"Whoa," Bogie took a startled step back. "A telepathic cat. That's... unexpected." He shrugged. "Dude, if I was still human, or could at least pass for human like your friend," Bogie gestured toward Krystal.  "I wouldn't be livin' here."

When Krystal spoke, she suddenly had Bogie's undivided attention. "Those are kind of rare so it might take me some time but, I'm sure I could get them." He smiled broadly. "I'll even give you the friends and family discount."



Bogie nodded in agreement with Tom. "Yeah, I'm not exactly the trendiest guy either. And... I'm older than I look." His brow furrowed as he looked at the cat. "So, you can project thoughts. Can you receive them, too?"

{Can you hear me now?} Bogie thought with a grin on his face.

The young man's eyes suddenly got big and the smile left his face as he was struck with an unpleasant thought. "You can't read minds, can you?" Bogie awkwardly glanced at Krystal and then quickly looked away. If he wasn't undead and lacking blood circulating through his system, Bogie probably would've been blushing.

Zoey half listened to the conversation at hand while mostly looking around their surroundings, she looked at Zed for a minute as they commented on him being some form of para. "Wait, you're not really 'living' here at all are you? This guy's undead?" She redirected her gaze to the only two who could hear her. "So how come he's all pale and corporeal and I'm all wispy and invisible? Can we make me like him? Is that an option? You guys do magic right, can you like bring me back while my body is still fresh?" she asked with each question sounding more and more eager.

{I can hear projected thoughts, if I initiate a telepathic conversation.} Confirmed Tom. {And no, I can't read minds. Although... I can read faces, and so can Krystal. Based on experience, I wouldn't worry too much: whatever you were thinking was probably rather on the mild side, as far as men's fantasies about Krystal are concerned.}

He turned his head to look at Zoey and projected, to her and Krystal only: {Zoey, dear, you probably don't want that. Ghosts are more flexible than zombies: once you learn how to use your powers, you will find that there are worse ways to unlive than being a ghost. You should eventually be able to manifest corporeally, too.}

He looked back at Zed and continued, on broadcast: {My memory is a bit fuzzy - much like the rest of me: can zombies see ghosts?}
This message was last edited by the player at 14:42, Tue 23 Sept 2014.

Jack leaned over towards Tom in Krystal's arms and lowered his voice.  "Um, that is considered a 'word foul' Tom.  We don't use the Z-word.  Bogie doesn't like being called a Ombie-za,"  Jack said using pig latin.

He straightened up and faced Bogie.  "I would like that this were solely a social call, but you know me.  I usually have a reason for coming down to Cabrini-Green.  Have you heard if Lix is making a comeback?  I have reason to believe that it, or a new version of Lix may be at the core of a couple of incidents I'm looking into."

Tom's ear twitched: {Well, Jack, Zed, I'm an old cat: I used Z-words before they were Z-words, F-words before they were F-words, and N-words before they were N-words. If you happen to know a politically-correct, non-ambiguous word that describes corporeal undead that do not need to feed off blood or mystical energy, have no major special powers or vulnerabilities, et cetera, et cetera, et all the rest of the cetera, I'll be glad to use it. That said, it wasn't an idle question.}

As if she wasn't paying attention to the rest of the conversation, mulling over options as it were, Krystal finally looked Bogie over from head to toe and back. "I'm sure we'd have to be friends or family first, but from what I'm seeing and hearing... I'm not opposed. Got a pen? Give me a call later and we'll talk." She emphasized the last word intentionally. As if to say that's there the line would stop. The added flash of a smirk however, as an after thought, probably confused that message a bit.

Looking to the empty space where Zoey was, Krystal said, "Tom's right. Even Bogie himself admitted there aren't many places he can go because of his condition. At least now you have the freedom to go where you want, and it's like having the power of invisibility. If I could be invisible I'd haunt the shower of Brad and Angelina. Hot people everywhere should fear the day I ever become a permanent astral projection. No bills. No bad hair days. Tom? Can Zoey change her hair color if she wanted? Because if I'm a specter, I want that option."

A cat is making assumptions about my fantasies, Bogie thought to himself. "This is getting really weird." Then Tom made the zombie reference. Bogie's head snapped around. "I am NOT..." Bogie cut himself off and took a deep breath before he continued in a calmer voice. "I'm not a zombie. Do I seem like something that stepped out of an episode of The Walking Dead or a George Romero film? Not that those are true zombies, either."

Bogie let out a frustrated sigh, as if he'd had this conservation many times before. "Zombies are mindless husks that are under the control of the necromancer who raised them. That's the part your zombie movies and games always leave out. Granted, there are cases of necromancers who can raise the dead in such a way that they still have their memories and such intact. However, they're still under the necromancer's control." He shrugged. "They aren't mindless but, they don't have free will, either."

"And don't get me started on that whole flesh-eating crap! Vampires can drink blood and get some of their bodily systems functioning again. I can't do that. I can't digest so, anything I "eat" is gonna come out just as whole as when it went in, assuming it doesn't get stuck. Yeah, picture that for a moment. Zombies are animated by magic. They don't crave brains and they don't eat anything. Flesh-eaters are ghouls and they aren't undead."

Bogie rubbed his forehead, like he was getting a headache. "As for me... I'm what happens when your girlfriend knows just enough magic to try something stupid and screw it up. I'm a mistake."

He paused, finally listening to the rest of the conversation around him. "Ghosts? No, I can't see ghosts. Is that why you're here? Do you guys need something so you can see ghosts?"

When Jack mentioned Lix, Bogie quickly closed his front door. "I'm just the friendly neighborhood apothecary. I'm not an alchemist. Even if I could make Lix, I wouldn't deal in that crap. Lix is really nasty stuff, Jack. Why would you want that?"

Bogie couldn't help the smile that crossed his face as Krystal offered her number. "Here, just put your digits in my cell." He handed her his phone.

Tom sighed in a very human way: {I agree with every single thing you said. From a technical standpoint, I still can't see a better category of undead to put you in. You are clearly corporeal, obviously not a vampire, and I don't think you qualify as a restless dead... Although, you do seem rather grumpy, so... Eh.}

He shook his head, this time in a rather feline way: {However. We can leave the academic discussions for another time. Right now, what is concerning me, and Jack, and Krys, is: somebody has been making Lix, and it's tainted. It's killing people. They may have been doing this on purpose - in fact, they most likely have. If the general public gets wind of it, you can expect another wave of anti-para manifestations, and worse. On a more personal note, there is one more person in this room, Zed, a young woman. Krys and I can see her, you and Jack can't. She's one of the victims, and we would very much like to find whoever did this to her.}

"I know. Technically I am an animated corpse. It's just... when somebody says zombie, they usually mean those things in the movies. Which aren't me or true zombies. Sorry, it's kind of a sore spot for me."

Bogie listened to the rest of what Tom had to say. "Another person? You mean a ghost?" He looked toward the empty space that Krystal had been talking to and waved. "Hi. Ummm, sorry about your recent demise."

Bogie walked over to the chair in the room and flopped down into it. "As if Lix wasn't bad enough, somebody is tainting it? When they closed down most of the Lix rehab clinics several years ago, some of the addicts ended up here in Cabrini–Green. Some of them might know of Lix suppliers but, most of them are really messed up and not very functional. I'm not sure you'd get too far trying to talk to them. Why don't you just ask your friend where she got the Lix she took?"

Krystal shook her head, "We are working on an idea that someone is using it in tattoos, actually. The focal area on both victims was centered around a tattoo so we're trying to see if there's a connection." She pulled her cell phone and swiped through some photos he's gotten off social media sites, "First vic was- I'm sorry, I've always wanted to work with Mariska Hargitay. Anyway, her name was Ashley. The second," she swiped a few times to get to Zoey, "Was our friend Zoey. Either of them look familiar? The only connection so far is they both had tattoos. Zoey's shoulder and Ashley's abdomen."

Standing this close to Zed, Krystal finally said, "So, are you like Death Becomes Her un-dead or Eric Draven, un-dead?"

"The Lix was in their tattoos? Have you checked out where they got their ink done?" Bogie looked at the pictures on Krystal's phone and shook his head. "I've never seen them before and I'd remember girls that were that cute."

Bogie looked at Krystal. "I saw both of those movies in the theater. That was... a long time ago. I wish I was as cool as Eric Draven. Fighting bad guys and saving the day." He shrugged. "I guess I'm a bit more Death Becomes Her. I don't feel pain and I don't exactly heal. If something on my body gets damaged it will stay that way. I'd have to seek out somebody who can fix it with spells or something but, I don't think I could afford to pay for that."

Zoey quit complaining as they got to the subject they were here for, though it was hard for her not to wonder when these supposed "powers" that Tom kept speaking of would kick in. She naturally waved back at Zed before stopping as she remembered that he couldn't see her. "Trust me this case would be closed if I just happened to know who murdered me." she said with a slight frustrated tone. "I'm still not sure you can use Lix in the tattoo like that. I got it done at Rat-a-Tat-Tat about a month ago, though I did just get it touched up last week. They seemed like cool guys I don't what they could possibly gain from killing off their customers"

Jack watch the rapid banter between Krystal, the corpse, and the cat.  It is like watching the setup for a bad joke, Jack smile a little at the thought.  All three of them better never walk into a bar together.  The occasional pause in the chatter between Tom and Krystal was his only indication that Zoey was also there.  That thought brought a mixed bag of emotions he wasn't quite sure how to process.  Maybe with time will come understanding.

"Bogie, In all the time I've know you, you have never opened up this much about yourself." Jack did a quick glance toward Krystal.  "And I thought I was easy to open up to. I need to work on my approachability more."

Jack shrugged.  "I wish I knew where the girls got the tattoos.  I didn't ask Zoey where she got it when she showed it to me so I have to go at this from the other side.  I plan to have one of us talk to Ashley's family, to see if they know where Ashley got her's done.  If they do, then show Zoey's picture around the shop to see if anyone remembers seeing her.  If it is the same place, that is a great lead."

"As for the Lix being mixed into the ink, that is a working theory for now.  All you need is a needle to take Lix and tattoos need needles.  I've chased thinner leads.  Some even pan out.  Maybe you can chat with some of those Lix users that are hiding out here.  Or at least introduce me.  They might know something, even if they don't know they know something."

Krystal seemed to be pondering Zed's last words and nodded, "Let me look into that, and we might be able to work out some kind of trade. Since the other is off the table. Trust me, I'd break you."

"Don't worry, Jack. It's not your approach you need to refine. It's your... gender. That said! Zoey was saying she got her ink at Rat-a-tat-tat about a month ago. If you want, you can try to see if they worked on Ashley too. But, she also got it touched up recently so there's also that."

Tom tilted his head and looked at Jack: {Well, you heard her: if you decide that being hot and female is better for your line of work... We can probably work something out. Anyway, my spider-cat senses tell me that the touch-up is something we really need to look into. I bet that's where the Lix came from.}

"What can I say, Jack. I'm a sucker for a pretty face." Bogie shot Krystal a quick smile. "I've heard of that place, Rat-a-Tat-Tat. They're not known to use magic, unless something has changed. I could tag-a-long and help you check the place out. See if I notice any black market ingredients."

"If it's info on Lix addicts that you want," Bogie continued. "You should talk to Dr. Karen. She's been to Cabrini a few times trying to help out the addicts."

Jack looked a little surprised, with a bit of chagrin mixed in.  "Of course.  You guys can just ask Zoey where she got her tattoo."  Jack looked into the 'empty' space that Krystal and Tom were talking to.  "I will get used to this new reality, Zoey.  It is just taking me a bit to get my head around it," Jack said to where he believed she was standing, or floating.

He faced Zed. "That would be good, Bogie.  We can chat with the tattoo artists, maybe a client or two.  Run that lead to ground.  And I would like to speak with this Dr. Karen as well.  If for no other reason, she would want to know this new mix of the drug is out there.  Get her prepared, or possibly to warn off any new victims."

As the group filed out of the apartment, Krystal's words finally sank in. "Wait... you'd break me??" Bogie said more to himself than Krystal, since she was already out the door and several paces ahead. Bogie called out, "I'd be willing to risk it!" And then he hurried to catch up with the others. Jack's car was just as he left it. The teenager who had accepted the money gave Jack a nod as the group piled into the vehicle.

Bogie only knew the doctor as Doc Karen. She was a good samaritan type who came to the projects from time to time and tried to help some of the addicts. Like Jack, she was considered a friendly and was allowed to visit Cabrini without being harassed. A few phone calls by both Bogie and Jack got them a full name and address. They planned to pay her a visit after they checked out the tattoo shop.

With this tattoo you make a promise
Of who you are and what you think
And this will be your binding contract
Written down in blood and ink

This Tattoo ~ David Wilcox



The sign outside of Rat-a-tat-tat had a cartoonish picture of a rat, dressed like Al Capone and holding a tommy gun. The interior was bright and clean with hardwood floors and green walls. There was a small seating area with dark leather furniture and several stations where their artists could work. A couple of people were already getting tattoos done. A bald guy with a beard stepped behind the counter when he heard the group come in.
This message was last updated by the GM at 13:41, Fri 24 Oct 2014.

Jack stepped up to the counter.  "Hi there.  I'm thinking about getting a tattoo.  A couple of girls I know recommended I see,  umm.  Shoot. I can't remember who they said.  Both of them had work done recently, too."  Jack scratched his head and looked thoughtfully into the air.  "Nope, not coming to me."

Jack feigned hopeful as a thought came to him.  "Maybe you could see who did their ink for me please?  Ashley Miller and Zoey Granger.  I'm pretty sure they had the same artist.  If they did, great!  If not, I might just have to flip a coin."  Jack smiled warmly and waited.

Zoey awkwardly walked in behind the group and stood aside as Jack spoke. She quickly stepped forward in attempts to address Jack, "Paul! His name was Paul!" she sighed slightly as she walked further into the shop passed the bald man. "I suppose I should get more used to not being seen. It might even come in handy" she stated as she looked around. She shrugged as she looked back at the group, "Honestly, I don't see him. I think the guy that touched up my beautiful phoenix and probably murdered me is conveniently not here" she said as her tone dripped wirh sarcasm.

Krystal walked past Jack muttering, "Paul." and continued to look at the art on the walls. When she was close to Zoey she thought aloud, "This place is huge. I wonder what the employee lounge looks like. Not that any of us would be allowed any there, I'm just ... never mind me." He said that last bit to an artist prepping his tools.

Turning she pointed to a picture of a 50s style pinup girl. "So, those went on the nose of the plane, eh?" she laughed to herself and kept pacing.

Jack looked at Krystal with a half smile - not that she could see it, since she wasn't looking at him, but she would feel it in his mental voice anyway.

To her and Zoey, he projected: {I'll translate for Zoey, dear, feel free to pick a mark andpump him for information. Just make sure you don't make him mess up a tattoo: I think you've done it once already, and repeat performances are never as good as the first one - they lack spontaneity.}

Then, to Jack: {The original artist's name was Paul, but the guy who touched up Zoey's tattoo is not here right now. Now, if you need to ask Zoey something, just "think" it at me, I'll keep a channel open and be your... Interpreter, I guess.}
This message was last edited by the player at 16:32, Wed 22 Oct 2014.

The guy behind the counter nodded. "Sure, just give me a sec." He opened up a laptop computer and started typing.

"I always wanted a tattoo," Bogie said. "But my friend got one and he went on and on about how much it hurt. In fact, he never actually got his tatto finished. It was supposed to be a dragon. Ended up looking like the outline of a winged penis. Anyway, he kinda talked me out of it."

The guy behind the counter didn't bother to look up at Bogie when he said, "Tipping makes it hurt less."

Bogie laughed. "I'll bet, but pain isn't much of an issue for me anymore. Can you tattoo skin that's mostly dead?"

"Sure, the man said. "We've done a few vampires." He looked up at Jack. "They both got their work done by Paul. He's with a client in one of our private rooms right now, but I could go ahead and book a session for you. Any idea what you want done - how big and how detailed? So I know how much time to schedule."

The artist Krystal spoke to said, "Can't go wrong with Bettie Page."

Jack put his hands up about 8 inches apart. "I'm thinking this big, on the left side of my back.  I was thinking of a twist on the old 'dogs playing poker' painting.  Only it would be me sitting at the table with 4 or 5 different paranormals having beers and a good time.  Paul and I could talk over the details later."

Jack tossed a comment toward Krystal. "Betty is the bomb!  Picking the pose and outfit will be the hard part."

"Sorry about that,"  Jack said to the clerk. "How much and how long might something like that be?  Oooo, and I heard that colors might fade or green out over time.  Would Paul be the one to fix that or do you have a guy that does color touchups?  Is that included in the price, like insurance or an extra fee?"