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<span class="mu-g">"Rupert. This time of day he'll be under the pier having a tea."</span> You instruct. The pier you're referring to is in Yamamori territory, and Rupert is one of a few members of the clandestine club tucked away underneath it where top-siders and under-dwellers mingle or barter. In the afternoons and evenings, however, he is always in the Hedge at his corner of the local <span class="mu-s">Goblin Market</span>. You recall fondly being a regular at his speakeasy, <span class="mu-g">The Sterling Stowaway</span>, where those in the know can auction or sometimes store exotic and illicit goods.
<span class="mu-b">"Of course, of course sir, rerouting a vehicle from Calmax complex B. Would you like balcony seating today, or one of the private rooms?"</span> White Rabbit replies from the intercom on your desk. You rise from your seat, beginning to re-organize some of the books strewn about.
<span class="mu-g">"Private room, I have some sensitive matters to discuss. Have a chaperone model android pick him up, and have them relay that lunch is on me and I'd like to catch up."</span> You say.
While he may be surprised by the invitation, as you've been out of touch for a couple of years now, you don't have any expectation he would turn you down, either. You aren't on bad terms and your history with him is primarily as a reliable supplier. Plus, you're such charming company.
For now, you proceed to the garage on the other side of your suite, where White Rabbit is waiting next to your personal vehicle, a matte black Bentley Astraeus with tinted windows. The gull-wing door facing you opens upward, revealing the lavish, burgundy leather interior. <span class="mu-b">"After you, sir. We should arrive promptly in fourteen minutes and twenty four seconds after departure. Current estimation has Rupert arriving shortly after; his chaperone is nine minutes and sixteen seconds away, their projected route from the pier to Paper Tiger will be an additional eight minutes and fifty one seconds."</span> The drone relays cheerily. You nod, and have a seat in the back, with your mechanical companion hovering in after you and docking in a port next to your seat that clicks him securely in place.
>Cont'd
