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"Isabella Morales. You'll most likely find her in a seedy little bar called 'Cleo's'. She performs as a stage act Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, and I'm all but certain she has lodgings in the basement, and thus sewer access."

Reaching into one of her many pockets and producing a wallet, though clearly not one holding any cash or cards, she pulled out a photo, clearly a few years old. On it, a dark haired woman in her late twenties.

"This is her, two years before she died.

DON'T run, Nines. Please. You can't live in the sewers forever, and you have concerns above ground to return to. Jan will take you into the city, the rest is up to you. While you're out... I'll negotiate on your behalf. Deal?"

"There's always a choice. You know that. You wouldn't have pressed the button if you didn't. I'm just hoping you're learning that sometimes, you have to pick the lesser of two evils, and bide your time."

Standing, she beckoned and led the way to the landing in silence, only speaking once they reached the top of the main staircase.

"Jan has a car ready outside. Next time... we'll organise getting you your own wheels, and access to the garage at your leisure. This time though... might I suggest opting for the quick exit? Time is short, and Ice is unpleasant. I will do what I can. Trust me, alright?"

Remaining at the top of the stairs, she watched him go, then turned and headed for the upper floors once more.

Jan met Nines at the main door, bowing slightly.

"Good evening once again sir. I have a car ready outside, shall we depart? Unless sir needs more ammo of course."

"As you wish sir."

Opening the door to a nondescript 2 door for nines, Jan would do exactly as asked, before returning to the mansion.
A mansion in which the temperature had fallen and words were being had. This time, they were quiet, and insistent and stayed that way.



For Nines however.... there was the night air of Durem, and the trudge towards Cleo's, assuming he indeed followed the request to deal with Ms Morales.
If he followed the directions, he'd find himself descending a dank stairwell below street level to the entrance of 'Cleo's', which was really no better than it should be.
Inside, a dismal bar area, tables, booths, the stench of humanity on the sour and a stage, currently unoccupied.

"No. You promised me another shot at it."
"Not for you to only half fulfil the task assigned. We're talking in circles, and I am tiring of it..."
"Then I suggest we discuss it as and when he returns, based on outcome."
"IF he returns, and the terms are non negotiable."
"Be that as it may, time is on the side of the dead. Especially if I hold the turf for you while I try."
"You think you can do that without more power and assistance at your side?"
"I think I will try, for the sake of people I've come to actually care about, yes. If I lose ground... so be it. Until then..."
"... very well. However this is not an acceptance of avoiding the terms. Merely an extension of time."
"Understood..."

The two voices came closer as Dagoth turned off the simulation enogh to be able to hear outside noise faintly. However as the conversation came to an end, the TR door opened, Roan so busy talking she hadn't noted it was in use.
She was still looking over her shoulder at the horribly inhuman creature behind her as she entered, but a slender trail of blood down one cheek could still be seen. And scented.

"...and now, with the utmost respect for what you are... ******** off out of my house, Ice."

Spitting the words with some venom, she turned her back to the pale faun and finally noted Dagoth in the room beyond, stopping abruptly at the sight of him. A look of panic and 'oh crap' passed across her face EXTREMELY swiftly, before it was gone.

"My apologies Dagoth... I didn't realise you were here. Excuse us."
"Ah. The Atlantean. And no introduction, ma petite?"
"Don't. Call. Me. That.
...
Dagoth, may I present my boss, Deceit. Deciet, my house guest, Dagoth."

Ice stepped fully into the room then, resplendant in his full height of 7ft, hooves and all, with the pink eyes of an albino focusing solidly on Dagoth as the... thing... inclined his head.

"Another stubbornly obstinate male? You seem to be collecting them."
"He isn't mine, Ice, nor is he yours. He is a guest."
"Indeed..."

The faun deliberately didn't answer Dagoth himself, talking over him to Roan instead. He did, however, stalk slowly forward to walk around Dagoth, his hooves clipping solidly on the hard floor of the training room as a lascivious smile came to pale, blue-ish lips.

"One wonders, however, why a child of the Lost city chooses to lodge for even a night with one of our own..."
"My company is none of your business, unless it impacts you. This does not."
"Quite so. One merely takes an interest in your well being, Lady DeSeer..."

The pink eyes shifted back to Roan, picked up the almost imperceptible tensing in her face, hardening of the line of her lips. But she said nothing, standing pointedly aside to allow Ice access to the exit. As yet... he did not take it, resettling his gaze on Dagoth. Curious.

"Apparently, more than you'd like me to. Such a... fiery... people considering. I seem to recall third degree burns on a really rather blissful summ...."
"ICE. Enough."

It was Roan who stopped him, her gaze extremely hard as she took a step forward. The result was Ice letting his smile become a full blown and self satisfied leer, while ignoring Roan to take a step closer to Dagoth, leaning over slightly to look him in the eye.

"I hope we meet again, Dagoth. Next time... do feel free to act on your impulses, instead of staying tense. Another taste of the fires of the Lost city would be a pleasant trip down memory lane."

Turning on his heel abruptly, Ice stalked for the exit, passing Roan with a slight chuckle, his tail whip cracking the ground as he left.

"Good day, Lady DeSeer."

As quick as a winter breeze, he was gone, leaving Roan to sigh and rub her temples.

"Sorry. I honestly didn't mean to disturb you. I was distracted."