Bliss sat on the floor trying to stem the flow of blood from her nose. She paid little heed to those around her and they didn't seem to notice her either. When Grendel, her machine companion, arrived she filled him in on Locutus’ visit. The mech was huge compared to the young woman sitting on the floor but she was completely at ease in its presence. More so then with any of the living beings that filled the lobby area of the hospital. Grendel helped her clean up the blood from her face and soon had her laughing.She patted the big machine's head like one would stroke a katt’s head. Gren was a friend and she considered it to be a him. She thought of him as a living being even though he was made up of metal and circuits but then she thought the same of Elliot. It was just that Elliot 7 wasn't mobile like Grendel.
Bliss sent a nod to Caine upon seeing him stroll into the lobby. She never knew whether to be pleased to see the man or nervous.
“I wonder when our merry little bands next team action will be.” Grendel was aware of all who entered in the lobby doors. He was guarding Bliss, whether she knew it or not. “Aside from ripping apart the occasional patrol all I have to keep me occupied is patrolling the grounds at home.”
“Whenever Justice lets us know. At least you have something to keep you occupied.” She nearly jumped out of her skin when Grendel slammed his head violently against the floor. “I wish you'd warn me before you do things like that.”
“Sorry for startling you. My vision washed out.”
Caine had sent a nod and a smile back to Bliss as he fished a notebook from his pocket. The conversation between her and that odd machine made him shake his head. She did seem to attracted the oddest creatures. He moved towards the pair watching as the mech’s head swung towards him. Deliberately ignoring ‘it’ he kept his eyes on Bliss, reaching into his jacket. He heard, more then saw, Grendel’s shoulder cannon moving into position.
Bliss glanced up at his approach. She wasn't aware of the sudden tenseness in her mechanized companion. “Evening Caine.”
“Bliss, I have something for you.” His hand grabbed something inside his jacket. He was enjoying making the oversized tinker toy nervous and was drawing it out as much as possible.
“You do?”
“Oh yes, it's just what you deserve.”
Her head tilted to one side. She was a bit confused. Her attentions focused on Caine she missed the glow that were Grendel’s eyes, narrowing with suspicion. “What do you mean, Caine?”
“Trust me, you'll never forget it.” He pulled the object from his jacket. Gripped in his hand was a wrapped candy bar. “I came across a case of these during a transaction. I thought you might like it. Good for customer relations, right?
Bliss looked at the wrapped object in his hand. “What is it?” She didn't know a wrapped candy bar from a wrapped bar of explosives.
“Genuine chocolate, purity index 8.”
Her dark eyes grew overly wide with surprise. “Chocolate? I've never even seen it before. How much?” She reached out for the bar, not really caring how much it was going to cost her.
Grendel settled back, sliding his shoulder cannon back. Bliss was in no danger from Caine or the candy bar he'd given her. “Call it a preferred customer perk.” He didn't even spare Grendel a glance. “But don't let it go to your head.”
“You are giving it to me?” This confused her greatly as Caine didn't give anything away. It was always profit and loss with him. She cradled the candy in her hands like it was made of gold. “Thank you very much, Caine.
“I checked on your case of vegetation, Bliss, it was worth quite a bit and you came to me when you could have gotten a better deal on the open black market. That is loyalty I appreciate and I show it.” He threw a seeming casual glance about the room, always on his guard. He caught Terra’s pointed look in his direction and getting the hint he stepped towards her. “Excuse me, Bliss.”
She tore open a corner of the wrapper, inhaling the scent of the candy. “Okay, Caine.” She didn't even look up as he walked away.
Grendel watched her and the small bar she held. “I wonder what price Church weapons fetch on the market.”
“Quite a bit if they are in good order.” Bliss took a tiny nibble of the treasured sweet, nearly moaning aloud with delight as its flavor washed over her tongue.
“Well, then I think I might have a source of financing for our group if necessary.” He saw her reaction to the chocolate and once again resigned himself to never being able to understand biologics. “I must go.”
“Okay Gren.” She took another small nibble before tucking the bar safely in an inner pocket as she watched Grendel lumber out the doors. Bliss leaned back, her dark gaze traveling over the room. “Turning out to be an interesting night after all.”
Terra ran a hand idly over her neck again as she sent the approaching Caine a smile.
“Hello Miss, I couldn't help but wonder if you had need of me.” An easy but small grin crossed his features.
She kept her tone quiet. “I was wondering Sir, were you able to get the equipment per chance?
“I was and have it on hold until you were ready with the medical supplies. It wasn't possible to deliver on the agreed upon day, so I have included the centrifuge your friend asked about, free of charge for my tardiness.”
“I have the goods and then some.” Her smile grew by a fraction.
“If you can have the supplies boxed and ready tonight, I can have your goods brought now.”
Terra nodded. “It’s done. It is in my lab. I can have someone bring it out to the back entrance.”
“Then if you will excuse me for a moment, I’ll have your goods here in less then fifteen minutes.” Caine took a glance around him then stepped back, moving towards the door.
Terra called to an orderly. “Please go to the lab and get the two white closed boxes.”
An aged gnarled hand pushed the doors open, the shag of his long silvery beard dancing amidst the rush of recycled and purified air from within. Creakingly he made his way through the waiting room, his sandals rapping lightly on the tiled floor. His eyes narrowed, drinking in the faces of those gathered in the waiting room.
Terra looked about at the various people, her eyes falling upon the older man.
Mera lifted the book, holding it fast to her like a teddy bear, and smiled to Terra. “I'm off.”
“Good night Mera, rest well.”
Albertus’ left hand slowly tugged at his beard as he appraised them all in his peculiar way. His eyes settled once on Terra and then drifted on to Meralynn.
Mera noted the old man wandering in as she made her way towards the stairs, and she quickened her pace, his mere presence making her shiver.
His wrinkled face curling into something of a smile. “Meralynn, my dear.”
Too late, he saw her. A forced smile curved her lips. “Um, good evening, sir.”
He nodded slowly to Mera. “It is indeed a pleasure to see you again, pretty one.”
Her feet slowed as she approaches him, her book held tightly. His kind words catching her off-guard and confusion could be seen within her eyes. “It is good to see you as well, sir.”
The old man swept up his robes in a bit of a rustle and walked to an occupied sofa. Still errantly tugging on his silvery beard as he continued to search the eyes of those around him and then slowly settled down onto the sofa, his joints sending ripples of pain through out his form. Folding his hands in his lap, he assumed a relaxed repose. His face worn and aged, but his eyes alight with interest. He wound up discussing food and philosophy with Azreth. Ominously, the old one said that when wishes were granted some or all of dreams would be destroyed.
Mera continued on her way, she slowly began to climb the stairs towards the staff area, smiling to those she knows before she disappeared from sight. Caine returned after a few minutes, a nod sent to Terra. “The goods will be at the service entrance in the back in seven minutes.”
“I have the boxes awaiting out back.” Terra once again kept her tone quiet. She wasn't too sure about dealing with this man but he had the items the hospital needed.
Caine moved back towards Bliss after noting her position of sitting. “Is something wrong, Bliss?”
She rubbed the back of her neck absently. “Headache. I get them a lot these days. I've got pills for it but I just took one a little while ago so I can't take any more.”
“Try the candy, chocolate does wonders for the female body.” Caine allowed himself a small chuckle as he checked out the room again.
“I did, it tastes wonderful.” She couldn't hide her grin. She patted the seat next to her. “Have a seat?”
A tall, leggy blonde sauntered in with measured steps, her tailored suit jacket and short skirt, pristine in appearance, her demeanor quiet and cold, she stepped toward Caine.
Bliss spied the blond. “Perhaps another time.”
Sierra's voice was quiet and rich. “The supplies have been acquired and payment made.”
“Excellent, please see to it that they are delivered to Dr. Rhia.”
“Of course.” A nod was given to her employer and Bliss then her slender form sauntered back out the way she had come.
Silently, except for the whoosh of the doors, Justice slid into the hospital as Sierra exited. His mirrored gaze covering the waiting area.
Bliss nodded to him from her seat.
Caine looked back to Bliss, noting her gaze's direction. “I will leave you to your night, Bliss. We will talk soon about our ‘arrangement’?”
“All right, Caine.” She glanced up at him. “Maybe I’ll go back to Club Abyss and mingle.” She chuckled softly. “Watch your back, Caine and thanks again for the gift.”
A thought struck him. He glanced back to Terra, then to the Elliot 7's varied output components then back to Terra. “My back is well guarded, you should know that after our last encounter.”
"I did notice that, Caine," Bliss quipped with a faint chuckle.
Caine spoke with Bliss about some equipment she needed for Grendel. He wished he luck getting what she needed, then returned his attention to Terra, who after some discussion directed him to Asche for information.
Bliss and Justice discussed Terra and Locutus' attack on her; how Bliss couldn't get a clean shot at him and Grendel blamed himself. They proceeded to discuss what they needed, both for Grendel's repairs and maintenence and what Bliss needed to do to keep track of Locutus. She said she would do what she could and Justice said he'd get her the weapons, food and other things she needed for trade. Caine, listening, informed her he could get her the clothes she needed and trading, negotiating among them all commenced after which, Caine required Sierra, who had returned, to see that repairs were made to Bliss' bike. made his way out of the hospital. Caine wanted a power core with three gigawatt output range as part of the payment package. She wanted to know where she was supposed to get that and he said that she had powerful friends, she would figure it out.
Justice told Terra he would have to be gone a while, taking care of something he had been told he had to do and she, somewhat angry, trying to appear uncaring wanted to know if she were his mother and needed to know these things. He said someone would have to tell the others if he didn't come back. She sighed and "oh well" at him and they were both distracted by other concerns. Justice had a conversation with a woman who was tickling Elliot's memory for information and they discussed Locutus... Bliss and Terra casually listened in; there wasn't much that wasn't overheard that night. When the woman asked Justice what it was to him, the information on Locutus, he said it was a chance to be reborn.
She told him she could figure out where the man was by the information Elliot had and they went out to the ambulance bays for a private chat where Justice learned her name was Lyghtess and far more interesting things in exchange for information about the Son of Derell. Her father was Granger Elliot, son of Miccah Elliot, son of Damien Elrich Elliot who had worked for Elliot Enterprises. Her father had taken his wife's last name to protect himself and so wasn't known by Elliot but rather Lyghtess. She'd come from Second Back Row thinking someone in New Rydynn would know her father. All he could tell her was that he was Justice, called the Son of Derell.
Even knowing that, she told him no data was safe from her and her functioning lap top computer. "My grandfather and my father tracked everyone connected with Elliot Enterprises... and even those who thought they weren't. The Church was not without a link to them and my grandfather kept a record. At some point, he typed in the data for the first Reverend. My father must have taken up the link and made note of the second. That's how I found it."
Justice told her he wished he could be of more help and she wished him luck on his quest, whatever it was. After that, they parted company. Justice went back inside and slipped the disk Lyghtess had given him into his pocket.
While they'd been talking, Bliss and Terra discussed her disappearing because Terra didn't want to be a burden anymore and Bliss told her she could be safe from the Rev. if she went to the cabin but not from Shades -- her name for Justice. Terra couldn't be safe from Justice anywhere, Bliss said and told Terra, "Look, you're asking a seventeen year old kid for advice, c'mon."
Right about then, Terra ran off for the bathroom to throw up.
Life can be hard on Sabatt.
When Terra came back, Justice asked her if she wanted to go back to Havenn, the cabin. Bliss wanted to know if they were going that night -- because it was a long damn walk in fact -- and Justice said only if Terra was going with them. Terra insisted she was causing problems and Bliss and Justice exchanged comments about that letting her know how crazy it was. They were in this together. Terra sais she was too sick and tired to fight. Bliss told her, "Then come to where the green grass still grows and roll around in it for a while. I'll show you my secret place where I planted my last fruit tree from home. And you can explain to me how to wear a dress and all the stuff that goes with one." Terra wanted to hear the crickets and frogs and peacefulness of Havenn again, so she gave in.
Justice took Terra's hand and said, "Let's go to the car. No walking tonigt." To which Bliss responded happily that it was good becasue she could use the extra sleep and Justice told her no, she had to keep alert in case they were followed.
"Damn," Bliss said and the three strolled out of the hospital toward Justice' vehicle, and Justice and Terra talked quietly together as they went.