is noted but he keeps moving towards the lounge. If he moves straight to the storage, that will probably be even more suspicious. So lounge it is. He heads up, taking a look around.*
[18:02:26] <Dallas> *The lounge to his right with the gamblers?*
[18:02:34] <Hoxton> *Yes!*
[18:06:04] <Dallas> *Half a dozen tipsy Russians huddled around a table, drinking and talking and drinking and playing cards... and drinking. Getting gradually more cheerful and boisterous as the game continues. It's a small room, but they're so engrossed in their conversation it takes a moment for his presence to register. They give a cheer at his appearance, and one of them says something in Russian to one of the others, and the other guy replies something in Russian--a third pipes up, and they all laugh.*
[18:06:12] <Dallas> *So far, so good. One of them pours him a drink.*
[18:07:27] <Dallas> *Movement in the doorway as the bouncer goes past, looking for Hox. He stops by the kitchen to ask around--anybody seen this guy?*
[18:07:37] <Dallas> *Nobody has seen this guy.*
[18:08:59] <Hoxton> *Yeah as soon as the bouncer moves around, Hox goes to accept the drink with a smile. He understands exactly jackshit but smiles and nods. Probably the butt end of some joke but think of the money, Hox. He casts the doorway a careful look.*
[18:09:19] <Hoxton> *sitting down quickly. Not standing out. No pun intended.*
[18:13:33] <Dallas> *One of the guys offers Hox his spot--and current hand. More cards than the other players, and as it turns out, the aim of the game is to try and shed your cards before the round is over, or you become--says one of the guys in his broken English--durak, or the fool. You do not want to be the fool, my friend! The guys who aren't playing decide to coach their newfound friend, giving him advice and encouragement. Everybody loves an underdog, right?*
[18:16:03] <Dallas> *Also, there is money on the table, but the dude who gave up his hand had a phone call to make, and stepped outside.*
[18:18:18] <Hoxton> *Yeah right. Just go with it.* Well well! What a hand eh? *He grins and let's the guys shoot advice and encouragement. He is pretty sure he has played this game in some form before. Alright. Jesus christ, playing cards with some russian dudes. Right. This Dmirti guy has left already right? Any chance to see his office from here?*
[18:21:26] <Dallas> *Not much of a view from the cramped lounge, though from his spot against the far wall, he does see the bouncer walk back into the club proper. The tipsy Russians get very serious about helping him win, furiously cooking up stratagems. By the end of the round, they help him shed the last two cards in his hand, and he emerges as a non-durak. Already, they're prepping for the next round, pouring out drinks.*
[18:22:10] <Dallas> *And yes, several of them do appear to be Russian mob. Faded ink on their bodies. One of them, a heavily tattooed older man, pulls out some cigars and passes them around.*
[18:25:09] <Hoxton> *A little whoop! Bloody hell, good to be non-durak! He grins and leans to the tipsy russian. Making sure the others are preoccupied with pouring drinks or anything else. He noticed the tattoos and yeah. He doesnt need to guess what happens if he fucks up with those fellas.* Hey mate, can I ask you a question. I saw a guy coming down from here with a bloody nose. Was he the last durak in this game?
[18:27:43] <Dallas> *The old guy seems puzzled, shakes his head as he offers Hox a cigar. Nice dark wrapper, smells good. If he wants to slip away, now would be a good time while they're in between rounds, though it seems they don't mind him staying.*
[18:33:18] <Hoxton> *Hox accepts the cigar with a big smile* Too generous! Thank you! *Damn fancy shite. Evening gradually improves huh? He doesnt dare bring Dmitri up again and decides to sneak down. That storeroom might have interesting information. While the card gaming is nice, that could turn any minute. Do not mess with russian mobsters.*
[18:37:09] <Dallas> *There is another door here in the lounge, but judging by the cold wafting off of it, it probably leads outside to the back of the building, or some kind of garage. The Russians take note of him leaving and try to coax him back for one more round, or one more drink, but ultimately let him go. Walking straight out of there, or gonna glance back?*
[18:40:11] <Hoxton> *Definitely gonna glance back. The bouncer is hopefully either busy or cant get arsed to search him all the time. A little look around and he checks if any other guard is coming his way. *
[18:41:33] <Dallas> *Two of the guys at the table are looking at him, leaning to talk. Looks like they might be talking about him, though they make no move to alert security to his presence. One of them meets his eye, smiles, gives a wave goodbye.*
[18:45:34] <Hoxton> *He smiles and waves goodbye as well. Though that whispering? He doesnt like that exactly. Did they recognize him? He curses under his breath. If there is anything interesting here, he'll have a quick look, or otherwise he might try and sneak towards the club or check if that door is unlocked which leads possibly to the garage.*
[18:45:57] <Dallas> *Into the storage, then?*
[18:46:08] <Dallas> *Through the kitchen, that is.*
[18:46:53] <Hoxton> *Hm. The chefs might notice and alert the bouncer. Though...he peers into the kitchen. How many chefs are in there? Is it busy?*
[18:48:40] <Dallas> *Two people in chef's coats working in the back, head down, chopping, something sizzling on the grill, though this side of the kitchen--this alley--is clear. Straight shot to the storage visible on the other end.*
[18:54:30] <Hoxton> *Alright. Cigar propped in his mouth. A quick walk towards the storage. Act like you belong. And keeping well away from anything that might tumble down.*
[19:01:25] <Dallas> *Boxes and boxes of unsold liquor, lockers against the wall for staff. From here, he can see the DJ in the booth down a narrow hallway, music pounding, lights strobing. Energetically flossing. Three doors back here. One reads MANAGER'S OFFICE, and presumably leads up to where Dmitri's office overlooks the club. One more, closed and unmarked. A last one has an EXIT sign over top.*
[19:02:05] <Dallas> *This is where he heard the mob men arguing.*
[19:07:08] <Hoxton> *Is the door to the office locked? He makes mental notes of the general layout. That exit might be tempting in case the bouncer is in front of the kitchen entrance, which Hox checks with a glance.*
[19:10:45] <Dallas> *He's standing out there, arms crossed, watching the crowd like a bored lifeguard at the pool. The door to the office is locked, but it's nothing a deft pair of hands and the right tools can't solve. Simple lock on the handle, same as the unmarked door. The exit to the outside is push to open. Locked to the outside.*
[19:14:00] <Dallas> *Could try and listen at the doors. Less risk than actual entry.*
[19:14:43] <Hoxton> *Shit. Sure he hasnt got his lockpicking kit with him to charm the lock. But this is good to know. He sneaks towards the door, pressing his ear against the smooth surface. Sorry, bouncer fella. This is definitely not what it looks like.*
[19:15:05] <Dallas> *Which door, the manager's office, or the other one with no sign?*
[19:15:41] <Hoxton> *The unmarked one. Managers office seemed empty earlier, right?*
[19:16:09] <Dallas> *Couldn't see anyone, though we haven't seen Dmitri leave the club.*
[19:16:56] <Hoxton> *Duly noted. Unmarked office, then managers and then it is time for a tactical retreat.*
[19:20:59] <Dallas> *The unmarked door is chilly. Cold air on the other side. Sounds like a deep space, not like a closet or something. Might be a basement. Silent, no one down there. Then, there's a sharp knocking sound.*
[19:21:15] <Dallas> *Every second he's out here in the back room is one second closer to discovery. Stick around and listen, or leave?*
[19:23:48] <Hoxton> *Hox jumps at the sharp knocking. Oh shit, his heart seems to miss several beats. He turns towards the exit and quickly heads over, heart pounding. Did the knock came from this probably basement area?*
[19:24:07] <Dallas> *YES.*
[19:24:53] <Hoxton> *NOPE. Getting the fuck outta there*
[19:31:05] <Dallas> *The exit door opens with a loud jarring sound, and he's out in the cold of the loading bay. Couple cars parked there, crates piled against the wall. There's a door marked out across the loading bay, leading out back behind the club. The door swings shut behind him and locks, shutting out the music to a muffled rumble.*
[19:34:14] <Hoxton> *Right. That loud sound couldnt have gone unnoticed. He half sprints towards the other door, weaving between the cars, a little wobblily. Jesus christ, his heart is still going a mile a second. He looks over his shoulder as he hurries out. Is there anyone coming after him?*
[19:35:43] <Dallas> *The door opens, and a woman looks out. It's the chef. She looks around, frowning, then heads back inside, closing the door.*
[19:37:27] <Hoxton> *His shoulders sag in relief. Jesus, he is nervous. He rubs his face vigorously, stepping out behind the club. Either that was too much booze or way too little.*
[19:38:54] <Dallas> *Fifteen minutes later, Twitch swings by to pick him up and drive him back to the safehouse.*
[19:40:31] <Hoxton> *Hox waits impatiently for Twitch. All in all, good information haul, he thinks to himself. And that cigar? Must be pretty expensive as well. Could have been worse right? He greets Twitch with a nod and gets into the van, turning the heating up.* Fuck's sake it's cold.

[19:53:39] <Dallas> *Back to the safehouse, then! What's everybody been up to? Sobering nicely?*
[19:55:57] <Jimmy> *Jimmy's first back alley dealing attempt went swimmingly, so in celebration he and Dot are playing some shotty flash game together in the van. Locked tight, of course. He feels like Dot's ability to communicate when plugged into the computer is something only he should know. He doesn't know why. Wolf, right now, is fast asleep on the couch. He's tired. That place was loud.*
[19:58:14] <Sydney> *Sydney's changed out of her dress, into some clothes she's been keeping at the safehouse - an Angelspit t-shirt and some cargo pants. She's got her head under the bathroom sink, washing the temporary black hair dye out before it messes with the blue.*
[20:00:56] <Hoxton> *Hox arrives later with Twitch, letting him out by the safehouse. A little whoozy from the drinks and a nice-looking cigar tucked snugly into his coat pocket. Needing to change into something less fancy to compare notes with the class.*
[20:05:34] <Sydney> *Sydney soon emerges from the bathroom, toweling off her hair. She nods to Hoxton.* Have fun?
[20:07:30] <Hoxton> Blimey now ya new friend wont even recongize ya. *He nods, flopping down on the couch unoccupied by Wolf* Yeah. Sniffed around a little. Good to compare notes?))
[20:09:04] <Hoxton> Well...apart from Wolfie that is.
[20:09:24] <Sydney> Yeah, but I don't like the goth look. *She pulls up a chair, digging up her phone to text Jimmy.*
[20:11:35] <Hoxton> Whatever ya say, lassie. Well. I could use a pick-me-up. Want a beer? *he heads to the kitchen, returning with some cans*
[20:14:23] <Sydney> I mean. I want one. But I also maybe probably shouldn't.
[20:16:19] <Hoxton> Suit yourself. *he puts some on the table, cracking one open.* Where the fook is Jimmy?
[20:16:37] <Sydney> Dunno, but I just texted him. *Sydney tries shaking Wolf awake.* Oi. Rise and shine.
[20:16:43] <Jimmy> *It's a few minutes before Jimmy responds, but he does, still as hyped up as ever as he's headed out to the living room.* Right, right, debrief time.
[20:17:24] <Jimmy> *Wolf mumbles incoherently before waking up, grumbling.* Yeah, yeah.
[20:21:11] <Sydney> Guess I'll go first. Apart from meeting a quite lovely sheila, I found out that Annie's heading a jazz thingie. Band. Weird choice for this kind of nightclub.
[20:22:47] <Jimmy> *Wolf moves to check his phone, disappointed yet unsurprised at the lack of texts from Dallas. He got left on read, damnit..*
[20:24:35] <Hoxton> Hm. Yeah fuckin hell. Life band for a night club? Think they ...damn. Annie is off-limits. But worth a shot whether the show is any cover up eh?
[20:25:28] <Sydney> Could be it'll be more of a private show. Someone important really likes her or summat.
[20:26:13] <Jimmy> .... Like Dimitri? *Wolf's voice is quiet, not wanting to speak out of turn, normal behaviour.*
[20:26:54] <Hoxton> Probably. Could be. Maybe Vlad's jealous or summat. Anythin else, Sydney?
[20:27:33] <Sydney> Nah, that's pretty much it. I was a little distracted. And distracting! *She's a bit flushed.*
[20:28:37] <Jimmy> *Jimmy's turn now, folks.* .. The Russians were confusing. Like, like I could understand what they were saying, I got the words, but.. It didn't make sense. Y'know?
[20:31:07] <Hoxton> Yeah something about Dmitri not makin a fuss or else people will notice?
[20:32:26] <Jimmy> Like- Like it seemed like Dimitiri, or whoever the guy in the bloody shirt was, it was like he wasn't the ringleader of whatever's in that basement. Or involved in it at all. Like, like they're just using his place for.. for whatever it is. *Jimmy stops, thinking.* ... Also learned kids are dumb. Kids are really fucking dumb.
[20:33:00] <Sydney> You're only learnin' that now?
[20:33:18] <Jimmy> Learned it the second I saw you, lassie.
[20:34:09] <Sydney> *She flips him a double bird.* Fuck off.
[20:34:30] <Jimmy> *Jimmy laughs, a hard laugh.* Yeah, yeah, love you too.
[20:36:58] <Hoxton> *Hox rolls his eyes.* Yeah yeah whatever ya say, lovebirds. But I ...well. Seems he might be sure enough the guy runnin his place but there are probably people runnin him. *Hox leans back and takes a sip* Also the russian mob is involed with him. And the club. We might wanna approach this differently, fellas.
[20:38:12] <Jimmy> .. You fellas just took down a bloody army o' Russians! Couple mobsters ain't nothing.
[20:38:45] <Sydney> Tha's an attitude that'll get you killed.
[20:39:14] <Sydney> Which isn't the biggest of deals for you, but eh.
[20:40:06] <Hoxton> Don't be an idiot, robocob. Ya dont wanna call down the wrath of the mob here. They know who we are and those legs I wanna avoid pissin on for sure. A might be....well whatever the fuck you are but I am not fancyin gettin killed.
[20:40:57] <Jimmy> .. Yeah, yeah, exactly. 'S not a big deal for me. Honestly, not dying'd probably be worse in a 'lose' scenario.
[20:43:52] <Hoxton> Let's just not fuckin die. *he takes another sip.* Anyway, there's a few more doors in the back. Some sorta basement....back garage. Cause I see it like this. Best would be hittin the place when it's empty.
[20:45:12] <Jimmy> Yeah, yeah. Less civvies that way.
[20:45:44] <Sydney> Yeah, but doncha just love watching panicked people running for their lives? No?
[20:45:59] <Hoxton> *Hox raises an eyebrow* Ya girlfriend as well?
[20:46:06] <Jimmy> Also love not gettin' shot.
[20:47:34] <Jimmy> *Wolf's talking now.* ..... I do, I do, but I... I just don't think the Russian Mob is something we wanna mess with, Syd.
[20:47:56] <Sydney> *Sydney shrugs at Hoxton.* Survival of the fittest.
[20:49:21] <Jimmy> *Wolf glances over at her. Silent.*
[20:49:25] <Hoxton> *A long look.* Blimey, fuckin cold, lassie.
[20:49:32] <Sydney> *Sydney cracks up.* Jesus, I was just joking, mate. Loosen up.
[20:50:40] <Jimmy> *Wolf nods at that, seemingly satisfied.* .... S-So, a major point of this is that Annie can't get hurt, yeah? What'd the plan be if things went loud?
[20:50:49] <Hoxton> Yeah we howlin with laughter. Anyway. We should have a look at the place durin daylight. See if there is much business then. Maybe even check out what that Annie gig is about.
[20:51:52] <Hoxton> We are on the clock for this one, fellas. In, thrash shite up and leave before shit hits the fan. Steal if there is anything worth stealin.
[20:54:41] <Jimmy> *Wolf takes a second to send a text to Dallas. Another to a string of many, really, all lacking responses. The text reads: hey, we're setting up to hit a nightclub soon. vlad job. u should consider coming. it'll be fun. i miss u ??*
[20:56:30] <Dallas> *A reply from Dallas a couple minutes later. "Heading back to DC."*
[20:57:18] <Jimmy> *Wolf actually jumps at the tone, staring at the text for a few moments.* He's- he's fucking alive. Dallas's fucking alive.
[20:57:43] <Sydney> Fuck, really? Thought he'd buggered off.
[20:58:32] <Hoxton> Jeesh, he's a grown man. He can take care of himself. *But there is an obvious note of relief in his voice.*
[20:59:26] <Sydney> Ever run a job without him, once the gang started?
[21:00:25] <Jimmy> *He looks over at Sydney, thinking.* .. He had a little break when Hox was in jail, so I did some solo stuff, but... mosta that wasn't heisting.
[21:00:58] <Sydney> Yeah. 'S what I thought.
[21:01:33] <Hoxton> No. And I'll be bloody glad when he's back! Keepin' ya babies in line? Tough business. *He looks a little bit startled at that.*
[21:02:17] <Sydney> Yeah. It's like he's our dad. Dadllas. *She starts cackling.*
[21:03:54] <Hoxton> *Hox rolls his eyes* Jesus christ. Don't ya scare him away right again.
[21:04:51] <Sydney> *She crosses her arms and huffs.* Fuckin' killjoy, you are.
[21:06:34] <Hoxton> I am not goddamn drunk enough, that's it. *He grabs himself one more beer, looking thoughtful.* Ya mention I played some cards with the russians?
[21:06:47] <Sydney> You fuckin' what, mate?
[21:07:34] <Hoxton> *A knowing glance* I aint a durak, lassie. Up the lounge? Nice fellas.
[21:08:30] <Jimmy> *Jimmy looks up at that, exiting whatever astral plane he'd gotten into.* ... Russians are fun to play cards against. Done it a couple times.
[21:10:37] <Hoxton> *A little groan.* Lemme have my brag, fella. Anyway. I need a smoke, will be right back. *Hox heads out with a cigarette, checking his phone and sending Dallas a message he better get back without an accident in this weather.*
[21:15:36] <Sydney> *Meanwhile, Sydney's mood has been slowly deflating. She stares at the beer for quite a while, but goes and gets herself some water from the kitchen instead.*
[21:17:20] <Jimmy> *Wolf's about to go back to sleep. He's still tired. Jimmy's headed back into his van.*
[21:18:25] <Sydney> ((ngl I'm really, really curious what Wolf was thinking when Sydney said her survival of the fittest line))
[21:20:53] <Jimmy> ((?why would you want to hurt soneone you cared about. i know it sounds like i'm one to talk but i don't hurt people i care about. not.. not intentionally. it makes me wonder if you've ever wanted to hurt me.?))