13:31 <banana> Rolf's mate's friend's cousin gave him pretty good directions. You hear a lot of shit about the North, but Manchester seems like any other part of the country that isn't rich - fields beside the motorway faded into the remnants of a village, then docks and industry. Stone rowhouses are everywhere and the skyline has a reasonable share of Business going on. 13:33 <banana> His destination isn't the CBD, where all the high-touch businesses are still closed - Boris promises that's ending soon. For now, it's illegal to get a haircut and a shave, and that's why this barbershop is illegal - a little tiled space tucked away into the corner of a warehouse on the south side of the Ship Canal. 13:36 <hrolf> It's been a chore to get here - the norf is full of politically suspect poofs, and the trains aren't running at full capacity. Still, beats sitting at home doing nothing with all the pubs closed. 13:38 <hrolf> Rolf is dressed immaculately in a red tracksuit today - he huffs a little as he shuffles along the canal pavement. Out of shape and out of work, and age's been catchin up. 13:38 <banana> There are a number of cars parked in the dockyard, all clustered around the popup salon - they're bigger than most city cars, 4WDs and short limos with tinted windows. It's kind of funny how stereotypically gangland this all looks. Evening, a shut-down city, a warehouse with light spilling out and rough voices inside... 13:40 <hrolf> Is it gated? Any guards? 13:42 <banana> Two spotty guys of indeterminate age drift toward Rolf's car when he parks. They look in- how's he dressed? 13:46 <hrolf> Rolf nods as they walk up. "Alright, mate?" 13:46 <banana> That is, they look in to realise he's already got out of the car but looks like the Right Sort. 13:46 <banana> Guy #1: "Well aye. Looking for a haircut?" 13:47 <banana> What he's actually looking for is a crimelord, having been given the tip-off and a promise that Benni's only dangerous to people who fuck him over. 13:48 <hrolf> "Aren't we all, mate? All the fackin barbershops been closed for donkey's years." He pauses. "Me mate Baz's friend said i could get one here. Name of Cheeky Ned." 13:50 <banana> "You're in the right place.. mate." Everyone's genial but the two guys in bad suits do follow him as he walks to the temporary barber's establishment. 13:52 <hrolf> "Glad to hear it son." Rolf didn't come here taking too many precautions - Baz and him go back a long ways, and he trusts his word - but he keeps a wary look around. 13:52 <banana> Inside are more goons, a surprisingly professional setup with two chairs and there hairdresses as well as the usual array of products on counters. Music's blasting in the background and most of the people crammed into the shop are clearly not here to have their own hair cut; they're just hanging out, drinking and grousing. 13:53 <hrolf> Do the people here look out of the ordinary in some way? 13:54 <banana> Not to an ordinary eye.. but Rolf's spent years and years learning about weird assholes. 13:57 <banana> One of the barbers and all of the goons have something to them.. they throw off his senses in a way he's learned isn't natural. Rolf has an impression that these guys are too big for their britches, acting tougher than they are.. but he has no actual reason to believe that. It's coming from the outside somehow. 13:57 <banana> There are other signs: among all the hair product are a series of colourful crystals increasing in size, and at the back there are a man and a woman staring at each other appearing to communicate wordlessly. It's probably not a happy couple blissing out. 13:59 <banana> The guy getting a haircut turns to look at Rolf. He gestures to his barber, whose hands stop moving instantly, scissors seemingly frozen in space. 13:59 <banana> https://limits.thomascastiglione.com/media/benni.jpg 13:59 <hrolf> In the murky world of privatized military intelligence monster hunting, dealing and fraternizing with the frenemy doesn't throw him. He nods amicable to the lad in the chair. "Allo allo." 14:03 <banana> Benni Athletic: "Come in lads." This is to Rolf and the guys behind him. "I've been asked to expect a visitor. How was your drive?" 14:04 <banana> All conversation has ceased, as have the snipping noises. This encounter could go wrong if Rolf isn't who they expect, does things they don't like. Pretty normal stuff in this business when you haven't yet had a chance to bond. 14:05 <hrolf> "Weren't too bad - took a train up ere from the city, and then weren't much of a drive from the station." Rolf looks around for a seat. "Mind if I sit down mate? Leg's cramped something wicked." 14:05 <banana> Athletic is not exactly athletic. He's got plenty of muscle and a big body, but it verges on.. well, he looks like he works out because he has to. In general a number of the goons are fairly schlubby. If they've got a supernatural edge, maybe they don't need to be in good shape; maybe the North is just like this. 14:05 <hrolf> When Rolf says "the city", the implicit meaning is that there's only one that counts. 14:09 <banana> Benni: "Yeah, take a chair." The two barbershop chairs swivel, with no apparent impetus, to face each other and Benni's hairdresser gets behind him again, resuming the touch-up. 14:09 <banana> "You need work? I'm always looking for a few good guys. But.." He's looking at Rolf, the oldest man in the room. This is discrimination. 14:13 <hrolf> Rolf is unfazed by the display: "Cheers mate". He settles comfortably into the chair, which emits a squeak and sags a bit in protest. "But..?" 14:13 <banana> Speaking of men, they mostly are. Inside and outside the shop are a baker's dozen of the gang, only one female - and one of the hairdressers. All white too, though that doesn't necessarily mean anything. 14:14 <hrolf> It's a positive sign to Rolf, at the least. 14:16 <banana> Benni's hair gets ever-neater as he speaks. "We'll have to try you. There's a deal going down tomorrow night - a trap I'm going to spring. It will get loud, but no guns. We should have the numbers by a mile." 14:16 <banana> "Things can always go wrong. Trial by fire, Hughes?" 14:17 <hrolf> Rolf blinks. "Now that's a bit forward innit?" 14:19 <banana> Athletic: "I don't have time to fuck around. Ports open up this week and we're not the only ones racing to get people in place. The cost of a shipping container has gone up six times in the last year, and that's when the shit inside is legal." 14:20 <banana> Someone else speaks at last - a young guy who's going prematurely bald, pinched face but holds himself like a runner. "This particular deal is perfectly legal. But we do need to know whether you can cut it." 14:21 <banana> Benni: "Chex..." It's a warning, and the other guy doesn't speak again. 14:27 <hrolf> "Now don't get me wrong - I'm open to workin with yer, but I assume there might a bit of the ol' trust deficit on both our sides to begin with. And knowin' me future employer engages in double crosses and the likes don't necessarily put me mind at ease." He spreads his palms open wide in a gesture of reconciliation in case they begin to take umbrage. "Now what *would* ease me concerns is if the pay was commensurate with the 14:27 <hrolf> risk - and trust me mate, I'm worth the extra fees. The reason I ain't gettin any hours from my regular employers is that I charge high, and for a reason. I bin workin 30 years in this business, 10 years of general thuggery before that goin back to kindergarten, and I know Norn Ireland - which I here you might of some interest in - inside and out." 14:33 <banana> Benni: "Yeah, I get it. If you're able to work with my guys it'll be worth a good rate.. if you're someone who can do what we do without the.. drawbacks." 14:34 <hrolf> "Which are?" 14:34 <banana> "Let's see whether Barry was right about you, Hughes. You just sit there and try to form accurate judgements." 14:37 <hrolf> Rolf shrugs. "Alright." 14:38 <banana> Benni closes his eyes. The barber's apparently done, as he sets the scissors down.. in mid-air. They float. Several other cutting implements rise from the counter to join them in a silent dance of stainless steel. 14:41 <banana> The sharp metal drifts toward Rolf Hughes, scissor blades opening. There's one quite near his throat and the others are forming a ring. 14:42 <hrolf> Rolf eyes them beadily, holding his breath. Seems pointless to draw him all the way here just to bump him off, but still.. 14:42 <banana> It's not only the physical things that drift, though. Rolf feels.. attacked. It's the same feeling from before, like the gang are trying to get one over on him, like they're too good for him - this time much stronger, focused on Benni. For a moment he thinks foreign thoughts, urging him to dismiss the gang leader, to walk out, crush whatever dreams he has. 14:43 <banana> Frankly, it seems disgusting that this guy can do this weird shit. Except it isn't. It's dangerous, sure, but disgusting? That's a thought imposed by magic, like some sort of curse. 14:44 <banana> Athletic opens his eyes again and watches Rolf's face. "Like I said, we won't need guns." 14:44 <hrolf> Rolf continues to keep an eye on the scissors. "That's a shame. I like guns." 14:45 <banana> "Well aye, but the bobbies don't." Benni exhales and the floating scissors withdraw, arraying themselves neatly on on the arm of his chair. 14:46 <banana> "Good so far. Work with my boys tomorrow night and you won't have to work very often, that's for sure, not to be comfortable." 14:48 <hrolf> "Beats having your work stolen by poles workin for peanuts." Rolf rises from his chair and extends a hand. "Shake?" 14:49 <banana> Benni stands; they shake. Some of the gang look disconcerted, Rolf thinks, by the treatment he's getting - but it's all a bit conditional still. 14:49 <banana> Tomorrow night: 14:53 <banana> Rolf's further down the ship canal toward Liverpool, just a few km west of the pop-up barber. All the docks are still closed (the old ones permanently and the smaller new piers for coronavirus). He's here with five others from the Athletic Oufit to sell.. something. 14:54 <hrolf> Rolf rubs his hands in the dark to keep warm, shivering occasionally. "Bit nippy tonight, hey?" 14:54 <banana> Not drugs, apparently. Chex, who is leading the group in Benni's absence, bandies about a package, wrapped in paper and twine; it's wobbly and strange light leaks from the interior. This is obviously the kind of thing the Human Office does not want going on. 14:55 <banana> Another one of the starchildren is named Bob - this will be inconvenient later. Bob forgot to bring a jacket. "It's a bastard of a night," he agrees. 14:55 <hrolf> Does Rolf see anything of interest? The package receivers approaching, anyone else about? Any potential cops, or signs of a trap? 14:57 <hrolf> "So what's in the thing?" He doesn't point at the package but there's only one thing he could be talking about. 14:57 <banana> Not yet. There was a briefing earlier on what they're expecting: "Leon," said Chex, "was meant to come alone. Or at least only normies for backup. This guy thinks they have us clocked, all our schedules and procedures.. Leon's tough enough but if't was just him, he'd be vulnerable. Turns out we don't leave each other vulnerable." 14:57 <banana> General murmuring of appluse and cheers to that, particularly from Leon. 14:59 <banana> Chex, now: "Rolf and Leon out front with the stuff. Superficially, we're holding up our end of the bargain. The rest of you, behind the tarp. Mitty is going to have weird senses, so hold your minds in." 14:59 <hrolf> "So what if they see the rest of us and scarper? 's what I'd do if I was expecting one lad and having it switched up on me." 15:01 <banana> To Rolf: "Scarpering is.. ok, but it's better if we get the cash. There should be at most a couple of guys with Mitty - our contact - when it turns into a fight, try to get on one of them. If you can tie up at least one of the distractions the rest of us should be enough to keep the big guy down. 15:02 <banana> "The only other thing you need to know is this - if Mitty does something, anything that looks weird to you, pay close attention." 15:03 <hrolf> "No worries mate, I can hustle in a tussle. What's this Mitty wanker look like?" 15:05 <banana> Bob: "Skin over bones but like a fashion model rather than anorexic. He calls himself En Mitty as if it were perfectly normal like. And we're pretty sure he's working for the guys this stuff was stolen from in the first place." 15:06 <banana> Chex: "I feel a golden soul on the approach. Behind the tarp with me, now." 15:06 <hrolf> Rolf stays with Leon, as instructed. What does he see? 15:09 <banana> Leon is a kid with fashionably styled hair who watches Rolf side-eyed as if the older man is going to hit him. The glowing package is steady in his hands, though. The meeting spot is nothing, just a blank space between some fuel tanks and yet another warehouse. It's all very poorly lit, but the moonlight is enough to see the shadows of three figures approaching from the direction of the canal. 15:10 <banana> Did Rolf bring any weapons or gear? Guns were the only thing he was asked to avoid. 15:10 <hrolf> Rolf is carrying brass knuckles in his pocket. 15:11 <banana> Leon: "Now, if this guy just hands over the cash.. we can all go home. He's supposed to have sixty k in notes and twice that in silver." 15:11 <banana> He's looking around for somewhere to set down the wobbly package, but there isn't anything to hand. 15:12 <hrolf> "Thought we were planning to fuck him, take the dosh and the package back?" 15:13 <banana> Leon: "Uh.. yeah, that's if he tries to for us like we think.. I dunno though. It's not like we want a fight." Rolf's pretty sure Benni did want one. Of course, Benni's not here. 15:15 <hrolf> Rolf laughs. "Chamberlain didn't want a fight either. Be ready lad." 15:15 <banana> The other three can see you now, and you can see them. Men in long coats, two of them wrapped up particularly well with mufflers and flared jeans. The third guy must be Mitty; he's surprisingly beautiful. The model-looking guy raises a hand in greeting as they stroll toward the two of you, and Leon flinches again. 15:16 <hrolf> Rolf doesn't react, or say anything. Leon's the contact and should take the lead here. 15:16 <banana> Mitty's friends or bodyguards are quite nondescript. Their faces are shadowed, as is everything around here. En Mitty says: "Mr. Bratt." 15:16 <banana> Leon: "It's, it's nice to finally meet you. We've been able to obtain the turkish delight." 15:17 <hrolf> Rolf keeps an eye for any sudden movements. 15:17 <banana> Mitty: "This is the specialty kind? Free of animal cruelty?" 15:18 <banana> Leon: "It's good stuff. No sugar powder, just.. turk. Ish. Pure." 15:19 <banana> Mitty: "And so it should be, given the hearts you ripped it from." 15:20 <banana> Leon drops the package. Both of Mitty's goons start forward, snarling. 15:25 <hrolf> Rolf immediately slips a hand into his jacket pocket and slips his fingers into a set of brass knuckles 15:25 <banana> One of the trenchcoat guys is grabbing on to Leon, who presses his hand to his forehead frantically; the guy flinches back, but Mitty's now doing something. Waves of force seem to roll off his body, pushing at Rolf, but also at this other guy's who's grabbing him- fur is extending from the man's wrist, bursting out of his collar at his neck. Both goons' noses lengthen and twitch. 15:27 <banana> Fortunately you've got four more guys behind that tarp, which explodes in shreds. Short little line segments of flashing light sear through the air like a Star Wars laser beam. Several Athletics rush the meeting, focusing as they go; everything gets weird. 15:32 <hrolf> Rolf holds the fur-man at bay one hand, and takes the be-knuckled hand out and swings with ferocity. 15:35 <hrolf> "Fahckin 'ave it!" 15:38 <banana> Rolf gets a blow on the guy, whose nose has now become a rat's snout and his eyes beady, but just a slam to the side of the body, partly taken by his coat. The rat-man squeaks in delight and goes for your throat with hands that are developing sharp little claws. 15:38 <banana> Meanwhile, Mitty is doing.. things. He's dodging knives impossibly fast, yelling incomprehensible words at the Athletics, some of whom are choking like they've been gassed.. 15:42 <banana> Chex: "I'll tell your mum that one!" 15:43 <hrolf> Rolf tries to keep an eye on Mitty but there's just so much fur and teeth and snarling in the way. "Watch out for that bastard!" 15:44 <banana> Oof. Ouch. Ow. The rat-man's unable to get claws on flesh and he's taking an unexpected pummeling. "You.." It speaks for the first time. "Big old fucker! One foot in the grave! We devour!" 15:54 <hrolf> "Get off me, freak!" Rolf manages to hold the thing at bay for the moment, elbowing it in the ribs while he has the chance. 15:56 <banana> The other rat-man is down. Leon's standing over it, glaring as it clutches at its heart, squealing and thrashing about. Red-flecked foam is coming from the thing's snout. Something strange and complicated is happening around Mitty and the other Athletics; Rolf thinks he can see a flower in the sky, a dandelion the size of planets. 16:10 <hrolf> The rat thing tries...something or the other. It rolls off Rolf like water of a duck - this thing is less intimidating than your average hooligan's breath.He roars and bunches his fists. "Nice try, you dozy prat!" 16:10 <banana> There's another moment of struggle, then the rat-man flings itself off Rolf again, backs up - and shrieks, a keening noise which makes him think hunger, gnawing, a brief certainty of being eaten.. very brief. It's not gonna happen. 16:15 <hrolf> Rolf is huffing now...a year of sedentary loafing during the pandemic has left him extremely out of shape and rusty. He swings again, catching air. 16:17 <banana> The rat-man is bleeding from savage hits earlier and entirely worn out itself. It gathers itself, legs coiling impossibly - and stumbles, leaving an opening. 16:18 <hrolf> The ratman attempts to get away. "For fucks sake! Stand and fight, you wanker!" He summons a burst of energy and rushes forward, throwing another hook. 16:18 <banana> That one lands and it squeals again, this time in pain. The beast drops to its knees, hands clapsed in a mute appeal for mercy. Claws retract and become horribly-kept fingernails. 16:19 <banana> The Athletics have Mitty pinned down against a warehous wall and they're.. mostly just looking at him, while things fly through the air and light flickers, burning scents drift. He looks desperate. 16:19 <hrolf> Rolf accepts...by locking the thing in a tight lock with an arm around its neck. "Move and I twist!" 16:21 <banana> The would-be buyer moves both of his arms in a large circle. Things all around the deserted dock seem to twist with them, and there's a sense of friction. A grating; Rolf feels it strongly. Something impossible is happening, something that doesn't make any sense and he doesn't like it. 16:24 <banana> Sparks fly from Mitty's waving arms. He drags against the air and it seems to burn. Chex hollers: "Try it now and you'll only tear Cosmos." 16:24 <hrolf> Rolf shakes his head to clear it. He has one job - pinning the rat down, and he focuses on the task, refusing to be shaken by whatever magics are running around. 16:25 <banana> The cornered man drops his arms. There's a brief moment of quiet, then everyone tenses again as he reaches into one pocket... withdrawing a bundle of papers and rattling stones. 16:26 <banana> Mitty: "..I'll leave it and go? And if your people get out of the tass trade, we'll be good." 16:27 <banana> Chex: "If you leave the cash, you can go." 16:27 <banana> "We'll keep the rats." 16:34 <banana> That night doesn't exactly make Rolf one of the gang - he learns that they're Star Children, gifted psychics who grew up on the streets together - but he's a friend and trustworthy. They're on the same page. He gets more work from Benni, learns some of their secrets, sees the surviving rat-man transfigured back into a horrid little animal and set free. 16:34 <banana> ...In a pub, on stage, where Benni's ex-wife's band is performing. 16:35 <banana> The Athletic outfit's doing well in the reopening. Months later, Rolf's hanging out with the lads when he gets another offer. 16:36 <banana> "An old friend of mine's looking for someone with special skills," says the babyfaced crimelord. "Told him you might be in. Name of Sourjack." 16:36 <hrolf> "What's the work?" 16:38 <banana> Benni Athletic: "Fuck if I've been told anything. You'd have to meet these people and find out... all I know is this: he's putting together a team." 16:39 <banana> "Humans only." 16:41 <hrolf> "You know me boss, if the rate's good I can probably do 'im a solid." Rolf pauses. "He's not antifa or summat, is he?"