As the three of them finished their tour of the Ruthless Asian Gang's territory, they started towards the other area of activity. "Alex, please excuse my rudeness; but I would like to ask Chen about some personal business."

She turns back to Chen and continues in Chinese; "First, I would appologize. I underestimated your powers of observation, and dishonorably tried to distract you. Alex's situation is.. complex, and it is Alex's tale to tell. Your concern is appreciated." A breath. "That said, I do have a genuine question. Do you know what became of Wei the Lotus Blossom? Is Dragoneye holding her for interfering with his challenge?"

A pause as she gathered her thoughts. "If she is still in the city, is there a way to send her a message?"

Alex shrugs. "With how free with information you've been so far, I'm not going to bitch if you have something you don't want to talk about."

She looks at the window of the store they are walking past. "Ah, perfect. I'll be right back."

"You owe me no apology. You act to protect a friend from danger, and that speaks well of you." Chen's voice is friendly as he responds to the apology.

When the question of Wei comes up, Chen's visage grows darker. "Now it is I who must apologize. There is little I can say that would not violate oaths of secrecy."

He sighs deeply. "Wei is no prisoner. If you wish to send her a message, that can be arranged. I suggest in the strongest possible terms that you do not attempt to do so at this time. I can say nothing else."

That... does not sound good. "Thank you for your frankness, Chen-san. I will not ask you to violate your oath."

Jiro took a breath, glancing around the street, and continued in low tones. "I understand your concerns, and appreciate them, but... Me and mine have taken something precious from her. I understand her anger, but I hope we do not always have to be foes." Another breath. "I would hear her side of the story, and I wish that she would hear mine. I would like to talk with her, if she is interested." She looked the man in the eye. "On my head be the consequences; I know there is risk and danger and I would face it. Because to run from the suffering I have caused another would be dishonorable."

Switching back to English and looking towards the store, she muttered, "And what's taking Alex so long, anyway?"

Chen is silent for a long moment. "There is some protection to be had from being in the service of Dragoneye, even temporarily. You will not be troubled by those who follow him. Even those from outside his authority will respect his wishes here. So long as you do not confront those people, they should not confront you. This is a good thing, for fighting within the ranks when danger threatens hurts us all. When the threat has passed there will be time for rivalries to be resolved."

That sounds distinctly like a way to say Wei is working for Dragoneye without actually saying it. I appreciate you skirting your oaths to give me informaiton. "That sounds fair enough."

She glances again at the store Alex vanished into. I do not fear what Alex might do, but I am less sure of Buffy... "One moment; I shall see what is taking Alex so long."

She heads into the store, looking for Alex.

It was a clothing store that Alex went into. Jiro sees Alex at the cash, paying for something. Judging by the number of people in line, it looks like that is why she way delayed. Actually, considering the numbers, she must have spent zero time shopping.

Her payment done and her prize in the bag, she heads out of the store. She smiles at Jiro, but doesn't say anything until they are back on the street, and away from the crowd. "Ah, all done your questions about Miss Lotus Blossom?"

"Yes. It was... illustrative. I take it you found what you were looking for?"

Not waiting for any real response, she continued; "Let us all three continue. I would like to see the, ah, lay of the land, and then strategize some more."

"I figured that was what you'd wanted to talk about." Alex said with a smile.

To save time, the group hops on a bus to get closer to the next area of interest.

"I know less about this area then I do about those closer to China town. Still, I have lived in this city for some time."

Alex looked around as they walked, but something seemed to be distracting her.

[OOC: 18:26, Today: Alex rolled 12 using 1d20+7. Notice Check. ]

The group gets off the bus on the far side of the trouble area from China Town.

Now that he knows to look for it, the signs that the people in the area are scared are plain to see. It's subtle, but there. From the way people keep looking up at the sky or at their watches while rushing about their business, he gathers that they know enough not to be out at night.

With the time you have there is no way to find details about local dens, but a better sense of the area is gained.

It's getting close to dark now.

Giving the sky a look, Jiro calculated that they'd have time to get back to the hotel, and grab some kind of takeaway en route, before dark. Whatever else we do tonight; I think Alex is going to need a little downtime first. And food. Should have had something more than that horrible tea at Starbase. "Thank you for your help, Chen-san. Shall we get in touch again, say, in two days? Same place and time?" She waits for the martial artist's reply, then gives a respectful bow.

Turning back to Alex, she says, "If we hurry, we can get something to eat and make it to the hotel before sunset. A little privacy for planning would be a good thing now, I hope." Even if Buffy's driving, that should get through. Oh, this is a frustrating, delicate line to walk. I want to help you, Alex, but... I do not know how...

"I will see you there." Chen Ming pulls a card out of his pocket. On it is neatly written a phone number "Should you require me before then, call this number. Whoever answers will be able to get in touch with my quickly."

Chen bows to the pair. "God Bless. May the Lord watch over you both."

With that, he hops on the bus that just pulled up.

"He watches over us all. Go in peace." Alex replied to Chen.

Once he was gone, Alex addressed Jiro's comment. "That sounds like a plan. Lunch is starting to wear off."

Jiro pocketed the card. "I thought as much. Pizza?" Food. Safety. Talking, and planning. I think, however, that I don't want to go out vampire hunting tonight. I don't think it would be good for Alex, as it stands.

Pizza it is. It's starting to get cool by this point in the day, with the sun starting to set. Still, there should be plenty of time to get the pizza and then back to the motel.

That would be if it wasn't for a few cooking delays. The pair are still on the street as the sun finally sinks below the horizon.

Note to self: do not go to that pizzaria again. Carrying two pizza boxes, Jiro is nonetheless alert; watching the surrounding streets carefully. Also trying to ignore pangs of hunger; lack of lunch, and spending a fair bit of time smelling some good food cook, was catching up to the aquatransexual.

[OOC: skill masterying notice - 22 on the check.]
This message was last edited by the player at 00:11, Wed 23 Mar 2011.

With it starting to chill off, Alex reaches into her shopping back and pulls out her prize. A long black trenchcoat. She swiftly dons it, then pulls her laptop backpack around in front of her. Two wooden stakes come out of the pack and disappear under the coat. "Perfect. I've been wondering how I was going to carry these things all day."

She doesn't do the coat up, instead leaving it hanging open so as to ensure easy access to the weapons hidden within.

http://i63.photobucket.com/alb...rhero/1M00004_01.jpg
[OOC: 20:10, Today: Alex rolled 10 using 1d20+7. Notice Check. ]
This message was last edited by the player at 00:21, Wed 23 Mar 2011.

A trenchcoat and wooden stakes. Is this Alex thinking, or is this Buffy? Jiro tried to keep her expression neutral. "It is a good look for you, Alex-san, though not one I would have thought you would go for."

"Ever since I watched The Matrix, I've wanted a coat like this. Just never figured I'd be able to pull it off. Now that I can... To bad that large numbers of firearms are pretty much out of the question. Not that I think they would bother Vampires much, if what I've seen in pop culture is anything to go by." She pauses. "Nope, no strange insights on the topic from her memories there."

Jiro doesn't bother to mask her reaction, sighing in relief. "I am... glad you are able to pull this off. And that this is you, not Buffy or whoever else is in your head. I am... worried about you, Alex-san. I think... it would be best if we did not go hunting tonight. That is why I told Chen Ming to meet us the day after tomorrow; to allow us to take our time."

A moment's introspection, then, "And so far as firearms go, I  have heard of a few enchanted firearms. I was even shot at by one, a few months ago. A submachine gun. It was... unpleasant. Some with endless magazines, pistols that hit like cannons... they are not the most common of magic weapons, but they are not unknown. Guns blessed by priests also exist, but they tend to be relics; older styles. And I have it on good authority that most monsters, vampiric or otherwise, do not enjoy being shot by very heavy weapons, though they withstand such better than humans." A pause. "That said, I am only vaguely familiar with the laws and ways to acquire such weapons in this country. Sorry."

Another pause, and Jiro feels her cheeks heat a bit. "Ah, sorry for rambling. I, ah, have heard many tales of such."

[OOC: 17:32, Today: Jiro Koji rolled 27 using 1d20+8. arcane lore re: magic or blessed guns/ammo and how they on vamps.]

Anything further is interrupted by the sounds of a muffled scream coming from somewhere nearby.

Since there is no doubt that the meddling kids will go to investigate, they soon find five gangbangers dragging a couple into an alleyway.

Hearing the sound of a scream, Jiro races towards it with a sharp "Kuso!"

Quickly enough, she sees a group of thugs. Pausing for a moment to place the pizzas on the hood of a parked car, she slides into an offensive stance and prepares for battle.

[ooc: 17:44, Today: Jiro Koji rolled 15 using 1d20+6. initiative.]
This message was last edited by the player at 00:47, Wed 23 Mar 2011.

"No, it wasn't Buffy who made me buy the coat... though I think she helped me pick it out. After all, it fits perfectly and I didn't try it on... Huh... I don't think her name is Buffy either." Alex contemplates the question for a moment, and so misses the scream entirely.

It doesn't take a genious to figure out that Jiro had heard SOMETHING when he cursed, so she takes off after Jiro, but she is a few steps behind. Still lagging a bit behind the situation.

[OOC: 20:51, Today: Alex rolled 5 using 1d20+4. Init. ]