~Shinjuku~ Mobsters, crime, sex, and neon lights... that was shinjuku in a nutshell. The warded sector of Tokyo was a well known slum, housing the demi human population, as well as a good deal of the less desirable individuals who walked the streets. Of course, the reasoning was always 'for your protection', but everyone knew the truth. Nobody wanted to walk around and see a demi human, not in polite society. Paradicio was one of the many night clubs within the section of the city, surrounded by sky scrapers, and all the like. The owner, a dark elf named Aushra, was one of the growing powers within the section. At least, that is likely what she wanted to be. The thing about her business was, well, one bad step and you fell from the top. It was a normal night, the sounds of her building assaulting her ears as she did what she normally did. And then, it arrived. A USB from an anonymous source. It was an offer of a well paying job involving getting a hold of an item. Many of the details were hidden, but it did give a location for the job, both getting, and likely receiving payment. However, it called for specialists. Namely, something her normal thugs likely couldn't handle on her own. Meaning, she would have to contract a few specialists. A few names came to mind, at least... Elsewhere, the others were doing what they normally did during the night. (So, Aushra gets a meeting spot for a job, while the others are doing their own thing. So, what is everyone doing during this?)
Jever Alarms go off in the casino. Doors are shut down as guards block all entrances, so no one escapes. Unbeknown to everyone a hidden figure shrouded in invisibility has stolen a large sack of money from the casino. Avoiding contact with any one he sneaks down to the basement where the operations and heart of the casino lives. The crew down below continue their work ignoring the alarms and screams above. Lifting the sewer lid in the boiler room he sneaks down and removes his invisibility cloak. Giving a chuckle of how easy it is to steal from a casino. Being on the fringe of society had its benefits for a gnome. This was a job for himself that gives him some luxury to pass the time for the next call from a boss requesting an important job. The night had just begun.
Arcana shifted anxiously in her seat at the back of the cafe as she watched passers-by through the window. The small locale was quiet that evening with only two other patrons besides herself, one at the counter and another sitting by themselves at a table close to the entrance. Their eyes darted to her often and she guessed that they were probably wondering what she was doing there. Absentmindedly she thumbed the locket in her jacket pocket and shook her head, she hated waiting but that was only part of the problem. The waitress passed her table again and offered to fill up her glass, but Arcana declined. As the older woman walked away, the half-elf heard a faint clattering coming from the back room. She let out an exacerbated breath and hoped that the little imps wouldn't cause too much disruption. She'd told them to stay still and out of sight but they could rarely sit still for long. She tapped her nails on the tabletop impatiently when a voice entered her mind. "They're here." "Finally." She breathed and looked towards the door that started to open.
Sitting in the dim bar Luna swirled her drink in her glass. Watching the ice cubes clink off each other. She had been flirting with the cowkin bartender all night but of course work came first for both of them. Still it wasn't a bad Way to waste the night. She knew one way or the other she was coming out on top tonight. Unless something else came up to mess with her plans. The other target of her attention sat in the back booth where the overhead light had busted. Leaving the man in shadow. Luna's nose didn't need light though. She knew that poor asshole who had pissed off someone important and gotten a price on his head. She just had to wait for him to leave then he and the bounty were all hers. It was a pretty small bounty though. Leaving her wondering if it was even worth missing out of after hours desert with her favorite bartender.
Above the sewer grate, the alarms continued to sound. The casino was in an uproar, and surely he had gotten away clean. But as the smell of methane and shit filled his nose... well, the gnome likely didn't feel so 'clean' anymore. It was easy to rob from them, but using spells would leave a trail to his last location. As he tromped through the muck, so far, it didn't seem like he was being followed. Arcana was met with the sight of her employer. It wasn't cloak and dagger, like many of her cases were. No voice conference, or masked men behind gates. The man who had hired her was an older man, human, with a balding spot. He was dressed in a business suit, although hadn't struck her as being some powerful CEO. But he was paying her well, and as he sat down, if she was perceptive enough, she could see him linger, looking at her ample cleavage. Something that was becoming common enough. "The locket, do you have it?" He asked, eyeing her over, although with less lust than before. The target was a small, twitchy human. He seemed to jump at his own shadow, not even paying attention to the cow barkeep or her ample cleavage. After a few drinks, he got up, quickly paying, and leaving the barkeep a surprisingly generous tip as he quickly scuttled out the door. He knew he was being hunted, although wasn't aware that Luna was one of the stalkers.
Arcana caught the man's gaze and suppressed a shiver as a lone thought ran through her mind. 'Day Four'. Instantly, she had a brief thought of catching her breasts between her upper arms and pushing them together flirtatiously, after all, she rationalized it might have paid off with a little bonus from the man. But she immediately pushed that thought aside. Instead she took a breath, swallowed, reached into her pocket, and fished out the locket. She held it up by the chain with her fingers and allowed the piece to fall; it dangled in the air in front of her, haphazardly with her bosom in his line of sight, as she allowed him to inspect it. "My payment," she replied slyly "do you have it?"
The dull thumping of the music from her nightclub soothed Aushra as she lounged in her private office at the top of the nightclub. It was a fairly large establishment with multiple floors, but it was paled by the titan buildings everywhere else. But that was fine. For the current level of prestige and power she had currently, it was perfect. She couldn't go too big without the proper support, else she would be an easy target. She was in a comfortable position and had the time to idle while waiting for more power to come to her naturally. As a Dark Elf, time was a commodity she could afford to use at her own pace. The business woman, referred to as the Tai Hou...the Empress, needed the soothing nature of the beat coming from beneath her feet as she looked at her laptop. It was a rather cheap laptop, it didn't need to be expensive. All recording devices and software on it were disabled, it never connected to the internet once in its whole life, and she downloaded nothing onto it. It held no information at all asides from IP information and even then it had proxies set up for just in case. It was the laptop she used for...less than savory, business. And this is what she assumed the business was going to be with this flashdrive that was presented to her that she had plugged into one of the side ports. It turned out she was right. Aushra sighed, which resulted in some smoke to escape her plump, darkly glossed lips. In one elegantly gloved hand she held up a jade and ebony cigarette holder, which did in fact held up a cigarette. Nowadays, cigarettes had filters in them, but you can never have enough filters...plus it was more comfortable to smoke out of his, less messy, and it certainly helped with fashion. In her line of work, looks go a long way and gets you many things. If you're gonna have a vice, must as well do it safely and in style. Her shiny, and beautifully crafted Chinese lavender dress hugged every curvaceous frame on her mocha-painted body, complete with thigh-high dark stockings with garter straps and long, elegant high heels to accentuate her legs. Speaking of legs, she crossed hers as she reclined in her sofa as she read the file over and over again to ensure she didn't miss any information. Her moonlight silver hair dun up in a neat bun bobbed a bit as she did so, idly bouncing the foot that was in the air in contemplation. It seemed like a good enough job to do. It has been awhile since she got one. Money never hurt, and a nice boost to her income would help with expanding her influence. Compiling a list of useful cohorts, she looked to the two guards that were in her room. She didn't have many, but generally it was bad practice to not have at least two around at all times. She would have to go without for a few moments as she figured out who would be perfect for a mystery heist. She looked to one and pointed at him with her foot, "You...get my phone. I have a favor I'd like to cash in." She then rested the leg back and looked to her other guard, "And you...I have a tricky Gnome thief I need. I read his activities some time ago and he would be perfect. Go find me a decent runner downstairs that can track a certain "Jever". Tell the runner to tell him "The Empress needs your help in Paradise." If he's any good as his dossier leads me to belief, he should know the meaning behind it. The runner should look for any place that has been recently robbed and keep an eye on the sewers. The sewers are about the only place I can imagine he uses to escape his heists." When the second guard left, the first was standing right behind her, waiting for her to take the phone. And of course, she did. It was a cheap phone too, one that can be quickly discarded and hard to properly track. These phones usually got destroyed after just one call to then be easily replaced with another cheap phone. She flipped it open and began dialing the proper number. As he put the phone to her ear, she simply mused, "Let's see if I can teach an old dog some new tricks..."
And indeed, the older man's eyes were drawn to the locket, and her cleavage. They held there for some time, seemingly ignoring her request. "Oh, right." Coughing lightly, he shifted in his seat, before pulling out a wallet, and producing a sizable amount of money for her. "That was my wife's, you see." The tone... well, it was almost as if he was reminding him of his wife, as opposed to her. Pushing the cash forward, once more the half elf would see his gaze was lingering on her ample breasts. Indeed, she could probably get more. There was more in the wallet. But Arcana likely knew that was the lust in her head, and still something she could thankfully ignore.
Watching the man move to the exit in the mirror behind the bar, Luna downed the rest of her drink. She was feeling a nice buzz now, having been here a few hours, but it wasn't enough to keep her from doing this. He looked like an easy enough target anyway. So slapping some credits on the bar she gave the bovine bar tender a wink. If she got this over with fast enough maybe she could even make it back before closing time. That's when her phone rang. Only two steps from her bar stool she sighed and pulled it out. Not even bothering to look at who it was before answering. "Yeah? This better be good," her slightly annoyed voice greeted the person on the other end.
The problem about having magic is it tends to leave a particular trail. Once in awhile there was a message either for a job or for revenge for what he had or hadn't done. So if your going to leave a trail that is going to be picked up how do you separate them. Age has been kind for a tricky gnome as he is. Leaving the sewer for the roads. Leaving his sack of cash in a vault within the sewer system. As the moon shines high above days before it becomes full. He arrives at his favorite park where he does most business transactions he casts his spells and waits for any calls. Time passes as a couple of city dogs roam the park doing their business. Sun still hours away before breaking dawn a stocky figure comes into the park. Watching carefully as he seems to be on the trail for something or someone. "Jever?" he responds suspiciously uncertain if this was the correct location. "I have a message if you are here the Empress needs your help in Paradise." I break the illusion around the park showing my real self to this stocky runner "Who did you say?" "The Empress, Jever." He nods and walks off into the night sky. Never thought this call would come in. He had done large jobs before, but the Empress was a different character. One he has had no connection toward either against or with. To hear the name meant it is going to be a big prize. Pondering for a moment what this could do for his future. To refuse was impossible. Too many negative repercussions could and would happen. He would be forced to leave not just Tokyo, but the entire country of Japan. To accept, my god he would be set for life. He leaves the park with a new profound sense of optimism. It was time to visit the Empress.
'Day Four'. The thought rang and reverberated through her mind like a high pitched siren, the fact that he was ogling her didn't help matters any. Arcana discretely took the offered cash and then placed the locket into the man's hand, but as her fingers made contact with his skin she paused for a moment. Sure she was horny, but she was learning to deal with that. Yes there was more money in the wallet and she'd briefly thought about going for more; but he'd mentioned his wife and the moment he did that her greed evaporated. While his tone left something about the situation to be questioned, she couldn't help but be struck with some empathy. It was easy for her to relate to people who had lost loved ones. She leaned forward, and gave the man's hand a gentle squeeze. "I'm sorry." She said simply. "I know what it's like to lose people." They sat for a moment then she offered him a half-smile before rising to her feet. "I'm happy I could find this for you." she said straightening her jacket. "If there's anything else I can help you with, please let me know."
At the sound of the detective's voice, the Dark Elf let out a whistle before she took her next draft, "My, my, Luna dear...seems I caught you at a bad time. Else you wouldn't snap at little ol' me." She looked to the first guard and pointed at another laptop she used for work and motioned for him to boot it up and bring it to her. Meanwhile, she continued, "But...I'll forgive you. Tell me, how low is your meaty curse hanging these days?" Hoping that distracted Luna for a bit, she looked over at the laptop that was brought to her and saw that it had went through its booting process and opened up a blank desktop. This one was a computer she used for communications and sweeping the dark web to find jobs, talk with associates, and all sorts of other shady things. Needless to say, this one had way more security software to ensure as little damage as possible would result from using this laptop. She opened the messenger as Luna had her time to talk, "Now, Luna dear...I'm calling in to cash in a favor. My dry spell is over and I got a new job that I think you'll be just perfect for. Believe me, whatever you have going on won't be able to touch the price that this one has. I'll need you to head over to my office as soon as you can, now if you can manage." As she spoke, she sorted through her contacts and found the appropriate person. Typing back and forth to each other, she managed to get the information she required easily enough. She blew out some smoke from her cigarette as she continued on, "Oh...and while I'm cashing in this favor, I'd like to ask you of one. Along the way, there'll be this quaint and cute little cafe, nothing too fancy. I need you to look for an equally cute half-elf girl. Shouldn't be too hard to find her, halfy and being all mage like, you know the drill. She'll be a part of the job too, should be done with some business she handled. Do bring her along with you over to my office, she'll be most useful for the job." She took one last draft from the cigarette before saying, "Anyways, great talking with you, love. I always treasure these chats, and do know that I'm counting on you, buh-bye dear." With that, she closed the phone and ended the call. Luna could estimate that she won't be hearing from this number again, and the nightclub owner wasn't going to be accepting any of her calls until she did what was asked of her...Aushra did like her favors. The Dark Elf tossed the phone off the side of the couch and into a bin that was right beside it. It was the bin designated for things that needed to be disposed of with extreme care. It was going to be ripped apart to spare electronics, have anything that had conversation histories on it destroyed, and have the other parts sold to scrappers. All that there was to do now...was wait.
Luna inwardly groaned when she heard the voice on the other end. Not that she had a problem with the woman. It was just all these people trying to make it big in the district seemed to get upset whenever she worked for one of the competition. Everyone took these things so personally. That's why she liked hunting the little rats. It didn't make the same money but she didn't have any big shots getting angry at her either. "Hello, 'Empress'." Calming her voice she continued, "No no, not a bad time. I was just... Having a drink. And well, I'm sure you remember how my curse is doing quite well." After listening to the rest Luna pinched the bridge of her nose and thought for a moment. "Alright, I'll be right over. And with the half elf if I..." and of course was quickly cut off by the dark elf on the other end. Hanging up she made her way down the dark street. The Empress hadn't said what cafe but she had a pretty good idea. There weren't many in this section of the city anyway. After a short walk the place was in sight and soon enough the jingle of bells marked her entrance. Just in time to see a cute half elf leaving her seat. Had to be the one. Not many of them around here either. Luna herself had long silvery gray hair pulled back into a ponytail. With two large fur covered ears protruding from each side of her head. Though the rest of her face looked human enough. Until she gave Arcana a toothy grin that showed off her rather pronounced canines. A long tench coat covered most of her frame. With a long slit up the back for her long fluffy tail. That, at the moment, was gently swaying back and forth behind her. Underneath she wore a white button up with the top three undone. Showing off a hint of cleavage. With a black mid thigh skirt under that and finally some sensible shoes. Chasing someone down in heels wasn't really her idea of a good time. With her grin still in place her eyes swept over Arcana from head to toe with a bit of a predatory gaze. "Just who I was looking for."
No sooner had the words left her lips than Arcana heard the jingle of bells at the entrance and her eyes darted towards the door. In strode a wolfkin woman whose eyes were squarely on her. Arcana felt a moment of apprehension when a voice entered her mind, "Someone's coming." With an annoyed huff she thought 'Now it tells me.' Arcana gave the new arrival a quick up and down once over appraisal. They were roughly the same height and surprisingly similarly dressed, with a couple of differences. Each wore a long trench coat, Arcana's was a dark violet woolen one that ended above her knees. Both wore white shirts, but Arcana's was a wide V-neck t-shirt where the bottom of the 'V' ended an inch or two above her naval, without a bra the position of her nipples was very visible. The two wore matching skirts, although Arcana's was pleated and an inch or two shorting resting high on her thigh. The biggest difference in their attire was the fact that Arcana wore knee high boots with a three inch stiletto heel. "Just who I was looking for." the wolfkin woman said. Arcana raised one thin eyebrow and asked, "Excuse me?"
Amber eyes took one last, though a bit slower, glance over the half elf before Luna spoke again. Taking a few steps closer as she did. "The Empress, Dark elf woman. Owns the Paradicio. Perhaps you've heard of her. Anyway, she sent me to fetch you. Apparently she requires your services." Shrugging she continued, "She didn't give me any details but hey, money is money." Another step closer and they were almost face to face. Leaning forward a bit Luna took several quick inhales. Making her nostrils flare. Clearly sniffing the half elf. Seeming to be satisfied she straightened up once more.
Arcana recoiled just as the wolfkin woman leaned in to smell her scent and gave her a little shocked expression. "Um... Excuse me!" she repeated. As the wolfkin returned to a straightened stance so did Arcana where she began to process what the other woman had told her. 'The Empress' the title puzzled her for an instant before she introduced the other two. 'Dark elf woman. Owns the Paradicio.' And Arcana couldn't quite stifle a laugh. "Ah yes..." she said unable to keep the amused smile from her face "I know of her." That much was accurate, Arcana had worked with someone who'd worked with her before. At least until he'd gained enough of a reputation to stop taking every job he could and started being discerning about his contracts. Although Arcana herself had never met the woman, her associate had stopped working with The Empress before she'd met him, she could tell there was a history there. Either she had hurt him or he had hurt her, she didn't really know. He only ever said one thing about her: "If you ever have to work with her she'll pay you well enough; but remember that she's in it for her." With the memory Arcana sighed, finances were getting tight. She looked down and the older man still sitting at the table gawking at the two women in front of him and gave him another smile. She stroked his cheek lightly and pondered that maybe she should have gone for the rest of the money in his wallet, after all the wolfkin woman was right: money is money. But the man sitting down clearly didn't have the kind of capital that she'd need. And constantly taking the small jobs would only just keep her afloat, even if she constantly went for extra. "It was a pleasure doing business with you, if you have any further need of my services, you have my number." She waited politely for him to settle with that before turning towards the wolfkin again. "Money is money right? I'm Arcana Gold," she said with a slight tilt of her head, "pleased to meet you. Lead the way."
Arriving at a nightclub he walks in noticing the crowd was dying off. A figure up above similar clothing to the runner earlier stands above staring at him. No since for tricks tonight this was straight business. Walking upstairs he notices an elevator well guarded "The Empress called" staring upward at these rather large guards asking to be let in. They looked at each other then looked down to see where the voice came from. They let me through opening the door. The elevator decorated in a high class manner Red silk walls with a golden trim. No buttons only a flat screen with a red light recording activity within the elevator. The door closes. Rising quickly the door open within seconds to reveal a hallway with two guards in the distance blocking another door. The walls covered in photos of Dark Elves that once ruled a dynasty. Arriving in front of them they let him through without a response. He enters the room to see a female dark elf sitting at her desk with a laptop and nothing else. "Empress?"
"Just a precaution," Luna explained, "We don't get may elf bloods like you out here in shinjuku. Some of the locals can get a bit over excited. I can keep better track of you now. Wouldn't want you getting lost down some dark alleyway." Letting her finish her business Luna watch curiously. Wondering what a human and a half blood where downing in a place like this. Well, it was none of her business anyway. So she just shrugged it off. Then moved over to the door. Holding it open for her new acquaintance. "Everyone around here calls me Luna. Her place is just a few blocks from here," she said simply. It was easy enough to tell just by the half elfs name she was dealing was a magic user here. Her last run in with a elven mage had not gone so well. Leaving her a bit weary over them. So she wasn't quite sure if it was a pleasure to meet this one or not yet. Down the dark poorly maintained streets the Wolfkin lead her. With her tail swishing behind as the moved under the flickering street lights. Until they were replaced with the neon glow of the Paradicio. Where a long time of eager clubbers waited for the Orcish bouncer to let them in. "Takes forever to get in that way," Luna spoke up over the thumping of music that could be heard even out here on the street, "She's expecting us. So we can take the VIP entrance around back." Motioning with her thumb around the side of the building Arcana would see she was being directed down one of those dark alleyways she had been warned about.
In many cases, the perceptions of the gnome and the wolf were right and wrong. Such was the nature of the Tai Hou's Paradise...her Paradicio, her jewel in the slums of Shinjuku. In bursts, big and small, people of all types who did not wished to be judged came and went. Though, it all depended on which floor you went to. At this time, the bottom floor restaurant would be dying off, but the second and third floor dance rooms were densely populated and in well use. Aushra prided on this establishment to be opened at nearly all times...it was a lucrative decision. And of course, this resulted in crowds to be in flux in size outside of the establishment. The floors and overall exterior of the building shared that of the rest of Shinjuku. Having a very modern base with heavy Chinese accents. However, as if implying the owner of the establishment hailed from the country herself, there was more of a focus and emphasis on the Chinese features. Which doesn't bode too well for the criminal underworld of Japan...the Japanese didn't have much of leg in the race of the brutality of those that descended from the mainland syndicates. The bits that the gnome had managed to see were very limited in regards to the whole operation. The restaurant area was dying out, as stated before and the elevator didn't allow him to see the other floors...the dance floor, the prostitution and caged dancing floor, the VIP floor...none of it. This elevator went to every single floor, including the ever dreadful business floor where only those called upon by the Tai Hou herself could go...making this an obvious employee elevator. And when he got to the mythical top floor... It was a bit of a sight to be hold. It wasn't anything too lavish, like out of a story book, but when compared to Shinjuku, it might as well be. The elevator opened up to a hallway lined with portraits of Dark Elves. Whether they were related to the Tai Hou or just Elves from some lineage she might aspire to become, that was up for debate as the backstory of the Empress was shrouded in shadow, but it gave off the necessary effect. At the end of the hallway was a large, open, square room that had an obvious purpose. Complete with standing and lounging stations on the rim and at the very center containing sofas made into the floor and some sitting mats, all facing the back wall. The wall had two doorways and a raised pedestal. On top of this pedestal was an ornate wooden rack with purple and red tapestry with a large cushion for kneeling or sitting, surrounded by candles mounted onto the wall. This was a throne room... Going into one of the doors, Jever would find that it didn't matter which door he went to...they went to the same place. A large hallway lined with doors, more portraits, and various Chinese and Dark Elf artifacts on display. However, only one door stood out to him...the large ornate door all the way back that stood alone. It was here that he found the office that the Dark Elf, the Tai Hou, presided in with her two personal guards. The office itself didn't have much within it. Some sitting stations here and there at the center, a whole wall filled with tech of various types from phones, to laptops, to TV screens, some bins, and of course the large desk she sat it with the large chair she sat in. The Dark Elf looked up with a raised brow, taking in a draft from her cigarette holder and slowly blew out smoke. A husky, playful voice oozed from her plump lips as the black smoke rolled out from it like a coy dragon playing with food, "My, my...Would you be Jever? I must admit, I didn't expect to see you yet, nor without the other guests. I had told the staff downstairs to have you wait and enjoy some refreshments if they haven't arrived yet...but it seems you had other ideas." A light chuckle came from her as she relaxed in her seat, "Might have to keep an eye on you...Your dossier didn't say you were a cute one. A nice surprise." Meanwhile, Luna and Arcana could make their way in the back. The detective had a long history with the owner of Paradicio. At this point, she probably knew the ins and outs of the nightclub. The service entrance at the back could easily let them slip into the kitchen which had a more direct connection to multiple areas of the building, including the Empress's throne room and bedroom. It was faster than the employee elevator inside the main restaurant area. But the choice was her's to make on where they would go. If they didn't want to go to the back alley, she could easily just skip the line and tell the bouncer that his boss was expecting them...the Orc himself was very familiar to Luna, and chances are she was familiar to him as well.
"Thank you..." Arcana said politely yet let her statement trail off and become a question as her new wolfkin companion held the door to the cafe open for her. "Everyone around here calls me Luna." the woman answered the indicated question. "Her place is just a few blocks from here." As Luna led the way down the street, Arcana paused and looked up to the rooftop of the opposite building from the cafe. It took her a moment to spot what she was looking for. It was humanoid in appearance, and about the size of a dwarf without any of the sturdiness. The thing was impossibly dark, one could spot it only by the absence of stars in the night sky behind it and the faint purple/indigo distortion that surrounded it. It had never spoken yet Arcana understood it perfectly. She fixed it with a gaze that said everything that her lips couldn't say, "Take them home. Then follow me." For less than an instant, Arcana swore that she saw a dim flash of blue lights where, if it was human, the creature's eyes would be. Then it simply disappeared. Arcana hurried down the street after Luna. The two walked in silence for a while until the wolfkin woman stopped in front of a Chinese style building. Arcana had it admit, it was a little strange to see in Shinjuku, but she had certainly seen stranger things in her life. She spotted the throng of clubbers waiting in front of the place and Luna explained "Takes forever to get in that way." Her voice was loud in order to overcome the music that reached the streets, then she thumbed the direction of a back alley. "She's expecting us, so we can take the VIP entrance around back." Arcana's eyes followed to where Luna was indicating. While the back alleyways could certainly be dangerous in Shinjuku, Arcana doubted anything would happen between the street and the back entrance. "Lead the way." she said prepared to follow the woman again.
