Talent Scouting

John coughed as the shot went down his throat. The liquor burned his throat like it was made of sandpaper on fire. Tok thumpped him on the small of his back.

“Guess that’s not going to be something you do on the regular, huh?” the dwarf asked.

“Don’t think so,” John managed out. “Folks weren’t much drinkers and I think I inherited that. Not a big fan of the idea of losing my wits either.”

“That’s fair, but at least you can say you tried it,” Goe chimed in as she sipped her margarita. “Maybe something a bit milder, just to see if there’s something you can sip responsibly when having a drink is something expected.”

“You know, there’s a stereotype about dwarves in mundane fiction about their drinking habits,” Senka spoke up, her own elemental drink spilling violet mist across her lips as she held it near them.

“Bit of truth to them.” Tok grinned. “We’re pretty hardy. Drank more than a few under the table over the generations and that stuck.”

“At least you know the reputation,” Aeolia grinned.

As John recovered from the drink, he let his eyes wander. As he, Senka, Aeolia, Tok, Goe and Tamia crowded the bar, Verida, Estelle, Kiera and Teri had drawn Lita away into their own little group, with the witch animatedly telling some tale, her drink waving wildly in her hand, but never at risk of spilling. The tall cat woman looked far less stressed and was laughing along without any sign she was doing it out of social pressure.

With the observable members of their group accounted for, John’s eyes wandered to the coming and going through the club. While they had only been there for a few minutes, it seemed like there was an increasing number of people arriving. And there was a certain level of excitement to the crowds.

Senka picked up on his curiosity and turned to the man at the bar, a man appearing in his early thirties with a strong jaw and roughish charm, and asked, “Something big going on tonight?"

The man smiled the practiced grin of a salesman. “One of our most popular performers is making an unexpected visit. There’s also a new set that’s generated a lot of buzz, so between the two, I expect tonight to be busy.”

“Looks like we’re in for the full experience,” Goe said with a wide smile. “Going to guess it’s ‘Wave?”

The bartender nodded.

“‘Wave?” Aeolia asked.

“Short for Soundwave, it’s her stage name,” Goe explained. “Only seen one of her shows but it’s a trip. Illusion magic light show, techno hip-hop sort of music so loud you can’t hear anything else that makes you feel like you’re wherever she wants you to be. It’s awesome.”

“Sounds like it,” John said skeptically. He wasn’t sure if he was on board with a show that’s designed to overtake his senses. It ran into the same issue he had with drinking. “Though if we’re going to see what entertainment this place has, I think I’ll try the new show first if we're going to see any.”

“I think it’d be a waste to not go to either,” Tamia chimed in.

John nodded. If he was going to be out and about, it would be a shame to miss something like a limited show or a popular performer, even if such things weren’t something he would normally think of doing.

“Still time before either,” the bartender supplied. “But not that much, especially if you want to get a good spot.”

John knew he was getting hit with FOMO, but he couldn’t deny the man had a point.

“Suppose we’ll need to figure out how we’re going to spend the evening,” Goe said as they moved to reunite with the non drinkers.

“Figure what out?” Teri asked.

“There are two large events this evening,” Senka answered. “One new and one with some popular DJ.”

“I really want to see Soundwave again,” Goe said with an excited tone. “But I know the show’s going to be packed.”

John caught Goe giving Lita a quick look and he understood her worry. Lita didn’t seem like the type to enjoy a fully packed venue, regardless of her taste in music.

“Um, what’s each show about?” Kiera asked.

“Well, Soundwave’s sets are all creating elaborate tales told through her music and illusions,” Goe explained, hands moving in an attempt to get the experience across. “It’s almost like she’s projecting the story into your head.”

“The bartender didn’t say what the other one was about,” Tok said.

“Looks like we’ll need to ask someone else about it,” Aeolia remarked.

“I wonder if anyone knows,” John mused. “You’d think the bar guy would want to sell the lesser known show. You know, in case Soundwave’s get too full, people have an idea what else is going on.”

“It does seem a bit odd,” Estelle hummed. “Maybe they’re banking on the mystery being the draw.”

“Or that anyone who made the trip here would want something to make it worth their time,” Tamia suggested.

“Could be,” John said. His eyes began to sweep over the chamber. “Any idea where a second place show would be?”

“From what I know, Soundwave gets the best stage at the end of the left most tunnel,” Goe answered. “I figure an overflow show would be down the far right side, to cut down on sound pollution."

John looked down the indicated direction. He wasn’t sure if it was just the natural flow of the club or anticipation of Soundwave’s show, but the right hand side of the establishment seemed less occupied by either people milling about or heading towards offshoot rooms down that way.

But down near where the tunnel began to curve, John could see movement. Hardy looking men in dark, practical clothing were moving things through small doorways. Things that looked like the equipment cases he’d seen on occasion used by the drama and music departments at school.

“I’m going to go and see if I can get a look down that way,” John said.

“Wouldn’t it be better if I went?” Aeolia asked, lifting her wrist slightly, drawing John’s eye to the veil bracelet.

“I’ve got something a little less personally risky,” John said. “Or at least, one that won’t put my body directly in the line of fire.”

“A part of me wants to tell you to not do whatever you’re planning,” Goe spoke up. “But another part of me wants to know what the other show’s about, and if you’ve got a way to suss that out, then I say go for it.”

“That might be the drink talking,” Tamia remarked. “But I can’t say I’m not curious.”

“Is it wise to try?” Verdia interjected as the voice of reason. “I’d hate for tonight to end early because we got a bit too nosy.”

“I think I can do this subtly enough to not piss anyone off,” John assured her. “Spirits are hard to detect if everything I’ve learned holds true.”

“I have had difficulty sensing you employing them,” Verida admitted, her hesitation diminishing. “I suppose, of the ways we could glean further information, this is the most subtle.”

“Don’t got a clue what you’re planning, but I’m game if it lets us in on a secret,” Tok said, giving John a thumb’s up.

No one else raised an objection and John began his mission. He and Senka broke away from the group, talking in low tones about potential plans for the evening, playing up the part of normal club goers. As they neared the closed off tunnel, John let his wind spirit partially manifest, the energetic bundle twisting around him before he reigned in its movement. He surveyed down the tunnel, spying a small collection of cases left waiting.

He focused on binding Observe to it for a moment then let the invisible spirit fly down the hall. He guided the unseen spirit over a collection of rolling cases and let the stored casting of Observe fly.

Case of Aqueous Orbs
Uncommon
Inside these common travel cases, smooth crystal orbs infused with pure water mana sit placid, waiting for invocations to rouse the sleeping seas within.

‘A water themed show?’ Senka mused as John called the spirit back. ‘Not the most fruitful clue.’

‘Not like we can get much more,’ John lamented as he tried to peer down the closed path. He couldn’t see any more cases or other bits of equipment waiting to be carted into whatever stage was being set up. ‘Kind of wish Vivian hadn’t gone off after Beth and Anita. Her light bending could have given us a better view.’

‘If wishes were horses,’ Senka intoned. ‘Knowing something is better than knowing absolutely nothing. Come on, let’s get back and tell the others what we found. Maybe Goe knows what it could mean.’

“If only every job could end like this,” Aria purred as she plucked a chocolate from a serving bowl and dropped it into her open mouth.

“Didn’t you buy those chocolates yourself?” Piper dryly asked as she turned a page of the book she was reading.

“Yes, but I mean the whole putting us up. Sure, the room could be a bit more grand, but it sure beats grabbing a hotel room and throwing up a barrier inside it, right?”

Piper peered over the edge of her book, an eyebrow raised. In the past weeks, she hadn’t been able to fully get her new boss’ measure. At times she was sharp as the blades she could summon, other times, as carefree as a cat. And it was a bit infuriating as she couldn't always predict which side of Aria would present itself in any given situation.

She did have to agree that getting even a modest room on top of their fee for the last job was a nice perk. As was the chance given to Barbara to perform.

‘Maybe she’ll be a bit nicer afterwards,’ Piper dryly thought. She didn’t have high hopes of that. Barbara had been cold since Deterye, which was fair given how she mucked things up, but she’d been holding that grudge for nearly a month now. It got a bit tiring.

And it ate at her inquisitive mind. She had theories as to why her singing senior was so cold, most of them starting with tragedy, which made bringing them up a difficult prospect. So she was left with observations. The twintailed young woman only seemed to be comfortable with Aria, even Aziza was met with more distant politeness than general comradery most of the time.

‘General theory: Barbara was in a really bad spot, Aria saved her. Now she’s extremely protective of Aria and wary to let anyone else in, even people Aria has a good relationship with. Ways forward: None come to mind, besides remaining friendly and keeping distance when she’s moody.’

It was hardly a good plan, but the alternatives were to dig for answers or try to befriend a clearly uninterested Barbara, and she felt neither would end well.

‘So I’m back to being stuck in limbo,’ Piper thought with a sarcastic snort. ‘Just on this side of the veil.’

“Something funny?” Aria asked.

“Nothing that would make sense without reading the series,” Piper answered smoothly.

“You know,” the silver mage said, languidly getting up from her chair, “there’s probably something we can do besides just sitting here.”

Piper looked at her boss from over the top of her book. “I thought we were relaxing before Barbara’s show?”

“Well, I’m rested enough.” Aria playfully pouted. “I’m sure there’s plenty of things to do before the show.”

“I also thought we were lying low to keep our involvement with the procurement of those mana orbs hidden,” Piper pointed out. “The owner was rather insistent we don’t make a scene. And if that’s how you’re planning to go out, I think people will take notice.”

Aria looked down at herself. “What’s wrong with this?”

Piper regarded Aria with a flat look. “The crop top with a boob window and low cut jeans aside, the slightly glowing silver lines on your arms and body are a bit eye-catching.”

“I thought you liked them?” Aria playfully asked. “They were your idea.”

“All I did was note how having silver manifested along your mana flow lines could make future manifestations happen faster,” Piper said. “I didn’t tell you that so you could make it a fashion statement.”

“But I pull it off so good,” Aria preened.

“Yes and it makes us stand out,” Piper pointed out. “You’re the one who agreed to stay on the downlow. Something tells me the owner isn’t going to be happy if we bring unwanted attention. Especially since that attention could be all gold and holy.”

“Fair,” Aria admitted. “But I’m sure the Order has bigger fish to fry. That whole thing with Martius’ friends was happening in this area and a little smuggling is small potatoes compared to whatever that is.”

“Funny you should mention that,” Aziza’s voice came out distorted from the mirror set upon the wall. Piper angled her head to see the devil appear as if she was standing in front of the mirror on their side, a reflection without something to cast it. “John Newman and his entourage are here. And they seem curious about the ‘secret show’ happening tonight.”

“Well, Barb’s going to love that,” Aria remarked with a grin. “Johnny didn’t exactly leave a good impression.”

“Does anyone leave a good impression on her?” Aziza asked as she stepped through the mirror as if it were a window. Piper was glad the devil could voice the same question she had to keep in her head.

“You know how she is,” Aria dismissed Aziza’s question flippantly, but Piper could hear a slight tension in her tone. “Thankfully, she’s focused on readying herself for her performance so she’s not likely to run into them out in the public area, and after the show, she’ll be back here to rest. Odds of her knowing they're here is low.”

‘Low but not zero,’ Piper thought. ‘Though what’s the worst that can happen if she finds out? She gets a bit pissy that people she knows that are from the general area happen to show up?’

Deciding there was nothing she could do about a possible meeting, Piper instead went back to reading. Best to be relaxed so she could work through whatever came next.