hazlogs: Glass Walker Glyph (Glass Walker)
hazlogs ([personal profile] hazlogs) wrote1998-07-23 02:30 pm

Salem the Glass Walker


DATE:  Thursday, July 23, 1998
Place: City safehouse, Montrose District

Dining Room:
The dining room is the old-fashioned kind, squeezed in between the front 
   parlor and the kitchen, long and thin compared to most room. A window is on 
   one of the shorter walls, framing the head of a long polished wood table 
   with twelve chairs around it. There's nothing else in the room, except a 
   swinging door into the living room and kitchen on the far end of the room 
   from the table.

Lisa glances around the living room, aclimitizing herself the the new setting.
Jeff wanders in slowly, removing his sunglasses as soon as he gets into the 
   room. He casts a few quick glances before walking over to the forming 
   group, saying nothing.
After another moment, Bailey slips inside the doors to the dining room. He 
   moves to the table, taking a seat on the side, facing the living room door. 
   He smiles at Lisa as she looks around.
JJ Malone answers the door as each person comes in, his own place claimed at 
   the head of the table by the presence of a thin sheaf of papers and an 
   elegant black pen. He waits for everyone to be seated before beginning.
Jeff sits down quietly, looking to Bailey for a long moment. He gives him a 
   light nod and comments, "I thought as much."
Bailey turns his head to Jeff as he notices the Philodox. He nods, flashing 
   him a smile in greeting. "Matter of time, I guess."
The door resounds with another knock. J.J. gets up himself immediately to go 
   answer it, gun not out unlike at his own place. He opens the door after a 
   moment of checking to admit Salem to the hollowed precincts.
Salem comes in from outside.
Lisa says, "Time and Time Lord wait for no man." She finds a seat for herself 
   at one side of the polished wood table, watching the door.
Salem, entering just in time to catch Lisa's remark, gives the Ragabash a 
   rather odd look.
Bailey leans his cheek against his hand, and chuckles at Lisa's comment. 
   "Touche," he says, then draws his eyes to the door as the Ahroun enters. 
   His eyebrows raise a bit, and he does smile at the Ronin. Or, he wonders to 
   himself, a Ronin no longer?
Lisa looks up from the table and gives Salem a small, pocket-sized smile. 
   "Heya."
Jeff glances over as Salem enters. He gives the Ronin a light nod in greeting, 
   but says nothing.
JJ Malone settles back into his chair at the end of the table, gesturing 
   towards the foot of the table in a fluid gesture for Salem to take that 
   seat. Rik stands against the wall behind and to the right of J.J., while a 
   nervous Daisy is seated further down the row of chairs, closer to the 
   ronin. "Thank you all for coming, and on time. John's left word that work 
   has detained him this evening, so he may be arriving later. Does anyone 
   have anything before we begin?"
Salem seems to be in a good mood tonight -- at least, the rage isn't quite so 
   close to snapping. He takes the indicated seat and folds his hands together 
   on the table.
Daisy is sitting a bit closer to Salem than Shades. She's fidgeting with the 
   sleeve of her shirt.
Bailey looks from JJ, to Jeff, then back to JJ. "Are introductions in order?"
Nigel knocks on the outer door.
Lisa nods and says, "Introductions. Nice place to start." She tilts her head 
   as a knock hits the outer door.
JJ Malone lights up a cigarette, then heads for the door himself. "Feel free 
   to make introductions," he says on his way into the living room then the 
   front foyer to answer the knock.
Jeff looks to JJ a moment then to Bailey. "Well, I had thought everyone here 
   had met me at least once, but, if not, I'm Jeff Montgomery. Glass Walker of 
   the Middle Path, recent addition to this Sept." He then leans back and 
   rests his hand on a table.
"Jack Salem," says the Ahroun at the foot of the table, cool and calm. 
   "Ahroun."
Nigel gives a little apologetic smile as the door opens. "Sorry; still getting 
   lost on some of these streets. Did you know there's an Elm Drive, Elm 
   Street AND an Elm Way?"
"Not...formally, I'm afraid," Bailey replies. "Bailey Jacobsen, 
   Night's-Justice. Cliath Glass Walker Gibbous Moon, and member of the pack 
   Cavall, Child of Dog." He looks to Nigel, and smiles as the latter enters.
JJ Malone smirks slightly as he admits Nigel. "Yes," is his perfunctory 
   answer, then leads the way back to the dining room where the gathering is.
Daisy waits until someone else has spoken before she hesitantly volunteers her 
   own somewhat timid and quiet introduction. "I is... are... am... Daisy." 
   Her speech has gotten much better since previous moots, though it still 
   needs work. "Cub of the Glass Walkers. Anna th-theurge."
Lisa smiles at Daisy for a moment, then says, "Lisa Wilson, Bullet to the 
   Knees, Cliath no-moon of the Glass Walkers. Surprise surprise."
Nigel smiles slightly as he comes in. "And I think I've met you all, yes? 
   Nigel McAllister, Cliath Theurge, City Farmer, and all that?"
JJ Malone re-takes his seat at the head of the table just in front of the 
   window. "And you all know me." he says after Rik makes his terse 
   introduction. Is that a joke? He looks serious enough. "Let's get started, 
   then. Old business. Does anyone have any old business to bring up?"
Nigel looks from person to person and seems on the verge of saying something, 
   but doesn't.
Jeff leans forward in his chair as the meeting starts, putting his hands on 
   the table and interlocking the fingers. He remains quiet, not having been 
   in town long enough to have 'old business.'
Bailey just shakes his head.
Lisa shakes her head and says, "Nothing new to report on the old stuff from 
   where I stand."
A few knocks sound at the front door. Rina waits, bomber jacket slung over her 
   shoulder.
JJ Malone grunts once. "Neither do I, except something that falls somewhere in 
   between," he begins, but at the knock, he pauses and pushes to his feet to 
   answer it, opening the door to Rina a few moments later. He greets her with 
   a nod, stepping aside to admit her.
Bailey lets his gaze fall on Rina as she enters, and he tilts his head to the 
   side to regard the unfamiliar woman.
Lisa sits up in her chair and crosses her arms, fingertips toying with one of 
   the anorak's pockets as the woman enters.
Rina flashes a slightly crooked grin to JJ before ducking past him. She 
   glances over the assembled Garou, stopping for a moment as her gaze reaches 
   Jeff; a bemused smile curves her lips. One hand runs through her hair in a 
   nervous gesture, and she says, simply, "Hey."
Salem tilts his head slightly, regarding Rina with a mildly creased brow, as 
   if trying to recall if he's seen her before and where.
The Philodox nods to Rina as she addresses him. "Good evening, Rina," he 
   greets before turning back to watch JJ.
JJ Malone re-enters the room behind Rina and moves back to his place at the 
   head of the table. "Have a seat, and please introduce yourself." His look 
   is at Rina at this, but slews it around to include everyone else as he 
   settles in his chair.
Rina glances to Malone, nods, and looks around for a chair. Finding one free, 
   she hooks it with an ankle and drops into it, draping her jacket over the 
   back; the bomber carries something heavy, probably a gun. "Rina Vencenzo," 
   she addresses the group. Her voice is soft, with a hint of urban accent. 
   "Kinfolk. Been here a few years now."
Bailey nods quietly, breaking the silence.
Daisy watches Rina a bit nervously, gently biting on her lower lip. "Hello."
Bailey says "Bailey Jacobsen, Galliard. Good to meet you, Ms. Vencenzo.""
Jeff nods to Rina lightly. "Good to meet you." He pauses and with a grin, he 
   adds, "Again."
Nigel's ears, oddly enough, turn slightly pink. "My. Nigel. Mc-McAllister. Um. 
   Hi. Um." He breaks off and begins to hastily polish his glasses.
Salem shifts his weight and sits back in his chair. "Salem," he says curtly.
Lisa grabs one of the salt shakers from the table and places it just in front 
   of her, like a chess piece in an invisible match. "Heya," she says, "Lisa. 
   Also 'hey you' on most occasions, but usually just Lisa."
Seeing that more than a 'Hello' seems to be expected of those gathered, the 
   cub offers additional information to Rina. "Me Daisy."
Rina flashes a smile at Jeff, and nods to Lisa and Daisy--favoring the latter 
   with a slight thoughtful frown.
JJ Malone's keeping close watch on everyone, and after Rik makes his terse 
   introduction as well, the metis resumes. "Old business that is also new 
   business. Jack Salem," he says without looking down at the ahroun at the 
   other end of the table, "has asked to join the Family. He's proven to me in 
   the last several months he can hack it and might be a worthy addition, but 
   he has one last thing to do before he can be admitted. Tell us why he's 
   Ronin to begin with." He now looks at the Garou in question. "Gaia knows 
   I'm not one to pry into personal affairs, but it must be in this case."
Rina's expression darkens as she studies Salem--a measuring look, the 
   amber-brown eyes veiledand slightly narrowed.
Lisa tilts her head to bring Salem fully into view. She crosses her arms and 
   rests her head on them, watching, but with more curiosity than judgement.
Salem's face tightens, lips compressing into a thin line, but he seems to have 
   expected this. Leaning back, he folds his arms across his chest and says, 
   "My former Sept was at war with vampires. Sabbat." His tone is utterly 
   flat. "In attempting to discover some vital information that we could use 
   against them, I was taken as a prisoner of war and remained so until the 
   end of the war." He looks at nobody in particular, though his words seem 
   more directed toward Malone than anyone else.
Maintaining a calm demeanor, Bailey turns to Salem.
Jeff also turns to Salem, listening with a quiet curiousity as he speaks.
Rina tenses, perched on the edge of her chair. There's an odd intensity in her 
   eyes as she watches him.
Nigel gives Salem a shocked look.
Lisa does not blink, or twitch, but just listens.
Daisy doesn't look like she has the first inkling of a clue as to what's going 
   on or being said.
JJ Malone's jaw tightens and his brow furrows, his main reaction to Salem's 
   words. He continues looking straight at the ronin, or at least presumably 
   as it's hard to read his gaze blocked as it is behind the sunglasses.
Salem continues after a moment. "Apart from the fact that a Shadow Lord is not 
   allowed to fail in any instance, it was determined by the remainder of the 
   Sept that I had been guilty of treason, or attempted treason, and criminal 
   incompetance." No mention of anything that might have happened during the 
   time he was prisoner.
"Sounds familiar," Rina mutters quietly, with a sidelong glance at JJ.
Bailey scowls a bit at the last statement, but says nothing.
JJ Malone's expression doesn't waver. He interrupts to ask sharply, "Why?"
Salem says flatly, "There was no one alive who could confirm that I did not go 
   off on my own."
Rina's avid interest is clear; she remains tense, narrowed eyes focused on 
   Salem.
Nigel's brow wrinkles a little. "No Philodox could vouch for the truth?"
"What happened," Bailey says, asking that question, "while you were a 
   prisoner?"
"There was only one Philodox alive," says Salem. "And she claimed that I was 
   lying." He does not react, nor answer, Bailey's question.
A question seems to hang in Lisa's eyes, but she tucks it away for now and 
   just listens. The salt-shaker putters around the table as she nudges it 
   with her fingers, but Lisa's eyes never leave Salem's.
Jeff raises his brow, asking the obvious question: "Why?"
A humorless smile twitches sardonically over Salem's lips. "Because she wanted 
   me out of the way."
Daisy is probably the least tense person in the room at the moment. She 
   scratches at an itch on the side of her cheek, using her nails. The 
   treatment leaves a faint reddish streak on her right side of her face.
Three sharp raps are heard on the front door. JJ leaves just long enough to 
   let in Jayson who takes a seat without interrupting the proceedings.
Leaning forward, Rina nods slowly.
Lisa ahs and says, "I was wondering about that. What did they gain from your 
   conviction?
Bailey nods with Lisa, that being his next question.
Salem's mouth twists slightly. "'They' gained nothing. Anya, the Philodox I 
   mentioned, gained quite a lot, the least of which was the removal of a 
   rival."
Bailey shakes his head. Not disapproving of Salem, but at the actions 
   performed against the former Shadow Lord. "That....fucking blows," he 
   mutters.
JJ Malone gives a slight, rictus smile, and dredges up the question Bailey 
   asked but wasn't answered. "What happened to you while you were imprisoned? 
   Did it have to do with why you were called to question?"
Salem tenses visibly, a small muscle titching near his scarred eye. "I don't 
   think so." He adds, with some difficulty, "...and if it's all the same, I'd 
   rather not talk about it."
Bailey takes a moment, then nods to Salem in understanding.
JJ Malone himself looks close to pained, probably the first time anyone in the 
   room has seen anything near this expression on the metis's face, as he 
   responds to Jack. "I'm sorry, but you must, if you want to join the Family. 
   We need to know--" He doesn't quite finish his sentence as end, pausing 
   momentarily as if he *might* add more, then doesn't with his expectant look 
   at the Ronin.
Jeff simply crosses his arms, watching the Ronin carefully as he tells his 
   tale.
Rina's brow furrows slightly. She still does not look away from Salem, but 
   something about her expression has softened a fraction.
Salem grits his teeth; it's a blessing that the moon is hidden tonight. He 
   forces the words out, snapping each phrase off curtly. "I was tortured for 
   amusement, tortured for information, mind-raped, and blood-bonded against 
   my will. And I was nearly dead when the last of the bastards were 
   exterminated."
Bailey nods, almost as if he was expecting Salem's answer. His eyes narrow at 
   the thought.
Lisa narrows her gaze for the first time. "Are you sure they're _all_ dead?"
Salem says, "Yes."
A swallow twists the Kinfolk girl's throat, and she ducks her head slightly, 
   to study the ground. "Fuck," she says softly, somewhere between impressed 
   and horrified.
Salem gazes directly at JJ Malone -- not in challenge, but in refusal to look 
   at anyone else.
JJ Malone, without appearing to look away from Salem, asks meaningfully, 
   "Jeff?"
The fall of Rina's hair veils her expression, as she stares at the floor.
Jeff gives JJ a light nod. "He's honest." Jeff then turns back to look at 
   Salem, oddly unexpressive about the story, at least outwardly.
Daisy looks around her, feeling the tension in the air, but unsure of why. She 
   stays quiet and as unobtrusive as possible just in case they're wondering 
   who to take things out on.
JJ Malone nods once, then says tersely to Salem, "Continue."
Salem frowns slightly, his tension unabated. "I was put on trial after I 
   regained my health and subjected to the Stone of Scorn and the Rite of the 
   Lone Wolf, and then hounded out of the protectorate. That was approximately 
   two and a half years ago."
Rina leans both elbows on her knees, sitting forward in her chair with her 
   head bowed. Her eyes are closed, her expression tight.
Nigel looks down at his hands, face pale.
Bailey's hands tighten their grip on the table, knuckles going white.
Lisa brushes a lock of her hair from in front of her eyes. Taking the salt 
   shaker, she upturns it and creates a small pile of white crystals in her 
   hand, which she promptly eats with a grimace. Her eyes return to Salem, 
   oddly calmer than before.
JJ Malone's jaw tightens so much that his teeth are gritted when he asks, "And 
   since then?"
"I spent a few months in Europe before coming to the States." Salem's gaze is 
   fixed past JJ now, at a spot on the wall. "I made an abortive attempt to 
   lose myself in human society, but met with minimal to no success due to my 
   temper."
JJ Malone speaks up again as the silence begins to deepen at the table. "And 
   now you're here. Why?"
Salem hesitates for a bare instant before answering. "I'm... tired of 
   wandering."
"It's not easy," Bailey says, voice soft, "to try and lose yourself..."
Salem's gaze remains fixed ont he wall past JJ.
"Impossible for a full moon," Jeff informs Bailey before turning back to the 
   conversation.
Jayson speaks up after being silent during most of the story. His tone is 
   casually business like, apparently being unmoved by the Ahroun's past life 
   trials. "What I would like to know is why you have settled on the Walker 
   tribe, and exactly what do you think it means to become a member of our 
   tribe."
Lisa nods, "Why our happy little Tarantino-esque family, Salem?"
Rina glances over to Jayson, studying him a moment before turning her 
   attention to the Ronin.
Salem studies his hands for a moment before answering. "I prefer to remain in 
   the city, and there are only two tribes who have most fully adapted 
   themselves for city life. For personal reasons, the Bone Gnawers were not 
   an option."
Nigel's voice is hoarser than usual, and he does not look up as he speaks. 
   "You know there are Sabbat in the city. Should we...*when* we encounter 
   them, what will you do?"
Salem's answer is immediate. "Kill them."
Jayson lets Salem answer Nigel's question, before returning the Ahroun back to 
   his original question. "So we win by default, huh? Are you willing to adopt 
   the tribal rules, both written and unwritten?"
Salem glances up at Jayson. "Of course." He seems to have regained some of his 
   composure from earlier.
Jayson folds his hands in front of his face, a soft grin appearing behind 
   them. "Good. Because, contrary to popular ranger belief, there are major 
   differences between our tribe and the gnawers, and it wouldn't do for 
   people to start confusing which tribe _you're_ part of."
Salem snorts. "I'm well aware of the differences. You people bathe regularly, 
   at least."
Jayson nods. "Oh, good. I can scratch that one off my list." He falls quiet, 
   apparently satisfied for the moment.
Jeff chuckles, or perhaps it was a cough. Either way, he grins lightly, hiding 
   it behind his hand.
Rina bows her head, frowning in thought.
JJ Malone's fingers tap on the table, before he fishes into his pocket for 
   cigarettes and a lighter. "Let's move on then," he says gruffly. "New 
   business. Two somewhat related topics. Some of you have seen this already, 
   but I want the rest of you to look at it and memorize the face circled." He 
   pulls a glossy black-and-white photo out of his pile of papers and passes 
   it to his left. "This woman is a leech by the name of Ashley Turner. Her 
   residence is in Seattle, but she's got business interests out here, tied in 
   with some problems they're having out in the woods. If anyone spots her 
   here, I want to be notified. Immediately."
Bailey nods. "Of course."
Nigel's lips twitch unhappily. "Is there a way to figure out how much of a 
   local presence she has, I wonder? If she's planning a move against the 
   woods, she's got to have lots of grunts and silver stashed somewhere."
While the picture is being passed around, Jayson stands up approaches the 
   Alpha and whispers into his ear, then waits for a reply.
Rina glances up as the photograph circulates, studying the picture when it 
   comes her way. Her gaze focuses on JJ, then, a slight frown shadowing her 
   expression.
Salem studies the photograph when it reaches him, and then passes it onwards. 
   His expression is withdrawn now, slightly pensive.
Daisy watches the photo being passed around and, like she's seen the others 
   do, looks at it seriously--looking up once or twice to make sure she's 
   frowning and narrowing her eyes correctly--then passing it on.
Jeff also memorizes the picture as he gets it and passes it down the line. He 
   gets a thoughtful frown after a moment, but again goes quiet.
JJ Malone grunts softly, lighting up his cigarette as the photo passes. "We 
   might, but it'd probably take some work. If someone wants to start on it, 
   please do." He leans in to Jayson's whisper, frowning slightly, then 
   shaking his head and replying briefly. That said, he continues, "There's 
   also something else I'd like to bring up. As everyone now knows, Ms. 
   Vencenzo here is Kin, the first known about for a while. I'd like to remind 
   everyone who should know better than I on the proper behavior of treating 
   her and the others known in the city, especially of the other tribes. We're 
   Glass Walkers, not Shadow Lords, let's treat the Kin with some respect."
Lisa glances at the picture and passes around. The mention of Kinfolk catches 
   Lisa's attention and she waits for JJ to open the floor.
Jayson nods to the Alpha, then retreats to his seat in the back of the room.
Rina blinks, betraying a little startlement at this. "Thanks," she says 
   hoarsely, shifting to slouch back in her chair with both arms crossed.
Jeff looks over to Rina, giving a quick smile to her before nodding his 
   agreement with JJ's statement.
"Lastly," J.J. begins, "many of you heard it mentioned tonight if not before 
   that the vampires are kicking up a stink again. They've been fairly quiet 
   up until the last six months. Some say they're Sabbat," the word comes off 
   his tongue unfamiliarly, "whatever that is. But, they're here. I've talked 
   to Jose about opening up the communication channels between the city 
   tribes, but that means we have to keep an eye out, too. Ms. Vencenzo says 
   she thinks she's picked at least one up. Care to elaborate?" he asks 
   looking directly at Rina, then leaning back in his seat.
Bailey riases an eyebrow at Rina, curious.
Nigel gives Rina a startled glance.
A soft grunt escapes from Jayson's throat as he sits up, taking interest in 
   the kin.
Lisa pulls her hair back, away from her face, and starts binding it into a 
   quick ponytail as she listens to Rina.
Rina swallows, and clears her throat as she straightens from her slump in the 
   chair. "Sure." She glances over the group before speaking; when she begins, 
   her voice remains quiet. "I know at least two have been hunting the Temple, 
   though the woman I been lookin' for hasn't shown up there in a while. The 
   woman is... stunning. Can't be that many women in the city /that/ gorgeous. 
   Tall, maybe five-ten, five-eleven. Blonde. Serious class." She takes a 
   breath, and shifts her focus to the floor. "The man is tougher to find. 
   Dark eyes, dark hair, not much to look at. But I've seen him feed, and if I 
   can I'll get a photo to pass around."
Nigel looks blank. "'The Temple'?"
JJ Malone is silent, smoking his cigarette, but radiating intensity as he 
   watches Rina relay the information.
Rina glances over to him. "'S'a club. Industrial, gothic, that kinda thing. 
   Down on thirteenth, south side."
Jayson turns his attention to JJ. "We have any artist connections? Maybe we 
   can have her work with an artist to develop a sketch of both."
The girl bows her head. "I can try, I guess." She lifts a shoulder, lets it 
   fall. "D'no if I can do a representational piece, specially with /her/ in 
   it." She studies the ground, frowning a little.
"Does she have a name," Bailey asks.
JJ Malone gives Rina a sharp glance at her answer to Jayson's question, but 
   then to the latter, replies, "Last artist I knew got taken by the Wyrm. But 
   there might be someone in out in the woods who could do it. If Ms. Vencenzo 
   herself can't," she concedes to the Kinfolk.
Jeff quietly pulls a cigarette and lighter from his shirt pocket and lights up 
   before turning his attention back to Rina, "Actually, a better question, 
   what information do we have on her? Name, type, eye color, anything?"
Jayson grins slightly at Rina. "We don't need a picasso, a simple Warhol is 
   acceptable. As long as we get the general idea."
Nodding, Bailey says, "I might know a few artists, through some connections 
   out of town."
Rina's expression is dark as she studies the floor. "I don't know her name," 
   she says softly. "But I'll try'n do a sketch. Her eyes were blue, I think. 
   Not sure."
JJ Malone waits a moment, then flicks ash into an glass dish at hand. "I've 
   asked Mr. Montgomery to serve as a point of contact, Ms. Vencenzo. If you 
   find anything else out, please contact him." A slight pause, then, "Floor's 
   open. Anyone else have any other news to bring up?" He looks around, 
   including Rina in on the look.
Jeff nods as JJ recognizes him. He takes a moment to tell Rina, "Yes, we 
   should get together some time and discuss your plans. I will probably want 
   to be a part of them as well."
"As would I," Bailey says.
Rina glances over to Jeff and Bailey, answering them with a nod. "No prob," 
   she murmurs.
JJ Malone waits, then taps the table top decisively. "In that case, meeting 
   adjourned. I'll be looking to talk to all of you individually in the next 
   week or so. Ms. Vencenzo, thank you for attending," he says with an attempt 
   at courtesy.
Daisy chips in quietly, "Me, too," even if she isn't really aware what the 
   others are up to. Joining in seems the thing to do.
Once the meeting is dismissed, Jeff rises and heads to the door without 
   another word.
Rina flashes JJ a smile. "Thanks for inviting me," she answers, rising to 
   throw the light bomber over her shoulders.
Bailey walks over to Rina, handing her a card. "Here's how to contact me, 
   ma'am, if you need to."
Jayson stands up and stretche when the meeting is ajourned . He lingers 
   around, watching the interactions of people as they occur around him.
Rina shrugs into her jacket and then takes the card, flashing a smile. "What 
   was your name?" she asks, embarassed.
Bailey chuckles. "Bailey, ma'am," he replies.
The girl's grin returns, and she holds out a hand. "'S'a pleasure," she 
   answers quietly. "Next time I go on a Temple run, maybe I'll give you a 
   ring."
Bailey takes the woman's hand, and smiles. "If you want," the Galliard replies.
Rina looks him over, and her smile turns wry. "I just hope you got some black 
   in y'closet," she says lightly.
Jayson watches the interactions of Bailey and Rina with a small smirk visible 
   on his face. He turns from them, after a few moments, and heads over to JJ.
JJ Malone looks blank-gazed up at Jayson, then pushes to his feet. "Talk now, 
   or later?"
Bailey chuckles. "I can find something. Lot of things there as it is."
Jayson shrugs slightly at the Walker Elder. "I'm not sure how useful what I 
   have is, but it's up to you. I have time now, but I can also just as easily 
   head out and grab a cappachino and a biscuit."
The Kin girl flashes another wry smile. "Cool. I'll call you, then."
Bailey nods. "Not a problem," he answers the Kin.
Rina turns to head for the door, stopping by JJ's seat to offer him a hand and 
   a small smile. "Thanks again," she says quietly. "I'll see what I can do 
   about getting a sketch together.
"Let's do both, then," J.J. answers the remaining theurge, rising from his 
   chair. His preparations for departure pause at Rina's approach, taking her 
   hand in a somewhat awkward return of the handshake. "Please," he finally 
   gets out. "I'd like to pass it around like the one for Ashley Turner."
Rina nods. "I'll call you." She glances to Jayson, and gives him a nod. "Nice 
   to, like, actually meet you."
Jayson smiles back at Rina. "It's always nice to meet kin, especially kin with 
   good eyes and a quick mind."
Rina's expression turns wry. "Thanks. Seey'around." She turns to go, 
   disappearing out the door.
Bailey turns from Rina, and waits for Jayson to be done speakign with JJ.
Jayson nods at JJ. "Okay, but you're buying this time."
JJ Malone turns back to Jayson, snorting. "Play you one hand for it. You'd 
   think I had your kind of money..." he mutters, in a tone making it not 
   quite sure if he's serious, but pauses on his way to the door when he 
   notices Bailey waiting to speak with him. "Yeah?"
"You wanted to arrange a time to talk," Bailey asks.
Rina finds her way out of the house.
"I did?" J.J. counters with, then grunts. "Could be done now, since everyone's 
   gone. Want your opinion on Jack. Simply yay or nay, and reasons why not if 
   you can say 'em in 50 words or less."
Bailey nods. "I say yes. Jeff vouched for him telling the truth. Jack's 
   someone who's been wronged, that's obvious. He's been clean with us, which 
   I respect. If anyone deserves a second Chance, it's him."
JJ Malone grunts softly once again. "Good enough. Seeya," he says, then heads 
   once more for the door with Jayson.
Jayson nods at Bailey, then follows the elder outside.