The next day in the Headquarters

John was early. Way too early in fact. Either that or Rave was late. Whatever may be the case he was alone with Travolta and Jimmie, who were once again sitting on the conference table and playing cards. He was standing in the entrance scratching the back of his head in a nervous gesture that comes with having next to no experience in social meetings like this.

“Stop just standing there.” Travolta grumbled and threw a card down. “Draw four, Jimmie.” ‘Is that Uno?’ John thought and did as he was told. Jimmie did as well, although with some minor curses. “You were in such a hurry yesterday that we didn’t get to properly introduce each other.” Travolta said, “I am Travolta, I lead this little group of ours.” He pointed at Jimmie with his chin. “That is Jimmie, he keeps this building running.” “Yo.” Jimmie just said as he sorted his new cards. John, of course, knew their names already. “Pleasure.” He responded.

Silence as Jimmie and Travolta kept playing cards. “So, where are the others?” John asked. “There are no others, it’s just us three.” Travolta said. “Well, four with you now.” John was a bit shocked, he had thought this organization to be, well, more of an organization. From those numbers and their nonchalant attitude however it looked more like this was a club for people with super hobbies. To his further surprise he was entirely fine with that.

“It’s got that we are this small though.” Jimmie said. “If you get big within the Abyss some people may start thinking you are threat. It also gets harder to hide.” He flashed a grin towards John. “Travolta here is not particularly talk active so if you have any questions ask away.”

John took that offer without hesitation. “Thanks, first I wondered what this place is.” “It’s a Protected Space Travolta bought. Apparently, there was an arcade here twenty years ago and somebody made a copy of it before it got torn down.” “Cost a lot too…” Travolta complained. “Could only afford it because old Hollmey gave a loan and now I have to watch his daughter all the time.”

That answered how Rave knew Travolta. Jimmie picked right of there. “I knew Travolta from a job I did for him once. I had nothing better to do so I joined up with him here. Also draw 2.” The sound of two cards being picked up from the deck. John had no further questions so he decided to level Possession instead while waiting. The other two also seemed to have no problems with just sitting there in silence.

As John’s mana dwindled away the two finished their game. “I will be going then.” Jimmie said. “I have a new mission in the hospital.” Travolta just nodded and John didn’t bother to ask. These people really didn’t give much of a fuck towards each other’s activities, just a lose club that protected each other.

That was however enough and Rave, still in full disguise, finally arrived. “Heyho guys!” She greeted overly enthusiastic and directly headed up the stairs again. When she came back down she had changed both clothes and hair colour.

“So, had a pleasant talk while I was gone?” “No.” Travolta said and grabbed a cigarette from the almost empty pack on the table. Jimmie must have forgotten them there. “Well, I learned a thing or two.” John answered. Rave walked over to Travolta and started molesting his head. “You are always such a meany, Baldy.” “I swear one of these days I am going to punch you.” Travolta said and slapped her hands away from his stubby haired head.

“I doubt it.” Rave said and winked before walking the last few steps to John. “Wanna get out of here? I really want to see if we can get more of that Ectoplasm stuff.” “Sure.” John agreed without hesitation. He wasn’t very keen on staying here anyway.

Once they left the building Rave gave him an apologetic smile. “Sorry for taking that long by the way. I got a surprise call from my dad.” John gave her a curious glance. “Is that a rare occasion?” “Kinda, he is away on business trips most of the time.” Rave said. “Travolta said he was looking after you for him.” John commented the whole thing. Rave crossed her arms in front of her petite chest. “Looking after ME? Yeah right.” She dismissed that thought as they stepped out of the Illusion Barrier.

“What happens if anybody stands outside the Illusion Barrier when we leave?” John wondered. “Same thing that happens when you suddenly get pulled into one: People outside the Abyss will just assume that they didn’t see you before. Gaia isn’t out on killing every last one of us ya know?” That did make a certain degree of sense to John.

They turned a corner and immediately walked three steps backwards. “Shit.” Rave mumbled. “What is SHE doing here?” Moira Brighton was currently in the process of walking down the street with a very annoyed look. She was wearing a yellow shirt and comfortable blue pants but that wasn’t the point. The second she spotted the two of them there would be…well it would be a pain in the arse in all due likelihood although John wasn’t completely sure of the consequences. With nothing better to do he threw an Observe her way.

There were no really new information’s that he could discover there besides the Relationship score which had changed to -62. “Man, she really dislikes you guys.” John muttered. “No shit, Sherlock.” Rave returned. “Come this way.” She grabbed him by the hand and they went through the side streets.

“Seriously annoying cunt that princess.” Rave cursed, “Am I right?” “She doesn’t seem that bad.” John tried to stick to a neutral position here. Rave looked at him with a disapproving gaze before sighing. “Ah, whatevs, just stay away from her and we won’t have any problems.” “Jealous?” John asked, “Annoyed.” Rave specified. “It’s all well and fun teasing her but when she finds out where we are located she and her dad can track our activities. We would be **** to comply to their guidelines.”

“That indeed sounds unpleasant.” John admitted. “Ex-act-ly!” Rave threw out each syllable and with them her bad mood. “Enough of the unpleasantries however. Let’s go kill Ghosts!” John smiled as well, “Yeah, for the EXP!”

And so the grinding of the day prior continued once they arrived at the forest.