Event time!

You have a choice, the city is hosting two events on Monday night:

Monday Melodies at Swan Songs record shop- Are you a singer songwriter or are you a just a plucky punter who has had a few and enough alcoholic courage to stand up on stage? This event is for you, set in one of Sol's best smaller venues, open bar and snacks available from 8 till late. Maybe you will see the City's latest upcoming artist before they hit it big!

&

Baseball Bonanza! Sol City's own minor league baseball team, the Sol City Wild continue their home-opening stint hosting the Neo-City Night at Luna Sports Facility baseball grounds. Come be a part of the Wildlife and show your support. Remember, every Monday game means half-price concessions so start your week right and come enjoy an evening at the ballpark.

---

Latest News

Cephalopod Carnage, Inky Strikes Again


In a follow up to the tale of the escaped Inky raid on the angling event, it seems he has taken a liking to submarines and high heels. Experts continue to be baffled by the Cephalopod crime wave. Inky recently taunted the crew of the SCPD submarine Jaws VI, leaving a cloud of ink that blocked the periscope causing a collision the mayor's boat at a publicity event and dunked his PA in Old Harbour. "Its a menace, the aquarium owe me for dry cleaning!" His PA was quite indignant, though experts are confused as to why, merely thinking Inky might be bored, and now has freedom to play.

In a second, strange event the now, "Feared Kraken" stole a high heeled shoe from Astrid Peterson, a manager at Nakomoji Entertainment, while she was on a date by the waterside. Giving only a smile why her heel was loose, she was less hostile. "I saw a perfect pair of Jimmy Choos on sale... and well Inky gave me a nudge to buy them. Can't complain too much. Thanks Inky."

Acutus Salmon is in a small minority, along with sushi chef, Jonnah Whalus and David Jonesy has set it on themselves to hunt the Kraken in part to avenge his families loss of the angling tournament and formerly wet, Proctus Salmon. "Its personal, we're gonna enjoy Calamari that's for sure. We held that title for 27 years, it's on Kraken!" Well, seems out Cephalopod celebrity is a divisive figure.

Kaiden Cod,
Local News Team
Star messenger

Run and Light-Lane Properties Targeted by Investors


Commercial properties along The Run and Light Lane continue to be a hot item for real estate investment from brokerages within and outside the city. However, what this means for Sol's local business leasing their properties within these areas still remains nebulous. With the exception of the property formerly home to Club Aether, nearly all of The Run had fallen under the umbrella of Elvin Santos Holdings before his passing. Star Messenger reached out to ESH, but our requests for comments have been repeatedly denied.

It's no secret that Santos was often a proponent of preserving "Old" Sol City, though many of his critics and supporters alike would agree that he could be rather opportunistic. The rumors of a professional baseball team coming to Sol would have (and still do) made for a very lucrative property deal though the displacement of those businesses remains a sore subject for many who do not wish to see a second major sporting facility introduced to the waterfront.

The mayor's office has remained cautious of taking sides throughout the entire process with the residents and business on one side of the battle and the the massive revenue injection a second major sports team on the other. Relief for the heavily-used Luna Sports Facility is also a major factor where Sol's minor league baseball team currently shares the stadium with the Icarus Angels pro-football squad.

Kelsey Chamblins
Business Editor

Riverside Festival forthcoming. Application Deadline Closing In

Sol City Mayor, before being rudely disrupted by Inky`s Cephalopod crime wave, was announcing the annual Riverside Festival to a hungry crowd, emphasizing the always popular SOL-Food Competition. "Well Before Inky intervened, we were showcasing the finest chefs that make our city special. Everything from classic pies to the latest multi-ethnic cuisines. Anyone wanting to get involved just needs to have their application turned in by the deadline."

We where told from a slightly wet PA, who was inquiring quite seriously about somewhere selling Calamari, that as always, vendors of all sizes, types and styles are welcome and the event again will be hosted in the heart of the city at Corona Park. Though not very forthcoming, the PA teased that there would be a bold, new twist to the cooking competition this year. More details on that to come.

As our esteemed mayor said, inquiries can be made at City Hall or on the website. We know it will again be a rather delicious success and several large brands have tendered there interest in getting involved including Rebellion Energy Drinks, Umbrella Corps Medical Reseach, Deadalus Airlines and Star Bank.

Levi Letuce
Food Columist / Critic
Star Messenger

WEATHER
Another fairly mild early spring evening for Sol City, mostly dry and cooling for the evening. Light winds but still not too cold until after sunset. A crisp full moon should be visible in the night sky.

For a more detailed and up to date report on the go, download our app, SOL CITY WEATHER 24/7 on most popular app stores.

Base Ball bamboozlement
Victoria

Victoria was staring at her wardrobe, Saturday had added a few other items to her wardrobe thanks to Manami's unplanned but rather productive shopping trip the previous day. The woman definitely had more layers than her outward appearance could suggest and she had enjoyed the little excursion, especially just being able to let her guard down abit, buy a few nice things and appreciate a vaguely normal day for Sol City?

Sunday was quiet, though a long phone call from an old friend. Quite a few theories and several mugs of decaf tea she had set a hound lose among the clues and theories. Nothing was entirely untraceable, there was something, recorded, copied or listed somewhere. Just had to find it. Cardinal loved a good mystery to solve and Victoria was a good friend. How could he refuse to help. Deciding that serious matters could wait till Monday. Ethan was complicated. They had not communicated too much, it was difficult but between travel to other countries, work and keeping up regular hospital appointments it was not entirely easy on top the thick file that say on her desk about legal citizenships that had only just been clarified. Not to mention the bloody Rita article cost her job and had to sort out a new one in the past few weeks!

Gah. Money was useful, the job front could have waited but independent funds where definitely valuable. Being indebted or reliant on people would be a much weaker and easier to exploit position to be in.

Monday rang round though and with a glee of a small child she watched as lorry backed up the drive partly and the ramps swung down back down and the transport locked itself on pads to protect the stone. Finally. A dark purple shape of British built, 6 litres of engine and a fraction over 2 tons of well crafted automobile gleamed in the sunlight on the drive. Her mini was a run about. This was a real car. Signing on the line it was finally hers, a Bentley Continental folding hard top with 4 seats and loaded down with gadgets. Marla owned one, much as she disliked cars her step aunt? Aunt in law? Whatever. She loved that car. Turning the key, the engine sprinting to life with much more powerful roar. Yep. This definitely was what she wanted.

---

Marinalia.

---

It only took a good cuddle from Xia to dispel any thoughts negatively Saturday had brought on. She was an energiser bunny of positive vibes that never seemed to give up. She had helped a somewhat broken Marlin heal and not even asked anything in return. What did she do to bump into such a person on a blizzard strewn weekend that had upset everything so quite spectacularly.

The rest of her weekend was pretty slow but having flown several thousand miles, weddings, flight training and absorbing the tome like brick of a manual for the 100J, a slow one was a relief. From the sunlounger on the patio with headphones pumping out a gentle beat and a trashy novel, "The mermaid and the marauding marquis of Tortuga" laughing how did that even work... Part fish and human biology aside it was a fun read. Thankfully her taste in trashy novels was not well known.

"Hey I was reading that Vika" covering herself and tying the top half back on, between her scar and the whole invasions of privacy, she mainly sunbathed in the walled and tree lines private garden."vather Surprised by someone more Caribian eh Mali... How does that even vork? And he cut away her bodice with his cutlass divesting her... Wait how she sitting... She a mermaid.

Oh. Dad called. There back in England after their Honeymoon. Seems they extended it and took a rather indirect route back via South America." Victoria grabbed the book and found the book marked page. It was... Well creative. They had delayed there Honeymoon abit as they both had to tie things up before they left, though she was glad Maria and her dad where finally happy. He looked years younger since they got together. "maybe... Or just your my annoying younger sister. Yep... Check out chapter 5, biology is not the author's strong point. It does not even work that way!

Yep. Mum sent me a message. Dad, reckon we end up that happy... Those two basically are soul mates." Several happier moments later, they never really meant the insults. Even after the Winter time ball they never heavily argued. Cold but they had little to rely on but each other at times. "Younger and prettier of course. Borrowing that one later. Need a laugh. Hope so, though Maria kissed a few frogs too, she was engaged before too." Borrowing. Or "Borrowing" anyway. "Sure, Vika. Belive it. Rest Don't. Lemme least read that bit... The Navy captain is about to try and capture her to lead him to Davy Jones tressure. Yep.frogs, maybe a princess more accurately about now. And why was there tin of custard and a fish stick box on side last night... "

Monday came along, Neither of them had ever been to a baseball game ans understood about as much about the sport as she knew Arabic. Still could be a fun night, it had a bat, ball and was very American. Then came Victoria's rather fancy new car. The fact a Tominy thing as Victoria was driving a 6 litre sports tourer. Still it was perfect, especially for long distance as built to casually Cross Europe without giving a sign of notice.

---

Baseball!

---

Pulling up they took Victoria's car, dropped the top and headed out to Christan it with a trip not round the park. With a loud rumble and a somewhat judder it took off chewing up the city miles and twin turbos wanting to surge forward but constrained by the traffic.

Pulling up in OK time. Luna sports was not too far a trek at least. The rush hour was over and thankfully the Americans had generous parking spaces. Victoria had a snug fit dark wool coat made in London on, jeans, low boots and a warmer top picked up on Saturday that was fun. It was not bad but still not exactly summer. Isosef could head over pretty quick but they doubted they needed it. Too many people, hiding in plain sight and been a while since had an evening out together. Marinalia was dressed a little more distinctly, playful patterned skirt above the knee, some comfy trainers though a white fur coat with polar bear ears on hood for warmth over a Barber T shirt if it got cooler but Alaska made her a little more Sol proof than Vika. It was a decent evening so she doubted it would get too cold. The coat just was fun, warm and quite comfy. Sure some said childish but eh, life was too short to be serious all the time.

Finding there seas, Victoria booked ahead online, players warmed up round a large diamond. Several... Pads and a large net. Oh. No wickets then... Bases? Yeah they said bases. The bat was more like softball but the bowlers speed and warm up reminded her of cricket. A tad boring but Marinalia made a few sacrifices for Victor when when she was younger. The guy was catching light throws with a large glove thing. Granted she knew gak all about the sport but the atmosphere was good, they had cheesy chips and drinks. A few happy photos later uploaded , just to prove to family they had been. The two sisters where not exactly known as sports fans and had mostly come out of curiosity as what was a widely mentioned past time in America.

A small nibble of worry just told Marlin, well something might happen. Things had gone well. Something always happened to one of them!

Talk distracted her, Inky was still launching a reign of terror, the food festival she hered mentioned but no confirmed rumours as to what they where doing at Deadalus there. Investments where... Well one area she was little more shakey. She knew ernough to manage her own inherited from grandmother but that was mostly just managed and kept at low risks. She did not want to make fortunes just a steady, safe reliable income. Turning her thoughts back to Inky, least the airport was miles inland. No Krakens raiding them!

---

Minor mentions
@Allycat
Direct mentions
N/A

---

@Tyler Night (Sorry about the non-reply. Life has been busy. Since the time skip happened/is happening, can we just say Ryan received his food, he enjoyed it, paid for it and made some small talk along the way before leaving? Thanks)



>>Luna Sports Facility, meeting a familiar face<<
>>@PrinceAlexus<<

Taking a unusual day off, Ryan saw some advertisement about the home opener for the Sol City Wild. He has always liked baseball, whether it was during his time in Japan where the sport has a massive following or back in the state where is it hailed as "America's Pastime". Dressed in some casual clothing consisting of a graphic tee, dark jeans and fashionable trainers, Ryan tugged at his baseball cap as he hopped on his scooter and made his way to the stadium.

Upon arrival, he noticed that there was not yet a whole lot of people. Shrugging slightly, he made his way to the gate, getting his ticket scanned through and entered the stadium. "Half priced eats, might have to take advantage of that..." he thought to himself. In any case, since he had some time before first pitch, he grabbed a program, flipping through it while he wandered around the concourse. Of course, the standard offerings of hot dogs, nachos, and burgers were among the standard fare. Spotting a stand that sold chicken fingers. That was his choice for the evening, it seems. Grabbing a tray of 3 chicken fingers, he started making his way out of the concourse and towards his seat.

The players were starting to warm up, at least thats what it seemed like to him.

Ryan, absentmindedly, started waddling his way towards his seat. Along the way, he spots something shining in the fading sun. "Isn't that that one girl from that one day during the winter...? Nah, that can't be. Right?" He thought to himself. It just so happened that he was slated to sit in that vicinity, so he would have to approach that section anyways. It is highly unlikely she would remember him anyways.

---

Alexander had a busy weekend. On top of the school assignments that were due, he got a call from the mayor frantic to have his boat repaired. It was a 65' Cris-craft flying bridge with Twin Detroit Diesels and enough polished wood and brass (brightworks) to blind you at sunrise or sunset. Three of the Carvel Planking had been broken by the steel of the submarine.

Like many of the boats of that day, the wood had to be ordered, then steamed and bent, fitted, caulked, cured, and finally painted. The wood of the hull was a hard wood. There was a specialty mill in California that would cut the boards to the right width. He ordered four boards about twice the length the needed and a 1/32” thicker and wider than the original wood. A little sanding would make it fit perfectly into place. Wood swells when it is wet and if he fit the pieces when they were still hot from the steam, they would go in tight then swell to the right size. Alexander had used a rotary saw to cut the center of the boards and a prying bar to get them out. Now he waited. After a day of working on both of boats that were in the dock, he was ready to go have some fun.

Opening day at the ball park sounded great! Half price food sounded better. Putting on last years team shirt with number 42, the MVP for the club. He headed out to get a good seat out in left field. He was heading there early enough to watch both teams take batting practice and would try to get signatures. A out fielders glove, pencil, sun screen, a hat, kite string around the pencil, a little roll of electrical tape, a couple good sharpies, and a plastic up from the concession stand. He could troll players out warming up in the outfield. Being semi-pro, these guys were more likely to sign, grateful to have fans that hoped they made it to the big time.

He got a seat down near the fence ready to catch any balls from batting practice that came his way.

_{LOCATION & TIME : SWAN SONGS, MONDAY EVENING
INTERACTIONS : ASSOCIATES
MENTIONS : N/A}

---

Alejandro was a busy man. The weekdays usually started around five am in the morning with work out with his personal trainer on the rooftop of his penthouse in Central Point. The scene was quite beautiful during sunrise and the cold wind hitting his sweat covered back as his trainer, Sebastian, pushed him to do one more deadlift. At seven am, after two hours of working out, he has breakfast with his two top associates while over looking over Central Point, and it's reflection windows of the various skyscrapers around his luxury home.

Today, the younger associate, Mara, was briefing him on the business back home. Apparently, things were going so great that they had managed to buy off a few DA officers along with a few departments to keep the higherups off the family's trail. No paper trails were being left behind as well as electronic trails. According to Mara, it seemed like everything was going smoothly. His other associate, John, talked about the plan for Sol. While the flower shop had been established to launder money for their drug deals, it had been gaining quite a lot of traction with the locals. Bussiness was blooming on the legal and illegal side of things this far, and Alejnadro had yet to meet up with the boss of the underbelly of Sol.

Something that Mr. Castillo was not looking forward to doing. All the formalities that his job required sometimes got the better of him. Alejandro wasn't one to really like formal events while having small talk and sipping some fruity drinks. Instead, he would rather party all night and get drunk with a bussiness partner. That was his usual tactic to for bonds with future partners, but it looked like this one in Sol had a stick up his ass.

Whatever, Alejandro just needed to make sure everything went smoothly for the business.

"Well, looks like that is all for now," Alejandro looked over at Mara then John who swiftly nodded once. "Okay, I'll be dropping by the flower shopto make sure everyone is doing their job then head off. I'd like to have the day to myself, so please do keep your distance today." Mara and Job served as his bodyguards just as his associates.

Mara was a short woman from Chinese-Russian decent. She had a black bob that framed her face and wore black rimmed glasses. She tened to dress more sporty than formal and always carried a few knives with her. On the other hand, John was a tall man with wide shoulders and a buzzed haircut. He wore black or dark gray tuxedos, no matter the occasion and always carried a gun with him. Both of them had been with Alejandro for a few years now, and they seemed to get along with him better than the last two associates.

"We'll keep our distance," Mara pulled out her phone and tapped away quickly. "Will you be on your personal car today, sir?"

"Yes, I've been here for two weeks now and I have yet to see much of this beautiful city. I would love to explore." There were quite a few places Alejandro wanted to stop by. There was a store, Swan Songs, that seemed to have a wide collection of records that the man was keen to browsing. Maybe he would be able to get his hands on some albums he had yet to add to his collection.

"Very well, we will text you if anything comes up, sir." Mara glanced up at John as he nodded in agreement.

"Please do, I don't want to loose an opportunity, even on my days off." With that, Alejandro stood up and left the dinning table to get ready for his day.

---

The visit to the flower shop was a short one. By the time Alejandro arrived there the store was filled with hipster looking young adults and a few elderly looking to buy. He stayed a bit to give a hand to the workers while noting the boxes leveled "flowers" being dropped off at the back of the building. It was perfect, the shop needed daily deliveries so it wouldn't arouse any suspicion when random large packages arrived to the store.

By the time Alejandro had finished helping out it was already evening, so he made his way to Swan Songs. He parked his Bentley near the store and walked towards the surprisingly busy looking store. To his surprise, Swan Songs was having some sort of event.

There were quite a lot of people flooding one side of the store. Great. Alejandro's nice visit to the shop was now ruined by a bunch of fans shouting about some band. Whatever, some fangirls weren't gonna stop Alejandro from looking for a few missing albums he wanted for his collection.

Alejandro was doing just fine when people began to sing. It would have been fine if the one singing was actually good at it. Now all that Alejandro wanted to do was get his albums and get the hell out of the store.

Or show these amateurs what it meant to sing. "Nah, that'e be stupid and John would probably send a video to mother and she'd never shut up about it." Alejandro said to himself as he tried to ignore the singing and continued his search.

Joel Nicolosi

It’d been a while since Joel stopped by Footsteps. After the Grand Prix and the media excitement that followed, both he and Tommy had sort of let things just settle down for a while. They were both similar in that way. To Tommy, being accustomed to the limelight, winning the race was just like winning the big game. You made the rounds, gave your victory speech, hung up your jersey and relaxed for the off-season. To Joel, winning the race, after years of trying, seemed to bring about closure to that particular chapter of life. He wasn’t interested in running it again; he’d proven his point, so as he stepped through the front door of Footsteps, it was a bit like turning the pages back and even though it had only been a few weeks, after everything that followed, it felt like he hadn’t been there in years.

Inside, nothing much had changed. The large picture taken from the air race along with the car model were still displayed prominently behind the bar alongside many of Tommy’s sporting memorabilia, but were now accompanied by the impressively sized Sol City Grand Prix trophy and a large photo of Joel and Tommy, with the rest of the pit crew and the car in the official winner’s photo. As he walked up to the bar amid the smell of the grill, the wild cacophony of various sports channels arrayed across screens mounted everywhere and the calm chatter of a Monday night crowd, he couldn’t help but look at it and remember the moment the picture was taken: the winning timing board and that same trophy was set between them, Nicolosi/Lomax P1 - Sol City GP - Nissan 300ZX, the American flag was next to each of their names, both were giving a thumbs up and he was actually smiling.

Joel had never “played in the big game” or cared much at all for competitive sports at any point in his life, but that photo burned with an undeniable completeness that he could still feel in his heart. He never talked about it in that way, but it was true.

Nicolosi!

A voice called out from somewhere in the restaurant breaking the moment of reverence and snapping him fully back to reality. One of the regulars instantly recognized him and it was simply Footsteps custom to bark out Joel’s last name whenever he entered the building. Not even sure where it came from, Joel threw up a wave of acknowledgement as he sauntered up to his regular seat at the bar.

No one was behind the counter, which wasn’t unusual. All the customers seated were taken care of fully and Joel nodded at a couple more regulars that recognized him. Mondays at Footsteps were normally slow outside of football season and Tommy would often run the bar himself if he felt like it, or have the small waitstaff just watch over it as a team. Joel knew he didn’t need to wait and could walk right into the kitchen if he wanted, but instead, reached behind the counter, knowing where the glasses were and poured himself a Guinness from the tap like he’d done a hundred times before. He glanced down at his watch as he topped off the glass. They had planned to meet and catch up for a while and Joel was a little early. Having spent most of the day on Mount Atlas testing a new car he was not allowed to talk about, he was starving after skipping the regular meal the team provided.

Taking a long drink he ran a hand through his hair before replacing his simple black team cap and began thumbing through his phone messages while he waited.

@alexfangtalon

Baseball bamboozle meant part Deux

Victoria definitely was not the most sports inclined person to walk the earth, though she had worked a few basics. So batting, running, it was a bit like cricket? Going with cricket as a basis to the sport. "OK. So there's the bowler I guess. No wicket, what's with the glove though..

Wonder if there good. The Dallas cowboys play baseball right?" Marinalia just shrugged, Alakasa was hardly a sports capital of the globe. Especially when you were snowed in a good chunk of year and travel was not exactly cheap. "Your asking me Vika? They catch the ball in films anyway. Don't they play basketball?

I fly planes, your computer nerd. We hardly qualified Vika."

While Watching , Victoria had not much more clues, the batter had a good arse admitly, not serious about it, life was complicated wrnough as it currently was. The she spotted someone, he looked familiar and remembering a smell strongly tied to that day of burnt fuel, smoke and Ash. They were headed to the same zone of the stadium. Half price food was good especially with cheesy chips. Not sure if it was a big thing over here. They where a drunk 2am treat from heaven. What was the coincidences, scratch that this city was a village. Waving over she decided to be friendly as he had offered sanctuary on a cold winter's day. She might not have remembered him but for the intense memory of both betrayal and blown up night club that was cast into her memory."Nerd maybe... A pretty one though.

Hey. Don,t need ze tea today thankfully. Fancy explaining a little about Baseball. My sister here is hopeless as me. Same sport as Cowboys right?"

Marinalia had to admit for her all travel, sports was definitely not her strong point. She could land a helicopter one side of a line you wanted, in wind conditions and low visibility. Most of the race she managed on the bits picked up from her grandfather's rather more interest in fast cars. "You wanna start that one again sis?

So you the one who looked after Vika, Thankyou. It was a cold day, and not a safe one at that." Unlike Victoria with her mixed accent, Marinalia was straight off the boat English, however much she traveled it had not changed much. Even with the very contrasting sisters, one alabaster skinned, Raven black brunette and the more tanned, fairly fit from swimming Marinalia being a natural blonde. The eyes still was almost eerily a perfect match in colour and both had clear signs if you looked of being blood relations.

With Victoria being, well Victoria they had managed to snag a reserved spot lower down that was more accessible as much as stronger it was probably better off avoiding a hundred or so steps up to one of the higher stands and the clinch points. There was one guy, throwing out a cup or so, he had a team colour on, and hat etc. Probably feeling his soul die a little in there description of the sport. From what she had worked out he definitely was a home fan and Sol City Wild was a fairly popular team even if it was not a full major sports event. Still a good crowd and from Marlins flights into Neo city she knew a hint that they had a fair sporting rivalry. Neo City did have a full international hub yet thanks to commercial agreements and general stuff that was rather boring. Some flights only landed at Sol City and had to shuttle cargo across from Sol to Neo to complete delivery.

Even though everything told her things were quiet, Victoria had a feeling that a storm was coming. Maybe far off but something was coming. Her gut normally was right. Well when it was not deciding that fish sticks and custard was a good idea. Scarily. It worked... It really did. Rather filling too. Not that her sister would not tease all it was worth out of it, though currently her pregnancy risk was definitely statistically lower so return teasing was not possible, and her family might not be able to face 3 pregnant women at once. Marla was enough on her own!

Pointing to the guy seeming to get a player to sign, somehow the odd trick worked... They were living proof stranger could happen though.

---

Mentions and tags.
@Meleck
@KillBox

---

---

---

---

Siobhan was on a mission. She had seen a new flower shop open and was intent on getting some photos to take as studies to paint as an add in to the collection that had sold so well. She parked the new/old Stingray across the street and hurried into the shop.

She was looking boho chic in a white lace dress that she had bought in Jamaica and a replica of Audrey Hepbun’s hat in Breakfast At Tiffany’s and gold strappy heels. The wind fluttered her dress and tossed her coppery red hair around as she pulled off her large dark sunglasses and walked into The Golden Flower.

The Golden Flower was gorgeous. The arrangements were artfully done and there was no end to the color that sprang vividly out at her. Yes this shop screamed “PAINT ME!!!” to her. She walked up to the girl at the counter. Who, among the riot of color. was like a pretty little wren.

The girl’s eyes were a soft brown and her hair looked even softer. “Hi. Are you by chance the owner?”

The girl giggled and Siobhan dropped her age to late teens rather than in her twenties. “No Mr. Reyes is not here at the moment.”

Siobhan was a little let down and her shoulders fell a little bit. “Oh. Um would you give him my card? I’d love to take photos and paint the place.”

“Sure thing Miss!!” The girl called and waved.

Siobhan smiled and walked out waving back. Getting back into the black Stingray she heads over to Swan Songs for a vinyl of a couple of artist’s rolling around in her head. Mostly rock but her mother’s birthday was coming up and she had yet to get her a gift. Little Red Corvette came over the radio and Siobhan turned it up singing along.

Prince sang about his lover as Siobhan drew looks from people. Because who doesn’t look at a Stingray? Or for that matter turn to see where the sounds of Prince are coming from?

Siobhan texted Joel. Headed to Swan Songs to pick out something for you to play at work. She chuckled at the thought of him reading it and groaning thinking she’d pick up something like Celiene Dion. Or Toni Braxton. She turned off the car and got out. She made sure her camera was hung safely around her neck. Can’t leave that in the car.

She was parked next to a sleek looking Bentley that screamed old money. She almost did a double take thinking maybe her mom was here but the car wasn’t the powder blue color that her mother favored. She could remember that awful dress that her mother made her wear to her first recital when she was playing piano. Siobhan mentally thanked any deity who was listening that she didn’t have to relive that again. Siobhan pushed the memory aside and walked toward Swan Songs.

The bell rang faintly as the noise came barreling over her as she opened the door. I didn’t realize they had sound proofing in this place. I guess it helps. She got out of the way of the door and looked around. Ugh fan girls two o’clock. Must be The Sirens. Victoria’s baby daddy...Ethan was it? I think so. Last time anything included fans the place was trashed. RIP Club...uh...Ethanol? No...Earther? Nope...eh whatever. The vinyl section was open as was most of the sections that didn’t have a karaoke booth and KJ set up. I will not get dragged into karaoke. Not today. I’m all for vinyl heaven. See if I can’t get a good Kiss album or something.

Siobhan made a beeline for the section that held records. Siobhan wasn’t short by any means and in three inch heels she was six foot even. She almost bumped into a tall man that had really nice dreads. They reminded her of Jamaica and the locals. She smiled in apology and moved along.

Looking around her eye was caught by a girl with a guitar who looked a little nervous. Siobhan smiled at the sight and wished the girl luck. She hoped that the girl was able to play while she was there so she could hear her.

Finally breaking away from the crowd Siobhan was able to get to the vinyls. They were lined out by genre and in alphabetical order. She was browsing for a good few minutes, looking for something for Joel to play at the shop or at his place. When she ran into someone. She reached out and clasped a strong forearm so as not to fall over as she teetered on her heels. She managed not to fall over, but just.

Her clear blue eyes looked up at her victim/rescuer and she smiled winningly. “Forgive me. If I had been watching where I was going I wouldn’t have run into you.” Siobhan patted his arm lightly with her long delicate fingers. She looked down at the music that he had chosen. “You know I can’t seem to get over the fact that for some reason I really like Eminem’s older music. Not that his newer albums are anything to sneeze at but it’s an opinion.”

Paige Kennedy

No one else knew about the card other than Milo and of course that sleazy Agent Barrett of the FBI. Paige’s lips curled slightly at the thought of the man. Disgusting. He was on his way to take a shot at her career before Milo had caught him by surprise. Now the tables were turned and like the rest of the cabal he secretly belonged to, he wasn’t anywhere to be found. She had the State Police and SCPD watching LSF round the clock, but nothing had turned up. She knew there was at least one other key, she’d seen it used, but again, no one had turned up and trying to figure out what doors Barrett’s key would unlock was something like trying to find a needle in a haystack, in a maze, in the dark. Luna Sports Facility was nothing but doors. It was massive. Going back to CT in the Sol City lockup was her last play other than waiting for Nikki to make the next move, something she wasn’t going to risk.

CT was as haughty as usual and she could tell it irked him considerably to have to “recommend” someone else for dark computer work since he considered himself to be the best at everything. He was forthcoming though, knowing that she was the only person keeping him from being transferred to the Federal pen. The kid had a steady job, but made most of his money on the side through corporate espionage. Sensing himself in danger of possibly being replaced, CT had generously spilled everything he knew about Tao Jang including the codewords he used to set up face to face meetings with clients: something he rarely did. It was almost too easy, but despite CT’s eccentricities, his information was routinely solid- He really didn’t want to be transferred to Federal custody. Paige made the call as their cyber crimes tech recorded and traced the whole exchange. It didn’t matter that he used a burner phone or that it was illegal for them to record his voice. People operating on the wrong side of the law weren’t known for making appeals to justice.

Entering Swan Songs wearing her standard jeans, leather jacket and Converses, her gun and star were hidden slightly behind the jacket in her preferred fashion and her hair was up in its usual working ponytail. Her eyes scanned like a sentinel as she entered, already knowing the face of the person she was after, but she kept her demeanor level, almost approachable. It was a scenario she’d played in a hundred times at least and there was a certain swagger to her walk, like the old west, developed over years of being in the law. She liked the weight of her gun on her hip and the looks she got from people that noticed the star clipped to her belt.

Swan Songs was carrying a decent crowd for a Monday night. Ironically, the small record shop had been one of the catalysts for her arrival in Sol after the debacle of the much lauded karaoke night. Lupe and the rest of his crew were still on the lamb, but Bob had paid the price for the evening. None of them had been heard from since that night, but she knew it was only a matter of time before their names came up. If they were smart they would have got out of the country to somewhere with no extradition. She heard the Maldives were lovely.

It didn’t take long to find her mark awkwardly standing by the bar. He had the look of someone that had never been caught, which made it easy and his nervousness was evident, which made it even easier. She was confident that if he tried to bolt, she could easily run him down. Ambient chatter filled the air, but was not overbearing. It was still early. The small, arranged bar area was segregated from the record selection and the cramped stage where the first act was warming up. She deftly stepped in next to him, not making eye contact and nonchalantly ordered a drink. Turning around as she waited behind his field of vision, she glanced over at the stage, first catching a glimpse of Yoji, tall and easily recognizable; who she’d bought the handmade cups from and then Siobhan, who she could only see was wearing an awesome hat. They texted all the time and she told Sio she might be after a lead in the record shop. Keeping an eye on Tao, she pulled out her phone and sent a quick text to Sio: Spied You.

She smirked and hit send, glancing at the boy briefly from behind until her drink came up beside her on the counter. “Hello Tao” She said using his name. Seeing his attention turn she took a sip from the straw and moved the colorful cocktail umbrella out of the way. Her grin was something like the cat having found the mouse. She put the glass back down and drew her jacket back only slightly revealing her gun and star. “I like your Hawking quotes, but I think I prefer Asimov.” She said.

...
Interacting:
@Allycat

Mentioned:
@Almalthia@Headhunter

---

Alex had a handful of Marlin Signatures, the left side of the field being dugout for the visiting team. There was a cute child in the seat next to him, which was helping get the signatures. He pulled a second ball out of his coat pocket, from early batting practice, and added it to the cup for the child. He was fairly sure that the players were more than happy to keep the fans happy. With the talk of someone bringing in a professional team, everyone would be told to make sure this was a good experience.

It didn't take long for security to finally come and talk with him. While technically he wasn't throwing things on the field, they technically considered it a safety risk. The funny part, to Alexander, a few others were throwing balls and pens down to the players. His, at least, was controlled.

Alexander noticed Captain "Mali", She had flown him out to a ship that needed a repair. He had been in his wet suit with his equipment. She was able to get him close to the ship but the freighter wasn't large enough to land on. She got him close to the ship, but the static electricity from the flight, the exhaust, and most of all rotors was enough to keep her from safely dropping him off on the ship. This is why ships that handle rotary winged vehicles have special equipment and requirements to deal with the problem. Alexander ended up exiting the aircraft and plunging into the water with his oxygen tank and gear. He got the feeling that Mali preferred landing before letting people out of the air craft. His dad would say, "Young and dumb will get you paid. But not to be stupid." Going and welding underwater was dumb, a smart person would do something else. Because of that it paid well.

His business school classes started to impact the enjoyment of the game. He started thinking about overhead and profit margins. When he starting thinking about Baseball analytics and how much, even the peanuts, the semi-pro players were making each time they came to bat. He decided he needed a different distraction. He decided at the 7th inning stretch, he would walk around the stadium to say hello to the two women.

Baseball bamboozle meant part Deux

Soon as he turned round, Marinalia remembered the slightly crazy in her personal view man who had jumped out, into the water with full gear and defied her logical view of jumping out of perfectly good aircraft be they fixed, rotary or VTOL. A V22 would definitely of been fun to fly, shame they where insanely expensive and rediculously complicated. Captain Mali indeed, after a few flights Captain Olympus had changed a fair bit. After all it was a fairly long flight and no one else to talk to. He seemed a decent chap and long flights with no onw to talk to where a tad boring.

Victoria had hered that story, her dad ship had required repairs before but no one had jumped out of helicopters to do it. Levels of crazy indeed. Like leaving a perfectly good ship...

Hey, still stand by not jumping out of mechanically sound aircraft. You make me too close to hurting a passenger and I've never done that! Meet my computer nerd sister Vika." He knew her slight rebuke was all in good faith. She very much took her responsibility for getting people under her charge from point A to B safely, intact and unharmed seriously. Slightly joking or not, she never would intentanlly risk someone. "oh, so vou I hered of. Victoria, hey, il take prettier nerdy sister. Umm care to explain ze sport, it's the Von with the rock right?" Victoria's paired dark grey eyes to her sister lit up with a little mirth, granted she was clueless about baseball but not blonde bimbo clueless. Computer nerd jokes aside, it did hide the darker sides of her job. With the fall of a few crime bosses, a few in Russia had seen chance to make in roads, the consulate always knew what was going on. Her software while securing maratine traffic also helped hide there other dealings. All disguised as testing and updates of course. It was quite ingenious, why let a economic opertunity go by when the chaos made it easy to establish a foot hold should you ever need one? "See what I have to put up with from neredette here.

Fancy being a gentleman explaining this colonial mutation of cricket to a pair of English ladies?" Joking, Marinalia was comfortable ernough after a few late night long flights, ships by Murphy law to break down in worse weather too, add a diver with a lack of self preservation and it was hard to forget. "Nerdette... For one smurfette was blonde, and white washes me put. Oh yes. Come on, we Don't mind ze Company." Upon Victoria's return. She was not leaving Marinalia Nerdette go without a alittle answer. Leaning on her cane for a sense of safety she negotiated her way back. Much as modern stadium, the busy venues always made her a alittle nervous. Apcepting a arm from her sister helping, needing the toilet more, emotions being a tad haywire, random food choices and more. urgh. If she had not known, she probbly would have been suspecting somthing was up. "Yeah, they not really have as much chance to play baseball in Alaskan snow. Smurfette. Good choice she has Gargelmella" The joking sisters aside. Marlij just had a feeling in her gut somthing was wrong, or somthing would happen... Much as she tried tonoush aside and ignore it.

---

MENTIONS
@Meleck

---

Enjoying his time listening to live music at Swan Song's
Interacting with Nobody

Having spent his weekend working at the bar, Charles decides that his best time spent would be going to the record shop for some rest and relaxation. Exiting his home he heads over to a dune buggy, squeezing himself inside the small 2 seater buggy he heads out for a cruise for a bit, spooling around town the sound of the supercharged motorcycle engine turning heads as he drives by. After driving for a little while he heads to the Swan Song's Record Shop, parking out front but a few spots down.

Heading into the shop Charles wears a blue zoot suit with a fedora and several cigars in his vest pocket. He walks into the record shop, making his way over to the cd's searching for interesting music. He searches for a while before he heads across to the bar area resorting to people watching for a bit and listening to the music. After a moment he finally orders himself a pint of Guinness Extra Stout, sipping it while standing at the bar.

>>Luna Sports Facility, meeting a familiar face<<
>>@PrinceAlexus<<

"I think we can trade the tea for a beer and a hot dog at things like this." He said, offering a small chuckle to Vitoria. Finding some room near them, he took a seat and situated himself. "Uh yeah. Baseball. Um.... Cowboys...? Like the Dallas Cowboys? Nah, they're in the National Football League, or 'N' 'F' 'L' for short. Different sport. Much more violent. The players tend to be... well... bigger..."

One can immediately tell he was much more relaxed this time around versus the time at the restaurant. "Ah. It was nothing. I mean, the owner wasn't around and she happened to stop in. I just fixed her some quick bites, nothing special. Oh, the chef wanted me to pass on to you that you guys are always welcome should you stop by for some food." He said, offering a smile, almost forgetting that he was pretending to not be the chef he spoke about.

"But yeah. Baseball. We can start with the outfield. Those guys out there are usually some of the fastest people on the field. Uh... The guys closer to us are referred to as infielders. They've got quick reflexes... Let me pause myself for a second. Is there a sport you guys do watch? Maybe I can relate it to that? Make it easier to relate to?" He said, before he went into full blown sports geek mode...

_{LOCATION & TIME : SWAN SONGS, MONDAY EVENING
INTERACTIONS : SIOBAN - @Almalthia
MENTIONS : PAIGE - @Pilatus}

---

Alejandro had taken his time on the Metal section first. He had picked out a few vinyls from various death metal bands he had heard from in the past. Most were from the band Behemoth, a band he thought he would never enjoy as much as he did. Death metal had been something his younger sister had pushed on him for a few months, even dragged him into one of their concerts in Texas. After that, Alejandro was hooked on it, much to their mother's distaste. The type of music was something he held dear, something that he and his sister shared and tressured. He could probably send her some tickets as a present after his business was established here. He could even try to see if the band played her and ask her to come.

After a while, Alejandro had found himself wondering to the hip hop section to those out. While he wasn't too big on it, he did have favorites when it came to hip hop. He was rather picky about it and tended to stick to more older stuff since the newer stuff sounded like mumble trash. That is what it was, to him anyway. He had picked out a copy of The Slim Shady LP and Relapse to just listen to while at home, but other than he stayed close to the older hip hop albums.

He was deep in thought about the whole hip hop going to trash when he felt something soft bump into him. With a small grunt, Alejandro snapped out of his thoughts and turned to look at the person, ready to insult them and stopped just as he saw her face.

"It could have been worse," Alejandro said in a teasing tone, "You could have broken an ankle, and then you would have done more than run into me." He slipped the last vinyl under his arm. "But luckily I was here to keep you from falling-- or breaking something." He looked down as she patted his heavily tattooed arm. He was wearing black jeans with a burgundy button-up shirt. Semi casual, just like he usually dressed.

"I agree, sadly, this kind of music has been going downhill after the 2000s, in my opinion. It's hard to find any good stuff now. All I see is mumble rap." Alejandro wrinkled his nose just a bit at that and gave her a look over. "Though you don't see to be the type to be into much hip hop, then again I shouldn't be judging. After all, you are in this section of the store. The pop is on the other side of the aisle." There was a small teasing smile on the corner of his lips.

In the distance, he saw a woman walk in just before he got a message from John. He glanced quickly at his watch to check the message, then returned his attention to the woman in front of him. Cop. No, something higher up the bureaucratic ladder. Alejandro watched her from the corner of his eyes as she made her way across the store but kept the teasing smile.

"Are you here to preform? You got a nice outfit fit for the spotlight," Alejandro felt his phone vibrate in his pocket again, but he simply ignored it. Probably John again trying to tell him who the pig was that just walked in. He didn't really care right now as long as she stayed away and his two associates kept their distance. "Alejandro, by the way." He extended his hand towards her for a handshake. "Local flower shop owner, new to Sol, and you are?"

Alejandro just wanted a pleasant and quiet day off.

Baseball bamboozle meant, when did the undertaker play baseball again?

Victoria and Marinalia definitely would not be called sports fans, though they knew junk food. Especially when it came to cheesy chips, stuffed crust pizza and Chocolate pancakes... Especially when Marinalia made Chocolate filled, Chocolate doughnuts. "I doubt you would of made cheesy chips. Though il pass on the beer. Chips though il not say no to.

Umm yeah. Nice uniforms though. Though a little misleading the ball was an egg, and they threw it mostly... Names always so... Contradictory?" That definitely was a stranger sporting name for that one. Hand egg? Though that one offended a few, it definitely seemed more accurate. Soccer. Why could they not make sports easier by using accurate naming? "Umm. Yeah. My ex loved cricket. I was more swimming and equestrian kinda girl with some fencing on the side. Nearly made national team in the pool. If it's wet or on a horse I know it." Marinalia recognised a few things, bowling, batting, though the lack of wickets was definitely strange. "definitely, gargamella and I would love to. I'll let you pay Vika! After Northern run. Gotta fly into Canada. You do anything a carabian palette like?" Victoria shook her head, Marlin was not gonna forget that one for a few days at least. "Sure Smurfette. Maybe vi should invite red jeanie... You'd love zat. Like ve upset her... Zo. Rounders no? I think it was rounders... I missed a fair bit of school."

Victoria had relaxed a little. The whole fan girl incident had made her a fair bit more wary, especially when you had a extra worry. "Aww... Woah. Kiss cam definitely those two." smiling slightly though a surprise, a glittering diamond and gold band on that finger. The girl looked 18 ish in a college hoody. Talk about quick. Turning her attention from the young. Young but married couple. "Cricket oh raven magnetic mistress of trouble. Urgh, Siobhan... She was not a cop at least! Don't tempt fate!" Victoria, trouble. So much drama. There lives loved drama like they mortally offended or earned the love of the llama gods.

Watching. They did their best to work things out anyway, even then. This seemingly simple sport was rather more nuanced and complicated than hit the ball far as you could. Layers... Onions and layers. It was an analogy restaurant staff would love.

---

@KillBox

---

---

When the seventh inning stretch came, Andrew noticed that the attendant that was watching the gate had let his post for a couple minutes. So, Andrew tripped to the dark side and slid through to the other side. He walked the concourse of the stadium looking to go say hello to the ladies. He got a bag of mini-donuts covered in cinnamon sugar. He continued down towards where he saw them.