Lily answers you, "My mother and father fought for custody of me, and my father won, so I live with my grandfather. I've lived there pretty much as long as I can remember, and only went out under guard.
"My mother lives in America; I'm not sure where my father lives."
"Looks like you're with me, then."
First order of business is to finnd lodging. I'll look for a hotel/motel with a vacancy that does daily rates rather than hourly, and take note of the price. If it's still 10% of regular prices i'd expext to find something between 3-12 dollars a night.
You find a cheap, run-down looking place for 5 a night and a cheap, run-down looking place for a buck fitty.
Is there any noticeable difference between them aside from the cost? Location, amenities?
They're both dirty and run down, and they're both across the street from each other; the one for five dollars a night has less business, so there's a greater selection of rooms, but other than that, both are run down looking, dirty places.
We'll go with the cheaper one. When we go to check in we'll pay for a week upfront, take the key, and check the room to make sure it's empty. Is there an attached bathroom, does it have a door? Are there any other doors or windows in the room, and what can I see from them?
There is a (one) bed; thankfully, as you get to the room, it is presently being "flipped"; an androgenous person is providing stained though freshly washed sheets and pillows when you arrive.
There is a large window, covered by blinds and heavy curtains which serve to make it dark enough for the cleaning man (woman?) to have the lights on, though it is late afternoon by this point. There is also a heater/air conditioner immediately beneath the window. There is an empty closet with no door and a heavily stained bathroom; there's an empty hypodermic needle on the bottom of the tub. The lock on the bathroom door doesn't work; thankfully, the four locks on the door to the room seem to work.
Four locks at such a low nightly rate? Not bad at all.
I'll stash my belongings in the closet, and change out of my suit into my black jeans and a t-shirt, then ask Lily to watch the place for me, and that I will return soon.
I want to walk the perimeter of the building, counting the drug dealers on the immediate block and the people making purchases. I'm interested in the amount of money they spend primarily, and the amount of money the dealers carry on average. I also want to look around the outside of the building for possible ways to run if I need to make a quick escape out of the room.
Once I've made a walk around the block, I'll find a good place to stand where I won't draw attention, and watch to see approximately how many people make purchases from dealers over the course of an hour, and how many times the suits collect money from the dealers over the same period of time.
I'll head back to the room just as the sun is setting.
Lily responds, "Oh, um, okay."
You see after watching the six dealers posted around that they seem to communicate by cell phone with one another, apparently checking in every fifteen minutes. It seems to you that none of them ever has more than about nine hundred dollars on them for long before the suits come and pick up, and at times, the suits also drop off more product to the street dealers.
The suits, on the other hand, are probably walking around at almost any given moment with a great deal of money and/or product on them. Still, they don't seem to travel in groups smaller than four; the largest you see is eight.
The complex your room is in is a sort of cul-de-sac arrangement; the only way out is also the only way in on ground level. If you were to take to the roofs, just beyond your room is a gas station behind the building.
A crazed, drug-addled man tells you the world is coming to an end and tries to hand you an information booklet.
I take the booklet, but brush the man off as I walk back to my room.
It makes sense that they would do the money drop by money thresholds rather than by a set schedule. Either the product is far more expensive than everything else, or they do a ton of business.
When I get back, I'll check to make sure Lily is still there, and nothing else was disturbed. "Was there any trouble?" I ask her as I make sure everything looks as it did.
We will need to get food, but it's not a good idea to continue frequenting restaurants. I'll ask her if she knows the location of the nearest supermarket. I get the feeling that moving around after dark is not a good idea, but I'll probe her thoughts on this as well.
The room looks essentially the same as you left it; Lily is here, seated on the bed.
A description her clothing; she is wearing a midriff exposing, white, short-sleeved shirt. It looks as if it should have more than two buttons; alas, it barely serves its function of concealing what is beneath it. Her pendant, with an image of a smiling sun, rests against her bare chest. The shirt does very little to conceal her skin, and you can clearly see the white opaque undergarment supporting her still developing chest. She is also wearing a short pair of tight denim shorts that leave very little to the imagination, ankle socks, and low-top sneakers. Her skin is unmarred by beauty marks, scars, or noticeable tan lines
"I haven't gotten out much," she tells you, "But I'm sure we can get directions to a supermarket from almost anyone who lives here. Moving around after dark shouldn't be a problem. There's not a lot of crime here."
§
hahahahaha.
I'm skeptical about the idea of drug dealers on every corner and firearms openly displayed as signs of a low crime area, so we'll stay in tonight.
I will spend some time watching out the window and listening to the noises of the streets as I make idle conversation with her. Outside, I'm interested in whether the dealers work all night, what time they change shifts, whether activity picks up or slacks off. I'm also interested in whether prostitution kicks up, or any displays of public drunkenness/drug outbursts, or any suspicious characters lurking around. Inside, I'll ask her about the pendant, about her family, how long she's been living here, how long she lived in that building or where she stayed prior. I'll ask why she lived with her grandfather if she was in her father's custody, and what her father does for a living. I'll ask how old she is, and I'll ask about any work she's done, and how much she knows about the drug and prostitution rings.
If she seems uncomfortable talking about any of these topics, I'll make a mental note of it.
Outside, business neither picks up nor slacks off. There is an occasion during the night that a man snatches a woman's purse, and three drug dealers around pull their guns and shoot him until he is quite dead. (Not just regular dead.)
Lily responds to your questions.
"The pendant was a gift from my mother; it's something to remember her by. It's got the symbols of her religion on it, Sol, the sun, smiling, and," she flips it over, showing you the other side, an image of a crescent moon looking sad and crying, the tears falling on a tree beneath it, "Luna, the moon, crying, Her Tears watering Yggdrasil, the Tree of Life. She named me after the Goddess of Creation, Lilith.
"Well, there's me and the other girls in the harem; I don't see much of my actual family members. My grandfather talks to me sometimes when I step out of line, my dad comes to visit sometimes, I haven't seen my mom in as long as I can remember. I don't have any brothers or sisters. My parents kind of had a one time thing.
"I've lived here as long as I can remember.
"Well, my dad really didn't stand much chance of winning, so my grandfather stepped in and offered to take custody of me. He had the resources to take care of me, so he won.
"My dad works for my grandfather. Since he's my grandfather's oldest son, he'll one day be at the head of the empire.
"I've never done any work like that, but the girls have explained how it works to me; the thugs sell the product on the street level, the boys collect the money from them and replenish their supply, the truckers provide a constant stream of product, and the suppliers grow and prepare the product for the truckers to ship.
"My family heads administration for Best Industries. When one of our people turns bad, we deal with them."
Well, seems like there's not a lot of "crime" because the dealers control the streets.
How close do they stand to each other? I presume they're not concerned about proximity since they're technically not in direct competition with each other, but there may be some metric for which dealer makes the most money over a period of time which would cause them to space out a bit from each other.
Is there a shift change? Do the same dealers stay on shift all night? Do they stagger shift changes or all go at once?
I didn't catch her age. From your description she sounds like she's between 13 and 16, my guess was 15.
"This harem, how does that work? Do the girls have visitors from the streets? Are they paid by the visitors or the company? Are they considered to be a 'special employee benefit'?"
I listen to the bit about her family, taking special interest in the part about her mother. "Lilith, huh?" I nod as I understand the business procedures, but I raise an eyebrow about her closing comment. "Did someone turn bad recently?"
The shift changes are staggered. They're positioned so that each one can be watched by at least two others.
Your guess was definitely high-balling it; she's a mature twelve year old.
§
This is why you should always ask strange women for ID, you -------- kidnapper. Kidding.
§
Regarding the prostitutes, "What do you mean?
"Yeah. I prefer Lily, though.
"They do turn bad, from time to time. They keep money or product for themselves, or they think they'll go into competition. Usually, for most offenses, they'll just be suspended without pay or fired... sometimes grandfather has to make an example of them. Usually he does that with a machete."
Aaaaah 12! Pedobear lurks.
"Well, what sort of men solicit what sort of services from the girls, and how and by whom are the girls paid, if at all?"
"I'm fond of the name Lily. It suits you."
"A machete? That's classy."
I'm curious about the prostitution from an economic standpoint. I am trying to trace where money comes from and where it goes. I also have some moral interest in the subject. If the girls aren't paid at all, they are simply slaves; if they are paid in ways other than money, they are indentured servants; and if they are paid in money they are employed.
She cocks her head to one side, her hair partially obscuring her face a moment before she brushes it aside. "Service? What sort of service would they provide?" She seems confused.
"They get paid on the first of the month. Doesn't everybody?" She doesn't seem to find humor in the statement, or to think that there's something demographically discriminatory about saying that.
"Hmm, well I'm not sure what sort of service they might provide, which is why I'm asking. What do they do?"
"Ahh, I see. We were paid once a week, where I came from. Where do we go to pick up our money?"
"The bank," she tells you matter-of-factly.
"Sometimes men do come and ask the girls for some company, and they leave for a while," she tells you. "One time a man asked me if I would keep him company, and one of the girls told him not to, and my grandfather asked me about it, and told me that I wouldn't see him anymore. It didn't bother me, though. I wouldn't have minded keeping him company."
Judging by the way she's sitting, either she is truly so naive or she's excellent at pretending to be so.
I was leaning towards naive. You do need a certain level of acting ability to survive in a hard world, but being the boss's daughter is a decent enough reason to keep her somewhat sheltered.
"The bank, of course."
"We should get some sleep. Why don't you make yourself comfortable there on the bed."
I will use my alert rest technique, setting up in the corner under the window and opposite the door, with the lajatang close at hand.
Assuming the night passes uneventfully, I'll take Lily out for breakfast - a different restaurant from last time - and then the supermarket.
At the supermarket, I want to know what kinds of things they sell. Do they sell guns and ammo? Hunting supplies? Radios? Spy equipment? Other weapons? Dangerous chemicals? Bombs? Explosives? Drugs?
Your Alert Rest is successful.
Lily whispers and mumbles incoherently to herself at times in her sleep; she tosses and turns.
By two in the morning, you are wide awake. The brochure crinkles in your pocket as you shift, so, in absence of anything else to do, you take a look at it and recognize through the darkness the images of Sol, Luna, and Yggdrasil.
§
You find yourselves out at breakfast, and while you're there, and man walks up to you and hands you a handful of bills, telling you, "You probably need this more than I do." He walks out before you can stop him. It's three hundred dollars -- American money, again.
Twice lucky now; is that coincidence or suspicious?
§
The supermarket carries all of the above except drugs; not even a bottle of ibuprofen to speak of.
The money handout is too suspicous. I try to get a glimpse at the man: face, clothing, hair, whether I've seen him before.
Good to know that she was correct about the supermarket. We'll come back later.
I walk around in search of a more permanent housing solution, either apartments or houses, and check the prices. No sense buying cheap food if we can't cook or store it.
You get a good look at the man; he looks like an American tourist.
All the housing you are able to find is cheap and run down; it could be the area, of course.
Well, I was expecting both, as long as it was livable.
I'll ask about Sol, Luna, and Yggdrasil as we walk around town, genuinely interested in Lily's descriptions.
You find a place you could buy for three hundred. Lily tells you that the two of you could probably talk the guy selling it down if you met in person.
She tells you, "Sol is the embodiment of life in harmony and joy. It's more a nice thought than anything else; and that's where Luna comes into play.
"Luna is Sol's opposite, but Yggdrasil is there to remind us that the sadness and hardship is also necessary for us to grow, just as She does."
"Yeah, that's true. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush." How would we go about making contact? Is there a phone number or some instruction?
"So, tell me more about the roles of Sol, Luna, and Yggdrasil? How does Lilith play into it all?"
I'll meander back to the apartment, then pause. "Did you want to go anywhere? See anything?"
There is a phone number; the sign in the window says for sale by owner.
"Lilith created them, as She created all things. She wanted us to have hope for the future, because She felt it was and should be in our hands; She warned that one day our evil would prove to be the end of our world.
"No. It's nice being with you, though. I hope I can stay with you forever. I feel like you actually care about me...
"Can I ask your name?" She seems as if the information wasn't important before, but now matters enough to ask you.
§
Careful combing of the thread reveals that you have yet to introduce yourself to her; between the bomb and whatnot, your introductions were a bit hasty, and she wouldn't have asked on her own until now.
"Oh, how rude of me! Please, call me Rune."
Our introductions were very hasty, and the shock of everything has left me scattered and confused over the past day. Realizing for the first time that we were within seconds of losing our lives and that Lily didn't bring anything with her, I turn and start heading for the supermarket. "I do enjoy your company, and I don't think it's fair that you were locked up in that building. Let's get you a present," I say as we change direction.
At the supermarket, I want to get her about a week's worth of full changes of clothes, but I'll let her pick out the style. We'll also get toiletries, but we'll skip the food for the moment. I'll ask her if there's anything she wants, since these are just things she needs.
Do they have an occult section at the store? I'm interested in anything related to dragons, crystals, skulls, or swords. I'd specifically like to have some sort of a crystal on a leather laniard or thong, best case scenario it would be a miniature dragon coiled around a sword with a skull for a pommel carved from a diamond, emerald, or white opal.
Lily doesn't have any preference at all as to the style of clothing. She seems more interested in what style you think would look nice on her. She doesn't express any desire except for her time spent with you to not end.
Unfortunately, there is no occult section. As you leave the market with your purchases, you're approached by a peddler with a cart full of ornamental but functional looking martial weapons.
"You, sir," he says, looking at you through is good eye, "look as if you could make good use of one of my pieces."
Your eyes land on a blade most impressive; long sword in design, but with a blade that may well be made of diamond, steel handled with a leather grip, fashioned in the shape of a dragon, wings outstretched forming the hilt, holding a large emerald pommel in its talons.
"A muy linda sword, is she not? The hombre I hawked her from swore she predates Lilith Herself. For you, señor, I'd be willing to cut a fair deal... four dolores y forty nine centamos."
I pick out some cute yet functional clothing, sticking to pants and shirts that cover the necessary bits comfortably but fit the climate. Two pairs of capris, two pairs of shorts, two pairs of stretch/sweatpants, and one pair of denim jeans. Two tees, two blouses, two long-sleeve tees, and one button-up shirt. Socks and underwear. For sizes I'll ask her if she knows, if not I'll eyeball it (I'm pretty good at eyeballing, I shop with my wife too much).
My eyes flash in spite of myself when I see the weapon. "May I?" At his acceptance, I lift the sword and inspect it fully. The blade, the crossguard, the hilt, and pommel. I want to take a close look at the craftsmanship, see if I can see any noticable seams or crevices, test the balance, and examine the craftsmanship in the dragonic figure. I will also hold the blade up in front of me and close my eyes, feeling the object in my hands without looking at it, to see if I feel any presence with it. (I would expect, for example, that a magical artifact would have a certain aura that would feel different from a regular piece of stone and metal, the same way living people and animals give off an aura.)
I will also take note of whether Lily has any reaction to the claim of the weapon predating Lilith or my reaching for it.
Here is a question! It seems you are trying to psionically detect magic? Using your mind to feel whether this is a magical item; yes?
§
The workmanship is gorgeous. It is weighted so perfectly that a person with no interest would immediately notice upon hefting it. The blade is almost transparent, barely translucent; judging by the weight, it certainly seems to be diamond and not glass.
The craftsmanship is exquisite; you have never seen a weapon of such make. It seems to have been been created by a master.
Lily doesn't seem to have any reaction to you taking the weapon.
Yes.
§
"A beautiful piece. I've never seen its equal." Offer him a $10 bill. No change necessary.
The roll is 3. Add 1@1 Detect Magic Object P3@10 to your sheet.
§
The sword does have a magical aura.
The peddler insists on giving you the five dollars and penny before stumbling off toward the drug dealer.
That should not have worked. I was already getting ready to roleplay brainburn!
§
"Interesting..." I take the change. Does the sword have a scabbard? If not, I'll buy one while I'm here. Either way, I'll pick up an adjustable strap that I can attach to the scabbard, so I can change its orientation when worn.
If Lilith doesn't want anything else, we'll checkout and head back to the motel, drop off our things, and then go out to lunch.
It does have a lightweight metal scabbard and an adjustable strap.
Lily doesn't want anything that she doesn't have right now.
What all are you taking with you as you go out?
Just money and the clothes on our backs. I have a few weapons, but none of them are very easily concealed and I'm not very good with them, so best-case scenario they'd just call unnecessary attention.
"So Lily," I say, making conversation as we walk all over town, "what do you like to do with your free time?" It occurs to me that she's not as overtalkative as I would expect from a young girl who spends most of her time cooped up inside a building, but that also makes me think she must spend a lot of time thinking.
She is very quiet, yes. She answers you, "I spend it with you. I haven't ever been free before. It's a nice feeling." When she smiles it could light up a room.
"Well, yes, but, what about before? You were in that building as long as you could remember, what did you do with your time?"
"I spent time with the harem girls or with my dad when he was around. There wasn't very much I was allowed to do," she looks around at the surroundings. "This is the longest I've ever been away from there in my life."
Your intuition finally kicks in, and you notice there, against the skyline, that the building which collapsed the day before is there.
...what in the world...?
I'll point out the building to Lily. "Does your grandfather always rebuild so quickly?"
I start paying more attention to my surroundings, actively looking for other inconsistencies.
We'll still go out for lunch.