Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)
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		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Bondage, D/s, S&amp;M =&gt; Bondage: Human Solos =&gt; Topic started by: MadPanda on 14-08-2009, 02:39:01</h2>
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				Title: <strong>Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>14-08-2009, 02:39:01</strong>
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				The name of the game, as SueLynn would have cheerfully admitted, was Bash the Bigot.&nbsp; Sometimes she called it Smash the Skinhead, or Nazi-kicking, but whatever the label it boiled down to her flouncing around a bad part of town in a pedo-bait schoolgirl uniform, luring a few knuckleheads into chasing her into an alleyway, and then pounding the crap out of them.&nbsp; Had anyone asked, she would have grudgingly admitted that aggravated assault and battery was perhaps not the most constructive use of her time, but between the finer points of law and a little stress relief, she was disinclined to care overmuch.<br><br>(Besides, she rationalized, every week one of these goobers was stuck in a hospital somewhere was a week in which he wouldn't be spouting crap or plotting to beat and rob someone who couldn't defend themselves.&nbsp; They'd chased her hoping for a little rough action, and she'd given them what they deserved.&nbsp; Was it her fault these dickheads wouldn't catch a clue?&nbsp; And if there was a downside to Nazi-worshipping morons suddenly deciding that cute Asian schoolgirls might not be a safe target, she hadn't thought of it.)<br><br>Had she been a more thoughtful young woman, or at least more inclined to plan these things out rather than improvising and working by the seat of her pants, then she might have predicted the eventual results.<br><br>Tonight's dance partners, chosen more or less at random, were a biker gang with a penchant for runes and a definite Pagan/Neo-nazi bent.&nbsp; They called themselves the Get of Fenrir, and they were a cut above the last fifty or so scum she'd fought.&nbsp; But unlike the last few times...<br><br>Oh, they wolf-whistled and made rude suggestions when she walked past, and then one of them took a good look at her and said something like "it's that crazy little slant!&nbsp; Get her!"<br><br>That, of course, was new.&nbsp; So were the number of guns that appeared.&nbsp; So instead of sticking around to find out whether she could dodge bullets, she ran for it...and they, of course, gave chase.&nbsp; But this time, she wasn't suckering them into any ambushes at a moment of her choosing!
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				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>15-08-2009, 00:03:44</strong>
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				Luke blew a half frustrated breath out through his nose, and took another look around. "Nothing." he muttered, fishing in his pocket for the beautifully calligraphy message he had received three days previously. "Blah, blah,blah, greetings, blah, blah,blah, duty, here we go ... honourable daughter of Sun Wukong, causing trouble .. gee who'd have expected that." he said, chuckling. "Find her, spank her if necessary and show her a real use for her talents."<br><br>"I guess I can manage that." he said, looking around, "Assuming I can find her." He rolled the sheet up again and tucked it into the pocket of his pants. His clothing, while not quite being on the level of fashion model, was impeccably tailored, and a definite cut about the normal dress code for this part town. He took his staff, currently shrunken to about the size of a pen, from his pocket and let it dance over his fingers as he thought.<br><br>He snapped the staff into his hand as he realised how he might go about finding this wayward younger half sister. He took a look around to make sure the street was relatively quiet, then stepped into an alleyway, sliding the staff back into his pocket. His hands rolled through a small series of gestures, then he rubbed his eyes and looked around.<br><br>"Perfect." he said, smiling, as he saw the lines of Fate running from his body off into the distance. He focused on each in turn, recognising the ones that belonged to Chu-en and the other members of his band, which just left ... that one.<br><br>He turned down the alley and started to walk briskly in the rough direction of the Fate line, supremely confident in his movements. Any would be mugger that thought him an easy mark would be in for quite a surprise.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>15-08-2009, 17:19:49</strong>
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				"Not fun," SueLynn told herself as she barely made it around a corner and up a fire escape ahead of the massive, shaggy blond bikers from Heck!&nbsp; Racing up the rickety, rusty metal stairs, she was less than happy to find two of them starting up after her...guns drawn!<br><br>"Come back and play, little girl," one of them called out, brandishing a handgun in her general direction.&nbsp; "We only wanna kill you!"<br><br>She managed to get to the top of the fire escape and up onto the roof ahead of them, then looked around for somewhere to hide.&nbsp; An ambush would not be easy, and these guys were kind of on the large side, so she didn't want to fight more than one or two at a time...and guns?&nbsp; What was this, Beirut?
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				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>16-08-2009, 02:24:35</strong>
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				Luke came around a corner just in time to see a wave of rather large, hairy and annoyed specimens of biker come thundering past. The first couple disappeared off into the distance, in pursuit of something .. or someone .. small and fast, and Luke grinned as the rest slid to a halt upon seeing him simply standing there.<br><br>"Looks like our lucky day." one of the leaders snarled. "Two for one on slants." His compatriots backed him up with grunted laughter.<br><br>"Well, I'd call it someones lucky day." replied Luke easily, rolling his shoulders inside his black silk shirt. "Whose remains to be seen. Now, since I'm in a good mood, I'll make you guys a deal. Run away, and I won't be forced to spank the lot of you." He raised his hand, and made a shooing motion, knowing that it would likely infuriate them beyond belief.<br><br>The leader roared and swung a round house punch that would have taken Luke's head off, if it had connected. He pivoted and watched it go by, wincing as it connected with the brick wall of the building beside him, a roar of pain following the snapping sound of bones.<br><br>Luke slid around the burly biker, whose mouth was hanging open in a wordless gasp of pain, and the chain wielded by the second lashed around his friends face.<br><br>"Last chance, kiddies." said Luke, coming to a halt a few steps away, hands folded in front of him. "Walk away now, while you still can."<br><br>The response was, predictably, loud, racist, and anatomically impossible. Luke gave a small smile and went to work. He dropped low, sweeping the feet out from under the lead rush, the ones behind half stumbling over them. Straightening up he lept into the air, planting his hands on the heads of a pair of the goons and vaulting over them to drop behind them. His hand sought the collar of the rearmost, and he heaved the man into the air, spinning him around and using him to sweep the nearest pair into a pile of cardboard boxes. The one in his hands he folded up with a quick jab to the stomach, and then tossed him headfirst into a dumpster beside him.<br><br>As he turned back to the last pair still on their feet he saw the pistols appearing in their hands. "You're fucking dead meat, slant." snarled the first. As the two gun came up and fired, Luke was in motion, ducking under their shots, sliding forwards as he felt the wind of the bullets pass his head.<br><br>The two tried to track him, but he was in arms length now, and his hands snapped out, one finger of each hand sliding through the trigger guard right next to the shooters. Before the two could try to disengage, his hands twisted , and another pair of screams echoed in the alley as two more fingers broke.<br><br>Luke tore the guns from their hands, whacked each on the head with the flat of the barrel and watched them drop unconscious to the ground. A look around showed him that anyone else who still had any fight in them was choosing discretion over valour and remaining quiet.<br><br>With a chuckle he darted off down the alleyway, to see where the smaller group had gotten to, snapping the trigger off each pistol before tossing it aside.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>16-08-2009, 02:50:01</strong>
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				Up on the rooftop, SueLynn found that these special friends were more than a cut above the garden-variety racist scum she'd been pounding on her cross-country trip.&nbsp; For one thing, judging by the careful way they moved from fire escape to roof, they were more cautious than most--as if a skinny little teenaged schoolgirl with no obvious weapons was more dangerous than she appeared.<br><br>Which meant that they might have an idea about what she was, if not the precise details, and that was worrying!<br><br>"Come on out, little whore," one of them called, using his taunt to cover the sound of his buddy moving to outflank the place they thought she was hiding.&nbsp; "Don't make us come find you!"<br><br>From her unorthodox hiding spot, she rolled her eyes.&nbsp; What, did they really think she was that stupid?&nbsp; Granted, the shadow of that big ol' ventilation unit was one of the first places she'd thought about hiding, but still! Even a child could have spotted the flaw in that plan.<br><br>When the first thug moved past, she carefully and silently pulled herself back up over the side of the roof and slipped into the all-concealing shadow of the chimney he'd just left.&nbsp; Grinning to herself, she was tempted to say something saucy, just to watch him jump in surprise.<br><br>"What the fuck?&nbsp; Dave!&nbsp; Behind you!"<br><br>Ah, yes: the wingman principle.&nbsp; And suddenly she was no longer following a hulking skinhead with a really big handgun anymore; she was facing him down directly without even so much as the proverbial knife brought to the shooting match!&nbsp; And his partner was charging in to support!<br><br>She dove to one side, her foot lashing out to knock his gun aside, seemingly heedless of the fact that her trajectory would take her over the side of the building...
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				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>20-08-2009, 01:29:49</strong>
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				Luke's gaze followed the thread of fate as it rose into the air. "Seems she went up." he mused. "Not sure how smart that was. If she can jump on, well and good. If she hasn't developed those powers yet, easy to get trapped. Ah well, easy enough to check on anyway."<br><br>He turned and looked around him, but the alleyway was deserted, so sign or sound of anyone nearby. Luke took a couple of steps and leaped into the air, soaring easily 20 meters straight up. Twisting, his foot landed against the sill of a boarded up window, and he pushed off again, springing to the building opposite and going yet higher. A similar jump on that one and he rolled onto the rooftop with barely a whisper of sound, almost melting into the shadows of the various large metal chimneys that seemed to dot these roofs.<br><br>"Well now." he said with a smile, as he watched the athletic young woman ahead of him. "Let's see just what she can do."
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				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>20-08-2009, 01:37:46</strong>
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				As she fell, SueLynn reached out at the last moment, seeming to just barely tag the wall...and instead swinging acrobatically out, down, and back up to land on the balls of her feet!&nbsp; Grinning cheekily at the two hulking skinheads facing her, she gave them the sterotypical 'come hither' gesture so often invoked in cheesy kung fu movies.<br><br>"Whatsamatter, boys?&nbsp; Scared of a little girl?"
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				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>22-08-2009, 00:56:15</strong>
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				<em>Not too shabby.</em> thought Luke, from where he sat comfortably in a concealing shadow. <em>For a beginner, at least.</em> he added, with a grin. <em>Bouncing around is all well and good, and these guys aren't likely to be much of a threat. Not compared to a giant or some big nasty monster.</em> His face clouded slightly, remembering the incident in Reykjavik, and what it had cost the band.<br><br>He pushed the thought aside with a small sigh, and refocused on the girl. <em>Come on then, little sister. Let me see what you can do with these two. We have more important things to be doing with our time than dealing with the likes of them. I don't want to get you involved unless I think you can handle it though.</em>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>23-08-2009, 00:50:24</strong>
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				Predictably, one of the two thugs lost it and swung at her...and missed, which was no surprise.&nbsp; She grabbed his wrist with both hands...<br><br>"Why, thank you!"<br><br>...and used his arm for support, sweeping one leg up, up, up until her heel smashed into his nose with a sickening crunch...<br><br>"You with your ugly mug have hurt my instep!"<br><br>...and then carried through, flipping gracefully over his outstretched arm to land on her feet facing the last thug.&nbsp; Right down the barrel of his gun!&nbsp; He grinned wickedly and pulled the trigger before she could do more than blink.<br><br>*click*<br><br>"Hah!&nbsp; Outta bullets!"
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				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>23-08-2009, 18:45:29</strong>
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				<em>Ok, I think that's about enough.</em> thought Luke, digging a small packet of mints from his pocket. He flicked one into the air with his thumb, and as it came down flicked it again with a finger, sending it smacking into the back of the head of the goon with the gun, who obligingly crumpled to the floor.<br><br>He uncoiled from his seated position and stepped out onto the roof, brushing his trousers down as he walked towards SueLynn. "Not bad, little sister, but coming up in front of the gun like that could have been a mistake. Maybe not so much with the likes of these, but there's lots bigger and nastier things out there, and you don't want to form bad habits early."<br><br>He stopped a few paces short of her, and gave a polite bow. "Name's Luke." he said. "At least around these parts." His English, though quite understandable carried an accent of somewhere much further east. "I expect you have a ton of questions, but I'd rather go through those somewhere more comfortable. I can offer you the hospitality of my hotel room, or if you would rather somewhere more familiar, feel free to suggest somewhere."<br><br>He folded his hands in front of him, an easy smile on his face as he looked the girl over. 
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				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>23-08-2009, 20:22:46</strong>
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				SueLynn spun, immediately crouching into a deceptively relaxed ready stance, watching the newcomer warily.<br><br>"Whaddya mean, 'little sister'?&nbsp; I'm an only child."&nbsp; Her face darkened.&nbsp; "<em>Was</em>, I mean."<br><br>As he kept talking, she straightened up, watching him carefully.<br><br>"Mister Skywalker, I presume?&nbsp; I feel like having something to eat.&nbsp; How about this nice little burger joint over by the mall?&nbsp; Or would you rather go native?&nbsp; I hear there's this nice Szechuan place a few blocks from here."
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				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>23-08-2009, 21:05:07</strong>
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				"Funny you should say that." replied Luke with a smile. "The first time our honourable father decided to pay me a visit, he put on the deep voice, went '<em>Luke .. I am your father'</em> and then damn near fell over laughing." He gave a small chuckle. "My sense of humour isn't quite that bad, but I wouldn't be surprised if he influenced my name just so he could pull that routine twenty years later."<br><br>"And yes, little sister. Little half sister if you want to be technical, but that's more of a mouthful than I care for. Little sister is close enough, since I have a few years on you." He looked her over, cocking his head to the side. "How old are you anyway? Eighteen or so?"<br><br>"Food sounds good to me. Burgers aren't really my thing, but I'll at least give the Szechuan place a once over. If it looks decent, and we can be assured of reasonable privacy to talk, then it'll do."<br><br>He walked over to the edge of the parapet and looked down. <em>Good, no one about.</em> he thought. He turned back to SueLynn, gave her another smile and stepped backwards off the roof.<br><br>Out of sight from her he bounced from ledge to ledge, much the way he'd come up and a couple of seconds later he was dropping safely down onto the alley floor, where he paused to straighten his clothing before looking back up.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>23-08-2009, 21:18:38</strong>
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				"Heh.&nbsp; So you mean my <em>other</em> dad.&nbsp; Got it."<br><br>She gave him a slow examination, head to toe.<br><br>"Got the sense of humor just about right.&nbsp; You actually got to meet him, did you?&nbsp; I got a pawnshop ticket, a bundle of green, and a new pet monkey.&nbsp; Szechuan it is."<br><br>As he stepped&nbsp; off the roof, she quirked an eyebrow...and once he landed, she followed suit, but instead of bouncing from ledge to ledge, she simply fell!&nbsp; And landed as lightly as a feather a moment later.<br><br>"So I suppose I won't have to play all coy and pretend not to notice weird stuff around you. That'll be a relief!&nbsp; What brings you to town?&nbsp; Besides me, that is.&nbsp; C'mon.&nbsp; Hong's is this way."<br><br>Looping one arm around his, she steered him in the general direction of the mentioned restaurant.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>23-08-2009, 22:08:52</strong>
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				"Yeah, he crashed our end of season cast party." replied Luke. "Flirted with every single girl there, made the marketing boss look a complete idiot, then dragged a handfull of us out onto the town. I think that was just so he could check me out." he said. "The end of the night is a bit of a blur, but he left me with a couple of little gifts, opened my eyes to the wider world, and then disappeared again."<br><br>He gave his head a bit of a shake as the two walked along. "I wasn't entirely sure what to make off all this, but given I could now pull stunts that I'd have trouble even bluescreening before, hey, who am I to complain." He gave a grin. "I get to travel the world, and beat up new and interesting monsters with a handfull of others."<br><br>"I got a note about strange goings on in town, and since I was coming this way for a little looksee, the Celestial Bureaucracy dropped me a note asking me to find you, and see about getting you doing something a little more useful with your time."<br><br>He glanced back the way they had come. "While I'm sure tossing gorillas like those about is quite satisfying, there is a war on, and our energy is better spent on fights that truly matter."<br><br>"Back home I got a sniff of a slave ring running, with young girls being bought, or even snatched, and sent across to here. We think a titanspawn is involved, but we can't be sure. I volunteered to come and have a look around whilst the rest of my band took care of a little problem down in the Carribean involving some voodoo stuff."
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				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>23-08-2009, 22:16:59</strong>
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				"Celestial what, now?"<br><br>SueLynn laughed softly.<br><br>"Oh, right.&nbsp; Them.&nbsp; The nice people in the suits and ties who wouldn't give me so much as a hand up out of the gutter I landed in when my adoptive parents croaked.&nbsp; We are talking about them, right?"<br><br>She stretched her other arm out lazily.<br><br>"But now they send an errand boy to ask me to be useful!&nbsp; I should tell you to tell them to ask nicely, but since you came all this way I can let you at least buy me dinner and tell me more about this all-important mission I'll be declining."&nbsp; Then, tilting her head up to look at him, she added, "Sex trafficking?&nbsp; Young women taken into bondage and sold to the highest bidder for a life of miserable abuse and servitude?&nbsp; I can't just turn my back on that, now, can I?"<br><br>For the rest of the walk to Hong's Szechuan Grill, she grumbled under her breath about her stupid chivalrous streak.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>24-08-2009, 00:03:45</strong>
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				Luke looked down at the young woman beside him, a strange expression on his face. "I don't pretend to know the life you've had." he replied, his tone serious. "My own was pretty good, so I won't give you some line about knowing how it goes." He blew out a breath before continuing.<br><br>"Someone who could have said that was John. He was a member of our band, a son of Thor. He had a pretty shitty life, and then all of a sudden he had these incredible powers. Powers he wasn't able to handle. We were in Iceland, dealing with a monster. Things went bad .. real bad .. and he died. If I'd been there at the time, I might have been able to do something, but I was off dealing with a guy from some agency that doesn't exist."<br><br>"Now, the stuff I've heard about you pulling makes me think you and he could be a lot alike. You have the potential inside you to become a Goddess, and what are you doing with it? Kicking two bit thugs around? You may not care for the celestial suits, but they aren't the reason I do what I do. I go out there, and I kick the ass of things that most people couldn't even believe exist, and definitely couldn't handle, because someone has to do it. If we don't fight for those people, the titans win, and if you think things are messed up now, believe me, you haven't seen anything yet."<br><br>"Now, the sex trafficking I think is a sideline, or maybe just useful cover." he said. "I did a little digging, and there are some interesting bloodlines appearing amongst the girls taken. I have the feeling something more important is going on here."<br><br>He cocked his head to the side as he looked down at her. "Don't suppose you know anything about local triads or friendly neighbourhood evil sorcerers?"
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				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>24-08-2009, 00:46:19</strong>
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				She rolled her eyes.<br><br>"Yeah, yeah, didn't say I <em>wouldn't</em> help, did I?&nbsp; I just won't help 'cause the suits said so.&nbsp; Big difference."<br><br>She stuck her tongue out at him like the bratty little sister she apparently was...<br><br>"But I can't help you about the locals.&nbsp; I'm new in town myself.&nbsp; Just blew in on the north wind, trying to steer clear of...uhm, certain other people."&nbsp; And she managed to look a bit sheepish.&nbsp; "A friend got a bit of an obsession about this outlaw biker gang, and wherever they are, I prefer to be elsewhere.&nbsp; Know how it goes?"
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				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>24-08-2009, 00:59:41</strong>
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				Luke chuckled at the tongue, then rapped her on the head with a knuckle. "Show respect for your elders." he said, grinning. <br><br>"Can't say I've had run ins with any biker gangs though, no. Fire giants, Ice giants, Oni, shinobi, zombies, demon frog monsters, undead Nazi's, an undead Nazi mad scientist that turned into a giant zombie werewolf, but no biker gangs." he continued, deadpan. <br><br>"I'll tell you a few stories that'd curl your hair." he said, "But those are best left for another time I think. I had thought you were a local here, but since you're not, I guess that means plan B."<br><br>He glanced down at her. "Once I figure out what plan B is, I'll let you know. We'll think better with some food in us anyway." He gestured towards a sign ahead of them. "Is that our place?"
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				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>24-08-2009, 02:01:35</strong>
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				"Yeah, that's it.&nbsp; Hong's has a good rep, at least in the circles I've been hanging around.&nbsp; Good, cheap, filling."<br><br>She wandered in, calling out cheerful greetings to the staff (who seemed to recognize her at once, and seemed pleased to see her at that).&nbsp; Almost without having to wait, they were whisked to a booth in the rear of the restaurant, given menus, served tea...and then left discretely alone for a few minutes.<br><br>"Did I mention these bikers were sort of half-man, half-machine?"
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				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>24-08-2009, 02:13:23</strong>
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				"No, you never mentioned that part." replied Luke. "The mad scientist we took down, he had been experimenting on people, and using some of the local white power types as muscle, snatch squad and experimental minions too. We met a couple that he'd turn into ... steampunk borg. Wonder if they might be related at all?"<br><br>He shrugged, letting his eyes run down the menu as he spoke. "Anyways, one of the others in my band, he's a regular genius. He's the one that started to pull together the information on these missing girls, and their ancestry. Lots of powerful magic there. I have the feeling something nasty is being planned, and they're the key to it."<br><br>He took a sip of tea before continuing. "Unfortunately, suspicions are all I have to go on right now. Without a line into the local underworld, it's going to be hard to figure out who to shake next. Don't suppose you've picked up anything? Any weird feelings, spots you've been told to keep away from, or guys not to cross?"
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				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>24-08-2009, 02:18:22</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Nawwww.&nbsp; Nobody usually tells me anything until after I needed to know it.&nbsp; My very presence seems to cause things to come unstuck in a very funny way.&nbsp; That's why I like to bash fascist weinerhead bikers--nobody really notices, and nothing wierd comes out of the woodwork."<br><br>SueLynn shrugged.<br><br>"But I <em>might</em> be able to tell you where we could find out.&nbsp; If you don't mind going to some nightclubs and stuff, I mean."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>24-08-2009, 23:15:10</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Wait til Fate starts taking an interest in you." replied Luke. "Weird things will come crawling out of the woodwork simply because it's you. The girl running from the goon squad will hurtle around the corner and come crashing into you. The monster in the park will choose the night you go for a quiet stroll to jump out and try eating someone. Whatever it is, it'll happen when you're around."<br><br>He saw one of the waitresses starting to edge closer and waved her in. "The fillet beef Cantonese, please." he said, gesturing towards the menu. "And just a coke to go with it." He made a small gesture towards SueLynn, inviting her to order. "And a nightclub sounds interesting. What've you got in mind?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>25-08-2009, 00:14:30</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"My usual," SueLynn said to the waitress, trying to sound sultry but not quite pulling it off.&nbsp; The girl blushed anyway, giggling as she retreated.<br><br>"You mean Fate hasn't already come after me with a baseball bat?&nbsp; That's comforting.&nbsp; I thought..."<br><br>She started ticking points off on her fingers.<br><br>"Losing both parents in a suspicious car crash, getting booted out of my boarding school because the old man didn't foot the bill like he was supposed to and his assets got frozen 'cause he was under investigation by half a dozen federal agencies, finding out that my entire operating budget after the funeral was five bucks and a pawnshop ticket, and getting into a three way brawl with a half-man half-motorcycle just before making an inept pass at the meanest Irishwoman I've ever met...wow.&nbsp; That doesn't sound like Fate bouncing me around <em>at all</em>."<br><br>She stuck her tongue out at him again.<br><br>"This is where you tell me I'm just lucky, right"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>25-08-2009, 00:21:35</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Luke chuckled at her. "Not what I'd call lucky, no. Some of that certainly sounds like it could be Fate taking a hand." He gave a small shrug. "Some of it may be coincidence, I don't know for sure. I did manage to follow a strand of Fate to you though, so for the moment at least we're supposed to be teaming up."<br><br>He broke off for a moment as the waitress returned and set a coke down beside him, smiling at her before returning his attention to SueLynn. "Hopefully this doesn't come across as sounding big headed, but the stuff you've encountered so far has all been pretty small scale. I'm guessing you're still getting warmed up though." He took a sip from his soft drink.<br><br>"Tell me how it happened for you."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>25-08-2009, 00:36:44</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"The big reveal, you mean?&nbsp; The 'ta-daaaah' bit?"<br><br>She shrugged and smirked.<br><br>"I dunno, but it was probably when I redeemed that pawnshop ticket and opened the box in the back room of this dinky little junk shop in the middle of San Fran's Chinatown.&nbsp; Turned out there was a smartass monkey in the box, and he said...well, okay, there was some other stuff in there, too, but Uncle was the big thing.&nbsp; He's the one who told me about Dad.&nbsp; And...Dad's womanizing."<br><br>She ran her fingers through her hair, stirring her tea with one forefinger, seemingly unconcerned about the heat.<br><br>"Of course, that was after the big brawl with Harley Davidson.&nbsp; <span class="bbc_u">And</span> after I told the Irish gal I liked her rack."&nbsp; She rolled her eyes.&nbsp; "Funny thing is, I always thought I was straight.&nbsp; Uncle says a little bit of Dad must've rubbed off or something.&nbsp; Is it true he once stole Kwanyin's panties?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>25-08-2009, 00:52:05</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Luke gave a laugh. "I hadn't heard that one, but I wouldn't put it past him. I seem to follow more of his ass kicking example. Don't think I'm quite up to standing off the entire Hosts of Heaven on my own yet, but so far I haven't found a demon that I haven't been able to kick around. With a little occasional help." he added, smiling. <br><br>"As I said earlier, he showed up at my cast party, and a few of us ended up out on the town. At the end of the night I had this ... " he opened his shirt and fished out a small green jade monkey on a leather thong, letting SueLynn look before tucking it away again ... "and this ..." His hand went into his pants pocket bringing out a small pen size piece of carved wood.<br><br>He took a quick look around before rolling it into the palm of his hand and closing his fingers around it. A moment later he was holding a 6 foot fighting staff, intricately carved. A second after that it was gone and he was tucking the pen sized staff away again. <br><br>"He told me that's a splinter off his own staff, the Ru Yi Jin Gu Bang. Pretty handy little thing to have around. And I've picked up a few other toys along the way. A six demon bag we liberated from an Oni in Las Vegas .. boy, he was pissed at that. A magic iphone from a little jaunt to the Sudan." He held up his right hand to show a ring on his finger. "Got this for helping out some Dwarfs in Iceland. Odds are you'll have similar experiences yourself."<br><br>He picked up the coke and took a sip. "So, tell me a little of what you can do. I mostly kick ass, but I can also heal a little, fly, and handle some of the occult stuff in my group."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>25-08-2009, 01:04:06</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"I dunno yet.&nbsp; I mean, I haven't really tested the full potential..."<br><br>SueLynn frowned in thought, looking a bit sad.<br><br>"I can talk to monkeys.&nbsp; And I think I'm fireproof.&nbsp; Pretty acrobatic...and I managed to get a red belt in kung fu before Mom and Dad...uhm, anyway, I got a lot better since I met Uncle.&nbsp; Outside of that, and my newfound talent at saying just the right thing to drive most women absolutely nuts with embarrassment, I think I'm still pretty much me."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>25-08-2009, 01:17:00</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"The driving people nuts seems to be a family trait." replied Luke. "Though in my case it's generally around the time of the ass kicking. I mean, who would have thought that undead Nazi's would get annoyed by calling them 'Hans' and 'Feets'. And there was that one time I wedgied a necromancer. When you can toss cars around, wedgies take on a whole new level of pain." he said, grinning.<br><br>"How are you at sneaking about the place?" he continued after a moment or two of silence. "The only person I know who is more athletic than I am, she's pretty good at getting in and out of places she shouldn't be in."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>25-08-2009, 01:27:17</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Sneaky stuff?&nbsp; That would be telling."&nbsp; SueLynn's expression was, perhaps, a little too innocent to be believable.&nbsp; "But I might know a thing or two about getting around."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>25-08-2009, 01:36:45</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Luke simply arched an eyebrow at the innocent expression. "You know, anyone looking that innocent is rather unlikely to be so." He took another sip from the glass. "I wonder what .. Uncle, wasn't it? .. would say if I were to ask him?"<br><br>He broke off again as the food they had ordered was delivered, nodding his thanks to the waitress. He took the time to try a mouthfull or two before speaking again. "Hmmm. You're right, this really isn't at all bad. I'll have to remember this place."<br><br>"Anyways, what's the idea with the night clubbing? You know somewhere shady? Or are you thinking of playing bait?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>25-08-2009, 01:41:33</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Jailbait," she giggled.&nbsp; "I'm good at it.&nbsp; Helps that I don't look as old as I am..."<br><br>Her voice trailed off for a moment, but then she shook it off and continued.<br><br>"And Uncle would say what he always says."&nbsp; She held up an index finger and cackled in a fair impression of every wizened old sifu from every cheap wuxia flick ever made.&nbsp; "Lazy girl!&nbsp; One more thing!&nbsp; Must train!&nbsp; One more thing!&nbsp; No chasing other girls!&nbsp; One more thing! Fight harder!"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>25-08-2009, 01:51:14</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Luke grinned and nodded. "I think I've met him. Or a kindred spirit at least. A little misadventure we had in Qinghai province." He shook his head, remembering. "The two of them would probably get along pretty well together."<br><br>"Still, as for playing bait, I'm not sure that would work. Not without a little cosmetic change, and putting our trust in Fate." His fingers rose to gesture at her face. "The girls taken ... they key ones I suppose ... all had green eyes. That's pretty rare, and that's what made us thing there's something more than a simple sex slavery ring working."<br><br>He took a sip of drink. "Still, a pair of contact lens should do the trick. Unless you can, you know ..." his hand waved at her face. "Change your appearance at will, or something."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>25-08-2009, 01:55:14</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Green eyes?&nbsp; Didn't I see that in a John Carpenter flick once?"<br><br>SueLynn rolled her curiously golden brown eyes and shook her head.<br><br>"Nope.&nbsp; I can't do that presto shifto change-o stuff.&nbsp; I'm always just me, much as it might occasionally be fun to be...bigger.&nbsp; Anyway, I do hear there's a club around here that's a big draw for the wanna-bes and mystic-woo poser types.&nbsp; Bet that's where your slavers are running their op...or one of the places, at least."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>25-08-2009, 02:02:01</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"You'd be surprised where occasionally bits of information pop up." replied Luke. He glanced left and right, and then leaned forwards, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "I mean ... you'd never think that a certain best selling author of the adventures of a young boy wizard was really an ex necromancer over a century old, would you?" He leaned back in his seat, scooping up another mouthfull of food.<br><br>"Still, if this club is the local spot for magicians, well, it's probably worth a look. Even if it's mostly wannabes, we might find one or two of the real deal slumming it, or looking for fresh meat." 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>25-08-2009, 02:14:51</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Strictly wanna-bes.&nbsp; I get the impression that anyone with real mojo in their jojo prefers to play it a little more discretely.&nbsp; But if what you want is some hot gothic tail perfectly willing to rock your world if you do a nice Carpathian accent, it'll do."<br><br>She made a face.<br><br>"Never got the whole gothic scene, myself."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>25-08-2009, 21:42:11</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Yeah, not really my kind of thing either. Not that I have too many objections to some cute little thing in black stockings, of course, but that's about as far as my interest in it goes." he added, taking another mouthfull of food.<br><br>"If it's only wannabes though, it may not be that much use to us. Still, I suppose there's no harm in checking it out. Hope we don't have to dress the part though." He took another mouthfull of coke from the glass.<br><br>"Any idea if there's a Triad presence here? Evil sorcerers tend to want to have muscle around, and they can be surprisingly conservative in who they take on."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>25-08-2009, 23:04:41</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Dunno.&nbsp; Regardless of what some people think, I doubt Mom and Dad really mixed up with the Triad...and I sure don't.&nbsp; The Tongs go their way, and I focus on beating the snot out of the roundeyes.&nbsp; 'Course, they haven't tested my willingness to beat them down, either, so..."<br><br>She shrugged nonchalantly, turning to watch one of the prettier waitresses wander past, a gleam suddenly showing in her eye before she pulled herself back to Luke and the matter at hand.<br><br>"I'm an equal opportunity kind of girl.&nbsp; But if you really want to know, you could always ask Old Man Hong.&nbsp; He seems to know half of Chinatown, and might be related to the other half."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>26-08-2009, 01:24:43</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"It's a thought." replied Luke, taking another mouthfull of food and thinking things over as he chewed and swallowed. "You know the guy, I don't, and they seem to like you in here. How do you think he'd react to what we're asking about? After all, it's not really something you can simply drop into casual conversation, and I prefer not to have mortals get bound up in what we have to do. They tend to be just a little bit squishier than we are, and I've come close to losing a ... friend before that way." There was an almost imperceptible pause before the word 'friend' ... though for a Scion the definition of imperceptible could be pretty elastic.<br><br>He looked SueLynn right in the eye and spoke again. "Something you should be aware of, if you're not already. Fate has a way of binding us together with people. The more you use your gifts where others are around, the more likely it is that they'll keep being around, with Fate moving them to be nearer to us. That's bad enough when they're aware of what we are, and the risks of being nearby, but you don't want to start having entire city blocks tied to you." 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>26-08-2009, 01:30:27</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Yeah, about that..."<br><br>SueLynn leaned closer, almost putting her elbow in one dish and lowering her voice conspiratorially.<br><br>"I don't think the old man is your garden variety mortal, okay?&nbsp; Call it a hunch."<br><br>She leaned back again, turning to watch the same waitress walk past again.<br><br>"Oooo, me likee...anyway, sure.&nbsp; We can ask. Worst he'll probably do is flip out and tell us to leave.&nbsp; Probably.&nbsp; Or he'll morph into a giant snake and try to eat us.&nbsp; Or something."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>26-08-2009, 02:12:51</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"You don't say?" murmured Luke, glancing towards the counter where the staff seemed to be mostly circulating. "Ok, let's give it a go. You know the guy, so I'll let you talk to him. Any giant snakes, I'll hop in then, ok?" he added, with a grin.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>26-08-2009, 02:35:57</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Cool.&nbsp; Come on."<br><br>SueLynn stood and stretched, then headed toward the back, waving to one of the other waiters.<br><br>"Heya, Ken-Ken.&nbsp; Is Master Hong in?&nbsp; My cousin wants a job."<br><br>The young man looked Luke up and down for a moment, then shrugged.<br><br>"Sure, he's in.&nbsp; Same place as usual.&nbsp; But watch it!&nbsp; He's feeding his goldfish."<br><br>"Gotcha.&nbsp; Thanks, Kenny."<br><br>"Don't call me that..."<br><br>SueLynn led Luke up a narrow, steep flight of stairs to a door marked 'Office' and knocked twice, entering without waiting for an answer.&nbsp; Beyond was the most cluttered labyrinth of an office Luke had seen in a long, long time.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>26-08-2009, 23:04:44</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Luke followed SueLynn up the stairs, nodding in passing to the waiter. He could see the man frown slightly as he took in Luke's dress for the first time. While not insanely expensive, the trousers and shirt were well made and tailored, and he could all but see the thoughts floating through the waiters head. Why would someone who was wearing that be wanting a minimum wage type job here. Before he could ask any further questions though the two had passed on by and gone up the stairs.<br><br>Luke closed the door behind them, leaning against a filing cabinet that had several more files piled in a slightly precarious heap on top. He made a small hand gesture to SueLynn, as if to say <em>all yours</em>.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>27-08-2009, 23:44:05</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The clutter was one thing, but the cracked strains of an old man singing an off-key rendition of a Rolling Stones song was not only unexpected but nearly surreal.&nbsp; SueLynn rolled her eyes, then cleared her throat.<br><br>"Yo, Gramps!&nbsp; Got a minute?"<br><br>The torture of Honky-Tonk Woman ceased, followed by a cough.<br><br>"Is that you, Little Monkey?"<br><br>"Yeah, it's me.&nbsp; Gotta friend along for the ride this time.&nbsp; I think he's looking for Lo Pan.&nbsp; Or something."<br><br>"Is that so?"&nbsp; The speaker stepped into view--short, bald, wrinkly, and wearing the loudest Hawaiian style floral print shirt Luke had ever seen.&nbsp; "Step into my office, children, and let us discuss this like adults."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>28-08-2009, 00:50:23</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<em>Little monkey, is it?</em> thought Luke, raising an eyebrow. <em>Hell of a coincidence, him calling her that if he doesn't know something. Of course, this could be Fate monkeying around too.</em> he added, with a grin at the pun. <br><br>He followed the two across the room, weaving between assorted stacks of all kinds of items. The old man settled himself behind a desk, and waved to a pair of chairs that were piled deep in papers. It took only a few moments to shift them to the top of a slightly smaller bundle, and Luke leaned one arm on them to keep them steady while they settled into place.<br><br>"I'm told that you might be a man who knows many things." said Luke, by way of starting the conversation off. "Might that be right?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>28-08-2009, 01:21:14</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"It's possible, sonny," the old man cackled.&nbsp; "It's possible.&nbsp; I know a great many things...and sometimes I even know what you'd want to know.&nbsp; Hong's the name, food's my game.&nbsp; But something tells me you're not here for a job in the bright shining world of culinary services."<br><br>He eyed Luke for a moment.<br><br>"So.&nbsp; Lo Pan, is it?&nbsp; Dark sorcery?&nbsp; I think someone's seen too many bad movies."<br><br>SueLynn blushed and kicked her feet back and forth like a small child.<br><br>"I liked Big Trouble in Little China, okay," she grumbled.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>28-08-2009, 01:40:32</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"I liked it too." replied Luke. "It's a fun film." He turned his attention to the older man, cocking his head slightly to the side as he sized him up. <br><br>"You're right though. I'm not here looking for work. I was hoping you might have some information you'd be willing to share with us. Places not to go. People to avoid. That sort of thing." Luke gave an easy smile as he talked. "You know ... trouble spots."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>28-08-2009, 03:17:57</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Oh?"<br><br>Old Man Hong raised his eyebrows and regarded SueLynn for a moment.<br><br>"And he knows you well, does he?"<br><br>She blushed and giggled, kicking her feet a little faster.<br><br>"<em>Nooooo</em>.&nbsp; We just met..."<br><br>"Ah.&nbsp; There you are.&nbsp; What sort of trouble are you most anxious to avoid?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>29-08-2009, 02:42:41</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Luke grinned at SueLynns response. "Just met, but I'm pretty familiar with her type." he added. "I have a few similar characteristics myself."<br><br>He returned his attention to Hong. "As regards the trouble ..." he gave a slight grimace. "I prefer to keep innocents away from it, but unfortunately I don't have much in the way of contacts or information here." He gave a small sigh before continuing. "In my experience, Triads and Tongs tend to have a finger in a lot of illegal things. If something is going down, they'll know about it. They also make decent recruits for .. others."<br><br>He gave a small shrug. "I've been following up on a matter of some importance. It's led me here. I figure if there is anything useful to be found out, they'll be a good place to start."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>29-08-2009, 16:50:37</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Ahhh, kids these days, always stirring up trouble...no, none of those are welcome here, and the few who have tried to establish themselves have met with accidents.&nbsp; But a few blocks to the north you will find another street that is rife.&nbsp; You may wish to seek out the Green Ghost Tong.&nbsp; But be warned that they are not likely to be friendly to a newcomer."<br><br>Hong chuckled.<br><br>"The last stranger they welcomed turned out to be an informant for the FBI.&nbsp; They're feeling a bit sensitive about that right now, and so they may well have changed operations to keep themselves viable.&nbsp; As such things will happen."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>02-09-2009, 00:34:20</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Luke gave a small chuckle. "I have no real need to go looking for trouble, as it tends to find me all on its own." he said, an easy grin playing across his lips. "I'm quite happy to go and have a little chat with some of them, and see what interesting things might be found out there."<br><br>He turned to glance at SueLynn. "What do you think? Take a wander down that way now, or wait til tonight and remind them why they're suppose to fear the dark?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>02-09-2009, 00:51:44</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"I'm game for a little more butt kicking," she grinned, then winced as Old Man Hong reached out, impossibly fast, to smack her on the head with a slender stick that Luke could have sworn wasn't in his hands just seconds before.<br><br>"Language, little monkey," he grinned.&nbsp; "You should be more respectful toward those who are about to face their gods."<br><br>"Yeah, yeah, yeah...they quit calling me naughty names, I'll be respectful."&nbsp; Rubbing her head with one hand and pouting a little, she got to her feet.&nbsp; "Thanks for the help, Gramps."<br><br>(This, predictably, earned her another blow to the head.)
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>04-09-2009, 02:37:08</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Luke chucked as he rose to his feet, bowing respectfully. "I'm afraid she still has something to learn in the way of manners, but I'll see what I can do with her. Thank you for your assistance."<br><br>He turned to look at SueLynn. "So, shall we go have a little look around and see what trouble comes to welcome us to the neighbourhood then?" he asked.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>04-09-2009, 02:46:21</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				SueLynn rolled her eyes at the mention of 'manners'.<br><br>"Yeah, okay.&nbsp; That's the whole point, isn't it?"<br><br>She headed downstairs ahead of him, leading the way out into the street...and then turning toward the indicated neighborhood.<br><br>"You sure you know what you're getting into, here?&nbsp; I've been leaving these guys alone for a reason, and it isn't 'cause they're fellow Chinese."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>04-09-2009, 23:55:28</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Haven't a clue." replied Luke, leaning against a wall. "Not that that has ever stopped me before, mind you. Still, if you have some info on this lot, then I'm happy to take a listen before we head down that way."<br><br>"Now, if they're just mortals, I'd prefer not to have to kill any of them." He gave a small shrug. "With the powers we have, mortals just don't stand a chance against us. I'm happy to toss them around, and put the fear of the Gods into them. If they're magically juiced up, well, that's a case by case basis. Only ones I hit to kill are titanspawn."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>09-09-2009, 03:18:14</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Yeah, well, I hear weird things.&nbsp; That's all.&nbsp; I don't know anything specific.&nbsp; Just...weirdness."<br><br>Oddly enough, the red-haired girl kept her mouth mostly shut on the way to their new destination--either she was mulling something over, or she simply didn't have anything to add.&nbsp; Step by step they got closer, and with every block the neighborhood got a little worse, more ragged and run-down.<br><br>Finally, SueLynn stopped across the street from a dingy, dark bar.<br><br>"That's it, right over there.&nbsp; Their main hangout.&nbsp; We do this Cao Cao or Lu Bu style?" &nbsp;
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>09-09-2009, 23:51:27</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Well, I'm sure dad would be quite happy to wade straight in and start tossing punks around like they were going out of fashion, I prefer to fight with my head." He held up a finger to silence the inevitable comment. "And no, I do not mean we headbutt them all into unconsciousness."<br><br>"Tempting as that might be." he added with a grin a moment later.<br><br>"No, I'd rather watch what was going on in there first. If they are involved with any titanspawn, or something equally nasty, then it's possible there might be some magical stuff in there. I'm pretty sure I'm better able to handle that than you are, little sister."<br><br>"In addition, I have a reasonable talent for being able to sneak about." He stepped back against a shadowed patch of wall, and seemed to all but fade from view.<br><br>"How about you?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>10-09-2009, 00:04:46</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Oooooo!&nbsp; Neat trick!"<br><br>SueLynn giggled.<br><br>"Can you teach <em>me</em> how to do that?"<br><br>She slipped into the shadows next to him.<br><br>"We probably wanna move around to the back alley.&nbsp; If they're up to anything weird, they'll move it in and out there.&nbsp; Either that or through the sewers, but I don't think those're big enough here."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>12-09-2009, 13:51:10</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Luke nodded instinctively, then realised that, of course, SueLynn wouldn't actually be able to see that. "Yeah, I can teach you." he replied. "It's mostly just a matter of practice, grasshopper. It helps to remember the lessons of the Taiyi, and to know that everything is one. All matter is but Qi given form, and when you have learned how to harness your Qi, and the eight trigrams, then the five elements are as one to you, to be shaped at your will."<br><br>He gave a small chuckle. "And you've no idea how annoyed you can make a titan spawn when you change their big club to marshmallow, or their armour to 'my little pony' print pyjamas."<br><br>"Anyways, lead on and let's hope it's the back alley they use, rather than the sewers. I hate having to wander around in sewers. Takes ages to get the smell off you again."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>12-09-2009, 17:32:05</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"The what, now?&nbsp; Uncle hasn't gotten into the really deep mystic mojo stuff yet.&nbsp; Says I'm not ready for it or something."&nbsp; She rolled her eyes.&nbsp; "I think he sounds like a walking fortune cookie...which are, like, American, so maybe he thinks he's going native or something."<br><br>She led him around the back (the long way, going up another block before cutting over to avoid being easily spotted).&nbsp; Ducking into the alleyway from the other side, they had a fairly good view of the back entrance and the delivery port.<br><br>"There we are.&nbsp; No guards, though.&nbsp; Weird."<br><br>As SueLynn said, there were no guards, but Luke immediately noticed a lack of old bums in boxes as well!&nbsp; And a distinct absence of either pigeons or rats as well.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>13-09-2009, 02:37:49</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Luke squatted down, letting himself fade completely into the background of the alley. His eyes roamed slowly around, and he absently nodded in response to SueLynn. "No guards. No lots of things. Take a look around ... you see anywhere it looks like anyone has been squatting? Ok, so maybe any of the gang inside might just be moving them on, but I don't see any signs of wildlife either."<br><br>He closed his eyes for a moment, focusing his Qi and opened them again. The alley didn't look all that different .. except for the spectral figure drifting back and forth near the back door, it's face a mask of anguish, or perhaps rage. At this distance it was tricky to tell.<br><br>"Well, I got some good news, and I got some bad news." said Luke. "Good news is I can see why the alley is so quiet, and it's a pretty strong indication our boys are into some bad stuff. Bad news is it looks like a ghost is haunting the place. A sufficiently powerful sorcerer can bind a spirit to a place, which is my guess what happened here. Maybe some poor soul that got on the wrong side of the gang. That probably explains why the place is so quiet. Even if it didn't attack anyone there, they'd make it so uncomfortable that people just wouldn't want to hang around."<br><br>"Next question is, what do we do about it. What's your thoughts, grasshopper?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>13-09-2009, 02:43:41</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Uh, right.&nbsp; Ghost."<br><br>SueLynn crossed her arms.<br><br>"Never fought one of those before.&nbsp; I don't suppose you've got any cans of Spook-B-Gone in your back pocket?&nbsp; My normal MO would be to sneak in through an upper storey window or something.&nbsp; I don't think it'll help, here."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>14-09-2009, 01:30:41</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Actually I do." replied Luke, producing from his pocket his currently pen sized staff. "With this I'm pretty sure I can send the ghost on to the Underworld. The problem is, I don't know what will happen if I do take care of it. The sorcerer may know when it disappears, and he's going to know something is up if that happens. I'd rather not tip him off prematurely."<br><br>He took at look at the buildings around, rubbing his chin in thought. "Ok, look at it this way. Anyone inside the building is probably safe enough. It may be it's just supposed to make people feel uneasy, keep them from hanging around the alley. Since we can't really go in this way, that leaves up or down. Personally I favour up, as it gives us more room to maneuver. What do you think? Up onto a nearby building, see if it comes to check us out. If not, we jump across to the roof there, and head in?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>14-09-2009, 01:36:44</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Up is good," SueLynn giggled.&nbsp; "When the alternative is the sewers?&nbsp; Up is very good!&nbsp; After you, brother dear."<br><br>And then she goes scrambling up a fire escape, heading for the rooftops without waiting for him to answer.&nbsp; Once up above, she takes the measure of the alleyway and starts backing up to the far end of the rooftop on this side, her tongue peeking out between her lips as she concentrates on the inadvisible task of leaping nimbly from rooftop to rooftop...
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>15-09-2009, 02:06:37</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Yeah, up works." replied Luke. "I've never understood the fascination with various bad guys for hiding in sewers. You'd think they'd move with the times, avoid the old cliches, but no, they're down in the sewers, cackling away. No class, that's their problem." he continued as he followed SueLynn up onto the rooftop. <br><br>A quick look over the edge showed the ghost still drifting idly around, now towards the far end of the alley. He turned towards SueLynn and gave a thumbs up, then lept across the intervening gap without even taking a step back, landing lightly on the farside, staff out and ready ... just in case.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>15-09-2009, 02:27:34</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Backing up almost all the way, SueLynn sprinted the length of the roof and flung herself into space, tucking herself into a ball and rolling out into a picture-perfect gymnastic finish.&nbsp; Very artistic...and far quieter than expected.<br><br>"Now what?&nbsp; We could pry open a skylight."<br><br>She looked around eagerly, then pouted.<br><br>"If there <em>were</em> any.&nbsp; Oh, wait!&nbsp; Door.&nbsp; Roof access by stairwell.&nbsp; Even better!"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>15-09-2009, 21:42:46</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Hold up." called Luke, as he walked over towards her. "Odds are good there's a lock, an alarm or both." He turned and stared at the door for a moment, and from inside it came a <em>clunk</em> noise. <br><br>"Now there isn't." he said, grinning. "That's one you're going to love. You can mess up a machine with just a thought. Anything from a simple door lock, or electronic alarm, right the way through to, well, just about anything."<br><br>He reached for the door and gave it a small tug. The door refused to budge. "Of course," he added philosophically, "That doesn't mean it's going to break in just the way you want it to." He took a firmer grip on the door handle and yanked, and the door came open with a crunch of splintering timber. He poked his head into the entrance and cocked his head, listening.<br><br>"Sounds all quiet." he said softly. "Time to play ninja." He stepped into the dark stairwell and disappeared into the shadows. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>17-09-2009, 02:23:34</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"You have <em>got</em> to teach me that," she muttered, creeping after him as best she could.<br><br>The stairway down was grafitti-laden and strewn with loose trash, the footing a little treacherous in the dark but not terribly difficult.&nbsp; Somewhere below, the pair caught the sound of bad guys hanging out, probably drinking.&nbsp; 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>21-09-2009, 02:00:44</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Luke's chest rose and fell in a silent chuckle at SueLynn's comment. <em>Well, let's see if we can't find an artifact or two along the way, and see where we can go from there.</em> he thought. <em>That's one good thing about evil sorcerers ... they may hang out in sewers far too often, but they tend to keep a good stash of toys, even ones they can't use themselves.</em><br><br>He carefully picked his way down the stairs, testing each one carefully before committing his weight to it. A minute or two of carefull descent saw the stairwell open into a larger room. A number of badly dressed young men were scattered around the room, mostly drinking and insulting the television that hung on the wall opposite. A couple were cleaning guns, and another was doing a line of coke from the stomach of a giggling girl.<br><br><em>That'll rot your nose and what passes for your brain.</em> thought Luke as he slid around the edge of the dimly lit room, keeping to the shadows. <em>Now, where might the boss be hiding? You lot don't exactly look like the brains of the operation.</em>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>21-09-2009, 03:40:21</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Great.&nbsp; It's a bunch of frat boys," SueLynn said softly, more or less right behind him.&nbsp; "Let's see if we can find another stairway leading down..."<br><br>Luke spotted another couple of toughs off in one corner, playing cards.&nbsp; They were unusual firstly because the others were keeping a bit of distance from them, but secondly because they didn't look quite...right.&nbsp; After a moment it hit him: they were either quadruplets, or someone had gone through a lot of trouble to get a matching set of underlings.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>23-09-2009, 22:39:39</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<em>Well, there's something you don't see every day.</em> thought Luke, drifting a few steps further along to confirm what his first glance had told him. He narrowed his eyes slightly as he studied them, looking for anything that seemed further out of place.<br><br>They appeared to be moving smoothly enough, and interacting with each other. <em>Probably not terracotta warriors with an illusion on them.</em> he thought. <em>Might be some sort of demon. They'd be dumb enough to all copy the one face, but then they're rarely hired for their brains, are they?</em><br><br>He slid his staff from his pocket, putting it behind his back and letting it slowly grow to about 2 feet long. <em>Juuuuust in case.</em> he thought, then motioned SueLynn to move on past while he kept an eye on the quads.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>27-09-2009, 00:42:19</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				As they watched, one of the Four got up and sauntered toward the front of the pool hall.&nbsp; Another got up lazily and headed straight for Luke and SueLynn, yawning.<br><br>And stopped, eyes going wide.<br><br>"What the...?&nbsp; Who let you in here?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>29-09-2009, 01:21:00</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<em>Ah, crap.</em> thought Luke. He brought his left hand up, and waved it in front of the guys face, doing the jedi mind trick gesture. "These aren't the droids you're looking for?" <br><br>The expression on his face was one Luke would treasure, and he gave a small shrug then lashed out with a kick, catching the guy in the chest and catapulting him across the room into the others. Before the guy landed, Luke was already in motion, staff a blur, and two more of the nearer goons crashed into the nearby walls. <br><br>He glanced towards an old juke box in the corner, which promptly lit up, and the opening strains of 'Kung Fu Fighting' filled the room. <br><br>He spun into the midst of a handfull of the gang, sending them flying into furniture and walls, spinning out the far side and into a defensive stance. He slowly straightened up, then beckoned the remainder of the gang forward with a little 'come here' gesture.<br><br><em>That's it boys, keep your eyes on me, ignore the little girl behind you.</em>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>01-10-2009, 00:28:49</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				As if she sensed Luke's intent, SueLynn slipped around behind the thugs and made for a door left slightly ajar that seemed to lead down...<br><br>Glancing back at him, she paused to see if he needed help dealing with the mook pack.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>07-10-2009, 01:18:18</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Luke grinned as the survivors of his initial assault produced a staggering variety of small arms from on or near their bodies. He shifted his staff into a guard stance and extended it out to its normal 6 feet or so. <br><br>"Now that I have your undivided attention," he said pleasantly, "Let's make things simple. I really don't care about you guys. Honestly, I don't. I was quite happy to just wander on past til the Clone Ranger there noticed me. Sharp eyes, by the way. So yeah, if you guys want to toss down your guns and run away screaming like little girls, well, that' fine with me."<br><br>His kind offer was met by silence, broken only by safeties being removed, hammers cocked and slides worked.<br><br>"Hard way, huh?" said Luke resignedly.<br><br>The answer was a hail of gunfire, the muzzle flashes in the dimly lit room causing the gang members to squint at their target. After a few seconds the noise began to let up, as clips ran dry.<br><br>When the haze of smoke had cleared, and their eyes re-accustomed to the light, those same eyes opened wide as the sight of Luke standing there completely untouched.<br><br>He grinned back at them. "Hard way it is." His staff was a blur as he launched forwards again.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>07-10-2009, 03:48:08</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Giggling softly at the sight of her half-brother (or whatever he really is) facing off against a room-ful of thugs, SueLynn slipped through the door and headed down...down...down...<br><br>Toward an eerie light, and distant, high-pitched arguing.<br><br><em>Sorcery?&nbsp; Or is someone watching a rerun of Big Trouble in Little China?</em> 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>11-10-2009, 21:42:15</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				In a matter of moments, the room was full of unconscious thugs, the only ones still on their feet being the clones. Luke had deliberately left them til last, cleaning up the ordinary gang members not even causing him to break a sweat.<br><br>He paused, looking at the three remaining men who were clustered towards the far wall, a collection of blunt instruments held in their hands. "So ..." he said, smiling at them. "It is down to you, and it is down to me." His eyes moved from one to the other, but none of them responded.<br><br>He gave his head a sad shake. "Man, don't you guys watch any classic movies?" Still no response from the three.<br><br>"I'm beginning to get the feeling you don't like me." said Luke. <br><br>In unison, the three stepped forwards, two moving out to flank, one straight forwards, their arms swinging the weapons they held. Luke's staff blurred, parrying each, and he danced back a step or two. Those blows had been a <em>lot</em> harder than they should have been.<br><br>"Alright, just what are you?" he asked, dodging under one swing, and pivoting around a second, to send the attacker into the path of the third. The large iron prybar that one held smashed into the arm of the second, and there was a cracking sound. Not bone though ...<br><br>Luke smiled as he finally realised what he was up against. "Naughty, naughty." he said, waggling a finger at the trio as they advanced again. "Ok, I know you guys can't help yourselves, you just have to obey orders, but I'm part of the celestial bureaucracy .. kinda .. and the guy that stole you isn't."<br><br>He flipped backwards, bounced off the wall and dove over the heads of the three figures as they attempted to corner him. Rolling back to his feet he gave a sigh. "Sorry guys, but I'm going to have to turn you into pottery shards, since I'm not likely be able to countermand the magic controlling you. If all goes well I'll fix you up again after."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>11-10-2009, 21:52:35</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				SueLynn crept closer and closer, until she could make out the argument clearly.&nbsp; High pitched, yes, but clearly adult and formerly masculine.<br><br><em>Great.&nbsp; Eunuch sorcerers.&nbsp; Ancient Chinese problem.</em><br><br>"...telling you there is no way this will work before some meddling agent of the Jade Emperor stumbles across it!&nbsp; You are a fool to assume that here, in the Land of the New Moon, we are far from their eyes."<br><br>"Bah!&nbsp; Not even the lowest Scion would dare come here!"<br><br>"No?&nbsp; Be certain!&nbsp; The last thing we want is their meddling presence...wait!&nbsp; I sense something!&nbsp; Your dolls are under attack!"<br><br><em>Uh oh.</em>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>30-10-2009, 03:25:22</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Luke ducked under another flailing arm, sliding his staff between the legs of the first of the illusion covered terracotta warriors and sending it crashing to the floor in the path of the others. They had to move around the flailing figure, and Luke spun sideways, using the momentum of the movement to send his staff slamming into the head of the one on the right. With an extremely audible crack the head flew off, hitting the one on the left right in its own head, both heads exploding under the force of the blow.<br><br>"Strrrrrrrike two." called Luke, turning to the last of the automatons as it struggled back to its feet, and driving the butt of his staff into the base of its skull. With another crashing noise it too dropped to the floor. "Strike three, yerrrrrrrrr out." he called to it, spinning the staff to tuck under his arm.<br><br>"Now, if you boys will excuse me, I got to go see a man about a slavery ring. No, don't worry, I'll see myself out. You've been charming hosts."<br><br>With that he turned and headed for the passage SueLynn had previously vanished through, spinning his staff back to a ready position.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>30-10-2009, 03:50:19</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Peering around the corner, SueLynn came face to waist with a tall, gaunt, pinch-faced man hurrying toward the stairs.&nbsp; Both of them recoiled a few steps and eyed their sudden, accidental obstacle...<br><br><em>Holy Fucksticks!&nbsp; It's James Hong's gay brother!</em><br><br>Not bothering to worry about being subtle, SueLynn lashed out at the man, forgetting until too late that if he really was a eunuch, kicking him there would be unlikely to hurt as much as she might prefer.<br><br>"Feng!&nbsp; Intruder!"&nbsp; The one she kicked fell back and brought his hands together, calling over one shoulder.<br><br>"Yes?&nbsp; So what?"&nbsp; The other voice, the arrogant one who had assumed that no Scions would possibly drop by, came into view--where the first was gangly and tall, Feng was short and squat, looking almost comical in his flowery satin wrap.&nbsp; "Oh.&nbsp; I see.&nbsp; Hold her off while I go find a grenade, there's a good fellow."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>05-11-2009, 01:38:57</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Luke made one last quick sweep of the room before nodding in satisfaction and heading through the door SueLynn had disappeared through earlier. To his somewhat disappointment it appeared nothing more than a rather dingy stairwell leading downwards.<br><br><em>Street thugs. No sense of style whatsoever.</em> he thought, giving his head a slight shake, and reducing his staff down to about half its normal size. In the narrow confines of the stairs, the length could prove troublesome.<br><br>He paused about halfway down, cocking his head to listen, and caught the sound of raised voices. <em>Trouble.</em> he thought, moving quickly, yet quietly, downwards. <em>I suppose the only question is, is she involved yet or not.</em>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>05-11-2009, 01:49:23</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				SueLynn wasted no more time in striking out at the sorceror in front of her, less than pleased to find that the man was spry enough to block her fist and back away.<br><br>"Accursed scions!&nbsp; Is there no end to your meddling?"<br><br>She aimed a kick at his chin, followed it up with another and another, almost managing the Flying Windmill Kick if only she had connected...<br><br>"Whose are you, female?"<br><br><em>Oooo, that does it!</em><br><br>She advances again, forcing him to duck and weave around her fists...until one end of her sash wraps itself around his ankle and yanks, sending him prone and eliciting a pained groan as his head bumps the floor.<br><br>"Just for that, I am <em>sooooo</em> kicking your ass!"<br><br>Just then the other sorcerer returned at a run, an ominously pineapple-like object in one hand.<br><br>"Found the grenade! Duck!"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>11-11-2009, 01:25:57</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Luke popped out of the stairwell just in time to hear that. Seeing him, the startled figure gave a squawk and tossed the grenade into the brawl, apparently heedless of his friend.<br><br>Luke dodged around SueLynn, dropping into a roll and scooping up the grenade. Rolling back to his feet, his arm flung outstretched, sending something whizzing right back at the sorcerer. "Duck!" called Luke, as the object smacked into the sorcerers nose, sending him staggering backwards a step or two.<br><br>What looked like a small plastic bathtub duck dropped to the ground in front of him. Given that this one appeared to be wearing a gimp suit and ball gag, it wasn't a garden variety duck. The long, drawn out <em>quaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack</em> it made on the floor was equally strange.<br><br>"I did tell him." replied Luke, conversationally, to the other sorcerer fighting against SueLynn. He gave a small shrug then somersaulted forwards, leaping over the sizzling blast of green light that the sorcerer had directed against him, but ended up destroying a large ornate vase with instead.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>11-11-2009, 01:33:16</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Oooooo, bad pun!&nbsp; I'd spank you, but you'd enjoy it too much!"<br><br>The floored sorceror lashed out with one leg, forcing her to dodge.&nbsp; And then he was back on his feet, keeping her at bay by flailing with one arm and chanting something ominous...which cuts off when she grabs his arm at the end of a punch and uses it as leverage to plant her foot in his gut, driving the wind out of him.<br><br>"Shaddup!"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>12-11-2009, 01:20:14</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Everyone's a critic." said Luke, diving over a bolt of lightning that ricocheted off an ornate bronze gong and flashed off down another corridor. "I mean, I told him 'duck'. And I prefer to be the one doing the spanking." He dropped to the ground and rolled behind a table as another bolt of lightning flashed by. <br><br>A swift kick sent the table skittering across the floor and into the knees of the sorcerer, knocking him to the floor. Luke took a step towards him, then turned as another noise caught his attention. Six more terracotta warriors clumped into the room and charged towards him.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>12-11-2009, 01:51:33</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Ooo, look!&nbsp; Peanut gallery!"<br><br>Giving the sorceror another kick, putting him out of the action for now, SueLynn wrenched the hammer away from one of the ornamental gongs and whirled it around her head, shrieking cheerfully as she bowled into the center of the sextuplets...
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>15-11-2009, 01:54:07</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Sorry," Luke called to the other sorcerer, "I just can't take her anywhere." He took three quick steps and jumped forwards, twisting in the air to drive a kick into the rising sorcerer, knocking him back into, and through, an ornately painted panel.<br><br>He spun towards the second sorcerer, who took the opportunity to make a quick gesture, and vanish. "I hate it when they do that." muttered Luke and turned towards the hole in the wall, just in time to see a massive reptilian head poke through, and a forked tongue the size of his arm flick out to taste the air.<br><br>"And no turning into a giant snake." said Luke, wagging his finger at it. "That never helps."<br><br>He darted a quick look at SueLynn, to see how she was getting on before snapping his staff out into a fighting stance and starting to circle around in front of the snake.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>15-11-2009, 02:49:49</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Tough the sextuplets were, and fast, and probably as mean as it was possible for terra cotta to be...but nothing in their limited experience had prepared them for a foe that danced out of reach, used them as a springboard to bounce hither and yon, and seemed perfectly content to confuse and annoy without actually hurting them.<br><br>Thus, while it was taking some time, SueLynn seemed to be just fine (although her opponents were getting frazzled!).
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>24-11-2009, 00:19:39</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Luke darted forwards, flicking his staff out to smack the snake hard on the top of its head. "Hey sorcerer, you in there?" he called, ducking and rolling under the snakes retaliatory lunge. <br><br>"So, what kind of snake you supposed to be?" enquired Luke, dodging away from another strike that splintered a large wooden chest. "I mean, dumb and ugly probably isn't a scientific classification, right?"<br><br>The snakes eyes seemed to flare, and its mouth opened, sending a hissing jet of oily liquid at the tanting scion. Luke flipped away from it, though a few droplets of spray caught the stomach of his shirt and began to eat into it, an acrid stench coming from the corroding marks.<br><br>"Gah!" said Luke, whipping the shirt off and tossing it aside, before turning to glare at the snake. "Have you any idea how annoying that is?" he said, angrily. "I mean seriously, what is it with you monsters and ruining my clothes?"<br><br>The snake lunged forwards, mouth opening impossibly wide, and swallowed the scion whole. It turned towards SueLynn, eyes gleaming, then stopped. Its face seemed to distort somewhat, and its jaws began to slowly open, wider and wider.<br><br>Framed in its opening mouth was revealed Luke, his staff extending and forcing the jaws apart, as he held tight to it, body lifted off the snakes mouth. With a defining crack his staff doubled in size, shattering the snakes jaw before punching out through the roof of its skull.<br><br>SueLynn then lost sight of of him as the dying snake rolled and thrashed about.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>24-11-2009, 00:35:54</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				SueLynn perched perfectly on top of one warrior's head, balanced on one leg, and applauded.<br><br>"Bravo!&nbsp; An excellent smackdown!"<br><br>Then she leapt clear just as her support post took a wild swing from one of his fellows to the head--a swipe that had been aimed at her ankle.&nbsp; Landing lightly, she lashed out with one delicate ankle to nudge another of the sextuplets off balance, sending them toppling like dominos.<br><br>"Why do all the boys fall so hard for me?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>29-11-2009, 01:43:20</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Luke swung in beside SueLynn, staff a blur and within moments the remaining statues were in fragments on the floor, with Luke glaring at the remnants. He grounded his staff and leaned on it, looking at his cousin, with an expression of annoyance. "I swear, Fate has something against my clothes. The fire giant in Romania. The giant zombie werewolf in that zombie Nazi mad scientists place. Ectoplasm in the Carribean. I just can't seem to keep a set of clothes intact for more than a week." He kicked a piece of statue and sat down in one of the stuffed chairs that had escaped the carnage in the room, and exhaled loudly.<br><br>"If I were wearing an old t shirt, it'd be fine, but it's always my good clothes as well." He glared at remains of the snake, then turned back to SueLynn. "If that's just some big ass snake, and the sorcerer is still about, I am <em>so</em> going to kick his ass. I'm going to kick his ass so hard he'll hit the tenth hell and bounce right back out, just so I can kick his ass some more."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>29-11-2009, 04:07:54</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"And then we can hit him so hard it'll make his ancestors dizzy!"&nbsp; She giggled too, too cheerfully.&nbsp; "So, uhm, was that it?&nbsp; We came, we saw, we kicked ass, and now it's Miller time?&nbsp; Or am I overlooking some crucial detail like, uhm...I dunno."<br><br>She looked around.<br><br>"I'm kind of new to all this saving the world stuff."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>03-12-2009, 01:10:11</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Time to look around." replied Luke. "I don't see any signs of cages full of damsels in distress, but that doesn't mean they're not down here." He paused for a moment looking around. "That being said, Fate is rarely that accommodating, so what we're more likely looking for is clues to where they might be, or how they're being brought in. My guess on that is by ship, though having them magically mesmerised and flown in is a possibility too." He gave a small shrug.<br><br>"I don't see these guys being big enough movers and shakers to move them via the Godrealms, and they definitely aren't bringing them through the Underworlds. Anyways, lets go smash up the furniture and see what we can find."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>03-12-2009, 01:15:47</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Ooooo, smash the furniture and maybe rescue a couple of only too grateful young beauties?&nbsp; Can't think of a reason not to!"<br><br>Gleefully SueLynn sets about her new task, and for a moment perhaps Luke might regret saying anything to his half-sister involving the words 'smash' and 'furniture'...because while she wasn't terribly efficient, she took to the matter with almost diabolical enthusiasm!&nbsp; Soon enough, the entire area was a shambles, and not because of him (for a change).<br><br>She was careful enough to avoid trashing anything important, like files.&nbsp; Ripping the cabinents open?&nbsp; Yes.&nbsp; Spilling forth the contents?&nbsp; Not so much.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>06-12-2009, 01:39:56</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"You know, I really should have seen that coming." muttered Luke, and started to gather up the papers that flew through the air. Once SueLynn had gotten over her initial enthusiasm for the task he had less to snag out of the air, and began to pile them on one of the tables.<br><br>"Don't trash the comfy chairs." he called, "We'll want somewhere to sit down while we work through the paperwork." He left SueLynn to the wrecking while he started going through the files, glancing up every so often to check on her. As he went through the notes, he set the papers into three piles .. completely useless, might be something, and worth checking out.<br><br>The last pile, needless to say, was the smallest of the three. <br><br>When he was done, he looked up to SueLynn, hefting the papers. "Ok, looks like we have a few leads at least. I've got a note written from some kind of Import / Export company down at the docks. I don't see those old farts being particularly interested in shipments of seeds coming in, so that's likely cover for something more interesting." <br><br>"I found a matchbook in the trash there. It's for a club, I think, called The Hungry Tiger. I don't see those guys as the clubbing type, so could be worth checking out too." <br><br>"Lastly there is a note about a detective Barnes with the local cops who is, and I quote, "Getting too close to things that do not concern him." I think they plan to do something nasty to him, but unfortunately there isn't a date on this, so it may already have happened."<br><br>"What do you think we should check first?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>06-12-2009, 02:59:13</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"I dunno.&nbsp; Maybe...uhm...we check on the flatfoot, and then go bust up a shipping company?&nbsp; Business before pleasure and all that, and I still have some stress to work off before I go looking for something cute and playful."<br><br>SueLynn grinned innocently.<br><br>"If we find twins, I'll share."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>07-12-2009, 01:34:13</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Luke chuckled at that. "What, not going to keep them all to yourself?" he enquired. "Still, before we get too carried away with that pleasent little fantasy we have to actually find the girls first. The cop is probably a good place to start, assuming he's still alive. If we can check what he has been looking into, it might cross reference with some of the other stuff we have here, or give us other leads."<br><br>"Oh, and just for reference ..." said Luke a moment later. "I can hold my breath for almost half an hour. You'd be surprised the uses you can find for a talent like that." he added with a wink.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>07-12-2009, 01:49:56</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"You do a lot of deep see snorkling?"<br><br>SueLynn blinked, clearly missing the obvious interpretation of his words by a fair distance.<br><br>"Yeah, well, it'd be rude not to share, so no, I won't keep 'em to myself.&nbsp; Let's go see this cop and hope he's still in one piece.&nbsp; And after that, maybe we can do alittle proactive disassembly."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>08-12-2009, 00:54:07</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Only that time down in the Carribean, with the spirits that were possessing merchant seamen." replied Luke. "Ghosts of slaves from, well, way back when." He gave a small shrug. "I'll tell you the full story another time, if you're curious. Meantime we need to look up this cop. Don't suppose you've any connections with the locals, do you?" he enquired.<br><br>"I can't us getting too far just walking in to a station and asking them where this guy is located. Now, if Vince were here, he'd have them eating out of the palm of his hand. My talents tend to run more to the kicking of ass and the chewing of bubblegum." he continued, grinning.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>08-12-2009, 02:11:22</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Well...we could try the phone book!&nbsp; Or..."<br><br>SueLynn blushed.<br><br>"Iiiiii...might now someone who can maybe possibly get us that info, but...uhm...it might be tricky."<br><br>She giggled and ran one hand through her hair.<br><br>"You, uhm, might need to find something to do for a couple hours, 'cause I'll have to take a long, slow, careful approach.&nbsp; That is unless you want to ring every alarm bell in the city, so to speak."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>09-12-2009, 02:15:33</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Luke looked at her, arching an eyebrow quizzically. "Dare I ask exactly what you mean by that? I mean, if I have to come bust you out of jail or something, it'd be polite to let me know what I'm letting myself in for first, you know?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>09-12-2009, 02:18:36</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Uhm, she's a cop, and she's not out of the closet yet.&nbsp; You get me?"<br><br>SueLynn blushed a little.<br><br>"And while I'd like to take this the fast way, I gotta be a bit more, what's the word?&nbsp; Subtle."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>10-12-2009, 01:55:34</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Gotcha." replied Luke. "So if I hear the rattle of handcuffs, I don't come rescue you, right?" He grinned at her. "How long do you think you'll need pumping her ... for information." he enquired, straightfaced. <br><br>"I guess I can find something to do meantime. Hey, you got a phone? I should get your number, and give you mine, so we can check in later."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>10-12-2009, 02:08:57</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				She rolled her eyes.<br><br>"That's just it.&nbsp; I dunno.&nbsp; Could take five minutes, could take a few hours...but it isn't likely to involve anything fun.&nbsp; If it were...I'd probably save it 'til tomorrow.&nbsp; This detective might be important, and I'd rather hit these morons before they realize we're on the warpatch."<br><br>She pulled out her cell to exchange numbers with him...
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>14-12-2009, 01:38:41</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				When they were done with the phones Luke gave a nod. "Ok, you go check in with your girl, and I'll take another look around here, in case we missed anything the first time around. If I don't turn up anything, I'll maybe go cause trouble down by the docks." He grinned at her, spinning his phone around and sliding it into his pocket.<br><br>"That sound good to you?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>14-12-2009, 02:02:25</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Sounds good.&nbsp; See you in a while, maybe.&nbsp; Now I just gotta go get my butt hauled in..."<br><br>Giving Luke a saucy wink and a wave over one shoulder, SueLynn wandered back out the front of the bar and off into the night...<br><br>And a short bus ride later was presenting herself at the local police department, telling the desk sergeant that she was there to talk to Detective Wilson ("the tall brunette, not the short bald one") and gave him the right extension.<br><br>Giving her a skeptical look, the Sergeant called it back.<br><br>"She says she'll be right out," he told her with something like grudging respect.<br><br>"Thanks," she grinned and went to perch on a chair, waiting for her contact.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>18-12-2009, 00:01:12</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				A thorough search turned up little more of use, but in one wardrobe Luke did manage to find an embroidered black silk jacket that was just a little too large for him. Walking around without a shirt wasn't going to bother him overly much, but it did look a bit out of place. Rolling the sleeves of it back he moved through the small complex, finding a laboratory of sorts hidden behind another secret panel.<br><br>"Alchemy isn't really my thing." he said to the room at large as he examined the room for anything else hidden. His searched turned up a locked chest, which proved ineffective against his skills. Inside were a number of scrolls, apparently written in some kind of code, as the characters on them made no sense. Luke gave a small frown, rolling them up into one bundle and tying it off with a salvaged strip of cloth. <br><br>In addition was a small pouch, covered in trigrams. "Well now, what do we have here." said Luke thoughtfully. He closed his eyes, concentrating for a moment, then opened then again and examined the bag. "Ah." he said in satisfaction after a moment. "Six demon bag. SueLynn can make good use of that."<br><br>He tucked the pouch inside the jacket and rose, brushing the dust off his trousers. "Time to go see a man about a boat."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>26-12-2009, 20:26:30</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Detective Wilson appeared after a while, her pretty face in a stern frown of disapproval.&nbsp; &nbsp;Brushing the desk sergeant's comments aside, she loomed over the smirking red-haired Asian girl and crossed her arms.<br><br>"You'd better have a good reason for this, Red, or I'm going to decide that a little protective custody is the right thing to do after all."<br><br>SueLynn managed to look a little bit puppyish, if said puppy was sitting next to a big yellow puddle on someone's priceless Persian rug.<br><br>"Yeah, about that...got a lead on some of the cousins, you know?"<br><br>The detective scowled a bit more darkly, but nodded.<br><br>"Get your ass back here, then, and tell me all about it."<br><br>SueLynn followed, looking for all the world like a juvenile delinquent about to be read the riot act by a cop, and sat meekly enough when the two reached Wilson's office.&nbsp; For a long, awkward moment, the two sat and regarded each other...one glaring, the other demure.<br><br>"So?"<br><br>"Detective Barnes is on the problem list.&nbsp; And my half-brother is in town, so he feels that we ought to do something before there's another man down," she said.&nbsp; "Not that my brother likes cops, but he can't stand the people who're gonna do Barnes if they get to him."<br><br>"And for that, you barged in here and wanted to see me?"<br><br>"I lost your phone number.&nbsp; Honest!"<br><br>"And?"<br><br>"And the last thing I want is to get those goons in IA breathing down the back of your neck about something.&nbsp; You did me a good turn and I'm doing what I can to repay it.&nbsp; What else do you want, dinner, a movie, and a nice long session of girl-talk?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>03-01-2010, 00:46:40</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Luke made a quick detour to his hotel room, long enough to drop off the bundle of scrolls and pick up some replacement clothes. The ones he was wearing went into the hotels laundry pile, and a fresh set from his wardrobe had him feeling better.<br><br>Half an hour later found him looking reasonably out of place on the docks (or would, if anyone noticed him up on top of one of the larger warehouses, hidden in the shadow of an air conditioning unit).<br><br>"That looks like the spot." he murmured, looking at a somewhat shabby building across the way. As he watched, a variety of crates were being unloaded from a shipping container and carried inside. He focused his attention down on them, his divine powers letting him pick up details that even a pair of the best binoculars would miss.<br><br>"Nothing too interesting on that lot." he murmured. "Could just be hired muscle. Guess I should go take a closer look around."<br><br>He stood up, stretched slightly, then ran towards the edge of the building, easily clearing the gap between the two with a single jump, and rolling into cover of yet another vent. <em>Right.</em> he thought. <em>Let's see what you lot are up to here then.</em>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>21-01-2010, 21:07:56</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				After a long, tense moment, Detective Wilson nodded.<br><br>"Okay.&nbsp; Fine.&nbsp; I'll look into it."&nbsp; She paused.&nbsp; "You haven't tried busting into any more strip clubs, have you?&nbsp; No more stalking the dancers?"<br><br>SueLynn nodded mournfully.<br><br>"I've been good, honest.&nbsp; Well, mostly good."<br><br>"Good.&nbsp; Get out of here.&nbsp; I'll see what I can do for Barnes.&nbsp; And if this checks out..."<br><br>"I know.&nbsp; You don't want to see my skinny butt in here again."<br><br>The Detective managed a wry smile.&nbsp; "I'll find you if I want to talk to you about those bad habits of yours.&nbsp; Now, you better go catch up with this relative of yours before he wonders what you're doing up so late on a school night.&nbsp; Scram, kid."<br><br>Schooling her features into a puppylike expression of Major Contrition, SueLynn slunk away as if she'd just been run through the wringer, keeping a knowing giggle all to herself.&nbsp; <em>Yeah, she'll come find me, all right...</em>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Monkeyshines!  (HairyHeretic and MadPanda)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>04-02-2010, 00:49:42</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Opening the lock on the skylight was childs play for Luke, and he slipped inside making no more noise than a shadow, walking across one of the support beams that crisscrossed the warehouse roof. Crouched in pools of shadow he listened to the men below talking, but a half hour in various parts of the warehouse had given him no useful information.<br><br><em>Decisions, decisions ...</em> he thought. <em>Check the ship, or check further in here. There's bound to be offices, and maybe a basement or something. If I were a bunch of criminals, smuggling helpless girls, where would I keep them?</em><br><br>His eyes narrowed as he considered his options, and tossed a mental coin.<br><br><em>What the heck, I'm already in here, might as well stay here.</em><br><br>He released his grip on the beam and tumbled towards the ground, landing on the concrete floor with no sign of effort. He cocked his head as he listened for any sounds he'd been heard, then vanished into the shadows of the crates, working his way towards the office at the back of the building.
			</dd>
		</dl>
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