[Sodium_noir] Hell is Other People

[Adam Weber]

John Black, Abby, Kurt Morgan, Dr. Nekos
Very Old Man, Now More Relaxed Bastet, Sidhe, Mage
Lady Sinclair's Mansion

> John shrugged.  "We sell books but we're in no way limited to  
> such."  He raised his hand and waved a waitress over, quickly  
> finishing the last of his beer. "We do obtain texts, both common  
> and more rare, expensive, and even dangerous books.  But in  
> addition to that we also provide basic supplies.  Ever wonder where  
> a sorcerer might find those candles made from wax created by bees  
> that used pollen from a flower that blooms only in a field where an  
> angel met it's death?"
>
> He placed his glass on her empty tray.  "Beer for me."

Stephen's eyes flick to the bar for a moment, noting the  
appropriately vast selection for a party in a mansion before settling  
on a drink. "Grey Goose martini here... as dry as they can get it."  
Tonight isn't a Scotch night to begin with, but it becomes even less  
of one as the Thanatoic grows distinctly conscious of the growing  
likelihood that John, if not the others, are aware or at least  
moderately suspicious of his Awakened state.

> [John] allowed the others to order, and after she had moved away to  
> get their drinks he continued.
>
> "How about that special wand, hand made by master craftsman using a  
> special kind of wood?  Something else we might carry.  Basic  
> supplies that are necessary but a pain in the ass to obtain.  As I  
> update my stock, I've often come across more rare and powerful  
> items.  I sell most of them.  The ones I choose to keep are the  
> ones with an interesting history.  I have an Elgin wrist watch worn  
> by a World War I doughboy who returned from the dead just long  
> enough to help his comrades fight their way out of the Argonne  
> Forest.  There's nothing magical about it, but I find the history  
> fascinating."
>
> The waitress returned, passing out drinks to everyone.  John took  
> his beer and his arm, of its own accord, returned to Abby's waist.

"I'd call that a noteworthy find--and certainly a bizarre turn of  
events!" he remarks, looking to catch Mr. Black's direct gaze,  
provided that the bookstore owner isn't overtly paranoid in that  
fashion.

[Arete 3, Mind 1 (of 3)--Empower Self, in order to continue  
conversation and act normally while concentrating on other things,  
specifically: Arete 3, Mind 2 (of 3)--Read Surface thoughts. Stephen  
wants to know what John knows or can sense about him.]

"And I'll certainly have to make a visit to your shop," he continues,  
"do you have a card on you?"

[An invasive TAG to John, and a conversational one to Kurt & Abby]