Mar 29 19:17:00 107 PA - The Alibi

From Chronicles

Erica is sitting at the end of a bar with a tall mixed drink in one hand while her other hand is tapping on ther bar. Her stool is slightly tilted so that she has a good view of the dance floor. Her small pink purse is resting on the bar while she is leaning back and relaxing with her legs crossed.

Half price drinks makes it a popular place, as evinced by the amount of people who are in the club. Ash walks into the club and he whips out the 237 the bouncers at the door want, handing it over so that he can get the tag and key prior to heading into the club and making his way towards the bar. He doesn't pay much attention to the people and goings on until he gets to the bar, squirming into place so he can tap out a beat on the bartop to get a bartenders attention, "Usual." He orders, which makes it seem like he's been here enough to at least get known what he usually drinks. He looks around and starts to dance a little in place as the canned music pipes through the speakers, at least until his drink arrives. When it does he tosses a couple credits on the bar then takes a large swallow of the dark liquid.

Erica glances over as she catches movement out of the corner of her eye and studies the newcomer for a moment casually before turning her head back to the dance floor. She is seated at the end of the bar and is idly stirring or sipping on a tall mixed drink she is holding in one hand while she hums and bobs her head to the music playing. Her attention seems to wonder as she sips on her drink.

The drink Ash has ordered must be something he really enjoys since he is gulping it down, emptying the glass quickly until he sets the empty on the bar and gestures for a refill with a couple more credits tossed on the bar. The first drink taken care of however Ash is more inclined to take a look around and he looks over the other patrons of the club, those at the bar first, though he still moves a bit with the music as if holding still is hard to do. He only stills when his second drink arrives so he can take another drink. He eyes Erica a bit, as if trying to make a decision about something or another.

Bailey slips into the Alibi, being drawn back into the night club after wandering through the neighbourhood in search of an evening snack. Nothing opportune has crossed her path, and the draw of the music has lured her back inside. Her eyes light up as she looks over the dance floor, the flashing lights and pulsing bodies drawing a smile upon her lips. She doesn't head there right away, though, instead she gets in line at the bar as she lightly pats herself down in search of some money.

Erica keeps watching the dance floor with idle intrest as she finishes off her mixed drink. She places it on the bar and turns her stool around to face the bar. Gesturing to the bartender she asks for another tall raspberry and vodka. Opening up her purse she finishes out a small book and flips through it as she looks a little bored while she waits for her next drink.

It takes a few more drinks from his glass before Ash is moving, the book is looked at but then the quick-flex is moving through the crowd towards Erica, ducking his head a bit to see if he can read the spine or cover of the book. "Hey," He offers in the classic lame introductory method used by men to women they don't know across the ages and probably worlds, "Any good?" He gestures towards the book lightly with his glass. "Isn't it a bit... you know... noisy for good reading?"

Idly nodding her head in time with the beat of the DJ's music, Bailey's wandering eyes spy Erica sitting at the bar. Deciding to forget about her drink, the psi-stalker leaves the line up and walks over, smiling as the liquid courage seems to let Ash across the room to speak with Erica. "Hey, Boss," she says, nodding a hello as she gets closer, her eyes turning to the Deebee for a brief study as she hooks her thumbs into her bullet belt.

Watching the dance floor, one might glimbs Tirzah. She's not really dancing, more dirfting, mingling and talking to people. Getting her fill of chatter she then makes her way to the bar, stepping up to order and purple margarita. She smiles as she notices Erica there. "Hey hun, how's you?"

Ever the gentle breeze, the door swings open enough just to let Sage enter the establishment. She takes a moment to pause for the usual check point routine before wandering in. Her gaze considers the place briefly before she begins to head over towards the bar herself.

Erica turns to look up at Ash and she gives the strange looking man a warm smile as she shrugs her shoulders slightly. "Yah I guess so, but the noise doesn't bother me really. Just music and white noise." She turns to look at Bailey and laughs softly to herself. "Hi Bailey." She offers quickly before grinning in amusement as she raises her hand to wave at Tirzah. "I'm alright I guess. How are you doing Tirzah?" She asks while getting her next drink from the bartender.

Ash chuckles, "I need those audio books, it's not that I can't read just... well I can't just sit and read. I always need to be doing -something-." He looks around at the others as they approach obviously already knowing Erica so he just moves to the side a bit so as to not be in the way of conversations and the like. He takes a moment to look at Tirzah and Bailey lifting his drink in greetings to them too though he doesn't know them. He does ask however, "Boss?" looking between the two, "What kind of work?"

"I'm doing alright, things are settling down again for the most part. I'm a little miffed for you and Celaeno though. When I thought up going after that artfact I figured we'd bring back more and take less. Admittedly being caught by the patrol had us flat footed. But still its apparent that that approach is no way to make a profit." Tirzah admits with a sigh before shaking her head. "Sorry for bringing this up during your social time, but I thought i'd let you know i'll handle what armor is repairable for you as soon as Nemain finishes the bench later this week. And I'd like to meet with you and the others again to discuss a plan with more appeal and less risk."

Bailey smiles to Ash as he raises his glass. Tirzah's shop talk brings a curious look as she listens in, curious when the topic of work comes up. Her eyes shift between the two as she listens.

Erica nods her head at Ash in agreement. "Yah although those would be even harder to use in a bar. I also like the feerling of a book in my hands." She says with a slight shrug of her shoulders as she stirs up her drink to make sure it is mixed. She nods her head at Tirzah and grimaces slightly. I know what you mean. I'm about 38k in the hole right now. Unless I want to sell off my hovercycle. I don't know how people make money doing merc work. So far I haven't made much." She says with a sigh and a shake of her own head. "Well I have that Triax armor which might be repairable on your bench. I have to run a package down to Newtown. Which has already set me back another 10k. But If you can actually make me a profit I sure would appreciate it Tirzah." She says with a slight giggle as she takes a long sip of her drink. "125k to fix that damm hovercar of theirs." She mutters softly before looking at Ash. "Oh Merc work as I'm sure you have figured out already."

Bailey winces as she hears the tales of the pocket book in the trade she's aspired to join. Drawing a deep breath, she asks, "So, is the package ready for that trip?" she asks, sounding almost apologetic that she's taken money up front for it. She gives another glance to Tirzah, and considers taking a job on the factory floor if mercenary work pays so little.

"Figured that out now yeah." Ash says with a bark of a laugh and a shrug, "It's all about weighing the risks and the rewards. Rewards are good enough, that's what makes it worth doing. Sometimes, shit happens you can't control but othertimes it goes without a hitch and everything goes perfect." He takes a drink from his glass and then looks between the speakers, "So is it some sort of all female merc team?" He asks, "Like that juicer merc force I heard talk about a while back?" He grins, "Did you have a salvager with you? That's how I make most my money when it comes down to a fight, bein' able to salvage all sorts of stuff. Helps with the costs."

Tirzah nods with a calm smile. "Well when I worked for Jelani's it was different for sure. My armor then had magic enhancment, they charge eclips for me and I had half a dozen professional mercs backing me up. The independant side is not so glamorous. So to that end I think the concept needs more of a business front. Going places to get things for people, and ensuring there is pay to cover expenditures. The bench will be part of that. Perhaps other such devices as well. Something to charge clips for one." Tirzah muses before taking a slow sip of her margarita as it is delivered. She glances to the new people taking interest in the topic as she does, considering her reply. "I am a very skilled salvager. But as we didnt level the place, and couldnt have if we wanted to.. What we could take in salvage was rather limited."

It takes Sage a moment to zero in on the part of the bar she wishes to approach. She ends up coming up behind Tirzah with a smile on her lips before she wraps her arms around the other woman from behind. "Hey..." She says, letting her gaze travel to the nearby people to include them in the greeting.

"Yah you would be surprised how limited salvage can be, and how terrible expenses can be." Erica says with a slight shake of her head. "That and that damm family's hovercar that needs to be fixed so I can get my bike back. Of course my bike isn't worth shit." She says with a slight strained grin. She turns to look at Sage as she arrives and she offers Sage a warm smile. "Hey Sage." She says with a little wave as well before turning back to Tirzah. "Are you starting a merc team is that it? Hopefully this mission to Newtown will actually not be as horrible as every other mission." She raises her glass up in a cheering motion. "Well that is the job. Have to drink to that."

Bailey smirks and glances about as people all pitch in on the converstaion. She looks over at Erica as she cheerses the thought of losing money on every job and she chuckles, drawing a deep breath, "On that note, I should probably get back into line," She observes, finding herself in need of a stiff shot of something.

"That's cool." Ash says to Tirzah, "Just was tryin' ta offer some advice yannow?" He smiles and lifts his glass to her then looks towards Sage and lifts his glass to her in greeting as well before he takes a drink. When the talk turns to bikes, "Don't remind me... mine is functional, but man... finding parts for it can be a bitch. That and I'm not exactly the best mechanic around." He gets a 'bleh' expression before he shrugs, "But hey it still gets me where I need to go." He then looks to Erica, "What sort of delivery? You need another gunhand? I'm always up for some excitement."

Tirzah grins as she is taken hold of by a very familiar presence and leans back into it, clearly feeling trust and security. "Hey love, how are you feeling?" She asks her partner, the other conversation put aside momentarily as she guides the straw of her drink to Sage's lips. "Not just a merc team, no. Definitely some of that involved. A merc team isnt um, refined enough for the image I have in mind. I'm looking at gathering the right people with the right skills, to solve whatever problem is brought before us, simple, or catastrophic." She explains as she holds the drink for Sage to nurse. "Other such teams have gathered in this town before. but none seem to be active. So it looks like an open market."

Sage's gaze settles on Ash fractionally longer than the others with a thoughtful look on her features, before her attention is drawn back to the woman in her arms. "I do well enough, and how is everyone else?" She asks, giving a small smile to Erica. She sips lightly at the offered drink. She considers the conversation topic. "Not sure that there are many problems that I tend to solve lurking about every corner." She notes softly with a hint of humour.

Erica looks Ash up and down with a cold appraising military look. "Well do you have transportation? Is the first question, and the second question is that I can't pay you a retainer so you'll have to work for nothing up front. That ok with you? There are of course other questions that follow, but those are the big ones." She says after her look then turning back to Tirzah and sipping on her cocktail. "Well you know what I can and can not do Tirzah so I'm down to work any jobs you need me for assuming I have armor of course." She says with a giggle and an amused grin. I'm doing ok Sage just complaining as per usual."

Ash laughs another short barking laugh and he grins at Erica, "I was just saying my hovercycle still gets me where I need to go. So yeah, I have transportation. Even managed to keep the weapon systems on it running." He finishes his drink and turns to set his glass down on the bar, gesturing for a third from the barkeep. He shrugs towards Erica, "So long as it's a fair share when we get back and it's not boring..." He grins wryly, "Be a good chance of pace, get out of town for a bit even if it's just for a few hour jaunt." He then tosses a couple credits on the bar when he gets his third drink to cover the cost of it. The quick-flex then takes another large drink before he looks at Tirzah, "So, like some sort of white hat for hire group? Or is the morals not so much a thing as the paycheck?" He asks her. "Or what sort of 'problems' you intending to specialize in. There's no shortage of problems depending on what you're lookin' ta fix."

Bailey steps away from the conversation for the moment, slipping away into the crowd as she spies an opportunity to fetch herself a drink. Sliding between two orcs, she leans agaisnt the bar to catch the bartender's attention and places her order waiting for it while listening to the music as her gaze wanders about the crowded room.

Tirzah smirks at Sage before waving a finger to chide the negativity as she draws the drink back. "People are lazy Sage, if someone can solve problems for them for a modest fee they jump at the chance. The trick is making it profitable. And holding the market specialization. Which with me in charge will likely be the arcane. Not that I'll expect everyone there to be adept, rather that will be my first avenue for solving the problem. The morals will be sensible, I wouldnt ask anyone to do something they dont feel is right after all." Tirzah explains to the listening group, looking content to continue so long as there is interest, and opportunity to sip her drink between questions.

Sage takes a brief moment to consider each of the people still remaining within the conversation. She nods faintly towards Erica with a faintly amused look. "Don't recall you complaining much so far... but perhaps I need to be tagging along on these quests of my partner's." She begins to let go of her partner, as she looks to the Quick-flex. "You look... similar, in a way to a being I helped once." She comments, before looking back to Tirzah with a faint smile. "Ah, so I may of use after all?" She asks with a faintly teasing tone.

Erica nods her head slowly at Ash. "Well that is the thing there might be nothing to share. It is a trip to Newtown to deliver a body to it's next of kin. So it might be dead quite trip then you don't have anything to split." She says with a slight shrug of her shoulders and then looks at him to see if he is still interested. She tilts her head at Tirzah and then frowns slightly. "Well little I can do against arcane stuff Tirzah, but like I said if you need me for work I'll do what I can." She says with a slight grin and another shrug of her shoulders. Looking at Sage she grins a little bit. "Maybe you should come along more. Have someone to chat with at least." Giggling after she says it.

"That's alright." Ash says to Erica, "Be good to meet people outside my normal circles yeah? If nothing comes of it, I can at least get a grip on what is next to work on the bike. Not many opportunities to test it's top speed in the city yeah?" He smiles and shrugs, "Payment isn't always in credits. Sometimes gettin' out and doin' something is it's own reward. Sometimes." He then looks towards Tirzah and Sage, nods, "People are," He gestures around with his drink, "No idea how people can sit and do -nothing- as much as they do." He shakes his head before looking towards Sage, "Wouldn't be surprised, not like I'm the only Quick-Flex in town." He says with a grin then introduces himself to those he hasn't, "I'm Ash."

Tirzah smirks as she offers her drink back to Sage again. "Silly fox, as I recall most every trip we've gone together for, you came back less scratched up than I. So by that logic, you hold the more efficient record by far. of course that may be because I'll throw myself to the droves to keep you safe. But who could blame me." Tirzah compliments with a warm smile to her partner. "Just since I dealt with that water warlock, I had the impression you'd like to avoid witnessing that side." She explains before turning her head back to nod at Ash. "I'm Tirzah, nice to meet you."

"Perhaps I shall." Sage comments when she glances back to Erica with a faint amused look before her gaze shifts back to Ash. She purses her lips before shaking her head, "No, it wasn't in this city... but, yes, I think it was a Quick-Flex like yourself... helped get him out of Laramy and the Coalition that had taken up residence there." She comments, "I'm Sage." She offers in greeting before glancing over to Tirzah. "Figured out my trick did you?" She asks with fond teasing, before giving a considering look to her partner. "It may have been a little more disconcerting for one of the others there." She comments.

Erica shrug her shoulders again as she nods to Ash. "Well sure guess you can come. We will talk more about it later. If you would like. Although not a lot more to say really." She says before taking a long sip of her mixed drink. Taking the straw inbetween her fingers she stirs her drink idly. "Well you want to come on this trip as well Sage. Just a quick jaunt down to Newton. Hopefully there won't be too many issues, but always nice to have more people around if there is. Just need to try to figure out a way to get my bike and armor. I don't think carrying the body there on my jetpack will work very well."

"Nice to meet you all." Ash nods, "Sounds like fun. Let me know when you're going to head off." He then considers, "How is this body preserved? How long it been waitin'? Gonna get a little ripe ain't it?" He scrunches up his nearly non-existant nose then takes another drink from his glass before he looks between Tirzah and Sage, nodding towards Sage, "Lots of people had to move once the war started. Lucky me was born and raised here so..." He gestures about with a wry smile before he looks back to Erica, "I've got a Speedster hovercycle. Dunno if that helps much, might be able to secure the body to the back for transport." He takes another drink again as he forces himself to stop fidgeting a bit and lean against the bar.

Tirzah smiles contently as she shrugs at Sage. "Well wherever I go, you are welcome at my side love. So just sign up, I'll start working your talents into my schemes and before you know it you'll be woven in like you were always intended to be." Tirzah alludes, the duble meaning in her metaphore dancing in her tone.

Sage doesn't immediately answer Erica's query as Ash seems to be speaking about some of what that quick jaunt might require. She purses her lips, as she looks to Erica. "I'm guessing this 'body' is important someone?" She asks, "Transporting a body seems straight-forward enough... not sure what surprises might spring up, though." She comments before flagging down the bartender to order herself a drink. Then, she glances towards Tirzah with a faintly raised brow and a small smile on her lips. "Might be interesting to see how I would fit in this grand scheme..."

"And not like I can use my jetpack anyway until that Triax armor is repaired so that does me a fat lot of shit good." Erica says with another little sigh and a slight shake of her head. "Hey Tirzah think you can loan me some credits so I can get the fucking bike out for those police. I'll let you hold on to my jetpack it is worth a whole ton more then the 38 or 39k I need. It is at the moment worthless to me." She says with another sigh before slamming down the rest of her drink and gesturing for another one. She nods to Ash and smiles at him. "It has been well preserved and it is in a freezer at the moment so not to worry about that. I don't think the speedster has enough room, but maybe it will work out." Turning to Sage she nods solemnly. A good friend of mine yes. Need to take him to his family which is apparently in Newtown."

Ash nods towards Erica and Sage, not really having anything he can possibly add to the Tirzah side of the conversation, so he doesn't. To Erica however; "Well, it's an option. I've taken passengers on it before but it's not comfortable for them after to long. But a body... isn't going to be complaining much no?" He takes another drink from his glass, "How many miles is it to Newtown? Can't remember off the top of my head."

Tirzah shakes her head with a slight frown. "I only have 25k stashed right now, hun or I'd be fine with that..." She admits with a sigh before sipping her drink. "Speaking of which I think I'd best run. Got to talk with those in the know about what i claimed on that trip." She explains, preparing to go.

Bailey returns to the small group from the direction of the dance flor with a long necked bottle in hand. She wears a smile and her cap is tussled to one side, which she leaves sitting crookedly on her head. Catching a few brief snippets of the conversation, she adds, "Well, I finally talked to Beautiful's owners, and got the papers signed this morning," she says. "We could probably put the delivery in a cart behind him."

Taking up her drink from the counter and offering over the credits to pay for it, Sage turns back to the conversation as she takes a sip the drink. A brief glance towards her partner has a touch of disappointment in her tone before she lets it pass. "Alright, I'll see you later then." She replies before looking to Erica, "I may be able to help you out there." She comments simply.

Erica nods to Tirzah and offers her a warm smile. "No worries. It was just a crazy idea anyhow. You have to leave already though? Well nice to see you as always Tirzah." She says with a little wave to Tirzah. "Well I bet tieing it down to the passanger seat might work. We will just have to see how big the seat is and if it works out. If not the cart will have to work." She says as she gnaws on her lower lip for a moment as she thinks. Looking up at Sage she raises an eyebrow in slight surprise. "Do you have that much to lend hon. I wouldn't want to bankrupt you. Although the jetpack is worth about 600k on the open market so wouldn't be that bad of a loan I guess."

Falling silent while the talk goes on to other things, Ash lifts a glass in a departing salute to Tirzah, "Take care." He says with a smile then takes a drink, nodding towards Erica when she mentions securing the corpse to the bike but then he looks towards Bailey, "A cart? Like, a horse and cart? That's going to be a long trip by horse." He says conversationally, "Make sure to bring along enough food and water."

"Don't stay out too long love." Tirzah bids to Sage before giving her a peck on the cheek. "But then again, good things come home to those who wait." She says with a wink before finishing her drink. "Night folks." And she's gone.

Bailey wets her lips with a small sip from her beer and looks to Ash, "How far is it?" she asks, not being familiar with the area around Kingsdale.

Sage's gaze considers Erica before giving a small smile to the woman's reaction. "Oh, I think I could probably manage." She comments, "Besides, I could always sell the jetpack, right?" She asks with a brief chuckle. She glances to her partner to give a faint nod before consider the conversation's development. "We could probably rent a vehicle if need be as well."

Erica looks to ash and shrugs her shoulders. "Well Newtown is on the Arkansas river. I think it is about the same distance to Mertown as it is to Newtown. But I'm a little fuzzy on exact measurements. Likely a three day trip." She says with another shrug of her shoulders. Turning back to Sage she offers the other woman a warm smile. Thank you so much. I will pay you back as soon as possible. Are you going to come along as well? Your welcome to bring your horse of course or ride along with one of us perhaps."

Bailey nods her head as she listens to Erica. Another refreshing sip is enjoyed before she glances to the doorway, then to her wristwatch. A concerned expression crosses her face and she draws a deep breath, "Hey, none of you have heard anything about a fight that took place here the other night, have you?"

Ash shrugs, "Fight's happen all the time." He says with a dismissive wave, "Someone's mouth writes a check they can't cash and it comes out of their ass." He takes another drink of his glass and then looks towards Erica, "Well, shouldn't be to bad. If we're not moving at horse speeds anyways. If we are, going to take a lot longer. Unless it's a robot horse..." He hmms, "That'd be something."

Sage smiles softly to Erica, "I'd be glad to help." She replies softly, "And, I may well go on this trip but I may have to work out a couple things first before I can truly commit." She comments before glancing over towards Bailey with a gentle shake of her head. "Can't say that I have." She comments before glancing between the three, "At any rate, I think I better be heading off too."

Erica shakes her head slightly. "Well I heard there was a fight, but I don't know much more then that about it. I'm sure Aimee isn't happy about it at all. She doesn't like people messing with her club." She reaches out and gives Sage an affectionate pat on the hand. "Well I would like your company if you can make it. Frank was like my second dad, and I would sure like to give him some proper rest." She says with a slight smile. "Well Bailey is on horse maybe Sage as well. Either way shouldn't be an issue." She says with a little nod of her head before turning back to Sage. "I'll see you later then Sage. Thank you again."

Bailey wears a frown at the news, and the late hour. She sighs and shakes her head, "Fucking hothead," she says to herself, shaking her head again before looking over to Sage, "Nice to meet you," she says as she leaves. "Well, anyone hear any rumours about that arena monster that escaped, it seems my source of information went and got himself ganked."

Ash nods, "Well either way, should be interesting. Be nice to see how much of the wilds is all talk. Hear all the time about how dangerous it is out there but... it's dangerous here too." He gestures about, "Maybe different kinds of dangerous... dunno." He shrugs a bit then looks over towards Bailey, "Escaped monster from the arena? Things been quiet, haven't heard anything special about it." He says with a shrug, "Whatever it is, it's not making a ton of waves."

Bailey sighs sadly, nodding her head, "Someone's probably already caught it. Everywhere we went, nobody seemed to know what we were talking about." She shrugs her shoulders and lifts her bottle to her lips once more to take a pull from her beer. After a moment, she checks her pocket, pulling out a cheap little cell phone to check for messages, a small shake of her head follows, and she looks up to the others, "So, any big plans for the evening?"

Erica gnaws on her lower lip for a few moments before taking a long drink of her cocktail. "Well I was there when it escaped. I got a good look at its tracks. But I haven't heard much in the way of news about it." She says with a quick shrug of her shoulders. She looks up at the bartender and orders a lemon drop shooter as she sips on her cocktail. "Well Ash do you have a radio that I can get ahold of you on?"

"Yep, sure do." Ash says to Erica, "Several as a matter of fact." He takes another drink from his glass and then asks, "You got a frequency you plan on using?" He looks towards Bailey then, "Didn't hear there was a reward out for it or anything, why you hunting down this escaped arena thing?" He asks curiously.

Bailey glances over to Ash, "Well, it was my friend's white whale, I suppose. It'd be a decent tribute to take it down in his name."

Erica nods her head slowly. "Yah I have a couple frequencies that I monitor." She says while tapping her ear and giving a little wink. She claps her hands together merrily at the lemon drop shooter and quickly drinks it all down. She blinks a couple times and then puts it on the bar. "Wooo that was good." She says with a giggle and takes another sip of her cocktail. "Well it will make a mess in the dregs if a predator like that is allowed to run free. We don't need more messes in the dregs."

"Well, good luck with that I guess." Ash says to Bailey with a bit of a shrug, "I don't know much about hunting predators but I can put an ear to the ground for you if you want. See if anyone knows something. Might be able to find out something." He smiles at the psi-stalker then looks towards Erica, "Cool, give me the frequency and I'll keep an ear out. As for the Dregs," Here another short bark-like laugh escapes him. "Dregs are always a mess. If it started tearing people up, the gangs would hunt it down as proof they're better 'n all the rest. Things mostly get worked out on their own back here."

Bailey smiles at the other two as they discuss the monster. "I don't think it's in the dregs, we talked with a couple of the local gangers and they had no idea what we were going on about." She shakes her head, "I think it's probably either been captured, or killed already, or else it doesn't need to feed very often and is holed up in some sewer somewhere."

Erica licks her lips quickly as she nods her head. "Perhaps. Although if people go vanishing in the dregs it isn't like it is a huge deal at least to the gangs and the powers that be." She says with a slight shake of her head. She grabs a cocktail napkin and jots down some numbers and passes the napkin to Ash. "You can get me on those twenty four hours a day, but please don't wake me up."

Ash takes the napkin and looks at the numbers, then nods and slips it into an inside pocket of his sleeveless coat. "Will do. Don't know why I'd have need but I'll keep an ear out on them for when you're ready to head out. Will keep my speedy fully charged up and ready." He finishes his drink and then sets the empty down but doesn't get a fourth. "Depends on the people disappearing. Someone's bound to notice something. People go disappearing in a gangs turf they're likely to stick their nose in as it's their turf yannow?" He shrugs a bit, "So, who knows. I surely don't." He admits easily enough. "So... you two like sports?"

Bailey nods her head to Ash's assesment of the situation, "If people go missing on their turf and they're not the reason, then they look like punks," she agrees. At the sports comment, Bailey shrugs her shoulders, "I like swimming and running," she says, "But all that juicer stuff in the arena?" She shakes her head, "Not really my thing, I suppose."

Erica shrugs her shoulders slightly as she smiles softly. "Uh I watch the Juicer Deadball games from time to time at Moe's Tavern. Pretty violent sport but people seem to like it." She mentions while finishing off her latest cocktail and gesturing to the bartender for another one. "I like the gymnastics meets that schools held back in my home city. Those were always fun to watch, but not for everyone I guess."

Ash seems about to agree with Bailey's first comment on the gangs but he grins, "I like it, been thinking about seeing if I could hold my own in it. Sometimes you know they let others come in. Heard of a few other quick-flex that did alright for themselves." He then looks over at Erica and raises an eyebrow, "Schools? Where are you from that they had schools?"

Bailey chuckles as she listens to the other two speak. She notes the speed at which Erica puts down her drinks and she shakes her head gently, an amused smile upon her lips as she anticipates her boss getting quite trashed in the next half hour or so.

Erica looks at Ash for a moment before shrugging her shoulders. "Oh plenty of places have schools. Me I come from Lazlo." She smiles at the bartender as she gets her next drink and stirs it up before taking a little sip of it.

"Lazlo, long way to go. What brought you all the way down here from Lazlo?" Ash asks with a somewhat idle curiousity. He looks around, "This is all I know, Kingsdale, the Dregs." He smiles, "Could be worse. Could be dead." He then looks over towards Bailey as she draws quiet and shrugs, "What about you?" He asks her, "You from any particular place or just 'slumming' it in town in between going back to one of those mega-psi-stalker tribes I hear about?"

Bailey looks over to Ash for a moment, considering her history. She shakes her head, "No, I'm from a small town up north," she says. "Right on the border of Xicticix territory. I got run out of town for being a witch and headed south into 'civilization,'" she says with a chuckle. "Took a few years to get here by foot."

Erica takes another sip of her drink before leaning back on her stool. "Well figured I could do more helping out the refugees from the war out here instead of on another tour of duty with the defense force. I've been to a few other places though I wouldn't say I was super worldly." She turns to regard Bailey for a moment as she listens to the other woman's story.

Ash nods to Bailey, "Sounds like you got out just before the war then... got lucky in that respect. If you ever see a survivor be sure to thank them for running you out like that." He smirks a bit, apparently not having much love for people who do such things. He looks over towards Erica and nods, "Sounds like you're one of those 'heart of gold' types. I didn't know there were any left." He admits with a smile before he turns and starts to tap out a beat on the bartop. "Ok, either of you want to dance? This sitting still is making me go crazy."

Bailey considers Erica's history and gives her an approving nod as she lifts her bottle to take another rare sip, the psi stalker barely being a third of the way through her bottle. Ash's proposition brings a smile to her face and she chuckles as he twitches, "You got ants in your pants, there?" she asks, now noticing how animated he is.

Erica shakes her head as she offers Ash a faint smile. "Yes I have been accused of being too altruistic, but I could care less. Thank you. I appreciate the offer, but I got my dancing in earlier. Perhaps another time though. I do like to dance and I'm pretty good at it if I do say so myself." She giggles softly as she nods her head to herself while stirring her drink.

With a grin to Bailey, Ash shrugs, "I got a hyperactive metabolism." He says with a grin, "Always gotta be doing something or I go crazy." He continues to tap out a beat on the bar top as he looks between the pair, "Suit yourself." He says to Erica and then turns his attention back to Bailey, "So, how about you?" He asks, head nodding towards the dance floor, "That or I am going to have to get out of here." He grins.

"Sure, why not?" Bailey says with a smile, setting her drink down on the bar to lead the way out onto the dance floor, cutting between a small cluster of sweaty bodies as she finds a spot, taking a moment or two to let the beat infect her, her eyes closing as she begins moving to the rhythm, dancing quite obviously to a beat that nobody else seems to be, shimmying her shoulders as she shows off her moves before her arms raise up to slowly pump at the air as she really gets into it.

Erica giggles softly as she turns to watch Bailey and Ash heading to the dance floor. She watches for a few minutes before she takes a long sip of her drink and works on getting a good buzz going. She starts making small talk with the bartender, obviously being familiar with each other as she taps out the beat of the music on the bar.

Ash heads out onto the dance floor, following the Psi-Stalker with a smile though he does look a little curiously at her when she starts dancing to a beat that isn't even remotely what the music is playing. Not that he's a good dance either, the only thing going for him is the amazing grace that accompanies his every movement. He doesn't seem to terribly mind that Bailey is dancing to some strange beat since he remains dancing with her even if he does follow the beat of the music. He's just glad to be moving again and not sitting still judging by his smile.

Bailey bops to the tune in her head, giving her hips a wriggle before rocking out with the twist for a few moments. After that, she breaks out the snorkel once or twice and returns to her previous boogey-ing, oblivious to any looks she may be getting or guffahs that the music mercifully drowns out.

Erica turns her head to watch the dance floor and a wide smile curls her lips as she watches the dancing. She watches for a little bit while working on her drink. She uncrosses and then crosses her legs again as she bobs her head along to the music and watches her two temp employees dancing.

As he dances with Bailey it takes a lot of willpower to not laugh himself at some of the moves but instead Ash reaches out to try and rest a hand on her shoulder, leaning forwards so she can hear him he says, "Hey, don't worry about the moves, just listen to the music and let it move you. Let the beat and sound fill you and move how it makes you want to move yeah?" He tries to offer some advice with an honest smile.

At his touch, Bailey turns her back to Ash and backs up, her hips moving provocatively side to side as she looks over her shoulder at him, enjoying being out on the dance floor, having some fun. She reaches up, her fingers lacing behind her head as she does something that could only be called a hula in the most vague sense as the psi stalker demonstrates her total lack of rhythm.

Erica keeps smiling as she watches the dance floor she shakes her head slightly. Finishing off her drink she turns around back to the bar and gestures to the bartender for a fourth drink as she hums and dances a little on her barstool bobbing about.

Ash can't help it, he does laugh this time but it's not a mocking laugh, just the laugh of someone who is having fun. He moves his hands down to Bailey's waist when she backs up a bit closer to him and it's one of those times where he is both glad for his armor, and sad about his armor. It keeps him from being embarassed and doesn't restrict his movements but there are some things that might be nice to feel sometimes. Fortunatly the DJ does change the song, he's got to pace them right so people drink as well and the next song is a slower song that isn't so frantic and powerful a beat. Ash takes a gamble and moves to wrap his arms around Bailey's waist as he steps to face her so they can dance with the slow song as well. Of course it could backfire and she could -so- not be interested in that.

Bailey shifts around as Ash slips in front of her and she slips her hands up to rest upon his armoured shoulders, taking the hint from the DJ to just rock to the slower song in Ash's arms. "So, You've seriously never left the Dregs?" she asks, unbelieving as she dances with him. "I don't know if I really believe that. Wouldn't someone like you get bored and hop on your bike to hit the open road?"

Erica plays with the ice in her glass until she gets her next drink. She gives the bartender a wide smile as she gets another one and starts sipping on it. She opens up her purse and digs around in it taking out a knife, pencil, handcuffs, and some paper before she finds her lipstick and applies a fresh coat of pink lipstick.

"I suppose I could." Ash says with a little shrug as he dances with her to the slower music, that ancient and classic slow circling of feet with the subtle rocking back and forth. "But really, what's waiting for me out there that I can't find here? The city is what I know, this city especially. There's plenty of excitement to be had, danger too. You have to know who's in control of what, what you can get away with, what will get the gangs or people to come down on you. Have to know which tolls you can pay with credits, which ones have to be paid with something else. It's like a jungle all it's own. Not even counting the constantly shifting streets."

Bailey nods her head vaguely as Ash explains the way the big city works. She slips her hands behind Ash's head slightly, letting her nails softly tease at his spikey hair in a curious fashion as they sway and circle to the slow music. "But there's only rats and cats in the city," she complains after a contemplative moment or two, "No real nature to speak of; Sure there's prey to hunt, but nothing particularly sating that you could get away with." She sighs and shakes her head as her mind wanders.

Erica stuffs her purse back full after she is done with the lipstick and then glances over her shoulder at Bailey and Ash now slow dancing. She giggles softly to herself as she turns back to face the bar.

"By prey I assume you mean mages and psychics?" Ash asks, leaning his head back into those scratching nails with a slight smile and his eyes close a little apparently enjoying the touch of them. "Oh there's a fair share of them out here in the dregs. Magic, psychics, monsters... there is poor ones too. Especially those whom don't want to get caught by the law. Out here, it can be a real problem if one of them gets out of hand." He admits with a shrug, "That's why I carry my 237, never know when you're going to need real firepower." He shifts his hands a little so that one rubs the small of her back lightly. "Why did you come to the city if you're more comfortable and there's more food to hunt out in the wilds?" He asks curiously, large eyes opening again.

Bailey chuckles at that, lightly scratching at Ash's scalp as he cants his head back. "You try navigating past the St. Louis arch on foot and ask yourself that again some time." She wets her lip at mention of poor, renegade mages who may need a good talking to and she purses her lips together briefly, "If you hear of anyone like that, you let me know, will you?" she asks suddenly feeling hungry as she closes her eyes to open herself up to any scents that may be lingering nearby. "Waiting for crazies to get into fist fights so I can have the odd snack gets excruciating sometimes."

Erica stirs her drink idly while she sways a little bit in time to the music. She leans down to fix her her high heeled sandal and has to untie the cloth straps that criss cross around her ankle before retieing them so they are more secure.

"Well I can keep an ear to the ground for you." Ash says with a chuckle, "But nothing in this life is free, and going anywhere near that many coalition soldiers, let alone what was strong enough to get past them is not my idea of a fun time." He admits and then smiles mischieviously, "I have much different idea's about what consists of fun." He then reaches up one hand to run a fingertip along Bailey's spine from the base of her skull down along her neck in a light touch. "If you're wanting to stay though, I'm sure I can come up with some suitable targets, or maybe even just buy you some food. If you want something, chances are I can find it here..."

"Well, if you hear anything about that monster, let me know. I think it'd be a fitting tribute for a fallen friend," bailey says, glancing over at Erica as she fixes her shoes. "The boss is getting antsy, maybe we should keep her company?"

Erica asks the bartender for some olives and a toothpick. Getting them in a small bowl she starts snacking on them slowly, popping them one after the other into her mouth as she takes sips of her mixed drink inbetween olives.

Ash looks over towards the bar when Bailey does, "Nah, you can. I'm done standing around at the bar tonight." He smiles at her and moves to back off if she wants to head off to the bar again. He looks around and hmms, "Might be time to take off, find a little distraction..."

Bailey nods her head, "Try to stay out of trouble," she says with a chuckle. "I'll see you on the road," she says, backing away before turning about to visit with Erica. Returning to the bar, Bailey picks up her bottle again, "Those look good," she observes as she slips in against the bar, wanting something to lean against.