Everest City (Risus Combat Test Run.)

[Gentleman Vaultboy]

He whistles as he over looks the damage. The outside wood is charred and brittle.

"I'm afraid I don't know how to repair this, but a new one should be workable. Hold on a minute."

He disappears into the back of the shop, and you hear some rustling. He returns a minute later, holding a new kendo sword.

"Have a whole stack of the things that The Shoguns sold us when they got themselves a proper blade smith. I'll trade you this one for yours, first deal special."

In the future, Guild service won't be free. You'll have to pay or trade for anything you get. Of course, if you make friends with the guild the price may go down.

Ace (Kendo 4, Parkour 2, Improv 2, hardened body 2)

[Mik_Hael]

...I take the blade from the smith and take a few practice swings, it whistles through the air nicely, "...Alright, deal" I hand over the broken practice sword, but I have to ask, what are you going to use this one for?'

(When the real thing goes up I'll just use a dulled sparring katana."

[Gentleman Vaultboy]

He delicately takes it and places in under the counter.

"Recycle it, of course. The wood might not be good for anything, but I can bet the metal core isn't damaged. That can be sharpened into a blade, used as a base, melted down and molded into something else, or just sold as is." He tone turns slightly bitter, "After all, in this place you have to use what you can get."

[Mik_Hael]

"hmmm....interesting...maybe by the time you've finished recycling it into a blade, I'll come back and buy it.....Tell you what. If I happen to find anything interesting or usefull I'll bring it back here, most of the time free of charge, all I ask for is a repair every now and then what do you say?"

[Gentleman Vaultboy]

"I get that offer from every newbie that walks into this shop. I'll give you the same deal I do them: You get Outfitter credit for everything you bring in. You can trade that credit for repairs and items."

[Mik_Hael]

"Sounds great, See you around then." I leave the shop.

[Philote]

I pay the Iron Chefs for the food with some change, as paper money did not last long around me, and headed out to wait outside the restaurant.

I had the restless feeling that something would be happening soon.

[Gentleman Vaultboy]

Suddenly, down the street, you hear the tell tale sounds of *Ring-Ring* and tires on cement. Axel is the first to see the two bikers, bot wearing the Tell-Tale yellow and black of the Letter Bees.

The Letter Bees

A Guild that spun off from the Hornets when they realized that making themselves useful kept them from getting wrecked more than all the power in the world. They deliver mail and correspondence between the different gangs in the city, protected by the age old adage of "Don't shoot the messenger."

They calling out something, load enough to be heard anywhere on the street. Prerequisite for being a letter bee: you gotta have a load voice.

"Reward. Reward offered by the Ace of Spades. Reward from the leader of the Suits, all comers may apply!"

[Philote]

I wave down down one of the bikers and inquire into their message.

[Gentleman Vaultboy]

The forward Letter bees bike skids to a stop, while the one behind her keep headed down the street, shouting her message.

The Letter bee looks Axel up and down, appraising him. Satisfied, she pulls out a note tagged with the official seal of the suits: the words "Suits", laid over a spade, heart, club, and diamond. She hands it to Axel and begins speaking.

"One of the Suits was grabbed by the Echoes as she was exiting the hospital. Mandy Delay, the Two of Hearts. The Rest of the Hearts have gotten some information that they're holding her: inside the maintenance pipes on the east side. The Suits would go in themselves, but the Enochs have been on the move for the past week and sending a group in to fight the Echoes would be the perfect opportunity for Reed to attack."

[Philote]

I examine the note and speak "Will I be able to burn things?" A wicked grin stretches across my face.

[Mik_Hael]

Average rescue mission then eh, save the girl, beat some sense into a few idiots, why not.

[Marvelous Miscreant]

"Hey, messenger guy! What'cha holding?" I walk out to the gang member, clicking and clanging as my bling moves.

[Gentleman Vaultboy]

The Letter Bee Re-Explains the circumstances of the job to Jason, then scans the three boys and leans forward, conspiratorially.

"Just between us," she says in hushed whisper, "I wouldn't take the job. These are the Echoes we're talking about. They're...creepy."

[Philote]

Axel plays with his lighter, running his hand through the flame. "I do not care who they are, flames burn everyone just as quick."

[Marvelous Miscreant]

"Yeah, creepy can't hurt you. But a good ole punch to the face can."

[Gentleman Vaultboy]

She looks at you all with a knowing look.

"Looks like you guys have never met the Echoes before. Well, it'll certainly be a...experience. Just follow the map in the envelope and it should take you to the lair nearest to where she was taken."

She hops back onto her bike and pedals away with a "God help you."

[Philote]

Axel takes out the map and studies it for a moment before passing it on to the person standing next to him. Satisfied that he knew where to go, he began walking off. "You all can follow me if you wish. Just stay out of my way or I can not guarantee that you won't get burned."

[Marvelous Miscreant]

Jason scan the map before replying, "Yeah yeah, I hear ya." Jason folds the map up and follows along.

[Mik_Hael]

....thought:(I don't get to see the map for the maze of death, grand.)