Herods Maid 4

<[NPC]Narrator> [Intro here. Vargas and the maids have gone to meet with another official for lunch, and with the elections coming up tensions are present. He says it's to discuss candidacy of them both, but his real motivations aren't entirely clear.]
* Alicia try to remember the direction so she can come here later when the need arises. She's quite bad with direction, really.
* [Mys]Melody nods to Vargas
<[Mys]Melody> I'll head in first.
<[Tess]Vargas> Alright, let's see...
* Ayelen stands near Vargas, looking all around and keeping aware of her surroundings for any potential threats or complications.
* [Mys]Melody walks to the door and waits with her hand on the handle.
* [Tess]Vargas takes a hand mirror and waves it around some, but in several different direcctions and with an apparently deliberate pattern.
* [Mys]Melody waits patiently for the Vargas' go ahead.
<[Tess]Vargas> Alright, go.
* [Mys]Melody pushes in the door with a deliberately carefree manner
* Ataisai makes Ayelen look bad by actually seeming competent while merely standing next to her. It's easy to do when one person looks official and the other like a street walker.
<[Mys]Melody> Ah~ where is the grub?
* Alicia catch Meludy by the collar.
<Alicia> Not too fast, hon.
* Ayelen , even if she doesn't look the part, is playing her professional part as Vargas's protector and assistant.
<Alicia> Boss takes the lead. Normal etiquette for a proper lunch. Learn it already.
* Alicia is a perfectionist.
<[Mys]Melody> Some bodyguard you are
* [Mys]Melody smile at Alicia as she closes the little distance between them
<Alicia> Official meeting. Do I have to put it in your thick skull by force?
* [Tess]Vargas walks inside, taking a look around while pinching the brim of her hat.
* [Mys]Melody puts a hand around Alicia's waist.
* Alicia pinch Melody's ass. Out of the other's sight, of course.
<Alicia> Hands off.
<[Mys]Melody> Ahn~
* [NPC]Waiter greets the group, bowing slightly.
* Ayelen follows just after Vargas and looks around the restaurant dutifully.
* [Mys]Melody blushes madly but drops her hand.
* [Atai]Maria avoids rolling her eyes in disgust, and follows after the pet chupacabra.
<[NPC]Waiter> Hello there. You're here to see Mr. Delgado?
<Alicia> I believe the reservation have been made?
<[NPC]Waiter> He's been expecting you. Please, this way.
<Alicia> thank you.
* Alicia bows.
* [Atai]Maria keeps an eye out ahead and behind, looking for fire exits and good vantage points.
* Ayelen eyes the place in a similar manner, instead looking for potential points that would convey protection or a combat advantage.
* [Mys]Melody counts tables
* [Mys]Melody and variety of alcoholic beverages.
* Ayelen doesn't think of it in such official terms though, of course. ( That table'll be good... )
* [NPC]Waiter leads them through the restaurant, which is dimly lit and modestly decorated while still seeming elaborate. Their host is waiting in a table near the middle of the hall, with four bodyguards standing behind him.
<Alicia> 15Guarded, too. Better be prepared, team.
* [Atai]Maria tenses up slightly at the sight of bodyguards. Another high-risk prick? Lovely
* Immanuel_Delgado looks up to the group as they enter, apparently in a good and bemused mood for some reason.
* [Atai]Maria . o O (shit, no cover, either.)
<[Tess]Vargas> 14 You'd all best be ready, I'll give you a signal if you need to get ready for combat. Like I said, it's very likely.
<Alicia> 14gotcha, boss.
* Ayelen nods, serious.
* Immanuel_Delgado tips his hat at the ladies... and... pet? ( Hmhm, Vargas seems to have adopted some ... interesting tastes. )
* Alicia bows in kind.
* [Mys]Melody nods at the host and the twiddles some fingers and winks at one of the strapping men in black.
* [Mys]Melody winks and giggles in his direction.
<[Tess]Vargas> Good day, Delgado. Were you waiting long?
* Immanuel_Delgado chuckles a bit, apparently the jolly kind of politician. He then gestures to the large table in front of him.
<Immanuel_Delgado> Oh ho ho, not too long.
<Immanuel_Delgado> Please! Sit down, sit down.
* Ayelen eyes the man with an air of suspicion, partly out of her duty, partly out of her own nature.
* Ayelen 's ear twitches.
* Alicia 's ear twitches too. Her elven ears are stiff because if the glasses.
* [Tess]Vargas sits at the table, stashing her hat in the inside of her coat.
* [Mys]Melody grabs a chair and sits, crossing her legs.
* Ayelen takes her own chair next to Vargas.
* Alicia try to shift her position a bit, and circle around Delgado men's flank.
<[Mys]Melody> Two martinis this way, my good sir
<[Mys]Melody> dry!
<[NPC]Waiter> Of course. Anything else to begin?
* Immanuel_Delgado raises his hand a little to catch the Waiter's attention.
* Alicia take mental note to bonk Melody later.
<Immanuel_Delgado> A bit of red wine, merlot 42 for these good ladies over here.
* Alicia blushes a little.
* Immanuel_Delgado grins good-naturedly as he gestures towards the group.
<[NPC]Waiter> Right away, sir. Will that be alright, ladies?
<[Mys]Melody> As long as you don't forget the martinis... And some Scotch on the rocks while you're at it.
* Ayelen just continues observing Delgado. ( He's acting a little odd... I thought this guy was dangerous? )
<[Tess]Vargas> Yes, it should be fine. Any objections?
* [Mys]Melody shakes her head.
* Ayelen 's ear twitches again, followed by one swish of her tail.
<Alicia> Nyet, miss.
* Immanuel_Delgado sees Alicia's reaction, and covertly winks towards her.
* Alicia coughs.
* [NPC]Waiter bows, leaving for the drinks.
* [Mys]Melody .oO(What was that? Did he just wink at who I think he winked at?)
* [Mys]Melody wears a fake smile in Delgado's direction.
<[Tess]Vargas> Well, here we are. What is it you wanted to discuss?
* Immanuel_Delgado disregards Melody's demeanor as he leans slight forward onto the table to discuss business.
* [Mys]Melody calms herself... calm... the drinks will be here soon enough...
<Immanuel_Delgado> As you know, due to my position as Minister of Trade, i occasionally have some... problems.
<Immanuel_Delgado> Recently some critical imports haven't made it to their destinations, and so this puts me in ah, a little predicament for the upcoming election.
* Immanuel_Delgado grins and chuckles again.
* [Tess]Vargas rests her head on bridged fingers.
<[Tess]Vargas> Strange, I haven't been getting many reports of large thefts or things like that. What sort of items are you referring to?
* Ayelen waits patiently and attentively, observing from the side of things as usual.
* [Mys]Melody waits for the drinks
* Immanuel_Delgado never loses his grin as he speaks.
<Immanuel_Delgado> Nothing high end, i assure you, but as such, of very high end.
* Immanuel_Delgado chuckles softly to himself, apparently thinking the phrase amusing.
* Alicia thinks. -He doesn't looks like a bad guy. But then again, looks can be deceiving.-
<Immanuel_Delgado> Food, plain and simple.
* [NPC]Waiter returns with the martinis, scotch, and bottle of wine. He presents this last to Vargas, who nods.
<[Mys]Melody> Bottoms up.
* [Mys]Melody downs the scotch in one gulp.
* Immanuel_Delgado smiles at the Waiter and slides a large tip his way.
* [Mys]Melody then downs both martinis.
* [Mys]Melody one right after the other.
* Alicia considered working as a waitress instead after witnessing that large sum of tips.
<Alicia> Uh, Melody. You should.... slow down, I think.
<[Mys]Melody> Hey Alicia... You don't seem like the drinking type.
<[Mys]Melody> Ya should let me have yers too.
* [Mys]Melody grabs at her wine glass
* Immanuel_Delgado laughs a little again, addressing Alicia and Melody.
<Immanuel_Delgado> Now, you wouldn't want to ruin your appetite, would you?
<[Mys]Melody> Eh?
<Immanuel_Delgado> It would be such a shame to lose this dinner after you left too since it is my gift, after all.
* Immanuel_Delgado continues chuckling.
* [Mys]Melody takes and downs Alicia wine as well.
* Ayelen simply eyes her own wine, picking it up and looking at it from several different angles, sniffing it, and so on.
<[Mys]Melody> Nah nah nah... I won't toss from this little bit.
* [Mys]Melody sit back down heavily. legs spread in an unlady like manner.
* Alicia facepalms.
<Alicia> Yeah. You can have mine. I don't want to look totally smashed like that.
* Alicia bows at both Vargas and Delgado, apologizing.
* Immanuel_Delgado glances at the... wolf? foxgirl? with some curiosity for a moment, then returning to Vargas and continuing business.
<Alicia> I'm sorry for her unsightly behavior.
* [Tess]Vargas nods and sips at her wine.
* [Mys]Melody laughs ending in a snort.
* Immanuel_Delgado sweeps his hand in a dismissive manner.
<Immanuel_Delgado> Oh no, it's no problem here.
<[Mys]Melody> *hic*
<Immanuel_Delgado> but back to our discussion...
* Immanuel_Delgado turns back to Vargas.
* Alicia hand gesture at Ayelen. "melody" "Subdue" "transport" "out".
* [Mys]Melody hand gesture at Alicia...
* Ayelen catches Alicia's motions out of the corner of her eye, cocking her head and looking at her with blank curiosity.
* [Mys]Melody it's a lot less complex...
<Immanuel_Delgado> There's been an unfortunate refridgeration problem with some major distributors, along with some crop failure in other districts.
<Immanuel_Delgado> So, as you will see when the menus roll around, food prices have risen a little... uncomfortably.
<Immanuel_Delgado> Not that it's your problem tonight, of course.
* Immanuel_Delgado laughs again.
<[Mys]Melody> *hic*
<Alicia> 14 He's pretty funny.
* [NPC]Waiter brings the menus, as if on cue.
<[Mys]Melody> Waiter~ Twoo more mar- *hic* -tinis!
* Ayelen inspects her wine once more before sliding it away. ( It smells bad. )
<Alicia> Waiter. Disregards her order from now on, please.
* Immanuel_Delgado raises both of his arms in a show of delight.
<Immanuel_Delgado> Ah! And here we are.
* Immanuel_Delgado takes his menu.
<[Tess]Vargas> So... as the Minister of Security, what makes me your preferred contact in this situation?
* [Tess]Vargas takes her menu, glancing over it but looking decided.
<Immanuel_Delgado> well, that's the heart of the issue.
* Immanuel_Delgado leans across the table again, this time to whisper to Vargas with one hand to the side of his mouth in a faux show of secrecy.
<[Mys]Melody> *hic*
* Alicia perks up.
<Immanuel_Delgado> You see, i think some of these things were sabotaged.
<Immanuel_Delgado> Plants are plants, but food processing plants, well now...
<Immanuel_Delgado> usually they don't break down in such magnitude as they have in these late months.
* Immanuel_Delgado leans back into his seat.
<Immanuel_Delgado> and it's not just in my head too, my people have found some evidence of this.
* Immanuel_Delgado taps his forehead, to indicate where his suspicions reside.
* Immanuel_Delgado chuckles yet again, sliding his menu to the side of the table.
<[Tess]Vargas> So... you mention that these plants were deliberately damaged out of working order. I'll check reports and communiques for them, but how recent is it?
<Immanuel_Delgado> it's really picked up in the last few months, one even had some of its conditioning units stolen just yesterday.
<[Mys]Melody> *hic*
<[Mys]Melody> *hic*
<Immanuel_Delgado> Stolen! Right off the top of it!
* Immanuel_Delgado chuckles again, as though it is some great joke.
<[Mys]Melody> RiGH off da top!
* [Mys]Melody downs another glass of wine... Where she got it no one knows
<[Tess]Vargas> So you want me to investigate these?
* Ayelen looks over the menu while the conversation goes on, visibly confused with the names of some of these things.
* Alicia is getting nervous about how her staff reacts.
* Ayelen notices her glass of wine has disappeared when she looks up and partially to Vargas for help, but is not terribly concerned.
* Alicia is still oblivious to Maria's internal monologue, which she probably doing it right now.
* Immanuel_Delgado nods.
<Immanuel_Delgado> Precisely, Miss Vargas!
* [Tess]Vargas takes a look out the window, her attention caught for a second by a glint of light.
* Immanuel_Delgado continues on, apparently unconcerned.
<Immanuel_Delgado> and i would be in your debt if somehow you could grant to these plants some additional security.
* Immanuel_Delgado chuckles again, apparently very much liking his clever rhymes.
<[Mys]Melody> *hic*
* Ayelen notices the glint of light too, and opts to covertly gain Vargas's attention by batting her lightly on the back with her tail.
* [Tess]Vargas places her order and hands her menu back to the waiter, continuing to sip on her wine.
* Alicia want to just kick Melody out of the windows and be done with it, but she have to maintain her composure.
* Ayelen bats Vargas again on the back, with just a tiny bit more force this time.
<[Tess]Vargas> Well, I understand. But is that really all?
* [Tess]Vargas nudges Ayelen and makes eye contact with Alicia.
<[Mys]Melody> imma grabbed it~
* [Mys]Melody nearly falls backwards in her chairs as a hand grasps at the air.
* Alicia get the signal and put on her gloves.
* Alicia glares at all her personnel. Battlestation. ASAP.
* [Tess]Vargas nudges Ayelen again and closes her fist.
* [Mys]Melody reaches in her dress pocket and pulls out some coffee and starts chugging.
* Ayelen pulls up her menu, leaning a little closer to Vargas to ask what she should get.
* [Mys]Melody sobers the fuck up.
* Ayelen nods while her head is hidden behind the menu though, acknowledging the signal.
<[Mys]Melody> Ugh
<[Mys]Melody> Aww. That's just nasty.
* [Mys]Melody waves a hand at her open mouth
<[Tess]Vargas> It's not that I mind, rather... it just seemed unusual to schedule something on such short notice for this matter alone.
<[Tess]Vargas> 14 Ah, Ayelen... I think you might like the roast duck. Give it a shot when you have the chance, eh?
* [Mys]Melody puts her hands in her pockets.
* Ayelen nods again, sliding the menu to the waiter.
<Ayelen> 14that sounds good.
* Immanuel_Delgado quietly notes the apparent change in the mood. ( Hm... )
* Immanuel_Delgado continues speaking as he was before, however.
<Immanuel_Delgado> It's just that i've come under great scrutiny for not having been able to ensure such a simple supply to the people here.
<Immanuel_Delgado> And ah... we all know how unpleasant that can be.
<[Tess]Vargas> Of course.
* Immanuel_Delgado laughs once more, covertly referring to the glaring between those in Vargas's party.
* Alicia smiles back.
<Immanuel_Delgado> But also it's good to maintain good relations with one's peers, no?
<Immanuel_Delgado> Friendly discussion can go a long way.
* [Tess]Vargas chuckles.
<[Tess]Vargas> It also helps ease tensions; you know how we're usually regarded as adversaries.
* Alicia crack her knuckles.
* Immanuel_Delgado waves dismissively yet again.
<Immanuel_Delgado> pah, well.
<[Mys]Melody> Gah that cohhee was hat.
<Alicia> Water?
<Immanuel_Delgado> Naturally we ministers have to work together, right?
<[Mys]Melody> fweese
* Alicia rinse a glass of water for Melody.
* Alicia added some ice, for extra effect.
* [Tess]Vargas nods.
<[Tess]Vargas> It's pure curiosity, but can I ask a question?
* Immanuel_Delgado grins and laughs again.
<Immanuel_Delgado> oh, of course!
<[Tess]Vargas> Why did you go into politics and not business?
* Immanuel_Delgado strokes his chin and speaks thoughtfully.
* [Mys]Melody takes the glass of ice water gratefully and drinks it slowly.
<Immanuel_Delgado> ah... that story starts long ago.
* Immanuel_Delgado chuckles softly.
<Immanuel_Delgado> In short, i was always interested in commerce, ever since i was a child.
<Immanuel_Delgado> Buying and selling things, shifting around these little pieces of paper and metal for things far more valuable...
<[Mys]Melody> ummm... sorry to intterupt, but is this going to take a while?
* Immanuel_Delgado chuckles.
<Immanuel_Delgado> Oh! sorry, sometimes i let myself get carried away...
<Immanuel_Delgado> My thanks, madam, for catching me.
* Immanuel_Delgado tips his hat at Melody.
* Ayelen just continues looking around, standing by to jump into action if... or when it becomes necessary.
<[Mys]Melody> you're welcome
<Immanuel_Delgado> Well, having been interested in these things, i thought how grand it would be if i could have a hand in all transactions in this district!
* Immanuel_Delgado spreads his arms wide in a dramatic gesture.
<Immanuel_Delgado> and thus, here I am.
* Immanuel_Delgado grins again.
<[Tess]Vargas> Well, I know how that is... a few options, but you figure that this job is the best suited to you. And you know, walking in, you'll have no room for regrets.
<Immanuel_Delgado> Oh, indeed; nothing better than being an honest businessman.
* Immanuel_Delgado lies.
<[Tess]Vargas> Waiter?
<[NPC]Waiter> Yes?
<[Tess]Vargas> Two waters. With gas.
* [Tess]Vargas bows.
<[Tess]Vargas> [FUCK]
* [NPC]Waiter bows.
<[NPC]Waiter> Of course, miss.
* Ayelen suddenly gets an odd feeling, but doesn't think it strong enough to warrant any special notice.
* Ayelen remains aware, though.
* [NPC]Waiter draws a pistol, firing four rounds into Delgado's chest.
* [Mys]Melody draws both hands from her  pockets flinging a katana into the floorboards and pulling a ripcord with the other.
* [Mys]Melody 's dress roars.
* Ayelen immediately pushes Vargas to the ground and dives to the side to grab her katana.
* [Mys]Melody grabs for the waiter.
* [Tess]Vargas simultaneously brandishes a semi-automatic and her hat, drawn from her coat.
* Immanuel_Delgado keels over the table with a cry of pain and a flow of scarlet, soon after going silent.
* [NPC]Waiter takes position behind Melody and Ayelen, reloading his gun. Some men in pinstripe suits, some armed with shotguns and submachine guns, get up from the tables and run through some of the doors from the inside yelling "Police! Everyone down!" and the like.
* Ayelen remains standing over Vargas, coiled and ready to spring to action in her defense.
* Ayelen growls softly, keeping her katana upright and prepared to strike.
* Ayelen 's tail swishes back and forth a bit as she glares at the invaders of the room.
* Alicia gets ready.
<Alicia> What now?
<[Tess]Vargas> They're plainclothesmen! Leave them be, they're with us. Focus on the bodyguards, you!
* [Mys]Melody grabs her trusty Rumbling Rose and brandishes the chainsaw guard-ward.
* Ayelen nods, leaping onto the table and then throwing herself across it to slash at one of the bodyguards' necks.
* Alicia dash to the nearest poor sod in black suits, swinging fist at his face.
* [Mys]Melody swings her whirring blade just short of one of one of the guards as he backs away, unable to strike back.
<Alicia> Combo!
* Alicia feint-punch her target, and swing to the guy that dodges Melody's chainsaw. She grabs him by the neck and kneedrive his gut.
<Alicia> Dah!
* Ayelen 's katana almost strikes home, driving a clean cut across another guard's upper torso and nearly through his collarbone.
<[Mys]Melody> Ayelen! Let's work together!
* [Tess]Vargas rolls back and fires a double tap from a crouching position, but misses the guard she aimed at.
<Alicia> You better get outta here, miss! To the car!
<Ayelen> Yaaah!
* [Mys]Melody cackles madly!
* Ayelen transforms her short, angular strike into a wide circle, coming down and cleaving through the spine and neck of the guard Melody and Alicia attacked, rendering him instantly dead.
<Alicia> Takeoff!
* Alicia do a quick one-two strike at the other guy, and throw him upwards.
* [Mys]Melody jumps off a table before batting him down.
* [Tess]Vargas aims a kick at one of them, but is blocked and takes a counterattack to the gut.
<Alicia> Could someone just take miss Vargas outta here!?
<[Mys]Melody> I'll protect Vargas
<Alicia> No shit sherlocks!
* Alicia grab nearby glasses of water and down it in one go.
<[Mys]Melody> Your infuriatingly slow.
<Alicia> C'mon C'mon!
* Alicia turns to Ayelen. Eyes flared up with excitement.
<Alicia> Ayelen! Combo call!
* Ayelen 's ear twitches, just followed by Ayelen throwing herself towards Alicia without a glance.
* Alicia grabs Ayelen's hand and starts spinning. At the peak of the momentum, she release Ayelen and the fox girl flew off like a homing missile to the guard.
<Alicia> Get'm girl!
* [Mys]Melody jumps over a fallen table in time to see a guard pull a gun on the surprised Vargas and herself. She pulls the Vargas in close, throwing herself in the way, as a the sound of gunshots ring loud. A bullet grazes Melody's shoulder. Blood trails down the front of her dress dripping onto the Vargas.
<[Mys]Melody> You okay?
<[Tess]Vargas> ...Yeah, I'm alright. Let's get him for that, huh?
* [Mys]Melody shudders in pleasure and worry.
<[Mys]Melody> Lets!
* Ayelen soars through the air like an arrow straight at the guard that shot Melody, her tail trailing behind her.
* Ayelen then uses this momentum to impale the guard's neck with her blade sideways-in. She then rips it out as she passes, tearing out the entire left side of the guard's neck resulting in chunks of flesh and bone accompanied by a short and heavy shower of red.
* Ayelen does not notice it, but she becomes partially covered by said scarlet as well.
* [Tess]Vargas takes quick aim and shoots one of the remaining bodyguards in the shoulder, incapacitating his arm just as Melody whirls and attacks from that direction. The man tries to protect himself, but while immobilized by the chainsaw Vargas puts an arm around Melody and places a carefully aimed shot in his skull.
* Ayelen somehow then manages to land on the side of a nearby booth, and uses it to toss herself in an arc towards the last remaining guard.
* Ayelen twists and slashes down as she passes overhead, landing just a short distance away from Melody and Vargas with the guard's head having been split perpendicular to his eyes as the result.
* [Tess]Vargas aims at the last guard's leg to prevent him from turning and defending himself, but quickly realizes it's unnecessary. She gives Melody a little squeeze before turning to the rest of the team.
<[Tess]Vargas> Well... that's that. Good work, everyone. Let's head home for now.
* [Tess]Vargas faces the waiter, who immediately turns from coordinating other officers and salutes.
* Ayelen nods and sheaths her sword on her back, giving a bloodstained smile.
* [Tess]Vargas briefly returns the salute, but relaxes and speaks in a casual tone.
<[Tess]Vargas> Lieutenant, you're in charge of cleaning up here. Make sure to tell the owner of the restaurant he needn't worry about insurance, understood?
<[NPC]Waiter> Ma'am.
* [kiri]Alicia sigh. Even if she didn't do anything much and Ayelen takes most of the kill... It's still a job's well done.
<[Tess]Vargas> Alicia? Round up the girls, we're heading back for now. I guess there's not much left to do.
<[kiri]Alicia> Thank you for your hard work everyone. Now giddy up!
<[kiri]Alicia> You look awful, Ayelen. You need a bath when we get back.
* [kiri]Alicia gather everyone.
* Ayelen looks to Alicia with a dash of blood across her face and a copious amount on the rest of her body. Her hair also seems matted down a little in some places, though due to its red color it's hard to detect.
* Myschii|Sleep has quit IRC (Ping timeout: 240 seconds)
<[kiri]Alicia> Don't worry. I'll clean you head to toe myself.
* [kiri]Alicia patpats the foxgirl.
<[kiri]Alicia> Well done.
<[kiri]Alicia> You too, Maria, Melody.
* [kiri]Alicia patpats everyone, including Vargas too.
* Ayelen frowns a little at the idea of being cleaned by another, but then smiles upon being complimented and patted.
* [Tess]Vargas chuckles, accepting it cheerfully.
<[Tess]Vargas> Well, let's go.
<[kiri]Alicia> Gotcha.
<[kiri]Alicia> pretty awful day, huh?
* [kiri]Alicia is kind of sad that she haven't eat anything from this restaurant.
<[Tess]Vargas> Oh, Alicia, you know we've had worse. I'll buy you lunch to make up for it, though.
<[kiri]Alicia> haha, I guess. We've had much worse. Right boss?
* [kiri]Alicia snags the wine bottle and hide it in her dress.
<[kiri]Alicia> Spoils of war. Ha!
* Ayelen swishes her tail back and forth, happy that Vargas is still safe and happy that she's done well.
* [Tess]Vargas leads the group out of the restaurant. Did they leave the car within or outside of the perimeter? Eh, whatever.
<[Tess]Vargas> Oh, and by the way, thanks. Really.
* Ayelen rubs her head against Vargas's side in a show of affection, accidentally getting a tiny bit of blood on her.
<[kiri]Alicia> No need to thanks. It's our duty.
* [kiri]Alicia chuckles.