Day 264 - Thursday, September 11th

[papalobo]

[Max sleeps; has as he'd thought, he achieves nothing, and he's not even a small-talk source of comfort or somebody to soothe Ash's nerves before his two AM meeting with yet another Chinese teenager. Something about Chinese teenagers seems to always spell trouble for Ash, and now he's in a mess involving no less than four of them.

But Max doesn't move. If Ash comes to see him, setting that pill counter and the note about the smoothie, he may notice he hasn't so much as shifted a finger. Ash has had to turn to painting, but there's no need to lock that room before, or even for a long while after. The only one in this house besides him is a breathing corpse.

But Shawn's ready and waiting for him at one, prepared to be decked out a wires that Ling's likely to hang him with if he finds out about them.]

Comments

[jadedlynx]

[ He does assure Max is still breathing. The last time he'd left with Max asleep, baring today, he'd given him a kiss, sure it was wanted. He doubted as much after Max woke up, but...

Tonight, he doesn't. Not because the desire isn't there, but because he isn't as sure it's welcome.

The only wire is in the phone. Ling will check him, and that will blow the entire talk. Unless Ling did research to know what parts are in a mobile phone, he won't notice the little addition even if he goes that far in his search. The likely worst-case scenario will have the phone being moved too far away to hear.

Wu's going to like Shawn. Ash knows it as soon as he pulls up. ]

[papalobo]

[The white limoseine out front is worth a pause; there's a Chinese man in a formal driver's cap who looks ahead, almost more like a mannequin rather than acknowledge even when Shawn whistles.]

So he's a shower, not a grower?

[jadedlynx]

For you.

[ He parks the car without front. It's a rental. He isn't trying to show off. ]

He could've come here in a horse and carriage for all I knew the last time I met him.

[papalobo]

So, a fight breaks out, say. Any code words, sounds, in case we end up in some video game dark mansion run around?

[jadedlynx]

I'm armed. I'll stay as close as I can. Find me. We have to get Wu out, too. You're practiced enough at this that we'll be able to coordinate on the fly.

[papalobo]

Yeah, but like you'd expect in the opening dramatic cut scene, the hero's unarmed. Unless you forgot to hand me a piece and a clip. This tutorial time's the right time.

[jadedlynx]

I didn't say I only had one gun. I assume they'll disarm you. The plan won't change. Get to me. I'll have Wu.

[papalobo]

Then, shall we get going? Any last warnings or plans?

[jadedlynx]

Yeah. Don't play the hero. If I say to run, you run. It might be with Wu. Let's go.

[papalobo]

[When they ring the bell at the gate, there's no answer; just the click of the lock being undone.]

[jadedlynx]

Stay behind me.

[ That's worrisome. Wu is nothing is not a host, but Ash moves ahead nonetheless.

It's probably a really stupid idea. ]

[papalobo]

[When walking up to the door, where he'd ususally been greeted, a second time, there's nobody; not the two body guards, not Wu, just an unlocked door. Shawn, at his side, doesn't know Wu enough to find any of it particularly unusual, taking in the opulence. He was last at Yut Lung's mansion, far more impressive, and also generally not terribly hospitable, so perhaps this is standard.]

[jadedlynx]

You're armed, right?

[papalobo]

Huh? No, it'd be a problem if I was, right...? That's what we were just...

[jadedlynx]

[ Ash brought a second in case Shawn's was taken. Now, he pulls it out and passes it over. ]

Something's wrong.

[papalobo]

Psychic sixth sense?

[He checks how many it's loaded with, for his mental count.]

[jadedlynx]

Experience.

[ His own gun is at the ready.

Shawn's clip has a full 15 bullets. ]

[papalobo]

[Once inside, the entryway lights are on; it's bright, and past the entryway is the main entry room, a living room of sorts, where they had met the last time. Gou Sheng is the only one there, in the same outfit from earlier, legs crossed, a different tea set out, along with a bowl of sesame balls. Two cups are already sat and poured at the two other chairs at the opposite end of the coffee table, along with a saucer and pineapple tarts.]

I agree to meet you again at a neutral venue, and you walk in brandishing a weapon? [He doesn't seem impressed, any more than he does threatened.] Barbarians.

[jadedlynx]

Where's Wu?

[ It's easy enough to try and make them feel like they overreacted when he still hasn't seen the very man who would have welcomed them differently. ]

[papalobo]

Take a seat.

[jadedlynx]

[ Still without trust, Ash moves to take 'offered' seat. He can shoot from a sitting position, but this seems like it'll get him an answer even sooner.

One eye raises. ]

Where's Wu?

[papalobo]

You called this meeting. Please open with your intended topic.

[Shawn moves to be standing by him, but stands instead of taking a seat, looking around from where he stands.]

[jadedlynx]

I opened with my topic when he came through the door.

[ Ash came with the peace offering. Ling isn't being very peaceful. ]

Where's Wu?

[papalobo]

This is two meetings in a short time asking me to answer for the safety of your friends.

[jadedlynx]

I asked for a phone call, and you're in the guy's house.

[ It's Ash's turn to be unimpressed. ]